Warisadreadfulthing；butitdoesprovetwopointssharplyandunanswerably——numbers，andanunnaturalvalor。Onedoesdiscoverthetwourgentmatters；howmanyrebelstherearealive，andhowmanyarereadytobedead。Butatinyminority，evenaninterestedminority，maymaintainmeredisorderforever。Thereisalso，ofcourse，inthecaseofthesewomen，thefurtherfalsitythatisintroducedbytheirsex。
Itisfalsetostatethematterasamerebrutalquestionofstrength。
Ifhismusclesgiveamanavote，thenhishorseoughttohavetwovotesandhiselephantfivevotes。Thetruthismoresubtlethanthat；
itisthatbodilyoutbreakisaman\'sinstinctiveweapon，likethehoofstothehorseorthetuskstotheelephant。Allriotisathreatofwar；butthewomanisbrandishingaweaponshecanneveruse。
Therearemanyweaponsthatshecouldanddoesuse。If（forexample）
allthewomennaggedforavotetheywouldgetitinamonth。
Butthereagain，onemustremember，itwouldbenecessarytogetallthewomentonag。Andthatbringsustotheendofthepoliticalsurfaceofthematter。TheworkingobjectiontotheSuffragettephilosophyissimplythatovermasteringmillionsofwomendonotagreewithit。
Iamawarethatsomemaintainthatwomenoughttohavevoteswhetherthemajoritywantsthemornot；butthisissurelyastrangeandchildishcaseofsettingupformaldemocracytothedestructionofactualdemocracy。
WhatshouldthemassofwomendecideiftheydonotdecidetheirgeneralplaceintheState？ThesepeoplepracticallysaythatfemalesmayvoteabouteverythingexceptaboutFemaleSuffrage。
Buthavingagainclearedmyconscienceofmymerelypoliticalandpossiblyunpopularopinion，Iwillagaincastbackandtrytotreatthematterinaslowerandmoresympatheticstyle；
attempttotracetherealrootsofwoman\'spositioninthewesternstate，andthecausesofourexistingtraditionsorperhapsprejudicesuponthepoint。Andforthispurposeitisagainnecessarytotravelfarfromthemoderntopic，themereSuffragetteoftoday，andtogobacktosubjectswhich，thoughmuchmoreold，are，Ithink，considerablymorefresh。
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II
THEUNIVERSALSTICK
Castyoureyeroundtheroominwhichyousit，andselectsomethreeorfourthingsthathavebeenwithmanalmostsincehisbeginning；
whichatleastwehearofearlyinthecenturiesandoftenamongthetribes。Letmesupposethatyouseeaknifeonthetable，astickinthecorner，orafireonthehearth。Abouteachoftheseyouwillnoticeonespeciality；thatnotoneofthemisspecial。
Eachoftheseancestralthingsisauniversalthing；
madetosupplymanydifferentneeds；andwhiletotteringpedantsnoseabouttofindthecauseandoriginofsomeoldcustom，thetruthisthatithadfiftycausesorahundredorigins。
Theknifeismeanttocutwood，tocutcheese，tocutpencils，tocutthroats；foramyriadingeniousorinnocenthumanobjects。
Thestickismeantpartlytoholdamanup，partlytoknockamandown；
partlytopointwithlikeafinger-post，partlytobalancewithlikeabalancingpole，partlytotriflewithlikeacigarette，partlytokillwithlikeaclubofagiant；itisacrutchandacudgel；
anelongatedfingerandanextraleg。Thecaseisthesame，ofcourse，withthefire；aboutwhichthestrangestmodernviewshavearisen。
Aqueerfancyseemstobecurrentthatafireexiststowarmpeople。
Itexiststowarmpeople，tolighttheirdarkness，toraisetheirspirits，totoasttheirmuffins，toairtheirrooms，tocooktheirchestnuts，totellstoriestotheirchildren，tomakecheckeredshadowsontheirwalls，toboiltheirhurriedkettles，andtobetheredheartofaman\'shouseandthathearthforwhich，asthegreatheathenssaid，amanshoulddie。
Nowitisthegreatmarkofourmodernitythatpeoplearealwaysproposingsubstitutesfortheseoldthings；andthesesubstitutesalwaysansweronepurposewheretheoldthingansweredten。Themodernmanwillwaveacigaretteinsteadofastick；hewillcuthispencilwithalittlescrewingpencil-sharpenerinsteadofaknife；andhewillevenboldlyoffertobewarmedbyhotwaterpipesinsteadofafire。
Ihavemydoubtsaboutpencil-sharpenersevenforsharpeningpencils；
andabouthotwaterpipesevenforheat。Butwhenwethinkofallthoseotherrequirementsthattheseinstitutionsanswered，thereopensbeforeusthewholehorribleharlequinadeofourcivilization。
Weseeasinavisionaworldwhereamantriestocuthisthroatwithapencil-sharpener；whereamanmustlearnsingle-stickwithacigarette；
whereamanmusttrytotoastmuffinsatelectriclamps，andseeredandgoldencastlesinthesurfaceofhotwaterpipes。
TheprincipleofwhichIspeakcanbeseeneverywhereinacomparisonbetweentheancientanduniversalthingsandthemodernandspecialistthings。Theobjectofatheodoliteistolielevel；
theobjectofastickistoswinglooseatanyangle；towhirlliketheverywheelofliberty。Theobjectofalancetistolance；
whenusedforslashing，gashing，ripping，loppingoffheadsandlimbs，itisadisappointinginstrument。Theobjectofanelectriclightismerelytolight（adespicablemodesty）；andtheobjectofanasbestosstove……Iwonderwhatistheobjectofanasbestosstove？
Ifamanfoundacoilofropeinadeserthecouldatleastthinkofallthethingsthatcanbedonewithacoilofrope；
andsomeofthemmightevenbepractical。Hecouldtowaboatorlassoahorse。Hecouldplaycat\'s-cradle，orpickoakum。
Hecouldconstructarope-ladderforanelopingheiress，orcordherboxesforatravellingmaidenaunt。Hecouldlearntotieabow，orhecouldhanghimself。Farotherwisewiththeunfortunatetravellerwhoshouldfindatelephoneinthedesert。Youcantelephonewithatelephone；youcannotdoanythingelsewithit。
