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Highlights from the treasures in the Fawcett Library
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1987
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TREASURES IN THE FAWCETT LIBRARY CATHERWE M. IRELAND Fawcett Librarian
SysoprL-The old and rare books, or “treasures” as they are affectionately known, in the Fawcett Library comprise a unique collection of scarce works by and about women dating from 1J92. It is the intention here to concentrate on those books which illustrate the position of women through the ages and to highlight a few of the earliest works under the following headings: legal works, the domestic arts, education, and woman’s rights. The photographs and quotes used throughout assist in this attempt to demonstrate insights into the lives of women past.
Soon after Vera Douie, the first Librarian, was appointed in 1926 the Fawcett Library became the happy recipient of several substantial donations of valuable collections of seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth century books. In March 1930, 330 feminist books purchased from the collector by Lady Astor, (the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons) were received. In early 193 1 over 1,000 antique and modem feminist books belonging to Mrs. Ruth Cavendish Bentinck (mother of the current Lord Portland) and the Edward Wright Library of over 900 books useful to women in discharging their duty as citizens, found their way to the Fawcett Library via the National Union of Societies for Equal Citizenship. Edward Wright left a legacy for the purpose of establishing a library. He was the son of Sir Almroth E. Wright, author of the anti-feminist tract The unexpurgated case against woman suffrage, Constable, London, 1913. On July 11th 1935 the 150 books of the Lina Eckenstein Collection were received. Presented by her adopted daughter the collection fell into two categories. These were the devotional works of mediaeval women mystics used by Miss Eckenstein when writing Woman under monasticism, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1896 and first and early editions of women writers. Another welcome addition came in egrly 1936 when Miss May Wallas presented a small collection of seventeenth and eighteenth century books used by her mother Ada Radford Wallas when writing Before the blue stockings, Allen & Unwin, London, 1929. There are about 1,000 items in the antique
collection and of these seventy-five are seventeenth century and 205 eighteenth century. They fall into two main categories. The smaller category shows the contribution made by women to literature and learning and contains first and early editions of works by women writers up to and including George Eliot, the larger illustrates the position of women through the ages. Here are located books on the social, political, educational, and legal position of women, the advice tendered them from generation to generation on the way they should behave and the domestic arts. Before exploring these in greater detail perhaps mention should be made of two very early works represented in the library but not in their original editions. The earliest is an autobiography, the Book of Margery Kempe (Fig. 1). The text from the unique MS-owned by Colonel W. ButlerBowdon was written at her dictation in 1436. The manuscript was lost for many years and came to light five hundred years after its composition. A mystical work it also reveals the author’s active life in the world and the peculiarities of her temperament. The Fawcett Library has the edition published for the Early English Tat Society by Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, London, 1940. Then there is The Book containing the treatises of hawking, hunting, coat armouc fishing, and biasing of arms (by Dame Juliana Berners) printed by Wynkyn de Worde at Westminster in 1496 (Fig. 2, 3, and 4). This is a facsimile reprint of the second edition published in 1810. The supposed author, Dame Juliana, was thought to have been pri241
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CATHERINE M.
IRELAND
Fig. 1.
oress of Sopwell Nunnery near St. Albans sometime between 1430 and 1480. LEGAL WORKS The oldest books in the Fawcett Library are both legal works edited by Fardinando Pulton (15361618), a member of Lincoln’s Inn. Being a Catholic and so ineligible for the Bar he devoted his legal knowledge to editing the Statutes. An abstract of all the Penail Statutes which be generall, in force
and use (Fig. 5) collected by F. Pulton, and imprinted at London by the Deputies of Christopher Barker in 1592 is the oldest book and it is followed by another of his collection. A Kalendar or table, comprehending the effect of all the statutes that have beene made and put in print, beginning with Magna Charta, Company of Stationers, London, 1612. In each work the section on ‘women’ falls between ‘woolles’ and ‘worsteds’ and concentrates largely on inheritance (Fig. 6). An early Magistrates’ Handbook, by E. W., Statuta Pack: or A perfect table of all
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Treasures in the Fawcett Library
the Statutes (now in force) which any way concerne the Office of the Justice of Peace, M. Flesher and J. Young, London, is dated 1644 and includes sections on recusants and witchcraft. However, the first book in the
don, 1737, and The laws n?specting women, J. Johnson, London, 1777. TRIALS
English language devoted exclusively to the law relating’to women is The Lawes resolu-
The tryal of Richard Hathaway, upon an intions of womens rights: or the. Lawes Provi- formation for being a cheat and impostor for sion for woemen, John More, London, 1632 endeavouring to take away the life of Sarah Morduck, for being a witch, at Surry Asby I.L. (Fig. 7). The author considered that sizes, Isaac Cleave, LOndon, 1702 (Fig. 8) is the position of women was so bad that political action should be taken to redress it. He of special interest because Hathaway was tried for accusing Sarah Morduck of being a advocated constitutional rather than militant methods. “Have patience, take not your op- witch. In 1715 Capt. Leeson was sentenced portunity of revenge, rather move for redress to death for the rape of Mrs. May, a married by parliament”. The eighteenth century is represented by The hardships of the English
laws in relation to wives, J. Roberts, London, 1735, The Lady’s law: or a treatise of Feme Coverts: containing all the laws and statutes relating to women, H. Lintot, Lon-
woman of 35 years of age, but later he received His Majesty’s most gracious reprieve. in 1752 Mary Blandy was tried for the murder of her father. Although impecunious he spread a rumour that he would give her a dowry of 10,000 pounds. This attracted an
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unsatisfactory suitor from Scotland who persuaded Mary to administer a white powder to her father. The arsenic had disastrous results on the second occasion but Mary claimed, at the trial, that she believed the powder was a magic potion designed to make her father smile upon the suit. The lover escaped abroad and Mary was found guilty of murder and executed at Oxford on Monday 6th April
1752 (Figs. 9 and 10). The following is a transcript of pages 45 and 46 of the trial:
Fig. 4.
‘Thus far is undeniably true and agreed on all Sides, that Mr. Blandy died by Poison; and That Poison was administred to him by his Daughter, the Prisoner at the Bar. What you are to try, is reduced to this single Question, Whether the Prisoner, at
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the Time she gave it to her Father, kne\\ that it was Poison, and what Effect it would ha\,e? If you believe, that she knew it to be Poison, the other Part, viz. that she kne\! the Effect, is consequential, and you must find her guilty: On the other Hand, if you are satisfied, from her general Character, from what has been said by the Evidence on her Part, and from what she has said
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herself; that she did not knoll it to be Poison, nor had an)’ malicious Intention against her Father, you ought to acquit her. But if you think she kno\\ingly ga1.e Poison to her Father, you can do no other, than find her guilty. The Jury consulted together about five Minutes, and then turned to the Court. Ci. of An-. Gentlemen, are you all agreed on !‘our Verdict?
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Cl. of AU. Mary Blandy, hold up thy Hand. (which she did) Gentlemen of the Jury, look upon the Prisoner: How say you, is Mary Blandy guilty of the Felony and Murder whereof she stands indicted, or not guilty? Jury Guilty Cl. of Arr. What Goods or Chattels, Lands, or Tenements had she at the Time of same Felony and Murder committed, or at any Time since, to your Knowledge? Jury None 0. of Arr. Hearken to your Verdict as the Court hath recorded it. You say that Mary Blandy is guilty of the Felony and Murder, whereof she stands indicted; and that she had not any Goods or Chattels, Lands or Tenements, at the Time of the said Felony and Murder committed, or
any Time since, to your Knowledge; and so you say all. Cl. of At-r. Mary Blandy, hold up thy Hand. You have been indicted of Felony and Murder. You have been thereupon arraigned and pleaded thereto not guilty, and for your Tryal you have put yourself upon God and your Country, which Country have found you guilty. W’hat have you now to say for yourself, why the Court should not proceed to give Judgment of Death upon you according to Law? Cryer. Oyez; My Lords of King’s Justices do strictly charge and command all Manner of Persons to keep silence, whilst Sentence of Death is passing on the Prisoner at the Bar, upon pain of Imprisonment.
