Laura Strumingher Schor

,La Voix des Femmes'

Women and the Revolution of 1848 in France

The first issue of La Voix des Femmes was those who came to meetings in Paris and published on March 19 , 1848 by Eugenie others who sent letters and articl es from Niboyet, former Saint-Simonian and ex­ all over France, were determined to ex­ perienced author, translator and editor. press different opinions on the political The publication followed by three weeks and social issues of the day. the February Revolution, which had re­ There is ample evidence - both writ­ moved Louis Philippe from the throne. ten and iconographic - of the involve­ Equally significant, it followed by three ment of women from all walks of life days announcements of the Provisional as supporters of the February actions at Government for the coming election. The the barricades and as economic suppor­ men who were raised to power by the ters of the Provisional Government in the revolutionaries of February declared the immediate aftermath of the battles.2 In right to vote the supreme right of man the excitement of the early days follo­ and asserted that universal suffrage would wing the return to a republican govern­ put an end to inequality among citizens.1 ment, some women were emboldened to In addition, the revolutionaries believed believe that they, too, would be accor­ that the right to work was a fundamen­ ded the rights of citizenship. The best tal right of citizenship and that the go­ known of these is Pauline Roland, a Saint­ vernment should provide jobs for the un­ Simonian, who was in February 1848 li­ employed. Despite the egalitarian rheto­ ving in the small commune of Boussac. ric, by mid-March it had become clear Eager to participate in the revolutionary that the Provisional Government did not events, yet far from the scene of the batt­ intend to include women in the expan­ les, Roland decided to make her stand at ded electorate nor were they eager to set the ballot box and later in the mailbox. up employment opportunities for women A strong supporter of Pierre Leroux, she who were without work. But the women tried to cast a vote for him in the mu­ of 1848, especially those who gathered nicipal elections. Though she was denied around Niboyet and La Voix des Femmes, the right to vote, she succeeded in signing

558 ÖZG 9/1998/4 F o r u m , 558- 586 the register, using the enigmatic and me­ broader issues of education and the sensi­ morable signature, Marie Antoinette Ro­ tive topics of marital obligations and di­ land. Roland then described her effort in vorce. a letter to friends in Paris, women who In March and April 1848 hundreds of were close to Eugenie Niboyet. 3 Eigh­ newspapers and political clubs opened teen months later, Jeanne Deroin, ano­ in Paris, responding to the new freedom ther Saint-Simonian and friend of Pauline from censorship rules and suspension of Roland and Eugenie Niboyet, demonstra­ cautionary fees which had been features ted her belief in political equality for wo­ of the latter days of the J uly Monarchy. men by launching her own campaign for Few women dared to attend these clu b election to the new Legislative Assembly. 4 meetings since membership was restric­ Other women focussed on the Right ted to men and meetings were often rau­ to Work promised by the Provisional cous affairs.6 Fewer still had the courage Government. One group submitted a pe­ to seek the rostrum at these meetings to tition to the Government asking that wo­ discuss women's rights. 7 Niboyet, Deroin, men be named as delegates to the Com­ and Gay, all former Saint-Simonian lea­ mission on Labor to organize women 's ders and previous editors of women 's jou r­ work. They demanded that lists of unem­ nals, were increasingly aware of women 's ployed women be formed, and that na­ isolation from public debate. They dedi­ tional restaurants, laundries and sewing cated their efforts to pierce the silence workshops be created to give women em­ using the vehicle of La Voix des Femmes. ployment. lt would take several weeks They sought the support of women wri­ and many more petitions before the Com­ ters and social activists and were rewar­ mission responded to these demands in ded by the early adherence of Suzanne a partial fashion by creating a national Voilquin, Elise Lemonnier, Gabrielle Sou­ workshop in the second arrondissement met, Hermance Lesguillons, and Amelie under the leadership of another friend Prai. The only woman who snubbed them of Roland, Deroin , and Niboyet, Desiree and denigrated their efforts was George Gay. 5 Sand.8 Women 's right to vote and to work From the beginning, they saw their were the two substantive issues addres­ newspaper as part of a !arger effort to sed by women in the immediate after­ educate women and to involve them in math of the February revolution, but a wide-ranging social action. They dedica­ third issue emerged as women sought to ted themselves to the moral, intellectual, expand the definition of citizen. French and material rights of all women. They women who spoke and wrote about wo­ planned a newspaper, a library and public men 's rights were ridiculed both for the instruction for women, and an association content of their remarks and for the act which would specifically address the pro­ of participating in public debate. Ironi­ blems of women in need.9 They planned cally, the satirical attack on women, hel­ to involve their readers in all aspects of ped to expand the range of issues under this work. Earlier women's journals had discussion from suffrage and work to the combined literary meetings and instruc-

