Human Physiology. 



give too much encouragement to their humble admirers. There 

 would be in every such society a public opinion that would go 

 far to regulate all its affairs and relations. If this difficulty 

 could be removed, I can have no doubt that mixed education 

 would be found to have great advantages for both sexes over 

 the present system. If we ever come to a social state in which 

 the real character and worth of a man or woman will be more 

 valued than rank, or fortune, or artificial position, there will be 

 a real advantage in the free association of the sexes, and no 

 harm if the friendships formed in childhood and youth from 

 genuine attraction should ripen into love, and be consummated 

 in marriage. 



The question of safety from sexual peril is wider than that of 

 a choice of the mode of education. Absolute seclusion, or 

 constant oversight of women up to the period of marriage, is 

 the rule in many countries. Then the wife is handed over to 

 her husband, and he takes his own measures for securing her 

 fidelity. This care, however, is bestowed only on women. 

 The purity of men is in no danger, or it is of no consequence. 

 But in countries of freer manners in England, where girls 

 have a great deal of liberty, and in America, where they are the 

 queens of society and rule with undisputed empire how guard 

 against the dangers of seduction ? In England a seducer can be 

 sued by the father or husband, and juries sometimes give heavy 

 damages; but in ninety-nine cases in a hundred the aggrieved 

 parties avoid the disgrace of a public law-suit. If seduction 

 were a penal offence, it would be the same. Not in one case 

 in a hundred would the crime be prosecuted. Where girls and 

 women are not protected by their parents, or relatives, or the 

 laws, I see but one way left. They must be taught to protect 

 themselves. And this self-protection may be in all cases the 

 best remedy. 



It is well for the young of both sexes to know the nature, 

 and the perils, of the sexual relation. It is well for young men 



