TIME'S CHANGES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1818, 2 August 1913, Page 11

TIME'S CHANGES.

NO MOKE "BLUE STOCKINGS."

NORDICA IN SYDNEY.

• It would be difficult (soys - an' English correspondent of an Australian paper) to find among the bevy of young women arriving in London a single type known as a "blue-stocking,'>' the type of woman, tlio product of tho early days of higher education for girls, so often seen some years ago, whose chief aim in lite to all appearances was to prove that a dowdy exterior was the hall-mark of a brilliant intellect in a woman. By many, however, a well-cdneated girl is even now designated by the term "blue-stocking," and there are doubtless many benighted individuals who, not having made. the acquaintance of the college girl of 1913, believe that our women's colleges are still peopled by this early type of tho woman who wont in for higher education. But all that is changed, and the reason of this change is that gradually within the last ten years the college girl has come to realise that a brain does not of necessity deteriorate when adorned by a smart hat,, nor an athletic form lose in suppleness and strength from a becoming costume. Even among the lecturers and dons the old typo has disappeared. With but few exceptions those on the staff of most colleges are charming women, brilliantly gifted, of course, but possessing all that attractiveness which is an admired and oft-quoted characteristic of the English lady at her best.

As the pioneer. of higher education for women the "blue-stocking," though rapidly becoming extinct, is occasionally to be met at old students' gatherings! time was When ske and her like first defied convention, aitirae when tho woman who longed to broaden her mind and develop her natural gifts was looked upon with hoTror. lien avoided her society and sought the empty conversation of her frivolous.sisters; women, her intellectual inferiors most of them, : . scorned her, applying to her the opprobrious epithet unsexed." i Wo have only to read the newspapers of the time to realise in what light public opinion viewed the question of the higher education and greater intellectual development of women. Wo have only, to oast our minds back 20 or 30 years to see tha bitter opposition which barred tlie doors against women in every department of life. Look at the barriers of convention and prejudice which had to be overcome before women could enter tho medical professions. The relucknoe with which "universities granted them degrees, a'reluctance which in two instances has not yet been overcome. Tliosp" who marched in the van of feminine progress were women of indomitable will and steadfast ourpose, and only such women could have achieved success. If thpy dressed in a masculine style it was but in accord with the the masculine determination which inspired them.' When wo meet them today let lis. therefore, not scorn them as tho ridiculous survivals of a past generation. Only through their pluck and determination do the girls of to-day enjoy their freedom. They have braved the jeers of public opinion, and made smooth tho oath which their successors are now treading.

In a few years' time it is by no means improbable that the Suffragette will bo as rare as the "blue-stocking" is to-day. 'All college girls, though they may sometimes made fun of the "blue-stocking." really honour at heart those,- pioneers through whoso efforts they to-day enjoy bo many .advantages.

THE GREEN VAN.

TEN, HEALTH COMMANDMENTS. .Once' again the'famous Florence Nightingale caravan has taken the open road under the: auspices of tho Women's Imperial Health Association in England. Drawn bv a pair of powerful horses, it rolled slowly and pleasantly out of Sevenoaks over tho dusty road towards the sea.

' It had on board Miss Janet St. Clair, 'dressed in tho trim light .blue uniform of a hospital nurse—the lady who is carrying-messages of health to the people of Kent.

■ Sevenoaks had given the green van of the health';m'oy^nVcnt/a,;he4rty ,'welcome. Mothew'flocked to it for advice and for two nights listened to lectures illustrated with lantern slides and cinematograph pictures.. Miss St. Clair preached! and practised the gospol of an open-air life, for she declined to hold meetings ill stuffy. public halls.

Sho had her kinematogiaph apparatus with all its heavy ' paraphernalia carried to the market square, and there preached the ten health commandments to a largo and orderly crowd. ' Among these commandments were following: Keep the windows open day and night. Take daily open-air exercise, in the sunshine when possible. Always laugh, when vou can; laughter is a cheap, medicine. Wash the whole body at least once or twice a. week. Drink good water and eat plain whole--1 some food. ... -

Fathers and mothers listened and were 'duly impressed. Miss St. Clair, was showing them the easy ■ road to health and happiness, and they liked her for it. The green van had a triumphal progress from Sevenoaks to Hildenborough. Mothers with babies in their arms came out to 6ee Miss St. Clair.

"Wo have heard all about you, miss," they told her, "and we aro coming to hear you lecture." The van drew up on the village green at Hildenborough, and remained for a couple of days, with Miss St. Clair advising, imploring, and instructing the mothers of the surrounding villages on how to keep themselves and their families well and happy.

HER IDEAS ON MILITANT WOMAN. "They tell mo that you are a great feminist. Madam?"

"Oh, I don't know," laughed the great singer, when questioned in Sydney bv a representative of the ''Sydney Daily Telegraph," "but you all know how interested I am. But, really, I don't know how to begin to . talk to you, you who have done so much here'in this country where I am already forgetting that it is winter.

"Our eastern States In America," sho Jontinued, "are not,' I am sorry to say, going on as fast a 9 the west, but it has ""to" come—it has to come. It has been coming steadily like . a tide for, years, and now the great wavo has burst. It is everywhere; shall I tell you why? Because women have not had justice in the past. Men are apt -to talk very grandly of the beautv of motherhood, and tho honour of wifehood, but how have they treated both those sacred callings? Very grudgingly, and tho result is a general Tevolt. Women want fair nlay, and they aro going to get it; and look at the splendid women who are proving day by day their capability of government and organisation all over the world."

"And belong to the Suffrage league in New York?" asked the interviewer.

"Really, I just can't remember how many of them I do belong to," was the laughing response; "I've lost count. There is my big free singing class, for instance, in New York, where every girl who wants to join, must first join tho league, and so we all help where we :an." Speaking of the fight being put up in the United States, Madame recalled with pride the splendid organisation and the beauty of the recent great procession, and the thorough methods of education which tho various leagues and clubs were undertaking to bring up the young women of the country to thoroughly appreciate the responsibility of their citizenship.

"AVo are learning nil the time,".she said, "and not only are .the younger girls getting enthusiastic, but the young men also. Ah," sho laughed again, "the men have been very foolish all these ages. If they had only known how little consideration would have kept us in thrall for all time—and now we are free and asking for, and determined to take ti place in" the great world's work."

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