The Forerunner, Volume 1 (1909 1910)

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I found nothing of the sort. The reviewers reviewed the book in general
with respect, with varying insight and intelligence, and one or two
dwelt fot a moment on this special theory; but not one recognized its
measureless importance.

This is not remarkable. In proportion to the far-reaching value of a
truth is the difficulty of popular recognition. With almost all of us
the mind is constantly used upon immediate facts and their
short-distance relations; a man may be an expert lumber-jack, for
instance, or a successful lumber-dealer, yet utterly fail to grasp the
importance of forest conservation.

Even those most interested in the woman's movement of to-day were little
impressed by this new view.

"What difference does it make?" they said. "We are dealing with
conditions of to-day--not with questions of primitive biology!"

Nevertheless, when a great truth is born into the world's mind, it does
not die. This, though not widely hailed, has grown and spread and
influenced our common thought, and minor books are springing up in its
train--among them Thomas's "Sex and Society," and my own "Androcentric
Culture."

The author of the book, Professor Lester F. Ward, is our greatest
Sociologist, and recognized in Europe far more than here--as is quite
natural. He now occupies the chair of Sociology at Brown University, in
Providence, R. I. His previous books have had wide influence--"Dynamic
Sociology" and "Psychic Factors in Civilization"--as well as much
current literature in scientific magazines.

The special theory here referred to is, in a word, this:

That the female sex is the present form of the original type of life,
once capable in itself of the primary process of reproduction; while the
male sex is a later addition, introduced as an assistant to the original
organism, in the secondary process of fertilization.

Most biologists still deny this.

Most readers, not knowing whether it is so or not, will say, "Why is
that important?"

It will take time and study to establish the facts; but only a little
use of the mind is needed to establish the importance to men and women.

Our ideas are all based on the primal concept expressed in the Adam and
Eve story--that he was made first, and that she was made to assist him.
On this assumption rests all our social structure as it concerns the
sexes.

Reverse this idea once and for all; see that woman is in reality the
race-type, and the man the sex-type--and all our dark and tangled
problems of unhappiness, sin and disease, as between men and women, are
cleared at once. Much, very much, of our more general trouble is
traceable tho same source.

You don't see it? Never mind. Read the book; or at least read the
great Fourteenth Chapter, which covers the ground.

The book is "PURE SOCIOLOGY," by Lester F. Ward. Published by the
MacMillan Co. Price, $4.00.

Make your library get it.

If you can afford to, buy it.

Get up classes of women to study it.

Read the whole if it interests you--it is a great Sociology; but every
woman who knows how to read ought to read that Fourteenth Chapter.

*

While going to press the Pure Food Magazine is holding a great Pure Food
Exhibition in this city.

At one of the meetings of the Congress of Domestic Science there was a
discussion of the Servant Question. A paper was read by a "Mistress,"
and one by a, "Servant." The latter was as nice a girl as one need see;
and her paper was intensely practical, full of good sense, well
expressed--and short!

Here it is:

"I know I am not equal to the honor of appearing here to-day, and I
should like to be able to express myself clearer and better if I only
had the power to do so, but I have never spoken before in my life. I
have earned my living ever since I was fourteen, both in a factory and
as a maid, and I think that I get a better living when I am out at
service. I have had good places and some bad ones; kind mistresses, and
severe ones. I have pleased some, and others nothing I could do was
right. At service we are sure of a good home and much better food and
shelter than is the factory girl, but we have not the independence and
freedom that is given them, but I do not see how it could be arranged
otherwise. But if we could have a quiet spot, so when our work was
finished we could have a room to call our own (not the kitchen, where
the cook is still busy with the pots and pans), but a little space where
our mothers and friends could come and see us, I am sure that we maids
would not abuse that privilege. Also, if you ladies would kindly
remember that our time off is our own, and would not say, "I do wish you
would not go off to-day, as I need you, but it will be all right, as I
will let you off all of to-morrow," and then think that it will be just
the same to us. Our time off should be a positive arrangement, as we
make our plans for those hours, and to-morrow is not to-day with our
friends waiting for us.

