Louise and Marie had a lifestyle typical of the period. They had a large extended family and enjoyed a busy social life with their many cousins and friends. Documentation shows that they attended many balls and the opera, shopped for furniture and clothing, and occasionally traveled to the Mississippi Gulf Coast (Bay St. Louis) in the summer.
Education for women in the 19th century would have emphasized domestic activities, including needlework, supervision of cooking, and care for the sick. However, it is likely that Felix Grima's daughters were better educated than most young women because of their father’s influence. Their tutor was a French woman, renowned for her knowledge of French literature and history. Madame Girard had been educated at a “select academy” in Paris and was admired by French families in the Quarter. |
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