Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-01-26

the most matter-of-fact way, allows
them the privilege of being general
paymasters TOR any expedition Or party
that may be got up. She looks on that
as the proper thing and hardly de-
serving thanks, and certainly it is the
custom of the country, and has its
origin in the chivalrous feeling that a
man should do every thing to honor,
protect and please the ladies he has
under his care. 1t must not for mo-
ment be thought that American women
are not proud, or have any idea of
''sponging" on their friends. 1t is
simply custom which has come out
of the very independence of the women
of America. In the Old World women
are always accompanied by their inn
mediate relations when they leave
their homes on any expedition of
pleasure, and these, of course, do the
needful as regards necessary outlaws;
hence it follows that young men are
not always expected to frank their fair
companions. Now, often in America
expeditions are got up entirely for and
by young people, and the men of the
party naturally are the entertainers.
If an American woman is provided
with father, brother or husband, it
must be added that she makes them
| work as hard as her adorers, and ex-
poets them to make much of her. cater
for her amusement, and help her to
the "lovely time" that she feels is hers
by right.
In in American family the girl of
the house is the important person, and
the father and mother practically no.
where; even when they are above the
average in ability or position they a.
ways, more or less, yield the pas to the
daughter, place that she, with a
mixture of common sense and calcula-
ton, takes and keeps as long as posi-
bic. She seems to grasp the idea that
youth and good looks are fleeing pos
sessions, and that she must make as
much of them as possible. lie jour eSt
auG iennes, indeed, in America.
This spirit of calculation was anus
ingly displayed by a lovely little Amer
lean girl, who was seen by her friends to
devote herself day after day 10 the
study of very dry and learned book,
History of the Early Popes"; on be-
ing asked if she was really interested
in what she read, she laughed at the
very idea, and said: you know while
| am young and pretty no one cares
whether ] know any thing or not, but
the day win come when l shall neither
be one nor the other, and then shall
have something to fall back on, anC
people will be very glad to discuss al
about the Popcs with me then" Tht
same little lady would neithersew be
cause it spolt her hands, nor walk any
distance for fear it might make hel
feet large; and she owned to thes,
ideas so naively that, whereas, in al
English girl, it would have appeared
the most foolish vanity, in her it onl,
seemed rather calculating prudenc
and n desire TO make the best of her
self.
The fact is the frivolity of American
women is mostly on the surface; but
owing to the radical difference Their
is between life in America and life i
England, the women the two coun
tries have hardly any thing in com
mon. This may sound too sweepin
an assertion, yet little consideration
will show that it is the truth. First c
all, there is no country life in Amer
lea, as we understand it in England
there is no aristocracy, or upper ter
, and consequently no dependents, n
: old rctainers, and very few of thos
: duties towards their interiors in ranl
9 which form part of the education an
: after life of many Englishwomen {
= the best kind, and gives them respons
:. bility and sphere of usefulness quit
y unknown in America.
Of course, in old times, in the slay
" States, something of the same kin
. existed; but it has practically died OF
:. now.
4 Again, American girls are not u,
p customed to the active, outdoor life c
their English sisters. They do nc
: hunt; they never walk, and as rae
: abominate outdoor exercise; in fac
y they are far more French in the
habits than English. l think II
y climate has great deal to do with i
. but, certainly, what strikes casu,
:, observer in America is that they al
far more foreign in all their habits an
!, ideas than English.
n On the other hand, an America
n woman will look after her househol
il duties much more infinitely than a
n English woman. Servants are usual
so bad in America that ladies are a
/ customed to do there many thin,
# which here are left entirely to servant
+ American women are much more Il
n equals of men in America than tn,
,e are considered in England. To beg
u with they are more independent
st every way. They share equally wi
" their brothers in money or propert
le consequently, there is no head of
N family. They are also accustomed
ID much more freedom in their educatio
" they read the same books, study Il
/. same subjects and hear them discuss,
IN precisely as their brothers do. TIT
IL are used to women doctors. WON,
editors; in fact women in eve
is sphere. which hitherto have be-
ty kept entirely to men on this side of t
st ..herring pond" Consequently. wh'
st they come over here they charm
d. with their frankness. gayety al
a. spirits as well as by the ease of ma
:. nor natural grace and ability to shi