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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:20:08 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:20:08 -0700 |
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important; } + em, cite {font-style: italic; } + .so {letter-spacing: 0.4em; + word-spacing: 0.3em; + text-indent: 0.4em ! important; } + .so2 {letter-spacing: 0.2em; + text-indent: 0.2em ! important; } + +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sketches of the Fair Sex, in All Parts of +the World, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Sketches of the Fair Sex, in All Parts of the World + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: July 24, 2008 [EBook #26117] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES OF THE FAIR SEX *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, David Wilson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<hr class="pg" /> + +<div class="illus"> +<p class="noindent"><a name="png.001" id="png.001"></a><br + /><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">ii</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="391" height="508" + alt="" title="" /><br + /><img src="images/cleo.png" width="341" height="42" + alt="DEATH OF CLEOPATRA." title="DEATH OF CLEOPATRA." /><br + /><small class="flrt">Page <a href="#png.200">201</a>.</small></p> +</div> + + + +<h1><a name="png.002" id="png.002"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">iii</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>SKETCHES<br + /><small>OF</small><br + /><big class="so">THE FAIR SEX,</big><br + /><small>IN</small><br + /><span class="smallish">ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD.</span></h1> + +<div class="h3"><small>TO WHICH ARE ADDED</small><br + /><big>RULES FOR DETERMINING</big> + <p class="ctr">THE PRECISE FIGURE, THE DEGREE OF BEAUTY,<br + />THE HABITS, AND THE AGE</p> + <small>OF</small><br + /><big class="so">WOMEN</big>, + <p class="ctr"><small>NOTWITHSTANDING THE AIDS AND DISGUISE<br + />OF DRESS.</small></p></div> + +<hr class="tp" /> + +<p class="publ ctr"><span class="so2">BOSTON</span>:<br + /><span class="so">THEODORE ABBOT</span>,<br + /><small>388 WASHINGTON ST.</small></p> + +<p class="ctr pgbrk">1841.</p> + + +<p class="ctr pgbrk fourem"><small><a name="png.003" id="png.003"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">iv</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>Entered according to act of congress, in the year 1841, by<br + /><span class="allsc">THEODORE ABBOT</span>,<br + />in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.</small></p> + +<div class="main"> +<p class="h2"><a name="png.004" id="png.004"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">v</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><img src="images/following.png" width="296" height="39" + alt="In the following Pages," title="In the following Pages," /></p> + + +<p><span class="smc">It</span> is our design to present a pleasing and interesting +miscellany, which will serve to beguile the +leisure hour, and will at the same time couple +instruction with amusement. We have used but +little method in the arrangement: Choosing rather +to furnish the reader with a rich profusion of <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'nartives'">narratives</ins> +and anecdotes, all tending to illustrate the</p> + +<p class="ctr allsc so2">FEMALE CHARACTER,</p> + +<p class="noindent">to display its delicacy, its sweetness, its gentle or +sometimes heroic virtues, its amiable weaknesses, +and strange defects—than to attempt an accurate +analysis of the hardest subject man ever attempted +to master, viz—<span class="allsc">WOMAN</span>.</p> + +<p>It will be seen that we do not set down Woman +as a cipher in the account of human beings. We +accord to her her full share of importance in the +world, and we have not attempted to relieve her +from a sense of her responsibility as an accountable +being. Above all, we have not failed to impress +upon her the obligations she is under to <span class="smc">Christianity</span>, +whose benign influences have raised her +to be the companion and bosom-friend of man, +<a name="png.005" id="png.005"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">vi</span><span class="ns">] + </span>instead of his mere handmaid and dependant. It +is religion that must form such a character as the +following, which though applied by Pope to one of +the most accomplished women of his time, is that +of a <span class="smc">Christian Wife</span> in every age and station,—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“Oh! blest with temper whose unclouded ray</div> +<div>Can make tomorrow cheerful as to-day:</div> +<div>She who can love a sister’s charms, or hear</div> +<div>Sighs for a daughter with unwounded ear;</div> +<div>She who ne’er answers till a husband cools,</div> +<div>Or, if she rules him, never shows she rules;</div> +<div>Charms by accepting—by submitting sways,</div> +</div></div> + +<p class="pgbrk">By causing the character of woman to be more +thoroughly discussed and better understood;—by +making it more frequently the theme of rational +meditation to the young and ardent, who, from the +force of defective education, are apt to regard all +“the sex,” beyond a very limited circle, as mere +<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + this may be a typo, but the OED gives a meaning of + 'an adjunct, or accompaniment' for the word spelled this way">accessaries</ins> to animal enjoyment,—whose peace +they may wound without compunction, and whose +happiness they may peril without reflection,—we +feel that we shall do both sexes a good service, +and one for which as they advance in life, and in +their turn become husbands, wives and parents, +they will thank our little book, as having helped +them to know themselves and each other.</p> + + + + +<h2 class="secn fourem"><a name="png.006" id="png.006"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">vii</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h2> +<hr class="toc" /> + + +<table class="toc" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><td>African Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.042">43</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Adultery, <span class="nw">punishment of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.154">155</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Bathing at Rome,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.030">31</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'Bethrothing'">Betrothing</ins> and Marriage,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.103">104</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Chinese Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.039">40</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Chinese Bridegroom,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.040">41</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Cæsar, <span class="nw">Anecdote of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.156">157</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Celibacy of the Clergy,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.159">160</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Cleopatra, <span class="nw">Death of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.198">199</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Courts of Love,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.171">172</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Courtship, ancient Swedish</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.175">176</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Courtship, Grecian</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.164">165</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Courtship, Eastern</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.167">168</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Condition of Women in the 8th Century,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.051">52</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Egyptian Women, Ancient</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.012">13</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Egyptian Women, Modern</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.014">15</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Euthira, desperate <span class="nw">act of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.161">162</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Eastern Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.036">37</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>English Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.061">62</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>First Woman,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.008">9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Female Friendship,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.108">109</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Female Delicacy,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.029">30</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>French Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.052">53</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>French Girls,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.054">55</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Female Simplicity,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.070">71</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Female Inferiority, <span class="nw">idea of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.066">67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Females during the age of Chivalry,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.047">48</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>First Kiss of Love,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.197">198</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Grecian Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.018">19</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>German Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.098">99</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Grecian Courtezans,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.019">20</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Greeks, religious <span class="nw">festivals of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.179">180</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Grecian Ladies, luxurious <span class="nw">dress of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.163">164</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Girls sold at Auction,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.152">153</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Husbands, on the <span class="nw">choice of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.113">114</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Italian Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.056">57</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Influence of female society,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.082">83</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Immodesty at Babylon,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.172">173</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Indecency at Adrianople,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.174">175</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Lucretia and Virginia,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.181">182</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Ladies of Lapland and Greenland,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.176">177</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Matrimony, an <span class="nw">essay on</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.202">203</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Matrimony among the French</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.054">55</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Matrimony in three different lights,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.102">103</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Magnanimity of Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.076">77</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Monastic Life,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.088">89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Marriage Brokers at Genoa,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.059">60</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Marrying, <span class="nw">power of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.158">159</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Noah’s three sons,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.042">43</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Nuptial Ceremonies,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.065">66</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>On looking at the picture of a beautiful female,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.182">183</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Persian Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.016">17</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Philtres and charms, <span class="nw">power of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.166">167</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Roman Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.023">24</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Roman Oppian Law,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.028">29</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Russian Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.064">65</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Spanish Women,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.059">60</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>St. Valentine’s Day,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.170">171</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Sentimental Attachment,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.091">92</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Sale of <span class="nw">a wife</span>,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.153">154</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Saxons and Danes, long <span class="nw">hair of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.169">170</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Venus de Medici,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.193">194</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Women, Art of determining the figure, beauty, habits, + and the <span class="nw">age of</span></td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.184">185</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Women in the Patriarchal ages,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.009">10</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Woman in Savage Life,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.031">32</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Woman in times of Chivalry,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.044">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Women in Asia and Africa,</td><td class="pg"><a href="#png.078">79</a></td></tr> + +</table> + + + +<div class="poem pgbrk"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div><a name="png.007" id="png.007"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">viii</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>“<span class="smc">Sketches</span> indeed, from that most passionate page,</div> +<div>A woman’s heart, of feelings, thoughts, that make</div> +<div>The atmosphere in which her spirit moves;</div> +<div>But like all other earthly elements,</div> +<div>O’ercast with clouds; now dark, now touched with light,</div> +<div>With rainbows, sunshine, showers, moonlight, stars,</div> +<div>Chasing each other’s change. I fain would trace</div> +<div>Its brightness and its blackness.”</div> +</div> +</div> + + +<h1><a name="png.008" id="png.008"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">9</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>SKETCHES OF “THE SEX.”</h1> +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<h2 class="secn">THE FIRST WOMAN, AND HER ANTEDILUVIAN +DESCENDANTS.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> great Creator, having formed man of +the dust of the earth, “made a deep sleep to +fall upon him, and took one of his ribs, and +closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the +rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, +made he a woman, and brought her unto the +man.” Hence the fair sex, in the opinion of +some authors, being formed of matter doubly +refined, derive their superior beauty and excellence.</p> + +<p>Not long after the creation, the first woman +was tempted by the serpent to eat of the fruit +of a certain tree, in the midst of the garden of +Eden, with regard to which God had said, “Ye +shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest +ye die.”</p> + +<p>This deception, and the fatal consequences +arising from it, furnish the most interesting story +in the whole history of the sex.</p> + +<p><a name="png.009" id="png.009"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">10</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>On the offerings being brought, and that of +Abel accepted, Cain’s jealousy and resentment +rose to such a pitch, that, as soon as they came +down from the mount where they had been +sacrificing, he fell upon his brother and slew +him.</p> + +<p>For this cruel and barbarous action, Cain +and his posterity, being banished from the rest +of the human race, indulged themselves in every +species of wickedness. On this account, it +is supposed, they were called the <cite>Sons and +Daughters of Men</cite>. The posterity of Seth, on +the other hand, became eminent for virtue, and +a regard to the divine precepts. By their regular +and amiable conduct, they acquired the +appellation of <cite>Sons and Daughters of God</cite>.</p> + +<p>After the deluge there is a chasm in the history +of women, until the time of the patriarch +Abraham. They then begin to be introduced +into the sacred story. Several of their actions +are recorded. The laws, customs, and usages, +by which they were governed, are frequently +exhibited.</p> + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">WOMAN IN THE PATRIARCHAL AGES.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> condition of women among the ancient +patriarchs, appears to have been but extremely +indifferent. When Abraham entertained the +angels, sent to denounce the destruction of +Sodom, he seems to have treated his wife as a +menial servant: “Make ready quickly,” said +<a name="png.010" id="png.010"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">11</span><span class="ns">] + </span>he to her, “three measures of fine meal, knead +it, and make cakes on the hearth.”</p> + +<p>In many parts of the east, water is only to +be met with deep in the earth, and to draw it +from the wells is, consequently, fatiguing and +laborious. This, however, was the task of the +daughters of Jethro the Midianite; to whom +so little regard was paid, either on account of +their sex, or the rank of their father, as high +priest of the country, that the neighboring +shepherds not only insulted them, but forcibly +took from them the water they had drawn.</p> + +<p>This was the task of Rebecca, who not only +drew water for Abraham’s servant, but for his +camels also, while the servant stood an idle +spectator of the toil. Is it not natural to +imagine, that, as he was on an embassy to court +the damsel for Isaac, his master’s son, he would +have exerted his utmost efforts to please, and +become acceptable?</p> + +<p>When he had concluded his bargain, and was +carrying her home, we meet with a circumstance +worthy of remark. When she first approached +Isaac, who had walked out into the +fields to meet her, she did it in the most submissive +manner, as if she had been approaching +a lord and master, rather than a fond and passionate +lover. From this circumstance, as well +as from several others, related in the sacred +history, it would seem that women, instead of +endeavoring, as in modern times, to persuade +the world that they confer an immense favor on +a lover, by deigning to accept of him, did not +<a name="png.011" id="png.011"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">12</span><span class="ns">] + </span>scruple to confess, that the obligation was conferred +on themselves.</p> + +<p>This was the case with Ruth, who had laid +herself down at the feet of Boaz; and being +asked by him who she was, answered, “I am +Ruth, thine handmaid; spread, therefore, thy +skirt over thine handmaid, for thou art a near +kinsman.”</p> + +<p>When Jacob went to visit his uncle Laban, +he met Rachel, Laban’s daughter, in the fields, +attending on the flocks of her father.</p> + +<p>In a much later period, Tamar, one of the +daughters of king David, was sent by her father +to perform the servile office of making cakes +for her brother Amnon.</p> + +<p>The simplicity of the times in which these +things happened, no doubt, very much invalidates +the strength of the conclusions that +naturally arise from them. But, notwithstanding, +it still appears that women were not then +treated with the delicacy which they have experienced +among people more polished and +refined.</p> + +<p>Polygamy also prevailed; which is so contrary +to the inclination of the sex, and so deeply +wounds the delicacy of their feelings, that it is +impossible for any woman voluntarily to agree +to it, even where it is authorized by custom and +by law. Wherever, therefore, polygamy takes +place, we may assure ourselves that women +have but little authority, and have scarcely +arrived at any consequence in society.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.012" id="png.012"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">13</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>WOMEN OF ANCIENT EGYPT.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Wherever</span> the human race live solitary, and +unconnected with each other, they are savage +and barbarous. Wherever they <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'asssociate'">associate</ins> together, +that association produces softer manners +and a more engaging deportment.</p> + +<p>The Egyptians, from the nature of their +country, annually overflowed by the Nile, had +no wild beasts to hunt, nor could they procure +any thing by fishing. On these accounts, they +were under a necessity of applying themselves +to agriculture, a kind of life which naturally +brings mankind together, for mutual convenience +and assistance.</p> + +<p>They were, likewise, every year, during the +inundation of the river, obliged to assemble +together, and take shelter, either on the rising +grounds, or in the houses, which were raised +upon piles, above the reach of the waters. +Here, almost every employment being suspended, +and the men and women long confined +together, a thousand inducements, not to be +found in a solitary state, would naturally prompt +them to render themselves agreeable to each +other. Hence their manners would begin, more +early, to assume a softer polish, and more elegant +refinement, than those of the other nations +who surrounded them.</p> + +<p>The practice of confining women, instituted +by jealousy, and maintained by unlawful power, +was not adopted by the ancient Egyptians. +This appears from the story of Pharaoh’s +<a name="png.013" id="png.013"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">14</span><span class="ns">] + </span>daughter, who was going with her train of +maids to bathe in the river, when she found +Moses hid among the reeds. It is still more +evident, from that of the wife of Potiphar, who, +if she had been confined, could not have found +the opportunities she did, to solicit Joseph to her +adulterous embrace.</p> + +<p>The queens of Egypt had the greatest attention +paid to them. They were more readily +obeyed than the kings. It is also related, that +the husbands were in their marriage-contracts, +obliged to promise obedience to their wives; an +obedience, which, in our modern times, we are +often obliged to perform, though our wives +entered into the promise.</p> + +<p>The behavior of Solomon to Pharaoh’s +daughter is a convincing proof that more honor +and respect was paid to the Egyptian women, +than to those of any other people. Solomon +had many other wives besides this princess, and +was married to several of them before her, +which, according to the Jewish law, ought to +have entitled them to a preference. But, notwithstanding +this, we hear of no particular +palace having been built for any of the others, +nor of the worship of any of their gods having +been introduced into Jerusalem. But a magnificent +palace was erected for Pharaoh’s daughter; +and she was permitted, though expressly +contrary to the laws of Israel, to worship the +gods of her own country.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.014" id="png.014"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">15</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>MODERN EGYPTIAN WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> women of modern Egypt are far from +being on so respectable a footing as they were +in ancient times, or as the European women +are at present.</p> + +<p>In Europe, women act parts of great consequence, +and often reign sovereigns on the +world’s vast theatre. They influence manners +and morals, and decide on the most important +events. The fate of nations is frequently in +their hands.</p> + +<p>How different is their situation in Egypt! +There they are bound down by the fetters of +slavery, condemned to servitude, and have no +influence in public affairs. Their empire is +confined within the walls of the Harem. There +are their graces and charms entombed. The +circle of their life extends not beyond their own +family and domestic duties.</p> + +<p>Their first care is to educate their children; +and a numerous posterity is their most fervent +wish. Mothers always suckle their children. +This is expressly commanded by Mahomet:—“Let +the mother suckle her child full two years, +if the child does not quit the breast; but she +shall be permitted to wean it, with the consent +of her husband.”</p> + +<p>The harem is the cradle and school of infancy. +The new born feeble being is not there swaddled +and filletted up in a swathe, the source of a +thousand diseases. Laid naked on a mat, exposed +in a vast chamber to the pure air, he +<a name="png.015" id="png.015"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">16</span><span class="ns">] + </span>breathes freely, and with his delicate limbs +sprawls at pleasure.</p> + +<p>The daughter’s education is the same. +Whalebone and husks, which martyr European +girls, they know not. They are only covered +with a shift until six years old: and the dress +they afterwards wear confines none of their +limbs, but suffers the body to take its true form; +and nothing is more uncommon than ricketty +children, and crooked people. In Egypt, man +rises in all his majesty, and woman displays +every charm of person.</p> + +<p>The Egyptian women, once or twice a week, +are permitted to go to the bath, and visit female +relations and friends. They receive each other’s +visits very affectionately. When a lady +enters the harem, the mistress rises, takes her +hand, presses it to her bosom, kisses, and makes +her sit down by her side; a slave hastens to +take her black mantle; she is entreated to be +at ease, quits her veil, and discovers a floating +robe tied round her waist with a sash, which +perfectly displays her shape. She then receives +compliments according to their manner: “Why, +my mother, or my sister, have you been so long +absent? We sighed to see you! Your presence +is an honor to our house! It is the happiness +of our lives!”</p> + +<p>Slaves present coffee, sherbet, and confectionary. +They laugh, talk and play. A large +dish is placed on the sofa, on which are oranges, +pomegranates, bananas, and excellent +melons. Water, and rose-water mixed, are +<a name="png.016" id="png.016"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">17</span><span class="ns">] + </span>brought in an ewer, and with them a silver bason +to wash the hands; and loud glee and +merry conversation season the meal. The +chamber is perfumed by wood of aloes, in a +brazier; and, the repast ended, the slaves +dance to the sound of cymbals, with whom the +mistresses often mingle. At parting they several +times repeat, “God keep you in health! +Heaven grant you a numerous offspring! Heaven +preserve your children; the delight and +glory of your family!”</p> + +<p>When a visitor is in the harem, the husband +must not enter. It is the asylum of hospitality, +and cannot be violated without fatal consequences; +a cherished right, which the Egyptian +women carefully maintain, being interested in +its preservation. A lover, disguised like a +woman, may be introduced into the harem, and +it is necessary he should remain undiscovered; +death would otherwise be his reward. In that +country, where the passions are excited by the +climate, and the difficulty of gratifying them +is great, love often produces tragical events.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">PERSIAN WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Several</span> historians, in mentioning the ancient +Persians, have dwelt with peculiar severity +on the manner in which they treated their +women. Jealous, almost to distraction, they +confined the whole sex with the strictest attention, +and could not bear that the eye of a stranger +<a name="png.017" id="png.017"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">18</span><span class="ns">] + </span>should behold the beauty whom they +adored.</p> + +<p>When Mahomet, the great legislator of the +modern Persians, was just expiring, the last advice +that he gave to his faithful adherents, was, +“Be watchful of your religion, and your wives.” +Hence they pretend to derive not only the +power of confining, but also of persuading them, +that they hazard their salvation, if they look +upon any other man besides their husbands. +The Christian religion informs us, that in the +other world they neither marry, nor are given +in marriage. The religion of Mahomet teaches +us a different doctrine, which the Persians believing, +carry the jealousy of Asia to the fields +of Elysium, and the groves of Paradise; where, +according to them, the blessed inhabitants have +their eyes placed on the crown of their heads, +lest they should see the wives of their neighbors.</p> + +<p>To offer the least violence to a Persian woman, +was to incur certain death from her husband +or guardian. Even their kings, though +the most absolute in the universe, could not +alter the manners or customs of the country, +which related to the fair sex.</p> + +<p>Widely different from this is the present state +of Persia. By a law of that country, their +monarch is now authorized to go, whenever he +pleases, into the harem of any of his subjects; +and the subject, on whose prerogative he thus +encroaches, so far from exerting his usual +jealousy, thinks himself highly honored by such +a visit.</p> + +<p><a name="png.018" id="png.018"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">19</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>A laughable story, on this subject, is told of +Shah Abbas, who having got drunk at the +house of one of his favorites, and intending to +go into the apartment of his wives, was stopped +by the door-keeper, who bluntly told him, “Not +a man, sir, besides my master, shall put a mustachio +here, so long as I am porter.” “What,” +said the king, “dost thou not know me?” +“Yes,” answered the fellow, “I know that you +are king of the men, but not of the women.”</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">GRECIAN WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Woman</span>, in ancient Greece, seems to have +been regarded merely in the light of an instrument +for raising up members of the state. +And surely it may be said of them that they +nobly fulfilled this duty. The catalogue of heroes +and sages which shine in Grecian history +bright and numerous as stars in the firmament, +are so many testimonials to the faithfulness of +Grecian women in this respect.</p> + +<p>The sexes were but little society for each +other. Even husbands were, in Sparta, limited +as to the time and duration of the visits made +to their wives.</p> + +<p>That women in ancient Greece did not enjoy +that delicate consideration which other refined +nations accord to their sex, may be inferred +from the inferiority of the apartments allotted to +them. The famous Helen is said to have had her +chamber in the attic; and Penelope, the queen +of Ulysses, descended from hers by a ladder.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.019" id="png.019"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">20</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>GRECIAN COURTEZANS.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> rank which the courtezans enjoyed, even +in the brightest ages of Greece, and particularly +at Athens, is one of the greatest singularities in +the manners of any people. By what circumstances +could that order of women, who debase +at once their own sex and ours—in a country +where the women were possessed of modesty, and +the men of sentiment, arrive at distinction, and +sometimes even at the highest degree of reputation +and consequence? Several reasons may +be assigned for that phenomenon in society.</p> + +<p>In Greece, the courtezans were in some measure +connected with the religion of the country. +The Goddess of Beauty had her altars; and she +was supposed to protect prostitution, which was +to her a species of worship. The people invoked +Venus in times of danger; and, after a +battle, they thought they had done honor to +Miltiades and Themistocles, because the Laises +and the Glyceras of the age had chaunted hymns +to their Goddess.</p> + +<p>The courtezans were likewise connected with +religion, by means of the arts. Their persons +afforded models for statues, which were afterwards +adored in the temples. Phryne served as +a model to Praxiteles, for his Venus of Cnidus. +During the feasts of Neptune, near Eleusis, Apelles +having seen the same courtezan on the +sea-shore, without any other veil than her loose +and flowing hair, was so much struck with her +<a name="png.020" id="png.020"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">21</span><span class="ns">] + </span>appearance, that he borrowed from it the idea of +his Venus rising from the waves.</p> + +<p>They were, therefore connected with statuary +and painting, as they furnished the practisers of +those arts with the means of embellishing their +works.</p> + +<p>The greater part of them were skilled in music; +and, as that art was attended with higher +effects in Greece than it ever was in any other +country, it must have possessed, in their hands, +an irresistible charm.</p> + +<p>Every one knows how enthusiastic the Greeks +were of beauty. They adored it in the temples. +They admired it in the principal works of art. +They studied it <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks 'in'">in</ins> the exercises and the games. +They thought to perfect it by their marriages. +They offered rewards to it at the public festivals. +But virtuous beauty was seldom to be +seen. The modest women were confined to +their own apartments, and were visited only by +their husbands and nearest relations. The +courtezans offered themselves every where to +view; and their beauty as might be expected, +obtained universal homage.</p> + +<p>Greece was governed by eloquent men; and +the celebrated courtezans, having an influence +over those orators must have had an influence +on public affairs. There was not one, not even +the thundering, the inflexible Demosthenes, so +terrible to tyrants, but was subjected to their +sway. Of that great master of eloquence it has +been said, “What he had been a whole year in +erecting, a woman overturned in a day.” That +<a name="png.021" id="png.021"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">22</span><span class="ns">] + </span>influence augmented their consequence; and +their talent of pleasing increased with the occasions +of exerting it.</p> + +<p>The laws and the public institutions, indeed, +by authorizing the privacy of women, set a high +value on the sanctity of the marriage vow. But +in Athens, imagination, sentiment, luxury, the +taste in arts and pleasures, was opposite to the +laws. The courtezans, therefore may be said +to have come in support of the manners.</p> + +<p>There was no check upon public licentiousness; +but private infidelity, which concerned +the peace of families, was punished as a crime. +By a strange and perhaps unequalled singularity +the men were corrupted, yet the domestic manners +were pure. It seems as if the courtezans +had not been considered to belong to their sex; +and, by a convention to which the laws and the +manners bended, while other women were estimated +merely by their virtues, they were estimated +only by their accomplishments.</p> + +<p>These reasons will in some measure, account +for the honors, which the votaries of Venus so +often received in Greece. Otherwise we should +have been at a loss to conceive, why six or seven +writers had exerted their talents to celebrate the +courtezans of Athens—why three great painters +had uniformly devoted their pencils to represent +them on canvass—and why so many poets +had strove to immortalize them in verses. We +should hardly have believed that so many illustrious +men had courted their society—that Aspasia +had been consulted in deliberations of +<a name="png.022" id="png.022"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">23</span><span class="ns">] + </span>peace and war—that Phryne had a statue of gold +placed between the statues of two kings at Delphos—that, +after death, magnificent tombs had +been erected to their memory.</p> + +<p>“The traveller,” says a Greek writer, “who, +approaching to Athens, sees on the side of the +way a monument which attracts his notice at a +distance, will imagine that it is the tomb of Miltiades +or Pericles, or of some other great man, +who has done honor to his country by his services. +He advances, he reads, and he learns +that it is a courtezan of Athens who is interred +with so much pomp.”</p> + +<p>Theopompus, in a letter to Alexander the +Great, speaks also of the same monument in +words to the following effect—“Thus, after her +death, is a prostitute honored; while not one of +those brave warriors who fell in Asia, fighting +for you, and for the safety of Greece, has so +much as a stone erected to his memory, or an +inscription to preserve his ashes from insult.”</p> + +<p>Such was the homage which that enthusiastic +people, voluptuous and passionate, paid to beauty. +More guided by sentiment than reason, and +having laws rather than principles, they banished +their great men, honored their courtezans, +murdered Socrates, permitted themselves to be +governed by Aspasia, preserved inviolate the +marriage bed, and placed Phryne in the temple +of Apollo!</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.023" id="png.023"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">24</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>ROMAN WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Among</span> the Romans, a grave and austere +people, who, during five hundred years, were +unacquainted with the elegancies and the pleasures +of life, and who, in the middle of furrows +and fields of battle, were employed in tillage or +in war, the manners of the women were a long +time as solemn and severe as those of the men, +and without the smallest mixture of corruption, +or of weakness.</p> + +<p>The time when the Roman women began to +appear in public, marks a particular era in history.</p> + +<p>The Roman women, for many ages, were respected +over the whole world. Their victorious +husbands re-visited them with transport, at their +return from battle. They laid at their feet the +spoils of the enemy, and endeared themselves in +their eyes by the wounds which they had received +for them and for the state. Those warriors +often came from imposing commands upon +kings, and in their own houses accounted it an +honor to obey. In vain the too rigid laws made +them the arbiters of life and death. More powerful +than the laws, the women ruled their judges. +In vain the legislature, foreseeing the wants +which exist only among a corrupt people, permitted +divorce. The indulgence of the polity +was proscribed by the manners.</p> + +<p>Such was the influence of beauty at Rome +before the licentious intercourse of the sexes had +corrupted both.</p> + +<p><a name="png.024" id="png.024"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">25</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>The Roman matrons do not seem to have possessed +that military courage which Plutarch has +praised in certain Greek and barbarian women; +they partook more of the nature of their sex; +or, at least, they departed less from its character. +Their first quality was decency. Every +one knows the story of Cato the censor, <em>who +stabbed a Roman Senator for kissing his own +wife in the presence of his daughter</em>.</p> + +<p>To these austere manners, the Roman women +joined an enthusiastic love of their country, +which discovered itself upon many great occasions. +On the death of Brutus, they all clothed +themselves in mourning. In the time of Coriolanus +they saved the city. That incensed warrior +who had insulted the senate and priests, and +who was superior even to the pride of pardoning, +could not resist the tears and entreaties of the +women. <em>They</em> melted his obdurate heart. The +senate decreed them public thanks, ordered the +men to give place to them upon all occasions, +caused an altar to be erected for them on the +spot where the mother had softened her son, and +the wife her husband; and the sex were permitted +to add another ornament to their head-dress.</p> + +<p>The Roman women saved the city a second +time, when besieged by Brennus. They gave +up all their gold as its ransom. For that instance +of their generosity, the senate granted +them the honor of having funeral orations +<a name="png.025" id="png.025"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">26</span><span class="ns">] + </span>pronounced in the rostrum, in common with patriots +and heroes.</p> + +<p>After the battle of Cannæ, when Rome had +no other treasures but the virtues of her citizens, +the women sacrificed both their jewels and their +gold. A new decree rewarded their zeal.</p> + +<p>Valerius Maximus who lived in the reign of +Tiberius, informs us that, in the second triumvirate, +the three assassins who governed Rome +thirsting after gold, no less than blood, and having +already practised every species of robbery, +and worn out every method of plunder; resolved +<em>to tax the women</em>. They imposed a heavy contribution +upon each of them. The women +sought an orator to defend their cause, but +found none. Nobody would reason against +those who had the power of life and death. The +daughter of the celebrated Hortensius alone appeared. +She revived the memory of her father’s +abilities, and supported with intrepidity her own +cause and that of her sex. The ruffians blushed +and revoked their orders.</p> + +<p>Hortensia was conducted home in triumph, +and had the honor of having given, in one day, +an example of courage to men, a pattern of eloquence +to women, and a lesson of humanity to +tyrants.</p> + +<p>During upwards of six hundred years, the +<em>virtues</em> had been found sufficient to please. +They now found it necessary to call in the <em>accomplishments</em>. +They were desirous to join admiration +to esteem, ’till they learned to exceed +esteem itself. For in all countries, in proportion +<a name="png.026" id="png.026"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">27</span><span class="ns">] + </span>as the love of virtue diminishes, we find the +love of talents to increase.</p> + +<p>A thousand causes concurred to produce this +revolution of manners among the Romans. The +vast inequality of ranks, the enormous fortunes +of individuals, the ridicule, affixed by the imperial +court to moral ideas, all contributed to hasten +the period of corruption.</p> + +<p>There were still, however, some great and +virtuous characters among the Roman women. +Portia, the daughter of Cato, and wife of Brutus, +showed herself worthy to be associated with the +first of human kind, and trusted with the fate of +empires. After the battle of Phillippi, she +would neither survive liberty nor Brutus, but +died with the bold intrepidity of Cato.</p> + +<p>The example of Portia was followed by that +of Arria, who seeing her husband hesitating and +afraid to die, in order to encourage him, pierced +her own breast, and delivered to him the dagger +with a smile.</p> + +<p>Paulinia too, the wife of Seneca, caused her +veins to be opened at the same time with her +husband’s, but being forced to live, during the +few years which she survived him, “she bore in +her countenance,” says Tacitus, “the honorable +testimony of her love, a <em>paleness</em>, which +proved that part of her blood had sympathetically +issued with the blood of her spouse.”</p> + +<p>To take notice of all the celebrated women of +the empire, would much exceed the bounds of +the present undertaking. But the empress Julia +the wife of Septimius Severus, possessed a +<a name="png.027" id="png.027"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">28</span><span class="ns">] + </span>species of merit so very different from any of those +already mentioned, as to claim particular attention.</p> + +<p>This lady was born in Syria, and a daughter +of a priest of the sun. It was predicted that she +would rise to sovereign dignity; and her character +justified the prophecy.</p> + +<p>Julia, while on the throne, loved, or pretended +passionately to love, letters. Either from taste, +from a desire to instruct herself, from a love of +renown, or possibly from all these together, she +spent her life with philosophers. Her rank of +empress would not, perhaps, have been sufficient +to subdue those bold spirits; but she joined to +that the more powerful influences of wit and +beauty. These three kinds of empire rendered +less necessary to her that which consists only in +art; and which, attentive to their tastes and +their weaknesses, govern great minds by little +means.</p> + +<p>It is said she was a philosopher. Her philosophy, +however, did not extend so far as to give +chastity to her manners. Her husband, who +did not love her, valued her understanding so +much, that he consulted her upon all occasions. +She governed in the same manner under his +son.</p> + +<p>Julia was, in short, an empress and a politician, +occupied at the same time about literature, +and affairs of state, while she mingled her pleasures +freely with both. She had courtiers for +her lovers, scholars for her friends, and philosophers +for her counsellors. In the midst of a +<a name="png.028" id="png.028"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">29</span><span class="ns">] + </span>society, where she reigned and was instructed. +Julia arrived at the highest celebrity; but as +among all her excellencies, we find not those of +her sex, the virtues of a woman, our admiration +is lost in blame. In her life time she obtained +more praise than respect; and posterity, while +it has done justice to her talents and her accomplishments, +has agreed to deny her esteem.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">LAWS AND CUSTOMS RESPECTING THE ROMAN +WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> Roman women, as well as the Grecian, +were under perpetual guardianship; and were +not at any age, nor in any condition, ever +trusted with the management of their own fortunes.</p> + +<p>Every father had power of life and death over +his own daughters: but this power was not restricted +to daughters only; it extended also to +sons.</p> + +<p>The Oppian law prohibited women from having +more than half an ounce of gold employed in +ornamenting their persons, from wearing clothes +of divers colors, and from riding in chariots, +either in the city, or a thousand paces round it.</p> + +<p>They were strictly forbid to use wine, or even +to have in their possession the key of any place +where it was kept. For either of these faults +they were liable to be divorced by their husbands. +So careful were the Romans in restraining +their women from wine, that they are supposed +<a name="png.029" id="png.029"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">30</span><span class="ns">] + </span>to have first introduced the custom of saluting +their female relations and acquaintances, on entering +the house of a friend or neighbor, that they +might discover by their breath, whether they had +tasted any of that liquor.</p> + +<p>This strictness, however, began in time to be +relaxed; until at last, luxury becoming too strong +for every law, the women indulged themselves +in equal liberties with the men.</p> + +<p>But such was not the case in the earlier ages +of Rome. Romulus even permitted husbands +to kill their wives, if they found them drinking +wine.</p> + +<p>Fabius Pictor relates, that the parents of a +Roman lady, having detected her picking the +lock of a chest which contained some wine, shut +her up and starved her <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks 'to'">to</ins> death.</p> + +<p>Women were liable to be divorced by their +husbands almost at pleasure, provided the portion +was returned which they had brought along +with them. They were also liable to be divorced +for barrenness, which, if it could be construed +into a fault, was at least the fault of nature, and +might sometimes be that of the husband.</p> + +<p>A few sumptuary laws, a subordination to the +men, and a total want of authority, do not so +much affect the sex, as to be coldly and indelicately +treated by their husbands.</p> + +<p>Such a treatment is touching them in the +tenderest part. Such, however we have reason +to believe, they often met with from the Romans, +who had not learned, as in modern times +to blend the rigidity of the patriot, and roughness +<a name="png.030" id="png.030"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">31</span><span class="ns">] + </span>of the warrior, with that soft and indulging +behavior, so conspicuous in our modern patriots +and heroes.</p> + +<p>Husbands among the Romans not only themselves +behaved roughly to their wives, but even +sometimes permitted their servants and slaves to +do the same. The principal eunuch of Justinian +the Second, threatened to chastise the Empress, +his master’s wife, in the manner that children +are chastised at school, if she did not obey +his orders.</p> + +<p>With regard to the private diversions of the +Roman ladies, history is silent. Their public +ones, were such as were common to both sexes; +as bathing, theatrical representations, horse-races, +shows of wild beasts, which fought against +one another, and sometimes against men, whom +the emperors, in the plenitude of their despotic +power, ordered to engage them.</p> + +<p>The Romans, of both sexes, spent a great +deal of time at the baths; which at first, perhaps, +were interwoven with their religion, but at last +were only considered as refinements in luxury. +They were places of public resort, where people +met with their acquaintances and friends, where +public libraries were kept for such as chose to +read, and where poets recited their works to +such as had patience to hear.</p> + +<p>In the earlier periods of Rome, separate baths +were appropriated to each sex. Luxury, by degrees +getting the better of decency, the men and +women at last bathed promiscuously together. +Though this indecent manner of bathing was +<a name="png.031" id="png.031"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">32</span><span class="ns">] + </span>prohibited by the emperor Adrian; yet, in a +short time, inclination overcame the prohibition; +and, in spite of every effort, promiscuous bathing +continued until the time of Constantine, +who, by the coercive force of the legislative authority, +and the rewards and terrors of the Christian +religion, put a final stop to it.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">WOMAN IN SAVAGE LIFE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Man</span>, in a state of barbarity, equally cruel and +indolent, active by necessity, but naturally inclined +to repose, is acquainted with little more +than the physical effects of love; and having +none of those moral ideas which only can soften +the empire of force, he is led to consider it as his +supreme law, subjecting to his despotism those +whom reason had made his equals, but whose +imbecility betrayed them to his strength.</p> + +<p>Cast in the lap of naked nature, and exposed +to every hardship, the forms of women, in savage +life, are but little engaging. With nothing +that deserves the name of culture, their latent +qualities, if they have any, are like the diamond, +while enclosed in the rough flint, incapable of +shewing any lustre. Thus destitute of every +thing by which they can excite love, or acquire +esteem; destitute of beauty to charm, or art to +soothe, the tyrant man; they are by him destined +to perform every mean and servile office. In +this the American and other savage women differ +widely from those of Asia, who, if they are +<a name="png.032" id="png.032"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">33</span><span class="ns">] + </span>destitute of the qualifications necessary for gaining +esteem, have beauty, ornaments, and the art +of exciting love.</p> + +<p>In civilized countries a woman acquires some +power by being the mother of a numerous family, +who obey her maternal authority, and defends +her honor and her life. But, even as a mother, +a female savage has not much advantage. Her +children, daily accustomed to see their father +treat her nearly as a slave, soon begin to imitate +his example, and either pay little regard to her +authority or shake it off altogether.</p> + +<p>Of this the Hottentot boys afford a remarkable +proof. They are brought up by the women, till +they are about fourteen years of age. Then, +with several ceremonies they are initiated into +the society of men. After this initiation is over +it is reckoned manly for a boy to take the earliest +opportunity of returning to the hut of his +mother, and beating her in the most barbarous +manner, to show that he is now out of her jurisdiction. +Should the mother complain to the +men, they would only applaud the boy for showing +so laudable a contempt for the society and +authority of women.</p> + +<p>In the Brazils, the females are obliged to follow +their husbands to war, to supply the place +of beasts of burden, and to carry on their backs +their children, provisions, hammocks, and every +thing wanted in the field.</p> + +<p>In the Isthmus of Darien, they are sent along +with warriors and travellers, as we do baggage +horses. Even their Queen appeared before +<a name="png.033" id="png.033"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">34</span><span class="ns">] + </span>some English gentlemen, carrying her sucking +child, wrapt in a red blanket.</p> + +<p>The women among the Indians of America +are what the Helots were among the Spartans, a +vanquished people obliged to toil for their conquerors. +Hence on the banks of the Oroonoko +we have heard of mothers slaying their daughters +out of compassion, and smothering them in the +hour of their birth. They consider this barbarous +pity as a virtue.</p> + +<p>Father Joseph Gumilla, reproving one of them +for this inhuman crime, received the following +answer:—“I wish to God, Father, I wish to +God, that my mother had, by my death, prevented +the manifold distresses I have endured, +and have yet to endure as long as I live. Had +she kindly stilled me in my birth, I should not +have felt the pain of death, nor the numberless +other pains to which life has subjected me. +Consider, Father, our deplorable condition. +Our husbands go to hunt with their bows and +arrows, and trouble themselves no farther: we +are dragged along with one infant at our breast, +and another in a basket. They return in the +evening without any burden; we return with +the burden of our children. Though tired with +long walking, we are not allowed to sleep, but +must labor the whole night, in grinding maize +to make <i>chica</i> for them. They get drunk, and +in their drunkenness beat us, draw us by the +hair of the head, and tread us under foot. A +young wife is brought upon us and permitted to +abuse us and our children. What kindness can +<a name="png.034" id="png.034"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">35</span><span class="ns">] + </span>we show to our female children, equal to that +of relieving them from such servitude, more bitter +a thousand times than death? I repeat again, +would to God my mother had put me under +ground, the moment I was born.”</p> + +<p>“The men,” says Commodore Byron, in his +account of the inhabitants of South America, +“exercise a most despotic authority over their +wives whom they consider in the same view they +do any other part of their property, and dispose +of them accordingly. Even their common treatment +of them is cruel. For, though the toil and +hazard of procuring food lies entirely on the +women, yet they are not suffered to touch any +part of it, until the husband is satisfied; and +then he assign them their portion, which is generally +very scanty, and such as he has not a +stomach for himself.”</p> + +<p>The Greenlanders, who live mostly upon +seals, think it sufficient to catch and bring them +on shore; and would rather submit to starve +than assist their women in skinning, dressing, +or dragging home the cumbrous animals to their +huts.</p> + +<p>In some parts of America, when the men kill +any game in the woods, they lay it at the root of +a tree, fix a mark there, and travelling until +they arrive at their habitation, send their women +to fetch it, a task which their own laziness and +pride equally forbid.</p> + +<p>Among many of the tribes of wandering Arabs, +the women are not only obliged to do every domestic +and every rural work, but also to feed, +<a name="png.035" id="png.035"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">36</span><span class="ns">] + </span>to dress, and saddle the horses, for the use of +their husbands.</p> + +<p>The Moorish women, besides doing all the +same kinds of drudgery, are also obliged to cultivate +the fields, while their husbands stand idle +spectators of the toil, or sleep inglorious beneath +a neighboring shade.</p> + +<p>In Madura the husband generally speaks to +his wife in the most imperious tone; while she +with fear and trembling approaches him, waits +upon him while at meals, and pronounces not +his name, but with the addition of every dignifying +title she can devise. In return for all this +submission he frequently beats and abuses her +in the most barbarous manner. Being asked +the reason of such a behavior, one of them answered, +“As our wives are so much our inferiors +why should we allow them to eat and drink with +us? Why should they not serve us with whatever +we call for, and afterwards sit down and eat +up what we leave? If they commit faults, why +should they not suffer correction? It is their +business only to bring up our children, pound +our rice, make our oil, and do every other kind +of drudgery, purposes to which only their low +and inferior natures are adapted.”</p> + +<p>The Circassian custom of breeding young +girls, on purpose to be sold in the public market +to the highest bidder, is generally known. Perhaps, +however, upon minute examination, we +shall find that women are, in some degree, +bought and sold in every country, whether savage +or civilized.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.036" id="png.036"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">37</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>EASTERN WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> women of the East, have in general, always +exhibited the same appearance. Their +manners, customs, and fashions, unalterable like +their rocks, have stood the test of many revolving +ages. Though the kingdoms of their country +have often changed masters, though they have +submitted to the arms of almost every invader, +yet the laws by which their sex are governed +and enslaved, have never been revised nor +amended.</p> + +<p>Had the manners and customs of the Asiatic +women been subject to the same changes as +they are in Europe, we might have expected the +same changes in the sentiments and writings of +their men. But, as this is not the case, we have +reason to presume that the sentiments entertained +by Solomon, by the apocryphal writers, +and by the ancient Bramins, are the sentiments +of this day.</p> + +<p>Though the confinement of women be an unlawful +exertion of superior power, yet it affords a +proof that the inhabitants of the East are advanced +some degrees farther in civilization than +mere savages, who have hardly any love and +consequently as little jealousy.</p> + +<p>This confinement is not very rigid in the empire +of the Mogul. It is, perhaps, less so in +China, and in Japan hardly exists.</p> + +<p>Though women are confined in the Turkish +empire, they experience every other indulgence. +They are allowed, at stated times, to go to the +<a name="png.037" id="png.037"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">38</span><span class="ns">] + </span>public baths; their apartments are richly, if not +elegantly furnished; they have a train of female +slaves to serve and amuse them; and their persons +are adorned with every costly ornament +which their fathers or husbands can afford.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the strictness of confinement +in Persia, their women are treated with several +indulgences. They are allowed a variety of +precious liquors, costly perfumes, and beautiful +slaves: their apartments are furnished with the +most elegant hangings and carpets; their persons +ornamented with the finest silks, and even +loaded with the sparkling jewels of the East. +But all these trappings, however elegant, or +however gilded, are only like the golden chains +sometimes made use of to bind a royal prisoner.</p> + +<p>Solomon had a great number of queens and +concubines; but a petty Hindoo chief has been +known to have two thousand women confined +within the walls of his harem, and appropriated +entirely to his pleasure. Nothing less than unlimited +power in the husband is able to restrain +women so confined, from the utmost disorder +and confusion. They may repine in secret, but +they must clothe their features with cheerfulness +when their lord appears. Contumacy draws +down on them immediate punishment: they are +degraded, chastised, divorced, shut up in dark +dungeons, and sometimes put to death.</p> + +<p>Their persons, however, are so sacred, that +they must not in the least be violated, nor even +be looked at, by any one but their husbands. +This female privilege has given an opportunity +<a name="png.038" id="png.038"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">39</span><span class="ns">] + </span>of executing many conspiracies. Warriors, in +such vehicles as are usually employed to carry +women, have been often conveyed, without examination, +into the apartments of the great; +from whence, instead of issuing forth in the +smiles of beauty, they have rushed out in the +terror of arms, and laid the tyrants at their feet.</p> + +<p>No stranger is ever allowed to see the women +of Hindostan, nor can even brothers visit their +sisters in private. To be conscious of the existence +of a man’s wives seems a crime; and he +looks surly and offended if their health is inquired +after. In every country, honor consists +in something upon which the possessor sets the +highest value. This, with the Hindoo, is the +chastity of his wives; a point without which he +must not live.</p> + +<p>In the midst of slaughter and devastation, +throughout all the East, the harem is a sanctuary. +Ruffians, covered with the blood of a +husband, shrink back with veneration from the +secret apartment of his wives.</p> + +<p>At Constantinople, when the sultan sends an +order to strangle a state-criminal, and seize on +his effects, the officers who execute it enter not +into the harem, nor touch any thing belonging +to the women.</p> + +<p>Every Turkish seraglio and harem, has a garden +adjoining to it, and in the middle of this +garden a large room, more or less decorated according +to the wealth of the proprietor. Here +the ladies spend most of their time, with their +<a name="png.039" id="png.039"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">40</span><span class="ns">] + </span>attendant nymphs around them employed at +their music, embroidery, or loom.</p> + +<p>It has long been a custom among the grandees +of Asia, to entertain story-tellers of both +sexes, who like the <i>bards</i> of ancient Europe, +divert them with tales, and little histories, mostly +on the subject of bravery and love. These often +amuse the women, and beguile the cheerless +hours of the harem, by calling up images to +their minds which their eyes are forever debarred +from seeing.</p> + +<p>All their other amusements, as well as this, +are indolently voluptuous. They spend a great +part of their time in lolling on <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'siken'">silken</ins> sofas; +while a train of female slaves, scarcely less voluptuous, +attend to sing to them, to fan them, +and to rub their bodies; an exercise which the +Easterns enjoy, with a sort of placid ecstasy, as it +promotes the circulation of their languid blood.</p> + +<p>They bathe themselves in rose water and +other baths, prepared with the precious odors of +the East. They perfume themselves with costly +essences, and adorn their persons, that they may +please the <em>tyrant</em> with whom they are obliged to +live.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">CHINESE WOMAN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Of</span> all the other Asiatics, the Chinese have, +perhaps the best title to modesty. Even the +men wrap themselves closely up in their garments, +and reckon it indecent to discover any +<a name="png.040" id="png.040"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">41</span><span class="ns">] + </span>more of their arms and legs than is necessary.—The +women, still more closely wrapt up, never +discover a naked hand even to their nearest relations, +if they can possibly avoid it. Every part +of their dress, every part of their behavior is calculated +to preserve decency, and inspire respect. +And, what adds lustre to of their charms, is that +uncommon modesty which appears in every look +and in every action.</p> + +<p>Charmed, no doubt, with so engaging a deportment, +the men behave to them in a reciprocal +manner. And, that their virtue may not +be contaminated by the neighborhood of vice, +the legislature takes care that no prostitutes +shall lodge within the walls of any of the great +cities of China.</p> + +<p>Some, however, suspect whether this appearance +of modesty be any thing else than the custom +of the country; and allege that, <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'nothwithstanding'">notwithstanding</ins> +so much decency and decorum, they +have their peculiar modes of intriguing, and +embrace every possible opportunity of putting +them in practice; and that, in these intrigues, +they frequently scruple not to stab the paramour +they had invited to their arms, as the surest +method of preventing detection and loss of +character.</p> + +<p>A bridegroom knows nothing of the character +or person of his intended wife, except what he +gathers from the report of some female relative, +or confidant, who undertakes to arrange the +marriage, and determine the sum that shall be +paid for the bride. Very severe laws are made +<a name="png.041" id="png.041"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">42</span><span class="ns">] + </span>to prevent deception and fraud in these transactions. +On the day appointed for the wedding +the damsel is placed in a close palanquin the +key of which is sent to the bridegroom, by the +hands of some trusty domestic. Her relations +and friends accompanied by squalling music, +escort her to his house; at the gate of which he +stands in full dress, ready to receive her. He +eagerly opens the palanquin and examines his +bargain. If he is pleased, she enters his dwelling, +and the marriage is celebrated with feasting +and rejoicing; the men and women being +all the time in separate apartments. If the +bridegroom is dissatisfied, he shuts the palanquin, +and sends the woman back to her relations; +but when this happens, he must pay another sum +of money equal to the price he first gave for +her. A woman who unites beauty with accomplishments +brings from four to seven hundred +louis d’ors; some sell for less than one hundred. +The apartments of the women are separated +from those of the men by a wall at which a +guard is stationed. The wife is never allowed +to eat with her husband; she cannot quit her +apartments without permission; and he does not +enter hers without first asking leave. Brothers +are entirely separated from their sisters at the +age of nine or ten years.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.042" id="png.042"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">43</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>AFRICAN WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> Africans were formerly renowned for +their industry in cultivating the ground, for their +trade, navigation, caravans and useful arts.—At +present they are remarkable for their idleness, +ignorance, superstition, treachery, and, +above all, for their lawless methods of robbing +and murdering all the other inhabitants of the +globe.</p> + +<p>Though they still retain some sense of their +infamous character, yet they do not choose to +reform. Their priests, therefore, endeavor to +justify them, by the following story: “Noah,” +say they, “was no sooner dead, than his three +sons, the first of whom was <em>white</em>, the second +<em><ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'tawney'">tawny</ins></em>, and the third <em>black</em>, having agreed upon +dividing among them his goods and possessions, +spent the greatest part of the day in sorting +them; so that they were obliged to adjourn the +division till the next morning. Having supped +and smoked a friendly pipe together, they all +went to rest, each in his own tent. After a few +hours sleep, the white brother got up, seized +on the gold, silver, precious stones, and other +things of the greatest value, loaded the best +horses with them, and rode away to that country +where his white posterity have been settled ever +since. The tawny, awaking soon after, and +with the same criminal intention, was surprised +when he came to the store house to find that his +brother had been beforehand with him. Upon +which he hastily secured the rest of the horses +<a name="png.043" id="png.043"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">44</span><span class="ns">] + </span>and camels, and loading them with the best +carpets, clothes, and other remaining goods, +directed his route to another part of the +world, leaving behind him, only a few of the +coarsest goods, and some provisions of little +value.</p> + +<p>When the third, or black brother, came next +morning in the simplicity of his heart to make +the proposed division, and could neither find his +brethren, nor any of the valuable commodities, +he easily judged they had tricked him, and were +by that time fled beyond any possibility of discovery.</p> + +<p>In this most afflicted situation, he took his +<em>pipe</em>, and begun to consider the most effectual +means of retrieving his loss, and being revenged +on his perfidious brothers.</p> + +<p>After revolving a variety of schemes in his +mind, he at last fixed upon watching every opportunity +of making reprisals on them, and laying +hold of and carrying away their property, as +often as it should fall in his way, in revenge for +that patrimony of which they had so unjustly deprived +him.</p> + +<p>Having come to this resolution, he not only +continued in the practice of it all his life, but on +his death laid the strongest injunctions on his +descendants to do so, to the end of the world.”</p> + +<p>Some tribes of the Africans, however, when +they have engaged themselves in the protection +of a stranger, are remarkable for fidelity. Many +of them are conspicuous for their temperance, +hospitality, and several other virtues.</p> + +<p><a name="png.044" id="png.044"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">45</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>Their women, upon the whole, are far from +being indelicate or unchaste. On the banks of +the Niger, they are tolerably industrious, have a +considerable share of vivacity, and at the same +time a female reserve, which would do no discredit +to a politer country. They are modest, +affable, and faithful; an air of innocence appears +in their looks and in their language, which +gives a beauty to their whole deportment.</p> + +<p>When, from the Niger, we approach toward +the East, the African women degenerate in +stature, complexion, sensibility, and chastity. +Even their language, like their features, and the +soil they inhabit, is harsh and disagreeable. +Their pleasures resemble more the transports +of fury, than the gentle emotions communicated +by <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'agreeble'">agreeable</ins> sensations.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">GREAT ENTERPRISES OF WOMEN IN THE TIMES OF +CHIVALRY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> times and the manners of chivalry, by +bringing great enterprises, bold adventures, and +extravagant heroism into fashion, inspired the +women with the same taste.</p> + +<p>The two sexes always imitate each other. +Their manners and their minds are refined or +corrupted, invigorated or dissolved together.</p> + +<p>The women, in consequence of the prevailing +passion, were now seen in the middle of camps +and of armies. They quitted the soft and tender +inclinations, and the delicate offices of their +<a name="png.045" id="png.045"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">46</span><span class="ns">] + </span>own sex, for the courage, and the toilsome occupations +of ours.</p> + +<p>During the crusades, animated by the double +enthusiasm of religion and of valor, they often +performed the most romantic exploits. They +obtained indulgences on the field of battle, and +died with arms in their hands, by the side of +their lovers, or of their husbands.</p> + +<p>In Europe, the women attacked and defended +fortifications. Princesses commanded their armies, +and obtained victories.</p> + +<p>Such was the celebrated Joan de Mountfort, +disputing for her duchy of Bretagne, and engaging +the enemy herself.</p> + +<p>Such was the still more celebrated Margaret +of Anjou, queen of England and wife of Henry +VI. She was active and intrepid, a general and +a soldier. Her genius for a long time supported +her feeble husband, taught him to conquer, replaced +him upon the throne, twice relieved him +from prison, and though oppressed by fortune +and by rebels, she did not yield, till she had decided +in person twelve battles.</p> + +<p>The warlike spirit among the women, consistent +with ages of barbarism, when every thing +is impetuous because nothing is fixed, and +when all excess is the excess of force, continued +in Europe upwards of four hundred years, +showing itself from time to time, and always in +the middle of convulsions, or on the eve of great +revolutions.</p> + +<p>But there were eras and countries, in which +that spirit appeared with particular lustre. Such +<a name="png.046" id="png.046"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">47</span><span class="ns">] + </span>were the displays it made in the fifteenth and +sixteenth centuries in Hungary, and in the +Islands of the Archipelago and the Mediterranean, +when they were invaded by the Turks.</p> + +<p>Every thing conspired to animate the women +of those countries with an exalted courage; the +prevailing spirit of the foregoing ages; the +terror which the name of the Turks inspired; +the still more dreadful apprehensions of an unknown +enemy; the difference of <em>dress</em>, which +has a stronger <em>effect</em> than is commonly supposed +on the imagination of a people; the difference +of religion, which produced a kind of sacred +horror; the striking difference of manners; and +above all, the confinement of the female sex, +which presented to the women of Europe nothing +but the frightful ideas of servitude and a master; +the groans of honor, the tears of beauty in the +embrace of barbarism, and the double tyranny of +love and pride!</p> + +<p>The contemplation of these objects, <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'accordly'">accordingly</ins>, +roused in the hearts of the women a resolute +courage to defend themselves; nay, sometimes +even a courage of enthusiasm, which hurled +itself against the enemy.—That courage, too, +was augmented, by the promises of a religion, +which offered eternal happiness in exchange for +the sufferings of a moment.</p> + +<p>It is not therefore surprising, that when three +beautiful women of the isle of Cyprus were led +prisoners to Selim, to be secluded in the seraglio, +one of them, preferring death to such a condition, +conceived the project of setting fire to the +<a name="png.047" id="png.047"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">48</span><span class="ns">] + </span>magazine; and after having communicated her +design to the rest, put it in execution.</p> + +<p>The year following, a city of Cyprus being +besieged by the Turks, the women ran in +crowds, mingling themselves with the soldiers, +and, fighting gallantly in the breach, were the +means of saving their country.</p> + +<p>Under Mahomet II. a girl of the isle of +Lemnos, armed with the sword and shield of +her father, who had fallen in battle, opposed the +Turks, when they had forced a gate, and chased +them to the shore.</p> + +<p>In the two celebrated sieges of Rhodes and +Malta, the women, seconding the zeal of the +knights, <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'discoverd'">discovered</ins> upon all occasions the greatest +intrepidity; not only that impetuous and +temporary impulse which despises death, but +that cool and deliberate fortitude which can +support the continued hardships, the toils, and +the miseries of war.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">OTHER PARTICULARS RESPECTING FEMALES DURING +THE AGE OF CHIVALRY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">When</span> a man had said any thing that reflected +dishonor on a woman, or accused her of a +crime, she was not obliged to fight him to prove +her innocence: the combat would have been +unequal. But she might choose a champion to +fight in her cause, or expose himself to the horrid +trial, in order to clear her reputation. Such +champions were generally selected from her +<a name="png.048" id="png.048"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">49</span><span class="ns">] + </span>lovers or friends. But <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original text obscured, so 'if' inferred from context">if</ins> she fixed upon any +other, so high was the spirit of martial glory, and +so eager the thirst of defending the weak and +helpless sex, that we meet with no instance of a +champion ever having refused to fight for, or +undergo whatever custom required, in defence +of the lady who had honored him with the appointment.</p> + +<p>To the motives already mentioned, we may +add another. He who had refused, must inevitably +have been branded with the name of coward: +and, so despicable was the condition of a +coward, in those times of general heroism, that +death itself appeared the more preferable choice. +Nay, such was the rage of fighting for women, +that it became customary for those who could +not be honored with the decision of their real +quarrels, to create fictitious ones concerning +them, in order to create also a necessity of fighting.</p> + +<p>Nor was fighting for the ladies confined to +single combatants. Crowds of gallants entered +the lists against each other. Even kings called +out their subjects, to shew their love for their +mistresses, by cutting the throats of their neighbors, +who had not in the least offended.</p> + +<p>In the fourteenth century, when the Countess +of Blois and the widow of Mountford were at +war against each other, a conference was agreed +to, on pretence of settling a peace, but in reality +to appoint a combat. Instead of negotiating, +they soon challenged each other; and Beaumanoir, +who was at the head of the Britons, +<a name="png.049" id="png.049"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">50</span><span class="ns">] + </span>publicly declared that they fought for no other motive, +than to see, by the victory, who had the +fairest mistress.</p> + +<p>In the fifteenth century, we find an anecdote +of this kind still more extraordinary. John, +duke de Bourbonnois, published a declaration, +that he would go over to England, with sixteen +knights, and there fight it out, in order to avoid +idleness, and merit the good graces of his mistress.</p> + +<p>James IV. of Scotland, having, in all tournaments, +professed himself knight to queen Anne +of France, she summoned him to prove himself +her true and valorous champion, by taking the +field in her defence, against his brother-in-law, +Henry VIII. of England. He obeyed the romantic +mandate; and the two nations bled to +feed the vanity of a woman.</p> + +<p>Warriors, when ready to engage, invoked the +aid of their mistresses, as poets do that of the +Muses. If they fought valiantly, it reflected +honor on the Dulcineas they adored; but if they +turned their backs on their enemies, the poor +ladies were dishonored forever.</p> + +<p>Love, was at that time, the most prevailing +motive to fighting. The famous Gaston de Foix, +who commanded the French troops at the battle +of Ravenna, took advantage of this foible of his +army. He rode from rank to rank, calling his +officers by name, and even some of his private +men, recommending to them their country, their +honor, and, above all, to shew what they could +do for their mistresses.</p> + +<p><a name="png.050" id="png.050"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">51</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>The women of those ages, the reader may +imagine, were certainly more completely happy +than in any other period of the world. This, +however, was not in reality the case.</p> + +<p>Custom, which governs all things with the +most absolute sway, had, through a long succession +of years, given her sanction to such combats +as were undertaken, either to defend the +innocence, or display the beauty of women. +Custom, therefore, either obliged a man to fight +for a woman who desired him, or marked the +refusal with infamy and disgrace. But custom +did not oblige him, in every other part of his +conduct, to behave to this woman, or to the sex +in general, with that respect and politeness +which have happily distinguished the character +of more modern times.</p> + +<p>The same man who would have encountered +giants, or gigantic difficulties, “when a lady +was in the case,” had but little idea of adding +to her happiness, by supplying her with the comforts +and elegancies of life. And, had she asked +him to stoop, and ease her of a part of that +domestic slavery which, almost in every country, +falls to the lot of women, he would have thought +himself quite affronted.</p> + +<p>But besides, men had nothing else, in those +ages, than that kind of romantic gallantry to +recommend them. Ignorant of letters, arts, and +sciences, and every thing that refines human +nature, they were, in every thing where gallantry +was not concerned, rough and unpolished in +their manners and behavior. Their time was +<a name="png.051" id="png.051"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">52</span><span class="ns">] + </span>spent in drinking, war, gallantry, and idleness. +In their hours of relaxation, they were but little +in company with their women; and when they +were, the indelicacies of the carousal, or the cruelties +of the field, were almost the only subjects +they had to talk of.</p> + +<p>From the subversion of the Roman empire, +to the fourteenth or fifteenth century, women +spent most of their time alone. They were almost +entire strangers to the joys of social life. +They seldom went abroad, but to be spectators +of such public diversions and amusements as the +fashion of the times countenanced. Francis I. +was the first monarch who introduced them on +public days to court.</p> + +<p>Before his time, nothing was to be seen at any +of the courts of Europe, but long bearded politicians, +plotting the destruction of the rights +and liberties of mankind; and warriors clad in +complete armor, ready to put their plots in execution.</p> + +<p>In the eighth century, so slavish was the condition +of women on the one hand, and so much +was beauty coveted on the other, that, for about +two hundred years, the kings of Austria were +obliged to pay a tribute to the Moors, of one +hundred beautiful virgins per annum.</p> + +<p>In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, +elegance had scarcely any existence, and even +cleanliness was hardly considered as laudable. +The use of linen was not known; and the most +delicate of the fair sex wore woollen shifts.</p> + +<p>In the time of Henry VIII. the peers of the +<a name="png.052" id="png.052"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">53</span><span class="ns">] + </span>realm carried their wives behind them on horseback +when they went to London; and, in the +same manner, took them back to their country +seats, with hoods of waxed linen over their +heads, and wrapped in mantles of cloth, to secure +them from the cold.</p> + +<p>There was one misfortune of a singular nature, +to which women were liable in those days: +they were in perpetual danger of being accused +of witchcraft, and suffering all the cruelties and +indignities of a mob, instigated by superstition +and directed by enthusiasm; or of being condemned +by laws, which were at once a disgrace +to humanity and to sense. Even the bloom of +youth and beauty could not secure them from +torture and from death. But when age and +wrinkles attacked a woman, if any thing uncommon +happened in her neighborhood, she was almost +sure of atoning with her life for a crime it +was impossible for her to commit.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">FRENCH WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Though</span> the ladies of France are not very +handsome, they are sensible and witty. To +many of them, without the least flattery, may be +applied the distich which Sappho ascribes to +herself:</p> + +<p>“<i>If partial nature has denied me beauty, the +charms of my mind amply make up for the deficiency.</i>”</p> + +<p><a name="png.053" id="png.053"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">54</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>No women upon earth can excel, and few +rival them, in their almost native arts of pleasing +all who approach them. Add to this, an +education beyond that of most European ladies, +a consummate skill in those accomplishments +that suit the fair sex, and the most graceful manner +of displaying that knowledge to the utmost +advantage.</p> + +<p>Such is the description that may safely be +given of the French ladies in general. But the +spirit, or rather the <em>evil genius</em> of gallantry, too +often perverts all these lovely qualities, and renders +them subservient to very iniquitous ends.</p> + +<p>In every country, women have always a little +to do, and a great deal to say. In France, they +dictate almost every thing that is said, and direct +every thing that is done. They are the most +restless beings in the world. To fold her hands +in idleness, and impose silence on her tongue, +would be to a French woman worse than death. +The sole joy of her life is to be engaged in the +prosecution of some scheme, relating either to +fashion, ambition, or love.</p> + +<p>Among the rich and opulent, they are entirely +the votaries of pleasure, which they pursue +through all its labyrinths, at the expense of fortune, +reputation, and health. Giddy and extravagant +to the last degree, they leave to their husbands +economy and care, which would only +spoil their complexions, and furrow their brows.</p> + +<p>When we descend to tradesmen and mechanics, +the case is reversed: the wife manages +every thing in the house and shop, while the +<a name="png.054" id="png.054"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">55</span><span class="ns">] + </span>husband lounges in the back-shop an idle spectator, +or struts about with his sword and bag-wig.</p> + +<p>Matrimony among the French, seems to be a +bargain entered into by a male and female, to +bear the same name, live in the same house, and +pursue their separate pleasures without restraint +or control. And, so religiously is this part of +the bargain kept, that both parties shape their +course exactly as convenience and inclination +dictate.</p> + +<p>The French girls are kept under very strict +superintendence. They are not allowed to go +to parties, or places of public amusement, without +being accompanied by some married female +relation; and they see their lovers only in the +presence of a third person. Marriages are entirely +negotiated by parents; and sometimes the +wedding day is the second time that a bride and +bridegroom see each other. Nothing is more +common than to visit a lady, and attend her +parties, without knowing her husband by sight; +or to visit a gentleman without ever being introduced +to his wife. If a married couple were to +be seen frequently in each other’s company, they +would be deemed extremely ungenteel. After +ladies are married, they have unbounded freedom. +It is a common practice to receive morning +calls from gentlemen, before they have risen +from bed; and they talk with as little reserve to +such visiters, as they would in the presence of +any woman of refinement.</p> + +<p>In no country does real politeness shew itself +<a name="png.055" id="png.055"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">56</span><span class="ns">] + </span>more than in France, where the company of the +women is accessible to every man who can recommend +himself by his dress, and by his address. +To affectation and prudery the French +women are equally strangers. Easy and unaffected +in their manners, their politeness has so +much the appearance of nature, that one would +almost believe no part of it to be the effect of +art. An air of sprightliness and gaiety sits perpetually +on their countenances, and their whole +deportment seems to indicate that their only +business is to “strew the path of life with flowers.” +Persuasion hangs on their lips; and, +though their volubility of tongue is indefatigable, +so soft is their accent, so lively their expression, +so various their attitudes, that they fix +the attention for hours together on a tale of nothing.</p> + +<p>The Jewish doctors have a fable concerning +the etymology of the word Eve, which one +would almost be tempted to say is realized in +the French women. “Eve,” say they, “comes +from a word, which signifies to talk; and she +was so called, because, soon after the creation, +there fell from heaven twelve baskets full of chit +chat, and she picked up <em>nine</em> of them, while her +husband was gathering the other <em>three</em>.”</p> + +<p>French ladies, especially those not young, use +a great deal of rouge. A traveller who saw +many of them in their opera boxes, says, “I +could compare them to nothing but a large bed +of pionies.”</p> + +<p>After the French revolution, it became the +<a name="png.056" id="png.056"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">57</span><span class="ns">] + </span>fashion to have everything in ancient classic +style. Loose flowing drapery, naked arms, sandaled +feet, and tresses twisted, were the order of +the day.</p> + +<p>The state of gross immorality that prevailed +at this time ought not to be described, if language +had the power. The profligacy of Rome +in its worst days was comparatively thrown into +the shade. Religion and marriage became a +mockery, and every form of impure and vindictive +passion walked abroad, with the consciousness +that public opinion did not require them to +assume even a slight disguise. The fish-women +of Paris will long retain an unenviable celebrity +for the brutal excess of their rage. The goddess +of Reason was worshipped by men, under +the form of a living woman entirely devoid of +clothing; and in the public streets ladies might +be seen who scarcely paid more attention to decorum.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">ITALIAN WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Dr</span> Goldsmith thus characterises the Italians +in general:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="i2">“Could nature’s bounty satisfy the breast,</div> +<div>The sons of Italy were surely blest.</div> +<div>Whatever fruits in different climes are found,</div> +<div>That proudly rise, or humbly court the ground;</div> +<div>Whatever blooms in torrid tracts appear,</div> +<div>Whose bright succession decks the varied year:</div> +<div>Whatever sweets salute the northern sky,</div> +<div>With vernal leaves that blossom but to die:</div> +<div><a name="png.057" id="png.057"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">58</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>These here disporting, own the kindred soil,</div> +<div>Nor ask luxuriance from their planter’s toil;</div> +<div>While sea-born gales their gelid wings expand,</div> +<div>To winnow fragrance round the smiling land.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="i2">“But small the bliss that sense alone bestows,</div> +<div>And sensual bliss is all the nation knows.</div> +<div>In florid beauty groves and fields appear,</div> +<div>Man seems the only growth that dwindles here.</div> +<div>Contrasted faults thro’ all his manners rein;</div> +<div>Though poor, luxurious; though submissive, vain;</div> +<div>Though grave, yet trifling; zealous, yet untrue;</div> +<div>And e’en in penance planning sins anew.</div> +<div>All evils here contaminate the mind,</div> +<div>That opulence departed leaves behind:</div> +<div>For wealth was theirs, not far remov’d the date,</div> +<div>When commerce proudly flourish’d thro’ the state;</div> +<div>At her command the palace learn’d to rise,</div> +<div>Again the long fall’n column sought the skies;</div> +<div>The canvass glow’d, beyond e’en nature warm;</div> +<div>The pregnant quarry teem’d with human form.</div> +<div>Till, more unsteady then the southern gale,</div> +<div>Commerce on other shores display’d her sail;</div> +<div>While naught remain’d of all that riches gave,</div> +<div>But towns unmann’d, and lords without a slave;</div> +<div>And late the nation found, with fruitless skill,</div> +<div>Its former strength was but plethoric ill.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="i2">“Yet still the loss of wealth is here supplied</div> +<div>By arts, the splendid wrecks of former pride;</div> +<div>From them the feeble heart and long fall’n mind</div> +<div>An easy compensation seem to find.</div> +<div>Here may be seen in bloodless pomp array’d,</div> +<div>The pasteboard triumph, and the cavalcade;</div> +<div>Processions form’d from piety and love,</div> +<div>A mistress or a saint in every grove.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Almost every traveller who has visited Italy, +agrees in describing it as the most abandoned +of all the countries of Europe. At Venice, at +Naples, and indeed in almost every port of Italy, +women are taught from their infancy the various +<a name="png.058" id="png.058"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">59</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>arts of alluring to their arms the young and +unwary, and of obtaining from them, while heated +by love or wine, every thing that flattery and +false smiles can obtain, in these unguarded moments.