WOMAN'S PART IN THE WORK 329 



in truth harmless, application — needlessly, but excusably. We have 

 seen the effect of this timidity in the abortive attempts to form 

 altogether pseudo-Raifieisen societies (under the Raiffeisen name) 

 made by the Agricultural Organisation Society, under rules which 

 safeguarded the rich, while concentrating all risk upon the poor and 

 setting up a distinction between classes which turned the whole 

 thing into a laughable caricature. It would be folly for any one 

 to try to persuade people to go into such a society against their will. 

 However, we may borrow the sentiment and principle of an institu- 

 tion without servilely copying all its precise methods. It is, in this 

 matter, as in that of religion, the spirit which quickens. I have 

 seen — for instance in Piedmont — co-operative societies formed on 

 different lines, with strictly limited liability, animated by the same 

 co-operative spirit and bringing forth at any rate very similar 

 results. And we have good, peaceable co-operators among our 

 people, as well as politically bellicose and aggressive, who, intoxicated 

 with the sense of their power, acquired by numbers, forget co- 

 operation's true aim. 



In making such co-operation useful for the purpose at present kept 

 in view, as in a wider sphere, the active assistance of women would 

 be of the greatest service and value. In our huge national co- 

 operative organisation it is at present to a great extent the Women's 

 Guild which acts as the ever watchful, ever remonstrating conscience 

 striving to keep principle uppermost, above pecuniary interest, 

 looking for good to be done rather than for the best possible balance 

 sheet. That provides a proof of what woman can do when setting 

 herself to influence collective action. 



However, co-operation in a technical sense does not by any means 

 fill the sphere of woman's possible work, and work for good, in the 

 present connection. Thank goodness, in spite of her continued 

 attempts to crowd us men out at all points, we still in this country 

 allow to woman as such that influence which, as Addison put it, in 

 his day inspired the saying that " if there were a bridge across the 

 Channel, women from all parts of the Continent would flock into 

 England, to enjoy there the privileges here accorded to the sex.'* 

 And by reason of that influence and the respect accorded to her, 

 woman could do much indeed to bring about that closing together 

 of classes, with a sense of equality, at least under certain aspects, 

 which is necessary to create that social union without which there 

 can be no full rural reconstruction. There is much indeed on this 

 ground of "the old man" that we shall have to casl off. And 

 woman can very effectively help us in doing bo and putt ing on " the 



