[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sut,—In reply to the
question, "Should Married Women Work?". I would reply that marriage and work are blessings that came to us from Eden, and" Six days shalt thou labour"
is still a recipe for happiness. If, therefore, a woman can combine the care of a family with a profession, and thereby add to the family's well-being, why hinder her ? In olden days, when trades were carried on in the home, women were the partners of their husbands in business, and the law held them equally responsible for the maintenance of their children. Surely such was an ideal arrangement, giving the woman her right position as the helpmeet of her husband in everything. The ideal woman described by the wisest man who ever lived was a merchant, to the advantage of her family and depen- dents, and did not Victoria the Good combine ruling the greatest Empire the world has ever seen with wonderful devotion to her husband and care for her children ? Outside work, if a woman is strong and capable enough to do it, takes her out of herself, gives -her relaxation, interest and pleasure, and enables her to cope better with the trials and difficulties whieh form a part of home life. -
Should not the question rather run : "Should Married Women Work for Money?" No one seems to mind how hard women work for love ! The wife of a photographer who went to work every day with her husband from their country house was ordered by her doctor to live in the country altogether. and so, instead of a substitute in the home, another woman was found to undertake the miniature painting and the wife took the place of the mother's help. Said the wife, in telling me of the change : "I had no idea how hard the work was at home till I took it over. The constant interruptions, the variety of duties ; up till recently I have lived the life of a man ! "—I am, Sir, &c., GEORGIANA CASTLESTEWART.
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