on the subject of delicacy. Are not lady nurses now in favor? Even so might lady surgeons meet with the acquiescence of society. I am speaking now of ladies practising medicine and surgery upon both sexes, just as nurses attend upon both sexes. As to having the sick and hurt attended by persons of their own sex exclusively, this is prudery. Neither in nursing nor in medical attendance can it be carried out, nor is it desirable. God made woman to be a helpmate for man, and maudlin sentimentalism ought not to be permitted to deprive the two sexes of mutual help.

There is a branch of medicine that many women might find employment in, namely, midwifery. By proper instruction and training, women might become midwives without becoming medical women. The practice of obstetrics would suit women, and would not meet with opposition on the part of society. Let me advise women to engage in this practice at once, after proper study and training. A few women of talent and ambition would go further, and become medical women; but the number for some time to come would be limited.

LADIES,

I remain, Ladies, your obedient Servant,

F. J. B., M.D., London and Edinburgh.

To the Editors of the English Woman's Journal.

Allow me briefly to reply to the long letter of "A Physician of Twentyone Years' Standing" in your April number, and to the objections there made against educating women for the medical profession.

First, then, let me observe, that it is no new theory, or wild speculation, that is mooted, but a tried proposition, and an established fact. In America exist several schools and colleges where women may and do study medicine; there are also many Female Physicians, as proved by Dr. Gregory, some of whom enjoy large and lucrative practice; why, then, should not England have her Female Medical College and Female Physicians, but that envious man places every difficulty in woman's way by not according to her equal rights and privileges with himself. Women, the writer asserts, are not physically so strong as men. Is such the fact?-I think not. Are not the deaths of nonagenarians recorded by the Registrar-General more frequently those of women than men, and mostly widows? They have passed through the troubles and trials of married life, yet outlive the stronger man. Again, are they not always the attendants upon sickness, watching day and night as no man could do are these not proofs abundant of physical strength? Then, as regards mental capacity, I believe that an educated English woman is second to no other in intellect or ability to compass any study whatever, were the opportunity afforded her of acquiring knowledge.

Again, he asks, "How many females would be disposed to give up all prospects of wedded life?" The best answer to that is given in the last census, which shows an excess of 600,000 females over males in Great Britain. It is certain then that a very large number of these must be content to remain single; therefore, the study and practice of medicine ought to have some consideration at the hands of those who have the instruction of young females confided to their care, as parents or guardians.

The writer is evidently nervously apprehensive lest the introduction of females into the medical profession should be the harbinger of his " оссираtion being gone." He inquires who would employ them, "not the men certainly:" for themselves I admit not, but for wives and daughters I think it highly probable they would desire their services, notwithstanding all " A Physician's" lady friends are so averse to the idea of consulting a Female Doctor. The medical profession, as now constituted, is not entirely without ignorant and unskilful members, possibly the change now sought to be introduced might have a beneficial result in that respect.

I am, Ladies, respectfully yours,

George W.

XXXVII.-OUR FRENCH CORRESPONDENT.

Paris, April 17th, 1862.

THE great naval duel between the Monitor and the Merrimac has deeply interested the French public, but in a lesser degree than the apparition of Victor Hugo's last work. "Les Misérables" is now on every drawing-room table, and in every circulating library; it has, since the third of this month, passed through so many hands as to look soiled and tattered as the garments of poor little Cosette after she joined the family circle of Monsieur and Madame Thenaudier. As a topic of conversation, it has in the same short period been almost worn threadbare. Toujours les Misérables; partout les Misérables. On n'affiche dans les rues que ces Misérables; dans les salons on n'entend parler que d'eux," were a few days since the despairing expressions of a Legitimist, whose ears were continually assailed with diatribes against the social evils of the present day, and who could not escape from hearing the warmest eulogiums passed upon the writer who so ably, so eloquently, and so truthfully, exposed them to the civilized world in the work which now creates a greater sensation than did ever "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The walls are covered with enormous yellow placards, announcing in pink letters, several centimetres long, that for twelve francs whoever pleases may buy the first part of this terrible record of human misery, or the three parts, making up the set, for thirty-six francs. It is no unusual thing to see the blouses with their faces literally flattened against the window panes dividing them from a title-page, which one would imagine preceded pictures of life that would hardly have for them the charm of novelty. "Grand Dieu! que c'est misérable d'être pauvre," involuntary burst the day before yesterday from a street-sweeper, who was wistfully gazing into a bookseller's shop in the Faubourg St. Honoré; "Si la société ressemblât à M. Hugo, nos misères ne seraient que des articles de luxe tout-à-fait; au-dessus la portée des pauvres."

