In defense of these expressions and the general character of the essay, it must be said that the position of women in society at that time was comparable to that Of no other class except the slave. As the slave took the name Of his master, so the woman upon marriage gave up her own and took that of her husband. Like the slave, the married woman was permitted to own no property; as, upon marriage, her property, real and personal, and all she acquired subsequently by gift, will, or her own labor, was absolutely in her husband's control and subject to his debts. He could even will away her marriage portion and leave her destitute. The earnings of the slave belonged to the master, those Of the wife to the husband. Neither slave nor wife could make a legal contract, sue or be sued, establish business.