The herald., 1897-03-21

Arcadia, we have read much in both
poetry and prose.
What a life it was to bring out all
that was in a woman, both good and bad!
Not only were the physical duties severe
but there was much to train the mind
and call forth all the moral energy. But
womans duty and woman's work were
almost entirely confined to the domestic
domain. The conditions of life were
such that woman found ample scope
within the home for all the love, talents
and energy. Two homely rules seemed
to guide her in her work: "Order is heav-
ems first law and Cleanliness is next
to Godliness" Within the home she
ruled with gentle firmness, but she did
not disdain to help in the field, If need
be, and she were strong enough. Nor
did man feel above helping with the
household duties when occasion required.
But the accomplishments of woman
were not confined to the so-called drudg-
cry of the house. Nothing that contrib
uted to the comfort and enjoyment of the
home was considered menial Woman's
sphere and womans work was where
ever duty and sympathy carried her. She
carded and spun; she sowed the seed
and wove the cloth; cut the patterns and
made the clothes. She bleached and
secured and dyed; she picked the feath-
ers and made the pillows. The carpets
which covered the floors were the prod
uct of her industry. She manufactured
candles and soap. The dairy and its
product were under her management.
The comfort, health and life of the fam
lily depended upon the housewives SOW
ing and growing of aromatic herbs and
medicinal plants. She it was who cut
and dried fruit. made sugar and preserv-
ed vegetables and fruit Pickles and jel-
lies and preserves, home made, made
the heart glad when they did not upset
the stomach. And when the short hours
of the day chased the long hours of the
night into the shadows of a tallow-dip.
the busy needle kept pace with the steam
in the bubbling kettle on the crane.
Can you not see the woman of the
early days of dignified bearing, hospit-
Well was it written:
Mans work is from sun to sun,
Womans work is never done"
able and courteous manner, slow and
correct of speech, brave and courageous
throughout her trials? She kept faith
with her friends and cherished religion
in her heart.
But the car of civilization moves on
and we would not reverse the wheels If
we could. The people make the condi-
tons, while the environment reacts and
moldS the people. Then it is that ma
ture or her guiding spirit works, silent
ly involving and evolving throughout
the ages.
necessity is the InOtneT OIL luVentlOn
what a wide and fertile field she must
have had during the days of our for
bearsl And how busy Father Intellect
must have been we know from the long
list of devices, good, bad and indiffer-
ent, which have been given to the world
during the past century. And in our own
day what rapid strides are being made
in arts and sciences, literally changing
the face of the globe.
Is it any wonder, then, holding in our
mind the work of woman during the
past fifty or one hundred years, that the
introduction of labor saving machinery
has caused her to readjust herself to
the new conditions? Woman possesses
energy and capacity just as much as
man, and the stream must find its way
to the sea. Indeed it would be more WON
der if woman had mot entered fields of
new labor. Not that she seeks compe-
tition with men, but from the very orce
of circumstances she Is obliged to meet
him in the office or the shop, in the arena
or on the stage, in the field or in the
store. Was she not first in the indus
tries, and was she not displaced by man
made machines?
Throughout the historical period
there have always been women who
worthily competed with man, in lines
| that were considered to be strictly with
| in the manly preorgative. These women
| their achievements little short of mira
cles. But nowadays women are assert
ing and proving their right to recogni-
tion in all spheres previously occupied
by man alone.
For many years women have made
themselves at home in the realm of mu-
sic and literature and they are now fast
taking stations in not only the arts and
sciences, but in mechanics and the field
Women are not only nurses but physi-
clans and surgeons, on the battlefield as
we'll as in hospitals and in general prac-
| tice. Ship captains and pilots, as well as
engineers have reason to welcome wo-
men among their number. Among the
| trades not only those requiring deft fin
J gers and delicate touch to excel, en-
ploy women, but even those where brain
and muscle are requisite, have women
| among the artisans. Women have made
| their mark in all lines of trade, in land
| scape gardening, as well as typewriters,
| stenographers, book-keepers, book bind
ers, typesetters steel workers ana jewel
| ers, while mills, factories and mercan-
tile establishments are glad to avail
| themselves of their assistance.
And what is to be the result now that
woman stands shoulder to shoulder, ell
bow to elbow with her brothers in all
| the walks of life?
Will woman soften and refine the man,
| OF Will she De uIdS6eu " q Ao"SA AZ 90
| and take upon herself masculine ways?
There are some who fear that the ideal
| of woman will be lowered by this con-
| tact with man, but think there is little
| ground for such an opinion. The man
| who understands the conditions, who
| is thoughtful, broad and liberal will well
| come the coming of his sister more close
ly into his daily life. Men and women
| will understand each other better, and
stronger sympathy will grow, knitting
| them closer together. There will be
necessarily an exchange of traits be-
| tween the sexes, but it will be beneficial
| to both, for it is in this way alone that
| brother and sister can evolve to that
plane which is necessary of attainment
before man can truly know himself. The
masculine portion OF the race seems to
be guided largely by reason, Whine wom-
| an oftener follows the dictates of her in
| tuition; both are necessary. Both man
| and woman require the unfolding OF
| their spiritual nature to progress natur-
| al1v and substantially and Self-SaCrif1ce