[General] How could the natural shyness of women denude a women's club its consummation?

[cubezero2]

Hi, everyone.
The following excerpt comes from Tess of the d'Urbervilles.

In men's clubs such celebrations were, though expiring, less uncommon; but either the natural shyness of the softer sex, or a sarcastic attitude on the part of male relatives, had denuded such women's clubs as remained (if any other did) or this their glory and consummation.
http://www.online-literature.com/hardy/tess_urbervilles/2/

Could someone please tell me the connection between "the shyness of the softer sex" and "consummation"?
Many thanks
Richard

 

[Raymott]

The May-Day dance (Cerealia) was an old custom. "The club of Marlott alone lived to uphold the local Cerealia."

My guess is that it means that the "glory and consummation" of these clubs is the May-Day dance. 'Consummation means accomplishment or attainment. So, the proposition here is that the "natural shyness of the softer sex" prevented the clubs from putting on a May-Day dance. That sounds a bit strange, because women in those days loved dances.

 

[capcap23]

as remained (if any other did) or this their glory and consummation.

I couldn't understand this part.

What is the role of ''this'' ?

 

[cubezero2]

Should there be a comma after this?

... had denuded such women's clubs as remained (if any other did) of this, their glory and consummation.

Otherwise I don't know how I am supposed to understand this structure, or interpret its meaning.

 

[Tdol]

There is a typo; 'or' should be 'of'.

You do get scanning errors in older texts that are copyright free. You also get typos.

 

[Rover_KE]

Also asked and answered here (posted after you had read our replies, so I'm not complaining about it).

 

[cubezero2]

We've had a fairly heated discussion on a Chinese forum for several days. The ID of the guy who posted on WordReference is similar to one of the participants. He probably found it difficult to accept the answer I copied from here and felt he had to post a question himself.