Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-05-18
Antagonism Between the Sexes.


 Bachelor, ip late number of Wa verlcy,' asserts the proposition that a mutual antagonism exists between the sexes. Now, though we take up the glove SO boldly cast into the ring, per 1 haps more from habit of never refusing a challenge than from interest in the theme, we do so for tho benefit of those I who stand aloof and look upon the con fict with unbiased judgment. rather than from any hope that writing will 1 influence the opinion of Mr. B. or those similarly believing.
 Ira man does not like tomatoes, no argument in the world, though proving tlat hc ought to like them, can make him do so. The careful examination of facts is not in itself wholly suflicientto make one in lovo with truth, while cx- pcriencc very often destroys that illu- sion by which experience is to become valuable. 1 Tastes provcrbially differ, ard VIC can only say that he has the best taste who loves the greatest number ofthings, so that the first error of Mir. B.'s reason ing is that he is guilty ofiprrowfng the grounds ofenjoymeAt by saying that we cannot love tho other sex.
 This mutual rcpulsion theory is not new. In an old copy of the Mirror, we remember seeing an article in which the writer stated that. in his opinion, men and women were adapted orany- thing rather than living harmoniously together. Net, in answer to this, we submit three propositions.
 First, that the real truth of life is in it's romantic. element.
 Secondly, that any strong emotion implies it's opposite; and thirdly. that what person does not understand he dislikcs; with understanding comes love.
 Of the romantic element, which Prac- teal men ignore, what can be stronger than ti.e feelings which each man has of his own past life, and which makes it glow with the most brilliant co,ors. while aaotl,cr mans. to him, seems dull and tame. Men, in telling their owH experience. grow rapturons and sub- jectiyely imaginative, while in talking even of the experience of tlscir dearest friends, there is an objective coldness that cannot fail to be remarked Why :s this tree always associated with a thrill of pleasure? Why that brook, with a sinking ofthc breast? Not from anything inherent in the objects fhcm- selves, for others have not this pcrcep- ton of pleasure or pain with respect to. them, but simply from associations in. my own life. Under this tree we used to have our picnics; in that brook came near losing my life.
 The taste for beauty all the world over, Is tho result of association.-- Where the perfection of life is eonsid- cred to be luxurious indolcncc. art that displays relaxed attitudes and rcposc will have the greatest attraction. The tree I think beautiful, may in truth be hateful to one who enjoys only sym metrical proportion.
 The philosopher looking out upon the world sees nothing but vanity, scl- fishness, ambition and lust. and sncers at tho unfortunate drcamers who think they know aught that is good; but love comes, and like ray of light shining from the morning sun, Illuminating dcns of filth and haunts os vice, passes among the dross ofliie, showing that it is all gold.
 Ther~is nothing man cannot }ovc if he comes to feel that he understands it. To be sure, in this world, we can never be sure we understand fully any thing. So far, love is deceitful. Men often like men best, because they un- derstand best their grounds of action. To love women you must understand them, and this only comes fromcareful study and we'll employed opportuni- ties. There are two opposing clements in man. His artistic feeling of fitness and the truth of experience. Young men and women arc apt to dislike the other sex because their experience con tyadiets their ideal older ones because their ideal is lost in worldly cxperi- cncc. He only is trustworthy who steers by both lights.-[ Waverly Mag azine. Mfff1 1