New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-01
H. JTLFS SIMON And THE MODERNWOM1N
HE THINKS HER LESS INTERESTING AND LFsS
SINCERE THAN HER MOTHER. AND ciI1l
CIsES TIE WY SIZE i TRAINED

SINCERE THAN HER MOTHER. AND CE1Tl-
cISEs THE WAY SHE Is TRAINED.
NJ Jules Simon. the famous French writer and
statesman. H. decidedly pcssimistic In ms views "i
the way women OF the present day ar" trained Tor
their life duties He admlres the women Of IN" last
generation and deeply Tesr''7 '"c '''"''o'' VIM"
have come TO pass.
"Forncrlv" he writes I'm recent artcl" IN the
"Reyrue Contemporaine." 1.-THE women were brought
I'D firmly yet kindly; they had a proper under
standing OF their duties. They were the common
treasure. The most debauchcd men became polite
I'm the presence OF young women. they did not re-
ceive instruction in geometry or law. but they did
receive instruction In their duties, and In all their
duties Duty was not presented 10 them as the re-
suit or consequence OF a theory but az n law
innexlble and indsputable a little too much was
REQUIRED probably in some families OF the strictef
sort The danger Of evil was perhaps exaggerated
The father and mother held council TO decide what
book should be read or what theatrical performance
seen. The grandparents even were often called TO
the consultation.
"Once married the woman exercised an absolute
authority I'm her house. The husband did nothing
without consulting her. The children looked up TO
her as to the living law. The home did not re-
semble a hotel where all can enter who wear decent
clothing and have been presented. II was n sort
OF sanctuary. To be admitted there was to be as
silred Of the esteem and consideration or all who
had that honor. The interior Of one home was not,
as to-day, like all others. Originality was pre-
served. The wife had the right to say: My salon
She had furnished II according 10 her desires ana
tastes.
"The apartment" continues VI. Simon, was
smaller than to-day; the servants were less numer
GUS the expenses more exactly controlled by the re-
ceipts A beautiful WORK OF art transmitted from
father to SON. took the place OF the costly and vul
gar objects which found at the stores Of the
dealers In furniture. The mistress Of the home
look mai O % a
the bills every day. She watched them closely. but
was not nggardly She had old servants whom
she could treat amcably, because she was sure or
their attachment and respect. They knew her ways.
even her fancies. and accommodated themselves TO
them with Difference
friends OF the husband. friends OF the wife. OF the
children OF the servants. In that world things
Thev we're not repressed but they we're carefully
controlled The housewife received company and
the house did not disdain to say 1t was who
made this dish Ordinarily she served the soup
lite dishes. The master went To the cellar himself
TO choose certain bottle. He told IT'S history. The
OF the world and circle. 1t always inter.
estng. II IS unnecessary TO say that 1t was al
house was sufficient 10 make "A law for all the
guests
converse with the women. The men then had not
"A side cabinet. there to smoke their cigars and dis,
the affairs Of the stable and the smoking room.
Neither did the women form little groups 10 dis
cuss the fashions and other things which separate
them from men. They discussed the newest books
them They sang also, and In my youth there
the accompaniment on the guitar. Eut those airs
cere; People thought the refrains charming In
truth; They amused themselves then openly
were branches OF the Academy: and others whcsc
could be heard true music, sung BY true musicians"