midnight
`` If women had an equal voice in the management of our public money , I have faith to believe that thousands which are now wasted in mere political charlatanism would go to provide for the rearing of the children of the state , male and female . My wife has spoken for the boys ; I speak for the girls also . What is provided for their physical development and amusement ? Hot , gas-lighted theatric and operatic performances , beginning at eight , and ending at midnight ; hot , crowded parties and balls ; dancing with dresses tightly laced over the laboring lungs , -- these are almost the whole story . I bless the advent of croquet and skating . And yet the latter exercise , pursued as it generally is , is a most terrible exposure . There is no kindly parental provision for the poor , thoughtless , delicate young creature , -- not even the shelter of a dressing-room with a fire , at which she may warm her numb fingers and put on her skates when she arrives on the ground , and to which she may retreat in intervals of fatigue ; so she catches cold , and perhaps sows the seed which with air-tight stoves and other appliances of hot-house culture may ripen into consumption .