, 1873-11-16
ASfATIC WOMEN.
Lecture by Mrs. LconoWens Be-
fore tho Christian Union.


Mrs. Leonowcns, who mado very successful
debut rs lecturer at tho Rev. Mr.. Wendt'a
church on Friday evening, delivered another OK
ceodipgly interesting lecture at tho Young Mems
Christian Union yesterday afternoon, before
largo md doeply-intorestoa audience. Tho
subject chosen for tho occasion was "ABlatic
Women" Tho lecturer stated that. when aho
1rst went to India, eho had t]rco IDEAS
which hare since boon entirely exploded. Ono
OF these was Of the wonderful grandeur and
magnincence OF England another Of tho small.
ness and i1lsignifcance OF Amcrica while tho
third Was TINT Asia was simply n British colony.
Sho had mover believed in tho existence Of II
gool-looking black wosnau, until one dny, III
India, sho caught glimpse Of beautiful
Parsco woman, q 1re-worahiper. Gradually
her sympathy was awakened, Bllo learned tho
Oriental languages, apd tho prejudices sllo Ind
entertained vanished. Tho lecturer referred to
various forms Of 1oligion prevalent in the East,
such as Buddhism, as having thoir birth in tho
inspiration by God Of their founders. Ancient
Asiatio history showed tlat in the East the great
est respect was rendered to such women an wcro
mothers from tho worry first. In ancient India
respect to woman amounted almost to worship.
She was the goniua of art, literature, aud clo-
1uence. Women took part in the highest offices,
often sitting aa Judges in tho Courts. They cli-
ioyoi in allfcspects equal liberty with mon, and
tl.or influence was fot in religious, mercantile,
null domestic affairs. The lecturer rcforrcl
| to The custom OF tho self-inamolation OF
widows, mud stated TINT In tho o!lon times
tho burning a1sd funeral pyro was done at tho
! option OF tho widow herself. It hecano q law
through tho machinations Of tho Brallmill
priests, who iniorpollatel matter in tho ancient
records, making alterations and additions with
Wow to incroaso their authority. Tho general
following OF tho practice rondorcd marriage II
terrific yoko, aud although tho practice ca:.,,ot
now ha considered otllerwso than bayharol,s as.tE
lnh1lmnn, it was wonderful proof Of, devotion
and Bclf-ahnesation. 10 know tho full value Of
contrascd with tile ovilg Of civilized society, thu
divorces courts, gamhling-roo,ns, anJ otho,
Ia,lnts OF vice. Aud yet only to Il lew do they
lint Of the nob1o natures which lsnpollcd them
Of tic aoul's CRY for something which it ltaa NOT
found Tho intellectual cnpaclty Of tho Asiati<
women WIS never inferior to that VI tho men
AIalabar WAS tho birthplace Of no css than seyol
sagea, NIL women. Many other instances Of hiEl
fon'ale intellectual power wcro mentioned BY tht
spirits Of the Brah1nin priests cou1t
not brook tho superiority Of woman, ant
began to deviso means for her snbiugation
which, however, wero frustrated by tho Goldos
Dutlaha. It was ti.o introduction of Aiollam
j
Of women. Whore this religion dues not prevail
! however, tho equality Of Aslntlc women will
iheir brethren exists. III japan, Burmail. Siam
1ndia,. and other places, tt1e Bexes emioj til!
excepting tho women Of tho harems Of tie groa
t Kings mud Princes. In historical rccoras
, | Asatio woman il ho1lorcl. India haa boon botta
ruled by native Queens than by Kings an
England acknowledged Tho henotlconce Of tls
} rulo of tho Queen Of tho Province OF Dude
All oyor Asia aro to l,o found hero and thcre re
| marlublo communities where tho women al
cqs.al. and III many casen superior to tho moi
, ty dosconds ii. tho female line, aud ~ tho ma
ter OF courtslip woman ta!os tho intsi'
l tive. Thus u marriagoaflo girl m"Acn Ii
J choice Of husband, packs up her effects, goes
tc house of hor eect, altS et dowm 1toro, @ IL
to Tho yot,ng mail, that OF marrying tho invade
E1u,. LoouoWenh t,nyo number Of lhstnncca {
!. iho astutoncss Of AHntio fon,alo doctors. wlie
wore worry amusing To general opniion; ;.!S forms
n her disusnt tlorefrom cmpEatically, a'la atat1
" that tho largo clies Of India aro n
+ n.oro immoral than tho large c!tos Of Europe
Anelicn, and it would DO hard to ll.!a ~ ims' 1n
k Enropoat. e1 @ cities. Iho Oil aaying that s!o II
suffcrrotl, Krows, md no TINT ou5oys, Wits,
J. especially truo Of certain parts OF Asia, wlo
l. tho burdens Ut lifo fall lehylly upon IONA
10 Shoulders. Tho looturor ousod lor intorestll
j.; party nho gave to Nomo itty Of II, h
!; sohoinlp, oac!. OF whom camo with II rot'n!
II Ut from twolyo to ilftco1l slavea; a!,ti vi
w tho roadlng OF tlreo interesting lettors from
Z; old Sianelio pupil WHO signed horsolf to
tl!voo ''lIurriot Icccl.cr Htowe," IL l,asno Il
on 4aoptoA aftor becoming deeply Interested
at Uncle trom'n Cabin
aIt Tho lecture throughout waB highly iunruoti
| CntDrtulIIinV md tn ,r[.1 Il
" attontion Wy tho nrdioncc. Ono til II
dl- l.eonowens greatest ol!nrnls aH luoturor il
wo oxce'lont oocntios, by moann Of wlttcl II
M makes her oyery word clearly hsard mil md,
,fls | stn01 1,vn ali 1,nr iIu} orors = ~ ~ "