part in any public effort; that they only attended to social duties. But as soon as

these ladies received our message, sent in a brief and formal letter, the freemasonry
among women proved to be such that they needed no explanation; they understood
at once the possibilities. Strong committees were immediately formed of women
having large hearts and brains, women who cannot selfishly enjoy the ease of their
own lives without giving a thought to their helpless and wretched sisters.

Our unbounded thanks are due to the exalted and influential personages who
became, in their respective countries, patronessess 'and leaders of the movement
inaugurated by us to represent what women are doing. They entered with appre-
ciation into our work for the Exposition because they saw an opportunity, which they
gracefully and delicately veiled behind the magnificent laces forming the central
objects in their superb collections, to aid their women by opening new markets for
their wares. This was the earnest purpose of their majesties, the Empress of Rus-
sia and the Queen of Italy, both so noted for the progressive spirit they have dis-
played in promoting the welfare of the women under their kindly rule. They have
sent large collections of the work of peasant women through organizations which
exist under their patronage for selling their handiwork. The collection of her per-
sonal laces sent by Queen Margherita is one of the most notable features of the
Exposition.

The committee of Belgian ladies was kind enough to take special pains to
comply with our request for statistics concerning the industries and condition of

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS.

1. MRS. MART KINDER,
Delaware.

6. MRS. CLARA L. McAoow,
Montana.

1. MRS. 8. W. MCLAUGHLIN,
North Dakota.

12. MRS. MARY A. COCHRAN,

Texas.

13. MRS. JNO. 8. WISE,

Virginia.

2. MBS. J. FRANK BALL,

Delaware.
5. MRS. J. ELIZA RICHARDS,

Montana.
8. MRS. W. B. McCc-NNELL,

North Dakota.
11. MRS. IDA LOVING TDRNER,

Texas.

14. MRS. K. 8. G. PAUL,
Virginia.

S, MRS. ELIZA J. P. HOWES,

Michigan.
4. MRS. SARAH S. 0, \\<; KI.I,,

Michigan.

9. MRS. JNO. K. WILSON,
South Dakota.
10. MRS. H. M. BARKER,

South Dakota.

15. MRS. E. C. LANGWORTH^
Nebraska.

i82 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

women, notwithstanding the fact that the collection of statistics is not in Europe so-
popular as with us. It has sent complete reports, very attractively prepared, in the
form of monographs and charts, giving details which have been secured only by
great personal effort. These figures have never before been obtained in that coun-
try, and the committee itself is surprised at the great amount of novel and valuable
information it has succeeded in presenting.

Her Majesty, the Queen of England, has kindly sent an exhibit of the work
of her own hands, with the message that, while she usually feels no interest in ex-
positions, she gives this special token of sympathy with the work of the Board of
Lady Managers because of its efforts for women. [Applause.] That the English
Committee has included in its exhibit and in its catalogue a plea for the higher edu-
cation of women is in itself a significant fact.

Her Majesty, the Queen Regent of Spain, has kindly sent some relics of a
former ruler whose name is so closely associated with that of the. discoverer of our
continent. [Applause.]

The orient has not been behind in its efforts to co-operate with us, although
it has succeeded in doing so only on a limited scale and in many cases unofficially.
We have received the most pathetic letters from those countries, in which women
are only beginning to learn that there is a fuller development and a higher liberty
of action permitted their sex elsewhere. Japan, under the guidance of its liberal
and intelligent Empress, has promptly and cordially promoted our plans. Her
Majesty, the Queen of Siam, has sent a special delegate with directions that she
put herself under our leadership and learn what industrial and educational advan-
tages are open to women in other countries, so that Siam may adopt such measures
as will elevate the condition of her women. [Great applause.]

The Exposition will thus benefit women, not alone by means of the material
objects brought together, but there will be a more lasting and permanent result
through the interchange of thought and sympathy from influential and leading wo-
men of all countries, now, for the first time, working together with a common pur-
pose and an established means of communication. Government recognition and
sanction give to these committees of women official character and dignity. Their
work has been magnificently successful and the reports which will be made of the
conditions found to exist will be placed on record, as public documents, among the
archives of every country. Realizing the needs and responsibilities of the hour,
and that this will be the first official utterance of women in behalf of women, we
shall weigh well our words, words which should be so judicious and convincing that
hereafter they may be treasured among the happy influences which made possible
new and better conditions. We rejoice in the possession of this beautiful building,
in which we meet to-day, in its delicacy, symmetry and strength. [Applause.] We:
honor our architect —

