Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-05
THE RETURN OF THE CHAPERON
ENGLISH SOCIETY FINDS 1T
CANNOT DO WITHOUT HER.
Does Not Take Her Duties So Seri-
ously as She Formerly Did.
Has Learned Her Lesson.

From the Queen.
For two seasons the chaperon in Lon
don society of the highest class found
her occupation gone. Boy and girl
dances with the hostess for sole duenna.
were the first step to her dismissal, ana
young womanhood soon found itself al
most completely emancipated. 1t was
regarded as quite dowdy to he accompa-
MED in the usual manner of past years by
a married friend who was supposed TO
have one in her charge during dance
or at the play.
Some mothers were doubtful as to the
propriety of this state of things. Others
took very kindly to 1t. After all, the lot
of the chaperon is not roses, roses all
the way" The society of other chaperons
is not invariably found to be stimulating.
But the season just passed has called
them into requisition again. Society gave
the new plan a fair trial, and then de-
cided to reject it.
Perhaps the chaperon was little too
conscientious in the performance of her
duties Certain it is that she now takes
much lighter view OF them. She has
learned her lesson.
More Latitude for Girls.
Her former idea that the girl in her
charge should return to her after every
or nearly every dance has been corrected
No longer does she need to take up her
position in some corner easily accessible
to partners and readily discernible by the
chaperoned. BY the new order of things
her mere presence in the house Is all that
is required. She arranges where she may
be found should the girl need her, settles
win the latter the hour of going home
and then dismsseS her charge from her
mind for the evening
One of the principal duties of the Vic
torian chaperon was to encourage eligible
partners and to discourage detrimentals
This would be regarded as unwarrant
able interference by the emancipated girl
of the present moment. What would be
her indigna ton ii the lady should venture
to look for her in the various hooks for
sitting out without which no hostess
would dream of giving dance?
Yet such things as these were done by
the stern duenna of Victorian days. She
now has learned her place and has taken
to heart Talleyrand's immortal saying,
'Surtout. pas trop de zele:'
Chaperon's Reinstatement.
But why has she been reinstated? The
other plan was found unsatisfactory. All
concerned have found it so.
The hostess first perceived that her re-
sponsibility became heavy. The mothers
of girls invited discovered that the disad-
vantageS of the situation at times became
acute The girls themselves acknowi-
edged that every ready scandal found a
freer tongue when no chaperon was pres
ent to offer shield against calumny.
They found that they We're positively more
at liberty to do as they liked when chaper-
oned than could be possible otherwise.
Last of all, but far from being least.
young men prefer the presence of the
chaperon. How get rid of a girl after a
dance if one cannot take her back to one
appointed spot?
The situation had other difficulties Sit
ting out with a charming girl. is all very
well for half an hour or so. but the amuse-
ment if prolonged. is apt to lead to risks
connected with matrimony by giving a
chance to scandal
All parties being tacity agreed. then.
the chaperon returns to her place. with
it's few pleasures and it's many penalties.
Society has discovered that it cannot do
without her.