MISCELLANEA

FEMALE EMIGRATION TO CANADA.-Miss Maria S. Rye, whose labours in connection with female emigration to our colonies are so well known, has been in communication with the Government of Canada, and has been informed that many respectable young women can be placed most comfortably there. Miss Rye intends going out to Canada in May, and taking 100 women with her. They will go by steamer, and start from Liverpool on May 28. There are good openings at Canada for general servants, nursemaids, housemaids, washerwomen, dressmakers, and needlewomen. Wages are not excessively high (they vary from £10 to £20 a year) but young women are sure of being kindly treated in a new country like Canada, and certain of getting employment at all times. The cost will be £6, which will include bedding and all the messing utensils wanted for the voyage. Emigrants will land at Quebec, and be passed on west at the expense of the Government, and Miss Rye will not leave them until they are respectably placed.

MISS GARRETT has just delivered a course of six lectures on the physiology of sight, to a select assemblage of ladies. Would it not be a good plan for ladies like Miss Garrett and Mrs. Thorne to give popular lectures to their own sex, of all ranks, on the common laws of hygiene and physiology? Women, as a rule, are ignorant of the simplest rules of health; and a benefit would be conferred upon society at large by the spread of sanitary knowledge among wives and mothers and housekeepers in general.

THE EXAMINATIONS OF THE SOCIETY OF APOTHECARIES.-We can not refrain from referring to the action which has been taken by the Society of Apothecaries with regard to opening its examinations to

women.

It is one of the things not very generally known, that this society numbers among its examinations one in Arts, the passing of which is a preliminary step to the examinations which would qualify a candidate to become a licentiate of the society, to write L.S.A. after his name, and to practice as a duly qualified medical practitioner.

The examination in Arts is by no means a difficult one; and to have passed it argues no very remarkable height of attainment in knowledge. In fact, it would only have been of importance to the eandidates for the more advanced professional examinations, had it not been for one circumstance, which lifted it out of the ordinary category of similar tests

of knowledge. This one circumstance was that the Arts' examination. was open to women; and some short time ago, in the absence of any other authoritative test of women's education, it was mentioned as a standard which might perhaps serve till a better one offered. Of course there did enter into the minds of women who were anxious to advance the cause of the medical education of their sex, the recollection that the Society of Apothecaries was the one which had been the means of giving Miss Garrett her recognised place in the medical profession; and there was, therefore, more than ordinary interest taken in the Arts' examination, for the sake of what might follow.

But the Society of Apothecaries had reconsidered matters. Miss Garrett's success in the profession which she has chosen, has caused the rulers of that body to feel that, in admitting women to the position of licentiates, they may have been acting very unwisely for their own interests and those of future male licentiates; and so they have discovered that to admit female candidates to their professional examinations is not strictly in accordance with their charter. Therefore to all future applicants the answer in effect is to be, "Sorry for you; wish we could help you; but, really, you know, we cannot consent to aid such illegal proceedings."

We wonder whether the illegality of the matter would have exhibited itself in so striking a light had Miss Garrett's attempt turned out a failure, or had there been no candidates willing to follow in her footsteps.

Even the meagre Arts' examination was at one time considered to be unapproachable by women. Some relenting has been shown with regard to this, and women are to be graciously permitted to share its advantages. However, they are distinctly warned that, though they are admitted to this, they are not to imagine for a moment that such permission is any sign of relenting with regard to the professional examination. Over that strict watch and guard are to be kept. Under these circumstances, the Arts' examination is not likely to have too many candidates.

No doubt that the Society of Apothecaries considers that it has done the right thing; but there may exist a consciousness in the breasts of some of its leading members, that the world has shown a tendency to impute the exclusion of women from its higher examinations to no more exalted motive than professional jealousy.-The Queen.

PROPOSED COLLEGE FOR WOMEN.-A conference was held on Saturday at the Architectural Gallery, Conduit Street, to consider the proposed establishment of a college for the education of advanced female students. The Dean of Canterbury occupied the chair, and a large number of ladies and gentlemen attended. Among those who

took part in the discussion were Mr. Roby, Secretary of the Schools Inquiry Commission, Professor Seeley, the Rev. Professor Lightfoot, the Rev. J. L. Davies, Mr. H. Bonham Carter, etc. The attendance included Sir Walter James, Dr. Sieveking, Rev. Dr. Scott, Head-master of Westminster School, the Rev. Dr. Miller (Greenwich), the Rev. Professor Cheetham, the Countess of Airlie, the Hon. Mrs. Cowper, Lady Augusta Stanley, Lady Charlotte Locker, Lady Monteagle, Sir James and Lady Colvile, Sir Harry and Lady Verney, Miss Twining, Lord Amberley, etc. The scheme contemplated by the promoters of the movement is the establishment of a college, in which the instruction and discipline will be expressly adapted to advanced students, and the results tested by examinations of recognized authority. It is intended to place the college in a healthy locality between London and Cambridge, thus putting it within reach of the best teaching in all the subjects of the college course. Religious instruction, in accordance with the principles of the Church of England, will be given, and a selection from the Book of Common Prayer will be read daily by one of the college authorities. Where objections are entertained, attendance on such instruction and services will not be obligatory. The complete college course will extend over a period of about three years, of which about half of each year will be spent in the college. Application will be made to the University of Cambridge to hold examinations at the college in the subjects prescribed for the ordinary degree, in the final examination for which a choice is now offered between theology, moral science (including the option of moral philosophy, history, or political economy), natural science (including chemistry, geology, botany, or zoology), and other subjects. In case this arrangement be found practicable, such examinations will entitle to a certificate, and will be open to, but not enforced upon all students. There will also be periodical examinations in all the subjects taught in the college, including, in addition to those above referred to, modern languages, music, drawing, and the other studies which usually form part of the education of an English lady. No student will be allowed to attend more than a prescribed number of classes, but in the choice of subjects considerable discretion will be given. The internal arrangements will be planned with a view to supplying opportunities for study such as are difficult of attainment in a home life, with discipline suited to the age of the students. It is proposed to place the college under the direction of a head or mistress, assisted by ladies of experience, who will be to the students in loco parentis, and who will be responsible for the enforcement of such regulations as may be required for the maintenance of order and discipline. In all the arrangements special care will be taken to guard against any infringement of the laws of health. The resident authorities will be women,