[Mrs. Palmer was here interrupted by a spontaneous outburst of applause,
the lady managers and their friends vying with the men present to see who could
applaud the loudest. Mrs. Palmer smiled pleasantly and, dropping her manuscript,
joined heartily in swelling the applause of the assemblage. She then continued:}

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 183

We honor our architects and the artists who have given not only their hands
but their hearts and their genius to its decoration. For it women in every part of
the world have been exerting their efforts and talents; for it looms have wrought
their most delicate fabrics, the needle has flashed in the hands of maidens under
tropical suns, the lace-maker has bent over her cushion weaving her most artful
web, the brush and chisel have sought to give form and reality to the visions
haunting the brain of the artist — all have wrought with the thought of making our
building worthy to serve its great end. We thank all for their successful efforts.
The eloquent president of the commission last October dedicated the great expo-
sition buildings to humanity. We now dedicate the woman's building to an eleva-
ted womanhood — {Applause] — knowing that by so doing we shall best serve the
cause of humanity.

At the conclusion of the address of Mrs. Palmer, the lady managers arose
and expressed their appreciation of the magnificent address of the President of
their Board by giving the " Chatauquan salute."

Germany's representative, Mrs. Kaselowsky, gave a short description of the
exhibit from her country under her charge, which is one of the largest in the woman's
building.

Princess Schachoffsky, commissioner from Russia, then spoke as follows:

MRS. PRESIDENT AND LADIES: — I begin by asking your indulgence. The
slight knowledge I have of the English language, which I am obliged to use the
very first time I address any audience, makes it still more difficult and intimidating
when the audience is the one I have before me — so numerous and consisting of all
the leading and representative women of America, which all over the world is
known by her prominent women. I wish to tell you that, though so very far away,
we have many sympathisers in common, and the women in Russia through me
hoped to stretch and clasp hands with their American sisters. All those that I met
offered me all the information they could give concerning our women and their
work in all departments, which, though not so numerous as yours, have a very wide
extent. One of the widest is to find profitable employment for the peasant women,
and in the last few years several industries have been started with much success,
by many of the wives of our landed proprietors and lady landowners. Samples of
these you will see in our section of the women's building, which, unfortunately is
not yet ready, and I hope you will be pleased with them.

It is not the moment and I do not feel equal to the task of giving even a faint
outline of all that is being done by our women, but some things and names I must
mention. The high class education having been open to them since 1872, more
than 700 women doctors are doing a lovely mission all through the country, and
when you know that 15,000,000 Mohamedans form in the east part of our population,
so that 7,500,000 women are entirely dependent on their own sex for medical help,
not being allowed to see men, you will understand what a boon a woman doctor is
in our country.

184 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

Princess Schachoffsky had to rise and bow again and again in response to the
applause that followed her address. Then came one of the most pleasant incidents
of the occasion. Mrs. Ralph Trautmann, the vice-president from New York, and
chairman of the committee on federal legislation, suddenly advanced to where Mrs.
Palmer was sitting. She addressed the president in praise of her work, and, refer-
ring to her as the queen of fame, presented her with a silver laurel wreath.

" This is our crowning day of glory," Mrs Trautmann said. " When we grow
old may we look back to this occasion with a pride that can never diminish."

The two women then arose and clasped hands, while every lady manager
and everybody else stood up on their chairs in impressive silence. The effect was
heightened by Mrs. Trautmann presenting Mrs. Candace Wheeler, director of the
building, and Mrs. MacMonnies, the artist, to the audience.

The final number of the programme had been reached, and Mrs. Rickards.
of Montana, made her way to the stage to present the golden nail to Mrs. Palmer,
Her address was read so distinctly as to reach all parts of the big hall. It was
graceful and eloquent, fully meeting the demands of the occasion. As she handed
the shining nail to Mrs. Palmer a cheer broke forth. It was a trying moment to
Mrs. Palmer. She took the nail and looked at it rather doubtfully, while a smile
came over her face. With a few words of acceptance, she referred laughingly to
the new role in which she was about to appear. Everybody was wondering whether
Mrs. Palmer was going to hit her fingers with the glittering silver hammer, that
she took from a plush covered case. Anxiety was pictured on the faces of hun-
dreds of women who watched with absorbing interest. An oblong block of wood lay
on the table in front of Mrs. Palmer that had been contributed by the women of
Washington. Everybody knew without being told that that block was going to re-
ceive the nail if Mrs Palmer succeeded in hitting it on the head every time. As.
she placed the point of the nail on the block, Mrs Palmer paused to look trium-
phantly at the audience. She raised the hammer aloft, and with a smile let it fall
on the yellow head of the nail. It sank to a suspicious depth in the block at the
first blow. Then, while the lady managers waved their handkerchiefs and every-
body else applauded after her own fashion, Mrs. Palmer dealt blow after blow un-
til the nail had been driven its full length.

