"WIVES AND MOTHERS."

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1840, 25 November 1874, Page 3

"WIVES AND MOTHERS."

Mrs Mary Colclough, or, as she is perhaps better known by her norn de plume, : Polly Plum;" delivered the first of her lectures on the above subject at the Athe-naum-hall, Melbourne, on Tuesday night. In introducing the subject she said her object in coming to Melbourne was to Bhow the public the necessity of social and legal reforms as regards men and women. She argued strongly that there is no basines? in which women could be engaged which would more fully take up their time than the present claims of gay society, the great difference being their time and energies, if devoted to some profession, would be used in a beneficial way, and not, as they are now, squandered in gaeity in the exigencies of .society. They would be better engaged, as doctors at a sick bed than spending their time at balls and in other extravagant ways. Not being allowed to earn money they took to spending it* The present position of women was injurious to both themselves and man, and this arouse entirely from custom and the laws regulating iheir union. In speaking of women as mothers, Mrs Colclough,first treated of their maternal functions, duties, and responsibilities, and illustrated their influence on a nation. By raising women's staius, both as wives and mothers, the gain, she said, would come to both themselves and the world at large, and the country's prosperity would be increased by the superiority of its women. She strongly urged the necessity of educating mothers so that their children might be educated by them. In her opinion the course of instruction for girls at school nowadays was not absolutely useful, and under it they could not be brought up to fill the place of a mother or to take that of an unmarried woman properly. Speaking of the present habits and social life of women, she urged that athletic sports and exercises should not be shut against them, and that they should have every opportunity of being made strong that men might be strong. Before concluding her lecture, which was listened to throughout with every attention, Mrs Colclough stated her attention of giving others on similar subjects shortly, and begged the favor of communications from any who felt interested in the movement, or who felt inclined to help the Gause of women. Mrs Colclough delivered her lecture in an earnest, and when necessary, impressive manner, and was repeatedly encouraged by applause from her audience.—Telegraph^___^