New-York tribune., 1895-02-13
7HE STUDY or Law BY WOBEN
Az INTERESTING PARIOR LEcTt RE MEEIlN'
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THEIR LEGAL
FpTCATlON SOCIETY

The first OF a series Of draWing-room lectures
given under the auspices Of the Womans Legal
Education Society he'd last evening at the
home of Mrs. II. Herman. No. % west fiity-sN'h-
st. In the absence of the president, Mrs Leonard
Weber. the first vice-presldent, Mrs. Edward Addi-
son Greeley, presided After welcoming the guests
and members. she said:
Amid the roaring whrlwlnd OF political wrangng
and civic controversy as the ultimate destiny OF
the capitalized Woman OF to-day. 1t is as reiresnns
as it Is surprising find tndt rev dShlleu
women have been calmly eflecting one Oh tne mos
important movements ot the age tiie W o','",i u, ~
City OF NcW-iork having prepared ING WAY lor
new and most advanced plane for woman cea,r @
less activity I'm the study of law. without stopping
10 argue whether women can or cannot sustain @ ~ d
src s'Efe yet c0rs i 81 SUM ressonng power
follow logical argument, ths society
The question has been often asked why should
women study any thing about law! Inc iawgWersol ol
lion, when they acted upon the maxim lsn9ranmie dam,
OF the law s no excuse II In the course OF h iahy
for what she does unwittngly. or for what she
does know all. then the hour has come when .
she should know The time has passed when, Ike
receipted bills lying IN our desk because that SHOWS
they paid. or. like the new lady deposltor. ieei
aggrieved when the bank notifies us OF an over
drawn account although our check book IS not % ye,
used UP. The time has also passed when woman
with property. either personal or real need nave
legal uminary a, her eib0w to ts her %nG5e be 10
fore she signs II. nor need she feel the witherihg
OF the active, old CountryWoman, VINO, AFTER
many years OF faithful energy 10 keep mortsase
on the home dead finally went with reluctant steps
to the squlre's cice to sign the necessary papers
and on being asked the stereotypcd question, do
you sign THIS without fear or compulsion OF your
husband" she replied In tones OF mingled wrath
and astonishment Fear? Compulson? Me. him:
Jedge reckon you just don't know this woman!
Mrs Greeley spoke OF the work which has been
accomplished and OF the value OF the scholarships
which are offered by the society.
Charles Henry Ham then introduced ana
he delivered an able lecture on Caste. or class
Distinctions In American Society" The speaker
began with the aphorIsm OF the Declaration OF
Indapendenre-" men created equal lie
spoke of the cyniclsm and hate Of the Middle Nges;
described the lie OF the peasanry OF the mediaeval
period and then spoke OF the spirit OF American
Institutions. The social and economic conditions
In tho United States received dispasslonatc ana
judicial treatment. and number OF propositions
In regard 20 them were advanced one OF the fore
most being THAT the fate Of this Nation VIII he
similar TO that Of the nations that are dead unless
altruism shall replace selishness as the motive OF
nfe"
Professor Isaac Franklin Russell. lecturer OF the
Woman's Law class OF the University of the cry
OF New York. spoke ~ the clasS which. he said,
exhibited the most Intelligent interest. manifest
Ing the genuine enthusiasm of collegians. ana as
playing zeal aad carncsiness which u "ouid De
hard 10 FurpasS . 49,
letter Of regret from Chcf Justice NJ. W.
Fuller was read hy Mrs. Greeley. Among thos"
present were Nj. and Mrs Daniel G. Hood Mr.
and Mrs Theodore SutrO Miss Mary Drlslcr. the
Rev Br Flag Miss " : Titus. Mrs. Ellen Hardin
Walworih. Mrs. Charles n. Ham, Miss Ham, Dean
Austin Abbott and Mrs. Abbott Albert Mathews.
Albert d. Macdonald. Mrs. Macdonald and Mr.
and Mr.. Charles ). NoN''.