F o r u m , 558- 586 ÖZG 9/1998/4 559 tional opportunities; La Voix, built on education, one about the organization of this model, was unique in specifically ope­ work, a letter to the people from Marie ning meetings and columns to women of M., a review of the foreign press, an ar­ all classes and levels of instruction. In ticle about prison work and the unfair recognition of the needs of their reader­ competition it created, a list of donations ship, they also included a job placement to the republic, a discussion of a request service in their objectives. Opening the for a two-hour work reduction from laun­ circle of readers/participants to all wo­ dresses, the story of Pauline Roland's at­ men transformed La Voix des Femmes tempt to vote, and a few announcements. from a newspaper written by women acti­ This eclectic issue, relying on the accu­ vists for themselves to a newspaper which mulation of weeks of material, was a trial offered a forum for all women with con­ balloon. Many newspapers were launched cerns about rights and duties. The selec­ in the spring of 1848 which lasted for only tion of the title, La Voix des Femmes, the one or two issues. However, with the se­ Voice of Women, was not without pur­ cond issue of La Voix which appeared on nd pose. Earlier women 's journals used more March 22 , the editors proclaimed suc­ neutral, less evocative titles like, La Tri­ cess. The response of the readers was so bune des Femmes, 10 La Gazette des Fem­ strong, they reported, that from this issue mes, and Le Journal des Femmes. Why on La Voix would be published daily. Ni­ La Voix? Niboyet and her colleagues left boyet and her editorial committee knew a clue in an article by Hortense Wild in that to participate in political debates in the April 15 th issue of La Voix. Using the a meaningful way they would have to ap­ pseudonym Henriette, artiste, Hortense pear more frequently than any previous described the conspiracy of silence she women's journal had dared. and her friends encountered when they Despite the optimism of Niboyet and tried to publicize a petition to the Pro­ her associates, there was little reason to visional Government demanding work for believe that they could sustain a daily women artists, workers, authors and tea­ newspaper for women readers. Fuelled by chers. The Petition was circulated to each the euphoria of the early successes accom­ of the major newspapers of the day; per­ panying the overthrow of the J uly Mon­ sonal visits followed to the journal offi­ archy and by the conviction that La Voix ces. All of these efforts proved futile. Hen­ would be a forum for women that would riette concluded, "women being nothing, enable them to participate in the public the press would not take on the mission debate, the editors launched the first fe­ to make them become something." 11 Ni­ minist daily on a shoe-string.12 Relying boyet and her associates believed in wo­ on friends and relatives, they patched to­ men 's rights; they were determined to re­ gether the next issues of La Voix. Paulin place women 's silence with women 's voi­ Niboyet, Eugenie's son, contributed a se­ ces. rialized novel as weil as several theatrical By mid-March they cobbled together reviews. Louise Crouzat, a friend, sent ar­ the first issue which included a Profes­ ticles on the education of girls in Algeria, sion of Faith, an article about women 's Hortense Wild contributed a piece about

