The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-10

1t is to be understood that the answer
applies to women at all stages of life.
The natural first answer would be her
beauty, but this does not endure and sha
who has this alone to boast is poor in
deed, or in a few years will be An engaG-
ing manner, however, is an attraction
throughout her life, and indeed without
it the most beautiful woman enjoys in
only very modified degree the power to
charm. She may allure but she cannot
hold. And beauty Is but one quality,
while several constituents go to make
maner. The woman who has grace, cor
diality, vivacity, taste, refinement, I'll
these are parts of manner, need not envy
her more beautiful, more intellectual OF
more cultivated sisters, or those who have
any other of the charms. but who lack
the fine qualities above which constitute
the one which I vote the chiefest.
J. p. CALDWELL.
I do not see how l cam better answer
your question as to what l consider wo.
mans chief charm than to say that
woman is most charming when she is a
woman in every sense of the word. For
when she is that, what is there on Coils
green footstool to man at least, more
charming? do not think she has any
''chief charm for when she is woman,
she is all charms.
EDWARD BOX.
Ladies Home Journal.
What Is woman's chief charm?
Why being woman of course. If any
thing more were needed why of course
being a Southern woman.
RICHARD WATSON GLIDER.
A beautiful woman attracts as candle
does the moth. A woman equipped with
beauty charms with her gracious manner
her thoughtful tact. her unselfishness. I
think melody of voice the most powerful
magnet. Leaving the precise character of
woman's chief charm, would sum up the
case by saying there are few men, women
cannot capture if they are in earnest
and when a number of charming methods
are utilized.
WILLIAM HOUSTON PATTERSON
81 have lived 50 years without being
able to decide the question you have
put to me-"
THOMAS NELSON PAGE,
Rock Ledge, York Harbor, Me-
The governor left this morning and
will not return until the last Of next
week. When he does return if it is rot
too late, 1t will be his pleasure to COM
ply with your request.
1 suppose he can do so. If you had
asked me I would be forced to give up,
for my answer to such an inquiry would
be in the nature of the little boys clos
ing sentence to his composition that they
arc too numerous to mention
P. NJ PEARsALl4.
Private Secretary
1 fear I could shed very little light on
the important question for debate that
you have brought up.
ERNEST THOMPSON SETON,
WINDY Goui, CT.
Woman's chief charm cannot be told
in prose. One man-and one only-of TIE
poets has given us perfect pen portrait
of the best type OF woman with de-
lineation of her chief charm. That poet
is James Russell Lowell and his poem IS
as follows:
Blessing she is; God made her so,
And deeds of week day holiness
Fall from her as noiseless as the snow.
Nor has she ever CHANGED to know
That aught was easier than to bless.
'She is most fair, and thereunto
Her life doth heartily harmonic;
Feeling or thought that was not true
Meier made, less beautiful the blue
Unclouded heaven of her eyes.
''She is a woman; one in whom
The springtime of her childish years
Hath never lost it's fresh perfume,
Though knowing well that life hath
room,
For many blights and many tears"
JosEPHUs DANIELS.
l am afraid I could not possibly say
anything on the subject sou suggest that
would be either clever or edifying
ALBERT SHAW,
Editor Monthly Review of Reviews.
New York.
IT Southern women who are so alto
gethcr charming, have one charm greater
than another. it is their soft and beautiful
voices.
W. IL. HUN ELLIS.
>---A
In answer to your request for my opin-
ion as to what l consider woman's chief
charm / beg to say that woman has so
many charms that ] would hesitate 20
designate that which l might regard as
her chief charm. Whether as sister
daughter. wife or mother. her charming
personality is too diversified for me TO
dissect.
ALBERT B. WHITE,
Governor of West Virginia.
In my opinion woman's chief charm is
her womanliness.
HENRY VAN DYKE
II is simply impossible to write ON Tie
subject you ask. Think OF it!
w. H. PAGE
The Worlds Work, New York.
7 beg 10 express my congratulations to
the ladies engaged IN so worthy a charity.