The Fortnightly Review: No. CCCCLXIII, New Series [‎631v] (153/239)

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THE POSITION OF WOMEN.
won from the void (so to speak) ; since man has already followed
a course of change starting from a primitive cell to arrive at a
Shakespeare or a Newton (a process of eons representatively re
peated in a few months by every human being that is born), there
is no logical stopping-place that can be assigned to the possibilities
of travel into those ‘ ‘ other worlds ’ ’ that we begin to discern
within ourselves—like faint peaks of mountains seen across wastes
of sea. And even in this world of to-day spirit can transfigure
the body in a sense, perhaps, more literal than we dream. We
may see this in a lesser degree, in very beautiful natures in whom
the nobler elements are habitually dominant.
The soul seems to shine through and illuminate its temple,
rendering it mysteriously beautiful.
Perhaps the new growth may be in the direction that will cause
to disappear the old illusory separation of matter and spirit, and
so prompt to that reverence for the body—a very symbol of
nobility as it can be—which mediaeval Christianity and modern
Puritanism have so cruelly destroyed.
“ Phantoms and unrealities,” it may be objected. But out of
phantoms and unrealities this world of men has been built from
the beginning.
But it is clear that all trace and vestige of the master and bonds
woman must disappear utterly and for ever, before the eternal
lovers, no longer at cross purposes, at secret war, but reconciled,
can set foot together upon the wonderful new path that winds
its way alluringly before them to unknown heights and splendours.
In spite of the old adage that love is blind, they have always been
haunted by an inner sense that love, on the contrary, is the great
seer, the passion that reveals and knows, and that by its magic
they can together unlock the gates of a happier future.
“ The glory that drew him,” exclaims the poet once more, in
speaking of the lover in one of Rossetti’s poems, “ was the glory
of the angel within the woman, visible for a moment to the angel
within himself.”
And the dwelling-place of angels, be it remembered, is Heaven !
Mona Cairo.