in in Chicago in 1864,
spreading thence East and West. Speedy delivery was introduced in 1886.
Postal rates were lower than ever before, and destined soon to be lower
still. Much business formerly left to the express companies was now done
by mail, and much carried on in this way which formerly was not done at
all.

Our country had developed an attention to art in all its forms far
beyond anything of the kind to be observed at the end of the war. In all
the principal cities concerts of the highest order were provided and
numerously attended. Our art galleries already vied with many of those
in the Old World. Students of art were found in abundance in our own
multiplying schools for them, while many from this country sought art
instruction in Europe. Not a few Americans attained eminence in this
department year by year. In one artistic line we already excelled every
other people, viz., the application of the principles of taste in
beautifying homes, churches, structures intended for business, such as
exchanges, railway stations, and bridges, cars, and all kinds of
machinery. We led the world, too, in propriety and neatness of apparel,
at least, for men.

After the war the right to vote was extended in nearly all the States,
until by 1890 manhood suffrage was legally the rule from North to South
and from East to West. In this, indeed, we were only keeping pace with
Great Britain, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. The agitation
for woman's suffrage had, however, progressed further here than in any
other land. There was a large party, quasi-political, intent upon
bringing it about. A national convention was held in that interest each
year. In Wyoming and Utah the suffrage had already been enjoyed by women
since 1869. In Kansas, by a law going into effect February 16, 1887,
they voted on all municipal affairs. In many other localities they had
the privilege of voting on certain questions, as the election of school
committees, and were eligible to membership in these committees.
Occupations of honor and profit were, more and more as the years passed,
open to the female sex. Women preached, practised law and medicine, and
furnished many of the best bookkeepers, sales-people, and principals of
schools. Vassar College, the first institution in the world for the full
collegiate education of women, was opened in 1861. Smith and Wellesley
Colleges, for the same, were opened in 1875, Bryn Mawr following in
1885. Cornell, Mi