THE REAL ESTATE OF WOMAN.
DEAR PUNCHINELLO: We would not for the World—no, nor even for PUNCHINELLO—cast any reproaches upon the vigorous movement made in these latter days to find the real estate of woman; but why, tell us why, should we find enlisted in this cause at present, as members of the various Sorosis-ters, so many single sisters with pretensions to youth?
We have always looked upon the champions of woman's righteousness, those who believe in the fee-male absolute as the real estate of woman, as principally married women, whose housekeeping has proved a failure, (except in the single item of hot water,) and certain ladies who have lived to mature age without reference to men, and whom no man would take even with the best of reference.
There surely must be something wrong, somewhere, when those in the younger walks of age take on this armor.
Where is the need?
Why should they who have never had their young lives blighted by a husband linger pathetically over the tyranny of the sterner sex?
Instead of shedding all these tears over other people's husbands, they ought rather to rejoice that they have been spared such inflictions in the past, and give exceeding great thanks that they are beyond danger of such in the future.
There may be other young women (if I may so speak) who are so heart-broken because of the oppression of their sex, as wives, so disgusted with the state matrimonial under the present constitution of society, that they would not marry—oh! no.
Now, we all remember the cogent reason why John refused to partake of his evening repast, and we assure these young persons that they have nothing whatever to fear. The danger is past, and they are safe beyond the possibility of a peradventure.
They are not the kind that men devour. And yet we can not help feeling pity for them; their experience has been trying, but in vain; they know what it is "to suffer and be strong"-minded; they have learned "to labor and to wait," and it is well; for in all probability they will wait for some time.
It may be that the poor creatures are afflicted by the thought that perhaps they may be called upon to make warning examples of themselves, and marry; and that perhaps the man they marry may be a tyrant, and—but the contingency is too remote.
Some tell us that their youthful ardor is to uphold the standard of woman's mission: they want to work.
Well, all we can say is—go it! for under the circumstances, with no one to work for them, the best possible thing they can do is to work for themselves. But couldn't they do more, or at least as much, without so much noise? If they only had plenty to do, and not so much spare time to talk about what they are going to do, wouldn't they be better off, and poor frail man be the gainer thereby?
If they could only resolve upon such a course, and stick to it, don't you think they would receive more aid, material and moral?
Many would gladly contribute of their substance in such a cause, with overflowing hearts; and the world of man will gladly guarantee to those who avow their determination not to marry, entire immunity from any temptation in that direction.
As to the rest—those weak creatures who will be satisfied with good husbands and broad home-missions—they know no better; they will continue to move in their limited spheres, benighted but happy, and every thing will be satisfactory.
Lawyers tell us that since the statutes of 1848, a woman's real estate has been within her own control; we take a broader view: we think it always has been within her own control by virtue of that old first statute given to our gentle mother, EVE.