The Higher Education of Women. 95 



in Ireland. It was an Ulster woman who first got this privilege 

 for her sex, and thus secured women's rights as far as the 

 inheritance of land was concerned. This lady was the daughter 

 of the Chief Poet of Ulster. Up to her time women could not 

 inherit land ; if a father died without sons the land went to the 

 nearest male relative. She succeeded in getting this law repealed, 

 and afterwards women had equal rights with men to inheritance 

 of land. 



Mr. Martin. — During my own vacation some little time aoo, 

 I heard a great deal about the position of the lecturer of this 

 evening, and the interest he has taken in regard to the education 

 of women. I heard that his lecture on that subject had 

 accomplished a great deal of good in Scotland and England, and 

 it occurred to me that I might utilse a little leisure by seeking 

 an interview with our lecturer, which I did, and try to persuade 

 him to come over here and give us the benefit of his experience. 

 He is really the leading authority in regard to this question. 

 The only objection I have to his views is this, I think that the 

 educators of women and the wise men would do a great deal of 

 good to society provided they advanced just a little farther. I 

 should like to see our women getting their place in the 

 Universities as fully as the men, and be at liberty to record 

 their opinions by vote. I do hope that this is only the first of 

 a little series of lectures that we may have in this city from 

 this very emiment educationalist. 



Professor FitzGerald. — I don't think I need say anything 

 in addition to putting the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. 

 Redfern and supported by Miss Tod, Mr. Gray, and Mr. Martin. 

 It seems to me that the information given us is of extremely 

 great value, because the study of the history of women's higher 

 education shows that many of those terrible consequences which 

 have often been anticipated have not ensued in past times, and 

 we are therefore justified in concluding that they are not likely 

 to ensue in any future time. One might take many of the 

 Professor's lectures as texts, and, as he says, expand them to a 

 much greater length, but from want of time and information on 



