is good of its kind is good, who shrink
from love of excitement and love of sway, who, while ready for
duties of many kinds, dislike pledges and bonds to any,--this
talk about "Woman's Sphere," "Woman's Mission," and all such
phrases as mark the present consciousness of an impending
transition from old conventions to greater freedom, are most
repulsive. And it demands some valor to lift one's head amidst
the shower of public squibs, private sneers, anger, scorn,
derision, called out by the demand that women should be put on
a par with their brethren, legally and politically; that they
should hold property not by permission but by right, and that
they should take an active part in all great movements. But
though, with Mignon, we are prompted to characterize heaven as
the place where

"Sie fragen nicht nach Mann nie Weib,"

yet it is plain that we must face this agitation; and beyond
the dull clouds overhead hangs in the horizon Venus, as
morning-star, no less fair, though of more melting beauty,
than the glorious Jupiter, who shares with her the watch.

* * * * *

'The full, free expression of feeling must be rare, for this
book of Bettina Brentano's to produce such an effect. Men who
have lived in the society of women all their days, seem never
before to have dreamed of their nature; they are filled with
wonderment and delight at these revelations, and because
they see the woman, fancy her a genius. But in truth her
inspiration is nowise extraordinary; and I have letters from
various friends, lying unnoticed in my portfolio, which are
quite as beautiful. For one, I think that these veins of gold
should pass in secret through the earth, inaccessible to all
who will not take the trouble to mine for them. I do not like
Bettina for publishing her heart, and am ready to repeat to
her Serlo's reproof to Aurelia.'

* * * * *

'How terrible must be the tragedy of a woman who awakes to
find that she has given herself wholly to a person for whom
she is not eternally fitted! I cannot look on marriage as on
the other experiments of life: it is the one grand type that
should be kept forever sacred. There are two kinds of love
experienced by high and rich souls. The first seeks, according
to Plato's myth, anothe