Page:Heroines of freethought (IA cu31924031228699).pdf/235

Rh That she had her faults no one who understands human nature can doubt. Great public virtues have sometimes been allied to great private vices. Of Frances Wright’s private life I know nothing. I judge her only by her public acts. Those were noble, brave, and philanthropic. With no private wrongs to right, nor personal injustice to defeat, she, with rare courage, took up the cause of a common humanity, and proved true at least a part of Mrs. Browning's couplet:

"The world’s male chivalry has perished out, But women are knights-errant to the last.”

She had wealth, leisure, friends, character: these she offered up a willing sacrifice to the interests of humanity. There stand the records; there is no gainsaying, no denying them. Nor will the idea of overweening vanity, or desire for popularity, cancel any part of her just praise. Had that been her aim, she took a strange and devious course to gain it. Nay, further, her