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Mary Blandy, you have been indicted for the Murder of your Father, and for your Tryal, have put yourself upon God and your Country: That Country has found you guilty. You have had a long and a fair Tryal, and sorry 1 am, that it falls to my Lot, to acquaint you, that 1 am now no more at Liberty to suppose you innocent, than 1 was before to presume you guilty. You are convicted of a Crime, so dreadful, so horrid in itself, that human Nature shudders at it-The wilful Murder of your own Father!-A Father, by all Accounts, the most fond, the most tender, most indulgent that ever lived:-That Father, with his dying Breath forgave you;-May your heavenly Father do so too. It is hard to conceive, that any Thing could induce you to perpetrate an Act so
shocking; so impossible to reconcile to Nature or Reason. One should have thought, your own sense, your Education and even the natural softness’of your Sex, might have secured you from an Attempt so barbarous and so wicked. What Views you had, or what was your Intension, is best known to yourself: With God and your Conscience be it. At this Bar, we can judge only from Appearances, and from the Evidence produced to us: But do not deceive yourself; remember you are very shortly to appear, before a much more awful Tribunal, where no Subterfuge can avail; no Art, no Disguise can screen you, from the Searcher of all Hearts: He revealeth the deep and secret Things, he knoweth what is the Darkness, and the Light dwelleth with him. Let me advise you, to make the best, and wisest use of the little Time you are likely to continue in this World: Apply to the Throne of Grace, and endeavour to make your Peace with that Power, whose Justice and Mercy are both infinite. Nothing now remains, but to pronounce the Sentence of the Law upon you which is, That you are to be carried to the Place of Execution, and there hanged by the Neck until you are dead: And may God of his Infinite Mercy, receive your Soul. The Prisoner than addressed herself to the Judge in this Manner My Lord, as your Lordship had been so good to show so much Candour and Impartiality to the Course of my Tryal, 1 have one Favour more to beg, which is, that your Lordship, would please to allow me a little Time, till 1 can settle my Affairs, and make my Peace with God. To which his Lordship replied. To be sure you shall have a proper Time allowed you. On Monday the 6th of April following, the Prisoner was executed at Oxford, according to the Sentence pronounced against her.’ THE DOMESTIC ARTS A scarce work over 363 years old by Gervase Markham clearly indicates that vast knovvledge and accomplishments expected of the seventeenth century housewife. Like other recipe books of this period as much attention was paid to medicine and surgery as to bak-
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ing and brewing. Counrrey contentments, or the English huswife . . . was printed by 1.B. for R. Jackson in London in 1623 (Fig. 11). Skills were required in house-hold phisicke, cookery, distillation, wines, drying of wool1 and in hempe, ‘flaxe, cloth, dairy worke, malt, oate-meale, brewing, and baking. Many more fascinating remedies for numerous ailments appeared in an anonymous work printed by a woman, Gartrude Dawson, in London in 1652 and entitled A rich closer of physical secrets . . . viz The childbearers cabiner. A preservative against the plagtie and smallpox. (Fig. 12): ‘For the Cramp The leaves or little sprigs of Rosemary, and put them between every toe, and if you are much troubled with the cramp, use it continually, and this will cure it. For a Canker Take Hog-lice, stamp them till they come to an oyle, and annoint the place therewith. For Sinewes, and Nerves, WI asunder Of Earth-wormes one handful, put them in a cloth, and cleanse them well from the earth, that done, take Sack half a pound, and of Sallade oyle half a pound, mix them together and infuse the Wormes in this until1 they be suffocated, then stop the pot very close, and lute it well, and set the pot in hot horse-dung for eight and forty houres, till the Wormes be rotten, then take them out and presse them, and adde thereto of common Oyle half an ounce, of Venice Turpentine two drachms, then relute your pot, and set it on a soft fire for three or four houres. A Drink for the Cough of the Lungs, and Consumprion Of Earthwormmes two pound, in a Ma) morning, those with black heads are best, you may gather enough; put these in white M’ine for three or four houres than slit and wash them in the same Wine, and in another Wine, and lay them in an earthen pan on straw or sticks laid a crosse, and put them into an Oven after the bread is drawn, and so use them till they be so dry, that you may pownd them, then scarce it, and beat it again till it be as fine as flower: then keep it for your use, which you must take twice a day, in the morning when you
wake, and at four in the afternoon, as much as will lye on sixpence, or eightpence; take it in a spoonful of warm Broth, or mulled Sack, or Mace Ale, and drink a pretty draught of the Broth to Wash it down: if you take it in mulled Sack, or Mace Ale, take not abovt four spoonfuls, use this for a moneth, but be careful1 of taking cold.’ Nicholas Culpeper, a student in physick and astrology produced Medicaments for the poor; or, physick for the common people . . . containing excellent remedies for most common diseases. It was printed by John Streater for George Sawbridge dwelling at Clerkenwell-Green, London, 1670. A previous owner, George Jordon appears to have been particularly interested in how to make’ opium of English poppies. ‘Narcoticks indeed laid to the part do stupifie, but being taken or smelt to, or applyed to the head, they cause sleep. They differ in the intension of their quality, from properly called sleeping Medicaments &cairse these by their moderate coldness and moisture procure sleep but those by the excess of both qualities bring out deep sleep, and if they be used the\ cause Carus and Apoplexy. Yet there are some degrees of these Narcoticks, for some are more gentle, the use whereof is not so dahgerous; some are more violent which must not be used but upon very urgent pains and watchings. The more gentle to be used inward11 are, white Poppy seed to about one dram; but outwardly m Lotions, the leaves of Garden Night-shade and Poppy . . . ’ Hannah Wolley’s Queene-like closet or Rich cabinet was printed for Richard Lownes at the White Lion in Duck Layne neare West Smithfield in 1675. It is bound together with A supplement to the Queen-like closer b> Hanna Woolley and printed for Richard Lownds, Duck-Lane in 1674. While recipes for rice pudding and oat cakes have not changed much over three hundred years one might now be loath to experiment with suggested remedies for spots on the face and for shingles. Instructions for spots are: “Take a piece of the after-birth of a woman’s first child, and rub your face with it overnight, the next morning wash it off with a little new milk warm from the cow; do so three or four
Treasures in
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The EnqliihHdbife. L
times and it lvill help.” Instructions for shingles are: “Take a cat, and cut off her ears or her tail, and mix the blood thereof with a little new-milk, and anoint the grieved place with it morning and evening for three days and every night when the party goes to bed give her or him two spoonfuls of treacle-n’ater, to drive out the venom.” Hanna Woolley is also thought to be the
author of a very rare book printed for T. Passinger at the Three Bibles on London Bridge in 1677. It is The cornpiear ser\‘ant-
maid, or the young maidens IUIOKDirecting them how they may fit, and qualife themselves for any of these eniplo_wnenrs vi:, waiting woman, house-keeper, chambermaid, cook-maid, under cook-maid, nursesmaid, dairy-maid, laundry-maid, house-
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SECRETSf C&&d by the E lab&ate pines of four Gvcrall Students in PhyGck, And dig~Rcdtog&r j
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of making you a good mistress: for there is no sober, honest and discreet man, but will make choice of one, that hath gained the reputation of a good and complete servant for his wife, rather than one who can do nothing but trick up her self fine, and like a Bartholomew Baby, is fit for nothing else but to be looked upon .” The seventeenth century printed recipe books come to an end with three anonymous works bound together. The Queen’s cabinet
opened: or, The pearl of pracrice. Accurate, physical and chyrurgical receipts, 1695. A Queen’s delighr: or, the art of preserving, conserving, and candying. As also a righr knowledge of making perfumes, and disrilling the most excellent waters. London,
1696. The Complear cook: expertly prescribing the mosf ready ways whether Italian, Spanish or French for dressing of flesh and fish, ordering of sauces, or making of pasrry.
London, 1695. Certainly worthy of a reprint is A Medicine for the Plague which the Lord Mayor had from the Queen.
Fig. 12.
maid and scullery-maid.
An attractive work it contains receipts for all domestic purposes, a bill of fare for,every month in the year and specimens of script, letters, and phrases. To wash the face
“There is no better thing to wash the face \!‘ith, to keep it smooth and to scour it clean, than to wash it e\‘ery night with brandy, M,herein you ha\,e steeped a little flouer of brimstone, and the next day \j,ipe it on]!. lvith a cloth. HOU, to make a pen
Ha\ing a penknife \vith a smooth, thin sharp edge, take the first or second quill of a goose \ving and scrape it, then hold it in your left hand with the feather end from you . . . ” The author advises all young maidens “that if you carefully and diligently peruse this book, and observe the directions therein given, you will soon gain the tirle of a complete servant-maid, \vhich may be the means
‘Take of Sage, Elder, and red Bramble leaves of each one little handful; stamp and strain them together through a cloath with a quart of White-wine, then take a quantity of White-wine-vinegar, and mingle them together; and drink thereof morning and night a spoonful at a time nine days together and you shall be whole. There is no medicine more excellent than this, when the sore doth appear, then to take a Cock-chick and pull it; and let the Rump be bare, and hold the Rump of the said Chick to the sore and it will gape and labour for life, and in the end die; then take another, and the third, and so long as any one do dye; for when the Pogson is qune dratvn out, the Chick will live, the sore presently will asswage, and the part! recover. Mr. Winlour proved this upon one of his own Children; the thirteenth Chick dyed, the fourteen lived, and the part! cured.’ But perhaps the greatest treasure of all in this section is a late seventeenth century and early eighteenth century manuscript recipe book (Fig. 13). In a number of different, often exquisite handwritings it was begun by an
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ancestress of Mrs. Montgomrey, the donor. The ladies of the family contributed to it throrigh many generations. It was in turn the property of Sarah Streat, Susannah Streat around 1742, Ann Lord around 1800 and her greai granddaughter, the donor in 1937. The recipe for A Great Cake containing twelve pounds of currants, thirty new laid eggs and three good quarts of thick cream also advises the tin “must be butter’d very well or it will stick” and “the way to know it is (baked) is to try with a knife put to the bottom and when it come out cleane it is enough” (Fig. 14).
