diments of nursing. She liked the
work better than sewing, and upon her release she persuaded several
doctors to recommend her as a practical nurse. Wishing to qualify
herself, she accepted the aid of devoted friends in order to study
nursing in the Vienna Allgemeines Krankenhaus, a hospital of very high
repute. While in Europe she lectured in England and Scotland and met the
leading anarchists in London and on the Continent. She also made
first-hand acquaintance with the contemporary social theater, on which
she was later to lecture and write with penetrating insight. In the
summer of 1896 she returned to this country, qualified as a nurse and
midwife.

* * * * *

Once back in New York, she immediately resumed her anarchist activity.
Her first concern was to promote an appeal for Berkman's pardon, and
keen was her sorrow and resentment when it was refused. More than ever
eager to further their common ideal, and greatly moved by the sporadic
attacks upon the more aggressive workers, she undertook her first
continental lecture tour.

Everywhere workers were slain, everywhere the same butchery!...
The masses were millions, yet how weak! To awaken them from
their stupor, to make them conscious of their power--that is
the great need! Soon, I told myself, I should be able to reach
them throughout America. With a tongue of fire I would rouse
them to a realization of their dependence and indignity!
Glowingly I visioned my first great tour and the opportunities
it would offer me to plead our Cause.

Her opportunities fell far short of her expectations, but her words of
fire ignited the hearts of many who came to scoff.

For the next twenty years she devoted most of her time to lecturing. She
spoke wherever there were comrades enough to organize a meeting; and in
scores of cities, from Maine to Oregon, there were libertarians ready to
suffer great inconvenience for their cause. At first most of her talks
were given in Yiddish and German; later, as she attracted more
Americanized audiences, she spoke mainly in English. Her topics ranged
widely in content. She expounded the doctrine of anarchism whenever
possible, but her lectures dealt mainly with current social problems and
the modern European drama. Shortly before World War I she discussed
birth control with a frankness that sent her to jail for a fortnight.
She usually keyed her talks to the intellige