'
A few extracts from her manuscripts upon this subject may be of
interest, as indicating the spirit and aim with which she wrote:--
'To those of us who hate emphasis and exaggeration, who
believe that whatever is good of its kind is good, who shrink
from love of excitement and love of sway, who, while ready for
duties of many kinds, dislike pledges and bonds to any,--this
talk about "Woman's Sphere," "Woman's Mission," and all such
phrases as mark the present consciousness of an impending
transition from old conventions to greater freedom, are most
repulsive. And it demands some valor to lift one's head amidst
the shower of public squibs, private sneers, anger, scorn,
derision, called out by the demand that women should be put on
a par with their brethren, legally and politically; that they
should hold property not by permission but by right, and that
they should take an active part in all great movements. But
though, with Mignon, we are prompted to characterize heaven as
the place where
"Sie fragen nicht nach Mann nie Weib,"
yet it is plain that we must face this agitation; and beyond
the dull clouds overhead hangs in the horizon Venus, as
morning-star, no less fair, though of more melting beauty,
than the glorious Jupiter, who shares with her the watch.
Pages:
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195