The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-26
from the selfish reason which the poet
commentaries.

commemorate:
~Phi!osophy has got charm
thought Of Martin Tupper),
And Offering mamma my arm
took her down to supper.
gave her Pommery teote d'or)
Which seethed in rosy bubbles,
called this deeting life bore,
The world sea of troubles"
It il to be feared that the life of chap
erone in America Is not bed of roses.
Kept up late, pushed into . corner, the
mother of society girl becomes only .
sort Of head chambermaid. Were she in
Europe she would be the person who would
receive the compliments and attention,
not asked to dance the german.
"A competent critic of our manners spoke
OF this IN the following sensible words:
The evils arising from the excessive
liberty permitted to American girls cam
not be called by. live ever root 1t out We
must begin with the family life, which
must be reformed. For young people par
entail authority is the only sure guide
Coieridge well said, that he who was not
able to govern himself must be governed
by others, and experience has shown us
that the children of civilized parents are
a. little able to govern themselves as the
children OF savages. The liberty or license
ofour youth will have to be curtailed, a.
our society Is becoming more complex and
ARTIFICIAL, ike older societies in Europe.
them IN status, and parents will have to
awaken to sense of their responsibilities,
and subordinate their ambitions and their
pleasures to their duties" Mothers should
go out more with their daughters, and join
In their pleasures, never permit themselves
to be sheIved.
Society is in q transition state in Amer
lea. In one community it is considered
proper for young man TO call for a young
glri and drive her off alone to ball. In
another society this is considered every
bad FORM" In Europe it would be con-
sidered vulgar madness.
Therefore it is better for the mother to
resume her rightful place as guardian,
Women are gifted with so much tact and
SO intuitive faculty that in the conduct
of fashionable life they need but few hints
In the leaving of cards, in the first visit,
IN the granting of invitations or the with
holding of them, the art of entertaining
In fact should be founded on, first, good
sense, quiet considerateness, good
heart, q spirit of friendliness; next ask
what is due TO others ard what is due to
oneself There is always q social con-
science in ones organization which will
point Alright. But the mother never
should be shelved by the daughter; that 10
always bad taste.
And the outward performance of con-
ventional rules can never be thoroughly
learned unless the heart is well bred.
Fashion has, however, elected men to be
more polite TO mammas, to give the chap
erone decent seat, and she has an occa-
sional invitation to 60 down to supper.
Many ladies are now introducing dane
ing at crowded day receptions and teas.
Where people are coming and going this
is objectionable, as the hostess is expected
to do too much, and the guests being in
street dress, while the hostess and her
dancers are in low evening dress, the APP
pearance of the party is not ornamental.
Evening parties are far more formal and
require the most elaborate dress. Every
lady who can wear a low-necked dress
should do SO. The great trouble in New
York is now the ridicuously late hour-11
or 12-at which the guests arrive.
If card is written:
Mrs. Brown at home, Tuesday evenings.
some sticklers for etiquette say that she
should not put "R. s. V. P" on her card.
If she wishes an answer she should say:
Mrs. Brown requests the pleasure of Mr.. and
Mrs. Campeils company. r. g. V.P.
Perhaps the latter is the better form. It
is more respectful.
The "At Home" can be used for large
and informal receptions where an indiyid-
ual acceptance is not required.
NJ. E. w. SHERWOOD.