The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-30

Frederique. by Marcel Provost, translated
by Ellen Marriage IhomaS T. CroWeh
At this time when the French govern
ment is closing the oid-fashioned schools
in which French girls have been bred,
this story by Provost Is timely. The
book casts side light on at least some
reasons for the governments action.
For in France there has been little edu-
cation of girls. They have, as the auth
or says, been brought up as chance or
fancy determined, quite apart from Or
binary life, knowing nothing of future
duties, intended to- go straight from the
convent to their husbands. and left for
the husband to impress. There has
been no national. rational system in
their training.
In fact the idea at the base of most of
the old education of a woman was to
make her fitted for being mother, to
make her pleasing to and helpful to
some hypothetical man whom she
might, and again she might not meet
But new idea expanded into practice
during the century just come to close
the idea of educating a girl for HUI
manity, not for a man.-to make her
reasonable, self-poised human being
who is prepared for all the duties of
life, and for independent support of her
self if the need arises. For marriage. IL
she is healthy, honest. well educated,
Woodworking she is ready. Hereditary
qualities will make her a perfect wife
and mother, and she herself who was
educated for humanity will broadly
bring up her children for humanity and
not in a small vain way. And enlarged
race ideals will produce finer race.
The old idea may have done for the
old social conditions. But with the pres
ent development of our social and econ
omic problems a change in womanS ed
ucation was Imperative.
Such ideas as the foregoing are the
background of this fine French novel
which Miss Marriage has translated to
English. In the foreground of the story
are characters drawn with much fidelity
and much art. and with sympathy of
conscience for the regeneration of wo-
man. What was required of the early
Christians" says the chief apostle Ro-
maine Piruitz, 'is as nothing to what is
asked of us in the cause of humanity.
Romano Piruitz is a Slav with the
virile courage. intensity and exalta-
ton of best products of her race. She
dreams of a new Eve, a Wise Virgin,
Solomon'S VirtuouS Woman, prieStesS
of new day, who shall regenerate the
master man, who shall rise above out
worn and disputed creeds, who shall
create the world anew, who is to pre-
serve from physical slavery, which now
threatens her in every large city, the
penniless girl, and provide the girl with
some aria craft for livelihood.
To this great altruism the apostle
brings body feeble, sunken, twisted,
thin, pain stricken, hidden as best it
might be by her black cashmere dress
and little, hard-worn, silk mantle. All
the life in her seems to have taken
refuge in the passionate fervor of her
eyes. But through her features shines
the glow of unselfishness. Il am, in
truth, she exclaims, only an embodied
thought that can move and give ex-
preston to itself"
This ardent, imaginative worker
meets two French girls with a history
and a skeleton in their humble apart
rnlDf in Paris Thew sisters much
unlike, yet both capable of the fire of
enthusiasm and sacrifice of self in
Cause. Romano becomes their intel
lectual mother; she enlists their fine
capacities.
Freoerique, the elder. is the profound
err, more self-controlled of the two sis
tiers. She has the silence of the deeper
thinking and feeling and kneeling by
the bedside of her dying mother, she
concludes: Il have no right to allow
selfish sorrow to draw me away from
my duty to humanity. My task needs
me. When I shall have lost you, mother
dear, I will take it up again That is the
best way of loving you. | am working
to avenge you, that others shall not
suffer as you suffered, or that at least
the wrong shall not be done to quite so
many others, to helpless girls such as
you were"
The younger. lighter, simpler, more
romantic Lea with her sister goes to
London and there both come in touch
with English and American opponents
of the new ideas regarding woman and
woman's education A woman's college
in London is the field where they meet.
Both individuals and institution are to
my judgment presented with photo
graphic viyidness.
But also in cosmopolitan London the
sisters meet a boy and girl grown old
artist and author they are, but curl
ously idealistic as result of a singular
training in the land of their birth, Fin
land They are devotees of what they
term the mystic marriage, the union of
two minds, of two human beings, who
give each other affection. but no more
each loving each with the love or
brother and sister" Such marriages
ARE by no means rare in Scandinavian
countries said Georg. Many in
stances are we'll known, Sonia Kova-
lewska among Others
In the bonhomie and BOhemianisns
into which these four, French and