The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-11-24
The Alleged Decadence Of French
Women.

In the last century French society and
literature were dominated, according to
SYDNEY Smith-whom we quote In sub
substance and not with verbal accuracy
by coterie of brilliant women who
violate all the laws of God and man and
wrote charming letters. 1t may not be
matter of regret that the DEpinays,
Deffands, and L'Espinasses have passed
away, and that adultery is no longer
esteemed a necessary concomltant OF
aesthetics. but the De Staels, Racamiers,
| and other ladies, who rivaled in intellect
though happily not in depravity, their
| predecessors, would be ornaments of
any age or country. 1t is certain that
| no country has been SO much indebted
| to their women for intellectual and social
prestige as France.
It is, therefore, unpleasant to learn
| through BIack,0OOd's Magazine that
this glory is of the past. Nineteen
pages of q late number of the periodical
are occupied with an article entitled
/" The Decadence of French Women" !"
/ The alleged cause of the decline Is the
establishment of republican institutions.
These have changed French society. In
d:yidual liberty has been diminished
through the laws which have nomlnally
leveled the old barriers between classes,
and have really opened the whole social
| territory to the warfare of class against
class. Woman is no longer the un-
| crowned queen that she once was. She
can no longer dictate from her salon,
with as much authority as the monarch
from his throue, and with her power
most of her brilliancy has disappeared.
| Were she to display her art and sentl-
ment as formerly, they would fail to
exert the power they once enjoyed, and
hence, falling into disuse, because their
practical efficiency has departed, they
have declined and died.
There is probably some truth in the
assertion that the old time supremacy OF
women has departed. The social condi-
ton of France has been affected by the
influences which have changed every
other country. Yet the present is
period of transition, and when once
things have become settled, the old
brilliancy of the cultivated French
women will reassert itself. They have
not all become idiots through & change
of political institutions. The atmosphere
of change may have chilled theli
vivacity, but it will not be for long.
When once republicanism has become
an assured permanency in France, its
benefcent effects will make themselves
apparent in all political and social circles.
The frivolity which was too often an &C.
compartment of the old time brilliancy
will not revive, but there will come in its
place conscientious self control, an earnes
philanthropy, and living interest In the
publiGgood These are dwafted under
the shadow of depotism, but flourish il
in the sunshine of free institutions.
BlackWood, true to its Tory instincts
looks upon popular government witt
despair. In its opinion the throes by
which the birth of liberty is preceded
and followed are to continue through it,
entire life. With Lord John Manners il
would say:
Let learning, art, and commerce die,
But spare, oh spare our old Nobility!
| We may accept some of its data, bu
gather therefrom fruit for hope while il
indulges in walls of pesssimistic despair.
Cincinnati Gazette.