Oh, if they knew and considered, unhappy ones! oh, could they see, could But for a moment discern, how the blood of true gallantry kindles, How the old knightly religion, the chivalry semi-quixotic Stirs in the veins of a man at seeing some delicate woman Serving him, toiling—for him, and the world; some tenderest girl, now Over-weighted, expectant, of him, is it? who shall, if only Duly her burden be lightened, not wholly removed from her, mind you Lightened if but by the love, the devotion man only can offer, Grand on her pedestal rise as urn-bearing statue of Hellas;— Oh, could they feel at such moments how man’s heart, as into Eden Carried anew, seems to see, like the gardener of earth uncorrupted, Eve from the hand of her Maker advancing, an help meet for him, Eve from his own flesh taken, a spirit restored to his spirit, Spirit but not spirit only, himself whatever himself is, Unto the mystery’s end sole helpmate meet to be with him;— Oh, if they saw it and knew it; we soon should see them abandon Boudoir, toilette, carriage, drawing-room, and ball-room, Satin for worsted exchange, gros-de-naples for plain linsey-woolsey, Sandals of silk for clogs, for health lackadaisical fancies! So, feel women, not dolls; so feel the sap of existence Circulate up through their roots from the far-away centre of all things. Circulate up from the depths to the bud on the twig that is topmost! Yes, we should see them delighted, delighted ourselves in the seeing, Bending with blue cotton gown skirted up over striped linsey-woolsey, Milking the kine in the field, like Rachel, watering cattle, Rachel, when at the well the predestined beheld and kissed her, Or, with pail upon head, like Dora beloved of Alexis, Comely, with well-poised pail over neck arching soft to the shoulders, Comely in gracefullest act, one arm uplifted to stay it, Home from the river or pump moving stately and calm to the laundry; Ay, doing household work, as many sweet girls I have looked at, Needful household work, which some one, after all, must do, Needful, graceful therefore, as washing, cooking, and scouring, Or, if you please, with the fork in the garden uprooting potatoes.— Or,—high-kilted perhaps, cried Lindsay, at last successful, Lindsay this long time swelling with scorn and pent-up fury, Or high-kilted perhaps, as once at Dundee I saw them, Petticoats up to the knees, or even, it might be, above them, Matching their lily-white legs with the clothes that they trod in the wash-tub! Laughter ensued at this; and seeing the Tutor embarrassed, It was from them, I suppose, said Arthur, smiling sedately, Lindsay learnt the tune we all have learnt from Lindsay, _For oh, he was a roguey, the Piper o’ Dundee_. Laughter ensued again; and the Tutor, recovering slowly, Said, Are not these perhaps as doubtful as other attractions?