Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-30

approved of what they called the gay
world. The daughters of such families did
not attend the balls of fashionable society
but moved in an intimate, friendly circle,
often interesting themselves in church
work. But girls of both descriptions, grave
as we'll as gay attended the anniversaries
in their best spring attire, and listened to
wonderful statements from returned mis-
SionarieS, or to ferVent eXhOrtationS from
popular preachers.
In general society the waltz was disal-
lowed by fathers of the Stricter sort. AS
the German element became more recog
nized among the round dances made
their way more and more. No chairs were
provided for the German, but the dancers
stood in circle and the dance itself scarce
ly occupied more than one hour. Fashiona
BILE dinners began at six o'clock, or posi-
bic half an hour later.
1850.
The educational routine already described
differs but little from that pursued in the
school days of my daughters. In these, it
is true. the study of English grammar gave
place to that of the Latin tongue. Spelling
was no longer strictly considered, a the
DRY having come into vogue that correct
spelling is natural gift, bestowed on some
individuals and withheld from others. l
heard experts complain, some thirty or
more years ago that the young people of
that time were scarcely trained at all in
ChirOgraphy.
In reviewing the girlhood of forty years
ago the effect of our civil war must not
be overlooked The intensest interest of
that time conferred in it's military opera
tions. Fashion forsook it's round of dress
dance and dinner. and hung with keen anx-
iety upon the latest reports from the bat
tlefield
Care for the Sick.
Many young women rendered brave SER
vice in the care of the sick and wounded
The sharp lines of social demarcation were
for the moment forgotten. The women of
the north We're as a unit in the strength of
their patriotic feeling. Those of the south
were no doubt equally fervent in their de-
votion to the cause which they held to be
just.
Among us of the north the practical fac
ulty came into increased demand. The
knitting of socks for our soldiers the prepa-
ration of lint and bandages occupied fingers
familiar with the elegant trf1es Of life
Huge bazaars in aid of the sanitary COM
mission We're planned and successful car
ried out, with large pecuniary results
Young ladies took orders for cakes and en-
broidery to be sold for the benefit of the
soldiers.
The exigencies of the war had called into
the field much of the young manhood of
the community The places of the elder
sons were taken by very youthful set of
partners who desired to meet 1.-The girls" If
at all, upon footing of easy fellowship
Culture was now no longer at a premium
and the more thoughtful girl graduates
from schools began to take refuge from
the prevailing nonsense in classes and
clubs.
But now comes upon the scene a new
agency. College education, long sought by
the few, derided and denied by the many,
Is at last conceded to girls who are wise
enough to desire it. Oberlin in far Ohio
mad granted it many years earlier as did
Antioch when Horace Mann became it's
president But when Vassar and Welles-
ley opened their doors the new feature an
pedreu In midst no
cons of the question at first divided society
pretty sharply. The greater number OPP
posed the new departure and preferred ad-
herence TO the old lame curriculum. But
the measure soon spoke for itself and the
right OF our sex to a full participation in
the advantages of the higher education be-
came established throughout the land.
A Tremendous Stride.
Upon the results of this great enlarge
ment it is scarcely necessary for me to