of Leilai--and in modern times by the Persian woman
Zarin Tadj, still better known by her surname Qurat-ul-Ain (that is,
"Eyes' Comfort"). This woman descended from a priest's family, her
father as well as her uncle and father-in-law had been great
theologians, and her cousin, to whom she was married, was a
distinguished scholar. Her extraordinary beauty seems to have been
surpassed only by her intellect and character. When but a child she took
a great interest in the conversations on science which were often
carried on in her family, and surprised everybody by her sharp wit and
rich mind.

When later on she became acquainted with the doctrines of the Bab, a new
leader, who appeared in Persia about the middle of last century, she was
so deeply impressed by them that she entered into intercourse with him,
and in spite of the resistance of her family, appeared in public in
order to proclaim her master's doctrines.

Let us try to give Mohammedan women a share in the higher spiritual life
of their western sisters, and the slave creatures who serve only their
husbands' pleasure and ease will become companions in his life-work and
educators of his children. This would produce a perfect change in
Moslem family-life.

This vision of the future, however, is not yet fulfilled. The Mohammedan
girl spends her childhood in a dreary way, knowing that until her
fourteenth or fifteenth year life will not be changed. Then her parents
will marry her to a man, in the choice of whom they will be led by
financial reasons only. The young man's mother or some other elder
relation of his chooses a bride for him, and examines the girl with
regard to her health and bodily charms. Sometimes the young people are
allowed to exchange a few words with each other in presence of the
mother, but to get acquainted with each other as in Christian lands is
considered superfluous. After marriage she is a slave not only to her
husband, but also to her parents-in-law, towards whom she must behave
most courteously, and whom she must serve sometimes even before serving
her husband. Every morning she rises first and cleans the house; then
she must bring her father-in-law water to wash himself, and afterwards
his repast. Prudence makes her try to gain the affection of her
parents-in-law, that they may protect her, in case her husband should
dismiss her. Moreover, in the first year after her marriage a young wife
is not allowed to answer the questions of her pa