第10章

Thewholeworldwasmadeforman，butthetwelfthpartofmanforwoman。

Manisthewholeworld杢hebreathofGod；womantheribandcrookedpieceofman。Ispeaknotinprejudicenoramaversefromthatsweetsex，butnaturallyamorousofallthatisbeautiful。Icanlookalldayatahandsomepicture，thoughitbebutahorse。“

TurningtoJohnPaulFriedrichRichter，Ifoundinhischapteronwomanmanyequallyridiculousstatementsmixedupwithmuchfulsomeadmiration。

AfterreadingsomevolumesofRichter，ItookupHeinrichHeine，theGermanpoetandwriter。Hesaid：“Oh，thewomen！wemustforgivethemmuch，fortheylovemuchandmany。Theirhateis，properly，onlyloveturnedinsideout。Sometimestheyattributesomedelinquencytous，becausetheythinktheycan，inthisway，gratifyanotherman。Whentheywritetheyhavealwaysoneeyeonthepaperandtheothereyeonsomeman。ThisistrueofallauthoressesexceptthecountessHahnHahn，whohasonlyoneeye。“InJohnRuskin\'sbiographyhegivesusaglimpseofhistimidityinregardtothesex，whenayoungman。Hewasveryfondofthesocietyofgirls，butneverknewhowtoapproachthem。Hesaidhe“wasperfectlyhappyinservingthem，wouldgladlymakeabridgeofhimselfforthemtowalkover，abeamtofastenaswingtoforthem朼nythingbuttotalktothem。“SucharesomeofthechoicespecimensofmasculinewitIcollectedduringmywinter\'sreading！

AtareceptiongiventomebyDrs。JuliaandKateMitchell，sisterspracticingmedicineinLondon，ImetStepniak，theRussianNihilist，amanofgrandpresenceandfineconversationalpowers。HewasabouttogotoAmerica，apprehensivelestourGovernmentshouldmakeanextraditiontreatywithRussiatoreturnpoliticaloffenders，asheknewthatproposalhadbeenmade。AfewweekslaterhedidvisittheUnitedStates，andhadahearingbeforeacommitteeoftheSenate。HepointedoutthecharacteroftheNihilistmovement，declaringNihiliststobetherealreformers，thetrueloversofliberty，sacrificingthemselvesforthebestinterestsofthepeople，andyet，aspoliticalprisoners，theyaretreatedworsethanthelowestclassofcriminalsintheprisonsandminesofSiberia。

Ihadaveryunpleasantinterview，duringthisvisittoLondon，withMissLydiaBecker，MissCarolineBiggs，andMissBlackburn，attheMetropole，aboutchoosingdelegatestotheInternationalCouncilofWomensoontobeheldinWashington。Astherehadbeensomeirreconcilabledissensionsinthesuffrageassociation，andtheycouldnotagreeastowhomtheirdelegateshouldbe，theydecidedtosendnoneatall。IwroteatoncetoMrs。PriscillaBrightMcLaren，pointingoutwhatashameitwouldbeifEngland，aboveallcountries，shouldnotberepresentedinthefirstInternationalCouncilevercalledbyasuffrageassociation。Sherepliedpromptlythatmustnotbe，andimmediatelymovedinthematter，andthroughhereffortsthreedelegatesweresoonauthorizedtogo，representingdifferentconstituencies朚rs。

AliceCliffScatcherd，Mrs。OrmistonChant，andMrs。AshtonDilke。

TowardthelastofFebruary，1888，wewentagaintoLondontomakeafewfarewellvisitstodearfriends。WespentafewdayswithMrs。MonaCaird，whowasthenreadingKarlPearson\'slectureson“Woman，“andexpoundingherviewsonmarriage，whichsheafterwardgavetotheWestministerReview，andstirredthepresstowhiteheatbothinEnglandandAmerica。

“IsMarriageaFailure？”furnishedtheheadingforourquackadvertisementsforalongtimeafter。Mrs。Cairdwasaverygraceful，pleasingwoman，andsogentleinmannerandappearancethatnoonewoulddeemhercapableofhurlingsuchthunderboltsatthelong-sufferingSaxonpeople。

WedevotedonedaytoPrinceKrapotkine，wholivesatHarrow，inthesuburbsofLondon。Afriendofhis，Mr。Lieneff，escortedusthere。Wefoundtheprince，hiswife，andchildinveryhumblequarters；uncarpetedfloors，booksandpapersonpineshelves，woodenchairs，andthebarenecessariesoflife杗othingmore。Theyindulgeinnoluxuries，butdevotealltheycansparetothepublicationofliberalopinionstobescatteredinRussia，andtohelpNihilistsinescapingfromthedominionsoftheCzar。Theprinceandprincesstookturnsinholdingandamusingthebaby杢henonlyoneyearold；fortunatelyitsleptmostofthetime，sothattheconversationflowedonforsomehours。Krapotkinetoldusofhissadprisonexperiences，bothinFranceandRussia。HesaidtheseriesofarticlesbyGeorgeKennanintheCenturywerenottoohighlycolored，thatthesufferingsofmenandwomeninSiberiaandtheRussianprisonscouldnotbeoverdrawn。

Oneoftherefinementsofcrueltytheypracticeonprisonersisnevertoallowthemtohearthehumanvoice。Asoldieralwaysaccompaniesthewarderwhodistributesthefood，toseethatnowordisspoken。Invainthepoorprisonerasksquestions，noanswerisevermade，notidingsfromtheoutsideworldevergiven。Onemaywellaskwhatdevilinhumanformhasprescribedsuchprisonlifeanddiscipline！IwonderifwecouldfindamaninallRussiawhowoulddefendthesystem，yetsomeoneisresponsibleforitsterriblecruelties！

WereturnedtoBasingstoke，passedthefewremainingdaysinlookingoverpapersandpackingforthevoyage，and，onMarch4，1888，Mrs。BlatchwentwithmetoSouthampton。OnthetrainImetmycompanionsforthevoyage，Mrs。Gustafsen，Mrs。AshtonDilke，andBaronessGripenberg，fromFinland，averycharmingwoman，towhomIfeltastrongattraction。TheotherdelegatessailedfromLiverpool。Wehadaroughvoyageandmostofthepassengerswereverysick。Mrs。DilkeandIwerewell，however，andondeckeveryday，alwaysreadytoplaywhistandchesswithafewgentlemenwhowereequallyfortunate。IwasmuchimpressedwithMrs。Dilke\'skindnessandgenerosityinservingothers。Therewasaladyonboardwithtwochildren，whosenurseatthelastminuterefusedtogowithher。Themotherwassickmostoftheway，andMrs。Dilkedidallinherpowertorelieveher，byamusingthelittleboy，tellinghimstories，walkingwithhimondeck，andwatchinghimthroughouttheday，noeasytasktoperformforanentirestranger。Thepoorlittlemotherwithababyinherarmsmusthaveappreciatedsuchkindlyattention。

WhenthepilotmetusoffSandyHook，hebroughtnewsoftheterribleblizzardNewYorkhadjustexperienced，bywhichallcommunicationwiththeworldatlargewaspracticallysuspended。Thecaptainbroughthimdownintothesaloontotellusallaboutit。Thenewswassostartlingthatatfirstwethoughtthepilotwasjoking，butwhenheproducedthemetropolitanjournalstoverifyhisstatements，welistenedtothereadingandwhathehadtosaywithprofoundastonishment。ThesecondweekinMarch，1888，willbememorableinthehistoryofstormsinthevicinityofNewYork。

Thesnowwastenfeetdeepinsomeplaces，andthesidestreetsimpassableeitherforcarriagesorsleighs。Ihopedthecitywouldbelookingitsbest，forthefirstimpressiononmyforeignfriends，butitneverlookedworse，withhugepilesofsnoweverywherecoveredwithblackdust。

IstartedforWashingtonatthreeo\'clock，thedayafterourarrival，reachedthereatteno\'clock，andfoundmybelovedfriends，MissAnthonyandMrs。Spofford，withopenarmsandwarmheartstoreceiveme。Asthevesselwasdelayedtwodays，ourfriendsnaturallythoughtwe，too，hadencounteredablizzard，butwehadfeltnothingofit；onthecontrarythelastdayswerethemostpleasantofthevoyage。ChapterXXV。ChapterXXV。CHAPTERXXV。THEINTERNATIONALCOUNCILOFWOMEN。

PURSUANTtotheideaofthefeasibilityandneedofanInternationalCouncilofWomen，mentionedinaprecedingchapter，itwasdecidedtocelebratethefourthdecadeofthewomansuffragemovementintheUnitedStatesbycallingtogethersuchacouncil。Atitsnineteenthannualconvention，heldinJanuary，1887，theNationalWomanSuffrageAssociationresolvedtoassumetheentireresponsibilityofholdingacouncil，andtoextendaninvitation，forthatpurpose，toallassociationsofwomeninthetrades，professions，andreforms，aswellasthoseadvocatingpoliticalrights。EarlyinJune，1887，acallwasissuedforsuchacounciltoconveneundertheauspicesoftheNationalWomanSuffrageAssociationatWashington，D。C。，onMarch25，1888。Thegrandassemblageofwomen，comingfromallthecountriesofthecivilizedglobe，provedthatthecallforsuchacouncilwasopportune，whiletheorderanddignityoftheproceedingsprovedthewomenworthytheoccasion。NoonedoubtsnowthewisdomofthatinitiativestepnortheaddedpowerwomenhavegainedoverpopularthoughtthroughtheInternationalCouncil。

AstheproceedingsoftheconventionwerefullyandgraphicallyreportedintheWoman\'sTribuneatthattime，andasitsreportswereafterwardpublishedinbookform，revisedandcorrectedbyMissAnthony，MissFoster，andmyself，Iwillmerelysaythatourmostsanguineexpectationsastoitssuccessweremorethanrealized。Thelargetheaterwascrowdedforanentireweek，andhostsofablewomenspoke，asifspeciallyinspired，onallthevitalquestionsofthehour。Althoughthecouncilwascalledandconductedbythesuffrageassociation，yetvariousothersocietieswererepresented。MissAnthonywasthefinancieroftheoccasionandraisedtwelvethousanddollarsforthepurpose，whichenabledhertopayalltheexpensesofthedelegatesinWashington，andforprintingthereportinbookform。AssoonasIreachedWashington，MissAnthonyorderedmetoremainconscientiouslyinmyownapartmentandtoprepareaspeechfordeliverybeforethecommitteesoftheSenateandHouse，andanother，asPresident，fortheopeningofthecouncil。However，asMrs。Spoffordplacedhercarriageatourservice，Iwaspermittedtodriveanhourortwoeverydayaboutthatmagnificentcity。

OneofthebestspeechesatthecouncilwasmadebyHelenH。Gardener。

ItwasacriticismofDr。Hammond\'spositioninregardtotheinferiorsizeandqualityofwoman\'sbrain。Asthedoctorhadneverhadtheopportunityofexaminingthebrainsofthemostdistinguishedwomen，and，probably，thoseonlyofpaupersandcriminals，shefelthehadnodataonwhichtobasehisconclusions。Moreover，shehadthewrittenopinionofseveralleadingphysicians，thatitwasquiteimpossibletodistinguishthemalefromthefemalebrain。

ThehearingattheCapitol，afterthemeetingofthecouncil，wasveryinteresting，asalltheforeigndelegateswereinvitedtospeakeachinthelanguageofherowncountry；toaddresstheirallegedrepresentativesinthehallsoflegislationwasaprivilegetheyhadneverenjoyedathome。

ItisveryremarkablethatEnglishwomenhavenevermadethedemandforahearingintheHouseofCommons，norevenforadecentplacetosit，wheretheycanhearthedebatesandseethefineproportionsoftherepresentatives。

ThedelegateshadseveralbrilliantreceptionsattheRiggsHouse，andathehousesofSenatorStanfordofCaliforniaandSenatorPalmerofMichigan。

MissAnthonyandIspenttwomonthsinWashington，thatwinter。OneofthegreatpleasuresofourannualconventionswasthereunionofourfriendsattheRiggsHouse，whereweenjoyedtheboundlesshospitalityofMr。andMrs。Spofford。

ThemonthofJuneIspentinNewYorkcity，whereIattendedseveralofColonelRobertG。Ingersoll\'sreceptionsandsawthegreatoratorandiconoclastathisownfireside，surroundedbyhisadmirers，andheardhisbeautifuldaughterssing，whichgaveallwholistenedgreatpleasure，astheyhaveremarkablyfinevoices。Onehassincemarried，andisnowpouringoutherrichestmelodiesintheoperaoflullabyinherownnursery。

Inthefallof1888，asOhiowasabouttoholdaConstitutionalconvention，attherequestofthesuffrageassociationIwroteanappealtothewomenoftheStatetodemandtheirrighttovotefordelegatestosuchconvention。

Mrs。SouthworthhadfivethousandcopiesofmyappealpublishedanddistributedattheexpositioninColumbus。IftenrighteousmencouldsaveSodom，allthebrilliantwomenImetinClevelandshouldhavesavedOhiofrommasculinedomination。

