this fund, that
the accumulation of the interest had greatly increased the original
sum.

[172] Lydia Mott was one of the quiet workers who kept all things
pertaining to the woman's rights reform in motion at the capital.
Living in Albany, she planned conventions and hearings before the
Legislature. She knew a large number of the members and men of
influence, who all felt a profound respect for that dignified,
judicious Quaker woman. Her home was not only one of the depots of the
underground railroad, where slaves escaping to Canada were warmed and
fed, but it was the hospitable resort for all reformers. Everything
about the house was clean and orderly, and the table always bountiful,
and the food appetizing. As such men as Seward and Marcy, leaders from
opposite political parties, Gerrit Smith, Garrison, Phillips,
Pillsbury, Remond, Foster, Douglass, representing all the reforms, met
in turn at Miss Mott's dinner-table, she had the advantage of hearing
popular questions discussed from every standpoint. And Miss Mott was
not merely hostess at her table, but on all occasions took a leading
part in the conversation. All of us who enjoyed her friendship and
hospitality deeply feel her loss in that conservative city.

[173] [Introduced, on notice, by Mr. Ramsey; read twice, and referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary; reported from said Committee for
the consideration of the Senate, and committed to the Committee of the
Whole].

AN ACT IN REGARD TO DIVORCES DISSOLVING THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT.

_The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and
Assembly, do enact as follows:_

SECTION 1. In addition to the cases in which a divorce, dissolving the
marriage contract, may now be decreed by the Supreme Court, such a
divorce may be decreed by said court in either of the cases following:

1. Where either party to the marriage shall, for the period of three
years next preceding the application for such divorce, have willfully
deserted the other party to the marriage, and neglected to perform to
such party the duties imposed by their relation.

2. Where there is and shall have been for the period of one year next
preceding the application for such divorce, continuous and repeated
instances of cruel and inhuman treatment by either party, so as
greatly to impair the health or endanger the life of the other party,
thereby rendering it unsafe to live with the party guilty of such
cruelty or inhumanity.

Sec.2.