perceived the editor slyly creep in and hide himself in the middle of the throng. The lady who spoke after this incident, ended her address by telling the story of this interview with the editor in an amusing and charitable spirit, and ended by wishing that he could have been with them that night, when he might have been carried away by the spirit of the meeting, and even be brought to look more favourably on women speakers. This brought down the house; the audience cheered and shouted, 'He is here; we have him here.' Whereupon the editor, greatly moved, came out from the crowd, amid renewed excitement and applause. He said he wished to join in the vote of thanks to the ladies he had never heard ladies speak before, and could not help thinking that those who could be so interesting and amusing on a platform, must be very pleasant, good comrades to live with at home.

"This old borough is now lost in the county. The generous editor has long since passed away, and possibly the newspaper has ceased to exist.

"The meetings of thirty years ago no doubt gained many votes in Parliament. A largely attended meeting, with some good local support, in a small borough constituency, carried great influence with the member. The relative value of meetings was, of course, greatly altered when the redistribution of seats took place.

"The novelty of hearing women speakers brought crowds to the meetings. Invariably the doors were thronged with people unable to obtain seats. The tours of meetings, consisting of six or seven in a fortnight, were a great nervous effort in those early days. They

CAL

were, however, a source of much interest, and even of pleasure in the retrospect, for we never failed to carry our resolutions affirming the principle of the suffrage and adopting petitions to Parliament. Occasionally an amendment would be moved, but nowhere was it ever carried.

"Viscountess Amberley was another notable pioneer. She and Lord Amberley had paid a visit to J. S. Mill at Avignon, and Mill had persuaded them that it would be of great value to the cause if a lady in her position would speak at some meeting. This led Lady Amberley to become President of the Bristol and West of England Society, and to her presiding at a meeting in the Broadmead Rooms (now pulled down) at Bristol in February 1872. Her early death from diphtheriacaused by devotion to her little girl Rachel, who died of the same disease-removed a valuable speaker and notable personality. She was daughter of Henrietta Maria, Lady Stanley of Alderley (one of the remarkable women of our time), and married Viscount Amberley, eldest son of Lord John Russell (Earl Russell).

"Another speaker of note in the west country was Lady Anna Gore Langton, who became President of the Bath Branch of the Suffrage Society, January 1872, and acted as delegate to the Central Committee (London). She became President of the Bristol and West of England Society after the death of Lady Amberley. Her speaking was thoroughly practical, and carried with it great earnestness and conviction-perhaps it was all the more convincing because it was quiet and unassuming. Her fine presence and noble face lent great

dignity to all she said. Her comparatively early death was a great loss to the cause. In her will she bequeathed £1000 to Girton College, Cambridge. Had she lived, she would have inherited the Earldom of Temple, which passed to her son on the death of her brother, the last Duke of Buckingham.

"The following extracts from newspapers during those early years may convey to the present generation something of the effect made upon the public mind by the extraordinary innovation of women speakers. Looking through a pile of old newspapers, I see these comments:

"The room was densely crowded-drawn thither by the announcement that feminine man, viz., three ladies, were to fight the cause. This they did right manfully, yet, withal, in a most clear, lucid and persuasive manner, without the least vulgarism.'

"Few ladies have courage Amazonian enough to brave the publicity of meetings.' At one meeting a clergyman arose and said it was forbidden by Holy Scripture for women to speak or take part in public affairs.' After a heated discussion, a gentleman rose and said that his grandmother was a Quakeress and spoke constantly in Quaker churches, adding, 'Let anyone prove, who can, that she transgressed the laws of God or man.' A resolution of thanks to the ladies was passed for their heroism in giving such able and interesting speeches.'

"Another paper says: 'Whether we agree or not, we admire the courage of the ladies, who have given an intellectual treat.'

"Another paper, referring to Lady Anna Gore Langton, says: 'Her ladyship's position in the chair, and the