lawyers ought to accord. One is the interpreter of the divine law, the
other of human law. A preacher is a lawyer for heaven." The promptings
and workings of the human heart must be well understood by a minister.
One in this holy office should not connive at the faults of her
congregation, or give herself up to the acquirement of popular applause.
We think one half the good accomplished in a church is done by the
ladies of the church, particularly single women. And we know well that
ministers are aware of this, and readily enlist the ladies of their
congregations in good works. In old times, Angela de Foligno was
celebrated as a teacher of theology. "In Spain, Isabella of Rosena
converted Jews by her eloquent preaching, and commented upon the learned
Scotus before cardinals and archbishops." In modern times, two or three
ladies have studied theology, and preached with success. Mrs. Blackwell
and Mrs. Jenkins are both said to be ladies of literary merit and
genuine piety. Their mild, amiable, and lady-like deportment make them
beloved by all who are sufficiently acquainted with to appreciate them.
Some one writes: "It seems to me that woman, by her peculiar
constitution, is better qualified to teach religion than by any merely
intellectual discipline." Women are more susceptible to religious
impressions than men. Two thirds of the communicants of our churches are
of that sex. The Quakers, Shakers, and Methodists, we think, are the
only denominations in which women speak in religious meetings. The
founder of the Shakers was a woman--Ann Lee--who established her faith
in 1776.
=22. Proof Readers.= The reading of proof has become a regular branch of
business. Many of the large houses in cities where publishing is done,
employ persons expressly for this purpose. We think proof reading opens
a charming prospect to the employment of cultivated women. Girls could
just as well be trained to read manuscripts aloud, for proof readers to
correct their first sheets by, as boys. A proprietor of one of the
largest publishing houses in this country kindly furnished us a reply to
the question, what are the duties of a proof reader, and are ladies ever
so employed? Hoping it will not be considered a breach of courtesy to
use the reply, we give it in the words of the writer: "Proof reading
consists in the reading of proofs, marking the errors, and making the
work typographically correct. A good proof reader ought to be a
practical printer, as there are a thousand minute details which one can
hardly learn except by daily experience at the composing case and
imposing stone. In addition to this he should have more or less
knowledge of various languages, ancient and modern, and be well informed
in history, art, and science. Proof reading is considered the best
situation in a printing office; and the most intelligent printers
usually gain and hold these situations. We know of no case in which this
duty is performed by a woman; the cases must be rare indeed in which one
has had an opportunity to qualify her for performing its duties.
Moreover, it is a position the duties of which must be performed in the
printing office." It is true that proof reading must be done in the
printing establishment; but separate rooms, we believe, are always
provided for proof readers. So ladies need not be frightened by
supposing they must do their reading in the composition room. One of the
firm of the Boston Stereotype Foundry writes: "We employ but three young
ladies to read proof, and pay from $3 to $5 per week. They are
Americans, and work nine hours. At one time we employed women in the
type-setting department, who received two thirds of the price paid to
men. Women are paid less than men because they are _women_, and because
plenty can be found. Women possessing a good English education can learn
in two months--if apt, become expert. They commence at $3, and finally
get $5. The prospect of employment is good for a few. Occasionally there
is a dull time, which affords opportunity for a little sewing, &c.
Unless very dull, the occupant retains her position and wages. Good
workmen consider women an innovation. To sum up the whole matter in a
few words, women (barring the heavy work) can perform the labor
appertaining to proof reading and type setting as well as men." A lady
told me that one of her daughters assists her father with his newspaper.
She reads the proof, looks up articles he wants, helps select matter for
the paper, and translates French stories for his paper. Her services are
worth to him from $500 to $600 a year. On visiting the Bible House, I
learned that a lady is there employed as proof reader. She corrects both
in English and German. Four or five male proof readers are employed, but
she is the only lady. She gets $5 or $6 a week. The principal proof
reader gets $12 a week. "Accuracy, quickness of eye, thorough knowledge
of orthography, grammar, and punctuation, with a knowledge of languages,
and a vast deal of learning and general intelligence, are necessary for
a proof reader. An intuitive perception, arising from this cultivation,
enables one to detect errors immediately, often without knowing how and
why."
