Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-09-04

they exhibit state OF things nearer 10 that
of our own social system than one would
imagine. Girls, for instance, were taught
the Iabors of the sex appropriate to the
times, such ss spinning and weaving. and
the manufacture of the family raiment.
Tombs of Roman women have been found
with weaving apparatus engraved on the
floor, it being placed there, perhaps, as
tribute to superior skin and industry. In
struction to girls among the upper classes
was undoubtedly given at home, while, as
before stated those of the less wealthy
were sent to the school in the neighbor-
hood. Mothers often read Homer and
Virgil to their daughters. Special pains
were taken to perfect females IN the arts of
music and dancing. Some attained to
great proficiency IN singing, and playing
on the lutte. On the occasion of religions
festivals, choruses of virgins of noble
family sang hymns in public procession
Stern judges in society sometimes con-
demned these studies, on the ground OF
their enfeebling and over-exciting the girls
especially those of Greek extraction.
Girls generally married between the ages
of Is and IL, and according to the viii OF
the parents. The engagement ring was
made of iron. On the approach of the
wedding day. the entire household gave
itself to the procuring of the necessary
bridal presents The bride babe adieu to
her past by consecrating her dolls and play
things to the diyinities who had watched
over her infancy. On the wedding-day
the dwellings of the betrothed parties were
crowded with relatives and clients, who at
I the same time acted as witnesses to the
marriage contract-at least ten of these
being required. The two houses were
/ splendidly Illuminated, especially the
atri,sm, in which stood the cases containing
wax masks of the families ancestors,
blackened with the smoke Of sacrifices, and
open ON the occasion 10 the inspection of
the guests of the house. Tapestry, crowns
and green branches hung about the walls.
A woman, charged with the duty of Civ
| ing the bride away, joined the hands Of the
couple and led them to the family altar to
sacrifice to the gods,-a sacrifice again re-
psated in the temple to which the party
proceeded In procession. Curious crowds
gathered, OF course, by the wayside, to
gaze on il as it passed. At one period the
party waited until the evening star had APP
peared in the armament before conducting
the bride to her new home. Always, how
ever, the bride was conducted to the con-
lugal domicile by the light o. fiambeaux
Arrived there, grand banquet terminated
the day, the bride reclining at the table by
the side OF her husband. Gifts were made
to the pOpulace and to clients on such oc-
caslons; and, so expensive were the we'd
dings that parties mrTrylng often retreated
into the country in order to avoid this ex-
pense, as we'll as the cares incident to the
invitations and honols which then acquaint-
ances accorded them. Who can see much
difference between ancient and modern
times IN this respect?
A great difference there is, however,
L Il. 80 IL h. l,,X
this day Women were substantially I'M
der the legal tutelage of the men, whether
father, husband or brother-enjoying GER
tain property rights however, and a certain
degree Of personal freedom, as society de-
veloped under the empire. One phase OF
their property rights Is curious, and seems
to have been initiated In on land: IF the
husband, suspending payment, had dis
posed Of his fortune in favor OF his wife,
before declaring himself insolvent, his
creditors lost ali claim on il. F" Wealthy
women had their own business man, and,
of course, contdant, who is represented rs
absurd and insipid" before men bat "a
cunning and perfect lawyer with his EN-
ployer. Sometimes, as might be expected,
the relationship proved to be criminal
Our author very ungaliantly states that ut
is in the nature of things for women, thus
the Teins of government in their own
hands, and rule the house and their hus-
bands IN the full sense Of the term.
Juvenal knew Of nothing SO insuppoTta-
bic as a rich wife. The position Of Roman
women III society was not less independent
than within the household. Even in
former times under the republic, they
were never subjected to the same restIic-
tons as the welded Greeks, whose greatest
ambition was to be spoken Of as little as
possible among men, whether for good OF
evil, ana who recognized, III the threshold
Of their dwelling, barrier which they
could only allow themselves to cross ex-
ceptiODslly without peiil to their reputa-
ton. Although III ancient Rome the do
nestle virtues were also only OF principally
appreciated III the family cilcle, still, Gus
tom never excluded the matron from So
ciety, or from public places. Women were
not afraid TO show themselves at frequent
public spectacles and festivals. With the
dissolution OF tie ancient regime CT the
family. ana the disappearance CT social
austeTity, there prevailed more Gno more
the tendency OF women to emancipate
themselves nom ali external constTaint;
and already, at the eoInuenc cement of the
empire, scarcely any barriers renamed TO
oppose, il any important degree, the in
fiuence Of Roman women within the sphere
OF their social position.
The social rights and liberties of women
certainly originated III ancient Rome, along
with the political rights Of man; that is to
say, when contrasted with Greek and OH
entail views OF the position OF women The
effect Of this emancipation is subject Of
great interest and one which legislators
will DO we'll 10 consider seriously. The
noblest types Of Roman female character
belong to the early times CT the republic,
ana not to the empire, when Roman wo-
men enjoyed most freedom. Certain 1t Is,
Roman society became terribly dissolUte
and corrupt The causes Of this corrup-
ton mentioned By our author are, the lew
ity. with which marriages were made ana
unmade; or, III other words, the facilities
tor contracting marriages and for etfecting
u divorce. Seneca says chat women dated
their years not according to consulates. but
according to the number Of their hus-
bands;' again, to slavery which provided
for the system Of eoncubinage; again, to
the immoral literature of the day, ike
Ovid's works; and, above ali, perhaps, to
the love Of and attendance on spectacles
such as gladiatorial combats which des
troyed all that nice sensibility without
which no moral power can subsist III man
or in woman.
The depravity of women at these specta-
cles, and at banquets, their pride IN COM
psting with men in the gymnasia, in fenc-
ing, in passing the night IN drinking
orgies, affords sickening picture of de-
geneIacy The Christian religion was ali
important to revive the moral sense, and