The herald., 1893-07-09
WOMAN'S WORLD.
cERTiHcATEs OF LEARNING GIVEN
TO WOMEN LAW STUDENTS.

kGnt IrvOHt GO VI IEfnNtN0 0irEiN
TO WOMEN LAW STUDENTS.
Royal Women In spsin--Laws Relating to
Women In Ono State-Effect OF the Kan
sas Election-she FLASHED the College
Course--A washinsten Reception.
After years graphing with the stat
hte of frauds, the statute of limitations,
ex-pcst facto laws, widows quarantine,
the problem of minority representation
and all those other subjects that come
under the head of elementary law, 2S
women, with bright eyes and glowing
cheeks, assembled upon the platform of
pne of the smaller halls in the Carnegie
Music hall to receive certificates of learn
ing. These women composed the law
class of the University of the City OF
New York. The object of the law class
Is to prepare women to enter the law
school
OF these 23 women, seven intend to
continue the study of law. The others
took it up merely as a pastime or for the
sake of getting an idea of what the men
were always talking about. The young
est woman in the class is Miss Minna
Ninton Dyke, who is only 10. The 9TH
ers range from 90 to 90 years of age.
There were many fashionable people
assembled in the little hall. The class
sat upon the platform with Chancellor
MacCracken Of the university and Pro-
fessor Isaac Franklin Russell of the law
class in the center of the group. Both
these men wore gowns, but the members
of the class wore their most elaborate silk
dresses.
It had been announced that prize
scholarship In the law school was to be
awarded to the woman who had passed
the best final examination OF course
none Of the ladies cared The chatted
among themselves with great an--,ation
TO show one another thst they wouldn't
be at all disappointed if they didn't get
the prize, but when the moment drew
near there was great deal of nervous
ness upon that PLATFORM Chancellor
MacCracken made q short address, to
which not single member of the class
paid the slightest attention Then Pro
fessor Russell spoke, and the eyes beamed
upon his face and followed each move
ment of his lips.
1--WE cannot claim for these ladies"
he said, "that they are largely learned
In the law. The honors they receive to-
night do not amount to an academic de-
gree of doctor, master or bachelor. We
simply certify that for four months they
have studied faithfully and successfully.
The relation of this work TO the full
course of professional study looking to
the degree of LII. B. is indicated by the
fact that we offer prize scholarship af-
fording free tuition for two years IN the
university law school to the candidate
passing the best final examination. So
it cannot, we think, be asserted that we
are lacking in modesty.
II have been profoundly impressed by
the delighted exclamations of ladies who
learn that all the busy industries of man
and all the relations of civil and domestic
life are under the regulation and control
of law We consider it demonstrated by
our own experience that ladies can be
induced to listen with intelligent interest
to lectures on law and to read legal
works with zeal and painstaking care
To many, like the speaker, this truth has
come like revelation"
When Chancellor MacCracken arose
to award the scholarship prize. some OF
the women turned pale, some smiled a
very feverish kind of smile, while 9th
ers looked awfully solemn. Mrs. Lilly
had worked hard the whole year with
the hope of winning that prize, but the
only indication there was to her feelings
was sudden flush, succeeded by just as
sudden pallor.
"And the committee have found" The
chancellor read, peering through hi
glasses, ''that Mrs. Laura 0eddes Smith
is entitled to honorable mention. Th'
prize scholarship is awarded to Miss
Mrs.-Mary Marcella Lilly"
There was a burst of applause tha
shook the little hall, and Mrs. Lii,
arose, pale and trembling, to take thu
slip of paper from the chancellor's hand
Her sister, Miss Marguerite Maddern
ran acrose the platform and kissed he
and hugged her. 1t was hard to sa.
who was the more to be envied. Mis-
Maddern did not go in for any prize
She is only 81 years old, and her thought
soar above law prizes.
Mrs. Leonard Weber, the president o
the Wonan's Legal Educational society
made an address in which she appeale'
to the audience to contribute to the sup
port of the society. 1t was through tn
efforts and the endowment of this soci
ETY. that the law class was established
Chancellor MacCracken then awardet
the certificates. York Sun.