and direction of experienced persons. But the chief point on which I wish to dwell, is the opportunity that would be afforded of training for permanent employment in our various institutions. The boarders in such a college or home should in turn go out to learn the work in hospitals, prisons, workhouses, and schools, for only on the spot can the work be learnt. It is useless to talk of superseding the present race of matrons and managers unless we have first provided persons who have acquired something of their method and practical knowledge. Ladies, with the best intentions and highest motives, would at present find themselves grievously at a loss if they were placed in institutions in any post of responsibility. We do indeed require all that educated women would bring to the supervision of institutions where the control of human beings forms part of the work, but then this must not supersede another kind of knowledge, but be added to it; or else all will soon be disorder and confusion.
In the establishment of such institutions or homes, I see a prospect of increasing happiness and a boundless sphere of occupation for women; though probably a diminution in the number of readers for the circulating libraries, and a decrease of fancy workers may be anticipated.
But we shall hear less of the want of "employment for women," as well as of their sorrows, real or imaginary, physical or mental.
