PREFACE。
IThasbeenremarkedtome，thatiftherewerenootherreasonwhyaveryreluctantattentionshouldbegrantedtothisPamphlet，therewouldbe\"notime\"tonoticeadiscussionoftheLaw，arisingoutofaffairspurelypersonal，ataperiodwhensubjectsofmomentouspublicimportanceoccupythemindsofallmen。
InanswertothatremarkIcanonlysay，thatIhaveneveryetseenthepublicmindinastateofsuchundividedattention。IhavenodoubtthatinthepresentSession，asinallothers，therewillbe\"time\"forallusualemployments；timeforassemblies，operas，andballs；timeforraces，club—dinners，andfê；tes；timeforreadingworksofscience，andworksoffiction；forthemostabstractstudy，andforthemostfrivolousgossip；timetodiscusswhetherthearmsofScotlandareproperlyquarteredwiththearmsofEngland，aswellastodebatewhethertheEmperorofRussiaistomakewarupontheworld。ItwouldbepayingEnglishmenapoorcomplimenttosupposethattheonesubjecttheyaredeterminednottofindtimefor，isthereformofsomeoftheirownlaws；areformconfidentlyalludedtobytheLordChancellor，inhisspeechofthe14thFebruarylastyear；andformallyintroducedasoneofthetopicsoftheQueen’sSpeechattheopeningofParliament。
LordCampbell，——inhisbrilliantandinterestingwork，\"TheLivesoftheChancellors，\"——tellsusthatinthesessionof1758PageivreferencewasmadetotheJudgesonthemotionofex—ChancellorHardwicke，respectingabillforamendingthelawofHabeasCorpus；anditwasproposedtointroduceanewbillintheensuingsession。\"ButI
amsorrytosay，\"——observesLordCampbell，——\"thatwhenthenextsessionarrived，nothingwasthoughtofexceptthetakingofQUEBEC；andthesubjectwasnotagainresumed，tilltheverycloseofthereignofGeorgeIII。\"
Nowitiscertainlypossible，thatinlikemannertheLaw—reformssoconfidentlypromisedforthissession，maybesetaside；andsomefuturewriterofChancellors’Lives，mayexpresshisregret，that\"intheSessionof1854littlewasthoughtofexceptthetakingofSEBASTOPOL。\"
But，ifanotherhalfcenturyshouldglideawaywithoutreforminourEcclesiasticalandotherCourts（asmorethanhalfacenturyelapsed，betweenthemotionofex—ChancellorHardwickeandtheamendmentoftheHabeasCorpusAct）shallwesetitalldowntotheoverwhelminginteresttakeninQuebecandSebastopol？
Shallwenotratherlookforthesolutionofthesedelays，inacertainsupinenessonthepartofthosewhoworkthemachineryofjustice？andinfact（alsostatedbyLordCampbell）that\"itisverydifficulttodrawthenoticeoftherepresentativesofthepeopletomeasuresfortheAmendmentsoftheLaw\"？Difficulttodrawattentiontosuchmeasures；notdifficulttofind\"time，\"eitherfortheirdiscussion，ortheconsiderationofanyexampleswhichmayprovethenecessityofchange。
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（body）
ENGLISHLAWSFORWOMEN。BYC。NORTON。[\"ItwontdotohaveTRUTHANDJUSTICEonourside；WemusthaveLAWANDLAWYERS。\"]CHARLESDICKENS。*Itakethosewordsasmytext。
Inconsequenceoftheimperfectstateofthelaw，Ihavesufferedbitterly，andforanumberofyears：Ihavelatelybeeninsulted，defrauded，andlibelled：andasthelawisconstitutedIfindredressimpossible。
Topublishcommentsonmyowncaseforthesakeofobtainingsympathy；toprovemerelythatmyhusbandhasbeenunjust，andmyfateahardone，wouldbeaverypoorandbarrenambition。Iaspiretoadifferentobject。Idesiretoprove，notmysufferingorhisinjustice，butthatthepresentlawofEnglandcannotpreventanysuchsuffering，orcontrolanysuchinjustice。Iwriteinthehopethatthelawmaybeamended；andthatthosewhoareatpresentsoill—providedastohaveonly\"TruthandJustice\"ontheirside，mayhereafterhavethebenefitof\"LawandLawyers。\"
Iknowallthatcanbesaidonmyinterferencewithsuchasubject；alltheprejudiceandcontemptwithwhichmenwillreceiveargumentsfromawoman，andawomanpersonallyinterested。Butitisofmoreimportancethatthelawshouldbealtered，thanthatIshouldbeapproved。ManyawomanmayBleakHouse，page529。Page2
livetothankHeaventhatIhadcourageandenergyleft，toattemptthetask：and，sincenoonecanforetelthefuture，evenmenmaypauseeretheyflingdownmypamphletwithmasculinescorn；foradaymaycome，——howeverimprobable，——tosomeoneofmyreaders，whenhewouldgivehisrighthand，forthesakeofsister，daughter，orfriend，thatthelawwereinsuchaconditionastoaffordachanceofjustice；withoutthepainofaprotractedstruggle，orthedisgraceofapublicbrawl。WhatIwrite，iswritteninnospiritofrebellion；itputsforwardnoabsurdclaimofequality；itissimplyanappealforprotection。Suchprotection，indegree，asisaccordedtoservants，toapprentices，tothesailoronthehighseas，toallwhomthelawadmitstobeinasubordinateandhelplessposition。
Suchprotection，indegree，ashaslatelybeenextendedtowomeninthelowerclasses，bythemorestringentlawsenactedintheirbehalf。
Inarguingmycasefrommyownexample，Iamnotignorantthattherearepersonswhothinksuchargumentblameableonothergrounds；whodeemahusband’srightsoindefeasible，andhistitlesosacred，thatevenawrongedwifeshouldkeepsilence。
Howfarwilltheycarrythatprinciple？Afewyearsago，aFrenchnobleman，theDucdePraslin，assassinatedhiswifeinthemidstofherslumberinghousehold。Whenmorningbroke，shewasdead；butmanyaproofremainedofthedesperateresistanceandagonizedeffortstoescape，madebythatwretchedwomanbeforeherdoomwascompleted。Dotheadvocatesofthedoctrineofnon—resistanceconsiderthatherdutywouldhavebeentosubmittranquillytothefatepre—determinedforher？Ifnot，letthemwaivejudgmentinmycase；forifchoicewereallowedme，Iwouldratherbemurderedandrememberedbyfriendsandchildrenwithloveandregret，thanhavetheslandersbelieved，whichmyhusbandhasinventedofme。Itishe，whohasmadesilenceimpossible。WithHIMreststhebreakingofthosesealswhichkeepthehistoryofeachman’shomesacredfromindifferenteyes。Page3
Hehasdeclaredhimselfmydeadliestfoe，whosedaggerhastoonearanaimtomissmyheart，——and，ofthetwo，IholdhisstabtobeworsethanthatoftheDucdePraslin，forhewouldassassinateevenmymemory。
Iresist。
