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MargaretFuller

TheGreatLawsuit.ManversusMen.WomanversusWomen.

TheDial,IV,July1843.HypertextbyAnnWoodlief.

Thisgreatsuithasnowbeencarriedonthroughmanyages,withvariousresults.Thedecisionshavebeennumerous,butalwaysfollowedbyappealstostillhighercourts.Howcanitbeotherwise,whenthelawitselfisthesubjectoffrequentelucidation,constantrevision?Manhas,nowandthen,enjoyedaclear,triumphanthour,whensomeirresistibleconvictionwarmedandpurifiedtheatmosphereofhisplanet.But,presently,hesoughtreposeafterhislabors,whenthecrowdofpigmyadversariesboundhiminhissleep.Longyearsofingloriousimprisonmentfollowed,whilehisenemiesrevelledinhisspoils,andnocounselcouldbefoundtopleadhiscause,intheabsenceofthatall-promisingglance,whichhad,attimes,kindledthepoeticsoultorevelationofhisclaims,ofhisrights.Yetafoundationforthelargestclaimisnowestablished.Itisknownthathisinheritanceconsistsinnopartialsway,noexclusivepossession,suchashisadversariesdesire.Forthey,notcontentthattheuniverseisrich,would,eachoneforhimself,appropriatetreasure;butinvain!Themany-coloredgarment,whichclothedwithhonoranelectedson,whenrentasunderforthemany,isaworthlessspoil.Abandofrobberscannotliveprincelyintheprince'scastle;norwouldhe,likethem,becontentwithlessthanall,thoughhewouldnot,likethem,seekitasfuelforriotousenjoyment,butashisprincipality,toadministerandguardfortheuseofalllivingthingstherein.Hecannotbesatisfiedwithanyonegiftoftheearth,anyonedepartmentofknowledge,ortelescopicpeepattheheavens.Hefeelshimselfcalledtounderstandandaidnature,thatshemay,throughhisintelligence,beraisedandinterpreted;tobeastudentof,andservantto,theuniverse-spirit;andonlykingofhisplanet,that,asanangelicminister,hemaybringitintoconsciousharmonywiththelawofthatspirit.Suchistheinheritanceoftheorphanprince,andtheillegitimatechildrenofhisfamilywillnotalwaysbeabletokeepitfromhim,for,fromthefieldswhichtheysowwithdragon'steeth,andwaterwithblood,risemonsters,whichhealonehaspowertodriveaway.Butitisnotthepurposenowtosingtheprophecyofhisjubilee.Wehavesaidthat,incleartriumphantmoments,thishasmany,manytimesbeenmademanifest,andthosemoments,thoughpastintime,havebeentranslatedintoeternitybythought.Thebrightsignstheylefthangintheheavens,assinglestarsorconstellations,and,already,athickly-sownradianceconsolesthewandererinthedarkestnight.Heroeshavefilledthezodiacofbeneficentlabors,andthengivenuptheirmortalparttothefirewithoutamurmur.Sagesandlawgivershavebenttheirwholenaturetothesearchfortruth,andthoughtthemselves

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happyiftheycouldbuy,withthesacrificeofalltemporaleaseandpleasure,oneseedforthefutureEden.Poetsandpriestshavestrungthelyrewithheart-strings,pouredouttheirbestblooduponthealtarwhich,reare'danewfromagetoage,shallatlastsustaintheflamewhichrisestohighestheaven.Whatshallwesayofthosewho,ifnotsodirectly,orsoconsciously,inconnectionwiththecentraltruth,yet,ledandfashionedbyadivineinstinct,servenolesstodevelopandinterprettheopensecretoflovepassingintolife,thedivineenergycreatingforthepurposeofhappiness;--oftheartist,whosehand,drawnbyapreexistentharmonytoacertainmedium,mouldsittoexpressionsoflifemorehighlyandcompletelyorganizedthanareseenelsewhere,and,bycarryingouttheintentionofnature,revealshermeaningtothosewhoarenotyetsufficientlymaturedtodivineit;ofthephilosopher,wholistenssteadilyforcauses,and,fromthoseobvious,infersthoseyetunknown;ofthehistorian,who,infaiththatalleventsmusthavetheirreasonandtheiraim,recordsthem,andlaysuparchivesfromwhichtheyouthofprophetsmaybefed.Themanofsciencedissectsthestatement,verifiesthefacts,anddemonstratesconnectionevenwherehecannotitspurpose·Lives,too,whichbearnoneofthesenames,haveyieldedtonesofnolesssignificance.Thecandlestick,setinalowplace,hasgivenlightasfaithfully,whereitwasneeded,asthatuponthehill.Inclosealleys,indismalnooks,theWordhasbeenreadasdistinctly,aswhenshownbyangelstoholymeninthedarkprison.Thosewhotillaspotofearth,scarcelylargerthaniswantedforagrave,havedeservedthatthesunshouldshineuponitssodtillvioletsanswer.Sogreathasbeen,fromtimetotime,thepromise,that,inallages,menhavesaidtheGodsthemselvescamedowntodwellwiththem;thattheAll-Creatingwanderedontheearthtotasteinalimitednaturethesweetnessofvirtue,thattheAll-Sustainingincarnatedhimself,toguard,inspaceandtime,thedestiniesofhisworld;thatheavenlygeniusdweltamongtheshepherds,tosingtothemandteachthemhowtosing.Indeed,DerstetsdenHirtengnädigsichbewies.Hehasconstantlyshownhimselffavorabletoshepherds.Andthesedwellersingreenpasturesandnaturalstudentsofthestars,wereselectedtohail,firstofall,theholychild,whoselifeanddeathpresentedthetypeofexcellence,whichhassustainedtheheartofsolargeaportionofmankindintheselatergenerations.Suchmarkshavebeenleftbythefootstepsofman,wheneverhehasmadehiswaythroughthewildernessofmen.Andwheneverthepygmiessteppedinoneofthese,theyfeltdilatewithinthebreastsomewhatthatpromisedlargerstatureandpurerblood.Theyweretemptedtoforsaketheirevilways,toforsakethesideofselfishpersonalexistence,ofdecrepitskepticism,andcovetousnessofcorruptiblepossessions.Convictionflowedinuponthem.They,too,raisedthecry;Godisliving,allishis,andallcreatedbeingsarebrothers,fortheyarehischildren.Thesewerethetriumphantmoments;butaswehavesaid,mansleptandselfishnessawoke.Thusheisstillkeptoutofhisinheritance,stillapleader,stillapilgrim.Buthis

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reinstatementissure.Andnow,nomereglimmeringconsciousness,butacertainty,isfeltandspoken,thatthehighestidealmancanformofhisowncapabilitiesisthatwhichheisdestinedtoattain.Whateverthesoulknowshowtoseek,itmustattain.Knock,anditshallbeopened;seek,andyeshallfind.Itisdemonstrated,itisamaxim.Henolongerpaintshispropernatureinsomepeculiarformandsays,"Prometheushadit,"but"Manmusthaveit."Howeverdisputedbymany,howeverignorantlyused,orfalsified,bythosewhodoreceiveit,thefactofanuniversal,unceasingrevelation,hasbeentooclearlystatedinwords,tobelostsightofinthought,andsermonspreachedfromthetext,"Beyeperfect,"aretheonlysermonsofapervasiveanddeep-searchinginfluence.Butamongthosewhomeditateuponthistext,thereisgreatdifferenceofview,astothewayinwhichperfectionshallbesought.Throughtheintellect,saysome;Gatherfromeverygrowthoflifeitsseedofthought;lookbehindeverysymbolforitslaw.Ifthoucanstseeclearly,therestwillfollow.Throughthelife,sayothers;Dothebestthouknowesttoday.Shrinknotfromincessanterror,inthisgradual,fragmentarystate.Followthylightforasmuchasitwillshowthee,befaithfulasfarasthoucanst,inhopethatfaithpresentlywillleadtosight.Helpothers,withoutblamethattheyneedthyhelp.Lovemuch,andbeforgiven.Itneedsnotintellect,needsnotexperience,saysathird.Ifyoutookthetrueway,thesewouldbeevolvedinpurity.Youwouldnotlearnthroughthem,butexpressthroughthemahigherknowledge.Inquietness,yieldthysoultothecasualsoul.Donotdisturbitsteachingsbymethodsofthineown.Bestill,seeknot,butwaitinobedience.Thycommissionwillbegiven.Couldwe,indeed,saywhatwewant,couldwegiveadescriptionofthechildthatislost,hewouldbefound.Assoonasthesoulcansayclearly,thatacertaindemonstrationiswanted,itisathand.WhentheJewishprophetdescribedtheLamb,astheexpressionofwhatwasrequiredbythecomingera,thetimedrewnigh.Butwesaynot,seenot,asyet,clearlywhatwewould.Thosewhocallforamoretriumphantexpressionoflove,alovethatcannotbecrucified,shownotaperfectsenseofwhathasalreadybeenexpressed.Lovehasalreadybeenexpressed,thatmadeallthingsnew,thatgavethewormitsministryaswellastheeagle;alove,towhichitwasaliketodescendintothedepthsofhell,ortositattherighthandoftheFather.Yet,nodoubt,anewmanifestationisathand,anewhourinthedayofman.Wecannotexpecttoseehimacompletedbeing,whenthemassofmenliesoentangledinthesod,orusethefreedomoftheirlimbsonlywithwolfishenergy.Thetreecannotcometoflowertillitsrootbefreedfromthecankeringworm,anditswholegrowthopentoairandlight.Yetsomethingnewshallpresentlybeshownofthelifeofman,forheartscraveitnow,ifmindsdonotknowhowtoaskit.Amongthestrainsofprophecy,thefollowing;byanearnestmindofaforeignland,writtensomethirtyyearsago,isnotyetoutgrown;andithasthemeritofbeingapositiveappealfromtheheart,insteadofacriticaldeclarationwhatmanshallnotdo.Theministryofmanimplies,thathemustbefilledfromthedivinefountainswhicharebeingengenderedthroughalleternitysothat,atthemerenameofhisMaster,hemaybe

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abletocastallhisenemiesintotheabyss;thathemaydeliverallpartsofnaturefromthebarriersthatimprisonthem;thathemaypurgetheterrestrialatmospherefromthepoisonsthatinfectit;thathemaypreservethebodiesofmenfromthecorruptinfluencesthatsurround,andthemaladiesthatafflictthem;stillmore,thathemaykeeptheirsoulspurefromthemalignantinsinuationswhichpollute,andthegloomyimagesthatobscurethem;thatwemayrestoreitsserenitytotheWord,whichfalsewordsofmentillwithmourningandsadness;thathemaysatisfythedesiresoftheangels,whoawaitfromhimthedevelopmentofthemarvelsofnature;that,infine,hisworldmaybefilledwithGod,aseternityis.[LouisClaudedeSaint-Martin ,fromTheMinistryofManandSpirit ,1802]Anotherattemptwewillgive,byanobscureobserverofourowndayandcountry,todrawsomelinesofthedesiredimage.ItwassuggestedbyseeingthedesignofCrawford's Orpheus ,andconnectingwiththecircumstanceoftheAmerican,inhisgarretatRome,makingchoiceofthissubject,thatofAmericanshereathome,showingsuchambitiontorepresentthecharacter,bycallingtheirproseandverse,Orphicsayings ,Orphics.Orpheuswasalawgiverbytheocraticcommission.Heunderstoodnature,andmadeallherformsmovetohismusic.Hetoldhersecretsintheformofhymns,natureasseeninthemindofGod.Thenitistheprediction,thattolearnandtodo,allmenmustbelovers,andOrpheuswas,inahighsense,alover.Hissoulwentforthtowardsallbeings,yetcouldremainsternlyfaithfultoachosentypeofexcellence.Seekingwhatheloved,hefearednotdeathnorhell,neithercouldanypresencedaunthisfaithinthepowerofthecelestialharmonythatfilledhissoul.Itseemedsignificantofthestateofthingsinthiscountry,thatthesculptorshouldhavechosentheattitudeofshadinghiseyes.Whenwehavethestatuehere,itwillgivelessonsinreverence.EachOrpheus musttothedepthsdescend,ForonlythusthepoetcanbewiseMustmakethesadPersephonehisfriend,Andburiedlovetosecondlifearise;Againhislovemustlosethroughtoomuchlove,Mustlosehislifebylivinglifetootrue,Forwhathesoughtbelowispassedabove,Alreadydoneisallthathewoulddo;Musttuneallbeingwithhissinglelyre,Mustmeltallrocksfreefromtheirprimalpain,Mustsearchallnaturewithhisonesoul'sfire,Mustbindanewallformsinheavenlychain.Ifhealreadyseeswhathemustdo,Wellmayheshadehiseyesfromthefar-shiningview.{PoembyFuller]