but the various classes will be taught by either men or women, as may in each case be found expedient. It is hoped that the highest instruction attainable in each department of study will thus be secured. The expense to the students will vary according to the number of classes taken, and other circumstances. It is proposed to raise the buildings by public subscription, and if this should be accomplished it is estimated that, without further endowment, it will be possible to give such a course of instruction as will qualify for a University certificate for the sum of 80l. a year, this sum covering also board and lodging. It has been roughly calculated that a building with accommodation for a hundred students may be erected at a cost of 30,000%. The general committee consists, among others, of the Lord Bishop of St. David's, the Lady Stanley of Alderley, Lady Churchill, Lady Colvile, Lady Crompton, the Dean of Ely, Lady Eastlake, Lady Rich, the Dean of Chichester, Rev. J. Llewelyn Davies, Mr. J. E. Gorst, M.P., The Recorder, M.P., Rev. Professor Maurice, Mr. James Paget, F.R.S., Miss Anna Swanwick, and Mr. G. O. Trevelyan, M.P. Among the executive committee are Lady Augusta Stanley, Lady Hobart, Lady Goldsmid, the Dean of Canterbury, Mrs. Russeil Gurney, Mr. H. J. Roby, Professor Seeley, and Mr. H. R. Tomkinson; and a Cambridge committee is formed of Professor Adams, Rev. W. G. Clark, Public Orator; Professor Humphrey, Professor Lightfoot, Professor Liveing, and others. The following contributions have among others been promised :-Mrs. Bodichon, 1,000l.; Anonymous, 100/.; Miss Davies, 100l.; Lady Goldsmid, 100l.; Mr. James Heywood, 100l.; Mrs. Manning, 100/.; Rev. Sedley Taylor, 100l. ; Mr. H. R. Tomkinson, 100l.; the Author of "Romola," 50l.

THE PROPOSED COLLEGE FOR WOMEN.-A conference was held on Saturday afternoon at the Architectural Gallery, Conduit Street, for the purpose of discussing a plan which has recently been formed for the establishment of a female college in connection with the University of Cambridge. The meeting was principally attended by ladies; the Dean of Canterbury occupied the chair; and among those present were Mr. Hastings (Secretary of the Social Science Association), Professor Seeley, Mr. Roby, Mr. Tomkinson, Professor Lightfoot, etc.

Mr. Roby, Secretary to the Schools Inquiry Commission, in opening the proceedings said that the necessity of some further means of education for women was generally admitted. The question is how improved education for females can be best provided; and it seemed to him that the establishment of an institution analogous to the colleges for youths is desirable, whereby a high standard of education may be set up. The object of the present institution is not to enable a number of young women to chatter on scientific subjects, but

to supply a sound knowledge in reference to them, and that would. do much to prevent any attempt at showing off, which is not characteristic of well-informed people. He did not believe that the college would create a race of blue-stockings any more than the colleges created pedants. The establishment would, at any rate in the first instance, be only open to boarders. It may be urged that there would be a loss of home influence, and that was true to a certain extent, but at the same time it is to be remembered that the term will not extend over a longer period than six months in any one year. It is also proposed that there shall be an examination for those who pass the regular course, if they so desire, but the examination is not to be compulsory. With respect to the locality of the institution, the committee do not think it would be wise to fix it either in Cambridge or in London, and they therefore propose that the college should be situated in some locality about half-way between London and Cambridge, and possibly in the neighbourhood of Hitchen, because it is absolutely essential that it should be easily accessible to teachers. He concluded by reading some extracts from the report of Mr. Brice, the educational inspector of Lancashire, who was of opinion that the establishment of such an institution is a necessity of the age.

Mr. Hastings, Secretary of the Social Science Association, said he had been asked to state the views of various schoolmistresses in regard to the establishment of the college, and they were decidedly of opinion that the great need felt was the establishment of a standard of education up to which girls should have to work. Some years ago he joined with others in supporting Miss Davies in obtaining the Cambridge local examination for girls. A college like this, which would carry female education beyond the ordinary limits, would give them the benefit of a university examination, which would be far more valuable than merely giving them a local examination.

Professor Seeley said the main objection which he had heard to the scheme was its interference with home influence. He sympathised with the principle of the objection, for he had always felt that boys are too much taken from home for the purpose of education; but if boys are taken from home too much, it frequently happens that girls are kept too much at home. This institution adopts a medium course, the proposition being to keep the girls at the institution only half the year. He also pointed out that it is not necessary for the students to be at the institution the whole of the three years to entitle them to a degree. On the contrary, they may pass their examination in a year, or even half a year-perhaps in less.

The Rev. Professor Lightfoot combated the objection that the college will give rise to overwork on the part of the students to an extent which may be detrimental in their health.