PERSONAL PROBLEMS
I.
Question.—"An aged widow would like to live with her married daughter, but their dispositions are incompatible. The mother is very fond of the daughter, but the daughter finds it impossible to respond or feel affectionate, and is so irritated and critical because of the mother's old-fashioned ways, etc., that continued close association becomes very unpleasant.
"Who is to blame, and what can the mother do to improve the situation?
"Mutual Wellwisher."
Answer.—There is no "blame" in the problem as stated. Incompatibility of disposition is not a crime. If, however, the daughter allows her irritation and critical attitude to result in actual discussion and expressed disapproval of her mother's "old-fashioned ways," then she is certainly to blame; whether her mother is a guest or a boarder, she is not her daughter's pupil.
Again, if the mother allows herself to interfere with the daughter's "ways," she is to blame for that; her period of tutoring is past. Ex-parents should not presume on their unavoidable relationship to give instruction to ex-children.
The real answer is a long way back, being to this effect:
The aged widow, when a young woman, should have had such large practical interest in life, over and above her family, that she would not be reduced to the position of "living with a married daughter; or, if she did live with her, would have enough else to occupy her to keep her "old-fashioned ways" in the background. Further, if she had kept up with human progress in some business, her ways wouldn't be so old-fashioned.
The Practical Answer to the Practical Question, "What can the mother do to improve the situation?" is not difficult. She can (a) alter her ways; (b) live somewhere else; (c) if neither of these is possible, she can put it clearly to the daughter, "as man to man," that she has to live with her, that she cannot learn new ways, and that they must use mutual politeness in accommodating one an other as far as possible.
It is a very carefully worded problem, this. If the daughter is healthy and otherwise contented, she ought to furnish the patience, as doubtless the mother did in her time. But it may be that the mother always irritated the daughter, in her youth, and has never never learned better.
If I were the aged widow I would live somewhere else!
II
Question.—A friend writes to ask—
"How about flies its the central kitchen?" (This being apropos of "The
Kitchen and the Fly," in the August number of this magazine.)
Answer.—One kitchen, though large, is more easily protected than a hundred kitchens, though small. There will be less "garbage," in proportion, and it can be better handled. The officers of such a kitchen will be of a higher grade than the present class of servants, and capable of maintaining a higher grade of cleanliness; as, for instance, in the Franco-American soup factory, where there is exquisite cleanliness and care.
Further, in such a kitchen there will be no laundry or other extraneous work done; no running in and out of children and others; nothing but the scientific preparation of food.
Also, as shown in the article, the flies will be reduced 99 per cent. by the reduction in the number of horses required to bring supplies and remove garbage and ashes. To the large kitchen, wholesale supplies could be brought in motor trucks—a further loss to the fly.
III
Question.—"A certain husband has been in the habit for years of paying a dollar a month lodge dues, and other incidental expenses of lodge meetings. The wife has paid a dollar a year dues in a suffrage club, and a dollar and a half a year for subscription to the Woman's Journal. The 'late' panic has shrunk the family income, and something must be cut off. The Wife will cut off the two small amounts mentioned. She will cut off anything else that is for her separate existence. Now, the question is, how may her feeling of virtue and self-sacrifice be changed to a realization of injustice?"
Answer.—This is a very large question—how to change the ethical values of a woman's life!
We gather by inference that the "certain husband" has not cut off his lodge dues—or anything else.
The best answer is: let the woman EARN HER OWN LIVING. That goes farthest in changing self-sacrifice to justice.
OUR BOUND VOLUME AS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT
The first year comprises fourteen issues—November, 1909, to December, 1910, inclusive.
In it is the Housekeeping novel—"What Diantha Did"—which will interest many, both men and women. It offers a very practical solution to the Servant Question.
In it is also the Book About Men—"The Man-Made World, or Our
Androcentric Culture."
There have been books and books about women—mostly, unpleasant. This is the first one about men, as such; men as distinguished from Human Beings—as women have always been distinguished from Human Beings.
You won't wholly like the book—just consider whether it is true!
The novel separately, or the book separately, would also make good presents, but the date of their publication is not settled, while in the bound volume of the magazine you get them both for only 25c. more than one would cost.
This set, making a volume of some 420 pages, with its twelve short stories, its articles, fables, verse, and other matter, will make a very good gift—for some people. Ready early in December. $1.25.
TO THOSE SPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THIS MAGAZINE, OR SPECIALLY INTERESTED IN FIFTY DOLLARS
This is not a "Popular Magazine." It does not try to be. It is a magazine which meets the needs of a comparatively few, but they like it immensely—as is shown by the extracts from their letters we are now publishing.
We want to reach, if possible, all the people who would like The
Forerunner if they knew about it.
For the rest of this year we are making a special offer to anyone who will get us new subscribers; the regular commission of 25 per cent., and a rising premium which goes up to a total of 50 per cent. for a hundred new paid year's subscriptions.
$50.00 for one hundred new subscribers!
