Tochangethecurrentofmythoughts，atripwasplannedtoNiagara，anditwasdecidedthatthesubjectofreligionwastobetabooedaltogether。

Accordinglyourparty，consistingofmysister，herhusband，myfatherandmyself，startedinourprivatecarriage，andforsixweeksIheardnothingonthesubject。AboutthistimeGallandSpurzheimpublishedtheirworksonphrenology，followedbyCombe's“ConstitutionofMan，“his“MoralPhilosophy，“andmanyotherliberalworks，allsorationalandopposedtotheoldtheologiesthattheyproducedaprofoundimpressiononmybrother-in-law'smind。Aswehadthesebookswithus，readinganddiscussingbytheway，weallbecamedeeplyinterestedinthenewideas。Thus，aftermanymonthsofwearywanderingintheintellectuallabyrinthof“TheFallofMan，“

“OriginalSin，““TotalDepravity，““God'sWrath，““Satan'sTriumph，““TheCrucifixion，““TheAtonement，“and“SalvationbyFaith，“IfoundmywayoutofthedarknessintotheclearsunlightofTruth。Myreligioussuperstitionsgaveplacetorationalideasbasedonscientificfacts，andinproportion，asIlookedateverythingfromanewstandpoint，Igrewmoreandmorehappy，daybyday。Thus，withadelightfuljourneyinthemonthofJune，anentirechangeinmycourseofreadingandthecurrentofmythoughts，mymindwasrestoredtoitsnormalcondition。Iviewitasoneofthegreatestcrimestoshadowthemindsoftheyoungwiththesegloomysuperstitions；

andwithfearsoftheunknownandtheunknowabletopoisonalltheirjoyinlife。

Aftertherestraintsofchildhoodathomeandinschool，whataperiodofirrepressiblejoyandfreedomcomestousingirlhoodwiththefirsttasteofliberty。Thenisourindividualityinameasurerecognizedandourfeelingsandopinionsconsulted；thenwedecidewhereandwhenwewillcomeandgo，whatwewilleat，drink，wear，anddo。Tosuitone'sfancyinclothes，tobuywhatonelikes，andwearwhatonechoosesisagreatpleasure，towalk，toride，todrive，withnoonetosayusnayorquestionourrighttoliberty，thisisindeedlikeabirthintoanewworldofhappinessandfreedom。Thisistheperiod，too，whentheemotionsruleus，andweidealizeeverythinginlife；whenloveandhopemakethepresentanecstasyandthefuturebrightwithanticipation。

Thencomesthatdreamofblissthatforweeksandmonthsthrowsahaloofgloryroundthemostordinarycharactersinevery-daylife，holdingthestrongestandmostcommon-senseyoungmenandwomeninathraldomfromwhichfewmortalsescape。Theperiodwhenlove，insoftsilvertones，whispershisfirstwordsofadoration，paintingourgracesandvirtuesdaybydayinlivingcolorsinpoetryandprose，stealthilypunctuatedeverandanonwithakissorfondembrace。Whatdignityitaddstoayounggirl'sestimateofherselfwhensomestrongmanmakesherfeelthatinherhandsresthisfuturepeaceandhappiness！Thoughtheseseasonsofintoxicationmaycomeoncetoall，yettheyareseldomrepeated。Howofteninafterlifewelongforonemoresuchrapturousdreamofbliss，onemoreseasonofsupremehumanloveandpassion！

Afterleavingschool，untilmymarriage，Ihadthemostpleasantyearsofmygirlhood。Withfrequentvisitstoalargecircleoffriendsandrelativesinvarioustownsandcities，themonotonyofhomelifewassufficientlybrokentomakeoursimplecountrypleasuresalwaysdelightfulandenjoyable。

Anentirelynewlifenowopenedtome。Theoldbondageoffearofthevisibleandtheinvisiblewasbrokenand，nolongersubjecttoabsoluteauthority，Irejoicedinthedawnofanewdayoffreedominthoughtandaction。

Mybrother-in-law，EdwardBayard，tenyearsmysenior，wasaninestimableblessingtomeatthistime，especiallyasmymindwasjustthenopeningtotheconsiderationofallthevariedproblemsoflife。Tomeandmysistershewasacompanioninallouramusements，ateacherinthehigherdepartmentsofknowledge，andacounselorinallouryouthfultrialsanddisappointments。

Hewasofametaphysicalturnofmind，andinthepursuitoftruthwasinnowaytrammeledbypopularsuperstitions。Hetooknothingforgrantedand，likeSocrates，wentaboutaskingquestions。Nothingpleasedhimmorethantogetabevyofbrightyounggirlsabouthimandteachthemhowtothinkclearlyandreasonlogically。

OnegreatadvantageoftheyearsmysistersandmyselfspentattheTroySeminarywasthelargenumberofpleasantacquaintanceswemadethere，manyofwhichripenedintolifelongfriendships。Fromtimetotimemanyofourclassmatesvisitedus，andallalikeenjoyedtheintellectualfencinginwhichmybrother-in-lawdrilledthem。Hediscoursedwithusonlaw，philosophy，politicaleconomy，history，andpoetry，andtogetherwereadnovelswithoutnumber。Thelongwintereveningsthuspassedpleasantly，Mr。BayardalternatelytalkingandreadingaloudScott，Bulwer，James，Cooper，andDickens，whoseworkswerejustthencomingoutinnumbersfromweektoweek，alwaysleavingusinsuspenseatthemostcriticalpointofthestory。Ourreadingswerevariedwithrecitations，music，dancing，andgames。

Asweallenjoyedbriskexercise，evenwiththethermometerbelowzero，wetooklongwalksandsleigh-ridesduringtheday，andthusthewintermonthsglidedquicklyby，whiletheglorioussummeronthosebluehillswasaperiodofunmixedenjoyment。AtthisseasonwearoseatfiveinthemorningforalongrideonhorsebackthroughthebeautifulMohawkValleyandoverthesurroundinghills。Everyroadandlaneinthatregionwasasfamiliartousandourponies，aswerethetreestothesquirrelswefrightenedaswecanteredbytheirfavoriteresorts。

PartofthetimeMargaretChristie，ayounggirlofScotchdescent，wasamemberofourfamilycircle。ShetaughtusFrench，music，anddancing。

Ourdaysweretooshortforallwehadtodo，forourtimewasnotwhollygiventopleasure。Wewererequiredtokeepourroomsinorder，mendandmakeourclothes，anddoourownironing。Thelatterwasoneofmymother'spoliticrequirements，tomakeourlaundrylistsasshortaspossible。

Ironingonhotdaysinsummerwasasoretrialtoallofus；butMissChristie，beingofaninventiveturnofmind，soontaughtusashortwayoutofit。Shefoldedandsmoothedherundergarmentswithherhandsandthensatonthemforaspecifiedtime。WeallfollowedherexampleandthusutilizedthehoursdevotedtoourFrenchlessonsand，whilereading“Corinne“and“T&eacute；l&eacute；maque，“inthisprimitivestyleweironedourclothes。Butfordresses，collarsandcuffs，andpockethandkerchiefs，wewerecompelledtowieldthehotiron，hencewiththesearticlesweusedalldueeconomy，andmymother'sobjectwasthusaccomplished。

AsIhadbecomesufficientlyphilosophicaltotalkovermyreligiousexperiencescalmlywithmyclassmateswhohadbeenwithmethroughtheFinneyrevivalmeetings，weallcametothesameconclusion杢hatwehadpassedthroughnoremarkablechangeandthatwehadnotbeenbornagain，astheysay，forwefoundourtastesandenjoymentsthesameasever。Mybrother-in-lawexplainedtousthenatureofthedelusionwehadallexperienced，thephysicalconditions，thementalprocesses，thechurchmachinerybywhichsuchexcitementsareworkedup，andtheimpositionstowhichcredulousmindsarenecessarilysubjected。Aswehadallbeenthroughthatperiodofdepressionandhumiliation，andhadbeenoppressedattimeswiththefeelingthatallourprofessionswerearranthypocrisyandthatourlaststatewasworsethanourfirst，hehelpedustounderstandtheseworkingsofthehumanmindandreconciledustothemorerationalconditioninwhichwenowfoundourselves。Henevergrewwearyofexpoundingprinciplestousanddissipatingthefogsandmiststhatgatheroveryoungmindseducatedinanatmosphereofsuperstition。

Wehadaconstantsourceofamusementandvexationinthestudentsinmyfather'soffice。Asuccessionofthemwasalwayscomingfreshfromcollegeandfullofconceit。AchingtotrytheirpowersofdebateongraduatesfromtheTroySeminary，theypolitelyquestionedallourtheoriesandassertions。

However，withmybrother-in-law'straininginanalysisandlogic，wewereamatchforanyofthem。Nothingpleasedmebetterthanalongargumentwiththemonwoman'sequality，whichItriedtoprovebyadiligentstudyofthebookstheyreadandthegamestheyplayed。IconfessthatIdidnotstudysomuchforaloveofthetruthormyowndevelopment，inthesedays，astomakethoseyoungmenrecognizemyequality。Isoonnoticedthat，afterlosingafewgamesofchess，myopponenttalkedlessofmasculinesuperiority。SisterMadgewouldoccasionallyrushtothedefensewithanemphatic“Fudgefortheselaws，allmadebymen！I'llneverobeyoneofthem。Andastothestudentswiththeirimpertinenttalkofsuperiority，alltheyneedissuchashakingupasIgavethemostdisagreeableoneyesterday。Iinvitedhimtotakearideonhorseback。Heacceptedpromptly，andsaidhewouldbemosthappytogo。AccordinglyItoldPetertosaddlethetoughest-mouthed，hardest-trottingcarriagehorseinthestable。Mountedonmyswiftpony，Itookaten-milecanterasfastasIcouldgo，withthatsuperiorbeingatmyheelscalling，ashefoundbreath，formetostop，whichIdidatlastandlefthiminthehandsofPeter，halfdeadathishotel，wherehewillbelaidout，withallhismarvelousmasculinevirtues，foraweekatleast。NowdonotwasteyourargumentsontheseprigsfromUnionCollege。Takeeach，inturn，theten-miles'circuiton'OldBoney'andthey'llhavenobreathlefttoprateofwoman'sinferiority。Youmightarguewiththemallday，andyoucouldnotmakethemfeelsosmallasImadethatpopinjayfeelinonehour。

