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    426 BOOKS OF THE MONTH.

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    Books Of The Month.

    the case , as against some existing Sisterhoods , is stated with startling force and clearness . It appears incontrovertible that the

    system is at least liable to abuses of a very serious nature ; and Miss Goodman's statements evidently deserve attentive consider a ~

    tion . It must be added , however , that she mixes up grave charge ® with gossip and . ugly innuendo , in such a manner as seriously to

    op damage inion that her these character institutions as a witness are ( i . cap Miss able Goodman of incalcul is able herself good of

    when carefully fostered and watched ; " and she calls upon the , - Bishops to legislate for them , and so to " decide whether the

    Sisterhood movement in England shall be for good or for evil . " It may be questioned whether it is quite fair to shift the whole burden of

    this decision upon any one body . All who are able to assist , either by observation of factsor by careful thought , are bound to give

    , their aid . At the same time , there is no doubt that the Bishops have , officiallya special interest in the matter , and in some respectsa

    specially , advantageous position for judging and directing . It , is probable that many of the most important questions raised , such ,

    for instance , . as how this new machinery can be made to work in with the parochial system ; whether there is work which can

    _bebetter done by an order of Sisters than hy District Visiting Societies ,, and other similar agencies ; whether a peculiar dress is desirable ,

    or undesirable , or a matter of indifference , —can best be decided , and are gradually being decidedby actual experiment in the various

    , institutions now at work in different parts of the country . That there should be so many as twenty-five of these institutions ,

    representing the various shades of religious opinion , from the Protestant Deaconess to the almost Rornanist " Order of the Sacred Heart "

    , existing in England , is itself an astonishing and significant fact . Miss Barlee , in her new book , " Friendless and Helpless , " ( 7 )

    delivers a vigorous testimony to the incapacity of untrained and undisciplined women for any work whatever , except the very lowest

    drudgery . Those who have been most earnest and persevering in their efforts to help the unemployed , will most eagerly concur with

    her in this view . We believe they will also agree . with her in regarding this incapacity as arising , _" not from any normal physical

    deficiency , but from the neglect of parents , and the want of early training . " The chapter on " Educated Women" contains some

    useful remarks on the necessity of fitting girls for " the active duties as well as the passive enjoyments of life ; " and _parejits -

    arestrongly urged to give up " inculcating fineladyism on their portionless daughters . " The book embraces a wide range of , _toiDies ,.

    including Pauperism and Government , as well as private , education . These vast and almost overwhelming subjects are discussed and

    disposed of in a manner , not altogether satisfactory to the thoughtful reader .

    Faith ( 7 ) full . Friendless and Helpless . " By Ellen Barlee . London : Emily

    426 Books Of The Month.

    426 BOOKS OF THE MONTH .

• Citation
  • English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), Feb. 2, 1863, page 426, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_02021863/page/66/