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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/21829-8.txt b/21829-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e89cd33 --- /dev/null +++ b/21829-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15306 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Treatise on Domestic Economy, by Catherine +Esther Beecher + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: A Treatise on Domestic Economy + For the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School + + +Author: Catherine Esther Beecher + + + +Release Date: June 14, 2007 [eBook #21829] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TREATISE ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY*** + + +E-text prepared by Jason Isbell, Karen Dalrymple, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 21829-h.htm or 21829-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/2/21829/21829-h/21829-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/2/21829/21829-h.zip) + + +Transcriber's note: + + Page numbers 10 and 370 were skipped in the original text; + they are not missing. There were two pages 355 and 356 in + the original; the two between page 354 and the first page + 355 have been renumbered 354a and 345b and references to + them in the text changed accordingly. + + Printer errors were corrected silently and hyphenation was + made consistent, but variant spellings have been preserved. + + + + + +A TREATISE ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY, + +For the Use of Young Ladies at Home, and at School. + +by + +MISS CATHERINE E. BEECHER. + +Revised Edition, +With Numerous Additions and Illustrative Engravings. + + + + + + + +New-York: +Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff Street. +1845. + +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1842, by +Thomas H. Webb, & Co., +in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. + + + + +TO + +AMERICAN MOTHERS, + +whose intelligence and virtues have inspired admiration and respect, +whose experience has furnished many valuable suggestions, in this work, +whose approbation will be highly valued, and whose influence, in +promoting the object aimed at, is respectfully solicited, this work is +dedicated, by their friend and countrywoman, + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + + + +PREFACE + +TO THE THIRD EDITION. + + +The author of this work was led to attempt it, by discovering, in her +extensive travels, the deplorable sufferings of multitudes of young +wives and mothers, from the combined influence of _poor health_, _poor +domestics_, _and a defective domestic education_. The number of young +women whose health is crushed, ere the first few years of married life +are past, would seem incredible to one who has not investigated this +subject, and it would be vain to attempt to depict the sorrow, +discouragement, and distress experienced in most families where the wife +and mother is a perpetual invalid. + +The writer became early convinced that this evil results mainly from the +fact, that young girls, especially in the more wealthy classes, _are not +trained for their profession_. In early life, they go through a course +of school training which results in great debility of constitution, +while, at the same time, their physical and domestic education is almost +wholly neglected. Thus they enter on their most arduous and sacred +duties so inexperienced and uninformed, and with so little muscular and +nervous strength, that probably there is not _one chance in ten_, that +young women of the present day, will pass through the first years of +married life without such prostration of health and spirits as makes +life a burden to themselves, and, it is to be feared, such as seriously +interrupts the confidence and happiness of married life. + +The measure which, more than any other, would tend to remedy this evil, +would be to place _domestic economy_ on an equality with the other +sciences in female schools. This should be done because it _can_ be +properly and systematically taught (not _practically_, but as a +_science_), as much so as _political economy_ or _moral science_, or any +other branch of study; because it embraces knowledge, which will be +needed by young women at all times and in all places; because this +science can never be _properly_ taught until it is made a branch of +_study_; and because this method will secure a dignity and importance in +the estimation of young girls, which can never be accorded while they +perceive their teachers and parents practically attaching more value to +every other department of science than this. When young ladies are +taught the construction of their own bodies, and all the causes in +domestic life which tend to weaken the constitution; when they are +taught rightly to appreciate and learn the most convenient and +economical modes of performing all family duties, and of employing time +and money; and when they perceive the true estimate accorded to these +things by teachers and friends, the grand cause of this evil will be +removed. Women will be trained to secure, as of first importance, a +strong and healthy constitution, and all those rules of thrift and +economy that will make domestic duty easy and pleasant. + +To promote this object, the writer prepared this volume as a _text-book_ +for female schools. It has been examined by the Massachusetts Board of +Education, and been deemed worthy by them to be admitted as a part of +the Massachusetts School Library. + +It has also been adopted as a text-book in some of our largest and most +popular female schools, both at the East and West. + +The following, from the pen of Mr. George B. Emmerson, one of the most +popular and successful teachers in our country, who has introduced this +work as a text-book in his own school, will exhibit the opinion of one +who has formed his judgment from experience in the use of the work: + +"It may be objected that such things cannot be taught by books. Why not? +Why may not the structure of the human body, and the laws of health +deduced therefrom, be as well taught as the laws of natural philosophy? +Why are not the application of these laws to the management of infants +and young children as important to a woman as the application of the +rules of arithmetic to the extraction of the cube root? Why may not the +properties of the atmosphere be explained, in reference to the proper +ventilation of rooms, or exercise in the open air, as properly as to the +burning of steel or sodium? Why is not the human skeleton as curious and +interesting as the air-pump; and the action of the brain, as the action +of a steam-engine? Why may not the healthiness of different kinds of +food and drink, the proper modes of cooking, and the rules in reference +to the modes and times of taking them, be discussed as properly as rules +of grammar, or facts in history? Are not the principles that should +regulate clothing, the rules of cleanliness, the advantages of early +rising and domestic exercise, as readily communicated as the principles +of mineralogy, or rules of syntax? Are not the rules of Jesus Christ, +applied to refine _domestic manners_ and preserve a _good temper_, as +important as the abstract principles of ethics, as taught by Paley, +Wayland, or Jouffroy? May not the advantages of neatness, system, and +order, be as well illustrated in showing how they contribute to the +happiness of a family, as by showing how they add beauty to a copy-book, +or a portfolio of drawings? Would not a teacher be as well employed in +teaching the rules of economy, in regard to time and expenses, or in +regard to dispensing charity, as in teaching double, or single entry in +bookkeeping? Are not the principles that should guide in constructing a +house, and in warming and ventilating it properly, as important to young +girls as the principles of the Athenian Commonwealth, or the rules of +Roman tactics? Is it not as important that children should be taught the +dangers to the mental faculties, when over-excited on the one hand, or +left unoccupied on the other, as to teach them the conflicting theories +of political economy, or the speculations of metaphysicians? For +ourselves, we have always found children, especially girls, peculiarly +ready to listen to what they saw would prepare them for future duties. +The truth, that education should be _a preparation for actual, real +life_, has the greatest force with children. The constantly-recurring +inquiry, 'What will be _the use_ of this study?' is always satisfied by +showing, that it will prepare for any duty, relation, or office which, +in the natural course of things, will be likely to come. + +"We think this book extremely well suited to be used as a text-book in +schools for young ladies, and many chapters are well adapted for a +reading book for children of both sexes." + +To this the writer would add the testimony of a lady who has used this +work with several classes of young girls and young ladies. She remarked +that she had never known a school-book that awakened more interest, and +that some young girls would learn a lesson in this when they would study +nothing else. She remarked, also, that when reciting the chapter on the +construction of houses, they became greatly interested in inventing +plans of their own, which gave an opportunity to the teacher to point +out difficulties and defects. Had this part of domestic economy been +taught in schools, our land would not be so defaced with awkward, +misshapen, inconvenient, and, at the same time, needlessly expensive +houses, as it now is. + +Although the writer was trained to the care of children, and to perform +all branches of domestic duty, by some of the best of housekeepers, much +in these pages is offered, not as the result of her own experience, but +as what has obtained the approbation of some of the most judicious +mothers and housekeepers in the nation. The articles on Physiology and +Hygiene, and those on horticulture, were derived from standard works on +these subjects, and are sanctioned by the highest authorities. + +_The American Housekeeper's Receipt Book_ is another work prepared by +the author of the Domestic Economy, in connexion with several +experienced housekeepers, and is designed for a supplement to this work. +On pages 354a and 354b will be found the Preface and Analysis of +that work, the two books being designed for a complete course of +instructions on every department of Domestic Economy. + +The copyright interest in these two works is held by a board of +gentlemen appointed for the purpose, who, after paying a moderate +compensation to the author for the time and labour spent in preparing +these works, will employ all the remainder paid over by the publishers, +to aid in educating and locating such female teachers as wish to be +employed in those portions of our country, which are most destitute of +schools. + +The contract with the publisher provides that the publisher shall +guaranty the sales and thus secure against any losses for bad debts, for +which he shall receive five _per cent_. He shall charge twenty per cent. +for commissions paid to retailers, and also the expenses of printing, +paper, and binding, at the current market prices, and make no other +charges. The net profits thus determined are then to be divided equally, +the publishers taking one half, and paying the other half to the board +above mentioned. + + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +PREFACE, 7 + + +CHAPTER I. + +PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN. + +American Women should feel a peculiar Interest in Democratic +Institutions. The Maxim of our Civil Institutions. Its Identity +with the main Principle of Christianity. Relations involving +Subordination; why they are needful. Examples. How these Relations +are decided in a Democracy. What decides the Equity of any Law or +Institution. The Principle of Aristocracy. The Tendency of +Democracy in Respect to the Interests of Women. Illustrated in the +United States. Testimony of De Tocqueville. Miss Martineau's +Misrepresentations. In what Respects are Women subordinate? and +why? Wherein are they equal or superior in Influence? and how are +they placed by Courtesy? How can American Women rectify any real +Disadvantages involved in our Civil Institutions? Opinion of De +Tocqueville as to the Influence and Example of American Democracy. +Responsibilities involved in this View, especially those of +American Women, 25 + + +CHAPTER II. + +DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR TO AMERICAN WOMEN. + +A Law of Moral Action to be noted. Its Application. Considerations +to be borne in Mind, in appreciating peculiar Trials. Application +to American Women. Difference between this and Aristocratic +Countries. How this affects the Interests of American Women. Effect +of Wealth, in this Country, on Domestic Service. Effects on the +Domestic Comfort of Women. Second peculiar Trial of American Women. +Extent of this Evil. The Writer's Observation on this Point. +Effects on the Anticipations of Mothers and Daughters. Infrequency +of Healthful Women in the Wealthy Classes. Causes which operate to +undermine the Female Constitution. Excitement of Mind. Course of +Intellectual Training. Taxation, in Domestic Life, of American +Mothers and Housekeepers. Exercise and Fresh Air needful to +balance Mental Excitement. Defect in American, compared with +English, Customs, in this Respect. Difference in the Health and +Youthfulness of Appearance between English and American Mothers. +Liabilities of American Women to the uncommon Exposures of a New +Country. Remarks of De Tocqueville and the Writer on this Point, 38 + + +CHAPTER III. + +REMEDIES FOR THE PRECEDING DIFFICULTIES. + +First Remedy suggested. Obligations of Wealthy Ladies on this +Point. How a Dearth of Domestics may prove a Blessing. Second +Remedy. Domestic Economy should be taught in Schools. Third Remedy. +Reasons for endowing Colleges and Professional Schools. Similar +Reasons exist for endowing Female Institutions. Present Evils in +conducting Female Education. A Sketch of a Model Female +Institution. Accommodations provided. Mode of securing Exercise to +Pupils. Objections to this answered. Calisthenics. Course of +Intellectual Discipline adopted. Mode of Division of Labor adopted. +Example of Illinois in Regard to Female Education. Economy of +Health and Time secured by such Institutions. Plan suggested for +the Early Education of Young Girls. Last Remedy suggested, 48 + + +CHAPTER IV. + +ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A BRANCH OF STUDY. + +Impediment to making Domestic Economy a Study at School. First +Reason why it should be so made. State of Domestic Service +precarious. Second Reason. Examples illustrating. Third Reason. +Questions asked. First Objection; how answered. Next Objection; how +answered. Next Objection; how answered. Last Reason, 63 + + +CHAPTER V. + +ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. + +Importance of a Knowledge of the Laws of Health, and of the Human +System, to Females. Construction of the Human Frame. BONES; +their Structure, Design, and Use. Engraving and Description. Spinal +Column. Engravings of Vertebræ. Exercise of the Bones. MUSCLES; +their Constitution, Use, and Connection with the Bones. Engraving and +Description. Operation of Muscles. NERVES; their Use. Spinal +Column. Engravings and Descriptions. Distortions of the Spine. +Engravings and Descriptions. BLOOD-VESSELS; their Object. +Engravings and Descriptions. The Heart, and its Connection with the +System. Engravings and Descriptions. ORGANS OF DIGESTION AND +RESPIRATION. Engraving and Description. Process of Digestion. +Circulation of the Blood. Process of Respiration. Necessity of Pure +Air. THE SKIN. Process of Perspiration. Insensible Perspiration. +Heat of the Body. Absorbents. Importance of frequent Ablutions and +Change of Garments. Follicles of Oily Matter in the Skin. Nerves of +Feeling, 68 + + +CHAPTER VI. + +ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. + +Responsibility of a Housekeeper in Regard to Health and Food. The +most fruitful Cause of Disease. Gastric Juice; how proportioned. +Hunger the Natural Guide as to Quantity of Food. A Benevolent +Provision; how perverted, and its Effects. A Morbid Appetite, how +caused. Effects of too much Food in the Stomach. Duty of a +Housekeeper in Reference to this. Proper Time for taking Food. +Peristaltic Motion. Need of Rest to the Muscles of the Stomach. +Time necessary between each Meal. Exceptions of hard Laborers and +active Children. Exercise; its Effect on all parts of the Body. How +it produces Hunger. What is to be done by those who have lost the +Guidance of Hunger in regulating the Amount of Food. On Quality of +Food. Difference as to Risk from bad Food, between Healthy Persons +who exercise, and those of Delicate and Sedentary Habits. +Stimulating Food; its Effects. Condiments needed only for Medicine, +and to be avoided as Food. Difference between Animal and Vegetable +Food. Opinion of some Medical Men. Medical Men agree as to the +Excess of Animal Food in American Diet. Extracts from Medical +Writers on this Point. Articles most easily digested. The most +Unhealthful Articles result from bad cooking. Caution as to Mode of +Eating. Reason why Mental and Bodily Exertions are injurious after +a full Meal. Changes in Diet should be gradual; and why. Drink most +needed at Breakfast; and why. Dinner should be the heartiest Meal; +and why. Little Drink to be taken while eating; and why. Extremes +of Heat or Cold; why injurious in Food. Fluids immediately absorbed +from the Stomach. Why Soups are hard of Digestion. Case of Alexis +St. Martin. Why highly-concentrated Nourishment is not good for +Health. Beneficial Effects of using Unbolted Flour. Scarcity of +Wheat under William Pitt's Administration, and its Effects. Causes +of a Debilitated Constitution from the Misuse of Food, 94 + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. + +Responsibility of a Housekeeper in this Respect. Stimulating Drinks +not required for the Perfection of the Human System. Therefore +they are needless. First Evil in using them. Second Evil. Five +Kinds of Stimulating Articles in Use in this Country. First +Argument in Favor of Stimulants, and how answered. Second Argument; +how answered. The Writer's View of the Effects of Tea and Coffee on +American Females. Duty in Reference to Children. Black Tea the most +harmless Stimulant. Warm Drinks not needful. Hot Drinks injurious. +Effect of Hot Drinks on Teeth. Mexican Customs and their Effects +illustrating this. Opinion of Dr. Combe on this subject. Difference +between the Stimulus of Animal Food and the Stimulating Drinks +used. Common Habit of Drinking freely of Cold Water debilitating. +Persons taking but little Exercise require but little Drink, 106 + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +ON CLOTHING. + +Calculations made from Bills of Mortality; and Inference from them. +Causes of Infant Mortality. Of the Circulation in Infancy. Warm +Dress for Infants; and why. Investigations in France, and Results. +Dangers from the opposite Extreme. Effects of too much Clothing. +Rule of Safety. Featherbeds; why unhealthy in Warm Weather. Best +Nightgowns for Young Children. Clothing; how to be proportioned. +Irrational Dress of Women. Use of Flannel next the Skin. Evils of +Tight Dresses to Women. False Taste in our Prints of Fashions. +Modes in which Tight Dresses operate to weaken the Constitution. +Rule of Safety as to Looseness of Dress. Example of English Ladies +in Appropriateness of Dress, 112 + + +CHAPTER IX. + +ON CLEANLINESS. + +Importance of Cleanliness not realized, without a Knowledge of the +Nature of the Skin. Foundation of the Maxim respecting the +Healthfulness of Dirt. Office of the Skin. Other Organs which +perform similar Duties. Amount of Matter daily exhaled by the Skin. +Effect of a Chill upon the Skin, when perspiring. Illustration of +this. Effect of closing the Pores of the Skin, with Dirt or other +Matter. The Skin absorbs Matter into the Blood. Reasons for a Daily +Ablution of the whole Body. Effects of Fresh Air on Clothing worn +next the Skin. Americans compared with other Nations as to Care of +the Skin. Cautions in Regard to a Use of the Bath. How to decide +when Cold Bathing is useful. Warm Bath tends to prevent Colds; and +why. When a Bath should be taken. Advantages of General Ablutions +to Children. Care of the Teeth, 118 + + +CHAPTER X. + +ON EARLY RISING. + +Universal Impression in Respect to this Practice. Why it should be +regarded as American and Democratic. Practice in Aristocratic +Circles in England. Appeal to American Women. First Consideration +in Favor of Early Rising. Another Physiological Reason in its +Favor. Another Reason. Time necessary for Sleep. Proper Hours for +Rising and Retiring. Evils of protracted Sleep. Testimony of Sir +John Sinclair. Another Reason for Early Rising. Responsibility of +Parents for the Health and Industry of a Family. Effects of Early +Rising on General Society, 122 + + +CHAPTER XI. + +ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. + +Causes which produce Delicacy and Decay of the Female Constitution. +Want of Exercise. Neglect of the Laws of Health. Want of Pure Air. +Objectionable Amusements. Sleeping by Day. Want of Exercise a +greater Cause of these Evils, than all the Others combined. +Importance of understanding the Influence of the Neglect or Abuse +of the Muscular System. Nerves of Sensation and of Motion. Both +need Exercise. Rules for Exercise. Importance of a Feeling of +Interest in taking Exercise. Walks merely for Exercise. Exercise +most proper for Young Girls. Exercise, more than any Thing else, +imparts fresh Strength and Vitality to all Parts of the Body. +Mistakes of Mothers and Teachers on this Subject. Effects of +neglecting to use the Muscles; Effects of excessive Use of them. +Effect of School Confinement and Seats. Extract from the Young +Lady's Friend. Lady Montagu. Daughter of a French Nobleman, 128 + + +CHAPTER XII. + +ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. + +What are Good-manners. Defect in American Manners. Coldness and +Reserve of the Descendants of the Puritans accounted for. Cause of +the Want of Courtesy in American Manners. Want of Discrimination. +Difference of Principles regulating Aristocratic and Democratic +Manners. Rules for regulating the Courtesies founded on Precedence +of Age, Office, and Station, in a Democracy. Manners appropriate to +Superiors and Subordinates. Miss Martineau's Remarks on the +Universal Practice of Americans to give Precedence to Woman. +Peculiar Defect of Americans in this Respect. This to be remedied +in the Domestic Circle, alone. Rules of Precedence to be enforced +in the Family. Manners and Tones towards Superiors to be regulated +in the Family. Treatment of grown Brothers and Sisters by Young +Children. Acknowledgement of Favors by Children to be required. +Children to ask leave or apologize in certain Cases. Rules for +avoiding Remarks that wound the Feelings of Others. Rules of +Hospitality. Conventional Rules. Rules for Table Manners. Caution +as to teaching these Rules to Children. Caution as to Allowances to +be made for those deficient in Good-manners. Comparison of English +and American Manners, by De Tocqueville. America may hope to excel +all Nations in Refinement, Taste, and Good-breeding; and why. +Effects of Wealth and Equalisation of Labor. Allusion to the +Manners of Courts in the past Century, 136 + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +ON THE PRESERVATION OF A GOOD TEMPER IN A HOUSEKEEPER. + +Influence of a Housekeeper on Domestic Happiness. Contrasts to +illustrate. Sympathy. Influence of Tones. Allowances to be made for +Housekeepers. Considerations to aid in regulating Temper and Tones. +First; Her Duties to be regarded as Dignified, Important, and +Difficult. Second; She should feel that she really has Great +Difficulties to meet and overcome. Third; She should deliberately +calculate upon having her Plans interfered with, and be prepared +for the Emergency. Fourth; All her Plans should be formed +consistently with the Means at Command. Fifth; System, Economy, and +Neatness, only valuable when they tend to promote the Comfort and +Well-being of the Family. Sixth; Government of Tones of Voice. Some +Persons think Angry Tones needful. They mistake. Illustration. +Scolding, Unlady-like, and in Bad Taste. A Forgiving Spirit +necessary. Seventh and Last Consideration offered; Right View of a +Superintending Providence. Fretfulness and Complaining sinful, 148 + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. + +Question of the Equality of the Sexes, frivolous and useless. +Relative Importance and Difficulty of the Duties a Woman is called +to perform. Her Duties not trivial. More difficult than those of +the Queen of a great Nation. A Habit of System and Order necessary. +Right Apportionment of Time, General Principles. Christianity to be +the Foundation. Intellectual and Social Interests to be preferred +to Gratification of Taste or Appetite. The Latter to be last in our +Estimation. No Sacrifice of Health allowable. Neglect of Health a +Sin in the Sight of God. Regular Season of Rest appointed by the +Creator. Divisions of Time. Systematic Arrangement of House +Articles and other Conveniences. Regular Employment for each Member +of a Family. Children can be of great Service. Boys should be +taught Family Work. Advantage to them in Afterlife. Older Children +to take Care of Infants of a Family, 155 + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ON GIVING IN CHARITY. + +No Point of Duty more difficult to fix by Rule, than Charity. First +Consideration;--Object for which we are placed in this World. How to +be perfectly happy. Self-denying Benevolence. Important Distinction. +Second Consideration;--Natural Principles not to be exterminated, +but regulated and controlled. All Constitutional Propensities good, +and designed to be gratified. Their Abuses to be guarded against. +Third Consideration;--Superfluities sometimes proper, and sometimes +not. Fourth Consideration;--No Rule of Duty right for One and not +for All. The Opposite of this Principle tested. Some Use of +Superfluities necessary. Physical Gratifications should always be +subordinate to Social, Intellectual, and Moral Advantages. +Difficulties in the Way. Remarks upon them. Plan for Keeping an +Account of Necessaries and Superfluities. Untoward Results of our +Actions do not always prove that we deserve Blame. Examples of +Conformity to the Rules here laid down. General Principles to guide +in deciding upon Objects of Charity. Parable of Good Samaritan. Who +are our Neighbors. Those most in Need to be first relieved. +Intellectual and Moral Wants more necessary to be supplied than +Physical. Not much Need of Charity in supplying Physical Wants in +this Country. System of Associated Charities, in which many small +Sums are combined. Indiscriminate Charity--Very injurious to +Society, as a General Rule. Exceptions. Impropriety of judging of +the Charities of Others, 167 + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +ON ECONOMY OF TIME AND EXPENSES. + +_Economy of Time._ Value of Time. Right Apportionment of Time. Laws +appointed by God for the Jews. Proportions of Property and Time the +Jews were required to devote to Intellectual, Benevolent, and +Religious Purposes. The Levites. The weekly Sabbath. The Sabbatical +Year. Three sevenths of the Time of the Jews devoted to God's +Service. Christianity removes the Restrictions laid on the Jews, +but demands all our Time to be devoted to our own best Interests +and the Good of our Fellow-men. Some Practical Good to be the +Ultimate End of all our Pursuits. Enjoyment connected with the +Performance of every Duty. Great Mistake of Mankind. A Final +Account to be given of the Apportionment of our Time. Various Modes +of economizing Time. System and Order. Uniting several Objects in +one Employment. Employment of Odd Intervals of Time. We are bound +to aid Others in economizing Time. _Economy in Expenses._ Necessity +of Information on this Point. Contradictory Notions. General +Principles in which all agree. Knowledge of Income and Expenses. +Every One bound to do as much as she can to secure System and +Order. Examples. Evils of Want of System and Forethought. Young +Ladies should early learn to be systematic and economical. +Articles of Dress and Furniture should be in Keeping with each +other, and with the Circumstances of the Family. Mistaken Economy. +Education of Daughters away from Home injudicious. Nice Sewing +should be done at Home. Cheap Articles not always most economical. +Buying by wholesale economical only in special cases. Penurious +Savings made by getting the Poor to work cheap. Relative +Obligations of the Poor and the Rich in Regard to Economy. Economy +of Providence in the Unequal Distribution of Property. Carelessness +of Expense not a Mark of Gentility. Beating down Prices improper in +Wealthy People. Inconsistency in American would-be Fashionables, 180 + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +ON HEALTH OF MIND. + +Intimate Connection between the Body and Mind. Brain excited by +improper Stimulants taken into the Stomach. Mental Faculties then +affected. Example of a Person having lost a Portion of his Skull. +Causes of Mental Diseases. Want of Oxygenized Blood. Fresh Air +absolutely necessary. Excessive Exercise of the Intellect or +Feelings a Cause of Derangement. Such Attention to Religion, as +prevents the Performance of other Duties, wrong. Teachers and +Parents should look to this. Unusual Precocity in Children usually +the Result of a Diseased Brain. Parents generally add Fuel to this +Fever. Idiocy often the Result, or the Precocious Child sinks below +the Average of Mankind. This Evil yet prevalent in Colleges and +other Seminaries. A Medical Man necessary in every Seminary. Some +Pupils always needing Restraint in Regard to Study. A Third Cause +of Mental Disease, the Want of Appropriate Exercise of the Various +Faculties of the Mind. Extract from Dr. Combe. Examples of Wealthy +Ladies. Beneficial Results of active Intellectual Employments. +Indications of a Diseased Mind, 195 + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS. + +No Subject on which American Women need more Wisdom, Patience, +Principle, and Self-control. Its Difficulties. Necessary Evils. +Miseries of Aristocratic Lands. Wisdom of Conforming to Actual +Circumstances. How to judge correctly respecting Domestics. They +should be treated as we would expect to be under similar +Circumstances. When Labor is scarce, its Value is increased. +Instability of Domestics; how it may be remedied. Pride and +Insubordination; how remedied. Abhorrence of Servitude a National +Trait of Character. Domestics easily convinced of the Appropriateness +of different Degrees of Subordination. Example. Domestics may be +easily induced to be respectful in their Deportment, and appropriate +in their Dress. Deficiencies of Qualifications for the Performance +of their Duties; how remedied. Forewarning, better than Chiding. +Preventing, better than finding Fault. Faults should be pointed +out in a Kind Manner. Some Employers think it their Office and Duty +to find Fault. Domestics should be regarded with Sympathy and +Forbearance, 204 + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +ON THE CARE OF INFANTS. + +Necessity of a Knowledge of this Subject, to every Young Lady. +Examples. Extracts from Doctors Combe, Bell, and Eberle. Half the +Deaths of Infants owing to Mismanagement, and Errors in Diet. +Errors of Parents and Nurses. Error of administering Medicines to +Children, unnecessarily. Need of Fresh Air, Attention to Food, +Cleanliness, Dress, and Bathing. Cholera Infantum not cured by +Nostrums. Formation of Good Habits in Children, 213 + + +CHAPTER XX. + +ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. + +Physical Education of Children. Remark of Dr. Clark, and Opinion of +other Medical Men. Many Popular Notions relating to Animal Food for +Children, erroneous. The Formation of the Human Teeth and Stomach +does not indicate that Man was designed to live on Flesh. Opinions +of Linnæus and Cuvier. Stimulus of Animal Food not necessary to +Full Developement of the Physical and Intellectual Powers. +Examples. Of Laplanders, Kamtschatkadales, Scotch Highlanders, +Siberian Exiles, Africans, Arabs. Popular Notion that Animal Food +is more Nourishing than Vegetable. Different Opinions on this +Subject. Experiments. Opinions of Dr. Combe and others. Examples of +Men who lived to a great Age. Dr. Franklin's Testimony. Sir Isaac +Newton and others. Albany Orphan Asylum. Deleterious Practice of +allowing Children to eat at short Intervals. Intellectual Training. +Schoolrooms. Moral Character. Submission, Self-denial, and +Benevolence, the three most important Habits to be formed in Early +Life. Extremes to be guarded against. Medium Course. Adults +sometimes forget the Value which Children set on Trifles. Example. +Impossible to govern Children, properly, without appreciating the +Value they attach to their Pursuits and Enjoyments. Those who +govern Children should join in their Sports. This the best way to +gain their Confidence and Affection. But Older Persons should never +lose the Attitude of Superiors. Unsteadiness in Government. +Illustrations. Punishment from unsteady Governors, does little +Good. Over-Government. Want of Patience and Self-control in Parents +and Governors. Example of Parents more effectual than their +Precepts. Formation of Habits of Self-denial in Early Life. Denying +Ourselves to promote the Happiness of Others. Habits of Honesty and +Veracity. Habits of Modesty. Delicacy studiously to be cherished. +Licentious and Impure Books to be banished. Bulwer a Licentious +Writer, and to be discountenanced, 220 + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +ON THE CARE OF THE SICK. + +Women frequently called upon to direct in Cases of Indisposition. +Extremes to be avoided. Grand Cause of most Diseases, Excess in +Eating and Drinking. Fasting useful. Extracts from Doctors Burne +and Combe. Necessity of a Woman's Understanding the Nature and +Operation of Common Medicines. Simple Electuary. Discretion +required. Useful Directions in Regard to Nursing the Sick. Fresh +Air absolutely necessary. Frequent Ablutions important. Dressing a +Blister. Arrangements to be made beforehand, when practicable. +Importance of Cleanliness; Nothing more annoying to the Sick, than +a want of it. Necessity of a proper Preparation of Food, for the +Sick. Physicians' Directions to be well understood and implicitly +followed. Kindness, Patience, and Sympathy, towards the Sick, +important. Impositions of Apothecaries. Drugs to be locked up from +the Access of Children, 234 + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +ON ACCIDENTS AND ANTIDOTES. + +Medical Aid should be promptly resorted to. Suffocation, from +Substances in the Throat. Common Cuts. Wounds of Arteries, and +other severe Cuts. Bruises. Sprains. Broken Limbs. Falls. Blows on +the Head. Burns. Drowning. Poisons:--Corrosive Sublimate; Arsenic, +or Cobalt; Opium; Acids; Alkalies. Stupefaction from Fumes of +Charcoal, or from entering a Well, Limekiln, or Coalmine. +Hemorrhage of the Lungs, Stomach, or Throat. Bleeding of the Nose. +Dangers from Lightning, 240 + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +ON DOMESTIC AMUSEMENTS AND SOCIAL DUTIES. + +Indefiniteness of Opinion on this Subject. Every Person needs some +Recreation. General Rules. How much Time to be given. What +Amusements proper. Those should always be avoided, which cause Pain, +or injure the Health, or endanger Life, or interfere with important +Duties, or are pernicious in their Tendency. Horse-racing, +Circus-riding, Theatres, and Gambling. Dancing, as now conducted, +does not conduce to Health of Body or Mind, but the contrary. +Dancing in the Open Air beneficial. Social Benefits of Dancing +considered. Ease and Grace of Manners better secured by a System of +Calisthenics. The Writer's Experience. Balls going out of Fashion, +among the more refined Circles. Novel-reading. Necessity for +Discrimination. Young Persons should be guarded from Novels. Proper +Amusements for Young Persons. Cultivation of Flowers and Fruits. +Benefits of the Practice. Music. Children enjoy it. Collections of +Shells, Plants, Minerals, &c. Children's Games and Sports. Parents +should join in them. Mechanical Skill of Children to be encouraged. +Other Enjoyments. Social Enjoyments not always considered in the +List of Duties. Main Object of Life to form Character. Family +Friendship should be preserved. Plan adopted by Families of the +Writer's Acquaintance. Kindness to Strangers. Hospitality. Change of +Character of Communities in Relation to Hospitality. Hospitality +should be prompt. Strangers should be made to feel at their Ease, 244 + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. + +Importance to Family Comfort of well-constructed Houses. Rules for +constructing them. Economy of Labor. Large Houses. Arrangement of +Rooms. Wells and Cisterns. Economy of Money. Shape and Arrangement +of Houses. Porticoes, Piazzas, and other Ornaments. Simplicity to +be preferred. Fireplaces. Economy of Health. Outdoor Conveniences. +Doors and Windows. Ventilation. Economy of Comfort. Domestics. +Spare Chambers. Good Taste. Proportions. Color and Ornaments. +_Plans of Houses and Domestic Conveniences._ Receipts for +Whitewash, 258 + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +ON FIRES AND LIGHTS. + +Wood Fires. Construction of Fireplaces. Firesets. Building a Fire. +Wood. Cautions. Stoves and Grates. Cautions. Stovepipes. Anthracite +Coal. Bituminous Coal. Proper Grates. Coal Stoves. _On Lights._ +Lamps. Oil. Candles. Lard. Pearlash and Water for cleansing Lamps. +Care of Lamps. Difficulty. Articles needed in trimming Lamps. +Astral Lamps. Wicks. Dipping Wicks in Vinegar. Shades. Weak Eyes. +Entry Lamps. Night Lamps. Tapers. Wax Tapers for Use in Sealing +Letters. To make Candles. Moulds. Dipped Candles. Rush Lights, 280 + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +ON WASHING. + +All needful Accommodations should be provided. Plenty of Water, +easily accessible, necessary. Articles to be provided for Washing. +Substitutes for Soft Water. Common Mode of Washing. Assorting +Clothes. To Wash Bedding. Feathers. Calicoes. Bran-water. +Potato-water. Soda Washing. Soda Soap. Mode of Soda Washing. +Cautions in Regard to Colored Clothes, and Flannels. To Wash Brown +Linen, Muslins, Nankeen, Woollen Table-Covers and Shawls, Woollen +Yarn, Worsted and Woollen Hose. To Cleanse Gentlemen's Broadcloths. +To make Ley, Soft Soap, Hard Soap, White Soap, Starch, and other +Articles used in Washing, 284 + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING. + +To prepare Starch. Glue and Gum Starch. Beef's or Ox-Gall. +Starching Muslins and Laces. To Cleanse or Whiten Silk Lace, or +Blond, and White Lace Veils. _On Ironing._ Articles to be provided +for Ironing. Sprinkling, Folding, and Ironing, 292 + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING. + +To Whiten Articles and Remove Stains from them. Mixtures to Remove +Stains and Grease. To Cleanse Silk Handkerchiefs and Ribands; Silk +Hose or Gloves; Down and Feathers; Straw and Leghorn Hats. _On +Coloring._ Pink, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Salmon, Buff, Dove, +Slate, Brown, Black, and Olive Colors, 296 + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +ON THE CARE OF PARLORS. + +Proper Arrangement of Rooms. Shades and Colors. Carpets, Curtains, +and other Furniture, should be selected with Reference to each +other. Laying down Carpets. Blocks to prevent Sofas and Tables from +rubbing against Walls, and to hold Doors open. Footstools. Sweeping +Carpets. Tealeaves. Wet Indian Meal. Taking up and cleansing +Carpets. Washing Carpets. Straw Matting. Pictures and Glasses. +Curtains and Sofas. Mahogany Furniture. Unvarnished Furniture; +Mixtures for. Hearths and Jambs. Sweeping and Dusting Parlors, 302 + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +ON THE CARE OF BREAKFAST AND DINING-ROOMS. + +Large Closet necessary. Dumb Waiter, or Sliding Closet. Furniture +for a Table. On Setting a Table. Rules for doing it properly;--for +Breakfast and Tea; for Dinner. On Waiting at Table. On Carving and +Helping at Table, 306 + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +ON THE CARE OF CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS. + +Importance of well-ventilated Sleeping-rooms. Debility and +Ill-health caused by a Want of Pure Air. Chamber Furniture. Cheap +Couch. Bedding. Feathers, Straw, or Hair, Mattresses. To Make a +Bed. Domestics should be provided with Single Beds, and Washing +Conveniences. On Packing and Storing Articles. To Fold a +Gentleman's Coat and Shirt, and a Frock. Packing Trunks. Carpet +Bags. Bonnet Covers. Packing Household Furniture for Moving, 311 + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +ON THE CARE OF THE KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM. + +Importance of a Convenient Kitchen. Floor should be painted. Sink +and Drain. Washing Dishes. Conveniences needed. Rules. Kitchen +Furniture. Crockery. Iron Ware. Tin Ware. Wooden Ware. Basket Ware. +Other Articles. On the Care of the Cellar. Storeroom. Modes of +Destroying Insects and Vermin, 317 + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING. + +Importance of Young Girls being taught various Kinds of Stitching. +Directions for doing various Kinds of Work. Work-Baskets, and their +Contents. On Cutting and Fitting Garments. Silks. Cotton and Linen. +Old Silk Dresses quilted for Skirts. Flannel; White should be +colored. Children's Flannels. Nightgowns. Wrappers. Bedding. +Mending, 324 + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. + +On the Preparation of Soil. For Pot-Plants. On the Preparation of a +Hot-Bed. Planting Flower-Seeds. To plant Garden-Seeds. Transplanting. +To Re-pot House-Plants. On laying out Yards. Gardens. Flower-Beds. +Bulbs and Tuberous Roots. List of Various Kinds of Flowers, in +Reference to Color, and Height. Annuals. Climbing Plants. Perennials. +Herbaceous Roots. Shrubs; List of those most suitable for adorning +a Yard. Roses; Varieties of. Shade-Trees. Time for Transplanting. +Trees. Care of House Plants, 331 + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. + +Different Modes of Propagation;--By Offsets; Cuttings; Layers; +Budding, or Inoculating; Ingrafting;--Whip-Grafting; Split-Grafting; +Stock-Grafting. Pruning. Thinning, 341 + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +ON THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT. + +Value of Attention to this Subject. Preparation of Soil. Planting +of Seeds. Budding, Grafting, and Transplanting. Training the Limbs. +Attention to the Soil. Manuring. Filberts. Figs. Currants. +Gooseberries. Raspberries. Strawberries. Grapes. To Preserve Fruit; +Modes of Preserving Fruit-Trees. Fire Blight. Worms, 347 + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS. + +Women should know how to take proper Care of Domestic Animals. Care +of a Horse. Care of a Cow. Poultry. Cautions for Winter. Smoky +Chimneys. House-Cleaning. Parties. Invitations. Comfort of Guests. +Flower-Baskets. Fire-Boards. Water-proof Shoes. Earthen Ware. +Cements, &c. &c. 351 + + +NOTE.--Cooking, 354 + + +GLOSSARY, 355 + + +INDEX, 371 + + + + +LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. + + +1. The Human Skeleton, showing the Connection of the Bones +of the System, 70 + +2, 3, 4. The Cervical, Dorsal, and Lumbar, Vertebræ, 72 + +5. Muscles of the Arm, 74 + +6. Vertical Section of the Skull and Spinal Column, side view, 77 + +7. View of the same as seen from behind, 77 + +8. Ramifications of the Nerves, 79 + +9, 10, 11. Natural and Distorted Spines, 81 + +12. Vascular System, or Blood-Vessels, 82 + +13. The Two Sides of the Heart, separated, 85 + +14. The Heart, with its two Sides united, as in Nature, 86 + +15. The Heart, with the great Blood-Vessels, on a larger scale, 87 + +16. Organs of Digestion and Respiration, 88 + +17. Elevation of a Cottage of Fine Proportions, 262 + +18. Ground-plan of the same, 262 + +19. Arrangement of one Side of a Room 263 + +20. Fireplace and Mantelpiece, 265 + +21. Elevation of a Cottage on a different Plan from the former, 265 + +22. Ground-plan of the same, 266 + +23, 24. Ground-plan and Second Story of a two-story Cottage, 267 + +25. Front Elevation of the latter Cottage, 268 + +26. Front Elevation, on a different Plan, 268 + +27, 28. Plans of First and Second Stories of the latter Elevation, 269 + +29, 30. Plans of First and Second Stories of a larger House, 270 + +31. Front Elevation of a very convenient Cottage, 271 + +32. Ground-plan of the same, 272 + +33. Cottage of Daniel Wadsworth, Esq., near Hartford, Conn., 274 + +34. Accommodations for securing Water with the least Labor, 275 + +35. Back-door Accommodations, 276 + +36. Latticed Portico, 277 + +37. Sliding Closet, or Dumb Waiter, 278 + +38. Cheap Couch, 312 + +39. Plan of a Flower-Bed, 334 + +40. Budding, 343 + +41. Grafting, 344 + +42. Stock-Grafting, 345 + + + + +DOMESTIC ECONOMY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN. + + +There are some reasons, why American women should feel an interest in +the support of the democratic institutions of their Country, which it is +important that they should consider. The great maxim, which is the basis +of all our civil and political institutions, is, that "all men are +created equal," and that they are equally entitled to "life, liberty, +and the pursuit of happiness." + +But it can readily be seen, that this is only another mode of expressing +the fundamental principle which the Great Ruler of the Universe has +established, as the law of His eternal government. "Thou shalt love thy +neighbor as thyself;" and "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to +you, do ye even so to them," are the Scripture forms, by which the +Supreme Lawgiver requires that each individual of our race shall regard +the happiness of others, as of the same value as his own; and which +forbid any institution, in private or civil life, which secures +advantages to one class, by sacrificing the interests of another. + +The principles of democracy, then, are identical with the principles of +Christianity. + +But, in order that each individual may pursue and secure the highest +degree of happiness within his reach, unimpeded by the selfish interests +of others, a system of laws must be established, which sustain certain +relations and dependencies in social and civil life. What these +relations and their attending obligations shall be, are to be +determined, not with reference to the wishes and interests of a few, but +solely with reference to the general good of all; so that each +individual shall have his own interest, as well as the public benefit, +secured by them. + +For this purpose, it is needful that certain relations be sustained, +which involve the duties of subordination. There must be the magistrate +and the subject, one of whom is the superior, and the other the +inferior. There must be the relations of husband and wife, parent and +child, teacher and pupil, employer and employed, each involving the +relative duties of subordination. The superior, in certain particulars, +is to direct, and the inferior is to yield obedience. Society could +never go forward, harmoniously, nor could any craft or profession be +successfully pursued, unless these superior and subordinate relations be +instituted and sustained. + +But who shall take the higher, and who the subordinate, stations in +social and civil life? This matter, in the case of parents and children, +is decided by the Creator. He has given children to the control of +parents, as their superiors, and to them they remain subordinate, to a +certain age, or so long as they are members of their household. And +parents can delegate such a portion of their authority to teachers and +employers, as the interests of their children require. + +In most other cases, in a truly democratic state, each individual is +allowed to choose for himself, who shall take the position of his +superior. No woman is forced to obey any husband but the one she chooses +for herself; nor is she obliged to take a husband, if she prefers to +remain single. So every domestic, and every artisan or laborer, after +passing from parental control, can choose the employer to whom he is to +accord obedience, or, if he prefers to relinquish certain advantages, he +can remain without taking a subordinate place to any employer. + +Each subject, also, has equal power with every other, to decide who +shall be his superior as a ruler. The weakest, the poorest, the most +illiterate, has the same opportunity to determine this question, as the +richest, the most learned, and the most exalted. + +And the various privileges that wealth secures, are equally open to all +classes. Every man may aim at riches, unimpeded by any law or +institution which secures peculiar privileges to a favored class, at the +expense of another. Every law, and every institution, is tested by +examining whether it secures equal advantages to all; and, if the people +become convinced that any regulation sacrifices the good of the majority +to the interests of the smaller number, they have power to abolish it. + +The institutions of monarchical and aristocratic nations are based on +precisely opposite principles. They secure, to certain small and favored +classes, advantages, which can be maintained, only by sacrificing the +interests of the great mass of the people. Thus, the throne and +aristocracy of England are supported by laws and customs, which burden +the lower classes with taxes, so enormous, as to deprive them of all the +luxuries, and of most of the comforts, of life. Poor dwellings, scanty +food, unhealthy employments, excessive labor, and entire destitution of +the means and time for education, are appointed for the lower classes, +that a few may live in palaces, and riot in every indulgence. + +The tendencies of democratic institutions, in reference to the rights +and interests of the female sex, have been fully developed in the United +States; and it is in this aspect, that the subject is one of peculiar +interest to American women. In this Country, it is established, both by +opinion and by practice, that woman has an equal interest in all social +and civil concerns; and that no domestic, civil, or political, +institution, is right, which sacrifices her interest to promote that of +the other sex. But in order to secure her the more firmly in all these +privileges, it is decided, that, in the domestic relation, she take a +subordinate station, and that, in civil and political concerns, her +interests be intrusted to the other sex, without her taking any part in +voting, or in making and administering laws. The result of this order of +things has been fairly tested, and is thus portrayed by M. De +Tocqueville, a writer, who, for intelligence, fidelity, and ability, +ranks second to none. + +"There are people in Europe, who, confounding together the different +characteristics of the sexes, would make of man and woman, beings not +only equal, but alike. They would give to both the same functions, +impose on both the same duties, and grant to both the same rights. They +would mix them in all things,--their business, their occupations, their +pleasures. It may readily be conceived, that, by _thus_ attempting to +make one sex equal to the other, both are degraded; and, from so +preposterous a medley of the works of Nature, nothing could ever result, +but weak men and disorderly women. + +"It is not thus that the Americans understand the species of democratic +equality, which may be established between the sexes. They admit, that, +as Nature has appointed such wide differences between the physical and +moral constitutions of man and woman, her manifest design was, to give a +distinct employment to their various faculties; and they hold, that +improvement does not consist in making beings so dissimilar do pretty +nearly the same things, but in getting each of them to fulfil their +respective tasks, in the best possible manner. The Americans have +applied to the sexes the great principle of political economy, which +governs the manufactories of our age, by carefully dividing the duties +of man from those of woman, in order that the great work of society may +be the better carried on. + +"In no country has such constant care been taken, as in America, to +trace two clearly distinct lines of action for the two sexes, and to +make them keep pace one with the other, but in two pathways which are +always different. American women never manage the outward concerns of +the family, or conduct a business, or take a part in political life; nor +are they, on the other hand, ever compelled to perform the rough labor +of the fields, or to make any of those laborious exertions, which +demand the exertion of physical strength. No families are so poor, as to +form an exception to this rule. + +"If, on the one hand, an American woman cannot escape from the quiet +circle of domestic employments, on the other hand, she is never forced +to go beyond it. Hence it is, that the women of America, who often +exhibit a masculine strength of understanding, and a manly energy, +generally preserve great delicacy of personal appearance, and always +retain the manners of women, although they sometimes show that they have +the hearts and minds of men. + +"Nor have the Americans ever supposed, that one consequence of +democratic principles, is, the subversion of marital power, or the +confusion of the natural authorities in families. They hold, that every +association must have a head, in order to accomplish its object; and +that the natural head of the conjugal association is man. They do not, +therefore, deny him the right of directing his partner; and they +maintain, that, in the smaller association of husband and wife, as well +as in the great social community, the object of democracy is, to +regulate and legalize the powers which are necessary, not to subvert all +power. + +"This opinion is not peculiar to one sex, and contested by the other. I +never observed, that the women of America considered conjugal authority +as a fortunate usurpation of their rights, nor that they thought +themselves degraded by submitting to it. It appears to me, on the +contrary, that they attach a sort of pride to the voluntary surrender of +their own will, and make it their boast to bend themselves to the yoke, +not to shake it off. Such, at least, is the feeling expressed by the +most virtuous of their sex; the others are silent; and in the United +States it is not the practice for a guilty wife to clamor for the rights +of woman, while she is trampling on her holiest duties." + +"Although the travellers, who have visited North America, differ on a +great number of points, they agree in remarking, that morals are far +more strict, there, than elsewhere.[A] It is evident that, on this +point, the Americans are very superior to their progenitors, the +English." "In England, as in all other Countries of Europe, public +malice is constantly attacking the frailties of women. Philosophers and +statesmen are heard to deplore, that morals are not sufficiently strict; +and the literary productions of the Country constantly lead one to +suppose so. In America, all books, novels not excepted, suppose women to +be chaste; and no one thinks of relating affairs of gallantry." + +"It has often been remarked, that, in Europe, a certain degree of +contempt lurks, even in the flattery which men lavish upon women. +Although a European frequently affects to be the slave of woman, it may +be seen, that he never sincerely thinks her his equal. In the United +States, men seldom compliment women, but they daily show how much they +esteem them. They constantly display an entire confidence in the +understanding of a wife, and a profound respect for her freedom." + +They have decided that her mind is just as fitted as that of a man to +discover the plain truth, and her heart as firm to embrace it, and they +have never sought to place her virtue, any more than his, under the +shelter of prejudice, ignorance, and fear. + +"It would seem, that in Europe, where man so easily submits to the +despotic sway of woman, they are nevertheless curtailed of some of the +greatest qualities of the human species, and considered as seductive, +but imperfect beings, and (what may well provoke astonishment) women +ultimately look upon themselves in the same light, and almost consider +it as a privilege that they are entitled to show themselves futile, +feeble, and timid. The women of America claim no such privileges." + +"It is true, that the Americans rarely lavish upon women those eager +attentions which are commonly paid them in Europe. But their conduct to +women always implies, that they suppose them to be virtuous and refined; +and such is the respect entertained for the moral freedom of the sex, +that, in the presence of a woman, the most guarded language is used, +lest her ear should be offended by an expression. In America, a young +unmarried woman may, alone, and without fear, undertake a long journey." + +"Thus the Americans do not think that man and woman have either the +duty, or the right, to perform the same offices, but they show an equal +regard for both their respective parts; and, though their lot is +different, they consider both of them, as beings of equal value. They do +not give to the courage of woman the same form, or the same direction, +as to that of man; but they never doubt her courage: and if they hold +that man and his partner ought not always to exercise their intellect +and understanding in the same manner, they at least believe the +understanding of the one to be as sound as that of the other, and her +intellect to be as clear. Thus, then, while they have allowed the social +inferiority of woman to subsist, they have done all they could to raise +her, morally and intellectually, to the level of man; and, in this +respect, they appear to me to have excellently understood the true +principle of democratic improvement. + +"As for myself, I do not hesitate to avow, that, although the women of +the United States are confined within the narrow circle of domestic +life, and their situation is, in some respects, one of extreme +dependence, I have nowhere seen women occupying a loftier position; and +if I were asked, now I am drawing to the close of this work, in which I +have spoken of so many important things done by the Americans, to what +the singular prosperity and growing strength of that people ought mainly +to be attributed, I should reply,--_to the superiority of their women_." + +This testimony of a foreigner, who has had abundant opportunities of +making a comparison, is sanctioned by the assent of all candid and +intelligent men, who have enjoyed similar opportunities. + +It appears, then, that it is in America, alone, that women are raised to +an equality with the other sex; and that, both in theory and practice, +their interests are regarded as of equal value. They are made +subordinate in station, only where a regard to their best interests +demands it, while, as if in compensation for this, by custom and +courtesy, they are always treated as superiors. Universally, in this +Country, through every class of society, precedence is given to woman, +in all the comforts, conveniences, and courtesies, of life. + +In civil and political affairs, American women take no interest or +concern, except so far as they sympathize with their family and personal +friends; but in all cases, in which they do feel a concern, their +opinions and feelings have a consideration, equal, or even superior, to +that of the other sex. + +In matters pertaining to the education of their children, in the +selection and support of a clergyman, in all benevolent enterprises, and +in all questions relating to morals or manners, they have a superior +influence. In such concerns, it would be impossible to carry a point, +contrary to their judgement and feelings; while an enterprise, sustained +by them, will seldom fail of success. + +If those who are bewailing themselves over the fancied wrongs and +injuries of women in this Nation, could only see things as they are, +they would know, that, whatever remnants of a barbarous or aristocratic +age may remain in our civil institutions, in reference to the interests +of women, it is only because they are ignorant of them, or do not use +their influence to have them rectified; for it is very certain that +there is nothing reasonable, which American women would unite in asking, +that would not readily be bestowed. + +The preceding remarks, then, illustrate the position, that the +democratic institutions of this Country are in reality no other than +the principles of Christianity carried into operation, and that they +tend to place woman in her true position in society, as having equal +rights with the other sex; and that, in fact, they have secured to +American women a lofty and fortunate position, which, as yet, has been +attained by the women of no other nation. + +There is another topic, presented in the work of the above author, which +demands the profound attention of American women. + +The following is taken from that part of the Introduction to the work, +illustrating the position, that, for ages, there has been a constant +progress, in all civilized nations, towards the democratic equality +attained in this Country. + +"The various occurrences of national existence have every where turned +to the advantage of democracy; all men have aided it by their exertions; +those who have intentionally labored in its cause, and those who have +served it unwittingly; those who have fought for it, and those who have +declared themselves its opponents, have all been driven along in the +same track, have all labored to one end;" "all have been blind +instruments in the hands of God." + +"The gradual developement of the equality of conditions, is, therefore, +a Providential fact; and it possesses all the characteristics of a +Divine decree: it is universal, it is durable, it constantly eludes all +human interference, and all events, as well as all men, contribute to +its progress." + +"The whole book, which is here offered to the public, has been written +under the impression of a kind of religious dread, produced in the +author's mind, by the contemplation of so irresistible a revolution, +which has advanced for centuries, in spite of such amazing obstacles, +and which is still proceeding in the midst of the ruins it has made. + +"It is not necessary that God Himself should speak, in order to +disclose to us the unquestionable signs of His will. We can discern them +in the habitual course of Nature, and in the invariable tendency of +events." + +"If the men of our time were led, by attentive observation, and by +sincere reflection, to acknowledge that the gradual and progressive +developement of social equality is at once the past and future of their +history, this solitary truth would confer the sacred character of a +Divine decree upon the change. To attempt to check democracy, would be, +in that case, to resist the will of God; and the nations would then be +constrained to make the best of the social lot awarded to them by +Providence." + +"It is not, then, merely to satisfy a legitimate curiosity, that I have +examined America; my wish has been to find instruction by which we may +ourselves profit." "I have not even affected to discuss whether the +social revolution, which I believe to be irresistible, is advantageous +or prejudicial to mankind. I have acknowledged this revolution, as a +fact already accomplished, or on the eve of its accomplishment; and I +have selected the nation, from among those which have undergone it, in +which its developement has been the most peaceful and the most complete, +in order to discern its natural consequences, and, if it be possible, to +distinguish the means by which it may be rendered profitable. I confess, +that in America I saw more than America; I sought the image of democracy +itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its +passions, in order to learn what we have to fear, or to hope, from its +progress." + +It thus appears, that the sublime and elevating anticipations which have +filled the mind and heart of the religious world, have become so far +developed, that philosophers and statesmen are perceiving the signs, and +are predicting the approach, of the same grand consummation. There is a +day advancing, "by seers predicted, and by poets sung," when the curse +of selfishness shall be removed; when "scenes surpassing fable, and yet +true," shall be realized; when all nations shall rejoice and be made +blessed, under those benevolent influences, which the Messiah came to +establish on earth. + +And this is the Country, which the Disposer of events designs shall go +forth as the cynosure of nations, to guide them to the light and +blessedness of that day. To us is committed the grand, the responsible +privilege, of exhibiting to the world, the beneficent influences of +Christianity, when carried into every social, civil, and political +institution; and, though we have, as yet, made such imperfect advances, +already the light is streaming into the dark prison-house of despotic +lands, while startled kings and sages, philosophers and statesmen, are +watching us with that interest, which a career so illustrious, and so +involving their own destiny, is calculated to excite. They are studying +our institutions, scrutinizing our experience, and watching for our +mistakes, that they may learn whether "a social revolution, so +irresistible, be advantageous or prejudicial to mankind." + +There are persons, who regard these interesting truths merely as food +for national vanity; but every reflecting and Christian mind, must +consider it as an occasion for solemn and anxious reflection. Are we, +then, a spectacle to the world? Has the Eternal Lawgiver appointed us to +work out a problem, involving the destiny of the whole earth? Are such +momentous interests to be advanced or retarded, just in proportion as we +are faithful to our high trust? "What manner of persons, then, ought we +to be," in attempting to sustain so solemn, so glorious a +responsibility? + +But the part to be enacted by American women, in this great moral +enterprise, is the point to which special attention should here be +directed. + +The success of democratic institutions, as is conceded by all, depends +upon the intellectual and moral character of the mass of the people. If +they are intelligent and virtuous, democracy is a blessing; but if they +are ignorant and wicked, it is only a curse, and as much more dreadful +than any other form of civil government, as a thousand tyrants are more +to be dreaded than one. It is equally conceded, that the formation of +the moral and intellectual character of the young is committed mainly to +the female hand. The mother forms the character of the future man; the +sister bends the fibres that are hereafter to be the forest tree; the +wife sways the heart, whose energies may turn for good or for evil the +destinies of a nation. Let the women of a country be made virtuous and +intelligent, and the men will certainly be the same. The proper +education of a man decides the welfare of an individual; but educate a +woman, and the interests of a whole family are secured. + +If this be so, as none will deny, then to American women, more than to +any others on earth, is committed the exalted privilege of extending +over the world those blessed influences, which are to renovate degraded +man, and "clothe all climes with beauty." + +No American woman, then, has any occasion for feeling that hers is an +humble or insignificant lot. The value of what an individual +accomplishes, is to be estimated by the importance of the enterprise +achieved, and not by the particular position of the laborer. The drops +of heaven which freshen the earth, are each of equal value, whether they +fall in the lowland meadow, or the princely parterre. The builders of a +temple are of equal importance, whether they labor on the foundations, +or toil upon the dome. + +Thus, also, with those labors which are to be made effectual in the +regeneration of the Earth. And it is by forming a habit of regarding the +apparently insignificant efforts of each isolated laborer, in a +comprehensive manner, as indispensable portions of a grand result, that +the minds of all, however humble their sphere of service, can be +invigorated and cheered. The woman, who is rearing a family of +children; the woman, who labors in the schoolroom; the woman, who, in +her retired chamber, earns, with her needle, the mite, which contributes +to the intellectual and moral elevation of her Country; even the humble +domestic, whose example and influence may be moulding and forming young +minds, while her faithful services sustain a prosperous domestic +state;--each and all may be animated by the consciousness, that they are +agents in accomplishing the greatest work that ever was committed to +human responsibility. It is the building of a glorious temple, whose +base shall be coextensive with the bounds of the earth, whose summit +shall pierce the skies, whose splendor shall beam on all lands; and +those who hew the lowliest stone, as much as those who carve the highest +capital, will be equally honored, when its top-stone shall be laid, with +new rejoicings of the morning stars, and shoutings of the sons of God. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[A] Miss Martineau is a singular exception to this remark. After +receiving unexampled hospitalities and kindnesses, she gives the +following picture of her entertainers. Having in other places spoken of +the American woman as having "her intellect confined," and "her morals +crushed," and as deficient in education, because she has "none of the +objects in life for which an enlarged education is considered +requisite," she says,--"It is assumed, in America, particularly in New +England, that the morals of society there are peculiarly pure. I am +grieved to doubt the fact; but I do doubt it." "The Auld-Robin-Gray +story is a frequently-enacted tragedy here; and one of the worst +symptoms that struck me, was, that there was usually a demand upon my +sympathy in such cases."--"The unavoidable consequence of such a mode of +marrying, is, that the sanctity of marriage is impaired, and that vice +succeeds. There are sad tales in country villages, here and there, that +attest this; and yet more in towns, in a rank of society where such +things are seldom or never heard of in England."--"I unavoidably knew of +more cases of lapse in highly respectable families in one State, than +ever came to my knowledge at home; and they were got over with a +disgrace far more temporary and superficial than they could have been +visited with in England."--"The vacuity of mind of many women, is, I +conclude, the cause of a vice, which it is painful to allude to, but +which cannot honestly be passed over.--It is no secret on the spot, that +the habit of intemperance is not infrequent among women of station and +education in the most enlightened parts of the Country. I witnessed some +instances, and heard of more. It does not seem to me to be regarded with +all the dismay which such a symptom ought to excite. To the stranger, a +novelty so horrible, a spectacle so fearful, suggests wide and deep +subjects of investigation." + +It is not possible for language to give representations more false in +every item. In evidence of this, the writer would mention, that, within +the last few years, she has travelled almost the entire route taken by +Miss Martineau, except the lower tier of the Southern States; and, +though not meeting the same individuals, has mingled in the very same +circles. Moreover, she has _resided_ from several months to several +years in _eight_ of the different Northern and Western States, and spent +several weeks at a time in five other States. She has also had pupils +from every State in the Union, but two, and has visited extensively at +their houses. But in her whole life, and in all these different +positions, the writer has never, to her knowledge, seen even _one_ +woman, of the classes with which she has associated, who had lapsed in +the manner indicated by Miss Martineau; nor does she believe that such a +woman could find admission in such circles any where in the Country. As +to intemperate women, _five_ cases are all of whom the writer has ever +heard, in such circles, and two of these many believed to be +unwarrantably suspected. After following in Miss Martineau's track, and +discovering all the falsehood, twaddle, gossip, old saws, and almanac +stories, which have been strung together in her books, no charitable +mode of accounting for the medley remains, but to suppose her the +pitiable dupe of that love of hoaxing so often found in our Country. + +Again, Miss Martineau says, "We passed an unshaded meadow, where the +grass had caught fire, _every day_, at _eleven o'clock_, the preceding +Summer. This demonstrates the necessity of shade"! A woman, with so +little common sense, as to swallow such an absurdity for truth, and then +tack to it such an astute deduction, must be a tempting subject for the +abovementioned mischievous propensity. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR TO AMERICAN WOMEN. + + +In the preceding chapter, were presented those views, which are +calculated to inspire American women with a sense of their high +responsibilities to their Country, and to the world; and of the +excellence and grandeur of the object to which their energies may be +consecrated. + +But it will be found to be the law of moral action, that whatever +involves great results and great benefits, is always attended with great +hazards and difficulties. And as it has been shown, that American women +have a loftier position, and a more elevated object of enterprise, than +the females of any other nation, so it will appear, that they have +greater trials and difficulties to overcome, than any other women are +called to encounter. + +Properly to appreciate the nature of these trials, it must be borne in +mind, that the estimate of evils and privations depends, not so much on +their positive nature, as on the character and habits of the person who +meets them. A woman, educated in the savage state, finds it no trial to +be destitute of many conveniences, which a woman, even of the lowest +condition, in this Country, would deem indispensable to existence. So a +woman, educated with the tastes and habits of the best New England or +Virginia housekeepers, would encounter many deprivations and trials, +which would never occur to one reared in the log cabin of a new +settlement. So, also, a woman, who has been accustomed to carry forward +her arrangements with well-trained domestics, would meet a thousand +trials to her feelings and temper, by the substitution of ignorant +foreigners, or shiftless slaves, which would be of little account to one +who had never enjoyed any better service. + +Now, the larger portion of American women are the descendants of English +progenitors, who, as a nation, are distinguished for systematic +housekeeping, and for a great love of order, cleanliness, and comfort. +And American women, to a greater or less extent, have inherited similar +tastes and habits. But the prosperity and democratic tendencies of this +Country produce results, materially affecting the comfort of +housekeepers, which the females of monarchical and aristocratic lands +are not called to meet. In such countries, all ranks and classes are +fixed in a given position, and each person is educated for a particular +sphere and style of living. And the dwellings, conveniences, and customs +of life, remain very nearly the same, from generation to generation. +This secures the preparation of all classes for their particular +station, and makes the lower orders more dependent, and more subservient +to employers. + +But how different is the state of things in this Country. Every thing +is moving and changing. Persons in poverty, are rising to opulence, and +persons of wealth, are sinking to poverty. The children of common +laborers, by their talents and enterprise, are becoming nobles in +intellect, or wealth, or office; while the children of the wealthy, +enervated by indulgence, are sinking to humbler stations. The sons of +the wealthy are leaving the rich mansions of their fathers, to dwell in +the log cabins of the forest, where very soon they bear away the +daughters of ease and refinement, to share the privations of a new +settlement. Meantime, even in the more stationary portions of the +community, there is a mingling of all grades of wealth, intellect, and +education. There are no distinct classes, as in aristocratic lands, +whose bounds are protected by distinct and impassable lines, but all are +thrown into promiscuous masses. Thus, persons of humble means are +brought into contact with those of vast wealth, while all intervening +grades are placed side by side. Thus, too, there is a constant +comparison of conditions, among equals, and a constant temptation +presented to imitate the customs, and to strive for the enjoyments, of +those who possess larger means. + +In addition to this, the flow of wealth, among all classes, is +constantly increasing the number of those who live in a style demanding +much hired service, while the number of those, who are compelled to go +to service, is constantly diminishing. Our manufactories, also, are +making increased demands for female labor, and offering larger +compensation. In consequence of these things, there is such a +disproportion between those who wish to hire, and those who are willing +to go to domestic service, that, in the non-slaveholding States, were it +not for the supply of poverty-stricken foreigners, there would not be a +domestic for each family who demands one. And this resort to foreigners, +poor as it is, scarcely meets the demand; while the disproportion must +every year increase, especially if our prosperity increases. For, just +in proportion as wealth rolls in upon us, the number of those, who will +give up their own independent homes to serve strangers, will be +diminished. + +The difficulties and sufferings, which have accrued to American women, +from this cause, are almost incalculable. There is nothing, which so +much demands system and regularity, as the affairs of a housekeeper, +made up, as they are, of ten thousand desultory and minute items; and +yet, this perpetually fluctuating state of society seems forever to bar +any such system and regularity. The anxieties, vexations, perplexities, +and even hard labor, which come upon American women, from this state of +domestic service, are endless; and many a woman has, in consequence, +been disheartened, discouraged, and ruined in health. The only wonder +is, that, amid so many real difficulties, American women are still able +to maintain such a character for energy, fortitude, and amiableness, as +is universally allowed to be their due. + +But the second, and still greater difficulty, peculiar to American +women, is, a delicacy of constitution, which renders them early victims +to disease and decay. + +The fact that the women of this Country are unusually subject to +disease, and that their beauty and youthfulness are of shorter +continuance than those of the women of other nations, is one which +always attracts the attention of foreigners; while medical men and +philanthropists are constantly giving fearful monitions as to the extent +and alarming increase of this evil. Investigations make it evident, that +a large proportion of young ladies, from the wealthier classes, have the +incipient stages of curvature of the spine, one of the most sure and +fruitful causes of future disease and decay. The writer has heard +medical men, who have made extensive inquiries, say, that a very large +proportion of the young women at boarding schools, are affected in this +way, while many other indications of disease and debility exist, in +cases where this particular evil cannot be detected. + +In consequence of this enfeebled state of their constitutions, induced +by a neglect of their physical education, as soon as they are called to +the responsibilities and trials of domestic life, their constitution +fails, and their whole existence is rendered a burden. For no woman can +enjoy existence, when disease throws a dark cloud over the mind, and +incapacitates her for the proper discharge of every duty. + +The writer, who for some ten years has had the charge of an institution, +consisting of young ladies from almost every State in the Union, since +relinquishing that charge, has travelled and visited extensively in most +of the non-slaveholding States. In these circuits, she has learned the +domestic history, not merely of her pupils, but of many other young +wives and mothers, whose sorrowful experience has come to her knowledge. +And the impression, produced by the dreadful extent of this evil, has at +times been almost overwhelming. + +It would seem as if the primeval curse, which has written the doom of +pain and sorrow on one period of a young mother's life, in this Country +had been extended over all; so that the hour seldom arrives, when "she +forgetteth her sorrow for joy that a man is born into the world." Many a +mother will testify, with shuddering, that the most exquisite sufferings +she ever endured, were not those appointed by Nature, but those, which, +for week after week, have worn down health and spirits, when nourishing +her child. And medical men teach us, that this, in most cases, results +from a debility of constitution, consequent on the mismanagement of +early life. And so frequent and so mournful are these, and the other +distresses that result from the delicacy of the female constitution, +that the writer has repeatedly heard mothers say, that they had wept +tears of bitterness over their infant daughters, at the thought of the +sufferings which they were destined to undergo; while they cherished +the decided wish, that these daughters should never marry. At the same +time, many a reflecting young woman is looking to her future prospects, +with very different feelings and hopes from those which Providence +designed. + +A perfectly healthy woman, especially a perfectly healthy mother, is so +unfrequent, in some of the wealthier classes, that those, who are so, +may be regarded as the exceptions, and not as the general rule. The +writer has heard some of her friends declare, that they would ride fifty +miles, to see a perfectly healthy and vigorous woman, out of the +laboring classes. This, although somewhat jocose, was not an entirely +unfair picture of the true state of female health in the wealthier +classes. + +There are many causes operating, which serve to perpetuate and increase +this evil. It is a well-known fact, that mental excitement tends to +weaken the physical system, unless it is counterbalanced by a +corresponding increase of exercise and fresh air. Now, the people of +this Country are under the influence of high commercial, political, and +religious stimulus, altogether greater than was ever known by any other +nation; and in all this, women are made the sympathizing companions of +the other sex. At the same time, young girls, in pursuing an education, +have ten times greater an amount of intellectual taxation demanded, than +was ever before exacted. Let any daughter, educated in our best schools +at this day, compare the course of her study with that pursued in her +mother's early life, and it will be seen that this estimate of the +increase of mental taxation probably falls below the truth. Though, in +some countries, there are small classes of females, in the higher +circles, who pursue literature and science to a far greater extent than +in any corresponding circles in this Country, yet, in no nation in the +world are the advantages of a good intellectual education enjoyed, by so +large a proportion of the females. And this education has consisted far +less of accomplishments, and far more of those solid studies which +demand the exercise of the various powers of mind, than the education +of the women of other lands. + +And when American women are called to the responsibilities of domestic +life, the degree in which their minds and feelings are taxed, is +altogether greater than it is in any other nation. + +No women on earth have a higher sense of their moral and religious +responsibilities, or better understand, not only what is demanded of +them, as housekeepers, but all the claims that rest upon them as wives, +mothers, and members of a social community. An American woman, who is +the mistress of a family, feels her obligations, in reference to her +influence over her husband, and a still greater responsibility in +rearing and educating her children. She feels, too, the claims which the +moral interests of her domestics have on her watchful care. In social +life, she recognises the claims of hospitality, and the demands of +friendly visiting. Her responsibility, in reference to the institutions +of benevolence and religion, is deeply realized. The regular worship of +the Lord's day, and all the various religious meetings and benevolent +societies which place so much dependence on female influence and +example, she feels obligated to sustain. Add to these multiplied +responsibilities, the perplexities and evils which have been pointed +out, resulting from the fluctuating state of society, and the deficiency +of domestic service, and no one can deny that American women are exposed +to a far greater amount of intellectual and moral excitement, than those +of any other land. Of course, in order to escape the danger resulting +from this, a greater amount of exercise in the fresh air, and all those +methods which strengthen the constitution, are imperiously required. + +But, instead of this, it will be found, that, owing to the climate and +customs of this Nation, there are no women who secure so little of this +healthful and protecting regimen, as ours. Walking and riding and +gardening, in the open air, are practised by the women of other lands, +to a far greater extent, than by American females. Most English women, +in the wealthier classes, are able to walk six and eight miles, without +oppressive fatigue; and when they visit this Country, always express +their surprise at the inactive habits of American ladies. In England, +regular exercise, in the open air, is very commonly required by the +mother, as a part of daily duty, and is sought by young women, as an +enjoyment. In consequence of a different physical training, English +women, in those circles which enjoy competency, present an appearance +which always strikes American gentlemen as a contrast to what they see +at home. An English mother, at thirty, or thirty-five, is in the full +bloom of perfected womanhood; as fresh and healthful as her daughters. +But where are the American mothers, who can reach this period unfaded +and unworn? In America, young ladies of the wealthier classes are sent +to school from early childhood; and neither parents nor teachers make it +a definite object to secure a proper amount of fresh air and exercise, +to counterbalance this intellectual taxation. As soon as their school +days are over, dressing, visiting, evening parties, and stimulating +amusements, take the place of study, while the most unhealthful modes of +dress add to the physical exposures. To make morning calls, or do a +little shopping, is all that can be termed their exercise in the fresh +air; and this, compared to what is needed, is absolutely nothing, and on +some accounts is worse than nothing.[B] In consequence of these, and +other evils, which will be pointed out more at large in the following +pages, the young women of America grow up with such a delicacy of +constitution, that probably eight out of ten become subjects of disease, +either before or as soon as they are called to the responsibilities of +domestic life. + +But there is one peculiarity of situation, in regard to American women, +which makes this delicacy of constitution still more disastrous. It is +the liability to the exposures and hardships of a newly-settled country. + +One more extract from De Tocqueville will give a view of this part of +the subject, which any one, familiar with Western life, will admire for +its verisimilitude. + +"The same strength of purpose which the young wives of America display +in bending themselves, at once, and without repining, to the austere +duties of their new condition, is no less manifest in all the great +trials of their lives. In no country in the world, are private fortunes +more precarious, than in the United States. It is not uncommon for the +same man, in the course of his life, to rise and sink again through all +the grades which lead from opulence to poverty. American women support +these vicissitudes with a calm and unquenchable energy. It would seem +that their desires contract, as easily as they expand, with their +fortunes. The greater part of the adventurers, who migrate, every year, +to people the Western wilds, belong" "to the old Anglo-American race of +the Northern States. Many of these men, who rush so boldly onward in +pursuit of wealth, were already in the enjoyment of a competency in +their own part of the Country. They take their wives along with them, +and make them share the countless perils and privations, which always +attend the commencement of these expeditions. I have often met, even on +the verge of the wilderness, with young women, who, after having been +brought up amid all the comforts of the large towns of New England, had +passed, almost without any intermediate stage, from the wealthy abode of +their parents, to a comfortless hovel in a forest. Fever, solitude, and +a tedious life, had not broken the springs of their courage. Their +features were impaired and faded, but their looks were firm: they +appeared to be, at once, sad and resolute." + +In another passage, he gives this picturesque sketch: "By the side of +the hearth, sits a woman, with a baby on her lap. She nods to us, +without disturbing herself. Like the pioneer, this woman is in the prime +of life; her appearance would seem superior to her condition: and her +apparel even betrays a lingering taste for dress. But her delicate limbs +appear shrunken; her features are drawn in; her eye is mild and +melancholy; her whole physiognomy bears marks of a degree of religious +resignation, a deep quiet of all passion, and some sort of natural and +tranquil firmness, ready to meet all the ills of life, without fearing +and without braving them. Her children cluster about her, full of +health, turbulence, and energy; they are true children of the +wilderness: their mother watches them, from time to time, with mingled +melancholy and joy. To look at their strength, and her languor, one +might imagine that the life she had given them had exhausted her own; +and still she regrets not what they have cost her. The house, inhabited +by these emigrants, has no internal partition or loft. In the one +chamber of which it consists, the whole family is gathered for the +night. The dwelling is itself a little world; an ark of civilization +amid an ocean of foliage. A hundred steps beyond it, the primeval forest +spreads its shades, and solitude resumes its sway." + +Such scenes, and such women, the writer has met, and few persons realize +how many refined and lovely women are scattered over the broad prairies +and deep forests of the West; and none, but the Father above, +appreciates the extent of those sacrifices and sufferings, and the value +of that firm faith and religious hope, which live, in perennial bloom, +amid those vast solitudes. If the American women of the East merit the +palm, for their skill and success as accomplished housekeepers, still +more is due to the heroines of the West, who, with such unyielding +fortitude and cheerful endurance, attempt similar duties, amid so many +disadvantages and deprivations. + +But, though American women have those elevated principles and feelings, +which enable them to meet such trials in so exemplary a manner, their +physical energies are not equal to the exertions demanded. Though the +mind may be bright and firm, the casket is shivered; though the spirit +may be willing, the flesh is weak. A woman of firm health, with the hope +and elasticity of youth, may be envied rather than pitied, as she shares +with her young husband the hopes and enterprises of pioneer life. But, +when the body fails, then the eye of hope grows dim, the heart sickens, +the courage dies; and, in solitude, weariness, and suffering, the +wanderer pines for the dear voices and the tender sympathies of a far +distant home. Then it is, that the darkest shade is presented, which +marks the peculiar trials and liabilities of American women, and which +exhibits still more forcibly the disastrous results of that delicacy of +constitution which has been pointed out. For, though all American women, +or even the greater part of them, are not called to encounter such +trials, yet no mother, who rears a family of daughters, can say, that +such a lot will not fall to one of her flock; nor can she know which +will escape. The reverses of fortune, and the chances of matrimony, +expose every woman in the Nation to such liabilities, for which she +needs to be prepared. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[B] So little idea have most ladies, in the wealthier classes, of what +is a proper amount of exercise, that, if they should succeed in walking +a mile or so, at a moderate pace, three or four times a week, they would +call it taking a great deal of exercise. