THE INTELLIGENT WOMAN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 16 July 1927, Page 17

THE INTELLIGENT WOMAN.

IS SHE PREFERRED BY MEN? The intelligent woman attracts an intelligent man (well, we will say, for argument’s sake, that she does), and the story appears to be progressing satisfactorily. He tells her how much he enjoys the companionshix> of her quick and subtle mind, how greatly her intuitive powers add to the interest of life, What a delight it is to him not to have to explain things to her. because she always sees at a glance what he means, and how he is, and why he isn’t the same as he was yesterday. Then one night they are' at a party, and the chorus of praise is shouted round the noisiest, silliest, and probably prettiest girl in the room. The intelligent man joins in the chorus — isn’t she in great form to-night; isn’t she wonderful? The intelligent woman smiles, wistfully (if you are really intelligent you are denied the relief of spitefulness). and takes a note. So that, later on, she is not overwhelmed when he loses his head over this same or some similar embodiment of inanity and youth. She is sorry, perhaps intensely’ so. but being intelligent. she has at least, this much resources —she can amuse herself with the puzzle: Why does foolishness make such an irresistible appeal? Are men really so vain that they prefer the society of women who are mentally on the lower level? Or is it laziness, the pleasure of relaxation from effort? But she, the thinker, knew how to be light and gay; she knew how to look up to masculine superiority wherever it existed; she did not demand effort. Yet she lost.

The solution of the problem may be found along these lines; mind is, comparativelv speaking, a recent development; the allure of woman is “as old as the hills.’’ Man does ‘ not yet genuinely wish this appeal to be even tinged with any attractiveness that is other than physical. When he falls desperately in love with an intelligent woman it’ is in spite of, not because of, her brain. When he enjoys her companionship because she is so mentally alert lie is rarely aware of her feminine charm. Some times he is. There are exceptions, for the race is growing up slowly. Meantime the intelligent woman stands with reluctant feet where the old and new meet, and is rather likely to miss the tide. It is unfortunate for her, but progress claims its victims. Moreover, she will probably always have some man or other to tell her that, of -course, she always sees at a glance what he means, and how it is. and why he isn’t the same as he was yesterday. She always does.