New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-09
OLD MAIDS IN FRANCE.
Those of First Families Never Go in Social
World-Conventual Life fer Them.

Are there any old maids in France? The pilgrim
and stranger from another land, giancing around
him in French society. would promptly atrrm that
the French spinster did not exist One may go
into French society for years and never once meet
single woman, that is to say, woman VINO Is
old. or growing Old without wedding ring on her
left hand
In a recent issue of The Gentlewoman, Miss
Betham- Edwards comments in entertaining wise
on this social phenomenon. There IS SIZE says no
equivalent in French society for the unmarried
English gentlewoman with her handsome establish
ment, her gardeners her carriages and her maos
all under first class management. ali oetokealns
complete independence and wide outlook on life
The feminine world of fashion in France generally
hides its gray hairs and lost illusions in the con-
boarding house Here and there
devotion and philanthropy outside such walls are
resorted to-never social distractions or active lie
In the upper ranks cehbate womanhOod effaces it
self. Tens OF thousands of FrenchwOmen virtually
retire from the world simply because they happen
to be unmarried.
Much Is TO be said for their point of view, how
ever. according to Miss Betham- Edwards L can
indeed. conceive no more notifying position than
that OF French girl growing elderly under her
mothers wing" she says. Take the matter OF
money. for instance So long her mother lives.
an unmarried daughter no matter her age, is
treated like child. In France It is the parent who
pays for everything. New Years gifts taking the
place of pocket money"
The effect upon the French single woman of this
system Of pecuriary dependence is not only CALLING
COR would be il she had known anything Diff
ferent). but stultifying well. and renders her
quite unfit for the future conduct Of practical
affairs.
French old maids of thirty more must
have no innocent little secrets private Generosi
ties harmless mysteries The French unmar-
ried woman in the eyes OF the law and Of her fam
lily remains a perpetual minor" And then her
bringing up has totally united her for inde-
pendent life. Never accustomed walk
travel alone. always chaperOned when paying WIS.,
its, her reading. amusements. friends chosen for
her her notions of etiquette in harmony with
strictions she finds insupportable. wonder that
she regards her life failure-that the convent
or convent pension looked upon harbOrs OF
refuge"
Many a girl takes the veil before crossing the
Rubcon her twenty-hfth birthday. But 10 the "Old
maid OF thirty or over. whose dOwry or personal
attractions have not secured life partner for her.
the convent offers the cheapest possible provision,
Miss BethaTn- Edwards thinks. Ten thousand
francs. 500 paid down, and the recluSe Is housed,
fed clothed and cared for until the end Of her
days. The step is invariably approved Of
How differently the Gallo and the AnglO-SaXOn
minds regard questions this ia proved by the
reasons which often lead a French girl who is
lin society. yet without matrimonial prospects TO
bury herself alive Family considerations are
potent factors in these sacrifices OF home. friends
and individuality. A girl may SO into convent,
IL seems. from unSeIish desire TO further tho
opportunities OF younger sist@- a younger
brother. The recluse who Is actuated by family