she goes on trial for a month, and if, at the end of that time, she
decides that she likes the position, and the superintendent finds she
is able to fulfil the duties properly, she is engaged. For this
"trial" month she receives no pay, but gets her board and lodging
free of expense. Having been accepted as a pupil, she signs articles
of agreement to remain two years and obey the rules of the school and
hospital. All the schools are connected with some hospital; they are
not always in the same building, but in the immediate vicinity. The
pupils reside in the Home, or school, and in the large schools--the
one connected with Bellevue Hospital, for instance--there are two sets
of nurses, one set doing day duty, and the other going on at night.
The day nurses are on duty from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M., with an hour off for
dinner, and some additional time for exercise or rest. They have one
afternoon during the week, half of Sunday, and a two weeks' vacation
during the summer. If sick, they are cared for gratuitously.
The course of instruction covers two years, when the pupil, after
passing a satisfactory examination, graduates and receives a diploma.
Then she chooses her own field of labor.
In one of the large New York schools the course of instruction
includes:
1. The dressing of blisters, burns, sores, and wounds; the application
of fomentations, poultices, cups, and leeches.
2. The administration of enemas, and use of catheter.
3. The management of appliances for uterine complaints.
4. The best method of friction to the body and extremities.
5. The management of helpless patients; making beds; moving, changing,
giving baths in bed; preventing and dressing bed-sores; and managing
positions.
6. Bandaging, making bandages and rollers, lining of splints.
7. The preparing, cooking, and serving of delicacies for the sick.
They are also given instruction in the best practical methods of
supplying fresh air, warming and ventilating sick-rooms in a proper
manner, and are taught to take care of rooms and wards; to keep
all utensils perfectly clean and disinfected; to make accurate
observations and reports to the physician of the state of the
secretions, expectoration, pulse, skin, appetite, temperature of
the body, intelligence--as delirium or stupor,--breathing, sleep,
condition of wounds, eruptions, formation of matter, effect of diet,
or of stimulants, or of medicines; and to learn the management of
convalescents.
This teaching is given by physicians, some of whom are connected with
the hospital, while others, often prominent men, occasionally give
lectures. The superintendent, assistant superintendent, and head
nurses also give practical directions to the pupils as to the
management of the sick.
Each school has its favorite text-book on nursing. One of the most
popular works is the "New Haven Hand-book of Nursing," which is used
in the East and West, and in New York. In the New York schools the
"Bellevue Manual" is also used. Among the other text-books studied in
the different schools throughout the country are "Anatomy and
Physiology," "Domville's Manual," "Woolsey's Hand-book for Hospital
Visitors," "Williams and Fisher's Hints to Hospital Nurses," "Lee's
Hand-book for Hospital Sisters," "Cutter's Anatomy and Physiology,"
"Putnam's Manual," "Huxley's Physiology," "Smith on Nursing,"
"Frankel's Manual," "West on Children," "Notes on Nursing," by
Florence Nightingale, "Draper's Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene,"
"Bartholow's Materia Medica," and "Miss Veitch's Hand-book for
Nursing." The Boston and New York schools use the largest number of
text-books, averaging six. At one of the schools in Philadelphia,
but one book is used; in Connecticut, Chicago, and Washington two
text-books are studied.
While the nurse is receiving her training she is boarded free of
expense, and receives a stated salary per month during the time she is
in the school. The amount varies throughout the country. In New Haven
it is $170 for the term of eighteen months. In Chicago, $8 a month
for the first year, $12 a month for the second year. In Boston, at two
of the schools it is $10 a month for the first year, and $14 a month
for the second year. At the third school it is $1 a week for the first
six months, $2 dollars a week for the second six months, and $3 a week
for the last four months. Brooklyn, $9 a month for the first year, $15
a month for the second year. In New York, at the Charity Hospital on
Blackwell's Island, it is $10 a month for the first year, and $15 a
month for the second year; at Bellevue Hospital, $9 a month for the
first year, $15 a month for the second year; at the New York Hospital,
it is $10, $13, and $16 a month for the first, second, and third six
months, respectively. In Syracuse $10 a month. In Philadelphia, $5 a
month for the first six months, $10 a month for the second six months,
and $16 a month for the second year.
