From Bristol I went to Greenbank to visit Mrs. Helen Bright Clark.  One evening her parlors were crowded and I was asked to give an account of the suffrage movement in America.  Some clergymen questioned me in regard to the Bible position of woman, whereupon I gave quite an exposition of its general principles in favor of liberty and equality.  As two distinct lines of argument can be woven out of those pages on any subject, on this occasion I selected all the most favorable texts for justice to woman, and closed by stating the limits of its authority.  Mrs. Clark, though thoroughly in sympathy with the views I had expressed, feared lest my very liberal utterances might have shocked some of the strictest of the laymen and clergy.  “Well,” said I, “if we who do see the absurdities of the old superstitions never unveil them to others, how is the world to make any progress in the theologies?  I am in the sunset of life, and I feel it to be my special mission to tell people what they are not prepared to hear, instead of echoing worn-out opinions.”  The result showed the wisdom of my speaking out of my own soul.  To the surprise of Mrs. Clark, the Primitive Methodist clergyman called on Sunday morning to invite me to occupy his pulpit in the afternoon and present the same line of thought I had the previous evening.  I accepted his invitation.  He led the services, and I took my text from Genesis i. 27, 28, showing that man and woman were a simultaneous creation, endowed, in the beginning, with equal power.

Returning to London, I accepted an invitation to take tea one afternoon with Mrs. Jacob Bright, who, in earnest conversation, had helped us each to a cup of tea, and was turning to help us to something more, when over went table and all—­tea, bread and butter, cake, strawberries and cream, silver, china, in one conglomerate mass.  Silence reigned.  No one started; no one said “Oh!” Mrs. Bright went on with what she was saying as if nothing unusual had occurred, rang the bell, and, when the servant appeared, pointing to the debris, she said, “Charles, remove this.”  I was filled with admiration at her coolness, and devoutly thankful that we Americans maintained an equally dignified silence.

At a grand reception, given in our honor by the National Central Committee, in Princess’ Hall, Jacob Bright, M.P., presided and made an admirable opening speech, followed by his sister, Mrs. McLaren, with a highly complimentary address of welcome.  By particular request Miss Anthony explained the industrial, legal, and political status of American women, while I set forth their educational, social, and religious condition.  John P. Thomasson, M.P., made the closing address, expressing his satisfaction with our addresses and the progress made in both countries.