Somerville College, 1879-1921. By Muriel St. Clare Byrne and Catherine
Hope Mansfield. (Oxford University Press. 6s. net.) —This attractive little book contains a short history of the college, some account of the college life and an estimate of its influence on society through the educated women whom it sends out year by year. The authors note with some amusement the changes that have come about since the early days—recalled in an introductory chapter by Mrs. T. H. Green—when it was not considered seemly for a girl student to walk to a dinner-party and a closed bath-chair was provided for her use. As late as 1891, we are told, the students were not allowed to ride on bicycles to lectures. These are small matters, but they are not without significance. Since Lady Margaret Hall and Somerville were opened in 1879 women have made good their claim to be placed on an equality with men in the University, and it cannot be said that Oxford has suffered in any way by admitting them. The authors, as well as Professor Murray in his preface, comment on the poverty of the women's colleges. They are doing admirable work with very insufficient means. If they were in America, they would be richly endowed by public-spirited millionaires. But our rich men too seldom show much interest in education.
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