"Woman's Attractiveness"

"Woman's Attractiveness"

Attracting a Man's Attention

R.P.

http://addison.vt.edu/record=b1775388~S1

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

May 1876

Jennifer Schrauth, Britt Hoskins

Permission to publish images from The Gray Jacket must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Text

English

Article

LD5655.V8 L4, ser.1, v.1, no.7 (May 1876), p.2-3

Personal attractions most girls have. At any rate, in a sufficient degree to render them attractive to somebody, for, although there are standards of beauty, yet these do not prevail with all persons.There is something wonderful in difference of aspects which the same face wears to different beholders. Probably the philosophical explanation of this is, what is hidden from all others becomes immediately and instinctively apparent to the eye of love. How can a moderately good-looking girl increase her attractions? By culture. She must cultivate her mind. An ignorant, illiterate woman, even if she attracts attention, cannot retain the interest of an intelligent man. She may do this by reading, by study, reflection, and by familiar conversation with the best and most highly educated persons with whom she can come in contact. But the heart must be cultivated as well as the head. "Of all things," exclaimed an elegant and refined gentleman, "Of all things, give me a softness and gentleness in woman. A harsh voice, a coarse laugh; trifles like these often have spoiled many good "first impressions." The cultivation of the heart must be real, not feigned. A woman who studies to appear, rather than be good and generous, seldom exceeds in deceiving the other sex. She who in truth seeks to promote the happiness of those around her, is very apt soon to obtain admirers among men. Above all other requisites in woman is conscientiousness. Without this one touch-stone of character, no matter what her charms and acquirements, she cannot expect to command the lasting regards of any man whose love is worth having.