</p> + +<p>The Italians, like their neighbors of Spain +and Portugal, live under the paralyzing influence +of a religion that retains its superstitious +forms, while little of life-giving faith remains. +Like them they have lively passions, are extremely +susceptible, and in the general conduct +of life more governed by the impetuosity of impulse +than rectitude of principle. The ladies +have less gravity than the Spanish, and less frivolity +than the French, and in their style of +dress incline towards the freedom of the latter. +Some of the richest and most commodious convents +of Europe are in Italy. The daughters of +wealthy families are generally bestowed in marriage +as soon as they leave these places of education. +These matters are entirely arranged by +parents and guardians, and youth and age are +not unfrequently joined together, for the sake of +uniting certain acres of land. But the affections, +thus repressed, seek their natural level by +indirect courses. It is a rare thing for an Italian +lady to be without her <i>cavaliere servente</i>, or +lover, who spends much of his time at her +house, attends her to all public places, and +appears to live upon her smiles. The old maxim +of the Provençal troubadours, that matrimony +ought to be no hindrance to such <i>liaisons</i>, seems +to be generally and practically believed in Italy.</p> + +<p><a name="png.059" id="png.059"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">60</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>In Genoa, there are marriage-brokers, who +have pocketbooks filled with the names of marriageable +girls of different classes, with an account +of their fortunes, personal attractions, +&c. When they succeed in arranging connections, +they have two or three per cent. commission +on the portion. The marriage-contract is +often drawn up before the parties have seen +each other. If a man dislikes the appearances +or manners of his future <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'parter'">partner</ins>, he may break +off the match, on condition of paying the brokerage +and other expenses.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">SPANISH WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">As</span> the Spanish ladies are under a greater seclusion +from general society, than the sex is in +other European countries, their desires of an +adequate degree of liberty are consequently +more strong and urgent. A free and open communication +being denied them, they make it +their business to secure themselves a secret and +hidden one. Hence it is that Spain is the +country of intrigue.</p> + +<p>The Spanish women are little or nothing indebted +to education. But nature has liberally +supplied them with a fund of wit and sprightliness, +which is certainly no small inducement to +those, who have only transient glimpses of their +charms, to wish very earnestly for a removal of +those impediments, that obstruct their more frequent +presence. This not being attainable in a +<a name="png.060" id="png.060"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">61</span><span class="ns">] + </span>lawful way of customary intercourse, the natural +propensity of men to overcome difficulties of +this kind, incites them to leave no expedient +untried to gain admittance to what perhaps was +at first only the object of their admiration, but +which, by their being refused an innocent gratification +of that passion, becomes at last the subject +of a more serious one. Thus in Spain, as +in all countries where the sex is kept much out +of sight, the thoughts of men are continually +employed in devising methods to break into their +concealments.</p> + +<p>There is in the Spaniards a native dignity; +which, though the source of many inconveniences, +has nevertheless this salutary effect, that it +sets them above almost every species of meanness +and infidelity. This quality is not peculiar +to the men; it diffuses itself, in a great measure, +among the women also. Its effects are visible +both in their constancy in love and friendship, +in which respects they are the very reverse +of the French women. Their affections are not +to be gained by a bit of sparkling lace, or a +tawdry set of liveries. Their deportment is +rather grave and reserved; and, on the whole, +they have much more of the prude than the +coquette in their composition. Being more +confined at home, and less engaged in business +and pleasure, they take more care of their children +than the French, and have a becoming tenderness +in their disposition to all animals, except +a <em>heretic</em> and a <em>rival</em>.</p> + +<p><a name="png.061" id="png.061"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">62</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>Something more than a century ago, the Marquis +D’Astrogas having prevailed on a young +woman of great beauty to become his mistress, +the Marchioness hearing of it, went to her lodging +with some assassins, killed her, tore out her +heart, carried it home, made a <i>ragout</i> of it, and +presented the dish to the Marquis. “It it exceedingly +good,” said he. “No wonder,” answered +she, “since it was made of the <em>heart</em> of +that creature you so much doated on.” And, to +confirm what she had said, she immediately +drew out her head all bloody from beneath her +hoop, and rolled it on the floor, her eyes sparkling +all the time with a mixture of pleasure and +infernal fury.</p> + +<p>A lady to whom a gentleman pays his addresses, +is sole mistress of his time and money; and, +should he refuse her any request, whether reasonable +or capricious, it would reflect eternal +dishonor upon him among the men, and make +him the detestation of all the women.</p> + +<p>But, in no situation does their character appear +so whimsical, or their power so conspicuous, +as when they are pregnant. In this case, +whatever they long for, whatever they ask, or +whatever they have an inclination to do, they +must be indulged in.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">ENGLISH WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> women of England are eminent for +many good qualities both of the head and of the +<a name="png.062" id="png.062"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">63</span><span class="ns">] + </span>heart. There we meet with that inexpressible +softness and delicacy of manners, which, cultivated +by education, appears as much superior to +what it does without it, as the polished diamond +appears superior to that which is rough from the +mine. In some parts of the world, women have +attained to so little knowledge and so little consequence, +that we consider their virtues as +merely of the negative kind. In England they +consist not only in abstinence from evil, but in +doing good.</p> + +<p>There we see the sex every day exerting +themselves in acts of benevolence and charity, +in relieving the distresses of the body, and binding +up the wounds of the mind; in reconciling +the differences of friends, and preventing the +strife of enemies; and, to sum up all, in that +care and attention to their offspring, which is so +necessary and essential a part of their duty.</p> + +<p>A woman may succeed to the throne of England +with the same power and privileges as a +king; and the business of the state is transacted +in her name, while her husband is only a +subject. The king’s wife is considered as a +subject; but is exempted from the law which +forbids any married woman to possess property +in her own right during the lifetime of her husband; +she may sue any person at law without +joining her husband in the suit; may buy and +sell lands without his interference; and she may +dispose of her property by will, as if she were a +single woman. She cannot be fined by any +court of law; but is liable to be tried and +<a name="png.063" id="png.063"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">64</span><span class="ns">] + </span>punished for crimes by peers of the realm. The +queen dowager enjoys nearly the same privileges +that she did before she became a widow; +and if she marries a subject still continues to +retain her rank and title; but such marriages +cannot take place without permission from the +reigning sovereign. A woman who is noble in +her own right, retains her title when she marries +a man of inferior rank; but if ennobled by +her husband, she loses the title by marrying a +commoner. A peeress can only be tried by a +jury of peers.</p> + +<p>In old times, a woman who was convicted of +being a common mischief-maker and scold, was +sentenced to the punishment of the ducking-stool; +which consisted of a sort of chair fastened +to a pole, in which she was seated and repeatedly +let down into the water, amid the +shouts of the rabble. At Newcastle-upon-Tyne, +a woman convicted of the same offence was led +about the streets by the hangman, with an instrument +of iron bars fitted on her head, like a +helmet. A piece of sharp iron entered the +mouth, and severely pricked the tongue whenever +the culprit attempted to move it.</p> + +<p>A great deal of vice prevails in England, +among the very fashionable, and the very low +classes. Misconduct and divorces are not unfrequent +among the former, because their mode +of life corrupts their principles, and they deem +themselves above the jurisdiction of popular +opinion; the latter feel as if they were beneath +the influence of public censure, and find it very +<a name="png.064" id="png.064"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">65</span><span class="ns">] + </span>difficult to be virtuous, on account of extreme +poverty, and the consequent obstructions in the +way of marriage. But the general character of +English women is modest, reserved, sincere, +and dignified. They have strong passions and +affections, which often develope themselves in +the most beautiful forms of domestic life. They +are in general remarkable for a healthy appearance, +and an exquisite bloom of complexion. +Perhaps the world does not present a lovelier or +more graceful picture than the English home of +a virtuous family.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">RUSSIAN WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">It</span> is only a few years since the Russians +emerged from a state of barbarity.</p> + +<p>A late empress of Russia, as a punishment +for some female frailties, ordered a most beautiful +young lady of family to be publicly chastised, +in a manner which was hardly less indelicate +than severe.</p> + +<p>It is said that the Russian ladies were formerly +as submissive to their husbands in their families, +as the latter are to their superiors in the +field; and that they thought themselves ill treated, +if they were not often reminded of their duty +by the discipline of a <em>whip</em>, manufactured by +themselves, which they presented to their husbands +on the day of their marriage. The latest +travellers, however, assert, that they find no remaining +traces of this custom at present.</p> + +<p><a name="png.065" id="png.065"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">66</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>Russian fathers, of all classes, generally arrange +marriages for their children, without consulting +their inclinations. Among the peasantry, +if the girl has the name of being a good +housewife, her parents will not fail to have applications +for her, whatever may be her age or +personal endowments. As soon as a young +man is old enough to be married, his parents +seek a wife for him, and all is settled before the +young couple know any thing of the matter.</p> + +<p>Their nuptial ceremonies are peculiar to +themselves; and formerly consisted of many +whimsical rites, some of which are now disused. +On her wedding day, the bride is crowned with +a garland of wormwood; and, after the priest +has tied the nuptial knot, his clerk or sexton +throws a handful of hops upon the head of the +bride, wishing that she might prove as fruitful +as that plant. She is then led home, with abundance +of coarse ceremonies, which are now +wearing off even among the lowest ranks; and +the barbarous treatment of wives by their husbands +is either guarded against by the laws of +the country, or by particular stipulations in the +marriage contract.</p> + +<p>In the conversation and actions of the Russian +ladies, there is hardly any thing of that +softness and delicacy which distinguishes the +sex in other parts of Europe. Even their exercises +and diversions have more of the masculine +than the feminine. The present empress, with +the ladies of her court, sometimes divert themselves +by shooting at a mark. Drunkenness, +<a name="png.066" id="png.066"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">67</span><span class="ns">] + </span>the vice of almost every cold climate, they are +so little ashamed of, that not many years ago, +when a lady got drunk at the house of a friend, +it was customary for her to return next day, and +thank him for the pleasure he had done her.</p> + +<p>Females, however, in Russia, possess several +advantages. They share the rank and splendor +of the families from which they are sprung, and +are even allowed the supreme authority. This a +few years ago, was enjoyed by an empress, whose +head did honor to her nation and to her sex; +although, on some occasions, the virtues of her +heart have been much suspected. The sex, in +general, are protected from insult, by many salutary +laws; and, except among the peasants, +are exempted from every kind of toil and slavery. +Upon the whole, they seem to be approaching +fast to the enjoyment of that consequence, to +which they have already arrived in several parts +of Europe.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">THE IDEA OF FEMALE INFERIORITY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">It</span> is an opinion pretty well established, that +in strength of mind, as well as of body, men are +greatly superior to women.</p> + +<p>Men are endowed with boldness and courage, +women are not. The reason is plain, these are +beauties in our character; in theirs they would +be blemishes. Our genius often leads to the +great and the arduous; theirs to the soft and +the pleasing; we bend our thoughts to make +<a name="png.067" id="png.067"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">68</span><span class="ns">] + </span>life convenient; they turn theirs to make it easy +and agreeable. If the endowments allotted to +us by nature could not be easily acquired by +women, it would be as difficult for us to acquire +those peculiarly allotted to them. Are we superior +to them in what belongs to the male character? +They are no less so to us, in what belongs +to the female character.</p> + +<p>Would it not appear rather ludicrous to say, +that a man was endowed only with inferior abilities, +because he was not expert in the nursing +of children, and practising the various effeminacies +which we reckon lovely in a woman? +Would it be reasonable to condemn him on these +accounts? Just as reasonable, as it is to reckon +women inferior to men, because their talents +are in general not adapted to tread the horrid +path of war, nor trace the mazes and intricacies +of science.</p> + +<p>The idea of the inferiority of female nature +has drawn after it several others the most absurd, +unreasonable, and humiliating to the sex. +Such is the pride of man, that in some countries +he has considered immortality as a distinction +too glorious for women. Thus degrading the +fair partners of his nature, he places them on a +level with the beasts that perish.</p> + +<p>As the Asiatics have, time immemorial, considered +women as little better than slaves, this +opinion probably originated among them. The +Mahometans, both in Asia and Europe, are +said, by a great variety of writers, to entertain +this opinion.</p> + +<p><a name="png.068" id="png.068"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">69</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>Lady Montague, in her letters, has opposed +this general assertion of the writers concerning +the Mahometans; and says that they do not absolutely +deny the existence of female souls, but +only hold them to be of a nature inferior to those +of men; and that they enter not into the same, +but into an inferior paradise, prepared for them +on purpose. Lady Montague, and the writers +whom she has contradicted, may perhaps be +both right. The former might be the opinion +which the Turks brought with them from Asia; +and the latter, as a refinement upon it they may +have adopted by their intercourse with the Europeans.</p> + +<p>This opinion, however, has had but few votaries +in Europe: though some have even here +maintained it, and assigned various reasons for +so doing. Among these, the following laughable +reason is not the least particular—“In the Revelations +of St. John the divine,” said one, whose +wife was a descendant of the famous Xantippe,<sup><a href="#fn.1" + name="fna.1" id="fna.1">1</a></sup> +“you will find this passage: <cite>And there was silence +in heaven for about the space of half an hour.</cite> +Now, I appeal to any one, whether that +could possibly have happened, had there been +any women there? And, since there are none +there, charity forbids us to imagine that they +are all in a worse place; therefore it follows +that they have no immortal part: and happy is +it for them, as they are thereby exempted from +<a name="png.069" id="png.069"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">70</span><span class="ns">] + </span>being accountable for all the noise and disturbance +they have raised in this world.”</p> + +<p>In a very ancient treatise, called the Wisdom +of all Times, ascribed to Hushang, one of the +earliest kings of Persia, are the following remarkable +words: “The passions of men may, +by long acquaintance, be thoroughly known; +but the passions of women are inscrutable; +therefore they ought to be separated from men, +lest the <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'mutabiliy'">mutability</ins> of their tempers should infect +others.”</p> + +<p>Ideas of a similar nature seem to have been at +this time, generally diffused over the East. For +we find Solomon, almost every where in his +writings, exclaiming against women; and, in +the Apocrypha, the author of Ecclesiasticus is +still more illiberal in his reflections.</p> + +<p>Both these authors, it is true, join in the most +enraptured manner to praise a virtuous woman; +but take care at the same time to let us know, +that she is so great a rarity as to be very seldom +met with.</p> + +<p>Nor have the Asiatics alone been addicted to +this illiberality of thinking concerning the sex. +Satirists of all ages and countries, while they +flattered them to their faces, have from their +closets scattered their spleen and ill-nature +against them. Of this the Greek and Roman +poets afford a variety of instances; but they +must nevertheless yield the palm to some of our +moderns. In the following lines, Pope has outdone +every one of them:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“Men some to pleasure, some to business take;</div> +<div>But every woman is at heart—a rake.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p><a name="png.070" id="png.070"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">71</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>Swift and Dr Young have hardly been behind +this celebrated splenetic in illiberality. They +perhaps were not favorites of the fair, and in revenge +vented all their envy and spleen against +them. But a more modern and accomplished +writer who by his rank in life, by his natural and +acquired <em>graces</em>, was undoubtedly a favorite, +has repaid their kindness by taking every opportunity +of exhibiting them in the most contemptible +light. “Almost every man,” says he, +“may be gained some way, almost every woman +any way, can any thing exhibit a stronger caution +to the <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks closing quote">sex?”</ins> It is fraught with information; +and it is to be hoped they will use it accordingly.</p> + +<hr class="footnote" /> +<div class="footnote"> +<p><a href="#fna.1" name="fn.1" id="fn.1">1</a> + Xantippe, was the wife of Socrates, and the most famous scold of antiquity.</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">FEMALE SIMPLICITY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Would</span> we conceive properly of that simplicity +which is the sweetest expression of a well-informed +and well-meaning mind, which every +where diffuses tenderness and delicacy, sweetens +the relations of life, and gives a zest to the +minutest duties of humanity, let us contemplate +every perceptible operation of nature, the twilight +of the evening, the pearly dew-drops of +the early morning, and all that various growth +which indicates the genial return of spring. +The same principle from which all that is soft +and pleasing, amiable or exquisite, to the eye or +to the ear, in the exterior frame of nature, produces +that taste for true simplicity, which is one +<a name="png.071" id="png.071"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">72</span><span class="ns">] + </span>of the most useful, as well as the most elegant +lessons, that <em>ladies</em> can learn.</p> + +<p>Infancy, is perhaps, the finest and most perfect +illustration of simplicity. It is a state of +genuine nature throughout. The feelings of +children are under no kind of restraint, but +pure as the fire, free as the winds, honest and +open as the face of heaven. Their joys incessantly +flow in the thickest succession, and their +griefs only seem fleeting and evanescent. To +the calls of nature they are only attentive. +They know no voice but hers. Their obedience +to all her commands is prompt and implicit. +They never anticipate her bounties, nor relinquish +her pleasures. This situation renders +them independent of artifice. Influenced only +by nature, their manners, like the principle that +produces them, are always the same.</p> + +<p>Genuine simplicity is that peculiar quality of +the mind, by which some happy characters are +enabled to avoid the most distant approaches to +any thing like affectation, inconstancy, or design, +in their intercourse with the world. It is +much more easily understood, however than defined; +and consists not in a specific tone of the +voice, movement of the body, or mode imposed +by custom, but is the natural and permanent effect +of real modesty and good sense on the whole +behavior.</p> + +<p>This has been considered in all ages, as one +of the first and most captivating ornaments of the +sex. The savage, the <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'plebiean'">plebeian</ins>, the man of the +world, and the courtier, are agreed in stamping +<a name="png.072" id="png.072"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">73</span><span class="ns">] + </span>it with a preference to every other female excellence.</p> + +<p>Nature only is lovely, and nothing unnatural +can ever be amiable. The genuine expressions +of truth and nature are happily calculated to impress +the heart with pleasure. No woman, whatever +her other qualities may be, was ever eminently +agreeable, but in proportion as distinguished +by these. The world is good-natured +enough to give a lady credit for all the +merit she can <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'posses'">possess</ins> or acquire, without affectation. +But the least shade or coloring of this +odious foible brings certain and indelible obloquy +on the most elegant accomplishments. The +blackest suspicion inevitably rests on every thing +assumed. She who is only an ape of others, or +prefers formality in all its gigantic and preposterous +shapes, to that plain, unembarassed conduct +which nature unavoidably produces, will assuredly +provoke an abundance of ridicule, but +never can be an object either of love or esteem.</p> + +<p>The various artifices of the sex discover themselves +at a very early period. A passion for expense +and show is one of the first they exhibit. +This gives them a taste for refinement, which +divests their young hearts of almost every other +feeling, renders their tempers desultory and capricious, +regulates their dress only by the most +fantastic models of finery and fashion, and makes +their company rather tiresome and awkward, +than pleasing or elegant.</p> + +<p>No one perhaps can form a more ludicrous +contrast to every thing just and graceful in +<a name="png.073" id="png.073"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">74</span><span class="ns">] + </span>nature, than the woman whose sole object in life +is to pass for a <em>fine lady</em>. The attentions she +every where and uniformly pays, expects, and +even exacts, are tedious and fatiguing. Her various +movements and attitudes are all adjusted +and exhibited by rule. By a happy fluency of +the most eloquent language, she has the art of +imparting a momentary dignity and grace to the +merest trifles. Studious only to mimic such peculiarities +as are most admired in others, she +affects a loquacity peculiarly flippant and teazing +because scandal, routs, finery, fans, china, lovers, +lap-dogs, or squirrels, are her constant themes. +Her amusements, like those of a magpie, are +only hopping over the same spots, prying into +the same corners, and devouring the same species +of prey. The simple and beautiful delineations +of nature, in her countenance, gestures +and whole deportment, are habitually arranged, +distorted, or concealed, by the affected adoption +of whatever grimace or deformity is latest or +most in vogue.</p> + +<p>She accustoms her face to a simper, which +every separate feature in it belies. She spoils, +perhaps, a blooming complexion with a profusion +of artificial coloring, she distorts the most +exquisite shape by loads or volumes of useless +drapery. She has her head, her arms, her feet, +and her gait, equally touched by art and affectation, +into what is called the <em>taste</em>, the <em>ton</em>, or +the <em>fashion</em>.</p> + +<p>She little considers to what a torrent of ridicule +and sarcasm this mode of conduct exposes +<a name="png.074" id="png.074"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">75</span><span class="ns">] + </span>her; or how <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'exceedinly'">exceedingly</ins> cold and hollow that +ceremony must be, which is not the language +of a warm heart. She does not reflect how +insipid those smiles are, which indicate no +internal pleasantry; nor how awkward those +graces, which spring not from habits of good-nature +and benevolence. Thus, pertness succeeds +to delicacy, assurance to modesty, and all +the vagaries of a listless to the sensibilities of an +ingenuous mind.</p> + +<p>With her, punctilio is politeness; dissipation, +life; and levity, spirit. The miserable and contemptible +drudge of every tawdry innovation +in dress or ceremony, she incessantly mistakes +extravagance for taste, and finery for elegance.</p> + +<p>Her favorite examples are not those persons of +acknowledged sincerity, who speak as they feel, +and act as they think; but such only as are +formed to dazzle her fancy, amuse her senses, or +humor her whims. Her only study is how to +glitter or shine, how to captivate and gratify the +gaze of the multitude, or how to swell her own +pomp and importance. To this interesting object +all her assiduities and time are religiously +devoted.</p> + +<p>How often is debility of mind, and even badness +of heart concealed under a splendid exterior! +The fairest of the species, and of the sex, often +want sincerity; and without sincerity every +other qualification is rather a blemish, than a +virtue, or excellence. Sincerity operates on the +moral, somewhat like the sun on the natural +world; and produces nearly the same effects on +<a name="png.075" id="png.075"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">76</span><span class="ns">] + </span>the dispositions of the human heart, which he +does on inanimate objects. Wherever sincerity +prevails and is felt, all the smiling and benevolent +virtues flourish most, disclose their sweetest +lustre, and diffuse their richest fragrance.</p> + +<p>Heaven has not a finer or more perfect emblem +on earth than a woman of genuine simplicity. +She affects no graces which are not inspired +by sincerity. Her opinions result not +from passion and fancy, but from reason and experience. +Candor and humility give expansion +to her heart. She struggles for no kind of chimerical +credit, disclaims the appearance of every +affectation, and is in all things just what she +seems, and others would be thought. Nature, +not art, is the great standard of her manners; +and her exterior wears no varnish, or embellishment, +which is not the genuine signature of an +open, undesigning, and benevolent mind. It is +not in her power, because not in her nature, to +hide, with a fawning air, and a mellow voice, +her aversion or contempt, where her delicacy is +hurt, here temper ruffled, or her feelings insulted.</p> + +<p>In short, whatever appears most amiable, +lovely, or interesting in nature, art, manners, or +life, originates in simplicity. What is correctness +in taste, purity in morals, truth in science, +grace in beauty, but simplicity? It is the garb of +innocence. It adorned the first ages, and still +adorns the infant state of humanity. Without +simplicity, woman is a vixen, a coquette, a hypocrite; +society a masquerade, and pleasure a +phantom.</p> + +<p><a name="png.076" id="png.076"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">77</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>The following story, I believe, is pretty generally +known. A lady, whose husband had long +been afflicted with an acute but lingering disease, +suddenly feigned such an uncommon <em>tenderness</em> +for him, as to resolve on dying in his stead. +She had even the address to persuade him not to +outlive this extraordinary instance of her conjugal +fidelity and attachment. It was instantaneously +agreed they should mutually swallow +such a quantity of arsenic, as would speedily +effect their dreadful purpose. She composed +the fatal draught before his face and even set +him the desperate example of drinking first. +By this device, which had all the appearance of +the greatest affection and candor, the dregs only +were reserved for him, and soon put a period to +his life.</p> + +<p>It then appeared that the dose was so tempered, +as, from the weight of the principal ingredient, +to be deadly only at the bottom, which +she had artfully appropriated for his share. +Even after all this finesse, she seized, we are +told, his inheritance, and insulted his memory by +a second marriage.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">THE MILD MAGNANIMITY OF WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">A late</span> eminent anatomist, in a professional +discourse on the female frame, is said to have +declared, that it almost appeared an act of cruelty +in nature to produce such a being as woman. +This remark may, indeed, be the natural +<a name="png.077" id="png.077"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">78</span><span class="ns">] + </span>exclamation of refined sensibility, in contemplating +the various maladies to which a creature of such +delicate organs is inevitably exposed; but, if we +take a more enlarged survey of human existence, +we shall be far from discovering any just +reason to arraign the benevolence of its provident +and gracious Author. If the delicacy of +woman must render her familiar with pain and +sickness, let us remember that her charms, her +pleasures, and her happiness, arise also from the +same attractive quality. She is a being, to use +the forcible and elegant expression of a poet,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“Fine by defect, and admirably weak.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">There is, perhaps, no charm by which she more +effectually secures the tender admiration and +the lasting love, of the more hardy sex, than her +superior endurance, her mild and <em>graceful</em> submission +to the common evils of life.</p> + +<p>Nor is this the sole advantage she derives +from her gentle fortitude. It is the prerogative +of this lovely virtue, to lighten the pressure of +all those incorrigible evils which it cheerfully +endures. The frame of man may be compared +to the sturdy <em>oak</em>, which is often shattered by +resisting the tempest. Woman is the pliant +<em>osier</em>, which, in bending to the storm, eludes its +violence.</p> + +<p>The accurate observers of human nature will +readily allow, that patience is most eminently +the characteristic of woman. To what a sublime +and astonishing height this virtue has been +carried by beings of the most delicate texture, +<a name="png.078" id="png.078"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">79</span><span class="ns">] + </span>we have striking examples in the many female +martyrs who were exposed, in the first ages of +christianity, to the most barbarous and lingering +torture.</p> + +<p>Nor was it only from christian zeal that woman +derived the power of defying the utmost +rigors of persecution with invincible fortitude. +Saint Ambrose, in his elaborate and pious treatise +on this subject, records the resolution of a +fair disciple of Pythagoras, who, being severely +urged by a tyrant to reveal the secrets of her +sex, to convince him that no torments should +reduce her to so unworthy a breach of her vow, +bit her own <em>tongue</em> asunder, and darted it in the +face of her oppressor.</p> + +<p>In consequence of those happy changes which +have taken place in the world, from the progress +of purified religion, the inexpressible spirit of +the tender sex is no longer exposed to such inhuman +trials. But if the earth is happily delivered +from the demons of torture and superstition; +if beauty and innocence are no more in +danger of being dragged to perish at the stake—perhaps +there are situations, in female life, +that require as much patience and magnanimity, +as were formerly exerted in the fiery torments +of the virgin martyr. It is more difficult +to support an accumulation of <em>minute</em> infelicities, +than any single calamity of the most terrific +<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">magnitude.</ins></p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.079" id="png.079"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">80</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>FEMALE DELICACY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Where</span> the human race has little other culture +than what it receives from nature, the two +sexes live together, unconscious of almost any +restraint on their words or on their actions. +The Greeks, in the heroic ages, as appears from +the whole history of their conduct, were totally +unacquainted with delicacy. The Romans in +the infancy of their empire, were the same. +Tacitus informs us that the ancient Germans +had not separate beds for the two sexes, but that +they lay promiscuously on reeds or on heath, +spread along the walls of their houses. This +custom still prevails in Lapland, among the +peasants of Norway, Poland, and Russia; and +it is not altogether obliterated in some parts of +the highlands of Scotland and Wales.</p> + +<p>In Otaheite, to appear naked or in clothes, +are circumstances equally indifferent to both +sexes; nor does any word in their language, +nor any action to which they are prompted by +nature, seem more indelicate or reprehensible +than another. Such are the effects of a total +want of culture.</p> + +<p>Effects not very dissimilar, are, in France +and Italy, produced from a redundance of it. +Though those are the polite countries in Europe, +women there set themselves above shame, and +despise delicacy. It is laughed out of existence, +as a silly and unfashionable weakness.</p> + +<p>But in China, one of the politest countries in +Asia, and perhaps not even, in this respect, +<a name="png.080" id="png.080"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">81</span><span class="ns">] + </span>behind France, or Italy, the case is quite otherwise. +No human being can be more delicate +than a Chinese woman in her dress, in her behavior, +and in her conversation; and should she +ever happen to be exposed in any unbecoming +manner, she feels with the greatest poignancy +the awkwardness of her situation, and if possible, +covers her face, that she may not be known.</p> + +<p>In the midst of so many discordant appearances, +the mind is perplexed, and can hardly fix +upon any cause to which female delicacy is to +be ascribed. If we attend, however, to the whole +animal creation, if we consider it attentively +wherever it falls under our observation, it will +discover to us, that in the female there is a +greater degree of delicacy or coy reserve than in +the male. Is not this a proof, that, through the +wide extent of creation, the seeds of delicacy are +more liberally bestowed upon females than upon +males?</p> + +<p>In the remotest periods of which we have any +historical account, we find that the women had +a delicacy to which the other sex were strangers. +Rebecca veiled herself when she first +approached Isaac, her future husband. Many +of the fables of antiquity mark, with the most +distinguishing characters, the force of female +delicacy. Of this kind is the fable of Actæon +and Diana. Actæon, a famous hunter, being in +the woods with his hounds, beating for game, +accidentally spied Diana and her nymphs bathing +in a river. Prompted by curiosity, he stole +silently into a neighboring thicket, that he +<a name="png.081" id="png.081"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">82</span><span class="ns">] + </span>might have a nearer view of them. The goddess +discovering him, was so affronted at his +audacity, and so much ashamed to have been +seen naked, that in revenge she immediately +transformed him into a stag, set his own hounds +upon him, and encouraged them to overtake and +devour him. Besides this, and other fables, +and historical anecdotes of antiquity, their poets +seldom exhibit a female character without +adorning it with the graces of modesty and delicacy. +Hence we may infer, that these qualities +have not been only essential to virtuous women +in civilized countries, but were also constantly +praised and esteemed by men of sensibility; and +that delicacy is an innate principle in the female +mind.</p> + +<p>There are so many evils attending the loss of +virtue in women, and so greatly are the minds +of that sex depraved when they have deviated +from the path of rectitude, that a general contamination +of their morals may be considered +as one of the greatest misfortunes that can befal +a state, as in time it destroys almost every public +virtue of the men. Hence all wise legislators +have strictly enforced upon the sex a particular +purity of manners; and not satisfied that they +should abstain from vice only, have required +them even to shun every appearance of it.</p> + +<p>Such, in some periods, were the laws of the +Romans; and such were the effects of these +laws, that if ever female delicacy shone forth in +a conspicuous manner, it was perhaps among +those people, after they had worn off much of +<a name="png.082" id="png.082"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">83</span><span class="ns">] + </span>the barbarity of their first ages, and before they +became contaminated, by the wealth and manners +of the nations which they plundered and +subjected. Then it was that we find many of +their women surpassing in modesty almost every +thing related by fable; and then it was that their +ideas of delicacy were so highly refined, that +they could not even bear the secret consciousness +of an involuntary crime, and far less of +having tacitly consented to it.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">INFLUENCE OF FEMALE SOCIETY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> company of ladies has a very powerful +influence on the sentiments and conduct of men. +Women, the fruitful source of half our joys, and +perhaps of <em>more</em> than half our sorrows, give an +elegance to our manner, and a relish to our +pleasures. They soothe our afflictions, and soften +our cares. Too much of their company will +render us effeminate, and infallibly stamp upon +us many signatures of the female nature. A +rough and unpolished behavior, as well as slovenliness +of person, will certainly be the consequence +of an almost constant exclusion from it. +By spending a reasonable portion of our time in +the company of women, and another in the company +of our own sex, we shall imbibe a proper +share of the softness of the female, and at the +same time retain the firmness and constancy of +the male.</p> + +<p>As little social intercourse subsisted between +<a name="png.083" id="png.083"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">84</span><span class="ns">] + </span>the two sexes, in the more early ages of antiquity, +we find the men less courteous, and the +women less engaging. Vivacity and cheerfulness +seem hardly to have existed. Even the +Babylonians, who appear to have allowed their +women more liberty than any of the ancients, +seem not to have lived with them in a friendly +and familiar manner. But, as their intercourse +with them was considerably greater +than that of the neighboring nations, they acquired +thereby a polish and refinement unknown +to any of the people who surrounded them. +The manners of both sexes were softer, and better +calculated to please.</p> + +<p>They likewise paid more attention to cleanliness +and dress.</p> + +<p>After the Greeks became famous for their +knowledge of the arts and sciences, their rudeness +and barbarity were only softened a <em>few <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'degress'">degrees</ins></em>. +It is not therefore arts, sciences, and +<em>learning</em>, but the company of the other sex, +that forms the manner and renders the man +<em>agreeable</em>.</p> + +<p>The Romans were, for some time, a community +without any thing to soften the ferocity of +male nature. The Sabine virgins, whom they +had stolen, appear to have infused into them the +first ideas of politeness. But it was many ages +before this politeness banished the roughness +of the warrior, and assumed the refinement of +the gentleman.</p> + +<p>During the times of chivalry, female influence +was at the zenith of its glory and perfection. +<a name="png.084" id="png.084"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">85</span><span class="ns">] + </span>It was the source of valor, it gave birth to politeness, +it awakened pity, it called forth benevolence, +it restricted the hand of oppression, and +meliorated the human heart. “I cannot approach +my mistress,” said one, “till I have done +some glorious deed to deserve her notice. Actions +should be the messengers of the heart; +they are the homage due to beauty, and they +only should discover love.”</p> + +<p>Marsan, instructing a young knight how to +behave so as to gain the favor of the fair, has +these remarkable words:—“When your arm is +raised, if your lance fail, draw your sword directly; +and let heaven and hell resound with +the clash. Lifeless is the soul which beauty +cannot animate, and weak is the arm which +cannot fight valiantly to defend it.”</p> + +<p>The Russians, Poles, and even the Dutch, +pay less attention to their females than any of +their neighbors, and are, by consequence, less +distinguished for the graces of their persons, +and the feelings of their hearts.</p> + +<p>The lightness of their food, and the salubrity +of their air, have been assigned as reasons for +the vivacity and cheerfulness of the French, and +their fortitude, in supporting their spirits through +all the adverse circumstances of this world. +But the constant mixture of the young and old, +of the two sexes, is no doubt one of the <em>principal</em> +reasons why the cares and ills of life sit +lighter on the shoulders of that fantastic people, +than on those of any other country in the world.</p> + +<p>The French reckon an excursion dull, and a +<a name="png.085" id="png.085"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">86</span><span class="ns">] + </span>party of pleasure without relish, unless a mixture +of both sexes join to compose in. The French +women do not even withdraw from the table +after meals; nor do the men discover that impatience +to have them dismissed, which they so +often do in England.</p> + +<p>It is alleged by those who have no relish for +the conversation of the fair sex, that their presence +curbs the freedom of speech, and restrains +the jollity of mirth. But, if the conversation +and the mirth are decent, if the company are +capable of relishing any thing but wine, the +very reverse is the case. Ladies, in general, are +not only more cheerful than gentlemen, but +more eager to promote mirth and good humor.</p> + +<p>So powerful, indeed, are the company and +conversation of the fair, in diffusing happiness +and hilarity, that even the cloud which hangs +on the <em>thoughtful brow</em> of an Englishman, begins +in the present age to brighten, by his devoting +to the ladies a larger share of time than +was formerly done by his ancestors.</p> + +<p>Though the influence of the sexes be reciprocal, +yet that of the ladies is certainly the greatest. +How often may one see a company of men, +who were disposed to be riotous, checked at +once into decency by the accidental entrance of +an amiable woman; while her good sense and +obliging deportment charms them into at least +a temporary conviction, that there is nothing <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'so so'">so</ins> +delightful as female conversation, in its best +form! Were such conviction frequently repeated, +what might we not expect from it at last?</p> + +<p><a name="png.086" id="png.086"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">87</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>“Were virtue,” said an ancient philosopher, +“to appear amongst men in a visible shape, +what vehement desires would she enkindle!” +Virtue, exhibited without affectation, by a lovely +young person, of improved understanding and +gentle manners, may be said to appear with the +most alluring aspect, surrounded by the <cite>Graces</cite>.</p> + +<p>It would be an easy matter to point out instances +of the most evident reformation, wrought on +particular men, by their having happily conceived +a passion for virtuous women.</p> + +<p>To form the manners of men, various causes +contribute; but nothing, perhaps, so much as +the turn of the women with whom they converse. +Those who are most conversant with women of +virtue and understanding, will be always found +the most amiable characters, other circumstances +being supposed alike. Such society, beyond +every thing else, rubs off the <em>corners</em> that gives +many of our sex an ungracious roughness. It +produces a polish more perfect, and more pleasing +than that which is received from a general +commerce with the world. This last is often +specious, but commonly superficial. The other +is the result of gentler feelings, and more humanity. +The heart itself is moulded. Habits +of undissembled courtesy are formed. A certain +flowing urbanity is acquired. Violent passions, +rash oaths, coarse jests, indelicate language +of every kind, are precluded and disrelished.</p> + +<p>Female society gives men a taste for cleanliness +and elegance of person. Our ancestors, +<a name="png.087" id="png.087"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">88</span><span class="ns">] + </span>who kept but little company with their women, +were not only slovenly in their dress, but had +their countenances disfigured with long beards. +By female influence, however, beards were, in +process of time, mutilated down to mustaches. +As the gentlemen found that the ladies had no +great relish for mustaches, which were the +relics of a beard, they cut and curled them into +various fashions, to render them more agreeable. +At last, however, finding such labor vain, they +gave them up altogether. But as those of the +three learned professions were supposed to be endowed +with, or at least to stand in need of, +more wisdom than other people, and as the longest +beard had always been deemed to sprout +from the wisest chin, to supply this mark of distinction, +which they had lost, they contrived to +smother their heads in enormous quantities of +frizzled hair, that they might bear greater resemblance +to an owl, the bird sacred to wisdom +and Minerva.