Fortheshallowerrebuke，thatmineisanexceptionalcase；thatthelawneedscarcelybedisturbedtomeetasolitaryinstanceoftyranny；thereisareadyandreasonableanswer。ALLcasesrequiringlegalinterference，areexceptionalcases；anditwillscarcelybearguedthatabalancemustfirstbestruckinnumbers，andinstancesofwrongbereckonedbythedozenorthegross，beforejusticewillcondescendtoweighthescales。Butitdoesnotfollowthatmineisasolitaryexampleofinjustice，becauseitmaypossiblyhappen，fromacombinationofpeculiarcircumstances，tobetheinstancewhichshallcallattentiontothestateofthelaw。Hundredsofwomenaresufferingatthismoment，whosecasesarenotlesshard，butmoreobscure：anditconsistswithallexperience，thatalthoughwrongandoppressionmayberepeatedtilltheybecomealmostofdailyoccurrence，theystrikeatlastonsomeheartthatrevoltsinsteadofenduring；orarewitnessedbymenwhoseindignantsympathyworksoutreformandredress。Ineithercase，oppressionisbroughttoahaltnotbyamultitudeofinstances，butbysomesingleexample；whichexamplemaybeneithermorenorlessimportantthanothers，thoughitbemadetheargumentandopportunityofchange。
WearenottoldthatanyextraordinaryperfectionmarkedfordefencethepeasantchildofWilliamTell；norWatTyler’sdaughter；noreventhatvirgingirlofRome，forwhomhersirechosedeathratherthandegradation：
thedoomhadfallen，perhaps，onothervictimsquiteasworthy。Butitwasresistedforthembyheartsthatbeathighindefenceofhonestright；andtherefore（andnotforthevalueofthevictims）wereadintherecordsofhistory，ofapaganfatherwhotookhischild’slife；ofChristianfatherswhoperilledtheirown；andofthoseconvulsions，changes，andPage4
tumults，whichhadtheirproximateandapparentcauseinthedesiretoavengeatyrannousactdonetoapeasant’sson，——topunishinsultofferedtoacraftsman’sdaughter，——tokeepfromdefilementoneweakgirl，claimedbyadespoticruler，inthemarket—placeofsuperbRome；——butwhoserootwasinthisestablishedcertainty；thatinallhumansocieties，greatgeneralinjusticeshallbechecked，soonerorlater，byindividualresistance。
If，asIhavesaid，itdoesnotnecessarilyfollowthattheexampleofresistanceisalsotheexampleofcrowningwrong；soneitherdoesitfollowthatthereistyrannygreaterthanusualenacted，whenthebenefactorarises，whosechivalrousnatureseescauseforexertion，whereothermensawnone。Noteventhen，inthemeritofthesufferers，orthedegreeoftheirsuffering，liestheprospectofchange；butinthespiritofhimwhowillnottamelycontemplateanymiseryhethinkshemightrelieve。Hefollowsinthetrackofthosewhohaveall\"passedbyontheotherside；\"buthediffersfromtheminthis，thathepausestoknowwhatwoundedandmoaningthingisflungacrosshispath，andforthwithacceptsashisbusiness，thattaskofrescuewhichmoreselfishandcarelessmenhavedeclined。ThegoodSamaritaninScripture，addressedhimselftonopeculiarcase；heliftednobleedingherofromadisastrousbattle—field；norking，writhingundertheassassin’sstroke。
Amanlaygroaning，whohadfallenamongthieves。Thatisallweshalleverknowoftheexampleofhelp，givenasalessonofcharityeighteenhundredyearsago，tothefleetinggenerationsoftheworld！
Intheselaterdaysofmorecomplicatedsocialwrong；whenHOWARDroseamongstus，apostleofcompassiontosufferersbarredoutofsight；ourprisonswerenoworsethantheyhadbeen，norourprisonersbettermen；theirdungeonswerenotdarker，northeirfoodmorescant，northeirsighinglouder，northeircasemorepitifulthantheirswhohadgonebefore。Circumstancewasthesame，butthehazardofhelphadarrived。Page5
Thesighingwasheard，thedarknesswasperceived，thehungerforhumanpitywassatisfied，notforthesakeofthoseespecialprisoners，butbecauseHOWARDwascome。SoinERSKINE’Stime；thelawswerenotmoreoppressive，northeiroperationmoreunequal，thaninagenerationforegone；
norwerethemenwhohadtoabidebythelegaldecisionsoftheday，unusuallynotableandimportant。Theywerethecommonclientsofcommoncauses，sufferingundercommonandestablishedgrievances，arisingfromthosedefectsinourpatched—upsystem，whichnooneyethadcaredtoexamine，orhadfoundsufficientenergytocorrect。ButERSKINEcame；andwhenmentoldhimthatsuchdefectswerepartofthelaw\"beforehewasborn，\"heanswered，thatitwas\"becausehewasnotborn，thatitwaslaw，\"forthathewouldseeitalteredbeforehedied。
SowithROMILLY：itwasnonewthingthatrousedhisearnestnaturetostruggleforreformsinthescienceofthatprofessionwhichheatonceadoredanddetested。Manyaprisonerwithoutcounsel，hadstoodwistfullyatthebarbeforeROMILLY’S
time；listeningtolearnedaccusationsdimlyunderstood，destituteofdefence。
Manyalong—stainingblurandblotlayunremovedonthegreatscrollofournationalcode；whenhiswarmeloquence，enlargedviews，profoundthought，andkeencomparisonwiththeuniversallawofnations，workedtogetherforitsamendment。Hedidnotplead（forhecouldnotsohavepleaded）
thatthemenofhisdaywhofoundnohelpfromthatcode，werepeculiarmartyrs；ofhigherdesert，withmoreatrociousinjuriestoredress，andwithlesschanceofredressingthem，thanheretofore。Heknewthatthiswasnotthecase。Allwascommon，usual，inevitable；andbecausebeingcommon，usual，andinevitable，itwasalsoUNJUST，andnotformeritinthesufferers，orexcessinanyonecaseofsuffering，hestroveforchange，andeffectedit。
WeneedtheheartofaROMILLY
amongstusnow。Thatstrenuousheart，whoseenergeticpitymadenocompromisewithcustom；noreverflaggedorfaintedinthelife—longeffortPage6
toservehisfellow—men，till，inanhourofdeliriousregret，itsstrongpulsewasstilledforever。*
IfHEwerehere——ifhewerehere，whosovaluedtheweddedcompanionofhisownhome，thatwhenshediedhesank，scathedbyherlossasbylightning，——hewouldnotanswerwithcontentedapathy，\"ITISTHELAW，\"whenwomencomplainofinjustice！Hewouldstandfortherightnow，ashestoodinthoseotherdays，whenhenoblystrove，andpatientlyplanned，tomakeLawwhatitshouldbe，ameansofprotection，notanengineofoppression，totheweak。
Istherenoonewithheartgreatenoughtofillhisplace？
ITISTHELAW。Cananythingbemorecuriousthanthecrabbedobstinacyordespairingsighwithwhichthisreplyismade？asthoughwehadforourguidancetheedictsoftheMedesandPersians，ofwhichitwasfabledthattheyinvolvednoprincipleofchange。Yetchangesareperpetuallymadeinthemoststringentedictswehave。Thatwhichwaslawtothegenerationofyesterday，isnotlawtous；andthatwhichislawtous，maybereversedforthegenerationoftomorrow：whyshouldunjustlawsforwomenbemorepermanentthanotherunjustlaws？WeknowthatLAWwasmappedandplannedamongcivilisednationsasthegreatHighwaytoJUSTICE。Wheretheroadleadsastray，itshouldbemendedoraltered；anditisoneoftheboastsofourever—boastfulEngland，thatshedoesthis。Notindeedofasudden，withthestrokeofsomemagicwand；butafterfitfulstruggleanddelay，asallthingsaredoneonthistravailingearth；adelayproportionedtothestrengthofancientprejudices，thejealousyofcontendinginterests，theenergyorslacknessofthehandsthatdothework。
