246 



POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



which the inventor gains a foothold on the ladder to fame. Not one 

 of those mentioned was below the age of forty, though not enough 

 names were included to give this fact great weight. 



A study of Fig. 2 from the standpoint of average ages of those 

 mentioned (note only the right ordinate of each pair) discloses little 

 which would not have been expected from the facts already stated. It 

 will be seen that where recognition was early, the average age is com- 

 paratively small, while for those vocations in which the climb was a 

 tedious one, the age is much greater. Certainly one whose ambition 

 was early renown would not, from the showing of our figures, choose 

 business or finance. Since, however, these professions are seldom en- 

 tered for glory, we need not fear a lack of aspirants for the rewards 

 which they bring. When nature has done most for the man as in the 

 case of the actor, author and musician the laurel crown comes earliest. 

 If one must depend upon nurture as most of us must, the scientist, the 

 college professor, the editor, the educator and the clergyman may hope 

 to wear it longest and in the order given. 



As has been stated, Fig. 3 

 shows for women the condi- 

 tions which have just been dis- 

 cussed for men, for those call- 

 ings in which they have been to 

 any extent competitors. It 

 shows that upon the stage and 

 in musical circles recognition is 

 much earlier for them, while in 

 the other callings it is slower 

 than for their brothers. In 

 other words, nature works quick- 

 er with her and nurture slower, 

 if our figures are to be accepted. 

 It is perhaps worthy of mention 

 too, that the two professions in which she outstrips him are the only 

 ones in which attractiveness of person would be at a premium ; perhaps 

 at so much of a premium as to make up for some other defects. When, 

 however, this is outlived with youth the struggle seems to be a hard if 

 not a losing one. 



We have now to consider the educational preparation of the persons 

 whose names are included under the several vocations. This so far as 

 it has to do with the schools — the only data at our disposal — is shown 

 by the somewhat complicated-looking Figs. 4 and 5, the former for the 

 men and the latter for the women. Upon each of them the vocations 

 are indicated at the bottom as in those just explained. Of the variously 

 constructed ordinates above each name, that part which is wholly black 



f5 



a 

 «-► 



tf 

 o 





H 



a 

 c 



o 



p 



© 



p 

 P 



a 



c 





Fig. 3. 



