第9章

AsforSeverne，heonlyglancedatherashecamein，andthenshunnedhereye。Hepresentedtoherthegrave，resolvedcountenanceofamanwhohasbeenforcedtoadecision，butmeanstoabidebyit。

Inrealityhewasdelightedattheturnthingshadtaken。Themoneywasnotnecessarilylost，sinceheknewwhereitwas；andZoehadcompromisedherselfbeyondretreating。Heintendedtowearthisanxiousfacealongwhile。Buthisartificialsnowhadtomelt，sorealasunshonefullonit。ThemomenthelookedfullatZoe，sherepaidhimwithsuchapoint-blankbeamofglorioustendernessandgratitudeasmadehimthrillwithpassionaswellastriumph。Hefeltherwholeheartwashis，andfromthathourhispovertywouldneverbeallowedtoweighwithher。Heclearedup，andleftoffacting，becauseitwassuperfluous；hehadnowonlytobaskinsunshine。Zoe，alwaystender，butcoytillthismoment，madelovetohimlikeayounggoddess。EvenFannyyieldedtothesolidproofofsincerityhehadgiven，andwasdownrightaffectionate。

Hewasking。Andfromonegradationtoanother，theyenteredColognewithSeverneseatedbetweenthetwogirls，eachwithahandinhis，andagreatdispositiontopethimandspoilhim；morethanonce，indeed，adelicateheadjustgrazedeachofhissquareshoulders；butcandorcompelsmetoownthattheirfatigueandtheyawingofthecarriageatthetimeweremoretoblamethanthetiredgirls；forattheenormitytherewasapromptretirementtoadistance。MissMaitlandhadbeenalongtimeinthelandofNod；andVizard，fromthefirst，hadpreferredmalecompanionsandtobacco。

AtColognetheyvisitedtheprideofGermany，thatmightycathedralwhichtheMiddleAgesprojected，commenced，andlefttodecayofoldagebeforecompletion，andourenterprisingagewillfinish；buttheydepartedonthesameday。

BeforetheyreachedEngland，thelove-makingbetweenSeverneandZoe，thoughitneverpassedtheboundsofgoodtaste，wassoapparenttoanyfemaleeyethatMissMaitlandremonstratedseverelywithFanny。

Butthetrimmerwasnowwontotheotherside。ShewouldnotoffendAuntMaitlandbyowningherconversion。Shesaid，hypocritically，"Iamafraiditisnouseobjectingatpresent，aunt。Theattachmentistoostrongonbothsides。And，whetherheispoorornot，hehassacrificedhismoneytoherfeelings，andso，now，shefeelsboundinhonor。Iknowher；shewon"tlistentoawordnow，aunt:whyirritateher?Shewouldquarrelwithbothofusinamoment。"

"Poorgirl!"saidMissMaitland；andtookthehint。Shehadstillanarrowinherquiver——Vizard。

Inmid-channel，tenmilessouthofDover，shecaughthiminalucidintervalofnon-smoke。Shereminded，himhehadpromisedhertogiveMr。

SeverneahintaboutZoe。

"SoIdid，"saidhe。

"Andhaveyou?"

"Well，no；totellthetruth，Iforgot。"

"Thenpleasedoitnow；fortheyaregoingonworsethanever。"

"I"llwarnthefool，"saidhe。

Hedidwarnhim，andinthefollowingterms:

"Lookhere，oldfellow。IhearyouaregettingawfullysweetonmysisterZoe。"

Noanswer。Severneonhisguard。

"Now，youhadbettermindyoureye。Sheisaveryprettygirl，andyoumayfindyourselfentangledbeforeyouknowwhereyouare。"

Severnehunghishead。"Ofcourse，Iknowitisgreatpresumptioninme。"

"Presumption?fiddlestick!Suchamanasyouareoughtnottobetiedtoanywoman，or，ifyoumustbe，yououghtnottogocheap。Mind，Zoeisapoorgirl；onlytenthousandintheworld。Flirtwithwhomyoulike——thereisnoharminthat；butdon"tgetseriouslyentangledwithanyofthem。Goodsisters，andgooddaughters，andgoodflirtsmakebadwives。"

"Oh，then，"saidSeverne，"itisonlyonmyaccountyouobject。"

"Well，principally。AndIdon"texactlyobject。Iwarn。Inthefirstplace，assoonaseverwegetintoBarfordshire，shewillmostlikelyjiltyou。YoumaybeonlyherContinentallover。HowcanItell，_oryoueither?_Andifnot，andyouweretobeweakenoughtomarryher，shewoulddevelopunexpectedvicesdirectly——theyalldo。Andyouarenotrichenoughtoliveinahouseofyourown；youwouldhavetoliveinmine——afinefateforarisingbladelikeyou。"

"Whataterribleprospect——tobetiedtothebestfriendinEnglandaswellastheloveliestwoman!"

"Oh，ifthatistheviewyoutake，"saidVizard，beamingwithdelight，"itisnousetalkingreasonto_you。"_

WhentheyreachedLondon，VizardgaveMissMaitlandanoutlineofthisconversation；and，sofarfromseeingthehumorofit，which，nevertheless，wasprettystrongandcharacteristicofthemanandhisonefoible，shetookthehuff，andwouldnotevenstaytodinneratthehotel。Shewouldgointoherowncountybythenexttrain，bagandbaggage。

Mr。SevernewastheonlyonewhoofferedtoaccompanyhertotheGreatWesternRailway。Shedeclined。Heinsisted；wentwithher；gotherticket，numberedandarrangedherpackages，andsawhersafelyoff，withanairofprofoundrespectandadmirablyfeignedregret。

Thatshewasthedupeofhisart，maybedoubted:thathelostnothingbyit，iscertain。Menarenotruinedbycivility。Assoonasshewasseated，shesaid，"Ibeg，sir，youwillwastenomoretimewithme。Mr。

Severne，youhavebehavedtomelikeagentleman，andthatisveryunusualinamanofyouragenowadays。Icannotaltermyopinionaboutmynieceandyou:butI_am_sorryyouareapoorgentleman——muchtoopoortomarryher，andIwishIcouldmakeyouarichone；butIcannot。Thereismyhand。"

YoushouldhaveseentheairoftendervenerationwithwhichtheyoungMachiavelbowedoverherhand，andevenimprintedalighttouchonitwithhisvelvetlips。

Thenheretired，disconsolate，and，onceoutofsight，whippedintoagin-palaceandswallowedaquarternofneatbrandy，totakethetasteoutofhismouth。"Goit，Ned，"saidhe，tohimself；"youcan"taffordtomakeenemies。

Theoldladywentoffbitteragainstthewholeparty_exceptMr。

Severne；_andheretiredtohisfriends，disembarrassedoftheonefoehehadnotturnedintoadownrightfriend，butonlydisarmed。WelldoesthegreatVoltairerecommendwhathewellcalls"legrandartdeplaire。"

VizardsentHarrisintoBarfordshire，toprepareforthecomfortoftheparty；andtolightfiresinallthebedrooms，thoughitwassummer；andtoseethebeds，blanketsandsheetsairedattheveryfiresoftheveryroomstheyweretobeusedin。Thissacredofficehenevertrustedtoahousekeeper；heusedeventodeclare，astheresultofexperience，thatitwasbeyondtheintellectofanywomanreallytoairmattresses，blankets，andsheets——allthree。Hehadalsoaprintedlistheusedtoshowabout，offiveacquaintances，stoutfellowsall，whom"littlebitsofwomen"(suchwashisphraseology)hadlaidlowwithdampbeds，havingcrippledtwoforlifewithrheumatismandlumbago，andsentthreetotheirlonghome。

MeantimeSevernetooktheladiestoeverypublicattractionbydayandnight，andVizardthankedhim，beforethefair，forhisconsiderationintakingthemoffhishands；andSeverneretortedbythankinghimforleavingthemonhis。

Itmayseem，atfirst，avileselection；butIamgoingtoasktheladieswhohonormewiththeirattentiontofollow，notthatgay，amorouspartyofthree，butthissolitarycyniconhisround。

TakingaturnroundthegardeninLeicesterSquare，whichwasnewtohim，HarringtonVizard"sobservanteyesawayoungladyriseupfromaseattogo，butturnpaledirectly，andsitdownagainuponthearmoftheseat，asifforsupport。

"Halloo!"saidVizard，inhisbluntway，_"you_arenotwell。WhatcanI

doforyou?"

