Higher Education of Women.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1892, 22 October 1886, Page 2

Higher Education of Women.

To the Editor of the Standard.

Sir,—ln ycnr last paper I read an extract from an address by DrWitbers Moore given to the members of the British Medical Associa tioa on the " Higher Education of Women,” and was surprised to find that a medical man could speak in the terms ascribed to him before such au intelligent assembly. He belongs to the old school of thought, and therefore little weight need be given to bis remarks, but, Sir, on behalf of my sex, and that I may speak a word of encouragement to them, I crave a little space in your paper. For some time past the question of the higher education of women has engaged the public mind and she is just beginning to be recognised for her capabilities. If we come to the present day, and search among humanity for singers, and poets, and lecturers yon will find that woman holds a far higher place than ever she did before, simply because she has been given opportunities to cultivate her gifts. Ask the teachers of our public schools which sex has the best talent for learning, and they will tell you “ the girls.” Ask Mr Lee, the inspector of Schools, which sex is most successful in passing standards, and I feel sure his testimony will he in favour of the girls. The brain power is quite equal to that of the boys, but generally speaking when girls leave school they are buried et home, and from (hence go to homes of their own. Family cares then arise and thenceforth they g t little opportunity to go out into the world to see or know anything. With the boy it if different, totally different. They are not cribbed, cabined and confined like the gill-. Boys have all sorts of physical exercises to develop their physical powers, while the girls stop at home and nurse the baby or help (heir mothers in housework. Put petticoats

on the boys, and put them under the earn* restraints us the ~i s are mov subject to, and 1 am sure you will produce effeminate men. Given the same amount of healthy exercise for the body, and woman can stand side by side with the man. Indeed, some of our farmers’ wives who have toiled on the farm year after year would think little of taking up some men and throwing them over a fence. Physically you will perceive we earn be equal under certain circumstances ; men* tally, we claim equality. In America more especially, woman has stepped forward and compelled the opposite sex to acknowledge her puwers of mind. Some of the best literature of the present day is written by women, and in the study of medicine she has taken the highest diplomas. The medical science shut the doors of their universities against women once, but they are opening them now, and 1 ask, Who so fit to undertake the care of her sex as woman herself ’ Many have borne sufferings untold because they would not submit themselves to the attendance of a medical man* I know many will think lam a virago for daring te sit down and write as I am doing, and many of my sitters will ba divided in opinion as to tbs gentility of speaking thus in a public paper. To tbflhi I would say, your life of bard work and obedience to the “ lords of creation ” has made you timid. I write this for your takes. It is you, my sisters, who have the training and developing of the young ; and I would have every man remember that what be is his mother made him, and the learned doctor himself who addressed the British Medical Association may thank his mother for tba position he occupied on that occasion. Napoleon Buonaparte gave hia mother tba credit for his military ardoor and power ol mind, and some of the greatest men tba world has ever seen have owned a mother's influence in childhood and youth. Excuse me, Sir, for the liberty 1 have taken in addressing the Press. I have not done to before, but I feel that the remarks of Dr Moore as published in your paper unjust and I consider it a duty to my sex to resent it, however feeble the effort may be. 1 am, *o., Only a Woman.