登陆注册
15402300000013

第13章

Among the ancient Britons we find, in like manner, that the women were accustomed to vote in the public assemblies.The rude and imperfect institution of marriage, and the community of wives, that anciently took place in Britain, must have prevented the children from acquiring any considerable connexion with their father, and have disposed them to follow the condition of their mother, as well as to support her interest and dignity.

When a woman, by being at the head of a large family, is thus advanced to influence and authority, and becomes a sort of female chief, she naturally maintains a number of servants, and endeavours to live with suitable splendour and magnificence.In proportion to her affluence, she has the greater temptation to indulge her sensual appetites and, in a period when the sexes are but little accustomed to control or disguise their inclinations, she may, in some cases, be led into a correspondence with different male retainers, who happen to reside in her family, and over whom she exercises an authority resembling that of a master.

The above remark may account for what is related by historians; that, in some provinces of the ancient Median empire, it was customary for women to entertain a number of husbands, as in others, it was usual for men to entertain a number of wives or concubines.The dominion of the ancient Medes comprehended many extensive territories; in some of which, the inhabitants were extremely barbarous; in others, no less opulent and luxurious.

This unusual kind of polygamy, if I may be allowed to use that expression, is established at present upon the coast of Malabar,(23*) as well as in some cantons of the Iroquois in North America; and though there is no practice more inconsistent with the views and manners of a civilized nation, it has in all probability been adopted by many individuals, in every country where the inhabitants were unacquainted with the regular institution of marriage.(24*)It is highly probable, that the celebrated traditions of the Amazons, inhabiting the most barbarous regions of Scythia, and the relations of a similar people in some parts of America, have arisen from the state of manners now under consideration.Though these accounts are evidently mixed with fable, and appear to contain much exaggeration, we can hardy suppose that they would have been propagated by so many authors, and have created such universal attention, had they been entirely destitute of real foundation.In a country where marriage is unknown, females are commonly exalted to be the heads of families, or chiefs, and thus acquire an authority, which, notwithstanding their inferiority in strength, may extend to the direction of war, as well as of other transactions.So extraordinary a spectacle as that of a military enterprise conducted by women, and where the men acted in a subordinate capacity, must have filled the enemy with wonder and astonishment, and might easily give rise to those fictions of a female republic, and of other circumstances equally marvellous, which we meet with in ancient writers.

Ducit Amazonidum lunatis agmina peltis Pentheslea furens, mediisque in milibus ardet, Aurea subnectens exertae cingula mammae, Bellatrix, audetque viris concurrere virgo.

Section III

The refinement of the passions of sex, in the pastoral ages When we examine the circumstances which occasion the depression of the women, and the low estimation in which they are held, in a simple and barbarous age, we may easily imagine in what manner their condition is varied and improved in the subsequent periods of society.Their condition is naturally improved by every circumstance which tends to create more attention to the pleasures of sex, and to increase the value of those occupations that are suited to the female character; by the cultivation of the arts of life; by the advancement of opulence;and by the gradual refinement of taste and manners.From a view of the progress of society, in these respects, we may, in a great measure, account for the diversity that occurs among different nations, in relation to the rank of the sexes, their dispositions and sentiments towards each other, and the regulations which they have established in the several branches of their domestic economy.

The invention of taming and pasturing cattle, which may be regarded as the first remarkable improvement in the savage life, is productive of very important alterations in the state and manners of a people.

A shepherd is more regularly supplied with food, and is commonly subjected to fewer hardships and calamities than those who live by hunting and fishing.In proportion to the size of his family, the number of his flock may in some measure be increased;while the labour which is requisite for their management can never be very oppressive.Being thus provided with necessaries, he is led to the pursuit of those objects which may render his situation more easy and comfortable; and among these the enjoyments derived from the intercourse of the sexes claim a principal share, and become an object of attention.

