The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-02
THE SPHERES, IN DANGER.

When DR.. Dix in series of lectures, de-
fined the duties of woman and limited all
her talents and energies to the sacred home
circle, the good man was greeted with scorn
and contumely. When he limited, some
what vaguely to be sure, at the awful dan
gers certain to follow should she venture
outside that domestic Enclosure, the thought
less in the community spoke jeeringly and
dsrespectfulIy of the reverend gentleman.
1t is even possible that remarks of deroga-
tory nature crept into these columns in the
absence of the married and consequently
judicious and responsible editor. How
ever that may have been, we hasten
now to say that DR.. Dix knew whereof he
spoke, and is a long-headed man. He saw
dangers ahead which others, less prophetic,
apprehended but dimly, if at all. Had he
indicated distinctly what precise peril threat
ened should woman become thoroughly
enfranchised, his warnings would have re-
ceived from the men of the country
the attention they merited. This was
that his predictions soon to be verified,
and his revilers brought to shame.
One of the straws showing whence the So
cial cyclone is to come drifts out from Bos-
ton. The women of that city have long in
dulged in a liberty of action, which, from the
Dix point of view is nothing less than shock
ing. They have scaled the "higher educa-
ton" heights until it has no terrors for them.
and other women have to crane their necks
in looking at them. 1t is even hiuted that
professors of theology and doctors of law
must get up early in the morning in order to
keep in advance. These women, too, boldly
leave the home circle, enter into the occupa-
tons hitherto reserved by men for them
selves and recei We and retain the emoluments
conduct may seem excusable, even COM
mendable, but these are shortsighted. The
result, as indicated by DIR. Dix,
can only be an upheaval of household rela-
tons the like of which has not been thought
of save by these same advanced women. A
Boston milliner has thought of it, and 1t is
her communication to the public which is
the STRAW" alluded to- This milliner though
married, continues in business and realizes
from her labors an annual income varying
from 81 500 to 50, 500. The husband in his
palmy days was not good for moro than $500
per year, and it may be admitted that the
action of the wife, in pursuing her calling
was not without excuse. She says she loved
him and could not bear to have him deprived
of luxuries-no fault can be found with this
admirable sentiment-so she kept on earning
money Finally this milliner decided that
! they would keep house and live in boarding
house no longer. She could not afford
housekeeper, nor could she give the estab-
lishment her own attention. Happy thought
Her husband should do it. He was getting
lazy, anyway, and she would give him some
thing to do. Now, says this unnatural milli-
ner my husband gets up and
builds the fire, gets breakfast and I
leave at 7:45 for my place of business
Aie uoV9 VIC washing anu lIoulnG, the CledH-
ing, and do not know of any woman who
can beat him. He is as neat as wax, and can
cook equal to any one in town" Here it is
the awful consequence at which DIR. Dix
pointed his warning finger. We have not
heard from the husband in this case, but if
he is a man of spirit, he must rebel-a secret
rebplliOn If M nNore That he doas bousa.
work of his own free will is an absurd
thought, and her own words forbid such
supposition. Says this terrible woman: Il
who have husbands to support should make