Art and Handcraft in the Woman's Building
of the World's Columbian Exposition

IN THE WOMAN’S BUILDING. 243 physicians, dentists, midwives of the female sex, who sustain a decorous position among their male colleagues. The expansive force of her natural talent has found a broad field besides in almost every branch of art and literature—drawing, painting, music, poetry, romance afford a pleasant employment for the leisure hours of the educated woman, and in many instances have given her a reputation which extends beyond the boundaries of her native country. Several women rank as high in Spanish liter- ature, especially in poetry, as some of the old classic writers, and stand almost on a level with the very best poets of the present day. Even the political press begins to feel the influence of woman, there being already a few daily or periodical newspapers edited by women, and devoted to the interest of some political organiza- tion. It is unnecessary to add that they are always enthusiastic defenders of woman’s rights. It must not be forgotten that the foregoing remarks concern only a small class of women placed in the most favorable circum- stances, and that even, among them literary and artistic labor are not professional. Still, there is no doubt that before long it will become as useful and productive as any career opened to the activity of our sex. The number of girls and women belonging to the middle class (and they are generally more or less educated) who find in their own exertions some means of support is very limited indeed. In the great majority of cases they remain a burden to their parents, their husbands, or some other male members of the family; and, in spite of their natural disinterestedness, girls are sometimes induced to accept a marriage by necessity rather than by choice. This truly deplorable condition of affairs can not be suddenly changed, as it is a natural effect of the peculiar organization of Spanish society. The Spaniard, and, still more, his American descendant, deems himself disgraced, dishonored, if it is known that his wife, his daughter, or his sister works for her living, or for the improvement of her home. Such a prejudice and false pride could only have arisen in the period of fantastic wealth, when almost even-body lived rich and happy in the Spanish colonies without the trouble of any personal labor, for all the work was carried on by slaves. That immense wealth passed away long ago, yet the old proud feeling still remains. How long will it last? Let us hope that more frequent intercourse with foreign peoples, together with the necessity of securing domestic happiness by providing young girls with elements of self-support, so as to make