With these new duties and interests, and a broader outlook on human life, my petty domestic annoyances gradually took a subordinate place.  Now I began to write articles for the press, letters to conventions held in other States, and private letters to friends, to arouse them to thought on this question.

The pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Bogue, preached several sermons on Woman’s Sphere, criticising the action of the conventions in Seneca Falls and Rochester.  Elizabeth McClintock and I took notes and answered him in the county papers.  Gradually we extended our labors and attacked our opponents in the New York Tribune, whose columns were open to us in the early days, Mr. Greeley being, at that time, one of our most faithful champions.

In answering all the attacks, we were compelled to study canon and civil law, constitutions, Bibles, science, philosophy, and history, sacred and profane.  Now my mind, as well as my hands, was fully occupied, and instead of mourning, as I had done, over what I had lost in leaving Boston, I tried in every way to make the most of life in Seneca Falls.  Seeing that elaborate refreshments prevented many social gatherings, I often gave an evening entertainment without any.  I told the young people, whenever they wanted a little dance or a merry time, to make our house their rallying point, and I would light up and give them a glass of water and some cake.  In that way we had many pleasant informal gatherings.  Then, in imitation of Margaret Fuller’s Conversationals, we started one which lasted several years.  We selected a subject each week on which we all read and thought; each, in turn, preparing an essay ten minutes in length.

These were held, at different homes, Saturday of each week.  On coming together we chose a presiding officer for the evening, who called the meeting to order, and introduced the essayist.  That finished, he asked each member, in turn, what he or she had read or thought on the subject, and if any had criticisms to make on the essay.  Everyone was expected to contribute something.  Much information was thus gained, and many spicy discussions followed.  All the ladies, as well as the gentlemen, presided in turn, and so became familiar with parliamentary rules.  The evening ended with music, dancing, and a general chat.  In this way we read and thought over a wide range of subjects and brought together the best minds in the community.  Many young men and women who did not belong to what was considered the first circle,—­for in every little country village there is always a small clique that constitutes the aristocracy,—­had the advantages of a social life otherwise denied them.  I think that all who took part in this Conversation Club would testify to its many good influences.