GARDENING FOE WOMEN 



287 



with books on subjects of interest to women, and on 

 sociology. 



The institute was founded in 1897, in the hope, which 

 has already been fulfilled, that it might be able to provide 

 something of the nature of a central office or " clearing 

 house " of the various departments of woman's work 

 which are now scattered over the whole field of English 

 social life. It is no part of the aim of the institute itself 

 to take up any department of work in competition with 

 existing societies, much less to interfere in any way with 

 their management. Its object is rather to make the 

 work of existing societies better known, through its In- 

 formation Bureau, through the circulation of literature, 

 through meetings and conferences held within its walls, 

 and lastly, by bringing the workers in one department into 

 touch with those in another, by means of frequent social 

 gatherings. 



WHAT THE INSTITUTE OFFERS TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS 



The social side of the institute has been organised with 

 the double object : — 



1. Of bringing workers into friendly communication. 



2. Of offering to isolated workers some of the recreation 



to which all workers are entitled. 



SOME OP THE FEATURES ARE I — 



1. A weekly " At Home " held by the executive 



committee. 



2. Lectures and debates. 



3. A musical society. 



