18. Conclusion
"Oh! backward-looking son of time!
The new is old, the old is new,
The cycle of a change sublime
Still sweeping through." - Whittier.
This is the last day of January. It is bitter cold. A day on which a walk is an act of sublime virtue, and a cold bath a deed of moral heroism. For water we have ice. The air seems all oxygen. On a day like this I think of the Esquimaux as martyrs, and of the Greenlanders as witnesses to Nature in her most terrific forms. Yesterday the wind wailed in dirges. Today there is a still, solemn cold, yet more appalling to the thought, reminding one of sailors clinging to the frozen ropes of their ship, and of travelers stifling in the snowdrifts, beyond " the care of the pious monks of St. Bernard." Last night came the Frost-King in his power. On the window-pane is the mark of his icy fingers.
I lay down my pen, draw near the fire, and think of my friends at Clinton, those with whom I passed last summer's happy months.
If ever again I have the felicity of spending a season in the country, may I find a resort as picturesque as Clinton, and friends as dear as those with whom I then formed acquaintance.
I have received letters from all save Adelaide. She has, indeed, sent messages in the epistles of the others, and promised a missive filling so many pages that its length shall amply compensate for its delay. With this anticipation I rest content.
Ella's letter was very entertaining, giving me an account of all the news of the village, and revealing such extravagant hints of her own future destiny, that my "first impulse was to check the exuberance of her spirits, by reminding her of the disappointments even of those most distinguished upon the historic scroll ; but, recollecting that hope was a better leading star than fear, I wisely desisted. She will learn too soon that the world can not be moved by her unaided strength. Her empire will, however, be large. It should satisfy the most aspiring.
Delia's health is slowly but steadily improving. It will soon be confirmed. Her will, whatever has been thought to the contrary, must have had much original strength; for, having once begun to act with energy, she has resolutely persevered. For a few weeks, great indeed were her struggles. Every morning, the couch, with its tempting repose, its dreamy influence, was far more alluring than the beautiful garb with which God at sunrise clothes the external world. Nor had the wisdom of all the sages whose records were contained in her father's library, much attraction for the young girl, as, half awake, she lingered upon her pillow. But, true to Jier promise, she soon learned to rise on first awaking, without pausing a moment to argue the question. She also experienced much trouble from her confirmed habits of epicurism. But when the rich pastry and the highly-seasoned meats were offered, she wisely chose a more simple repast, rather than the tempting viands and the headache which she knew must be the result of indulgence.
She has applied herself to the study of music and to philanthropic schemes. She alternates labor of one kind and another with rest and recreation, so that neither body nor mind is overtasked, while both are in a successful course of training. Inaction is no longer bliss. For the first few days after her memorable conversation with Adelaide, her mind hovered confusedly over plans too vast for her then weak state. She dreamed of Mrs. Fry and of Miss Dix, talked of Margaret Fuller and of Madame Koland. Adelaide assured her that she could not, at present, fill a wide sphere, that she must be content with a little exertion well employed. Her main care, for some time, must be her own improvement. She, therefore, studies as closely as her health will permit, and confines her efforts for others, chiefly to Carrie's education, and to the instruction of a Sabbath-school class.
Charles has sent me one letter, consisting of three pages, two of them filled with a glowing eulogy on Adelaide. Thinking that the document belonged more to that young lady than to myself, I inclosed it in an envelope, and sent it to her that very afternoon.
Even Dr. Leland has deigned to give me quite a long letter. It is a true specimen of conservatism, but I shall value it as a memorial of himself. I shall soon see him, for he informs me of a promise to exchange with Pastor Melancthon in the course of the winter. Ah, he will not be obliged to write sermons that week ! I only hope that he will avoid preaching any that I heard from him in Clinton. He can select for that day a couple that were written before I knew of his existence. On entering his study one morning I was amazed to see him fathoming the depths of an antiquated chest of drawers. I saw that they contained vast quantities of dingy manuscripts. "With a shudder, I learned that they were his old sermons. He laughed, as he informed me, that, having been invited to preach in Boston the next day, he was desirous of exhibiting the very best of his wares. I demurely offered my assistance in making the selection, but it was decidedly, although courteously, rejected.
