Charlotte Bronte to Elizabeth Gaskell, 20 September 1851:
'Of all the articles respecting which you question me I have seen none, except that notable one
in the "Westminster" on the Emancipation of Women [...] Well argued it is — clear, logical —
but [...] I think the writer forgets there is such a thing as self-sacrificing love and
disinterested devotion. When I first read the paper, I thought it was the work of a powerful,
clear-headed woman [...] a woman who longed for power, and had never felt affection [...] I
believe J. S. Mill would make a hard dry, dismal world of it; and yet he speaks admirable
sense through a great portion of his article, especially when he says that if there be a natural
unfitness in women for men's employment there is no need to make laws on the subject;
leave all careers open, let them try; those who ought to succeed will succeed [...] In short, J.
S. Mill's head is, I dare say, very good, but I feel disposed to scorn his heart. You are right
when you say that there is a large margin in human nature over which the logicians have no
dominion; glad am I that it is so.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Brontë Print: Serial / periodical