Iknew'OldBoney'wouldkeepupwithme，ifhediedforit，andthatmyescortcouldneitherstopnordismount，exceptbythrowinghimselffromthesaddle。“

“Oh，Madge！”Iexclaimed；“whatwillyousaywhenhemeetsyouagain？”

“Ifhecomplains，Iwillsay'thenexttimeyourideseethatyouhaveacurbbitbeforestarting。'Surely，amanoughttoknowwhatisnecessarytomanageahorse，andnotexpectawomantotellhim。“

Ourliveswerestillfurthervariedandintensifiedbytheusualnumberofflirtations，socalled，moreorlesslastingorevanescent，fromallofwhichIemerged，asfrommyreligiousexperiences，inamorerationalframeofmind。Wehadbeentoomuchinthesocietyofboysandyounggentlemen，andknewtoowelltheirrealcharacter，toidealizethesexingeneral。

Inadditiontoourownobservations，wehadtheadvantageofourbrother-in-law'swisdom。Wishingtosaveusaslongaspossiblefromallmatrimonialentanglements，hewascontinuallyunveilingthosewithwhomheassociated，andsocriticallyportrayingtheirintellectualandmoralconditionthatitwasquiteimpossible，inourmostworshipfulmoods，tomakegodsofanyofthesonsofAdam。

However，inspiteofallourownexperiencesandofallthewarningwordsofwisdomfromthosewhohadseenlifeinitsmanyphases，weenteredthecharmedcircleatlast，allbutonemarryingintothelegalprofession，withitsodiousstatutelawsandinfamousdecisions。Andthis，afterreadingBlackstone，Kent，andStory，andthoroughlyunderstandingthestatusofthewifeundertheoldcommonlawofEngland，whichwasinforceatthattimeinmostoftheStatesoftheUnion。ChapterIV。ChapterIV。CHAPTERIV。LIFEATPETERBORO。

THEyear，withus，wasneverconsideredcompletewithoutavisittoPeterboro，N。Y。，thehomeofGerritSmith。Thoughhewasareformerandwasveryradicalinmanyofhisideas，yet，beingamanofbroadsympathies，culture，wealth，andposition，hedrewaroundhimmanyfriendsofthemostconservativeopinions。Hewasamanoffinepresence，rarephysicalbeauty，mostaffableandcourteousinmanner，andhishospitalitiesweregeneroustoanextreme，anddispensedtoallclassesofsociety。

EveryyearrepresentativesfromtheOneidatribeofIndiansvisitedhim。Hisfatherhadearlypurchasedofthemlargetractsofland，andtherewasatraditionamongthemthat，asanequivalentforthegoodbargainsofthefather，theyhadarighttotheson'shospitality，withannualgiftsofclothingandprovisions。Theslaves，too，hadheardofGerritSmith，theabolitionist，andofPeterboroasoneofthesafepointsenrouteforCanada。Hismansionwas，infact，oneofthestationsonthe“undergroundrailroad“forslavesescapingfrombondage。Hencethey，too，feltthattheyhadarighttoaplaceunderhisprotectingroof。Onsuchoccasionsthebarnandthekitchenfloorwereutilizedaschambersfortheblackmanfromthesouthernplantationandtheredmanfromhishomeintheforest。

Thespacioushomewasalwaysenlivenedwithchoicesocietyfromeverypartofthecountry。ThereonewouldmeetmembersofthefamiliesoftheoldDutcharistocracy，theVanRensselaers，theVanVechtens，theSchuylers，theLivingstons，theBleeckers，theBrinkerhoffs，theTenEycks，theMillers，theSeymours，theCochranes，theBiddles，theBarclays，theWendells，andmanyothers。

Astheladyofthehouse，AnnCarrollFitzhugh，wasthedaughterofawealthyslaveholderofMaryland，manyagreeableSouthernerswereoftenamongtheguests。OurimmediatefamilyrelativeswerewellrepresentedbyGeneralJohnCochraneandhissisters，GeneralBairdandhiswifefromWestPoint，theFitzhughsfromOswegoandGeneseo，theBackusesandTallmansfromRochester，andtheSwiftsfromGeneva。Hereonewassuretomeetscholars，philosophers，philanthropists，judges，bishops，clergymen，andstatesmen。

JudgeAlfredConkling，thefatherofRoscoeConkling，was，inhislateyears，frequentlyseenatPeterboro。Tallandstately，afteralllife'stroubledscenes，financiallossesanddomesticsorrows，heusedtosaytherewasnospotonearththatseemedsolikehisideaofParadise。Theproud，reservedjudgewasunaccustomedtomanifestationsofaffectionandtenderinterestinhisbehalf，andwhenGerrit，takinghimbybothhandswould，inhissoftesttonessay，“Good-morning，“andinquirehowhehadsleptandwhathewouldliketodothatday，andNancywouldgreethimwithequalwarmthandpinalittlebunchofrosesinhisbuttonhole，I

haveseenthetearsinhiseyes。Theirwarmsympathiesandsweetsimplicityofmannermeltedthesternestnaturesandmadethemostreservedamiable。

Thereneverwassuchanatmosphereofloveandpeace，offreedomandgoodcheer，inanyotherhomeIvisited。AndthiswastheuniversaltestimonyofthosewhowereguestsatPeterboro。Togoanywhereelse，afteravisitthere，waslikecomingdownfromthedivineheightsintothevalleyofhumiliation。

Howchangedfromtheearlydayswhen，asstrictPresbyterians，theybelievedinallthedoctrinesofCalvin！Then，anindefinitegloompervadedtheirhome。Theirconscienceswerediseased。Theyattachedsuchundueimportancetoformsthattheywentthroughthreekindsofbaptism。AtonetimeNancywouldreadnothingbuttheBible，singnothingbuthymns，andplayonlysacredmusic。Shefeltguiltyifshetalkedonanysubjectexceptreligion。

Shewas，inallrespects，afittingmateforherattractivehusband。Exquisitelyrefinedinfeelingandmanner，beautifulinfaceandform，earnestandsincere，shesympathizedwithhiminallhisideasofreligionandreform。

Togethertheypassedthrougheverystageoftheologicalexperience，fromtheuncertaingroundofsuperstitionandspeculationtothesolidfoundationofscienceandreason。ThepositionoftheChurchintheanti-slaveryconflict，openingasitdidallquestionsofecclesiasticalauthority，Bibleinterpretation，andchurchdiscipline，awakenedthemtonewthoughtandbroaderviewsonreligioussubjects，andeventuallyemancipatedthementirelyfromtheolddogmasandformalitiesoftheirfaith，andliftedthemintothecheerfulatmosphereinwhichtheypassedtheremainderoftheirlives。Theironlydaughter，Elizabeth，addedgreatlytotheattractionsofthehomecircle，asshedrewmanyyoungpeopleroundher。Besideherpersonalcharmshewastheheiressofavastestateandhadmanyadmirers。ThefavoredonewasCharlesDudleyMillerofUtica，nephewofMrs。BlandinaBleeckerDudley，founderoftheAlbanyObservatory。AtthecloseofhiscollegelifeMr。

Millerhadnotonlymasteredthelanguages，mathematics，rhetoric，andlogic，buthadlearnedthesecretwindingsofthehumanheart。Heunderstoodtheartofpleasing。

Thesewerethetimeswhentheanti-slaveryquestionwasupforhotdiscussion。

InalltheneighboringtownsconventionswereheldinwhichJamesG。Birney，aSoutherngentlemanwhohademancipatedhisslaves，CharlesStuartofScotland，andGeorgeThompsonofEngland，Garrison，Phillips，May，BeriahGreene，Foster，AbbyKelly，LucretiaMott，Douglass，andotherstookpart。

Here，too，JohnBrown，Sanborn，Morton，andFrederickDouglassmettotalkoverthatfatalmovementonHarper'sFerry。Onthequestionoftemperance，also，thepeoplewereinaferment。Dr。Cheever'spamphlet，“DeaconGiles'

Distillery，“wasscatteredfarandwide，and，ashewassuedforlibel，thequestionwasdiscussedinthecourtsaswellasateveryfireside。

ThencametheFatherMatthewandWashingtonianmovements，andthepositionoftheChurchonthesequestionsintensifiedandembitteredtheconflict。

ThisbroughttheCheevers，thePierponts，theDelevans，theNortons，andtheircharmingwivestoPeterboro。Itwaswithsuchcompanyandvarieddiscussionsoneverypossiblephaseofpolitical，religious，andsociallifethatIspentweekseveryyear。GerritSmithwascoolandcalmindebate，and，ashewasarmedatallpointsonthesesubjects，hecouldaffordtobepatientandfairwithanopponent，whetherontheplatformoratthefireside。TheserousingargumentsatPeterboromadesociallifeseemtameandprofitlesselsewhere，andtheyoungestofusfeltthattheconclusionsreachedinthisschoolofphilosophywerenottobequestioned。ThesistersofGeneralCochrane，indisputeswiththeirDutchcousinsinSchenectadyandAlbany，wouldendallcontroversybysaying，“ThisquestionwasfullydiscussedatPeterboro，andsettled。“