"We all hope for a home of our own, and we can only learn from those
that we serve; and if only more interest and consideration were shown
us, I am sure, we would all do much better work, as we all like to
please and we do our best when we are happy and appreciated.

"Unequal wages are a source of discontent, but if we could be taught how
to secure the value for our money, to spend with better judgment, even
less money would go farther.

"Then, again, if our amusements could be arranged so that we could get
something decent between nine and ten o'clock at night; but everything
is half over, or shut, by that time, and we've nothing to do but walk
the streets, sit in the park, drink soda water, or look at moving
pictures, until you hate them all, and when Monday morning comes you've
spent your money and had nothing. It's a deadly life, and we all look
forward to getting out of it soon. Never a minute to call one's own,
not often a room or bed to one's self, at the beck and call of somebody
night and day, and in many places not even trusted with the things to
work with, if there are any."

*

Would you like a tiny book of poetry--real poetry, made by one of our
strong writers?

He makes not only the poems, but the book; prints it, binds it, sends it
to you himself.

It is a dainty thing, five and a half by four inches; but it has in it
both thought and feeling, and beauty of expression.

"A Ship of Souls" is the title, and the first stanza carries the main
idea--touched and re-touched throughout.

"My soul is not one; 'tis a ship of souls,
And I am the vessel in which they ride.
Some handle the ropes and manage the sails,
And one at the helm stands firm to guide.
Some board me for pleasure, and some for gain,
And some make journeys to distant goals,
And my life is steered through the sun and rain,
For I am not a soul, but a ship of souls."

A Ship of Souls.--Being a group of poems written and printed by Harvey
White. The Maverick Press; Woodstock, New York, 1910. 50c.

PERSONAL PROBLEMS

I.

_Question._--"An aged widow would like to live with her married
daughter, but their dispositions are incompatible. The mother is very
fond of the daughter, but the daughter finds it impossible to respond or
feel affectionate, and is so irritated and critical because of the
mother's old-fashioned ways, etc., that continued close association
becomes very unpleasant.

"Who is to blame, and what can the mother do to improve the situation?

"Mutual Wellwisher."

_Answer._--There is no "blame" in the problem as stated.
Incompatibility of disposition is not a crime. If, however, the
daughter allows her irritation and critical attitude to result in actual
discussion and expressed disapproval of her mother's "old-fashioned
ways," then she is certainly to blame; whether her mother is a guest or
a boarder, she is not her daughter's pupil.

Again, if the mother allows herself to interfere with the daughter's
"ways," she is to blame for that; her period of tutoring is past.
Ex-parents should not presume on their unavoidable relationship to give
instruction to ex-children.

The real answer is a long way back, being to this effect:

The aged widow, when a young woman, should have had such large practical
interest in life, over and above her family, that she would not be
reduced to the position of "living with a married daughter; or, if she
did live with her, would have enough else to occupy her to keep her
"old-fashioned ways" in the background. Further, if she had kept up
with human progress in some business, her ways wouldn't be so
old-fashioned.

The Practical Answer to the Practical Question, "What can the mother do
to improve the situation?" is not difficult. She can (a) alter her
ways; (b) live somewhere else; (c) if neither of these is possible, she
can put it clearly to the daughter, "as man to man," that she _has_ to
live with her, that she _cannot_ learn new ways, and that they must use
mutual politeness in accommodating one an other as far as possible.

It is a very carefully worded problem, this. If the daughter is healthy
and otherwise contented, she ought to furnish the patience, as doubtless
the mother did in her time. But it may be that the mother always
irritated the daughter, in her youth, and has never never learned
better.

If I were the aged widow I would live somewhere else!

II

_Question._--A friend writes to ask--

"How about flies its the central kitchen?" (This being apropos of "The
Kitchen and the Fly," in the August number of this magazine.)

