Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-06-14

'V"'H hH lHNtHtOTSs
The common rcproach with which
ambitious women are met, that they
possess no inventive or mechanical
gcnius-and the reproach was certain
ly once more common than il is now
Is answered in the North American
Review by Matilda J. Gage, who
brings forth facts from ancient history
and modern records. Starting with
the proposition that ancient tradition
accords TO women the invention Of
those arts most necessary to comfort,
most conducive to wealth, most pro-
motive OF civilization" She cites IA
nous women Of Egypt, Greece, China
and Peru, who have been worshippcd
because Of their powers Of invention.
Spinning, by the most ancient Of Chi
ncsc writer's, is admitted to have been
invented by Yao, the wife Of the
the fourth emperor, and the discovery
of silk 10 have been made by Si-ling-
chi, the wife Of an emperor who lived
1000 years B. c. For a long period
the Chinese country was known under
the name Of Ser or Seriea (thc land Of
silk, while its later name Of China
was derived from Sicn Tshan. under
which designation, a. the goddess Of
silk worms, Si-ling-chi is still wor-
shipped. Various devices for the max
ing of lace were also constructed hv
women, as that for Venetian lace hy
Nine. Bessani and that for pillow-lace
by Barbara Uttmann. Cashmere
shawls We're invented by Mheural
Nisa, Of whom Moore has sung. and ta
the same woman are we indebted fol
the perfume. altar Of roses. In he
own country Mhcural has been duly
honorcd for these services. her name
and title. Light of the World" hay-
ing been struck on the coins Of India
by her husband. the conqucror Jerun.
zchc Another woman Of the east
Ncmiramis is credited hy the east with
tn" discovery II cotton as a textile
fiber, Will" in the west the same dis.
coycry IS credited to the mother Of the
Incas. who taught its manufacture t.
the Pcruyiany The first straw bonnet
ever made in this country was made by
Miss Bctscy Metcalf in l7g~. while the
cotton-gin an invention which "hcad4
the list Of sixteen remarkable Ameri.
can inventions that have been adopted
10y the world''-owcs its origin 10 the
widow Of General Nathaniel Greene.
Among other inventions which were
made by women arc mentioned the
Burden horseshoe machine. the baby
carriage, and the paper pail. Miss
IIosmcr produced marble from lime.
stone, after the Italian government had
long sought in vain for a process
by which it could Ice done. Mrs. Wal
ton planned an invention for dcadening
the noise of elevated railroads. To
Mrs. Manning the mower and reaper is
indebted for It's early perfection. The
aquarium was originally the device Of
a woman. That womans claims in
these matters would be far greater than
they are, had the expression Of her in
ventiye genius not been hampered in
various ways wel'-,,nown, Mrs. Gage
beleres. She adds further that a mar
ried woman is not recognized by law
as possessing full right TO the use and
control of her own powers. Should she
obtain a patent she would not be free
to do as she pleased with it-would
possess no legal right to contract with
or to license any one to use her inven
tions." Moreover. should her right be
infringed she could not sue the offend.
or.