THE EDUCATION OF THE LABORER.

Other things equal, the man who has received merely a common-school education will obtain higher wages in any employment than one who is entirely illiterate. He has some mental discipline, will therefore be more intelligent and capable, will better understand and recollect the directions of his employers, better comprehend the nature of his duties. If need be, he can keep an account of what he does. He has in some measure learned to think; he will have a higher sense of self-respect, and be more reliable.

The difference in favor of a workman who is so far furnished with intelligence that he can do his own share of thinking, instead of relying entirely upon his employer for every exercise of judgment and forecast, is very great to the employer. If the latter is compelled to supply all the head-work, he must be in constant attendance, and exercise the utmost vigilance. Five stolid workmen will cost him as much time as ten intelligent ones, and a great deal more care, vexation, and loss. Hence intelligent labor is worth more, and will bring more.

THE FRUGALITY OF THE LABORER.

Another important consideration in connection with this part of our subject is, that the educated laborer will be more likely to appreciate his true interests, and save a part of his earnings. Every dollar he saves and accumulates in the shape of property, of whatever kind, will. render him more independent; and the more independent he is, the more likely he will be to get fair wages. He becomes, to a certain extent, a capitalist, and can measure strength with capital on better terms.

The man who has nothing upon which to subsist to-day must work to-day, at whatever price, or starve; while he

who can get on for a fortnight without employment may choose whether he will work for less than a fair price to-day or not.

This is a matter of great importance to the laborer; for the natural advantage the capitalist has over him is, that the latter can wait a little, while the former must work NOW. The laborer or employé of whatever kind (for all are subject to the same law) should strive earnestly to make' himself as independent in his position as possible. Hence, self-denial and economy, when exercised by those who live on wages or salaries, are amply repaid by better terms of service. There is a homely adage, "that a man is poorer for being poor," which laborers, of all others, should bear in mind.

DISTINCTION OF SEX.

Women receive less wages than men. This is doubtless true in all the so-called civilized countries. The difference may be stated at about fifty per cent to their disadvantage; that is, where the man receives one dollar, the woman receives fifty cents. And this, too, not only where the services of the two sexes differ, but where they are identical, as in school-teaching, type-setting, &c. Why this disparity?

Political economists, so far as we know, have not troubled themselves much about it. Philanthropists have taken cognizance of the fact, and have sought to apply a remedy, but generally, we may say uniformly, with little success. We shall not go at length into the subject, only endeavor to state the causes from which we suppose the difference arises. These may suggest the remedy.

The first consideration to be noticed is the fact that the

*The average monthly wages of male teachers in the public schools of Massachusetts, 1857-8, was

$49.87

The average monthly wages of female teachers in the public schools of Massachusetts, 1857-8

$19,63

two sexes exist in remarkably equal numbers throughout the world. There are as many women as men.

The second, that, while almost all occupations and employments are accessible to the male sex, but comparatively few are, by the opinions and customs of society, regarded as proper for women. One, therefore, has the whole field of life in which to act; the other is limited to a part.

On the principle, then, of supply and demand, the number of females being as great as that of males, while their employments are so much fewer, they must of necessity work for less reward. The supply is greater than the effective demand.

A third fact is, that the part of labor assigned to women is of a more dispensable character. A great part of the labor of women is connected with the comforts, conveniences, and luxuries of life: hence it can and will be dispensed with, unless it can be had cheap. The staple productions—corn, cattle, iron, cotton, and the like— must be had, at whatever price or cost of labor; but not so with the thousand-and-one little articles of beauty, taste, and fashion which female industry creates in every household. For example: suppose a farmer employs two men to carry on his agricultural labors, and usually the same number of females in the work of the house. Now, if he should be so pushed for means as to be obliged to dispense with one of his employés, which would it naturally be, one of his hired men or hired maids? Doubtless one of the latter; because, by doing so, he would only lose some of the conveniences and comforts of life, without, perhaps, much sacrifice of property; while, in the other case, he would lose part of his

crop.

There seems to be a prevalent feeling at the present day that the wages of woman ought to be increased; that her position ought to be less dependent. But those who are satisfied with the existing customs and opinions of society, by which the sphere of woman is restricted to its present

limits, ought to be equally well satisfied with the compensation allotted her; for it is just such as must follow.

No attempt to enhance her wages by appeals to human sympathies or benevolent organizations need be attempted; for there is a law that overrides all these, the law of supply and demand; a law founded in nature, inexorable and immutable. An increase of her wages can only result from an increase of her employments, of employments, too, of an equally indispensable character as those of the other sex.

That a change of this sort is fortunately in progress in most civilized countries, and especially in the United States, is apparent. The introduction of machinery is doing much to equalize the wages of the two sexes. Water and steam are now made to accomplish that which could once only be done by human strength, leaving the residue of labor, which is, to a great extent, the exercise of intelligence, care, and attention, to be performed by persons of either sex. Hence, there is now a great demand for the labor of females where there was once none at all. There is less demand for muscle, and more for mind: this brings woman nearer an equality with man.

In the department of education, too, the sphere of women's labor is vastly extended within the last forty years; and, from existing indications, the present century will not close before a considerable part of the business of the medical profession will be in their hands. Women are also employed extensively in public offices and trading establishments.

All this is the natural result of our civilization, and especially of a free common-school education. In a great part of the United States, the same advantages are furnished to both sexes. The consequences are, that as the females are more docile, have a quicker apprehension, and are more studious generally, they acquire a better education in our lower schools and seminaries than the other sex.

ANOTHER CLASSIFICATION OF WAGES.

There have now been presented most of the considerations we have room to offer in regard to the subject before us, and in somewhat the usual manner of arrangement. We propose, in conclusion, to give what may be a new, but is, as we think, a more natural and scientific classification of wages.

Properly considered, wages are paid for three different kinds of power; viz.,—

1st, PHYSICAL POWER, or mere muscular effort with the spade, shovel, hoe, and the like; the kind of labor least elevated above that of the horse or ox. This power is most plenty, comes by nature, costs the least, and is therefore cheapest. It would be so regarded theoretically: it is so practically. This has ever been, and will be, the lowest priced.

2d, MENTAL POWER. Those faculties of mind that give ability to manage complicated affairs, the general operations of agriculture, manufactures, commerce, — all services, in fact, that require the exercise of judgment, discretion, reflection, calculation. Such power is more rare than physical force. It will therefore command a higher price, especially in a progressive state of society. To this class may be referred all persons of natural ingenuity, inventors, authors, and men of genius. Such often receive great rewards. In this class may be placed the greater proportion of those professional services which are subsidiary to production, and indispensable to its fullest development.

To prepare men for the exercise of their intellectual powers, a considerable amount of education and training is necessary. Hence such powers are not only more rare, but more expensive, than brute force, and therefore rightfully command higher compensation.

2d, MORAL POWER. As man advances in civilization; as