Nowitisconsistentwithallthediscretionofjustice，thatfargreaterleniencyshouldbepracticallyextended，toasexwhosepassions，habitsoflife，andgreaterlaxityofopinions，maketheirtemptationsgreaterandtheirresistanceless，thanisthecaseamongwomen；andaproportionateseveritymaywellbeshewntothatothersex，whosepurityisofinfinitelygreaterimportance。Buttosaythatdivorce，——ifpermittedatall，——shouldbepermittedtoonepartyonly；thatLordChancellorThurlow’sprinciple，（thateachcaseshoulddependonitsownpeculiarcircumstancesfordecision，andonthemoralimpossibilityofactualreunion），shouldbesupersededbythedoctrinethatonlyonepartycanbewrongedsufficientlytodeservetheextremeremedy，issurelysoobviousanabsurdity，thatitwillscarcelybeararguingupon：andwouldsimplybeaddingonemoreanomaly，tolaws，inwhichalreadythejealousPage159
andexclusiveguardingofmasculinerights，isoftenthefoundationofthemostpreposterouswrong。
Calledupontogiveassenttosuchalaw，evenMajestymightfeelsomethingofthehelplessnessofsex：andmuseonthataccidentofregalbirth，whichhasinvestedherwithsacredandirrevocablerights，inacountrywherewomenhavenorights。
TheoneEnglishwomaninEnglandwhominjuryandinjusticecannotreach：
protectedfromitforever：protected，notasWoman，butasQUEEN：
asEngland’sSymbolofRoyalty：andcalleduponinthatcapacity，bythelawofficersoftheCrownand\"faithfulliegesinParliamentassembled，\"
tocompleteandperfectbyherconsent，thepowerofmen’slaws。Signmanual，androyalassent，necessaryforperfectingandcompletingthoselaws，underafemalereign，——inacountrywherethesignaturesofmarriedwomenarelegallyworthless；wheretheycannotlayclaimtothesimplestarticleofpersonalproperty，——cannotmakeawill，——orsignalease，——andareheldtobenon—existantinlaw！
TooUtopianwouldbethedream，thatinsteadofretrogradinginthedegreeofprotectionaffordedbythepresentcode，——betterandjusterlawsforwomenmightbemadeinthereignofQueenVictoria！Thatintheexerciseofthefunctionsofsovereignty，andthefulfillmentofParliamentaryforms，HERroyalassentmightberecorded，asaffixedtothosemeasuresofincreasedprotectionoftheweakersex，whicharethedistinctivemarksofprogressivecivilization，asthecontraryistherecognizedfeatureofbarbarism。ThesamereigninwhichthepenofaMACAULAYhasdefendedtheintelligentcapacityofEnglishwomen，mightsurelyseechanged，atreatmentbasedontheancientlawsof\"BaronandFeme。\"AndtheQueenwhohaswonEngland’slove——inadditiontoherhereditaryrighttoEngland’sloyalty——andwhohasshown，onmorethanoneoccasion，thatthesagacityofElizabeth，andthecourageofCoeurdeLion，arenotincompatiblewiththemostfemininedevotionasWifeandMother——mightwellresist，forherPage160
women—subjects，thatcontemptofwomanhood，whichourunequallawsimply。Leaving，intheblessingofbetterlawsonthissubject，abrightertrackoflight，thanalltheboastedprogressofthe\"GoldenAge，\"
ruledoverbythedaughterofmurderedAnneBoleyn。
Intheformofourdivorce，（sincedivorcethereis），——surelythefirststepshouldbefirstcancelledandaltered。Ourmethodofproceedingis，——thatthehusbandshallbringanactionfor\"damages\"againsttheloverofhiswife；——thenapplytotheEcclesiasticalCourtsforthelimiteddivorceintheirpower；——then，toParliament，tobreakthemarriagealtogether。Byasingularform，ifthedamagesfallbelowacertainsum（fortyshillings），thoughitdoesnotacquittheparties，itimpliessomuchdisapprovalofthecircumstancesofthecase——wherethisis，forinstance，provedconnivanceorworthlessnessonthepartofthehusband，orknownvilenessinthewife——thatadivorcewouldnotbegranted。Itisscarcelypossibletoconceiveamorepernicioussystemthantheseactionsfor\"damages。\"Thattheformisnotinevitableasapreliminarystep，isprovedbythedivorceofoneofourpeersbeinglatelyobtainedwithoutit。Thatitcanbenopropermodeoftestingthetruth，isprovedbyLordBrougham’shistoryofthehusbandwhomadehiscompactwithasupposedlovertobringsuchanaction。Thatitmaybeabasetemptationtoneedyandunprincipledmen，hasbeenprovedbyexamples。
Thatitrendersthewoman’schanceofclearinghercharactermoredesperate（shebeingalreadydeniedcounselordefenceintheactiontowhichsheisnoparty），isshowninthefactthatitisreckoned\"ungentleman—like\"
inthesupposedlover，tocastaspersionsonthehusband，whichwouldmerelyreduce\"damages；\"andthedefence，therefore，isgenerallylimitedtodisprovalanddenialofguilt。Sothathowthewifehasbeentreated，rarelyappearsinevidence。Inprinciple，theawardof\"damages\"isabsurd。Ifthehusbandbereallyhigh—minded，honourable，andinjured，——itisamockerytopayhimforsuchinjury；ifhebenotPage161
honorable，butbaseandgrasping，itisastrongtemptationtohimtothreatensuchanaction，oreventospeculateonbringingone，withoutanyrealbeliefintheaccusation：forasmallsummaytemptsomepoverty—strickenwretchtotellatalewhichifbelievedbythejury，wouldbringthousandsofpounds\"damages。\"Thatitisashamefulmodeofassessinglossofhonour，canhardlybedenied。WecriticisethecustomofEasternnations，thewivesandmothersinwhoseharemshavebeenbought，perhaps，whileyetpure——intheslave—market：theymight，inturn，criticiseourhabit，oftakingcompensationinmoneyforthewivesofEnglishgentlemen，——whentheyareguilty。Itisashamefulandbarbarousform；revoltingaliketodelicacyandcommonsense。IknowthatitisintheusualspiritoftheEnglishlaw，astoinjurysustained。Ifamanisfalselyimprisoned——\"damages；\"
ifheislibelled——\"damages；\"ifhebreaksalimbbyfallingdownyourunprotectedarea——\"damages；\"ifhisdaughterisseduced——\"damages；\"ifheisdeceivedintobuyingabadbargain——\"damages。\"Butinmanyoftheseinstances，themercantileawardseemsareasonablething。Themanwhoselimbisbroken，haspaidasurgeon’sbillandbeenlaiduphelpless；thedeceivedspeculatorhassufferedactualpecuniaryloss；themanunjustlyarrested，andincarceratedbymistake，hasbeeninjuredincreditandpreventedfromearninghisdailybread：inallthesecasesremunerationisbothproperandsatisfactory。ButtheEnglishgentlemanwhosehomeisbrokenup，andwhoreceivesmoneyfromtheothergentlemanwhohascarriedoffhiswife，standsinapositionatoncepainfulandridiculous。AndtheEnglishwoman——whosefame，happiness，andfuture，areatstakeontheaccusationonwhichsuchanactionmustbebased；andwhoisneverthelesstoldthat\"legally\"shecanmakenodefense——thatsheisnopartytothesuit——thatshemaynothavecounselincourt——thatsheisnotpermittedtostateeitherthecircumstancesofherseparationfromherhusband，orhisprevioustreatmentofher——standsinapositionwhichwouldbefarcical，ifmiseryPage162
didnotinvestitwithbittersolemnity！Whatamockeryinacaselikemine——whenallmyfamilyandfriendscouldhavecomeforward，andprovedonoaththerealcircumstancesofmystory——mustithaveseemed，tobetold，thatIwas\"nopartytothecause\"！ThatLordMelbourne’sdefence，andtheverdictinhisfavour，mustcontentme！Leavingthewholeworldtosupposehehadbeenthecauseofmyquarrelwithmyhusband；
