A Hundred Years Ago
THE " SPECTATOR," AUGUST 11TH, 1832.
Tam CAUSE OF ALL EVIL.—It is the orthodox belief of the East, that no evil can take place of which a woman is not the first cause. " Who is she ? " a Rajah was always in the habit of asking, whenever a calamity was related to him, however severe or however trivial. His attendants reported to him one morning that a labourer had fallen from the scaffold when working at his palace, and had broken his neck. " Who is she ? " immediately demanded the Rajah. " A man; ,
no woman, great prince ! " was the reply. " Who is she ? " repeated with increased anger, was all the Rajah deigned to utter. In vain did the servants assert the manhood of the labourer. " Bring me instant intelligence what woman caused this accident, or wo upon your heads " exclaimed the Prince. In an hour the active attendants returned; and, pro- strating themselves, cried out, " 0 wise and powerful prince ! " " Well, who is she ? " interrupted he. " As the ill-fated labourer was working on the scaffold, he was attracted by the beauty of one of your Highness's damsels ; and gazing upon her, lost his balance, and fell to the ground." " You hear now," said the Prince, " no accident can happen without a woman, in some way, being an instrument."
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