being silent for the reason mentioned, and
also probably for the further reason that they are still suitors
for the favors of the gentler sex) that if there is any inequality
or oppression in the case, the gentlemen are the sufferers. They,
however, have presented no petitions for redress, having doubtless
made up their minds to yield to an inevitable destiny.

On the whole, the committee have concluded to recommend no measure,
except that they have observed several instances in which husband
and wife have both signed the same petition. In such case, they
would recommend the parties to apply for a law authorizing them to
change dresses, so that the husband may wear petticoats, and the
wife breeches, and thus indicate to their neighbors and the public
the true relation in which they stand to each other.

The Albany Register said "this report was received with roars of
laughter." Judge Hay, Lydia Mott and a number of Miss Anthony's friends
wrote her not to be discouraged at this insult, but it may be imagined
that she took up the work again with a heart filled with resentment and
indignation. She had many peculiar experiences during her travels and
had to listen to many a chapter of family history which was far from
harmonious. On one occasion a friend was pouring into her ears an
account of the utter uncongeniality between herself and husband,
largely because he was wholly unappreciative of her higher thoughts and
feelings. As an example she related that when they visited Niagara
Falls and her soul was soaring into the seventh heaven of glory,
majesty and sublimity, he exclaimed, "What a magnificent water power
this would be, if utilized;" and that he did it on purpose to shock her
sensibilities. Miss Anthony finally said: "Now, my dear, the trouble is
you fail to recognize that your husband is so constituted that he sees
the practical while you feel only the sentimental. He does not jar your
feelings any more by his matter-of-fact comments than you jar his by
flying off into the realms of poetry on every slight provocation." She
then recalled a number of similar instances which the wife had detailed
as illustrating the husband's cruelty, impressing upon her that they
were born with different temperaments and neither had any right to
condemn the other. At the end of this conversation, the woman, weeping,
put her arms around Miss Anthony and said: "You have taught me to
un