WOMAN'S PLACE IN NATURE 135 



basis, and, although it may sound harsh in these days, served a 

 good purpose in maintaining a true ideal. Even the feminine 

 fashions and adornments were a recognition, often unconscious 

 it is true, of the importance of secondary sexual characteristics. 

 The mind and the body react upon each other ; mental conditions 

 influence the internal secretions, and as is well known, the 

 internal secretions have a profound effect upon the mind. The 

 woman who was afraid of a mouse gladly braved the risks 

 of childbirth and bore her pains without the use of anaesthetics. 

 The restrictions imposed upon her activity by bearing and 

 suckling her children were not deplored as unfair limitations 

 of her career, but were accepted either with joy as a holy duty 

 or as a matter of course. It would have been an insult to suggest 

 that she lacked in the least degree the maternal instincts so 

 well developed in many of the lower animals. The true mother 

 toiling for her husband and children did not deplore her lot 

 or consider herself a slave or martyr any more than the sailor 

 or miner regards himself as a hero in running risks of ship- 

 wreck or explosion. She was not worried by ideas of equality 

 with man ; she knew full well that in many respects she was 

 superior, and as such claimed and obtained exceptional treat- 

 ment and respect. Her womanly charm was more effectual 

 than reason in influencing man in her favour ; her natural tact 

 and intuition were more useful than a logical argument. The 

 fact that she was educated and trained along special lines was 

 no reflection upon her mental or physical capacity ; it was a 

 recognition of the ideal division of life's labour and purpose. 

 The limitation of the means of earning a living was not a 

 grievance, for domestic service, teaching, and nursing were 

 responsible duties which formed the best training for a woman 

 whose future was in married life. 



On all these points a biological defence, if defence be needed, 

 can be offered, and there is little doubt that, even if the new 

 women increase in influence by obtaining votes, the majority of 

 women will maintain their position by those qualities which 

 have served them so well in the past. The old-fashioned ideal 

 is not debased because it is sexual and has an origin in animal 

 instincts. The slur cast upon our Victorian mothers has not 

 been properly resented. It is true that they did not glory in 

 competing in mental and physical contests with men, but they 

 could and did bear and rear large and healthy families. The 



