Year: 1859

The following interesting article copied
from an exchange paper, wherein some
very nice precepts are inculcated pertain
ing to the rights and duties of the gen.
tier sex Of the poultry yard, and females
generally, we commend TO the favorable
notice of our fair readers:


1t happened upon time, if fable be
true, that the fowls in the barnyard of
a certain neighborhood, became awaken
ed to an unusual degree of interest in all
subjects pertaining to their own well be-
ing, and that of their own race generally.


They gathered into groups, or as men
would say, into conventions" and at
these gatherings they crowed and cackled
and clapped their wings, and did all 9th
er things in manner and form as such
creatures do, when they are celebrating
upon matters Of moment to themselves
and Others. Things had proceeded thus
for long time, and many plans designed
to produce most happy influences upon
the social condition of chickens, and of
the birds in general, had been devils
ed, and were in process of execution,
when certain hens got it into their heads
that the part which they acted in public
concerns was not just so important and
imposing as it might be; and TO this
opinion agreed certain roosters. In this
state of things, it was agreed that at sub
sequent gatherings of the chickens, these
disatfected hens should stand up and par
ticipate in the doings of the assembly,
just as the roosters had been accustomed
TO do before; and thus, rs they said,
equality would be promoted, and the ac-
tive wisdom of the roost be brought to
bear upon the subject in hand. An old
rooster who was accustomed to look a
good deal into the nature of things and
who was not easily carried away with the
new tangled notions of the birds, remon-
strated against this procedure of these
hens, and stated many grave and weighty
reason, showing the absurdity and folly
of their intentions.


After mounting upon fence, and clap
ping his wings aud growing, to engage
attention, he presented the case some
what as follows: In the first place, il
was not convenient at all times for the
hens to leave the little chickens to attend
to public affairs. 1t was exceedingly i'm
portant, he said, that the little creatures
should be attended to, and nature SEEM
ed to have developed the duty upon the





hens, and TO turn aside from it TO act in
sphere for which nature had not de-
signed them, he thought would be "very
strange and unnatural" In the second
place, he said there were insuperable bar
ricrs in their way which they could never
surmount. For instance, their voice was
not of that kind which was suitable in
addressing public assemblies; but it was
of a milder and sweeter tone, and better
adapted to please and interest in the So
cial circles. 1t was true, he said, that
hens might crow, and he had heard them
attempt it, but it always appeared to
him very ridiculous and unnatural bust
ness. He added, furthermore, that in
public speaking a certain amount Of red
or brazen color seemed TO be necessary
about the physiognomy, and this, he re-
marked, some roosters possessed in an
uncommon degree, while the hens were
entirely without it; and it. as he remark
ed, they endeavored to assume bis brazen
appearance, it appeared to him, and he
believed it did TO others, very coarse and
uncomely in them. He said further, in
the third place, that in the public meet
ings of the fowls, as they were not entire
ly perfect in their nature, it often occur
rcd that there were some contentious in
the best assemblies, about who should
speak, and what should be said; and that
sometimes there rose great degree Of
beat in deciding the matter right; and