Deference to women, and a regard for their esteem beyond that of men, is a human attribute apparent in your whole history. It has been the inspiration of your best poetry, and your most stirring romance. In your middle ages, under what is known among you as chivalry, it has led you to deeds of virtue in upholding the right, far beyond the prevailing oppression. How much the conduct of men is modified, and their evil tendencies checked, by a regard for the good opinion of women, every man can judge by examination of himself. In how many dangerous moments has temptation been cast aside, by the fear of evil report to some fond wife, mother, sister, daughter, or lady friends, when, to sacrifice the good opinion of men alone, would have been no bar? By our greater attention to the laws of health, and our governmental restriction of unhealthful marriages, which I will describe to you further on, we have developed a far greater average of physical perfection in women that exists with you. In connection with this there are other advantages which our women enjoy beyond yours, which greatly enhance their personal attractiveness and beauty. Their equal educational opportunities under our system, of which they are not slow to avail themselves, the hopefulness and lack of austerity in our religion, and the interest they are led to exhibit in great affairs, are so marked in their demeanor and physiognomy as to render them very different beings. As we estimate beauty, you have only a women here and there who compares with them. Among your mass of women, the facial expression of their long subjection, and its attendant conditions are strikingly observable to us. Features, no matter how perfectly lined, without the light of cultivation and knowledge, and which are destined to become, in conjugal association, clouded with the cares of an overwrought maternity, and dejected by a threatening and superstitious religion, would have no charms to any member of our society. With us, their faces reflect the consciousness of absolute equality, and are illuminated with daily religious duties, which consist, in accordance with our belief, in making the ways of life pleasant, and its paths peaceful, and in assisting in all things toward the improvement of ourselves and society, in the process of which it is our religion to assist, and in the performance of which, they work with us as equals to attain. CHAPTER XIII.