BOOKS SUITABLE FOR WORKING GIRLS.
[To THY EDITOR Or THE " srEcisrop."1
Sui,-1 have to form a small library for a working girls' club in London. I wish to appeal for advice on the selection of suitable literature, and think I cannot do so better than through the Spectator. Those for whom the books are required are tailoresses and factory hands. They leave school at as early an age as possible to become bread-winners; they are mostly underfed or overworked, or both, and are tired when they get to the club. Yet they are sharp and intelli- gent, and old in the knowledge of life's sorrows and dangers. They work and live in the West End, within easy reach of the richest part of London. They are easily influenced by good or evil, but unfortunately the latter predominates in their surroundings. They are very independent, and do not like to be preached to, and I feel that the influence of good reading -would be of great value, because it would work unknown to them. It is most necessary to teach them to think and to raise their standard of thought. Should any of your readers be good enough to make a list of books, we should be most grateful, and they would be helping towards the work of educating and enlightening the people. For are not the girls the future mothers of our people; and what influence is greater than that of a good and sensible mother am, Sir, &c., D. [We should be glad to receive lists of suitable books. Those we cannot publish shall be forwarded by us to the
writer of the letter.—ED. Spectator.]
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