Andthoughthisisoneofthewildestjoysoflife，itfallsbyonedegreefromitsfulldeliriumwhenthereisnobodytoansweryou。
Thecontentionis，inbrief，thatyoumustpullupahundredroots，andnotone，beforeyouuprootanyofthesehoaryandsimpleexpedients。
Itisonlywithgreatdifficultythatamodemscientificsociologistcanbegottoseethatanyoldmethodhasalegtostandon。
Butalmosteveryoldmethodhasfourorfivelegstostandon。
Almostalltheoldinstitutionsarequadrupeds；andsomeofthemarecentipedes。
Considerthesecases，oldandnew，andyouwillobservetheoperationofageneraltendency。Everywheretherewasonebigthingthatservedsixpurposes；everywherenowtherearesixsmallthings；or，rather（andthereisthetrouble），therearejustfiveandahalf。Nevertheless，wewillnotsaythatthisseparationandspecialismisentirelyuselessorinexcusable。IhaveoftenthankedGodforthetelephone；
ImayanydaythankGodforthelancet；andthereisnoneofthesebrilliantandnarrowinventions（except，ofcourse，theasbestosstove）whichmightnotbeatsomemomentnecessaryandlovely。ButIdonotthinkthemostaustereupholderofspecialismwilldenythatthereisintheseold，many-sidedinstitutionsanelementofunityanduniversalitywhichmaywellbepreservedinitsdueproportionandplace。
Spiritually，atleast，itwillbeadmittedthatsomeall-roundbalanceisneededtoequalizetheextravaganceofexperts。
Itwouldnotbedifficulttocarrytheparableoftheknifeandstickintohigherregions。Religion，theimmortalmaiden，hasbeenamaid-of-all-workaswellasaservantofmankind。
Sheprovidedmenatoncewiththetheoreticlawsofanunalterablecosmosandalsowiththepracticalrulesoftherapidandthrillinggameofmorality。Shetaughtlogictothestudentandtoldfairytalestothechildren；itwasherbusinesstoconfrontthenamelessgodswhosefearsareonallflesh，andalsotoseethestreetswerespottedwithsilverandscarlet，thattherewasadayforwearingribbonsoranhourforringingbells。Thelargeusesofreligionhavebeenbrokenupintolesserspecialities，justastheusesofthehearthhavebeenbrokenupintohotwaterpipesandelectricbulbs。
Theromanceofritualandcoloredemblemhasbeentakenoverbythatnarrowestofalltrades，modemart（thesortcalledartforart\'ssake），andmenareinmodernpracticeinformedthattheymayuseallsymbolssolongastheymeannothingbythem。
Theromanceofconsciencehasbeendriedupintothescienceofethics；whichmaywellbecalleddecencyfordecency\'ssake，decencyunbornofcosmicenergiesandbarrenofartisticflower。
Thecrytothedimgods，cutofffromethicsandcosmology，hasbecomemerePsychicalResearch。Everythinghasbeensunderedfromeverythingelse，andeverythinghasgrowncold。
Soonweshallhearofspecialistsdividingthetunefromthewordsofasong，onthegroundthattheyspoileachother；
andIdidoncemeetamanwhoopenlyadvocatedtheseparationofalmondsandraisins。Thisworldisallonewilddivorcecourt；
nevertheless，therearemanywhostillhearintheirsoulsthethunderofauthorityofhumanhabit；thosewhomManhathjoinedletnomansunder。
Thisbookmustavoidreligion，buttheremust（Isay）
bemany，religiousandirreligious，whowillconcedethatthispowerofansweringmanypurposeswasasortofstrengthwhichshouldnotwhollydieoutofourlives。
Asapartofpersonalcharacter，eventhemodernswillagreethatmany-sidednessisameritandameritthatmayeasilybeoverlooked。
Thisbalanceanduniversalityhasbeenthevisionofmanygroupsofmeninmanyages。ItwastheLiberalEducationofAristotle；
thejack-of-all-tradesartistryofLeonardodaVinciandhisfriends；
theaugustamateurishnessoftheCavalierPersonofQualitylikeSirWilliamTempleorthegreatEarlofDorset。Ithasappearedinliteratureinourtimeinthemosterraticandoppositeshapes，settoalmostinaudiblemusicbyWalterPaterandenunciatedthroughafoghornbyWaltWhitman。Butthegreatmassofmenhavealwaysbeenunabletoachievethisliteraluniversality，becauseofthenatureoftheirworkintheworld。
Not，letitbenoted，becauseoftheexistenceoftheirwork。
LeonardodaVincimusthaveworkedprettyhard；ontheotherhand，manyagovernmentofficeclerk，villageconstableorelusiveplumbermaydo（toallhumanappearance）noworkatall，andyetshownosignsoftheAristotelianuniversalism。
Whatmakesitdifficultfortheaveragemantobeauniversalististhattheaveragemanhastobeaspecialist；
hehasnotonlytolearnonetrade，buttolearnitsowellastoupholdhiminamoreorlessruthlesssociety。
Thisisgenerallytrueofmalesfromthefirsthuntertothelastelectricalengineer；eachhasnotmerelytoact，buttoexcel。
NimrodhasnotonlytobeamightyhunterbeforetheLord，butalsoamightyhunterbeforetheotherhunters。
Theelectricalengineerhastobeaveryelectricalengineer，orheisoutstrippedbyengineersyetmoreelectrical。
Thoseverymiraclesofthehumanmindonwhichthemodernworldpridesitself，andrightlyinthemain，wouldbeimpossiblewithoutacertainconcentrationwhichdisturbsthepurebalanceofreasonmorethandoesreligiousbigotry。
Nocreedcanbesolimitingasthatawfuladjurationthatthecobblermustnotgobeyondhislast。Sothelargestandwildestshotsofourworldarebutinonedirectionandwithadefinedtrajectory：thegunnercannotgobeyondhisshot，andhisshotsooftenfallsshort；theastronomercannotgobeyondhistelescopeandhistelescopegoessuchalittleway。
