Newspaper Page Text
4
MB ‘ Su I
For Woman’s Work.
A BIT OF ANTIQUITY.
UR future prospects for govern
| ment, as suggested by Bellamy
in his “Looking Backward,” re-
O
mind us very forcibly of the
Spartan government in the tjme of
Lycurgus; in fact, so closely ao they com
pare, we can but infer that the latter
was suggested by the former, and this re
minds us again of the old adage that
“there is nothing new under the sun.” We
know that Lycurgus took up the govern
mental reins under peculiar circumstances,
and that although he was greatly beloved
—almost divinifled—he held the sceptre
only about eight months; afterwards*,
though not king in name, he had absolute
control of affairs until his death, and his
laws were rigidly enforced for many cen
turies.
His first step was to annul the old consti
tution, and make a new one which consist
ed of two kings reigning jointly, and a sen
ate of twenty-eight members, having equal
authority with the kings, but at the same
time acting as a kind of check-rein
against any infringement of the laws on
their side; preserving a proper balance by
supporting the kings against the possible
encroachment of the people, also protect
ing the people against the undue influence
of the regal power. The people, too, had
the of deciding upon certain ques
tions proposed; that is. not being able to
originate, they could accept or reject what
was submitted to them through the senate
and two kings. This, of c> urse, put con
siderable power into the hands ot the peo
ple; so with a view to counterbalancing
the p >wer thus committed to this legisla
tive body, five ai nusl magistrates were
appointed, wh<'se office it was to keep an
eve on the people, lest they be unduly in
fluenced by the aristocracy.
Sparta, we are told, was at that ti ne
overrun with impoverished people, while
the bulk of wealth, as in our times, was in
the hands of a few. Lycurgus deter
mined to do away with all this inequality,
to annul all such laws, and make new
ones in such a manner that the citizens
might be absolutely equal in their posses
sions, as well as in their modes of living;
so that those ambitious of distinction
might pursue virtue, as “no difference
was left between them than that which
arises from the dishonor of base actions,
and the praise of good ones.”
He accordingly made nine thousand lots
of the territory of Sparta, to be distributed
among that number of citizens, while for
the rest of Laconia, he made thirty thou
sand lots, one being assigned to each citi
zen. These parcels of land were capaci
tated to produce about seventy bushels
of grain for each man, and twelve for
each woman besides a necessary quantity
of wine and oil. This was considered suf
ficient to sustain good health, which was
all that was necessary.
To effectually banish the love of wealth,
Lycurgus prohibited the use of gold or
silver money, allowing only iron to be
used for coin, to which was affixed the
lowest possible value. For example, for a
citizen to lay up one hundred and fifty
dollars, it was necessary to have a whole
loom in which to store it, or a yoke of oxen
to haul it about; this, of course, put an end
to all pillaging and stealing, for who could
get away with such cumbersome booty
without detection ? Besides, this currency
did not pass in other countries, so there
were no foreign commodities brought in,
to tempt the would-be purchaser, no ships
unloading in the ports attractive novelties;
they must needs get to work or do without,
so they very naturally turned their atten
tion to the workmanship of necessary fur
niture and the like, for their own comfort
and convenience.
They partook of food in common, and
such as was provided by the government;
not at their own houses, either, but at a
common eating hall, from ten to fifteen at
each table. They were permitted, how
ever, to select their table-mates; if a per
son should desire to change his seat to join
some more congenial and convivial table,
he applied for admission, and was
elected or blackballed, as the case might be.
Merriment was very much encouraged,
even among small children. We learn
from Sosibins that there was a statue to
Laughter in every hall. However, no
foolish or insipid conversation
wa§xdlowed. The Spartans were usually
short arid sententious in their conversa
tions, reaching* the point aimed at in
very few words, which usually struck the
mind of the hearer forcibly. They were
not without considerable humor, but were
quite famous for their well-directed
apothegms. Nobody was allowed to eat at
home or come to table without an appetite;
these were jeered at, and called effemi
nate. This arrangement was for both rich
and poor; not even the kings were exempt.
The table was provided on this wise:
Every person was obliged to send in to
the general booking department per
month, a bushel of meal, eight gallons of
wine, five pounds of cheese, two and a
half pounds of figs and a little money to
get an occasional»bit of fresh meat for a
relish. If anyone happened to kill a buck
or a rabbit, or a brace or so of birds, he
was required in part of the same
to the general tables, but was himself per
mitted on those occasions to sup at home,
and enjoy the fruitWof his labors in the
bosom of his own family. But these oc
casions were rare, they at all other times
taking their supper at the mess hall, and
going dutifully home and to bed without
lights—the latter to accustom themselves
to going abroad on darkest nights, without
any inconvenience.
Theatricals and such similar modes ot
entertainment had no countenance ; ex
ercise and temperance made the physician
an unnecessary adju* ct; their integrity
a- d virtue lett no practice for the lawyers;
and all trades atte' dant upon luxury ano
affluence were dissolved. Agriculture,
a'd such mechani' al work as was neces
sary, devolved upon the Helots or slaves,
who lived in a very miserable condition,
and in abject servility. * I
II wr-ver, every Spartan wasjcompelled
to perform regular service not’ for him
self but for his country, his duties being
principally military ones, from which he
was exempted after the age of forty—alter
which time he was in a measure super
annuated. a d lived on the public.