</p> + +<p>To female society it has been objected by the +learned and studious, that it enervates the mind, +and gives it such a turn for trifling, levity, and +dissipation, as renders it altogether unfit for that +application which is necessary in order to become +eminent in any of the sciences. In proof +of this they allege, that the greatest philosophers +seldom or never were men who enjoyed, or were +fit for, the company or conversation of women. +Sir Isaac Newton hardly ever conversed with +any of the sex. Bacon, Boyle, Des Cartes, and +many others, conspicuous for their learning and +<a name="png.088" id="png.088"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">89</span><span class="ns">] + </span>application, were but indifferent companions to +the fair.</p> + +<p>It is certain, indeed, that the youth who devotes +his whole time and attention to female conversation, +and the little offices of <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'gallanty'">gallantry</ins>, never +distinguishes himself in the literary world. But +notwithstanding this, without the fatigue and +application of severe study, he often obtains, by +female interest, that which is denied to the merited +improvements acquired by the labor of many +years.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">MONASTIC LIFE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> venerable <cite>Bede</cite> has given us a very striking +picture of Monastic enormities, in his epistle +to Egbert. From this we learn that many +young men who had no title to the monastic +profession, got <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'possesion'">possession</ins> of monasteries; where, +instead of engaging in the defence of their country, +as their age and rank required, they indulged +themselves in the most dissolute indolence.</p> + +<p>We learn from Dugdale, that in the reign of +Henry the Second, the nuns of Amsbury abbey +in Wiltshire were expelled from that religious +house on account of their incontinence. And +to exhibit in the most lively colors the total corruption +of monastic chastity, bishop Burnet <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'inform'">informs</ins> +us in his “History of the Reformation,” +that when the nunneries were visited by the +command of Henry the VIII. “whole houses +almost, were found whose vows had been made +in vain.”</p> + +<p><a name="png.089" id="png.089"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">90</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>When we consider to what oppressive indolence, +to what a variety of wretchedness and +guilt, the young and fair inhabitants of the cloister +were frequently betrayed, we ought to admire +those benevolent authors who, when the tide of +religious prejudice ran very strong in favor of +monastic virginity, had spirit enough to oppose +the torrent, and to caution the devout and tender +sex against so dangerous a profession. It is in +this point of view that the character of Erasmus +appears with the most amiable lustre; and his +name ought to be eternally dear to the female +world in particular. Though his studies and +constitution led him almost to idolize those eloquent +fathers of the church who have magnified +this kind of life, his good sense and his accurate +survey of the human race, enabled him to judge +of the misery in which female youth was continually +involved by a precipitate choice of the +veil. He knew the successful arts by which the +subtle and rapacious monks inveigled young +women of opulent families into the cloister; and +he exerted his lively and delicate wit in opposition +to so pernicious an evil.</p> + +<p>In those nations of Europe where nunneries +still exist, how many lovely victims are continually +sacrificed to the avarice or absurd ambition +of inhuman parents! The misery of these victims +has been painted with great force by some +benevolent writers of France.</p> + +<p>In most of those pathetic histories that are +founded on the abuse of convents, the misery +originates from the parent, and falls upon the +<a name="png.090" id="png.090"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">91</span><span class="ns">] + </span>child. The reverse has sometime happened; +and there are examples of unhappy parents, who +have been rendered miserable by the religious +perversity of a daughter. In the fourteenth volume +of that very amusing work, <cite>Les Causes +Celebres</cite>, a work which is said to have been the +favorite reading of Voltaire, there is a striking +history of a girl under age, who was tempted by +pious artifice to settle herself in a convent, in +express opposition to parental authority. Her +parents, who had in vain tried the most tender +persuasion, endeavored at last to redeem their +lost child, by a legal process against the nunnery +in which she was imprisoned. The pleadings +on this remarkable trial may, perhaps, be +justly reckoned amongst the finest pieces of eloquence +that the lawyers of France have produced. +Monsieur Gillet, the advocate for the parents, +represented, in the boldest and most affecting +language, the extreme baseness of this +religious seduction. His eloquence appeared to +have fixed the sentiments of the judges; but the +cause of superstition was pleaded by an advocate +of equal power, and it finally prevailed. The +unfortunate parents of Maria Vernal (for this +was the name of the unfortunate girl) were condemned +to resign her forever, and to make a +considerable payment to those artful devotees +who had piously robbed them of their child.</p> + +<p>When we reflect on the various evils that have +arisen in convents, we have the strongest reason +to rejoice and glory in that reformation by which +the nunneries of England were abolished. Yet +<a name="png.091" id="png.091"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">92</span><span class="ns">] + </span>it would not be candid or just to consider all +these as the mere harbors of licentiousness; +since we are told that, at the time of their suppression, +some of our religious houses were very +honorably distinguished by the purity of their +inhabitants. “The visitors,” says Bishop Burnet, +“interceded earnestly for one nunnery in +Oxfordshire, where there was great strictness of +life, and to which most of the young gentlewomen +of the country were sent to be bred; so +that the gentry of the country desired the king +would spare the house: yet all was ineffectual.”</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">DEGREES OF SENTIMENTAL ATTACHMENT AT +DIFFERENT PERIODS.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">In</span> the earlier ages, sentiment in love does not +appear to have been much attended to. When +Abraham sent his servant to court a bride for +his son Isaac, we do not so much as hear that +Isaac was consulted on the matter: nor is there +even a suspicion, that he might refuse or dislike +the wife which his father had selected for him.</p> + +<p>From the manner in which Rebecca was solicited, +we learn, that women were not then +courted in person by the lover, but by a proxy, +whom he, or his parents, deputed in his stead. +We likewise see, that this proxy did not, as in +modern times, endeavor to gain the affection of +the lady he was sent to, by enlarging on the +personal properties, and mental qualifications of +the lover; but by the richness and magnificence +<a name="png.092" id="png.092"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">93</span><span class="ns">] + </span>of the presents he made to her and her relations.</p> + +<p>Presents have been, from the earliest ages, +and are to this day, the mode of transacting all +kinds of business in the east. When a favor is +to be asked of a superior, one cannot hope to +obtain it without a present. Courtship, therefore, +having been anciently transacted in this +manner, it is plain, that it was only considered +in the same light as any other negotiable business, +and not as a matter of sentiment, and of the +heart.</p> + +<p>In the courtship, however, or rather purchase +of a wife by Jacob, we meet with something like +sentiment; for when he found that he was not +possessed of money or goods, equal to the price +which was set upon her, he not only condescended +to purchase her by servitude, but even seemed +much disappointed when the tender-eyed Leah +was faithlessly imposed upon him instead of the +beautiful Rachel.</p> + +<p>The ancient Gauls, Germans, and neighboring +nations of the North, had so much veneration +for the sex in general, that in courtship they +behaved with a spirit of gallantry, and showed a +degree of sentiment, to which <em>those</em> who called +them barbarians, never arrived. Not contented +with getting possession of the person of his mistress, +a northern lover could not be satisfied +without the sincere affection of her heart; nor +was his mistress ever to be gained but by such +methods as plainly indicated to her the tenderest +attachment from the most deserving man.</p> + +<p><a name="png.093" id="png.093"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">94</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>The women of Scandinavia were not to be +courted but by the most assiduous attendance, +seconded by such warlike achievements as the +custom of the country had rendered necessary to +make a man deserving of his mistress. On +these accounts, we frequently find a lover accosting +the object of his passion by a minute and +circumstantial detail of his exploits, and all his +accomplishments. “We fought with swords,” +says King Regner, in a beautiful ode composed +by himself, in memory of the deeds of his former +days, “that day wherein I saw ten thousand +of my foes rolling in the dust, near a promontory +of England. A dew of blood distilled from our +swords. The arrows which flew in search of +the helmets, bellowed through the air. The +pleasure of that day was truly exquisite.</p> + +<p>“We fought with swords. A young man +should march early to the conflict of arms. Man +should attack man, or bravely resist him. In +this hath always consisted the nobility of the +warrior. He who aspires to the love of his +mistress, ought to be dauntless in the clash of +swords.”</p> + +<p>The descendants of the northern nations, long +after they had plundered and repeopled the +greatest part of Europe, retained nearly the same +ideas of love, and practised the same methods in +declaring it, that they had imbibed from their +ancestors. “Love,” says William of Montagnogout, +“engages to the most amiable conduct. +Love inspires the greatest actions. Love has +no will but that of the object beloved, nor seeks +<a name="png.094" id="png.094"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">95</span><span class="ns">] + </span>any thing but what will augment her glory. +You cannot love, nor ought to be beloved, if you +ask any thing that virtue condemns. Never did +I form a wish that could wound the heart of my +beloved, nor delight in a pleasure that was inconsistent +with her delicacy.”</p> + +<p>The method of addressing females, among +some of the tribes of American Indians, is the +most simple that can possibly be devised. When +the lover goes to visit his mistress, he only begs +leave, by signs, to enter her hut. After obtaining +this, he goes in, and sits down by her in the +most respectful silence. If she suffers him to +remain there without interruption, her doing so +is consenting to his suit. If, however, the lover +has any thing given him to eat and drink, it is a +refusal; though the woman is obliged to sit by +him until he has finished his repast. He then +retires in silence.</p> + +<p>In Canada, courtship is not carried on with +that coy reserve, and seeming secrecy, which +<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'politenes'">politeness</ins> has introduced among the inhabitants +of civilized nations. When a man and a woman +meet, though they never saw each other before, +if he is captivated by her charms, he declares his +passion in the plainest manner; and she, with +the same simplicity, answers, Yes, or No, without +further deliberation. “That female reserve,” +says an ingenious writer, [Dr Alexander,] “that +seeming reluctance to enter into the married +state, observable in polite countries, is the work +of art, and not of nature. The history of every +uncultivated people amply proves it. It tells us, +<a name="png.095" id="png.095"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">96</span><span class="ns">] + </span>that their women not only speak with freedom +the sentiments of their hearts, but even blush not +to have these sentiments made as public as +possible.”</p> + +<p>In Formosa, however, they differ so much +from the simplicity of the Canadians, that it +would be reckoned the greatest indecency in the +man to declare, or in the woman to hear, a declaration +of the passion of love. The lover is, +therefore, obliged to depute his mother, sister, +or some female relation; and from any of these +the soft tale may be heard without the least offence +to delicacy.</p> + +<p>In Spain, the women had formerly no voice +in disposing of themselves in matrimony. But +as the empire of common sense began to extend +itself, they began to claim a privilege, at least of +being consulted in the choice of the partners of +their lives. Many <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'farthers'">fathers</ins> and guardians, hurt +by this female innovation, and puffed up with +Spanish pride, still insisted on forcing their +daughters to marry according to their pleasure, +by means of duennas, locks, hunger, and even +sometimes of poison and daggers. But as nature +will revolt against every species of oppression +and injustice, the ladies have for some time +begun to assert their own rights. The authority +of fathers and guardians begins to decline, and +lovers find themselves obliged to apply to the affections +of the fair, as well as to the pride and +avarice of their relations.</p> + +<p>The nightly musical serenades of mistresses +by their lovers are still in use. The gallant +<a name="png.096" id="png.096"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">97</span><span class="ns">] + </span>composes some love sonnets, as expressive as he +can, not only of the situation of his heart, but of +every particular circumstance between him and +the lady, not forgetting to lard them with the +most extravagant encomiums on her beauty and +merit. These he sings in the night below her +window accompanied with his lute, or sometimes +with a whole band of music. The more piercingly +cold the air, the more the lady’s heart is +supposed to be thawed with the patient sufferance +of her lover, who, from night to night, frequently +continues his exercises for many hours, +heaving the deepest sighs, and casting the most +piteous looks towards the window; at which if +his goddess at last deigns to appear, and drops +him a curtsey, he is superlatively paid for all his +watching; but if she blesses him with a smile, +he is ready to run distracted.</p> + +<p>In Italy the manner of addressing the ladies, +so far as it relates to serenading, nearly resembles +that of Spain. The Italian, however, goes +a step farther than the Spaniard. He endeavors +to blockade the house where his fair one lives, +so as to prevent the entrance of any rival. If +he marries the lady who cost him all this trouble +and attendance, he shuts her up for life: If not, +she becomes the object of his eternal hatred, and +he too frequently endeavors to revenge by poison +the success of his happier rival.</p> + +<p>In one circumstance relating to courtship, the +Italians are said to be particular. They protract +the time as long as possible, well knowing that +even with all the little ills attending it, a period +<a name="png.097" id="png.097"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">98</span><span class="ns">] + </span>thus employed is one of the sweetest of human +life.</p> + +<p>A French lover, with the word sentiment perpetually +in his mouth, seems by every action to +have excluded it from his heart. He places his +whole confidence in his exterior air and appearance. +He dresses for his mistress, dances for +her, flutters constantly about her, helps her to lay +on her rouge, and to place her patches. He attends +her round the whole circle of amusements, +chatters to her constantly, whistles and sings, +and plays the fool with her. Whatever be his +station, every thing gaudy and glittering within +the sphere of it is called in to his assistance, particularly +splendid carriages and tawdry liveries; +but if, by the help of all these, he cannot make +an impression on the fair one’s heart, it costs +him nothing but a few shrugs of his shoulders, +two or three silly exclamations, and as many +stanzas of some satirical song against her; and, +as it is impossible for a Frenchman to live without +an amour, he immediately betakes himself to +another.</p> + +<p>There is hardly any such thing among people +of fashion as courtship. Matters are generally +so ordered by parents and guardians, that to a +bride and bridegroom, the day of marriage is +often the second time of their meeting. In many +countries, to be married in this manner would +be reckoned the greatest of misfortunes. In +France it is little regarded. In the fashionable +world, few people are greater strangers to, or +more indifferent about each other, than husband +<a name="png.098" id="png.098"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">99</span><span class="ns">] + </span>and wife; and any appearance of fondness between +them, or their being seen frequently together, +would infallibly make them forfeit the +reputation of the <i>ton</i>, and be laughed at by all +polite company. On this account, nothing is +more common than to be acquainted with a lady +without knowing her husband, or visiting the +husband without ever seeing his wife.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">GERMAN WOMEN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Of</span> all the German females, the ladies of +Saxony are the most amiable. Their persons +are so superiorly charming and preferable in +whatever can recommend them to be notice of +mankind, that the German youth often visit +Saxony in quest of <em>companions</em> for life. Exclusive +of their beauty and comeliness of appearance, +they are brought up in a knowledge of all +those arts, both useful and ornamental, which +are so brilliant an addition to their native attractions. +But what chiefly enhances their +value, and gives it reality and duration, is a +<em>sweetness</em> of temper and festivity of disposition, +that never fail to endear them on a very slight +acquaintance. To crown all, they are generally +patterns of conjugal tenderness and fidelity.</p> + +<p>As they are commonly careful to improve +their minds by reading and instructive conversation, +they have no small share of facetiousness +and ingenuity. From their innate liveliness, +they are extremely addicted to all the gay kind +<a name="png.099" id="png.099"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">100</span><span class="ns">] + </span>of amusements. <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'The'">They</ins> excel in the allurements +of dress and decoration, and are in general +skilful in music.</p> + +<p>The character, however, of the women in +most other parts of Germany, particularly of the +Austrian, is very different from this. Notwithstanding +the advantages of size and make, their +looks and features, though not unsightly, betray +a vacancy of that life and spirit, without which +beauty is uninteresting, and, like a mere picture, +becomes utterly void of that indication of +sensibility, which alone can awaken a delicacy +of feeling.</p> + +<p>As their education is conducted by the rules of +the grossest superstition, and they are taught +little else than set forms of devotion, they arrive +to the years of maturity uninstructed in the use +of reason, and usually continue profoundly ignorant +the remainder of their days, which are +spent, or rather loitered away, in apathy and +indolence.</p> + +<p>The principal happiness of the Austrian +ladies of fashion consists in ruminating on the +dignity of their birth and families, the antiquity +of their race, the rank they hold, the respect +attached to it, and the prerogatives they enjoy +over the inferior classes, whom they treat with +the utmost superciliousness, and hold in the +most unreasonable contempt. In the mean +time, their domestic affairs are condemned to +the most unaccountable neglect. They dwell +at home, careless of what passes there; and +suffer disorder and confusion to prevail, without +<a name="png.100" id="png.100"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">101</span><span class="ns">] + </span>feeling the least uneasiness. Great frequenters +of churches, their piety consists in the strictest +conformity to all the externals of religion. +They profess the most boundless belief in all +the silly legends with which their treatises of +devotion are filled; and these are the only books +they ever read. The coldness of their constitution +occasions a species of regulated gallantry, +which is rather the effect of an opinion that it +is an appendage of high life, than the result of +their <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'natuaal'">natural</ins> inclination.</p> + +<p>It must, at the same time be allowed, that the +Austrian women are endowed with a great fund +of sincerity and candor; and, though too much +on the reserve, and prone to keep at an unnecessary +distance, are yet capable of the truest +attachment, and always warm and zealous in +the cause of those whom they have admitted to +their friendship.</p> + +<p>Though the Germans are rather a dull and +phlegmatic people, and not greatly enslaved by +the warmer passions, yet at the court of Vienna +they are much <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'give'">given</ins> to intrigue: and an amour +is so far from being scandalous, that a woman +gains credit by the rank of her gallant, and is +reckoned silly and unfashionable if she scrupulously +adheres to the virtue of chastity. But +such customs are more the customs of courts, +than of places less exposed to temptation, and +consequently less dissolute; and we are well +assured that in Germany there are many women +who do honor to humanity, not by chastity only, +but also by a variety of other virtues.</p> + +<p><a name="png.101" id="png.101"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">102</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>The ladies at the principal courts, differ not +much in their dress from the French and English. +They are not, however, so excessively +fond of paint as the former. At some courts, +they appear in rich furs: and all of them are +loaded with jewels, if they can obtain them. +The female part of the burgher’s families, in +many of the German towns, dress in a very different +manner, and some of them inconceivably +fantastic, as may be seen in many prints published +in books of travels. But, in this respect, +they are gradually reforming, and many of them +make quite a different appearance in their dress +from what they did thirty or forty years ago.</p> + +<p>The inhabitants of Vienna lived luxuriously, +a great part of their time being spent in feasting +and carousing. In winter, when the different +branches of the Danube are frozen over, and +the ground covered with snow, the ladies take +their recreation in sledges of different shapes, +such as griffins, tigers, swans, scallop-shells, +etc. Here the lady sits, dressed in velvet lined +with rich furs, and adorned with laces and +jewels, having on her head a velvet cap. The +sledge is drawn by one horse, stag or other +creature, set off with plumes of feathers, ribbons +and bells. As this diversion is taken +chiefly in the night time, servants ride before +the sledge with torches; and a gentleman, +standing on the sledge behind, guides the +horse.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.102" id="png.102"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">103</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>A VIEW OF MATRIMONY IN THREE DIFFERENT +LIGHTS.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> marriage life is always an insipid, a vexatious, +or a happy condition, the first is, when +two people of no taste meet together, upon such +a settlement as has been thought reasonable by +parents and conveyancers, from an exact valuation +of the land and cash of both parties. In this +case the young lady’s person is no more regarded +than the house and improvements in +purchase of an estate; but she goes with her +fortune, rather than her fortune with her. These +make up the crowd or vulgar of the rich, and fill +up the lumber of the human race, without beneficence +towards those below them, or respect +towards <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'these'">those</ins> above them; and lead a despicable, +independent, and useless life, without +sense of the laws of kindness, good-nature, mutual +offices, and the elegant satisfactions which +flow from reason and virtue.</p> + +<p>The vexatious life arises from a conjunction +of two people of quick taste and resentment, put +together for reasons well known to their friends, +in which especial care is taken to avoid (what +they think the chief of evils) poverty; and ensure +them riches with every evil besides. These +good people live in a constant restraint before +company, and when alone, revile each other’s +person and conduct. In company they are in +purgatory; when by themselves, in hell.</p> + +<p>The happy marriage is, where two persons +<a name="png.103" id="png.103"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">104</span><span class="ns">] + </span>meet, and voluntarily make choice of each other +without principally regarding or neglecting +the circumstances of fortune or beauty. These +may still love in spite of adversity or sickness. +The former we may in some measure +defend ourselves from; the other is the common +lot of humanity. Love has nothing to do with +riches or state. Solitude, with the person beloved, +has a pleasure, even in a woman’s mind, beyond +show or pomp.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">BETROTHING AND MARRIAGE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">At</span> a very early period, families who lived in +a friendly manner, fell upon a method of securing +their children to each other by what is called in +the sacred writings Betrothing. This was +agreeing on a price to be paid for the bride, +the time when it should be paid, and when she +should be delivered into the hands of her husband.</p> + +<p>There were, according to the Talmudists, +three ways of betrothing. The first by a written +contract. The second, by a verbal agreement, +accompanied with a piece of money. And +the third, by the parties coming together, and +living as husband and wife; which might as +properly be called marriage as betrothing.</p> + +<p>The written contract was in the following +manner—“On such a day, month, year, A the +son of B, has said to D the daughter of E, be +thou my spouse according to the law of Moses +<a name="png.104" id="png.104"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">105</span><span class="ns">] + </span>and of the Israelites; and I give thee as a dowry +the sum of two hundred suzims, as it is ordered +by our law. And the said D hath promised +to be his spouse upon the conditions aforesaid, +which the said A doth promise to perform +on the day of marriage. And to this the said A +doth hereby bind himself and all that he hath, to +the very cloak upon his back; engages himself +to love, honor, feed, clothe, and protect her, and +to perform all that is generally implied in +contracts of marriage in favor of the Israelitish +wives.”</p> + +<p>The verbal agreement was made in the presence +of a sufficient number of witnesses, by the +man saying to the women, “Take this money +as a pledge that at such a time I will take thee +to be my wife.” A woman who was thus +betrothed or bargained for, was almost in every +respect by the law considered as already married.</p> + +<p>Before the legislation of Moses, “marriages +among the Jews,” say the Rabbies, “were +agreed on by the parents and relations of both +sides. When this was done, the bridegroom was +introduced to his bride. Presents were mutually +exchanged, the contract signed before witnesses, +and the bride, having remained sometime +with her relations, was sent away to the +habitation of her husband, in the night, with +singing, dancing, and the sound of musical instruments.”</p> + +<p>By the institution of Moses, the Rabbies tell us +the contract of marriage was read in the presence +<a name="png.105" id="png.105"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">106</span><span class="ns">] + </span>of, and signed by, at least ten witnesses, who +were free, and of age. The bride, who had +taken care to bathe herself the night before, appeared +in all her splendor, but veiled, in imitation +of Rebecca, who veiled herself when she +came in sight of Isaac. She was then given to +the bridegroom by her parents, in words to this +purpose: “Take her according to the law of +Moses.” And he received her, by saying, “I +take her according to that law.” Some blessings +were then pronounced on the young couple, +both by the parents and the rest of the company.</p> + +<p>The blessings or prayers generally run in this +style: “Blessed art thou, O Lord of heaven, and +earth, who has created man in thine own likeness, and +hast appointed woman to be his partner +and companion! Blessed art thou, who +fillest Zion with joy for the multitude of her +children! Blessed art thou who sendest gladness +to the bridegroom and his bride; who hast ordained +for them, love, joy, tenderness, peace and +mutual affection. Be pleased to bless not only +this couple, but Judah and Jerusalem, with songs +of joy, and praise for the joy that thou givest +them, by the multitudes of their sons and of their +daughters.”</p> + +<p>After the virgins had sung a marriage song, +the company partook of a repast, the most magnificent +the parties could afford; after which they +began a dance, the men round the bridegroom, +the women round the bride. They pretended +that this dance was of divine institution and an +essential part of the ceremony. The bride was +<a name="png.106" id="png.106"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">107</span><span class="ns">] + </span>then carried to the nuptial bed, and the bridegroom +left with her. The company again returned +to their feasting and rejoicing; and the +Rabbies inform us, that this feasting, when the +bride, was a widow, lasted only three days, but +seven if she was a virgin.</p> + +<p>At the birth of a son, the father planted a cedar; +and at that of a daughter, he planted a pine. +Of these trees the nuptial bed was constructed, +when the parties, at whose birth they were planted, +entered into the married state.</p> + +<p>The Assyrians had a court, or tribunal +whose only business was to dispose of young +women in marriage, and see the laws of that +union properly executed. What these laws +were, or how the execution of them was enforced, +are circumstances that have not been +handed down to us. But the erecting a court +solely for the purpose of taking cognizance of +them, suggests an idea that they were many and +various.</p> + +<p>Among the Greeks, the multiplicity of male +and female deities who were concerned in the +affairs of love, made the invocations and sacrifices +on a matrimonial occasion a very tedious +affair. Fortunate omens gave great joy, and the +most fortunate of all others was a pair of turtles +seen in the air, as those birds were reckoned the +truest emblems of conjugal love and fidelity. If, +however, one of them was seen alone it infallibly +denoted separation, and all the ills attending an +unhappy marriage.</p> + +<p>On the wedding day, the bride and bridegroom +<a name="png.107" id="png.107"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">108</span><span class="ns">] + </span>were richly dressed, and adorned with garlands +of herbs and flowers. The bride was conducted +in the evening to the house of her husband in a +chariot, seated between her husband and one of +his relations. When she alighted from the +chariot the axle-tree of it was burnt to show that +there was no method for her to return back. As +soon as the young couple entered the house, figs +and other fruits were thrown upon their heads +to denote plenty; and a sumptuous entertainment +was ready for them to partake of, to which +all the relations on both sides were invited.</p> + +<p>The bride was lighted to bed by a number of +torches, according to her quality; and the company +returned in the morning to salute the new +married couple, and to sing <i>epithalamia</i> at the +door of their bed-chamber.</p> + +<p>Epithalamia were marriage songs, anciently +sung in praise of the bride or bridegroom, wishing +them happiness, prosperity and a numerous +issue.</p> + +<p>Among the Romans there were three different +kinds of marriage. The ceremony of the first +consisted in the young couple eating a cake together +made only of wheat, salt and water. +The second kind was celebrated by the parties +solemnly pledging their faith to each other, by +giving and receiving a piece of money. This +was the most common way of marrying among +the Romans. It continued in use, even after +they became Christians. When writings were +introduced to testify that a man and a woman had +become husband and wife, and also, that the +<a name="png.108" id="png.108"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">109</span><span class="ns">] + </span>husband had settled a dower upon his bride, these +writings were called <i>Tabulæ Dotales</i> (dowry tables;) +and hence, perhaps the words in our +marriage ceremony, “I thee endow.”</p> + +<p>The third kind of marriage was, when a man +and woman, having cohabited for some time and +had children, found it expedient to continue together. +In this case, if they made up the matter +between themselves, it became a valid marriage, +and the children were considered as legitimate.</p> + +<p>Something similar to this is the present custom +in Scotland. There, if a man live with, +and have children by a woman, though he do +not marry her till he be upon his death-bed, all +the children are thereby legitimated and become +entitled to the honors and estates of their father. +The case is the same in Holland and some parts +of Germany; with this difference only, that all +the children to be legitimated must appear with +the father and mother in church at the ceremony +of their marriage.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">FEMALE FRIENDSHIP.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">It</span> has long been a question, Which of the +two sexes is most capable of friendship? Montague, +who is so much celebrated for his knowledge +of human nature, has given it positively +against the women; and his opinion has been +generally embraced.</p> + +<p>Friendship perhaps, in women, is more rare +than among men; but, at the same time, it must +<a name="png.109" id="png.109"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">110</span><span class="ns">] + </span>be allowed that where it is found, it is more +tender.</p> + +<p>Men, in general, have more of the parade +than the graces of friendship. They often +wound while they serve; and their warmest +sentiments are not very enlightened, with respect +to those minute sentiments which are of so +much value. But women have a refined sensibility, +which makes them see every thing; nothing +escapes them. They divine the silent +friendship; they encourage the bashful or timid +friendship; they offer the sweetest consolations +to friendship in distress. Furnished with finer +instruments, they treat more delicately a wounded +heart. They compose it, and prevent it +from feeling its agonies. They know, above +all, how to give value to a thousand things, +which have no value in themselves.</p> + +<p>We ought therefore, perhaps, to desire the +friendship of a man upon great occasions; but, +for general happiness, we must prefer the +friendship of a woman.</p> + +<p>With regard to female intimacies, it may be +taken for granted that there is no young woman +who has not, or wishes not to have, a companion +of her own sex, to whom she may unbosom herself +on every occasion. That there are women +capable of friendship with women, few impartial +observers will deny. There have been many +evident proofs of it, and those carried as far as +seemed compatible with the imperfections of +our common nature. It is, however, questioned +by some; while others believe that it happens +<a name="png.110" id="png.110"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">111</span><span class="ns">] + </span>exceedingly seldom. Between married and unmarried +women, it no doubt happens very often; +whether it does so between those that are single, +is not so certain. Young men appear more +frequently susceptible of a generous and steady +friendship for each other, than females as yet +unconnected; especially, if the latter have, or +are supposed to have, pretensions to beauty, +not adjusted by the public.</p> + +<p>In the frame and condition of females, <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'howe-ever'">however</ins>, +compared with those of the other sex, +there are some circumstances which may help +towards an apology for this unfavorable feature +in their character.</p> + +<p>The state of matrimony is necessary to the +support, order, and comfort of society. But it +<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'it'">is</ins> a state that subjects the women to a great +variety of solicitude and pain. Nothing could +carry them through it with any tolerable satisfaction +or spirit, but very strong and almost unconquerable +attachments. To produce these, is +it not fit they should be peculiarly sensible to +the attention and regards of the men? Upon +the same ground, does it not seem agreeable to +the purposes of Providence, that the securing of +this attention, and these regards, should be a +principal aim? But can such an aim be pursued +without frequent competition? And will +not that too readily occasion jealousy, envy, +and all the unamiable effects of mutual <em>rivalship</em>? +Without the restraints of superior worth +and sentiment, it certainly will. But can these +be ordinarily expected from the prevailing turn +<a name="png.111" id="png.111"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">112</span><span class="ns">] + </span>of female education; or from the little pains +that women, as well as other human beings, +commonly take to <i>control</i> themselves, and to +act nobly? In this <i>last</i> respect, the sexes appear +pretty much on the same footing.</p> + +<p>This reasoning is not meant to justify the +indulgence of those little and sometimes base +passions towards one another, with which females +have been so generally charged. It is +only intended to represent such passions in the +first approach; and, while not entertained, as +less criminal than the men are apt to state them; +and to prove that, in their attachments to each +other, the latter have not always that merit +above the women, which they are apt to claim. +In the mean time, let it be the business of the +ladies, by emulating the gentlemen, where they +appear good-natured and disinterested, to disprove +their imputation, and to show a temper +open to <em>friendship</em> as well as to <em>love</em>.</p> + +<p>To talk much of the latter is natural for both; +to talk much of the former, is considered by the +men as one way of doing themselves honor. +Friendship, they well know, is that dignified +form, which, in speculation at least every heart +must respect.</p> + +<p>But in friendship, as in religion, which on +many accounts it resembles, speculation is often +substituted in the place of practice. People +fancy themselves possessed of the thing, and +hope that others will fancy so too, because they +are fond of the name, and have learned to talk +about it with plausibility. Such talk indeed +imposes, till experience give it the lie.</p> + +<p><a name="png.112" id="png.112"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">113</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>To say the truth, there seems in either sex +but little of what a fond imagination, unacquainted +with the falsehood of the world, <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'and and'">and</ins> +warmed by affections which its selfishness +has not yet chilled, would reckon friendship. +In theory, the standard is raised too high; we +ought not, however, to wish it much lower. +The honest sensibilities of ingenuous nature +should not be checked by the over-cautious +maxims of political prudence. No advantage, +obtained by such frigidity, can compensate for +the want of those warm effusions of the heart +into the bosom of a friend, which are doubtless +among the most exquisite pleasures. At the +same time, however, it must be owned, that they +often by the inevitable lot of humanity, make +way for the bitterest pains which the breast can +experience. Happy beyond the common condition +of her sex, is she who has found a friend +indeed; open hearted, yet discreet; generously +fervent, yet steady; thoroughly virtuous, but not +severe; wise, as well as cheerful! Can such a +friend be loved too much, or cherished too tenderly? +If to excellence and happiness there +be any one way more compendious than another, +next to friendship with the Supreme Being, +it is this.</p> + +<p>But when a mixture of minds so beautiful and +so sweet takes place, it is generally, or rather +always the result of early prepossession, casual +intercourse, or in short, a combination of such +causes as are not to be brought together by +management or design. This noble plant may +be cultivated; but it must grow spontaneously.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.113" id="png.113"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">114</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>ON THE CHOICE OF A HUSBAND.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="i6"><span class="smc">Assist</span> me, ye Nine,</div> +<div class="i6">While the youth I define,</div> +<div>With whom I in wedlock would class;</div> +<div class="i6">And ye blooming fair,</div> +<div class="i6">Lend a listening ear,</div> +<div>To approve of the man as you pass.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i6">Not the changeable fry</div> +<div class="i6">Who love, nor know why,</div> +<div>But follow bedup’d by their passions:</div> +<div class="i6">Such votaries as these</div> +<div class="i6">Are like waves of the seas,</div> +<div>And steer’d by their own inclinations.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i6">The hectoring blade</div> +<div class="i6">How unfit for the maid,</div> +<div>Where meekness and modesty reigns!</div> +<div class="i6">Such a blundering bully</div> +<div class="i6">I’ll speak against truly,</div> +<div>Whatever I get for my pains.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i6">Not the dogmatic elf,</div> +<div class="i6">Whose great all is himself,</div> +<div>Whose alone <i>ipse dixit</i> is law:</div> +<div class="i6">What a figure he’ll make,</div> +<div class="i6">How like Momus he’ll speak</div> +<div>With sneering burlesque, a pshaw! pshaw!</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i6">Not the covetous wretch</div> +<div class="i6">Whose heart’s at full stretch</div> +<div>To gain an inordinate treasure;</div> +<div class="i6">Him leave with the rest,</div> +<div class="i6">And such mortals detest,</div> +<div>Who sacrifice life without measure.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i6">The fluttering fop,</div> +<div class="i6">How empty his top!</div> +<div>Nay, but some call him coxcomb, I trow;</div> +<div class="i6"><a name="png.114" id="png.114"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">115</span><span class="ns">] + </span>But ’tis losing your time,</div> +<div class="i6">He’s not worth half a rhyme,</div> +<div>Let the fag ends of prose bind his brow.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i6">The guttling sot,</div> +<div class="i6">What a conduit his throat!</div> +<div>How beastly and vicious his life!</div> +<div class="i6">Where drunkards prevail,</div> +<div class="i6">Whole families feel,</div> +<div>Much more an affectionate wife.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i6">One character yet;</div> +<div class="i6">I with sorrow repeat,</div> +<div>And O! that the number were less;</div> +<div class="i6">’Tis the blasphemous crew:</div> +<div class="i6">What a pattern they’ll shew</div> +<div>To their hapless and innocent race!</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i6">Let wisdom then shine</div> +<div class="i6">In the youth that is mine,</div> +<div>Whilst virtue his footsteps impress;</div> +<div class="i6">Such I’d choose for my mate,</div> +<div class="i6">Whether sooner or late:</div> +<div>Tell me, Ladies, what think you of this?</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>“The chief point to be regarded,” says Lady +Pennington in her Advice to her Daughters, “in +the choice of a companion for life, is a really +virtuous principle—an unaffected goodness of +heart. Without this, you will be continually +shocked by indecency, and pained by impiety. +So numerous have been the unhappy victims to +the <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'rediculous'">ridiculous</ins> opinion, <i>a reformed libertine +makes the best husband</i>—that, did not experience +daily evince the contrary, one would believe it +impossible for a girl who has a tolerable degree +of common understanding, to be made the dupe +of so erroneous a position, which has not the +<a name="png.115" id="png.115"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">116</span><span class="ns">] + </span>least shadow of reason for its foundation, and +which a small share of observation will prove to +be false in fact. A man who has been conversant +with the worst sort of women, is very apt +to contract a bad opinion of, and a contempt for, +the sex in general. Incapable of esteeming any, +he is suspicious of all; jealous without cause, +angry without provocation, his own disturbed +imagination is a continued source of ill-humor. +To this is frequently joined a bad habit of body, +the natural consequence of an irregular life, +which gives an additional sourness to the temper. +What rational prospect of happiness can there +be with such a companion? And, that this is +the general character of those who are called +<i>reformed rakes</i>, observation will certify. But, +admit there may be some exceptions, it is a hazard +upon which no considerate woman would +venture the peace of her whole life. The vanity +of those girls who believe themselves capable of +working miracles of this kind, and who give up +their persons to men of libertine principles, upon +the wild expectation of reclaiming them, justly +deserves the disappointment which it will generally +meet with; for, believe me, a wife is, of +all persons, the least likely to succeed in such an +attempt. Be it your care to find that virtue in +a lover which you must never hope to form in a +husband. Good sense, and good nature, are +almost equally requisite. If the former is wanting, +it will be next to an impossibility for you to +esteem the person, of whose behavior you may +have cause to be ashamed. Mutual esteem is +<a name="png.116" id="png.116"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">117</span><span class="ns">] + </span>as essential to happiness in the married state, as +mutual affection. Without the latter, every day +will bring with it some fresh cause of vexation, +until repeated quarrels produce a coldness, which +will settle into an irreconcilable aversion, and +you will become, not only each other’s torment, +but the object of contempt to your family, and to +your acquaintance.