Thewinterof1888-89IwastospendwithmydaughterinOmaha。IreachedthereintimetowitnessthecelebrationofthecompletionofthefirstbridgebetweenthatcityandCouncilBluffs。Therewasagrandprocessioninwhichalltheindustriesofbothtownswererepresented，andwhichoccupiedsixhoursinpassing。Wehadadesirablepositionforreviewingthepageant，andverypleasantcompanytointerpretthemottoes，symbols，andbanners。

Thebridgepracticallybringsthetownstogether，aselectricstreetcarsnowrunfromonetotheotherintenminutes。Here，forthefirsttime，Isawthecablecarsrunninguphillanddownwithoutanyvisiblemeansoflocomotion。

Asthecompanyrananopencarallwinter，Itookmydailyrideofninemilesinitforfifteencents。MysonDaniel，whoescortedme，alwayssatinsidethecar，whileIremainedonanoutsideseat。Hewasgreatlyamusedwiththeremarksheheardaboutthat“queeroldladythatalwaysrodeoutsideinallkindsofwintryweather。“Onedaysomeoneremarkedloudenoughforalltohear：“Itisevidentthatwomandoesnotknowenoughtocomeinwhenitrains。““Blessme！”saidtheconductor，whoknewme，“thatwomanknowsasmuchastheQueenofEngland；toomuchtocomeinherebyahotstove。“Howlittleweunderstandthecomparativepositionofthosewhomweoftencriticise。ThereIsatenjoyingthebracingair，thepurefreshbreezes，indifferenttothefateofanoldcloakandhoodthathadcrossedtheAtlanticandbeensaturatedwithsaltwatermanytimes，pityingthewomeninsidebreathingairladenwithmicrobesthatdozensofpeoplehadbeenthrowingofffromtimetotime，sacrificingthemselvestotheirstylishbonnets，cloaks，anddresses，sufferingwiththeheatofthered-hotstove；

andyetthey，inturn，pityingme。

Myseventy-thirdbirthdayIspentwithmysonGerritSmithStanton，onhisfarmnearPortsmouth，Iowa。Aswehadnotmetinseveralyears，ittookusalongtime，inthenetworkoflife，topickupallthestitchesthathaddroppedsinceweparted。Iamusedmyselfdarningstockingsanddrawingplansforanadditiontohishouse。Butinthespringmysonandhiswifecametotheconclusionthattheyhadhadenoughofthesolitudeoffarmlifeandturnedtheirfaceseastward。

SoonaftermyreturntoOmaha，theeditoroftheWoman\'sTribune，Mrs。ClaraB。Colby，calledandlunchedwithusoneday。SheannouncedthecomingStateconvention，atwhichIwasexpected“tomakethebestspeechofmylife。“Shehadallthearrangementstomake，andinvitedmetodriveroundwithher，inorderthatshemighttalkbytheway。SheengagedtheOperaHouse，madearrangementsatthePaxtonHouseforareception，calledonallherfaithfulcoadjutorstoarouseenthusiasminthework，andclimbeduptothesanctumsoftheeditors，朌emocraticandRepublicanalike，朼skingthemtoadvertisetheconventionandtosayakindwordforouroppressedclassinourstruggleforemancipation。Theyallpromisedfavorablenoticesandcomments，andtheykepttheirpromises。Mrs。Colby，beingpresidentoftheNebraskaSuffrageAssociation，openedthemeetingwithanablespeech，andpresidedthroughoutwithtactanddignity。

Icameverynearmeetingwithanunfortunateexperienceatthisconvention。

TheladywhoescortedmeinhercarriagetotheOperaHousecarriedthemanuscriptofmyspeech，whichIdidnotmissuntilitwasnearlytimetospeak，whenItoldaladywhosatbymysidethatourfriendhadforgottentogivememymanuscript。Shewentatoncetoherandaskedforit。Sherememberedtakingit，butwhatshehaddonewithitshedidnotknow。Itwassuggestedthatshemighthavedroppeditinalightingfromthecarriage。

Andlo！theyfounditlyinginthegutter。Asthegroundwasfrozenharditwasnotevensoiled。WhenIlearnedofmynarrowescape，Itrembled，forIhadnotpreparedanytrainofthoughtforextemporaneoususe。Ishouldhavebeenobligedtotalkwhenmyturncame，andifinspiredbytheaudienceorthegoodangels，mighthavedonewell，ormighthavefailedutterly。

Themoralofthisepisodeis，holdontoyourmanuscript。

Owingtotheillnessofmyson-in-law，FrankE。Lawrence，heandmydaughterwenttoCaliforniatoseeifthebalmyairofSanDiegowouldrestorehishealth，andsowegaveuphousekeepinginOmaha，and，onApril20，1889，incompanywithmyeldestsonIreturnedEastandspentthesummeratHempstead，Longisland，withmysonGerritandhiswife。

WefoundHempsteadaquiet，oldDutchtown，undisturbedbyprogressiveideas。HereImadetheacquaintanceofChaunceyC。Parsonsandwife，formerlyofBoston，whowereliberalintheirideasonmostquestions。Mrs。ParsonsandIattendedoneoftheSeidlclubmeetingsatConeyIsland，whereSeidlwasthengivingsomepopularconcerts。Theclubwascomposedoftwohundredwomen，towhomIspokeforanhourinthediningroomofthehotel。Withthemagnificentoceanviews，thegrandconcerts，andthebeautifulwomen，Ipassedtwoverycharmingdaysbytheseaside。

MysonHenryhadgivenmeaphaeton，lowandeasyasacradle，andI

enjoyedmanydrivesaboutLongIsland。WewenttoBryant\'shomeonthenorthside，severaltimes，andinimaginationIsawtheoldpoetinthevariousshadynooks，inditinghislinesofloveandpraiseofnatureinallhervaryingmoods。Walkingamongthemanycolored，rustlingleavesinthedarkdaysofNovember，Icouldeasilyenterintohisthoughtashepennedtheselines：

“Themelancholydaysarecome，thesaddestoftheyear，Ofwailingwinds，andnakedwoods，andmeadowsbrownandsear，Heapedinthehollowsofthegrove，theautumnleavesliedead；

Theyrustletotheeddyinggust，andtotherabbit\'stread。“

InSeptember，1889，mydaughter，Mrs。StantonLawrence，cameEasttoattendaschoolofphysicalculture，andmyotherdaughter，Mrs。StantonBlatch，camefromEnglandtoenjoyoneofourbracingwinters。Unfortunatelywehadraininsteadofsnow，andfogsinsteadoffrost。However，wehadapleasantreunionatHempstead。AfterafewdaysinandaboutNewYorkvisitingfriends，wewenttoGenevaandspentseveralweeksinthehomeofmycousin，thedaughterofGerritSmith。

SheandIhavebeenmostfaithful，devotedfriendsallourlives，andregularcorrespondentsformorethanfiftyyears。Inthefamilycircleweareofttimesreferredtoas“Julius“and“Johnson。“Theseeuphoniousnamesoriginatedinthisway：WhentheChristyMinstrelsfirstappeared，wewentoneeveningtohearthem。Onreturninghomeweamusedourseniorswith，astheysaid，acapitalrehearsal。Thewitandphilosopheroftheoccasionwerecalled，respectively，JuliusandJohnson；sowetooktheirpartsandreproducedallthebright，humorousremarkstheymade。Thenextmorningasweappearedatthebreakfasttable，CousinGerritSmith，inhisdeep，richvoicesaid：“Good-morning，JuliusandJohnson，“

andhekeptitupthefewdayswewereinAlbanytogether。Oneafteranotherourrelativesadoptedthepseudonyms，andMrs。Millerhasbeen“Julius“

andI“Johnson“eversince。

FromGenevawewenttoBuffalo，but，asIhadabadcoldandageneralfeelingofdepression，IdecidedtogototheDansvilleSanatoriumandseewhatDoctorsJamesandKateJacksoncoulddoforme。Iwastheresixweeksandtriedalltherubbings，pinchings，steamings；theSwedishmovementsofthearms，hands，legs，feet；dieting，massage，electricity，and，thoughIsucseededinthrowingoffonlyfivepoundsofflesh，yetIfeltlikeanewbeing。Itisacharmingplacetobein杢hehomeispleasantlysituatedandthesceneryveryfine。Thephysiciansareallgenial，andacheerfulatmospherepervadesthewholeestablishment。

AsChristmaswasathand，thewomenwereallhalfcrazyaboutpresents，andwhilegoodDoctorsJamesandKateweredoingallintheirpowertocurethenervousaffectionsoftheirpatients，theywouldthwartthetreatmentbysittingintheparlorwiththethermometeratseventy-twodegrees，embroideringallkindsoffancypatterns，杝omeonmuslin，someonsatin，andsomewithcoloredworstedsoncanvas，杋nhalingthepoisonousdyes，strainingtheopticnerves，countingthreadsandstitches，hourafterhour，untilutterlyexhausted。IspoketoonepoorvictimofthefallacyofChristmaspresents，andofherinjuringherhealthinsuchuselessemployment。“WhatcanI

do？”shereplied，“Imustmakepresentsandcannotaffordtobuythem。“

“Doyouthink，“saidI，“anyofyourfriendswouldenjoyapresentyoumadeattheriskofyourhealth？Idonotthinkthereisany\'must\'inthematter。IneverfeelthatImustgivepresents，andneverwantany，especiallyfromthosewhomakesomesacrificetogivethem。“ThiswholecustomofpresentsatChristmas，NewYear\'s，andatweddingshascometobeabore，apieceofhypocrisyleadingtonoendofunhappiness。Idonotknowamorepitifulsightthantoseeawomantatting，knitting，embroidering杦orkingcatsonthetoeofsomeslipper，ortulipsonanapron。Theamountofnervousforcethatisexpendedinthiswayisenoughtomakeangelsweep。Thenecessarystitchestobetakenineveryhouseholdarequiteenoughwithoutaddingfancywork。

FromDansvillemydaughtersandIwentontoWashingtontocelebratetheseventiethbirthdayofMissAnthony，whohasalwaysbeentothemasasecondmother。Mrs。Blatchmadeaspeechatthecelebration，andMrs。

Lawrencegavearecitation。FirstcameagrandsupperattheRiggsHouse。

Thediningroomwasbeautifullydecorated；infact，Mr。andMrs。Spoffordsparednopainstomaketheoccasiononelongtoberemembered。MayWrightSewallwasthemistressofceremonies。Shereadthetoastsandcalledonthedifferentspeakers。PhoebeCouzins，Rev。AnnaShaw，IsabellaBeecherHooker，MatildaJoslynGage，ClaraB。Colby，SenatorBlairofNewHampshire，andmanyothersresponded。Iamashamedtosaythatwekeptupthefestivitiestillaftertwoo\'clock。MissAnthony，dressedindarkvelvetandpointlace，spokeattheclosewithgreatpathos。ThoseofuswhoweretherewillnotsoonforgetFebruary15，1890。

AfterspeakingbeforecommitteesoftheSenateandHouse，Igavetheopeningaddressattheannualconvention。Mrs。StantonBlatchspokeafewminutesonthesuffragemovementinEngland，afterwhichwehurriedofftoNewYork，andwentonboardtheAller，oneoftheNorthGermanLloydsteamers，boundforSouthampton。AttheshipwefoundCaptainMilinowskiandhiswifeandtwoofmysonswaitingourarrival。AswehadeighteenpiecesofbaggageittookMrs。Blatchsometimetoreviewthem。Myphaeton，whichwedecidedtotake，filledsixboxes。AneasycarriagefortwopersonsisnotcommoninEngland。Thedogcartsprevail，themostuncomfortablevehiclesonecanpossiblyuse。WhysomeofourAmericansdriveinthoseuncomfortablecartsisaquestion。Ithinkitisbecausetheyare“soEnglish。“

TheonlyreasontheEnglishusethemisbecausetheyarecheap。Thetaxontwowheelsisone-halfwhatitisonfour，andinEnglandallcarriagesaretaxed。BeforeweAmericansadoptfashionsbecausetheyareEnglish，wehadbetterfindouttheraisond\'ê；trefortheirexistence。

Wehadaverypleasant，smoothvoyage，unusuallysoforblusteringFebruaryandMarch。AsIdislikeclosestaterooms，Iremainedintheladies\'saloonnightandday，sleepingonasofa。AfterapassageofelevendayswelandedatSouthampton，March2，1890。Itwasabeautifulmoonlightnightandwehadapleasantrideonthelittletugtothewharf。WereachedBasingstokeateleveno\'clock，foundthefamilywellandallthingsinorder。ChapterXXVI。ChapterXXVI。CHAPTERXXVI。MYLASTVISITTOENGLAND。

ASsoonaswegotourcarriageputtogetherHattieandIdroveouteveryday，astheroadsinEnglandareinfineconditionalltheyearround。

Wehadlovelyweatherduringthespring，butthesummerwaswetandcold。

Withreading，writing，goinguptoLondon，andreceivingvisitors，themonthsflewbywithoutouraccomplishinghalftheworkweproposed。

