GIRLS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 246, 15 October 1872, Page 4

GIRLS.

(Liberal Review.) Girls, from tbe time of their birth, display a love of power and a disposition to act despotically. It is not until they develope into young ladies, and are '.'.brought out," that they become paragons of meekness and humility, with mouths that can do nothing more dangerous:, than smile, and with cheeks that are puckered up into charming dimples upon the slightest provocation. . . . . They are remarkable for their precocity and superiority—in their own estimation — over boys.' Certain it is that '« girl : considers one of the latter uncouth beings, who may be two or three years older than herself, quite a child, with whom it -would be derogatory on her part to be otherwise than patronizingly, familiar.; At an early :Vage girls are skilled, in: many i.accomplishsj ments. ' Almost as soon as they can sit straight on a music-stool tbey are iutro° "•duced to the pian^ earlier stages of existence V they entertain feelings "of the.rmWt intense ; .hatred: .Some of , them; it^^ ' r '|riot;ha^j^^ .but they are compelled to continue. practising bo many hours; rpe^7day|^ •.■until,"; their ' Keducatiba)ls^^ • .areTwithin : bearing7i|©fet^ upon whicht ttr|By7are^ operating;;! swhen they become their ■ own mistreeses, such

ones generally renounce music, and, in, an incredibly short time, forget: all they have learned about it. It is snot, apparently, thought that duriDg this melancholy process much valuable time is irretrievably wasted, the general impression being that music is one of the accomplishments which which a girl must learn. She may have great aptitude for other studies, but she is not, on that account, allowed to prosecute them with greater vigor, and devote more attention to them than tbe rest of her tribe. There is a cerlain routine to be pursued in educating a girl, and it must be preserved at all hazards. The consequence is, that girls are all very much alike. At an early period, too, they are sent to places called! seminaries, where they learn the arts of dress and conversation, as well as receive a few introductory lessons in tbe science of flirtation. Like almost every member of the animal world, when young tbey are sby and awkard. They are addicted to the silly habit .of blushing, and that when there is no occasion for doing so ; tbe more bashful of tbe race, indeed, sometimes go so far as to hide their faces in their hands. It is a noticeable fact, however, as indicative of their, character: that, when doing so, they rarely, fail to; leave a loop-hole in^tbeir Angers, through which they can gratify their curiosity by seeing all that is transpiring. They are clever coaxers, and there are few paierfamiliases who can. stand their assaults successfully. They belong to that class of beings which resolutely declines* to take no for an answer. Their amusements are chiefly of a staid character — that is to say, their legitimate amusements. They decline, however, in many instances, to be bound by dull conventionality; and seek relief from ..ennui in romping with their brothers. They deem themselves privileged to make common property of the possessions, in the shape of balls, bats, marbles, &c, of the latter, and decline to bold themselves responsible for" damage or loss. In the course of their labors they frequently make theimselves ridiculously untidy. By such means they earn the appellation ■•••' Tomboy." In conjunction with all this they are, at an early period, enlisted in 'the sacred, cause of charity. They attend Dorcas and similar meetings, at which tbey do little except talk, or listen to tbe conversation of older girls than themselves, who know something of the outside world, and are fond of airing their knowledge before others. Meanwhile, tbey flatter themselves that the small quantity of sewing which tbey get through is a means of doing good which cannot be estimated. Occasionally, also, they are permitted to make some trifles to be disposed of at bazaars. If they are exceptionally fortunate they are also allowed to assist at these bazaars, when they take small, but for all that, very important parts. Tbey attack unlucky victims,.and if the latter do not succumb, the besieging party is reinforced by a young lady who is hovering about in the rear, when of course victory is assured. In all this, however, tbey feel perfectly well that they are only playing a secondary part when they ought to be playing a leading one. So they are constantly yearning for that time when they shall burst forth from their chrysalis state a bright butterfly — in other words they long for the period when they shall "come out." Feeling their importance, they snub their brothers, and talk over their grievances amongst themselves. Just before the happy day arrives they are carefully looked after by their mammas, who read them many instructive lessons as to how they ate to act, which; there is reason to believe,; are very much taken to heart. It is not considered the thing that theyjshould know everything about . domestic matters, and so, though they may Be aware that, "there is such a : place as the kitchen, the internal mysteries •'thereof are impenetrable to them. It is debatable too whether many can sew a button on a shirt, or darn a hole in! a! stocking.'. Certainly there are comparatively few who can cut out and make a shirt in a creditable manner. They spend most of their spare time doing perhaps a Ji ttlej fancy work, , yawning, and thinking bow terribly slow the hours pass, or reading the last sensational novel. The monotony of their daily proceedings is also varied by a littlershppj)ing, whichthey do in company with their mothers. And so, somehow or other they, manage to rub on. They become i very 1 l in matters of dress, few people whom tbey meet escaping eithegpWs'e^ also ;become-4natrdnly ratbeir demeanor towards children of younger growth than themselves.Tand sfmewhat/oatentatibu^ly »pr§]aim tfie facttjthat they/are nWrly grown up. They look back with infinite disgust childish t amusements, and wonder now they, could have been so .fjoolish.; Summing it mayisafely be said , thatfthey are not so; Benßible^.ußefulaDd, v artleßa, as- they .might