The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-03

last year. This century has. with
or without just cause. been called
the woman's century. Why? Because
IN no other equal period OF time has
womanhood risen from a position SO
degraded 10 one of comparative free
dom and dignity. II is not by the de-
gree Of respect that is accorded the
exceptional woman that the position OF
the sex may be determined but by that
consideration accorded tc the majority
of them. One can Judge OF the estima~
tion in which womanhood was held in
the earlier part OF the century by not
ing, for instance. certain advertise
ments in old newspapers.
In England and continental countries
women of the poorer classes were held
in position that was little. if any.
short OF slavery. 4 mans wife was
absolutely his chattel: he could beat or
III treat her TO any point short OF
that which would result IN immediate
death. II she died as the result of the
III treatment a few DAYS or a week
after, tha husband was upheld by the
law; he had right TO chastse his wife,
his childre. and his cattle at any time
he thought best. II he wished. in GER
tain lands he could sell his wife. and
valued at about the same price as a
COW.
II the wife had any money before
she married on her wedding day IL be-
came her husbands; the marriage for
feited for her all legal right to it, She
could not recover her fortune even IL
she separated from the man.
Divorces were almost unknown in
those days. and If a wife became heir
ess to any property after her separa-
tion from her husband if he desired to
do So he could appropriate the money
20 his own uses Moreover. he had n
right 10 all her earnings and could coll
lect them unchallenged. no matter how
he may have sinned against his wife.
The case OF Mrs. Caroline Norton. the
English poetess, who had profiigate
husband from whom she was compelled
10 separate. yet who regularly went to
the publishers and collected the royalty
on her works, had n good effect in
rousing public opinion against this un-
Just law. Mrs. Norton was the grand
daughter Of Richard Brinsley Sheridan
and a sister OF Lady Dufferin and the
Duchess OF Somerset. Her husband,
the Hon. George Norton, a brother of
Lord Grantley. was an unprincipled
spendthrift. yet by birth and education
he was what was considered gentle
man. II such condition existed in
exalted ranks, little need be expected
OF the common people.
In ls0S an English paper commented
on the sale Of wife for sixpence and
n quid of tobacco as an occurrence
to be much too common.
Marriage was the only career then
open To a woman, and II she did not
marry IL was supposed to be because
nobody had asked her. Jean Jacques
Rousseau expressed the sentiment of the
day when ne said: THE education OF
women should always be relative to
that OF man--to please, TO be useful
TO Us, TO make Us love and esteem
them, 20 educate Us when young, To
take care OF Us when grown up, to ad-
wise. TO console Us, To render Our lives
easy and agreeable. These are the du- |
ties OF women at all times. which they |
should be taught from infancy"
At the beginning OF the century II |
desired an education for her |
girls she found IL necessary 10 employ |
4 private teacher. Tor few Of the states |
N America had public schools. In these |
schools girl could not retain her place |
IL III WIS itVhlltu lNl pbys Eonle- i
lines girls were allowed TO attend |
school during the summer months, but
N most places IL was thought best to
Keep them from becoming too erudite
rhe daughters OF we'll 90 do people were
aught the common branches" and
sent 20 a female seminary, perhaps.
where they received smattering OF
rival accomplishments.
Today at the close of the century.
almost all the important colleges OF the
world have been opened 10 women and
n the public schools their education il
conducted along the same lines as that
II the male pupils. Women have shown
hat they are just as apt az men In
aking up any branch OF learning they
ave pursued.
In the beginning OF the century a wo-
nan left alone and without an income
vas forced % beg or starvs-thst IL,
Unless she chose the doubtful alter
lstivsof matrimony. There were no oc.
upations open for women. and IL she
happened 10 De q single woman her
upport was supposed to devolve upon
er nearest married male relative. fu his