WOMEN'S WORK IN THE FUTURE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue XIV, 1 April 1879, Page 4

WOMEN'S WORK IN THE FUTURE.

We know that in consequence of the great and increasing excess of the female population, marriage is impossible for all, and it U equally impossible for the majority of our single women to maintain themselves, let alone the cruelty of dooming so large a portion of the human race to iaaction, dependence and disappointment. Since, then, as many of our Women must remain spinsters, it behoves us to make their lives as useful and agreeable as possible. Even if a change of circumstances should bring about a corresponding alteration in the character of woman, endowing her with some masculine qualities, we need not fear the result in this respect j men are not such hardhearted beings as they are sometimes described, engtoesed by "the Court, the camp, the field," and if it were a question of choosing between affection and ambition, would not always prefer the latter. Some change in the character of women might even be desirable — a little more of the man's sense of honor, more accuracy, and a subordination of prejudice to reason— even if she should lose some of her adorable caprices and charming inconsistencies. I would then open the professions to women, but I would consider marriage as a profession — an association in which the husband takes the public work, while the wife is engaged in the no less difficult and important business at home. What indeed constitutes society but an aggregate of home, over each of which the wife is the queen? A man can make his home odious — only a woman can make it delightful. How much skill, temper, forethought and economy are requisite for the due and efficient administration of her little kingdom ? What knowledge of character »to enable her to select her instruments, and how much patience in the due government of her subjects, differing as they do in age, station, and temper ! In an ill-organised household there can be no peace. The tried husband should have no wearisome associations connected with home. From the moment he hangs his hat up iv the hall the troubles of life— with which it has been his province to battle elsewhere during the day— should cease. Every child should think his home the happiest and most beautiful spot on earth, so that in after years, when time has brought about inevitable separations, the remembrance of the early home life may always exercise its pure and holy influence. Surely all the social and domestic duties afford sufficient scope for all a woman's talents and affections. No encouragement should be given to facilitate her adopting any occupation that would take her away from home. The absence of the wife and mother is like the withdrawal of the sun from the firmament, the corner-stone from the building. The more highly one appreciates the position of married women, the more keenly one feels that every opportunity of usefulness and happiness should be offered by society to those women who, possibly from motives worthy of the highest honor and respect, have chosen a life of celibacy. It is especially in the interest of marriage that no woman should ever be forced to marry because there is no other career, or even means of subsistence, open to her. Every parent who cannot afford to give his daughter an adequate provision for independence in the event of his death should train her to some occupation in which she may earn her own livin. It is of no use asking for employment if there has been no , previous training ; instead of

frittering away time in learning a number of accomplishment; the.;one should be selected for which the girl has a special aptitude.— Social Notes.