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WOMAN'S DEPARTMEMT IN THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.

his wife or give her credit on his account. Some months later when the case came up for a hearing, the court was satisfied that the wife was living apart from her husband for justifiable cause, and rendered a decree for a separate maintenance. This decree dated only from the time of the hearing, but the somewhat heavy bill already run up for board and lodging also had to be paid by the unwilling husband.

It is only in the capacity of agent that a wife may bind her husband by her contracts. The mere fact that she is his wife and living with him, or living apart from him for justifiable cause, is sufficient to authorize her as his agent, to contract, in his name, debts for necessaries. But she may also make other contracts of any and all sorts, if he gives her authority, as his agent, so to do. And this authority need not be written, though it may be. Any words or acts of the husband show ing that he knows his wife is trading at a certain store for articles other than necessaries or is purchasing real estate in his name or buying horses on margins, and that he is willing she should do so, is sufficient to constitute her his agent for these contracts and to bind him by them. But this is not because she is his wife. He could make anyone else his agent for such purposes in precisely the same way. But unless she does have some special authority to act for him, his wife cannot bind him by any contracts except those for necessaries already referred to.

At common law and in the great majority of states, a wife, however wealthy she may be in her own right, may yet claim and receive from her husband necessaries suitable to his means, however poor he is. And there

are very few states where a wife's property may be taken in payment for necessaries for herself or for the family, even if the husband is penniless and cannot pay. Unless, of course, the wife contracts for necessaries on her own credit instead of his, in which case she and her property may now be held nearly everywhere. But the support which she can claim is only such as accords with her husband's means, not her own. And he is the sole arbiter as to the place where the family shall live and the manner of life, so that it be reasonably healthful and comfortable. In a recent case, a wife owned a fine house and estate where she wished to reside with her husband and family, but he required her to live elsewhere with him in a much humbler fashion, probably expecting her to lease her own place and apply the rent-money to family expenses. It was held that she must go with him where he chose to establish the family domicile, and that if she refused so to do, it would be desertion on her part.

Every husband must support his wife, so long as she is his wife, whether they continue to live together or not, unless the separation is due to her fault, in which case, if he can prove it to the satisfaction of the court, he is relieved from all further responsibility for her support. If there is a separation caused by his fault, and if he refuses to support her apart from him, there is in nearly all our states some process by which, without applying for divorce, the injured wife may yet compel her husband to provide reasonably, according to his means, for her support, together with a decree of court authorizing her to live apart from him, and, perhaps, also, giving her the custody of minor children.

WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT IN THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.

W

BY ANTOINETTE VAN HOESEN.

HEN the Board of Lady Managers, This conclusion was emphasized by the elecappointed by Congress to pro- tion of Mrs. Potter Palmer as president, who, mote the interests of women in up to that time, was known to the public connection with the Columbian only as a brilliant social leader. While the Exposition held their first meeting last au- authorization of this board by Congress was tumn such powers as the National Commis- in a manner designed as a recognition of the sion had conceded to them were of the vaguest good work women had done at the Centensort. So evident was this that it was gen- nial Exhibition at Philadelphia and later at erally assumed that all that was expected of the Cotton Centennial at New Orleans, their them was simply to ostentate themselves. creation proved nothing and whether the

WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT IN THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.

work of the Board of Lady Managers was to be of any real value or not, remained to be determined by its own action. With the most exquisite discretion and loyal industry Mrs. Palmer led in the work of solving this problem.