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Meanwhile,notafewbelieve,andmenthemselveshaveexpressedtheopinion,thatthetimeiscomewhenEuridiceistocallforanOrpheus,ratherthanOrpheusforEuridice;thattheideaofman,howeverimperfectlybroughtout,hasbeenfarmoresothanthatofwoman,andthatanimprovementinthedaughterswillbestaidthereformationofthesonsofthisage.Itisworthyofremark,that,astheprincipleoflibertyisbetterunderstoodandmorenoblyinterpreted,abroaderprotestismadeinbehalfofwoman.Asmenbecomeawarethatallmenhavenothadtheirfairchance,theyareinclinedtosaythatnowomenhavehadafairchance.TheFrenchrevolution,thatstrangelydisguisedangel,borewitnessinfavorofwoman,butinterpretedherclaimsnolessignorantlythanthoseofman.Itsideaofhappinessdidnotrisebeyondoutwardenjoyment,unobstructedbythetyrannyofothers.ThetitleitgavewasCitoyen,Citoyenne,anditisnotunimportanttowomanthateventhisspeciesofequalitywasawardedher.Before,shecouldbecondemnedtoperishonthescaffoldfortreason,butnotasacitizen,butasubject.Theright,withwhichthistitletheninvestedahumanbeing,wasthatofbloodshedandlicense.TheGoddessofLibertywasimpure.Yettruthwasprophesiedintheravingsofthathideousfeverinducedbylongignoranceandabuse.Europeisconningavaluedlessonfromtheblood-stainedpage.Thesametendencies,fartherunfolded,willbeargoodfruitinthiscountry.Yet,inthiscountry,asbytheJews,whenMoseswasleadingthemtothepromisedland,everythinghasbeendonethatinheriteddepravitycould,tohinderthepromiseofheavenfromitsfulfilment.Thecross,hereaselsewhere,hasbeenplantedonlytobeblasphemedbycrueltyandfraud.ThenameofthePrinceofPeacehasbeenprofanedbyallkindsofinjusticetowardstheGentilewhomhesaidhecametosave.ButIneednotspeakofwhathasbeendonetowardstheredman,theblackman.Thesedeedsarethescoffoftheworld;andtheyhavebeenaccompaniedbysuchpiouswords,thatthegentlestwouldnotdaretointercedewith,"Fatherforgivethem,fortheyknownotwhattheydo."Here,aselsewhere,thegainofcreationconsistsalwaysinthegrowthofindividualminds,whichliveandaspire,asflowersbloomandbirdssing,inthemidstofmorasses;andinthecontinualdevelopmentofthatthought,thethoughtofhumandestiny,whichisgiventoeternitytofulfil,andwhichagesoffailureonlyseeminglyimpede.Onlyseemingly,andwhateverseemstothecontrary,thiscountryisassurelydestinedtoelucidateagreatmorallaw,asEuropewastopromotethementalcultureofman.Thoughthenationalindependencebeblurredbytheservilityofindividuals;thoughfreedomandequalityhavebeenproclaimedonlytoleaveroomforamonstrousdisplayofslavedealingandslavekeeping;thoughthefreeAmericansooftenfeelshimselffree,liketheRoman,onlytopamperhisappetitesandhisindolencethroughthemiseryofhisfellowbeings,stillitisnotinvain,thattheverbalstatementhasbeenmade,"Allmenarebornfreeandequal."Thereitstands,agoldencertainty,wherewithtoencouragethegood,toshamethebad.Thenewworldmaybecalledclearlytoperceivethatitincurstheutmostpenalty,ifitrejectsthesorrowfulbrother.Andifmenaredeaf,theangelshear.Butmen

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cannotbedeaf.Itisinevitablethatanexternalfreedom,suchashasbeenachievedforthenation,shouldbesoalsoforeverymemberofit.That,whichhasoncebeenclearlyconceivedintheintelligence,mustbeactedout.Ithasbecomealaw,irrevocableasthatoftheMedesintheirancientdominion.Menwillprivatelysinagainstit,butthelawsoclearlyexpressedbyaleadingmindoftheage,Tuttifattiasembianzad'unSolo;Figlituttid'unsoloriscatto,Inqualera,inqualpartedelsuoloTrascorriamoquest'auravital,Slamfratelli,slamstrettiadunpatte:Maladettocoluicheloinfrange,Ches'innalzasulfiaccochepiange,Checontristaunospirtoimmortal."[AlessandroManzoni]AllmadeinthelikenessoftheOne,Allchildrenofoneransom,Inwhateverhour,inwhateverpartofthesoilWedrawthisvitalair,Wearebrothers,wemustbeboundbyonecompact,Accursedhewhoinfringesit,Whoraiseshimselfupontheweakwhoweep,Whosaddensanimmortalspirit.cannotfailofuniversalrecognition.Wesickennolessatthepompthanatthestrifeofwords.Wefeelthatneverwerelungssopuffedwiththewindofdeclamation,onmoralandreligioussubjects,asnow.Wearetemptedtoimplorethese"word-heroes,"theseword-Catos,word-Christs,tobewareofcantaboveallthings;torememberthathypocrisyisthemosthopelessaswellasthemeanestofcrimes,andthatthosemustsurelybepollutedbyit,whodonotkeepalittleofallthismoralityandreligionforprivateuse."Wefeelthatthemindmay"growblackandrancidinthesmoke"evenofaltars.Westartupfromtheharanguetogointoourclosetandshutthedoor.But,whenithasbeenshutlongenough,werememberthatwherethereissomuchsmoke,theremustbesomefire;withsomuchtalkaboutvirtueandfreedommustbemingledsomedesireforthem;thatitcannotbeinvainthatsuchhavebecomethecommontopicsofconversationamongmen;thattheverynewspapersshouldproclaimthemselvesPilgrims,Puritans,HeraldsofHoliness.ThekingthatmaintainssocostlyaretinuecannotbeamereCountofCarabbas fiction.Wehavewaitedherelonginthedust;wearetiredandhungry,butthetriumphalprocessionmustappearatlast.Ofallitsbanners,nonehasbeenmoresteadilyupheld,andundernonehasmorevalorandwillingnessforrealsacrificesbeenshown,thanthatofthechampionsoftheenslavedAfrican.Andthisbanditis,which,partlyinconsequenceofanaturalfollowingoutof

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principles,partlybecausemanywomenhavebeenprominentinthatcause,makes,justnow,thewarmestappealinbehalfofwoman!Thoughtherehasbeenagrowingliberalityonthispoint,yetsocietyatlargeisnotsopreparedforthedemandsofthisparty,butthattheyare,andwillbeforsometime,coldlyregardedastheJacobinsoftheirday."Isitnotenough,"criesthesorrowfultrader,"thatyouhavedoneallyoucouldtobreakupthenationalUnion,andthusdestroytheprosperityofourcountry,butnowyoumustbetryingtobreakupfamilyunion,totakemywifeawayfromthecradle,andthekitchenhearth,tovoteatpolls,andpreachfromapulpit!Ofcourse,ifshedoessuchthings,shecannotattendtothoseofherownsphere.Sheishappyenoughassheis.ShehasmoreleisurethanIhave,everymeansofimprovement,everyindulgence."Haveyouaskedherwhethershewassatisfiedwiththeseindulgences!""No,butIknowsheis.Sheistooamiabletowishwhatwouldmakemeunhappy,andtoojudicioustowishtostepbeyondthesphereofhersex.Iwillneverconsenttohaveourpeacedisturbedbyanysuchdiscussions."'Consent'--you!itisnotconsentfromyouthatisinquestion,itisassentfromyourwife.""AmInottheheadofmyhouse!""Youarenottheheadofyourwife.Godhasgivenheramindofherown.""Iamtheheadandshetheheart.""Godgrantyouplaytruetooneanotherthen.Iftheheadrepressesnonaturalpulseoftheheart,therecanbenoquestionastoyourgivingyourconsent.Bothwillbeofoneaccord,andthereneedsbuttopresentanyquestiontogetafullandtrueanswer.Thereisnoneedofprecaution,ofindulgence,orconsent.Butourdoubtiswhethertheheartconsentswiththehead,oronlyacquiescesinitsdecree;anditistoascertainthetruthonthispoint,thatweproposesomeliberatingmeasures."Thusvaguelyarethesequestionsproposedanddiscussedatpresent.Buttheirbeingproposedatallimpliesmuchthought,andsuggestsmore.Manywomenareconsideringwithinthemselveswhattheyneedthattheyhavenot,andwhattheycanhave,iftheyfindtheyneedit.Manymenareconsideringwhetherwomenarecapableofbeingandhavingmorethantheyareandhave,andwhether,iftheyare,itwillbebesttoconsenttoimprovementintheircondition.Thenumerousparty,whoseopinionsarealreadylabelledandadjustedtoomuchtotheirmindtoadmitofanynewlight,strive,bylecturesonsomemodel-womanofbridal-likebeautyandgentleness,bywritingorlendinglittletreatises,tomarkoutwithdueprecisionthelimitsofwoman'ssphere,andwoman'smission,andtopreventotherthantherightfulshepherdfromclimbingthewall,ortheflockfromusinganychancegaptorunastray.Withoutenrollingourselvesatonceoneitherside,letuslookuponthesubjectfromthatpointofviewwhichto-dayoffers.Nobetter,itistobefeared,thanahighhouse-top.Ahighhill-top,oratleastacathedralspire,wouldbedesirable.ItisnotsurprisingthatitshouldbetheAnti-Slaverypartythatpleadsforwoman,whenwe

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considermerelythatshedoesnotholdpropertyonequaltermswithmen;sothat,ifahusbanddieswithoutawill,thewife,insteadofsteppingatonceintohisplaceasheadofthefamily,inheritsonlyapartofhisfortune,asifshewereachild,orwardonly,notanequalpartner.Wewillnotspeakoftheinnumerableinstances,inwhichprofligateoridlemenliveupontheearningsofindustriouswives;orifthewivesleavethemandtakewiththemthechildren,toperformthedoubledutyofmotherandfather,followfromplacetoplace,andthreatentorobthemofthechildren,ifdeprivedoftherightsofahusband,astheycallthem,plantingthemselvesintheirpoorlodgings,frighteningthemintopayingtributebytakingfromthemthechildren,runningintodebtattheexpenseoftheseotherwisesoovertaskedhelots.Thoughsuchinstancesabound,thepublicopinionofhisownsexisagainsttheman,andwhencasesofextremetyrannyaremadeknown,thereisprivateactioninthewife'sfavor.Butifwomanbe,indeed,theweakerparty,sheoughttohavelegalprotection,whichwouldmakesuchoppressionimpossible.Andknowingthatthereexists,intheworldofmen,atoneoffeelingtowardswomenastowardsslaves,suchasisexpressedinthecommonphrase,"Tellthattowomenandchildren;"thattheinfinitesoulcanonlyworkthroughtheminalreadyascertainedlimits;thattheprerogativeofreason,man'shighestportion,isallottedtotheminamuchlowerdegree;thatitisbetterforthemtobeengagedinactivelabor,whichistobefurnishedanddirectedbythosebetterabletothink,&c.&c.;weneednotgofurther,forwhocanreviewtheexperienceoflastweek,withoutrecallingwordswhichimply,whetherinjestorearnest,theseviews,andviewslikethese!Knowingthis,canwewonderthatmanyreformersthinkthatmeasuresarenotlikelytobetakeninbehalfofwomen,unlesstheirwishescouldbepubliclyrepresentedbywomen!Thatcanneverbenecessary,crytheotherside.Allmenareprivatelyinfluencedbywomen;eachhashiswife,sister,orfemalefriends,andistoomuchbiassedbytheserelationstofailofrepresentingtheirinterests.Andifthisisnotenough,letthemproposeandenforcetheirwisheswiththepen.Thebeautyofhomewouldbedestroyed,thedelicacyofthesexbeviolated,thedignityofhallsoflegislationdestroyed,byanattempttointroducethemthere.Suchdutiesareinconsistentwiththoseofamother;andthenwehaveludicrouspicturesofladiesinhystericsatthepolls,andsenatechambersfilledwithcradles.Butif,inreply,weadmitastruththatwomanseemsdestinedbynaturerathertotheinnercircle,Wemustaddthatthearrangementsofcivilizedlifehavenotbeenasyetsuchastosecureittoher.Hercircle,iftheduller,isnotthequieter.Ifkeptfromexcitement,sheisnotfromdrudgery.NotonlytheIndiancarriestheburdensofthecamp,butthefavoritesofLouistheFourteenthaccompanyhiminhisjourneys,andthewasherwomanstandsathertubandcarrieshomeherworkatallseasons,andinallstatesofhealth.Astotheuseofthepen,therewasquiteasmuchoppositiontowoman'spossessingherselfofthathelptofree-agencyasthereisnowtoherseizingontherostrumorthedesk;andsheislikelytodraw,fromapermissiontopleadhercausethatway,oppositeinferencesto

