The times., 1901-06-02
THE old RULES MODIFIED
A Noticeable Change Regarding
the Period of Mourning.

Three Months of secIusion Now Com
sidered Sufficient to Conform to-
the remcnts-Society Former
Iy Given Up for Twelve Months.
1t Is admitted on all sides. even by those
who still cling to the traditions OF their
youth. that mourning for lost relatives.
both as regards apparel and the with
drawal from society. has undergone a
very noticeable change
Among mourners the position of wid-
ows has been greatly affected by the mod
ifcatiOn of the rules of secIusion by which
they were formerly bound, says the
Queen" Not so long ago they were sup
posed to give up society entirely for one
year, and only gradually re-enter IL dur
ing the following one.
Now, after the first three months have
elapsed. they can enter general society
IL inclined TO do so-that is to say. they
can dine OUT and give small dinner par
ties at home; they can attend afternoon
at homes, and even go to concerts and
theatres; at balls and dances, however.
the line Is drawn for the first twelve
months but no. for longer.
They are not supposed to give enter
tainments of the nature of at homes.
year of mourning has expired. Visits to
relatives or friends are made after a
month or six weeks, and they are not
expected TO seciude themselves in any
way during such visits, as nothing Of a
festive character would naturally take
place the while.
Outdoor gatherings are open to them
after six months. with the exception Of
race meetings. which should not be at
tended under twelve months. The FORE
going remarks particularly apply TO
young widows.
Side by side with these are the Wild
ows of middle age. who for their chill
dren's sake are glad to shorten the
months of seclusion formerly adhered to.
The marriage OF a son or of a daughter,
for instance. obliges them to appear in
society, perhaps at an early date in
widowhood, and, once the effort has been
made, there is little wisdom in returning
to life Of isolation from friends and ac-
quaintances-
Although seclusion following on the
death of parents was formerly strictly
observed. extending as a general rule to
six months, IT is now reduced TO the short
est possible period. and after six weeks
the ordinary routine of life is resumed
with the exception of attending large
functions, such as balls dances, and big
dinners; other social engagements are
made and fulfilled as usual.
This is especially the case with regard
to married daughters and young girls
Elder daughters who have been constant
companions to the lost parents are the
exceptions in this respect, and seldom
care to enter society under three months.
and then often but gradually.
Parents who mourn for sons and daugn-
tiers who have attained manhood and wo-
manhood rarely take up their society
lives under three months or more; fathers
do so in many instances much earlier, as
their occupations prevent seclusion being
observed.
The seelusion observed by sisters IS
slight as rule, even by those who have
made their homes together on the death
Of their parents, and also by those whose
parents are still living. and in either case
from three weeks to one month is con-
sidered all sufficient time to relnQuish
quiet society, and two months as regards
functions of various descriptions
1t was formerly customary to mourn for
relatives by marriage as fer relatives by
blood But this is no longer SO. and from
a fortnight 10 three @eeks is a very aver
age time in which to refrain from accept
ing invitations from general acquaint-
anceS.