Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 33.djvu/424

410 R., S. and W., W. and N.—or between N. W. and N. E., N. E. and S. E., S. E. and S. W., S. W. and N. W.—be indicated by 1, 2, 3, or 4 whistles, corresponding to the number of the quadrant. In every case the whistles to be short, but preceded by one long one.

A suggestion has also been made that a "tattoo" or multiple whistle be given to indicate "I have stopped—you may go ahead." Some such system as this might be comparatively useful; the only question to settle in this regard is. What is the best system devisable? In endeavoring to answer this question I have made use of the long and short signal, which can be, incidentally, represented ou a compass-card or otherwise by the dash and dot. These signals, given at intervals suitable to prevent confusion, will indicate any course on the compass, and can be read by sound as soon as they are in process of transmission. Opposite courses are indicated by opposite signals. N. and E. courses by one—and two long signals; S. and W., by one. and two. . short signals. Thus, as soon as the signal starts off, the navigator learns at once something of the direction, in a general way, soon to be particularized, in which a signaling vessel is moving, being thus enabled to avoid getting in the line of that motion, and so preventing collision. Actual experience tells us that navigators do locate approximately the position of ships by sound—of course with more accuracy by sight. When sight is unavailable, we must depend on sound.

Editor Popular Science Monthly:

the recent Parliament at Washington, one point seems to have been clearly developed—viz., that women are no nearer the ballot-box than they were fifty years ago—and this despite the efforts of an earnest and loyal minority. The truth is, that the masses of American women do not care to vote, and this wide-spread, persistent indifference leads us to hope that, at no very distant date, the restless ghost of woman suffrage will at last be laid, to rise no more.

The word "equality" promises to be the next stumbling-block in the way of woman's real progress, and we can not but believe that the ladies who are acting in behalf of their sex are decidedly hasty and incautious in demanding, without limitations, "equal pay for equal work." At first sight, indeed, the proposal seems a fair one; and in art, literature, and latterly to a great extent in science, the equality of the sexes is unquestioned. But in the rough, every-day work of the world, where weakness means failure, strength success, where sentiment counts for nothing, and money-making is the paramount object, the matter is a very different one. That a woman can acquire the routine of almost any mercantile pursuit, may be admitted beyond a doubt; in fact, the quickness of her mind, and her rapid if superficial grasp of a subject, will give her the advantage, in many branches, over her brother workers. Despite the utmost reserve and discretion, however, a woman is an anomaly in a business office, among business men, in the unrelenting tide of business life. She may do her work as well as a man would, be as reliable, as faithful; but her presence is an inconvenience, a possible restraint, only to be counterbalanced by the cheapness of her labor. No man, who is worthy of the name, can quite bring himself to treat a woman clerk as he would a man, even in this ungallant age; but in this business warfare the small courtesies of life are necessarily neglected, and an employer who has expressed his disapprobation or impatience without much regard to his p's and q's, may be dismayed on finding that he has insulted a female; for the slow masculine mind does not yet understand that women mean to prefer equality to respect and consideration.

Then, what might be called the transitory nature of woman's work must be taken into consideration. It can not be taken for granted that every woman who has to make her living will be old, ugly, and uninteresting; therefore, marriage must be considered as a possible if not a probable interruption to her business career. Unless domestic life is to cease altogether, she retires from outdoor vocations to fulfill her household duties. A man, on the contrary, will feel it the more necessary to keep his position, and advance himself in his business. In the face of such contingencies, can an employer be expected to pay equal wages?

In conclusion, is it not too soon for women to demand anything of the other sex? Equality means competition; competition means a fierce and ungenerous battle, from which many a strong man emerges sorely wounded and unvictorious. Are women fitted to enter into such a contest as yet? Will it not be a long while before their nerves will be strong enough, their muscles hard enough, their feelings insensitive enough, to make the fight a fair one? Is not Nature, potent and inexorable, behind the artificialities of civilization, the real bar to feminine equality after all?

In the mean time, it would be more prudent in women, even those termed strong minded, not to scorn the protection of those of the other sex who are willing to protect them merely because they are women. And in their efforts for self-advancement and independence, let them rather ask aid, sympathy, and encouragement from their masculine fellow-workers, than demand an equality which the world is not willing to grant them, nor are they yet ready to receive.