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whatmightbewishedbythosewhonowgrantit.Astothepossibilityofherfilling,withgraceanddignity,anysuchposition,weshouldthinkthosewhohadseenthegreatactresses,andheardtheQuakerpreachersofmoderntimes,wouldnotdoubt,thatwomancanexpresspubliclythefulnessofthoughtandemotion,withoutlosinganyofthepeculiarbeautyofhersex.Astoherhome,sheisnotlikelytoleaveitmorethanshenowdoesforballs,theatres,meetingsforpromotingmissions,revivalmeetings,andotherstowhichsheflies,inhopeofananimationforherexistence,commensuratewithwhatsheseesenjoyedbymen.GovernorsofLadies'Fairsarenolessengrossedbysuchacharge,thantheGovernoroftheStatebyhis;presidentsofWashingtoniansocieties,nolessawayfromhomethanpresidentsofconventions.Ifmenlookstraitlytoit,theywillfindthat,unlesstheirownlivesaredomestic,thoseofthewomenwillnotbe.ThefemaleGreek,ofourday,isasmuchinthestreetasthemale,tocry,Whatnews!WedoubtnotitwasthesameinAthensofold.Thewomen,shutoutfromthemarket-place,madeupforitatthereligiousfestivals.Forhumanbeingsarenotsoconstituted,thattheycanlivewithoutexpansion;andiftheydonotgetitoneway,mustanother,orperish.And,astomen'srepresentingwomenfairly,atpresent,whilewehearfrommenwhoowetotheirwivesnotonlyallthatiscomfortableandgraceful,butallthatiswiseinthearrangementoftheirlives,thefrequentremark,"Youcannotreasonwithawoman,"whenfromthoseofdelicacy,nobleness,andpoeticculture,thecontemptuousphrase,"Womenandchildren,andthatinnolightsallyofthehour,butinworksintendedtogiveapermanentstatementofthebestexperiences,whennotonemaninthemillion,shallIsay,no,notinthehundredmillion,canriseabovetheviewthatwomanwasmadeforman,whensuchtraitsasthesearedailyforcedupontheattention,canwefeelthatmanwillalwaysdojusticetotheinterestsofwoman!Canwethinkthathetakesasufficientlydiscerningandreligiousviewofherofficeanddestiny,evertodoherjustice,exceptwhenpromptedbysentiment;accidentallyortransiently,thatis,forhissentimentwillvaryaccordingtotherelationsinwhichheisplaced.Thelover,thepoet,theartist,arelikelytoviewhernobly.Thefatherandthephilosopherhavesomechanceofliberality;themanoftheworld,thelegislatorforexpediency,none.Underthesecircumstances,withoutattachingimportanceinthemselvestothechangesdemandedbythechampionsofwoman,wehailthemassignsofthetimes.Wewouldhaveeveryarbitrarybarrierthrowndown.Wewouldhaveeverypathlaidopentowomanasfreelyastoman.Werethisdone,andaslighttemporaryfermentationallowedtosubside,webelievethattheDivinewouldascendintonaturetoaheightunknowninthehistoryofpastages,andnature,thusinstructed,wouldregulatethespheresnotonlysoastoavoidcollision,buttobringforthravishingharmony.Yetthen,andonlythen,willhumanbeingsberipeforthis,wheninwardandoutwardfreedomforwoman,asmuchasforman,shallbeacknowledgedasaright,notyieldedasaconcession.Asthefriendofthenegroassumesthatonemancannot,byright,holdanother

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inbondage,shouldthefriendofwomanassumethatmancannot,byright,layevenwell-meantrestrictionsonwoman.Ifthenegrobeasoul,ifthewomanbeasoul,apparelledinflesh,toonemasteronlyaretheyaccountable.Thereisbutonelawforallsouls,and,ifthereistobeaninterpreterofit,hecomesnotasman,orsonofman,butasSonofGod.Werethoughtandfeelingoncesofarelevatedthatmanshouldesteemhimselfthebrotherandfriend,butnowisethelordandtutorofwoman,werehereallyboundwithherinequalworship,arrangementsastofunctionandemploymentwouldbeofnoconsequence.Whatwomanneedsisnotasawomantoactorrule,butasanaturetogrow,asanintellecttodiscern,asasoultolivefreely,andunimpededtounfoldsuchpowersasweregivenherwhenweleftourcommonhome.Iffewertalentsweregivenher,yet,ifallowedthefreeandfullemploymentofthese,sothatshemayrenderbacktothegiverhisownwithusury,shewillnotcomplain,nay,Idaretosayshewillblessandrejoiceinherearthlybirth-place,herearthlylot.Letusconsiderwhatobstructionsimpedethisgoodera,andwhatsignsgivereasontohopethatitdrawsnear.IwastalkingonthissubjectwithMiranda,awoman,who,ifanyintheworld,mightspeakwithoutheatorbitternessofthepositionofhersex.Herfatherwasamanwhocherishednosentimentalreverenceforwoman,butafirmbeliefintheequalityofthesexes.Shewashiseldestchild,andcametohimatanagewhenheneededacompanion.Fromthetimeshecouldspeakandgoalone,headdressedhernotasaplaything,butasalivingmind.Amongthefewversesheeverwrotewereacopyaddressedtothischild,whenthefirstlockswerecutfromherhead,andthereverenceexpressedonthisoccasionforthatcherishedheadheneverbelied.Itwastohimthetempleofimmortalintellect.Herespectedhischild,however,toomuchtobeanindulgentparent.Hecalledonherforclearjudgment,forcourage,forhonorandfidelity,inshortforsuchvirtuesasheknew.Insofarashepossessedthekeystothewondersofthisuniverse,heallowedfreeuseofthemtoher,andbytheincentiveofahighexpectationheforbade,asfaraspossible,thatsheshouldlettheprivilegelieidle.Thusthischildwasearlyledtofeelherselfachildofthespirit.Shetookherplaceeasily,notonlyintheworldoforganizedbeing,butintheworldofmind.Adignifiedsenseofself-dependencewasgivenasallherportion,andshefounditasureanchor.Herselfsecurelyanchored,herrelationswithotherswereestablishedwithequalsecurity.Shewasfortunate,inatotalabsenceofthosecharmswhichmighthavedrawntoherbewilderingflatteries,andofastrongelectricnature,whichrepelledthosewhodidnotbelongtoher,andattractedthosewhodid.Withmenandwomenherrelationswerenoble;affectionatewithoutpassion,intellectualwithoutcoldness.Theworldwasfreetoher,andshelivedfreelyinit.Outwardadversitycame,andinwardconflict,butthatfaithandself-respecthadearlybeenawakened,whichmustalwaysleadatlasttoanoutwardserenity,andaninwardpeace.OfMirandaIhadalwaysthoughtasanexample,thattherestraintsuponthesexwere

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insuperableonlytothosewhothinkthemso,orwhonoisilystrivetobreakthem.Shehadtakenacourseofherown,andnomanstoodinherway.Manyofheractshadbeenunusual,butexcitednouproar.Fewhelped,butnonecheckedher;andthemanymen,whoknewhermindandherlife,showedtoherconfidenceastoabrother,gentlenessastoasister.Andnotonlyrefined,butverycoarsemenapprovedoneinwhomtheysawresolutionandclearnessofdesign.Hermindwasoftentheleadingone,alwayseffective.WhenItalkedwithheruponthesematters,andhadsaidverymuchwhatIhavewritten,shesmilinglyreplied,AndyetwemustadmitthatIhavebeenfortunate,andthisshouldnotbe.Mygoodfather'searlytrustgavethefirstbias,andtherestfollowedofcourse.ItistruethatIhavehadlessoutwardaid,inafteryears,thanmostwomen,butthatisoflittleconsequence.Religionwasearlyawakenedinmysoul,asensethatwhatthesouliscapabletoaskitmustattain,andthat,thoughImightbeaidedbyothers,Imustdependonmyselfastheonlyconstantfriend.Thisself-dependence,whichwashonoredinme,isdeprecatedasafaultinmostwomen.Theyaretaughttolearntheirrulefromwithout,nottounfolditfromwithin.Thisisthefaultofman,whoisstillvain,andwishestobemoreimportanttowomanthanbyrightheshouldbe.Menhavenotshownthisdispositiontowardsyou,Isaid.No,becausethepositionIearlywasenabledtotake,wasoneofself-reliance.AndwereallwomenassureoftheirwantsasIwas,theresultwouldbethesame.Thedifficultyistogetthemtothepointwheretheyshallnaturallydevelopself-respect,thequestionhowitistobedone.OnceIthoughtthatmenwouldhelponthisstateofthingsmorethanIdonow.Isawsomanyofthemwretchedintheconnectionstheyhadformedinweaknessandvanity.Theyseemedsogladtoesteemwomenwhenevertheycould!ButearlyIperceivedthatmennever,inanyextremeofdespair,wishedtobewomen.Wheretheyadmiredanywomantheywereinclinedtospeakofherasabovehersex.SilentlyIobservedthis,andfeareditarguedarootedskepticism,whichforageshadbeenfasteningontheheart,andwhichonlyanageofmiraclescoulderadicate.EverIhavebeentreatedwithgreatsincerity;andIlookuponitasamostsignalinstanceofthis,thatanintimatefriendoftheothersexsaidinaferventmoment,thatIdeservedinsomestartobeaman.Anotherusedashighestpraise,inspeakingofacharacterinliterature,thewords"amanlywoman."Itiswellknownthatofeverystrongwomantheysayshehasamasculinemind.Thisbynomeansarguesawillingwantofgenerositytowardswoman.Manisasgeneroustowardsher,asheknowshowtobe.Wherevershehasherselfariseninnationalorprivatehistory,andnoblyshoneforthinanyidealofexcellence,menhavereceivedher,notonlywillingly,butwithtriumph.Theirencomiumsindeedarealwaysinsomesensemortifying,theyshowtoomuchsurprise.Inevery-daylifethefeelingsofthemanyarestainedwithvanity.Eachwishestobelordina

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littleworld,tobesuperioratleastoverone;andhedoesnotfeelstrongenoughtoretainalife-longascendantoverastrongnature.OnlyaBrutuswouldrejoiceinaPortia.OnlyTheseuscouldconquerbeforehewedtheAmazonianQueen.HerculeswishedrathertorestfromhislaborswithDejanira,andreceivedthepoisonedrobe,asafitguerdon.Thetaleshouldbeinterpretedtoallthosewhoseekreposewiththeweak.Butnotonlyismanvainandfondofpower,butthesamewantofdevelopment,whichthusaffectshimmorallyintheintellect,preventshisdiscerningthedestinyofwoman.Theboywantsnowoman,butonlyagirltoplayballwithhim,andmarkhispockethandkerchief.Thusin Schiller'sDignityofWoman,beautifulasthepoemis,thereisno"graveandperfectman,"butonlyagreatboytobesoftenedandrestrainedbytheinfluenceofgirls.Poets,theelderbrothersoftheirrace,haveusuallyseenfurther;butwhatcanyouexpectofevery-daymen,ifSchillerwasnotmorepropheticastowhatwomenmustbe!EvenwithRichteroneforemostthoughtaboutawifewasthatshewould"cookhimsomethinggood."Thesexesshouldnotonlycorrespondtoandappreciateoneanother,butprophesytooneanother.Inindividualinstancesthishappens.Twopersonsloveinoneanotherthefuturegoodwhichtheyaidoneanothertounfold.Thisisveryimperfectlydoneasyetinthegenerallife.Manhasgonebutlittleway,nowheiswaitingtoseewhetherwomancankeepstepwithhim,butinsteadofcallingoutlikeagoodbrother;Youcandoitifyouonlythinkso,orimpersonally;Anyonecandowhathetriestodo,heoftendiscourageswithschool-boybrag;Girlscan'tdothat,girlscan'tplayball.Butletanyonedefytheirtaunts,breakthrough,andbebraveandsecure,theyrendtheairwithshouts.No!manisnotwillinglyungenerous.Hewantsfaithandlove,becauseheisnotyethimselfanelevatedbeing.Hecrieswithsneeringskepticism;Giveusasign.Butifthesignappears,hiseyesglisten,andheoffersnotmerelyapproval,buthomage.Theseverenationwhichtaughtthatthehappinessoftheracewasforfeitedthroughthefaultofawoman,andshoweditsthoughtofwhatsortofregardmanowedher,bymakinghimaccuseheronthefirstquestiontohisGod,whogavehertothepatriarchasahandmaid,and,bytheMosaicallaw,boundhertoallegiancelikeaserf,eventheygreeted,withsolemnrapture,allgreatandholywomenasheroines,prophetesses,nayjudgesinIsrael;and,iftheymadeEvelistentotheserpent,gaveMarytotheHolySpirit.Inothernationsithasbeenthesamedowntoourday.Tothewoman,whocouldconquer,atriumphwasawarded.Andnotonlythosewhosestrengthwasrecommendedtotheheartbyassociationwithgoodnessandbeauty,butthosewhowerebad,iftheyweresteadfastandstrong,hadtheirclaimsallowed.InanyageaSemiramis ,anElizabethofEngland,aCatharineofRussiamakesherplacegood,whetherinalargeorsmallcircle.Howhasalittlewit,alittlegenius,alwaysbeencelebratedinawoman!WhatanintellectualtriumphwasthatofthelonelyAspasia ,andhowheartilyacknowledged!She,indeed,metaPericles.Butwhatannalist,therudestofmen,themostplebeianofhusbands,willsparefromhispageoneofthefewanecdotesofRomanwomen!--Sappho,Eloisa !Thenamesareofthread-barecelebrity.Themanhabituallymostnarrow