Neithermyspace，——normyboundedknowledge，——willpermitSirSamuelRomillylosthiswife，afteralongandhappyunion，onthe29thOctober，1818。Afterfourdaysandnightsofexcessiveanguishandgrieving，hismindbecamedisturbed，andhecommittedself—destruction。Page7
thatIshouldfollow，indetail，eventhemostrecentofthosechanges；buttakesuchinstancesasthehazardofmemory，ortheveryshallowestchance—referencecansupply；takethementirelyfromamongfactswithinthecognizanceoflivingmen；andyoushallcrowdintoafewpages，suchreversalofmercantile，political，social，andreligiousrights，ashavealteredthedestiniesoftheentirepopulationofEngland。Ourchildrenareborntothetranquilinheritanceofprivilegesthatwerestruggledforinourtime，withfury，ferment，andheart—break。Theystandonconqueredground；groundthatwasinchbyinchabattle—fieldtotheirfathers。Theyexchangeamongthemselvesascurrentandcommoncoin，thosetreasuresofLibertythatfreightedourargosiesinstormierdays；whentheywhowatchedthedoubtfulchance，knewnotiftheyshouldwitnessthesinkingofthewreck，orcheerourentrancetothehaven。Someofthecaptainsofthosedaysareatrest；butsomeareyetamongus；witnessesofthefollyofthosewhowouldsetachangelesslimit，tothatwhichofallthingsismostsusceptibleofchangeintheonwardprogressofanation——thecodebywhichitssocialinterestsaregoverned。
WhereisthegreatquestionofRomanCatholicEmancipation？Wherearetherestrictionsontrade？Thefirst，alreadyseemstoourchildrenalmostamatterofHistory；yettherearelivingmenwhoheardCANNINGgiveBROUGHAMtheliedirectintheEnglishSenate，whenthatquestiontrembledinthebalance；andthebrilliantAdvocateofmanycauses，inthekeenanxietyofthehour，tauntedthenewMinisterwithexchangingforthetriumphsofofficethesupporthehadpreviouslyaffordedit。Theotherisachangeofyesterday。Fresh，inthemourningmemoryoffriends，isthedeathofthatleaderwhomooredthevesseloftheStateinanuntriedanchorage，withthescornfulwordsthatherefusedtodirectitscourse\"byobservationstakenin1842，\"andthathewouldfeellesshumiliatedbythechargeofinconsistencythanbyanysupposedfearofacknowledgingthathehadalteredhisopinions。
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Whetheritbecontendedthatourrulerswereenlightenedorstruckblindwhentheyprojectedsuchchanges，——thechangesweremade：everyportionofthosetwosystemsremainsforourchildren，alawreversedorabarrierbrokendown。
WherearethegrossercorruptionsofourParliamentaryrepresentation？Sweptawayonemorninginastormofcheers。YetitisnotsolongsinceLordJohnRussellattemptedtosowthefirstfragileseedoftheReformBill，byproposingthatrottenboroughsshouldbepurchasedbythenation；theirownerstoreceivecompensationfromanindebtedcountry，fortheextinguishedrightofsellingsharesinwhatissupposedtobetheaggregateVoiceofthePeople。ItisnotsolongsincethesameMinisterofLibertyurgedtheclaimofthosegreatcapitalsofmercantileinterest，Manchester，Birmingham，andLeeds，toberepresentedinthelowerhouse，andurgedthatclaiminvain：sincehecomplainedofnationalapathyonthesubjectwhichafterwardsshookEnglandtoitscentre：andbeheldthatgreatmeasureofReformwhich，liketheburdenofSisyphus，hehadheavedupsooftenonlytoseeitrollbacktoitsformerposition，——allowedatlengthtorestintheEnglishSenate，——byfavourofamajorityofONE。
Thesearechanges，affectingpoliticalrights；struggledforbypoliticalmen；opposedorupheldbythewholemassofthepeople：butthereareothers，affectingsectionsofthecommunity，inwhichanequalorevengreateramountofalterationhasbeeneffected，andinwhichthevalueandpowerofindividualeffortismoredistinctlyvisible。OurSchools，ourPrisons，andourMad—houses，areallunderGovernmentsupervision。Theiroccupantsformclassessetapart——byhelplessnessofage，byerrorofconduct，andbythevisitationofGod——fromthosethathavefreecontroloftheirdestiny：andwepointwithpridetothemodelregularityofsystemandofarchitecturewhichwehaverecentlyintroducedforthebettermanagementoftheirinterests。
Howwasitbeforethechangecouldbeeffected？Howwasit，first，withthemostmiserableofthoseclasses，thePage9
insane？Obscurestruggles，halfmeasures，renewedefforts，marktheprogressfrom1763till，intheyear1788，MasonthePoetwroteapamphlet，findingbitterfaultwiththemanagementoftheYorkAsylum。Thetoneofhispamphletwascondemned。Thereisnothingsocietyresentssomuchashavingtheduckweedonthestillpondofitssurfacedisturbedbytheunder—currentofstrugglinglives。Societydidnotwanttohearaboutsuchhorrors；societywasoftheopiniontheycouldnotbehelped。MrMasonwasloudlyblamedforhisinterference，andheandhispamphletwerethrustaside。Aboutthreeyearsafterwards，therelativesofaninsaneQuakerbeingdiscontentedwiththeregulationsofthesameAsylum，renewedthecomplaintsMasonhadmade；andfollowedthemupwithconsiderableperseverance。Littlewasdonehowever，exceptthatthe’Retreat’atYorkwasestablishedbytheQuakersthemselves。Everysortofobstaclewasthrowninthewayofpublicinquiry。
Atlength（withpraiseworthyingenuity），thirteengentlemenqualifiedasGovernorsoftheYorkAsylumbypayingtwentyguineaseach，fortheexpresspurposeofgettingacommitteeoftheHouseofCommonsappointedtoexamineintothismatter。TheydidgettheCommitteeappointed；theexpensesofmostofthewitnessesbeingpaidbyasubscriptionraisedamongtheladiesofYork：andthusbeganthatinterferencewithamonstrousevil，whichisnowamatterofregulargovernmentcontrol。IntheparticularinstanceoftheYorkAsylum，themosthorribleabuseswerediscovered。Therewerebuttwoservantstoonehundredandtwentymalepatients；thefundshadbeenmisapplied；thebooksandregistriesburned；thegrossestimmoralitypractised；andinthereportofdeaths，144outof365hadbeensuppressed。
Astheinquiryspreadtootherasylums，moreandmorehorrorsweremadeknown。WhenMrWakefieldvisitedBethlem，amongcountlessotherinstancesofcrueltyonemanwasfoundwithanironringroundhisneck，anironbarroundhiswaist，andironpinionsonhisarms，fastenedtothewall；
