has just reached me, and with much pleasure I reply
to the echo of inquiry, beyond the bounds of those personally
associated with us in this enterprise. It is indeed encouraging
to hear a voice from South Bristol in such perfect unison with
our own.

Possibly, extracts from my next letter to Miss Owen, dated Oct. 23,
1848, will give you the best idea of the movement:

I should have acknowledged the receipt of yours of the 1st inst.
earlier, but wished to report somewhat of progress whenever I
should write. Our prospects here are brightening. Every lady of
any worth or intelligence adopts unhesitatingly our view, and
concurs in our measures. On the 19th inst. we met and organized a
Woman's Equal Rights Union. Living in the country, where the
population is sparse, we are consequently few; but hope to make
up in zeal and energy for our lack of numbers. We breathe a
freer, if not a purer atmosphere here among the mountains, than
do the dwellers in cities,--have more independence,--are less
subject to the despotism of fashion, and are less absorbed with
dress and amusements.... A press entirely devoted to our cause
seems indispensable. If there is none such, can you tell me of
any paper that advocates our claims more warmly than the _North
Star_?[12] A lecturer in the field would be most desirable; but
how to raise funds to sustain one is the question. I never really
wished for Aladdin's lamp till now. Would to Heaven that women
could be persuaded to use the funds they acquire by their
sewing-circles and fairs, in trying to raise their own condition
above that of "infants, idiots, and lunatics," with whom our
statutes class them, instead of spending the money in decorating
their churches, or sustaining a clergy, the most of whom are
striving to rivet the chains still closer that bind, not only our
own sex, but the oppressed of every class and color.

The elective franchise is now the one object for which we must
labor; that once attained, all the rest will be easily acquired.
Moral Reform and Temperance Societies may be multiplied _ad
infinitum_, but they have about the same effect upon the evils
they seek to cure, as clipping the top of a hedge would have
toward extirpating it. Please forward me a copy of the petition
for suffrage. We will engage to