# A Plea for Woman

Edinburgh: William Tait, pages i–x
PREFACE.
The following little volume adds another to that not very numerous class of publications which attempt to throw some light on the peculiarities of woman's position in society. It is designed to show, that social equality with man is necessary for the free growth and development of woman's nature; that it could not elevate her to complete equality with man, if she be really inferior to him in physical strength and mental vigour; that there is no good ground for the assumption that the possession and exercise of political privileges are incompatible with the right performance of the home duties of the sex; that this equality belongs of right to woman, as possessed of the same rational and responsible nature as man; and that it would be of benefit also to ​man, by ennobling the influence over him of that being who is the natural companion of his life.
I am aware that this is by no means the first time that similar opinions have been given to the world; but the expression of them has given rise to many vague and groundless prejudices, to attempt to dispel which has been more immediately my object.
Although this little book is the production of a woman, yet let not the reader believe that esprit de corps has had anything to do with the writing of it. I can assure him most truly, that an enthusiastic belief that this is a question of general philanthropy has been my principal inducement.
I will not, however, deny, that the immediately-exciting cause of my setting to write was the scornful sneers—the more scornful in exact proportion to the want of anything like a reasonable argument—of those who write the popular books about woman, when they condescend to notice such opinions as ​mine. These suggested to me that I ought to do what I could to show that such opinions have some arguments in their favour which are surely weighty enough to save them from utter contempt; and to demand for them, at least, so much attention as is necessary for their refutation.
I have endeavoured to show that the subject is one of vast importance; that such opinions, having been fairly started, must be met—if they can be met effectually—not by laughs and sneers, but by rational argument. I shall willingly acknowledge myself in the wrong, if any one will take the trouble to convince me that I am so; and if reason fails, a little sarcasm will be easily borne: for ridicule is but a feeble antagonist to truth, however powerful it may be as an auxiliary.
I am not without hopes that these pages may be the humble means of bringing forward more able pens on the same subject. The throwing up of a feather shows how the wind blows: therefore, I throw up this ​feather with pleasure, hoping that many more will follow to give the same indication. Continual dropping weareth away the solid rock: I therefore willingly contribute this drop, in the earnest hope that it may call down many more—so many, that at last they may wear a passage through the hard rock of the customs and prejudices of ages.
Liverpool, Oct. 1843.
This work was published before January 1, 1930, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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