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +REMEDIES FOR THE PRECEDING DIFFICULTIES. + + +Having pointed out the peculiar responsibilities of American women, and +the peculiar embarrassments which they are called to encounter, the +following suggestions are offered, as remedies for such difficulties. + +In the first place, the physical and domestic education of daughters +should occupy the principal attention of mothers, in childhood; and the +stimulation of the intellect should be very much reduced. As a general +rule, daughters should not be sent to school before they are six years +old; and, when they are sent, far more attention should be paid to their +physical developement, than is usually done. They should never be +confined, at any employment, more than an hour at a time; and this +confinement should be followed by sports in the open air. Such +accommodations should be secured, that, at all seasons, and in all +weathers, the teacher can every half hour send out a portion of her +school, for sports. And still more care should be given to preserve pure +air in the schoolroom. The close stoves, crowded condition, and +poisonous air, of most schoolrooms, act as constant drains on the health +and strength of young children. + +In addition to this, much less time should be given to school, and much +more to domestic employments, especially in the wealthier classes. A +little girl may begin, at five or six years of age, to assist her +mother; and, if properly trained, by the time she is ten, she can render +essential aid. From this time, until she is fourteen or fifteen, it +should be the principal object of her education to secure a strong and +healthy constitution, and a thorough practical knowledge of all kinds of +domestic employments. During this period, though some attention ought to +be paid to intellectual culture, it ought to be made altogether +secondary in importance; and such a measure of study and intellectual +excitement, as is now demanded in our best female seminaries, ought +never to be allowed, until a young lady has passed the most critical +period of her youth, and has a vigorous and healthful constitution fully +established. The plan might be adopted, of having schools for young +girls kept only in the afternoon; that their mornings might be occupied +in domestic exercise, without interfering with school employments. Where +a proper supply of domestic exercise cannot be afforded, the cultivation +of flowers and fruits might be resorted to, as a delightful and +unfailing promotive of pleasure and health. + +And it is to that class of mothers, who have the best means of securing +hired service, and who are the most tempted to allow their daughters to +grow up with inactive habits, that their Country and the world must +look for a reformation, in this respect. Whatever ladies in the +wealthier classes decide shall be fashionable, will be followed by all +the rest; but, while they persist in the aristocratic habits, now so +common, and bring up their daughters to feel as if labor was degrading +and unbecoming, the evils pointed out will never find a remedy. It is, +therefore, the peculiar duty of ladies, who have wealth, to set a proper +example, in this particular, and make it their first aim to secure a +strong and healthful constitution for their daughters, by active +domestic employments. All the sweeping, dusting, care of furniture and +beds, the clear starching, and the nice cooking, should be done by the +daughters of a family, and not by hired servants. It may cost the mother +more care, and she may find it needful to hire a person for the express +purpose of instructing and superintending her daughters, in these +employments; but it should be regarded as indispensable to be secured, +either by the mother's agency, or by a substitute. + +It is in this point of view, that the dearth of good domestics in this +Country may, in its results, prove a substantial blessing. If all +housekeepers, who have the means, could secure good servants, there +would be little hope that so important a revolution, in the domestic +customs of the wealthy classes, could be effected. And so great is the +natural indolence of mankind, that the amount of exercise, needful for +health, will never be secured by those who are led to it through no +necessity, but merely from rational considerations. Yet the pressure of +domestic troubles, from the want of good domestics, has already +determined many a mother, in the wealthy classes, to train her daughters +to aid her in domestic service; and thus necessity is compelling mothers +to do what abstract principles of expediency could never secure. + +A second method of promoting the same object, is, to raise the science +and practice of Domestic Economy to its appropriate place, as a regular +study in female seminaries. The succeeding chapter will present the +reasons for this, more at large. But it is to the mothers of our +Country, that the community must look for this change. It cannot be +expected, that teachers, who have their attention chiefly absorbed by +the intellectual and moral interests of their pupils, should properly +realize the importance of this department of education. But if mothers +generally become convinced of this, their judgement and wishes will meet +the respectful consideration they deserve, and the object will be +accomplished. + +The third method of securing a remedy for the evils pointed out, is, the +endowment of female institutions, under the care of suitable trustees, +who shall secure a proper course of education. The importance of this +measure cannot be realized by those, who have not turned their attention +to this subject; and for such, the following considerations are +presented. + +The endowment of colleges, and of law, medical, and divinity, schools, +for the other sex, is designed to secure a thorough and proper +education, for those who have the most important duties of society to +perform. The men who are to expound the laws, the men who have the care +of the public health, and the men who are to communicate religious +instruction, should have well-disciplined and well-informed minds; and +it is mainly for this object that collegiate and professional +institutions are established. Liberal and wealthy individuals contribute +funds, and the legislatures of the States also lend assistance, so that +every State in this Nation has from one to twenty such endowed +institutions, supplied with buildings, apparatus, a library, and a +faculty of learned men to carry forward a superior course of +instruction. And the use of all these advantages is secured, in many +cases, at an expense, no greater than is required to send a boy to a +common school and pay his board there. No private school could offer +these advantages, without charging such a sum, as would forbid all but +the rich from securing its benefits. By furnishing such superior +advantages, on low terms, multitudes are properly educated, who would +otherwise remain in ignorance; and thus the professions are supplied, +by men properly qualified for them. + +Were there no such institutions, and no regular and appropriate course +of study demanded for admission to the bar, the pulpit, and to medical +practice, the education of most professional men would be desultory, +imperfect, and deficient. Parents and children would regulate the course +of study according to their own crude notions; and, instead of having +institutions which agree in carrying on a similar course of study, each +school would have its own peculiar system, and compete and conflict with +every other. Meantime, the public would have no means of deciding which +was best, nor any opportunity for learning when a professional man was +properly qualified for his duties. But as it is, the diploma of a +college, and the license of an appointed body of judges, must both be +secured, before a young man feels that he has entered the most promising +path to success in his profession. + +Our Country, then, is most abundantly supplied with endowed +institutions, which secure a liberal education, on such low terms as +make them accessible to all classes, and in which the interests of +education are watched over, sustained, and made permanent, by an +appropriate board of trustees. + +But are not the most responsible of all duties committed to the charge +of woman? Is it not her profession to take care of mind, body, and soul? +and that, too, at the most critical of all periods of existence? And is +it not as much a matter of public concern, that she should be properly +qualified for her duties, as that ministers, lawyers, and physicians, +should be prepared for theirs? And is it not as important, to endow +institutions which shall make a superior education accessible to all +classes,--for females, as for the other sex? And is it not equally +important, that institutions for females be under the supervision of +intelligent and responsible trustees, whose duty it shall be to secure a +uniform and appropriate education for one sex as much as for the other? +It would seem as if every mind must accord an affirmative reply, as soon +as the matter is fairly considered. + +As the education of females is now conducted, any man or woman who +pleases, can establish a female seminary, and secure recommendations +which will attract pupils. But whose business is it to see that these +young females are not huddled into crowded rooms? or that they do not +sleep in ill-ventilated chambers? or that they have healthful food? or +that they have the requisite amount of fresh air and exercise? or that +they pursue an appropriate and systematic course of study? or that their +manners, principles, and morals, are properly regulated? Parents either +have not the means, or else are not qualified to judge; or, if they are +furnished with means and capacity, they are often restricted to a choice +of the best school within reach, even when it is known to be exceedingly +objectionable. + +If the writer were to disclose all that can truly be told of +boarding-school life, and its influence on health, manners, disposition, +intellect, and morals, the disclosure would both astonish and shock +every rational mind. And yet she believes that such institutions are far +better managed in this Country, than in any other; and that the number +of those, which are subject to imputations in these respects, is much +less than could reasonably be expected. But it is most surely the case, +that much remains to be done, in order to supply such institutions as +are needed for the proper education of American women. + +In attempting a sketch of the kind of institutions which are demanded, +it is very fortunate that there is no necessity for presenting a theory, +which may, or may not, be approved by experience. It is the greatest +honor of one of our newest Western States, that it can boast of such an +Institution, endowed, too, wholly by the munificence of a single +individual. A slight sketch of this Institution, which the writer has +examined in all its details, will give an idea of what can be done, by +showing what has actually been accomplished. + +This Institution[C] is under the supervision of a Board of Trustees, who +hold the property in trust for the object to which it is devoted, and +who have the power to fill their own vacancies. It is furnished with a +noble and tasteful building, of stone, so liberal in dimensions and +arrangement, that it can accommodate ninety pupils and teachers, giving +one room to every two pupils, and all being so arranged, as to admit of +thorough ventilation. This building is surrounded by extensive grounds, +enclosed with handsome fences, where remains of the primeval forest +still offer refreshing shade for juvenile sports. + +To secure adequate exercise for the pupils, two methods are adopted. By +the first, each young lady is required to spend a certain portion of +time in domestic employments, either in sweeping, dusting, setting and +clearing tables, washing and ironing, or other household concerns. + +Let not the aristocratic mother and daughter express their dislike of +such an arrangement, till they can learn how well it succeeds. Let them +walk, as the writer has done, through the large airy halls, kept clean +and in order by their fair occupants, to the washing and ironing-rooms. +There they will see a long hall, conveniently fitted up with some thirty +neatly-painted tubs, with a clean floor, and water conducted so as to +save both labor and slopping. Let them see some thirty or forty merry +girls, superintended by a motherly lady, chatting and singing, washing +and starching, while every convenience is at hand, and every thing +around is clean and comfortable. Two hours, thus employed, enable each +young lady to wash the articles she used during the previous week, which +is all that is demanded, while thus they are all practically initiated +into the arts and mysteries of the wash-tub. The Superintendent remarked +to the writer, that, after a few weeks of probation, most of her young +washers succeeded quite as well as those whom she could hire, and who +made it their business. Adjacent to the washing-room, is the ironing +establishment; where another class are arranged, on the ironing-day, +around long, extended tables, with heating-furnaces, clothes-frames, and +all needful appliances. + +By a systematic arrangement of school and domestic duties, a moderate +portion of time, usually not exceeding two hours a day, from each of the +pupils, accomplished all the domestic labor of a family of ninety, +except the cooking, which was done by two hired domestics. This part of +domestic labor it was deemed inexpedient to incorporate as a portion of +the business of the pupils, inasmuch as it could not be accommodated to +the arrangements of the school, and was in other respects objectionable. + +Is it asked, how can young ladies paint, play the piano, and study, when +their hands and dresses must be unfitted by such drudgery? The woman who +asks this question, has yet to learn that a pure and delicate skin is +better secured by healthful exercise, than by any other method; and that +a young lady, who will spend two hours a day at the wash-tub, or with a +broom, is far more likely to have rosy cheeks, a finely-moulded form, +and a delicate skin, than one who lolls all day in her parlor or +chamber, or only leaves it, girt in tight dresses, to make fashionable +calls. It is true, that long-protracted daily labor hardens the hand, +and unfits it for delicate employments; but the amount of labor needful +for health produces no such effect. As to dress, and appearance, if neat +and convenient accommodations are furnished, there is no occasion for +the exposures which demand shabby dresses. A dark calico, genteelly +made, with an oiled-silk apron, and wide cuffs of the same material, +secures both good looks and good service. This plan of domestic +employments for the pupils in this Institution, not only secures regular +healthful exercise, but also aids to reduce the expenses of education, +so that, with the help of the endowments, it is brought within the reach +of many, who otherwise could never gain such advantages. + +In addition to this, a system of Calisthenic[D] exercises is introduced, +which secures all the advantages which dancing is supposed to effect, +and which is free from the dangerous tendencies of that fascinating and +fashionable amusement. This system is so combined with music, and +constantly varying evolutions, as to serve as an amusement, and also as +a mode of curing distortions, particularly all tendencies to curvature +of the spine; while, at the same time, it tends to promote grace of +movement, and easy manners. + +Another advantage of this Institution, is, an elevated and invigorating +course of mental discipline. Many persons seem to suppose, that the +chief object of an intellectual education is the acquisition of +knowledge. But it will be found, that this is only a secondary object. +The formation of habits of investigation, of correct reasoning, of +persevering attention, of regular system, of accurate analysis, and of +vigorous mental action, is the primary object to be sought in preparing +American women for their arduous duties; duties which will demand not +only quickness of perception, but steadiness of purpose, regularity of +system, and perseverance in action. + +It is for such purposes, that the discipline of the Mathematics is so +important an element in female education; and it is in this aspect, +that the mere acquisition of facts, and the attainment of +accomplishments, should be made of altogether secondary account. + +In the Institution here described, a systematic course of study is +adopted, as in our colleges; designed to occupy three years. The +following slight outline of the course, will exhibit the liberal plan +adopted in this respect. + +In Mathematics, the whole of Arithmetic contained in the larger works +used in schools, the whole of Euclid, and such portions from Day's +Mathematics as are requisite to enable the pupils to demonstrate the +various problems in Olmsted's larger work on Natural Philosophy. In +Language, besides English Grammar, a short course in Latin is required, +sufficient to secure an understanding of the philosophy of the language, +and that kind of mental discipline which the exercise of translating +affords. In Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy, Botany, Geology and +Mineralogy, Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, Political Economy, and +the Evidences of Christianity, the same textbooks are used as are +required at our best colleges. In Geography, the most thorough course is +adopted; and in History, a more complete knowledge is secured, by means +of charts and textbooks, than most of our colleges offer. To these +branches, are added Griscom's Physiology,[E] Bigelow's Technology, and +Jahn's Archæology, together with a course of instruction in polite +literature, for which Chambers's English Literature is employed as the +text-book, each recitation being attended with selections and +criticisms, from teacher or pupils, on the various authors brought into +notice. Vocal Music, on the plan of the Boston Academy, is a part of the +daily instructions. Linear drawing, and pencilling, are designed also +to be a part of the course. Instrumental Music is taught, but not as a +part of the regular course of study. + +To secure the proper instruction in all these branches, the division of +labor, adopted in colleges, is pursued. Each teacher has distinct +branches as her department, for which she is responsible, and in which +she is independent. One teacher performs the duties of a _governess_, in +maintaining rules, and attending to the habits and manners of the +pupils. By this method, the teachers have sufficient time, both to +prepare themselves, and to impart instruction and illustration in the +class-room. In this Institution it is made a direct object of effort _to +cure defects_ of _character and habits_. At the frequent meetings of the +Principal and teachers, the peculiarities of each pupil are made the +subjects of inquiry; and methods are devised for remedying defects +through the personal influence of the several teachers. This, when thus +made a direct object of combined effort, often secures results most +gratifying and encouraging. + +One peculiarity of this Institution demands consideration. By the method +adopted here, the exclusive business of educating their own sex is, as +it ever ought to be, confined to females. The Principal of the +Institution, indeed, is a gentleman; but, while he takes the position of +a father of the family, and responsible head of the whole concern, the +entire charge of instruction, and most of the responsibilities in regard +to health, morals, and manners, rest upon the female teachers, in their +several departments. The Principal is the chaplain and religious +teacher; and is a member of the board of instructors, so far as to have +a right to advise, and an equal vote, in every question pertaining to +the concerns of the School; and thus he acts as a sort of regulator and +mainspring in all the various departments. But no one person in the +Institution is loaded with the excessive responsibilities, which rest +upon one, where a large institution of this kind has a Principal, who +employs and directs all the subordinate assistants. The writer has +never before seen the principle of the division of labor and +responsibility so perfectly carried out in any female institution; and +she believes that experience will prove that this is the true model for +combining, in appropriate proportions, the agency of both sexes in +carrying forward such an institution. There are cases where females are +well qualified, and feel willing to take the place occupied by the +Principal; but such cases are rare. + +One thing more should be noticed, to the credit of the rising State +where this Institution is located. A female association has been formed, +embracing a large portion of the ladies of standing and wealth, the +design of which, is, to educate, gratuitously, at this, and other +similar, institutions, such females as are anxious to obtain a good +education, and are destitute of the means. If this enterprise is +continued, with the same energy and perseverance as has been manifested +during the last few years, that State will take the lead of her sister +States in well-educated women; and if the views in the preceding pages +are correct, this will give her precedence in every intellectual and +moral advantage. + +Many, who are not aware of the great economy secured by a proper +division of labor, will not understand how so extensive a course can be +properly completed in three years. But in this Institution, none are +received under fourteen; and a certain amount of previous acquisition is +required, in order to admission, as is done in our colleges. This +secures a diminution of classes, so that but few studies are pursued at +one time; while the number of well-qualified teachers is so adequate, +that full time is afforded for all needful instruction and illustration. +Where teachers have so many classes, that they merely have time to find +out what the pupils learn from books, without any aid from their +teachers, the acquisitions of the pupils are vague and imperfect, and +soon pass away; so that an immense amount of expense, time, and labor, +is spent in acquiring or recalling what is lost about as fast as it is +gained. + +Parents are little aware of the immense waste incurred by the present +mode of conducting female education. In the wealthy classes, young girls +are sent to school, as a matter of course, year after year, confined, +for six hours a day, to the schoolhouse, and required to add some time +out of school to learning their lessons. Thus, during the most critical +period of life, they are for a long time immured in a room, filled with +an atmosphere vitiated by many breaths, and are constantly kept under +some sort of responsibility in regard to mental effort. Their studies +are pursued at random, often changed with changing schools, while book +after book (heavily taxing the parent's purse) is conned awhile, and +then supplanted by others. Teachers have usually so many pupils, and +such a variety of branches to teach, that little time can be afforded to +each pupil; while scholars, at this thoughtless period of life, feeling +sure of going to school as long as they please, manifest little interest +in their pursuits. + +The writer believes that the actual amount of education, permanently +secured by most young ladies from the age of ten to fourteen, could all +be acquired in one year, at the Institution described, by a young lady +at the age of fifteen or sixteen. + +Instead of such a course as the common one, if mothers would keep their +daughters as their domestic assistants, until they are fourteen, +requiring them to study one lesson, and go out, once a day, to recite it +to a teacher, it would abundantly prepare them, after their +constitutions are firmly established, to enter such an institution, +where, in three years, they could secure more, than almost any young +lady in the Country now gains by giving the whole of her youth to school +pursuits. + +In the early years of female life, reading, writing, needlework, +drawing, and music, should alternate with domestic duties; and one hour +a day, devoted to some study, in addition to the above pursuits, would +be all that is needful to prepare them for a thorough education after +growth is attained, and the constitution established. This is the time +when young women would feel the value of an education, and pursue their +studies with that maturity of mind, and vividness of interest, which +would double the perpetuity and value of all their acquisitions. + +The great difficulty, which opposes such a plan, is, the want of +institutions that would enable a young lady to complete, in three years, +the liberal course of study, here described. But if American mothers +become convinced of the importance of such advantages for their +daughters, and will use their influence appropriately and efficiently, +they will certainly be furnished. There are other men of liberality and +wealth, besides the individual referred to, who can be made to feel that +a fortune, expended in securing an appropriate education to American +women, is as wisely bestowed, as in founding colleges for the other sex, +who are already so abundantly supplied. We ought to have institutions, +similar to the one described, in every part of this Nation; and funds +should be provided, for educating young women destitute of means: and if +American women think and feel, that, by such a method, their own trials +will be lightened, and their daughters will secure a healthful +constitution and a thorough domestic and intellectual education, the +appropriate expression of their wishes will secure the necessary funds. +The tide of charity, which has been so long flowing from the female hand +to provide a liberal education for young men, will flow back with +abundant remuneration. + +The last method suggested for lessening the evils peculiar to American +women, is, a decided effort to oppose the aristocratic feeling, that +labor is degrading; and to bring about the impression, that it is +refined and lady-like to engage in domestic pursuits. In past ages, and +in aristocratic countries, leisure and indolence and frivolous pursuits +have been deemed lady-like and refined, because those classes, which +were most refined, countenanced such an opinion. But whenever ladies of +refinement, as a general custom, patronise domestic pursuits, then +these employments will be deemed lady-like. It may be urged, however, +that it is impossible for a woman who cooks, washes, and sweeps, to +appear in the dress, or acquire the habits and manners, of a lady; that +the drudgery of the kitchen is dirty work, and that no one can appear +delicate and refined, while engaged in it. Now all this depends on +circumstances. If a woman has a house, destitute of neat and convenient +facilities; if she has no habits of order and system; if she is remiss +and careless in person and dress;--then all this may be true. But, if a +woman will make some sacrifices of costly ornaments in her parlor, in +order to make her kitchen neat and tasteful; if she will sacrifice +expensive dishes, in order to secure such conveniences for labor as +protect from exposures; if she will take pains to have the dresses, in +which she works, made of suitable materials, and in good taste; if she +will rise early, and systematize and oversee the work of her family, so +as to have it done thoroughly, neatly, and in the early part of the day; +she will find no necessity for any such apprehensions. It is because +such work has generally been done by vulgar people, and in a vulgar way, +that we have such associations; and when ladies manage such things, as +ladies should, then such associations will be removed. There are +pursuits, deemed very refined and genteel, which involve quite as much +exposure as kitchen employments. For example, to draw a large landscape, +in colored crayons, would be deemed very lady-like; but the writer can +testify, from sad experience, that no cooking, washing, sweeping, or any +other domestic duty, ever left such deplorable traces on hands, face, +and dress, as this same lady-like pursuit. Such things depend entirely +on custom and associations; and every American woman, who values the +institutions of her Country, and wishes to lend her influence in +extending and perpetuating such blessings, may feel that she is doing +this, whenever, by her example and influence, she destroys the +aristocratic association, which would render domestic labor degrading. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[C] The writer omits the name of this Institution, lest an inference +should be drawn which would be unjust to other institutions. There are +others equally worthy of notice, and the writer selects this only +because her attention was especially directed to it as being in a new +State, and endowed wholly by an individual. + +[D] From two Greek words,--[Greek: kalos], _kalos_, beauty, and [Greek: +sthenos], _sthenos_, strength, being the union of both. The writer is +now preparing for the press, an improved system, of her own invention, +which, in _some_ of its parts, has been successfully introduced into +several female seminaries, with advantage. This plan combines singing +with a great variety of amusing and graceful evolutions, designed to +promote both health and easy manners. + +[E] This work, which has gone through numerous editions, and been +received by the public with great favour, forms No. lxxxv. of the +"Family Library," and No. lvii. of the "School District Library," issued +by the publishers of this volume. It is abundantly illustrated by +engravings, and has been extensively introduced as a school text-book. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A BRANCH OF STUDY. + + +The greatest impediment to making Domestic Economy a branch of study, +is, the fact, that neither parents nor teachers realize the importance, +or the practicability of constituting it a regular part of school +education. + +It is with reference to this, that the first aim of the writer will be, +to point out some of the reasons for introducing Domestic Economy as a +branch of female education, to be studied at school. + +The first reason, is, that there is no period, in a young lady's life, +when she will not find such knowledge useful to herself and to others. +The state of domestic service, in this Country, is so precarious, that +there is scarcely a family, in the free States, of whom it can be +affirmed, that neither sickness, discontent, nor love of change, will +deprive them of all their domestics, so that every female member of the +family will be required to lend some aid, in providing food and the +conveniences of living; and the better she is qualified to render it, +the happier she will be, and the more she will contribute to the +enjoyment of others. + +A second reason, is, that every young lady, at the close of her +schooldays, and even before they are closed, is liable to be placed in a +situation, in which she will need to do, herself, or to teach others to +do, all the various processes and duties detailed in this work. That +this may be more fully realized, the writer will detail some instances, +which have come under her own observation. + +The eldest daughter of a family returned from school, on a visit, at +sixteen years of age. Before her vacation had closed, her mother was +laid in the grave; and such were her father's circumstances, that she +was obliged to assume the cares and duties of her lost parent. The care +of an infant, the management of young children, the superintendence of +domestics, the charge of family expenses, the responsibility of +entertaining company, and the many other cares of the family state, all +at once came upon this young and inexperienced schoolgirl. + +Again; a young lady went to reside with a married sister, in a distant +State. While on this visit, the elder sister died, and there was no one +but this young lady to fill the vacant place, and assume all the cares +of the nursery, parlor, and kitchen. + +Again; a pupil of the writer, at the end of her schooldays, married, and +removed to the West. She was an entire novice in all domestic matters; +an utter stranger in the place to which she removed. In a year, she +became a mother, and _her health failed_; while, for most of the time, +she had no domestics, at all, or only Irish or Germans, who scarcely +knew even the names, or the uses, of many cooking utensils. She was +treated with politeness by her neighbors, and wished to return their +civilities; but how could this young and delicate creature, who had +spent all her life at school, or in visiting and amusement, take care of +her infant, attend to her cooking, washing, ironing, and baking, the +concerns of her parlor, chambers, kitchen, and cellar, and yet visit and +receive company? If there is any thing that would make a kindly heart +ache, with sorrow and sympathy, it would be to see so young, so amiable, +so helpless a martyr to the mistaken system of female education now +prevalent. "I have the kindest of husbands," said the young wife, after +her narrative of sufferings, "and I never regretted my marriage; but, +since this babe was born, I have never had a single waking hour of +freedom from anxiety and care. O! how little young girls know what is +before them, when they enter married life!" Let the mother or teacher, +whose eye may rest on these lines, ask herself, if there is no cause for +fear that the young objects of her care may be thrown into similar +emergencies, where they may need a kind of preparation, which as yet has +been withheld. + +Another reason for introducing such a subject, as a distinct branch of +school education, is, that, as a general fact, young ladies _will not_ +be taught these things in any other way. In reply to the +thousand-times-repeated remark, that girls must be taught their domestic +duties by their mothers, at home, it may be inquired, in the first +place, What proportion of mothers are qualified to teach a _proper_ and +_complete_ system of Domestic Economy? When this is answered, it may be +asked, What proportion of those who are qualified, have that sense of +the importance of such instructions, and that energy and perseverance +which would enable them actually to teach their daughters, in all the +branches of Domestic Economy presented in this work? + +It may then be asked, How many mothers _actually do_ give their +daughters instruction in the various branches of Domestic Economy? Is it +not the case, that, owing to ill health, deficiency of domestics, and +multiplied cares and perplexities, a large portion of the most +intelligent mothers, and those, too, who most realize the importance of +this instruction, actually cannot find the time, and have not the +energy, necessary to properly perform the duty? They are taxed to the +full amount of both their mental and physical energies, and cannot +attempt any thing more. Almost every woman knows, that it is easier to +do the work, herself, than it is to teach an awkward and careless +novice; and the great majority of women, in this Country, are obliged to +do almost every thing in the shortest and easiest way. This is one +reason why the daughters of very energetic and accomplished housekeepers +are often the most deficient in these respects; while the daughters of +ignorant or inefficient mothers, driven to the exercise of their own +energies, often become the most systematic and expert. + +It may be objected, that such things cannot be taught by books. This +position may fairly be questioned. Do not young ladies learn, from +books, how to make hydrogen and oxygen? Do they not have pictures of +furnaces, alembics, and the various utensils employed in _cooking_ the +chemical agents? Do they not study the various processes of mechanics, +and learn to understand and to do many as difficult operations, as any +that belong to housekeeping? All these things are explained, studied, +and recited in classes, when every one knows that little practical use +can ever be made of this knowledge. Why, then, should not that science +and art, which a woman is to practise during her whole life, be studied +and recited? + +It may be urged, that, even if it is studied, it will soon be forgotten. +And so will much of every thing studied at school. But why should that +knowledge, most needful for daily comfort, most liable to be in demand, +be the only study omitted, because it may be forgotten? + +It may also be objected, that young ladies can get such books, and +attend to them out of school. And so they can get books on Chemistry and +Philosophy, and study them out of school; but _will_ they do it? And why +ought we not to make sure of the most necessary knowledge, and let the +less needful be omitted? If young ladies study such a work as this, in +school, they will remember a great part of it; and, when they forget, in +any emergency, they will know where to resort for instruction. But if +such books are not put into schools, probably not one in twenty will see +or hear of them, especially in those retired places where they are most +needed. And is it at all probable, that a branch, which is so lightly +esteemed as to be deemed unworthy a place in the list of female studies, +will be sought for and learned by young girls, who so seldom look into +works of solid instruction after they leave school? So deeply is the +writer impressed with the importance of this, as a branch of female +education, at school, that she would deem it far safer and wiser to omit +any other, rather than this. + +Another reason, for introducing such a branch of study into female +schools, is, the influence it would exert, in leading young ladies more +correctly to estimate the importance and dignity of domestic knowledge. +It is now often the case, that young ladies rather pride themselves on +their ignorance of such subjects; and seem to imagine that it is vulgar +and ungenteel to know how to work. This is one of the relics of an +aristocratic state of society, which is fast passing away. Here, the +tendency of every thing is to the equalisation of labor, so that all +classes are feeling, more and more, that indolence is disreputable. And +there are many mothers, among the best educated and most wealthy +classes, who are bringing up their daughters, not only to know how to +do, but actually to do, all kinds of domestic work. The writer knows +young ladies, who are daughters of men of wealth and standing, and who +are among the most accomplished in their sphere, who have for months +been sent to work with a mantuamaker, to acquire a practical knowledge +of her occupation, and who have at home learned to perform all kinds of +domestic labor. + +And let the young women of this Nation find, that Domestic Economy is +placed, in schools, on equal or superior ground to Chemistry, +Philosophy, and Mathematics, and they will blush to be found ignorant of +its first principles, as much as they will to hesitate respecting the +laws of gravity, or the composition of the atmosphere. But, as matters +are now conducted, many young ladies know how to make oxygen and +hydrogen, and to discuss questions of Philosophy or Political Economy, +far better than they know how to make a bed and sweep a room properly; +and they can "construct a diagram" in Geometry, with far more skill than +they can make the simplest article of female dress. + +It may be urged, that the plan suggested by the writer, in the previous +pages, would make such a book as this needless; for young ladies would +learn all these things at home, before they go to school. But it must be +remembered, that the plan suggested cannot fully be carried into effect, +till such endowed institutions, as the one described, are universally +furnished. This probably will not be done, till at least one generation +of young women are educated. It is only on the supposition that a young +lady can, at fourteen or fifteen years of age, enter such an +institution, and continue there three years, that it would be easy to +induce her to remain, during all the previous period, at home, in the +practice of Domestic Economy, and the limited course of study pointed +out. In the present imperfect, desultory, varying, mode of female +education, where studies are begun, changed, partially learned, and +forgotten, it requires nearly all the years of a woman's youth, to +acquire the intellectual education now demanded. While this state of +things continues, the only remedy is, to introduce Domestic Economy as a +study at school. + +It is hoped that these considerations will have weight, not only with +parents and teachers, but with young ladies themselves, and that all +will unite their influence to introduce this, as a popular and universal +branch of education, into every female school. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. + + +There is no point, where a woman is more liable to suffer from a want of +knowledge and experience, than in reference to the health of a family +committed to her care. Many a young lady, who never had any charge of +the sick; who never took any care of an infant; who never obtained +information on these subjects from books, or from the experience of +others; in short, with little or no preparation; has found herself the +principal attendant in dangerous sickness, the chief nurse of a feeble +infant, and the responsible guardian of the health of a whole family. + +The care, the fear, the perplexity, of a woman, suddenly called to +these unwonted duties, none can realize, till they themselves feel it, +or till they see some young and anxious novice first attempting to meet +such responsibilities. To a woman of age and experience, these duties +often involve a measure of trial and difficulty, at times deemed almost +insupportable; how hard, then, must they press on the heart of the young +and inexperienced! + +There is no really efficacious mode of preparing a woman to take a +_rational_ care of the health of a family, except by communicating that +knowledge, in regard to the construction of the body, and the laws of +health, which is the basis of the medical profession. Not that a woman +should undertake the minute and extensive investigation requisite for a +physician; but she should gain a general knowledge of first principles, +as a guide to her judgement in emergencies when she can rely on no other +aid. Therefore, before attempting to give any specific directions on the +subject of this chapter, a short sketch of the construction of the human +frame will be given, with a notice of some of the general principles, on +which specific rules in regard to health are based. This description +will be arranged under the general heads of BONES, MUSCLES, NERVES, +BLOOD-VESSELS, ORGANS OF DIGESTION AND RESPIRATION, and THE SKIN. + + +BONES. + +The bones are the most solid parts of the body. They are designed to +protect and sustain it, and also to secure voluntary motion. They are +about two hundred and fifty in number, (there being sometimes a few more +or less,) and are fastened together by cartilage, or gristle, a +substance like the bones, but softer, and more elastic. + +In order to convey a more clear and correct idea of the form, relative +position, and connection, of the bones constituting the human framework, +the engraving on page 70, (Fig. 1,) is given. + +[Illustration: Fig. 1.] + +By the preceding engraving, it will be seen, that the _cranium_, or +_skull_, consists of several distinct pieces, which are united by +sutures, (or seams,) as represented by the zigzag lines; _a_, being the +_frontal bone_; _b_, the _parietal bone_; _c_, the _temporal bone_; and +_d_, the place of the _occipital bone_, which forms the back part of the +head, and therefore is not seen in the engraving. The _nasal bones_, or +bones of the nose, are shown at _e_; _f_, is the _cheek bone_; _g_, the +_upper_, and _h_, the _lower, jaw bones_; _i_, _i_, the _spinal column_, +or back bone, consisting of numerous small bones, called _vertebræ_; +_j_, _j_, the seven _true ribs_, which are fastened to the spine, +behind, and by the _cartilages_, _k_, _k_, to the _sternum_, or _breast +bone_, _l_, in front; _m_, _m_, are the first three _false ribs_, which +are so called, because they are not united directly to the breast bone, +but by cartilages to the seventh true rib; _n_, _n_, are the lower two +_false_, which are also called _floating, ribs_, because they are not +connected with the breast bone, nor the other ribs, in front; _o_, _o_, +_p_, _q_, are the bones of the _pelvis_, which is the foundation on +which the spine rests; _r_, _r_, are the _collar bones_; _s_, _s_, the +_shoulder blades_; _t_, _t_, the bones of the _upper arm_; _u_, _u_, the +_elbow joints_, where the bones of the upper arm and fore arm are united +in such a way that they can move like a hinge; _v_ _w_, _v_ _w_, are the +bones of the _fore arm_; _x_, _x_, those of the _wrists_; _y_, _y_, +those of the _fingers_; _z_, _z_, are the round heads of the thigh +bones, where they are inserted into the sockets of the bones of the +pelvis, giving motion in every direction, and forming the _hip joint_; a +b, a b, are the _thigh bones_; c, c, the _knee joints_; d e, d e, the +_leg bones_; f, f, the _ankle joints_; g, g, the _bones of the foot_. + +The bones are composed of two substances,--one animal, and the other +mineral. The animal part is a very fine network, called the _cellular +membrane_. In this, are deposited the harder mineral substances, which +are composed principally of carbonate and phosphate of lime. In very +early life, the bones consist chiefly of the animal part, and are then +soft and pliant. As the child advances in age, the bones grow harder, by +the gradual deposition of the phosphate of lime, which is supplied by +the food, and carried to the bones by the blood. In old age, the hardest +material preponderates; making the bones more brittle than in earlier +life. + +As we shall soon have occasion to refer, particularly, to the spinal, or +vertebral column, and the derangement to which it is liable, we give, on +page 72, representations of the different classes of vertebræ; viz. the +_cervical_, (from the Latin, _cervix_, the neck,) the _dorsal_, (from +_dorsum_, the back,) and _lumbar_, (from _lumbus_, the loins.) + +[Illustration: Fig. 2.] + +Fig. 2, represents one of the _cervical vertebræ_. Seven of these, +placed one above another, constitute that part of the spine which is in +the neck. + +[Illustration: Fig. 3.] + +Fig. 3, is one of the _dorsal vertebræ_, twelve of which, form the +central part of the spine. + +[Illustration: Fig. 4.] + +Fig. 4, represents one of the _lumbar vertebræ_, (five in number,) +which are immediately above the sacrum. These vertebræ are so fastened, +that the spine can bend, in any direction; and the muscles of the trunk +are used in holding it erect, or in varying its movements. + +By the drawings here presented, it will be seen, that the vertebræ of +the neck, back, and loins, differ somewhat in size and shape, although +they all possess the same constituent parts; thus, A, in each, +represents the body of the vertebræ; B, the articulating processes, by +which each is joined to its fellow, above and below it; C, the spinous +process, or that part of the vertebræ, which forms the ridge to be felt, +on pressure, the whole length of the centre of the back. The back bone +receives its name, _spine_, or _spinal column_, from these spinous +processes. + +It is the universal law of the human frame, that _exercise_ is +indispensable to the health of the several parts. Thus, if a +blood-vessel be tied up, so as not to be used, it shrinks, and becomes a +useless string; if a muscle be condemned to inaction, it shrinks in +size, and diminishes in power; and thus it is also with the bones. +Inactivity produces softness, debility, and unfitness for the functions +they are designed to perform. This is one of the causes of the curvature +of the spine, that common and pernicious defect in the females of +America. From inactivity, the bones of the spine become soft and +yielding; and then, if the person is often placed, for a length of time, +in positions that throw the weight of the body unequally on certain +portions of the spine, they yield to this frequent compression, and a +distortion ensues. The positions taken by young persons, when learning +to write or draw, or to play on the guitar, harp, or piano, and the +position of the body when sleeping on one side, on high pillows, all +tend to produce this effect, by throwing the weight of the body +unequally, and for a length of time, on particular parts of the spine. + +[Illustration: Fig. 5.] + + +MUSCLES. + +The muscles are the chief organs of motion, and consist of collections +of fine fibres or strings, united in casings of membrane or thin skin. +They possess an elastic power, like India rubber, which enables them to +extend and contract. The red meat in animals consists of muscles. Every +muscle has connected with it nerves, veins, and arteries; and those +designed to move the bones, are fastened to them by tendons at their +extremities. The muscles are laid over each other, and are separated by +means of membranes and layers of fat, which enable them to move easily, +without interfering with each other. + +The figure on page 74, represents the muscles of the arm, as they appear +when the skin and fat are removed. The muscles _a_ and _b_ are attached, +at their upper ends, to the bone of the arm, and by their lower ends to +the upper part of the fore arm, near the elbow joint. When the fibres of +these muscles contract, the middle part of them grows larger, and the +arm is bent at the elbow. The muscle _c_, is, in like manner, fastened, +by its upper end, to the shoulder blade and the upper part of the arm, +and by its lower end to one of the bones of the fore arm, near the +elbow. When the arm is bent, and we wish to straighten it, it is done by +contracting this muscle. The muscles _d_, _d_, are fastened at one end +near the elbow joint, and at the other near the ends of the fingers; and +on the back of the hand are reduced in size, appearing like strong +cords. These cords are called _tendons_. They are employed in +straightening the fingers, when the hand is shut. These tendons are +confined by the ligament or band, _e_, which binds them down, around the +wrist, and thus enables them to act more efficiently, and secures beauty +of form to the limb. The muscles at _f_, are those which enable us to +turn the hand and arm outward. Every different motion of the arm has one +muscle to produce it, and another to restore the limb to its natural +position. Those muscles which bend the body are called _flexors_; those +which straighten it, _extensors_. When the arm is thrown up, one set of +muscles is used; to pull it down, another set: when it is thrown +forward, a still different set is used; when it is thrown back, +another, different from the former; when the arm turns in its socket, +still another set is used; and thus every different motion of the body +is made by a different set of muscles. All these muscles are compactly +and skilfully arranged, so as to work with perfect ease. Among them, run +the arteries, veins, and nerves, which supply each muscle with blood and +nervous power, as will be hereafter described. The size and strength of +the muscles depend greatly on their frequent exercise. If left inactive, +they grow thin and weak, instead of giving the plumpness to the figure, +designed by Nature. The delicate and feeble appearance of many American +women, is chiefly owing to the little use they make of their muscles. +Many a pale, puny, shad-shaped girl, would have become a plump, rosy, +well-formed person, if half the exercise, afforded to her brothers in +the open air, had been secured to her, during childhood and youth. + + +NERVES. + +The nerves are the organs of sensation. They enable us to see, hear, +feel, taste, and smell; and also combine with the bones and muscles in +producing motion. + +The first engraving, on p. 77, (Fig. 6,) is a vertical section of the +skull, and of the spinal column, or back bone, which supports the head, +and through which runs the spinal cord, whence most of the nerves +originate. It is a side view, and represents the head and spine, as they +would appear, if they were cut through the middle, from front to back. +Fig. 7, exhibits them as they would appear, if viewed from _behind_. In +Fig. 6, _a_, represents the _cerebrum_, or great brain; _b_, the +_cerebellum_, or little brain, which is situated directly under the +great brain, at the back and lower part of the head; _c_, _d_, _e_, is +the spinal marrow, which is connected with the brain at _c_, and runs +through the whole length of the spinal column. This column consists, as +has already been stated, of a large number of small bones, _f_, _f_, +called _vertebræ_, laid one above another, and fastened together by +_cartilage_, or _gristle_, _g_, between them. + +[Illustration: Fig. 6.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 7.] + +Between each two vertebræ, or spinal bones, there issues from the +spine, on each side, a pair of nerves. The lower broad part of the +spine, (see _p_, Fig. 1, p. 70, and Fig. 7, p. 77,) is called the +_sacrum_; in this, are eight holes, through which the lower pairs of +nerves pass off. + +The nerves of the head and lungs run directly from the brain; those of +all other parts of the body proceed from the spine, passing out in the +manner already mentioned. + +The nerves which thus proceed from the spine, branch out, like the limbs +and twigs of a tree, till they extend over the whole body; and, so +minutely are they divided and arranged, that a point, destitute of a +nerve, cannot be found on the skin. + +Some idea of the ramifications of the nerves, may be obtained by +reference to the following engraving, (Fig. 8.) In this, A, A, +represents the _cerebrum_, or great brain; B, B, the _cerebellum_, or +little brain; (see also _a_, _b_, in Fig. 6;) C, C, represents the union +of the fibres of the cerebrum; D, D, the union of the two sides of the +cerebellum; E, E, E, the spinal marrow, which passes through the centre +of the spine, (as seen at _c_, _d_, _e_, in Fig. 6;) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, +branches of the nerves going to different parts of the body. As the +nerves are the organs of sensation, all _pain_ is an affection of some +portion of the nerves. The health of the nerves depends very greatly on +the exercise of the muscles, with which they are so intimately +connected. This shows the reason why the _headache_, _tic douloureux_, +diseases of the _spine_, and other nervous affections, are so common +among American women. Their inactive habits, engender a debility of the +nervous system, and these diseases follow, as the consequence. + +[Illustration: Fig. 8.] + +It can be seen, by a reference to the side view, represented on page +77, (Fig. 6,) that the spine is naturally curved back and forward. +When, from want of exercise, its bones are softened, and the muscles +weakened, the spine acquires an improper curve, and the person becomes +what is called _crooked_, having the neck projected forward, and, in +some cases, having the back convex, where it should be concave. Probably +one half of the American women have the head thus projecting forward, +instead of carrying it in the natural, erect position, which is both +graceful and dignified. + +The curvature of the spine, spoken of in this work as so common, and as +the cause of so many diseases among American women, is what is +denominated the _lateral curvature_, and is much more dangerous than the +other distortion. The indications of this evil, are, the projection of +one shoulder blade more than the other, and, in bad cases, one shoulder +being higher, and the hip on the opposite side more projecting, than the +other. In this case, the spine, when viewed from behind, instead of +running in a straight line, (as in Fig. 7 and 9,) is curved somewhat, as +may be seen in Figures 10 and 11. + +This effect is occasioned by the softness of the bones, induced by want +of exercise, together with tight dressing, which tends to weaken the +muscles that are thus thrown out of use. Improper and long continued +positions in drawing, writing, and sleeping, which throw the weight of +the body on one part of the spine, induce the same evil. This distortion +is usually accompanied with some consequent disease of the nervous +system, or some disarrangement of the internal organs. + +By comparing Figures 9 and 11, the difference between a natural and +distorted spine will be readily perceived. In Fig. 10, the curved line +shows the course of the spine, occasioned by distortion; the +perpendicular line, in this and Fig. 11, indicates the true direction of +the spine; the horizontal lines show that one shoulder and hip are +forced from their proper level. + +[Illustration: Fig. 9.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 10.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 11.] + + +BLOOD-VESSELS. + +The blood is the fluid into which our food is changed, and which is +employed to minister nourishment to the whole body. For this purpose, it +is carried to every part of the body, by the arteries; and, after it has +given out its nourishment, returns to the heart, through the veins. + +The subjoined engraving, (Fig. 12,) which presents a rude outline of the +vascular system, will more clearly illustrate this operation, as we +shall presently show. + +[Illustration: Fig. 12.] + +Before entering the heart, the blood receives a fresh supply of +nourishment, by a duct which leads from the stomach. The arteries have +their origin from the heart, in a great trunk, called the _aorta_, which +is the parent of all the arteries, as the spinal marrow is the parent of +the nerves which it sends out. When the arteries have branched out into +myriads of minute vessels, the blood which is in them passes into as +minute veins; and these run into each other, like the rills and branches +of a river, until they are all united in two great veins, which run into +the heart. One of these large receivers, called the _vena cava +superior_, or _upper vena cava_, brings back the blood from the arms and +head, the other, the _vena cava inferior_, or _lower vena cava_, brings +back the blood from the body and lower limbs. + +In the preceding figure, H, is the heart, which is divided into four +compartments; two, called _auricles_, used for receiving the blood, and +two, called _ventricles_, used for sending out the blood. A, is the +_aorta_, or great artery, which sends its branches to every part of the +body. In the upper part, at _a_, _a_, _a_, are the main branches of the +_aorta_, which go to the head and arms. Below, at _a_, _a_, are the +branches which go to the lower limbs. The branches which set off at X, +X, are those by which the intestines are supplied by vessels from the +_aorta_. Every muscle in the whole body, all the organs of the body, and +the skin, are supplied by branches sent off from this great _artery_. +When the blood is thus dispersed through any organ, in minute vessels, +it is received, at their terminations, by numerous minute veins, which +gradually unite, forming larger branches, till they all meet in either +the upper or lower _vena cava_, which returns the blood to the heart. V +I, is the _vena cava inferior_, which receives the blood from the veins +of the lower parts of the body, as seen at v, v. The blood, sent into +the lower limbs from the _aorta_, is received by minute veins, which +finally unite at v, v, and thus it is emptied through the lower _vena +cava_ into the heart: _o_, _o_, represent the points of entrance of +those tributaries of the _vena cava_, which receive that blood from the +intestines, which is sent out by the _aorta_ at X, X. In the upper part, +V S, is the _vena cava superior_, which receives the blood from the head +and arms; v, v, v, are the tributaries of the upper _vena cava_, which +bring the blood back from the head and arms; _d_, _d_, represents the +course of the _thoracic duct_, a delicate tube by which the chyle is +carried into the blood, as mentioned on page 89; _t_, shows the place +where this duct empties into a branch of the _vena cava_. + +It thus appears, that wherever a branch of the _aorta_ goes to carry +blood, there will be found a tributary of the upper or lower _vena +cava_, to bring it back. + +The succeeding engravings, will enable the reader to form a more +definite idea of this important function of the system,--the circulation +of the blood. The heart, in man, and in all warm-blooded animals, is +double, having two auricles and two ventricles. In animals with cold +blood, (as fishes,) the heart is single, having but one auricle and one +ventricle. Fig. 13, represents the double heart as it appears when the +two sides are separated, and also the great blood-vessels; those on the +left of the figure being on the right side of the body, and _vice +versa_. The direction of the blood is represented by the arrows. A, +represents the _lower vena cava_, returning the blood from the lower +parts of the body, and L, the _upper vena cava_, returning the blood +from the head and arms. B, is the _right sinus_, or _auricle_, into +which the returned blood is poured. From this cavity of the heart, the +blood is carried into the _right ventricle_, C; and from this ventricle, +the _pulmonary arteries_, D, convey into the lungs the blood which is +returned from the body. These five vessels, A, B, C, D, and L, belong to +the right side of the heart, and contain the venous or dark-colored +blood, which has been through the circulation, and is now unfit for the +uses of the system, till it has passed through the lungs. + +[Illustration: Fig. 13.] + +When the blood reaches the lungs, and is exposed to the action of the +air which we breathe, it throws off its impurities, becomes bright in +color, and is then called arterial blood. It then returns to the left +side of the heart, (on the right of the engraving,) by the pulmonary +veins E, E, (also seen at _m_, _m_, Fig. 15,) into the left auricle F, +whence it is forced into the ventricle, G. From the left ventricle, +proceeds the _aorta_, H, H, which is the great artery of the body, and +conveys the blood to every part of the system. I, J, K, are branches of +the aorta, going to the head and arms. + +[Illustration: Fig. 14.] + +Fig. 14, represents the heart, with its two sides united as in nature; +and will be understood from the description of Fig. 13. + +On the opposite page, Fig. 15, represents the heart, with the great +blood-vessels, on a still larger scale; _a_, being the _left ventricle_; +_b_, the _right ventricle_; _c_, _e_, _f_, the _aorta_, or great artery, +rising out of the left ventricle; _g_, _h_, _i_, the branches of the +aorta, going to the head and arms; _k_, _l_, _l_, the _pulmonary +artery_, and its branches; _m_, _m_, _veins of the lungs_, which bring +the blood back from the lungs to the heart; _n_, _right auricle_; _o_, +_vena cava inferior_; _p_, veins returning blood from the liver and +bowels; _q_, the _vena cava superior_; _r_, the _left auricle_; _s_, the +left _coronary artery_, which distributes the blood exclusively to the +substance of the heart. + +[Illustration: Fig. 15.] + + +ORGANS OF DIGESTION AND RESPIRATION. + +Digestion and respiration are the processes, by which the food is +converted into blood for the nourishment of the body. The engraving on +the next page (Fig. 16) shows the organs by which these operations are +performed. + +In the lower part of the engraving, is the stomach, marked S, which +receives the food through the _gullet_, marked G. The latter, though in +the engraving it is cut off at G, in reality continues upwards to the +throat. The stomach is a bag composed of muscles, nerves, and +blood-vessels, united by a material similar to that which forms the +skin. As soon as food enters the stomach, its nerves are excited to +perform their proper function of stimulating the muscles. A muscular +(called the _peristaltic_) motion immediately commences, by which the +stomach propels its contents around the whole of its circumference, once +in every three minutes. + +[Illustration: Fig. 16.] + +This movement of the muscles attracts the blood from other parts of the +system; for the blood always hastens to administer its supplies to any +organ which is called to work. The blood-vessels of the stomach are soon +distended with blood, from which the _gastric juice_ is secreted by +minute vessels in the coat of the stomach. This mixes with the food, +and reduces it to a soft pulpy mass, called chyme. It then passes +through the lower end of the stomach, into the intestines, which are +folded up in the abdomen, and the upper portion, only, of which, is +shown in the engraving, at A, A. The organ marked L, L, is the liver, +which, as the blood passes through its many vessels, secretes a +substance called _bile_, which accumulates in the gall-bladder, marked +B. After the food passes out of the stomach, it receives from the liver +a portion of bile, and from the _pancreas_ the _pancreatic juice_. The +pancreas does not appear in this drawing, being concealed behind the +stomach. These two liquids separate the substance which has passed from +the stomach, into two different portions. One is a light liquid, very +much like cream in appearance, and called _chyle_, of which the blood is +formed; the other is a more solid substance, which contains the refuse +and useless matter, with a smaller portion of nourishment; and this, +after being further separated from the nourishing matter which it +contains, is thrown out of the body. There are multitudes of small +vessels, called _lacteals_, which, as these two mixed substances pass +through the long and winding folds of the intestines in the abdomen, +absorb the chyle, and convey it to the _thoracic duct_, which runs up +close by the spine, and carries the chyle, thus received, into a branch +of the _vena cava superior_, at _t_, whence it is mingled with the blood +going into the heart. In this engraving, the _lacteals_ and _thoracic +duct_ are not shown; but their position is indicated by the dotted +lines, marked X, Y; X, being the lacteals, and Y, the thoracic duct. + +In the upper half of the engraving, H represents the heart; _a_, the +commencement of the _aorta_; _v c s_, the termination of the _vena cava +superior_. On each side of the heart, are the lungs; _l l_, being the +left lobe, and _r l_, the right lobe. They are composed of a network of +air-vessels, blood-vessels, and nerves. W, represents the _trachea_, or +_windpipe_, through which, the air we breathe is conducted to the lungs. +It branches out into myriads of minute vessels, which are thus filled +with air every time we breathe. From the heart, run the _pulmonary +arteries_, marked _p a_. These enter the lungs and spread out along-side +of the branches of the air-vessels, so that every air-vessel has a small +artery running side by side with it. When the two _vena cavas_ empty the +blood into the heart, the latter contracts, and sends this blood, +through these pulmonary arteries, into the lungs. + +As the air and blood meander, side by side, through the lungs, the +superabundant carbon and hydrogen of the blood combine with the oxygen +of the air, forming carbonic acid gas, and water, which are thrown out +of the lungs at every expiration. This is the process by which the chyle +is converted into arterial blood, and the venous blood purified of its +excess of carbon and hydrogen. When the blood is thus prepared, in the +lungs, for its duties, it is received by the small _pulmonary veins_, +which gradually unite, and bring the blood back to the heart, through +the large _pulmonary veins_, marked _p v_, _p v_. + +On receiving this purified blood from the lungs, the heart contracts, +and sends it out again, through the _aorta_, to all parts of the body. +It then makes another circuit through every part, ministering to the +wants of all, and is afterwards again brought back by the veins to +receive the fresh chyle from the stomach, and to be purified by the +lungs. + +The throbbing of the heart is caused by its alternate expansion and +contraction, as it receives and expels the blood. With one throb, the +blood is sent from the right ventricle into the lungs, and from the left +ventricle into the aorta. + +Every time we inspire air, the process of purifying the blood is going +on; and every time we expire the air, we throw out the redundant carbon +and hydrogen, taken from a portion of the blood. If the waist is +compressed by tight clothing, a portion of the lungs be compressed, so +that the air-vessels cannot be filled. This prevents the perfect +purification and preparation of the blood, so that a part returns back +to the heart unfitted for its duties. This is a slow, but sure, method, +by which the constitution of many a young lady is so undermined that she +becomes an early victim to disease and to the decay of beauty and +strength. The want of _pure air_ is another cause, of the debility of +the female constitution. When air has been rendered impure, by the +breath of several persons, or by close confinement, it does not purify +the blood properly. Sleeping in close chambers, and sitting in crowded +and unventilated schoolrooms, are frequent causes of debility in the +constitution of young persons. + + +OF THE SKIN. + +The skin is the covering of the body, and has very important functions +to perform. It is more abundantly supplied with nerves and blood-vessels +than any other part; and there is no spot of the skin where the point of +the finest needle would not pierce a nerve and blood-vessel. Indeed, it +may be considered as composed chiefly of an interlacing of minute nerves +and blood-vessels, so that it is supposed there is more nervous matter +in the skin, than in all the rest of the body united, and that the +greater portion of the blood flows through the skin. + +The whole animal system is in a state of continual change and +renovation. Food is constantly taken into the stomach, only a portion of +which is fitted for the supply of the blood. All the rest has to be +thrown out of the system, by various organs designed for this purpose. +These organs are,--the lungs, which throw off a portion of useless +matter when the blood is purified; the kidneys, which secrete liquids +that pass into the bladder, and are thrown out from the body by that +organ; and the intestines, which carry off the useless and more solid +parts of the food, after the lacteals have drawn off the chyle. In +addition to these organs, the skin has a similar duty to perform; and as +it has so much larger a supply of blood, it is the chief organ in +relieving the body of the useless and noxious parts of the materials +which are taken for food. + +Various experiments show, that not less than a pound and four ounces of +waste matter is thrown off by the skin every twenty-four hours. This is +according to the lowest calculation. Most of those, who have made +experiments to ascertain the quantity, represent it as much greater; and +all agree, that the skin throws off more redundant matter from the body, +than the whole of the other organs together. In the ordinary state of +the skin, even when there is no apparent perspiration, it is constantly +exhaling waste matter, in a form which is called _insensible +perspiration_, because it cannot be perceived by the senses. A very cool +mirror, brought suddenly near to the skin, will be covered, in that +part, with a moisture, which is this effluvium thus made visible. When +heat or exercise excites the skin, this perspiration is increased, so as +to be apparent to the senses. This shows the reason why it is so +important frequently to wash the entire surface of the body. If this be +neglected, the pores of the skin are closed by the waste matter thrown +from the body, and by small particles of the thin scarfskin, so that it +cannot properly perform its duties. In this way, the other organs are +made to work harder, in order to perform the labor the skin would +otherwise accomplish, and thus the lungs and bowels are often +essentially weakened. + +Another office of the skin, is, to regulate the heat of the body. The +action of the internal organs is constantly generating heat; and the +faster the blood circulates, the greater is the heat evolved. The +perspiration of the skin serves to reduce and regulate this heat. For, +whenever any liquid changes to a vapor, it absorbs heat from whatever is +nearest to it. The faster the blood flows, the more perspiration is +evolved. This bedews the skin with a liquid, which the heat of the body +turns to a vapor; and in this change, that heat is absorbed. When a +fever takes place, this perspiration ceases, and the body is afflicted +with heat. Insensible perspiration is most abundant during sleep, after +eating, and when friction is applied to the skin. Perspiration is +performed by the terminations of minute arteries in every part of the +skin, which exude the perspiration from the blood. + +The skin also performs another function. It is provided with a set of +small vessels, called _absorbents_, which are exceedingly abundant and +minute. When particular substances are brought in contact with the skin, +these absorbents take up some portions and carry them into the blood. It +is owing to this, that opium, applied on the skin, acts in a manner +similar to its operation when taken into the stomach. The power of +absorption is increased by friction; and this is the reason that +liniments are employed, with much rubbing, to bruises and sprains. The +substance applied is thus introduced into the injured part, through the +absorbents. This shows another reason for frequent washing of the skin, +and for the frequent changes of the garment next the skin. Otherwise +portions of the noxious matter, thrown out by the skin, are reabsorbed +into the blood, and are slow but sure causes of a decay of the strength +of the system. + +The skin is also provided with small follicles, or bags, which are +filled with an oily substance. This, by gradually exuding over the skin, +prevents water from penetrating and injuring its texture. + +The skin is also the organ of touch. This office is performed through +the instrumentality of the nerves of feeling, which are spread over all +parts of the skin. + +This general outline of the construction of the human frame is given, +with reference to the practical application of this knowledge in the +various cases where a woman will be called upon to exercise her own +unaided judgement. The application will be further pointed out, in the +chapters on Food, Dress, Cleanliness, Care of the Sick, and Care of +Infants. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. + + +The person who decides what shall be the food and drink of a family, and +the modes of preparation, is the one who decides, to a greater or less +extent, what shall be the health of that family. It is the opinion of +most medical men, that intemperance in eating is the most fruitful of +all causes of disease and death. If this be so, the woman who wisely +adapts the food and cooking of her family to the laws of health, removes +the greatest risk which threatens the lives of those under her care. + +To exhibit this subject clearly, it will be needful to refer, more +minutely, to the organization and operation of the digestive organs. + +It is found, by experiment, that the supply of gastric juice, furnished +from the blood, by the arteries of the stomach, is proportioned, not to +the amount of food put into the stomach, but to the wants of the body; +so that it is possible to put much more into the stomach than can be +digested. To guide and regulate in this matter, the sensation called +_hunger_ is provided. In a healthy state of the body, as soon as the +blood has lost its nutritive supplies, the craving of hunger is felt, +and then, if the food is suitable, and is taken in the proper manner, +this sensation ceases, as soon as the stomach has received enough to +supply the wants of the system. But our benevolent Creator, in this, as +in our other duties, has connected enjoyment with the operation needful +to sustain our bodies. In addition to the allaying of hunger, the +gratification of the palate is secured, by the immense variety of food, +some articles of which are far more agreeable than others. + +This arrangement of Providence, designed for our happiness, has become, +either through ignorance, or want of self-control, the chief cause of +the various diseases and sufferings, which afflict those classes who +have the means of seeking a variety to gratify the palate. If mankind +had only one article of food, and only water to drink, though they would +have less enjoyment in eating, they would never be tempted to put any +more into the stomach, than the calls of hunger required. But the +customs of society, which present an incessant change, and a great +variety of food, with those various condiments which stimulate appetite, +lead almost every person very frequently to eat merely to gratify the +palate, after the stomach has been abundantly supplied, so that hunger +has ceased. + +When too great a supply of food is put into the stomach, the gastric +juice dissolves only that portion which the wants of the system demand. +The remainder is ejected, in an unprepared state; the absorbents take +portions of it into the system; and all the various functions of the +body, which depend on the ministries of the blood, are thus gradually +and imperceptibly injured. Very often, intemperance in eating produces +immediate results, such as colic, headaches, pains of indigestion, and +vertigo. But the more general result, is, a gradual undermining of all +parts of the human frame; thus imperceptibly shortening life, by so +weakening the constitution, that it is ready to yield, at every point, +to any uncommon risk or exposure. Thousands and thousands are passing +out of the world, from diseases occasioned by exposures, which a healthy +constitution could meet without any danger. It is owing to these +considerations, that it becomes the duty of every woman, who has the +responsibility of providing food for a family, to avoid a variety of +tempting dishes. It is a much safer rule, to have only one kind of +healthy food, for each meal, than the abundant variety which is usually +met at the tables of almost all classes in this Country. When there is +to be any variety of dishes, they ought not to be successive, but so +arranged, as to give the opportunity of selection. How often is it the +case, that persons, by the appearance of a favorite article, are tempted +to eat, merely to gratify the palate, when the stomach is already +adequately supplied. All such intemperance wears on the constitution, +and shortens life. It not unfrequently happens, that excess in eating +produces a morbid appetite, which must constantly be denied. + +But the organization of the digestive organs demands, not only that food +be taken in proper quantities, but that it be taken at proper times. + +It has before been shown, that, as soon as the food enters the stomach, +the muscles are excited by the nerves, and the _peristaltic motion_ +commences. This is a powerful and constant exercise of the muscles of +the stomach, which continues until the process of digestion is complete. +During this time, the blood is withdrawn from other parts of the system, +to supply the demands of the stomach, which is laboring hard with all +its muscles. When this motion ceases, and the digested food has +gradually passed out of the stomach, Nature requires that it should have +a period of repose. And if another meal be eaten, immediately after one +is digested, the stomach is set to work again, before it has had time to +rest, and before a sufficient supply of gastric juice is provided. + +The general rule, then, is, that three hours be given to the stomach for +labor, and two for rest; and in obedience to this, five hours, at least, +ought to elapse between every two regular meals. In cases where exercise +produces a flow of perspiration, more food is needed to supply the loss; +and strong laboring men may safely eat as often as they feel the want of +food. So, young and healthy children, who gambol and exercise much, and +whose bodies grow fast, may have a more frequent supply of food. But, as +a general rule, meals should be five hours apart, and eating between +meals avoided. There is nothing more unsafe, and wearing to the +constitution, than a habit of eating at any time, merely to gratify the +palate. When a tempting article is presented, every person should +exercise sufficient self-denial, to wait till the proper time for eating +arrives. Children, as well as grown persons, are often injured, by +eating between their regular meals, thus weakening the stomach, by not +affording it any time for rest. + +In deciding as to _quantity_ of food, there is one great difficulty to +be met by a large portion of the community. It has been shown, that the +exercise of every part of the body is indispensable to its health and +perfection. The bones, the muscles, the nerves, the organs of digestion +and respiration, and the skin, all demand exercise, in order properly to +perform their functions. When the muscles of the body are called into +action, all the blood-vessels entwined among them are frequently +compressed. As the arteries are so contrived, that the blood cannot run +back, this compression hastens it forward, through the veins, towards +that organ. The heart is immediately put in quicker motion, to send it +into the lungs; and they, also, are thus stimulated to more rapid +action, which is the cause of that panting which active exercise always +occasions. The blood thus courses with greater celerity through the +body, and sooner loses its nourishing properties. Then the stomach +issues its mandate of hunger, and a new supply of food must be +furnished. Thus it appears, as a general rule, that the quantity of +food, actually needed by the body, depends on the amount of muscular +exercise taken. A laboring man, in the open fields, probably throws off +from his skin ten times the amount of perspirable matter, which is +evolved from the skin of a person of sedentary pursuits. In consequence +of this, he demands a far greater amount of food and drink. + +Those persons, who keep their bodies in a state of health, by sufficient +exercise, can always be guided by the calls of hunger. They can eat when +they feel hungry, and stop when hunger ceases; and then they will +calculate exactly right. But the difficulty is, that a large part of +the community, especially women, are so inactive in their habits, that +they seldom feel the calls of hunger. They habitually eat, merely to +gratify the palate. This produces such a state of the system, that they +have lost the guide which Nature has provided. They are not called to +eat, by hunger, nor admonished, by its cessation, when to stop. In +consequence of this, such persons eat what pleases the palate, till they +feel no more inclination for the article. It is probable, that three +fourths of the women, in the wealthier circles, sit down to each meal +without any feeling of hunger, and eat merely on account of the +gratification thus afforded them. Such persons find their appetite to +depend almost solely upon the kind of food on the table. This is not the +case with those, who take the exercise which Nature demands. They +approach their meals in such a state that almost any kind of food is +acceptable. + +The question then arises, how are persons, who have lost the guide which +Nature has provided, to determine as to the proper amount of food they +shall take? + +The only rules they can adopt, are of a general nature; founded on the +principles already developed. They should endeavor to proportion their +food to the amount of the exercise they ordinarily take. If they take +but little exercise, they should eat but little food in comparison with +those who are much in the open air and take much exercise; and their +food should be chiefly vegetable, and not animal. But how often is it +seen, that a student, or a man who sits all day in an office, or a lady +who spends the day in her parlor and chamber, will sit down to a loaded +table, and, by continuing to partake of the tempting varieties, in the +end load the stomach with a supply, which a stout farmer could scarcely +digest. + +But the health of a family depends, not merely on the _quantity_ of food +taken; but very much, also, on the _quality_. Some kinds of food are +very pernicious in their nature, and some healthful articles are +rendered very injurious by the mode of cooking. Persons who have a +strong constitution, and take much exercise, may eat almost any thing, +with apparent impunity; but young children, who are forming their +constitutions, and persons who are delicate, and who take but little +exercise, are very dependent for health, on a proper selection of food. + +There are some general principles, which may aid in regulating the +judgement on this subject. + +It is found, that there are some kinds of food which afford nutriment to +the blood, and do not produce any other effect on the system. There are +other kinds, which are not only nourishing, but _stimulating_, so that +they quicken the functions of the organs on which they operate. The +condiments used in cookery, such as pepper, mustard, and spices, are of +this nature. There are certain states of the system, when these +stimulants are beneficial; but it is only in cases where there is some +debility. Such cases can only be pointed out by medical men. But persons +in perfect health, and especially young children, never receive any +benefit from such kind of food; and just in proportion as condiments +operate to quicken the labors of the internal organs, they tend to wear +down their powers. A person who thus keeps the body working under an +unnatural excitement, _lives faster_ than Nature designed, and the +sooner the constitution is worn out. A woman, therefore, should provide +dishes for her family, which are free from these stimulating condiments, +and as much as possible prevent their use. It is also found, by +experience, that animal food is more stimulating than vegetable. This is +the reason why, in cases of fevers, or inflammations, medical men forbid +the use of meat and butter. Animal food supplies chyle much more +abundantly than vegetable food does; and this chyle is more stimulating +in its nature. Of course, a person who lives chiefly on animal food, is +under a higher degree of stimulus than if his food was chiefly composed +of vegetable substances. His blood will flow faster, and all the +functions of his body will be quickened. + +This makes it important to secure a proper proportion of animal and +vegetable diet. Some medical men suppose, that an exclusively vegetable +diet is proved, by the experience of many individuals, to be fully +sufficient to nourish the body; and bring, as evidence, the fact, that +some of the strongest and most robust men in the world, are those, who +are trained, from infancy, exclusively on vegetable food. From this, +they infer, that life will be shortened, just in proportion as the diet +is changed to more stimulating articles; and that, all other things +being equal, children will have a better chance of health and long life, +if they are brought up solely on vegetable food. + +But, though this is not the common opinion of medical men, they all +agree, that, in America, far too large a portion of the diet consists of +animal food. As a nation, the Americans are proverbial for the gross and +luxurious diet with which they load their tables; and there can be no +doubt that the general health of the Nation would be increased, by a +change in our customs in this respect. To take meat but once a day, and +this in small quantities, compared with the common practice, is a rule, +the observance of which would probably greatly reduce the amount of +fevers, eruptions, headaches, bilious attacks, and the many other +ailments which are produced or aggravated by too gross a diet. + +The celebrated Roman physician, Baglivi, (who, from practising +extensively among Roman Catholics, had ample opportunities to observe,) +mentions, that, in Italy, an unusual number of people recover their +health in the forty days of Lent, in consequence of the lower diet which +is required as a religious duty. An American physician remarks, "For +every reeling drunkard that disgraces our Country, it contains one +hundred gluttons;--persons, I mean, who eat to excess, and suffer in +consequence." Another distinguished physician says, "I believe that +every stomach, not actually impaired by organic disease, will perform +its functions, if it receives reasonable attention; and when we perceive +the manner in which diet is generally conducted, both in regard to +_quantity_ and _variety_ of articles of food and drink, which are mixed +up in one heterogeneous mass,--instead of being astonished at the +prevalence of indigestion, our wonder must rather be, that, in such +circumstances, any stomach is capable of digesting at all." + +In regard to articles which are the most easily digested, only general +rules can be given. Tender meats are digested more readily than those +which are tough, or than many kinds of vegetable food. The farinaceous +articles, such as rice, flour, corn, potatoes, and the like, are the +most nutritious, and most easily digested. The popular notion, that meat +is more nourishing than bread, is a great mistake. Good bread contains +one third more nourishment than butcher's meat. The meat is more +_stimulating_, and for this reason is more readily digested. A perfectly +healthy stomach can digest almost any healthful food; but when the +digestive powers are weak, every stomach has its peculiarities, and what +is good for one, is hurtful to another. In such cases, experiment, +alone, can decide, which are the most digestible articles of food. A +person, whose food troubles him, must deduct one article after another, +till he learns, by experience, which is the best for digestion. Much +evil has been done, by assuming that the powers of one stomach are to be +made the rule in regulating every other. + +The most unhealthful kinds of food, are those, which are made so by bad +cooking; such as sour and heavy bread, cakes, pie-crust, and other +dishes consisting of fat, mixed and cooked with flour; also rancid +butter, and high-seasoned food. The fewer mixtures there are in cooking, +the more healthful is the food likely to be. + +There is one caution, as to the _mode_ of eating, which seems peculiarly +needful to Americans. It is indispensable to good digestion, that food +be well chewed and taken slowly. It needs to be thoroughly chewed, in +order to prepare it for the action of the gastric juice, which, by the +_peristaltic motion_, will be thus brought into universal contact with +the minute portions. It has been found, that a solid lump of food +requires much more time and labor of the stomach, than divided +substances. It has also been found, that, as each bolus, or mouthful, +enters the stomach, the latter closes, until the portion received has +had some time to move around and combine with the gastric juice; and +that the orifice of the stomach resists the entrance of any more, till +this is accomplished. But, if the eater persists in swallowing fast, the +stomach yields; the food is then poured in more rapidly than the organ +can perform its duty of digestion; and evil results are sooner or later +developed. This exhibits the folly of those hasty meals, so common to +travellers, and to men of business, and shows why children should be +taught to eat slowly. + +After taking a full meal, it is very important to health, that no great +bodily or mental exertion be made, till the labor of the stomach is +over. Intense mental effort draws the blood to the head, and muscular +exertions draw it to the muscles; and in consequence of this, the +stomach loses the supply which it requires when performing its office. +When the blood is thus withdrawn, the adequate supply of gastric juice +is not afforded, and indigestion is the result. The heaviness which +follows a full meal, is the indication which Nature gives of the need of +quiet. When the meal is moderate, a sufficient quantity of gastric juice +is exuded in an hour, or an hour and a half; after which, labor of body +and mind may safely be resumed. + +When undigested food remains in the stomach, and is at last thrown out +into the bowels, it proves an irritating substance, producing an +inflamed state in the lining of the stomach and other organs. The same +effect is produced by alcoholic drinks. + +It is found, that the stomach has the power of gradually accommodating +its digestive powers to the food it habitually receives. Thus, animals, +which live on vegetables, can gradually become accustomed to animal +food; and the reverse is equally true. Thus, too, the human stomach can +eventually accomplish the digestion of some kinds of food, which, at +first, were indigestible. + +But any changes of this sort should be gradual; as those which are +_sudden_, are trying to the powers of the stomach, by furnishing matter +for which its gastric juice is not prepared. + +In regard to the nature of the meals prepared, the breakfast should +furnish a supply of liquids, because the body has been exhausted by the +exhalations of the night, and demands them more than at any other +period. It should not be the heartiest meal, because the organs of +digestion are weakened by long fasting, and the exhalations. Dinner +should be the heartiest meal, because then the powers of digestion are +strengthened, by the supplies of the morning meal. Light and amusing +employments should occupy mind and body for an hour or more after a full +meal. + +But little drink should be taken, while eating, as it dilutes the +gastric juice which is apportioned to each quantity of food as it enters +the stomach. It is better to take drink after the meal is past. + +Extremes of heat or cold are injurious to the process of digestion. +Taking hot food or drink, habitually, tends to debilitate all the organs +thus needlessly excited. In using cold substances, it is found that a +certain degree of warmth in the stomach is indispensable to their +digestion; so that, when the gastric juice is cooled below this +temperature, it ceases to act. Indulging in large quantities of cold +drinks, or eating ice-creams, after a meal, tends to reduce the +temperature of the stomach, and thus to stop digestion. This shows the +folly of those refreshments, in convivial meetings, where the guests are +tempted to load the stomach with a variety, such as would require the +stomach of a stout farmer to digest, and then to wind up with +ice-creams, thus destroying whatever ability might otherwise have +existed, to digest the heavy load. The fittest temperature for drinks, +if taken when the food is in the digesting process, is blood heat. Cool +drinks, and even ice, can be safely taken at other times, if not in +excessive quantity. When the thirst is excessive, or the body weakened +by fatigue, or when in a state of perspiration, cold drinks are +injurious. When the body is perspiring freely, taking a large quantity +of cold drink has often produced instant death. + +Fluids taken into the stomach are not subject to the slow process of +digestion, but are immediately absorbed and carried into the blood. This +is the reason why drink, more speedily than food, restores from +exhaustion. The minute vessels of the stomach inhale or absorb its +fluids, which are carried into the blood, just as the minute extremities +of the arteries open upon the inner surface of the stomach, and there +exude the gastric juice from the blood. + +When food is chiefly liquid, (soup, for example,) the fluid part is +rapidly absorbed. The solid parts remain, to be acted on by the gastric +juice. In the case of St. Martin,[F] in fifty minutes after taking soup, +the fluids were absorbed, and the remainder was even thicker than is +usual after eating solid food. This is the reason why soups are deemed +bad for weak stomachs; as this residuum is more difficult of digestion +than ordinary food. In recovering from sickness, beef-tea and broths are +good, because the system then demands fluids to supply its loss of +blood. + +Highly-concentrated food, having much nourishment in a small bulk, is +not favorable to digestion, because it cannot be properly acted on by +the muscular contractions of the stomach, and is not so minutely +divided, as to enable the gastric juice to act properly. This is the +reason, why a certain _bulk_ of food is needful to good digestion; and +why those people, who live on whale oil, and other highly-nourishing +food, in cold climates, mix vegetables and even sawdust with it, to make +it more acceptable and digestible. So, in civilized lands, bread, +potatoes, and vegetables, are mixed with more highly-concentrated +nourishment. This explains why coarse bread, of unbolted wheat, so often +proves beneficial. Where, from inactive habits, or other causes, the +bowels become constipated and sluggish, this kind of food proves the +appropriate remedy. One fact on this subject is worthy of notice. Under +the administration of William Pitt, for two years or more, there was +such a scarcity of wheat, that, to make it hold out longer, Parliament +passed a law, that the army should have all their bread made of unbolted +flour. The result was, that the health of the soldiers improved so much, +as to be a subject of surprise to themselves, the officers, and the +physicians. These last came out publicly, and declared, that the +soldiers never before were so robust and healthy; and that disease had +nearly disappeared from the army. The civic physicians joined and +pronounced it the healthiest bread; and, for a time, schools, families, +and public institutions, used it almost exclusively. Even the nobility, +convinced by these facts, adopted it for their common diet; and the +fashion continued a long time after the scarcity ceased, until more +luxurious habits resumed their sway. For this reason, also, soups, +gellies, and arrow-root, should have bread or crackers mixed with them. +We thus see why children should not have cakes and candies allowed them +between meals. These are highly-concentrated nourishments, and should be +eaten with more bulky and less nourishing substances. The most +indigestible of all kinds of food, are fatty and oily substances; +especially if heated. It is on this account, that pie-crust, and +articles boiled and fried in fat or butter, are deemed not so healthful +as other food. + +The following, then, may be put down as the causes of a debilitated +constitution, from the misuse of food. Eating _too much_, eating _too +often_, eating _too fast_, eating food and condiments that are _too +stimulating_, eating food that is _too warm_ or _too cold_, eating food +that is _highly-concentrated_, without a proper admixture of less +nourishing matter, and eating food that is _difficult of digestion_. