, 1890-07-24

Many years ago DR.. Horace Bushnell, a
distinguished divine of Hartford, Conn,
published a book called "The Reform
Against Nature" which was intended
forever to annihilate the demand for
woman suffrage, then just assuming I'M
portant proportions. The learned author
thought that his Examinations from his
study chair would bring CONSERVATION
into what his Puritan predecessor, the
Rev. John Knox, called 1.-THE monstrous
regiment of women" But as the elo-
quent gentleman's premises were false
his reasoning could not fail of being
~fallacious, and therefore his diatribes
fell harmless.
He assumed, as all the opponents of
our cause have done, that the enfran-
chisement of women would lead to the
neglect and perhaps the disappearance
Of the home and the children, not hay
ing breadth of vision to see that emanci-
pated women would inevitably make
better wives, mothers and housekeepers
than the dull and silly drudges of the
past.
However, although the scholarly doc
tors did not think that women should be
given a college education, and viewed
their entrance into business and the pro-
fessions with horror, he spent much
elaboration of argument in support of
the idea that the maiden ought to have
the right of proposing marriage to the
man of her choice.
Apparently If there ever was n reform
against nature this was one, for in all
animal life down to the humblest insect
existence it is the male who is the seeker
and the wooer. Still, as we have ad-
vanced upon these lower forms in GUS
toms and usages in a hundred directions
why not in this?
The proposition that women may and
do take the matrimonial initiative seems
to be n fayorite one with the clerical
brethren, for 1 noticed that at the recent
session of the Presbyterian general as
sembly one of the distinguished divines
declared it to be a fact that women were
constantly proposing to men with their
eyes" Can it be that a young minister
requires more help in asking the impor-
ant question than a layman?
Or is this a frequent experienced To
hear married men talk one would fancy
that DR.. Bushnelrs theories were largely
accepted, since the standing matrimo-
NAL joke in many families is,
as we all know, the assertion
on the part of the husband that his
wife offered herself to him. One ven
cradle judge who has been three times
married always declares that each lady
asked for his hand, md adds that he
should never have been married had they
not lone 20.
But on this momentous question as on
all others n little common sense goes a
great way. If n woman is wealthy, and
the advantages from a worldly point of
view are all on her side, there can be no
question as to the propriety of her Civ
ing the favorite sutton every indication
of her preference even to the point of an
avowal.
Among queens this is of course the
recognized form of procedure. When
Victoria was a pretty young maiden it
was well understood that she was to des-
ignate her choice among the various
princelets who came to seek her hand.
The tall and handsome Albert of Sake
Coburg Gotha won her favor at their
first meeting, and it was not very long
thereafter when at a ball at the palace
she gave him a rose. No doubt she ac-
companied the act with some words of
encouragement, for the gallant German
pressed his wooing with ardor, and was
soon comfortably settled as prince con-
sort.
A great heiress, like u queen, not only
may, but often should, propose marriage,
as only in that way can she secure her
Gfe's happiness. The very man who
would best suit her because of his quail
ties of head and heart will probably be
of a nature which will revolt against the
accusation of having made a mercenary
match. Her wealth may repel him no
matter how much her person may at
tract, and it will be absolutely necessary
for her to make "a bold stroke for a hus-
band"
Here, for instance, is the romance of q
lovely simple hearted girl, the heiress of
immense wealth. She had many suitors
for her hand, most of whom she sus-
pected of the most sordid motives in
their attentions. There was one young
man whom she had known for years, a
distant cousin, of excellent qualities, to
whom she was tenderly attached, but
although she OWNED, as she hoped, that
he regarded her with n kindred feeling.
he remained obstinately silent, only his
sad eyes sometimes telling his secret
The time was becoming critical; she was
about to 60 to Europe for an absence of
some months, and she feared that n per-
sistent but particularly obnoxious sutton
was intending to sail on the same
steamer, when her cousin came to see
her one day. bringing n dainty travelling
case as a parting gift. At first she adj
mired the pretty finish, then suddenly
her face changed and clouded.
ut is very heavy" she said.
Heavy he exclaimed in astonish-
ment; "oh. no. Why you lave not lifted
it." he added. "Try it."
NO." she said, capriciously, 81 don't
need to; | am sure it is heavy. 1 can
never carry it myself"
He looked sad and hurt. "I had hoped
you would take it." he faltered. at
might remind you of me sometimes
when you are far away His voice
broke.
She was at his side in a moment.
"Why should you be far away" she
whispered. why should you not go
with me and carry it for meg- Then he
understood.
There are other cases in which it is
quite allowable for a young woman to