Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-01-12
A GERMAN VIEW OF FRENCH wO-
MEN.


and monotonous existence, she, on the other
hand, surpasses the women of other coun-
tries by her enthusiastic love of whatever is
great and beautiful, by her hero worship,
and patriotism. She admires high-minded-
ness and despises cowardice; there is no
doubt she nourishes and entertains the chiv-
alric spirit of the fermentation. The French
woman is of jovial, pleasing, and attrac-
tive temper; being under all circumstances
disposed to please, she seldom fails to attain
her wish, for her efforts progresses in her
favor. Moreover. she shows herself so graf
flied for every little applause she obtains,
that everybody Is touched by her natural
modesty.
No other woman is as clever and dcxterous
of such quick understanding and aptitude
for any kind of work as she; no other wo-
man is so easily contented, and so easily ac-
commodities herself to all circumstances
She therein resembles the French soldier,
who is eminently prompt to render his camp
life as agreeable and comfortable as possible;
he takes advantage of whatever favorable
elements he finds at his disposal, and he
bears easily with what he cannot remedy.
The French woman is heroic and capable
of great resolutions; when she is moved and
borne up by passion, she defes laughinglY
all obstacles, and braves every kind of ad-
versity. Naturally kind-hearted and ready
to oblige, she IS easily moved to tears, which,
however, she dries up as quickly. The tran
sitions from sadness to joYousness are really
astonishing. Forgetfulness is indeed both
virtue and fault in her; she equally forgets
the bad and the good, as well as an offence
she has suffered, las benefit she has received.
The sorrows which weigh on her, or promi-
ses, and even her oaths, she is apt to forget,
past as well as future, in order to give her
self up entirely TO the happiness of the mo-
ment This is one of the great charms that
graces the intercourse with her.
The French woman loves passionately or
not at all; her love conquers every obstacle,
breaks down all barriers, and makes her ca
pable of the greatest sacrifices; but her I'M
passoned feelings cannot Withstand the eff
fects of the slowly working influence Of time.
In France they consider like fairy tales the
stories of German lovers who, after an en-
gagement of ten years and more, finally
marry each other. Neither the Frenchman
nor the Frenchwoman understand such n
constancy and fidelity, although they may
admire In France, marriages arc made in
the utmost haste, as if they mistrusted the
suitor and his word, less he might withdraw,
and thereby throw blemish upon the lady
| 10 ho 10 IA fhnrpforn thn quitOT
is never allowed to visit his betrOthcd in her
own home. If the young people belong to
respectable families, any intimate intercourse
between them is strictly forbidden; they see
each other at ball or at a dinner party, OF
at some other party, or at other reunions,
but never get an opportunity to make any
nearer acquaintance. They are married,
and must then see how they may best gel
along in life. The Frenchman, above al
things, seeks in his wife either exterior ele
gance with which to make a show, OR use
fulness in his business; the more substantial
9 qualities of heart and mind he rather treat
+ as indifferent
The French woman is perfectly natural
and disdains all false pretensions to virtue
!, To be prude or over modest is out of tn
question with her; and she calls things b.
K their names, the mere mention of whicl
a women in other countries carefully avoid.-
,. Her amiable behavior, the joyfulness an
Il easiness of temper render the French VIC
r. man eminently attractive, so that she nee
not be handsome in order to awaken tn
v liveliest interest, and even to inspire passion
n Even in advanced age she is able to col
n quer hearts by her grace and by the vivacit
ID of her mind. 1t is only among French W.
y. men that Ninon de Enclos or Dejact
can be found.
A fine taste for the graceful and for .beaui
N. is the natural gift OF the French woman, an
I'd it is not by chance that in France are 20
he found the best dressmakers and the mo
n. tastefully dressed women. The fondne
IN for flowers is also common to all classes
of French women, whose heart is easily won
- a beautiful bouquet or a rare flower
= The French woman likes numerous al
ho gay company, noisy entertainments, theatr
Iv and balls, dancing and music; she possess
oU the peculiar talent of moving in society wi
as. grace and dignity, and of showing her go
n;s sense and attractive easiness she perfect
I'd, Ano"s ~" " "-iuso o'no,9' Anu 10 no, .
his quickly the young girl, who has just left
boarding school where she was confined I,
or narrow circle of acquaintance, IS trai
vn formed into lady, or how easily peas0
1as girl who knows neither how to read =
M write adopts the manners of Parisan.
uo Every day offers opportunities for adm
mo ing these rapid metamorphoses. The fame
or, beauties of the Partisan dancing saloons
summer gardens, which are so great an
On traction to strangers, are, for the most pa
rso country girls who have just changed tn
80 wooden shoes for elegant bOttines, and tn
,aa caps for velvet bonnets. The bon mOts O
w.; witty sayings so much admired by the
,.,, eigners have been picked up by these respt
able ladies in the streets of Paris.
inc, The physical appearance of the Frel
,ont woman is, like her mind, attractive, supI
,vso elegant, and sprlghtly; above all won
,,rv even those of AGdalusia, she is distinguish
by the grace of her attitude, the elastic
, of her gait, the nimbleness and elegance
u,o all her movements.
Her eyes betray neither passion nor
ono thusiasm, or any deep sentiment; but I
eing are sparkling with wit and intelligence.
him severe moralist proclaimed that the Ere
alse woman was made only for the demi-moI
where she can shine and amuse, and
III ousy enjoy life. This Judgment is b
'sely ever, too morose. although many French
h he seem to lend il some weight by giving