STRONG-MINDED WOMEN. 245 



where, we found trout not large, none weighing over six 

 ounces, and few less than three. We caught my basket full 

 in less then two hours, and then rode home. It was a day 

 of enjoyment to us, you may be sure. 



" And now I appeal to yon, in all seriousness, my friend," 

 the Doctor continued, addressing himself to Spalding, " if 

 there is not something due to the wives and mothers of the 

 present generation ? Is there not some relaxation of the 

 law necessary in vindication of the civilization of the age, 

 against the legal barbarisms still remaining on the statute 

 books, and adhered to by the common law, in regard to 

 wives and mothers ? Is the current of progress to flow by 

 them for ever, bearing no reforms which shall affect them ? 

 Do not misunderstand me. I am no advocate of the practices 

 of the ' strong-minded women/ who hold their conventions 

 and public meetings, who unsex themselves by mounting the 

 forum, and, throwing off the retiring modesty of the true 

 woman, seek to secure notoriety at the price of popular con- 

 tempt. But there are evils which bear heavily, too heavily, 

 upon the women even of this country, and which, for the credit 

 of the civilization of the age, should be corrected. As calm- 

 minded, philanthropic men, we, the American people, should 

 look into this subject, and, regardless of jeer and scoff, do 

 what justice, humanity, and the right demand of Us, in 

 regard to some of the social and legal inequalities between 

 the sexes, pertaining to the married state." 



" It is one of the mysteries of our system of jurisprudence," 

 replied Spalding, " that while everything else is on the move, 



