Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-25

some attentive gaiiant-to catch the
secret OF that consummate ease, perfect
SAVIOR faire. which distinguishes the well
seasoned belle; fsie maturer enchantress
on her part marvels and fumes ut the
adorable freshness OF that raw recruitl
But the besetting perils Of beauty are
undoubtedly Of the matrimonial nature.
on the one hand she In In danger Of being
gobbied up before she Is Qualined to know
her own mind: and quite as likely IA not
by that sort OF man who has exactly
the same penchant for a beautiful woman
that a bibliophlle has for a rarely-bound
book.
SPECTACULAR WIFE.
Men OF this kind generally have un-
limited wealth, and while they can grant
all the material wants OF their fair cap
tives, they make after all, but sorry
mates, sihcc they never trouble TO peep
within the precious volumes they nave
bought for what riches may lie there
they like simply spectacular wife. 1
remember hearing tremendously hand
some woman-wbose looks at 81 were but
slightly passe-say with tears In her eyes,
to my grandmother:
"My life has been a perfect failure. HAD
been locked up until j was thirty L
should have made congenial match.
and set the world afre with my beaux
yeaux. As II II. discomfort has taken all
the glow and ambition out OF me. ! have
been a CONCEALED beauty--a mere fgure-
head OF a woman to a figure-head OF a
husband"'
sThe other extreme Is one that perfect
beauties oftenest fall into. Spoiled at
home and abroad fattered to death and
waited on by inches by a retinue OF
adorers. a great beauty--while her char
acter may remain lovely In many ways-
gets an exaggerated Idea OF her worth.
Fostering the haughtiest ideas in regard
to her BETTING mate. she let's desirable
match after match, nay. fairly brilliant
parts slip by her, until at last she finds
herself alone, the lesser lights all mar
red off. beraft through her own vanity
OF the comforts OF conjugal companionship
and the sweets Of maternity.
Again. many beauty. made giddy by
her triumphs. is led to outrage society
by her audacities.
True enough IL IL that up TO a certain
point, beauty "can do no wrong" But
there are bounds; and woe to her who
oversteps good taste.
The rash English beauty who scandal
lied dignifed gathering by slipping a
bit OF ice down the back of the usually
iDdulgent Wales. got for her caper a
social setback from which she never re-
covered.
Another spoiled darling, the belle OF
many an occasion. and among others OF a
memorable yachting party. lived to regret
the fun she had in tossing real Sevres
cups and saucers overheard into the
Laughing blue" That pleasant after
noon cost her the devotion of her much
tried host, perfect Haroun al Rashcid Of
an entertainer as well as of several
humber adorers.
And that ravshingly-pretty Californian
who maliciously complimented an old
sweetheart Of her hance on chose awfuly
nice love-letters you used to write" ex-
perimented with the privileges OF beauty
to her deep chagrin-she lost a gilded
mate, and ore, by reasons of his own
notions of honor. exactly suited to her.
When beauty attempts 10 open de-
fance OF society che meets more thon
her match in the outraged feelings OF n
propriety-loving institution, and down she
must come from her proud perch in So
ciety's gallery of beauties to make the
best or more promiscuous audience. So
ciety has its fault but. on the whole. she
is jogging along in the right direction.
MARIANNA f. MCANN.