Unbridling the Tongues of Women - The University of Adelaide

Introduction to the new edition
become powerful speakers later in the same period: Mary Lee and Elizabeth Webb
Nicholls in South Australia; Louisa Lawson and Rose Scott in New South Wales;
Vida Goldstein not only in Victoria but also in both Britain and the United States.
And those examples could be multiplied. She was one of a considerable number,
speaking out of turn, breaking the rules – unbridling the tongues of women.
She was also a very considerable intellect, an international talent, and – more
than has gained acknowledgement before – she had great charm. ‘Yesterday’, wrote
Audrey Tennyson in 1901, we had ‘the famous old Miss Catherine Spence’ to visit.
Lady Tennyson, wife of Hallam – the second Baron Tennyson who was, at the time
Governor of South Australia – and daughter-in-law of England’s famed poet Alfred
Tennyson, found her guest enchanting.
She is a most clever bright kindly sympathetic old lady, well read, full of
fun, very tiny, with a look of the dear Queen & much her height, aged
75, but brisk & energetic as ever. … She & Hallam made great friends.
She rushed at him when he came into the room, clasped his hand in both
of hers & said, ‘To think that I should ever clasp the hand of your Father’s
son – I am right glad to do it’.
Susan Magarey
Kent Town
October 2009.
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