VIII.MR. MCKIMBER RISES TO EXPLAIN.
YES, there is too much “green pine” in the lives of some women; but then, on the other hand, there is equally too much “light wood” in the lives of others. Mrs. Fennel remarked, in the course of the kindling conversation, that sometimes her wood-pile would be all “logs and sog,” and next thing ’twould be all “light stuff,” and that what you want is to have both together. You want good solid wood to keep the fire agoing; and you want dry pine to make a flash. I gathered from the talk, however, that this ideal wood-pile is seldom found in Tweenit. “If they could all be shaken up together,” said Mrs. Melendy, meaning wood-piles, “they would all come out about right.” And I suppose it is somewhat so with the lives of women. Some are mostly “green pine;” and some are mostly “light stuff:” if they all could be shaken up together, they all would come out about right.
No concern of mine? Why do I interest myself so much in woman’s life and woman’s work? Attend to my own affairs? Why, that is just what I am doing. I have discovered from my late course of reading that woman is my “affair.” Am I not, as one of the dominant sex, placed in authority over her? Are not her interests in my keeping? Have I not, with others like me, to make the laws which govern her? and to see that she obeys them? and to punish her, if she does not? and to regulate the taxes on her property? and to say what studies she may pursue, and what profession, if any, she may adopt?
And, more than all this, I have, to some degree, the care of her conscience. For instance, if she be doubtful as to the wrongfulness of her rising to speak in prayer-meeting, or in the pulpit, or on the platform, it is my province to decide for her. And, as she is intellectually unable to interpret what the Scriptures have to say on this point, it is my clearer head, as one of the clearer heads of the dominant sex, which must bring out the meaning, and place it where she can see it. And if, after being thus morally and intellectually enlightened, the Spirit move her so strongly, that she must rise and speak, then I, with others in authority, must compel her to silence. Woman?Shedoesn’t know what is bestfor herself.Shedoesn’t know, in all cases, right from wrong. Fortunately, she has in man an unerring guide.
My own affairs indeed! It is the affair of all in authority, I should think, to acquaint themselves with the condition of their subjects, in order to legislate wisely, and above all justly. Some of those old Eastern rulers, I believe, used to go among their people in disguise, for this very purpose. Well, so am I a ruler in disguise, acquainting myself with the condition of those over whom I am set in authority; and my disguise is the robe of indifference.
And besides all this, besides being spiritual adviser, instructor, and ruler, I may (though the idea is amusing, and its fulfilment by no means probable),—I may, it is not impossible, be a husband also. And my wife may ask me a question. She will, if she is good; for, if there be one single plain text of Scripture, it is that which bids a woman, if she wants to know any thing, ask her husband at home. And I, for one, mean to take some notice of women, so as to find out beforehand what manner of questions a wife will be likely to ask, lest, not having my answers ready, I be brought to shame. By the way, does not educating women at all rather“go agin that text o’ Scripter,” to use Mr. David’s expression?
Now comes still another consideration, and a very serious one. It is certainly my business to see that woman is fitted for the training of children, because, in this republican country, women’s sons will all help to rule the land. Princes of royal households, it is well known, are cared for from their births with the utmost solicitude. Here every family is a royal household, and every boy is a prince. Every girl is not a princess; but she may become the mother of a prince.
Now, who has the charge of all these royal childrenat the time when their characters are forming? Who gives the first direction to the minds of those who will in time control the affairs of our country? Woman. And it is my business as an American citizen to learn what are her qualifications for an office of such responsibility.
It was this last consideration which induced me to listen so attentively to my friends at Piper’s Mills, and to my friends at the sewing-circle, when the talk ran upon children; for it bore directly on a theory of mine. I suppose every scientist has a theory connected with his science. My theory connected with my science is this: that a mother’s chief duty is the taking care of her children. I believe that she should prepare herself solemnly for this duty, and that she should have every possible facility for its performance.
How came I by this theory? I came by it through the newspapers. I never took up one that did not have news to tell of dishonest clerks, corrupt officials, of drunkenness, theft, and murder. And I would say to myself, “Oh, how much badness there is in this dear country! And how do so many people become so bad?”
And one day I went, with my theory upon me, into Mrs. Fennel’s kitchen, where I found thewomen-folk in a state of great consternation. The cakes were all fried for tea; but the salt had been forgotten. “Sprinkle some over them,” said I; “’twill strike through, won’t it?” “Oh, no!” said Mrs. Fennel. “The salt must be mixed into the dough at the beginning of it.”
“There,” thought I, “that’s the very ‘figure of speech’ I want! Yes, it comes just right. Let salt stand for goodness, and dough for the children. The goodness must be mixed in at the beginning of it: it is too late when the world has baked the dough up into men and women. It will be of no use then sprinkling it on outside: it won’t strike through. All this illustrates my theory exactly. Yes, yes, mix it in at the beginning: that’s it! And mothers must do it.”
This point being settled, there arise three questions; namely, Is she qualified for this duty? Has she facilities for performing it? Does she feel that it is her chief duty?