LES BELLES AMERICAINES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 2, 10 January 1891, Page 1

LES BELLES AMERICAINES.

HE women of America are the result of a V)no fortunate environment. They inherit certain qualities of character which are discouraged by the institutions of other countries. They are, so to speak, a new social product, impossible under a monarchy. They enjoy a wide freedom of action here —too wide some pessimistic fossils declare. The air they breathe, the unhampered spirit of the time and clime, the moulding influences of a republic almost force them to become self-centred and selfdependent. Their sphere of action and thought is indefinitely enlarged and they therefore acquire a breadth, a candour, an honesty of utterance, a poise, which are not more startling than admirable. And, again, it is the habit of American mothers and fathers to place a well-nigh unlimited confidence in their children. In most other lands a young woman in her teens, or until the responsibilities of the parents aie transfeired to a bus-

band, is looked upon as a creature to be jealously guarded from the temptations of life. The theory of education seems to be to keep her in ignorance of all preying evils, to treat her as an orchid which will wither at the first cold blast. No reliance is placed on her ability to protect herself, but a prevailing fear exists that she will helplessly fall into embarrassment if the opportunity presents. This theory may have its advantages; it has also its serious disadvantages. It is artificial, obstructive to personal independence and frequently results in an unpreparedness for stern realities, which makes the last act of domestic life a tragedy. The American woman is the outcome of wholly different educational principles. She is taught at great pains to rely on herself, and her judgment in all matters which personally concern her is carefully fostered. She is accoided an astonishing degree of liberty in her relations with gentlemen, but it is seldom misused, because she is the custodian of her own future. Not books alone, but all phases of life are her constant study. She is permitted to observe the various factors of the social circle in which she moves, to see for herself its beauties and its evils, its ideals and its horrors. Her marriage is not planned for her, but is a

sacred and solemn responsibility which she must assume, and the consequence of which she must bear. If the tendency of all this is to make her coldly calculating, cautious, lest she may be entrapped by some ‘ honeysuckle villain,’ and ambitious to occupy an enviable position, why, the reply is at hand that it is no worse for her to arrive at her own conclusions in these matters than for her parents to decide them for her. The danger of unhappy domestic relationsis no greater in the one case than in the other. On the contrary, it is infinitely better that she should be taught to be careful about such a step than that her parents should send her to the background as a nonentity, make arrangements which involve the happiness or misery of a lifetime and then demand that she shall accept the contract. No one takes so much trouble to please, to make herself agreeable, and to say nice things, as a charming American woman ; and, as a rule, it is not only the young and attractive she lays herself out to fascinate, but even those whoare voted ‘ old bores, ’ and prosy creatures receive good treatment at her hands. An American woman is never rude ; the insolence of many a London lady who poses for

being a grand dame would be impossible to her. She does not pose for anything ; all she wishes is to have a ‘good time,’ and that, with a singular mixture of acuteness and good nature, she finds she can nest attain when at peace with all the world. They make their mankind, whether relations or adorers fag for them (to use a schoolboy expression) in a way that never would enter the head of an English woman. An American beauty expects to be • bunched ’ — i.e., sent bouquets—as a matter of course, before every ball, by at least two or three of the young men in her train; she also expects them to run her messages, do her commissions, and, in the ipost matter-of-fact way, allows them the privilege of being general paymasters for any expedition or party that may be got up. The frivolity of American women is mostly on the surface ; but owing to the radical difference there is between life in America and life in England, the women of the two countries have hardly anything in common. American gills are not accustomed to the active outdoor life of their English sisters. They do not hunt; they never walk, and, as a race, abominate outdoor exercise ; in fact, they aie far more French in their habits than English. American women are much more the equals of men in Ameiica, than they are considered in England. They are usually very pretty, with very good complexions, small hands, and dainty teet, and always very well dressed.