Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-03-01
HOME LIFE IN FRANCE
Their Children and Family
Feeling Il Deep.

! ~ SAdAA AAC OF
French home life one must see its place
in the national life and its relations to
society. There is a fact of transcend
ent Importance that must be always
borne in mind in trying to grasp the
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 Americas in
stitutions are those of pushing, enter
prising and conquering people; the
French are those of a nation which
has found its place in the world, but
kept within certain geographical Emi-
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-
I ergy, power, endurance and determine
/ ton Of purpose; the French, ease, de-
termined duties, an ornamental culture,
social order and a considerable social
hierarchy. The land of Washington de-
velops the isloated man, France the So
cial body. The former represents ma
tion 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 IL has.
The one is free from a 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 distribut!ve.
The Americans wish men wk0 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 ira
ditions. Hence domestil life In France |
music of necessity be very different from
that Of the United States. In the narrow |
compass of this article, 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 IL 60 dowries and financial
help, which not infrequenfiy entail
great sacrifices on the part Of the pa
rents. French fathers, as a whole, are
diligent in looking after the education
Of their children. Few there are who
will not visit the teachers Of their loved
ones and be careful as TO the associates
in 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
their first communion, whatever his be-
lief, he is present. When possible he
will lunch with his family at noon, and
at night he reigns supreme at table
around which everybody talks at once.
TO his family do not decrease
much with time. The ideal of a busi-
less man is 10 retire from active life st
70, and thenceforth much OF his time Is
devoted TO bis children, married or
Jingle.
A certain part of the French fathers !
ime is given 10 pleasure. Even among
he workingmen, whose life is so hard
Turing the week, Sunday afternoon is
he time when the whole family goes TO
walk in the country, or in the woods, ,
md In order that the poor mother may
lave a vacation the evening meal is
'ften taken at a restaurant
The place Of the mother is also one
If great consideration, though one OF !
Pauline subordination 10 her husband.
T heis in business, she is thoroughly ac-
Iuainted with his affairs, and in large {
lumber Of cases she is associated with | ,
lin In the business management. This
vas especially true Of the wife Of the ]
ouDder Of that well-known commercial '
Institution Of Paris, the Bon Marche. ,
Il the death Of her husband the enter
rise is often carried on by the widow.
The wife is thus associated, as all the
Members Of the family are, not in the I
truggle for the acquisition Of wealth,
ut for existence.
All the children until their marriage c
ring all their earnings TO the common [
amily purse, and if one member OF the
amily is married a united effort Will
e made to provide the best possible b
owry.-Prof. Jean c. Brace, a