This question of the rights of women divides itself into two heads—­ one of which is very important, worthy of much consideration, capable perhaps of much philanthropic action, and at any rate affording matter for grave discussion.  This is the question of women’s work:  How far the work of the world, which is now borne chiefly by men, should be thrown open to women further than is now done?  The other seems to me to be worthy of no consideration, to be capable of no action, to admit of no grave discussion.  This refers to the political rights of women:  How far the political working of the world, which is now entirely in the hands of men, should be divided between them and women?  The first question is being debated on our side of the Atlantic as keenly perhaps as on the American side.  As to that other question, I do not know that much has ever been said about it in Europe.

“You are doing nothing in England toward the employment of females,” a lady said to me in one of the States soon after my arrival in America.  “Pardon me,” I answered, “I think we are doing much, perhaps too much.  At any rate we are doing something.”  I then explained to her how Miss Faithful had instituted a printing establishment in London; how all the work in that concern was done by females, except such heavy tasks as those for which women could not be fitted, and I handed to her one of Miss Faithful’s cards.  “Ah,” said my American friend, “poor creatures!  I have no doubt their very flesh will be worked off their bones.”  I thought this a little unjust on her part; but nevertheless it occurred to me as an answer not unfit to be made by some other lady—­by some woman who had not already advocated the increased employment of women.  Let Miss Faithful look to that.  Not that she will work the flesh off her young women’s bones, or allow such terrible consequences to take place in Coram Street; not that she or that those connected with her in that enterprise will do aught but good to those employed therein.  It will not even be said of her individually, or of her partners, that they have worked the flesh off women’s bones; but may it not come to this, that when the tasks now done by men have been shifted to the shoulders of women, women themselves will so complain?  May it not go further, and come even to this, that women will have cause for such complaint?  I do not think that such a result will come, because I do not think that the object desired by those who are active in the matter will be attained.  Men, as a general rule among civilized nations, have elected to earn their own bread and the bread of the women also, and from this resolve on their part I do not think that they will be beaten off.