Theodore Thomas waved his baton once more and the entire audience
joined in singing " America." With the pronouncing of the benediction the cere-
monies came to a close.

Theodore Thomas waved his baton at his singers and players and the
"Jubilate," by Mrs. H. H. A. Beach, of Boston, filled the building with waves of
melody that drowned the sound of clapping hands. The presentation of a flag of
American silk which was carried at the head of the procession to Jackson Park
during the ceremonies of October, 1892, was then made by G. W. Knapp. When
he concluded his speech he presented Mrs. Palmer with a piece of fringe cut from
the flag with a pair of souvenir scissors. The scissors were presented to Mrs.
Palmer by Mrs. Sol Thatcher, one of the lady managers of Chicago, with the fol-
lowing address:

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 185

MME. PRESIDENT: — I "have the honor to present to you the silver scissors with
which the souvenir was cut from the woman's flag. These scissors, though of
beautiful workmanship and purest silver, are most celebrated for their magical
qualities. They came from the far east, from the land of the astrologer and the
necromancer. It is said that the happy possessor of this talisman need never fear
entanglement.

The addresses of the distinguished women from foreign lands were one of
the most interesting features of the exercises. The Duchess of Veragua presented
her compliments and excuses to the audience through Mrs. Palmer, not having a
sufficient command of the English language to make herself understood. • As she
arose and bowed she was greeted with great applause. Countess di Brazza, • of
Italy, was unable to appear because of sickness in her family and Mme. Mariotti
acted as her representative. She spoke in tones easily understood and told of her
distinguished kinswoman's efforts to elevate the condition of Italian women. Mme.
Mariotti also related how it became possible for the women of Italy to make an
exhibit for the first time at a foreign exposition.

Mrs. Bedford Fenwick, commissioner from England, made an interesting
address, largely descriptive of the social conditions prevailing among the women of
her country and also gave an account of the character of the English exhibit in the
woman's building.

Lady Aberdeen had become so well known through her former visits to
Chicago, and her great prominence in philanthropic work, that she was received
by the audience with a warmth almost as pronounced as that which marked Mrs-
Palmer's reception. It was a compliment of the most graceful description, and
the noted woman showed unmistakable signs of appreciation.

" I feel it to be a great honor," Lady Aberdeen said, " to take part in these
ceremonies, to which all the women of the civilized world have turned their eyes.
We have heard from Mrs. Palmer what we hope to realize. I take it that one
of the objects of this friendly emulation among women is to show how much
they have served their countries. If I am right in this conclusion I am proud to
stand here as the representative of the two countries in which I claim nationality —
Scotland and Ireland." Lady Aberdeen alluded in glowing terms to the laces
contributed to the exhibit by the Irish peasant women, and said that much good
was expected to come out of the opportunity afforded to display them to the world.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS.

1. Miss H. T. HDNDLET,

Alabama.
4. MRS. ROLLIN A. EDGERTON,

Arkansas.
7. Miss FRANCIS S. IVES,

Connecticut.
10. Miss OKA E. MILLER,

Iowa.
IS. MRS. FRANCIS B. CLARKE,

Minnesota.

2. MRS. ANNA M. FOSDICK,

Alabama.
5. MRS. R. J. COLEMAN,

Colorado.
8. MRS. ISABELLA B. HOOKER,

Connecticut.
11. MRS. E. C. BUHLEIGH,

Maine.
14. MRS. H. F. BROWN,

Minnesota.

8. MRS. JAMES P. EAGLE,

Arkansas.
6. MRS. SCSAN R. ASHLEY,

Colorado.

9. MRS. WHITING 8. CLARK,

Iowa.
12. MRS. L. M. N. STEVENS,

Maine.
15. MRS. JOHN 8. BBIGGS,

Nebraska.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

18;