IS COQUETRY IMMORAL?

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13021, 11 November 1905, Page 6 (Supplement)

IS COQUETRY IMMORAL?

THE EFFECT OF WOMAN'S CHARM. A desire to be pleasant-tthis is after all; the true definition of coquetry,, and. it is.' only.excess-, which has. brought this .fine art somewhat into disrepute. Nowadays I poets shower rhymed invective upon coquettes, preachers condemn them,. and husbands join in the cry, although they have been ;the first to benefit by. them. ? Felice d'Amant, writing in the Boudoir., has everything to urge in their defence: — v

" " The truth is that; it is in "a country in which the "women are most coquettish "that civilisation has attained s its: zenith. ■■■■ '"' It is to the coquetry of women that one owes the refinement of manners. Coquetry is our first coaquest over barbarity ; the first triumph of weakness over might. Without feminine v coquettishness who knows that we should i not have remained at the epoch of the 'Stone Ageliving in caves and dressing in' skins." -,;'■. ■•>.;'• ,-" , '•• ' • _ v In Athens I women were honoured, even more for their charm than for their virtue, and the coquette reigned supreme, in this city, the most refined, the most beautiful, and the richest in art and literature in the whole world.

" Where is : life more picturesque, move artistic, and more full of life than in Southern countriesand where are the women more coquettish? In lands where it is ignored, the wife becomes- a servant, a complete understudy or a caricature of a man. Man makes use" of her, looks down- on her, and ignores her. And I will also say —now don't cry out that I am wrong!—coquetry is a. moralising .force.", .< .

Certain it is 5 that the' destinies of nations have hung upon the charm of a. woman, and if coquetry lias built empires it has overthrown them too. Thus continents have been discovered and commerce in jewels and perfumes established, while dressing and furnishing have become arts and jewellers rival inventors in : the creation of mar-, vels to assist, in the cultivation of. this fine art of coquetry. To be a true coquette; requires a continuous effort of .will and; a great amount of self-control:— % :? " Audi if it can be said that coquetry is the source of all deviations from strict morality, then balance up the good and the evil which coquetry, causes, and you must admit that the good preponderates. But coquetry is not responsible ; for divorce; it is the lack of daintiness and the desire to charm that loses a husband. Coquettes keep ;. their spouses perpetually. in love, always wooing. .-■■■■■• *