1864.] gQj^ [Price. 



abstemiousness, so different from the husband of Asiatic habits, or 

 of Roman customs and manners, with their shockinp; facilities of di- 

 vorce, the trusted and faithful wife held a most influential place in 

 the family, as well as became a counsellor in public affairs. Hither, 

 then, and to this rude age, it is believed, we may mainly trace the 

 origin of that different treatment of women which has distinguished 

 Northern and Western Europe, during all her historic period, from 

 all the rest of the world, and which has largely contributed to place 

 that smallest of the four continents in the front rank of the world's 

 civilization; a sentiment and treatment which must continue to in- 

 fluence the world while the human race shall last. 



It could not be otherwise than that woman should have attained 

 to an exalted influence among the ancient inhabitants of Germany, 

 when we further read from Tacitus how closely her ftite was allied 

 to her husband's and what was her participation in his achievements. 

 "They fight in clans, he says, united by consanguinity, a family of 

 warriors. Their tenderest pledges are near them in the field. In the 

 heat of the engagement, the soldier hears the shrieks of his wife and 

 the cries of his children. These are the darling witnesses of his con- 

 duct, the applauders of his valor, at once beloved and valued. The 

 wounded seek their mothers and their wives. Undismayed at the 

 sight, the women count each honorable sear, and suck the gushing 

 blood. They are even hardy enough to mix with the combatants, 

 administering refreshment, and exhorting them to deeds of valor. 

 From tradition they have a variety of instances of armies put to the 

 rout by the interposition of their wives and daughters again incited 

 to renew the charge. Their women saw the ranks give way, and 

 rushing forward in the instant, by the vehemence of their cries and 

 supplication, by opposing their breasts to danger, and by representing 

 the horrors of slavery, restored the order of battle. To a German 

 mind the idea of a woman led into captivity is insupportable. In 

 consequence of this prevailing sentiment, the states which deliver as 

 hostages the daughters of illustrious families, are bound by the most 

 effectual obligation." (Mannersof the Germans, vii, viii.) 



When the migratory nations in and from Germany, became fixed 

 to localities by an appropriation of the soil and its use in agriculture, 

 under the feudal system, and subject to its military services, which 

 in England were only terminated by statute in 1660, the condition 

 of private families became the more secure, and more subject to the 

 meliorating influences of the mother, wife, and sister, so long as they 



