The times., 1897-08-15
MRS. BECKWITH, OPTICIAN.

It is said Mrs. Emma Beckwith il tho
only woman optician in the city of New
York. She has received her diploma, and
therefore is entitled to treat eyes and sell
glasses.
Sebie Two years ago Mrs. Beckwith, hav-
ing taste for business life. conceived
the idea that perhaps by close application
she might be helper to her husband, who
Is veil-known optician. So she coa.-
rnrHced by going regularly every morning
70 the Shop and taking in all the branches
or optical work in a scientific way
AIter learning it's methods she studied
and graduated from the New York Mu-
,uaI Optical Company School, and is now
fine example in making this line OF work
an admirable purpose for women. She
declares that this business is not only a
clean one. but decidedly entertaining aud
urges all women doctors TO add to their
sore Of valuable information a complete
know ledge OF the eve That for children
this is peculiarly useful, as now adavs they
suffer from many ills for which the eyes
alone are responsible She also asserts
that ito the general practitioner fame and
money remains for those if once success is
achieved That the woman doctor should
make a study OF optical subjects ssna con-
meet il with bcr daily practice of medicine
Women are particularly fitted for this
work. It involves no hard labor. and only
care and attention is required to make it a
profit able Investment 1t is essentially
ladylike, and. above all, it is profession
thas bas not been Overdone. Theone great
fast, 1t is comparatively new and for that
reason | am anxious to spread a line OF
work whion women can do with ease and
comfort. leaving Off at an early hour when
the days work is done.
Mrs Beckwith is an agreeable talker,
and in her chatty way gives many hu-
mOrous points in her line of business
Among them, there are people who long
and wish for an Intellectual air, and think
By the putting on OF glasses the mesnsis de-
rised. That an eyeglass makes them dis
tinguished-lOoking, and the IorgnetJe makes
az impression, so that il is not uncommon
to put in plain window glass in place OF
lens. All such orders generally come by
mail, and the reminder is forCibly given
that the frame and chain should be CT an
elaborate sort to ill all the requirements.
Naturally, no expense is spared, and foi
the Optieian proves his best orders, so the
intellectual air is gained.
But this same FuIe is often carried out
when the patient, who is a hypOchondHae,
hands in a written prescription, which by
the optieian is filled in with only plain
| glass and the whini without harm induleed
in. For all such, eyeglasses are naturally
ordered and spectaeles strictly avoided.
| There are also pathetic sides. Sometimes
| there comes 10 her office a pale-faced,
| wom-out, faded woman who is no Ion ger
\ young, who, perhaps, is a teacher Of al
/ most Is lifetime OF a follower OF some duty
/ equally exacting, and who needs glasses fJI
| eyes that can no longer be without aid
| Very often the buyer is most careful that
| her eyes should be fitted with those thas
are becoming. That, if posi- bic, speefacIes
| should be avoided so that the '-oid look
/ VIII not appear, which is so detrimental
| 70 the business, and that the tyrant, Time.
Sl.oald be appeased at all hazards In this
! case every effoTtis Hadeto meet thedennand
| with satisfactory results
| Mrs BeeE with lives IN a charming apart
| nlent facing one OF the city parks. She has
| a most womanIy personality Combined with
excellent rare business sense. Besides she
| is d helper TO all women, which makes her
a universal favorite in the circle in which
she moves.