Mrs. Leland added a postscript to her husband's letter. The chirography was a delicate cobweb. The doctor probably regarded it as admirably feminine. What a contrast to Adelaide's bold and beautiful style, every stroke of which expresses freedom and energy!
I always looked upon Mrs. Leland as a fit representative of Cornelia, and benevolently hoped that her sons would not think it their duty to emulate the Gracchi.
* Captain "Wilmot also wrote a few lines on one of his " well days." I was quite a favorite with the old sailor. But, after I had flattered my vanity with this evidence of my power, great was my chagrin to learn that he had fancied me not for my own merit, but, because my father and himself had been messmates during a long India voyage. Of course, my humility returned.
I have received one very comic epistle from Mr. Thornton. I suspect that his book-keeper had the honor of the conrposition. It was replete with mercantile phrases. I did think of sending to one of old Naumkeag's counting rooms for an interpreter, but I finally decided to understand what I could, and to lose the benefit of what might be merged in the technical terms. The most important intelligence contained in this characteristic epistle was, that my "favor of the ninth inst. came duly to hand." The most satisfactory paragraph intimated that a long visit from myself would afford his family great pleasure. Mrs. Thornton has never sent me one line. I am afraid that the e-ood man forgot what he surely might have remembered with ease, that his wife would not be very much elated with that which she would certainly consider as an incursion. I should prefer to go to Captain Wilmot's.
Although I regarded Mr. Thornton and the young people with great affection, I studiously avoided the lady of the house after one eventful morning which plainly revealed that the state of her attachment for me was far from cordial. In a very frenzy of joy, I had rushed into her parlor, announcing the reception of a letter from Father Cyrus. I had hardly left the room, when Mrs. Thornton vociferated, in a fearfully Stentorian tone, " I wonder whether all the Salemites are maniacs !" Too much amused to be angry, I simply cautioned myself never again to seek sympathy from the ireful matron.
See that carriage rumbling through "Walnut Street ! Who can be traveling on this drear wintry day ? Look at the driver's face ! In hue, it resembles mahogany. Its expression betokens stern resolve. The worthy man seems like a veritable impersonation of Boreas. How closely his stalwart frame is enveloped ! His head is surmounted by a huge, shaggy cap. His ears are snugly concealed within the folds of a capacious woolen comforter. His chest and shoulders are protected by one of those new-fashioned garments, styled gentlemen 's shawls. It does not much differ from the ladies' tartans. It has the same Scottish air of warmth and security, denoted by the brilliant plaids worn by the " weaker vessel." If the men assume our graceful apparel, I only hope that they will cease to complain, when a woman fancies the hideous hat, coat, etc., which they claim as their prerogative.
"Why, the carriage has even rolled to my own domicile ! The driver is pulling the bell as if he were pursued by a score of policemen. I rush to answer the ring, without one thought of the frosty air which I am to inhale on opening the door. "Who has come to visit me on such a day ! I actually did not know that any one of the human family regarded me with so much affection.
There, the door is open. In furious haste the driver lets down the steps of his vehicle. Out comes Adelaide "Wilmot as calmly as if the mercury were ninety degrees above zero. I am so surprised that I can hardly speak the welcome which gushes from my heart. She enters, divests herself of fur, bonnet, and cloak, and sits down by my fireside, ere my eyes have ceased to dilate with wonder. She observes me with a quiet smile.
Author {with an involuntary shwer.) My dear Adelaide, I am delighted to see you, but -
Adelaide. You can not imagine why I have come.
Author. As my very dear friend, you are always welcome. But the day is so remarkably inclement, that I can not regard your visit as a common occurrence.
Adelaide. Be not alarmed. This was the day appointed for my journey. You are aware that I never allow myself to be defeated by the weather. My object, however, is not simply a visit. A few days since, papa received notice, that a debt long since due would now be paid on the presentation of the bill. I have come to take the money.