The newspapers are as full of "Les Misérables" as the dead walls. Comptes rendus of the two volumes, to which it has hitherto been limited, are given day after day, as well as interminable extracts, which the general readers only find too short, as they awaken curiosity in the most tantalizing manner; and thirty-six, or even twelve, francs for a new novel are not at the disposal of every one subscribing to the cheap journals so common here. It is a pity that M. Hugo did not publish his thrilling narrative of human suffering in a cheaper form than he did; by doing so, both he and the public would have gained considerably. Few who know how to read would fail to buy it were each part sold for a couple of francs; and the lesson of true charity which it inculcates could not, if largely circulated, fail to be attended with excellent results. The vindictive character of what we are in the habit of calling "justice,"

requires to be greatly softened as much outside as inside of our court-houses, prisons, and penitentiaries; and to preserve society from the corruption of the social evil, it is also necessary to place women in an independent position. This is what M. Hugo wishes to teach" humanity." But many complain that the existence of one, whose class society ignores, although society is being undermined by it, should be so prominently brought forward in the person of Fantine. It would be almost superfluous to say that they are included among those excellent persons who are in real life the first to discover and make known what so greatly scandalizes them when discovered by an author, and made known rather with the view of reforming public morals than driving to utter ruin unfortunate individuals who are as often to be pitied as to be blamed. M. Hugo is also by his opponents accused of exaggeration, in drawing, as he does, the wretchedness of the galley slave and the gradations of want-and through want and the pharisaical morality of some neighbors, the degrees of crime through which Fantine passed, and which also caused the sufferings of Cosette. But any one who appeals to the police registers must adopt an opposite opinion. Among the principal items of the crimes which they record are the suicides and infanticides committed by outcast women, or women whose maternal instincts were overcome by the fear of being classed among the reprobates, and undergoing that eternal and implacable social vengeance which too frequently is mistaken for social justice; but which makes hypocrites and hardened culprits rather than sincere and humanized penitents.

A band of enlightened women have, after six years of persevering labor, succeeded in forming a society calling itself "Société de Protection Maternelle." An agency is attached to it, which has for object to find employment for all working women of whatever class they may be. A school is also in the course of being founded, called "Une Ecole Professionelle." It will be exclusively for girls, who will not be received in it before they have entered their twelfth year. They will receive a thorough French education, as well as be instructed in a profession, trade, or art, according to their own desire and the desire of their parents. Commercial classes are also in the programme, and foreigners will be allowed to join them at a very moderate charge. This institution will in many instances be so organized that many pupils can be received gratuitously. Mdlle. Vautier, the author of "Léonie;" Mdlle. Perdonnet, the daughter of M. Perdonnet, the great railway contractor, who founded here the Philotechnique Institution for workmen ; Madame Emile Girardin, and several other ladies of equal standing, form the Committee of Management; Madame Le Monnier is the President. A meeting of the Society takes place each Saturday at her house; about thirty generally attend. The President is an essentially womanly woman-which by no means implies that she is not a very clear-headed one, and certainly implies

that she is sympathetic, quick-witted, and agreeable, as well as endowed with those strong instincts which, like genius, frequently overleap reason, and come to unerring conclusions without the trouble of going through the syllogistic process. When presiding, she sits at a table flanked by a pair of young ladies, who act as secretaries. A bell stands before her, which is rung rapidly whenever a question is to be put to the vote. One of the secretaries draws up the procès verbal, and another makes entries of every important suggestion or proposal. To simplify matters, a rule has been lately made that each of the Committee of Management, particularly desiring to call attention to any subject, give notice of it a week previous to its discussion. This precludes useless talk, and guards against mere superficial knowledge; two things essential for the transaction of business in legislative assemblies.

