Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-01-20
THE HUB"
TWO NOBLE CHARITIES
A Couple of Notable Boston
Institutions.
YV0MEN'S INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS
=" Bofin's Bower" and the Women's
Union---What They Are and
What is Taught in Them.
BOSTON MAGAZINES FOR JANUARY
Special Correspondence of Every Evening.


table institutions in Blston-charitable
in the higher, better sense than that of
mere alms-giVing of which are in
tended for the benetieent object Of helping
women who need help in the often dis
couraging work of learning to help them
selves.
"Put your shoulder to the WHEEL"
were the magic words that came
laundering out of the clouds, when the
miserable WAGNER of classic fable had
prostrated himself some three days in the
mud of the road in which his vehicle waa
stuck, praying to Jove to help him out of
his fix.
Thus there are any number of well-mean-
ing, hard working women, who are liable
to get discouraged in their Journey along
the hard road of life because their wheels
of progress will occasionally get badly
elogged, and the word of encouragement
and even helpful lift over soms worst
places, is more than needed--it is a
necessity
For working -grls," " as the phase goes
that is, for those whose labor is manual
and of the simpler kinds, shop girls, fac.
tory hands and domestic servants, the
unique institution called by its energetic
and somewhat eccentric mistress, "Boff1n's
Bower" has done really great work these
last eight or ten years. Miss Jennie
Collins is lady Of perhaps 40 years small
of stature, 1.-the and quick in movement,
sharp OF tongue when she gets irate, and
occasionally prone to take unreason-
ing woman's prejudices, but full to
the very brim OF her sharp, clear
nature, of enthusiasm in and activity
for the class of Boston humanity
for whose welfare she has labored SO long
aud earnestly. Originally sorubber-out
OF Offices herself-if | remember rightly
she is no novice come down from a perch
in the clouds to the help of class of half
unknown, halt pitied and, perhaps, par
TALLY despised, but a woman of the work.
ing Glass; who knows too well what their
struggles and hindrances are. A certain
clique of well-to-de, charitable merchants
and other business men of Boston, who
know Miss Collins and her work we'll, and
who thoroughly respect her, always come
to her aid when called upon, and the
public often give more or less help,
especially at the time of her annual fair.
The Bower" is large room in a build
ing on Washington street, situated about
half way between ''down town" and the
South End. It is fitted up as reading
room, with files of newspapers, books and
magazines, piano and sewing machine.
| At one end is little platform and read
ing deck, for the intellectual Sunday and
other services, lectures &C., which are
| given for the girls who congregate here.
| One corner OF the room is petitioned off,
aud there id the tiny apartment which
| Jenny Collins calls her own and where she
eats and sleeps Her whole life is given
up 10 her work, AID should like to have
those whom 1 have heard say that she
''getsa good living out of it" just try that
kind OF good living for month.
! An intelligence bureau, with no fees TO
all along of the Bower" of.whieh, by the
way, Dickens is of course the patron
saint And for the last five or six years,
since the "hard times came on, there has
been maintained here winter course of
free diluers for working-giFls. whether in
OF out of employment. A large room over
The Bower has been had for the purpose;
the dinners have been ssnsible, hearty and
heaithtnl, and excellent in material and
cooking, for l have sometimes tasted the
dishes, and hundreds Of girls have doubt
less been preserved from falling out of the
ranks of hncest womanhoo6, by this aid
in the matter of food.
Another Institution, of more recent
origin, conducted on very different plans,
md whose principle aid is extended to a
somewhat different class, but which still
nGs the same end in view, of helping
women TO help themselves is the
'Woman's E !ucational and Industrial
Union" This is conducted by large
committee OF philanthropic ladies, who
give deal of time and labor to its welfare,
and who labor earnestly; effectively and
gsncartedly, to the end that all the good
possible may be accomplished. The
main room, conveniently located in the
business aud shopping part of the city, is
d bright, handsome CHEEKY place, with
open hres in the CRATES, and an abundance
OF newspaper and magazine literature
scattered about. Ladies from oat-of-
town, or who are out shopping, make this
pleasant place Of rest and of inquiry.
The bureau of general information is one
Of its best features, much valuable intelli-
genca regarding hotels. boarding houses,
shops, schools colleges, libraries, hos
pitais auG other public and private insti-
tutions being Ropt here.
l wish had thought OF this place when
. lady whom | Glanced to meet and speak
with az one of the meetings of the recent
Wonau's Congress, asked me il / could
ttlt DeE VI bOCu r6llaule, EeopeCttUlt
place where she could get boarded for two
Oh three days She was a stranger here,
and didn't like TO go to hotel; had heard
Of cases where ladies coming alone had
been refused admission to some of our
BEST hotels And a nasve of Boston
though l am. didn't kuow-or st least
couldn't think at the moment-where to
send her. / said that surely at the
Womsn's Clnb, or at the W0man's Jour
nj office, she could obtain such informs-
tinn, but no, she had been there in vain.
The Industrial Department has been
the success that it deserves to be. It's
help has been specially extended to women
Sho are capable of filing the higher posi-
tions OF service, as housekeepers,
goverpesees, seamstresses, &c. Thsn there
ts regular bazaar of fancy and useful
articles here for sale the work of ladies
whom misfortune has driven to sid them.
selves phiie still carrying on their own
households and to whom this opportunity
is a great one. 0ae feature is the order
book for home mede bread, cake, pre-
serves, wiues-for use in sickness--&c.
The Protactive Department is that by
Ehich working wclasn are aided to re-
cover wages or other moneys due them.
The entire services OF the committee and
lawyers are given efhtultously, ana IL Is
noble ana valuable work.
Social gatherings, free lectures, CLASSES
in modern languages, literature, embroidery
are among the features Of the institution.
a book which meant to have noticed
some time ago is making considerable stir
in the feminine world. 1t is Miss Parlos'e
New Cook Book and Marketing Guide
published by Estes 4 Lauriate. The
author is famous the country over for her
Boston Cuoking-Suhool and lectures, and
. the book is in all respects eminently
3 worthy of its author.
The Boston magazines for January came
! late in this letter, but word may be
! given. The atlantic is Just what 1t always
: is--eminently readable and valuable
Henry James, Jr's Portrait of Lady, |.
one of the best stories that have ever COME
from his pen, and of course specially
interesting TO me because ''newspape,
; woman" figures therein,
: The Musical Herald begins Its second
, year with a most attractive number, and 8
large subscription of readers who wouldn't
,, miss it for anything, and who wonder how
they ever did without it.
u,,Ye As,gLa hoe n lnraI, aaxp drace q ~