andthishadPage10
enduredtwelveyearsatthepleasureofoneofthekeepers。IntheHouseofCorrectionatKendalamanhadbeeninsolitaryconfinementtenyears，thoughhehadintervalsofsanityofnineandtenmonths’duration。
Astotheconditionoftheinsanewomen，itwasonetoshudderat，nottospeakof。Inprivatemad—houses（inspiteofanactpassedin1774*）
matterswereasbad，orworse；andoneofthevisitingphysiciansdeclaredhewasillwiththeatmosphereoftheirfilth，\"althoughaccustomedtothedissectingroom。\"Atlength，in1816abillpassedtheCommons（andwaslostintheLords）\"forthebetterRegulationofMad—houses；\"andgraduallythatcametobeapublicandredressedwrong，whichhadbeenanobscuregrievance。
Ofourprisondiscipline，muchthesamehistorymaybetold。LongafterHoward’stime（whodeclaredin1773，thatsomiserablyoffwerethosekennelledsufferers，that\"torotinjail，\"wasanexactandnotafigurativeexpression，andthatmorepersonsperishedthusthanbypublicexecution），ourprisonsremained，forthemostpart，densofcorruption，disease，andtorture。In1804，MrNeild，amagistrateofAylesbury，（SecretarytoaSocietyforthereliefanddischargeofpoorDebtors），published，inthe’Gentlemen’sMagazine，’
observationsonChelmsfordandColchesterBridewells。Heafterwardspublishedanaccountofallthejailsinthisisland；whichhehadvisitedunauthorisedandunaided，Governmentdoingnothingtohelphiminhisself—imposedtask，andobstacleshavingbeenthrowninhiswaywhichwouldhaveweariedoutanylessbenevolentpatience。From1804to1812，heappearstohavebeenceaselessinhisendeavourstoprocuresomeamendment；andthough，whenFowellBuxtonfollowedin1818，andwhenMrsFrydevotedherselftothefemaleprisonersofNewgate，verylittlegeneralimprovementwasperceptible；
yetmuchBroughtunderthenoticeofParliamenttenyearspreviously。Page11
wasdoneinNeild’stimetomakeprogressalmostcertain，andaretrogrademovementimpossible。ThejailofAylesbury（withwhichhewasmoreimmediatelyconnected），andotherprisons，controlledintheirmanagementbymenlikehimself，becamewhatitisthecanttermofthedaytocall’ModelPrisons。’Theabusesofthosehecouldnotcontrol，wereexposedbyhim。ItbecameknownthatintheBoroughCompterprisonthedebtorslayuponboards；infilth，damp，anddiscomfort；felonsanddebtorsallhuddledtogether；noclassification，nocomfort，nodecency。
ThatinAyrjail，theprisonerslayonstraw，tillMrNeildsuppliedblanketsfromhisownprivatecharity。ThatinEdinburghjail，thesamemiseriesandevengreaterwereendured；noemploymentwaspermitted；andfelons（withanenlightenedregardforthestateoftheirsouls）wereabsolutelyexcludedbyrule，fromattendanceondivineservice。IntheprivilegedprisonofDoverCastle，whenitswarderwasthegreatMinisterLordLiverpool（whohadbeenprecededbyMrPitt），theprison—feesweresoenormousthatprisonersmightremaintwentymonthsintheCastleatthesuitoftheCrown，forsumstotallyirrespectiveoftherealdebtforwhichtheywereincarcerated。Theprisonwasinastateofshamefuldilapidation；
andaQuakergentlemengave800l。inthethreepercents，topavethecourtyardofthisroyaljail，andmakepermanentprovisiontoaidthepoorerdebtorsinobtainingtheirrelease。TheseweremerelysamplesoftheconditionofmostoftheprisonsinGreatBritain。InFowellBuxton’stimetheBoroughCompterwaslittlealtered；dirt，confusion，andmisery；
cold，sickness，andgambling；andtwentyprisonerssleepingoneightstrawbeds。This，again，ameresampleoftheconditionofotherjails。InMrsFry’stime，Newgate，whichwasbuilttohold480，heldfrom800to1200；
noclassification，noemployment，noinstruction；filththatsickenedandturnedtheheartfaint；instancesofdebtorsactuallystarvinginjail；
theaccusedandconvicted，sickandwell，abandonedwomen，andchildrenPage12
youngenoughtobeinthenursery，allhuddledtogether；prisonersemployedingambling，andcomplainingthattheyhadnothingelsetodo。
Idleness，contamination，riot，sickness，andblasphemy；norestbynight，andnopeacebyday；onlycorruption，mentalandphysical，hourlyleaveningamongneglectedswarmsoffellow—creatures，withbodiestocareforandsoulstobesaved。
Totheefforts，firstofoneearnestindividual，andthenofanother，mustbeattributedtheattentionslowlygrantedbysuccessiveGovernmentstothesegreatabuses；untilatlengththegreaterpartofourprisonshavebecomeatriumphandashow；
fromtheregulationsofwhichitneedsonlythatsomefutureNeildshouldexpungethebarbarousmistakeofprolongedsolitaryconfinement，tomakethemasperfectasplacesofthekindcanbe。
Totheeffortsofearnestindividuals，mustalsobeattributedthatcontrolnowexercisedovertheeducationofthepoor。WherewasEnglandinthisrespectfiftyorsixtyyearssince？In1798aMrLancasteropenedaschoolintheBoroughroad，whichinsevenyearsbecameafreeschoolforonethousandchildren。TheexpensesofMrLancaster’splanoutranhismeans，andaMrJosephFoxgavebillsfor3，600l。totaketheschooloutofdebt；riskingthissumwithoutanyveryclearprospectofrepayment，forthesakeofthecause。
Othergenerousandpublicspiritedmenthencameforward，andMrLancastertravelledthroughthecountrygivinglecturesandexplaininghisscheme。
Inconsequenceofthoselectures，forty—fiveschools，educating11，300
childrenwereestablished；intheyear1809，fiftyschools，educating14，200
childrenwereorganised；andatlength，atameetingheldattheFreemason’sTavernonthe11thofMay，1811，——twoRoyalPrinces（theDukeofYorkandtheDukeofSussex），movedandsecondedaresolution，thatMrLancasterdeservedthethanksandsupportofallEngland，forthatinfouryearshehadbeenthemeansofcausingsome25，000childrentobeeducated；andMrFrancisHorneratthesamePage13
meetingdeclared，thatofthe7，000childreneducatedinLancaster’sownschoolintheBoroughroad，notonehadeverbeenchargedinacourtofjusticewithanycriminaloffence。
Withthegreateducationalmovementwhichafterwardstookplace，andtheendeavourtomakethestateinsomedegreeresponsibleforthetrainingofthepeople，LordBROUGHAM’S
namemustforeverbenoblyassociated。Withhim（oneofthemostscientificallyeducatedmenofhisday），restedthetaskofarguingawaytheabsurdprejudicethatifthelowerclasseswereinstructed，theywoulddisdaintowork；
