Our Girls by Dio Lewis, A.M., M.D., President of "The Normal Institute for Physical Education," Physician in Chief to "a Swedish Movement Cure," Author of "New Gymnastics for Men, Women, and Children," "Weak Lungs, and How to Make Them Strong," "Talks About People's Stomachs," etc. That her hand may be given with dignity, she must be able to stand alone.-Margaret Fuller New York Harper & Brothers, Publishers, Franklin Square, 1874. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1871, by Dio Lewis. In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. To My Girls I dedicate this volume In the School at Lexington they taught me how pure and noble life may become. Will they listen to another of my "Talks about Health?" The Author. Contents INTRODUCTION GIRLS' BOOTS AND SHOES Sure Way to get Broad Soles. Beauty of Broad Soles. Economy of Wide Soles. Thickness of the Soles. Of what shall the Uppers of Girls' Boots be composed? Should the Shoes support the Ankle? Rubber Boots and Shoes. HOW GIRLS SHOULD WALK Another Woman who Walked well. Still another Woman who Walked well. Important Help in Learning to Walk. THE LANGUAGE OF DRESS Low Neck and Short Sleeves DESCRIPTION OF DRESS Letter from Washington. Excessive Ornamentation. Earrings and other Trinkets. Finger-rings, etc. OUTRAGES UPON THE BODY Fashionable Sufferings. WOMAN TORTURES HER BODY STOCKINGS SUPPORTERS LARGE vs. SMALL WOMEN Why are Women so Small? IDLENESS AMONG GIRLS A Family Counsel. How it Terminated. IDLENESS IS FASHIONABLE WORK IS FOR THE POOR Work for Rich Girls. A true Love Story. EMPLOYMENTS FOR WOMEN Amanuenses. Bank Clerks. Brokers. Copyists. Dentists. Lawyers. Lecturers. Librarians. Physicians. Preachers. Proof-Readers. Publishers. Teachers. Teachers of Gymnastics and Dancing. Teachers of Drawing and Painting. Watches. Pens. Aquaria Makers. Architects. Engravers. Photographers. Schools of Design. Gardening. A Capital Investment. Merchants. Carpenters. Other Occupations. Employment Agencies. FALSE TESTS OF GENTILITY Conservatism is Fashionable. "Woman's Rights" are Unfashionable. The Social Evil. A SHORT SERMON ABOUT MATRIMONY My Text. You Want Husbands. Why Men do not Propose. Beauty of Woman's Body. This Dress Checks your Movements. PIANO MUSIC Vocal Music. Bad Manners of Piano Players. Vices of Modern Music. Italian Opera. STUDY OF FRENCH Disciplinary Value of French. Comparative Value of English and French. English Classics. Latin and Greek. DANCING THE THEATRE SYMPATHY BETWEEN THE STOMACH AND THE SOUL Bowels of Compassion. Waists of Jolly Grandmothers. ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES SUNSHINE AND HEALTH A few Plain Words to my Little Pale-faced Friends.