Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-05-20
ROBUST WOMANHOOD.

IN q notsw orthy analysis on The
Maxim g OF Beauty" Richard Jeheries
writes: "A full grown woman is physi-
cally stronger than a man. Her phys
ique eXeels mans. Look at her body,
at the size, the fulness, the rounded
hrmness, the depth OF the chest.
Shoulders, arms, limbs, all reach a
breadth OF make seldom seen in man.
There is more than merely sufficient,
there Is a luXurianCe indicating q sur
passing vlgOr.'
Now, the feminine inability for sus-
tanned rigorous muscular e1ertion,
says the Humanitarian, sis not native
but acquired The incapacity simply
arises from a want OF practice. IN
woman is the dormant physical and
mental Capability which may DO made
manifest oy judiciOuS training; and
Whenever the average woman Is unable
10 compete with the average man In
cerebral or muscular exercises custom,
and not hersdity, must be held
accountable for the inequality.
The women OF tribes living
under primitive conditions are able 70
bear the hardships and the eXertions
Of the males. An Indian sqUSw Is as
hardy as her brave. She carries the
burdens, performs the drudge work Of
the camp and sustainS the same or even
greater fatigue than that OF the chase.
A parity OF strength in the sexes may
be observed among the peasantry OF al
most all nations. The sturdy pit girls
Of the North OF England represent the
possibilities OF cO-eQual bodily develop
a. =. - nff- cd
societies. Every woman gymnast, swim
mer, pedestrian or rover OF reDute
shows that the weaker sex is not feeble
through memorable natural law, but by
want OF education.
"StarkWeather, in the Law OF Sex
holds that neither sex is physically the
superior, bat that they are essentially
equal IN a physiological sense. While
certain differences are conceded, i am
disposed 10 agree with this theory. But
the hypothesis can scarcely be recon
Gil ed with Darw rs preSuppostiOn that
man is an evolved woman. Even Mr..
Herbert SDencer's view that the de-
velOpmenJ OF woman IS early inn
peded or arrested by reproductive
functions leaves the thesis OK essential
equality ia th3 sexes at birth
upaltered. v out growth there can
be no arres Of growth; and il IS TO be
assumed that, unit, the arrest 10 the
one sex, the development is naturally
even in both. 10 is true that boys tend
10 be stronger than girls; but this may
be shown 20 result from differences OF
environment. Boys are encouraged 20
train their muscles and TO cultivate en-
duranCe, while girls, except In a mi
nority OF cases, have been discouraged
from arduouS physical eXerti0n.
"Starkweather's conclusion as 70
equality on the physiological basis is
admitted 90 be true in the average, by
the author OF The Evolution of Sex
Many facts may be adduced ia support
of the opinion. The girl of ten, n al
lowed the freedom Of the boy, will hold
her own with him In running, leaping,
climbing and alt sports OF exercises that
involve agility aud courage. IL IS only
when the girl is taught that her
aoimal sxuberanCe is 'unladyIiEe,
destructive o! respect ia others
and injurious 10 female health.
that she loses her zss, for active games.
Is not the common notion that mature
women cannot resist the wear aud tear
OF Bnvsical labor with the same immu-
nifty from Oyerstrain az that enjoyed by
strong men frequently proved 10 be
mere postulate2 Not only do the wives
OF laDorers Withstand the supposed evil
results Of hard work, but they also rear
large families. 10 is a matter of Ordi-
nary observation thar the poor mans
wife often tolls more persisteut.y shan
hsR husband.
Another highly important consider
alton is that of wOmeu's diet. Many
women eat five uusUOstantia. meals, iu-
stead OF taking three adequate meals
DAY. There is no economy but, on the
contrary, waste iu this way of reCuper-
ating the losses of the system. The
human stomach is no, ike that of the
fowl; and 10 is imperative that the or
gans OF digestion shall have a due share
OF rest. Ia this, as In al. other matters
OF health, there should be no hard
and fast rules. Life, on
rational plan, is not one OF penanCs
and ascetlcism, buy OF fun enjoyment in
the performance OF function and the
qualification of sense. To order 20 de-
rive the satisfaction OF the palate, which
is essential 20 sound digestion, there
must be healthy hunger. Too many
women eat without normal appetite,
and are compelled 90 tempt hunger 10y
eating dainty but innutritlOus and indJ-
gestible dishes.