Evening star., 1901-08-24
down amid roars of laughter: 1t was the
death Of opposition.

ooWn amid roarS or laughter: II was the
death of opposition.
ConventionaIities Rule.
The women of Australia are somewhat
more conventional tnan those Of New Zea-
land and, to the casual observer, the intel
lectual average does not appear to be so
high. The first comers. however, who did
not reside in the towns. roughed 1t in the
bush, with fathers, husbands and brothers,
sharing their privations, and ever-present
danger of attacks from the savage black
fellows" and the still more savage bush
rangers, or outlaws. who were generally
escaped convicts from the penal colonies.
AS the country became more thickly set
tied and comforts and even luxuries were
possible life upon the sheep and cattle
ranges improved. The most open-handed
hospitality prevailed, and still prevails;
large house parties were entertained, espe-
cially at Christmas and Easter, which
were observed as generally as at Home
word that the English colonists always
write with a capital letter. Native serv-
ants were not always to be relied upon, and
others were diihcult to find, and the Aus
tralian girls became, through necessity, ex-
pert In the domestic arts. Frank and un-
spoiled, they were admirable companions,
generous and warm-hearted, through the
exigencies of situation where people were
thrown together with greater intimacy
than is possible in older countries. AS
much of the continual visiting was done
on horseback-long before stage coaches or
railway lines were thought of-Australian
women living upon the ranges, young and
old, were bold and fearless riders.
Regular English Life.
In the cities, Sydney Melbourne and
Adelaide, the life is essentially English; al
though Melbourne formerly prided itself
upon it's American characteristics. The So
cial conventions approved by London
prevail; the teas, luncheons dinners and
haI 1n ~,
England, except that the duties of the
chaperon are less exacting, and young girls
are allowed a good deal of liberty, which
they are careful enough not to abuse. In
all the various colonies the social life CEN
ters in and about Government House, to
which all maids and matrons, to be in good
standing and of any social prestige, must
have the entree. The duties of the gov
ernor make it imperative that his wife
should be competent to preside over his
drawing room and at his dinner table with
grace and dignity, and an ineligible help
meet would be a serious obstacle In his
career.
AS has been said, Australia is somewhat
behind New Zealand in the adoption of
progressive ideas; but equal suffrage is al
ready guaranteed, being supported by the
ablest men and women in the colony.
Among them is Lady William Wendeger,
who is well known in the United States,
Identified with the temperance movement,
whose husband was a distinguished judge,
and whose daughter was the representa-
tive from Australia to the Columbian ex-
position. Women are admitted to the uni
versities of Sydney and Melbourne, being
students in their own colleges a recognized
part OF each loundation; and they receive
the same degrees as are conferred upon the
students of the other sex. Lady Duff,
whose husband was governor of New South
Wales in 1894, worked indefatigably for the
Woman's College of Sydney-a magnificent
building fully equipped in all it's depart
ments, the corner stone of which was laid
in that year.
Suffrage Leaders.
In her labors Lady Duff was aided by
Miss Wooley, one of the foremost educators
of New South Wales and a leader in the
suffrage movement, whose father was dean
of the university, and by Miss Macdonald
who was elected head mistress, or princi-
pal, of the college. Miss Macdonald re-
ceiyed her degree from London University
having distinguished herself prior to that
at the University of Edinburgh, where she
stood first in the local examinations
1t will be seen that the women of the
antipodes are fully in touch with those of
the mother country and the United States
and are being well equipped for the i'm
portant part they are destined to play in
the development Of their far-off islands
and continent.