June 20

“There is no sadder or uglier sight in this world than to see the women of a land grasping the ignoble honour, and rejecting the noble; leading the men, whom they should guide into high thought and active sacrifice, into petty slander of gossip, in conversation; and into discussion of dangerous and unhealthy feeling; becoming what men in their frivolous moments wish them to be, instead of making men what men should be; abdicating their true throne over the heart, to grasp at the kingdom over fashion, ceasing to protest against impurity and unbelief, and giving them an underhand encouragement; turning away from their mission to bless, to exhort, to console, that they may struggle through a thousand meannesses into a higher position.”

STOPFORD BROOKE

“Ah, wasteful woman, she who may
On her sweet self set her own price,
Knowing he cannot choose but pay,
How has she cheapened Paradise;
How given for nought her priceless gift,
How spoil’d the bread and spill’d the wine,
Which, spent with due respective thrift,
Had made brutes men, and men divine!”

COVENTRY PATMORE