The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-20
SHALL our GIRLS BE CHdPERONED
Notable Women Give Views on the Ameri-
can social system.


Notable Women Give Views on the Ameri-
can Social system.
So much is said and written these
days about the American girls lack of
chaperonase that an exchange is opeii-
ing up the subject from the point OF
view of prominent women.
Mrs. Margaret Bottome. widely known
as the founder Of the Kings Daughters.
says: Mothers should 50 rear their
daughters that they can be fully trusted
10 chaperon themselves. II we conse-
crate our daughters to the great King
and guard them with our prayers. we
have done much to protect them from
all those evil influences which chaperons
are designed to ward off.
Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe says:
an considering the question of chaperons
for girls. IL is important TO determine.
IL possible. where chaperonaSe ends ana
espionage begins. A chaperon should
make her charge feel that she is merely
a discreet companion, not a Watchlul
guard. A girl that finds that she is
being watched feels at once that she
is suspected. and in that case Is apt to
make up her mind that she Will not be
suspected without a cause.
"Self-reliance is noble quality, when
should be cultivated in every girl. IL
is very likely to be crushed out entirely
IL Edith or Ethel is never left 70 ncrseii
and her own devices for moment put
is always kept i'm leading strings by
mamma or auntie. Every girl should
early be taught that she can protect
herself far better than any chaperon
can protect her. and she should also
be taught how.
"Still, chaperons are often hdlspensa-
ble-not because girls would be suliy
of any imprudence or wrong II uhchap-
eroned. but because we must aNoin' not
only all evil, but all appearance or eVll'
and there are many situations and pleas
ures which. while perfectly innocent and
harmless in themselves. may seem other-
wise 10 an uncharitable world, ana the
presence Of a chaperon divests them OF
all suggestion Of Improperly ne si'l
who drives out alone Of a summer night
with an agreeable man may have her ac-
ton unpleasantly misconstrued and COM
mented upon. but If mamma or aunte,
or good Mrs. Brown-an old and trusted
friend OF the family-goes. too. Mrs. |ruh-
dv's malicious tongue has nothing 10 "as
about"
AN ENGLISH wRITTB's VIEWS.
The author of Robert Ellsmere,' Mrs.
Humphrey Ward. has this to say on the
subject:
81 do not think the system of constant
Nv watching girls a good one. In our
English society, girls Lecoihe accu9
toned to depend entirely too much upon
their mothers, and when, AFTER naii'-
spe they are suddenly left 10 take care
of themselves, they are often lhcdp"Dio
of doing so. In America girls ENJOY
much greater social freedom than they
do with us. vet there are not nearly so
many scandals among married women
Of the upper class In that country as
there are in ours. May not the fact
that the American girls are not chap-
eroned 10 anything like the same extent
az English ones, and their thus acqulr-
ing more equipose and self-reliance be
fore marriage-tO say nothing or 'helr
chances TO see more OF life, and thus
have more Of 'hing'-have great deal
to do with this?"
in France. chaperonage or espionage
or whatever YOU please 10 call II, is car
ried TO the fullest possible extent. Girls
are immured in converts from about
their twelfth year until they are mar
ried Let any one who thinks that such
a system tends 10 strengthen and con-
firm woman's virtue contrast the family
life and morals Of France with those OF
England and America"
WHAT oUIDA THISEs.
Ouida. author OF "Under Two Flags"
and numerous other popular novels,
needs no Introduction 10 an audience
of American readers. 1.-THE question or
for girls must depend upon
the girl herself in each individual case.
Some girls always require chaperon.
And such girls are not necessarily the
loud. romping ones, either. In the ma
jOrity Of cases. IL Is your quiet, demure
miss who needs the most watching. In
every camp, every court, every cluD'
every family, or social circle, there Is al
ways some individual who acts the part
Of comedian for the others. There Is
always such a one in every cOterie OF
girls, but no matter how much her ex-
uberance OF spirit may make her at
once the life. the mischief and the romp
OF the bedroom, she may be as inno-
cent as a lamb, with no thought OF any
thing but harmless fun, while the
thoughts of Miss Prim. who affects 10 be
so much shocked by her school-fellow's
merry antics. are running in much
deeper, more dangerous channel. Girls
who feel that they are trusted will gen.
orally resolve TO be worthy of the trust
reposed in them. This is eXempliiied
In America, where chaperonage was
practically unknown till comparatively
a few years ago. yet social life there
Is certainly as pure. II not purer. than
In any country in Europe where chap
srons have been an institution for cen
turtles"