AsmydaughterwasamemberoftheAlbemarleClub，weinvitedseveralfriendstodinewithusthereatdifferenttimes。TherewehadalongtalkwithMr。Stead，theeditorofthePallMallGazette，onhispositioninregardtoRussianaffairs，“TheDeceasedWife\'sSisterBill，“andthedivorcelawsofEngland。Mr。Steadisafluenttalkeraswellasagoodwriter。HeistheleaderofthesocialpuritymovementinEngland。ThewisdomofhiscoursetowardSirCharlesDilkeandMr。Parnellwasquestionedbymany；butthereisatouchofthereligiousfanaticinMr。Stead，asinmanyofhisfollowers。

TherewereseveralproblemsinsocialethicsthatdeeplystirredtheEnglishpeopleintheyearofourLord1890。OnewasCharlesStewartParnell\'splatonicfriendshipwithMrs。O\'Shea，andtheotherwastheLordChancellor\'sdecisioninthecaseofMrs。Jackson。Thepulpit，thepress，andthepeopleviedwitheachotherintryingtodethroneMr。ParnellasthegreatIrishleader，buttheunitedforcesdidnotsucceedindestroyinghisself-respect，norinhoundinghimoutoftheBritishParliament，though，afterabraveandprotractedresistanceonhispart，theydidsucceedinhoundinghimintothegrave。

ItwaspitifultoseetheIrishthemselves，misledbyahypocriticalpopularsentimentinEngland，turnagainsttheirgreatleader，theonlyonetheyhadhadforhalfacenturywhowasabletokeeptheIrishquestionuppermostintheHouseofCommonsyearafteryear。Thecourseofeventssincehisdeathhasprovedthetruthofwhathetoldthem，towit：thattherewasnosincerityintheinterestEnglishpoliticiansmanifestedinthequestionofHomeRule，andthatthedebatesonthatpointwouldceaseassoonasitwasnolongerforcedontheirconsideration。Andnowwhentheyhavesucceededinkillingtheirleader，theybegintorealizetheirloss。Thequestionevolvedthroughthefermentofsocialopinionswasconciselystated，thus：“Canamanbeagreatleader，astatesman，ageneral，anadmiral，alearnedchiefjustice，atrustedlawyer，orskillfulphysician，ifhehaseverbrokentheSeventhCommandment？”

IexpressedmyopinionintheWestminsterReview，atthetime，intheaffirmative。Mrs。JacobBright，Mrs。EllenBattelleDietrickofBoston，KateField，inherWashington，agreedwithme。Manyotherwomenspokeoutpromptlyinthenegative，andwithabitternessagainstthosewhotooktheoppositeviewthatwaslamentable。

TheJacksoncasewasaprofitablestudy，asitbroughtoutotherquestionsofsocialethics，aswellaspointsoflawwhichwereablysettledbytheLordChancellor。ItseemsthatimmediatelyafterMr。andMrs。Jacksonweremarried，thegroomwascompelledtogotoAustralia。Aftertwoyearshereturnedandclaimedhisbride，butintheintervalshefeltagrowingaversionanddeterminednottolivewithhim。Asshewouldnotevenseehim，withtheassistanceoffriendshekidnapedheronedayasshewascomingoutofchurch，andcarriedhertohishome，wherehekeptherundersurveillanceuntilherfriends，withawritofhabeascorpus，compelledhimtobringherintocourt。Thepopularidea“basedonthecommonlawofEngland，“was，thatthehusbandhadthisabsoluteright。Thelowercourt，inharmonywiththisidea，maintainedthehusband\'sright，andremandedhertohiskeeping，butthefriendsappealedtothehighercourtandtheLordChancellorreversedthedecision。

Withregardtotherightsofrequentlyclaimed，givinghusbandsthepowertoseize，imprison，andchastisetheirwives，hesaid：“Iamoftheopinionthatnosuchrightexistsinlaw。Iamoftheopinionthatnosuchrighteverdidexistinlaw。IsaythatnoEnglishsubjecthastherighttoimprisonanotherEnglishsubject，whetherhiswifeornot。“Throughthisdecisionthewifewalkedoutofthecourtafreewoman。ThepassageoftheMarriedWomen\'sPropertyBillinEnglandin1882wasthefirstblowattheoldideaofcoverture，givingtowivestheirrightsofproperty，thefullbenefitofwhichtheyareyettorealizewhenclearer-mindedmenadministerthelaws。ThedecisionoftheLordChancellor，renderedMarch18，1891，declaratoryofthepersonalrightsofmarriedwomen，isastillmoreimportantblowbyjustsomuchastherightsofpersonaremoresacredthantherightsofproperty。

Onehundredyearsago，LordChiefJusticeMansfieldgavehisfamousdecisionintheSomersetcase，“ThatnoslavecouldbreatheonBritishsoil，“andtheslavewalkedoutofcourtafreeman。ThedecisionoftheLordChancellor，intheJacksoncase，isfarmoreimportant，moremomentousinitsconsequences，asitaffectsnotonlyoneracebutone-halfoftheentirehumanfamily。Fromeverypointofviewthisisthegreatestlegaldecisionofthecentury。LikethegreatChiefJusticeofthelastcentury，theLordChancellor，withaclearervisionthanthoseabouthim，risesintoapureratmosphereofthought，andvindicatestheeternalprinciplesofjusticeandthedignityofBritishlaw，bydeclaringallstatutesthatmakewivesthebondslavesoftheirhusbands，obsolete。

HowlongwillitbeinourRepublicbeforesomemanwillarise，greatenoughtosointerpretourNationalConstitutionastodeclarethatwomen，ascitizensoftheUnitedStates，cannotbegovernedbylawsinthemakingofwhichtheyhavenopart？ItisnotConstitutionalamendmentsnorstatutelawsweneed，butjudgesonthebenchofourSupremeCourt，who，indecidinggreatquestionsofhumanrights，shallbegovernedbythebroadprinciplesofjusticeratherthanprecedent。OneinterestingfeatureinthetrialoftheJacksoncase，wasthatbothLadyColeridgeandthewifeoftheLordChancellorwereseatedonthebench，andevidentlymuchpleasedwiththedecision。

Itisdifficulttoaccountforthefactthat，whilewomenofthehighestclassesinEnglandtakethedeepestinterestinpoliticsandcourtdecisions，Americanwomenofwealthandpositionarewhollyindifferenttoallpublicmatters。WhileEnglishwomentakeanactivepartinelections，holdingmeetingsandcanvassingtheirdistricts，here，eventhewivesofjudges，governors，andsenatorsspeakwithbatedbreathofpoliticalmovements，andseemtofeelthataknowledgeoflawsandconstitutionswouldhopelesslyunsexthem。

TowardthelastofApril，withmylittlegranddaughterandhernurse，IwentdowntoBournemouth，oneofthemostcharmingwateringplacesinEngland。WehadroomsintheCliffHousewithwindowsopeningonthebalcony，wherewehadagrandviewofthebayandcouldhearthewavesdashingontheshore。WhileNora，withherspadeandpail，playedalldayinthesands，diggingtrenchesandfillingthemwithwater，Isatonthebalconyreading“DianaoftheCrossways，“andBjornson\'slastnovel，“InGod\'sWay，“bothdeeplyinteresting。Asallthecharactersinthelattercometoasadend，Icouldnotseethesignificanceofthetitle。IftheywalkedinGod\'swaytheircareershouldhavebeensuccessful。

Itookmyfirstairingalongthebeachinaninvalidchair。ThesebathchairsareagreatfeatureinallthewateringplacesofEngland。Theyaredrawnbyamanoradonkey。ThefirstdayItookaman，anoldsailor，whotalkedincessantlyofhisadventures，stoppingtoresteveryfiveminutes，dissipatingallmypleasantreveries，andmakinganunendurableboreofhimself。ThenextdayItoldtheproprietortogetmeamanwhowouldnottalkallthetime。Themanhesuppliedjoggedalonginabsolutesilence；

hewouldnotevenanswermyquestions。Supposinghehadhisorderstokeepprofoundsilence，afteroneortwoattemptsIsaidnothing。WhenIreturnedhome，theproprietoraskedmehowIlikedthisman。“Ah！”Isaid，“hewasindeedsilentandwouldnotevenansweraquestionnorgoanywhereItoldhim；stillIlikedhimbetterthanthetalkativeman。“Helaughedheartilyandsaid：“Thismanisdeafanddumb。IthoughtIwouldmakesurethatyoushouldnotbebored。“Ijoinedinthelaughandsaid：“Well，to-morrowgetmeamanwhocanhearbutcannotspeak，ifyoucanfindoneconstructedonthatplan。“

BournemouthisnoteworthynowastheburialplaceofMaryWolstonecraftandtheShelleys。Iwenttoseethemonumentthathadbeenrecentlyrearedtotheirmemory。Ononesideisthefollowinginscription：“WilliamGodwin，authorof\'PoliticalJustice，\'bornMarch3rd，1756，diedApril7th，1836。

MaryWolstonecraftGodwin，authorofthe\'VindicationoftheRightsofWomen，\'bornApril27th，1759，diedSeptember10th，1797。“Theseremainswerebroughthere，in1851，fromthechurchyardofSt。Pancras，London。

Ontheothersidearethefollowinginscriptions：“MaryWolstonecraftGodwin，daughterofWilliamGodwinandwidowofthelatePercyByssheShelley，bornAugust30th，1797，diedFebruary1st，1851。PercyFlorenceShelley，sonofPercyShelleyandMaryWolstonecraft，thirdbaronet，bornNovember12th，1819，diedDecember5th，1889。“InChrist\'sChurch，sixmilesfromBournemouth，isabas-reliefinmemoryofthegreatpoet。Heisrepresented，drippingwithseaweed，inthearmsoftheAngelofDeath。

AsIsatonmybalconyhourafterhour，readingandthinkingoftheShelleys，watchingthechanginghuesofthecloudsandthebeautifulbay，andlisteningtothesadmonotoneofthewaves，thesesweetlinesofWhittier\'scametomymind：“Itswavesarekneelingonthestrand，Askneelsthehumanknee，？

Theirwhitelocksbowingtothesand，Thepriesthoodofthesea！

“Theblueskyisthetemple\'sarch，Itstranseptearthandair，ThemusicofitsstarrymarchThechorusofaprayer。“Americanletters，duringthissojournabroad，toldofmanylosses，oneafteranother，fromourfamilycircle；ninepassedawaywithintwoyears。

ThelastwasmysisterMrs。Bayard，whodiedinMay，1891。Shewastheoldestofourfamily，andhadalwaysbeenasecondmothertoheryoungersisters，andherhouseoursecondhome。

ThelastofJunemysonTheodore\'swifeanddaughtercameoverfromFrancetospendamonthwithus。LisetteandNora，aboutthesamesize，playedandquarreledmostamusinglytogether。Theyspenttheirmorningsinthekindergartenschool，andtheafternoonswiththeirpony，butrainydaysIwasimpressedintotheirservicetodressdollsandtellstories。

Ihadthesatisfactiontohearthemsaythattheirdollswereneversoprettilydressedbefore，andthatmystorieswerebetterthananyinthebooks。AsIcomposedthewonderfulyarnsasIwentalong，Iusedtogetverytired，andsometimes，whenIheardthelittlefeetcoming，Iwouldhide，buttheywouldhuntuntiltheyfoundme。Whenmyyoungestsonwastenyearsoldandcouldreadforhimself，Igraduatedinstorytelling，havingpracticedinthatlinetwenty-oneyears。IvowedthatIwouldexpendnomorebreathinthatdirection，buttheeagerfaceofachildaskingforstoriesistoomuchforme，andmyvowhasbeenoftenbroken。AllthetimeIwasinEnglandNoraclaimedthetwilighthour，and，inFrance，Lisettewasequallypertinacious。WhenVictorHugogrewtiredtellinghisgrandchildrenstories，hewouldwindupwiththestoryofanoldgentlemanwho，afterafewinterestingexperiences，tookuphiseveningpaperandbegantoreadaloud。Thechildrenwouldlistenafewmomentsandthen，onebyone，slipoutoftheroom。Longfellow\'soldgentleman，aftermanyexcitingscenesinhiscareer，usuallystretchedhimselfontheloungeandfeignedsleep。

Butgrandmothersarenotallowedtoshelterthemselveswithsuchdevices；

theyarerequiredtospinonuntilthebedtimereallyarrives。

OnJuly16，oneofthehottestdaysoftheseason，Mrs。JacobBrightanddaughter，HerbertBurroughs，andMrs。ParkhurstcamedownfromLondon，andwesatoutofdoors，takingourluncheonunderthetreesanddiscussingtheosophy。LaterinthemonthHattieandIwenttoYorkshiretovisitMr。

andMrs。ScatcherdatMorleyHall，andtherespentseveraldays。Wehadaprolongeddiscussiononpersonalrights。Onesidewasagainstallgovernmentalinterference，suchascompulsoryeducationandtheprotectionofchildrenagainstcruelparents；theothersideinfavorofstateinterferencethatprotectedtheindividualintheenjoymentoflife，liberty，andhappiness。