EDUCATION In 1678 and 1694 however two separate works appeared, both by women, which were extremely forward thinking. Firstly, the anonymous Advice to the women and maidens of London. Shewing, that instead of their usual pastime and education in needle- work, lace, and point-making, it werefar mom necessary and pmfitabh to apply themselves to the right understanding and pmctice of the method of keeping books of account: whemby, either single or married, they may know their estates, carry on rheir trades and avoid
Fig. 14.
the danger of a helpless and forlorn condition, incident to widows.
Printed for Benjamin Billing&y at the Printing Press in Comhill, London, 1687. The author said “I have heard it affirmed by those who have lived in foraign part, that merchants and other trades men have no other book-keepers then their wives: who by this means (the husband dying) are well acquainted with the nature and manner of the trade, and are so certain how, and where their stock is that they need not be beholden to servants or friends_for guidance. Methinks now the objection may be that this art is too high and mysterious for the weaker sex, it will make them proud: women had better keep to their needle-work, point laces etc.
and, if they come to poverty those small crafts may give them some mean relief. To which I answer that having in some measure practised both needle-work and accounts I can averr that I never found this masculine art harder or more difficult then the effeminate achievments of lace-making, gum-work, or the like, the attainment whereof need not make us proud (pp. l-2). Secondly, sixteen years later, in 1694, there appeared A seriouspmposal to the ladies for the advancement of their true and greatest intemst by a lover of her sex (Mary Astell).
The Fawcett Library’s copy printed for Richard Wilkin, London, 1697 contains two parts, the third edition of part one 16% and the first edition of part two 1697. Mary As-
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tell’s proposal was a scheme for the establishment of a college for women in Chelsea. She thought that women could educate themselves in a way that was impossible in a maledominated world. Women’s capacity would be demonstrated and lead to a transformation of their position. Almost one hundred years later came Mary Wollstonecraft’s Thoughts~on the education of daughters: with reflections on female conduct in the more important duties of life, J. Johnson, London, 1787. The many aspects of behaviour covered include moral discipline, artifical manners, dress,’ the fine arts, reading, love, matrimony, observance of Sunday and benevolence. Mary’s down to earth comments include “Civility is due to all, but regard or admiration should never be expressed when it is not felt” (p. 32). “Few people look into their own hearts, or think of their tempers, though they severely censure others, on whose side they say the fault always lies” (p. 64). “Early marriages are, in my opinion, a stop to improvement. . . . In youth a woman endeavours to please the other sex, in order generally speaking, to get married, and this endeavour calls forth all her powers . . . many women, 1 am persuaded, marry a man before they are twenty, whom they would have rejected some years after” (pp. 93-94). Erasmus Darwin’s A p/an for the conduct of female education in boarding schools was printed by J. Chambers, no. 5 Abbey Street, Dublin in 1798. It was written at the request of the Misses S. and M. Parker who were themselves setting up a boarding school at Ashborne in Derbyshire. In addition to ideas on diet, fresh air, stammering, and punishments, etc. it throws a disturbing light on prevailing conditions: “The rheumatism and other inflamatory diseases are frequently occasioned in crowded schools by placing some of the beds with one side against the wall, where the weaker child, confined by a stronger bed-fellow, is liable to lie for hours together with some part of it in contact with the cold wall, which in the winter months has often been attended with fatal consequences, and especially in those boarding schools where the beds are small, and but one blanket allowed to each of them, and a scanty feather-bed” (p. 148). Concern for the low standards of the time is also shown by Hannah More in her Strictures on the modern system of female education: with a view of
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the principles and conduct prevalent among women of rank and fortune third edition printed for T. Cadell, Jr. and W. Davies in the Strand, London, 1799. Concern for their daughters at boarding school was shown by a mother and father in two different series of, anonymous letters. The Polite Ludy: or a course of female education in a series of letters from a mother to her daughter, second edition. Printed for Newbery and Carnan, London, 1769 was addressed to the Governesses of Ladies’ Boarding Schools in Great Britain and Ireland. The fond and affectionate mother, Portia, writes to her dutiful daughter, Sophia, on topics ranging from reading, writing, music, friendship, and conversation to scandal, idleness, anger, temperance, and chastity. About the latter she says: ‘Young as you are, my Dear, you cannot be ignorant of what I mean by the virtue of chastity, and therefore I shall observe the rules of delicacy so far, as not to explain the nature of it more particularly . . . if . . . she is once deprived of this precious jewel, that moment she loses all inward peace and tranquility of mind; she is forsaken and abandoned by her nearest friends and relations, she is despised and contemned, hissed, and hooted by all the world. . . . . wretched Miss Grep was banished from her father’s house, deserted by her friends, shunned by her acquaintance . . . she fled to the Magdalenhouse where . . . she is now endeavouring to wash out the guilt of her former crimes, by her tears and repentance, and preparing to enter the world afresh, in the humble character of a servant . . . ’ (pp. 185188) Sophia replied that she had never had the least inclination to violate the rules of chastity and asked for her mother’s sentiments on the virtue of modesty. A letter from a father to his daughter ar a boarding-school printed for G. Robinson, London, 1774 contains rather more general exhortations but does advise against gossip and meddling in the affairs of other people. “Female reputation is the most delicate thing in the world: the very breath of scandal, a whisper, a look, a smile and the like, may leave a stain on it . . . Happy would it be for the world were people to mind their own af-
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256
fairs more, and those of their neighbours less: the voice of scandal would not be so much heard among us” (pp. 121-122). WOMAN’!5 RIGHTS
Mary Woiistonecraft’s A vindication of the rights of woman: with strictures on political and moral subjects printed for J. Johnson in London in 1792 is generally considered to mark the beginning of the women’s movement. However, this was by no means the first plea for the emancipation of the female sex, an abundant woman’s rights literature having existed prior to this date. A spirited attack on women was made by Joseph Swetnam as early as 1615 in The araignment of lewde, idle, fivward. and unconstant women . . . with a commendation of wise, vertuous and honest women. Pleasant for married men, profitable for young men and hurtful1 to none printed by Edw. Aiide for Thomas Archer in London (Fig. 15). Swetnam was anything but flattering: “When a woman wanteth anything, shee will flatter and speake faire, not much unlike the flattering butcher who gently ciaweth the
Eiter hath hang’d
THE
ARAIGNMENT
Haman
Of Lewde, idle, froward, and vncon&antwomen : Or the vanitie of them, choolc you
whether.
With a Commendation of wise, vertuouv honet? Women. Plant
and
for married Men, profitable for
rouq Men,ld
hurtful1
to none.
oxe, when he intendeth to knock him on the head; but the thing being once obtained and their desires gained, then they will begin to iooke bigge and answere so stately, and speake so scornfully, that one would imagine they would never seeke heipe nor crave comfort at thy hands any more . . . yet for quietnesse sake he doth promise what she demandeth, partly because he would sieepe quietly in his bed: againe every married man knowes this that a woman will never be quiet if hir minde be set upon a thing till she have it” (pp. 11-12). A vigorous reply came from Ester Sowernam two years later in Ester hath hang’d Haman: or an answere to a lewd pamphlet, entitled “The araignment of women” with the araignment of lewd, idle, froward, and unconstant men and husbands . . . printed for Nicholas Boume, London, 1617 (Figs 16 and 17). Ester described herself as “neither maide, wife, nor widdowe, yet really ail three and therefore experienced to defend ail.” She advises Swetnam to “forbeare to charge women with faults which come from the contagion of masculine serpents” (p. 48) and
:
OR
ANANSVVERETO a lewd Pamphlet, TIK Arraignment
entituled
,
of IVomm.
With the arraignment
of lewd,idle,
froward, and vnconRant men, and HVSBAMDS.
Diuidrd into IWOParir.