"Iamallright，"saidshe。"Pleasegoon；"thelatterwordsinatonethatimpliedshewasnotanovice，andtheattentionsofgentlementostrangeladiesweresuspected。

"Ibegyourpardon，"saidVizard，coolly。"Youarenotallright。Youlookasifyouweregoingtofaint。"

"What，aremylipsblue?"

"No；buttheyarepale。"

"Well，thenitisnotacaseoffainting。It_may_beexhaustion。"

"Youknowbest。Whatshallwedo?"

"Why，nothing。Yes；mindourownbusiness。"

"Withallmyheart；mybusinessjustnowistoofferyousomerestorative——aglassofwine。"

"Oh，yes!IthinkIseemyselfgoingintoapublic-housewithyou。

Besides，Idon"tbelieveinstimulants。Strengthcanonlyenterthehumanbodyoneway。Iknowwhatisthematterwithme。"

"Whatisit?"

"Iamnotobligedtotell_you。"_

"Ofcourseyouarenotobliged；butyoumightaswell。"

"Well，then，itisHunger。"

"Hunger!"

"Hunger——famine——starvation。Don"tyouknowEnglish?"

"Ihopeyouarenotserious，madam，"saidVizard，verygravely。"However，ifladieswillsaysuchthingsasthat，menwithstomachsintheirbosomsmustactaccordingly。Obligemebytakingmyarm，asyouareweak，andwewilladjourntothateating-houseovertheway。"

"Muchobliged，"saidthelady，satirically，"ouracquaintanceisnot_quite_longenoughforthat。"

Helookedather；atall，slim，younglady，blackmerino，bynomeansnew，cleancuffsandcollarleaningagainstthechairforsupport，andyetsacrificingherselftoconventionalpropriety，andevenwithstandinghimwithaprettylittleairofdefiancethatwaspitiable，herpallorandtheweaknessofherbodyconsidered。

ThepoorWoman-hater"sbowelsbegantoyearn。"Lookhere，youlittlespitfire，"saidhe，"ifyoudon"tinstantlytakemyarm，I"llcatchyouupandcarryyouover，withnomoretroublethanyouwouldcarryathread-paper。"

Shelookedhimupanddownverykeenly，andatlastwithaslightexpressionoffeminineapproval，thefirstshehadvouchsafedhim。Thenshefoldedherarms，andcockedherlittlenoseathim，"Youdaren"t。

I"llcallthepolice。"

"Ifyoudo，I"lltellthemyouaremylittlecousin，madasaMarchhare:

starving，andwon"teat。Come，howisittobe?"Headvanceduponher。

"Youcan"tbeinearnest，sir，"saidshe，withsuddendignity。

"AmInot，though?Youdon"tknow_me。_Iamusedtobeobeyed。Ifyoudon"tgowithmelikeasensiblegirl，I"llcarryyou——toyourdinner——likearuffian。"

"ThenI"llgo——likealady，"saidshe，withsuddenhumility。

Heofferedherhisarm。Shepassedherswithin；butleanedaslightlyaspossibleonit，andherpoorpalefacewasalittlepinkastheywent。

Heenteredtheeating-house，andaskedfortwoportionsofcoldroastbeef，nottokeepherwaiting。Theywerebrought。

"Sir，"saidshe，withasubjugatedair，"willyoubesogoodascutupthemeatsmall，andpassittomeabitortwoatatime。"

Hewassurprised，butobeyedherorders。

"Andifyoucouldmakemetalkalittle?Because，atsightofthemeatsonearme，Ifeellikeatigress——poorhumannature!Sir，Ihavenoteatenmeatforaweek，norfoodofanykindthistwodays。"

"GoodGod!"

"SoImustbeprudent。Peoplehavegorgedthemselveswithfuriouseatingunderthosecircumstances；thatiswhyIaskedyoutosupplymeslowly。

Thankyou。Youneednotlookatmelikethat。BetterfolkthanIhave_died_ofhunger。SomethingtellsmeIhavereachedthelowestspoke，whenIhavebeenindebtedtoastrangerforameal。"

Vizardfeltthewatercomeintohiseyes；butheresistedthatpitiableweakness。"Botherthatnonsense!"saidhe。"I"llintroducemyself，andthenyoucan"tthrow_stranger_inmyteeth。IamHarringtonVizard，aBarfordshiresquire。"

"IthoughtyouwerenotaCockney。"

"Lordforbid!Doesthatinformationentitlemetoanyinreturn?"

"Idon"tknow；but，whetherorno，mynameisRhodaGale。"

"Haveanotherplate，MissGale?"

"Thanks。"

Heorderedanother。

"Iamproudofyourconfidingyournametome，MissGale；but，totellthetruth，whatIwantedtoknowishowayoungladyofyourtalentandeducationcouldbesobadlyoffasyoumustbe。Itisnotimpertinentcuriosity。"

Theyoungladyreflectedamoment。"Sir，"saidshe，"Idon"tthinkitis；

andIwouldnotmuchmindtellingyou。OfcourseIstudiedyoubeforeI

camehere。Evenhungerwouldnotmakemesitinatavernbesideafool，orasnob，or(withafaintblush)alibertine。Buttotellone"sownstory，thatissoegotistical，foronething。

"Oh，itisneveregotisticaltooblige。"

"Now，thatissophistical。Then，again，IamafraidIcouldnottellittoyouwithoutcrying，becauseyouseemratheramanlyman，andsomeofitmightrevoltyou，andyoumightsympathizerightout，andthenI

shouldbreakdown。"

"Nomatter。Dousbothgood。"

"Yes，butbeforethewaitersandpeople!Seehowtheyarestaringatusalready。"

"Wewillhaveanothergoinatthebeef，andthenadjourntothegardenforyournarrative。"

"No:asmuchgardenasyoulike，butnomorebeef。Ihaveeatenonesirloin，Ireckon。Willyougivemeonecupofblackteawithoutsugarormilk?"

Vizardgavetheorder。

Sheseemedtothinksomeexplanationnecessary，thoughhedidnot。

"Onecupofteaagreeswithmybrainandnerves，"saidshe。"Itsteadiesthem。Thatisamatterofindividualexperience。Ishouldnotprescribeittoothersanythemoreforthat。"

Vizardsatwonderingatthegirl。Hesaidtohimself，"Whatisshe?A

_lususnaturoe?"_

Whentheteacame，andshehadsippedalittle，sheperkedupwonderfully。Saidshe，"Oh，themagiceffectoffoodeatenjudiciously!