Author. Had it not been for that debt, I doubt whether you would have left your father even for my sake.
Adelaide. You are right. Rose is not quite competent for the charge. But I intend to stay a few days, and inspect the curiosities of Salem.
Autiioe {aside.) I am truly glad to see Adelaide, but I should prefer to entertain her within doors. If I am to play the part of cicerone, I sincerely hope that the weather will moderate.
Spring will soon arrive. You need be in no haste to depart. You did not leave Rose without a companion ?
Adelaide. Oh, no, Ella is with her, but I must return early next week.
Author. We shall see. How are my friends, the Clintonians?
Adelaide. My father is as well as usual ; Delia has nearly regained her health; Dr. Leland has broken a ligament in his left foot. The others are free from illness.
Author. What occasioned Dr. Leland's accident ?
Adelaide (with indignation.) Some of his spasmodic movements, I presume. If people were careful, they would not suffer from casualty.
Author (with a nod of assent.) Is he able to preach ?
Adelaide. He might preach, if he could walk, or even ride. But he is compelled to stay at home, and attend to the position of his foot. His parlor would hardly contain the congregation.
Author. Who supplies the pulpit?
Adelaide {biting her lips.) The Andover students come in turn. We have a new one every Sabbath.
Author (with deep sympathy.) Stay with me, Adelaide, till the doctor has recovered. You shall hear all the varieties of city preaching.
Adelaide (with a comic air of, denial.) Not I. My curiosity is excited to see and to hear those prospective clergymen.
Author (aside.) Now, Charles Thornton, beware, or Adelaide may begin to think " Rev. Mrs." a title not to be despised.
But, Adelaide, I dislike students' sermons. The young gentlemen appear as if they were never again to preach. Their discourses are a complete medley, touching upon every topic in the whole scheme of Christianity, and giving a clear view of none. Their manner, too, is beyond endurance. They either scream as if the hearers were deaf, or, so tremble with diffidence, that their voice is almost inaudible. I am unwilling to hear any man preach, till he has bade farewell to the Theological Seminary, and has begun to think and act for himself.
Adelaide. Send your remonstrances to the professors who have the care of the candidates. But I am in haste to communicate my plans. I must return in a few days. Before I go, I intend to see all the wonders contained in your " holy and beautiful City of Peace."
Author. "Holy and beautiful." My friend, that was a mere flourish of Rufus Choatc's. Beauty is, however, a characteristic of our city; but, to see it in its perfection, you should come in summer. Salem is unique. It combines the advantages of both town and country. Its " shade-trees and flowergardens" are renowned. Then, also, a walk of a mile or two, in almost any direction, will disclose scenes as picturesque as those which travelers have wandered far to behold.
Adelaide. Yes, I am aware of that fact. I must see them all. You shall take me to Kernwood.
Author (a chill pervading her frame.) Kernwood is indeed a Paradise - in June. I am not in the habit of exploring it at this season.
Adelaide. I must have a draught from Cold Spring.
Author (shivering.) Cold, indeed, in January.
Adelaide. I must ascend Witch Hill.
Author (with a ghastly smile.) Witch Hill is attractive for its historic associations, but it is a place which, for the honor of my native town, I am averse to exhibit to strangers.
Adelaide. Were you to level the hill, you could not obliterate the disgraceful record. I will also visit North Rock.
Author (imagining herself standing upon this celebrated rock, at the mercy of the winter wind.) The view from North Rock is very fine, but I believe that King AEolus reigns upon the summit.
Adelaide. I must wander through Harmony Grove. Can it compare with Mount Auburn ?
Author. No, indeed. Harmony Grove is distinguished by a quiet beauty. Its scenery has not that sublimity, that funereal grandeur, which so deeply impresses one at Mount Auburn ; nor are its monuments so magnificent. Our cemetery can, however, boast some fair landscapes, and a few fine memorials. In summer, it is a pleasant resort.
Adelaide. I must cross North Field Bridge, and see the route which the disappointed British took in their retreat.