Allthesearelikemenwhohavestoodonthehighpeakofamountainandseenthehorizonlikeasingleringandwhothendescenddowndifferentpathstowardsdifferenttowns，travelingsloworfast。
Itisright；theremustbepeopletravelingtodifferenttowns；
theremustbespecialists；butshallnoonebeholdthehorizon？
Shallallmankindbespecialistsurgeonsorpeculiarplumbers；
shallallhumanitybemonomaniac？Traditionhasdecidedthatonlyhalfofhumanityshallbemonomaniac。IthasdecidedthatineveryhomethereshallbeatradesmanandaJack-ofall-trades。Butithasalsodecided，amongotherthings，thattheJackof-all-tradesshallbeaGill-of-all-trades。Ithasdecided，rightlyorwrongly，thatthisspecialismandthisuniversalismshallbedividedbetweenthesexes。
Clevernessshallbeleftformenandwisdomforwomen。
Forclevernesskillswisdom；thatisoneofthefewsadandcertainthings。
Butforwomenthisidealofcomprehensivecapacity（orcommon-sense）
mustlongagohavebeenwashedaway。Itmusthavemeltedinthefrightfulfurnacesofambitionandeagertechnicality。
Amanmustbepartlyaone-ideadman，becauseheisaone-weaponedman——andheisflungnakedintothefight。
Theworld\'sdemandcomestohimdirect；tohiswifeindirectly。
Inshort，hemust（asthebooksonSuccesssay）give\"hisbest\"；
andwhatasmallpartofaman\"hisbest\"is！Hissecondandthirdbestareoftenmuchbetter。Ifheisthefirstviolinhemustfiddleforlife；hemustnotrememberthatheisafinefourthbagpipe，afairfifteenthbilliard-cue，afoil，afountainpen，ahandatwhist，agun，andanimageofGod。
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III
THEEMANCIPATIONOFDOMESTICITY
Anditshouldberemarkedinpassingthatthisforceuponamantodeveloponefeaturehasnothingtodowithwhatiscommonlycalledourcompetitivesystem，butwouldequallyexistunderanyrationallyconceivablekindofCollectivism。UnlesstheSocialistsarefranklyreadyforafallinthestandardofviolins，telescopesandelectriclights，theymustsomehowcreateamoraldemandontheindividualthatheshallkeepuphispresentconcentrationonthesethings。Itwasonlybymenbeinginsomedegreespecialistthatthereeverwereanytelescopes；theymustcertainlybeinsomedegreespecialistinordertokeepthemgoing。
ItisnotbymakingamanaStatewage-earnerthatyoucanpreventhimthinkingprincipallyabouttheverydifficultwayheearnshiswages。
Thereisonlyonewaytopreserveintheworldthathighlevityandthatmoreleisurelyoutlookwhichfulfilstheoldvisionofuniversalism。
Thatis，topermittheexistenceofapartlyprotectedhalfofhumanity；
ahalfwhichtheharassingindustrialdemandtroublesindeed，butonlytroublesindirectly。Inotherwords，theremustbeineverycenterofhumanityonehumanbeinguponalargerplan；onewhodoesnot\"giveherbest，\"butgivesherall。
Ouroldanalogyofthefireremainsthemostworkableone。
Thefireneednotblazelikeelectricitynorboillikeboilingwater；
itspointisthatitblazesmorethanwaterandwarmsmorethanlight。
Thewifeislikethefire，ortoputthingsintheirproperproportion，thefireislikethewife。Likethefire，thewomanisexpectedtocook：nottoexcelincooking，buttocook；tocookbetterthanherhusbandwhoisearningthecokebylecturingonbotanyorbreakingstones。Likethefire，thewomanisexpectedtotelltalestothechildren，notoriginalandartistictales，buttales——
bettertalesthanwouldprobablybetoldbyafirst-classcook。
Likethefire，thewomanisexpectedtoilluminateandventilate，notbythemoststartlingrevelationsorthewildestwindsofthought，butbetterthanamancandoitafterbreakingstonesorlecturing。
Butshecannotbeexpectedtoendureanythinglikethisuniversaldutyifsheisalsotoendurethedirectcrueltyofcompetitiveorbureaucratictoil。Womanmustbeacook，butnotacompetitivecook；
aschoolmistress，butnotacompetitiveschoolmistress；
ahouse-decoratorbutnotacompetitivehouse-decorator；adressmaker，butnotacompetitivedressmaker。Sheshouldhavenotonetradebuttwentyhobbies；she，unliketheman，maydevelopallhersecondbests。
Thisiswhathasbeenreallyaimedatfromthefirstinwhatiscalledtheseclusion，oreventheoppression，ofwomen。
Womenwerenotkeptathomeinordertokeepthemnarrow；
onthecontrary，theywerekeptathomeinordertokeepthembroad。
Theworldoutsidethehomewasonemassofnarrowness，amazeofcrampedpaths，amadhouseofmonomaniacs。
ItwasonlybypartlylimitingandprotectingthewomanthatshewasenabledtoplayatfiveorsixprofessionsandsocomealmostasneartoGodasthechildwhenheplaysatahundredtrades。
Butthewoman\'sprofessions，unlikethechild\'s，werealltrulyandalmostterriblyfruitful；sotragicallyrealthatnothingbutheruniversalityandbalancepreventedthembeingmerelymorbid。
ThisisthesubstanceofthecontentionIofferaboutthehistoricfemaleposition。Idonotdenythatwomenhavebeenwrongedandeventortured；butIdoubtiftheywereevertorturedsomuchastheyaretorturednowbytheabsurdmodernattempttomakethemdomesticempressesandcompetitiveclerksatthesametime。
Idonotdenythatevenundertheoldtraditionwomenhadahardertimethanmen；thatiswhywetakeoffourhats。
Idonotdenythatallthesevariousfemalefunctionswereexasperating；
butIsaythattherewassomeaimandmeaninginkeepingthemvarious。
Idonotpauseeventodenythatwomanwasaservant；butatleastshewasageneralservant。
TheshortestwayofsummarizingthepositionistosaythatwomanstandsfortheideaofSanity；thatintellectualhometowhichthemindmustreturnaftereveryexcursiononextravagance。
Themindthatfindsitswaytowildplacesisthepoet\'s；
