The Charm of the Inexact. 213 



ful for the inexactitude of her self-condemnation 

 as to sanity. She is always "just crazy," but 

 generally sane enough to meet the approval of 

 mankind. Why men never use these extrav- 

 agant expressions I do not know. Is it be- 

 cause of the ounce or two more brain or an 

 added convolution to the wrinkled mass ? 



This potent spell, this charm of the inexact, 

 cast over us in early life, is the fountain-head of 

 the all-prevalent insincerity that marks more or 

 less every individual's career ; and, ungallant as 

 it may seem to make the statement, this brief 

 dealing with plain facts necessitates that women 

 are to be placed in the front rank in this regard. 

 Not a new bonnet at Easter or new dress at a 

 reception but calls forth the " How lovely !" 

 and "Perfectly exquisite!" that ripple charm- 

 ingly from rosy lips, but did not bubble up 

 from the heart. Alas, the fair creatures when 

 they reach home say to themselves or to their 

 sisters of this same bonnet or dress, "Wasn't 

 it horrid?" And in the crowded street, when 

 they meet their acquaintances every one for the 

 moment is their dearest friend, and the sole 

 pleasure of the morning had been to meet 