NowIamalioness，anddonotfearthefuture。Yes；Iwilltellyoumystory——and，ifyouthinkyouaregoingtohearalove-story，youwillbenicelycaught——ha-ha!No，_sir；"_saidshe，withrisingfervorandheightenedcolor，"youwillhearastorythepublicisdeeplyinterestedinanddoesnotknowit；ay，astorythatwillcertainlybereferredtowithwonderandshame，whenevercivilizationshallbecomeareality，andlawceasetobeatoolofinjusticeandmonopoly。"Shepausedamoment；

thensaidalittledoggedly，asoneusedtoencounterprejudice，"Iamamedicalstudent；awould-bedoctor。"

"Ah!"

"Andsowellqualifiedbygenuinegifts，bystudyfrommyinfancy，byzeal，quicksenses，andcultivatedjudgment，that，werealltheleadingLondonphysiciansexaminedto-morrowbyqualifiedpersonsatthesameboardasmyself，mostofthosewealthypractitioners——notall，mindyou——

wouldcutanindifferentfigureinmodernsciencecomparedwithme，whomyouhavehadtorescuefromstarvation——becauseIamawoman。"

Hereyeflashed。Butshemoderatedherself，andsaid，"Thatistheoutline；anditisagrievance。Now，grievancesarebores。Youcanescapethisonebeforeitistoolate。"

"Ifitlieswithme，Idemandtheminutestdetails，"saidVizard，warmly。

"Youshallhavethem；andtruetotheletter。"

Vizardsettledthesmallaccount，andadjourned，withhiscompanion，tothegarden。Shewalkedbyhisside，withherfacesometimesthoughtfullybentontheground，andsometimesconfrontinghimwithardor，andtoldhimatruestory，thesimplicityofwhichIshalltrynottospoilwithanyvulgarartsoffiction。

ALITTLENARRATIVEOFDRYFACTSTOLDTOAWOMAN-HATERBYAWOMAN。

CHAPTERXII。

"MyfatherwasanAmerican，mymotherEnglish。IwasbornnearEpsomandlivedtheretenyears。ThenmyfatherhadpropertylefthiminMassachusetts，andwewenttoBoston。Bothmyparentseducatedme，andbeganveryearly。Iobservethatmostparentsarebabiesatteaching，comparedwithmine。Myfatherwasalinguist，andtaughtmetolispGerman，French，andEnglish；mymotherwasanideaedwoman:shetaughtmethreerarities——attention，observation，andaccuracy。IfIwentawalkinthecountry，Ihadtobringherhomeabudget:themenandwomenontheroad，theirdresses，appearance，countenances，andwords；everykindofbirdintheair，andinsectandchrysalisinthehedges；thecropsinthefields，theflowersandherbsonthebanks。IfIwalkedinthetown，I

mustnotbeeyesandnoeyes；woebetidemeifIcouldonlyreportthedresses!Really，Ihaveknownme，whenIwasbuteight，comehometomymotherladenwithdetails，whenperhapsanuntrainedgirlofeighteencouldonlyhavespecifiedthatshehadgoneupanddownathoroughfare。

Anothertimemotherwouldtakemeonavisit:nextday，orperhapsnextweek，shewouldexpectmetodescribeeveryarticleoffurnitureinherfriend"sroom，andthebooksonthetable，andrepeattheconversation，thetopicsatallevents。Shetaughtmetomasterhistory_accurately。_

Todothisshewasartfulenoughtoturnsportintoscience。Sheutilizedagame:youngpeopleinBostonplayit。Awritesananecdoteonpaper，orperhapsproducesitinprint。ShereadsitofftoB。Bgoesaway，andwritesitdownbymemory；thenreadsherwritingouttoC。Chastolisten，andconveyherimpressiontopaper。ThisshereadstoD，andD

goesandwritesit。ThentheoriginalstoryandD"sversionarecompared；

and，generallyspeaking，thedifferenceofthetwoisacaution——againstoraltradition。Whenthestepsofdeviationareobserved，itisquiteastudy。

"Mymother，withhergoodwit，sawtherewassomethingbetterthanfuntobegotoutofthis。Shetrainedmymemoryofgreatthingswithit。Shebeganwithstrikingpassagesofhistory，andplayedthegamewithfatherandme。Butasmypowerofretaining，andrepeatingcorrectly，grewbypractice，sheenlargedthebusiness，andkeptenrichingmymemory，sothatIbegantohavetractsofhistoryatmyfingers"ends。AsIgrewolder，sheextendedthesporttolawsandthegreatpubliccontroversiesinreligion，politics，andphilosophythathaveagitatedtheworld。Buthereshehadtogetassistancefromherlearnedfriends。Shewasawomanvaluedbymenofintellect，andshehadnomercy——milkedjurists，physicians，andtheologiansandhistoriansallintomylittlepail。Tobesure，theywereaskindaboutitasshewasunscrupulous。TheysawIwasakeenstudent，andgavemymothermanyalittlegeminwriting。Shereadthemouttome:Ilistenedhard，andthusIfixedmanygreatandgoodthingsinmytrainedmemory；andrepeatedthemagainstthetext:Iwasneverallowedtosee_that。_

"Withthissharptraining，schoolsubjectswerechild"splaytome，andI

wonagoodmanyprizesveryeasily。Mymotherwouldnotletmewasteasingleminuteovermusic。Sheusedtosay"Musicextractswhatlittlebrainsagirlhas。Openthepiano，youshuttheunderstanding。"IamafraidIboreyouwithmymother。"

"Notatall，notatall。Iadmireher。"

"Oh，thankyou!thankyou，sir!Sheneverusesbigwords；soitisonlyoflateIhavehadthe_nous_toseehowwisesheis。Shecorrectedthespecialblotsofthefemalecharacterinme，anditissweettometotalkofthatdearfriend。WhatwouldIgivetoseeherhere!

"Well，then，sir，shemademe，asfarasshecould，a——whatshallIsay?

akindoflittleintellectualgymnast，fittobeginanystudy；butsheleftmetochoosemyownline。Well，Iwasfornaturalhistoryfirst；

beganlikeagirl；gatheredwildflowersandsimplesatEpsom，alongwithanoldwoman；shediscoursedontheirtraditionalvirtues，andknewlittleoftheirrealproperties:_that_Ihavediscoveredsince。

"Fromherbstolivingthings；neversparedachrysalis，butalwaystookithomeandwatcheditbreakintowings。HungoverthepondsinJune，watchingtheeggsofthefrogturntotadpoles，andthetadpolestoJohnnyCrapaud。IobeyedScriptureinonething，forIstudiedtheantsandtheirways。

"Icollectedbirds"eggs。Atnine，notaboyintheparishcouldfindmorenestsinadaythanIcould。Withbirdnesting，buying，andnowandthenbegging，Imadeacollectionthatfiguresinamuseumoverthewater，andisentitled"EggsofBritishBirds。"Thecolorsattract，andpeoplealwaysstopatit。Butitdoesnojusticewhatevertothegreatvarietyofsea-birds"eggsonthecoastofBritain。

"WhenIhadlearnedwhatlittletheyteachinschools，especiallydrawing，andthatisusefulinscientificpursuits，Iwasallowedtochoosemyownbooks，andattendlectures。OneblesseddayIsatandlistenedtoAgassiz——ah!Notragedywellplayed，noroperasung，evermovedaheartsodeeplyashemovedmine，thatgreatandearnestman，whoseenthusiasmfornaturewasasfreshasmyown，andhisknowledgeathousandtimeslarger。TalkofheavenopeningtotheChristianpilgrimashepassesJordan!Why，Godmadeearthaswellasheaven，anditisworthyoftheArchitect；anditisajoydivinewhenearthopenstothetrueadmirerofGod"sworks。Sir，earthopenedtome，asAgassizdiscoursed。

