good, virtuous, intelligent women. Indeed, the first French
Revolution presented one of the most striking illustrations of the
social mischiefs resulting from a neglect of the purifying
influence of women. When that great national outbreak occurred,
society was impenetrated with vice and profligacy. Morals,
religion, virtue, were swamped by sensualism. The character of
woman had become depraved. Conjugal fidelity was disregarded;
maternity was held in reproach; family and home were alike
corrupted. Domestic purity no longer bound society together.
France was motherless; the children broke loose; and the
Revolution burst forth, "amidst the yells and the fierce violence
of women." (20)

But the terrible lesson was disregarded, and again and again
France has grievously suffered from the want of that discipline,
obedience, self-control, and self-respect which can only be truly
learnt at home. It is said that the Third Napoleon attributed the
recent powerlessness of France, which left her helpless and
bleeding at the feet of her conquerors, to the frivolity and lack
of principle of the people, as well as to their love of pleasure--
which, however, it must be confessed, he himself did not a little
to foster. It would thus seem that the discipline which France
still needs to learn, if she would be good and great, is that
indicated by the First Napoleon--home education by good mothers.

The influence of woman is the same everywhere. Her condition
influences the morals, manners, and character of the people in all
countries. Where she is debased, society is debased; where she is
morally pure and enlightened, society will be proportionately
elevated.