100 Z2l8p 1869 '■''''i;v' i?&7, n-o . 5 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, BY WALKER, WISE, ASD CO. In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. CAMBRIDGE: PRESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON. PREFACE. It is due to myself to say, that the manner in which the Autobiography is subordinated to the general subject in the present volume, and also the manner in which it is veiled by the title, are con- cessions to the modesty of her who had the best right to decide in what fashion I should profit by her goodness, and are very far from being my own choice. Caroline H. Dall. 49. Bradford Street, Boston, Oct. 30,1860. TO THE HON. SAMUEL E. SEWALL, FAITHFUL ALWAYS TO "WOMEN AND WORK," AND ONE OF THE BEST FRIENDS OF (% ^efos@nglanb female Pebital Colkge, THE EDITOR GRATEFULLY DEDICATES THIS VOLUME. " The men (who are prating, too, on their side) cry, ' A woman's function plainly is ... to talk.' " " What He doubts is, whether we can do the thing With decent grace we've not yet done at all. Now do it." " Bring your statue: You have room." " None of us is mad enough to say We'll have a grove of oaks upon that slope, And sink the need of acorns." & practical Illustration OF "WOMAN'S BIGHT TO LABOR" TT never happens that a true and forcible word is spoken for women, that, however faithless and unbelieving women themselves may be, some noble men do not with heart and hand attempt to give it efficiency. If women themselves are hard upon their own sex, men are never so in earnest. They realize more profoundly than women the depth of affection and self-denial in the womanly soul; and they feel also, with crushing certainty, the real significance of the obstacles they have themselves placed in woman's way. Reflecting men are at this moment ready to help women to enter wider fields of labor, because, on the one side, the destitution and vice they have helped to create appalls their consciousness; and, l 2 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF on the other, a profane inanity stands a perpetual blasphemy in the face of the Most High. I do not exaggerate. Every helpless woman is such a blasphemy. So, indeed, is every helpless man, where helplessness is not born of idiocy or calamity ; but society neither expects, provides for, nor defends, helpless men. So it happened, that, after the publication of " "Woman's Right to Labor," generous men came forward to help me carry out my plans. The best printer in Boston said, " I am willing to take women into my office at once, if you can find women Avho will submit to an apprenticeship like men." On the same conditions, a distinguished chemist offered to take a class of women, and train them to be first-class apothecaries or scientific ob- servers, as they might choose. To these offers there were no satisfactory responses. " Yes," said the would-be printers, "we will go into an office for six months ; but, by that time, our oldest sisters will be married, and our mothers will want us at home." "An apprenticeship of six years!" exclaimed the young lady of a chemical turn. " I should like to learn very much, so that I could be a chemist, if I ever had to ; but poison myself for six years "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 3 over those 'fumes,' not I." It is easy to rail against society and men in general: but it is very painful for a woman to confess her heaviest obsta- cle to success ; namely, the weakness of women. The slave who dances, unconscious of degrada- tion, on the auction-block, is at once the greatest stimulus and the bitterest discouragement of the antislavery reformer : so women, contented in ignominious dependence, restless even to insanity from the need of healthy employment and the perversion of their instincts, and confessedly look- ing to marriage for salvation, are at once a stimu- lus to exertion, and an obstacle in our way. But no kind, wise heart will heed this obstacle. Having spoken plain to society, having won the sympathy of men, let us see if we cannot compel the attention of these well-disposed but thoughtless damsels. " Six years out of the very bloom of our lives to be spent in the printing-office or the laboratory ! " exclaim the dismayed band; and they flutter out of reach along the sidewalks of Beacon Street, or through the mazes of the " Lancers." But what happens ten years afterward, when, from twenty-six to thirty, they find themselves pushed off the pave, or left to blossom on the wall ? Desolate, because father and brother have died; 4 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF disappointed, because well-founded hopes of a home or a " career" have failed ; impoverished, because they depended on strength or means that are bro- ken, — what have they now to say to the printing- office or the apothecary's shop ? They enter both gladly; with quick woman's wit, learning as much in six months as men would in a year ; but grum- bling and discontented, that, in competing with men who have spent their whole lives in preparation, they can only be paid at half-wages. What does common sense demand, if not that women should make thorough preparation for trades or profes- sions ; and, having taken up a resolution, should abide by all its consequences like men ? Before cases like these my lips are often sealed, and my hands drop paralyzed. Not that they alter Grod's truth, or make the duty of protest against existing wrong any less incumbent: but they obscure the truth ; they needlessly complicate the duty. Perplexed and anxious, I have often felt that what I needed most was an example to set before young girls, — an example not removed by su- periority of station, advantage of education, or unwonted endowment, beyond their grasp and imi- tation. There was Florence Nightingale. But her fa- " WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 5 ther had a title: it was fair to presume that her opportunities were titled also. All the girls I knew wished they could have gone to the Crimea ; while I was morally certain, that the first amputation would have turned them all faint. There was Dorothea Dix : she had money and time. It was not strange that she had great success ; for she started, a monomaniac in philanthropy, from the summit of personal independence. Mrs. John Stuart Mill: had she ever wanted bread ? George Sand: the woman wasn't respectable. In short, whomso- ever I named, who had pursued with undeviating perseverance a worthy career, my young friends had their objections ready. No one had ever been so poor, so ill educated, so utterly without power to help herself, as they; and, provoking as these objections were, I felt that they had force. My young friends Avere not great geniuses: they were ordinary women, who should enter the ordi- nary walks of life with the ordinary steadfastness and devotion of men in the same paths; nothing more. What I wanted was an example, — not too stilted to be useful, — a life flowing out of circum- stances not dissimilar to their own, but marked by a steady will, an unswerving purpose. As I looked back over my own life, and wished I could read 6 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF them its lessons, — and I looked back a good way; for I Avas very young, Avhen the miserable destitu- tion of a drunkard's wife, whom I assisted, shoAved me Iioav comfortable a thing it Avas to rest at the mercy of the English common laAV, — as I looked back over my long interest in the position of woman, I felt that my greatest draAvback had been the Avant of such an example. Every practical experiment that the world recorded had been made under such peculiar circumstances, or from such a fortuitous height, that it Avas at once rejected as a lesson. One thing I felt profoundly: as men soav they must reap ; and so must Avomen. The practical misery of the world — its terrible impurity Avill never be abated till Avomen prepare themselves from their earliest years to enter the arena of which they are ambitious, and stand there at last mature and calm, but, above all, thoroughly trained; trained also at the side of the men, with Avhom they must ultimately work; and not likely, there- fore, to lose balance or fitness by being throAvn, at the last moment, into unaccustomed relations. A great deal of nonsense has been talked lately about the unwillingness of women to enter the reading- room of the Cooper Institute, where men also resort. "WOMAN'S EIGHT TO LABOR." 7 "A woman's library," in any city, is one of the partial measures that I deprecate: so I only par- tially rejoice over the late establishment of such a library in New York. I look upon it as one of those half-measures Avhich must be endured in the progress of any desired reform; and, while I Avish the Cooper Institute and its reading-room God- speed with every fibre of my consciousness, I have no Avords with Avhich to express my shame at the mingled hypocrisy and indelicacy of those who ob- ject to use it. What Avoman stays at home from a ball because she Avill meet men there ? What Avoman refuses to walk Broadway in the presence of the stronger sex ? What Avoman refuses to buy every article of her apparel from the hands of a man, or to let the woman's tailor or shoemaker take the measure of her Avaist or foot; try on and approve her coiffure or bernouse ? What are Ave to think, then, of the delicacy Avhich shrinks from the reading-room frequented by men; which discovers so suddenly that magazines are more embarrassing than mazourkas ; that to read in a cloak and hat before a man is more indelicate than to Avaltz in his presence half denuded by fashion ? Of course, we are to have no patience with it, 8 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF and to refuse utterly to entertain a remonstrance so beneath propriety. The object of my whole life has been to inspire in Avomen a desire for thorough training to some special end, and a willingness to share the training of men both for specific and moral reasons. Only by sharing such training can women be sure that they will be well trained ; only by God-ordained, natural communion of all men and Avomen can the highest moral results be reached. "Freelabor and free society:" I have said often to myself, in these two phrases lies hidden the future purification of society. When men and women go everywhere together, the sights they dare not see together will no longer exist. Fair and serene will rise before them all heights of possible attainment; and, looking off over the valleys of human endeavor together, they will clear the forest, drain the morass, and improve the in- terval, stirred by a common impulse. When neither has any thing to hide from the other, no social duty will seem too difficult to be undertaken; and, Avhen the interest of each sex is to secure the purity of the other, neither religion nor humanity need despair of the result. It was while fully absorbed in thoughts and "woman's right to labor." 9 purposes like these, that, in the autumn of 1856, I first saw Marie Zakrzewska.* During a short visit to Boston (for she was then resident in New York), a friend brought her before a physiological institute, and she addressed its members. She spoke to them of her experience in the hos- pital at Berlin, and shoAved that the most sinning, suffering Avoman never passed beyond the reach of a woman's sympathy and help. She had not, at that time, thoroughly mastered the English lan- guage ; though it Avas quite evident that she Avas fluent, even to eloquence, in German. Now and then, a word failed her ; and, with a sort of indig- nant contempt at the emergency, she forced unac- customed Avords to do her service, Avith an adroit- ness and determination that I never saw equalled. I got from it a new reAelation of the poAver of the English language. She illustrated her noble and nervous thoughts Avith incidents from her OAvn ex- perience, one of Avhich Avas told in a manner Avhich impressed it for ever on my consciousness. " Soon after I entered the hospital," said Marie, " the nurse called me to a ward where sixteen of the most forlorn objects had begun to fight with * Pronounced Zak-shef-ska. 10 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF each other. The inspector and the young physi- cians had been called to them, but dared not enter the melee. When I arrived, pilloAvs, chairs, foot- stools, and vessels had deserted their usual places ; and one stout little Avoman, Avith rolling eyes and tangled hair, lifted a vessel of slops, Avhioh she threatened to throw all over me, as she exclaimed, ' Don't dare to come here, you green young thing!' " I went quietly toAvards her, saying gently, ' Be ashamed, my dear woman, of your fury.' " Her hands dropped. Seizing me by the shoul- der, she exclaimed,' You don't mean that you look on me as a Avoman ?' " ' Hoav else ?' I ansAvered ; while she retreated to her bed, all the rest standing in the attitudes into Avhich passion had thrown them. "'Arrange your beds,' I said; 'and in fifteen minutes let me return, and find eArery thing right.' When I returned, all Avas as I had desired ; every Avoman standing at her bedside. The short Avoman was missing; but, bending on each a friendly glance, I passed through the Avard, Avhich never gave me any more trouble. "When, late at night, I entered my room, it was fragrant Avith violets. A green Avreath sur- rounded an old Bible, and a little bouquet rested "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 11 upon it. I did not pause to speculate over this sentimentality, but threw myself weary upon the bed; Avhen a light tap at the door startled me. The short woman entered; and humbling herself on the floor, since she would not sit in my pre- sence, entreated to be heard. " ' You called me a woman,' she said, ' and you pity us. Others call us by the name the world gives us. You Avould help us, if help were possible. All the girls love you, and are ashamed before you; and therefore / hate you — no : I will not hate you any longer. There was a time Avhen I might have been saved, — I and Joanna and Margaret and Louise. We were not bad. Listen to me. If you say there is any hope, I will yet be an honest woman.1 " She had had respectable parents ; and, Avhen twenty years old, Avas deserted by her lover, who left her three months pregnant. Otherwise kind, her family perpetually reproached her Avith her disgrace, and threatened to send her away. At last, she fled to Berlin ; keeping herself from utter starvation, by needleAvork. In the hospital to which she Avent for confinement, she took the small-pox. When she came out, Avith her baby in her arms, her face Avas covered Avith red blotches. Not even 12 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF the loAvest refuge was open to her, her appearance was so frightful. With her baby dragging at her empty breast, she Avandered through the streets. An old hag took pity on both ; and, carefully nursed till health returned, her good humor and native Avit made those about her forget her ugly face. She was in a brothel, where she soon took the lead. Her child died, and she once more attempted to earn her living as a seamstress. She was saved from starvation only by her employer, who received her as his mistress. Now her luck changed : she suffered all a woman could ; handled poison and the firebrand. * I thought of stealing,' she said, ' only as an amusement: it was not exciting enough for a trade.' She found her- self in prison ; and was amused to be punished for a trifle, when nobody suspected her crime. It was horrible to listen to these details; more horrible to Avitness her first repentance. " When I thanked her for her violets, she kissed my hands, and promised to be good. " While she remained in the hospital, I took her as my servant, and trusted every thing to her • and, Avhen finally discharged, she went out to ser- vice. She wished to come with me to America. I could not bring her; but she followed, and, "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 13 when I was in Cleveland, inquired for me in NeAv York." It will be impossible, for those who have not heard such stories from the lips and in the dens of the sufferers, to feel as I felt when this di-opped from the pure lips of the lecturer. For the first time I saAv a woman who knew what I knew, felt what I felt, and was strong in purpose and power to accomplish our common aim, — the uplifting of the fallen, the employment of the idle, and the purification of society. I needed no farther introduction to Marie Zakr- zewska. I knew nothing of her previous history or condition ; but when I looked upon her clear, broad forehead, I saw "Faithful unto death" bound across it like a phylactery. I did not know how many years she had studied; but I saw thorough- ness ingrained into her very muscle. I asked no questions of the clear, strong gaze that pierced the assembly ; but I felt very sure that it could be as tender as it was keen. For the first time I saw a woman in a public position, about whom I felt thoroughly at ease; competent to all she had undertaken, and who had undertaken nothing whose full relations to her sex and society she did not understand. 14 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF I thanked God for the sight, and very little thought that I should see her again. She came once more, and Ave helped her to establish the Women's Infirmary in NeAv York; again, and Ave installed her as Resident Physician in the New- England Female Medical College. I had never felt any special interest in this college. I Avas willing it should exist as one of the half-way measures of which I have spoken, — like the reading-room in NeAv York ; but I was bent on opening the colleges which alreafly existed to women, and I left it to others to nurse the'young life of this. The first medical men, I felt assured, Avould never, in the present state of public opinion, take an interest in a female college ; and I desired, above all things, to protect women from second-rate instruction. But, when Marie Zakrzewska took up her resi- dence in Springfield Street, it was impossible to feel indifferent. Here was a woman born to inspire faith; meeting all men as her equals till they proved themselves superior; capable of spreading a contagious fondness for the study of medicine, as Dr. Black once kindled a chemical enthusiasm in Edinburgh. Often did I ponder her past life, Avhich had left "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 15 significant lines on face and form. We met seldom, — always with perfect trust. Whatever I might have to say, I should have felt sure of being understood, if I hud not seen her for six months ; nor could she have failed to find a welcome in my heart for any Avords of hers. Then I heard the course of lectures Avhich she delivered to ladies in the spring of 1860. For the first time, I heard a Avoman speak of scientific sub- jects in a Avay that satisfied me ; nor should I have blushed to find scientific men among her audience. I had felt, from the first, that her life might do Avhat my Avords never could : namely, inspire Avomen Avith faith to try their own experiments ; give them a dignity, Avhich should refuse to look forward to marriage as an end, while it Avoukl lead them to accept it gladly as a providential help. I did not fear that she Avould be untrue to her vocation, or easily forsake it for a more domestic sphere. She had not entered it, I could see, Avithout measuring her own purpose and its use. It Avas with such feelings, and such knoAvledge of Marie, that in a private conversation, last sum- mer, Avith Miss Mary L. Booth of New York, I heard Avith undisguised pleasure that she had in her possession an autobiography of her friend, in 16 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF the form of a letter. I really longed to get posses- sion of that letter so intensely, that I dared not ask to see it: but I urged Miss Booth to get con- sent to its publication ; " for," I said, " no single thing will help my work, I am convinced, so much." " I look forward to its publication," she replied, " Avith great delight: it will be the sole labor of loAre, of my literary life. But neither you nor I believe in reputations which death and posterity have not confirmed. What reasons could I urge to Marie for its present publication ? " " The good of her own sex," I replied, " and a better knowledge of the intimate relations existing between free labor and a pure society. I know nothing of our friend's early circumstances ; but I cannot be mistaken in the imprint they have left. This is one of those rare cases, in Avhich a life may belong to the public before it has closed." I returned to Boston. Later in the season, Miss Booth visited Dr. Zakrzewska. Imagine my surprise Avhen she came to me one day, and laid before me the coveted manuscript. "It is yours," she said, " to publish if you choose. I have got Marie's consent. She gave it very reluctantly; but her convictions accord with yours, and she does not think she has any right to refuse. As % " AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 17 for me," Miss Booth continued, " I resign Avithout regret my dearest literary privilege, because I feel that the position you haAC earned in reference to ' Avoman's labor' entitles you to edit it." In an intervieAv which I afterAvards held with Marie Zakrzewska, she gave me to understand, that, had she been of American birth, she would neA-er haA'e consented to the publication of her letter in her lifetime. ."But," she said, "I am a foreigner. You Avho meet me and sustain me are entitled to know something of my previous history. Those AA'hom I most loved are dead ; not a Avord of the record can pain them; not a Avord but may help some life just noAV beginning. It Avill make a good sequel to ' Woman's Right to Labor.'" " Only too good," I thought. " May God bless the lesson ! " *It Avas agreed betAveen Miss Booth and myself, that the autobiography should keep its original, simple form, to indicate Iioav and Avhy it Avas written: so I invite my friends to read it at once Avith me. Here is something as entertaining as a novel, and as useful as a treatise. Here is a story which must enchant the conservative, Avhile it in- spires the reformer. The someAvhat hazy forms of Drs. Schmidt and Muller, the king's order to 2 18 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF the rebellious electors, the historic prestige of a Prussian locality, — all these Avill lend a magic charm to the plain lesson which New York and Boston need. New York, September, 1857. Dear Mary, It is especially for your benefit that I write these facts of my life. I am not a great personage, either through inherited qualifications or the Avork that I have to show to the world; yet you may find, in reading this little sketch, that with few talents, and very moderate means for developing them, I have accomplished more than many women of genius and education would have done in my place, for the reason that confidence and faith in their own powers were wanting. And, for this reason, I know that this story might be of use to others, by encouraging those Avho timidly shrink from the field of action, though endowed with all that is necessary to enable them to come forth and do their part in life. The fact that a woman of no extraordinary poAvers can make her way by the simple determination, that whatever .she can do "woman's right to labor." 19 she will do, must inspire those who are fitted to do much, yet who do nothing because they are not accustomed to determine and decide for themselves. I do not intend to weary you Avith details of my childhood, as I think that children are generally very uninteresting subjects of conversation to any except their parents, who naturally discover what is beautiful and attractive in them, and appreciate what is said in correspondence with their own feelings. I shall, therefore, only tell you a feAV facts of this period of my life, which I think absolutely necessary to illustrate my character and nature. I was born in Berlin, Prussia, on the 6th of September, 1829 ; and am the eldest of a family of five sisters and one brother. My early child- hood passed happily, though heavy clouds of sorrow and care at times overshadoAved our family circle. I was of a cheerful disposition; and Avas always in good humor, even when sick. I Avas quiet and gentle in all my amusements : my chief delight consisting in telling stories to my sister, one year younger than myself, Avho Avas ahvays glad to listen :o these products of my imagination, Avhich were Avholly original ; for no stories Avere told me, nor had I any children's books. My heroes and heroines were generally distinguished for some 20 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF mental peculiarity, — being kind or cruel, active or indolent, — Avhich led them into all sorts of ad- ventures till it suited my caprice to terminate their career. In all our little affairs, I took the lead, planning and directing every thing; Avhile my playmates seemed to take it for granted, that it was their duty to carry out my commands. My memory is remarkable in respect to events that occurred at this time, while it always fails to recall dates and names. When twenty years of age, I asked my father what sort of a festival he took me to once, in company Avith a friend of his with only one arm, when Ave Avalked through meadows where daisies Avere blossoming in millions, and where we rode in carriages that went round continually until they were wound up. My father answered, with much surprise, that it was a public festival of the cabinet-makers, which Avas celebrated in a neighboring village ; and that I was, at that time, only nineteen months old. He was so much interested in my story, that I related another of my memories. One dark morning, my mother Avakened me, and hastened my dressing. After this was accomplished, she handed me a cup of something Avhich I had never tasted before, and which Avas as disagreeable as "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 21* assafoetida in later years. This was some coffee, which I had to take instead of my usual milk. Then I went with my father to the large park called Thiergarten, where we saw the sun rise. I began to spring about; looking at the big oaks which seemed"to reach into the heavens, or stooping down to pluck a floAver. Birds of all kinds were singing in chorus, while the flower-beds surround- ing the statue of Flora scented the pure morning air with the SAveetest of perfumes. The sun ascended, meanwhile, from the edge of a little pond covered with water-lilies. I was intoxicated with joy. The feeling of that morning is as fresh to-day as when I related this to my father. I know I walked till I got fairly tired, and we reached a solitary house beyond the park. Probably fatigue took entire possession of me; for I remember nothing more till we were on our way home, and the sun was setting. Then I begged for some large yellow plums which I saw in the stores. My father bought some, but gave me only a few; while I had a desire for all, and stole them secretly from his pockets ; so that, when we reached home, I had eaten them all. I was sick after I went to bed, and remember taking some horrible stuff the next morning (probably rhubarb); thus ending the day, '22 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF which had opened so poetically, in rather a prosaic manner. When I repeated this, my parents laughed, and said that I was only twenty-six months old, when my father's pride in his oldest child induced him to take me on this visit; Avhen I Avalked the whole way, Avhich was about nine miles. These anecdotes are Avorth preserving, only because they indicate an impressionable nature, and great per- sistence of muscular endurance. It is peculiar, that between these two events, and a third which occurred a year after, every thing should be a blank. A little brother Avas then born to me, and lay undressed upon a cushion, while my father cried with sobs. I had just completed my third year, and could not understand why, the next day, this little thing was carried off in a black box. From that time, I remember almost every day's life. I very soon began to manifest the course of my natural tendencies. Like most little girls, I was well provided with dolls ; and, on the day after a new one came into my possession, I generally discovered that the dear little thing was ill, and needed to be nursed and doctored. Porridges and teas were accordingly cooked on my little toy " AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 23 stove, and administered to the poor doll, until the papier-mache was thoroughly saturated and broken; when she was considered dead, and preparations were made for her burial, — this ceremony being repeated over and over again. White dresses were put on for the funeral; a cricket was turned upside-doAvn to serve as the coffin; my mother's flower-pots furnished the green leaves for decora- tion ; and I delivered the funeral oration in praise of the little sufferer, while placing her in the tomb improvised of chairs. I hardly ever joined the other children in their plays, except upon occasions like these, Avhen I appeared in the characters of doctor, priest, and undertaker ; generally improving the opportunity to moralize; informing my audience, that Ann (the doll) had died in consequence of disobeying her mother by going out before she had recovered from the measles, &c. Once I remember moving my audience to tears by telling them that little Ann had been killed by her brother, who, in amusing himself with picking off the dry skin after she had had the scarlatina, had carelessly torn off the real skin over the heart, as they could see; thus leaving it to beat in the air, and causing the little one to die. This happened after we had all had the scarlatina. 