New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-04-15
WOMAN IN SOCIETY.
THE REV. o. Z. rRorHNGuAM's DISCOURSE LAST

THE REV. o. Il. F2OTHINGHAMS DISCOURSE LAST
EVENING.
A large and intelligent congregation assembled IN
Mr. Frothin ghams church. FOrtiothst between Ffh
aud Sixth evening 70 listen TO his discourse upon
Woman in Society"
Mr. rockingham commenced by saying that by society
he meant tho world Of opinions and sentiments which Is
called by that name The powers which govern 1t are ST.
cret but silently they obeyed Nothing may resist it,
II undertakes and accompshes and eOnesSes no Ispo
sibity to anything. This authority fashion IL teis
people what to eat and drink and Now places
lump hair the back OF the neck then places ~ az
the back O the head. To-day does one thng tOnoIoW
N does something else. The despOtsm of fashion touches
the mind and morals. Why do women waste their time ia
courage customs that known TO be detrimental 70
health and morals Because fashion DEGREES IT, anu she
What the speaker complained OF was that Aca has no
social world strictly American Women are snolects IN
from the side OF the Atlantic The power OF fashion,
America has therefore, social life OF It's own None or
it, fashions represent American character OF American
ideas The speaker remenDGred Iady VINO naa sousIt
resored 10 10y editors scholars; ana Otner uistlu-
guished persons. She had sought TO enitiVale true
forces Of woman's nature. Her entertainments were
although there was never any display OF extrayaganee.
The chief objection at present Is nat women OF iasiA9
was said last Winter that ladies gave receptions to each
other choosing hours in which gentlemen could NOE be
present This showed lack Of confidence that they
were capable Of pleasing the opposite sex with their con-
yersatOn According the last census, the males
730 900 In OF the females in this country In Cali
f0nia there are three males female in Washing
ton. four and in Nevada, eigh' TO one Surely
this disparity large field 10 women and should DC
seized social condition OF women in this country IL
affected by the individual independence we all possess
slave in the sight OF the law woman Is mere mistress
In the sight OF fashion she is granted throne IN the
world OF fashion in compensation ioE the wrongs ana on
pressons she endues outside of that world There are
those who are working for wonlans dlsfranchlse-
here. 1t is demanded that She snail have equal So
cia and political equality with men rms uemanu ta
she shall be admitted 20 the fields OF labor seems to be IN
tended 20 her ia the world Of fashion she now
rnes. As give To women ther rlgnls We stei Irou
them their prestige IL - well that women shonld wSrS
and move the world but here the faculties n0ursled
are those belonging 10 men, and should deplore the
destruction OF world which displays the genius OF
woman. There ia home sphere which calls IN requlson
nil her craces and arts She has the immortal power OF
beauty and knows It aud she uses the secrets OF dress
enhance IT, She holds the magic wand OF fascination
over man. and men bow to IT,: Why should
rosativSi The parior-we have almost forgot
ten the use OF it. Our feminine me oyelinsss IS
exered toward bringing the other sex into the parlor
for converse instructive and profitable To both Beauty
grace elegance dress all these could be eNerted ana
women were TO seize their opportunity they could mfu
ence and control men. and even influence the po
eau do much when their enthusiasm is aroused, why
cannot they do in ordinary lfef The bright women
II American women were equally bright, adrot and IN
tellectua they could have unbounded influence Ihey
could shut up dramshOp and render the social vice
disreputablo. Women already accomplish much; whas
could they not accomplish with discipline ana earnest
nesst 10 il shame to wOmon that power so tremend'
should be misused Women should be educated Tor
the parlor as well AS for anything else.
There enough women rciOrmcrs and phanthr0plsts
hut where the mlstresses OF conversation IN wheh
they formed to excei They should be able to dis
cuss the arts they should know what ideas abroad 20
that their eoquence would not be expended on bueke
cry against tho dark and silent parors; and thou
sands Of young are driven into dissipation, whom the
that our women should be remarkable; the speaker
would have them fcmeEihe and American; and would
preserve them the world which they are 80 fitted TO
rue