The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-06-09
As Others See Us.

There is q charming passage in M.
d Haussonville's latest article. upon
American people and habits, a passage
suggested by his trip to Richmond. "A
ball was given at Richmond in honor of
himself and his associates during the
days of the Yorktown celebration, and lie
relates that the ball was arranged in q
hired building by the ladies, and chiefly
by the young girls of the best Virginia
society. There were not twenty mothers
or chaperons in the ballroom, he de-
clares; but there were at least thirty un-
married girls. Among these there were
perhaps three or four who spoke French;
and among the French visitors there was
an equally scant knowledge of English.
Under such conditions NJ. d. Haussonvi!le
is amiable enough to remind his COM
patriots. conversation would be rather
cold in France, but at Richmond, among
the American girls, conversation went
on jOyously and in the most spirited way,
and the evening was prolonged deep into
the night. The Frenchmen 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. s'The young GIRL"
writes M. dHaussonville, sis an insti-
tuition in America-like the fire engine;
even more interesting, and upon this
subject should like to say few words"
Whereupon he goes on to state that in
France there is legend about the young
American girl, just as there is legend
about the French girl in America. The
former girl, he says, is supposed to be
hardy, coquettish, with mind always
pre-occupied with getting a husband
and ready to risk everything to gain one.
Here by way of contrast, the French
girl is thought to be silent. prudish, inert
and ready to receive from her father and
mother husband whom she does not
know. M. d Jacksonville believes that
neither legend is founded on fact; and
our American women should be grateful
that so delicate, chivalrous and discrim.
mating an observer has sought to set
them and their customs right in the eyes
of his prejudiced countrymen. He ac-
knowledges that the difference between
the girls of the two countries is striking
almost inconsistent at first sight. But
the difference, he sees clearly enough, is
due entirely to opposite conceptions Ut
the social situation. He writes, for in
stance: " In America, when you start
off for any city, you are invariable told,
You will find some very pretty girls
there In France one would say very
pretty women. All the difference which
/ speak of is made clear in the use of the
two terms. In America the social move
ment is organized for the young girls
balls, germans. kettledrums, country
parties-everything turns upon them.
And young married women, without
being excluded from them, take but
small part in them, most often under
pretext to matronize one or more sisters.
cousins or friends. Young girls 60 fire.
quently also to the theater, dine alone in
town, and stay at the houses of their
married friends. In word, during the
few years which separate their entrance
into society from marriage-that is to
say, from eighteen to twenty or twenty
three-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 carelessly
amuse themselves; and some of them, III
order to prolong this time, force the men
of their heart to wait for them year or
two" After marriage among our own
girls, as M. d. Haussonville observes
come the serious duties of life.