The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-24
THE MALADY OF LOVE.
A More or Less Miserable Cynlc De.
seribes and Discusses II.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: How
curious Is the phenomenon exhibited by
| an elderly widower who falls in love" +!
Mumps Is a disease Of youth. When
In occasional instances 1t attacks peo-
pie late In life 1t Is deemed a physiologic
anachronism and 10 liable to have
serious consequences. With love 1t Is
the same way.
One of It's symptoms in such cases
IL a species of temporary dementia,
under the influence OF which the most
sedate and least sentimentally inclined
! man writes letters which X "indited by
his business partner he would regard
| as clear manifestations of insanity.
Fortunately the disease Is always
acute IL seems to be unknown In a
chronic form. There is one cure for IL.
sufficiently we'll known. that Is approx
mately unfailing.
That the malady in question should
be called by the name 1t bears is surely
reprettable. II has nothing to do with
"love," In a proper sense OF the term.
To describe Il frankly, IL IL nothing In
the world but a mating fever. Hence
It's normal association with youth rather
than with age. IL might be classified as
one OF the ''chlldren's diseases"
The question comes up then, SHOULD
one marry for love-"
To attempt 10 answer such a question
offhand would be the height OF absurd
ity. The term love" covers quite a
variety OF emotions, and II We look Cor
love in its highest development We shat
find II in the relation that subsists be-
tween a man and woman who are per-
fectly mated. each living for the happi-
ness OF the other.
But what has this TO do with the
mating fever? Nothing whatever. The
two things are as far apart as the poles.
Undoubtedly II happens now and then
that two people rig ally attracted to
each other by the mating impulse find
themselves after marriage In that rela-
ton OF mutual sympathy and loving ac-
cord which presents so delightful a
spectacle, the spectacle OF an ideal COM
radeshlp. which between man and
woman represents the most beautiful
human relation that we know. But
II this comes TO pass IL IL purely an
accident OF circumstances
| am far from attempting an advocacy
OF the arranged" marriages which Eu-
ropean custom so generally approves.
Vet II is undeniable that sucn marriages
seem, on the average. TO turn out az
least as well as the love matches" SO
popular In our own country. They have
at all events the advantage OF being
arranged with reference to suitability.
In station and other respects. They look
to the future substantial welfare Of the
persons concerned rather han 20 the
satisfaction OF the immediate and transit
tory sex emotion, The latter IL certainly
a poor guide IN the choosing OF a part
ner and companion FOR life.
II Is a matter OF everyday observation
tNnt many OF the least desirable women
get the best husbands, while others who
are really worth while as mates are left
ION thc shelf and condemned 10 old
m~aidenhood. People wonder In the con-
temptation NJ specific Instances how
this happens. yet the reason for II Is
obvious enough.
Roughly speaking. all women may he
divided into two classes: ~ those who
specialize in sex attraction and ,2)
those who do not.
Some years ago I spent \ fortnight in
a modest hotel at a small hummer re-
sort. Two pretty young women. both
in their early twentics. were staying
there. In point OF physical attraction
th'y were, ! should say. ahout equal.
But one was a flrtatious dainsel. very
s"lr-"ons'ious and fun Of airs and
-raceS. her head a. cmpiy ~ a maidcn'~
well could 10. The other was a school
teacher. modes'iy reserved. though gay
and charming. who Rad brought with
h"r seven or ci-ht children for n vaCa-
tiun.
The Schoolmarm dcvoted hc- time to
the children. not goiug out of her way
TO attract tho half dozen young men
A. the hotel To the latter. on the other
aand, the h.rta,!ous damscl gave all Of
her thoughts, or such OF them as were
not occupied with her own person and
her clothes
can II he questioned which Of these
..A,.sV .av.- -, -