It will be seen at a glance that this is merely nominal pay, but it
must also be borne in mind that the nurse is receiving instruction in
what is to be to her a profession. Then, again, she is under little
or no expense; she is boarded, lodged, has her washing done in the
institution, and the dress or uniform which she is obliged to wear
costs but a trifle, the material of which it is made being generally
what is called "seersucker."
After the nurse has received a certain amount of training, she is
deemed competent to go out to private service. She receives no extra
pay for this, her salary being paid into the institution, which, in
that way, is enabled partly to maintain itself.
When she goes to a private house, she carries with her a certificate
of recommendation signed by the lady superintendent of the school.
When she returns to the school, she brings with her a report of her
conduct and efficiency, either from one of the family or the medical
attendant. While engaged in this service, the people employing her
must allow her reasonable time for rest in every twenty-four hours,
and when her services are needed for several consecutive nights, she
is to have at least six hours in the day out of the sick-room. Except
in cases of extreme illness, she is to be allowed opportunity to
attend church once every Sunday.
Appended to the rules of the Bellevue Hospital Training School, in
regard to this subject, are the following remarks:
"It is expected that nurses will bear in mind the importance of the
situation they have undertaken, and will evince, at all times, the
self-denial, forbearance, gentleness, and good temper so essential in
their attendance on the sick, and also to their character as Christian
nurses. They are to take the whole charge of the sick-room, doing
everything that is requisite in it, when called upon to do so. When
nursing in families where there are no servants, if their attention be
not of necessity wholly devoted to their patient, they are expected
to make themselves generally useful. They are to be careful not to
increase the expense of the family in any way. They are also most
earnestly charged to hold sacred the knowledge which, to a certain
extent, they must obtain of the private affairs of such households or
individuals as they may attend."
The field of employment which has just been described, offers great
opportunities for the proper kind of women to make an independent
livelihood. The work is hard and confining, but the pay, as women are
paid, is very good. A trained nurse never receives less than $20 a
week, her board being, of course, included, and more often she will
get $25, or even $30, a week; in fact, she can command her own price,
and that price will depend upon the wealth and liberality of her
patrons, and the ability which she brings to bear on the case in hand.
Good nursing is very often more important than good doctoring, and
thousands of people are willing to pay liberally for such exceptional
help. The demand for trained nurses far exceeds the supply, and,
provided a woman has made herself fully competent in this peculiarly
appropriate branch of women's work, the extent of her employment will
only be limited by her physical strength to render the services
required.
PROOF-READERS, COMPOSITORS, AND BOOKBINDERS.
Men who employ women in trades and businesses where they have to work
for some length of time before they become skilled laborers have one
very strong objection against female help. "No sooner," they say,
"do we really begin to get some benefit from the woman's work,
after having borne long and patiently with her sins of omission and
commission, than along comes a good-looking young fellow and marries
her."
For this reason women sometimes find it difficult to obtain entrance
into the most desirable establishments where trades can be learned.
And yet these same employers are not hostile to female labor; on the
contrary, they are strongly in favor of it, but they say that they
are not willing to encourage it to the extent of sacrificing the
necessary time and trouble in making a woman perfect in a trade, and
then seeing her leave them to enter upon the presumably more congenial
duties of matrimony.
The woman, therefore, who desires to learn a trade may find this
difficulty meeting her at the threshold. All employers, however, are
not alike, and some establishment can generally be found where a woman
can learn the first principles of the occupation she wishes to follow;
as soon as she has attained a reasonable degree of proficiency in it,
she can get a position in a larger and better establishment, where the
pay will probably be higher and the surroundings more agreeable.