24 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF When five years old, I was sent to a primary school. Here I became the favorite of the teacher of arithmetic; for which study I had quite a fancy. The rest of the teachers disliked me. They called me unruly because I would not obey arbitrary de- mands without receiving some reason, and obstinate because I insisted on following my OAvn will when I knew that I was in the right. I was told that I was not worthy to be with my playmates ; and when I reached the highest class in the school, in which alone the boys and girls were taught separately, I was separated from the latter, and was placed with the boys by way of punishment, receiving instruc- tions with them from men, while the girls in the other class were taught by women. Here I found many friends. I joined the boys in all their sports ; sliding and snow-balling with them in winter, and running and playing ball in summer. With them I was merry, frank, and self-possessed; while with the girls I was quiet, shy, and awkward. I never made friends with the girls, or felt like ap- proaching them. Once only, when I was eleven years old, a girl in the young ladies' seminary in which I had been placed when eight years of age won my affection. This was Elizabeth Hohenhorst, a child of twelve, "AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 25 remarkably quiet, and disposed to melancholy. She was a devout Catholic ; and, knoAving that she was fated to become a nun, was fitting herself for that dreary destiny, which rendered her very sentimen- tal. She was full of fanciful visions, but extremely sweet and gentle in her manners. My love for her Avas unbounded. I went to church in her company, was present at all the religious festivals, and ac- companied her to receive religious instruction: in short, I made up my mind to become a Catholic, and, if possible, a nun like herself. My parents, who were Rationalists, belonging to no church, gave me full scope to follow out my own inclinations; leaving it to my nature to choose for me a fitting path. This lasted until Elizabeth Avent for the first time to the confessional; and, Avhen the poor innocent child could find no other sin of which to speak than the friendship which she cherished for a Protestant, the priest forbade her to continue this, until I, too, had become a Catholic ; reminding her of the holiness of her future career. The poor girl conscientiously promised to obey. When I came the next morning and spoke to her as usual, she turned aAvay from me, and burst into tears. Sur- prised and anxious, I asked Avhat Avas the matter; Avhen, in a voice broken with sobs, she told me the 26 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF whole story, and begged me to become a Catholic as soon as I was fourteen years old. Never in my whole life shall I forget that morning. For a moment, I gazed on her with the deepest emotion, pitying her almost more than myself; then suddenly turned coldly and calmly aAvay, Avithout answering a single word. My mind had aAvakened to the despotism of Roman Catholicism, and the church had lost its expected convert. I never Avent near her again, and never exchanged another word with her. This was the only friend I had during eight and a half years of uninterrupted attendance at school. A visit that I paid to my maternal grandfather, when seven or eight years old, made a strong im- pression on my mind. My grandfather, on his return from the war of 1813-15, in which he had served, had received from the authorities of Prenz- lau (the city in which he lived) a grant of a half- ruined cloister, Avith about a hundred acres of uncultivated land attached, by way of acknoAvledg- ment for his services. He removed thither with his family ; and shortly after invited the widows of some soldiers, who lived in the city, to occupy the apartments which he did not need. The habi- table rooms Avere soon filled to overfloAving Avith "AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 27 widoAvs and orphans, who Avent to Avork with him to cultivate the ground. It Avas not long before crippled and invalid soldiers arrived, begging to be allowed to repair the cloister, and to find a shelter also Avithin its walls. They were set to Avork at making brick, the material for Avhich my grand- father had discovered on his land: and, in about five years, an institution was built, the more valua- ble from the fact that none lived there on charity, but all earned Avhat they needed by cultivating the ground ; having first built their OAvn dAvelling, which, at this time, looked like a palace, surrounded by trees, grass, and flowers. Here, in the evening, the old soldiers sung martial songs, or told stories of the Avars to the orphans gathered about them, Avhile resting from the labors of the day. I tell you of this institution so minutely, to prove to you how Avrong it is to proA'ide charitable homes for the poor as AA'e provide them, — homes in Avhich the charity always humiliates and degrades the indi- vidual. Here you have an instance in which poor crippled invalids and destitute Avomen and children established and supported themselves, under the guidance of a clear-headed, benevolent man, Avho said, " Do Avhat you like, but work for Avhat you need." lie succeeded admirably, though he died a 28 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF very poor man ; his younger children becoming inmates of the establishment, until they were adopt- ed by their relatives. When I visited my grandfather, the " convent," as he insisted on calling it, — rejecting any name that would have indicated a charitable institution, — contained about a hundred invalid soldiers, a hun- dred old women, and tAVO hundred and fifty orphans. One of the wings of the building was fitted up as a hospital, and a feAv of the rooms Avere occupied by lunatics. It was my greatest delight to take my grandfather's hand at noon, as he walked up and down the dining-room, betAveen the long tables, around which Avere grouped so many cheerful, hearty faces ; and I stood before him Avith an ad- miration that it is impossible to describe, as he prayed, with his black velvet cap in his hand, be- fore and after dinner ; though I could not com- prehend why he should thank another person for what had been done, when every one there told me that all that they had they owed to my grand- father. One afternoon, on returning from the dining-room to his study, I spied on his desk a neatly Avritten manuscript. I took it up, and began to read. It was a dissertation on immortality, attempting by " WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 29 scientific arguments to prove its impossibility. I became greatly interested, and read on without noticing that my grandfather had left the room, nor that the large bell had rung to call the family to dinner. My grandfather, a very punctual man, who A\rould never allow lingering, came back to call and to reprimand me ; Avhen he suddenly started on seeing the paper in my hands, and, snatching it from me, tore it in pieces, exclaiming, " That man is insane, and Avill make this child so too !" A little frightened, I went to the dinner-table, think- ing as much about my grandfather's words as about what I had read ; Avithout daring, hoAvever, to ask who this man Avas. The next day, curiosity mas- tered fear. I asked my grandfather Avho had Avrit- ten that paper; and Avas told, in reply, that it was poor crazy Jacob. I then begged to see him ; but this my grandfather decidedly refused, saying that he Avas like a Avild beast, and lay, Avithout clothes, upon the straw. I kneAV nothing of lunatics ; and the idea of a Avild man stimulated my curiosity to such an extent, that, from that time, I teased my grandfather incessantly to let me see Jacob, until he finally yielded, to be rid of my importunity, and led me to the cell in Avhich he was confined. What a spectacle presented itself in the house that I had 30 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF looked on as the abode of so much comfort! On a bundle of straAV, in a corner of a room, Avith no furniture save its bare walls, sat a man, clad only in a shirt; Avith the left hand chained to the Avail, and the right foot to the floor. An inkstand stood on the floor by his side ; and on his knee was some paper, on Avhich he was Avriting. His hair and beard were uncombed, and his fine eyes glared Avith fury as we approached him. He tried to rise, ground his teeth, made grimaces, and shook his fist at my grandfather, who tried in vain to draw me out of the room. But, escaping from his grasp, I stepped towards the lunatic, who greAv more quiet when he saw me approach ; and I tried to lift the chain, which had attracted my attention. Then, finding it too heavy for me, I turned to my grand- father, and asked, "Does not this hurt the poor man ? " I had hardly spoken the words when his fury returned, and he shrieked, — " Have I not always told you that you were cruel to me ? Must this child come to convince you of your barbarity ? Yes : you have no heart." I looked at my grandfather: all my admiration of him Avas gone; and I said, almost commandingly, — " Take off these chains ! It is bad of you to tie this man!" " WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 31 The man greAv calm at once, and asked implor- ingly to be set free ; promising to be quiet and tractable if my grandfather Avould give him a trial. This was promised him: his chains were removed the same clay; and Jacob was ever after not only harmless and obedient, but also a very useful man in the house. I never afterwards accompanied my grandfather. I had discovered a side in his nature which repelled me. I spent the remainder of my visit in the workrooms and the sickroom, always secretly fear- ing that I should meet Avith some new crudty; but no such instance ever came to my Aaew. On my return from my grandfather's, I found that a cousin had suddenly become blind. She was soon after sent to the ophthalmic hospital, where she remained for more than a year; and, during this time, I Avas her constant companion after school-hours. I Avas anxious to be useful to her ; and, being gentler than the nurse, she liked to have me wash out the issues that Avere made in her back and arms. The nurse, Avho was very Avilling to be relieved of the duty, allowed me to cleanse the eyes of the girl next my cousin; and thus these cares were soon made to depend on my daily visit. Child as I was, I could not help observing the 32 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF carelessness of the nurses, and their great neglect of cleanliness. One day, when the head-nurse had washed the floor, leaving pools of water standing under the beds, the under-nurse found fault with it, and said, " I shall tell the doctor, when he comes, why it is that the patients always have colds." " Do," said the head-nurse. " What do men under- stand of such matters ? If they kneAv any thing about them, they would long ago have taken care that the mattress upon Avhich one patient dies should always be changed before another comes in." This quarrel impressed itself upon my me- mory ; and the Avish rose in my mind, that some day I might be head-nurse, to prevent such wrongs, and • to show kindness to the poor lunatics. At the end of the year, my cousin left the hospi- tal. At the same time, trouble and constant sick- ness fell upon our family. My father, Avho held liberal opinions and was of an impetuous tempera- ment, manifested some revolutionary tendencies, which drew upon him the displeasure of the govern- ment, and caused his dismissal, with a very small pension, from his position as military officer. This involved us in great pecuniary difficulties ; for our family was large, and my father's income too small to supply the most necessary wants ; Avhile to obtain "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 33 other occupation for the time was out of the ques- tion. In this emergency, my mother determined to petition the city government for admission to the school of midAvives established in Berlin, in order in this manner to aid in the support of the family. Influential friends of my father secured her the election; and she was admitted to the school in 1839, I being at that time ten years » of age. The education of midwives for Berlin requires a two years' course of study, during six months of which they are obliged to reside in the hospital, to receive instructions from the professors together with the male students. My mother went there in the summer of 1840. I went to stay at the house of an aunt, who Avished my company; and the rest of the children Avere put out to board together. In a feAv weeks, my eyes became affected Avith weakness, so that I could neither read nor Avrite ; and I begged my mother to let me stay with her in the hospital. She applied for permission to the director, and received a favorable ansAver. I was placed under the care of one of the physicians (Dr. Muller), Avho took a great fancy to me, and made me go Avith him AvhereATer he Avent Avhile engaged in the hospital. My eyes being bandaged, he led me 3 34 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF by the hand, calling me his " little blind doctor." In this way I Avas constantly Avith him, hearing all his questions and directions, Avhich impressed themselves the more strongly on my mind from the fact that I could not see, but had to gain all my knowledge through hearing alone. One afternoon, when I had taken the bandage off my eyes for the first time, Dr. Midler told me that there was a corpse of a young man to be seen ^ in the dead-house, that had turned completely green in consequence of poison that he had eaten. I went there after my rounds with him: but finding the room filled Avith relatives, who Avere busily engaged in adorning the body with flowers, I thought that I would not disturb them, but would wait until they had gone before I looked at it; and went meanwhile through the adjoining rooms. These were all freshly painted. The dissecting-tables, Avith the ne- cessary apparatus, stood in the centre; Avhile the bodies, clad in Avhite gOAvns, Avere ranged on boards along the Avails. I examined every thing; came back, and looked to my heart's content at the poi- soned young man, Avithout noticing that not only the relatives had left, but that the prosector had also gone aAvay, after locking up the whole build- ing. I then Avent a second time to the other rooms, "AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 35 and looked again at every thing there; and at last, when it became dark and I could not leave the house, sat down upon the floor, and went to sleep, after knocking for half an hour at the door, in the hope that some passer might hear. My mother, who kneAV that I had gone with Dr. Midler, did not trouble herself about me until nine o'clock, when she grew uneasy at my stay; and, thinking that he might have taken me to his rooms, Avent there in search of me, but found that he Avas out, and that the doors were locked. She then inquired of the people in the house Avhether they knew any thing about me, and Avas told that they had last seen me going into the dead-house. Alarmed at this intelligence, my mother hastened to the prosector, Avho unAvillingly went with her to the park in which the dead-house stood, assuring her all the Avay that I could not possibly be there ; when, on opening the door, he saAv me sitting close by, on the floor, fast asleep. In a few days after this adventure, I recoA'ered the use of my eyes. As it Avas at this time the summer vacation, in which I had no school-tasks, I asked Dr. Miiller for some books to read. He inquired what kind of books I Avanted. I told him, " Books about history;" upon Avhich he gave me 36 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF tAVO huge volumes, — The "History of Midwifery" and the " History of Surgery." Both Avere so in- teresting, that I read them through during the six Aveeks of vacation ; which occupied me so close- ly, that even my friend Dr. Miiller could not lay hold of me when he went his morning and evening rounds. From this time I date my study of me- dicine ; for, though I did not continue to read upon the subject, I Avas instructed in the no less impor- tant branch of psychology by a new teacher, Avhom I found on my return to school at the close of the summer vacation. To explain better how my mind Avas prepared for such teaching, I must go back to my position in school. In both schools that I attended, I was praised for my punctuality, industry, and quick perception. BeloAed I was in neither : on the contrary, I Avas made the target for all the impu- dent jokes of my fellow-pupils ; ample material for Avhich was furnished in the carelessness with which my hair and dress were usually arranged ; these being left to the charge of a servant, who troubled herself very little about hoAV I looked, provided that I was whole and clean. The truth was, I often presented a ridiculous appearance; and once I could not help laughing heartily at myself, on see- "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 37 ing my OAvn face by accident in a glass, Avith one braid of hair commencing over the right eye, and the other over the left ear. I quietly hung a map over the glass to hide the ludicrous picture, and continued my studies ; and most likely appeared in the same style the next day. My face, besides, Avas neither handsome, nor even prepossessing ; a large nose overshadowing the undeA'eloped features : and I was ridiculed for my ugliness, both in school and at home, Avhere an aunt of mine, who disliked me exceedingly, always said, in describing plain people, " Almost as ugly as Marie." Another cause arose to render my position at school still more intolerable. In consequence of the loss of his position in the army, my father could no longer afford to pay my school-bills ; and Avas about, in consequence, to remove me from school; Avhen the principal offered to retain me Avithout pay, although she disliked me, and did not hesitate to show it, any more than to tell me, when- ever I offended her, that she Avould never keep so ugly and naughty a child without being paid for it, were it not for the sake of so noble a father. These conditions and harsh judgments made me a philosopher. I heard myself called obstinate and wilful, only because I believed myself in the 38 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF right, and persisted in it. I felt that I Avas not maliciously disposed towards any one, but Avished well to all; and I offered my services not only Avillingly, but cheerfully, Avherever they could be of the least use ; and saw them accepted, and even demanded, by those Avho could not dispense Avith them, though they shunned and ridiculed me the same as before. I felt that they only sought me Avhen they needed me: this made me shrink still more from their companionship ; and, Avhen my sister did not Avalk home from school with me, I invariably went alone. The idea that I might not wish to attach myself to playmates of this sort never occurred to any one ; but I Avas constantly reproached with having no friends among my schoolfellows, and Avas told that no one could love so disagreeable and repelling a child. This AA^as a severe Woav to my affectionate nature; but I bore it calmly, consoling myself Avith the thought that they Avere wrong, — that they did not understand me, — and that the time would come, when they would learn that a great, warm heart was concealed beneath the so-called repulsive exterior. But, hoAvever soothing all this Avas for the time, a feeling of bitterness grew up within me. I began to be provoked at my ugliness, Avhich I " AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 39 believed to be excessive. I speculated why parents so kind and good as mine should be deprived of their means of support, merely because my father Avould not consent to endure wrong and imposition. I was indignant at being told, that it was only for my father's sake that I Avas retained in a school Avhere I tried to do my best, and where I always Avon the highest prizes; and I could not see Avhy, at home, I should be forced to do houseAvork when I Avanted to read, while my brother, avIio wished to Avork, Avas compelled to study. When I complained of this last grievance, I Avas told that I Avas a girl, and never could learn much, but was only fit to become a housekeeper. All these things threw me upon my OAvn resources, and taught me to make the most of every opportunity, custom and habit to the contrary notwithstanding. ■ It Avas at this juncture that I found, on my re- turn to school, the psychologic instructor of Avhom I have spoken, in a newly engaged teacher of history, geography, and arithmetic; all of Avhich Avere my favorite studies. With this man I formed a most peculiar friendship : he being tAventy years older than myself, and in every respect a highly educated man; I, a child of twelve, neglected in every thing except in my common-school education. 40 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF He began by calling my attention to the carelessness of my dress and the rudeness of my manners, and was the first one who ever spoke kindly to me on the subject. I told him all my thoughts; that I did not mean to be disagreeable, but that every one thought that I could not be otherwise; that I was convinced that I was good enough at heart; and that I had at last resigned myself to my position, as something that could not be helped. My new friend lectured me on the necessity of' attracting others by an agreeable exterior and courteous manners; and proved to me that I had unconsciously repelled them by my carelessness, even when trying the most to please. His Avords made a deep impression on me. I thanked him for every reproach, and strove to do my best to gain his approbation. Henceforth my hair was al- ways carefully combed, my dress nicely arranged, and my collar in its place ; and, as I always won the first prizes in the school, tAvo of the other teachers soon grew friendly toAvards me, and began to manifest their preference quite strongly. In a few months I became a different being. The bitterness that had been groAving up Avithin me gradually disappeared; and I began to have con- fidence in myself, and to try to win the companion- " avoman's right to labor." 41 ship of the other children. But a sudden change took place in my schoolmates, who greAV envious of the preference shown me by the teachers. Since they could no longer ridicule me for the carelessness of my dress, they noAV began to reproach me for my vanity, and to call me a coquette, Avho only thought of pleasing through appearances. This bloAv was altogether too hard for me to bear. I kneAv that they Avere Avrong: for, Avith all the care I bestowed on my dress, it Avas not half so fine as theirs ; as I had but tAvo calico dresses, Avhich I Avore alternately, a Aveek at a time, through the summer. I Avas again repelled from them; and at noon, Avhen the rest of the scholars went home, I remained Avith my teacher-friend in the schoolroom, assisting him in correcting the exercises of the pu- pils. I took the opportunity to tell him of the curious emy that had taken possession of the girls ; upon which he began to explain to me human nature and its fallacies, drawing inferences therefrom for personal application. He found a ready listener in me. My inclination to abstract thought, com- bined Avith the unpleasant experience I had had in life, made me an attentive pupil, and fitted me to comprehend his reasoning in the broadest sense. For fifteen months, I thus spent the noon-hour with 42 A practical illustration of him in the schoolroom; receiving lessons in logic, and reasoning upon concrete and abstract matters, that have since proved of far more psychologic value to me than ten years of reading on the same subjects could do. A strong attachment greAv up betAveen us: he became a necessity to me, and I revered him like an oracle. But his health failed ; and he left the school at the end of these fifteen months, in a consumption. Shortly after, he sent to the school for me one morning to ask me to visit him on his deathbed. I was not permitted to leave the class until noon ; when, just as I Avas preparing to go, a messenger came to inform the principal that he had died at eleven. This blow fell so heavily upon me, that I wished to leave the school at once. I was forced to stay three Aveeks longer, until the end of the quarter; Avhen I left the schoolroom on the 1st of April, 1843, at the age of thirteen years and seven months, and never entered it again. On the same day that I quitted my school, an aunt, with whom I was a favorite, Avas attacked with a violent hemorrhage from the lungs, and wished me to come to stay with her. This suited my taste. I went; and, for a fortnight, was her sole nurse. "avoman's right to labor." 