POLITICS AND PETTICOATS.
“My dear Mr.Punch,
“Cato Cottage, Clapham.
“You so very often ridicule us poor weak women, and more especially the stronger-minded of the sex, that I declare I’m half afraid of writing to you seriously, for fear you’ll print my letter for the sake of making fun of me, and set some of your young men to cut it up and sneer at it, although of course you know that it’s written to you privately, and never was intended for a printed composition. However, I must write, whatever mean advantage you may take of my so doing. I can’t let that dear duck and darling of an Empress be laughed at by you men for her Crinoline absurdities, as you are pleased to term them, without calling your attention to a most convincing proof that she devotes herself to far more serious pursuits, and is a great stateswoman as well as a good dresser. If you doubt me, read this passage from the Illustrated News, where it recently appeared with the account of a new bonnet, and other highly interesting and most important French intelligence:-
“The Empress Eugenie has assisted for the last few days at the Council of Ministers presided over by the Emperor.”
“There now, Mr. Punch, what say you to that, Sir! Only think that sweet Eugenie assisting at a Council, not of milliners and bonnet-makers, but of veritable councillors and ministers of state. ‘Assisting,’ you observe, Sir! It was not merely her presence, but assistance that they wanted. Although the Emperor presided, these great statesmen could not possibly get on without the Empress. Sages as they were, they found themselves in need of her superior sagacity. Even her husband, you perceive, Sir, ranked in their eyes of less consequence. He simply was their president, and for form’s sake I dare say, took the first seat at their table. But by rights, I think that Eugenie ought clearly to have sat there, for it is plainly stated that she was of assistance to them, whereas nothing of the kind is even hinted of the Emperor, and for all that one is told, I believe they would have got on just as well without him.
“At any rate, I trust, Sir, that with this convincing proof of how that dear delightful duck of an Empress spends her time, you will in future give her credit for doing something more than trying on new dresses, and deciding what dimensions shall be considered fashionable. Now that you have heard of her ‘assisting‘ at State Councils, you will call her something more than Empress of the Fashions, and believe that she has something else to occupy her mind than decreeing what costumes are to be worn at Court, and whether the new suits which visitors must bring with them are to be one dozen or six dozen per diem.
“I would not encroach, Sir, on your valuable space, but I cannot help just saying, that it would in my opinion be a good thing for the country, if our Ministers would take example by the French, and summon in a woman to assist them in the Council-Chamber. Her Majesty I know is occasionally present, and when they’ve made a bungle (which of course they’re always doing), she most graciously and kindly lends her aid to help them out of it. But I consider it would be of great advantage to the Government of the better halves of Ministers were regularly present, and assisted at all sittings of their lesser moieties. You men fancy that we women have minds only fit to think about composing a new dress, or ordering a dinner; but if you only knew us better, you would find we’ve souls far, far above mere Crinoline and cookery, and could come out as extensively in politics as peticoats.
“At least so thinks one whose name until, to aid him in his councils, some stupid husband changes it, is
“Xantippe Rose Sophia Sophonisba Smith.”
“P.S. That darling, Mr. Roebuck, I remember, once confessed that he felt perfectly convinced that if Woman had her rights she ought to have a Vote. If I were either of the Ladies Palmerston or Punch, I would not let my husband rest till he had promised he would get a law made that should give her one.
“P.P.S. Do you know – I ask in confidence; is Mr. Roebuck married? If not, will you tell me; has he got red hair? and would you call his nose a classically chiselled one?
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