560 ÖZG 9/1998/4 F o r u m , 558-586 the rnidwives of Athens, Bettina von Ar­ condition of warnen added to the copy nirn sent in a two-part article about rni­ available to the editors. In the fourth is­ th sery in Gerrnany, Anna Knight contribu­ sue, on March 24 , the editors announ­ ted her letter to M. Coquerel, and all ced the forrnation of an editoria] associa­ the rnernbers of the editorial cornrnittee tion which rnet in Niboyet's harne and contributed articles frequently. Later is­ debated proposals about warnen 's educa­ sues included sorne advertising for wo­ tion , about national workshops for wa­ rnen's health care products and products rnen, and about the role warnen should for the horne which presurnably genera­ play in the general arnelioration of society. ted revenue and helped to fill the four pa­ The association called on "sisters" who ges printed daily. had useful inforrnation on these subjects The price of La Voix des Femmes - or others to write or to corne in person to two francs per rnonth - was designed to the harne of the editor every day between encourage a wide readership.13 Regret­ twelve and two. The next day the edito­ tably, a search of the archives has tur­ rial association established thernselves as ned up no evidence of the nurnber of co­ Association fraternelle des femmes. A few pies printed of each issue, nor any infor­ days later, perhaps wishing to distinguish rnation about su bscribers.14 Fortunately, thernselves frorn other groups of warnen, the newspaper itself provides interesting they changed their narne to the Society clues about its readers. First, it is clear of La Voix des Femmes. Later still, they that La Voix reached a !arge readership adopted the satirical narne by which they outside of Paris as well as in the capi­ were widely known in the press, the Club tal. The colurnns of the petite poste inclu­ des f emmes. 19 An article descri hing the ded the editors responses to subscribers in forrnation of the Society opened with the Lyon, Castlenaudary, Besan<,on, Marseil­ optirnistic observation: "The tirnes were les, Macon, Arniens, Lille, and Brussels.15 ours. Our newspaper was rneant to suc­ In addition to subscriptions, individual ceed. The success it has known since its copies of La Voix were hawked on the appearance has surpassed our hopes." lt streets of Paris like other dailies16 blazing closed by reaffirrning the central cornrnit­ a new trail for warnen 's periodicals. J ud­ rnent of the editors: "No one will be ex­ ging frorn the response in the hurnorous cluded. Warnen of all ranks and ages have Charivari, the rnere fact that La Voix was the sarne rights to our efforts." 20 sold on the streets gave cause for alarrn.17 The founding rnernbers of the Society Niboyet seerns to have had trouble hiring of La Voix des Femmes ranged in age and keeping hawkers.18 lt is likely that frorn thirty-eight to fifty-two,21 warnen the hawkers, like the editor, becarne the who had sorne experience with the Saint­ targets of abuse in the streets. Sirnonian or Fourierist rnovernents of the Despite the atternpt to trivialize La prior decade. Others who joined later Voix, serious letters arrived frorn all over like Marie-Noerni Constant and her friend the country; petitions to the Provisional Adele Esquiros were younger, less expe­ Governrnent, stories and articles of gene­ rienced, and rnore willing to take risks. 22 ral interest, and plans to arneliorate the Still others like Widow Mourey and Euge-