butthemindthatneverfindsitswaybackisthelunatic\'s。Theremustineverymachinebeapartthatmovesandapartthatstandsstill；
theremustbeineverythingthatchangesapartthatisunchangeable。
Andmanyofthephenomenawhichmodernshastilycondemnarereallypartsofthispositionofthewomanasthecenterandpillarofhealth。
Muchofwhatiscalledhersubservience，andevenherpliability，ismerelythesubservienceandpliabilityofauniversalremedy；
shevariesasmedicinesvary，withthedisease。Shehastobeanoptimisttothemorbidhusband，asalutarypessimisttothehappy-go-luckyhusband。ShehastopreventtheQuixotefrombeingputupon，andthebullyfromputtinguponothers。
TheFrenchKingwrote——
\"ToujoursfemmevarieBienfolquis\'yfie，\"
butthetruthisthatwomanalwaysvaries，andthatisexactlywhywealwaystrusther。Tocorrecteveryadventureandextravagancewithitsantidoteincommon-senseisnot（asthemodernsseemtothink）tobeinthepositionofaspyoraslave。
ItistobeinthepositionofAristotleor（atthelowest）
HerbertSpencer，tobeauniversalmorality，acompletesystemofthought。Theslaveflatters；thecompletemoralistrebukes。
Itis，inshort，tobeaTrimmerinthetruesenseofthathonorableterm；
whichforsomereasonorotherisalwaysusedinasenseexactlyoppositetoitsown。ItseemsreallytobesupposedthataTrimmermeansacowardlypersonwhoalwaysgoesovertothestrongerside。
Itreallymeansahighlychivalrouspersonwhoalwaysgoesovertotheweakerside；likeonewhotrimsaboatbysittingwheretherearefewpeopleseated。Womanisatrimmer；anditisagenerous，dangerousandromantictrade。
Thefinalfactwhichfixesthisisasufficientlyplainone。
Supposingittobeconcededthathumanityhasactedatleastnotunnaturallyindividingitselfintotwohalves，respectivelytypifyingtheidealsofspecialtalentandofgeneralsanity（sincetheyaregenuinelydifficulttocombinecompletelyinonemind），itisnotdifficulttoseewhythelineofcleavagehasfollowedthelineofsex，orwhythefemalebecametheemblemoftheuniversalandthemaleofthespecialandsuperior。
Twogiganticfactsofnaturefixeditthus：first，thatthewomanwhofrequentlyfulfilledherfunctionsliterallycouldnotbespeciallyprominentinexperimentandadventure；andsecond，thatthesamenaturaloperationsurroundedherwithveryyoungchildren，whorequiretobetaughtnotsomuchanythingaseverything。
Babiesneednottobetaughtatrade，buttobeintroducedtoaworld。
Toputthemattershortly，womanisgenerallyshutupinahousewithahumanbeingatthetimewhenheasksallthequestionsthatthereare，andsomethattherearen\'t。Itwouldbeoddifsheretainedanyofthenarrownessofaspecialist。
Nowifanyonesaysthatthisdutyofgeneralenlightenment（evenwhenfreedfrommodernrulesandhours，andexercisedmorespontaneouslybyamoreprotectedperson）isinitselftooexactingandoppressive，Icanunderstandtheview。
Icanonlyanswerthatourracehasthoughtitworthwhiletocastthisburdenonwomeninordertokeepcommon-senseintheworld。
Butwhenpeoplebegintotalkaboutthisdomesticdutyasnotmerelydifficultbuttrivialanddreary，Isimplygiveupthequestion。
ForIcannotwiththeutmostenergyofimaginationconceivewhattheymean。Whendomesticity，forinstance，iscalleddrudgery，allthedifficultyarisesfromadoublemeaningintheword。
Ifdrudgeryonlymeansdreadfullyhardwork，Iadmitthewomandrudgesinthehome，asamanmightdrudgeattheCathedralofAmiensordrudgebehindagunatTrafalgar。Butifitmeansthatthehardworkismoreheavybecauseitistrifling，colorlessandofsmallimporttothesoul，thenasIsay，Igiveitup；Idonotknowwhatthewordsmean。TobeQueenElizabethwithinadefinitearea，decidingsales，banquets，laborsandholidays；tobeWhiteleywithinacertainarea，providingtoys，boots，sheetscakes。
andbooks，tobeAristotlewithinacertainarea，teachingmorals，manners，theology，andhygiene；Icanunderstandhowthismightexhaustthemind，butIcannotimaginehowitcouldnarrowit。
Howcanitbealargecareertotellotherpeople\'schildrenabouttheRuleofThree，andasmallcareertotellone\'sownchildrenabouttheuniverse？Howcanitbebroadtobethesamethingtoeveryone，andnarrowtobeeverythingtosomeone？No；awoman\'sfunctionislaborious，butbecauseitisgigantic，notbecauseitisminuteIwillpityMrs。Jonesforthehugenessofhertask；
Iwillneverpityherforitssmallness。
Butthoughtheessentialofthewoman\'staskisuniversality，thisdoesnot，ofcourse，preventherfromhavingoneortwoseverethoughlargelywholesomeprejudices。Shehas，onthewhole，beenmoreconsciousthanmanthatsheisonlyonehalfofhumanity；
butshehasexpressedit（ifonemaysaysoofalady）bygettingherteethintothetwoorthreethingswhichshethinksshestandsfor。
Iwouldobservehereinparenthesisthatmuchoftherecentofficialtroubleaboutwomenhasarisenfromthefactthattheytransfertothingsofdoubtandreasonthatsacredstubbornnessonlypropertotheprimarythingswhichawomanwassettoguard。
One\'sownchildren，one\'sownaltar，oughttobeamatterofprinciple——
orifyoulike，amatterofprejudice。Ontheotherhand，whowroteJunius\'sLettersoughtnottobeaprincipleoraprejudice，itoughttobeamatteroffreeandalmostindifferentinquiry。
ButtakeanenergeticmoderngirlsecretarytoaleaguetoshowthatGeorgeIIIwroteJunius，andinthreemonthsshewillbelieveit，too，outofmereloyaltytoheremployers。
Modernwomendefendtheirofficewithallthefiercenessofdomesticity。
