CHAPTER VIII.
FIRST COUNTY CANVASS----THE WATER CURE.
1855.
Miss Anthony left home on Christmas Day, 1854, and held her first meeting at Mayville, Chautauqua Co., the afternoon and evening of the 26th.

On her expense account is the item: "56 cents for four pounds of candles to light the courthouse." The weather was cold and damp and the audiences small, although people were present from eight towns, attracted by curiosity to hear a woman.

At the evening session a "York shilling" admittance fee was charged.

At Sherman, the next evening, there was a large audience and the diary says: "I never saw more enthusiasm on the subject; even the orthodox churches vied with each other as to which should open its doors." The plan adopted was to hold these meetings every other day, allowing for the journey from place to place; but whenever distances would permit, one was held on the intervening day.

Occasionally Miss Anthony had the assistance of another speaker, but more than half the meetings were conducted with the little local help she could secure.