F o r u m , 558-586 ÖZG 9/1998/4 561 nie Foa appear to represent an older ge­ troversy than continuing the policy of ex­ neration even more traditional than Ni­ clusion. boyet. The members of the Society coun­ Letters sent by Widow Mourey, Euge­ ted on the support of their readers and nie Foa, Suzanne Voilquin and Mme Che­ were not disappointed. Letters to the edi­ nard shifted the focus from women 's tor poured in and were printed in vir­ rights to women mobilizing to help un­ tually every issue of La Voix. Like the employed women. This was a topic that membership of the Society, readers who appeared on the agenda of every mee­ sent letters represented a range of opini­ ting of the Society. In an early editorial ons and of educational background and on this subject, Niboyet signaled the sup­ writing experience. Some wrote just a few port of the Society for such work by pro­ lines while others wrote long letters that posing a plan for "ladies" to work with covered a wide range of subjects in an in­ teams of working women and representa­ formal essay style. tives of each mayoralty in Paris, creating Young enthusiastic readers like Au­ a house-to-house collection to aid working gustine Genoux showered praise on La women and men.26 While waiting for Ni­ Voix des Femmes for treating women 's is­ boyet's plan to secure support from the sues seriously in contrast with other jour­ mayors, something which never materiali­ nals by women which concerned themsel­ zed, Mourey urged the Society to use each ves only with fashion and tapestry pat­ of its meetings as an opportunity to col­ terns. Genoux called on her "sisters" to lect funds for "poor sisters" who were in fight for emancipation, signing her let­ severe need due to the economic disrup­ ter, "Courage and Unity! Citizen Augu­ tions of the Revolution. Funds collected stine Genoux." 23 Claire J ., who used the at meetings could be deposited with the salutation, "Mes soeurs", volunteered to cashier of the Society and would then be help the endeavors of the new Society in used to buy coupons for bread and meat. whatever way she could. She recommen­ Anyone associated with the newspaper, ded a motto for the organization: "Do either as a subscriber or author, would not rest until the grave!" 24 An anony­ be entitled to refer needy women to the mous letter printed on March 28 th cal­ cashier for immediate help while the re­ led for the Society to open its meetings to organization of society was being planned "our brothers, especially those who sup­ and implemented. Mourey urged Niboyet port our emancipation." The editors re­ to continue to use the Society as a forum sponded primly, "So that our meetings on behalf of women who needed imme­ don 't frighten our fathers and husbands, diate-assistance. 27 they will be among ourselves." 25 The is­ Eugenie Foa, like Mourey, first presen­ sue of meeting size and format and topics ted her ideas to a meeting of the Society for discussion and price of admission re­ and then sent a letter to La Voix des Fem­ mained problematic for several weeks. By mes asking for support for the creation the end of May the editors were forced to of a National Institute for Women whose change their policy concluding that allo­ aim would be to reduce the misery among wing men to attend would create less con- working women and to rescue them from

562 ÖZG 9/1998/4 Forum, 558-586 "the vice which rnisery attracts." In Foa's ployed frorn the

F o r u m , 558- 586 ÖZG 9/1998/4 563 Ifthe stores which employ so many clerks tions of life" to meet and share ideas. She were to take on women clerks, they would pointed out that "liberty has not changed be seen full of zeal honestly earning their it (our situation) ( ... ) let us not wait any livelihood" .31 longer; it is time for those in the forefront P.G. continued her letter offering ad­ to share their ideas" .32 vice on marriage, its dissolution, women's The editors endorsed her proposals right to keep part of their marital pro­ though they anticipated the ridicule that perty and women 's right to keep their would ensue. The topic of divorce gene­ children following a divorce. She conclu­ rated considerable attention in the sati­ ded with a demand for education for wo­ ric press for the next several months, la­ men and a hope that the members of the sting much longer than the proposals for Provisional Government would be suffi­ reform themselves. lt was not until June ciently influenced by the principle of Li­ 4 th and 61h that La Voix pu blished a berty, Equality, and Fraternity to repu­ two-part letter on this topic by Gabri­ diate the abuses of the former regime. elle Soumet, a frequent contributor and P.G. ouvriere's letter reflects the oral recognized author, addressed to Citizen tradition developed in the laundries and Cremieux, Minister of J ustice. By this workers' faubourgs. In 1848 this oratory time, meetings of the Society were rou­ moved into the national arena because the tinely disrupted by unruly men and Ni­ author accepted the invitation of the edi­ boyet had been personally satirized for tors of La Voix des Femmes to all their weeks in the popular press. Soumet stated readers to submit their views for publica­ her case calmly and eloquently, arguing tion. Another working woman who contri­ that the divorce laws of 1803-1816 should buted to the expanding discussion was an be reinstated. She noted that in a repu­ anonymous writer to La Voix des Femmes blic, the right to divorce should not be t on April 1 • . No longer using the term 'si­ confused with the religious beliefs in the sters', this author pointedly called on 'Ci­ sanctity of marriage.33 Aided by the te­ toyennes!': stimony of working women about the in­ "The Republic has been proclaimed equities of their situation, Soumet and everywhere! lt will be known throughout La Voix des Femmes moved the debate the world. Let us take advantage of its about divorce into the expanding defini­ reign and demand our independence! Let tion of "citoyenne". Having commenced the wife no longer suffer under the power with elan, La Voix des Femmes closed its ofthe husband. May she, like he, seil, buy, doors quietly. The last issue was dated transact. We want a revision of the civil June 15 th-17th . lt presented an ominous code which says - 'A wife must submit letter from R. H., an artist, foreshadowing to her husband.' What tyranny, what ab­ the coming events and denouncing the use ( ... ) No more slavery, no more ma­ changing attitude of the government. De­ ster, equality between the spouses, let us scribing an arbitrary arrest and mistreat­ destroy abuses; it's time for us to stand ment in a crowded cell, R.H. concluded up for our rights." She called on, "Wo­ that under the Republic of 1848 this was men citizens of all classes, from all condi- an anachronism. Niboyet and other mem-