Theyfightfordeskandtypewriterasforhearthandhome，anddevelopasortofwolfishwifehoodonbehalfoftheinvisibleheadofthefirm。
Thatiswhytheydoofficeworksowell；andthatiswhytheyoughtnottodoit。
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IV
THEROMANCEOFTHRIFT
Thelargerpartofwomankind，however，havehadtofightforthingsslightlymoreintoxicatingtotheeyethanthedeskorthetypewriter；
anditcannotbedeniedthatindefendingthese，womenhavedevelopedthequalitycalledprejudicetoapowerfulandevenmenacingdegree。
Buttheseprejudiceswillalwaysbefoundtofortifythemainpositionofthewoman，thatsheistoremainageneraloverseer，anautocratwithinsmallcompassbutonallsides。Ontheoneortwopointsonwhichshereallymisunderstandstheman\'sposition，itisalmostentirelyinordertopreserveherown。Thetwopointsonwhichwoman，actuallyandofherself，ismosttenaciousmayberoughlysummarizedastheidealofthriftandtheidealofdignityUnfortunatelyforthisbookitiswrittenbyamale，andthesetwoqualities，ifnothatefultoaman，areatleasthatefulinaman。
Butifwearetosettlethesexquestionatallfairly，allmalesmustmakeanimaginativeattempttoenterintotheattitudeofallgoodwomentowardthesetwothings。
Thedifficultyexistsespecially，perhaps，inthethingcalledthrift；
wemenhavesomuchencouragedeachotherinthrowingmoneyrightandleft，thattherehascomeatlasttobeasortofchivalrousandpoeticalairaboutlosingsixpence。
Butonabroaderandmorecandidconsiderationthecasescarcelystandsso。
Thriftisthereallyromanticthing；economyismoreromanticthanextravagance。HeavenknowsIforonespeakdisinterestedlyinthematter；forIcannotclearlyremembersavingahalf-pennyeversinceIwasborn。Butthethingistrue；economy，properlyunderstood，isthemorepoetic。Thriftispoeticbecauseitiscreative；
wasteisunpoeticbecauseitiswaste。Itisprosaictothrowmoneyaway，becauseitisprosaictothrowanythingaway；
itisnegative；itisaconfessionofindifference，thatis，itisaconfessionoffailure。Themostprosaicthingaboutthehouseisthedustbin，andtheonegreatobjectiontothenewfastidiousandaesthetichomesteadissimplythatinsuchamoralmenagethedustbinmustbebiggerthanthehouse。
IfamancouldundertaketomakeuseofallthingsinhisdustbinhewouldbeabroadergeniusthanShakespeare。Whensciencebegantouseby-products；whensciencefoundthatcolorscouldbemadeoutofcoaltar，shemadehergreatestandperhapsheronlyclaimontherealrespectofthehumansoul。
Nowtheaimofthegoodwomanistousetheby-products，or，inotherwords，torummageinthedustbin。
Amancanonlyfullycomprehenditifhethinksofsomesuddenjokeorexpedientgotupwithsuchmaterialsasmaybefoundinaprivatehouseonarainyday。Aman\'sdefinitedailyworkisgenerallyrunwithsuchrigidconvenienceofmodernsciencethatthrift，thepickingupofpotentialhelpshereandthere，hasalmostbecomeunmeaningtohim。Hecomesacrossitmost（asIsay）
whenheisplayingsomegamewithinfourwalls；whenincharades，ahearthrugwilljustdoforafurcoat，oratea-cozyjustdoforacockedhat；whenatoytheaterneedstimberandcardboard，andthehousehasjustenoughfirewoodandjustenoughbandboxes。
Thisistheman\'soccasionalglimpseandpleasingparodyofthrift。
Butmanyagoodhousekeeperplaysthesamegameeverydaywithendsofcheeseandscrapsofsilk，notbecausesheismean，butonthecontrary，becausesheismagnanimous；becauseshewisheshercreativemercytobeoverallherworks，thatnotonesardineshouldbedestroyed，orcastasrubbishtothevoid，whenshehasmadethepilecomplete。
Themodernworldmustsomehowbemadetounderstand（intheologyandotherthings）thataviewmaybevast，broad，universal，liberalandyetcomeintoconflictwithanotherviewthatisvast，broad，universalandliberalalso。
Thereisneverawarbetweentwosects，butonlybetweentwouniversalCatholicChurches。Theonlypossiblecollisionisthecollisionofonecosmoswithanother。Soinasmallerwayitmustbefirstmadeclearthatthisfemaleeconomicidealisapartofthatfemalevarietyofoutlookandall-roundartoflifewhichwehavealreadyattributedtothesex：
thriftisnotasmallortimidorprovincialthing；itispartofthatgreatideaofthewomanwatchingonallsidesoutofallthewindowsofthesoulandbeinganswerableforeverything。
Forintheaveragehumanhousethereisoneholebywhichmoneycomesinandahundredbywhichitgoesout；
manhastodowiththeonehole，womanwiththehundred。
Butthoughtheverystinginessofawomanisapartofherspiritualbreadth，itisnonethelesstruethatitbringsherintoconflictwiththespecialkindofspiritualbreadththatbelongstothemalesofthetribe。ItbringsherintoconflictwiththatshapelesscataractofComradeship，ofchaoticfeastinganddeafeningdebate，whichwenotedinthelastsection。
Theverytouchoftheeternalinthetwosexualtastesbringsthemthemoreintoantagonism；foronestandsforauniversalvigilanceandtheotherforanalmostinfiniteoutput。
Partlythroughthenatureofhismoralweakness，andpartlythroughthenatureorhisphysicalstrength，themaleisnormallypronetoexpandthingsintoasortofeternity；
healwaysthinksofadinnerpartyaslastingallnight；
andhealwaysthinksofanightaslastingforever。
Whentheworkingwomeninthepoordistrictscometothedoorsofthepublichousesandtrytogettheirhusbandshome，simpleminded\"socialworkers\"alwaysimaginethateveryhusbandisatragicdrunkardandeverywifeabroken-heartedsaint。
