Whenever she was asked to teach about woman’s sphere she complied, as being a call to duty. Not long ago she related to a me thrilling adventure which I am now able to see in a more characteristic light. A certain and constant solidarity of character becomes apparent at every turn. Duteous devotion, regard for promise, and personal bravery enter into the exploit. She was to lecture on ‘Woman’s Education’ before, and for the benefit of, the Library Association of Omaha. I find the story transcribed in her ‘Early Recollections.’[2] * * * * * The reference to home yearnings is a side light which illumines the whole background of her public career. Ardently devoted to her mission and responsive to its imperious calls, yet she was not a Mrs. Jellyby of Bleak House. She cared for others, near to her as well as remote. Adopted children have taken the Bloomer name, and other young have found a home beneath the hospitable roof. A woman engaged in the active enterprises of life was a new thing under the sun. Beneath the royal occupation of queen-regent, or that of gifted authorship, or being a ‘Sister of Charity,’ the lines of woman’s work were few and greatly limited in the world outside of home. Amelia Bloomer was a pioneer in woman’s emancipation and, as falls to the lot of the pioneer, she had work to do which succeeding generations reckon not, and of which successors in the field have never felt the sting of the deep intensity of the striving. The first faint, far-off echo has swelled to thunder tone as to-day there goes over the land a call for the Second Triennial Meeting of the National Council of Women, which was founded on the fortieth anniversary of ‘the first organized demand for equal education, industrial, professional, and political rights for women, made at a meeting in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848.’ It is given to but few to realize the effectiveness of consecration to a work like that Mrs. Bloomer undertook. Rarely does one see the rich results of a contention so manifoldly difficult. As iron sharpeneth iron, so has been the clash of minds. Imaginary barriers have gone, and a rigid conservatism, strong principally by reason of inherited tendency, is supplanted by a _rationale_ of woman’s sphere which has made occupation for thousands. She who was both prominent and eminent in bringing this result ought to be an object of their everlasting gratitude!”[3] THE END. FOOTNOTES: [2] Here, with slight omissions, is quoted in Mrs. Bloomer’s own words the narration of the incident of the “Dangers met in crossing the Missouri,” previously given on pp. 214-216. [3] The remainder of the sermon has already been given. It will be found on pp. 327-331. Transcriber’s Notes