The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's WorkPenny, Virginia
General
The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's Work
Penny, Virginia
Women -- Employment
=14. Lawyers.= We cannot question the right of woman to plead at the
bar, but we doubt whether it would be for her good. She might study law,
to discipline her mind and to store it with useful information. She
might profitably spend, in that way, time which would otherwise be
devoted to music, painting, or the languages. But the noisy scenes now
witnessed in a court room are scarcely compatible with the reserve,
quietude, and gentleness that characterize a woman of refinement.
Theodore Parker said: "As yet, I believe, no woman acts as a lawyer; but
I see no reason why the profession of law might not be followed by women
as well as men. He must be rather an uncommon lawyer who thinks no
feminine head could compete with him. Most lawyers that I have known are
rather mechanics at law than attorneys or scholars at law; and, in the
mechanical part, woman could do as well as man--could be as good a
conveyancer, could follow precedents as carefully, and copy forms as
nicely. I think her presence would mend the manners of the court--of the
bench, not less than of the bar." A lady lawyer would not be without a
precedent, for we read from a note in "Women Artists:" "Christina Pisani
wrote a work which was published in Paris, 1498. It gives an account of
the learned and famous Novella, the daughter of a professor of the law
in the university of Bologna. She devoted herself to the same studies,
and was distinguished for her scholarship. She conducted her father's
cases; and, having as much beauty as learning, was wont to appear in
court veiled." We suppose this is the same young lady of whom we read
elsewhere: "At twenty-six she took the degree of doctor of laws, and
began publicly to expound the laws of Justinian. At thirty she was
elevated to a professor's chair, and taught the law to a crowd of
scholars from all nations. Others of her sex have since filled
professors' chairs in Bologna." While we would not encourage women to
act publicly as counsellors at law, we would claim for them the
privilege of acting as attorneys. Writing out deeds, mortgages, wills,
and indentures, would be a pleasant occupation for such women as are
qualified and fond of sedentary life. We know that the hearts of most
women would prompt them to relieve the poor and oppressed: but might
they not do it in some other way as efficiently as by pleading at the
bar? If the weak seek their aid, let them bestow the benefit of their
legal lore. If the helpless seek their protection, let them bring their
information and counsel to bear upon the case, but not by public
speaking. By personal effort, or by applying to the good of the other
sex, they may accomplish much. If a woman involve herself in the
intricacies of law, may she not lose those tender traits that endear her
to the other sex, and in time discard those graces that render her
gentle and lovely at home? The profession of the law is one suited to
the inclinations, nature, and taste of but very few women. But if a lady
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