Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

FROM LONDON PAPERS
Received at the Office of the Commercial Advertiser.
THE FEMALE SEX.
The progress of gallantry is a subject not unworthy of a brief retrospect. It should appear that the Turks had produced some impression, as well by their opinions as their arms, in Europe; for St. Foix quotes Gregory of Tours, to prove that, at the Council of Macon, the question "whether women were human beings," was hotly disputed; and after much division of sentiment, it was at last solemnly decreed, that women constitute a part of the human race. [Holcroft's travels in Holland, France etc.]
Women not allowed to get drunk.
Catherine Alexovna, Empress of Russia, promoted assemblies of men & women, as the means to polish the manners of her subjects, and, in order to preserve decency in such assemblies, she published a body of regulations, of which the following are a specimen :-- Ladies who play at forfeitures, questions and commands shall not be noisy or riotous. No gentleman must attempt to force a kiss nor strike a woman, in the assembly, under pain of exclusion. Ladies are not to get drunk upon any pretext whatever, nor gentlemen before nine. [Lord Kames History of Man.]
Women were not allowed to be present at the Olympic games. Grecian Ladies, were very reserved; seldom appeared in public; had separate apartments and never ate at table when strangers were present. [Rollins Ancient History.]
I have seen a set of Rules and Regulations of the Russian Assembly, which concludes with--N. B, Ladies not to be drunk before ten o'clock. [Consett's Tour through Sweden, Finland, Russia, etc.]
Striking Picture of Female Manners.
When you have been invited to sup at a gentlemen's house, it is a custom, [which I cannot say is extremely gracious,] as soon as the entertainment is over, for all the ladies, young or old, who wish to testify the pleasure they have enjoyed in your company, to give you a slap with the hand upon your back, when you least expect it : and it is an established rule, that the more forcibly the hand is applied, the more emphatic is the lady's declaration in your favor. [Acerby's Travels in Sweden, Finland, etc.]
Women considered as goods and chattels.
Yet more:'a husband might bequeath his wife (among the Athenians) like part of his estate, or to any whom he chose for his successor: and the mother of Demosthenes was actually let by will to Arhobus, with a portion of eighty minas. The form of such a bequest is preserved, in the first speech of Isaus against Stephaus, and runs thus: I give my wife Archippe, to Pholnio, with a fortune of one talent in Attica: a house worth 100 minas: together with the female slaves, the ornaments of gold, and whatever else may be in it. [Jones. Translation of the Speech of Isaus.]
Great respect paid to the sex.
The Egyptians were very respectful to the fair sex. they paid greater honor and obedience to their queens than to their kings; even among private persons, the men promised in the marriage contracts that they would be obedient, in all things to their wives. This custom arose from the high veneration and respect Isis had acquired by her excellent government, after the death of her brother, Osiris. [Goquet on the Arts, and Sciences, etc. of the Ancients.]
Degradation of the Sex.
Not many centuries ago, a law was made in England, prohibiting the New Testament, in English, to be read by women, apprentices, journeymen, or serving men.
Women, by the laws of Hindostan, are not admitted to be witnesses, even in civil causes; and I blush to acknowledge, that in Scotland, the same law has not been long in disuse. [Lord Kames' History of Man.]
Women Gossips.
Among the many ordinances promulgated at St. Helena, 1709, we find the following : Whereas several idle, gossiping women make it their business to go from house to house, about the island inventing and spreading false and scandalous reports of the good people here, of, and thereby sow discord and debate among neighbors, and often between men and their wives, to the great grief and trouble of the good and quiet people. and to the utter extinguishing of all friendship; amity and good neighborhood : for the punishment and suppression whereof, and to the intent that all strife may be ended, charity revived, and friendship continued, we do order that, if any woman, from hence, forward shall be convicted of tale bearing, mischief making, scolding, drunkenness, or any other notorious vices, that they shall be punished by ducking, or whipping, or such other punishment as their crimes or transgressions shall deserve, or as the Governor and Council shall think fit.