The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-25
WE HxyoL9 Of THE DLUaHTERS.
A 0irYa Cenndsncs In Her Mother Instino-

Do ve wish 20 see our girls half men in
theory and half women In experience ana
Ignorance, with a superficial smattei1ns
of knowledge grated on 10 the restless
impulses and vague curiosity OF YOUTH
with all the romance, ali the Illusions
of life dispelled, and with neither the
constitution nor capacity OF men 10 carry
out their careers, and above all bereft
oT the sweet gift OF purity which hitherto
has cons tituted their greatest charih'
What advantage IS IL to q woman 10 know
the dark WAYS OF life and their dark
shadows. as we'll as all the byways OF
vice and wickedness, for we may rest
assured that women, Ike their motner
Eve. will not be content with litilo
knowledge. but will probe as deeply as
* POSSIBLE and will eat the fruit Of the
tree Of knowledge 20 their fill? Why is
the rosy morning of life, with It's joys, Its
interests, its indescribable lonSingss, 10
be but dream Of the past and why
must the girl step from the threshold OF
her girlhoOd into womanhood surrounded
by the cloud Of knowledge which makes
her sad and old before she is young? For
we believe that the majority OF women
would. II asked. declare that such knowl-
edge only brought sorrow and often horror
The DAYS OF youth are few, alas! and
why shroud them sooner than need be
with instruction that is the painful ne
cessity OF later life?
Were we TO appeal 70 the creature
whose influence has created this false
atmosphere around women. we have little
doubt that his reply would be that what
women must learn OF life and all its
shadows had best be taught by their
safest counselor and friend. ther' hus-
l.sn xfA Cf1ATOd
but very poor champions Of our sex in
avowing this. but we prefer our daught-
ers should he as little versed in the
knowledge Of life as their for emothers
were. No doubt we shall lose something
OF the robust intellectual self-rcliance OF
emancipated girls but we she IL always
have with us the daughters of our hearts,
ignorant, wilful, perhaps not always
prudent but with the better arnor that
innocence, romance. and a belief in the
illusions OF life must always insure The
problem Is 50 difficult, so complex, so
full Of pitfalls that If we really come to
analyze all the criticisms and sugges-
lions which are made we find that no
one has ventured seriously TO attack tie
system. 1t is very pleasant to break
lance against existing customs. and many
have been shivered by the reformer's
onslaught. but the position, the education,
the training OF our girls are far more
momentous than any social tradition yet
assailed: and mothers. though they do not
yet scent the battle from affair."" or are
gathering themselves in conclave "in
upper chambers. anxious. waiting. de-
termined." are perfectly conscious OF
their difficulties and Of the new questions
created by the changes which education
and the growing dislike of all control
have brought about. The whole fabric OF
the love between mother and daughter is
not TO be shattered because the restric-
lions against hearing Mr.. ChevaJier sing.
seeing The Second Mrs Tanqueray."
and reading "Dodo" and 1.-THE Heavenly.
Twins are being enforced. That love has
existed and Will continue as long as
women do not forfeit the friendship and
confidence which it is a girls instinct
always TO give to her mother; and the
wise mother having gained her affec-
tion, VIII have no difficulty I'm steering
clear Of the rocks and shoals which ever
underdlie the smoothest currents OF the
waters OF lfe.-Lady Jeune In the Fort
nightly Review for February.