New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-17
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
MANS RAISON D'ETRE.
COMPARED WITH THAT OF WOMAN.
4 a A l. a


TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
sir: In Sundays Tribune, G. W. s. gives ac-
count of a London dinner-a Literary Lades'' din
ner bewaiiing these ladies' many shortcomings. OF
course G.. W. s. is man, for we're he woman,
never would there appear an article signed g. W. s.,
because the writer fully recognizes and thoroughly
appreciates that the rason detre Of IS mater
nifty. Strangely enough. this decision 20 have
been reached by literary lady, Mrs. Lynn Linton.
We are told that the cradle lies across the door Of
the polling place and bars the way TO the Senate
Now / am a wife, and sat looking at the nurse
rocking the cradle which bars my ssterin-law's way
to the "polng place." dwelt upon G.. W. SIS and
Mrs. LintOn's statements until saw myself fully re-
vealed In the naked light of Truth / looked back
upon my wasted life with remorse; for had spent
my first quarter Of century in "getting an edu-
cation" Not one moment had been devoted to the
important question. should baby wear flannel next
the soft skin Of It's dear little body, should there be
an Intervening layer Of nOn-rritatng old linen and
now at the age OF twentyseven, ii would be impossible
for give accurate directions for sterlzng milk
My misdemeanOrs have gone further; aided and abet
ted by my husband When 1 disclose to him the
fact that when voted, his urgent solicitation on
educational matters, l lost certain amount Of
womanliness, fear the effect on him and have en-
gagged Mental Science healer, male one, TO be In
attendance. But this is not all. have attended
literary ladies' dinner" We did not smoke Gig
aretes after the gentleman walters had retired, nor
do recollect the disappearance Of any literary
ladyo beneath the table. We made speeches. now
ever. l made one No one living loves and admires
Elizabeth Barrett Browning than 1, albeit she
poetized more than she maternlzed. But G.. w. ;.
brought out In telling strength Of language hat this
greatest lady" poet never attended "lterary
ladies' dinner" Here was food for thought. knew
Elizabeth wore dropping curl on either shoulder
which did not and had hesltated TO follow her ex-
ample because hot iron does not sufficiently over
come our damp climate. Henceforth this inconvenE
ence l will disregard and remedy the defect
The longer 1 dwelt upon the subject. the more my
loving heart onged bring to the paths OF recttude
my erring sisters who are ignorant of the raison
detre. My pen moved with that rapdIty which
only inspiration gives writing an appeal to all
women to come into their true sphere. matrimony,
as quickly as possible / had written but few SEN
fences when enthusiasm became cold with the sudden
remembrance Of statistics. There are more women
than men. What would become Of these thousands
Of who could not carry out their rason detre
because there are not enough men 10 go around
After night OF angulshed thought have discovered
the remedy. Though became martyr, for accord
ing to the limit laid down by the press OF America,
there is another year before my husband and viii
be anxious TO be rid Of each other, Will not Keep
back a truth beneficial 10 thirty thousand extra
women In Massachusetts, alone. Iarems must be es-
tabshed. Let us cease depressing the hornOns anu
I'm stead emulate their noble practice. Cannot the
President begin TO rct part OF the White House for
his share OF tho superiuOus women OF washington F!
Let the country resound with blows of the hammer,
under which additions to our citizens houses VIII
rise in immediate recognition Of right 10 be ACCORDED
woman who have been suffering, unapproprated
Mrs. Linton and G. W. S. discovered but half the
truth when they announced woman's Tas9n deue 70
be maternity have cd ne Ghe no,H nan a Sl
with absolute surety that mans great in fact, his
sole, raison detre Is paternity GE pp1r,rp PERRY
Hartford, Conn, July 10, 1881.