andSirWilliamFollett’srepresentationofMrNorton，asafond，faithful，andinjuredhusband，tostandasuncontradicted，asSirFitzroyKelly’sechoofthatdescription，inthecausedecidedbyLordAbingerwhenSirJohnBayley’sevidencewasrefused。ThefirststepshouldbethesteptakenintheScotchcourts。Letthewifebecapableofdefence，andletthehusbandbeuntemptedby\"damages。\"
Iturnfromthesubjectofdivorce，tothesubjectofdivorcelessseparation；fullofthesamedifficultyofobtainingjustice。
TheLegislature，whichveryproperlydiscouragesanddiscountenancesseparationbetweenmanandwife，acknowledgesnolegalchangeinthepositionofanundivorcedwoman。Tostandthebruntofavileandindecentactionatlaw，andafterwardsresideapartfromherhusbandforten，fifteen，twentyyears，——witheveryhumancircumstance，exceptdeath，thatcanputdivisionsbetweenthem，——doesnotaffectthelegalfictionwhichassumesthatamarriedcoupleareONE。
Thehusbandretainshisrightsoverherandherproperty。Ifheplease，hecanbringanactionforrestitutionofconjugalrights；andhemayseizeherevenbyforce，when\"harboured\"againsthiswill，byfriendsorrelations。
Heretainstherightofbringinganactionfordivorce，eveninacaselikemine。MrNortonhadpreciselythesamerighttodivorceme（ifhecouldobtainaverdict），afterthemock—trialagainstLordMelbourne，thathehadbefore；anditmaybeobservedinSirJohnBayley’sletter，thatonmyapplicationforsomebooksandjournalsleftathome，hestipulatedwithSirJohn（evenwhilemakingamicablearrangements），that，ifthosearrangementsPage163
failed，heshouldhavethejournalsreturnedtohim，\"incasetheymightbeofusetohimintheEcclesiasticalorotherCourts\"——thisstipulationandimpliedthreatbeingwithinthreemonthsafterwritingthe\"Greenacre\"letters！SothatIwastobedivorced，ortakenhomeagain；
whicheverturnedoutmostconvenientandfeasible！IrefusedtoreceivethejournalsandMS。Iappliedfor，onthatinsultingalternative；andtheyremaintothisdayinMrNorton’spossession。Sodoesmuchofmypersonalproperty；includingthegiftsmadebyrelationsandfriendsonmyill—omenedmarriage。Thelawdoesnotcountenancetheideaofseparateproperty。Allthatbelongstothewifeisthehusband’s——evenherclothesandtrinkets：
thatisthelawofEngland。Herearningsarehis。Thecopyrightsofmyworksarehis，bylaw。Whenwefirstseparated，heofferedme，assoleprovision，asmallpensionpaidbyGovernmenttoeachofmyfather’schildren；
reckoningthatpensionashis。Theprincipleofthelawis，thatthewoman’sseparateexistenceisnotacknowledged；itismergedinthehusband’sexistence；hencethedifficultyinthematterofthecontract。
Thehusbandcannotlegallycontractwithhiswife：sheispartofhimself。
Itisboasted，ontheotherhand，asanimmenseconcessiontothewife，thatinconsequenceofthismergingofherexistence，——thisnonentityinlaw，——shecannotbearrestedorsuedfordebt。Shedoesnotexist：herhusbandexists；andifthedebtberecoverable，itmustbefromhim。I
havealreadyshown，bythecuriouscaseatpage96，thatitmayhappen，onthisprinciple，thatthecreditormaylosehismoneyaltogether。InFrance，marriedwomencanbearrestedfordebt；anditwouldbeinfinitelymorejusttothewoman，andtothetradesmanwhotrustedher，thatsheshouldberesponsibletothelaw，andliabletoacivilaction，andthatahusbandshouldnotbeabletoevadethepaymentofacontractunderhisownsignature，onthepleaofthe\"non—existence\"ofthedefraudedpartywithwhomitwasmade。\"Itmaybelaw；butitisn’tjustice，。\"isacommonPage164
phraseamongthepoor：itisaphraseofwhichIhavelearnedtoappreciatethesoundandexacttruth。Theargument，thatthehusbandmaybeboundbysureties，isuseless：supposewhatMrNortonaffirmedweretrue，andthatthewomancouldnotgetasurety？Supposeacasedifferentfrommine—strugglingagainstagreatwrong，withgoodfriends，andaclearintelligence：supposethewomanfriendless，helpless，foolish，ignorant，andobscure——isshe，therefore，tobecheatedbythevisionarysuppositionthatsheisONEwiththehusband，whoseonlyassertionofahusband’srightistodefraudandoppressher？
Afeatureinthat\"oneness\"
whichoccurredinmycase（andIthinkthereisscarcelyanyresultofthisanomalousposition，thatIhavenotlearnedbypersonalandgrievousexperience），is，thatamarriedwoman（beingnon—existent）cannotprosecuteforlibel。Herhusbandmustprosecute。Whenthefirstattemptwasmadebymetorecovermychildren，Iwrotetwopamphletsonthelawasitthenstood。Oneofthosepamphletswasentitled，\"SeparationofMotherandChildbytheLawofCustodyofInfants，considered\"；andtheother，\"APlainLettertotheLordChancellor，byPearceStevenson。\"The’BritishandForeignQuarterlyReview’publishedalongandvehementarticleagainstanychangeinthelaw。Inthecourseofthatarticle，theyundertooktonoticemypamphletandmystory，andtoprovethatitwasentirelyforme（andmostunfairly，forme），thatanysuchchangehadbeenplanned。
Thearticlewasfullofdistortedfalsehoods，whichformedacuriouscontrastwiththegrandiloquentmottointhetitle—pageinthebook：——\"Inprimisquehominisestpropriaveriinquisitioatqueinvestigatio。\"Thewholehistoryofmyconduct，andtheconductofotherswasfalsified；Iwascondemnedinthemostvehementandunsparingterms；thefactthattheLordChancellor，LordDenman，SirWilliamFollett，LordLyndhurst，andahostofothergreatauthorities，wereearnestlyinfavourofachangeinthelaw，wasentirelyPage165
overlooked，inthedesiretoproveaviciousinfluenceonmypart；
andfinally，attributingtome，withthemostastonishingaudacity，ananonymouspaperinthe’MetropolitanMagazine，’ontheGrievancesofWoman，（whichIhadneverseen，——whichIhadneverevenheardof，）andboldlysettingMYnameastheauthor，intheirownindex，——theyproceededinlanguagestrange，rabid，andvirulent，toabusethewriter；callinghera\"SHE—DEVIL\"anda\"SHE—BEAST，\"speakingofher\"non—convictedgallantries，\"andpouringoutvialsofwrath，inwordsofexcessivecoarseness。
Nolessthanonehundredandforty—twopagesweredevotedtothenominaltaskofopposingtheInfantCustodyBill，andinrealitytoabusingme。
Ireadthearticlewithamazement；withcuriosity；andfinallywithexultation。
IthoughtIsaw，atlast，achanceoftriumphantlyjustifyingmyself。I
sentformysolicitor。Isaid——\"YouhavetoldmethatIcannotpleadforadivorcebyreasonofcruelty，havingcondonedallIcomplainedof：thatIcannotsueforalimony，becausethatmustariseoutofasuitfordivorce：
thattherewasnopossibility，onthetrial，ofsayingmoreinmydefencethanwassaid，——becauseIwasnopartytothatsuit。Now，thankHeaven，hereisafairopportunityofmakingmystorycleartotheworld。Ididnotwritethe\"GrievancesofWoman\"whichisthusinsolentlyattributedtome，andindecentlyreviewed；andasforallthecircumstancesinthepreviousportionofthearticle，youyourselfknowthattheyareaseriesofmis—statements。Irequest，therefore，thatyouwillinstantlycommenceaprosecutionforlibelatmysuitagainsttheeditor，andinthecourseofthatsuit，andtheprovingallhisattackonmeunjustifiable，Ishallobtainacompleteacquittalinpublicopinion，andclearupallthatwasleftdoubtfulanduntouchedinthetrial，whereIpersonallycouldhavenodefence。\"
Mysolicitoransweredthiseagerandhopefuloration，inafewbriefwords。Heinformedmethatbeingamarriedwomanandtherefore\"non—existant\"inlaw，Icouldnotprose—Page166
