Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-02-19
THE AMERICAN woMAN,s MISSION.
Lecture by Dr. Marshall - English and
Frenth womea Compared-The Women
Of the United states

Frenth womes Compared-The Women
Of the United states
Last evening the basemeut OF 81. Matthews
church was crowded with an attentive au-
dlence 20 hear Dr.. Marshall, Of England, on
The hlssion Of Woman In the United
States" The lecture, for the most part, con
sisted In quotations from aud opinions OF
many eminent writer's, rather skilliully inter
woven with such original remarks as the lee.
turer had 10 make.
DR.. Marshall was introduced BY DIR. White,
who referred TO the importance Of the woman
question at the present time.
Dr.. M. began BY saying that II vas not
hard 70 prove mans willingness 10 accord 10
woman her rights In her proper domaln-that
Of the household. In speaking Of woman, II
was almost inevitable that he should speak OF
France, where she had been most dlstin-
gulshed, and had occupied the most exalted
positions ever fllled by her ser. lie quoted
from brilliant writer, with regard 10 wo-
mans power In the household, who had said
that In the present day women had departed
from the home circle 10 search Of other sue
ccsses, and urged them tn return to their
sphere. A French lady, Of great rank and
superior attachments, moving In the highest
circles Of her country, had remarked OF the
women Of Paris that they were excellent
Judges OF intrigue, dress, opera, theatricals,
aud even horses; that they could tell the
latest scandal, describe the latest fashion, dis
guss the newest opera, criticlzs the freshest
play, and claim an acquaintance with lts
performers, and name one by one the win
uing raee-horses, with their pedlgrees.
But In matters OF learning, In discussions
which might exhibit the extent OF their
reading they were found quite wanting. Such
a picture was not an attractive one, nor
could It's original make desirable wife. The
lecturer then gave the description, Of an emil
INaNhnlfa oil e.. -
the man married to woman Of tins charac-
ter. He also quoted from what the writer,
10 whom he had previously referred, had said
concerning the average mans opinion OF
fashionable woman who by dress aud manner
did all In all her power to please aud attract.
Both OF these descriptions created merri-
menL
There WIRE yet women, however, on both
continents, who, rs the Bishop Of Orleans had
said, were created by 0Ud unomamented TO
become the ornalnents Of homes.
Referring TO the aid which q good woman
could render her husband, were be man Of
letters, politician, or otherwise distingu shed,
and TO the good results which would Iuyaria-
bly, follow such efforts, the lecturer read from
Who, ~ TeasoS d y ReP '1 Ugh Postiou SSa
welded great influence; and commended her
simplicity OF life, many kindnessos, and gen.
eral goodness 10 his hearers for Imitation.
Il would be easy TO multiply types Of the
wise and foolish woman. Woman had two
misslons--a religious and q social one. A
woman without religion could not hope To
exert beneficial influence on man, no mat
ter what her personal attractions might be.
He would speak only OF her social mission,
leaving that Of the religious character to the
ADLER hands Of the clergy.
DIR. NJ. then gave Wllkie Collins definition
OF an Englishman's view OF female beauty.
Three things-youth, health and plumpness,
made Il up, The face Of the Engllahwoman
was inexpensive, while that OF the French
woman was full Of expression and animation.
As this was rather disparaglng 10 his (the
lootnrer's) countrywoman, he would give the
opinion OF n gentleman who was at this time
travelling In England, regarding their In
dustTy.
The English ladies of highest rank, II
seemed, were very Industrious. They were
constantly employed In sewing or embrolder-
ing, copying their husbands letters and In
other ways assisting them with their business,
investigating the accounts OF their estates, or
doing acts Of charity.
The average French woman, however, was
all life and sprightllness-Ali fashion and
fhVolty-comparud to whom the fast English
woman was very tame indeed.
These were the opinions Of the English on
this contrast between their couutrywomen
and those OF the French. II was but proper
70 give the opinions Of others, which the
lecturer proceeded 10 do.
The French woman by her plquancy and
pleasantry tried 10 make herself agreeable 10
all, while the English woman did not put
herself much out Of her way to do so. In
support Of this statement the lecturer told
some pleasing storien.
The American woman bore more OF q re-
semblance 10 the woman OF France and Italy
than she did TO her English or German slst1r.
In spite Of the many disadvantages OF this
country arising from It's undetermined social
state, its woman would accomplish her social
mission as soon and as well as the woman OF
older and more settled countries. Her mis-
sion must be accomplished simply and with
out ostentaton. Women should have am
billion, but not the ambition Of men, like
those women who were now making such
frlghtful efforts 10 unsex themselves. The
lecturer quite humorously referred 10 the ad
Vanced Womaus theological ambition, and
criticised 10 somewhat sArcastlcally. The
women, he said, who were searching for
what they claim as rights could not BE- Ad-
mlred by man who loved woman, not for
that In which she Tesembled him but be-
cause Of her difference Of nature and taste
IRON him. He concluded by eomplimentlng
the Catholic women Of the United States.