Page:The Newspaper World.djvu/98

 Women as Journalists. 87 which women are peculiarly qualified, and have made especially their own. Into this field of work men do not desire to enter, because they have not the knowledge or the qualifications essential to success. Now that the columns of general newspapers are open to contributions of the class styled " Ladies' Letters," women may guide the public opinion of all classes and both sexes, either by ascertaining and giving expression to the views of the leaders of society, or by themselves indicating what is desirable in our social life, as well as what is becoming in the fashions and fancies of the time. The power of women's influence in such directions has been fully recog- nized by our greatest authors. In relation to what is here urged, the dictum of Sir Walter Scott seems especially appropriate. ** In all civilized society," he says, " the females of distinguished rank and beauty give the tone to manners, and, through these, even to morals." Assuredly there is scope in this direction for the efforts of women journalists, without in any degree trenching on the pro- vince of the men employed in the same profession. Let them, either in their own newspapers, or in those depart- ments of the general Press which are allotted to women, describe and discuss public concerns as well as the events of social life, and they will find that they have created a position for themselves which they may fill with great and increasing advantage to newspaper readers, without entering on work which they are not, and cannot be, so well qualified to perform as journalists of the sterner sex.