withhimrestedthelongstruggleagainsttheabusesofcharitabletrusts，andbequestsforeducationalpurposes；thesacrednessofwhichwassolittleunderstood，thatLordKenyonremarkedofthegrammarschools，that\"everythingwasneglectedexceptthereceiptofsalariesandemoluments；\"andLordEldon，that\"allovertheKingdom，charityestatesweredealtwithinamanneramountingtothemostdirectbreachofTrust。\"Therewasnosuchtranquiladmissiononallsidesasexiststo—day，thattheStateisboundtowatchoverandsecuretoitspoorermillionstheinestimableblessingofeducation。LordBroughamwasfloutedandopposed；andinnothingdidheencountermoreoppositionorgreaterodium，thaninhisattempttopreventthisembezzlementofthepropertyofthepoor。Withmostpertinaciousenergyhemadehimselftheirpioneertoknowledge；andmostassuredly，whenthebalanceofusefulnessisstruckinhisdazzlingandeccentriccareer，thetriumphcanneverbedeniedhimofhavingbeenamainmeansofsecuringtofuturegenerationsofEnglishmen，thefirstoflife’sblessingsbothindateanddegree；thatearlyandorderlytrainingwhichliftsatoilingmanabovethelevelofatoilingbrute；whichteacheshimtousethepowersofhissoulinadditiontothepowersofthebody；whichmakesslumberandfoodnolongerthesolerefreshmentoftheintelligentartisan，andthrowsalightintothelabourer’scottagebeyondthecommonlightofday。
ItisnotbecauseIundervaluethehelpthusgivenatalaterPage14
stageofthecause，thatIendeavouredtomarkthemomentwhennationalprogresswassetonfootbyindividualenergy。*
IknowthatwhenLancaster’stheorywasmadepublic，theDukeofBedfordandLordSomervillebecameeagersupportersofhisscheme；thattheKingandalltheRoyalFamilywarmlyassistedhim（astheyafterwardsdidhissometimerival，DrBell）；andthatinprocessoftime，theliberalityofthepublicbecamesogeneral，thattheLancastrianschoolsseemedsupportedratherbythelevyingofanationaltribute，thanbythepaymentofcollectedsubscriptions。ButthatwhichIinsistupon，isthesmallbeginningfromwhichthesegreatresultswereevolved。Notbynationalacclamationofanall—pervadingplan，butbytheresoluteandpatientstruggleofaprivateindividual——thatgreatschemeofNationalInstructionwasbegun。Whenitappearedlikelytofailforwantoffunds，aprivateindividual（MrJOSEPH
In1787，——thatwhichMrLancasterachievedmanyyearsafterwardsforENGLAND，wasattemptedforIRELANDbyMrThomasSheridan，sonofDrSheridan（thefriendofSwift），andthefatherofR。B。Sheridan。Thoughnotascholarbyprofession，——asDrSheridanwas，——hehadgreatclassicalattainments，andthedegreeofMasterofArtswasconferredonhimbothatOxfordandCambridge。Hewrotemuchonpracticaleducation；thenecessityoflearning\"commonthings；\"andthefollyofconfininginstructionsomuchtothestudyofthedeadlanguages。HehadlongplannedaNationalEstablishmentforIreland；fundsforwhichhebelievedmightinthefirstinstanceberaised，byputtingdownfreeschoolswhere，fromgradualabuse，nodutywasdone。Whenhistwosons，CharlesandRichardBrinsley，wereinconspicuouspublicsituations，——CharlesasSecretary—of—WarinIreland，andtheyounger，andmoredistinguished，inthezenithofhisfameinEngland，——MrT。SheridanreckonedonobtainingthenoticeandsupportofGovernmentforhiseducationalschemes，moreespeciallyasMrOrde（SecretarytotheDukeofRutland），tookaneagerinterestinthem。Thedeathhowever，oftheDuke，andtheremovalofMrOrde，checkedhisprojects；norwasitlikelyhewouldatthattimeobtainmuchencouragement。ThethenMinistrywasfartoobusywiththeintriguesofadividedCourt，——theimpeachmentoftheGovernor—GeneralofIndia，——thepaymentoftheCrownPrince’sdebts，——andthedisputeswhetherFoxhadorhadnotmockedtheEnglishSenatewithadeliberatefalsehood，sealedwiththePrince’sword，relativetothemarriagewithMrsFitzherbert，——tohavetimetospareforasanguineIrishman’splansforeducatinghiscountrymen；
andintheensuingyearMrSheridandied。Page15
FOX）riskedhis3，600l。tosaveitfromevilchance。Tohimjoinedfiveotherprivategentlemen（MrJACKSON，MrALLEN，MrCORSTON，MrSTURGE，andMrFOSTER），whosubscribed，andobtainedsubscriptionsfromothers，andformedthemselvesintoacommitteetomanageMrLancaster’saffairs。Whenthatbrilliantmeetingofthe11thofMay1811，washeld，itwasrathertoapplaudwhathadbeenachieved，thantorousetoaction：
tocongratulateonforegonevictories；andtoobtainfreshsubsidiesforthesuccessfulgeneralwhohadcarriedonthebattleagainstignorancewithanarmyofvolunteers。BeforethoseRoyalPrincestheDukeofKENT
andDukeofSUSSEX，——ortheChancellorofthePrinceRegent，——ortheDukeofBEDFORD，MarquisofLANSDOWNE，LordKEITH，FRANCISHORNER，andHENRY
BROUGHAM，——proposedresolutionsattheFreemason’sTavernas\"FriendsoftheRoyalLancastrianSystemfortheEducationofthePoor，\"——MrLANCASTER
hadlabouredinhisvocationforthirteenyears。WhenhisschoolwasfirstopenedintheBoroughroad，probablyhisverynamewasunknowntomostofthesegreatpersonages，andmanyanamelessnotableandlessrememberedhadgivensubstantialaidtothecause，beforetheybecameitspatrons。
Andnowletmeask，——isthereanyreasonwhyattentionshouldnotbecalledtothedefectivestateofLawsforWomeninEngland，asattentionhasbeencalledtoothersubjects：——namely，byindividualeffort？Isthereanyreasonwhy（attentionbeingsocalledtothesubject）Womenalone，ofthemorehelplessclasses，——theclassessetapartasnothavingfreecontroloftheirowndestinies，——shouldbedeniedtheprotectionwhichinothercasessuppliesandbalancessuchabsenceoffreecontrol？ArewetobelievethatthegentlemenofGreatBritainaresojealousoftheirprivilegeofirresponsiblepowerinthisonerespect，thattheywouldratherknowredressimpossibleincaseswhichtheythemselvesadmittobeinstancesofthegrossestcrueltyandbaseness，thanframelawsofcontrolforthemselvessuchastheyarewillingtoframeforothers？Page16
Willtheyeagerlyrestrictthelabourerormechanicfromviolenceandbrutalityinhiswretchedhome，andyetinsistontheirownrightofill—usageasaluxuryfairlybelonging（likethepossibilityofdivorce）
tothesuperiorandwealthyclasses？Isthere，——inthedispositionofthosewhoaretolegislate，——aninsurmountablebarriertofairlegislationonthissubject？andifnot，isthereanyreasonwhy（topleadthecauseoftheinferiorsexashumblyaspossible）thelawsandenactmentsfortheirprotectionshouldnotundergoasmuchrevision，withasfairachanceofbeneficialalteration，astheregulationsaffectingthemanagementofpauperchildren，——insanepatients，——andthetriedanduntriedprisonerswhooccupyourgaols？