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towardswomenwillbeflushed,asbytheworstassaultonChristianity,ifyousayithasmadenoimprovementinhercondition.Indeed,thosemostopposedtonewactsinherfavorarejealousofthereputationofthosewhichhavebeendone.Wewillnotspeakoftheenthusiasmexcitedbyactresses,improvisatrici,femalesingers,forhereminglesthecharmofbeautyandgrace,butfemaleauthors,evenlearnedwomen,ifnotinsufferablyuglyandslovenly,fromtheItalianprofessor'sdaughter,whotaughtbehindthecurtain,downtoMrs.CarterandMadameDacier,aresureofanadmiringaudience,iftheycanoncegetaplatformonwhichtostand.Buthowtogetthisplatform,orhowtomakeitofreasonablyeasyaccessisthedifficulty.Plantsofgreatvigorwillalmostalwaysstruggleintoblossom,despiteimpediments.Butthereshouldbeencouragement,andafree,genialatmosphereforthoseofmoretimidsort,fairplayforeachinitsownkind.Somearelikethelittle,delicateflowers,whichlovetohideinthedrippingmossesbythesidesofmountaintorrents,orintheshadeoftalltrees.Butothersrequireanopenfield,arichandloosenedsoil,ortheynevershowtheirproperhues.Itmaybesaidmandoesnothavehisfairplayeither;hisenergiesarerepressedanddistortedbytheinterpositionofartificialobstacles.Aye,buthehimselfhasputthemthere;theyhavegrownoutofhisownimperfections.Ifthereisamisfortuneinwoman'slot,itisinobstaclesbeinginterposedbymen,whichdonotmarkherstate,andiftheyexpressherpastignorance,donotherpresentneeds.Aseverymanisofwomanborn,shehasslowbutsuremeansofredress,yetthesoonerageneraljustnessofthoughtmakessmooththepath,thebetter.Manisofwomanborn,andherfacebendsoverhimininfancywithanexpressionhecanneverquiteforget.Eminentmenhavedelightedtopaytributetothisimage,anditisahackniedobservation,thatmostmenofgeniusboastsomeremarkabledevelopmentinthemother.Therudesttarbrushesoffatearwithhiscoat-sleeveatthehallowedname.TheotherdayImetadecrepitoldmanofseventy,onajourney,whochallengedthestage-companytoguesswherehewasgoing.Theyguessedaright,"Toseeyourmother.""Yes,"saidhe,"sheisninety-two,buthasgoodeye-sightstill,theysay.I'venotseenherthesefortyyears,andIthoughtIcouldnotdieinpeacewithout."Ishouldhavelikedhispicturepaintedasacompanionpiecetothatofaboisterouslittleboy,whomIsawattempttodeclaimataschoolexhibition.Othatthoselipshadlanguage!LifehaspassedWithmebutroughlysinceIheardtheelast.[WilliamCowper ]Hegotbutverylittlewaybeforesuddentearsshamedhimfromthestage.Somegleamsofthesameexpressionwhichshonedownuponhisinfancy,angelicallypureandbenign,visitmanagainwithhopesofpurelove,ofaholymarriage.Or,ifnotbefore,intheeyesofthemotherofhischildtheyagainareseen,anddimfanciespassbeforehismind,thatwomanmaynothavebeenbornforhimalone,buthavecomefromheaven,acommissionedsoul,amessengeroftruthandlove.

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Ingleams,indimfancies,thisthoughtvisitsthemindofcommonmen.Itissoonobscuredbythemistsofsensuality,thedustofroutine,andhethinksitwasonlysomemeteororignisfatuusthatshone.But,asaRosicrucianlamp,itburnsunwearied,thoughcondemnedtothesolitudeoftombs.And,toitspermanentlife,astoeverytruth,eachagehas,insomeform,bornewitness.Forthetruths,whichvisitthemindsofcarelessmenonlyinfitfulgleams,shinewithradiantclearnessintothoseofthepoet,thepriest,andtheartist.Whatevermayhavebeenthedomesticmannersoftheancientnations,theideaofwomanwasnoblymanifestedintheirmythologiesandpoems,wheresheappearedasSitaintheRamayana ,aformoftenderpurity,intheEgyptianIsis ,ofdivinewisdomneveryetsurpassed.InEgypt,too,theSphynx ,walkingtheearthwithliontread,lookedoutuponitsmarvelsinthecalm,inscrutablebeautyofavirgin'sface,andtheGreekcouldonlyaddwingstothegreatemblem.InGreece,CeresandProserpine ,significantlytermed"thegoddesses,"wereseenseated,sidebyside.Theyneedednottoriseforanyworshipperoranychange;theywerepreparedforallthings,asthoseinitiatedtotheirmysteriesknew.Moreobviousisthemeaningofthosethreeforms,theDiana ,Minerva ,andVesta .Unlikeintheexpressionoftheirbeauty,butalikeinthis,--thateachwasself-sufficing.Otherformswereonlyaccessoriesandillustrations,nonethecomplementtoonelikethese.Anothermightindeedbethecompanion,andtheApolloandDianasetoffoneanother'sbeauty.OftheVesta,itistobeobserved,thatnotonlydeep-eyeddeep-discerningGreece,butruderRome,whorepresentstheonlyformofgoodman(thealwaysbusywarrior)thatcouldbeindifferenttowoman,confidedthepermanenceofitsglorytoatutelarygoddess,andherwisestlegislatorspokeofMeditationasanymph.InSparta,thought,inthisrespectasallothers,wasexpressedinthecharactersofreallife,andthewomenofSparta wereasmuchSpartansasthemen.TheCitoyen,Citoyenne,ofFrance,washereactualized.Wasnotthecalmequalitytheyenjoyedwellworththehonorsofchivalry?Theyintelligentlysharedtheideallifeoftheirnation.Generally,wearetoldofthesenations,thatwomenoccupiedthereaverysubordinatepositioninactuallife.Itisdifficulttobelievethis,whenweseesuchrangeanddignityofthoughtonthesubjectinthemythologies,andfindthepoetsproducingsuchidealsasCassandra ,Iphigenia ,Antigone ,Macaria ,(thoughitisnotunlikeourownday,thatmenshouldreverethoseheroinesoftheirgreatprincelyhousesattheatresfromwhichtheirwomenwereexcluded,)whereSibyllinepriestesses toldtheoracleofthehighestgod,andhecouldnotbecontenttoreignwithacourtoflessthannineMuses.EvenVictory woreafemaleform.Butwhateverwerethefactsofdailylife,Icannotcomplainoftheageandnation,whichrepresentsitsthoughtbysuchasymbolasIseebeforemeatthismoment.Itisazodiacofthebustsofgodsandgoddesses,arrangedinpairs.Thecirclebreathesthemusicofaheavenlyorder.Maleandfemaleheadsaredistinctinexpression,butequalinbeauty,strength,andcalmness.Eachmaleheadisthatofabrotherandaking,eachfemaleofasisterandaqueen.Couldthethought,thusexpressed,belivedout,therewouldbenothing

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moretobedesired.Therewouldbeunisoninvariety,congenialityindifference.Comingnearerourowntime,wefindreligionandpoetrynolesstrueintheirrevelations.Therudeman,butjustdisengagedfromthesod,theAdam,accuseswomantohisGod,andrecordsherdisgracetotheirposterity.Heisnotashamedtowritethathecouldbedrawnfromheavenbyonebeneathhim.Butinthesamenation,educatedbytime,instructedbysuccessiveprophets,wefindwomaninashighapositionasshehaseveroccupied.Andnofigure,thathaseverarisentogreetoureyes,hasbeenreceivedwithmoreferventreverencethanthatoftheMadonna.HeinecallshertheDameduComptoiroftheCatholicChurch,andthisjeerwellexpressesaserioustruth.Andnotonlythisholyandsignificantimagewasworshippedbythepilgrim,andthefavoritesubjectoftheartist,butitexercisedanimmediateinfluenceonthedestinyofthesex.Theempresses,whoembracedthecross,convertedsonsandhusbands.Wholecalendarsoffemalesaints,heroicdamesofchivalry,bindingtheemblemoffaithontheheartofthebestbeloved,andwastingthebloomofyouthinseparationandloneliness,forthesakeofdutiestheythoughtitreligiontoassume,withinnumerableformsofpoesy,tracetheirlineagetothisone.Nor,howeverimperfectmaybetheaction,inourday,ofthefaiththusexpressed,andthoughwecanscarcelythinkitnearerthisidealthanthatofIndiaorGreecewasneartheirideal,isitinvainthatthetruthhasbeenrecognised,thatwomanisnotonlyapartofman,boneofhisboneandfleshofhisflesh,bornthatmenmightnotbelonely,butinthemselvespossessorsofandpossessedbyimmortalsouls.Thistruthundoubtedlyreceivedagreateroutwardstabilityfromthebeliefofthechurch,thattheearthlyparentoftheSaviourofsoulswasawoman.TheAssumptionoftheVirgin,aspaintedbysublimeartists,Petrarch'sHymntotheMadonna ,cannothavespokentotheworldwhollywithoutresult,yetoftentimesthosewhohadearsheardnot.Thus,theIdeaofwomanhasnotfailedtobeoftenandforciblyrepresented.Somanyinstancesthrongonthemind,thatwemuststophere,lestthecataloguebeswelledbeyondthereader'spatience.Neithercanshecomplainthatshehasnothadhershareofpower.This,inallranksofsociety,exceptthelowest,hasbeenherstotheextentthatvanitycouldcrave,farbeyondwhatwisdomwouldaccept.Intheverylowest,whereman,pressedbypoverty,seesinwomanonlythepartneroftoilsandcares,andcannothope,scarcelyhasanideaofacomfortablehome,hemaltreatsher,often,andislessinfluencedbyher.Inallranks,thosewhoareamiableanduncomplaining,suffermuch.Theysufferlong,andarekind;verilytheyhavetheirreward.Butwherevermanissufficientlyraisedaboveextremepoverty,orbrutalstupidity,tocareforthecomfortsofthefireside,orthebloomandornamentoflife,womanhasalwayspowerenough,ifshechoosetoexertit,andisusuallydisposedtodosoinproportiontoherignoranceandchildishvanity.Unacquaintedwiththeimportanceoflifeanditspurposes,trainedtoaselfishcoquetryandloveofpettypower,shedoesnotlookbeyondthepleasureofmakingherselffeltatthemoment,andgovernmentsareshaken

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andcommercebrokenuptogratifythepiqueofafemalefavorite.TheEnglishshopkeeper'swifedoesnotvote,butitisforherinterestthatthepoliticiancanvassesbythecoarsestflattery.Francesuffersnowomanonherthrone,butherproudnobleskissthedustatthefeetofPompadourandDubarry,forsuchareinthelightedforegroundwhereaRolandwouldmodestlyaidinthecloset.Spainshutsupherwomeninthecareofduennas,andallowsthemnobookbuttheBreviary;buttheruinfollowsonlythemoresurelyfromtheworthlessfavoriteofaworthlessqueen.Itisnotthetransientbreathofpoeticincense,thatwomenwant;eachcanreceivethatfromalover.Itisnotlife-longsway;itneedsbuttobecomeacoquette,ashrew,oragoodcooktobesureofthat.Itisnotmoney,nornotoriety,northebadgesofauthority,thatmenhaveappropriatedtothemselves.Ifdemandsmadeintheirbehalflaystressonanyoftheseparticulars,thosewhomakethemhavenotsearcheddeeplyintotheneed.Itisforthatwhichatonceincludesalltheseandprecludesthem;whichwouldnotbeforbiddenpower,lesttherebetemptationtostealandmisuseit;whichwouldnothavethemindpervertedbyflatteryfromaworthinessofesteem.Itisforthatwhichisthebirthrightofeverybeingcapabletoreceiveit,--thefreedom,thereligious,theintelligentfreedomoftheuniverse,touseitsmeans,tolearnitssecretasfarasnaturehasenabledthem,withGodalonefortheirguideandtheirjudge.Yecannotbelieveit,men;buttheonlyreasonwhywomeneverassumewhatismoreappropriatetoyou,isbecauseyoupreventthemfromfindingoutwhatisfitforthemselves.Weretheyfree,weretheywisefullytodevelopthestrengthandbeautyofwoman,theywouldneverwishtobemen,ormanlike.Thewell-instructedmoonfliesnotfromherorbittoseizeonthegloriesofherpartner.No;forsheknowsthatonelawrules,oneheavencontains,oneuniverserepliestothemalike.Itiswithwomenaswiththeslave.VordemSklaven,wennerdieKettebricht,VordemfreienMenschenerzittertnicht.Tremblenotbeforethefreeman,butbeforetheslavewhohaschainstobreak.[Schiller,"WoodsofFaith"]Inslavery,acknowledgedslavery,womenareonaparwithmen.Eachisawork-tool,anarticleofproperty-nomore!Inperfectfreedom,suchasispaintedinOlympus,inSwedenborg'sangelicstate,inrheheavenwherethereisnomarryingnorgivinginmarriage,eachisapurifiedintelligence,anenfranchisedsoul,--noless!JenehimmlisscheGestaltenSiefragennichtnachMannundWeib,UndkeineKleider,keineFaltenUmgebendenverklrtenLeib.[Goethe]Thechildwhosangthiswasapropheticform,expressiveofthelongingforastateofperfectfreedom,purelove.Shecouldnotremainhere,butwastransplantedtoanotherair.Anditmaybethattheairofthisearthwillneverbesotempered,thatsuchcanbearirlong.But,whiletheystay,theymustbeartestimonytothetruththeyareconstitutedtodemand.

