THE WOMAN'S LIBRARY.
Education and Professions, and Needlework. Edited by Ethel M. M. McKenna. "The Woman's Library," Vols. I. and II. (Chapman and Hall. 5s. each.)—The first volume of this series begins with an interesting paper on the "Higher Education of Women," by Mrs. Janet Hogarth, which gives an insight into the life and aims of Colleges like Somerville Hall and Newnhs.m. There are other articles dealing with the professions of teaching, painting, journalism, acting, medicine, and factory and sanitary inspecting, by women qualified by personal experi- ence to write on these subjects. There is also plenty of practical advice as to the outlay required, both of time and money, for pass- ing the necessary examinations. The second volume will be perhaps of more general interest to women, dealing, as it does, with a sub- ject the knowledge of which, both in theory and in practice, is so useful. Miss J. E. Davis gives us a good chapter on embroidery ; her diagrams and descriptions of stitches are clear and to the point. It is difficult to get an accurate mental impression of a stitch from merely reading about it, or even from looking at a diagram, and we should advise the worker who wishes to profit by Miss Davis's lessons to work the stitches on a sampler, or to plan
piece of work in which most of them can be included. The article, "How to Become a Dressmaker" (in the trade), by Miss Ruth M. Day, will be really valuable to all women who take an interest in the fit of their clothes, and not merely to those who want to become dressmakers. The writer describes the making of a dress, from the first measurements down to the final hooks and eyes, in great detail, with many hints as to the right and wrong ways of cutting out, lining, sewing, and finishing. Amateurs, and even some professional workers, would be the better for a careful study of this article. The chapter on "Millinery," by Miss Clare Hill, is also interesting, and contains information as to classes and examinations. Mrs. and Miss Turn- bull are a little disappointing in what they have to tell us of knitting and crochet, and they do not go enough into detail as to stitches and patterns. We should have liked to see enlarged reproductions of some of the beautiful Irish crochet lace, and also some good patterns for waistcoats and stocking-tops.
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