The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-30

published book called "The Women OF
the limited States" We do not know
who NJ de Varigny rs, nor what pre-
tence he makes of fnowinS his subject
All we know in tie premises is derived
from a sprghtly review in the Chicago
Times-Herald, oy Mary Abbott, who
saws: "The American girl, from Daisy
Miller to ths professional beauty who
sells her brthright for Il few stones to
hang abo,t her neck and bright bau-
BILE to war in her hair has been writ
ten to shreds; her manners, her aifec-
tatiops, herinsolence, her heartiness, her
graumar. her intonation faultless or
the opposite) have been the themes for
all kinds of detractOrs and tlatterers
she has been analyzed in cold blood and
Aot blood; dealt with severely and
gently, and treated from compatrlot's
and a foreigners point of view; but
never until NJ. de Narigny took fresh
; hold has she been called typically cau-
culating and shrewd in her matrimonial
management. Under the frivolous cX-
terror which strikes the eyes alone he
says, she is playing on important part
The privilege of flirting is as sacred
and as irrevoCable in the United States
as the immortal principles of 1889 are
with us French. But that flirting is
the prelude to success in the marriage
mart is a new idea. 1t is by flirting
that the young American girl weakens
her chance of solid Success and it is
popularity supposed by those who know
that the love of a good time so-Called,
is the passion which has marred 50
many American girls future"
NJ. de Varigny appears to think that
breach-of promise suits, of which we
unquestionably have an abundance, are
symptoms of the American girls
shrewdness but Miss Abbott does not
agree with him. "A forlorn hope may"
she remarks, " be cashed in this blight
ing manner-blighting, l mean for fu-
ture speculations in the same line-but
young girls often sue their lovers which
seems to point to something foreign to
good judgment or success in business
ventures. If woman under so, say, re-
ceived $1,000 damages for 4 broken
heart, which no one. not even She, sus-
poets for an instant will remain broken
long, she can hardly be called partic-
ularly acute manager, since she cannot
live very long on the sum CLEANED, and
few men would dare approach a clawed
and taloned lady who had won a
breach of promise suit. The American
girl, as a ilirt, fiancee, a suitor for
breach of promise married woman
or candidate for divorce, is motor
iously victim of her Impulses and not
her brain: her heart and not her head.
Women abroad put up with thousand
times more brutality from lovers and
IC ho do for tta
sake of shelter, protection and reputa-
tion. In England to be divorced is to
be UNBIASED: the step is resorted 20
only under EXTREMIST conditions, and
then the woman is looked upon as
martyr once in ten times, reprobate
in nine others. And almost always she
is stunned even If pitied. Society is
practically ended for her. Our women
are high spirited, spoiled, if you like,
and reckless. Their conduct is. in
almost all cases, anything but far-see-
ing
This Frenchman gives room to a
quantity of nonsense in his book. Thus
he tells us:
An American millionaire of Chicago in
travelling to Detroit met young and
charming girl in the train. They were
alone. He began q conversation, and his
idol ended in a couple of hours by exact
ing from him a promise to marry her or TO
pay her $4,000. He paid it, but the lesson
was hard one for him Hard also
was that of the poor devil recently con-
demned by the court to deduct as long as
he lived a certain sum from his moderate
salary to pay for a momentary act Of gal
lantry at public ball.
And this. Listen to it:
"As the young, girls life is lived under
the broad and glarng light of day, so
when she Is married silence falls upon her
and about her Save in eXcep-
tional cases, these young girls pass with
out any period of transition, from the
publicity of the drawing room into the Sc
clusion OF married life" publicity Of
the drawing room" Is rather startling
when one thinks of It; but the correct con-
clusions Of the man are more wonderful
still. Darkness comes" he solemnly re-
cites, land to the sanctuary of home
where the final evolution takes place
where the mirthful and rebelous CO.
quette is converted into the wise matron
the serious and sober woman. only her
parents and friends are admitted" o,
learned judge.
From which we feel safe in conclud-
ing that NJ. de Varigny is few genera
tions removed from a first class speci-
men of the scribbling ass.
AN ANGELIC HUSBAND.
There are husbands who are pretty,
There are husbands who are witty,
There are husbands who in public are as
smiling as the morn;