It is not surprising then that an educated, self-reliant, public-spirited woman who had just reached thirty should chafe against the narrow limits of a school-room and rebel at giving her time and strength to the teaching of children, when all her mind and heart were drawn toward the great issues then filling the press and the platform and even finding their way into the pulpit.

Miss Anthony's whole soul soon became absorbed in the thought, "What service can I render humanity; what can I do to help right the wrongs of society ?" At this time the one and only field of public work into which women had dared venture, except in a few isolated cases, was that of temperance.

Miss Anthony had brought her credentials from the Daughters' Union at Canajoharie and presented them at once to the society in Rochester; they were gladly accepted and she soon became a leader.

In these days John B.
Gough was delivering his magnificent lectures throughout the country, and Philip S.White, of South Carolina, was winning fame as a temperance orator.
The year 1850 was for her one of transition.

A new world opened out before her.