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subtle than she is? All these true joys would be lost to us; and woman, instead of earning our gratitude and affection by creating them, would be studying metaphysics - diving into theology searching out new stars. It seems to me that the very happiness of the world depends upon the inequalities and differences existing in the minds of the sexes, and therefore I shall vote with my friend, the opener.

THIRD SPEAKER.- Sir, I rise to defend the ladies. I admit the ability of my two friends who have preceded me, but I dispute their arguments, and I utterly deny their conclusions. I shall deal with the opener only, and leave the other gentleman to the tender mercies of succeeding speakers.

Our friend referred us to History: very unfortunately, I think. He spoke of Rulers.

Where is the female Cæsar? said he and the female Alexander? I am proud to reply - No where. No, Sir, the fair sex claim no such murderers, no such usurpers, no such enemies of mankind. They cannot boast of having carried fire and sword amongst defenceless nations for the sake of conquest and plunder; of having trodden down, with remorseless heel, sweet flowers of peace and domestic happiness; of having spread desolation and death wherever

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they have gone. But perhaps it is as Heroes that our friend would have Cæsar and Alexander viewed! Well, then, the fair sex has its heroes too! Look among martyrs - you will find them there; - look among dauntless demanders of right -you will find them there; - look among the patient endurers of calamity and sorrow - you will find them there! They have no Alexanders they have no Cæsars but they have the courage and the bravery of the best of them: and they have greater virtues besides, to which the others cannot lay the shadow of a claim.

FOURTH SPEAKER.-Without intending to pronounce an absolute opinion upon the question now under debate, I may perhaps be permitted to offer you a few observations.

I have generally noticed, Sir, that intellectual strength is a good deal modified by, and dependent upon, physical power. Physical power seems, indeed, absolutely necessary to the possessor of intellectual strength, otherwise his mental strength wears him out. Now, if woman has equal mental power, how is it that her frame is physically weaker? Either man has too much physical power, or woman too little: a proposition which I imagine cannot be sustained.

Further: woman's brain is smaller than man's; and does not this of itself prove inferiority of men

tal strength? Philosophers tell us that the size of the brain is always the criterion of intellectual power: if this be so, the matter is, I suppose, at once decided for us. I wait, however, to be convinced by the stronger side.

FIFTH SPEAKER. Then, I, Sir, will try to convince my friend. I will try to convince him that he should adopt the cause of the ladies. The fair sex have not yet had justice done them. What is the argument employed to prove their inferiority? Simply this: that they are not such strong rulers, such learned lawgivers, or such great poets. But suppose I grant this- the sexes may be mentally equal, notwithstanding. For, if I can show that the female sex possess qualitiesqualities which the male sex do not-qualities which, though widely different from those named, are quite as valuable to the world; I establish an argument in their favour quite as strong as that against them. And I can prove this. In affection, in constancy, in patience, in purity of sentiment, and in piety of life, they as far surpass man, as man surpasses them in mere physical strength. And what qualities are superior to these? Is strength of intellect superior to strength of heart? Is the ability to make laws superior to the power that wins and keeps affection? Is a facility in making rhymes

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superior to sisterly love and maternal solicitude? I think, Sir, that it is unwise and unfair to judge between the two. The spheres of the sexes are different, and require different powers, but though different in degree, they may be, and I believe they are, fully equal in amount.

SIXTH SPEAKER.-Sir, A gentleman who spoke a few moments since, asked us whether we were not bound to say that as woman's brain is smaller than man's, she is necessarily man's intellectual inferior. I see no such necessity. The dog's brain is smaller than the calf's, but the dog is, notwithstanding, much the more intelligent of the two. Mere size of brain proves nothing, for diseased brains are often the largest: our friend, therefore, need not fear to vote for the ladies upon this

account.

The opener of the debate said rather plausibly, that as the male sex can boast a Shakspere, a Milton and a Byron, whilst the other sex cannot,

therefore the male sex must be superior. It is but a poor argument, Sir, when plainly looked at. We should recollect that there is but one Shakspere, but one Milton, but one Byron! Who can say that the female sex may not some day surpass these writers, famous though they be?

Another gentleman spoke of Philosophers. Let me remind him (for he seems to have forgotten, or

not to know) that the female sex can claim a De Staël, a Somerville, and a Mary Woolstoncroft.

Not that I would claim for the ladies, for one moment, any merit on this ground. I think that scientific and literary excellence is by no means a laurel worth their gathering. Learning- I mean scholastic learning- does not sit gracefully on the female mind: a blue-stocking is proverbially disagreeable. Woman's office is to teach the heart, not the mind; and when she strives for intellectual superiority, she quits a higher throne than ever she can win.

SEVENTH SPEAKER.-Sir, The gentleman who called this a question of difference, not of amount, of intellect, put the question to my thinking in its proper light. I quite agree with the opener of the debate, that in mere mental power in mere clearness, force, and intensity of intellect-the male sex is unquestionably superior to the female. When we see the great names arrayed on the one side, and the names, though great, yet mentally much smaller, on the other, we cannot, I think have a doubt upon the matter. See, too, what man has done; I mean mechanically and palpably. He has discovered new shores, founded empires and dynasties, discerned and applied mechanical forces, conquered stupendous difficulties, accomplished great things wherever he has been. What