The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-15

IDLY carried forward. Those who have
taken the lead in the work are Edward
Everett Hale, Phillips Brooks, Lyman Alb
bot, Rachel l.. Bodley, Frances Il. Viii
lard, Elizabeth Thompson and others OF
equal standing.
Education is theinfluence that caused the
first stir Of revolt in the hearts OF Hindoo
women against their traditional oppression.
Education is the weapon that is 10 be fur
Their used 10 free and elevate them. This
is the immediate task OF the large hearted
men and women who have leagued them
selves together 10 support the Pundita in
the crusade which alone and valiantly she
began.
The actual condition OF women in India
is not very generally understood. At the
age OF babyhood they are ordinarily be-
trothed to their future husbands. The
anxiety OF some parents land their author
ity is ABSOLUTELY 10 marry their daughters
leads them at an early day to accept for
the latter any kind of husband not forbid
den by the Hindoo laws. In the Brahmin
class no woman can marry any but Brah-
min. There are also numerous restrictions
as TO consanguinity. Families that are
poor are nearly always DESTROYS OF getting
rid OF their daughters mt as early an ago rs
possible. There is also traditional duty
impelling the father as a matter OF pride
and Of self-esteem TO marry them off as
soon as they arc marriageable, according
TO the ancient custom. These influences
had the effect long ago of making it a reg
ular trade for certain Brahmins 10 marry
as many young girls as they could, receiv-
ing some sort OF immediate recompense. OF
course, from the family for the service thus
rendered. Mere infants are welded to
men old enough TO be their gandfathers,
and all, as soon rs their so-called husbands
die, drop into the deplorable social status
OF child widows.
There were in India In 1881, according
TO the census, e, $50, 626 widows, Of whom
1876 were under nine years OF age, 207,-
1888 under fourteen years, and 3S2, 1855
under nineteen years. Ramabai writes OF
widowhood In India rs follows
Throughout India widowhood Is re-
garded as the punishment for horrible
crimes committed by the woman in her
former existence. II the widow
be mother OF sons she is not usually a
pitiable object, although she Is certainly
looked upon rs sinner The widow
mother OF girls IL treated indiiIerently, and
sometimes with special hatred. But IL il
the child widow upon whom, in an especial
manner, falls the abuse and hatred OF the
community az the greatest criminal upon
whom Heavens judgment has been pro-
nounced. A Hindoo woman thinks IL
worse than death TO lose her beautiful
hair. Among the Brahmins Of the Dcccan
tho heads OF all widows must be shaved
regularly every fortnight. Girls OF fourteen
and fifteen, who hardly know the reason
why they are 80 cruelty deprived OF every
thing they like, arc often seen wearing sad
countenances, their eyes swollen from
shedding tears. They are glad to find a dark
corner where they may hide their faces
The widow must wear single coarse gar
mcnt. She must eat only one meal duringthc
twenty-four hours Of a day. She mus
never take part In family feasts. A man OF
woman thinks II unlucky TO behold {
widows face before seeing any other objec
In the morning. The relations and noigh
bors Of the young widows husband arr
always ready 10 call her bad names. Their
Is scarcely u day Of her life on which shI
IL not cursed by these people as the Gauss
Of their beloved friends death. In add
ton 10 all this, the young widow Is alwayl
looked upon with suspicion, for fear sh'
may some time bring disgrace upon III,
family by committing some improper act
She Is closely confined to the house-for
hidden even TO associate with her fcmal,
friends. . Her life, then, dcstitut,
as II is OF the least literary knowledge
VOID Of all hope, empty OF every pleasure
and social advantage, becomes intolcrabl'
"A curse 10 herself and 10 society a
large"
Suicide or liie Of infamy Is tho alterna
tive fate OF many Of the child widows o
India.
II Is said by those who know, and b,
Max Muller In particular, that any attemp
at present 20 change tho marriage code o
India would do a great deal more harm
than good. He suggests. therefore, tina
English law and Justice should mcrel,
keep It's hands of and lend no assistance
TO the enforcement Of marriage contract
10 which children are parties.
The only prudent positive remedy 4
bo applied at present Is education. Tn
experiment at which Ramabai and he
helpers aim IA the establishment Of HON,
and school either at Bombay or Calcutt
| for child widows. Max Muller suggcstc'
some time ago that the f70. 900 laid at tn
feet Of the Empress Victoria rs a jubilc
offering, or some part OF Il at least, couli
best and most gracefully be applied 10 thi
object, but OF course nothing has como @
Il. such an institution and others like
would turn out In time. says Max Muller
, "loyely brides, educated wives, sclf-dC
pendent mothers" This In tho sufort wa
, Of dissipating the traditional prejudice {
. H.. H.. -. i IL