Why fret? the hawks I trained are flown: I could not keep their wings half-grown, With lattice opened wide I stand Ah, oh! if one with sullied plume Should droop in mid career, My love makes signals:-"There is room, Oh, bleeding wanderer, here." XXXI.-OPEN COUNCIL. (As these pages are intended for general discussion, the Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed.) MADAM, To the Editor of the English Woman's Journal. FOLKESTONE, October. On Wednesday evening, the 19th of September, Mrs. B. Inglis was advertised to give a lecture at the Working Men's Educational Union in this town, and her subject being "The Influence of Women on Society," I made a point of attending it. A short notice of her lecture may perhaps interest some of the readers of your Journal. I fully expected to hear some more or less familiar "preparation " of Mr. Buckle's celebrated lecture on the same subject; and was therefore most agreeably disappointed to find, that unlike that gentleman, Mrs. Inglis did not carefully avoid any allusion to women, concentrating her whole attention on their sons; and I was equally pleased to hear nothing whatever of the "inductive" and "deductive" theory, of which most of us are heartily tired, and which my first glance at the audience convinced me would have been decidedly too abstruse a view of the question to interest them. Not more than 100 persons, and with very few exceptions entirely of the working classes, had assembled when at eight o'clock Mrs. Inglis appeared on the platform, and for an hour and a half continued to rivet their attention by her impressive and ladylike manner, her clear and earnest reasoning, and her numerous lively illustrations and anecdotes. She began by a very forcible explanation of what influence consists in, its power, its subtlety, and its universality, that willingly or unwillingly we must all exercise it, and all that rests with us is, whether we should use it for good or for evil. She touched upon the various influences that surround life-the influence of rank, wealth, education, ignorance, and position. And here she deprecated the common use of this word, which limits it to certain prominent stations: whereas we are all placed where we are by Providence, and therefore have a position and its consequent influence. She referred to the action of matter on matter, which science assures us is so complex and unending, and bade us not the less acknowledge the equally sure and important action of soul on soul, mind on mind, and heart on heart; the power and duration of which we may not presume to limit. She then took up the special subject of the evening, the "Influence of Women,"-beginning by a very admir able description of what are a woman's peculiar characteristics and powers, and how important it is for herself and for humanity that her great influence should be rightly directed. Mrs. Inglis took some instances from history of the baneful power exercised by women, such as Catherine de Medici and others, contrasting it with the wise and beneficent influence of Isabella of Castile, who, without in any way departing from the most feminine virtues, had by courageously and consistently protecting the cause of truth and science, conferred incalculable benefits on her own and all future ages. After a passing tribute to the excellence of our own Sovereign, Mrs. Inglis went on to speak of the influence exercised by women as mothers, as wives, as mistresses, as servants, as teachers, as district visitors, as friends, &c., &c., illustrating her precepts by different anecdotes. Many useful hints were offered, many practical suggestions thrown out, and though obviously capable of enriching her lecture by allusions, quotations, and illustrations, which might have been a little beyond her audience, she wisely refrained from any mode of treating her subject except such as was likely to be clear, interesting, and useful to her hearers. By a humorous reference to the faults generally attributed to women, and by a very severe denunciation of the present style of dress, Mrs. Inglis occasioned a good deal of laughter. But whether grave or gay, lively or severe, her remarks were invariably characterized by good sense and good taste; and the few references she made to the highest of all precepts, and the truest, because the deepest, of all motives, were equally earnest, simple, and impressive. Altogether, the lecture was most creditable to the talent and sense of the lecturer; and the attention and intelligence with which her hearers listened and applauded, gave good promise of their reaping benefit from her valuable suggestions. I was sorry to see one more instance of the difficulty of reaching that special rank of the middle class whom it would be most desirable to impress. The working classes were, as usual, ready to listen; but, as far as one could judge by the appearance of the audience, the tradespeople of the place had not (save in a few instances) responded to the invitation to hear what the influence of women was, and ought to be. In conclusion, I can only heartily recommend any of your readers who have an opportunity of hearing Mrs. Inglis lecture, to avail themselves of it, and trusting that the subject may excuse my trespassing so largely on your space, I am, Madam, Your obedient servant, E. E. R. P.S.