[Victorian score and separate libretto of work promoting women's employment.] 'Women at Work. An Operetta or Cantata for Academies, Schools, &c. The libretto by A. J. Foxwell. The music by T. Mee Pattison.' and 'Words of Women at Work. An Operetta.'

SCORE: [4] + 75pp., 4to. In printed wraps with decorative cover and advertisements. A fair copy, on aged paper, in worn and chipped wraps repaired at the spine. Unusually positive and forward-looking for its period, on the subject of women in the workplace. Note on reverse of title: 'The writer of the Libretto wishes to acknowledge his obligations to "Work and how to do it," by Mrs. Jerome Mercier (Hatchards); "How Women may Earn a Living," by Mercy Grogan (Cassell); and "Guide to Female Employment in Government Offices" (Cassell).' The work consists of 23 pieces of music, including 'I'm a clerk', 'We try in Kindergarten schools', 'We are workers in a pottery' and 'I'm a painter'. Included in the spoken dialogue is some interesting information. For example: '2nd TELEGRAPHIST. - Girls are now employed in telegraph work from the age of 14, and are found expert, attentive, and expeditious; the salary rises from 10s. and 12s. per week to 27s. and 30s. in Government offices, and thus suitable employment is found for a large class of deserving girls (touching her bosom), who can write plainly, spell properly, and do a sum correctly.' and 'MRS. GUARDEM. - I suppose the old story of the limitations of woman's intellect is now pretty well exploded. In England the talent of women is beginning to make itself felt at the Universities. Girton College, and Newnham Hall (in Cambridge,) and Lady Margaret Hall and Somerville College (Oxford,) now afford opportunities for the higher education of the sex.' (The second example has the following footnote: 'Two ladies are in the first class of Part II. of the Classical Tripos at Cambridge, and two others rank as Wranglers (1885.)') Immediately after the title is a full-page 'Argument', beginning 'A chorus of women and girls, assembled in the office of Mrs. Guardem, an agent for the employment of women, declare their fitness and readiness for work. Mrs. Guardem asks them, in response, to say what they can do. Two Telegraphists first take up the strain, describing their work, the chorus adding a refrain about the "click of the clock that goes by lightning." Then follows a trio by a Post Office Clerk, Sorter, and Counter-woman, with chorus, "All honour to the Amazons of the Civil Service Army."' Other women in work take their turns (book-keeper, governesses, kindergarten teacher, dressmaker, hospital nurse, cook, housemaid, children's nurse, pottery girls and shop assistants). 'At this point a diversion is caused by the entry of a man, who says he is out of work, and complains of the women for seizing on all the employments. He is further disconcerted by six artist-painters on velvet, glass, leather, &c., who start a tune, leaving him scarcely room for despondent ejaculations. [...] Mrs. Guardem reminds the man that there are many occupations, high and low, for which men will ever be specially fitted, and asks if it is not better for a nation that its women should be active, clever, occuppied, rather than frivolous, idle, and seeking only pleasure. A professional Musician and Designer join in a duet, reminding him of women's services in art. The man, after some further argument, confesses himself convinced that the interests of men and of women can never be permanently antagonistic, withdraws his charges, shakes hands all round, and joins in the final chorus.' LIBRETTO: 4pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, with creases from folding. Does no more than give the words to the 23 songs, two columns to a page. Both items scarce: COPAC and OCLC WorldCat locate only two copies of the score (one 'Staff Notation, with Accompaniment' and the other 'Tonic Sol-fa'), both at Oxford, and there dated to 1886. No copies of the libretto traced.