Of the three employments mentioned at the head of this chapter
proof-reading is probably the most pleasant. A woman to be properly
qualified must have a good education, and must have graduated from
the printer's case. A great many young women who know nothing about
the compositor's trade think they can be good proof-readers, but they
may have a good collegiate education, and if they are not familiar
with the practical details of printing, as they can be learned
in a printing establishment, they will never amount to much as
proof-readers. This is the class of proof-readers who "get interested"
in what they are reading; they are on the look-out for bad sentences
which, having found, they promptly proceed to correct, a self-imposed
duty for which they receive no thanks from either their employer or
the author whose language or style they seek to improve. A good
proof-reader reads mechanically. The moment she takes a personal
interest in what she is reading, or becomes critical on the matter in
hand, she is apt to overlook typographical errors of the most common
sort. Of course, she must be a first-class speller and have a good
knowledge of punctuation, though how far she will have to apply the
latter knowledge will depend very much on what kind of proof she is
reading. If she is engaged in an establishment where books are printed
exclusively, she will find that authors, as a rule, have their own
systems of punctuation, with which (supposing the authors to be men
and women of ability) she will not be expected to interfere. But if
she is engaged on newspaper or general work, she will have ample
opportunity to display her knowledge and exercise her judgment in the
matter of punctuation. In all important work female proof-readers
seldom read the second or revised proof. That is generally given to a
male proof-reader of large experience, who gives the matter a critical
reading.
The pay of good women proof-readers is from $15 to $20 a week. Those
who receive the latter sum are capable of reading "revises." Now and
then a woman receives exceptionally good pay for this kind of service.
A prominent American historian paid a lady proof-reader $30 a week;
but she was unusually well educated, and capable of often making
valuable suggestions to the author.
No encouragement can be given to the woman desirous of becoming a
proof-reader who will not learn the practical details of the calling
in a printing establishment.
In connection with proof-reading it may be mentioned that young girls
or young women find employment as "copy-holders." Their duty is to
read aloud to the proof-reader the copy of the author. If they can
read rapidly and correctly they can earn about $8 a week.
* * * * *
Female compositors are now largely employed in job and newspaper
offices, but it is only fair to state the objections to their
following this trade. In some establishments they are obliged, like
the men, to stand at their work. Physicians state, and the experience
of the women themselves proves, that this is very detrimental to
health. It has been urged by women, also, that in printing-offices
they are forced to hear profane and improper language from their male
companions, who sometimes, doubtless, in this way, harass the women,
sometimes with the purpose of expressing their dissatisfaction at the
employment of female labor. But too much weight should not be given to
this complaint. In all the large, well-regulated establishments such
conduct would not be tolerated, provided the men and women worked in
the same room, which, however, is rarely the case; as a rule, the
female help are set off in an apartment by themselves.
Employers who have employed female compositors say that they cause a
great deal of trouble. They have to have a separate room, and require
to be waited upon a great deal, especially if they are learning the
trade, while men readily get along by themselves. They are sure to
lose more or less time through sickness, and that, too, very often in
the busiest season, when there is great pressure of work, and their
services are in especial demand. Of late, the female compositors in
one of the largest establishments in New York demanded to be paid the
same rate as the men. The demand was not acceded to, and the
proprietors came very near discharging all their female compositors,
urging the objections which have just been stated, together with the
general objection to the employment of female help stated in the
beginning of this chapter.
Notwithstanding all these objections, however, which a woman can weigh
and take for what they are worth, the trade of a compositor is a very
good one. Among men, a type-setter has always been considered the most
independent of mortals. If he is thorough master of his trade, he is
always sure of work, and with the great development of our country,
there is hardly a spot to which he may drift where he will not find a
printing-office and an opportunity to earn money. Numerous instances
might be related of printers who, being of a roving disposition, have
travelled all over the United States, earning their living as they
went. The trade is just as good, or nearly as good, for a woman. She
is never paid, it is true, the same rate that the men receive, but if
she is a quick worker she can make much more money in a week, as a
compositor, than she could at many other occupations. She can never
hope to perform as much work as a first-class male compositor; that is
a physical impossibility.
