WOMAN'S SPHERE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 507, 9 October 1912, Page 3

WOMAN'S SPHERE.

RAMBLING THOUGHTS

(Contributed)

"The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" ia a well-known saying, but one which seems to be almost entirely overlooked by the so-called "new woman." What a pity there is so much of an anxious feverish craze at the present day by some women for notoriety and publicity. I grant that for all new movements there has always been more or less of a struggle before it has been carried through. We don't take kindlv to new thoughts, new ideas. We are such creatures of habit, a good many of us, and have such stereotyped views that iwe are apt to forget we live in a world of progress. Nothing is stationary, there is either a forward or backward movement. Emerson puts it very clearly and forcily in his own inimitable way. "The key to every man is his thought. Sturdy and defying though he look he has a helm which he obeys, the idea after which all his facts are classified. He can only be reformed by showing him a new idea which commends his own. The life of man is a self-evolving circle, which from a ring imperceptibly small; rushes on all sides outwards to new and larger circles, and that without end. Step by step we scale this mysterious ladder; the steps are actions, the new prospect is power." I believe there will come a time when women's work and influence will be recognised in the world. But I don't think that the present method of going to work will bring about the emancipation any the sooner. The scenes we read of in and about the Houses of Parliament; of the shrieking, hysterical sisterhood, —■ well, to say the least of it, is not dignified. Not only that, but our sex is more or less degraded by it. When will women realise the grandeur and nobility of their womanhood. What a great influence and power for good they might have, both on the present and future generation. Is it nothing to make home, a true home, and to influence for good the various members of the family? Is it a little thing to train up little ones to help them think right thoughts and do kindly deeds? In short, help them turn out to be good men and women, and so make noble citizens. This is surely a grand thing to live for and well worth the living. This is power, and power of the highest and noblest kind.

I believe in women taking positions they are most fitted for —pardon the writer quoting Emerson again, but h 9 has it so pithily: "Each man (and woman) has his own vocation. The talent is the call. Every man has this call of the power to do somewhat unique, and no man has any other call. By doing his own work he unfolds himself. A man ia a method, a progressive arrangement, a selecting principle, gathering his like to him wherever he goes." Woman's position in a great measure depends on herself, what she is fitted for. and how she fits herself for it. This, of course, means exercising herself in salf control, as well as other necessary helps too numerous to mention. That, however, we may go into more fully another time. In the meantime I will bring these few remarks on "woman's position and power" to a close with Wordsworth's well-known quotation:— A perfect woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command, And yet a spirit still and bright With something of an angel's light.