, 1881-03-27
WOMEN'S LACK OF TACT.

] Why They Cannot Maintain Clubs
Quarrcls OF Woulen-Efatticrs.in law
! Have No Had Reputation,
4ppiston's Mdg:ztnc.
| We vcntured last month to question the
validity OF tie popular theory that women
hare fntultions superior to those of men.
| There is another notion concerning the fe-
| male sex that no one seems TO 1lave had the
tenerlty to dispute; this is the alleged su-
periority Of women in all matters i'll
-volving tact and delicate management. The
world is so,flxed in this idea that no doubt
an attempts to cqntroyert it will look like
foofishness and presumption; but it will do
no harm to air aa1 old theory. however re-
spectacle it may seem, and test it by renewed
observation.
Tact may be defined rs a quick and nice
discerntAent, prompt perception Of clrcunl-
Stances and facts, q ready appreciation Of
other peoples feelings or tastes, a happy
faculty in turning the corners and meeting
the exlgencies OF social intercourse. Now,
1t is possible that in the innumerable minor
things Of the dra rawinss-room women are more
the ease, the air of the salon sooner than
men do; they arc commonly more at home
there; they are more vivaciotts, more sympa-
ready than men. Women acquire the manners,
however, is more noticeable between young
than between elderly people. The girl
learns the art Of society with ease, while the
boy commonly undergoes long and painful
noyittate; bur the. man Of maturity, when
also gentleman, has acquired social deft-
uess In all its phases, and is master Of the art
usually defined as tact While We are often
called upon to admire the skill and deftne5s
Of all accomplished hostess, we shall find
that an accomplished host receives his guests
.tf ia all RI hnf iG m
wise interior.
Let us, however, concede that In the draw
mg-rooln women, as 4 rule, have more tact
than men. But when we extend our obser-
yatieE over 4 larger area, Wha. uO we dis
cover? II we take up either domestic life Or
business life, or the various organizations in
which, men and women gather, 1t is not
apparent that women are more adr0lt OF more
skiliful, or that they have Il nicer discern
ment or better perceptions than men. We
are afraid, intieed, that al anfmtartfai exafntna-
tion of tho evidence will show that, instead
of Men being more fuseusiblc and less "adroit
than women. they distinctly exhibit III I'M
portant things i superior skill. This is rather
bold defiance OF accepted notions, but let
US scan the evidence and see.
I'll Is notorious that muon the greater num-
ber OF domestic quarrefs originate among the
women Of the family. The alterations and
differences that 50 frequently exist between
families united by marriage are almost al
ways on the side of the women. Men are
dragged in and become partisan5 in the war
fare; but gauntlets arc commonly first ex-
charged between the ladies. Ass1redly. it
tact ia a quality desirable in the draw
ing-raom as a sort Of social buffer,
Smoothing sharp angles and softening col
lisions, the very tisld for it is the d9inestie
tllconsldered retort, or the loss Of self
command, is so productive Of mischief.
women. as q class, have more tact than men?
Is peace between husband and wife more
often maintained by the wise repression, the
soft answer the skillful word, the adroit
evasion OF All issue, OIL the part OF wives than
Of husbands? 1t We, Asmodeus-like, could
peep beneath the roofs Of houses, which sex
would ne aud most freely occupied in nag
ginx? Which would VIC discover most com.
monty taking otfense at the casual word?
Which would be showing superior skill in
meeting and turning the dangerous little
things that arise hourly i'll every circle?
In that tact which teaches us when to hold
our tongues and when to speak, what to see
and what not to see, we suspect that the mas
culine part of the community may claim some
little presminence: Of course, we are eeneE-
altzlng here. We have all met with sweet