Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-05
The Unequal Treatment of English Girls.

London Letter TO the san Irsncisco Arsonaut.
believe l am safe in saying that nothing
will strike the American who mingles in Eng
lish high society, and makes study Of it, more
forciby than the unequal treatment which
daughters receive as compared with sons. To
the Amt rican accustomed 10 regard woman with
the chiyalric devotion which has made the
name of America held IN high esteem by right
thinking people the world over the almost
utter indifference which Is her portion in
English high lIie when placed in the scales
with man will be revelation partaking alike
Of surprise and Indignation. l am sure l do
not know why t n 80. Sny az should be 90. or
why II ever came to be 30. IL Is slur on
English manhood and discredit to English
civilization, and the sentiment, or rather the
want of any, which prompts this underyalua-
tion IN these degenerate days Of whom 10
the custom and the fashion and
the delight of all true Englishmen
| once to honor aud revere, TO elevate and to
cherish, is IN full accord with the principles
which, under similar conditions, direct the
conduct OF the red Indian bucks" TO their
squaws. These are hard words, or may seem
TO be such, but they not used without justi-
fable cause; and think that / may with con-
fdence leave IL to any American gentleman
who has been educated by American social
customs and American national sentiment 10
place an American estimate on women, and
who has had opportunities OF observing her
not appeal TO Engllshmen, especially those
who may he temporarily residing in America
Naturally shey would not agree with me. Any
how, they would not say If they did Very
few of the English gentlemen who perma-
nently dwell in the different cities and districts
of the United States are whst may term sufii-
ciently up" in the habits and customs of high
life in their native land to give their opinion
thereon any weight
The unequal treatment OF girls" as COM
..hn -. Ls,l
shown in very many ways. The inferior eda-
cation given TO daughters is one instance
Girls are Taught at home by governesses, be-
cause il is vulgar for ladies to go 10 school or
college, and sons go to Elton, Harrow, Oxford
or Cambridge. IL ID not IL the boys were
expected to earn their living when they grew
up. If that were the motive Of giving them
expensive educations one would not mind Bus
they do nothing after they grow up except
play cricket and tennis in summer and shoot
and hunt in winter. The class of young men
refer to do that, anyhow. There are exceptions.
Of course. However, If English young gentle
men" do not go into the army can any one tell
me what else they dor Are not there COM
monty at the houses one goes TO stay at two OF
three sons at home waiting for some occupa-
ton TO be offered them-some occupation that
will suit their high notions and idle prociivi-
ties? II does not matter how long they
stay u1married-the longer the better,
until they can pick up an heiress
But the girls-poor things-they must
try and get settled soon ss they can. They
must not think Of love-oh. dear no; and ali
literature encouraging romance ana poetry in
their natures is carefully withheld from them.
Then daughters are not given or left so much
money are sons. Not long since 1 was ex-
planning TO lady of title how different the rule
in America is-that daughters got the most
and the sons were made TO work She wa
greatly surprised or appeared 10 be. I fire.
quently give this the reason why there are
SO many marriages OF peers with American
girls. ''Glve," say, ''the money Won give
your sons to your daughters and the noble
men will stay in England for their wives.~
They do not seem to see it, but they will some
day.