The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-04-25
American Girls as FIirts.
tFrom the Revolution.1

The freedom enjoyed by our young
women is perfect marvel to foreign
ers. They are entirely incapable of
understanding how it accords with
safety and the preservation of good
morals. The flirting which is carried
on between strangers in omnibuses,
horse-cars and on ferry-boats, is so
open and patent they cannot help see
ing it. 1t may be, doubtless, in many
cases, innocent enough, only engaged
in for bit of fun, to while away the
passing moment, but presents a series
of phenomena incomprehensibl to the
transatlantic brain. An English lady.
in this dazed and bewildered condition.
once said to us; at would never do TO
trust English girls with the indepen-
dence American young women enjoy.
They are made differently, and the
worst possible consequences would en-
sue. am surprised that your girls
can behave as | see them without the
loss of caste and character. The i'm
piled compliment was not undeserved.
American girls possess an almost in
congruous mixture of daring .inno-
cence and the ability to protect them
selves; tthough they often commit
breaches Of prorriety and good taste,
they know where to Graw the line, and
can, as general thing, be trusted.
Many of our girls here in New York
are idle and fond Of excitelnent-in
high health, with plenty Of money to
spend, and utterly free from care. The
lounger up and down Fifth avenue of a
sunny afternoon may meet them in
shoals and squads, decked out in their
finery, full of chatter and glee. There
are also specimens of the young genus
homo who appear to have been born
for the sole purpose of tailor's wares,
and ahording feeble excuse for the
display of coxcombry.
These creatures, many OF them,
promenade the avenue at all hours in
the day; few have achieved great
ness, and are as familiar to the dwellers
of the street as Worth monument.
They have at command all the tricks
and devices by which a low grade of
acquaintance can be established with
the demoiselles who hutter along the
pavement. There is an acquaintance
of the eyes and handkerchief Silly,
feeble-minded impertinences are prao-
ticed, which, if witnessed by the pa
ternal relatives of the saucy and rath.
er fast young Miss, who, if she does
not invite, at least permits them would
doubtless be instrumental in drawing
down the chastisement of kick on
the young male idiot who has been in
dulging in this silly sport. This is
very absurd and ridiculous boy and
girl play. 1t belongs to the vealy Pc
riod. We are not considering now a
despicable class of sharks who swarm
in the great cities and molest decorous
matrons, and are dangerous to unpro-
tected young girls. We are dealing
with the youthful improprieties which,
practised openly and without attempt
at concealment, impart to our English
cousins such shiver of nerves.
1t is pity to ewn it, but our city
girls are deplorably unoultured. The
march Of the world has left them one
side; it has got to take them up and
break them, as it were. With the best
material, the most promising, crude
qualities, they are, as yet, incapable of
framing or practicing code of man.
ners which shall develop the inherent
sweetness and urbanity Of our
womanhood.