About Womankind.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 239, 28 January 1888, Page 2

About Womankind.

The proverbs of most countries are rich in all subjects relating to women, although frequently they are far from complimentary. Acpording to a welWcnown Italian adage, " Whatever a woman will, she can," a saying which has its equivalent in other countries. Hence, too> we are warned how— The man's a fool -who thinks by force or skill To stem, the torrent of a woman's will. For if she will, she will, you may depend on't: And if shewon'tshe won't, and there Ban end on t. The notion that a woman cannot keep a secret is embodied i.i many a proverb, and is alluded to by Shakspere, who makes Hotspur aay to Ins wife in " Henry IV.":Constanfc vo'i arr, But yet a woman ; aad for secrecy No lady closer ; for I well believa Thou wilt not utter what thou ddat not know. And so far I wili'trust thee, gentle Kate. Similarly the Spanish are wont to say " To a woman and a magpie tell what you would speak in the market-place." But this, it musb be admitted, is an unfair reproach. Try her on the subject of her age. The industry of women has long ago become proverbial, as in the couplet : — The woman that's honest, her chiefest delight Is still to bo doing from morning till night. With which we may compare the common maxim, "A woman's work is never at an end," On the other hand, it was formerly said of the woman who, after being a busy, industrious maid, became an indolent wife, " She hath broken her elbow at the church door." Another adage affirmed hpw— The vrifo that expects to have a good name Is always at homo, as it she wore lame.