43 Upon my return home, my father told me, that, having quitted school, I must now become a tho- rough housekeeper, of whom he might be proud; as this was the only thing for Avhich girls Avere in- tended by nature. I cheerfully entered upon my new apprenticeship, and learned hoAV to sweep, to scrub, to wash, and to cook. This work answered very well as long as the novelty lasted; but, as soon as this Avore off, it became highly burdensome. Many a forenoon, Avhen I Avas alone, instead of SAveeping and dusting, I passed the hours in read- ing books from my father's library, until it greAv so late, that I' Avas afraid that my mother, avIio had commenced practice, Avould come home, and scold me for not attending to my Avork; Avhen I Avould hurry to get through, doing eA^ery thing so badly, that I had to hear daily that I Avas good for nothing, and a nuisance in the world; and that it Avas not at all surprising that I Avas not liked in school, for nobody could eA*er like or be satisfied Avith me. Meamvhile, my mother's practice gradually in- creased ; and her generous and kindly nature won the confidence of hundreds, Avho, Avretchedly poor, found in her, not only a humane Avoman, but a most skilful practitioner. The poor are good judges of professional qualifications. Without the aid that 44 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF money can buy, Avithout the comforts that the Aveal- thy hardly heed, and Avithout friends whose advice is prompted by intelligence, they must depend entirely upon the skill and humanity of those to Avhom they apply. Their life and happiness are placed in the hands of the physician, and they jealously regard the one to Avhom they intrust them. None but a good practitioner can gain fame and praise in this class, which is thought so easily satisfied. It is often said, " Oh! those people are poor, and will be glad of any assistance." Far from it. There is no class so entirely dependent for their subsist- ence upon their strength and health ; these consti- tute their sole capital, their stock in trade: and, when sick, they anxiously seek out the best physi- cians ; for, if unskilfully attended, they may lose their all, their fortune, and their happiness. My mother went everywhere, both night and day; and it soon came to pass, that when she was sent for, and was not at home, I Avas deputed to go in search of her. In this Avay I gradually became a regular appendage to my mother; going Avith her in the winter nights from place to place, and Aisiting those whom she could not visit during the day. I remem- ber, that in January, 1845, my mother attended thirty-five Avomen in childbed, — the list of names "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 45 is still in my possession, — and visited from sixteen to twenty-fiA^e daily, Avith my assistance. I do not think, that, during the month, we Avere in bed for one whole night. Tavo-thirds of these patients were unable to pay a cent. During these years, I learned all of life that it was possible for a human being to learn. I saw nobleness in dens, and mean- ness in palaces ; virtue among prostitutes, and vice among so-called respectable women. I learned to judge human nature correctly ; to see goodness Avhere the world found nothing but faults, and also to see faults where the world could see nothing but \Tirtue. The experience thus gained cost me the bloom of youth; yet I would not exchange it for a life of everlasting juvenescence. To keep up ap- pearances is the aim of every one's life ; but to fathom these appearances, and judge correctly of what is beneath them, ought to be the aim of those Avho seek to draAV true conclusions from life, or to benefit others by real sympathy. One fact I learned, both at this time and after- wards ; namely, that men always sympathize Avith fallen and Avretched Avomen, while Avomen them- selves are the first to raise and cast the stone at them. Why is this? Have not Avomen as much feeling as men ? Why, women are said to be made 46 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF up entirely of feeling. Hoav does it happen, then, that Avomen condemn Avhere men pity ? Do they do this in the consciousness of their own superior virtue ? Ah, no ! for many of the condemning are no better than the condemned. The reason is, that men knoAv the world ; that is, they knoAv the obsta- cles in the path of life, and that they draw lines to exclude Avomen from earning an honest livelihood, while they throAV opportunities in their way to earn their bread by shame. All men are aware of this: therefore the good as well as the bad give pity to those that claim it. It is my honest and earnest conviction, that the reason that men are unwilling for Avomen to enter "upon public or busi- ness life is, not so much the fear of competition, or the dread lest women should lose their gentleness, and thus deprive society of this peculiar charm, as the fact that they are ashamed of the foulness of life which exists outside of the house and home. The good man knoAvs that it is difficult to purify it: the bad man does not Avish to be disturbed in his prey upon society. If I could but give to all Avo- men the tenth part of my experience, they Avould see that this is true; and would see, besides, that only faith in ourselves and in each other is needed to work a reformation. Let Avoman enter fully "avoman's right to labor." 47 into business, Avith its serious responsibilities and duties ; let it be made as honorable and as profita- ble to her as to men ; let her have an equal oppor- tunity for earning competence and comfort, — and we shall need no other purification of society. Men are no more depraved than women ; or, rather, the total depravity of mankind is a lie. From the time of my leaving school until I Avas fifteen years old, my life was passed, as I have described, in doing housework, attending the sick with my mother, and reading a feAv books of a scientific and literary character. At the end of this time, a letter came from an aunt of my mother's, Avho Avas ill, and Avhose adopted daughter (avIio Avas my mother's sister) Avas also an invalid, requesting me to visit and nurse them. I Avent there in the fall. This was probably the most decisiAe event of my life. My great-aunt had a cancer that Avas to be taken out. The other Avas suffering from a nervous affection, which rendered her a confirmed invalid. She Avas a most peculiar Avoman, and Avas a clairvoyant and somnambulist of the most decided kind. Though not ill-natured, she Avas full of ca- prices that Avould have exhausted the patience of the most enduring of mortals. This aunt of mine had been sick in bed for seven 48 A practical illustration of years with a nervous derangement, which baffled the most skilful physicians Avho had visited her. Her senses Avere so acute, that one morning she fell into convulsions from the effect of distant music which she heard. None of us could per- ceive it, and Ave fully believed that her imagination had produced this result. But she insisted upon it; telling us that the music was like that of the Bohe- mian miners, Avho played nothing but polkas. I was determined to ascertain the truth ; and really found, that, in a public garden one and a half miles from her house, such a troop had played all the afternoon. No public music Avas permitted in the city, because the magistrate had forbidden it on her account. She never was a Spiritualist, though she fre- quently went into what is now called a trance. She spoke, wrote, sang, and had presentiments of the finest kind, in this condition, — far better than I have ever seen here in America in the case of the most celebrated mediums. She even prescribed for herself with success, yet was not a Spiritualist. She was a somnambulist; and, though weak enough when awake, threatened several times to pull the house doAvn, by her vio- lence, in this condition. She had strength like a "avoman's right to labor." 49 lion, and no man could manage her. I saw the same thing in the hospital later. This aunt is noAV healthy ; not cured by her OAvn prescriptions or the magnetic or infinitesimal doses of Dr. Arthur Lutze, but by a strong emotion Avhich took posses- sion of her at the time of my great-aunt's death. She is not sorry that she has lost all these strange poAvers, but heartily gl.id of it. When she after- wards visited us in Berlin, she could speak calmly and quietly of the perversion to Avhich the nervous system may become subject, if managed Avrongly; and could not tell Iioav glad she was to be rid of all the emotions and notions she had been compelled to dream out. Over-care and over-anxiety had brought this about; and the same causes could again bring on a condition Avhich the ancients deemed holy, and Avhich the psychologist treats as one bordering on insanity. The old aunt was extremely suspicious and avari- cious. Eight weeks after my arrival, she submitted to an operation. The operating surgeon found me so good an assistant, that he intrusted me often Avith the succeeding dressing of the Avound. For six weeks, I was the sole nurse of the two ; going from one room to the other both night and day, and attend- ing to the household matters beside, with no other 4 50 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF assistant than a Avoman Avho came every morning for an hour or tAvo to do the rough Avork ; while an uncle and a boy-cousin were continually troubling me with their torn buttons, &c. I learned in this time to be cheerful and light- hearted in all circumstances; going often into the anteroom to have a healthy, hearty laugh. My surroundings were certainly any thing but inspiring. I had the sole responsibility of the two sick women ; the one annoying me Avith her caprices, the other Avith her avarice. In one room, I heard fanciful forebodings; in the other, reproaches for having used a teaspoonful too much sugar. I always had to carry the key of the storeroom to the old aunt, in order that she might be sure that I could not go in and eat bread Avhen I chose. At the end of six Aveeks, she died ; and I put on mourning for the only time in my life, certainly not through grief. Shortly after the death of my aunt, the attend- ing physician introduced me to a disciple of Hahne- mann, by the name of Arthur Lutze ; who was, I think, a doctor of philosophy, — certainly not of medicine. Besides being an infinitesimal homceopa- thist, this man Avas a devotee to mesmerism. He became very friendly towards me, and supplied me with books ; telling me that I Avould not only make " AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 51 a good homoeopathic physician, but also an excellent medium for mesmerism, magnetism, &c. At all events, I was glad to get the books, which I read industriously; while he constantly supplied me with neAV ones, so that I had quite a library Avhen he left the place, Avhich he did before my return He, too, lived in Berlin, and inquired my residence; promising to visit me there, and to teach me the art he practised. I remained Avith my aunt until late in the spring ; when my health failed, and I returned home. I Avas very ill for a time with brain-fever ; but at last recovered, and set to Avork industriously to search for information in respect to the human body. Dr. Lutze kept his Avord: he visited me at my home, gave me more books, and directed my course of reading. But my father, who had become recon- ciled to my inclination to assist my mother, Avas opposed to homoeopathy, and especially opposed to Dr. Arthur Lutze. He eAren threatened to turn him out of the house, if I permitted him to visit me again; and burned all my books, except one that I snatched from the flames. From this time, I Avas resolved to learn all that I could about the human system. I read all the books on the subject that I could get, and tried 52 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF besides to educate myself in other branches* My father Avas satisfied with this disposition, and Avas glad to hear me propose to have a French teacher in the house, both for my sake and for that of the other children. I studied in good earnest by myself; at the same time, going through the usual discipline of German girls. I learned plain sewing, dress- making, and the management of the household ; but was allowed to use my leisure time as I pleased. When my sisters went skating, I remained at home to study; when they went to balls and theatres, I was thought the proper person to stay to Avatch the house. Having become so much older, I was noAV of great assistance to my mother in her business. No one complained any longer of my ugliness or my rudeness. I was always busy; and, when at liberty, always glad to do Avhat I could for others; and, though these years Avere full of hardships, I consider them among the happiest of my life. I was as free as it was possible for any German girl to be. My household duties, however, continued distaste- ful to me, much to the annoyance of my father, who still contended that this was the only sphere of woman. From being so much with my mother, I had lost all taste for domestic life : any thing out of "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 53 doors was preferable to the monotonous routine of the household. I at length determined to folioav my inclinations by studying, in order to fit myself to become a practitioner of midwifery, as is usual , in Berlin. My father Avas satisfied, and pleased Avith this idea, Avhich opened the Avay to an inde- pendent, respectable livelihood; for he never really wished to have us seek this in marriage. My mother did not like my resolution at all. She practised, not because she liked the profession, but because in this Avay she obtained the means of being inde- pendent, and of aiding in the education of*the children. I persisted, hoAvever, in my resolution; and immediately took measures to carry it into effect by going directly to Dr. Joseph Hermann Schmidt, the Professor of Midwifery in the Uni- versity and Schools for Midwives, and Director of the Royal Hospital Charite ; while my father, who. for several years held the position of a civil officer, made the application to the city magistrates for me to be admitted as a pupil to the School for Mid- Avives, in Avhich my mother had been educated. In order to sIioav the importance of this step, it is necessary to explain more fully the history and or- ganization of the school. About 1735, Justina Ditrichin (the wife of Sie- 54 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF gemund, a distinguished civil officer of Prussia) was afflicted Avith an internal disease Avhich baffled the skill of the midAviAres, who had pronounced her pregnant, and none of Avhom could define her dis- order.. After many months of suffering, she Avas visited by the Avife of a poor soldier, Avho told her Avhat ailed her; in consequence of which, she was cured by her physicians. This circumstance awakened in the mind of the lady an intense desire to study midwifery; which she did, and afterwards practised it Avith such success, that, in consequence of her extensiA^e practice, she Avas obliged to confine herself solely to irregular cases. She performed all kinds of operations with masterly skill, and wrote the first book on the subject ever published in Germany by a woman. She was sent for from all parts of Germany, and was appointed body- physician of the Queen, and the ladies of the court, of Prussia and Mark Brandenburg. Through her influence, schools Avere established, in which Avomen were instructed in the science and the art of ob- stetrics. She also taught many herself; and a very successful and respectable practice soon grew up among women. After her death, however, this Avas discountenanced by the physicians, Avho brought it into such disrepute by their ridicule, that the edu- " AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 55 cated class of women Avithdrew from the profession, leaving it in the hands of ignorant pretenders, Avho continued to practise it until 1818 ; when public attention was called to the subject, and strict Ieavs Avere enacted, by Avhich Avomen Avere required to call in a male practitioner in every irregular case of confinement, under penalty of from one to twenty years of imprisonment, and the forfeiture of the right to practise. These laAvs still continue in force; and a remarkable case is recorded by Dr. Schmidt of a Avoman, Avho, feeling her own compe- tency to manage a case committed to her care, did not send for a male physician as the Liav required. Although it was fully proved that she had done every thing that could have been done in the case, her penalty Avas imprisonment for twenty years. Two other cases are quoted by Dr. Schmidt, in which male practitioners Avere summoned before a legal tribunal, and it Avas proved that they had not done that which Avas necessary; yet their penalty Avas no heavier than that inflicted on the Avoman, who had done exactly Avhat she ought. At this time (1818), it Avas also made illegal for any Avoman to practise Avho had not been educated. This brought the profession again into repute among women of the higher classes. A school for mid- 56 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF Avives, supported by the government, was established in Berlin, in Avhich Avomen have since continued to be educated for practice in this city and in other parts of Prussia. Tavo midAvives are elected each year, by a committee, from the applicants, to be educated for practice in Berlin; and, as they have to study tAvo years, there are ahvays four of these students in the school, two graduating every year. The remainder of the students are from the provin- cial districts. To be admitted to this school is considered a stroke of good fortune ; as there are generally more than a hundred applicants, many of whom have to wait eight or ten years before they are elected. There is, besides, a great deal of favoritism ; those women being generally chosen who are the widows or wives of civil officers or physicians ; to whom this chance of earning a livelihood is given, in order that they may not become a burden on the government. Though educated apart from the male students while studying the theory of midwifery, they attend the accouchement-Avard together, and receive clinical or practical instruction in the same class, from the same professor. The male students of medicine are admitted to the university at the age of eighteen ; having "woman's right to labor." 57 first been required to go through a prescribed course of collegiate study, and to pass the requisite examination. Here they attend the lectures of various professors, often of four or five upon the same subject, in order to learn hoAV it is treated from different points of vieAV. Then, after having thus studied for a certain length of time, they present themselves for an examination by the professors of the university, Avhich confers upon them the title of "M.D.," without the right to practise. They are then obliged to prepare for what is called the State's examination, before a Board of the most distinguished men in the pro- fession, appointed to this place by the government: these also constitute the medical court. Of this number, Dr. Schmidt Avas one. Dr. Schmidt approved my resolution, and ex- pressed himself Avarmly in favor of it. He also recommended to me a course of reading, to be commenced at once, as a kind of preliminary edu- cation ; and, although he had no influence Avith the committee of the city government Avho examined and elected the pupils, he promised to call upon some of them, and urge my election. But, despite his recommendation and my father's position as civil officer, I received a refusal, on the grounds that 58 a practical illustration of I was much too young (being only eighteen), and that I was unmarried. The latter fault I did not try to remove ; the former I corrected daily ; and, Avhen I was nineteen, I repeated my application, and received the same reply. During this time, Dr. Schmidt became more and more interested in me personally. He promised that he would do all in his power to have me chosen the next year; Avhile, during this time, he urged me to read and study as much as possible, in order to become fully acquainted Avith the subject. As, usual, I continued to assist my mother in visiting her patients, and thus had a fine opportunity for explaining to myself many things Avhich the mere study of books left in darkness. In fact, these years of preliminary practical study were more valuable to me than all the lectures that I ever listened to afterwards. Full of zeal and enthusiasm, and stimulated by a friend Avhose position and personal acquirements inspired me Avith reverence and devotion, I thought of no- thing else than how to prepare myself in such a Avay that I should not disappoint him nor those to Avhom he had commended me. Dr. Schmidt Avas consumptiATe, and almost an invalid; often having to lecture in a reclining position. The author of many valuable medical Avorks, and director of the "avoman's right to labor." 59 largest hospital in Prussia (the Charite of Berlin), he found a most valuable assistant in his Avife, — one of the noblest women that ever lived. She was always with him, except in the lecture-room; and almost all of his Avorks are said to have been written by her from his dictation. This had in- spired him with the highest possible respect for women. He had the utmost faith in their powers when rightly developed, and always declared their intellectual capacity to be the same with that of men. This belief inspired him- Avith the desire to give me an education superior to that of the com- mon midwivcs; and, at the same time, to reform the school of midwives by giving to it a professor of its own sex. To this position he had in his own mind already elected me ; but, before I could take it, I had to procure a legitimate election from the ciiy to the school as pupil; Avhile, during my at- tendance, he had to convince the government of the necessity of such a reform, as Avell as to bring over the medical profession : Avhich Avas not so easily done ; for many men were waiting already for Dr. Schmidt's death in order to obtain this very post, Avhich was considered valuable. When I Avas tAventy, I received my third refusal. Dr. Schmidt, Avhose health was failing rapidly, had M A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF exerted himself greatly to secure my admission; and the medical part of the committee had promised him that they Avould give me their vote : but some theological influence was set to work to elect one of the deaconesses in my stead, that she might be educated for the post of superintendent of the lying-in ward of the hospital, which was under Dr. Schmidt's care. She also was rejected, in order not to offend Dr. Schmidt; but for this he Avould not thank them. No sooner had I carried him the letter of refusal than he ordered his carriage, and, proceeding to the royal palace, obtained an audience of the king; to whom he related the refusal of the committee to elect me, on the ground that I was too young and unmarried, and entreated of him a cabinet order which should compel the city to ad- mit me to the school; adding, that he saAv no reason why Germany, as well as France, should not have and be proud of a La Chapelle. The king, who held Dr. Schmidt in high esteem, gave him at once the desired order; and I became legally the student of my friend : though his praise procured me in- tense vexation; for my name was dropped entirely, and I was only spoken of as La Chapelle the Se- cond ; which would by no means have been unplea- sant, had I earned the title; but to receive it sneer- "woman's right to labor." 61 ingly in advance, before having been alloAved to make my appearance publicly, Avas indeed unbeara- ble. On the third day after his visit to the king, Dr. Schmidt received me into the class, and introduced me to it as his future assistant teacher. This an- nouncement Avas as surprising to me as to the class; but I took it quietly, thinking th:.t, if Dr. Schmidt did not consider me fit for the place, he Avould not risk being attacked for it by the profession en masse, by whom he was Avatched closely. On the same day, a little incident occurred Avhich I must mention. In the evening, instead of going alone to the class for practical instruction, I accom- panied Dr. Schmidt at his request. We entered the hall Avhere his assistant, the chief physician, had already commenced his instructions. Dr. Schmidt introduced me to him as his private pupil, to whom he Avished him to give particular atten- tion ; ending by giving my name. The physician hurriedly came up to me, and grasped my hand, exclaiming, " AVhy, this is my little blind doctor ! " I looked at him, and recognized the very Dr. Mid- ler Avith Avhom I used to make the rounds of the hospital Avhen twelve years old, and who had since risen to the position of chief physician. This ren- 62 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF contre, and the interest that he manifested after- wards, greatly relieved Dr. Schmidt, Avho had feared that he Avould oppose me, instead of giving me any special aid. During this Avinter's study, I spent the most of the time in the hospital, being almost constantly at the side of Dr. Schmidt. I certainly made the most of every opportunity ; and I scarcely believe it possible for any student to learn more in so short a time than I did during this Avinter. I Avas continually busy ; acting eA*en as nurse, whenever I could learn any thing by it. Dur- ing the following summer, I Avas obliged to reside wholly in the hospital ; this being a part of the prescribed education. Here I became acquainted Avith all the different Avards, and had a fine oppor- tunity to Avatch the cases by myself. In the mean time, Dr. Schmidt's illness increased so rapidly, that he feared to die before his plans in respect to me had been carried out ; especially as the state of his health had compelled him to give up his po- sition as Chief Director of the Hospital Charite. His design Avas to make me chief accoucheuse in the hospital, and to surrender into my hands his position as professor in the School for MidAvives, so that I might have the entire charge of the mid- wives' education. The opposition to this plan Avas " avoman's right to labor." 