The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-13

The following is taken from the New
| York Times of the Iith instant:
There is charming passage in VI.
d'Ilaussonyille's latest article upon Ameri-
can people and habits, n passage suggested by
his trip to Richmond, Va. A ball was given
at Richmond in honor Of himself and his
associates during the days OF the Yorktown
celebration. and he relates that the bail was
arranged IN hired building by the ladies'
and chiefly by the young girls OF the best
| Virginian society. There were not twenty
mothers or chaperons in the ballroom. he
declares, but there were at least thirty
young unmarried girls. Among these
| there were perhaps three or four who spoke
French, aud among the French visitors
there was an equally scant knowledge OF
English. Under such conditions VI.
| d Haussonville is amiable enough to
remind his compatriots conversation
would be rather cold in France. but at
Richmond, among the American girls. con-
versation went on ioyously and in the most
spirited way, and the evening was pro-
longed deep into the night. The French
men left the ballroom with the conviction
that they had learned something distinct
and fresh about our society. They were,
in fact, unanimously enthusiastic in favor
of the American girl. 1.-THE young girl"
writes VI. d dlIausSOnyille, Z" is nm insiitu-
ton in America-like the fire-engine; even
more inIeresting-and upon this subject
should like TO say few words" Where
upon he goes on TO state that in France
there is a legend about the young Amcri-
can grl. Just as there is a legend about the
French girl in America. The former girl. he
says, is supposed TO be hardy. coquctti,h,
with a mind always prc0ccupied with get
ting a husband and ready 10 risk every
thing 10 gain one. Here, by way OF con-
trast, the French girl is thought TO be
silent. prUdish, inert, and ready to receive
from her father and mother a husband
whom she does not know. VI. d llausSOn-
Vile believes that neither legend Is founded
on fact: and our American women should
be grateful that 50 delicate, chiyalrous.
and discriminating an observer has sought
TO set them and their customs right
IN the eyes OF his preiudiced country
men, He acknowledges that the differ
ence between the girls OF the two countries
i striking-almOSt inconsistent, at first
sight. But the difference, he sees clearly
enough, is due entirely 10 opposite concep-
tionS Of the social situation. He writes. for
instance: "ln America, when you start off
for any city, you are invariably told: You
will find some very pretty girls there In
France one would lay very pretty women.
All the difference which 1 speak Of is made
clear i'm the Use OF the two terms. I'm Amer
lea thesocial movement i organized for the
young girls; balls, germans, kettle-drums,
country parties-cyerything turns upon
them. And young married women, with
out being excluded from them take but Il
small part I'm them, most often under
prcteXt to matroniZe one or more sisters,
cousins, or friends. Young girls 90 fire.
quently also TO the theatre, dine alone i'm
town, and stay at the houses OF their mar
ried friends. In word, during the few
years which separate their entrance into
society from marriage-tnai i TO say, from
eighteen to twenty-five or twenty-thrce-
they lead that life OF pleasure which is. on
the contrary, the privilege OF young wives in
France. They know that this is the good
time OF their life, throughout which they
may carelcssly amuse themselves sand some
OF them, in order TO prolong this time,
force the men Of their heart to wait for
them year or two" After marriage
among our own girls, a. VI. d'lIaussonyille
observes, comes the serious duties OF life.