French system, with the bride’s dowry, has often been criticised and
condemned, but there can be no question that on the whole it is far
better for the bride. It is said that in France a man marries a woman
for her dowry; which is sometimes true. Here, however, he often cannot
marry for lack of it, which is worse. Just one or two hundred pounds
a year which the French mother begins to collect when the daughter
is born, and scarcely misses herself, would hardly tempt mercenary
suitors, yet it makes all the difference to the girl. The provision of
a dowry is rightly considered a sacred duty. To allow a daughter to
marry without something of her own is looked upon as a disgrace, and
even the poorest _concierge_ finds the wherewithal for her girl’s dot.
But apart from the fact that this small standby is an encouragement
to early marriage, it raises the wife to the position of a “partner,”
and as a partner she naturally has a right to know exactly how the
household works. “I haven’t the least idea what my husband’s position
is,” English wives have said. “I spend my allowance, but perhaps I
ought not—who knows?” Imagine her feelings if her husband should
suddenly announce that he is a bankrupt. She has contributed without
knowing to the general useless expenditure. That could never happen in
France where the woman takes her full share of management.
The French system differs from ours because money is given at the time
of the daughter’s marriage instead of at the parent’s death, when it is
often only half as valuable as it would have been in early life. Either
the couples have married and set up for themselves, struggling along
in a crippled way for want of a little extra money, or the young man,
not daring to risk life for two on his first earnings, has married less
happily than he would have done in earlier manhood.
Above all, a sense of humiliation prevents many women from marrying.
Rather than be utterly dependent on a man, they prefer to work for
themselves. “You feel so cheap taking a salary as if you were a
housekeeper.” In a struggling or unhappy marriage, where too often the
man resents every penny he doles out, the position is heartrending for
a woman. Some, ashamed of not contributing to the home and unable to
make ends meet out of their small allowance, supplement it by adopting
a profession. This may help, but as already suggested, it often leads
to all sorts of complications.
Girls should be encouraged to marry young, though not too young. It is
dangerous for them to have gone too far on the road of independence,
for success may make them so “difficult” in their choice that they
wait too long and do not bother to marry at all. The Turkish proverb:
“Friendless still he remaineth who demands a perfect friend,” may prove
a wise warning in the matter of choosing a husband.
In an Empire like ours, where many of our young men have to emigrate,
and cannot afford to take a wife out with them, there would be many
obvious advantages in some system of dowries.
No French mother would let her son go to the end of the earth without
a wife to look after him. She knows, “it is not good for man to be
alone.” Nor does she relish the idea of daughters left to “wither on
the virgin thorn.” Perhaps, even, she considers the daughter’s case
more seriously than the son’s. For she has made up her mind that
matrimony is not only the most natural, but the only path for a woman,
and she leaves no stone unturned to bring about a marriage. Friends
help, the family confessor helps; the conspiracy is an open secret, and
no one thinks any the worse of her for her scheming.
Perhaps the best and happiest marriages are those arranged by brothers.
When a girl marries her loved brother’s best friend, it is the safest
way of making assurance doubly sure.
Between the too cautious system of the French and our careless methods,
there ought to be a happy mean. We have been arguing by extremes. Could
we not compromise and secure the advantages of both methods?
We have advocated early marriage. We who love children know what it
means for them to have young parents. Early marriage, however, is a
danger, unless the family ties are tightened. Would Englishmen and
women ever take their mothers into their confidence, and act on advice,
as the French do? Yet every great virtue has its own defects, and
very often the Frenchwoman’s great love for her son will tempt her to
cripple his best interests both in marriage and in his career. She
may spoil his career by keeping him in France where he does not obtain
either experience or promotion. She may force him to marry “well” when
his heart is elsewhere, though an understanding and unselfish mother
generally chooses a better wife than he would have found for himself.
There was a time when every Englishman scorned the idea of a dowry.
Now, though not actually applauding the system, they do fall in love
more easily with the daughter of rich parents, and, in these hard
times, who can blame them? A woman naturally resents being married for
money; but we have never seen any signs of rejoicing in those who have
been left penniless in the hands of the best husband. That is more
humiliating, not less.