63 twofold : firstly, the theological influence that sought to place the deaconess (Sister Catherine) in the position of house-midAvife ; and, secondly, the younger part of the profession, many of Avhom were anxious for the post of professor in the School for MidAvives, which never Avould haA-e been suffered to fall into the hands of Sister Catherine. Dr. Schmidt, liOAvever, was determined to yield to neither. Personal pride demanded that he should succeed in his plan; and several of the older and more influential members of the profession took his part, among Avhom were Johannes Miiller, Busch, Miiller, Kilian, &c. During the second Avinter, his lecturing in the class was only nominal; often nothing more than naming the heads of the sub- jects, Avhile I had to give the real instruction. His idea was to make me feel the full responsibility of such a position, and, at the same time, to give me a chance to do the Avork that he had declared me pre-eminently capable of doing. This Avas an in- trigue ; but he could not have it otherwise. He did not intend that I should perform his duty for his benefit, but for my OAAn. He wished to show to the government the fact that I had done the Avork of a man like himself, and done it Avell; and that, if he had not told them of his withdraAval, no one 64 a practical illustration of would have recognized his absence from the re- sult. At the close of this term, I was obliged to pass my examination at the same time with the fifty-six students Avho composed the class. Dr. Schmidt invited some of the most prominent medical men to be present, besides those appointed as the examin- ing committee. He informed me of this on the day before the examination, saying, " I want to convince them that you can do better than half of the young men at their examination." The excitement of this day I can hardly de- scribe. I had not only to appear before a body of strangers, of Avhose manner of questioning I had no idea, but also before half a dozen authorities in the profession, assembled especially for criticism. Picture to yourself my position : standing before the table at which were seated the three physicians composing the examining committee, questioning me all the while in the most perplexing manner, Avith four more of the highest standing on each side, — making eleven in all; Dr. Schmidt a little way off, anxious that I should prove true all that he had said in praise of me; and the rest of tho class in the background, filling up the large hall. It Avas terrible. The trifling honor of being consi- "avoman's right to labor." 65 dered capable was rather dearly purchased. I Avent through the whole hour bravely, Avithout missing a single question ; until finally the clock struck twelve, Avhen every thing suddenly greAv black be- fore my eyes, and the last question sounded like a humming noise in my ear. I answered it, — how, I knoAv not, — and Avas permitted to sit down and rest for fifteen minutes before I Avas called to the practical examination on the manikin. I gave satisfaction to all, and received the diploma of the first degree. This by no means ended the excitement. The students of the year Avere next examined. This examination continued for a Aveek; after Avhich the diplomas were announced, Avhen it Avas found that never before had there been so many of the first degree, and so few of the third. Dr. Schmidt then made it knoAvn that this was the result of my exertions, and I Avas pro- nounced a very capable woman. This acknoAvledgment having been made by the medical men present at the examination, Dr. Schmidt thought it Avould be an easy matter to get me installed into the position for Avhich I had proved myself capable. But such could not be the case in a government ruled by hypocrisy and in- trio-ue. To acknowledge the capability of a woman 5 66 A practical illustration of did not by any means say that she Avas at liberty to hold a position in Avhich she coujd exercise thi:7 capability. German men are educated to be slave to the government: positive freedom is compre- hended only by a feAv. They generally struggle for a kind of negative freedom; namely, for themselves: for each man, however much he may be inclined to show his subserviency to those superior in rank, thinks himself the lord of creation; and, of course, regards Avoman only as his appendage. How can this lord of creation, being a slave himself, look upon the free development and demand of recognition of his appendage otherAvise than as a nonsense, or usurpation of his exclusive rights ? And among these lords of creation I heartily dislike that class which not only yield to the influence brought upon them by government, but Avho also possess an infinite amount of narrowness and vanity, united to as infinite servilfty to money and position. There is not ink and paper enough in all the world to write down the contempt I feel for men in whose poAver it is to be free in thought and noble in action, and who act to the contrary to feed their ambition or their purses. I have learned, perhaps, too much of their spirit for my OAvn good. You can hardly believe what I experienced, in "woman's right to labor." 67 respect to intrigue, within the feAv months folioAving my examination. All the members of the medical profession Avere unAvilling that a Avoman should take her place on a level with them. All the diplo- matists became fearful that Dr. Schmidt intended to advocate the question of "woman's rights;" one of them exclaiming one evening, in the heat of discussion, "For Heaven's sake! the Berlin Avomen are already wiser than all the men of Prussia: what will become of us if we alloAv them to manifest it ? " I was almost forgotten in the five months during which the question Avas debated: it became more than a matter of personal intrigue. The real question at stake was, " Hoav shall Avomen be educated, and Avhat is their true sphere ? " and this was discussed Avith more energy and spirit than ever has been done here in America. Scores of letters Avere Avritten by Dr. Schmidt to convince the government that a woman could really be competent to hold the position in question, and that I had been pronounced so by the Avhole Faculty. The next objection raised was that my father Avas knoAvn as holding revolutionary principles ; and to conquer this, cost a long discussion, Avith many intervieAVS of the officials Avith my father and Dr. Schmidt. The next thing iwged Avas that I Avas 68 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF much too young ; that it Avould be necessary, in the course of my duties, to instruct the young men also ; and that there Avas danger in our thus being throAvn together. In fact, this reason, read to me by Dr. Schmidt from one of the letters written at this time (all of Avhich are still carefully preserved), runs thus : " To give this position to Miss M. E. ZakrzeAvska is dangerous. She is a prepossessing young lady; and, from coming in contact Avith so many gentlemen, must necessarily fall in love Avith some one of them, and thus end her career." To this I have only to reply, that I am sorry that I could not have found one among them that could have made me folloAv the suggestion. This objec- tion, hoAvever, seemed for a while the most difficult to be met: for it was AArell known, that, when a student myself, I had stood on the most friendly terms with my fellow-students, and that they had often taken my part in little disturbances that naturally came up in an establishment Avhere no one Avas permitted to enter or to leave Avithout giving a reason, and Avhere even my private pa- tients Avere sent away at the door because I did not know of their coming, and could not announce to the doorkeeper the name and residence of those who might possibly call. "woman's right to labor." 69 That this difficulty was finally conquered, I have to thank the students themselves. My relation with these young men Avas of the pleasantest kind. They never seemed to think that I Avas not of their sex, but always treated me like one of themselves. I kneAv of their studies and their amusements; yes, even of the mischievous pranks that they Avere planning both for college and for social life. They often made me their confidante in their pri- vate affairs, and were more anxious for my approval or forgiveness than for that of their relatives. I learned, during this time, how great is the friendly influence of a Avoman even upon fast-living and licentious young men; and this has done more to convince me of the necessity that the two sexes should live together from infancy, than all the theories and arguments that are brought to con- vince the mass of this fact. As soon as it became knoAvn among the students that my youth Avas the neAV objection, they treated it in such a manner that the whole thing Avas transformed into a ridiculous bugbear, groAving out of the imagination of the virtuous opposers. Nothing noAV seemed left in the Avay of my attain- ing to the position ; Avhen suddenly it daAvned upon the mind of some that I AAras irreligious ; that neither 70 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF my father nor my mother attended church ; and that, under such circumstances, I could not, of course, be a church-goer. Fortunately, I had complied with the requirements of the law, and could there- fore bring my certificate of confirmation from one of the Protestant churches. By the advice of Dr. Schmidt, I commenced to attend church regularly, and continued until a little incident happened Avhich I must relate here. One Sunday, just after the sermon Avas over, I remembered that I had forgot- ten to give instructions to the nurse in respect to a patient, and left the church Avithout Avaiting for the end of the service. The next morning, I Avas summoned to ansAver to the charge of leaA'ing the church at an improper time. The inquisitor (avIio was one of those who had accused me of irreligion), being vexed that I contradicted him by going to church regularly, Avas anxious to make me confess that I did not care for the service : but I saw through his policy as Avell as his hypocrisy, and simply told him the truth ; namely, that I had forgotten important business, and therefore thought it excusable to leaAre as soon as the sermon Avas over. Whether he sought to lure me on to further avowals, I knoAv not: but, Avhatever Avas his motive, he asked me, in reply, Avhether I believed "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 71 that he cared for the humdrum custom of church- going, and Avhether I thought him imbecile enough to consider this as any thing more than the means by which to keep the masses in check ; adding, that it Avas the duty of the intelligent to make the affair respectable by setting the example of going them- selves ; and that he only Avished me to act on this principle, Avhen all accusations of irreligion Avould fall to the ground. I had always known that this man Avas not my friend: but, Avhen I heard this, I felt disenchanted Avith the whole world; for I had never thought him more than a hypocrite, Avhereas I found him the meanest of Jesuits, both in theory and practice. I Avas. thoroughly indignant; the more so, since I felt guilty myself in going to church simply to please Dr. Schmidt. I do not remember Avhat answer I gave ; but I knoAv that my manners and Avords made it evident that I con- sidered him a villain. He never forgave me this, as all his future acts proved to me: for, in his position of chief director of the hospital, he had it in his power, more than any one else, to annoy me; and that he did so, you Avill presently see. The constant opposition and attendant excite- ment, together Avith the annoyances Avhich my father, as civil officer, had to endure, made him 72 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF resolve to present a declaration to the government, that I should never, with his consent, enter the position. He had become so tired of my efforts to become a public character in my profession, that he suddenly conceived the Avish to have me mar- ried. Noav, take for a moment into consideration the facts that I was but tAventy-tAvo years of age, full of sanguine enthusiasm for my vocation, and strong in the friendship of Dr. Schmidt. He had inspired me with the idea of a career different from the common routine of domestic life. My mother, overcoming her repugnance to my entering my pro- fession, had been my best friend, encouraging me steadily; while my father, yielding to the troubles that it involved, had become disgusted with it, a.nd wished me to abandon my career. He was stern, and would not take back his word. I could do no- thing without his consent; while Dr. Schmidt had finally overcome all difficulties, and had the pro- spect of victory if my father Avould but yield. A few weeks of this life were sufficient to drive one mad, and I am sure that I was near becoming so. I Avas resolved to run away from home or to kill my- self, while my father was equally resolved to marry me to a man of whom I did not know the sight. Matters finally came to a crisis through the illness "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 7b of Dr. Schmidt, whose health failed so rapidly, that it was thought dangerous to let him be longer excit- ed by the fear of not realizing Lis favorite scheme. Some of his medical advisers influenced the govern- ment to appeal to my father to Avithdraw his de- claration ; Avhich, satisfied Avith the honor thus done him, he did on the 1st of May, 1852. On the 15th of May, I received my legal instalment to the position for Avhich Dr. Schmidt had designed me. The joy that I felt Avas great beyond expres- sion. A youthful enthusiast of twenty-two, I stood at the height of my wishes and expectations. I had obtained what others only could obtain after the protracted labor of half a lifetime; and already I saw myself in imagination occupying the place of Dr. Schmidt's aspirations, — that of a German La Chapelle. No one, that has not passed at the same .age through the same excitement, can ever comprehend the fulness of my rejoicing, which was not wholly selfish; for I knew that nothing in the Avorld Avould please Dr. Schmidt so much as this victory. The Avildest joy of an accepted suitor is a farce compared to my feelings on the morning of that 15th of May. I was reconciled to my bitterest opponents : I could even have thanked them for their opposition, since it had made the 74 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF success so much the sweeter. Not the slightest feeling of triumph was in my heart; all Avas hap- piness and rejoicing: and it was in this condition of mind and heart that I put on my bonnet and shaAvl to carry the good news to Dr. Schmidt. Without waiting to be announced, I hastened to his parlor, where I found him sitting with his wife upon the sofa. I did not walk, but flew, towards them, and threw the letter upon the table, ex- claiming, " There is the victory!" Like a confla- gration, my joy spread to Dr. Schmidt as well as to his wife, who thought that she saw in these tidings a cup of new life for her husband. I only staid long enough to accept their congratulations. Dr. Schmidt told me to be sure to come the next morning to enter legally upon my duties at his side. MeanAvhile, he gave me a vacation for the afternoon to see my friends and carry them the neAvs. He saw that I needed the open air, and felt that he, too, must have it to counteract his joy. I went to tell my father and several friends, and spent the day in blissful ignorance of the dreadful event that Avas transpiring. The next morning, at seven o'clock, I left home to go to my residence in the hospital. I had not slept during the night: the youthful fire of enthu- " AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 75 siasm burnt too violently to allow me- any rest. The old doorkeeper opened the door for me, and gazed at me Avith an air of surprise. " What is the matter?" I asked. "I am astonished to see you so cheerful," said he. " Why ? " I asked with astonishment. " Don't you knoAv that Dr. Schmidt is dead?" was the ansAver. Dr. Schmidt dead! I trembled ; I staggered ; I fell upon a chair. The beautiful entrance-hall, serving also as a green- house during the Avinter, filled in every place Avith flowers and tropical fruit, faded from my eyes; and in its stead I saw nothing but laughing faces, dis- torted Avith scorn and mockery. A flood of tears cooled the heat of my brain, and a calmness like that of death soon took possession of me. I had fallen from the topmost height of joy and happiness to the profoundest depth of disappointment and de- spair. If there Avere nothing else to proAre the strength of my mind, the endurance of this sudden change would be sufficient. I Avent at once to Dr. Schmidt's residence in the Hospital Park, where I met him again, not as I had expected an hour before, ready to go Avith me to the hospital-department Avhich I was henceforth to superintend, but a corpse. After I had left the day before, he had expressed a wish to go into 76 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF the open air, he being not much less excited than myself. Mrs. Schmidt ordered the carriage, and they drove to the large park. He talked constantly and excitedly about the satisfaction that he felt in this success, until they arrived ; when he Avished to get out of the carriage, and walk with his wife. Mrs. Schmidt consented; but they had scarcely taken a feAV steps when he sank to the ground, and a gush of blood from his mouth terminated his existence. I left Dr. Schmidt's house, and entered alone into the Avards, Avhere I felt that I was without friendly encouragement and support. During the three days that intervened before the burial of Dr. Schmidt, I was hardly conscious of any thing, but moved about mechanically like an automaton. The next feAv days Avere days of confusion; for the death of Dr. Schmidt had left so many places va- cant, that some fifty persons were struggling to obtain some one of his offices. The eagerness, servility, and meanness which these educated men displayed in striving to conquer their rivals was more than disgusting. The serpents .that lie in Avait for their prey are endurable; for Ave know that it is their nature to be cunning and relentless: 'but to see men of intellect and education sly and "AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 77 snaky, ferocious, yet servile to the utmost, makes one almost believe in total depravity. The most of these men got what they deserved ; namely, nothing: the places Avere filled temporarily with others, and every thing went on apparently as be- fore. My position soon became very disagreeable. I had received my instalment, not because I Avas wanted by the directors of the hospital, but be- cause they had been commanded by the govern- ment to accept me in the hope of thus prolonging the life of Dr. Schmidt. Young and inexperienced in petty intrigue, I had noAV to work Avithout friendly encouragement and appreciation, with no one about me in whom I had a special interest; Avhile every one Avas regretting that the instalment had been given me before Dr. Schmidt's death, Avhich might have happened just as well from some other excitement, in an establishment Avhere three thou- sand people were constantly at Avar about each other's affairs. I surveyed the Avhole arena, and saAv very Avell, that, unless I practised meanness and dishonesty as Avell as the rest, I could not remain there for any length of time ; for scores Avere ready to calumniate me whenever there Avas the least tiling to be gained by it. I was about to commence a neAV period of life. 78 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF 1 had a solid structure as a foundation ; but the superstructure had been built up in so short a time, that a change of Avind would suffice to cast it down. I resolved, therefore, to tear it doAvn myself, and to begin to build another upon the carefully laid basis ; and only Avaited for an opportunity to manifest my intention. This opportunity soon presented itself. Sister Catherine, the deaconess of Avhom I have spoken, who had been alloAved to attend the School of MidAvives after my election, through the influence of her theological friends upon Dr. Schmidt (the ccity magistrates having refused her because I Avas already the third accepted pupil), had as yet no position : and these friends noAV sought to make her the second accoucheuse ; I having the first position, with the additional title of Chief. This she Avould not accept. She, the experienced deaconess, who had been a Florence Nightingale in the typhus epidemic of Silesia, was unwilling to be under the supervision of a Avoman who had nothing to shoAV but a thorough education, and Avho Avas, besides, eight years younger than herself. Her refusal made my enemies still more hostile. Why they were so anxious for her services, I can only ex- plain by supposing that the directors of the hospital wished to annoy Pastor Fliedner, the originator of "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 79 the Kaiserswerth Sisterhood ; for, in placing Sister Catherine in this position, they robbed him of one of the very best nurses that he ever had in his in- stitution. My desire to reconcile the government of the hospital, in order that I might have peace in my position to pursue my development and education so as to realize and manifest to the people the truth of Avhat Dr. Schmidt had affirmed of me, induced me to go to one of the directors, and pro- pose that Sister Catherine should be installed on equal terms Avith me ; offering to drop the title of Chief, and to consent that the department should be divided into two. My proposition was accepted nominally, and Sister Catherine was installed, but with a third less salary than I received ; Avhile I had to give the daily reports, &c, and to take the chief responsibility of the Avhole. Catherine Avas quite friendly to me ; and I Avas happy in the thought that there Avas uoav one at least Avho Avould stand by me, should any difficulties occur. How much I Avas mistaken in the human heart! This pious, sedate Avrmian, toAvards Avhom my heart yearned with friendship, Avas my greatest enemy; though I did not know it until after my arrival in America. 80 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF A i'ew weeks after Avards, the city petitioned to have a number of women instructed in the practice of midwifery. Tliese Avomen were all experienced nurses, Avho had taken the liberty to practise this art to a greater or less extent from Avhat they had learned of it while nursing; and, to put an end to this unlawful practice, they had been summoned before an examining committee, and the youngest and best educated chosen to be instructed as the law required. Dr. Miiller, the pathologist, was appointed to superintend the theoretical, and Dr. Ebert the practical, instruction. Dr. Miiller, Avho never had given this kind of instruction before, and who was a special friend of mine, immediately surrendered the Avhole into my hands; Avhile Dr. Ebert, whose time was almost wholly absorbed in the department of the diseases of children, appoint- ed me as his assistant. Both gentlemen gave me certificates of this when I determined to emigrate to America. The marked preference for my wards that had always been shown by the male students was shared by these women when they came.* Sister Cathe- rine was neither ambitious nor envious ; yet she felt that she Avas the second in place. Drs. Miiller and Ebert never addressed themselves to her; nei- "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 81 ther did they impress the nurses and the servants with the idea that she Avas any thing more than the head-nurse. All these things together made her a spy; and, though nothing happened for Avhich I could be reproved, all that I said and did was watched and secretly reported. Under a despotic government, the spy is as necessary as the corporal. The annoyance of this reporting is, that the secrecy exists only for the one whom it concerns ; while the subaltern officers and servants receive hints that such a person is kept under constant surveillance. When it Avas found that no occasion offered to find fault with me, our administrative inspector was removed, and a surly old corporal put in his place, with the hint that the government of the hospital thought that the former inspector did not perform his duty rightly, since he never reported disturb- ance in a Avard that had been notorious as being the most disorderly in former times. The truth Avas, that, in my innocence of heart, I had been striving to gain the respect and friendship of my enemies by doing my Avork better than any before me had done. To go to bed at night regularly Avas a thing unknoAvn to me. - Once I was not undressed for twenty-one days and nights; superintending and sivin" instructions on six or eight confinement cases 82 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF in every tAventy-four hours ; lecturing three hours every afternoon to the class of midAvives ; giving clinical lectures to them twice a Aveek, for an hour in the morning; superintending the care of some tAventy infants, Avho were epidemically attacked Avith purulent ophthalmia ; and having, besides, the ge- neral supervision of the whole department. But all this could not overcome the hostility of my ene- mies, the chief cause of Avhich lay in the mortifica- tion at having been vanquished by my appointment. On the other hand, I Avas happy in the thought that Mrs. Schmidt continued to take the same interest in me as before, and Avas glad to hear of my partial success. The students, both male and female, Avere devoted to me, and manifested their gratitude openly and frankly. This Avas the greatest compensation that I received for my Avork. The Avomen Avished to shoAV their appreciation by paying me for the extra labor that I performed in their instruction ; not knowing the fact, that I did it simply in order that they might pass an examination which should again convince the committee that I was in the right place. I forbade them all payment, as I had refused it to the male students when they wished to pay me for their extra instruction on the manikin: but in a true, womanly way, they ma- " AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 83 naged to learn the date of my birthday; when two or three, instead of attending the lecture, took posses- sion of my room, which they decorated Avith flowers ; while on the table they displayed presents to the amount of some hundred and twenty dollars, Avhich the fifty-six Avomen of the class had collected among themselves. This Avas, of course, a great surprise to me, and really made me feel sad; for I did not Avish for things of this sort. I wished to prove that unselfishness was the real motive of my Avork ; and thought that I should finally earn the croAvn of appreciation from my enemies, for Avhich I Avas striving. This gift crossed all my plans. I must accept it, if I Avould not wound the kindest of hearts; yet I felt that I lost my game by so doing. I quietly packed every thing into a basket, and put it out of sight under the bed,- in order that I might not be reminded of my loss. Of course, all these things were at once reported. I saw in the faces of many that something Avas in agitation, and Avaited a fortnight in constant expectation of its coming. But these people wished to crush me entirely. They knew well that a Woav comes hardest when least expected, and therefore kept quiet Aveek after Aveek, until I really began to ask their pardon in my heart for having done them the Avrong to expect them to 84 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF. act meanly about a thing that was natural and allowable. In a word, I became quiet and happy again in the performance of my duties ; until sud- denly, six weeks after my birthday, I was sum- moned to the presence of Director Horn (the same who had reprimanded me for leaving the church), who received me Avith a face as hard and stem as an avenging judge, and asked me whether I knew that it was against the law to receive any other payment than that given me by the hospital. Upon my avowing that I did, he went on to ask how it was, then, that I had accepted gifts on my birthday. This question fell upon me like a thunderbolt; for I never had thought of looking upon these as a payment. Had these women paid me for the in- struction that I gave them beyond that which was prescribed, they ought each one to have given me the value of the presents. I told him this in reply, and also how disagreeable the acceptance had been to me, and how ready I Avas to return the whole *at his command ; since it had been my desire to prove, not only my capability, but my unselfishness in the work. The man Avas ashamed ; I saw it in his face as he turned it away from me: yet he saw in me a proof that he had been vanquished ~ in intrigue, and was resolved that the occasion should end in "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 85 my overthrow. Much more was said about the presents and their significance; and I soon ceased to be the humble Avoman, and spoke boldly Avhat I thought, in defiance of his authority, as I had done at the time of the religious conversation (by the Avay, I never attended church again after that in- terview). The end was, that I declared my readi- ness to leave the hospital. He wished to inflict direct punishment on me ; and forbade me to be present at the examination of the class, which Avas to take place the next day. This Avas really a hard penalty, to which he was forced for his oavr sake ; for, if I had been present, I should have told the whole affair to men of a nobler stamp, who Avould have opposed, as they afterwards did, my leaving a place which I filled to their entire satis- faction. I made my preparations to leave the hospital on the 15th of November. What was I to do ? I Avas not made to practise quietly, as is commonly done: my education and aspirations demanded more than this. For the time, I could do nothing more than inform my patients that I intended to practise independently. My father again Avished that I should marry; and I began to ask myself, whether marriage is an institution to relieve pa- 86 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF rents from embarrassment. When troubled about the future of a son, parents are ready to give him to the army; Avhen in fears of the destiny of a daughter, they induce her to become the slave of the marriage bond. I never doubted that it was more unendurable and unworthy to be a wife with- out love, than a soldier without a special calling for that profession ; and I never could think of marriage as the means to procure a shelter and bread. I had so many schemes in my head, that I would not listen to his Avords. Among these was espe- cially the Avish to emigrate to America. The Penn- sylvania Female Medical College had sent its first Report to Dr. Schmidt, Avho had informed me of it as Avell as his colleagues, and had advocated the justice of such a reform. This fact occurred to my memory; and, for the next tAvo months, I did nothing but speculate how to carry out my design of emigration. I had lived rather expensively and lavishly, without thinking of laying up any money ; and my whole fortune, when I left the Charite, con- sisted of sixty dollars. One thing happened in connection with my leav- ing the hospital, which I must relate here. Di- rector Horn Avas required to justify his conduct to " AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 87 the minister to whom the change had to be reported ; and a committee Avas appointed to hear the accusa- tion, and pass judgment upon the affair. As this was done in secrecy and not before a jury, and as the accuser was a man of high rank, I kneAV nothing of it until Christmas Eve, Avhen I received a docu- ment, stating that, as a gratification for my services for the benefit of the city of Berlin in instructing the class of midwives, a compensation Avas decreed me of fifty dollars. This Avas a large sum for Berlin, such as was only given on rare occasions. I was also informed that Director Horn Avas instructed to give me, should I ever demand it, a first-class cer- tificate of what my position had been in the hospi- tal, with the title of Chief attached. Whatever I had suffered from the injustice of my enemies, I was now fully recompensed. I inquired who had taken my part so earnestly against Director Horn as to gain this action, and found that it Avas Dr. Miiller the pathologist, backed by several other physicians. Director Horn, it Avas said, was •greatly humiliated by the decision of Minister Aron Raumer, Avho could not see the least justice in his conduct in this matter; and, had I not left the hospital so readily, I should never have stood so firmly as after this secret trial. 88 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF It was done, hoAvever; and I confidently told my mother of my design to emigrate. BetAveen my mother and myself there existed, not merely the strongest relation of maternal and filial loA*e, but also a professional sympathy and peculiar friendship, Avhich was the result of two similar minds and hearts, and which made me stand even nearer to her than as a child I could'possibly have done. She consented with heart and soul, encouraged me in all my plans and expectations, and asked me at once at what time I would leave. I next told my father and the rest of the family of my plan. My third sister (Anna), a beautiful, joyous young girl, exclaimed, " And I will go with you!" My father, who would not listen to my going alone, at once con- sented to our going together. But I thought dif- ferently. In going alone, I risked only my own happiness: in going Avith her, I risked hers too; while I should be constantly restricted in my ad- venturous undertaking from having her Avith me, who knew nothing of the Avorld save the happiness of a tranquil family life. The next day, I told them that I had changed my mind, and should not go away, but should establish myself in Berlin. Of course, I received a torrent of gibes on my fic- kleness ; for they did not understand my feelings in "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 89 respect to the responsibility that I feared to take for my younger sister. I began to establish myself in practice. Mrs. Schmidt, Avho Avas anxious to assist me in my neAV career, suggested to those physicians Avho Avere my friends the establishment of a private hospital, which should be under my care. She found them strongly in favor of the plan; and, had I not been constantly speculating about leaving for America, this scheme Avould have been realized. But I had resolved to emigrate, and took my measures ac- cordingly. I Avent secretly to Drs. Miiller and Ebert, and procured certificates from them attest- ing my position in respect to them in the hospital. I then obtained the certificate from Director Horn, and carried them all to the American Charge d'Af- faires (Theodore S. Fay) to have them legalized in English, so that they could be of service to me in America.* * " The undersigned, Secretary of Legation of the United States of America, certifies that Miss Marie Elizabeth Zakr- zewska has exhibited to him very strong recommendations from the highest professional authorities of Prussia, as a scientific, practical, experienced accoucheuse of unusual talent and skill. She has been chief accoucheuse in the Royal Hospital of Berlin, and possesses a certificate of her superiority from the Board of Directors of that institution. She has not only manifested great 90 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF When I told Drs. Ebert and Miiller and Mrs. Schmidt of my intention to emigrate, they pro- nounced me insane. They thought that I had the best field of activity open in Berlin, and could not comprehend why I should seek greater freedom of person and of action. Little really is knoAvn in Berlin about America, and to go there is consi- dered as great an undertaking as to seek the river Styx in order to go to Hades. The remark that I heard from almost every quarter Avas, "What! you wish to go to the land of barbarism, where they have negro slavery, and Avhere they do not knoAv how to appreciate talent and genius ? " But this could not prevent me from realizing my plans. I had ideal- ized the freedom of America, and especially the reform of the position of Avomen, to such an extent, that I would not listen to their arguments. After talent as a practitioner, but also as a teacher; and enjoys the advantage of a moral and irreproachable private character. . She has attained this high rank over many female competitors in the same branch; there being more than fifty f in the city of Berlin who threaten, by their acknowledged excellence, to mo- nopolize the obstetric art. " Tiieo. S. Fay. " Legation United States, Berlin, Jan. 26,1853." [seal.] t " Upon inquiry, I find that, instead of fifty, there are one hundred and ten female accoucheuses in Berlin. " Theo. S. Fay." "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 91 having been several years in America, very pro- bably I Avould think tAvice before undertaking again to emigrate; for even the idealized freedom has lost a great deal of its charm, when I consider Iioav much better it could be. Having put every thing in order, I told my father of my conclusion to leave. He Avas surprised to hear of it the second time : but I showed him my papers in readiness for the journey, and declared that I should go as soon as the ship Avas ready to sail; having a hundred dollars,—just money enough to pay my passage. He Avould not give his consent, unless my sister Anna accompanied me ; thinking her, I suppose, a counterpoise to any rash under- takings in Avhich I might engage in a foreign land. If I Avished to go, I Avas, therefore, forced to have her company; of which I should have been Aery glad, had I not feared the moral care and respon- sibility. We decided to go in a fortnight. My father paid her passage, and gave her a hundred dollars in cash,—just enough to enable us to spend a short time in Ncav York : after Avhich he expected either to send us more money, or that Ave Avould return ; and, in case Ave did this, an agreement was made with the shipping-merchant that payment should be made on our arrival in Hamburg. 92 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF On the 13th of March, 1853, Ave left the paternal roof, to which Ave should never return. My mo- ther bade us adieu Avith tears in her eyes; saying, uAu revoir in America !" She was determined to follOAV us. Dear Mary, here ends my Berlin and European life ; and I can assure you that this Avas the hard- est moment I ever knew. Upon my memory is for ever imprinted the street, the house, the Avin- doAv behind which my mother stood waving her handkerchief. Not a tear did I suffer to mount to my eyes, in order to make her believe that the departure AAras an easy one; but a heart beating convulsively within punished me for the restraint. My father and brothers accompanied us to the depot, where the cars received us for Hamburg. On our arrival there, we found that the ice had not left the Elbe, and that the ships could not sail until the river Avas entirely free. We were forced to remain three weeks in Hamburg. We had taken staterooms in the clipper ship " Deutschland." Besides ourselves, there Avere sixteen passengers in the-first cabin; people good enough in their way, but not sufficiently attractive to induce us to make their acquaintance. We observed a dead silence as to Avho we were, where we were going, or what "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 93 was the motive of our emigrating to America. The only person that we ever spoke to Avas a Mr. R. from Hamburg, a youth of nineteen, who, like ourselves, had left a happy home in order to try his strength in a strange land. The voyage was of forty-seven days' duration ; excessively stormy, but otherwise very dull, like all voyages of this kind; and, had it not been for the expectations that filled our hearts, we should have died of ennui. As it Avas, the days passed sloAvly, made worse by the inevitable sea-sickness of our fellow- passengers ; and Ave longed for the hour that should bring us in sight of the shores of the NeAv World. And uoav commences my life in America. " Dear Marie, best Marie ! make haste to come upon deck to see America ! Oh, Iioav pleasant it is to see the green trees again ! Hoav brightly the sun is gilding the land you are seeking, — the land of freedom!" With such childlike exclamations of delight, my sister Anna burst into my cabin to hasten my appearance on deck on the morning of the 22d of May, 1853. The beautiful child of nineteen summers Avas only conscious of a heart overfioAving Avith pleasure at the sight of the charm- ing landscape that opened before her eyes after a tedious voyage of forty-seven days upon the ocean. 94 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF We had reached the quarantine at Staten Island. The captain, the old pilot, every one, gazed at her as she danced joyously about the deck, Avith a mingled feeling of sadness and curiosity; for our reserve Avhile on shipboard had surrounded us Avith a sort of mystery Avhich none knew how to unravel. As soon as I had dressed for going on shore, and had packed up the things that Ave had used on our voyage, in order that they might not be stolen during this time of excitement, I obeyed the last call of my impatient sister to come at least to see the last rays of sunrise ; and Avent on deck, where I Avas at once riveted by the beautiful scene that Avas spread before my eyes. The green, sloping laAvns, Avith Avhich the white cottages formed such a cheerful contrast; the trees, clad in their first foliage, and suggesting hope by their smiling blos- soms ; the placid coavs, feeding quietly in the fields ; the domestic chickens, just ATisible in the distance ; and the friendly barking of a dog, — all seemed to greet me Avith a first Avelcome to the shores of this strange country: Avhile the sun, shining brightly from a slightly clouded sky, mellowed the whole landscape, aud so deeply impressed my soul, that tears sprang to my eyes, and a feeling rose in my Ueart that I can call nothing else than devotional; "AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 95 for it bowed my knees beneath me, and forced sounds from my lips that I could not translate into Avords, for they were mysterious to myself. A stranger in a strange, wide land, not knowing its habits and customs, not understanding its people, not yet understanding its Avorkings and aims, my mind Avas not clouded Avith loneliness. I was hap- py. Had it not been my OAvn wish that had made me leave the home of a kind father, and of a mother beloved beyond all earthly beings ? I had succeeded in safely reaching the shores of Ameri- ca. Life Avas again open before me. With these thoughts, I turned from the beautiful landscape; and finding the captain, a noble-hearted sailor, in- quired of him how long it Avould take us to reach the port of Ncav York. "That is New York," said he, pointing to a dark mass of buildings, Avith lure and there a spire towering in the air. " We shall reach there about eight o'clock; but it is Sunday, and you Avill have to stay on board till to-morrow." With this he turned away, calling his men to Aveigh anchor; as the physician, Avhose duty it Avas to inspect the cargo of men, like cattle, had just left in his boat. On Ave went, my sister still dancing and singing for joy; and Mr. R. and myself sitting someAvhat apart, — he looking de- 96 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF spondently into the Avater, I Avith my head firmly raised in the air, happy in heart, but thoughtful in mind, and trusting in my inward strength for the future. I took my breakfast on deck. No one seemed to have any appetite ; and I felt someAvhat reproved when I heard some one near me say, " She seems to have neither head nor heart: see Iioav tranquilly she can eat at such a time as this ! " These Avords were spoken by one of the cabin-passengers, — a young man, Avho was exceedingly curious to know Avhy I Avas going to America, and had several times tried to make the rest of the passengers be- lieve that it must be in consequence of an unhappy love. The poor simpleton! he thought that wo- men could only enter into life through the tragedy of a broken heart. A bell sounded. We were opposite Trinity Church, Avhich had just struck eight. On my right lay an enormous collection of bricks (houses I could not call them ; for, seen from the ship, they resembled only a pile of ruins) ; on my left, the romantic shore of New Jersey. But the admiration with Avhich I had gazed upon Staten Island Avas gone as I stood before this beautiful scene ; the appreciation of Nature was mastered by another feeling, — a feeling "AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 97 of activity that had become my ideal. I had come here for a purpose, — to carry out the plan Avhich a despotic government and its servile agents had prevented me from doing in my native city. I had to show to those men Avho had opposed me so strongly because I was a Avoman, that in this land of liberty, equality, and fraternity, I could maintain that position AA'hich they Avould not permit to me at home. My talents were in an unusual direction. I was a physician ; and, as such, had for years moved in the most select circles of Berlin. Even my ene- mies had been forced to give me the highest testi- monials : and these Avere the only treasure that I brought to this country; for I had given my last dollar to the sailor Avho brought me the first news that land was in sight. I looked again upon New York, but Avith a feel- ing that a great mystery Avas lying before my eyes, — a feeling that was confirmed by the men, Avho came off to the ship in small boats, speaking a language that seemed like a chaos of sounds. As I turned, I saAV my sister coming sloAvly up from the cabin Avith a changed air ; and I asked her Avith surprise Avhat Avas the matter. "O Marie ! " said she, " most of the passengers are called for. Mr. R.'s brother has just come to take him on shore. 7 98 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF He Avas so glad to see him (for he thought he Avas in NeAv Orleans), that I think he Avill forget to say good-by. I am afraid that we shall have to stay here all alone, and"---- "Are the Misses ZakrzeAVska on board ? " called a voice from a little boat by the side of the ship. We looked doAvn in surprise, but did not recognize the man, Avho spoke as if he Avere an acquaintance. The captain an- SAvered, " Yes." Upon which the same voice said, " Mr. G. requests them to wait: he will be here in a moment." This announcement surprised us the more that it came from a totally unexpected quarter. An acquaintance of ours, who had emigrated to Ncav York a feAv years before, and had shortly after married a Mr. G., had heard from her brother in Berlin of our departure for America in the ship " Deutschland; " and these good people, thinking that they could be of use to us in a neAv country, had been watching for its arrival. No one on board dared ask a question as to Avho our friends Avere, so reserved had Ave been in regard to our plans: only the young man Avho had accused me of having neither head nor heart said, half aside, "Ah, ha! now Ave knoAv the reason ■•"hv Miss Marie ate her breakfast so calmly, while her sister " woman's right to labor." 99 danced for joy. They had beaux avIio were ex- pecting them." "Simpleton!" thought I: "must Avomen always have beaux in order to be calm about the future ? " Mr. G. came on board in a feAV minutes, bring- ing us from his wife an invitation of Avclcome to her house. I cannot express in Avords the emotion awakened in my heart by the really unselfish kind- ness that had impelled these people to greet us in this manner; and this was increased when we reached their A'ery modest dwelling, consisting of a large shop in which Mr. G. carried on his business of manufacturing fringes and tassels, one sitting-room, a bedroom, and a small kitchen. My strength left me, and my composure dissolved in a flood of tears. The good people did all that they could to make us feel at home, and insisted that avc should occupy the sitting-room until Ave had decided Avhat further to do. Of course, I deter- mined that this should be for as short a time as possible, and that Ave Avould immediately look out for other lodgings. One-half of this first day Avas spent in talking about home; the other, in making an excursion to Iloboken. This visit avc Avould gladly have dis- pensed Avith, so exhausted Avere Ave by the excite- 100 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF ment that we had passed through since sunrise; but our friends Avere bent on entertaining us with stories and sights of the NeAv World, and we fol- lowed them rather reluctantly. I have since been glad that I did so; for my mind Avas in a state that rendered it far more impressible than usual, and therefore better fitted to observe much that would have been lost to me in a less-excited condition. Here I first saw the type of common German life on Sunday in America; and I saw enough of it on that one Sunday afternoon to last a Avhole lifetime. My friends called on several of their acquaintances. Everywhere that we went, I noticed two peculiari- ties,— comparative poverty in the surroundings, and apparent extravagance in the manner of living : for in every house Ave found an abundance of Avine, beer, cake, meat, salad, &c, although it was be- tween the hours of meals ; and every one was eating, although no one seemed hungry. At nine o'clock in the evening, the visit Avas concluded by going to a hotel, where a rich supper was served up to us ; and at eleven at night we returned home. My Avork in America had already commenced. Was it not necessary for a stranger in a neAv coun- try to observe life in all its phases, before entering upon it ? It seemed so to me ; and I had already "woman's right to labor." 10.1 planned, while on ship-board, to spend the first month in observations of this kind. I had made a fair beginning ; and, Avhen I saw many repetitions of this kind of life among my countrymen, I feared that this was their main purpose in this country, and their consolation for the loss of the entertain- ments and recreations Avhich their fatherland of- fered to them. But, as soon as I got opportunity to make my observations among the educated class- es, I found my fear ungrounded ; and I also found that the Americans had noticed the impulse for progress and higher development Avhich animated these Germans. The German mind, so much honored in Europe for its scientific capacity, for its consistency regarding principles, and its correct criticism, is not dead here : but it has to struggle against difficulties too numerous to be detailed here ; and therefore it is that the Americans don't know of its existence, and the chief obstacle is their different languages. A Humboldt must re- main unknoAvn here, unless he chooses to Ameri- canize himself in eArery respect; and could he do this Avithout ceasing to be Humboldt the cosmo- politan genius ? It Avould be a great benefit to the development of this country if the German language Avas made 102 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF a branch of education, and not an accomplish- ment simply. Only then would the Americans appreciate how much has been done by the Ger- mans to advance higher development, and to diffuse the true principles of freedom. It would serve both parties to learn how much the Germans aid in developing the reason, and supporting progress in every direction. The reArolution of 1848 has been more serviceable to America than to Germa- ny ; for it has caused the emigration of thousands of men who would have been the pride of a free Germany. America has received the German freemen, whilst Germany has retained the sub- jects. The next morning, I determined to return to the ship to look after my baggage. As Mr. and Mrs. G. were busy in their shop, there was no one to accompany me : I therefore had either to wait un- til they were at leisure, or to go alone. I chose the latter, and took my first walk in the city of NeAv York on my way to the North River, Avhere the ship Avas lying. The noise and bustle everywhere about me absorbed my attention to such a degree, that, instead of turning to the right hand, I went to the left, and found myself at the East River, in the neighborhood of Peck Slip. Here I inquired " avoman's right to labor." 