The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-05-03

laws affecting the weaker sex; for we cannot
deny that what are now considered, by re-
snectable society, as the rights and privilc-
res of women, are but too often held in sui
ferapce. and may be withdrawn at the CAP
rice of the lords of creation.
But although married woman has tew'
if any. chartered rights, and is unques stiona-
bly dependant upon the will OF the husband,
we are of opinion that English wives II they
cannot lay claim to actual independence no
cnioy large share of virtual independence,
in consequence OF, and commensurate with
the progress Of civilization.
There has been a period when women
were not only deemed an inferior race, but
when doubts were entertained whetner they
belonged to human species. Ho'croit, IN Ills
travels through Holland, France, &c. INTRO
duces the following passagc-ot' i OK quotes
Gregory of Tours,to prove that at 'hc councli
of Macon, the question whether women were
or were not human beings, was hotly disput-
ed: and after much division Of sentiment, II
was at last solemnly declared in the council,
that women did not constitute par' OF the
human race"
| Lord Kaimcs, in his History OF Man, says,
"Women, by the laws of Ilindostan, are not
admitted to be witnesses, even IN civil
case; and blush (adds his lordshp) to ac-
knowledge that in Scotland the same writer
observes, that mot many centuries ago,
law was made in England prohibiting the
New Testament in England to be read by
women, apprentices, journeyman or serving
men" If we look back to the most polish
ed nations of antiquity, We shall tnd the
treatment of women such as we might DC
led to expcct from horde Of savages. They
we're considered as mere goods and chat
ties" and might be bequeathed by her hus
band. by will. to any new master.
The following passage, IN confirmation
the fact, may be found in Jones translation
of the speeches of IsGus:-"fet more,
husband might bequeath his wife (am"uGs
the Athenians) like part of his estate, I.
any man whom he chose for his succeaaor!'
and the mother of Demosthencs was actualt
left by will to Aphobus, with portion 9
eighty minas. The form of such beqoes
| is preserved in the speech of Isaus again
Stephanus, and runs thus: "This is tine las
will of Pasio, the Acharucan. I give IN
wife Archippe to Phornio, with fortune {
one talent in Peparrhethus. one talent
Attica, house worth one hundred mina
together with the female slaves, the orna
mcnt of gold, and whatever else may be
it.'
d, In Greece, women were not allowed TO 8
present at the Olympic Games. They SC
dom made their appearance in public, an
c never sat at table when strangers were pre-
ent. We have already ascribed the impro'
ed condition of women in modern times
the progress of civilization, which by brlnj
ing the sexes more frequently into each otl
- er's society has introduced habits OF polit
ness, which some accute writer has dehns
to be artificial good nature. What the La
in poet said of the effect of the arts up'
mankind. in our opinion applies more fore
bly, to this species of social intercourse:
~ --"ingenuas di dicisSe .fdctiliter art'
Emuiiu mores, nee Sinet esse feros"
One of the Expresses of Russia, was ful
sensible Of the efficacy of this mode OF civ
~ izing her subjects. who were not little
want of some reformation, as we may lea
from the following passage from the wor
of a writer whom we have already noticed
"Catharine Alexawna (says lord Kaime
promoted assemblies of men and women
means to polish the manners OF her su
ects. And in order to preserve decency
such assemblies, she published body
regulations, OF which the following are
specimen Ladies who play at forfeiture
questions, and commands, shall not be mol
nor riotus. No gentleman must attempt
force q kiss nor strike WON all IN the
scmbly. under pain ofeXclnsinn. Ladies
not to get drunk upon any pretext whate
err; nor gentlemen before nine"
-.