The herald., 1895-03-10

although had preached when at the
London Hospital to the gypsies on Wan
stead Common, and in barns, and had
given sundry lectures in drawing rooms
on natural history and the microscope,
and had had almost every kind OF sun
day school and Bible class | had never he
fore made what was called public speech
but from that time to this, period OF
nearly seventeen years. my vocation as a
public speaker and preacher has been
uninterrupted.
Contrary to the experience OF most
public speakers, l was even at that time
neither nervous, anxious nor hurried;
and, indeed, no matter where have to
speak or what audience have to address,
these feelings never trouble me. | have
come to consider preaching my special
calling, and | have spoken in the pulpit
of every denomination except the Roman
Catholic and though | have no regular
parish, l never have an unoccupied sun
day, and l feel that | can do more good
by speaking as do than by settling down
in one place. This necessitates great
deal of travelling, and my time is booked
for months ahead, and very frequently
go to half dozen towns in week
During the time the Empire crusade
was on l was invited to address meetings
on the subject of the condition of women,
especially the women who frequent such
places in more towns than | had days
at my disposal, and all the money l made
by my lectures was spent in the further
ance of the cause have SO dearly at heart
and in the amelioration of the condition
OF large number OF people who look to
me for help.
The position Mrs Chant has taken up
in connection with the amusements and
entertainments of the public may be best
told in her own words:
Il do not think it fair to interfere with
the omDsap,ents of the pOOr and leave
those of the rich to tester unchecked.
delight in music, singing and dancing,
and pretty dresses and beautiful scenery.
All wanted, and still want to do, is to
clear certain of the music halls OF the I'M
clean features which debar decent people
from attending and enjoying the perform
ance. like music halls immensely, and
l do not think it shame to have legs,
and | don't object to tights as such. Nor
do l object to the ballet. | can imagine
nothing more beautiful or artistic than
the mummers dance in Henry VIII at
suggestion of indecency, for it is the
motive at the back Of everything, the OBJ
vious suggestveness, which makes the
thing vile. When. however, tights are
only the medium by which the bodies of
women are exposed, then they become
not care to exhibit herself in public in
that way, and if ballet girls think moth
ing of it they must have lost something
which humanity cannot afford to lose.
We have no right to sanction on the stage
what if done on the street would com pel
policeman to lock the offender up.
1t is fact, perhaps remarkable to the
outside public, but anything but remark
able to Mrs. Chant and the members OF
her household, that in her house there is
invariably to be found some member of
the fallen sisterhood; some woman who
is being led back to self respect without
eyhortation or fuss, but by the kindest
and gentlest consideration, and by that
silence which is SO often so far more elo-
puent than the most beautiful words
which were ever woven out OF the golden
web of thought.
Had Mrs. Chant not succeeded as
preacher and a lecturer she would un-
partments OF life, for she has been largely
gifted by nature, and would have made
her mark in the artistic world. She
writes poetry which is distinguished
both by strength of thought and sweet
ness and delicacy of execution. She has
one entitled Verona and Other Poems,
and small book called Little Baby Bell,
a story OF London, which saw the light
more than twenty-five years ago when
the authoress was girl. She has also
written book of Golden Boat Action
songs, which were designed for use in her
own home to help her four children to
amuse themselves during the dreary long
days OF London fogs, when they could not
go out.
Mrs. Chant also paints pictures with
more than the skill of an amateur, and
she sings exceedingly well. Thorough"
is the maxim of her life, and whatever
she does is done to the utmost. She sews
as if she had never done anything but
handle a needle all her life, and not only
used to make all the clothes her children
wore, but many of her own. She has far
more skill in cookery than many a woman
who earns large salary by the exercise
of that necessary accomplishment.
Ganr0a Wac Ahcaut