PERSONAL PROBLEMS
Question.—A radical woman and conservative man are married, have been married for years. The woman now wants to do a share of work for votes for women. The man takes it as a personal reflection. He thinks outsiders will conclude that a woman suffragist must have a family grievance at home. How much suffrage work do you advise her to do?
Answer.—I advise her to do all the suffrage work she thinks right; and any other work she thinks right. What her husband thinks somebody else will think, is a pretty poor obstacle.
If a woman so lives as to hold the love and respect of her husband, she can differ from him quite widely—for conscience sake—and not break their bond.
If he does not love and respect her—why should she mind what he thinks?
*
Here are some earnest questions from an artist:
1. "How shall I be most efficient?
2. "Which of my work is best—what I think best, or what other people think best?
3. "If my best work is done by accident, what's the use of trying?"
Answer.—1. Live to your fullest development in all lines—and keep your health. Do not so concentrate on art as to neglect life—and your art will be greater.
2. Do the work you think best, with all your might, accepting others' judgement only when it convinces yours.
3. Trying, always—that is, doing your best work, life long—is what allows those happy accidents. Keep on trying.
*
In this department in August, "E. M. K." asked:
"Would you please outline a plan of organization among married women who wish to continue practicing their profession, through which they may arouse other women; and also reach the authorities who have control over their work?"
I then recommended political organization as the best possible; but have
been called upon since to mention The Married Women Teachers'
Association, of New York, as an instance of what may be done. The
Secretary is Mrs. Anna G. Walsh, 22 Harvard Avenue, Jamaica, N. Y.
FROM LETTERS OF SUBSCRIBERS
"Charlotte Perkins Gilman: Since the first of January, 1904, I've been writing you this letter! 'The Women's Journal,' of Boston, presented you to me—and I've been acknowledging the introduction ever since!! '——-' I bought—and read—and re-read your 'Women and Economics' and 'The Home, It's Work and Influence.' I then as now, knew—that I had known these things always—you had only beat me to its expression."
*
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*
"The Forerunner has such a cheery, hopeful, even confident tone that it is fine to read it. I feel, dear Mrs. Gilman, that as much as I liked your earlier work, I find even more in this latest. It touches the quick more—in me."
*
"Enclosed please find post office order for $1.00, to cover a year's subscription to The Forerunner, and I sincerely trust that that magazine will have the influence that it deserves. The November number alone is worth the price."
*
"Its going to be well worth a dollar, this Forerunner of yours, if the forerunner I have received of The Forerunner is to be taken as typical, I am immensely interested in your philosophy of life. Your tale of Diantha I turned over to my eldest daughter and its effect is pronounced. She is looking for the next number."
*
"We enjoy the magazine very much, particularly the series of articles titled 'Our Androcentric Culture.' It explains very satisfactorily the present andriness of conditions. May you live a thousand years—and longer; to continue good work of enlightenment."
*
"Mrs. H—— has sent me a sample copy of The Forerunner. It is fine. I always run to hear you when you speak,—now I may sit at home and talk with you!"
*
"The Barrel is delicious. If Mrs. D—— hasn't already subscribed, do send her this number. I enclose stamps therefor."
*
"May I congratulate you on your magazine, The Forerunner. Of course the things you say in it are good as everything you ever say is, and added to that the magazine is attractive in form and in make-up. I think that you ought to be happy, indeed, that you are putting forth such a good looking as well as clever publication. I was delighted to see some of your verse again, for no matter what brilliant things you have done along economic lines, nothing has ever gone to the very bottom with me more than your verse, 'In this our world.'"
*
"I have been intending to write to congratulate you upon the magazine.
It goes without saying that it is clever and altogether delightful.
Long may it continue."
*
"Permit me to congratulate you on getting up a paper with so much intellectual food contained within its covers. Both my wife and self enjoyed reading No. 3 '——-' particularly 'Androcentric Culture.' More power to you!"
*
"Thank you so much for the December and January numbers of The Forerunner;—I think they are great, great, GREAT!—Every bit of them makes one grind one's teeth with satisfaction."
*
"We three are familiar with your 'Women and Economics' and regularly announce to each other by post card;—See such a magazine—an article by 'our C. P. G.' So imagine our satisfaction to learn that 'our Mrs. Gilman' has now a magazine where 'her policies' are so ably presented! '——-' I shall never lose an opportunity to advertise The Forerunner by word of mouth."
*
"If possible include all numbers of your paper in the following yearly subscriptions. We are anxious to have the file from the first.
"The paper is great. May it be able to outlive the necessity for its mission."
(Encloses three subscriptions).
*
"In our family circle we have read aloud The Forerunner for November and December with much interest and enjoyment. We were particularly pleased with your article on Christmas and the Santa Claus myth."
*
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*
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*
"Congratulations on The Forerunner, two copies just received,—the magazine is better than I expected and I knew it would be good. Our dinner table was much enlivened that night, with comments and expressions of approval from all, even to G——, my very conservative son."
*
"I devoured The Forerunner from 'Volume 1' to 'The pain from a raw wound,' and am not yet satisfied. Please take my check for 'more.'"
*
"How much liberty do you wish us to take in the matter of quotations from The Forerunner '——-' Both January copies have just come to hand. Your stories are more interesting than any I've read for a long time. I hope you will continue these 'Housekeeping Problems.'
*
"I find The Forerunner on our club table far too exciting to pick up and skim. Therefore I enclose a year's subscription."
*
"I am very much interested in your opinions and convictions as set forth in the books I have seen and am hoping to find a guide and friend in the above publication, which has recently come to my notice."
*
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*
"Your January number was fine. Mrs. D—— thinks it is worth the price for the year."
