TOO MUCH LICENSE TO GIRLS.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 346, 25 July 1885, Page 3

TOO MUCH LICENSE TO GIRLS.

It is only three weeks since we were called upon, by a tragedy that took place at Ponsonby, to point out the principal causes of the fall from the path of virtue of so many of^ our domestic servants, A case which has recently occurred in the city gives occasion for us to treat on the same subject, and to apply our remarks to those a step higher on the social ladder. The facts are these : A young lady was unwell and the family doctor was called in by -her mother,

to ascertain the cause, and prescribe the necessary remedies. His professional visit resulted in the discovery that the poor girl was in a condition which should only be looked for in those who have entered into the marriage contract. The doctor communicated the fact to the girl's father, who took prompt action, as far as was then possible, to rescue his daughter from her distressing position. He went home and told her to dress and come out with him : he had suspicions as to who was the deceiver or partner in her guilt, and conducted her to the place where the suspected one was to be found. He brought the two face to face and had his suspicions confirmed by the confessions of the erring pair. His mode of proceeding was summary. He informed the young man that unless he married his daughter before two o'clock he would blow his brains out, and looked as if he meant it. It was then mid-day. The marriage took place before the Registrar within the given time. The girl's father then proceeded to interview him who held the same relationship to the young man, explained the position, and suggested that they must jointly find a home for the so summarily married pair. The result was that before night the bride and bridegroom had a house and furniture with which to start life. For obvious reasons we do not give the i locality. How much more sensibly the above two fathers acted than is usually the case. The girl's father, no doubt, felt that a great portion of the blame for what had happened rested with him and his wife. There is an old saying, that < opportunity makes the thief.' Well would it be if all parents would apply the principle to the management of their daughters ; there would be then fewer thieves of that which is of inestimable value to a girl — her virtue. Girls in the Old Country, belonging to the same class in society as she who has provided the text for our article, would on no account be allowed to go to any place of worship, much less to a place of amusement, unaccompanied by a sufficient escort, and to this fact no ' doubt it is mainly owing that the English < middle class is the most moral in Europe. Parents may think that they can rely upon their girls to take care of themseives, but there can surely be few who have not had brought immediately under their notice cases of falling which go to prove that to rely upon such faith is unsafe and unjustifiable, <» We remember the look of horror that came over the face of a lady recently arrived from Home, when a young man came into the room and asked, in a manner that led to the belief that the request was not an unusual one, that one of the daughters of the house would accompany him to some place of amusement, nothing beiug said as to who was to ' play propriety. 1 Being a lady she, of course, made no remark, but when the young lady, Avithout consulting her mother, consented, we thought she would have fallen off her chair with astonishment. She had daughters of her own. Mrs Grundy is a very much abused old lady, but it is nevertheless very much to be regretted that she has not very much greater sway in Auckland than she can claim. Her principles, of course, when carried to excess, evidence prudery, and a woman who affects excessive virtue may fairly be put down as possessed of an impure mind. The greatest source of danger to the middle class girl in Auckland is the license she claims, and which is freely accorded her, of freedom of action as to her attendance at choir practice and other meetings of a semi-religious character. She is thus brought in contact with the young men who frequent the same places. The places at which they meet, and their avowed object disarms suspicion, and the girl is customarily escorted home by one of the opposite sex, who, being a regular attendant at the place of worship, is supposed to be above suspicion. We warn parents that many of these fellows are wolves with wool on their backs. The misfortune which gave rise to our remarks arose, without doubt, from attendance at such a place.