103 after the German ship " Deutschland," and Avas directed, in my native tongue, down to the Battery, and thence up to Pier 13, Avhere I found the ship discharging the rest of her passengers and their baggage. It was eleATen o'clock when I reached the ship: I had, therefore, taken a three-hours' walk. I had now to wait until the custom-house officer had inspected my trunks, and afterwards for the arrival of Mr. G., who came at one o'clock with a cart to convey the baggage to his house. While standing amidst the croAvd, a man in a light suit of clothes of no positive color, with a com- plexion of the same sort, came up to me, and asked, in German, whether I had yet found a boarding- place. The man's smooth face instinctively repelled me; yet the feeling that I was not independently established made me somewhat indefinite in my reply. On seeing this, he at once grew talkative and friendly, and, speaking of the necessity of find- ins: a safe and comfortable home, said that he could recommend me to a hotel Avhere I would be treated honestly; or that, if I chose to be in a private family, he kneAv of a very kind, motherly lady, Avho kept a boarding-house for ladies alone, — not to make money, but for the sake of her country- women. The familiarity that he mingled in his 104 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF conversation while trying to be friendly made me thoroughly indignant: I turned my back upon him, saying that I did not need his services. It was not long before I saw him besieging my sister Anna, who had come Avith Mr. G.; being nervous lest I might not have found the ship. What he said to her, I do not know. I only remember that she came to me, saying, " I am afraid of that man : I wish that Ave could go home soon." This meeting with a man who makes friendly offers of service may seem a small matter to the mere looker-on ; but it ceases to be so Avhen one knoAvs his motives : and, since that time, I have had but too many opportu- nities to see for what end these offers are made. Many an educated girl comes from the Old World to find a position as governess or teacher, who is taken up in this manner, and is never heard from again, or is only found in the most wretched con- dition. It is shameful that the most effective arrangements should not be made for the safety of these helpless beings, who come to these shores with the hope of finding a Canaan. The week was mostly spent in looking for apart- ments ; as we had concluded to commence house- keeping on a small scale, in order to be more independent and to save money. On our arrival, "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 105 I had borrowed from my sister the hundred dollars which my father had given her on our departure from Berlin, and which Avas to be my capital until I had established myself in business. I succeeded in finding a suite of rooms, Avith windows facing the street, in the house of a grocer; and, having put them in perfect order, Ave moved into them on the Gth of June, paying eleven dollars as our rent for two months in advance. My sister took charge of our first day's house- keeping, while I went to deliver my letters of introduction. I went first to Dr. Reisig, in Four- teenth Street. My mother, who had employed him Avhen he was a young man and Ave were small children, had spoken of him kindly; and, for this reason, I had confidence in him. I found him a very friendly man, but by no means a cordial one. He informed me that female physicians in this country Avere of the loAvcst rank, and that they did not hold even the position of a good nurse. He said that he Avished to be of service to me if I Avere willing to serve as nurse ; and, as he Avas just then in need of a good one, Avould recommend me for the position. I thanked him for his candor and kindness, but refused his offer, as I could not con- descend to be patronized in this Avay. Depressed 106 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF in hope, but strengthened in Avill, I did not deliver any more of my letters, since they were all to physicians, and I could not hope to be more suc- cessful in other quarters. I went home, therefore, determined to commence practice as a stranger. The result of my experiment discouraged my sister greatly. After meditating for some time, she suddenly said, " Marie, I read in the paper this morning of a dressmaker who Avanted some one to seAv for her. I know how to sew well.: I shall go there, and you can attend to our little household. No one here knoAvs me, and I do not think there is any thing wrong in my trying to earn some money." She was determined, and went. I put up my sign, and spent my time in attending to the house- hold duties, and in reading in order to gain in- formation of the country and the people. Occa- sionally I took Avalks through different parts of the city, to learn, from the houses and their surround- ings, the character of life in NeAv York. I am sure that though, perhaps, I appeared idle, I Avas not so in reality; for during this time I learned the philosophy of American life. But our stock of money was becoming less and less. To furnish the rooms had cost us comparatively "AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 107 little, as we had brought a complete set of house- hold furniture with us ; but paying the rent and completing the arrangements had not left us more than enough to live upon, in the most economical manner, until the 1st of August. My sister ob- tained the place at the dressmaker's; and after Avorking a week from seven in the morning until twelve (when she came home to dinner), then from one in the afternoon until seven in the evening, she received tAvo dollars and seventy-five cents as the best sewer of six. She brought home the hardly earned money Avith tears in her eyes; for she had expected at least three dollars for the Aveek's work. She had made each day a Avhole muslin dress, Avith the trimmings. And this Avas not all: the dress- maker often did not pay on Saturday nights, because, as she said, people did not pay her punc- tually ; and the poor girls received their Avages by six or eight shillings at a time. For the last tAvo weeks of my sister's Avork, she received her pay- ment seven Aveeks after she had left. We lived in this manner until the middle of July, when I lost patience ; for practice did not come as readily as I Avished, nor Avas I in a position for making money in any other way. My sister, usually so cheerful and happy, grew grave from 108 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OP the unusual work and close confinement. One of these nights, on lying down to sleep, she burst into tears, and told me of her doubts and fears for the future. I soothed her as Avell as I could, and she fell asleep. For myself, I could not sleep, but lay awake all night meditating what I could possibly do. Should I write home, requesting help from my father? He certainly would have given it; for Ave had received a letter tAvo weeks before, offering us all desirable aid. No : all my pride rebelled against it. "I must help myself," I thought, " and that to-morrow." The next morning, my sister left me as usual. I Avent out, and walked through the city to Broad- Avay; turning into Canal Street, where I had formed an acquaintance Avith a very friendly Ger- man woman by purchasing little articles at various times at her store. I entered without any particular design, and exchanged a few commonplaces Avith her about the Aveather. Her husband stood talking with a man about worsted goods, and their conver- sation caught my ear. The merchant was com- plaining because the manufacturer did not supply him fast enough: upon which the man ansAvered, that it was very difficult to get good hands to work; and that, besides, he had more orders than it was " AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 109 possible to fill; naming several merchants whose names I had seen in Broadway, avIio were also complaining because he did not supply them. After he had left, I asked carelessly Avhat kind of articles were in demand, and was shoAvn a great variety of Avorsted fancy-goods. A thought entered my brain. I left the store, and, walking down Broadway, asked at one of the stores that had been mentioned for a certain article of Avorsted goods, in order to learn the price. Finding this enormous, I did not buy it; and returned home, calculating on my way hoAV much it Avould cost to manufacture these articles, and how much profit could be made in making them on a large scale. I found that two hundred per cent profit might be made by going to work in the right Avay. My sister came home, as usual, to dinner. I sat down with her, but could not eat. She looked at me anxiously, and said, "I hope you are not sick again. Oh, dear! Avhat shall we do if you get sick ? " I had been ill for a Aveek, and she feared a relapse. I said nothing of my plan, but consoled her in respect to my health. As soon as she had left, I counted my money. But five dollars remained. If I had been depend- ent upon money for cheerfulness, I should certainly 110 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF have been discouraged. I went to John Street, and, entering a large Avorsted store, inquired of a cheerful-looking girl the Avholesale price of the best Berlin wool; hoAv many colors could be had in a pound; &c. The pleasant and ready answers that I received in my native tongue induced me to tell her frankly that I Avanted but a small quantity at that time, but that I intended to make an experi- ment in manufacturing Avorsted articles; and, if successful, Avould like to open a small credit, Avhich she said they generally would do Avhen security was given. I purchased four and a half dollars' worth of worsted ; so that fifty cents Avere left in my pocket when I quitted the store. I then went to the office of a German neAvspaper, Avhere I paid twenty-five cents for advertising for girls who understood all kinds of knitting. When my sister came home at night, the worsted was all sorted on the table in parcels for the girls avIio would come the next morning, while I was busily engaged in the experi- ment of making little worsted tassels. I had never been skilful in knitting ; but in this I succeeded so Avell, that I could have made a hundred yards of tassels in one day. My sister turned pale on seeing all this ; and hurriedly asked, " How much money "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." Ill have you spent?" — "All, my dear Anna," an- swered I; " all, except twenty-five cents, which Avill be sufficient to buy a pound of beefsteak and pota- toes for to-morrow's dinner. Bread, tea, and sugar we have still in the house; and to-morroAv night you will bring home your twenty-tAvo shillings." " May you succeed, Marie! th~t i3 all I have to say," Avas her reply. She learned of me that even- ing how to make the tassels ; and Ave worked till midnight, finishing a large number. The next day was Saturday, and some women really came to get work. I gave them just enough for one day, keeping One day's Avork in reserve. The day was spent busily in arranging matters, so that, on Monday morning, I might be able to carry a sample of the manufactured articles to those stores that I had heard mentioned as not being sufficiently supplied. In the evening, my sister came home Avithout her money: the dressmaker had gone into the country in the afternoon, without paying the girls. She Avas more than sad, and I felt a little uncom- fortable ; for Avhat was I to do, without money to provide for the next two days, or to pay those girls on Monday Avith Avhose work I might not be satis- fied ? What was to be done ? To go doAvn to our 112 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF landlord, the grocer, and ask him to advance us a few dollars ? No : he was a stranger, and had no means of knowing that we would return the money. Besides, I did not wish the people in the house to knoAv our condition. My resolution was taken. I proposed to my sister to go to the market with me to buy meat and fruit for the morroAv. She looked at me with blank astonishment; but, Avithout heeding it, I said calmly, taking from the bureau-drawer the chain of my watch, " Anna, opposite the market, there is a pawnbroker. No one knows us ; and, by giving a fictitious name, Ave can get money, without thank- ing any one for it." She was satisfied ; and, taking a little basket, we went on our errand. I asked of the pawnbroker six dollars, under the name of Mid- ler, and received the money ; after which Ave made our purchases, and went home in quite good spirits. On Monday morning, the knitters brought home their Avork. I paid them, and gave them enough for another day ; after which I set about finishing each piece, completing the task about two in the afternoon. This done, I carried the articles to Broadway ; and, leaving a sample in a number of stores, received orders from them for several "woman's right to labor." 113 dozens.* I then went to the Avorsted store in John Street, Avhere I also obtained orders for the manufactured articles, together Avith ten dollars' worth of Avorsted on credit; having first given my name and residence to the book-keeper, with the names of the stores from Avhich I had received or- ders. In the evening, Avhen my sister came home, I was, therefore, safely launched into a manufactur- ing business. The news cheered her greatly; but she could not be induced to quit her sewing. The neAv business had sprung up so rapidly and plea- santly, that she could not trust in the reality of its existence. I must tell you here something of the social life that Ave led. We had brought a number of friendly letters Avith us from our acquaintances in Berlin to their friends and relatives in America; all of Avhich, upon our arrival, Ave sent by post, Avith the exception of two, — the one sent by a neighbor to his son, Albert C.; the other to a young artist; both of whom called for their letters. About four Aveeks • Here I have to remark, that, not being able to speak English, I conducted my business at the different stores either in German or French, as I easily found some of the employees who could speak one of these languages. 6 114 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF after we were settled in Ncav York, avc received a call from some young men Avhose sisters had been schoolmates of my sisters in Berlin, avIio came to inquire of us Avhere to find Mr. C. We could giA-e them no information, as Ave had not seen him since he called for his letter ; neither did Ave noAV see any thing of the G.'s : but the acquaintance thus formed with these young men was continued, and our soli- tude was now and then enlivened by an hour's call from them. Soon after I had commenced my neAv business, they came one day in company Avith Mr. C, whom they had met uccidently in the street, and, on his expressing a wish to see us, had taken the liberty to bring to our house. My business continued to prosper ; and, by con- stantly offering none but the best quality of goods for sale, in a very short time I had so much to do, that my whole time in the day was occupied with out-door business, and I Avas forced to sit up r.t night Avith my sister to prepare work for the knit- ters. At one time, we had constantly thirty girls in our employ; and in this way I became acquaint- ed with many of those unfortunates who had been misled and ruined on their arrival by persons pre- tending friendship. Two of these in particular interested me greatly, One, the grand-daughter "woman's right to labor." 115 of Krummacher, and bearing his name, Avas the daughter of a physician, Avho had come to this country, hoping to find a place as governess. Poor girl! she was a mere Avreck when I fo.und her, and all my efforts to raise her up Avere in vain. She was sick, and in a terrible mental condition. We took her into our house, nursed her and cared for her, and, when she had recovered, supplied her with work ; for Avhich Ave paid her so Avell, that she ahvays had three dollars a Aveek, which paid for her board and washing. It was tAvice as much as she could earn, yet not enough to make her feel reconciled with life. At one time, she did not come to us for a whole Aveek. I Avent to see her, and her landlady told me that she was melancholy. I persuaded, her to come and stay Avith us for a few days; but, in spite of all my friendly encou- ragement, I could not succeed in restoring her to cheerfulness. She OAvned that she could not Avork merely to live: she did not feel the pangs of hun- ger ; but she felt the want of comforts to Avhich she had been accustomed, and Avhich, in our days, are regarded as necessities. She attempted to find a situation as governess ; but her proficiency in music, French, and drawing, counted as nothing. She had no city references ; and, having been tAvo years in 116 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF Ncav York, dared not name the place to Avhich she had been conducted on her arrival. She left us at last in despair, after having been a Aveek with us. She never called again, and I could not learn from her landlady where she had gone. Three months afterAvards, I heard from one of the girls in our employ that she had married a poor shoemaker in order to have a home ; but I never learned whether this was true. About a year later, I met her in the BoAvery, poorly but cleanly dressed. She hastily turned away her face on seeing me ; and I only caught a glimpse of the crimson flush that overspread her countenance. The other girl that I referred to was a Miss Mary ----, who came Avith her mother to this country, expecting to live with a brother. They found the brother married, and unwilling to sup- port his sister; Avhile his wife was by no means friendly in her reception of his mother. The good girl determined to earn a support for her mother, and a pretended friend offered to take care of their things until she could find Avork and rent lodgings. After four weeks' search, she found a little room and bedroom in a rear-building in Elizabeth Street, at five dollars a month ; and was preparing to move, when her friend presented a bill of forty dollars for "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 117 his services. She could only satisfy his rapacity by selling every thing that she could possibly spare : after Avhich she commenced to Avork; and as she embroidered a great deal, besides Avorking for me (for which I paid her six dollars a week), for a time she lived tolerably Avell. After some time, her mo ther fell ill; and she had to nurse her and attend to the household, as well as labor for their support. It was a trying time for the poor girl. She sought her brother; but he had moved to the West. I did all that I could for her; but this was not half enough : and, after I had quitted the manufacturing business and left the city, my sister heard that she had drowned herself in the Hudson, because her mother's corpse Avas lying in the house, Avhile she had not a cent to give it burial, or to buy a piece of bread, Avithout selling herself to vice. Are not these tAvo terrible romances of New- York life ? And many besides did I learn among these poor Avomen; so many, indeed, that I forget the details of all. Stories of this kind are said to be Avithout foundation: I say that there are more of them in our midst than it is possible to imagine. Women of good education, but without money, are forced to earn their living. They determine to leave their home, either because false pride pre- 118 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF vents their seeking work where they have been brought up as ladies, or because this work is so scarce that they cannot earn by it even a life of semi-starvation; while they are encouraged to be- lieve that in this country they will readily find proper employment. They are too well educated to become domestics; better educated, indeed, than are half the teachers here : but modesty, and the habit of thinking that they must pass through the same legal ordeal as in Europe, pre- vent them from seeking places in this capacity. They all knoAv Iioav to embroider in the most beau- tiful manner; and, knowing that this is well paid for in Europe, seek to find employment of this kind in the stores. Not being able to speak English, they believe the stories of the clerks and proprie- tors, and are made to work at low wages, and are often swindled out of their money. They feel home- sick, forlorn and forsaken in the world. Their health at length fails them, and they cannot earn bread enough to keep themselves from starvation. They are too proud to beg; and the consequence is, that they walk the streets, or throw themselves into the river. I met scores of these friendless women. Some I took into my house; for others I found work, " avoman's right to labor." 119 and made myself a sort of guardian ; Avhile to others I gave friendship to keep them morally alive. It is a curious fact, that these women are chiefly Germans. The Irish resort at once to beg- gary, or are inveigled into brothels, as soon as they arrive; while the French are always intriguing enough either to put on a white cap and find a place as bonne, or to secure a private lover. I am often in despair about the helplessness of women, and the readiness of men to let them earn money in abundance by shame, while they grind them down to the merest pittance for honorable work. Shame on society, that women are forced to surrender themselves to an abandoned life and death, when so many are enjoying wealth and lux- ury in extravagance ! I do not wish them to divide their estates with the poor; I am no friend to communism in any form: I only wish institutions . that shall give to women an education from child- hood, that will enable them, like young men, to earn their livelihood. These weak women are the last to come forth to aid in their emancipation from inefficient education. We cannot calculate upon these : we must educate the children for better po- sitions, and leave the adults to their destiny. How many women marry only for a shelter or a 120 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF home! Hoav often have I been the confidante of girls, Avho the day before, arrayed in satin, had given their hands to rich men before the altar, while their hearts Avere breaking with suppressed agony ! and this, too, among Americans, this great, free nation, Avho, notwithstanding, let their women starve. It is but lately that a young Avoman said to me, " I thank Heaven, my dear doctor, that you are a woman-; for noAV I can tell you the truth about my health. It is not my body that is sick, but my heart. These flounces and velvets cover a body that is sold, — sold legally to a man who could pay my father's debts." Oh ! I scorn men, some- times, from the bottom of my heart. Still this is wrong: for it is the women's, the mothers' fault, in educating their daughters to be merely beautiful machines, fit to ornament a fine establishment; while, if they do not succeed in gaining this, there is nothing left but wretchedness of mind and body. Women, there is a connection between the Fifth Avenue and the Five Points! Both the rich and the wretched are types of womanhood; both are linked together, forming one great body; and both have the same part in good and evil. I can hardly leave this subject, though it may seem to have little to do with my American experience ; but a word "woman's right to labor." 121 spoken from a full heart not only gives relief, but may fall on one listening ear, and take root there. I must now return to my new enterprise. The business paid well: and, although I was often foroed to Avork Avith my sister till the daAvn of morning, Ave were happy; for we had all that we needed, and I could write home that the offered assistance was superfluous. Here I must say, that I had resolved, on leaving Berlin, never to ask for aid, in order that I might be able Avith perfect freedom to carry out my plans independently of my family. How this was ever to be done, I did not yet see; though I had a good opportunity to learn, from "life and from the papers, what I had to expect here. But this mode of instruction, though useful to one seeking to become a philosopher, Avas Aery unsatis- factory to me. The chief thing that I learned was, that I must acquire English before I could under- take any thing. And this Avas the most difficult point to overcome. I am not a linguist by nature : all that I learn of languages must be obtained by the greatest perseverance and industry; and, for this, my business Avould not allow me time. Shortly after I had fairly established myself in the manufacturing business, I received news from 122 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF Berlin, that Sister Catherine had left the Hospital Charite, and was intending to join me in America, in order to aid me in carrying out my plan for the establishment of a hospital for women in the NeAv World. The parties interested in her had finally succeeded in placing her in the Avished-for position, thus disconnecting her from the sisterhood. But, after my departure, the position became greatly mo- dified in rank, and inferior in character. Private reasons besides made it disagreeable for her to re- main there any longer; and in this moment she remembered my friendship towards her, and in the unfortunate belief that she shared Avith many others, that all that I designed to do I could do at once, resolved to come to me, and offer her assist- ance. She joined us on the 22d of August, and was not a little disappointed to find me in the tassel instead of the medical line. The astonishment Avith Avhich her acquaintances in Berlin heard her announce her intention of going to seek help from a person to Avhom she had been less than a friend, could not be expressed in Avords ; and she told me that the annoyance that they manifested Avas really the chief stimulus that decided her to come at last. She arrived Avithout a cent. Having ahvays found friends enough ready to supply her with money, "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO TATiOR." 123 whenever she wished to establish a temporary hospi- tal, it had never occurred to her that she should need any for private use, beyond just enough to furnish the simple blue merino dress of the sisterhood, Avhich had often been provided for her by the KaisersAverth Institute. But here she Avas; and she very soon learned to understand the difficulties Avhich must be overcome before I could enter again into my profession. She became satisfied, and lived Avith us, sharing equally in whatever we had ourselves. There is a peculiar satisfaction in showing kindness to a person Avho has injured us, though unconsci- ously, under different circumstances: and, in her case, she Avas not entirely unconscious of the harm she had done me ; for she confessed to me while in America, that her acquaintance Avas courted by all those who had been tlrwarted in their opposition by my appointment, and that she kneAV Avell that they sought every opportunity to annoy me. On the 18th of September, a sister, one year younger than myself, joined us; having been tempted by our favorable accounts to try a life of * adventure. We Avere noAV four in the family. But Catherine gradually greAv discontented. Having been accustomed to the comforts afforded in larve institutions, and to receiving attentions from the 124 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF most aristocratic families of Prussia, the monoto- nous life that avc led was only endurable to her so long as the novelty lasted. This soon Avore off, and she became anxious for a change. She had heard her fellow-passengers speak of a Pastor S., who had been sent to America as a missionary; and she begged me to seek him out, and take her to him, that she might consult him as to what she had best do. I did so, and she soon be- came acquainted with his family. Mr. S. exerted himself in her behalf, and secured her a place as nurse in the Home for the Friendless, where she had the charge of some thirty children. This was a heavy task ; for, though none Avere under a year old, she was constantly disturbed through the night, and could get but a feAV hours' consecutive sleep. Besides, she could not become reconciled to wash- ing under the hydrant in the morning, and to being forced to mingle with the commonest Irish girls. She was in every respect a lady, and had been ac- customed to have a servant at her command, even in the midst of the typhus-fever in the desolate districts of Silesia; while here she was not even treated Avith humanity. This soon greAv unbeara- ble ; and she returned to us on the 16th of October, after having been only ten days in the institution. "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 125 So eager was she to make her escape, that she did not even ask for the two dollars that Avere due her for wages. But we could not receive her ; for Ave had taken another Avoman in her place, as friend- less and as penniless as she. Besides, a misfortune had just fallen upon us. During the night before, our doors had been unlocked, our bureau-draAvers inspected, and all our money, amounting to fifty-tAvo dollars, carried off; and, Avhen Catherine arrived, we Avere so poor that we had to borrow the bread and milk for our breakfast. Fortunately, the day before, I had refused the payment due me for a large bill of goods; and this came now in a very good time. I did not feel justified, however, in increasing the family to five after our loss; nor did she claim our assistance, but went again to Pastor S., who had invited her to visit his family. With his assistance, she obtained some private nursing, which maintained her. until the congregation had collected money enough to enable her to return to Berlin; Avhich she did on the 2d of December. Having many friends in the best circles of that city, she immediately found a good practice again ; and is noAV, as she says, enjoying life in a civilized manner. We moved at once from the scene of the rob- bery, and took a part of a house in Monroe Street, 126 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF for which Ave paid tAvo hundred dollars a year. Our business continued good, and I had some pro- spects of getting into practice. But, Avith spring, the demand for Avorsted goods ceased ; and as my practice brought me work, but no money, I Avas forced to look out for something else to do. By accident, I saAV in a store a coiffure made of silk, in imitation of hair, Avhich I bought; but I found, on examination, that I could not manufacture it, as it was machine-Avork. I Avent, therefore, to Mr. G., and proposed to establish a business Avith him, in which he should manufacture these coiffures, Avhile I Avould sell them by wholesale to the merchants with whom I was acquainted. Mr. G. had com- pletely ruined himself during the- winter by neglecting his business and meddling with Tam- many-Hall politics, which had Avasted his money and his time. He had not a single workman in his shop Avhen I called, and was too much discou- raged to think of any new enterprise ; but, on my telling him that I would be responsible for the first outlay, he engaged hands, and, in less than a month, had forty-eight persons busily employed. In this way I earned money during the spring, and freed myself from the obligations which his kindness in receiving us the spring before had laid upon us. "woman's right to labor." 