instinctive comprehension; then, it is not merely possible, but certain,
that, in the ages that are coming, in which the labour of the human race
will be not mainly destructive but conservative, in which the building up
and developing of humanity, and not continually the inter-destruction of
part by part, will be the dominant activity of the race, that woman as
woman, and by right of that wherein she differs from the male, will have an
all-important part to play in the activity of the race.

The matter is one of curious and subtle interest, but what practically
concerns the human race is, not which of the two sexual halves which must
always coexist is best fitted to excel in certain human labours in this or
that direction, at this or that time, nor even which has most to contribute
to the sum-total of human activities; but it is this, that every individual
unit humanity contains, irrespective of race, sex, or type, should find
exactly that field of labour which may most contribute to its development,
happiness, and health, and in which its peculiar faculties and gifts shall
be most effectively and beneficially exerted for its fellows.

It matters nothing, and less than nothing, to us as women, whether, of
those children we bring into the world, our sons should excel in virtue,
intelligence, and activity, our daughters, or our daughters our sons; so
that, in each child we bring to life, not one potentiality shall be lost,
nor squandered on a lesser when it might have been expended on a higher and
more beneficent task. So that not one desirable faculty of the marvellous
creatures we suffer to bring into existence be left uncultivated, to us, as
women, it matters nothing and less than nothing, which sex type excels in
action, in knowledge, or in virtue, so both attain their best. There is
one thing only on earth, as precious to woman as the daughter who springs
from her body--it is the son. There is one thing only dearer to the woman
than herself--it is the man. As no sane human concerns himself as to