Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-06-03
THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE AMIABLE.
A COMPARISON.

1t may be still pretended to be question.
able point, which is the fascinating person,
the plain but genial and amiable woman, or
the belle. But there is in reality hardly
doubt enough about the point to exercise the
wits of debating club, or woman's rights
convention. Recollect that by the state.
ment Of the manner, the beautiful lady is to
possess only a very ordinary degree of the
agreeable qualities of the other; and our
amiable type Of womauhood is not to have
more comeliness than falls to the lot of a
majority of the SEX For it must be grant.
ed, that the whole Of them are not little
attractive; and there is not perhaps 4 single
one, that does not pass for particular pearl
with somebody among the other sex.
Now that we comprehend the terms Of
the controversy, we are prepared to affirm
that the beauty cannot have so many ad-
mirers as her rival. This cannot be disputed,
when asserted of her own sex 1t is also a
fact, that the affection of such lady is
chiefly limited to her lover or her husband
The celebrity arising from her distinguished
appearance is expensive, but she is nothing
but statue, picture to most persons, who
cannot set up any claim whatever to a right
of possession. The weakness of impres.
sions she produces, is a great deal owing to
her trusting so indiscreetly to her looks. She
has apparently thought it Of little or no con-
sequence to do anything further than make
an exhition of herself This is a terrible
mistake, and though there is unquestionably
such thing as spontaneous combustion,
beauty will sooner or later learn that the
general loss of ones acquaintance is not
spontaneous effect; but the admirable play
of numberless loveaLle qualities of heart.
The plain woman has been obliged to play
her hand well to win attention and regard,
since she has not had a very good one orig
.inally dealt to her. She has made the best
of what she had, relying nothing upon her
luck, rather small in her case, and rendering
in the long run your pretty court cards quite
secondary to her strong suit of substantial
qualities.
The a.niable plain woman is distinguished
by the possession of charming traits that
can be appreciated as much almost by all
that know her, as by her husband, or her
$3S.er: Ihex are ready and spontaneous
the right and good and beau
tiful; frankness and want of pride, that frosts
the soul; warm benevolence, and a real
love of talent and information. She wishes
to make herself agreeable to every worthy
person, not by coquetry and fineness, which
are abhorrent to her sincere disposition; by
an honest, direct, yet modest exhibition of
her mind and heart Of course she sue
ceeds in this, as every sensible woman does,
who really tries. Such woman cannot
but be admired and coufted; and her inhu.
ence is co-extensive with the circle where
she moves. A beautiful woman may make
one or two distracted; an amiable and
agreeable one turns all she happens to con-
verse with, into her admirers. When two
characters are blended into one, one becomes
the Semiramis and Cleopatra of her age,
and realizes for her own sex, what has ever
been nothing but dream among the mas.
culines-the universal empire-the conquest
of the world.