The greatest advantage of the French system, which provides something
for both husband and wife, is that a young couple _can_ marry, and
their children will have the immense advantage of young and healthy
parents. How, in these hard times for professional men, can one of
these afford to marry before he is nearly forty, and this often results
in his wife being left a young widow with a family, the children
without the moral and material support of the father when he is most
needed.
It is only a small sacrifice that these French parents make in slowly
and steadily saving money for their daughters, and it seems incredible
that for want of similar unselfishness, this country should eventually
abound, as it must, in destitute women.
XI
THE FUTURE
What is to be the Future of the army of two million superfluous women?
We maintain that, with few exceptions, the vocation of women is
matrimony. But where are all these two million to find husbands?
Certainly not in England.
From time to time, the papers are full of the need for women in our
colonies:—Rhodesia, Western Canada, or Australia. But does such a need
really exist? Why cannot some thoroughly competent and trustworthy
woman be sent out on a mission to these places—as the _Daily Mail_
quite recently sent one of its men representatives—to investigate, and
produce a reliable report of all the facilities for emigration? It
is idle and dangerous to pursue such ideas blindfold: we need exact
figures and precise facts.
If there is work in the colonies for our women, why not send them
out? If there _are_ men there wanting wives, the rest will follow as a
matter of course.
When we read what the first Puritan colonists of America endured and
suffered, and how the women battled along beside them, we need feel no
fear of what Englishwomen can do when put to the test. In the fight for
home and children woman stands out supreme. Who knows what a marvellous
tale of love, adventure, and real heroism, a new exodus might call
forth? But we must know the truth. Are women really needed in the
colonies, or are they not?
Every woman has the right to some goal in life. She was not born to
vegetate; and where the vocation of husband and children is lacking, a
field of sufficient interest to absorb her whole life must be found.
What about the Church? Or some other form of work in the service of
Humanity?
Every student of human nature knows that great insatiable longing of
one being for the special sympathy of another, the two making one
perfect whole. The Roman and Anglican Churches have expressed this
instinct under the simile of Christ the bridegroom and the nun or
sister, His bride. This Union between God and man is perhaps the only
one that can replace the wonderful exclusive tie between a man and a
woman. How many women who buried their “one man” in the battle-fields
of France, have found their consolation in Heavenly Union and taken
refuge from the world in the service of humanity with the protection of
the veil?
In Protestant England, however, the convent does not mean what it
means in Latin countries, yet England assuredly needs women to labour
for the certain benefit of their sex. She wants another St. Theresa,
without her delusions. But where is she? Certainly not in the ranks
of the women who would drive us to the Bar and the House of Commons.
Nor amongst those who would send us back to crochet in our mother’s
drawing-rooms.
Help must come from the religion of _practical service_; and who knows
whether if women once gain a broader and saner outlook, they would not
do fine and noble work in the pulpit. They must be chosen, of course,
with the greatest care, or more harm than good will be done.
If only there were more of us like Miss Maud Royden, a broad-minded,
deep-thinking, human woman, who can do only good wherever she goes.
We do not want the “shrieking sister” type. We want women who will
preach that human nature is neither foul nor base, but a noble,
beautiful thing; that men and women are neither angels nor beasts, but
just men and women in sore need of help.
The non-conformist Church, too, should make room for more women in its
foreign missions; and what a fine field there is for the trained nurse
as Florence Nightingale conceived her. To-day the mere ‘paid’ nurse is
a different being altogether, with few, if any, of the qualities of the
pioneer. Too often she is neither working in God’s service to relieve
suffering, nor straining her mind and strength to learn the laws of
health. Florence Nightingale’s religion was her work. But where are her
disciples now?
Nevertheless, there is a practical side to the Service of Humanity.
It simply cannot be done without organisation and support. The
“Sisterhood” provides this. Sister Leonie, working day and night in
the St. Lazare prison, Paris, could not be tortured by the material
worries of daily life. What a waste of effort that would have been,
disturbing the work of service as she prays with and comforts her
penitents.
Everywhere, in fact, and whatever their work or their mission,
_provision for the Future must prove to be Women s real problem_.
At present there is no sphere open to her in which the returns are
substantial enough to allow of saving. Those who feel the Call may be
freed from such anxieties; but where there is neither a home nor an
income to depend on, in business or professions that do not carry with
them an adequate pension, _some kind of insurance must be devised by
the State_.