Itookthelatterposition。Manyparentsarenotfittohavethecontrolofchildren，hencetheStateshouldseethattheyaresheltered，fed，clothed，andeducated。ItisfarbetterfortheStatetomakegoodcitizensofitschildreninthebeginning，than，intheend，tobecompelledtocareforthemascriminals。

WhileinthenorthofEnglandwespentafewdaysatHowardCastle，thesummerresidenceofLordandLadyCarlisleandtheirtenchildren。

Solargeafamilyinhighlifeisunusual。AsIhadknownLordandLadyAmberleyinAmerica，whentheyvisitedthiscountryin1867，Ienjoyedmeetingothermembersoftheirfamily。LadyCarlisleisinfavorofwomansuffrageandfrequentlyspeaksinpublic。Sheisawomanofgreatforceofcharacter，andofverygenerousimpulses。Sheistryingtodoherdutyinsharingthegoodthingsoflifewiththeneedy。Thepoorformilesroundoftenhavepicnicsinherpark，andlargenumbersofchildrenfrommanufacturingtownsspendweekswithhercottagetenantsatherexpense。LordCarlisleisanartistandastudent。Ashehasapoeticaltemperamentandisæ；stheticinallhistastes，LadyCarlisleisthebusinessmanageroftheestate。

Sheisapracticalwomanwithimmenseexecutiveability。Thecastlewithitsspaciousdininghallanddrawingrooms，withitschapel，library，galleriesofpaintingsandstatuary，itsfineoutlook，extensivegardensandlawnswaswellworthseeing。Weenjoyedourvisitverymuchanddiscussedeveryimaginablesubject。

WhenwereturnedtoBasingstokewehadavisitfromMrs。Cobb，thewifeofamemberofParliament，andsister-in-lawofKarlPearson，whoselecturesonwomanIhadenjoyedsomuch。Itwasthroughreadinghiswork，“TheEthicofFreeThought，“thattheMatriarchatemadesuchadeepimpressiononmymindandmovedmetowriteatractonthesubject。Peoplewhohaveneitherreadnorthoughtonthispoint，questionthefactsasstatedbyBachofen，Morgan，andWilkeson；buttheirtruth，Ithink，cannotbequestioned。Theyseemsonaturalinthechainofreasoningandtheprogressofhumandevelopment。

Mrs。Cobbdidaverygoodthingafewdaysbeforevisitingus。AtagreatmeetingcalledtopromoteMr。Cobb\'selection，JohnMorleyspoke。Hedidnotevensay“Ladiesandgentlemen“instarting，normaketheslightestreferencetotheexistenceofsuchbeingsaswomen。Whenhehadfinished，Mrs。Cobbarosemidgreatcheeringandcriticisedhisspeech，makingsomequotationsfromhisformerspeechesofaveryliberalnature。Theaudiencelaughedandcheered，fullyenjoyingtherebuke。Thenextdayinhisspeechherememberedhiscountrywomen，andonrisingsaid，“Ladiesandgentlemen。“

DuringAugust，1891，Iwasbusygettingreadyformyvoyage，asIwastosailontheEmsonAugust23。AlthoughIhadcrossedtheoceansixtimesinthepriortenyearsIdreadedthevoyagemorethanwordscandescribe。Thelastdayswerefilledwithsadness，inpartingwiththosesodeartomeinforeigncountries杄speciallythosecurly-headedlittlegirls，sobright，sopretty，sowinninginalltheirways。HattieandTheodorewentwithmefromSouthamptoninthelittletugtothegreatshipEms。Itwasveryhardforustosaythelastfarewell，butwealltriedtobeasbraveaspossible。

Wehadaroughvoyage，butIwasnotseasickonemoment。Iwasupanddressedearlyinthemorning，andondeckwhenevertheweatherpermitted。

ImademanypleasantacquaintanceswithwhomIplayedchessandwhist；

wroteletterstoallmyforeignfriends，readytomailonlanding；readthe“Egotist，“byGeorgeMeredith，andIbsen\'splaysastranslatedbymyfriendFrancesLord。Ihadmyownprivatestewardess，aniceGermanwomanwhocouldspeakEnglish。Shegavememostofmymealsondeckorintheladies\'saloon，andatnightshewouldopentheportholetwoorthreetimesandairourstateroom；thatmadethenightsendurable。Thelasteveningbeforelandingwegotupanentertainmentwithsongs，recitations，readings，andspeeches。Iwasinvitedtopresideandintroducethevariousperformers。

WereachedSandyHooktheeveningofthe29thdayofAugustandlaythereallnight，andthenextmorningwesailedupourbeautifulharbor，brilliantwiththeraysoftherisingsun。

Beingfortunateinhavingchildreninbothhemispheres，here，too，I

foundasonanddaughterwaitingtowelcomemetomynativeland。Ourchiefbusinessformanyweekswassearchingforaninvitingapartmentwheremydaughter，Mrs。StantonLawrence，myyoungestson，Bob，andIcouldsetupourfamilyaltarandsingournewpsalmoflifetogether。Aftermuchwearysearchingwefoundanapartment。Havingalwayslivedinalargehouseinthecountry，thequartersseemedrathercontractedatfirst，butIsoonrealizedtheimmensesavinginlaborandexpenseinhavingnomoreroomthanisabsolutelynecessary，andallononefloor。Tobetransportedfromthestreettoyourapartmentinanelevatorinhalfaminute，tohaveallyourfoodandfuelsenttoyourkitchenbyanelevatorintherear，tohaveyourroomsallwarmedwithnoeffortofyourown，seemedlikearealizationofsomefairydream。Withanextensiveoutlookoftheheavensabove，oftheParkandtheBoulevardbeneath，Ihadafeelingoffreedom，andwithashortflightofstairstotheroof(aneasyescapeincaseoffire)，ofsafety，too。

NosoonerwasIfullyestablishedinmyeyrie，thanIwassummonedtoRochester，bymyfriendMissAnthony，tofillanappointmentshehadmadeformewithMissAdelaideJohnson，theartistfromWashington，whowastoidealizeMissAnthonyandmyselfinmarblefortheWorld\'sFair。Ifoundmyfrienddemurelyseatedinhermother\'srocking-chairhemmingtablelinenandtowelsforhernewhome，anonbargainingwithbutchers，bakers，andgrocers，makingcakesandpuddings，talkingwithenthusiasmofpalatabledishesandthebeautiesofvariousarticlesoffurniturethatdifferentfriendshadpresentedher。Alltherewastoremindoneofthe“NapoleonoftheSuffrageMovement“wasalargeescritoirecoveredwithdocumentsintheusualstateofconfusion朚issAnthonynevercouldkeepherpapersinorder。Insearchofanyparticulardocumentsherootsouteverydrawerandpigeonhole，althoughhermother\'slittlespinningwheelstandsrightbesideherdesk，aconstantreminderofallthedomesticvirtuesofthegoodhousewife，withwhom“order“isoftheutmostimportanceand“heaven\'sfirstlaw。“Thehousewasexquisitelycleanandorderly，thefoodappetizing，theconversationpleasantandprofitable，andtheatmospheregenial。

AroominanadjoininghousewasassignedtoMissJohnsonandmyself，whereastrongpedestalandhugemassofclaygreetedus。Andthere，fornearlyamonth，Iwatchedthetransformationofthatclayintohumanproportionsandexpressions，untilitgraduallyemergedwiththefamiliarfacialoutlineseversodeartoone\'sself。SittingtherefourorfivehourseverydayIusedtogetverysleepy，somyartistarrangedforaseriesoflittlenaps。Whenshesawthecrisiscomingshewouldsay：“Iwillworknowforatimeontheear，thenose，orthehair，asyoumustbewideawakewhenIamtryingtocatchtheexpression。“Irewardedherforherpatienceandindulgencebysummoningup，whenawake，themostintelligentandradiantexpressionthatIcouldcommand。AsMissJohnsonisacharming，culturedwoman，withliberalideasandbrilliantinconversation，shereadilydrewoutallthatwasbestinme。

BeforeIleftRochester，MissAnthonyandhersisterMarygaveareceptiontomeattheirhouse。AssomeoftheprofessorsandtrusteesoftheRochesterUniversitywerethere，thequestionofco-educationwasfreelydiscussed，andtheauthoritiesurgedtoopenthedoorsoftheUniversitytothedaughtersofthepeople。Itwasratheraggravatingtocontemplatethosefinebuildingsandgrounds，whileeverygirlinthatcitymustgoabroadforhighereducation。

ThewifeofPresidentHilloftheUniversityhadjustpresentedhimwithtwins，agirlandaboy，andhefacetiouslyremarked，“thatiftheCreatorcouldriskplacingsexesinsuchnearrelations，hethoughttheymightwithsafetywalkonthesamecampusandpursuethesamecurriculumtogether。“

MissAnthonyandIwenttoGenevathenextdaytovisitMrs。Millerandtomeet，byappointment，Mrs。ElizaOsborne，thenieceofLucretiaMott，andeldestdaughterofMarthaC。Wright。Weanticipatedamerrymeeting，butMissAnthonyandIweresotiredthatwenodoubtappearedstupid。

InalettertoMrs。Millerafterward，Mrs。OsborneinquiredwhyIwas“sosolemn。“AsIpridemyselfonbeingimpervioustofatigueordisease，Icouldnotownuptoanydisability，soIturnedthetablesonherinthefollowingletter：“NEWYORK，26WEST61STSTREET，“November12，1891。

“DEARELIZA：

“InarecentlettertoMrs。Miller，speakingofthetimewhenwelastmet，yousay，\'WhywasMrs。Stantonsosolemn？\'towhichIreply：EversinceanoldGermanemperorissuedanedict，orderingallthewomenunderthatflagtoknitwhenwalkingonthehighway，whensellingapplesinthemarketplace，whensittingintheparks，because\'tokeepwomenoutofmischieftheirhandsmustbebusy，\'eversinceIreadthat，Ihavefelt\'solemn\'wheneverIhaveseenanydaughtersofourgrandRepublicknitting，tatting，embroidering，oroccupiedwithanyofthetenthousanddigitalabsurditiesthatfillsolargeaplaceinthelivesofEve\'sdaughters。

“Lookingforwardtothescintillationsofwit，thephilosophicalresearches，thehistoricaltraditions，thescientificdiscoveries，theastronomicalexplorations，themysteriesoftheosophy，palmistry，mentalscience，therevelationsoftheunknownworldwhereangelsanddevilsdocongregate，lookingforwardtodiscussionsofallthesegrandthemes，inmeetingtheeldestdaughterofDavidandMarthaWright，thenieceofLucretiaMott，thesister-in-lawofWilliamLloydGarrison，aqueenly-lookingwomanfivefeeteightinheight，andwellproportioned，withgloriousblackeyes，rivalingevenDeStaë；l\'sinpowerandpathos，onecanreadilyimaginethedisappointmentIexperiencedwhensuchawomanpulledacottonwashragfromherpocketandforthwithbegantoknitwithbowedhead。Fixinghereyesandconcentratingherthoughtsonaragonefootsquare；itwasimpossibleforconversationtoriseabovethewash-raglevel！Itwasenoughtomakethemostagedoptimist\'solemn\'toseesuchawreckofgloriouswomanhood。

“And，stillworse，shenotonlyknitsteadily，hourafterhour，butshebestowedthesweetestwordsofencouragementonayounggirlfromthePacificCoast，whowasembroideringrosebudsonanotherrag，theverygirlIhadendeavoredtorescuefromthemaelstromofembroidery，byshowinghertheunspeakablefollyofgivingheropticnervestosuchbaseuses，whentheyweredesignedbytheCreatortoexploretheplanetaryworld，withchartandcompasstoguidemightyshipsacrossthesea，toleadthesonsofAdamwithdivinestlovefromearthtoheaven。Thinkofthegreatbeseechingopticnervesandmusclesbywhichweexpressouradmirationofallthatisgoodandgloriousinearthandheaven，beingconcentratedonacottonwashrag！WhocanwonderthatIwas\'solemn\'thatday！Imademyagonizedprotestonthespot，butitfellunheeded，andwithsatisfiedsneerElizakniton，andtheyoungCaliforniancontinuedmakingtherosebuds。

Igazedintospace，and，whenalone，weptformydegeneratecountrywoman。

Inotonlywas\'solemn\'thatday，butIamprofoundly\'solemn\'wheneverIthinkofthatqueenlywomanandthatcottonwashrag。(Onecanbuyawholedozenoftheseusefulappliances，withredbordersandfringed，fortwenty-fivecents。)Oh，Eliza，Ibeseechyou，knitnomore！“Affectionatelyyours，“ELIZABETHCADYSTANTON。“

TothisMrs。Osbornesentthefollowingreply：

“DEARMRS。STANTON：

“InyourskitAgainstyoursisterhoodwhoknit，Orusefulmaketheirfingers，Iwonderif杁enyitnot？

ThehabitofLucretiaMottWithinyourmemorylingers！

“Inretrospectivevisionbright，CanyourecalldearMarthaWrightWithoutherworkorknitting？

