Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-02-28

49, +"ff @A -
ner British cousias 10.
The New Yofs Herald's European
It's aoi spouieat.
mis- West. better
know If LADY hlpaeipb Churchill,
occupi,s Il unique position in English
society Sac was one Of the first Amer.
lean woms to marry a distinguished
titled Engllshman and to come to Lon
dol and attaln d high social position.
Consequent snythins she has TO say
about @Ai.erlean women III Europe is
of much ia,erest and carries authority.
In the pall Mall Magazine for Febru-
airy Mrs. George Cornwallis-Wes un-
der the above caption writes: Thirty
years ago in England. as on the CONT
nent. the American woman was looked
upon as Il strange and abnormal crea-
ture. with habits and manner ONE
thing between those Of the red Indian
and the "Gaiety girl" Anything of an
%outlandish nature might be expected
of her. Ii size talked, dressed and con
Quoted herself rs any well Bred woman
would. much establishment was invarl-
ably cyinced She was usually saluted
with the tactful remark, I should new
err have thought you an American by
those who Intended ii as a compliment.
As Il rule. people looked upon her as a
disagreeable. even dangerous, person.
sHer dollars were her only cor
mendation. and all we're credited with
the possession of them. Otherwise
what was her raison d'etre?
"Nor was distinction ever made be
tween Americans. They we're all sup
posed to 81 of one uniform type. The
young lady who. refusing anything
more to eat, says, I'm pretty crowded
Just row. or in explaining why she is
travelling alone remarks, Papa don't
voltage: he's too 1eshy.' was thought
to be representative OF the national
type of
1.-THE steady progress of American
women in the minds of Europeans since
then can be gagged by studying their
present position In Europe. 1t is not to
be denied that they are having many
of the seats of the mighty and the
most carping, Jealous critics cannot
find fault with the way In which they
fill them.
"In the political. literary and diplo-
matte worlds they more than hold their
own. They are a great success in the
old world. There Is no doubt that their
success is greatly due to the wonderful
adaptability which they display with
out at the same time losing their indi-
~viduality.
"A girl born and bred In the back
woods of some western state will adopt
the manners and customs Of her hus-
bands country to such an extent that
after a few years she might pass as Of
his nationality. The chief characters
tic of the American woman is her YER
satility. This is fostered by ambition.
Her active mind seems to open all
paths to her.
England is her happiest hunting
ground, for obvious reasons. Speaking
the same language, she naturally feels
more at home. Besides, there IL no
doubt hat English society is much
sroader minded and more appreciative
OF individual merit than that of any
other country. Beauty and charm in
woman or good fellowship In man will
take them into fastidious, refined cir
cles in Britain where dull duchesses
and rich bOres seek entrance in vain.
Compared with England's, American
society is restricted, narrow aud arti-
fetal. and 1t takes a long time to break
down the barriers.
'Americans are often credited with
loving titles. In a sense the criticism
IL true, but only lnasmuch as. striving
always to have the best OF everything.
including society, they make the mis-
take of thinking that the aristocracy OF
the country must represent the most
cultured and refined OF its inhabitants.
UNFORTUNATELY this is not always
SO. but it is obviously unfair to re-
proach the American woman for seek
ing what in every other country In the
world both sexes struggle f%or-socisl
or material advancement. As snob-
w ~ NbFAAAtBQAAAdA ~ ktAAhS INV
having no nationality. SO well bred
people speak the same language all
over the world, while in education the
bringing up OF tie average American
glfi is in some ways far superior to
tttrt of her English cousin.
"Certainly in the way OF book learn
Ing she is better read and. having gen
srtAly travelled before she makes her
appearance in the world. by the time
slI.. Is eighteen she is able to assert
her views on most things and her indie
ptntt~uce in all. She has full apprecia.
hon snd knowledge OF what shes wants
anc ~ what is best. and in all things
SHE ~lrteS 70 attain 1t.
ga -'iGaan iuSes her heart, never
her hval lue vOidness with which she
h. r%etruasted ur'lns perhaps one OF the
soarees OF her power, On the other
hand. her education has many disad-
vantages not shared by the English
girl. most Americans not understand.