-Some of your readers may perhaps have had the pleasure of hearing Mrs. B. Inglis lecture upon the poetry of Mrs. Browning. I missed doing so myself, when the lecture was given at Willis's Rooms about a year and a half ago; but I was told, and can well believe, that it was not only characterized by a very true appreciation of her subject, and by refined and intelligent criticism, but that it was particularly remarkable as an exhibition of wonderful power of memory; poem after poem, quotation after quotation, being given, not only with great taste and an excellent delivery, but without any reference to the volumes themselves. MADAM, To the Editor of the English Woman's Journal. My attention has lately been called to the great difficulty in obtaining women equal to the real duties of "nurse" to children in private families. I find that mothers whose social position renders it impossible for them to devote their entire time to the care and management of their children, are obliged to delegate this "highest duty of woman" to half-educated servants; and this while hundreds of governesses are almost starving! Let these lay aside their (often only half acquired) accomplishments, and think a little while on the real education and management which a child requires; let them study the moral and physical wants of human nature in its infancy, and nobly aspire to supply these wants, and there will, I think, be no lack of employment for them. But a "lady governess" would say that this would lower her social position. Alas! in nine cases out of ten it would; yet surely amongst the higher and second classes of society (I say second because it seems to me there are four classes) there must be many intelligent mothers who would gladly join their voice to yours and endeavor to effect a change which would confer an inestimable benefit on themselves and their children, and provide employment for (next to needlewomen) the most suffering class of female workers. The capacity of "nurse" is generally looked upon as somewhat a menial office; but there is really nothing to be done which a lady need object to who aspires to become one day a mother herself. I think the position of "nurse,' viewed in its true light, ought to be an honorable one; its real duties well performed should entitle her, not only to the respect, but affection, of the mother; her position should be equal, if not superior, to the most accomplished governess. And let those whose education and social position do not entitle them to this high office, qualify themselves for "hospital nurses," or respectable upper servants. We entrust all else that we want done to those who can best perform the work, but the minds and hearts of our children are too often left to be trained and fashioned by ignorance. Let those young women whose knowledge and talents do not insure them anything more than a situation as nursery governess, try to qualify themselves for the higher and more complete position of nurse and governess. I would ask them to brave all prejudices for a time, and be satisfied with the good work they are doing, and the certainty that their influence will sooner or later be felt and appreciated. MADAM, I remain, Madam, yours truly, To the Editor of the English Woman's Journal. M. D. The observations made by Z., in a letter which appeared in the September number of your Journal, respecting the condition, care, and maintenance of insane women, open a wide field of most interesting inquiry. Much statistical information respecting the number, rank, age, and sex of the insane throughout the United Kingdom may be gathered from the Annual Report made by the Commissioners of Lunacy for England and Wales, for Scotland and for Ireland. In the return for England and Wales, dated January 1, 1859, we find that the insane under the supervision of the Commissioners amounted to 22,911, of these 12,084 were women, thus distributed: To these must be added lunatics residing with relatives or in private houses, as well as insane paupers, and idiots maintained in unions and workhouses, or living at their own homes, amounting (women alone) to at least 5000 more. The total number of the insane in Scotland on January 1, 1858, excluding private single patients, was 5,748; of these 3,030 were women, thus distributed: At the moment, I am unable to give the returns for Ireland. 3,030 With respect to France my information is but limited. The order of "Les Soeurs Hospitalières," a division I believe of that of "St. Vincent de Paul," devote their attention to the insane in general, while "Les Frères de St. Jean" do the same for their own sex. From “Les Annales d'Hygiène Publique" comprehensive summaries of the state of lunacy in France may be obtained; and by direction of the Bureau of General Statistics, official returns are annually made. That for 1853 is before me. We find that at that date there existed in France 111 lunatic establishments—of these sixtyfive were public, and forty-six private. Of the public Asylums twenty-six were ancient religious Houses, or Foundations, or Hospices, or Quartiers des Hospices, eleven being devoted to males, seventeen to females, the remaining eighty-three asylums to both sexes. On January 1, 1853, the total number of the insane, according to the official return, amounted to 23,795. But by the census of 1851 it was ascertained that above 24,000 individuals deprived of reason were living in private houses, which would give a total of above 45,000 insane, that is, I in every 796 inhabitants. The 23,795 recognised lunatics of both sexes were thus distributed:— In the Asylums of the State ... ... In the Quartiers des Hospices ... ... ... ... 