SURPLUS WOMEN IN ENGLAND.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 100, 5 March 1879, Page 2

SURPLUS WOMEN IN ENGLAND.

[" Quarterly Review."] According to tho j' ; Population Returns" oj 1851, as quoted by Mr Greg, there were in England at Wales at the time no less that 248,000 women single between the age of 20 and 40.; Reckoning for the numbers who in England marry after 20 this total would be considerably diminish diminished; but, even so, it is believed that the permanent number of the unmarried women may be accepted as about three-quarters of a. million. Nor is the fact that tho estimate was made twentyseven years ago likely to have reduced the amount, but rather the reverse. This discloses what must be called a strange social phenomenon, suggestive of desolate positions and bitter needs, which has to be viewed under two aspects. Woman is the helpmeet of man, but man is the support hitherto deemed necessary for woman. Both aspects, in the tremendous extent of their present nonfulillment, are matters of the gravest and of equal importance; but we have now only to deal with the last. Assuming that the majority of these threequarters of a million women are independent in circumstances, or bo pecially in lower ranks—as to suppwW

themselves, there will remains a body of single helplessness, living on shifts, alms ■ votes, and institutions, fit for no work, and eager to take any, of which society at every turn is nmdo awai'e. There are other ties, it is true, and of a sacred nature, between mon and women; but the fact is the evident that what there is no husband to supply is but imperfectly supplemented by father or brother. It is a forlorn sight to see maidons " withering on the stalk but at is a piteous one to see them starving on it. Poor ladies—for of such this class is principally mado • .up—may truly say," All thing are againßt us," for the parents, who are bound to protect and provide, aro two often both of primary and ultimate cause of the misery of their daughters. Misfortunes are, it is true, sometimes ; of a kind which cannot bo, foreseen or, prevenred : but the breakdown of all powerand resources for meeting them l can bo prevented. False . indulgence and falseautnority are the rocks thouands ; of these souls! are wßjtefctJn some homes—and there are . women in' v