f our social system. I have no hesitancy in
gratifying your wish to comprehend it. The best way to do it is to let
history lead up to it, if you have the patience to listen."

I assured her that I was anxious to hear all she chose to tell. She then
resumed:

"The prosperity of the country rapidly increased under the rule of the
female Presidents. The majority of them were in favor of a high state of
morality, and they enforced it by law and practice. The arts and
sciences were liberally encouraged and made rapid advancement. Colleges
and schools flourished vigorously, and every branch of education was now
open to women.

"During the Republic of men, the government had founded and sustained a
military and naval academy, where a limited number of the youth of the
country were educated at government expense. The female government
re-organized the institutions, substituting the youth of their own sex.
They also founded an academy of science, which was supplied with every
facility for investigation and progress. None but those having a marked
predilection for scientific research could obtain admission, and then it
was accorded to demonstrated ability only. This drew to the college the
best female talent in the country. The number of applicants was not
limited.

"Science had hitherto been, save by a _very_ few, an untrodden field to
women, but the encouragement and rare facilities offered soon revealed
latent talent that developed rapidly. Scarcely half a century had
elapsed before the pupils of the college had effected by their
discoveries some remarkable changes in living, especially in the
prevention and cure of diseases.

"However prosperous they might become, they could not dwell in political
security with a portion of the citizens disfranchised. The men were
resolved to secure their former power. Intrigues and plots against the
government were constantly in force among them. In order to avert
another civil war, it was finally decided to amend the constitution, and
give them an equal share in the ballot. They had no sooner obtained that
than the old practices of the former Republic were resorted to to secure
their supremacy in government affairs. The women looked forward to their
former subjugation as only a matter of time, and bitterly regretted
their inability to prevent it. But at the crisis, a prominent scientist
proposed to let the race die out. Science had revealed the Secret of
Life."

She ceased speaking,