The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-25
California Society and its PecuIiarities.

The San Francisco Golden Era says:-
zone of the principal detects in the manners
and customs of California society is the absence
OF social amusements and reunions in which eu'
tire families, old and young, may participate.
Our balls, parties, theatres, concerts, aud eXhl-
billions and even the church services, are such
that children are considered out OF place
among them. They must be left behind Whlle
the older folks enjoy themselves. Almost all our
amusements are enjoyed in the night time, Wheh
the children are packed oil 10 bed or le!t I'D care
of servants. Our men are so absorbed in the
cares of business aud the pursuit oil Weath, that
it is only when darkness comes on and prevents
their further atteution 10 such matters that time
can be devoted to their families or recreation.
The result is that children are too frequently
considered as undesirable, sort OF nuisance,
making bother and trouble during the day, aud
too apt TO prevent their parents enjoying the
pleasures of society during the evening.
"The fault, certainly, IS not with the children
We imagine our California boys and girls are as
good as interesting, and, when well trained, as
obedient and afeCtionate as those IN other cOun-
tries where the same feelings and customs do
not exist. The fault is with the parents and the
customs they have adopted, which engender the
feelings we have mentioned. a reform Is neCeS'
sary, then, to correct and eradicate these
growing and unnatural feelings. Our self.
styled workingmen have made long step IN
that direction by the adoption of the eight
hour rule. They can do as much work as can
be advantageously performed daily in eight
hours, and so can other classes OF the commu-
Mtg who do more work. There is no reason why
q
not be transacted in six hours daily, if its in
habi'ants only adopted rule for tnat purpose.
"But with or without such q rule, decided
change should be made in the character OF the
amusements INDUCED in among us. Social aud
domestic festivities could be increased and en-
couraged and m adc TO take the place of public
ones. The birthdays of the parents and the
birthday of each child in the family, should be
made a holiday in which every member aud the
relatives aud intimate friends OF the family,
great and small, should participate. The old
folks, or the young heads OF families, as is often
the case in this State, should accustom them
selves to take their pleasures and diversion
with their children, and in the circle Of their
intimate fIienCs. If this was done their plea
sures would be more innocent and much less
expensive than they now generally are. There
would be more real and warm affection existing
among Us. There would be more confidence and
respect among friends. Our homes would be
more attractive and our young people Just en-
tering upon the stage Of active life would not
have to 90 from home in search of what they
consider pleasure. And we believe that more and
happier marriages would follow and pleasant
homes be multiplied among us, because the
ideas with which such unions were contracted
would be more moderate and reasonable. We
need to have our ideas OF what pleasure and
enjoyment are TatiOnalized and humanzed. We
need to make fashion and display questionable,
and to learn that the home circle Is the only
place in which true happiness need ever be
sought. Instead Of contracting our home
circles let us enlarge them by inviting and adj
to be trusted aud confidential friends, that we
may benefit them and they ue. California con-
tains the material for society inferior to none
existing elsewhere. If we make our homes the
places IN which we most frequently meet aud
welcome our friends and acquaintarces, and
there in free converse learu to know aud appre-
ciatC each other more thoroughly, the reform
will have been more than half accomplished.