For a girl in college who wants to help herself;
For a woman in a liberal church, or with a wide acquaintance among progressive thinkers;
For a Suffragist in touch with similar believers;
For any man or woman who can reach organizations of liberal-minded people;
For anybody who thinks they would like to earn $50.00 that way—it is a good offer.
Write for full terms, samples, etc.
IF YOU RENEW
The first year runs through December; fourteen copies.
Renew from January, 1911, and get the whole of next year.
IF YOU DISCONTINUE
So far one subscriber has discontinued.
She will get the magazine two months more.
If you must discontinue, please let us know.
[Advertisement]
Subscribe for
The Woman's Journal
Official Organ of the National American Woman Suffrage Association
A weekly newspaper devoted to winning the ballot for women
Contains all the best news about women and their progress
FOUNDED 1870 BY LUCY STONE AND HENRY B. BLACKWELL
Edited by
Alice Stone Blackwell
The Woman's Journal is published in Boston and controlled by the National American Woman Suffrage Association whose headquarters are at 505 Fifth Avenue, New York City. It gives suffrage news from every state in the Union, and especially from the states where campaigns are under way; it gives important suffrage news from all the countries where the women have the full right of suffrage, and from the countries where the battle is waging; it gives official announcements and rousing news.
Thousands of women read it every week from beginning to end. Nobody who has read it one month can ever do without it. It is the only paper of its kind in this country.
Send for sample copies for yourself and ask us to send them to your friends.
Try our four months trial subscription for 25 cents
REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION RATES
DOMESTIC
1 year . . . $1.00 6 months . . . $.50 4 months on trial . . . $.25 Single copies . . . $.05
CANADIAN
1 year . . . $1.50
FOREIGN
1 year . . . $1.50
A full year's subscription costs only . . . $1.00
CAN YOU AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT IT?
[Advertisement]
SOME OF OUR EXCHANGES
We print The Forerunner
The Co-operative Press
In Spruce Street New York
May we do some of YOUR printing?
The Englishwoman
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN
$3.50 post free per annum to any part of the United States
"The Englishwoman" is intended to reach the cultured public and bring before it, in a convincing and moderate form, the case for the Enfranchisement of Women. No support will be given to any particular party in politics.
The magazine will be inspired from the first page to the last by one continuous policy, which is to further the Enfranchisement of Women.
It will try to do so, first by securing the sympathy and holding the attention of that public which is interested in letters, art and culture generally. and by an impartial statement of facts. Its chief features will be:
Articles dealing with the Women's Movement in England and other countries.
Notes on parliamentary bills as affecting women and children.
Articles on Women's Work in Professions and Trades.
Sociological questions and their influence on the status of women.
Stories, poems, scientific articles, and short plays.
Criticisms of music, painting, sculpture, and current literature.
Editorial Offices: 11 Haymarket, London, S.W., England.
Publishers: Messrs. SIDGWICK & JACKSON. 3 Adam Street, Adelphi, London, W.C., England.
Every American woman interested in the suffrage should read
THE ENGLISHWOMAN
The Common Cause
WHAT IS IT?
There are in England something like twenty-five National Societies for promoting the enfranchisement of women. The oldest of these is the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, which was started in 1861 and whose President is Mrs. Fawcett, LL.D. The National Union has over two hundred branches in Great Britain, and a total membership of about 20,000. It is the only British Woman's Suffrage Society affiliated to the International Woman Suffrage Alliance.
The Common Cause
Is the Organ of the National Union.
It contains leaders and articles on political, social, legal and industrial matters affecting women, and is a complete record or the work done by the National Union for the enfranchisement of women in England.
The Common Cause
Is the Paper of Thinking Women.
Subscriptions should be sent to
64 DEANSCATE ARCADE, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
3 months, post free —- 1 shilling 9 pence 6 months, post free —- 3 shillings 3 pence 12 months, post free —- 6 shillings 6 pence
Every Thursday, 1 Penny
The Progressive Woman
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE
Edited and Pubilshed by JOSEPHINE CONGER-KANEKO at Girard, Kansas, U.S.A.
Price, 50 cents a year.
The Progressive Woman stands for a better race through the political and economic freedom of womankind. Its contributors are among the cleverest of the more advanced thinkers, and its readers endeavor to keep up with its writers.
This is the great charm about The Progressive Woman—it does not stand still: it leads.
Send to-day for sample copy.
Woman's Era
The New Magazine of Inspiration for the American Woman.
A World-wide Review
With Original Articles on
ECONOMICS,
ETHICS,
CIVICS,
ARTS AND CRAFTS,
MUSIC,
LITERATURE,
CLUB WORK,
Etc.
SPECIAL ARTS AND CRAFTS NUMBER FOR SEPTEMBER.
Sample copy . . . 10 cents 6 months . . . 75 cents 12 months . . . $1.50
(Worth a good deal more)
Address,
WOMAN'S ERA
New Orleans, La.
Up the Divide
A MONTHLY PERIODICAL
Asking:
Why not see Social and Religious Things from Higher Altitudes?
EDITED BY
DUREN J. H. WARD, A.M. (Harvard), Ph.D. (Leipsig) and WM. THURSTON
BROWN, A.B. (Yale).
