[Footnote 1:  See p. 243.]

It was delightful for me to go down occasionally to the great room, and to meditate on these pictures, and the subjects that had inspired the painters.  The light and tone of the place, and the general impression made upon me, seemed to savour more of heaven than of earth.

XIX.

WOMAN.

Choosing by hand—­choosing by foot—­girls’
DOBMITORIES—­early rising—­prayers.

     “Let woman be as soft as down, as sharp as a lancet, as sparkling
     as the diamond, and as pure as Stainer’s fount.” [1]

     [Footnote 1:  See p. 149.]

Woman is the object of much solicitude and consideration, and enjoys many privileges.  The tendency of her education is to qualify her for the position which nature intended her to hold as the companion and helpmate of man.  However she is instructed, though not to so great in degree, in many branches of art and science, cultivated by the stronger sex, the design being to enable her to appreciate the efforts of man and to encourage and comfort him in his progress, but not to take his place.  With us women are happy and contented, and words of complaint rarely fall from their lips.

Great precaution, however, is taken lest they should overwork themselves in the severer studies, or even in the lighter occupations, the tendrils of their nerves being so delicate, that, if once injured, they would seldom be restored to their normal condition.

There is this marked difference in the education of the two sexes.  Boys are educated in manly and athletic sports, in all that can give them strength and physical development, and call out their masculine qualities, while the occupations and exercises allotted to girls tend to confirm and develope their natural delicacy, gentleness, and sweetness.  The result, is, that whilst men are large of frame and endowed with great force and strength, the women in Montalluyah scarcely ever exceed the middle size.  They are beautiful, and thoroughly feminine in form and feature, while in disposition they are sprightly, ingenuous, and truthful.  Their carriage and movement are marked by elegance and grace, their voice is of melodious softness, and they are altogether distinguished by a peculiar charm and fascination.

Most of our women are brunettes, with rich black silky hair and eyes—­ large and beautiful as those of the gazelle; but the fair with blue eyes are considered the more beautiful—­probably on account of their rarity.