Good compositors in the large New York establishments where books are
printed (and it is only in such places that women are employed in the
large cities), earn from $14 to $15 a week. The poor ones average $9
and $10 a week. Sometimes good women make more than $15 a week,
earning as much as $18 or $20 a week. This kind of work, it must be
understood, is paid by the piece, so that how much a woman earns
depends entirely on her ability.
In many small cities and country towns, especially throughout New
England, young women are employed as compositors in newspaper
offices. Their rate of pay is never as high as it is in the cities,
but their living expenses are proportionately less, so that really
they are just as well off. It would seem, indeed, that such situations
were to be preferred. There is less noise and hurry in such small
establishments, and, therefore, less wear and tear on the human
system. The papers are generally afternoon papers, and, therefore, the
work is all done in the daytime. The women are allowed to sit at their
work. In such situations they will be able to earn from $5 to $12 a
week.
It is, at present, difficult for a woman entirely ignorant of the
trade, to get into any of the large establishments in New York, where
such help is engaged, for the purpose of learning to become a
type-setter. If her ambition lies in this direction, and she lives
outside the large cities, she could do no better than obtain an
introductory knowledge of the art in some country newspaper office,
or, failing in that, get the necessary practical instruction in some
job office, in either city or country.
* * * * *
Certain parts of the work of bookbinding are monopolized by young
girls and young women. They are employed in folding, collating,
sewing, pasting, binding, and gold-laying. There is probably no large
establishment in the country where men are employed to do this kind of
work. The industry seems to be peculiarly adapted to young women who
are quick with their hands.
Employes in this trade are paid by the piece, with the exception of
the collaters, who receive a stated salary of $8 a week. "Collating,"
it may be mentioned for the benefit of those who are not familiar with
the term, means the gathering together of the various folded sheets or
sections of the book, and seeing that the pages run right, preparatory
to their being handed over to the sewers, who stitch them together.
The pay of folders, binders, pasters, and sewers will average, during
the year, from $6 to $7 a week. Gold-layers are paid by the hour and
make a dollar or two more a week. This average, it must be understood,
is for the whole fifty-two weeks. Some weeks the girls make $12 and
$15, other weeks not one third as much. Girls as young as fourteen
years are employed, and women forty and fifty years of age may be
found working beside them. Nine hours and a half constitute a day's
work. Some girls will make more than the average named. Those are the
steady workers who, to use the expression of one employer, "work just
like a man and don't care to hurry home and crimp up to see company in
the evening." Such employes will, the year round, average each week
two or three dollars more than the ordinary run of help.
It is said that there is always work in this trade for competent
women. But it is a trade that no woman of ambition would want to
enter, unless she was unable to find any thing better to do.
There is no chance to rise in the business and get a better paying
position, for the rule is to employ male foremen. In only one large
establishment in New York is there a woman occupying such a position.
It is proper to state, however, that she gives perfect satisfaction,
that her employer would not replace her for a man, and that he
believes other bookbinders will eventually see the advisability of
having a female instead of a male overseer. A man, it is said, is apt,
in giving out work, to favor the pretty girls at the expense of the
plain-looking damsels, thus creating jealousy among the employes,
while a woman is not influenced in that way.
The proprietors of the large bookbinderies make every effort to secure
a respectable kind of help, but young women of loose principles, and
sometimes, it is to be feared, of actual immoral character, get
employment at the trade, and, when they do, their influence is any
thing but good on their companions. It must, however, be largely a
girl's own fault if she allows herself to associate with such company.
During working hours, of course, nothing but business is attended to.