Theneedlesflyinginherhands，Onwashingragsorbaby\'sbands，Orotherworkasfitting？

“Icannotthinktheythoughttheless，OrceasedthecompanytoblessWithconversation\'sriches，Becausetheythusimprovedtheirtime，AndneverdeemeditwasacrimeTofillthehourswithstitches。

“TheyevenusedtopreachandplanTospreadthefashion，sothatmanMighthavethissatisfaction；

Insteadofidlingasmendo，Withnervousmeddlingfingerstoo，Whynotmatetalkwithaction？

“Butasadaughterandaniece，IpridemyselfoneverypieceOfhandiworkcreated；

Whilerevelinginsocialchat，Orlisteningtogossipflat，Mygainisunabated。

“ThatGermanemperoryouscorn，Seemstomymindamonarchborn，Worthytoleadacolumn；

I\'llwarranthecouldtalkandwork，And，neitherbeingusedtoshirk，Wasrarelyverysolemn。

“Icouldsaymoreuponthishead，Butmust，beforeIgotobed，Youridlepreceptsmocking，GetoutmyneedleandmyyarnAnd，caringnotasingledarn，Justfinishupthisstocking。“ChapterXXVII。ChapterXXVII。CHAPTERXXVII。SIXTIETHANNIVERSARYOFTHECLASSOF1832朤HEWOMAN\'SBIBLE。

IRETURNEDfromGenevatoNewYorkcityintimetocelebratemyseventy-sixthbirthdaywithmychildren。IhadtraveledaboutconstantlyforthelasttwentyyearsinFrance，England，andmyowncountry，andhadsomanyfriendsandcorrespondents，andpressinginvitationstospeakinclubsandconventions，thatnowIdecidedtoturnoveranewleafandrestinaneasy-chair。Butsocompleteachangeinone\'slifecouldnotbeeasilyaccomplished。Inspiteofmyresolutiontoabideinseclusion，mydaughterandIwereinducedtojointheBottaClub，whichwastomeetonceamonth，alternately，attheresidencesofMrs。MoncureD。ConwayandMrs。AbbySageRichardson。

Thoughcomposedofladiesandgentlemenitproveddullandunprofitable。

Asthesubjectfordiscussionwasnotannounceduntileachmeeting，noonewaspreparedwithanywell-digestedtrainofthought。Itwasalsodecidedtoavoidallquestionsaboutwhichtheremightbegravedifferencesofopinion。ThisnegativepositionremindedmeofabookonetiquettewhichIreadinmyyoungdays，inwhichgentlemenwerewarned，“Inthepresenceofladiesdiscussneitherpolitics，religion，norsocialduties，butconfineyourselftoart，poetry，andabstractquestionswhichwomencannotunderstand。

Thelesstheyknowofasubjectthemorerespectfullytheywilllisten。“

ThisclubwasnamedinhonorofMrs。Botta，formerlyMissAnneLynch，whosedrawingroomformanyyearswasthesocialcenteroftheliteratiofNewYork。

OnJanuary16，1892，weheldtheAnnualSuffrageConventioninWashington，and，asusual，hadahearingbeforetheCongressionalCommittee。Myspeechonthe“SolitudeofSelf“waswellreceivedandwaspublishedintheCongressionalRecord。TheWoman\'sTribunestruckoffmanyhundredsofcopiesanditwasextensivelycirculated。

Notwithstandingmydeterminationtorest，Ispoketomanyclubs，wrotearticlesforpapersandmagazines，andtwoimportantleaflets，oneon“StreetCleaning，“anotheron“OpeningtheChicagoExpositiononSunday。“AsSundaywastheonlydaythemassescouldvisitthatmagnificentscene，withitsgreatlake，extensivepark，artificialcanals，andbeautifulbuildings，Istronglyadvocateditsbeingopenonthatday。OnehundredthousandreligiousbigotspetitionedCongresstomakenoappropriationforthismagnificentExposition，unlessthemanagerspledgedthemselvestoclosethegatesonSunday，andhidethisvisionofbeautyfromthecommonpeople。Fortunately，thistimeasenseofjusticeoutweighedreligiousbigotry。IsentmyleafletstoeverymemberofCongressandoftheStatelegislatures，andtothemanagersoftheExposition，andmadeitatopicofconversationateveryopportunity。

TheparkandpartsoftheExpositionwerekeptopenonSunday，butsomeofthemachinerywasstoppedasaconcessiontonarrowChristiansects。

InJune，1892，attheearnestsolicitationofMrs。RussellSage，IattendedthededicationoftheGurleyMemorialBuilding，presentedtotheEmmaWillardSeminary，atTroy，NewYork，andmadethefollowingaddress：

“MRS。PRESIDENT，MEMBERSOFTHEALUMNÆ；：

“Itisjustsixtyyearssincetheclassof\'32，towhichIbelonged，celebratedacommencementinthissameroom。ThiswasthegreateventoftheseasontomanyfamiliesthroughoutthisState。Parentscamefromallquarters；theé；liteofTroyandAlbanyassembledhere。Principalsfromotherschools，distinguishedlegislators，andclergymenallcametoheargirlsscanLatinverse，solveproblemsinEuclid，andreadtheirowncompositionsinapromiscuousassemblage。Alonglineofteachersanxiouslywaitedthecallingoftheirclasses，andoverall，ourqueenlyMadameWillardpresidedwithroyalgraceanddignity。Twohundredgirlsingalaattire，whitedresses，brightsashes，andcoralornaments，withtheircurlyhair，rosycheeks，andsparklingeyes，flittedtoandfro，somerejoicingthattheyhadpassedthroughtheirordeal，somestillonthetiptoeofexpectation，somelaughing，someintears朼ltogetheramostbeautifulandinterestingpicture。

“Conservativesthen，asnow，thoughttheresultofthehighereducationofgirlswouldbetodestroytheirdelicacyandrefinement。ButasthegraduatesoftheTroySeminarywereneverdistinguishedinafterlifeforthelackofthesefemininevirtues，themosttimid，even，graduallyacceptedthesituationandtrustedtheirdaughterswithMrs。Willard。Butthatnoblewomanenduredforalongperiodthesameridiculeandpersecutionthatwomennowdowhotakeanonwardstepinthemarchofprogress。

“Iseearoundmenoneofthefamiliarfacesthatgreetedmycomingorsaidfarewellinparting。Idonotknowthatoneofmyclassmatesstilllives。FriendshipwiththoseIknewandlovedbestlastedbutafewyears，thenourwaysinlifeparted。Ishouldnotknowwheretofindonenow，andifIdid，probablyourideaswoulddifferoneverysubject，asIhavewanderedinlatitudesbeyondtheprescribedsphereofwomen。Isupposeitismuchthesamewithmanyofyou杢hefamiliarfacesareallgone，gonetothelandofshadows，andIhopeofsunshinetoo，whereweinturnwillsoonfollow。

“Andyet，thoughwewhoareleftarestrangerstooneanother，wehavethesamememoriesofthepast，ofthesametypeofmischievousgirlsandstaidteachers，thoughwithdifferentnames。Thesamelong，barehallsandstairs，therecitationroomswiththesameoldblackboardsandlumpsofchalktakenforgenerationaftergeneration，Isuppose，fromthesamepit；thediningroom，withitspillarsinconvenientlynearsomeofthetables，withitsthick，whitecrockeryandblack-handledknives，andviandsthatneversuitedus，because，forsooth，wehadboxesofdelicaciesfromhome，orwehadbeenouttothebaker\'sorconfectioner\'sandboughtpiesandcocoanutcakes，candyandchewinggum，allforbidden，butthataddedtotherelish。There，too，werethemusicrooms，withtheirold，second-handpianos，somewithrattlingkeysandtinnysound，onwhichweweresupposedtoplayourscalesandexercisesforanhour，thoughweoftenslylyindulgedinthe\'RussianMarch，\'\'NapoleonCrossingtheRhine，\'orournationalairs，when，asslyly，Mr。Powell，ourmusicteacher，abumptiousEnglishman，wouldsoftlyopenthedoorandsayinasternvoice；\'PleasepracticethelessonIjustgaveyou！\'

“Ourchiefdelightwastobreaktherules，butwedidnotliketobecaughtatit。Aswewereforbiddentotalkwithourneighborsinstudyhours，IfrequentlyclimbedontopofmybureautotalkthroughapipeholewithadaughterofJudgeHowellofCanandaigua。Weoftenmetafterward，laughedandtalkedovertheolddays，andkeptourfriendshipbrightuntilthedayofherdeath。OncewhileroomingwithHarrietHudson，asisterofMrs。JohnWillard，Iwasmovedtoaveryerraticperformance。MissTheresaLeehadrungthebellforretiring，andhadtakenherrounds，asusual，toseethatthelightswereoutandallwasstill，whenIpeepedoutofmydoor，andseeingthebellattheheadofthestairsnearby，Igaveitonekickandawayitwentrollingandringingtothebottom。Thehallswereinstantlyfilledwithteachersandscholars，allinwhiterobes，askingwhatwasthematter。HarrietandIranaroundquestioningtherest，andwhatafrolicwehad，helter-skelter，upanddownstairs，ineachother\'srooms，pullingthebedstopieces，changinggirls\'clothesfromoneroomtoanother，etc。，etc。Thehalllamps，dimlyburning，gaveusjustlightenoughforallmannerofdepredationswithoutourbeingrecognized，hencetheunboundedlatitudeweallfeltformischief。Inourwholeseminarycourse朼ndIwastherenearlythreeyears杦eneverhadsuchafrolicasthatnight。Ittookalltheteacherstorestoreorderandquietusdownagainforthenight。NosuspicionofanyirregularitieswereeverattachedtoHarrietandmyself。Ourstandingforscholarshipwasgood，henceweweresupposedtoreflectallthemoralities。

“Thoughstrangers，wehaveabondofunioninallthesememories，ofourbrightcompanions，ourgoodteachers，whotookusthroughthepitfallsoflogic，rhetoric，philosophy，andthesciences，andofthenoblewomanwhofoundedtheinstitution，andwhoseunselfishdevotioninthecauseofeducationweareheretocelebrate。ThenameofEmmaWillardisdeartoallofus；toknowherwastoloveandvenerateher。Shewasnotonlygoodandgifted，butshewasabeautifulwoman。Shehadafinelydevelopedfigure，well-shapedhead，classicfeatures，mostgenialmanners，andaprofoundself-respect(ararequalityinwoman)，thatgaveheradignitytrulyroyalineveryposition。TravelingintheOldWorldshewasnoticedeverywhereasadistinguishedpersonage。Andallthesegiftsshededicatedtotheearnestpurposeofherlife，thehighereducationofwomen。

“Inopeningthisseminaryshecouldnotfindyoungwomencapableofteachingthehigherbranches，henceherfirstnecessitywastotrainherself。

AmosB。Eaton，whowastheprincipaloftheRensselaerPolytechnicSchoolforboyshereinTroy，toldmeMrs。Willardstudiedwithhimeverybranchhewascapableofteaching，andtrainedacorpsofteachersandregularscholarsatthesametime。ShetooklessonsoftheProfessoreveryeveningwhenhehadleisure，andstudiedhalfthenightthebranchesshewastoteachthenextday，thuskeepingaheadofherclasses。Herintenseearnestnessandmentalgrasp，thereadinesswithwhichsheturnedfromonesubjecttoanother，andherretentivememoryofeveryruleandfacthegaveher，wasaconstantsurprisetotheProfessor。

“Allhervacationshedevotedtotrainingteachers。Shewasthefirsttosuggestthenormal-schoolsystem。Rememberingherdeepinterestintheeducationofwomen，wecanhonorherinnomoreworthymannerthantocarryonherspeciallifework。Aswelookaroundatalltheeducatedwomenassembledheretodayandtrytoestimatewhateachhasdoneinherownsphereofaction，theschoolsfounded，theteacherssentforth，theinspirationgiventogirlsingeneral，throughthelongchainofinfluencesstartedbyouralmamater，wecanformsomelightestimateofthemomentousandfar-reachingconsequencesofEmmaWillard\'slife。Wehavenotherdifficultiestoovercome，hertrialstoendure，buttheimperativedutyislaidoneachofustofinishtheworkshesosuccessfullybegan。Schoolsandcollegesofahighorderarenoweverywhereopentowomen，publicsentimentwelcomesthemtowhatevercareertheymaydesire，andourworkistohelpworthygirlsstrugglingforahighereducation，byfoundingscholarshipsindesirableinstitutionsineveryStateintheUnion。ThemostfittingtributewecanpaytoEmmaWillardistoaidintheproductionofagenerationofthoroughlyeducatedwomen。

“Therearetwokindsofscholarships，equallydesirable；apermanentone，wheretheinterestofafundfromyeartoyearwillsupportasuccessionofstudents，andatemporaryone，tohelpsomeworthyindividualasshemayrequire。Someonehassuggestedthatthisassociationshouldhelpyounggirlsintheirprimaryeducation。Butasourpublicschoolspossessalltheadvantagesforathorougheducationintherudimentsoflearningandarefreetoall，ourscholarshipsshouldbebestowedonthosewhoseabilityandearnestnessintheprimarydepartmenthavebeenproved，andwhosecapacityforahighereducationisfullyshown。

