Page:Sexology.djvu/143

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generally wanting in the qualities which inspire the love of man, and so, as in the harmony of things force must be united to weakness, these masculine women nearly always ally themselves with blanched males, weak physically and mentally, capable of receiving the authority which their wives needs must exercise. The parts are simply reversed, that is all, but the phenomenon is not pleasant. Nearly every prominent advocate of Woman's Eights now before the public, is of this class, and, if married, she is thus coupled. If it were consistent with politeness we could specify these coincidences, ad nauseam.

The temperament of woman exposes her to the most singular inconveniences and inconsistencies. Extreme in good, she is also extreme in evil. She is inconstant and changeable; she "will" and she "won't." She is easily disgusted with that which she has pursued with the great- est ardor. She passes from love to hate with prodigious facility. She is full of contradictions and mysteries. Ca- pable of the most heroic actions, she does not shrink from the most atrocious crimes. Jealousy can transform this angel of peace to a veritable fury. She poisons her rival as readily as she would sacrifice her life for him she loves. She is terrible in vengeance. By turns gentle and imperious, timid and apprehensive from a sense of her own weakness, she is capable of superhuman courage. Man is more brave, woman more courageous. Moved by a resolute will, man comprehends danger, measures, and faces it. Woman calculates nothing; she sees the end, and will attain it at any price. If she be unskillfully thwarted in her imperious desires, her fickleness is changed to obstinacy; you shall crush her sooner than reduce her.

Popular excitements, the terrors of superstition, the intoxication of political fanaticism, are propagated among