New-York tribune., 1902-03-09
SOME WAYS OF THE WORLD
THE DISCONTINUED SOCIETY GIRL AND
HER ASPIRATIONS.

"well. another season is over" exclaims fasn-
ionable girl. 'and what have to show for It? For
four winters I have considered my society obliga-
lions paramount TO all others. have attended
almost religiousy. might say-I have done it so
conscientiously-every function to which have been
invited. I have slept eaten and exercised with the
view 10 keeping up my health and therefore. my
looks. have tried my best to be social
success, and have not altogether failed, and yet
what has been the good of 1t all? have spent
money my clothes than I like to think Of.
There is denying fact that my life Is
q wholly selfish do a little perfunctory char
ity work. which I cannot conscientiously feel does
any real good. At home nothing is expected of me.
/ feel. too. that IL 1 attempted to attend to
any household affairs it would bother mamma,
who likes to have things just her own way. and
there seems nothing ahead except the same old
society treadmiu.
You should marry. says my mother, VINO mas
no patience with my complaints. You should have
a home OF your own. and a husband and family to
look after It is that which is making you so rest
less and discontented.' All very well il the prince
comes along; but supposng he doesn't? One ought
not marry just for the sake OF getting married
ought one? Why not AXE up some particular
branch of study and interest yourself in that?
and that he could be perfectly happy if he had the
leisure to dey95e hmse,t TO them S1+ b aG g
TO. but that is neither here nor there) Anyway
The other day vas talking to an experienced 9;ssd
mamma. seemed to think nlatrimony was the best
solution Your clever wel-to-do women too
SooeSsit IS the only hing that
1nine work successful Inc remedy iOr ile state OF
find so hard 10 bear. lies with yourself but you
taken system; for unless girls like their brothers.
are educated for and expected to take up pro-
fession business matter or course they VIII
do il. unless they are exceptionally lnde-
S d IN into Raoa 9 usu S W With great
asm but they haye no staying power; and Unstable
he is righ1-in fact feel quite sure that he e is
or twenty-five. situated as 1 am, TO dor
Now that fashionable people have, so speak,
discovered their country, the exodus TO the
warmer lati:udes below Mason and Dixons line
grows greater and greater with every season. this
being another of the distinct changes that empha-
size the new departure in American social life
Formerly the class of people who lead de-
lightful country existence at Aiken, Palm Beach
and other summer resorts. travel across the con-
tnent in their private which really houses
wheels. went abroad for their outing, and never
, dreamed Of finding in their country the pleas
ures and distractions of the Riviera.
This annual fitting southwark of those who have
the means and leisure to leave New-York and its
February blizzards and March freshets is shorten
ing the social season perceptiby, which now, in
stead Of lasting through the entire season,
formerly, only about six weeks and is per-
cepubly on the wane even before Ash Wednesday
tained become of the balls and dances which it
seems now to be the fashion 10 decry.
How greatly society has changed in its habits
may be seen by a comparison made recently by al
aunt and her niece. both of whom might be taken
as types Of the fashionable girl of their respective
periods
How different everything was in my day." ex-
claimed The former apropos OF the changed social
conditions. when was your age We always came
had dinners theatre parties. etc, and by De
cember everyt hing would be in full swing and
there would be whiTl Of gayety until Lent; then
had rest, but never thought of leaving town
except once in a while 10 go abroad. After Easter
we started II all up again, and went until warm
weather, when We had coaching parties the old
tOur-lu-1an0 0luD ana out or town restaurants
About the beginning OF June up our
country place the North River There il was
very stupid admit for in those days there was
really nothing 10 do in the country.
and drove and read. greatest excitement being
the superintendence Of the oressmaker who came
up from town 10 make our gowns for our season at
six delightful weeks before returning to our coun
try quiet again which lasted until we went to town
Fancy the contrast 10 your lifei You spend your
autumn round OF house parties which lasts
until you come town, after Christmas You are
tired of the season before you have half begun it.
You say dances bore you, and you absolutely refuse
and opera are the only functions that you care for
and six weeks is enough for those Then YOU
are off for Aiken, with your horses and your dogs
Later you viii pay another flying visit to New
get Paris clothes-then back again for your season
IN Newport How bored you would be with the life
I used think delghtfuii'
There are certain qualities which the social as
pirant must suppress if she desires to be popular
'touchy," the tendency must be overcome at once,
Nc one has time consider the rights or the