Theyoungstersfrequentlyputthelessonsoffreedomandindividualrightstheyheardsomuchofintopractice，andrelievedtheirbrainsfromtheconstantstrainofargumentonfirstprinciples，bythewildesthilarityindancing，allkindsofgames，andpracticaljokescarriedbeyondallboundsofpropriety。TheserompsgenerallytookplaceatMr。Miller's。

Heusedtosayfacetiously，thattheytalkedagooddealaboutlibertyovertheway，buthekeptthegoddessunderhisroof。OnememorableoccasioninwhichourenthusiasmwaskeptatwhiteheatfortwohoursImusttrytodescribe，thoughwordscannotdoitjustice，asitwaspre-eminentlyaspectacularperformance。Theimaginationevencannotdojusticetothelimp，woe-begoneappearanceoftheactorsintheclosingscene。Theserompswereconductedonapurelydemocraticbasis，withoutregardtocolor，sex，orpreviousconditionofservitude。

ItwasratheracolddayinthemonthofMarch，when“CousinCharley，“

aswecalledMr。Miller，wassuperintendingsomemenwhowerelayingaplankwalkintherearofhispremises。SomehalfdozenofuswereinvitedtoanearlyteaatgoodDeaconHuntington's。Immediatelyafterdinner，MissFitzhughandMissVanSchaackdecidedtotakeanap，thattheymightappearasbrilliantaspossibleduringtheevening。Thattheymightnotbelate，astheyinvariablywere，CousinLizzieandIdecidedtorousethemingoodseasonwithageneroussprinklingofcoldwater。Invaintheystruggledtokeeptheblanketsaroundthem；withequalforcewepulledthemaway，and，wheneverastrayfingerortoeappeared，webroughtfreshbatteriestobear，untiltheysawthatpassiveresistancemustgiveplacetoactivehostility。Wewerearmedwithtwowateringpots。Theyarmedthemselveswithtwolarge-sizedsyringesusedforshoweringpotatobugs。Withtheseweaponstheygaveuschasedownstairs。Weranintoaclosetandheldthedoorshut。Theyquietlywaitedourforthcoming。Assoonasweopenedthedoortopeepout，MissFitzhugh，whowaslargeandstrong，pulleditwideopenandshowereduswithavengeance。Thentheyfledintoalargepantrywherestoodseveralpansofmilk。

AtthisstageCousinCharley，hearingtherumpus，cametoourassistance。

Helockedtheminthepantryandreturnedtohiswork，whereupontheyopenedthewindowandshoweredhimwithmilk，whilehe，inturn，peltedthemwithwetclothes，soakingintubsnearby。Astheywerethinlyclad，wettotheskin，andthecoldMarchwindblewroundthem(wewereallinfatiguecostumeinstarting)theyimploredustoletthemout，whichwedid，and，inreturnforourkindness，theygaveusabroadsideofmilkinourfaces。

CousinLizzieandIfledtothedarkcloset，wheretheylockedusin。Afterlong，wearywaitingtheycametoofferustermsofcapitulation。Lizzieagreedtofilltheirgunswithmilk，andgivethemourwateringpotsfullofwater，andIagreedtocallCousinCharleyundermywindowuntiltheyemptiedthecontentsofgunsandpotsonhishead。Myroomwasonthefirstfloor，andMissFitzhugh'simmediatelyoverhead。Onthesetermsweacceptedourfreedom。Accordingly，IgentlyraisedthewindowandcalledCharleyconfidentiallywithinwhisperingdistance，whendowncameashowerofwater。

Ashesteppedbacktolookupandseewhenceitcame，andwhomadetheattack，astreamofmilkhithimontheforehead，hisheelsstruckaplank，andhefellbackward，toallappearanceknockeddownwithastreamofmilk。

Hishumiliationwasreceivedwithshoutsofderisivelaughter，andeventhecarpentersatworklaiddowntheirhammersandjoinedinthechorus；

buthisrevengewasswiftandcappedtheclimax。Coldandwetasweallwere，andcompletelytiredout，wecommencedtodisrobeandgetreadyfortheteaparty。UnfortunatelyIhadforgottentolockmydoor，andinwalkedCousinCharleywithaquartbottleofliquidblacking，whichhepreparedtoemptyonmydevotedhead。Ibeggedsoeloquentlyandtrembledsoattheideaofbeingdyedblack，thathesaidhewouldletmeoffononecondition，andthatwastogethim，bysomemeans，intoMissFitzhugh'sroom。SoI

ranscreamingupthestairs，asifhotlypursuedbytheenemy，andbeggedhertoletmein。Shecautiouslyopenedthedoor，butwhenshesawCharleybehindmeshetriedtoforceitshut。However，hewastooquickforher。

Hehadonelegandarmin；but，atthatstageofhertoilet，tolethiminwasimpossible，andtheretheystood，equallystrong，firmlybraced，sheononesideofthedoorandheontheother。Buttheblackinghewasdeterminedsheshouldhave；so，gaugingherprobableposition，withonedesperateefforthesqueezedinalittlefartherand，raisingthebottle，hepouredthecontentsonherhead。Theblackingwentstreamingdownoverherface，whiterobe，andperson，andleftherlookingmorelikeabronzefurythanoneofEve'smostcharmingdaughters。Ayardormoreofthecarpetwasruined，thewallpaperandbedclothesspattered，andthepoorvictimwasunfittobeseenforaweekatleast。Charleyhadagoodexcuseforhisextrememeasures，for，asweallbyturnplayedourtricksonhim，itwasnecessarytokeepusinsomefearofpunishment。Thiswasbutoneofthemanyoutrageouspranksweperpetratedoneachother。Toseeusafewhourslater，allabsorbedinananti-slaveryortemperanceconvention，ordressedinourbest，inhighdiscoursewiththephilosophers，onewouldneverthinkwecouldhavebeenguiltyofsuchconsummatefollies。Itwas，however，butthenaturalreactionfromthegeneralserioustrendofourthoughts。

ItwasinPeterboro，too，thatIfirstmetonewhowasthenconsideredthemosteloquentandimpassionedoratorontheanti-slaveryplatform，HenryB。Stanton。HehadcomeoverfromUticawithAlvinStewart'sbeautifuldaughter，towhomreportsaidhewasengaged；but，asshesoonaftermarriedLutherR。Marsh，therewasamistakesomewhere。However，therumorhaditsadvantages。Regardinghimasnotinthematrimonialmarket，wewereallmuchmorefreeandeasyinourmannerswithhimthanwewouldotherwisehavebeen。Aseriesofanti-slaveryconventionswasbeingheldinMadisonCounty，andthereIhadthepleasureofhearinghimforthefirsttime。

AsIhadapassionfororatory，Iwasdeeplyimpressedwithhispower。

HewasnotsosmoothandeloquentasPhillips，buthecouldmakehisaudiencebothlaughandcry；thelatter，Phillipshimselfsaidhenevercoulddo。

Mr。Stantonwastheninhisprime，afine-looking，affableyoungman，withremarkableconversationaltalent，andwastenyearsmysenior，withtheadvantagethatthatnumberofyearsnecessarilygives。

Twocarriage-loadsofladiesandgentlemendroveoffeverymorning，sometimestenmiles，tooneoftheseconventions，returninglateatnight。

IshallneverforgetthosecharmingdrivesoverthehillsinMadisonCounty，thebrightautumnaldays，andthebewitchingmoonlightnights。Theenthusiasmofthepeopleinthesegreatmeetings，thethrillingoratory，andlucidargumentsofthespeakers，allconspiredtomakethesedaysmemorableasamongthemostcharminginmylife。ItseemedtomethatIneverhadsomuchhappinesscrowdedintooneshortmonth。Ihadbecomeinterestedintheanti-slaveryandtemperancequestions，andwasdeeplyimpressedwiththeappealsandarguments。Ifeltanewinspirationinlifeandwasenthusedwithnewideasofindividualrightsandthebasicprinciplesofgovernment，fortheanti-slaveryplatformwasthebestschooltheAmericanpeopleeverhadonwhichtolearnrepublicanprinciplesandethics。Theseconventionsandthediscussionsatmycousin'sfiresideIcountamongthegreatblessingsofmylife。

Onemorning，aswecameoutfrombreakfast，Mr。Stantonjoinedmeonthepiazza，whereIwaswalkingupanddownenjoyingthebalmyairandthebeautyofthefoliage。“Aswehavenoconventions，“saidhe，“onhand，whatdoyousaytoarideonhorsebackthismorning？”Ireadilyacceptedthesuggestion，orderedthehorses，putonmyhabit，andawaywewent。

Theroadswerefineandwetookalongride。Aswewerereturninghomewestoppedoftentoadmirethesceneryand，perchance，eachother。Whenwalkingslowlythroughabeautifulgrove，helaidhishandonthehornofthesaddleand，tomysurprise，madeoneofthosecharmingrevelationsofhumanfeelingwhichbraveknightshavealwaysfoundeloquentwordstoutter，andtowhichfairladieshavealwayslistenedwithmingledemotionsofpleasureandastonishment。

OneoutcomeofthosegloriousdaysofOctober，1839，wasamarriage，inJohnstown，the10thdayofMay，1840，andavoyagetotheOldWorld。

Sixweeksofthatcharmingautumn，endingintheIndiansummerwithitspeculiarlyhazyatmosphere，IlingeredinPeterboro。Itseemsinretrospectlikeabeautifuldream。Asuccessionofguestswasconstantlycomingandgoing，andIstillrememberthedailydrivesoverthosegrandoldhillscrownedwithtreesnowgorgeousinrichcolors，themorecharmingbecauseweknewthetimewasshortbeforethecoldwindsofNovemberwouldchangeall。

