THE AMIABILITY OF WOMAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6090, 29 January 1898, Page 3

THE AMIABILITY OF WOMAN.

Women, in their ordinary daily lives, have perhaps, on an average, about two hundred more things from morning to night to try their tempers and exercise their patience than men have. Perhaps it is this very exercise that hn,s made their tempers better able to bear the strain, or perhaps, knowing how many tests it will be put to Providence has gifted them with a temper of a more ( lasting sort to commence with. But, whatever may be the cause, the effect remains the same — women, as a class, are considerably better tempered than men. What is the reason? Perhaps it is partly because her nature is a gentler one to start with, and has, as has beeniaid, more discipline in the way of patience. Partly, too, it comes from the way in which boys are brought up. In the nursery they are made too much of and allowed to be too masterful. If a boy shows temper and an over- J bearing nature, instead of being punished for it he is applauded and laughed at as a sign of " spirit." But it must be conceded that an ill-tempered woman is a terrible creature. If a woman only knew how gentleness and sweetness of spirit become her ! An ill-tempered woman is " gey ill to live wi', M as was once said of poor Cariyle. And the ill-tempered man ? Well, he is like a perpetual blister. He has more power to make unhappiness than even a woman has, just because he is strong and more masterful. So, mothers, make your boys sweet-tempered in the nursery. Don't ruin them by over-indulgenca or spoil their dispositions by injustice, or encourage them to go into rages with their nurses, and beatinnocent chairs and tables because they have hurt King Baby.