New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-10
WoMEys CHOICE OF YORK

MEASURES SUGGESTED TO THE YOUNG LADIES' CHkIs-
TIAN ASSOCIATION - wIsDoa or PERsUADIsd
SOCIETY THAT WORK IN ANY TRADE Is RESPECT
ABLE FOR A woMAN-A THOROUGH EDUCATION
OF GIRLS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD MAKING
WOMEN gFFIcTENT IN ANY OCCUPATION
To the Bditor Of The Tribune. --f
SIR Having been worker from early girl.
hood, want 70 thank you for your address before
n recent meeting OF the Young women's-I beg
pardon, Ladies' "Christian Association. Yours were
right words spoken at the right tms and the oxcelient
women who control most benevolent institution. win
do well to ponder your Suggestions Tho roh Of
to-day may be the poor OF tomorrow, and IL Ia abso
lutey necessary for sepreseryation that girls born In
anuent circumstances be taught some trade or pro-
fesson whereby, in case Of reverses, they may earn
honest ivcnoods How many girls In society thrown
uDon the world, could earn IS week. Can they cookt
Let their own tables tell tho sad and ndigesoie taie
Are they good How is II possible, when
going up and down stairs gives them bsckachesf Havo
they scientific Of the pianos over winch hey
have wasted priceless boursi Have they o thorouen
knowledge OF their own languagef Does smst
tering OF French qualify them for teacmns'
All, Mr.. Editor know all about 1t. nave
gone through tho phases OF early luxury ana SUD
sequent battling with the world 50 koenly do FEEL
the shortcomings OF my and the utter misery
consequent upon them that were mother possessed
OF millions my daughters should all be Taught the ind
pensable art OF cooking and whatever art profession
or trade for which they displayed aptitude As
rule women incompetent workers, not because they
have not the brains because they are superhoay
educated The wonder TO me Is that women
do SO we'll considering their miserable training
and the traditions Of society that are absorbed
with their mothers milk girPs dom0rahzA'ioh
begins with birth, aud Is almost thoroughly accom-
plished when she puts long dresses. AS bay, snc
Is made 10 look pretty child at danciugschoo sho
ID 0hOOlf "a
much less mental training than there Is study OF sye
and vaDid ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Tne consequence Is thas
boys starting with greater natural advantages than
their sisters far outstrp them on arriving ut maturity
Nothing less than inherent genius mas saved the so
sex from dryeng diocy Nature has been so generous
that 1t Is about time common sense ana education cao
to its assistance.
And frat OF ALL as you, Mr Eiitor, have
40 wiseIy stated women In what Is called so
cietyn must themselves learn, and then teacn
their daughters TO respect work, irrospectivcly
of sex. Why should the man merchant be
socially welcome, and the woman merchant Socially
ostracizedi Is it virtue in Mr. Stewart 20 sell dry
goods and crime In Mrs. or Miss - to sell oonnetst
Chinaman wolld como TO this conclusion wero he q
looIer-on In NewYork Not long ago advised young
friend Of mine suddenly reduced IN circumstances 10
90 into the millinery business. "fou nave OK
quisite TASTE" 1 said; 1.-THE occupation Ia thor
oughly womanly, II you please, lady-iKe'
and in few years you VIII make moro
money than you can in any other way" 81 dare
say you are right" replied my socieyrffen friend
but cannot bring myself to IL. Ny relatives aud sc'
duaintances would not speak TO me-" Browbeaten by
tradition this young woman went out as goyerness ana
a sweet life she leads being bued by the children and
patronizsd by tbs plrents womln competent 10
sup .rntend the education OF children ought 70 10
treated with distinguished consideration, but society
thinks differently. VIII tho Young ladies' Clrntiln
Association take up this matter and make wording girls
feel that they to be nonored not ptied because OF
their ability TO earn breldl There Is too mueh
patronlzng bestowed by tho rich upon tao
poor. Institutions like the Christian Associa
tons this country not charities TAey are only ex
ponents Of q duty the wealthy fellow creatures
in loss fortunate circumstances AMI excellent as many
of them are they do begin to tho ground aid
out for them. You did well TO ASK why the working
girls of New-YOrk are wel provided for as thu
worklngmen. lThe contrast between the Young Mons
Christian Association Building and the little house IN
gplace for young Is not consoD8 10 those
who know how much harder to women /, braatwiDDing
than TO meu When see the selfsacrl13e ard patient
endurance OF delicate girls living honorable Hives Ia
miserable tenenlenfs, beeye In tho divinity OF hui
manity Tie auazenent OF society ouSDt 10 20 nos q,
tho many Women alone car helD women, and an
glad that you, Mr. EitOr, have told most important
truth to those who ought To profit ny II. You ac-
knowledge that women have the rsL requisite for work
brains Let false social barriers be removed and the
lack OF thoroughness will not long be crying evil
woman Is none the less womaniy for being a good
WORKER No excel who is not in earnest. Does
not tne earnest make the best sister, daughter,
lover wife, and mother. wei as me best artist aao
artisanf Begging y0u will use tao ih renee OF your
powerful paper the good cause You have perj0nlly
ad vocated, a,n, Very truly, GRAIEacr PARK
Asr-Iork, Feb. G, 1875.