I am assured too, by a friend of my own, that the 'mamas of England' in a body refuse to let their daughters read it.

Still, the daughters emancipate themselves and _do_, that is certain; for the number of _young_ women, not merely 'the strong-minded' as a sect, but pretty, affluent, happy women, surrounded by all the temptations of English respectability, that cover it with the most extravagant praises is surprising to me, who was not prepared for that particular kind of welcome.

It's true that there's a quantity of hate to balance the love, only I think it chiefly seems to come from the less advanced part of society.

(See how modest that sounds! But you will know what I mean.) I mean, from persons whose opinions are not in a state of growth, and who do not like to be disturbed from a settled position.

Oh, that there are faults in the book, no human being knows so well as I; defects, weaknesses, great gaps of intelligence.