CHAPTER II.

SUBMISSION.

A common error abroad. Real object of woman. In what respects she is to submit to her husband. Bible doctrine on this subject. Physical inferiority.

be made. Leaving home. Caution to the young wife.

Concession must

Anecdote of a married couple.

AN opinion still prevails, even in civilized countries, that woman should be little more than the mere instrument of her husband; that on many points she is not expected to have a voice; that she should have even no opinion; and that her duty consists in submitting, without a question, to the dictates of her "lord."

Now I am of opinion that woman is made to supply, in some measure, the defects in her husband's character-thus making him a more perfect man than otherwise he would be. But I hold, also, that the same duty is required of the husband toward the wife, and with the same view and end; and that in this respect, the husband has little, if indeed any superiority. I hold, moreover, that God has required of each party, in the married

state, though the union be ever so close or so perfect, to preserve the individual character of each. No female has a right, were she disposed to do it, so to merge her own character in that of her husband, as to lose her own individuality.

Still I cannot help thinking that there is a species of submission to the husband sometimes required of the wife. Not that I would ever claim it myself, or recommend to any one else to make the claim. If a wife has not good sense enough to yield, voluntarily, what I suppose ought to be yielded, it is probably of little importance for the husband to claim anything. Perhaps I would say, "That is my opinion; you will, of course, do or act as you please."

And yet something of submission is certainly due. There was a time, in the history of our world, when woman did not exist. Man was not only alone-without a companion-but destitute of a "help-meet "-an assistant. In these circumstances, almighty Power called forth, and, as it would seem, for this very purpose, that modified, and in some respects improved form of humanity, to which was afterwards given the name of woman, and presented her to man. She was to be man's

assistant.

This distinction is recognized throughout the Bible. Man is always considered as the head of

the family, and woman as the helper. The man is not created for the woman-so the matter is represented-but the woman for the man.

It is true that this does not, of necessity, imply an intellectual and moral inferiority on the part of woman. It does not preclude the idea that in morals she may even be the superior. The concession is that of physical prowess, rather than of moral influence.

It is a concession, however, whose necessity stands as prominent in the pages of the great book of nature as in those of revelation. The exercise of that physical force which seems necessary in many of the arts and employments of life, is scarcely compatible with woman's distinguishing characteristics and her peculiar prerogative, had it been assigned her,

Heaven has accordingly withheld it. No form of education will give to woman a masculine development. No circumstances will impart to her muscular system, as a whole, that power which is so constantly developed in the other sex. Even in those countries, and among those tribes, where the ruder and coarser employments have been. partially or wholly allotted her, she still retains the more striking physical traits of character which God in nature has assigned. They may indeed be modified, slightly, but never wholly overcome.

A skilful anatomist could still distinguish the sexes, at any age, by a mere hasty inspection of an arm or a face, after the lapse of a thousand successive generations.

Let me not hence be set down as an enemy to female athletic exercises. What muscular exercise, in degree, woman does demand, is demanded still more imperiously than in man. She needs muscular exercise during her growth and after maturity, both to develope her form, internal and external, and to maintain her health. But no muscular exercise whatever-and this is the burden of my present argument-will essentially and permanently alter her structure, to render it more masculine in future generations. Say what we will, therefore, ✓ God in nature must have imposed on her a physical inferiority. She is thus obviously fitted to be an assistant to her husband in the work of selfimprovement, and the improvement of others.

Perhaps all this inquiry is utterly needless. Perhaps very few readers entertain a single doubt on any one of these points. But it was necessary to make the statement, preliminary to what follows in other chapters.

Indeed, in one point, the agitation of this question would certainly seem needless. Matrimony cannot exist, without concession on both sides. Each party gives up certain natural rights, for the

On

sake of certain privileges to be acquired. which side lies the balance of concession, we need not inquire; it is sufficient if it is shown that it must be made, and that matrimony cannot exist without it.

I say, then, that the very act of entering into the married state is, on the part of the woman, a concession. It matters little whether this fact is recognized in the external forms of celebrating this rite or not; it is essential to, and inherent in its

nature.

Leaving home, as a general rule, involves concession and submission. What female ever quits the circle in which she is brought up, in the expectation of retaining every privilege and every right to which she has been accustomed? Does she not, on the contrary, even diminish her own personal enjoyment?

In addition to the physical comforts of which she voluntarily deprives herself, does she not subject herself to numerous cares, and responsibilities, and trials? Does she not submit, at least prospectively, to a long train of circumstances and consequences which, in her father's house, she would be able to escape? Does she not even merge her own name in that of her husband? And is there no concession in all this? Is there no submission?