Theearlysettingsunwarnedusthattheshorteningdaysmustsoonendourtwilightdrives，andthemoonlightnightsweretoochillytolingerlongintherusticarborsorshadynooksoutside。Withthepeculiarcharmofthisseasonoftheyearthereisalwaysatouchofsadnessinnature，anditseemeddoublysotome，asmyengagementwasnotoneofunmixedjoyandsatisfaction。Amongallconservativefamiliestherewasastrongaversiontoabolitionistsandthewholeanti-slaverymovement。AlonewithCousinGerritinhislibraryhewarnedme，indeep，solemntones，whilestronglyeulogizingmylover，thatmyfatherwouldneverconsenttomymarriagewithanabolitionist。Hefeltindutybound，asmyengagementhadoccurredunderhisroof，tofreehimselffromallresponsibilitybygivingmealongdissertationonlove，friendship，marriage，andallthepitfallsfortheunwary，who，withoutdueconsideration，formedmatrimonialrelations。ThegeneralprincipleslaiddowninthisinterviewdidnotstrikemyyouthfulmindsoforciblyasthesuggestionthatitwasbettertoannouncemyengagementbyletterthantowaituntilIreturnedhome，asthusImightdrawthehottestfirewhilestillinsafeharbor，whereCousinGerritcouldhelpmedefendtheweakpointsinmyposition。SoIlingeredatPeterborotoprolongthedreamofhappinessandpostponetheconflictIfearedtomeet。

ButtheJudgeunderstoodtheadvantageofourpositionaswellaswedid，andwastednoammunitiononus。Beingevenmoreindignantatmycousinthanatme，hequietlywaiteduntilIreturnedhome，whenIpassedthroughtheordealofanotherinterview，withanotherdissertationondomesticrelationsfromafinancialstandpoint。TheseweretwoofthemostbewilderinginterviewsIeverhad。TheysucceededinmakingmefeelthatthestepI

proposedtotakewasthemostmomentousandfar-reachinginitsconsequencesofanyinthismortallife。Heretoforemyapprehensionshadallbeenofdeathandeternity；nowlifeitselfwasfilledwithfearsandanxietyastothepossibilitiesofthefuture。Thusthesetwonoblemen，whowouldhavedoneanythingformyhappiness，actuallyoverweightedmyconscienceandturnedthesweetestdreamofmylifeintoatragedy。Howlittlestrongmen，withtheirlogic，sophistry，andhypotheticalexamples，appreciatetheviolencetheyinflictonthetendersensibilitiesofawoman'sheart，intryingtosubjugatehertotheirwill！Theloveofprotectingtoooftendegeneratesintodownrighttyranny。Fortunatelyallthesesombrepicturesofapossiblefuturewerethrownintothebackgroundbythetendermissiveseverypostbroughtme，inwhichthebrilliantword-paintingofoneofthemosteloquentpensofthisgenerationmadethefutureforusboth，asbrightandbeautifulasSpringwithherverdureandblossomsofpromise。

However，manythingswerealwaystranspiringatPeterborototurnone'sthoughtsandrousenewinterestinhumanityatlarge。Oneday，asabevyofusgirlsweresingingandchatteringintheparlor，CousinGerritenteredand，inmysterioustones，said：“Ihaveamostimportantsecrettotellyou，whichyoumustkeeptoyourselvesreligiouslyfortwenty-fourhours。“

Wereadilypledgedourselvesinthemostsolemnmanner，individuallyandcollectively。

“Now，“saidhe，“followmetothethirdstory。“

Thiswedid，wonderingwhatthesecretcouldbe。Atlast，openingadoor，heusheredusintoalargeroom，inthecenterofwhichsatabeautifulquadroongirl，abouteighteenyearsofage。Addressingher，hesaid：

“Harriet，Ihavebroughtallmyyoungcousinstoseeyou。Iwantyoutomakegoodabolitionistsofthembytellingthemthehistoryofyourlife杦hatyouhaveseenandsufferedinslavery。“

Turningtoushesaid：

“Harriethasjustescapedfromhermaster，whoisvisitinginSyracuse，andisonherwaytoCanada。Shewillstartthiseveningandyoumayneverhaveanotheropportunityofseeingaslavegirlfacetoface，soaskherallyoucaretoknowofthesystemofslavery。“

Fortwohourswelistenedtothesadstoryofherchildhoodandyouth，separatedfromallherfamilyandsoldforherbeautyinaNewOrleansmarketwhenbutfourteenyearsofage。ThedetailsofherstoryIneednotrepeat。Thefateofsuchgirlsistoowellknowntoneedrehearsal。

Weallwepttogetherasshetalked，and，whenCousinGerritreturnedtosummonusaway，weneedednofurthereducationtomakeusearnestabolitionists。

DressedasaQuakeress，HarrietstartedattwilightwithoneofMr。

Smith'sfaithfulclerksinacarriageforOswego，theretocrossthelaketoCanada。ThenextdayhermasterandthemarshalsfromSyracusewereonhertrackinPeterboro，andtracedhertoMr。Smith'spremises。Hewasquitegraciousinreceivingthem，and，whileassuringthemthattherewasnoslavethere，hesaidthattheywereatlibertytomakeathoroughsearchofthehouseandgrounds。Heinvitedthemtostayanddineandkeptthemtalkingaslongaspossible，aseveryhourhelpedHarriettogetbeyondtheirreach；for，althoughshehadeighteenhoursthestartofthem，yetwefearedsomeaccidentmighthavedelayedher。Themasterwasevidentlyagentleman，for，onMr。Smith'sassurancethatHarrietwasnotthere，hemadenosearch，feelingthattheycouldnotdosowithoutappearingtodoubthisword。Hewasevidentlysurprisedtofindanabolitionistsocourteousandaffable，anditwasinterestingtoheartheminconversation，atdinner，calmlydiscussingtheproblemofslavery，whilepublicsentimentwasatwhiteheatonthequestion。Theyshookhandswarmlyatpartingandexpressedanequalinterestinthefinaladjustmentofthatnationaldifficulty。

InduetimetheclerkreturnedwiththegoodnewsthatHarrietwassafewithfriendsinagoodsituationinCanada。Mr。SmiththenpublishedanopenlettertothemasterintheNewYorkTribune，saying“thathewouldnodoubtrejoicetoknowthathisslaveHarriet，inwhosefatehefeltsodeepaninterest，wasnowafreewoman，safeundertheshadowoftheBritishthrone。Ihadthehonorofentertainingherundermyroof，sendingherinmycarriagetoLakeOntario，justeighteenhoursbeforeyourarrival；

hencemywillingnesstohaveyousearchmypremises。“

Likethevariedcombinationsofthekaleidoscope，thescenesinoursociallifeatPeterborowerecontinuallychangingfromgravetogay。SomeyearslaterwehadamosthilariousoccasionatthemarriageofMaryCochrane，sisterofGeneralJohnCochrane，toChapmanBiddle，ofPhiladelphia。Thefestivities，whichwerekeptupforthreedays，involvedmostelaboratepreparationsforbreakfasts，dinners，etc。，therebeingnoDelmonico'sinthatremotepartofthecountry。Itwasdecidedinfamilycouncilthatwehadsufficientculinarytalentundertherooftopreparetheentiremenuofsubstantialsanddelicacies，fromsoupandsalmontocakesandcreams。So，giftedladiesandgentlemenwereimpressedintotheservice。

TheFitzhughsallhadanaturaltalentforcooking，andchiefamongthemwasIsabella，wifeofanavalofficer，LieutenantSwiftofGeneva，whohadmadeaprofoundstudyofalltheauthoritiesfromArchestratus，apoetinSyracuse，themostfamouscookamongtheGreeks，downtoourownMissLeslie。Accordinglyshewaselectedmanageroftheoccasion，andtoeachonewasassignedthespecialtyinwhichsheclaimedtoexcel。Thosewhohadnospecialtywereassistantstothosewhohad。Inthishumbleoffice？assistantatlarge“朓laboredthroughout。

Cookingisahighart。AwiseEgyptiansaid，longago：“Thedegreeoftasteandskillmanifestedbyanationinthepreparationoffoodmayberegardedastoaveryconsiderableextentproportionedtoitscultureandrefinement。“Inearlytimesmen，only，weredeemedcapableofhandlingfire，whetheratthealtarorthehearthstone。WereadintheScripturesthatAbrahampreparedcakesoffinemealandacalftenderandgood，which，withbutterandmilk，hesetbeforethethreeangelsintheplainsofMamre。

Wearetold，too，ofthechiefbutlerandchiefbakerasofficersinthehouseholdofKingPharaoh。Iwouldliketocalltheattentionofmyreaderstothedignityofthisprofession，whichsomeyoungwomenaffecttodespise。

Thefactthatangelseat，showsthatwemaybecalleduponinthenextspheretocookevenforcherubimandseraphim。Howimportant，then，tocultivateone'sgiftsinthatdirection！

Withsuchfactsbeforeus，westirredandpounded，whippedandground，coaxedthedelicatemeatsfromcrabsandlobstersandthesucculentpeasfromthepods，andgratedcornandcocoanutwiththesamecheerfulnessanddevotionthatweplayedMendelssohn's“SongsWithoutWords“onthepiano，theSpanishFandangoonourguitars，ordancedtheminuet，polka，lancers，orVirginiareel。

Duringthedayofthewedding，everystagecoachwascrowdedwithguestsfromtheNorth，South，East，andWest，and，asthetwilightdeepened，carriagesbegantorollinwithneighborsandfriendslivingatshortdistances，untilthehouseandgroundswerefull。AsonofBishopCoxe，whomarriedthetallandstatelysisterofRoscoeConkling，performedtheceremony。ThebeautifulyoungbridewasgivenawaybyherUncleGerrit。Thecongratulations，thefeast，andallwentoffwithfittingdecorumintheusualway。Thebestproofoftheexcellenceofourviandswasthattheywereallspeedilysweptfrommortalview，andeveryhousewifewantedarecipeforsomething。

