SOCIAL FEATURES OF THE UNION. 253 



to all the courtesies and attentions of polite society, and 

 not mere drudges, charged with the household work. 



The field for usefulness of women is gradually and 

 justly widening, and many avenues of trade and the 

 professions, which were formerly closed against her, are 

 now thrown open. In many of these she has entered and 

 attained a degree of success, which has proved the fallacy 

 of the theory, that woman's only and proper sphere was 

 to wrestle with pots and skillets and perform the drudgery 

 incident to the kitchen. Woman's presence exercises a 

 moral influence in all the exercises of the Order, which 

 makes itself felt in the attainment of its objects. We 

 know of no reason which can be urged against the admis- 

 sion of women in the organization which cannot, with 

 equal propriety, be urged against the majority of men. 



" A woman of true intelligence is a blessing at home, 

 in her circle of friends, and in society. Wherever she 

 goes, she carries with her a health-giving influence. 

 There is a beautiful harmony about her character that at 

 once inspires a respect which soon warms into love. The 

 influence of such a woman in society is of the most salu- 

 tary kind. She strengthens right principles in the 

 virtuous, incites the selfish and indifferent to good actions, 

 and gives to even the light and frivolous a taste for food 

 more substantial than the frothy gossip with which they 

 seek to recreate their minds. ' ' 



Thackeray says: "It is better for you to pass an even- 

 ing, once or twice a week, in a lady's drawing room, even 

 though the conversation is slow, and you know the girl's 

 song by heart, than in a club, a tavern, or a pit of a 

 theater. All amusements of youth, to which virtuous 

 women are not admitted, rely on it, are deleterious in their 

 nature. All men who avoid female society have dull per- 

 ceptions, and are stupid, or have gross tastes, and revolt 

 against what is pure. Your club swaggerers, who are 



