fairly judge of the process by its results, making allowance, of course, for extenuating circumstances in the shape of vitiating home influences.[1]
I ask then, what are girls worth when their education is finished? What are they good for? Are they in vigorous health of mind and body? What is there that they care about? How are their lives filled up? What have they to talk about? What do they read? I am speaking, let it be remembered, not of children, but of grown-up women. Does anybody care for their opinions on any but the most trivial matters? Have they a thought beyond the circle of petty cares?
To all these questions favourable answers might be returned as regards many exceptional women. But if we look at the great mass, we shall find much to be ashamed of. On all sides there is evidence that, as regards intelligence and good sense, English women of the middle class are held in small esteem. "A woman's reason" means, in popular phrase, no reason at all. A man who lets it be known that he consults his wife, endangers his own reputation for sense. A habit of exaggeration, closely verging upon untruthfulness, is a recognised feminine characteristic. Newspaper writers, expressing the prevailing sentiment, assume towards women an indulgent air which is far from flattering, giving them credit for plenty of good intentions, but very little capacity, and the tone in which many ladies speak of the capabilities of women is still more depreciatory than that adopted by men. No doubt this is partly exaggerated and unjust. All classes, as such, are now and then maligned, and so long as women are unfortunately regarded as a class, they will come in for their share of ridicule. But without taking the current raillery too much au sérieux, it will be admitted that the popular estimate of a woman's mental worth is somewhat low.
This condition of mental weakness might not be looked upon as so very grave a misfortune, if it was made up for by bodily strength. We are learning more and more the importance of physical health to the life of a nation, and a training which should produce a thoroughly sound physique, even at the expense of feebleness of mind, would have much to recommend it. But women are not healthy. It is a rare thing to meet with a lady, of any age, who does not suffer from headaches, languor, hysteria, or some ailment showing a want of stamina. Shut out, in towns especially, from wholesome sources of excitement, they either resort to such as are unwholesome, or else fall into indolent habits, losing strength from want of exercise, and constantly requiring change of air and scene, as a substitute for the healthy stimulus of regular exertion. Dulness is not healthy, and the lives of ladies are, it must be confessed, exceedingly dull. Men recal pictures of homely households in earlier times, and imagine
- ↑ In fairness to the schools it ought perhaps to be remarked that they are moulded by public opinion. Many school-mistresses supply what society demands, very much against their own judgment and inclination.