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[F] The individual here referred to,--Alexis St. Martin,--was a young +Canadian, of eighteen years of age, of a good constitution, and robust +health, who, in 1822, was accidentally wounded by the discharge of a +musket, which carried away a part of the ribs, lacerated one of the +lobes of the lungs, and perforated the stomach, making a large aperture, +which never closed; and which enabled Dr. Beaumont, (a surgeon of the +American army, stationed at Michilimackinac, under whose care the +patient was placed,) to witness all the processes of digestion and other +functions of the body, for several years. The published account of the +experiments made by Dr. B., is highly interesting and instructive. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. + + +Although intemperance in eating is probably the most prolific cause of +the diseases of mankind, intemperance in drink has produced more guilt, +misery, and crime, than any other one cause. And the responsibilities of +a woman, in this particular, are very great; for the habits and +liabilities of those under her care, will very much depend on her +opinions and practice. + +It is a point fully established by experience, that the full +developement of the human body, and the vigorous exercise of all its +functions, can be secured without the use of stimulating drinks. It is, +therefore, perfectly safe, to bring up children never to use them; no +hazard being incurred, by such a course. + +It is also found, by experience, that there are two evils incurred, by +the use of stimulating drinks. The first, is, their positive effect on +the human system. Their peculiarity consists in so exciting the nervous +system, that all the functions of the body are accelerated, and the +fluids are caused to move quicker than at their natural speed. This +increased motion of the animal fluids, always produces an agreeable +effect on the mind. The intellect is invigorated, the imagination is +excited, the spirits are enlivened; and these effects are so agreeable, +that all mankind, after having once experienced them, feel a great +desire for their repetition. + +But this temporary invigoration of the system, is always followed by a +diminution of the powers of the stimulated organs; so that, though in +all cases this reaction may not be perceptible, it is invariably the +result. It may be set down as the unchangeable rule of physiology, that +stimulating drinks (except in cases of disease) deduct from the powers +of the constitution, in exactly the proportion in which they operate to +produce temporary invigoration. + +The second evil, is, the temptation which always attends the use of +stimulants. Their effect on the system is so agreeable, and the evils +resulting are so imperceptible and distant, that there is a constant +tendency to increase such excitement, both in frequency and power. And +the more the system is thus reduced in strength, the more craving is the +desire for that which imparts a temporary invigoration. This process of +increasing debility and increasing craving for the stimulus that removes +it, often goes to such an extreme, that the passion is perfectly +uncontrollable, and mind and body perish under this baleful habit. + +In this Country, there are five forms in which the use of such +stimulants is common; namely, _alcoholic drinks_, _tea_, _coffee_, +_opium mixtures_, and _tobacco_. These are all alike, in the main +peculiarity of imparting that extra stimulus to the system, which tends +to exhaust its powers. + +Multitudes in this Nation are in the habitual use of some one of these +stimulants; and each person defends the indulgence by these arguments: + +First, that the desire for stimulants is a natural propensity, implanted +in man's nature, as is manifest from the universal tendency to such +indulgences, in every nation. From this, it is inferred, that it is an +innocent desire, which ought to be gratified, to some extent, and that +the aim should be, to keep it within the limits of temperance, instead +of attempting to exterminate a natural propensity. + +This is an argument, which, if true, makes it equally proper to use +opium, brandy, tea, or tobacco, as stimulating principles, provided they +are used temperately. But, if it be granted that perfect health and +strength can be gained and secured without these stimulants, and that +their peculiar effect is to diminish the power of the system, in exactly +the same proportion as they stimulate it, then there is no such thing as +a temperate use, unless they are so diluted, as to destroy any +stimulating power; and in this form, they are seldom desired. + +The other argument for their use, is, that they are among the good +things provided by the Creator, for our gratification; that, like all +other blessings, they are exposed to abuse and excess; and that we +should rather seek to regulate their use, than to banish them entirely. + +This argument is based on the assumption, that they are, like healthful +foods and drinks, necessary to life and health, and injurious only by +excess. But this is not true; for, whenever they are used in any such +strength as to be a gratification, they operate, to a greater or less +extent, as stimulants; and, to just such extent, they wear out the +powers of the constitution; and it is abundantly proved, that they are +not, like food and drink, necessary to health. Such articles are +designed for medicine, and not for common use. There can be no argument +framed to defend the use of one of them, which will not equally defend +all. That men have a love for being stimulated, after they have once +felt the pleasurable excitement, and that Providence has provided the +means for securing it, are arguments as much in favor of alcohol, opium, +and tobacco, as of coffee and tea. All that can be said in favor of the +last-mentioned favorite beverages, is, that the danger in their use is +not so great. Let any one, who defends one kind of stimulating drink, +remember, then, that he uses an argument, which, if it be allowed that +stimulants are not needed, and are injurious, will equally defend all +kinds; and that all which can be said in defence of tea and coffee, is, +that they _may_ be used, so weak, as to do no harm, and that they +actually have done less harm than some of the other stimulating +narcotics. + +The writer is of opinion, that tea and coffee are a most extensive cause +of much of the nervous debility and suffering endured by American women; +and that relinquishing such drinks would save an immense amount of such +suffering. But there is little probability that the present generation +will make so decided a change in their habits, as to give up these +beverages; and the subject is presented rather in reference to forming +the habits of children. + +It is a fact, that tea and coffee are, at first, seldom or never +agreeable to children. It is the mixture of milk, sugar, and water, that +reconciles them to a taste, which in this manner gradually becomes +agreeable. Now, suppose that those who provide for a family conclude +that it is not _their_ duty to give up entirely the use of stimulating +drinks, may not the case appear different, in regard to teaching their +children to love such drinks? Let the matter be regarded thus:--The +experiments of physiologists all prove, that stimulants are not needful +to health, and that, as the general rule, they tend to debilitate the +constitution. Is it right, then, for a parent to tempt a child to drink +what is not needful, when there is a probability that it will prove, to +some extent, an undermining drain on the constitution? Some +constitutions can bear much less excitement than others; and, in every +family of children, there is usually one, or more, of delicate +organization, and consequently peculiarly exposed to dangers from this +source. It is this child who ordinarily becomes the victim to +stimulating drinks. The tea and coffee which the parents and the +healthier children can use without immediate injury, gradually sap the +energies of the feebler child, who proves either an early victim, or a +living martyr to all the sufferings that debilitated nerves inflict. Can +it be right, to lead children, where all allow that there is some +danger, and where, in many cases, disease and death are met, when +another path is known to be perfectly safe? + +Of the stimulating drinks in common use, _black tea_ is least injurious, +because its flavor is so strong, in comparison with its narcotic +principle, that one who uses it, is much less liable to excess. Children +can be trained to love milk and water sweetened with sugar, so that it +will always be a pleasant beverage; or, if there are exceptions to the +rule, they will be few. Water is an unfailing resort. Every one loves +it, and it is perfectly healthful. + +The impression, common in this Country, that _warm drinks_, especially +in Winter, are more healthful than cold, is not warranted by any +experience, nor by the laws of the physical system. At dinner, cold +drinks are universal, and no one deems them injurious. It is only at the +other two meals that they are supposed to be hurtful. + +There is no doubt that _warm_ drinks are healthful, and more agreeable +than cold, at certain times and seasons; but it is equally true, that +drinks above blood heat are not healthful. If any person should hold a +finger in hot water, for a considerable time, twice every day, it would +be found that the finger would gradually grow weaker. The frequent +application of the stimulus of heat, like all other stimulants, +eventually causes debility. If, therefore, a person is in the habit of +drinking hot drinks, twice a day, the teeth, throat, and stomach are +gradually debilitated. This, most probably, is one of the causes of an +early decay of the teeth, which is observed to be much more common among +American ladies, than among those in European countries. + +It has been stated to the writer, by an intelligent traveller, who had +visited Mexico, that it was rare to meet an individual with even a +tolerable set of teeth; and that almost every grown person, he met in +the street, had merely remnants of teeth. On inquiry into the customs +of the Country, it was found, that it was the universal practice to take +their usual beverage at almost the boiling point; and this, doubtless, +was the chief cause of the almost entire want of teeth in that Country. +In the United States, it cannot be doubted that much evil is done, in +this way, by hot drinks. Most tea-drinkers consider tea as ruined, if it +stands until it reaches the healthful temperature for drink. + +The following extract from Dr. Andrew Combe, presents the opinion of +most intelligent medical men on this subject.[G] + +"_Water_ is a safe drink for all constitutions, provided it be resorted +to in obedience to the dictates of natural thirst, only, and not of +habit. Unless the desire for it is felt, there is no occasion for its +use during a meal." + +"The primary effect of all distilled and fermented liquors, is, to +_stimulate the nervous system and quicken the circulation_. In infancy +and childhood, the circulation is rapid, and easily excited; and the +nervous system is strongly acted upon, even by the slightest external +impressions. Hence slight causes of irritation readily excite febrile +and convulsive disorders. In youth, the natural tendency of the +constitution is still to excitement; and consequently, as a general +rule, the stimulus of fermented liquors is injurious." + +These remarks show, that parents, who find that stimulating drinks are +not injurious to themselves, may mistake in inferring, from this, that +they will not be injurious to their children. + +Dr. Combe continues thus: "In mature age, when digestion is good and the +system in full vigor, if the mode of life be not too exhausting, the +nervous functions and general circulation are in their best condition, +and require no stimulus for their support. The bodily energy is then +easily sustained, by nutritious food and a regular regimen, and +consequently artificial excitement only increases the wasting of the +natural strength. In old age, when the powers of life begin to fail, +moderate stimulus may be used with evident advantage." + +It may be asked, in this connection, why the stimulus of animal food is +not to be regarded in the same light, as that of stimulating drinks. In +reply, a very essential difference may be pointed out. Animal food +furnishes nutriment to the organs which it stimulates, but stimulating +drinks excite the organs to quickened action, without affording any +nourishment. + +It has been supposed, by some, that tea and coffee have, at least, a +degree of nourishing power. But it is proved, that it is the milk and +sugar, and not the main portion of the drink, which imparts the +nourishment. Tea has not one particle of nourishing properties; and what +little exists in the coffee-berry, is lost by roasting it in the usual +mode. All that these articles do, is simply _to stimulate, without +nourishing_. + +It is very common, especially in schools, for children to form a habit +of drinking freely of cold water. This is a debilitating habit, and +should be corrected. Very often, chewing a bit of cracker will stop a +craving for drink, better than taking water; and when teachers are +troubled with very thirsty scholars, they should direct them to this +remedy. A person who exercises but little, requires no drink, between +meals, for health; and the craving for it is unhealthful. Spices, wines, +fermented liquors, and all stimulating condiments, produce unhealthful +thirst. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[G] The writer would here remark, in reference to extracts made from +various authors, that, for the sake of abridging, she has often left out +parts of a paragraph, but never so as to modify the meaning of the +author. Some ideas, not connected with the subject in hand, are omitted, +but none are altered. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +ON CLOTHING. + + +It appears, by calculations made from bills of mortality, that one +quarter of the human race perishes in infancy. This is a fact not in +accordance with the analogy of Nature. No such mortality prevails among +the young of animals; it does not appear to be the design of the +Creator; and it must be owing to causes which can be removed. Medical +men agree in the opinion, that a great portion of this mortality, is +owing to mismanagement, in reference to fresh air, food, and clothing. + +At birth, the circulation is chiefly in the vessels of the skin; for the +liver and stomach, being feeble in action, demand less blood, and it +resorts to the surface. If, therefore, an infant be exposed to cold, the +blood is driven inward, by the contracting of the blood-vessels in the +skin: and, the internal organs being thus over-stimulated, bowel +complaints, croup, convulsions, or some other evil, ensues. This shows +the sad mistake of parents, who plunge infants in cold water to +strengthen their constitution; and teaches, that infants should be +washed in warm water, and in a warm room. Some have constitutions strong +enough to bear mismanagement in these respects; but many fail in +consequence of it. + +Hence we see the importance of dressing infants warmly, and protecting +them from exposure to a cold temperature. It is for this purpose, that +mothers, now, very generally, cover the arms and necks of infants, +especially in Winter. Fathers and mothers, if they were obliged to go +with bare arms and necks, even in moderate weather, would often shiver +with cold; and yet they have a power of constitution which would subject +them to far less hazard and discomfort, than a delicate infant must +experience from a similar exposure. This mode of dressing infants, with +bare necks and arms, has arisen from the common impression, that they +have a power of resisting cold superior to older persons. This is a +mistake; for the experiments of medical men have established the fact, +that the power of producing heat is least in the period of infancy. + +Extensive investigations have been made in France, in reference to this +point. It is there required, in some districts, that every infant, at +birth, be carried to the office of the _maire_, [_mayor_,] to be +registered. It is found, in these districts, that the deaths of +newly-born infants, are much more numerous in the cold, than in the +warm, months; and that a much greater proportion of such deaths occurs +among those who reside at a distance from the office of the _maire_, +than among those in its vicinity. This proves, that exposure to cold has +much to do with the continuance of infant life. + +But it is as dangerous to go to the other extreme, and keep the body too +warm. The skin, when kept at too high a temperature, is relaxed and +weakened by too profuse perspiration, and becomes more sensitive, and +more readily affected by every change of temperature. This increases the +liabilities to sudden colds; and it frequently happens, that the +children, who are most carefully guarded from cold, are the ones most +liable to take sudden and dangerous chills. The reason is, that, by the +too great accumulation of clothing, the skin is too much excited, and +the blood is withdrawn from the internal organs, thus weakening them, +while the skin itself is debilitated by the same process. + +The rule of safety, is, so to cover the body, as to keep it entirely +warm, but not so as to induce perspiration in any part. The perspiration +induced by exercise is healthful, because it increases the appetite; but +the perspiration produced by excess of clothing is debilitating. This +shows the importance of adjusting beds and their covering to the season. +Featherbeds are unhealthful in warm weather, because they induce +perspiration; and in all cases, those, who have the care of children, +should proportion their covering by night to the season of the year. +Infants and children should never be so clothed, as either to feel +chilly, or to induce perspiration. + +The greatest trouble, in this respect, to those who have the care of +children, is owing to their throwing off their covering in the night. +The best guard, against such exposures, is a nightgown, of the warmest +and thickest flannel, made like pantaloons at the lower part, and the +legs long, so that they can be tied over the feet. This makes less +covering needful, and saves the child from excessive cold when it is +thrown off. + +The clothing ought always to be proportioned to the constitution and +habits. A person of strong constitution, who takes much exercise, needs +less clothing than one of delicate and sedentary habits. According to +this rule, women need much thicker and warmer clothing, when they go +out, than men. But how different are our customs, from what sound wisdom +dictates! Women go out with thin stockings, thin shoes, and open necks, +when men are protected by thick woollen hose and boots, and their whole +body encased in many folds of flannel and broadcloth. + +Flannel, worn next the skin, is useful, for several reasons. It is a bad +conductor of heat, so that it protects the body from _sudden_ chills +when in a state of perspiration. It also produces a kind of friction on +the skin, which aids it in its functions, while its texture, being +loose, enables it to receive and retain much matter, thrown off from the +body, which would otherwise accumulate on its surface. This is the +reason, why medical men direct, that young children wear flannel next +the body, and woollen hose, the first two years of life. They are thus +protected from sudden exposures. For the same reason, laboring men +should thus wear flannels, which are also considered as preservatives +from infection, in unhealthy atmospheres. They give a healthy action to +the skin, and thus enable it to resist the operation of unhealthy +miasms. On this account, persons residing in a new country should wear +such clothing next the skin, to guard them from the noxious miasms +caused by extensive vegetable decompositions. It is stated, that the +fatal influence of the malaria, or noxious exhalations around Rome, has +been much diminished by this practice. But those who thus wear flannel, +through the day, ought to take it off, at night, when it is not needed. +It should be hung so that it can be well aired, during the night. + +But the practice, by which females probably suffer most, is, the use of +_tight dresses_. Much has been said against the use of corsets by +ladies. But these may be worn with perfect safety, and be left off, and +still injury, such as they often produce, be equally felt. It is the +_constriction_ of dress, that is to be feared, and not any particular +article that produces it. A frock, or a belt, may be so tight, as to be +even worse than a corset, which would more equally divide the +compression. + +So long as it is the fashion to admire, as models of elegance, the +wasp-like figures which are presented at the rooms of mantuamakers and +milliners, there will be hundreds of foolish women, who will risk their +lives and health to secure some resemblance to these deformities of the +human frame. But it is believed, that all sensible women, when they +fairly understand the evils which result from tight dressing, and learn +the _real_ model of taste and beauty for a perfect female form, will +never risk their own health, or the health of their daughters, in +efforts to secure one which is as much at variance with good taste, as +it is with good health. + +Such female figures as our print-shops present, are made, not by the +hand of the Author of all grace and beauty, but by the murderous +contrivances of the corset-shop; and the more a woman learns the true +rules of grace and beauty for the female form, the more her taste will +revolt from such ridiculous distortions. The folly of the Chinese belle, +who totters on two useless deformities, is nothing, compared to that of +the American belle, who impedes all the internal organs in the discharge +of their functions, that she may have a slender waist. + +It was shown, in the article on the bones and muscles, that exercise was +indispensable to their growth and strength. If any muscles are left +unemployed, they diminish in size and strength. The girding of tight +dresses operates thus on the muscles of the body. If an article, like +corsets, is made to hold up the body, then those muscles, which are +designed for this purpose, are released from duty, and grow weak; so +that, after this has been continued for some time, leaving off the +unnatural support produces a feeling of weakness. Thus a person will +complain of feeling so weak and unsupported, without corsets, as to be +uncomfortable. This is entirely owing to the disuse of those muscles, +which corsets throw out of employ. + +Another effect of tight dress, is, to stop or impede the office of the +lungs. Unless the chest can expand, fully, and with perfect ease, a +portion of the lungs is not filled with air, and thus the full +purification of the blood is prevented. This movement of the lungs, when +they are fully inflated, increases the peristaltic movement of the +stomach and bowels, and promotes digestion; any constriction of the +waist tends to impede this important operation, and indigestion, with +all its attendant evils, is often the result. + +The rule of safety, in regard to the tightness of dress, is this. Every +person should be dressed so loosely, that, _when sitting in the posture +used in sewing, reading, or study_ THE LUNGS _can be as fully +and as easily inflated, as they are without clothing_. Many a woman +thinks she dresses loosely, because, when she stands up, her clothing +does not confine her chest. This is not a fair test. It is in the +position most used when engaged in common employments, that we are to +judge of the constriction of dress. Let every woman, then, bear in mind, +that, just so long as her dress and position oppose any resistance to +the motion of her chest, in just such proportion her blood is +unpurified, and her vital organs are debilitated. + +The English ladies set our countrywomen a good example, in accommodating +their dress to times and seasons. The richest and noblest among them +wear warm cotton hose and thick shoes, when they walk for exercise; and +would deem it vulgar to appear, as many of our ladies do, with thin hose +and shoes, in damp or cold weather. Any mode of dress, not suited to the +employment, the age, the season, or the means of the wearer, is in bad +taste. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +ON CLEANLINESS. + + +The importance of cleanliness, in person and dress, can never be fully +realized, by persons who are ignorant of the construction of the skin, +and of the influence which its treatment has on the health of the body. +Persons deficient in such knowledge, frequently sneer at what they deem +the foolish and fidgety particularity of others, whose frequent +ablutions and changes of clothing, exceed their own measure of +importance. + +The popular maxim, that "dirt is healthy," has probably arisen from the +fact, that playing in the open air is very beneficial to the health of +children, who thus get dirt on their persons and clothes. But it is the +fresh air and exercise, and not the dirt, which promotes the health. + +In a previous article, it was shown, that the lungs, bowels, kidneys, +and skin, were the organs employed in throwing off those waste and +noxious parts of the food not employed in nourishing the body. Of this, +the skin has the largest duty to perform; throwing off, at least, twenty +ounces every twenty-four hours, by means of insensible perspiration. +When exercise sets the blood in quicker motion, it ministers its +supplies faster, and there is consequently a greater residuum to be +thrown off by the skin; and then the perspiration becomes so abundant as +to be perceptible. In this state, if a sudden chill take place, the +blood-vessels of the skin contract, the blood is driven from the +surface, and the internal organs are taxed with a double duty. If the +constitution be a strong one, these organs march on and perform the +labor exacted. But if any of these organs be debilitated, the weakest +one generally gives way, and some disease ensues. + +One of the most frequent illustrations of this reciprocated action, is +afforded by a convivial meeting in cold weather. The heat of the room, +the food, and the excitement, quicken the circulation, and perspiration +is evolved. When the company passes into the cold air, a sudden +revulsion takes place. The increased circulation continues, for some +time after; but the skin being cooled, the blood retreats, and the +internal organs are obliged to perform the duties of the skin as well as +their own. Then, in case the lungs are the weakest organ, the mucous +secretion becomes excessive; so that it would fill up the cells, and +stop the breathing, were it not for the spasmodic effort called +coughing, by which this substance is thrown out. In case the nerves are +the weakest part of the system, such an exposure would result in pains +in the head or teeth, or in some other nervous ailment. If the muscles +be the weakest part, rheumatic affections will ensue; and if the bowels +or kidneys be weakest, some disorder in their functions will result. + +But it is found, that the closing of the pores of the skin with other +substances, tends to a similar result on the internal organs. In this +situation, the skin is unable perfectly to perform its functions, and +either the blood remains to a certain extent unpurified, or else the +internal organs have an unnatural duty to perform. Either of these +results tends to produce disease, and the gradual decay of the vital +powers. + +Moreover, it has been shown, that the skin has the power of absorbing +into the blood particles retained on its surface. In consequence of +these peculiarities, the skin of the whole body needs to be washed, +every day. This process removes from the pores the matter exhaled from +the blood, and also that collected from the atmosphere and other bodies. +If this process be not often performed, the pores of the skin fill up +with the redundant matter expelled, and being pressed, by the clothing, +to the surface of the body, the skin is both interrupted in its exhaling +process, and its absorbents take back into the system portions of the +noxious matter. Thus the blood is not relieved to the extent designed, +while it receives back noxious particles, which are thus carried to the +lungs, liver, and every part of the system. + +This is the reason why the articles worn next to the skin should often +be changed; and why it is recommended that persons should not sleep in +the article they wear next the skin through the day. The alternate +change and airing of the articles worn next the body by day or night, is +a practice very favorable to the health of the skin. The fresh air has +the power of removing much of the noxious effluvia received from the +body by the clothing. It is with reference to this, that on leaving a +bed, its covering should be thrown open and exposed to the fresh air. + +The benefit arising from a proper care of the skin, is the reason why +bathing has been so extensively practised by civilized nations. The +Greeks and Romans considered bathing as indispensable to daily comfort, +as much so, as their meals; and public baths were provided for all +classes. In European countries, this practice is very prevalent, but +there is no civilized nation which pays so little regard to the rules of +health, on this subject, as our own. To wash the face, feet, hands, and +neck, is the extent of the ablutions practised by perhaps the majority +of our people. + +In regard to the use of the bath, there is need of some information, in +order to prevent danger from its misuse. Persons in good health, and +with strong constitutions, can use the cold bath, and the shower-bath, +with entire safety and benefit. But if the constitution be feeble, cold +bathing is injurious. If it is useful, it can be known by an invigorated +feeling, and a warm glow on the skin; but if, instead of this, there be +a feeling of debility, and the hands and feet become cold, it is a +certain sign, that this kind of bathing is injurious. A bath at +ninety-five degrees of Fahrenheit, is about the right temperature. A +bath, blood warm, or a little cooler than the skin, is safe for all +constitutions, if not protracted over half an hour. After bathing, the +body should be rubbed with a brush or coarse towel, to remove the light +scales of scarfskin, which adhere to it, and also to promote a healthful +excitement. + +A bath should never be taken, till three hours after eating, as it +interrupts the process of digestion, by withdrawing the blood from the +stomach to the surface. Neither should it be taken, when the body is +weary with exercise, nor be immediately followed by severe exercise. +Many suppose that a warm bath exposes a person more readily to take +cold; and that it tends to debilitate the system. This is not the case, +unless it be protracted too long. If it be used so as to cleanse the +skin, and give it a gentle stimulus, it is better able to resist cold +than before the process. This is the reason why the Swedes and Russians +can rush, reeking, out of their steam baths, and throw themselves into +the snow, and not only escape injury, but feel invigorated. It is for a +similar reason, that we suffer less in going into the cold, from a warm +room, with our body entirely warm, than when we go out somewhat chilled. +When the skin is warm, the circulation is active on the surface, and the +cold does not so reduce its temperature, but that increased exercise +will keep up its warmth. + +When families have no bathing establishment, every member should wash +the whole person, on rising or going to bed, either in cold or warm +water, according to the constitution. It is especially important, that +children have the perspiration and other impurities, which their +exercise and sports have occasioned, removed from their skin before +going to bed. The hours of sleep are those when the body most freely +exhales the waste matter of the system, and all the pores should be +properly freed from impediments to this healthful operation. For this +purpose, a large tin wash-pan should be kept for children, just large +enough, at bottom, for them to stand in, and flaring outward, so as to +be very broad at top. A child can then be placed in it, standing, and +washed with a sponge, without wetting the floor. Being small at bottom, +it is better than a tub; it is not only smaller, but lighter, and +requires less water. + +These remarks indicate the wisdom of those parents, who habitually wash +their children, all over, before they go to bed. The chance of life and +health, to such children, is greatly increased by this practice; and no +doubt much of the suffering of childhood, from cutaneous eruptions, weak +eyes, earache, colds, and fevers, is owing to a neglect of the skin. + +The care of the teeth should be made habitual to children, not merely as +promoting an agreeable appearance, but as a needful preservative. The +saliva contains tartar, an earthy substance, which is deposited on the +teeth, and destroys both their beauty and health. This can be prevented, +by the use of the brush, night and morning. But, if this be neglected, +the deposite becomes hard, and can be removed only by the dentist. If +suffered to remain, it tends to destroy the health of the gums; they +gradually decay, and thus the roots of the teeth become bare, and they +often drop out. + +When children are shedding their first set of teeth, care should be +taken, to remove them as soon as they become loose; otherwise the new +teeth will grow awry. When persons have defective teeth, they can often +be saved, by having them filled by a dentist. This also will frequently +prevent the toothache. + +Children should be taught to take proper care of their nails. Long and +dirty nails have a disagreeable appearance. When children wash, in the +morning, they should be supplied with an instrument to clean the nails, +and be required to use it. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ON EARLY RISING. + + +There is no practice, which has been more extensively eulogized, in all +ages, than early rising; and this universal impression, is an indication +that it is founded on true philosophy. For, it is rarely the case, that +the common sense of mankind fastens on a practice, as really beneficial, +especially one that demands self-denial, without some substantial +reason. + +This practice, which may justly be called a domestic virtue, is one, +which has a peculiar claim to be styled American and democratic. The +distinctive mark of aristocratic nations, is, a disregard of the great +mass, and a disproportionate regard for the interests of certain +privileged orders. All the customs and habits of such a nation, are, to +a greater or less extent, regulated by this principle. Now the mass of +any nation must always consist of persons who labor at occupations which +demand the light of day. But in aristocratic countries, especially in +England, labor is regarded as the mark of the lower classes, and +indolence is considered as one mark of a gentleman. This impression has +gradually and imperceptibly, to a great extent, regulated their customs, +so that, even in their hours of meals and repose, the higher orders aim +at being different and distinct from those, who, by laborious pursuits, +are placed below them. From this circumstance, while the lower orders +labor by day, and sleep at night, the rich, the noble, and the honored, +sleep by day, and follow their pursuits and pleasures by night. It will +be found, that the aristocracy of London breakfast near mid-day, dine +after dark, visit and go to Parliament between ten and twelve at night, +and retire to sleep towards morning. In consequence of this, the +subordinate classes, who aim at gentility, gradually fall into the same +practice. The influence of this custom extends across the ocean, and +here, in this democratic land, we find many, who measure their grade of +gentility by the late hour at which they arrive at a party. And this +aristocratic tendency is growing upon us, so that, throughout the +Nation, the hours for visiting and retiring are constantly becoming +later, while the hours for rising correspond in lateness. + +The question, then, is one which appeals to American women, as a matter +of patriotism; as having a bearing on those great principles of +democracy, which we conceive to be equally the principles of +Christianity. Shall we form our customs on the principle that labor is +degrading, and indolence genteel? Shall we assume, by our practice, that +the interests of the great mass are to be sacrificed for the pleasures +and honors of a privileged few? Shall we ape the customs of aristocratic +lands, in those very practices which result from principles and +institutions that we condemn? Shall we not rather take the place to +which we are entitled, as the leaders, rather than the followers, in the +customs of society, turn back the tide of aristocratic inroads, and +carry through the whole, not only of civil and political, but of social +and domestic, life, the true principles of democratic freedom and +equality? The following considerations may serve to strengthen an +affirmative decision. + +The first, relates to the health of a family. It is a universal law of +physiology, that all living things flourish best in the light. +Vegetables, in a dark cellar, grow pale and spindling,[H] and children, +brought up in mines, are wan and stinted. This universal law, indicates +the folly of turning day into night, thus losing the genial influence, +which the light of day produces on all animated creation. + +There is another phenomenon in the physiology of Nature, which equally +condemns this practice. It has been shown, that the purification of the +blood, in the lungs, is secured, by the oxygen of the atmosphere +absorbing its carbon and hydrogen. This combination forms carbonic acid +and water, which are expired from our lungs into the atmosphere. Now all +the vegetable world undergoes a similar process. In the light of day, +all the leaves of vegetables absorb carbon and expire oxygen, thus +supplying the air with its vital principle, and withdrawing the more +deleterious element. But, when the light is withdrawn, this process is +reversed, and all vegetables exhale carbonic acid, and inspire the +oxygen of the air. Thus it appears, that the atmosphere of day is much +more healthful than that of the night, especially out of doors. + +Moreover, when the body is fatigued, it is much more liable to +deleterious influences, from noxious particles in the atmosphere, which +may be absorbed by the skin or the lungs. In consequence of this, the +last hours of daily labor are more likely to be those of risk, +especially to delicate constitutions. This is a proper reason for +retiring to the house and to slumber, at an early hour, that the body +may not be exposed to the most risk, when, after the exertions of the +day, it is least able to bear it. + +The observations of medical men, whose inquiries have been directed to +this point, have decided, that from six to eight hours, is the amount of +sleep demanded by persons in health. Some constitutions require as much +as eight, and others no more than six, hours of repose. But eight hours +is the maximum for all persons in ordinary health, with ordinary +occupations. In cases of extra physical exertions, or the debility of +disease, or a decayed constitution, more than this is required. Let +eight hours, then, be regarded as the ordinary period required for +sleep, by an industrious people, like the Americans. According to this, +the practice of rising between four and five, and retiring between nine +and ten, in Summer, would secure most of the sunlight, and expose us the +least to that period of the atmosphere, when it is most noxious. In +Winter, the night air is less deleterious, because the frost binds +noxious exhalations, and vegetation ceases its inspiring and expiring +process; and, moreover, as the constitution is more tried, in cold, than +in warm, weather, and as in cold weather the body exhales less during +the hours of sleep, it is not so injurious to protract our slumbers +beyond the proper period, as it is in the warm months. But in Winter, it +is best for grown persons, in health, to rise as soon as they can see to +dress, and retire so as not to allow more than eight hours for sleep. + +It thus appears, that the laws of our political condition, the laws of +the natural world, and the constitution of our bodies, alike demand that +we rise with the light of day to prosecute our employments, and that we +retire within doors, when this light is withdrawn. + +In regard to the effects of protracting the time spent in repose, many +extensive and satisfactory investigations have been made. It has been +shown, that, during sleep, the body perspires most freely, while yet +neither food nor exercise are ministering to its wants. Of course, if we +continue our slumbers, beyond the time required to restore the body to +its usual vigor, there is an unperceived undermining of the +constitution, by this protracted and debilitating exhalation. This +process, in a course of years, renders the body delicate, and less able +to withstand disease; and in the result shortens life. Sir John +Sinclair, who has written a large work on the Causes of Longevity, +states, as one result of his extensive investigations, that he has never +yet heard or read of a single case of great longevity, where the +individual was not an early riser. He says, that he has found cases, in +which the individual has violated some one of all the other laws of +health, and yet lived to great age; but never a single instance, in +which any constitution has withstood that undermining, consequent on +protracting the hours of repose beyond the demands of the system. + +Another reason for early rising, is, that it is indispensable to a +systematic and well-regulated family. At whatever hour the parents +retire, children and domestics, wearied by play or labor, must retire +early. Children usually awake with the dawn of light, and commence their +play, while domestics usually prefer the freshness of morning for their +labors. If, then, the parents rise at a late hour, they either induce a +habit of protracting sleep in their children and domestics, or else the +family is up, and at their pursuits, while their supervisors are in +bed. Any woman, who asserts that her children and domestics, in the +first hours of day, when their spirits are freshest, will be as well +regulated without her presence, as with it, confesses that, which surely +is little for her credit. It is believed, that any candid woman, +whatever may be her excuse for late rising, will concede, that, if she +could rise early, it would be for the advantage of her family. A late +breakfast puts back the work, through the whole day, for every member of +a family; and, if the parents thus occasion the loss of an hour or two, +to each individual, who, but for their delay in the morning, would be +usefully employed, they, alone, are responsible for all this waste of +time. Is it said, that those, who wish to rise early, can go to their +employments before breakfast? it may be replied, that, in most cases, it +is not safe to use the eyes or the muscles in the morning, till the +losses of the night have been repaired by food. In addition to this, it +may be urged, that, where the parents set an example of the violation of +the rules of health and industry, their influence tends in the wrong +direction; so that whatever waste of time is induced, by a practice +which they thus uphold, must be set down to their account. + +But the practice of early rising has a relation to the general interests +of the social community, as well as to that of each distinct family. All +that great portion of the community, who are employed in business and +labor, find it needful to rise early; and all their hours of meals, and +their appointments for business or pleasure, must be accommodated to +these arrangements. Now, if a small portion of the community establish +very different hours, it makes a kind of jostling, in all the concerns +and interests of society. The various appointments for the public, such +as meetings, schools, and business hours, must be accommodated to the +mass, and not to individuals. The few, then, who establish domestic +habits at variance with the majority, are either constantly interrupted +in their own arrangements, or else are interfering with the rights and +interests of others. This is exemplified in the case of schools. In +families where late rising is practised, either hurry, irregularity, and +neglect, are engendered in the family, or else the interests of the +school, and thus of the community, are sacrificed. In this, and many +other concerns, it can be shown, that the wellbeing of the bulk of the +people, is, to a greater or less extent, impaired by this aristocratic +practice. Let any teacher select the unpunctual scholars,--a class who +most seriously interfere with the interests of the school;--and let men +of business select those who cause them most waste of time and vexation, +by unpunctuality; and it will be found, that they are among the late +risers, and rarely among those who rise early. Thus, it is manifest, +that late rising not only injures the person and family which practise +it, but interferes with the rights and convenience of the community. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[H] Shooting into a long, small, stalk or root. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. + + +In the preceding chapters, we have noticed the various causes, which, +one or all, operate to produce that melancholy delicacy and decay of the +female constitution, which are the occasion of so much physical and +mental suffering throughout this Country. + +These, in a more condensed form, may be enumerated thus: + +A want of exercise, inducing softness in the bones, weakness in the +muscles, inactivity in the digestive organs, and general debility in the +nervous system: A neglect of the care of the skin, whereby the blood has +not been properly purified, and the internal organs have been weakened: +A violation of the laws of health, in regard to food, by eating too +much, too fast, and too often; by using stimulating food and drinks; by +using them too warm or too cold; and by eating that which the power of +the stomach is not sufficient to digest: A neglect of the laws of +health, in regard to clothing, by dressing too tight, and by wearing too +little covering, in cold and damp weather, and especially by not +sufficiently protecting the feet: A neglect to gain a proper supply of +pure air, in sleeping apartments and schoolrooms, and too great a +confinement to the house: The pursuit of exciting amusements at +unseasonable hours, and the many exposures involved at such times: And +lastly, sleeping by day, instead of by night, and protracting the hours +of sleep, beyond the period of repose demanded for rest; thus +exhausting, instead of recruiting, the energies of the system. + +But all the other causes, combined, probably, do not produce one half +the evils, which result from a want of proper exercise. A person who +keeps all the functions of the system in full play, by the active and +frequent use of every muscle, especially if it be in the open air, gains +a power of constitution, which can resist many evils that would follow +from the other neglects and risks detailed. This being the case, there +can be no subject, more important for mothers and young ladies to +understand, than the influence on the health, both of body and mind, of +the neglect or abuse of the muscular system. + +It has been shown, in the previous pages, that all the muscles have +nerves and blood-vessels, running in larger trunks, or minute branches, +to every portion of the body. The experiments of Sir Charles Bell and +others, have developed the curious fact, that each apparently single +nerve, in reality consists of two distinct portions, running together in +the same covering. One portion, is the nerve of _sensation_ or +_feeling_, the other, the nerve of _motion_. The nerves of sensation are +those which are affected by the emotions and volitions of the mind; and +the nerves of motion are those which impart moving power to the muscles. +Experiments show, that, where the nerves issue from the spine, the +nerve of sensation may be cut off without severing the nerve of motion, +and then the parts, to which this nerve extends, lose the power of +feeling, while the power of motion continues; and so, on the other hand, +the nerve of motion may be divided, and, the nerve of sensation +remaining uninjured, the power of feeling is retained, and the power of +motion is lost. + +In certain nervous diseases, sometimes a limb loses its power of +feeling, and yet retains the power of motion; in other cases, the power +of motion is lost, and the power of sensation is retained; and in other +cases, still, when a limb is _paralysed_, both the power of motion and +of sensation are lost. + +Now, the nerves, like all other parts of the body, gain and lose +strength, according as they are exercised. If they have too much, or too +little, exercise, they lose strength; if they are exercised to a proper +degree, they gain strength. When the mind is continuously excited, by +business, study, or the imagination, the nerves of feeling are kept in +constant action, while the nerves of motion are unemployed. If this is +continued, for a long time, the nerves of sensation lose their strength, +from over action, and the nerves of motion lose their power, from +inactivity. In consequence, there is a morbid excitability of the +nervous, and a debility of the muscular, system, which make all exertion +irksome and wearisome. The only mode of preserving the health of these +systems, is, to keep up in them an equilibrium of action. For this +purpose, occupations must be sought, which exercise the muscles, and +interest the mind; and thus the equal action of both kinds of nerves is +secured. This shows why exercise is so much more healthful and +invigorating, when the mind is interested, than when it is not. As an +illustration, let a person go a shopping, with a friend, and have +nothing to do, but look on; how soon do the continuous walking and +standing weary! But suppose one, thus wearied, hears of the arrival of a +very dear friend: she can instantly walk off a mile or two, to meet +her, without the least feeling of fatigue. By this is shown the +importance of furnishing, for young persons, exercise in which they will +take an interest. Long and formal walks, merely for exercise, though +they do some good, in securing fresh air and some exercise of the +muscles, would be of triple benefit, if changed to amusing sports, or to +the cultivation of fruits and flowers, in which it is impossible to +engage, without acquiring a great interest. It shows, also, why it is +far better to trust to useful domestic exercise, at home, than to send a +young person out to walk, for the mere purpose of exercise. Young girls +can seldom be made to realize the value of health, and the need of +exercise to secure it, so as to feel much interest in walking abroad, +when they have no other object. But, if they are brought up to minister +to the comfort and enjoyment of themselves and others, by performing +domestic duties, they will constantly be interested and cheered in their +exercise, by the feeling of usefulness, and the consciousness of having +performed their duty. + +There are few young persons, it is hoped, who are brought up with such +miserable habits of selfishness and indolence, that they cannot be made +to feel happier, by the consciousness of being usefully employed. And +those who have never been accustomed to think or care for any one but +themselves, and who seem to feel little pleasure in making themselves +useful, by wise and proper influences, can often be gradually awakened +to the new pleasure of benevolent exertion to promote the comfort and +enjoyment of others. And the more this sacred and elevating kind of +enjoyment is tasted, the greater is the relish induced. Other +enjoyments, often cloy; but the heavenly pleasure, secured by virtuous +industry and benevolence, while it satisfies, at the time, awakens fresh +desires for so ennobling a good. + +But, besides the favorable influence on the nervous and muscular system, +thus gained, it has been shown, that exercise imparts fresh strength and +vitality to all parts of the body. The exertion of the muscles quickens +the flow of the blood, which thus ministers its supplies faster to +every part of the body, and, of course, loses a portion of its +nourishing qualities. When this is the case, the stomach issues its +mandate of _hunger_, calling for new supplies. When these are furnished, +the action of the muscles again hastens a full supply to every organ, +and thus the nerves, the muscles, the bones, the skin, and all the +internal organs, are invigorated, and the whole body developes its +powers, in fair proportions, fresh strength and full beauty. All the +cosmetics of trade, all the labors of mantuamakers, milliners, makers of +corsets, shoemakers, and hairdressers, could never confer so clear and +pure a skin, so fresh a color, so finely moulded a form, and such +cheerful health and spirits, as would be secured by training a child to +obey the laws of the benevolent Creator, in the appropriate employment +of body and mind in useful domestic exercise. And the present habits of +the wealthy, and even of those without wealth, which condemn young girls +so exclusively to books or sedentary pursuits, are as destructive to +beauty and grace, as they are to health and happiness. + +Every allowance should be made for the mistakes of mothers and teachers, +to whom the knowledge which would have saved them from the evils of such +a course has never been furnished; but as information, on these matters, +is every year becoming more abundant, it is to be hoped, that the next +generation, at least, may be saved from the evils which afflict those +now on the stage. What a change would be made in the happiness of this +Country, if all the pale and delicate young girls should become +blooming, healthful, and active, and all the enfeebled and care-worn +mothers should be transformed into such fresh, active, healthful, and +energetic matrons, as are so frequently found in our mother land! + +It has been stated, that the excessive use of the muscles, as much as +their inactivity, tends to weaken them. Nothing is more painful, than +the keeping a muscle constantly on the stretch, without any relaxation +or change. This can be realized, by holding out an arm, perpendicularly +to the body, for ten or fifteen minutes, if any one can so long bear the +pain. Of course, confinement to one position, for a great length of +time, tends to weaken the muscles thus strained. + +This shows the evil of confining young children to their seats, in the +schoolroom, so much and so long as is often done. Having no backs to +their seats, as is generally the case, the muscles, which are employed +in holding up the body, are kept in a state of constant tension, till +they grow feeble from overworking. Then, the child begins to grow +crooked, and the parents, to remedy the evil, sometimes put on bracers +or corsets. These, instead of doing any good, serve to prevent the use +of those muscles, which, if properly exercised, would hold the body +straight; and thus they grow still weaker, from entire inactivity. If a +parent perceives that a child is growing crooked, the proper remedy is, +to withdraw it from all pursuits which tax one particular set of +muscles, and turn it out to exercise in sports, or in gardening, in the +fresh air, when all the muscles will be used, and the whole system +strengthened. Or, if this cannot be done, sweeping, dusting, running of +errands, and many household employments, which involve lifting, +stooping, bending, and walking, are quite as good, and, on some +accounts, better, provided the house is properly supplied with fresh +air. + +Where persons have formed habits of inactivity, some caution is +necessary, in attempting a change; this must be made gradually; and the +muscles must never be excessively fatigued at any time. If this change +be not thus gradually made, the weakness, at first caused by inactivity, +will be increased by excessive exertion. A distinguished medical +gentleman gives this rule, to direct us in regard to the amount of +fatigue, which is safe and useful. A person is never too much fatigued, +if one night of repose gives sufficient rest, and restores the usual +strength. But, if the sleep is disturbed, and the person wakes with a +feeling of weariness and languor, it is a sure indication that the +exercise has been excessive. No more fatigue, then, should be allowed, +than one night's rest will remedy. + +Some persons object to sweeping, on account of the dust inhaled. But +free ventilation, frequent sweeping, and the use of damp sand, or damp +Indian meal, or damp tea leaves, for carpets, will secure a more clear +atmosphere than is often found in the streets of cities. And the mother, +who will hire domestics, to take away this and other domestic +employments, which would secure to her daughters, health, grace, beauty, +and domestic virtues, and the young ladies, who consent to be deprived +of these advantages, will probably live to mourn over the languor, +discouragement, pain, and sorrow, which will come with ill health, as +the almost inevitable result. + +The following are extracts from 'The Young Ladies' Friend,' on this +subject:-- + +"Whether rich or poor, young or old, married or single, a woman is +always liable to be called to the performance of every kind of domestic +duty, as well as to be placed at the head of a family; and nothing, +short of a _practical_ knowledge of the details of housekeeping, can +ever make those duties easy, or render her competent to direct others in +the performance of them. + +"All moral writers on female character, treat of Domestic Economy as an +indispensable part of female education; and this, too, in the old +countries of Europe, where an abundant population, and the institutions +of society, render it easy to secure the services of faithful +domestics." + +"All female characters that are held up to admiration, whether in +fiction or biography, will be found to possess these domestic +accomplishments; and, if they are considered indispensable in the Old +World, how much more are they needed, in this land of independence, +where riches cannot exempt the mistress of a family from the difficulty +of procuring efficient aid, and where perpetual change of domestics, +renders perpetual instruction and superintendence necessary. + +"Since, then, the details of good housekeeping must be included in a +good female education, it is very desirable that they should be acquired +when young, and so practised as to become easy, and to be performed +dexterously and expeditiously." + +"The elegant and accomplished Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who figured in +the fashionable, as well as the literary, circles of her time, has said, +that 'the most minute details of household economy become elegant and +refined, when they are ennobled by sentiment;' and they are truly +ennobled, when we do them either from a sense of duty, or consideration +for a parent, or love to a husband. 'To furnish a room,' continues this +lady, 'is no longer a commonplace affair, shared with upholsterers and +cabinet-makers; it is decorating the place where I am to meet a friend +or lover. To order dinner is not merely arranging a meal with my cook; +it is preparing refreshment for him whom I love. These necessary +occupations, viewed in this light, by a person capable of strong +attachment, are so many pleasures, and afford her far more delight, than +the games and shows which constitute the amusements of the world.' + +"Such is the testimony of a titled lady of the last century, to the +sentiment that may be made to mingle in the most homely occupations. I +will now quote that of a modern female writer and traveller, who, in her +pleasant book, called 'Six Weeks on the Loire,' has thus described the +housewifery of the daughter of a French nobleman, residing in a superb +chateau on that river. The travellers had just arrived, and been +introduced, when the following scene took place. + +"'The bill of fare for dinner was discussed in my presence, and settled, +_sans façon_,[I] with that delightful frankness and gayety, which, in +the French character, gives a charm to the most trifling occurrence. +Mademoiselle Louise then begged me to excuse her for half an hour, as +she was going to make some creams, and some _pastilles_.[J] I requested +that I might accompany her, and also render myself useful; we +accordingly went together to the dairy. I made tarts _à l'Anglaise_,[K] +whilst she made confections and _bonbons_,[L] and all manner of pretty +things, with as much ease as if she had never done any thing else, and +as much grace as she displayed in the saloon. I could not help thinking, +as I looked at her, with her servants about her, all cheerful, +respectful, and anxious to attend upon her, how much better it would be +for the young ladies in England, if they would occasionally return to +the habits of their grandmammas, and mingle the animated and endearing +occupations of domestic life, and the modest manners and social +amusements of home, with the perpetual practising on harps and pianos, +and the incessant efforts at display, and search after gayety, which, at +the present day, render them any thing but what an amiable man, of a +reflecting mind and delicate sentiments, would desire in the woman he +might wish to select as the companion of his life.'" + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[I] Without formality, or useless ceremony. + +[J] Rolls of paste, or pastry, or sugarplums. + +[K] According to the English fashion. + +[L] Nice things or dainties, such as sweetmeats. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. + + +Good-manners are the expressions of benevolence in personal intercourse, +by which we endeavor to promote the comfort and enjoyment of others, and +to avoid all that gives needless uneasiness. It is the exterior +exhibition of the Divine precept, which requires us to do to others, as +we would that they should do to us. It is saying, by our deportment, to +all around, that we consider their feelings, tastes, and convenience, as +equal in value to our own. + +Good-manners lead us to avoid all practices which offend the taste of +others; all violations of the conventional rules of propriety; all rude +and disrespectful language and deportment; and all remarks, which would +tend to wound the feelings of another. + +There is a serious defect, in the manners of the American people, +especially in the free States, which can never be efficiently remedied, +except in the domestic circle, and during early life. It is a deficiency +in the free expression of kindly feelings and sympathetic emotions, and +a want of courtesy in deportment. The causes, which have led to this +result, may easily be traced. + +The forefathers of this Nation, to a wide extent, were men who were +driven from their native land, by laws and customs which they believed +to be opposed both to civil and religious freedom. The sufferings they +were called to endure, the subduing of those gentler feelings which bind +us to country, kindred, and home, and the constant subordination of the +passions to stern principle, induced characters of great firmness and +self-control. They gave up the comforts and refinements of a civilized +country, and came, as pilgrims, to a hard soil, a cold clime, and a +heathen shore. They were continually forced to encounter danger, +privations, sickness, loneliness, and death; and all these, their +religion taught them to meet with calmness, fortitude, and submission. +And thus it became the custom and habit of the whole mass, to repress, +rather than to encourage, the expression of feeling. + +Persons who are called to constant and protracted suffering and +privation, are forced to subdue and conceal emotion; for the free +expression of it would double their own suffering, and increase the +sufferings of others. Those, only, who are free from care and anxiety, +and whose minds are mainly occupied by cheerful emotions, are at full +liberty to unveil their feelings. + +It was under such stern and rigorous discipline, that the first children +in New England were reared; and the manners and habits of parents are +usually, to a great extent, transmitted to children. Thus it comes to +pass, that the descendants of the Puritans, now scattered over every +part of the Nation, are predisposed to conceal the gentler emotions, +while their manners are calm, decided, and cold, rather than free and +impulsive. Of course, there are very many exceptions to these +predominating results. + +The causes, to which we may attribute a general want of courtesy in +manners, are certain incidental results of our democratic institutions. +Our ancestors, and their descendants, have constantly been combating the +aristocratic principle, which would exalt one class of men at the +expense of another. They have had to contend with this principle, not +only in civil, but in social, life. Almost every American, in his own +person, as well as in behalf of his class, has had to assume and defend +the main principle of democracy,--that every man's feelings and +interests are equal in value to those of every other man. But, in doing +this, there has been some want of clear discrimination. Because claims, +based on distinctions of mere birth, fortune, or position, were found to +be injurious, many have gone to the extreme of inferring that all +distinctions, involving subordination, are useless. Such, would regard +children as equals to parents, pupils to teachers, domestics to their +employers, and subjects to magistrates; and that, too, in all respects. + +The fact, that certain grades of superiority and subordination are +needful, both for individual and public benefit, has not been clearly +discerned; and there has been a gradual tendency to an extreme, which +has sensibly affected our manners. All the proprieties and courtesies, +which depend on the recognition of the relative duties of superior and +subordinate, have been warred upon; and thus we see, to an increasing +extent, disrespectful treatment of parents, from children; of teachers, +from pupils; of employers, from domestics; and of the aged, from the +young. In all classes and circles, there is a gradual decay in courtesy +of address. + +In cases, too, where kindness is rendered, it is often accompanied with +a cold, unsympathizing manner, which greatly lessens its value, while +kindness or politeness is received in a similar style of coolness, as if +it were but the payment of a just due. + +It is owing to these causes, that the American people, especially the +inhabitants of New England, do not do themselves justice. For, while +those, who are near enough to learn their real character and feelings, +can discern the most generous impulses, and the most kindly sympathies, +they are so veiled, in a composed and indifferent demeanor, as to be +almost entirely concealed from strangers. + +These defects in our national manners, it especially falls to the care +of mothers, and all who have charge of the young, to rectify; and if +they seriously undertake the matter, and wisely adapt means to ends, +these defects will be remedied. With reference to this object, the +following ideas are suggested. + +The law of Christianity and of democracy, which teaches that all men are +born equal, and that their interests and feelings should be regarded as +of equal value, seems to be adopted in aristocratic circles, with +exclusive reference to the class in which the individual moves. The +courtly gentleman, addresses all of his own class with politeness and +respect; and, in all his actions, seems to allow that the feelings and +convenience of others are to be regarded, the same as his own. But his +demeanor to those of inferior station, is not based on the same rule. + +Among those, who make up aristocratic circles, such as are above them, +are deemed of superior, and such as are below, of inferior, value. Thus, +if a young, ignorant, and vicious coxcomb, happens to be born a lord, +the aged, the virtuous, the learned, and the wellbred, of another class, +must give his convenience the precedence, and must address him in terms +of respect. So, when a man of noble birth is thrown among the lower +classes, he demeans himself in a style, which, to persons of his own +class, would be deemed the height of assumption and rudeness. + +Now, the principles of democracy require, that the same courtesy, which +we accord to our own circle, shall be extended to every class and +condition; and that distinctions, of superiority and subordination, +shall depend, not on accidents of birth, fortune, or occupation, but +solely on those relations, which the good of all classes equally +require. The distinctions demanded, in a democratic state, are simply +those, which result from relations, that are common to every class, and +are for the benefit of all. + +It is for the benefit of every class, that children be subordinate to +parents, pupils to teachers, the employed to their employers, and +subjects to magistrates. In addition to this, it is for the general +wellbeing, that the comfort or convenience of the delicate and feeble, +should be preferred to that of the strong and healthy, who would suffer +less by any deprivation, and that precedence should be given to their +elders, by the young, and that reverence should be given to the hoary +head. + +The rules of good-breeding, in a democratic state, must be founded on +these principles. It is, indeed, assumed, that the value of the +happiness of each individual, is the same as that of every other; but, +as there must be occasions, where there are advantages which all cannot +enjoy, there must be general rules for regulating a selection. +Otherwise, there would be constant scrambling, among those of equal +claims, and brute force must be the final resort; in which case the +strongest would have the best of every thing. The democratic rule, then, +is, that superiors, in age, station, or office, have precedence of +subordinates; age and feebleness, of youth and strength; and the feebler +sex, of more vigorous man.[M] + +There is, also, a style of deportment and address, which is appropriate +to these different relations. It is suitable for a superior to secure +compliance with his wishes, from those subordinate to him, by commands; +but a subordinate must secure compliance with his wishes, from a +superior, by requests. It is suitable for a parent, teacher, or +employer, to admonish for neglect of duty; but not for an inferior to +adopt such a course towards a superior. It is suitable for a superior to +take precedence of a subordinate, without any remark; but not for an +inferior, without previously asking leave, or offering an apology. It is +proper for a superior to use language and manners of freedom and +familiarity, which would be improper from a subordinate to a superior. + +The want of due regard to these proprieties, occasions the chief defect +in American manners. It is very common to hear children talk to their +parents, in a style proper only between companions and equals; so, also, +the young address their elders, those employed, their employers, and +domestics, the members of the family and their visiters, in a style, +which is inappropriate to their relative positions. A respectful address +is required not merely towards superiors; every person desires to be +treated with courtesy and respect, and therefore, the law of benevolence +demands such demeanor, towards all whom we meet in the social +intercourse of life. "Be ye courteous," is the direction of the Apostle +in reference to our treatment of _all_. + +Good-manners can be successfully cultivated, only in early life, and in +the domestic circle. There is nothing which depends so much upon +_habit_, as the constantly recurring proprieties of good-breeding; and, +if a child grows up without forming such habits, it is very rarely the +case that they can be formed at a later period. The feeling, that it is +of little consequence how we behave at home, if we conduct properly +abroad, is a very fallacious one. Persons, who are careless and ill bred +at home, may imagine that they can assume good-manners abroad; but they +mistake. Fixed habits of tone, manner, language, and movements, cannot +be suddenly altered; and those who are illbred at home, even when they +try to hide their bad habits, are sure to violate many of the obvious +rules of propriety, and yet be unconscious of it. + +And there is nothing, which would so effectually remove prejudice +against our democratic institutions, as the general cultivation of +good-breeding in the domestic circle. Good-manners are the exterior of +benevolence, the minute and often recurring exhibitions of "peace and +good-will;" and the nation, as well as the individual, which most excels +in the external, as well as the internal, principle, will be most +respected and beloved. + +The following are the leading points, which claim attention from those +who have the care of the young. + +In the first place, in the family, there should be required, a strict +attention to the rules of precedence, and those modes of address +appropriate to the various relations to be sustained. Children should +always be required to offer their superiors, in age or station, the +precedence in all comforts and conveniences, and always address them in +a respectful tone and manner. The custom of adding "Sir," or "Ma'am," to +"Yes," or "No," is valuable, as a perpetual indication of a respectful +recognition of superiority. It is now going out of fashion, even among +the most wellbred people; probably from a want of consideration of its +importance. Every remnant of courtesy of address, in our customs, should +be carefully cherished, by all who feel a value for the proprieties of +good-breeding. + +If parents allow their children to talk to them, and to the grown +persons in the family, in the same style in which they address each +other, it will be vain to hope for the courtesy of manner and tone, +which good-breeding demands in the general intercourse of society. In a +large family, where the elder children are grown up, and the younger are +small, it is important to require the latter to treat the elder as +superiors. There are none, so ready as young children to assume airs of +equality; and, if they are allowed to treat one class of superiors in +age and character disrespectfully, they will soon use the privilege +universally. This is the reason, why the youngest children of a family +are most apt to be pert, forward, and unmannerly. + +Another point to be aimed at, is, to require children always to +acknowledge every act of kindness and attention, either by words or +manner. If they are so trained as always to make grateful +acknowledgements, when receiving favors, one of the objectionable +features in American manners will be avoided. + +Again, children should be required to ask leave, whenever they wish to +gratify curiosity, or use an article which belongs to another. And if +cases occur, when they cannot comply with the rules of good-breeding, +as, for instance, when they must step between a person and the fire, or +take the chair of an older person, they should be required either to ask +leave, or to offer an apology. + +There is another point of good-breeding, which cannot, in all cases, be +understood and applied by children, in its widest extent. It is that, +which requires us to avoid all remarks which tend to embarrass, vex, +mortify, or in any way wound the feelings, of another. To notice +personal defects; to allude to others' faults, or the faults of their +friends; to speak disparagingly of the sect or party to which a person +belongs; to be inattentive, when addressed in conversation; to +contradict flatly; to speak in contemptuous tones of opinions expressed +by another;--all these, are violations of the rules of good-breeding, +which children should be taught to regard. Under this head, comes the +practice of whispering, and staring about, when a teacher, or lecturer, +or clergyman, is addressing a class or audience. Such inattention, is +practically saying, that what the person is uttering is not worth +attending to; and persons of real good-breeding always avoid it. Loud +talking and laughing, in a large assembly, even when no exercises are +going on; yawning and gaping in company; and not looking in the face a +person who is addressing you, are deemed marks of ill-breeding. + +Another branch of good-manners, relates to the duties of hospitality. +Politeness requires us to welcome visiters with cordiality; to offer +them the best accommodations; to address conversation to them; and to +express, by tone and manner, kindness and respect. Offering the hand to +all visiters, at one's own house, is a courteous and hospitable custom; +and a cordial shake of the hand, when friends meet, would abate much of +the coldness of manner ascribed to Americans. + +The last point of good-breeding, to be noticed, refers to the +conventional rules of propriety and good taste. Of these, the first +class relates to the avoidance of all disgusting or offensive personal +habits, such as fingering the hair; cleaning the teeth or nails; picking +the nose; spitting on carpets; snuffing, instead of using a +handkerchief, or using the article in an offensive manner; lifting up +the boots or shoes, as some men do, to tend them on the knee, or to +finger them;--all these tricks, either at home or in society, children +should be taught to avoid. + +Another branch, under this head, may be called _table manners_. To +persons of good-breeding, nothing is more annoying, than violating the +conventional proprieties of the table. Reaching over another person's +plate; standing up, to reach distant articles, instead of asking to have +them passed; using one's own knife, and spoon, for butter, salt, or +sugar, when it is the custom of the family to provide separate utensils +for the purpose; setting cups, with tea dripping from them, on the +tablecloth, instead of the mats or small plates furnished; using the +tablecloth, instead of the napkins; eating fast, and in a noisy manner; +putting large pieces in the mouth; looking and eating as if very hungry, +or as if anxious to get at certain dishes; sitting at too great a +distance from the table, and dropping food; laying the knife and fork on +the tablecloth, instead of on the bread, or the edge of the plate;--all +these particulars, children should be taught to avoid. It is always +desirable, too, to require children, when at table with grown persons, +to be silent, except when addressed by others; or else their chattering +will interrupt the conversation and comfort of their elders. They should +always be required, too, to wait, _in silence_, till all the older +persons are helped. + +All these things should be taught to children, gradually, and with great +patience and gentleness. Some parents, with whom good-manners is a great +object, are in danger of making their children perpetually +uncomfortable, by suddenly surrounding them with so many rules, that +they must inevitably violate some one or other, a great part of the +time. It is much better to begin with a few rules, and be steady and +persevering with these, till a habit is formed, and then take a few +more, thus making the process easy and gradual. Otherwise, the temper of +children will be injured; or, hopeless of fulfilling so many +requisitions, they will become reckless and indifferent to all. + +But, in reference to those who have enjoyed advantages for the +cultivation of good-manners, and who duly estimate its importance, one +caution is necessary. Those, who never have had such habits formed in +youth, are under disadvantages, which no benevolence of temper can +remedy. They may often violate the tastes and feelings of others, not +from a want of proper regard for them, but from ignorance of custom, or +want of habit, or abstraction of mind, or from other causes, which +demand forbearance and sympathy, rather than displeasure. An ability to +bear patiently with defects in manners, and to make candid and +considerate allowance for a want of advantages, or for peculiarities in +mental habits, is one mark of the benevolence of real good-breeding. + +The advocates of monarchical and aristocratic institutions, have always +had great plausibility given to their views, by the seeming tendencies +to insubordination and bad-manners, of our institutions. And it has been +too indiscriminately conceded, by the defenders of the latter, that such +are these tendencies, and that the offensive points, in American +manners, are the necessary result of democratic principles. + +But it is believed, that both facts and reasoning are in opposition to +this opinion. The following extract from the work of De Tocqueville, +exhibits the opinion of an impartial observer, when comparing American +manners with those of the English, who are confessedly the most +aristocratic of all people. + +He previously remarks on the tendency of aristocracy to make men more +sympathizing with persons of their own peculiar class, and less so +towards those of lower degree; and he then contrasts American manners +with the English, claiming that the Americans are much the most affable, +mild, and social. "In America, where the privileges of birth never +existed, and where riches confer no peculiar rights on their possessors, +men acquainted with each other are very ready to frequent the same +places, and find neither peril nor advantage in the free interchange of +their thoughts. If they meet, by accident, they neither seek nor avoid +intercourse; their manner is therefore natural, frank, and open." "If +their demeanor is often cold and serious, it is never haughty or +constrained." But an "aristocratic pride is still extremely great among +the English; and, as the limits of aristocracy are ill-defined, every +body lives in constant dread, lest advantage should be taken of his +familiarity. Unable to judge, at once, of the social position of those +he meets, an Englishman prudently avoids all contact with them. Men are +afraid, lest some slight service rendered should draw them into an +unsuitable acquaintance; they dread civilities, and they avoid the +obtrusive gratitude of a stranger, as much as his hatred." + +Thus, _facts_ seem to show that when the most aristocratic nation in the +world is compared, as to manners, with the most democratic, the +judgement of strangers is in favor of the latter. + +And if good-manners are the outward exhibition of the democratic +principle of impartial benevolence and equal rights, surely the nation +which adopts this rule, both in social and civil life, is the most +likely to secure the desirable exterior. The aristocrat, by his +principles, extends the exterior of impartial benevolence to his own +class, only; the democratic principle, requires it to be extended _to +all_. + +There is reason, therefore, to hope and expect more refined and polished +manners in America, than in any other land; while all the developements +of taste and refinement, such as poetry, music, painting, sculpture, and +architecture, it may be expected, will come to a higher state of +perfection, here, than in any other nation. + +If this Country increases in virtue and intelligence, as it may, there +is no end to the wealth which will pour in as the result of our +resources of climate, soil, and navigation, and the skill, industry, +energy, and enterprise, of our countrymen. This wealth, if used as +intelligence and virtue dictate, will furnish the means for a superior +education to all classes, and every facility for the refinement of +taste, intellect, and feeling. + +Moreover, in this Country, labor is ceasing to be the badge of a lower +class; so that already it is disreputable for a man to be "a lazy +gentleman." And this feeling must increase, till there is such an +equalisation of labor, as will afford all the time needful for every +class to improve the many advantages offered to them. Already, in +Boston, through the munificence of some of her citizens, there are +literary and scientific advantages, offered to all classes, rarely +enjoyed elsewhere. In Cincinnati, too, the advantages of education, now +offered to the poorest classes, without charge, surpass what, some years +ago, most wealthy men could purchase, for any price. And it is believed, +that a time will come, when the poorest boy in America can secure +advantages, which will equal what the heir of the proudest peerage can +now command. + +The records of the courts of France and Germany, (as detailed by the +Duchess of Orleans,) in and succeeding the brilliant reign of Louis the +Fourteenth,--a period which was deemed the acme of elegance and +refinement,--exhibit a grossness, a vulgarity, and a coarseness, not to +be found among the lowest of our respectable poor. And the biography of +Beau Nash, who attempted to reform the manners of the gentry, in the +times of Queen Anne, exhibits violations of the rules of decency among +the aristocracy, which the commonest yeoman of this Land would feel +disgraced in perpetrating. + +This shows, that our lowest classes, at this period, are more refined, +than were the highest in aristocratic lands, a hundred years ago; and +another century may show the lowest classes, in wealth, in this Country, +attaining as high a polish, as adorns those who now are leaders of +good-manners in the courts of kings. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[M] The universal practice of this Nation, in thus giving precedence to +woman, has been severely commented on by Miss Martineau and some others, +who would transfer all the business of the other sex to women, and then +have them treated like men. May this evidence of our superior +civilisation and Christianity increase, rather than diminish! