ual part in that career with one who is
exempt from the offices that absorb the half of my full lifetime, and
require the best powers of every sort that I possess?

Surely, here, with this body and this constitution rivalling that body
and that constitution, I am doomed to an inferiority more slavish and
scarcely less painful than that I have left behind. For identity of
career, identity of powers. Nature does nothing inductively; does not
fit the parts of her scheme to each other experimentally; works at the
centre, in the sublime repose of certainty, and lets facts, experiences,
possibilities at the circumference take care of themselves. She has made
man to dominate this kingdom which he calls his, else should I have had
my share in it from the first. Wherein she has differed me from him, she
has also differed my real kingdom from his. To stop him, I require as
much and no more than man possesses. What is over in kind would place me
in false relations with the objective; what is more in degree would
imperil my subjective peace--what is less would try me by the measure
another is made for, and leave me in the shadow projected by him. Nor
would the standards which prevail here harmonize with my spiritual more
happily than the activities with my corporeal nature. Could I work for
outward success only, or chiefly, subordinating aspiration to what
stifles aspiration? Would riches satisfy me? Would actual power over
men, ecclesiastical, civil, or social? Could I live for ambition, and
sit down unapproved of my better life to enjoy its achievements? Would
the acquisition of knowledge and its employment as a means of worldly
power, distinction, and advantage satisfy the inner hunger which longs
for the truth, the light, the harmony of highest heavens? In short,
would so much of the flesh as I could gratify, so much of the world as I
could conquer, so much devil's service as I could cover up with any
patched robe of decency, drawn tight, stretched to its utmost reach,
satisfy me? Truly not. Not here then is Beulah, and I must journey on.

Again, whither? This time whither my own nature leads. I have learned
this by experience, that leadership for me lies not without, but within
myself. So much is gained, and now once more for movement. Gather up the
effects--all that we have brought with us out of the past: it will find
use. For woman has been woman so far as she has been anything, and the
aromas of that high estate have hung