564 ÖZG 9/1998/4 F o r u m , 558-586 bers of the Society and the readers of La 4 Campagne Electorale de la citoyenne Voix were, like R. H., keenly aware of the Jeanne Deroin et petition des femmes au peu­ historical rnornent in which they lived. ple, in: L'Opinion des femmes, 10 May 1849. 5 La Voix des Femmes, No. 15, April 4, 1848, They seized the opportunity of heighte­ No. 24 , April 15 , 1848, refers to a petition ned palitical awareness to dernand po­ from women in the 1 • t arrondissement for litical rights, ernployrnent opportunities, national workshops; No. 28, April 20 , 1848, divorce law reforrn and professional and Mme Gay is removed from her position of di­ nd higher educatian for wornen. Sorne of the rector of 2 arrondissement. warnen signed their letters and articles 6 Peter Amann, Revolution and Mass Demo­ with initials, others with first narnes, and cracy. The Paris Club Movement, Princeton 1975, 67- 68. sarne left no signature; as a result, rnany 7 La Voix des Femmes No. 23, April 14, 1848, of these warnen have rernained resistant describes a woman speaking at the Club Lyo­ to histarical study. Their voices, as recor­ nais; No. 28 , April 20, 1848 and No. 31 , April ded in their newspaper, reveal their thin­ 23 , 1848 describes Jeanne Marie (pseudonym king, their rneetings, their activities, and for Jeanne Derion) speaking at the 'Club their disagreernents. Listening ta thern d'Emancipation des peuples'. clasely we can hear their deterrnination 8 Laura Strumingher Schor, Politics and Po­ to be included in the political and ecana­ litical Satire. The Struggle for the Right to Vote in Paris, 1848-49, in: The European Le­ rnic discussions which were actively deba­ gacy, Vol 1 (1996), no. 3, 1037- 1044. ted during the spring rnonth of 1848. 9 The following statement appeared on the masthead of the newspaper from March 19 Footnotes through April 16 , 1848. lt was also printed in 1 ' Proclarnation du Gouvernement provi­ the form of a large public announcement (in soire a la nation, au sujet des elections pro­ a box) on March 28 th and 30th : chaines,' (Paris, March 16, 1848) , in: Recu­ La Voix des Femmes is the first and only se­ eil complet des actes du Gouvernement pro­ rious tribune which is open to Women. Mo­ visoire (fevrier, mars, avril, mai 1848), Paris ral, intellectual and material interests will be 1848, 148-149, cited in Joan Scott, Only Pa­ openly supported here and in the name of radoxes to Offer, Cambridge 1996, 193 f. this goal we hereby issue an appeal to all for 2 The heroism of Citizen Julie Bregniard, a sympathy and support. Not only will we pu­ poor working woman, who rushed to aid vic­ blish a newspaper, but we will form , for wo­ tims of the battle at the Palais Nationale men, a library of public instruction. We will was described by "Femme Wagner" in a let­ open public courses, we will form an associa­ ter to the Voix des Femmes, No. 16, April tion, and through our concerted efforts, we 6, 1848. See also accounts of women who as­ will come to the aid of the country as weil sisted their husbands on the barricades in: as to the aid of families. Useful information Voix des Femmes, No. 2, March 22, 1848 and for the newspaper must be given to Mme. No. 24, April 15, 1848. For examples of sup­ Eugenie Niboyet, 34 Grand'Rue Verte. She port offered to the P~ovisional Government is there everyday from noon until 2 prn ( ... ) see: Voix des Femrnes, No. 5, March 25 , 1848, We ask that all letters and packages be ad­ No. 6, March 26 , 1848, No. 18, April 9, 1848, dressed to the directors or to the provisory No. 19 , April 10, 1848. bureau of the Newspaper, Rue des Bons En­ 3 La Voix des Femmes, No. 1, March 19 , fants, 29 and that they be stamped. 1848. 10 ' La Tribune des Femmes' was the final

