The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-10
GOOD THINGS FOR GIRLS.
MRS. ALEXANDER. THE NOVELIST,
GIVES SOME HINTS TO THEM.
What Should Be the Basis OF the Mod
ern Girls Mannerp-Praise for the
American Woman - Independence
Makes Better Wives and Mothers.

bushes, the absence OF selfasserton which |
were considered the correct style, not only
for debutantes, but even for girls Of many
seasons, have been replaced by fearless II
not bold glances, extreme composure,
readiness 10 express opinions, which are
generally decided in proportion TO the
speakers youth. and very clear notion
as to personal rights. This sounds like an
ugly contrast, yet il is possible that society
is no loser by the change, il bushes and
timidity be exchanged for earnestness and
love OF truth.
Truth in thought and expression ought |
10 be the basis OF the modern girls man
ner She is bound by the increasing |
breadth OF her knowledge and training |
10 be sincere, 10 cast aside all petty alice |
tations, all false seeming, and to endeavor |
with what power OF heart and brain she |
possesses TO think out honestly all that Of |
ers for consideration.
This reality need not wear the trightful
mask OF abruptness and egotism. A
sound-hearted girl will never be unmind-
full OF others. Nor its strength less strong
because its quartz is flccked with the gold
OF tenderness. Neither need truth be too
'llfuNt iNnHNNAlhk AllN lhHtl
holies OF conviction is always permissible. |
THE REsTFULNEss or SIMPLICITY
and sincerity gives charm 10 manner,
which must be felt TO be appreciated, and,
beyond this the roposc Of mind and heart
from which IL springs is n blessing beyond
price. Think OF being always just your
own self, while the increasing Cruces OF
tolerance, judgment and consideration be-
IN lngnHaFal lut
the steady growth OF conviction and self
control, deeply rooted in the subsol OF the
heart. girl 30 enriched is doubly en-
dowed with the strength OF sclipspcct
within and the infinite attraction OF
naturalucss without
Perhaps II Is not necessary 10 insist 30
much on the charm OF nntuulness 10 |
American girls; they are said 10 possess IL |
IN an eminent degree. We have not had
the pleasure of knowing many, but the
American women we have met are GER
tainly delightful from their frank fear
essncsg.
Another remarkable change brought
about by the new necessities Of modern
life is the independence and freedom OF
women.
In most countries we arc gradually out
numbering the men. The result IL we
must work for ourselves II we can find no
one else TO work for us, and the dearest
wish OF each girls heart ought 90 be in
dependence-the power Of maintaining
herself.
No woman will make the worse wife or
mother because she has acquired accuracy, !
punciuaty and adaplabiitv in learning a
trade or proiession rather viii she be the |
more capable OF managing the details OF
her own house.
In this condition Of things see the
prospect OF goat
MORAL IMPROVEMENT.
What woman. save the scum and drcps OF
our sex. would contract marriage with any
man not already dear 10 her, could she
maintain herself by honest work. Tho
terrible necessity Of bariering herself for
food and clothes and shelter, which has
influenced many timid. unframed, hope.
less woman, will gradually DO banishcd
from civilized life.
Also will the stigma attached TO the
term odd maid pass away when more
unmarried women deserve The description
once given 10y shrcwd old Scolchman,
y hey Just gather together the odds aud
ends and draw many a caslaway To shore"
VIVA, a boon the "auntien Is 10 many an |
overiasked mother aud struggling family |
when the tenderness and endurance un. |
needed by her own immediate surround
ings atc freely distributed among her kins.
folk and acquaintance.
Nor do ! see why girl should be
ashamed OF having given her heart To n
man whose attentions she has misundcr-
stood, or who has miscd her. II his
heart Is evil, hens may be- good, aud the
wiscst make mistakes There IL no shame
Ia loving heartily aud faithfully, provided
sell Is respected and bleeding wounds bc
not displayed 10 the half compassionate.
halt conlempiuous passcr-hy.
In the relations OF marriage. too, though
men have q ilattcring ideal Of clinging ivy
round stuidy oak, thcm are none VI
them who will not be- thankful II tho real.
tiles of married life prove 10 him that he
has partner whose courage aud common
sense make her
NAL ngLrNnrE,
always provided that the sierl gauntlet h
dun hidden 10y velvet glove. Weak.
mess IL always Objectionable, Il IL moro
aIn 10 be- awkward than graceful. more art
81 lapse from The curves OF beauty into way.
ering lines Of unsightiness of outline than
the strength which can be delicate as well
a. firm. Nor need strength create
that most painful and reprchcns bic
sense OF rivalry with, or unsympl,hulic re-
sistancc TO man, which Is one Of the cur.
ious lc, us hope, mushroom -growths OF
the present day.
The negative and positive poles of the
human race ought 10 dwell together In
unity, without any hateful no,iona of su-
pcriorily or infohorly, Nature has struck
tic true balance between us, whatever the
temporary variations Of the scale NAV be.
To our fathers. bfoihon lovcn,, We owe
warm affection, loyal service, ready sym.
pathy, and nigFarllincss la these free gifts
viii not improve them nor benefit our.
selves. What II their ranks, Ike our own,
are largclySpnnkled with Tie dishonest.
selfish. cruel, cowarlly or moan-it N
not by taliting each other with our no.
speciiyc faults, creating ,escn,iul sore.
nefs, hut provoking each other 10 love aud
good works, that We can struggle upward
to a higher mental aud moral platform.
Nor ought We 10 accuse men OF ungcner.
onsly Withholding rights aud privileges
which We only nov dream " claiming.
They viii giant us what thoy must and no
more. Nor would u do ~ any guol II
they did. On or own heads be- IL, " We
do not rise above our former standing. IN
proportion 10 scli-improycmcnt and quiet
strength vii be the power Of women.
As IN greater things the fundamental
principle rules all, and the girl who mae.
icfs her own tendency 10 tritling and self.
Indulgence, Who lives In the lives Of 9th
err, viii never run into exirayaganco or
tccrniriciics In dress. She will be pos.
hes-ed Of sense OF the fitness u things, II