</p> + +<p>“This quality of good nature is, of all others, +the most difficult to be ascertained, on account of +the general mistake of blending it with good-humor, +as if they were in themselves the same; +whereas, in fact, no two principles of action are +more essentially different. But this may require +some explanation. By good nature, I mean +that true benevolence, which partakes in the felicity +of every individual within the reach of its +ability, which relieves the distressed, comforts +the afflicted, diffuses blessings, and communicates +happiness, far as its sphere of action can +extend; and which, in the private scenes of life, +will shine conspicuous in the dutiful son, in the +affectionate husband, the indulgent father, the +faithful friend, and in the compassionate master +both to man and beast. Good humor, on the +other hand, is nothing more than a cheerful, +pleasing deportment, arising either from a natural +gaiety of mind, or from an affection of popularity, +joined to an affability of behavior, the result +of good breeding, and from a ready compliance +with the taste of every company. This +kind of mere good humor is, by far, the most +striking quality. It is frequently mistaken for +<a name="png.117" id="png.117"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">118</span><span class="ns">] + </span>and complimented with the superior name of +<i>real good nature</i>. A man, by this specious appearance, +has often acquired that appellation +who, in all the actions of private life, has been a +morose, cruel, revengeful, sullen, haughty tyrant. +Let them put on the cap, whose temples +fit the galling wreath!</p> + +<p>“A man of a truly benevolent disposition, and +formed to promote the happiness of all around +him, may sometimes, perhaps, from an ill habit +of body, an accidental vexation, or from a commendable +openness of heart, above the meanness +of disguise, be guilty of little sallies of peevishness, +or of ill humor, which, carrying the appearance +of ill nature, may be unjustly thought +to proceed from it, by persons who are unacquainted +with his true character, and <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + the possibly superfluous comma is in the original">who,</ins> take +ill humor and ill nature to be synonymous terms, +though in reality they bear not the least analogy +to each other. In order to the forming a right +judgment, it is absolutely necessary to observe +this distinction, which will effectually secure +you from the dangerous error of taking the +shadow for the substance, an irretrievable mistake, +pregnant with innumerable consequent +evils!</p> + +<p>“From what has been said, it plainly appears, +that the criterion of this amiable virtue is not to +be taken for the general opinion; mere good +humor being, to all intents and purposes, sufficient +in this particular, to establish the public +voice in favor of a man utterly devoid of every +humane and benevolent affection of heart. It is +<a name="png.118" id="png.118"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">119</span><span class="ns">] + </span>only from the less conspicuous scenes of life, the +more retired sphere of action, from the artless +tenor of domestic conduct, that the real character +can, with any certainty be drawn. These, +undisguised, proclaim the man. But, as they +shun the glare of light, nor court the noise of +popular applause, they pass unnoticed, and are +seldom known till after an intimate acquaintance. +The best method, therefore, to avoid the deception +in this case, is to lay no stress on outward +appearances, which are too often fallacious, but +to take the rule of judging from the simple unpolished +sentiments of those whose dependent +connections give them undeniable certainty; +who not only see, but who hourly feel, the good +or bad effect of that disposition, to which they are +subjected. By this, I mean, that if a man is +equally respected, esteemed, and beloved by his +dependants and domestics, you may justly conclude, +he has that true good nature, that real benevolence, +which delights in communicating felicity, +and enjoys the satisfaction it diffuses. +But if by these he is despised and hated, served +merely from a principle of fear, devoid of affection, +which is ever easily discoverable, whatever +may be his public character, however favorable +the general opinion, be assured, that his disposition +is such as can never be productive of domestic +happiness. I have been the more particular +on this head, as it is one of the most essential +qualifications to be regarded, and of all others +the most liable to be mistaken.</p> + +<p>“Never be prevailed with, my dear, to give +<a name="png.119" id="png.119"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">120</span><span class="ns">] + </span>your hand to a person defective in these material +points. Secure of virtue, of good nature, and +understanding, in a husband, you may be secure +of happiness. Without the two former it is unattainable. +Without the latter in a tolerable +degree, it must be very imperfect.</p> + +<p>“Remember, however, that infallibility is not +the property of man, or you may entail disappointment +on yourself, by expecting what is +never to be found. The best men are sometimes +inconsistent with themselves. They are +liable to be hurried, by sudden starts of passion, +into expressions and actions, which their <i>cooler</i> +reason will condemn. They may have some +oddities of behavior, and some peculiarities of +temper. They may be subject to accidental ill +humor, or to whimsical complaints. Blemishes +of this kind often shade the brightest character; +but they are never destructive of mutual felicity, +unless when they are made so by an improper +resentment, or by an ill-judged opposition. +When cooled, and in his usual temper, the man +of understanding, if he has been wrong, will +suggest to himself all that could be urged against +him. The man of good nature will, unupbraided, +own his error. Immediate contradiction is, +therefore, wholly unserviceable, and highly imprudent; +an after repetition is equally unnecessary +and injudicious. Any peculiarities in the +temper or behavior ought to be properly represented +in the tenderest and in the most friendly +manner. If the representation of them is made +discreetly, it will generally be well taken. But +<a name="png.120" id="png.120"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">121</span><span class="ns">] + </span>if they are so habitual as not easily to be altered, +strike not too often upon the unharmonious +string. Rather let them pass unobserved. +Such a cheerful compliance will better cement +your union; and they may be made easy to +yourself, by reflecting on the superior good qualities +by which these trifling faults are so greatly +overbalanced.</p> + +<p>“You must remember, my dear, these rules +are laid down on the supposition of your being +united to a person who possesses the three qualifications +for happiness before mentioned. In +this case no farther direction is necessary, but +that you strictly perform the duty of a wife, +namely, to love, to honor, and obey. The two +first articles are a tribute so indispensably due to +<i>merit</i>, that they must be paid by <i>inclination</i>—and +they naturally lead to the performance of +the last, which will not only be easy, but a pleasing +task, since nothing can ever be enjoined by +such a person that is in itself improper, and a +few things will, that can, with any reason, be +disagreeable to you.</p> + +<p>“The being united to a man of irreligious +principles, makes it impossible to discharge a +great part of the proper duty of a wife. To +name but one instance, obedience will be rendered +impracticable, by frequent injunctions inconsistent +with, and contrary to, the higher obligations +of morality. This is not a supposition, but +is a certainty founded upon facts, which I have +too often seen and can attest. Where this happens, +the reasons for non-compliance ought to be +<a name="png.121" id="png.121"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">122</span><span class="ns">] + </span>offered in a plain, strong, good natured manner. +There is at least the chance of success from being +heard. But should those reasons be rejected, +or the hearing them refused, and silence on the +subject enjoined, which is most probable, few +people caring to hear what they know to be +right, when they are determined not to be convinced +by it—obey the injunction, and urge not +the argument farther. Keep, however, steady to +your principles, and suffer neither persuasion +nor threats to prevail on you to act contrary to +them. All commands repugnant to the laws of +christianity, it is your indispensable duty to disobey. +All requests that are inconsistent with +prudence, or incompatible with the rank and +character which you ought to maintain in life, it +is your interest to refuse. A compliance with +the former would be criminal, a consent to the +latter highly indiscreet; and it might thereby +subject you to general censure. For a man, +capable of requiring, from his wife, what he +knows to be in itself wrong, is equally capable +of throwing the whole blame of such misconduct +on her, and of afterwards upbraiding her for a +behavior, to which he will, upon the same principle, +disown that he has been <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + this may be a typo, but the OED gives a meaning of + 'an adjunct, or accompaniment' for the word spelled this way">accessary</ins>. Many +similar instances have come within the compass +of my own observation. In things of less material +nature, that are neither criminal in themselves, +nor pernicious in their consequences, always +acquiesce, if insisted on, however disagreeable +they may be to your own temper and inclination. +Such a compliance will evidently prove +<a name="png.122" id="png.122"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">123</span><span class="ns">] + </span>that your refusal, in the other cases, proceeds +not from a spirit of contradiction, but merely +from a just regard to that superior duty which +can never be infringed with impunity.</p> + +<p>“As the want of understanding is by no art to +be concealed, by no address to be disguised, it +might be supposed impossible for a woman of +sense to unite herself to a person whose defect, +in this instance, must render that sort of rational +society, which constitutes the chief happiness of +such an union, impossible. Yet here, how often +has the weakness of female judgment been conspicuous! +The advantages of great superiority +in rank or fortune have frequently proved so irresistible +a temptation, as, in opinion, to outweigh, +not only the folly, but even the vices of +its possessor—a grand mistake, ever tacitly acknowledged +by a subsequent repentance, when +the expected pleasures of affluence, equipage, +and all the glittering pageantry, have been experimentally +found insufficient to make amends +for the want of that constant satisfaction which +results from the social joy of conversing with a +reasonable friend!</p> + +<p>“But however weak this motive must be acknowledged, +it is more excusable than another, +which, I fear, has sometimes had an equal influence +on the mind—I mean so great a love of +sway, as to induce her to give the preference to +a person of weak intellectuals, in hopes of holding, +uncontrolled, the reins of government. The +expectation is, in fact, ill grounded. Obstinacy +and pride are generally the companions of folly. +<a name="png.123" id="png.123"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">124</span><span class="ns">] + </span>The silliest people are often the most tenacious +of their opinions, and, consequently, the hardest +of all others to be managed. But admit the +contrary, the principle is in itself bad. It tends +to invert the order of nature, and to counteract +the design of Providence.</p> + +<p>“A woman can never be seen in a more ridiculous +light than when she appears to govern her +husband. If, unfortunately, the superiority of +understanding is on her side, the apparent consciousness +of that superiority betrays a weakness, +that renders her contemptible in the sight of +every considerate person, and it may, very probably, +fix in his mind a dislike never to be eradicated. +In such a case, if it should ever be your +own, remember that some degree of dissimulation +is commendable, so far as to let your husband’s +defects appear unobserved. When he +judges wrong, never flatly contradict, but lead +him insensibly into another opinion, in so discreet +a manner, that it may seem entirely his +own, and let the whole credit of every prudent +determination rest on him, without indulging +the foolish vanity of claiming any merit to yourself. +Thus a person of but an indifferent capacity, +may be so assisted, as, in many instances, to +shine with borrowed lustre, scarce distinguishable +from the native, and by degrees he may be +brought into a kind of mechanical method of +acting properly, in all the common occurrences +of life. Odd as this position may seem, it is +founded in fact. I have seen the method successfully +practised by more than one person, +<a name="png.124" id="png.124"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">125</span><span class="ns">] + </span>where a weak mind, on the governed side, has +been so prudently set off as to appear the sole +director; like the statue of the Delphic god, +which was thought to give forth its own oracles, +whilst the humble priest, who lent his voice, was +by the shrine concealed, nor sought a higher +glory than a supposed obedience to the power +he would be thought to serve.”</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">A LETTER TO A NEW MARRIED MAN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">I received</span> the news of your marriage with +infinite delight, and hope that the sincerity with +which I wish you happiness, may excuse the +liberty I take in giving you a few rules, whereby +more certainly to obtain it. I see you smile +at my wrong-headed kindness, and, reflecting on +the charms of your bride, cry out in a rapture, +that you are happy enough without any rules. +I know you are. But after one of the forty +years, which I hope you will pass pleasingly together, +is over, this letter may come in turn, +and rules for felicity may not be found unnecessary, +however some of them may appear impracticable.</p> + +<p>Could that kind of love be kept alive through +the marriage state, which makes the charm of a +single one, the sovereign good would no longer +be sought for; in the union of two faithful lovers +it would be found: but reason shows that +this is impossible, and experience informs us that +<a name="png.125" id="png.125"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">126</span><span class="ns">] + </span>it never was so; we must preserve it as long, +and supply it as happily as we can.</p> + +<p>When your present violence of passion subsides, +however, and a more cool and tranquil +affection takes its place, be not hasty to censure +yourself as indifferent, or to lament yourself as +unhappy; you have lost that only which it was +impossible to retain, and it were graceless amid +the pleasures of a prosperous summer to regret +the blossoms of a transient spring. Neither unwarily +condemn your bride’s insipidity till you +have recollected that no object however sublime, +no sounds however charming, can continue to +transport us with delight when they no longer +strike us with novelty. The skill to renovate +the powers of pleasing is said indeed to be possessed +by some women in an eminent degree; +but the artifices of maturity are seldom seen to +adorn the innocence of youth: you have made +your choice, and ought to approve it.</p> + +<p>Satiety follows quickly upon the heels of possession; +and to be happy, we must always have +something in view. The person of your lady is +already all your own, and will not grow more +pleasing in your eyes I doubt, though the rest of +your sex will think her handsome for these dozen +of years. Turn therefore all your attention +to her mind, which will daily grow brighter by +polishing. Study some easy science together, +and acquire a similarity of tastes while you enjoy +a community of pleasures. You will by this +means have many images in common, and be +freed from the necessity of separating to find +<a name="png.126" id="png.126"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">127</span><span class="ns">] + </span>amusement. Nothing is so dangerous to wedded +love as the possibility of either being happy +out of the company of the other: endeavor therefore, +to cement the present intimacy on every +side; let your wife never be kept ignorant of +your income, your expenses, your <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'frienships'">friendships</ins>, or +aversions; let her know your very faults, but +make them amiable by your virtues; consider +all concealment as a breach of fidelity; let her +never have any thing to find out in your character; +and remember, that from the moment one +of the partners turns spy upon the other, they +have commenced a state of hostility.</p> + +<p>Seek not for happiness in singularity; and +dread a refinement of wisdom as a deviation into +folly. Listen not to those sages who advise you +always to scorn the counsel of a woman, and if +you comply with her requests pronounce you to +be wife-ridden.</p> + +<p>I said that the person of your lady would not +grow more pleasing to you; but pray let her +never suspect that it grows less so: that a woman +will pardon an affront to her understanding +much sooner than one to her person, is well +known; nor will any of us contradict the assertion. +All our attainments, all our arts, are employed +to gain and keep the heart of man: and +what mortification can exceed the disappointment, +if the end be not obtained? There is no reproof +however pointed, no punishment however +severe, that a woman of spirit will not prefer to +neglect; and if she can endure it without complaint, +it only proves that she means to make +<a name="png.127" id="png.127"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">128</span><span class="ns">] + </span>herself amends by the attention of others for the +slights of her husband. For this, and for every +reason, it behoves a married man not to let his +politeness fail, though his ardor may abate, but +to retain at least that general civility towards his +own lady which he is so willing to pay to every +other, and not show a wife of eighteen or twenty +years old, that every man in company can treat +her with more complaisance than he, who so often +vowed to her eternal fondness.</p> + +<p>It is not my opinion that a young woman +should be indulged in every wild wish of her +gay heart or giddy head; but contradiction may +be softened by domestic kindness, and quiet +pleasures substituted in the place of noisy ones. +Public amusements are not indeed so expensive +as is sometimes imagined, but they tend to alienate +the minds of married people from each +other. A well chosen society of friends and acquaintance, +more eminent for virtue and good +sense than for gaiety and splendor, where the +conversation of the day may afford comment for +the evening, seems the most rational pleasure +this great town can afford.</p> + +<p>That your own superiority should always be +seen, but never felt, seems an excellent general +rule. A wife should outshine her husband in +nothing, not even in her dress. The bane of +married happiness among the city men in general +has been, that finding themselves unfit for +polite life, they transferred their vanity to their +ladies, dressed them up gaily, and sent them out +a gallanting, while the good man was to regale +<a name="png.128" id="png.128"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">129</span><span class="ns">] + </span>with port wine or rum punch, perhaps among +mean companions, after the compting house was +shut. This practice produced the ridicule thrown +on them in all our comedies and novels since +commerce began to prosper. But now that I +am so near the subject, a word or two on jealousy +may not be amiss; for though not a failing +of the present age’s growth, yet the seeds of +it are too certainly sown in every warm bosom, +for us to neglect it as a fault of no consequence. +If you are ever tempted to be jealous, watch +your wife narrowly—but never tease her; tell +her your <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'jealously'">jealousy</ins>, but conceal your suspicion; +let her, in short, be satisfied that it is only your +odd temper, and even troublesome attachment, +that makes you follow her; but let her not +dream that you ever doubted seriously of her +virtue even for a moment. If she is disposed +towards jealousy of you, let me beseech you to +be always explicit with her and never mysterious: +be above delighting in her pain, of all +things—nor do your business nor pay your visits +with an air of concealment, when all you are +doing might as well be proclaimed perhaps in the +parish vestry. But I hope better than this of +your tenderness and of your virtue, and will release +you from a lecture you have so little need +of, unless your extreme youth and my uncommon +regard will excuse it. And now farewell; +make my kindest compliments to your wife, and +be happy in proportion as happiness is wished +you by, Dear Sir, &c.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.129" id="png.129"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">130</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>GARRICK’S ADVICE TO MARRIED LADIES.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div><span class="smc">Ye</span> fair married dames who so often deplore</div> +<div>That a lover once blest is a lover no more;</div> +<div>Attend to my counsel, nor blush to be taught</div> +<div>That prudence must cherish what beauty has caught.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div>The bloom on your cheek, and the glance of your eye,</div> +<div>Your roses and lilies may make the men sigh;</div> +<div>But roses, and lilies, and sighs pass away,</div> +<div>And passion will die as your beauties decay.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div>Use the man that you wed like your fav’rite guitar,</div> +<div>Though music in both, they are both apt to jar;</div> +<div>How tuneful and soft from a delicate touch,</div> +<div>Not handled too roughly, nor play’d on too much!</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div>The sparrow and linnet will feed from your hand,</div> +<div>Grow tame by your kindness, and come at command:</div> +<div>Exert with your husband the same happy skill,</div> +<div>For hearts, like your birds, may be tamed to your will.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div>Be gay and good-humour’d, complying and kind,</div> +<div>Turn the chief of your care from your face to your mind;</div> +<div>’Tis thus that a wife may her conquests improve,</div> +<div>And Hymen shall rivet the fetters of love.</div> +</div> +</div> + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.130" id="png.130"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">131</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>ORIGIN OF NUNNERIES.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Soon</span> after the introduction of Christianity, +<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'St Mark,'">St. Mark</ins> is said to have founded a society called Therapeutes, +who dwelt by the lake Moeris in Egypt, +and devoted themselves to solitude and religious +offices. About the year 305 of the christian computation, +<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Anthony being persecuted by Dioclesian, +retired into the desert near the lake Moeris; +numbers of people soon followed his example, +joined themselves to the Therapeutes; <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Anthony +being placed at their head, and improving upon +their rules, first formed them into regular monasteries, +and enjoined them to live in mortification +and chastity. About the same time, or soon after, +<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Synclitica, resolving not to be behind <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Anthony +in her zeal for chastity, is generally believed to +have collected together a number of enthusiastic +females, and to have founded the first nunnery for +their reception. Some imagine the scheme of celibacy +was concerted between <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Anthony and <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Synclitica, +as <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Anthony, on his first retiring into +solitude, is said to have put his sister into a nunnery, +which must have been that of <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Synclitica; but +however this be, from their institution, monks and +nuns increased so fast, that in the city of Orixa, +about seventeen years after the death of <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Anthony, +there were twenty thousand virgins devoted to +celibacy.</p> + +<p>Such at this time was the rage of celibacy; a +rage which, however unnatural, will cease to excite +our wonder, when we consider, that it was accounted +by both sexes the sure and only infallible +road to heaven and eternal happiness; and as such, +it behoved the church vigorously to maintain and +countenance it, which she did by beginning about +this time to deny the liberty of marriage to her +sons. In the first council of Nice, held soon after +<a name="png.131" id="png.131"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">132</span><span class="ns">] + </span>the introduction of christianity, the celibacy of the +clergy was strenuously argued for, and some think +that even in an earlier period it had been the subject +of debate; however this be, it was not agreed +to in the council of Nice, though at the end of the +fourth century it is said that Syricus, bishop of +Rome, enacted the first decree against the marriage +of monks; a decree which was not universally received: +for several centuries after, we find that it +was not uncommon for clergymen to have wives; +even the popes were allowed this liberty, as it is +said in some of the old statutes of the church, that +it was lawful for the pope to marry a virgin for the +sake of having children. So exceedingly difficult +is it to combat against nature, that little regard +seems to have been paid to this decree of Syricus; +for we are informed, that several centuries after, it +was no uncommon thing for the clergy to have +wives, and perhaps even a plurality of them; as +we find it among the ordonnances of pope Sylvester, +that every priest should be the husband of one +wife only; and Pius the Second affirmed, that +though many strong reasons might be adduced in +support of the celibacy of the clergy, there were +still stronger reasons against it.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">DESCRIPTION OF THE GREAT CONVENT AT +AJUDA IN RIO JANERIO.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">At</span> the end of the chapel is a large quadrangle, +entered by a massive gateway, surrounded by three +stories of grated windows. Here female negro pedlars +come with their goods, and expose them in the +court-yard below. The nuns, from their grated +windows above, see what they like, and, letting +down a cord, the article is fastened to it; it is then +<a name="png.132" id="png.132"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">133</span><span class="ns">] + </span>drawn up and examined, and, if approved of, the +price is let down. Some that I saw in the act of +buying and selling in this way, were very merry, +joking and laughing with the blacks below, and did +not seem at all indisposed to do the same with my +companion. In three of the lower windows, on a +level with the court-yard, are revolving cupboards, +like half-barrels, and at the back of each is a plate +of tin, perforated like the top of a nutmeg-grater. +The nuns of this convent are celebrated for making +sweet confectionary, which people purchase. +There is a bell which the purchaser applies to, and +a nun peeps through the perforated tin; she then +lays the dish on a shelf of the revolving cupboard, +and turns it inside out; the dish is taken, the price +laid in its place, and it is turned in. While we +stood there, the invisible lady-warder asked for a +pinch of snuff; the box was laid down in the same +way, and turned in and out.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">CEREMONY OF THE INITIATION OF A NUN.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> disposition to take the veil, even among +young girls, is not uncommon in Brazil. The opposition +of friends can prevent it, until they are +<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'twentyfive'">twenty-five</ins> years old; but after that time they are +considered competent to decide for themselves. A +writer describes the initiation of a young lady, +whose wealthy parents were extremely reluctant to +have her take the vow. She held a lighted torch +in her hand, in imitation of the prudent virgins; +and when the priest chanted, “Your spouse approaches; +come forth and meet him,” she approached +the altar singing, “I follow with my whole +heart;” and, accompanied by two nuns already +professed, she knelt before the bishop. She seemed +<a name="png.133" id="png.133"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">134</span><span class="ns">] + </span>very lovely, with an unusually sweet, gentle, and +pensive countenance. She did not look particularly +or deeply affected; but when she sung her responses, +there was something exceedingly mournful +in the soft, tremulous, and timid tones of her +voice. The bishop now exhorted her to make a +public profession of her vows before the congregation, +and said, “Will you persevere in your purpose +of holy chastity?” She blushed deeply, and, +with a downcast look, lowly, but firmly answered, +“I will.” He again said, more distinctly, “Do you +promise to preserve it?” and she replied more emphatically, +“I do promise.” The bishop then said, +“Thanks be to God;” and she bent forward and +reverently kissed his hand, while he asked her, +“Will you be blest and consecrated?” She replied, +“Oh! I wish it.”</p> + +<p>The habiliments, in which she was hereafter to +be clothed, were sanctified by the aspersion of holy +water: then followed several prayers to God, that +“As he had blessed the garments of Aaron, with +ointment which flowed from his head to his beard, +so he would now bless the garments of his servant, +with the copious dew of his benediction.” When +the garment was thus blessed, the girl retired with +it; and having laid aside the dress in which she +had appeared, she returned, arrayed in her new attire, +except her veil. A gold ring was next provided, +and consecrated with a prayer, that she who +wore it “might be fortified with celestial virtue, +to preserve a pure faith, and incorrupt fidelity to +her spouse, Jesus Christ.” He last took the veil, +and her female attendants having uncovered her +head, he threw it over her, so that it fell on her +shoulders and bosom, and said, “Receive this sacred +veil, under the shadow of which you may learn +to despise the world, and submit yourself truly, and +with all humility of heart, to your Spouse;” to +<a name="png.134" id="png.134"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">135</span><span class="ns">] + </span>which she sung a response, in a very sweet, soft, +and touching voice: “He has placed this veil before +my face that I should see no lover but himself.”</p> + +<p>The bishop now kindly took her hand, and held +it while the following hymn was chanted by the +choir with great harmony: “Beloved Spouse, +come—the winter is passed—the turtle sings, and +the blooming vines are redolent of summer.”</p> + +<p>A crown, a necklace, and other female ornaments, +were now taken by the bishop and separately +blessed; and the girl bending forward, he +placed them on her head and neck, praying that she +might be thought worthy “to be enrolled into the +society of the hundred and <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'fortyfour'">forty-four</ins> thousand virgins, +who preserved their chastity and did not mix +with the society of impure women.”</p> + +<p>Last of all, he placed the ring on the middle finger +of her right hand, and solemnly said, “So I +marry you to Jesus Christ, who will henceforth be +your protector. Receive this ring, the pledge of +your faith, that you may be called the spouse of +God.” She fell on her knees, and sung, “I am +married to him whom angels serve, whose beauty +the sun and moon admire;” then rising, and showing +with exultation her right hand, she said, emphatically, +as if to impress it on the attention of the +congregation, “My Lord has wedded me with this +ring, and decorated me with a crown as his spouse. +I here renounce and <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'despire'">despise</ins> all earthly ornaments +for his sake, whom alone I see, whom alone I love, +in whom alone I trust, and to whom alone I give all +my affections. My heart hath uttered a good word: +I speak of the deed I have done for my King.” +The bishop then pronounced a general benediction, +and retired up to the altar; while the nun professed +was borne off between her friends, with lighted tapers, +and garlands waving.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.135" id="png.135"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">136</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>WEDDED LOVE IS INFINITELY PREFERABLE TO +VARIETY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div><span class="smc">Hail</span>, wedded love, mysterious law, true source</div> +<div>Of human offspring, sole propriety,</div> +<div>In Paradise of all things common else!</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i2">By thee adult’rous lust was driven from men,</div> +<div>Among the bestial herds to range; by thee,</div> +<div>Founded in reason, loyal, just and pure,</div> +<div>Relations dear, and all the charities</div> +<div>Of father, son, and brother, first were known.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i2">Thou art the fountain of domestic sweets,</div> +<div>Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced.</div> +<div>Here Love his golden shafts employs, here lights</div> +<div>His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings,</div> +<div>Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile</div> +<div>Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear’d,</div> +<div><ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'Easual'">Casual</ins> fruition; nor in court amours,</div> +<div>Mix’d dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball,</div> +<div>Or serenade, which the starved lover sings</div> +<div>To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.</div> +</div> +</div> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">ITALIAN DEBAUCHERY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">If</span> chastity is none of the most shining virtues of +the French, it is still less so of the Italians. Almost +all the travellers who have visited Italy, agree in +describing it as the most abandoned of all the countries +of Europe. At Venice, at Naples, and indeed +in almost every part of Italy, women are +taught from their infancy, the various arts of alluring +<a name="png.136" id="png.136"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">137</span><span class="ns">] + </span>to their arms, the young and unwary, and of obtaining +from them, while heated by love or wine, every +thing that flattery and false smiles can obtain in +those unguarded moments: and so little infamous +is the trade of prostitution, and so venal the women, +that hardly any rank or condition set them above +being bribed to it, nay, they are frequently assisted +by their male friends and acquaintances to drive a +good bargain; nor does their career of debauchery +finish with their unmarried state; the vows of +fidelity which they make at the <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'alter'">altar</ins>, are like the +vows and oaths made upon too many other occasions, +only considered as nugatory forms, which +law has obliged them to take, but custom absolved +them from performing. They even claim and enjoy +greater liberties after marriage than before; +every married woman has a cicisbey, or gallant, +who attends her to all public places, hands her in +and out of her carriage, picks up her gloves or fan, +and a thousand other little offices of the same natures; +but this is only his public employment, as a +reward for which, he is entitled to have the lady as +often as he pleases at a place of retirement sacred +to themselves, where no person not even the most +intrusive husband must enter, to be witness of what +passes between them. This has been considered +by people of other nations, as a custom not altogether +consistent with chastity and purity of manners; +the Italians themselves however, endeavor to +justify it in their conversations with strangers, and +Baretti has of late years published a formal vindication +of it to the world. In this vindication he has +not only deduced the original of it from pure Platonic +love, but would willingly persuade us that it +is still continued upon the same mental principles; +a doctrine which the world will hardly be credulous +enough to swallow, even though he should offer +more convincing arguments to support it than +he has already done.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.137" id="png.137"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">138</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>NAKED FAKIERS</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">So</span> different over all the world are the sects of +saints as well as of sinners, that besides the Bramins, +a set of innocent and religious priests, who +have rendered their women virtuous by treating +them with kindness and humanity, there are another +sect of religio-philosophical drones, called Fakiers, +who contribute as much as they can to debauch +the sex, under a pretence of superior sanctity. +These hypocritical saints, like some of the +ridiculous sects which formerly existed in Europe, +wear no clothes; considering them only as proper +appendages to sinners, who are ashamed, because +they are sensible of guilt; while they, being free +from every stain of pollution, have no shame to +cover. In this original state of nature, these idle +and pretended devotees, assemble together sometimes +in armies of ten or twelve thousand, and under +a pretence of going in pilgrimage to certain +temples, like locusts devour every thing on their +way; the men flying before them, and carrying all +that they can out of the reach of their depredations; +while the women, not in the least afraid of +a naked army of lusty saints, throw themselves in +their way, or remain quietly at home to receive +them.</p> + +<p>It has long been an opinion, well established all +over India, that there is not in nature so powerful +a remedy for removing the sterility of women, as +the prayers of these sturdy naked saints. On this +account, barren women constantly apply to them +for assistance; which when the good natured Fakier +has an indication to grant, he leaves his slipper, +or his staff at the door of the lady’s apartment +with whom he is praying; a symbol so sacred, that +it effectually prevents any one from violating the +secrecy of their devotion; but should he forget this +<a name="png.138" id="png.138"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">139</span><span class="ns">] + </span>signal, and at the same time be distant from the +protection of <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'bis'">his</ins> brethren, a sound drubbing is frequently +the reward of his pious endeavors. But +though they venture sometimes in Hindostan, to +treat a Fakier in this unholy manner, in other parts +of Asia and Africa, such is the veneration in which +these lusty saints are held, that they not only have +access when they please, to perform private devotions +with barren women, but are accounted so +holy, that they may at any time, in public or private, +confer a personal favor upon a woman, without +bringing upon her either shame or guilt; and +no woman dare refuse to gratify their passion. +Nor indeed, has any one an inclination of this kind; +because she, upon whom this personal favor has +been conferred, is considered by herself, and by +all the people, as having been sanctified and made +more holy by the action.</p> + +<p>So much concerning the conduct of the Fakiers +in debauching women, seems certain. But it is by +travellers further related, that wherever they find a +woman who is exceedingly handsome, they carry +her off privately to one of their temples; but in +such a manner, as to make her and the people believe, +that she is carried away by the god who is +there worshipped; who being violently in love +with her, took that method to procure her for his +wife. This done, they perform a nuptial ceremony, +and make her further believe that she is married +to the god; when, in reality, she is only married +to one of the Fakiers who personates him. +Women who are treated in this manner are revered +by the people as the wives of the gods, and by that +stratagem secured solely to the Fakiers, who have +cunning enough to impose themselves as gods upon +some of these women, through the whole of their +lives. In countries where reason is stronger than +superstition, we almost think this impossible: +<a name="png.139" id="png.139"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">140</span><span class="ns">] + </span>where the contrary is the case, there is nothing too +hard to be credited. Something like this was done +by the priests of ancient Greece and Rome; and a +few centuries ago, tricks of the same nature were +practiced by the monks, and other libertines, upon +some of the visionary and enthusiastic women of +Europe. Hence we need not think it strange, if +the Fakiers generally succeed in attempts of this +nature; when we consider that they only have to +deceive a people brought up in the most consummate +ignorance; and that nothing can be more flattering +to female vanity, than for a woman to suppose +herself such a peculiar favorite of the divinity she +worships, as to be chosen, from all her companions, +to the honor of being admitted to his embraces; a +favor, which her self-admiration will dispose her +more readily to believe than examine.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">MAHOMETAN PLURALITY OF WIVES.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">But</span> it is not the religion of the Hindoos only, +that is unfavorable to chastity; that of Mahomet +which now prevails over a great part of India, is +unfavorable to it likewise. Mahometanism every +where indulges men with a plurality of wives +while it ties down the women to the strictest conjugal +fidelity; hence, while the men riot in unlimited +variety, the women are in great numbers confined +to share among them the scanty favors of one +man only. This unnatural and impolitic conduct +induces them to seek by art and intrigue, what they +are denied by the laws of their prophet. As polygamy +prevails over all Asia, this art and intrigue +follow as the consequence of it; some have imagined, +that it is the result of climate, but it rather +appears to be the result of the injustice which +<a name="png.140" id="png.140"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">141</span><span class="ns">] + </span>women suffer by polygamy; for it seems to reign, as +much in Constantinople, and in every other place +where polygamy is in fashion, as it does on the +banks of the Ganges, or the Indus. The famous +Montesquieu, whose system was, that the passions +are entirely regulated by the climate, brings as a +proof of this system, a story from the collection of +voyages for the establishment of an East India +Company, in which it is said, that at Patan, “the +wanton desires of the women are so outrageous, +that the men are obliged to make use of a certain +apparel to shelter them from their designs.” Were +this story really true, it would be but a partial proof +of the effect of climate, for why should the burning +suns of Patan only influence the passions of the +fair? Why should they there transport that sex +beyond decency, which in all other climates is the +most decent? And leave in so cool and defensive +a state, that sex, which in all other climates is apt +to be the most offensive and indecent? To whatever +length the spirit of intrigue may be carried in +Asia and Africa, however the passions of the women +may prompt them to excite desire, and to +throw themselves in the way of gratification, we +have the strongest reasons to reprobate all these +stories, which would make us believe, that they are +so lost to decency as to attack the other sex: such +a system would be overturning nature, and inverting +the established laws by which she governs the +world.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">WOMEN OF OTAHEITE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">In</span> Otaheite, an island in the Southern Ocean, we +are presented with women of a singular character. +As far as we can recollect, we think it is a pretty +<a name="png.141" id="png.141"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">142</span><span class="ns">] + </span>general rule, that whatever the sex are accustomed +to be constantly clothed, they are ashamed to appear +naked: those of Otaheite seem however to be +an exception to this rule; to show themselves in +public, with or without clothing, appears to be to +them a matter of equal indifference, and the exposition +of any part of their bodies, is not attended +with the least backwardness or reluctance; circumstances +from which we may reasonably infer, that +among them, clothes were not originally invented +to cover shame, but either as ornaments, or as a +defence against the cold. But a still more striking +singularity in the character of these women, and +which distinguishes them not only from the females +of all other nations, but likewise from those of almost +all other animals, is, their performing in public +those rites, which in every other part of the +globe, and among almost all animals, are performed +in privacy and retirement: whether this is the effect +of innocence, or of a dissoluteness of manners +to which no other people have yet arrived, remains +still to be discovered; that they are dissolute, even +beyond any thing we have hitherto recorded, is but +too certain. As polygamy is not allowed among +them, to satisfy the lust of variety, they have a society +called Arreoy, in which every woman is common +to every man; and when any of these women +happens to have a child, it is smothered in the moment +of its birth, that it may not interrupt the pleasures +of its infamous mother; but in this juncture, +should nature relent at so horrid a deed, even then +the mother is not allowed to save her child, unless +she can find a man who will patronise it as a father; +in which case, the man is considered as having appropriated +the woman to himself, and she is accordingly +extruded from this hopeful society. +These few anecdotes sufficiently characterise the +women of this island.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.142" id="png.142"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">143</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>CRIM. CON. OF CLAUDIUS AND POMPEIA.