cuteofmyself；thatmyhusbandmustprosecute：myhusband——whohadhimselfassailedmewitheverylibelinhispower——who，foraughtI
knew，mighthimselfhavefurnishedtotheeditortheextraordinaryversionofhisaffairswhichappearedinthereview！Certainlymyhusbandwouldbetoogladofthispowerfulandrancorousabuseofme：certainlyhewouldnotprosecute！Thentherecouldbenoprosecution。Icouldnotinstituteasuit。Imustsubmit；andtheeditormustslandermewithimpunity；sendingoutintotheworld，accordingtothe’BritishandForeignQuarterly，’aboldfalsehood，embroideredwithbittercomments，inventedofawomanutterlyhelpless，andalreadysorrowfullystrugglingagainstdefamationundeserved。
Ididsubmit。Ihadnochoice。
Iwas\"non—existent，\"exceptforthepurposeofsuffering，asfarasthelawwasconcerned：itcouldoppress，butneverhelpme：andthegrotesqueanomalyofbeingconsideredONEwiththehusbandwhosepreviouslibel，wasthecauseandfoundationofthissubsequentlibel；ofhavingmydefencemadenecessary，andmadeimpossible，bythesameperson；thatpersonstillmynominalandlegalprotector，inspiteofthechangedcircumstancesofourmutualrelationswitheachother——remainedasubjectforleisurelycontemplation，andhelplesscomplaint。
Thelaw—formsrespectingproperty，followedthesamerulesasthelaw—formsrespectingaprosecutionforlibel。Anxioustomakearrangementsforafuturehome；lessexpensivelythaninfurnishedhouses，Iproposetotakealease；andamtold，that，being\"non—existent\"atlaw，mysignatureisworthless。Anxioustorecoverpropertyleftathome；giftsfrommymotherandmyfamily，I
aminformed，that，being\"non—existent\"inlaw，Icanclaimnothing，andthatmyhusbandintendstosellthem。AnxioustoleavewhatlittleIpossessthroughthegenerosityofmyfamily，orthegiftsoffriends——myfurniture，trinkets，books，etc。，tomytwosons，Iaminformed，that，being\"non—existent\"inlaw，itwouldbeaPage167
merefarcemyattemptingtomakeawill；thatamarriedwomancanbequeathnothing，asshecanpossessnothing；andthatmypropertyisthepropertyofthehusbandwithwhomIamstilllegally\"ONE，\"
afterseventeenyearsofseparation！Anxioustoendtheapparentlyceaselessdisputesrespectingaprovisionformeinthisstateofseparation，IacceptMrNorton’sownterms（afterdemandingothers）；Isignacontractdictated，corrected，andpreparedunderhisinstructions，whichIneverevensawexceptforthepurposeofaffixingmysignaturetoit。AndIaminformed，that，being\"non—existent\"inlaw，Ihavesignedthatwhichbindshimtonothing。
Amock—trial，inwhichI
donot\"exist\"fordefence；agrosslibel，inwhichIdonot\"exist\"forprosecution；adispositionofproperty，inwhichIdonot\"exist\"eitherformyownrightsorthoseofmychildren；apowerofbenefitingmyselfbyliterarylabour，inwhichIdonot\"exist\"fortheclaiminmyowncopyrights。That，isthenegativeandneutralizinglaw，formarriedwomeninEngland。
Now，thatmarriedpersonsshouldbeONE，intheholyandblessedbondwhichunitesthemunderacommonroof，withcommoninterests，andinthecommonpositionofprotectionontheonesideandaffectionandwomanlyallegianceontheother，isjust，fit，andnatural；consistentwithsocialorderandreligiousbelief。ButthatmarriedpersonshouldbestillconsideredONE，withoutthepossibilityofinterferenceonthepartofjustice，whenlivingalienatedandinastateofseparation，isunjust，unfit，andunnatural，andcanbeproductiveonlyofsocialdisorderandscandalousstruggle。Inthefirstandmorehappypositionofthings，thehusbandistheadministratorandexponentofthelaw，forhestandsinhisnaturalcapacityofprotectorofhiswife；thatwhichisaninjuryorinsulttoher，isinjuryandinsulttohim；andtheirexpenditureisamatterofmutualinterest。Intheothermiserableposition，hestandsintheunnaturalcapacityofoppressorofhiswife；injuryandinsulttoherarenolongeraPage168
wrongtohim；heisnolongertheadministratorandexponentofthelaw，butitsdirectopponent（fortheintentionofthelawcertainlyis，thatthewomanshallbeprotected；andthatheshallbeherprotector）。
Theirexpenditureisnolongeramatterofmutualinterest；sheisapecuniaryburden；providedforwithgrudging，atacompulsoryminimum，onanalienandextraclaim，apartfromhishouseholdgovernmentorfamilycare。
Thatthisisadesperatepositionforawomantobein；thatifshehasvoluntarilyincurredit，shedeservesmuchsuffering；thatbyeverypossiblemeans，separationbetweenmarriedpersonsshouldbediscouraged；areallincontrovertibletruths。
Butitisalsoanincontrovertibletruth，thatjusticeshouldbemadepossibleforher，eveninthisfalseposition。That，failinghernaturalprotector，thelawshouldbeabletoprotect；thatsomedirectcourtofappealshouldexist；inwhich（accordingtoLordThurlow’sprincipleingravercases），thecircumstancesofeachcaseshouldguideitsresult，andtheLAWexerciseremedialcontrol。Itisvaintosay，\"Letthewomanfindsureties：\"——supposeher，asIhavesaidabove，friendless；withoutsureties；orthatthehusbandrefusesallagreement。Itisequallyvaintosay，\"Lethersueforalimony：\"——shemaynotbeinapositiontosueforalimony。Ortosay，\"Letherinstituteproceedingsfordivorceagainstherhusband：\"——that，also，maybeimpossible。
Whatremains（failingthese），isthedoubtfulclaimofthecreditoragainstthehusband；whichis，infact，aside—windedmeansofestablishingthewife’sclaim。Itisanindirectandimperfectmodeoflegislatingforheranomalousposition，insteadofadirectandperfectmode，whichmightexist——inacourtauthorisedtodecideonthecircumstances，andawardanallowance——andmightexistintheshapeofprivateappeals（asmanyothermattersrelatingtopropertyarealreadydecided）。Thepresentmethodofestablishingthewife’sclaim，throughtheclaimofthecreditor，ispublic，odious，scandalous，anduncertain；unjusttothecreditor，andunjustPage169
tothewife。Theothermethodmightbeprivate，decent，anddecisive；
andmakethewifeherselfresponsibletothecreditor，aftermakingthehusbandresponsibletoher。Itwouldbe，asDrPhillimoresaidonanothermatter，——takingoutofthesphereofprivateanimosity，caprice，orrevenge，thatwhichneveroughttobelefttoprivateanimosity，caprice，orrevenge——andeffacingthatanomalyinlawbywhichitassumespowerofcontroloverthepoor，andforcorporealpunishmentinflictedontheirwives，butforbearspowerofcontrolovertherich，andforinjuriesofadifferentnature。
Itisastonishingtowatchthecarelessnessandreluctancewithwhichinquiryonthisonesubjectispursued，andcontrastitwithoureagernessofothertopics。InthereportedParliamentarydebatesofthisbusyopeningsession（March1，1854），nolessthantwelveclosely—printedcolumnsofthe\"Times\"newspaper，arefilledwitheager，credulous，kindly，orbitter，speechesfromvariousmembers，relativetoaninquiryintothetreatmentofRomanCatholicladiesintheconventualestablishmentsoftheirreligion！Because2，500ladiesliveinastateofreligiousseclusionorrelegation，ofwhom（thoughthemajorityobviouslymusthaveadoptedthatlifefromfreechoice），asmallminorityarebelievedbyustobeenduringmentalconstraintandbodilypenance，theHouseofCommonsvotes，witheagercheers，foraninquiryintothewholesystem，forthepurposeofcheckinginjusticeandoppression，shoulditbefoundtoexist。Whatanimpulsetohumanityisanadversecreed！Howeasytoseethatoppressioninotherswhichwedenytoexistamongourselves！HerearethegentlemenofEngland，musteringthreehundredstrong，inthesenateoftheircountry；andnearlytwo—thirdsofthatnumbervotewithenthusiasticacclamationforinquiry——intowhat？Intothetreatmentofwomennotoftheirownreligion，manynoteventheirowncountry—women——whilethoseverymenscoutthenotionofalteringthelaws，orevenofmakingseriousinquiryintothelaws，affectingtheinterestsoftheirownwives，Page170