Author (her teeth chattering, while she thinks of that locality as the coldest spot in Salem.) Should you attempt to pass that bridge on a day like this, I believe that your retreat would be far less reluctant than Colonel Leslie's
Adelaide. I have long desired to see Fort Pickering.
Author (shuddering, as she looks through a slight rent in the incture of the Norwegian Maelstrom, which the Froxt King last night painted on the windoiv.) Fort Pickering commands a splendid seascape. In summer, nothing can be more delightful than to ramble over the rocks, to gaze upon the distant lighthouse, and to watch the ebb and flow of the cool waves. But, my dear Adelaide, you forget that the chief beauty of all these scenes must be sought when,
" The wild flowers bloom, or kissing the soft air, The leaves above their sunny palms outspread."
Come a few months hence, and you shall see them in festal array. Let us spend this visit in reading and conversation.
Adelaide. A part of the time. But I must see Salem.
Author. With regard to storms, I am as heroic as yourself. I can bear all kinds of weather save intense cold.
Adelaide. If you have such a dread of the cold, you will never equal the celebrated Mary Margaret Kirch, who discovered a comet, and published a treatise on the approaching conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn.
Author. Mary Margaret's fame will never be mine. If I obtain distinction, it will not be in astronomy, unless, like the first votaries of that science, the students upon the Chaldean plains, I could have a beautiful climate for the pursuit of my investigations. Now, when I am. abroad of a winter evening, I merely cast one loving glance toward the Pleiades, and wonder what has become of their lost sister ; or, give one look of admiration to Orion, as he gleams forth in his glory ; and then hasten home, to attend to those branches which can be pursued by the fireside. My studies, this winter, do not call me to survey tlie stars for practical illustrations. But, Adelaide, the weather will certainly be warmer next week. Our climate is fickle. Even the morrow may be moderate, so that we can take one excursion. I will not go today.
Adelaide. Tomorrow, then, we will commence ; you, as guide ; I, as stranger. Today we will converse. What were you doing on my arrival ?
Author (disposing of her writing implements?) I was thinking, or musing. I had been scribbling.
Adelaide. Is your book finished ?
Author. Not quite.
Adelaide. During my visit, you will read to me what you have written.
Author (aside.) What would Adelaide say if she knew that my last summer's adventures form the material of my book?
Adelaide (raising her voice.) H---, you will read it to me ?
Author. Excuse me, my dear. You shall not hear one line till all the rest of the world have the same privilege.
Adelaide (gently twirling a terrestrial globe which stands upon my table, and significantly glancing at the revolving countries.) All!
Author (modestly.) Those of the American people who read my productions.
Adelaide (her longing eyes following the retreating manuscript?) If I might hear one page.
Author (determined to cluxncje the subject.) Not one. Now, Adelaide, I have a charge against you. Did you not promise to send me a long letter?
Adelaide. Three weeks since, I redeemed that promise.
Author. I have received no letter from you.
Adelaide (With ludicrous manifestations of horror.) That letter ! Why, H---, it contained twelve pages! I prided myself on the generosity of my disposition, which induced me to write so much for your gratification.
Author. Twelve pages ! "What a loss ! You deserve the title of "indefatigable paper-crosser." May not a letter so cumbrous have been intercepted, as likely to contain the outlines of some Gunpowder Plot ? It must have attracted attention. I will see the post-master. It may yet be found.
Adelaide (with an air of stoicism.) It has probably wandered to some other Salem. The result of my labor will be burned at Washington, with other ill-fated epistles.
Author. It can not be lost. I will take measures for its recovery. Lest, however, it should not be found, you may orally give me the contents.
Adelaide (with deliberation.) Knowing that no subjects would interest you more than those which we discussed last summer, I filled my letter with an account of a long interview that I had had with Dr. Leland.
Author. Oh, Adelaide, tell me every word !
Adelaide. I am undecided. Even after I had been so good as to commit the whole to paper for your service, I half regretted that I had thus done. Concerning your request for a verbal communication, I can think only of Cowper's complaint of those who,
"Echo conversations dull and dry,
Embellished with ' He said,' and ' So said I.' "
Author (warmly.) No conversation between Dr. Leland and yourself could be "dull and dry." I am very eager to know its purport.
Adelaide. I have no serious objection. Soon after his accident, I had the civility to call at the parsonage. He was comfortably established upon the sofa, having a table filled with books and papers within reach. The expression of his countenance was a singular combination of patience and irritability. On seeing me, he joyfully exclaimed, " You are welcome, Adelaide. I should not soon have found time for a long conversation with you, had it not been for the occurrence of this misfortune."
He did not once ask me whether or not I had leisure for a protracted call. The clergy always appear to think that they are the only economists of time. Turning to his little daughter, he said, "Minnie, run to Captain "Wilmot's, and tell him that Adelaide will spend the afternoon at my house."
He seemed to regard me very much as a deserter or a fugitive slave whom he had happily secured. I could not avoid laughing, as I said, "I will remain with great pleasure. You need not be so precipitate."
Mrs. Cornelia, as you call her, probably surmised that I was doomed to receive a private lecture, for she soon left the room, merely desiring her husband to send for her if his foot gave him any trouble.
"Adelaide, you were a very modest, prudent little girl," was Dr. Leland's singular commencement, " but I am afraid that you are becoming quite the reverse."
Certain that I could be charged with nothing truly unfeminine, I earnestly begged to know the reason of his fear.
" You are very bold, Adelaide, in the expression of your ideas. You give them utterance without due premeditation."
" You misjudge," replied I, warmly ; " I am always careful to study both my thoughts and words, and to weigh well their consequences. Can it be proved that, because my conclusions sometimes differ from your own, that they are erroneous ? May not your views be wrong?"
Dr. Leland was a little amazed at this presumption, but he merely said, " Very well, Adelaide, I intend to talk plainly this afternoon, and I will not withhold from you the same privilege. I can no longer be silent with regard to your course. "Worthy of admiration as it is, in many respects, in others, it loudly calls for censure. With deep anxiety have I observed your tendency to error. As your spiritual guide, I must interpose some check upon your progress. Better that you now hear reproof from me, than that you wait till you must receive it from the whole community."
Despite my usual self-possession, it was not wonderful that I trembled on hearing these ominous words. From a child, I have loved and revered my pastor. This actual rebuke gave me pain, the more that it was wholly undeserved. As soon as I could command my voice, I said, in a low tone, "Sir, I have long wished to converse with you on certain topics. You have not given me the opportunity. Respecting some subjects, however, I knew that your opinions were irrevocably formed, and that it would be useless for me to argue with you."
The clergyman assumed a patriarchal air.
"My dear Adelaide, for you to argue with me would indeed be folly. It is your place to listen to my instructions."
Being thus ranked with Rose, Ella, and all the other children of his charge, I almost laughed as I thought of myself sitting there meekly to receive his dictation. He looked at me with a very grave countenance, on which, however, I had the satisfaction to detect a lurking smile.
"Adelaide," he resumed, "I am afraid that you are deviating very far from the right path. You are quite an ultraist. You are strangely latitudinarian. I do not ask you to repeat either creed or catechism. But you must tell me whether your views of doctrine are still those of the church which you were early taught to believe held 'the faith once delivered to the saints.' "
" In all that even you would consider fundamental," was my prompt answer, "I firmly agree. I occasionally think that some points are pressed too far. I often wish that I could know more of Schleiermacher, whose opinions were more nearly allied to those of the evangelical party than to the rationalists', but who could not exactly subscribe to either."
Dr. Leland closed his eyes as he said, " Schleiermacher was far more evangelical than many would have us believe. But you know quite enough of him. I shall not dwell upon this subject, for I believe, my child, that, in doctrine, you are not alarmingly heretical. Probably, no two persons have precisely the same views. There was a time, indeed, when I thought you slightly Pelagian. You appeared to place too much stress upon act, and too little upon faith. That I may be certain, however, you may express your opinions upon that topic."
