WHY MEN REMAIN BACHELORS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 21, 20 November 1912, Page 61

WHY MEN REMAIN BACHELORS.

marked has been tire decline in the Marriage rate in Erance that a Paris weekly journal has been asking its bachelor readers to say why they prefer celibacy. The replies may be classified under four heads. Here are a few replies fiom the first and largest class, who might be described as egoists:— A City Man: “Love-making takes too ] uiiili time. There’s more durable happiness in making money.’’ A Barrister: “I am very fond of travellhM and want to be able to pack my bag and clear off when I like. A wife would **' m the way." A < onimission Agent: “I don't want to e a-ked where I've spent the evening what I've done with my money. My 111110 and money are my own.” A Shopkeeper: “My mother spoiled me. f should never get the same attention iron: another woman.” A Journalist: “I should have to reduce y personal expenditure. No thanks!" A Musician: “A bachelor is always welcome There would be no more dinmarried"’ ° r s ” Pl * r * ,or ■« H 1 P 1 - A Photographer: “After a hard daj’a

work the ‘pipe of peace' is all I want. A wife would expect me to talk.” A Salesman: “A man who consents t<* feed and clothe another man's daughter all her life must be mad—or madly in love.” ... There were not quite so many in tlia second category, who may be described as timid:— A Stockbroker: “I am afraid ‘site’ would sa.y ‘No.’ ” A Tailor: “I am afraid of a woman’.* tongue.” A Postman: “A widow once jilted me, and since then I have never been able to •pluck up enojigh courage to propose to another woman.” A Doctor:. “I meet so many unhappy couples that I am afraid of sharing their fate.” A few replies from unselfish men come as a welcome relief: — An Omnibus Conductor: “I'm the eldest of a large fatherless family and I can't marry until they've had a start in life.” A Scientist: “My life is entirely given up to my work.” A Commercial Traveller: “I will not ask any girl to marry me, as I am so often away from home. We could not be happy under these conditions.” A Chauffeur: “My wife would be unhappy. Mine is a dog’s life. No regular hours, and meals swallowed anyhow.” Next comes the confirmed woman haters, who are not very numerous:— A Professor: “I can neither work nor think in the society of chattering women.” An Architect: “Women only want your money and a home. I have no intention of playing a fool's part." An Electrician: “Girls always grow to be like their mothers, and I've never seen a mother-in-law to my taste." Two, who might be described as the luckless ones, give the following reasons:— A Grocer: “I have proposed to three girls and been rejected each time.”

A Chemist's Assistant: “Mother doesn't want me to marry, and would make my wife unhappy if I did."