Asthegranddinnerwastocomeoffthenextday，ourthoughtsnowturnedinthatdirection。Theresponsibilityrestedheavilyontheheadsofthechiefactors，andtheyreportedtroubleddreamsandundulyearlyrising。

DearBelleSwiftwasupinseasonandherwhitesoupstoodserenelyinatinpan，inanuppershelf，beforethetownclockstruckseven。Ifithadnottakenthatpositionsoearly，itmighthavebeenincorporatedwithhigherformsoflifethanthatintowhichiteventuallyfell。Anotherartistwasalsoonthewingearly，andinpursuitofatinpaninwhichtohideherpreciouscompound，sheunwittinglyseizedthisone，andtherichwhitesouprolleddownherravenlocksliketheoilonAaron'sbeard，andenvelopedherinaveiloffilmywhiteness。Iheardthesplashandtheexclamationofsurpriseandenteredthebutler'spantryjustintimetoseetheheiressoftheSmithestatestandinglikeastatue，tinpaninhand，soupinhercurls，hereyebrowsandeyelashes，朿ollar，cuffs，andmorningdresssaturated，朼ndBelle，atalittledistance，lookingatherandthesouponthefloorwithsurpriseanddisgustdepictedoneveryfeature。Thetableauwasinexpressiblycomical，andIcouldnothelplaughingoutright；whereuponBelleturnedonme，and，withindignanttones，said，“Ifyouhadbeenupsincefouro'clockmakingthatsoupyouwouldnotstandtherelikealaughingmonkey，withouttheleastfeelingofpity！”PoorLizziewasverysorry，andwouldhaveshedtears，buttheycouldnotpenetratethatfilmofsoup。Itriedtoapologize，butcouldonlylaughthemorewhenIsawBellecryingandLizziestandingasifhopingthatthesoupmightbescrapedoffherandgatheredfromthefloorandmadetododutyontheoccasion。

Afterbreakfast，ladiesandgentlemen，alikeinwhiteaprons，crowdedintothediningroomandkitchen，eachtoperformtheallottedtask。GeorgeBiddleofPhiladelphiaandJohnB。MillerofUtica，inholidayspirits，wereirrepressible杄verywhereatthesamemoment，helpingorhinderingasthecasemightbe。DearBelle，havingonlypartiallyrecoveredfromthewhite-soupcatastrophe，calledMr。Biddletoholdtheice-creamfreezerwhileshepouredinthelusciouscompoundshehadjustprepared。Hehelditupwithoutrestingitonanything，whileBelleslowlypouredinthecream。Asthefreezerhadnoindentationsroundthetoporrimtobracethethumbsandfingers，whenitgrewsuddenlyheavierhishandsslippedanddownwentthewholething，spatteringpoorBelleandspoilingabeautifulpairofgaitersinwhich，asshehadveryprettyfeet，shetooklaudablepride。InanothercornersatWealtheaBackus，gratingsomecocoanut。Whilestrugglinginthatoperation，JohnMiller，feelinghilarious，wasannoyingherindiversways；atlengthshedrewthegrateracrosshisnose，gently，assheintended，butalas！shetooktheskinoff，andJohn'sbeauty，fortheremainderofthefestivities，wasmarredwithablackpatchonthatprominentfeature。Onecanreadilyimaginethefunthatmusthavetranspiredwheresomanyamateurcookswereatworkroundonetable，withallmannerofculinarytoolsandingredients。

Asassistant-at-largeIwassummonedtothecellar，whereMrs。CorneliaBarclayofNewYorkwasevolvingfromapanofflourandwaterthatmiracleinthepiedepartmentcalledpuffpaste。This，itseems，canonlybeaccomplishedwherethethermometerisbelowforty，andneararefrigeratorwherethecompoundcanbekeptcolduntilreadytobepoppedintotheoven。Nojokesornonsensehere。Withqueenlydignitytheflourandwaterweregentlycompressed。Hereonehandmustnotknowwhattheotherdoeth。Bitsofbuttermustbesodeftlyintroducedthateventherollingpinmaybeunconsciousofitswork。Astheartistgavethelasttouchtoanexquisitelemonpie，withamingledexpressionofprideandsatisfactiononherclassicfeatures，sheorderedmetobearittotheoven。InthetransitImetMadamBelle。

“Don'tletthatfall，“shesaidsneeringly。FortunatelyIdidnot，andreturnedintriumphtotransportanother。Iwasthensummonedtoaconsultationwiththecommitteeontoasts，consistingofJamesCochrane，JohnMiller，andmyself。Mr。Millerhadoneforeachguestalreadywritten，allofwhichweacceptedandpronouncedverygood。

Strangetosay，amostexcellentdinneremergedfromallthisuproarandconfusion。Thetable，withitssilver，china，flowers，andrichviands，theguestsinsatins，velvets，jewels，softlaces，andbrightcravats，togetherreflectingallthecolorsoftheprism，lookedasbeautifulastherainbowafterathunderstorm。

TwentyyearsagoImademylastsadvisittothatspotsorichwithpleasantmemoriesofbygonedays。Afewrelativesandfamilyfriendsgatheredtheretopaythelasttokensofrespecttoournoblecousin。ItwasononeofthecoldestdaysofgrayDecemberthatwelaidhiminthefrozenearth，tobeseennomore。HediedfromastrokeofapoplexyinNewYorkcity，atthehomeofhisniece，Mrs。EllenCochraneWalter，whosemotherwasMr。Smith'sonlysister。ThejourneyfromNewYorktoPeterborowascoldanddreary，andclimbingthehillsfromCanastotainanopensleigh，ninehundredfeetabovethevalley，withthethermometerbelowzero，beforesunrise，madeallnaturelookassombreasthesaderrandonwhichwecame。

Outsidethemansioneverythinginitswintrygarbwascoldandstill，andallwithinwassilentasthegrave。Thecentralfigure，thelightandjoyofthathome，hadvanishedforever。Hewhohadwelcomedusonthatthresholdforhalfacenturywouldwelcomeusnomore。Wedidwhatwecouldtodissipatethegloomthatsettledonusall。Wedidnotintensifyourgriefbydarkeningthehouseandcoveringourselveswithblackcrape，butworeouraccustomeddressesofchastenedcolorsandopenedalltheblindsthatthegladsunshinemightstreamin。Wehungtheapartmentwherethecasketstoodwithwreathsofevergreens，andoverheadwewovehisfavoritemottoesinlivingletters，“Equalrightsforall！”“RescueCubanow！”Thereligiousserviceswereshortandsimple；theUnitarianclergymanfromSyracusemadeafewremarks，thechildrenfromtheorphanasylum，inwhichhewasdeeplyinterested，sanganappropriatehymn，andaroundthegravestoodrepresentativesoftheBiddles，theDixwells，theSedgwicks，theBarclays，andStantons，andthreegenerationsofhisimmediatefamily。

WithafewappropriatewordsfromGeneralJohnCochraneweleftourbelovedkinsmanaloneinhislastrestingplace。Twomonthslater，onhisbirthday，hiswife，AnnCarrollFitzhugh，passedawayandwaslaidbyhisside。Theirswasaremarkablyhappyunionofoverhalfacentury，andtheyweresoonreunitedinthelifeeternal。ChapterV。ChapterV。CHAPTERV。OURWEDDINGJOURNEY。

MYengagementwasaseasonofdoubtandconflict杁oubtastothewisdomofchangingagirlhoodoffreedomandenjoymentforIknewnotwhat，andconflictbecausethestepIproposedwasinoppositiontothewishesofallmyfamily。Whereas，heretofore，friendswerecontinuallysuggestingsuitablematchesformeandpaintingthemarriagerelationinthemostdazzlingcolors，nowthatstatewasrepresentedasbesetwithdangersanddisappointments，andmen，ofallGod'screaturesasthemostdepravedandunreliable。Hardpressed，Ibrokemyengagementaftermonthsofanxietyandbewilderment；suddenlyIdecidedtorenewit，asMr。StantonwasgoingtoEuropeasadelegatetotheWorld'sAnti-slaveryConvention，andwedidnotwishtheoceantorollbetweenus。

Thursday，May10，1840，Ideterminedtotakethefatefulstep，withouttheslightestpreparationforawedding，oravoyage；butMr。Stanton，cominguptheNorthRiver，wasdetainedon“Marcy'sOverslaugh，“abarintheriverwhereboatswerefrequentlystrandedforhours。ThisdelaycompelledustobemarriedonFriday，whichiscommonlysupposedtobeamostunluckyday。Butaswelivedtogether，withoutmorethantheusualmatrimonialfriction，fornearlyahalfacentury，hadsevenchildren，allbutoneofwhomarestillliving，andhavebeenwellsheltered，clothed，andfed，enjoyingsoundmindsinsoundbodies，nooneneedbeafraidofgoingthroughthemarriageceremonyonFridayforfearofbadluck。TheScotchclergymanwhomarriedus，beingsomewhatsuperstitious，beggedustopostponeituntilSaturday；but，asweweretosailearlyinthecomingweek，thatwasimpossible。Thatpointsettled，thenextdifficultywastopersuadehimtoleaveouttheword“obey“inthemarriageceremony。

AsIobstinatelyrefusedtoobeyonewithwhomIsupposedIwasenteringintoanequalrelation，thatpoint，too，wasconceded。Afewfriendswereinvitedtobepresentand，inasimplewhiteeveninggown，Iwasmarried。