Iforget；Imightpleadyetmorehumbly；Imightdropyetonegreatstepinthesocialscale，tofindamoreexactparallelwiththelegalpositionofwomeninthiscountry。
EnglandhaslatelymadeasortofovationtoanAmericanlady，whosegraphicandimpassionedappealontheanti—slaveryquestion，reachedEuropeintheguiseofaromance；
aromancewhichhassincebeentranslatedintomostmodernlanguages，——sothat\"UncleTom’sCabin\"hasbecomeeverywherea\"householdword。\"HadIbeeninEnglandatthetimeMrsBeecherStowevisitedus，Itoo，wouldhaveconsidereditaprivilegeandjoytoseeonewhosegeniusglorifiedthatsolemnandgloomyargument，andsentitamongstusclothedinlight。
Iwishhersuccess。Idesireheartilyforherthathernamemayhereafterberememberedwithablessing，amongthenamesofthosewhowereearlylabourersinadaynowdawning，thatshallbringhelptothehelpless。
Iholdhertasktobeaholyone，andslaveryanaccursedthing。
But，meanwhile，itmaynotbeuninterestingtothoseAmericanswhoareofacontraryopinion，andwhohavefeltwoundedatthemannerinwhichwehavecalledacrosstheAtlantictobidAmericarenouncetheerrorofherway，——tolookbacktothetime，——whensonewandunwelcomewasourconversiontothecreedofmercy，inourowncolonies，thatLordSeaforthPage17
wrotehometoMinistersin1802，tosayhehadoffendedthewholeislandofBarbadoesbyendeavouringtopersuadethemthatthewilfulmurderofaslaveshouldbemadefelony，insteadofbeingcompoundedforbyafineof11l。4s。ThetimewhenWILBERFORCEwasastrugglingenthusiastinanuncertaincause；whenourKing，PrinceofWales，andthewholeoftheRoyalFamily（withthesingleexceptionoftheDukeofGloucester），wereopposedtotheAbolitionBill；whenPittdespairedofcarryingthatmeasure，anditwasahotangrywaramongEnglishmenwhetheritshouldpassornot。Awarwhichcontinuedthroughyearsofdebatingandpamphleteering，beforethevictorywaswonbyourAbolitionists。
ItmaynotbeuninterestingtoAmericanstoknow，also，thatiftheywillexaminethereportsofourHouseofCommons，——afterthatstrugglewasfairlyended，andthenewlawhadbeenpassed，——theywillfindtheprototypeof\"LEGREE\"inthepersonof\"ARTHURHODGE，Esq。，oneoftheMembersofhisMajesty’sCouncilfortheVirginIslands，\"——who，intheyear1811，wasbroughttotrialandcondemnedforthemurderofaslavenamedProsperonhisestateintheislandofTortola，——whenhiscountlesscrueltieswereexposed，insworndepositionspreservedinthoserecords。There，AmericansmayfindtheoriginalofUNCLE
TOM，in\"TOMBOILER，astout，hale，heartyman，\"whointheyear1807waslaiddownandfloggedwithoutintermissionformorethananhourbyorderofHODGE，andbeingunabletoriseaftertheflogging，wascarriedtothesick—house；lingeredafewdays；andthendied。There，theywillfinditcomputedthatsixtyofHodge’sslaveshadperishedinthreeyearsfromseverityofpunishment，andnotmorethanthree，inthatperiod，haddiedanaturaldeath。AboutadozenofthesewretchedvictimsarenamedintheaffidavitsreportedtoourHouseofCommons；amongthemarewomenandchildren：
onechildoftenyearsold，namedTAMSEN，havingbeendipped（byorder）
intoacopperofboilingliquor，andtwoofthewomenhavinghadboilingwaterPage18
poureddowntheirthroats。YetwhenthissubjectofKingGeorgeofEnglandwastried，itwaspleadedforhiminopencourtthatanegrobeingproperty，itwasnogreateroffenseinlawforhisownertokillhimthantokilladog：thejury，thoughtheyreturnedaverdictof\"guilty，\"
byamajorityoftheirnumberrecommendedHodgetomercy：andGovernorElliotwrotehomeinhisdespatches，thathewasobligedtobepresent，asCommander—in—chief，——tocalloutthemilitia，——andtoproclaimmartiallaw，——inordertosecuretheexecutionofthesentence。Itisaremarkableadditionalfact，andshowsthestateoffeelingatthattime，thatalthoughtheseandathousandotherhorrorswereperfectlywellknown，ARTHURHODGE，Esq。，waswellreceivedinthesocietyoftheisland，andretainedhisrankas\"oneoftheMembersofhisMajesty’sCouncil\"uptothedayofhisarrest。
Butthesearethingsofthepast：horribleshadows，rememberedlikebaddreams：eventsthatnevercanoccuragainwhereEngland’slawhassway。ForEnglandisjustandmerciful；
andifsheisalsoalittleproudandpreaching，itisnomorethanallconvertstogoodcausesareapttobe，inthefreshearnestnessoftheirdesirethattruthslatelybroughthometothemselves，shouldbebroughthometoothers；andifshefindsfaultwiththelawsthatpermitoppressioninthecodeofothercountries，itisthatshehasnolawwhichpermitsoppressioninherown。
IbegtheattentionofbothmyAmericanandEnglishreaderstoacaseIfindcopied，fromareportina\"CincinnatiGazette，\"intothecolumnsofourown\"Times\"newspaper，inthemonthofNovember，1853。ItwasacasetriedintheCovingtonCircuitCourt，andbythereportitappears，thataslavenamedSamNorris，belongingtoaMrJ。N。Patton，ofVirginia，hadbeenpermittedtoworkinCovington，onconditionofpayingeachyearacertainsumtohismaster；whichsumwasaccordinglypaid：thattwoyearsago，MrPattonproposedthattheslaveshouldpurchasehisfreedombythepaymentofPage19
acertainadditionalsum，whichsumwasnearlypaidupwhenMrPattonchangedhismind，rescindedthecontract，andclaimedSamNorrisashisslave。Thecasewasarguedwithmuchability；butatthecloseoftheargumentthejudgedecidedforMrPattonagainstSamNorris，onthisprinciple，thatbythelawofKentucky\"aslavecannotmakeacontract，norcanhehavemoniesofhisown。\"Thecontract，therefore，wasnullandvoid；andthemoney，thoughreceivedandexpendedbythemaster，couldnotbeheldlegallytohavebeenpaid。Thereportconcludeswiththisconsolatoryadmission，thattheHon。JudgePryor，beforewhomthecasewastried，\"characteriseditasoneofgreathardshipandcruelty；
andeveryoneinthecourt—roomseemedtosympathisedeeplywiththepoornegro。\"InthatsympathyImosttrulyshare；butthecasehasbesidesapeculiarinterestforme，——inasmuchasIfind，intheslavelawofKentucky，anexactparallelofthelawofEnglandforitsmarriedwomen；andinthispassageinthelifeofthepoorslaveSamNorris，anexactcounterpartofwhathaslatelyoccurredinmyown。
I，too，hadacontract。
Myhusbandbeingdesiroustoraisemoneysettledonmeandmysons，toemployonhisseparateestate，andrequiringmyconsentinwritingbeforethatcouldbedone，gavemeinexchangeforsuchconsentawrittencontractdrawnupbyalawyer，andsignedbythatlawyerandhimself。Whenhehadobtainedandemployedthemoneyhewasdesiroustoraise，likeMrPattonofVirginiaheresolvedto\"rescindthecontract。\"WhenI，liketheslaveNorris，endeavouredtostruggleagainstthisgrossbreachoffaith，——I