The women were encouraged in all
health-promoting exercises, such as
running, dancing, wrestling, etc., with a
view to making their bodies strong and
vigorous. Marriage was not considered a
failure in those days, but greatly en
couraged ; a bachelor was held up to open
scorn and contempt,,treated with jeers and
insolence from every quarter—even from
small children. Indeed, a man who did
not marry upon reaching a certain age
was liable to prosecution. One Dercyl
lides, an eminent commander, but un
fortunately not a Benedict, coming up to
a crowd of youths, supposing they would
rise on his approach in acknowledgment
of his years and dignity, was taunted by a
young individual ■’'ho refused manifestly
to budge with: ‘“Youhave no child to give
place to me when I am old.”
The women were not allowed to marry
until perfectly matured, at which time
they were neither bought nor sacrificed,
as there was nothing to gain or lose, but
their own choice and preference alone was
consulted; or, rather the man’s choice,
for I think the women accepted the situa
tion, whether agreeable to their fancy or
otherwise.
The man who possessed three children
had great immunities, while those with
five or six were released from all taxes.
Their education, however, was only such
as was calculated to make them endure,
fight and conquer, if such should ever be
necessary—for they were a peace-loving
people.
So we see, in a very great measure, what
Mr. Bellamy has suggested as almost the
dawn of the millennium for us, was enjoyed,
or I would say endured, by the ancient
Spartans for five or six consecutive cen
turies. Bessie May Tobin.
Virtue is the recompense of the brave.
Are you always ready to distribute
good cheer, sweet thoughts and tender
remembrances?
WOMAN’S WORK.
HERITAGE.
[CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.]
“Ah, my Heritage, more than all the
world beside, my child I”
She went to the piano, and played
a low and plaintive air; then she sang
—sang as she had never sung before, and,
Icoking at her. Mr. Ray wondered if the
mere leaving of Italy was moving her to
sing with such tender passion and pathos.
She was singing a little German song,
which he had never heard before; softly,
sweetly she sang, more to herself than for
her father. He looked at her in amaze
ment. She looked like a great white rose,
sitting there singing in the soft mellow
light.
The song was finished, the last note
played. “I do not like German songs, as a
rule, but this one seems to suit me par
ticularly; do you like it, papa?”
“It is very sweet, Heritage; a trifle sad,
but perhaps it Was the manner in which
you sang it, my dear.”
“I am tired, papa, and I think we both
need rest, for our journey begins very soon
in the morning. I trust you will” sleep
well. Wake me early.” With a
fond kiss, she bade< him good-night,
and went to her room, but not to sleep.
No, Heritage did not sleep ; she sat down
by the window and looked out upon the
beautiful, still night. The summer night
winds gently kissed her face, the perfume
of the flowers played about her, as though
tending her. She threw her lithe, young
arms over her head, and smiled to herself.
The smile was one of wonder and mys
tery, mixed with indifference; she seemed
to be drifting, drifting away, away I
After awhile her lovely head drooped,
her eyes closed, she tell asleep; and sleep
ing, she dreamed:
She saw the garden brilliantly and gayly
illuminated with myriads of many colored
lights, glistening and sparkling, appearing
and disappearing. Trees sighed, fountains
played and clattered about the tiny little
pebbles that lay at their base. •
Suddenly she saw a man; he appeared to
be young, but she could not see his face.
There was something mysterious about
him, and he fascinated her; all women
love mystery—their souls delight in it.
There was an air of indifferent languor
about him that charmed her as she lodged
at him.
“Ah, I have found you at last; anrj, you
are mine—all mine.now, my Heritage#"
sajd in a low, seductive voice. “Come
now with me; see the pale, sulphur moon,
shedding her silver rays around us; come
my own my adored one, follow me.”
Her long brown hair has fallen in a
heavy tangle about her form. “Come my
sweetheart,” he says tenderly, alluringly,
‘come with me; see, I have prepared the
way ”
They walk out into the beautiful night.
The stars twinkle and smile..,the moon
laughs good-naturedly; flowen/glance love
to one another; the night-bird sings her
exquisite trill in the tree tops, and the
burden of Ler refrain is love, love 1 They
walk on and on, unmindful of the circum
ambient beauties. What need have they
for flowers, lights, trees, birds ? Have they
not love? Is not that sufficient? Away
with-those exterior qualities I
“My Heritage, you are more than beau
tiful; ah, see the drooping eyelids—what
magnificent eyes they hide; and those lips,
so full and round and scarlet 1 My own
forever!” They come now to a small
lake, clear as crystal.
“Let us stop here, Heritage, this is our
boat; step in, fair one. Sit there, my well
beloved; now turn your head that way
again ; ah, that is it. How beautiful you
are, Heritage; to look at you were most
supernal bliss, and to feel you present—ah,
dear one, lay your soft white arms about
my neck, and let me know that you are
mine. Ah I you are Perfection’s own
child, with all her beauties and graces.