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +ON THE PRESERVATION OF A GOOD TEMPER IN A HOUSEKEEPER. + + +There is nothing, which has a more abiding influence on the happiness of +a family, than the preservation of equable and cheerful temper and tones +in the housekeeper. A woman, who is habitually gentle, sympathizing, +forbearing, and cheerful, carries an atmosphere about her, which +imparts a soothing and sustaining influence, and renders it easier for +all to do right, under her administration, than in any other situation. + +The writer has known families, where the mother's presence seemed the +sunshine of the circle around her; imparting a cheering and vivifying +power, scarcely realized, till it was withdrawn. Every one, without +thinking of it, or knowing why it was so, experienced a peaceful and +invigorating influence, as soon as he entered the sphere illumined by +her smile, and sustained by her cheering kindness and sympathy. On the +contrary, many a good housekeeper, (good in every respect but this,) by +wearing a countenance of anxiety and dissatisfaction, and by indulging +in the frequent use of sharp and reprehensive tones, more than destroys +all the comfort which otherwise would result from her system, neatness, +and economy. + +There is a secret, social sympathy, which every mind, to a greater or +less degree, experiences with the feelings of those around, as they are +manifested by the countenance and voice. A sorrowful, a discontented, or +an angry, countenance, produces a silent, sympathetic influence, +imparting a sombre shade to the mind, while tones of anger or complaint +still more effectually jar the spirits. + +No person can maintain a quiet and cheerful frame of mind, while tones +of discontent and displeasure are sounding on the ear. We may gradually +accustom ourselves to the evil, till it is partially diminished; but it +always is an evil, which greatly interferes with the enjoyment of the +family state. There are sometimes cases, where the entrance of the +mistress of a family seems to awaken a slight apprehension, in every +mind around, as if each felt in danger of a reproof, for something +either perpetrated or neglected. A woman, who should go around her house +with a small stinging snapper, which she habitually applied to those +whom she met, would be encountered with feelings very much like to +those which are experienced by the inmates of a family, where the +mistress often uses her countenance and voice, to inflict similar +penalties for duties neglected. + +Yet, there are many allowances to be made for housekeepers, who +sometimes imperceptibly and unconsciously fall into such habits. A +woman, who attempts to carry out any plans of system, order, and +economy, and who has her feelings and habits conformed to certain rules, +is constantly liable to have her plans crossed, and her taste violated, +by the inexperience or inattention of those about her. And no +housekeeper, whatever may be her habits, can escape the frequent +recurrence of negligence or mistake, which interferes with her plans. It +is probable, that there is no class of persons, in the world, who have +such incessant trials of temper, and temptations to be fretful, as +American housekeepers. For a housekeeper's business is not, like that of +the other sex, limited to a particular department, for which previous +preparation is made. It consists of ten thousand little disconnected +items, which can never be so systematically arranged, that there is no +daily jostling, somewhere. And in the best-regulated families, it is not +unfrequently the case, that some act of forgetfulness or carelessness, +from some member, will disarrange the business of the whole day, so that +every hour will bring renewed occasion for annoyance. And the more +strongly a woman realizes the value of time, and the importance of +system and order, the more will she be tempted to irritability and +complaint. + +The following considerations, may aid in preparing a woman to meet such +daily crosses, with even a cheerful temper and tones. + +In the first place, a woman, who has charge of a large household, should +regard her duties as dignified, important, and difficult. The mind is so +made, as to be elevated and cheered by a sense of far-reaching influence +and usefulness. A woman, who feels that she is a cipher, and that it +makes little difference how she performs her duties, has far less to +sustain and invigorate her, than one, who truly estimates the +importance of her station. A man, who feels that the destinies of a +nation are turning on the judgement and skill with which he plans and +executes, has a pressure of motive, and an elevation of feeling, which +are great safeguards from all that is low, trivial, and degrading. + +So, an American mother and housekeeper, who looks at her position in the +aspect presented in the previous pages, and who rightly estimates the +long train of influences which will pass down to thousands, whose +destinies, from generation to generation, will be modified by those +decisions of her will, which regulated the temper, principles, and +habits, of her family, must be elevated above petty temptations, which +would otherwise assail her. + +Again, a housekeeper should feel that she really has great difficulties +to meet and overcome. A person, who wrongly thinks there is little +danger, can never maintain so faithful a guard, as one who rightly +estimates the temptations which beset her. Nor can one, who thinks that +they are trifling difficulties which she has to encounter, and trivial +temptations, to which she must yield, so much enjoy the just reward of +conscious virtue and self-control, as one who takes an opposite view of +the subject. + +A third method, is, for a woman deliberately to calculate on having her +best-arranged plans interfered with, very often; and to be in such a +state of preparation, that the evil will not come unawares. So +complicated are the pursuits, and so diverse the habits of the various +members of a family, that it is almost impossible for every one to avoid +interfering with the plans and taste of a housekeeper, in some one point +or another. It is, therefore, most wise, for a woman to keep the loins +of her mind ever girt, to meet such collisions with a cheerful and quiet +spirit. + +Another important rule, is, to form all plans and arrangements in +consistency with the means at command, and the character of those +around. A woman, who has a heedless husband, and young children, and +incompetent domestics, ought not to make such plans, as one may properly +form, who will not, in so many directions, meet embarrassment. She must +aim at just so much as she can probably secure, and no more; and thus +she will usually escape much temptation, and much of the irritation of +disappointment. + +The fifth, and a very important, consideration, is, that _system_, +_economy_, and _neatness_, are valuable, only so far as they tend to +promote the comfort and wellbeing of those affected. Some women seem to +act under the impression, that these advantages _must_ be secured, at +all events, even if the comfort of the family be the sacrifice. True, it +is very important that children grow up in habits of system, neatness, +and order; and it is very desirable that the mother give them every +incentive, both by precept and example: but it is still more important, +that they grow up with amiable tempers, that they learn to meet the +crosses of life with patience and cheerfulness; and nothing has a +greater influence to secure this, than a mother's example. Whenever, +therefore, a woman cannot accomplish her plans of neatness and order, +without injury to her own temper, or to the temper of others, she ought +to modify and reduce them, until she can. + +The sixth method, relates to the government of the tones of voice. In +many cases, when a woman's domestic arrangements are suddenly and +seriously crossed, it is impossible not to feel some irritation. But it +_is_ always possible to refrain from angry tones. A woman can resolve, +that, whatever happens, she will not speak, till she can do it in a calm +and gentle manner. _Perfect silence_ is a safe resort, when such control +cannot be attained, as enables a person to speak calmly; and this +determination, persevered in, will eventually be crowned with success. + +Many persons seem to imagine, that tones of anger are needful, in order +to secure prompt obedience. But observation has convinced the writer +that they are _never_ necessary; that _in all cases_, reproof, +administered in calm tones, would be better. A case will be given in +illustration. + +A young girl had been repeatedly charged to avoid a certain arrangement +in cooking. On one day, when company was invited to dine, the direction +was forgotten, and the consequence was, an accident, which disarranged +every thing, seriously injured the principal dish, and delayed dinner +for an hour. The mistress of the family entered the kitchen, just as it +occurred, and, at a glance, saw the extent of the mischief. For a +moment, her eyes flashed, and her cheeks glowed; but she held her peace. +After a minute or so, she gave directions, in a calm voice, as to the +best mode of retrieving the evil, and then left, without a word said to +the offender. + +After the company left, she sent for the girl, alone, and in a calm and +kind manner pointed out the aggravations of the case, and described the +trouble which had been caused to her husband, her visiters, and herself. +She then portrayed the future evils which would result from such habits +of neglect and inattention, and the modes of attempting to overcome +them; and then offered a reward for the future, if, in a given time, she +succeeded in improving in this respect. Not a tone of anger was uttered; +and yet the severest scolding of a practised Xantippe could not have +secured such contrition, and determination to reform, as was gained by +this method. + +But similar negligence is often visited by a continuous stream of +complaint and reproof, which, in most cases, is met, either by sullen +silence, or impertinent retort, while anger prevents any contrition, or +any resolution of future amendment. + +It is very certain, that some ladies do carry forward a most efficient +government, both of children and domestics, without employing tones of +anger; and therefore they are not indispensable, nor on any account +desirable. + +Though some ladies, of intelligence and refinement, do fall +unconsciously into such a practice, it is certainly very unlady-like, +and in very bad taste, to _scold_; and the further a woman departs from +all approach to it, the more perfectly she sustains her character as a +lady. + +Another method of securing equanimity, amid the trials of domestic life, +is, to cultivate a habit of making allowances for the difficulties, +ignorance, or temptations, of those who violate rule or neglect duty. It +is vain, and most unreasonable, to expect the consideration and care of +a mature mind, in childhood and youth; or that persons, of such limited +advantages as most domestics have enjoyed, should practise proper +self-control, and possess proper habits and principles. + +Every parent, and every employer, needs daily to cultivate the spirit +expressed in the Divine prayer, "forgive us our trespasses, as we +forgive those who trespass against us." The same allowances and +forbearance, which we supplicate from our Heavenly Father, and desire +from our fellow-men, in reference to our own deficiencies, we should +constantly aim to extend to all, who cross our feelings and interfere +with our plans. + +The last, and most important, mode of securing a placid and cheerful +temper and tones, is, by a right view of the doctrine of a +superintending Providence. All persons are too much in the habit of +regarding the more important events of life, as exclusively under the +control of Perfect Wisdom. But the fall of a sparrow, or the loss of a +hair, they do not feel to be equally the result of His directing agency. +In consequence of this, Christian persons, who aim at perfect and +cheerful submission to heavy afflictions, and who succeed, to the +edification of all about them, are sometimes sadly deficient under petty +crosses. If a beloved child be laid in the grave, even if its death +resulted from the carelessness of a domestic, or of a physician, the eye +is turned from the subordinate agent, to the Supreme Guardian of all, +and to Him they bow, without murmur or complaint. But if a pudding be +burnt, or a room badly swept, or an errand forgotten, then vexation and +complaint are allowed, just as if these events were not appointed by +Perfect Wisdom, as much as the sorer chastisement. + +A woman, therefore, needs to cultivate the _habitual_ feeling, that all +the events of her nursery and kitchen, are brought about by the +permission of our Heavenly Father, and that fretfulness or complaint, in +regard to these, is, in fact, complaining and disputing at the +appointments of God, and is really as sinful, as unsubmissive murmurs +amid the sorer chastisements of His hand. And a woman, who cultivates +this habit of referring all the minor trials of life to the wise and +benevolent agency of a Heavenly Parent, and daily seeks His sympathy and +aid, to enable her to meet them with a quiet and cheerful spirit, will +soon find it the perennial spring of abiding peace and content. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. + + +The discussion of the question of the equality of the sexes, in +intellectual capacity, seems frivolous and useless, both because it can +never be decided, and because there would be no possible advantage in +the decision. But one topic, which is often drawn into this discussion, +is of far more consequence; and that is, the relative importance and +difficulty of the duties a woman is called to perform. + +It is generally assumed, and almost as generally conceded, that woman's +business and cares are contracted and trivial; and that the proper +discharge of her duties, demands far less expansion of mind and vigor of +intellect, than the pursuits of the other sex. This idea has prevailed, +because women, as a mass, have never been educated with reference to +their most important duties; while that portion of their employments, +which is of least value, has been regarded as the chief, if not the +sole, concern of a woman. The covering of the body, the conveniences of +residences, and the gratification of the appetite, have been too much +regarded as the sole objects, on which her intellectual powers are to be +exercised. + +But, as society gradually shakes off the remnants of barbarism, and the +intellectual and moral interests of man rise, in estimation, above the +merely sensual, a truer estimate is formed of woman's duties, and of the +measure of intellect requisite for the proper discharge of them. Let any +man, of sense and discernment, become the member of a large household, +in which, a well-educated and pious woman is endeavoring systematically +to discharge her multiform duties; let him fully comprehend all her +cares, difficulties, and perplexities; and it is probable he would +coincide in the opinion, that no statesman, at the head of a nation's +affairs, had more frequent calls for wisdom, firmness, tact, +discrimination, prudence, and versatility of talent, than such a woman. + +She has a husband, to whose peculiar tastes and habits she must +accommodate herself; she has children, whose health she must guard, +whose physical constitutions she must study and develope, whose temper +and habits she must regulate, whose principles she must form, whose +pursuits she must direct. She has constantly changing domestics, with +all varieties of temper and habits, whom she must govern, instruct, and +direct; she is required to regulate the finances of the domestic state, +and constantly to adapt expenditures to the means and to the relative +claims of each department. She has the direction of the kitchen, where +ignorance, forgetfulness, and awkwardness, are to be so regulated, that +the various operations shall each start at the right time, and all be in +completeness at the same given hour. She has the claims of society to +meet, calls to receive and return, and the duties of hospitality to +sustain. She has the poor to relieve; benevolent societies to aid; the +schools of her children to inquire and decide about; the care of the +sick; the nursing of infancy; and the endless miscellany of odd items, +constantly recurring in a large family. + +Surely, it is a pernicious and mistaken idea, that the duties, which tax +a woman's mind, are petty, trivial, or unworthy of the highest grade of +intellect and moral worth. Instead of allowing this feeling, every woman +should imbibe, from early youth, the impression, that she is training +for the discharge of the most important, the most difficult, and the +most sacred and interesting duties that can possibly employ the highest +intellect. She ought to feel, that her station and responsibilities, in +the great drama of life, are second to none, either as viewed by her +Maker, or in the estimation of all minds whose judgement is most worthy +of respect. + +She, who is the mother and housekeeper in a large family, is the +sovereign of an empire, demanding more varied cares, and involving more +difficult duties, than are really exacted of her, who, while she wears +the crown, and professedly regulates the interests of the greatest +nation on earth, finds abundant leisure for theatres, balls, horseraces, +and every gay pursuit. + +There is no one thing, more necessary to a housekeeper, in performing +her varied duties, than _a habit of system and order_; and yet, the +peculiarly desultory nature of women's pursuits, and the embarrassments +resulting from the state of domestic service in this Country, render it +very difficult to form such a habit. But it is sometimes the case, that +women, who could and would carry forward a systematic plan of domestic +economy, do not attempt it, simply from a want of knowledge of the +various modes of introducing it. It is with reference to such, that +various modes of securing system and order, which the writer has seen +adopted, will be pointed out. + +A wise economy is nowhere more conspicuous, than in the right +_apportionment of time_ to different pursuits. There are duties of a +religious, intellectual, social, and domestic, nature, each having +different relative claims on attention. Unless a person has some general +plan of apportioning these claims, some will intrench on others, and +some, it is probable, will be entirely excluded. Thus, some find +religious, social, and domestic, duties, so numerous, that no time is +given to intellectual improvement. Others, find either social, or +benevolent, or religious, interests, excluded by the extent and variety +of other engagements. + +It is wise, therefore, for all persons to devise a general plan, which +they will at least keep in view, and aim to accomplish, and by which, a +proper proportion of time shall be secured, for all the duties of life. + +In forming such a plan, every woman must accommodate herself to the +peculiarities of her situation. If she has a large family, and a small +income, she must devote far more time to the simple duty of providing +food and raiment, than would be right were she in affluence, and with a +small family. It is impossible, therefore, to draw out any general plan, +which all can adopt. But there are some _general principles_, which +ought to be the guiding rules, when a woman arranges her domestic +employments. These principles are to be based on Christianity, which +teaches us to "seek first the kingdom of God," and to deem food, +raiment, and the conveniences of life, as of secondary account. Every +woman, then, ought to start with the assumption, that religion is of +more consequence than any worldly concern, and that, whatever else may +be sacrificed, this, shall be the leading object, in all her +arrangements, in respect to time, money, and attention. It is also one +of the plainest requisitions of Christianity, that we devote some of our +time and efforts, to the comfort and improvement of others. There is no +duty, so constantly enforced, both in the Old and New Testament, as the +duty of charity, in dispensing to those, who are destitute of the +blessings we enjoy. In selecting objects of charity, the same rule +applies to others, as to ourselves; their moral and religious interests +are of the highest moment, and for them, as well as for ourselves, we +are to "seek first the kingdom of God." + +Another general principle, is, that our intellectual and social +interests are to be preferred, to the mere gratification of taste or +appetite. A portion of time, therefore, must be devoted to the +cultivation of the intellect and the social affections. + +Another, is, that the mere gratification of appetite, is to be placed +_last_ in our estimate; so that, when a question arises, as to which +shall be sacrificed, some intellectual, moral, or social, advantage, or +some gratification of sense, we should invariably sacrifice the last. + +Another, is, that, as health is indispensable to the discharge of every +duty, nothing, which sacrifices that blessing, is to be allowed, in +order to gain any other advantage or enjoyment. There are emergencies, +when it is right to risk health and life, to save ourselves and others +from greater evils; but these are exceptions, which do not militate +against the general rule. Many persons imagine, that, if they violate +the laws of health, in performing religious or domestic duties, they are +guiltless before God. But such greatly mistake. We as directly violate +the law, "thou shalt not kill," when we do what tends to risk or shorten +our own life, as if we should intentionally run a dagger into a +neighbor. True, we may escape any fatal or permanently injurious +effects, and so may a dagger or bullet miss the mark, or do only +transient injury. But this, in either case, makes the sin none the less. +The life and happiness of all His creatures are dear to our Creator; and +He is as much displeased, when we injure our own interests, as when we +injure those of others. The idea, therefore, that we are excusable, if +we harm no one but ourselves, is false and pernicious. These, then, are +the general principles, to guide a woman in systematizing her duties and +pursuits. + +The Creator of all things, is a Being of perfect system and order; and, +to aid us in our duty, in this respect, He has divided our time, by a +regularly returning day of rest from worldly business. In following +this example, the intervening six days may be subdivided to secure +similar benefits. In doing this, a certain portion of time must be given +to procure the means of livelihood, and for preparing food, raiment, and +dwellings. To these objects, some must devote more, and others less, +attention. The remainder of time not necessarily thus employed, might be +divided somewhat in this manner: The leisure of two afternoons and +evenings, could be devoted to religious and benevolent objects, such as +religious meetings, charitable associations, school visiting, and +attention to the sick and poor. The leisure of two other days, might be +devoted to intellectual improvement, and the pursuits of taste. The +leisure of another day, might be devoted to social enjoyments, in making +or receiving visits; and that of another, to miscellaneous domestic +pursuits, not included in the other particulars. + +It is probable, that few persons could carry out such an arrangement, +very strictly; but every one can make a systematic apportionment of +time, and at least _aim_ at accomplishing it; and they can also compare +the time which they actually devote to these different objects, with +such a general outline, for the purpose of modifying any mistaken +proportions. + +Without attempting any such systematic employment of time, and carrying +it out, so far as they can control circumstances, most women are rather +driven along, by the daily occurrences of life, so that, instead of +being the intelligent regulators of their own time, they are the mere +sport of circumstances. There is nothing, which so distinctly marks the +difference between weak and strong minds, as the fact, whether they +control circumstances, or circumstances control them. + +It is very much to be feared, that the apportionment of time, actually +made by most women, exactly inverts the order, required by reason and +Christianity. Thus, the furnishing a needless variety of food, the +conveniences of dwellings, and the adornments of dress, often take a +larger portion of time, than is given to any other object. Next after +this, comes intellectual improvement; and, last of all, benevolence and +religion. + +It may be urged, that it is indispensable for most persons to give more +time to earn a livelihood, and to prepare food, raiment, and dwellings, +than to any other object. But it may be asked, how much of the time, +devoted to these objects, is employed in preparing varieties of food, +not necessary, but rather injurious, and how much is spent for those +parts of dress and furniture not indispensable, and merely ornamental? +Let a woman subtract from her domestic employments, all the time, given +to pursuits which are of no use, except as they gratify a taste for +ornament, or minister increased varieties, to tempt the appetite, and +she will find, that much, which she calls "domestic duties," and which +prevent her attention to intellectual, benevolent, and religious, +objects, should be called by a very different name. No woman has a right +to give up attention to the higher interests of herself and others, for +the ornaments of taste, or the gratification of the palate. To a certain +extent, these lower objects are lawful and desirable; but, when they +intrude on nobler interests, they become selfish and degrading. Every +woman, then, when employing her hands, in ornamenting her person, her +children, or her house, ought to calculate, whether she has devoted _as +much_ time, to the intellectual and moral wants of herself and others. +If she has not, she may know that she is doing wrong, and that her +system, for apportioning her time and pursuits, should be altered. + +Some persons, endeavor to systematize their pursuits, by apportioning +them to particular hours of each day. For example, a certain period +before breakfast, is given to devotional duties; after breakfast, +certain hours are devoted to exercise and domestic employments; other +hours, to sewing, or reading, or visiting; and others, to benevolent +duties. But, in most cases, it is more difficult to systematize the +hours of each day, than it is to secure some regular division of the +week. + +In regard to the minutiæ of domestic arrangements, the writer has known +the following methods to be adopted. _Monday_, with some of the best +housekeepers, is devoted to preparing for the labors of the week. Any +extra cooking, the purchasing of articles to be used during the week, +the assorting of clothes for the wash, and mending such as would be +injured without;--these, and similar items, belong to this day. +_Tuesday_ is devoted to washing, and _Wednesday_ to ironing. On +_Thursday_, the ironing is finished off, the clothes are folded and put +away, and all articles, which need mending, are put in the mending +basket, and attended to. _Friday_ is devoted to sweeping and +housecleaning. On _Saturday_, and especially the last Saturday of every +month, every department is put in order; the castors and table furniture +are regulated, the pantry and cellar inspected, the trunks, drawers, and +closets arranged, and every thing about the house, put in order for +_Sunday_. All the cooking, needed for Sunday, is also prepared. By this +regular recurrence of a particular time, for inspecting every thing, +nothing is forgotten till ruined by neglect. + +Another mode of systematizing, relates to providing proper supplies of +conveniences, and proper places in which to keep them. Thus, some ladies +keep a large closet, in which are placed the tubs, pails, dippers, +soap-dishes, starch, bluing, clothes-line, clothes-pins, and every other +article used in washing; and in the same, or another, place, are kept +every convenience for ironing. In the sewing department, a trunk, with +suitable partitions, is provided, in which are placed, each in its +proper place, white thread of all sizes, colored thread, yarns for +mending, colored and black sewing-silks and twist, tapes and bobbins of +all sizes, white and colored welting-cords, silk braids and cords, +needles of all sizes, papers of pins, remnants of linen and colored +cambric, a supply of all kinds of buttons used in the family, black and +white hooks and eyes, a yard measure, and all the patterns used in +cutting and fitting. These are done up in separate parcels, and +labelled. In another trunk, are kept all pieces used in mending, +arranged in order, so that any article can be found, without loss of +time. A trunk, like the first mentioned, will save many steps, and often +much time and perplexity; while by purchasing articles thus by the +quantity, they come much cheaper, than if bought in little portions as +they are wanted. Such a trunk should be kept locked, and a smaller +supply, for current use, retained in a workbasket. + +A full supply of all conveniences in the kitchen and cellar, and a place +appointed for each article, very much facilitates domestic labor. For +want of this, much vexation and loss of time is occasioned, while +seeking vessels in use, or in cleansing those employed by different +persons, for various purposes. It would be far better, for a lady to +give up some expensive article, in the parlor, and apply the money, thus +saved, for kitchen conveniences, than to have a stinted supply, where +the most labor is to be performed. If our Countrywomen would devote more +to comfort and convenience, and less to show, it would be a great +improvement. Expensive mirrors and pier-tables in the parlor, and an +unpainted, gloomy, ill-furnished kitchen, not unfrequently are found +under the same roof. + +Another important item, in systematic economy, is, the apportioning of +_regular_ employment to the various members of a family. If a +housekeeper can secure the cooperation of _all_ her family, she will +find, that "many hands make light work." There is no greater mistake, +than in bringing up children to feel that they must be taken care of, +and waited on, by others, without any corresponding obligations on their +part. The extent, to which young children can be made useful, in a +family, would seem surprising, to those who have never seen a +_systematic_ and _regular_ plan for securing their services. The writer +has been in a family, where a little girl, of eight or nine years of +age, washed and dressed herself and young brother, and made their small +beds, before breakfast, set and cleared all the tables, at meals, with a +little help from a grown person in moving tables and spreading cloths, +while all the dusting of parlors and chambers was also neatly performed +by her. A brother, of ten years old, brought in and piled all the wood, +used in the kitchen and parlor, brushed the boots and shoes, neatly, +went on errands, and took all the care of the poultry. They were +children, whose parents could afford to hire servants to do this, but +who chose to have their children grow up healthy and industrious, while +proper instruction, system, and encouragement, made these services +rather a pleasure, than otherwise, to the children. + +Some parents pay their children for such services; but this is +hazardous, as tending to make them feel that they are not bound to be +helpful without pay, and also as tending to produce a hoarding, +money-making spirit. But, where children have no hoarding propensities, +and need to acquire a sense of the value of property, it may be well to +let them earn money, for some extra services, rather as a favor. When +this is done, they should be taught to spend it for others, as well as +for themselves; and in this way, a generous and liberal spirit will be +cultivated. + +There are some mothers, who take pains to teach their boys most of the +domestic arts, which their sisters learn. The writer has seen boys, +mending their own garments, and aiding their mother or sisters in the +kitchen, with great skill and adroitness; and at an early age, they +usually very much relish joining in such occupations. The sons of such +mothers, in their college life, or in roaming about the world, or in +nursing a sick wife or infant, find occasion to bless the forethought +and kindness, which prepared them for such emergencies. Few things are +in worse taste, than for a man needlessly to busy himself in women's +work; and yet a man never appears in a more interesting attitude, than +when, by skill in such matters, he can save a mother or wife from care +and suffering. The more a boy is taught to use his hands, in every +variety of domestic employment, the more his faculties, both of mind and +body, are developed; for mechanical pursuits exercise the intellect, as +well as the hands. The early training of New-England boys, in which they +turn their hand to almost every thing, is one great reason of the quick +perceptions, versatility of mind, and mechanical skill, for which that +portion of our Countrymen is distinguished. + +The writer has known one mode of systematizing the aid of the older +children in a family, which, in some cases of very large families, it +may be well to imitate. In the case referred to, when the oldest +daughter was eight or nine years old, an infant sister was given to her, +as her special charge. She tended it, made and mended its clothes, +taught it to read, and was its nurse and guardian, through all its +childhood. Another infant was given to the next daughter, and thus the +children were all paired in this interesting relation. In addition to +the relief thus afforded to the mother, the elder children were in this +way qualified for their future domestic relations, and both older and +younger bound to each other by peculiar ties of tenderness and +gratitude. + +In offering these examples, of various modes of systematizing, one +suggestion may be worthy of attention. It is not unfrequently the case, +that ladies, who find themselves cumbered with oppressive cares, after +reading remarks on the benefits of system, immediately commence the task +of arranging their pursuits, with great vigor and hope. They divide the +day into regular periods, and give each hour its duty; they systematize +their work, and endeavor to bring every thing into a regular routine. +But, in a short time, they find themselves baffled, discouraged, and +disheartened, and finally relapse into their former desultory ways, in +a sort of resigned despair. The difficulty, in such cases, is, that they +attempt too much at a time. There is nothing, which so much depends upon +_habit_, as a systematic mode of performing duty; and, where no such +habit has been formed, it is impossible for a novice to start, at once, +into a universal mode of systematizing, which none but an adept could +carry through. The only way for such persons, is, to begin with a little +at a time. Let them select some three or four things, and resolutely +attempt to conquer at these points. In time, a habit will be formed, of +doing a few things at regular periods, and in a systematic way. Then it +will be easy to add a few more; and thus, by a gradual process, the +object can be secured, which it would be vain to attempt, by a more +summary course. Early rising is almost an indispensable condition to +success, in such an effort; but, where a woman lacks either the health +or the energy to secure a period for devotional duties before breakfast, +let her select that hour of the day, in which she will be least liable +to interruption, and let her then seek strength and wisdom from the only +true Source. At this time, let her take a pen, and make a list of all +the things which she considers as duties. Then, let a calculation be +made, whether there be time enough, in the day or the week, for all +these duties. If there be not, let the least important be stricken from +the list, as not being duties, and which must be omitted. In doing this, +let a woman remember, that, though "what we shall eat, and what we shall +drink, and wherewithal we shall be clothed," are matters requiring due +attention, they are very apt to obtain a wrong relative importance, +while social, intellectual, and moral, interests, receive too little +regard. + +In this Country, eating, dressing, and household furniture and +ornaments, take far too large a place in the estimate of relative +importance; and it is probable, that most women could modify their views +and practice, so as to come nearer to the Saviour's requirements. No +woman has a right to put a stitch of ornament on any article of dress +or furniture, or to provide one superfluity in food, until she is sure +she can secure time for all her social, intellectual, benevolent, and +religious, duties. If a woman will take the trouble to make such a +calculation as this, she will usually find that she has time enough, to +perform all her duties easily and well. + +It is impossible, for a conscientious woman to secure that peaceful +mind, and cheerful enjoyment of life, which all should seek, who is +constantly finding her duties jarring with each other, and much +remaining undone, which she feels that she ought to do. In consequence +of this, there will be a secret uneasiness, which will throw a shade +over the whole current of life, never to be removed, till she so +efficiently defines and regulates her duties, that she can fulfil them +all. + +And here the writer would urge upon young ladies, the importance of +forming habits of system, while unembarrassed with those multiplied +cares, which will make the task so much more difficult and hopeless. +Every young lady can systematize her pursuits, to a certain extent. She +can have a particular day for mending her wardrobe, and for arranging +her trunks, closets, and drawers. She can keep her workbasket, her desk +at school, and all her other conveniences, in their proper places, and +in regular order. She can have regular periods for reading, walking, +visiting, study, and domestic pursuits. And, by following this method, +in youth, she will form a taste for regularity, and a habit of system, +which will prove a blessing to her, through life. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ON GIVING IN CHARITY. + + +It is probable, that there is no point of duty, where conscientious +persons differ more in opinion, or where they find it more difficult to +form discriminating and decided views, than on the matter of charity. +That we are bound to give _some_ of our time, money, and efforts, to +relieve the destitute, all allow. But, as to how much we are to give, +and on whom our charities shall be bestowed, many a reflecting mind has +been at a loss. Yet it seems very desirable, that, in reference to a +duty so constantly and so strenuously urged by the Supreme Ruler, we +should be able so to fix metes and bounds, as to keep a conscience void +of offence, and to free the mind from disquieting fears of deficiency. + +The writer has found no other topic of investigation so beset with +difficulty, and so absolutely without the range of definite rules, which +can apply to all, in all circumstances. But on this, as on a previous +topic, there seem to be _general principles_, by the aid of which, any +candid mind, sincerely desirous of obeying the commands of Christ, +however much self-denial may be involved, can arrive at definite +conclusions, as to its own individual obligations, so that, when these +are fulfilled, the mind may be at peace. + +But, for a mind that is worldly, living mainly to seek its own +pleasures, instead of living to please God, no principles can be so +fixed, as not to leave a ready escape from all obligation. Such minds, +either by indolence (and consequent ignorance) or by sophistry, will +convince themselves, that a life of engrossing self-indulgence, with +perhaps the gift of a few dollars, and a few hours of time, may suffice, +to fulfil the requisitions of the Eternal Judge. + +For such minds, no reasonings will avail, till the heart is so changed, +that, to learn the will and follow the example of Jesus Christ, become +the leading objects of interest and effort. It is to aid those, who +profess to possess this temper of mind, that the following suggestions +are offered. + +The first consideration, which gives definiteness to this subject, is, a +correct view of the object for which we are placed in this world. A +great many even of professed Christians, seem to be acting on the +supposition, that the object of life is to secure as much as possible +of all the various enjoyments placed within reach. Not so, teaches +reason or revelation. From these, we learn, that, though the happiness +of His creatures, is the end for which God created and sustains them, +yet, that this happiness depends, not on the various modes of +gratification put within our reach, but mainly on _character_. A man may +possess all the resources for enjoyment which this world can afford, and +yet feel that "all is vanity and vexation of spirit," and that he is +supremely wretched. Another, may be in want of all things, and yet +possess that living spring of benevolence, faith, and hope, which will +make an Eden of the darkest prison. + +In order to be perfectly happy, man must attain that character, which +Christ exhibited; and the nearer he approaches it, the more will +happiness reign in his breast. + +But what was the grand peculiarity of the character of Christ? It was +_self-denying benevolence_. He came not to "seek His own;" He "went +about doing good," and this was His "meat and drink;" that is, it was +this which sustained the health and life of His mind, as food and drink +sustain the health and life of the body. Now, the mind of man is so +made, that it can gradually be transformed into the same likeness. A +selfish being, who, for a whole life, has been nourishing habits of +indolent self-indulgence, can, by taking Christ as his example, by +communion with Him, and by daily striving to imitate His character and +conduct, form such a temper of mind, that "doing good" will become the +chief and highest source of enjoyment. And this heavenly principle will +grow stronger and stronger, until self-denial loses the more painful +part of its character, and then, _living to make happiness_, will be so +delightful and absorbing a pursuit, that all exertions, regarded as the +means to this end, will be like the joyous efforts of men, when they +strive for a prize or a crown, with the full hope of success. + +In this view of the subject, efforts and self-denial, for the good of +others, are to be regarded, not merely as duties enjoined for the +benefit of others, but as the moral training indispensable to the +formation of that character, on which depends our own happiness. This +view, exhibits the full meaning of the Saviour's declaration, "how +hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" He +had before taught, that the kingdom of Heaven consisted, not in such +enjoyments as the worldly seek, but, in the temper of self-denying +benevolence, like His own; and, as the rich have far greater temptations +to indolent self-indulgence, they are far less likely to acquire this +temper, than those, who, by limited means, are inured to some degree of +self-denial. + +But, on this point, one important distinction needs to be made; and that +is, between the self-denial, which has no other aim than mere +self-mortification, and that, which is exercised to secure greater good +to ourselves and others. The first is the foundation of monasticism, +penances, and all other forms of asceticism; the latter, only, is that +which Christianity requires. + +A second consideration, which may give definiteness to this subject, is, +that the formation of a perfect character, involves, not the +extermination of any principles of our nature, but rather the regulating +of them, according to the rules of reason and religion; so that the +lower propensities shall always be kept subordinate to nobler +principles. Thus, we are not to aim at destroying our appetites, or at +needlessly denying them, but rather so to regulate them, that they shall +best secure the objects for which they were implanted. We are not to +annihilate the love of praise and admiration; but so to control it, that +the favor of God shall be regarded more than the estimation of men. We +are not to extirpate the principle of curiosity, which leads us to +acquire knowledge; but so to direct it, that all our acquisitions shall +be useful and not frivolous or injurious. And thus, with all the +principles of the mind, God has implanted no desires in our +constitution, which are evil and pernicious. On the contrary, all our +constitutional propensities, either of mind or body, He designed we +should gratify, whenever no evils would thence result, either to +ourselves or others. Such passions as envy, ambition, pride, revenge, +and hatred, are to be exterminated; for they are either excesses or +excrescences: not created by God, but rather the result of our own +neglect to form habits of benevolence and self-control. + +In deciding the rules of our conduct, therefore, we are ever to bear in +mind, that the developement of the nobler principles, and the +subjugation of inferior propensities to them, is to be the main object +of effort, both for ourselves and for others. And, in conformity with +this, in all our plans, we are to place religious and moral interests as +first in estimation, our social and intellectual interests, next, and +our physical gratifications, as subordinate to all. + +A third consideration, is, that, though the means for sustaining life +and health are to be regarded as necessaries, without which no other +duties can be performed, yet, that a very large portion of the time, +spent by most persons, in easy circumstances, for food, raiment, and +dwellings, are for mere _superfluities_, which _are right, when they do +not involve the sacrifice of higher interests_, and _wrong, when they +do_. Life and health can be sustained in the humblest dwellings, with +the plainest dress, and the simplest food; and, after taking from our +means, what is necessary for life and health, the remainder is to be so +divided, that the larger portion shall be given to supply the moral and +intellectual wants of ourselves and others, and the smaller share to +procure those additional gratifications, of taste and appetite, which +are desirable, but not indispensable. Mankind, thus far, have never made +this apportionment of their means; yet, just as fast as they have risen +from a savage state, mere physical wants have been made, to an +increasing extent, subordinate to higher objects. + +Another very important consideration, is, that, in urging the duty of +charity, and the prior claims of moral and religious objects, no rule of +duty should be maintained, which it would not be right and wise for +_all_ to follow. And we are to test the wisdom of any general rule, by +inquiring what would be the result, if all mankind should practise +according to it. In view of this, we are enabled to judge of the +correctness of those, who maintain, that, to be consistent, men +believing in the eternal destruction of all those of our race who are +not brought under the influence of the Christian system, should give up, +not merely the elegances, but all the superfluities, of life, and devote +the whole of their means, not indispensable to life and health, for the +propagation of Christianity. But, if this is the duty of any, it is the +duty of all; and we are to inquire what would be the result, if all +conscientious persons gave up the use of all superfluities. Suppose, +that two millions of the people in the United States, were conscientious +persons, and relinquished the use of every thing not absolutely +necessary to life and health. It would instantly throw out of employment +one half of the whole community. The manufacturers, mechanics, +merchants, agriculturists, and all the agencies they employ, would be +beggared, and one half of those not reduced to poverty, would be obliged +to spend all their extra means, in simply supplying necessaries to the +other half. The use of superfluities, therefore, to a certain extent, is +as indispensable to promote industry, virtue, and religion, as any +direct giving of money or time; and it is owing entirely to a want of +reflection, and of comprehensive views, that any men ever make so great +a mistake, as is here exhibited. + +Instead, then, of urging a rule of duty which is at once irrational and +impracticable, there is another course, which commends itself to the +understandings of all. For whatever may be the _practice_, of +intelligent men, they universally concede the _principle_, that our +physical gratifications should always be made subordinate to social, +intellectual, and moral, advantages. And all that is required, for the +advancement of our whole race to the most perfect state of society, is, +simply, that men should act in agreement with this principle. And, if +only a very small portion, of the most intelligent of our race, should +act according to this rule, under the control of Christian benevolence, +the immense supplies, furnished, for the general good, would be far +beyond what any would imagine, who had never made any calculations on +the subject. In this Nation, alone, suppose the one million and more, of +professed followers of Christ, should give a larger portion of their +means, for the social, intellectual, and moral, wants of mankind, than +for the superfluities that minister to taste, convenience, and appetite; +it would be enough to furnish all the schools, colleges, Bibles, +ministers, and missionaries, that the whole world could demand; or, at +least, it would be far more, than properly qualified agents to +administer it, could employ. + +But, it may be objected, that, though this view is one, which, in the +abstract, looks plausible and rational, not one in a thousand, can +practically adopt it. How few keep any account, at all, of their current +expenses! How impossible it is, to determine, exactly, what are +necessaries, and what are superfluities! And in regard to women, how few +have the control of an income, so as not to be bound by the wishes of a +parent or a husband! + +In reference to these difficulties, the first remark is, that we are +never under obligations to do, what is entirely out of our power, so +that those persons, who have no power to regulate their expenses or +their charities, are under no sort of obligation to attempt it. The +second remark is, that, when a rule of duty is discovered, we are bound +to _aim_ at it, and to fulfil it, just so far as we can. We have no +right to throw it aside, because we shall find some difficult cases, +when we come to apply it. The third remark is, that no person can tell +how much can be done, till a faithful trial has been made. If a woman +has never kept any accounts, nor attempted to regulate her expenditures +by the right rule, nor used her influence with those that control her +plans, to secure this object, she has no right to say how much she can, +or cannot, do, till after a fair trial has been made. + +In attempting such a trial, the following method can be taken. Let a +woman keep an account of all she spends, for herself and her family, for +a year, arranging the items under three general heads. Under the first, +put all articles for food, raiment, rent, wages, and all conveniences. +Under the second, place all sums paid in securing an education, and +books, and other intellectual advantages. Under the third head, place +all that is spent for benevolence and religion. At the end of the year, +the first and largest account will show the mixed items of necessaries +and superfluities, which can be arranged, so as to gain some sort of +idea how much has been spent for superfluities, and how much for +necessaries. Then, by comparing what is spent for superfluities, with +what is spent for intellectual and moral advantages, data will be +gained, for judging of the past, and regulating the future. + +Does a woman say she cannot do this? let her inquire, whether the offer +of a thousand dollars, as a reward for attempting it one year, would not +make her undertake to do it; and, if so, let her decide, in her own +mind, which is most valuable, a clear conscience, and the approbation of +God, in this effort to do His will, or one thousand dollars. And let her +do it, with this warning of the Saviour before her eyes,--"No man can +serve two masters." "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." + +Is it objected, How can we decide between superfluities and necessaries, +in this list? it is replied, that we are not required to judge exactly, +in all cases. Our duty is, to use the means in our power to assist us in +forming a correct judgement; to seek the Divine aid in freeing our minds +from indolence and selfishness; and then to judge as well as we can, in +our endeavors rightly to apportion and regulate our expenses. Many +persons seem to feel that they are bound to do better than they know +how. But God is not so hard a Master; and, after we have used all proper +means to learn the right way, if we then follow it, according to our +ability, we do wrong to feel misgivings, or to blame ourselves, if +results come out differently from what seems desirable. The results of +our actions, alone, can never prove us deserving of blame. For men are +often so placed, that, owing to lack of intellect or means, it is +impossible for them to decide correctly. To use all the means of +knowledge within our reach, and then to judge, with a candid and +conscientious spirit, is all that God requires; and, when we have done +this, and the event seems to come out wrong, we should never wish that +we had decided otherwise. For it is the same as wishing that we had not +followed the dictates of judgement and conscience. As this is a world +designed for discipline and trial, untoward events are never to be +construed as indications of the obliquity of our past decisions. + +But it is probable, that a great portion of the women of this Nation, +cannot secure any such systematic mode of regulating their expenses. To +such, the writer would propose one inquiry; cannot you calculate how +much _time_ and _money_ you spend for what is merely ornamental, and not +necessary, for yourself, your children, and your house? Cannot you +compare this with the time and money you spend for intellectual and +benevolent purposes? and will not this show the need of some change? In +making this examination, is not this brief rule, deducible from the +principles before laid down, the one which should regulate you? Every +person does right, in spending _some_ portion of time and means in +securing the conveniences and adornments of taste; but the amount should +never exceed what is spent in securing our own moral and intellectual +improvement, nor exceed what is spent in benevolent efforts to supply +the physical and moral wants of our fellow-men. + +In making an examination on this subject, it is sometimes the case, that +a woman will count among the _necessaries_ of life, all the various +modes of adorning the person or house, practised in the circle in which +she moves; and, after enumerating the many _duties_ which demand +attention, counting these as a part, she will come to the conclusion, +that she has no time, and but little money, to devote to personal +improvement, or to benevolent enterprises. This surely is not in +agreement with the requirements of the Saviour, who calls on us to seek +for others, as well as ourselves, _first of all_, "the kingdom of God, +and His righteousness." + +In order to act in accordance with the rule here presented, it is true, +that many would be obliged to give up the idea of conforming to the +notions and customs of those, with whom they associate, and compelled to +adopt the maxim, "be not conformed to this world." In many cases, it +would involve an entire change in the style of living. And the writer +has the happiness of knowing more cases than one, where persons, who +have come to similar views, on this subject, have given up large and +expensive establishments, disposed of their carriages, dismissed a +portion of their domestics, and modified all their expenditures, that +they might keep a pure conscience, and regulate their charities more +according to the requirements of Christianity. And there are persons, +well known in the religious world, who save themselves all labor of +minute calculation, by devoting so large a portion of their time and +means to benevolent objects, that they find no difficulty in knowing +that they give more for religious, benevolent, and intellectual, +purposes, than for superfluities. + +In deciding what particular objects shall receive our benefactions, +there are also general principles to guide us. The first, is that +presented by our Saviour, when, after urging the great law of +benevolence, He was asked, "and who is my neighbor?" His reply, in the +parable of 'the Good Samaritan,' teaches us, that any human being, whose +wants are brought to our knowledge, is our neighbor. The wounded man was +not only a stranger, but he belonged to a foreign nation, peculiarly +hated; and he had no claim, except that his wants were brought to the +knowledge of the wayfaring man. From this, we learn, that the destitute, +of all nations, become our neighbors, as soon as their wants are brought +to our knowledge. + +Another general principle, is this, that those who are most in need, +must be relieved, in preference to those who are less destitute. On this +principle, it is, that we think the followers of Christ should give more +to supply those who are suffering for want of the bread of eternal life, +than for those who are deprived of physical enjoyments. And another +reason for this preference, is, the fact, that many, who give in +charity, have made such imperfect advances in civilization and +Christianity, that the intellectual and moral wants of our race make but +a feeble impression on the mind. Relate a pitiful tale of a family, +reduced to live, for weeks, on potatoes, only, and many a mind would +awake to deep sympathy, and stretch forth the hand of charity. But +describe cases, where the immortal mind is pining in stupidity and +ignorance, or racked with the fever of baleful passions, and how small +the number, so elevated in sentiment, and so enlarged in their views, as +to appreciate and sympathize in these far greater misfortunes! The +intellectual and moral wants of our fellow-men, therefore, should claim +the first place in our attention, both because they are most important, +and because they are most neglected. + +Another consideration, to be borne in mind, is, that, in this Country, +there is much less real need of charity, in supplying physical +necessities, than is generally supposed, by those who have not learned +the more excellent way. This Land is so abundant in supplies, and labor +is in such demand, that every healthy person can earn a comfortable +support. And if all the poor were instantly made virtuous, it is +probable that there would be no physical wants, which could not readily +be supplied by the immediate friends of each sufferer. The sick, the +aged, and the orphan, would be the only objects of charity. In this +view of the case, the primary effort, in relieving the poor, should be, +to furnish them the means of earning their own support, and to supply +them with those moral influences, which are most effectual in securing +virtue and industry. + +Another point to be attended to, is, the importance of maintaining a +system of _associated_ charities. There is no point, in which the +economy of charity has more improved, than in the present mode of +combining many small contributions, for sustaining enlarged and +systematic plans of charity. If all the half-dollars, which are now +contributed to aid in organized systems of charity, were returned to the +donors, to be applied by the agency and discretion of each, thousands +and thousands of the treasures, now employed to promote the moral and +intellectual wants of mankind, would become entirely useless. In a +democracy, like ours, where few are very rich, and the majority are in +comfortable circumstances, this collecting and dispensing of drops and +rills, is the mode, by which, in imitation of Nature, the dews and +showers are to distil on parched and desert lands. And every person, +while earning a pittance to unite with many more, may be cheered with +the consciousness of sustaining a grand system of operations, which must +have the most decided influence, in raising all mankind to that perfect +state of society, which Christianity is designed to secure. + +Another consideration, relates to the indiscriminate bestowal of +charity. Persons, who have taken pains to inform themselves, and who +devote their whole time to dispensing charities, unite in declaring, +that this is one of the most fruitful sources of indolence, vice, and +poverty. From several of these, the writer has learned, that, by their +own personal investigations, they have ascertained, that there are large +establishments of idle and wicked persons, in most of our cities, who +associate together, to support themselves by every species of +imposition. They hire large houses, and live in constant rioting, on the +means thus obtained. Among them, are women who have, or who hire the +use of, infant children; others, who are blind, or maimed, or deformed, +or who can adroitly feign such infirmities, and, by these means of +exciting pity, and by artful tales of wo, they collect alms, both in +city and country, to spend in all manner of gross and guilty +indulgences. Meantime, many persons, finding themselves often duped by +impostors, refuse to give at all; and thus many benefactions are +withdrawn, which a wise economy in charity would have secured. For this, +and other reasons, it is wise and merciful, to adopt the general rule, +never to give alms, till we have had some opportunity of knowing how +they will be spent. There are exceptions to this, as to every general +rule, which a person of discretion can determine. But the practice, so +common among benevolent persons, of giving, at least a trifle, to all +who ask, lest, perchance, they may turn away some, who are really +sufferers, is one, which causes more sin and misery than it cures. + +The writer has never known any system for dispensing charity, so +successful, as the one which, in many places, has been adopted in +connection with the distribution of tracts. By this method, a town or +city is divided into districts; and each district is committed to the +care of two ladies, whose duty it is, to call on each family and leave a +tract, and make that the occasion for entering into conversation, and +learning the situation of all residents in the district. By this method, +the ignorant, the vicious, and the poor, are discovered, and their +physical, intellectual, and moral, wants, are investigated. In some +places, where the writer has resided or visited, each person retained +the same district, year after year, so that every poor family in the +place was under the watch and care of some intelligent and benevolent +lady, who used all her influence to secure a proper education for the +children, to furnish them with suitable reading, to encourage habits of +industry and economy, and to secure regular attendance on public +religious instruction. Thus, the rich and the poor were brought in +contact, in a way advantageous to both parties; and, if such a system +could be universally adopted, more would be done for the prevention of +poverty and vice, than all the wealth of the Nation could avail for +their relief. But this plan cannot be successfully carried out, in this +manner, unless there is a large proportion of intelligent, benevolent, +and self-denying, persons; and the mere distribution of tracts, without +the other parts of the plan, is of very little avail. + +But there is one species of charity, which needs especial consideration. +It is that, which induces us to refrain from judging of the means and +the relative charities of other persons. There have been such indistinct +notions, and so many different standards of duty, on this subject, that +it is rare for two persons to think exactly alike, in regard to the rule +of duty. Each person is bound to inquire and judge for himself, as to +his own duty or deficiencies; but as both the resources, and the amount +of the actual charities, of other men are beyond our ken, it is as +indecorous, as it is uncharitable, to sit in judgement on their +decisions. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +ON ECONOMY OF TIME AND EXPENSES. + + +_On Economy of Time._ + +The value of time, and our obligation to spend every hour for some +useful end, are what few minds properly realize. And those, who have the +highest sense of their obligations in this respect, sometimes greatly +misjudge in their estimate of what are useful and proper modes of +employing time. This arises from limited views of the importance of some +pursuits, which they would deem frivolous and useless, but which are, +in reality, necessary to preserve the health of body and mind, and those +social affections, which it is very important to cherish. Christianity +teaches, that, for all the time afforded us, we must give account to +God; and that we have no right to waste a single hour. But time, which +is spent in rest or amusement, is often as usefully employed, as if it +were devoted to labor or devotion. In employing our time, we are to make +suitable allowance for sleep, for preparing and taking food, for +securing the means of a livelihood, for intellectual improvement, for +exercise and amusement, for social enjoyments, and for benevolent and +religious duties. And it is the _right apportionment_ of time, to these +various duties, which constitutes its true economy. + +In making this apportionment, we are bound by the same rules, as relate +to the use of property. We are to employ whatever portion is necessary +to sustain life and health, as the first duty; and the remainder we are +so to apportion, that our highest interests, shall receive the greatest +allotment, and our physical gratifications, the least. + +The laws of the Supreme Ruler, when He became the civil as well as the +religious Head of the Jewish theocracy, furnish an example, which it +would be well for all attentively to consider, when forming plans for +the apportionment of time and property. To properly estimate this +example, it must be borne in mind, that the main object of God, was, to +preserve His religion among the Jewish nation; and that they were not +required to take any means to propagate it among other nations, as +Christians are now required to extend Christianity. So low were they, in +the scale of civilization and mental developement, that a system, which +confined them to one spot, as an agricultural people, and prevented +their growing very rich, or having extensive commerce with other +nations, was indispensable to prevent their relapsing into the low +idolatries and vices of the nations around them. + +The proportion of time and property, which every Jew was required to +devote to intellectual, benevolent, and religious purposes, was as +follows: + +In regard to property, they were required to give one tenth of all their +yearly income, to support the Levites, the priests, and the religious +service. Next, they were required to give the first fruits of all their +corn, wine, oil, and fruits, and the first-born of all their cattle, for +the Lord's treasury, to be employed for the priests, the widow, the +fatherless, and the stranger. The first-born, also, of their children, +were the Lord's, and were to be redeemed by a specified sum, paid into +the sacred treasury. Besides this, they were required to bring a +freewill offering to God, every time they went up to the three great +yearly festivals. In addition to this, regular yearly sacrifices, of +cattle and fowls, were required of each family, and occasional +sacrifices for certain sins or ceremonial impurities. In reaping their +fields, they were required to leave unreaped, for the poor, the corners; +not to glean their fields, olive-yards, or vineyards; and, if a sheaf +was left, by mistake, they were not to return for it, but leave it for +the poor. When a man sent away a servant, he was thus charged: "Furnish +him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy +wine-press." When a poor man came to borrow money, they were forbidden +to deny him, or to take any interest; and if, at the sabbatical, or +seventh, year, he could not pay, the debt was to be cancelled. And to +this command, is added the significant caution, "Beware that there be +not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, the seventh year, the year of +release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and +thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be +sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him," "because that for this thing +the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou +puttest thine hand unto." Besides this, the Levites were distributed +through the land, with the intention that they should be instructors and +priests in every part of the nation. Thus, one twelfth of the people +were set apart, having no landed property, to be priests and teachers; +and the other tribes were required to support them liberally. + +In regard to the time taken from secular pursuits, for the support of +religion, an equally liberal amount was demanded. In the first place, +one seventh part of their time was taken for the weekly sabbath, when no +kind of work was to be done. Then the whole nation were required to +meet, at the appointed place, three times a year, which, including their +journeys, and stay there, occupied eight weeks, or another seventh part +of their time. Then the sabbatical year, when no agricultural labor was +to be done, took another seventh of their time from their regular +pursuits, as they were an agricultural people. This was the amount of +time and property demanded by God, simply to sustain religion and +morality within the bounds of that nation. Christianity demands the +spread of its blessings to all mankind, and so the restrictions laid on +the Jews are withheld, and all our wealth and time, not needful for our +own best interest, is to be employed in improving the condition of our +fellow-men. + +In deciding respecting the rectitude of our pursuits, we are bound to +aim at some practical good, as the ultimate object. With every duty of +this life, our benevolent Creator has connected some species of +enjoyment, to draw us to perform it. Thus, the palate is gratified, by +performing the duty of nourishing our bodies; the principle of curiosity +is gratified, in pursuing useful knowledge; the desire of approbation is +gratified, when we perform benevolent and social duties; and every other +duty has an alluring enjoyment connected with it. But the great mistake +of mankind has consisted in seeking the pleasures, connected with these +duties, as the sole aim, without reference to the main end that should +be held in view, and to which the enjoyment should be made subservient. +Thus, men seek to gratify the palate, without reference to the question +whether the body is properly nourished; and follow after knowledge, +without inquiring whether it ministers to good or evil. + +But, in gratifying the implanted desires of our nature, we are bound so +to restrain ourselves, by reason and conscience, as always to seek the +main objects of existence--the highest good of ourselves and others; and +never to sacrifice this, for the mere gratification of our sensual +desires. We are to gratify appetite, just so far as is consistent with +health and usefulness; and the desire for knowledge, just so far as will +enable us to do most good by our influence and efforts; and no farther. +We are to seek social intercourse, to that extent, which will best +promote domestic enjoyment and kindly feelings among neighbors and +friends; and we are to pursue exercise and amusement, only so far as +will best sustain the vigor of body and mind. For the right +apportionment of time, to these and various other duties, we are to give +an account to our Creator and final Judge. + +Instead of attempting to give any very specific rules on this subject, +some modes of economizing time will be suggested. The most powerful of +all agencies, in this matter, is, that habit of system and order, in all +our pursuits, which has been already pointed out. It is probable, that a +regular and systematic employment of time, will enable a person to +accomplish thrice the amount of labor, that could otherwise be +performed. + +Another mode of economizing time, is, by uniting several objects in one +employment. Thus, exercise, or charitable efforts, can be united with +social enjoyments, as is done in associations for sewing, or visiting +the poor. Instruction and amusement can also be combined. Pursuits like +music, gardening, drawing, botany, and the like, unite intellectual +improvement with amusement, social enjoyment, and exercise. + +With housekeepers, and others whose employments are various and +desultory, much time can be saved by preparing employments for little +intervals of leisure. Thus, some ladies make ready, and keep in the +parlor, light work, to take up when detained there; some keep a book at +hand, in the nursery, to read while holding or sitting by a sleeping +infant. One of the most popular female poets of our Country very often +shows her friends, at their calls, that the thread of the knitting, +never need interfere with the thread of agreeable discourse. + +It would be astonishing, to one who had never tried the experiment, how +much can be accomplished, by a little planning and forethought, in thus +finding employment for odd intervals of time. + +But, besides economizing our own time, we are bound to use our influence +and example to promote the discharge of the same duty by others. A woman +is under obligations so to arrange the hours and pursuits of her family, +as to promote systematic and habitual industry; and if, by late +breakfasts, irregular hours for meals, and other hinderances of this +kind, she interferes with, or refrains from promoting regular industry +in, others, she is accountable to God for all the waste of time +consequent on her negligence. The mere example of system and industry, +in a housekeeper, has a wonderful influence in promoting the same +virtuous habit in others. + + +_On Economy in Expenses._ + +It is impossible for a woman to practise a wise economy in expenditures, +unless she is taught how to do it, either by a course of experiments, or +by the instruction of those who have had experience. It is amusing to +notice the various, and oftentimes contradictory, notions of economy, +among judicious and experienced housekeepers; for there is probably no +economist, who would not be deemed lavish or wasteful, in some respects, +by another and equally experienced and judicious person, who, in some +different points, would herself be as much condemned by the other. These +diversities are occasioned by dissimilar early habits, and by the +different relative value assigned, by each, to the various modes of +enjoyment, for which money is expended. + +But, though there may be much disagreement in minor matters, there are +certain general principles, which all unite in sanctioning. The first, +is, that care be taken to know the amount of income and of current +expenses, so that the proper relative proportion be preserved, and the +expenditures never exceed the means. Few women can do this, thoroughly, +without keeping regular accounts. The habits of this Nation, especially +among business-men, are so desultory, and the current expenses of a +family, in many points, are so much more under the control of the man +than of the woman, that many women, who are disposed to be systematic in +this matter, cannot follow their wishes. But there are often cases, when +much is left undone in this particular, simply because no effort is +made. Yet every woman is bound to do as much as is in her power, to +accomplish a systematic mode of expenditure, and the regulation of it by +Christian principles. + +The following are examples of different methods which have been adopted, +for securing a proper adjustment of expenses to the means. + +The first, is that of a lady, who kept a large boarding-house, in one of +our cities. Every evening, before retiring, she took an account of the +expenses of the day; and this usually occupied her not more than fifteen +minutes, at a time. On each Saturday, she made an inventory of the +stores on hand, and of the daily expenses, and also of what was due to +her; and then made an exact estimate of her expenditures and profits. +This, after the first two or three weeks, never took more than an hour, +at the close of the week. Thus, by a very little time, regularly devoted +to this object, she knew, accurately, her income, expenditures, and +profits. + +Another friend of the writer, lives on a regular salary. The method +adopted, in this case, is to calculate to what the salary amounts, each +week. Then an account is kept, of what is paid out, each week, for +rent, fuel, wages, and food. This amount of each week is deducted from +the weekly income. The remainders of each week are added, at the close +of a month, as the stock from which is to be taken, the dress, +furniture, books, travelling expenses, charities, and all other +expenditures. + +Another lady, whose husband is a lawyer, divides the year into four +quarters, and the income into four equal parts. She then makes her +plans, so that the expenses of one quarter shall never infringe on the +income of another. So resolute is she, in carrying out this +determination, that if, by any mischance, she is in want of articles +before the close of a quarter, which she has not the means for +providing, she will subject herself to temporary inconvenience, by +waiting, rather than violate her rule. + +Another lady, whose husband is engaged in a business, which he thinks +makes it impossible for him to know what his yearly income will be, took +this method:--She kept an account of all her disbursements, for one +year. This she submitted to her husband, and obtained his consent, that +the same sum should be under her control, the coming year, for similar +purposes, with the understanding, that she might modify future +apportionments, in any way her judgement and conscience might approve. + +A great deal of uneasiness and discomfort is caused, to both husband and +wife, in many cases, by an entire want of system and forethought, in +arranging expenses. Both keep buying what they think they need, without +any calculation as to how matters are coming out, and with a sort of +dread of running in debt, all the time harassing them. Such never know +the comfort of independence. But, if a man or woman will only calculate +what their income is, and then plan so as to know that they are all the +time living within it, they secure one of the greatest comforts, which +wealth ever bestows, and what many of the rich, who live in a loose and +careless way, never enjoy. It is not so much the amount of income, as +the regular and correct apportionment of expenses, that makes a family +truly comfortable. A man, with ten thousand a year, is often more +harassed, for want of money, than the systematic economist, who supports +a family on only six hundred a year. And the inspired command, "Owe no +man any thing," can never be conscientiously observed, without a +systematic adaptation of expenses to means. + +As it is very important that young ladies should learn systematic +economy, in expenses, it will be a great benefit, for every young girl +to begin, at twelve or thirteen years of age, to make her own purchases, +and keep her accounts, under the guidance of her mother, or some other +friend. And if parents would ascertain the actual expense of a +daughter's clothing, for a year, and give the sum to her, in quarterly +payments, requiring a regular account, it would be of great benefit in +preparing her for future duties. How else are young ladies to learn to +make purchases properly, and to be systematic and economical? The art of +system and economy can no more come by intuition, than the art of +watchmaking or bookkeeping; and how strange it appears, that so many +young ladies take charge of a husband's establishment, without having +had either instruction or experience in one of the most important duties +of their station! + +The second general principle of economy, is, that, in apportioning an +income, among various objects, the most important should receive the +largest supply, and that all retrenchments be made in matters of less +importance. In a previous chapter, some general principles have been +presented, to guide in this duty. Some additional hints will here be +added, on the same topic. + +In regard to dress and furniture, much want of judgement and good taste +is often seen, in purchasing some expensive article, which is not at all +in keeping with the other articles connected with it. Thus, a large +sideboard, or elegant mirror, or sofa, which would be suitable only for +a large establishment, with other rich furniture, is crowded into too +small a room, with coarse and cheap articles around it. So, also, +sometimes a parlor, and company-chamber, will be furnished in a style +suitable only for the wealthy, while the table will be supplied with +shabby linen, and imperfect crockery, and every other part of the house +will look, in comparison with these fine rooms, mean and niggardly. It +is not at all uncommon, to find very showy and expensive articles in the +part of the house visible to strangers, when the children's rooms, +kitchen, and other back portions, are on an entirely different scale. + +So in regard to dress, a lady will sometimes purchase an elegant and +expensive article, which, instead of attracting admiration from the eye +of taste, will merely serve as a decoy to the painful contrast of all +other parts of the dress. A woman of real good taste and discretion, +will strive to maintain a relative consistency between all departments, +and not, in one quarter, live on a scale fitted only to the rich, and in +another, on one appropriate only to the poor. + +Another mistake in economy, is often made, by some of the best-educated +and most intelligent of mothers. Such will often be found spending day +after day at needlework, when, with a comparatively small sum, this +labor could be obtained of those who need the money, which such work +would procure for them. Meantime, the daughters of the family, whom the +mother is qualified to educate, or so nearly qualified, that she could +readily keep ahead of her children, are sent to expensive +boarding-schools, where their delicate frames, their pliant minds, and +their moral and religious interests, are relinquished to the hands of +strangers. And the expense, thus incurred, would serve to pay the hire +of every thing the mother can do in sewing, four or five times over. The +same want of economy is shown in communities, where, instead of +establishing a good female school in their vicinity, the men of wealth +send their daughters abroad, at double the expense, to be either +educated or spoiled, as the case may be. + +Another species of poor economy, is manifested in neglecting to acquire +and apply mechanical skill, which, in consequence, has to be hired from +others. Thus, all the plain sewing will be done by the mother and +daughters, while all that requires skill will be hired. Instead of this, +others take pains to have their daughters instructed in mantuamaking, +and the simpler parts of millinery, so that the plain work is given to +the poor, who need it, and the more expensive and tasteful operations +are performed in the family. The writer knows ladies, who not only make +their own dresses, but also their caps, bonnets, and artificial flowers. + +Some persons make miscalculations in economy, by habitually looking up +cheap articles, while others go to the opposite extreme, and always buy +the best of every thing. Those ladies, who are considered the best +economists, do not adopt either method. In regard to cheap goods, the +fading colors, the damages discovered in use, the poorness of material, +and the extra sewing demanded to replace articles lost by such causes, +usually render them very dear, in the end. On the other hand, though +some articles, of the most expensive kind, wear longest and best, yet, +as a general rule, articles at medium prices do the best service. This +is true of table and bed linens, broadcloths, shirtings, and the like; +though, even in these cases, it is often found, that the coarsest and +cheapest last the longest. + +Buying by wholesale, and keeping a large supply on hand, are economical +only in large families, where the mistress is careful; but in other +cases, the hazards of accident, and the temptation to a lavish use, will +make the loss outrun the profits. + +There is one mode of economizing, which, it is hoped, will every year +grow more rare; and that is, making penurious savings, by getting the +poor to work as cheap as possible. Many amiable and benevolent women +have done this, on principle, without reflecting on the want of +Christian charity thus displayed. Let every woman, in making bargains +with the poor, conceive herself placed in the same circumstances, +toiling hour after hour, and day after day, for a small sum, and then +deal with others as she would be dealt by in such a situation. _Liberal +prices_, and _prompt payment_, should be an invariable maxim, in dealing +with the poor. + +The third general principle of economy, is, that all articles should be +so used, and taken care of, as to secure the longest service, with the +least waste. Under this head, come many particulars in regard to the use +and preservation of articles, which will be found more in detail in +succeeding chapters. It may be proper, however, here to refer to one +very common impression, as to the relative obligation of the poor and +the rich in regard to economy. Many seem to suppose, that those who are +wealthy, have a right to be lavish and negligent in the care of +expenses. But this surely is a great mistake. Property is a talent, +given by God, to spend for the welfare of mankind; and the needless +waste of it, is as wrong in the rich, as it is in the poor. The rich are +under obligations to apportion their income, to the various objects +demanding attention, by the same rule as all others; and if this will +allow them to spend more for superfluities than those of smaller means, +it never makes it right to misuse or waste any of the bounties of +Providence. Whatever is no longer wanted for their own enjoyment, should +be carefully saved, to add to the enjoyment of others. + +It is not always that men understand the economy of Providence, in that +unequal distribution of property, which, even under the most perfect +form of government, will always exist. Many, looking at the present +state of things, imagine that the rich, if they acted in strict +conformity to the law of benevolence, would share all their property +with their suffering fellow-men. But such do not take into account, the +inspired declaration, that "a man's life consisteth not in the +abundance of the things which he possesseth," or, in other words, life +is made valuable, not by great possessions, but by such a character as +prepares a man to enjoy what he holds. God perceives that human +character can be most improved, by that kind of discipline, which +exists, when there is something valuable to be gained by industrious +efforts. This stimulus to industry could never exist, in a community +where all are just alike, as it does in a state of society where every +man sees, possessed by others, enjoyments, which he desires, and may +secure by effort and industry. So, in a community where all are alike as +to property, there would be no chance to gain that noblest of all +attainments, a habit of self-denying benevolence, which toils for the +good of others, and takes from one's own store, to increase the +enjoyments of another. + +Instead, then, of the stagnation, both of industry and of benevolence, +which would follow the universal and equable distribution of property, +one class of men, by superior advantages of birth, or intellect, or +patronage, come into possession of a great amount of capital. With these +means, they are enabled, by study, reading, and travel, to secure +expansion of mind, and just views of the relative advantages of moral, +intellectual, and physical enjoyments. At the same time, Christianity +imposes obligations, corresponding with the increase of advantages and +means. The rich are not at liberty to spend their treasures for +themselves, alone. Their wealth is given, by God, to be employed for the +best good of mankind; and their intellectual advantages are designed, +primarily, to enable them to judge correctly, in employing their means +most wisely for the general good. + +Now, suppose a man of wealth inherits ten thousand acres of real estate: +it is not his duty to divide it among his poor neighbors and tenants. If +he took this course, it is probable, that most of them would spend all +in thriftless waste and indolence, or in mere physical enjoyments. +Instead, then, of thus putting his capital out of his hands, he is bound +to retain, and so to employ, it, as to raise his neighbors and tenants +to such a state of virtue and intelligence, that they can secure far +more, by their own efforts and industry, than he, by dividing his +capital, could bestow upon them. + +In this view of the subject, it is manifest, that the unequal +distribution of property is no evil. The great difficulty is, that so +large a portion of those who hold much capital, instead of using their +various advantages for the greatest good of those around them, employ +the chief of them for mere selfish indulgences; thus inflicting as much +mischief on themselves, as results to others from their culpable +neglect. A great portion of the rich seem to be acting on the principle, +that the more God bestows on them, the less are they under obligation to +practise any self-denial, in fulfilling his benevolent plan of raising +our race to intelligence and holiness. + +There are not a few, who seem to imagine that it is a mark of gentility +to be careless of expenses. But this notion, is owing to a want of +knowledge of the world. As a general fact, it will be found, that +persons of rank and wealth, abroad, are much more likely to be +systematic and economical, than persons of inferior standing in these +respects. Even the most frivolous, among the rich and great, are often +found practising a rigid economy, in certain respects, in order to +secure gratifications in another direction. And it will be found so +common, among persons of vulgar minds, and little education, and less +sense, to make a display of profusion and indifference to expense, as a +mark of their claims to gentility, that the really genteel look upon it +rather as a mark of low breeding. So that the sort of feeling, which +some persons cherish, as if it were a degradation to be careful of small +sums, and to be attentive to relative prices, in making purchases, is +founded on mistaken notions of gentility and propriety. + +But one caution is needful, in regard to another extreme. When a lady +of wealth, is seen roaming about in search of cheaper articles, or +trying to beat down a shopkeeper, or making a close bargain with those +she employs, the impropriety is glaring to all minds. A person of wealth +has no occasion to spend time in looking for extra cheap articles; her +time could be more profitably employed in distributing to the wants of +others. And the practice of beating down tradespeople, is vulgar and +degrading, in any one. A woman, after a little inquiry, can ascertain +what is the fair and common price of things; and if she is charged an +exorbitant sum, she can decline taking the article. If the price be a +fair one, it is not becoming in her to search for another article which +is below the regular charge. If a woman finds that she is in a store +where they charge high prices, expecting to be beat down, she can +mention, that she wishes to know the lowest price, as it is contrary to +her principles to beat down charges. + +There is one inconsistency, worthy of notice, which is found among that +class, who are ambitious of being ranked among the aristocracy of +society. It has been remarked, that, in the real aristocracy of other +lands, it is much more common, than with us, to practise systematic +economy. And such do not hesitate to say so, when they cannot afford +certain indulgences. This practice descends to subordinate grades; so +that foreign ladies, when they come to reside among us, seldom hesitate +in assigning the true reason, when they cannot afford any gratification. +But in this Country, it will be found, that many, who are most fond of +copying aristocratic examples, are, on this point, rather with the +vulgar. Not a few of those young persons, who begin life with parlors +and dresses in a style fitting only to established wealth, go into +expenses, which they can ill afford; and are ashamed even to allow, that +they are restrained from any expense, by motives of economy. Such a +confession is never extorted, except by some call of benevolence; and +then, they are very ready to declare that they cannot afford to bestow +even a pittance. In such cases, it would seem as if the direct opposite +of Christianity had gained possession of their tastes and opinions. They +are ashamed to appear to deny themselves; but are very far from having +any shame in denying the calls of benevolence. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +ON HEALTH OF MIND. + + +There is such an intimate connection between the body and mind, that the +health of one, cannot be preserved, without a proper care of the other. +And it is from a neglect of this principle, that some of the most +exemplary and conscientious persons in the world, suffer a thousand +mental agonies, from a diseased state of body, while others ruin the +health of the body, by neglecting the proper care of the mind. When the +brain is excited, by stimulating drinks taken into the stomach, it +produces a corresponding excitement of the mental faculties. The reason, +the imagination, and all the powers, are stimulated to preternatural +vigor and activity. In like manner, when the mind is excited by earnest +intellectual effort, or by strong passions, the brain is equally +excited, and the blood rushes to the head. Sir Astley Cooper records, +that, in examining the brain of a young man who had lost a portion of +his skull, whenever "he was agitated, by some opposition to his wishes," +"the blood was sent, with increased force, to his brain," and the +pulsations "became frequent and violent." The same effect was produced +by any intellectual effort; and the flushed countenance, which attends +earnest study or strong emotions of fear, shame, or anger, is an +external indication of the suffused state of the brain from such causes. + +In exhibiting the causes, which injure the health of the mind, they +will be found to be partly physical, partly intellectual, and partly +moral. + +The first cause of mental disease and suffering, is not unfrequently +found in the want of a proper supply of duly oxygenized blood. It has +been shown, that the blood, in passing through the lungs, is purified, +by the oxygen of the air combining with the superabundant hydrogen and +carbon of the venous blood, thus forming carbonic acid and water, which +are expired into the atmosphere. Every pair of lungs is constantly +withdrawing from the surrounding atmosphere its healthful principle, and +returning one, which is injurious to human life. + +When, by confinement, and this process, the atmosphere is deprived of +its appropriate supply of oxygen, the purification of the blood is +interrupted, and it passes, without being properly prepared, into the +brain, producing languor, restlessness, and inability to exercise the +intellect and feelings. Whenever, therefore, persons sleep in a close +apartment, or remain, for a length of time, in a crowded or +ill-ventilated room, a most pernicious influence is exerted on the +brain, and, through this, on the mind. A person, who is often exposed to +such influences, can never enjoy that elasticity and vigor of mind, +which is one of the chief indications of its health. This is the reason, +why all rooms for religious meetings, and all schoolrooms, and sleeping +apartments, should be so contrived, as to secure a constant supply of +fresh air from without. The minister, who preaches in a crowded and +ill-ventilated apartment, loses much of his power to feel and to speak, +while the audience are equally reduced, in their capability of +attending. The teacher, who confines children in a close apartment, +diminishes their ability to study, or to attend to his instructions. And +the person, who habitually sleeps in a close room, impairs his mental +energies, in a similar degree. It is not unfrequently the case, that +depression of spirits, and stupor of intellect, are occasioned solely by +inattention to this subject. + +Another cause of mental disease, is, the excessive exercise of the +intellect or feelings. If the eye is taxed, beyond its strength, by +protracted use, its blood-vessels become gorged, and the bloodshot +appearance warns of the excess and the need of rest. The brain is +affected, in a similar manner, by excessive use, though the suffering +and inflamed organ cannot make its appeal to the eye. But there are some +indications, which ought never to be misunderstood or disregarded. In +cases of pupils, at school or at college, a diseased state, from over +action, is often manifested by increased clearness of mind, and ease and +vigor of mental action. In one instance, known to the writer, a most +exemplary and industrious pupil, anxious to improve every hour, and +ignorant or unmindful of the laws of health, first manifested the +diseased state of her brain and mind, by demands for more studies, and a +sudden and earnest activity in planning modes of improvement for herself +and others. When warned of her danger, she protested that she never was +better, in her life; that she took regular exercise, in the open air, +went to bed in season, slept soundly, and felt perfectly well; that her +mind was never before so bright and clear, and study never so easy and +delightful. And at this time, she was on the verge of derangement, from +which she was saved only by an entire cessation of all her intellectual +efforts. + +A similar case occurred, under the eye of the writer, from over-excited +feelings. It was during a time of unusual religious interest in the +community, and the mental disease was first manifested, by the pupil +bringing her Hymn-book or Bible to the class-room, and making it her +constant resort, in every interval of school duty. It finally became +impossible to convince her, that it was her duty to attend to any thing +else; her conscience became morbidly sensitive, her perceptions +indistinct, her deductions unreasonable, and nothing, but entire change +of scene, exercise, and amusement, saved her. When the health of the +brain was restored, she found that she could attend to the "one thing +needful," not only without interruption of duty, or injury of health, +but rather so as to promote both. Clergymen and teachers need most +carefully to notice and guard against the danger here alluded to. + +Any such attention to religion, as prevents the performance of daily +duties and needful relaxation, is dangerous, as tending to produce such +a state of the brain, as makes it impossible to feel or judge correctly. +And when any morbid and unreasonable pertinacity appears, much exercise, +and engagement in other interesting pursuits, should be urged, as the +only mode of securing the religious benefits aimed at. And whenever any +mind is oppressed with care, anxiety, or sorrow, the amount of active +exercise in the fresh air should be greatly increased, that the action +of the muscles may withdraw the blood, which, in such seasons, is +constantly tending too much to the brain. + +There has been a most appalling amount of suffering, derangement, +disease, and death, occasioned by a want of attention to this subject, +in teachers and parents. Uncommon precocity in children is usually the +result of an unhealthy state of the brain; and, in such cases, medical +men would now direct, that the wonderful child should be deprived of all +books and study, and turned to play or work in the fresh air. Instead of +this, parents frequently add fuel to the fever of the brain, by +supplying constant mental stimulus, until the victim finds refuge in +idiocy or an early grave. Where such fatal results do not occur, the +brain, in many cases, is so weakened, that the prodigy of infancy sinks +below the medium of intellectual powers in afterlife. In our colleges, +too, many of the most promising minds sink to an early grave, or drag +out a miserable existence, from this same cause. And it is an evil, as +yet little alleviated by the increase of physiological knowledge. Every +college and professional school, and every seminary for young ladies, +needs a medical man, not only to lecture on physiology and the laws of +health, but empowered, in his official capacity, to investigate the +case of every pupil, and, by authority, to restrain him to such a course +of study, exercise, and repose, as his physical system requires. The +writer has found, by experience, that, in a large institution, there is +one class of pupils who need to be restrained, by penalties, from late +hours and excessive study, as much as another class need stimulus to +industry. + +Under the head of excessive mental action, must be placed the indulgence +of the imagination in _novel reading_ and _castle building_. This kind +of stimulus, unless counterbalanced by physical exercise, not only +wastes time and energies, but undermines the vigor of the nervous +system. The imagination was designed, by our kind Creator, as the charm +and stimulus to animate to benevolent activity; and its perverted +exercise seldom fails to bring the appropriate penalty. + +A third cause of mental disease, is, the want of the appropriate +exercise of the various faculties of the mind. On this point, Dr. Combe +remarks, "We have seen, that, by disuse, muscle becomes emaciated, bone +softens, blood-vessels are obliterated, and nerves lose their +characteristic structure. The brain is no exception to this general +rule. Of it, also, the tone is impaired by permanent inactivity, and it +becomes less fit to manifest the mental powers with readiness and +energy." It is "the withdrawal of the stimulus necessary for its healthy +exercise, which renders solitary confinement so severe a punishment, +even to the most daring minds. It is a lower degree of the same cause, +which renders continuous seclusion from society so injurious, to both +mental and bodily health." + +"_Inactivity of intellect and of feeling_ is a very frequent +predisposing cause of every form of nervous disease. For demonstrative +evidence of this position, we have only to look at the numerous victims +to be found, among persons who have no call to exertion in gaining the +means of subsistence, and no objects of interest on which to exercise +their mental faculties and who consequently sink into a state of mental +sloth and nervous weakness." "If we look abroad upon society, we shall +find innumerable examples of mental and nervous debility from this +cause. When a person of some mental capacity is confined, for a long +time, to an unvarying round of employment, which affords neither scope +nor stimulus for one half of his faculties, and, from want of education +or society, has no external resources; his mental powers, for want of +exercise, become blunted, and his perceptions slow and dull." "The +intellect and feelings, not being provided with interests external to +themselves, must either become inactive and weak, or work upon +themselves and become diseased." + +"The most frequent victims of this kind of predisposition, are females +of the middle and higher ranks, especially those of a nervous +constitution and _good natural abilities_; but who, from an ill-directed +education, possess nothing more solid than mere accomplishments, and +have no materials of thought," and no "occupation to excite interest or +_demand_ attention." "The liability of such persons to melancholy, +hysteria, hypochondriasis, and other varieties of mental distress, +really depends on a state of irritability of brain, induced by imperfect +exercise." + +These remarks, of a medical man, illustrate the principles before +indicated;--namely, that the demand of Christianity, that we live to +promote the general happiness, and not merely for selfish indulgence, +has for its aim, not only the general good, but the highest happiness, +of the individual of whom it is required. + +A person possessed of wealth, who has nothing more noble to engage his +attention, than seeking his own personal enjoyment, subjects his mental +powers and moral feelings to a degree of inactivity, utterly at war with +health of mind. And the greater the capacities, the greater are the +sufferings which result from this cause. Any one, who has read the +misanthropic wailings of Lord Byron, has seen the necessary result of +great and noble powers bereft of their appropriate exercise, and, in +consequence, becoming sources of the keenest suffering. + +It is this view of the subject, which has often awakened feelings of +sorrow and anxiety in the mind of the writer, while aiding in the +developement and education of superior female minds, in the wealthier +circles. Not because there are not noble objects for interest and +effort, abundant, and within reach of such minds; but because +long-established custom has made it seem so Quixotic, to the majority, +even of the professed followers of Christ, for a woman of wealth to +practise any great self-denial, that few have independence of mind and +Christian principle sufficient to overcome such an influence. The more a +mind has its powers developed, the more does it aspire and pine after +some object worthy of its energies and affections; and they are +commonplace and phlegmatic characters, who are most free from such +deep-seated wants. Many a young woman, of fine genius and elevated +sentiment, finds a charm in Lord Byron's writings, because they present +a glowing picture of what, to a certain extent, must be felt by every +well-developed mind, which has no nobler object in life, than the +pursuit of its own gratification. + +If young ladies of wealth could pursue their education, under the full +conviction that the increase of their powers and advantages increased +their obligations to use all for the good of society, and with some plan +of benevolent enterprise in view, what new motives of interest would be +added to their daily pursuits! And what blessed results would follow, to +our beloved Country, if all well-educated females carried out the +principles of Christianity, in the exercise of their developed powers! + +It is cheering to know, that there are women, among the most intelligent +and wealthy, who can be presented as examples of what may be done, when +there is a heart to do. A pupil of the writer is among this number, +who, though a rich heiress, immediately, on the close of her +school-life, commenced a course of self-denying benevolence, in the +cause of education. She determined to secure a superior female +institution, in her native place, which should extend the benefits of +the best education to all in that vicinity, at a moderate charge. +Finding no teacher on the ground, prepared to take the lead, and though +herself a timid and retiring character, she began, with the aid of the +governess in her mother's family, a daily school, superintending all, +and teaching six hours a day. The liberal-minded and intelligent mother +cooperated, and the result is a flourishing female seminary, with a +large and beautiful and well-furnished building; the greater part of the +means being supplied by the mother, and almost all by the members of +that family connection. And both these ladies will testify, that no time +or money, spent for any other object, has ever secured to them more real +and abiding enjoyment, than witnessing the results of this successful +and benevolent enterprise, which, for years to come, will pour forth +blessings on society. + +Another lady could be pointed out, who, possessing some property, went +into a new western village, built and furnished her schoolhouse, and +established herself there, to aid in raising a community from ignorance +and gross worldliness, to intelligence and virtue. And in repeated +instances, among the friends and pupils of the writer, young ladies have +left wealthy homes, and affectionate friends, to find nobler enjoyments, +in benevolent and active exertions to extend intelligence and virtue, +where such disinterested laborers were needed. In other cases, where it +was not practicable to leave home, well-educated young ladies have +interested themselves in common schools in the vicinity, aiding the +teachers, by their sympathy, counsel, and personal assistance. + +Other ladies, of property and standing, having families to educate, and +being well qualified for such duties, have relinquished a large portion +of domestic labor and superintendence, which humbler minds could be +hired to perform, devoted themselves to the education of their children, +and received others, less fortunate, to share with their own these +superior advantages. But, so long as the feeling widely exists, that the +increase of God's bounties diminishes the obligations of self-denying +service for the good of mankind, so long will well-educated women, in +easy circumstances, shrink from such confinement and exertion. + +It is believed, however, that there are many benevolent and intelligent +women, in this Country, who would gladly engage in such enterprises, +were there any appropriate way within their reach. And it is a question, +well deserving consideration, among those who guide the public mind in +benevolent enterprises, whether some organization is not demanded, which +shall bring the whole community to act systematically, in voluntary +associations, to extend a proper education to every child in this +Nation, and to bring into activity all the female enterprise and +benevolence now lying dormant, for want of proper facilities to exercise +them. There are hundreds of villages, which need teachers, and that +would support them, if they were on the spot, but which never will send +for them. And there are hundreds of females, now unemployed, who would +teach, if a proper place, and home, and support, and escort, were +provided for them. And there needs to be some enlarged and systematic +plan, conducted by wise and efficient men, to secure these objects. + +Could such a plan, as the one suggested, be carried out, it is believed +that many female minds, now suffering, from diseases occasioned by want +of appropriate objects for their energies, would be relieved. The duties +of a teacher exercise every intellectual faculty, to its full extent; +while, in this benevolent service, all the social, moral, and +benevolent, emotions, are kept in full play. The happiest persons the +writer has ever known,--those who could say that they were as happy as +they wished to be, in this world, (and she has seen such,)--were persons +engaged in this employment. + +The indications of a diseased mind, owing to a want of the proper +exercise of its powers, are, apathy, discontent, a restless longing for +excitement, a craving for unattainable good, a diseased and morbid +action of the imagination, dissatisfaction with the world, and +factitious interest in trifles which the mind feels to be unworthy of +its powers. Such minds sometimes seek alleviation in exciting +amusements; others resort to the grosser enjoyments of sense. Oppressed +with the extremes of languor, or over-excitement, or apathy, the body +fails under the wearing process, and adds new causes of suffering to the +mind. Such, the compassionate Saviour calls to his service, in these +appropriate terms: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, +and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me," "and +ye shall find rest unto your souls." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS. + + +There is no point, where the women of this Country need more wisdom, +patience, principle, and self-control, than in relation to those whom +they employ in domestic service. The subject is attended with many +difficulties, which powerfully influence the happiness of families; and +the following suggestions are offered, to aid in securing right opinions +and practice. + +One consideration, which it would be well to bear in mind, on this +subject, is, that a large portion of the peculiar trials, which American +women suffer from this source, are the necessary evils connected with +our most valuable civil blessings. Every blessing of this life involves +some attendant liability to evil, from the same source; and, in this +case, while we rejoice at a state of society, which so much raises the +condition and advantages of our sex, the evils involved should be +regarded as more than repaid, by the compensating benefits. If we +cannot secure the cringing, submissive, well-trained, servants of +aristocratic lands, let us be consoled that we thus escape from the +untold miseries and oppression, which always attend that state of +society. + +Instead, then, of complaining that we cannot have our own peculiar +advantages, and those of other nations, too, or imagining how much +better off we should be, if things were different from what they are, it +is much wiser and more Christianlike to strive cheerfully to conform to +actual circumstances; and, after remedying all that we can control, +patiently to submit to what is beyond our power. If domestics are found +to be incompetent, unstable, and unconformed to their station, it is +Perfect Wisdom which appoints these trials, to teach us patience, +fortitude, and self-control; and, if the discipline is met, in a proper +spirit, it will prove a blessing, rather than an evil. + +But, to judge correctly in regard to some of the evils involved in the +state of domestic service, in this Country, we should endeavor to +conceive ourselves placed in the situation of those, of whom complaint +is made, that we may not expect, from them, any more than it would seem +right should be exacted from us, in similar circumstances. + +It is sometimes urged, against domestics, that they exact exorbitant +wages. But what is the rule of rectitude, on this subject? Is it not the +universal law of labor and of trade, that an article is to be valued, +according to its scarcity and the demand? When wheat is scarce, the +farmer raises his price; and when a mechanic offers services, difficult +to be obtained, he makes a corresponding increase of price. And why is +it not right, for domestics to act according to a rule, allowed to be +correct in reference to all other trades and professions? It is a fact, +that really good domestic service must continue to increase in value, +just in proportion as this Country waxes rich and prosperous; thus +making the proportion of those, who wish to hire labor, relatively +greater, and the number of those, willing to go to service, less. + +Money enables the rich to gain many advantages, which those of more +limited circumstances cannot secure. One of these, is, securing good +domestics, by offering high wages; and this, as the scarcity of this +class increases, will serve constantly to raise the price of service. It +is right for domestics to charge the market value, and this value is +always decided by the scarcity of the article and the amount of demand. +Right views of this subject, will sometimes serve to diminish hard +feelings towards those, who would otherwise be wrongfully regarded as +unreasonable and exacting. + +Another complaint against domestics, is, that of instability and +discontent, leading to perpetual change. But in reference to this, let a +mother or daughter conceive of their own circumstances as so changed, +that the daughter must go out to service. Suppose a place is engaged, +and it is then found that she must sleep in a comfortless garret; and +that, when a new domestic comes, perhaps a coarse and dirty foreigner, +she must share her bed with her. Another place is offered, where she can +have a comfortable room, and an agreeable room-mate; in such a case, +would not both mother and daughter think it right to change? + +Or, suppose, on trial, it was found that the lady of the house was +fretful, or exacting, and hard to please; or, that her children were so +ungoverned, as to be perpetual vexations; or, that the work was so +heavy, that no time was allowed for relaxation and the care of a +wardrobe;--and another place offers, where these evils can be escaped: +would not mother and daughter here think it right to change? And is it +not right for domestics, as well as their employers, to seek places, +where they can be most comfortable? + +In some cases, this instability and love of change would be remedied, if +employers would take more pains to make a residence with them agreeable; +and to attach domestics to the family, by feelings of gratitude and +affection. There are ladies, even where well-qualified domestics are +most rare, who seldom find any trouble in keeping good and steady ones. +And the reason is, that their domestics know they cannot better their +condition, by any change within reach. It is not merely by giving them +comfortable rooms, and good food, and presents, and privileges, that the +attachment of domestics is secured; it is by the manifestation of a +friendly and benevolent interest in their comfort and improvement. This +is exhibited, in bearing patiently with their faults; in kindly teaching +them how to improve; in showing them how to make and take proper care of +their clothes; in guarding their health; in teaching them to read, if +necessary, and supplying them with proper books; and, in short, by +endeavoring, so far as may be, to supply the place of parents. It is +seldom that such a course would fail to secure steady service, and such +affection and gratitude, that even higher wages would be ineffectual to +tempt them away. There would probably be some cases of ungrateful +returns; but there is no doubt that the course indicated, if generally +pursued, would very much lessen the evil in question. + +Another subject of complaint, in regard to domestics, is, their pride, +insubordination, and spirit not conformed to their condition. They are +not willing to be called _servants_; in some places, they claim a seat, +at meals, with the family; they imitate a style of dress unbecoming +their condition; and their manners and address are rude and +disrespectful. That these evils are very common, among this class of +persons, cannot be denied; the only question is, how can they best be +met and remedied. + +In regard to the common feeling among domestics, which is pained and +offended by being called "servants," there is need of some consideration +and allowance. It should be remembered, that, in this Country, children, +from their earliest years, are trained to abhor slavery, in reference +to themselves, as the greatest of all possible shame and degradation. +They are perpetually hearing orations, songs, and compositions of all +sorts, which set forth the honor and dignity of freemen, and heap scorn +and contempt on all who would be so mean as to be slaves. Now the term +servant, and the duties it involves, are, in the minds of many persons, +nearly the same as those of slave. And there are few minds, entirely +free from associations which make servitude a degradation. It is not +always pride, then, which makes this term so offensive. It is a +consequence of that noble and generous spirit of freedom, which every +American draws from his mother's breast, and which ought to be +respected, rather than despised. In order to be respected, by others, we +must respect ourselves; and sometimes the ruder classes of society make +claims, deemed forward and offensive, when, with their views, such a +position seems indispensable to preserve a proper self-respect. + +Where an excessive sensibility on this subject exists, and forward and +disrespectful manners result from it, the best remedy is, a kind attempt +to give correct views, such as better-educated minds are best able to +attain. It should be shown to them, that, in this Country, labor has +ceased to be degrading, in any class; that, in all classes, different +grades of subordination must exist; and that it is no more degrading, +for a domestic to regard the heads of a family as superiors in station, +and treat them with becoming respect, than it is for children to do the +same, or for men to treat their rulers with respect and deference. They +should be taught, that domestics use a different entrance to the house, +and sit at a distinct table, not because they are inferior beings, but +because this is the best method of securing neatness, order, and +convenience. They can be shown, if it is attempted in a proper spirit +and manner, that these very regulations really tend to their own ease +and comfort, as well as to that of the family. + +The writer has known a case, where the lady of the family, for the sake +of convincing her domestic of the truth of these views, allowed her to +follow her own notions, for a short time, and join the family at meals. +It was merely required, as a condition, that she should always dress her +hair as the other ladies did, and appear in a clean dress, and abide by +all the rules of propriety at table, which the rest were required to +practise, and which were duly detailed. The experiment was tried, two or +three times; and, although the domestic was treated with studious +politeness and kindness, she soon felt that she should be much more +comfortable in the kitchen, where she could talk, eat, and dress, as she +pleased. A reasonable domestic can also be made to feel the propriety of +allowing opportunity for the family to talk freely of their private +affairs, when they meet at meals, as they never could do, if restrained +by the constant presence of a stranger. Such views, presented in a kind +and considerate manner, will often entirely change the views of a +domestic, who is sensitive on such subjects. + +When a domestic is forward and bold in manners, and disrespectful in +address, a similar course can be pursued. It can be shown, that those, +who are among the best-bred and genteel, have courteous and respectful +manners and language to all they meet, while many, who have wealth, are +regarded as vulgar, because they exhibit rude and disrespectful manners. +The very term, _gentle_man, indicates the refinement and delicacy of +address, which distinguishes the high-bred from the coarse and vulgar. + +In regard to appropriate dress, in most cases it is difficult for an +employer to interfere, _directly_, with comments or advice. The most +successful mode, is, to offer some service in mending or making a +wardrobe, and when a confidence in the kindness of feeling is thus +gained, remarks and suggestions will generally be properly received, and +new views of propriety and economy can be imparted. In some cases, it +may be well for an employer,--who, from appearances, anticipates +difficulty of this kind,--in making the agreement, to state that she +wishes to have the room, person, and dress of her domestics kept neat, +and in order, and that she expects to remind them of their duty, in this +particular, if it is neglected. Domestics are very apt to neglect the +care of their own chambers and clothing; and such habits have a most +pernicious influence on their wellbeing, and on that of their children +in future domestic life. An employer, then, is bound to exercise a +parental care over them, in these respects. + +In regard to the great deficiencies of domestics, in qualifications for +their duties, much patience and benevolence are required. Multitudes +have never been taught to do their work properly; and, in such cases, +how unreasonable it would be to expect it of them! Most persons, of this +class, depend, for their knowledge in domestic affairs, not on their +parents, who are usually unqualified to instruct them, but on their +employers; and if they live in a family where nothing is done neatly and +properly, they have no chance to learn how to perform their duties well. +When a lady finds that she must employ a domestic who is ignorant, +awkward, and careless, her first effort should be, to make all proper +allowance for past want of instruction, and the next, to remedy the +evil, by kind and patient teaching. In doing this, it should ever be +borne in mind, that nothing is more difficult, than to change old +habits, and to learn to be thoughtful and considerate. And a woman must +make up her mind to tell the same thing "over and over again," and yet +not lose her patience. It will often save much vexation, if, on the +arrival of a new domestic, the mistress of the family, or a daughter, +will, for two or three days, go round with the novice, and show the +exact manner in which it is expected the work will be done. And this, +also, it may be well to specify in the agreement, as some domestics +would otherwise resent such a supervision. + +But it is often remarked, that, after a woman has taken all this pains +to instruct a domestic, and make her a good one, some other person will +offer higher wages, and she will leave. This, doubtless, is a sore +trial; but, if such efforts were made in the true spirit of benevolence, +the lady will still have her reward, in the consciousness that she has +contributed to the welfare of society, by making one more good domestic, +and one more comfortable family where that domestic is employed; and if +the latter becomes the mother of a family, a whole circle of children +will share in the benefit. + +There is one great mistake, not unfrequently made, in the management +both of domestics and of children; and that is, in supposing that the +way to cure defects, is by finding fault as each failing occurs. But, +instead of this being true, in many cases the directly opposite course +is the best; while, in all instances, much good judgement is required, +in order to decide when to notice faults, and when to let them pass +unnoticed. There are some minds, very sensitive, easily discouraged, and +infirm of purpose. Such persons, when they have formed habits of +negligence, haste, and awkwardness, often need expressions of sympathy +and encouragement, rather than reproof. They have usually been found +fault with, so much, that they have become either hardened or +desponding; and it is often the case, that a few words of commendation +will awaken fresh efforts and renewed hope. In almost every case, words +of kindness, confidence, and encouragement, should be mingled with the +needful admonitions or reproof. + +It is a good rule, in reference to this point, to _forewarn_, instead of +finding fault. Thus, when a thing has been done wrong, let it pass +unnoticed, till it is to be done again; and then, a simple request, to +have it done in the right way, will secure quite as much, and probably +more, willing effort, than a reproof administered for neglect. Some +persons seem to take it for granted, that young and inexperienced minds +are bound to have all the forethought and discretion of mature persons; +and freely express wonder and disgust, when mishaps occur for want of +these traits. But it would be far better to save from mistake or +forgetfulness, by previous caution and care on the part of those who +have gained experience and forethought; and thus many occasions of +complaint and ill-humor will be avoided. + +Those, who fill the places of heads of families, are not very apt to +think how painful it is, to be chided for neglect of duty, or for faults +of character. If they would sometimes imagine themselves in the place of +those whom they control, with some person daily administering reproof to +them, in the same _tone and style_ as they employ to those who are under +them, it might serve as a useful check to their chidings. It is often +the case, that persons, who are most strict and exacting, and least able +to make allowances and receive palliations, are themselves peculiarly +sensitive to any thing which implies that they are in fault. By such, +the spirit implied in the Divine petition, "forgive us our trespasses as +we forgive those who trespass against us," needs especially to be +cherished. + +One other consideration, is very important. There is no duty, more +binding on Christians, than that of patience and meekness under +provocations and disappointment. Now, the tendency of every sensitive +mind, when thwarted in its wishes, is, to complain and find fault, and +that often in tones of fretfulness or anger. But there are few +domestics, who have not heard enough of the Bible, to know that angry or +fretful fault-finding, from the mistress of a family, when her work is +not done to suit her, is not in agreement with the precepts of Christ. +They notice and feel the inconsistency; and every woman, when she gives +way to feelings of anger and impatience, at the faults of those around +her, lowers herself in their respect, while her own conscience, unless +very much blinded, cannot but suffer a wound. + +There are some women, who, in the main, are amiable, who seem impressed +with the idea, that it is their office and duty to find fault with their +domestics, whenever any thing is not exactly right, and follow their +fancied calling without the least appearance of tenderness or sympathy, +as if the objects of their discipline were stocks or stones. The writer +once heard a domestic, describing her situation in a family which she +had left, make this remark of her past employer: "She was a very good +housekeeper, allowed good wages, and gave us many privileges and +presents; but if we ever did any thing wrong, she always _talked to us +just as if she thought we had no feelings_, and I never was so unhappy +in my life, as while living with her." And this was said of a +kind-hearted and conscientious woman, by a very reasonable and amiable +domestic. + +Every woman, who has the care of domestics, should cultivate a habit of +regarding them with that sympathy and forbearance, which she would wish +for herself or her daughters, if deprived of parents, fortune, and home. +The fewer advantages they have enjoyed, and the greater difficulties of +temper or of habit they have to contend with, the more claims they have +on compassionate forbearance. They ought ever to be looked upon, not as +the mere ministers to our comfort and convenience, but as the humbler +and more neglected children of our Heavenly Father, whom He has sent to +claim our sympathy and aid.[N] + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[N] The excellent little work of Miss Sedgwick, entitled 'Live, and Let +Live,' contains many valuable and useful hints, conveyed in a most +pleasing narrative form, which every housekeeper would do well to read. +The writer also begs leave to mention a work of her own, entitled, +'Letters to Persons engaged in Domestic Service.' + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +ON THE CARE OF INFANTS. + + +Every young lady ought to learn how to take proper care of an infant; +for, even if she is never to become the responsible guardian of a +nursery, she will often be in situations where she can render +benevolent aid to others, in this most fatiguing and anxious duty. + +The writer has known instances, in which young ladies, who, having been +trained, by their mothers, properly to perform this duty, were, in some +cases, the means of saving the lives of infants, and in others, of +relieving, by their benevolent aid, sick mothers, from intolerable care +and anguish. + +On this point, Dr. Combe remarks, "All women are not destined, in the +course of Nature, to become mothers; but how very small is the number of +those, who are unconnected, by family ties, friendship, or sympathy, +with the children of others! How very few are there, who, at some time +or other of their lives, would not find their usefulness and happiness +increased, by the possession of a kind of knowledge, intimately allied +to their best feelings and affections! And how important is it, to the +mother herself, that her efforts should be seconded by intelligent, +instead of ignorant, assistants!" + +In order to be prepared for such benevolent ministries, every young lady +should improve the opportunity, whenever it is afforded her, for +learning how to wash, dress, and tend, a young infant; and whenever she +meets with such a work as Dr. Combe's, on the management of infants, she +ought to read it, and _remember_ its contents. + +It was the design of the author, to fill this chapter chiefly with +extracts from various medical writers, giving some of the most important +directions on this subject; but finding these extracts too prolix for a +work of this kind, she has condensed them into a shorter compass. Some +are quoted verbatim, and some are abridged, chiefly from the writings of +Doctors Combe, Bell, and Eberle, who are among the most approved writers +on this subject. + +"Nearly one half of the deaths, occurring during the first two years of +existence, are ascribable to mismanagement, and to errors in diet. At +birth, the stomach is feeble, and as yet unaccustomed to food; its +cravings are consequently easily satisfied, and frequently renewed." +"At that early age, there ought to be no fixed time for giving +nourishment. The stomach cannot be thus satisfied." "The active call of +the infant, is a sign, which needs never be mistaken." + +But care must be taken to determine between the crying of pain or +uneasiness, and the call for food; and the practice of giving an infant +food, to stop its cries, is often the means of increasing its +sufferings. After a child has satisfied its hunger, from two to four +hours should intervene, before another supply is given. + +"At birth, the stomach and bowels, never having been used, contain a +quantity of mucous secretion, which requires to be removed. To effect +this, Nature has rendered the first portions of the mother's milk +purposely watery and laxative. Nurses, however, distrusting Nature, +often hasten to administer some active purgative; and the consequence +often is, irritation in the stomach and bowels, not easily subdued." It +is only where the child is deprived of its mother's milk, as the first +food, that some gentle laxative should be given. + +"It is a common mistake, to suppose, that, because a woman is nursing, +she ought to live very fully, and to add an allowance of wine, porter, +or other fermented liquor, to her usual diet. The only result of this +plan, is, to cause an unnatural fulness in the system, which places the +nurse on the brink of disease, and retards, rather than increases, the +food of the infant. More will be gained by the observance of the +ordinary laws of health, than by any foolish deviation, founded on +ignorance." + +There is no point, on which medical men so emphatically lift the voice +of warning, as in reference to administering medicines to infants. It is +so difficult to discover what is the matter with an infant, its frame is +so delicate and so susceptible, and slight causes have such a powerful +influence, that it requires the utmost skill and judgement to ascertain +what would be proper medicines, and the proper quantity to be given. + +Says Dr. Combe, "That there are cases, in which active means must be +promptly used, to save the child, is perfectly true. But it is not less +certain, that these are cases, of which no mother or nurse ought to +attempt the treatment. As a general rule, where the child is well +managed, medicine, of any kind, is very rarely required; and if disease +were more generally regarded in its true light, not as something thrust +into the system, which requires to be expelled by force, but as an +aberration from a natural mode of action, produced by some external +cause, we should be in less haste to attack it by medicine, and more +watchful in its prevention. Accordingly, where a constant demand for +medicine exists in a nursery, the mother may rest assured, that there is +something essentially wrong in the treatment of her children. + +"Much havoc is made among infants, by the abuse of calomel and other +medicines, which procure momentary relief, but end by producing +incurable disease; and it has often excited my astonishment, to see how +recklessly remedies of this kind are had recourse to, on the most +trifling occasions, by mothers and nurses, who would be horrified, if +they knew the nature of the power they are wielding, and the extent of +injury they are inflicting." + +Instead, then, of depending on medicine, for the preservation of the +health and life of an infant, the following precautions and preventives +should be adopted. + +Take particular care of the _food_ of an infant. If it is nourished by +the mother, her own diet should be simple, nourishing, and temperate. If +the child be brought up by hand, the milk of a new-milch cow, mixed with +one third water, and sweetened a little with _white_ sugar, should be +the only food given, until the teeth come. This is more suitable, than +any preparations of flour or arrow-root, the nourishment of which is too +highly concentrated. Never give a child _bread_, _cake_, or _meat_, +before the teeth appear. If the food appear to distress the child, after +eating, first ascertain if the milk be really from a new-milch cow, as +it may otherwise be too old. Learn, also, whether the cow lives on +proper food. Cows that are fed on _still-slops_, as is often the case in +cities, furnish milk which is very unhealthful. + +Be sure and keep a good supply of pure and fresh air, in the nursery. On +this point, Dr. Bell remarks, respecting rooms constructed without +fireplaces, and without doors or windows to let in pure air, from +without, "The sufferings of children of feeble constitutions, are +increased, beyond measure, by such lodgings as these. _An action, +brought by the Commonwealth_, ought to lie against those persons, who +build houses for sale or rent, in which rooms are so constructed as not +to allow of free ventilation; and _a writ of lunacy_ taken out against +those, who, with the common-sense experience which all have on this +head, should spend any portion of their time, still more, should sleep, +in rooms thus nearly air-tight." + +After it is a month or two old, take an infant out to walk, or ride, in +a little wagon, every fair and warm day; but be very careful that its +feet, and every part of its body, are kept warm: and be sure that its +eyes are well protected from the light. Weak eyes, and sometimes +blindness, are caused by neglecting this precaution. Keep the head of an +infant cool, never allowing too warm bonnets, nor permitting it to sink +into soft pillows, when asleep. Keeping an infant's head too warm, very +much increases nervous irritability; and this is the reason why medical +men forbid the use of caps for infants. But the head of an infant +should, especially while sleeping, be protected from draughts of air, +and from getting cold. + +Be very careful of the skin of an infant, as nothing tends so +effectually to prevent disease. For this end, it should be washed all +over, every morning, and then gentle friction should be applied, with +the hand, to the back, stomach, bowels, and limbs. The head should be +thoroughly washed, every day, and then brushed with a soft hair-brush, +or combed with a fine comb. If, by neglect, dirt accumulates under the +hair, apply, with the finger, the yolk of an egg, and then the fine comb +will remove it all, without any trouble. + +Dress the infant, so that it will be always warm, but not so as to cause +perspiration. Be sure and keep its feet _always_ warm; and, for this +end, often warm them at a fire, and use long dresses. Keep the neck and +arms covered. For this purpose, wrappers, open in front, made high in +the neck, with long sleeves, to put on over the frock, are now very +fashionable. + +It is better for both mother and child, that it should not sleep on the +mother's arm, at night, unless the weather be extremely cold. This +practice keeps the child too warm, and leads it to seek food too +frequently. A child should ordinarily take nourishment but twice in the +night. A crib beside the mother, with a plenty of warm and light +covering, is best for the child; but the mother must be sure that it is +always kept warm. Never cover a child's head, so that it will inhale the +air of its own lungs. In very warm weather, especially in cities, great +pains should be taken, to find fresh and cool air, by rides and sailing. +Walks in a public square, in the cool of the morning, and frequent +excursions in ferry or steam-boats, would often save a long bill for +medical attendance. In hot nights, the windows should be kept open, and +the infant laid on a mattress, or on folded blankets. A bit of straw +matting, laid over a featherbed, and covered with the under sheet, makes +a very cool bed for an infant. + +Cool bathing, in hot weather, is very useful; but the water should be +very little cooler than the skin of the child. When the constitution is +delicate, the water should be slightly warmed. Simply sponging the body, +freely, in a tub, answers the same purpose as a regular bath. In very +warm weather, this should be done two or three times a day, always +waiting two or three hours after food has been given. + +"When the stomach is peculiarly irritable, (from teething,) it is of +paramount necessity to withhold all the nostrums which have been so +falsely lauded as 'sovereign cures for _cholera infantum_.' The true +restoratives, to a child threatened with disease, are, cool air, cool +bathing, and cool drinks of simple water, in addition to _proper_ food, +at stated intervals." Do not take the advice of mothers, who tell of +this, that, and the other thing, which have proved excellent remedies in +their experience. Children have different constitutions, and there are +multitudes of different causes for their sickness; and what might cure +one child, might kill another, which _appeared_ to have the same +complaint. A mother should go on the general rule, of giving an infant +very little medicine, and then only by the direction of a discreet and +experienced physician. And there are cases, when, according to the views +of the most distinguished and competent practitioners, physicians +themselves are much too free in using medicines, instead of adopting +_preventive_ measures. + +Do not allow a child to form such habits, that it will not be quiet, +unless tended and amused. A healthy child should be accustomed to lie or +sit in its cradle, much of the time; but it should occasionally be taken +up, and tossed, or carried about, for exercise and amusement. An infant +should be encouraged to _creep_, as an exercise very strengthening and +useful. If the mother fears the soiling of its nice dresses, she can +keep a long slip or apron, which will entirely cover the dress, and can +be removed, when the child is taken in the arms. A child should not be +allowed, when quite young, to bear its weight on its feet, very long at +a time, as this tends to weaken and distort the limbs. + +Many mothers, with a little painstaking, succeed in putting their +infants, while awake, into their cradle, at regular hours, for sleep, +and induce regularity in other habits, which saves much trouble. In +doing this, a child may cry, at first, a great deal; but for a healthy +child, this use of the lungs does no harm, and tends rather to +strengthen, than to injure, them. A child who is trained to lie or sit, +and amuse itself, is happier than one who is carried and tended a great +deal, and thus rendered restless and uneasy when not so indulged. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. + + +In regard to the physical education of children, Dr. Clarke, Physician +in Ordinary to the Queen of England, expresses views, on one point, in +which most physicians would coincide. He says, "There is no greater +error in the management of children, than that of giving them animal +diet very early. By persevering in the use of an overstimulating diet, +the digestive organs become irritated, and the various secretions, +immediately connected with, and necessary to, digestion, are diminished, +especially the _biliary secretion_. Children, so fed, become very liable +to attacks of fever, and of inflammation, affecting, particularly, the +mucous membranes; and measles, and the other diseases incident to +childhood, are generally severe in their attack." + +There are some popular notions on the subject of the use of animal food, +which need to be corrected. + +One mistake, is, in supposing that the formation of the human teeth and +stomach indicate that man was designed to feed on flesh. Linnæus says, +that the organization of man, when compared with other animals, shows, +that "fruits and esculent vegetables constitute his most suitable food." +Baron Cuvier, the highest authority on comparative anatomy, says, "the +natural food of man, _judging from his structure_, appears to consist of +fruits, roots, and other succulent parts of vegetables." + +Another common mistake, is, that the stimulus of animal food is +necessary for the full developement of the physical and intellectual +powers. This notion is disproved by facts. The inhabitants of Lapland +and Kamtschatka, who live altogether on animal food, are among the +smallest, weakest, and most timid, of races. But the Scotch Highlanders, +who, in a very cold climate, live almost exclusively on milk and +vegetable diet, are among the bravest, largest, and most athletic, of +men. The South-Sea Islanders, who live almost exclusively on fruits and +vegetables, are said to be altogether superior to English sailors, in +strength and agility. An intelligent gentleman, who spent many months in +Siberia, testifies, that no exiles endure the climate better than those, +who have all their lives been accustomed to a vegetable diet. The +stoutest and largest tribes in Africa, live solely on vegetable diet, +and the bright, intelligent, and active Arabs, live entirely on milk and +vegetables. + +The popular notion is, that animal food is more nourishing than +vegetable; but on this point, scientific men hold different opinions. +Experiments, repeatedly made by some chemists, seem to prove the +contrary. Tables have been prepared, showing the amount of nutriment in +each kind of food, by which it would appear, that, while beef contains +thirty-five per cent. of nutritious matter, wheat-bread and rice contain +from eighty to ninety-five per cent. The supposed mistake is attributed +to the fact, that, on account of the stimulating nature of animal food, +it digests easier and more quickly than vegetables. Many physicians, +however, among them, Dr. Combe,[O] are of opinion, that animal food +"contains a greater quantity of nutriment in a given bulk, than either +herbaceous or farinaceous food." In some diseases, too, meat is better +for the stomach than vegetables. + +The largest proportion of those, who have been remarkable for having +lived to the greatest age, were persons, whose diet was almost +exclusively vegetables; and it is a well-known fact, that the pulse of a +hardy and robust man, who lives on simple vegetable diet, is from ten +to twenty beats less in a minute, than that of men who live on a mixed +diet. + +In regard to the intellect, Dr. Franklin asserted, from experience, that +an exclusively vegetable diet "promotes clearness of ideas and quickness +of perception; and is to be preferred, by all who labor with the mind." +The mightiest efforts of Sir Isaac Newton, were performed, while +nourished only by bread and water. Many other men, distinguished by +intellectual vigor, give similar testimony. These facts show that animal +food is not needful, to secure the perfect developement of mind or +body.[P] + +The result of the treatment of the inmates of the Orphan Asylum, at +Albany, is one, upon which all, who have the care of young children, +should deeply ponder. During the first six years of the existence of +this Institution, its average number of children was eighty. For the +first three years, their diet was meat once a day, fine bread, rice, +Indian puddings, vegetables, fruit, and milk. Considerable attention was +given to clothing, fresh air, and exercise; and they were bathed once in +three weeks. During these three years, from four to six children, and +sometimes more, were continually on the sick-list; one or two assistant +nurses were necessary; a physician was called, two or three times a +week; and, in this time, there were between thirty and forty deaths. At +the end of this period, the management was changed, in these +respects:--daily ablutions of the whole body were practised; bread of +unbolted flour was substituted for that of fine wheat; and all animal +food was banished. More attention also was paid to clothing, bedding, +fresh air, and exercise. The result was, that the nursery was vacated; +the nurse and physician were no longer needed; and, for two years, not a +single case of sickness or death occurred. The third year, also, there +were no deaths, except those of two idiots and one other child, all of +whom were new inmates, who had not been subjected to this treatment. The +teachers of the children also testified, that there was a manifest +increase of intellectual vigor and activity, while there was much less +irritability of temper. + +Let parents, nurses, and teachers, reflect on the above statement, and +bear in mind, that stupidity of intellect, and irritability of temper, +as well as ill health, are often caused by the mismanagement of the +nursery, in regard to the physical training of children. There is +probably no practice, more deleterious, than that of allowing children +to eat at short intervals, through the day. As the stomach is thus kept +constantly at work, with no time for repose, its functions are deranged, +and a weak or disordered stomach is the frequent result. Children should +be required to keep cakes, nuts, and other good things which they may +have to eat, till just before a meal, and then they will form a part of +their regular supply. This is better, than to wait till after their +hunger is satisfied by food, when they will eat their niceties merely to +gratify the palate, and thus overload the stomach. + +In regard to the intellectual training of young children, some +modification in the common practice is necessary, with reference to +their physical wellbeing. More care is needful, in providing +_well-ventilated_ schoolrooms, and in securing more time for sports in +the open air, during school hours. It is very important, to most +mothers, that their young children should be removed from their care, +during the six school hours; and it is very useful, to quite young +children, to be subjected to the discipline of a school, and to +intercourse with other children of their own age. And, with a suitable +teacher, it is no matter how early children are sent to school, provided +their health is not endangered, by impure air, too much confinement, and +too great mental stimulus. + +In regard to the formation of the moral character, it has been too much +the case, that the discipline of the nursery has consisted of +disconnected efforts to make children either do, or refrain from doing, +certain particular acts. Do this, and be rewarded; do that, and be +punished; is the ordinary routine of family government. + +But children can be very early taught, that their happiness, both now +and hereafter, depends on the formation of _habits of submission, +self-denial_, and _benevolence_. And all the discipline of the nursery +can be conducted by the parents, not only with this general aim in their +own minds, but also with the same object daily set before the minds of +the children. Whenever their wishes are crossed, or their wills subdued, +they can be taught, that all this is done, not merely to please the +parent, or to secure some good to themselves or to others; but as a part +of that merciful training, which is designed to form such a character, +and such habits, that they can hereafter find their chief happiness in +giving up their will to God, and in living to do good to others, instead +of living merely to please themselves. + +It can be pointed out to them, that they must always submit their will +to the will of God, or else be continually miserable. It can be shown, +how in the nursery, and in the school, and through all future days, a +child must practise the giving up of his will and wishes, when they +interfere with the rights and comfort of others; and how important it +is, early to learn to do this, so that it will, by habit, become easy +and agreeable. It can be shown, how children, who are indulged in all +their wishes, and who are never accustomed to any self-denial, always +find it hard to refrain from what injures themselves and others. It can +be shown, also, how important it is, for every person, to form such +habits of benevolence, towards others, that self-denial, in doing good, +will become easy. + +Parents have learned, by experience, that children can be constrained, +by authority and penalties, to exercise self-denial, for _their own_ +good, till a habit is formed, which makes the duty comparatively easy. +For example, well-trained children can be accustomed to deny themselves +tempting articles of food, which are injurious, until the practice +ceases to be painful and difficult. Whereas, an indulged child would be +thrown into fits of anger or discontent, when its wishes were crossed, +by restraints of this kind. + +But it has not been so readily discerned, that the same method is +needful, in order to form a habit of self-denial, in doing good to +others. It has been supposed, that, while children must be forced, by +_authority_, to be self-denying and prudent, in regard to their own +happiness, it may properly be left to their own discretion, whether they +will practise any self-denial in doing good to others. But the more +difficult a duty is, the greater is the need of parental authority, in +forming a habit, which will make that duty easy. + +In order to secure this, some parents turn their earliest efforts to +this object. They require the young child always to offer to others a +part of every thing which it receives; always to comply with all +reasonable requests of others for service; and often to practise little +acts of self-denial, in order to secure some enjoyment for others. If +one child receives a present of some nicety, he is required to share it +with all his brothers and sisters. If one asks his brother to help him +in some sport, and is met with a denial, the parent requires the +unwilling child to act benevolently, and give up some of his time to +increase his brother's enjoyment. Of course, in such an effort as this, +discretion must be used, as to the frequency and extent of the exercise +of authority, to induce a habit of benevolence. But, where parents +deliberately aim at such an object, and wisely conduct their +instructions and discipline to secure it, very much will be +accomplished. + +Religious influence should be brought to bear directly upon this point. +In the very beginning of religious instruction, Jesus Christ should be +presented to the child, as that great and good Being, who came into +this world to teach children how to be happy, both here and hereafter. +He, who made it His meat and drink to do the will of His Heavenly +Father; who, in the humblest station, and most destitute condition, +denied Himself, daily, and went about doing good; should constantly be +presented as the object of their imitation. And as nothing so strongly +influences the minds of children, as the sympathy and example of a +_present_ friend, all those, who believe Him to be an _ever-present +Saviour_, should avail themselves of this powerful aid. Under such +training, Jesus Christ should be constantly presented to them, as their +ever-watchful, tender, and sympathizing friend. If the abstract idea of +an unembodied Spirit with the majestic attributes of Deity, be difficult +for the mind of infancy to grasp, the simple, the gentle, the lovely, +character of Christ, is exactly adapted to the wants and comprehension +of a child. In this view, how touching is the language of the Saviour, +to His misjudging disciples, "Suffer _the little children_ to come unto +me!" + +In regard to forming habits of obedience, there have been two extremes, +both of which need to be shunned. One is, a stern and unsympathizing +maintenance of parental authority, demanding perfect and constant +obedience, without any attempt to convince a child of the propriety and +benevolence of the requisitions, and without any manifestation of +sympathy and tenderness for the pain and difficulties which are to be +met. Under such discipline, children grow up to fear their parents, +rather than to love and trust them; while some of the most valuable +principles of character, are chilled, or forever blasted. + +In shunning this danger, other parents pass to the opposite extreme. +They put themselves too much on the footing of equals with their +children, as if little were due to superiority of relation, age, and +experience. Nothing is exacted, without the implied concession that the +child is to be a judge of the propriety of the requisition; and reason +and persuasion are employed, where simple command and obedience would be +far better. This system produces a most pernicious influence. Children +soon perceive the position, thus allowed them, and take every advantage +of it. They soon learn to dispute parental requirements, acquire habits +of forwardness and conceit, assume disrespectful manners and address, +maintain their views with pertinacity, and yield to authority with +ill-humor and resentment, as if their rights were infringed. + +The medium course, is, for the parent to take the attitude of a +superior, in age, knowledge, and relation, who has a perfect right to +control every action of the child, and that, too, without giving any +reason for the requisitions. "Obey, _because your parent commands_," is +always a proper and sufficient reason. + +But care should be taken, to convince the child that the parent is +conducting a course of discipline, designed to make him happy; and in +forming habits of implicit obedience, self-denial, and benevolence, the +child should have the reasons for most requisitions kindly stated; +never, however, on the demand of it, from the child, as a right, but as +an act of kindness from the parent. + +It is impossible to govern children properly, especially those of strong +and sensitive feelings, without a constant effort to appreciate the +value which they attach to their enjoyments and pursuits. A lady, of +great strength of mind and sensibility, once told the writer, that one +of the most acute periods of suffering, in her whole life, was +occasioned by the burning up of some milkweed-silk, by her mother. The +child had found, for the first time, some of this shining and beautiful +substance; was filled with delight at her discovery; was arranging it in +parcels; planning its future uses, and her pleasure in showing it to her +companions,--when her mother, finding it strewed over the carpet, +hastily swept it into the fire, and that, too, with so indifferent an +air, that the child fled away, almost distracted with grief and +disappointment. The mother little realized the pain she had inflicted, +but the child felt the unkindness, so severely, that for several days +her mother was an object almost of aversion. + +While, therefore, the parent needs to carry on a steady course, which +will oblige the child always to give up its will, whenever its own good, +or the greater claims of others, require it, this should be constantly +connected with the expression of a tender sympathy, for the trials and +disappointments thus inflicted. Those, who will join with children, and +help them along in their sports, will learn, by this mode, to understand +the feelings and interests of childhood; while, at the same time, they +secure a degree of confidence and affection, which cannot be gained so +easily, in any other way. And it is to be regretted, that parents so +often relinquish this most powerful mode of influence, to domestics and +playmates, who often use it in the most pernicious manner. In joining in +such sports, older persons should never relinquish the attitude of +superiors, or allow disrespectful manners or address. And respectful +deportment is never more cheerfully accorded, than in seasons, when +young hearts are pleased, and made grateful, by having their tastes and +enjoyments so efficiently promoted. + +Next to the want of all government, the two most fruitful sources of evil +to children, are, _unsteadiness_ in government, and _over-government_. +Most of the cases, in which the children of sensible and conscientious +parents turn out badly, result from one or the other of these causes. In +cases of unsteady government, either one parent is very strict, severe, +and unbending, and the other excessively indulgent, or else the parents +are sometimes very strict and decided, and at other times allow +disobedience to go unpunished. In such cases, children, never knowing +exactly when they can escape with impunity, are constantly tempted to +make the trial. + +The bad effects of this, can be better appreciated, by reference to one +important principle of the mind. It is found to be universally true, +that, when any object of desire is put entirely beyond the reach of hope +or expectation, the mind very soon ceases to long for it, and turns to +other objects of pursuit. But, so long as the mind is hoping for some +good, and making efforts to obtain it, any opposition excites irritable +feelings. Let the object be put entirely beyond all hope, and this +irritation soon ceases. In consequence of this principle, those +children, who are under the care of persons of steady and decided +government, know, that whenever a thing is forbidden or denied, it is +out of the reach of hope; the desire, therefore, soon ceases, and they +turn to other objects. But the children of undecided, or of +over-indulgent parents, never enjoy this preserving aid. When a thing is +denied, they never know but either coaxing may win it, or disobedience +secure it without any penalty, and so they are kept in that state of +hope and anxiety, which produces irritation, and tempts to +insubordination. The children of very indulgent parents, and of those +who are undecided and unsteady in government, are very apt to become +fretful, irritable, and fractious. + +Another class of persons, in shunning this evil, go to the other +extreme, and are very strict and pertinacious, in regard to every +requisition. With them, fault-finding and penalties abound, until the +children are either hardened into indifference of feeling, and +obtuseness of conscience, or else become excessively irritable, or +misanthropic. + +It demands great wisdom, patience, and self-control, to escape these two +extremes. In aiming at this, there are parents, who have found the +following maxims of very great value. First, Avoid, as much as possible, +the multiplication of rules and absolute commands. Instead of this, take +the attitude of advisers. "My child, this is improper, I wish you would +remember not to do it." This mode of address answers for all the little +acts of heedlessness, awkwardness, or ill-manners, so frequently +occurring, with children. There are cases, when direct and distinct +commands are needful; and, in such cases, a penalty for disobedience +should be as steady and sure as the laws of Nature. Where such +steadiness, and certainty of penalty, attend disobedience, children no +more think of disobeying, than they do of putting their fingers in a +burning candle. + +The next maxim, is, Govern by rewards, more than by penalties. Such +faults as wilful disobedience, lying, dishonesty, and indecent or +profane language, should be punished with severe penalties, after a +child has been fully instructed in the evil of such practices. But all +the constantly-recurring faults of the nursery, such as ill-humor, +quarrelling, carelessness, and ill-manners, may, in a great many cases, +be regulated by gentle and kind remonstrances, and by the offer of some +reward for persevering efforts to form a good habit. It is very +injurious and degrading to any mind, to be kept under the constant fear +of penalties. _Love_ and _hope_ are the principles that should be mainly +relied on, in forming the habits of childhood. + +Another maxim, and perhaps the most difficult, is, Do not govern by the +aid of severe and angry tones. A single example will be given to +illustrate this maxim. A child is disposed to talk and amuse itself, at +table. The mother requests it to be silent, except when needing to ask +for food, or when spoken to by its older friends. It constantly forgets. +The mother, instead of rebuking, in an impatient tone, says, "My child, +you must remember not to talk. I will remind you of it four times more, +and after that, whenever you forget, you must leave the table, and wait +till we are done." If the mother is steady in her government, it is not +probable that she will have to apply this slight penalty more than once +or twice. This method is far more effectual, than the use of sharp and +severe tones, to secure attention and recollection, and often answers +the purpose, as well as offering some reward. + +The writer has been in some families, where the most efficient and +steady government has been sustained, without the use of a cross or +angry tone; and in others, where a far less efficient discipline was +kept up, by frequent severe rebukes and angry remonstrances. In the +first case, the children followed the example set them, and seldom used +severe tones to each other; in the latter, the method employed by the +parents, was imitated by the children; and cross words and angry tones +resounded from morning till night, in every portion of the household. + +Another important maxim, is, Try to keep children in a happy state of +mind. Every one knows, by experience, that it is easier to do right, and +submit to rule, when cheerful and happy, than when irritated. This is +peculiarly true of children; and a wise mother, when she finds her child +fretful and impatient, and thus constantly doing wrong, will often +remedy the whole difficulty, by telling some amusing story, or by +getting the child engaged in some amusing sport. This strongly shows the +importance of learning to govern children without the employment of +angry tones, which always produce irritation. + +Children of active, heedless temperament, or those who are odd, awkward, +or unsuitable, in their remarks and deportment, are often essentially +injured, by a want of patience and self-control in those who govern +them. Such children, often possess a morbid sensibility, which they +strive to conceal, or a desire of love and approbation, which preys like +a famine on the soul. And yet, they become objects of ridicule and +rebuke, to almost every member of the family, until their sensibilities +are tortured into obtuseness or misanthropy. Such children, above all +others, need tenderness and sympathy. A thousand instances of mistake or +forgetfulness should be passed over, in silence, while opportunities for +commendation and encouragement should be diligently sought. + +In regard to the formation of habits of self-denial, in childhood, it is +astonishing to see how parents, who are very sensible, often seem to +regard this matter. Instead of inuring their children to this duty, in +early life, so that by habit it may be made easy in after-days, they +seem to be studiously seeking to cut them off, from every chance to +secure such a preparation. Every wish of the child is studiously +gratified; and, where a necessity exists, of crossing its wishes, some +compensating pleasure is offered, in return. Such parents, often +maintain that nothing shall be put on their table, which their children +may not join them in eating. But where, so easily and surely as at the +daily meal, can that habit of self-denial be formed, which is so needful +in governing the appetites, and which children must acquire, or be +ruined? The food which is proper for grown persons, is often unsuitable +for children; and this is a sufficient reason for accustoming them to +see others partake of delicacies, which they must not share. Requiring +children to wait till others are helped, and to refrain from +conversation at table, except when addressed by their elders, is another +mode of forming habits of self-denial and self-control. Requiring them +to help others, first, and to offer the best to others, has a similar +influence. + +In forming the moral habits of children, it is wise to take into account +the peculiar temptations to which they are to be exposed. The people of +this Nation are eminently a trafficking people; and the present standard +of honesty, as to trade and debts, is very low, and every year seems +sinking still lower. It is, therefore, pre-eminently important, that +children should be trained to strict _honesty_, both in word and deed. +It is not merely teaching children to avoid absolute lying, which is +needed. _All kinds of deceit_ should be guarded against; and all kinds +of little dishonest practices be strenuously opposed. A child should be +brought up with the determined principle, never to _run in debt_, but to +be content to live in an humbler way, in order to secure that true +independence, which should be the noblest distinction of an American +citizen. + +There is no more important duty, devolving upon a mother, than the +cultivation of habits of modesty and propriety in young children. All +indecorous words or deportment, should be carefully restrained; and +delicacy and reserve studiously cherished. It is a common notion, that +it is important to secure these virtues to one sex, more than to the +other; and, by a strange inconsistency, the sex most exposed to danger, +is the one selected as least needing care. But a wise mother will be +especially careful, that her sons are trained to modesty and purity of +mind. + +But few mothers are sufficiently aware of the dreadful penalties which +often result from indulged impurity of thought. If children, in _future_ +life, can be preserved from licentious associates, it is supposed that +their safety is secured. But the records of our insane retreats, and the +pages of medical writers, teach, that even in solitude, and without +being aware of the sin or the danger, children may inflict evils on +themselves, which not unfrequently terminate in disease, delirium, and +death. Every mother and every teacher, therefore, carefully avoiding all +explanation of the mystery, should teach the young, that the indulgence +of impure thoughts and actions, is visited by the most awful and +terrific penalties. Disclosing the details of vice, in order to awaken +dread of its penalties, is a most dangerous experiment, and often leads +to the very evils feared. The attempts made, in late years, to guard +children from future dangers, by circulating papers, and books of +warning and information, have led to such frightful results, that it is +hoped the experiment will never again be pursued. The safest course, is, +to cultivate habits of modesty and delicacy, and to teach, that all +impure thoughts, words, and actions, are forbidden by God, and are often +visited by the most dreadful punishment. At the same time, it is +important for mothers to protect the young mind from false notions of +delicacy. It should be shown, that whatever is necessary, to save from +suffering or danger, must be met, without shame or aversion; and that +all, which God has instituted, is wise, and right, and pure. + +It is in reference to these dangers, that mothers and teachers should +carefully guard the young from those highly-wrought fictions, which lead +the imagination astray; and especially from that class of licentious +works, made interesting by genius and taste, which have flooded this +Country, and which are often found on the parlor table, even of moral +and Christian people. Of this class, the writings of Bulwer stand +conspicuous. The only difference, between some of his works and the +obscene prints, for vending which men suffer the penalties of the law, +is, that the last are so gross, as to revolt the taste and startle the +mind to resistance, while Bulwer presents the same ideas, so clothed in +the fascinations of taste and genius, as most insidiously to seduce the +unwary. It seems to be the chief aim of this licentious writer, to make +thieves, murderers, and adulterers, appear beautiful, refined, and +interesting. It is time that all virtuous persons in the community +should rise in indignation, not only against the writers, but the +venders of such poison. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[O] See his 'Physiology of Digestion considered with relation to the +Principles of Dietetics,' issued by the Publishers of this work. + +[P] The writer is not an advocate for _total_ abstinence from animal +food. She coincides with the best authorities, in thinking that adults +eat too much; that children, while growing, should eat very little, and +quite young children, none at all. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +ON THE CARE OF THE SICK. + + +Every woman who has the care of young children, or of a large family, is +frequently called upon, to advise what shall be done, for some one who +is indisposed; and often, in circumstances where she must trust solely +to her own judgement. In such cases, some err, by neglecting to do any +thing at all, till the patient is quite sick; but a still greater number +err, from excessive and injurious dosing. + +The two great causes of the ordinary slight attacks of illness, in a +family, are, sudden chills, which close the pores of the skin, and thus +affect the throat, lungs, or bowels; and the excessive or improper use +of food. In most cases, of illness from the first cause, bathing the +feet, and some aperient drink to induce perspiration, are suitable +remedies. A slight cathartic, also, is often serviceable. In case of +illness from improper food, or excess in eating, _fasting_, for one or +two meals, to give the system time and chance to relieve itself, is the +safest remedy. Sometimes, a gentle cathartic may be needful; but it is +best first to try fasting. + +The following extract from a discourse of Dr. Burne, before the London +Medical Society, contains important information. "In civilized life, the +causes, which are most generally and continually operating in the +production of diseases, are, affections of the mind, improper diet, and +retention of the intestinal excretions. The undue retention of +excrementitious matter, allows of the absorption of its more liquid +parts, which is a cause of great impurity to the blood, and the +excretions, thus rendered hard and knotty, act more or less as +extraneous substances, and, by their irritation, produce a determination +of blood to the intestines and to the neighboring viscera, which +ultimately ends in inflammation. It also has a great effect on the whole +system; causes a determination of blood to the head, which oppresses the +brain and dejects the mind; deranges the functions of the stomach; +causes flatulency; and produces a general state of discomfort." + +Dr. Combe remarks, on this subject, "In the natural and healthy state, +under a proper system of diet, and with sufficient exercise, the bowels +are relieved regularly, once every day." _Habit_ "is powerful in +modifying the result, and in sustaining healthy action when once fairly +established. Hence the obvious advantage of observing as much +regularity, in relieving the system, as in taking our meals." It is +often the case that soliciting Nature at a regular period, once a day, +will remedy constipation, without medicine, and induce a regular and +healthy state of the bowels. "When, however, as most frequently +happens, the constipation arises from the absence of all assistance from +the abdominal and respiratory muscles, the first step to be taken, is, +again to solicit their aid; first, by removing all impediments to free +respiration, such as stays, waistbands and belts; secondly, by resorting +to such active exercises, as shall call the muscles into full and +regular action; and, lastly, by proportioning the quantity of food to +the wants of the system, and the condition of the digestive organs. If +we employ these means, systematically and perseveringly, we shall rarely +fail in at last restoring the healthy action of the bowels, with little +aid from medicine. But if we neglect these modes, we may go on, for +years, adding pill to pill, and dose to dose, without ever attaining the +end at which we aim." There is no point, in which a woman needs more +knowledge and discretion, than in administering remedies for what seem +slight attacks, which are not supposed to require the attention of a +physician. It is little realized, that purgative drugs are unnatural +modes of stimulating the internal organs, tending to exhaust them of +their secretions, and to debilitate and disturb the animal economy. For +this reason, they should be used as little as possible; and fasting, and +perspiration, and the other methods pointed out, should always be first +resorted to. When medicine must be given, it should be borne in mind, +that there are various classes of purgatives, which produce very diverse +effects. Some, like salts, operate to thin the blood, and reduce the +system; others are stimulating; and others have a peculiar operation on +certain organs. Of course, great discrimination and knowledge is needed, +in order to select the kind, which is suitable to the particular +disease, or to the particular constitution of the invalid. This shows +the folly of using the many kinds of pills, and other quack medicines, +where no knowledge can be had of their composition. Pills which are good +for one kind of disease, might operate as poison in another state of the +system. It is wise to keep always on hand some simple cathartic, for +family use, in slight attacks; and always to resort to medical advice, +whenever powerful remedies seem to be demanded.[Q] It is very common, in +cases of colds which affect the lungs or throat, to continue to try one +dose after another, for relief. It will be well to bear in mind, at such +times, that all which goes into the stomach, must be first absorbed into +the blood, before it can reach the diseased part; and that there is some +danger of injuring the stomach, or other parts of the system, by such a +variety of doses, many of which, it is probable, will be directly +contradictory in their nature, and thus neutralize any supposed benefit +they might separately impart. + +It is very unwise, to tempt the appetite of a person who is indisposed. +The cessation of appetite is the warning of Nature, that the system is +in such a state, that food cannot be digested. + +The following suggestions may be found useful, in regard to nursing the +sick. As nothing contributes more to the restoration of health, than +pure air, it should be a primary object, to keep a sick-room well +ventilated. At least twice in the twenty-four hours, the patient should +be well covered, and fresh air freely admitted from out of doors. After +this, if need be, the room should be restored to a proper temperature, +by the aid of a fire. Bedding and clothing should also be well aired, +and frequently changed; as the exhalations from the body, in sickness, +are peculiarly deleterious. Frequent ablutions, of the whole body, if +possible, are very useful; and for these, warm water may be employed. + +The following, are useful directions for dressing a blister. Spread +thinly, on a linen cloth, an ointment, composed of one third of beeswax +to two thirds of tallow; lay this upon a linen cloth, folded many times. +With a sharp pair of scissors, make an aperture in the lower part of the +bag of water, with a little hole, above, to give it vent. Break the +raised skin as little as possible. Lay on the cloth, spread as directed. +The blister, at first, should be dressed as often as three times in a +day, and the dressing renewed each time. + +A sick-room should always be kept very neat, and in perfect order; and +all haste, noise, and bustle, should be avoided. In order to secure +neatness, order, and quiet, in case of long illness, the following +arrangements should be made. Keep a large box for fuel, which will need +to be filled only twice in twenty-four hours. Provide, also, and keep in +the room, or an adjacent closet, a small teakettle, a saucepan, a pail +of water, for drinks and ablutions, a pitcher, a covered porringer, two +pint bowls, two tumblers, two cups and saucers, two wine glasses, two +large and two small spoons; also, a dish in which to wash these +articles; a good supply of towels, and a broom. Keep a slop-bucket, near +by, to receive the wash of the room. Procuring all these articles at +once, will save much noise and confusion. + +Whenever medicine or food is given, spread a clean towel over the person +or bedclothing, and get a clean handkerchief, as nothing is more +annoying to a weak stomach, than the stickiness and soiling produced by +medicine and food. Keep the fireplace neat, and always wash all +articles, and put them in order, as soon as they are out of use. + +A sick person has nothing to do, but look about the room; and when every +thing is neat and in order, a feeling of comfort is induced, while +disorder, filth, and neglect, are constant objects of annoyance, which, +if not complained of, are yet felt. + +Always prepare food for the sick, in the neatest and most careful +manner. It is in sickness, that the senses of smell and taste are most +susceptible of annoyance; and often, little mistakes or negligences, in +preparing food, will take away all appetite. + +Food for the sick, should be cooked on coals, that no smoke may have +access to it; and great care must be taken, to prevent any adherence to +the bottom, as this always gives a disagreeable taste. + +Keeping clean handkerchiefs and towels at hand, cooling the pillows, +sponging the hands with water, swabbing the mouth with a clean linen +rag, on the end of a stick, are modes of increasing the comfort of the +sick. Always throw a shawl over a sick person, when raised up. + +Be careful to understand a physician's directions, and _to obey them +implicitly_. If it be supposed that any other person knows better about +the case, than the physician, dismiss the physician, and employ that +person in his stead. + +In nursing the sick, always speak gently and cheeringly; and, while you +express sympathy for their pain and trials, stimulate them to bear all +with fortitude, and with resignation to Him who has appointed the trial. +Offer to read the Bible, or other devotional books, whenever it is +suitable, and will not be deemed obtrusive. + +It is always best to consult the physician, as to where medicines shall +be purchased, and to show the articles to him before using them, as +great impositions are practised in selling old, useless, and adulterated +drugs. Always put labels on vials of medicine, and keep them out of the +reach of children. + +Be careful to label all powders, and particularly all _white powders_; +as many poisonous medicines, in this form, are easily mistaken for +others which are harmless. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[Q] The following electuary, by a distinguished physician, is used by +many friends of the writer, as a standing resort, in cases of +constipation, or where a gentle cathartic is needed. One recommendation +of it, is, that children always love it, and eat the pills as "good +plums." + +Two ounces of powdered Senna; one ounce of Cream of Tartar; one ounce of +Sulphur; mixed with sufficient Confection of Senna, to form an +electuary. Make this into pills, of the size of peas, and give a young +child two or three, as the case may be. Taking three pills, every night, +will generally relieve constipation in an adult. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +ON ACCIDENTS AND ANTIDOTES. + + +When serious accidents occur, medical aid should be immediately +procured. Till that can be done, the following directions may be useful. + +When a child has any thing in its throat, first try, with the finger, to +get the article up. If this cannot be done, push it down into the +stomach, with a smooth elastic stick. If the article be a pin, sharp +bone, glass, or other cutting substance, give an emetic which will +immediately operate. + +In the case of a common cut, bind the lips of the wound together, with a +rag, and put nothing else on. If the cut be large, and so situated that +rags will not bind it together, use sticking plaster, cut in strips and +laid obliquely across the cut. Sometimes it is needful to take a stitch, +with a needle and thread, on each lip of the wound, and draw the two +sides together. + +If an artery be cut, it must be immediately tied up, or the person will +bleed to death. The blood from an artery is of a bright red color, and +spirts out, in regular jets, at each beat of the heart. Take up the +bleeding end of the artery, and hold it, or tie it up, till a surgeon +comes. When the artery cannot be found, and in all cases of bad cuts on +any of the limbs, apply compression; when it can be done, tie a very +tight bandage above the wound, if it be below the heart, and _below_ if +the wound be above the heart. Put a stick into the band, and twist it as +tight as can be borne, till surgical aid be obtained. + +Bathe bad bruises in hot water, or hot spirits, or a decoction of bitter +herbs. _Entire rest_, is the remedy for sprains. Bathing in warm water, +or warm whiskey is very useful. A sprained leg should be kept in a +horizontal position, on a bed or sofa. + +When a leg is broken, tie it to the other leg, to keep it still; and, +if possible, get a surgeon, before the limb swells. Bind a broken arm to +a piece of shingle, and keep it still, till it is set. + +In case of a blow on the head, or a fall, causing insensibility, use a +mustard paste on the back of the neck and pit of the stomach, and rub +the body with spirits. After the circulation is restored, bleeding is +often necessary; but it is very dangerous to attempt it before. + +In cases of bad burns, where the skin is taken off, the great aim should +be, _to keep the injured part from the air_. For this purpose, sprinkle +on flour, or apply a liniment, made of linseed oil and lime-water, in +equal quantities. Sweet-oil, on cotton, is good, and with laudanum, +alleviates pain: but many skins cannot bear the application of raw +cotton, which is sometimes very good. When a dressing is put on, do not +remove it, as it will be sure to protract the cure, by admitting the +air. + +In case of drowning, lay the person in a warm bed, or on blankets, on +the right side, with the head raised, and a little inclined forward. +Clear the mouth with the fingers, and cautiously apply hartshorn to the +nose. Raise the heat of the body, by bottles of warm water, applied to +the pit of the stomach, armpits, groins, and soles of the feet. Apply +friction to the whole body, with warm hands and cloths dipped in warm +spirits of camphor. Endeavor to produce the natural action of the lungs, +by introducing the nose of a bellows into one nostril and closing the +other, at the same time pressing on the throat, to close the gullet. +When the lungs are thus inflated, press gently on the breast and belly, +and continue the process, for a long time. Cases have been known, where +efforts have been protracted eight or ten hours, without effect, and +then have proved successful. Rolling the body on a barrel, suspending it +by the heels, giving injections of tobacco, and many other practices, +which have been common, are highly injurious. After signs of life +appear, give small quantities of wine, or spirits and water. + +In cases of poisoning, from _corrosive sublimate_, beat up the whites +of twelve eggs, mix them in two quarts of water, and give a tumbler full +every three minutes, till vomiting is produced. This is the surest +remedy. When this is not at hand, fill the stomach, in like manner, with +any mucilaginous substance, such as gum and water, flaxseed, or +slippery-elm-bark tea. Flour and water, or sugar and water, in great +quantities, are next best; and if none of these be at hand, give copious +draughts of water alone. + +In case of poisoning from _arsenic_, _cobalt_, or any such mineral, +administer, as soon as possible, large quantities of lime-water and +sugared-water, of warm, or even of cold water, or of flaxseed tea, or +some other mucilaginous drink, to distend the stomach and produce +immediate vomiting, and thereby eject the poison. + +If opium, or any of its preparations, has been taken, in dangerous +quantities, induce vomiting, without a moment's unnecessary delay, by +giving, immediately, in _a small quantity_ of water, ten grains of +ipecac, and ten grains of sulphate of zinc, (white vitriol, which is the +most prompt emetic known,) and repeat the dose every fifteen minutes, +till the stomach is entirely emptied. Where white vitriol is not at +hand, substitute three or four grains of blue vitriol, (sulphate of +copper.) When the stomach is emptied, but not before, give, every ten +minutes, alternately, a cup of acid drink, and a cup of very strong +coffee, made by pouring a pint of boiling water on a quarter of a pound +of ground burnt coffee, and letting it stand ten minutes, and then +straining it. Continue these drinks, till the danger is over. Dash cold +water on the head, apply friction to the body, and keep the person in +constant motion, to prevent sleep. + +If any kind of acid be taken, in poisonous quantities, give strong +pearlash-water. If ley, or pearlash, or any alkali be taken, give +sweet-oil; or, if this be wanting, lamp-oil; or, if neither be at hand, +give vinegar, freely. + +In case of stupefaction, from the fumes of charcoal, or from entering a +well, limekiln, or coal mine, expose the person to cold air, lying on +his back, dash cold water on the head and breast, and rub the body with +spirits of camphor, vinegar, or Cologne water. Apply mustard paste to +the pit of the stomach, and use friction on the hands, feet, and whole +length of the back bone. Give some acid drink, and, when the person +revives, place him in a warm bed, in fresh air. Be prompt and +persevering. + +In case of bleeding at the lungs, or stomach, or throat, give a +teaspoonful of dry salt, and repeat it often. For bleeding at the nose, +pour cold water on the back of the neck, keeping the head elevated. + +If a person be struck with lightning, throw pailfuls of cold water on +the head and body, and apply mustard poultices on the stomach, with +friction of the whole body, and inflation of the lungs. When no other +emetic can be found, pounded mustard seed, taken a teaspoonful at a +time, will answer. The ground mustard is not so effectual, but will do. + +In case of fire, wrap a woollen blanket about you, to protect from the +fire. If the staircases are on fire, tie the corners of the sheets +together, very firmly, fasten one end to the bedstead, draw it to the +window, and let yourself down. Never read in bed, lest you fall asleep, +and the bed be set on fire. If your clothes get on fire, never run, but +lie down, and roll about till you can reach a bed or carpet to wrap +yourself in, and thus put out the fire. Keep young children in woollen +dresses, to save them from the risk of fire. + +In thunderstorms, shut the doors and windows. The safest part of a room, +is its centre; and where there is a featherbed in the apartment, that +will be found the most secure resting-place. + +A lightning rod, if it be well pointed, and run deep into the earth, is +a certain protection to a circle around it, whose diameter equals the +height of the rod above the highest chimney. But it protects _no +further_ than this extent. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +ON DOMESTIC AMUSEMENTS AND SOCIAL DUTIES. + + +Whenever the laws of body and mind are properly understood, it will be +allowed, that every person needs some kind of recreation; and that, by +seeking it, the body is strengthened, the mind is invigorated, and all +our duties are more cheerfully and successfully performed. + +Children, whose bodies are rapidly growing, and whose nervous system is +tender and excitable, need much more amusement, than persons of mature +age. Persons, also, who are oppressed with great responsibilities and +duties, or who are taxed by great intellectual or moral excitement, need +recreations which secure physical exercise, and draw off the mind from +absorbing interests. Unfortunately, such persons are those who least +resort to amusements, while the idle, gay, and thoughtless, seek those +which are needless, and for which useful occupation would be a most +beneficial substitute. + +As the only legitimate object of amusements, is, to prepare mind and +body for the proper discharge of duty, any protracting of such as +interfere with regular employments, or induce excessive fatigue, or +weary the mind, or invade the proper hours for repose, must be sinful. + +In deciding what should be selected, and what avoided, the following +rules are binding. In the first place, no amusements, which inflict +needless pain, should ever be allowed. All tricks which cause fright, or +vexation, and all sports, which involve suffering to animals, should be +utterly forbidden. Hunting and fishing, for mere sport, can never be +justified. If a man can convince his children, that he follows these +pursuits to gain food or health, and not for amusement, his example may +not be very injurious. But, when children see grown persons kill and +frighten animals, for sport, habits of cruelty, rather than feelings of +tenderness and benevolence, are induced. + +In the next place, we should seek no recreations, which endanger life, +or interfere with important duties. As the only legitimate object of +amusements, is to promote health, and prepare for more serious duties, +selecting those which have a directly opposite tendency, cannot be +justified. Of course, if a person feel that the previous day's +diversions have shortened the hours of needful repose, or induced a +lassitude of mind or body, instead of invigorating them, it is certain +that an evil has been done, which should never be repeated. + +A third rule, is, to avoid those amusements, which experience has shown +to be so exciting, and connected with so many temptations, as to be +pernicious in tendency, both to the individual and to the community. It +is on this ground, that horse-racing and circus-riding are excluded. Not +because there is any thing positively wrong, in having men and horses +run, and perform feats of agility, or in persons looking on for the +diversion; but because experience has shown so many evils connected with +these recreations, that they should be relinquished. So with theatres. +The enacting of characters, and the amusement thus afforded, in itself +may be harmless; and possibly, in certain cases, might be useful: but +experience has shown so many evils to result from this source, that it +is deemed wrong to patronize it. So, also, with those exciting games of +chance, which are employed in gambling. + +Under the same head, comes _dancing_, in the estimation of the great +majority of the religious world. Still, there are many intelligent, +excellent, and conscientious persons, who hold a contrary opinion. Such +maintain, that it is an innocent and healthful amusement, tending to +promote ease of manners, cheerfulness, social affection, and health of +mind and body; that evils are involved only in its excess; that, like +food, study, or religious excitement, it is only wrong, when not +properly regulated; and that, if serious and intelligent people would +strive to regulate, rather than banish, this amusement, much more good +would be secured. + +On the other side, it is objected, not that dancing is a sin, in itself +considered, for it was once a part of sacred worship; not that it would +be objectionable, if it were properly regulated; not that it does not +tend, when used in a proper manner, to health of body and mind, to grace +of manners, and to social enjoyment: all these things are conceded. But +it is objected to, on the same ground as horse-racing, card-playing, and +theatrical entertainments; that we are to look at amusements as they +_are_, and not as they _might_ be. Horseraces might be so managed, as +not to involve cruelty, gambling, drunkenness, and every other vice. And +so might theatres and cards. And if serious and intelligent persons, +undertook to patronize these, in order to regulate them, perhaps they +would be somewhat raised from the depths, to which they are now sunk. +But such persons, know, that, with the weak sense of moral obligation +existing in the mass of society, and the imperfect ideas mankind have of +the proper use of amusements, and the little self-control, which men, or +women, or children, practise, these will not, in fact, be +thus-regulated. And they believe dancing to be liable to the same +objections. + +As this recreation is actually conducted, it does not tend to produce +health of body or mind, but directly the contrary. If young and old went +out to dance together, in the open air, as the French peasants do, it +would be a very different sort of amusement, from that which is +witnessed, in a room, furnished with many lights, and filled with +guests, both expending the healthful part of the atmosphere, where the +young collect, in their tightest dresses, to protract, for several +hours, a kind of physical exertion, which is not habitual to them. +During this process, the blood is made to circulate more swiftly than +ordinary, in circumstances where it is less perfectly oxygenized than +health requires; the pores of the skin are excited by heat and +exercise; the stomach is loaded with indigestible articles, and the +quiet, needful to digestion, withheld; the diversion is protracted +beyond the usual hour for repose; and then, when the skin is made the +most highly susceptible to damps and miasms, the company pass from a +warm room to the cold night-air. It is probable, that no single +amusement can be pointed out, combining so many injurious particulars, +as this, which is so often defended as a healthful one. Even if parents, +who train their children to dance, can keep them from public balls, +(which is seldom the case,) dancing in private parlors is subject to +nearly all the same mischievous influences. + +As to the claim of social benefits,--when a dancing-party occupies the +parlors, and the music begins, most of the conversation ceases; while +the young prepare themselves for future sickness, and the old look +smilingly on. + +As to the claim for ease and grace of manners,--all that is gained, by +this practice, can be better secured, by Calisthenics, which, in all its +parts, embraces a much more perfect system, both of healthful exercise, +graceful movement, and pleasing carriage. + +The writer was once inclined to the common opinion, that dancing was +harmless, and might be properly regulated; and she allowed a fair trial +to be made, under her auspices, by its advocates. The result was, a full +conviction, that it secured no good effect, which could not be better +gained another way; that it involved the most pernicious evils to +health, character, and happiness; and that those parents were wise, who +brought up their children with the full understanding that they were +neither to learn nor to practise the art. In the fifteen years, during +which she has had the care of young ladies, she has never known any +case, where learning this art, and following the amusement, did not have +a bad effect, either on the habits, the intellect, the feelings, or the +health. Those young ladies, who are brought up with less exciting +recreations, are uniformly likely to be the most contented and most +useful, while those, who enter the path to which this diversion leads, +acquire a relish and desire for high excitement, which make the more +steady and quiet pursuits and enjoyments of home, comparatively +tasteless. This, the writer believes to be generally the case, though +not invariably so; for there are exceptions to all general rules. + +In reference to these exciting amusements, so liable to danger and +excess, parents are bound to regard the principle, which is involved in +the petition, "Lead us not into temptation." Would it not be +inconsistent, to teach this prayer, to the lisping tongue of childhood, +and then send it to the dancing-master, to acquire a love for a +diversion, which leads to constant temptations that so few find strength +to resist? + +It is encouraging, to those who take this view of the subject, to find +how fast the most serious and intelligent portion of the community is +coming to a similar result. Twenty-five years ago, dancing was +universally practised by the young, as a matter of course, in every part +of the Nation. Now, in those parts of the Country, where religion and +intelligence are most extensively diffused, it is almost impossible to +get up a ball, among the more refined classes of the community. The +amusement is fast leaving this rank in society, to remain as a resource +for those, whose grade of intelligence and refinement does not relish +more elevated recreations. Still, as there is great diversity of +opinion, among persons of equal worth and intelligence, a spirit of +candor and courtesy should be practised, on both sides. The sneer at +bigotry and narrowness of views, on one side, and the uncharitable +implication of want of piety, or sense, on the other, are equally +illbred and unchristian. Truth, on this subject, is best promoted, not +by ill-natured crimination and rebuke, but by calm reason, generous +candor, forbearance, and kindness. + +There is another species of amusement, which a large portion of the +religious world have been accustomed to put under the same condemnation +as the preceding. This is novel-reading. The confusion and difference of +opinion on this subject, have arisen from a want of clear and definite +distinctions. Now, as it is impossible to define what are novels and +what are not, so as to include one class of fictitious writings and +exclude every other, it is impossible to lay down any rule respecting +them. The discussion, in fact, turns on the use of those works of +imagination, which belong to the class of narratives. That this species +of reading, is not only lawful, but necessary and useful, is settled by +Divine examples, in the parables and allegories of Scripture. Of course, +the question must be, what kind of fabulous writings must be avoided, +and what allowed. In deciding this, no specific rules can be given; but +it must be a matter to be regulated by the nature and circumstances of +each case. No works of fiction, which tend to throw the allurements of +taste and genius around vice and crime, should ever be tolerated; and +all that tend to give false views of life and duty, should also be +banished. Of those, which are written for mere amusement, presenting +scenes and events that are interesting and exciting, and having no bad +moral influence, much must depend on character and circumstances. Some +minds are torpid and phlegmatic, and need to have the imagination +stimulated: such would be benefitted by this kind of reading. Others +have quick and active imaginations, and would be as much injured. Some +persons are often so engaged in absorbing interests, that any thing +innocent, which will for a short time draw off the mind, is of the +nature of a medicine; and, in such cases, this kind of reading is +useful. + +There is need, also, that some men should keep a supervision of the +current literature of the day, as guardians, to warn others of danger. +For this purpose, it is more suitable for _editors_, _clergymen_, and +_teachers_, to read indiscriminately, than for any other class of +persons; for they are the guardians of the public weal, in matters of +literature, and should be prepared to advise parents and young persons +of the evils in one direction and the good in another. In doing this, +however, they are bound to go on the same principles which regulate +physicians, when they visit infected districts,--using every precaution +to prevent injury to themselves; having as little to do with pernicious +exposures, as a benevolent regard to others will allow; and faithfully +employing all the knowledge and opportunities, thus gained, for warning +and preserving others. There is much danger, in taking this course, that +men will seek the excitement of the imagination, for the mere pleasure +it affords, under the plea of preparing to serve the public, when this +is neither the aim nor the result. + +In regard to the use of such works, by the young, as a general rule, +they ought not to be allowed to any, except those of a dull and +phlegmatic temperament, until the solid parts of education are secured, +and a taste for more elevated reading is acquired. If these stimulating +condiments in literature be freely used, in youth, all relish for more +solid reading, will, in a majority of cases, be destroyed. If parents +succeed in securing habits of cheerful and implicit obedience, it will +be very easy to regulate this matter, by prohibiting the reading of any +story-book, until the consent of the parent is obtained. + +It is not unfrequently the case, that advocates for dancing, and the +other more exciting amusements, speak as if those, who were more strict +in these matters, were aiming to deprive the young of all diversions; +just as if, when cards, theatres, and dancing, are cut off, nothing +remains but serious and severe duties. Perhaps there has been some just +ground of objection to the course often pursued by parents, in +neglecting to provide agreeable and suitable substitutes, for the +amusements denied; but, there is a great abundance of safe, healthful, +and delightful, recreations, which all parents may secure for their +children. Some of these will here be pointed out. + +One of the most useful and important, is, the cultivation of flowers and +fruits. This, especially for the daughters of a family, is greatly +promotive of health and amusement. It is with the hope, that many young +ladies, whose habits are now so formed, that they can never be induced +to a course of active domestic exercise, so long as their parents are +able to hire domestics, may yet be led to an employment, which will tend +to secure health and vigor of constitution, that so much space is given, +in this work, to directions for the cultivation of fruits and flowers. +It would be a most desirable improvement, if all female schools could be +furnished with suitable grounds, and instruments, for the cultivation of +fruits and flowers, and every inducement offered, to engage the young +ladies in this pursuit. No father, who wishes to have his daughters grow +up to be healthful women, can take a surer method to secure this end. +Let him set apart a portion of his yard and garden, for fruits and +flowers, and see that the soil is well prepared and dug over, and all +the rest may be committed to the care of the children. These would need +to be provided with a light hoe and rake, a dibble, or garden trowel, a +watering-pot, and means and opportunities for securing seeds, roots, +buds, and grafts, all which might be done at a trifling expense. Then, +with proper encouragement, and by the aid of such directions as are +contained in this work, every man, who has even half an acre, could +secure a small Eden around his premises. + +In pursuing this amusement, children can also be led to acquire many +useful habits. Early rising would, in many cases, be thus secured; and +if they were required to keep their walks and borders free from weeds +and rubbish, habits of order and neatness would be induced. Benevolent +and social feelings could also be cultivated, by influencing children to +share their fruits and flowers with friends and neighbors, as well as +to distribute roots and seeds to those, who have not the means of +procuring them. A woman or a child, by giving seeds, or slips, or roots, +to a washerwoman, or a farmer's boy, thus exciting them to love and +cultivate fruits and flowers, awakens a new and refining source of +enjoyment in minds, which have few resources more elevated than mere +physical enjoyments. Our Saviour directs, in making feasts, to call, not +the rich, who can recompense again, but the poor, who can make no +returns. So children should be taught to dispense their little +treasures, not alone to companions and friends, who will probably return +similar favors; but to those who have no means of making any return. If +the rich, who acquire a love for the enjoyments of taste, and have the +means to gratify it, would aim to extend, among the poor, the cheap and +simple enjoyment of fruits and flowers, our Country would soon literally +"blossom as the rose." + +If the ladies of a neighborhood would unite small contributions, and +send a list of flower-seeds and roots to some respectable and honest +florist, who would not be likely to turn them off with trash, they could +divide these among themselves, so as to secure an abundant variety, at a +very small expense. A bag of flower-seeds, which can be obtained, at +wholesale, for four cents, would abundantly supply a whole neighborhood; +and, by the gathering of seeds, in the Autumn, could be perpetuated. + +Another very elevating and delightful recreation, for the young, is +found in _music_. Here, the writer would protest against the common +practice, in many families, of having the daughters learn to play on the +piano, whether they have a taste and an ear for music, or not. A young +lady, who cannot sing, and has no great fondness for music, does nothing +but waste time, money, and patience, in learning to play on the piano. +But all children can be taught to sing, in early childhood, if the +scientific mode of teaching music, in schools, could be introduced, as +it is in Prussia, Germany, and Switzerland. Then, young children could +read and sing music, as easily as they can read language; and might take +any tune, dividing themselves into bands, and sing off, at sight, the +endless variety of music which is prepared. And if parents of wealth +would take pains to have teachers qualified for the purpose, as they may +be at the Boston Academy, and other similar institutions, who should +teach all the young children in the community, much would be done for +the happiness and elevation of the rising generation. This is an +amusement, which children relish, in the highest degree; and which they +can enjoy, at home, in the fields, and in visits abroad. + +Another domestic amusement, is, the collecting of shells, plants, and +specimens in geology and mineralogy, for the formation of cabinets. If +intelligent parents would procure the simpler works which have been +prepared for the young, and study them, with their children, a _taste_ +for such recreations would soon be developed. The writer has seen young +boys, of eight and ten years of age, gathering and cleaning shells from +rivers, and collecting plants, and mineralogical specimens, with a +delight, bordering on ecstasy; and there are few, if any, who, by proper +influences, would not find this a source of ceaseless delight and +improvement. + +Another resource, for family diversion, is to be found in the various +games played by children, and in which the joining of older members of +the family is always a great advantage to both parties. All medical men +unite, in declaring that nothing is more beneficial to health, than +hearty laughter; and surely our benevolent Creator would not have +provided risibles, and made it a source of health and enjoyment to use +them, if it were a sin so to do. There has been a tendency to +asceticism, on this subject, which needs to be removed. Such commands, +as forbid _foolish_ laughing and jesting, "_which are not convenient_;" +and which forbid all idle words, and vain conversation, cannot apply to +any thing, except what is foolish, vain, and useless. But jokes, +laughter, and sports, when used in such a degree as tends only to +promote health, social feelings, and happiness, are neither vain, +foolish, nor "not convenient." It is the excess of these things, and not +the moderate use of them, which Scripture forbids. The prevailing temper +of the mind, should be cheerful, yet serious; but there are times, when +relaxation and laughter are proper for all. There is nothing better for +this end, than that parents and older persons should join in the sports +of childhood. Mature minds can always make such diversions more +entertaining to children, and can exert a healthful moral influence over +their minds; and, at the same time, can gain exercise and amusement for +themselves. How lamentable, that so many fathers, who could be thus +useful and happy with their children, throw away such opportunities, and +wear out soul and body, in the pursuit of gain or fame! + +Another resource for children, is in the exercise of mechanical skill. +Fathers, by providing tools for their boys, and showing them how to make +wheelbarrows, carts, sleds, and various other articles, contribute both +to the physical, moral, and social, improvement of their children. And +in regard to little daughters, much more can be done, in this way, than +many would imagine. The writer, blessed with the example of a most +ingenious and industrious mother, had not only learned, before the age +of twelve, to make dolls, of various sorts and sizes, but to cut and fit +and sew every article, that belongs to a doll's wardrobe. This, which +was done for mere amusement, secured such a facility in mechanical +pursuits, that, ever afterward, the cutting and fitting of any article +of dress, for either sex, was accomplished with entire ease. + +When a little girl first begins to sew, her mother can promise her a +small bed and pillows, as soon as she has sewed a patch quilt for them; +and then a bedstead, as soon as she has sewed the sheets and cases for +pillows; and then a large doll to dress, as soon as she has made the +under garments; and thus go on, till the whole contents of the +baby-house are earned by the needle and skill of its little owner. Thus, +the task of learning to sew, will become a pleasure; and every new toy +will be earned by useful exertion. A little girl can be taught, by the +aid of patterns prepared for the purpose, to cut and fit all articles +necessary for her doll. She can also be provided with a little wash-tub, +and irons, to wash and iron, and thus keep in proper order a complete +miniature domestic establishment. + +Besides these recreations, there are the enjoyments secured in walking, +riding, visiting, and many others which need not be recounted. Children, +if trained to be healthful and industrious, will never fail to discover +resources of amusement; while their guardians should lend their aid to +guide and restrain them from excess. + +There is need of a very great change of opinion and practice, in this +Nation, in regard to the subject of social and domestic duties. Many +sensible and conscientious men, spend all their time, abroad, in +business, except, perhaps, an hour or so at night, when they are so +fatigued, as to be unfitted for any social or intellectual enjoyment. +And some of the most conscientious men in the Country, will add, to +their professional business, public or benevolent enterprises, which +demand time, effort, and money; and then excuse themselves for +neglecting all care of their children, and efforts for their own +intellectual improvement, or for the improvement of their families, by +the plea, that they have no time for it. All this, arises from the want +of correct notions of the binding obligation of our social and domestic +duties. The main object of life, is not to secure the various +gratifications of appetite or taste, but to _form such a character_, for +ourselves and others, as will secure the greatest amount of present and +future happiness. It is of far more consequence, then, that parents +should be intelligent, social, affectionate, and agreeable, at home, and +to their friends, than that they should earn money enough to live in a +large house, and have handsome furniture. It is far more needful, for +children, that a father should attend to the formation of their +character and habits, and aid in developing their social, intellectual, +and moral nature, than it is, that he should earn money to furnish them +with handsome clothes, and a variety of tempting food. + +It will be wise for those parents, who find little time to attend to +their children, or to seek amusement and enjoyment in the domestic and +social circle, because their time is so much occupied with public cares +or benevolent objects, to inquire, whether their first duty is not to +train up their own families, to be useful members of society. A man, who +neglects the mind and morals of his children, to take care of the +public, is in great danger of coming under a similar condemnation, to +that of him, who, neglecting to provide for his own household, has +"denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." + +There are husbands and fathers, who conscientiously subtract time from +their business, to spend at home, in reading with their wives and +children, and in domestic amusements which at once refresh and improve. +The children of such parents will grow up with a love of home and +kindred, which will be the greatest safeguard against future +temptations, as well as the purest source of earthly enjoyment. + +There are families, also, who make it a definite object to keep up +family attachments, after the children are scattered abroad; and, in +some cases, secure the means for doing this, by saving money, which +would otherwise have been spent for superfluities of food or dress. Some +families have adopted, for this end, a practice, which if widely +imitated, would be productive of extensive benefit. The method is this. +On the first day of each month, some member of the family, at each +extreme point of dispersion, takes a folio sheet, and fills a part of a +page. This is sealed and mailed to the next family, who read it, add +another contribution, and then mail it to the next. Thus the family +circular, once a month, goes from each extreme, to all the members of a +widely-dispersed family, and each member becomes a sharer in the joys, +sorrows, plans, and pursuits, of all the rest. At the same time, +frequent family meetings are sought; and the expense, thus incurred, is +cheerfully met by retrenchments in other directions. The sacrifice of +some unnecessary physical indulgence, (such, for instance, as the use of +tea and coffee,) will often purchase many social and domestic +enjoyments, a thousand times more elevating and delightful, than the +retrenched luxury. + +There is no social duty, which the Supreme Lawgiver more strenuously +urges, than hospitality and kindness to strangers, who are classed with +the widow and the fatherless, as the special objects of Divine +tenderness. There are some reasons, why this duty peculiarly demands +attention from the American people. + +Reverses of fortune, in this land, are so frequent and unexpected, and +the habits of the people are so migratory, that there are very many in +every part of the Country, who, having seen all their temporal plans and +hopes crushed, are now pining among strangers, bereft of wonted +comforts, without friends, and without the sympathy and society, so +needful to wounded spirits. Such, too frequently, sojourn long and +lonely, with no comforter but Him who "knoweth the heart of a stranger." + +Whenever, therefore, new comers enter a community, inquiry should +immediately be made, whether they have friends and associates, to render +sympathy and kind attentions; and, when there is any need for it, the +ministries of kind neighborhood should immediately be offered. And it +should be remembered, that the first days of a stranger's sojourn, are +the most dreary, and that civility and kindness are doubled in value, by +being offered at an early period. + +In social gatherings, the claims of the stranger are too apt to be +forgotten; especially, in cases where there are no peculiar attractions +of personal appearance, or talents, or high standing. Such a one should +be treated with attention, _because he is a stranger_; and when +communities learn to act more from principle, and less from selfish +impulse, on this subject, the sacred claims of the stranger will be less +frequently forgotten. + +The most agreeable hospitality, to visiters, who become inmates of a +family, is, that which puts them entirely at ease. This can never be the +case, where the guest perceives that the order of family arrangements is +essentially altered, and that time, comfort, and convenience are +sacrificed, for his accommodation. + +Offering the best to visiters, showing a polite regard to every wish +expressed, and giving precedence to them, in all matters of comfort and +convenience, can be easily combined with the easy freedom which makes +the stranger feel at home; and this is the perfection of hospitable +entertainment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. + + +There is no point of domestic economy, which more seriously involves the +health and daily comfort of American women, than the proper construction +of houses. There are five particulars, to which attention should be +given, in building a house; namely, economy of labor, economy of money, +economy of health, economy of comfort, and good taste. Some particulars +will here be pointed out, under each of these heads. + +The first, respects _economy of labor_. In deciding upon the size and +style of a house, the health and capacity of the housekeeper, and the +probabilities of securing proper domestics, ought to be the very first +consideration. If a man be uncertain as to his means for hiring service, +or if he have a feeble wife, and be where properly-qualified domestics +are scarce, it is very poor economy to build a large house, or to live +in a style which demands much labor. Every room in a house adds to the +expense involved in finishing and furnishing it, and to the amount of +labor spent in sweeping, dusting, cleaning floors, paint, and windows, +and taking care of, and repairing, its furniture. Double the size of a +house, and you double the labor of taking care of it, and so, _vice +versa_. There is, in this Country, a very great want of calculation and +economy, in this matter. + +The arrangement of rooms, and the proper supply of conveniences, are +other points, in which, economy of labor and comfort is often +disregarded. For example, a kitchen will be in one story, a sitting-room +in another, and the nursery in a third. Nothing is more injurious, to a +feeble woman, than going up and down stairs; and yet, in order to gain +two large parlors, to show to a few friends, or to strangers, immense +sacrifices of health, comfort, and money, are made. If it be possible, +the nursery, sitting-parlor, and kitchen, ought always to be on the same +floor. + +The position of wells and cisterns, and the modes of raising and +carrying water, are other particulars, in which, economy of labor and +comfort is sadly neglected. With half the expense usually devoted to a +sideboard or sofa, the water used from a well or cistern can be so +conducted, as that, by simply turning a cock, it will flow to the place +where it is to be used. + +A want of economy, in labor and in money, is often seen in the shape and +arrangement of houses, and in the style of ornaments and furniture. A +_perfect square_, encloses more rooms, at less expense, than any other +shape; while it has less surface exposed to external cold, and can be +most easily warmed and ventilated. And the farther a house is removed +from this shape, the more the expense is increased. Wings and kitchens +built out, beyond a house, very much increase expense, both in building +and warming them. + +Piazzas and porticoes are very expensive; and their cost would secure +far more comfort, if devoted to additional nursery or kitchen +conveniences. Many kinds of porticoes cost as much as one additional +room in the house. Houses can be so constructed, that one staircase will +answer for both kitchen and parlour use, as may be seen in the engraving +on page 269, (Fig. 27.) This saves the expense and labor usually devoted +to a large hall and front staircase. + +Much money is often worse than wasted, by finical ornaments, which are +fast going out of fashion. One of the largest, most beautiful, and +agreeable, houses, the writer was ever in, was finished with doors, +windows, and fireplaces, in even a plainer style than any given in the +subsequent drawings. + +The position of fireplaces has much to do with economy of expense in +warming a house. Where the fireplace is in an outer wall, one third of +the heat passes out of doors, which would be retained in the house, if +the chimney were within the rooms. A house, contrived like the one +represented in the engraving on page 272, (Fig. 32,) which can be heated +by a stove or chimney at X, may be warmed with less fuel than one of any +other construction.[R] + +_Economy of health_ is often disregarded, by placing wells, cisterns, +and privies, so that persons, in the perspiration of labor, or the +debility of disease, are obliged to go out of doors in all weathers. +Figure 35, on page 276, shows the proper arrangement of such +conveniences. The placing of an outside door, for common use, in a +sitting-room, as is frequent at the West and South, is detrimental to +health. In such cases, children, in their sports, or persons who labor, +are thrown into perspiration, by exercise, the door is thrown open, a +chill ensues, and fever, bowel complaints, or bilious attacks, are the +result. A long window, extending down to the floor, which can be used as +a door, in Summer, and be tightly closed, at the bottom, in Winter, +secures all the benefits, without the evils, of an outside door. + +Constructing houses, without open fireplaces in chambers, or any other +mode of ventilation, is another sad violation of the economy of health. +Feeble constitutions in children, and ill health to domestics, are often +caused by this folly. + +The _economy of comfort_ is often violated, by arrangements made for +domestics. Many a woman has been left to endure much hard labor and +perplexity, because she chose to have money spent on handsome parlors +and chambers, for company, which should have been devoted to providing a +comfortable kitchen and chambers for domestics. Cramping the +conveniences and comfort of a family, in order to secure elegant rooms, +to show to company, is a weakness and folly, which it is hoped will +every year become less common. + +The construction of houses with reference to _good taste_, is a +desirable, though less important, item. The beauty of a house depends +very much upon propriety of proportions, color, and ornament. And it is +always as cheap, and generally cheaper, to build a house in agreement +with the rules of good taste, than to build an awkward and +ill-proportioned one. + + +_Plans of Houses and Domestic Conveniences._ + +The following plans are designed chiefly for persons in moderate +circumstances, and have especial reference to young housekeepers. + +Every year, as the prosperity of this Nation increases, good domestics +will decrease, and young mothers are hereafter to be called to +superintend and perform all branches of domestic business, to nurse +children, direct ignorant domestics, attend the sick, entertain company, +and fulfil all other family duties; and this, too, in a majority of +cases, with delicate constitutions, or impaired health. Every man, +therefore, in forming plans for a future residence, and every woman who +has any influence in deciding such matters, ought to make these +probabilities the chief basis of their calculations.[S] + +[Illustration: Fig. 17.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 18. + +Ground-plan. + +_a_, Porch. +_b_, Parlor, 15 by 16 feet. +_c_, Dining-room, 15 by 16 feet. +_d, d_, Small Bedrooms. +_e_, Stairs. +_f, f, f_, Closets. +_g_, Pantry. +_h_, Store-closet. +_i, i, i_, Fireplaces. +_j_, Kitchen. +_k_, Bedpress. +_z_, Cellar door. + +Scale of Feet.] + +The plan, exhibited in Figures 17, and 18, is that of a cottage, whose +chief exterior beauty is its fine proportions. It should be painted +white. + +Fig. 17, is the _elevation_, or the front view of the exterior. Fig. 18, +is the ground-plan, in which, an entire break in the wall, represents a +door, and a break with a line across it, a window. When a cross x is put +by a door, it indicates into which room the door swings, and where the +hinges should be put, as the comfort of a fireside very much depends on +the way in which the doors are hung. A scale of measurement is given at +the bottom of the drawings, by which, the size of all parts can be +measured. The ten small divisions, are each one foot. The longest +divisions are ten feet each. + +In the ground-plan, (Fig. 18,) _a_, is the porch, which projects enough +to afford an entrance to the two adjacent rooms, and thus avoids the +evil of an outside door to a sitting-room. If a door be wanted in these +rooms, the front windows can be made to extend down to the floor, so as +to serve as doors in Summer, and be tightly closed in Winter. The +parlor, _b_, has the bedpress, _k_, and the closet, _f_, adjoining it. +Figure 19 is intended to represent this side of the room. + +[Illustration: Fig. 19. + +Scale of Feet for the Doors.] + +The two large doors, in the centre, open into the bedpress, and one of +the smaller ones into the closet, _f_. The other, can either be a false +door, in order to secure symmetry, or else a real one, opening into the +kitchen, _j_. + +A room, thus arranged, can be made to serve as a genteel parlor, for +company, during the day, when all these doors can be closed. At night, +the doors of the bedpress being opened, it is changed to an airy +bedroom, while the closets, _f, f_, serve to conceal all accommodations +pertaining to a bedroom. The bedpress is just large enough to receive a +bed; and under it, if need be, might be placed a trucklebed, for young +children. The eating-room, _c_, has the small bedroom, _d_, adjoining +it, which, by leaving the door open, at night, will be sufficiently airy +for a sleeping-room. The kitchen, _j_, has a smaller bedroom, _d_, +attached to it, which will hold a narrow single bed for a domestic; and, +if need be, a narrow trucklebed under it, for a child. The staircase to +the garret, can either be placed in the eating-room, or in the small +entry. A plan for back accommodations is shown in Fig. 35, (page 276.) +These should be placed in the rear of the kitchen, so as not to cover +the window. + +A house like this, will conveniently accommodate a family of six or +eight persons; but some economy and contrivance will be needed, in +storing away articles of dress and bedclothing. For this end, in the +bedpress, _k_, of the parlor, _b_, (Fig. 18,) a wide shelf may be +placed, two feet from the ceiling, where winter bedding, or folded +clothing, can be stowed, while a short curtain in front, hung from the +wall, will give a tidy look, and keep out dust. Under this shelf, if +need be, pegs can be placed, to hold other articles; and a curtain be +hung from the edge of the shelf, to conceal and protect them. Both the +closets, _f, f_, should have shelves and drawers. The garret can have a +window inserted in the roof, and thus be made serviceable for storage. + +[Illustration: Fig. 20.] + +Figure 20 represents a fireplace and mantelpiece, in a style +corresponding with the doors. + +Such a cottage as this, could be built for from five hundred to nine +hundred dollars, according as the expense of labor in the place, and the +excellence of the materials and labor, may vary. + +[Illustration: Fig. 21.] + +Figures 21 and 22, show the elevation and ground-plan of a cottage, in +which the rooms are rather more agreeably arranged, than in the former +plan. The elevation, (Fig. 21,) has a piazza, running across the whole +front. This would cost nearly two hundred dollars; and, for this sum, +another story might be added. An architect told the writer, that he +could build the two-story house, (Fig. 23 and 24,) without a piazza, +for the same sum, as this cottage, _with_ one. This shows the poor +economy of these appendages. + +The ground-plan, (Fig. 22,) will be understood, from the explanation +appended to it. + +[Illustration: Fig. 22. + +Scale of Feet. + +_a_, Porch. +_b_, Entry. +_c_, Stairs. +_d_, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet. +_e_, Dining-room, 16 by 16 feet. +_f_, Kitchen. +_g, g, g_, Bedpresses. +_h, h, h, h_, Closets. +_i_, Store-closet. +_j_, Back entry and Sink. +_p_, Cellar stairs. +_o, o, o_, Fireplaces.] + +The parlor, _d_, is designed to have the doors (shown in Fig. 19) placed +at the end, where is the bedpress, _g_. This will make it a handsome +parlor, by day, and yet allow it to be used as a bedroom, at night. The +bedpresses, in the other rooms, can have less expensive doors. A window +is put in each bedpress, to secure proper ventilation. These should be +opened, to air the bed, on leaving it. These can be fitted up with +shelves, pegs, and curtains, as before described. If the elevation of +the first cottage be preferred to this, as being less expensive, it can +be used, by altering it a little; thus, instead of the projection for +the entry, make a slight projection, of the width of one brick, to +preserve the same general outside appearance. Let the windows extend +down to the floor, and the beauty of symmetry will also be preserved. + +[Illustration: Fig. 23. + +Ground-plan. + +_a_, Entry. +_b_, Stairs. +_c_, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet. +_d_, Kitchen, 14 by 14 feet. +_e_, Store-closet. +_f_, Pantry. +_g_, Sinkroom. +_h_, Closet. +_i, i_, Fireplaces. +_n_, Cellar door. +_o_, Oven. +_y_, Furnace. +_z_, Sink. + +Scale of Feet.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 24. + +Second Story. + +_a_, Stairs. +_b_, Passage. +_c, c, c_, Bedrooms. +_d, d, d, d_, Closets. +_e, e_, Fireplaces. +_f_, Nursery. +_g_, Room for young children.] + +The plans, shown in Fig. 23 and 24, are designed for families, where +most domestic labor is to be done without the aid of domestics. The +parlor, _c_, is for a sitting-room, and for company. The room, _d_, is +the eating-room; where, also, the ironing and other nicer family work +can be done. In the small room, _g_, either an oven and boiler, or a +cooking-stove, can be placed. The elevation, shown in Fig. 25, is +designed for the front of this house. + +[Illustration: Fig. 25.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 26.] + +Figures 27 and 28, are plans of a two-story house, on a larger scale, +with a concealed staircase, for front and back use. The elevation, Fig. +26, is designed for this plan. + +[Illustration: Fig. 27. + +Ground-plan. + +_b, b_, Entry. +_c_, Stairs. +_d_, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet. +_e_, Dining-room, 15 by 16 feet. +_f_, Kitchen, 15 by 16 feet. +_g, g, g_, Closets. +_h_, Store-closet. +_i_, Back entry. +_j_, Pantry. +_k, k, k_, Fireplaces. +_x_, Cellar stairs.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 28. + +Second Story. + +_a, a, a, a_, Bedrooms. +_b_, Stairs. +_c, c, c_, Closets. +_d_, Passage. +_e, e, e_, Fireplaces. +_y_, Garret stairs.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 29. + +Ground-floor. + +_b_, Entry. +_c_, Parlor, 17 by 17 feet. +_d_, Dining-room, 13 by 15 feet. +_e_, Parlor or Bedroom, 17 by 17 feet. +_f_, Kitchen, 19 by 17 feet. +_g_, Stairs. +_h_, Store-closet. +_i, i, i_, Closets. +_n, n, n, n_, Fireplaces. +_o_, Folding-doors. +_p_, Pegs for over-garments. +_z_, Cellar stairs.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 30. + +Second Story. + +_a, a, a, a, a_, Bedrooms. +_b_, Stairs. +_c_, Passage. +_d, d, d, d_, Closets. +_e, e, e, e_, Fireplaces.] + +Figures 29 and 30, are plans for a larger house, which can have either +of the elevations, Fig. 25 or 26, adapted to it. These also have a +concealed staircase, for front and back use. If a nursery, or bedroom, +is wished, on the ground-floor, the back parlor, _e_, can be taken; in +which case, the closets, _i_, _i_, are very useful. To prevent noise +from reaching the front parlor, two sets of folding-doors, each side of +the passage, _o_, could be placed. With this arrangement, these rooms +could be used, sometimes as two parlors, opening into each other, by +folding doors, and at other times, as a nursery and parlor. In this +plan, the storeroom, _h_, and china-closet, _i_, between the kitchen and +eating-room, are a great convenience. + +Figures 31 and 32, present the plan of a Gothic cottage, which secures +the most economy of _labor_ and _expense_, with the greatest amount of +_convenience and comfort_, which the writer has ever seen. + +[Illustration: Fig. 31.] + +The elevation, (Fig. 31,) exhibits the front view. It has a recess in +the central part, under which, is the door, with a window on each side +of it. This forms a piazza; and into this, and a similar one at the back +of the house, the two centre parlors open. + +[Illustration: Fig. 32.] + +In the centre of the house, (see Fig. 32,) are the two parlors, _b_ and +_c_; the back one to be used as an eating-room. At X, can be placed, +either a chimney, with doors on each side of the fireplace, or, (which +is the most agreeable,) folding-doors, which can be thrown open in +Summer, thus making a large saloon, through the house, from one piazza +to the other. In this case, the parlors are warmed by a large stove, set +near the folding-doors, which would easily warm both parlors and one or +two adjacent rooms. In Winter, the outside doors, opening to the +piazzas, should be fastened and calked, and the side entry, at _d_, be +used. At _e_, is the nursery, with the bedpress, _g_, which, being +closed by day, makes a retired parlor for the mother. At _n_, is the +children's playroom and sleeping-room, adjoining the mother's room. At +_k_, is the kitchen, adjacent to the eating-room, with the storeroom, +_e_, and the closets, _m_, _m_, one for the eating-room, and one for the +kitchen utensils. At _i_, is a parlor, which can be used for a study or +library, by the master of the family; while the adjacent bedpress, _j_, +renders it a convenient lodging-room, for guests. Another lodging-room, +is at _h_; and in the attic, is space enough for several comfortable +lodging-rooms. A window in the roof, on the front and back, like the one +on Wadsworth's Cottage, (Fig. 33,) could be placed over the front door, +to light the chambers in the attic. A double roof in the attic, with a +current of air between, secures cool chambers. The closets are marked +_o_, and the fireplaces _p_. The stairs to the attic are at _q_. By this +arrangement, the housekeeper has her parlor, sleeping-room, nursery, and +kitchen, on the same floor, while the rooms with bedpresses, enable her +to increase either parlors or lodging-rooms, at pleasure, without +involving the care of a very large and expensive house. + +Figure 33, is the representation of a cottage, built by Daniel +Wadsworth, Esq., in the vicinity of Hartford, Connecticut; and is on a +plan, which, though much smaller, is very similar to the plan +represented in Fig. 32. It serves to show the manner in which the +_roofs_ should be arranged, in Fig. 31, which, being seen exactly in +front, does not give any idea of the mode of this arrangement. The +elevation of Wadsworth's cottage, could be taken for the ground-plan +shown in Fig. 32, if it be preferred to the other. + +Both this cottage, and all the other plans, require a woodhouse, and the +conveniences connected with it, which are represented in Fig. 35, (page +276.) For these Gothic cottages, an appendage of this sort should be in +keeping with the rest, having windows, like those in the little +Summer-house in the drawing, and battlements, as on the top of the wings +of the barn. The ornaments on the front of the cottage, and the pillars +of the portico, made simply of the trunks of small trees, give a +beautiful rural finish, and their expense is trifling. In this picture, +the trees could not be placed as they are in reality, because they would +hide the buildings. + +[Illustration: Fig. 33.] + +In arranging yards and grounds, the house should be set back, as in the +drawing of Wadsworth's cottage; and, instead of planting shade-trees in +straight lines, or scattering them about, as single trees, they should +be arranged in clusters, with large openings for turf, flowers, and +shrubbery, which never flourish well under the shade and dropping of +trees. This also secures spots of dark and cool shade, even when trees +are young. + +In arranging shade-trees tastefully around such a place, a large cluster +might be placed on each side of the gate; another on the circular +grass-plot, at the side of the house; another at a front corner; and +another at a back corner. Shrubbery, along the walks, and on the +circular plot, in front, and flowers close to the house, would look +well. The barn, also, should have clusters of trees near it; and +occasional single trees, on the lawn, would give the graceful ease and +variety seen in nature. + +Figure 34, represents the accommodations for securing water with the +least labor. It is designed for a well or cistern under ground. The +reservoir, R, may be a half hogshead, or something larger, which may be +filled once a day, from the pump, by a man, or boy. + +[Illustration: Fig. 34. + +_P_, Pump. _L_, Steps to use when pumping. _R_, Reservoir. _G_, +Brickwork to raise the Reservoir. _B_, A large Boiler. _F_, Furnace, +beneath the Boiler. _C_, Conductor of cold water. _H_, Conductor of hot +water. _K_, Cock for letting cold water into the Boiler. _S_, Pipe to +conduct cold water to a cock over the kitchen sink. _T_, Bathing-tub, +which receives cold water from the Conductor, _C_, and hot water from +the Conductor, _H_. _W_, Partition separating the Bathing-room from the +Wash-room. _Y_, Cock to draw off hot water. _Z_, Plug to let off the +water from the Bathing-tub into a drain.] + +The conductor, C, should be a lead pipe, which, instead of going over +the boiler, should be bent along behind it. From S, a branch sets off, +which conducts the cold water to the sink in the kitchen, where it +discharges with a cock. H, is a conductor from the lower part of the +boiler, made of copper, or some metal not melted by great heat; and at +Y, a cock is placed, to draw off hot water. Then the conductor passes to +the bathing-tub, where is another cock. At Z, the water is let off from +the bathing-tub. By this arrangement, great quantities of hot and cold +water can be used, with no labor in carrying, and with very little labor +in raising it. + +In case a cistern is built above ground, it can be placed as the +reservoir is, and then all the labor of pumping is saved. + +[Illustration: Fig. 35. + +_A_, Boiler and furnace. +_B_, Bathing-room. +_C_, Reservoir. +_D_, Pump. +_E_, Wash-form. +_F_, Sink. +_G_, Kitchen. +_H_, Woodpile. +_I_, Large doors. +_i_,_i_, Bins for coal and ashes. +_O_, Window. +_P_, _P_, Privies. +_T_, Bathing-tub. +_V_, Door.] + +Fig. 35, is the plan of a building for back-door accommodations. At _A_, +_C_, _D_, _E_, are accommodations shown in Fig. 34. The bathing-room is +adjacent to the boiler and reservoir, to receive the water. The privy, +_P_, _P_, should have two apartments, as indispensable to healthful +habits in a family. A window should be placed at _O_, and a door, with +springs or a weight to keep it shut, should be at _V_. Keeping the +window open, and the door shut, will prevent any disagreeable effects in +the house. At _G_, is the kitchen, and at _F_, the sink, which should +have a conductor and cock from the reservoir. _H_, is the place for +wood, where it should in Summer be stored for Winter. A bin, for coal, +and also a brick receiver, for ashes, should be in this part. Every +woman should use her influence to secure all these conveniences; even if +it involves the sacrifice of the piazza, or "the best parlor." + +[Illustration: Fig. 36. + +Front View. + +Side View.] + +Fig. 36, is a latticed portico, which is cheap, and answers all the +purposes of a more expensive one. It should be solid, overhead, to turn +off the rain, and creepers should be trained over it. A simple latticed +arch, over a door, covered with creepers, is very cheap, and serves +instead of an expensive portico. + +[Illustration: Fig. 37. + +_C_, Parlor ceiling. +_K_, Kitchen ceiling.] + +Fig. 37, represents a _sliding closet_, or _dumb waiter_, a convenience +which saves much labor, when the kitchen is in the basement. The two +closets should be made wide, and broad enough to receive a common +waiter. The chain, or rope, which passes over the wheels, should branch, +at _X_, so as to keep the closet from rubbing in its movements, when the +dishes are not set exactly in the middle, or are of unequal weights. By +this method, almost every thing needed to pass between the kitchen and +parlor can be sent up and down, without any steps. If the kitchen is not +directly under the eating-room, the sliding closet can be placed in the +vicinity of one or both. Where the place is not wide enough for two +closets like these, they can be made wider than they are long, say one +foot and six inches long, and three feet wide. A strip of wood, an inch +broad, should be fastened on the front and back of the shelves, to +prevent the dishes from being broken when they are set on carelessly. + +There is nothing, which so much improves the appearance of a house and +the premises, as painting or whitewashing the tenements and fences. The +following receipts for whitewashing, answer the same purpose for wood, +brick, and stone, as oil-paint, and are much cheaper. The first, is the +receipt used for the President's house, at Washington, improved by +further experiments. The second, is a cheaper one, which the writer has +known to succeed, in a variety of cases, lasting as long, and looking as +well, as white oil-paint. + + +_Receipt._ + +Take half a bushel of unslacked lime, and slack it with boiling water, +covering it, during the process. Strain it, and add a peck of salt, +dissolved in warm water; three pounds of ground rice, boiled to a thin +paste, put in boiling hot; half a pound of powdered Spanish whiting; and +a pound of clear glue, dissolved in warm water. Mix, and let it stand +several days. Heat it in a kettle, on a portable furnace, and apply it +as hot as possible, with a painter's or whitewash-brush. + + +_Another._ + +Make whitewash, in the usual way, except that the water used should be +hot, and nearly saturated with salt. Then stir in four handfuls of fine +sand, to make it thick like cream. Coloring matter can be added to +both, making a light stone-color, a cream-color, or a light buff, which +are most suitable for buildings. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[R] Many houses are now heated, by a furnace in the cellar, which +receives pure air from out of doors, heats it, and sends it into several +rooms, while water is evaporated to prevent the air from becoming dry. +The most perfect one the writer has seen, is constructed by Mr. Fowler, +of Hartford. This method secures well-ventilated rooms, and is very +economical, where several rooms are to be warmed. + +[S] Those, who are amateurs in architecture, in judging of these +designs, must take into consideration, that this is a work on domestic +_economy_, and that matters of taste, have necessarily been made +subordinate to points, involving economy of health, comfort, and +expense. Still, it is believed, that good taste has been essentially +preserved, in most of these designs. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +ON FIRES AND LIGHTS. + + +A shallow fireplace saves wood, and gives out more heat than a deeper +one. A false back, of brick, may be put up in a deep fireplace. Hooks, +for holding up the shovel and tongs, a hearth-brush and bellows, and +brass knobs to hang them on, should be furnished to every fireplace. An +iron bar, across the andirons, aids in keeping the fire safe, and in +good order. Steel furniture is more genteel, and more easily kept in +order, than that made of brass. + +Use green wood, for logs, and mix green and dry wood for the fire; and +then the woodpile will last much longer. Walnut, maple, hickory, and +oak, wood, are best, chestnut or hemlock is bad, because it snaps. Do +not buy a load, in which there are many crooked sticks. Learn how to +measure and calculate the solid contents of a load, so as not to be +cheated. Have all your wood split, and piled under cover, for Winter. +Have the green wood logs in one pile, dry wood in another, oven-wood in +another, kindlings and chips in another, and a supply of charcoal to use +for broiling and ironing, in another place. Have a brick bin, for ashes, +and never allow them to be put in wood. When quitting fires, at night, +never leave a burning stick across the andirons, nor on its end, without +quenching it. See that no fire adheres to the broom or brush; remove all +articles from the fire, and have two pails, filled with water, in the +kitchen, where they will not freeze. + + + +_Stoves and Grates._ + +Rooms, heated by stoves, should always have some opening for the +admission of fresh air, or they will be injurious to health. The dryness +of the air, which they occasion, should be remedied, either by placing a +vessel, filled with water, on the stove, or by hooking a long and narrow +pan, filled with water, in front of the grate; otherwise, the lungs or +eyes may be injured. A large number of plants in a room, prevents this +dryness of the air. Openings for pipes, through floors, partitions, or +fireboards, should be surrounded by tin, to prevent their taking fire. +Lengthening a pipe, will increase its draught. + +For those, who use _anthracite coal_, that which is broken or screened, +is best for grates, and the nut-coal, for small stoves. Three tons are +sufficient, in the Middle States, and four tons in the Northern, to keep +one fire through the Winter. That which is bright, hard, and clean, is +best; and that which is soft, porous, and covered with damp dust, is +poor. It will be well to provide two barrels of charcoal, for kindling, +to every ton of anthracite coal. Grates, for _bituminous_ coal, should +have a flue nearly as deep as the grate; and the bars should be round, +and not close together. The better draught there is, the less coal-dust +is made. Every grate should be furnished with a poker, shovel, tongs, +blower, coal-scuttle, and holder for the blower. The latter may be made +of woollen, covered with old silk, and hung near the fire. + +Coal-stoves should be carefully put up, as cracks, in the pipe, +especially in sleeping rooms, are dangerous. + + +_On Lights._ + +Lamps are better than candles, as they give a steadier light, and do not +scatter grease, like tallow candles. The best oil, is clear, and nearly +colorless. Winter-strained oil should be used in cold weather. Lard is a +good substitute for oil, for astral and other large lamps. It is +cheaper, burns clearer, and has a less disagreeable smell. It will not +burn so well in small lamps, as in large ones. Melt it every morning, in +an old pitcher, kept for the purpose. Oil, long kept, grows thick, and +does not burn well. It is therefore best not to buy it in large +quantities. It should never be left standing in lamps, for several days, +as this spoils it, and often injures the lamps. Camphine is a kind of +oil manufactured in New York, which does not smell disagreeably, nor +make grease-spots, and gives a brighter light than the best oil. Cleanse +the insides of lamps and oil-cans, with pearlash-water. Be careful to +drain them well, and not to let any gilding, or bronze, be injured by +the pearlash-water coming in contact with it. Put one tablespoonful of +pearlash to one quart of water. + +The care of lamps requires so much attention and discretion, that many +ladies choose to do this work, themselves, rather than trust it with +domestics. To do it properly, provide the following things:--An old +waiter, to hold all the articles used; a lamp-filler, with a spout, +small at the end, and turned up to prevent oil from dripping; a ball of +wickyarn, and a basket to hold it; a lamp-trimmer, made for the purpose, +or a pair of _sharp_ scissors; a small soap-cup and soap; some pearlash, +in a broad-mouthed bottle; and several soft cloths, to wash the +articles, and towels, to wipe them. If every thing, after being used, is +cleansed from oil, and then kept neatly, it will not be so unpleasant a +task, as it usually is, to take care of lamps. + +Wash the shade of an astral lamp, once a week, and the glass chimney +oftener. Take the lamp to pieces, and cleanse it, once a month. Keep dry +fingers, in trimming lamps. To raise the wick of an astral lamp, turn it +to the right; to lower it, turn it to the left. Trim it, after it has +been once used; and, in lighting it, raise it to the proper height, as +soon as may be, or it will either smoke, or form a crust. Renew the +wick, when only an inch and a half long. Close-woven wicks are better +than those which are loose. Dipping wicks in vinegar, makes them burn +clearer than they otherwise would. Plain shades do not injure the eyes, +like cut ones; and prints and pictures appear better by them, than by +the others. Lamps should be lighted with a strip of folded or rolled +paper, kept on the mantelpiece. Weak eyes should always be shaded from +the lights. Small screens, made for the purpose, should be kept at hand. +A person with weak eyes, can use them, safely, much longer, when they +are shaded from the glare of the light, than if they are not so. Fill +the entry-lamp, every day, and cleanse and fill night-lanterns, twice a +week, if used often. Provide small, one-wicked lamps, to carry about; +and broad-bottomed lamps, for the kitchen, as these are not easily +upset. + +A good night-lamp is made, with a small one-wicked lamp and a roll of +tin to set over it. Have some holes made in the bottom of this cover, +and it can then be used to heat articles. Very cheap floating tapers, +can be bought, to burn in a teacup of oil through the night. + +Wickyarn, drawn repeatedly through melted wax, till stiff and smooth, +makes a good taper, for use in sealing letters. It can be twined in +fanciful forms, and kept on the writing-table. + + +_To make Candles._ + +The nicest candles, are run in moulds. For this purpose, melt together +one quarter of a pound of white wax, one quarter of an ounce of camphor, +two ounces of alum, and ten ounces of suet or mutton tallow. Soak the +wicks, in lime-water and saltpetre, and, when dry, fix them in the +moulds, and pour in the melted tallow. Let them remain one night, to +cool, then warm them, a little, to loosen them, draw them out, and, when +hard, put them in a box, in a dry and cool place. + +To make dipped candles, cut the wicks of the right length, double them +over rods, and twist them. They should first be dipped in lime-water, or +vinegar, and dried. Melt the tallow in a large kettle, filling it to +the top with hot water, when the tallow is melted. Put in wax, and +powdered alum, to harden them. Keep the tallow hot, over a portable +furnace, and fill up the kettle, with hot water, as fast as the tallow +is used up. Lay two long strips of narrow board, on which to hang the +rods; and set flat pans under, on the floor, to catch the grease. Take +several rods at once, and wet the wicks in the tallow; and, when cool, +straighten and smooth them. Then dip them, as fast as they cool, until +they become of the proper size. Plunge them obliquely, and not +perpendicularly; and when the bottoms are too large, hold them in the +hot grease, till a part melts off. Let them remain one night, to cool; +then cut off the bottoms, and keep them in a dry, cool place. Cheap +lights are made, by dipping rushes in tallow. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +ON WASHING. + + +There is nothing, which tends more effectually to secure good washing, +than a full supply of all conveniences; and among these, none is more +important, than an abundance of warm and cold water: but, if this be +obtained, and heated, at a great expense of time and labor, it will be +used in stinted measure. The accommodations described on page 275, (Fig. +34,) are very convenient in this respect. + + +_Articles to be provided for Washing._ + +A plenty of soft water is a very important item. When this cannot be +had, ley or soda can be put in hard water, to soften it; care being used +not to put in so much, as to injure the hands and clothes. Two +wash-forms are needed; one for the two tubs in which to put the suds, +and the other for blueing and starching-tubs. Four tubs, of different +sizes, are necessary; also, a large _wooden_ dipper, (as metal is apt +to rust;) two or three pails; a grooved wash-board; a clothes-line, +(sea-grass, or horse-hair is best;) a wash-stick to move clothes, when +boiling, and a wooden fork to take them out. Soap-dishes, made to hook +on the tubs, save soap and time. Provide, also, a clothes-bag, in which +to boil clothes; an indigo-bag, of double flannel; a starch-strainer, of +coarse linen; a bottle of ox-gall for calicoes; a supply of starch, +neither sour nor musty; several dozens of clothes-pins, which are cleft +sticks, used to fasten clothes on the line; a bottle of dissolved gum +Arabic; two clothes-baskets; and a brass or copper kettle, for boiling +clothes, as iron is apt to rust. A closet, for keeping all these things, +is a great convenience. It may be made six feet high, three feet deep, +and four feet wide. The tubs and pails can be set on the bottom of this, +on their sides, one within another. Four feet from the bottom, have a +shelf placed, on which to put the basket of clothes-pins, the line, +soap-dishes, dipper, and clothes-fork. Above this, have another shelf, +for the bottles, boxes, &c. The shelves should reach out only half way +from the back, and nails should be put at the sides, for hanging the +wash-stick, clothes-bag, starch-bag, and indigo-bag. The +ironing-conveniences might be kept in the same closet, by having the +lower shelf raised a little, and putting a deep drawer under it, to hold +the ironing-sheets, holders, &c. A lock and key should be put on the +closet. If the mistress of the family requests the washerwoman to notify +her, when she is through, and then ascertains if all these articles are +put in their places, it will prove useful. Tubs, pails, and all hooped +wooden ware, should be kept out of the sun, and in a cool place, or they +will fall to pieces. + + +_Common Mode of Washing._ + +Assort the clothes, and put them in soak, the night before. Never pour +hot water on them, as it sets the dirt. In assorting clothes, put the +flannels in one lot, the colored clothes in another, the coarse white +ones in a third, and the fine clothes in a fourth lot. Wash the fine +clothes in one tub of suds; and throw them, when wrung, into another. +Then wash them, in the second suds, turning them wrong side out. Put +them in the boiling-bag, and boil them in strong suds, for half an hour, +and not much more. Move them, while boiling, with the clothes-stick. +Take them out of the boiling-bag, and put them into a tub of water, and +rub the dirtiest places, again, if need be. Throw them into the +rinsing-water, and then wring them out, and put them into the +blueing-water. Put the articles to be stiffened, into a clothes-basket, +by themselves, and, just before hanging out, dip them in starch, +clapping it in, so as to have them equally stiff, in all parts. Hang +white clothes in the sun, and colored ones, (wrong side out,) in the +shade. Fasten them with clothes-pins. Then wash the coarser white +articles, in the same manner. Then wash the colored clothes. These must +not be soaked, nor have ley or soda put in the water, and they ought not +to lie wet long before hanging out, as it injures their colors. +Beef's-gall, one spoonful to two pailfuls of suds, improves calicoes. +Lastly, wash the flannels, in suds as hot as the hand can bear. Never +rub on soap, as this shrinks them in spots. Wring them out of the first +suds, and throw them into another tub of hot suds, turning them wrong +side out. Then throw them into hot blueing-water. Do not put blueing +into suds, as it makes specks in the flannel. Never leave flannels long +in water, nor put them in cold or lukewarm water. Before hanging them +out, shake and stretch them. Some housekeepers have a close closet, made +with slats across the top. On these slats, they put their flannels, when +ready to hang out, and then burn brimstone under them, for ten minutes. +It is but little trouble, and keeps the flannels as white as new. Wash +the colored flannels, and hose, after the white, adding more hot water. +Some persons dry woollen hose on stocking-boards, shaped like a foot and +leg, with strings to tie them on the line. This keeps them from +shrinking, and makes them look better than if ironed. It is also less +work, than to iron them properly. + +Bedding should be washed in long days, and in hot weather. Pound +blankets in two different tubs or barrels of hot suds, first well mixing +the soap and water. Rinse in hot suds; and, after wringing, let two +persons shake them thoroughly, and then hang them out. If not dry, at +night, fold them, and hang them out the next morning. Bedquilts should +be pounded in warm suds; and, after rinsing, be wrung as dry as +possible. Bolsters and pillows can be pounded in hot suds, without +taking out the feathers, rinsing them in fair water. It is usually best, +however, for nice feathers, to take them out, wash them, and dry them on +a garret floor. Cotton comforters should have the cases taken off and +washed. Wash bedticks, after the feathers are removed, like other +things. Empty straw beds once a year. + +The following cautions, in regard to calicoes, are useful. Never wash +them in very warm water; and change the water, when it appears dingy, or +the light parts will look dirty. Never rub on soap; but remove grease +with French chalk, starch, magnesia, or Wilmington clay. Make starch for +them, with coffee-water, to prevent any whitish appearance. Glue is good +for stiffening calicoes. When laid aside, not to be used, all stiffening +should be washed out, or they will often be injured. Never let calicoes +freeze, in drying. Some persons use bran-water, (four quarts of +wheat-bran to two pails of water,) and no soap, for calicoes; washing +and rinsing in the bran-water. Potato-water is equally good. Take eight +peeled and grated potatoes to one gallon of water. + + +_Soda-Washing._ + +A very great saving in labor is secured, by _soda-washing_. There have +been mistakes made in receipts, and in modes of doing it, which have +caused a prejudice against it; but if the soap be rightly made, and +rightly used, _it certainly saves one half the labor and time of +ordinary washing_. + + +_Receipt for Soda-Soap._ + +Take eight pounds of bar-soap, eight pounds of coarse soda, (the +sub-carbonate,) ten gallons of soft water, boiled two hours, stirring it +often. This is to be cooled, and set away for use. In washing, take a +pound of this soap, to the largest pail of water, and heat till it +boils. Having previously soaked the white clothes, in _warm_, not _hot_, +water, put them in this boiling mixture, and let them boil _one hour and +no more_. Take them out, draining them well, and put them in a tub, half +full of soft water. Turn them wrong side out; rub the soiled places, +till they look clean; then put them into blue rinsing-water, and wring +them out. They are then ready to hang out. Some persons use another +rinsing-water. The colored clothes and flannels must not be washed in +this way. The fine clothes may be first boiled in this water; it may +then be used for coarser clothes; and afterward, the brown towels, and +other articles of that nature, may be boiled in the same water. After +this, the water which remains, is still useful, for washing floors; and +then, the suds is a good manure to put around plants. + +It is best to prepare, at once, the whole quantity of water to be used. +Take out about one third, and set it by; and every time a fresh supply +of clothes is put in, use a portion of this, to supply the waste of a +former boiling. + + +_Modes of Washing Various Articles._ + +_Brown Linens_, or _Muslins_, of tea, drab, or olive, colors, look best, +washed in hay-water. Put in hay enough, to color the water like new +brown linen. Wash them first in lukewarm, fair water, without soap, +(removing grease with French chalk,) then wash and rinse them in the +hay-water. + +_Nankeens_ look best, washed in suds, with a teacup of ley added for +each pailful. Iron on the wrong side. Soak new nankeens in ley, for one +night, and it sets the color perfectly. + +_Woollen Table-Covers_ and _Woollen Shawls_, may be washed thus: Remove +grease as before directed. If there be stains in the articles, take them +out with spirits of hartshorn. Wash the things in two portions of hot +suds, made of white soap. Do not wring them, but fold them and press the +water out, catching it in a tub, under a table. Shake, stretch, and dry, +neither by the sun nor a fire, and do not let them freeze, in drying. +Sprinkle them three hours before ironing, and fold and roll them tight. +Iron them heavily on the wrong side. _Woollen yarn_, should be washed in +very hot water, putting in a teacupful of ley, and no soap, to half a +pailful of water. Rinse till the water comes off clear. + +_New Black Worsted and Woollen Hose_, should be soaked all night, and +washed in hot suds, with beef's-gall, a tablespoonful to half a pail of +water. Rinse till no color comes out. Iron on the wrong side. + +_To Cleanse Gentlemen's Broadcloths._ The common mode, is, to shake, and +brush the articles, and rip out linings and pockets; then to wash them +in strong suds, adding a teacupful of ley, using white soap for light +cloth; rolling and then pressing, instead of wringing, them; when dry, +sprinkling them, and letting them lie all night; and ironing on the +wrong side, or with a thin dark cloth over the article, until +_perfectly_ dry. But a far better way, which the writer has repeatedly +tried, with unfailing success, is the following: Take one beef's-gall, +half a pound of salæratus, and four gallons of warm water. Lay the +article on a table, and scour it thoroughly, in every part, with a +clothes-brush, dipped in this mixture. The collar of a coat, and the +grease-spots, (previously marked by stitches of white thread,) must be +repeatedly brushed. Then, take the article, and rinse it up and down in +the mixture. Then, rinse it up and down in a tub of soft cold water. +Then, without wringing or pressing, hang it to drain and dry. Fasten a +coat up by the collar. When perfectly dry, it is sometimes the case, +with coats, that nothing more is needed. In other cases, it is necessary +to dampen the parts, which look wrinkled, with a sponge, and either pull +them smooth, with the fingers, or press them with an iron, having a +piece of bombazine, or thin woollen cloth, between the iron and the +article. + + +_To manufacture Ley, Soap, Starch, and other Articles used in Washing._ + +_To make Ley._ Provide a large tub, made of pine or ash, and set it on a +form, so high, that a tub can stand under it. Make a hole, an inch in +diameter, near the bottom, on one side. Lay bricks, inside, about this +hole, and straw over them. To every seven bushels of ashes, add two +gallons of unslacked lime, and throw in the ashes and lime in alternate +layers. While putting in the ashes and lime, pour on boiling water, +using three or four pailfuls. After this, add a pailful of cold soft +water, once an hour, till all the ashes appear to be well soaked. Catch +the drippings, in a tub, and try its strength with an egg. If the egg +rise so as to show a circle as large as a ten cent piece, the strength +is right; if it rise higher, the ley must be weakened by water; if not +so high, the ashes are not good, and the whole process must be repeated, +putting in fresh ashes, and running the weak ley through the new ashes, +with some additional water. _Quick-ley_ is made by pouring one gallon of +boiling soft water on three quarts of ashes, and straining it. Oak ashes +are best. + +_To make Soft-Soap._ Save all drippings and fat, melt them, and set them +away, in cakes. Some persons keep, for soap-grease, a half barrel, with +weak ley in it, and a cover over it. To make soft-soap, take the +proportion of one pailful of ley to three pounds of fat. Melt the fat, +and pour in the ley, by degrees. Boil it steadily, through the day, till +it is ropy. If not boiled enough, on cooling, it will turn to ley and +sediment. While boiling, there should always be a little oil on the +surface. If this does not appear, add more grease. If there is too much +grease, on cooling, it will rise, and can be skimmed off. Try it, by +cooling a small quantity. When it appears like gelly, on becoming cold, +it is done. It must then be put in a cool place and often stirred. + +_To make cold Soft-Soap_, melt thirty pounds of grease, put it in a +barrel, add four pailfuls of strong ley, and stir it up thoroughly. Then +gradually add more ley, till the barrel is nearly full, and the soap +looks _about right_. + +_To make Potash-Soap_, melt thirty-nine pounds of grease, and put it in +a barrel. Take twenty-nine pounds of light ash-colored potash, (the +_reddish_-colored will spoil the soap,) and pour hot water on it; then +pour it off into the grease, stirring it well. Continue thus, till all +the potash is melted. Add one pailful of cold water, stirring it a great +deal, every day, till the barrel be full, and then it is done. This is +the cheapest and best kind of soap. It is best to sell ashes and buy +potash. The soap is better, if it stand a year before it is used; +therefore make two barrels at once. + +_To make Hard White Soap_, take fifteen pounds of lard, or suet; and, +when boiling, add, slowly, five gallons of ley, mixed with one gallon of +water. Cool a small portion; and, if no grease rise, it is done: if +grease do rise, add ley, and boil till no grease rises. Then add three +quarts of fine salt, and boil it; if this do not harden well, on +cooling, add more salt. Cool it, and if it is to be perfumed, melt it +next day, put in the perfume, and then run it in moulds, or cut it in +cakes. _Common Hard Soap_, is made in the same way, by using common fat. + +_To manufacture Starch_, cleanse a peck of unground wheat, and soak it, +for several days, in soft water. When quite soft, remove the husks, with +the hand, and the soft parts will settle. Pour off the water, and +replace it, every day, with that which is fresh, stirring it well. When, +after stirring and settling, the water is clear, it is done. Then +strain off the water, and dry the starch, for several days, in the sun. +If the water be permitted to remain too long, it sours, and the starch +is poor. If the starch be not well dried, it grows musty. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING. + + +_To prepare Starch._ Take four tablespoonfuls of starch; put in as much +water; and rub it, till all lumps are removed. Then, add half a cup of +cold water. Pour this into a quart of boiling water, and boil it for +half an hour, adding a piece of spermaceti, or a lump of salt, or sugar, +as large as a hazelnut. Strain it, and put in a very little blueing. +Thin it with hot water. + +_Glue and Gum-Starch._ Put a piece of glue, four inches square, into +three quarts of water, boil it, and keep it in a bottle, corked up. +Dissolve four ounces of gum Arabic, in a quart of hot water, and set it +away, in a bottle, corked. Use the glue for calicoes, and the gum for +silks and muslins, both to be mixed with water, at discretion. + +_Beef's-Gall._ Send a junk-bottle to the butcher, and have several +gall-bladders emptied into it. Keep it salted, and in a cool place. Some +persons perfume it; but fresh air removes the unpleasant smell which it +gives, when used for clothes. + + +_Directions for Starching Muslins and Laces._ + +Many ladies clap muslins, then dry them, and afterwards sprinkle them. +This saves time. Others clap them, till nearly dry, then fold and cover, +and then iron them. Iron wrought muslins on soft flannel, and on the +wrong side. + +_To do up Laces, nicely_, sew a clean piece of muslin around a long +bottle, and roll the lace on it; pulling out the edge, and rolling it +so that the edge will turn in, and be covered, as you roll. Fill the +bottle with water, and then boil it, for an hour, in a suds made with +white soap. Rinse it in fair water, a little blued; dry it in the sun; +and, if any stiffening is wished, use thin starch, or gum Arabic. When +dry, fold and press it, between white papers, in a large book. It +improves the lace, to wet it with sweet-oil, after it is rolled on the +bottle, and before boiling in the suds. _Blond laces_ can be whitened, +by rolling them on a bottle, in this way, and then setting the bottle in +the sun, in a dish of cold suds made with white soap, wetting it +thoroughly, and changing the suds, every day. Do this, for a week or +more; then rinse, in fair water; dry it on the bottle, in the sun; and +stiffen it with white gum Arabic. Lay it away in loose folds. _Lace +veils_ can be whitened, by laying them in flat dishes, in suds made with +white soap; then rinsing, and stiffening them with gum Arabic, +stretching them, and pinning them on a sheet, to dry. + + +ON IRONING. + + +_Articles to be provided for Ironing._ + +A settee, or settle, made so that it can be used for an ironing-table, +is a great convenience. It may be made of pine, and of the following +dimensions: length, five feet and six inches; width of the seat, one +foot and nine inches; height of the seat, one foot and three inches; +height of the sides, (or arms of the seat,) two feet and four inches; +height of the back, five feet and three inches. The back should be made +with hinges, of the height of the sides or arms, so that it can be +turned down, and rest on them, and thus become an ironing-table. The +back is to be fastened up, behind, with long iron hooks and staples. The +seat should be made with two lids, opening into two boxes, or +partitions, in one of which, can be kept the ironing-sheets and holders, +and in the other, the other articles used in ironing. It can be stained +of a cherry-color; put on casters, so as to move easily; and be +provided with two cushions, stuffed with hay and covered with dark +woollen. It thus serves as a comfortable seat, for Winter, protecting +the back from cold. + +Where a settee, of this description, is not provided, a large +ironing-board, made so as not to warp, should be kept, and used only for +this purpose, to be laid, when used, on a table. Provide, also, the +following articles: A woollen ironing-blanket, and a linen or cotton +sheet, to spread over it; a large fire, of charcoal and hard wood, +(unless furnaces or stoves are used;) a hearth, free from cinders and +ashes, a piece of sheet-iron, in front of the fire, on which to set the +irons, while heating; (this last saves many black spots from careless +ironers;) three or four holders, made of woollen, and covered with old +silk, as these do not easily take fire; two iron rings, or iron-stands, +on which to set the irons, and small pieces of board to put under them, +to prevent scorching the sheet; linen or cotton wipers; and a piece of +beeswax, to rub on the irons when they are smoked. There should be, at +least, three irons for each person ironing, and a small and large +clothes-frame, on which to air the fine and coarse clothes. + +A bosom-board, on which to iron shirt-bosoms, should be made, one foot +and a half long, and nine inches wide, and covered with white flannel. A +skirt-board on which to iron frock-skirts, should be made, five feet +long, and two feet wide at one end, tapering to one foot and three +inches wide, at the other end. This should be covered with flannel; and +will save much trouble, in ironing nice dresses. The large end may be +put on the table, and the other, on the back of a chair. Both these +boards should have cotton covers, made to fit them; and these should be +changed and washed, when dirty. These boards are often useful, when +articles are to be ironed or pressed, in a chamber or parlor. Provide, +also, a press-board, for broadcloth, two feet long, and four inches wide +at one end, tapering to three inches wide, at the other. + +A fluting-iron, called, also, a patent Italian iron, saves much labor, +in ironing ruffles neatly. A crimping-iron, will crimp ruffles +beautifully, with very little time or trouble. Care must be used, with +the latter, or it will cut the ruffles. A trial should be made, with old +muslins; and, when the iron is screwed in the right place, it must be so +kept, and not altered without leave from the housekeeper. If the lady of +the house will provide all these articles, see that the fires are +properly made, the ironing-sheets evenly put on and properly pinned, the +clothes-frames dusted, and all articles kept in their places, she will +do much towards securing good ironing. + + +_On Sprinkling, Folding, and Ironing._ + +Wipe the dust from the ironing-board, and lay it down, to receive the +clothes, which should be sprinkled with clear water, and laid in +separate piles, one of colored, one of common, and one of fine articles, +and one of flannels. Fold the fine things, and roll them in a towel, and +then fold the rest, turning them all right side outward. The colored +clothes should be laid separate from the rest, and ought not to lie long +damp, as it injures the colors. The sheets and table linen should be +shaken, stretched, and folded, by two persons. Iron lace and needlework +on the wrong side, and carry them away, as soon as dry. Iron calicoes +with irons which are not very hot, and generally on the right side, as +they thus keep clean for a longer time. In ironing a frock, first do the +waist, then the sleeves, then the skirt. Keep the skirt rolled, while +ironing the other parts, and set a chair, to hold the sleeves, while +ironing the skirt, unless a skirt-board be used. In ironing a shirt, +first do the back, then the sleeves, then the collar and bosom, and then +the front. Iron silk on the wrong side, when quite damp, with an iron +which is not very hot. Light colors are apt to change and fade. Iron +velvet, by turning up the face of the iron, and after dampening the +wrong side of the velvet, draw it over the face of the iron, holding it +straight, and not biased. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING. + + +_To Whiten Articles, and Remove Stains from them._ + +Wet white clothes in suds, and lay them on the grass, in the sun. Lay +muslins in suds made with white soap, in a flat dish; set this in the +sun, changing the suds, every day. Whiten tow-cloth, or brown linen, by +keeping it in ley, through the night, laying it out in the sun, and +wetting it with fair water, as fast as it dries. + +Scorched articles can often be whitened again, by laying them in the +sun, wet with suds. Where this does not answer, put a pound of white +soap in a gallon of milk, and boil the article in it. Another method, +is, to chop and extract the juice from two onions, and boil this with +half a pint of vinegar, an ounce of white soap, and two ounces of +fuller's earth. Spread this, when cool, on the scorched part, and, when +dry, wash it off, in fair water. _Mildew_ may be removed, by dipping the +article in sour buttermilk, laying it in the sun, and, after it is +white, rinsing it in fair water. Soap and chalk are also good; also, +soap and starch, adding half as much salt as there is starch, together +with the juice of a lemon. Stains in linen can often be removed, by +rubbing on soft soap, then putting on a starch paste, and drying in the +sun, renewing it several times. Wash off all the soap and starch, in +cold, fair water. + + +_Mixtures for Removing Stains and Grease._ + +_Stain-Mixture._ Half an ounce of oxalic acid, in a pint of soft water. +This can be kept in a corked bottle, and is infallible in removing +iron-rust, and ink-stains. It is very poisonous. The article must be +spread with this mixture over the steam of hot water, and wet several +times. This will also remove indelible ink. The article must be washed, +or the mixture will injure it. + +_Another Stain-Mixture_ is made, by mixing one ounce of sal ammoniac, +one ounce of salt of tartar, and one pint of soft water. + +_To remove Grease._ Mix four ounces of fuller's earth, half an ounce of +pearlash, and lemon-juice enough to make a stiff paste, which can be +dried in balls, and kept for use. Wet the greased spot with cold water, +rub it with the ball, dry it, and then rinse it with fair cold water. +This is for _white_ articles. For silks, and worsteds, use French chalk, +which can be procured of the apothecaries. That which is soft and white, +is best. Scrape it on the greased spot, and let it lie for a day and +night. Then renew it, till the spot disappears. Wilmington clay-balls, +are equally good. Ink-spots can often be removed from white clothes, by +rubbing on common tallow, leaving it for a day or two, and then washing, +as usual. Grease can be taken out of wall-paper, by making a paste of +potter's clay, water and ox-gall, and spreading it on the paper. When +dry, renew it, till the spot disappears. + +Stains on floors, from _soot_, or _stove-pipes_, can be removed, by +washing the spot in sulphuric acid and water. Stains, in colored silk +dresses, can often be removed, by pure water. Those made by acids, tea, +wine, and fruits, can often be removed, by spirits of hartshorn, diluted +with an equal quantity of water. Sometimes, it must be repeated, several +times. + +_Tar_, _Pitch_, and _Turpentine_, can be removed, by putting the spot in +sweet-oil, or by spreading tallow on it, and letting it remain for +twenty-four hours. Then, if the article be linen or cotton, wash it, as +usual; if it be silk or worsted, rub it with ether, or spirits of wine. + +_Lamp-Oil_ can be removed, from floors, carpets, and other articles, by +spreading upon the stain a paste, made of fuller's earth or potter's +clay, and renewing it, when dry, till the stain is removed. If gall be +put into the paste, it will preserve the colors from injury. When the +stain has been removed, carefully brush off the paste, with a soft +brush. + +_Oil-Paint_ can be removed, by rubbing it with _very pure_ spirits of +turpentine. The impure spirit leaves a grease-spot. _Wax_ can be +removed, by scraping it off, and then holding a red-hot poker near the +spot. _Spermaceti_ may be removed by scraping it off, then putting a +paper over the spot, and applying a warm iron. If this does not answer, +rub on spirits of wine. + +_Ink-Stains_, in carpets and woollen table-covers, can be removed, by +washing the spot in a liquid, composed of one teaspoonful of oxalic acid +dissolved in a teacupful of warm (not hot) water, and then rinsing in +cold water. + +_Stains on Varnished Articles_, which are caused by cups of hot water, +can be removed, by rubbing them with lamp-oil, and then with alcohol. +Ink-stains can be taken out of mahogany, by one teaspoonful of oil of +vitriol mixed with one tablespoonful of water, or by oxalic acid and +water. These must be brushed over quickly, and then washed off with +milk. + + +_Modes of Cleansing Various Articles._ + +_Silk Handkerchiefs_ and _Ribands_ can be cleansed, by using French +chalk to take out the grease, and then sponging them, on both sides, +with lukewarm fair water. Stiffen them with gum Arabic, and press them +between white paper, with an iron not very hot. A tablespoonful of +spirits of wine to three quarts of water, improves it. + +_Silk Hose_, or _Silk Gloves_, should be washed in warm suds made with +white soap, and rinsed in cold water; they should then be stretched and +rubbed, with a hard-rolled flannel, till they are quite dry. Ironing +them, very much injures their looks. _Washleather_ articles should have +the grease removed from them, by French chalk, or magnesia; they should +then be washed in warm suds, and rinsed in cold water. _White Kid +Gloves_ should have the grease removed from them, as above directed. +They should then be brushed, with a soft brush, and a mixture of +fuller's earth and magnesia. In an hour after, rub them with flannel, +dipped in bran and powdered whiting. _Colored or Hoskin's gloves_ can be +cleansed, very nicely, by _pure_ spirits of turpentine, put on with a +woollen cloth, and rubbed from wrist to fingers. Hang them for several +days in the air, and all the unpleasant smell will be removed. +_Gentlemen's white gloves_ should be washed with a sponge, in +white-soapsuds; then wiped, and dried on the hands. _Swan's-down +tippets, and capes_, should be washed in white-soapsuds, squeezing, and +not rubbing them; then rinse them in two waters, and shake and stretch +them while drying. _Ostrich feathers_ can also be thus washed. Stiffen +them, with starch, wet in cold water and not boiled. Shake them in the +air, till nearly dry, then hold them before the fire, and curl them with +dull scissors, giving each fibre a twitch, turning it inward, and +holding it so for a moment. + +_Straw and Leghorn Hats_, can be cleansed, by simply washing them in +white-soapsuds. Remove grease, by French chalk, and stains, by diluted +oxalic acid, or cream of tartar. The oxalic acid is best, but must be +instantly washed off. _To whiten them_, drive nails in a barrel, near +its bottom, so that cords can be stretched across. On these cords, tie +the bonnet, wet with suds, (having first removed the grease, stains, and +dirt.) Then invert the barrel, over a dish of coals, on which roll +brimstone is slowly burning. Put a chip under one side of the barrel, to +admit the air. Continue this, till the bonnet is white; then hang it in +the air, (when the weather is not damp,) till the smell is removed. Then +stiffen it with a solution of isinglass or gum Arabic, put on the +inside, with a sponge. Press the crown, on a block, and the rest on a +board, on the right side, putting muslin between the iron and straw, and +pressing hard. Be careful not to make it too stiff. First, stiffen a +small piece, for trial. + + +ON COLORING. + +_Precautions and Preparations._ + +All the articles must be entirely free from grease or oil, and also, in +most cases, from soapsuds. Make light dyes in brass, and dark ones in +iron, vessels. Always wet the articles, in fair water, before dyeing. +Always carefully strain the dye. If the color be too light, dry and then +dip the article again. Stir the article well in the dye, lifting it up +often. Remove any previous color, by boiling in suds, or, what is +better, in the soda mixture used for washing. + +_Pink Dye._ Buy a saucer of carmine, at an apothecary's. With it, you +will find directions for its use. This is cheap, easy to use, and +beautiful. _Balm blossoms_ and _Bergamot blossoms_, with a little cream +of tartar in the water, make a pretty pink. + +_Red Dye._ Take half a pound of wheat bran, three ounces of powdered +alum, and two gallons of soft water. Boil these in a brass vessel, and +add an ounce of cream of tartar, and an ounce of cochineal, tied up +together in a bag. Boil the mixture for fifteen minutes, then strain it, +and dip the articles. Brazil wood, set with alum, makes another red dye. + +_Yellow Dye._ Fustic, turmeric powder, saffron, barberry-bush, +peach-leaves, or marigold flowers, make a yellow dye. Set the dye with +alum, putting a piece the size of a large hazelnut to each quart of +water. + +_Light Blue Dye_, for silks and woollens, is made with the 'blue +composition,' to be procured of the hat-makers; fifteen drops to a quart +of water. Articles dipped in this, must be thoroughly rinsed. For a +_dark blue_, boil four ounces of copperas in two gallons of water. Dip +the articles in this, and then in a strong decoction of logwood, boiled +and strained. Then wash them thoroughly in soapsuds. + +_Green Dye._ First color the article yellow; and then, if it be silk or +woollen, dip it in 'blue composition.' Instead of ironing, rub it with +flannel, while drying. + +_Salmon Color_ is made by boiling arnotto or anotta in soapsuds. + +_Buff Color_ is made by putting one teacupful of potash, tied in a bag, +in two gallons of hot (not boiling) water, and adding an ounce of +arnotto, also in a bag, keeping it in for half an hour. First, wet the +article in strong potash-water. Dry and then rinse in soapsuds. Birch +bark and alum also make a buff. Black alder, set with ley, makes an +orange color. + +_Dove and Slate Colors_, of all shades, are made by boiling, in an iron +vessel, a teacupful of black tea, with a teaspoonful of copperas. Dilute +this, till you get the shade wanted. Purple sugar-paper, boiled, and set +with alum, makes a similar color. + +_Brown Dye._ Boil half a pound of camwood (in a bag) in two gallons of +water, for fifteen minutes. Wet the articles, and boil them for a few +minutes in the dye. White-walnut bark, the bark of sour sumach, or of +white maple, set with alum, make a brown color. + +_Black Dye._ Let one pound of chopped logwood remain all night in one +gallon of vinegar. Then boil them, and put in a piece of copperas, as +large as a hen's egg. Wet the articles in warm water, and put them in +the dye, boiling and stirring them for fifteen minutes. Dry them, then +wet them in warm water, and dip them again. Repeat the process, till the +articles are black enough. Wash them in suds, and rinse them till the +water comes off clear. Iron nails, boiled in vinegar, make a black dye, +which is good for restoring rusty black silks. + +_Olive Color._ Boil fustic and yellow-oak bark together. The more +fustic, the brighter the olive; the more oak bark, the darker the shade. +Set the light shade with a few drops of oil of vitriol, and the dark +shade with copperas. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +ON THE CARE OF PARLORS. + + +In selecting the furniture of parlors, some reference should be had to +correspondence of shades and colors. Curtains should be darker than the +walls; and, if the walls and carpets be light, the chairs should be +dark, and _vice versa_. Pictures always look best on light walls. + +In selecting carpets, for rooms much used, it is poor economy to buy +cheap ones. _Ingrain_ carpets, of close texture, and the _three-ply_ +carpets, are best for common use. _Brussels_ carpets do not wear so long +as the three-ply ones, because they cannot be turned. _Wilton_ carpets +wear badly, and _Venetians_ are good only for halls and stairs. + +In selecting colors, avoid those in which there are any black threads; +as they are always rotten. The most tasteful carpets, are those, which +are made of various shades of the same color, or of all shades of only +two colors; such as brown and yellow, or blue and buff, or salmon and +green, or all shades of green, or of brown. All very dark shades should +be brown or green, but not black. + +In laying down carpets, it is a bad practice to put straw under them, as +this makes them wear out in spots. Straw matting, laid under carpets, +makes them last much longer, as it is smooth and even, and the dust +sifts through it. In buying carpets, always get a few yards over, to +allow for waste in matching figures. + +In cutting carpets, make them three or four inches shorter than the +room, to allow for stretching. Begin to cut _in the middle_ of a figure, +and it will usually match better. Many carpets match in two different +ways, and care must be taken to get the right one. Sew a carpet on the +wrong side, with double waxed thread, and with the _ball-stitch_. This +is done by taking a stitch on the breadth next you, pointing the needle +towards you; and then taking a stitch on the other breadth, pointing the +needle from you. Draw the thread tightly, but not so as to pucker. In +fitting a breadth to the hearth, cut slits in the right place, and turn +the piece under. Bind _the whole_ of the carpet, with carpet-binding, +nail it with tacks, having bits of leather under the heads. To stretch +the carpet, use a carpet-fork, which is a long stick, ending with +notched tin, like saw-teeth. This is put in the edge of the carpet, and +pushed by one person, while the nail is driven by another. Cover blocks, +or bricks, with carpeting, like that of the room, and put them behind +tables, doors, sofas, &c., to preserve the walls from injury, by +knocking, or by the dusting-cloth. + +Cheap footstools, made of a square plank, covered with tow-cloth, +stuffed, and then covered with carpeting, with worsted handles, look +very well. Sweep carpets as seldom as possible, as it wears them out. To +shake them often, is good economy. In cleaning carpets, use damp tea +leaves, or wet Indian meal, throwing it about, and rubbing it over with +the broom. The latter, is very good for cleansing carpets made dingy by +coal-dust. In brushing carpets in ordinary use, it will be found very +convenient to use a large flat dust-pan, with a perpendicular handle a +yard high, put on so that the pan will stand alone. This can be carried +about, and used without stooping, brushing dust into it with a common +broom. The pan must be very large, or it will be upset. + +When carpets are taken up, they should be hung on a line, or laid on +long grass, and whipped, first on one side, and then on the other, with +pliant whips. If laid aside, they should be sewed up tight, in linen, +having snuff or tobacco put along all the crevices where moths could +enter. Shaking pepper, from a pepper-box, round the edge of the floor, +under a carpet, prevents the access of moths. + +Carpets can be best washed on the floor, thus: First shake them; and +then, after cleaning the floor, stretch and nail them upon it. Then +scrub them in cold soapsuds, having half a teacupful of ox-gall to a +bucket of water. Then wash off the suds, with a cloth, in fair water. +Set open the doors and windows, for two days or more. Imperial Brussels, +Venetian, ingrain, and three-ply, carpets, can be washed thus; but +Wilton, and other plush-carpets, cannot. Before washing them, take out +grease, with a paste, made of potter's clay, ox-gall, and water. + +Straw matting is best for chambers and Summer parlors. The checked, of +two colors, is not so good to wear. The best, is the cheapest in the +end. When washed, it should be done with salt water, wiping it dry; but +frequent washing injures it. Bind matting with cotton binding. Sew +breadths together like carpeting. In joining the ends of pieces, ravel +out a part, and tie the threads together, turning under a little of each +piece, and then, laying the ends close, nail them down, with nails +having kid under their heads. + +In hanging pictures, put them so that the lower part shall be opposite +the eye. Cleanse the glass of pictures with whiting, as water endangers +the pictures. Gilt frames can be much better preserved by putting on a +coat of copal varnish, which, with proper brushes, can be bought of +carriage or cabinet-makers. When dry, it can be washed with fair water. +Wash the brush in spirits of turpentine. + +Curtains, ottomans, and sofas covered with worsted, can be cleansed, by +wheat-bran, rubbed on with flannel. Dust Venetian blinds with feather +brushes. Buy light-colored ones, as the green are going out of fashion. +Strips of linen or cotton, on rollers and pulleys, are much in use, to +shut out the sun from curtains and carpets. Paper curtains, pasted on +old cotton, are good for chambers. Put them on rollers, having cords +nailed to them, so that when the curtain falls, the cord will be wound +up. Then, by pulling the cord, the curtain will be rolled up. + +Mahogany furniture should be made in the Spring, and stand some months +before it is used, or it will shrink and warp. Varnished furniture +should be rubbed only with silk, except occasionally, when a little +sweet-oil should be rubbed over, and wiped off carefully. For +unvarnished furniture, use beeswax, a little softened with sweet-oil; +rub it in with a hard brush, and polish with woollen and silk rags. Some +persons rub in linseed-oil; others mix beeswax with a little spirits of +turpentine and rosin, making it so that it can be put on with a sponge, +and wiped off with a soft rag. Others, keep in a bottle the following +mixture; two ounces of spirits of turpentine, four tablespoonfuls of +sweet-oil, and one quart of milk. This is applied with a sponge, and +wiped off with a linen rag. + +Hearths and jambs, of brick, look best painted over with blacklead, +mixed with soft-soap. Wash the bricks which are nearest the fire with +redding and milk, using a painter's brush. A sheet of zinc, covering the +whole hearth, is cheap, saves work, and looks very well. A tinman can +fit it properly. + +Stone hearths should be rubbed with a paste of powdered stone, (to be +procured of the stonecutters,) and then brushed with a stiff brush. +Kitchen-hearths, of stone, are improved by rubbing in lamp-oil. + +Stains can be removed from marble, by oxalic acid and water, or oil of +vitriol and water, left on fifteen minutes, and then rubbed dry. Gray +marble is improved by linseed-oil. Grease can be taken from marble, by +ox-gall and potter's clay wet with soapsuds, (a gill of each.) It is +better to add, also, a gill of spirits of turpentine. It improves the +looks of marble, to cover it with this mixture, leaving it two days, and +then rubbing it off. + +Unless a parlor is in constant use, it is best to sweep it only once a +week, and at other times use a whisk-broom and dust-pan. When a parlor +with handsome furniture is to be swept, cover the sofas, centre table, +piano, books, and mantelpiece, with old cottons, kept for the purpose. +Remove the rugs, and shake them, and clean the jambs, hearth, and +fire-furniture. Then sweep the room, moving every article. Dust the +furniture, with a dust-brush and a piece of old silk. A painter's brush +should be kept, to remove dust from ledges and crevices. The dust-cloths +should be often shaken and washed, or else they will soil the walls and +furniture when they are used. Dust ornaments, and fine books, with +feather brushes, kept for the purpose. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +ON THE CARE OF BREAKFAST AND DINING-ROOMS. + + +An eating-room should have in it a large closet, with drawers and +shelves, in which should be kept all the articles used at meals. This, +if possible, should communicate with the kitchen, by a sliding window, +or by a door, and have in it a window, and also a small sink, made of +marble or lined with zinc, which will be a great convenience for washing +nice articles. If there be a dumb-waiter, it is best to have it +connected with such a closet. It may be so contrived, that, when it is +down, it shall form part of the closet floor. + +A table-rug, or crumb-cloth, is useful to save carpets from injury. +Bocking, or baize, is best. Always spread the same side up, or the +carpet will be soiled by the rug. Table-mats are needful, to prevent +injury to the table from the warm dishes. Teacup-mats, or small plates, +are useful to save the table-cloths from dripping tea or coffee. +Butter-knives, for the butter-plate, and salt-spoons, for salt-dishes, +are designed to prevent those disgusting marks which are made, when +persons use their own knives, to take salt or butter. A sugar-spoon +should be kept in or by the sugar-dish, for the same purpose. +Table-napkins, of diaper, are often laid by each person's plate, for +use during the meal, to save the tablecloth and pocket-handkerchief. To +preserve the same napkin for the same person, each member of the family +has a given number, and the napkins are numbered to correspond, or else +are slipped into ivory rings, which are numbered. A stranger has a clean +one, at each meal. Tablecloths should be well starched, and ironed on +the right side, and always, when taken off, folded in the ironed +creases. _Doilies_ are colored napkins, which, when fruit is offered, +should always be furnished, to prevent a person from staining a nice +handkerchief, or permitting the fruit-juice to dry on the fingers. + +Casters and salt-stands should be put in order, every morning, when +washing the breakfast things. Always, if possible, provide _fine_ and +_dry_ table-salt, as many persons are much disgusted with that which is +dark, damp, and coarse. Be careful to keep salad-oil closely corked, or +it will grow rancid. Never leave the salt-spoons in the salt, nor the +mustard-spoon in the mustard, as they are thereby injured. Wipe them, +immediately after the meal. + +For table-furniture, French china is deemed the nicest, but it is liable +to the objection of having plates, so made, that salt, butter, and +similar articles, will not lodge on the edge, but slip into the centre. +Select knives and forks, which have weights in the handles, so that, +when laid down, they will not touch the table. Those with rivetted +handles last longer than any others. Horn handles (except buckhorn) are +very poor. The best are cheapest in the end. Knives should be sharpened +once a month, unless they are kept sharp by the mode of scouring. + + +_On Setting Tables._ + +Neat housekeepers observe the manner in which a table is set more than +any thing else; and to a person of good taste, few things are more +annoying, than to see the table placed askew; the tablecloth soiled, +rumpled, and put on awry; the plates, knives, and dishes thrown about, +without any order; the pitchers soiled on the outside, and sometimes +within; the tumblers dim; the caster out of order; the butter pitched on +the plate, without any symmetry; the salt coarse, damp, and dark; the +bread cut in a mixture of junks and slices; the dishes of food set on at +random, and without mats; the knives dark or rusty, and their handles +greasy; the tea-furniture all out of order, and every thing in similar +style. And yet, many of these negligences will be met with, at the +tables of persons who call themselves well bred, and who have wealth +enough to make much outside show. One reason for this, is, the great +difficulty of finding domestics, who will attend to these things in a +proper manner, and who, after they have been repeatedly instructed, will +not neglect nor forget what has been said to them. The writer has known +cases, where much has been gained by placing the following rules in +plain sight, in the place where the articles for setting tables are +kept. + + +_Rules for setting a Table._ + +1. Lay the rug square with the room, and also smooth and even; then set +the table also square with the room, and see that the _legs_ are in the +right position to support the leaves. + +2. Lay the tablecloth square with the table, _right side up_, smooth, +and even. + +3. Put on the teatray (for breakfast or tea) square with the table; set +the cups and saucers at the front side of the teatray, and the sugar, +slop-bowls, and cream-cup, at the back side. Lay the sugar-spoon or +tongs on the sugar-bowl. + +4. Lay the plates around the table, at equal intervals, and the knives +and forks at regular distances, each in the same particular manner, with +a cup-mat, or cup-plate, to each, and a napkin at the right side of each +person. + +5. If meat be used, set the caster and salt-cellars in the centre of the +table; then lay mats for the dishes, and place the carving-knife and +fork and steel by the master of the house. Set the butter on two plates, +one on either side, with a butter-knife by each. + +6. Set the tea or coffee-pot on a mat, at the right hand of the teatray, +(if there be not room upon it.) Then place the chairs around the table, +and call the family. + + +_For Dinner._ + +1. Place the rug, table, tablecloth, plates, knives and forks, and +napkins, as before directed, with a tumbler by each plate. In cold +weather, set the plates where they will be warmed. + +2. Put the caster in the centre, and the salt-stands at two oblique +corners, of the table, the latter between two large spoons crossed. If +more spoons be needed, lay them on each side of the caster, crossed. Set +the pitcher on a mat, either at a side-table, or, when there is no +waiter, on the dining-table. Water looks best in glass decanters. + +3. Set the bread on the table, when there is no waiter. Some take a +fork, and lay a piece on the napkin or tumbler by each plate. Others +keep it in a tray, covered with a white napkin to keep off flies. Bread +for dinner is often cut in small junks, and not in slices. + +4. Set the principal dish before the master of the house, and the other +dishes in a regular manner. Put the carving-knife, fork, and steel, by +the principal dish, and also a knife-rest, if one be used. + +5. Put a small knife and fork by the pickles, and also by any other +dishes which need them. Then place the chairs. + + +_On Waiting at Table._ + +A domestic, who waits on the table, should be required to keep the hair +and hands in neat order, and have on a clean apron. A small teatray +should be used to carry cups and plates. The waiter should announce the +meal (when ready) to the mistress of the family, then stand by the +eating-room door, till all are in, then close the door, and step to the +left side of the lady of the house. When all are seated, the waiter +should remove the covers, taking care first to invert them, so as not to +drop the steam on the tablecloth or guests. In presenting articles, go +to the left side of the person. In pouring water never entirely fill the +tumbler. The waiter should notice when bread or water is wanting, and +hand it without being called. When plates are changed, be careful not to +drop knives or forks. Brush off crumbs, with a crumb-brush, into a small +waiter. + +When there is no domestic waiter, a light table should be set at the +left side of the mistress of the house, on which the bread, water, and +other articles not in immediate use, can be placed. + + +_On Carving and Helping at Table._ + +It is considered an accomplishment for a lady to know how to carve well, +at her own table. It is not proper to stand in carving. The +carving-knife should be sharp and thin. To carve fowls, (which should +always be laid with the breast uppermost,) place the fork in the breast, +and take off the wings and legs without turning the fowl; then cut out +the merry thought, cut slices from the breast, take out the collar bone, +cut off the side pieces, and then cut the carcass in two. Divide the +joints in the leg of a turkey. + +In helping the guests, when no choice is expressed, give a piece of both +the white and dark meat, with some of the stuffing. Inquire whether the +guest will be helped to each kind of vegetable, and put the gravy on the +plate, and not on any article of food. + +In carving a sirloin, cut thin slices from the side next to you, (it +must be put on the dish with the tenderloin underneath;) then turn it, +and cut from the tenderloin Help the guest to both kinds. + +In carving a leg of mutton, or a ham, begin by cutting across the +middle, to the bone. Cut a tongue across, and not lengthwise, and help +from the middle part. + +Carve a forequarter of lamb, by separating the shoulder from the ribs, +and then dividing the ribs. To carve a loin of veal, begin at the +smaller end and separate the ribs. Help each one to a piece of the +kidney and its fat. Carve pork and mutton in the same way. + +To carve a fillet of veal, begin at the top, and help to the stuffing +with each slice. In a breast of veal, separate the breast and brisket, +and then cut them up, asking which part is preferred. In carving a pig, +it is customary to divide it, and take off the head, before it comes to +the table; as, to many persons, the head is very revolting. Cut off the +limbs, and divide the ribs. In carving venison, make a deep incision +down to the bone, to let out the juices; then turn the broad end of the +haunch towards you, cutting deep, in thin slices. For a saddle of +venison, cut from the tail towards the other end, on each side, in thin +slices. Warm plates are very necessary, with venison and mutton, and in +Winter, are desirable for all meats. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +ON THE CARE OF CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS. + + +Every mistress of a family should see, not only that all sleeping-rooms +in her house _can be_ well ventilated at night, but that they actually +are so. Where there is no open fireplace to admit the pure air from the +exterior, a door should be left open into an entry, or room where fresh +air is admitted; or else a small opening should be made in a window, +taking care not to allow a draught of air to cross the bed. The debility +of childhood, the lassitude of domestics, and the ill-health of +families, are often caused by neglecting to provide a supply of pure +air. Straw matting is best for a chamber carpet, and strips of woollen +carpeting may be laid by the side of the bed. Where chambers have no +closets, a _wardrobe_ is indispensable. This is a moveable closet, with +doors, divided, by a perpendicular partition, into two apartments. In +one division, rows of hooks are placed, on which to hang dresses. The +other division is fitted up with shelves, for other uses. Some are made +with drawers at the bottom for shoes, and such like articles. A low +square box, set on casters, with a cushion on the top, and a drawer on +one side to put shoes in, is a great convenience in dressing the feet. +An old champaigne basket, fitted up with a cushion on the lid, and a +valance fastened to it to cover the sides, can be used for the same +purpose. + +A comfortable couch, for chambers and sitting-rooms, can be made by a +common carpenter, at a small expense. Have a frame made (like the +annexed engraving, Fig. 38,) of common stuff, six feet long, +twenty-eight inches wide, and twelve inches high. It must be made thus +low, because the casters and cushions will raise it several inches. Have +the sloping side-piece, _a_, and head-piece, _b_, sawed out of a board; +nail brown linen on them, and stuff them with soft hay or hair. Let +these be screwed to the frame, and covered with furniture patch. Then +let slats be nailed across the bottom, as at _c_, _c_, four inches +apart. This will cost two or three dollars. Then make a thick cushion, +of hay or straw, with side strips, like a mattress, and lay this for the +under-cushion. To put over this, make a thinner cushion, of hair, cover +it with furniture-calico, and fasten to it a valance reaching to the +floor. Then make two square pillows, and cover them with calico, like +the rest. Both the cushions should be stitched through like mattresses. + +[Illustration: Fig. 38.] + +The writer has seen a couch of this kind, in a common parlor, which +cost less than eight dollars, was much admired, and was a constant +comfort to the feeble mother, as well as many other members of the +family. + +Another convenience, for a room where sewing is done in Summer, is a +fancy-jar, set in one corner, to receive clippings, and any other +rubbish. It can be covered with prints, or paintings, and varnished; and +then looks very prettily. + +The trunks in a chamber can be improved in looks and comfort, by making +cushions of the same size and shape, stuffed with hay and covered with +chintz, with a frill reaching nearly to the floor. + +Every bedchamber should have a washstand, bowl, pitcher, and tumbler, +with a washbucket under the stand, to receive slops. A light screen, +made like a clothes-frame, and covered with paper or chintz, should be +furnished for bedrooms occupied by two persons, so that ablutions can be +performed in privacy. It can be ornamented, so as to look well anywhere. +A little frame, or towel-horse, by the washstand, on which to dry +towels, is a convenience. A washstand should be furnished with a sponge +or washcloth, and a small towel, for wiping the basin after using it. +This should be hung on the washstand or towel-horse, for constant use. A +soap-dish, and a dish for toothbrushes, are neat and convenient, and +each person should be furnished with two towels; one for the feet, and +one for other purposes. + +It is in good taste to have the curtains, bedquilt, valance, and +window-curtains, of similar materials. In making featherbeds, +side-pieces should be put in, like those of mattresses, and the bed +should be well filled, so that a person will not be buried in a hollow, +which is not healthful, save in extremely cold weather. Featherbeds +should never be used, except in cold weather. At other times, a thin +mattress of hair, cotton and moss, or straw, should be put over them. A +simple strip of broad straw matting, spread over a featherbed, answers +the same purpose. Nothing is more debilitating, than, in warm weather, +to sleep with a featherbed pressing round the greater part of the body. +Pillows stuffed with papers an inch square, are good for Summer, +especially for young children, whose heads should be kept cool. The +cheapest and best covering of a bed, for Winter, is a _cotton +comforter_, made to contain three or four pounds of cotton, laid in +batts or sheets, between covers tacked together at regular intervals. +They should be three yards square, and less cotton should be put at the +sides that are tucked in. It is better to have two thin comforters, to +each bed, than one thick one; as then the covering can be regulated +according to the weather. + +Few domestics will make a bed properly, without much attention from the +mistress of the family. The following directions should be given to +those who do this work. + +Open the windows, and lay off the bed-covering, on two chairs, at the +foot of the bed. After the bed is well aired, shake the feathers, from +each corner to the middle; then take up the middle, and shake it well, +and turn the bed over. Then push the feathers in place, making the head +higher than the foot, and the sides even, and as high as the middle +part. Then put on the bolster and the under sheet, so that the wrong +side of the sheet shall go next the bed, and the _marking_ come at the +head, tucking in all around. Then put on the pillows, even, so that the +open ends shall come to the sides of the bed, and then spread on the +upper sheet, so that the wrong side shall be next the blankets, and the +marked end at the head. This arrangement of sheets is to prevent the +part where the feet lie from being reversed, so as to come to the face, +and also to prevent the parts soiled by the body from coming to the +bedtick and blankets. Then put on the other covering, except the outer +one, tucking in all around, and then turn over the upper sheet, at the +head, so as to show a part of the pillows. When the pillow-cases are +clean and smooth, they look best outside of the cover, but not +otherwise. Then draw the hand along the side of the pillows, to make an +even indentation, and then smooth and shape the whole outside. A nice +housekeeper always notices the manner in which a bed is made; and in +some parts of the Country, it is rare to see this work properly +performed. + +The writer would here urge every mistress of a family, who keeps more +than one domestic, to provide them with single beds, that they may not +be obliged to sleep with all the changing domestics, who come and go so +often. Where the room is too small for two beds, a narrow trucklebed +under another, will answer. Domestics should be furnished with washing +conveniences in their chambers, and be encouraged to keep their persons +and rooms neat and in order. + + +_On Packing and Storing Articles._ + +Fold a gentleman's coat, thus:--Lay it on a table or bed, the inside +downward, and unroll the collar. Double each sleeve once, making the +crease at the elbow, and laying them so as to make the fewest wrinkles, +and parallel with the skirts. Turn the fronts over the back and sleeves, +and then turn up the skirts, making all as smooth as possible. + +Fold a shirt, thus:--One that has a bosom-piece inserted, lay on a bed, +bosom downward. Fold each sleeve twice, and lay it parallel with the +sides of the shirt. Turn the two sides, with the sleeves, over the +middle part, and then turn up the bottom, with two folds. This makes the +collar and bosom lie, unpressed, on the outside. + +Fold a frock thus:--Lay its front downward, so as to make the first +creases in folding come in the side breadths. To do this, find the +middle of the side breadths by first putting the middle of the front and +back breadths together. Next, fold over the side creases so as just to +meet the slit behind. Then fold the skirt again, so as to make the +backs lie together within and the fronts without. Then arrange the +waist and sleeves, and fold the skirt around them. + +In packing trunks, for travelling, put all heavy articles at the bottom, +covered with paper, which should not be printed, as the ink rubs off. +Put coats and pantaloons into linen cases, made for the purpose, and +furnished with strings. Fill all crevices with small articles; as, if a +trunk is not full, nor tightly packed, its contents will be shaken +about, and get injured. A thin box, the exact size of the trunk, with a +lid, and covered with brown linen, is a great convenience, to set +inside, on the top of the trunk, to contain light articles which would +be injured by tight packing. Have straps, with buckles, fastened to the +inside, near the bottom, long enough to come up and buckle over this +box. By this means, when a trunk is not quite full, this box can be +strapped over so tight, as to keep the articles from rubbing. +Under-clothing packs closer, by being rolled tightly, instead of being +folded. + +Bonnet-boxes, made of light wood, with a lock and key, are better than +the paper bandboxes so annoying to travellers. Carpet bags are very +useful, to carry the articles to be used on a journey. The best ones +have sides inserted, iron rims, and a lock and key. A large silk +travelling-bag, with a double linen lining, in which are stitched +receptacles for toothbrush, combs, and other small articles, is a very +convenient article for use when travelling. + +A bonnet-cover, made of some thin material, like a large hood with a +cape, is useful to draw over the bonnet and neck, to keep off dust, sun, +and sparks from a steam engine. Green veils are very apt to stain +bonnets, when damp. + +In packing household furniture, for moving, have each box numbered, and +then have a book, in which, as each box is packed, note down the number +of the box, and the order in which its contents are packed, as this will +save much labor and perplexity when unpacking. In packing china and +glass, wrap each article, separately, in paper, and put soft hay or +straw at bottom and all around each. Put the heaviest articles at the +bottom; and on the top of the box, write, "This side up." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +ON THE CARE OF THE KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM. + + +If parents wish their daughters to grow up with good domestic habits, +they should have, as one means of securing this result, a neat and +cheerful kitchen. A kitchen should always, if possible, be entirely +above ground, and well lighted. It should have a large sink, with a +drain running under ground, so that all the premises may be kept sweet +and clean. If flowers and shrubs be cultivated, around the doors and +windows, and the yard near them be kept well turfed, it will add very +much to their agreeable appearance. The walls should often be cleaned +and whitewashed, to promote a neat look and pure air. The floor of a +kitchen should be painted, or, which is better, covered with an +oilcloth. To procure a kitchen oilcloth as cheaply as possible, buy +cheap tow cloth, and fit it to the size and shape of the kitchen. Then +have it stretched, and nailed to the south side of the barn, and, with a +brush, cover it with a coat of thin rye paste. When this is dry, put on +a coat of yellow paint, and let it dry for a fortnight. It is safest to +first try the paint, and see if it dries well, as some paint never will +dry. Then put on a second coat, and at the end of another fortnight, a +third coat. Then let it hang two months, and it will last, uninjured, +for many years. The longer the paint is left to dry, the better. If +varnished, it will last much longer. + +A sink should be scalded out every day, and occasionally with hot ley. +On nails, over the sink, should be hung three good dish-cloths, hemmed, +and furnished with loops; one for dishes not greasy, one for greasy +dishes, and one for washing pots and kettles. These should be put in the +wash every week. The lady who insists upon this, will not be annoyed by +having her dishes washed with dark, musty, and greasy, rags, as is too +frequently the case. + +Under the sink should be kept a slop-pail; and, on a shelf by it, a +soap-dish and two water-pails. A large boiler, of warm soft water, +should always be kept over the fire, well covered, and a hearth-broom +and bellows be hung near the fire. A clock is a very important article +in the kitchen, in order to secure regularity at meals. + + +_On Washing Dishes._ + +No item of domestic labor is so frequently done in a negligent manner, +by domestics, as this. A full supply of conveniences, will do much +toward a remedy of this evil. A swab, made of strips of linen, tied to a +stick, is useful to wash nice dishes, especially small, deep articles. +Two or three towels, and three dish-cloths, should be used. Two large +tin tubs, painted on the outside, should be provided; one for washing, +and one for rinsing; also, a large old waiter, on which to drain the +dishes. A soap-dish, with hard soap, and a fork, with which to use it, a +slop-pail, and two pails for water, should also be furnished. Then, if +there be danger of neglect, the following rules for washing dishes, +legibly written, may be hung up by the sink, and it will aid in +promoting the desired care and neatness. + + +_Rules for Washing Dishes._ + +1. Scrape the dishes, putting away any food which may remain on them, +and which it may be proper to save for future use. Put grease into the +grease-pot, and whatever else may be on the plates, into the slop-pail. +Save tea-leaves, for sweeping. Set all the dishes, when scraped, in +regular piles; the smallest at the top. + +2. Put the nicest articles in the wash-dish, and wash them in hot suds, +with the swab or nicest dish-cloth. Wipe all metal articles, as soon as +they are washed. Put all the rest into the rinsing-dish, which should +be filled with hot water. When they are taken out, lay them to drain on +the waiter. Then rinse the dish-cloth, and hang it up, wipe the articles +washed, and put them in their places. + +3. Pour in more hot water, wash the greasy dishes with the dish-cloth +made for them; rinse them, and set them to drain. Wipe them, and set +them away. Wash the knives and forks, _being careful that the handles +are never put in water_; wipe them, and then lay them in a knife-dish, +to be scoured. + +4. Take a fresh supply of clean suds, in which, wash the milk-pans, +buckets, and tins. Then rinse and hang up this dish-cloth, and take the +other; with which, wash the roaster, gridiron, pots, and kettles. Then +wash and rinse the dish-cloth, and hang it up. Empty the slop-bucket and +scald it. Dry metal teapots and tins before the fire. Then put the +fireplace in order, and sweep and dust the kitchen. + +Some persons keep a deep and narrow vessel, in which to wash knives with +a swab, so that a careless domestic _cannot_ lay them in the water while +washing them. This article can be carried into the eating-room, to +receive the knives and forks, when they are taken from the table. + + +_Kitchen Furniture._ + +_Crockery._ Brown earthen pans are said to be best, for milk and for +cooking. Tin pans are lighter, and more convenient, but are too cold for +many purposes. Tall earthen jars, with covers, are good to hold butter, +salt, lard, &c. Acids should never be put into the red earthen ware, as +there is a poisonous ingredient in the glazing, which the acid takes +off. Stone ware is better, and stronger, and safer, every way, than any +other kind. + +_Iron Ware._ Many kitchens are very imperfectly supplied with the +requisite conveniences for cooking. When a person has sufficient means, +the following articles are all desirable. A nest of iron pots, of +different sizes, (they should be slowly heated, when new;) a long iron +fork, to take out articles from boiling water; an iron hook, with a +handle, to lift pots from the crane; a large and small gridiron, with +grooved bars, and a trench to catch the grease; a Dutch oven, called, +also, a bakepan; two skillets, of different sizes, and a spider, or flat +skillet, for frying; a griddle, a waffle-iron, tin and iron bake and +bread-pans; two ladles, of different sizes; a skimmer; iron skewers; a +toasting-iron; two teakettles, one small and one large one; two brass +kettles, of different sizes, for soap-boiling, &c. Iron kettles, lined +with porcelain, are better for preserves. The German are the best. Too +hot a fire will crack them, but with care in this respect, they will +last for many years. + +Portable furnaces, of iron or clay, are very useful, in Summer, in +washing, ironing, and stewing, or making preserves. If used in the +house, a strong draught must be made, to prevent the deleterious effects +of the charcoal. A box and mill, for spice, pepper, and coffee, are +needful to those who use these articles. Strong knives and forks, a +sharp carving-knife, an iron cleaver and board, a fine saw, steelyards, +chopping-tray and knife, an apple-parer, steel for sharpening knives, +sugar-nippers, a dozen iron spoons, also a large iron one with a long +handle, six or eight flatirons, one of them very small, two iron-stands, +a ruffle-iron, a crimping-iron, are also desirable. + +_Tin Ware._ Bread-pans, large and small pattypans, cake-pans, with a +centre tube to insure their baking well, pie-dishes, (of block-tin,) a +covered butter-kettle, covered kettles to hold berries, two sauce-pans, +a large oil-can, (with a cock,) a lamp-filler, a lantern, broad-bottomed +candlesticks for the kitchen, a candle-box, a funnel or tunnel, a +reflector, for baking warm cakes, an oven or tin-kitchen, an +apple-corer, an apple-roaster, an egg-boiler, two sugar-scoops, and +flour and meal-scoop, a set of mugs, three dippers, a pint, quart, and +gallon measure, a set of scales and weights, three or four pails, +painted on the outside, a slop-bucket, with a tight cover, painted on +the outside, a milk-strainer, a gravy-strainer, a colander, a +dredging-box, a pepper-box, a large and small grater, a box, in which to +keep cheese, also a large one for cake, and a still larger one for +bread, with tight covers. Bread, cake, and cheese, shut up in this way, +will not grow dry as in the open air. + +_Wooden Ware._ A nest of tubs, a set of pails and bowls, a large and +small sieve, a beetle for mashing potatoes, a spad or stick for stirring +butter and sugar, a bread-board, for moulding bread and making +pie-crust, a coffee-stick, a clothes-stick, a mush-stick, a meat-beetle +to pound tough meat, an egg-beater, a ladle for working butter, a +bread-trough, (for a large family,) flour-buckets, with lids to hold +sifted flour and Indian meal, salt-boxes, sugar-boxes, starch and +indigo-boxes, spice-boxes, a bosom-board, a skirt-board, a large +ironing-board, two or three clothes-frames, and six dozen clothes-pins. + +_Basket Ware._ Baskets, of all sizes, for eggs, fruit, marketing, +clothes, &c.; also chip-baskets. When often used, they should be washed +in hot suds. + +_Other Articles._ Every kitchen needs a box containing balls of brown +thread and twine, a large and small darning needle, rolls of waste-paper +and old linen and cotton, and a supply of common holders. There should +also be another box, containing a hammer, carpet-tacks, and nails of all +sizes, a carpet-claw, screws and a screw-driver, pincers, gimlets of +several sizes, a bed-screw, a small saw, two chisels, (one to use for +buttonholes in broadcloth,) two awls, and two files. + +In a drawer, or cupboard, should be placed, cotton table-cloths, for +kitchen use, nice crash towels, for tumblers, marked, T T; coarser +towels, for dishes, marked, T; six large roller-towels; a dozen +hand-towels, marked, H T; and a dozen hemmed dish-cloths, with loops. +Also, two thick linen pudding or dumpling-cloths, a gelly-bag, made of +white flannel, to strain gelly, a starch-strainer, and a bag for boiling +clothes. + +In a closet, should be kept, arranged in order, the following articles: +the dust-pan, dust-brush, and dusting-cloths, old flannel and cotton for +scouring and rubbing, sponges for washing windows and looking-glasses, a +long brush for cobwebs, and another for washing the outside of windows, +whisk-brooms, common brooms, a coat-broom or brush, a whitewash-brush, a +stove-brush, shoebrushes and blacking, articles for cleaning tin and +silver, leather for cleaning metals, bottles containing stain-mixtures, +and other articles used in cleansing. + + +ON THE CARE OF THE CELLAR. + +A cellar should often be whitewashed, to keep it sweet. It should have a +drain, to keep it perfectly dry, as standing water, in a cellar, is a +sure cause of disease in a family. It is very dangerous to leave decayed +vegetables in a cellar. Many a fever has been caused, by the poisonous +miasm thus generated. The following articles are desirable in a cellar: +a safe, or moveable closet, with sides of wire or perforated tin, in +which cold meats, cream, and other articles should be kept; (if ants be +troublesome, set the legs in tin cups of water;) a refrigerator, or +large wooden box, on feet, with a lining of tin or zinc, and a space +between the tin and wood filled with powdered charcoal, having at the +bottom, a place for ice, a drain to carry off the water, and also +moveable shelves and partitions. In this, articles are kept cool. It +should be cleaned, once a week. Filtering jars, to purify water, should +also be kept in the cellar. Fish and cabbages, in a cellar, are apt to +scent a house, and give a bad taste to other articles. + + +STOREROOM. + +Every house needs a storeroom, in which to keep tea, coffee, sugar, +rice, candles, &c. It should be furnished with jars, having labels, a +large spoon, a fork, sugar and flour-scoops, a towel, and a dish-cloth. + + +_Modes of destroying Insects and Vermin._ + +_Bed-bugs_ should be kept away, by filling every chink in the bedstead +with putty, and, if it be old, painting it over. Of all the mixtures for +killing them, _corrosive sublimate and alcohol_ is the surest. This is a +strong poison. + +_Cockroaches_ may be destroyed, by pouring boiling water into their +haunts, or setting a mixture of arsenic, mixed with Indian meal and +molasses, where they are found. Chloride of lime and sweetened water +will also poison them. + +_Fleas._ If a dog be infested with these insects, put him in a tub of +warm soapsuds, and they will rise to the surface. Take them off, and +burn them. Strong perfumes, about the person, diminish their attacks. +When caught between the fingers, plunge them in water, or they will +escape. + +_Crickets._ Scalding, and sprinkling Scotch snuff about the haunts of +these insects, are remedies for the annoyance caused by them. + +_Flies_ can be killed, in great quantities, by placing about the house +vessels, filled with sweetened water and _cobalt_. Six cents worth of +cobalt is enough for a pint of water. It is very poisonous. + +_Musquitoes._ Close nets around a bed, are the only sure protection at +night, against these insects. Spirit of hartshorn is the best antidote +for their bite. Salt and water is good. + +_Red_ or _Black Ants_ may be driven away, by scalding their haunts, and +putting Scotch snuff wherever they go for food. Set the legs of closets +and safes in pans of water, and they cannot get at them. + +_Moths._ Airing clothes does not destroy moths, but laying them in a hot +sun does. If articles be tightly sewed up in linen, and fine tobacco be +put about them, it is a sure protection. This should be done in April. + +_Rats and Mice._ A good cat is the best remedy for these annoyances. +Equal quantities of hemlock, (or _cicuta_,) and old cheese, will poison +them, but this renders the house liable to the inconvenience of a bad +smell. This evil, however, may be lessened, by placing a dish, +containing oil of vitriol poured on saltpetre, where the smell is most +annoying. Chloride of lime and water is also good. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING. + + +Every young girl should be taught to do the following kinds of stitch, +with propriety. Over-stitch, hemming, running, felling, stitching, +back-stitch and run, buttonhole-stitch, chain-stitch, whipping, darning, +gathering, and cross-stitch. + +In doing over-stitch, the edges should always be first fitted, either +with pins or basting, to prevent puckering. In turning wide hems, a +paper measure should be used, to make them even. Tucks, also, should be +regulated by a paper measure. A fell should be turned, before the edges +are put together, and the seam should be over-sewed, before felling. All +biased or goring seams should be felled. For stitching, draw a thread, +and take up two or three threads at a stitch. + +In making buttonholes, it is best to have a pair of scissors, made for +the purpose, which cut very neatly. For broadcloth, a chisel and board +are better. The best stitch is made by putting in the needle, and then +turning the thread around it, near the eye. This is better than to draw +the needle through, and then take up a loop. A thread should first be +put across each side of the buttonhole, and also a stay-thread, or bar, +at each end, before working it. In working the buttonhole, keep the +stay-thread as far from the edge as possible. A small bar should be +worked at each end. Whipping is done better by sewing _over_, and not +under. The roll should be as fine as possible, the stitches short, the +thread strong, and in sewing, every gather should be taken up. + +The rule for _gathering_, in shirts, is, to draw a thread, and then take +up two threads and skip four. In _darning_, after the perpendicular +threads are run, the crossing threads should interlace, exactly, taking +one thread and leaving one, like woven threads. + +The neatest sewers always fit and baste their work, before sewing; and +they say they always save time in the end, by so doing, as they never +have to pick out work, on account of mistakes. + +It is wise to sew closely and tightly all new garments, which will never +be altered in shape; but some are more nice than wise, in sewing frocks, +and old garments, in the same style. However, this is the least common +extreme. It is much more frequently the case, that articles, which ought +to be strongly and neatly made, are sewed so that a nice sewer would +rather pick out the threads and sew over again, than to be annoyed with +the sight of grinning stitches, and vexed with constant rips. + +_Workbaskets._ It is very important to neatness, comfort, and success in +sewing, that a lady's workbasket should be properly fitted up. The +following articles are needful to the mistress of a family: a large +basket, to hold work; having in it, fastened, a smaller basket, or box, +containing a needle-book, in which are needles of every size, both +blunts and sharps, with a larger number of those sizes most used; also, +small and large darning-needles, for woollen, cotton, and silk; two +tape-needles, large and small; nice scissors, for fine work; buttonhole +scissors; an emery-bag; two balls of white and yellow wax; and two +thimbles, in case one should be mislaid. When a person is troubled with +damp fingers, a lump of soft chalk, in a paper, is useful, to rub on the +ends of the fingers. + +Besides this box, keep in the basket, common scissors; small shears; a +bag containing tapes, of all colors and sizes, done up in rolls; bags, +one, containing spools of white, and another of colored, cotton thread, +and another for silks, wound on spools or papers; a box or bag for nice +buttons, and another for more common ones; a bag containing silk braid, +welting cords, and galloon binding. Small rolls of pieces of white and +brown linen and cotton, are also often needed. A brick pincushion is a +great convenience, in sewing, and better than screw-cushions. It is made +by covering half a brick with cloth, putting a cushion on the top, and +covering it tastefully. It is very useful to hold pins and needles, +while sewing, and to fasten long seams when basting and sewing. + +_To make a Frock._ The best way for a novice, is, to get a dress fitted +(not sewed) at the best mantuamaker's. Then take out a sleeve, rip it +to pieces, and cut out a pattern. Then take out half of the waist, (it +must have a seam in front,) and cut out a pattern of the back and +fore-body, both lining and outer part. In cutting the patterns, iron the +pieces, smooth, let the paper be stiff, and, with a pin, prick holes in +the paper, to show the gore in front, and the depth of the seams. With a +pen and ink, draw lines from each pinhole, to preserve this mark. Then +baste the parts together again, in doing which, the unbasted half will +serve as a pattern. When this is done, a lady of common ingenuity can +cut and fit a dress, by these patterns. If the waist of a dress be too +tight, the seam under the arm must be let out; and in cutting a dress, +an allowance should be made, for letting it out, if needful, at this +seam. The lining of the fore-body must be biased. + +The linings for the waists of dresses should be stiffened cotton or +linen. In cutting bias-pieces, for trimming, they will not set well, +unless they are exact. In cutting them, use a long rule, and a lead +pencil or piece of chalk. Welting-cords should be covered with +bias-pieces; and it saves time, in many cases, to baste on the +welting-cord, at the same time that you cover it. The best way to put on +hooks and eyes, is to sew them on double broad tape, and then sew this +on the frock-lining. They can then be moved easily, and do not show +where they are sewed on. + +In cutting a sleeve, double it biased. The skirts of dresses look badly, +if not full; and in putting on lining, at the bottom, be careful to have +it a very little fuller than the dress, or it will shrink, and look +badly. All thin silks look much better with lining, and last much +longer, as do aprons, also. In putting a lining to a dress, baste it on +each separate breadth, and sew it in at the seams, and it looks much +better than to have it fastened only at the bottom. Make notches in +selvedge, to prevent it from drawing up the breadth. Dresses, which are +to be washed, should not be lined. + +Figured silks do not generally wear well, if the figure be large and +satin-like. Black and plain-colored silks can be tested, by procuring +samples, and making creases in them; fold the creases in a bunch, and +rub them against a rough surface, of moreen or carpeting. Those which +are poor, will soon wear off, at the creases. Plaids look becoming, for +tall women, as they shorten the appearance of the figure. Stripes look +becoming, on a large person, as they reduce the apparent size. Pale +persons should not wear blue or green, and brunettes should not wear +light delicate colors, except shades of buff, fawn, or straw color. +Pearl white is not good for any complexion. Dead white and black look +becoming on almost all persons. It is best to try colors, by +candle-light, for evening dresses; as some colors, which look very +handsome in the daylight, are very homely when seen by candle-light. +Never cut a dress low in the neck, as this shows that a woman is not +properly instructed in the rules of modesty and decorum, or that she has +not sense enough to regard them. Never be in haste to be first in a +fashion, and never go to the extremes. + +In buying linen, seek for that which has a round close thread, and is +perfectly white; for, if it be not white, at first, it will never +afterwards become so. Much that is called linen, at the shops, is half +cotton, and does not wear so well as cotton alone. Cheap linens are +usually of this kind. It is difficult to discover which are all linen; +but the best way, is, to find a lot, presumed to be good, take a sample, +wash it, and ravel it. If this be good, the rest of the same lot will +probably be so. If you cannot do this, draw a thread, each way, and if +both appear equally strong, it is probably all linen. Linen and cotton +must be put in clean water, and boiled, to get out the starch, and then +ironed. A long piece of linen, a yard wide, will, with care and +calculation, make eight shirts. In cutting it, take a shirt of the right +size, as a guide, in fitting and basting. Bosom-pieces, false collars, +&c. must be cut and fitted, by a pattern which suits the person for whom +the articles are designed. Gentlemen's night-shirts are made like other +shirts, except that they are longer. In cutting chemises, if the cotton +or linen is a yard wide, cut off small half gores, at the top of the +breadths, and set them on the bottom. Use a long rule and a pencil, in +cutting gores. In cutting cotton, which is quite wide, a seam can be +saved, by cutting out two at once, in this manner:--cut off three +breadths, and, with a long rule and a pencil, mark and cut off the +gores, thus: from one breadth, cut off two gores, the whole length, each +gore one fourth of the breadth, at the bottom, and tapering off to a +point, at the top. The other two breadths are to have a gore cut off +from each, which is one fourth wide at top, and two fourths at bottom. +Arrange these pieces right, and they will make two chemises, one having +four seams, and the other three. This is a much easier way of cutting, +than sewing the three breadths together, in bag-fashion, as is often +done. The biased, or goring seams, must always be felled. The sleeves +and neck can be cut according to the taste of the wearer, by another +chemise for a pattern. There should be a lining around the armholes, +and stays at all corners. Six yards, of yard width, will make two +chemises. + +Old silk dresses, quilted for skirts, are very serviceable. White +flannel is soiled so easily, and shrinks so much in washing, that it is +a good plan to color it a light dove-color, according to the receipt +given on page 301. Cotton flannel, dyed thus, is also good for common +skirts. In making up flannel, back-stitch and run the seams, and then +cross-stitch them open. Nice flannel, for infants, can be ornamented, +with very little expense of time, by turning up the hem, on the right +side, and making a little vine at the edge, with saddler's silk. The +stitch of the vine is a modification of buttonhole-stitch. + +Long night gowns are best, cut a little goring. It requires five yards, +for a long nightgown, and two and a half for a short one. Linen +nightcaps wear longer than cotton ones, and do not, like them, turn +yellow. They should be ruffled with linen, as cotton borders will not +last so long as the cap. A double-quilted wrapper is a great comfort, in +case of sickness. It may be made of two old dresses. It should not be +cut full, but rather like a gentleman's study-gown, having no gathers or +plaits, but large enough to slip off and on with ease. A double gown, of +calico, is also very useful. Most articles of dress, for grown persons +or children, require patterns. + +_Bedding._ The best beds, are thick hair mattresses, which, for persons +in health, are good for Winter as well as Summer use. Mattresses may +also be made of husks, dried and drawn into shreds; also, of alternate +layers of cotton and moss. The most profitable sheeting, is the Russian, +which will last three times as long as any other. It is never perfectly +white. Unbleached cotton is good for Winter. It is poor economy to make +narrow and short sheets, as children and domestics will always slip them +off, and soil the bedtick and bolster. They should be three yards long, +and two and a half wide, so that they can be tucked in all around. All +bed-linen should be marked and numbered, so that a bed can always be +made properly, and all missing articles be known. + +_Mending._ Silk dresses will last much longer, by ripping out the +sleeves, when thin, and changing the arms, and also the breadths of the +skirt. Tumbled black silk, which is old and rusty, should be dipped in +water, then be drained for a few minutes, without squeezing or pressing, +and then ironed. Cold tea is better than water. Sheets, when worn thin +in the middle, should be ripped, and the other edges sewed together. +Window-curtains last much longer, if lined, as the sun fades and rots +them. Broadcloth should be cut with reference to the way the nap runs. +When pantaloons are thin, it is best to newly seat them, cutting the +piece inserted in a curve, as corners are difficult to fit. When the +knees are thin, it is a case of domestic surgery, which demands +_amputation_. This is performed, by cutting off both legs, some distance +above the knees, and then changing the legs. Take care to cut them off +exactly of the same length, or in the exchange they will not fit. This +method brings the worn spot under the knees, and the seam looks much +better than a patch and darn. Hose can be cut down, when the feet are +worn. Take an old stocking, and cut it up for a pattern. Make the heel +short. In sewing, turn each edge, and run it down, and then sew over the +edges. This is better than to stitch and then cross-stitch. Run thin +places in stockings, and it will save darning a hole. If shoes are worn +through on the sides, in the upper-leather, slip pieces of broadcloth +under, and sew them around the holes. If, in sewing, the thread kinks, +break it off and begin at the other end. In using spool-cotton, thread +the needle with the end which comes off first, and not the end where you +break it off. This often prevents kinks. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. + + +The authorities consulted in the preparation of this and kindred +chapters, are, Loudon's Encyclopædia of Gardening, Bridgeman's Young +Gardener, Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture, the writings of Judge +Buel,[T] and Downing's Landscape Gardening. + + +_On the Preparation of Soil._ + +If the garden soil be clayey, and adhesive, put on a covering of sand, +three inches thick, and the same depth of well-rotted manure. Spade it +in, as deep as possible, and mix it well. If the soil be sandy and +loose, spade in clay and ashes. Ashes are good for all kinds of soil, as +they loosen those which are close, hold moisture in those which are +sandy, and destroy insects. The best kind of soil, is that, which will +hold water the longest, without becoming hard, when dry. + +_To prepare Soil for Pot-plants_, take one fourth part of common soil, +one fourth part of well-decayed manure, and one half of vegetable mould, +from the woods, or from a chip-yard. Break up the manure, fine, and sift +it through a lime-screen, (or coarse wire sieve.) These materials must +be thoroughly mixed. When the common soil which is used, is adhesive, +and, indeed, in most other cases, it is necessary to add sand, the +proportion of which, must depend on the nature of the soil. + +_On the Preparation of a Hot Bed._ Dig a pit, six feet long, five feet +wide, and thirty inches deep. Make a frame, of the same size, with the +back two feet high, the front fifteen inches, and the sides sloped from +the back to the front. Make two sashes, each three feet by five, with +the panes of glass lapping like shingles, instead of having cross bars. +Set the frame over the pit, which should then be filled with fresh +horse-dung, which has not lain long, nor been sodden by water. Tread it +down, hard, then put into the frame, light, and very rich soil, ten or +twelve inches deep, and cover it with the sashes, for two or three days. +Then stir the soil, and sow the seeds in shallow drills, placing sticks +by them, to mark the different kinds. Keep the frame covered with the +glass, whenever it is cold enough to chill the plants; but at all other +times, admit fresh air, which is indispensable to their health. When the +sun is quite warm, raise the glasses, enough to admit air, and cover +them with matting or blankets, or else the sun may kill the young +plants. Water the bed at evening, with water which has stood all day, +or, if it be fresh drawn, add a little warm water. If there be too much +heat in the bed, so as to scorch or wither the plants, make deep holes, +with stakes, and fill them up when the heat is reduced. In very cold +nights, cover the box with straw. + + +_On Planting Flower Seeds._ + +Break up the soil, till it is very soft, and free from lumps. Rub that +nearest the surface, between the hands, to make it fine. Make a circular +drill, a foot in diameter. For seeds as large as sweet peas, it should +be half an inch deep. The smallest seeds must be planted very near the +surface, and a very little fine earth be sifted over them. Seeds are to +be planted either deeper or nearer the surface, according to their size. +After covering them with soil, beat them down with a trowel, so as to +make the earth as compact as it is after a heavy shower. Set up a stick, +in the middle of the circle, with the name of the plant heavily written +upon it, with a dark lead pencil. This remains more permanent, if white +lead be first rubbed over the surface. Never plant, when the soil is +very wet. In very dry times, water the seeds at night. Never use very +cold water. When the seeds are small, many should be planted together, +that they may assist each other in breaking the soil. When the plants +are an inch high, thin them out, leaving only one or two, if the plant +be a large one, like the Balsam; five or six, when it is of a medium +size; and eighteen or twenty of the smaller size. Transplanting, retards +the growth of a plant about a fortnight. It is best to plant at two +different times, lest the first planting should fail, owing to wet or +cold weather. + + +_To Plant Garden Seeds._ + +Make the beds a yard wide; lay across them a board, a yard long and a +foot wide, and, with a stick, make a furrow, on each side of it, one +inch deep. Scatter the seeds in this furrow, and cover them. Then lay +the board over them and step on it, to press down the earth. When the +plants are an inch high, thin them out, leaving spaces proportioned to +their sizes. Seeds of a similar species, such as melons and squashes, +should not be planted very near to each other, as this causes them to +degenerate. The same kinds of vegetables should not be planted in the +same place, for two years in succession. + + +_On Transplanting._ + +Transplant at evening, or, which is better, just before a shower. Take a +round stick, sharpened at the point, and make openings to receive the +plants. Set them a very little deeper than they were before, and press +the soil firmly round them. Then water them, and cover them for three or +four days, taking care that sufficient air be admitted. If the plant can +be removed, without disturbing the soil around the root, it will not be +at all retarded, by transplanting. Never remove leaves and branches, +unless a part of the roots be lost. + + +_To Re-pot House-Plants._ + +Renew the soil, every year, soon after the time of blossoming. Prepare +soil, as previously directed. Loosen the earth from the pot, by passing +a knife around the sides. Turn the plant upside down, and remove the +pot. Then remove all the matted fibres at the bottom, and all the earth, +except that which adheres to the roots. From woody plants, like roses, +shake off all the earth. Take the new pot, and put a piece of broken +earthen-ware over the hole at the bottom; and then, holding the plant in +the proper position, shake in the earth, around it. Then pour in water, +to settle the earth, and heap on fresh soil, till the pot is even full. +Small pots are considered better than large ones, as the roots are not +so likely to rot, from excess of moisture. + + +_On the Laying out of Yards and Gardens._ + +In planting trees, in a yard, they should be arranged in groups, and +never planted in straight lines, nor sprinkled about, as solitary trees. +The object of this arrangement, is, to imitate Nature, and secure some +spots of dense shade and some of cleared turf. In yards which are +covered with turf, beds can be cut out of it, and raised for flowers. A +trench should be made around, to prevent the grass from running on them. +These beds can be made in the shape of crescents, ovals, or other +fanciful forms, of which, the figure below is one specimen. + +[Illustration: Fig. 39.] + +In laying out beds, in gardens and yards, a very pretty bordering can be +made, by planting them with common flax seed, in a line about three +inches from the edge. This can be trimmed, with shears, when it grows +too high. + + +_On the Cultivation of Bulbs, and Tuberous Roots._ + +For planting the _Amaryllis_, take one third part of leaf mould, half as +much sand, and the remainder, earth from under fresh grass sods. Plant +them in May. The bulb should not be set more than half its depth in the +ground. + +The _Anemone_ and _Ranunculus_ are medium, or half-hardy, roots. They +should be planted in soil which is enriched with cowdung, and the beds +should be raised only an inch from the walk. They must be planted in +October, in drills, two inches deep, the claws of the roots downward, +and be shaded when they begin to bud. + +The _Crocus_ must be planted in October, two inches deep, and four +inches apart. In measuring the depth, always calculate from the top of +the bulb. + +_Crown Imperial._ This must be planted in September, three or four +inches deep; and need not be taken up but once in three years. + +_Gladiolus._ Those who have greenhouses, or pits, plant the Gladiolus in +October, and preserve it in pots through the Winter. Those who have not +these conveniences, may plant these bulbs late in April. The earth must +be composed of one half common soil, one fourth leaf mould, and one +fourth sand. Plant them about an inch deep. + +_Hyacinths_ should be planted in October, eight inches apart, and three +or four inches deep, in a rich soil. + +_Jonquilles_ should be planted in October, two inches deep, in a rich +soil, and should not be taken up oftener than once in three years. + +_Narcissus._ This should be planted in October, four inches deep; +covered, through the Winter, with straw and leaves, six inches thick; +and uncovered in the middle of March. + +_Oxalis._ Plant this in September, in a soil, composed of two thirds +common earth, and one third leaf mould. The old bulb dies after +blossoming, and is succeeded by a new one. + +Plant _Tulips_, in rich soil, in October, three inches deep. + +Plant _Tuberoses_ late in April, in a rich, sandy soil. They are +delicate plants, and should be covered, in case of frosts. + +_Daffodils_ should be planted two inches deep. + +When bulbs have done flowering, and their leaves begin to decay, they +should be taken up and dried, and kept in a dry place, till October, +when they are to be replanted, taking off the offsets, and putting them +in a bed by themselves. + +Bulbs which blossom in water, or are in any other way forced to bloom +out of season, are so much exhausted by it, that it takes them two or +three years to recover their beauty. + +_Dahlias._ Dig a hole, a foot and a half deep; fill it with very light, +loose, and rich, soil; and drive in a stake, a yard and a half high, to +which, to tie the future plants. Then set in the root, so that it shall +be an inch below the soil, where the sprout starts. When the plants are +two feet high, tie them to the stakes, and take off some of the lower +side-shoots. Continue to tie them, as their growth advances. If the +roots are planted in the open borders, without any previous growth, it +should be done as early as the first of May, and they should be covered +from the frosts. When they are brought forward, in pots or hot-beds, +they should be put out, in the middle of June. It is said, by gardeners, +that late planting, is better than early, for producing perfect flowers. +In the Autumn, after the frosts have destroyed the tops, let the roots +remain awhile in the ground, to ripen; then dig them up, and pack them +away, in some place where they will neither mould, from dampness, nor +freeze. In the Spring, these roots will throw out sprouts, and must then +be divided, so as to leave a good shoot, attached to a piece of the +tuber or old stem, and each shoot will make a new plant. It is stated, +that if the shoots themselves, without any root, be planted in light +soil, covered with a bell-glass, or large tumbler, and carefully +watered, they will produce plants superior to those with roots. + + +_Annuals_ + +These are flowers which last only one season. They should be so planted, +that the tallest may be in the middle of a bed, and the shortest at the +edges; and flowers of a similar color should not be planted adjacent to +each other. + +The following is a list of some of the handsomest Annuals, arranged with +reference to their color and height. Those with a star before them, do +best when sowed in the Autumn. Those with _tr._ after them, are trailing +plants. + + +SIX INCHES TO ONE FOOT HIGH. + +_White._ Ice Plant, Sweet Alyssum, White Leptosiphon, Walker's +Schizopetalon, Blumenbachia insignis, *Candytuft. + +_Yellow._ *Yellow Chryseis or Eschscholtzia, Sanvitalia procumbens, +_tr._, Musk-flowered Mimulus. + +_Rose._ Many-flowered Catchfly, Rose-colored Verbena, _tr._ + +_Red._ *Chinese Annual Pink, Virginian Stock, Calandrinia Speciosa. + +_Blue._ Graceful Lobelia, Nemophila insignis, Clintonia pulchella, +Clintonia elegans, Nolana atriplicifolia, _tr._, Anagallis indica, +Commelina coelestis, Grove Love, Pimpernel (blue.) + +_Varying Colors._ *Heart's Ease, or Pansy, Dwarf Love in a Mist, *Rose +Campion. + + +ONE FOOT TO EIGHTEEN INCHES HIGH. + +_White._ Venus's Looking Glass, Priest's Schizanthus, Sweet-scented +Stevia, White Evening Primrose. + +_Yellow._ Drummond's Coreopsis, *New Dark Coreopsis, Golden Hawkweed, +Dracopis amplexicaulis, Drummond's Primrose, Cladanthus arabicus, +Peroffsky's Erysimum. + +_Rose._ Drummond's Phlox, Rodanthe, Rose-colored Nonea, Clarkia rosea, +Silene Tenorei, Silene armeria. + +_Red._ Crimson Coxcomb, Silene pendula, Crimson Dew Plant, _tr._ + +_Scarlet._ Cacalia coccinea, Flos Adonis, Scarlet Zinnia, Mexican +Cuphea. + +_Lilac and Purple._ Clarkia elegans, Clarkia pulchella, *Purple +Candytuft, *Purple Petunia, _tr._, *Crimson Candytuft, Double Purple +Jacobæa, Leptosiphon androsaceus, all the varieties of Schizanthus, +Veined Verbena, _tr._, *Purple eternal Flower. + +_Blue._ Ageratum Mexicanum, *Gilia capitata, Spanish Nigella, Blue +Eutoca, Dwarf Convolvulus, Didiscus coeruleus. + +_Lilac, Purple_, or _Blue and White._ Collinsia bicolor, Gilia tricolor. + +_Very Dark._ Lotus Jacobæus, Salpiglossis, Scabious. + +_Colors varying._ German Aster, Balsam, Rocket Larkspur, Ten-week Stock, +Poppy. + + +EIGHTEEN INCHES TO TWO FEET. + +_White._ *White Petunia, _tr._, White Clarkia, Double White Jacobæa, +Love in a Mist. + +_Red._ *Lavatera trimestris, Red Zinnia, Malva miniata. + +_Lilac and Purple._ Globe Amaranthus, Purple Sweet Sultan, Sweet +Scabious, Purple Zinnia, Prince's Feather, Large Blue Lupine, *Catchfly. + + +TWO FEET AND UPWARDS. + +_White._ Winged Ammobium, *White Lavatera, White Sweet Sultan, *New +White Eternal Flower, White Helicrysum, *White Larkspur. + +_Yellow._ Golden Bartonia, *Golden Coreopsis, Yellow Sweet Sultan, +African Marigold, Yellow Argemone, French Marigold, Yellow Coxcomb, +Yellow Hibiscus. + +The Malope grandiflora and the Cleome are fine tall annuals. + + +_Climbing Plants._ + +The following are the most beautiful _annual climbers_: Crimson, and +White, Cypress Vine; White, and Buff, Thunbergia; Scarlet Flowering +Bean; Hyacinth Bean Loasa; Morning Glory; Crimson, and Spotted, +Nasturtium; Balloon Vine; Sweet Pea; Tangier Pea; Lord Anson's Pea; +Climbing Cobæa; Pink, and White, Maurandia. + +The following are the most valuable _perennial climbers_: Sweet-scented +Monthly Honeysuckle; Yellow, White, and Coral, Honeysuckles; Purple +Glycine; Clematis; Bitter Sweet; Trumpet Creeper. + +The Everlasting Pea is a beautiful perennial climber. The Climbing +Cobæa, and Passion Flower, are also beautiful perennials, but must be +protected in Winter. + + +_Perennials._ + +Those who cannot afford every year to devote the time necessary to the +raising of annuals, will do well to supply their borders with +perennials. The following is a list of some of those generally +preferred. + +Adonis, yellow; Columbine, all colors; Alyssum, yellow; Asclepias, +orange and purple; Bee Larkspur, blue; Perennial Larkspur, all colors; +Cardinal Flower, scarlet; Chinese Pink, various colors; Clove Pink; +Foxglove, purple and white; Gentian, purple and yellow; Hollyhock, +various colors; *Lily of the Valley; American Phlox, various colors; +Scarlet Lychnis; Monkshood, white and blue; *Spirea, white, and pink; +*Ragged Robin, pink; Rudbeckia, yellow, and purple; Sweet William, in +variety. Those marked with a star cannot be obtained from seed, but must +be propagated by roots, layers, &c. + + +_Herbaceous Roots._ + +These are such as die to the root, in the Fall, and come up again in the +Spring, such as Pæonies, crimson, white, sweet-scented, and +straw-colored; Artemisia, of many colors; White and Purple +Fleur-de-lis; White, Tiger, Fire, and other Lilies; Little Blue Iris; +Chrysanthemums, &c. These are propagated by dividing the roots. + + +_Shrubs._ + +The following are the finest _Shrubs for yards_: Lilacs, (which, by +budding, can have white and purple on the same tree,) Double Syringas, +Double Althæas, Corchorus Japonicus, Snow-berry, Double-flowering +Almond, Pyrus Japonica, Common Barberry, Burning Bush, Rose Acacia, +Yellow Laburnum. The following are the finest Roses: Moss Rose, White, +and Red; Double and Single Yellow Rose, (the last needs a gravelly soil +and northern exposure;) Yellow Multiflora; La Belle Africana; Small +Eglantine, for borders; Champney's Blush Rose; Noisette; Greville, (very +fine;) Damask; Blush, White, and Cabbage Roses. Moss Roses, when budded +on other rose bushes, last only three years. + +_Shade Trees._ The following are among the finest: Mountain Ash; +Ailanthus, or Tree of Heaven, (grows very fast;) Tulip Tree; Linden; +Elm; Locust; Maple; Dog Wood; Horse Chestnut; Catalpa; Hemlock; Silver +Fir; and Cedar. These should be grouped, in such a manner that trees of +different shades of green, and of different heights, should stand in the +same group. + +The Autumn is the best time for transplanting trees. Take as much of the +root, as possible, especially the little fibres, which should never +become dry. If kept long, before they are set out, put wet moss around +them, and water them. Dig holes, larger than the extent of the roots; +let one person hold the tree in its former position, and another place +the roots, carefully, as they were before, cutting off any broken or +wounded root. _Be careful not to let the tree be more than an inch +deeper than it was before._ Let the soil be soft, and well manured; +shake the tree, as the soil is shaken in, that it may mix well among +the small fibres. Do not tread the earth down, while filling the hole; +but, when it is full, raise a slight mound, of, say, four inches, and +then tread it down. Make a little basin, two inches deep, around the +stem, to hold water, and fill it. Never cut off leaves nor branches, +unless some of the roots are lost. Tie the trees to a stake, and they +will be more likely to live. Water them often. + + +_On the Care of House-Plants._ + +The soil of house-plants should be renewed every year, as previously +directed. In Winter, they should be kept as dry as they can be without +wilting. Many house-plants are injured by giving them too much water, +when they have little light and fresh air. This makes them grow +spindling. The more fresh air, warmth, and light, they have, the more +water is needed. They ought not to be kept very warm in Winter, nor +exposed to great changes of atmosphere. Forty degrees is a proper +temperature for plants in Winter, when they have little sun and air. +When plants have become spindling, cut off their heads, entirely, and +cover the pot in the earth, where it has the morning sun, only. A new +and flourishing head will spring out. Few house-plants can bear the sun +at noon. When insects infest plants, set them in a closet, or under a +barrel, and burn tobacco. The smoke kills any insect enveloped in it. +When plants are frozen, cold water, and a gradual restoration of warmth, +are the best remedies. Never use very cold water for plants, at any +season. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[T] His 'Farmers' Companion' was written expressly for the larger series +of 'THE SCHOOL LIBRARY,' issued by the publishers of this volume. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. + + +Bulbous roots are propagated by offsets; some growing on the top, others +around the sides. Many plants are propagated by cutting off twigs, and +setting them in earth, so that two or three eyes are covered. To do +this, select a side shoot, ten inches long, two inches of it, being of +the preceding year's growth, and the rest, the growth of the season when +it is set out. Do this, when the sap is running, and put a piece of +crockery at the bottom of the shoot, when it is buried. One eye, at +least, must be under the soil. Water it, and shade it in hot weather. +Plants are also propagated by layers. To do this, take a shoot, which +comes up near the root, bend it down, so as to bring several eyes under +the soil, leaving the top above ground. If the shoot be cut half +through, in a slanting direction, at one of these eyes, before burying +it, the result is more certain. Roses, honeysuckles, and many other +shrubs, are readily propagated thus. They will generally take root, by +being simply buried; but cutting them, as here directed, is the best +method. Layers are more certain than cuttings. For all woody plants, +budding and grafting are favorite methods of propagation. In all such +plants, there is an outer and inner bark; the latter containing the sap +vessels, in which the nourishment of the tree ascends. + +The success of grafting, or inoculating, consists in so placing the bud +or graft, that the sap vessels of the inner bark shall exactly join +those of the plant into which they are grafted, so that the sap may pass +from one into the other. + +The following are directions for _budding_, which may be performed at +any time from July to September. + +Select a smooth place, on the stock into which you are to insert the +bud. Make a horizontal cut, across the rind, through to the firm wood; +and from the middle of this, make a slit downward, perpendicularly, an +inch or more long, through to the wood. Raise the bark of the stock, on +each side of the perpendicular cut, for the admission of the bud, as is +shown in the annexed engraving, (Fig. 40.) Then take a shoot of this +year's growth, and slice from it a bud, taking an inch below and an +inch above it, and some portion of the wood under it. Then carefully +slip off the woody part, under the bud. Examine whether the eye or gem +of the bud be perfect. If a little hole appears in that part, the bud +has lost its root, and another must be selected. Insert the bud, so that +_a_, of the bud, shall pass to a, of the stock; then _b_, of the bud, +must be cut off, to match the cut, b, in the stock, and fitted exactly +to it, as it is this alone which insures success. Bind the parts, with +fresh bass, or woollen yarn, beginning a little below the bottom of the +perpendicular slit, and winding it closely round every part, except just +over the eye of the bud, until you arrive above the horizontal cut. Do +not bind it too tightly, but just sufficient to exclude air, sun, and +wet. This is to be removed, after the bud is firmly fixed, and begins to +grow. + +[Illustration: Fig. 40.] + +Seed-fruit can be budded into any other seed-fruit, and stone-fruit into +any other stone-fruit; but stone and seed-fruits, cannot be thus +mingled. + +Rose bushes can have a variety of kinds budded into the same stock. +Hardy roots are the best stocks. The branch above the bud, must be cut +off, the next March or April after the bud is put in. Apples and pears, +are more easily propagated by ingrafting, than by budding. + +Ingrafting is a similar process to budding, with this advantage; that it +can be performed on large trees, whereas budding can be applied only on +small ones. The two common kinds of ingrafting, are whip-grafting, and +split-grafting. The first kind is for young trees, and the other for +large ones. + +[Illustration: Fig. 41.] + +The time for ingrafting, is from May to October. The cuttings must be +taken from horizontal shoots, between Christmas and March, and kept in a +damp cellar. In performing the operation, cut off, in a sloping +direction, (as seen in Fig. 41,) the tree or limb to be grafted. Then +cut off, in a corresponding slant, the slip to be grafted on. Then put +them together, so that the inner bark of each shall match, exactly, on +one side, and tie them firmly together, with woollen yarn. It is not +essential that both be of equal size; if the bark of each meet together +exactly on _one_ side, it answers the purpose. But the two must not +differ much, in size. The slope should be an inch and a half, or more, +in length. After they are tied together, the place should be covered +with a salve or composition of beeswax and rosin. A mixture of clay and +cowdung will answer the same purpose. This last must be tied on with a +cloth. Grafting is more convenient than budding, as grafts can be sent +from a great distance; whereas buds must be taken in July or August, +from a shoot of the present year's growth, and cannot be sent to any +great distance. + +[Illustration: Fig. 42.] + +This engraving, (Fig. 42,) exhibits the mode called stock-grafting; _a_, +being the limb of a large tree which is sawed off and split, and is to +be held open by a small wedge, till the grafts are put in. A graft, +inserted in the limb, is shown at _b_, and at _c_, is one not inserted, +but designed to be put in at _d_, as two grafts can be put into a large +stock. In inserting the graft, be careful to make the edge of the inner +bark of the graft meet exactly the edge of the inner bark of the stock; +for on this, success depends. After the grafts are put in, the wedge +must be withdrawn, and the whole of the stock be covered with the thick +salve or composition before mentioned, reaching from where the grafts +are inserted, to the bottom of the slit. Be careful not to knock or move +the grafts, after they are put in. + + +_Pruning._ + +The following rules for pruning, are from a distinguished +horticulturist. Prune off all dead wood, and all the little twigs on the +main limbs. Retrench branches, so as to give light and ventilation to +the interior of the tree. Select the straight and perpendicular shoots, +which give little or no fruit, while those which are most nearly +horizontal, and somewhat curving, give fruit abundantly, and of good +quality. Superfluous and ill-placed buds may be rubbed off, at any time; +and no buds, pushing out after Midsummer, should be spared. In choosing +between shoots to be retained, preserve the lowest placed; and, on +lateral shoots, those which are nearest the origin. When branches cross +each other, so as to rub, remove one or the other. Remove all suckers +from the roots of trees or shrubs. Prune after the sap is in full +circulation, (except in the case of grapes,) as the wounds then heal +best. Some think it best to prune before the sap begins to run. +Pruning-shears, and a pruning-pole, with a chisel at the end, can be +procured of those who deal in agricultural utensils. + + +_Thinning._ + +As it is the office of the leaves to absorb nourishment from the +atmosphere, they should never be removed, except to mature the wood or +fruit. In doing this, remove such leaves as shade the fruit, as soon as +it is ready to ripen. To do it earlier, impairs the growth. Do it +gradually, at two different times. Thinning the fruit is important, as +tending to increase its size and flavor, and also to promote the +longevity of the tree. If the fruit be thickly set, take off one half, +at the time of setting. Revise in June, and then in July, taking off all +that may be spared. One _very large_ apple to every square foot, is a +rule that may be a sort of guide, in other cases. According to this, two +hundred large apples would be allowed to a tree, whose extent is fifteen +feet by twelve. If any person think this thinning excessive, let him try +two similar trees, and thin one as directed, and leave the other +unthinned. It will be found that the thinned tree will produce an equal +weight, and fruit of much finer flavor. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +ON THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT. + + +By a little attention to this matter, a lady, with the help of her +children, can obtain a rich abundance of all kinds of fruit. The writer +has resided in families, where little boys, of eight, ten, and twelve +years old, amused themselves, under the direction of their mother, in +planting walnuts, chestnuts, and hazelnuts, for future time; as well as +in planting and inoculating young fruit-trees, of all descriptions. A +mother, who will take pains to inspire a love for such pursuits, in her +children, and who will aid and superintend them, will save them from +many temptations; and, at a trifling expense, secure to them and herself +a rich reward, in the choicest fruits. The information given in this +work, on this subject, may be relied on, as sanctioned by the most +experienced nursery-men. + +The soil, for a nursery, should be rich, well dug, dressed with +well-decayed manure, free from weeds, and protected from cold winds. +Fruit seeds should be planted in the Autumn, an inch and a half or two +inches deep, in ridges four or five feet apart, pressing the earth +firmly over the seeds. While growing, they should be thinned out, +leaving the best ones a foot and a half apart. The soil should be kept +loose, soft, and free from weeds. They should be inoculated or +ingrafted, when of the size of a pipe stem; and in a year after this, +may be transplanted to their permanent stand. Peach trees sometimes bear +in two years from budding, and in four years from planting, if well +kept. + +In a year after transplanting, take pains to train the head aright. +Straight, upright branches, produce _gourmands_, or twigs bearing only +leaves. The side branches, which are angular or curved, yield the most +fruit. For this reason, the limbs should be trained in curves, and +perpendicular twigs should be cut off, if there be need of pruning. The +last of June is the time for this. Grass should never be allowed to grow +within four feet of a large tree, and the soil should be kept loose, to +admit air to the roots. Trees in orchards should be twenty-five feet +apart. The soil _under_ the top soil, has much to do with the health of +trees. If it be what is called _hard-pan_, the trees will deteriorate. +Trees need to be manured, and to have the soil kept open and free from +weeds. + +_Filberts_ can be raised in any part of this Country. _Figs_ can be +raised in the Middle States. For this purpose, in the Autumn, loosen the +roots, on one side, and bend the tree down to the earth, on the other; +then cover it with a mound of straw, earth, and boards; and early in the +Spring raise it up, and cover the roots. _Currants_ grow well in any but +a wet soil. They are propagated by cuttings. The old wood should be +thinned in the Fall, and manure be put on. They can be trained into +small trees. _Gooseberries_ are propagated by layers and cuttings. They +are best, when kept from suckers and trained like trees. One third of +the old wood should be removed every Autumn. _Raspberries_ do best, when +shaded during a part of the day. They are propagated by layers, slips, +and suckers. There is one kind, which bears monthly. _Strawberries_ +require a light soil and vegetable manure. They should be transplanted +in April or September, and be set eight inches apart, in rows nine +inches asunder, and in beds which are two feet wide, with narrow alleys +between them. A part of these plants are _non-bearers_. These have large +flowers, with showy stamens and high black anthers. The _bearers_ have +short stamens, a great number of pistils, and the flowers are every way +less showy. In blossom-time, pull out all the non-bearers. Some think it +best to leave one non-bearer to every twelve bearers; but others pull +them all out. Many beds never produce any fruit, because all the plants +in them are non-bearers. Weeds should be kept from the vines. When the +vines are matted with young plants, the best way is to dig over the +beds, in cross lines, so as to leave some of the plants standing in +little squares, while the rest are turned under the soil. This should be +done over a second time in the same year. + +_Grapes._ To raise this fruit, manure the soil, and keep it soft, and +free from weeds. A gravelly or sandy soil, and a south exposure, are +best. Transplant the vines in the early Spring, or, better, in the Fall. +Prune them, the first year, so as to have only two main branches, taking +off all other shoots, as fast as they come. In November, cut off all of +these two branches, except four eyes. The second year, in the Spring, +loosen the earth around the roots, and allow only two branches to grow, +and every month, take off all side shoots. When they are very strong, +preserve only a part, and cut off the rest in the Fall. In November, cut +off all the two main stems, except eight eyes. After the second year no +more pruning is needed, except to reduce the side shoots, for the +purpose of increasing the fruit. All the pruning of grapes, (except +nipping side shoots,) must be done when the sap is not running, or they +will bleed to death. Train them on poles, or lattices, to expose them to +the air and sun. Cover tender vines in the Autumn. Grapes are propagated +by cuttings, layers, and seeds. For cuttings, select, in the Autumn, +well-ripened wood, of the former year, and take five joints for each. +Bury them, till April; then soak them, for some hours, and set them out, +_aslant_, so that all the eyes but one shall be covered. + + +_To Preserve Fruit._ + +Raspberries and Strawberries can be preserved, in perfect flavor, in the +following manner. Take a pound of nice sifted sugar for each pound of +fruit. Put them in alternate layers, of fruit and sugar, till the jar is +entirely full, then cork it, and seal it air tight. + +Currants and Gooseberries may be perfectly preserved thus. Gather them, +when dry, selecting only the solid ones. Take off the stalks, and put +them in dry junk-bottles. Set them, _uncorked_, in a kettle of water, +and slowly raise it to boiling heat, in order to drive the air out of +the bottles. Then take out the bottles, cork them, and seal them air +tight. Keep them in a dry place, where they will not freeze. The success +of this method depends on excluding air and water. + +Apples, Grapes, and such like fruit can be preserved, by packing them, +when dry and solid, in dry sand or sawdust, putting alternate layers of +fruit and sawdust or sand. Some sawdust gives a bad flavor to the fruit. + + +_Modes of Preserving Fruit Trees._ + +Heaps of ashes, or tanner's bark, around peach trees, prevent the attack +of the worm. The _yellows_, is a disease of peach trees, which is spread +by the pollen of the blossom. When a tree begins to turn yellow, take it +away, with all its roots, before it blossoms again, or it will infect +other trees. Planting tansy around the roots of fruit trees, is a sure +protection against worms, as it prevents the moth from depositing her +egg. Equal quantities of salt and saltpetre, put around the trunk of a +peach tree, half a pound to a tree, improves the size and flavor of the +fruit. Apply this about the first of April, and if any trees have worms +already in them, put on half the quantity, in addition, in June. To +young trees, just set out, apply one ounce, in April, and another in +June, close to the stem. Sandy soil is best for peaches. + +Apple trees are preserved from insects, by a wash of strong ley to the +body and limbs, which, if old, should be first scraped. Caterpillars +should be removed, by cutting down their nests in a damp day. Boring a +hole, in a tree infested with worms, and filling it with sulphur, will +often drive them off immediately. + +The _fire-blight_, or _brûlure_, in pear trees, can be stopped, by +cutting off all the blighted branches. It is supposed, by some, to be +owing to an excess of sap, which is remedied by diminishing the roots. + +The _curculio_, which destroys plums, and other stone fruit, can be +checked only by gathering up all the fruit that falls, (which contains +their eggs,) and destroying it. The _canker-worm_ can be checked, by +applying a bandage around the body of the tree, and every evening +smearing it with fresh tar. