THE WOMEN'S VICTORY—AND AFTER "When there is a fervent aspiration after better things, springing from a strong feeling of human brotherhood and a firm belief in the goodness and righteousness of God, such aspiration carries with it an invincible confidence that somehow, somewhere, somewhen, it must receive its complete fulfilment; for it is prompted by the Spirit which fills and orders the Universe throughout its whole development." J. B. MAYOR: _Virgil's Messianic Eclogue_. [Illustration: "AT LAST!" (Reproduced by special permission of the Proprietors of _Punch_.) _Punch_, January 23, 1918.] [_Frontispiece._ ] The Women's Victory—and After: Personal Reminiscences, 1911-1918 By Millicent Garrett Fawcett, LL.D., once President, N.U.W.S.S. London: Sidgwick & Jackson, Ltd. _First published in 1920_ DEDICATORY PREFACE TO THOSE WHO MADE THE DREAM COME TRUE I wish to dedicate this little book to the thousands of faithful friends and gallant comrades whose brave unwearied work, steadfastly maintained through many years, made Women's Suffrage in Great Britain no longer a dream but a reality. Many of them have passed away, but their work, its results, and our gratitude remain. Whether in the flesh or out of the flesh, I have been accustomed to think of them as the Goodly Fellowship of the Prophets; for they foresaw what was coming, proclaimed it, and devoted themselves in making it come in the right way. All my gratitude goes out to them, especially to— E.G.A. : C.C.O. : E.F.R. : I.O.F. : A.G. : R.G. : E.P. : E.A. : R.S. : E.G. : H.A. : S.G. : I.H.W. : E.I. Through the kindness of the Proprietors of _Punch_, I am allowed to use as illustrations some of their excellent pictures demonstrating the growth of the suffrage movement. For this permission, and also for their valued support and sympathy, continued over many years, my heartfelt thanks are hereby tendered. MILLICENT GARRETT FAWCETT. London, _January, 1920_. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. THE TWO DEPUTATIONS 1 II. THE DEFEAT OF THE CONCILIATION BILL 20 III. THE ELECTION FIGHTING FUND 30 IV. THE FIASCO OF THE GOVERNMENT REFORM BILL 39 V. THE PILGRIMAGE AND THE DERBY DAY, 1913 54 VI. THE TURN OF THE TIDE 68 VII. THE WORLD WAR AND WOMEN'S WAR WORK 86 VIII. WOMEN'S WAR WORK AS IT AFFECTED PUBLIC OPINION 106 IX. THE LAST PHASE 121 X. THE DIFFERENCE THE VOTE HAS MADE 156 APPENDIX 169 INDEX 173 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (_Reproduced by special permission of the Proprietors of "Punch."_) TO FACE PAGE "AT LAST" _frontispiece_ THE CATCH OF THE SEASON 16 A PLEASURE DEFERRED 52 PRO PATRIA 113 THE MAN OF THE WORLD 117 THE WOMEN'S VICTORY—AND AFTER CHAPTER I THE TWO DEPUTATIONS "I have a passionate love for common justice and common sense."—SYDNEY SMITH.