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Thursday, August 25, 2005
THE CHARMING WOMAN
ATTRIBUTES THAT MAKE HER ADMIREDby Beatrice FairfaxThe Mansfield News, Sunday, April 2, 1920Two letters lie before me, both of which express the wish I've an idea most women would make if the wishing-fairy came their way:"How can I make myself liked? What can I do to be magnetic? Is it possible to acquire charm?"Discouragingly enough we're generally told that charm and magnetism are things which you just have--or haven't. But I wonder if it's as hopeless as this sounds.Health, strong vitality, a poised and un-irritating mind--all these make for charm, and most of those who long to acquire these things may do so in our day of good physicians, splendid psychologists and chances in the educational field. But I haven't space here to give all present the high road to mental equilibrium, energy and healthy sanity of body and soul.No, instead I'm going to tell you about the woman who is acclaimed by all who know her as "perfectly charming." Maybe you'll get some hints from a study of Elsie.
She is only moderately good looking. But she is scrupulously, fragrantly clean. Her skin is as clear as a magnolia. Her clothes are simple and dainty. Her freshness and sweetness make it a joy to sit near her.Elsie radiates cleanliness, neatness, fastidiousness and the daintiness we all admire and can acquire if we choose. Her teeth are in fine condition, her hair is brushed to a gloss, her hands are soft and clean in spite of the fact that each day they do a good day's work.Elsie is interested in others. She attends to what folks say and reacts to it intelligently with sympathy and humor.The glow of her physical cleanliness is repeated in her mental alertness.Elsie works hard and stands ready to earn her way through the world. She doesn't fancy that life owes her a living or that folks owe her attention. She is ready to earn whatever she gets and to give all she can to others.She talks intelligently and listens with intentness and interest. She makes humorous--but never cutting and cruelly "smart"--comments on what she sees going on around her.And I believe that her charm is due to the simple things I have just told you about.Anyone who is not diseased in body and mind can emulate her.Anyone who is not lazy can be clean and sweet and radiant and aglow mentally and spiritually. Anyone who will stop whining and whimpering and get to work can make something--and something likable--of the self, to earn its way to be lovable in order to win love.
Beatrice Fairfax is the pen name of Marie Manning, who penned
America’s first write-in advice column on July 20, 1898
for William Randolph Hearst's “New York Evening Journal.”
The column was an instant success, and in the following decades,
both Manning and others wrote under the pen name Beatrice Fairfax.
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