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Our</span> own times furnish us with an instance of a +ceremony from which all women are carefully excluded;<sup><a href="#fn.2" + name="fna.2" id="fna.2">2</a></sup> +but the Roman ladies, in performing the +rites sacred to the good goddess, were even more +afraid of the men than our masons are of women; +for we are told by some authors, that so cautious +were they of concealment, that even the statutes +and pictures of men and other male animals were +hood-winked with a thick veil. The house of the +consul, though commonly so large that they might +have been perfectly secured against all intrusion in +some remote apartment of it, was obliged to be +evacuated by all male animals, and even the consul +himself was not suffered to remain in it. Before +they began their ceremonies, every corner and +lurking place in the house was carefully searched, +and no caution omitted to prevent all possibility of +being discovered by impertinent curiosity, or disturbed +by presumptive intrusion. But these cautions +were not all the <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'gaurd'">guard</ins> that was placed around +them; The laws of the Romans made it death for +any man to be present at the solemnity.</p> + +<p>Such being the precautions, and such the penalties +for insuring the secrecy of this ceremony, it +was only once attempted to be violated, though it +existed from the foundation of the Roman empire +till the introduction of Christianity; and this attempt +was made, not so much perhaps with a view +to be present at the ceremony, as to fulfil an assignation +with a mistress. Pompeia, the wife of +Cæsar, having been suspected of a criminal correspondence +with Claudius, and so closely watched +that she could find no opportunity of gratifying her +passion, at last, by the means of a female slave, +<a name="png.143" id="png.143"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">144</span><span class="ns">] + </span>settled an assignation with him at the celebration of +the rites of the good goddess. Claudius was directed +to come in the habit of a singing girl, a character +he could easily personate, being young and of +a fair complexion. As soon as the slave saw him +enter, she ran to inform her mistress. The mistress +eager to meet her lover, immediately left the +company and threw herself into his arms, but could +not be prevailed upon by him to return so soon as +he thought necessary for their mutual safety; upon +which he left her, and began to take a walk through +the rooms, always avoiding the light as much as +possible. While he was thus walking by himself, +a maid servant accosted him, and desired him to +sing; he took no notice of her, but she followed +and urging him so closely, that he was at last +obliged to speak. His voice betrayed his sex; the +maid servant shrieked, and running into the room +where the rites were performing, told that a man +was in the house. The women in the utmost consternation, +threw a veil ever the mysteries, ordered +the doors to be secured, and with lights in their +hands, ran about the house searching for the sacrilegious +intruder. They found him in the apartment +of the slave who had admitted him, drove him out +with ignominy, and, though it was in the middle of +the night immediately dispersed, to give an account +to their husbands of what had happened. Claudius +was soon after accused of having profaned the +holy rites; but the populace declaring in his favor, +the judges, fearing an insurrection, were obliged to +acquit him.</p> + +<hr class="footnote" /> +<div class="footnote"> +<p><a href="#fna.2" name="fn.2" id="fn.2">2</a> Masonry</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.144" id="png.144"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">145</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>A WORD TO A VERY NICE CLASS OF LADIES.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">There</span> is amongst us a female character, +not uncommon, which we denominate the outrageously +virtuous. Women of this stamp never fail +to seize all opportunities of exclaiming, in the bitterest +manner, against every one upon whom even +the slightest suspicion of indiscretion or unchastity +has fallen; taking care, as they go along, to magnify +every mole-hill into a mountain, and every +thoughtless freedom into the blackest of crimes. +But besides the illiberality of thus treating such as +may frequently be innocent, you may credit us, dear +countrywomen, when we aver, that such a behavior, +instead of making you appear more virtuous, +only draws down upon you, by those who know +the world, suspicions not much to your advantage. +Your sex are in general suspected by ours, of being +too much addicted to scandal and defamation; a suspicion, +which has not arisen of late years, as we +find in the ancient laws of England a punishment, +known by the name of ducking-stool, annexed to +scolding and defamation in the women, though no +such punishment nor crime is taken notice of in +the men. This crime, however, we persuade ourselves, +you are less guilty of, than is commonly believed: +but there is another of a nature not more +excusable, from which we cannot so much exculpate +you; which is, that harsh and forbidding appearance +you put on, and that ill treatment, which +you no doubt think necessary, for the illustration of +your own virtue, you should bestow on every one +of your sex who has deviated from the path of rectitude. +A behaviour of this nature, besides being +so opposite to that meek and gentle spirit which +should distinguish female nature, is in every respect +contrary to the charitable and forgiving +<a name="png.145" id="png.145"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">146</span><span class="ns">] + </span>temper of the Christian religion, and infallibly shuts +the door of repentance against an unfortunate sister, +willing, perhaps, to abandon the vices into +which heedless inadvertency had plunged her, and +from which none of you can promise yourselves an +absolute security.</p> + +<p>We wish not, fair countrywomen, like the declaimer +and satirist, to paint you all vice and imperfection, +nor, like the venal panegyrist, to exhibit +you all virtue. As impartial historians, we confess +that you have, in the present age, many virtues +and good qualities, which were either nearly or altogether +unknown to your ancestors; but do you +not exceed them in some follies and vices also? Is +not the levity, dissipation, and extravagance of the +women of this century arrived to a pitch unknown +and unheard of in former times? Is not the course +which you steer in life, almost entirely directed by +vanity and fashion? And are there not too many +of you who, throwing aside reason and good conduct, +and despising the counsel of your friends and +relations, seem determined to follow the mode of +the world, however it may be mixed with vice? +Do not the generality of you dress, and appear +above your station, and are not many of you +ashamed to be seen performing the duties of it? +To sum up all, do not too, too many of you act as +if you thought the care of a family, and the other +domestic virtues, beneath your attention, and that +the sole end for which you were sent into the world, +was to please and divert yourselves, at the expense +of those poor wretches the men, whom you consider +as obliged to support you in every kind of idleness +and extravagance? While such is your conduct, +and while the contagion is every day increasing, +you are not to be surprised if the men, still +fond of you as playthings in the hours of mirth +and revelry, ever shun serious connection with you; +<a name="png.146" id="png.146"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">147</span><span class="ns">] + </span>and while they wish to be possessed of your charms, +are so much afraid of your manners and conduct, +that they prefer the cheerless state of a bachelor, to +the numberless evils arising from being tied to a +modern wife.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">CUSTOM IN THE MOGUL EMPIRE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">In</span> a variety of parts of the Mogul empire, when +the women are carried abroad, they are put into a +kind of machine like a chariot, and placed on the +backs of camels, or in covered sedan chairs, and +surrounded by a guard of eunuchs and armed men, +in such a manner, that a stranger would rather suppose +the cavalcade to be carrying some desperate +villain to execution, than employed to prevent the +intrigues or escape of a defenceless woman. At +home, the sex are covered with gauze veils, which +they dare not take off in the presence of any man, +except their husband, or some near relation. Over +the greatest part of Asia, and some parts of Africa, +women are guarded by eunuchs, made incapable of +violating their chastity. In Spain, where the natives +are the descendants of the Africans, and +whose jealousy is not less strong than that of their +ancestors, they, for many centuries, made use of padlocks +to secure the chastity of their women; but finding +these ineffectual, they frequently had recourse +to old women, called Gouvernantes. It had been +discovered, that men deprived of their virility, did +not guard female virtue so strictly, as to be incapable +of being bribed to allow another a taste of those +pleasures they themselves were incapable of enjoying. +The Spaniards, sensible of this, imagined, +that vindictive old women were more likely to be +incorruptible; as envy would stimulate them to +<a name="png.147" id="png.147"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">148</span><span class="ns">] + </span>prevent the young from enjoying those pleasures, +which they themselves had no longer any chance +for; but all powerful gold soon overcame even this +obstacle; and the Spaniards, at present, seem to +give up all restrictive methods, and to trust the virtue +of their women to good principles, instead of +rigor and hard usage.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">CUSTOM OF THE MUSCOVITES.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc"><ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original is not small-capped">If</ins></span> the laws forbidding the marriage of near relations +with each other, originated from the political +view of preserving the human race from degeneracy, +they are the only laws we meet with on that +subject, and exert almost the only care we find taken +of so important a matter. The Asiatic is careful +to improve the breed of his elephants, the Arabian +of his horses, and the Laplander of his reindeer. +The Englishman, eager to have swift horses, +staunch dogs, and victorious cocks, grudges no +care and spares no expense, to have the males and +females matched properly; but since the days of +Solon, where is the legislator, or since the days of +the ancient Greeks, where are the private persons +who take any care to improve, or even to keep +from degeneracy the breed of their own species? +The Englishman who solicitously attends the +training of his colts and puppies, would be ashamed +to be caught in the nursery; and while no motive +could prevail upon him to breed horses or hounds +from an improper or contaminated kind, he will +calmly, or rather inconsiderately, match himself +with the most decrepid or diseased of the human +species; thoughtless of the weaknesses and evils +he is going to entail on posterity, and considering +nothing but the acquisition of fortune he is by her +<a name="png.148" id="png.148"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">149</span><span class="ns">] + </span>alliance to convey to an offspring, by diseases rendered +unable to use it. The Muscovites were formerly +the only people, besides the Greeks, who +paid a proper attention to this subject. After the +preliminaries of a marriage were settled between +the parents of a young couple, the bride was stripped +naked, and carefully examined by a jury of +matrons, when if they found any bodily defect +they endeavored to cure it; but if it would admit +of no remedy, the match was broke off, and she +was considered not only as a very improper subject +to breed from, but improper also for maintaining the +affections of a husband, after he had discovered the +imposition she had put upon him.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">SALE OF CHILDREN TO PURCHASE WIVES.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">In</span> Timor, an island in the Indian Ocean, it is +said, that parents sell their children in order to purchase +more wives. In Circassia, women are reared +and improved in beauty and every alluring art, +only for the purpose of being sold. The prince of +the Circassians demanded of the prince of Mingrelia +an hundred slaves loaded with tapestry, an hundred +cows, as many oxen, and the same number of +horses, as the price of his sister. In New-Zealand, +we meet with a custom which may be called purchasing +a wife for a night, and which is proof that +those must also be purchased who are intended for +a longer duration; and what to us is a little supprising, +this temporary wife, insisted upon being +treated with as much deference and respect, as if +she had been married for life; but in general, this +is not the case in other countries, for the wife who +is purchased, is always <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'traiued'">trained</ins> up in the principles +of slavery; and, being inured to every indignity +<a name="png.149" id="png.149"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">150</span><span class="ns">] + </span>and mortification from her parents, she expects +no better treatment from her husband.</p> + +<p>There is little difference in the condition of her +who is put to sale by her sordid parents, and her +who is disposed of in the same manner by the magistrates, +as a part of the state’s property. Besides +those we have already mentioned in this work, the +Thracians put the fairest of their virgins up to +public sale, and the magistrates of Crete had the +sole power of choosing partners in marriage for +their young men; and, in the execution of this +power, the affection and interest of the parties +was totally overlooked, and the good of the state +the only object of attention; in pursuing which, +they always allotted the strongest and best made +of the sex to one another, that they might raise up +a generation of warriors, or of women fit to be +the mothers of warriors.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">POLYGAMY AND CONCUBINAGE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Polygamy</span> and concubinage having in process +of time become fashionable vices, the number of +women kept by the great became at last more an +article of grandeur and state, than a mode of satisfying +the animal appetite: Solomon had threescore +queens, and <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'forescore'">fourscore</ins> concubines, and virgins +without number. Maimon tells us, that +among the Jews a man might have as many wives +as he pleased, even to the number of a hundred, +and that it was not in their power to prevent him, +provided he could maintain, and pay them all the +conjugal debt once a week; but in this duty he +was not to run in arrear to any of them above a +month, though with regard to concubines he might +do as he pleased.</p> + +<p><a name="png.150" id="png.150"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">151</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>It would be an endless task to enumerate all the +nations which practised polygamy; we shall, therefore, +only mention a few, where the practice +seemed to vary something from the common method. +The ancient Sabæans are not only said to +have had a plurality, but even a community of +wives; a thing strongly inconsistent with that +spirit of jealousy which prevails among men in +most countries where polygamy is allowed. The +ancient Germans were so strict monogamists,<sup><a href="#fn.3" + name="fna.3" id="fna.3">3</a></sup> +that they reckoned it a species of polygamy for a +woman to marry a second husband even after the +death of the first. “A woman (say they) has but +one life, and but one body, therefore should have +but one husband;” and besides, they added, “that +she who knows she is never to have a second husband, +will the more value and endeavor to promote +the happiness and preserve the life of the first.” +Among the Heruli this idea was carried farther, a +woman was obliged to strangle herself at the death +of her husband, lest she should, afterwards marry +another; so detestable was <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'polygmay'">polygamy</ins> in the North, +while in the East it is one of these rights which +they most of all others esteem, and maintain with +such inflexible firmness, that it will probably be one +of the last of those that it will wrest out of their +hands.</p> + +<p>The Egyptians, it is probable, did not allow of +<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'polgyamy'">polygamy</ins>, and as the Greeks borrowed their institutions +from them, it was also forbid by the laws +of Cecrops, though concubinage seems either to +have been allowed or overlooked; for in the +Odyssey of Homer we find Ulysses declaring himself +to be the son of a concubine, which he would +probably not have done, had any degree of infamy +been annexed to it. In some cases, however, polygamy +<a name="png.151" id="png.151"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">152</span><span class="ns">] + </span>was allowed in Greece, from a mistaken notion +that it would increase population. The Athenians, +once thinking the number of their citizens diminished, +decreed that it should be lawful for a +man to have children by another woman as well +as by his wife; besides this, particular instances +occur of some who have transgressed the law of +monogamy. Euripides is said to have had two +wives, who, by their constant disagreement, gave +him a dislike to the whole sex; a supposition +which receives some weight from these lines of +his in Andromache:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="i10">ne’er will I commend</div> +<div>More beds, more wives than one, nor children curs’d</div> +<div>With double mothers, banes and plagues of life.</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">Socrates too had two wives, but <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'the the'">the</ins> poor culprit +had as much reason to repent of his temerity +as Euripides.</p> + +<hr class="footnote" /> +<div class="footnote"> +<p><a href="#fna.3" name="fn.3" id="fn.3">3</a> + Monogamy is having only one wife.</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">EUNUCHS.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">As</span> the appetite towards the other sex is one of +the strongest and most ungovernable in our nature; +as it intrudes itself more than any other into our +thoughts, and frequently diverts them from every +other purpose or employment; it may, at first, on +this account, have been reckoned criminal when it +interfered with worship and devotion; and emasculation +was made use of in order to get rid of it, which +may, perhaps, have been the origin of Eunuchs. +But however this be, it is certain, that there were +men of various religions who made themselves incapable +of procreation on a religious account, as +we are told that the priests of Cybele constantly +castrated themselves; and by our Saviour, that +there are eunuchs who make themselves such for +the kingdom of heaven’s sake.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.152" id="png.152"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">153</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>GIRLS SOLD AT AUCTION.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> ancient Assyrians seem more thoroughly +to have settled and digested the affairs of marriage, +than any of their <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + legitimate archaic spelling">cotemporaries</ins>. Once in every +year they assembled together all the girls that were +marriageable, when the public crier put them up to +sale, one after another. For her whose figure +was agreeable, and whose beauty was attracting, +the rich strove against each other, who should give +the highest price; which price was put into a public +stock, and distributed in portions to those whom +nobody would accept without a reward. After +the most beautiful were disposed of, these were +also put up by the crier, and a certain sum of money +offered with each, proportioned to what it was +thought she stood in need of to bribe a husband to +accept her. When a man offered to accept of any +of them, on the terms upon which she was exposed +to sale, the crier proclaimed that such a man +had proposed to take such a woman, with such a +sum of money along with her, provided none +could be found who would <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'taker'">take</ins> her with less; +and in this manner the sale went on, till she was +at last allotted to him who offered to take her with +the smallest portion.—When this public sale was +over, the purchasers of those that were beautiful +were not allowed to take them away, till they had +paid down the price agreed on, and given sufficient +security that they would marry them; nor, on the +other hand, would those who were to have a premium +for accepting of such as were less beautiful, +take a delivery of them, till their portions were +previously paid.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.153" id="png.153"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">154</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>SALE OF A WIFE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc"><ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original is not small-capped">In</ins></span> England, the sale of a wife sometimes occurs, +even at the present day, of which the following is +an example, from the Lancaster Herald.</p> + +<p>“<i>Sale of a wife at Carlisle</i>—The inhabitants of +this city lately witnessed the sale of a wife by her +husband, Joseph Thompson, who resides in a +small village about <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'thee'">three</ins> miles distant, and rents a +farm of about forty-two or forty-four acres. She +was a spruce, lively, buxom damsel, apparently +not exceeding twenty-two years of age, and appeared +to feel a pleasure at the exchange she was +about to make. They had no children during +their union, and that, with some family disputes, +caused them by mutual agreement to come to the +resolution of finally parting. Accordingly, the +bellman was sent round to give public notice of the +sale, which was to take place at twelve o’clock; +and this announcement attracted the notice of +thousands. She appeared above the crowd, standing +on a large oak chair, surrounded by many of +her friends, with a rope or halter, made of straw, +round her neck, being dressed in rather a fashionable +country style, and appearing to some advantage. +The husband, who was also standing in an +elevated position near her, proceeded to put her up +for sale, and spoke nearly as follows:—‘Gentlemen, +I have to offer to your notice my wife, Mary +Anne Thompson, otherwise Williamson, whom I +mean to sell to the highest and fairest bidder. It +is her wish as well as mine to part for ever. I +took her for my comfort, and the good of my +house, but she has become my tormentor and a +domestic curse, &c. &c. Now I have shown you +her faults and failings, I will explain her qualifications +<a name="png.154" id="png.154"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">155</span><span class="ns">] + </span>and goodness. She can read fashionable novels +and milk cows; she can laugh and weep with +the same ease that you can take a glass of ale; +she can make butter, and scold the maid; she can +sing Moore’s melodies, and plait her frills and caps; +she cannot make rum, gin, or whiskey, but she is a +good judge of their quality from long experience +in tasting them, I therefore offer her, with all her +perfections and imperfections, for the sum of fifty +shillings.’—After an hour or two, she was purchased +by Henry Mears, a pensioner, for the sum of +twenty shillings and a <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'New-foundland'">Newfoundland</ins> dog. The +happy pair immediately left town together, amidst +the shouts and huzzas of the multitude, in which +they were joined by Thompson, who, with the +greatest good-humor imaginable, proceeded to put +the halter, which his wife had taken off, round the +neck of his Newfoundland dog, and then proceeded +to the first public house, where he spent the +remainder of the day.”</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">PUNISHMENT OF ADULTERY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">As</span> fidelity to the marriage-bed, especially on +the part of woman, has always been considered +as one of the most essential duties of matrimony, +wise legislators, in order to secure that benefit +have annexed punishment to the act of adultery; +these punishments, however, have generally some +reference to the manner in which wives were acquired, +and to the value stamped upon woman by +civilization and politeness of manners. It is ordained +by the Mosaic code, that both the men and +the women taken in adultery shall be stoned to +death; whence it would seem, that no more latitude +was given to the male than to the female. +<a name="png.155" id="png.155"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">156</span><span class="ns">] + </span>But this is not the case; such an unlimited power +of concubinage was given to the men, that we may +suppose him highly licentious indeed, who could +not be satisfied therewith, without committing adultery. +The Egyptians, among whom women were +greatly esteemed, had a singular method of punishing +adulterers of both sexes; they cut off the privy +parts of the man, that he might never be able to +debauch another woman; and the nose of the woman, +that she might never be the object of temptation +to another man.</p> + +<p>Punishments nearly of the same nature, and perhaps +nearly about the same time, were instituted +in the East Indies against adulterers; but while +those of the Egyptians originated from a love of +virtue and of their woman, those of the Hindoos +probably arose from jealousy and revenge. It is +ordained by the Shaster, that if a man commit adultery +with a woman of a superior <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + OED lists 'cast' as a common earlier spelling of 'caste'">cast</ins>, he shall be +put to death; if by force he commit adultery with +a woman of an equal or inferior cast, the magistrate +shall confiscate all his possessions, cut off his +genitals, and cause him to be carried round the +city, mounted on a ass. If by fraud he commit +adultery with a woman of an equal or inferior cast, +the magistrate shall take his possessions, brand him +in the forehead, and banish him the kingdom. +Such are the laws of the Shaster, so far as they +regard all the superior casts, except the Bramins; +but if any of the most inferior casts commit adultery +with a woman of the casts greatly superior, +he is not only to be dismembered, but tied to a hot +iron plate, and burnt to death; whereas the highest +casts may commit adultery with the very lowest, +for the most trifling fine; and a Bramin, or +priest, can only suffer by having the hair of his +head cut off; and, like the clergy of Europe, while +under the dominion of the Pope, he cannot be put +<a name="png.156" id="png.156"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">157</span><span class="ns">] + </span>to death for any crime whatever. But the laws, +of which he is always the interpreter, are not so +favorable to his wife; they inflict a severe disgrace +upon her, if she commit adultery with any of the +higher casts; but if with the lowest, the magistrate +shall cut off her hair, anoint her body with Ghee, +and cause her to be carried through the whole city, +naked, and riding upon an ass; and shall cast her +out on the north side of the city, or cause her to be +eaten by dogs. If a woman of any of the other +casts goes to a man, and entices him to have criminal +correspondence with her, the magistrate shall +cut off her ears, lips and nose, mount her upon an +ass, and drown her, or throw her to the dogs. To +the commission of adultery with a dancing girl, or +prostitute, no punishment nor fine is annexed.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">ANECDOTE OF CÆSAR.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">When</span> Cæsar had subdued all his competitors, +and most of the foreign nations which made war +against him, he found that so many Romans had +been destroyed in the quarrels in which he had often +engaged them, that, to repair the loss, he promised +rewards to fathers of families, and forbade all Romans +who were above twenty, and under forty +years of age, to go out of their native country. +Augustus, his successor, to check the debauchery of +the Roman youth, laid heavy taxes upon such as +continued unmarried after a certain age, and encouraged +with great rewards, the procreation of +lawful children. Some years afterwards, the Roman +knights having pressingly petitioned him that +he would relax the severity of that law, he ordered +their whole body to assemble before him, and the +married and unmarried to arrange themselves in +<a name="png.157" id="png.157"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">158</span><span class="ns">] + </span>two separate parties, when, observing the unmarried +to be much the greater company, he first addressed +those who had complied with his law, telling +them, that they alone had served the purposes of +nature and society; that the human race was created +male and female to prevent the extinction of the +species; and that marriage was contrived as the +most proper method of renewing the children +of that species. He added, that they alone deserved +the name of men and fathers, and that he would +prefer them to such offices, as they might transmit +to their posterity. Then turning to the bachelors, +he told them, that he knew not by what +name to call them; not by that of men, for they +had done nothing that was manly; nor by that of +citizens, since the city might perish for them; nor +by that of Romans, for they seemed determined to +let the race and name become extinct; but by whatever +name he called them, their crime, he said, +equalled all other crimes put together, for they +were guilty of murder, in not suffering those to be +born who should proceed from them; of impiety, +in abolishing the names and honors of their fathers +and ancestors; of sacrilege, in destroying their +species, and human nature, which owed its original +to the gods, and was consecrated to them; that +by leading a single life they overturned, as far as +in them lay, the temples and altars of the gods; +dissolved the government, by disobeying its laws; +betrayed their country, by making it barren. +Having ended his speech, he doubled the rewards +and privileges of such as had children, and laid a +heavy fine on all unmarried persons, by reviving +the Poppæan law.</p> + +<p>Though by this law all the males above a certain +age were obliged to marry under a severe penalty, +Augustus allowed them the space of a full +year to comply with its demands; but such was the +<a name="png.158" id="png.158"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">159</span><span class="ns">] + </span>backwardness to matrimony, and perversity of the +Roman knights, and others, that every possible +method was taken to evade the penalty inflicted +upon them, and some of them even married children +in the cradle for that purpose; thus fulfilling +the letter, they avoided the spirit of the law, and +though actually married, had no restraint upon their +licentiousness, nor any incumbrance by the expense +of a family.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">POWER OF MARRYING.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Among</span> nations which had shaken off the authority +of the church of Rome, the priests still retained +almost an exclusive power of joining men and +women together in marriage. This appears rather, +however, to have been by the tacit consent of the +civil power, than from any defect in its right and +authority; for in the time of Oliver Cromwell, marriages +were solemnized frequently by the justices of +the peace; and the clergy neither attempted to invalidate +them, nor make the children proceeding +from them illegitimate; and when the province of +New England was first settled, one of the earliest +laws of the colony was, that the power of marrying +should belong to the magistrates. How different +was the case with the first French settlers in +Canada! For many years a priest had not been +seen in the country, and a magistrate could not +marry: the consequence was natural; men and +woman joined themselves together as husband and +wife, trusting to the vows and promises of each +other. Father Charlevoix, a Jesuit, at last travelled +into those wild regions, found many of the simple, +innocent inhabitants living in that manner; +with all of whom he found much fault, enjoined +them to do penance, and afterwards married them. +<a name="png.159" id="png.159"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">160</span><span class="ns">] + </span>After the Restoration, the power of marrying +again reverted to the clergy. The magistrate, +however, had not entirely resigned his right to that +power; but it was by a late act of parliament entirely +surrendered to them, and a penalty annexed +to the solemnization of it by any other person whatever.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">CELIBACY OF THE CLERGY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">At</span> a synod held at Winchester under St. Dunstan, +the monks averred, that so highly criminal +was it for a priest to marry, that even a +wooden cross had audibly declared against the +horrid practice. Others place the first attempt of +this kind, to the account of <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'Alefrick'">Aelfrick</ins>, archbishop of +Canterbury, about the beginning of the eleventh +century; however this may be, we have among +the canons a decree of the archbishops of Canterbury, +and York, ordaining, That all ministers of +God, especially priests, should observe chastity, +and not take wives: and in the year 1076, there +was a council assembled at Winchester, under +Lanfranc, which decreed, that no canon should have +a wife; that such priests as lived in castles and villages +should not be obliged to put their wives +away, but that such as had none should not be allowed +to marry; and that bishops should not ordain +priests or deacons, unless they previously declared +that they were not married. In the year +1102, archbishop Anselm held a council at Westminster, +where it was decreed, that no archdeacon, +priest, deacon, or canon, should either marry a +wife, or <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'retainer'">retain</ins> her if he had one. Anselm, to +give this decree greater weight, desired of the +king, that the principal men of the kingdom +might be present at the council, and that the +<a name="png.160" id="png.160"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">161</span><span class="ns">] + </span>decree might be enforced by the joint consent both +of the clergy and laity; the king consented, and to +these canons the whole realm gave a general +sanction. The clergy of the province of York, +however, remonstrated against them, and refused +to put away their wives; the unmarried refused +also to oblige themselves to continue in that state; +nor were the clergy of Canterbury much more +tractable.</p> + +<p>In the celibacy of the clergy, we may discover +also the origin of nunneries; the intrigues they +could procure, while at confession, were only short, +occasional, and with women whom they could not +entirely appropriate to themselves; to remedy +which, they probably fabricated the scheme of +having religious houses, where young women +should be shut up from the world, and where no +man but a priest, on pain of death, should enter. +That in these dark retreats, secluded from censure, +and from the knowledge of the world, they might +riot in licentiousness. They were sensible, that +women, surrounded with the gay and the amiable, +might frequently spurn at the offers of a cloistered +priest, but that while confined entirely to their own +sex, they would take pleasure in a visit from one +of the other, however slovenly and unpolished. +In the world at large, should the crimes of the women +be detected, the priests have no interest in +mitigating their punishment; but here the whole +community of them are interested in the secret of +every intrigue, and should Lucinda unluckily proclaim +it, she can seldom do it without the walls of +the convent, and if she does, the priests lay the +crime on some luckless laic, that the holy culprit +may come off with impunity.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.161" id="png.161"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">162</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>DESPERATE ACT OF EUTHIRA.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">In</span> ancient and modern history, we are frequently +presented with accounts of women, who, preferring +death to slavery or prostitution, sacrificed their +lives with the most undaunted courage to avoid +them. Apollodorus tells us, that Hercules having +taken the city of Troy, prior to the famous <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'seige'">siege</ins> of +it celebrated by Homer, carried away captive the +daughters of Laomedon then king. One of these, +named Euthira, being left with several other Trojan +captives on board the Grecian fleet, while the +sailors went on shore to take in fresh provisions, +had the resolution to propose, and the power to +persuade her companions, to set the ships on fire, +and to perish themselves amid the devouring flames. +The women of Phœnicia met together before an +engagement which was to decide the fate of their +city, and having agreed to bury themselves in the +flames, if their husbands and relations were defeated, +in the enthusiasm of their courage and resolution, +they crowned her with flowers who first +made the proposal. Many instances occur in the +history of the Romans of the Gauls and Germans, +and of other nations in subsequent periods; where +women being driven to despair by their enemies, +have bravely defended their walls, or waded +through fields of blood to assist their countrymen, +and free themselves from slavery or from ravishment. +Such heroic efforts are beauties, even in +the character of the softer sex, when they proceed +from necessity: when from choice, they are blemishes +of the most unnatural kind, indicating a heart +of cruelty, lodged in a form which has the appearance +of gentleness and peace.</p> + +<p>It has been alleged by some of the writers on +human nature, that to the fair sex the loss of beauty +<a name="png.162" id="png.162"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">163</span><span class="ns">] + </span>is more alarming and insupportable than the loss of +life; but even this loss, however opposite to the +feelings of their nature, they have voluntarily consented +to sustain, that they might not be the objects +of temptation to the lawless ravisher. The +nuns of a convent in France, fearing they should +be violated by a ruffian army, which had taken by +storm the town in which their convent was situated, +at the recommendation of their abbess, mutually +agreed to cut off all their noses, that they might +save their chastity by becoming objects of disgust +instead of desire. Were we to descend to particulars, +we could give innumerable instances of women, +who from Semiramis down to the present +time, have distinguished themselves by their courage. +Such was Penthesilea, who, if we may credit +ancient story, led her army of viragoes to the assistance +of Priam, king of Troy; Thomyris, who encountered +Cyrus, king of Persia; and Thalestris, +famous for her fighting, as well as for her amours +with Alexander the Great. Such was the brave +but ill-fated Boadicea, queen of the Britons, who +led on that people to revenge the wrongs done to +herself and her country by the Romans. And in +later periods, such were the Maid of Orleans, and +Margaret of Anjou; which last, according to several +historians, commanded at no less than twelve +pitched battles. But we do not choose to multiply +instances of this nature, as we have already said +enough to shew, that the sex are not destitute of +courage when that virtue becomes necessary; and +were they possessed of it, when unnecessary, it +would divest them of one of the principal qualities +for which we love, and for which we value them. +No woman was ever held up as a pattern to her +sex, because she was intrepid and brave; no woman +ever conciliated the affections of the men, by +rivalling them in what they reckon the peculiar excellencies +of their own character.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.163" id="png.163"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">164</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>LUXURIOUS DRESS OF THE GRECIAN LADIES.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">As</span> the Greeks emerged from the barbarity of the +heroic ages, among other articles of culture, they +began to bestow more attention on the convenience +and elegance of dress. At Athens, the ladies commonly +employ the whole morning in dressing themselves +in a decent and becoming manner; their toilet +consisted in paints and washes, of such a nature +as to cleanse and beautify the skin, and they took +great care to clean their teeth, an article too much +neglected: some also blackened their <ins class="TN" title="Transciber's note: + original reads 'eye-brows'">eyebrows</ins>, +and, if necessary, supplied the deficiency of the +vermillion on their lips, by a paint said to have been +exceedingly beautiful. At this time the women in +the Greek islands make much use of a paint which +they call Sulama, which imparts a beautiful redness +to the cheeks, and gives the skin a remarkable +gloss. Possibly this may be the same with that +made use of in the times we are considering; but +however this be, some of the Greek ladies at present +gild their faces all over on the day of their marriage, +and consider this coating as an irresistible charm; +and in the island of Scios, their dress does not a +little resemble that of ancient Sparta, for they go +with their bosoms uncovered, and with gowns +which only reach to the calf of their leg, in order +to show their fine garters, which are commonly +red ribbons curiously embroidered. But to return +to ancient Greece; the ladies spent likewise a part +of their time in composing head-dresses, and though +we have reason to suppose that they were not then +so preposterously fantastic as those presently composed +by a Parisian milliner, yet they were probably +objects of no small industry and attention, especially +as we find that they then dyed their hair, +<a name="png.164" id="png.164"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">165</span><span class="ns">] + </span>perfumed it with the most costly essences, and by +the means of hot irons disposed of it in curls, as +fancy or fashion directed. Their clothes were +made of stuffs so extremely light and fine as to show +their shapes without offending against the rules of +decency. At Sparta, the case was widely different; +we shall not describe the dress of the women; +it is sufficient to say that it has been loudly complained +of by almost every ancient author who has +treated on the subject.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">GRECIAN COURTSHIP.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc"><ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original is not small-capped">In</ins></span> the earlier periods of the history of the Greeks, +their love, if we may call it so, was only the animal +appetite, impetuous and unrestrained either by cultivation +of manners, or precepts of morality; and +almost every opportunity which fell in their way, +prompted them to satisfy that appetite by force, +and to revenge the obstruction of it by murder. +When they became a more civilized people, they +shone much more illustriously in arts and in arms, +than in delicacy of sentiment and elegance of manners: +hence we shall find, that their method of +making love was more directed to compel the fair +sex to a compliance with their wishes by charms +and philtres, than to win them by the nameless assiduities +and good offices of a lover.</p> + +<p>As the two sexes in Greece had but little communication +with each other, and a lover was seldom +favored with an opportunity of telling his passion +to his mistress, he used to discover it by inscribing +her name on the walls of his house, on +the bark of the trees of a public walk, or leaves of +his books; it was customary for him also to deck +<a name="png.165" id="png.165"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">166</span><span class="ns">] + </span>the door of the house where his fair one lived, with +garlands and flowers, to make libations of wine before +it, and to sprinkle the entrance with the same +liquor, in the manner that was practised at the +temple of Cupid. Garlands were of great use +among the Greeks in love affairs; when a man +untied his garland, it was a declaration of his having +been subdued by that passion; and when a +woman composed a garland, it was a tacit confession +of the same thing: and though we are not informed +of it, we may presume that both sexes had +methods of discovering by these garlands, not only +that they were in love, but the object also upon +whom it was directed.</p> + +<p>Such were the common methods of discovering +the passion of love; the methods of prosecuting it +were still more extraordinary, and less reconcilable +to civilization and to good principles; when a love +affair did not prosper in the hands of a Grecian, he +did not endeavor to become more engaging in his +manners and person, he did not lavish his fortune +in presents, or become more obliging and assiduous +in his addresses, but immediately had recourse to +incantations and philtres; in composing and dispensing +of which, the women of Thessaly were +reckoned the most famous, and drove a traffic in +them of no considerable advantage. These potions +were given by the women to the men, as well as +by the men to the women, and were generally so +violent in their operations as for some time to deprive +the person who took them, of sense, and not +uncommonly of life: their composition was a variety +of herbs of the most strong and virulent nature, +which we shall not mention; but herbs were not +the only things they relied on for their purpose; +they called in the productions of the animal and +mineral kingdoms to their assistance; when these +<a name="png.166" id="png.166"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">167</span><span class="ns">] + </span>failed, they roasted an image of wax before the +fire, representing the object of their love, and as +this became warm, they flattered themselves that +the person represented by it would be proportionally +warmed with love. When a lover could obtain +any thing belonging to his mistress, he imagined +it of singular advantage, and deposited in the +earth beneath the threshold of her door. Besides +these, they had a variety of other methods equally +ridiculous and unavailing, and of which it would +be trifling to give a minute detail; we shall, therefore, +just take notice as we go along, that such of +either sex as believed themselves forced into love +by the power of philtres and charms, commonly +had recourse to the same methods to disengage +themselves, and break the power of these enchantments, +which they supposed operated involuntarily +on their inclinations; and thus the old women of +Greece, like the lawyers of modern times, were +employed to defeat the schemes and operations of +each other, and like them too, it is presumable, +laughed in their sleeves, while they hugged the +gains that arose from vulgar credulity.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">POWER OF PHILTRES AND CHARMS.