The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-05-09
QUITE ENGLISH, YOU KNOW
cHAPsRoNs FOR SOCIETY MISSES.
What Prominent indianapolis Ladies Have
to Say of the Fad-Some Like 1t, But
Others See in 1t Nothing to
Commend Admire.
THE subject of chaperons for young

| April 10 lHE SENTlNEL contained an
article on the subject, giving the
opinion of Bessie Bramble as she is
quoted in the Pittsburg Dispatch. She said:
There seems to be a great desire among
some people to apethis European fashion,
regarding young women as incapable of
| taking care of themselves-of seeming to
think that the daughters of wealth are so
little fitted by education and training for
| knowing how to behave in the society of
men that they must be constantly watched
that girls in society could not be trusted
to be modest and proper unless under tow
of some dowager, or maid, or governess, or
groom"
a little investigation on the subject has
revealed some interesting facts. Several
years ago such parsonage as chaperon
was unheard of in New York society. But
recently, as Bessie Bramble states, it has
| got to be quite a fad. Its so English,
you know" as a certain lady expressed it
| to the writer.
Whether or not the chaperon is of real
| benefit is question that is productive of
a great diversity of opinion and debate.
! The writer modestly suggests that some
lady in the city hold a chaperon tea for
the purpose of debating the subject. Quite
a lumber of ladies have kindly given their
! opinion on the subject.
Mrs. E. G.. Atkins expresses it as her de-
cided opinion that the chaperon is all
| right and proper "The chaperon is not
| put over young ladies for the purpose of
| espionage. 1t is not because we cannot
! trust the young men neither is the en-
| plOyment OF chaperon an endeavor to
/ ape European customs. think the cha
/ peron is a part of young lady's educa-
| ton, in teaching her politenesS and kind
ness. For instance, when a young lady
! goes to a party her consideration for the
elder person who accompanies her will
| prompt her to not stay too late. The cha
| peron is also a protector. There are
many people in this city who chaperon
| their daughters, not by hiring some spe-
| cial person for the purpose, but the
mother or some other member OF the fam
! ~ does it."
Mrs. Leon O. Bailey has this to say:
| "Chaperons are necessary for certain
classes ofsociety people-that is, for those
| whose daughters have every little atten-
ton paid TO them by their parents. In
certain localities it is a code that is strictly
| adhered to. In this custom of having
chaperons New York apes London and
indianapolis apes New York. Although
in some cases l acknowledge the benefit
of them, yet, on the whole, it is simply
a fashion. In an educational point of
view they are not necessary. 1t Is the
mothers duty in reality to look after their
daughters"
Mrs MAY Wright Sewall said that when
girls went into society at an early age
they should undoubtedly be under the
care of a chaperon; but after they had
matured into the full bloom of young
lady there was no need of them.
Mrs Henry Jameson gave very inter
esting interview on the subject: 81 think
that chaperoning our daughters is a wise
policy" she said. ''In going TO parties,
balls, or picnics, where there is promis-
cuous gathering, either the parent or some
elderly person, who has some real concern
for the young lady, should 60 with her. l
do not believe in hiring persons for that
purpose, however, because such person
could not command the respect of the
young lady, and the result would be quite
the opposite of the one desired. There
are times, however, when a young lady
can be greatly benefited by the presence
of her mother, or some one who possesses
real interest in her. | believe the mother
should have intimate relation with her
daughter, and that the daughter should
be carefully trained and properly taught
by her"
Mrs. NJ. II. Spades voiced her sentiment
on the subject also. 81 think that the
idea of having chaperOns is an absurd one.
There is no necessity for them in this city.
At the last assembly at the New Denison
there was a row of chaperons half way
around the room.l 1t was very ridiculous
to witness long line of chaperons cycling
ha x-o.rpo, ladies DC thaV Iancp Tho idaa
that young lady cannot go to the theater
or a ball without a chaperon works
great hardship to a young man and mate
rally increases his expenditures. The
custom of having chaperons is much
prevalent in the South. In that section
young lady is accompanied to the theater
or the ball or other public gathering by
chaperon, but the same young lady goes
out riding with young man minus the
chaperon. This shows that it is simply
a fashion without any redeeming feat
ures."
The writer has talked to several other
ladies on the subject, some holding that
chaperons are all right and proper, while
others ridicule the idea. The general
opinion is that as voiced by Mrs. Jamison,
that is, that parents should be the chap
erons where chaperoning Is necessary.
This has been the plan followed by well
regulated families.
A well-known society lady, who did not
desire to have her name used, said: '"The
real point at issue is the growing fad in
high society of having as a chaperon
person especially engaged for that pur-
pose. Anyone, it seems, should ridicule
the very idea of having such pieces of
sham about. 1t is a poor plea put for
ward by those favoring chaperons that
they are simply for the purpose OF educa-
ton. A girls education heretofore has
been taught her at school and at the fire
side. Etiquette and manners have been
taught at home. 1t would be exceedingly
edifying to a young lady to be reprimanded
in company by some one under the en-
ploy of the family. If by education is
meant teaching the young lady how to
act gracefully and becomingly the chap
eron cannot be otherwise than failure.
Every girl has a natural tuition that
guides her actions. If she is not graceful
she cannot be taught it. Gracefulness is
a gift of nature Again it is supposed that
a young lady teaches herself how to bow
and curtesy and how to educate her
features so as to look pretty and winning
or, cold and distant, or scornful and wise
by posing herself before mirror in her
private apartments. At leastth artificial
behavior of modern society is supposed to
be acquired in that manner. Those graces