ur Society?" says Cousin E. E.

"Everything. We are in for Infinite Progress. We want women to be all
that God intended them to be--the full companions and helpmates of men.
We want them to cultivate all the Christian and kindly virtues, not only
because they make women lovely and beloved, but because men are
humanized, softened, and made better by such help and such
companionship. When men seek peace, rest, the inspirations of prayer,
they turn at once to us for tender guidance and sympathy. Would they do
that if we elbowed them at the polls, or held knock-down arguments at
the primary elections? No, no! If we can soften human misery, strengthen
weakness, make women wiser and men better, it is all that the best woman
among us can ask."

Sisters, I had got too much in earnest. I felt the blood come like a
dash of wine into my face. It seemed to me as if I were on a platform,
lecturing, and the thought covered me with confusion, like a crimson
garment. I bent my head slightly, and went away dreadfully ashamed of
myself.

LXII.

A TRIP TO ANNAPOLIS.

Dear sisters:--Another of those pleasant excursional entertainments
which this nation gives to genius in the female line has been offered to
me, and I accepted. For my part, I think the country ought to be
encouraged in giving these little testimonials to her favored children.
She hasn't done much of that in former years, but has practised a good
deal more on foreigners than she has ever thought of doing where
home-made writers are concerned.

Them Japanee potentials always seem to go along when an entertainment is
got up for me, and, if that didn't rather mix things up, I should be
glad of it; for Mr. Iwakura is just splendid in his black coat and
stovepipe hat, and talks beautifully with his little black eyes; I feel
it in my bones he has not left a heathenish impediment behind, or
anything that ought to stand between him and a wife who might carry
fresh missionary spirit into his benighted land.

Of course, all the other Japanees were on hand, and seemed to feel proud
and chipper, as if the party had been made for them instead of me; but I
didn't mind that a bit. Even if they did think so, what harm? There is
so much happiness in delusions, that I wouldn't rob those nice-looking
heathens of one for the world.

Besides the Japanees, a very distinguished party had been invited to go
with me, and I couldn't help but feel the whole thing a triumph.

There w