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    (326)

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    XLVII.—THE SOCIETY OF ARTS EXAMINATIONS.

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    „_ n» Whiie the opening's for women's ad...

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    (326)

    ( 326 )

    Xlvii.—The Society Of Arts Examinations.

    XLVII _. —THE SOCIETY OF ARTS EXAMINATIONS . : _^» .

    „_ N» Whiie The Opening's For Women's Ad...

    „_ n _» Whiie the opening's for women ' s advancement are so few , such an

    event as the recent decision of the Society of Arts to permit both sexes to compete at its examinations must be of special importance

    to women . The decision , obviously good as we think it , will assuredlmeet with opposition ; and it is therefore well that all

    y tended parties in who this take Journal an interest —all who in the sincerel objects y believe for which , as we we do hav , that e con the

    the throwing demand " open for of their emp labor loyments raising to women their , value and thus as workers , by increasing in the

    marketis the most efficient , means of improving their moral and material , condition—should be informed of the nature and history of

    the new movement , and the proper answer to the objections likely to be raised against itso far as they refer to female competition .

    The examinations , referred to were a portion of the original scheme of the Society of Arts for reviving the various Mechanics '

    Institutes and similar societies throughout the country . It is notorious that the Mechanics' Institutes themselves have failed to

    ori produce inal founders the fruits antici The pate exertions d with of so Dr much . Birkbeck confidence and others by their in

    favor 1825 g , which gave a encouraged spirit . and the temporary hihest success hopes . to The the results movement after in a their trial ,

    of more than thirty years , may g be ascertained hy any person , in his own town or neihbourhood ; for there are few places in which such

    an institution does g not still hold on some kind of existence . In most cases the original intentions have been quite forgotten . The

    classes for whom they were intended have either altogether neglected them , or have attended for other objects than those by which

    it was hoped that they would be attracted . Few have maintained developed regular and in their well-conducted members a classes taste for of reading useful , instruction themselves save of the , few without lightest have

    kind , and few have been able to maintain benevolent aid or without falling into debt . Such , at all events , was their condition six years agowhen it was resolved by the

    Society of Arts to endeavor to invi , gorate them by a complete system of unionby which it was perceived that advantages might

    be secured which , under the system of isolation were unattainable . It was believed that the experience and information of each

    institution might thus be rendered useful oto the whole body ; that there ber might of be one an institution interchange being of privilege temporaril s established in the , nei so that hbourhood the mem of

    y g any other might be admitted to its lectures , library , reading room , and exhibitions ; that combined courses of lectures might be

    arranged , and books , maps , philosophical instruments , etc ., procured

• Citation
  • English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), July 1, 1858, page 326, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01071858/page/38/