Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-08
Not Like Her Mother.

NJ. Jules Simon, the famous French
writer and statesman, is decidedly pes
simistic in his views of the way women
of the present day are trained for their
life duties. He admires the women of
the last generation and deeply regrets
the changes which have come to pass.
Formerly" he writes in a recent ar
ticle in the Rerue Contemporaries, 'the
women were brought up firmly but
kindly. They had proper under
standing of their duties: they were tn, !,
common treasure. The most debauch-
ed men became polite in the presence
of young women. They did not re-
ceive instruction in geometry or law,
but they did receive instruction in their
duties, and in all their duties. Duty
was not presented to them as the re-
suit or consequence of theory, but as
law, iptiexible and indisputable. 4 lit
tie too much was required, probably, in
some families of the stricter sort. The
danger of evil was perhaps exaggerated.
'rhe father and mother held council to
decide what book should be read or
what theatrical performance seen. The
grandparents even were often called to
the consultation.
'Once married, the woman exercised
an absolute authority in her house.
The husband did nothing without con-
sulting her. The children looked up
to her as to the living law. The home
did not resemble hotel, where all
can enter who wear decent cloth
ing and have been presented.
1t was a sort of sanctuary To be
admitted there was to be assured of the
esteem and consideration of all who
had that honor. The interior of one
home was not. as to-day, like all others.
Originality was preserved. The wife
bad the ri ght to say: My salon. She
bad furnished it according to her de-
sires and tastes.
"The apartment" continues NJ. ST
mon, "was smaller than to-day; the
servants were less numerous, the eX-
penses more exactly controlled by the
receipts. A beautiful work of art,
transmitted from father to son, took
the place of the costly and vulgar OBJ
iects which are found at the stores Of
of the dealers in furniture. The mis-
tress of the home took pains to be n
good accountant. She studied the bills
every day. She watched them closely,
but was not niggardly. She had old
servants whom she could treat AMIGA
bly,, because she was sure of their at
tachment and respect. They knew her
ways, even her fancies, and accommo-
dated themselves to them with defer
ence.
"There were friends of the house,
tried friends, friends of the husband,
friends Of the wife, Of the children, OF
the servants. In that world things
were taken seriously, even opinions
and sentiments. They were not re-
pressed, but they were carefully con,
trolled. The housewife received
company and liked to do so.
1t was time when the mistress
of the house did not disdain to say,
1T was l who made this dish.
Ordinarily she served the soup herself,
and in the course of the dinner some
favorite dishes, The master went to
the cellar himself to choose certain
bottle. He told its history. The con-
versation was general, and, as the
guests were of the same cl!-
Gle, it was always interesting. The
presence of the mistress of the house
was sufficient to make q law for all
guests.
conversation was continued alter
the dinner, because the guests knew
how to converse, and to converse With
the women. The men had not invent
ed the fashion of retiring after the
meal to side cabinet, there to smoke
their cigars and discuss the affairs OF
the stable and the smoking-room.
Neither did the women form little
groups to discuss the fashions and Other
things which separate them from the
men. They discussed the new est
books and works of art. They recited
verses or read them. They sung also;
aud in my youth there was the accom-
paniment on the guitar. But those
airs are ancient At least the whole
world was sincere. People thought
the refrains charming, in truth. They
amused themselves then openly, frank
ly. There We're true literary salons,
which were branches of the academy
and others where could be heard true
music, sung by true musicians"