The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-03-24
The Matron In Society.

The matrOn of the last century cut a
very insignificant figure in many of the
circles of what was called good society To
be sure, she was necessary as ChaperOn,
a fgurehead, a sort of equalizer and bal
ance wheel for the younger portion of the
fashionable world. But society was very
largely made up of young people, and mar
ried women especially were the background
for the spring flowers and buds in the
garden of girls. Indeed the woman who
had passed into what might be called the
old maids estate was quite likely to be
crowded little to one side to make room
for those who were more youthful, and, as
they were then considered, more attractive
elements in the social conglomerate.
But all this is changed now, and while
there are teas and receptions for the intro
ducing of the debutante and coming out
that often mean nothing more than the
formal launching into society, it is curl
Gus fact that the young woman is a sec
ondary element in almost all cultivated
circles. And this is not by any means he
cause the girls are less attractive, but b.
cause the world is beginning to recognize
the value of mature thought and to place
at its proper estimate that portion of the
community that has always had more or
less to do with the shaping of public sonti
ment and has given a great deal of its
moral tone to the social world.
The matron of the present day has, all
things being equal, a very interesting per
sonality. If she is up to date, she is cult
waited, entertaining, tactful and full of re-
sources. She knows exactly when to start
topic and as soon as it's first freshness is
exhausted has another at hand and care
fully leads the first out of sight or gently
smothers it with something very pa"
anent the second. She is capable of har-
monizing discordant elements, keeping
apart those that are radically repellent to
each other, and smoothing out the ripples
that so frequently make their appearance
on the surface of the circle over which she
is called upon to preside.
When she takes the handling of a com
pany, there are no wallfiowers, no breaks
in the pleasures of the occasion, and no
awkward failures or accidents that the
diplomacy of skilled femininity can avoid.
She is the confidant and counselor of the
young men and maidens, the safe deposi-
tary of all their secrets, and while she rare
ly lends herself to matchmaking, she is
quite likely so to arrange matters that two
fond hearts can occasionally beat as one
| and eager eyes need not seek their loved
| ones In vain.
And all of this is done with such Il
smoothness and delicacy that, as one happy
| girl remarked of such "A woman, "She does
| things so cleyerly that one might imagine
| that they had done themselves. " And this
| is the secret of her success and her popu-
larity.
There are many communities where the
young people do not consider their enter
tainments at all successful unless there is
/ a fair sprinkling of matrons in the party.
"We don't have bit of good time un
less some of these married women are
along" has been the remark of more thar
one appreciative girl and enamored swain
The matron takes the couple in charge
| leads them to some convenient corner, ther
| entertains herself with one of her dear 5CC
friends, her chat and laughter completely
| covering the undertone conversation of the
grateful lovers. Society, especially the
younger portion of it, has come to value
her presence and has so completely opened
its arms to her that her kingdom is estab
| lished and bids fair to stand as long al
there are sensible young people who wisl
to enjoy each others society without com
ment from an overcurious public. Fol
| who shall criticise them when they are un
der the immediate eye of their chaperons-
New York Ledger