The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-10
SOME NEW BOOKS.
A EssiisA I.dy.s Views or Society.

% weddings. dinners. aad dress. the hard
work and tho diversions Of society. country
( house life. men and their manners. the
little follies OF women. and the gen.
20 art Of Irritation. A glance through
her bright pngos will convince the
rsAdos that tho author is mistress OF her
theme qualified not only by experience but
By natural aptitude to discourse unto edlfca-
don. It may DO that some Of her observations
and suggestions ore not precisely adapted to
this latitude. but they will not on TINT account
- listened to with less avldty. since II IL the
1evoutly cherished hopo OF American young
women. that though they may not entirely
succeed In producing tho impression OF being
English. they may with vigilance and indus.
~ come near Il.
The author OF this instructive treatise is no
social roformer. She accepts things as they
are. and she inclines to tho beliof that thoy are
not likely to change materially. Marriage. she
holds. must Inevitably remain the chief end
and aim OF young women In society. Owing
% the arrangements whereby daughters are
olenderly portioned. and because professional
occupations arc pronounced out OF the ques-
tion. wodlock IL their only possible goal. Tho
existence OF an nristocratio spinster. acous-
toned from her earliest youth to every comfort
0uu luxury anu tuEu6O OuG III mluulb lll0 W
grace amid Sfinding poverty and irksome idle
ness. Is, indeed. most pitiable. Consequent
y. despite tho outcry about matchmaking
mothers and the execration that falls upon
their heads from people who know nothing
about the matter. Lady Violet Grevile looks
upon thctr strenuous efforts as the lesser OF
two svila. A mother who cares for her girls
happiness cannot boar to see them fading
away. knowing that they arc destined to
future indigonos and notwithstanding disap-
pointment. and not do her best to rescue
them from such fate Like for
seeing General. therefore. she marshais
hcr forces. counts the cost aud proceeds brave
II 70 skirmish through the hot, oppressive
mases Of the London ball room. continuing the
arduous chase to Cowes. Germany. and the
country house. In the last-named place she
knowh that the game is more likely to be found
Oh his guard. and to be caught mapping BY the
rosy charms Of Georeina In the early morning.
a. under the big elms she plays tennis in u
pink cotton Dress which displays to perfection
the statuesQue curves Of her limbs: or by the
splendid figure OF Louisa. who rides like
goddess across the downs: or when wenried
and passive. after days tramp through the
heather. he listens to tho enhancing strains OF
Narys voice But although tho wstchiulness
AMI wise provision Of q veteran commander
used to DO deemed indispensable to the sue
cess d campaign. we are told that Of late
some young English women have learned to
do without . ohaperon. Under the innocent
guise Of paying duty visits to relations they
travel By themselves to Q considerable ex-
tent They manage. escorted only by their
mazda to attend most Of the principal coun-
~ balls and Scotch meetings that take
place in the OF season. Hostesses. It seems
are always glad to secure pretty girl without
y c1,A hn
squeezed into any party. and fitted to any use.
belides serving as a bait to attract men. Still
- . rule. the unchaperoned young woman
does not. we are informed. marry we'll. Men
are little bit afraid OF her. They think that
she knows too much. and they like to keep
corner OF their lives sacred from her curiosity.
IT, may trust the author Of this volume. the
romance on which tho grandmothers Of the
present generation insisted a. Q sine qua non
IN their love affairs is disappearing from Eng
llsh eourtship. Sentiment is Questionable.
lovs-making Is accounted somewhat mawkish
and. almost as soon as the couple are engaged.
the wedding Is hurried on. Long engage
mentA like long honeymoons. are no longer
the correct thing. II It were done. then It
were we'll 1t were done quickly. is the motto
Of the bride. 1t follows that time is
allowed only for the drawing up OF mar
rlags settlements and tho buying OF
dnery. The arrangements for the wedding
and the choice OF the trousseau occupy the
girls thoughts. to the absolute exclusion OF
love. duty. and the future husband. He is q
mere accessory. although an important one.
being tho ostensible cause and willing pur-
veyor OF all the expense and excitement.
Presently the pair are whirled away In n cloud
OF dust and a shower Of rice and slippers: the
bridesmaids look after them with envy: the
"A ,vt nj ofr roll af hat oil a.
on we'll: the bride fussos about her travelling
cloak and examines her last gift OF jew elry.
and tho bridegroom lights cigarette Hard
" have husband and wife realized their new
position. after the fAintost apology for honey
moon. when. In week or ten days. they are
back again in the unrest and hustle OF town.
The study OF each others character Ia the
furthest thing from their thoughts. Their
lives are to be passed In public. and they can.
not begin too soon.
Married life having begun in earnest the
husband Is relieved from irksome attendance
On his wife. and she on her part goes about in
depsndsntly ~ much rs she likes. so long as
she preserves propriety and gives Mrs. Grundy
NO grounds for complaint Lady Violet testi-
nss TO tho amount OF liberty now accorded to
married women In England. There Is. she tolls
VI. very little that two women together can
not do or soc. They have. II appears. their
clubs. whore letters not exactly suited to the
oonjugal eye may be sent They have their
own set. outside OF which they do not think 1t
worth while to make themselves agreeable.
They dance and firt and amuse themselves
all tho summer like the grasshopper. but far
from making up for 1t BY suffering In winter.
they skate. shoot, hunt get up private theatre
Gals. and have . good time all round. In q
word. young married people have freed them
sslvss from prejudice In every form. and rec
eghise NO duty except that Of enjoying them
sslvsa Our author acknowledges that they
are pagsns at heart, and have given In their
adherence to the ssnsuous worship Of youth
and beauty.
The nrst thing smart young woman wants
% do u 10 entertain. But for that purpose It
no logger sufnces to be yourself person Of
GOOD family. to be the wife Of we'll -known
man. 10 have money. and to DO able to count
on ceftain number OF friends. To DO sue