sisters，anddaughters！ThebeamandthemoteofScripturewerevisibleinthatwarmdebate；andiftheheadsofCatholichousesshouldthinkitworthwhiletoreturnthecomplimentpaidthem，byinquiryintothetreatmentofwomenlivingundersecularauthorityintheirownhomesinEngland，Iwillundertaketosupply——notfromthevaguegossipofangrycomplaint，butfromrecordeddecisionsinlaw—books，printedasprecedentsforfutureguidance——suchnumerouscasesofstrangeinjustice，asshallsatisfyallinquirersthatoppressionbelongstonosectandtonocondition；buttothepassionsofmen，whenuncontrolledbythelawswhichweframe，inafaintandimperfectcopyofthatsereneandunswervingjusticewhichbelongstoanotherworld——nottothis！
Ispeakbitterly！Ifeelbitterly：Ihavesufferedbitterly。Isit，orisitnot，agratingthought，thatinacountrysoeagerforjustice，thelasttobenefitbythateagerness，areitsownwomen？Isit，orisitnot，agratingthought，thatdifferencesofreligiousopinionshouldgivesuchinteresttoindividualcasesofhardship，thatthelettersoftwoyoungladies，putintoaRomanCatholicconventforeducation，byaRomanCatholicfather，shouldbereadtothreehundredmembersofParliament，asameansofconvincingandarousingtheirmindstotheconsiderationofonespeciesofwrong；andthatotherwrongs，touchingEnglishjusticesomuchmorenearly，shouldremainwithoutapossibilityofremedy，bytheprovisionsofEnglishlaw？
Isit，orisitnot，natural，thatallthescandalofmyownwrongsbeingrevived，——andmycharacterrestingonthedirectlycontraryopinionsoftwomen，——Ishouldseektoupholdmyargumentoflegalinjustice，byshewingthefactsonwhichthesescandals（bythatinjustice）arose？
OneofthosemenisthePrimeMinisterofEngland：high—minded，honourable，andintellectual——stillquotedasauthoritybyhiscolleagues，stillrememberedandlamentedbyhisfriends。HecomfortsmeinthequarrelwhichendedinaseparationPage171
betweenmeandmyhusband，bybiddingmeremember，\"ThatIhaddoneeverythingtostaveoffthatextremityaslongaspossible；\"thatIought\"nottobetooanxiousaboutrumoursandopinionsoftheworld，for，beinginnocentandintheright，Imustintheend，\"（whenistheend？）\"bringeverythinground；\"andthat\"itisvanityinmetosaythatmyplacecanbeeasilysupplied，forthatnoonecanfillmyplace。\"
Theotheris——MrNorton。
Herevilesmeinthenewspapers；heslandersmydeadbrother，mymother，andmysons；heheapsindecentaccusationsuponme。Atonetimeheorders\"thechaintobefastenedacrossthedoor\"ofmyhome，shouldIattempttoreturntoit；atanother（byhisownprintedandpublishedadmission），hekicksthedoorfromitshinges，toforcehiswaytomypresence，forthepurposeofexpellingme！Shallthenameofhusbandshieldfromcondemnationonewhohasthusdealtbyme？Oneinwhomyearshavewroughtnochange；whoreiteratesincoldbloodatthispresenttime，coarseandvirulentattacks，onceagaintostingme——meonly——fortheycannotvexthedead。Istandalone，now，toreceivethem；andaloneImakemydefence。
If，asIhavesaid，mydefencebedisapproved，blametheLAW，whichleftmethetaskofdefending，insteadofthepossibilityofbeingdefended。Or，ifyoustillblameme，yetamendthelaw！Whathavemyfaultstodowiththerealsubject—matter？
Ishalldieandbedust；butthelawsofmycountrywillsurviveme。Itisveryfitandfairthatthereshouldberepugnanceanddistrust，whenwomenmeddleinthesematters：yetnoonecanfeelthemlikeawoman。Itisaruleyoudonotapplytoothersubordinategroups。ThepetitionofSpitalfieldssilk—weaverswouldnotberejected，becausetheyaresilk—weavers：
onthecontrary，eachclassseekingprotection，issupposedtobethebestexponentofitsowninterests。Petitioningdoesnotimplyassertionofequality。Thewildandstupidtheoriesadvancedbyafewwomen，of\"equalrights\"and\"equalintelligence\"arenottheopinionsPage172
oftheirsex。I，forone（I，withmillionsmore），believeinthenaturalsuperiorityofman，asIdointheexistenceofaGod。Iholdittobeprovedbyallthateverhasbeenattemptedbyhumanintelligenceinscienceandart；eveninthosepursuitsinwhichnonaturaloreducationalimpedimentwouldhavepreventedthesuccessofwomen，hadtheybeenequallycapableofsuccess。Icannotconceivedisputingthegeneralfact，becauseexceptionalcircumstancesarise，inwhichindividualwomenaresuperiortoindividualmen。Aswellmightitbeargued，becauseacleverchildoften，inaschoolclass，tookdownhisrivalsandseniorsineveryanswer，thatallchildrenoften，wereclevererthanladsoffifteen。
Masculinesuperiorityisincontestable；andwiththesuperiorityshouldcomeprotection。Torefuseitbecausesomewomenexist，whotalkof\"women’srights，\"and\"women’sequality，\"istosaythatJohnMitchell’sexaggeratedorationsforIreland，ortheChartistandRebeccariotsinWales，orSwingfiresintheruraldistrictsofEngland，wouldhavebeenasoundandsufficientreasonforrefusingjusticetoalltheQueen’sothersubjectsintheUnitedKingdom。Therebellionofagroup，againstlegitimateauthority，isnottodeprivethegeneralsubject—partyofgeneralprotection。WomenhaveoneRIGHT（perhapsonlythatone）。Theyhavearight——foundedonnature，equity，andreligion——totheprotectionofman。POWERisonthesideofmen——powerofbody，powerofmind，powerofposition。Withthatpowershouldcome，notonlythefact，buttheinstinctofprotection。
Eventhepoordumbanimalwilldefenditscompanionanditsyoung。Eventhetinybird，thatpantstodeathinachild’shand，willresist，totheextentofitsfragileforce，anattackuponitsnestlingsanditsmate。
Power，initspurerform，isprotection。Power，initscorruptform，isoppression。Whatisthemeaningofthatsympathywiththeheroic，whichshewsitselfinallclassesandonalloccasions？Whydoesablowstruck，orasworddrawn，inbehalfofthehelpless，seemtomakeaheroofthePeasant，andawarriorofthePrince？BecausethedeepPage173
instinctofprotectionwhichliesinthehumanheart，applauds，asthenoblestandmostnaturalexerciseofpower，theresolutiontoDEFEND：——whetheritbehome，country，thehonourofwoman，orthesafetyofinfancyandage。
