The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-18

como fashionable
lie Is Still Doubtful About Marrying
the Doctor.
1t seems that our Western friend. who
asked us about the wisdom and propriety OF
marrying young woman who is studying
to be physician, Is not entirely satisfied
with our reply. Ho therefore states his case
moro specifically, thus:
"You when you infer that not . rich
young fellow. But let me 90 into details and you will
Just the point discussion between this young
and my self And. a. am raising a question which 10 Of
great Importance. hope you will bear with me.
81 love the young woman to whom refer and she
loves me. am tradesman with taste for literature
from sis to $50 week. am domestically inclined
and believe that wife should be companion to her
husband In all that the term implies.
II have proposed marriage TO this young woman and
she will accept provided to let her practise
at her profession to which she Is dcvotedly attached
She says 4 wish to do good In the world de.
test house drudgery. and never will do It. Besides
not robust enough for It, will marry you only on
condition that you let me practise So the question
arises in acccde to her wishes would IN example
be properi
IL always had a horror Of professional women, and
here can't live without one
"Iwant my wife by my side. and she wants to rush
around to physc all the female earth What Is the fu
ture woman to do' Is she to 'expound Scripture
plead ut tho bar, prescribe for the sick howl from
the stump. and 'hurl editorial thunderr God forbid!
But suppose I'm too romantic"
1t Is not worth while for our friend to Dor
row trouble by worrying over the example
he would set by his marriage. II the mar
ria9e should turn out well, his acquaintanccs
might also be induced to get doctors for
wives, II they could secure such prizes. But
there would be no harm In that. II 1t should
result disastrously on the other hand. the
union might perhaps serve as q warning in
the nelghborhood
The chances are, however, that the we'd
dings thereabouts would take place without
any reference to the experience OF our corre
spondent. Examples do not have much
effect on mems choice OF wives. They usually
marry the women they like, without regard
to what their friends have done; though it is
doubtless true that the happiness OF one we'd
ded pair encourages matrimony. Forlorn
bachelors observe, admire, and envy, and
their single state seems to them all the more
uncomfortable beside the conjugal bliss OF
which they are witnesses. So strong Is tho
tendency to marriage, however, that even
the wretchcdness Of the mismated does not
check it. Every man Is sure that his luck
will be better, especially when he IL In love-
| Don't fret about tho example, then, you
will offer In marrying the doctor. And as to
horror OF professional women, there Is really
no sound reason for that Because woman
works for her living, she need not be any the
less charming than one who is brought up to
expect that she must be supported by some
one else. 1t il truc there Is q great deal OF
nj nh ham nlx, 4.
but, after all. that Is something they cannot
do. Women are not merely feminine physi-
ologically. They are feminine In every re-
spect, In their intellects and their emotions,
and, we may say. in their moral sense. What
ever they do. they are always women, being
very distinct from men in their qualities; and
hence. instead OF their work unscxing them,
it cannot BIO successfully pursued unless 1t Is
adapted to their conditions.
II n woman works in a shop or factory, II
she Is a clerk behind a counter. a Photographer,
a milliner or a dressmaker she may be. as
We all know, just as lovely, charming. and
feminine creature as II she did nothing
more than coddle q lap dog or busy herself
only about inside household duties. Indeed,
her work Is likely to make her oil the more
interesting. Her wits may be brighter and
her sympathies keener than those OF a
woman whose sphere is more restricted.
Her mind may BIO less occupied with trifles,
and perhaps she enjoys her home all the
more and makes 1t all the more delightful
because 1t means rest and peace after outside
toll for her.
And II woman may work at trade with
out damaging her lovable disposition and
her charming domestic qualities, rs many
thousands OF cases show she can do, why
should profession necessarily unfit her tc
be the companion OF man with q taste for
literature and domestically inclined9 Be-
sides, II she is able to add to his $1s or $40 q
week substantial fees earped by herself. they
can afford to buy more literature and tt
make moro agreeable the surroundings o.
their home 1t Is great mistake to suppose
that women are only charming In state O.
pecuniary dependence; that, while they are
fitted well enough for odd Jobs about {
house, they should have no active interests
outside. That Is notion better suited tC
Oriental customs and prejudices than to this
region at this time, when even fashionable
women In New York engage In multitude
Of outdoor activities.
"What Is the future woman to do ?" Sh,
will do whatever she can fit herself for. ant
will enter into every occupation where she
can successfully compete with men. Blu
cycles Of time will pass away. and she will b.
the same feminine creature who now holds I
mastery over the hearts Of men, and who com
mands love IS sweetheart. wife, and mother
You can't change her. COP be praised!
However, ss to marrying the doctor, ou
friend must decide according to his owl
ilaGpe0t sna feeling. We can taka ~ lYE