同类推荐
  • 佛说观无量寿佛经

    佛说观无量寿佛经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 径中径又径

    径中径又径

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 夜宿黑灶溪

    夜宿黑灶溪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 任诞

    任诞

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 太上灵宝五符序

    太上灵宝五符序

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 以退为进,太子的天定缘

    以退为进,太子的天定缘

    “朕这几个儿子,各个皆有帝王之才,就是将其他人贬为庶民,将来也难保被有野心的朝臣扶起。一山难容二虎,身为皇子,这就是他们的命!即使最后只能剩下一个,这也是命!”“如果先皇后还在,朕也许没有这么儿子。”“太子是朕认为最符合当前形势的未来国君,有手段有目的也有仁善,但倘若时局有大变动,他未必最合适。朕也可以拉他下去!朕谋的是江山!”“朕不会再犯先皇那样的错误!没有野心的皇子,守不住千秋霸业!与其待朕百年之后让他们分裂国土,倒不如在朕还有实力之时,坐视他们如何分胜负!”********一个读书识礼的善良姑娘,莫名背上‘得此女子得天下’之名,被卷入皇子斗争,遇到几个命中与之纠缠不清的人,共同成长蜕变的故事。太子:阳刚,身负未来国君重任,有责任有压力,感情慢半拍,太晚才捋清自己的感情。大皇子:腹黑,五行缺爱,满腹算计,感情至少慢了一拍。文阔:执着,感情细腻且浪漫,只是看过一眼她的画,就知道那是他要找的人。树欲静而风不止,当皇子们的争斗从开始的一点小心机,变成手足相残,拼死搏斗,谁中谁的计,谁是谁的棋?谁是最终胜出的那一个?********本文中心思想:一、女人要自强,有实力才能与强者并肩。二、责任和自私,得到和失去,进和退,总是难两全。本文由故事情节推动情感发展,有烧脑,有甜蜜,有搞笑,有虐,有狗血三观正,无肉,喜欢的请收藏。
  • 河西史探

    河西史探

    《河西史探》作者闫廷亮潜心研究河西历史十余年,对书中涉及的主要问题都能在充分占有基本史料和考古资料的基础上,并通过认真梳理前人研究成果,进行了深入细致的论述,发表了自己独到的见解。在研究中,作者把着力点放在北朝隋唐河西历史方面,对相关史学界已有关注但仍存在争议的问题作了令人信服的辨析,一定程度上澄清了前人在此问题上的歧异。同时,《河西史探》还对学术界在河西历史文化研究中很少涉猎的问题进行了较为深入的探讨,具有开拓性。
  • 盖世邪仙

    盖世邪仙

    九州八域,群雄争霸。圣、妖、魔三修鼎立,战争不断。一个普通的少年,得上古大神传承,逆乱阴阳,改天换地。
  • 影王记

    影王记

    《影王记》外传《魔血誓缘》在纵横隆重开书!薛昆的消失,甘欣紫的出现,影王的传说,真王的力量。一纸婚约,一次邂逅,完美的月空之下,少年步踏虚空,九字诀屠神灭魔。“我用整个世界为你造一座大坟,希望你愿意居住。”
  • 创世神之重返神界

    创世神之重返神界

    一个创世神重神界到下界再到神界的故事。PS:我会毁掉你们的世界观。求收藏
  • 学渣逆袭在校园

    学渣逆袭在校园

    作品简介;从小都是孤儿的他,有幸被一位什么老者相救,并且传授他武功,医术,书法,算卦,琴棋书画,样样精通,终于在他成人礼上16岁。参加科举考试,并且荣获榜首状元,但是当朝朝廷腐败,奸臣当道,让他身陷于桃色事件-意图玷污皇帝的妃嫔。所以皇帝龙颜大怒,派御林军对他进行抓捕!终于在龙门山跳下悬崖...却意外重生在21世纪的吴宇翔身上,和他名字一模一样的人。是一所中学的学生,清纯可爱的校花,纯真乖巧的妹妹、冷艳的女总裁妖娆动人。艳光四射北方有佳人,绝世而独立、成熟性感的女房东,受伤的初恋爱人。制服诱惑的护士,空姐....因为吴宇翔的附身,这个在21世纪的吴宇翔学渣而变得多姿多彩,享尽齐人之福....
  • 校草大人住我家

    校草大人住我家

    “童丹丹你个笨蛋。”——欧瀧“我才不笨呢!”——童丹丹“我喜欢你!”——欧瀧“啊?”——童丹丹“还说不笨!”——欧瀧“欧瀧你给我站住。”——童丹丹
  • 魂影录

    魂影录

    仙居九天,魔潜九渊,人居凡尘;仙因九天而出尘,魔因九渊而暴戾;人呢?可化仙,可成魔!却不知,一念为仙,一念成魔!
  • 检察官在古代

    检察官在古代

    现代检察官穿越到古代,成为王爷的小妾,爹不疼,娘不爱,哥哥不喜,看检察官如何翻身农奴把歌唱。本文慢热,女主非万能,只是一步步在古代实现自己的理想。
  • 丘陵学院:公主王子大作战

    丘陵学院:公主王子大作战

    [准备新书中。]什么作战?爱情战!赢了狂欢几十天,输了霸王硬上弓。某重要之夜,某汐翻墙逃跑,某伊玩起躲猫猫,某荨把门锁上。某熙把人拽回,“夏小姐,为何逃跑?”“今天的夜好美。”某辰捂嘴咳嗽,“干嘛打我?”“手痒。”某轩踹开房门,“锁门作甚?”“这门质量不行。”那夜过后……“昨晚干什么?”三男疑问。“老公太强势,我怕吃不消。”“没试过你怎么懂?”“老公太宠,我嫌烦。”“那以后你宠我。”“生孩子很疼。”“那以后我来生。”