
300 KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 
WOMAN’S MISSION. 
WE HAVE NOT HESITATED to express our 
admiration of the women of America, on a 
multitude of occasions. We consider them 
very far superior in mind to our own country- 
women. Indeed, judging from the enormous 
demand amongst us for sterling American 
publications, that fact speaks for itself. We 
only regret that ‘“ fashion” so strictly pro- 
hibits our English women being possessed of 
amind. It would seem to be, and evidently 
is, aheinous crime. Vainly does one seek, 
now-a-days, for a “ companion” in the fair 
sex. She is “all out-side.” 
We speak not of our “clever women,” 
““ blue-stockings,” &c. These wandering 
stars are, for the most part, as “empty” as 
the rest, because they step out of their 
allotted sphere. Purely ephemeral, they are 
feared, not loved; associated with, but little 
esteemed. Few of them are amiable in private 
life ; and for very obvious reasons. 
We love women to “think ;” to be able to 
converse; and to have an opinion of their 
own,—but not to lord it over the public. 
Their knowledge should not be openly pa- 
raded; but used, as occasion may offer, in 
private. Then will they be suitable com- 
panions for the domestic hearth. 
The following observations, by Miss Les- 
lie, an American writer of repute, are well 
worthy attention. She says, in her “ Manual 
for Ladies :’— 
It is very injudicious for ladies to attempt 
arguing with gentlemen on political or financial 
topics. All the information that a woman can 
possibly acquire or remember on these subjects is 
s0 small, in comparison with the knowledge of 
men, that the discussion will not elevate them in 
the opinion of masculine minds. Still, it is well 
for a woman to desire enlightenment, that she may 
“comprehend ”’ something of these discussions, 
when she hears them from the other sex. There- 
fore, let her listen as understandingly as she 
can, but refrain from controversy and argument 
on such topics as the grasp of a female mind is 
seldom capable of seizing or retaining. Men are 
very intolerant towards women who are prone to 
contradiction and contention, when the talk is of 
things considered out of their sphere; but very 
indulgent toward a modest and attentive listener, 
who only asks questions for the sake of infor- 
mation. 
Men like to dispense knowledge; but few of 
them believe that, in departments exclusively 
their own, they can profit much by the suggestions 
of women. It is true there are and have been 
women who haye distinguished themselves greatly 
in the higher branches of science and literature, 
and on whom the light of genius has clearly de- 
scended. But can the annals of woman produce 
a female Shakspeare, a female Milton, a Gold- 
smith, a Campbell, or a Scott? What woman has 
painted like Raphael or Titian, or like the best 
artists of our own times? Mrs. Damer and 
Mrs. Siddons had a talent for sculpture; so had 





Marie of Orleans, the accomplished daughter of 
Louis Phillippe. Yet, what are the productions of 
these talented ladies compared to those of Thor- 
waldsen, Canova, Chantrey, and the master chisels 
of the great American statuaries ? 
Women have been excellent musicians, and have 
made fortunes by their voices ; but is there among 
them a Mozart, a Bellini, a Michael Kelly, an 
Auber, a Boildieu? Has a woman made an im- 
provement on steam-engines, or on anything con- 
nected with the mechanical arts? And yet these 
things have keen done by men of no early educa- 
tion—by self-taught men. A good tailor fits, cuts 
out, and sews better than the most celebrated 
female dress-maker. A good man-cook far excels 
a good woman-cook. 
Whatever may have been their merits as assist- 
ants, women are rarely found who are very suc- 
cessful at the head of any establishment that 
requires energy and originality of mind. Men 
make fortunes, women make livings. And none 
make poorer livings than those who waste their 
time, and bore their friends by writing and lec- 
tnring upon the equality of the sexes, and what 
they call ‘Women’s Rights.” How is it that 
most of these ladies live separately from their 
husbands—either despising them, or being despised 
by them ? 
Truth is, the female sex is really as inferior to 
the male in vigor of mind as in strength of body ; 
and all arguments to the contrary are founded 
on a few anomalies, or based on theories that 
can never be reduced to practice. Because there 
was a Joan of Arc, and an Augustina of Sara- 
gossa, should females expose themselves to all the 
dangers and terrors of ‘ the battle-field’s dreadful 
array?” The women of the American revolution 
effected much good to their country’s cause, with- 
out encroaching upon the province of its brave 
defenders. They were faithful and patriotic; but 
they left the conduct of that tremendous struggle 
to abler heads, stronger arms, and sterner hearts. 
There is sound sense in the view here 
taken of woman’s capacity, by Miss Leslie. 
In her own proper sphere,—home, a woman 
shines supremely bright; but when she dons 
the masculine, and usurps a power to which 
she has no just pretension, then does she at 
once forfeit all claim to love or reverence. 
THE PRIMROSE IN AUTUMN. 

Tue solitary Primrose hath come back 
To haunt the green nooks of her happy Spring. 
Alas! it is a melancholy thing 
Thus to return, and vainly strive to track 
The playmates of our youth! Whither have fled 
The sweet companions of her vernal hours ? 
The bee, the infant leaves, the golden flowers, 
That heard the Cuckoo’s music as he sped 
O’er hill and dale—whither have they departed ? 
And the blithe birds—have they too passed 
away ? 
All, save the darkling wren, whose plaintive lay 
Just tells the hermitess is broken-hearted. 
Go then, pale flower, and hide thy drooping head, 
For ef eh spring-time friends are changed, or 
ead. 
R. F. Housman. 

