3-071-151 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

First at the Top, 1881. 'This enterprising, fearless, rather too ambitious young lady, who has out-run her friends of the summer picnic party among the cliffs and rocks of a tremendous sea coast, had better take care. If she were a young man or boy, we should call her something more than fool-hardy - or, perhaps, even something less, deducting the last two syllables, "hardy," and giving her the benefit of what was left of the word. Being a lady, she will be entitled, by courtesy, to more gentle language; but we shall not flatter her reckless vanity with any expression of admiration. The fact is, that we are not so young and active as we once were; and our brain and nerves, as well as our limbs and lungs, would fail to command success in the feat which this silly girl has so gratuitously performed. We take refuge, therefore, in an affectation of masculine dignity, and decline to commend such an unfeminine exhibition of physical courage'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.