Page:English laws for women in the nineteenth century.djvu/178

166 that my place can be easily supplied, for that no one can fill my place."

The other is—Mr Norton. He reviles me in the newspapers; he slanders my dead brother,- my mother, and my sons; he heaps indecent accusations upon me. At one time he orders "the chain to be fastened across the door" of my home, should I attempt to return to it: at another (by his own printed and published admission), he kicks the door from its hinges, to force his way to my presence, for the purpose of expelling me! Shall the name of husband shield from condemnation one who has thus dealt by me? One in whom years have wrought no change; who reiterates in cold blood at this present time, coarse and virulent attacks, once again to sting me—me only—for they cannot vex the dead. I stand alone now, to receive them; and alone I make my defence.

If, as I have said, my defence be disapproved, blame the
 * which left me the task of defending, instead of the possibility of being defended. Or, if you still blame me, yet amend the law! What have my faults to do with the real subject-matter? I shall die and be dust; but the laws of my country will survive me. It is very fit and fair that ther e should be repugnance and distrust, when women meddle in these matters: yet no one can feel them like a woman. It is a rule you do not apply to other subordinate groups. The petition of Spitalfields silk-weavers would not be rejected, because they are silk-weavers: on the contrary, each class seeking protection, is supposed to be the best exponent of its own interests. Petitioning does not imply assertion of equality. The wild and stupid theories advanced by a few women, of "equal rights" and "equal intelligence" are not the opinions of their sex. I, for one (I, with millions more), believe in the natural superiority of man, as I do in the existence of a God. I hold it to be proved, by all that ever has been attempted by human intelligence, in science and in art; even in those pursuits in which no natural or educational