Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-11-04
ITALY'S LITERARY WOMEN,
ROSE SEELYE MILLER.

Our American women are aggressive.
| They have been conceded a place in
the arts and sciences, not simply from
the will or wish of man, but because
they themselves wished it, and what is
more 1OilLed it, and what woman tOHl
she finds a way to perform.
In taking her place in literature, the
women of America have not only bene-
flied their own nation, but have helped
and strengthened the women OF other
nations,
1t is said Italian women have been
encouraged by the example of our own
illustrations literary women, have
taken the pen, and in spite of severe
criticism, have gone forth "conquerfug
and to conquer" in the great field OF
literature.
A beginning in any serious under
taking means a great deal. means
more than the on-looker can ever
know or understand.
More than twenty years ago LuisiA
Saredo an Italian woman of great power
and genius began to WELD the pen.
Did she write under her own sigma
ture? By no means, and her nom de
plume was not even feminine, because,
women of Italy had not the freedom
then that they have now. she has
contributed to the store of italian
novels, and has gained a name and
a fame, in spite of the accident of her
birth, in regard to sex.
One of her latest works has been La
''Regina Aund di Sarajo" 1t is his.
torical and will throw light upon some
of the dark places in the century OF
which she writes.
Probably Madame Msncini Cater.
mole, is one of the most versatile
women writer's of Italy Her pen pro-
duces both poetry and prose. In the
former she excels, and in the latter hei
field is large her imagination quick,
her humor keen, and her genius un-
questioned. She is still young. and
the world has yet to walt her full de-
velopment, and the wealth of that the
years may bring.
I'm lila Ferretti began her literary
career some sixteen years ago. She
began her work by contributing to q
well-known literary journal.
Her mind is able to cope with ques.
tions philosophical, and scientific, as
well as the great social questions of the
day. As critic she is vigorous, clear,
and concise and entersinto the authors
meaning with delicate intuition. But
her pen did not rest here, neither as
critic nor as writer of these articles, did
she show her sense of right, and hel
Indignation against wrong, as she did il
her later works, presented to the pub
lie in the form of novels.
Though she chooses a field of litera
ture little trod by woman-yet in hel
novels Una fra tante, and La Leggenda
di Valfreda, she aims at several evils,
that American women hope to put
down by the ballot. The former novel,
Una fra tante, is aimed at that great
evil, licensed prostitution. In Italy as
well as America this damning and soul
polluting evil, is not only permitted
but shielded by the cloak Of the law.
1t seems to me it would be we'll for the
women of America to take their stand
on the side Of right. This subject i:
one of vital interest to the morals and
welI-being not only of individuals but
of the nation. In one of our American
cities houses of prostitution were Ii
over to be used for educational lostr.
poses. What kind OF an education
would this loathsome fund be worthy
of? What kind of an influence would
the knowledge that such an appropria'
ton had been made have?
1t would become some of the idle
mothers of America "who toll moi
neither do they spin," to look little
into the law of the land. Women are
their own worst enemies, and the fact
of their own Indifference to the ballot,
defers it and puts it aside. They
would not use if they had it - these
Indifferent ones. Shall the women of
Italy. who have stood behind us In
many things, rise up and teacn us our
duty? It matters little who teaches,
only so that we learn, and that the les
sons learned are of purity and
strength.
This noble woman Emilia Ferretti
has done her work in the world, and 1t
would be we'll If the rest of womankind
did their work as well.
raziaMancini has given variety oi
literary work to the world, number
of novels, together with translations OF
Longfellow and HeIne. short stories and
comedies.
Grazia Marcini is noble character
and though her life has been trouble
some one she has gone forth firmly and
calmly to her work. She supported
both father and mother Cher father wat
an exiIe) during their times OF deepest
need, and with the same self-denylng
spirit she is taking care of her children