Ah！howoften，inthecourseofthissession，inthecourseofthisyear，willthesamemen，whoreadthisappealwithastrongadverseprejudice，——berousedbysomethoughtinafavouriteauthor；struckbysomenobleanecdote；touchedbysomebeautifulpageantofhumanfeeling，seenamongglitteringlightsfromaside—box；chauntedperhapsinaforeigntongue。AndyetIhaveanadvantageoverthese，formyhistoryisreal。Iknowthereisnopoetryinittoattractyou。Inthelastactofthiswearylifeofdefamation，Iwentdowninahack—cab，——totakepartinanignoblestruggle，——inadingylittlecourtofjustice，——whereIwasinsultedbyavulgarlawyer，——withquestionsframedtoimplyeveryspeciesofdegradation。Therewasnoneofthe\"pompandcircumstance\"ofthosewoesthataffectyou，whensomefaultlessandimpossibleheroinemakesyoudreamofrightingallthewrongsintheworld！ButfaultyasImaybe——andprosaicandunsympathisedwith，asmypositionmightthenbe——itwasUNJUST；andunjustbecauseyourlawspreventjustice！Letthatthoughthauntyou，throughthemusicofyourSonnambulasandDesdemonas，andbewithyouinyourreadingsofhistoriesandromances，andyourcriticismonthejurisprudenceofcountrieslessfreethanourown。Ireallyweptandsufferedinmyearlyyouth，——forwrongdone，notbyme，buttome，——andtheghostofwhosescandalisraisedagainstmethisday。Ireallysufferedtheextremityofearthlyshamewithoutdeservingit（whateverchastisementmyotherfaultsmayhavedeservedfromheaven）。Ireallylostmyyoungchildren——cravedforthem，struggledforthem，wasbarredfromthem，——andcametoolatetoseeonewhohaddiedapainfulandconvulsivedeath，exceptinhiscoffin。
Ireallyhavegonethroughmuch，thatifitwereinvented，wouldmoveyou，——butbeingofyourevery—Page174
dayworld，youarewillingitshouldsweeppast，likeaheapofdeadleavesonthestreetoftime，andtakeitsplacewithotherthingsthathavegonedriftingdown，——
\"Où；valafeuilledeRoseEtlafeuilleduLaurier！\"
WillnoneofyouaidthecauseIadvocate，andforgetthatitwasadvocatedbyme？Itconcernsyouall。ItisamistaketothinkthattheLawsdependonlyonthe\"Law—lords\"
fortheirpassing。Fewamongyouarelawyers，butallarelawgivers。Itisthebusinessofthelaw—givingmajoritytopassthelaws；ofthelawyerminoritytoseethattheyarefitlyframedforpassing。Iquotewordsthatcarrywiththemmoreauthoritythanmine，——wordsofthelateLordHolland，——toshowthefreedomwithwhichanEnglishsenatormaycriticisetheopinionsofthose，whosemindsbydintoflegaltrainingoftennarrowthetrueconsiderationsofsuchsubjectstoasinglepointofview。
LordHollandsays，then，inanoteaddressedtome，——dated10thMay，1839，andspeakingofoneoftheLaw—lords（withreferencetoameasurealreadyalludedtointhesepages）：——
\"Nothingcouldbeworse，inlogickandfeeling，thanhisspeechonthebilloflastyear。Itwas，thatseverallegalhardshipsbeingofnecessityinflictedonwoman，THEREFOREweshouldnotrelievethemfromthosewhichwereNOTnecessary，althoughrepugnanttothefeelingsofournature，andindeedtonatureitself。
\"Whenever，andwhence—ever，Lyndhurstproposeshisbill，——fromwoolsackorbenches，——hewillfindmeontheseatfatemayassignme，readytosupportit。Ihonorhimfornotsacrificinghisfeelingsonthisoccasion，eithertothepedantryoflawortheconvenienceofpoliticks；andIheartilywishhimsuccessinthebill。Yours，\"VASSALHOLLAND。\"
ThoseareLordHolland’swords；andcertainlyjusticeisnotathingtosacrifice，eitherto\"theconvenienceofpoliticksPage175
orthepedantryofthelaw。\"IfthispamphletbeanappealtoEnglishjustice，itoughtnottobedisregardedbecauseitisawoman’sappeal；orbecauseitisMYappeal。Onjusticeonly，letitrest。
Thinkifthesmallestrightbeinfringedformen，——iftherentofapaddockremainunpaid，orafewangrywordsoflibelbespoken，howinstantlythewholemachineryofthelawissetinmotion，tocrushoutcompensation；andthinkwhatitmustbetospendallone’syouth，asI
havespentmine，inaseriesofvainstrugglestoobtainanylegaljustice！Or，donotthinkatallaboutme；forgetbywhosestorythisappealwasillustrated（Icanbringyouothers，fromyourownEnglishlawbooks）；
andletmypartinthis，beonlyasavoicebornebythewind——asacrycomingoverthewavesfromashipwreck，towhereyoustandsafeontheshore——andwhichyouturnandlistento，notforthesakeofthosewhocall，——youdonotknowthem，——butbecauseitisacryforHELP。
Iadd，inanappendix，aportionoftheexaminationofJohnFluke，principalwitnessagainstLordMelbourne，inthetrialof1836：indeed，theonlywitnesswhoventuredtodeposetoanythingcriminalinourrelations。AndIrepeatthatIleavetotheunbiassedjudgmentofthosewhoread，theamountofvaluetobesetuponsuchtestimony！
Page177
（appendix）
APPENDIX。SirWilliamFollett，——whoafterwards，inaprivatelettertome，andpubliclyinthe\"Times\"newspaper，disavowedallshareinadvisingthetrial（thoughcompelledtofulfilhisdutyascounsel，byconductingit），——earlyinhisopeningstatement，madethefollowingdeclarationtothejury：——
\"IbelieveIshallbeabletocallbeforeyoueveryservantwhohaslivedinthehouseduringthetime；whowilltellyouthat，howevermuchtheirsuspicionsmighthavebeenexcited，theyneverdidcommunicatetoMrNortonanyofthefactsorgroundsoftheirsuspicion，untilinquirywasmade，andtheywerecompelledtodisclosethetruth。MrsNortonwasakindandindulgentmistress；theyhadnowishtosayanythingthatwouldinjureher；theydidnot；andMrNortonhadnoreasonforsuspicionuntilMrsNortonhadlefthishouseinMarch。\"
TheONLYwitness，nevertheless，whodeposedtoasinfulintimacy，wasagroomofthenameofJohnFluke；whohadbeendischargedtwoorthreeyearsbefore，——byMrNortonhimself，——fordrunkennessandstreet—riot，ontheoccasiondetailedinhisevidence。Igivetheseportionsofhiscross—examinationwhichdecidedthecase（asfarashiscredibilitywasconcerned）。Hewascross—examinedbySirFrederickThesigeratgreatlength：Igiveextracts——
\"Areyouamarriedman？\"
\"Iam。\"
\"Haveyouanychildren？\"
\"Threelivingoutoften。\"
\"Theylived，then，overthestablesinFleeceyardandBellyard？\"\"Yes。\"
\"Wheredidyouremoveto？\"
\"ToMonmouthstreet。\"
\"Whatdidyoudothere？\"
\"Isoldsecond—handshirtsandgowns。\"
\"Thenyoukeptanold—clothesshop？\"\"Yes。\"
\"Hadyouthewholehouse？\"
\"No。\"
Page178
\"Youlivedinthecellar？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Haveyoulivedtherewithyourwifeeversince？\"\"Eversince，tilllately。\"
\"Mendingshoes？\"\"Yes；anddealinginwomen’soldapparel。\"
\"Haveyoubeeningoodcircumstances？\"
\"Iearnmybreadbymyownhonestindustry。\"
\"Haveyoubeenembarrassed？\"
\"IwaswheninMrNorton’sservice，beforeIleft。\"
\"Haveyouceasedtobeinembarrassedcircumstances？\"\"IthasnotbeeninmypowertopaymycreditorsallIowethem；butIhavepaidthemasfarasIwasable。\"
\"Whenwereyoufoundoutasawitnessinthiscase？\"\"Ibelieveaboutsixweeksago。\"
\"YouwerethenlivinginthecellarinMonmouthstreet，carryingonthisbusinessofyours？\"\"Yes。\"
\"Haveyoucontinuedtoliveinthatcellar？\"\"No。\"
\"Haveyougivenupyourbusiness？\"\"Icanreturntoitagain：Ihavebeentothecountry。\"
\"Haveyoucarriedonanybusinesssinceyouhavebeentothecountry？\"\"No。\"
\"Haveyoubeentoseeyourfriendsinthethecountry？\"\"IwenttoWONERSH。\"
\"Whattookyouthere？\"\"I
wentdownbythecoach。\"
\"Isthatyouranswer？\"\"I
wentdownwithmywifeandchildren。\"
\"Bagandbaggage？\"\"Yes。\"
（Laughter。）
\"HaveyoubeenlivingatWonershsince？\"\"Oh，yes。\"
\"Haveyoubeenexaminedaboutthismatterbyanyone？\"\"Bytheattorney。\"
\"ByMrNorton？\"\"ByMrNortonbeforetheattorney。\"
\"Where？\"\"AtLincoln’sinnFields。\"
\"Andhavingexaminedyou，theysentyoudowntoWonersh？\"\"Yes。\"
\"DoesLordGrantleylivethere？\"\"Yes。\"
\"IsLordGrantleyinCourt？\"
\"Yes，onthebench。\"
\"HowfarfromWonershdoesLordGrantleylive？\"\"HelivesatWonersh。\"
\"Youhavenotbeenlivingathishouse，Ipresume？\"\"No。\"
\"Atapublic—house？\"\"Foralittletime。\"
\"Andyourwifeandchildren？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Whopaidforyou？\"\"Ipaidmyself。\"
\"Whogaveyouthemoney？\"
\"Thesolicitorgavemethemoneytopaymyfare。\"
Page179
\"Howmuchmoney？\"\"About10l。\"*
\"Didhegiveyouthe10l。beforeyouwenttoWonersh？\"\"Yes。\"
\"Hashenotgivenyouanysince？\"\"No。\"
\"Youaresureofit？\"\"Yes。\"
\"YougaveupyourbusinessandwenttoWonersh？\"\"Yes。\"
\"WhendidyouleaveWonersh？\"
\"Lastnight。\"
\"Howlongdidyouliveatthepublic—house？\"\"Aboutaweek。\"
\"Whatpublic—house？\"\"TheGrantleyArms。\"
\"DidyoucarryonanybusinessatWonersh？\"\"No。\"
\"Andyoulivedinthatlodginguptolastnight？\"\"Yes。\"
\"Howhaveyoubeenemployed？\"
\"IamusedmyselfaswellasIcould。\"
\"Didyougooutfishingorshooting？\"\"Ihavegoneoutfishing。\"（Laughter。）
\"Howelsedidyouamuseyourself？\"\"IwalkedaboutandexertedmyselfaswellasIcould。\"
\"DidyoueverseeLordGrantley？\"
\"TwicewhileIwasthere，andspoketohimonce。\"
\"Haveyounotsaidthatyouwereunderexaminationforninedays？\"\"Ididnotsayunderexamination；
butIwenttothesolicitor’schamberseveryday；sometimesIwasexamined，andsometimesIwasnot。\"
\"Buthaveyounotsaidthatyouwereunderexaminationforninedays？\"\"Nottomyrecollection。\"
\"Willyouswearyouhavenotsaidso？\"\"Nottomyrecollection。\"
\"Trytorecollect？\"\"Icannot；
Imighthavesaidso，butIcannotRECOLLECT。\"
\"HaveyounotsaidthatLordWynfordexaminedyou？\"\"Neverinmylife；IdonotknowLordWynford。\"
\"Iaskyouuponyouroath，haveyounotsaid；thatalthoughLordWynfordexaminedyou，hedidnotknowwhatyouwouldsay？\"\"IdonotRECOLLECTanythingofthekind，orthatIdidsayanythingofthekind。\"
\"Willyouswearpositivelythatyoudidnotsayso？\"\"Icannotsay，butIcannotRECOLLECT。\"
\"Iwilloncemoreputthequestionaboutthe500l。or600l。
The\"fare\"isfromLondontoGuildford。Page180
Willyouswearthatyouhavenotsaidthatafterthetrialwasdoneyouwouldget500l。？\"\"HowcouldIsaysuchathing？\"
\"Willyouswearthatyouhavenotsaidso？\"\"IneverRECOLLECTofhavingsaidit。\"
\"Willyouswearthatyouhavenotsaidso？\"\"IneverRECOLLECTsayingso。\"
\"Fromwhomdidyoubuythatcab，andthefly，andthegig？\"\"Onefromoneman，theotherfromanother。\"
\"Andfromwhomdidyougetthecab？\"\"AmanofthenameofSaundersbuiltmycab。\"
\"Haveyoupaidhimforit？\"
\"Therewasasettlementbetweenus。Ireallydon’tknowhowIstand。\"
\"Youdon’tknow！Haveyoupaidforthegig？\"\"Thegigwasincludedintheaccounttomeforthecab。\"
\"Fromwhomdidyoubuythefly？\"\"IboughttheflyfromamanofthenameofCrook。\"
\"Haveyoupaidhim？\"\"I
paidhimpart，andIowehimpart。\"
\"Well，then，youhavesoldthecab，andthegig，andthefly；willyouswearthatyouhavepaidforanyofthem？\"\"Ihavepaidpart。\"
\"Haveyounotsaid，thatafterthetrialwasover，youwouldget500l。or600l。a—year？\"
\"Oh，dear！Sir，IonlywishImaygetenoughtoeatordrink，muchless500l。\"
\"ButIaskyouifyouhavesaidso？\"\"Oh，no。Icameforwardwithafreegoodwill，andtospeakthetruth。\"
\"Nodoubt，butIaskedyouifyouhadnotsaidthatafterthetrialyouwouldget500l。？\"\"I
donotRECOLLECTanythingofthekind。\"
BytheCOURT——\"Doyouwishtosaythatyoudidnotsayso，orthatyoudonotrecollecthavingsaidso？\"\"IdonotRECOLLECTeversayingit。Imighthavesaidit，butIamsureIcouldnothavesaidit。\"
\"Howcouldyounothavesaidit？\"\"Oh，Iamnotacquaintedwithlaw。Idon’tknowwhatgentlemengive。Idon’tknowanything。IDON’TKNOWWHATISGIVEN。Idon’tknowanythingaboutit。\"
\"HaveyounotsaidtoSlythatyouwereemployedtofishoutevidence？\"\"ImighthavesaidIwasgoingafterafellow—servant。\"
\"Igiveyoutheverywords：
didyounotsayyouwereemployedtofishforevidence？\"\"ImighthavesaidIwasgoingafterawitnessforMrNorton。\"
\"Iwillhavemywordsansweredifyouplease？\"\"IdonotPage181
thinkIsaid，’tofishupalltheevidence。’ImighthavesaidIwasemployedtogoaftermyfellow—servants。\"
\"Youhavesaidyousometimeswentafishing。Probablythiswasthekindoffishingyoulikedbest？\"
\"IdidnotsayIwasemployedtofishuptheevidence。Idenytheexpression。
Isay，ImightsayIwasgoingaftermyfellow—servantasawitness。\"
\"Mightyounothavesaidyouwereemployedtofishupevidence，althoughyoudonotrecollectit？\"
\"No，IdonotRECOLLECTit。\"
\"Butyoumighthavesaidso？\"\"Imighthavesaidso；butIdonotthinkIhavesaidso。\"
\"DidyounotsaytoSly，thatyouhadbeensufferingagooddealoflateyears，andthatyouthoughtthismatterwouldmakeyouamends？\"\"No；IonlysaidIhadbeenoutofplacetwoyears。Iwasobligedtoworkatmendingshoes。Ofcourseamanmustworkifhemeanstogetabitofbread。Ialwaysdidwork，andworkverylaboriouslytoo。\"
\"Well，didyousayyouhadbeenoutofplace，andthatthismatterwouldmakeamendstoyou？\"\"No。
Imighthavedone；butIdonotRECOLLECTsayingso。\"
\"Butyoumighthavedoneit？\"\"IdonotRECOLLECTsayingso。WhatIrecollectIwillanswer，andwhatIdon’trecollectIcannotanswer。\"
\"WillyouswearthatyoudidnotsaytoSly，thatthisbusinesswouldmakeyouamends？\"\"IcannotswearthatIdidNOTsayso，andcannotswearthatIDID。
Thefactis，aboutmakingamends，Idonotunderstandatallmyselfwhatamendsamancanhaveforspeakingthetruth。\"
\"DidyounotsaytoSly，thatyouintendedtotakecareofyourself？\"\"Takecareofmyself。IhopeIshallalwaystakecareofmyself。\"（Laughter。）
\"Verywell。Thereforeitisnotunlikelyyoudidsayyouintendedtotakecareofyourself？\"
\"IfIhadnotlookedmoretoothersthantomyself，Ishouldnotbesobadlyoff。\"
\"Didyounotsay，thatmostlikelyyouwouldbeabletoleaveLondon，andretiretothecountryafterthistrial？\"\"No。\"
\"No，uponyouroath？\"\"I
havealreadysaidIcannotsayIsaidso，sinceIdonotRECOLLECTthatIeversaidso。\"
BytheCOURT：\"Youwereaskedifyoudidnotsayyouwouldmostprobablybeabletoretiretothecountryafterthistrial？\"\"IdonotRECOLLECT，andhowcanIsaywhatIdonotrecollect？\"
\"WillyouSWEARthatyoudidnotsayso？\"\"IthinkImightPage182
havebeenabletogodowntothecountry，forIwasgettingonverywellinMonmouthstreet。\"
\"Youweregoingonverycomfortablyinthecellar？\"\"Iwaspayingmyway。\"
\"WillyouSWEARthatyouhavenotsaid，thatafterthetrialwasover，youwouldget500l。or600l。，andwouldretiretoScotland，andwouldnotcareforanything？\"
\"Idon’tRECOLLECTanythingofthekind。IcannotswearImaynothavesaidso。IdonotbelieveIeversaidanythingofthekind，butI
can’tswear。Ihaveswornalreadytospeakthetruth，butIdonotRECOLLECTanythingofthekind。\"
\"Now，Sir，againuponyoursolemnoath，Iask，haveyounotusedthesewords，orwordstothiseffect——that，ifallwentonright，youwouldhave500l。or600l。，andretiretoScotland，andnotcareforanybody？\"\"Never，TOMYKNOWLEDGE。\"
\"Nevertoyourknowledge？
Thatistheonlyansweryoucangiveme？\"\"Never，tomyknowledge。\"
\"Haveyounotsaidsowithinthelastfortnight？\"\"Never，tomyknowledge。\"
\"Haveyousaidsowithinaweek？\"\"Never，tomyknowledge。\"
\"Haveyousaidsowithinthelast48hours？\"\"Never，tomyknowledge。\"
\"Haveyousaidsowithinthelast24hours？\"\"Nottomyknowledge。\"