After the obtaining of an appropriation of $36,000 per year for the current expenses of prosecuting their work, and also suitable provision for a woman's building, the most important concession secured by the Board of Lady Managers was from the chief of the Bureau of Installation. As soon as it was decided that woman's work should be specially and not separately exhibited, the ladies requested that there should be printed on all entry blanks a question asking whether the particular article entered for exhibition is the product in whole or in part of woman's work. This request was granted. As an act of Congress provides that the Board of Lady Managers "may appoint one or more members of all committees to award prizes for exhibits which may be produced in whole or in part by female labor," the Board was certain of being able to appoint women on all juries of award where women had taken any part in producing the article to be considered. It is an interesting and significant fact that of the thousands of entry blanks which have already been received there is a very small proportion indeed that do not answer the question as to whether women have been employed in its manufacture in the affirmative. Mrs. Palmer in speaking of this in an address before a Chicago Women's Club, said: "When I asked the Board of Control at the time they were prescribing our duties, how many representatives we were to have on the juries which would pass upon exhibits that were wholly or in part the work of women, his reply was that we might appoint all the members that were to award prizes in departments where women's work was to be judged. I modestly insisted that we name only one-half of such juries, for I knew-although I did not tell him so that otherwise we should have the appointing of all the members of most of the juries of the Exposition."

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through the Exposition can distinguish it at a glance. In addition to this it is quite probable that in the women's building there will be a showing of the most important and interesting works that women have given to the world. The Board are also arranging to make a thorough canvass in order to discover the condition of women wage workers. They propose to ascertain the amount of child labor employed; the proportion of wages that women get for their share of the world's work; whether their taste and delicacy of touch are of distinctive value, and to enlarge upon the work of statisticians by bringing to light salient facts in regard to woman's work which have never yet been made a matter of record. In order to secure the concurrent action of women of different nations, the Board of Lady Managers are arranging to send petitions to foreign governments, through the American Ministers, asking each of these governments to appoint bodies of women to co-operate with them. The power of the state being so much more considered abroad than here, an appointment of this kind, it is believed, would be considered at once a compliment and a command. Furthermore, to women indorsed by their government all doors would be opened. The Hon. James G. Blaine is especially interested in this department of the work of the Board and has assured them of his assistance.

The name, Board of Lady Managers, together with the statement that has been given wide publicity that the Board is for the most part composed of ladies of leisure who have no comprehension of, or sympathy with, bread-winning women, has created an erroneous impression. The fact is that a large proportion of the Board are practical business women. There are among them farmers, real estate agents, photographers, painters, editors, authors, doctors, lawyers, philanthropists, and also capitalists. In this connection the fact is of interest that with the exception of the removal from the office of secretary of Miss Phoebe Couzins, there has been nothing to mar the harmony and good feeling existing among the members of the Board. Furthermore, it is but just to state It is the intention of the Board of Lady that since Mrs. Palmer was elected to the Managers to present a complete showing of office of president of the Board she has the work of women at the present time. To worked as industriously and persistently as this end there will be some desire to indicate any wage-earner could for the furthering of just what part of the work exhibited has been the interests of everything connected with the done by women, so that persons passing forthcoming Columbian Exposition. In ad

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PERFUMERY-MAKING AS AN OCCUPATION FOR WOMEN.

dition to refusing to accept any remuneration with roof gardens. In this building will be for her services she has paid from her private purse for such office help as has been needed as the funds appropriated will not be available until July.

held the congresses of the Woman's Branch of the World's Congress Auxiliary. This organization, although under the direction of the Commission, is in no way connected with the Board of Lady Managers, who deal exclusively with the objective exhibit, while the World's Congress Auxiliary deal entirely with theories, their motto being, "Not things, but men; not matter, but mind." The Isabella Association, which is often confused with these two organizations, is in no way connected with the World's Columbian Commission.

The securing of a woman's building has been an important part of the work of the Board of Lady Managers. The building will be four hundred by two hundred feet. On the first floor there will be, in addition to entrances, main gallery, and toilet rooms, two large audience halls, a model hospital, a model kindergarten, a library, and a bureau of information. The second story is devoted to an open colonnade, parlors, reception, committee, and dressing rooms, a model kitchen for demonstration lessons, assembly and administration rooms, and the office of the president. The adding of a third story is being considered, and it has been decided that the building shall be ornamented are engaging.

Just at present a systematic canvass is being inaugurated by the members of the Board of Lady Managers, in their respective states and territories, in accordance with a report of the committee on immediate work, in regard to the industries in which women

I

PERFUMERY-MAKING AS AN OCCUPATION FOR WOMEN.

BY COUNTESS ANNIE DE MONTAIGU.

