Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/16

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viii
PREFACE.

in mankind, is contradictory. Her elevation is the essence of religion itself, and will presumably be the better accomplished, the greater the prestige of the community which shall be called to the work. The fact that there exists one of ancient renown, already in some measure committed to, and pre-eminently fitted for, it, is patent indeed, but is not conclusive in favour of that one. The prize is open to all—detur digniori.

The author has done his best to make the book readable, but it is addressed to mature and earnest minds which care for something more than mere frothy sensation and amusement; the story being simply a vehicle, of no account in itself, but only in the single purpose it conveys, namely, uncompromising advocacy of the rights of women, and of their training for exercise of their rights. All else is beside the mark.