The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-03-16
som.shlnr About Single women.

Women will do well to make an accurate
estimate OF the possibilities Of single life.
Let but an appreeiable number Of them rec
oghize and ayow the fact that IL has its own
advantages and enjoymsnts, and that these
are st least IS great for them as they are for
men. and there will very soon be an end Of
the superiority cOnventionally ascribed 20
married women. Let US try 10 realize the
possible life OF cultivated, sensible and
Rmiable single woman, especially of one In
the upper middle class. II such woman
possess but small income, she can, il she
viii, get q great deal out OF her life. I do
not az present speak of those unhappy wo-
men; numerous in this rs in other classes,
who IN their conduct and by their character
give point 70 the jibes and sarcastic pity
freely bestowed on ''old maids.n These are
certainly 20 be oenfured, but ought also 10
bejvery kindly pitied; for they have only
been Gas the great majority OF mankind have
always been) not strong enough 70 dominate
their environments, not in advance OF the
spirit Of their time. Themselves utterly
conventional, they have accepted without
question the conventional estimate of mar
rled and single life; their youth has prob
ably passed in perpetually frustrated, and
finally unsuccessful attempts TO establish
themselves ss married women. do not
suppose that any women pass through life
without some opportunity to marry; but
seeking, as do the women TO whom refer,
only the convcntionally valued advantages
OF marriage, position, wealth, etc, their
failure to attract men able 20 bestow these
edvAntages u very generally the reason Of
their remaining single. Il must be confessed
that some single women Of this class do be-
come very odious. Turning rot upon the
men who have neglected, but upon the wo-
men who have supplanted them, they seem,
indeed, TO have cast off all reverence for
their own womanhood they hate, and would
fAin NOT perceive any dignity in wifehood,
any exeelleney in motherhood, any charm in
girlhood they greedily learn and pitilessly
expose the sins and fOllies Of their own sex,
and effect 70 scorn as mere trickery all wo-
manly truth, tenderness and deIicacy, and
reserve their worthless respect and daniag-
ing appreciation Only for those who partici-
pete alike in their failure, and in their nn-
cor. But the very great majority who have
failed TO achieve "a good establishment" are
I very different. All that is wanting for them
! is just O little more strength Of mind, just g
| little clearer vision through the conventional
into the real. II they could but perceive
| that failure as 10 one OF the aims OF life Il q
very different thing from its total wreck-if
they would make an accurate estnation OF
ita rsmaining possibilities-we should hear
from the world at large much less nonsense
about .tbe waste Of feelings unemployed, I"
about the ungathered rose placed In no
mans bosom, etc. In their own dainty
feminine waJs and pursuits; in their free
dom; in their leisure; in the tranquil refine
ment with Which even . small income en-
ables them 20 invest their lives; Il the ab-
sence Of the interruptions, the worries, the
cares, the sorrows and the bitter disapPoint-
ments Of married life; and in their cosy 40
manly friendships--singie women may nnd
sach rlcaeent hsppiness IS can be surpassed
| only In che most fortunate marriages, AID
which far snrpasses that attained By the ma
jority OF their nsrried sisters.--FS0as Bel
| 0roeia.