The New Orleans crescent., 1868-06-21
HEAVENS Last, BEAT GIFT TO
MAN"
BY MISS ANNIE cARUTHERs.

| Twe are glad to be able to lay before our read
| ers composition, by Miss Annie Caruthers, read
| at the semi. annual exhibition Of the First and
Fourth Districts Girls High School. 1t is, in our
| opinion, decidedly above the ordinary caliber of
school girls productions. and displays a felicity
| of expression in the treatment of a very hack
neyed subject and a delicacy of thought, the
union of which, in the discussion of other and
fresber themes, would surely result in something
very excellent
That woman was Heavens last gift to man, we
suppose cannot be doubted as the fact stands
recorded in Holy Writ; but the remainder of the
assertion rests solely upon the testimony of
Milton. Bitterly has it been disputed, and often
have the fingers of men, trembling to their very
tips with the JOY OF triumph, pointed to that chap
ter Of Genesis which tells of the first woman who
committed sin, and the first sin committed Oy
woman.
This would seem to settle the matter, did we
not with memory for our aid, call to mind all the
great crimes which have stained the annals of the
world. and ascertain that their instigators and
executors were men, not women from which
we would conclude that, though woman took the
first step on the road to evil man, with his longer
stride, soon overlook her; and, after the lapse of
years, when new methods of SHINING had been
devised, he put on his seyen-leagued boots, and
distanced her so far that she stood and still stands
aghast in wonder at his superior talents and am-
The frivoity OF woman in matters Of dress has,
fer countless ages, been a favorite source of
amusement TO the masculine mind. 1t has fur.
Dished food for many a facetious conversation,
and has served 10 render witty many a news
paper paragraph, whose space would have been
left blank if this ever new and ever interesting
subject had not occurred to the perplexed mind
Of the contributor.
The masculine mind delights in sarcastic sneers
upon every new style of female dress. Just as it.
il the fashion thew vvpul unt
condesceDd TO deck their bodily habitation with
silks, and ribbons, and laces, aud jewels Just as
If, always supposing it were the fashion, they
would not array themselves in short dresses
and sashes; or, as if they wouldn't wear long
trails and enjoy the fun Of seeing their lady
friends in constant terror of treading on them.
just as IT, again supposng that it we're the mascu-
line custom. they wouldn't wear their hair
done up Ia waterfall, Ia cata.
ract, eIc. But the masculine mind is
indignant at such a suggestion They never
wore feathers, and plumes, and lace on their
hats. and long but fashionable spurs on THAR
heels! They never twisted and pOmatumed their
hair! They never wear, nowadays, great, tall,
stOve-ppe chspeauX. Oh, no and they fold
their arms over their bosoms (MOOdy's latest
tashion) and compacently return thanks TO God
that they were not born into life women. 20
consistency, thou art jewel" "
In regard 10 another point, however, we both
agree TO and deny the common doctrine of mans
intellectual supremacy. The generality Of women
are quite equal, if not superior, 10 our opinion to
the generality of men. IL is usually conceded to
women, l believe, that they have superior quick.
ness, but that this quckness is attended by Cor.
responding shallowness. Yet the most frivolous
of these Last, best gifts Of Heaven 70 Mea"
can scarcely surpass, in this respect, that portion
of the 50 Lords OF Creation" " who seem to think
that creation consists of kid gloves patent leath-
ers, and walking cane those who cultivate their
hair, but leave the brains which lie or which are
supposed TO lie beneath, uncutivated unimDroved:
those who devote hours OF labored thought to the
outer covering of their heart, but who pay 40
attention TO the heart ITSELF or rather 20 what is
called by courtesy heart or those who restrict
the limits of creation TO the of the count
ingroom; whose thoughts extend only to cotton
bales aud six per cent; whose minds except with
regard to their business, they cave uncultigated;
whose hearts have been long ago coined into
gold, or lately stamped into greenDacks.
Far be il from me TO detract from the reverence
due to mans great intellect; but would Suggest
that, at the present day. it merely requires a
moderate stock OF brains. a little knowledge of
poetry lenough 20 quote occasionally J and of the
fashion able novels. 20 make up the list of mascu-
line requirements. and surely it would take no
Miss Evans to equal these. But so far as equling
the greatest masculine mind is concerned, we
think The record Of all time has proved It's fasity
No woman has written an epic no woman has
painted great picture-and we fear no woman
ever will.
With regard to woman's duties and sphere,
much has been said and sung.
Opinions on this, on most other subjects,
differ widely. We are told by Anna Dlckenson
and other . Women's Rights" women that they
consist in sitting in the halls of senator's and 10
the presidential chair; 10 having ourselves i'm.
peached and tried by Congress of women and
then we could, probably, enjoy the right" OF
being hanged by one OF our own sex.
We are told at exhibitions, and on all other oc.
casions where speeches are made to US, that our
sphere of Influence is large, and that we can
create or diminish a vast amount of good. We
exhorted to cultivate our intellects and to add
TO what we have learned in our school. books the
daily teachings of experience. A few days after
perhaps, we read in a paper article on the |
good old times, when women only knew how to |
sew ana cook, and tervent with thai those times
could be recalled and it would be difficult to tell
whether more OF masculine contempt is mefed |
out TO frivolous women, or more of masculine Ia. |
tired TO les JeHlnes SarGRteS
A great aud noble man has explained the cause |
of this latter inseparable adjunct Of feminine |
wisdom. lie says: 4" Learned women are rid |
culed, wel-iDfOrmed women barely tolerated |
because it wCuld be uncourtly to put so many /
ill-lnformed gentlemen TO shame,n
Between these last two theOTies-that relating |
TO the cultivation of our iutellecs and that re- |
lating 10 the cultivation of our cooking faculties
we are left perpleXed, and what power will help |
the girl who has no mother TO teach her the law |
for the combination OF these systems!
The subject Of wOmsn's beauty We leave ex- |
clusively 10 the pen of poets But 20 wOman's |
BOOunees We must auu our ulOufe. Oenuer, more |
unobtrnsve than mans, It brightens the lives of |
US all. Wherever there is suffering of which a |
woman's heart knows, WOmau's hand Is ready |
to relieve. Her patriotism, too, is great mans
His is the sctive, hers the pass ve part in heir
country struggles. His place Is on the battle.
held hers at home or IN the hospital ministering
TO the sick, comforting and praying for the dying;
and there, despite her foes her Weaknesses /
perhaps her sins-there, ar least, she is what the
poet styles her, Heavens best gift 70 man,
An AcrOsIle Deu,catrd IN I.tohto. g.