127 My chief business now was to sell the goods manufactured by Mr. G. Our Avorsted business was very small; and the prospect Avas that it Avould cease entirely, and that the coifTure that Ave made Avould not long continue in fashion. Some other business, therefore, had to be found, especially as it Avas impossible for us to lay up money. Our family noAV consisted of myself and two sisters, the friend that Avas staying Avith us, and a brother, nineteen years of age, who had joined us during the Avinter, and who, though an engineer and in good business, was, like most young men, thought- less, and more likely to increase than to lighten our burdens. Our friend Mr. C, Avho had be- come our constant visitor, planned at this time a journey to Europe ; so that our social life seemed also about to come to an end. On the 13th of May, 1854, as I was riding down to the stores on my usual business, reAeries of the past took possession of my mind. Almost a year in America, and not one step advanced toAvards my purpose in coming hither ! It was true that I had a comfortable home, with enough to liA-e upon, and had repaid my sister the money that I had borroAved from her on our arrival; yet what kind of a life Avas it that I was leading, in a business 128 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF foreign to my nature and inclinations, and without even the prospect of enlarging this ? These re- flections made me"so sad, that, Avhen I reached the store, the book-keeper noticed my dejection, and told me, by Avay of cheering me, that he had another order for a hundred dollars' Avorth of goods, &c.; but this did not relieve me. I entered the omnibus again, speculating constantly on Avhat I should do next; Avhen a thought suddenly daAvned upon me. Might not the people in the Home for the Friend- less be able to give me advice ? I had hardly conceiATed the idea, Avhen I determined to ride directly up there, instead of stopping at the street in Avhich I lived. I thought, besides, that some employment might be found for my sister Anna, in which she could learn the English language, for which she had evinced some talent, Avhile I had decided that I could never become master of it. I had seen the matron, Miss Goodrich, once Avhen I called there on Catherine S. She had a humane face, and I Avas persuaded that I should find a friend in her. I was not mistaken. I told her of my plans in coming here, and of our present mode of life and prospects ; and confided to her my dis- appointment and dejection, as Avell as my determi- nation to persevere courageously. She seemed to "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 129 understand and to enter into my feelings, and promised to see Dr. Elizabeth Blackwcll, Avhom she advised me to call upon at once. I went home full of the hope and inspiration of a new life. Dear Mary, you can hardly compre- hend the happiness of that morning. I was not suffering, it is true, for the necessaries of life; but, Avhat Avas far Avorse, I suffered from the feeling that I lived for no purpose but to eat and to drink. I had no friends who Avere interested in the pursuits toAvards Avhich my nature inclined ; and I saAV croAvds of arrogant people about me, to whom I could not prove that I was their equal in spite of their money. My sisters had not seen me so cheer- ful since our arrival in America, and thought that I had surely discovered the philosopher's stone. I told them of Avhat I had done, and received their approbation. On the morning of the 15th of May, — the anni- versary of the death of Dr. Schmidt and of my greatest joy and my greatest misery, — we received a call from Miss Goodrich, Avho told us that she had seen Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, and thought that she had also procured a suitable place for my sister. She gave us the addresses of Dr. BlackAvell and of Miss Catherine SedgAvick. We called first upon the 9 130 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF latter, Avho Avas extremely kind ; and although she had quite misunderstood our wishes, — having ex- erted herself to procure a place for my sister in a Avay that manifested the belief that avc had neither a home nor the means to liA-e, — yet her friendliness and readiness to assist us made us for ever grateful to her. At that time Ave did not know her standing in society, and looked upon her merely as a benevo- lent and Avealthy woman. We soon learned more of her, hoAvever: for, though unsuccessful in her first efforts, she shortly after sent for my sister, having secured her a place in Mr. Theodore Scdg- Avick's family; Avhich was acceptable, inasmuch as it placed her above the level of the servants. She remained there seven Aveeks, and then returned home. On the same morning, I saw Dr. Elizabeth BlackAvell; and from this call of the 15th of May I date my neAv life in America. She spoke a little German, and understood me perfectly Avhen I talked. I gave her all my certificates for inspec- tion, but said nothing to her of my plans in coming to America. It Avould have seemed too ludicrous for me in my position to tell her that I entertained the idea of interesting the people in the establish- ment of a hospital for Avomen. I hardly know "AVOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 131 what I told her, indeed; for I had no other plan of which to speak, and therefore talked confusedly, like an adventurer. I only knoAv that I said that I Avould take the position of nurse, if I could enter one of the large hospitals, in order to learn the manner in which they Avere managed in this coun- ty- I cannot comprehend how Dr. BlackAvell could ever have taken so deep an interest in me as she manifested that morning; for I never in my life Avas so little myself. Yet she did take this interest; for she gave me a sketch of her OAvn experience in acquiring a medical education, and explained the requirements for such in this country, and the ob- stacles that are throAvn in the Avay of Avomen avIio seek to become physicians. She told me of her plan of founding a hospital, — the long-cherished idea of my life; and said that she had opened a little dispensary — the charter for Avhich Avas procured during the preceding Avintcr, under the name of "The New-York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children" — on the 1st of May, tAvo Aveeks before, and Avhich Avas designed to be the nucleus for this hospital, Avhere she invited me to come and assist her. She insisted that, first of all, I should learn English ; and offered to give me lessons twice 132 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF a week, and also to make efforts to enable me to enter a college to acquire the title of M.D., which I had not the right to attach to my name. I left her after several hours' conversation, and Ave parted friends. I continued my Avork at home ; going regularly to Dr. BlackAvell to receive lessons in English, and to assist her in the dispensary. As Ave grew better acquainted, I disclosed more to her of the fact, that I had a fixed plan in coming to this country; Avhich increased her interest in me. She wrote in my behalf to the different colleges, and at length suc- ceeded in obtaining admission for me to the Cleveland Medical College (Western Reserve) on the most favorable terms; credit being given me on the lecture-fees for an indefinite time. Here I must stop to tell you A\rhy this credit was necessary. The articles that I had manufactured had gone out of fashion in May: and I could not invent any thing neAv, partly because I no longer felt the same interest as before, knowing that I should soon go to a medical college; and partly because the articles then in fashion were cheaper when imported. We had to live for a little while on the money that Ave had laid up, until I procured a commission for embroidering caps. It is per- "woman's right to labor." 133 fectly wonderful into what kinds of business I was forced, all foreign to my taste. And here let me tell you some secrets of this kind of business, in Avhich hundreds of women starve, and hundreds more go down to a life of infamy. Cap-making (the great business of Water Street of New York) gives employment to thou- sands of unfortunates. For embroidering caps, the wholesale dealer pays seven cents each; and for making up, three cents. To make a dozen a day, one must work for sixteen hours. The em- broidering is done in this Avise : I received the cut cloth from the wholesale dealer; drew the pat- tern upon each cap ; gave them, Avith three cents' Avorth of silk, to the embroiderer, Avho received three cents for her work ; then pressed and returned them; thus making one cent on each for myself. By Avorking steadily for sixteen hours, a girl could embroider fifteen in a day. I gave out about six dozen daily; earning, like the rest, fifty cents a day: unless I chose to do the stamping and pressing at night, and to embroider a dozen during the day; in Avhich case, I earned a dollar. One can liA-e in this Avay for a little Avhile, until health fails, or the merchant says that the work has come to an end. You will think this terrible 134 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF again. Oh, no ! this is not terrible. The good men provide in another Avay. They tell every woman of a prepossessing appearance, that it is Avrong in her to Avork so hard ; that many a man Avould be glad to care for her; and that many Avomen live quite comfortably Avith the help of a friend. They say, further, that it is lonely to live Avithout ever going to church, to the concert and theatre ; and that if these Avomen Avould only permit the speakers to visit them, and to attend them to any of these places, they would soon find that they would no longer be obliged to Avork so hard. This is the polished talk of gentlemen avIio enjoy the reputation of piety and respectability, and Avho think it a bad speculation to pay Avomen liberally for their Avork. So it Avould be, in truth; for these poor creatures Avould not be so willing to abandon themselves to a disreputa- ble life, if they could procure bread in any other way. During the summer of 1854, I took Avork on commission from men of this sort. While in Ber- lin, I had learned from the prostitutes in the hospi- tal in Avhat manner educated women often became Avhat they then were. The aA*erage story was al- ways the same. The purest love made them Aveak ; their lover deceived and deserted them ; their "woman's right to labor." 135 family cast them off by Avay of punishment. In their disgrace, they Avent to bury themselves in large cities, Avhere the Avork that they could find scarcely gave them their daily bread. Their em- ployers, attracted by their personal appearance and the refinement of their speech and manners, offered them assistance in another way, in Avhich they could earn money without Avork. In despair, they ac- cepted the proposals ; and sunk gradually, step by step, to the depths of degradation, as depicted by Hogarth in the " Harlot's Progress." In New York, I was thrown continually among men Avho AA^ere of the stamp that I described before ; and can say, even from my oavti experience, that no man is ever more polite, more friendly, or more kind, than one Avho has impure Avishes in his heart. It is really so dangerous for a woman of refined nature to go to such stores, that I never suffered my sister to visit them; not because I feared that she Avould listen to these men, but because I could not endure the thought that so innocent and beautiful a girl should come in contact Avith them, or even breathe the same atmosphere. When fathers are unwilling that their daughters shall enter life as physicians, laAvyers, merchants, or in any other public capacity, it is simply because they belong to the class that so 136 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF contaminates the air, that none can breathe it but themselves ; or because, from being thrown con- stantly in contact Avith such men, they arrive at the same point at which I then stood, and say to them- selves, " / can afford to meet such men. I am steeled by my knowledge of mankind, and supported by the philosophy that I have learned during years of trial. It cannot hurt me ; but, by all means, spare the young and beautiful the same expe- rience !" I dealt somewhat haughtily Avitlrthe merchants whom I have described, in a manner that at once convinced them of my position. But the conse- quence was, that the embroidery commission, Avhich had commenced so favorably, suddenly ceased, " because the Southern trade had failed:" in truth, because I would not alloAV any of these men to say any more to me than was absolutely necessary in our business. My income became less and less, and we were forced to live upon the money that we had laid up during the year. I did not look for any neAv sources of employment, for I was intend- ing to go to Cleveland in October ; while my next sister had business of her own, and Anna was en- gaged to be married to our friend Mr. C. My brother was also Avith them ; and my mother's "avoman's right to labor." 137 brother, Avhom she had adopted as a child, was on his Avay to America. After having settled our affairs, fifty dollars re- mained as my share; and, Avith this sum, I set out for Cleveland on the 16th of October, 1854. Dr. Elizabeth BlackAvell had supplied me Avith the ne- cessary medical text-books ; so that I had no other expenses than my journey and the matriculation fees, Avhich together amounted to tAventy dollars, leaving thirty dollars in my possession. I do not believe that many begin the study of medicine Avith so light a purse and so heaAW a heart as did I. My heart Avas heavy for the reason that I did not knoAv a single sentence of English. All of my study Avith Dr. Blackwell had been like rain- drops falling upon stone : I had profited nothing. The lectures I did not care for, since there Avas more need of my studying English than medicine : but the subjects were Avell known to me ; and I therefore reasoned, that, by hearing familiar things treated of in English, I must learn the language ; and the logic held good. I have already told you that the Faculty had agreed to give me credit for my lecture-fees. Dr. BlackAvell had written also to a lady there, avIio had called upon her some time before in the capa- 138 A practical illustration of city of President of a Physiological Society, Avhich, among other good things, had established a small fund for the assistance of Avomen desirous of study- ing medicine. This lady (Mrs. Caroline M. Seve- rance) replied in the most friendly manner, saying that I might come directly to her house, and that she would see that my board for the Avintcr Avas secured by the Physiological Society OA-er which she presided. The journey to Cleveland Avas a silent but a pleasant one. Through a mishap, I arrived on Saturday night, instead of in the morning ; and, being unwilling to disturb Mrs. Severance at so late an hour, went first to a hotel. But Avhat trials I had there ! No one could understand me ; until at last I wrote on a slate my own name and Mrs. Severance's, with the words, " A carriage," and " To-morrow." From this the people inferred that I wished to stay at the hotel all night, and to haAre a carriage to take me to Mrs. Severance's the next day; as Avas the case. A Avaiter took my carpet- bag, and conducted me to a room. I could not understand his directions to the supper-room, nei- ther could I make him understand that I Avanted some supper in my OAvn room ; and the consequence was, that I went to bed hungry, having eaten "avoman's right to labor." 139 nothing all day but a little bread, and an apple for luncheon. As soon as I was dressed the next morning, I rang the bell furiously; and, on the appearance of the waiter, exclaimed, "Beefsteak!" This time he comprehended me, and went laughingly aAvay to bring me a good breakfast. I often saAV the same waiter aftenvards at the hotel; and he never saAV me without laughing, and exclaiming, " Beef- steak ! " In the course of the forenoon, I Avas taken in a carriage to the house of Mrs. Severance; but the family were not at home. I returned to the hotel, somewhat disheartened and disappointed. Al- though I should have supposed that death was not far off if no disappointment had happened to me when I least expected it, yet this persistent going wrong of every thing in Cleveland was really rather dispiriting. But a bright star soon broke through the clouds, in the shape of Mr. Severance, who came into the parlor directly after dinner, calling for me in so easy and so cordial a manner, that I forgot every thing, and was perfectly happy. This feeling, however, lasted only until I reached the house. I found four fine children, all full of childish curiosity to hear me talk ; who, as soon as 140 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF they found that I could not make myself under- stood by them, looked on me with that sort of con- tempt peculiar to children when they discover that a person cannot do as much as they can themselves. Mr. Severance, too, Avas expecting to find me ac- complished in music, " like all Germans ; " and had to learn that I had neither voice nor ear for the art Mrs. Severance understood a little German, yet not half enough to gain any idea of how much or how little I Avas capable of doing ; and therefore looked upon me Avith a sort of uncertainty as to Avhat was my real capacity. This position was more provok- ing than painful; there Avas even something ludi- crous in it: and, when not annoyed, I often went into my room to indulge in a hearty laugh by myself. I met Avith a most cordial reception in the col- lege. The dean (Dr. John J. Delamater) received me like a father; and, on the first day, I felt per- fectly at home. All Avas going on Avell. I had a home at Mrs. Severance's ; while, despite my muti- lated English, I found many friends in the college, when circumstances changed every thing. Some changes occurred in Mr. Severance's business ; and he Avas forced, in consequence, to give up house- keeping. At that time, I did not know that the "avoman's right to labor." 141 Physiological Society was ready to lend me money ; and Avas therefore in great distress. I never expe- rienced so bitter a day as that onAvhich Mrs. Seve- rance told me that I could stay Avith her no longer. It Avas but five Aveeks after my arrival, and I Avas not able to make myself understood in the English language, Avhich was like chaos to me. On the same day, I well remember, that, for the first time in my life, I made an unsuccessful attempt to bor- roAv money; and, because it was the first and the last time, it Avas the more painful to me to be re- fused. I envied the dog that lived, and was happy Avithout troubling his brain ; I en\'ied the kitchen- maid, that did her Avork mechanically, and enjoyed life far more than those fitted by nature for some- thing higher, Avhile the Avorld Avould go on just as well Avithout them as with them. Mrs. Severance secured a boarding-place for me for the rest of the Avinter; and paid my board, amounting to thirty-three dollars, from the funds of the society. I lived quietly by myself; studied -six hours daily at home, Avith four dictionaries by me ; attending six lectures a day, and going in the evening for three hours to the dissecting-rooms. I never conversed Avith any one in the boarding- house, nor even asked for any thing at the table; 142 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF but was supplied like a mute. This silence was fruitful to me. About NeAv Year, I ventured to make my English audible ; Avhen, lo ! every one un- derstood me perfectly. From this time forward, I sought to make acquaintances, to the especial de- light of good old Dr. Delamater, Avho had firmly believed that I Avas committing gradual suicide. Through Mrs. Severance, I became acquainted with Dr. Harriot K. Hunt, Avho was then on a visit to Cleveland; and, through her, with the Rev. A. D. Mayo, who was pastor of a small society there, knoAvn as that of the Liberal Christians. I found many dear and valued friends during my residence in Cleveland, but none to whom I am bound in lasting gratitude as to Mr. Mayo, Avho offered me his assistance when he learned that I Avas in need; my extra expenses having sAvallowed up the little money that I had brought Avith me, so that I had not even enough to return to my sisters in New York. As the minister of a small congre- gation, advocating Liberal ideas, he had a hard position in Cleveland, both socially and pecuniarily ; yet he offered to share his little Avith me. I Avas forced to accept it; and I am now, and have always been, glad that I did so. No one, that has not had the experience, can appreciate the happiness that "woman's right to labor." 143 comes with the feeling, that a rich man has not cast a fragment of his superfluity towards you (and here let me remark, that it is next to impossible to find Avealth and generosity go together in friend- ship) , but that the help comes from one who must work for it as well as the recipient. It pro\res the existence of the mutual appreciation that is knoAvn by the name of " friendship." The apple given by a friend is worth ten times more than a Avhole orchard bestOAved in such a Avay as to make you feel that the gift is but the superfluity of the donor. I remained for ten months a member of Mr. Mayo's family; when he received a call to Albany, and changes had to be made in his household. During this time, I earned a little money by giving lessons in German, that served to cover my most necessary expenses. For the last five months that I spent in Cleveland, I carried in my purse one solitary cent as a sort of talisman ; firmly believing that some day it Avould turn into gold: but this did not happen ; and on the day that I Avas expect- ing the receipt of the last eighteen dollars for my lessons, Avhich were designed to bear.my expenses to NeAv York, I gave it to a poor Avoman in the street who begged me for a cent; and it doubtless, ere long, found its way into a gin-shop. 144 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF The tAventy months that I spent in Cleveland Avere chiefly devoted to the study of medicine in the English language; and in this I Avas assisted by most noble - hearted men. Dr. Delamatcr's office became a pleasant spot, and its occupants a neces- sity to me; and, on the days that I did not meet them, my spirits fell beloAv zero. In spite of the pecuniary distress from Avhich I constantly suffered, I Avas happier in Cleveland than ever before or since. I lived in my element; having a fixed pur- pose in view, and enjoying the Avarmest tokens of real friendship. I was liked in the college; and, though the students often found it impossible to repress a hearty laugh at my ridiculous blunders in English, they ahvays showed me respect and fel- loAvship in the highest sense of the terms. In the beginning of the first winter, I Avas the only wo- man ; after the first month, another was admitted ; and, during the second winter, there Avere three besides myself that attended the lectures and gradu- ated in the spring. I should certainly look upon this season as the spring-time of my life, had not a sad event thrown a gloom over the Avhole. In the autumn of 1854, after deciding to go to Cleveland to resume my medical studies, I Avrote to my parents to tell them of my hopes and aims. "woman's right to labor." 145 These letters were not received with the same pleasure with which they had been written. My father, who had encouraged me before my entrance upon a public career, Avas not only grieved by my return to my old mode of life, but greatly opposed to it, and manifested this in the strongest Avords in the next letter that I received from him. My mo- ther, on the contrary, avIio had not been at all enthusiastic in the beginning, was rather glad to receive the news.' As I had left many good friends among the physicians of Berlin, my letters Avere always circulated, after their arrival, by one of their number Avho stood high in the profession; and, though I did not receive my father's approbation, he sent me several letters from strangers Avho approved my conduct, and A\dio, after hearing my letters, had sent him congratulations upon my doings in America. Hoav he received the respect thus manifested to him, you can judge from a pas- sage in one of his letters, which I Avill quote to you: — " I am proud of you, my daughter ; yet you give me more grief than any other of my children. If you were a young man, I could not find words in which to express my satisfaction and pride in respect to your acts ; for I know that all you 10 146 A PRACTICAL illustration of accomplish you owe to yourself: but you are a woman, a Aveak woman ; and all that I can do for you noAV is to grieve and to Aveep. O my daugh- ter ! return from this unhappy path. Believe me, the temptation of living for humanity en masse, magnificent as it may appear in its aim, will lead you only to learn that all is vanity; Avhile the in- gratitude of the mass 'for whom you choose to Avork will be your compensation." Letters of this sort poured upon me ; and, when my father learned that neither his reasoning nor his prayers could turn me from a Avork which I had begun with such enthusiasm, he began to threaten; telling me that I must not expect any pecuniary assistance from him; that I would con- tract debts in Cleveland Avhich I should never be able to pay, and which would certainly undermine my prospects; Avith more of this sort. My good father did not know that I had vowed to myself, on my arrival in America, that I would never ask his aid; and besides, he never imagined that I could go for five months Avith a single cent in my pocket. Oh, hoAv small all these difficulties appeared to me, especially at a time when I began to speak English ! I felt so rich, that I never thought money could not be had, Avhenever I wanted it in good earnest. " avoman's right to laeor." 