_Answer._--One kitchen, though large, is more easily protected than a
hundred kitchens, though small. There will be less "garbage," in
proportion, and it can be better handled. The officers of such a
kitchen will be of a higher grade than the present class of servants,
and capable of maintaining a higher grade of cleanliness; as, for
instance, in the Franco-American soup factory, where there is exquisite
cleanliness and care.

Further, in such a kitchen there will be no laundry or other extraneous
work done; no running in and out of children and others; nothing but the
scientific preparation of food.

Also, as shown in the article, the flies will be reduced 99 per cent. by
the reduction in the number of horses required to bring supplies and
remove garbage and ashes. To the large kitchen, wholesale supplies
could be brought in motor trucks--a further loss to the fly.

III

_Question._--"A certain husband has been in the habit for years of
paying a dollar a month lodge dues, and other incidental expenses of
lodge meetings. The wife has paid a dollar a year dues in a suffrage
club, and a dollar and a half a year for subscription to the Woman's
Journal. The 'late' panic has shrunk the family income, and something
must be cut off. The Wife will cut off the two small amounts mentioned.
She will cut off anything else that is for her separate existence.
Now, the question is, how may her feeling of virtue and self-sacrifice
be changed to a realization of injustice?"

_Answer._--This is a very large question--how to change the ethical
values of a woman's life!

We gather by inference that the "certain husband" has not cut off his
lodge dues--or anything else.

The best answer is: let the woman EARN HER OWN LIVING. That goes
farthest in changing self-sacrifice to justice.

OUR BOUND VOLUME AS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT

The first year comprises fourteen issues--November, 1909, to December,
1910, inclusive.

In it is the Housekeeping novel--"What Diantha Did"--which will interest
many, both men and women. It offers a very practical solution to the
Servant Question.

In it is also the Book About Men--"The Man-Made World, or Our
Androcentric Culture."

There have been books and books about women--mostly, unpleasant. This
is the first one about men, as such; men as distinguished from Human
Beings--as women have always been distinguished from Human Beings.

You won't wholly like the book--just consider whether it is true!

The novel separately, or the book separately, would also make good
presents, but the date of their publication is not settled, while in the
bound volume of the magazine you get them both for only 25c. more than
one would cost.

This set, making a volume of some 420 pages, with its twelve short
stories, its articles, fables, verse, and other matter, will make a very
good gift--for some people. Ready early in December. $1.25.

TO THOSE SPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THIS MAGAZINE, OR SPECIALLY INTERESTED
IN FIFTY DOLLARS

This is not a "Popular Magazine." It does not try to be. It is a
magazine which meets the needs of a comparatively few, but they like it
immensely--as is shown by the extracts from their letters we are now
publishing.

We want to reach, if possible, all the people who would like The
Forerunner if they knew about it.

For the rest of this year we are making a special offer to anyone who
will get us new subscribers; the regular commission of 25 per cent., and
a rising premium which goes up to a total of 50 per cent. for a hundred
new paid year's subscriptions.

$50.00 for one hundred new subscribers!

For a girl in college who wants to help herself;

For a woman in a liberal church, or with a wide acquaintance among
progressive thinkers;

For a Suffragist in touch with similar believers;

For any man or woman who can reach organizations of liberal-minded
people;

For anybody who thinks they would like to earn $50.00 that way--it is a
good offer.

Write for full terms, samples, etc.

IF YOU RENEW

The first year runs through December; fourteen copies.

Renew from January, 1911, and get the whole of next year.

IF YOU DISCONTINUE

So far one subscriber has discontinued.

She will get the magazine two months more.

If you must discontinue, please let us know.

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The Forecast

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Is right there every time on every topic uppermost in the minds of the
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THE SEPTEMBER NUMBER

contains many special features that are readable, timely, lively.

ELLA WHEELER WILCOX tells of "The Influences Which Shaped My Career."

ANTOINETTE E. GAZZAM contributes an original article on "Clothes" which
is most beautifully illustrated and full of valuable suggestions and
pleasing surprises.

