Sumner, on precisely these grounds. "To thank men like Cowan, who did not _desire_ to enfranchise woman any more than the negro, was to stultify ourselves," he said. "To condemn Sumner, because he did not think _this_ the time to push the claims of woman, was not honorable to the long-tried friend of human progress." Abroad, such things look better. The clean hands of John Stuart Mill--which no noble woman need fear to touch--have presented to Parliament the petition of fifteen hundred women for the right of franchise. This petition is so moderate and sensible, that it deserves to be preserved. "The humble petition of the undersigned showeth,-- "That it having been expressly laid down by high authorities, that the possession of property, in this country, carries with it the right to vote in the election of representatives in Parliament, it is an evident anomaly, that some holders of property are allowed to use this right, while others, forming no less a constituent part of the nation, and equally qualified by law to hold property, are not able to exercise this privilege; that the participation of women in the government is consistent with the principles of the British Constitution, inasmuch as women in these islands have always been held capable of sovereignty, and women are eligible for various public offices. "Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray your honorable House to consider the expediency of providing for the representation of all householders, without distinction of sex, who possess such property or rental qualification as your honorable House may determine. And your petitioners will ever pray. "Mrs. W.B. CARPENTER, 56, Regent's Park Road, London, N.W. C.M. CLARKSON, Hatfield Road, Wakefield. FRANCES POWER COBBE, 26, Hereford Square, London, S.W. ELIZABETH GARRETT, L.S.A., 20, Upper Berkeley Street, London, W. MARY ANN GASKELL, Plymouth Grove, Manchester. MATILDA M. HAYS, Great Malvern. MARY HOWITT, West Hill Lodge, Highgate, N. M.S. KINGLAKE, 50, Upper Brunswick Place, Brighton. ISA CRAIG KNOX, 14, Clyde Terrace, New Cross, S.E. S.J. LEWIN, Birkenhead. HARRIET LUPTON, St. Asaph. ELIZABETH MALLISON, Camp Cottage, Wimbledon. HARRIET MARTINEAU, The Knoll, Ambleside. JANE MARTINEAU, 21, Tariton Street, London, W.C. JANE MOXON, 1, Cundall's Yard, Leeds. MRS. ELIZABETH PEASE NICHOL, Huntly Lodge, Edinburgh. BESSIE R. PARKES, 15, Wimpole Street, London, W. ELIZABETH PROCTOR, Polam Hall, Darlington. C. STURCH, Cumberland Terrace, Regent's Park, London, N.W. MRS. THOMAS TAYLOR, Aston House, Oxfordshire. SARAH UNWIN, Hale Lodge, Edgeware, Middlesex. ANNA MARY HOWITT WATTS, 24, Grove Terrace, Highgate Road."