The Sun.
London, England, 1826-05-19 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.-

Stet--I hope you will allow me, through the me-
dium of your excellent paper, to notice a practice
which I could wish, for the honour and respectability
of many an amiable family, . were abolished. lam a
frequent perambulator in the Parks, between the un-
fashionable hours of ten and three, during which pc-
riod it is too often my sorrow to observe some peraons—
apparently ladies—well dressed and well mounted, and
really seeming to possess the modesty and manners
of gentlewomen, riding in the most familiar way by the
side of their grooms; and this not for the sake of pro-
tection, but conversation, as these ladies appear per-
fect mistresses of the equestrian art. At first, when
this scandalous revolt from all the laws of decorum
presented itself before nut, I felt convinced that some
accidental occurrence must have occasioned a tit-
cumstance so derogatory ; but, to my chagrin and
astonishment, the disgraceful scene was repeated the,
following day, and still continues to annoy me and
disgrace them. No one, Sir, is a g:eater advocate
for this delightful exercise than myself; but I am of
'Opinion no woman should attempt to ride in pub-
lic, unless idle is perfect mistress of her horse,
and can controul him without the close attendance
or interference of her servant. To what can the impro-,
priety of which I complain lead, but to' the most
shocking consequences, which must ultimately tend to
the rum and misery of every girl who is -thus easily
initiated into a low society. The fault must, I fear,
originate with the parents, and perhaps it. sometimes
happens that the over-cautious mother warns. her
daughter against the dangers she may incur by not
taking sufficient care to guard against any sudden or
unexpected turbulence of the noble animal which
bears her weight ;—this may induce the young lady to
desire the groom to ride nearer to her than the laws
of female modesty and propriety can sanction, and
she may, unhappily have a -taste for, volubility which
must eihaust itself somewhere—she of course enters
into conversation' with the man who accompanies her.
Can mothers, who' allow their daughters thus earltin
life to lose the feelings of distinction that Ought to
exist between mistress and servant, wonder that the poor
girls .ahould, in after life, blot their fair name by
deeds that sunder them from- all virtuous society. ?
Our newspapers are too frequently the records of de-
pravity, which prove how easily the female minctretro-
grades from the strict path of honour and virtue ; it
would be Cruel to suppose any woman naturally prone
to deviate from rectitude ; it depends generally upon
the society into which, she is thrown. In the nursery
too little regard is often paid to the earliest iinpres-
tiaras ; and, as the infant mind gradually unfolds, flat-
tery, or vicious example, orconversation,mayeven in
the drawing-room—lay the foundation for a future
want of principle and modesty. Thus too frequently'
is the first barrier overthrown,' and it such should be
the ease, how easily will every other mischief follow,
when the society of those, who are by birth and °du;
cation our inferiors, is no longer regarded as degrading
or improper.—l do trust this may be the last time
shall have occasion to trouble you with a letter upon
this subject ; and I hope in future the young ladies,
who have so scandalized my womanly, feelings, will
command their grooms. to keep at a proper distance.—
] am, Sir, your most obedient,
London, May 18, 1828.