The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-08
GEN. GAINES.

with his lady and family, arrived in the city
from st. Louis, day or two since, and will
continue few days at the Broadway Hotel
Before leaving st. Louis, Gen. Gaines deliv-
cred lecture before the Mechanics Institute
THAT city, upon the national defences, which
was wellreceived and much applauded. We
have copy, but have not had leisure to look it
over yet-but intend doing so soon.
Mrs. Gaines appeared in the Hall, with her
husband, and after he had closed his lecture,
she arose, and standing by his side, addressed
the audience upon the horrors of war. HERE
marks drew forth immense applause-they
were taken down by shorthand writer, and
have been published. We give below the intro
ductory remarks of the lady.
The fact OF lady addressing large audience
in highly respectable and enlighted community,
is, it must be admitted, novel and uncommon
scene ;and to those who know me it is unnecessary
to say, that am quite inexperienced in the art
of public speaking, and that my first attempt
in that way was made last week, in the Hall of
theINechanics Institute, Of this city. To ssme, it
NAV appear stu that a lady should come
forward in public, and address a mixed audience,
and give her sentiments on subject, in which,
it cannet be supposed, she has had any expe
renee Some, ii not many ofmy own sex, may
fancy that | am rather transgressing the bounda-
I TX
wrong in lady to speak in public assembly.
Were alone and unprotected, it would scarce
ly comport with that delicacy which a female
ought always to cultivate and maintain; but,
when do it in the presence Of my liege lord, to
whom am accountable for my actions and when
it is on War, a subject in which he has all his
life been interested and concerned, (and what
wife can be blamed in taking deep interest in
the affairs Of her husbandO | should think that,
were Jury selected from this highly respecta-
BILE audience, and some oflthem composed Of even
the most fastidious OF my own sex, to try me for
the act in which am now engaged, am conf
dent the verdict would come in--acquitted.
| TCheers, cheers
81 am not ignorant of the truth, that wo
mans province is the domestic circle; or in tn
words of the immortal Milton, s'She is to stud,
household good, and good works in her husband
to promote" Hers are the calm pursuits anC
gentle enjoyments of life mans, that of enter
prise and action. Man is to fill a wide and bu-
sy theatre, on a contentious world, while wo-
man is destined by her Maker to move in a
II ore peaceful sphere. But the circumstances
in which | am placed, make my appearance
before you this evening, unlike that in which
most ladies are. am united TO one who has
been, in the language ofHome,-(ths General
standing by her side ga soldier in his youth,
|
voted in no ordinary degree, to the service o
his country. These facts, then, are all neeC
state, and as my husband is rather indisposed
considered tiny duty to lend my aid on th'
occasion.
''Tke head and front fmy offending hath this extent
no more"
81 need not tell this audience that my hus
band has been engaged for many years in try
ing to convince the High Functionaries of gu
Government OF the necessity of adopting
mode of National Defence, in some degree com
mensurate with the state of steam power, as
at present exists; and therefore it is not to b
wondered at, small as am, [tremendou
cheering] that also should have turned my a
tention little to the subject of War and {
National Defence, as closely connected wit
it. But without wasting your time any long'
with Introductory remarks, shall procee
with my few observations on the Horrors
War"