For once in his life, Brigham Young was foiled, and that by a woman. CHAPTER XII. POLYGAMY. Condition of Woman among various Heathen Nations.--Influence of Christianity.--Mormonism and Woman.--Brigham offers to set the Women Free.--Arguments in Favor of Polygamy.--The Argument against it.--Abraham and Sarah.--Appeal to Mormon Women.-- Their Unhappy Condition.--Evil Effects of the System.-- Illustrations. Woman is looked upon and treated by all heathen nations as an inferior being, created for the convenience and comfort of man. "According to the ancient Rabbis, the rib which had been taken from Adam, was laid down for a moment, and in that moment a monkey came and stole it, and ran off with it, full speed. An angel pursued, and though not in league with the monkey, he could have been no good angel; for, overtaking him, he caught him by the tail, brought it maliciously back instead of the rib, and out of that tail was woman made. What became of the rib with which the monkey got clear off 'was never to mortal known.' "The Hungarians think it infamous to be governed by a woman,--and when the crown fell to a female, they called her King Mary instead of Queen. "Aristotle calls woman a monster, and Plato makes it a question whether she ought not to be ranked among irrational creatures. "Mahomet, too, was not the only person who has supposed that women have no souls. Among the Afghans, twelve young women were given as compensation for the slaughter of one man. Six for cutting off a hand, an ear, or a nose; three for breaking a tooth, and one for a wound of the scalp. By the laws of the Venetians, and of certain other Oriental people, the testimony of two women was made equivalent to that of one man. "According to the Brahmins, the widow who burns herself with the body of her husband, will, in her next state, be born a male; but the widow who refuses to make the self-sacrifice, will never be anything better than a woman, let her be born again as often as she may." The Jew begins his public prayer with a thanksgiving to his Maker for not having made him a woman. The Moors do not allow women to enter their mosques or places of worship. Mussulmen hold that there is a separate paradise for women, considering them unworthy to occupy the same as the men, except such beautiful women as are assigned to the male occupants as a reward for a virtuous and religious life on earth. "Sit not in the midst of women," said the son of Sirach, in his wisdom; "for from garments cometh a moth, and from women wickedness."