The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-19
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN WIVES.

Auify ao great u IsfacsriiSe oNA"Neh siAIA~
In their social and domestic relations as
there is between the English and the
French. There is a much greater sLni
iarity between the English and the Ger
man women in their home life. and yet
es en- as to them the more discriminating
observer will notice marked differences
in detail.
1t may be assumed as a general rule
that the American woman in her own
home is more OF a dominating influence
than the English woman in hers. Men
are not less courteous to women in Eng
land than here: but the English hus-
band Is much more frequently the head
Of the house, and. it cannot be denied.
much more the lord and master.
Bryce tells English people that an En-
glishman who has forgotten his keys
while an American would be much more
likely TO 60 himself, and even perform
a similar office for his wife. This may
be only an extreme illustration. but 1t
is undoubtedly true that the English
household defers to the husband, while
the American household defers to the
wife. The American view has been de-
Tended upon the ground that this
greater preponderance Of the wife is
more conducive to the concord and hap
pinegs Of home because ii tends to
correct the characteristic faults of men.
and especially their vanity and selfish
ness.
No doub. this Is true. and II may be
marriages In England as In the United
States. but 1t must be admitted that
the proportion of separations is much
greater here than in England. Perhaps
this is due To the greater self-reliance
and independence of American women.
They may have less fear than their
British sisters OF separate existence or
of new attachments. and this may, also
not be without It's advantages.
Yet the greater domesticity Of English
life is some compensation for the lack
of individuality. An English woman has
been trained by generations OF partial
suhordination To second nature which
makes the supposed yoke less of bur
aap than ~ aaaysau tn av Ausartrau The
English wife takes 1t as a matter u
course that she is 10 obey as well as
to love and honor her husband She
relies mere upon him; he is the author
ity as well as the provider, Children
fall into this way OF thinking. and par
entail authority is much more complete.
That this condition has It's merits even
observant Americans admit. II Is noto-
rsous that our children are less deferea~
tiai and unqGesticning in their obeai-
ence, and where the influence is good
1t is uuch more easily exercised In an
English home and much more readily
responded a..
Whether that condition does not, how
ever. tend TO a stricter uniformity of
character. and "a check marked insti-
xidualty la the women, is another and
more complex problem. American
women. 1t IL claimed. are Ear more COM
psnEonahle TO other men than their hus~
bands. bat In this consideration If the
swhjeet the question Is whether they are
more coulpsnIenahle 10 their husbands
by being lass subject 10 his status as
the head IL the household, And II 80
lsss Importance IS the question whether
or no, wives are more harry by being
50 independent and SO free from sarven-
der - his glrst claim 10 consideration.
IN England. the fathers chair IS q
sacred Institution. Tits home corning IL
an event, his birthday a notable occa-
sion. In this country. She father Is too
soon releEased into the routine. ard the
ehlldren's birthdays The great festivals.
;heIr wishes the rsle 81 guidance. ard
tanssaefssf. Ia both eegutr3es 81 "a a
seau,gful custom that the mothers
birthday IS 3 donessss day - reJolctng;
ami q Sa9asld bes reiigtoasly Observed
In the EsnSslSas house SAe mother Is not
less respected tecsuse Il gs generally
recognized stat she ssakes fhe father a
uv* - arVe#l shose decision Is anst.
aot se much bsszsse p IS = sep h,ls .,s-
carse he Is yhe paramount aa16o~tsy
t'l9ses relations between che tNo ns.s~
rses Wiz iuevftah3y brgox zaoat a
sAAsTes comparison q the differing coa~
asEtans ae,s Z w:1s be Interesting fa ana
,yse she eject of each. u viii met y.
serpr9sgng - lv@ru that r.ngt3sAgsssn
presev the English eastern. or thst Fa-
tse ssasa ressoss American women sul
p~~fsr ArT4rfeam husbands. Whether