The truest friends of humanity, who have done more for the universal elevation of woman in the past dozen years, than all others combined. You, who have lived the precepts and principles that others have only talked--who have been so consistent in your ideas of the equality of the sexes, by dressing in a manner to fit you for the duties of a noble and useful life. You, who have written and spoken, and been living martyrs to the all-important principles involved in a thoroughly hygienic dress, and thus given to the world an indisputable proof of your unflinching integrity. To You, in a word, who are the greatest philanthropists of the age, this second Dedication is made.

Of whatever School or Pathy, and all women who are laboring for the public good in any capacity.

Which embraces women with their thousand unwritten trials and sorrows, that God has not given to men the power to comprehend, I dedicate this work, in hope that it will contribute to right your wrongs, lighten your burdens and increase your self-respect and self-reliance, and place in your hands that power which shall emancipate you from the bondage of all that is oppressive.
 

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In presenting my book to the public, I have only to say, that a combination of motives, some of which have been the incentives in most other persons, have induced me to wield the thought-sender.

Were I to delay its publication until I had "fashioned it to the taste of the critics," thousands of women would suffer agonies in the waiting, that will gladly accept it in its imperfect condition, and rejoice that there are hearts that think of them in the silent hours when none but the great Sympathizer listens to the earnest prayer for strength. I make no pretensions that I have said everything that may be said upon the interesting subject of Marriage, of that what I have said, is entirely new,

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or purely original; I have used my own language, and express my ideas in my own way, without attempting to exhaust the subject, which has claimed the attention of every human being to some extent, in some period of their life, if that life has been matured.

If the reader is induced to think calmly and reason profoundly on this important subject, I shall feel that much has been accomplished in the social world. I launch my frail barque into the stormy and fathomless sea of critics, prepared for whatever is to be. I shall be as pleased with the appreciation of a generous public as most persons. In cases where I shall be treated severely, I shall be consoled with the thought, that the critics are earning their bread, and that they are more capable of displaying their talents in "unkind cuts," than in culling what little of merit it may possess.

As to myself , the "good time coming" has not yet arrived, when an individual can speak of the little personal pronoun I, without being gravely charged with the criminal offence of egotism, notwithstanding the fact, that one is better acquainted with said pronoun than others can be, however extensive the acquaintance may have been. But next to self, is the Phrenologist.

The following was given by S.R. Wells, of the Phrenological Journal, 389 Broadway, N.Y.

You should be known especially for your great activity, energy and executiveness; also for faith, hope, and trust, in Providence; next, for your firmness, decision and self reliance; next, for your powers of observation and reflection.

You are both a good looker and a good thinker. You remember all that you see, distinctly, as well as your thoughts and experiences. Names, dates and minor details, may escape you, but facts, principles and important details, never.

You should also be known for your kindness, sympathy, and willingness to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others; also for your constructiveness, planning power, and even for your inventive genius. You are full of resources; failing in one thing, you readily try another and another, till you ensure success.

You should also be known for your ability to 10 endure privations. You could get along without food or sleep longer than most persons, and hold up under hardships; indeed, you are adapted to emergencies, and would excel in any hospital or prison services. Educated for it, you would be able even to perform surgical operations without flinching or fainting.

You may appreciate property and know its worth, but you want it simply to use , and not to hoard . You could not be wasteful, though you may sometimes be generous to a fault, but you are probably known for economy, for mechanical ingenuity, for prophetic forecast, for intellect, stability, force of character and propelling power.

It would be natural for you to desire all the rights and privileges, at least all the opportunities enjoyed by the other sex, that you could go the world over, acquiring knowledge and applying it in all directions.

You have much of the missionary spirit; the desire to do good, and confer favors on all you meet and you should be no less known for integrity, and true sense of justice, and a desire to do right under all circumstances.

11 You are naturally religiously disposed, though your views would be broad and liberal , not narrow or sectarian , nor are you superstitious or bigoted. You would worship God under all circumstances , and express gratitude for all things. If disappointed, you regard it simply as a blessing in disguise, and make the least of your trials, instead of the most of them.

In temper, you hold no malice, encourage no vindictive feeling, but you rather forget and forgive an injury, than punish the offender; still you would be a stickler for justice , and would insist on right and justice being done in all cases.

Socially, you are warm-hearted and loving , and though you deny yourself the pleasures of the social circle, you are always happiest when surrounded by those you love. If suitable mated, you would be happy as a wife. If a mother , you would be very kind and indulgent to children. As a friend , you would be always true, standing by those who are worthy, even in the most trying circumstances, and would almost sacrifice yourself on the altar of your friendships.

The love for home , is the same, though you can 12 make yourself almost at home everywhere. The love for home and for friends may be called as strong as that for kindred. Because one was born in the same family, or bears the same name, it does not make him nearer to you than others.

Although cautious, watchful, guarded and mindful of danger, you are free from timidity, and have not that shrinking, hesitating feeling, that declines responsibility, but on the contrary, where duty calls , there you go without regard to consequences; but you would not be reckless, heedless, nor even careless , but would be prudent , as a general thing; and though you would drive as fast horse, you would hold a stiff line, and steer your course with both judgment and cautiousness.

You have great tenacity of life, and would hold on when others would let go . Your recuperative powers are the same; a little rest , simple food and repose, puts you all right again, after great exposure. The appetite is good, and you enjoy the luxuries of the table, but you eat to live, rather than live to eat.

You are naturally extremely sensitive to blame or praise, nor would you be likely to do anything which would let you down, either in your own estimation, 13 or in the estimation of others: still you hold yourself accountable to Heaven rather than to persons , and when you think yourself in the right , you pursue a straightforward course, without regard to what may be thought or said of you.

You have the happy faculty of conforming or adapting yourself to all persons, even to the taking on of the ways and manners of others. You can imitate, do what you see done.

You are also joyous, hopeful, mirthful, playful, and very fond of fun; will not only enjoy a joke, but create it, and would be quick at repartee . You are almost hilarious in your nature.

You can measure well by the eye, and judge of sizes, forms, proportions and distances; can keep the centre of gravity in riding, climbing, or marching; would be a correct accountant if accustomed to figures; would be systematic and methodical.

You are fond of music; will enjoy it highly, though you may not compose it. You would be ready as a writer or a speaker, and if trained to it, would excel in composition or in conversation.

You can reason well; comprehend persons , as well as facts and details; can criticise, compare, elucidate 14, and make your knowledge available on all occasions; but if you excel in one thing more than in another, it is in your ability to discern the motives of strangers, even at the first interview. You can read them as others read books, and know even at a glance whom to trust and whom not to trust.

This power is intuitive, and introduces you at once to the innermost thoughts and feelings of those whom you meet. It is a sort of psychological impression, and when you heed it, it will guide you correctly.

If you marry , select for a companion one who is healthy, intelligent and religiously disposed; one with whom you may be an equal, for you never will consent to play second, nor be held in subjection, but you must have equal rights and privileges in all things. You cannot bear restraint, nor are you inclined to dictate. You simply wish to be free, and to place your accountability between yourself and your Maker, rather than to man.

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LOVE AND MARRIAGE, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

DRESS REFORM, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

TOBACCO ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

TEMPERANCE, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

WOMAN'S FRANCHISE,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

DIVORCE,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

LABOR,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

RELIGION,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168