that citadel to make it surrender"; or, in other words, I noted what I was prepared to notethat these women could not be reached by small talk or frivolity; also that I must master them at once or they would conquer me.

When I first began to speak they evinced great suspicion of me, and immediately became so vociferous in their disapproval that I could scarcely be heard; but, as I continued, I first gained their confidence, then their courteous attention, and soon their good will.

This young personage introduced them en masse to me and said: "Friends, Mrs. Woolsey, who will address us, is from the largest Republic of the world; a kinsman of hers, history relates, was sent to America by the English government as an explorer in 1584; her people thereafter helped overthrow monarchists by driving the British from that continent; they were present at the birth of the American Republic, assisted at its christening, and have ever since aided in guarding its life and development.

*Captain Barlow of the English navy-see English or American Histories.

We shall, therefore, hear an account of our sex in this the freest, the most advanced, and the best of all existing forms of government or society, from one who is unbiased, either through heredity or association, by old world prejudices and narrowness. This lady will speak to us chiefly of woman's position in a republic in contradistinction to her position in a monarchy. And as democracy is so close to our own ideal of society, we can easily see how its lofty conception of womanhood must be preserved as it evolves into our yet more liberal belief. For as we have all agreed, the future of our sex is foreshadowed by a republic. When we answer certain questions which will be put to us, Mrs. Woolsey will become a member of our prospective society; and I am confident she will be one of our most efficient workers, and particularly the one whom tyrants will fear most." (Cheers.)

THE ADDRESS

UNIV. OF

VINNOJITVO

WOMAN'S POLITICAL STATUS

T

HE tone of the foregoing introduction increased the difficulties of my task, but I at once arose and plunged into my subject, saying

Ladies, our kind friend has never heard me express my opinion of woman's position either in democratic or aristocratic government. But the fact that I am an American,* I greatly fear, has led both you and her to infer that I, of course, favor her status in the former. (Subdued murmurs. .)

Nothing could give me greater pride or pleasure than to assure you that women in Republics have greater influence in the State and home, are better protected, enjoy a purer fire-side, and receive greater public and private consideration,

*When I use the word "American" I mean a citizen of the United States of North America. Public and political, I use as synonymous words. American Republic is the name people generally give to the United States Republic.

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