WOMAN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 42, 17 October 1891, Page 483

WOMAN.

‘ This is undoubtedly the age of woman, the world is at last beginning to understand the true position and true influence of women. The world needs women who will speak out and not be ashamed, women who will s|>eak in their own homes as well as in public, and the voice of woman must in these days speak with no uncertain sound, and must say boldly and clearly that the law of morality for men and women is one and the same thing, and that in the Almighty’s eyes there can be no distinction or difference.’ There have, indeed, been several startling changes during the last forty-six years in the position of woman as Miss Yonge in a recent interesting article pointed out. ‘ln those days girls could not walk in London unattended, could not go in a hansom, did not travel alone by railway, nor, indeed, were third-class carriages used by anyone above the rank of a labourer. As to university training, hospital nursing, public speaking, these were as much out of their reach as commanding a ship. . . The Sunday school, clothing clubs, and cottage visiting were, in those past days, almost the only forms of dealing with the poor open to ladies, and everyone fought for her own hand, and had to form her own system, untested except by remote, often unknown results. Now everything is organised ; great networks of associations cross one another, and the work in each department, although voluntary, is directed, stimulated and tried by periodical inspection. . . Freedom of locomotion and rapidity of communication have

made an enormous difference in all our lives ; it has ren dered our women and girls far more independent, and given openings for usefulness, and likewise for amusemeiit, of which our ancestresses never dreamt, or would have looked on with horror as unfeminine.’ Twenty years ago the world would have wondered, and Mrs Grundy sighed over the demonstration which took place a few days ago at Hampstead Physical Training College for Girls. The students who had completed the two years’ course of practical and theoretical physical training first lectured to the delighted friends who were present on various anatomical, physiological, and hygienic subjects ; they discoursed learnedly on ‘ the shoulder joint,’ as well as ‘ the heat and circulation.’ Wise counsels were followed by admirable gymnastic feats and skilful fencing. The girls were masked, and used ordinary foils. Swimming was the next part of the programme, and the side-strokes and under-water swimming triumphs were watched with keen interest by all the visitors. Five students gained certificates and appointments, three becoming teachers at the training college, one goes to the Friends’ School at York, and the fifth to the Ellerslie College, Victoria Park, Man Chester. In the days to which Miss Yonge alluded, what would have been thought of a ladies' cricket match on a pu’dic ground, gate money taken, or of Miss Leale's—a member of the National Rille Association—winning the 50gs silver cup at Bisley, against 2000 of the best shots England can produce, before a crowd of eager spectators, handling her Martini-Henry in a manner which proved her equality with every man on the common, after an experience of only 18 months’ duration?