120 MARRIAGE AND DISEASE. 



truth, and even common honesty are unknown, but 

 in woman the descent is even more rapid and terrible. 

 Once launched upon the downward journey her course 

 is not to be stayed. To every deep she finds a lower 

 depth; her home, her husband, her family, her very 

 honour, are, in turn, given a sacrifice to the demon 

 who is not to be appeased. 



Yet after all that has been said and written on 

 this subject, these unfortunate creatures are still mis- 

 understood, and when their inborn vice leads them 

 beyond the lines laid down for the guidance of the 

 mass, they are haled before a court of justice, and 

 punished like the thief or other law-breaker. As 

 might be anticipated, this seldom if ever does any 

 good, and if proof of this were wanted, it would be 

 found in the regularity with which they return, time 

 after time, to their place before the judgment- seat. 

 Who has not come across such passages in the reports 

 of the proceedings at our police courts as these : 



" A shoe rivetter made his fiftieth appearance at the 

 police court this morning, when he was charged with 

 being drunk and disorderly; and having, thanks to 

 the holiday-time, no money to pay for his 'jubilee,' 

 was sentenced to seven days." 



"Margaret Hearn, who is better known as 'Mog 

 the fireman,' in consequence of her once having ascended 

 a fire-escape when under the influence of drink, and 

 excusing herself on the ground that she did so 

 'because she had heard of Jacob's ladder, and wanted 

 to get to heaven/ was charged, before Sir John Bridge, 



