Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-11
How Boston Strikes Cultivated Southern
Woman.
CNew York Sun EIItorial)


In the latest number OF the Forum
Mrs. Frances \. Doughty. who was born
In Missouri and has lived many years in
Virginia. describes the impression left
upon her mind by a sojourn OF some du-
ration in the Puritan capital On the
whole, her opinion OF Boston ways and
OF the typical Boston woman Is favorable.
yet sufficiently discrminative 20 interest
and amuse those who take a less sympa-
thetic view.
Mrs. Doughty recognizes that at the
root OF the Boston woman's peculiarities
lies a sociological fact. There are not
men enough TO go around. She conceived.
she says. "a genuine admiration in
which there seems to have been some
pity mingled, for the spirit Of the multi
tude OF brave women. living alone, with
out family ties in the present, and scarce
ly a hope Of them for the future" Under
such conditions the feminine mind natu-
rally turns a serious eye upon the pro-
hlcms Of existence one Is reminded or
the Philadelphia matron who, after eX-
planning that each Of her other daughters
had taken up some particular line likely
to secure masculine approval. naively add
ed Then, there's Hattie: she's religious;
but, with her figure, what else could she
be-"
Ii was noted by the observer from Viz
einia that the relations between the sexes
are more romantic and picturesque in
the Southern States than they are in
the New England. Boston girls she
says. "stop dancing in the early twenties."
We ar at the same time assured that.
II a real lover at last turns up. h. makes
a deep impression on one of these same
Boston mailcns: and. If she accepts him.
she makes "a devoted, ii not a demon
stratiye wife" Should she be- coustrain-
ed. on The other hand. to reject Il suit
or's oyorturcs, she does II with due con-
sheraton for his feelings. The compli-
mtut is more highly appreciated than at
the South. where a girl has too many
Offers To see in them anything but COM
mOnplace ana involuntary tributes to her
charms. Another thing which Mrs
Doughty recognizes as characteristic Of
the Boston woman. is her capacity when
married for attending % both the mental
and material wants of her household.
This is attributed partly 10 her being less
emotional and impulsive than many Of
her sex. As Mrs Doughty sagely r.
marks. "it Is the stress Of emotion that
wears out the human tissue with the
greatest rapidly"
II seems 10 strike the southerner IN
Boston as an inCOneruity that book learn
ing should be 50 much more widely DIFF
fused than politeness. Mrs. Doughty no.
ticad that among persons who had had the
best school training. but not the best early
social advantages. the heart and manners
were not cultivated IN T. the level Of the
brain. Thus she found that noighbOr
at boarding-housc table might discuss
altruism with JUNCTION. yet require
several months OF proximity for his ciyili-
ties 10 reach the point Of passing the vine
gar cruet." These painful surprises. We
are told, rarely occur in Dixie whore,
although education is less generally dis
trbuted. II Is more apt 70 be symmctri-
cally developed in the individual. From
refine mcnt Of manners the transition is
easy To delicacy Of cuisine. Mrs. Doughty
says that while delightful dinners are
given b. Bostonians who have renOuuced
local traditions. the ordinary cooking Of
the people Is distustcful 10 southern
palate: There are too many pies; too
many Goldfish are caught: too many beans
are baked. too much brown bread is
made on Saturday" At this same time.
It is acknowledged that the inslpid boiled
dinners may be more wholesome than
the fried dishes" which are so common
at the South.
Bostoniaus. We learn. are hOeptable 10
strangers If they consider them worth
knowing. but 1t is pointed out that the
survival Of the Puritan temperament
makes them afraid OF being too pleasant,
lest they should lapse into insincerity.
This habit Of self-restraint frequently
causes lack Of spontaneity. a stiffness,
and heaviness in drawing-roOms. The
element OF graciOusness considered the
prime desderatum In southern home
training. is too often missing BY way
Of example. Mrs. Doughty recalls the sto-
rs Of an intellectual representative Of an
historic Massachusetts family. who had
long been owing a visit TO 4 southern lady
residing in Cambridge. The two meeting
onn day by chance, the delinquent Bos-
tOnian hastened 10 avert an apprchender
reproach. oh dear" she exclaimed.
I've been intending 10 call on you for
ever 50 long. but II is one Of those nasty
jobs that | can't seem to accomplish"
Recalling the custom Of treating gov
ernesses as equals in southern families,
where they share the social privileges OF
the house, the writer in the Forum con-
siders 1t an Inconsistency in suburban
BostOnians Of high degree" that they reie-
gate TO a subordinate position in their
homes the chosen inculcators Of the cuI-
ture they 20 highly prize. Mrs Doughty
opines that this is very English AMI
she adds that the best way 70 make
favorable first impression on Bostonians
II a certain set Is 10 mistake them for
Englishmen. The imitation Is pronounced
mot bad" and particular reference Is
made 20 the rough suit. the unbecomins
hat, the arms akimbo. as II hung by
loose springs 10 the shoulders. and, last,
but not least. the basso profundO enunc'p-
ton. the long a being de risueur." We are
assured that some Bostonese out-English
the English by prououncing and as II
the vowel were the in father. Finally,
our southern onloOker AYERS that female
Anglomaniac Of Boston not long ago
asked an American naval-oiiicer IL he dld
not think the British flag the most glori-
Gus one TO sail underl