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Thataneraapproacheswhichshallapproximatenearertosuchatemperthananyhasyetdone,therearemanytokens,indeedsomanythatonlyafewofthemostprominentcanherebeenumerated.ThereignsofElizabethofEnglandandIsabellaofCastileforebodedthisera.Theyexpressedthebeginningofthenewstate,whiletheyforwardeditsprogress.Thesewerestrongcharacters,andinharmonywiththewantsoftheirtime.Oneshowedthatthisstrengthdidnotawomanforthedutiesofawifeandmother;theother,thatitcouldenablehertoliveanddiealone.Elizabethiscertainlynopleasingexample.Inrisingabovetheweakness,shedidnotlayasidetheweaknessesascribedtohersex;butherstrengthmustberespectednow,asitwasinherowntime.Wemayacceptitasanomenforourselves,thatitwasIsabellawhofurnishedColumbuswiththemeansofcominghither.Thislandmustbackitsdebttowoman,withoutwhoseaiditwouldnothavebeenbroughtintoalliancewiththecivilizedworld.TheinfluenceofElizabethonliteraturewasreal,though,bysympathywithitsfinerproductions,shewasnomoreentitledtogivenametoanerathanQueenAnne.Itwassimplythatthefactofafemalesovereignonthethroneaffectedthecourseofawriter'sthoughts.Inthissense,thepresenceofawomanonthethronealwaysmakesitsmark.Lifeislivedbeforetheeyesofallmen,andtheirimaginationsarestimulatedastothepossibilitiesofwoman."WewilldieforourKing,MariaTheresa,"crythewildwarriors,clashingtheirswords,andthesoundsvibratethroughthepoemsofthatgeneration.TherangeoffemalecharacterinSpenser alonemightcontentusforoneperiod.BritomartandBelphoebehaveasmuchroominthecanvassasFlorimel;andwherethisisthecase,thehaughtiestAmazonwillnotmurmurthatUnashouldbefelttobethehighesttype.UnlikeaswastheEnglishQueentoafairyqueen,wemayyetconceivethatitwastheimageofaqueenbeforethepoet'smind,thatcalledupthissplendidcourtofwomen.Shakespeare'srangeisalsogreat,buthehasleftouttheheroiccharacters,suchastheMacariaofGreece ,theBritomartofSpenser .Ford andMassinger have,inthisrespect,shownahigherflightoffeelingthanhe.Itwastheholyandheroicwomantheymostloved,andiftheycouldnotpaintanImogen ,aDesdemona ,aRosalind ,yetinthoseofastrongermould,theyshowedahigherideal,thoughwithsomuchlesspoeticpowertorepresentit,thanweseeinPortia orIsabella .ThesimpletruthofCordelia,indeed,isofthissort.ThebeautyofCordeliaisneithermalenorfemale;itisthebeautyofvirtue.TheidealofloveandmarriagerosehighinthemindofalltheChristiannationswhowerecapableofgraveanddeepfeeling.WemaytakeasexamplesofitsEnglishaspect,thelines,Icouldnotlovethee,dear,somuch,LovedInothonormore.[RichardLovelace ]TheaddressoftheCommonwealth'smantohiswifeasshelookedoutfromtheTowerwindowtoseehimforthelasttimeonhiswaytoexecution."Hestoodupinthecart,wavedhishat,andcried,'ToHeaven,mylove,toHeaven!andleaveyouinthestorm!"

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Suchwastheloveoffaithandhonor,alovewhichstopped,likeColonelHutchinson's ,"onthissideidolatry,"becauseitwasreligious.ThemeetingoftwosuchsoulsDonnedescribes asgivingbirthtoan"ablersoul."LordHerbert wrotetohislove,Werenotoursoulsimmortalmade,Ourequallovescanmakethemsuch.InSpainthesamethoughtisarrayedinasublimity,whichbelongstothesombreandpassionategeniusofthenation.Calderon's JustinaresistsallthetemptationoftheDemon,andraisesherloverwithherabovethesweetluresofmeretemporalhappiness.Theirmarriageisvowedatthestake,theirsoulsareliberatedtogetherbythemartyrflameinto"apurerstateofsensationandexistence.InItaly,thegreatpoetswoveintotheirlivesanideallovewhichansweredtothehighestwants.Itincludedthoseoftheintellectandtheaffections,foritwasaloveofspiritforspirit.Itwasnotasceticandsuperhuman,butinterpretingallthings,gavetheirproperbeautytodetailsofthecommonlife,thecommonday;thepoetspokeofhislovenotasaflowertoplaceinhisbosom,orholdcarelesslyinhishand,butasalighttowardswhichhemustfindwingstofly,or"astairtoheaven."Hedelightedtospeakofhernotonlyasthebrideofhisheart,butthemotherofhissoul,forhesawthat,incaseswheretherightdirectionhasbeentaken,thegreaterdelicacyofherframe,andstillnessofherlife,lefthermoreopentospiritualinfluxthanmanis.Sohedidnotlookuponherasbetwixthimandearth,toservehistemporalneeds,butratherbetwixthimandheaven,topurifyhisaffectionsandleadhimtowisdomthroughherpurelove.HesoughtinhernotsomuchtheEveastheMadonna.Inthesemindsthethought,whichglittersinallthelegendsofchivalryshinesinbroadintellectualeffulgence,nottobemisinterpreted.Andtheirthoughtisreverencedbytheworld,thoughitliessofarfromthemasyet,sofar,thatitseemsasthoughagulfofDeathlaybetween.Evenwithsuchmenthepracticewasoftenwidelydifferentfromthementalfaith.Isaymental,foriftheheartwerethoroughlyalivewithit,thepracticecouldnotbedissonant.LordHerbert'swasamarriageofconvention,madeforhimatfifteen;hewasnotdiscontentedwithit,butlookedonlytotheadvantagesitbroughtofperpetuatinghisfamilyonthebasisofagreatfortune.Hepaid,inact,whatheconsideredadutifulattentiontothebond;histhoughtstravelledelsewhere,and,whileformingahighidealofthecompanionshipofmindsinmarriage,heseemsnevertohavedoubtedthatitsrealizationmustbepostponedtosomeotherstageofbeing.Dante,almostimmediatelyafterthedeathofBeatrice,marriedaladychosenforhimbyhisfriends.Centurieshavepassedsince,butcivilizedEuropeisstillinatransitionstateaboutmarriage,notonlyinpractice,butinthought.Agreatmajorityofsocietiesandindividualsarestilldoubtfulwhetherearthlymarriageistobeaunionofsouls,ormerelyacontractofconvenienceandutility.Werewomanestablishedintherightsofanimmortalbeing,this

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couldnotbe.Shewouldnotinsomecountriesbegivenawaybyherfather,withscarcelymorerespectforherownfeelingsthanisshownbytheIndianchief,whosellshisdaughterforahorse,andbeatsherifsherunsawayfromhernewhome.Nor,insocietieswhereherchoiceisleftfree,wouldshebeperverted,bythecurrentofopinionthatseizesher,intothebeliefthatshemustmarry,ifitbeonlytofindaprotector,andahomeofherown.Neitherwouldman,ifhethoughtthattheconnectionwasofpermanentimportance,enteruponitsolightly.Hewouldnotdeemitatrifle,thathewastoenterintotheclosestrelationswithanothersoul,which,ifnoteternalinthemselves,musteternallyaffecthisgrowth.Neither,didhebelievewomancapableoffriendship,wouldhe,byrashhaste,losethechanceoffindingafriendinthepersonwhomight,probably,livehalfacenturybyhisside.Didlovetohismindpartakeofinfinity,hewouldnotmisshischanceofitsrevelations,thathemightthesoonerrestfromhiswearinessbyabrightfireside,andhaveasweetandgracefulattendant,"devotedtohimalone."Wereheastephigher,hewouldnotcarelesslyenterintoarelation,wherehemightnotbeabletodothedutyofafriend,aswellasaprotectorfromexternalill,totheotherparty,andhaveabeinginhispowerpiningforsympathy,intelligence,andaid,thathecouldnotgive.Wherethethoughtofequalityhasbecomepervasive,itshowsitselfinfourkinds.Thehouseholdpartnership.Inourcountrythewomanlooksfora"smartbutkind"husband,themanfora"capable,sweet-tempered"wife.Themanfurnishesthehouse,thewomanregulatesit.Theirrelationisoneofmutualesteem,mutualdependence.Theirtalkisofbusiness,theiraffectionshowsitselfbypracticalkindness.Theyknowthatlifegoesmoresmoothlyandcheerfullytoeachfortheother'said;theyaregratefulandcontent.Thewifepraisesherhusbandasa"goodprovider,"thehusband.inreturncomplimentsherasa"capitalhousekeeper."Thisrelationisgoodasfarasitgoes.Nextcomesaclosertiewhichtakesthetwoforms,eitherofintellectualcompanionship,ormutualidolatry.Thelast,wesuppose,istonooneapleasingsubjectofcontemplation.Thepartiesweakenandnarrowoneanother;theylockthegateagainstallthegloriesoftheuniversethattheymayliveinacelltogether.Tothemselvestheyseemtheonlywise,toallotherssteepedininfatuation,thegodssmileastheylookforwardtothecrisisofcure,tomenthewomanseemsanunlovelysyren,towomenthemananeffeminateboy.Theotherform,ofintellectualcompanionship,hasbecomemoreandmorefrequent.Menengagedinpubliclife,literarymen,andartistshaveoftenfoundintheirwivescompanionsandconfidantsinthoughtnolessthaninfeeling.And,asinthecourseofthingstheintellectualdevelopmentofwomanhasspreadwiderandrisenhigher,theyhave,notunfrequently,sharedthesameemployment.AsinthecaseofRolandandhiswife,whowerefriendsinthehouseholdandthenation'scouncils,readtogether,regulatedhomeaffairs,orpreparedpublicdocumentstogetherindifferently"Itisverypleasant,inlettersbegunbyRolandandfinishedbyhiswife,toseetheharmony

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ofmindandthedifferenceofnature,onethought,butvariouswaysoftreatingit.Thisisoneofthebestinstancesofamarriageoffriendship.Itwasonlyfriendship,whosebasiswasesteem;probablyneitherpartyknewlove,exceptbyname.Roland wasagoodman,worthytoesteemandbeesteemed,hiswifeasdeservingofadmirationasabletodowithoutit.MadameRolandisthefairestspecimenwehaveyetofherclass,ascleartodiscernheraim,asvalianttopursueit,asSpenser'sBritomart,austerelysetapartfromallthatdidnotbelongtoher,whetheraswomanorasmind.Sheisanantetypeofaclasstowhichthecomingtimewillaffordafield,theSpartanmatron,broughtbythecultureofabook-furnishingagetointellectualconsciousnessandexpansion.Self-sufficingstrengthandclear-sightednesswereinhercombinedwithapowerofdeepandcalmaffection.Thepageofherlifeisoneofunsullieddignity.Herappealtoposterityisoneagainsttheinjusticeofthosewhocommittedsuchcrimesinthenameofliberty.Shemakesitinbehalfofherselfandherhusband.Iwouldputbesideitontheshelfalittlevolume,containingasimilarappealfromtheverdictofcontemporariestothatofmankind,thatofGodwininbehalfofhiswife,thecelebrated,thebymostmendetestedMaryWolstonecraft.Inhisviewitwasanappealfromtheinjusticeofthosewhodidsuchwronginthenameofvirtue.Werethislittlebookinterestingfornoothercause,itwouldbesoforthegenerousaffectionevincedunderthepeculiarcircumstances.Thismanhadcouragetoloveandhonorthiswomaninthefaceoftheworld'sverdict,andofallthatwasrepulsiveinherownpasthistory.Hebelievedhesawofwhatsoulshewas,andthatthethoughtsshehadstruggledtoactoutwerenoble.Helovedherandhedefendedherforthemeaningandintensityofherinnerlife.Itwasagoodfact.MaryWolstonecraft ,likeMadameDudevant(commonlyknownasGeorgeSand )inourday,wasawomanwhoseexistencebetterprovedtheneedofsomenewinterpretationofwoman'srights,thananythingshewrote.Suchwomenasthese,richingenius,ofmosttendersympathies,andcapableofhighvirtueandachastenedharmony,oughtnottofindthemselvesbybirthinaplacesonarrow,thatinbreakingbondstheybecomeoutlaws.Werethereasmuchroomintheworldforsuch,asinSpenser'spoemforBritomart,theywouldnotruntheirheadssowildlyagainstitslaws.Theyfindtheirwayatlasttopurerair,buttheworldwillnottakeoffthebrandithassetuponthem.ThechampionoftherightsofwomanfoundinGodwin,onewhopleadsherowncauselikeabrother.GeorgeSandsmokes,wearsmaleattire,wishestobeaddressedasMonfrère;perhaps,ifshefoundthosewhowereasbrothersindeed,shewouldnotcarewhethershewerebrotherorsister.Werejoicetoseethatshe,whoexpressessuchapainfulcontemptformeninmostofherworks,asshowsshemusthaveknowngreatwrongfromthem,inLaRocheMauprat depictingoneraised,bytheworkingsoflove,fromthedepthsofsavagesensualismtoamoralandintellectuallife.Itwasloveforapureobject,forasteadfastwoman,oneofthosewho,theItaliansaid,couldmakethestairtoheaven.