"Ifollowedhimaboutlikealittlebloodhound，anddivedintothelibrariesaftereachsubjecthetreatedortouched。

"ItwasanotherlittleepochinmylifewhenIread"White"sLetterstoPennant"aboutnaturalhistoryinSelborne。SelborneisanEnglishvillage，nothalfsoprettyasmost；and，untilGilbertWhitecame，nobodysawanythingthereworthprinting。Hisbookshowedmethatthehumblestspotinnaturebecomesextraordinarythemomentextraordinaryobservationisappliedtoit。ImustmimicGilbertWhitedirectly。I

pesteredmypoorparentstospendamonthortwointhedepthsofthecountry，onthevergeofaforest。Theyyielded，withgroans；Ikissedthem，andwerusticated。Ipriedintoeverylivingthing，notforgettingmyoldfriends，theinsecttribe。HereIfoundantswithgranderideasthantheyhavetohome，andsatisfiedmyselftheyhavemorebrainsthanapes。Theyco-operatemore，andincomplicatedthings。Sir，thereareantsthatmakegreatermarches，fortheirsize，thanNapoleon"sinvasionofRussia。Eventhelessnomadtribeswillmarchthroughfieldsofgrass，whereeachbladeisahighgum-treetothem，andneverlosethetrack。I

sawanarmyofredants，withgenerals，captains，andensigns，startatdaybreak，marchacrossaroad，throughahedge，andthenthroughhighgrasstillnoon，andsurpriseafortificationofblackants，andtakeitafterasanguinaryresistance。Allthatmusthavebeenplannedbeforehand，youknow，andcarriedouttotheletter。OnceIfoundacolonybusyonsomehardground，preparinganabode。Ihappenedtohavebeenmicroscopingawasp，soIthrewhimdownamongtheants。Theyweredisgusted。Theyranaboutcollectingopinions。Presentlyhalfofthemburrowedintotheearthbelowandunderminedhim，tillhelayonacrustofearthasthinasawafer，andadeepgravebelow。Thentheyallgotonhimexceptone，andbestoodpompousonapebble，andgaveorders。Theearthbroke——thewaspwentdownintohisgrave——andtheantssooncoveredhimwithlooseearth，andresumedtheirdomesticarchitecture。I

concludedthatthoughthemonkeyresemblesmanmostinbody，theantcomesnearerhiminmind。Asfordogs，Idon"tknowwheretorankthemin_nature，_becausetheyhavebeenpupilsofmanforcenturies。Iboreyou?"

"No。"

"Oh，yes，Ido:anenthusiastisalwaysabore。"Lesfacheux，"ofMolierearejustenthusiasts。Well，sir，inoneword，Iwasanaturalphilosopher——verysmall，butearnest；and，induecourse，mystudiesbroughtmetothewondersofthehumanbody。Istudiedtheoutlinesofanatomyinbooks，andplates，andpreparedfigures；andfromthat，bydegrees，Iwasledontosurgeryandmedicine——inbooks，youunderstand；

andtheyareonlyhalfthebattle。Medicineisathingonecando。Itisanoblescience，apracticalscience，andasubtlescience，whereI

thoughtmypowersofstudyandobservationmighthelpmetobekeenatreadingsymptoms，anddogoodtoman，andbeafamouswoman；soI

concludedtobenefitmankindandmyself。Stop!thatsoundslikeself-deception。ItmusthavebeenmyselfandmankindIconcludedtobenefit。Anyway，Ipesteredthatsmallsectionofmankindwhichconsistedofmyparents，untiltheyconsentedtoletmestudymedicineinEurope。"

"What，allbyyourself?"

"Yes。Oh，girlsareveryindependentintheStates，andgoverntheoldpeople。Minesaid"No"afewdozentimes；buttheywereboundtoendin"Yes，"andIwenttoZurich。Istudiedhardthere，andearnedtheapprobationoftheprofessors。Buttheschooldeteriorated；toomanyladiespouredinfromRussia:somewerenotinearnest，andpreferredflirtingtostudy，anddidthemselvesnogood，andmadethemalestudentsidle，andwickederthanever——ifpossible。"

"Whatelsecouldyouexpect?"saidVizard。

"Nothingelsefrom_unpicked_women。ButwhenalltheschoolsinEuropeshallbeopen——astheyoughttobe，andmust，andshall——therewillbenodangerofshallowgirlscrowdingtoanyparticularschool。Besides，therewillbeamorestrictandrapidroutineofexaminationthentosiftoutthefemaleflirtsandthemaleduncesalongwiththem，Ihope。

"Well，sir，wefew，thatreallymeantmedicine，madeinquiries，andheardofafamousoldschoolinthesouthofFrance，wherewomenhadgraduatedofold；andtwoofuswenttheretotry——anItalianladyandmyself。WecarriedgoodtestimonialsfromZurich，and，nottofrightentheFrenchmenatstarting，Iattackedthemalone。Corneliawasmyelder，andmysuperiorinattainments。Shewasatruedescendantofthoselearnedladieswhohaveadornedthechairsofphilosophy，jurisprudence，anatomy，andmedicineinhernativecountry；butshehasthewisdomoftheserpent，aswellasofthesage；andsheputmeforwardbecauseofmyredhair。ShesaidthatwouldbeapassporttothedarkphilosophersofFrance。"

"Wasnotthatratherfoxy，MissGale?"

"Foxyasmyhairitself，Mr。Vizard。

"Well，Iappliedtoaprofessor。Hereceivedmewithprofoundcourtesyandfeignedrespect，butwasstaggeredatmyrequesttomatriculate。Hegesticulatedandbowed_"alaFrancaise，_andbeggedthepermissionofhisfoxy-hairedinvaderfromNorthernclimestoconsulthiscolleagues。

WouldIdohimthegreathonortocallagainnextdayattwelve?Ididandmetthreeotherpolishedauthorities。Onespokeforall，andsaid，IfIhadnotbroughtwithmeproofsofseriousstudy，theyshouldhavedissuadedmeveryearnestlyfromascienceIcouldnotgraduateinwithoutgoingthroughpracticalcoursesofanatomyandclinicalsurgery。

That，however(witharegularFrenchshrug)，wasmybusiness，nottheirs。

Itwasnotforthemtoteachmedelicacy，butrathertolearnitfromme。

ThatwasaFrenchsneer。TheFrenchare_ungensmoqueur，_youknow。I

receivedbothshrugandsneerlikemarble。Heendeditallbysayingtheschoolhadnowrittenlawexcludingdoctresses；andtheoldrecordsprovedwomenhadgraduated，andevenlectured，there。Ihadonlytopaymyfees，andenteruponmyroutineofstudies。SoIwasadmittedonsufferance；butIsoonearnedthegoodopinionoftheprofessors，andofthisoneinparticular；andthenCorneliaappliedforadmission，andwasletintoo。Welivedtogether，andhadnosecrets；andIthink，sir，I

mayventuretosaythatweshowedsomelittlewisdom，ifyouconsiderourage，andallthatwasdonetospoilus。Astoparryingtheirlittleslyattemptsatflirtation，thatisnothing；wecameprepared。But，whenourfellow-studentsfoundwewereinearnest，andhadhighviews，thechivalrousspiritofagallantnationtookfire，andtheytreateduswithadelicatereverencethatmighthaveturnedanywoman"shead。Butwehadthecreditofasneered-atsextokeepup，andfeltourdanger，andwarnedeachother；andIrememberItoldCorneliahowmanyyoungladiesintheStatesIhadseenpuffedupbythemen"sextravaganthomage，andbecomespoiledchildren，andoffensivelyarrogantanddiscourteous；soI

entreatedhertocheckthosevicesinmethemomentshesawthemcoming。

"Whenwehadbeenhereayear，attendingallthelectures——clinicalmedicineandsurgeryincluded——newscamethatoneBritishschool，Edinburgh，hadshownsymptomsofyieldingtoContinentalcivilizationandrelaxingmonopoly。ThatturnedmeNorthdirectly。MymotherisEnglish:I

wantedtobeaBritishdoctress，notaFrench。Corneliahadmisgivings，andevencondescendedtocryoverme。ButIamamule，andalwayswas。