IT IS A KIND BY ITSELF UNIQUE IN EVERY WAY A BRAND NEW THING IN MAGAZINES
SECOND YEAR
IS CALLED:
"Breezy, vigorous."
"Brusher away of cobwebs."
"Full of burning words."
"Blazes the trail."
"Crisp and bold thoughts."
"An eye-opener."
"The new spirit and new conscience shine on each page."
"Place not filled by any other."
"Speaks not as the Scribes and Pharisees."
"Charged with the gunpowder of progress."
$1.00 a year. 10 cents a copy. With The Forerunner, $1.80.
2442 Glenarm Pl., Denver, Colorado.
The Star
San Francisco, California.
JAMES H. BARRY, Editor.
A WIDE-AWAKE, UP-TO-DATE PAPER FEARLESS, FRANK AND FREE
The First in the Land to Advocate Direct Legislation. Stands for Human
Rights, including Votes for Women. Considers all Questions of Public
Moment, such as Public Ownership, the Single Tax, the Tariff, etc.
Contains good Miscellaneous Matter.
PUBLISHED WEEKLY
Per year . . . $1.50
Six months . . . 75 cents
in advance
THE STAR
1122-1124 Mission Street, San Francisco, Cal.
READ
The Forecast
PHILADELPHIA'S ONLY MAGAZINE
Is right there every time on every topic uppermost in the minds of the public.
THE SEPTEMBER NUMBER
contains many special features that are readable, timely, lively.
ELLA WHEELER WILCOX tells of "The Influences Which Shaped My Career."
ANTOINETTE E. GAZZAM contributes an original article on "Clothes" which is most beautifully illustrated and full of valuable suggestions and pleasing surprises.
THOMAS MARTINDALE, the renowned sportsman and author of "Sport Royal," and other fascinating sporting tales, tells of "The Lure of Hunting." Mr. Martindale never wrote more entertainingly than in this article.
EDWENA LAWRENCE reveals inside information in an article, especially pleasing to theatre-goers, on "The Educational Value of a Theatrical Stock Company," an article that will be appreciated by both the actor and auditor.
SPLENDID FICTION, intimate sketches of the personalities of the day, able book reviews, able articles on political, social, civic and national phases of the leading questions of the day, and an entertaining department of Fun, Fact and Fiction, as well as
CHARLES HOUSTON GOUDISS'S splendid eugenism in an article treating of the most important phase of the prevention of child degradation, combine in making The Forecast the most attractive ten cent magazine published.
THE FORECAST,
423 Lafayette Building, Philadelphia.
[Advertisement]
Books by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Sent postpaid by
THE CHARLTON COMPANY 67 WALL STREET, NEW YORK
"Women and Economics" $1.50
Since John Stuart Mill's essay there has been no book dealing with the whole position of women to approach it in originality of conception and brilliancy of exposition.—London Chronicle.
A remarkable book. A work on economics that has not a dull page—the work of a woman about women that has not a flippant word.—Boston Transcript.
Will be widely read and discussed as the cleverest, fairest, most forcible presentation of the view of the rapidly increasing group who look with favor on the extension of industrial employment to women.—Political Science Quarterly.
"Concerning Children" $1.25
WANTED:—A philanthropist, to give a copy to every English-speaking parent.—The Times, New York.
Should be read by every mother in the land.—The Press, New York.
Wholesomely disturbing book that deserves to be read for its own sake.—Chicago Dial.
"In This Our World" (Poems) $1.25
There is a joyous superabundance of life, of strength, of health, in Mrs. Gilman's verse, which seems born of the glorious sunshine and rich gardens of California.—Washington Times.
The poet of women and for women, a new and prophetic voice in the world.
Montaigne would have rejoiced in her.—Mexican Herald.
"The Yellow Wall Paper" $0.50
Worthy of a place beside some of the weird masterpieces of Hawthorne and
Poe.—Literature.
As a short story it stands among the most powerful produced in
America.—Chicago News.
"The Home" $1.00
Indeed, Mrs. Gilman has not intended her book so much as a treatise for scholars as a surgical operation on the popular mind.—The Critic, New York.
It is safe to say that no more stimulating arraignment has ever before taken shape and that the argument of the book is noble, and, on the whole, convincing.—Congregationalist, Boston.
"Human Work" $1.00
Charlotte Perkins Stetson Gilman has been writing a new book, entitled
"Human Work." It is the best thing that Mrs. Gilman has done, and it is
meant to focus all of her previous work, so to speak.—Tribune,
Chicago.
In her latest volume, "Human Work," Charlotte Perkins Gilman places herself among the foremost students and elucidators of the problem of social economics.—"San Francisco Star._
It is impossible to overestimate the value of the insistence on the social aspect of human affairs as Mrs. Gilman has outlined it.—Public Opinion.
IN PREPARATION:
"What Diantha Did" (A Novel) $1.00
"The Man Made World": or, "Our Androcentric Culture" $1.00
Orders taken for Bound Vols. THE FORERUNNER, $1.25
[Advertisement]