CHAPTER VIII. THE ADVENT OF A NEW REFORM BILL. § 30. The Demonstrations of Women. THE letter to Mrs. M'Laren, quoted in the previous chapter, shows the genesis of the bold idea conceived by Miss Becker to fill the Free Trade Hall (Manchester) with women, and women only. The attempt to fill that immense building by an appeal to one-half of the population, and that the most stay-at-home half, was an undertaking that might well make her tremble at her own conception. So strong were her doubts indeed that, two or three days before the event, she went to the hall to see whether, if need were, some portions might be screened off. But when the day came there was no need for screening off-far from it. Instead, it became necessary to provide room for an overflow meeting. That was a sight not to be forgotten, when Mrs. M'Laren took her seat in the chair, every corner filled with eager, upturned faces of women, in a hall which, as Mrs. McLaren proceeded to remind them, " was built in the cause of freedom." "Some of us," she said, "have learned our political lessons within its walls, many years ago, with distinguished men for our teachers, and we have learned from them how persistent effort leads to success in getting grievances redressed." Not the least memorable part was the scene at the close, when a voice, like a mighty melodious bell, rang out over that vast assemblage, electrifying the audience, who rose as one woman to their feet, cheering and waving their handkerchiefs. It was the first time. Jessie Craigen had been heard by any of that audience, and the effect was unprecedented in its enthusiasm. In each of the demonstrations that followed, the same main features prevailed-the largest hall of the city, packed from floor to ceiling with women of all ranks and occupations, working women in very large proportions. Men were only present as spectators, and that in the galleries by payment of half-a-crown. The speeches were numerous; each short, eloquent and to the point. Memorials to the Government were in every case adopted unanimously. These nine demonstrations, taken all together, may be said to have focussed the working powers of the movement. There was not a worker for the cause who did not contribute in some shape or form, be it as president, speaker, organizer, or locally in working up her neighbours and friends. These quite unprecedented gatherings were signs of desire of women to have their share in the enfranchisement with all other householders-signs far more emphatic than any ever given. by those dwellers in the rural districts whom the Reform Act of 1884 shortly admitted within the pale. Mrs. PRISCILLA BRIGHT M'LAREN.-Manchester, Bradford, Glasgow. THEIR SPEAKERS. Miss Becker, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8. Caroline A. Biggs, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8. And once each In Manchester.-Mrs. Josephine Butler, Mrs. Haslam, Mrs. Pearson. In London. -Mrs. Arthur Arnold, Mrs. Fawcett, Rhoda Garrett, Mrs. (Augusta) Webster, Mrs. (Emma) Paterson. In Bristol.-Henrietta Muller, Hellena Richardson, Emily Sturge. In Birmingham.-Mrs. R. W. Dale, Mrs. C. E. Matthews, Mrs. Alfred Southall, Mrs. Fenwick Miller. In Bradford.-Mrs. W. P. Byles, Jane Cobden, Dr. Edith Pechey. In Nottingham.-Mrs. Dowson, Helen Taylor. In Sheffield.-Mrs. Samuel Lucas, Miss Hibbert. In Glasgow.-Mrs. Charles M'Laren. In Edinburgh.-Mrs. M'Laren, Misses Burton, Balgarnie, S. S. Mair, Mrs. Ormiston Chant, Mrs. Lindsay. THEIR ORGANIZERS. Mrs. M'Cormick, 1, 2, 4, 8. S. M. Backhouse, 1. Helen Blackburn, 2, 3. Mrs. M'Ilquham, 4. Maria Coby, 4. Eliza Kirkland, 8, 9. Sara Torrance, 8; and local helpers in numbers everywhere. |