N mediæval times when feudalism and oppression were rampant, a knowledge of the arts and sciences was confined to a small number of persons, even people of the highest rank being ignorant and unlettered. Much of the learning was buried within the gray walls of the cloister, the cowled monks and the hooded sisters being adepts in the preparation of certain perfumes and lotions, which were much in request. These secrets were jealously guarded, and many of the formulas of the present day have been derived from old yellow manuscripts and quaint black-letter volumes which have been transmitted from generation to generation as precious heirlooms.

rude appliances, sweet-scented waters from the delicate blossoms.

As far as the ladies of modern times are concerned, perfumery may be regarded in the light of a lost art, its manufacture being almost exclusively carried on by men.

In the battle for bread, many women have strayed from their legitimate sphere, and have essayed to become blacksmiths, butchers, tooth pullers, etc., in order to earn a living.

Most of the trades and professions are overcrowded, and women clamor for something to do which is at the same time womanly and remunerative.

It seems never to have occurred to them In those days men were unversed in the that by adopting perfumery-making they gentler arts, and on the women of the might solve the money-getting problem, family devolved the duty of compounding and at the same time engage in an occupasweet odors, unguents, and powders that tion refined and elevating and lucrative. were to make one forever beautiful; also Most persons imagine that a knowledge of salves to heal the wounds of their husbands chemistry is necessary, but this is a mistake, and lovers. Old-fashioned plants such as as many successful perfumers are not chemlavender, bergamot, the cabbage rose, and ists, although an acquaintance with the funthe fragrant jasmine were cultivated for damental rules of chemistry is of inestimathe purpose, and the chatelaine surrounded ble value to one who intends to engage in the by her handmaidens, distilled, by means of business.

TO THE RÉFormer.

There are many points in favor of this employment, and not one objection. It requires no arduous labor either of brain or body and is devoid of monotony. Another great recommendation is the small amount of space requisite and its cleanliness. The business can be carried on as well in the parlor as in the laboratory. It is a most fascinating occupation and eminently adapted to ladies who are thrown upon their own resources. It is not difficult to learn, and once acquired it is a perpetual delight.

Women are better equipped in every respect than men to make successful perfumers. One of the most important requisites is a nice sense of smell, which is possessed to an eminent degree by the majority of women, as their olfactories have not been dulled by indulgence in smoking and drinking, as is the case with many men.

The most delicate manipulation is necessary in order to produce good results, fivesixteenths of a drop too much or too little often materially changing the odor. The perfumer must, besides, appreciate the influence of time and temperature upon his goods as this is an important element of success. Almost every woman has an inherent love for flowers; women as a rule have fine sensibilities and are better acquainted with their distinctive odors than the sterner sex who pay but scant attention to such matters.

Not only is the almost limitless domain of perfumery open to feminine breadwinners, but they are also at liberty to engage in the kindred arts of manufacturing cosmetics and flavoring extracts.

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Most women use cosmetics in some form, and many of the goods put upon the market are exceedingly harmful and cost enormous sums.. They can be manufactured at home at a fraction of the price and without the innocuous ingredients.

Pure cooking extracts are difficult to obtain, and the making of them also offers a wide field for the enterprising woman. Most of the flavoring extracts bear no resemblance to the fruits they are supposed to represent, and besides they often contain deleterious substances and cost a good deal.

A perusal of the foregoing remarks will convince even the most skeptical of the manifold advantages which might accrue to women who desire to learn some profession by which they can maintain themselves, and in the pursuit of which there is nothing repulsive, unpleasant, or unwomanly.

A practical chemist who is an expert in all the various branches, makes a specialty of giving instruction in the art to men employed in the business. He says that women are becoming much interested in the subject and are eager to acquire a knowledge of it. During the last twelve months he has taught several ladies, some of them merely learning it as a source of amusement, while others have applied it to the practical purpose of money-making.

One lady in particular, who took a course of lessons, owns an extensive raisin-ranch and also cultivates many rare flowers. She became an expert and now makes a business of compounding perfumes from the sale of which she derives a fine revenue, as she disposes of her wares at an excellent profit.