Itneveroccurstothemthatthepoorwomanisonlydoingundercoarserconventionsexactlywhateveryfashionablehostessdoeswhenshetriestogetthemenfromarguingoverthecigarstocomeandgossipovertheteacups。Thesewomenarenotexasperatedmerelyattheamountofmoneythatiswastedinbeer；theyareexasperatedalsoattheamountoftimethatiswastedintalk。
Itisnotmerelywhatgoethintothemouthbutwhatcomethoutthemouththat，intheiropinion，defilethaman。
Theywillraiseagainstanargument（liketheirsistersofallranks）
theridiculousobjectionthatnobodyisconvincedbyit；
asifamanwantedtomakeabody-slaveofanybodywithwhomhehadplayedsingle-stick。Buttherealfemaleprejudiceonthispointisnotwithoutabasis；therealfeelingisthis，thatthemostmasculinepleasureshaveaqualityoftheephemeral。Aduchessmayruinadukeforadiamondnecklace；butthereisthenecklace。
Acostermayruinhiswifeforapotofbeer；andwhereisthebeer？
Theduchessquarrelswithanotherduchessinordertocrushher，toproducearesult；thecosterdoesnotarguewithanothercosterinordertoconvincehim，butinordertoenjoyatoncethesoundofhisownvoice，theclearnessofhisownopinionsandthesenseofmasculinesociety。Thereisthiselementofafinefruitlessnessaboutthemaleenjoyments；wineispouredintoabottomlessbucket；thoughtplungesintoabottomlessabyss。
AllthishassetwomanagainstthePublicHouse——thatis，againsttheParliamentHouse。Sheistheretopreventwaste；
andthe\"pub\"andtheparliamentaretheverypalacesofwaste。
Intheupperclassesthe\"pub\"iscalledtheclub，butthatmakesnomoredifferencetothereasonthanitdoestotherhyme。
Highandlow，thewoman\'sobjectiontothePublicHouseisperfectlydefiniteandrational，itisthatthePublicHousewastestheenergiesthatcouldbeusedontheprivatehouse。
Asitisaboutfemininethriftagainstmasculinewaste，soitisaboutfemininedignityagainstmasculinerowdiness。
Thewomanhasafixedandverywell-foundedideathatifshedoesnotinsistongoodmannersnobodyelsewill。
Babiesarenotalwaysstrongonthepointofdignity，andgrown-upmenarequiteunpresentable。Itistruethattherearemanyverypolitemen，butnonethatIeverheardofwhowerenoteitherfascinatingwomenorobeyingthem。
Butindeedthefemaleidealofdignity，likethefemaleidealofthrift，liesdeeperandmayeasilybemisunderstood。
Itrestsultimatelyonastrongideaofspiritualisolation；
thesamethatmakeswomenreligious。Theydonotlikebeingmelteddown；theydislikeandavoidthemobThatanonymousqualitywehaveremarkedintheclubconversationwouldbecommonimpertinenceinacaseofladies。Irememberanartisticandeagerladyaskingmeinhergrandgreendrawing-roomwhetherIbelievedincomradeshipbetweenthesexes，andwhynot。
Iwasdrivenbackonofferingtheobviousandsincereanswer\"BecauseifIweretotreatyoufortwominuteslikeacomradeyouwouldturnmeoutofthehouse。\"Theonlycertainruleonthissubjectisalwaystodealwithwomanandneverwithwomen。
\"Women\"isaprofligateword；Ihaveuseditrepeatedlyinthischapter；butitalwayshasablackguardsound。Itsmellsoforientalcynicismandhedonism。Everywomanisacaptivequeen。
Buteverycrowdofwomenisonlyaharembrokenloose。
Iamnotexpressingmyownviewshere，butthoseofnearlyallthewomenIhaveknown。Itisquiteunfairtosaythatawomanhatesotherwomenindividually；butIthinkitwouldbequitetruetosaythatshedeteststheminaconfusedheap。
Andthisisnotbecauseshedespisesherownsex，butbecausesherespectsit；andrespectsespeciallythatsanctityandseparationofeachitemwhichisrepresentedinmannersbytheideaofdignityandinmoralsbytheideaofchastity。
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V
THECOLDNESSOFCHLOE
Wehearmuchofthehumanerrorwhichacceptswhatisshamandwhatisreal。Butitisworthwhiletorememberthatwithunfamiliarthingsweoftenmistakewhatisrealforwhatissham。
Itistruethataveryyoungmanmaythinkthewigofanactressisherhair。Butitisequallytruethatachildyetyoungermaycallthehairofanegrohiswig。
Justbecausethewoollysavageisremoteandbarbaricheseemstobeunnaturallyneatandtidy。Everyonemusthavenoticedthesamethinginthefixedandalmostoffensivecolorofallunfamiliarthings，tropicbirdsandtropicblossoms。
Tropicbirdslooklikestaringtoysoutofatoy-shop。Tropicflowerssimplylooklikeartificialflowers，likethingscutoutofwax。
Thisisadeepmatter，and，Ithink，notunconnectedwithdivinity；
butanyhowitisthetruththatwhenweseethingsforthefirsttimewefeelinstantlythattheyarefictivecreations；
wefeelthefingerofGod。Itisonlywhenwearethoroughlyusedtothemandourfivewitsarewearied，thatweseethemaswildandobjectless；liketheshapelesstree-topsortheshiftingcloud。
ItisthedesigninNaturethatstrikesusfirst；thesenseofthecrossesandconfusionsinthatdesignonlycomesafterwardsthroughexperienceandanalmosteeriemonotony。
Ifamansawthestarsabruptlybyaccidenthewouldthinkthemasfestiveandasartificialasafirework。
Wetalkofthefollyofpaintingthelily；butifwesawthelilywithoutwarningweshouldthinkthatitwaspainted。
Wetalkofthedevilnotbeingsoblackasheispainted；
butthatveryphraseisatestimonytothekinshipbetweenwhatiscalledvividandwhatiscalledartificial。
Ifthemodernsagehadonlyoneglimpseofgrassandsky，hewouldsaythatgrasswasnotasgreenasitwaspainted；
thatskywasnotasblueasitwaspainted。Ifonecouldseethewholeuniversesuddenly，itwouldlooklikeabright-coloredtoy，justastheSouthAmericanhornbilllookslikeabright-coloredtoy。
