National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-07-17
A WORD or WARNINg.
The Perils Of Young American Girls IN
European Cities.


Iron tho American PARIS Regiserl
Two very able letters in the New York
Herald have recently called attention to tho
peculiar trials aud temptations attendant on
tho career of n female student of singing in
Milan. The accomplished correspondent evil
IDENTIFY was we'll acquainted with the facts Of
the case and set them forth in vivid and
effective manner. Yet it docs not need resi-.
dence in Milan itself to awaken an American
dwellcr in Europe to the sense of the very
striking objections that exist to tho soionrn Of
young American girl, alone and unprotected.
in any of the large cities Of Continental
Europe. To send young girl to any one Of
those cities to study singing under these con-
ditions, is simply to place her on the high road
to perdition. She may not journey to that
dreadful goal. We are proud TO say that there
are very many brave hearts aud pure souls
among our young girl students of singing that
can encounter unscathed the pcrls Of oven so
terrible mn ordeal. But those pcrils exist and,
instead Of ignoring them II is the duty of all
those who become acquainted with them TO
point out and render them visible TO the ewes
of those who may be called upon to encounter
them.
Our American girls, possessing the tradi-
W
their free, frank ways, gained in the one land
on earth where innocence Is its own safeguard
and the weakness of w0manhood is its own
best protection, are peculiarly untitled to cope
with tho ways and wiles of European cities
An American gentleman for instance, who
was long student of singing at Milan, once
told tho writer of these lues that there exist
ed in that city band of men who made it
their business to sit in front of the cafes of that
city to watch for the newly.arrived American
girls, rs hunter watches for the pheasant or
the stag that he intends.t to STAY aud these men
being, Us rule, handsome, accomplished, and
fascinating, they are all the better prepared 10
hunt down their prey.
Let us imagine the woud-be prima donna
Us she comes abroad, alone unguarded armed
only with her fair face, her fresh young voice,
and the inexperience of her twenty years.
These years have, probably, been passed in the
tranquil seclusou of some New England town
or Western village. She has been the star Of
the principal church choir and the reigning
musical sensation ut all the tea parties Her
voice is considered equal to that Of Nilsson by
those who have heard the Swedish songstress,
and consequently are well prepared to give an
opinion. Ii is thought a shame that such tal-
ent and such gifts should be left undeveloped.
Sympathizng friends make up purse for the
young singer, or some wealthy amateur gener.
ously undertakes to defray the expenses of her
musical education. She comes to Milan, and,
without preparation or transition she finds her
self at once swept into the whrl of the corrupt.
brilliant life of IL great European city. Poor,
frail helpless bark, launched rudderless and
captainless upon stormy sea, what wonder is
it IL disaster and wreck overtake it? And her
little store Of money is just SO much bait to
have the pirate crew of impressarios and
teachers to set all sail in pursuit. 1t is too, an
undeniable fact that the manners and habits
of American girls, innocent as their harmless
freedoms of gpeCCh and manners NAV bp arc
such as to repel the best classes of Italian
women.
The respectable italian girl, of the middle
classes especially, is bred up in almost Oriental
scclusion, surprising in that respect even her
French cotemporary. She sits in the house
knitting stockings or studying her brevary,
and she looks with apprehension on the fair
faced, free.mannered foreigners with their gay
attire and cOquettish ways. Thus are the new
corners shut out from companionship that might
aid them in learning the ways and manners
of the stranger land. On the contrary, they
are thrown in contact with a fast set, both from
England and the United States, who have come
to Italy ostensibly to study, but in reality, to
have "a good time" Aud the consequences Of
such association can better be imagined than
described.
We repeat that we do not mean TO say that
there IRE not many American girls who go to
study music in Milan, and who, nevertheless,
pass triumphant and unsathed through all
the trials and temptations of their career. We
can, on the contrary, point with pride to such
ornaments to their sex aud their chosen pro-
fcssion, as Nine. Emma Albani, Miss Thursby,
and Miss Abbott. But the fact remains the
same as set forth by the Milan correspondent.
They arc patent to any resident in Europe who
is interested in the career of his or her young
countrywomen who go to that city to study
music.