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> Romans, who borrowed most of their customs +from the Greeks, also followed them in that +of endeavoring to conciliate love by the power of +philtres and charms; a fact of which we have not +the least room to doubt, as they are in Virgil and +some other of the Latin poets so many instances +that prove it. But it depends not altogether on the +testimony of the poets: Plutarch tells us, that Lucullus, +a Roman General, lost his senses by a love +potion; and Caius Caligula, according to Suetonius, +<a name="png.167" id="png.167"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">168</span><span class="ns">] + </span>was thrown into a fit of madness by one which +was given him by his wife Cæsonia; Lucretius +too, according to some authors, fell a sacrifice to +the same folly. The Romans, like the Greeks, +made use of these methods mostly in their affairs of +gallantry and unlawful love; but in what manner +they addressed themselves to a lady they intended +to marry, has not been handed down to us, and the +reason we suppose is, that little or no courtship +was practised among them; women had no disposing +power of themselves, to what purpose was +it then to apply to them for their consent? They +were under perpetual guardianship, and the guardian +having sole power of disposing of them, it +was only necessary to apply to him. In the Roman +authors, we frequently read of a father, a +brother, or a guardian, giving his daughter, his sister, +or his ward, in marriage; but we do not recollect +one single instance of being told that the intended +bridegroom applied to the lady for her consent; +a circumstance the more extraordinary, as women +in the decline of the Roman empire had arisen to a +dignity, and even to a freedom hardly equalled in +modern times.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">EASTERN COURTSHIP.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">It</span> has long been a common observation among +mankind, that love is the most fruitful source of +invention; and that in this case the imagination of +a woman is still more fruitful of invention and expedient +than that of a man; agreeably to this, we +are told, that the women of the island of Amboyna, +being closely watched on all occasions, and destitute +of the art of writing, by which, in other places, +<a name="png.168" id="png.168"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">169</span><span class="ns">] + </span>the sentiments are conveyed to any distance, have +methods of making known their inclinations to +their lovers, and of fixing assignations with them, +by means of nosegays, and plates of fruit so disposed, +as to convey their sentiments in the most +explicit manner: by these means their courtship is +generally carried on, and by altering the disposition +of symbols made use of, they contrive to signify +their refusal, with the same explicitness as their +approbation. In some of the neighboring islands, +when a young man has fixed his affection, like the +Italians, he goes from time to time to her door, and +plays upon some musical instrument; if she gives +consent, she comes out to him, and they settle the +affair of matrimony between them; if, after a certain +number of these kind of visits, she does not +appear, it is a denial; and the disappointed lover +is obliged to desist.</p> + +<p>We shall see afterward when we come to treat +of the matrimonial compact, that, in some places, +the ceremony of marriage consists in tying the garments +of the young couple together, as an emblem +of that union which ought to bind their affections +and interests. This ceremony has afforded a hint +for lovers to explain their passion to their mistresses, +in the most intelligible manner, without the +help of speech, or the possibility of offending the +nicest delicacy. A lover in these parts, who is too +modest to declare himself, seizes the first opportunity +he can find, of sitting down by his mistress, +and tying his garment to hers, in the manner that is +practised in the ceremony of marriage: if she permits +him to finish the knot, without any interruption, +and does not soon after cut or loose it, she +thereby gives her consent; if she looses it, he may +tie it again on some other occasion, when she may +<a name="png.169" id="png.169"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">170</span><span class="ns">] + </span>prove more propitious; but if she cuts it, his hopes +are blasted forever.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">LONG HAIR OF SAXONS AND DANES.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> human hair has ever <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original damaged, 'en' inferred">been</ins> regarded as +an ornament. The Anglo-<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original damaged, 'ons' inferred">Saxons</ins> and Danes +considered their hair as one of <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original damaged, 'eir' inferred">their</ins> greatest personal +beauties, and took great care to dress it to the +utmost advantage. Young ladies wore it loose, +and flowing in ringlets over their shoulders; but +after marriage they cut it shorter, tied it up, and +covered it with a head-dress, according to the fashion +of the times; but to have the hair cut entirely +off, was a disgrace of such a nature, that it was +even thought a punishment not inadequate to the +crime of adultery; so great, in the Middle ages, +was the value set upon the hair by both sexes, that, +as a piece of the most peculiar mortification, it was +ordered by the canons of the church, that the clergy +should keep their hair short, and shave the crown +of their head; and that they should not, upon any +pretence whatever, endeavor to keep the part so +shaved from public view. Many of the clergy of +these times, finding themselves so peculiarly mortified, +and perhaps so easily distinguished from all +other people by this particularity, as to be readily +detected when they committed any of the follies or +crimes to which human nature is in every situation +sometimes liable, endeavored to persuade mankind +that long hair was criminal, in order to reduce the +whole to a similarity with themselves. Amongst +these, <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Wulstan eminently distinguished himself. +“He rebuked,” says William of Malmsbury, “the +wicked of all ranks with great boldness, but was +<em>peculiarly</em> severe upon those who were proud of +<a name="png.170" id="png.170"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">171</span><span class="ns">] + </span>their long hair. When any of these vain people +bowed their heads before him, to receive his blessing, +before he gave it he cut a lock from their hair, +with a sharp penknife, which he carried about +him for that purpose; and commanded them, by +way of penance for their sins, to cut all the rest in +the same manner: if any of them refused to comply +with his command he reproached them for their +effeminacy, and denounced the most dreadful judgments +against them. Such, however, was the value +of their hair in these days, that many rather +submitted to his censures than part with it; and +such was the folly of the church, and of this saint +in particular, that the most solemn judgments +were denounced against multitudes, for no other +crime than not making use of pen-knives and scissors, +to cut off an ornament bestowed by <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks closing quote">nature.”</ins></p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">ST. VALENTINE’S DAY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">On</span> St. Valentine’s day, it is customary, in many +parts of Italy, for an unmarried lady to choose, +from among the young gentlemen of her acquaintance, +one to be her guardian or gallant; who, in +return for the honor of this appointment, presents +to her some nosegays, or other trifles, and thereby +obliges himself to attend her in the most obsequious +manner in all her parties of pleasure, and to all her +public amusements, for the space of one year, when +he may retire, and the lady may choose another in +his place. But in the course of this connection it +frequently happens, that they contract such an inclination +to each other, as prompts them to be coupled +for life. In the times of the chivalry, we have +seen that the men gloried in protecting the women, +and the women thought themselves safe and happy +<a name="png.171" id="png.171"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">172</span><span class="ns">] + </span>when they obtained that protection. It is probable, +therefore, that this custom, though now more an +affair of gallantry than of protection, is a relic of +chivalry still subsisting among that romantic and +sentimental people.</p> + +<p>But the observation of some peculiar customs on +<ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original lacks period">St.</ins> Valentine’s day is not confined to Italy; almost +all Europe has joined in distinguishing it by some +particular ceremony. As it always happens about +that time of the year, when the genial influences of +the spring begin to operate, it has been believed by +the vulgar, that upon it the birds invariably choose +their mates for the ensuing season. In imitation, +therefore, of their example, the vulgar of both sexes, +in many parts of Britain, meet together; and +having upon slips of paper wrote down the names +of all their acquaintances, and put them into two +different bags, the men drew the female names by +lot, and the women the male; the man makes the +woman who drew his name some trifling present, +and in the rural gambol becomes her partner; and +she considers him as her sweetheart, till he is otherwise +disposed of, or till next Valentine’s day provide +her with another.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">COURTS OF LOVE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">In</span> Spain, during the Middle Ages, courts of Love +were established. These courts were composed of +ladies summoned to meet together, for the purpose +of discussing, in the most formal and serious manner, +“beautiful and subtle questions of love.” +They decided the precise amount of inconstancy +which a lady might forgive, without lowering her +own dignity, provided her lover made certain supplications, +and performed certain penances; they +<a name="png.172" id="png.172"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">173</span><span class="ns">] + </span>took it into solemn consideration whether a lover +was justified, under any circumstances, in expressing +the slightest doubt of his lady’s fidelity; they +laid down definite rules, and ceremonials of behavior, +to be observed by those who wished to be beloved; +and gravely discussed the question whether +sentiment, or sight, the heart, or the eyes, contributed +most powerfully to inspire affection.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">IMMODESTY AT BABYLON.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">That</span> modesty and chastity, which we now esteem +as the chief ornament of the female character, +does not appear in times of remote antiquity to have +been much regarded by either sex. At Babylon, +the capital of the Assyrian empire, it was so little +valued, that a law of the country even obliged +every woman once in her life to depart from it. +This abominable law, which, it is said, was promulgated +by an oracle, ordained, That every woman +should once in her life repair to the temple of Venus; +that on her arrival there, her head should be +crowned with flowers, and in that attire, she should +wait till some stranger performed with her the rites +sacred to the goddess of debauchery.</p> + +<p>This temple was constructed with a great many +winding galleries appropriated to the reception of +the women, and the strangers who, allured by debauchery, +never failed to assemble there in great +numbers, being allowed to choose any woman they +thought proper from among those who came there +in obedience to the law. When the stranger accosted +the object of his choice, he was obliged to +present her with some pieces of money, nor was +she at liberty to refuse either these, or the request +of the stranger who offered them, whatever was the +<a name="png.173" id="png.173"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">174</span><span class="ns">] + </span>value of the money, or however mean or disagreeable +the donor. These preliminaries being settled, +they retired together to fulfil the law, after which +the woman returned and offered the goddess the +sacrifice prescribed by custom, and then was at liberty +to return home. Nor was this custom entirely +confined to the Babylonians; in the island of Cyprus +they sent young women at stated times to the +sea-shore, where they prostituted themselves to +Venus, that they might be chaste the rest of their +lives. In some other countries, a certain number +only were doomed to prostitution, as it is supposed, +by way of a bribe, to induce the goddess of debauchery +to save the rest.</p> + +<p>When a woman had once entered the temple of +Venus, she was not allowed to depart from it till +she had fulfilled the law: and it frequently happened +that those to whom nature had been less indulgent +than to others, remained there a long time before +any person offered to perform with them the +condition of their release. A custom, we think, some +times alluded to in scripture, and expressly delineated +in the book of Baruch: “The women also, +with cords about them, sitting in the ways, burn +bran for perfume; but, if any of them, drawn by +some that passeth by, lie with him, she reproacheth +her fellow that she was not thought worthy as herself, +nor her cord broken.” Though this infamous +law was at first strictly observed by all the women +of Babylon, yet it would seem that, in length of +time, they grew ashamed of, and in many cases +dispensed with it; for we are informed that women +of the superior ranks of life, who were not +willing literally to fulfil the law, were allowed a +kind of evasion; they were carried in litters to the +gates of the temple, where, having dismissed all +their attendants, they entered alone, presented themselves +<a name="png.174" id="png.174"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">175</span><span class="ns">] + </span>before the statue of the goddess, and returned +home. Possibly this was done by the assistance +of a bribe, to those who had the care of the temple.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">INDECENCY AT ADRIANOPLE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">In</span> Adrianople and the neighboring cities, the +women have public baths, which are a part of their +religion and of their amusement, and a bride, the +first time she appears there, after her marriage, is +received in a particular manner. The matrons and +widows being seated round the room, the virgins +immediately put themselves into the original state +of Eve. The bride comes to the door richly dressed +and adorned with jewels; two of the virgins +meet her, and soon put her into the same condition +with themselves; then filling some silver pots with +perfume, they make a procession round the rooms, +singing an epithalamium, in which all the virgins +join in chorus; the procession ended, the bride is +led up to every matron, who bestows on her some +trifling presents, and to each she returns thanks, till +she has been led round the whole. We could add +many more ceremonies arising from marriage, but +as they are for the most part such as make a part +of the marriage ceremony itself, we shall have occasion +to mention them with more propriety under +another head.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.175" id="png.175"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">176</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>ANCIENT SWEDISH COURTSHIP.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Grymer</span>, a youth early distinguished in arms, +who well knew how to dye his sword in the blood of +his enemies, to run over the craggy mountains, to +wrestle, to play at chess, trace the motions of the +stars, and throw far from him heavy weights, frequently +shewed his skill in the chamber of the damsels, +before the king’s lovely daughter; desirous of +acquiring her regard, he displayed his dexterity in +handling his weapons, and the knowledge he had attained +in the sciences he had learned; at length +ventured to make this demand: “Wilt thou, O +fair princess, if I may obtain the king’s consent, accept +of me for a husband?” To which she prudently +replied, “I must not make that choice myself, +but go thou and offer the same proposal to my +father.”</p> + +<p>The sequel of the story informs us, that Grymer +accordingly made his proposal to the king, who answered +him in a rage, that though he had learned +indeed to handle his arms, yet as he had never gained +a single victory, nor given a banquet to the +beasts of the field, he had no pretensions to his +daughter, and concluded by pointing out to him, in +a neighboring kingdom, a hero renowned in arms, +whom, if he could conquer, the princess should be +given him: that on waiting on the princess to tell +her what had passed, she was greatly agitated, and +felt in the most sensible manner for the safety of +her lover, whom she was afraid her father had devoted +to death for his presumption, that she provided +him with a suit of impenetrable armor and a +trusty sword, with which he went, and having slain +his adversary, and the most part of his warriors, +returned victorious, and received her as the reward +<a name="png.176" id="png.176"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">177</span><span class="ns">] + </span>of his valor. Singular as this method of obtaining +a fair lady by a price paid in blood may appear, it +was not peculiar to the northerns: we have already +taken notice of the price which David paid +for the daughter of Saul, and shall add, that among +the Sacæ, a people of ancient Scythia, a custom +something of this kind, but still more extraordinary, +obtained: every young man who made his addresses +to a lady, was obliged to engage her in single combat; +if he vanquished, he led her off in triumph, and +became her husband and sovereign; if he was conquered, +she led him off in the same manner, and +made him her husband and her slave.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">LAPLAND AND GREENLAND LADY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> delicacy of a Lapland lady, which is not in +the least hurt by being drunk as often as she can +procure liquor, would be wounded in the most sensible +manner, should she deign at first to listen to +the declaration of a lover; he is therefore obliged +to employ a match-maker to speak for him; and +this match-maker must never go empty handed; +and of all other presents, that which must infallibly +secures him a favorable reception is brandy. Having, +by the eloquence of this, gained leave to bring +the lover along with him, and being, together with +the lover’s father or other nearest-male relation, arrived +at the house where the lady resides, the father +and match-maker are invited to walk in, but +the lover must wait patiently at the door till further +solicited. The parties, in the mean time, open their +suit to the other ladies of the family, not forgetting +to employ in their favor their irresistible advocate +brandy, a liberal distribution of which is reckoned +the strongest proof of the lover’s affection. When +<a name="png.177" id="png.177"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">178</span><span class="ns">] + </span>they have all been warmed by the lover’s bounty, +he is brought into the house, pays his compliments +to the family, and is desired to partake of their +cheer, though at this interview seldom indulged +with a sight of his mistress; but if he is, he salutes +her, and offers her presents of reindeer skins, +tongues, &c.; all which, while surrounded with her +friends, she pretends to refuse; but at the same +time giving her lover a signal to go out, she soon +steals after him, and is no more that modest creature +she affected to appear in company. The lover +now solicits for the completion of his wishes; if she +is silent, it is construed into consent; but if she +throws his presents on the ground with disdain the +match is broken off forever.</p> + +<p>It is generally observed, that women enter into +matrimony with more willingness, and less anxious +care and solicitude, than men, for which many reasons +naturally suggest themselves to the intelligent +reader. The women of Greenland are however, +in many cases, an exception to this general rule. +A Greenlander, having fixed his affection, acquaints +his parents with it; they acquaint the parents of +the girl; upon which two female negociators are +sent to her, who, lest they should shock her delicacy, +do not enter directly on the subject of their embassy, +but launch out in praises of the lover they +mean to recommend, of his house, of his furniture, +and whatever else belongs to him, but dwell most +particularly on his dexterity in catching seals. +She, pretending to be affronted, runs away, tearing +the ringlets of her hair as she retires; after which +the two females, having obtained a tacit consent +from her parents, search for her, and on discovering +her lurking place, drag her by force to the house of +her lover, and there leave her. For some days she +sits with dishevelled hair, silent and dejected, +<a name="png.178" id="png.178"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">179</span><span class="ns">] + </span>refusing every kind of sustenance, and at last, if kind +entreaties cannot prevail upon her, is compelled by +force, and even by blows, to complete the marriage +with her husband. It sometimes happens, that +when the female match-makers arrive to propose a +lover to a Greenland young woman, she either +faints, or escapes to the uninhabited mountains, +where she remains till she is discovered and carried +back by her relations, or is forced to return by +hunger and cold; in both which cases, she previously +cuts off her hair; a most infallible indication, +that she is determined never to marry.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">EDUCATION OF WOMEN IN ASIA AND AFRICA.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">In</span> several of the warmer regions of Asia and +Africa, the little education bestowed upon women, +is entirely calculated to debauch their minds and +give additional charms to their persons. They are +taught vocal and instrumental music, which they +accompany with dances, in which every movement +and every gesture is expressively indecent: but +receive no moral instruction; for it would teach +them that they were doing wrong. This, however, +is not the practice in all parts of Asia and Africa: +the women of Hindostan are educated more decently; +they are not allowed to learn music or +dancing; which are only reckoned accomplishments +fit for those of a lower order; they are +notwithstanding, taught all the personal graces; +and particular care is taken to instruct them in the +art of conversing with elegance and vivacity; some +of them are also taught to write, and the generality +to read, so that they may be able to read the Koran; +instead of which they more frequently dedicate +themselves to tales and romances; which, painted +<a name="png.179" id="png.179"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">180</span><span class="ns">] + </span>in all the lively imagery of the East, seldom fail to +corrupt the minds of creatures shut up from the +world, and consequently forming to themselves +extravagant and romantic notions of all that is +transacted in it.</p> + +<p>In well regulated families, women are taught by +heart some prayers in Arabic, which at certain +hours they assemble in a hall to repeat; never being +allowed the liberty of going to the public +mosque. They are enjoined always to wash themselves +before praying; and, indeed, the virtues of +cleanliness, of chastity, and obedience, are so +strongly and constantly inculcated on their minds, +that in spite of their general debauchery of manners, +there are not a few among them, who, in their +common deportment, do credit to the instructions +bestowed upon them; nor is this much to be wondered +at, when we consider the tempting recompense +that is held out to them; they are, in paradise, +to flourish forever, in the vigor of youth and +beauty; and however old, or ugly, when they depart +this life, are there to be immediately transformed +into all that is fair, and all that is graceful.</p> + + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS OF THE GREEKS.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">A cause</span>, which contributed to make the religious +festivals of the Greeks appear as amusements and +diversions, was that ridiculous buffoonery that constituted +so great a part of them: it would be tedious +to enumerate one half of these buffooneries; but let +a few serve as a specimen. At a festival held in +honor of Bacchus, the women ran about for a long +time seeking the god, who, they pretended, had run +away from them: this done, they passed their time in +proposing riddles and questions to each other, and +<a name="png.180" id="png.180"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">181</span><span class="ns">] + </span>laughing at such as could not answer them; and at +last often closed the scene with such enormous excesses, +that at one of these festivals, the daughters of +Minya, having, in their madness, killed Hippasus, +had him dressed and served up to table as a rarity. +At another, kept in honor of Venus and Adonis, they +beat their breasts, tore their hair, and mimicked all +the signs of the most extravagant grief, with which +they supposed the goddess to have been affected on +the death of her favorite paramour. At another, in +honor of the nymph Cotys, they addressed her as the +goddess of wantonness with many mysterious rites and +ceremonies. At Corinth, these rites and ceremonies, +being perhaps thought inconsistent with the character +of modest women, this festival was only celebrated +by harlots. Athenæus mentions a festival, at which +the women laid hold on all the old bachelors they +could find, and dragged them round an altar; beating +them all the time with their fists, as punishment for +their neglect of the sex. We shall only mention two +more; at one of which, after the assembly had met +in the temple of Ceres, the women shut out all the +men and dogs, themselves and the bitches remaining +in the temple all night; in the morning, the men +were let in, and the time was spent in laughing together +at the frolic. At the other, in honor of Bacchus, +they counterfeited phrenzy and madness; and to make +this madness appear the more real, they used to eat +the raw and bloody entrails of goats newly slaughtered. +And, indeed, the whole of the festivals of Bacchus, +a deity much worshipped in Greece, were celebrated +with rites either ridiculous, obscene, or madly +extravagant. There were others, however, in honor +of the other gods and goddesses, which were more +decent, and had more the appearance of religious +solemnity, though even in these, the women +dressed out in all their finery; and, adorned with +flowers and garlands, either formed splendid +<a name="png.181" id="png.181"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">182</span><span class="ns">] + </span>processions, or assisted in performing ceremonies, the general +tendency of which was to amuse rather than instruct.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">THE DEATHS OF LUCRETIA AND VIRGINIA.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> force of prejudice appears in nothing more +strongly than in the encomiums which have been +lavished upon Lucretia for laying violent hands +upon herself, and Virginius for killing his own +daughter. These actions seem to derive all their +glory from the revolutions to which they gave rise, +as the former occasioned the abolition of monarchy +amongst the Romans, and the latter put an end to +the arbitrary power of the decemviri. But if we +lay aside our prepossessions for antiquity, and examine +these actions without prejudice, we cannot +but acknowledge, that they are rather the effects of +human weakness and obstinacy than of resolution +and magnanimity. Lucretia, for fear of worldly +censure, chose rather to submit to the lewd desires +of Tarquin, than have it thought that she had +been stabbed in the embraces of a slave; which +sufficiently proves that all her boasted virtue was +founded upon vanity, and too high a value for the +opinion of mankind. The younger Pliny, with +great reason, prefers to this famed action that of a +woman of low birth, whose husband being seized +with an incurable disorder, chose rather to perish +with him than survive him. The action of Arria +is likewise much more noble, whose husband Pætus, +being condemned to death, plunged a dagger +in her breast, and told him, with a dying voice, +“Pætus, it is not painful.” But the death of Lucretia +gave rise to a revolution, and it therefore +became illustrious; though, as St. Augustine justly +<a name="png.182" id="png.182"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">183</span><span class="ns">] + </span>observes, it is only an instance of the weakness of +a woman, too solicitous about the opinion of the +world.</p> + +<p>Virginius, in killing his daughter, to preserve +her from falling a victim to the lust of the decemvir +Claudius, was guilty of the highest rashness; since +he might certainly have gained the people, already +irritated against the tyrant, without imbruing his +hands in his own blood. This action may indeed +be extenuated, as Virginius slew his daughter from +a false principle of honor, and did it to preserve +her from what both he and she thought worse than +death; namely, to preserve her from violation; +but though it may in some measure be excused, it +should not certainly be praised or admired.</p> + + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">ON LOOKING AT THE PICTURE OF A BEAUTIFUL +FEMALE.</h2> + +<div class="poem pgbrk"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div><span class="smc">What</span> dazzling beauties strike my ravish’d eyes,</div> +<div>And fill my soul with pleasure and surprise!</div> +<div>What blooming sweetness smiles upon that face!</div> +<div>How mild, yet how majestic every grace!</div> +<div>In those bright eyes what more than mimic fire</div> +<div>Benignly shines, and kindles gay desire!</div> +<div>Yet chasten’d modesty, fair white-robed dame,</div> +<div>Triumphant sits to check the rising flame.</div> +<div>Sure nature made thee her peculiar care:</div> +<div>Was ever form so exquisitely fair?</div> +<div>Yes, once there was a form thus heavenly bright,</div> +<div>But now ’tis veil’d in everlasting night;</div> +<div>Each glory which that lovely face could boast,</div> +<div>And every charm, in traceless dust is lost;</div> +<div>An unregarded heap of ruin lies</div> +<div>That form which lately drew ten thousand eyes.</div> +<div>What once was courted, lov’d, adored, and prais’d,</div> +<div>Now mingles with the dust from whence ’twas raised.</div> +<div>No more soft dimpling smiles those cheeks adorn,</div> +<div>Whose rosy tincture sham’d the rising morn;</div> +<div><a name="png.183" id="png.183"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">184</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>No more with sparkling radiance shine those eyes,</div> +<div>Nor over those the sable arches rise;</div> +<div>Nor from those ruby lips soft accents flow,</div> +<div>Nor lilies on the snowy forehead blow;</div> +<div>All, all are cropp’d by death’s impartial hand,</div> +<div>Charms could not bribe, nor beauty’s power withstand;</div> +<div>Not all that crowd of wondrous charms could save</div> +<div>Their fair possessor from the dreary grave.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i2">How frail is beauty, transient, false and vain!</div> +<div>It flies with morn, and ne’er returns again.</div> +<div>Death, cruel ravager, delights to prey</div> +<div>Upon the young, the lovely and the gay.</div> +<div>If death appear not, oft corroding pain,</div> +<div>With pining sickness in her languid train,</div> +<div>Blights youth’s gay spring with some untimely <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original appears to read 'blast.'">blast,</ins></div> +<div>And lays the blooming field of beauty waste;</div> +<div>But should these spare, still time creeps on apace,</div> +<div>And plucks with wither’d hand each winning grace;</div> +<div>The eyes, lips, cheeks, and bosom he disarms,</div> +<div>No art from him can shield exterior charms.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div class="i2">But would you, fair ones, be esteem’d, approved,</div> +<div>And with an everlasting ardor loved;</div> +<div>Would you in wrinkled age, admirers find,</div> +<div>In every female virtue dress the mind;</div> +<div>Adorn the heart, and teach the soul to charm,</div> +<div>And when the eyes no more the breast can warm,</div> +<div>These ever-blooming beauties shall inspire</div> +<div>Each gen’rous heart with friendship’s sacred fire;</div> +<div>These charms shall neither wither, fade, nor fly;</div> +<div>Pain, sickness, time, and death, they dare defy.</div> +<div>When the pale tyrant’s hand shall seal your doom,</div> +<div>And lock your ashes in the silent tomb,</div> +<div>These beauties shall in double lustre rise,</div> +<div>Shine round the soul, and waft it to the skies.</div> +</div> +</div> + + +<h1 class="part"><a name="png.184" id="png.184"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">185</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>ART OF DETERMINING<br + /><small>THE PRECISE FIGURE, THE DEGREE OF BEAUTY,</small><br + /><span class="so2">THE HABITS, AND THE AGE,</span><br + /><small><span class="allsc">OF</span></small><br + /><big class="so">WOMEN</big>,<br + /><small>NOTWITHSTANDING THE AIDS AND DISGUISES OF +DRESS.</small></h1> + +<hr class="secn" /> +<h2 class="secn">OF FIGURE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">External</span> indications as to figure are required +chiefly as to the limbs which are concealed by +drapery. Such indications are afforded by the +walk, to every careful observer.</p> + +<p>In considering <i>the proportion of the limbs to the +body</i>—if, even in a young woman, the walk, though +otherwise good, be heavy, or the fall on each foot +alternately be sudden, and rather upon the heel, the +limbs though well formed, will be found to be slender, +compared with the body.</p> + +<p>This conformation accompanies any great proportional +developement of the vital system; and it +is frequently observable in the woman of the Saxon +population of England, as in the counties of Norfolk, +<span class="nw">Suffolk, &c.</span></p> + +<p>In women of this conformation, moreover, the +slightest indisposition or debility is indicated by +a slight vibration of the shoulders, and upper part +of the chest, at every step, in walking.</p> + +<p><a name="png.185" id="png.185"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">186</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>In considering <i>the line or direction of the limbs</i>—if, +viewed behind, the feet, at every step, are thrown +out backward, and somewhat laterally, the knees +are certainly much inclined inward.</p> + +<p>If, viewed in front, the dress, at every step, is +as it were, gathered toward the front, and then +tossed more or less to the opposite side, the knees +are certainly too much inclined.</p> + +<p>In considering <i>the relative size of each portion +of the limbs</i>—if, in the walk, there be a greater +or less approach to the marching pace, the hip is +large; for we naturally employ the joint which is +surrounded with the most powerful muscles, and +in any approach to the march, it is the hip-joint +which is used, and the knee and ancle-joints which +remain proportionally unemployed.</p> + +<p>If, in the walk, the tripping pace be used, as in +an approach to walking on tiptoes, the calf is large; +for it is only by the power of its muscles that, under +the weight of the whole body, the foot can be extended +for this purpose.</p> + +<p>If, in the walk, the foot be raised in a slovenly +manner, and the heel be seen, at each step, to lift +the bottom of the dress upward and backward, +neither the hip nor the calf is well developed.</p> + +<p>Even with regard to the parts of the figure which +are more exposed to observation by the closer +adaptation of dress, much deception occurs. It is, +therefore, necessary to understand the arts employed +for this purpose, at least by skilful women.</p> + +<p>A person having a narrow face, wears a bonnet +with wide front, exposing the lower part of the +cheeks.—One having a broad face, wears a closer +front; and, if the jaw be wide, it is in appearance +diminished, by bringing the corners of the bonnet +sloping to the point of the chin.</p> + +<p>A person having a long neck has the neck of the +bonnet descending, the neck of the dress rising, +<a name="png.186" id="png.186"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">187</span><span class="ns">] + </span>and filling more or less of the intermediate space. +One having a short neck has the whole bonnet +short and close in the perpendicular direction, and +the neck of the dress neither high nor wide.</p> + +<p>Persons with narrow shoulders have the shoulders +or epaulets of the dress formed on the outer +edge of the natural shoulder, very full, and both +the bosom and back of the dress running in oblique +folds, from the point of the shoulder to the middle +of the bust.</p> + +<p>Persons with waists too large, render them less +before by a stomacher, or something equivalent, +and behind by a corresponding form of the dress, +making the top of the dress smooth across the +shoulders, and drawing it in plaits to a narrow +point at the bottom of the waist.</p> + +<p>Those who have the bosom too small, enlarge it +by the oblique folds of the dress being gathered +above, and by other means.</p> + +<p>Those who have the lower posterior part of the +body too flat, elevate it by the top of the skirt being +gathered behind, and by other less skilful adjustments, +which though hid, are easily detected.</p> + +<p>Those who have the lower part of the body too +prominent anteriorly, render it less apparent by +shortening the waist, by a corresponding projection +behind, and by increasing the bosom above.</p> + +<p>Those who have the haunches too narrow, take +care not to have the bottom of the dress too wide.</p> + +<p>Tall women have a wide skirt, or several +flounces, or both of these: shorter women, a moderate +one, but as long as can be conveniently worn, +with the flounces, &c., as low as possible.</p> + + +<h2 class="secn">OF BEAUTY.</h2> + +<p>Additional indications as to beauty are required +chiefly where the woman observed precedes the +<a name="png.187" id="png.187"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">188</span><span class="ns">] + </span>observer, and may, by her figure, naturally and +reasonably excite his interest, while at the same +time it would be rude to turn and look in her face +on passing.</p> + +<p>There can, therefore, be no impropriety in observing, +that the conduct of those who may happen +to meet the women thus preceding, will differ according +to the sex of the person who meets her.—If +the person meeting her be a man, and the lady +observed be beautiful, he will not only look with an +expression of pleasure at her countenance, but will +afterward turn more or less completely to survey +her from behind.—If the person meeting her be a +woman, the case becomes more complex. If both +be either ugly or beautiful, or if the person meeting +her be beautiful and the lady observed be ugly, +then it is probable, that the approaching person +may pass by inattentively, casting merely an <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'inferent'">indifferent</ins> +glance; if, on the contrary, the woman +meeting her be ugly, and the lady observed be +beautiful, then the former will examine the latter +with the severest scrutiny, and if she sees features +and shape without defect, she will instantly fix her +eyes on the head-dress or gown, in order to find +some object for censure of the beautiful woman, +and for consolation in her own ugliness.</p> + +<p>Thus he who happens to follow a female may be +aided in determining whether it is worth his while +to glance at her face in passing, or to devise other +means of seeing it.</p> + +<p>Even when the face is seen, as in meeting in the +streets or elsewhere, infinite deception occurs as to +the degree of beauty. This operates so powerfully, +that a correct estimate of beauty is perhaps never +formed at first. This depends on the forms and +still more on the colors of dress in relation to the +face. For this reason, it is necessary to understand +the principles according to which colors are +employed at least by skilful women.</p> + +<p><a name="png.188" id="png.188"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">189</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>When it is the fault of a face to contain too +much yellow, then yellow around the face is used +to remove it by contrast, and to cause the red and +blue to predominate.</p> + +<p>When it is the fault of a face to contain too +much red, then red around the face is used to remove +by contrast, and to cause the yellow and +blue to predominate.</p> + +<p>When it is the fault of a face to contain too +much blue, then blue around the face is used to +remove it by contrast, and to cause the yellow +and red to predominate.</p> + +<p>When it is the fault of a face to contain too +much yellow and red, then orange is used.</p> + +<p>When it is the fault of a face to contain too +much red and blue, then purple is used.</p> + +<p>When it is the fault of a face <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'too'">to</ins> contain too +much blue and yellow, then green is used.</p> + +<p>It is necessary to observe that the linings of +bonnets reflect their color on the face, and transparent +bonnets transmit that color, and equally +tinge it. In both these cases, the color employed +is no longer that which is placed around the face, +and which acts on it by contrast, but the opposite. +As green around the face heightens a faint red in +the cheeks by contrast, so the pink lining of the +bonnet aids it by reflection.</p> + +<p>Hence linings which reflect, are generally of the +<ins class="TN" title="Transciber's note: + 'teint' is French for 'tint' and appears in the 1913 Webster's with that meaning">teint</ins> which is wanted in the face; and care is then +taken that these linings do not come into the direct +view of the observer, and operate prejudicially +on the face by contrast, overpowering the little +color which by reflection they should heighten. +The fronts of bonnets so lined, therefore, do not +widen greatly forward, and bring their color into +contrast.</p> + +<p>When bonnets do widen, the proper contrast is +used as a lining; but then it has not a surface +<a name="png.189" id="png.189"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">190</span><span class="ns">] + </span>much adapted for reflection, otherwise it may perform +that office, and injure the complexion.</p> + +<p>Understanding, then, the application of these +colors in a general way, it may be noticed, that +fair faces are by contrast best acted on by light +colors, and dark faces by darker colors.</p> + +<p>Dark faces are best affected by darker colors, +evidently because they tend to render the complexion +fairer; and fair faces do not require dark colors, +because the opposition would be too strong.</p> + +<p>Objects which constitute a background to the +face, or which, on the contrary, reflect their hues +upon it, always either improve or injure the complexion. +For this and some other reasons, many +persons look better at home in their apartments +than in the streets. Apartments may, indeed, be +peculiarly calculated to improve individual complexions.</p> + + +<h2 class="secn">OF MIND.</h2> + +<p>External indications as to mind may be derived +from figure, from gait, and from dress.</p> + +<p>As to figure, a certain symmetry or disproportion +of parts (either of which depends immediately upon +the locomotive system)—or a certain softness +or hardness of form (which belongs exclusively to +the vital system)—these reciprocally denote a locomotive +symmetry or disproportion—or a vital softness +or hardness—or a mental delicacy or coarseness, +which will be found also indicated by the +features of the face.</p> + +<p>These qualities are marked in pairs, as each belonging +to its respective system; for, without this, +there can be no accurate or useful observation.</p> + +<p>As to gait, that progression which advances, unmodified +by any lateral movement of the body, or +any perpendicular rising of the head, and which +<a name="png.190" id="png.190"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">191</span><span class="ns">] + </span>belongs exclusively to the locomotive system—or +that soft lateral rolling of the body, which belongs +exclusively to the vital system—or that perpendicular +rising or falling of the head at every impulse +to step, which belongs exclusively to the mental +system—these reciprocally indicate a corresponding +locomotive, or vital, or mental character, which +will be found also indicated by the features of the +face.</p> + +<p>To put to the test the utility of these elements +of observation and indication, let us take a few +instances.—If, in any individual, locomotive symmetry +of figure is combined with direct and linear +gait, a character of mind and countenance not absolutely +repulsive, but cold and insipid, is indicated. +If vital softness of figure is combined, with a gentle +lateral rolling of the body in its gait, voluptuous +character and expression of countenance are indicated.—If +delicacy of outline in the figure, be combined +with perpendicular rising of the head, levity, +perhaps vanity, is indicated.—But there are innumerable +combinations and modifications of the +elements which we have just described. Expressions +of pride, determination, obstinacy, &c., are +all observable.</p> + +<p>The gait, however, is often formed, in a great +measure, by local or other circumstances, by which +it is necessary that the observer should avoid being +misled.</p> + +<p>Dress, as affording indications, though less to be +relied on than the preceding, is not without its value. +The woman who possesses a cultivated taste, +and a corresponding expression of countenance, +will generally be tastefully dressed; and the vulgar +woman, with features correspondingly rude, +will easily be seen through the inappropriate mask +in which her milliner or dressmaker may have invested +her.</p> + + +<h2 class="secn"><a name="png.191" id="png.191"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">192</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>OF HABITS.</h2> + +<p>External indications as to the personal habits of +women are both numerous and interesting.</p> + +<p>The habit of child-bearing is indicated by a flatter +breast, a broader back, and thicker cartilages of +the bones of the pubis, necessarily widening the +pelvis.</p> + +<p>The same habit is also indicated by a high rise of +the nape of the neck, so that the neck from that +point bends considerably forward, and by an elevation +which is diffused between the neck and shoulders. +These all arise from temporary distensions +of the trunk in women whose secretions are powerful, +from the habit of throwing the shoulders +backward during pregnancy, and the head again +forward, to balance the abdominal weight; and +they bestow a character of vitality peculiarly expressive.</p> + +<p>The same habit is likewise indicated by an excess +of that lateral rolling of the body in walking, which +was already described as connected with voluptuous +character. This is a very certain indication, as it +arises from temporary distensions of the pelvis, +which nothing else can occasion. As in consequence +of this lateral rolling of the body, and of the +weight of the body being much thrown forward in +gestation, the toes are turned somewhat inward, +they aid in the indication.</p> + +<p>The habit of nursing children is indicated, both +in mothers and nursery-maids, by the right shoulder +being larger and more elevated than the left.</p> + +<p>The habits of the seamstress are indicated by +the neck suddenly bending forward, and the arms +being, even in walking, considerably bent forward +or folded more or less upward from the elbows.