The hrfl proueth the dignity and rorthinefle of Women,OYIof diwirv Tc&mnier. The fecond nKwing the eRimation of the Feminine Sexe, inrncienr rod Pagxn timer 8aI1which is lcknowklged by men tbcmfeluer in their dailyn&ions.
Written by EJer Souemm,
neither Maide.
WifenorWiddowe, yet reallyxIl.and therefore erpericncsd to defend mll.
LONDON.
Printed for ricbolar Bonrrr,md are to be fold at his lfiop ar the cntrrnceoftheRoyrllExchange. 161;. Fig. 15.
Fig. 16.
Treasures in the Fawcett Library
Efier had Rang’d Qtpan.
49
A
DEFENCE Women, againit the
OF
Author
of the AG-afkaacnt of Il’omcn.
257
sex from ~thetb~rcasms, bitter satyrs and opptvbrioris calumnies where with they are daily, rho underservedly aspers’d by the virulent tongues and pens of malevolent men. Printed by Jo Harefinch for James Norris at the Kings Arms without TempleBar, London, 1683. Support for the ladies continued with Nahum T&e’s A present for the ladies: being an h&to&al vindication of the female sex: to which is added the character of an accomplished virgin, wife and widow, in verse. Printed by Francis Saunders at the Blue Anchor in the New Exchange in the
Strand, London, 1692. In the eighteenth century Sophia, a person of quality, attracted some attention with
Hefaitb,~m~n~rrjiolttord,~bt&ribdiotbdrhrP, For like m t& Rib& tbo moohd OTC: The Nib was her SibitBjor body we/ifd,-, But from God tame lw Sou&.andd@ofc of&r mindc. IAt 110man tbhb much fwomen compare, T.r in tbeh creation tbry much bettaarr : H Mart
Fig. 17.
commences chapter VIII with some amusing verse (p. 49). Another work Look ere you leap: or a history of the lives and intrigues of lewd women: with the arraignment of their several vices, to which is added the character of a good woman, fourth edition printed for Robert Gifford in Old Bedlam without Bishopsgate, London, 1711 (Fig. 18) has also been attributed to Joseph Swetnam. The flavour of his thinking is quickly gathered from the heading to the first chapter “Of women in general, shewing the cause of their original defection, and the wretched estate in which all mankind has been plunged by their means: exemplified in the history of Adam and Eve” (p. 1). “I’ll eat the apple, tho I lose my life, and sacrifice my soul to please my wife” (p. 14). In 1677 came The woman as good as the man: or the equality of both sexes (Fig. 19), an English translation of the le Comte de la Barre’s De L’CgalitC des deux sexes. Distours physique et moral, first published in Paris in 1672. Six years later appeared James Norris’s Haec and hit; or rhe feminine gender more worthy than the masculine being a vindication of that ingenious and innocent
Woman not inferior to man: or, a short and modest vindication of the natural right of the fair-sex to a perfect equhlity of power, dignity and esteem, with the men. Printed for John Hawkins, at the Falcon in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, London, 1739. Sophia believed that, with’learning women could do everything normally expected of men only. She says . . . “that they who are versed in any science, look upon themselves as possest of something, which is a mystery to the generality of the world. But let the matter be how it will, it is more than probable, that, since the vanity of the learned men great11 surpasses that of the learned of our sex, as appears from the frothy titles the former arrogate to themselves: if women were admitted to an equal share of the sciences, and the advantages leading to, and flowing from them, they would be much less subject to the vanity, they are apt to occasion. It is a very great absurdity to argue that learning is useless to women, because forsooth they have not a share in public offices, which is the end for which men apply themselves to it . . . why is learning useless to us? Because we have no share in public offices. And why have we no share in public office? Because we have no learning” (pp. 26-27). ‘I must confess, I cannot find how the oddity wou’d be greater, to see a lady with a truncheon in her hand, than with a crown on her head; or why it shou’d create more suprise, to see her preside in a council of war, then in a council of state. Why may she not be as capable of heading an army as a parliament; or of commanding at sea as of reigning at land? What shou’d hinder her from holding the helm of a fleet with the same safety and steadiness
258
CATHERINEM.~ELAND
1
I
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eye
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OF
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as that of a nation? And why may she not exercise her soldiers, draw up her troops in battle array, and divide her forces into battalions at land, squadrons at sea, etc. with the same pleasure she wou’d have in seeing or ordering it to be done? The military art has no mystery in it beyond others which Women cannot attain to.’ This provoked a reply from a Gentleman Man superior to woman: of the men to sovereign women . . . printed for
or the natural right authority over the
J. Robinson at the Golden-Lion in Ludgate Street, London, 1744. The Gentleman said “ . . . women, conscious of their own inabilities, have cheerfully acknowledged the authority which wisdom gives the men over them . . . The joint industry of the Fair at all times, in labouring to make themselves agreeable to us, is a stand-
ing proof, that that is the great business the! were created for, and that the acquiring our love and esteem is the highest end their ambition ought to soar to, as the possession of both is the great and sole hapoiness they are capable of enjoying in this life . . . The more judicious part of our sex may perhap, think it dangerous to trust the lvomen as judges of anything where reason is concerned on account o’f the weakness of their intellects. which seldom can reach higher than a headdress” (pp. x, xi\,). But Sophia, not to be beaten, determined to prove Woman’s superior cxcellencc ol’er man. . . with a plain demonstration qf woman’s natural righr e\‘en to superiorit), over the men in heud and heart; proving their minds as much more beautiful than the men’s as their bodies are; and thar, hud the)’ the same advantages of education, the.,‘ would excel1 them as tnr~-h in set!sc ac thaw,
259
Treasures in the Fawcett Library
The work is arranged under various headings including:-The errbiieous ideas which men have formed of the characters and abilities of women; What men would have women to be;
As GOOD'arse
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3
.
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do in virtue, printed for Jacob Robinson, at the Golden-Lion in Ludgate Street, London, 1743. Forty years after appeared Female restoration, by a moral and physical vindication of female talents: in opposition to all dogmarical assertions relative to disparity in the sexes by A Lady. Sold only at Free-Masons Coffee House, Great Queen Street, Lincoln’s-lnnFields, and J. Macgowan’s No. 27 Paternoster-Row, London, 1780. In 1798 D. Geddes made an Appeal IO the men of Great Britain on behalf of women printed for J. Johnson, St. Paul’s ChurchYard; and J. Bell, Oxford-Street, London.
What women are and What women ought to be. The early nineteenth century brought William Thompson’s Appeal of one half of the human race, women, against the pretensions of the other half men, to retain them in political, and thence in civil and domestic, slavery; in reply to a paragraph of Mr. Mill’s celebrated Article on government”‘, printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees. . . . London, 1825. . . . The Mr. Mill referred to was the father of John Stuart Mill the ardent supporter of the women’s suffrage movement and author of The subjection of women, Longmans, Green, Reader and Dyer, London, 1869. One of the copies in the Fawcett Library is inscribed ‘Millicent Garrett Fawcett from the Author, June 1, 1869.’ Just as no description can adequatelj compensate for actually seeing a famous painting, no written words can convey the sense of history immediately forthcoming when one actually sees the antique treasures in the Fawcett Library. Who was on the throne in 1592? What did life hold in store for the maid who was making her quill pen in 1677 or families fighting the plague in 1695? How many people took notice of the woman who advised maidens to study accounts instead of needlework in 1678, over three hundred years ago? The value of the treasures lies not so much in monetary terms as in their ability to demonstrate insights into the lives of women past. Many of these scarce works are hard to find elsewhere and are not located even at the British Library. Today the Fawcett Library is preserving books by and about women present. May it continue to do so for man> generations. REFERENCES Douie. Vera. 1912? Wkxriert’sService Library The First Si.vreee,t )-Pars 19261942. London and National Society for Women’s Service. Unpublished typescript held in the Faticelt Library. Douie, Vera. 1978. The foundarion and building up of /he Fawerr Library,. A talk given by Vera Douie, its first librarian, IO the Friends of the Fawcett Librar) at the City of London Polytechnic on January 21~1, Unpublished typescript held in the Fawcett Library.
Forum. vol. IO. NO. 3, PP. Z*l-25%
0217.5395/11113.00+ .m Pngamon Joumalr Ltd.
1987
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TREASURES IN THE FAWCETT LIBRARY CATHERWE M. IRELAND Fawcett Librarian
SysoprL-The old and rare books, or “treasures” as they are affectionately known, in the Fawcett Library comprise a unique collection of scarce works by and about women dating from 1J92. It is the intention here to concentrate on those books which illustrate the position of women through the ages and to highlight a few of the earliest works under the following headings: legal works, the domestic arts, education, and woman’s rights. The photographs and quotes used throughout assist in this attempt to demonstrate insights into the lives of women past.