Thenthatdearfriendmadetermswithme:ImustnotbreakoffmyconnectionwiththeFrenchschool，shesaid。No；shehadthoughtitwellover；ImustaskleaveoftheFrenchprofessorstostudyintheNorth，andbringbacknotesaboutthosedistantThulians。Saysshe，"Yourstudiesinthatsavageislandwillbeallowedtogoforsomethinghere，ifyouimproveyourtime——andyouwillbesureto，sweetheart——thatI

maybealwaysproudofyou。"DearCornelia!"

"AmItobelieveallthis?"saidVizard。"Canwomenbesuchtruefriends?"

"Whatcannotwomenbe?What!areyouoneofthosewhotakeusfora_clique?_Don"tyouknowmorethanhalfmankindarewomen?"

"Alas!"

"Alasforthem!"saidRhoda，sharply。

"Well，well，"saidVizard，puttingonsuddenhumility，"don"tletusquarrel。Ihatequarreling——whereI"msuretogettheworst。Ay，friendshipisafinething，inmenorwomen；afarnoblersentimentthanlove。Youwillnotadmitthat，ofcourse，beingawoman。"

"Oh，yes，Iwill，"saidshe。"Why，Ihaveobservedloveattentively；andIpronounceitafeverofthemind。Itdisturbsthejudgmentandpervertstheconscience。Yousidewiththebeloved，rightorwrong。Whatpersonaldegradation!Iobserve，too，thatagrandpassionisagrandmisfortune:

theyarealwaysinastormofhope，fears，doubt，jealousy，rapture，rage，andtheenddeceit，orelsesatiety。Friendshipissteadyandpeaceful；notmuchjealousy，noheart-burnings。Itstrengthenswithtime，andsurvivesthesmall-poxandawoodenleg。Itdoublesourjoys，anddividesourgrief，andlightsandwarmsourliveswithasteadyflame。

_Solememundotollunt，quitolluntamicitiam。"_

"Halloo!"criedVizard。"What!youknowLatintoo?"

"Why，ofcourse——asmattering；orhowcouldIreadPliny，andCelsus，andeversomuchmorerubbishthatcustomchucksdownbeforethegatesofknowledge，andsays，"There——beforeyougotherightroad，yououghttogothewrong；_itisusual。_Studynow，withthereverencetheydon"tdeserve，thenon-observersofantiquity。""

"Sparemetheancients，MissGale，"saidVizard，"andrevealmethegirloftheperiod。WhenIwassoill-bredastointerruptyou，youhadleftFrance，crownedwithlaurels，andwerejustinvadingBritain。

Somethinginhiswordsorhistonediscouragedthesubtleobserver，andshesaid，coldly，"Excuseme:Ihavehardlythecourage。MyBritishhistoryisataleofinjustice，suffering，insult，and，worstofall，defeat。Icannotpromisetorelateitwiththatcomposurewhoeverpretendstoscienceought:thewoundstillbleeds。"

ThenVizardwasvexedwithhimself，andlookedgraveandconcerned。Hesaid，gently，"MissGale，Iamsorrytogiveyoupain；butwhatyouhavetoldmeissonewandinteresting，Ishallbedisappointedifyouwithholdtherest:besides，youknowitgivesnolastingpaintorelateourgriefs。Come，come——bebrave，andtellme。"

"Well，Iwill，"saidshe。"Indeed，someinstinctmovesme。Goodmaycomeofmytellingityou。Ithink——somehow——youare——a——just——man。"

Intheactofsayingthis，shefixedhergrayeyessteadilyandsearchinglyuponVizard"sface，sothathecouldscarcelymeetthem，theyweresopowerful；then，suddenly，theobservationseemedtodieoutofthem，andreflectiontotakeitsplace:thosedartingeyeswereturnedinward。Itwasamarkedvarietyofpower。Therewassomethingwizard-likeinthevividnesswithwhichtwodistinctmentalprocesseswerepresentedbythevariedactionofasingleorgan；andVizardthenbegantosuspectthatacreaturestoodbeforehimwithapowerofdiscerninganddigestingtruth，suchashehadnotyetencounteredeitherinmanorwoman。SheenteredonherBritishadventuresinherclearsilveryvoice。Itwasnot，likeInaKlosking"s，rich，anddeep，andtender；yetithadacertaingentlebeautytothosewholovetruth，becauseitwasdispassionate，yetexpressive，andcool，yetnotcold。Onemightcallittruth"ssilvertrumpet。

Onthebrinkofanextraordinarypassage，Ipausetomakenofewerthanthreeremarksinmyownperson:1st。LetnoreaderofmineallowhimselftofancyRhodaGaleandherantecedentsareamereexcrescenceofmystory。Shewasrootedtoitevenbeforethefirstsceneofit——themeetingofAshmeadandtheKlosking——andthiswillsoonappear。2d。Sheisnowgoingintoacontrovertedmatter；and，thoughsheissincereandtruthful，sheisofnecessitya_partisan。_Donottakeherforajudge。

Youbethejudge。3d。But，asajudgenevershutshismindtoeitherside，donotrefuseherafairhearing。Aboveall，donotunderratethequestion。Letnotthebalanceofyourunderstandingbesoupsetbyephemeralchildishnessastofancythatitmattersmuchwhetheryoubreakaneggtoporbottom，becauseGulliver"stwonationswenttowaraboutit；orthatitmattersmuchwhetheryourqueeniscalledqueenofIndiaorempress，becausetwopartiesmadeanoiseaboutit，andthecountryhaswastedtenthousandsquaremilesofgoodpaperonthesubject，trivialasthedustonabutterfly"swing。Fightagainsttheseillusionsofpettyandephemeralminds。Itdoesnotmatterthemillionthofastrawto_mankind_whetheranyonewomaniscalledqueen，orempress，ofIndia；

anditmattersgreatlytomankindwhetherthewholeraceofwomenaretobeallowedtostudymedicineandpracticeit，iftheycanrivalthemale，oraretobedebarredfromtestingtheirscientificability，andsooutlawed，_thoughtaxed_indefianceofBritishliberty，andalljustice，humananddivine，byelevenhundredlawgivers——mostof"emfools。

CHAPTERXIII。

"WHENIreachedGreatBritain，therightofwomentomedicinewasinthiscondition——alearnedlawyerexplaineditcarefullytome。Iwillgiveyouhiswords:Theunwrittenlawofeverynationadmitsallmankind，andnotthemalehalfonly，tothestudyandpracticeofmedicineandthesaleofdrugs。InGreatBritainthislawiscalledthecommonlawandisdeeplyrespected。Whateverlibertyitallowstomenorwomenisheldsacredinourcourtsuntil_directly_and_explicitly_withdrawnbysomeactoftheLegislature。Underthisancientliberty，womenhaveoccasionallypracticedgeneralmedicineandsurgeryuptotheyear1858。Butforcenturiesthey_monopolized，_bycustom，onebranchofpractice，theobstetric；andthat，togetherwiththeoccasionaltreatmentofchildren，andthenursingofbothsexes，whichissemi-medical，andistheir_monopoly，_seems，onthewhole，tohavecontentedthem，tilllateyears，whentheirviewswereenlargedbywidereducationandothercauses。Buttheirabstinencefromgeneralpractice，liketheirmonopolyofobstetrics，laywithwomenthemselves，andnotwiththelawofEngland。

