New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-01
An Era Of Very
Brainy Women

eve in this country must remember
these facts: We have a million more
women than mCn. There are many de
termined bachelors land a high level OF
feminine intellect will add appreciably tc
their NUMBER. and bigamy is pena
offence Consequently. there is a large
number Of women who can never occupy
themselves with those domestic fellcities
which are their natural province" says
H. r. Wakefield in a London daily.
"Philanthropic matrons have devised
many schemes for removing this surplus
TO our overseas dominions. But for the
greater part this surplus has refused, very
naturally, to suffer exile at the bidding
OF these high priestesses of Imperialism
while they remain in this country this
surplus, so far as ! can see, will have
with the necessary intervals for susie
nance and sleep. l leave games out oil
consideration. Women like games not
as occupations but as opportunities. They
despise all forms Of athletics as such, but
they appreciate their associations. 1t
may be impertiDeut, Htt I have always
maintained that two ladies playing golf
together was an unnatural and displeas-
Ing spectacle.
Now n million women steadily and
ruthlessly improving their minds must in
evitably bring forth fruit In due season.
To risk another accusation of imperti-
hence and temerity | confess that So
called clever women seem rather over
burdened with their responsibilities. IT
may be only because they fill me with ter
ror, but they always seem TO bear their
honors rather uncomfortable. Their cpl
grams lack spontanety. Sometimes their
conversation suggests that they have been
recently examining for a general knowledge
paper and arc quite confident of gaining
100 per cent.
But when one has discounted as
much as possible. the signs OF the times
are obvious. we are approaching an era
of 'brainy' ladies'. That means an era
of acrimonious sex rivalry. 1t is I'M
fortunate. but ii is true. What will be
the effect of this on the relative posi-
ton of the sexes?
Can il be said that the average man
IS alive to this situation. that he IS
girding up his loins preparatory 70 prov
ing his traditional pre-eminence? Never,
believe. did he show less enterprise. He
regards the emancipation of women with
amused tolerance or whole-hearted bore
dom.
How does he spend his days? lie is
occupied, of course, for many hours
day. with that pursuit of lucre that these
advanced ladies consider his province.
But how does he employ his hours OF
leisure? Does he throng the Tate Gallery
or the Albert Hall? Does he commune
with Meredith or Bergson? On the con-
trary. while women are wrestling in spirit
with things such as these he. II the day
Is fine. rapidly changes his attire and sets
forth to his lifes task Of getting his
handicap down to a smaller figure and
getting his figure down 10 a smaller ham
dicap. II the elements are upfavorable no
will occupy himself with literature, light
TO the point OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, or seek q
stall at Days Theatre.
The average woman has much better
health than the average man. Aristotle
decided that the ideal pollty would consist
of two classes, leaving slaves out of con-
slderation. rulers and ruled. and II Aris-
totle is any guide TO constitutional pliss
there will soon be 10 doubt as TO which
sex will be the better fitted TO govern US
4, the DAYS that are 10 come.