A Short History of Women's Rights eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 260 pages of information about A Short History of Women's Rights.

A Short History of Women's Rights eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 260 pages of information about A Short History of Women's Rights.
Devout old Jeremy Taylor in his Holy Living—­a book which is read by few, but praised by many—­thus counsels the suffering wife[402]:  “But if, after all the fair deportments and innocent chaste compliances, the husband be morose and ungentle, let the wife discourse thus:  ’If, while I do my duty, my husband neglects me, what will he do if I neglect him?’ And if she thinks to be separated by reason of her husband’s unchaste life, let her consider that the man will be incurably ruined, and her rivals could wish nothing more than that they might possess him alone.”  Dr. Samuel Johnson ably seconded the holy Jeremy’s advice by declaring that there is a boundless difference between the infidelity of the man and that of the woman.  In the husband’s case “the man imposes no bastards upon his wife.”  Therefore, “wise married women don’t trouble themselves about infidelity in their husbands."[403] Until very recent times not only men but also women have been unanimous in counselling abject submission to and humble adoration of the husband.  A single example out of hundreds will serve excellently as a pattern.  In 1821 a “Lady of Distinction” writes to a “Relation Shortly after Her Marriage” as follows[404]:  “The most perfect and implicit faith in the superiority of a husband’s judgment, and the most absolute obedience to his desires, is not only the conduct that will insure the greatest success, but will give the most entire satisfaction.  It will take from you a thousand cares, which would have answered to no purpose; it will relieve you from a weight of thought that would be very painful, and in no way profitable....  It has its origin in reason, in justice, in nature, and in the law of God....  I have told you how you may, and how people who are married do, get a likeness of countenance; and in that I have done it.  You will understand me, that by often looking at your husband’s face, by smiling on the occasions on which he does, by frowning on those things which make him frown, and by viewing all things in the light in which you perceive he does, you will acquire that likeness of countenance which it is an honour to possess, because it is a testimony of love....  When your temper and your thoughts are formed upon those of your husband, according to the plan which I have laid down, you will perceive that you have no will, no pleasure, but what is also his.  This is the character the wife of prudence would be apt to assume; she would make herself the mirror, to show, unaltered, and without aggravation, diminution, or distortion, the thoughts, the sentiments, and the resolutions of her husband.  She would have no particular design, no opinion, no thought, no passion, no approbation, no dislike, but what should be conformable to his own judgment ...  I would have her judgment seem the reflecting mirror to his determination; and her form the shadow of his body, conforming itself to his several positions, and following it in all its movements ...  I would not have you silent; nay, when trifles are the subject, talk as much as any of them; but distinguish when the discourse turns upon things of importance.”

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A Short History of Women's Rights from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.