Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/81

 PROPOSALS FOR FEMALE CLUBS, & c. 77

A SONNET.

I SAW thee blooming, full of youthful grace , When hope and joy in every glance would speak ; When gladness revell'd on thy dimpled cheek , And love's divine expression marked thy face : Again I saw thee , when the blushing trace

Of health had vanish'd, languid , faint , and weak , And colourless , save where the sultry streak Of fever fill'd the faded rose - bud's place : The smiling radiance of thine eyes was flown ; No light or life was in their clouded beams , Save the wild brightness of unearthly gleams , When reason fled bewildered from her throne , And beauty vanish'd like the flowers that die Beneath the scorching suns of India's sky.

SPRING.

AGAIN the violet of our early days Drinks beauteous azure from the golden sun, And kindles into fragrance at his blaze ;

The streams, rejoic'd that winter's work is done , Talk of to - morrow's cowslips as they run. Wild apple, thou art blushing into bloom !

Thy leaves are coming, snowy - blossom'd thorn ! Wake, buried lily ! spirit quit thy tomb !

And thou, shade - loving hyacinth , be born !

Then, haste , sweet rose ! sweet woodbine hymn the mern, Whose dewdrops shall illume with pearly light ,

Each grassy blade that thick embattled stands From sea to sea, while daisies infinite Uplift in praise their little glowing hands , O'er every hill that under heav'n expands.

From a late English Periodical.

PROPOSALS FOR FEMALE CLUBS.

WILL the ladies allow themselves to be ne- glected, without showing that they have in their own resources a fund on which they can rely ? Will they own that they are completely depen- dent on mankind for amusement ? We think they are above this. We feel assured that they possess a spirit of independence, which would make them spurn so base a calumny ; and we re- commend them to prove how much they are su- perior to such ideas , by instantly creating such societies as we shall presently mention. As the men seem to be dividing themselves into castes, women should be separated into classes ; -for the formation of which , we shall now offer them a few hints.

As there are many ladies whose tastes and feel- ings are similar, and , consequently , whose pro- fessions are alike , such individuals should form separate communities. We first, as in duty bound , shall address ourselves to the more elder- ly of the fair sex. Their suffrages we are sure of. We are well convinced that they can have no objection to Clubs, especially if they should happen to be " trumps . " To these respecta- ble and respected antiquities we need scarce- ly describe the peculiar advantages of such meetings. Having passed through the danger- ous navigation of life, to the calmer tides of de- parting existence , what a noble and generous sacrifice do they make of the little time they are likely to possess , in pointing out the errors of those who are surrounded by the shoals and quick- sands over which they have steered , doubtless with safety and credit. Then, like the proselytes of that immortal philosopher , St. John Long , their last moments are devoted to a rubber. Besides which, however democratic their opinions might have been in their younger days , no one , after they have arrived at years of discretion , ( which some ill - natured people declare to be the north- west passage of a lady's life , ) was ever so unjust as to accuse them of disrespect towards " Kings " and " Queens . " A large establishment would to them be a great acquisition , and in such a one as we are recommending , we have no doubt all their

tastes might be suited to a tea. For there, with what exceeding comfort , among congenial spi- rits , would they be enabled to " shuffle off this mortal coil ; " in their " dealings " with each other to play the " deuce " with satisfaction and repu- tation , and beat the great antagonist , by at least " honour . "

one

There is a similar class to these, but who have had the advantage of living a life of celibacy ; and whom , we are certain , from a well - grounded dislike to mankind , will enter into our views with all the enthusiasm of which they are capable. As a separate community, they must succeed in banishing from their minds the objects of their aversion ; for which laudable purpose nothing male should be allowed admission into their Club ; -not even a Tom cat. The innocent creatures upon which they lavish their immacu- late affections, whether monkeys , pugs , parrots , or pusses , should all be of the softer sex. The first of these establishments should be entitled " The Dowagers, " the latter , " The Senior La- dies . "

We come now to ladies of a more tender age. There is a very large class, whose lives seem to be devoted to winning the hearts of the other sex , and with the most generous self - denial making no use of their triumphs. These are more familiarly known by the title of " coquettes . " In a state of single blessedness, or matrimonial felicity , the rul- ing passion often appears equally visible. They may be distinguished by a superior attention to dress, a liberal use of smiles and approving looks , and a proper distribution of encouragement to suit- ors , according to the length of their attachments. Some authors affirm that " flirts " is another name for the same race, but we beg to assert a distinc- tion. Coquetterie is a woman's philosophy, and is besides , an art only to be acquired by long practice , laborious study , and deep investiga- tion. Flirting is the natural impulse of the fe- male will. Every woman can flirt, but a distin- guished coquette is a far more intellectual being. Even if they were the same, they are so numer- ous , that it would take several Club Houses to