Rmn] 277

COf'1'upondince. 277 mall and we.tt "Cowards, bring me an axe," was her reply, and it had ita effect, for though, doubtless, she would ha.ve used it herself if necessary (not beiog a " feminine" woman in the way of helplessness) the men DOW fell heartily to work, knocking open the door, and disdOlling the wife, whoso cries had ceased, as she lay by this time senseless on the floor, where her husband was still in act to kick her. He offered, however, no resistancc, when the tnQb entered his ono room, and by aunt Janet's command Robin and .rohn carried off his wife on the door to a place of safety, the house of au old widow who live(l a good way off under my aunt's protcction. There very soon another lovelyiofantwas born to the deil, which I had frcquentlyanopportunity of seeing as I walked in Milheugh garden, for my aunt employed the poor creature on her recovery iu the light occupation of weeding, and the baby (it being fine, dry, summer wcnther) habitually lay in the crIll that hcld the weeds beside its mother. The Bright style of observer will wish to know what became mea.ntime of the fa.ther and husband. He expressed no coulpunctioll, and, of course, got no J!UDishment. His wife WM supported by my auut for three months. The dell took care to avoid her, my aunt, but succeeded after a timt! in getting hold of his wife again. I think I aID entitled to obser\"o that my aunt here represents the c()urage of progressilJe humar.jtg in rather a solitary manner, but it is pleas.'\nt to observe hel" feelings arc spreading. Still it hard1y seems to me quite fair that now-a-days magi;;- trates take upon them to rate severely the tlOn-interfering public awl at the same time tell their own witltersquite UfllI'rt;II!7. Judges are perpetuallyapologising (see the Times' reports) for the unfairness of tilt! law! which thtlBe men feel themselves very unfortunate in bein .... born to administer, but not tocorrect. It WAS a W()mall who brought to light tho scandalous injustice to women shown in the lllltiny Act with regard to children legitimate or illegitimate born anywhere to soldiers, and it was a mall in the character of our )Iiuister of War who, when told of it, remarked it was ,hocking, if trite, and who, having found it true has not been able to set it right yet. The person who ba!i done tbe most for women's rights according to DIy judgment is a lady who has collected and printed. the" Laws of England as they regard women "withollt comment, merely observing that, without becoming legislators, .. women can show where the shoe pinches." 1. quote from mysclf now Q8 my nearest if not my hcst authority.·