Des Arc citizen., 1859-06-15
For the Des Arc Citizen.1 ass} i SOME OF THE ABSURDIT1ES OF
 MODERN FACTIONS. ,,

MODERN FACTIONS.
 l MR. EprroR:-The false and erro- neous views of life inculcated by most 5 works of fiction is a theme that ahas so often employed the pen of the moralist, that it may almost seem an act of super erogation to waste time and paper upon it; and yet I feel strong inclination to trouble you and your readers with my views upon rhe subject. It is not my intention, however, to pursue this subject l in all it's length and breadth. l desire to view it in only one of its aspects: that is, the undue importance attached to personal beauty. m slg x bs sfs4sL s
 If physical perfection were necessary Ito our well-being here, or if the represent tation of it would enable us to obtain it, there would be some reason for the con tinual harping upon the might, the majesty of loveliness;" but since this is mot the case, that writer who falls into this error, forfeits all claim to. be considered a faithful delineator of lits as it sds, and does infinite mischief to the class for whom he writes It gives false notions to the stronger sex, as to what is essential, and what they have a right 10 expect, in a companon for life {; and the effect is not less disastrous upon the youthful portion ofthe fair sex. For while it unreasonably elevates those who consider themselves as favored in respect to externals, 1t Tn the same degree depresses their less fortunate sisters. To be personally agreeable is one of the strongestdesires of our nature !; and when this feeling is fostered and en- couraged by our entire course of reading, I it can scarcely be expected that plain, commen-sense reasoning upon the subject, will produce any permanent effect, Dis guise it as we may, z homeliness," or, in plain terms, ssugliness," is a bitter draught; and though the utilitarian and philosopher may affirm that the varied charms of nature fall as delightfully."- upon that eye that ," looks sevenrways for Sun day." as upon one that is !" in itself soul, \ or that the fragrance of the rose is inhaled as sweetly by the sense of smell enshrined in pug or bottle, as by one chiseled by the very hand of Praxiteles, still this is poor consolation to her who never seeks her mirror without fearing she may snap | it, or who moves about with an ever pres- ent consciousness that at any moment her looks may :" fall upon her stomach" as one of the first witlings of the age would have it, z and destroy her. gs
 Why our Creator, who has decked the world with beauty, should have dealt t so sparingly and partially to the human family, is one of the questions which it is impossible for us 10 understand; but since | it is so, it is our unquestiona ble duty to acquiesce in the wisdom of the arrange ment. and not by a constant dwelling upon its importance and advantages, imparl to its possession false value. That beauty is great and glorious gift, I do not deny ]; but it is the rarest and most perishable of all human possessions; for, let poets and sentimentalists rave as they will, no truth is more evident than that the world is made up of ugly men and homely women. l We will con6ne ourselves to the, latter; and letus take a practical, or, we might say, statistical view of the matter. In these United States. there arc twelve mil lions of females, or thereabouts, Among them are few beautiful women, perhaps an equal number of interesting lones-for the terms, artistically considered, are not synonymous-a great many pretty ones, and the remaining two-thirds we will class as sensible, homely, excellent women, most exemplary in the discharge of their duties, and who doubtless make their hus- bands as happy as they deserve to be.
 
 Now, what would be the most sensible course for an author who wished to benefit his fellow-being, and give just views of life? Would it be to enlarge upon tha which is wholly unailainable, or to dwell upon noble and elevated traits of charac- ter, which all could at least endeavor to imitatea We may ascertain the truth of this, by looking into the details of a I modern love-story. g.s5s 4
 | Perhaps there are two female charac. lters. One is Ga dark-eyed one," with the air and mein of Juno, and formed to command rather than obey. The other, and this is by far the most favorite crea- ton, is sweet, arch, merry, mischevous little mad-cap, and so playful, so sportive, that she is fairly living witch. Avoid ing the opposite extremes of scragginess and obesity, she is of medium height. and exquisitely proportioned, which the closely | et.;. o.. Jrass ,,,oef oblioincrlv v raveaIe Ha,