GROSS DEMORALIZATION OF THE FEMALE STUDENTS AT ZURICH.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 139, 24 February 1874, Page 2

GROSS DEMORALIZATION OF THE FEMALE STUDENTS AT ZURICH.

Being at Zurich, I wish to say a few words about the Russian women students who have been scandalizing this town, and doing the cause of women’s rights such poor service. It is difficult to write much on this subject in addressing English people ; for, to use the words of a well-known epitaph, “ one-half would never be believed—the other never read.” One must have heard from the Zurichers’ own lips the account of the doings of these female “ students ” to conceive to what lengths of disreputable extravagance respectably educated girls will go when they try to shake off the laws of propriety and modesty which ought to bind their sex. The girls cannot contend that they had not a fair chance. They were warmly, almost enthusiastically, received at first; for Zurich, being half German, felt that generous sympathy for the women - students’ movement which is bestowed everywhere in Germany on the pursuit of knowledge. But there was no tolerating the state of things that began to prevail as soon as the girl-students had mustered in lage numbers. The Russians were the most conspicuous in ill-doing, because they were the most numerous; but there were girls from several other nations, and the behaviour of all was abominable. They converted Zurich into a place from which all decent people would have speedily fled, had not the evil been suppressed while it was yet time. A professor, who had been a very ardent advocate for the admission of women to degrees, told me to-day that he would perform public penance if he could undo aijy of the mischief he had been instrumental in working. He first thought the girl-students would exercise a refining influence upon the men; but he admits his error now, and is convinced that, although exceptionally strong-minded and purehearted women may pass through a university without being contaminated or contaminating others, a large agglomeration of women-students onlyresults iu vice and trouble. He is even opposed now to medical universities for women alone. He recants entirely, having seen that the study of medicine by girls is fitted only to breed a hybrid class of beings without the virtues of either man or -woman, but with all the faults of both sexes. Most sensible people will not require to visit Zurich to learn that much, but persons who,from weakness,ignorance, or good nature, would be glad to see female medical studentships established on a large scale in other countries, would do well to come here and learn, before they commit themselves further, how their pet system has worked during an impartial trial. It is to be presumed that people who aspire to see their sisters or daughters become women-doctors desire them to retain the privilege of being also wives and mothers ; but the two things are—save in the rare instances already' alluded to —incompatible, and a pilgrimage to Zurich will explain why and Wherein. — PaU Mall Gazette's Correspondent.