This is obviously a big question needing most careful thought. To-day,
indeed, we must feel serious doubt whether women can place any real
dependence even on the home and the family. Times are hard, and society
is unstable. At any moment revolution or anarchy may sweep away,
through no fault of our own, whatever provision the most prudent of us
have been able to make.
There can, therefore, be no doubt that the Economic Insecurity among
women is a grave problem. It may lead anywhere—to suicide, immorality,
or crime. The matter is too serious for delay. All single women who
have passed the age of thirty should now be included in some scheme
of _National Insurance_. The other disadvantages, however great they
be, are actually dwarfed before the monster terror of no money in our
old age—or in times of sickness. True, there are old age pensions,
there are charities for distressed gentlewomen, but no self-respecting
professional worker can be beholden to these. We ought not to allow it.
Finally, as one who stands whole-heartedly for progress, may we not
once more ask what is the use of a femininism that preaches hatred
of the other sex, or a desire to exercise the wearing—for women,
tearing—professions of men?
Man, with his better-balanced brain and uncomplicated physique, fills
us with awe. See him at his magnificent work of building bridges,
stemming rivers and piercing mountains, conquering Nature inch by inch!
Woman can help his work and complete his life, but she may not enter
into competition with him.
Let her not deceive herself: in spite of women in Parliament and other
signs of advanced femininism, she has not gone very far. What she needs
now is more humanity, more commonsense, and some of the Latin charm. If
she works as man’s antagonist, she will be beaten back steadily.
_Male and Female created He them.
And a little child shall lead them._
There, in a nutshell, is the truth.
. From A. M. PHILPOT’S LIST .
BLUE BOOKLET, VOL. I
THE
FALLACIES _of_ SPIRITUALISM
By A. LEONARD SUMMERS
2s. 6d. net.
SOME EARLY REVIEWS
“This booklet is an extremely able and interesting criticism of a craze
that has become wide-spread with the most pernicious results. The
writer does not limit himself to an account of the sensational frauds
that have been exposed on both sides of the Atlantic, but he analyses
the evidence of Sir Oliver Lodge, Sir A. Conan Doyle, Mr. Vale Owen,
and other distinguished spiritualists, with merciless severity and very
great acumen.”—_Freemans Journal._
“Lucidly written, and without bitterness, Mr. Summers makes out a good
case for the ‘against’ in this little book.”—_Glasgow Citizen._
“As a popular indictment, Mr. Summers’ pamphlet is likely to make
considerable impression. It remains for his opponents to offer
as succinct and well-documented an answer.”—_The Times Literary
Supplement._
BLUE BOOKLET, VOL. II
PSYCHIC PHENOMENA IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
By SARAH A. TOOLEY
2s. 6d. net.
Scenes and occurrences in the Old Testament, so familiar as to have
lost their real significance, are here described in a way that will be
of extraordinary interest to the psychic student of to-day.
BLUE BOOKLET, VOL. III
MORAL POISON IN MODERN FICTION
By R. BRIMLEY JOHNSON
2s. 6d. net.
The truth about certain new theories of morality, taught in some modern
novels, assumed in others, and to some extent already put in practice
by young readers, frankly and carefully examined, with an exposure
of their probable evil influence. Extracts from novels by well-known
writers give point and interest to what amounts to an unhesitating
condemnation.
_NEW BOOK BY TROWARD._
THE HIDDEN POWER. By T. TROWARD. With frontispiece portrait of the
author. Uniform with author’s Complete Works. Crown 8vo, cloth and
linen, 8s. 6d. net.
This important volume, which includes practically all Troward’s
unpublished manuscripts and magazine articles, concludes the series
of books on Mental Science by an author who was described by the
late Archdeacon Wilberforce as “one of the greatest thinkers of our
times.” It is significant to note that these books, beautiful in their
sustained clearness of thought and style, are now included in the
curriculum of societies, clubs and classes devoted to the study of
Mental Science.
_Complete List of the Series._
1. THE EDINBURGH LECTURES ON MENTAL SCIENCE. Crown 8vo, cloth and
linen, 6s. net.
Mental Science defined as the proper understanding of Livingness, based
on the distinction between Spirit and Matter, i.e., Thought and Form.
