It is the opinion of Mr. J. P. Andrews, that antiquarians are by no
means apt to pay great attention to the fair sex. He says,
“Their Venus must be old, and want a nose.”
He instances, as among those who have “set themselves most warmly”
against females, old Antony à Wood, whose diary affords some specimens
of grotesque dislike.
Page 167. “He” (sir Thomas Clayton) “and his family, most of them
_womankind_, (which before were looked upon, if resident in the college,
a scandal and abomination thereunto,) being no sooner settled,” &c. than
“the warden’s garden must be altered, new trees planted, &c. All which,
though unnecessary, yet the poor college must pay for them, and all this
to please a woman!”
P. 168. “Frivolous expenses to pleasure his proud lady.”
P. 173. “Yet the warden, by the motion of his lady, did put the college
to unnecessary charges and very frivolous expenses. Among which were a
very large looking-glass, for her to see her ugly face and body to the
middle, and perhaps lower.”
P. 252. “Cold entertainment, cold reception, cold, clownish woman.”
P. 257. “Dr. Bathurst took his place of vice-chancellor, a man of good
parts, and able to do good things, but he has a wife that scorns that he
should be in print. A scornful woman! Scorns that he was dean of Wells!
No need of marrying such a woman, who is so conceited that she thinks
herself fit to govern a college or a university.”
P. 270. “Charles lord Herbert, eldest son of Henry, marquis of
Worcester, was matriculated as a member of Ch. Ch. Ætat 16. natus Lond.
I set this down here, because the father and ancestors were all
catholics, but because the mother is a presbyterian, a Capel, she
(against the father’s will, as it is said) will have him bred a
protestant; so that by this change the catholics will lose the
considerablest family in England, and the richest subject the king has.”
Selden, too, is cited as an antiquarian inattentive to gallantry.
“It is reason,” says he, “a man that will have a wife should be at the
charge of her trinkets, and pay all the scores she sets on him. He that
will keep a monkey it is fit he should pay for the glasses he breaks.”
But ladies can, if they please, retaliate severely. A gentleman who had
married a second wife, indulged himself in recurring too often in
conversation to the beauty and virtues of his first consort. He had,
however, barely discernment enough to discover that the subject was not
an agreeable one to his present lady. “Excuse me, madam,” said he, “I
cannot help expressing my regrets for the dear deceased.” “Upon my
honour,” said the lady, “I can most heartily affirm that I am as sincere
a mourner for her as you can be.”
* * * * *