Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-08-31
3flisttllanp,
For the OXFORD DEMOCRAT
W0Bldn Historically Considered. =.
BY ". 4. sILATIUCK, VI. u.
No. 2.

The Women Of P,r>id.-Tbo ancient
Persians, according to the writing Of
many historians were strongly incline TO
jealousy, and from this fact treated their
women with great severity. The sex
were confined with the strictest atIen
ton, unwilling that the eye OF a stranger
should behold the beauty which they
adored. When Mahomet the great
law wgiver OF the modern Persians was
about TO expire, the last advice he gave
to his faithful adheren,s was "be watch.
iu oil your religion and your wives
They teach their wives that they hazard
their salvation if they look upon any
man other than their husband, and thA'
their power TO conline them is OF divine
origin. The christian religion teaches
us that in The other world they neither
marry nor are given in marriage. The
religion OF Mahomet teaches "A different
doctrine, which The Persians believing,
carries the jealousy OF earth to the fields
of Elysium and the groves OF Paradise.
Persian history would seem to imply
that the jealous care and anxious
soliciiude which induced them to coniine
their wives, was prompted by an exuber
ence Of love and affection, and IN idea oi
ownership. In the enjoyment OF their
,miles and their embrace the happiness
OF the men consisted, and their
appreciation was an incentive 10
deeds Of glory and heroism. For this
reason they are said to have been the
first TO introduce the custom ol convey
ing their wives and concubines To the
field, that their presence might animate
them to fight moTe valiantly.
To olrer violence TO Persian woman
was to incur certain death from her
husband or graIdan. Even the king
although most absolute in power could
not alter the laws, manners or the
customs of the people as they related to
the women.
Ii the writings of modern travellers are
to be relied upon it would seem that
somewhat modified constitution exists.
By law Of the country or custom
generally endorsed by the subjects. their
monarch is allowed to go wherever and
whenever he pleases into the harem of
any OF his subjects, and the sub
iect so far from experiencing emotions
OF jealousy, thinks himself highly honorrd
by such visit A story is told OF Shah
Abbas. who having got drunk at the
residence of one his favorites ,purposing to
60 to the harem was met by the cbitt
eunuch who bluntly told him mot man
sir, besides my master shall put
mustache here so long as | am keeper >
What" said the king don't you
know me?" Yes" answered the
fellow, IL know you are king OF the men.
but not OF the women" He was
punished by bis master for his presump
tion, and subsequently, taken into the
service of the king .or his fidelity.
Grecian Women. 1t has been observed
by an able writer and panegyrist of the
sex. that the wisest and best nations
have always given to their women the
greatest re spect and highest esteem. II
this be true the Greeks certainly forfeited
one great claim to the wisdom which has
alwas been attributed to them; for we
have great and good reason to believe
that they regarded their women only rs
instruments for raising up members To
the State.
In order 10 esteem the sex we must
more than see them, We must become
acquainted with their worth aud excel
lence by social intercourse aud mental
reciprocity OF good offices This 10 the
Greeks was pleasure totally unknown.
As the women lived in a state Ofseclu'
sion in their apartments, if they had any
amiablc qualities they were buried In
obscurity. Even husbands in Sparta
were limited as TO the time and duration
OF their visits to their wives. and it was
the custom at meals for the sexes TO eat
separately. The apartments OF the
women in order TO keep thom more
pri, ate, were always in the rear OF the
house, and generally in the upper part.
The famous Helen Of Troy is said to
have had her chamber in the loftiest part
of The building. aud so wretched were
their dwellings, that according to Homer
il would seem Penelope queen of Ulysses
de scended from hers by ladder.
Unmarried women whether maids or
widows were under the strictest contipe
ment They were not allowed to pass
from one part OF The house 70 another
lest they should be seen. New married
women we're almost as strictly confined
rs virgins. Hermoine was seriously
reproved by her old duenna for appear
ing out OF doors. freedom which
she tells her was not usually taken by
women in her position aud which would
eudanger her reputation should she be
seen.
Aristophanes introduces ''strong
mindenn Athenian lady who loudly
complained that women we've so confined
to their chambers under lock and key,
and guarded by mastiffs, goblins or
anything that would frighten away
admirers