Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-17
"a LADIES' MAN"
What His characteristics Were in
Olden Days.

From the New York Tribune.
Out of old newspapers, well as "out OF
old books come fragments of recorded ex-
perience and ripe wisdom oftentimes apro-
pos to present-day conditions The charac-
teristcs of "a ladies' man. are pithily set
forth in a copy of the Nantucket Inquirer
for 1898. in style probably framed on the
famous Addison, and the conclusion of the
whole matter Is reached through a series
of sometimes apt. always quantity favored.
comparisons
There have been characters in all ages
of the world to whom this motto has been
applicable. 1t would not be difficult, even
in sacred history, to point out a few. at
least VINO were similar TO such at
| the present time denominated ladies' men;
| and profane history abounds with instances
almost InnumerabIe. But to go back TO re-
mote ages of the world. even to the time
that Jacob kissed Rachel for a character
to exhibit in this speculation would be
quite unnecessary. for the present age fur
ntSheS a great variety of specimens.
"First-A ladies' man is not like gentle
mems man. The former addresses himself
to the passions, the latter to the under
standing; the former attempts to be witty,
while the latter is contented with being re-
garded as man of sense; the former COM
plmentS the ladies, in hopes of being
cofnpuInenteu IN ms turn, latter speaks
in terms of commentator from a conscious
ness of female merit; the former affects
more ComplaiSance than he feels the latter
feels more than he expresses; the former is
always adulatory the latter is always cam
did; the former is always fawning, the lat
ter is always respectful; the former eX-
presses friendship without feeling IT, the
latter, often from motives of delicacy,
ceals that which he feels; the former is al
ways gay. the latter is always polite; the
former is always unreserved, the latter is
discreet; the former is ambitious of diStin-
guished attentions, the latter contents him
self with a reasonable share; the former
would fain make the ladies believe they are
a race of superior beings and too divine for
a terrestrial residence, the latter confers on
them just tribute of honor by regarding
them as rational creatures, and, like the
other sex, designed to be at least a while on
earth before being translated to the empy-
rean abodes of bliss; the former is admired
only by ladies of weak mind, the latter re-
ceiVeS the homage of respect from women
of the brightest understanding; the former,
like meteor, may dazzle for a moment,
the latter shines with steady and serene
light; the former makes a better gallant
than husband; the latter better husband
than gallant; the former is despised by the
most valuable part of both sexes, the latter
is esteemed by all whose esteem is worth
having.
I'VE shall now"-the writer has laid his
foundation-'attempt briefly 10 show what
a ladies man is Ike. He is like a baboon
decked In gay attire, that attracts attention
by fantastic and ridiculous tricks; he is like
a lunatic for he makes Sonnets to the moon
and recites tender stanZas to the ladies; he
is like a butterfly, ond of living among
flowers, but makes no honey, he is like a
serpent. that fascinates to destroy; he is
like a jackdaw. because he thinks he has no
equal; he is like weathercock, turned in
any direction by eh; he is like q mole,
for you never know where 10 find him; he
is like mock sun, which shines only in an
impure atmosphere; he is like the dew, for
he passeth off in vapors: he is like a mer-
maid, never what he appears to be; he is
like froth, for he dwells only on the sur
face of things; and, indeed he is like any
thing excepting true gentleman and 4
profitable companion"