=23. Publishers.= We find in the census report of Great Britain, 923
women reported as booksellers and publishers. What the number of
publishers alone is we cannot tell, nor do we know whether any of them
conduct the business on their own responsibility, or whether they are
widows, and have men to conduct the business for them. We know of two
large publishing houses in New York that pay 10 cents on the dollar to
an author for the manuscript of any book they see proper to publish;
that is, for a book they will sell at retail for $1, and at wholesale
for 60 cents, the author receives 10 cents, which gives the publisher 50
cents for getting up the book and running the risk of selling it. If the
author incurs the expenses of getting the book up, they may allow 15
cents. They will pay no larger a percentage for any subsequent edition
than for the first. But they will not undertake a book unless they think
they can make money out of it. The same book might be printed and
stereotype plates cast at 85 cents a volume. The author could then sell
it for 65 cents a copy to the book merchants, and they would sell it at
90 cents a volume. After the first edition of one thousand, the author
could probably get it printed at 40 cents on the volume less. If the
book takes, the merchant may allow the author twelve to fifteen per
cent. Some publishers purchase the copyrights of books they think may
succeed, paying a specified sum, as agreed on with the author.
Publishers calculate to have two out of every three books fail that are
brought into market. Some publishers sell for authors on commission. The
authors get up their own books, and the publisher sells, receiving forty
per cent. from the retail price. He sells to the trade at a discount of
from twenty-five to thirty-three per cent., according to amount and
distance. The average discount would be thirty per cent. This leaves the
publisher ten per cent. to transact all the business, advertise, &c.
From the first edition the publisher will not be likely to derive any
profit; but if the book takes, the publisher will make a handsome profit
from the subsequent editions.
=24. Readers to the Working Classes.= In China, at almost every store
where cups of tea are sold, a number of men make it a business to read
to those that come in to buy or drink tea. A gratuity is bestowed by
such as feel disposed. The working classes that are not able to read and
buy books, are thereby enabled to have the benefit of those that can.
Now we do not see why the same principle may not be carried out in this
country. Shakspearian readings, it is true, have been popular and
fashionable for a few years. We have seen it stated that "seven of Fanny
Kemble Butler's recent Shakspearian readings in New York city netted the
fine sum of $6,000." Beside, lectures have been delivered and poems
recited, mostly of the readers' composition. Now might not competent
ladies make it useful to the working classes of their own sex, or even
both sexes, to spend an evening, occasionally, in reading to them?
Charging a small entrance fee, if there is a good attendance, would
support the reader, and enlighten the audience. It would be better if
the poor, hard-working classes had more elevating and refining
amusements. We know of none better calculated to improve while it
entertains than reading. Might it not be done in saloons?--properly
qualified men in the gentlemen's department, and properly qualified
women in the ladies' department. In our large cities, where time is so
precious, many a lady, we doubt not, would give an additional sixpence
to have a book she carries with her or the papers of the day read aloud
while she eats her lunch. The only difficulty is, the prices paid would
scarcely justify one sufficiently qualified for the undertaking.
=25. Reporters.= This is rather a new arena for the exercise of female
talent. A reporter must be a close observer of matters and things in
general that pertain to individual or public affairs. A verbal or
written account is furnished to the publication in which the reporter is
interested. A reporter attends public assemblies of any kind, and writes
down or stenographizes the proceedings of said assembly. In a city,
places of amusement, lectures, political and church meetings, form
subjects of interest to a newspaper reporter. Noting the proceedings of
legislative and other legal assemblies forms the most regular and
reliable employment. In London, there are seven publications that employ
from ten to eighteen reporters each, during the meetings of Parliament.