147 After having been nine months in Cleveland, I received ucavs that my mother had left Berlin Avith my tAvo youngest sisters to pay us a visit, and to see Avhat the prospects Avould be for my father in case she chose to remain. Dear Miry, shall I attempt to describe to you the feeling that over- poAvercd me on the receipt of these tidings ? If I did, you never could feel it with me : for I could not picture in Avords the joy that I felt at the prospect of beholding again the mother Avhom I loved be- yond all expression, and Avho Avas my friend besides ; for Ave really never thought of each other in our relation of mother and child, but as tAvo avIio Avere bound together as friends in thought and in feeling. No: I cannot give you a description of this, especially as it Avas mingled Avith the fear that I might not have the means to go to greet her in New York before another ten months Avere over. Day and night, night and day, she Avas in my mind ; and, from the time that I had a right to expect her arrival, I counted the hours from morning until noon, and from noon until night, Avhen the telegraph office Avould be closed. At length, on the 18th of September, the despatch came, — not to me, but to my friend Mr. Mayo, — bearing the Avords, "Tell Marie that she must calmly and quietly receiA^e the 148 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF news that our good mother sleeps at the bottom of the ocean, Avhich serves as her monument and her grave." Mary, this is the most trying passage that I have to Avrite in this sketch of my life ; and you must not think me Aveak that tears blot the words as I Avrite. My mother fell a victim to sea- sickness, which brought on a violent hemorrhage, that exhausted the sources of life. She died three weeks before the vessel reached the port; and my two sisters (the one seventeen and the other nine years of age) chose rather to have her lowered on the Banks of Newfoundland, than bring to us a corpse instead of the living. They Avere right; and the great ocean seems to me her fitting monu- ment. Of course, upon the receipt' of these tidings, I could remain no longer in Cleveland, but took my last money, and Avent to NeAv York to stay for a while with my afflicted brother and sisters. The journey Avas \'ery beneficial to me ; for, without it, I should not have been able to go through my win- ter's study. During my stay in New York, I often visited Dr. Elizabeth BlackAvell, and learned that the little dispensary Avas closed because her prac- tice preArented her from attending it regularly ; but that, during my absence, she had been trying to "avoman's right to labor." 149 interest some Avealthy friends in the collection of money, to enable Us, after my return in the spring, to commence again upon a little larger scale. To effect this, she proposed to hold a fair during the winter after my return ; and we concluded that the first meeting for this purpose should be held during my visit in NeAv York. She succeeded in calling together a feAv friends at her house, avIio determined to form a nucleus for a Fair Associa- tion, for the purpose of raising money for the New- York Infirmary. I made a visit of a feAv days to Boston, and then returned again to Cleveland. The Avinter passed in very much' the same manner as the first, with the difference that I spoke better English, and vi- sited many friends Avhom I had made during the preceding year. In the spring of 1856, I gradu- ated. Shortly after commencement, the Dean of the College (Dr. Delamater) called upon me at the house of a friend Avith Avhom I Avas staying on a visit. A call from this venerable gentleman Avas a thing so unusual, that numberless conjectures as to Avhat this visit might mean flitted through my brain on my Avay to the parlor. He received me, as usual, paternally; Avished me a thousand bless- ings ; and handed back to me the note for one 150 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF hundred and tAvcnty dollars, payable in tAvo years, Avhich I had given for the lecture-fees ; telling me, that, in the meeting of the Faculty after graduating- day, it Avas proposed by one of the professors to return the note to me as a gift; to Avhich those present cheerfully gave a unanimous vote, adding their Avishes for my success, and appointing Dr. Delamater as their delegate to inform me of the proceedings. This was a glorious beginning, for Avhich I am more than thankful, and for Avhich I Avas especially so at that time, Avhen I had barely money enough to return to New York, Avith very small prospects of getting means AvhereAvith to commence practice. The mention of this fact might be thought indiscreet by the Faculty in Cleveland, were they still so organized as to admit women; which, I am sorry to say, is no longer the case; though they give as their reason, that Avomen at present have their own medical colleges, and, consequently, have no longer need of theirs. Before I quit the subject of the Cleveland Col- lege, I must mention a fact, Avhich may serve as an argument against the belief that the sexes cannot study together without exerting an injurious effect upon each other. During the last winter of my study, there was such emulation in respect to the "woman's right to labor." 151 graduating honors among the candidates for gradua- tion, comprising thirty-eight male and four female students, that all studied more closely than they had ever done before — the men not Avishing to be excelled by the Avomen, nor the Avomen by the men; and one of the professors afterAvards told me, that Avhereas it Avas usually a difficult thing to decide upon the three best theses to be read publicly at the commencement, since all Avere more or less indif- ferently Avritten, this year the theses Avere all so good, that it Avas necessary, to avoid doing absolute injustice, to select thirteen from which parts should be read. Does not this prove that the stimulus of the one sex upon the other Avould act rather favo- rably than otherAvise upon the profession ? and would not the very best tonic that could be given to the individual be to pique his amour propre -by the danger of being excelled by one of the opposite sex ? Is not this natural ? and Avould not this be the best and the surest reformation of humanity and its social condition, if left free to work out its * OAvn development ? On the day folloAving the visit of Dr. Delamater, I received a letter from my brother-in-law, in Avhich he told me that his business compelled him to go to Europe for half a year : and that he had, therefore, 152 A practical illustration of made arrangements for me to procure money, in case that I should need it to commence my practice. He said that he intended to assist me afterwards ; but that, as he thought it best for my sister (his wife) to live out of New York during his absence, he Avas willing to lend me as much money as I re- quired until his return. I accepted his offer Avith infinite pleasure; for it was another instance of real friendship. He Avas by no means a rich man, but was simply in the employ of a large importing house. With these prospects I left Cleveland. Imme- diately after my arrival in NeAv York, I began to look out for a suitable office ; consulting Dr. Eliza- beth Blackwell, with whom I had maintained a constant correspondence, in regard to location. I soon found that I could not obtain a respectable room without paying an exorbitant- price. Some were afraid to let an office to a female physician, lest she might turn out a spiritual medium, clair- voyant, hydropathist, &c.; others, Avho believed me when I told them that I had a diploma from a regular school, and should never practise contrary to its requirements, inquired to what religious deno- mination I belonged, and whether I had a private fortune, or intended to support myself by my prac- "woman's right to labor." 153 tice; while the third class, Avho asked no questions at all, demanded three dollars a day for a back parlor alone, Avithout the privilege of putting a sign on the house or the door. Noav, all this may be very aggravating, when it is absolutely necessary that one should have a place upon Avhich to put a sign to let the world knoAv that she is ready to try her skill upon suffering humanity; but it has such a strongly ludicrous side, that I could not be provoked, in spite of all the fatigue and disappointment of Avandering over the city, Avhen, Avith aching limbs, I commenced the search afresh each morning, Avith the same prospect of success. I finally gave up looking for a room, and accepted Dr. Elizabeth BlackAvell's offer to occupy her back parlor (the front one serving as her OAvn office) ; of Avhich I took possession on the 17th of April. MeanAvhile, I had regularly attended the Thurs- day fair-meetings ; Avondering Iioav persons could afford to meet to so little purpose. There Avas scarcely any life in these gatherings ; and, when I saAV ladies come Aveek after Aveek to resume the knitting of a baby's stocking (Avhich Avas always laid aside again in an hour or two, Avithout any marked progress), I began to doubt Avhether the sale of these articles would ever bring ten thousand 154 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF cents, instead of the ten thousand dollars which it Avas proposed at the first meeting to raise in order to buy a house. I used to say on Wednesday, " To-morrow we have our fair-meeting. I wonder whether there will be, as usual, tAvo and a half per- sons present, or three and three-quarters." I grew at length heartily sick of this kind of effort, and set about speculating Avhat better could be done. The idea occurred to me to go from house to house, and ask for a dime at each, Avhich, if giA-en, Avould amount to ten dollars a day; and, with the money thus collected daily for half a year, to establish a nucleus hospital, which, as a fixed fact, should stimulate its friends to further assist- ance. I took my note-book, and wrote out the whole plan, and also calculated the expenses of such a miniature hospital as I proposed ; including furni- ture, beds, household utensils; every thing, in short, that Avas necessary in such an institution. With this book, Avhich I still have in my possession, I Avent one evening into Dr. BlackAvell's parlor, and, seating myself, told her that I could not work any longer for the fair in the way that the ladies Avere doing; and then read my plan to her, Avhich I advo- cated long and earnestly. She finally agreed Avith "woman's right to labor." 155 « me that it Avould be better speedily to establish a small hospital than to Avait for the large sum that had been proposed; though she did not approve of the scheme of the dime collection, fearing that I would not only meet with great annoyances, but would also injure my health in the effort. At that time, after some discussion, I agreed with her: now I think that this plan would have been better than that which I afterwards followed. On the same evening, I proposed, and Ave agreed, that, on a year from that day (the 1st of May, 1857), the New-York Infirmary should be opened. I Avent to rest Avith a light heart, but rose sor- rowfully in the morning. " In one year from to-day, the Infirmary must be opened," said I to myself; " and the funds towards it are tAvo pairs of half-knit babies' stockings." The day was passed in thinking what was the next best scheme to raise money for its foundation. At length I remembered my visit to Boston, and some friends there whose influence might help me to beg for an institution for American women. For myself I could never have begged; I would sooner have droAvned myself: noAV I determined to beg money from Americans to establish an institution for their own benefit. This plan Avas disclosed to Dr. Blackwell, and agreed 156 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF upon, as there Avas nothing risked in it; I taking the Avhole responsibility. On the next day, the fair-meeting was held at Dr. BlackAvell's. The new plan was brought for- ward ; and, although it was as yet nothing but a plan, it acted like a warm, soft rain upon a field after a long drought. The knitting and sewing (for which I have a private horror under all con- ditions) Avere laid aside, to my great relief; and the project was talked of with so much enthusiasm, that I already saw myself in imagination making my evening visits to the patients in the New-York In- firmary ; Avhile all the members present (and there were unusually many; I think, six or seven) dis- cussed the question the next day among their circles of friends, Avhether Henry Ward Beecher or a phy- sician of high standing should make the opening speech in the institution. This excitement increased the interest exceed- ingly, and the succeeding meetings Avere quite en- thusiastic. The babies' stockings Avere never again resumed (don't think that, because I detested those stockings so much, I am cruel enough to wish the little creatures to go barefoot) ; but plans Avere made for raising money in NeAv York, and for get- ting articles for sale on a larger scale. Dr. Black- "woman's right to labor." 157 well AATOte to her sister, Dr. Emily Blackwell, Avho was at that time studying in England, requesting her to make collections among their friends in that country; which she did with success. After having thus thoroughly impressed the pub- lic mind with the idea that the Infirmary must be opened, we began to look about for a suitable house. In autumn, I went to Boston to see what aid could be obtained there. I cannot tell you here in AArhat manner I became acquainted with a circle of noble women, Avho had both means and the disposition to employ them for such a purpose: it suffices to say, that I interested them in the un- dertaking, and obtained a hundred dollars towards the expenses of the fair, together with a promise of a large table of fancy-goods, and an invitation to come again in case any further aid was needed. At the end of three weeks, I left Boston for Phila- delphia ; but here I was not successful, as all who were interested in the medical education of women contributed largely already to the Philadelphia College. A small table of fancy-goods was the result of my visit there. The money and promise of goods that I received in Boston stimulated our friends in New York to such a degree, that, in spite of Dr. Elizabeth BlackAvell's doubts as to whether 158 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF we should cover the expenses, the fair realized a thousand dollars. Yet this was not half sufficient to commence the proposed hospital; and I there- fore proposed to Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell that I should go on another begging tour through New England, Avhile she and her sister (Dr. Emily Blackwell, who had arrived from England a week before the fair) should arrange matters in New York, where they had more acquaintances than I. I went for the second time to Boston in February, and met with unexpected success; bringing back about six hundred dollars in cash, with promises of a like sum for the ensuing two years. I had represented our scheme as a three-years' experi- ment. In the mean time, the Drs. Blackwell had hired a large, old-fashioned house, No. 64, Bleeker Street, which we had looked at together, and which was very well suited to our purpose, devoting the rest of their time chiefly to endeavors to interest the Legislature in our enterprise; the result of Avhich was, that, though nothing was granted us that spring, the next winter, when we could show our institution in operation, the usual dispensary grant was extended to us. On the 3d of April, I returned from Boston, and almost immediately went to work with some " woman's right to labor." 159 of our lady-managers to order beds and to furnish the house and dispensary, and also to superintend the internal changes. After five weeks of h:.rd work, I had the pleasure, on the 15th of May, 1857, of listening in the wards of the New-York Infirm- ary to the opening speeches delivered by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Dr. Elder, and Rev. Dudley Tyng. A few days afterwards, I admitted the first house- patient and opened the dispensary, which I attended two days in the week ; Drs. Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell taking charge of it for the remaining four days. I had offered two years' gratuitous services as my contribution to the Infirmary, re- maining there not only as resident physician, but also as superintendent of the household and gene- ral manager; and attending to my private prac- tice during the afternoon. The institution grew rapidly, and the number of dispensary patients increased to such an extent, that the time from seven in the morning until one in the afternoon Was wholly occupied in the examination of cases. In the second year of the existence of the Infirma- ry, the state of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell's health compelled her to go to Europe : and for nine months Dr. Emily Blackwell and I took charge of the 160 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF business, which at this time was considerable; the attendance at the dispensary averaging sixty daily. During the course of this year, I received letters from some of the Trustees of the New-England Female Medical College in Boston, inquiring Avhether I were inclined to take charge of a hos- pital in connection with that institution. A con- sultation on the subject with Drs. Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell seemed to prove to us, that by doing this, and helping the college to attain its objects, Ave could* probably best aid the cause of the medical education of women. After hesitating for a long time what course to pursue, I went to Boston in the spring of 1859, in order to define in a public address my views and position in respect to the study of medicine. I found so great a desire prevailing for the elevation of the institution to the standard of the male medical colleges, and such enthusiasm in respect to the proposed hospital, that I concluded at once to leave the Infirmary; Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell's absence having proved that it could be sustained by two, not only without loss, but with a steady increase, secured by the good done by its existence. Having fulfilled my promise of two years to the institution, on the 5th of June, "woman's right to labor." 161 1859,1 left for Boston, Avhere I am now striving to make the hospital-department as useful as the New- York Infirmary is to the public and the students. Now, my dear Mary, you may think me very long in my story, especially in the latter part, of Avhich you know much already; but I could not refrain from Avriting fully of this part of my life, which has been the object of all my undertakings, and for which I have borne trials and overcome difficulties which Avould have crushed nine out of ten in my position. I do not expect that this Avill be the end of my usefulness ; but I do expect that I shall hot have to Avrite to you any more of my do- ings. It was simply in order that you, my friend, should understand me fully, and because you have so often expressed a wish to knoAv my life before we met, that I finished this work. , Noav you have me externally and internally, past and present: and although there have been many influences be- sides which have made their impressions on my peculiar development, yet they are not of a nature to be spoken of as facts; as, for instance, your friendship for me. On looking back upon my past life, I may say that I am like a fine ship, that, launched upon high 11 162 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF seas, is tossed about by the winds and Avaves, and steered against contrary currents, until finally strand- ed upon the shore, where, from the materials, a small boat is built, just strong enough to reach the port into which it had expected to enter Avith proud- ly swelling sails. But this ambition is entirely gone ; and I care now very little Avhether the people recognize Avhat is in me or not, so long as the ob- ject for Avhich I have lived becomes a reality. And noAV, my good friend, I must add one Avish before I send these last feAv pages to you ; namely, that I may be enabled some day to go with you to Berlin, to show you the scenes in which my child- hood and youth were passed, and to teach you on the spot the difference between Europe and Ameri- ca. All other inducements to return have vanished. The death of my father during the last year se- vered the last tie that bound me to my native place. Nearly all the men who aided in promoting my wishes have passed away; and the only stimulus that now remains to revisit the home of my youth is the Avish to wander about there with you, and perhaps two or three other of my American friends. Until this can be accomplished, I hope to continue my present work in the New-England Female Medical College, which, though by no means yet "woman's right to labor." 163 what we wish it to be, is deserving of every effort to raise it to the stand that it ought to take among the medical institutions of America. Yours with love, MARIE E. ZAKRZEWSKA. Boston, September, 1859. The sweet, pure song has ended. Happy she who has been permitted to set its clear, strong notes to music. I need not murmur that my own old hand-organ grows useless, since it has been per- mitted to grind out the hey. Yet Marie's story is told so modestly, and Avith so much personal reserve, that, for the sake of the women whom we are both striving to help, I must be forgiven for directing the public attention to a few of its points. In all respects, the "little blind doctor" of the story is the Marie Zakrzewska that we know. The early anecdotes give us the poetic impressi- bility and the enduring muscular fibre, that make themselves felt through the lively, facile nature. The voice that ordered the fetters taken off of crazy Jacob is the voice we still hear in the wards of the hospital. But that poetic impressibility did not 164 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF run wild with crazy fancies when she was left to sleep on the floor of the dead-house: the same strong sense controlled it that started the " tassel manufactory" in New York, where it had been meant to open a physician's office. Only thirteen years old when she left school, she had but little aid beside a steady purpose in preparing for her career. We hear of her slatternly habits ; but who would ever guess them, who remembers the quiet, tasteful dress of later years ? How free from all egotism is the record ! The brain-fever which followed her attendance on her two aunts is mentioned as quietly as if it were a sprained foot. Who of us but can see the wearing- away of nervous energy which took place with the perpetual care of a cancer and a somnambu- list, pressed also by the hard reading suggested by Dr. Arthur Liitze ? Berlin educated the second La Chapelle; but it was for America, not Germany. The dreadful tragedy of Dr. Schmidt's death is hardly dwelt upon long enough to show its full effects, so fearful is our friend of intruding a per- sonal matter.. When "Woman's Right to Labor" was printed, many persons expressed their regret that so little was said about sin and destitution in Boston itself; "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 165 and many refused to believe that every pit-fall and snare open in the Old World gaped as Avidely here. "You have only the testimony of the girls them- selves," they would reply, when I privately told them what I had not thought it Avise to print. I have never regretted yielding to the motives which decided me to withhold much that I knew. " If they believe not Moses and the prophets, neither would they believe though one rose from the dead," said, of old, the divine voice ; and the hearts that were not touched by what I thought it fit to tell would never have been stirred to energy by fuller revelations. In these pages, authenticated by a pure and cul- tivated woman, who holds a high position among lis, every fact at which I hinted is made plain ; end here no careless talker may challenge the record with impunity. Here, as in New York, smooth- faced men go on board the emigrant-ship, or the steerage of the long-expected steamer; here, as there, they make friendly offers and tell plausible lies, which girls who have never walked the streets of Berlin at night, nor seen the occupants of a hos- pital-ward at the Charite, can hardly be expected to estimate at their just worth. The stories which I have told of unknown sufferers are here repeated. 166 A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF The grand - daughter of Krummacher marries a poor shoemaker to save herself from vice, and poor German Mary drowns herself in the Hudson because she feels herself a burden on a heartless brother. Better far to sink beneath its Avaves than beneath the more remorseless flood which SAveeps over all great cities. Now, when the story of the Water-street cap-makers is told, to be matched by many another in Boston itself, it is no longer some ignorant, half-trained stranger who tells the story, but the capable, skilled Avoman, who, educated for better things, made tassels and coiffures, and accepted commissions in embroidery, till the merchants were convinced that here, indeed, was a woman without reproach. Water-street merchants would do well to remember hereafter that the possibilities of a Zakrzewska lie hidden in every oppressed girl, and govern themselves accordingly. Think of this accomplished woman, able to earn no more than thirty-six cents a day, — a day sixteen hours long, which finished a dozen caps at three cents each! What, then, must become of clumsy and inferior work-women ? Think of it long and patiently, till you come to see, as she bids you, the true relation between the idleness of women and money in the Fifth Avenue and the hunted "WOMAN'S RIGHT TO LABOR." 167 squalor of women without money at the Five Points. Women of Boston, the parallel stands good for you. Listen, and you may hear the dull murmur of your own " Black Sea," as it surges against your gateway. Hasten to save those whom it has not yet. over- whelmed. Believe me that many of them are as pure and good as the babes whom you cradle in cambric and lace. If you will not save them, neither shall you save your own beloved ones from the current which undermines like a " back-water" your costliest churches, your most sacred homes. CAROLINE H. DALL. Oct. 29,1860. L'ENVOI. Unbarred be all your gates, and opened wide, Till she who honors women shall come in !" Dante: Sonnet xx. •;;- * '"^ .'., > ^91 .^J^l ftjil ^^n ylal