A CRY FROM THE WOMEN.
(TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:]
have received the usual amount of education bestowed upon girls now-a-days, and I am trying to find out what use I -am in the world. I have three sisters, and any one of ua could easily do the amount of house-keeping necessary in our home. We make our own clothes, but that takes up only a small portion -of our time, leaving enough on hand to make me often wonder -what I was created for ; and knowing that I have a willing pair of hands, also, I flatter myself, an average amount of general -ability, knowing, too, that some day (God alone knows how near) I may have to depend on my own exertions for support, I feel it is hard that there seems to be nothing I can work at with hope of some moderate remuneration in time to increase it till it is .sufficient to make me independent.
I see all round me boys of 17 or 18 beginning to earn money for themselves, and why cannot I do anything? I hear on all sides reproaches about the uselessness of girls, and there is nothing I should feel a greater dislike to than being a drag on, say, a brother, of which, however, I am not at all likely to get the -chance. Can you help me ? Will you help me ? I wish to work. I think I might do some good for others, and know I should be more contented myself.
I have thought of teaching, but every one says the country is overstocked with teachers, and that there are too many of them already who, like me, have not been regularly trained to the occu- pation. Is there any other employment for women which would not jar too much on the nerve of respectability, very fully developed in most of my relatives ? I would try to get a situation in a shop, but know my father and other relatives would never forgive me, and for as long a time as is possible I think it right to avoid
-displeasing them.—I am, Sir, &c., MINNIE.
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