Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Gender, Politics, Government, Human Development, Evolution, Darwinism

    Responding to the recent parliamentary debate on John Bright's bill to remove the 'Electoral Disabilities of Women', this poem describes the thoughts of a 'strong-minded Fair-One' who sat in the gallery of the House of Commons. She remarks that although women must sit 'like caged birds' in the 'ladies' pen [...] Our fate is fore-cast, by Darwinian selection— / To the floor of the Commons to rise from the pen! / When once we are "Ladies" confessed "of Election"— / Pretty "Lords of Creation" you'll be, you poor men!'.