Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-23

than In the view OF Inelr respective pVsi-
tious, rights, and duties taken by mothers
and daughters. This difference, it mnst be
admitted, is rather hard on both sides.
Itis exceedingly dificult-after reaching
a certain degree of maturity-to accept In
evitable changes, or to look on what is un-
accustomed as anything but evil, more or
less mixed. Now among these changes, the
ever enlarging circle of freedom accorded to
Cirlhood, compared to their status 80
years ago, is one of the most marked
characteristics of the period. We
mothers. who remember our own
green salad DAYS" can recall
the innocent simplicity" time, when SIS
tiers dressed alike, and young women OF 20 or
26 would not accept an invitation to
tea without asking mammals permission;
when a railway journey OF 20 or 80 miles.
unaccompanied, was daring feat; when 1t
would have been quite too wild q breach OF
the proprieties for two young ladies, at
almost any age, to go to a ball together un-
chaperoned, and to walk about the streets
without father or mother a very doubtful
act
There has rarely been more thorough or
rapid change of front than in these matters.
The most dutiful of modern daughters thinks
it quite enough to say: "If you don't want
an SOlhS W NAuS -~~-S
Jones. or to lunch with Lottie Thompson
to-dav," or "The Browns have a box at the
Lyceum on Saturday, have promised to
60 with them"
Appointments-plans of study or amuse-
ment-are arranged in rs complete lnde-
pendence of maternal and paternal control
as is consistent with the fact that the long
suffering parents hold the purse-strings
The love of power Inherent in the elderly
that sense OF rightful authority arising
from tbs consciousness of having stood the
storm when the waves were rough, natural
ly resents the self-assertion of young people,
and feels shocked at the unhesltating manner
IN which young girls attempt to take their hFes
in their own hands and, in such matters as
taste, dress choice OF friends, insist on being a
law unto themselves.
In short youth and merit have ceased to be
associated in any reflective mind, with mod
esty. Rather has meritorous youth put lts
hat on one side with defiant cock, buttoneo
rough overcoat across its manly chest (or
wOmanly as the case may be-there is small
difference IN cOstume), thrust a parcel of phil
osophic and scientific books under its arm,
shouldered trusty umbrella, and gone forth
conquering and to conquer, ready to demolsh
such windmills Of tradition as the old oelle1
that the tender weakness of one sex draws out
the noble generosity of the other and that
silence and submssiveness are woman's shield
and spear while obedience patience, reverence
the Christian virtues generally, have gone out
OF fashion.
Let us see how this condition of mind affects
the relations of mothers and daughters.
There is, we acknowledge, IN this new devel-
opment of ambition and self-assertion much to
irritate the former, although there is little or
nothing positively wrong, and great deal that
is inevitable The circumstances of modern
life have changed so radically, the facts OF our
enormously increased population, facilities OF
movement, of mental intercourse, render II I'm
possible that one-half the human race, even
granting it to be the weaker. can stand still
while the other half presses forward. More
over if las statistics seem to prOve) there be
not enough men in the world tine Englsn
world to marry all the women, the latter have
undoubtedly a right to such instruction and
training will enable them to earn their
bread-this on the lowest platform OF consider
alton. The time has come when girl can no
longer sit at her sewing, waiting for highly
probable husband, serving in her father's house,
as she will in the future abode OF which she is
to he the deputy head. She must probably
share the tolls and troubles OF lifes warfare, In
measure formerly unknown; her existence
will be no longer tranquil round of simple
duties, within the safe-sheltered schoolroom of
wider dimensions which she calls home: she
must be capable of going forth into the world,
and taking her part IN the management per
and this increase of care is a species of en-
nObling capitation tax, paid Tor her new prlv1-
lege of independence and individuality.
Yet il is not without profound sigh of affec-
tionate regret we see the sweet old picture of
gentle, loving, home-staying girlhood, and
many of the excellencies connected with II,
like those double transparencies of former
DAYS, whereon the first picture melts into an
other more strongly colored when held before
the light
The unavoidable outcome Of a fuller, more
rapid existence, wider knowledge and clearer
perceptions of reality is degree OF self-asser-
tive individuality.
Girls cannot now feel that, so long as they do
as they are bid, they have right to vegetate
untroubled, at the expense of parents or
guardians. The right to emancipation must,
like the manumigSlOu of the slave. be
chased either by service or by money and no
one who lives at the cost of another can really
feel free.
An eagerness for useful training for work.
chiefly remunerative work, has sprung up grad
ually-lnevitably.
Our girls have developed the idea of a ''ca-
reer'' as well-nigh a necessity, and hence the
change that mothers often find painful Their
daughters begin by losing reverence; they
question the wisdom of the past-its fashions
beauties and habits; their very affection is
irreverently expressed. The schoolgirl, when
mother" glancing at her exercise books as
she joyfully unpacks her child's box at the begin
ming Of the holidays exclaims in dsnIay, My
dear, what dreadful writing! They will destroy
your hand with all this scribbling," replies
You dear thing! Do you think we have time
to put our fingers into the correct position and
form our letters? We just clutch our pens and
drive away as best we CAM
But, my love. nice ladylike hand is"
Like your own, mother?-yes, it is pretty,
but it is all old-fashioned stuff" and mamma
''shuts up."
Then her suggestions as to dress are at best
received with an indulgent, do you think so?
Well you see that sort of thing is rather gone
by now. We want a certain harmony of style
and color. These things were not thought of
in your day! Maud and had better go to
Whiteley's and choose the material and lace
ourselves. will tell them to send the bill to
you! After which mother" feels rather
t'smaIl."
However. in general, it must be admitted
that the girl of the period" has a conscience
as regards keeping within her allowance, so far
we have observed, and this conscience is the
natural result OF independence. In thought-
full womanly girls mind there is no place for
that irresponsible childishness some find so
fascinating.
The species of running fight that frequently
nipples between representatives Of the quiet
past and of the swift moving present, as exem-
plified by mothers and daughters, isnot always
so slight and kindly as the above examples
Every girl has a right to be armed for the
battle which probably awaits her. The difficult
ties are bad enough but do not let us send our
young amazons forth to battle, as we do our
soldiers, with swords that snap, and bayonets
that will not pierce! Moreover, when girl
has overcome paternal and maternal objections,
and is toiing might and main to forge her
weapons for the warfare, it is no small trial TO
meet with opposition and black looks and sting
ing speeches at home.
81 wanted to 20 into town, but l really cannot
go about always by myself OF course, shopping
is beneath the notice ofsuch very learned young
ladies as you are;i or '0f course it is hopeless
to expect punctuslity when classes are in ques-
tion," are not cheering observations after long
day at South Kensington, or any other hotbed
oflearning.
Sometimes mother is q more resolute, de-
cided person, who puts down her foot on GER
tain expenditures. "a chemistry class? Ger
tainly not? ! shall ask your father for no such
thingl What good will it dor Are you going
TO set up a druggists shop? You wish you
could? Nonsense! Your brother Jim wants
all the money We can spare, for his teaching.
What! you work twice as hard as he does, and
get M heinz ] am astnnished at Won Il elenl