*
"The January Forerunner is especially rich. 'Here is the earth,' is worth the subscription price, to put it mildly."
*
"Mother's copy of The Forerunner has just come, and I want to subscribe right off, before I read it! I know it will be the very cleverest and most stimulating thing in print. I want to lend it to the other girls at college."
*
"I must take a few moments to say how much I enjoy The Forerunner."
*
"To speak commercially, I never saw so much value given for the price, in my life! And then the stuff itself! Well;
"'Her Housekeeper,' gave me such joy that I read it four times, to be sure I had extracted all the juice. A real love story! I suppose perhaps the only one that was ever written! I, at least, do not recall, in all the tons of fiction I have swum through a story of real LOVE before. * * * Apropos of this not seeing—not grasping the idea—comes 'The Barrel.' Oh fine! More power to your right arm."
*
"My sister and I have greatly enjoyed your publication, its articles, its poetry, its question box, its advertisements. Better send the two subscriptions from January number—we have the magazine at home, but I want my patients to regale themselves with it when they are waiting for me at the office."
*
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*
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*
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*
"I enclose a dollar for a year's subscription to Charlotte's monthly, The Forerunner. Having read one issue, I am sure a year's subscription will be a good investment."
* "Will it be presumptuous in me to take enough of your time to tell you how much The Forerunner means to an ordinary woman out West? It is defining and putting into shape so many of my vague feelings and muddy ideas. * * * Your books and magazine have been among the few great inspirations of my life that have made all life look big and splendid and worth while."
*
"A word or two of appreciation from Iowa! Your magazine The Forerunner is splendid and no mere words can tell you how I have enjoyed it. The whole thing, from cover to cover, is excellent and vigorous."
*
"The first number came. And I devoured it from cover to cover and back again before I let anyone else see it. Now they are all reading it and chuckling over 'How doth the Hat,' and discussing the serious parts with great gusto. It makes me glad when I think that more numbers are coming regularly now and I can look forward to the next one and waylay the postman when the time comes. Certainly this number has made me (for one), sit up and think a bit. I wish the next one were due to-morrow."
*
"I want to thank you for the January number of The Forerunner—both Mrs. R——- and myself have enjoyed it immensely, as we have enjoyed everything you have written. We want more of it, so here goes my subscription."
*
"Accept my hearty congratulations upon The Forerunner. The first number is delightful, and exceedingly clever. 'What Diantha did,' and 'Androcentric Culture,' are deep and clear and stimulating, and 'How doth the hat' should make all who read it sit up and take notice. It seems to me that every thinking woman who sees this copy will become a subscriber. I enclose a check for my subscription and that of my mother, Mrs. ——- ——-."
*
"You astonishing woman! To write, edit and publish a magazine all by your lonesome! It seems to me a tremendous undertaking, which by its very courage should appeal to everyone. I do not know that I agree with you in the theory on which The Forerunner stands—I don't know enough about it to agree or disagree—but it's certainly interesting. I like the stories, and the short, clever things by the way. May the magazine be the success it deserves to be! I enclose $1.00 for the year, and I shall look for it with interest."
*
"Kindly send to Mrs. F——, your magazine beginning with Vol. 1 No. 1 for the year. (One dollar enclosed.) I saw the little magazine at Mr. ——-'s, and was much interested in it."
*
"My mother wants you to know of her enthusiasm over the second issue of The Forerunner, which she thinks an advance even over the first number. Her points were these: 1. Such a pleasure to read a homogeneous magazine instead of having to skip from lion hunting to Christian Science and from that to flying machines. 2. Admires the way you take the individual problems of individual women, and by means of the individual problems lead these women into the larger view of life and into an understanding of the androcentric culture. 3. Article on Socialism most concise, clearest and most convincing she has ever read. In this I heartily agree." * * * "4. The trite phrase about 'not one dull word from cover to cover' applies literally and without the slightest exaggeration to this number of The Forerunner."
*
"I enclosed a dollar; please send your magazine for a year to the following address, beginning if possible with the first number, Vol. 1, No. 1. If that cannot be, then start with January. It is to go to my daughter, her husband, and brand new grand-baby; and I am sure it will do them all good."
*
"I am enclosing $1.00 for the paper—I have mislaid the circular, and if I have not the amount right, I will be very happy to send the difference. If it is practicable, I'd rather you'd send the first number of The Forerunner, instead of beginning with the current number—I'll gladly pay more for the back numbers, if I can get them."
*
"As your lectures and books always appealed to my best judgment, I am anxious to have it a monthly visitor, beginning with the first number."
*
"It has the spirit of making people think and wish to see things go on."
*
"To say that we greatly appreciate it is to only hint our mood. It is by far the strongest and best expressed word on these problems of society in which are inextricably mingled the position of woman. We read it with the greatest satisfaction and feel sure that your message is coming most timely." * * *
*
"Here is my subscription to The Forerunner—one of the most cheerful purchases I ever made, and certainly a bargain! Success attend your efforts, for they mean much to mankind."
*
"Let me compliment you on your excellent articles on Androcentric Culture. They contain knowledge combined with so much beauty of expression that they feed and charm the mind alike."
*
"I hope that The Forerunner will meet all the success it deserves and that it will go to the many men and women who are in sore need of it."
*
"Can't be without it any longer. Send Forerunner, and you may begin as far back as you like."
A FRIENDLY RESPONSE
The editor wishes to acknowledge with cordial thanks the warm response to the appeal to subscribers to "renew, and get another."
They are doing it, quite rapidly, and only three or four—so far—have discontinued. One of these did it twice! Evidently The Forerunner was non persona grata there.
We begin to feel that we have more friends—and warmer ones—than at first appeared.
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.
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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.
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"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
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As a short story it stands among the most powerful produced in
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"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
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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.
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