122 FROM AN EASY CHAIR 



of the paterfamilias have been gradually limited in 

 the course of the development of social life since 

 the young men and the old bachelors, too, have been 

 given a share of power in the State : but the recent 

 proposal to break the fabric of his household by giving 

 the Parliamentary franchise to women is so sudden 

 and strange a notion that he seems not to have realised 

 what it means. 



The apathy which many men exhibit in regard to 

 this proposal is as remarkable as the amiable courtesy 

 with which others assent to it rather than " disoblige a 

 lady." Looking at the proposal not as a question of 

 justice, which really has nothing to do with it, but in 

 reference to the inquiry as to whether it is likely, if 

 carried, to increase the happiness and prosperity of the 

 community, I must say that, so far as the natural 

 history of man gives indications, it seems to me that if 

 women acquired the Parliamentary franchise and made 

 active use of it, they would be led into a new attitude 

 of independence and separation from the men and from 

 the family group to which they are by birth or alliance 

 attached. I fear that the great business of making the 

 nest beautiful, producing and tending the young, nursing 

 the sick, helping the aged, consoling the afflicted, re- 

 warding the brave, of dancing and singing and creating 

 gaiety within the charmed circle where political contests 

 and affairs of State are of no account, would be ne- 

 glected and without honour. In the end these amenities 

 of life would probably fall into the hands of commercial 

 companies and be sent out at so much a head im- 

 ported from Germany. Woman would not be the 

 gainer, for she can only gain by continuing to astonish 

 man by all she does for his enchantment and delight, to 

 serve him and to crown his life she will only suffer by 

 becoming "independent." The movement which is 

 supposed to lead to a higher development of woman- 

 hood, and consists in women mobbing people on their 



