Old Grumble on "Woman's Rights."

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 114, 19 March 1891, Page 3

Old Grumble on "Woman's Rights."

• Shakespeare, . in -Richard 111, says •* She is a woman, and therefore, to be ■won." -Then women were of a more pliant disposition in those days, or else he knew nothing about them. Grumble says/. "* He is a man, and therefore to be done,": and asks, " What ordinary man is there who has tried conclusions by matrimony, with one, that will aver such is not the case?" Generally, however, man submits with pleasure to the arch trickster who charms as she spoliates, tickling his vanity with the title of " My Master," a, title unsubstantial, as he finds when his wishes come in conflict with her will, and when she asserts her "Woman's rights." "Woman's rights ! "What rights are so respected? Mrs Grumble, ; were the rights of meir but half so well regarded, what a world of miser v would be saved; strikes would then , cease ; '" the boycott be unknown ; coercion acts, and arbitrary laws die with the despotism which gives them birth; and workhouses; be chariged to palaces wherein every integerof; the state ■might claim in age to rest without abasement. : . ',■ : .>■••■;;; .•.■■":' •■.■•■;;•■. • > ", '■"'■ The rights of woman are never more upheld than by that -man she deems her tyrant ;i with him it is a sacred trust, for: he looks upon her as the connecting link betwixt him and heaven ;. a something he can confide; and repose in : after! the day's buffetfcirig with the world is done. "Woman 18 man 's angel, not -that it is wise to lei her know it. I never called you one, Mrs Grumble, lest 7 ypu should grow discon- J tented^ Discpnt'entment changed angels into fiends, and woman by desiring to invade the province of man, loses all that is adorable in her, for rivalry is opposed to love. ■■■..-■- •.-'■•-. ■ '"What do you say, Mrs Grumble? That women should be enfranchised— by all means; and be allowed to sit in parliament too ; but 'that ■ being granted she must be prepared' to act as a juror also. Now, fancy yourself being on a panel \ with other eleven people, all men, and they obstinate old . fogies; who will not agree, and being • compelled to be locked up with them all night. The thought is monstrous, and only -to be exceeded by that of one poor wretched man,; acutely sensitive of the responsible duty he is called upon to perform, being empanelled with eleven females who have formed a different opinion to his. His conscience will not allow him to alter his decision, and in : consequehce they all are incarcerated till morning. What a night he would have of it ! The revilings and upbraidings he would be subjected to the live-long night thrpugh. If he survived it what a washed-out appearance he would present to the judge next "morning. Pity leads Old Grumble to draw a. veil o'er the thescene. :;'' ' /,''. No, woman is at her best when she acts within . her sphere. While, men can look upon her as something softer'j gentler, and mpreibeautiful, than; himself, he will. pay her homage ; : but .when she,^aspires to man's estate she must be prepared to come in contact with the coarser part of his mature— at least such is the opinion of " : Old Giiumble.