Andsotheyare——bothofthem，Imean。
ButitwasnotwiththisaspectofthestartlingairofartificeaboutallstrangeobjectsthatImeanttodeal。
Imeanmerely，asaguidetohistory，thatweshouldnotbesurprisedifthingswroughtinfashionsremotefromoursseemartificial；
weshouldconvinceourselvesthatninetimesoutoftenthesethingsarenakedlyandalmostindecentlyhonest。
YouwillhearmentalkofthefrostedclassicismofCorneilleorofthepowderedpompositiesoftheeighteenthcentury，butallthesephrasesareverysuperficial。Thereneverwasanartificialepoch。Thereneverwasanageofreason。
Menwerealwaysmenandwomenwomen：andtheirtwogenerousappetitesalwaysweretheexpressionofpassionandthetellingoftruth。
Wecanseesomethingstiffandquaintintheirmodeofexpression，justasourdescendantswillseesomethingstiffandquaintinourcoarsestslumsketchorourmostnakedpathologicalplay。
Butmenhavenevertalkedaboutanythingbutimportantthings；
andthenextforceinfemininitywhichwehavetoconsidercanbeconsideredbestperhapsinsomedustyoldvolumeofversesbyapersonofquality。
Theeighteenthcenturyisspokenofastheperiodofartificiality，inexternalsatleast；but，indeed，theremaybetwowordsaboutthat。
Inmodernspeechoneusesartificialityasmeaningindefinitelyasortofdeceit；andtheeighteenthcenturywasfartooartificialtodeceive。
Itcultivatedthatcompletestartthatdoesnotconcealtheart。
Itsfashionsandcostumespositivelyrevealednaturebyallowingartifice；
asinthatobviousinstanceofabarberingthatfrostedeveryheadwiththesamesilver。Itwouldbefantastictocallthisaquainthumilitythatconcealedyouth；but，atleast，itwasnotonewiththeevilpridethatconcealsoldage。Undertheeighteenthcenturyfashionpeopledidnotsomuchallpretendtobeyoung，asallagreetobeold。
Thesameappliestothemostoddandunnaturaloftheirfashions；
theywerefreakish，buttheywerenotfalse。Aladymayormaynotbeasredassheispainted，butplainlyshewasnotsoblackasshewaspatched。
ButIonlyintroducethereaderintothisatmosphereoftheolderandfrankerfictionsthathemaybeinducedtohavepatienceforamomentwithacertainelementwhichisverycommoninthedecorationandliteratureofthatageandofthetwocenturiesprecedingit。
Itisnecessarytomentionitinsuchaconnectionbecauseitisexactlyoneofthosethingsthatlookassuperficialaspowder，andarereallyasrootedashair。
Inalltheoldfloweryandpastorallove-songs，thoseoftheseventeenthandeighteenthcenturiesespecially，youwillfindaperpetualreproachagainstwomaninthematterofhercoldness；
ceaselessanstalesimilesthatcomparehereyestonorthernstars，herhearttoice，orherbosomtosnow。Nowmostofushavealwayssupposedtheseoldanditerantphrasestobeamerepatternofdeadwords，athinglikeacoldwall-paper。YetIthinkthoseoldcavalierpoetswhowroteaboutthecoldnessofChloehadholdofapsychologicaltruthmissedinnearlyalltherealisticnovelsoftoday。
Ourpsychologicalromancersperpetuallyrepresentwivesasstrikingterrorintotheirhusbandsbyrollingonthefloor，gnashingtheirteeth，throwingaboutthefurnitureorpoisoningthecoffee；allthisuponsomestrangefixedtheorythatwomenarewhattheycallemotional。
Butintruththeoldandfrigidformismuchnearertothevitalfact。
Mostmeniftheyspokewithanysinceritywouldagreethatthemostterriblequalityinwomen，whetherinfriendship，courtshipormarriage，wasnotsomuchbeingemotionalasbeingunemotional。
Thereisanawfularmoroficewhichmaybethelegitimateprotectionofamoredelicateorganism；butwhateverbethepsychologicalexplanationtherecansurelybenoquestionofthefact。
Theinstinctivecryofthefemaleinangerisnolimetangere。
Itakethisasthemostobviousandatthesametimetheleasthackneyedinstanceofafundamentalqualityinthefemaletradition，whichhastendedinourtimetobealmostimmeasurablymisunderstood，bothbythecantofmoralistsandthecantofimmoralists。
Thepropernameforthethingismodesty；butasweliveinanageofprejudiceandmustnotcallthingsbytheirrightnames，wewillyieldtoamoremodernnomenclatureandcallitdignity。
Whateverelseitis，itisthethingwhichathousandpoetsandamillionlovershavecalledthecoldnessofChloe。Itisakintotheclassical，andisatleasttheoppositeofthegrotesque。
Andsincewearetalkingherechieflyintypesandsymbols，perhapsasgoodanembodimentasanyoftheideamaybefoundinthemerefactofawomanwearingaskirt。
Itishighlytypicaloftherabidplagiarismwhichnowpasseseverywhereforemancipation，thatalittlewhileagoitwascommonforan\"advanced\"womantoclaimtherighttoweartrousers；
arightaboutasgrotesqueastherighttowearafalsenose。
WhetherfemalelibertyismuchadvancedbytheactofwearingaskirtoneachlegIdonotknow；perhapsTurkishwomenmightoffersomeinformationonthepoint。Butifthewesternwomanwalksabout（asitwere）trailingthecurtainsoftheharemwithher，itisquitecertainthatthewovenmansionismeantforaperambulatingpalace，notforaperambulatingprison。
Itisquitecertainthattheskirtrneansfemaledignity，notfemalesubmission；itcanbeprovedbythesimplestofalltests。
Norulerwoulddeliberatelydressupintherecognizedfettersofaslave；nojudgewouldappearcoveredwithbroadarrows。
Butwhenmenwishtobesafelyimpressive，asjudges，priestsorkings，theydowearskirts，thelong，trailingrobesoffemaledignityThewholeworldisunderpetticoatgovernment；