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WomenlikeSandwillspeaknow,andcannotbesilenced;theircharactersandtheireloquencealikeforetellanerawhensuchastheyshalleasierlearntoleadtruelives.Butthoughsuchforebode,notsuchshallbetheparentsofit.Thosewhowouldreformtheworldmustshowthattheydonotspeakintheheatofwildimpulse;theirlivesmustbeunstainedbypassionateerror;theymustbeseverelawgiverstothemselves.Astotheirtransgressionsandopinions,itmaybeobserved,thattheresolveofEloisatobeonlythemistressofAbelard,wasthatofonewhosawthecontractofmarriageasealofdegradation.Whereverabusesofthissortareseen,thetimidwillsuffer,theboldprotest.Butsocietyisintherighttooutlawthemtillshehasrevisedherlaw,andshemustbetaughttodoso,byonewhospeakswithauthority,notinangerandhaste.IfGodwin'schoiceofthecalumniatedauthoressofthe"RightsofWoman,"forhishonoredwife,beasignofanewera,nolesssoisanarticleofgreatlearningandeloquence,publishedseveralyearssinceinanEnglishreview,wherethewriter,indoingfulljusticetoEloisa,showshisbitterregretthatshelivesnothowtolovehim,whomighthaveknownbetterhowtoprizeherlovethandidtheegotisticalAbelard.Thesemarriages,thesecharacters,withalltheirimperfections,expressanonwardtendency.Theyspeakofaspirationofsoul,ofenergyofmind,seekingclearnessandfreedom.OfalikepromisearethetractsnowpublishingbyGoodwynBarmby(theEuropeanPariahashecallshimself)andhiswifeCatharine .Whateverwemaythinkoftheirmeasures,weseetheminwedlock,thetwomindsarewedbytheonlycontractthatcanpermanentlyavail,ofacommonfaith,andacommonpurpose.Wemightmentioninstances,nearerhome,ofminds,partnersinworkandinlife,sharingtogether,onequalterms,publicandprivateinterests,andwhichhavenotonanysidethataspectofoffencewhichcharacterizestheattitudeofthelastnamed;personswhosteerstraightonward,andinourfreerlifehavenotbeenobligedtoruntheirheadsagainstanywall.Buttheprincipleswhichguidethemmight,underpetrifiedoroppressiveinstitutions,havemadethemwarlike,paradoxical,or,insomesense,Pariahs.Thephenomenonisdifferent,thelawthesame,inallthesecases.Menandwomenhavebeenobligedtobuildtheirhousefromtheveryfoundation.Iftheyfoundstonereadyinthequarry,theytookitpeaceably,otherwisetheyalarmedthecountrybypullingdownoldtowerstogetmaterials.Theseareallinstancesofmarriageasintellectualcompanionship.Thepartiesmeetmindtomind,andamutualtrustisexcitedwhichcanbucklerthemagainstamillion.Theyworktogetherforacommonpurpose,and,inalltheseinstances,withthesameimplement,thepen.ApleasingexpressioninthiskindisaffordedbytheunioninthenamesoftheHowitts.WilliamandMaryHowitt weheardnamedtogetherforyears,supposingthemtobebrotherandsister;theequalityoflaborsandreputation,evenso,wasauspicious,moreso,nowwefindthemmanandwife.InhislateworkonGermany,Howittmentionshiswifewithpride,asoneamongtheconstellationofdistinguishedEnglishwomen,andinagraceful,simplemanner.

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Innamingtheseinstanceswedonotmeantoimplythatcommunityofemploymentisanessentialtounionofthissort,morethantotheunionoffriendship.Harmonyexistsnolessindifferencethaninlikeness,ifonlythesamekey-notegovernbothparts.Womanthepoem,manthepoet;womantheheart,manthehead;suchdivisionsareonlyimportantwhentheyarenevertobetranscended.Ifnatureisneverbounddown,northevoiceofinspirationstifled,thatisenough.Wearepleasedthatwomenshouldwriteandspeak,iftheyfeeltheneedofit,fromhavingsomethingtotell;butsilenceforahundredyearswouldbeaswell,ifthatsilencebefromdivinecommand,andnotfromman'stradition.WhileGoetzvonBerlichingen ridestobattle,hiswifeisbusyinthekitchen;butdifferenceofoccupationdoesnotpreventthatcommunityoflife,thatperfectesteem,withwhichhesays,WhomGodloves,tohimgiveshesuchawife!Manzoni thusdedicateshisAdelchi.Tohisbelovedandveneratedwife,EnrichettaLuigiaBlondel,who,withconjugalaffectionsandmaternalwisdom,haspreservedavirginmind,theauthordedicatesthisAdelchigrievingthathecouldnot,byamoresplendidandmoredurablemonument,honorthedearnameandthememoryofsomanyvirtues.Therelationcouldnotbefairer,normoreequal,ifshetoohadwrittenpoems.Yetthepositionofthepartiesmighthavebeenthereverseaswell;thewomanmighthavesungthedeeds,givenvoicetothelifeoftheman,andbeautywouldhavebeentheresult,asweseeinpicturesofArcadiathenymphsingingtotheshepherds,ortheshepherdwithhispipealluresthenymphs,eithermakesagoodpicture.Thesoundinglyrerequiresnotmuscularstrength,butenergyofsoultoanimatethehandwhichcancontrolit.Natureseemstodelightinvaryingherarrangements,asiftoshowthatshewillbefetteredbynorule,andwemustadmitthesamevarietiesthatsheadmits.Ihavenotspokenofthehighergradeofmarriageunion,thereligious,whichmaybeexpressedaspilgrimagetowardsacommonshrine.Thisincludestheothers;homesympathies,andhouseholdwisdom,forthesepilgrimsmustknowhowtoassistoneanothertocarrytheirburdensalongthedustyway;intellectualcommunion,forhowsaditwouldbeonsuchajourneytohaveacompaniontowhomyoucouldnotcommunicatethoughtsandaspirations,astheysprangtolife,whowouldhavenofeelingforthemoreandmoregloriousprospectsthatopenasweadvance,whowouldneverseetheflowersthatmaybe:gatheredbythemostindustrioustraveler.Itmustincludeallthese.SuchafellowpilgrimCountZinzendorf seemstohavefoundinhiscountessofwhomhethuswrites.Twenty-fiveyears'experiencehasshownmethatjustthehelp-matewhomIhaveistheonlyonethatcouldsuitmyvocation.Whoelsecouldhavesocarriedthroughmyfamilyaffairs?Wholivedsospotlesslybeforetheworld?Whosowiselyaidedmeinmyrejectionofadrymoralit?!WhosoclearlysetasidethePharisaismwhich,asyearspassed,threatenedtocreepinamongus?Whosodeeplydiscernedastothespiritsofdelusion

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whichsoughttobewilderus?Whowouldhavegovernedmywholeeconomysowisely,richly,andhospitablywhencircumstancescommanded?Whohavetakenindifferentlythepartofservantormistress,withoutontheonesideaffectinganespecialspirituality,ontheotherbeingsulliedbyanyworldlypride?Who,inacommunitywhereallranksareeagertobeonalevel,would,fromwiseandrealcauses,haveknownhowtomaintaininwardandoutwarddistinctions?Who,withoutamurmur,haveseenherhusbandencountersuchdangersbylandandsea?Whoundertakenwithhimandsustainedsuchastonishingpilgrimages!Whoamidsuchdifficultiesalwaysheldupherhead,andsupportedme?Whofoundsomanyhundredthousandsandacquittedthemonherowncredit?And,finally,who,ofallhumanbeings,wouldsowellunderstandandinterprettoothersmyinnerandouterbeingasthisone,ofsuchnoblenessinherwayofthinking,suchgreatintellectualcapacity,andfreefromthetheologicalperplexitiesthatenvelopedme?Anobserveraddsthistestimony.Wemayinmanymarriagesregarditasthebestarrangement,ifthemanhassomuchadvantageoverhiswifethatshecan,withoutmuchthoughtofherown,be,byhim,ledanddirected,asbyafather.ButitwasnotsowiththeCountandhisconsort.Shewasnotmadetobeacopy;shewasanoriginal;and,whileshelovedandhonoredhim,shethoughtforherselfonallsubjectswithsomuchintelligence,thathecouldanddidlookonherasasisterandfriendalso.Suchawomanisthesisterandfriendofallbeings,astheworthymanistheirbrotherandhelper.Anothersignofthetimeisfurnishedbythetriumphsoffemaleauthorship.Thesehavebeengreatandconstantlyincreasing.Theyhavetakenpossessionofsomanyprovincesforwhichmenhadpronouncedthemunfit,thatthoughthesestilldeclaretherearesomeinaccessibletothem,itisdifficulttosayjustwheretheymuststop.Theshiningnamesoffamouswomenhavecastlightuponthepathofthesex,andmanyobstructionshavebeenremoved.WhenaMontague couldlearnbetterthanherbrother,anduseherloretosuchpurposeafterwardsasanobserver,itseemedamisstohinderwomenfrompreparingthemselvestosee,orfromseeingalltheycouldwhenprepared.SinceSomerville hasachievedsomuch,willanyyounggirlbepreventedfromattainingaknowledgeofthephysicalsciences,ifshewishesit?DeStael 'snamewasnotsoclearofoffence;shecouldnotforgetthewomaninthethought;whileshewasinstructingyouasamind,shewishedtobeadmiredasawoman.Sentimentaltearsoftendimmedtheeagleglance.Herintellect,too,withallitssplendor,trainedinadrawingroom,fedonflattery,wastaintedandflawed;yetitsbeamsmaketheobscurestschoolhouseinNewEnglandwarmerandlightertothelittleruggedgirls,whoaregatheredtogetheronitswoodenbench.Theymayneverthroughlifehearhername,butsheisnotthelesstheirbenefactress.Thisinfluencehasbeensuchthattheaimcertainlyis,how,inarrangingschoolinstructionforgirls,togivethemasfairafieldasboys.Thesearrangementsaremadeasyetwithlittle

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judgmentorintelligence,justasthetutorsofJaneGrey ,andtheotherfamouswomenofhertime,taughtthemLatinandGreek,becausetheyknewnothingelsethemselves,sonowtheimprovementintheeducationofgirlsismadebygivingthemgentlemenasteachers,whoonlyteachwhathasbeencaughtthemselvesatcollege,whilemethodsandtopicsneedrevisionforthosenewcases,whichcouldbetterbemadebythosewhohadexperiencedthesamewants.Womenareoftenattheheadoftheseinstitutions,buttheyhaveasyetseldombeenthinkingwomen,capabletoorganizeanewwholeforthewantsofthetime,andchoosepersonstoofficiateinthedepartments.Andwhensomeportionofeducationisgotofagoodsortfromtheschool,thetoneofsociety,themuchlargerproportionreceivedfromtheworld,contradictsitspurport.Yetbookshavenotbeenfurnished,andalittleelementaryinstructionbeengiveninvain.Womenarebetterawarehowlargeandrichtheuniverseis,notsoeasilyblindedbythenarrownessandpartialviewsofahomecircle.Whethermuchorlittlehasorwillbedone,whetherwomenwilladdtothetalentofnarration,thepowerofsystematizing,whethertheywillcarvemarbleaswellasdraw,isnotimportant.Butthatitshouldbeacknowledgedthattheyhaveintellectwhichneedsdeveloping,thattheyshouldnotbeconsideredcomplete,ifbeingsofaffectionandhabitalone,isimportant.Yeteventhisacknowledgment,ratherobtainedbywomanthanprofferedbyman,hasbeensulliedbytheusualselfishness.Somuchissaidofwomenbeingbettereducatedthattheymaybebettercompanionsandmothersofmen!Theyshouldbefitforsuchcompanionship,andwehavementionedwithsatisfactioninstanceswhereithasbeenestablished.Earthknowsnofairer,holierrelationthanthatofamother.Butabeingofinfinitescopemustnotbetreatedwithanexclusiveviewtoanyonerelation.Givethesoulfreecourse,lettheotganizationbefreelydeveloped,andthebeingwillbefitforanyandeveryrelationtowhichitmaybecalled.Theintellect,nomorethanthesenseofhearing,istobecultivated,thatshemaybeamorevaluablecompaniontoman,butbecausethePowerwhogaveapowerbyitsmereexistencesignifiesthatitmustbebroughtouttowardsperfection.Inthisregard,ofself-dependenceandagreatersimplicityandfulnessofbeing,wemusthailasapreliminarytheincreaseoftheclasscontemptuouslydesignatedasoldmaids.Wecannotwonderattheaversionwithwhicholdbachelorsandoldmaidshavebeenregarded.Marriageisthenaturalmeansofformingasphere,oftakingrootontheearth:itrequiresmorestrengthtodothiswithoutsuchanopening,verymanyhavefailedofthis,andtheirimperfectionshavebeenineveryone'sway.Theyhavebeenmorepartial,moreharsh,moreofficiousandimpertinentthanothers.Those,whohaveacompleteexperienceofthehumaninstincts,haveadistrustastowhethertheycanbethoroughlyhumanandhumane,suchasishintedatinthesaying,"Oldmaids'andbachelors'childrenarewellcaredfor,"whichderidesatoncetheirignoranceandtheirpresumption.Yetthebusinessofsocietyhasbecomesocomplex,thatitcouldnowscarcelybecarriedonwithoutthepresenceofthesedespisedauxiliaries,anddetachmentsfromthearmyof

