Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/212

 WOMAN'S WORK 196 For Australia and South Africa shady hats and plenty of summer things are needed, for Canada warmer underclothing than is worn in England will be required in winter, but the emigrant should take plenty of articles like gloves, shoes, tailor-made costumes, ha^-s, and the little etceteras of the toilet, which, as imported goods, are always more expensive under a tariff. As a rule, colonial women think a great deal of dress, and put on their clothes more smartly, more in French fashion than English women ; but a girl who is going to do strenuous work as a home-help will, of course, need sensible working clothes, print dresses and overalls, as well as pretty things. Social Conditions It is useless for any girl to emigrate if she is a failure in England, because the younger nations have far less patience with failures. The race out there is to the strong, the adaptable, the energetic, and the tactful person. Colonials are extremely sensitive to adverse criticism, absurdly so to English eyes, and there is a decided prejudice against English people among many Canadians, because we are said to be super- cilious and given to explaining how much better things are managed at home. The Canadian does not believe this, and detests to hear it said. A girl who wishes to succeed must adapt herself to the country, and be prepared to take the rough with the smooth. It is especially necessary that she should shed her social prejudices. She has to realise that there is no leisured class to set that tone of detachment from business, which English people strive after. Business, com- merce, is the breath of life to the colonist, more especially to the Canadian, and culture is an afterthought which he is quite prepared to do without. All the little shibboleths of pronunciation and etiquette which we agitate ourselves so much about in England, are meaningless in the colonies, where the man counts, not his manner, and a girl who dislikes what she is pleased to call the " lower classes " is not likely to get on. because a great many of the most amiable and intelligent people she will meet will be of the artisan class. Colonials, however, are good sportsmen, and full of life and "go." They are also full of camaraderie. The thing which returned colonials most dislike in England is the stiff- ness which sets up so many petty barriers between people living in the same town and in the same street. There is little of that in the colonies, and a charming English girl will have every opportunity to make her charm felt and win troops of friends. She will not live year after year in a place without enlarging her circle as she may do at home. And, after all, emigration to a colony is not irrevocable. If a girl does not find her feet there she can but come back again. So that it seems really extraordinary that parents who can afford to make the experi- ment should not more often give their girls that chance of larger life and wider oppor- tunities which England overseas affords. List of Canadian Government Agencies where intending emigrants may obtain full official information : — Town Agent Address London Emigrants' Infor- Chief Clerk, 31, mation Office Broadway, West- minster London High Commissioner for Canada 17, Victoria Street London Assist. - Superinten- II and 12, Charing dent of Emigra- Cross tion Liverpool. . . Mr. A. F. Jury ... Old Castle Build- ings, Preeson's Row Birmingnam Mr. G. H. Mitchell Newton Cham- bers, 43, Can- non Street Glasgow Mr. J. Webster ... 35-37, St. Enoch Square 81, Queen Street Exeter Mr. H. M. Murray Belfast Mr. E. O'Kelly ... 17-19, Victoria Street York Mr. J. H. Burnett... 16, Parliament Street Aberdeen. . . Mr. J. J. McLennan 26, Guild Street I A beautiful Canadian sunset over " Rainy Lake," near Fort Frances. The shores of this lake form ideal camping grounds during the summer Photo, InterHatioHal Studio