, 1880-06-27

vile stuff but bring the responsible parties
before the Grand Jury. They are in no mood
for further delay.
| THE SEX QUESTION.
! The most remarkable among recent contr1-
buttons to the discussion of the relation Of
| the sexes is to be found in an article in the
current number of the North american Re-
uiew, under the title Of <'The Ethics Of Sex"
| It is written by Miss II. 4. Hardaker, and, in
| addition to the keenness OF observation and
| the grace Of style which mark it, the paper
has special value because it comes from q
woman. It expresses, we believe, the senti-
ments Of the great majority OF the intelligent
and cultivated women Of America, so far as it
treats of the relation Of women to public af-
fairs. Had the same sentiments been written
out by man, he would have been charged,
and perhaps rightfully, with lack Of gal
lantry, and he would have been denounced,
brt not with equal fairness, as having taken
an invidious and nd.untruthful view of the case.
The keynote Of the article may be found in
its opening paragraph, which is as follows:
The main psychological distinction between
men and women is that men th1nE more than
women, and that their thinking is Of q better
quality. because it is carried on chiefly in the
form Of reasoning, and is drawn from wider
field of facts This is not a random inference,
er who will approach this question III the same
inlpartialy critical spirit which should guide in
yestfgatfon upon every subject Brain-actiSity
Is a constant phenomenon in both sexes during
waking hours: but much Of this activity Is
merely emotional in women. 4 great part OF
the the conversation ct women & is helpless l PLAYING M
words OF IL dictionary, with little endenvor to
found any conclusions upon them; and It Is
among women that we hear the most positive
expressions Of approval, condemnation. or pity.
An intense personality lnodifes their decisions
on most questions. The scientific spirit which
desires to possess the truth and the philOsOphic
spirit which impels to reason upon that Truth are
rarely found III women.
From this basis Miss Hardaker proceeds to
show how and why women have taken so
small part i'll framing the constitutions and
laws OF modern government, but with out
detracting from their high merits in proper
sphere. Four important contributions to
modern civilization are conceded mainly to
the work and influence of women-viz: ~
The preparation of food and clothing and
ministration to the sick; (2) the conservation
of the moral forces Of society and the home;
(3) the care and training of children; aud ~
the esthetic development of the human race
in dress, decoration, and household art. Pre-
eminent devotion, vast progress, and crafty
ing success in all these essential conditions
to the comfort and refinement of life certain
ly constitute triumph upon which women |
can rely confidently for the lasting gratitude |
and respect Of masculine humanity, without |
risking failure in a sphere for which men /
have demonstrated special capacity.
In estimating the relative adaptation Of the |
sexes to public life and the great achieve
ments which appertain thereto, Miss uarda-
ker contends that the masculine brain, as a i
rule, is larger in quantity and superior in
quality to the feminine brain. AS to quality, |
she asserts that, with the single exception Of
George Eliot, no woman has lived who is
worthy Of comparison with Shakespeare,
Schiller, Goethe, and Auerbach In the de-
partment Of imaginative literature; that,
while women do more than men to sustain
the churches, the reconstruction of popular
creeds and the advancement Of intellectual
influence over religion have always been led
by men; and that women incline almost uni
versally to emotional rather than logical, to
individual rather than general, views upon
any given subject As to quantity, Miss
Hardaker insists that smaller brain Is
fact in won1an's nature as we'll
as q weaker body, and that the psychological
phenomena of the sex must necessarily con-
form to this difference. This view of the
case is certainly strengthened by the follow
ing statement Of facts. not to be disputed:
Nomans work has been temporary in churac-
ter, accomplished, expended and repeated day
nent. The principles Of mathematics and optIcs |
the invention Of machinery. the immense in
dustrial enterprises which feed millions systems
ff discovery. ha II Hrf rf |
ing, the creations of architecture, temples, !
paiases bridges fa ships th9 gTcat nccumuo
lence, Musical composition. sculpture creative
Of Of Sese
departments to which women have considera-
oly contributed Is literature; here their crea-
In history, philosophy, criticism, and the drama. |
hey have done nothing of great value or
AMOUNT. |
Miss Hardaker scouts the idea that there
1as been any conspiracy among men during
Ill these centuries to exclude woman from
he political, scientific, and intellectual Lead
,rship in the worlds progress, but ascribes
let comparatively meagre contributions in
hese fields to the slnallness Of her brain. It
yin do for woman to say this, though 4 |
nan would put it in different way. He
you'd rather point out the peculiaritIes Of
what he would call, not a 'ssn1all bratn,"
'ut a feminine brain,"-a more highly
trung, nervous, sensitive, perhaps idgetty,
nut less eoncentrative brain. 1t is this prop
rty Of the feminine brain that individual
zes, exaggerates small things, runs to details,
axes personal and temporary view Of af- :
airs, and gives the emotions more play than
he Judgment. Man is naturally doubter, |
nd looks for the causes and the rea- ,
ons Of things he meets with. Woman.
ontent with q present solution of any
roblem that confronts her, trusts to ;
er intuition. The masculine habit Of mimi. !