10,839 Taking the average of 1000 admissions, 533 were males, 467 females; of 1000 cured or discharged, 535 were males, 465 females; and of 1000 deaths, 541 were males, 409 females. Consequently, from this we gather that in France men are somewhat more liable to insanity than women. age The mean for admission in this return is stated to be forty years; but from fifty to sixty, women appear to be more frequently attacked than men. In 1000 cases of either sex at the period named, the relative proportion would be 134 males to 167 females. The latter part of Z.'s letter is particularly suggestive at the present moment. The attention of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Lunatics, in 1859, was specially directed by Lord Shaftesbury to the urgent necessity of procuring a superior order of attendants on the insane. Were I not fearful of encroaching on your space I would copy the evidence verbatim. Suffice it to say, that it is supported by facts, and is as strong as words can make it. The present moment, when prejudice on so many vital yet controverted points is yielding to the dictates of common sense, appears to be particularly favorable to the development of some plan whereby this want, at least as regards female attendants, might be supplied. A portion of the Nightingale Fund is now devoted to the training of nurses to the sick in the wards of St. Thomas's Hospital. Could not a similar plan be pursued in respect to the insane, at Hanwell, or any other of our great public asylums? Say a training-school divided into two classes, for the educated and uneducated. The one to receive gentlewomen by birth, who desire to fit themselves by a thorough practical training to become superintendents of asylums; the other, to give to women in a humbler sphere the opportunity of duly qualifying themselves as attendants on the insane. To start a scheme like this, funds would be required; eventually, it might be made self-supporting. Knowing from what small beginnings important results are obtained, I almost venture to offer my mite in the shape of a small annual subscription, could such a plan be practically organized. Many difficulties will present themselves, and unless this proposed Training School is based upon sound principles, and with the co-operation of some of our well-known philanthropists, both medical and individual, I do not see how any practical benefit would accrue either to the one or the other: to the insane, or to women whose personal inclination might lead them to find their sphere of usefulness and remuneration in devoting their energies to the conscientious care of this class of their afflicted fellow-creatures. I remain, Madam, Yours truly, MADAM, To the Editor of the English Woman's Journal. Y. B. C. 66 It was observed to me a short time ago by a friend, recently returned from the Continent, that there was a lucrative employment open to women of which it was a pity they did not avail themselves, viz., that of courier.. Why should not a woman who is used to travelling and understands about passports, custom-houses, and foreign railroads, advertise herself as companion and courier," or "courier and lady's maid," according to her position in life? I have at this moment an advertisement before me in which a widow lady who is used to travelling seeks a situation as companion to a lady, and states that she should prefer to go abroad; now how much more likely she would be to obtain her wish and to secure a high salary if she were to advertise as proposed above. Many unprotected, timid ladies are extremely afraid of their own couriers, and believe, whether justly or not, that they cheat them, and would gladly dispense with their services, if they were not still more afraid of being left, helpless and ignorant, to the mercy of innkeepers and railroad officials, and these would probably eagerly accept an offer from a “companion and courier" whose position as a lady would insure honesty, or from a "courier and lady's maid," whom, from being of her own sex, she would feel equal to control. Besides these timid ladies, there are many others who cannot afford to take a courier, but who would be very glad of a maid who understood foreign money, could read the foreign Bradshaw, make herself intelligible in two or three languages, and so relieve her mistress of the disagreeable business connected with travelling. Such a maid might ask very high wages, and yet be much cheaper than a courier. Yours faithfully, To the Editor of the English Woman's Journal. J. B. MADAM, Whilst on a visit lately, I heard it asserted that your Journal was not true to its name, because some of your articles were written by gentlemen. Am I not right in having delivered my firm belief that from the first your desire has been strongly expressed that all men who heartily wish for the good and happiness of women in our social and domestic arrangements, should lend us their aid in every possible way, whether that may be by their pens or by their co-operation in the numerous philanthropic modes of action your Journal is constantly keeping before the public? I have ever held this to be amongst the foremost and most valuable of your principles, but if I am mistaken, please inform me. * Yours, Madam, Very truly, October 22, 1860. M. * Our correspondent is perfectly correct. We have from the first invited the co-operation both of men and women, the work we have in hand affecting alike the highest interests of both sexes. We gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity of acknowledging the very valuable assistance and encouragement we have received from gentlemen as well as ladies.—EDs. E. W. J. |