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auntsandunclesarewantedtostopgapsineveryhedge.Theyroveabout,mentalandmoralIshmaelites,pitchingtheirtentsamidthefixedandornamentedhabitationsofmen.Theythusgainawider,ifnotsodeep,experience.Theyarenotsointimatewithothers,butthrownmoreuponthemselves,andiftheydonottherefindpeaceandincessantlife,thereisnonetoflatterthemthattheyarenotverypoorandverymean.Aposition,whichsoconstantlyadmonishes,maybeofinestimablebenefit.Thepersonmaygain,undistractedbyotherrelationships,aclosercommunionwiththeOne.Suchauseismadeofitbysaintsandsibyls.Orshemaybeoneofthelaysistersofcharity,ormorehumblyonlytheusefuldrudgeofallmen,ortheintellectualinterpreterofthevariedlifeshesees.Orshemaycombineallthese.Not"needingtocarethatshemaypleaseahusband,"afrailandlimitedbeing,allherthoughtsmayturntothecentre,andbysteadfastcontemplationenterintothesecretoftruthandlove,useitfortheuseofallmen,insteadofachosenfew,andinterpretthroughitalltheformsoflife.Saintsandgeniuseshaveoftenchosenalonelyposition,inthefaiththat,ifundisturbedbythepressureofneartiestheycouldgivethemselvesuptotheinspiringspirit,itwouldenablethemtounderstandandreproducelifebetterthanactualexperiencecould.Howmanyoldmaidstakethishighstand,wecannotsay;itisanunhappyfactthattoomanyofthosewhocomebeforetheeyearegossipsrather,andnotalwaysgood-naturedgossips.But,iftheseabuse,andnonemakethebestoftheirvocation,yet,ithasnorfailedtoproducesomegoodfruit.Ithasbeenseenbyothers,ifnotbythemselves,thatbeingslikelytobeleftaloneneedtobefortifiedandfurnishedwithinthemselves,andeducationandthoughthavetendedmoreandmoretoregardbeingsasrelatedtoabsoluteBeing,aswellastoothermen.Ithasbeenseenthatasthelossofnobondoughttodestroyahumanbeing,sooughtthemissingofnonetohinderhimfromgrowing.Andthusacircumstanceofthetimehashelpedtoputwomanonthetrueplatform.Perhapsthenextgenerationwilllookdeeperintothismatter,andfindthatcontemptisputonoldmaids,oroldwomenatall,merelybecausetheydonotusetheelixirwhichwillkeepthesoulalwaysyoung.NoonethinksofMichaelAngelo'sPersicanSibyl ,orSt.Theresa ,orTasso'sLeonora ,ortheGreekElectra asanoldmaid,thoughallhadreachedtheperiodinlife'scourseappointedtotakethatdegree.EvenamongtheNorthAmericanIndians,araceofmenascompletelyengagedinmereinstinctivelifeasalmostanyintheworld,andwhereeachchief,keepingmanywivesasusefulservants,ofcourselookswithnokindeyeoncelibacyinwoman,itwasexcusedinthefollowinginstancementionedbyMrs.Jameson .Awomandreamtinyouththatshewasbetrothedtothesun.Shebuiltherawigwamapart,filleditwithemblemsofherallianceandmeansofanindependentlife.Thereshepassedherdays,sustainedbyherownexertions,andtruetohersupposedengagement.Inanytribe,webelieve,awoman,wholivedasifshewasbetrothedtothesun,wouldbetolerated,andtherayswhichmadeheryouthblossomsweetlywouldcrownherwithahalo

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inage.Thereisonthissubjectanoblerviewthanheretofore,ifnotthenoblest,andwegreetimprovementhere,asmuchasonthesubjectofmarriage.Botharefertilethemes,buttimepermitsnotheretoexplorethem.Iflargerintellectualresourcesbegintobedeemednecessarytowoman,stillmoreisaspiritualdignityinher,oreventhemereassumptionofitlistenedtowithrespect.JoannaSouthcote ,andMotherAnnLee aresureofabandofdisciples;Ecstatica,Dolorosa,ofenrapturedbelieverswhowillvisitthemintheirlowlyhuts,andwaitforhourstoreverethemintheirtrances.Theforeignnobletraverseslandandseatohearafewwordsfromthelipsofthelowlypeasantgirl,whomhebelievesspeciallyvisitedbytheMostHigh.VerybeautifulinthiswaywastheinfluenceoftheinvalidofSt.Petersburg,asdescribedbyDeMaistre .Tothisregion,howevermisunderstood,andill-developed,belongthephenomenaofMagnetism,orMesmerism,asitisnowoftencalled,wherethetranceoftheEcstaticapurportstobeproducedbytheagencyofonehumanbeingonanother,insteadof,asinhercase,directfromthespirit.Theworldlinghashissneerhereasabouttheservicesofreligion."Thechurchescanalwaysbefiledwithwomen.""Showmeamaninoneofyourmagneticstates,andIwillbelieve."Womenareindeedtheeasyvictimsofpriestcraft,orself-delusion,butthismightnotbe,iftheintellectwasdevelopedinproportiontotheotherpowers.Theywouldthenhavearegulatorandbeinbetterequipoise,yetmustretainthesamenervoussusceptibility,whiletheirphysicalstructureissuchasitis.Itiswithjustthathope,thatwewelcomeeverythingthattendstostrengthenthefibreanddevelopthenatureonmoresides.Whentheintellectandaffectionsareinharmony,whenintellectualconsciousnessiscalmanddeep,inspirationwillnotbeconfoundedwithfancy.Theelectrical,themagneticelementinwomanhasnotbeenfairlydevelopedatanyperiod.Everythingmightbeexpectedfromit;shehasfarmoreofitthanman.Thisiscommonlyexpressedbysayingthatherintuitionsaremorerapidandmorecorrect.ButIcannotenlargeuponthishere,excepttosaythatonthissideishighestpromise.ShouldIspeakofitfully,mytitleshouldCassandra,mytopictheSeeressofPrevorst ,thefirst,orthebestservedsubjectofmagnetisminourtimes,andwho,likeherancestressesatDelphos ,wasrousedtoecstacyorphrenzybythetouchofthelaurel.Insuchcasesworldlingssneer,butreverentmenlearnwondrousnews,eitherfromthepersonobserved,orbythethoughtscausedinthemselvesbytheobservation.Fenelon learnsfromGuyon ,Kerner fromhisSeeresswhatwefainwouldknow.Buttoappreciatesuchdisclosuresonemustbeachild,andherethephrase,"womenchildren,"mayperhapsbeinterpretedaright,thatonlylittlechildshallenterintothekingdomofheaven.Allthesemotionsofthetime,tidesthatbetokenawaxingmoon,overflowuponourownland.Theworldatlargeisreadiertoletwomanlearnandmanifestthecapacitiesofher

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naturethaniteverwasbefore,andhereisalessencumberedfield,andfreerairthananywhereelse.Anditoughttobeso;weoughttopayforIsabella'sjewels.Thenamesofnationsarefeminine.Religion,Virtue,andVictoryarefeminine.TothosewhohaveasuperstitionastooutwardsignsitisnotwithoutsignificancethatthenameoftheQueenofourmother-landshouldatthiscrisisbeVictoria.VictoriatheFirst.Perhapstousitmaybegiventodisclosetheerathereoutwardlypresaged.Womenherearemuchbettersituatedthanmen.Goodbooksareallowedwithmoretimetoreadthem.Theyarenotsoearlyforcedintothebustleoflife,norsoweigheddownbydemandsforoutwardsuccess.Theperpetualchanges,incidenttooursociety,makethebloodcirculatefreelythroughthebodypolitic,and,ifnotfavorableatpresenttothegraceandbloomoflife,theyaresotoactivity,resource,andwouldbetoreflectionbutforalowmaterialisttendency,fromwhichthewomenaregenerallyexempt.Theyhavetimetothink,andnotraditionschainthem,andfewconventionalitiescomparedwithwhatmustbemetinothernations.Thereisnoreasonwhythefactofaconstantrevelationshouldbehidfromthem,andwhenthemindonceisawakenedbythat,itwillnotberestrainedbythepast,butflytoseektheseedsofaheavenlyfuture.Theiremploymentsaremorefavorabletotheinwardlifethanthoseofthemen.Womanisnotaddressedreligiouslyhere,morethanelsewhere.SheistoldtobeworthytobethemotherofaWashington,orthecompanionofsomegoodman.Butinmany,manyinstances,shehasalreadylearntthatallbribeshavethesameflaw;thattruthandgoodaretobesoughtforthemselvesalone.Andalreadyanidealsweetnessfloatsovermanyforms,shinesinmanyeyes.Alreadydeepquestionsareputbyyounggirlsonthegreattheme,WhatshallIdotoinheriteternallife?Menareverycourteoustothem.Theypraisethemoften,checkthemseldom.Thereissomechivalryinthefeelingstowards"theladies,"whichgivesthemthebestseatsinthestage-coach,frequentadmissionnotonlytolecturesofallsorts,buttocourtsofjustice,hallsoflegislature,reformconventions.Thenewspapereditor"wouldbebetterpleasedthattheLady'sBookwerefilledupexclusivelybyladies.Itwould,then,indeed,beatruegem,worthytobepresentedbyyoungmentothemistressesoftheiraffections."Cangallantrygofarther?Inthiscountryisvenerated,whereverseen,thecharacterwhichGoethespokeofasanIdeal."Theexcellentwomanisshe,who,ifthehusbanddies,canbeafathertothechildren."Andthis,ifrightlyread,tellsagreatdeal.Womenwhospeakinpublic,iftheyhaveamoralpower,suchashasbeenfeltfromAngelinaGrimke andAbbyKelly ,thatis,iftheyspeakforconscience'sake,toserveacausewhichtheyholdsacred,invariablysubduetheprejudicesoftheirhearers,andexciteaninterestproportionatetotheaversionwithwhichithadbeenthepurposetoregardthem.Apassageinaprivatelettersohappilyillustratesthis,thatItakethelibertytomakeuseof

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it,thoughthereisnotopportunitytoaskleaveeitherofthewriterorowneroftheletter.Ithinktheywillpardonmewhentheyseeitinprint;itissogood,thatasmanyaspossibleshouldhavethebenefitofit.AbbyKellyintheTown-Houseof---Thescenewasnotunheroic,--toseethatwoman,truetohumanityandherownnature,acentreofrudeeyesandtongues,evengentlemenfeelinglicensedtomakepartofaspeciesofmobaroundafemaleoutofhersphere.Asshetookherseatinthedeskamidthegreatnoise,andinthethrongfull,likeawave,ofsomethingtoensue,Isawherhumanityinagentlenessandunpretension,tenderlyopentothespherearoundher,and,hadshenotbeensupportedbythepowerofthewillofgenuinenessandprinciple,shewouldhavefailed.Itledhertoprayer,which,inwomanespecially,ischildlike;sensibilityandwillgoingtothesideofGodandlookinguptohim;andhumanitywaspouredoutinaspiration.Sheactedlikeagentlehero,withhermilddecisionandwomanlycalmness.Allheroismismildandquietandgentle,foritislifeandpossession,andcombativenessandfirmnessshowawantofactualness.Sheisasearnest,fresh,andsimpleaswhenshefirstenteredthecrusade.Ithinkshedidmuchgood,morethanthemeninherplacecoulddo,forwomanfeelsmoreasbeingandreproducing;thisbringsthesubjectmoreintohomerelations.Menspeakthroughandmostlyfromintellect,andthisaddressesitselfinothers,whichcreatesandiscombative.Noteasilyshallwefindelsewhere,orbeforethistime,anywrittenobservationsonthesamesubject,sodelicateandprofound.ThelateDr.Channing,whoseenlargedandtenderandreligiousnaturesharedeveryonwardimpulseofhistime,thoughhisthoughtsfollowedhiswisheswithadeliberativecaution,whichbelongedtohishabitsandtemperament,wasgreatlyinterestedintheseexpectationsforwomen.Hisowntreatmentofthemwasabsolutelyandthoroughlyreligious.Heregardedthemassouls,eachofwhichhadadestinyofitsown,incalculabletootherminds,andwhoseleadingitmustfollow,guidedbythelightofaprivateconscience.Hehadsentiment,delicacy,kindness,taste,buttheywereallpervadedandruledbythisonethought,thatallbeingshadsouls,andmustvindicatetheirowninheritance.Thusallbeingsweretreatedbyhimwithanequal,andsweet,thoughsolemncourtesy.Theyoungandunknown,thewomanandthechild,allfeltthemselvesregardedwithaninfiniteexpectation,fromwhichtherewasnoreactiontovulgarprejudice.Hedemandedofallhemet,tousehisfavoritephrase,"greattruths."Hismemory,everywaydearandreverend,isbymanyespeciallycherishedforthisintercourseofunbrokenrespect.AtonetimewhentheprogressofHarrietMartineau throughthiscountry,AngelinaGrimke'sappearanceinpublic,andthevisitofMrs.Jamesonhadturnedhisthoughtstothissubject,heexpressedhighhopesastowhatthecomingerawouldbringtowoman.HehadbeenmuchpleasedwiththedignifiedcourageofMrs.Jamesonintakingupthedefenceofhersex,inawayfromwhichwomenusuallyshrink,because,iftheyexpressthemselveson