\"HowwasitthatyouleftMrNorton’s？\"\"Totellthetruth，Igotadroptoomuch。（Laughter。）ItwasaCourtday，andwegenerallyhaveadropatsuchatime。MrandMrsNortonfelloutinthecarriage，andofcoursetheyputthespiteuponme，andsoIwasdischarged。\"（Laughter。）
\"Thenyougotadroptoomuch？\"\"Why，Iliketospeakthetruth，andIconfessIhad。（Laughter。）
MrsNortonwasverycross，andyoucouldnotpleaseherveryeasily。Shewascrossbecausetheblackhorsehappenedtogallop，andIcouldnotgethimintoatrot；horseswillbreaksometimes，youcan’thelpit。（Laughter。）\"
\"Andtheyputthespiteonyou？\"\"Oh，itisnotthefirsttimeIhavehaditlikethat。\"
\"Youliketospeakthetruthsometimes；youtookadroptoomuch，eh？\"\"Idon’tknowwhodoesnotattimes。Weareallalikeforthat，mastersandservants。（Greatlaughter。）\"
\"DidnotMrsNortoncomplainthatyouhaddrunktooPage183
much？\"\"MrsNortonnevercomplainedofthatbecauseIwasagoodservant，thoughIdidtakeadroptoomuch；averygoodservant，andyouknowgentlemendothesamesometimes。\"
\"Haveyounothadasabrecutinyourhead？\"\"No，thankGod；butIhadatouchonmyhipatWaterloo。\"
\"Howoftendidyoutakeadroptoomuch，whileinMrNorton’sservice？\"\"What，Sir，duringthefouryears。（Greatlaughter。）Youhaveputaveryheavyquestion。\"
\"Butonamoderatecomputation？\"
\"Why，somepeoplecarryalittlesowellthatyoucan’ttellwhenthey’vegotadroptoomuch。Ican’tansweryourquestion。\"
\"Diditnothappengenerallyintheafternoon？\"\"Iwasnotdrunk，Sir，everyday。\"
\"Butprettyoften？\"\"Middling；
aswegenerallyallare。\"
\"DiditeverhappenthatyouhadtakentoomuchwhendrivingMrandMrsNortontotheQueen’sball？\"
\"IwassobergoingtotheQueen’sball；butwhengoingtotheMarquisofLansdowne’sintheeveningIcertainlygotadroptoomuch；andthentheblackhorsebegantogallop。MrNortongotoutofthecoachandmountedtheboxinhisopera—hat，andIdidnotthinkhelookedwell，drivinginthatfashion。\"（Laughter。）
\"YouweresodrunkthatitwasnecessaryforMrNortontogetonthecoach—boxwithhisopera—hattodrive？\"\"I’lltellyouthewhole，Sir。WhenMrsNortonwantedMrNortontodoanything，hewassofondofherhewoulddoit，letitbewhatitmight。Sohegotuponthebox；andI，beingagoodishsortofcoachman，didnotwishtoseemymastermakeafoolofhimselfinacrowd；soIsaid，’Ifyouwilldrive，youmustdrivebyyourself。’Ihadoneofmyownandoneofmymaster’shorsesinthecarriage，andIdidnotliketoseemyownhorsedoingallthework，soIpreferredwalking；aprettygoodproofthatIwasnotverydrunk。（Laughter）。WhenIgottotheMarquisofLansdowne’sIexpectedtoseethecarriageatthedoor；butinsteadofthatIsawaparceloffellowscuttingatmyhorse。Ithensaidtomymaster，’Letmedrive，andIwillsoongetyouup。Thetruthis，’saysI，’youlookratherfoolish；’butherefusedtogiveupthereins，andIthensaid，’Ifyouwillbeobstinate，Imusttakemyhorseout。’（Roarsoflaughter。）SoIwenttotakemyhorseout，andMrNortonsaid，’John，John，don’tdothat——policeman，takeJohnaway。’（Greatlaughter。）
Ididnottakethehorseout，butapolicemancameupandsaidthatImustgoalongPage184
withhim。Isaid，’Iamverywillingtogowithyou，mygoodfellow；
Iwillgowithallthepleasureintheworld。’Sohetookmetothewatchhouse。\"
\"PoorJohn！Andsothereyouwerelockedupallnight？\"\"Iwas。\"
\"Didyounotmakeanoffertoreleasehimthen？\"\"Iwantedtotakeholdofthereins，togethimoutofthecrowd。\"
\"DidMrNortoncontrivetogetthecarriageup，drivingwithhisopera—haton？\"\"SoIunderstoodthenextmorning。\"
\"Andthenyouweredischarged？\"
\"Iwasfined5s。forbeingintoxicated，attheoffice，thoughI
wasthenassoberasIamnow。\"
\"Whowasthemagistratewhofinedyou5s？\"\"MrNortonseemedtoknowhim，fortheytalkedtogetheralongwhile。\"
\"Thenyouthinkyoursentencewasaveryunjustone？\"\"Idon’tthinkIwaswellused。\"
\"Youwerenotdrunk？\"\"No，whenIwentawaywiththepoliceman，nomorethanIamnow。\"
\"Itwasveryunjust，then，thatyouwereturnedoff？\"\"Oh，Sir，whenMrsNortontoldmastertodoanything，hemustdoit。\"
\"Itwasherfault，then，wasitnot？\"\"Rathermoreher’sthanmaster’s。\"
\"Now，didyounotsaythatthatd——db——h，MrsNorton，hadgotyoudischarged？\"\"IdonotRECOLLECTwhetherIdid，ornot，butImayhavesaidit。Ihadhadmywifeconfined，Ilostmybusiness，anditwasenoughtomakeanymanangry，andspeakwhathedidnotmean。\"
\"Didyounotsaythatyouwouldberevengedonher，orsomethingofthatsort？\"\"No，never，never。\"
\"Whatnever？\"\"Ididnot。\"
\"HaveyounotsaidthatyouweretheprincipalwitnessagainstthePremierofEngland？\"\"No。I
mighthavesaidIwasoneofthem，buttherewereagoodmanyofthem。\"
\"ButyoumighthavesaidyouweretheprincipalwitnessagainstthePremier？\"\"ThePremierofEngland！
Ineverdid。\"
\"HaveyounotsaidtheyforcedyoutoleaveyourshopinMonmouthstreet，andgotoWonersh？\"\"I
didnotsaytherewasanyforcinginit。\"
\"Haveyounotsaidtheytookyouawayatamoment’snotice？\"\"Idon’tthinkIhave。\"
\"DidyounotsayyouweretoremainatWonersh，andnottocometoLondontillthetrialcameon？\"
\"IDIDstopthere。Iremainedtheretilllastnight。\"
Page185
Anotherwitnesshavingalsodeposedtoreceivingmoney，andremainingresident，withallherfamily，atWonersh，forsomeweeksbeforethetrial，theAttorney—Generalcommentedontheseextraordinaryadmissionsinhisreply。Hesaid——
\"Hislearnedfriend（SirWilliamFollett）hadpromisedthejurytocallbeforethemallthepersonswhohadbeenintheserviceofMrandMrsNorton。Buthadheperformedthatpromise？……ALLthewitnesseshadnotbeencalled；theevidencehadbeengarbled；andthosewitnessesalonehadbeencalled，whohadpreviouslybeentutoredastotheevidencetheyweretogive。\"
\"ThewitnessFluke，wastheonewhoboastedhewastheprincipalwitnessagainstthePremierofEngland，andsaid，’ifallwentwellheshouldmake600l。andspendtherestofhisdaysineaseinScotland。’ItseemedhehadbeenasoldierandfoughtatWaterloo。WhenhecameintotheserviceofMrNorton，hehadacab，agig，andafly。Heacknowledgedhehadbeenoftendrunk。Helefttheplaintiff’sserviceindebt，andswindledseveralpeople。HeboughttheflyfromSaunderstoturnitintomoney，forhesoldit。Hehadacolt，tobreakin，whichhesoldfor20l。andnopartofthemoneydidhepaytotheownerofthecolt。HethenwenttoSloanestreet，soldthecab，andthentookacellarinMonmouthstreet，wherehesetupasadealerinoldclothes，whereheremaineduntilhehasreadytosellhimselfasawitness；andagloriousdayitwasforhimwhenhewasdiscovered。Fromsuchevidenceasthis，wastheplaintiff’scasemadeup！Flukesaidheexpectedtobepaid，because’doesnoteverymanexpecttobepaid？’He（theAttorney—General）hadagreatcuriositytoknowifhedidnotexpect500l。or600l。andrepeatedlyaskedhim。Allhesaidwas’IdonotRECOLLECT。’——’nonmiricordo’，repeatedatleast10times。He（theAttorney—General）askedhimifhehadnotwithinthelast48hourssaidthatheexpectedtomake500l。Hewouldonlysayhe’couldnotRECOLLECT。’HedidrecollectthathegotsodrunkontakingMrandMrsNortontoLansdownehouse，thatMrNortongotontheboxanddrovethecarriage；whereuponhe（Fluke）rantoLansdownehouse，andendeavouredtounharnessandtakeawayoneofthehorses，whichhesaidwashisown；andhisbehaviourwassoviolentthathewastakentothewatchhouse！Wouldthejuryactuponthetestimonyofsuchaman——wouldtheyhangadoguponit？Ifhehadnotsaid’thatiftherewasaverdictheshouldget500l。，’hewouldimmediatelyandPage186
