Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1896-02-08

Robert Louis stevenson's Advice
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Robert Louis stevensoD's Advice TO
Women.
It isn't often man comes forward to
offer advice unsolicited on how to
choose a husband. When one does,
women ought to give his remarks at
lention, for the suggestions he nd
yances are sure to be interesting IL not
convincing.
"Don't marry any man." says mas
culine philosopher, without duly con-
sidering his tastes and habits, for they
offer pretty sure estimate of the in
dividual's temper and the bent OF his
character. Refuse man of letters,
though his genius may promise to Fro
duce the book of the century. Shakes
peare himself was not satisfactory
life partner, and authorship is seden-
tary, brain-wearing, dyspeptic profess
sion. He who bends over desk coin
ing fine sentences will likely scowl
when the baby walls, quarrel with his
food, want peace when the children
romp, suffer from insomnia and live
chiefly on his nerves.
Refuse him." Mr.. Stevenson con-
tinues, ''just as you would the musical
genius, or even the vocalist who has
too much talent. Men of that stripe
always sacrifice everything to their
art, which leaves, you see, very short
commons for the wife. Your embryo
Wagner is apt enough to be as full of
crochets as his scores. He is always
up in the clouds or plunged in abysmal
depths. The neighbours practicing
daughter keeps him on the rack. his
hours Of composition or protracted
practice sap all the harmony from his
mind and body, while ambition rides
him like nightmare.
"But If you must have husband in
the arts, try painter or an architect.
An artist is the only man who knows
how to make poverty picturesque and
accept it with MISUNDERSTANDING
colors on canvas, or drawing stately
lines is somehow a soothing occ,ipa-
ton to the mind. There always lin
gers halo of romance around the vel
veteen coat and tall easel, and artists
are, by the requirements Of their pro-
fession, more patiently hopeful than
feverishly ambitious.
"There is really much excellent ma
terial for good husband to be found
among the journalists. A capable
journalist is eminently good tenn
perei fellow; cheerful, energetic, has
keen understanding of human ra-
ture, comprehends the philosophy of
making the best of bad bargain,
leads q busy, healthy, varied life and
as husband stands better chance of
succeeding than, for instance, physi-
clan.
TITS doubtful if the popular doctor
is much of comfort to his wife. He
has too little leisure; his professional
chains are carried everywhere with
him, he is preoccupied; scarcely ever
a good business man, but lawyer is to
be highly recommended and pcliti-
clans have their strong virtues.
"Never marry man who has very
few friends. There is undoubtedly
big flaw in his character somewhere,
but remember, if rather stern, re-
served individual is found to practice
such pretty tastes as collecting or
painting in water colors, he is likely to
have nice soft spots in his nature some
where, amenable to the right infu-
ences.
"a man who is fond of fishing is
worth cultivating. 1t shows con.em-
plative mind open to convictions. Re-
member that the bachelor who boasts
he has no small vices must needs be
suspected, for human nature Is true to
herself and abhors vacuum. It's
wise wife who cheerfully toleratas
pipe, who only lifts her eyebrows at
muddy boots, who doesn't ridicule her
husbands clumsy efforts at carpentry
mending around the house, who often
admits the dogs to the sitting-room,
and let's an occasional extra man friend
in for dinner without rebuke or apol-
ogy. These are little things, but they
go toward keeping cheerful husband
inside the garden gate and tend to firm
ly establish domestic serenity