The Washington times., 1906-09-09
HEART TALK TO WOMEN
BY THE QUEEN or ITALY
Margherta Tells Her Ideas of the Duties of Wives
Mothers, and DaughterS-WOmanlineSS
the Best Quality of All.
By QUEEN MARGHERITA OF ITALY.

/ am absolutely opposed 70 any eX-
travagant theories OF what is called
the emancipation OF woman.
In whatever condition Of life
woman may be placed her first duty is
the negative one OF not giving up the
qualities that distinguish her sex.
Poor or rich. high or low, a woman
should be so educated as TO contribute
TO her own needs and. requirements and
TO those OF her family. She should not
associate unreservedly with men, nor
should she NEEDLE in politics, as the
word is broadly understood. Above all.
she should guard against developing
the traits OF men.
A blending of ancient reserve with
modern independence would give us
the ideal woman. Let her study. teach.
work. shine IN society or stay at home.
she should. nevertheless, look 70 her
father. her brother, or her husband. for
counsel and support in difficulties.
Why? Because a woman, as a rule,
cannot have the wide experience Of a
man.
In Latin countries women have been
kept in too much subsection 10 men.
But this is gradually disappearing, and
during the past twenty years the
women or Italy have made great prog
ress.
Believer in Large Families.
believe In large families, for how
else Is a nation TO progress. except
through its people? A childless family
is incomplete. There is a poetry and
a pathos about childhood which appeal
20 every right-heaTted woman. Most
women. though they may not be able TO
put this Idea into words. feel It, They
have the natural instinct Hence the
remOteness OF race suicide.
The woman 10 whom the blessing OF
motherhood Is denied misses the best
in life. I speak not OF the necessary
exceptions They may have another
mission IN life. A holy cali may claim
their soul and senses ali.
Unmarried women need not OF neces-
sity be unhappy or useless. They may
have wide fields Of useful activity. and
they can make their lives beautiful. as
well as useful. by working for the well
fare OF others.
Altruism is but another name for the
charity OF Christ or for the love OF hu-
manity, and the greatest thing on earth
IS love.
Women show their intellectually by
rearing healthy and great children. just
as much SIS they do by writing books
or painting pictures.
The wife who deliberately refuses to
bring children into the world must have
something wrong with her moral make
up Her shirklng OF the obligation may
even amount 90 a helnous crime. Her
action may be even contrary 10 patriot
ism.
Pleased With Roosevelt's Ideas.
am very pleased to know that there
Is a movement in the United States in
favor OF large families, and that the
President has put himself upon record as
favoring them uropean women have
begun 70 look FOR light 20 their sisters
OF the United States.
People are still influenced very much
by the force OF example. have ire
Guently heard that the good example set
ty tha late Queen Victoria Of England
has worked uEtold good for her people
do not think that the force Of ex-
ample is particularly effective for young
girls. They are susceptible OF the high
est powers OF imitation. Improve the
condition OF the women OF the country
and you elevate that whole section OF
the human race.
Extravagant theories about the en-
ancipation Of woman do not improve her
condition.
Religious instruction should be the
basis OF culture. particularly for wO-
men. Their character will grow with II.
A religiously trained girl IS always bet
ter able 10 take care Of herself than
strong-minded unbeliever. This Is true
OF all circumstances OF life
The unbelievlng girl is called strong
minded she is not really strong-minded.
Furthermore, she loses the grace OF i'm
agination. Her heart Is hardened BY
prosaic experiment such as cannot give
her the strength needed in difficulties
and sOTrOws.
When the world fails here. as It is