Butthegoodpriestavengedhimselfforthepointsheconcededbykeepingusontherackwithalongprayeranddissertationonthesacredinstitutionforonemortalhour。TheRev。HughMairewasalittlestoutfellow，vehementinmannerandspeech，whodancedaboutthefloor，ashelaiddownthelaw，inthemostoriginalandcomicalmanner。AsMr。Stantonhadneverseenhimbefore，thehourtohimwasoneofconstantstruggletomaintainhisequilibrium。Ihadsatunderhisministrationsforseveralyears，andwasaccustomedtohisrhetoric，accent，andgestures，andthuswasabletogothroughtheordealinacalmerstateofmind。

SisterMadge，whohadstoodbymebravelythroughallmydoubtsandanxieties，wentwithustoNewYorkandsawusonboardthevessel。MysisterHarrietandherhusband，DanielC。Eaton，amerchantinNewYorkcity，werealsothere。HeandIhadhadforyearsastandinggameof“tag“

atallourpartings，andhehadvowedtosendme“tagged“toEurope。I

wasequallydeterminedthatheshouldnot。Accordingly，Ihadadesperatechaseafterhimalloverthevessel，butinvain。Hehadthelast“tag“andescaped。AsIwascompelled，underthecircumstances，toconductthepursuitwithsomedecreeofdecorum，andhehadtheadvantageofheight，longlimbs，andfreedomfromskirts，Ireallystoodnochancewhatever。However，asthechasekeptusalllaughing，ithelpedtosoftenthebitternessofparting。MRS。STANTONANDDAUGHTER，1857。

Fairlyatsea，Iclosedanotherchapterofmylife，andmythoughtsturnedtowhatlayinthenearfuture。JamesG。Birney，theanti-slaverynomineeforthepresidencyoftheUnitedStates，joinedusinNewYork，andwasafellow-passengerontheMontrealforEngland。HeandmyhusbandweredelegatestotheWorldAnti-slaveryConvention，andbothinterestedthemselvesinmyanti-slaveryeducation。Theygavemebookstoread，and，aswepacedthedeckdaybyday，thequestionwasthechiefthemeofourconversation。

Mr。Birneywasapolishedgentlemanoftheoldschool，andwasexcessivelyproperandpunctiliousinmannerandconversation。IsoonperceivedthathethoughtIneededconsiderabletoningdownbeforereachingEngland。I

wasquicktoseeandunderstandthathiscriticismsofothersinageneralwayandthedriftofhisdiscoursesonmannersandconversationhadanearerapplicationthanheintendedIshoulddiscover，thoughhehopedIwouldprofitbythem。Iwasalwaysgratefultoanyonewhotookaninterestinmyimprovement，soIlaughinglytoldhim，oneday，thatheneednotmakehiscriticismsanylongerinthatroundaboutway，butmighttakemesquarelyinhandandpolishmeupasspeedilyaspossible。Sittinginthesaloonatnightafteragameofchess，inwhich，perchance，Ihadbeenthevictor，Ifeltcomplacentandwouldsometimessay：

“Well，whathaveIsaidordoneto-dayopentocriticism？”

So，inthemostgraciousmanner，herepliedononeoccasion：

“Youwenttothemastheadinachair，whichIthinkveryunladylike。

Iheardyoucallyourhusband'Henry'inthepresenceofstrangers，whichisnotpermissibleinpolitesociety。Youshouldalwayssay'Mr。Stanton。'

Youhavetakenthreemovesbackinthisgame。“

“Blessme！”Ireplied，“whatacatalogueinoneday！IfearmyMentorwilldespairofmyultimateperfection。“

“Ishouldhavemorehope，“hereplied，“ifyouseemedtofeelmyrebukesmoredeeply，butyouevidentlythinkthemoftoolittleconsequencetobemuchdisturbedbythem。“

Ashefoundevenmorefaultwithmyhusband，wecondoledwitheachotheranddecidedthatourfriendwasratherhypercriticalandthatwewereasnearlyperfectasmortalsneedbeforthewearandtearofordinarylife。

Beingbothendowedwithagooddegreeofself-esteem，neitherthepraisenortheblameofmankindwasoverpoweringtoeitherofus。Asthevoyagelastedeighteendays杅orwewereonasailingvessel杦ehadtimetomakesomeimprovement，or，atleast，toconsiderallfriendlysuggestions。

AtthistimeMr。BirneywasverymuchinlovewithMissFitzhughofGeneseo，towhomhewasafterwardmarried。Hesufferedattimesgreatdepressionofspirits，butIcouldalwaysrousehimtoasunnymoodbyintroducinghername。Thatwasthemeofwhichhenevergrewweary，and，whilepraisingher，ahaloofglorywastohimvisiblearoundmyheadandIwasfaultlessforthetimebeing。Therewasnothinginourfellow-passengerstobreakthemonotonyofthevoyage。Theywereallstolid，middle-classEnglishpeople，returningfromvariouspartsoftheworldtovisittheirnativeland。

Whenoutoftheirhearing，Mr。Birneyusedtoridiculethemwithoutmercy；so，oneday，bywayofmakingapoint，Isaidwithgreatsolemnity，“Isitgoodbreedingtomakefunofthefoiblesofourfellow-men，whohavenothadouradvantagesofcultureandeducation？”Hefelttherebukeandblushed，andneveragainreturnedtothatsubject。IamsorrytosayIwasgladtofindhimonceinfault。

Thoughsomeamusement，inwhateverextraordinarywayIcouldobtainit，wasnecessarytomyexistence，yet，asitwasdeemedimportantthatIshouldthoroughlyunderstandthestatusoftheanti-slaverymovementinmyowncountry，Ispentmostofmytimereadingandtalkingonthatquestion。BeingthewifeofadelegatetotheWorld'sConvention，weallfeltitimportantthatIshouldbeabletoanswerwhateverquestionsI

mightbeaskedinEnglandonallphasesoftheslaveryquestion。

Thecaptain，ajollyfellow，wasalwaysreadytosecondmeinmyexplorationsintoeverynookandcrannyofthevessel。Heimaginedthatmyreadingwasdistastefulandenforcedbytheoldergentlemen，sohewascontinuallyplanningsomediversion，andofteninvitedmetositwithhimandlistentohisexperiencesofasailor'slife。

Butallthingsmustendinthismortallife，andourvoyagewasnearitstermination，whenwewerebecalmedontheSoutherncoastofEnglandandcouldnotmakemorethanoneknotanhour。Whenwithinsightofthedistantshore，apilotboatcamealongandofferedtotakeanyoneashoreinsixhours。Iwassodelightedatthethoughtofreachinglandthat，aftermuchpersuasion，Mr。StantonandMr。Birneyconsentedtogo。Accordingly，wewereloweredintotheboatinanarm-chair，withaluncheonconsistingofacoldchicken，aloafofbread，andabottleofwine，withjustenoughwindtocarryourlightcrafttowardourdestination。

But，insteadofsixhours，wewerealldaytryingtoreachtheland，and，asthetwilightdeepenedandthelastbreezediedaway，thepilotsaid：

“Wearenowtwomilesfromshore，buttheonlywayyoucanreachthereto-nightisbyarowboat。“

Aswehadnoprovisionsleftandnowheretosleep，weweregladtoavailourselvesoftherowboat。Itwasabrightmoonlightnight，theairbalmy，thewaterssmooth，and，withtwostoutoarsmen，weglidedswiftlyalong。

AsMr。Birneymadethelastdescentandseatedhimself，doubtfulastoourreachingshore，turningtomehesaid：“ThewomantemptedmeandI

didleavethegoodship。“However，wedidreachtheshoreatmidnightandlandedatTorquay，oneoftheloveliestspotsinthatcountry，andourjourneytoExeterthenextdaylaythroughthemostbeautifulsceneryinEngland。

Aswehadnoluggagewithus，ourdetentionbycustomsofficerswasbrief，andweweresoonconductedtoacomfortablelittlehotel，whichwefoundinthemorningwasabowerofroses。IhadneverimaginedanythingsobeautifulasthedriveuptoExeteronthetopofacoach，withfourstouthorses，trottingattherateoftenmilesanhour。ItwasthefirstdayofJune，andthecountrywasinallitsglory。Thefoliagewasofthesoftestgreen，thetreeswerecoveredwithblossoms，andtheshrubswithflowers。Theroadswereperfect；thelarge，fine-lookingcoachman，withhiswhiteglovesandreins，hisrosyfaceandloftybearingandthepostmaninred，blowinghishornaswepassedthrougheveryvillage，madethedriveseemlikeajourneyinfairyland。WehadheardthatEnglandwaslikeagardenofflowers，butwewerewhollyunpreparedforsuchwealthofbeauty。

InExeterwehadourfirstviewofoneofthegreatcathedralsintheOldWorld，andwewerealldeeplyimpressedwithitsgrandeur。Itwasjustatthetwilighthour，whenthelastraysofthesettingsun，streamingthroughthestainedglasswindows，deepenedtheshadowsandthrewamysteriousamberlightoverall。Asthechoirwaspracticing，thewholeeffectwasheightenedbythedeeptonesoftheorganreverberatingthroughthearchedroof，andthesoundofhumanvoicesasifvainlytryingtofillthevastespaceabove。Thenoveltyandsolemnityofthesurroundingsrousedallourreligiousemotionsandthrilledeverynerveinourbeing。Asifmovedbythesameimpulsetolingerthereawhile，weallsatdown，silentlywaitingforsomethingtobreakthespellthatboundus。CanonewonderatthepoweroftheCatholicreligionforcenturies，withsuchaccessoriestostimulatetheimaginationtoablindworshipoftheunknown？

Sittinginthehotelthateveningandwantingsomethingtoread，weaskedthewaiterforthedailypapers。Astherewasnopublictableordrawingroomforguests，buteachpartyhaditsownapartment，weneededalittlechangefromthesocietyofeachother。

