The Forerunner Part 154

As each of these diseases affects both wife and child, it is specially necessary that women should be informed about them.

The second part treats of Prost.i.tution; the efforts made at its control and regulation, and the new widespread movement for its abolition; and gives melancholy figures to show not only the immense extent of this evil, but the fact that the large majority of its victims are _unwilling_ ones.

Abnormal women who might wish to follow this trade are so few that in order to supply the market, innocent young girls, numbering in America about fifty thousand a year, must be forced into this profession, into shame, disease and painful death; hence the "White-Slave traffic."

The third part discusses Prevention; with wise and hopeful words; telling how chance infection may be avoided, how patients with these diseases should be isolated; and how all children should be educated in full knowledge of this danger and its best avoidance.

Miss Dock is also very clear and strong in showing that women can best reduce this evil through the use of the ballot; and gives conclusive evidence of what is already accomplished in those states and countries having equal suffrage.

It is a clean, forcible interesting book, most moderate in tone; and giving a long list of scientific authorities.

Now for an amusing book!

This is "Marriage as a Trade," by Cicely Hamilton, a clever and forcible English writer, co-author of that delicious little play "How The Vote Was Won."

A keen and accurate weapon is Miss Hamilton's pen; and in this work she uses it with delicious dexterity to p.r.i.c.k bubbles, to slice off masks, cut veils and bandages, and dissect ancient idols.

Her special matter in discussion is exactly given in the t.i.tle, and she does not stray from her theme; but brings out, sharply and inescapably, the universal fact, that marriage, to a woman, is not only a happiness (or a grief!), not only a duty, or at least a natural function, but a trade--she earns her living by it!

Miss Hamilton points out very forcibly that not all women are fitted by nature for following the same trade, that not all of them like it; that it produces low grade work and discontented lives; and that many women would infinitely prefer working at some other business.

The value of this book is is the sharp light thrown on this large subject from the woman's view--or at least from a woman's view; and one that will be shared by many others.

Its amusing quality is for those who like trenchant wit and penetrating satire.

Mary Jonston is a writer of good novels, strong, thrilling, excellent in workmans.h.i.+p, as all who have read her "To Have and To Hold" will agree; and it was that quality of literary skill which made me seize upon this, in the Woman's Journal of October 8th, before I noticed the name of the author:

THE WISE HOUSEKEEPER:

Will be against A HOW BUILT ON SAND.

Will be for THE CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE.

Will be against GROUNDS WITHOUT SHADE AND WATER.

Will be for CONSERVATISM.

Will be against QUARRELS WITH NEIGHBORS.

Will be for INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.

Will be against EXTRAVAGANT HOUSEKEEPING.

Will be for ECONOMY IN ADMINISTRATION.

Will be against PENNY WISDOM AND POUND FOOLISHNESS.

Will be for LIBERAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR COMMON WELFARE.

Will be against DISHONEST SERVANTS.

Will be for INTELLIGENCE AND HONOR IN OFFICE.

Will be against DIRT.

Will be for CLEAN POLITICS.

Will be against MOTHS, RUST AND MILDEW Will be for AN END TO GRAFT.

Will be against UNTRIMMED LAMPS.

Will be for THE INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM.

Will be against UNPAID BILLS.

Will be for JUSTICE.

Will be against DARK CORNERS.

Will be for COMMON OWNERs.h.i.+P IN COMMON NEEDS.

Will be against DARKENED WINDOWS.

Will be for COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

Will be against CANDLES BURNED AT BOTH ENDS.

Will be for ABOLITION OF CHILD LABOR.

Will be against CARELESS BREAKAGE.

Will be for ACTS LOOKING TO PREVENTION OF MINE, RAILWAY AND FACTORY ACCIDENTS.

Will be against HOUSEHOLD DRUDGES.

Will be for AN EIGHT-HOUR DAY.

Will be against BAD DRAINS.

Will be for A FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Will be against STAINS THAT WILL NOT COME OUT.

Will be for JUVENILE COURTS.

Will be against POISONS LEFT WHERE THE CHILDREN CAN GET THEM.

Will be for WAR AGAINST THE SOCIAL EVIL.

WAR AGAINST ALCOHOL.

Will be against MISTAKEN PARTNERs.h.i.+PS.

Will be for WISER MARRIAGE LAWS.

Will be against SPOILED CHILDREN.

Will be for A FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EUGENICS.

Will be against A MISTRESS OF THE HOUSE WITHOUT AUTHORITY.

Will be for THE FRANCHISE FOR WOMEN.