on the other hand may be represented as a machine of simpler construction, without the friction of unnecessary parts, and whose movements are quicker and more easily followed. These qualities render it specially adapted for the purpose of observing the action of social and political forces. And as might be expected, it has had a large share of attention by observers from various quarters—some of them men of great eminence. From an outside point of view few subjects have been better placed before us; and the openness and candour of the American character presented unusual facilities for the task.
The authoress now introduced for the first time to British readers, speaks from an internal standpoint, and to her own countrymen and countrywomen. The series of articles which compose this treatise first appeared anonymously in The Atlantic Monthly Magazine. They are not now republished to promote the particular scheme of social reform around which the authoress has grouped her ideas, nor even to promote the general principle of co-operation, which the editor coincides with her in thinking to admit of application only in exceptional cases and under favourable circumstances. It is questionable if she considers Co-operative Housekeeping practicable even in America. But we think no one will quarrel with the use she makes of it here, as a medium to give coherence and unity to her subject. Their chief value to us consists in the incidental glimpses they give of the tone and feeling of American Society, for though there may be an intentional exaggeration exhibited here and there, we doubt not that our authoress is a representative exponent of the thought and feeling of the best section of American ladies. As between the sexes, it is no small gain to have the women's side of the question placed before us with so much candour and ability by one of themselves.