F o r u m , 558- 586 ÖZG 9/1998/4 565 name of a journal which started out as 'La 1848, vol. 17, No. 86. See Strumingher, The Femme Libre', changed to 'La Femme de Vesuviennes. Images of Women Warriors in l'Avenir', then 'La Femme Nouvelle', and 1848 and their Significance for rrench Hi­ ' L'Apostolat des Femmes'. See Lydia El­ story, in: History of European ldeas 8 (1987) , hadad, Les Femmes prenommees. Les pro­ no. 4/ 5. The image of women refusing to sew letaires saint-simoniennes redactrices de 'la buttons on men's pants is recurrent in C ha­ femme libre' 1832- 34 , in: Revoltes logiques 4 r1var1. (1977) , 63- 88. 18 La Voix des remmes No. 15, April 4, 1848 11 Henriette, artiste, contributed many ar­ - 20 additional hawkers wanted. Issue No. 16, ticles (o the Voix des Femmes, engaging in April 6, 1848 and No. 20 , April 20 , 1848 - all aspects of discussion of women 's rights, The management is seeking new hawkers for roles and duties. See No. 17, April 7, demand hire and announces that the paper will bc for public latrines; No. 24 , April 15, recom­ distributed every morning from 7:00 pm to mendation to read articles about rlora Tri­ 9:00 pm (rue Neuve Trevisse, 8) and if need stan; No. 31 , April 23, on midwives; No. 33 , be, throughout the day until 5:00 pm. April 26 , Royalty and its evils; No. 41 , June 19 The title was already in use in the May th 1 6- 8, on Lamennais' position on divorce. 30 issue of the Voix (No. 38). On J une 4 \ 12 The ' Voix ' relied on subscriptions and do­ the editors reported: "One must accept this nations until April 10 th when it announced name since it was given to us ( ... ) the wo­ the sale of stock (50 franc shares). The only men 's cl u b therefore ours, is the news of the major participant in this offering was Olinde day, the object of general curiosity. They all Rodrigues, who bought 81 shares for 4,050 want to see us, to hear us." francs. ror evidence of Niboyet's financial 20 La Voix des Femmes, No. 5, March 25 , problems see her letter to the editor, Demo­ 1848. cratie pacifique, May 15 , 1848. 21 Eugenie Niboyet was born in 1796; 13 The 'Voix' advertised subscriptions at 20 Suzanne Voilquin in 1801; Pauline Roland in francs per year, 10 francs for six months, 6 1805; Jeanne Deroin in 1805; Elise Lemonnier francs for three months. in 1805; Desiree Gay in 1810. 14 'La Voix des Femmes' is not listed in the 22 Marie Noemi Constant was born in 1826; inventory of the F7 2585- 2595 Insurrection Adele Esquiros in 1819. de 1848 et evenements de 1851; nor in F18 1- 23 La Voix des Femmes, No. 14, April 3, 182: Enregistrement des declarations des im­ 1848. primeurs parisiens (1815- 34) (1838- 81); nor 24 La Voix des Femmes, No. 7, March 27 , in r18 IV 1-411: ouvrages periodiques (1842- 1848. 1912). 25 The presence of men at meetings of So­ 15 Petite poste appeared in La Voix des rcm­ ciety of Voix des Femmes is documented in mes issues No. 17, April 7, 1848, No. 19, April announcements of meetings listing ticket pri­ 10, 1848, No. 30 , April 22, 1848. ces for men: Issue No. 28 , May 30, 1848: 16 Baroness Sonde, Paris in '48: Letters from Entry fee 1 franc formen , 25 centimes for wo­ a Resident Dcscribing the Events of the Re­ men; 300 25 centimes entry cards available for volution, New York 1903, 72. male workers at newspaper's office. The same 17 The author reported his surprise at hea­ announcement appeared in No. 40 , June 4- 6, ring a male voice hawking ' La Voix des Fem­ 1848, The next issue, No. 41 , June 6- 8, 1848, mes'. He assumed that authors of the Voix carried a new announcement: 25 centimes for belonged to the Vesuvienne legion and that women , 50 centimes formen; workers can ob­ from this point buttons would no longer be tain 25 centimes entry cards on request from sewed back on pants. Charivari, March 26 , newspaper 's office. Two days later, No. 43 ,