Soon after Vera Douie, the first Librarian, was appointed in 1926 the Fawcett Library became the happy recipient of several substantial donations of valuable collections of seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth century books. In March 1930, 330 feminist books purchased from the collector by Lady Astor, (the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons) were received. In early 193 1 over 1,000 antique and modem feminist books belonging to Mrs. Ruth Cavendish Bentinck (mother of the current Lord Portland) and the Edward Wright Library of over 900 books useful to women in discharging their duty as citizens, found their way to the Fawcett Library via the National Union of Societies for Equal Citizenship. Edward Wright left a legacy for the purpose of establishing a library. He was the son of Sir Almroth E. Wright, author of the anti-feminist tract The unexpurgated case against woman suffrage, Constable, London, 1913. On July 11th 1935 the 150 books of the Lina Eckenstein Collection were received. Presented by her adopted daughter the collection fell into two categories. These were the devotional works of mediaeval women mystics used by Miss Eckenstein when writing Woman under monasticism, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1896 and first and early editions of women writers. Another welcome addition came in egrly 1936 when Miss May Wallas presented a small collection of seventeenth and eighteenth century books used by her mother Ada Radford Wallas when writing Before the blue stockings, Allen & Unwin, London, 1929. There are about 1,000 items in the antique
collection and of these seventy-five are seventeenth century and 205 eighteenth century. They fall into two main categories. The smaller category shows the contribution made by women to literature and learning and contains first and early editions of works by women writers up to and including George Eliot, the larger illustrates the position of women through the ages. Here are located books on the social, political, educational, and legal position of women, the advice tendered them from generation to generation on the way they should behave and the domestic arts. Before exploring these in greater detail perhaps mention should be made of two very early works represented in the library but not in their original editions. The earliest is an autobiography, the Book of Margery Kempe (Fig. 1). The text from the unique MS-owned by Colonel W. ButlerBowdon was written at her dictation in 1436. The manuscript was lost for many years and came to light five hundred years after its composition. A mystical work it also reveals the author’s active life in the world and the peculiarities of her temperament. The Fawcett Library has the edition published for the Early English Tat Society by Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, London, 1940. Then there is The Book containing the treatises of hawking, hunting, coat armouc fishing, and biasing of arms (by Dame Juliana Berners) printed by Wynkyn de Worde at Westminster in 1496 (Fig. 2, 3, and 4). This is a facsimile reprint of the second edition published in 1810. The supposed author, Dame Juliana, was thought to have been pri241
242
CATHERINE M.
IRELAND
Fig. 1.
oress of Sopwell Nunnery near St. Albans sometime between 1430 and 1480. LEGAL WORKS The oldest books in the Fawcett Library are both legal works edited by Fardinando Pulton (15361618), a member of Lincoln’s Inn. Being a Catholic and so ineligible for the Bar he devoted his legal knowledge to editing the Statutes. An abstract of all the Penail Statutes which be generall, in force
and use (Fig. 5) collected by F. Pulton, and imprinted at London by the Deputies of Christopher Barker in 1592 is the oldest book and it is followed by another of his collection. A Kalendar or table, comprehending the effect of all the statutes that have beene made and put in print, beginning with Magna Charta, Company of Stationers, London, 1612. In each work the section on ‘women’ falls between ‘woolles’ and ‘worsteds’ and concentrates largely on inheritance (Fig. 6). An early Magistrates’ Handbook, by E. W., Statuta Pack: or A perfect table of all
243
Treasures in the Fawcett Library
the Statutes (now in force) which any way concerne the Office of the Justice of Peace, M. Flesher and J. Young, London, is dated 1644 and includes sections on recusants and witchcraft. However, the first book in the
don, 1737, and The laws n?specting women, J. Johnson, London, 1777. TRIALS
English language devoted exclusively to the law relating’to women is The Lawes resolu-
The tryal of Richard Hathaway, upon an intions of womens rights: or the. Lawes Provi- formation for being a cheat and impostor for sion for woemen, John More, London, 1632 endeavouring to take away the life of Sarah Morduck, for being a witch, at Surry Asby I.L. (Fig. 7). The author considered that sizes, Isaac Cleave, LOndon, 1702 (Fig. 8) is the position of women was so bad that political action should be taken to redress it. He of special interest because Hathaway was tried for accusing Sarah Morduck of being a advocated constitutional rather than militant methods. “Have patience, take not your op- witch. In 1715 Capt. Leeson was sentenced portunity of revenge, rather move for redress to death for the rape of Mrs. May, a married by parliament”. The eighteenth century is represented by The hardships of the English
laws in relation to wives, J. Roberts, London, 1735, The Lady’s law: or a treatise of Feme Coverts: containing all the laws and statutes relating to women, H. Lintot, Lon-
woman of 35 years of age, but later he received His Majesty’s most gracious reprieve. in 1752 Mary Blandy was tried for the murder of her father. Although impecunious he spread a rumour that he would give her a dowry of 10,000 pounds. This attracted an
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thr !lrar of Wr Illcarnation of our Lors
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244
CATHERINE
M.
IRELAND
Fig. 3.
unsatisfactory suitor from Scotland who persuaded Mary to administer a white powder to her father. The arsenic had disastrous results on the second occasion but Mary claimed, at the trial, that she believed the powder was a magic potion designed to make her father smile upon the suit. The lover escaped abroad and Mary was found guilty of murder and executed at Oxford on Monday 6th April
1752 (Figs. 9 and 10). The following is a transcript of pages 45 and 46 of the trial:
Fig. 4.
‘Thus far is undeniably true and agreed on all Sides, that Mr. Blandy died by Poison; and That Poison was administred to him by his Daughter, the Prisoner at the Bar. What you are to try, is reduced to this single Question, Whether the Prisoner, at
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the Time she gave it to her Father, kne\\ that it was Poison, and what Effect it would ha\,e? If you believe, that she knew it to be Poison, the other Part, viz. that she kne\! the Effect, is consequential, and you must find her guilty: On the other Hand, if you are satisfied, from her general Character, from what has been said by the Evidence on her Part, and from what she has said
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herself; that she did not knoll it to be Poison, nor had an)’ malicious Intention against her Father, you ought to acquit her. But if you think she kno\\ingly ga1.e Poison to her Father, you can do no other, than find her guilty. The Jury consulted together about five Minutes, and then turned to the Court. Ci. of An-. Gentlemen, are you all agreed on !‘our Verdict?
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Treasures in the Fawcett Library
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Jury Yes
Cl. 01Arr. Who shall say for you? Jury Our Foreman
Cl. of AU. Mary Blandy, hold up thy Hand. (which she did) Gentlemen of the Jury, look upon the Prisoner: How say you, is Mary Blandy guilty of the Felony and Murder whereof she stands indicted, or not guilty? Jury Guilty Cl. of Arr. What Goods or Chattels, Lands, or Tenements had she at the Time of same Felony and Murder committed, or at any Time since, to your Knowledge? Jury None 0. of Arr. Hearken to your Verdict as the Court hath recorded it. You say that Mary Blandy is guilty of the Felony and Murder, whereof she stands indicted; and that she had not any Goods or Chattels, Lands or Tenements, at the Time of the said Felony and Murder committed, or
any Time since, to your Knowledge; and so you say all. Cl. of At-r. Mary Blandy, hold up thy Hand. You have been indicted of Felony and Murder. You have been thereupon arraigned and pleaded thereto not guilty, and for your Tryal you have put yourself upon God and your Country, which Country have found you guilty. W’hat have you now to say for yourself, why the Court should not proceed to give Judgment of Death upon you according to Law? Cryer. Oyez; My Lords of King’s Justices do strictly charge and command all Manner of Persons to keep silence, whilst Sentence of Death is passing on the Prisoner at the Bar, upon pain of Imprisonment.
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249
Treasures WIthe Fawcett Library
Fig. 10.