Lunch is eaten in the establishment, and during the lunch hour the
girls gather together in little knots and talk about the last picnic
or the coming ball. But the place is so large, that a girl of reserved
manners can generally keep by herself, or select such companions as
she prefers.
The trade is not difficult to learn, the work is neat and clean, the
rooms where the girls work--that is, in the large bookbinderies--are
commodious, well lighted, and airy. If a young woman, getting her
board free at home, wanted to make a little money by working only a
few months, or a year, she could probably accomplish this object by
entering a bookbindery.
THE DRAMA.--LECTURERS AND READERS.
A woman need not have the genius of a Rachel, a Modjeska, or a Clara
Morris, to be able to make a good living in the theatrical profession.
Probably the great majority of young ladies who go upon the stage are
inflated with the notion that they are creatures of wonderful genius,
and for this reason they fail; they are so taken up with the good
opinion they have of themselves that they will not go through the
necessary amount of work, in the subordinate positions, to perfect
themselves for places up higher. They want to fly before they can
walk. It would seem as if common-sense deserted a woman the moment she
felt a desire to go upon the stage.
An old theatrical agent whose views were sought on this subject did
not offer much encouragement to the aspirants for dramatic honors. I
will give a paraphrase of his views so that the gentle reader may have
the benefit of the pessimistic presentation of the question.
The great majority of young ladies, he observed, "who sought positions
had been members of some amateur dramatic company, which they had
joined from a love of recreation and amusement. The friends of a young
woman continually spoiled her by undeserved praise, and, finally, she
believed herself capable of taking the highest and most difficult
parts, and forthwith rushed to the nearest theatrical manager or
dramatic agent and sought a position. In the majority of instances
such young ladies had not the slightest amount of ability; besides,
experience in an amateur dramatic company was of no benefit. People
might come to an agent with the highest recommendations from stage
instructors, or actors who had taken upon themselves the task of
giving them instruction--who had spoken of them as 'promising
pupils'--and yet, when they came to go upon the stage, they did not
show the slightest degree of talent for the profession. An amateur
experience was no criterion to go by."
"When," said the dramatic agent, "I managed the tour of Mr. ----
(mentioning the name of one of our leading tragedians), I had to
select the company which was to support him. Yielding to the
solicitations of an old friend I engaged a young lady who had been
studying with Miss ----, one of the brightest stars on the American
stage. Miss ---- told me that she considered her a most promising
young woman, and had it not been that her manager had already selected
her company, she would have been glad to have had her in her own
company. She felt sure if I took her I would be pleased. I engaged
her, and was never more mistaken in my ideas in all my life. She
thought she could act, but she did not know the first principles of
acting. Offended at my plain criticisms on her efforts she went to Mr.
----, the star, and complained that she thought I was prejudiced
against her, and had been unjust and unkind. But Mr. ---- repeated,
kindly but plainly, the substance of what I had said. She had left a
good paying position to seek dramatic fame only to find dramatic
failure. At the end of the season she became convinced of the truth of
our criticisms, and quit the stage forever."
It must be stated here that the stage is largely run on what is called
the "combination" plan, and a very poor plan it is. In the old times
the theatres had what were called "stock" companies; that is, the
company was made up of a certain number of members, each member having
a particular line of "business," and keeping to that line year after
year, in the same company, which remained in the same theatre. At the
present time there are only two "stock" companies in the United
States. The great majority of theatrical enterprises are called
"combinations." In old times the actor had to suit himself to the
play; nowadays the play is written to suit the actor. A comedian can
sing and dance, or "make up" good as a Jew, a Negro, or an eccentric
German, and forthwith he gets some author to write a play for him in
which his "strong" points will be made to plainly appear. Then he
selects his company, picking out men and women that he may deem
suitable for the characters they are to assume. Then the company is
christened "The Great Jones Combination," or "The Great Scott
Combination," as the case may be, and off it starts for a more or less
successful tour throughout the country.