Discusses changes in the education of middle class British girls during the nineteenth century. Reports that, although girls' education resembled boys' and promoted self-actualization and vocational preparation, an accepted aim was to produce good wives and mothers. Observes that challenges to women's presumed roles were not widespread until later…

Reviews the European response to U.S. women's colleges. Contends that most international visitors believed that the United States was the world leader in women's rights in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Concludes that women's colleges' influence as models was limited severly by generally negative perceptions of all U. S. colleges. (CFR)