Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-08-10
For the Oy ToRD DEMOCRAT.
WOman Historically Considered.
BY W. L. sHATTUCK, NJ. d.

Bl W. +. sHATTUCK, NJ. d.
II is claimed by some at the present day
who admit the Mosaic cosmogory as cor
rect, that il does not teach that Adam was
the first man or Eve the first woman. The
late Prof. Agsssiz, in conversation with
the writer some twenty years ago. stated
ii as his conviction that as the living en-.
ergies OF the Divine Mind developed from
chaos, order and form, the crowning ex-
preston was man, and "mole and female
created he them no. one pair but many.
that Adam was the representative OF the
Caucasian or highest expression OF the
human, and was developed subsequent to
the other races. But whether six literal
days is meant or six periods of time. or
whether the singular or plural ol mans
formation is accepted, the writer has
nothing 10 venture.
Woman primigcnially considered, is
accepted generally as having been re
sublimated matter. That Adam by divine
will passed into state of somnipathy,
became insensible TO external stimuli or
injury. and thus conditioned, surgically
considered. was subj ct 10 anatomical de
ple,ion in having a Id dissected from his
side. and o4t OF which the woman Eve
was made. This matter double refined,
some claim give woman their superior
beauty and excellence. In this primary
history Of woman the next one recorded
is the wife OF Ciin, but who she was, or
her anlecedents we are no. informed and
conjecture must sulice.
lts said Cain and his posterity INDUCED
in wickedness. and were called the sons
and daughters of men. While the pos
telity OF Seth. another son Of Adam, be-
came eminent for virtue and regard 10
the divine precepts, aud acquired the
appellation OF sons and daughters ol God.
The condition OF woman among the
ancient patriarchs appears to have been
extremely Indifferent. When Abraham
entertained the angels sent 10 denounce
the destruction of Sodom, he peremptorily
ordered his wife 10 "make ready quickly
three measures of fine meal. knead it, and
make cakes on the hearth"
In the East most of the water is drawn
from. deep wells with much labor and
fatigue. and this it appears was the duty
OF the daughters OF Jethro. the indian.
lie, and it would seem from Bible history
that neither the position OF the father as
high priest, nor the sex OF the maidens
prevented them from being in suited by
the neighbOring shepherds. and the water
they had drawn forcibly taken from them.
Rebecca drew water Tor Abraham's ser.
want and tor his camels. while he idly
remained o spectator OF the toll. One
would suppose. as ambassador to pay
court to the damsel for his masters son
Isaac, he would have done his best to
please and become acceptable. When
she first met Isaac, who had walked out
to meet her. as she approached her new
home, she did it submissively, as 1t SHE
was in the presence oil lord and master
rather than fond and ardent lover. 1t
would seem from much related in sacred
history that women Instead OF endeavor.
ing, as at the present day. to impress
their lovers that they confer favor by
accepting them. did not scruple TO &C.
knowledge that the obligation was con-
lerred on themselves.
Ruth humbled herself by laying at the
feet of Boaz. When. Jacob visited his
uncle Laban. he met Rachel, Laban':
daughter, in the fields attending the
flocks of her father. Tamor, one of the
daughters OF king David. was sent by
her father 20 perform the servile office o.
making cakes Tor her brother Amnon.
The simplicity of the times in which
these things happened would probably
very much invalidate the strength OF the
conclusions that naturally arise. i
would appear. however, that womer
we're not treated with the delicacy which
they have experienced among people
more polished and refined. Polygam1
was the custom and the law, and we maj
presume its degrading influence was fel
by the sex who so naturally shrink from
relation that so deeply shocks the sen
sibilities as to make it impossible.
would seem, for any woman to volunta
rily submit to it. Wherever polygam,,
exist We may feel confident that woman
can have but little authority, or arrive a
any consequence in society.
The women of Egypt.-Bible histor.