forevenmenwearpetticoatswhentheywishtogovern。
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VI
THEPEDANTANDTHESAVAGE
Wesaythenthatthefemaleholdsupwithtwostrongarmsthesetwopillarsofcivilization；wesayalsothatshecoulddoneither，butforherposition；hercuriouspositionofprivateomnipotence，universalityonasmallscale。Thefirstelementisthrift；
notthedestructivethriftofthemiser，butthecreativethriftofthepeasant；thesecondelementisdignity，whichisbuttheexpressionofsacredpersonalityandprivacy。
NowIknowthequestionthatwillbeabruptlyandautomaticallyaskedbyallthatknowthedulltricksandturnsofthemodernsexualquarrel。Theadvancedpersonwillatoncebegintoargueaboutwhethertheseinstinctsareinherentandinevitableinwomanorwhethertheyaremerelyprejudicesproducedbyherhistoryandeducation。NowIdonotproposetodiscusswhetherwomancouldnowbeeducatedoutofherhabitstouchingthriftanddignity；andthatfortwoexcellentreasons。
Firstitisaquestionwhichcannotconceivablyeverfindanyanswer：thatiswhymodernpeoplearesofondofit。
Fromthenatureofthecaseitisobviouslyimpossibletodecidewhetheranyofthepeculiaritiesofcivilizedmanhavebeenstrictlynecessarytohiscivilization。
Itisnotself-evident（forinstance），thateventhehabitofstandinguprightwastheonlypathofhumanprogress。
Theremighthavebeenaquadrupedalcivilization，inwhichacitygentlemanputonfourbootstogotothecityeverymorning。
Ortheremighthavebeenareptiliancivilization，inwhichherolleduptotheofficeonhisstomach；itisimpossibletosaythatintelligencemightnothavedevelopedinsuchcreatures。
Allwecansayisthatmanasheiswalksupright；andthatwomanissomethingalmostmoreuprightthanuprightness。
Andthesecondpointisthis：thatuponthewholeweratherpreferwomen（nay，evenmen）towalkupright；sowedonotwastemuchofournoblelivesininventinganyotherwayforthemtowalk。
Inshort，mysecondreasonfornotspeculatinguponwhetherwomanmightgetridofthesepeculiarities，isthatIdonotwanthertogetridofthem；nordoesshe。Iwillnotexhaustmyintelligencebyinventingwaysinwhichmankindmightunlearntheviolinorforgethowtoridehorses；andtheartofdomesticityseemstomeasspecialandasvaluableasalltheancientartsofourrace。
NordoIproposetoenteratallintothoseformlessandflounderingspeculationsabouthowwomanwasorisregardedintheprimitivetimesthatwecannotremember，orinthesavagecountrieswhichwecannotunderstand。Evenifthesepeoplesegregatedtheirwomenforloworbarbaricreasonsitwouldnotmakeourreasonsbarbaric；
andIamhauntedwithatenacioussuspicionthatthesepeople\'sfeelingswerereally，underotherforms，verymuchthesameasours。
Someimpatienttrader，somesuperficialmissionary，walksacrossanislandandseesthesquawdigginginthefieldswhilethemanisplayingaflute；andimmediatelysaysthatthemanisamerelordofcreationandthewomanamereserf。HedoesnotrememberthathemightseethesamethinginhalfthebackgardensinBrixton，merelybecausewomenareatoncemoreconscientiousandmoreimpatient，whilemenareatoncemorequiescentandmoregreedyforpleasure。
ItmayoftenbeinHawaiisimplyasitisinHoxton。Thatis，thewomandoesnotworkbecausethemantellshertoworkandsheobeys。
Onthecontrary，thewomanworksbecauseshehastoldthemantoworkandhehasn\'tobeyed。Idonotaffirmthatthisisthewholetruth，butIdoaffirmthatwehavetoolittlecomprehensionofthesoulsofsavagestoknowhowfaritisuntrue。
Itisthesamewiththerelationsofourhastyandsurfacescience，withtheproblemofsexualdignityandmodesty。Professorsfindallovertheworldfragmentaryceremoniesinwhichthebrideaffectssomesortofreluctance，hidesfromherhusband，orrunsawayfromhim。
TheprofessorthenpompouslyproclaimsthatthisisasurvivalofMarriagebyCapture。Iwonderheneversaysthattheveilthrownoverthebrideisreallyanet。IgravelydoubtwhetherwomeneverweremarriedbycaptureIthinktheypretendedtobe；
astheydostill。
Itisequallyobviousthatthesetwonecessarysanctitiesofthriftanddignityareboundtocomeintocollisionwiththewordiness，thewastefulness，andtheperpetualpleasure-seekingofmasculinecompanionship。Wisewomenallowforthething；foolishwomentrytocrushit；butallwomentrytocounteractit，andtheydowell。Inmanyahomeallroundusatthismoment，weknowthatthenurseryrhymeisreversed。
Thequeenisinthecounting-house，countingoutthemoney。
Thekingisintheparlor，eatingbreadandhoney。
Butitmustbestrictlyunderstoodthatthekinghascapturedthehoneyinsomeheroicwars。ThequarrelcanbefoundinmolderingGothiccarvingsandincrabbedGreekmanuscripts。
Ineveryage，ineveryland，ineverytribeandvillage，hasbeenwagedthegreatsexualwarbetweenthePrivateHouseandthePublicHouse。IhaveseenacollectionofmediaevalEnglishpoems，dividedintosectionssuchas\"ReligiousCarols，\"\"DrinkingSongs，\"
andsoon；andthesectionheaded，\"PoemsofDomesticLife\"
consistedentirely（literally，entirely）ofthecomplaintsofhusbandswhowerebulliedbytheirwives。ThoughtheEnglishwasarchaic，thewordswereinmanycasespreciselythesameasthosewhichIhaveheardinthestreetsandpublichousesofBattersea，protestsonbehalfofanextensionoftimeandtalk，protestsagainstthenervousimpatienceandthedevouringutilitarianismofthefemale。Such，Isay，isthequarrel；
itcanneverbeanythingbutaquarrel；buttheaimofallmoralsandallsocietyistokeepitalovers\'quarrel。