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

22 ART AND HANDICRAFT Her Majesty the Queen of England has kindly sent an exhibit of the work of her own hands, with the message that while she usually feels no interest in expositions, she gives this special token of sympathy with the work of the Board of Lady Managers because of its efforts for women. That the English committee has included in its exhibit and in its catalogue a plea for the higher education of women is in itself a significant fact. Her Majesty the Queen of Siam has sent a special delegate with directions that she put herself under our leadership and learn what industrial and educational advantages are open to women in other countries, so that Siam may adopt such measures as will elevate the condition of her women. The Exposition will thus benefit women, not alone by means of the material objects brought together, but there will be a more lasting and permanent result through the interchange of thought and sympathy among influential and leading women, of all coun- tries, now for the first time working- together with a common pur- pose and an established means of communication. Government recognition and sanction give to these committees of women official character and dignity. Their work has been magnificently success- ful, and the reports which will be made of the conditions found to exist will be placed on record as public documents among the archives of every country. We rejoice in the possession of this beautiful building, in its delicacy, symmetry, and strength. We honor our architect and the artists, who have given not only their hands but their hearts and their genius to its decoration. The eloquent president of the Commission last October dedi- cated the great Exposition to humanity. We dedicate the Woman’s Building to an. elevated womanhood, knowing that by so doing we shall best serve tlie cause of humanity. To serve as a permanent record of the many rare and beautiful objects now gathered in the Woman’s Building, which will so soon be scattered to the four corners of the earth, this illustrated volume has been prepared. We greatly regret that lack of time and space has prevented our doing complete justice to the achievements of our sex, but hope that what has been accomplished may prove of service as a basis for future work. Bertha Honoré Palmer.