The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-31
FOR FEMININE READERS
ATTEMPT TO ANALYZE THE CHARM
POSSESSED by CERTAIN WOMEN.
An Industry That Rich Women Might
Not Always Involve Thought.

Women endowed by nature with the indie
soribable quality we call charm for want
OF q better word are the supreme develop
ment of a perfected race, the last word, as
it were. of civilization the flower of their
kind browning centuries of growing refine
ment and cultivation, writes '1dler' in the
New York Post. Others may unite a thou
sand brilliant qualities and attractive at
tributes may be beautiful as Astarte or as
witty as Madame de Montespan-the women
who discovered the secret of charm have in
all ages and under every sky held undis-
puted rule over the hearts of their genera
ton
When we look at the portraits of the
women history tells us have ruled the world
by their charm, and swayed the destinies of
empires at their fancy, we are astonished
to find That they have rarely been beautiful
From Cleopatra or Mary of Scotland down
to Lola Montez, the tell-tale coin or canvas
reveals the same marvellous fact that they
were not beautiful women, these historic
charmers. We wonder stupidity how they at
tanned such influence over the men of their
day, their husbands or lovers. We would
10 better to look around us, or inward and
observe what is passing in our own hearts
Pause, reader mine, a moment, and reflect
Who has held the first place in your
thoughts, who has filled your soul and in
huenced your life? Has she been the most
beautiful woman of your acquaintance, the
radiant vision that dazzled your boyish
eyes? Has she not rather been some gentle
quiet woman whom you hardly noticed the
first time your paths crossed but who grad
ualy grew to be- part of your life, for
consolation in moments of encouragement
for counsel In your difficulties and whose
welcome was the bright moment in your
day, looked forward TO through long hours
OF toll ard worry?
Nine. Recamier was beautiful but not a
brilliant woman, yet she held men her
slaves FOR years. To know her was to fall
under her charm, and to feel it once was
% remain her adorer for life. She will go
Gown TO history as the type of the most
FASCINATING Of women Being asked once by
an acquaintance what spell she worked on
mankind that enabled her TO hold them for
ever AZ her feet, she laughingly answered:
II have always found two words suffi-
Gent. When a visitor comes into my salon.
say, Eniin, and when he gets up TO go
away, ! say, Deja.' ("
What IS this wonderful charm he Is
writing about2" l think / hear some
eprightly maiden inquire as she reads these
lines My dear young lady. if YOU ask the
question, you have judged yourself and
been found wanting. But TO satisfy you as
FAR as l can, / wiil try and define it--not
" telling you what II is; that is beyond my
pOweT-but by negatives, which is the only
Vay subtle subjects can be approached.
The woman Of charm Is never flustered
and never distract. She talks little and rare
~ OF herself. remembering "bores' are per-
sons who insist on talking about themselves
y hen you want to talk about yourself. She
never makes an effort TO be brilliant or
entertain with her WI. She is far too clever
for that. She never volunteers Information
nor cDnverses about her troubles or her all
ments, nor does she wander off into details
ab0u. people you do not know
She IS all things TO all men in the best
sense OF that phrase, approaching his quail
ties, stimulating him to better things
For his gayer hours
She has voice OF glaaaess aud a smile and
eioquence Of beauty; and she glides
Into his darker musings with a mild and
healing sympathy that steals away
J'heir sharpness ere ne is aware"