THE REAL CHARACTER OF WOMAN. LORDS, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN, I thank you for that respite which you have afforded me, so necessary to the effort of continued exertion. And I crave, if possible, even more and more of your kind consideration, since I have now to commence the most difficult portion of my lecture THE REAL CHARACTER OF WOMAN. Reality is such a plain matter-of-fact quality, as scarcely to admit of any digression of fancy, either in the use of phrases, metaphors, or words: so that an orator, when confined to plain and simple statements, is apt to be considered insipid, on account of that very sameness of style which he is compelled to use in the narration of realities. A lawyer, when pleading earnestly in his clients cause, may make use of a thousand digressions, in order to establish more forcibly the strength of the position he maintains: but, a lecturer upon real character, has a much more difficult task to perform, since, to give effect to his address, he must totally dismiss the ideal which is considered so entertaining, and run the risk of sameness in the face of an enlightened audience. We have, however, even heavenly gifts and graces in earthen vessels, and in all, save in Him, in whom there was no sin, the dross of imperfection will ever be found commingled with the golden ore. This must not prevent our using our utmost endeavours to extract the precious metal and to purify, and refine it (I am speaking mentally) and give it that stamp of sovereign authority which is to make it pass current among men for its true value. According to the proposed tenor of my lecture, I am to consider the Historical, the Biographical, and the Practically Christian Character of Woman. The former opens to our view a wide field of contemplation, even the History of the World—and there is no portion of that history in which woman has not had her share and influence. The Biographical, though elaborate, may be confined to more modern times. And the Practically Christian Character, to the experience of every man, who is not ashamed to confess, how much he has been and is indebted to the gentler services of that sex, who whether in the daily routine of domestic life, or in the exercise of those higher duties of public or private charity, ever has been man's best help-meet, without which, society would soon become as selfish as solitude, and man, as great a monster, as a certain literary lady has represented him to be. In considering the historical character of woman, we must refer to the very earliest date of her existence, even to our Mother Eve. The talented Authoress of Woman and her Master, has taken a most comprehensive view of the character of woman, both from sacred and profane sources. It would be injustice in any man not to appreciate highly the easy style of her composition, however much he may differ with her in judgment. And no sound theologian can fail to differ in judgment with one, who makes man a mere drudge from his creation, and woman a far superiorly gifted and intellectual creature. “To the male, to Adam,” says this lady, "it appears, was assigned a first task of corporeal performance, for he was placed in the garden of Eden, to dress and to keep it. To the female, to Eve was permitted the first exercise of mind, in that call made upon her intellect, by one, who sought to influence human actions by intellectual means, though for an evil purpose."-Vide Woman and her Master. Chapter I. So, this lady goes on to prove that woman was a creature of far more inquiring intellect, lifted above the littleness of earthly occupation, because she suffered the sophistry of the serpent to beguile her into transgression, with his vain disputation concerning the Word of God; yes, more intellectual than man whose occupation was to cultivate the beautiful garden of Eden. She must either ignorantly or intentionally forget, that long before woman was created, man had a highly intellectual occupation assigned to him by the Almighty giver of the mind, |