The Portland daily press., 1882-11-23
w hisuling Girls.
Expert Testimony as to What They Might
Do and Actually Do in That Line.

With the following letter Sun Reporter
wentto DR.. f. Fl. Hamilton for information:
To the Editor of the Sun:
SIR My sister whistles. Should break her of
il? If so, how? Viii it 20 her any harm? Ought
a girl TO VIII ste? DO G, cd many girls whistle?
Size says they 40,
DR.. Hamilton said he knew of no difference
between the vocal chords, bronchial tubes, or
lungs of women and these of men that should
make the young mans sister necessarily poor
er whistler than the young man himself. He
didn't see any reason why woman shouldn't
be even better whistler than some men, if
she should give her Whole mind to it. AS to
whether they did whistle or aot, he declined
to be considered authority; and as to why
they didn't, or couldn't, or shouldu't. or
wouldn't, he modestly affirmed that he was
not sufficient philosopher to determine, and
hsi he would prefer to leave 1t 10 somebody
else.
Dr. A. B. Mott said: why, of course,
plenty OF women whistle. Quite enough OF
them, / should say. Don't you know that old
Frei ct proverb that "a dancing parSoD, CROW :
ing hen and whistling girl never'come TO any
good? But it is all matter OF habit and asso-
citation in youth. | very much doubt II any
girl that is reared in family without boys
about the house ever learns to whistle On
larly if they are older than herself, will be very
likely to pick it up. But when she gets to be
young woman she will give it up-simpy be-
cause it is not regarded as a ladylike accom-
plishment. | say she will, when perhaps l
should say i suppose she WILL At all events
size will be shy of letting young men hear her
Ahlstliug. There is no physical reason why a
slrl ouli not whistle we'll a boy; not
At least until she begins sque ziDg herself short
of breath with c rs,5ts And it would be better
: h.r he do i0ud pCi
liking, even whistling in her youth, for the
developing of her lungs, than she is accus-
toned to-
Dr. Stephen W Roof said "Well, while
cannot say that have ever heard girl emu
late boN s proudest achievement-whic h is to
jam bis two fere-hhge into his mouth until
10 gets good hold on his back teeth, or some
where, and then let off an ear-piercng note
that would shame a steam whistle-still l have
card good many girls whistle quite nicely.
[ don't see why they shouldn't from any by
gienic or physiological reasons, anyway 1t
might be good thing for them to whistle.
Que great consideration would be that while
they were whistling they couldn't be talking.
Perhaps that is the reason they are not often
heard whsiliig. But II you happen TO be
about when ,hry think themselves alone, you
will very often hear them whistle. l think
girls in the country whistle more than those
IN the city-that is that they do SO more gener-
ally. But the popular prejudice against it is
such that women, as rule, pretend that it
would be impossible for them to whistle. Lots
Of men would be very much surprised TO know
how well their wives can whistle"
A lady who was asked about it, said frank
y. eff you won't expose me, I'll prove to
GU that one woman you know can whistle.
Aud I'll tell you why women don't whistle
usually, where men are. Their lips don't look
pre- ty when puckered up for whistle, and
they cannot, when whstling, smile to show
their teeth if they have fine set. Surely
those are reasons sufficient why women don't
want 10 whistle or at least to have men catch
them at it, And yet it is a good thing. You
have to use good deal of lung power to get
ont clear fine whistle, and the more you use,
the more you will have. Do know any socie-
W ladies' wno whistle privately? Why, yes. a
score of them. Tel YOU who they are? No
indeed What would become of us women If
We went telling thugs about each otherY'