The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-01-24

| Clever Women of Two Continents
! Compared by n Travelled American
-Mnnicure Advice for Cold Wealth
| ef. .a-f
The women Of the world, both
abroad and at home, that neIhears the
most about, are the smart set who
rule the social Kingdom from the CAPT
tails OF Europe, and in America from
it's chief metropolis. These women
represent the fashion, wealth and So
cial life Of their day. They live viva
ly before the mental eye Of all classes
of people thanks to social chronicles
in the daily journals and constant
foreign communications by cable.
AS Americans our interest outside
Of our own smart set is centered al
most exclusively on the smart women
of England. Their lives and doings
have influenced ours to such a degree
that we have come very near being
a princeps copy in red, white and blue,
heavily gilded with American eagles
1t may not be uninteresting to glance
at the contrast between the smart Eng
lish woman and the smart American,
which is so pronounced and noticeable
in various ways when viewed by the
advantages and disadvantages to wom-
en- themselves.
AS a rule-When the American WOm-
an compares herself and her lot with
the English WOman's-she is apt to be
rather too we'll satisfied with herself,
her habits, her customs, and is mis-
guided by what she considers her
great advantages. She sums up ma
jOrities and overlooks minorities So
cially, and in that way fails to see the
superior social distinction of many
English women of fashion who have
made for themselves brilliant names
and positions. In consequence OF this
oversight the emulation that would
have advantaged us has never been
attempted here.
What is particularly admirable in
this best type Of upper class English
women is her respect for her own in
dividuality, and the generous allow
ance she is ready to make for the in
dividuality of others. Another fine
trait in her commendable pride in any
special talent she may possess, and the
pains she will take to develop it, per-
feet it, along with the courage she has
to live up to the pursuit Of it.
|. If she is a married woman her hus-
band almost invariably manifests
pride and interest in her attainments,
and, if practical, assists her, or, if
not, gives help in a negative way by
not interfering or placing obstacles in
her path.
With few exceptions these women
are great social leaders-intelligently
interested in the movement of every.
thing intellectual and national-and
WELD a strong influence over the pest
minds of the day, through the charm,
Of their drawing room gatherings.
Smart women in America, on the
other hand, rich in thousand and one
attractions Of person and race, quick
of wit, and alert of mind, gives them
selves up to the aims of fashion and
pleasure, and are satisfied to resemble
one another as closely as peas in a
pod. When one has had the pleasure
of meeting half a dozen of them the
rest Of the set will be turned to da
capa movement limited. Individuality
they abhor-and, will shun it as an in.
lection. They crush out every dispo-
sition to distinguish themselves in any
|
not point out, or do anything that will
cause them to step aside from the
throng that environs them. Social
routine is to them an adored treadmill
which they enter in youth and reluc.
family depart from in old age.
One cannot shut ones eyes to the
fact that the members Of our smart
set stand in frightful awe of each 9th
| 1{crncn1 fn do Ind
pendent things or create innovations
ly comment on this popularity, and
are at a loss to understand the broad
stretches Of personal freedom that
women outside of this charmed circle
enjoy and the consery alive uniform
limitations these women force upon
themselves.
Why should women Of great posi-
bilities allow their minds to lie dor
mant from self-inflicted tyranny? Why
' be mercilessly bound to pleasures
wheel year after year, until mind and
soul grow deformed?
Should women with power to reach
higher things, be content to coddle this
poor shadow, and fguratively swathe
themselves in Slavish nonentity? They
only waste their best years, and fool
ishly let their fair daughters follow
them, to waste their lives in like man.
ner.
1t is for smart women to invest So
ciety with varied interests, to give it a
new growth in keeping with the adj
vanced times. Abundance of matter
lies at your door. expectantly waiting
1t only needs the courage OF q few
with talent and ability to make them.
selves leaders and inaugurate regen.
Grated society. so attracting and stimu.
lating that the brilliant men who long
ago fed from its iranities and weari-
some aims, would again return to it's
portals and restore the lost prestige
of days long since passed-when poets.
philosophers, statesmen and men OF
letters crowded the drawing rooms of
the smart set of old New York-Vo-
que.
Cheap and Pretty.
Betty has long been distinguished
nmOnp hor friends nc tho only, 1uo,no,