ThatlawisthesameinthisrespectasthecommonlawofItalyandFrance；andtheconstitutionofBologna，wheresomanydoctresseshavefilledthechairsofmedicineandothersciences，makesnomoredirectprovisionforfemalestudentsthandoestheconstitutionofanyScotchorEnglishuniversity——Thewholethinglaywiththewomenthemselves，andwithlocalcivilization。Yearsago，ItalywasfarmorecivilizedthanEngland；soItalianwomentookalargesphere。OflatetheAnglo-Saxonhasgoneinforcivilizationwithhisusualenergy，andiseclipsingItaly；thereforehiswomenaspiretolargerspheresofintellectandaction，beginningintheStates，becauseAmericanwomenarebettereducatedthanEnglish。Theadvanceof_women_inusefulattainmentsisthemostinfalliblesigninanycountryofadvancingcivilization。Allthisaboutcivilizationismyobservation，sir，andnotthelawyer"s。Nowforthelawyeragain:SuchbeingthelawofEngland，theBritishLegislaturepassedanactin1858，therealobjectofwhichwastoprotectthepublicagainstincapabledoctors，notagainstcapabledoctressesordoctors。Theactexcludesfrommedicalpracticeallpersonswhatever，maleorfemale，unlessregisteredinacertainregister；andtogetuponthatregistertheperson，maleorfemale，mustproducealicenseordiploma，grantedbyoneoftheBritishexaminingboardsspecifiedinascheduleattachedtotheact。

"Now，theseexaminingboardswereallmembersoftheleadingmedicalschools。IftheLegislaturehadtakentheusualprecaution，andhadaddedaclause_compelling_thoseboardstoexamineworthyapplicants，theactwouldhavebeenasoundpublicmeasure；butforwantofthatforesight——andwithoutforesightalawgiverisanimpostorandapublicpest——theStaterobbedwomenoftheiroldcommon-lawrightswithonehand，andwiththeotherenabledarespectabletrades-uniontothrustthemoutoftheirnewstatutoryrights。Unfortunately，therespectableunion，towhomtheLegislaturedelegatedanunconstitutionalpowertheydidnotclaimthemselves，ofexcludingqualifiedpersonsfromexamination，andsorobbingthemoftheirlicenseandtheirbread，hadanoverpoweringinteresttoexcludequalifiedwomenfrommedicine。Theyhadthesameinterestasthewatchmakers"union，theprinters"，thepainters"

onchina，thecalico-engravers"，andothershavetoexcludequalifiedwomenfromthosebranches，thoughpeculiarlyfittedforthem；butnotmoresothantheyareforthepracticeofmedicine，Godhavingmade_them，_andnot_men，_themedical，andunmusical，sex。

"Whereverthere"satrades-union，theweakestgotothewall。ThosevulgarunionsIhavementionedexcludewomenfromskilledlabortheyexcelin，byviolenceandconspiracy，thoughthelawthreatensthemwithimprisonmentforit。Wasitinnature，then，thatthemedicalunionwouldbeinfinitelyforbearing，whentheLegislaturewentandpatteditontheback，andsaid，youcanconspirewithsafetyagainstyourfemalerivals。

OfcoursethecliqueweretemptedmorethananycliquecouldbearbytheunwarinessoftheLegislature，andclosedthedoorsofthemedicalschoolstofemaleapplicants。Againstunqualifiedfemalepractitionerstheyneveractedwithsuchzealandconsent；andwhy?Thefemalequackisapublicpest，andagoodfoiltotheunion；thequalifieddoctressisapublicgood，andablowtotheunion。

"TheBritishmedicalunionwasnowinafineattitudebyactofParliament。Itcouldtalkitscontemptofmedicalwomen，andactitsterrorofthem，andkeepbothitsfeignedcontemptanditsrealalarmsafefromthetestofapublicexamination——thatcrucibleinwhichcant，surmise，andmendacityaresoonevaporatedorprecipitated，andonlythetruthstandsfirm。

"Forallthat，twofemalepractitionersgotupontheregister，andstandout，livinglandmarksofexperienceandthetruth，inthedeadwildernessofsurmiseandprejudice。

"Iwilltellyouhowtheygotin。TheactofParliamentmakestwoexceptions:first，itletsin，_withoutexamination_——andthatisveryunwise——anyforeigndoctorwhoshallbepracticinginEnglandatthedateoftheact，although，withequalincapacity，itomitstoprovidethatanyfutureforeigndoctorshallbeableto_demandexamination_(inwiththeoldforeignfogies，blindfold，rightorwrong；outwiththerisingforeignluminariesofanever-advancingscience，rightorwrong)；and，secondly，itletsin，withoutexamination，toexperimentonthevilebodyofthepublic，anyperson，qualifiedorunqualified，whomayhavebeenmadeadoctorbyaveryvenerableandequallyirrelevantfunctionary。

Guess，now，whoitisthataBritishParliamentsetsabovethelaw，asadoctor-makerforthatpublicitprofessestoloveandprotect!"

"TheRegiusProfessorofMedicine?"

"No。"

"Tyndall?"

"No。"

"Huxley?"

"No。"

"ThenIgiveitup。"

"TheArchbishopofCanterbury。"

"Oh，come!ajokeisajoke。"

"Thisisnojoke。BrightmonumentofBritishfunkyismandimbecility，therestandstheclausesettingthatreverendandirrelevantdoctor-makerabovethelaw，whichsetshisgrace"sfemalerelationsbelowthelaw，and，inpractice，outlawsthewholefemalepopulation，starvingthosewhodesiretopracticemedicinelearnedly，andoppressingthosewho，outofmodesty，notyetquitesmotheredbycustomandmonopoly，desiretoconsultalearnedfemalephysician，insteadofbeingdriven，likesheep，byirontyranny——inacountrythatbabblesLiberty——toamalephysicianorafemalequack。

"Well，sir，in1849MissElizabethBlackwellfoughtthegoodfightintheUnitedStates，andhadhertroubles；becausetheStateswerenotsocivilizedthenasnow。ShegraduateddoctoratGeneva，intheStateofNewYork。

"ShewaspracticinginEnglandin1858，anddemandedherplaceontheregister。SheisanEnglishwomanbybirth；butsheisanEnglishM。D。

onlythroughAmericahavingmorebrainsthanBritain。Thisoneislandersings，"Hail，Columbia!"asoftenas"GodsavetheQueen!"Ireckon。

"MissGarrett，anenthusiasticstudent，travelednorth，south，east，andwest，andknockedinvainatthedoorsofeverygreatschoolanduniversityinBritain，butatlastfoundachinkintheironshuttersoftheLondonApothecaries"。ItseemsParliamentwaswiserin1815thanin1858，foritinsertedaclauseintheApothecariesActof1815

