ARE PLAIN WOMEN THE MOST AMIABLE?

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 149, 24 June 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

ARE PLAIN WOMEN THE MOST AMIABLE?

WHY THEY OFTEN MAKE THE BEST

WIVES.

To say that a pretty face is not conducive to amiability may seem a somewhat bold statement to make, and will, perhaps, arouse the indignation of some readers. But it is, nevertheless, a fact which is apparent to anyone of an observant nature, that many girls who possess a goodly share of the beauty which charms the eye do not exhibit that amiableness of character and kindliness of spirit which one so often finds in the plain-looking girl. Glance around your circle of female acquaintances, dear reader, and you willdiscover the truth of this assertion. For Pauline, whose beauty is her most attractive charm, you doubtless have the admiration; but it is little jliisie, who has no pretensions to good ".rooks, who appeals to your friendship and affections the most, because of her amiability and kindliness to all. It is very probable that when you have become intimately acquainted with her you discover that Pauline is also somewhat amiable. But what a long time it takes you to find this out! _ You were not in Elsie's company ten minutes after being introduced before you foutfff yourself on the greatest terms of intimacy with her, and ; exchanging confidences as though you had known one another for years. But it was several weeks before you felt sure of your friendship with Pauline, and wore down that feeling of restraint and embarrassment which often arises between two people who are merely speaking friends.

There is a certain amount of pride and haughtiness about many pretty girls which seem to prevent them being amiable to any but their closest friends, and often not to them. One also often notices an air of condescension about the good-looking girl when, for instance, she is introduced to a member of the opposite sex, or to another girl who is not as pretty as. her self, which seems to forbid close acquaintanceship, ox confidence, .

The pretty girl is afft to reply on her beauty alone to win friendship and popu larity, and it is because she does not exhibit any beauty of mind and character that she so often fails in her desire.

Knowing, however, that she has no personal beauty to depend upon in order to make herself popular, the plain-look-ing girl cultivates an amiable and goodtempered nature, which at once appeals to those with whom she comes into contact, and makes them forget her plainness. She is a ready, sympathetic listener, and encourages people to talk of themselves rather than of herself.

On the other hand, the pretty girl generally prefers that the pretty girl should be the theme of conversation, and it is generally the man who can pay her the prettiest compliments and greatest admiration who finds her the most amiable.

In justice to good-looking girls, however, it must be said that there are some as amiable as they are pretty. But such girls are greatly in the minority, or, if they do possess that amiability which is so characteristic of the plain-looking girl, they neglect to show it except when they have some object in view.

To win affection and popularity, however, a girl must not only display her amiability when in the presence of memtiers of the opposite sex, or when it suits her purpose,'but at all times. It is because she fails to do this that the pretty girl shows so much to disadvantage when compared with the plain-looking girl. What is more, the latter's anSlability and kindliness of nature bring her even greater admiration and popularity as age creeps on, and long after people have forgotten the pretty, girl. A pretty face must yieiu to the demands of time, and thus the good-looking woman must lose the one thing for which she was admired, but an amiable character lasts for all time, and brings greater love and affection to the owner as the years go by.