2. THE DORÉ LECTURES ON MENTAL SCIENCE. Crown 8vo, cloth, 6s. net.
An exposition of the relation of the Individual to the Universal
Originating Principal of the Cosmos—the Mind of God.
3. THE CREATIVE PROCESS IN THE INDIVIDUAL. Crown 8vo, cloth, 8s. 6d.
net.
A study of spiritual evolution which, the author maintains, is but
another aspect of physical evolution.
“_No thinker should be without this book._”—The late Archdeacon
WILBERFORCE.
4. BIBLE MYSTERY AND BIBLE MEANING. Demy 8vo, cloth, 10s. 6d. net.
Troward here proposes that “we shall re-read the Bible on the
supposition that Jesus and these other speakers _really meant what
they said_, which is a startling proposition from the standpoint of
the traditional interpretation.” An illumination for those who seek to
render the older theology into terms of modern science.
5. BIBLE PROPHECY, 1914-23. Crown 8vo, paper, 1s. net.
An arresting pamphlet upon the Great War; providing clues to prophetic
utterances of the Bible concerning the Time of the End. To-day _is_ the
End of the Age.
6. THE LAW AND THE WORLD. With a Foreword by PAUL DERRICK. Crown 8vo,
cloth, 8s. 6d. net.
In this posthumous volume, Troward formulates a final statement of his
beliefs after long investigation and profound study in the field of
Mental Science.
A. M. PHILPOT, LTD., 69 Great Russell Street, W.C. 1
_TWO WORKS OF GENIUS_
VOL. IV of Les Fleurs de France.
THE CRYSTAL COFFIN
By MAURICE ROSTAND
6s. net.
An amazing first novel by the son of the author of _Cyrano de Bergerac_.
“It is written in the form of a diary in which the author narrates
his soul-corruption by a life of luxury and incessant pleasure until,
finally, he commits suicide on his father’s grave in a mood of
remorse....
There is veri-similitude throughout. We see the leading figures of
French life crossing the stage; often Rostand himself stands revealed
in the intimacy of this diary. While one is inclined to resent an
exposure so candid, from which the father emerges still greater, it is
true that the recorder has not spared himself....
A bare outline of the tragedy gives no conception of the fascination
of this astounding volume. Throughout one cannot separate fact from
fiction, history from imagination, and everyone asks, ‘How much of this
is the real Rostand?’ It is a book of astounding candour, of merciless
introspection, with passages of sheer lyricism....
As a first volume and a _roman à-clef_, _The Crystal Coffin_ is
something new in the experience of the reviewer. It is undeniable
evidence of a case of inherited genius, and it seems probable that
the man who could write this book will create such works that he will
be independent of the fact that he is his father’s son.”—_Liverpool
Courier._
VOL. V. of Les Fleurs de France.
THE FOSTER MOTHER
By ERNEST PÉROCHON
6s. net.
A poignant story of the conflict between Mother Love and the power of
the showy, heartless “Vampire Girl”. It is not often that a work of
genius is “everyone’s book,” but this simply-told story of country life
is also an exquisite piece of writing which gained the much-coveted
Prix Goncourt, 1920.
“A tragedy so poignant and so free from sentimental dilution is a truly
fine achievement.”—_Times Literary Supplement._
“The story is worthy of comparison with big things.”—_Manchester
Guardian._
_ALL ABOUT PARIS RESTAURANTS_
PARIS À LA CARTE
Where the Frenchman Dines and How.
By SOMMERVILLE STORY
Author of _The Spirit of Paris_, etc.
4s. 6d. net.
A book of great interest and value to all who visit Paris or are
interested in French cuisine. In a series of sparkling sketches, the
author describes the different restaurants, past and present, night
and day, their specialities, habitués, etc., and there are chapters
describing the preparation and origin of the best-known French dishes,
the apéritif hour, the chief French wines, and everything connected
with the subject.
Transcriber’s Notes
Pg 14 Changed: the instrument of the Millenium To: the instrument of
the Millennium
Pg 14 Changed: the promised Millenium is still far to seek To: the
promised Millennium is still far to seek
Pg 26 Changed: women doctors, and in the medical mission-field To:
women doctors, and in the medical mission field