“Thisisthebestworkwomenofwealthcando，andIhopeinthefuturetheywillendowscholarshipsfortheirownsexinsteadofgivingmillionsofdollarstoinstitutionsforboys，astheyhavedoneinthepast。AfterallthebequestswomenhavemadetoHarvardseehowniggardlythatinstitution，inits\'annex，\'treatstheirdaughters。IonceaskedawealthyladytogiveafewthousandsofdollarstostartamedicalcollegeandhospitalforwomeninNewYork。ShesaidbeforemakingbequestsshealwaysconsultedherministerandherBible。HetoldhertherewasnothingsaidintheBibleaboutcollegesforwomen。Isaid，\'Tellhimheismistaken。Ifhewillturnto2Chron。xxxiv。22，hewillfindthatwhenJosiah，theking，sentthewisementoconsultHuldah，theprophetess，aboutthebookoflawsdiscoveredinthetemple，theyfoundHuldahinthecollegeinJerusalem，thoroughlywellinformedonquestionsofstate，whileShallum，herhusband，waskeeperoftherobes。Isupposehisbusinesswastosewontheroyalbuttons。\'ButinspiteofthisScripturalauthority，therichladygavethirtythousanddollarstoPrincetonandneveronecentfortheeducationofherownsex。

“Ofallthevoicestowhichthesewallshaveechoedforoverhalfacentury，howfewremaintotellthestoryoftheearlydays，andwhenwepart，howfewofuswillevermeetagain；butIknowweshallcarrywithussomenewinspirationfortheworkthatstillremainsforustodo。Thoughmanyofusareoldinyears，wemaystillbeyounginheart。Womentrainedtoconcentratealltheirthoughtsonfamilylifeareapttothink杦hentheirchildrenaregrownup，theirlovedonesgone，theirservantstrainedtokeepthedomesticmachineryinmotion杢hattheirworkinlifeisdone，thatnooneneedsnowtheirthoughtandcare，quiteforgettingthatthehey-dayofwoman\'slifeisontheshadysideoffifty，whenthevitalforcesheretoforeexpendedinotherwaysaregarneredinthebrain，whentheirthoughtsandsentimentsflowoutinbroaderchannels，whenphilanthropytakestheplaceoffamilyselfishness，andwhenfromthedepthsofpovertyandsufferingthewailofhumanitygrowsaspathetictotheirearsasoncewasthecryoftheirownchildren。

“Or，perhaps，thepressingcaresoffamilylifeended，thewomanmayawaketosomeslumberinggeniusinherselfforart，science，orliterature，withwhichtogildthesunsetofherlife。Longfellow\'sbeautifulpoem，\'MorituriSalutamus，\'writtenforasimilaroccasiontothis，isfullofhopeandpromiseforallofus。Hesays：“\'Somethingremainsforustodoordare；

Eventheoldesttreesomefruitmaybear。

CatolearnedGreekateighty；SophoclesWrotehisgrandOedipus，andSimonidesBoreofftheprizeofversefromhiscompeers，Wheneachhadnumberedmorethanfour-scoreyears，AndTheophrastus，atthree-scoreandten，HadbutbegunhisCharactersofMen；

Chaucer，atWoodstockwiththenightingales，AtsixtywrotetheCanterburyTales；

GoetheatWeimar，toilingtothelast，CompletedFaustwheneightyyearswerepast。

Theseareindeedexceptions；buttheyshowHowfarthegulf-streamofouryouthmayflowIntotheArcticregionsofourlives，Wherelittleelsethanlifeitselfsurvives。

ForageisopportunitynolessThanyouthitself，thoughinanotherdress，AndastheeveningtwilightfadesawayTheskyisfilledwithstars，invisiblebyday。\'“OnDecember21，1892，wecelebrated，forthefirsttime，“Foremothers\'

Day。“Menhadcelebrated“Forefathers\'Day“formanyyears，butaswomenwereneverinvitedtojoinintheirfestivities，Mrs。DevereuxBlakeintroducedthecustomofwomenhavingadinnerincelebrationofthatday。Mrs。IsabellaBeecherHookerspenttwodayswithme，andtogetherweattendedthefeastandmadespeeches。Thiscustomisnowannuallyobserved，andgentlemensitinthegalleryjustasladieshaddoneonsimilaroccasions。

MysonTheodorearrivedfromFranceinApril，1893，toattendtheChicagoExposition，andspentmostofthesummerwithmeatGlenCove，LongIsland，wheremysonGerritandhiswifeweredomiciled。HerewereadCaptainCharlesKing\'sstoriesoflifeatmilitaryposts，Sanborn\'s“BiographyofBronsonAlcott，“andLecky\'s“HistoryofRationalism。“

HereIvisitedCharlesA。Dana，theNestorofjournalism，andhischarmingfamily。HelivedonabeautifulislandnearGlenCove。Hisrefined，artistictaste，showninhiscityresidenceinpaintings，statuary，andrarebric-a-brac，collectedinhisfrequenttravelsintheOldWorld，displayeditselfinhisislandhomeinthearrangementofanendlessvarietyoftrees，shrubs，andflowers，throughwhichyoucaughtglimpsesoftheSoundanddistantshores。OneseldommeetssogiftedamanasthelateeditoroftheSun。Hewasascholar，speakingseverallanguages；anablewriterandorator，andamostgenialcompanioninthesocialcircle。Hiswifeanddaughterarecultivatedwomen。Thenameofthisdaughter，ZoeDanaUnderhill，oftenappearsinourpopularmagazinesastheauthorofshortstories，remarkablefortheirvividdescriptions。

ImetMr。DanaforthefirsttimeattheBrookFarmCommunityin1843，inthatbrilliantcircleofBostontranscendentalists，whohopedinafewyearstotransformourselfish，competitivecivilizationintoaParadisewhereallthealtruisticvirtuesmightmakeco-operationpossible。Butalas！thematerialathandwasnotsufficientlyplasticforthathigherideal。Induetimethecommunitydissolvedandthemembersreturnedtotheirancestralspheres。MargaretFuller，whowasafrequentvisitorthere，betookherselftomatrimonyinsunnyItaly，WilliamHenryChanningtotheChurch，BronsonAlcotttotheeducationoftheyoung，FrankCabottotheworldofwork，Mr。andMrs。Ripleytoliterature，andCharlesA。Danatothepress。Mr。Danawasveryfortunateinhisfamilyrelations。Hiswife，MissEuniceMacDaniel，andherrelativessympathizedwithhiminallhismostliberalopinions。DuringthesummeratGlenCoveIhadthepleasureofseverallongconversationswithMissFrancesL。MacDanielandherbrotherOsborne，whosewifeisthesisterofMr。Dana，andwhoisnowassistingMissPrestonaMannintryinganexperiment，similartotheoneatBrookFarm，intheAdirondacks。

MissAnthonyspentaweekwithusinGlenCove。ShecametostirmeuptowritepapersforeveryCongressattheExposition，whichIdid，andshereadtheminthedifferentCongresses，addingherownstrongwordsattheclose。Mrs。RussellSagealsocameandspentadaywithustourgemetowriteapapertobereadatChicagoattheEmmaWillardReunion，whichIdid。AfewdaysafterwardTheodoreandIreturnedhervisit。Weenjoyedafewhours\'conversationwithMrSage，whohadmadeaverygenerousgiftofabuildingtotheEmmaWillardSeminaryatTroy。Thisschoolwasoneofthefirstestablished(1820)forgirlsinourState，andreceivedanappropriationfromtheNewYorklegislatureontherecommendationoftheGovernor，DeWittClinton。Mr。Sagegaveusadescriptionthatnightofthetimehisofficewasblownupwithdynamitethrownbyacrank，andofhisnarrowescape。Wefoundthegreatfinancierandhiswifeinanunpretendingcottagewithafineoutlookonthesea。Thoughpossessedofgreatwealththeysetagoodexampleofsimplicityandeconomy，whichmanyextravagantpeoplewoulddowelltofollow。

HavingvisitedtheWorld\'sExpositionatChicagoandattendedacourseoflecturesatChautauqua，mydaughter，Mrs。StantonLawrence，returnedtothecity，andassoonasourapartmentwasinorderIjoinedher。ShehadrecentlybeenappointedDirectorofPhysicalTrainingattheTeachers\'

CollegeinNewYorkcity。Iattendedseveralofherexhibitionsandlectures，whichwereveryinteresting。Sheisdoingherbesttodevelop，withproperexercisesandsanitarydress，anewtypeofwomanhood。

MytimepassedpleasantlythesedayswithadriveintheParkandanhourinthelandofNod，alsoinreadingHenryGeorge\'s“ProgressandPoverty，“

WilliamMorrisonindustrialquestions，Stevenson\'snovels，the“HeavenlyTwins，“and“Marcella，“andattwilight，whenIcouldnotseetoreadandwrite，inplayingandsingingtheoldtunesandsongsIlovedinmyyouth。

Intheeveningweplayeddraughtsandchess。Iamfondofallgames，alsoofmusicandnovels，hencethedaysflyswiftlyby；Iamneverlonely，lifeiseververysweettomeandfullofinterest。

Thewinterof1893-94wasfullofexcitement，asthecitizensofNewYorkweretoholdaConstitutionalConvention。Dr。

MaryPutnamJacobiendeavoredtorouseanewclassofmenandwomentoactioninfavorofanamendmentgrantingtowomentherighttovote。AppealsweresentthroughouttheState，gatheringswereheldinparlors，andenthusiasticmeetingsinCooperInstituteandtheSavoyHotel。Mydaughter，Mrs。StantonBlatch，whowasvisitingthiscountry，tookanactivepartinthecanvass，andmadeaneloquentspeechinCooperInstitute。Strangetosay，someoftheleadingladiesformedastrongpartyagainsttheproposedamendmentandtheirownenfranchisement。Theywerecalledthe“Antis。“Thisopposingorganizationadoptedthesameplanforthecampaignasthoseinfavoroftheamendment。Theyissuedappeals，circulatedpetitions，andhadhearingsbeforetheConvention。

Mrs。RussellSage，Mrs。HenryM。Sanders，Mrs。EdwardLauterbach，Mrs。

Runkle，andsomeliberalclergymendidtheiruttermosttosecuretheinsertionoftheamendmentintheproposednewconstitution，buttheCommitteeonSuffrageoftheConstitutionalConventionrefusedeventosubmittheproposedamendmenttoavoteofthepeople，thoughhalfamillionofourmostintelligentandrespectablecitizenshadsignedthepetitionrequestingthemtodoso。JosephH。ChoateandElihuRootdidtheiruttermosttodefeattheamendment，andsucceeded。

Ispentthesummerof1894withmysonGerrit，inhishomeatThomaston，LongIsland。Balzac\'snovels，andthe“LifeofThomasPaine“byMoncureD。Conway，withthemonthlymagazinesanddailypapers，weremymentalpabulum。Mydaughter，Mrs。StantonLawrence，returnedfromEnglandinSeptember，1894，havinghadapleasantvisitwithhersisterinBasingstoke。InDecemberMissAnthonycame，andwewrotethewomansuffragearticlefortheneweditionofJohnson\'sCyclopedia。

OnMarch3，1895，LadySomersetandMissFrancesWillard，ontheeveoftheirdepartureforEngland，calledtoseeme。Wediscussedmyprojectofa“Woman\'sBible。“Theyconsentedtojoinarevisingcommittee，butbeforethecommitteewasorganizedtheywithdrewtheirnames，fearingtheworkwouldbetooradical。Iespeciallydesiredtohavetheopinionsofwomenfromallsects，butthosebelongingtotheorthodoxchurchesdeclinedtojointhecommitteeorexpresstheirviews。Perhapstheyfearedtheirfaithmightbedisturbedbythestronglightofinvestigation。SomehalfdozenmembersoftheRevisingCommitteebeganwithmetowrite“CommentsonthePentateuch。“

Thechiefthoughtrevolvinginmymindduringtheyearsof1894and1895hadbeen“TheWoman\'sBible。“IntalkingwithfriendsIbegantofeelthatImightrealizemylong-cherishedplan。Accordingly，IbegantoreadthecommentatorsontheBibleandwassurprisedtoseehowlittletheyhadtosayaboutthegreatestfactorsincivilization，themotheroftherace，andthatlittlebynomeanscomplimentary。ThemoreIread，themorekeenlyIfelttheimportanceofconvincingwomenthattheHebrewmythologyhadnospecialclaimtoahigheroriginthanthatoftheGreeks，beingfarlessattractiveinstyleandlessrefinedinsentiment。Itsobjectionablefeatureswouldlongagohavebeenapparenthadtheynotbeenglossedoverwithafaithintheirdivineinspiration。ForseveralmonthsIdevotedallmytimetoBiblicalcriticismandecclesiasticalhistory，andfoundnoexplanationforthedegradedstatusofwomenunderallreligions，andinalltheso-called“HolyBooks。“

