Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-05-25
FROM BOSTON,

! bIlIuTE fA1R-SCHOOL GIRLS As LAWYERS.
BosroN, May II, 1883.
One gets a better outlook after all when a
little removed from the scene. In the midst
of the hustle and activity Of life ono feels as
though the dropping out Of it for while
would be losing sight Of it altogether; but il
ia well to broaden the horizon now and then,
and the world and its affairs put on a new as.
pect when watched from sick room. Ihave
beon learning this from experience Of late, 10
| you may feel assured that the assertion with
which this letter opens is a truth, and not a
mere bit of theory. The thing that has struck
mo most forcibly has been the unusual activ-
ity of the women. They are coming into all
sorts Of semi-publc work, and they are full of
| purpose and elrnestness. One Of the special
works OF the winter has been the formation
! Of the Massachusetts Indian Association, the
object Of which is to educate public opinion
and influence public action in regard to the
treatment Of these ill-used wards of the ma
tion. know very well the popular belief
regarding the Indian, and the prejudice, which
is part of our training aud education, that
exists against him but il has at last entered
into the hearts Of some people to 90 beyond
the prejudice and make an honest study of
these people and their history, and the deeper
the research goes the more one becomes con-
vinced that the Indian to day is what a centu
ry or more Of unjust treatment from the
white race has made him. have no space in
letter to argue this point but heartily wish
that any Of you who desire to understand the
matter more fully would read Mrs. Helen
Hunt Jackson's "A Century of Dishonor." in
which is given tho history Of the dealings of
government with the Indians, as taken from
government official records It is not only a
sad and pitiful story for the Indians it is q
shameful one for us The Massachusetts, as
sociation has large membership, under the
presidency Of Mrs. Z. G. Atkinson, and it
holds public meetings every month which are
very largely attended Mrs. Garfield has be .
come quite interested in the association, and
has presented it with set Of her late hus.
bands works in which are to be found many
brave words for the Indians.
At the manufacturer institute fair this au-
tumn there is to be a special wome MS depart
ment, in which all articles exhibited by women
are to be shown. In every fair there has been
a large number of things shown by women
but somehow they have been swallowed up in
the larger and more numerous exhibitions by
the men. 1t has been believed that if there
could be q special womens department. not
only would the articles be shown to better ad-
vantage, but the fact would probably incite a
larger number Of persons to make exhibitions.
The idea originated with Mrs Marian Mac.
Bride, Of the editorial staff OF the Boston
Post, and, being received cord tally by the
managers, she interested a large number of
ladies, and the management of the department
has formed with Mrs. Julia Ward Howe az
president Mrs. s. f. b. Claiming as secre-
tary, Miss Abby w. May as treasurer. Mrs
Ednah d. Cheney as chairman of correspon.
dence committee, and Mrs. Henrietta L. I.
Walcott as general business manager Among
the committee are Mrs r. c. Winthrop. Mrs.
Frederic Courtenay, Mrs. Wm. Clafin. Mrs
Brooke Herford Mrs Grace Oliver, Mrs. Oh.
iver Ames, and many others. The vice pres.
idents are to be selected from all over New
England, and there is long list of them.
This position is merely honorary, and entails
no labor. The object Of this women's depart
ment is largely an educational one it is hop.
ed to have large number of industries rep
resented, and it is confidently expected that
from this exhibition many women may gain
new ideas and find new avenues of employ
ment. There are many women who feel the
need Of doing something for themselves who
cannot leave their homes, and it is believed
lhara -
gested by this exhibition, by which woman
may earn money for herself and yet not be
compelled to leave the shelter OF her home.
Then, again, women's work is underyalued
because really the amount they do is not ap.
preciated. An exhibition Of this kind will
tend to show how varied and far-reachng it
is. Applications for space are already being
received and it looks now as though the de.
partment would reach beyond the allotted
acre of space which at first seemed so much
room. Among the industries that are to be
represented are bee culture, grape and raisin
culture, horticulture, Horticulture, preserve
making, photography, apothecary work, in.
dustrial designing, architecture, pottery man
ufacture and decoration, wood carving, art
needework Of all kinds, lace making, and all
the hundred and one other familiar industries.
The fair opens in September aud until that
time the headquarters of the committee will
be at the New England Women's Club rooms,
No. Park street.
The Lasell girls had mock court the other
night, and very cleverly put in practice some
of the law they learned from Mr.. Homenway
last winter. Those who were there tell me the
girls did beautifully, and showed decided
appreciation of legal lore. From law to laces
is step easily taken by girls, and the Lasell
girls will no doubt enjoy Mrs. Croly's lecture
on Dress all the better for the subjects
which have preceded it. It is no wonder,
with all Mr. Bragdon provides for his girls
outside Of the regular course, that Lasell
should attract students SO that tho school is
o7eraowing, with a list of fifty applicants
awaiting an opportunity of admission l
would like to be girl again il might find
my way to Lasell. SALLIE JOY WHITE.