Two from each paper are always in attendance--one in the gallery of the
House of Lords, and another in the gallery of the House of Commons. A
reporter seldom remains more than two or three hours. His place is taken
by another, while he writes out his notes and prepares them for the
press. The reporters are well remunerated, and give very faithful
reports. In the United States, the subscription price of even the very
best papers, and their comparatively limited circulation, will not
justify so great an expense for the reporter's department. Yet most good
papers have one or two reporters. Not long since, a lady stenographer
received $1,000 damages from a railroad company, for an accident that
occurred on the car, which unfitted her for her calling, as it deprived
her of the forefinger on her right hand. A lady reporter, in Boston,
writes me: "The art of reporting needs constant drilling, like music,
dancing, &c. Few women have the education and nerve for professional
reporting." A lady teacher of phonography writes: "A person of common
capacity could learn phonography in from four to six months, studying
three hours per day; but to practise for reporting is quite another
thing: that depends upon the unremitting industry of a person. I know of
but two ladies whose business is reporting. It is hard work, but pays
well." This lady also states that her terms of tuition are seventy-five
cents per lesson of one hour. "Phonographers generally receive from ten
to twenty dollars an hour; and it takes about five or six hours to write
out what may be spoken in an hour, if done by one person. With an
amanuensis, it takes about four hours of writing to one of speaking."
Several ladies are acting in Ohio and Michigan as phonographic
reporters. Mr. James T. Brady, in a public speech in New York, said:
"Without disparagement to his friends who were here engaged in catching
the extemporized words of the speaker, he really would be happy to see
the day when women, who had the capacity, should be engaged in making
reports." "Among the American Indians, the women, being present at
councils, preserve in their memories the report of what passes, and
repeat it to their children. They have traditions of treaties a hundred
years back, which, when compared with our writings, are always exact." A
telegraphic reporter told me a first-class reporter can earn from
twenty-five to thirty dollars for three or four hours' labor. It
requires a knowledge of stenography, of which there are several teachers
in New York, and which can be learned in a short time. Some reporters
are paid by the week; and some by the page of foolscap, which is
considered, I think, as counting eighty words. Mr. B., a reporter of New
York, had a sister in Washington with him, ten years ago, who attended
the sittings of Congress, and took notes, and wrote them out fully. Her
brother then revised and sent them to the press. Another lady attempted
it for the _Tribune_, but was ridiculed, and very foolishly gave it up.
I was told that Mrs. W., wife of a reporter for the _Tribune_, took
notes of Dr. Chapin's sermon on Thanksgiving day, and made a report for
the _Tribune_, with which the readers of the paper were well satisfied.
The reply of Mr. Webster to Mr. Hayne was saved by Mrs. Gales, the wife
of one of the Congressional reporters, by writing out her husband's
short-hand notes, which he for the lack of time found it impossible to
do. Otherwise that remarkable speech of an eminent orator would have
been lost. Mr. L. remarked to me: "A reporter in New York has to move
and write with railroad speed. Everything needs to be done with a rush;
and so dense are crowds, that a woman would have to lay aside hoops to
make her way."
=26. Reviewers.= A reviewer of new books should be a rapid reader and of
quick understanding. A reviewer should also be a person of judgment. The
vast number of books now published might afford employment, and a good
compensation, we suppose, to those so engaged. But too often publishers
use a moneyed influence in giving a false reputation to their
publications. Frequently the editors of magazines and newspapers are
their own reviewers. We heartily wish that reviewers would endeavor to
check the circulation of some of the light literature of the day. We
refer not so much to that which is vapid--unsubstantial--wanting
stamina--as that which is impure--immoral. Much is of a kind to open the
floodgates of vice and crime. Stories cast in the old-fashioned mould of
hair-breadth escapes, marvellous incidents, and impossible events, are
less popular than formerly. No doubt much reading is done as a
recreation--to forget one's self--to banish care--to unbend from severe
study: let such reading at least be pure and chaste. Books undoubtedly
exercise a great influence over the disposition, taste, and character;
and reviewers have it much in their power to direct the general taste
for books. They can do much toward forming a high and correct literary
tone in society. The number of those who devote themselves to the review
of new books in England is small--in the United States, still smaller.
How they are paid I am unable to learn.