The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-01-22
WOMAN'S BEST AGE.

Opinion Seems to BE that 1t IL Be.
tween 80 and 40.
Ihere's no mistake about it. To be
young, to be in the first flush Of youth,
is no longer fashionable.
The fashionable age now for q wo-
man Is between 80 and 40. Have not
their majesties. the King and Queen
of England, given notice that the
young person is not to monopolize So
cial attention?
The doctrine of middle age is being
preached In London, and from the in-
nermost centers of Mayfair exclusive
ness to the outer circles of bohemian
ism the women who are the most pop
ular are those who have lived.
1t Is hard to get at the reason for
this Inversion Of fancy. Somebody
says 1t Is because the girls Of the
present day are older and more world
born than the women who have pass
ed the first stage of real youth. What
ever the real reason. the chief
interest seems to center about women
who have left the white muslin stage
and crept out to the once dreaded
verge Of maturity.
The women of whom most Is heard
have certainly no longer any right
to be considered young. They are
frankly middle-aged. and they seem to
glory in it.
So people seem to have discovered
that the period succeeding youth is
more desirable than adolescence. The
strange thing is that it has not been
discovered before. with all the exam.
pies that exist in history. The women
Of France and England who were
noted for their power and attractions
reached the zenith of their glory after
youth had flown.
Those who have lived and seen the
world must always have a greater
power for swa3ing humanity than
those who are equipped only with the
charm Of youth. No one is disposed
to underestimate this charm, for 1t
comes to all once; and partakes not
only Of the sweetness Of the flower.
but also of the evanescence.
Some one has said that ''every face
ought to be beautiful at 49," and an
other that mo old person has a right
to be ugly. because she has had all
her life in which to grow beautiful"
The TRANSPORTATION Of pleasant
smile. kindly lightings Of the eyes.
restful lines Of self-control about the
lips, serenity of the face-these things
no fitful year or two Of goodness
gives. Only habitual graciousness
within will give them all.
1t is interesting to remember in con-
nection with this that many of the
women who have been famous for
their beauty and fascination for men
achieved their greatest triumphs be-
tween the ages of 80 and 40.
Josephine was 33 when she married
Napoleon. and. Judging from the let
tiers written by the absent husband
during the early years of their union.
she inspired him with intense love
and jealousy. 1t has been said that
she was the only woman Napoleon
ever really loved.
Nine. Recamier was most beautiful
between the ages of 35 and 55. and
Mile. Mars at 45 was at the zenith of
her triumphs. Diane de Poitiers was
SO when she won the heart of Henry
II. The King was half her age. but
his devotion never changed.
Blanca Capello was 80 when the
Grand Duke Francis of Florence fell
captive to her charms and made her
his wife. though he was five years
her junior Nine. de Maintenon was
43 when united to Louis, and Cath
crime II. of Russia was 33 when she
seized the Empire Of Russia and cap
tivated the dashing young General
Orloff. Up to the time of her death.
at 81. she seems to have retained her
powers Of bewltchery.
Cleopatra was nearly 40 when Mark
Anthony fell beneath her spell. and
the most famous beauty the world has
ever known. Helen Of Troy. was long
past 80 when she perpetrated the most
notable elopement on record and set
the Trojan warriors to fighting for her
sake.