ENGLISH GIRLS A GENERATION AGO AND NOW.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, 15 February 1879, Page 5

ENGLISH GIRLS A GENERATION AGO AND NOW.

The English girls in the old country houses a generation agone, as the oldfashioned conservative of the Standard remembers them, had a merry, genuine, unaffected smile. When a guest dropped in unexpectedly they were greatly delighted to see him, and not in the least ashamed of it. They showed an evident desire to please without a trace of an arriere pentee. Tall, well-developed, in the height of good health, with bloom upon the cheek, and with brilliant eyes, they are irresistably charming. But it was the merry laugh that dwelt so long in the memory— a laugh from the heart in the joyonsness of youth. They joined freely in the conversation, but did not thrust themselves forward ; and not a hint was breathed of those social scandalß which now form the staple of fashionable gossip. They were well acquainted with household duties, and had nob learned to regard them as. menial. At table the mistress would suggest that tea was hardly strong enough for a man and that a nip of brandy might improve it ; and after the old-time late-afternoon tea all the girls would draw round the fire, and when pipes were produced would ask the visitc r to smoke ; and if he declined on account of the ladies it was pleasant to be asked. As the conversation ran on, each of the girls candidly avowed her opinions upon such topics as were started, blushing a little when she was asked to give her reasons ; and there was individuality displayed that gave zest and interest to the talk. This was so many years ago ; but now when one calls at such a country house, how different is the reception ! The servant shows the visitor into a drawing-room furnished in the modern style, and takes the name upßtairs. By* and-bye the ladies enter in morning cotI tume ; not a stray curl allowed to wander from its stem bands ; nature rigidly repressed; decorum "society" in every flounce and trimming. A touch of the bell, and decanters of port and sherry are produced, and wine is presented on an electro salver, together with sweet biscuits — it beiug the correot thing to sip one glass and orack one biscuit. The conversation is so insipid, bo entirely confined to the merest platitudes, tha.t it becomes a relief to escape. The giWs still have good constitutions and rosy cheeks, but they worry about it in secret, and wish they could appear thin and while and "more lady -like." They have suppressed the slightest approach to animation. 1 They have all got just the same opinions on the same topics, for they have none at all. The idea of a laugh has departed. They read the so-called social journals and absorb the gossip, tittle-tattle, and personalities. The guest departs chilled and depressed. What a comfort when ho, can turn a corner behind the hedge, and oan thrust his hands into his pookets and whistle !