“VOX” & “RAZZLE DAZZLE."

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 16, 21 July 1894, Page 7

“VOX” & “RAZZLE DAZZLE."

(TO THE EDITOR.) Sir, —We often hear people say that were women allowed to have anything to do with a jury, the result would be disastrous, because ‘ females, poor things,’ are so apt to leap to conclusions. Eor the same reason, I’m afraid, “ Vox ” would not be a very good juryman, as it appears he forms opinions rather prematurely. To give him bis due, though he has just sufficient caution to tone down His conclusion to an inference.

Is his opinion of his own sex such that he believes that no member of it would write on the side of justice ? It is interesting to note the variety of evasive replies one receives when endeavouring to obtain a lucid definition of modern chivalry. I was quite prepared to learn humbly from “Vox” re this subject, and awaited his reply with due meekness. Judge, then, of my surprise and disappointment when he weakly allowed a woman to answer for him.

So, so, for the future, whenever a chimney begins smoking, and a man climbs up and sweeps it, or pays a sweep to do it, we are to understand that his brave action was not prompted by a desire to save his own eyes, or furniture ; no, he was actuated by chivalry alone ! Likewise, when he goes to sea, it is not for the love of adventure, v and not because he has a preference for that life ; he does not plough or reap, or thresh, to earn his own living, neither does he study for his own sake—all these things, and many more, he does for the sake of woman, eh, “ Vox ?”

I wonder whether “ Vox ” noticed that Mrs Grosse seemed to have forgotten, or perhaps ignored, one hard little fact, viz., that it is the few, and not the many, of womankind who are free to sit at home in easy chairs and do nothing but give orders and pass criticisms. “ Pansy ” was right —the author of Random Rotes is not quite so brave as we would wish him to be. But could he not have invented a better excuse for refusing my mild request P Surely he would not have us believe that he expected to find fences and bogs in Dee street, and were there no long overcoats to be had ? Vox ” says that “ Reform may be carried too far, and the gain may not compensate the loss.” This warning is very vague, and very terrible, more terrible on account of its two italicised words. It is to be hoped that the Random Rotes of July 7th had a solemnising effect upon all females • who read them. Yours truly, Razzle Dazzle.