The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-14

old law OF demand and supply. Society
demanded her and she promptly honored
the call with her presence. Detroit had
taken another forward step in it's con-
quering progress, and the chaperon was
the visible effect
And it was time. New faces had multi
piled, and soon one circle did not SUI
flee for all entitled to admission into po-
lite society. The time had come when
one could not expect to have on her
visiting list the name of every person
entitled to social recognition With the
larger growth came changes in etiquette
and the manner of doing things culti-
waited, self-contained gentlewoman, know
ing the usages of the best society, and
up on all questions of that character,
was of positive value to the young wom-
an just launching her bark in the social
swim. And yet her reception was at
first ungraeious. The young men rebeIled
and We're inclined to find fault. They did
not realize the large and important func-
ton the chaperon was to fill. But the
opposition did not last long. The chap
eron won for herself a distinct place
IN social life Young girls were glad
to avail themselves of her knowledge,
and found her indispensable as a pro-
tector, guide and friend.
The young men, too. found that SO far
from interfering with their freedom her
presence lent an added dignity to the
gatherings she graced, while her tact
and refinement, and willingness to help
where help was needed, in time complete
ly won them over.
And now, from over the water comes
the information that the chaperon IS
passing. The English girl, we are told,
IS asserting her independence. She wishes
10 be emanclpated from her leading
strings and strike out into greater liberty
of action in social ways, not altogether
from the standpoint of amusement and
pleasure, but from the prospect it opens
up of wider and deeper life. She is in
cllned in these days to pay less heed to
nublic opinion than formerly, and to lead
the life. that suits her best, whether that
mony. The atmosphere of today is
charged with independence. The Eng
llSh girl prefers to develop her indiVidu-
ality rather than longer be a slave to
old world conventionality. The underly-
ing cause of it all is the independence of
the woman brought about by the adj
Vancement of the age affecting her in
terests. There is much more equality be-
tween parents and children than former
~, especially between mother and daugh-
ter. The relationship is more intimate
and more tolerant. Every mother is rs
young as her children in dress and APP
pearanceS, and | may almost add in feel
lngs, while the grandmother is not far
behind
The English girl in the past has been
overchaperoned. She has suffered from
wholesome neglect 1t would be unwise
to attempt to hold her down TO the con-
troll exercised IN former years. A broader
stage is@opening out before her; marriage
IS no longer the one aim in life. and
career to, one qualified to pursue it is no
longer a disgrace.
The passing of the chaperon in Eng
land, or, perhaps, to express it to ac-
cord with what is probably the case the
modification or amelioration of her chap
! eronage, is not therefore to be deplored.
But the situation In America is not the
same. There is no revolt; no one com
planning. The American girl does not
find the chaperon restraining influence,
| or if she does, she cannot but recognize
that it is a restraint that is wholesome
and in the right direction. Surely our
American chaperon needs no apology; no
invitation to pass on. Her tact and cheer
fulness, her grace and dignity and dis
regard of self in for warding the Innocent
enjoyments of her charges. has so forei-
fed her position that so far from ask
ing her to retire, we are more concerned
to- keep her. with us, assuring her Of the
reward of being considered among the
worlds elect"