1. MODERN ORIGIN.--The prejudice which certainly still exists in the
average mind against unmarried women must be of comparatively
modern origin. From the earliest ages to ancient Greece, and Rome
particularly, the highest honors were paid them. They were the
ministers of the old religions, and regarded with superstitious awe.
2. MATRIMONY.--Since the reformation, especially during the last
century, and in our own land, matrimony has been so much esteemed,
notably by women, that it has come to be regarded as in some sort
discreditable for them to remain single. Old maids are mentioned on
every hand with mingled pity and disdain, arising no doubt from the
belief, conscious or unconscious, that they would not be what they
are if they could help it. Few persons have a good word for them as
a class. We are constantly hearing of lovely maidens, charming wives,
buxom widows, but almost never of attractive old maids.
3. DISCARDING PREJUDICE.--The real old maid is like any other woman.
She has faults necessarily, though not those commonly conceived
of. She is often plump, pretty, amiable, interesting, intellectual,
cultured, warm-hearted, benevolent, and has ardent friends of both
sexes. These constantly wonder why she has not married, for they feel
that she must have had many opportunities. Some of them may know why;
she may have made them her confidantes. She usually has a sentimental,
romantic, frequently a sad and pathetic past, of which she does not
speak unless in the sacredness of intimacy.
4. NOT QUARRELSOME.--She is not dissatisfied, querulous nor envious.
On the contrary, she is, for the most part, singularly content,
patient and serene,--more so than many wives who have household duties
and domestic cares to tire and trouble them.
5. REMAIN SINGLE FROM NECESSITY.--It is a stupid, as well as a heinous
mistake, that women who remain single do so from necessity. Almost
any woman can get a husband if she is so minded, as daily observation
attests. When we see the multitudes of wives who have no visible signs
of matrimonial recommendation, why should we think that old maids have
been totally neglected? We may meet those who do not look inviting.
But we meet any number of wives who are even less inviting.
6. FIRST OFFER.--The appearance and outgiving of many wives denote
that they have accepted the first offer; the appearance and outgiving
of many old maids that they have declined repeated offers. It is
undeniable, that wives, in the mass, have no more charm than old maids
have, in the mass. But, as the majority of women are married, they are
no more criticised nor commented on, in the bulk, than the whole sex
are. They are spoken of individually as pretty or plain, bright or
dull, pleasant or unpleasant; while old maids are judged as a species,
and almost always unfavorable.
[Illustration: "I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND."]
7. BECOMES A WIFE.--Many an old maid, so-called, unexpectedly to her
associates becomes a wife, some man of taste, discernment and sympathy
having induced her to change her state. Probably no other man of his
kind has proposed before, which accounts for her singleness. After her
marriage hundreds of persons who had sneered at her condition find her
charming, thus showing the extent of their prejudice against feminine
celibacy. Old maids in general, it is fair to presume, do not wait for
opportunities, but for proposers of an acceptable sort. They may have,
indeed they are likely to have, those, but not to meet these.
8. NO LONGER MARRY FOR SUPPORT.--The time has changed and women have
changed with it. They have grown more sensible, more independent
in disposition as well as circumstances. They no longer marry for
support; they have proved their capacity to support themselves, and
self-support has developed them in every way. Assured that they can
get on comfortably and contentedly alone they are better adapted by
the assurance for consortship. They have rapidly increased from this
and cognate causes, and have so improved in person, mind and character
that an old maid of to-day is wholly different from an old maid of
forty years ago.
[Illustration: CONVINCING HIS WIFE.]
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