Mr. Baron Legg
Mary Blandy, you have been indicted for the Murder of your Father, and for your Tryal, have put yourself upon God and your Country: That Country has found you guilty. You have had a long and a fair Tryal, and sorry 1 am, that it falls to my Lot, to acquaint you, that 1 am now no more at Liberty to suppose you innocent, than 1 was before to presume you guilty. You are convicted of a Crime, so dreadful, so horrid in itself, that human Nature shudders at it-The wilful Murder of your own Father!-A Father, by all Accounts, the most fond, the most tender, most indulgent that ever lived:-That Father, with his dying Breath forgave you;-May your heavenly Father do so too. It is hard to conceive, that any Thing could induce you to perpetrate an Act so
shocking; so impossible to reconcile to Nature or Reason. One should have thought, your own sense, your Education and even the natural softness’of your Sex, might have secured you from an Attempt so barbarous and so wicked. What Views you had, or what was your Intension, is best known to yourself: With God and your Conscience be it. At this Bar, we can judge only from Appearances, and from the Evidence produced to us: But do not deceive yourself; remember you are very shortly to appear, before a much more awful Tribunal, where no Subterfuge can avail; no Art, no Disguise can screen you, from the Searcher of all Hearts: He revealeth the deep and secret Things, he knoweth what is the Darkness, and the Light dwelleth with him. Let me advise you, to make the best, and wisest use of the little Time you are likely to continue in this World: Apply to the Throne of Grace, and endeavour to make your Peace with that Power, whose Justice and Mercy are both infinite. Nothing now remains, but to pronounce the Sentence of the Law upon you which is, That you are to be carried to the Place of Execution, and there hanged by the Neck until you are dead: And may God of his Infinite Mercy, receive your Soul. The Prisoner than addressed herself to the Judge in this Manner My Lord, as your Lordship had been so good to show so much Candour and Impartiality to the Course of my Tryal, 1 have one Favour more to beg, which is, that your Lordship, would please to allow me a little Time, till 1 can settle my Affairs, and make my Peace with God. To which his Lordship replied. To be sure you shall have a proper Time allowed you. On Monday the 6th of April following, the Prisoner was executed at Oxford, according to the Sentence pronounced against her.’ THE DOMESTIC ARTS A scarce work over 363 years old by Gervase Markham clearly indicates that vast knovvledge and accomplishments expected of the seventeenth century housewife. Like other recipe books of this period as much attention was paid to medicine and surgery as to bak-
250
CATHER~EM. IRELAND
ing and brewing. Counrrey contentments, or the English huswife . . . was printed by 1.B. for R. Jackson in London in 1623 (Fig. 11). Skills were required in house-hold phisicke, cookery, distillation, wines, drying of wool1 and in hempe, ‘flaxe, cloth, dairy worke, malt, oate-meale, brewing, and baking. Many more fascinating remedies for numerous ailments appeared in an anonymous work printed by a woman, Gartrude Dawson, in London in 1652 and entitled A rich closer of physical secrets . . . viz The childbearers cabiner. A preservative against the plagtie and smallpox. (Fig. 12): ‘For the Cramp The leaves or little sprigs of Rosemary, and put them between every toe, and if you are much troubled with the cramp, use it continually, and this will cure it. For a Canker Take Hog-lice, stamp them till they come to an oyle, and annoint the place therewith. For Sinewes, and Nerves, WI asunder Of Earth-wormes one handful, put them in a cloth, and cleanse them well from the earth, that done, take Sack half a pound, and of Sallade oyle half a pound, mix them together and infuse the Wormes in this until1 they be suffocated, then stop the pot very close, and lute it well, and set the pot in hot horse-dung for eight and forty houres, till the Wormes be rotten, then take them out and presse them, and adde thereto of common Oyle half an ounce, of Venice Turpentine two drachms, then relute your pot, and set it on a soft fire for three or four houres. A Drink for the Cough of the Lungs, and Consumprion Of Earthwormmes two pound, in a Ma) morning, those with black heads are best, you may gather enough; put these in white M’ine for three or four houres than slit and wash them in the same Wine, and in another Wine, and lay them in an earthen pan on straw or sticks laid a crosse, and put them into an Oven after the bread is drawn, and so use them till they be so dry, that you may pownd them, then scarce it, and beat it again till it be as fine as flower: then keep it for your use, which you must take twice a day, in the morning when you
wake, and at four in the afternoon, as much as will lye on sixpence, or eightpence; take it in a spoonful of warm Broth, or mulled Sack, or Mace Ale, and drink a pretty draught of the Broth to Wash it down: if you take it in mulled Sack, or Mace Ale, take not abovt four spoonfuls, use this for a moneth, but be careful1 of taking cold.’ Nicholas Culpeper, a student in physick and astrology produced Medicaments for the poor; or, physick for the common people . . . containing excellent remedies for most common diseases. It was printed by John Streater for George Sawbridge dwelling at Clerkenwell-Green, London, 1670. A previous owner, George Jordon appears to have been particularly interested in how to make’ opium of English poppies. ‘Narcoticks indeed laid to the part do stupifie, but being taken or smelt to, or applyed to the head, they cause sleep. They differ in the intension of their quality, from properly called sleeping Medicaments &cairse these by their moderate coldness and moisture procure sleep but those by the excess of both qualities bring out deep sleep, and if they be used the\ cause Carus and Apoplexy. Yet there are some degrees of these Narcoticks, for some are more gentle, the use whereof is not so dahgerous; some are more violent which must not be used but upon very urgent pains and watchings. The more gentle to be used inward11 are, white Poppy seed to about one dram; but outwardly m Lotions, the leaves of Garden Night-shade and Poppy . . . ’ Hannah Wolley’s Queene-like closet or Rich cabinet was printed for Richard Lownes at the White Lion in Duck Layne neare West Smithfield in 1675. It is bound together with A supplement to the Queen-like closer b> Hanna Woolley and printed for Richard Lownds, Duck-Lane in 1674. While recipes for rice pudding and oat cakes have not changed much over three hundred years one might now be loath to experiment with suggested remedies for spots on the face and for shingles. Instructions for spots are: “Take a piece of the after-birth of a woman’s first child, and rub your face with it overnight, the next morning wash it off with a little new milk warm from the cow; do so three or four
Treasures in
the Fawcett Library
251
The EnqliihHdbife. L
times and it lvill help.” Instructions for shingles are: “Take a cat, and cut off her ears or her tail, and mix the blood thereof with a little new-milk, and anoint the grieved place with it morning and evening for three days and every night when the party goes to bed give her or him two spoonfuls of treacle-n’ater, to drive out the venom.” Hanna Woolley is also thought to be the
author of a very rare book printed for T. Passinger at the Three Bibles on London Bridge in 1677. It is The cornpiear ser\‘ant-
maid, or the young maidens IUIOKDirecting them how they may fit, and qualife themselves for any of these eniplo_wnenrs vi:, waiting woman, house-keeper, chambermaid, cook-maid, under cook-maid, nursesmaid, dairy-maid, laundry-maid, house-
252
-RICH OF s
i
CATHERINE
CLOSET’ PHYSICAL
SECRETSf C&&d by the E lab&ate pines of four Gvcrall Students in PhyGck, And dig~Rcdtog&r j
f
f i
M.
IRELAND
of making you a good mistress: for there is no sober, honest and discreet man, but will make choice of one, that hath gained the reputation of a good and complete servant for his wife, rather than one who can do nothing but trick up her self fine, and like a Bartholomew Baby, is fit for nothing else but to be looked upon .” The seventeenth century printed recipe books come to an end with three anonymous works bound together. The Queen’s cabinet
opened: or, The pearl of pracrice. Accurate, physical and chyrurgical receipts, 1695. A Queen’s delighr: or, the art of preserving, conserving, and candying. As also a righr knowledge of making perfumes, and disrilling the most excellent waters. London,
1696. The Complear cook: expertly prescribing the mosf ready ways whether Italian, Spanish or French for dressing of flesh and fish, ordering of sauces, or making of pasrry.
London, 1695. Certainly worthy of a reprint is A Medicine for the Plague which the Lord Mayor had from the Queen.
Fig. 12.
maid and scullery-maid.
An attractive work it contains receipts for all domestic purposes, a bill of fare for,every month in the year and specimens of script, letters, and phrases. To wash the face
“There is no better thing to wash the face \!‘ith, to keep it smooth and to scour it clean, than to wash it e\‘ery night with brandy, M,herein you ha\,e steeped a little flouer of brimstone, and the next day \j,ipe it on]!. lvith a cloth. HOU, to make a pen
Ha\ing a penknife \vith a smooth, thin sharp edge, take the first or second quill of a goose \ving and scrape it, then hold it in your left hand with the feather end from you . . . ” The author advises all young maidens “that if you carefully and diligently peruse this book, and observe the directions therein given, you will soon gain the tirle of a complete servant-maid, \vhich may be the means
‘Take of Sage, Elder, and red Bramble leaves of each one little handful; stamp and strain them together through a cloath with a quart of White-wine, then take a quantity of White-wine-vinegar, and mingle them together; and drink thereof morning and night a spoonful at a time nine days together and you shall be whole. There is no medicine more excellent than this, when the sore doth appear, then to take a Cock-chick and pull it; and let the Rump be bare, and hold the Rump of the said Chick to the sore and it will gape and labour for life, and in the end die; then take another, and the third, and so long as any one do dye; for when the Pogson is qune dratvn out, the Chick will live, the sore presently will asswage, and the part! recover. Mr. Winlour proved this upon one of his own Children; the thirteenth Chick dyed, the fourteen lived, and the part! cured.’ But perhaps the greatest treasure of all in this section is a late seventeenth century and early eighteenth century manuscript recipe book (Fig. 13). In a number of different, often exquisite handwritings it was begun by an
in the Faweat
Tiurcs
.