positivelyhavedeniedthathehadeverusedsuchwords；buthedidnotdaretogiveadirectdenial；hemerelysaidhe’didnotRECOLLECT，’
anditwasnotpossibletocallwitnessestocontradictthattestimony。
Hetookcaretoavoidthepossibilityofbeingcontradicted，orofbeingindictedforperjury。Thiswastheexpedientofadeceitfulandartfulwitness；buthewouldaskthejuryiftheyhadanydoubtthatheDIDsayso；aye，twentytimes！Couplingthisanswer，’thathedidnotRECOLLECT，’
withhisswindling，drunkenness，andhistory，couldthejuryplacethesmallestrelianceonhistestimony？WhydidtheysendhimtoWonersh？ForsixweekshehadbeendisportinghimselfatWonersh，fishing，andtalkingoverhisevidencewithMrsComyns，andconsideringhowheshouldsecureeasefortheremainderofhislife……Whywerenotthosewitnesseswhowerelivingintheservicewhentheseparationtookplace，producedbeforethejury？Notonlyweretheynotproduced；butthosewhohadbeenintheserviceduringtheyears1834，1835，and1836，werekeptback。Allthosepersonshadbeenexaminedoutofcourt；butitappearedthatonlythosewhowouldanswerthewhip，andhadsuchconvenientmemoriesastobeabletorecollectthingswhichweresaidtohavetakenplaceyearsago，——buthadforgotwhathadoccurredwithinthelast48hours，——wereselected。
Therewasachargeagainsttwoparties，andtheyshouldbearthisinmind，thatneitherofthemcouldbecalledaswitnesses。LordMelbournecouldnot，becausehewasthedefendant——MrsNortoncouldnot，becauseshewasthewifeoftheplaintiff。Thereforeitwasimpossible，ifanywitnesscouldcomeforwardandsaythathehadseenafact，whennopersonsexceptthosetwowerepresent，thatthatwitnesscouldbecontradicted。Theycouldonly，insuchacase，looktothecharacterofthewitness，theprobabilityofthestory，andthecredittowhichitwasentitled。Ifachargeofwantofchastitywasbroughtagainstthepurestofwomen，andthatnoonebuttheaccuserwassaidtobepresent，shemustrestherdefenceonherowninnocence，theimprobabilityofthestory，andthecharacteroftheaccuser……IntheEcclesiasticalCourt，time，andplace，andcircumstancemustbeproved，butheretherewasnothingdefinitive；theevidencerangingoveraperiodoffourorfiveyears，andexcludingallevidenceofwhatoccurredwithinthelasttwoorthreeyears……
Whatfamily，hewouldask，couldbesafe，ifatthedistanceofyears，discardedservantscouldcomeforwardandmakesuchstatements，con—Page187
cealedforsolongaperiod，andwhichtheythemselvesadmitexcitednosuspicionwhilethecircumstanceswererecent，andwhiletheyweretheretomaketheirobservations？Iftheyweretobebroughtforwardattheendofyears，——excitedwiththehopesofreward，andofmakingtheirfortunes，——whatsafetycouldtherebe，whatprotectionforinnocentpersons？HecouldnotapproveofthemannerinwhichthewitnesseshadbeencarriedofffromtheirhomestoWonersh。Hecarednotwhowasoffended，buthewouldsay，thatthesystemofcarryingoffthewitnesses，suchashadbeendetailedthatday——ofgivingthemlargesumsofmoney——ofexcitingtheseextravagantexpectations，thathadbeendetailed，iftheirevidenceprovedsuccessful——wasonewhichcouldnotbedefended，andwasamodeofconductingacasereflectingverylittlecreditonthoseresortingtoit。Nocasehadeverbeenconductedasthepresenthadbeen……ItwasthedutyoftheplaintifftohavelaidbeforethemthecircumstancesunderwhichthequarrelandseparationhadtakenplacebetweenMrandMrsNorton，whenitmighthavebeenseentodemonstration，thatLordMelbournehadnomoreconcerninthematterthananyindifferentbystandertheninCourt；thatbringingsuchachargeagainstLordMelbournewasamereafter—thought；thatitwaswhathadneverenteredintotheheadofMrNortonhimself，butwasputintohisheadbyothers；hewouldnotsayWHO，——hewouldnotinsinuatewho，——butitmusthavebeensomeinsinuatingroguewhohaddevisedtheslander。
IthadbeenassertedthateveryservantintheserviceofMrNortonwouldbeproduced，butMrsGulliver，whosetestimonywasmostmaterial，hadbeenwithheld。Iftruthonlywastheobjectoftheotherparty，whyhadshenotbeenproduced？AndwhyhadnotFitnessbeencalled，whowasatthatmomentlivingatStorey’sGate？
Theyhadnotdaredtocallhim，becausehewasthereatthetimeoftheseparation；andifithadnotbeenthatMrsMorrishadbeencalledtoprovethehandwritingofMrsNorton，thecircumstanceswhichleadtotheseparation，wouldhaveremainedasecretandamystery。Nay，itwouldhavebeenleftforthemtosurmise，thatMrNortonhadactuallyseparatedfromhiswifeinconsequenceofdiscoveringherintimacywithLordMelbourne。Butwhatwasthefact，asitnowappearedfromthequestionshehadputtothewitness，MrsMorris？Why，thataquarrelhadtakenplacebetweenthem，onaccountoftheproposedvisittoFrampton；andthatinconsequenceofthat，MrNortongaveordersthatthechildrenshouldbekeptathome；andthensentthem，firsttoBerkeleystreetPage188
afterwardstoWonersh；andMrsNortonwasthrownintothedeepestconsternation，andalmostintothestateofdistraction，atfindingthatherchildrenweretobethusseparatedfromher。Shepursuedthemalloverthetown，untilshefoundtheminBerkeleystreet——wherehertearsandentreatiestoseethemwereunavailing……ButitisquiteclearthatsomepersonshavemadeMrNortonatool——aninstrumentofshame——hehasbeenpersuadedtoallowhisnametobeused；andusedmerelyforpartyandpoliticalpurposes。BeforeIsitdown，gentlemen，IthinkitrightinthenameofLordMelbournetodeclare，asheinstructedmetodo——inthemostCLEAR，EMPHATIC，andSOLEMNMANNER——thatheneverhadcriminalintercoursewithMrsNorton，nordidheeverdoanythingintheslightestdegreetoabusetheconfidencewhichherhusbandreposedinhim。Iallowthatyoumustfindyourverdictaccordingtotheevidence，andthatyoumustnotallowyourselvestobeswayedbythesolemndeclarationofLordMelbourne。
Youmustlooktotheevidence——Iwishyoutodoso——butlookingattheevidence，IsaythatitisIMPOSSIBLEtofindaverdictfortheplaintiff。
TheLearnedJudgesummedupatsomelength。
TheJuryhavingturnedround，andconferredafewseconds，TheForemansaid，——\"MyLord，weareagreed；itismydutytosaythatourverdictisfortheDefendant。
\"
Theannouncementwasreceivedwithloudburstsofapplause。
Afewdaysafterwards，SirW。Follettthusdeprecatedthenotionthathecountenancedtheproceedingswhichheconductedascounsel；andthuspubliclydisownedMrNorton’scause。
Somuchforthegreatscandals，bywhichawoman’swholedestinymaybedarkenedandwrecked！
Extractfromthe\"Times\"
ofJune25，1836。
TotheEditoroftheTimes。
Sir，——Havingseeninthe’Times’ofthismorning，thattheactionof’Nortonv。LordMelbourne，’
wasadvisedbytheableanduprightCounselwhoconductedit，’wethinkitisduetoSirWilliamFolletttostate，thattheactionwasnotbroughtunderhisadvice；andthatalthoughhewasretainedsofarbackasthe25thofAprillast，theevidencewasnotincompletestateforhisbrieftobedeliveredtohimuntilthe14thofJuneinst。，andwhennocoursewasopentothepartiesbuttoproceedwiththetrialofthecause，whichhadbeenfixedforthepresentsittings。
Weare，Sir，Yourmostobedientservants，（Signed）CURRIEANDWOODGATE。
Lincoln’sInn，June25，1836。