wasinformedthatbythelawofEngland，\"amarriedwomancouldnotmakeacontract，orhavemoniesofherown。\"WhenIcomplainedofit，——Iwaspunishedbyafloodoflibellousaccusations，publishedinalltheEnglishnewspapers；libelsforwhich，thoughprovedfalsehoods，Icouldobtainnoredress，becausetheywerepublishedbymyhusband。ThecircumstancethatMrNorton，likeMrPatton，hadobtainedPage20
alltheadvantagehesoughtwhenhewentthroughtheformalityandpretenceofmakingacontractwithme，madenodifference；andastomoney，eventhatwhichIearnedbyliteraturewassubjecttotheclaimofmyhusband，asthemanuallabouroftheslavewassubjecttotheclaimofhismaster，——becauseamarriedwomanis，bythecodeofEngland，（asSamNorrisbythecodeofKentucky）non—existantinlaw。ItisfitthatIshouldadd，inbehalfofEnglishheartsandEnglishloveofjustice，thatwhenIstood，withthatvaincontractinmyhand，intheWestminsterCountyCourt；（I，anintelligenteducatedwoman，grand—daughterofamansufficientlydistinguishedtohaveobtainedsepultureinWestminsterAbbey，hardby，）andwhenthelawwasshowntobe，forme，whatitisfortheslaveofKentucky，therewas，inthecourt—roomoftheWestminsterCountyCourt，astherewasinthecourt—roomoftheCovingtonCircuitCourt，evidenceofstrongsympathy。Mycase，——whichopenedupahistoryofwrong，treachery，libel，andinjusticeenduredforyearswithoutredress——wasevidentlyconsideredlikethatofNorris，tobe\"oneofgreathardshipandcruelty，\"andtheconcludingwordswithwhichMrNortonvehementlyattemptedtoaddressthecourt，weredrownedinthegroansandhootingofanexcitedcrowd。ButsympathycoulddonomoreformethanforMrPatton’sslave。ItcouldnotforceopenformetheirongatesoftheLAWwhichbarredoutjustice。
Itcouldnotpreventlibel，andtorment，andfraud；therippingupofoldwounds，ortheinflictionofnew。TheLAWalonecoulddothat，iffitlawsofprotectionexistedforwomen。Thattheydonotexist，ismycomplaint。
Thattheydonotexist，mightpointascornfulanswerfromnationsweimperiouslylectureontheinternaleconomyoftheirowngovernments。WehaverebukedAmerica，tauntedNaples，complainedofSweden，remonstratedwithTuscany，condemnedPortugal，andpositivelyshudderedatAustria（inthepersonofHAYNAU），becauseslaveryintheone，thetreatmentofpoliticalprisonersinanother，religiousintoleranceinPage21
third，andaboveall，thetreatmentofWOMENinthelast，offendsourverysouls。IsEnglandthenincapableofanybutaBORRIOBOOLAmission？Issheforevertoprefermakingasortof\"Sterne’sSentimentalJourney\"intoothercountries，tofulfillingherdutiesathome？Theforeignerswearesofondofreproving，seewithdisgustandabhorrenceourownmethodofdealingwithcertainlaws。Tothem，ourmercantileanduncertainspeculationof\"damages，\"——thewonderfulindecencyofourdivorcetrials，——theincrediblefactthatthewomanaccusedisallowednodirectdefence，andcannotappearbycounselonsuchoccasions——thelothandreluctantadmission（andthatofveryrecentdate）oftherightofamothertoherinfantchildren，——arealikeodiousandincomprehensible。IwillventuretosaythatinnocountryinEurope，isthere，infact，solittleprotectionofwomenasinEngland。Englandthefault—finder；Englandtheuniversallecturer；England——wheretoaddtotheabsurdanomalyofthisstateofthings，theSaliquelawisconsideredabarbarism，andoffenceagainstafemaleSovereignistreason。
Thecontrastbetweenthatwhichwepermit，andthatwhichwedisallow，bordersalmostontheburlesque。IfMrNorton，amagistrateandmemberofthearistocracy，hadcheatedatagameofcardsplayedbyafewidlersinoneoftheclubsofLondon，allEnglandwouldhavebeeninaferment。
Accuserswouldhaverisen；friendswouldhavehungtheirheads；andforthesakeofsomedandy’spurse，theinvocationtojusticewouldhavebeenmadeinsuchasternuniversalshout，aswouldhavesentanechothroughallEurope。OrifI，whilevisitingforeignlands，hadinvestedmyselfwiththedignityofaself—appointedmessengerofGod；ifIhadbrokendownthefencethatguardsothermen’sconsciences，andtrespassedtheretosowwhatIconsidered\"thegoodseed；\"ifIhadforcedonreluctantRomanCatholics，tractsofinstructioninmyownformoffaith，andhadbeenarrestedforthattrespass，——thenindeed，ImighthopetoattracttheattentionoftheGovernmentofmyowncountry，andmycasemightbewarmlyadvocatedatPage22
somesuchmeetingasstoodadvertisedintheEnglishnewspapersforNov。29，1853，headed，\"PersecutingLawsinPortugal，Tuscany，andMalta；theEarlofShaftesburyinthechair。\"ButintheEnglishlawswhichwreckawoman’swholedestiny；inthelawwhichpermitsthemostindecentandatrociouslibelagainsther，withoutachanceoflegaldefence，——inthelawwhichcountenancesandupholdsfarworsethancheatingatcards，andrendersnullandvoidacontractsignedbyamagistrate，becausethatcontractwasmadewithhiswife，——inthelawwhichgivesawoman’searningsevenbyliterarycopyright，toherhusband，——inthewholeframework，inshort，ofthoselawsbywhichherexistenceismergedintheexistenceofanother，（letwhatwillbethecircumstancesofhercase；）andbywhichJusticeinfactdivestsherselfofallcontrolandresponsibilityinthematter——Englandseesnothingworthyofremark。
Withwhatascornfulretortmightthenationsweundertaketolecture，answerourbusy—bodymeddling！
\"Protectyourownwomen。Lookathome，forinstancesoftyranny，persecution，andunavailingappealsforjustice。Donottroubleyourselvesyet，aboutthedenialofsocialrightstoslaves，orthoselawsofKentuckywhichseeminsuchharmonywithyourown；donotevenpretendtoshudderatthedisgracefulchastisementinflictedonAustrianwomen，forwhatintheirlandistreason。Cometouswhenyourmagistratesdonotmakeaprofitofthelawtheyadminister；whenyouraristocracyarenotguiltyofviolenceandbrutalitytotheirwives，whichtheyexcusebylibelsinyourgazettes；
whenthedaughtersofyourstatesmendonotstandinyourcourtsoflaw，ignoblybaitedforassertingjustclaims。Thatsuchthingsshouldoccur，inyourvain—gloriousland，maybeonlyaprivateandindividualwrong；
butthatsuchthingsshouldoccur，withimpunity，——uncontrolledandunpunishedbylaw，——isnolongeraprivatewrong，butanationaldisgrace。\"
