The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-06-19
Whereas Love and Marriage the Frenchwomm in Order Conquer and Hold Her
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New Feminine Type An Image of An Extraordinarily Clear uual Relief
Type That Unique and in Intensity Others"

anu Ithhcu oy contemplation OF the wild
natural splendors Of their country and by the
artistic education. through which both in
Europe and at home they have cultivated their
minds. l repeat IL would be a great pity IL
they became similar in appearance 10 other
women. even 10 those who are the most grace
full and the most attractive
One can only lose by not being entirely one
self, especially when one has a quality so per
sonl and so strongly developed
But perhaps this tendency TO simplicity TO
self-efacement in dress. is not simply the de-
sire to be like others: perhaps II Is already
the expression OF little lassitude. of a GER
tain melancholy arising from safety In the
good things Of the earth--a desire to pay less
attention to external pleasures and to turn
more exclusively TO the things OF the soul and
the spirit Everything that We know OF the
present wonderful intellectual efervescence OF
American women leads us to believe H.
This intellectual efervescence is what in.
terests me most ardently in the character of
the American woman. Her passion for gen
erous ideas. her vehemencs in discussing them
and in defending them is the surest indication
of her dominating power, Of the new light
which she is TO carry into the world.
When I was in Paris a young American
friend with whom l was chatting, said to me:
People have very false ideas about us
American women. They think us taken up
entirely with fads. with dress. and with
beauty treatments The fact IS that what
appeals TO US most passionately is intellectual
discussion. When you go over there do not
believe that people will be very much con
cerned with your life story. with your
celebrity, with your successes. They will talk
OF these things perhaps for two or three days,
then there will be an end OF H. What would
interest them most deeply will be what you
think on every subject; they will inquire into
your ideas and your opinions; they will not
accept them all, certainly, but they Will re-
spect them and they will Judge them for the
liberty OF thought is one of the honors OF
America"
What my friend said pleased me very much
and have since been able to observe that It
was the absolute expression OF the truth.
With the American woman the abundance
or sensations shows itself Immediately by an
abundance OF cerehration. from which there
must come forth a great progress for hui
manity.
To these general characteristics which oh.
servauon OF the American woman as / have
met her in Paris and on many travels has re-
vesled TO me. I may add some more intimate
TefelatlOns surprised during friendly CONVEX
sation ] nave been able to learn. I believe
some OF the raost profound sentiments Of the
American woman.
In this case also there is a contrast With us
an almost total contrast
Whereas In love and in marriage. the French
woman In order TO conquer and hold her hus-
band uses almost indennable sentimental
fore everything else, justice and fidelity.
In Paris recently a charming American
woman oonhded to me an anecdote which
she told me was not the only instance OF is
kind and which shows how these qualities ap-
pear essential and superior
One Of my women friends she said dis
covered that her best friend had taken her
husband from her. She had no feelings against
the husband because she believed that in such
cases from the American point OF view II is
Slways the women who are guilty and who
have begun the evil.
This is what she did She brought together
all her best friends and relations at a large
dinner party and went through the dinner In
the customary manner. At the end OF the
meal she arose. and before everybody revealed
the ueachery Of her woman friend. Then she
ordered the latter 10 leave the house immedi-
ately and never 20 come back. In n word she
drove her out and the disloyal woman went
away under the condemnation Of all the
guests"
The young American woman who told me
that story woman full OF goodness Of heart
and keenness of mind. whom like very much
approved those dramatic proceedings entirely.
She could not conceive any other solution to
the situation created by the guilty woman.
Yet with as such a solution would be i'm
possible. for In similar circumstances we
should consider the husband the most guilty
and. therefore. having the chief responsibility.
Moreover. 20 act thus would be Tor % French
woman the surest way Of losing her husband.
and II with her. love we're stronger then ieal.
ousy, and she wished 90 win black and Keep
him. she would use other means less direct
and more complex 90 win her object
had great deal OF difficulty in making
my friend understand this reasoning. and even
then she ala not accept 90 as sound.
This lack Of diroctness shocked her rro.
f0undly and could not make her admit that
30 is useful sometimes in love 90 be- willing 20
appear WRONG momentarily even when one IS
But 10 is none the less true that the fine
frankness ~ tho American manner o. praise
worthy and impressive. and thaf frc harrircsq
Of humanity would be more easily attained n
things could always be managed with such
honest simplicity.
This loyal and noble sincerity which would
perhaps constitute q danger IN love. n Il we're
applied 90 a man Of a different race. is a SOW.
oregn quality in friendship
Friendship o. virtue very rare amonp
Latin women. and that ls deeply rorrettabIo
Latin women are much more often rivals than
friends. and ] believe one can say the same
cf slav women. There are. indeed. contrary
..fanrrF hut in most cases they orc not M
S0M ~rVWU1n 81