GLORIANA; OR, THE REVOLUTION OF 1900. [Illustration: Faithfully yours. Florence Dixie.] GLORIANA; OR, THE REVOLUTION OF 1900. BY LADY FLORENCE DIXIE, AUTHOR OF “REDEEMED IN BLOOD,” “THE YOUNG CASTAWAYS,” “ACROSS PATAGONIA,” ETC. LONDON: HENRY AND COMPANY, 6, BOUVERIE STREET, E.C. 1890. Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury. TO ALL WOMEN AND SUCH HONOURABLE, UPRIGHT, AND COURAGEOUS MEN _As, regardless of Custom and Prejudice, Narrow-mindedness and Long-established Wrong, will bravely assert and uphold the Laws of Justice, of Nature, and of Right; I dedicate the following pages, with the hope that a straightforward inspection of the evils afflicting Society, will lead to their demolition in the only way possible—namely, by giving to Women equal rights with Men. Not till then will Society be purified, wrongdoing punished, or Man start forward along that road which shall lead to Perfection._ [Illustration] PREFACE. “Thus we were told in words Divine That there were truths men could not bear E’en from the lips of Christ to hear. These have now slowly been unfurled, But still to a reluctant world. “Prophets will yet arise to teach Truths which the school-men fail to reach, Which priestly doctrine still would hide, And worldly votaries deride, And statesmen fain would set aside.” I make no apology for this preface. It may be unusual but then the book it deals with is unusual. There is but one object in “Gloriana.” It is to speak of evils which do exist, to study facts which it is a crime to neglect, to sketch an artificial position—the creation of laws false to Nature—unparalleled for injustice and hardship. Many critics, like the rest of humanity, are apt to be unfair. They take up a book, and when they find that it does not accord with their sentiments, they attempt to wreck it by ridicule and petty, spiteful criticism. They forget to ask themselves, “Why is this book written?” They altogether omit to go to the root of the Author’s purpose; and the result is, that false testimony is often borne against principles which, though drastic, are pure, which, though sharp as the surgeon’s knife, are yet humane; for it is genuine sympathy with humanity that arouses them.