The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-WorldNewcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Science
The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Science fiction; Utopias -- Fiction; Voyages, Imaginary -- Early works to 1800
Emperor, to whom we all submit with one obedience.
Then the Empress seeing that the several sorts of her Subjects had each
their Churches apart, asked the Priests, whether they were of several
Religions? They answered her Majesty, That there was no more but one
Religion in all that World, nor no diversity of opinions in that same
Religion for though there were several sorts of men, yet had they all
but one opinion concerning the Worship and Adoration of God. The Empress
asked them, Whether they were Jews, Turks, or Christians? We do not
know, said they, what Religions those are; but we do all unanimously
acknowledg, worship and adore the Onely, Omnipotent, and Eternal God,
with all reverence, submission, and duty. Again, the Empress enquired,
Whether they had several Forms of Worship? They answered, No: For our
Devotion and Worship consists onely in Prayers, which we frame according
to our several Necessities, in Petitions, Humiliations, Thanksgiving,
&c. Truly, replied the Empress, I thought you had been either Jews, or
Turks, because I never perceived any Women in your Congregations: But
what is the reason, you bar them from your religious Assemblies? It is
not fit, said they, that Men and Women should be promiscuously together
in time of Religious Worship; for their company hinders Devotion, and
makes many, instead of praying to God, direct their Devotion to their
Mistresses. But, asked the Empress, Have they no Congregation of their
own, to perform the duties of Divine Worship, as well as Men? No,
answered they: but they stay at home, and say their Prayers by
themselves in their Closets. Then the Empress desir'd to know the reason
why the Priests and Governors of their World were made Eunuchs? They
answer'd, To keep them from Marriage: For Women and Children most
commonly make disturbance both in Church and State. But, said she, Women
and Children have no Employment in Church or State. 'Tis true, answer'd
they; but, although they are not admitted to publick Employments, yet
are they so prevalent with their Husbands and Parents, that many times
by their importunate perswasions, they cause as much, nay, more mischief
secretly, then if they had the management of publick Affairs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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