Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-14
EW DEPARTURE.
rHORNE MILLER WRITES OF
COOPERATION AMONG WOMEN.

should Help One Another.
copyright, 1891, by American Press Associa-
tion.l
The modern changes in the ways Of
women have opened to them a heretofore
unsupported delight, which gives fresh
attractions to both work and play-the
pleasure of social life among themselves.
So greatly indeed have customs modi-
fed within few years that think it is
safe to say at the present moment that
womens most heartily enjoyed social
gatherings are with one another.
This is quite as it should be too. We
know that our brothers like best some
times to be without us; it is exceedingly
desirable that we should do the same.
The charm of being together is bright
ened by each sex having its own separate
good times, and the self respect result
ing from independence-even in the
matter of social intercourse-is quality
well worth cultivating. Moreover, is it
not something to live down one more of
the old taunts wont to be flung at us
that we can never enjoy ourselves alonef
In no way that l have seen do
women of the cities have better times
than in their daylight gatherings, at
hours when, as rule, every man is alb
sorbed in study, Office or place of bust
ness. The 5 o'clock tea, with its fra
grant and cheering cup, its pleasing eff
feet of lovely rooms, soft lights, fresh
flowers and tea gowns, which are in
themselves pictures, is an occasion alto
gether delightful and eminently woman
ly. The reception also, with its con-
slant succession of guests for two or
three hours, where one may meet her
friends and enjoy all the pleasure with
none of the fatigue and stupidity of a
round of calls, is of the same order.
Most delightful, however, of the mod
ern woman's paths of pleasantness is
that known as the 'ladies' luncheon"
The person who has never taken part in
one of those delectable entertainments
does not suspect what she has missed,
neither can she imagine the good times
party of ladies have over so matter of
fact thing as luncheon. Nor does its
fascination depend upon its size. 1t
may be a private affair, with no more
than six guests, or-with equal satisfac-
tion-it may be woman's club luncheon
with SOO 1t is sure in either case to be
lively, sparkling with brilliant speech
and witty repartee. 1t is sure likewise
to present an attractive picture, with
dainty dress, beautiful tables and lavish
flowers 1t is more homogeneous than
mixed assembly. In fact, there is an
enthusiasm, sympathy and magnetism
about woman's gathering that makes
it truly inspiring.
IT an entertainment of this sort is
large all sorts of tastes may enjoy it; but
if it is small party, in private house,
the company should be carefully selected,
for the conversation will be general,
and what would please literary and
artistic persons would bore those who
care only for society, and vice versa. The
choicest company is one composed of
women of congenial tastes. For ex-
simple, at a luncheon in New York last
winter every guest was writer, either
editor, magazine contributor, author or
journalist of high rank. All were at
home in the world of letters, all appre-
ciated the same points and had some
thing to say on them. Their wits were
keen and bright from constant use, and
doubt if any one present on that felici-
tous occasion ever spent a more enjoyable
afternoon.
At another private luncheon in the
same season the guests were composed
Of the editors and contributors of GER
tain publication. They INDUCED in the
Inv % s%o1 % l.
content, for ''shop" was matter of vital
interest to all of them and there was no
uninterested person to be bored by it,
The favors and decorations were delight
fully "shoppy," and even the ice cream
took the form of dainty booklets with an
appropriate quotation across the open
pages. That was another altogether in
imitable affair.
The changed ways that have been con-
sidered are but steps toward the grand
portal which now looms up before
us. Beyond this portal, if we have but
the courage to enter, many thinkers
believe we shall find the solution of our
more serious domestic problems.
The word over that promising door
way is cooperation, and the sooner we
learn to work well and harmoniously to-
gether, the sooner we learn self reliance
and self respect, the sooner we recog-
nize that woman-and she alone-can
settle womans problems, the more
speedily shall we be ready to adopt that
as our watchword, and try honestly and
fairly to see if the universal sisterhood"
be not as potent to advance us heaven
ward as the universal brotherhood" is
to advance the race.
The former, indeed, is part and an
indispensable part of the latter, and
little do we realize the Importance of
our work in the matter Man may do
and die in the effort, but-believe it or
not, as he may choose-he cannot ad-
vance far until woman keeps step with
him, and woman alone can train herself
to walk beside her brother in the grand
march OF the race. This is truth we
shall do well to ponder. Everything il
helping us-clubs, associations, leagues,
societies and all the rest, are trainiqg
and developing us with wonderful ra-
pidity. Our domestic problemsl How
small they will appear when we shall
have passed that portal and looked back
upon them! Says Emerson:
Hither we bring
Our insect miseries to thv rocks: