ABSTRACT
NEARLY twelve and ten years haveelapsed since I wrote two articles in widely circulated "monthlies" on this subject, and they have been reprinted as pamphlets in large numbers since that time.· But it IS thought, and has been suggested, that some information and statement up to date might be useful in relating the progress that has been made since then in breaking down, or climbing over, that "Chinese wall of prejudice" which, it has been said, requires ten years of attack to overcome. Anyhow, some progress has been made, though far less than we hoped for; but to consider it n~ay at least help us to strive for further efforts in this direction. In my first Paper on "Women's 'Vork," published in the Jubilee Year, 1887, the progress of fifty years was summed up, and such an advancein aIl directions as was then shown ean hardly be looked for again. But in the matter of Women Guardians, who then were stated to number 50 only, after the first start twelve years before, we
April 15th, 1899. have 110W tbe satisfaction üf finding upwards of 1,000 acting on tbe 64ß Boards of tbe country, and we C,ll1 add tbe gratifying addition of as many as 21 women elected for tbe first time last year on Boards of Guardians in Ire~and, and tbe prospect of many more at future electlOns. Otber advances bave been made on sucb public bodies as Vestries and District Councils, as weIl as in tbe appointment of women 80S relieving officers, cburcbwardens, registrars of births and deaths, and medical officers to workhouses and hospitals. .