Havingbeen，asitwere，shutfromtheoutsideworldforeighteendays，wehadsomecuriositytoseewhetherourplanetwasstillrevolvingfromwesttoeast。Atthementionofpapersinthepluralnumber，theattendantgaveusalookofsurprise，andsaidhewouldget“it。“HereturnedsayingthatthegentlemaninNo。4had“it，“buthewouldbethroughinfifteenminutes。Accordingly，attheendofthattime，hebroughtthenewspaper，and，afterwehadhaditthesamelengthoftime，hecametotakeittoanotherparty。AtourlodginghouseinLondon，apaperwasleftforhalfanhoureachmorning，andthenitwastakentothenexthouse，thusservingseveralfamiliesofreaders。

ThenextdaybroughtustoLondon。WhenIfirstenteredourlodginghouseinQueenStreet，IthoughtitthegloomiestabodeIhadeverseen。

Thearrivalofadelegationofladies，thenextday，fromBostonandPhiladelphia，changedtheatmosphereoftheestablishment，andfilledmewithdelightfulanticipationsofsomenewandcharmingacquaintances，whichIfullyrealizedinmeetingEmilyWinslow，AbbySouthwick，ElizabethNeal，MaryGrew，AbbyKimber，SarahPugh，andLucretiaMott。TherehadbeenasplitintheAmericananti-slaveryranks，anddelegatescamefrombothbranches，and，astheywereequallyrepresentedatourlodgings，Ibecamefamiliarwiththewholecontroversy。Thepotentelementwhichcausedthedivisionwasthewomanquestion，andastheGarrisonianbranchmaintainedtherightofwomentospeakandvoteintheconventions，allmysympathieswerewiththeGarrisonians，thoughMr。StantonandMr。Birneybelongedtotheotherbranch，calledpoliticalabolitionists。Tometherewasnoquestionsoimportantastheemancipationofwomenfromthedogmasofthepast，political，religious，andsocial。Itstruckmeasveryremarkablethatabolitionists，whofeltsokeenlythewrongsoftheslave，shouldbesooblivioustotheequalwrongsoftheirownmothers，wives，andsisters，when，accordingtothecommonlaw，bothclassesoccupiedasimilarlegalstatus。

OurchiefobjectinvisitingEnglandatthistimewastoattendtheWorld'sAnti-slaveryConvention，tomeetJune12，1840，inFreemason'sHall，London。Delegatesfromalltheanti-slaverysocietiesofcivilizednationswereinvited，yet，whentheyarrived，thoserepresentingassociationsofwomenwererejected。ThoughwomenweremembersoftheNationalAnti-slaverySociety，accustomedtospeakandvoteinallitsconventions，andtotakeanequallyactivepartwithmeninthewholeanti-slaverystruggle，andwerethereasdelegatesfromassociationsofmenandwomen，aswellasthosedistinctivelyoftheirownsex，yetallalikewererejectedbecausetheywerewomen。Women，accordingtotheEnglishprejudicesofthattime，wereexcludedbyScripturaltextsfromsharingequaldignityandauthoritywithmeninallreformassociations；henceitwastoEnglishmindspre-eminentlyunfittingthatwomenshouldbeadmittedasequalmemberstoaWorld'sConvention。

Thequestionwashotlydebatedthroughanentireday。Myhusbandmadeaveryeloquentspeechinfavorofadmittingthewomendelegates。

WhenweconsiderthatLadyByron，AnnaJameson，MaryHowitt，Mrs。HugoReid，ElizabethFry，AmeliaOpie，AnnGreenPhillips，LucretiaMott，andmanyremarkablewomen，speakersandleadersintheSocietyofFriends，wereallcompelledtolisteninsilencetothemasculineplatitudesonwoman'ssphere，onemayformsomeideaoftheindignationofunprejudicedfriends，andespeciallythatofsuchwomenasLydiaMariaChild，MariaChapman，DeborahWeston，AngelinaandSarahGrimke，andAbbyKelly，whowereimpatientlywaitingandwatchingonthisside，inpainfulsuspense，tohearhowtheirdelegateswerereceived。Judgingfrommyownfeelings，thewomenonbothsidesoftheAtlanticmusthavebeenhumiliatedandchagrined，exceptasthesefeelingswereoutweighedbycontemptfortheshallowreasoningoftheiropponents，andtheircomicalposeandgesturesinsomeoftheintenselyearnestflightsoftheirimagination。

Theclericalportionoftheconventionwasmostviolentinitsopposition。

TheclergymenseemedtohaveGodandhisangelsespeciallyintheircareandkeeping，andwereinagonylestthewomenshoulddoorsaysomethingtoshocktheheavenlyhosts。Theirall-sustainingconceitgavethemabundantassurancethattheirmovementsmustnecessarilybeall-pleasingtothecelestialswhoseearswereopentotheproceedingsoftheWorld'sConvention。

Deborah，Huldah，Vashti，andEsthermighthavequestionedtheproprietyofcallingitaWorld'sConvention，whenonlyhalfofhumanitywasrepresentedthere；butwhatweretheiropinionsworthcomparedwiththoseoftheRev。

A。Harvey，theRev。C。Stout，ortheRev。J。Burnet，who，Bibleinhand，arguedwoman'ssubjection，divinelydecreedwhenEvewascreated。

Oneofourchampionsintheconvention，GeorgeBradburn，atallthick-setmanwithavoicelikethunder，standingheadandshouldersabovetheclericalrepresentatives，sweptalltheirargumentsasidebydeclaringwithtremendousemphasisthat，iftheycouldprovetohimthattheBibletaughttheentiresubjectionofone-halfoftheracetotheother，heshouldconsiderthatthebestthinghecoulddoforhumanitywouldbetobringtogethereveryBibleintheuniverseandmakeagrandbonfireofthem。

Itwasreallypitifultohearnarrow-mindedbigots，pretendingtobeteachersandleadersofmen，socruellyremandingtheirownmothers，withtherestofwoman-kind，toabsolutesubjectiontotheordinarymasculinetypeofhumanity。Ialwaysregrettedthatthewomenthemselveshadnottakenpartinthedebatebeforetheconventionwasfullyorganizedandthequestionofdelegatessettled。Itseemedtomethen，anddoesnow，thatalldelegateswithcredentialsfromrecognizedsocietiesshouldhavehadavoiceintheorganizationoftheconvention，thoughsubjecttoexclusionafterward。However，thewomensatinalowcurtainedseatlikeachurchchoir，andmodestlylistenedtotheFrench，British，andAmericanSolonsfortwelveofthelongestdaysinJune，asdid，also，ourgrandGarrisonandRogersinthegallery。Theyscornedaconventionthatignoredtherightsoftheverywomenwhohadfought，sidebyside，withthemintheanti-slaveryconflict。“Afterbattlingsomanylongyears，“saidGarrison，“forthelibertiesofAfricanslaves，Icantakenopartinaconventionthatstrikesdownthemostsacredrightsofallwomen。“Aftercomingthreethousandmilestospeakonthesubjectnearesthisheart，henoblysharedtheenforcedsilenceoftherejecteddelegates。Itwasagreatactofself-sacrificethatshouldneverbeforgottenbywomen。

ThomasClarksonwaschosenpresidentoftheconventionandmadeafewremarksinopening，buthesoonretired，ashisageandmanyinfirmitiesmadeallpublicoccasionstooburdensome，andJosephSturge，aQuaker，wasmadechairman。SittingnexttoMrs。Mott，Isaid：

“AsthereisaQuakerinthechairnow，whatcouldhedoifthespiritshouldmoveyoutospeak？”

“Ah，“shereplied，evidentlynotbelievingsuchacontingencypossible，“wherethespiritoftheLordis，thereisliberty。“

Shehadnotmuchfaithinthesincerityofabolitionistswho，whileeloquentlydefendingthenaturalrightsofslaves，deniedfreedomofspeechtoone-halfthepeopleoftheirownrace。Suchwastheconsistencyofanassemblageofphilanthropists！Theywouldhavebeenhorrifiedattheideaofburningthefleshofthedistinguishedwomenpresentwithred-hotirons，butthecrucifixionoftheirprideandself-respect，thehumiliationofthespirit，seemedtothemamosttriflingmatter。Theactionofthisconventionwasthetopicofdiscussion，inpublicandprivate，foralongtime，andstungmanywomenintonewthoughtandactionandgaverisetothemovementforwomen'spoliticalequalitybothinEnglandandtheUnitedStates。

Astheconventionadjourned，theremarkwasheardonallsides，“Itisabouttimesomedemandwasmadefornewlibertiesforwomen。“AsMrs。

MottandIwalkedhome，arminarm，commentingontheincidentsoftheday，weresolvedtoholdaconventionassoonaswereturnedhome，andformasocietytoadvocatetherightsofwomen。AtthelodginghouseonQueenStreet，wherealargenumberofdelegateshadapartments，thediscussionswereheatedateverymeal，andattimessobitterthat，atlast，Mr。Birneypackedhisvaliseandsoughtmorepeacefulquarters。Havingstronglyopposedtheadmissionofwomenasdelegatestotheconventionitwasratherembarrassingtomeetthem，duringtheintervalsbetweenthevarioussessions，atthetableandinthedrawingroom。

ThesewerethefirstwomenIhadevermetwhobelievedintheequalityofthesexesandwhodidnotbelieveinthepopularorthodoxreligion。

