[277] “Sixth Report of the Directors of the African Institution” (1812), p. 128. [278] _Op. cit._, p. 336. [279] Ditto, p. 536. [280] “Ancient Society,” p. 71. [281] “Ancient Society,” p. 75, 528. [282] Ditto, p. 530. [283] See Lafitau “Les Mœurs des Sauvages,” ii., p. 564, _et seq._ [284] See Lafitau, ii., p. 77, _et seq._ [285] “Ancient Society,” p. 88. [286] Ditto, p. 63. [287] “Ancient History,” p. 418. [288] “Types of Sociology,” pp. 665, 669. [289] Ditto, p. 667. [290] “Ancient Society,” p. 516. [291] Ditto, p. 515. [292] Ditto, p. 516. [293] “Ancient Society,” p. 103. [294] “Travels in Northern America,” p. 378. [295] “Memoirs,” ii., p. 150. [296] “La Cité Antique” (6th Ed.), 1876, p. 133. [297] “Early History of Institutions,” pp. 64, 65. [298] Ditto, p. 68. [299] P. 630, _note_. [300] “Principles of Sociology,” p. 769. [301] Ditto, p. 771. CHAPTER X. THE SOCIAL POSITION OF WOMAN AS AFFECTED BY “CIVILISATION.” The legend which teaches that the first woman was formed out of one of the ribs of the first man must surely be true, seeing that it agrees perfectly with the position which woman holds among all primitive peoples! With few rights, if any, in this life, it is not surprising that her subordination is continued in the spirit world, and that if she gains admittance at all into the native heaven, it is usually under peculiar circumstances. Thus, the Fijian women are voluntarily strangled or buried alive at the funerals of their husbands, from the belief that in _their_ company alone “can they reach the realms of bliss;” to which is added the idea that she “who meets her death with the greatest devotedness will become the favourite wife in the abode of spirits.” What becomes after death of the women who do not die with their husbands is, perhaps, uncertain, but there is reason to believe that among many uncultured peoples as little thought is given to the future state of such unfortunates as to that of animals killed for food. In fact, among the Papuan tribes, and with many of the natives of Australia, women are highly prized for cannibal purposes. Judging from this fact, we shall not expect to find that, during life, they are much cared for, unless it be on the principle which sometimes leads cannibals to fatten their victims before preying on them. This is not the case, however, with the natives of Australia, and women among them not only have to endure many privations, but are most barbarously treated. Wilkes states that they are considered as articles of property. Among few peoples is the lot of woman so cruel as with the aborigines of Australia.