Thus summoned to give what, in reality, was my creed, I hesitated a moment. A bright thought soon occurred. I recited the lines,
" ' Therefore love and believe; for works will follow spontaneous, Even as day does the sun ; the right from the good is an offspring, Love in a bodily shape ; and Christian works are no more than Animate love and faith, as flowers are the animate springtide.' "
The pleasure which he first evinced, on hearing this reply, was soon clouded.
" Your theology is correct, Adelaide. The poem which you have cited is beautiful in style, sound in doctrine, if we may judge from Longfellow's translation. But why go to a bishop? Could you not give an answer from the words of one of your own denomination ?"
" Dr. Leland, to me it is immaterial who is the author of a sentiment characterized by truth and beauty. I would receive it even though from the pen of an infidel. I should view it as a proof that his heart was not wholly beyond reclaim."
Dr. Leland was slightly disturbed. After a short pause, he remarked, " I am afraid that you are not a true Congregationalist. You often speak with great disrespect of the attempts of the laity."
"If I ever thus speak, it is because the performances of some of the number are worthy of contempt. Is not that usage shameful, which commits the conduct of public religious exercises to men, incompetent to teach even a common district school, to initiate the young in the mere rudiments of learning? How can such be expected to lead aright the devotions of others, or to give, in their so-called exhortations, any instruction deserving of the name?"
"Adelaide, Adelaide, are you an Episcopalian?"
"No, sir. In form I am as tolerant as in doctrine I am rigid. I regard ceremony as of very little consequence. I like the forms of the Congregationalists, Presbyterians, etc., for their simplicity ; those of the Episcopalians, for their exceeding beauty. In whatever clmrch I bad been born, there should I have wished to remain, unless convinced that it were heretical."
"But, my dear child, form is of more moment than you imagine."
" Of what importance can it be, whether, in endeavoring to pray, I kneel or stand ? Cecil found motion the best incentive. His oratory was a walk of twenty paces. Can you think that the form of church government is of any consequence ? Are we not told, by those who have investigated the subject, that no complete system can be gleaned from the Scriptural records of the early church?"
" Some thus assert ; but I am confident that our Congregational mode is the nearest approach to the apostolic form."
"The Episcopalians will assert the same of their system."
My pastor waved his hand, as if we were needlessly digressing, and said, "You ought never to utter a word in condemnation of the exercises of the lay members."
This was uttered with an emphasis, reminding me of the manner in which the Abbot Dunstan probably domineered over King Edrod.
"Not if I think that harm will result from their proceedings?" was my quiet answer.
"What harm?"
"People of good taste and of literary attainment will be disgusted by such attempts at teaching."
" God give them a better temper !" ejaculated the clergyman ; "but, Adelaide, you are not a Congregationalist, if you refuse to sanction the labors of the laity."
"I have told you, sir, that I care not for form. But I do not wish to be compelled to listen to ignorant men."
" But, think of the absolute dominion which the clergy of the church of England possess! AVith your independence, you would not like such a state of affairs."
"I can not tell, sir. Some of our lay-members are educated; others, grossly ignorant. To the necessity of listening to the latter, the former are, in a great degree, subject. It is also painful to be governed by the votes of such men. I must confess, that the authority of the 'lord bishops' would not always be so galling as that of the ' lord brethren.' Numbering the advantages and disadvantages on each side, these two prominent churches are nearly balanced. I should, of course, prefer the one with which my early associations were connected. I have sometimes regarded, with longing eyes, yet another system. If I could agree with the doctrines of the Friends, I should like to join their societ}^ because of the equality of influence granted. There, man and woman are on a level. Each sex is represented. A woman speaks as frequently as a man. But, if I could respond to their articles of belief, I would alter the rule with regard to public speaking.
None of the laity should officiate. Tims, granting that the clergy are educated, we should have no ignorant teachers."
" Persons who have had but few advantages, are sometimes able to give instruction. Bunyan was an ignorant man."