-_
.__
--
Library
_-. _ _---.-
Fig. 13.
ancestress of Mrs. Montgomrey, the donor. The ladies of the family contributed to it throrigh many generations. It was in turn the property of Sarah Streat, Susannah Streat around 1742, Ann Lord around 1800 and her greai granddaughter, the donor in 1937. The recipe for A Great Cake containing twelve pounds of currants, thirty new laid eggs and three good quarts of thick cream also advises the tin “must be butter’d very well or it will stick” and “the way to know it is (baked) is to try with a knife put to the bottom and when it come out cleane it is enough” (Fig. 14).
EDUCATION In 1678 and 1694 however two separate works appeared, both by women, which were extremely forward thinking. Firstly, the anonymous Advice to the women and maidens of London. Shewing, that instead of their usual pastime and education in needle- work, lace, and point-making, it werefar mom necessary and pmfitabh to apply themselves to the right understanding and pmctice of the method of keeping books of account: whemby, either single or married, they may know their estates, carry on rheir trades and avoid
Fig. 14.
the danger of a helpless and forlorn condition, incident to widows.
Printed for Benjamin Billing&y at the Printing Press in Comhill, London, 1687. The author said “I have heard it affirmed by those who have lived in foraign part, that merchants and other trades men have no other book-keepers then their wives: who by this means (the husband dying) are well acquainted with the nature and manner of the trade, and are so certain how, and where their stock is that they need not be beholden to servants or friends_for guidance. Methinks now the objection may be that this art is too high and mysterious for the weaker sex, it will make them proud: women had better keep to their needle-work, point laces etc.
and, if they come to poverty those small crafts may give them some mean relief. To which I answer that having in some measure practised both needle-work and accounts I can averr that I never found this masculine art harder or more difficult then the effeminate achievments of lace-making, gum-work, or the like, the attainment whereof need not make us proud (pp. l-2). Secondly, sixteen years later, in 1694, there appeared A seriouspmposal to the ladies for the advancement of their true and greatest intemst by a lover of her sex (Mary Astell).
The Fawcett Library’s copy printed for Richard Wilkin, London, 1697 contains two parts, the third edition of part one 16% and the first edition of part two 1697. Mary As-
Tbcasuresin the Fawcett Library A.(-
:
,’
tell’s proposal was a scheme for the establishment of a college for women in Chelsea. She thought that women could educate themselves in a way that was impossible in a maledominated world. Women’s capacity would be demonstrated and lead to a transformation of their position. Almost one hundred years later came Mary Wollstonecraft’s Thoughts~on the education of daughters: with reflections on female conduct in the more important duties of life, J. Johnson, London, 1787. The many aspects of behaviour covered include moral discipline, artifical manners, dress,’ the fine arts, reading, love, matrimony, observance of Sunday and benevolence. Mary’s down to earth comments include “Civility is due to all, but regard or admiration should never be expressed when it is not felt” (p. 32). “Few people look into their own hearts, or think of their tempers, though they severely censure others, on whose side they say the fault always lies” (p. 64). “Early marriages are, in my opinion, a stop to improvement. . . . In youth a woman endeavours to please the other sex, in order generally speaking, to get married, and this endeavour calls forth all her powers . . . many women, 1 am persuaded, marry a man before they are twenty, whom they would have rejected some years after” (pp. 93-94). Erasmus Darwin’s A p/an for the conduct of female education in boarding schools was printed by J. Chambers, no. 5 Abbey Street, Dublin in 1798. It was written at the request of the Misses S. and M. Parker who were themselves setting up a boarding school at Ashborne in Derbyshire. In addition to ideas on diet, fresh air, stammering, and punishments, etc. it throws a disturbing light on prevailing conditions: “The rheumatism and other inflamatory diseases are frequently occasioned in crowded schools by placing some of the beds with one side against the wall, where the weaker child, confined by a stronger bed-fellow, is liable to lie for hours together with some part of it in contact with the cold wall, which in the winter months has often been attended with fatal consequences, and especially in those boarding schools where the beds are small, and but one blanket allowed to each of them, and a scanty feather-bed” (p. 148). Concern for the low standards of the time is also shown by Hannah More in her Strictures on the modern system of female education: with a view of
255
I
the principles and conduct prevalent among women of rank and fortune third edition printed for T. Cadell, Jr. and W. Davies in the Strand, London, 1799. Concern for their daughters at boarding school was shown by a mother and father in two different series of, anonymous letters. The Polite Ludy: or a course of female education in a series of letters from a mother to her daughter, second edition. Printed for Newbery and Carnan, London, 1769 was addressed to the Governesses of Ladies’ Boarding Schools in Great Britain and Ireland. The fond and affectionate mother, Portia, writes to her dutiful daughter, Sophia, on topics ranging from reading, writing, music, friendship, and conversation to scandal, idleness, anger, temperance, and chastity. About the latter she says: ‘Young as you are, my Dear, you cannot be ignorant of what I mean by the virtue of chastity, and therefore I shall observe the rules of delicacy so far, as not to explain the nature of it more particularly . . . if . . . she is once deprived of this precious jewel, that moment she loses all inward peace and tranquility of mind; she is forsaken and abandoned by her nearest friends and relations, she is despised and contemned, hissed, and hooted by all the world. . . . . wretched Miss Grep was banished from her father’s house, deserted by her friends, shunned by her acquaintance . . . she fled to the Magdalenhouse where . . . she is now endeavouring to wash out the guilt of her former crimes, by her tears and repentance, and preparing to enter the world afresh, in the humble character of a servant . . . ’ (pp. 185188) Sophia replied that she had never had the least inclination to violate the rules of chastity and asked for her mother’s sentiments on the virtue of modesty. A letter from a father to his daughter ar a boarding-school printed for G. Robinson, London, 1774 contains rather more general exhortations but does advise against gossip and meddling in the affairs of other people. “Female reputation is the most delicate thing in the world: the very breath of scandal, a whisper, a look, a smile and the like, may leave a stain on it . . . Happy would it be for the world were people to mind their own af-
cAlXElU?ZEM. IRELAND
256
fairs more, and those of their neighbours less: the voice of scandal would not be so much heard among us” (pp. 121-122). WOMAN’!5 RIGHTS
Mary Woiistonecraft’s A vindication of the rights of woman: with strictures on political and moral subjects printed for J. Johnson in London in 1792 is generally considered to mark the beginning of the women’s movement. However, this was by no means the first plea for the emancipation of the female sex, an abundant woman’s rights literature having existed prior to this date. A spirited attack on women was made by Joseph Swetnam as early as 1615 in The araignment of lewde, idle, fivward. and unconstant women . . . with a commendation of wise, vertuous and honest women. Pleasant for married men, profitable for young men and hurtful1 to none printed by Edw. Aiide for Thomas Archer in London (Fig. 15). Swetnam was anything but flattering: “When a woman wanteth anything, shee will flatter and speake faire, not much unlike the flattering butcher who gently ciaweth the
Eiter hath hang’d
THE
ARAIGNMENT
Haman
Of Lewde, idle, froward, and vncon&antwomen : Or the vanitie of them, choolc you
whether.
With a Commendation of wise, vertuouv honet? Women. Plant
and
for married Men, profitable for
rouq Men,ld
hurtful1
to none.
oxe, when he intendeth to knock him on the head; but the thing being once obtained and their desires gained, then they will begin to iooke bigge and answere so stately, and speake so scornfully, that one would imagine they would never seeke heipe nor crave comfort at thy hands any more . . . yet for quietnesse sake he doth promise what she demandeth, partly because he would sieepe quietly in his bed: againe every married man knowes this that a woman will never be quiet if hir minde be set upon a thing till she have it” (pp. 11-12). A vigorous reply came from Ester Sowernam two years later in Ester hath hang’d Haman: or an answere to a lewd pamphlet, entitled “The araignment of women” with the araignment of lewd, idle, froward, and unconstant men and husbands . . . printed for Nicholas Boume, London, 1617 (Figs 16 and 17). Ester described herself as “neither maide, wife, nor widdowe, yet really ail three and therefore experienced to defend ail.” She advises Swetnam to “forbeare to charge women with faults which come from the contagion of masculine serpents” (p. 48) and
:
OR
ANANSVVERETO a lewd Pamphlet, TIK Arraignment
entituled
,
of IVomm.