‘ Our boat is fit for gods, all gold and
silver. It is drawn by seven white doves.
See, Heritage, the doves draw us over the
water; this first is Ganymede, the next
Fauna, the third to the left Adonis, and
one in front of Ganymede, Hero, the next
Janus, the next, Helle, and the foremost
one, the most beautiful of all, I have named
for you—Heritage.”
“You are too good,” she murmurs, raising
her face, radiant with content, to his.
She cannot talk, her joy is so complete; all
she asks is the music of his voice.
“My Heritage, I have you with me now,
lam satisfied. Kiss me with those divine
lips ; how perfect you are I I could wish
that life were one long, eternal ride over
these waters, with you by my side. Be
think you, dear, how it would be—how
exiled joy would come with hands ready
to fill our glad commands; how love, the
deathless, starry-eyed, would come and
keep us undenied- All our pulses, oh, my
sweet, would thrill with summer I” Now
the doves begin to sing. What cel
music they make! On and on they,,,
over the shining waters; how calm \ -■-
is, how ecstatic; the rush of the clear
waters —how musical!
Hark! what is this ? The song ceases,
the doves scatter and fly away, frightened
and angry; their hisses rend the air, the
dainty barque rocks from side to side, the
waters gleam hideously black; the stars
no longer shine; the moon is hidden be
hind a cloud. Darkness everywhere, the
boat is tossing about, the turbulent waters
moan and rush with a terrible roar. •
“My love!” she cries.
And his voice is low and sad as he
answers: “My Heritage!”
The water penetrates to her warm flesh,
she raises her hands as if to stay it. Lo,
she awakes—it is all a dream. She looks
at her watch; only four o’clock, but she
sleeps no more.
“How loving and tender he was! Oh,
if I could only have seen his face,” she
murmurs softly to herself.
[to be continued.]
For Woman’s Work. *
KNACK.
If we turn to the dictionary we find that
“knack” means dexterity, readiness. I
litfi* the word, as applied to certain
womanly qualities, better than the oft-used
New England “faculty”—which really
may have the same meaning with a dif
ference.
The short, sharp monosyllable seems
adapted to a woman equal to any every
day occurence or household emergency.
Mrs. Browning uses the little word with
graceful strength, when speaking of
women she says:
“They know asimple, merry, tender knack
Os tying sashes, fitting baby shoes,
And stringing pretty words that make no sense,
And kissing full sense into empty words.”
And what cannot the woman perform
who has knack in her brains and at her
finger ends? Put her into the most ordi
nary, even shabby, room and in ten
minutes she will ncanage, somehow, to
diffuse an indescribable air of order, com
fort, even elegance over what, before her
entrance, appeared but four walls with
(Jut the scantiest of furnishing.
She knows how to arrange furniture so
that the thin place in the carpet is out of
sight; she tempers the light, and the
faded sofa is in becoming shadow. She
moves a chair here or there, and gives a
hospitable, inviting air to what seemed
but a seat. With a bit of lace or ribbon,
a bright cushion, or a fancy rug, she
converts some tiny spare chamber into a
tempting resting place.
The housewife with “knack” is pos
sessed of enviable capital. Out of scanty
materials she will concoct dainty,appetizing
dishes; or, if she is daunted in the attempt
to make “something out of nothing,” she
will so arrange her meagre table as to
conceal deficiencies in tare by the tasteful
disposition of her dishes, or the daintiness
of her napery. She will not even forget to
increase the beauty of her own toilet, as I
know of one woman doing in a domestic
emergency.
It is the woman with knack who “gaes
auld claes look amaist as weel’s the new.”
Given some odd widths of worsted, silk
or velvet, and she evolves a “combination”
suit which may bring upon her the slan
der of extravagance. While her neigh
bors variously estimate the probable cost
of the pretty trifle which adorns her head,
she only knows where the lace and flow
ers cover the piecing, and how many dol
lars her dextrous fingers have saved her.
In a cabin or mansion the woman with
knack knows how to make the most of her
possessions. Her quick perception readily
discovers, and she does not despise the
smallest agency which may aid her to
adorn or to make comfortable her family,
her person or her house.
In “The Complete Home” Mrs. Wright
has drawn in “Miriam” a picture of the
woman possessed of knack.
Then my sister—whoever you are,
maiden or matron—with knack, you have
a womanly gift beyond the value of gold,
a gift which will serve to brighten and
adorn a home, or a single room, in a man
ner which treasures of wealth, lacking
tasteful, dextrous knack—are unable to
do. Lucy Randolph Fleming.
Lynchburg, Va.
The path of a good woman is indeed
strewn with flowers; but they rise behind
her steps, not before them.— Ruskin.
It is a mistake for a woman to try to
prove to men her great knowledge and
superior intellect. They enjoy an intellect
ual woman, but the/ do not like to have
her force her brains and learning upon
them.— Elia Wheeler Wilcox.