She is very disgusted at the exclusion of women from the pilgrimage to holy places. The American Catholics will not set a good example; probably for fear that the ladies will need care and attention, which they do not want. If a few ladies of known piety would wish to go she thinks it would be best to form a pilgrimage for themselves. McMaster is not to publish this letter but he may say that a lady has offered to be one of a party to sail early in May. She has been to Europe five times "unprotected" and can do it again. Perhaps McMasters may find some whose piety will give them courage. During her twenty years of Catholic life she has been called upon constantly by the male clerical, religious, or laymen to aid in all kinds of laborious and self-denying work, but has never been assisted in it. She considers the decision of the Committee as very offensive and ill-timed. They may yet reconsider, but she would rather make up a female pilgrimage. She does not object to making the committee acquainted with her views, but since she does not know any of them personally she must come to McMaster. She hopes the female pilgrimage may be made without a lot of noisy opposition or ill feeling. P.S.—The English pilgrimage to the Holy Land is much more laborious than the one to Rome, yet she sees nothing about excluding women from the former. She shall probably make her pilgrimage in any event—alone, if necessary. :: I-2-a A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.