With the arraignment
of lewd,idle,
froward, and vnconRant men, and HVSBAMDS.
Diuidrd into IWOParir.
The hrfl proueth the dignity and rorthinefle of Women,OYIof diwirv Tc&mnier. The fecond nKwing the eRimation of the Feminine Sexe, inrncienr rod Pagxn timer 8aI1which is lcknowklged by men tbcmfeluer in their dailyn&ions.
Written by EJer Souemm,
neither Maide.
WifenorWiddowe, yet reallyxIl.and therefore erpericncsd to defend mll.
LONDON.
Printed for ricbolar Bonrrr,md are to be fold at his lfiop ar the cntrrnceoftheRoyrllExchange. 161;. Fig. 15.
Fig. 16.
Treasures in the Fawcett Library
Efier had Rang’d Qtpan.
49
A
DEFENCE Women, againit the
OF
Author
of the AG-afkaacnt of Il’omcn.
257
sex from ~thetb~rcasms, bitter satyrs and opptvbrioris calumnies where with they are daily, rho underservedly aspers’d by the virulent tongues and pens of malevolent men. Printed by Jo Harefinch for James Norris at the Kings Arms without TempleBar, London, 1683. Support for the ladies continued with Nahum T&e’s A present for the ladies: being an h&to&al vindication of the female sex: to which is added the character of an accomplished virgin, wife and widow, in verse. Printed by Francis Saunders at the Blue Anchor in the New Exchange in the
Strand, London, 1692. In the eighteenth century Sophia, a person of quality, attracted some attention with
Hefaitb,~m~n~rrjiolttord,~bt&ribdiotbdrhrP, For like m t& Rib& tbo moohd OTC: The Nib was her SibitBjor body we/ifd,-, But from God tame lw Sou&.andd@ofc of&r mindc. IAt 110man tbhb much fwomen compare, T.r in tbeh creation tbry much bettaarr : H Mart
Fig. 17.
commences chapter VIII with some amusing verse (p. 49). Another work Look ere you leap: or a history of the lives and intrigues of lewd women: with the arraignment of their several vices, to which is added the character of a good woman, fourth edition printed for Robert Gifford in Old Bedlam without Bishopsgate, London, 1711 (Fig. 18) has also been attributed to Joseph Swetnam. The flavour of his thinking is quickly gathered from the heading to the first chapter “Of women in general, shewing the cause of their original defection, and the wretched estate in which all mankind has been plunged by their means: exemplified in the history of Adam and Eve” (p. 1). “I’ll eat the apple, tho I lose my life, and sacrifice my soul to please my wife” (p. 14). In 1677 came The woman as good as the man: or the equality of both sexes (Fig. 19), an English translation of the le Comte de la Barre’s De L’CgalitC des deux sexes. Distours physique et moral, first published in Paris in 1672. Six years later appeared James Norris’s Haec and hit; or rhe feminine gender more worthy than the masculine being a vindication of that ingenious and innocent
Woman not inferior to man: or, a short and modest vindication of the natural right of the fair-sex to a perfect equhlity of power, dignity and esteem, with the men. Printed for John Hawkins, at the Falcon in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, London, 1739. Sophia believed that, with’learning women could do everything normally expected of men only. She says . . . “that they who are versed in any science, look upon themselves as possest of something, which is a mystery to the generality of the world. But let the matter be how it will, it is more than probable, that, since the vanity of the learned men great11 surpasses that of the learned of our sex, as appears from the frothy titles the former arrogate to themselves: if women were admitted to an equal share of the sciences, and the advantages leading to, and flowing from them, they would be much less subject to the vanity, they are apt to occasion. It is a very great absurdity to argue that learning is useless to women, because forsooth they have not a share in public offices, which is the end for which men apply themselves to it . . . why is learning useless to us? Because we have no share in public offices. And why have we no share in public office? Because we have no learning” (pp. 26-27). ‘I must confess, I cannot find how the oddity wou’d be greater, to see a lady with a truncheon in her hand, than with a crown on her head; or why it shou’d create more suprise, to see her preside in a council of war, then in a council of state. Why may she not be as capable of heading an army as a parliament; or of commanding at sea as of reigning at land? What shou’d hinder her from holding the helm of a fleet with the same safety and steadiness
258
CATHERINEM.~ELAND
1
I
L
m
Ltiok
eye
YOH A
OR,
OF
Lenp:
THE
Lives md Intrigues OF
id Won WITH
. .
THE
LRRAIGNMENT
r SI
I I
ICE
s.
I
lrr rbf Starr rbat rirb b
Fig. 18.
as that of a nation? And why may she not exercise her soldiers, draw up her troops in battle array, and divide her forces into battalions at land, squadrons at sea, etc. with the same pleasure she wou’d have in seeing or ordering it to be done? The military art has no mystery in it beyond others which Women cannot attain to.’ This provoked a reply from a Gentleman Man superior to woman: of the men to sovereign women . . . printed for
or the natural right authority over the
J. Robinson at the Golden-Lion in Ludgate Street, London, 1744. The Gentleman said “ . . . women, conscious of their own inabilities, have cheerfully acknowledged the authority which wisdom gives the men over them . . . The joint industry of the Fair at all times, in labouring to make themselves agreeable to us, is a stand-
ing proof, that that is the great business the! were created for, and that the acquiring our love and esteem is the highest end their ambition ought to soar to, as the possession of both is the great and sole hapoiness they are capable of enjoying in this life . . . The more judicious part of our sex may perhap, think it dangerous to trust the lvomen as judges of anything where reason is concerned on account o’f the weakness of their intellects. which seldom can reach higher than a headdress” (pp. x, xi\,). But Sophia, not to be beaten, determined to prove Woman’s superior cxcellencc ol’er man. . . with a plain demonstration qf woman’s natural righr e\‘en to superiorit), over the men in heud and heart; proving their minds as much more beautiful than the men’s as their bodies are; and thar, hud the)’ the same advantages of education, the.,‘ would excel1 them as tnr~-h in set!sc ac thaw,
259
Treasures in the Fawcett Library
The work is arranged under various headings including:-The errbiieous ideas which men have formed of the characters and abilities of women; What men would have women to be;
As GOOD'arse
.o R, Ecpallity if, ,
“d.
‘.,
T HE
Both,Sexes ,
3
.
Written ~tigindy in Fred, .
WTrraCkccd
iaro Eqiifl
by A. L. -
Fig. 19.
do in virtue, printed for Jacob Robinson, at the Golden-Lion in Ludgate Street, London, 1743. Forty years after appeared Female restoration, by a moral and physical vindication of female talents: in opposition to all dogmarical assertions relative to disparity in the sexes by A Lady. Sold only at Free-Masons Coffee House, Great Queen Street, Lincoln’s-lnnFields, and J. Macgowan’s No. 27 Paternoster-Row, London, 1780. In 1798 D. Geddes made an Appeal IO the men of Great Britain on behalf of women printed for J. Johnson, St. Paul’s ChurchYard; and J. Bell, Oxford-Street, London.
What women are and What women ought to be. The early nineteenth century brought William Thompson’s Appeal of one half of the human race, women, against the pretensions of the other half men, to retain them in political, and thence in civil and domestic, slavery; in reply to a paragraph of Mr. Mill’s celebrated Article on government”‘, printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees. . . . London, 1825. . . . The Mr. Mill referred to was the father of John Stuart Mill the ardent supporter of the women’s suffrage movement and author of The subjection of women, Longmans, Green, Reader and Dyer, London, 1869. One of the copies in the Fawcett Library is inscribed ‘Millicent Garrett Fawcett from the Author, June 1, 1869.’ Just as no description can adequatelj compensate for actually seeing a famous painting, no written words can convey the sense of history immediately forthcoming when one actually sees the antique treasures in the Fawcett Library. Who was on the throne in 1592? What did life hold in store for the maid who was making her quill pen in 1677 or families fighting the plague in 1695? How many people took notice of the woman who advised maidens to study accounts instead of needlework in 1678, over three hundred years ago? The value of the treasures lies not so much in monetary terms as in their ability to demonstrate insights into the lives of women past. Many of these scarce works are hard to find elsewhere and are not located even at the British Library. Today the Fawcett Library is preserving books by and about women present. May it continue to do so for man> generations. REFERENCES Douie. Vera. 1912? Wkxriert’sService Library The First Si.vreee,t )-Pars 19261942. London and National Society for Women’s Service. Unpublished typescript held in the Faticelt Library. Douie, Vera. 1978. The foundarion and building up of /he Fawerr Library,. A talk given by Vera Douie, its first librarian, IO the Friends of the Fawcett Librar) at the City of London Polytechnic on January 21~1, Unpublished typescript held in the Fawcett Library.