New-York tribune., 1897-08-01
PERIOD OF DIM FUTURlTY.

PERIOD OF DIM FUTURlTY.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: On Fridays Womans Page Is a note from
recent lectr~e on Pedagogical Aspects of Physi-
illogical Psychology" In this. from two percent
ages and an observation the conclusion is reached
'tha, few people save geniuses. ever get an apso
lutey new idea into their heads after the age Vi
thirty-three. They generally build upper stories
on foundations already acquired These state
ments are epigrammatic but are either true? Both
cannot be So for they are contradictory. Ihe man
wro wrot. them must be looking forwar' to h!
thirty-fourth year as period OF dim futuilty no"
merciless 10 fix the age Of atrophy Tor most oi us
at thrty-three. Why. can't all be spared from
home every summer to attend school and keep our
brain tracts vigorous.
Are we getting near that exquisite stage OF larer
Rome when rhetoricans wandered about the en-
pre- prepared to talk extempore to their audlences
on any subject prop3Gsed as "A Fly. or Or h dhe g
tendency of class OF young learners to file a
patent their latest acquisitions from books ana
any correct ideas on the subject. Yours truly. -
New-York city. MIS- H. u t.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Last evening n woman OF ability, cultured
and attractive. said TO me: Men do not like me- /
send you some reflections of mine on the subject.
What Makes a Woman Attractive to Men?
WHAT MAKES WOMAN ATTRACTIVE TO
MEN?
cussed from time time Is this: What is it that
makes a woman attractive to men? Not beauty.
since we ~ name plain women-conspicuousy
plain women-whose conquests have been many
and who have carried off brilliant prizes in matri-
mony. OF four sisters whom ] knew well the only
plain one among them all had more attention from
men than her three beautiful sisters combined.
Not brilliancy. since the most quiet. even painfully
ouiet women have been known to marry we'll
az the saying is Not wit. since dull. commonplace
women are often preferred TO their more gifted
sisters. Not always lovely disposition since 1t
is notorious that II Of large family OF sisters
IS left to live and die In single bessedness 1t is
usually that one OF The girls whom all concede TO
be the most generous the most lovabe. the most
self -sacrincing of them all. Not careful attention
to dress. ! know Southern woman who Is surely
the most careless mortal ever born into the world.
who goes about looking like the Witch of Endor.
who has been known to go to "A party with
her sleeves pinned I'm her dress. yet this woman IL
almost adored by her husband and grown-up sons.
and is petted and caressed by them from Monday
morning until Saturday night.
Nor is II the qualities that make a woman at
ractive girls and other women for all know
countless women about whom other women rave
girls whom other girls almost worship. who are
almost ignored by Then what is it that max IS
A woman attractive to men?
To me, woman ! am women are Irresistible
| have roamed the wide world over. have been a
wanderer in many lands. and for one thoroughly
attractive. charming man have encountered on
my pilgrimage ! have met a of winning
| irresistibly attractive women. And TO me ii has
always been "A mystery why women who appeal so
| irresstibly TO me. and not to alone. but to
other women as well, fail To attract The sterneI
| sex.
Not long ago. in one Of the great cities of our
Atlantic seaboard, met most charming specimen
| of the genus young woman-a radiant vision wa.
| ked eyed all fr "A
| sparkle" and withal. well-bred wcll-cducated
| modest and unaffected. was taken captive al
| once and one day when alone with my friend.
| impulsivcy exclaimed "Oh. my dear If only
| could take You home with me. have two younl
| brothers and should so Ike you to be my sister!
| My friend iaughed heartily. and exclaimed: You
| brothers would not for assure you tina
| | am not I'm the least attractive 10 men
| ..Nonsens,. go cried. "A girl like you must b.
| attractive to every one.'
| How mysterious. from some points of view. are
| the marriages that are continually taking place
| In nv own city girl who at school noto
| rlous for her lack of mental ability-a girl who
| was only plan-ooking. bat large. ungainIy
| ovcrgrown, besides being totally destitute OF con
| v.rsational ability-was sought In marriage an,
| wooed with the most unwearying persistence. Wit
the most ardent Devotion by youny man mar Our OF un
, Can such things he; Yes; We see them about u
every day.
Recently. in speaking TO friend Of woman
| bilty and honor-I said 1T IL not every woma
who could hold a position Of that kind. but you
little niece is very like Miss b. In many ways an'
! had the charge of her should aim high and II
| her for just such place In the world
| Yes" said my friend thoughtfuly. Il agre
| with YOU Louise has just the gifts that would en-
! able her TO succeed In such position; but the
she is just the girl who is sure to marry young
and II hardly worth while for her 10 spend sever
| or eight years In preparing for "A position whicl
she would be sure not to occupy more than NV
[ or three years at the utmost
| sure 10 marry young ! said TO myself Hoy
| can one tell? Louise Is girl OF varied gifts an
| rraces but many lcss-favored sister may be pre-
Serred 10 her After all. cannot tho whole question
J r stImm.d up I'm this way? An older sister wa
| demonstrating with younger brother about III
,vilI Intense affection. amounting almost To idoa
| ,rv for n certain young woman. 1T IL absurd
| nositively absurd" she said. why. you and
| both know any number or women more beautHu
That may be- interrupted the younger man
| .u only know | love her" JULIA Is. IL.
1 Iulv