The Harry Watkins Diary, Volume 11 [July 22, 1853–June 12, 1854]

About this Item

Title
The Harry Watkins Diary, Volume 11 [July 22, 1853–June 12, 1854]
Author
Harry Watkins
Editor
Amy E. Hughes, Naomi Stubbs
Print Source
Harry Watkins. Diary. Papers of the Skinner family, 1874-1979 (inclusive), box 17, MS Thr 857. Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
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Date
July 22, 1853
Rights

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Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/hwatkins.0011.001
Cite this Item
"The Harry Watkins Diary, Volume 11 [July 22, 1853–June 12, 1854]." In the digital collection The Harry Watkins Diary: Digital Edition. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/h/hwatkins/hwatkins.0011.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 30, 2025.

Pages

02 November 1853

. Raining—Reading, writing & walking A.M. ditto P.M. slipin the evening went to hear Miss Lucy Stone lecture on "Woman's rights." She made a very good argument for the cause she advocated, and her remarks were received with much favor by a large audience composed principally of that sex those who, as she declared, were the oppressors of poor women. I believe, myself, that there are many pursuits now exclusively filled by men for which women are as well, if not better, adapted than the former.

seq. [unnumbered]

Females would make excellent physicians, as they are better fitted for the sick-room than are men; the only cases they would be incapable of managing successfully would be fevers,—for to have a pretty woman feeling one's pulse would be more likely to increase than to allay the heat. Howerver , I shall strongly advocate female physicians, also female clerks, printers & etc. But to extent extend the sphere of "woman's usefulness" as far as Miss Stone desires, by opening to her the bar, the halls of legislation, the army & navy would be the worst possible thing that could befall her sex—all the respect, attention, and courtesy now shown to them would be withheld; becoming, as it were, thus unsexed she would receive the same treatment that man bestows upon his fellow man—and that is bad enough, heaven knows! The poets [sic poet's] language "the man that lays his hand upon a woman save in the way of kindness is a wretch whom it were a gross flattery to term a coward"—! would no more be hailed with loud applause, it would rather excite laughter. Oh! no woman!—keep as you are—You rule the world now did you but know it! Miss Stone iswas attired in the bloomer costume. She Her age I should have judged to be twenty-five—rather a good looking [sic good-looking] face—a passable figure and, on the whole, looked as though she ought to make an good excellent wife. So take your time Miss LucyStone get married—talk no more about "rights" get a

seq. [unnumbered]

husband, make him comfortable and if he be a man, you'lillegiblel have your rights. The good book commands us to "increase and multiply"—so get married Lucy and obey this divine command. If no other man can be found to take you for better or for worse, on account of the principles you advocate—I am willing myself to run the risk—What say you Lucy?

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