New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-27
A WOMEN'S RECEPTION,
MISS FAITHFUL AT sTENwAY HALL.


,v Recsee order TO recount IN many geefm ana I'M
gracious paragraph the things which women cannot 40
Iet be noted justice that the list ioroldoen ny
the Fate Society. and literary sharpshooers does not
spclude the arrangement Of public reception. lh''
siyeu 10 Miss Emily Faithful on Saturday evening 10y
literary artistic Industrial and social committee VI
Sew-York women. successful in every way Tine Gu
iertainment was simple dignihed, refned there wa" m
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Messieurs the Reviewers 20
-rushr-and there was ootrusive assertion. Inc P
Eramme had quiet good taste that might nave I'm
the drawing-room. II isn't often that s'ein"' 10.
holds 80 large a crowd; there were people o'on :"
dreary haunt Of the gods, the upper gaieiy an1 T@
eIood unable 10 find seats on the moor peiV"' A0
audience was a representative American o'' -.
dressed cood-natured. and demonsuauEe III 'no -
plaees There were literary ana arusuc PeOpo any
,here v,ere VorktpgwOmen in their prettest nopohs
II vas truy notable gathering. signhcaht as IL was
novel indicating wildly the professional reVou'o VI
,,s a., Aocsde There were women-workers In medl-
ciDe teleeraphy, engraving, Typography - all ne"
.utncs so far as feminine brains and hands are con-
earned The profession editorial IN the shape OF sew
ral malicious and wOmsnly women. sat upon the plat
form while the reporters table also gave place 10 busy
feminine pencils With these and other women honored
An sr, literature and society men known in the
.ame paths Music pleasantly began the evening Miss
NatbiIde Toedts small figure appeared at the
front OF the stage, and with violin cunnngy
on her shoulder she sweety hdded there TO the
Immense deeCtdtlOn OF nef duultuCe lntu hShiy
NJ Field who gracefully occupied the chair, rose and
made the address of welcome. The object of the meet
ing Mrs Field said, not TO claim any right, or to
attack abuses but 10 hear from serious and practical
advocate wOmans work and higher education some OF
The results 81 her endeavOrs Noting the increased and
equal opportunities which possess IN this coun
try by pleasant transition she sgnined the desire OF the
assemhace recognize the dignity Of labor for woman
she claimed that from the moment a woman supports
fHo chr lpxgs nv no vi
.sce nd N the social she does in the moral scale She
j. not 10 he pted nor parOnized but 10 be respected
for her spirit OF independence. But no law can secure
her such respect decree of court Of Justice can TX
her social positions society itself must render TINS
homage 10 her true womany dignity IT is not the right
20 work denied TO her; is the security OF her
social position # she works-espeeally If she works for
nav 1t true the world makes an exception for the
woman Of genius; and If 10y her voice, her PEN or her
pencil adds it, pleasures, it throws ut her feet
oIewns Of flowers and harvests OF gold
But why Is il that the thought of lady-meaning
Nv that a woman Of education and MISUNDERSTANDING
for money still unwiingy accepted that even the
noble profession OF teacher, the most important 10
pocetv and 10 the family-the most fitted for woman-
does not escape sheer Women OF wealth and fashion,
who in early life have been teachers, sometimes
seom auxous conceal fact which they ought to re-
oali with pride.
If the intellect OF woman is cultivated If she has any
,reci oft she will seek work for she finds the keenest
pleasure in the exercise Of her talent and Just pride IN
compelling the public TO recognize IT, She will WORK for
reputation and also for just compensation; not from
weak vanity cupdity, but because such return
Tor labor Is the most decisive recognition which the
public can give of her real merit. Many Of the
Arisocraces o. Europe ambitious Of literary reputa
ton and are all satisfied with the praise OF a
fashionable coere II they cannot gain the ear of the
S1eat reading world. Nay the Queen OF England herself
writes books, and receives her copyright as much
e. any poor author. To work then, and 10 work
pay, disgrace. No woman who feels true In
spratiOu. will work merely TO kill time without object
without purpose But genius, even talent, is given TO
few aud the idea that the work OF the brain is the only
one htted for lady, If she is obliged 10 work, has
made shipwreck of the life and happiness OF many
Women Bat If she cannot be an artist or teacher, why
not follow which naturally belong 10 her
sxi Because these fooishly made badge OF social
infenoriiv however well educated. can do any
honest work living and not lose caste. foreign
refugee who 10 tins city, gentleman by birth,
nndinc no other means of support not ashamed 10
70 10 breaking stones in the Central Park and ali who
saw him honored him for his manly spirit of indepeud
spce Why should a refined woman be a dressmaker
or mueri Par better Tor her happiness and for so
ciety than that she should incompetent teacher
weak wnter for magazines!
would say 10 every young woman, never be depend
ent on your friends; live idle, aimess life
what j. "a thousand times worse marry TO escape work
or 10 gain a position" Work aud If you cannot work
with your work with hands, braveiy openly
keeping your selfrespect and your independence With
woman rests especially the power 10 right her own sex
as 10 this absurd prejudice by working herself when
gifted great powers, aud recognizing with real
sympathy the work, however humble OF other women
IL she possess wealth. talent station let her greet
with womauy gentleness the timd young teacher, the
obscure artist the humble sewing GIRL qnick recOg
nze unerrng feminine tact signs OF education and
Observation-Disclosures 10 the want of 10. No woman Is
An,
bear anOhers burdens and TO ishare anothers
sorrows This is the true sisterhood OF Woman 1t is
time that all false, arbitrary distinctions should cease
The ranks OF workers swelling rapidly. and the
time must when the position Of awoman will de-
pend only the dignity Of her life and the cultivation
Of her mind
Mrs Field concluding, Miss FAITHFUL responded with
n quiet. conversational manner, and in Tich we'll
trained voice at has been said" she began the
English dumb people. They do great acts, but
not describe them. i don't wish 10 lay claim 10 the
latter attribute but would tain shelter myself at the
present moment behind convenient nationality. But
IL spite OF our characteristic dumbness bound TO
remember that words have been spoken in our little
leland home awakening echoes throughout the civilized
world, which, thank heaven, unites England and
America with chain which the vast Atlantic Ocean is
yOweIless In many ways America is in adj
vance OF England. / am glad 10 see that the most
earnest minds giving attention the important sub
rect OF the work and training Of women and that in
spite Of the disadvantages in such training many
employed 1y the Government in positions OF
trust and responsibility. The recognition OF men
IN important positions lie OF very great
sgni6oance OF all the battleeds OF confused opIn
ION think the one which should carry of the palm is
that which all the world is joining 10 the
,aratiye faults and virtues Of men and women. The
whole subject has been surrounded with such misappre
heDsion and unmerited abuse, that many intelligent
Ieoe afraid 10 give 1t sober consideration, quite
forgetting that to nothing save error can truth be
DANGEROUS Others charged those who were taking
active part In setting themselves against men.