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。