The Delicious Vice Part 7

Let this be said--even though it be only a jest--one of those smart attempts at epigram, which, ladies, a man has no more power to resist than a baby to resist the desire to improve his thumb by sucking it--that: whenever you find a woman who looks real--that is, who produces upon a real man the impression of being endowed with the splendid gifts for united and patient companions.h.i.+p in marriage--whenever you find her advocating equal suffrage, equal rights, equal independence with men in all things, you may properly run away.

Equality means so much, dear sisters. No man can be your equal; you can not be his, without laying down the very jewels of the womanliness that men love. Be thankful you have not this strength and daring; he possesses those in order that he many stand between you and more powerful brutes. Now, let us try for a smart epigram: But no! hang the epigram, let it go. This, however, may be said: That, whenever you find a woman wanting all rights with man; wanting his morals to be judged by hers, or willing to throw hers in with his, or itching to enter his employments and labors and willing that he shall--of course--nurse the children and patch the small trousers and dresses, depend upon it that some weak and timid man has been neglecting the old manly, savage duty of applying quiet home murder as society approves now and then.