_compelling_themtoexamineallpersonswhoshouldapplytothemforexaminationafterpropercoursesofstudy。Theirchartercontainednoloop-holetoevadetheact，andsubstitute"him"for"person；"sotheyletMissGarrettinasastudent。Likeallthestudents，shehadtoattendlecturesonchemistrybotany，materiamedica，zoology，naturalphilosophy，andclinicalsurgery。Inthecollateralsubjectstheylethersitwiththemalestudents；butinanatomyandsurgeryshehadtoattendthesamelecturesprivately，andpayforlecturesalltoherself。Thiscostherenormousfees。However，itisonlyfairtosaythat，ifshehadbeenoneofadozenfemalestudents，thefeeswouldhavebeendiffused；

asitwas，shehadtogildthepilloutofherprivatepurse。

"Inthehospitalteachingshemetdifficultiesanddiscouragement，thoughsheaskedfornomoreopportunitiesthanaregrantedreadilytoprofessionalnursesandfemaleamateurs。Butthewholethingisameremoneyquestion；thatisthekeytoeverylockinit。

"Shewasfreelyadmittedatlasttoonegreathospital，andallwentsmoothlytillsomesurgeonexaminedthestudents_vivavoce；_thenMissGarrettwasoffherguard，anddisplayedtoomarkedasuperiority；

thereuponthemalestudentsplayedthewoman，andbeggedshemightbeexcluded；and，Iamsorrytosay，forthecreditofyoursex，thisunmanlyrequestwascompliedwithbythewomanishmalesinpower。

"However，athernexthospital，MissGarrettwasmorediscreet，andtookpainstoconcealhergallingsuperiority。

"Allhertroubleended——wherehercompetitors"began——atthepublicexamination。Shepassedbrilliantly，andisanEnglishapothecary。IncivilizedFrancesheisalearnedphysician。

"Shehadnotbeenanapothecaryaweek，beforetheApothecaries"Societyreceivedsixhundredlettersfromthemedicalsmall-fryintownandcountry；theythreatenedtosendnomoreboystotheApothecaries"，buttotheCollegeofSurgeons，ifeveranotherwomanreceivedanapothecary"slicense。Now，youknow，allmentrembleinEnglandatthethreatsofatrades-union；sotheapothecariesinstantlycudgeledtheirbrainstofindawaytodisobeythelaw，andobeytheunion。Themedicalpressgavethemahint，andtheypassedaby-law，forbiddingtheirstudentstoreceiveanypartoftheireducation_privately，_andmadeitknown，atthesametime，thattheirfemalestudentswouldnotbeallowedtostudytheleadingsubjects_publicly。_AndsotheybaffledtheLegislature，andoutlawedhalfthenation，byajugglewhichthepressandthepublicwouldhaverisenagainst，ifasinglegrown-upmanhadbeenitsvictim，insteadoffourmillionadultwomen。Now，youareastraightforwardman；whatdoyouthinkofthat?"

"Humph!"saidVizard。"Idonotaltogetherapproveit。Thestrongshouldnotusetheartsoftheweakinfightingtheweak。But，inspiteofyoureloquence，Imeantoforgivethemanything。Shakespearehasprovidedtherewithanexcusethatfitsalltime:

""Ourpoverty，butnotourwill，consents。""

"Poverty!thepovertyofacompanyinthecityofLondon!_Allonsdonc。_

Well，sir，foryearsafterthisallEurope，evenRussia，advancedincivilization，andopenedtheirmedicalschoolstowomen；sodidtheUnitedStates:onlythepig-headedBritonstoodstock-still，andgloriedinhisminorityofone；asifonesmallislandislikelytoberightinitsmonomania，andallcivilizednationswrong。

"ButwhileIwasstudyinginFrance，onelion-heartedEnglishwomanwasmovingournativeisle。FirstshetriedtheUniversityofLondon；andthatsetsupforaliberalfoundation。Answer——"Ourcharterisexpresslyframedtoexcludewomenfrommedicalinstruction。"

"ThenshesatdowntobesiegeEdinburgh。Now，Edinburghisaveryremarkableplace。Ithasonlyhalfthehouses，buttentimestheintellect，ofLiverpoolorManchester。Andtheuniversityhastwoadvantagesasahomeof_science_overtheEnglishuniversities:itisfarbehindtheminGreek，whichisthelanguageoferrorandnescience，andbeforetheminEnglish，andthatisatongueagooddealofknowledgeisprintedin。EdinburghistheonlycenterofBritishliterature，exceptLondon。

"Onemedicalprofessorreceivedthepioneerwithaconciseseverity，anddeclinedtohearherpleadhercause，andonereceivedheralmostbrutally。Hesaid，"Norespectablewomanwouldapplytohimtostudymedicine。"Now，respectablewomenwerestudyingitalloverEurope。"

"Well，butperhapshissoullivedinanisland。"

"Thatisso。However，personalapplicantsmustexpectarubortwo；andmostoftheprofessors，inandoutofmedicine，treatedherwithkindnessandcourtesy。

"Still，shefoundeventhefriendlyprofessorsalarmedattheideaofawomanmatriculating，andbecoming_CivisEdinensis；_soshemadeamoderateapplicationtotheSenate，viz。，forleavetoattendmedicallectures。Thisrequestwasindorsedbyamajorityofthemedicalprofessors，andgranted。Butontheappealofafewmedicalprofessorsagainstit，theSenatesuspendeditsresolution，onthegroundthattherewasonlyoneapplicant。

"Thisgotwind，andotherladiescameintothefielddirectly，yourhumbleservantamongthem。ThentheSenatefeltboundtorecommendtheUniversityCourttoadmitsuchfemalestudentstomatriculateascouldpassthepreliminaryexamination；thisisinhistory，logic，languages，andotherbranches；andwepreparedforitingoodfaith。Itwasahappytime:afteragoodday"swork，IusedtogouptheCaltonHill，orArthur"sSeat，andviewthesea，andthePiraens，andtheviolethills，andtheromanticundulationsofthecityitself，andmyheartglowedwithloveofknowledge，andwithhonorableambition。Iranoverthenamesofworthywomenwhohadadornedmedicineatsundrytimesandindiversplaces，andresolvedtodeserveasgreatanameasanyinhistory。

Refreshedbymywalk——Igenerallywalkedeightmiles，andpracticedgymnasticstokeepmymuscleshard——Iusedtoreturntomylittlelodgings；andtheytooweresweettome，forIwaslearninganewscience——logic。"

"Thatwasanuttocrack。"

"Ihavemetfeweasierorsweeter。Onenon-observerhadtoldmeitwasashamscience，andmerepedantry；another，thatitpretendedtoshowmenawaytotruthwithoutobserving。Ifound，onthecontrary，thatitwasaveryprettylittlescience，whichdoesnotaffecttodiscoverphenomena，butsimplytoguardmenagainstrashgeneralization，andfalsedeductionsfromtruedata；ittaughtmetheuntrainedworldisbrimfuloffallaciesandverbalequivoquesthatoughtnottopuzzleachild，but，whenevertheycreepintoanargument，doactuallyconfoundthelearnedandthesimplealike，andallforwantofamonth"slogic。

"Yes，Iwashappyonthehill，andhappybythehearth；andsothingswentontillthepreliminaryexaminationcame。Itwasnotsevere；weladiesallpassedwithcredit，thoughmanyofthemaleaspirantsfailed。"

"Howdoyouaccountforthat?"askedVizard。

"Withmyeyes。I_observe_thattheaveragemaleisverysuperiorinintellecttotheaveragefemale；andI_observe_thatthepickedfemaleisimmeasurablymoresuperiortotheaveragemale，thantheaveragemaleistotheaveragefemale。"

"Isitsosimpleasthat?"

