Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-07-31
7 H L B u G L L /.
Woncn's Rights.
LETTER FROM HARRIET MARrA1vA

LETTER FROM HARRIET MARTAINAU.
Tho following letter from Miss. Martanau to
to Mrs. Gage which We have permission to copy,
viii be read with interest.
My DEAR MADAM: Your letter has given
me great pleasure, and thank you for send
ing me the assurance of your sympathy, and
SO interesting a glimpse as you afford inc of
your position and your life. | don't see TINT
we can do any thing but good in seeking the
advancement of woman, MS long MS our great
aim, felt and avowed, is to further the dis
charge Of duty. | think we may 20 on
brovely and stoutly, while our demands are,
not for pleasures md vanities, but that wo.
man may have better chance of health and
strength, of sense aud cheerfIlness, of
knowledge and self-disciplne. Men will
not long be afraid of that which will make
their homes comfortable, their wives reason
oble, their children healthy and obcdicnt,
md their affairs orderly aud prosperous
And in your country, especially, think the
progress may be rapid, If women ask Just
that which il is their plain human right TO
have,-means of health of body and mind.
In your country, / think | bnvc seen the
strongest expmplcs Of every sort of women.
Certainly, never saw elsewhere women so
utterly insuilerable as certain specimens of
the wives of rich merchants in your great sea
ports the whining discomfort, the wretched
health, the spteiul and teazing temper, the
tyranny over domestics, the nlnlice towards
neigilbors, the insulting behavior To hus-
bandsj these things made up the most hor-
rible spectacle of domestic life that have
ever seen in any country. On the other
hand can nowhere look for more exquisite
wives aud mothers than some of your coun-
irywomen whose powers and whose learn
ing might qualify them to take place among
men, in almost any intellectual rank in any
country. Aud then, you have all gradalions
between the idiot and the sage; aud espec-
tally, ] may note, large proportion of ped
ants among your advancing women. This
is unavoidable, know. There was an age
of the world, when knowledge began to bc
dillIscd again, when men were pcdants.-
do not quarrel with the fact, because il is
unavoidable, and because it is n sign of
progress: hut rather dread the pcdans
taking possession Of the movement, pushing
forward their own personal claims, and maxi
ing tho cause ridiculous by their conceit,
aud offensive by their self regard.
believe and trust there nre many thou
sand women about you who will ere long
hold your views, and say aloud, however
inodestly and quietly, that they desire the
means of health for themselves and their
daughters, the means of doing their duty
better, whatever may be the duty that lies
nearest to hand, the means Of asccrtainins
fairly how much they are nble 10 do for ih'
enlightening and training, and serving an,
aiding all who may be within reach of ihei
influence. by perseverance in this claim
together with steady sweetness in urging i
by dligent use Of all means of improve
ment as they arise, and hy conscicniiou
discharge of every existing duy,-the NOR
strenuous and patient as tho intellect he
comes stronger,-l have every hope that
generation or two will experience n grcI
advancement, and every body will be Ill
happier for the progression of part Of I'll
great human family, which must ever sin an
suffer. or prosper and enjoy throughout an
not partially Men and children suffer a
much as women from the present state {
things; and ! trust and believe that the
viii one day be taught this by the happ
experience of great amelioralion. As f
me, work on in quiet sort of way
the cause, rendering my health hardy l
exercise, cold water, and plain diet; maxim
my servants aud neighbors as happy as
Gun (which is chiefly by being uncommonl
happy niyselfD and trying TO think All
learn as diligently MS can; and then sayin
plainly what think aud have learned, will
out any regard to what the world may sa
my topics being of general interest at
therefore, at the general disposal.
! am dear Madam,
TrDiy yours,
ii. MARTAlNAU.