TO THE REFORMER.

BY MARIE BRUNEau.

All things come round to him who waits.-Spanish Proverb.

OH! thou who pinest for the truth to grow
In weedy waste or on the steppes' wan snow,
Who criest out thine anguish, moaning low,
While Time pours from his urn the years in
even flow,

Be comforted; the season waits a space,
As one, ere weighted words, scans the un-
conscious face

Till o'er it, like some pattern of rare lace, The soul's responsive, mystic legends race. ■I-July.

All things sweep round to him who waits,
Holding his breath in agony,
Or calmly gazing toward eternity,-
Life's lessening thread, the open shears, the

Fates

Grown sweet to the palled vision,-yet, though late it seem, most late,

Truth's time must surely come to those who, trusting, wait.

EDITOR'S OUTLOOK.

THEOSOPHY AND MADAM BLAVATSKY.

THE death of Madam Blavatsky in London, last May, ended an active and mysterious career. It is not likely that the mystery of her life will ever be dispelled: those who believe her to have been the teacher of a religion and a morality will retain their faith; those who regard her as an impostor of a high class will not modify their judgment. Mystery was one of the elements ofher success; it gave her an interest to which no one who was brought in contact with her could be entirely indifferent. Those who met her in New York a few years ago recall a dark, thickset woman of strong face and searching eyes; eminently unattractive through her habit of constant cigarette smoking, but stimulating, and, in her way, fascinating.

Russian by birth, and accused on apparently good grounds of being a spy in the service of the Russian government, she seemed to belong to no country, but, like the religion she professed to teach, to represent the universal principle of life. She affected the East rather than the West, because the vagueness and mysticism of Oriental thought were attractive to her, and also because they served her purpose. She seemed to be familiar with all parts of the world, her information was of marvelous reach, and her mind of a very comprehensive order. Her conversation had an amplitude of interest and knowledge which was in itself a fascination, although the critical listener often discerned in it distinct traces of superficiality. She was a woman of a very marked personality; she carried others with her by her strong individuality, and converted a good many people to her views who would not have fallen under the spell of a less potent impostor. For an impostor we believe Madam Blavatsky to have been. This does not mean that she was at all times and in all things dishonest. The things she taught had a natural attraction for her; her own temperament fell in with the vague doctrines of theosophy and especially with the thaumaturgical side of it.

Madam Blavatsky came to New York about eighteen years ago, and the conversion to her views of Colonel Alcott, who was then

a spiritualist, speedily followed. Other kindred spirits were drawn within the magical circle, and a few years later the New York Theosophical Society was organized. Madam Blavatsky's rooms were the scene not only of interchange of opinion and the organization of a new religious society, but of mysterious and apparently supernatural occurrences.

After remaining in this country five or six years Madam Blavatsky returned to India for the purpose, as she said, of enlarging the work of the Theosophical Society. Her stay in India was marked by a multitude of reports of marvelous occurrences with which she was connected, and also of palpable impostures in which she was detected. The London Society for Psychic Research became interested in these stories, and Dr. Hodgson went to India for the purpose of studying Madam Blavatsky's performances on the ground. After a careful investigation and personal examination of various individuals who had been concerned in Madam Blavatsky's alleged miracles, Dr. Hodgson made a report to the Society for Psychic Research, in which he pronounced Madam Blavatsky an unblushing impostor. This report was a serious blow to the Theosophical Society.

Madam Blavatsky left India three or four years ago and returned to Europe, fixing her residence in London, where her striking personality and her plausibility have shown themselves in the increased interest in theosophy among a certain class of English thinkers. That Dr. Hodgson's characterization was just and accurate is the belief of most people who did not come under the speli of Madam Blavatsky's mind; but although proven an impostor, her influence over a large class of persons has undoubtedly been very great, and has given the Theosophical Society a great impetus not only in England but in this country.

In its broadest terms theosophy starts with the assumption of the existence of God, that He may be directly known by contact with the human spirit, and that the end of all knowledge is to secure this immediate contact; that contact conveying, among other things, mastery of the spiritual and physical forces of life. So far as its original stand

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