Have papers on the laces peculiar to different countries, and show examples or pictures of them. English thread in white and black; Spanish silk, hand-run; Irish crochet; Valenciennes, and others. See Palliser's History of Lace for description and illustrations. If possible, visit a museum which has a collection of laces; there is an excellent one in the Metropolitan, of New York. Study also the conditions under which the laces are made, the lives of lace-workers, and the prices received by them for their work.
V—BASKET-WEAVING
Like the making of pottery, the weaving of baskets goes back to the very earliest times. Women soon learned how to twist together osiers or twigs and make them into receptacles for household use. As time went on, baskets became more beautiful and artistic, and all nations, but particularly those of the Orient, made them in delicate materials and lovely designs. Often savage peoples will be found who excel in basketry. Notice especially the baskets made by the North American Indian women, and see the book on Basketry, by G. W. James, which is full of illustrations.
VI—MODERN HANDICRAFT FOR WOMEN
Have club members make as many programs from the subjects following as they desire, and illustrate them as far as possible with examples of the work. Take up also the schools where designing is taught, and tell what is done there. Note the growth of all designing work for women; bookbinding; jewelry-making; stenciling; making of furniture; bead-work; knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, and patchwork; rug-making; work in leather and wood; china-painting; work in plaster.
VII—WOMEN IN THE PROFESSIONS AND ARTS
Clubs should have papers on each one of the following representative women, showing what they accomplished. In addition there might be a study of the women of to-day who are doing good work on similar lines. In astronomy, Caroline Herschel; in music, Fanny Mendelssohn; in philanthropy, Elizabeth Fry or Florence Nightingale; in painting, Rosa Bonheur or Elizabeth Thompson Butler; in sculpture, Harriet Hosmer; in education, Mary Lyon; in the lecture field, Mary A. Livermore; on the stage, Charlotte Cushman or Rachel; as poet, Mrs. Browning; as novelist, George Eliot.
Add to this list some names of women who are doctors, lawyers, ministers, editors, teachers, and nurses. See Lives of Girls Who Became Famous Women, by Sarah K. Bolton.
VIII—WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Have one or more practical papers showing what women have done and can do in the field of every-day work. The Trained Mother might come first, and then Woman as Housekeeper. After that take her as teacher, governess, stenographer, saleswoman, dressmaker and milliner, caterer, landscape-gardener, architect, dairy-woman, real-estate dealer, house-decorator, and buyer. Follow with a paper or talk showing what can be done in unusual ways to earn one's living; keeping a tea-room, shopping, caring for children, mending, packing, preserving, and embroidering.