I make no question that
there are some happy marriages. But a relation which affords such
peculiar opportunities for cruelty to women, must sooner or later
disappear. No doubt the time will come when marriage will be deemed a
relic of barbarism, and a bridal veil be exhibited as one of the mock
decorations of the unhappy victims. Human nature in man is not good
enough to be trusted with such a responsibility as the happiness of
woman. Let Bachelors of Arts, on our parchments, suggest to us our duty
to aid, through our example, as well as by words, in breaking this
dreadful yoke, bidding those innocent young women who are now, perhaps,
fearfully looking at us as their future oppressors, to be forever free.
In the language of young Hamlet: 'I say, we will have no more
marriages.'"
* * * * *
Just before dark one evening, I was sitting in my room, meditating on
the great theme which absorbs my thoughts. My eye was caught by the
bright bolt of my door-lock, the part of the bolt between the lock and
the catch showing, beyond question, that the door was fastened. Some one
on the outside had turned a key upon me.
I had the self-possession to be quiet, for my mind had been calmed by
reflecting, in that twilight hour, that now one more day of toil for the
poor slaves was over.
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