ons of the two sexes marking out
different spheres for them. Thus far, as we think, the
circumstances of the world have compelled a marked division of
labor, and a marked difference of culture and political position
between the sexes.

The facts of superior bodily strength on the masculine side, and
of maternity on the feminine side, small as they are now made to
appear, are very great and decisive facts in themselves, and have
necessarily governed the organization of society. It is between
the sexes, as between the races, the strongest rules; and it has
hitherto been supposed to be of service to the common interest of
society, that this rule should be legalized and embodied in the
social customs of every community. As a fact, woman, by her
bodily weakness and her maternal office, was from the first, a
comparatively private and domestic creature; her education, from
circumstances, was totally different, her interests were
different, the sources of her happiness different from man's, and
as a fact, all these things, though with important modifications,
have continued to be so to this day. The fact has seemed to the
world a final one. It has been thought that in her present
position, she was in her best position relative to man, which her
nature or organization admitted of. That she is man's inferior in
respect to all offices and duties requiring great bodily powers,
or great moral courage, or great intellectual effort, has been
almost universally supposed,--honestly thought too, and without
the least disposition to deny her equality, on this account, in
the scale of humanity.

For in respect to moral sensibility, affections, manners, tastes,
and the passive virtues, woman has long been honestly felt to be
the superior of man. The political disfranchisement of women, and
their seclusion from publicity, have grown out of sincere
convictions that their nature and happiness demanded from man an
exemption from the cares, and a protection from the perils of the
out-of-door world. Mankind, in both its parts, may have been
utterly mistaken in this judgment; but it has been nearly
universal, and thoroughly sincere,--based thus far, we think,
upon staring facts and compulsory circumstances.

In starting a radical reform upon this subject, it is e