New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-10
FRENCH W0MEY md LNGLISHTOMEN.



Now. although France and England are ncXt-
door ne gbbOis, and a good deal OF the blood that
flows III both countries came originally from me
same source. tile English OF to-day are probably
less like the French than they were when the
battle OF Agincourt was fought, Notwithstanding
the insdiOusy inslnuating influences of French
wines French cookery, French plays and French
novels But 1t IS Of EGenchwomen and English
women that we propose to speak. here IN England
we have a very ulppaht way OF httlLg OF the
characteristics # the French oman. We say sine
is frivolous ide, and Unfortunately fond OF pleasure
The description will not bear looking into
Firstly, il should he noted that the IrcnchWOman
often seems hat she Is not. When bent OH anus
ing nersei-and II Is through the medium OF TINS
mood OF hers that English critics generally weigh
her character and judge her actlons-se leaves, 1T
Is true. all care at home aud enters upon the busi-
ness of pleasure with the spirit Of child; but II IS
unjust to call her frivolous and idle on this ac-
count. Perhaps no women are such lnddbtIl0us
and serious workers as those OF france Inc
material prosperity of their country Is certainly
LARGELY attriDutab Die to their admiral Ic capacity
lOT making themselves useful III all departments
OF lie from which they are not smut out By walls
they cannot hope TO scale-walls which they show
Their practical wisdom By leaving alone. The
typical Frenchwoman's character is not deep, bat
IL has been traced out by natuIe with no unsteady
hand. Her spirit OF independence, her comparative
freedom from that timldity which Is often repre-
scented Il beautiful weanncss of her sex. have en-
abed her to conquer much OF the ground that be
longs tradllonaliy To man, simply By qualifying
herself to compete with him industrialiy and intel
lectually IN multitude of ways. She likes to he
sel1relant, and TO feel that in case OF need she
do battle with the world.
Although FTenchwOmen generally marry early,
and under conditions of parental Influence which
invest the act OF putting the bridal veil with
about as much sentiment as that of taking to their
hrst long gown, or gathering up their girlish
tIeSses into maldenly coil OF plaits the majority
of them make good wives and slill better mothers
The FTenchwOnan Is not the most aifGcionat of
spOuses but III her devotedness to her children she
not to be surpassed while the Interest she takes
in her husbands work and her desire TO help MN
for the common good throw into bOu relief the
strongest side OF her character. If he il a doctor
Sue will make ont his bills for him; if a tradcsuan
she viii look latter the accounts land preside over
the till whatever his upatIOn she VIII lend him
a helping hand. 1t will be correctly surmised that
speaking OF the b0Wge0ise-the all powerful
woman in France The extremes of luxury and
poverty have the effect of 20 modifying the salient
points of nations character that in invest cations
Of this kind 1t Is ways better 10 choose ones types
from the great middle class. What We wish 10 lay
stress on il the fact that the FrcnchwOman, al
though extremely emotional at times IN the
ordinary business OF lite looks at nothing through
"a romantic ana sentimental medium. 1t IL this
PECULIARLY which marks the chief distinction be
tween her and the EngllshwOman. The latter Is
less passionate but she is also less practical There
Is dreamy sent:mentalitv Ia her nature that easily
aud frequently meTgcS into religious melancholy
IL malady almost unknown in France. From maid
eDhood to old age her views of life are romantic.
Even after much misfortune and disappointment
she rarely realizes things as they are. COnse-
quently she Is not the hclpmate III a material sense
that the ErenChwoman Is. But the deficiency Is
abundantly made up other ways. IL is the ex-
ception when she loves her children more than her
husband, while the frenchwomans affection for
her offspring IL generally all-aOs0rDlng. The SEN
,ImentalIty of the EnRishwOman Is at once her
strength and her weakness. 1t ID her strength be-
cause il is intimately associated wIthstrong relig
iOus instinct and reverence Tor moral principles
which color all her thoughts and direct her con
duet 1t is her weakness because il is apt to make
her rely too much upon Others and TO hope when
she should act.