disagreeable on both sides to talk upon subjects which one party is not familiar with, and a man coming down from lofty themes to some trifling affair might be so embarrassed as to make a ludicrous blunder. We ought to be able to entertain him."
"Perhaps it will be a rest, a diversion, to leave those lofty themes for a while and indulge in a little chat on common place affairs."
"Oh yes! now you've said it. When you are tired and want a little diversion, woman serves a very good purpose for you to amuse yourselves with, and possibly if you should have the sick headache or find a rent in your coats, she might be very useful; but whoever dreamed of any benefit to the literary or scientific world through her? It is not expected, and therefore she must take her rank as the appendage or ornament of social circles whose highest sphere is to give the prevailing ton to all fashionable society."
"I have no objection to the presence of woman anywhere I go. On the contrary I should enjoy it, but I think in general, they are better content to stay away. How many ladies of your acquaintance would not shrink from conducting the conversation with Professor M., if the opportunity were tendered them?"
"Probably most of them would, because they are not educated or qualified for it, and are too much the slaves of custom to step out of the path you have assigned to them. But if he is there I shall avail myself of as much of his conversation as I can, regardless of etiquette. Perhaps you will regret then
