WOMEN AND PUBLIC LIFE.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 6, 6 May 1893, Page 3

WOMEN AND PUBLIC LIFE.

Whatever our opinion may be as to the advisability of women enteringmore largely than heretofore into public life, we cannot say that we believe them . unfit to do so either mentally or Why, then, should they be fettered when men are free ? Why should they be kept in an aviary while the male birds fly away into the skies that advanced women are inclined to think so blue and so clear ? Let us put a question to the women of England, a little simple, rather humdrum, but extremely important question. If you launch forth into public life, if A’ou throng to Westminster, plead at the bar, sit on the bench, occupy the pulpit, direct public companies, practise largely as doctors and lawyers, if you do all these things —what will become of the children ? Will there not be a cry of the children going up into the darkness, that may move many to sorrow and to indignation ? It is of no use to advance the argument that fathers owe as much duty to their children as mothers. They do owe as much. We should be glad many fathers would realise this a great deal more than they do. But it is a fact, and one that will hardly be gainsaid by any woman, advanced or not advanced, that children naturally look to their mothers for the deepest sympathy, for the tenderest care, for the guidance which their little feet need, for the warmth of fostering affection which causes the tiny bud to blossom beautifully, and to spring up straight, and tall, and glorious as the legendary lily that sprang long ago from the idiot’s grave who was christened “ Ave Maria.” The chief care of the women of England at the present time is still the care of the children. Their chief interest still centres round those who come to us in “trailing clouds of glory.” and to whom we should give all the beauties and sweet marvels of life, leaving them to take

for themselves, if fate so wills it, the sorrows,. the evils, the bitter tears. Children do not as a rule open their hearts to men as they do to women, and the influence of women over them ,is generally greater than the influence of men. Boys are thrown into the water early, like the little savages, to swim as they can. Girls are more generally kept under the mother’s eye. And depend upon it, if women enter largely into public life, and neglect to some extent —-as they must, for there are but twenty-four hours in the longest day:—those home duties which are as noble as any public duties ; the well-being of society —and by society we do not mean the upper ten or the “ smart set ” —will suffer, more than most of us at present have any idea of.—Hearth and Home.