Mrs. Margaret Lucas, whose whole soul was in the temperance movement, escorted me from Edinburgh to Manchester, to be present at another great demonstration in the Town Hall, the finest building in that district.  It had just been completed, and, with its ante-room, dining hall, and various apartments for social entertainments, was by far the most perfect hall I had seen in England.  There I was entertained by Mrs. Matilda Roby, who, with her husband, gave me a most hospitable reception.  She invited several friends to luncheon one day, among others Miss Lydia Becker, editor of the Suffrage Journal in that city, and the Rev. Mr. Steinthal, who had visited this country and spoken on our platform.  The chief topic at the table was John Stuart Mill, his life, character, writings, and his position with reference to the political rights of women.  In the evening we went to see Ristori in ’"Queen Elizabeth.”  Having seen her, many years before, in America, I was surprised to find her still so vigorous.  And thus, week after week, suffrage meetings, receptions, dinners, luncheons, and theaters pleasantly alternated.

The following Sunday we heard in London a grand sermon from Moncure D. Conway, and had a pleasant interview with him and Mrs. Conway at the close of the session.  Later we spent a few days at their artistic home, filled with books, pictures, and mementos from loving friends.  A billiard room, with well-worn cues, balls, and table—­quite a novel adjunct to a parsonage—­may, in a measure, account for his vigorous sermons.  A garden reception to Mr. and Mrs. Howells gave us an opportunity to see the American novelist surrounded by his English friends.

Soon after this Mr. Conway asked me to fill his pulpit.  I retired Saturday night, very nervous over my sermon for the next day, and the feeling steadily increased until I reached the platform; but once there my fears were all dissipated, and I never enjoyed speaking more than on that occasion, for I had been so long oppressed with the degradation of woman under canon law and church discipline, that I had a sense of relief in pouring out my indignation.  My theme was, “What has Christianity done for Woman?” and by the facts of history I showed clearly that to no form of religion was woman indebted for one impulse of freedom, as all alike have taught her inferiority and subjection.  No lofty virtues can emanate from such a condition.  Whatever heights of dignity and purity women have individually attained can in no way be attributed to the dogmas of their religion.

With my son Theodore, always deeply interested in my friends and public work, I called, during my stay in London, on Mrs. Grey, Miss Jessie Boucherett, and Dr. Hoggan, who had written essays for “The Woman Question in Europe”; on our American minister (Mr. Lowell), Mr. and Mrs. George W. Smalley, and many other notable men and women.  By appointment we had an hour with the Hon. John Bright, at his residence