comic scribblers describe us as unsexed brawlers, who want top-boots.  I want no manly rights for women.  I am content with the old position, that her head should just reach the height of a man’s heart; but I do see where she is not well used—­where she is left to genteel dependence, and a life in the darkest corner of the drawing-room, upon the chair with the unsafe leg, over the plate that is cracked, in the bedroom where the visitor died of scarlet fever.

[Illustration:  FRENCH RECOLLECTION OF MEESS TAKING HER BATH.

The faithful Bouledogue gazes with admiration at the performance of his Mistress.]

[Illustration:  THE BRAVE MEESS AMONG THE BILLOWS HOLDING ON BY THE TAIL OF HER NEWFOUNDLAND.]

“She is not unsexed wearing her poor heart out against these bars; but she would be a free, bright, instructed creature, helping her rich sister, or a trusty counsellor when the children are ill.  She would be unsexed issuing railway tickets or managing a light business; but she is truly womanly while she is helpless and a burden to others.

“Foolish women!  Yes, very stupid very often, but hardly in hoping that the defenceless among us may be permitted to become, by fair womanly exertion, independent.  I am directed to observe how amusing the Figaro has been recently at our expense, hoping to obtain the suffrages of the really thoughtless of our sex thereby.  We are our own worst enemies and well do you men know it.  The frivolous are an immense host, and these have reason to laugh at serious women who want to get a little justice and teaching for their dependent sisters—­not manly avocations, nor masculine amusements.  I go to the Wauxhall, my dear Emmy, not to help my sex to unsex itself, but, I must repeat, to aid my poor sisters who want to work, that, if left without the support of male kindred, they may lead honourable, independent lives; to this end they must have certain rights, and these, and no more, I advocate.

[Illustration:  VARIETIES OF THE ENGLISH STOCK.

The Parent Flower and two lovely Buds.]

[Illustration:  COMPATRIOTS MEETING IN THE FRENCH EXHIBITION.

Bar-maids in the English Department recognising a fellow-countryman.]

“You see, the old story is told over again.  We beg a little independence; and we are answered with ancient jests.  You are quite as unjust, and not so amusing or clever in your injustice in England.  They have not imitated the medical students in St. James’s Hall at this Wauxhall.  We have seen no such monstrous spectacle as a host of young men hooting and yelling at one poor, weak, foolish little woman in black pantalettes.  Truly, you must be as tired of the comic view of the question as you are ashamed of your medical students.  I know what the highly-educated English ladies think on the subject.  They detest the orating, blustering, strangely-costumed advocates of woman’s rights; but don’t fall into the common error of believing that they are not earnest about many of the points we have been discussing here, in the midst of this mocking race.  Depend upon it, we are not foolish enough—­fond as you men are of crying ’foolish women!’—­to unsex ourselves.