The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-04-02
New York Herald

subject of controversy just now on two
continents The discussion of her claims
attracts more attention-and deservedlv.
let us add-than the fall of King Milan.
the ulterior purposes of Russia, the social
istic movement in Germany, the home
rule question in London or the dsposi
tion to be made of the surplus in the
Treasury vaults at Washington.
The American girl is not so different.
ated from her kind that it would be sci.
entitically correct to catalogue her in the
list OF special creations, but it would be
scientifically incorrect not to name her as
a wholly exceptional being. In all re.
spects she is unique and in many respects
she is phenomenal. The criticism once
made on the strawberry, that God might
possibly have made something better.
but it is clear that he never did, is so an
pllcable to her that dissent would seem
TO indicate either an unbalanced mind or
an unconquerable prejudice.
Twenty years ago or more the girl Of
the period delighted in being called an
interesting creature" Out of door
sports were regarded as hoydenisb, and
1T was her ambition to be thoroughly
feminine, or, in other words, an exotic, a
kind Of human orchid. The English Girl,
with her bloom of rugged health, her
physical vigor that graSped the alpen
stock and tramped through Switzerland,
her skill in horsemanship, turned the cur
rent Of public opinion in this country.
knocked the old ideal from its pedestal
and substituted a new order of beng.
The crisp air became bracing, dyspepsia
and neuralgia were whis,led down the
wind, and in their stead came the love of
exercise, generous appetite, physical
and mental poi>e, certain dash ami dar-
ing which, added to the natural endow-
ment of beauty, have rendered her ire
sistibe
The education Of the American girl
throws her on her own resources, olevcl-
ops Sell-rcliance, makes her independent.
In England girl is secluded in France
she has little freedom, and rarely faces
the realities of life until she is married
in Germany she bows to the decision of
her parents without thought of ques-
tioning its wisdom. Ia AL the older civ-
lizations The medipval notion Of her inft.
riority unconScously prevails and gives
color to her social relations. In this
country she is habitue.l> in the company
of gentlemen, and SO Familiarity that the
romance Of the situation very soon gives
way to practical judgement. \ man is
not god simply because he is a man.
When she chooses her hero it is generally
because he is heroic and not because he
was born male child
American mat boJc bcyo obnu, H.
vantages Of an early association of the
sexes. While there may be some loss in
this there Is certainly an overwhelming
gain. The American girl does not be-
come mannisb, but simply prudent
There is no change in the tineness of her
fibre, though We may sometimes detect
degree OF worldly wisdom which seems
bit premature.
She very early learns to forecast her
future and make preparations for it with
due regard to the necessarics of life--a
comfortable home and a fair bank ac-
count. She is not mercenary, but simply
sef-protcctve. She does not give love
in exchange for wealth, but merely holds
her affections in abeyance until the provi-
dental opportunity presents Itself, max
ing herself the sole judge Of the provider-
tal character of that opportunity.
Ii would, however, be unjust in an ar
ticle of this kind to forget the claims of
the American wife to our consideration
She is too frequently neglected in the lit
eraturc of the time. This arises partly
from Der own love of retirement, but
mostly from the fact that her daughters
occupy all the space in the foreground
In most countries this order Of precedence
is reversed, and the matron is the centre
of observation while the young ladies re-
main in the shadow
The pecuiarities Of our matrons are
well worth study. 1t will repay us to
break through the bevy of gay girls and
examine the lives Of their mothers
There are few spots on earth where the
wife is more truly hel pmeeL to her hus-
band. She is full of vitality, shrewd in
the use of her resources, able to compre-
hend mans energy and enterprise, and
practical enough to become his conf1eu-
tial adviser. \ good wife is always the
best part of her husband, to employ 4
Hilernicism, and the American wife de-
serves the admiration and reverence of
the world. She sacrifices without mur-
mur, endures without a cry Of pain, makes
the best of poverty and adorns wealth.
She worships her children, is unspeakably
proud of their triumphS, scorns all mer-
cenary motives in her desire for their
happiness, wears the white crown Of old
age with grace and dignity, aud by pa
tient endurance of and Christian resigna-
tion un Ter the ills Of life earns the adora-