Mdlle. Daubie, whose collegiate career has been already noticed in your pages, is intimately connected with this Society. She has lately published a brochure on the existing legislation in reference to female education. It was originally intended as a competitive essay for the prize which Government offered for one written "On Primary Instruction in France." It is particularly addressed to M. Rouland, and bears for its motto the following significant sentence, which he a short time since publicly uttered: "La plus grande preoccupation de la France est le souci de la Justice distributive parmi ses enfants."

Mdlle. Daubie proves that hitherto French Governments have to the female children of France acted the part of a very unkind stepmother, and cared very little about how they grew up, never legislating for them unless when punishment was concerned. A resumé of this brochure will be given in another letter. It has the novel feature of being written by a female Bachelor of Arts. An idea of the spirit animating it may be easily formed from the subjoined letter to M. Rouland, alluding to the prize offered by him for the best essay pointing out the reforms most needed in the existing system of French Primary Education.

"Connected with public instruction by virtue of three diplomas awarded me by the University, and having a long experience of Primary Education, which I studied during four years, by my researches on its legislation, I do not believe myself excluded from the competition proposed by your Excellency, although I have, like thousands of my sex who are secular teachers, been rejected, because a woman, as unfit for every public employment. But I now demand if the prejudice, which in the majority of cases denies to us the right to live, should in this instance destroy the results of all my studies. Whatever may be the decision of your Excellency, to whom we already owe some reparatory measures, I feel pleasure in thus finding an opportunity of calling your Excellency's attention to what appears to me the most important and most needful method of reforming French Primary Education."

Several instances have occurred during the last trial of M. Mirès before the Supreme Court of Douay of the feminine tendency to temper justice with mercy, or at least to divest justice of that vindictive character which Victor Hugo blames so severely. The Douay ladies, who throughout listened to the pleadings with the greatest interest, could not on several occasions forbear from expressing in different striking ways their great pity for the unfortunate Mirès. While he was defending himself with an ability that threw his avocats completely into the shade, demanding, in the most energetic terms, a contre expertise, thirst frequently deprived him of utterance. The fair spectators begged of the officers on guard for a glass of water for him, and one frowned angrily at the gendarme who brought it because he forgot sugar and spoon. One woman, who had lost considerably by the company of which M. Mirès was the gérant, cried bitterly when she saw what a degree of suffering was imprinted on his features since she last met him, and instead of giving way to expressions of anger as he was being brought into the dock, exclaimed, "Poor Mirès! far from wishing you ill, I pray with all my heart that if you are guilty your judges will feel you have been amply punished; and if you are innocent, that they will release you; but in any case that you may yet do well and prosper !"

M. Mirès seemed to be deeply impressed by these manifestations of feminine sympathy, and when he had recovered the emotion which then overpowered him, sent each of the pitying auditors a copy of his brochure by one of the huissiers, saying, as he did so, "That their humane instincts could not find him guilty, but that he wished their reasons and convictions to prove him innocent."

E. G.

XXXVIII.-NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Last Poems. By Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Chapman and Hall. POEMS printed after the death of their writer come to us, in any case, with a claim apart from their merit, and we take up such a volume with a strange reverent interest, which too often the mere contents would not deserve. It is touching sometimes to meet with such verses, which the author perhaps judged too wisely to print-but which some loving survivor has tenderly gathered together. He has gazed through the dense mists of love and sorrow till he fancies that the world also will see in the poor rhymes a sacred value, and give back a crown of fame to be laid-upon a grave. We glance through the book in silence: no commonplaces can provoke our sneers-no absurdity can excite our smiles—and