pter 9. American Women

It is rather bold on my part to take up this subject. It is a path
where "fools rush in where angels fear to tread". No matter what I say
it is sure to provoke criticism, but having frequently been asked by my
lady friends to give my opinion of American women, and having given my
solemn promise that if I ever should write my impressions of America I
would do so, it would be a serious "breach of promise" if I should now
break my word.

In general there are three classes of women: first, those who wish to
be praised; secondly, those who wish to be adversely criticized and
condemned; and thirdly, those who are simply curious to hear what
others think of them. American women do not as a rule belong to either
the first or the second class, but a large majority of them may be
ranged under class three. They wish to know what other people honestly
think of them and to hear their candid views. They are progressive
people who desire to improve their defects whenever they are pointed
out to them. That being the case I must not swerve from my duty of
sitting in a high court of justice to pass judgment on them.

To begin with, the American women are in some respects dissimilar to
the women of other nations. I find them sprightly, talkative and well
informed. They can converse on any subject with ease and resource,
showing that they have a good all-round education. Often have I
derived considerable information from them. The persistence with which
they stick to their opinions is remarkable. Once, when I had a lady
visitor at my Legation in Washington, after several matters had been
discussed we commenced talking about women's rights. I was in favor of
giving women more rights than they are enjoying, but on some points I
did not go so far as my lady friend; after arguing with me for several
hours, she, seeing that I did not coincide with all her views,
threatened that she would not leave my house until I had fully digested
all her points, and had become converted to her views.

I have observed that many American women marry foreigners, but that an
American rarely has a foreign wife. It may be said that foreigners
marry American girls for their money, while American women marry
distinguished foreigners for their titles. This may have been true in
some cases, but other causes than such sordid motives must be looked
for. It is the attractiveness and the beauty of the American girls
which enabl