The 'American Idea' of Woman.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 416, 2 November 1889, Page 3

The 'American Idea' of Woman.

A correspondent who has abundant opportunities of knowing American womon in their own homes, • where alone a woman's character is fully developed and appreciated,' sends ' Galignani ' tho following communication in reference to a discussion on this interesting subject : — ' Allow mo to give you what i believo to be the true American idea of the position of women in tho world, and the education of children. This is nofc written to praise American women, and certainly they need no compliments from my pen. So much lias been said concerning them which has been so flatteiing: in the extreme that I am not certain whether it is good for any mortality to receive such praise. Nor do I further believe that it has increased a kindly feeling towards them from their sisters of other nations with whom they Lave been compared. In America certainly more than any other country, large fortunes are made very rapidly indeed, and there are many vulgar, illcultured men, who, having amassed great sums of money, in many cases instead of well -educating their sons and daughter?, encourage them in showy luxuries, and then send them abroad, 'to see the world.' For the reason, then, that the reputation of the American nation has .in u measnre suflerefd "from the many vouveaux richer who have visited these shores, I may be allowed to dwell upon some of the leading phases of their home life.

Devoted Mothers. 'To begin with, an American baby is carefully nurtured and tonded by its mother from the day of its birth, and it is the general rule thafc young girls, who have been accustomed to spend most of their evenings surrounded with admirers, will deprive themselves of nearly all society to devote themselves more closely to their infants. The latter remain the almost constant companions of their mothers, and are not given to the exclusive charge of nnrees and governesses, the nurse in fact taking only secondary care of them. Even at the table the little ones may be seen, except on "state occasions," enlivening the meal with their merry chatter. In that way parents can have a personal supervision of the table manners of their children. Of course, too, their constant contact with people other than the members of the family must have an effect upon their manners, as may be seen when they are brought into the saloon, for, instead ot immediately running to their mother's skirts for protection, and hanging their heads and twisting about when asked a question, they will answer whatever may, be addressed to them, and not appear frightened or ill at ease, Afternoon parties, too, for their amusement indoors in the winter, and on the lawns in the summer, are very usual things ; where little girls and boys are brought together with their nurses feo take charge of them.

A Life of Usefulness 'If the girl be of a retiring nature her life is generally a domestic one, embroidei'y, painting, or music occupying a good part of her days ; bub whatever their nature, American girls are very apt to devote a good deal of time to charitable work. After being introduced to society she is always chaperoned by her mother or friends at entertainments, but she is allowed to walk with gentlemen in the street, and to receive calls from them, the mother being sometimes present and • sometimes not. ■ "But wherever the American girl is with aj gentleman she always looks upon him. as her friend and protector, which Ah\ turji is understood by the iUian, and -\b\ shown in the manner and,, i-especfc witjij which be ti-eats her. She h%s,. naturally, ai great many opportunities to; marry, and it ia only the worldly ones who/accept otters for ot.her ieasons than love^fche consent of the/ parents, however, bing necessary to the marriage, It is nob surprising; then, that American women having mariujed on such a basis, should lovingly devote themselves to their husbands and families, and that after marriage their lives are not as much social ones as before.

Reasons tor Coming to Eckoj'e. ' 1 A good deal has been said about American women ,cpming to without their husbands, but that .can certainly be easily accounted lor in several ways. In the first place, nearly all American men are occupied in some sort of business, while a great many parents wish to secure for their children the advantage of speaking different languages, an .advantage which they do not enjoy;- in America. The mothers on that account -bring them here for perhaps a ye ; ar or so,' ' In the second place, if there is'afaythiog disagreeable existing between a husband^ndwife, women come abroad to travel for -'a while, thereby escaping unpleasant remarks in social circles. In home ,-life the Americans may teach us many- useful lessons. When wo find that fronTthe time of the Chri&tian era, a light has been breaking upon humanity which grows brighter as the ages roll on," and we see a people who are showing us that owing to its influence things may become more as they were intended to be " in the beginning," let us, in deeper respect and from our hearts, thankfully acknowledge an existing fact that may exercise no little influence in the future happiness of the world.'