MODERN WOMEN.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 759, 7 March 1910, Page 3

MODERN WOMEN.

WHAT THEY ABE ACHIEVING IN THE PROFESSIONS. , Future social historians of. tho twentieth century will cite as one of its most remarkable features the rapid growth during the first' decade or two of feminine activity in every sphere of life. Living, in the midst or. the silent revolution we hardly realise - how, day by day, the frontiers of the realm of women are being extended, new territories annexed, and new citadels captured. They arc numbered among accountants, architects, chemists, dentists, and estate agents. There are, however, at present few women architects, although all the examinations, in England aro open to them; The same applies to dentistry.

\ WOMEN IN BUSINESS. There are a considerable number of women employed as commercial travellers ..in Britain. As'many as. 155 were reported recently to be "engaged in this At least one woman in London holds the difficult position of secretary to -a-.big company, alul there is'also one woman inspector of insurance 'agents.* ■ Although in Russia we find, many women acting as engineers, it is rareiy the case in the United Kingdom. The present volume ("An Englishman's 'lear Book") mentions only pne--lliss Alidl Perry, Bachelor of Engineering, who has been appointed surveyor of County Galway. (July the profession of the law seems to have impregnable against the efforts of women. In France and Egypt, women advocates are allowed to plead before the Bar.. In England the victory is still to be .won. Many 'pages are given over to the work of women as scientists, both at hpme and abroad, and it is interesting to note that so many Englishwomen figure honourably in the list. For instance, there is Lady Huggius, the only living woman to bo. elected Honorary Member* of the ■ Royal. Astronomical Society';' 'an'd Mr'S!' 'Ayton, ' decorated ior her researches on the electric arc.

IN THE DOMAIN-OF. SPORT. Literature, art, and. music have, .of course, been the field of feminine energies for many a year. It is interesting to note, however, that over 30 women poets published books' oi' verse within the last.year. ' : . . In the domain of sport there is hardly a section without its feminine followers. Football seems to be the only pastime that can legitimately, be called masculine nowadays. Every , year more women participate in the pleasures of outdoor exercise. There are three women masters of foxhounds, and ten of packs for hare hunting.

It is a sign of the times that the latest sport—aviation—finds a place in these pages.. There are women aviators as well as men. The list includes Miss Katlierine- Wright (sister of Mr. Wilbur WriGlit), Mrs. Capper, Mrs. Cody, Mrs' Hart. 0. Berg, and Miss Gertrude Bacon, .ill.these ladies,have made ascents. Thev were passengers, however, and the honour oi. being the'first woman aviator belongs to the Baronne de la Roche, whoso flight in irnnco in October may be recollected. A few years ago there were only one or two ladies' social clubs in London • now there are over two dozen, into which Jadies are admitted as members. it is interesting to compare the Bbcial advantages of Englishwomen with those ot women m foreign countries as recorded in this book. Summarised, the outstanding points in the position of women abroad are: France.-Wouien are allowed to practice as barrister, but the. judicial bench is not yet opened to them. Married women ■may not accept employment- or appear in a court of justice without .their husband s consent. Germany.-One-fourth of the female population is salt-supporting; wives have joint- control. with husbands .over childItaly.—A married-woman cannot sign or draw a cheque on her own account even for her own- money; and her evi'dence_ alone is not accepted in a court Norway.—Women sit on juries. bpain.-i'lie position of women ■ is inferior' to that of the sex in any other European country. Their only; civil "hu is the vote at elections of village mayors and rural councillors. J 'Turkey.—Turkish laws are more favourable to women than in any other Euro nean country. A married woman is economically independent of her husband and he is obliged to endow her with -i separate estate, over which he has no control. , . .