WHY DON'T THE MEN PROPOSE?

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 44

WHY DON'T THE MEN PROPOSE?

Dear Emmemne,— l notice in this week's Witness " Cigarette "is giving the young and marriageable girls o£ Dunedin Borne advic?, so that in this leap year they may get what they all most require— a husband. With all due respect to " Cigarette, \M do not think she so far has given us much that Is new.

The question " Why don't men propose ? " is asked by all us girls, but more especially by our mammas. I will state pl«inly my case. I am between 20 and 30, and would very much like to be the wife of a good man. Now, as I know my name will not he published, I may admit that I am very fond of a particular man. I know lots of nice young men, but he is the one. I have tried all the little arts I ana capable of on him, but he seems as far off as ever. I could hardly bring myself to propose, 80 what am J to do? My brothers know him well, and he has told them he cannot afford to keep a wife— his present salary is too small, and with tbe dull times there is not the slightest; hope of a rise or promotion, and he does not believe in lor.g engagements. , Now I think this the key' of the situation, as I know plenty of men who take the same view. Men say they want to marry, but circumstances will not permit them, and the future holds out little inducements to enable them at present to marry and tak« on responsibilities whioh increase their expenses while their incomes get less, or at bast remain stationary.

Others say girls expect too mnob, are too expensive, too fond of dress and company, and all want a servant when they marry. O'hfers oay girls don't judga a man by his character, but by bis clothes and tbe amount of money he has, but abova all by his position, ana if h8 wears dirty clothes while following his trade his girl friends won't look at him. All these oharges are true to a great extent I, as a woman, am sorry to admit. But there are any number of good women vho look tA oharaota fint, «ncl «

man's possessions and position are not weighed against love of him.

A man must grant a woman likes a home, however small, to look nice, if she is the right sorb of a woman, and many a man who is afraid of marrying on the score of expense would be surprised how nice a woman will make his home on little money, if he is a good fellow and treats her kindly. Her love prompts her to do this, needless to say.

Nearly all men aro fond of criticising the women, but in a great many cases the men will not bear critioism themselves. Certainly a gre&t many o£ our youDg men are very inane, and do not seem to be able to say much in the way of sensible remarks, while others are as fond of show and dress as the women, at the same time exhibiting non« of the manly qualities appertaining to a man. In short, as men admire womanly wdmen, so do women admire manly men. You might, dear Emmeline, try to get up a discussion in the Witness on this subject. Perhaps some men will give us their opinions on the girlß, and some girlg the same on the men. An interchange of ideas is always good for all. I have set the ball rolling, and I hope someone else will follow on. . In concluding my remarks, seeing " Cigarette " promises us more on a future occasion, would it be too much to ask her to devote a chapter on the future prospects of our girls, seeing the men all say their incomes are too small to keep a wife and family on, without allowing anything for the II rainy day "or old age. Parents nowadays do not know what to do with their sons and daughters. There are no openings for either of them. Another item is the " new woman." Even women are beginning to see she in many oases is going a little " too strong," thereby giving as all a bad name, when, in justice to our sex, very few of as deserve it. — I am, &0., Ebadbb. Dunedin, April 25. 03* Descriptions of balls, 40., must be endorsed by either tbe Witneia correspondent for toe district or \>j tbe secretary to the ball coiurulttee. The US. of any correspondents vbo do aot comply ivitta tills rule will be aent to tbe secretary lor endorsement prior to appearing— BMMKLlNE. Te ensure publication in the ferthooining Issue, letters »h»uld reach the Witness office tf possible vn Saturday ni(ht, but »o ao «oo#uut later that Wouday night. BAIL AT MABEt. Dear Emmelink,- A most enjoyable ball was held in the Mnbd Hall on the 24th ulfc. The weather beiug favomable, there was a good attendance, about 20 couples being present. Some nice dresses were worn, of Borne of which I will try to give a description :— Hn O'Neil wore a black satin skirt, white bodice ; Mra Ogilvie, a dress of black lace with yellow trimmings j Miss Ford, pink sateen, white trimmings ; Miss Rois, black skirt, cream bodice; Miss Ogilvie, pink crepon with black velvet trimmings ; Miss Vincent, blue nun's vsiling, ribbons to match ; Mies D. Ford, black dress, pink trimmings ; Miss M 'Donald (Hedgehope), black skirt, white bodice ; Mi6S Young (Hedgehope), black skirt, white bodice ; Misg J. | Koss, brown skirt, blue sailor bodice; Mies Harper, black dres» ; Miss S. Vincent, maroon dress ; Miss M. Harding, brown skirt, blue bodice : Miss D«wson, delaine dress: Misa Ida Duweon, gr«y dress; Missßiidgman, blueprint skirt, white | bodice; Miss U. Vincent, fawn dress; Miss F. Bridgtnan, light dress. Excellent music was supplied by Meßi>rß Hunt <flute), Newton, and Harming (violin). Mr 0. Ross acted as M.O. Songs were given during the eveiing by Messrs Hunt, Crawford, Oaufield, Waddel, and Duncan.— Nomrid. ball at middlemabch. I>EAfc Emmelinb, The young ladies of Middlemarch save a plain and fancy dress leap year ball in the hall on the 24th ult. The hall \v»s tastefully decorated with evergreens and banners, and fully 170 guests we»v present. An abundance of food thing* was provided throughout the evening. t would be too onerous a ta«k for me to attempt to describe the m*ny hand-onie dresses worn ; suffice it to Eay that there were many very pretty ! evening and fancy costumes. Meaara M'DonaldandClark proved t fficient M.C.'b, and excellent music was provided by Messrs Himmel Brothers, of Dunedin. Groat credit is due to the young ladies who woiked amicably together in order to make the evening's entertainmont a pleasing bucj cess.— Wallflower.