New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-12
by
FROTH.
The Opinions of a FriUoIous EsSayist,

THE THoUGHTLEss THOUGHTS OF CARIsA-
BEL BY Ida Darlington Cabell. Emo pp.
viii. S45. Henry Holt & Co.
New points OF view presented in sprightly
fashion make this collection OF articles worth
REPRODUCTION from their earlier serial appear
ance. Just what the resultant was to be, for in
stance, of the new woman" interplay of forces
has been a question rather clouded. Here may
be found definition Of the new man." not Of
fered as a possibility, but announced as with
authority. The general figure is shown in a
particular example rejoicing in the name of
John. John is large. unwieldy and unsmiing,
with the best Of hearts and the slowest Of I'M
derStandings. He spends most OF his time
about the domicile. TO which he only sustains
q law relationship" but which he has learned to
speak Of as my house; chooses bedroom cur
tains; becomes aware Of a GOODNESS in the soup:
enjoys. merely by grace Of his households in
Ventive ardor. a reputation for clever. tender
and wise speeches; has carried his inroad into
the feminine domain almost but not quite to
the point Of darning the baby's stockings and
is ironically enough. the indirect second cause
q the new woman, by forcing her out of her
former sphere Such changes in both sexes
make it natural to expect new tendencies in the
offspring. This we have in the New Child. For
merly it was the children; now, the child"
Physically. all is not well with him. His eye
sight is imperfect, he hears indistinctly, his
enuncistion is defective, he is hysterical, takes
his breath badly. and there is something wrong
with the shape OF his nose. When he IS too
tired TO go errand. he is exhibiting the
symptoms Of fatigue. the result Of reduced nerve
force. This is a different thing from WEAKNESS
or brain fag. which attacks the young at the
thought Of going upstairs to bed.
All the world knows that servants are not
what they once were. Three theories on the
proper method of treating servants are here dis
cuesed-.he deferential. the Indifferent mechan-
ical and the middle ground theory Entertain
ment Of guests raises questions on the art Of
conversation. the secret OF which is said TO be
silence and intelligent gesture. Ignorance is af-
firmed 10 be bliss when Il comes TO matrimony
and in many other emergencies. Ignorance weds
the statesmen, the savants and judges, while
the graduates of Bryn Mawr content themselves
with mediocrity. One Of the reasons for this
lamentable state Of affairs appears to be a mis-
taken convention in the matter Of proposal II
has been urged before that women should pro-
pose. but rarely with such exact reasoning and
persuasive completeness In the first place il is
shown that men do not care whom they marry.
The proofs OF this are too varied and detailed TO
rehearse Habit propinquity. opposition, any
trifle. may move them to the act. A woman. on
the other hand, always knows what she is about.
Good, bad Indifferent. her reasons for the
step VIII always be definite. She loves qualities
like character and brownstone fronts intellect
and rubber tires, and she is not easily fooled.
But, though she is trusted TO select every other
appurtenance Of her house, from the garnet to
the coalbin. she is forbidden to name the person
whom she elects 10 iii the place Of agurehead.
To say that she may choose is 20 beg the ques-
tion. She has TO choose from a certain definite
limited number which. Of course. makes her
discontinued with the assortment People would
he prevented. too. from making ill natured
marks about the influences brought to bear
10 bring about the match, the too assiduous at
tentions and the length of the house parties.
one drawback is admitted for the reform, the
cost OF sending cigars. cigarettes and what not
10 the fortunate men.
Among the things that are new. the author
places nervous prostration. 1t is not the
nerves" that graced every respectable heroine
OF fiction previously. 1t is a disease of the rich
and the highstrung not touched with disgrace,
like q miserable cold the mumps. but some
thing 10 be prOud OF. like a wound in battle.
Furthermore, the disease does not keep to its
proper social limits but is spreading TO all sorts
and conditions. Yet even 20 talk about nerves
has an uneasy quality. The woman who recited
in full her three months Of chills and the follow
ing attack OF typhoid had a relapse at the end
OF the tale. And, on sudden the reader will