162 The Brontes: A Hundred Years After [June 1, 



There is reason why we Membei's of the Royal Institution should 

 consider the works of these remarkable women. Sir- Humphrey 

 Davy, lecturing" here in 1810, after speaking of the absolute necessity 

 of the strenuous cultivation of experimental philosophy in the 

 National Interest, concluded his lecture with a remarkable appeal 

 for the help that women could give to the movement : " Our doors 

 are open to all who wish to profit by knowledge, and I may venture 

 to hope, that even the female parts of our audiences will not 

 diminish, and that they will honour the place with an attention 

 which is independent of fashion, or the taste of the moment, and 

 connected with the use, the permanence and the pleasure of in- 

 tellectual acquisition." 



Here, as we know, women are exactly on the same level as men, 

 and have had our suffrage all these years. 



Speaking of women, he said : " Let them make it disgraceful for 

 men to be ignorant, and ignorance will vanish, and that part of 

 their empire founded upon mental improvement will be strengthened 

 and exalted by time, will be untouched by age, and will be immortal 

 in its youth." 



He added : " The maxim of improvers is — promote whatever can 

 tend to assist the progress of the human mind, and Letters ivill always 

 he the most powerful engine to this effect. That which is beautiful, 

 that which is pathetic, that which is sublime, can never lose its effect." 



It is, encouraged by his eloquent words uttered here more than a 

 hundred years ago, that I have ventured to recall these great, almost 

 the greatest, of women writers to your attention. 



[J. H. B. B.] 



GENERAL MONTHLY MEETING, 

 Monday, June 4, 11)17. 



His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K.G., President, 

 in the Chair. 



Mrs. E. Harriman Dickinson, 



Alfred Dobree, 



Mrs. Florence Stacpoole, 



were elected Members. 



The Presents received since the last Meeting were laid on the 

 table, and the thanks of the Members returned for the same, viz. : — 