566 ÖZG 9/1998/4 Forum, 558-586 June 10- 13, 1848, another modification: Men NEUAUFLAGE must be accompanied by a member. Fee: 50 centimes for women, 1 franc for men. Heinz von Foerster 26 La Voix des Femmes No. 6, March 26 , DER ANFANG VON 1848. HIMMEL UND ERDE 27 La Voix des Femmes No. 18 , April 7, 1848. 28 La Voix des Femmes, No. 14, April 3, HAT KEINEN NAMEN 1848. Eine Selbsterschaffung in 7 Tagen 29 La Voix des Femmes, No. 28 , April 20 , 1848. Earlier reference to Association frater­ In vielstündigen Interviews in nelle des sages-femmes in No. 11 , March 31 , 1848. Wien und Kalifornien diskutier­ 30 'Association fraternell e des femmes a ga­ te Heinz von Foerster mit Albert ges' was advertised in Voix des Femmes No. 37, May 28, No. 38, May 30, No. 39 , J une 1- und Karl H. Müller die Frage, wie 4 , No. 40 , June 4- 6, 1848. eine intelligente Maschine ge­ 31 La Voix des Femmes, No. 11, March 31 , 1848. baut sein müßte, daß sie so denkt 32 La Voix des Femmes, No. 12, April 1, und handelt wie er selbst. 1848. Schlüsselbegriffe wie Beobach­ 33 La Voix des Femmes, No. 40 and No. 41, June 4 and 6, 1848. tung, Materie, Selbstorganisa­ tion, Leben, Ordnung, Vielfalt, Bewegung, Wahrnehmung, Ge­ dächtnis, Zeichen, Sprache, Denken und Bewußtsein werden von Foerster in brillanter Weise miteinander in Beziehung ge­ bracht. Foersters exakte Sprache und die Vielzahl an Anekdoten und biographischen Details ma­ chen das Buch nicht nur zu ei­ nem Denkvergnügen, sondern auch zu einer unterhaltsamen Lektüre.

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F o r u m , 558-586 ÖZG 9/1998/4 567