Smyrna times., 1867-03-27
MANS VANITY.

The vanity of woman is a very common sub
iect of aninadversion on the part Of the other
sex. In fact, so often is the charge made that
women are vain, that the statement is accept
ed as axiomatic-on the principle, we suppose,
that what everybody says must be true. =
Vanity, apparently, in the eyes Of men, is a
pretty characteristic, admirably suited to the
smaller nature ofwoman, but one ofwhich they
themselves are entirely incapable.
There is considerable truth in the statement
that the world takes us all pretty much at
our own valuation of ourselves; and, consider
ing that the greater part of the worlds ex-
pressed opinion is that invented and propagat-
ed by men for the benefit Of each other 1t is
not much to be wondered at that notions on
the prevalence of vanity in woman, and its ut
ter absence in men, or their superiority to it,
should be those which obtain currency as rep
resenting facts.
We have observed a tendency in men to
speak of women as if they were creatures of
an entirely different species from themselves.
The regard them as subjects of observation,
and record the results of their experience as
infallible and true, and as the conclusions ar
rived at by beings of a superior order.
We remark the ways of some intelligent do
nestle pet, and speak of them as interesting
in themselves, and curious, in some points ap-
proximating to the actions done by ourselves,
and probably in these cases prompted by slml
lar motives. Some of the things they do we
should never dream of doing and we putthesC
| down as in a great measure the result OF a low
er nature. 1t would be interesting, perhaps
instructive to ascertain, if we could, the views
of some of these animals; but after all (untl
some plan is invented by which, like the wise
man in the 6 Arabian Nights, we are able tC
tell what the birds say the thoughts were
| Il ,F, n
lures. The same difficulty, however, does moi
hold good to an equal extent when the opln
ions ofswomen with regard to men are concern
ed. Men express freely ideas about the char
acteristics of women. Woman also form no
tions about men; and these, though not Ottel
expressed so determinedly, are quite as def
mite as those which men entertain respecting
them. and perhaps as little hattering to tn
persons concerned.
With regard to this very subject OF vanity
mems notions about themselves, and womer
views on the same point, are, according TO 0u
exnerience, considerably at variance. We
/ men probably, we may almost say certainly
) when their sex is accused OF vanity, Will &C
knowledge 1.-THE soft impeachment. The
have heard it asserted very often; and it ma
be that every woman in her heart knows thu
: there is something with regard to which sh
3 cherishes a little vanity. But men, if charge
5 with being vain will roundly deny it. Tn
does not, however, diminish in women IL
e conviction that the vanity exists, notwithsta
It ding all disclaimers.
s Take the vanity of dress. That womt
C should be careful to dress as well as others
! often given as an instance of their vanity
d Are there no men to whom the length or Wild
of a coat, the placing of buttons, the set OF
r: shirt front, the width and shape of cola
d the fashion of necktie, are objects OF uncea
Ie ing anxiety2 The time which women sper
4 in arraying themselves has often been ma'
matter of reproach. But it. is within 0.
G. knowledge that men will spend more u tean q
Or hour in dressing for dinner party; II a W W
to man spends much time in getting herseil u
IN we have at least work of art as tGe III E1Si IL b.
es the painstaking; but man, aIter T. az, n, 10 y
d. a creature in no wise distingulshapie lrom
tbe others of the sex at any social gatnerlni
and and the he ysa1ty TsaTs is IS Ineffective
n nSS Tloselv connected with this IS the vanity
ch onoi OaUoo annearance. No women consult th'
personat .S Sp more anxiety than do many men,
be gas aHsWSnSles VIII and gray hairs are grlevous
v: .I,or, and the restorative arts OF the peaut
1s one s are not devoted exclusively to the servo
efS eFthe h fair sex. DO not men grleye when tn
An o. c;n .n0 20 lose their good figure? Do not th
W S6;ect themselves to tortpres IN the matter