"Ay；whynot?What!areyouoneofthosewhobelievethatTruthisobscure——hidesherself——andliesinawell?Itellyou，_sir，_Truthliesinnowell。TheplaceTruthliesinis——_themiddleoftheturnpikeroad。_Butoneoldfogyputsonhisgreenspectaclestolookforher，andanotherhisred，andanotherhisblue；andsotheyallmissher，becausesheisacolorlessdiamond。Thosespectaclesarepreconceivednotions，_"apriori_reasoning，cant，prejudice，thedepthofMr。Shallow"sinnerconsciousness，etc。，etc。Thencomestheobserver，openstheeyesthatGodhasgivenhim，tramplesonallcoloredspectacles，andfindsTruthassurelyasthespectacledtheoristsmissher。Saythattheintellectoftheaveragemaleistotheaveragefemaleastentosix，itistotheintellectofthepickedfemaleastentoahundredandfifty，orevenless。Now，theintellectofthemaleEdinburghstudentwasmuchabovethatoftheaveragemale，butstillitfellfarbelowthatofthepickedfemale。AlltheexaminationsatEdinburghshowedthistoallGod"sunspectacledcreaturesthatusedtheireyes。"

TheseremarkshitVizardhard。Theyaccordedwithhisowngoodsenseandmethodofarguing；butperhapsmymorecarefulreadersmayhavealreadyobservedthis。Henoddedheartyapprovalforonce，andshewenton:

"Wehadnowarighttomatriculateandenteronourmedicalcourse。But，toourdismay，therightwassuspended。Theproofsofourgeneralproficiency，whichwehopedwouldreconciletheprofessorstousasstudentsofmedicine，alarmedpeople，andraisedusunscrupulousenemiesinsomewhowerejustlyrespected，andotherswhohadinfluence，thoughtheyhardlydeservedit。

"AgeneralcounciloftheuniversitywascalledtoreconsiderthepledgetheSenatehadgivenus，andoverawetheuniversitycourtbytheweightofacademicopinion。Thecourtitselfwasfluctuating，andreadytoturneitherway。Alargenumberofmalestudentsco-operatedagainstuswithapetition。They，too，werealittlevexedatourrespectablefigureinthepreliminaryexamination。

"Theassemblymetandtheunionoratorgotup；hewasapreacheroftheGospel，andcarriedtheweightofthatoffice。Christianity，aswellasscience，seemedtoriseagainstusinhisperson。Hemadealongandeloquentspeech，basedontheintelligentsurmisesandpopularprejudicesthatwerediffusedinahundredleadingarticles，andinletterstotheeditorbymenandwomen，towhomhistorywasadeadletterinmoderncontroversies；forthePressbattledthismatterfortwoyears，andfurnishedeachpartywithanartilleryofreasons，_pro_and_con。_

"Hesaid，"Woman"ssphereisthehearthandthehome:toimpairherdelicacyistotakethebloomfromthepeach:shecouldnotqualifyformedicinewithoutmasteringanatomyandsurgery——branchesthatmustunsexher。Providence，intendinghertobeman"shelpmate，nothisrival，hadgivenherabodyunfitforwarorhardlabor，andabrainfourounceslighterthanaman"s，andunabletocopewithlongstudyandpracticalscience。Inshort，shewastoogood，andtoostupid，formedicine。"

"Itwaseloquent，butitwas_"apriori_reasoning，andconjecture_versus_evidence:yettheapplauseitmetwithshowedonehowhappyistheorator"quihurleaveclesloups。"Takingthescientificpreacher"swholetheoryintheologyandscience，womanwashighenoughincreationtobethemotherofGod，butnothighenoughtobeasawbones。

"Well，aprofessorof_belles-lettres_roseonourside，notwitharivaltheory，butwithfacts。HewasapupilofLordBacon，andamanofthenineteenthcentury；soheobjectedto_"apriori_reasoningonamatterofexperience。Tosettlethequestionofcapacityhegavealonglistofwomenwhohadbeenfamousinscience。SuchasBettesiaGozzadini，NovellaAndrea，NovellaCalderini，MaddelenaBuonsignori，andmanymore，whoweredoctorsoflawanduniversityprofessors:DoroteaBocohi，whowasprofessorbothofphilosophyandmedicine；LauraBassi，whowaselectedprofessorofphilosophyin1732byacclamation，andafterwardprofessorofexperimentalphysics；AnnaManzolini，professorofanatomyin1760；

GaetauaAgnesi，professorofmathematics；ChristinaRoccati，doctorofphilosophyin1750；ClotildeTambroni，professorofGreekin1793；MariaDalleDonne，doctorofmedicinein1799；ZaffiraFerretti，doctorofmedicinein1800；MariaSega，doctorofmedicinein1799；MadalenaNoe，graduateofcivillawin1807。Ladiesinnumerable，whograduatedinlawandmedicineatPavia，Ferrara，andPadua，includingElenaLucreziaCornaroofPadua，averyfamouswoman。AlsoinSalamanca，Alcala"，Cordova，henamedmorethanonefamousdoctress。AlsoinHeidelberg，Gottingen，Giessen，Wurzburg，etc。，andevenatUtrect，withnumberlessgraduatesintheartsandfacultiesatMontpellierandParisinallages。

Alsooutsidereputations，asofDoctorBouvinandhermother，acknowledgedcelebritiesintheirbranchofmedicine。Thischain，hesaid，hasneverbeenreallybroken。Therewasscarcelyagreatforeignuniversitywithoutsomefemalestudentofhighreputation。ThereweresuchwomenatViennaandPetersburg；manysuchatZurich。AtMontpellierMademoiselleDoumerguewascarryingallbeforeher，andMissGarrettandMissMaryPutnamatParis，thoughtheywereweightedintheracebyaforeignlanguage。LetthemaleEnglishphysicianpassastiffexaminationinscientificFrenchbeforehebrayedsoloud。Hehadneverdoneityet。

This，hesaid，isnotanageofchimeras；itisawiseandwaryage，whichhasestablishedinallbranchesoflearningasuretestofabilityinmanorwoman——publicexaminationfollowedbyapublicreport。Thesepublicexaminationsareallconductedbymales，andwomenarepassingthemtriumphantlyalloverEuropeandAmerica，andgraduateasdoctorsineverycivilizedcountry，andeveninhalf-civilizedRussia。

"Hethenwentintoourownlittlepreliminaryexamination，andgavethestatistics:InLatinwereexamined55menand3women:10menwererejected，butnowomen；7menwererespectable，7_optimi，_orfirst-rate，1woman_bona，_and1_optima。_Inmathematicswereexamined67menand4women，ofwhom1womanwas_optima，_and1_bona:_10menwere_optimi，_and25_boni；_therestfailed。InGerman2menwereexamined，and1woman:1manwasgood，and1woman。Inlogic28menwereexamined，and1woman:thewomancameoutfifthinrank，andshehadonlybeenatitamonth。Inmoralphilosophy16menwereexamined；and1

woman:thewomancameoutthird。Inarithmetic，51menand3women:2menwere_optimi，_and1woman_optima；_severalmenfailed，andnotonewoman。Inmechanics，81menand1woman:thewomanpassedwithfaircredit，asdid13men；therestfailing。InFrenchwereexamined58menand4women:3menand1womanwererespectable；8menand1womanpassed；twowomenattainedthehighestexcellence，_optimoe，_andnotoneman。InEnglish，63menand3women:3menweregood，and1woman；but2

womenwere_optimoe，_andonly1man。"

"Fancyyourememberingfigureslikethat，"saidVizard。

"Itisalltrainingandhabit，"saidshe，simply。