The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-11-19
BACHELOR GIRLS.

BACHELOR GIRLS.
There was a time when all unnlar-
ried women-from the daughter of the
highest nobleman down to the lowliest
serf-who had passed the first blush
of youth were popularity supposed to
pass their uneventful days at the spin
ming wheel. These spinsters, as they
are still called legally in England,
We're pitiably hampered and a time
honored' superstition had it that even
at death they did not find anything
better, for they were supposed to be
transformed, one and all, to that most
uneasy of all birds, the lapwing.
But nowadays there are no spin
sters, really. There aren't even any
''old maids" but there are thousands
and thousands of bachelor girls, who
lead quite as respectable, eventful and
do; or, at least, there is nothing in
present day etiquette or popular preju-
dice to prevent them from doing so.
The etiquette of the bachelor girl is,
perhaps, the most recent development
in the book of social decorum; for only
a few years ago an authority on
etiquette declared that an unmarried
woman, even though she had to as
sumo the responsibilities of matron,
could never properly enjoy matrons
freedom.
Fortunately, we have broad views
OF course, it is always pleasanter for
the unmarried actress, or musician, or
artist, or doctor to have the compan
ionship of her mother or some other
married relative. but where this is not
possible it is in perfect conformity
with the existing rules of etiquette for
the bachelor girl to go the necessary
rounds of her profession unattended.
But Whenever the professional bach
elor girl steps back into private or
purely social life she should adopt the
rules that govern the conduct of her
unmarried unprofessional sister.
What are k5lese rules that still
somewhat limit the freedom of the
unmarried girl who stays at home
though no longer in her youth? In
this case a great deal depends on the
manner of the bachelor girl. If she
still considers herself a member Of the
younger set ,"and joins socially with
the younger girls of her acquaintance,
and behaves and dresses more like a
young girl than like a matron-even
though she be well past 30-good form
would not allow her the privileges of
a matron.
But if, on the other hand, an I'M
married woman scarcely out of her
twenties is, for any reason, more ma
ture in her appearance and in her
taste, If instead of the Publications of
| the younger set she prefers the more
quiet pastimes Of the married women
of her acquaintance, there is no rea-
| son why she should not be granted
many of the privileges of the matron.
For instance, such woman may, if
need be, act as the mistress of her
own house and she may issue invita-
| lions in her own name and may have
her own days at home"
The bachelor girl of today, from the
time she reaches %, is supposed to
: i'd i,,c irrh4 20
the ways and characters of the men
she knows, and for this reason she is
allowed to go more and more without
chaperone. The well bred bachelor
girl, providing she does not look or
act too much like a debutante, may
permit a man of her close acquaint-
ance, whom her family and friends ap-
prove, to escort her to the theater, or
| to a musical, or to an art exhibit, and
she may then consent to take tea with
! him at some quiet tearoom. But for
| the bachelor girl to make a habit of
| going about alone with the men she
| knows would quite naturally expose
! her to cenSure.
| So much for what the bachelor girl
| is supposed to do. Now what do we
| owe the bachelor girl? To begin with.
remember that it is not always easy
! for woman to be Independent, even
! if she says it is. There is a weak
!
| the most advanced bachelor girl, and
| she sometimes yearns to be protected
| and chaperoned and cuddled. So if
! you know any unmarried women.
| sometimes hold out that motherlv
| touch that they need; if they, are away
! from home or homeless bring them
often into the mellowing influence Of
! your home.
| Finally never, never, if you want a
| bachelor girl to love you, think, or
much less suggest. that she is a bach
| elor girl for any other reason than be-
| cause she wants to be. No one but
| the bachelor girl herself has the right
| to know whether she is single because
John was carried of by an untimely
| fate, whether she sacrificed him to a
| family that needed her help and sup
| port, whether she was leased by heart
less small brothers and sisters out of
marrying John because he was young
| and awkward. whether there was
! some heartbreaking misunderstanding
with John, or whether, as a matter of
! fact, there was never any John at all.
| A bachelor girl is a bachelor girl the
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