New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-16
WOMEN AT THE BAR.

AN INGENIOUS PLEA BY MISS PHOEBE COUIlNS.
Miss Phoebe COuzins, lawyer OF ST. LOUIS,
addressed an exceedingly intelligent audience at Asso
citation Hall on Saturday evening on women as
Lawyers" She humorously introduced her profession
and her theme with the words Ladies and Gentlemen
OF the Jury" Because law profession for woman
was supposed 10 be outgrowth OF the present Miss
Couzns with much force and humOr al great pains
10 prove the legal ability Of woman and her right 10
practice law from Biblical aud other historical prece
dents She prefaced her historical illustrations with the
statement that though women in the United States had
practced law only four years they had admirably
ceeded, for she never knew young body with so
old o head" The falacy which she most frequently
attempted refute during her lecture that form OF
argument which proves too much. In the Book of
Numbers, her eye discovered less than five women
lawyers who had been successful counseors Moses
unable recognize his sister Miriam's ability 10 admin
lister Justice; Joshua It given 10 lead the Children
Of Israel into Canaan, chiefly because he allowed Miriam
the legal power God meant she should have. Deborah
as an lustrious ruler, wise judge, and benefcent
power In the land for many years, was cited; also,
Hulda who, Miss Couzins facetiously remarked,
probably professor OF jurisprudence and political
economy. Were there more Hudas among the judges
OF ,be present there would be fewer Credit Mobier
schemes. All lawyers are skeptcs. The Queen OF
sheea was undoubtedly LAWYER 10, her questions
probably had the Queen OF sheba IN mind when
he wrote of the wonderful who
only ruled bOuaeh0lu, out gates
was enthroned To Judith left more than the
widows third. Judith was not only commanded to 20
forth her countrymeD, but her arguments before
Israees revealed her belonging to the legal pro-
fesson, for she aOle and she did, ms occasion
CURED. prove both sides OF question. NoyeIa Ill
Andra Christina di Pisa, so beautiful that when she
appeared before her students In the law school OF Bo
logua she obliged vail her face lest II should
distract the attention Of her pupils from the dry bones OF
lurispradence aud Pora. were eoquently and skfuly
cited as able aud successful lawyers. Miss Couzlns
closed TINS portion OF her lecture with the words Of
oialanle Roland 10 reference duty and that Of
ner oOmpatriots during the French revolution IL is
Tor US TO perform our work we'll and thus prepare the
way Tor future generations" She then made direct
and well received appeal to the ladies to deeply
tue responsibility resting upon the women OF to-day
she then described the wall OF dignity that had hereto
fore surrounded the legal profession aud the
stern febuns given by the legal ratekeeners
TO the women VINO had ventured 10 take or
ask for peep behind the massive barTiers
The views OF John Stuart Mil on woman for the isgsi
profession, and those Of Dr. Mason of Burmah on the
legal status OF women In that country dwelt on Ar
bOIne engb. AZ woman has already mastered The .ci
OF medicine, 30 she viii eventually mater tna
science OF law. Miss COuZnss concluding nryumen,s
for the necessity OF women lawyers based nnon
the great need Of reform conduct OF prisons AMI
the cruel want VI any refining influence thrown around
the prisoners.