TheacquaintanceofLucretiaMott，whowasabroad，liberalthinkeronpolitics，religion，andallquestionsofreform，openedtomeanewworldofthought。AswewalkedabouttoseethesightsofLondon，Iembracedeveryopportunitytotalkwithher。Itwasintenselygratifyingtohearallthat，throughyearsofdoubt，Ihaddimlythought，sofreelydiscussedbyotherwomen，someofthemnoolderthanmyself杦omen，too，ofrareintelligence，cultivation，andrefinement。Aftersixweeks'sojournunderthesameroofwithLucretiaMott，whoseconversationwasuniformlyonahighplane，I

feltthatIknewhertoowelltosympathizewiththeorthodoxFriends，whodenouncedherasadangerouswomanbecauseshedoubtedcertaindogmastheyfullybelieved。

AsMr。BirneyandmyhusbandwereinvitedtospeakalloverEngland，Scotland，andIreland，andwewereuniformlyentertainedbyorthodoxFriends，IhadabundantopportunitytoknowthegeneralfeelingamongthemtowardLucretiaMott。EvenElizabethFryseemedquiteunwillingtobreathethesameatmospherewithher。DuringthesixweeksthatmanyofusremainedinLondonaftertheconventionwewereinvitedtoasuccessionofpublicandprivatebreakfasts，dinners，andteas，andontheseoccasionsitwasamusingtowatchMrs。Fry'ssedulouseffortstokeepMrs。Mottatadistance。

IfMrs。Mottwasonthelawn，Mrs。Frywouldgointothehouse；ifMrs。

Mottwasinthehouse，Mrs。Frywouldstayoutonthelawn。Oneevening，whenwewereallcrowdedintotwoparlors，andtherewasnoescape，thewordwentroundthatMrs。FryfeltmovedtopraywiththeAmericandelegates，whereuponaprofoundsilencereigned。AfterafewmomentsMrs。Fry'svoicewashearddeploringtheschismamongtheAmericanFriends；thatsomanyhadbeenledastraybyfalsedoctrines；urgingtheSpiritofAllGoodtoshowthemtheerroroftheirway，andgatherthemoncemoreintothefoldofthegreatShepherdofourfaith。TheprayerwasdirectedsopointedlyatthefollowersofEliasHicks，andatLucretiaMottinparticular，thatIwhisperedtoLucretia，attheclose，thatsheshouldnowprayforMrs。

Fry，thathereyesmightbeopenedtoherbigotryanduncharitableness，andbeledbytheSpiritintohigherlight。“Oh，no！”shereplied，“aprayerofthischaracter，underthecircumstances，isanunfairadvantagetotakeofastranger，butIwouldnotresentitinthehouseofherfriends。“

InthesegatheringswemettheleadingQuakerfamiliesandmanyotherphilanthropistsofdifferentdenominationsinterestedintheanti-slaverymovement。OnalltheseoccasionsournobleGarrisonspokemosteffectively，andthusourEnglishfriendshadanopportunityofenjoyinghiseloquence，thelackofwhichhadbeensogravealossintheconvention。

WedevotedamonthsedulouslytosightseeinginLondon，and，inthelineofthetraveler'sduty，weexploredSt。Paul'sCathedral，theBritishMuseum，theTower，variousprisons，hospitals，galleriesofart，WindsorCastle，andSt。James'sPalace，theZo&ouml；logicalGardens，theschoolsandcolleges，thechieftheatersandchurches，WestminsterAbbey，theHousesofParliament，andtheCourts。Weheardthemostfamouspreachers，actors，andstatesmen。Infact，wewenttothetopandbottomofeverything，fromthedomeofSt。PaultothetunnelundertheThames，justthenintheprocessofexcavation。Wedrovethroughtheparks，sailedupanddowntheThames，andthenvisitedeveryshirebutfourinEngland，inallofwhichwehadlargemeetings，Mr。BirneyandMr。Stantonbeingthechiefspeakers。AsweweregenerallyinvitedtostaywithFriends，itgaveusagoodopportunitytoseetheleadingfamilies，suchastheAshursts，theAlexanders，thePriestmans，theBraithwaites，andBuxtons，theGurneys，thePeases，theWighamsofEdinburgh，andtheWebbsofDublin。WespentafewdayswithJohnJosephGurneyathisbeautifulhomeinNorwich。HehadjustreturnedfromAmerica，havingmadeatourthroughtheSouth。WhenaskedhowhelikedAmerica，hesaid，“Ilikeeverythingbutyourpiecrustandyourslavery。“

BeforeleavingLondon，thewholeAmericandelegation，aboutfortyinnumber，wereinvitedtodinewithSamuelGurney。Heandhisbrother，JohnJosephGurney，were，atthattime，theleadingbankersinLondon。SomeonefacetiouslyremarkedthattheJewsweretheleadingbankersinLondonuntiltheQuakerscrowdedthemout。

OneofthemoststrikingwomenImetinEnglandatthistimewasMissElizabethPease。Ineversawamorestronglymarkedface。Meetingher，fortyyearsafter，ontheplatformofagreatmeetingintheTownHallatGlasgow，Iknewheratonce。SheisnowMrs。NicholofEdinburgh，and，thoughontheshadysideofeighty，isstillactiveinallthereformsoftheday。

Itsurprisedusverymuchatfirst，whendrivingintothegroundsofsomeofthesebeautifulQuakerhomes，tohavethegreatbellrungatthelodge，andtoseethenumberoflivenedservantsontheporchandinthehalls，andthentomeetthehostinplaingarb，andtobewelcomedinplainlanguage，“Howdoestheedo，Henry？”“HowdoestheedoElizabeth？”Thissoundedpeculiarlysweettome朼strangerinastrangeland。ThewealthyEnglishQuakerswevisitedatthattime，takingthemallinall，werethemostcharmingpeopleIhadeverseen。Theywererefinedandintelligentonallsubjects，andthoughratherconservativeonsomepoints，werenotaggressiveinpressingtheiropinionsonothers。Theirhospitalitywascharmingandgenerous，theirhomesthebeauidealofcomfortandorder，thecuisinefaultless，whilepeacereignedoverall。Thequiet，gentlemannerandthesofttonesinspeaking，andthemysteriousquietinthesewell-orderedhomeswereliketheatmosphereonefindsinamodernconvent，wheretheordinarydutiesofthedayseemtobeaccomplishedbysomemagicalinfluence。

BeforeleavingLondonwespentadelightfuldayinJuneatthehomeofSamuelGurney，surroundedbyafineparkwithsixhundreddeerroamingabout朼lwaysabeautifulfeatureintheEnglishlandscape。AstheDuchessofSutherlandandLordMorpethhadexpressedawishtoMrs。FrytomeetsomeoftheleadingAmericanabolitionists，itwasarrangedthattheyshouldcallatherbrother'sresidenceonthisoccasion。Soonafterwearrived，theDuchess，withherbrotherandMrs。Fry，inherstatecarriagewithsixhorsesandoutriders，droveuptothedoor。Mr。Gurneywasevidentlyembarrassedattheprospectofalordandaduchessunderhisroof。LeaningonthearmofMrs。Fry，theduchesswasformallyintroducedtousindividually。

Mrs。Mottconversedwiththedistinguishedguestswiththesamefluencyandcomposureaswithherowncountrywomen。HoweveranxioustheEnglishpeoplewereastowhattheyshouldsayanddo，theAmericanswereallquiteattheirease。

AsLordMorpethhadsomeinterestinglettersfromtheislandofJamaicatoreadtous，weformedacircleonthelawntolisten。Englandhadjustpaidonehundredmillionsofdollarstoemancipatetheslaves，andwewereallinterestedinhearingtheresultoftheexperiment。ThedistinguishedguestinturnhadmanyquestionstoaskinregardtoAmericanslavery。

WefoundnoneofthatprejudiceagainstcolorinEnglandwhichissoinveterateamongtheAmericanpeople；atmyfirstdinnerinEnglandIfoundmyselfbesideagentlemanfromJamaica，asblackastheaceofspades。Afterthedepartureoftheduchess，dinnerwasannounced。Itwasasumptuousmeal，mosttastefullyserved。Therewerehalfadozenwineglassesateveryplate，butabolitionists，inthosedays，wereallconvertstotemperance，and，asthebottleswentaroundtherewasageneralheadshaking，andtherighthandextendedovertheglasses。OurEnglishfriendswereamazedthatnoneofusdrankwine。Mr。Gurneysaidhehadneverbeforeseensuchasightasfortyladiesandgentlemensittingdowntodinnerandnoneofthemtastingwine。Intalkingwithhimonthatpoint，hesaid：

“Isupposeyournursingmothersdrinkbeer？”

Ilaughed，andsaid，“Oh，no！Weshouldbeafraidofbefoggingthebrainsofourchildren。“

“Nodangerofthat，“saidhe；“weareallbrightenough，andyetacaskofbeerisrolledintothecellarforthemotherwitheachnewbornchild。“

ColonelMillerfromVermont，oneofourAmericandelegation，wasintheGreekwarwithLordByron。AsLadyByronhadexpressedawishtoseehim，thatherdaughtermightknowsomethingofherfather'slastdays，aninterviewwasarranged，andthecolonelkindlyinvitedmetoaccompanyhim。HisaccountoftheiracquaintanceandthemanynobletraitsofcharacterLordByronmanifested，hisgenerousimpulsesandactsofself-sacrifice，seemedparticularlygratifyingtothedaughter。Itwasasadinterview，arrangedchieflyforthedaughter'ssatisfaction，thoughLadyByronlistenedwithapainfulinterest。Asthecolonelwasawarmadmirerofthegreatpoet，henodoubtrepresentedhiminthebestpossiblelight，andhisnarrationofhislastdayswasdeeplyinteresting。LadyByronhadaquiet，reservedmanner，asadface，andalow，plaintivevoice，likeonewhohadknowndeepsorrow。Ihadseenherfrequentlyintheconventionandatsocialteas，andhadbeenpersonallypresentedtoherbeforethisoccasion。AltogetherIthoughtherasweet，attractive-lookingwoman。

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