WOMEN'S INSTITUTES 249 



daughters set up " Womens' Institutes " as a 

 subsidiary organization, instead of contenting 

 themselves with imparting additional attractions 

 to the gatherings of the men ; and these further 

 institutes have been no less successful than the 

 others. 



They started in quite a small way, but in the 

 year ending June 30th, 1903, they had a total 

 paid-up membership in the province of 4,583. 

 The meetings are held in the houses of the mem- 

 bers — so as to save the expense of hiring halls — 

 or sometimes the use of a schoolroom, or even 

 of a church, will be granted ; and the nature 

 of the proceedings may be gathered from the 

 following statement of the " objects " in view : — 



To promote the knowledge of household science which 

 shall lead to improvement in household architecture, with 

 special attention to home sanitation, to a better under- 

 standing of the hygienic and economic value of foods and 

 fuels, and to a more scientific care of children, with a view- 

 to raising the general standard of health of our people. 

 Mutual improvement by an interchange of views by essays, 

 lectures, or other means found practicable, upon all sub- 

 jects pertaining to the welfare of our homes and families. 



The utility of these essays and lectures must 

 stand unquestioned, judging from the exam- 

 ples contained in an illustrated Handbook on 

 Women 8 Instil tries, issued by the Ontario De- 



