The Washington times., 1929-04-20

These are interesting and vital
\ questions. Before answering them,
let US consider for moment the
code of chivalry which deliberately
placed woman on her pedestal.
Thou shalt respect the weak
and appoint thyself their de-
fender" was Il leading rule Of
chivalry, VOW always sworn to
by the knight in the Middle Ages.
MY lady" in her castle knew q
little about music and poetry, a
bit about falconing. She could
dress a wound, sew, weave and
embroider. Sha was as well edu.
, Gated az the average knight. Pos.
sibly because she spent her life
, in unsanitary castles, however,
breathing close air, with little ac-
tive exercise, my lady was as q
rule, "deathly rale." slender, nnr.
row.hipped, srnall.waisted, whittier
! than snow on ice, sunshine on
snow" according to q poet OF that
day. She usually was gentle and
good.
The knight, trained to fight
with spear, bow and arrow, lead.
ing an outdoor life, hunting and
|. riding, was vastly stronger than
his lady. Physical strength was
what counted, 50 women were
ruled by the men Of their families
and were also protected in accord.
, ance with the code of chivalry.
They had few IL any legal rights,
but men looked up to women for
: their gentleness and goodness.
Modern feminists tell US women
are weary Of being looked up to.
They refuse TO stay on their pedes.
tails and demand to be ranked as
mans equal, neither his inferior
nor his superior.
J. But the old custom of difference
persists. To this day. the rule on
q sinking ship is: Women first"
It is true that today girls ana
boys are equally well educated,
} and women are nearly as athletic
and physically strong as men;
perfectly able to take care Of
themselves. Women go in for ca
reers, marry only for love, help
govern the country, hold office.
Yet I doubt whether there is
healthy.minded woman today who
does not long to feel that she can
look up to the man she marries
and count on his protection. The
first thing love does is place its
beloved on a pedestal. Love must
always look up.
In the successful marriage. both
husband and wife earn their hap
piness from da t. day. are pals,
comrades, partners, each contribut-
ing full capacity There should be
and generally is a sound under
pBtanding between them regarding
division of finances and the house.
\ hold budget. But for all that, the
husband who loves his wife,
she possesses in far greater 'egree
than himself, such as tende 'ss,
innate purity, feminine appeal,
practical ability as home-maker
;. and mother.
v 1t is equally true that a woman
enshrines in her heart the man
lgshe loves for the qualities in
which he excels, whether physical
or mental strength or both, bust.
mess ability. integrity, firmness.
If she cannot look up to him, she
Pcannot love him.
We all read the other day of a
great international hero who
passed away in his old age, ac-
claimed by the world, More i'm.
portant to his peace at the last
than the worlds acclaim, was the
love of the white-haired wife he
Vadored, in whose arms he died.
All through the years, that wife
: had remained enshrined on her
pedestal in her husbands heart!
Men and women crave romance,
need lasting romance. And ro-
nance Is of the spirit; 1t includes
; idealism.
Love includes respect and trust,
else it is not love and cannot last
or satisfy for long. Do not marry
a man unless you can respect
him and admire him fully as
much as you love him. When
loves pedestal crumbles, love,
droops and despairs. Be
the comrade, pal, partner, sweet.
heart, wife of the man you love,
hut see to 1t also, if you would
make your marriage success,
that you are the woman he can
place on q pedestal in his heart
!. Of hearts!