[Mr. ANTHONY HOPE'S "reply on behalf of the ladies was witty
and felicitous, and only disappointed" those who had hoped
that at least one "new woman" would have justified the claim
of her sex to equality with the male by replying. "The only
sign of novelty we detected about the ladies present was that
a few condescended to puff cigarettes, to the evident scandal
of some less advanced ladies."--_The "Literary World" upon the
late meeting of the "New Vagabond Club._"]
Of novelties--and novel ties--in chase,
Advances the New Woman, destined winner
Of true first-fiddledom and pride of place!
Already she's "advanced" to a club dinner
At the New Vagabonds! How Eleusinian
It sounds, how almost desperately daring!
Clubdom was once Man's absolute dominion,
Which now New Womanhood with him seems sharing.
"_She made no speeches_," though;--though FRANKFORT MOORE
Cracked jokes, and HOPE told tales! With mild regret
One hears that, 'midst the after-dinner "roar"
Her share was--proxies and a cigarette!
_Can_ it be her revolt against Man's yoke
Shall end, as here, in silence and in smoke!
* * * * *