a mother when the latter
cannot be present, or performs in the person of one the duties of
several mothers.

Young girls should never go about the streets of a city or large town
unaccompanied by an older person or a maid. This rule is not so much
for physical protection as for the example of teaching her that fine
conduct and discretion which will forestall the possibility of
unpleasant experiences.

When a group of young people go to some public place of amusement or
instruction, an older person should always accompany them. Such an
attendant, who should be one of the fathers or mothers of the young
people, if possible, would be in so great sympathy with the spirit of
the group that his presence would impose no restraint and spoil no
fun, yet it would be a curb on undue or undignified gaiety, and a
protection against criticism.

The day is not very far distant when it was expected that if a
daughter entertained a young man in the drawing-room, her father or
mother would be present during the whole of the call. For debutante
daughters the custom still holds good. For a daughter who has been out
in society for one or more seasons, it seems somewhat rigorous and
unnecessary, as the presence of the father or mother for a part of the
call serves all the purposes of cordiality, and gives, as well, the
young people a chance to talk without constraint of interests which
seem perhaps foolish and trivial to any but young people. The wise
father and mother or chaperon know when to trust young people, and
when it is best to throw them quite upon their honor. It is only by
having responsibility for their actions thrust thus upon them, that
they ever attain to natural dignity and self-reliance.

It is sometimes permitted to a young woman to be escorted to a party
or entertainment alone by a young man, but only by one who is
well-known to the family as quite to be trusted, and only to such
parties as are presided over by responsible patronesses. This should
be exceptional for any but the young woman who has been left without
immediate family and who has been already in society more than one
season. The duenna who acts as her natural guardian and chaperon,
ordinarily accompanies her.

It may be objected that there are large numbers of young women who are
of necessity unprotected by adequate chaperonage,--through loss of
relatives, financial limitations, or the following of some business
calling or profession,--and that they a