</p> + +<p>Habits of labor are indicated by a considerable +<a name="png.192" id="png.192"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">193</span><span class="ns">] + </span>thickness of the shoulders below, where they +form an angle with the inner part of the arm; +and, where these habits are of the lowest menial +kind, the elbows are turned outward, and the +palms of the hands backward.</p> + + +<h2 class="secn">OF AGE.</h2> + +<p>External indications of age are required chiefly +where the face is veiled, or where the woman +observed precedes the observer and may reasonably +excite his interest.</p> + +<p>In either of these cases, if the foot and ankle +have lost a certain moderate plumpness, and assumed +a certain sinewy or bony appearance, the +woman has generally passed the period of youth.</p> + +<p>If in walking, instead of the ball or outer edge +of the foot first striking the ground, it is the heel +which does so, then has the woman in general +passed the meridian of life. Unlike the last indication, +this is apparent, however the foot and ankle +may be clothed.—The reason of this indication is +the decrease of power which unfits the muscles to +receive the weight of the body by maintaining the +extension of the ankle-joint.</p> + +<p class="pgbrk">Exceptions to this last indication are to be found +chiefly in women in whom the developments of the +body are proportionally much greater, either from +a temporary or a permanent cause, than those of +the limbs, the muscles of which are consequently +incapable of receiving the weight of the body by +maintaining the extension of the ankle-joint.</p> + + + + + +<h1 class="part"><a name="png.193" id="png.193"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">194</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span><em>THE IDEAL OF FEMALE BEAUTY</em>;<br + /><small><span class="allsc">OR A</span></small><br + /><small class="so2">DESCRIPTION OF THE FAMOUS STATUE</small><br + /><small><span class="allsc">OF THE</span></small><br + /><big class="so2">VENUS DE MEDICI</big>.</h1> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> Venus de Medici at Florence is the most +perfect specimen of ancient sculpture remaining; +and is spoken of as the Model of Female Beauty. +It was so much a favorite of the Greeks and Romans, +that a hundred ancient repetitions of this statue have +been noticed by travellers. This statue is said to +have been found in the forum of Octavia at Rome. +It represents woman at that age when every beauty +has just been perfected.</p> + +<p>“The Venus de Medici at Florence,” says a distinguished +writer, “is like a rose which, after a +beautiful daybreak, expands its leaves to the first ray +of the sun, and represents that age when the limbs +assume a more finished form and the breast begins to +develop itself.”</p> + +<p>The size of the head is sufficiently small to leave +that predominance to the vital organs in the chest, +which, as already said, makes the nutritive system +peculiarly that of woman. This is the first and most +striking proof of the profound knowledge of the artist, +the principles of whose art taught him that a vast +head is not a constituent of female beauty. In mentioning +the head it is scarcely possible to avoid noticing +the rich curls of hair.</p> + +<p><a name="png.194" id="png.194"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">195</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>The eyes next fix our attention by their soft, +sweet, and glad expression. This is produced with +exquisite art. To give softness, the ridges of the +eyebrows are rounded. To give sweetness, the under +eyelid, which I would call the expressive one, is +slightly raised. To give the expression of gladness +or of pleasure, the opening of the eyelids is diminished, +in order to diminish, or partially to exclude, the +excess of those impressions, which make even pleasure +painful. Other exquisite details about those +eyes, confer on them unparallelled beauty. Still, this +look is far from those traits indicative of lasciviousness, +with which some modern artists have thought to +characterize their Venuses.</p> + +<p>Art still profounder was perhaps shown in the +configuration of the nose. The peculiar connexion +of this sense with love was evidently well understood +by the artist. Not only is smell peculiarly associated +with love, in all the higher animals, but it is associated +with reproduction in plants, the majority of +which evolve delicious odors only when the flowers +or organs of fructification are displayed. Connected, +indeed, with the capacity of the nose, and the cavities +which open into it, is the projection of the whole +middle part of the face.</p> + +<p>The mouth is rendered sweet and delicate by the +lips being undeveloped at their angles, and by the +upper lip continuing so, for a considerable portion of +its length. It expresses love of pleasure by the central +development of both lips, and active love by the +especial development of the lower lip. By the +slight opening of the lips, it expresses desire.</p> + +<p>These exquisite details, and the omission of nothing +intellectually expressive that nature presents, +have led some to imagine the Venus de Medici to be +a portrait. In doing so, however, they see not the +profound calculation for every feature thus embodied. +More strangely still, they forget the ideal character +<a name="png.195" id="png.195"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">196</span><span class="ns">] + </span>of the whole: the notion of this ideal head being too +small, is especially opposed to such an opinion.</p> + +<p>Withal, the look is amorous and languishing, +without being lascivious, and is as powerfully marked +by gay coquetry, as by charming innocence.</p> + +<p>The young neck is exquisitely formed. Its beautiful +curves show a thousand capabilities of motion; +and its admirably-calculated swell over the organ of +voice, results from, and marks the struggling expression +of still mysterious love.</p> + +<p>With regard to the rest of the figure, the admirable +form of the mammæ, which, without being too large, +occupy the bosom, rise from it with various curves on +every side, and all terminate in their apices, leaving +the inferior part in each precisely as pendent as +gravity demands; the flexile waist gently tapering +little farther than the middle of the trunk; the lower +portion of it beginning gradually to swell out higher +even than the umbilicus; the gradual expansion of +the haunches, those expressive characteristics of the +female, indicating at once her fitness for the office of +generation and that of parturition—expansions which +increase till they reach their greatest extent at the +superior part of the thighs; the fulness behind their +upper part, and on each side of the lower part of the +spine, commencing as high as the waist, and terminating +in the still greater swell of the distinctly-separated +hips; the flat expanse between these, and +immediately over the fissure of the hips, relieved by +a considerable dimple on each side, and caused by +the elevation of all the surrounding parts; the fine +swell of the broad abdomen which, soon reaching +its greatest height immediately under the umbilicus, +slopes neatly to the mons veneris, but, narrow at its +upper part, expands more widely as it descends, +while, throughout, it is laterally distinguished by a +gentle depression from the more muscular parts on +the sides of the pelvis; the beautiful elevation of the +<a name="png.196" id="png.196"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">197</span><span class="ns">] + </span>mons veneris; the contiguous elevation of the thighs +which, almost at their commencement rise as high as +it does; the admirable expansion of these bodies inward, +or toward each other, by which they almost +seem to intrude upon each other, and to exclude each +from its respective place; the general narrowness of +the upper, and the unembraceable expansion of the +lower part thus exquisitely formed;—all these admirable +characteristics of female form, the mere existence +of which in woman must, one is tempted to imagine, be +even to herself, a source of ineffable pleasure—these +constitute a being worthy, as the personification of +beauty, of occupying the temples of Greece; present +an object finer, alas! than nature seems even capable +of producing; and offer to all nations and ages a theme +of admiration and delight.</p> + +<p>Well might Thomson say:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“So stands the statue that enchants the world,</div> +<div>So bending tries to veil the matchless boast,</div> +<div>The mingled beauties of exulting Greece.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>And Byron, in yet higher strain:—</p> + +<div class="poem pgbrk"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“There, too, the goddess loves in stone, and fills</div> +<div>The air around with beauty;</div> +<div class="i20">within the pale</div> +<div>We stand, and in that form and face behold</div> +<div>What Mind can make, when Nature’s self would fail;</div> +<div>And to the fond idolaters of old</div> +<div>Envy the innate flash which such a soul could mould.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div>We gaze and turn away, and know not where,</div> +<div>Dazzled and drunk with beauty, till the heart</div> +<div>Reels with its fulness; there—forever there—</div> +<div>Chained to the chariot of triumphal Art,</div> +<div>We stand as captives, and would not depart.”</div> +</div> +</div> + + +<h2 class="secn fourem"><a name="png.197" id="png.197"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">198</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>THE FIRST KISS OF LOVE.</h2> + +<p class="ctr oneembelow"><small class="allsc">BY LORD BYRON.</small></p> + +<div class="poem pgbrk"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div><span class="smc">Away</span> with those fictions of flimsy romance!</div> +<div class="i2">Those tissues of falsehood which folly has wove!</div> +<div>Give me the mild beam of the soul-breathing glance,</div> +<div class="i2">Or the rapture which dwells on the first kiss of love.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div>Ye rhymers, whose bosoms with phantasy glow,</div> +<div class="i2">Whose pastoral passions are made for the grove,</div> +<div>From what blest inspiration your sonnets would flow,</div> +<div class="i2">Could you ever have tasted the first kiss of love!</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div>I hate you, ye cold compositions of art;</div> +<div class="i2">Though prudes may condemn me, and bigots reprove,</div> +<div>I court the effusions that spring from the heart</div> +<div class="i2">Which throbs with delight to the first kiss of love.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div>Oh! cease to affirm that man, since his birth,</div> +<div class="i2">From Adam till now, has with wretchedness strove;</div> +<div>Some portion of paradise still is on earth,</div> +<div class="i2">And Eden revives in the first kiss of love.</div> +</div> +<div class="stanza"><br class="ns" /> +<div>When age chills the blood, when our pleasures are past—</div> +<div class="i2">For years fleet away with the wings of the dove—</div> +<div>The dearest remembrance will still be the last,</div> +<div class="i2">Our sweetest memorial the first kiss of love.</div> +</div> +</div> + + +<h2 class="chap"><a name="png.198" id="png.198"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">199</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>THE DEATH OF CLEOPATRA.</h2> + +<p class="ctr oneembelow"><cite>See <a href="#png.001">Frontispiece</a>.</cite></p> + +<p><span class="smc">The</span> Princess of antiquity, most renowned for her +personal charms, was in her unrivalled beauty, her +mental perfections, her weaknesses, and the unhappy +conclusion of an amorous existence the counterpart +of the most beautiful queen of later times, the unfortunate +Mary of Scotland.</p> + +<p>Cleopatra was the daughter of Ptolemy Auletes, +king of Egypt. She was early given to wife to her +own brother, Ptolemy Dionysius, and ascended the +throne conjointly with him, on the death of their +father. It was doubtless the policy of the kingdom +thus to preserve all the royal honors in one family—the +daughter being the queen, as well as the +son king of the country. But her ambitious and +intriguing spirit, restrained by no ties of reciprocal +love to her husband, who was also her brother, sought +for means to burst a union at once unnatural and +galling: and the opportunity at length arrived. +Julius Cæsar, the conqueror of the world, having +pursued the defeated Pompey into Egypt, there beheld +Cleopatra in the zenith of her beauty; and he +before whose power the whole world was kneeling, +prostrated himself before a pretty woman. The +following is the account of her first introduction to +Cæsar, as given by the historian. It shows that she +had no maidenly scruples as to the mode of attaining +her ends.</p> + +<p>Her intrigues to become sole monarch, had made +her husband-brother banish her from the capital. +<a name="png.199" id="png.199"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">200</span><span class="ns">] + </span>Hearing of the arrival of Cæsar, she got into a small +boat, with only one male friend, and in the dusk of the +evening made for the palace where Cæsar as well +as her husband lodged. As she saw it difficult +to enter it undiscovered by her husband’s friends, +she rolled herself up in a carpet. Her companion +tied her up at full length like a bale of goods, and +carried her in at the gates to Cæsar’s apartments. +This stratagem of hers, which was a strong proof of +her wit and ingenuity, is said to have first opened +her way to Cæsar’s heart, and her conquest advanced +rapidly by the charms of her speech and person. The +genius of Shakspeare has well depicted the power of +her beauty at this time. He makes her to say, at a +later period of life, when chagrined at the expected +desertion of another lover,—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="i10">“Broad-fronted Cæsar!</div> +<div>When thou wast here above the ground, I was</div> +<div>A morsel for a monarch: And great Pompey</div> +<div>Would stand, and make his eyes grow in my brow;</div> +<div>There would he fix his longing gaze, and die</div> +<div>With looking on his life.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">But Cleopatra, who was not less remarkable for her +cunning than for her beauty, knowing that Cæsar was +resolved to be gratified at whatever cost, determined +that the price should be a round one: the terms of +his admission to her arms, were that Cæsar should +expel her brother from the kingdom, and give the +crown to her; which Cæsar complied with. Cleopatra +had a son by Cæsar called Cæsarion.</p> + +<p>In the civil wars which distracted the Roman empire +after the death of Cæsar, Cleopatra supported +Brutus, against Antony and Octavius. Antony, in +his expedition to Parthia, summoned her to appear +before him. She arrayed herself in the most magnificent +apparel, and appeared before her judge in the +most captivating attire. Though somewhat older +<a name="png.200" id="png.200"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">201</span><span class="ns">] + </span>than when she drew Cæsar to her arms, her charms +were still conspicuous;</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“Age could not wither her, nor custom stale</div> +<div>Her infinite variety. Other women cloy</div> +<div>The appetite they feed. But she made hungry</div> +<div>Where most she satisfied.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">Her artifice on this occasion succeeded; Antony became +enamoured of her, and publicly married her, +although his wife the sister of Octavius was living. +He gave Cleopatra the greater part of the eastern +provinces of the Roman empire. This behaviour +was the cause of a rupture between Octavius and +Antony; and these two celebrated generals met in +battle at Actium, where Cleopatra, by flying with +sixty sail of vessels, ruined the interest of Antony, +and he was defeated. Cleopatra had retired to +Egypt, where soon after Antony followed her. Antony +stabbed himself upon the false information that +Cleopatra was dead; and as his wound was not mortal, +he was carried to the queen, who drew him up by +a cord from one of the windows of the monument, +where she had retired and concealed herself.</p> + +<p>Antony soon after died of his wounds, and Cleopatra, +after she had received pressing invitations from +Octavius, and even pretended declarations of love, +destroyed herself by the bite of an asp, not to fall +into the conqueror’s hands. She had previously +attempted to stab herself, and had once made a resolution +to starve herself. But the means by which +she destroyed herself, is said to produce the easiest +of deaths: the Asp is a small serpent found near the +river Nile, so delicate that it may be concealed in a +fig; and when presented to the vitals of the body, its +bite is so deadly as to render medical skill useless, +while at the same time it is so painless, that the victim +fancies herself dropping into a sweet slumber, +instead of the arms of death. So Cleopatra, while +<a name="png.201" id="png.201"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">202</span><span class="ns">] + </span>she is applying the venomous reptile to her bosom, +(as represented in the Frontispiece,) is supposed to +use language like the following,—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“Dost thou not see my baby at my breast,</div> +<div>That sucks the nurse asleep?”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">Thus, after having chained in her embrace the two +greatest generals that the Roman empire had produced, +Julius Cæsar and Mark Antony, at the periods +when they were respectively arbiters of the world’s +fate, perished Cleopatra by her own hand.</p> + +<p>Cleopatra was a voluptuous and extravagant woman, +and in one of the feasts she gave to Antony at +Alexandria, she melted pearls into her drink to render +the entertainment more sumptuous and expensive. +She was fond of appearing dressed as a goddess; and +she advised Antony to make war against the richest nations, +to support her debaucheries. Her beauty has +been greatly commended, and her mental perfections +so highly celebrated, that she has been described as +capable of giving audience to the ambassadors of +seven different nations, and of speaking their various +languages as fluently as her own.</p> + +<p>How vain are the possessions of beauty, power, +personal and mental accomplishments, if to these +are not united virtuous principles. All history, as +well as all experience, is full of examples calculated +to impress the great lesson that</p> + +<p class="ctr oneem pgbrk">“<span class="smc">Virtue</span> alone is <span class="smc">Happiness</span> below.”</p> + + + + +<h2 class="chap"><a name="png.202" id="png.202"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">203</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>AN ESSAY ON MATRIMONY.</h2> + +<p><span class="smc">Socrates</span>, being asked, whether it were better +for a man to marry, or to remain single, replied,—“Let +him do either, he will repent of it.”</p> + +<p>The philosopher spoke ‘like an oracle,’ leaving the +world as much in the dark as to his views of the +comparative advantages of matrimony and celibacy, +as they could have been before. But a vast majority +of men have chosen, since they must repent of one +or the other, to repent of marrying, deeming perhaps +that this repentance is “<i>the repentance which needeth +not to be repented of</i>.”</p> + +<p>We shall conclude our little treatise on “the sex,” +with a few remarks on the subject of—we were +about to say—Happiness,—but as we are content +that every married man and woman should judge for +themselves as to the happiness of the married state, +we will simply style it an <span class="smc">Essay on Matrimony</span>.</p> + +<p>No event is more important, and none is conducted, +on many occasions, with less prudence, than Marriage. +Providence has allowed the passions to exercise +a powerful influence in this matter, otherwise +the cares and anxieties with which it is attended +would deter most persons from launching their bark +of earthly happiness on the great ocean of matrimony. +But too frequently the passions are the only +guide, and these stimulate to bewilder: they exhibit +pleasing and attractive imagery, and then the possession +destroys the bliss.</p> + +<p><a name="png.203" id="png.203"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">204</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>Love is a pleasing but exciting passion. The eye +is delighted by form, manners, and the expression of +the features, the ears by musical language, and the +imagination paints future joys; all of which contribute +to one great principle, that of receiving happiness +from those we love, and evincing love for those +from whom we derive our happiness. As the crystal +streams are absorbed by the sun, and distributed as +brilliant clouds in the heavens, and then fall and run +in their accustomed channels, and thus the rivers +supply the clouds, and the vapors the rivers, so is the +interchange between love and happiness. This will +agree with the opinion that love may be occasioned +suddenly, because enjoyment is expected; or it may +arise gradually, because the unattractiveness which +first existed, may be succeeded by attraction.</p> + +<p>There was no appointment by nature of particular +persons for each other; but we may expect among a +great variety of occurrences to meet with some singular +and astonishing coincidences. Human beings appear to be +left in this respect, as in many others, +to their own judgment. If they act discreetly, they +enjoy the comfort of it; but if otherwise, they bring +upon themselves a disadvantage.</p> + +<p>The happiness arising from an union depends +chiefly on the character of the persons who are +concerned in it. If men and women were as consistent +and virtuous as they should be, the connubial bond +would be soft and pleasant; but as these effects do +not always arise, where is the fault? Which is +better, or more worthy, the male or the female sex? +This is rather a difficult question; and let the palm +of superior merit be awarded to either, the imputation +of prejudice would be connected with the decision. +But fortunately there is little difference: one +varies from the other in particular qualities; but if +the aggregate of merit be taken in each, the amount +will not differ much. Education forms the principal +<a name="png.204" id="png.204"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">205</span><span class="ns">] + </span>variation: men are instructed in the more active and +laborious employments, women in the more sedentary +and domestic. Dr Southey says, that “if women are +not formed of finer clay, there has been more of the +dew of heaven to temper it.” Richard Flecknoe, a +contemporary with Dryden, observes of the female +sex,—“I have always been conversant with the best +and worthiest in all places where I came; and among +the rest with ladies, in whose conversation, as in an +academy of virtue, I learnt nothing but goodness, +and saw nothing but nobleness.” It must be granted, +that women in general possess more of the sweetness +and softness of human nature, while men are endowed +with more vigorous virtues; women are gifted +with more fortitude, and men with more +valor.</p> + +<p>Jeremy Taylor says,—“Marriage hath in it the +labor of love, and the delicacies of friendship; the +blessings of society, and the union of hands and +hearts.”</p> + +<p>Cowper has also alluded to the advantages of a +matrimonial settlement,—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“O friendly to the best pursuits of man,</div> +<div>Friendly to thought, to virtue, and to peace,</div> +<div>Domestic life in rural pleasure pass’d.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Marriage is frequently an union of interest: the +happiness of one is made a source of enjoyment to +the other. It is for life, because it is most agreeable +with the inclination of mankind that friendship, esteem +and love should be permanent. In this instance +a continuance of the union constitutes no small part +of the bliss. The expectation of a durable connection +makes men careful, otherwise they would marry +and unmarry every week. There is, by the arrangement +of the Almighty, a comparative power or influence +<a name="png.205" id="png.205"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">206</span><span class="ns">] + </span>vested in the man, because, agreeably with all +good government,—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“Some are, and must be, greater than the rest;”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">but then, as Dr Beattie observes, “the superiority +vested by law in the man is compensated to the +woman by that superior complaisance which is paid +them by every man who aspires to elegance of +manners.” And besides this, the husband has frequently +the nominal, while the wife has the actual +power:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“Like as the helme doth rule the shippe,”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">so she regulates all the household affairs. This is +proper, when the husband allows it; and he ought to +do so, when his wife is capable of managing these +things; but when the inclinations of his Eve run +perversely, when he is conscious that he has reason +on his side, and she only folly, and yet he is vacillating +and yielding, he is unmanly and inconsistent; +he sacrifices future happiness to present peace. Every +woman, it must be granted, is not a sensible one; +and “there is nothing,” as Lord Burleigh observed to +his son, “more fulsome than a she foole.” If Socrates +had properly controlled his Xantippe before her +disorder had increased beyond cure, it would have +contributed to her happiness and his own. Prince +Eugene observed, on one occasion, rather satirically, +that love was a mere amusement, and calculated for +nothing more than to enlarge the influence of the +woman, and abridge the power of the man. Goldsmith’s +Hermit said to his lovely visiter,—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“And love is still an emptier sound,</div> +<div class="i2">The modern fair one’s jest;</div> +<div>On earth unseen, or only found</div> +<div class="i2">To warm the turtle’s nest.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">But love is an actual, a powerful, and a beneficial +<a name="png.206" id="png.206"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">207</span><span class="ns">] + </span>principle, if it be properly regulated. Among married +persons there ought to be as much love as +would induce either to yield in trifling matters; +and there ought to be as much reason as would +enable both to act correctly. Matrimony should +be something like the union of the ivy and the +oak: the latter is firm, and capable of supporting +its more tender companion; the ivy, however, +must follow in some measure the humors and windings +of the oak; but they grow together, and the +longer they continue the more closely they are united. +There have been many instances of great attachment. +Porcia, the wife of Brutus, when she +heard of her husband’s death swallowed burning coals +that she might go with him. Alceste, wife of Admetus +king of Thessaly, sacrificed herself for the safety +of her husband. This monarch was ill; and when +the oracle was consulted, it was declared that he +would not recover except some friend would die for +him; and as no one else would do so, the wife heroically +drank a cup of poison. Paulina the wife of +Seneca in his old age, was young, beautiful, and +accomplished; and she was so much attached to her +husband, that when the veins of Seneca were opened +by the command of Nero, she caused her own to be +cut, that she might also bleed to death. When +Conrad III. had taken the town of Winsberg in +Bavaria, he allowed only the women to go out; but +they had leave to carry with them as much as they +pleased. They loaded themselves, therefore, with +their husbands and children, and brought them all +out on their shoulders! When love is genuine; +when professions are sincere, and the practice <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'agreeble'">agreeable</ins> +therewith; when health is enjoyed, and as many +comforts as are necessary for this life; when children +grow up in vigor, good behaviour, and mental improvement; +when old age is solaced by the company +of each other, and the kind attention of daughters and +sons; then matrimony is a cause of happiness.</p> + +<p><a name="png.207" id="png.207"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">208</span><span class="ns">]<br + /></span>But if all these enjoyments were the lot of every +married person, men would become too much contented +with the present life, and they would scarcely +think, as they sail on smoothly, of the haven, for +which they are bound. Besides, the fascinations of +domestic life would attract them from many duties +which they owe to their fellow creatures. There are +then many disadvantages connected with matrimony. +There is so much ignorance, perverseness, undue +inclination for power, disposition to contradict, anger, +jealousy, hatred, and versatility among human beings +that many unpleasant occurrences will necessarily +arise, and especially in the marriage state, because +here most of these feelings are brought into action, +and are most sensibly felt by those who are subject +to their influence. He that paints the experience of +human life in brilliant colors only gives a flattering +and deceptive representation,—he may just as well +pretend that the heavens are always cloudless. People +soon discover that there are sorrows in the world +as well as joys, unpleasant as well as pleasant events; +hence arises the advantage of examining, of pointing +out, and endeavoring to avoid “the ills which flesh is +heir to.” The perpetuity of marriage, under pleasing +circumstances, is its most lovely character; but the +same peculiarity, under a different aspect, is its principal +source of misery. It is too frequently a state +of bondage, “which thousands once fast-chained to +quit no more.” But what exists, and cannot be +removed, should always be borne as patiently as +possible; and thus we may keep a cheerful heart, +when another, less prudent, would be gloomy. Besides, +an ill temper makes every condition of life unhappy; +a cheerful disposition will throw a gleam of +sunshine over the scenery of a November day. Some +people, very foolishly, make themselves uneasy because +they are bound. Sir Jonah Barrington seems +to think it a natural propensity. He says,—“The +<a name="png.208" id="png.208"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">209</span><span class="ns">] + </span>moment any two animals, however fond before, are +fastened together by a chain they cannot break, they +begin to quarrel without any apparent reason, and +peck each other solely because they cannot get loose +again.” But it must be remembered that people enter +into marriage with a knowledge of the permanency +of the union, and perhaps they seldom repent, except +they had been deceived; and this we may hope +would not occur frequently. After the Romans had +introduced a law of divorce, no respectable person, +for the space of forty years, availed himself of it. +Divorcement was much practised among the Jews, +and was productive of great evil. One of the Jewish +doctors asserted, that if a man beheld a woman who +was handsomer than his wife, he might put away his +wife and marry her; and thus all the wives in Judea, +except the handsomest, might have been divorced. +Josephus observes, on one occasion, very coolly,—“About +this time I put away my wife, who had +borne me three children, not being pleased with her +manners.”</p> + +<p>One cause of unhappiness in a married state, is too +little affection; and in other instances, although affection +may be possessed, it is not shown. Montesquieu +observes, “that women commonly reserve their love +for their husbands until their husbands are dead.” +Sometimes a mortal hatred springs up, which induces +a man, like Henry VIII., to cause the murder of those +whom he has sworn to love and preserve; or a woman, +like Livia, to poison her husband. Not only is a +great dissimilarity of rank and condition a cause of +dislike, but a great variation in age is frequently the +cause of distrust and unhappiness. The proportion +which Aristotle suggests (a man of thirty-seven to a +woman of eighteen,) may be appropriate in one respect, +but it is objectionable in others. The life of +the female is just as long as that of the male; and +the union of middle age and youth, where the one is +<a name="png.209" id="png.209"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">210</span><span class="ns">] + </span>twice as old as the other, will not always allow an +uniformity of feelings and disposition. The case of +Seneca (to which we have alluded,) and that of Sir +Matthew Hale, are exceptions. Youth is generally +gay, thoughtless, and frivolous; but life, in more advanced +periods, is sober, thoughtful, and dignified. +A husband should not be deemed a teacher or guardian +for the wife so much as a companion; and the +wife should not be considered as guardian for the +husband: there ought to be a mutual sympathy, and +in most respects an equality of influence.</p> + +<p>Jealousy is a passion which allows the hapless +possessor to enjoy neither rest nor confidence. It is +frequently the companion of love. Shakspeare says,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>“For where love reigns, disturbing jealousy</div> +<div>Doth call himself affection’s sentinel.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">When this principle obtains possession of the breast, +it destroys the health and spirits: the streams which +gladden the heart become corrupted, and productive +of rage and melancholy. Jealousy is like the snake +which insidiously entwines itself around its victim; +or like the bohun upas of Java, which diffuses death. +The bright beams of hope, which cheered the possessor, +and carried his vision to distant days and distant +scenes of enjoyment, are all eclipsed by this pillar of +darkness. Moliere the poet was endowed with an +eminent genius—he was esteemed as the first wit in +Europe; but his wife was faithless, and no enjoyment, +or success, or honor could tranquillize his mind, and +make him happy. The attractions of youth and +beauty will sometimes excite an illicit passion, but +the indulgence of this feeling is the path to anxiety +and degradation. The female may be less faulty; +but she will be the greater sufferer; for, with regard +to her lawful companion, confidence is changed to +timidity, love to hypocrisy, and a continual fear torments +<a name="png.210" id="png.210"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">211</span><span class="ns">] + </span>her, lest accident or malice should discover +her imprudence. How dearly is the pleasure of a +moment procured when it is purchased by years of +unhappiness! On the other hand, it is extremely unreasonable +for some persons to indulge as they do, +their natural disposition of suspicion, and thus make +others unhappy. Where virtue only exists, it is a +most grievous hardship that the possessor should be +subject to the penalty of vice. Nothing should be +made with more caution than a decision in which the +innocent may receive the odium which belongs to the +guilty.</p> + +<p>Sometimes the worst sort of accomplishments are +brought by a lady into the marriage state: she may +be capable of singing admirably, of dancing, of +painting, of performing skilfully on the harp or piano, +of making ingenious trinkets and ornaments; all this +may be well enough for an unmarried lady, but of +what use are they in a state of matrimony? It is +true, that if she be favored with a handsome fortune, +she may indulge herself agreeably with her inclination, +and employ others to manage her household +affairs; but not many are thus situated; and, even in +this case, there are duties which belong to the wife, +in regard to her husband and children, which would +occupy pretty much of her time. It is still worse if +she be fond of dissipation,—of routs, balls, and public +amusements; if she fly abroad in pursuit of a phantom +while domestic enjoyment is neglected. A good +wife will endeavor to make herself happy at home, +and she will try to make all at home happy: she +should endeavor to make the pathway of life cheerful +by her smiles and attention, so that her husband may +be delighted with his dwelling, and find it his happiest +place; and that the children may be regulated with +all necessary care.</p> + +<p>A good temper is essential for matrimonial happiness. +An habitually irritable or gloomy disposition +<a name="png.211" id="png.211"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">212</span><span class="ns">] + </span>is a source of misery to the possessor and to others. +A dark and murky cave could as well throw out a +cheerful lustre, as a surly person communicate happiness +to those around him. Obstinacy must not be +indulged by either party; for, as the bond of union +cannot be easily broken, if one be perverse the other +must bend. If two trees be bound tightly together, +and both be stiff, the cords will probably break; if +not immediately, they will when the cords become +weaker: and thus with regard to matrimony, what +God has joined together, the perversity of human beings +will put asunder. Obstinacy in trifling matters +in the marriage state is an evidence of little love +and a bad heart; but if trifling matters appear important, +and the gaining of every point be as the taking +of a citadel, the person is wrong in his judgment; +he is insane, or partially so. Many worthy women +have been cursed with worthless husbands; but, unfortunately, +the grievances of the female sex have +been less frequently known than those of the men; +for women are not authors, and men are frequently +so; consequently, in all estimates of the comparative +merit of the sexes, it must be remembered that more +has been said on the one side than on the other. +Home, however, is the castle of the wife, if she be a +good one; here she keeps her permanent abode, agreeably +with the injunction of St. Paul. The husband +is absent the principal part of his time, may +there not therefore, on some occasions, be too greet +an inclination in the lady to consider herself as the +governor of the establishment, while the husband +may be deemed a visiter, rather than the master? +This would not arise in the breast of an amiable and +affectionate wife, but it has sometimes arisen; for, +unfortunately, all wives have not been good ones. +Jerome Cardan was so unfortunate as to have a wife +who was proverbial for her ill temper and arbitrary +conduct. John Knox said of Lord Erskine, “He +<a name="png.212" id="png.212"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">213</span><span class="ns">] + </span>has a very Jezebel to his wife.” Salmasius, the opponent +of Milton, was made perpetually uneasy by a +similar thorn. The unfortunate husband was a +Frenchman, and Milton said (as Dr Johnson observes,) +“Tu es Gallus, et, ut aiunt, nimium gallinaceus.” +Milton himself seems to have suffered from a similar +cause, for he evinces so much hostility to the female +sex, that no other reason would so naturally account +for it. He exclaims,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="i20">“O why did God,</div> +<div>Creator wise, that peopled highest Heaven</div> +<div>With spirits masculine, create at last</div> +<div>This novelty on earth, this fair defect</div> +<div>Of nature, and not fill the world at once</div> +<div>With men and angels without feminine?”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">Milton adds a great deal more, which, if he had a +high opinion of woman, even his anxiety to make his +character of Adam consistent would not have demanded. +An amiable temper on the part of a wife, +with her own natural softness, and an inclination to +yield in unimportant matters, will not only increase +love, but power; for in this respect, agreeably to the +opinion of Prince Eugene, love is power.</p> + +<p>Marriage is sometimes made a matter of mere +convenience; people enter into it with as much indifference +as they would into any other speculation, +and when one companion dies they take another. In +the book of Tobit we have an account of Sara, the +daughter of Raguel, who had been favored with seven +husbands, whom “Asmodeus the evil spirit had killed.” +Love must be exceedingly pliable, it must be +love to man, and not to a man, that would suffer a +woman to transfer her affections seven times. It +would be a ludicrous occurrence, if, upon any particular +occasion, a man’s three or four wives, or a woman’s +three or four husbands, should “burst their +<a name="png.213" id="png.213"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">214</span><span class="ns">] + </span>cerements,” and visit their former dwelling. What +astonishment! What uplifted hands and distended +eyeballs! What speechlessness and violent speeches,—reproaches +and animosities! When the Duke +of Rutland was Viceroy of Ireland, Sir John Hamilton +attended one of his Grace’s levees. “This is timely +rain,” said the <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original has an extraneous closing quote">Duke,</ins> “it will bring every thing +above ground.”—“I hope not, my Lord,” replied Sir +John, “for I have three wives there.” Marriage may +be well extended to two wives and two husbands in +succession; this, in some cases, is necessary; but +when it goes to three or four it is objectionable. The +man who moves from place, sometimes living here +and sometimes there, will never gain a pure and ardent +love of home; by the same rule, a succession of +wives will only induce an habitual or mechanical +regard to the wife for the time being; in the same +way as loyalty may be transferred from one sovereign +to another. Besides, a family with different degrees +of relationship and with different interests is formed, +and this contributes nothing towards domestic tranquillity. +There may be some particular cases in +which the evils to which we have alluded may not +arise; these may be deemed exceptions.</p> + +<p>There are some sorrows peculiar to matrimony; +and some which, though they fall on other conditions +of life, are felt more heavily when they intrude themselves +within the boundary of connubial love. Poverty +and sickness are more grievous evils under circumstances +of this sort; because a man feels not only +for himself, but for others. How dreadful must it be +when the husband beholds his wife in squalid misery. +What are the feelings of a mother when she sees her +innocent children suffering from hunger! And when +the iron hand of affliction presses upon the brow of a +husband or a wife, and the sharp arrows of pain occasion +groans, is there not an almost equal anguish +is the breast of an affectionate partner? And when +<a name="png.214" id="png.214"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">215</span><span class="ns">] + </span>the heavy clouds of sorrow gather around at the anticipated +separation of those who had lived in the +bonds of harmony—when the chilly arms of death +are held out to clasp him, or her, who had been used +to a more tender embrace, how dreadful is that period! +Is not the woe of separating generally in the +same proportion as the bliss of uniting? And is it +not a valuable loan to be paid by a mighty sacrifice?</p> + +<p>Unhappiness may be occasioned by indulging an +undue degree of love. <ins class="TN" title="Transcriber's note: + original reads 'Sentimetal'">Sentimental</ins> bliss is generally +followed by sentimental sorrow; consequently, people +may love one another too ardently, so as to make the +thought of parting a source of misery. If two plants +grow up together, imparting to each other shelter and +fragrance, it may contribute to their mutual advantage; +but if they become so closely united as to grow +from the same stalk, and depend on the same nutriment, +then take away one, and both will perish. +Connubial love should, therefore, be regulated by +reason. Extremes are seldom durable. Violent love +in the marriage state may change to hatred; and an +unusual quantity expended on the husband or wife, +may occasion a lesser degree of regard towards others. +It is not an uncommon event for external enemies +to occasion harmony at home; and harmony at +home, or the yielding to the foolish notions of each +other, may occasion enemies without. So difficult is +it to act consistently, and to live in peace with all +men! But the Scripture demands it, and we have a +long period for studying our lesson.</p> + +<p>In matrimony it is necessary that many things should +contribute to a permanency of enjoyment. A good +temper on both sides; property enough to supply the +wants of a family; good health; children—not too +many, nor too few, nor all of one sex; a continuance +in each other’s society, till both pass away gradually +as the twilight into darkness: but, if chilly poverty +exert its influence; if the husband or the wife be +<a name="png.215" id="png.215"></a><span class="ns">[p</span><span + class="pgmark">216</span><span class="ns">] + </span>ill-tempered; if he or she be unfaithful or jealous; if +love be followed by hatred; if one be taken, and the +other left in solitude; if children be imperfect in birth, +or habitually sickly, or drop off in early years as unripe +fruit; if sons prove vicious, and daughters bring +disgrace on themselves and their families; if the extravagance +of children bring their aged parents in +sorrow to the grave; where, then, will be the pleasure +of matrimony? The cares of a family, when the +family is large and unruly, are more perplexing than +the cares of a state. Cardan confessed, that out of +four great troubles which he had experienced, two +arose from his children. When Thales was asked +why he did not marry, he replied, “because I want no +children.” One of the ancient sages was so much +impressed with the disappointments and anxieties of +matrimony, that when he was asked, at what time, a +man should marry? replied, “If he be young, not yet; +if older, not at all.”</p> + +<p>This sentiment however, so repugnant to all our +ideas of social improvement, as well as to the command +of our Creator, who presented woman to man +as a helpmate, because it was not good that he +should live alone, and demanded of them to “be +fruitful and multiply,” will find no advocates except +among the disappointed, the ignorant, and the abandoned. +“The love of woman” is a feeling too deeply +rooted in the breast of man, and the reality of domestic +felicity has been too long tested by experience, +for either to be sacrificed on the altar of the revilers +of matrimony, whether they be libertines, weak husbands, +or misnamed “philosophers.”</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div>The dearest boon from Heaven above,</div> +<div class="i2">Is bliss which brightly hallows home,</div> +<div>’Tis sunlight to the world of love,</div> +<div class="i2">And life’s pure wine without its foam.</div> +<div>There is a sympathy of heart</div> +<div class="i2">Which consecrates the social shrine,</div> +<div>Robs grief of gloom and doth impart</div> +<div class="i2">A joy to gladness all divine.</div> +</div> +</div> + +</div> + + +<div class="tnote"> +<h3>Transcriber's Note</h3> + +<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Details +are provided in the source code (search for <tt>class="TN"</tt>). +Archaic spellings have been retained.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="pg" /> + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sketches of the Fair Sex, in All Parts +of the World, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKETCHES OF THE FAIR SEX *** + +***** This file should be named 26117-h.htm or 26117-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/1/1/26117/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, David Wilson and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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