WOMAN’S RIGHTS IN SWEDEN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 26, 27 June 1891, Page 112

WOMAN’S RIGHTS IN SWEDEN.

The evolution of the Swedish woman toward equality with the Swedish roan furnishes instructive reading for the sex everywhere. It is a capital illustration of the rich fruits to be gathered when the gospel of moderation is faithfully preached and practised. ‘ As wise as serpents, yet harmless as doves,' those ladies of the fair north won, withont striking a blow, every concession for which their sisters over here have fought gallantly to snatch from the grudging hands of mankind. They w-orked warily from the inductive system, judged the individual and applied knowledge thus gained to the whole body. Then, appreciating the folly of attacking the citadel before storming the walls, they laid siege to small ‘ tithes of mint, anise and cummin ’ before assailing * weightier matters of the law.’ With wit deserving of success leaders of the woman movement ignored political privileges at the very outset and devoted their energies to righting small grievances, knowing that the natural course of events would bring the ballot in good time.

Their first effort, marked by dignity and an entire lack of combativeness, was directed toward opening the universities on equal terms to the sexes. This accomplished, their next request was for the privilege of practising on equal terms the learned professions acquired side by side with male students. All commercial pursuits were then petitioned for as proper callings for women qualified to fill such positions, and thus, one after another, barriers were laid low by the strategy that no violence could have captured. Had there been the noisy campaign of the uncompromising suffragist to drown their voices, it is extremely doubtful how fast or how far the piogressionists would have been permitted to advance. But there were no battlefields, no heroines, no maitvrs, and so, with cordial grace, the Swedish men granted whatever the prudent, forbearing Swedish women wanted.

It is a pleasing an I grateful history to read of the gradual unfolding of womanly ambitions, fostered by manly sympathy. No romance this, but a chapter from very real life fit to point a moral or adorn a tale in America or England, where women are called upon for such constant and heavy service. It is scarcely possible the Norseman is a degree more liberal or chivalrous than our brave citizens. Perish the thought ! Rather believe that the white chill of the Scandinavian climate has made the Norsewoman’s pulse beat slower and her temper of a less nervous edge than ours.