Whatever may be the abstract
merit of this argument, it is certain that the simplicity of Lucretia
Mott's nature, is beautifully expressed by her habitual costume.

In giving the principal events of Lucretia Mott's life, we prefer to use
her own language whenever possible. In memoranda furnished by her to
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, she says: "My father had a desire to make his
daughters useful. At fourteen years of age, I was placed, with a younger
sister, at the Friends' Boarding School, in Dutchess county, State of
New York, and continued there for more than two years, without returning
home. At fifteen, one of the teachers leaving the school, I was chosen
as an assistant in her place. Pleased with the promotion, I strove hard
to give satisfaction, and was gratified, on leaving the school, to have
an offer of a situation as teacher if I was disposed to remain; and
informed that my services should entitle another sister to her
education, without charge. My father was at that time, in successful
business in Boston, but with his views of the importance of training a
woman to usefulness, he and my mother gave their consent to another year
being devoted to that institution." Here is another instance of the
immeasurable value of wise parental influence.

In 1809 Lucretia joined her family in Philadelphia, whither they had
removed. "At the early age of eighteen," she says, "I married James
Mott, of New York--an attachment formed while at the boarding-school."
Mr. Mott entered into business with her father. Then followed commercial
depressions, the war of 1812, the death of her father, and the family
became involved in difficulties. Mrs. Mott was again obliged to resume
teaching. "These trials," she says, "in early life, were not without
their good effect in disciplining the mind, and leading it to set a just
estimate on worldly pleasures."

To this early training, to the example of a noble father and excellent
mother, to the trials which came so quickly in her life, the rapid
development of Mrs. Mott's intellect is no doubt greatly due. Thus the
foundation was laid, which has enabled her, for more than fifty years,
to be one of the great workers in the cause of suffering humanity. These
are golden words which we quote from her own modest notes: "I, however,
always loved the good, in childhood desired to do the right, and had no
faith in the generally received idea of human depravity." Yes, it was
because she believed in human