I
Have Seen A Woman Acting As Hostler At A Public Stage In Ireland.
I Knew The Circumstances - How Her
Husband had become ill and
incapable, and how she had been allowed to earn the wages; but
nevertheless the sight
Was to me disagreeable, and seemed, as far
as it went, to degrade the sex. Chivalry has been very active in
raising women from the hard and hardening tasks of the world; and
through this action they have become soft, tender, and virtuous.
It seems to me that they of whom I am now speaking are desirous of
undoing what chivalry has done.
The argument used is of course plain enough. It is said that women
are left destitute in the world - destitute unless they can be self-
dependent, and that to women should be given the same open access
to wages that men possess, in order that they may be as self-
dependent as men. Why should a young woman, for whom no father is
able to provide, not enjoy those means of provision which are open
to a young man so circumstanced? But I think the answer is very
simple. The young man, under the happiest circumstances which may
befall him, is bound to earn his bread. The young woman is only so
bound when happy circumstances do not befall her. Should we
endeavor to make the recurrence of unhappy circumstances more
general or less so? What does any tradesman, any professional man,
any mechanic wish for his children?
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