North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-09-01
Antiquity OF the Woman Question.

1t Is quite PROBABLE that the greater
part sf our readers regard the so-called
"Woman's Rights Movement as purely
modern bookish friend has, however,
placed in our hand little volume printed
in London, in 1910, and entitled, Female
Pre-eminence or, theDignity and Excel
lency Of that Sex Above the Male. In
this book, the author, Henry Cornelius
Agrippa, Knight Doctor of Physic and
Laws, bravely made himself a champion
Of the aggrieved sex, two centuries ago.
after this style:
"In matter of her Creation, Woman far
excells Man. Man was taken out of the
earth, but Woman, above all Influence of
the Heavens or aptitude of Nature, with.
out any assisting virtue, or cooperating
power, was formed miraculously by God
himself, out of that Rib taken from DOR
mant Adams side, whereby Man became
maim'd and imperfect; and thence ever
since, as Needle that hath suffered the
Magnet Touch, stands always trembling
till it looks full on its beloved North, SO
He can never rest, till by taking Woman.
and Incorporating her with himself, he.
retrieve that loss, and render himself
again entire and perfect"
And thus of the Fall:
"The blessing was bestowed for the
Woman's sake, but the Law given to the
Man; to him was forbidden the fruit Of
that unhappy Tree which set all Posteri-
ties teeth on edge; not to the Woman,
who was not then so much US Created.
So that by Tradition the Woman received
this Commandment from the Man, not by
immediate delivery from God. So that it
appears the Man sinned against perfect
knowledge, and the positive command Of
his Maker; the Woman out Of Ignorance
seduced by the crafty wiles of the Tempt
er, with whom for considerable time she
disputed the matter, and lost uot the glory
of the day without fair Combat; where
as no sooner was that too-pleasing Apple
proffered to the Man, than without scruple
he greedily falls on, and Rebel as he was,
would needs taste its fancied sweetness,
whose bitter relish remains to this day."
Further on, see how the learned Doctor
establishes woman's strength in her weak
ness:
'But if any object with Aristotle that
the male is much the strongest and there
fore to be more valued, we desire such to
consider how contemplate a glory tits to
boast of big bones or brawny Arms. If
strength alone must give the pre- eminence,
let Men give place to their Horses, confess
their Oxen their Masters and pay homage
to Elephants. Butin truth ther have lit
tie reason to vaunt of the strength or pru-
dence, the valor or subtiltv of their sex
having been always shamefully baflled by
those whom they vainly call the weaker
vessels. What Man was ever able to vie
in strength with Sampson, yet did this
prodigious Hero (like Hercules) truckle to
distaff and was ridiculously captiyated
by Woman. Who more religious than
David? yet bathing Beersheba caused
him at once to sully the pure robes of his
sanctity with the black stains both OF
adultery and murder. Who so wise as
Solamas, ,gsk was rot all his nisdoAsaa
amulet sufficient to guard him against
Woman's charms. Who more fervent
and resolved in the faith than Peter, the
chief of the Apostles yet silly Damsel
caused that great Pastor of the church
thrice to deny his Master?"
And now for her mental abilities:
. eff any scrupulous heads should doub
of Woman's abilities to dispatch all those
affairs which are usually transacted by
Men, we shall frd by Examples that new
er any difficult Office was managed, hazar'
dous undertaking attempted, or brave
generous exploit achieved by Men, but tn
same hath been performed as famousl
and with as much dexterity and success i
every respect by Women
After giving us long catalogue of fl
$ nous examples of old, he continues:
' "'Tis a proud, selfaattering conce
of the bearded-tribe to arrogate a
e learning to themselves, or think the mob
d Female Sex incapable of making as ge
erous flights towards the top of Parnass
$. as they. Women's phantasies ore mu
more quick and searching, their memoir
as tenacious and faithful, their judgmel
h as solid, all their faculties as ready, a
their thirst after knowledge and fame
less intensive than Mems. Why Il
id should they not with the same advanta
make at least an equal progress in Lite
ture? 'Tis true, our Male Dictators st,
RS. to monopolize learning, and having b
2" british custom barr'd the Doors of
p- MUSES. Temple against Women, do !
pretend they are unable and unfit to
ng ter.'
l." OF course, if the ballot had bcel
ed. vogue three hundred years ago wher
It wrote, our champion would have dems
md ed it for his fair clients in such sort
on- the agitation of woman's equality and
the rights thence following would prove
sht exception to Solomon's denial of nov
her under the sun.-Hedrth and Home.
ays
sue The La Crosse Leader understands
'iou drift of political movements, as the foil