" True ; but did not Bunyan possess one order of genius ? A person, thus endowed, has the power of benefiting others, whether or not he has been thoroughly educated. Learning, however, would have improved even him. Can not every gem take a polish ? When we think of the very few thus gifted, ought we not to make a rule that none shall speak save those who have themselves been taught? If any one is conscious of power like Bunyan's, let him draw an audience for himself. He will succeed. But, in a common assembty, let only the regular guide speak. The enlightened lay members, knowing that they could exert their influence in other places, would willingly be silent, on the consideration that they were spared the annoyance of listening to their unlettered brethren. The pastor of a church might be either a man or a woman, thoroughly fitted for the office."
Dr. Leland raised his hands in horror. With flushed face, and sarcastic tone, he asked, "Why not follow the example of Joanna Southcott, establish a new sect, and stand forth as the leader of a band ?"
"I prefer to employ my efforts for the reformation of the sects already established."
" My dear child, what authority exists for your views? Can you point to a single confirmatory passage in the whole Bible?"
" The books of both the Old and the New Testament were written when women were kept in a state of ignorance more shameful than that which now exists. The sacred volume contains all needful religous truth ; but should we seek in its pages regulations for the office and deportment of people living at so different a period of advancement ? Yet, even in those ages, when, despite unfavorable circumstances, power did break forth, it was acknowledged. We find that Deborah was a prophet. Professor Stuart himself declares, that the ancient prophet, not the priest, held the office now occupied by the Christian clergyman. In an edition of the New Testament, printed in 1571, a woman is mentioned as pastor of a church."
Dr. Leland rather angrily exclaimed, " Where is your proof? Show me the text. What has become of that edition?"
" Sir, is it not probable that very many editions of the New Testament have been published unknown to yourself? I presume that the passage, to which I have referred, in the edition of 1574, was slyly expunged by the jealous male pastors, who were unwilling that women should possess equal honors with themselves. Sir, I am very calm. I am no wild fanatic. I entertain no feelings of animosity toward my brethren, but I do demand my share of the freedom which they enjoy. The sexes differ in physical strength. Let man hew the forest, plough the field, rig the ship. Let woman tend the child, fahricate the garment, perform the household labor. Let the mechanical work of life be thus divided. But, in every sphere which claims the extended exercise of intellect, woman has an equal right. The medical profession has now opened to those females whose inclination thus leads. No woman, who wishes to be a physician, will now be obliged to follow the example of Agnodice. Instruction is freely offered. I firmly believe that, ere long, the other professions, the various kinds of business, all offices of trust and emolument, will be thus accessible. Then woman will not be compelled to toil in some humble sphere for a contemptible pittance, nor to live as a dependent upon the bounty of others."
" My dear Adelaide, pray return to the regions of common sense. You almost wholly overlook the grand sphere of your sex. A woman should marry, assist her husband, and take care of her children."
"But, consider a moment, how far the women outnumber the men ! For very many, a single's life is unavoidable. Shall they be excluded from every dignified profession save that of teaching? This is indeed a noble office, but it does not accord with the taste of all. "What would our liberally educated men say, if school-teaching were the only employment for the exercise of their power? What shall all these single women do? Rather than sew for a maintenance, I would become a common servant, and labor hard from morning till night. What other occupation is offered to thousands of indigent women, than the frightful monotony of the needle ? Many unmarried ladies are qualified, or would easily become so, if the opportunity were given them, for the high stations monopolized by men. Do you reply, that the professions are already crowded? What does that prove? Have we not a right to our share ? Besides, a good proportion of the present holders are incompetent, despite their education. Their minds were not worthy of high culture. Think of unskillful physicians, sending their hapless victims to the grave ! Look at lawyers, as incapable of an argument, as if they had never heard a discussion, nor perused a single treatise on logic ! Hear the heavy-brained clergymen, whose chief virtue is that of developing the spirit of forbearance in their martyred hearers !"
"My child, you distress me beyond measure. I should be sadly grieved to know that any delicate woman of my acquaintance was exposed to the stare of an audience, to the observation of the rude multitude."
