[22] When I first began to lecture, many persons, sincerely interested
in my success, objected to what they called the "antagonistic" tone
occasionally adopted. They thought I ought to take for granted the
cheerful co-operation of the world, and that the woman's cause was the
loser whenever the audience was reminded of actual difficulties in the
way. But it would be hardly worth while for a woman to enter the desk,
only to hedge it in with compromise and evasion. The simple truth is
the "utmost skill" she needs to seek; and no reform built upon an
inaccurate survey can be lasting. Only by telling our brothers openly
what we think of their jealousy can we ever hope to shame them out of
it. That the day of opposition is _not_ passed; that the way of duty
cannot, even in America, be trod in satin slippers,--the following
extract, cut from a weekly paper while I am writing this note, will
plainly show:--
"The Pennsylvania Medical Society has exhibited a narrow-mindedness
altogether disgraceful to its members, by adopting a resolution
recommending 'the members of the regular profession to withhold from
the faculties and graduates of Female Medical Colleges all countenance
and support; and that they cannot, consistently with sound _medical
ethics_, consult or hold professional intercourse with their
professors or alumni.' The Female Medical Colleges of Pennsylvania, it
should be remembered, are strictly allopathic: so we are forced to
conclude, that the objection to them is founded _solely_ upon the fact
that they afford the means of education to women. We echo the
sentiment of the 'Philadelphia Sunday Dispatch:' 'Shame upon the men
who, while prating about their respectability, would combine to rob
women of the means of supporting themselves and their families! Such
infinitesimal littleness cannot benefit them. The public are ever
willing to aid the weak, and support them against the strong. The war
against women cannot be sustained by the public voice: it will recoil
upon and injure those who are so arbitrary and selfish as to endeavor
to interfere with them.'"--_Antislavery Standard_, July, 1859.
"The medico-chirurgical school of Lisbon has granted the diploma of
_pharmacienne_ to Mesdames Marie Fajardo and Caroline de Matos, after
a legal examination. These illustrious _pharmaceuticas_ have a regular
knowledge of their business, and passed a preliminary examination in
1859. 'The Gazette' does not say if they are _religieuses_ charged
with the management of a private pharmacy, or whether they are acting
as civil _pharmaciennes_. In one of the hospitals of the city is a
female dispenser, whose knowledge, accuracy, and care are said to be
reliable and satisfactory."
[23] I first saw Mrs. Hillman the day after the destruction of the
steam-bakery at the North End. She was sitting up, reading the account
of it, without glasses, and eloquent in behalf of the trade, and
against innovations. Since the above passage was written, she has
passed away.
[24] I do not dwell upon this watch factory in the text, because,
although fifty women are at work with one hundred and fifty men, they
are only "tending machines;" so that, although employment is open, a
career can hardly be said to be. The watches made at Waltham by
machinery are said to be so superior to all others, that they are used
by preference on the race-courses to time the horses. Men and women do
not compete with each other there; but both are at service, with a
steam-engine for their master.
For the first two months, the women earn two dollars and fifty cents
_a week_; for the third, three dollars; and, after that, four dollars.
The men earn from five shillings to two dollars a _day_. It seems that
no special skill is required in the women, while the men in a few
departments are still paid according to their ability. The
steam-engine, it appears, has not yet learned how to cook dials! In
this case, the operator must hold the dial, turning it evenly, as if
he were a smoke-jack, which requires judgment and "faculty"!
[25] Livingstone's "Africa." Paul Kane's "Travels in the North-west."