WhenPartI。of“TheWoman\'sBible“wasfinallypublishedinNovember，1895，itcreatedagreatsensation。SomeoftheNewYorkcitypapersgaveapagetoitsreview，withpicturesofthecommentators，ofitscritics，andevenofthebookitself。TheclergydenounceditastheworkofSatan，thoughitreallywastheworkofEllenBattelleDietrick，LillieDevereuxBlake，Rev。PhebeA。Hanaford，ClaraBewickColby，UrsulaN。Gestefeld，LouisaSouthworth，FrancesEllenBurr，andmyself。Extractsfromit，andcriticismsofthecommentators，wereprintedinthenewspapersthroughoutAmerica，GreatBritain，andEurope。Athirdeditionwasfoundnecessary，andfinallyaneditionwaspublishedinEngland。TheRevisingCommitteewasenlarged，anditnowconsistsofoverthirtyoftheleadingwomenofAmericaandEurope。*

ThemonthofAugust，1895，wespentinPeterboro，onthegrandhillsofMadisonCounty，ninehundredfeetabovethevalley。GerritSmith\'sfineoldmansionstillstands，surroundedwithmagnificenttrees，whereIhadplayedinchildhood，chasingsquirrelsoverlawnandgardensandwadinginamodeststreamthatstillcreepsslowlyroundthegrounds。IrecalledasIsatonthepiazzahowonetime，whenFrederickDouglasscametospendafewdaysatPeterboro，someSouthernvisitorswroteanotetoMr。SmithaskingifMr。Douglasswastositintheparlorandatthediningtable；

ifso，duringhisvisittheywouldremainintheirownapartments。Mr。

Smithrepliedthathisvisitorswerealwaystreatedbyhisfamilyasequals，andsuchwouldbethecasewithMr。Douglass，whowasconsideredoneoftheablestmenrearedunder“TheSouthernInstitution。“Sotheseladieshadtheirmealsintheirownapartments，wheretheystayedmostofthetime，and，asMr。Douglassprolongedhisvisit，theynodoubtwishedintheirheartsthattheyhadnevertakenthatsillyposition。Therestofuswalkedaboutwithhim，arminarm，playedgames，andsangsongstogether，heplayingtheaccompanimentontheguitar。IsupposeifourprejudicedcountrywomenhadbeenintroducedtoDumasinaFrenchsalon，theywouldatoncehavedonnedtheirbonnetsandranaway。

SittingaloneunderthetreesIrecalledthedifferentgenerationsthathadpassedaway，allknowntome。HereIhadmetthegrandfather，PeterSkenSmith，partnerofJohnJacobAstor。IntheirbargainswiththeIndianstheyacquiredimmensetractsoflandintheNorthernpartoftheStateofNewYork，whichwerethenucleusoftheirlargefortunes。IhaveoftenheardCousinGerritcomplainofthetimehelostmanagingtheestate。HissonGreenewasanenthusiastinthenaturalsciencesandtookbutlittleinterestinpropertymatters。Later，hisgrandson，GerritSmithMiller，assumedtheburdenofmanagingtheestateand，inaddition，devotedhimselftoagriculture。HeimportedafinebreedofHolsteincattle，whichhavetakenthefirstprizeatseveralfairs。Hisson，bearingthesamename，isdevotedtothenaturalsciences，likehisuncleGreene；whosefinecollectionofbirdswaspresentedbyhiswidowtoHarvardCollege。

TheonlydaughterofGerritSmith，ElizabethSmithMiller，isaremarkablewoman，possessingmanyofthetraitsofhernoblefather。Shehasrareexecutiveability，asshowninthedispatchofherextensivecorrespondenceandintheperfectorderofherhouseandgrounds。Shehasdonemuchinthewayofeducation，especiallyforthecoloredrace，inhelpingtoestablishschoolsandindistributingliterature。Shesubscribesformanyofthebestbooks，periodicals，andpapersforfriendsnotabletopurchaseforthemselves。Wecannotestimatethegoodshehasdoneinthisway。Everymailbringsherlettersfromallclasses，fromcharitableinstitutions，prisons，Southernplantations，armyposts，andthefar-offprairies。Toallthesepleasforhelpshegivesalisteningear。Hercharitiesarevariedandboundless，andherhospitalitiestothepooraswellastherich，courteousandgenerous。TherefinementandartistictasteoftheSouthernmotherandtheheroicvirtuesofthefatherarehappilyblendedintheirdaughter。

InherbeautifulhomeonSenecaLake，oneisalwayssuretomeetsomeofthemostcharmingrepresentativesoftheprogressivethoughtofourtimes。

RepresentativesofallthesegenerationsnowrestinthecemeteryatPeterboro，andasinreviewtheypassedbeforemetheyseemedtosay，“Whylingeryouherealonesolong？”

MysonTheodorearrivedfromParisinSeptember，1895，andrenderedmostimportantserviceduringthepreparationsformybirthdaycelebration，inansweringletters，talkingwithreporters，andmakingvaluablesuggestionstothemanagersastomanydetailsinthearrangements，andencouragingmetogothroughtheordealwithmyusualheroism。Ineverfeltsonervousinmylife，andsounfittedforthepartIwasindutyboundtoperform。

Frommuchspeakingthroughmanyyearsmyvoicewashoarse，fromaseverefallIwasquitelame，andasstanding，anddistinctspeakingareimportanttogracefuloratory，Ifeltliketheking\'sdaughterinShakespeare\'splayof“TitusAndronicus，“whenrudemenwhohadcutherhandsoffandhertongueout，toldhertocallforwaterandwashherhands。However，Ilivedthroughtheordeal，asthereaderwillseeinthenextchapter。

Aftermybirthdaycelebration，thenextoccasionofdeepinteresttomewastheChicagoConventionof1896，theplatformthereadopted，andthenominationandbrilliantcampaignofWilliamJ。Bryan。Ihadlongbeenrevolvinginmymindquestionsrelatingtothetariffandfinance，andinthedemandsofliberaldemocrats，populists，socialists，andthelaboringmenandwomen，Iheardtheclarionnotesofthecomingrevolution。

Duringthewinterof1895-96Iwasbusywritingalternatelyonthisautobiographyand“TheWoman\'sBible，“andarticlesformagazinesandjournalsoneverypossiblesubjectfromVenezuelaandCubatothebicycle。Onthelattersubjectmanytimidsoulsweregreatlydistressed。Shouldwomenride？

Whatshouldtheywear？Whatare“God\'sintentions“concerningthem？ShouldtheyrideonSunday？Thesequestionswereaskedwithallseriousness。Wehadasymposiumonthesepointsinoneofthedailypapers。Tometheanswertoallthesequestionswassimple杋fwomancouldride，itwasevidently“God\'sintention“thatshemustbepermittedtodoso。Astowhatsheshouldwear，shemustdecidewhatisbestadaptedtohercomfortandconvenience。

Thosewhopreferaspinofafewhoursinagoodroadintheopenairtoaclosechurchandadullsermon，surelyhavetherighttochoose，whetherwithtreesandflowersandsingingbirdstoworshipin“Thattemplenotmadewithhands，eternalintheheavens，“orwithinfourwallstosleepduringtheintonationofthatmelancholyservicethatrelegatesusall，withoutdistinctionofsexorcolor，totheranksof“miserablesinners。“

Leteachonedowhatseemethrightinherowneyes，providedshedoesnotencroachontherightsofothers。

InMay，1896，IagainwenttoGenevaandfoundthebicyclecrazehadreachthere，withallitsmostpronouncedsymptoms；oldandyoung，professors，clergymen，andladiesoffashionwereallspinningmerrilyaroundonbusinesserrands，socialcalls，andexcursionstodistanttowns。Drivingdowntheavenueoneday，wecountedeightybicyclesbeforereachingthepost-office。

Theancientbandbox，sodetestedbyoursiresandsons，hasgivenplacetothisnewmachinewhichourdaughterstakewiththemwheresoevertheygo，boxingandunboxingandreadjustingforeachjourney。Ithasbeenagreatblessingtoourgirlsincompellingthemtocultivatetheirself-relianceandtheirmechanicalingenuity，astheyareoftencompelledtomendthewheelincaseofaccident。AmongthevisitorsatGenevawereMr。DouglassandhisdaughterfromtheislandofCuba。Theygaveusverysadaccountsofthedesolatestateoftheislandandtheimpoverishedconditionofthepeople。IhadlongfeltthattheUnitedStatesshouldinterfereinsomewaytoendthatcruelwarfare，forSpainhasprovedthatsheisincompetenttorestoreorderandpeace。ChapterXXVIII。ChapterXXVIII。CHAPTERXXVIII。MYEIGHTIETHBIRTHDAY。

WITHOUTmyknowledgeorconsent，mylifelongfriend，SusanB。Anthony，whoalwaysseemstoappreciatehomagetenderedtomemorehighlythaneventoherself，madearrangementsforthecelebrationofmyeightiethbirthday，onthe12thdayofNovember，1895。ShepreferredthatthiscelebrationshouldbeconductedbytheNationalCouncilofWomen，composedofalargenumberoforganizationsrepresentingeverydepartmentofwoman\'slabor，though，astheenfranchisementofwomanhadbeenmyspeciallifework，itwouldhavebeenmoreappropriateifthecelebrationhadbeenundertheauspicesoftheNationalWoman\'sSuffrageAssociation。

Mrs。MaryLoweDickinson，PresidentoftheNationalCouncilofWomen，assumedthefinancialresponsibilityandtheextensivecorrespondenceinvolved，andwithraretact，perseverance，andexecutiveabilitymadethecelebrationacompletesuccess。IndescribingthisoccasionIcannotdobetterthantoreproduce，inpart，Mrs。Dickinson\'saccount，publishedinTheArena：

“InthemonthofJune，1895，theNationalCouncilofWomenissuedthefollowinginvitation：

“\'Believingthattheprogressmadebywomeninthelasthalfcenturymaybepromotedbyamoregeneralnoticeoftheirachievements，weproposetohold，inNewYorkcity，aconventionforthispurpose。Asanappropriatetimeforsuchacelebration，theeightiethbirthdayofElizabethCadyStantonhasbeenchosen。Herhalfcenturyofpioneerworkfortherightsofwomenmakeshernameaninspirationforsuchanoccasionandherlifeafittingobjectforthehomageofallwomen。

“\'ThisNationalCounciliscomposedoftwentyorganizations；theseandallothersocietiesinterestedareinvitedtoco-operateingratefulrecognitionofthedebtthepresentgenerationowestothepioneersofthepast。Fromtheirinterestintheenfranchisementofwomen，theinfluenceofMrs。Stantonandhercoadjutor，MissAnthony，haspermeatedalldepartmentsofprogressandmadethemacommoncenterroundwhichallinterestedinwoman\'shigherdevelopmentmaygather。\'

“Tothisinvitationcameresponses，fromtheOldWorldandtheNew，expressingsympathywiththeproposedcelebration，whichwasintendedtoemphasizeagreatprinciplebyshowingtheloftinessofcharacterthathadresultedfromitsembodimentinauniquepersonality。Theworldnaturallythinksofthepersonalitybeforeitthinksoftheprinciple。Ithas，atleast，somuchunconsciouscourtesyleftastohonoranoblewoman，evenwhenfailingtorightlyapprehendanoblecause。Toaffordthisfeelingitsproperexpression，torendermoretangibleallvaguesympathy，tocrystallizethegrowingsentimentinfavorofhumanfreedom，togiveyouththeopportunitytoreverencethegloryofage，togiveheartstheirutterancesinwordandsongwasperhapsthemostpopularpurposeofthereunion。Inotherwords，itgaveanopportunityforthosewhoreveredMrs。Stantonasaqueenamongwomentoshowtheirreverence，andtorecognizetheworkherlifehadwrought，andtoseeinitanepitomeoftheprogressofacentury。

“ThecelebrationwasalsoanillustrationofthedistinctiveideaoftheNationalCouncilofWomen，whichaimstogiverecognitiontoallhumaneffortwithoutdemandinguniformityofopinionasabasisofco-operation。

Itclaimstoactuponaunityofservice，notwithstandingdifferencesofcreedandmethods。Thethingsthatseparate，shrankbackintotheshadowswheretheybelong，andallheartsbraveenoughtothink，andtenderenoughtofeel，founditeasytouniteinhomagetoalifewhichhadknownahalfcenturyofstruggletolifthumanityfrombondageandwomanhoodfromshame。

“Thisreunionwasthefirstgeneralrecognitionofthedebtthepresentowestothepast。ItwasthefirstefforttoshowtheextenttowhichlaterdevelopmenthasbeeninspiredandmadepossiblebythefreedomtothinkandworkclaimedinthatearliertimebywomenlikeLucretiaMott，LucyStone，Mrs。Stanton，andmanyotherswhosenamesstandassynonymsofnobleservicefortherace。Tothosewholookedatthereunionfromthispointofviewitcouldnotfailofinspiration。

