Now
the writer strongly advises any woman who is struck by a ruffian to
strike him again; or if she cannot clench her fists, and he advises
all women in these singular times to learn to clench their fists,
to go at him with tooth and nail, and not to be afraid of the
result, for any fellow who is dastard enough to strike a woman,
would allow himself to be beaten by a woman, were she to make at
him in self-defence, even if, instead of possessing the stately
height and athletic proportions of the aforesaid Isopel, she were
as diminutive in stature, and had a hand as delicate, and foot as
small, as a certain royal lady, who was some time ago assaulted by
a fellow upwards of six feet high, whom the writer has no doubt she
could have beaten had she thought proper to go at him. Such is the
deliberate advice of the author to his countrymen and women--advice
in which he believes there is nothing unscriptural or repugnant to
common sense.
The writer is perfectly well aware that, by the plain language
which he has used in speaking of the various kinds of nonsense
prevalent in England, he shall make himself a multitude of enemies;
but he is not going to conceal the truth or to tamper with
nonsense, from the fear of provoking hostility. He has a duty to
perform and he will perform it resolutely; he is the person who
carried the Bible to Spain; and as resolutely as he spoke in Spain
against the superstitions of Spain, will he speak in England
against the nonsense of his own native land.
Pages:
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585