"Think a moment, sir. The distinguished Hypatia, who excelled even the most illustrious male teachers of one of the celebrated schools of philosophy in the ancient world ; who was regarded as an oracle by the people ; who was consulted, on important occasions, by the governor of Alexandrea, was never the subject of coarse insult, was never guilty of any thing unbecoming a modest woman. I doubt whether the spirit of bigotry and of jealousy, which caused her cruel death, is yet extinct. I would have no ignorant person of either sex teach in public."
"Leaving the army of single women, for whom you appear so deeply concerned, do you think it decorous that a wife, a mother, should have such prominence before the world ? How could she fulfill the duties prescribed for her by God ?"
"I see not why married women should not have leisure for public life, as well as for the foolish, miscellaneous objects which often make such a draught upon their time. "Why should not a woman, an educated woman, deliver a lecture as well as hear one ?"
With a look of mingled horror and disgust, the clergyman answered, "Words can not express my emotions, when I think of a woman, so evidently made for private life, exposed to public gaze. Keflect also upon her physical organization. What compass of voice can she boast?"
" Among men, it is not always the powerful voice which commands the most attention. But, sir, voice depends upon cultivation. In a large hall, Fanny Kemble can make the most remote auditor hear every word that she utters. Respecting your views of the mother's peculiar office, did not Mrs. Fry, despite her large family, spend a great deal of time in lecturing ? She was comparatively wealthy. She was not compelled to devote her whole time to bodily labor. The poor mother of many children, all dependent on her exertions for comfort, is generally incompetent for extensive usefulness. We do not expect the common housewife to teach, any more than the common farmer or mechanic. When a woman has been able to procure aid in the requisite household labor; or, when, although not rich, her domestic toil has only served as needful exercise, and has not encroached upon her opportunities for mental improvement, what objection can be raised if she also choose to fill a public sphere ?"
Could you have seen the singular expression of Dr. Leland's countenance, as, after a moment's pause, he looked up with the air of one about to offer an unanswerable argument, you would have smiled, even had your mind been absorbed in serious thought.
"Adelaide, two persons might reason upon a subject for years, and neither of them succeed in convincing the other. Why waste our time and strength in disputing, when we can have a ' Thus saith the Lord?'"
" I will not grant that you have any such authority for your views."
"My child, how will you explain those passages in the New Testament which require that women should be silent in the public meeting?"
" I explain them in this way. The Bible contains much that was intended for mankind, even from the time of the record till the end of the world. It also contains much that was designed merely for the passing age. You admit that Christians are not bound by the Mosaic law. They look upon those prolix details in the Pentateuch, as a curious record of the course of training to which God subjected His ancient people. The doctrines promulgated in the early days of the Christian church, were designed to be permanent. Truth is eternal. But habits and customs vary. A mere conventional law would be received by one age, and discarded by another. I believe that the rule which the apostle gave, demanding the silence of women in the public meeting, was founded, not on the law of God, but on the prevailing usages of the times. Have not other primitive injunctions been rejected? For instance, ' Greet one another with a holy kiss.' This kind of salutation was then universal. Church members could thus manifest their affection without any infraction of decorum. But an attempt to comply with that direction would now be highly indecorous. What is proper in one age, is improper in another. Women may now speak with propriety. Kisses - promiscuous - may not now be allowed. Society changes its views."
Had you but seen Dr. Leland's visage ! Anger he would have evinced, had he not been overpowered by a sense of the ludicrous. The spectacle of the youthful sisters of his flock, fleeing from the proffered kisses of the brethren, flitted before his mental vision. As soon as he could speak, he replied, in tones scarcely audible, " My dear Adelaide, I feel constrained to say, with Mrs. Malaprop, 'Much thought does not become a young woman !' "
What further proof of Dr. Leland's wisdom I should have heard, I am unable to determine. At that moment, Minnie re-entered the room, exclaiming, " Captain Wilmot says that Adelaide can not stay this afternoon. Her aunt Louisa has come from Dorchester."
Accordingly, I bade adieu to the clergyman, and hastened home to meet my aunt.
Author (aside.) That dialogue shall form the conclusion to "Delia's Doctoks." (End)