WOMEN’S RIGHTS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 518, 22 March 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S RIGHTS.

The women’s rights movement which Juts so long been agitating England and America has.penetrated I into that most despotic of empires—"Russia. Although Russian girls are ■ almostas well educated as the men, and , great attention is paid in girls’ school i to mathematics, the natural and physical sciences, and what we call in England manly exercises—gymnastics, the women of Russia arc not satisfied, and demand a female university. At one time they were allowed to follow the university course; but one fine day a Radical lady student mounted on a pile of faggots and poured fourth to her fellow scholars such a tirade of eloquence against the government that the authorities, fearing worse things might happen, interdicted female attendance for the future. Since then they have been permitted to attend certain courses, where both sexes are admitted, and where the various natural, anatomical, and physologieal sciences, to say nothing of common, law are taught. What they want, however, is a University all to thomsclves. Notwithstanding this drawback, the women are especially well educated, and to have any chance as a governess, a girl must undergo an examination and gain a diploma. The mistresses of Government schools are accustomed to take a certain position in society, and as they are all paid by the .State, receive a pension on retiring. The schools themselves are under the direct patronage of the Crown, and are frequently visited by one or other of the Royal Family. The post of head-mistress i-i naturally much sought after, and is generally given to tno widows of generals.and of personages well known to the Imperial Family. Too mady of us look upon the Russians as semi-barbariaas, but in the education of their women they equal—it indeed, they do not surpass us.