The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-05
SOCIAL LIFE IN GERMANY.
Sessoe Of Balls and Shatiag Brings
Romance to Yossa People.
4 GERMAN GIRLS CBAPERoSAGf.
CUSTOMS which Seem Strange sn
Contrast with Our Practical Way
Of Looking at Life

4 young people even uz1zs s1-FSns .nae-esi
y and Measure than IN ca- ata- nz~~ IS
balls, skating sid horse parties ers- al
| most the only opportunities which TIE
young peoel@ have az meetings, srsuaSnS-
, Anee and eourtshAs cxllaag upoa young
ladies'. walking vita tAe<a. acting as their
escorts 70 operas concerts and eanrch. and
eniovs-r ~sfA tnerr the various privileges
I q slezsAai eAsv frixeasbip, which make
lie dslirhtfal and profitable 10 our young
Decule a. b1zae. are cutie unknown and
iuro~slols here
Macy Of oar yoang girls who come abroad
for study ard travel take very Ill these
restrictions 10 thelr American rights and
resrive Tpoa reforming the good, short
sighted Continental people, telling them
Ve.v piAiaiv Of the social advantages for
young Dsoule in our country. aud setting
them Al independent example by endeav-
oring 10 establish such friendships with the
only TOO willing youths of these countries
I The American girl is conslderd fascinating
by European men. but her brave hearted
aitemnts at continental reform invariably
/ prove sad failures. They end in complete
! discontinue and. Il she persist in them,
in scandal attached to her name Or as
happily more often happens, in her win
ming the love OF some man who sees true
worth beneath this heroic, losing struggle
AGAINST the customs OF nation, and who
mArries her, knowing she must soon cease
to beat tired wings against an iron cage.
| and believing her open, frank. freedom
loving eplrtf vi tv..
and sweetness
In German life the young people Of both
sexes look forward to the winter season
oil balls and skating and seek these amuse.
inents IN the happy hope OF meeting their
tate, Some one asked a sweet rosebud
OF German girl how many seasons shc
coula dance and she answered. with charm
ing haiVstte; Until meet my husband
shalI you stop dancing thsn?'' she was
iurther questioned. III ne wishes to dance
! "iii uahce' II he does not wish to | will
not. and IN a moment she added merr,lv
but | have made wager OF n doze,,
bottles OF champagne that 1 win NOT he
engaged this winter. so dare not; vet is
" NOT conical that he is roaming around
somoNhsrc7''
20 an American mind this acknowledged
ftiesauon OF the destinies OF our younv
people TO the ball room and the icA $50
somewhat strange but 1t is perhaps in ac-
Soruahee with the more restricted life of A
iAauCh ~hich IS u marvellous completely OF
oiu-tlne romance, chivalry of manner and
the close guardianship Of women. inter-
mingled with modern practical ideas or the
convenience oil a large dowry and ad.au-
taseous soclal position.
young German girl from the age az &
10 - years is educated when the family
means are sufficient in a private girls
schcol' During these years she sees nttIs
OF her brothers and still less OF their
companions On the ice In winter she NAV
homotimes meet them, but her leisure rs
carefully guarded and her life Is usually a
routine OF school work with pleasure ana
recreation among her schoolgirl comuan-
IONS They have many little dancing par
t'ts' IN winch the elder girls often play the |
loio 81 maze partners, masquerading In the
aress OF pages. troubadours. etc. When |
The German girl has finished her eauoa- |
ton she comes forth from school life It's |
carry hours and uneventful days a sweet |
iresn. human rosebud, with nerves in per |
ieet tune and soul filled with eager long !
ing for share In the wondrcus stirring
Worid OF which she has read and dreamed |
30 long. Under the chaperonage of mother
or aunt she ia introduced into society and
perfect round Of gayety follows. the lood
health stored during Ter quiet school life
now serving good purpose and being put TO
severe test,
This Introduction to society differs in
many ways from that OF our debutaute,
whose family give in her honor dancing ,
parties, lunches dinners and theater PAR +.
Ties The German method Is much nio,e
simple The winter season consists OF a ,
series OF great balls. which begin on the
last night OF the old year and last uutu
shrove Tuesday. These balls are given by
different clubs and associations in all the
social circles OF court, military, profess
SIGNAL anc business life. and are private.
except the great charity ball and others Of
the carnival season. 10 which public tickets
are sold
Invitations to ball are sent by COM
mitt,e OF arrangement to the members and
their families aud any friends whose names
q member may suggest.
The custom OF giving balls By the mem.
bcrs OF club in hotels theaters and large
halls causes infinitely less family expense
and trouble than tho dances given in our
beautiful private homes In America
This balls in German saeiety are large AMI
handsome, gaining dignity and beauty from
the great size Ct h halls, their polished
floors. mirrored and frescoed walls and cozy
winter garden often connected with hotel
ball rooms.
2 he p ica cf tickets Is always moderate
and varies somewhat with the size OF the
ball, being usually from $3.50 to 81 50 for
each person To the American the receipt
Of first Invitation 20 ball. which must
d. exchanged for ticket TO the same at
liNed price, produces somewhat novel
nsation, which Is follow & however. by
pleasant feeling that the holder is helping
TO give as well as TO enjoy the ball
entertainments In public buildings lack
lne EXQUISITE individuality OF th,ss given In
private houses where personal taste and
the sweet atmosphere OF home add an in
descrihahlc charm. but this feeling is dear
" paid FOR In the family Itself by confusion
ana general disturbance TO the routine OF
daily life, the labor and anxiety OF the mis-
'ress 81 the household and the purse OF the
good host
Here the htor OF bail Is borne entire
" by the committee and the expense Is
shared bye ach guest. The paterfamilias In
Herman family bears only the cost OF the
Ioilet,es OF wife and daughters and that az
The tickets to the ball His wife is bur
:SsYd only with the anxieties OF ia mode.
Tor the gowns during the season OF in
namsfaele balls, tho necessary CHI peronage
tcr h,r daughters AMI their possible. even
pfohabk, matrimonial engagemrnt n, M |