“ForthefollowersinlinesofphilanthropicworktolookinthefacesandhearthevoicesofwomenlikeClaraBartonandMaryLivermore；forthemultitudeenlistedinthecrowdedranksofliteraturetofeelinthelivingpresence，whatliteratureowestowomenlikeJuliaWardHowe；forthewhiteribbonarmytoturnfromitsonegreatleaderofto-daywhoselight，spreadingtothehorizon，doesnotobscureordimthegloryofthecrusadeleadersofthepast；forartloversandartstudentstocalltotheirmindsculptorslikeHarrietHosmerandAnnaWhitney，andrememberthedayswhenartwasasealedbookforwomen；forthefollowersofthetrulydivineartofhealingtohonortheBlackwellsistersandthememoryofMme。ClemenceLozier；forthemercyofsurgerytorevealitselfinthefaceofDr。Cushier，whohasprovedforusthatheartofpityandhandofskillneedneverbedivorced；forwomenliftingtheireyestomeetthefaceofPhebeA。HanafordandAnnaShawandotherwomenwhoto-dayinthepulpit，aswellasoutofit，mayuseawoman\'srighttoministertoneedysouls；fortheofttimesufferersfromunrighteouslawtowelcomewomenlawyers；forthethrongofworkingwomentoreadbackwardthroughthestoryoffourhundredindustriestotheirbeginninginthe\'four，\'andrememberthateachnewdoorhadopenedbecausesomewomentoiledandstrove；forallthesetheexerciseswereapartofagreatthanksgivingpæ；an，eachphaseofprogressstrikingitsownchord，andfindingeachitsechointheheartsthathelditdear。

“Tothestudentofhistory，ortohimwhocanreadthesignsofthetimes，therewassuchaprofoundsignificanceinthisoccasionasmakesoneshrinkfromdwellingtoomuchupontheexternaldetails。Yetasapageantonlyitwasamostinspiringsight，andonetrulyworthyofaqueen。Indeedaswerunthemindbackoverthepagesofhistory，whatqueencametoamoretriumphantthroneintheheartsofagratefulpeople？Whatwomaneverbeforesatsilver-crowned，canopiedwithflowers，surroundednotbyservilefollowersbutbymenandwomenwhobroughttohercourtthegrandestservicetheyhadwrought，theirbestthoughtcrystallizedinspeechandsong。Greaterthananytriumphalprocessionthatevermarkedaroyalpassagethroughakingdomwasittoknowthatinascoreormoreofcities，inmanyavillagechurchonthatsamenightfestivefireswerelighted，andthethrongkeptholiday，bringingfortributenotgoldandgemsbutnoblestaspirations，truestgratitude，andhighestidealsforthenationandtherace。

“Thegreatmeetingwasbutonelinkinachain；yetwithitsthousandsofwelcomingfaces，withitseloquenceofwords，withitsofferingofsweetestsongfromthechildrenofaracethatoncewasboundbutnowisfree，withitspicturedglimpsesoftheoldtimeandthenewflashingoutuponthenight，withthehomevoicesofferingwelcomeandgratitudeandlove，withnumberlessgreetings，fromthegreat，true，bravesoulsofmanylands，itwasindeedawonderfultribute，worthyofthegreatwarmheartofanationthatofferedit，andworthyofthewomansorevered。

“ItseemedfittingthatMme。AntoinetteSterling，who，twentyyearsago，tookherwonderfulvoiceawaytoEngland，whereitwonforherauniqueplaceintheheartsofthenation，should，onreturningtohercountry，giveherfirstservicetothewomanhoodofhernativeland。\'Iamcomingaweekearlier，\'soshehadwritten，\'thatmyfirstworkinmyownbelovedAmericamaybedoneforwomen。Iamcomingasawomanandnotasanartist，andbecauseIsogloryinthatwhichthewomenofmycountryhaveachieved。\'

Sowhenshesangoutofherheart，\'OrestintheLord；waitpatientlyforhim！\'nomarvelthatitseemedtoliftalllisteningheartstoarecognitionofthedivinesecretandsourceofpowerforallwork。

“Onecharmingfeatureoftheentertainmentwasaseriesofpicturescalled\'ThenandNow，\'eachillustratingthechangeinwoman\'sconditionduringthelastfiftyyears。Andafterthis，uponthedimnessthereshoneout，oneafteranother，thenamesofnoblewomenlikeMaryLyon，MariaMitchell，EmmaWillard，andmanyotherswhohavepassedaway。UpontheshadowsandthesilencebrokeMme。Sterling\'svoiceinTennyson\'s\'CrossingtheBar。\'Andwhenthiswasover，aswithonevoice，thewholeaudiencesangsoftly\'AuldLangSyne。\'

“Andlastbutnotleastshouldbementionedthegreetingsthatpouredinashoweroftelegramsandlettersfromeverysectionofthecountry，andmanyfromoverthesea。Theseexpressions，notonlyofpersonalcongratulationforMrs。Stanton，bututterancesofgladnessfortheprogressinwoman\'slifeandthought，fortheconditions，alreadysomuchbetterthaninthepast，andforthehopeforthefuture，wouldmakeofthemselvesamostinterestingandwonderfulchapter。AmongthemmaybementionedlettersfromLordandLadyAberdeen，fromLadyHenrySomersetandFrancesE。Willard，fromCanonWilberforce，andmanyothers，includinganaddressfromthirtymembersofthefamilyofJohnBright，headedbyhisbrother，theRightHonorableJacobBright；abeautifullyengrossedaddress，onparchment，fromtheNationalWomanSuffrageSocietyofScotland，anaddressfromtheLondonWomen\'sFranchiseLeague，andacablegramfromtheBristolWomen\'sLiberalAssociation；aletterfromtheWomen\'sRightsSocietyofFinland，signedbyitspresident，BaronessGripenbergofHelsingfors；telegramsfromtheCaliforniaSuffragePioneers；andothersfromtheChicagoWoman\'sClub，fromtheToledoandOhioWoman\'sSuffrageSociety，fromthesonoftheRev。Dr。WilliamElleryChanning，andatelegramandletterfromcitizensandsocietiesofSenecaFalls，NewYork，accompaniedwithflowersandmanyhandsomepiecesofsilverfromthedifferentsocieties。TherewerealsolettersfromtheHon。OscarS。Strauss，ex-ministertoTurkey，MissEllenTerry，andscoresofothers。AnaddresswasreceivedfromtheWomen\'sAssociationofUtah，accompaniedbyabeautifulonyxandsilverballotbox；andfromtheShakerwomenofMountLebanoncameanode；asolidsilverlovingcupfromtheNewYorkCitySuffrageLeague，presentedontheplatformwithafewappropriatewordsbyitsPresident，Mrs。DevereuxBlake。

“Hundredsoforganizationsandsocieties，bothinthiscountryandabroad，wishedtohavetheirnamesplacedonrecordasinsympathywiththemovement。

Manyorganizationswerepresentinabody，andonewasreminded，bythevarietyandbeautyofthedecorationsoftheirboxes，oftheVenetianCarnival，astheoccupantsgazeddownfromamidthesilkenbannersandtheflowers，uponthethrongbelow。Thewholeoccasionwasindeedauniquefestival，uniqueinitspresentation，aswellasinitspurpose，plan，character，andspirit。Nowomanpresentcouldfailtobeimpressedwithwhatweowetothewomenofthepast，andespeciallytothisonewomanwhowasthehonoredguestoftheoccasion。Andnoyoungwomancoulddesiretoforgetthepictureofthisagedformas，leaninguponherstaff，Mrs。Stantonspoketothegreataudienceofoversixthousand，asshehadspokenhundredsoftimesbeforeinlegislativehalls，andwheneverherwordcouldinfluencethepopularsentimentinfavorofjusticeforallmankind。“

Mybirthdaycelebration，withallthetestimonialsofloveandfriendshipIreceived，wasanoccasionofsuchseriousthoughtanddeepfeelingasIhadneverbeforeexperienced。Havingbeenaccustomedforhalfacenturytoblameratherthanpraise，Iwassurprisedwithsuchamanifestationofapproval；Icouldendureanyamountofseverecriticismwithcomplacency，butsuchanoutpouringofhomageandaffectionstirredmeprofoundly。Tocalmmyselfduringthatweekofexcitement，IthoughtmanytimesofMichelet\'swisemotto，“Letthewealandwoeofhumanitybeeverythingtoyou，theirpraiseandblameofnoeffect；benotpuffedupwiththeonenorcastdownwiththeother。“

NaturallyatsuchatimeIreviewedmylife，itsmarchandbattleonthehighwaysofexperience，andcounteditsdefeatsandvictories。Irememberedwhenafewwomencalledthefirstconventiontodiscusstheirdisabilities，thatourconservativefriendssaid：“Youhavemadeagreatmistake，youwillbelaughedatfromMainetoTexasandbeyondthesea；Godhassettheboundsofwoman\'ssphereandsheshouldbesatisfiedwithherposition。“

Theirprophecywasmorethanrealized；wewereunsparinglyridiculedbythepressandpulpitbothinEnglandandAmerica。Butnowmanyconventionsareheldeachyearinbothcountriestodiscussthesameideas；socialcustomshavechanged；lawshavebeenmodified；municipalsuffragehasbeengrantedtowomeninEnglandandsomeofhercolonies；schoolsuffragehasbeengrantedtowomeninhalfofourStates，municipalsuffrageinKansasandfullsuffrageinfourStatesoftheUnion。Thustheprinciplescoutedin1848wasacceptedinEnglandin1870，andsincethen，yearbyyear，ithasslowlyprogressedinAmericauntilthefourthstarshoneoutonourflagin1896，andIdahoenfranchisedherwomen！Thatfirstconvention，considereda“gravemistake“in1848，isnowreferredtoas“agrandstepinprogress。“

Mynextmistakewaswhen，aspresidentoftheNewYorkStateWoman\'sTemperanceAssociation，Idemandedthepassageofastatuteallowingwivesanabsolutedivorceforthebrutalityandintemperanceoftheirhusbands。

IaddressedtheLegislatureofNewYorkafewyearslaterwhenasimilarbillwaspending，andalsolargeaudiencesinseveralofourchiefcities，andforthisIwasseverelydenounced。To-dayfugitivesfromsuchunholytiescansecurefreedominmanyoftheWesternStates，andenlightenedpublicsentimentsustainsmothersinrefusingtohanddownanappetitefraughtwithsomanyevilconsequences。This，alsocalleda“mistake“in1860，wasregardedasa“stepinprogress“afewyearslater。

Again，Iurgedmycoadjutorsbyspeeches，letters，andresolutions，asameansofwidespreadagitation，tomakethesamedemandsoftheChurchthatwehadalreadymadeoftheState。Theyobjected，saying“Thatistoorevolutionary，anattackontheChurchwouldinjurethesuffragemovement。“

ButIsteadilymadethedemand，asopportunityoffered，thatwomenbeordainedtopreachtheGospelandtofilltheofficesaselders，deacons，andtrustees。

Afewyearslatersomeofthesesuggestionswereaccepted。Somechurchesdidordainwomenaspastorsovercongregationsoftheirown，otherselectedwomendeaconesses，andafewchurchesallowedwomen，asdelegates，tositintheirconferences。Thusthisdemandwasinameasurehonoredandanother“stepinprogress“taken。

In1882ItriedtoorganizeacommitteetoconsiderthestatusofwomenintheBible，andtheclaimthattheHebrewWritingsweretheresultofdivineinspiration。Itwasthoughtverypresumptuousforwomennotlearnedinlanguagesandecclesiasticalhistorytoundertakesuchwork。ButaswemerelyproposedtocommentonwhatwassaidofwomeninplainEnglish，andfoundthesetextscomposedonlyone-tenthoftheOldandNewTestaments，itdidnotseemtomeadifficultordangerousundertaking。However，whenPartI。of“TheWoman\'sBible“waspublished，againtherewasageneraldisapprovalbypressandpulpit，andevenbywomenthemselves，expressedinresolutionsinsuffrageandtemperanceconventions。Likeother“mistakes，“

thistoo，induetime，willberegardedas“astepinprogress。“

Suchexperienceshavegivenmeconfidenceinmyjudgment，andpatiencewiththeoppositionofmycoadjutors，withwhomonsomanypointsIdisagree。

Itrequiresnocouragenowtodemandtherightofsuffrage，temperancelegislation，liberaldivorcelaws，orforwomentofillchurchoffices杢hesebattleshavebeenfoughtandwonandtheprinciplegoverningthesedemandsconceded。ButitstillrequirescouragetoquestionthedivineinspirationoftheHebrewWritingsastothepositionofwoman。Whyshouldthemyths，fables，andallegoriesoftheHebrewsbeheldmoresacredthanthoseoftheAssyriansandEgyptians，fromwhoseliteraturemostofthemwerederived？

Seeingthatthereligioussuperstitionsofwomenperpetuatetheirbondagemorethanallotheradverseinfluences，Ifeelimpelledtoreiteratemydemandsforjustice，liberty，andequalityintheChurchaswellasintheState。

Thebirthdaycelebrationwastomemorethanabeautifulpageant；morethanapersonaltribute。ItwasthedawnofanewdayfortheMothersoftheRace！Theharmoniousco-operationofsomanydifferentorganizations，withdiversinterestsandopinions，inonegrandjubileewas，indeed，aheavenlyvisionofpeaceandhope；aprophecythatwiththeexaltationofWomanhoodwouldcomenewLife，Light，andLibertytoallmankind。TheEnd