The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1900-02-24
HOME LIFE IN FRANCE.
Parents Are Greatly Honored By
Their Children and Family
Feeling IL Deep.

in the national life and its relations L
= society. There is a fact Of transcend
ent Importance that must be alwayl
borne In mind in trying to grasp the
I characteristics of the French people
II Is that there is a difference between
the aims, aspirations and ideals that
run through the activities and institu.
tions of France and those Of the United
States.
American society and American in
stitutions are those of pushing, enter
prising and conquering people; the
French are those of u nation which
has found its place in the world, but
kept within certain geographical lmi-
tations, has accumulated wealth-or
what for it takes the place OF wealth.
and blessings of civilization, in them
selves sufficient for happiness. The
Americans are men who most value en-.
ergy, power, endurance and determine
tion of purpose; the French, ease, de-
termined duties, an ornamental culture,
social order and considerable social
hierarchy. The land Of Washington de-
relops the isloated man, France the So
cial body. The former represents ma
ton Of individuals living in families.
and the other a nation Of families with
individuals in them. The one is display
ing unparalleled power in making for
herself civilization, and the other to
increase and distribute to the whole
the fruits of civilization that it has.
The one is free from burdensome past.
and the other has its roots in the
depths of centuries. The one Is thor
oughly competitive in its activities. the
other accumulative and distributive.
The Americans wish men whe can
fight their own individual battles; the
French, men linked by indissoluble ties
to those who proceeded them and to
those who follow, continuing family tra-
ditions. Hence domestic life in France
mustof necessity be very different from
that of the United States. In the narrow
compass Of this article, I will bring out
only the best and the most typical traits
of normal French life.
This much may be fearlessly asserted
that the position of the father In
France is still paramount.
The authority of the father is recog-
nized even after the marriage Of the
son or daughter, until very late in life,
but with it go dowries and financial
help, which not infrequently entail
great sacrifices on the part of the pa
'ents. French fathers, as whole, are
iiligent in looking after the education
If their children. Few there are who
will not visit the teachers of their loved
ones and be careful as to the associates
n schools. On birthdays, Easter, New
Years day, or when he travels, the
French father is the perfection of
houghtfulness-no one is forgotten.
When his children are baptized or take
heir first communion, whatever his be- /
Ief, he is present When possible he t
will lunch with his family at noon, and i
t night he reigns supreme at table v
round which everybody talks at once. /
ttentions to his family do not decrease v
luch with time. The ideal Of a busi- n
ess man is to retire from active life at Il
}, and thenceforth much OF his time is n
evoted to his children, married or o
ngle. y
A certain part of the French fathers O
me is given to pleasure. Even among
ie workingmen, whose life is so hard h
lring the week. Sunday afternoon is II
le time when the whole family goes to :,
ak in the country, or in the woods, te
I'd In order that the poor mother NAV al
I'VE vacation the evening meal is fl
ten taken at a restaurant. 70
The place of the mother is also one IN
great consideration, though one OF be
luline subordination to her husband. on
heis in business, she is thoroughly ac-
ainted with his affairs, and in a large he
Imber of cases she is associated with bo
m in the business management. This pv
Is especially true Of the wife Of the
under Of that well-known commercial ST,
of Paris. the Bon Marche. ex
the death of her husband the enter ST,
ise is often carried on by the widow. an
e wife is thus associated, as all the ale
'mbers of the family are, not in the su
uggle for the acquisition of wealth, be-
for existence. he,
All the children until their marriage str
ng all their earnings to the common sta
nily purse. and if one member Of the
nily is married united effort viii m,
made to provide the best possible tlv
Jean c. Brace. :
-.