LETTER TO THE EDITOR.
THE " CORNHILL MAGAZINE " ON SOCIETY IN AMERICA.
[TO THE EDITOR OF rag "Ben-urea:1 SIR, — Your notice last week of an article in this month's Cornhill en the social relations of young men and maidens in America showed so exact an appreciation of the points and diffi- culties of the question there discussed, that I am tempted to send you a few remarks suggested by yours.
It was far from being my intention to assign the education of boys and girls together at school (which is by no means universal in America) as the cause of the freedom permitted them when they grow up. This mixed education is really rather another re- sult of the causes which produce that freedom, another indication of a view different from our own. But it makes their subsequent Intercourse easier and more natural than could otherwise be the ease. You ask very pertinently why parents are not afraid of reckless marriages. Firstly, because, as you •have guessed, mar- riages which would be reckless here are not equally so there. It is very much easier for a couple to get on there ; in fact, any man of tolerable industry and brains may count on making a comfort- able living. Moreover, money is not expected to marry money ; a father with a million of dollars will as readily as not give his daughter to a man with nothing at all. Then the independence which American girls enjoy gives them a prudence and knowledge .of the world often wanting in English girls of the same age ; and as they see more of young men, they get to know better the real merits of a suitor, and are less likely to be beguiled by a fascinat- ing ne'er-do-well.
To explain why there are so few scandals is a more difficult matter, or at least one which would occupy much more space, more than I can venture to ask you for. Are not we in England disposed to exaggerate, not indeed the mischief of scandals when they occur, but the risk of their occurring? Have not girls more
judgment and strength of purpose than we credit them with ? In America the verrfreedom allowed creates a sense of responsibility and dignified self-respect ; familiar frendship becomes safer, be- cause it is understood and permitted, because it does not involve remark or censure from others, nor implies to either party the existence of any too special regard ou the side of the other. Under such a system young people appear to become less suscepti- ble, and they certainly acquire more self-control and the power of walking firmly alone.
There are, I believe, other causes, which it would take too long to discuss here ; and perhaps some difference between English and American nature may, as you half suggest, be among them. But duelling or any similar external check certainly is not ; one hears no more of such things in the Northern States than here in Eugland.—I am, Sir, &c., THE 'WRITER OF THE ARTICLE IN THE " CORNIIII.I. MAGAZINE."
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