Ishallnowgiveanarrativeofmyowncase，asanexampleofwhatcanbedoneundertheEnglishlawof1853。IfthePage23
publicationfailtodrawanypermanentattentiontothelawitself，atleastitwillremainacuriousrecordofinjustice，inacountryespeciallyboastfulofitsliberalandmagnanimousenactments。Iftherecordappearunimportantasthemerehistoryofawoman’swrongs，itmayhaveinterestasinvolvingapassageinthelifeofoneofEngland’sPrimeMinisters。
Ihaveendeavouredtomakethenarrativeasclearaspossible，bydividingintothreeoutlines，——1st，thestrangemutualpositionofMrNortonandmyselfwithrespecttomoney—matters，bothbeforeandafterourseparation，——2dly，thetreatmentIreceivedasawife；takenfromthepaperssubmittedatthetimetolawyersemployedforme——and，——3dly，LordMelbourne’sopinionoftheaffairsinwhichhisnamewasinvolved；copiedwordforwordfromhisownletters。Ihavehadthat，andallothercorrespondence，printedinItalics；thattheinterruptionsmaybemoredistinct，andthatsuchpersonsasarealreadyfamiliarwithsomeoftheletters，mayomitthematpleasureandcontinuethenarrative。
Ihavetakencounselofnoone；andnooneisresponsibleforthementionofnames，oroftheparttakenbyfriendsinthesemiserableaffairs。IfanyseecausetoregretwhatIhavedone，letthemblametheLAW。
Thispamphletaddressesitself，nottoprivatesympathy，buttoEnglishjustice：itisanattempttoarguethereformwhichoughttobe，fromtheabusethathasbeen：——acomplaintoftheexerciseofirresponsiblepower，tothesourceofpower：——anappealfromTHELAW，asitstands，totheLegislaturewhichframesandalterslaws。
Ibeginbyanexplanationofourmutualpositionastomoney—matters；becauseMrNortonhasbroughtourdisputestoacrisisonapecuniaryclaim；becausehehasfalsifiedthewholehistoryofthosematters；andbecause，fromthefirst，ourpositioninthisrespectwasextraordinaryandanomalous；inasmuchasinsteadofMrNortonbeing，eitherbytheexerciseofhisprofessionorpatrimonialproperty，whatGermanscallthePage24
\"Breadfinder，\"itwasonmyliterarytalentsandtheinterestofmyfamily，thatoursupportalmostentirelydepended，whileIstillhadahome。
MrNortonhaslatelyspoken（inthefabuloushistorieshehasgiventothepublicthroughthemediumofthenewspapers）oftheprofoundandpatientattachmentheentertainedformeprevioustoourunion。Idomostsolemnlydeclarethatatthetimehefirstdemandedmeofmymotherinmarriage，Ihadnotexchangedsixsentenceswithhimonanysubjectwhatever。MrNortonwasbrothertoLordGrantley；andthegovernesstowhosecareIwasconfided，happeningtobesistertoLordGrantley’sagent，thefemalemembersoftheNortonfamily，fromcourtesytothislady，invitedherandsuchofherpupilsasshechosetoaccompanyher，toLordGrantley’shouse。AsisterofMrNorton’s，aneccentricpersonwhoaffectedmasculinehabitsandplayedalittleontheviolin，amusedherselfwithmyearlyversesandmyloveofmusic，andtookmorenoticeofmethanofmycompanions。TheoccasionsonwhichIsawthisladywerenotfrequent；andstillmorerareweretheoccasionsonwhichIhadalsoseenherbrother；itwasthereforewithafeelingofmereastonishment，thatIreceivedfrommygovernesstheintelligencethatshethoughtitrighttorefusemetheindulgenceofaccompanyingheragaintoLordGrantley’stillshehadheardfrommymother；asMrNortonhadprofessedhisintentionofaskingmeinmarriage。Thisladyisstillliving，andcananswerfortheexacttruthofmystatement。
AlmostthefirststepMrNortontook，afterhehadmademymother’sacquaintance，wastobegherinterestwithamemberoftheroyalfamily，whosegoodwordwiththeChancellorEldonwastoprocurehimasmalllegalappointment；andfromthedayweweremarriedheneverceasedimpressinguponme，thatasIbroughthimnopresentfortune（myportionbeingonlypayableonmymother’sdeath），IwasboundtouseeveryeffortwiththepoliticalfriendsofmyPage25
grandfather，togethimlucrativepromotioninhisprofession。
IfoundthismoredifficultthanIexpected。ThememoryofMrSheridanamongtheWhigparty，wasnotheldinthataffectionwhichinmyinexperienceIhadfancied；andifithadbeen，IdonotknowthatitwouldhavebeenasufficientpleaforservingMrNorton，whocouldputforwardnopersonalclaimsforemployment。Idid，however，whatmyhusbandrequested。Ibesieged，withvariouslywordedlettersofimportunity，thefriendswhomIknewasthegreatnameslinkedwiththecareerofmygrandfather；andwhilewaitingtheresultofthepetitionsIhadsownonsowideafield，Iturnedmyliteraryabilitytoaccount，bysellingthecopyrightofmyfirstpoemtoMessrsEbersofBondstreet。ItisnotwithoutacertaindegreeofromanticpridethatIlookbackandknowthatthefirstexpensesofmyson’slifeweredefrayedfromthepriceofthatfirstcreationofmybrain；andbeforethatchildwastwoyearsold，Ihadprocuredformyhusband，——（forthehusbandwhohaslatelyoverwhelmedme，mysons，andhisdeadpatronwithslander，ratherthanyieldamiserableannuity）——aplaceworthathousandayear；thearduousdutyofwhichconsistedinattendingthreedaysintheweek，forfivehours，tohearcausestriedinthesimplestformsoflaw。Fromthatdaytothepresent，myhusbandhasalwaysconsideredthatIoughttoassisthim——insteadofhissupportingme。Thedependanceuponmyliteraryeffortsforallextraresources，runs，asamatterofcourse，throughallthelettersIreceivedfromhimduringourunion。ThenamesofmypublishersoccurasiftheywereMrNorton’sbankers。
IfMurrayofAlbemarlestreetwillnotacceptapoem，——ifBullofHollesstreetdoesnotcontinueamagazine，——ifHeathdoesnotoffertheeditorshipofanAnnual，——ifSaundersandOtleydonotbuytheMS。ofanovel，——ifColburn’sagreementisnotsatisfactoryandsufficient，——ifPowerdelayspaymentforasetofballads，——if，inshort，theWIFEhasnoearningstoproduce，theHUSBANDprofesseshimselftobe\"quiteatalosstoknow\"Page26
howthenextdifficultyofpaymentistobegotover。Ononeoccasion，whenIhadbeenemployedtowritewordstoSpanishmusic，byanofficerofsomedistinction，andwasextremelylothtoexpresstothisgentlemantheopinionMrNortonwishedconveyedtohim，——namely，thatpaymentwastoolongdelayed，——MrNortonhimselfundertookthetaskofdunninghim，forthestipulatedsumbywhichhewastoprofit。Iworkedhard，andwasproudofmysuccess。Ibroughttomymanytasksalltheenergywhichyouth，highspirits，ambition，goodhealth，andthetriumphofusefulnesscouldinspire；joinedtoawishforliteraryfame，soeager，thatIsometimeslookbackandwonderifIwaspunishedforitbyunenviableandadditionalnotoriety。