And while the woman who has sinned, and fallen through that sin, is pitied by few, despised by nearly all, and but little effort made to win her back to the path of purity, how is the companion of her sin treated?  He, the seducer—­often the grossest of deceivers, the instigator of the crime—­because he is a man, is countenanced by the many, his conduct palliated, and himself received as an honored guest, even in the highest circles of society.  The law of God makes no distinction between the male violator of His holy law and the female violator of the same; but man, arrogating to himself superior wisdom, makes a very marked one.

No wonder, then, that women groan because of their bondage.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote A:  Sharpe’s “History of Egypt.”]

[Footnote B:  Koran, chap. iv.]

[Footnote C:  Sale’s “Preliminary Discourses on the Koran,” sec. 4.]

[Footnote D:  “Laws of Menu.”]

[Footnote E:  Bloss, page 334.]

CHAPTER III.

Later Estimate of Woman.

In the discussion of the position occupied by women as wives, those only have been spoken of who were betrothed in infancy, or were captured, stolen, or bought.  These latter were, without further ceremony, merely taken home to the abode of their future husband and lord.  In the later periods of antiquity, betrothal terminated in a marriage ceremony, the rite varying according to the prevailing customs of each nation.

Opinions with regard to the qualifications which ought to be possessed by a woman to fit her for marriage—­which were, in fact, considered indispensable—­were as various as the nations or the rites; and, truth to tell, are about as conflicting now as they were centuries ago.  In all the ages, and in every country, one thing seemed to be agreed upon, however, and sedulously kept in view; namely, woman’s inferiority.  Let her be free-born or a slave, to be married or bought, she must still be a bondwoman—­a creature subject to guardianship.

After men began to desire wives who were not altogether drudges, women began to be esteemed in proportion to their beauty, not their wisdom or good judgment.  A fine figure, delicate hands, and handsome face, with fascinating manners, a graceful carriage, and such accomplishments as were the fashion, quite regardless of the accomplishments of head or heart, were all that were required by the class of men who could afford to keep such dainty wares.  But love, inspired by such attractions as these and nothing else, is ever fickle as the wind.  When health declined and beauty faded, the fire of passion, misnamed love, died out; and the hapless wife frequently found herself deserted—­if not openly, none the less shamefully—­for a younger rival, whose eye was brighter and whose cheek more plump.  Then shrewd women began to study