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suchsubjectswithsufficientforceandclearnesstodoanygood,theyareexposedtoassaultswhosevulgaritymakesthempainful.Inintercoursewithsuchawoman,hehadsharedherindignationatthebaseinjustice,inmanyrespects,andinmanyregionsdonetothesex;andbeenledtothinkofitfarmorethaneverbefore.Heseemedtothinkthathemightsometimewriteuponthesubject.Thathisaidiswithdrawnfromthecauseisasubjectofgreatregret,foronthisquestion,asonothers,hewouldhaveknownhowtosumuptheevidenceandtake,inthenoblestspirit,middleground.Healwaysfurnishedaplatformonwhichopposingpartiescouldstand,andlookatoneanotherundertheinfluenceofhismildnessandenlightenedcandor.Twoyoungerthinkers,menboth,haveutterednobleprophecies,auspiciousforwoman.Kinmont,allwhosethoughtstendedtowardstheestablishmentofthereignofloveandpeace,thoughtthattheinevitablemeansofthiswouldbeanincreasedpredominancegiventotheideaofwoman.Hadhelivedlongertoseethegrowthofthepeaceparty,thereformsinlifeandmedicalpracticewhichseektosubstitutewaterforwineanddrugs,pulseforanimalfood,hewouldhavebeenconfirmedinhisviewofthewayinwhichthedesiredchangesaretobeeffected.InthisconnectionImustmentionShelley ,who,likeallmenofgenius,sharedthefemininedevelopment,andunlikemany,knewit.Hislifewasoneofthefirstpulse-beatsinthepresentreform-growth.He,too,abhorredbloodandheat,and,byhissystemandhissong,tendedtoreinstateaplant-likegentlenessinthedevelopmentofenergy.Inharmonywiththishisideasofmarriagewerelofty,andofcoursenolesssoofwoman,hernature,anddestiny.Forwoman,ifbyasympathyastooutwardcondition,sheisledtoaidtheenfranchisementoftheslave,mustnolessso,byinwardtendency,tofavormeasureswhichpromisetobringtheworldmorethoroughlyanddeeplyintoharmonywithhernature.Whenthelambtakesplaceofthelionastheemblemofnations,bothwomenandmenwillbeaschildrenofonespirit,perpetuallearnersofthewordanddoersthereof,nothearersonly.AwriterinalatenumberoftheNewYorkPathfinder,intwoarticlesheaded"Femality,"hasutteredastillmorepregnantwordthananywehavenamed.Heviewswomantrulyfromthesoul,andnotfromsociety,andthedepthandleadingofhisthoughtsisproportionablyremarkable.Heviewsthefemininenatureasaharmonizerofthevehementelements,andthishasoftenbeenhintedelsewhere;butwhatheexpressesmostforciblyisthelyrical,theinspiringandinspiredapprehensivenessofherbeing.HadIroomtodwelluponthistopic,Icouldnotsayanythingsoprecise,soneartheheartofthematter,asmaybefoundinthatarticle;but,asitis,Icanonlyindicate,notdeclare,myview.Therearetwoaspectsofwoman'snature,expressedbytheancientsasMuseandMinerva.ItistheformertowhichthewriterinthePathfinderlooks.ItisthelatterwhichWordsworthhasinmind,whenhesays ,Withaplacidbrow,

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Whichwomanne'ershouldforfeit,keepthyvow.TheespecialgeniusofwomanIbelievetobeelectricalinmovement,intuitiveinfunction,spiritualintendency.Sheisgreatnotsoeasilyinclassification,orre-creation,asinaninstinctiveseizureofcauses,andasimplebreathingoutofwhatshereceivesthathasthesinglenessoflife,ratherthantheselectingorenergizingofart.Morenativetoherisittobethelivingmodeloftheartist,thantosetapartfromherselfanyoneforminobjectivereality;morenativetoinspireandreceivethepoemthantocreateit.Insofarassoulisinhercompletelydeveloped,allsoulisthesame;butasfarasitismodifiedinheraswoman,itflows,itbreathes,itsings,ratherthandepositssoil,orfinisheswork,andthatwhichisespeciallyfeminineflushesinblossomthefaceofearth,andpervadeslikeairandwaterallthisseemingsolidglobe,dailyrenewingandpurifyingitslife.Suchmaybetheespeciallyfeminineelement,spokenofasFemality.Butitisnomoretheorderofnaturethatitshouldbeincarnatedpureinanyform,thanthatthemasculineenergyshouldexistunmingledwithitinanyform.Maleandfemalerepresentthetwosidesofthegreatradicaldualism.But,infact,theyareperpetuallypassingintooneanother.Fluidhardenstosolid,solidrushestofluid.Thereisnowhollymasculineman,nopurelyfemininewoman.Historyjeersattheattemptsofphysiologiststobindgreatoriginallawsbytheformswhichflowfromthem.Theymakearule;theysayfromobservationwhatcanandcannotbe.Invain!Natureprovidesexceptionstoeveryrule.Shesendswomentobattle,andsetsHerculesspinning;sheenableswomentobearimmenseburdens,cold,andfrost;sheenablestheman,whofeelsmaternallove,tonourishhisinfantlikeamother.Oflatesheplaysstillgayerpranks.Notonlyshedeprivesorganizations,butorgans,ofanecessaryend.Sheenablespeopletoreadwiththetopofthehead,andseewiththepitofthestomach.PresentlyshewillmakeafemaleNewton,andamaleSyren.ManpartakesofthefeminineintheApollo,womanoftheMasculineasMinerva.Letusbewiseandnotimpedethesoul.Letherworkasshewill.Letushaveonecreativeenergy,oneincessantrevelation.Letittakewhatformitwill,andletusnotbinditbythepasttomanorwoman,blackorwhite.JovesprangfromRhea,PallasfromJove.Soletitbe.IfithasbeenthetendencyofthepastremarkstocallwomanrathertotheMinervaside,--ifI,unlikethemoregenerouswriter,havespokenfromsocietynolessthanthesoul,--letitbepardoned.Itislovethathascausedthis,loveformanyincarceratedsouls,thatmightbefreedcouldtheideaofreligiousself-dependencebeestablishedinthem,couldtheweakeninghabitofdependenceonothersbebrokenup.Everyrelation,everygradationofnature,isincalculablyprecious,butonlytothesoulwhichispoiseduponitself,andtowhomnoloss,nochange,canbringdulldiscord,foritisinharmonywiththecentralsoul.Ifanyindividuallivetoomuchinrelations,sothathebecomesastrangertotheresourcesofhisownnature,hefallsafterawhileintoadistraction,orimbecility,fromwhichhecanonlybecuredbyatimeofisolation,whichgivestherenovatingfountainstimetoriseup.

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Withasocietyitisthesame.Manyminds,deprivedofthetraditionaryorinstinctivemeansofpassingacheerfulexistence,mustfindhelpinself-impulseorperish.Itisthereforethatwhileanyelevation,intheviewofunion,istobehailedwithjoy,weshallnotdeclinecelibacyasthegreatfactofthetime.Itisonefromwhichnovow,noarrangement,canatpresentsaveathinkingmind.Fornowtherowersarepausingontheiroars,theywaitachangebeforetheycanpulltogether.Alltendstoillustratethethoughtofawisecontemporary.Unionisonlypossibletothosewhoareunits.Tobefitforrelationsintime,souls,whetherofmanorwoman,mustbeabletodowithouttheminthespirit.ItisthereforethatIwouldhavewomanlayasideallthought,suchasshehabituallycherishes,ofbeingtaughtandledbymen.Iwouldhaveher,liketheIndiangirl,dedicateherselftotheSun,theSunofTruth,andgonowhereifhisbeamsdidnotmakeclearthepath.Iwouldhaveherfreefromcompromise,fromcomplaisance,fromhelplessness,becauseIwouldhavehergoodenoughandstrongenoughtoloveoneandallbeings,fromthefulness,notthepovertyofbeing.Men,asatpresentinstructed,willnothelpthiswork,becausetheyalsoareundertheslaveryofhabit.Ihaveseenwithdelighttheirpoeticimpulses.Asisteristhefairestideal,andhownoblyWordsworth ,andevenByron ,havewrittenofasister.Thereisnosweetersightthantoseeafatherwithhislittledaughter.Veryvulgarmenbecomerefinedtotheeyewhenleadingalittlegirlbythehand.Atthatmomenttherightrelationbetweenthesexesseemsestablished,andyoufeelasifthemanwouldaidinthenoblestpurpose,ifyouaskhiminbehalfofhislittledaughter.Oncetwofinefiguresstoodbeforeme,thus.Thefatherofveryintellectualaspect,hisfalconeyesoftenedbyaffectionashelookeddownonhisfairchild,shetheimageofhimself,onlymoregracefulandbrilliantinexpression.IwasremindedofSouthey'sKehama ,whenlo,thedreamwasrudelybroken.Theyweretalkingofeducation,andhesaid."IshallnothaveMariabroughttooforward.Ifsheknowstoomuch,shewillneverfindahusband;superiorwomenhardlyevercan.""Surely,"saidhiswife,withablush,"youwishMariatobeasgoodandwiseasshecan,whetheritwillhelphertomarriageornot.""No,"hepersisted,"Iwanthertohaveasphereandahome,andsomeonetoprotectherwhenIamgone."Itwasatriflingincident,butmadeadeepimpression.Ifeltthattheholiestrelationsfailtoinstructtheunpreparedandpervertedmind.Ifthisman,indeed,wouldhavelookedatitontheotherside,hewasthelastthatwouldhavebeenwillingtohavebeentakenhimselfforthehomeandprotectionhecouldgive,butwouldhavebeenmuchmorelikelytorepeatthetaleofAlcibiadeswithhisphials.Butmendonotlookatbothsides,andwomenmustleaveoffaskingthemandbeinginfluencedbythem,butretirewithinthemselves,andexplorethegroundworkofbeingtilltheyfindtheirpeculiarsecret.Thenwhentheycomeforthagain,renovatedandbaptized,theywillknowhowtoturnalldrosstogold,andwillberichandfreethoughtheyliveina

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hut,tranquil,ifinacrowd.Thentheirsweetsingingshallnotbefrompassionateimpulse,butthelyricaloverflowofadivinerapture,andanewmusicshallbeelucidatedfromthismany-chordedworld.Grantherthenforawhilethearmorandthejavelin.Letherputfromherthepressofothermindsandmeditateinvirginloneliness.ThesameideashallreappearinduetimeasMuse,orCeres,theall-kindly,patientEarth-Spirit.ItireeveryonewithmyGoetheanillustrations.Butitcannotbehelped.Goethe,thegreatmindwhichgaveitselfabsolutelytotheleadingsoftruth,andletrisethroughhimthewaveswhicharestilladvancingthroughthecentury,wasitsintellectualprophet.Thosewhoknowhim,see,daily,histhoughtfulfilledmoreandmore,andtheymustspeakofit,tillhisnamewearyandevennauseate,asallgreatnameshaveintheirtime.AndIcannotsparethereader,ifsuchtherebe,hiswonderfulsightastotheprospectsandwantsofwomen.AshisWilhelm growsinlifeandadvancesinwisdom,hebecomesacquaintedwithwomenofmoreandmorecharacter,risingfromMarianatoMacaria.Macaria,boundwiththeheavenlybodiesinfixedrevolutions,thecentreofallrelations,herselfunrelated,expressestheMinervaside.Mignon,theelectrical,inspiredlyricalnature.Allthesewomen,thoughweseetheminrelations,wecanthinkofasunrelated.Theyallareveryindividual,yetseemnowhererestrained.Theysatisfyforthepresent,yetarouseaninfiniteexpectation.TheeconomistTheresa,thebenevolentNatalia ,thefairSaint,havechosenapath,buttheirthoughtsarenotnarrowedtoit.Thefunctionsoflifetothemarenotends,butsuggestions.Thustothemallthingsareimportant,becausenoneisnecessary.Theirdifferentcharactershavefairplay,andeachisbeautifulinitsminuteindications,fornothingisenforcedorconventional,buteverything,howeverslight,growsfromtheessentiallifeofthebeing.MignonandTheresawearmaleattirewhentheylike,anditisgracefulforthemtodoso,whileMacariaisconfinedtoherarmchairbehindthegreencurtain,andtheFairSaintcouldnotbearaspeckofdustonherrobe.Allthingsareintheirplacesinthislittleworldbecauseallisnaturalandfree,justas"thereisroomforeverythingoutofdoors."YetallisroundedinbynaturalharmonywhichwillalwaysarisewhereTruthandLovearesoughtinthelightoffreedom.Goethe'sbookbodesaneraoffreedomlikeitsown,of"extraordinarygenerousseeking,"andnewrevelations.Newindividualitiesshallbedevelopedintheactualworld,whichshalladvanceuponitasgentlyasthefigurescomeoutuponhiscanvass.Aprofoundthinkerhassaid"nomarriedwomancanrepresentthefemaleworld,forshebelongstoherhusband.Theideaofwomanmustberepresentedbyavirgin."Butthatistheveryfaultofmarriage,andofthepresentrelationbetweenthesexes,thatthewomandoesbelongtotheman,insteadofformingawholewithhim.Wereitotherwisetherewouldbenosuchlimitationtothethought.

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Woman,self-centred,wouldneverbeabsorbedbyanyrelation;itwouldbeonlyanexperiencetoherastoman.Itisavulgarerrorthatlove,alovetowomanisherwholeexistence;shealsoisbornforTruthandLoveintheiruniversalenergy.Wouldshebutassumeherinheritance,MarywouldnotbetheonlyVirginMother.NotManzonialonewouldcelebrateinhiswifethevirginmindwiththematernalwisdomandconjugalaffections.Thesouliseveryoung,evervirgin.Andwillnotshesoonappear?Thewomanwhoshallvindicatetheirbirthrightforallwomen;whoshallteachthemwhattoclaim,andhowtousewhattheyobtain?ShallnothernamebeforhereraVictoria,forhercountryandherlifeVirginia?Yetpredictionsarerash;sheherselfmustteachustogiveherthefittingname.

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