respect for women the test of nobility

I[maginary]. F[riend]. “All must observe that the noblest, and in general the most eminent men, evince the highest regard for women; that a profound and deferential respect for them is the first characteristic of a perfect gentleman.”
(Scenes Beyond the Western Border; and Scenes and Adventures in the Army)

“… and if the degree of consideration in which the ever-adorable sex is held by the men be—as the philosophers affirm—a just criterion of the degree of refinement among a people, then I may truly pronounce the Typees to be as polished a community as ever the sun shone upon. … Nowhere are the ladies more assiduously courted; nowhere are they better appreciated as the contributors to our highest enjoyments; and nowhere are they more sensible of their power.”  (Typee)

UPDATE:  For the whole prairie dialogue on social injustices to women, see here.  For another instance in Melville's writings of the same theme, check out the pseudo-biographical sketch of the "Marquis de Grandvin" from the so-called "Burgundy Club" manuscript:

Not invariably running the risk of incurring dark clouds from their lords, the dames and sisters of the Benedicks of the clubs, at their balls and parties, cast upon the Marquis that kindled merry glance which, according to the old French epic whose theme is Roncesvalles, the ladies bestowed upon Roland; not alone smitten by the fame and taken with the person of that noble accredited nephew of Charlemagne, but rightly inferring him to be not more of a David against the Saracen than a champion against still more flagitious infidels, impugners of the sex.
(The Marquis de Grandvin)

 * * *

“How generally in society, with the audacious, but seldom denied claim to civilization, do men, (alas! uneducated,) like savages, look upon them and treat them as drudges; laborers in their service and ministers to their pleasure."
(Scenes Beyond the Western Border; and Scenes and Adventures in the Army)

“Far different from their condition among many rude nations, where the women are made to perform all the work while their ungallant lords and masters lie buried in sloth….” (Typee)