THOMAS MARTINDALE, the renowned sportsman and author of "Sport Royal,"
and other fascinating sporting tales, tells of "The Lure of Hunting."
Mr. Martindale never wrote more entertainingly than in this article.

EDWENA LAWRENCE reveals inside information in an article, especially
pleasing to theatre-goers, on "The Educational Value of a Theatrical
Stock Company," an article that will be appreciated by both the actor
and auditor.

SPLENDID FICTION, intimate sketches of the personalities of the day,
able book reviews, able articles on political, social, civic and
national phases of the leading questions of the day, and an entertaining
department of Fun, Fact and Fiction, as well as

CHARLES HOUSTON GOUDISS'S splendid eugenism in an article treating of
the most important phase of the prevention of child degradation, combine
in making The Forecast the most attractive ten cent magazine published.

THE FORECAST,

423 Lafayette Building, Philadelphia.

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Books by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

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"Women and Economics" $1.50

Since John Stuart Mill's essay there has been no book dealing with the
whole position of women to approach it in originality of conception and
brilliancy of exposition.--_London Chronicle._

A remarkable book. A work on economics that has not a dull page--the
work of a woman about women that has not a flippant word.--_Boston
Transcript._

Will be widely read and discussed as the cleverest, fairest, most
forcible presentation of the view of the rapidly increasing group who
look with favor on the extension of industrial employment to
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"Concerning Children" $1.25

WANTED:--A philanthropist, to give a copy to every English-speaking
parent.--_The Times,_ New York.

Should be read by every mother in the land.--_The Press,_ New York.

Wholesomely disturbing book that deserves to be read for its own
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"In This Our World" (Poems) $1.25

There is a joyous superabundance of life, of strength, of health, in
Mrs. Gilman's verse, which seems born of the glorious sunshine and rich
gardens of California.--_Washington Times._

The poet of women and for women, a new and prophetic voice in the world.
Montaigne would have rejoiced in her.--_Mexican Herald._

"The Yellow Wall Paper" $0.50

Worthy of a place beside some of the weird masterpieces of Hawthorne and
Poe.--_Literature._

As a short story it stands among the most powerful produced in
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"The Home" $1.00

Indeed, Mrs. Gilman has not intended her book so much as a treatise for
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It is safe to say that no more stimulating arraignment has ever before
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"Human Work" $1.00

Charlotte Perkins Stetson Gilman has been writing a new book, entitled
"Human Work." It is the best thing that Mrs. Gilman has done, and it is
meant to focus all of her previous work, so to speak.--_Tribune,_
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In her latest volume, "Human Work," Charlotte Perkins Gilman places
herself among the foremost students and elucidators of the problem of
social economics.--"San Francisco Star._

It is impossible to overestimate the value of the insistence on the
social aspect of human affairs as Mrs. Gilman has outlined it.--_Public
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IN PREPARATION:

"What Diantha Did" (A Novel) $1.00

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THE FORERUNNER

A Monthly Magazine

WRITTEN, EDITED, OWNED AND PUBLISHED
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman

"THE CRUX"

Mrs. Gilman's new novel, will appear in
THE FORERUNNER, of 1911.

This touches upon one of the most vivid and vital of our age problems;
and has more than one kind of love story in it. Also, published
serially, her next book,

"Moving the Mountain"

Those who believe this world is a good place, easily made better, and
who wish to know how to help it, will enjoy reading this book. Those
who do not so believe and wish may not enjoy it so much, but it will do
them good.

The Forerunner carries Mrs. Gilman's best and newest work; her social
philosophy, her verse, satire, fiction, ethical teaching, humor, and
comment. It stands for Humanness in Women, and in Men; for better
methods in Child-culture; for the Home that is no Workshop; for the New
Ethics, the New Economics, the New World we are to make--are making.

THE FORERUNNER
CHARLOTTE PERKINS GILMAN'S MAGAZINE
CHARLTON CO., 67 WALL ST., NEW YORK

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Please find enclosed $_____ as subscription to "The Forerunner" from
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