or
further Arctic discovery, Sweden, Germany, France, and especially the
United States, have taken up the subject with great energy. Eight
expeditions sailed for the North Polar region between the years 1868 and
1870; several for the express purpose of reaching the Polar Sea, which,
I have no doubt, will be attained, now that steam has given such power
to penetrate the fields of floating ice. It would be more than a dashing
exploit to make a cruise on that unknown sea; it would be a discovery of
vast scientific importance with regard to geography, magnetism,
temperature, the general circulation of the atmosphere and oceans, as
well as to natural history. I cannot but regret that I shall not live to
hear the result of these voyages.

* * * * *

The British laws are adverse to women; and we are deeply indebted to Mr.
Stuart Mill for daring to show their iniquity and injustice. The law in
the United States is in some respects even worse, insulting the sex, by
granting suffrage to the newly-emancipated slaves, and refusing it to
the most highly-educated women of the Republic.

[For the noble character and transcendent intellect of Mr. J.S. Mill
my mother had the greatest admiration. She had some correspondence
with him on the subject of the petition to Parliament for the
extension of the suffrage to women, which she signed; and she also
wrote to thank him warmly for his book on the "Subjection of Women."
In Mr. Mill's reply to the latter he says:--]

FROM JOHN STUART MILL, ESQ., TO MRS. SOMERVILLE.

BLACKHEATH PARK, _July 12th, 1869_.

DEAR MADAM,

Such a letter as yours is a sufficient reward for the trouble of
writing the little book. I could have desired no better proof that
it was adapted to its purpose than such an encouraging opinion from
you. I thank you heartily for taking the trouble to express, in such
kind terms, your approbation of the book,--the approbation of one
who has rendered such inestimable service to the cause of women by
affording in her own person so high an example of their intellectual
capabilities, and, finally, by giving to the protest in the great
Petition of last year the weight and importance derived from the
signature which headed it.

I am,
Dear Madam,
Most sincerely and respectfully yours,