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS. + + +Every woman should know how to direct in regard to the proper care of +domestic animals, as they often suffer from the negligence of domestics. + +The following information, in reference to the care of a horse and cow, +may be useful. A stable should not be very light nor very dark; its +floor should be either plank or soil, as brick or stone pavements injure +the feet. It should be well cleaned, every morning. A horse, kept in a +stable, should be rubbed and brushed every day. A stable-horse needs as +much daily exercise as trotting three miles will give him. Food or drink +should never be given, when a horse is very warm with exercise, as it +causes disease. A horse should be fed, three times a day. Hay, +sheaf-oats, shorts, corn-meal, and bran, are the best food for horses. +When a horse is travelling, order six quarts of oats in the morning, +four at noon, and six at night, and direct that neither food nor water +be given till he is cool. + +Keep a horse's legs free from mud, or disease will often result from +the neglect. A horse, much used, should be shod as often as once in two +months. Fish-oil and strong perfumes, on the skin, keep flies from +annoying a horse. Some horses are made fractious by having the +check-rein so tight as to weary the muscles. + +A cow should be watered three times a day, and fed with hay, potatoes, +carrots, and boiled corn. Turnips and cabbages give a bad taste to the +milk. Give a handful of salt to a cow, twice a week, and occasionally +give the same quantity to a horse. Let them drink _pure_ water. A +well-fed cow gives double the milk that she will if not fed well. A cow +should go unmilked, for two months before calving, and her milk should +not be used till four days after. The calf must run with the cow for +four days, and then be shut from her, except thrice a day, when it +should take as much food as it wants, and then the cow should be milked +clean. + +Hens sit twenty days, and should be well fed and watered, during this +time. The first food for chickens should be coarse dry meal. Cold and +damp weather is bad for all young fowls, and they should be well +protected from it. Pepper-berries are good for fowls which have diseases +caused by damp and cold weather. + +In Winter, much fuel may be saved, and comfort secured, by stuffing +cotton into all cracks about the windows and the surbases of rooms, and +by listing the doors. Cover strips of wood with baize, and nail them +tight against a door, on the casing. + +The following are the causes of smoky chimneys. Short and broad flues, +running up straight, as a narrow flue, with a bend in it, draws best. +Large openings, at the top, draw the wind down, and should be remedied, +by having the summits made tapering. A house higher than a chimney near +it, sometimes makes the chimney smoke, and the evil should be remedied, +by raising the chimney. Too large a throat to the fireplace, sometimes +causes a chimney to smoke, and can be remedied, by a false back, or by +lowering the front, with sheet iron. Shallow fireplaces give out more +heat, and draw as well, as deep ones. + +_House-cleaning_ should be done in dry warm weather. Several friends of +the writer maintain, that cleaning paint, and windows, and floors, in +_hard_, _cold_ water, without any soap, using a flannel washcloth, is +much better than using warm suds. It is worth trying. In cleaning in the +common way, sponges are best for windows, and clean water only should be +used. They should be first wiped with linen, and then with old silk. The +outside of windows should be washed with a long brush, made for the +purpose; and they should be rinsed, by throwing upon them water, +containing a little saltpetre. + +When inviting company, mention, in the note, the day of the month and +week, and the hour for coming. Provide a place for ladies to dress their +hair, with a glass, pins, and combs. A pitcher of cold water, and a +tumbler, should be added. When the company is small, it is becoming a +common method for the table to be set at one end of the room, the lady +of the house to pour out tea, and the gentlemen of the party to wait on +the ladies and themselves. When tea is sent round, always send a teapot +of hot water to weaken it, and a slop-bowl, or else many persons will +drink their tea much stronger than they wish. + +Let it ever be remembered, that the burning of lights and the breath of +guests, are constantly exhausting the air of its healthful principle; +therefore avoid crowding many guests into one room. Do not tempt the +palate by a great variety of unhealthful dainties. Have a warm room for +departing guests, that they may not become chilled before they go out. + +A parlor should be furnished with candle and fire screens, for those who +have weak eyes; and if, at table, a person sits with the back near the +fire, a screen should be hung on the back of the chair, as it is very +injurious to the whole system to have the back heated. + +Pretty baskets, for flowers or fruits, on centre tables, can be made +thus. Knit, with coarse needles, all the various shades of green and +brown, into a square piece. Press it with a hot iron, and then ravel it +out. Buy a pretty shaped wicker basket, or make one of stiff millinet, +or thin pasteboard, cut the worsted into bunches, and sew them on, to +resemble moss. Then line the basket, and set a cup or dish of water in +it, to hold flowers, or use it for a fruit-basket. Handsome fireboards +are made, by nailing black foundation-muslin to a frame the size of the +fireplace; and then cutting out flowers, from wall-paper, and pasting +them on the muslin, according to the fancy. + +India rubber, melted in lamp-oil, and brushed over common shoes, keeps +water out, perfectly. Keep small whisk brooms, wherever gentlemen hang +their clothes, both up stairs and down, and get them to use them if you +can. + +Boil new earthen in bran-water, putting the articles in, when cold. Do +the same with porcelain kettles. Never leave wooden vessels out of +doors, as they fall to pieces. In Winter, lift the handle of a pump, and +cover it with blankets, to keep it from freezing. + +Broken earthen and china, can often be mended, by tying it up, and +boiling it in milk. _Diamond cement_, when genuine, is very effectual +for the same purpose. Old putty can be softened by muriatic acid. Nail +slats across nursery windows. Scatter ashes on slippery ice, at the +door; or rather, remove it. Clarify impure water with powdered alum, a +teaspoonful to a barrel. + + + + +NOTE. + + +A volume, entitled the _American Housekeeper's Receipt Book_, prepared +by the author of this work, under the supervision of several experienced +housekeepers, is designed as a Supplement to this treatise on Domestic +Economy. The following Preface and Analysis of the Contents will +indicate its design more fully: + + +_Preface (for the American Housekeeper's Receipt Book.)_ + +The following objects are aimed at in this work: + +_First_, to furnish an _original_ collection of receipts, which shall +embrace a great variety of simple and well-cooked dishes, designed for +every-day comfort and enjoyment. + +_Second_, to include in the collection only such receipts as have been +tested by superior housekeepers, and warranted to be _the best_. It is +not a book made up in _any_ department by copying from other books, but +entirely from the experience of the best practical housekeepers. + +_Third_, to express every receipt in language which is short, simple, +and perspicuous, and yet to give all directions so minutely as that the +book can be kept in the kitchen, and be used by any domestic who can +read, as a guide in _every one_ of her employments in the kitchen. + +_Fourth_, to furnish such directions in regard to small dinner-parties +and evening company as will enable any young housekeeper to perform her +part, on such occasions, with ease, comfort, and success. + +_Fifth_, to present a good supply of the rich and elegant dishes +demanded at such entertainments, and yet to set forth so large and +tempting a variety of what is safe, healthful, and good, in connexion +with such warnings and suggestions as it is hoped may avail to promote a +more healthful fashion in regard both to entertainments and to daily +table supplies. No book of this kind will sell without an adequate +supply of the rich articles which custom requires, and in furnishing +them, the writer has aimed to follow the example of Providence, which +scatters profusely both good and ill, and combines therewith the caution +alike of experience, revelation, and conscience, "choose ye that which +is good, that ye and your seed may live." + +_Sixth_, in the work on Domestic Economy, together with this, to which +it is a Supplement, the writer has attempted to secure, in a cheap and +popular form, for American housekeepers, a work similar to an English +work which she has examined, entitled the _Encyclopædia of Domestic +Economy, by Thomas Webster and Mrs. Parkes_, containing over twelve +hundred octavo pages of closely-printed matter, treating on every +department of Domestic Economy; a work which will be found much more +useful to English women, who have a plenty of money and well-trained +servants, than to American housekeepers. It is believed that most in +that work which would be of any practical use to American housekeepers, +will be found in this work and the Domestic Economy. + +_Lastly_, the writer has aimed to avoid the defects complained of by +most housekeepers in regard to works of this description issued in this +country, or sent from England, such as that, in some cases, the receipts +are so rich as to be both expensive and unhealthful; in others, that +they are so vaguely expressed as to be very imperfect guides; in +others, that the processes are so elaborate and _fussing_ as to make +double the work that is needful; and in others, that the topics are so +limited that some departments are entirely omitted, and all are +incomplete. + +In accomplishing these objects, the writer has received contributions of +the pen, and verbal communications from some of the most judicious and +practical housekeepers, in almost every section of this country, so that +the work is fairly entitled to the name it bears of the _American_ +Housekeeper's Receipt Book. + +The following embraces most of the topics contained in this work. + +Suggestions to young housekeepers in regard to style, furniture, and +domestic arrangements. + +Suggestions in regard to different modes to be pursued both with foreign +and American domestics. + +On providing a proper supply of family stores, on the economical care +and use of them, and on the furniture and arrangement of a store-closet. + +On providing a proper supply of utensils to be used in cooking, with +drawings to illustrate. + +On the proper construction of ovens, and directions for heating and +managing them. + +Directions for securing good yeast and good bread. + +Advice in regard to marketing, the purchase of wood, &c. + +Receipts for breakfast dishes, biscuits, warm cakes, tea cakes, &c. + +Receipts for puddings, cakes, pies, preserves, pickles, sauces, catsups, +and also for cooking all the various kinds of meats, soups, and +vegetables. + +The above receipts are arranged so that the more healthful and simple +ones are put in one portion, and the richer ones in another. + +Healthful and favourite articles of food for young children. + +Receipts for a variety of temperance drinks. + +Directions for making tea, coffee, chocolate, and other warm drinks. + +Directions for cutting up meats, and for salting down, corning, curing, +and smoking. + +Directions for making butter and cheese, as furnished by a practical and +scientific manufacturer of the same, of Goshen, Conn., that land of rich +butter and cheese. + +A guide to a selection of a regular course of family dishes, which will +embrace _a successive variety_, and unite convenience with good taste +and comfortable living. + +Receipts for articles for the sick, and drawings of conveniences for +their comfort and relief. + +Receipts for articles for evening parties and dinner parties, with +drawings to show the proper manner of setting tables, and of supplying +and arranging dishes, both on these, and on ordinary occasions. + +An outline of arrangements for a family in moderate circumstances, +embracing the systematic details of work for each domestic, and the +proper mode of doing it, as furnished by an accomplished housekeeper. + +Remarks on the different nature of food and drinks, and their relation +to the laws of health. + +Suggestions to the domestics of a family, designed to promote a proper +appreciation of the dignity and importance of their station, and a +cheerful and faithful performance of their duties. + +Miscellaneous suggestions and receipts. + + + + +A GLOSSARY + +OF SUCH WORDS AND PHRASES AS MAY NOT EASILY BE UNDERSTOOD BY THE YOUNG +READER. + + +[Many words, not contained in this GLOSSARY, will be found +explained in the body of the Work, in the places where they first occur. +For these, see INDEX.] + +_Academy, the Boston_, an association in Boston, established for the +purpose of promoting the study and culture of the art of music. + +_Action brought by the Commonwealth_, a prosecution conducted in the +name of the public, or by the authority of the State. + +_Alcoholic_, made of, or containing, alcohol, an inflammable liquid, +which is the basis of ardent spirits. + +_Alkali_, (plural _alkalies_,) a chemical substance, which has the +property of combining with, and neutralizing the properties of, acids, +producing salts by the combination. Alkalies change most of the +vegetable blues and purples to green, red to purple, and yellow to +brown. _Caustic alkali_, an alkali deprived of all impurities, being +thereby rendered more caustic and violent in its operation. This term is +usually applied to pure potash. _Fixed alkali_, an alkali that emits no +characteristic smell, and cannot be volatilized or evaporated without +great difficulty. Potash and soda are called the fixed alkalies. Soda is +also called a _fossil_, or _mineral_, _alkali_, and potash, the +_vegetable alkali_. _Volatile alkali_, an elastic, transparent, +colorless, and consequently invisible gas, known by the name of ammonia, +or ammoniacal gas. The odor of spirits of hartshorn is caused by this +gas. + +_Anglo-American_, English-American, relating to Americans descended from +English ancestors. + +_Anne, Queen_, a Queen of England, who reigned from A. D. 1702, to 1714. +She was the daughter of James II., and succeeded to the throne on the +death of William III. She died, August 1, 1714, in the fiftieth year of +her age. She was not a woman of very great intellect; but was deservedly +popular, throughout her reign, being a model of conjugal and maternal +duty, and always intending to do good. She was honored with the title of +'Good Queen Anne', which showed the opinion entertained of her virtues +by the people. + +_Anotta_, _Annotto_, _Arnotta_, or _Rocou_, a soft, brownish-red +substance, prepared from the reddish pulp surrounding the seeds of a +tree, which grows in the West Indies, Guiana, and other parts of South +America, called the _Bixa orellana_. It is used as a dye. + +_Anther_, that part of the stamen of a flower which contains the pollen +or farina, a sort of mealy powder or dust, which is necessary to the +production of the flower. + +_Anthracite_, one of the most valuable kinds of mineral coal, containing +no bitumen. It is very abundant in the United States. + +_Aperient_, opening. + +_Apple-corer_, an instrument lately invented for the purpose of +divesting apples of their cores. + +_Arabic, gum_, see _Gum Arabic_. + +_Archæology_, a discourse or treatise on antiquities. + +_Arnotto_, see _Anotta_. + +_Arrow-root_, a white powder, obtained from the fecula or starch of +several species of tuberous plants in the East and West Indies, Bermuda, +and other places. That from Bermuda is most highly esteemed. It is used +as an article for the table, in the form of puddings; and also as a +highly-nutritive, easily-digested, and agreeable, food, for invalids. It +derives its name from having been originally used by the Indians, as a +remedy for the poison of their arrows, by mashing and applying it to the +wound. + +_Articulating process_, the protuberance, or projecting part of a bone, +by which it is so joined to another bone, as to enable the two to move +upon each other. + +_Asceticism_, the state of an ascetic, or hermit, who flies from society +and lives in retirement, or who practises a greater degree of +mortification and austerity than others do, or who inflicts +extraordinary severities upon himself. + +_Astral lamp_, a lamp, the principle of which was invented by Benjamin +Thompson, (a native of Massachusetts, and afterwards Count Rumford,) in +which the oil is contained in a large horizontal ring, having, at the +centre, a burner, which communicates with the ring by tubes. The ring is +placed a little below the level of the flame, and, from its large +surface, affords a supply of oil for many hours. + +_Astute_, shrewd. + +_Auld Robin Gray_, a celebrated Scotch song, in which a young woman +laments her having married an old rich man, whom she did not love, for +the sake of providing for her poor parents. + +_Auricles_, (from a Latin word, signifying the ear,) the name given to +two appendages of the heart, from their fancied resemblance to the ear. + +_Baglivi_, (George,) an eminent physician, who was born at Ragusa, in +1668, and was educated at Naples and Paris. Pope Clement XIV., on the +ground of his great merit, appointed him, while a very young man, +Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in the College of Sapienza, at Rome. He +wrote several works, and did much to promote the cause of medical +science. He died, A. D. 1706. + +_Bass_, or bass wood, a large forest tree of America, sometimes called +the lime-tree. The wood is white and soft, and the bark is sometimes +used for bandages, as mentioned in page 343. + +_Beau Nash_, see _Nash_. + +_Bell, Sir Charles_, a celebrated surgeon, who was born in Edinburgh, in +the year 1778. He commenced his career in London, in 1806, as a lecturer +on Anatomy and Surgery. In 1830, he received the honors of knighthood, +and in 1836 was appointed Professor of Surgery in the College of +Edinburgh. He died near Worcester, in England, April 29, 1842. His +writings are very numerous, and have been much celebrated. Among the +most important of these, to general readers, are, his Illustrations of +Paley's Natural Theology, (which work forms the second and third volumes +of the larger series of 'THE SCHOOL LIBRARY,' issued by the +Publishers of this volume,) and his treatise on 'The Hand, its +Mechanism, and Vital Endowments, as evincing Design.' + +_Bergamot_, a fruit, which was originally produced by ingrafting a +branch of a citron or lemon tree, upon the stock of a peculiar kind of +pear, called the bergamot pear. + +_Biased_, cut diagonally from one corner to another of a square or +rectangular piece of cloth. _Bias pieces_, triangular pieces cut as +above mentioned. + +_Bituminous_, containing _bitumen_, which is an inflammable mineral +substance, resembling tar or pitch in its properties and uses. Among +different bituminous substances, the names _naphtha_ and _petroleum_ +have been given to those which are fluid; _maltha_, to that which has +the consistence of pitch; and _asphaltum_, to that which is solid. + +_Blight_, a disease in plants, by which they are blasted, or prevented +from producing fruit. + +_Blond lace_, lace made of silk. + +_Blood heat_, the temperature which the blood is always found to +maintain, or ninety-eight degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer. + +_Blue vitriol_, sulphate of copper. See _Sulphate_. + +_Blunts_, needles of a short and thick shape, distinguished from +_Sharps_, which are long and slender. + +_Bocking_, a kind of thin carpeting, or coarse baize. + +_Boston Academy_, see _Academy_. + +_Botany_, (from a Greek word, signifying an herb,) a knowledge of +plants; the science which treats of plants. + +_Brazil wood_, the central part, or heart, of a large tree which grows +in Brazil, called the _Cæsalpinia echinata_. It produces very lively and +beautiful red tints, but they are not permanent. + +_Bronze_, a metallic composition, consisting of copper and tin. + +_Brûlure_, a French term, denoting a burning or scalding; a blasting of +plants. + +_Brussels_, (carpet,) a kind of carpeting, so called from the city of +Brussels, in Europe. Its basis is composed of a warp and woof of strong +linen threads, with the warp of which are intermixed about five times +the quantity of woollen threads, of different colors. + +_Bulb_, a root with a round body, like the onion, turnip, or hyacinth. +_Bulbous_, having a bulb. + +_Byron_, (George Gordon,) _Lord_, a celebrated Poet, who was born in +London, January 22, 1788, and died in Missolonghi, in Greece, April 18, +1824. + +_Calisthenics_, see page 56, note. + +_Camwood_, a dyewood, procured from a leguminous (or pod-bearing) tree, +growing on the Western Coast of Africa, and called _Baphia nitida_. + +_Cankerworm_, a worm which is very destructive to trees and plants. It +springs from an egg deposited by a miller that issues from the ground, +and in some years destroys the leaves and fruit of apple and other +trees. + +_Carbon_, a simple inflammable body, forming the principal part of wood +and coal, and the whole of the diamond. + +_Carbonic acid_, a compound gas, consisting of carbon and oxygen. It has +lately been obtained in a solid form. + +_Carmine_, a crimson color, the most beautiful of all the reds. It is +prepared from a decoction of the powdered cochineal insect, to which +alum and other substances are added. + +_Caster_, a small phial or vessel for the table, in which to put +vinegar, mustard, pepper, &c. + +_Chancellor of the Exchequer_, the highest judge of the law; the +principal financial minister of a government, and the one who manages +its revenue. + +_Chateau_, a castle, a mansion. + +_Chemistry_, the science which treats of the elementary constituents of +bodies. + +_Chinese belle_, deformities of. In China, it is the fashion to compress +the feet of female infants, to prevent their growth; in consequence of +which, the feet of all the females of China are distorted, and so small, +that the individuals cannot walk with ease. + +_Chloride_, a compound of chlorine and some other substance. _Chlorine_ +is a simple substance, formerly called oxymuriatic acid. In its pure +state, it is a gas, of green color, (hence its name, from a Greek word, +signifying green.) Like oxygen, it supports the combustion of some +inflammable substances. _Chloride of lime_ is a compound of chlorine and +lime. + +_Cholera infantum_, a bowel complaint, to which infants are subject. + +_Chyle_, a white juice, formed from the chyme, and consisting of the +finer and more nutritious parts of the food. It is afterwards converted +into blood. + +_Chyme_, the result of the first process which food undergoes in the +stomach, previously to its being converted into chyle. + +_Cicuta_, the common American Hemlock, an annual plant of four or five +feet in height, and found commonly along walls and fences, and about old +ruins and buildings. It is a virulent poison, as well as one of the most +important and valuable medicinal vegetables. It is a very different +plant from the Hemlock tree, or _Pinus Canadensis_. + +_Clarke_, (Sir Charles Mansfield,) _Dr._, a distinguished English +physician and surgeon, who was born in London, May 28, 1782. He was +appointed Physician to Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV., in +1830, and in 1831, he was created a baronet. He is the author of several +valuable medical works. + +_Cobalt_, a brittle metal, of a reddish-gray color and weak metallic +lustre, used in coloring glass. It is not easily melted nor oxidized in +the air. + +_Cochineal_, a color procured from the cochineal insect, (or _Coccus +cacti_,) which feeds upon the leaves of several species of the plant +called cactus, and which is supposed to derive its coloring matter from +its food. Its natural color is crimson; but by the addition of a +preparation of potash, it yields a rich scarlet dye. + +_Cologne water_, a fragrant perfume, which derives its name from having +been originally made in the city of Cologne, which is situated on the +River Rhine, in Germany. The best kind is still procured from that city. + +_Comparative anatomy_, the science which has for its object a comparison +of the anatomy, structure, and functions, of the various organs of +animals, plants, &c., with those of the human body. + +_Confection_, a sweetmeat; a preparation of fruit with sugar; also a +preparation of medicine with honey, sirup, or similar saccharine +substance, for the purpose of disguising the unpleasant taste of the +medicine. + +_Cooper, Sir Astley Paston_, a celebrated English surgeon, who was born +at Brooke, in Norfolk county, England, August 23, 1768, and commenced +the practice of Surgery in London, in 1792. He was appointed Surgeon to +King George IV., in 1827, was created a baronet in 1821, and died +February 12, 1841. He was the author of many valuable works. + +_Copal_, a hard, shining, transparent resin, of a light citron color, +brought, originally, from Spanish America, and now almost wholly from +the East Indies. It is principally employed in the preparation of _copal +varnish_. + +_Copper, sulphate of_, see _Sulphate of copper_. + +_Copperas_, (sulphate of iron, or green vitriol,) a bright green mineral +substance, formed by the decomposition of a peculiar ore of iron, called +pyrites, which is a sulphuret of iron. It is first in the form of a +greenish-white powder, or crust, which is dissolved in water, and +beautiful green crystals of copperas are obtained by evaporation. It is +principally used in dyeing, and in making black ink. Its solution, mixed +with a decoction of oak bark, produces a black color. + +_Coronary_, relating to a crown or garland. In anatomy, it is applied to +arteries which encompass the heart, in the manner, as it is fancied, of +a garland. + +_Corrosive sublimate_, a poisonous substance, composed of chlorine and +quicksilver. + +_Cosmetics_, preparations which some people foolishly think will +preserve and beautify the skin. + +_Cream of tartar_, see _Tartar_. + +_Crimping-iron_, an instrument for crimping or curling ruffles, &c. + +_Curculio_, a weevil or worm, which affects the fruit of the plum tree, +and sometimes that of the apple tree, causing the unripe fruit to fall +to the ground. + +_Curvature of the spine_, see pages 80, 81. + +_Cuvier, Baron_, the most eminent naturalist of the present age, was +born, A. D. 1769, and died, A. D. 1832. He was Professor of Natural +History in the College of France, and held various important posts under +the French Government, at different times. His works on Natural History +are of the greatest value. + +_Cynosure_, the star near the North Pole, by which sailors steer. It is +used, in a figurative sense, as synonymous with _pole-star_, or _guide_. + +_De Tocqueville_, see _Tocqueville_. + +_Diamond cement_, a cement sold in the shops, and used for mending +broken glass, and similar articles. + +_Drab_, a thick woollen cloth, of a light brown or dun color. The name +is sometimes used for the color itself. + +_Dredging-box_, a box with holes in the top, used to sift or scatter +flour on meat, when roasting. + +_Drill_, (in husbandry,) to sow grain in rows, drills, or channels; the +row of grain so sowed. + +_Duchess of Orleans_, see _Orleans_. + +The _East_, and the _Eastern States_, those of the United States +situated in the north-east part of the Country, including Maine, New +Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont. + +_Electuary_, a mixture, consisting of medicinal substances, especially +dry powders, combined with honey or sirup, in order to render them less +unpleasant to the taste, and more convenient for internal use. + +_Elevation_, (of a house,) a plan, representing the upright view of a +house, as a ground-plan shows its appearance on the ground. + +_Euclid_, a celebrated mathematician, who was born in Alexandria, in +Egypt, about two hundred and eighty years before Christ. He +distinguished himself by his writings on music and geometry. The most +celebrated of his works, is his 'Elements of Geometry,' which is in use +at the present day. He established a school at Alexandria, which became +so famous, that, from his time to the conquest of Alexandria by the +Saracens, (A. D. 646,) no mathematician was found, who had not studied +at Alexandria. Ptolemy, King of Egypt, was one of his pupils; and it was +to a question of this King, whether there were not a shorter way of +coming at Geometry, than by the study of his Elements, that Euclid made +the celebrated answer, "There is no royal way, or path, to Geometry." + +_Equator_, or _equinoctial line_, an imaginary line passing round the +earth, from east to west, and directly under the sun, which always +shines nearly perpendicularly down upon all countries situated near the +equator. + +_Evolve_, to throw off, to discharge. + +_Exchequer_, a court in England, in which the Chancellor presides, and +where the revenues of, and debts due to, the King are recovered. This +court was originally established by King William, (called 'the +Conqueror,') who died A. D. 1087; and its name is derived from a +checkered cloth, (French _echiquier_, a chess-board, checker-work,) on +the table. + +_Excretion_, something discharged from the body, a separation of animal +matters. + +_Excrementitious_, consisting of matter excreted from the body; +containing excrements. + +_Fahrenheit_, (Gabriel Daniel,) a celebrated natural philosopher, who +was born at Dantzic, A. D. 1686. He made great improvements in the +thermometer; and his name is sometimes used for that instrument. + +_Farinaceous_, mealy, tasting like meal. + +To _Fell_, to turn down, on the wrong side, the raw edges of a seam, +after it has been stitched, run, or sewed, and then to hem or sew it to +the cloth. + +_Festivals_, of the Jews, the three great annual. These were, the Feast +of the Passover, that of Pentecost, and that of Tabernacles; on occasion +of which, all the males of the Nation were required to visit the Temple +at Jerusalem, in whatever part of the Country they might reside. See +Exodus xxiii. 14, 17, xxxiv. 23, Leviticus xxiii. 4, Deuteronomy xvi. +16. The Passover was kept in commemoration of the deliverance of the +Israelites from Egypt, and was so named, because, the night before their +departure, the destroying angel, who slew all the first-born of the +Egyptians, _passed over_ the houses of the Israelites, without entering +them. See Exodus xii. The Feast of Pentecost was so called, from a word +meaning _the fiftieth_, because it was celebrated on the fiftieth day +after the Passover, and was instituted in commemoration of the giving of +the Law from Mount Sinai, on the fiftieth day from the departure out of +Egypt. It is also called the Feast of Weeks, because it was kept seven +weeks after the Passover. See Exodus xxxiv. 22, Leviticus xxiii. 15-21, +Deuteronomy xvi. 9, 10. The Feast of Tabernacles, or Feast of Tents, was +so called, because it was celebrated under tents or tabernacles of green +boughs; and was designed to commemorate their dwelling in tents, during +their passage through the wilderness. At this Feast, they also returned +thanks to God, for the fruits of the earth, after they had been +gathered. See Exodus xxiii. 16, Leviticus xxiii. 34-44, Deuteronomy xvi. +13, and also St. John vii. 2. + +_Fire blight_, a disease in the pear, and some other fruit trees, in +which they appear burnt, as if by fire. It is supposed, by some, to be +caused by an insect, others suppose it to be caused by an overabundance +of sap. + +_Fluting-iron_, an instrument for making flutes, channels, furrows, or +hollows, in ruffles, &c. + +_Foundation muslin_, a nice kind of buckram, stiff and white, used for +the foundation or basis of bonnets, &c. + +_Free States_, those States in which slavery is not allowed, as +distinguished from Slave States, in which slavery does exist. + +_French chalk_, a variety of the mineral called talc, unctuous to the +touch, of a greenish color, glossy, soft, and easily scratched, and +leaving a silvery line, when drawn on paper. It is used for marking on +cloth, and extracting grease-spots. + +_Fuller's earth_, a species of clay, remarkable for its property of +absorbing oil; for which reason it is valuable for extracting grease +from cloth, &c. It is used by fullers, in scouring and cleansing cloth, +whence its name. + +_Fustic_, the wood of a tree which grows in the West Indies, called +_Morus tinctoria_. It affords a durable, but not very brilliant, yellow +dye, and is also used in producing some greens and drab colors. + +_Gastric_, (from the Greek [Greek: gastir], _gaster_, the belly,) +belonging or relating to the belly, or stomach. _Gastric juice_, the +fluid which dissolves the food in the stomach. It is limpid, like water, +of a saltish taste, and without odor. + +_Geology_, the science which treats of the earth, as composed of rocks +and stones. + +_Gore_, a triangular piece of cloth. _Goring_, cut in a triangular +shape. + +_Gothic_, a peculiar and strongly-marked style of architecture, +sometimes called the ecclesiastical style, because it is most frequently +used in cathedrals, churches, abbeys, and other religious edifices. Its +principle seems to have originated in the imitation of groves and +bowers, under which the ancients performed their sacred rites; its +clustered pillars and pointed arches very well representing the trunks +of trees and their interlocking branches. + +_Gourmand_, or _Gormand_, a glutton, a greedy eater. In agriculture, it +is applied to twigs which take up the sap, but bear only leaves. + +_Green vitriol_, see _Copperas_. + +_Griddle_, an iron pan, of a peculiarly broad and shallow construction, +used for baking cakes. + +_Ground-plan_, the map or plan of the lower floor of any building, in +which the various apartments, windows, doors, fireplaces, and other +things, are represented, like the rivers, towns, mountains, roads, &c., +on a map. + +_Gum Arabic_, a vegetable juice which exudes through the bark of the +_Acacia_, _Mimosa nilotica_, and some other similar trees, growing in +Arabia, Egypt, Senegal, and Central Africa. It is the purest of all +gums. + +_Hardpan_, the hard, unbroken layer of earth, below the mould or +cultivated soil. + +_Hartshorn_, (spirits of,) a volatile alkali, originally prepared from +the horns of the stag or hart, but now procured from various other +substances. It is known by the name of ammonia, or spirits of ammonia. + +_Hemlock_, see _Cicuta_. + +_Horticulturist_, one skilled in horticulture, or the art of cultivating +gardens; horticulture being to the garden, what agriculture is to the +farm, the application of labor and science to a limited spot, for +convenience, for profit, or for ornament,--though implying a higher +state of cultivation, than is common in agriculture. It includes the +cultivation of culinary vegetables and of fruits, and forcing or exotic +gardening, as far as respects useful products. + +_Hoskin's gloves_, gloves made by a person named Hoskin, whose +manufacture was formerly much celebrated. + +_Hydrogen_, a very light, inflammable gas, of which water is, in part, +composed. It is used to inflate balloons. + +_Hypochondriasis_, melancholy, dejection, a disorder of the imagination, +in which the person supposes he is afflicted with various diseases. + +_Hysteria_, or _hysterics_, a spasmodic, convulsive affection of the +nerves, to which women are subject. It is somewhat similar to +hypochondriasis in men. + +_Ingrain_, a kind of carpeting, in which the threads are dyed in the +grain, or raw material, before manufacture. + +_Ipecac_, (an abbreviation of _ipecacuanha_,) an Indian medicinal plant, +acting as an emetic. + +_Isinglass_, a fine kind of gelatin, or glue, prepared from the +swimming-bladders of fishes, used as a cement, and also as an ingredient +in food and medicine. The name is sometimes applied to a transparent +mineral substance called mica. + +_Kamtschadales_, inhabitants of _Kamtschatka_, a large peninsula +situated on the northeastern coast of Asia, having the North Pacific +Ocean on the east. It is remarkable for its extreme cold, which is +heightened by a range of very lofty mountains, extending the whole +length of the peninsula, several of which are volcanic. It is very +deficient in vegetable productions, but produces a great variety of +animals, from which the richest and most valuable furs are procured. The +inhabitants are in general below the common height, but have broad +shoulders and large heads. It is under the dominion of Russia. + +_Kink_, a knotty twist in a thread or rope. + +_Lapland_, a country at the extreme north part of Europe, where it is +very cold. It contains lofty mountains, some of which are covered with +perpetual snow and ice. + +_Latin_, the language of the Latins, or inhabitants of Latium, the +principal country of ancient Italy. After the building of Rome, that +city became the capital of the whole country. + +_Leguminous_, pod-bearing. + +_Lent_, a fast of the Christian Church, (lasting forty days, from Ash +Wednesday to Easter,) in commemoration of our Saviour's miraculous fast +of forty days and forty nights, in the wilderness. The word Lent means +spring; this fast always occurring at that season of the year. + +_Levite_, one of the tribe of Levi, the son of Jacob, which tribe was +set apart from the others, to minister in the services of the +Tabernacle, and the Temple at Jerusalem. The Priests were taken from +this tribe. See Numbers i. 47-53. + +_Ley_, water which has percolated through ashes, earth, or other +substances, dissolving and imbibing a part of their contents. It is +generally spelled _lie_, or _lye_. + +_Linnæus_, (Charles,) a native of Sweden, and the most celebrated +naturalist of his age. He was born May 13, 1707, and died January 11, +1778. His life was devoted to the study of natural history. The science +of botany, in particular, is greatly indebted to his labors. His +'_Amoenitates Academicæ_' (Academical Recreations) is a collection of +the dissertations of his pupils, edited by himself; a work rich in +matters relating to the history and habits of plants. He was the first +who arranged Natural History into a regular system, which has been +generally called by his name. His proper name was Linné. + +_Lobe_, a division, a distinct part; generally applied to the two +divisions of the lungs. + +_Log Cabin_, a cabin or house built of logs, as is generally the case in +newly-settled countries. + +_Loire_, the largest river of France, being about five hundred and fifty +miles in length. It rises in the mountains of Cevennes, and empties into +the Atlantic Ocean, about forty miles below the city of Nantes. It +divides France into two almost equal parts. + +_London Medical Society_, a distinguished association, formed in 1773. +It has published some valuable volumes of its Transactions. It has a +library, of about 40,000 volumes, which is kept in a house presented to +the Society, in 1788, by the celebrated Dr. Lettsom, who was one of its +first members. + +_Louis XIV._, a celebrated King of France and Navarre, who was born +Sept. 5, 1638, and died Sept. 1, 1715. His mother having before had no +children, though she had been married twenty-two years, his birth was +considered as a particular favor from heaven, and he was called the +'Gift of God.' He is sometimes styled 'Louis the Great,' and his reign +is celebrated as an era of magnificence and learning, and is notorious +as a period of licentiousness. He left behind him monuments of +unprecedented splendor and expense, consisting of palaces, gardens, and +other like works. + +_Lumbar_, (from the Latin _lumbus_, the loin,) relating or pertaining to +the loins. + +_Lunacy, writ of_, a judicial proceeding, to ascertain whether a person +be a lunatic. + +_Mademoiselle_, the French word for Miss, a young girl. + +_Magnesia_, a light and white alkaline earth, which enters into the +composition of many rocks, communicating to them a greasy or soapy +feeling, and a striped texture, with sometimes a greenish color. + +_Malaria_, (Italian, _mal'aria, bad air_,) a noxious vapor or +exhalation; a state of the atmosphere or soil, or both, which, in +certain regions, and in warm weather, produces fever, sometimes of great +violence. + +_Mammon_, riches, the Syrian god of riches. See St. Luke, xvi. 11, 13, +St. Matthew, vi. 24. + +_Martineau_, (Harriet,) a woman who has become somewhat celebrated by +her book of travels in the United States, and by other works. + +_Mexico_, a country situated southwest of the United States, and +extending to the Pacific Ocean. + +_Miasms_, such particles or atoms, as are supposed to arise from +distempered, putrefying, or poisonous bodies. + +_Michilimackinac_, or _Mackinac_, (now frequently corrupted into +_Mackinaw_, which is the usual pronunciation of the name,) a military +post in the State of Michigan, situated upon an island about nine miles +in circuit, in the strait which connects Lakes Michigan and Huron. It is +much resorted to by Indians and fur traders. The highest summit of the +island is about three hundred feet above the lakes, and commands an +extensive view of them. + +_Midsummer_, with us, the time when the sun arrives at his greatest +distance from the equator, or about the twenty-first of June, called, +also, the summer solstice, (from the Latin _sol_, _the sun_, and _sto_, +_to stop_ or _stand still_,) because, when the sun reaches this point, +he seems to stand still for some time, and then appears to retrace his +steps. The days are then longer than at any other time. + +_Migrate_, to remove from one place to another; to change residence. + +_Mildew_, a disease of plants; a mould, spot, or stain, in paper, +cloths, &c., caused by moisture. + +_Militate_, to oppose, to operate against. + +_Millinet_, a coarse kind of stiff muslin, formerly used for the +foundation or basis of bonnets, &c. + +_Mineralogy_, a science which treats of the inorganic natural substances +found upon or in the earth, such as earths, salts, metals, &c., and +which are called by the general name of minerals. + +_Minutiæ_, the smallest particulars. + +_Monasticism_, monastic life; religiously recluse life, in a monastery, +or house of religious retirement. + +_Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley_, one of the most celebrated among the +female literary characters of England. She was daughter of Evelyn, Duke +of Kingston, and was born about 1690, at Thoresby, in England. She +displayed uncommon abilities, at a very early age, and was educated by +the best masters in the English, Latin, Greek, and French, languages. +She accompanied her husband (Edward Wortley Montagu) on an embassy to +Constantinople, and her correspondence with her friends was published +and much admired. She introduced the practice of inoculation for the +smallpox into England, which proved of great benefit to millions. She +died at the age of seventy-two, A. D. 1762. + +_Moral Philosophy_, the science which treats of the motives and rules of +human actions, and of the ends to which they ought to be directed. + +_Moreen_, a kind of woollen stuff used for curtains, covers of cushions, +bed hangings, &c. + +_Mucous_, having the nature of _mucus_, a glutinous, sticky, thready, +transparent fluid, of a salt savor, produced by different membranes of +the body, and serving to protect the membranes and other internal parts +against the action of the air, food, &c. The fluid of the mouth and nose +is mucus. + +_Mucous membrane_, that membrane which lines the mouth, nose, +intestines, and other open cavities of the body. + +_Muriatic acid_, an acid, composed of chlorine and hydrogen, called, +also, hydrochloric acid, and spirit of salt. + +_Mush-stick_, a stick to use in stirring _mush_, which is corn meal +boiled in water. + +_Nankeen_, or _Nankin_, a light cotton cloth, originally brought from +Nankin, in China, whence its name. + +_Nash_, (Richard,) commonly called _Beau Nash_, or King of Bath, a +celebrated leader of the fashions in England. He was born at Swansea, in +South Wales, October 8, 1674, and died in the city of Bath, (England,) +February 3, 1761. + +_Natural History_, the history of animals, plants, and minerals. + +_Natural Philosophy_, the science which treats of the powers of Nature, +the properties of natural bodies, and their action one upon another. It +is sometimes called _physics_. + +_New-milch cow_, a cow which has recently calved. + +_Newton_, (Sir Isaac,) an eminent English philosopher and mathematician, +who was born on Christmas day, 1642, and died March 20, 1727. He was +much distinguished for his very important discoveries in Optics and +other branches of Natural Philosophy. See the first volume of 'Pursuit +of Knowledge under Difficulties,' forming the fourteenth volume of +'THE SCHOOL LIBRARY,' Larger Series. + +_Non-bearers_, plants which bear no flowers nor fruit. + +_Northern States_, those of the United States situated in the Northern +and Eastern part of the Country. + +_Ordinary_, see _Physician in Ordinary_. + +_Oil of Vitriol_, (sulphuric acid, or vitriolic acid,) an acid composed +of oxygen and sulphur. + +_Orleans_, (Elizabeth Charlotte de Bavière,) _Duchess of_, second wife +of Philippe, the brother of Louis XIV., was born at Heidelberg, May 26, +1652, and died at the palace of St. Cloud, in Paris, December 8, 1722. +She was author of several works; among which were, Memoirs, and +Anecdotes, of the Court of Louis XIV. + +_Ottoman_, a kind of hassock, or thick mat, for kneeling upon; so +called, from being used by the Ottomans or Turks. + +_Oxalic acid_, a vegetable acid, which exists in sorrel. + +_Oxide_, a compound (which is not acid) of a substance with oxygen; for +example, oxide of iron, or rust of metals. + +_Oxidize_, to combine oxygen with a body without producing acidity. + +_Oxygen_, vital air, a simple and very important substance, which exists +in the atmosphere, and supports the breathing of animals and the burning +of combustibles. It was called oxygen, from two Greek words, signifying +to produce acid, from its power of giving acidity to many compounds in +which it predominates. + +_Oxygenized_, combined with oxygen. + +_Pancreas_, a gland within the abdomen, just below and behind the +stomach, and providing a fluid to assist digestion. In animals, it is +called the sweet-bread. _Pancreatic_, belonging to the pancreas. + +_Parterre_, a level division of ground, a flower garden. + +_Pearlash_, the common name for impure carbonate of potash, which, in a +purer form, is called _Sal æratus_. + +_Peristaltic_, worm-like. + +_Philosophy_, see _Intellectual_, _Moral_, and _Natural_. + +_Physician in Ordinary to the Queen_, the Physician who attends the +Queen in ordinary cases of illness. + +_Pistil_, that part of a flower, generally in the centre, composed of +the germ, style, and stigma, which receives the pollen or fertilizing +dust of the stamens. + +_Pitt, William_, a celebrated English statesman, son of the Earl of +Chatham. He was born, May 28, 1759, and at the age of twenty-three, was +made Chancellor of the Exchequer, and soon afterward, Prime Minister. He +died, January 23, 1806. + +_Political Economy_, the science which treats of the general causes +affecting the production, distribution, and consumption, of articles of +exchangeable value, in reference to their effects upon national wealth +and welfare. + +_Pollen_, the fertilizing dust of flowers, produced by the stamens, and +falling upon the pistils, in order to render a flower capable of +producing fruit or seed. + +_Potter's clay_, the clay used in making articles of pottery. + +_Prairie_, a French word, signifying _meadow_. In the United States, it +is applied to the remarkable natural meadows, or plains, which are found +in the Western States. In some of these vast and nearly level plains, +the traveller may wander for days, without meeting with wood or water, +and see no object rising above the plane of the horizon. They are very +fertile. + +_Prime Minister_, the person appointed by the ruler of a nation to have +the chief direction and management of the public affairs. + +_Process_, a protuberance, or projecting part of a bone. + +_Pulmonary_, belonging to, or affecting, the lungs. _Pulmonary artery_, +an artery which passes through the lungs, being divided into several +branches, which form a beautiful network over the air-vessels, and +finally empty themselves into the left auricle of the heart. + +_Puritans_, a sect, which professed to follow the pure word of God, in +opposition to traditions, human constitutions, and other authorities. In +the reign of Queen Elizabeth, part of the Protestants were desirous of +introducing a simpler, and, as they considered it, a _purer_, form of +church government and worship, than that established by law; from which +circumstance, they were called _Puritans_. In process of time, this +party increased in numbers, and openly broke off from the Church, laying +aside the English liturgy, and adopting a service-book published at +Geneva, by the disciples of Calvin. They were treated with great rigor +by the Government, and many of them left the kingdom and settled in +Holland. Finding themselves not so eligibly situated in that Country, as +they had expected to be, a portion of them embarked for America, and +were the first settlers of New England. + +_Quixotic_, absurd, romantic, ridiculous; from _Don Quixote_, the hero +of a celebrated fictitious work, written by Cervantes, a distinguished +Spanish writer, and intended to reform the tastes and opinions of his +countrymen. + +_Reeking_, smoking, emitting vapor. + +_Residuum_, the remainder, or part which remains. + +_Routine_, a round, or course of engagements, business, pleasure, &c. + +To _Run_ a seam, to lay the two edges of a seam together, and pass the +threaded needle out and in, with small stitches, a few threads below the +edge, and on a line with it. + +To _Run_ a stocking, to pass a thread of yarn, with a needle, straight +along each row of the stocking, as far as is desired, taking up one loop +and missing two or three, until the row is completed, so as to double +the thickness at the part which is run. + +_Sabbatical year_, every seventh year, among the Jews, which was a year +of rest for the land, when it was to be left without culture. In this +year, all debts were to be remitted, and slaves set at liberty. See +Exodus xxi. 2, xxiii. 10, Leviticus xxv. 2, 3, &c., Deuteronomy xv. 12, +and other similar passages. + +_Sal æratus_, see _Pearlash_. + +_Sal ammoniac_, a salt, called also muriate of ammonia, which derives +its name from a district in Libya, Egypt, where there was a temple of +Jupiter Ammon, and where this salt was found. + +_Scotch Highlanders_, inhabitants of the Highlands of Scotland. + +_Selvedge_, the edge of cloth, a border. Improperly written _selvage_. + +_Service-book_, a book prescribing the order of public services in a +church or congregation. + +_Sharps_, see _Blunts_. + +_Shorts_, the coarser part of wheat bran. + +_Shrubbery_, a plantation of shrubs. + +_Siberia_, a large country in the extreme northern part of Asia, having +the Frozen Ocean on the north, and the Pacific Ocean on the east, and +forming a part of the Russian empire. The northern part is extremely +cold, almost uncultivated, and contains but few inhabitants. It +furnishes fine skins, and some of the most valuable furs in the world. +It also contains rich mines of iron and copper, and several kinds of +precious stones. + +_Sinclair, Sir John_, of whom it was said, "There is no greater name in +the annals of agriculture, than his," was born in Caithness, Scotland, +May 10, 1754, and became a member of the British Parliament in 1780. He +was strongly opposed to the measures of the British Government towards +America, which produced the American Revolution. He was author of many +valuable publications, on various subjects. He died December 21, 1835. + +_Sirloin_, the loin of beef. The appellation 'Sir' is the title of a +knight, or baronet; and has been added to the word 'loin,' when applied +to beef, because a King of England, in a freak of good humor, once +conferred the honor of knighthood upon a loin of beef. + +_Slack_, to loosen, to relax, to deprive of cohesion. + +_Soda_, an alkali, usually obtained from the ashes of marine plants. + +To _Spade_, to throw out earth with a spade. + +_Spermaceti_, an oily substance, found in the head of a species of +whale, called the spermaceti whale. + +_Spindling_, see page 124. + +_Spinous process_, a process or bony protuberance, resembling a spine or +thorn, whence it derives its name. + +_Spool_, a piece of cane or reed, or a hollow cylinder of wood, with a +ridge at each end, used to wind yarn and thread upon. + +_Stamen_, (plural _stamens_ and _stamina_,) in _weaving_, the warp, the +thread, any thing made of threads. In _botany_, that part of a flower, +on which the artificial classification is founded, consisting of the +filament or stalk, and the anther, which contains the pollen, or +fructifying powder. + +_Stigma_, (plural _stigmas_ and _stigmata_,) the summit or top of the +pistil of a flower. + +_Style_, or _Stile_, the part of the pistil between the germ and the +stigma. + +_Sub-carbonate_, an imperfect carbonate. + +_Sulphates_, _Sulphats_, _Sulphites_, salts formed by the combination of +some base with sulphuric acid, as _Sulphate of copper_, (blue vitriol, +or blue stone,) a combination of sulphuric acid with copper. _Sulphate +of iron_, copperas, or green vitriol. _Sulphate of lime_, gypsum, or +plaster of Paris. _Sulphate of magnesia_, Epsom salts. _Sulphate of +potash_, a chemical salt, composed of sulphuric acid and potash. +_Sulphate of soda_, Glauber's salts. _Sulphate of zinc_, white vitriol. + +_Sulphuret_, a combination of an alkaline earth or metal with sulphur +as, _Sulphuret of iron_, a combination of iron and sulphur. + +_Sulphuric acid_, oil of vitriol, vitriolic acid. + +_Suture_, a sewing; the uniting of parts by stitching; the seam or joint +which unites the flat bones of the skull, which are notched like the +teeth of a saw, and the notches, being united together, present the +appearance of a seam. + +_Tartar_, a substance, deposited on the inside of wine casks, consisting +chiefly of tartaric acid and potash. _Cream of tartar_, the crude tartar +separated from all its impurities, by being dissolved in water and then +crystallized, when it becomes a perfectly white powder. + +_Tartaric acid_, a vegetable acid which exists in the grape. + +_Technology_, a description of the arts, considered generally, in their +theory and practice, as connected with moral, political, and physical +science. + +_Three great Jewish yearly festivals_, see _Festivals_. + +_Three-ply_, or triple ingrain, a kind of carpeting, in which the +threads are woven in such a manner as to make three thicknesses of the +cloth. + +_Tic douloureux_, a painful affection of the nerves, mostly those of the +face. + +_Tocqueville_, (Alexis de,) a celebrated living statesman and writer of +France, and author of volumes on the Political Condition, and the +Penitentiaries, of the United States, and other works. + +_Trachea_, the windpipe, so named (from a Greek word signifying _rough_) +from the roughness, or inequalities, of the cartilages of which it is +formed. + +_Truckle-bed_, or _trundle-bed_, a bed that runs on wheels. + +_Tuber_, a solid, fleshy, roundish root, like the potato. _Tuberous_, +thick and fleshy; composed of, or having, tubers. + +_Tucks_, (improperly tacks,) folds in garments. + +_Turmeric_, the root of a plant called _Curcuma longa_, a native of the +East Indies, used as a yellow dye. + +_Twaddle_, idle, foolish talk, or conversation. + +_Unbolted_, unsifted. + +_Unslacked_, not loosened, or deprived of cohesion. Lime, when it has +been slacked, crumbles to powder, from being deprived of cohesion. + +_Valance_, the drapery or fringe hanging round the cover of a bed, +couch, or other similar article. + +_Vascular_, relating to, or full of, vessels. + +_Venetian_, a kind of carpeting, composed of a striped woollen warp on a +thick woof of linen thread. + +_Verisimilitude_, probability, resemblance to truth. + +_Verbatim_, word for word. + +_Vice versa_, the side being changed, or the question reversed, or the +terms being exchanged. + +_Viscera_, (plural of _viscus_,) organs contained in the abdomen and in +the chest. + +_Vitriol_, a compound mineral salt, of a very caustic taste. _Blue +vitriol_, sulphate of copper. _Green vitriol_, see _Copperas_. _Oil of +vitriol_, sulphuric acid. _White vitriol_, sulphate of zinc. + +_Waffle-iron_, an iron utensil for the purpose of baking waffles, which +are thin and soft cakes indented by the iron in which they are baked. + +_Washleather_, a soft, pliable leather, dressed with oil, and in such a +way, that it may be washed, without shrinking. It is used for various +articles of dress, as under-shirts, drawers, &c., and also for rubbing +silver, and other articles having a high polish. The article known, in +commerce, as chamois, or shammy, leather, is also called wash-leather. + +_Welting cord_, a cord sewed into the welt or border of a garment. + +The _West_, or _Western World_. When used in Europe, or in distinction +from the Eastern World, it means America. When used in this Country, the +West refers to the Western States of the Union. _Western Wilds_, the +wild, thinly-settled lands of the Western States. + +_White vitriol_, see _Zinc_. + +_Wilton carpet_, a kind of carpets, made in England, and so called from +the place which is the chief seat of their manufacture. They are woollen +velvets, with variegated colors. + +_Writ of lunacy_, see _Lunacy_. + +_Xantippe_, the wife of Socrates, noted for her violent temper and +scolding propensities. The name is frequently applied to a shrew, or +peevish, turbulent, scolding woman. + +_Zinc_, a blueish-white metal, which is used as a constituent of brass, +and some other alloys. _Sulphate of zinc_, or _White vitriol_, a +combination of zinc with sulphuric acid. + + + + +INDEX. + + +A. + +Absorbents of the skin, 93, 119. + +Accidents and antidotes, 240. + +Accounts, 174, 186. + By girls, 188. + +Acids, 319. + +Africans, diet of, 221. + +Air, evils of the want of pure, 91, 129, 196, 311. + Exercise in the, 129, 133. + For infants, 217, 218. + Of sick-rooms, 237. + Dancing in the, 246. + _See_ Ventilation. + +Albany Orphan Asylum, 222. + +Alcoholic drinks, 107. + _See_ Stimulating. + +Alton, account of the Monticello Female Seminary at, 54. + +Amaryllis, 335. + +America, anticipations as to, 36. + Conspicuous station of, 36. + Changeableness in the conditions in, 40, 46, 48, 257. + Labor in, 147. + +American women, peculiar responsibilities of, 25. + Rights and privileges of, 27. + Their distinct line of duty, 28, 32, 33. + Influence of, on America, 32, 33. + Their equality, 33. + Fancied wrongs of, 33. + Part to be acted by, 36. + Influence of, in the world, 37, 38. + Difficulties peculiar to, 38; + as housekeepers, 39, 151, 204; + from delicacy of constitution, 41, 45, 47, 128. + Few perfectly healthy, 43. + Causes of unhealthy, 43, 128; + mental excitement, 43; + their sense of their responsibilities, 44; + too little outdoor exercise, 44. + Bad early training of, 45. + Exposures of, in newly-settled countries, 46. + De Tocqueville describes, in the West, 46. + In the East and in the West, compared, 47. + Should oppose the feeling that labor is degrading, 61. + Precedence given to, by the other sex, 141. + Housekeeping by, 151. + Time and money spent by, for the ornamental, 175. + _See_ Daughters, Females, Mothers, _and_ Women. + +Amusements, 244, 250. + +Anemone, 335. + +Anger, on silence in, 152. + _See_ Temper, _and_ Tones. + +Animal food, 99, 100. + For young children, 220. + Nourishment of, 221. + _See_ Food. + +Animals, cruelty to, in sport, 244, 246. + +Annual flowers, 337. + +Anthracite coal, 281. + +Ants, red and black, 323. + +Anxiety, a countenance of, 149. + +Appetites, gratification of the, 159, 171, 172. + Rule as to, 184. + +Apple trees, preserving from insects, 350. + +Apportionment of time, 157, 160, 181. + By regular division of work, 162. + Jewish, 181. + +Aristocracy, English, 27, 123. + The prejudice of, as to labor, 61, 123. + Distinguishing mark of, 123. + On aping the, 124. + Courtesy of, limited, 139. + Manners of democracy and, 146. + On economy among the, 194. + Domestics of, 205. + +Arm, muscles of the, 74, 75. + +Arsenic, poisoning from, 242. + +Arteries, tying up, 240. + +Associated charities, 178. + +Association, in Illinois, for educating poor females, 59. + For education at large, 203. + +Astral lamps, 282. + + +B. + +Back-door accommodations, 276. + +Baglivi, on health during Lent, 100. + +Balls, 247, 248. + +Bargains, on making, 190, 194. + +Baskets, 321. + For centre tables, 354. + +Bath, on using the, 120. + +Bathing infants, 217. + _See_ Washing. + +Bathing-rooms, 276. + +Beating down prices, 190, 194. + +Beaumont, Dr., experiments by, on the digestibility of food, 104, _note_. + +Beauty, effect of exercise on, 132. + +Bed-bugs, 323. + +Bedrooms, care of, 311. + +Beds and bedding, 114, 313, 329. + Washing, 287. + On making, 314. + +Beef's-gall, uses of, 286, 289. + To prepare, 292. + +Bell, Sir Charles, on nerves, 129. + +Benevolence, happiness of, 131. + _See_ Charity. + +Bile, 89. + +Bituminous coal, 281. + +Black ants, 323. + +Black tea, 110. + +Bleeding at the lungs, 243. + +Blindness, guarding against, 217, 283. + +Blisters, on dressing, 238. + +Blood, details as to the circulation of the, 83. + Effect of daylight on the, 124; + of exercise, 132. + Crowded to the brain, when one is excited, 195. + When a cause of mental disease, 196. + Stopping, 240, 243. + When dancing, 246. + _See_ Circulation. + +Blood-vessels, 81. + +Blows on the head, 241. + +Boarding-houses, plan as to expenses of, 186. + +Boarding schools, curvature of the spine common at, 41. + _See_ Female seminaries. + +Boards for ironing, 294. + +Body, change and renovation of the, 91. + Connection of mind and, 195. + _See_ Mind. + +Boldness in domestics, 209. + +Bones, described, 69. + +Books, on teaching domestic economy from, 65. + +Bosom-boards, 294. + +Boston, scientific and literary advantages in, 147. + +Bowels, 235, 237, _note_. + +Boys, small, made useful, 164. + Domestic arts taught to, 164. + _See_ Children. + +Brain, excitement of the, 195. + Over-action of the, 197. + +Breakfast, 103. + On late, 127. + On the care of, and of dining-rooms, 306. + +Broadcloths, cleansing, 289. + +Broken limbs, 240. + +Brown linens, washing, 288. + +Bruises, 240. + +Budding, hints on, 342. + +Bulbs, 335. + +Bulwer's novels, 234. + +Burne, Dr., cited, 235. + +Burns, treatment of, 241. + +Buttonholes, 324. + +Byron, Lord, 200, 201. + + +C. + +Cakes, keeping till meal time, 223. + +Calicoes, washing, 286, 287. + Ironing, 295. + +Calisthenics, 56, 247. + +Candles, 281. + To make, 283. + +Caps for infants, 217. + +Carpets, hints as to, 302. + +Carving, 310. + +Castle building, 199. + +Cathartics, 235, 237. + +Catholics, health of, during Lent, 100. + +Cellars, vegetables in dark, 124. + On the care of, 322. + +Chambers, care of, 311. + Couches for, 312. + Furniture for, 313. + +Character, attention to, at school, 58. + Dependence of happiness on, 169. + Self-denying benevolence of Christ's, 169. + +Charcoal, 242, 281. + +Charity, 131. + On giving in, 158. + Difficulty respecting, 167. + General principles respecting, 168. + Objects for receiving, 176. + For souls of men, 177. + By furnishing the poor with means of earning support, 178. + Associations for, 178. + Indiscriminate bestowal of, 178. + Benefit of tracts in distributing, 179. + On judging of other people's, 180. + Union of, with social enjoyments, 184. + +Cheap articles, hints on, 190, 194. + +Children, washing, 121, 122. + Living in the dark, 124. + Early retiring and rising of, 126. + Cultivation of good manners in, 141, 142. + Too great familiarity with, 143, 226. + Should acknowledge acts of kindness, 143; + ask leave to use others' articles, 143; + avoid wounding others' feelings, 143. + To be taught to keep silence, 145, 230. + Do not surround with too many rules, 145. + On making allowances for, 154. + Waiting on, 163. + On making useful, 163, 252. + On paying, for services, 164, 230. + On giving younger, to older, 165. + Precocity in, 198. + Eating too often, 223. + To be guarded as to honesty, deceit, and running in debt, 232. + Sharing fruits and flowers, 251. + _See_ Boys, Female, Girls, _and_ Young children. + +Chimneys, smoky, 352. + +Christ's character, 169. + +Christianity, principles of, identical with democratic, 25, 34. + +Churches, ill-ventilated, 196. + +Chyle, 89. + Converted into arterial blood, 90. + From animal and other food, 99. + +Cincinnati, education in, 148. + +Circulation, in the skin of infants, 113. + Effect of cold on, 113, 118, 119. + _See_ Blood. + +Clark, Dr., on animal diet for very young children, 220. + +Cleaning carpets, 303. + +Cleanliness, on realizing the importance of, 118. + Of the sick, 238. + +Cleansing articles, 298. + +Climbing plants, 339. + +Closets, of conveniences, 162. + Sliding, 278. + For washing utensils, 285. + In eating-rooms, 306. + In kitchens, 322. + +Clothing and clothes, 112. + Deficiency of, 113, 129. + Excess of, 114. + Rule as to, 114. + Flannel, 114, 115. + Of men and women, compared, 115. + Example of English women as to, 117. + On changing, next to the body, 120. + Girls buying their own, 188. + On inconsistent, 189. + On washing, 285. + Ironing, 295. + Whitening, 296. + Cleansing, 298. + Coloring, 300. + _See_ Dress, _and_ Tight dressing. + +Coal, 281. + +Coats, on folding, 315. + +Cobalt, poisoning from, 242. + +Cockroaches, 323. + +Coffee, _see_ Tea. + +Cold, on exposure to, 113, 118. + Effect of, on infants, 114. + +Cold and hot, food, 103. + Drinks, 110. + +Collecting of specimens, 253. + +Colleges, on the endowment of, 51. + On physicians in, 198. + +Colors, coloring and, 300. + For different complexions, 327. + +Combe, Andrew, on drinks, 111. + On exercising the brain, 199. + On infants, 214. + On animal food, 221. + +Complexions, colors for the different, 327. + +Condiments in food, 99. + +Constipation, 235, 237, _note_. + +Constitution, delicacy of, in American females, 41, 45, 47; + causes of it, 45, 128. + On early attention to the, 49. + Duties of wealthy mothers, respecting their children's, 50. + Effect of stimulating drinks on the, 107. + +Conveniences, on providing, 162. + For cooking, 319. + _See_ Closets. + +Convivial meetings, on exposures after, 119, 247. + +Cooking, food made unhealthy by, 99, 101. + Conveniences wanted for, 319. + +Cooper, Sir Astley, cited, 195. + +Corrosive sublimate, poisoning from, 241. + +Corsets, 116. + +Couches, cheap, 312. + +Courtesy, want of, 137, 141; + causes of it, 138, 148. + _See_ Democracy. + +Cows, to take care of, 352. + +Creeping of infants, 219. + +Cribs for infants, 218. + +Crickets, 323. + +Crockery, 319. + +Crocus, 335. + +Crown Imperial, 335. + +Cruelty in amusements, 244, 246. + +Crying of infants, 219. + +Curculios, 351. + +Currants, 348, 350. + +Curtains, 302, 304. + +Curvature, _see_ Spine. + +Cuts, remedies for, 240. + +Cutting and sewing, 324, 328. + +Cuvier, cited, 220. + + +D. + +Daffodils, 336. + +Dahlias, 336. + +Dancing, 245, 246. + +Daughters, on schooling, 48. + On keeping, as domestic assistants, 60. + Educated to domestic work, 67. + _See_ Female, _and_ Girls. + +Day, on converting into night, 123. + Influence of, on vegetables and blood, 124. + +Debt, on running into, 232. + +Democracy, principles of, identical with Christian, 25, 34. + Tendencies of, as to the female sex, 27. + On progress towards, 34. + On what the success of, depends, 36. + Of early rising, 123. + Courtesy of manners and, 138, 140, 146. + +Derangement, from over-excitement, 197. + +Diet, _see_ Food. + +Difficulties, peculiar to American women, 38. + On estimating them justly, 39, 151. + Remedies for, 48, 151. + +Digestion, organs of respiration and, 87. + Details respecting, 94. + Articles easiest for, 101, 104. + Experiments respecting, 104. + _Bulk_ of food necessary to, 105. + Impeded by bathing, 121. + +Dining-rooms, care of, 306. + +Dinner, setting table for, 309. + +Dirt not healthy, 118. + +Dish-cloths, 317. + +Dishes, on washing, 318. + +Dolls, benefits from, 254. + +Domestic amusements, 244. + +Domestic exercise, 128. + +Domestic Economy, on raising, as a science, 50, 67. + Reasons for introducing, into school, 63. + On teaching, from books, 65. + Indispensable part of education, 134. + +Domestic education, importance of, in childhood, 48. + On early training in, 49, 60, 67. + On giving mornings to, 49. + In the Monticello Female Seminary, 54. + Should alternate with studies, 60. + Sufferings for want of, 63. + Many mothers unqualified to teach, 65. + Dignity of, 67, 135. + +Domestics, peculiar difficulties as to, in America, 40, 204. + Duties to be done by daughters, and not by, 50. + Blessing of a dearth of, 50. + Without, 64. + On making allowances for, 154, 210, 212. + Care of, 204. + Of aristocratic lands, 205. + Placing ourselves in their situation, 205, 206. + Exorbitant wages of, 205. + Instability and discontent of, and the remedy, 206. + Pride and insubordination of, and the remedy, 207, 208. + On calling them _servants_, 207. + Admitted to the table, 209. + Bold and forward, 209. + Dress and rooms of, 209, 210. + Deficiencies of, and the remedies, 210. + Getting away, 211. + Finding fault with, 211. + Patience with, 212. + Regard to, in construction of houses, 261. + Beds for, 315. + +Doors, outside, 260, 263. + +Dress, too much attention to, 166. + Inconsistency in, 189. + Of domestics, 209. + _See_ Clothing. + +Dresses, for the domestic duties of school girls, 55. + Colors for, 327. + _See_ Clothing. + +Drink, during meal-time, 103. + +Drinks, on healthful, 106. + +Drowning, 241. + +Dumb-waiters, 278, 306. + +Dusting, 304, 306. + +Duties, enjoyments connected with, 183. + + +E. + +Early rising, 122. + Democratic, 123. + Reasons for, 124. + Time for, 126. + Longevity and, 126. + Effects of, on a family, 126; + on the community, 127; + on systematic duty, 166. + +Earthen ware, 319. + +Eating, intemperance in, 94, 95. + At any time, 96. + Too fast, 101. + Should not be followed by exercise, 102; + nor bathing, 121. + _See_ Food. + +Eating-rooms, care of, 306. + +Economy, on domestic, 152. + Extravagance changed for, 176. + Contradictory ideas as to, 185. + General principles as to, 186. + Relative obligations of rich and poor as to, 191. + Neglect as to, 193. + Of the aristocracy, 194. + +Education in America, 147. + Associations for, 203. + _See_ Female, _and_ Monticello. + +Employment, for the different divisions of a week, 162. + On regular, for all the family, 163. + +Enjoyments, _see_ Amusements, _and_ Happiness. + +Equality, on democratic, 25. + _See_ Democracy, Sexes, _and_ Women. + +Establishments, expensive, given up, 176. + +Exercise, comparative, of American women and others, 44. + Neglect of, 50, 244. + Method for securing, at the Monticello Female Seminary, 54. + Indispensable to the health of the several parts of the + human frame, 73, 97. + Of the muscles, 76, 78, 97, 116, 128, 129. + Effect of want of, on the spine, 78, 80. + Food to be graduated by, 97. + After eating, bad, 102. + Evils of want of, 129. + On furnishing interesting, 131. + Walking for, 131. + In useful employments, 131. + Excessive, 132. + Rule as to, 133. + On excessive, of the mind and feelings, 197. + Of the brain, 199. + +Exhalations from the skin, 92. + +Expenses, on keeping account of, 173, 174. + Economy in, 185, 193. + On graduating, by the income, 186. + On gentility in being careless of, 193. + On extravagance in, 194. + _See_ Economy. + +Eyes, screening, from light, 217, 283. + + +F. + +Family, on early rising in the, 126. + Fathers neglecting the, 255. + On attachments of, 256. + +Fasting in sickness, 235. + +Fathers neglecting home, 255. + +Fault-finding, 211. + +Featherbeds, 114, 313. + +Feelings, inactivity of the, 199. + +Feet, on protecting the, 115, 117, 129. + Keeping those of infants, warm, 217. + Bathing, for a cold, 235. + +Female association for educating poor females, 59. + +Female education, advantages for, in America, 43. + Objects to be attended to, in, 48, 49. + Importance of mathematics in, 56. + Should be conducted by females, 58. + Present waste in conducting, 60. + _See_ School. + +Female seminaries, on the endowment of, 51. + Importance of, 52. + Defects of, 53. + Suitable, 53. + Monticello Female Seminary, described, 54. + Division of labor and responsibility in, 58. + Requirement for admission to the Monticello, 59. + On providing, 61, 68. + Reasons for introducing the study of domestic economy into, 63. + Establishment of, by a wealthy female, 202. + Should have gardens, 251. + +Females, influence of, on the character of the young, 37. + Building schoolhouses, 202. + _See_ American women, Girls, _and_ Women. + +Filberts, 348. + +Finding fault, 211. + +Finger nails, 122, 144. + +Fire, escaping from, 243. + +Fireplaces and fires, 260, 265, 280, 311. + +Fishing, 244. + +Flannel, 114. + Utility of, 115. + On washing, 285, 286. + +Fleas, 323. + +Flies, on destroying, 323. + +Flower baskets, 354. + +Flower seeds, on planting, 332. + +Flowers, 251, 335. + Arranging, 337. + +Fluids, on taking, 103, 104. + +Folding articles, 315. + +Follicles of the skin, 93. + +Food, on the conversion of, into nourishment, 87. + Responsibility as to, in a family, 94. + On taking too much, 94, 95, 128. + On one kind of, for each meal, 95. + Should be taken at proper times, 96. + Strong laboring men need most, 96. + Quantity of, to be graduated by exercise, 97. + On the quality of, 98. + Stimulating, 99. + Animal and vegetable, 99, 100, 220, 221. + Kinds of, most easily digested, 101, 104, 105. + Injurious, from bad cooking, 101. + On eating, too fast, 101, 128. + On exercise after taking, 102. + On hot and cold, 103. + Highly concentrated, 104. + Certain _bulk_ of, necessary to digestion, 105. + For infants, 214, 216. + For nurses, 215. + Sickness from improper, 235. + Preparing, for the sick, 239. + +Footstools, 303. + +Foreigners, employed as domestics, 40. + +Forewarning domestics, 211. + +Forwardness of domestics, 209. + +Franklin, Benjamin, diet of, 222. + +Frocks, to make, 326. + +Fruit, on the cultivation of, 251, 347. + To preserve, 350. + +Fuel, hints as to, 280. + +Furnaces, 260, _note_. + +Furniture, on costly, 163, 167. + On inconsistent, 188. + On selecting, 302. + Packing of, for moving, 316. + Kitchen, 319. + + +G. + +Games of children, 253. + +Garden seeds, to plant, 333. + +Gardening, 331. + +Gardens, at female institutions, 251. + On laying out, 334. + +Gas, antidote for, 242. + +Gastric juice, 88, 94. + +Gathering, in shirts, 325. + +Girls, on sending, to school, 48, 60. + Should assist their mothers early, 49. + Education of, at the Monticello Female Seminary, 54. + Confinement of, in school, 133. + Small, made useful, 164. + Forming habits of system, 167; + of making purchases and keeping accounts, 188. + Effects of excitement on, 197. + Taking care of infants by, 214. + _See_ Daughters, _and_ Females. + +Gladiolus, 335. + +Gloves, cleansing, 298. + +Godfrey, Benjamin, Female Seminary endowed by, 54. + +Gooseberries, 348, 350. + +Gothic cottage, 271. + +Government of children, 226. + Unsteadiness in, and over-government, 228. + Maxims on, 229. + _See_ Children, Subordination, _and_ Young children. + +Grafting, 344. + +Grapes, 349, 350. + +Grates, 281. + +Gratifications, on physical, 159, 171, 172. + +Grease-spots, 289, 297, 298. + In carpets, 304. + +Greeks and Romans, bathing by, 120. + + +H. + +Habit, in a system of duty, 166. + +Handkerchiefs, cleansing, 298. + +Happiness, dependence of, on character, 169. + On living to make, 169, 200. + Connected with duties, 183. + +Hard-soap, to make, 291. + +Head, blows on the, 241. + +Headache, 78, 95. + +Health, delicacy and infrequency of, in American women, 41, 45. + Effect of mental excitement on 43; + of a high sense of responsibility, &c., 44; + of want of outdoor exercise, 44; + of bad early training, 45; + of exposures in newly-settled countries, 46. + On preparation for a _rational_ care of, in a family, 68, 69. + Connection of exercise and, 73, 76, 78, 97, 133; + of the quantity of food and, 94, 95, 100; + of the quality, 98. + Of Catholics during Lent, 100. + Not from dirt, 118. + Effect of early rising on, 125. + On the duty of sacrificing, 159. + Causes which injure the mind's, 196. + Amusements and, 245. + Laughter and, 253. + Regard to, in constructing houses, 260. + Ventilation and, 311. + Connection of, with cellars, 322. + _See_ Air, Exercise, _and_ Sickness. + +Hearths, 305. + +Hearts, different, 84. + Cause of their throbbing, 90. + +Heat of the body, regulated by the skin, 92. + +Heating houses, 260. + +Help, _see_ Domestics. + +Helping at table, 310. + +Herbaceous roots, 339. + +Horse-racing, 245, 246. + +Horses, care of, 351. + +Hose, on washing, 286, 289. + +Hospitality, on manifesting, 144. + To strangers, 257. + +Hot and cold food and drinks, 103, 110. + +Hot-beds, 331. + +House-cleaning, 353. + +Housekeepers, difficulties peculiar to American women as, 30. + Preservation of good temper in, 148, 150. + Allowances to be made for, 150. + Necessity of a habit of system and order in, 157. + General principles for, 158. + Plans by, for saving time, 184. + _See_ American women. + +Housekeeping, on a knowledge of, 134. + Dignity and difficulty of, 150, 157. + _See_ Labor. + +House-plants, to repot, 333. + Care of, 341. + +Houses, on the construction of, 258. + Regard to economy of labor in, 258; + to water, 259, 275; + to heating, 260; + to economy of health, 260; + to domestics, 261; + to good taste, 261. + Plans of, and of domestic conveniences, 261. + Shade-trees around, 275. + Back-door accommodations to, 276. + +Hunger, 94, 132. + As a guide for taking food, 97. + +Hunting, 244. + +Hyacinths, 335. + + +I. + +Illinois, female association in, for educating poor females, 59. + _See_ Alton. + +Imagination, 199. + Works of, 249. + _See_ Novel reading. + +Impostors, soliciting charity, 178. + +Impurity of thought, 233. + +Income, _see_ Expenses. + +Indigestion, 101. + _See_ Health. + +Infants, mortality among, 112, 114, 214. + Too cold, 113. + Plunging, in cold water, 113. + Registrations of, 113. + On giving, to the older children, 165. + Use of, to elicit charity, 179. + Importance of knowing how to take care of, 213. + Combe, Bell, and Eberle on, cited, 214. + Food for, 214, 216, 218. + Medicines for, 215, 216, 218, 219. + Pure air for, 217, 218. + Keeping warm, 217, 218. + Keeping their heads cool, 217. + Bathing, 217, 218. + Nostrums for, 219. + Unquiet, 219. + To creep, 219. + Standing, 219. + Crying, 219. + _See_ Children, _and_ Mortality. + +Ingrafting, 344. + +Ink-stains, 298. + +Insects, on destroying, 323. + Preserving apple trees from, 350. + +Institutions, _see_ Female seminaries, _and_ School. + +Intelligence, dependence of democracy on, 36. + +Intemperance, H. Martineau on, criticized, 30, _note_. + In eating, 94, 95. + In drinking, 106. + Female responsibility as to, 106. + +Invitations, 353. + +Ironing, articles to be provided for, 293. + Settee for, 293. + Boards for, 294. + Hints on, 295. + +Iron-ware, 319. + + +J. + +Jewish use of time, 182. + +Jokes, 253. + +Jonquilles, 335. + + +K. + +Kitchens, 163, 259. + On taking care of, 317. + Floors of, 317. + Oilcloths for, 317. + Furniture for, 319. + +Knitting, to employ time, 185. + +Knives and forks, 307. + + +L. + +Labelling powders, 239. + +Labor, nobility of, 55, 147. + On opposing the idea of the degradation of, 61, 123, 124. + Not inconsistent with delicacy, 62. + On economy of, in houses, 258. + +Laces, doing up of, 292. + +Lamps, 281. + Care of, 282. + +Laplanders and their food, 220. + +Lard, used for oil, 281. + +Latticed portico, 277. + +Laughter, 253. + +Laws, necessity of a system of, 25. + +Leghorn hats, 299. + +Lent, health during, 100. + +Ley, to make, 290. + +Life, object of, 168. + +Light, effects of, 124. + Screening eyes from, 217, 283. + +Lightning, 243. + +Lightning rods, 243. + +Lights, 281. + +Limbs of trees, on training, 348. + +Linens, 288, 328. + +Linnæus, cited, 220. + +Liquids, on taking, 103, 104. + +Literature, guarding, 249. + +Longevity, Sinclair on, 126. + From vegetable diet, 221. + +Louis XIV., manners of his age, 148. + +Lungs, 89. + Effects of tight-dressing on the, 90, 117. + Bleeding at the, 243. + +Luxuries, _see_ Superfluities. + + +M. + +Mahogany furniture, 305. + +Manners, good, 136. + American defect in, and cause of it, 137. + Of the Puritans and their posterity, 137. + Principles respecting, 140. + Proprieties in, 141. + On cultivation of, 141. + At home, 142. + Leading points as to, claiming attention, 142. + Children to be taught, 143. + On conventional, 144. + At table, 144. + Charity for bad, 145. + Of the age of Louis XIV., 148. + _See_ Children. + +Marble, stains on, 305. + +Martineau, Harriet, criticized, 30, _note_, 141, _note_. + +Mathematics, importance of, in a female education, 56. + +Mattresses, 312, 329. + +Meals, should be five hours apart, 96. + On the nature of the, 103. + Time of English, 123. + +Meat, on eating, 99, 100. + _See_ Animal food, _and_ Food. + +Mechanical amusements, 254. + +Medical men needed in literary institutions, 198. + +Medicines, on giving, to infants, 215. + On administering, 236, 238. + Different effects of different, 236. + On purchasing, 239. + Labelling, 239. + +Men, engaged in women's work, 164, 165. + +Mending, 330. + +Mental excitement, effect of, on health, 43. + On reducing youthful, 48, 49. + On invigorating, 56. + Effect of, on the mind, 197. + _See_ Mind. + +Mexicans, teeth of, 110. + +Mice, 323. + +Mildew, removing, 296. + +Milk, for infants, 216, 217. + +Milkweed-silk, 227. + +Mind, connection of body and, 195. + Causes which injure the health of the, 196. + On inactivity of, 199. + Indications of diseased, 204. + _See_ Health, _and_ Mental excitement. + +Mineralogical collections, 253. + +Modesty in children, 233. + +Money, children's earning, 164. + +Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley, cited, 135. + +Monticello Female Seminary, account of, 54. + System of studies there, 57. + Effort made there to cure defects of character and habits, 58. + +Morals, American, 29. + Dependence of democracy on, 36. + Attention to, in the Monticello Female Seminary, 58. + In children, 233. + _See_ Children, _and_ Young children. + +Mortality, among infants, 112, 114. + Causes of it, 214. + At the Albany Orphan Asylum, 222. + _See_ Infants. + +Mothers, sufferings of American, 42. + The great objects for, in educating their daughters, 48. + Influence of wealthy, 50. + Should raise the science of domestic economy, 51. + Few, qualified to teach domestic economy, 65. + Influence of, 149, 151. + Teaching boys domestic arts, 164. + _See_ American women, _and_ Women. + +Moths, 323. + +Muscles, 74. + Exercise of the, 76, 78, 97, 116, 129. + Excessive exercise of, 132. + +Music, 58, 252. + +Muslins, on washing, 288. + Starching, 292. + +Musquitoes, 323. + + +N. + +Nails, cleaning, 122, 144. + +Nankeens, on washing, 288. + +Napkins, table, 307. + +Narcissus, 335. + +Nash, Beau, biography of, 148. + +Neatness, in housekeeping, 152. + Of sick-rooms, 238. + _See_ Cleanliness. + +Needle-work, bad economy in, 189. + +Nerves, 76. + Ramifications of the, 78. + Health of, dependent on muscular exercise, 78, 130. + Function of, in the stomach, 87. + Excited by stimulating drinks, 106, 111. + Two kinds of, 129. + On cutting off, 130. + Exercise and inactivity of, 130. + Debility of, 130, 199. + +New Englanders, one cause of their tact, 165. + +Newton, Sir Isaac, diet of, 222. + +Night, converting, into day, 123. + +Nightgowns, 114, 329. + +Night-lamps, 283. + +Novel reading, 199, 234, 249. + +Nursery, discipline of the, 224, 230. + +Nursery, soil for a, 347. + +Nursing, on food while, 215. + Of the sick, 237. + + +O. + +Obedience of children, 226. + _See_ Children, _and_ Government. + +Objects of charity, 176. + +Oil, 281. + Taking out, 297. + +Oilcloths, for kitchens, 317. + +Opium, absorbed by the skin, 93. + Antidote for, 242. + +Order, on a habit of, 157. + +Ornaments, 166. + Time and money spent for, 175, 259. + +Orphan Asylum at Albany, 222. + +Ostrich feathers, washing, 299. + +Outhouses, 276. + +Over-government, 228, 229. + _See_ Children, _and_ Government. + + +P. + +Packing, of trunks, 316. + Of furniture for moving, 316. + +Pain, amusements causing, 244. + +Paint-spots, 298. + +Pantaloons, on mending, 330. + +Parents, exercising of authority by, 226. + Should provide amusements, 250. + Joining in children's sports, 254. + +Parlors, kitchens and, 163, 259. + Light work in, to save time, 184. + Inconsistently furnished, 189. + On the care of, 302. + On selecting furniture for, 302. + Sweeping, 305. + Screens in, 353. + +Parties, invitations to, 353. + +Passions, the, 170. + _See_ Temper. + +Peach trees, 350. + +Perennial plants, 339. + +Peristaltic motion, 87, 96, 102. + +Perspiration, 92, 93. + Demands supply of food, 96. + From exercise, healthful, 114. + During sleep, 126. + On inducing, 235, 236. + +Physical education, _see_ Exercise, _and_ Health. + +Physicians, obeying, 239. + +Piano, playing on the, 252. + +Pictures, 302, 304. + +Pills, 236, 237, _note_. + +Pitch, on removing, 297. + +Plans, for apportioning time, 158, 160. + For duties, 162, 166, 167. + For saving time, 184. + For expenses, 186. + Of houses, 261. + +Planting flower seeds, 332. + +Plants, collecting, 253. + In rooms with stoves, 281. + Soil for, 331. + Propagation of, 341. + _See_ Flowers, _and_ Seeds. + +Poisoning, 241. + +Politeness, _see_ Courtesy, _and_ Manners. + +Poor, Mosaic laws as to the, 182. + On work for the, 189, 190. + Liberal prices and prompt payment to the, 191. + _See_ Charity. + +Pores, closing the, 119. + _See_ Skin. + +Portico, latticed, 277. + +Positions, effects of, 73, 80. + +Potash-soap, 291. + +Pot-plants, soil for, 331. + +Pots, transplanting from, 333. + +Powders, labelling, 239. + +Precocity in children, 198. + +Privies, 276. + +Propagation of plants, 341. + +Propensities, 170. + +Property, Jews' use of, 182. + Unequal distribution of, 191. + On sharing, 191. + On using, properly, 193. + +Pruning, 346. + +Pumps, 275. + +Punctuality, and want of it, 128. + In paying the poor, 191. + +Purchases, on making, 193, 194. + +Puritans, manners of the, 137. + + +Q. + +Quality of food, 98. + +Quantity of food, _see_ Food. + + +R. + +Ranunculus, 335. + +Rats, 323 + +Red ants, 323. + +Registrations of births, 113. + +Religion, perversion of, 198. + +Religious excitement, 197. + +Respect, American want of, 139, 141. + Should be required at home, 142. + _See_ Courtesy. + +Respiration, organs of, 87. + +Rewards, governing by, 230. + +Roman Catholics, health of, during Lent, 100. + +Romans, _see_ Greeks. + +Rooms, arrangement of, 259. + +Running into debt, 232. + + +S. + +St. Martin, Alexis, experiments on, respecting food, 104. + +Salary, plan as to using, 186. + +Salt, for bleeding, 243. + +Salts, 236. + +School, hints on, 48, 223. + Too much required in, 49. + On keeping, only in the afternoon, 49. + On sending young children to, 223. + +Schoolrooms and schoolhouses, 133. + Not ventilated, 196, 223. + Built by a lady in the West, 202. + _See_ Female. + +Scolds, 149, 154. + +Scotch Highlanders, 221. + +Screens, in parlors, 353. + _See_ Eyes. + +Secret vice, 233. + +Sedgwick, Miss, her Live and Let Live, 213, _note_. + +Seeds, on planting, 332, 333. + Of fruit, on planting, 347. + +Self-denial, happiness of, 169. + Distinction as to, 170. + Of wealthy women, 201, 202. + In children, 224, 232. + +Servants, on calling domestics, 207. + _See_ Domestics. + +Services, paying children for, 164. + +Settees for ironing, 293. + +Setting tables, 307. + Rules for, 308. + +Sewing, by girls, 254. + Hints on. 324. + +Sewing-trunks, 162. + +Sexes, M. De Tocqueville on the, 28. + Distinct lines of action for the, 28, 32, 33. + American equality of, 33. + +Shade-trees, 275, 340. + +Shells, collecting, 253. + +Shirts, folding, 315. + Making, 328. + +Shrubs, for yards, 340. + +Sickness, on ignorance and inexperience in time of, 68. + On nursing in, 237. + From chills and food, 239. + Remedies for slight, 240. + _See_ Health. + +Sick-rooms, hints on, 237. + Furniture for, 238. + +Silence, children to keep, 145, 230. + When in anger, 152. + +Silks, on cleansing, 298. + +Sinclair, Sir John, on longevity and early rising, 126. + +Sinks, 277, 317. + +Six Weeks on the Loire, cited, 135. + +Skeleton, cut of the, 70. + +Skin, described, 91. + Function of the, 91. + Waste matter from the, 92, 118. + Regulates the heat of the body, 92. + Absorbent vessels of the, 93, 119. + Follicles of the, 93. + The organ of touch, 93. + Circulation in the, in infants, 113. + Effect of cold on the circulation in the, 113, 118, 119. + Bathing infants', 217. + +Sleep, amount of, required, 125. + On protracting, 126. + In close apartments, 196, 217, 311. + _See_ Ventilation. + +Sliding closets, 278. + +Smoky chimneys, 352. + +Snow, bathing in, 121. + +Soap, soda, 288. + Soft, 290. + Potash, 291. + Hard, 291. + +Social intercourse, 184. + +Soda-soap, 288. + +Soda-washing, 287. + +Soil, on the preparation of, 331. + For a nursery, 347. + +Soups, 104, 105. + +South-Sea Islanders, 221. + +Specimens, collecting, 253. + +Spine, frequency of the disease of the, 41; + causes, 73, 133. + Cut of the, 77. + Curvature of the, 80. + Difference between a natural and distorted, 80. + +Spitting on carpets, 144. + +Spots, removing, 289, 297, 298. + +Sprains, 240. + +Stain-mixture, 296. + +Stains, removing, from clothes, 296; + from marble, 305. + +Starch, to make, 291. + To prepare, 292. + +Starching, hints on, 292. + +Stimulating drinks, no need of, 106, 109, 111. + Excite the nervous system, 106, 109, 111. + Debilitate the constitution, 107. + Temptation from using, 107. + Five forms of using, 107. + Reasons for using, considered, 107. + Dr. Combe on, 111. + If good for parents, may not be for children, 111. + Compared with animal food, 112. + +Stimulating food, 99. + _See_ Animal food, _and_ Food. + +Stock-grafting, 345. + +Stockings, on washing, 286, 289. + +Stomach, 87. + Peristaltic motion of the, 87, 96, 102. + Effects on, of too much food, 94, 95. + Rule for the labor and repose of the, 96. + Power of accommodation in the, 102. + Wants rest, 223. + +Storerooms, 271, 322. + +Stoves, 281. + +Strangers, hospitality to, 257. + +Strawberries, 348. + +Straw hats, 299. + +Straw matting, 304, 311. + +Studies, at the Monticello Female Seminary, 57. + Pursued at random, 60, 68. + +Subordination, social, 26. + Female, in America, 27, 29, 32. + Of children and others, 140, 224. + _See_ Government. + +Superfluities, 163. + Duty as to, 171-173. + On determining respecting, 173. + +Sweeping, 134. + Of carpets, 303. + Of parlors, 305. + +Sympathy, on silent social, 149. + +System, continual change and renovation of the human, 91. + In housekeeping, 152. + On habits of, 155. + By dividing the week, 162. + In proper conveniences, 162. + On attempting too much, at once, 166. + On commencing, while young, 167. + In time, 184. + + +T. + +Table, furniture for a, 306. + On setting, 307; + rules for, 308. + Carving and helping at, 310. + +Table manners, 144. + +Table-mats, 306. + +Tapers, 283. + +Tar, on removing, 297. + +Tea, coffee and, on the use of, 107, 108. + Cause nervous debility, 109. + Love of, not natural, 109. + If good for adults, may not be for children, 109. + Black, least injurious, 110. + No nourishment in, 112. + _See_ Stimulating. + +Teachers, 202, 203. + +Teeth, effects of hot drink on, 110. + Care of, 122, 144. + +Teething of infants, 219. + +Temper, on the preservation of good, in a housekeeper, 148; + hints for it, 150. + Making allowances for, in others, 154. + _See_ Passions. + +Temptations, amusements with, 245, 248. + +Tendons, 75. + +Theatres, 245. + +Thinning plants, 346. + +Thoughts, on pure, 233. + +Throat, things in the, 240. + +Thunderstorms, 243. + +Tic douloureux, 78. + +Tight dressing, 80, 90, 129. + Evils of, 116. + Rule as to, 117. + +Time, on apportioning, 157, 160, 181, 184. + On saving, 161, 184. + Errors as to employing, 180. + Devoted by Jews to religion, 183. + +Tin ware, 320. + +Tocqueville, M. De, on the sexes in America, 28. + On progress in nations towards democracy, 34. + On female hardships in the West, 46. + On aristocratic and democratic manners, 146. + +Tones of voice, 148. + On governing the, 152. + Governing by angry, 230. + Effects of angry, on children, 231. + +Towels, 321. + +Tracts and charity, 179. + +Transplanting, 333, 340. + +Travelling-bags, 316. + +Trees, about houses, 275. + On planting, 334. + Shade, 340. + On transplanting, 340. + Pruning and thinning, 346. + +Trials, _see_ Difficulties. + +Trunks, sewing, 162. + In chambers, 313. + Packing of, 316. + +Tuberous roots, 335. + +Tulips, 336. + +Turpentine, on removing, 297. + + +U. + +Unbolted flour, 105. + + +V. + +Vegetable food, 99, 100, 220, 221. + _See_ Animal food, _and_ Food. + +Vegetables, effect of light and darkness on, 124. + +Veils, whitening, 293. + +Ventilation, importance of, 49, 196, 217, 311. + Of sleeping-rooms, 129, 196, 311. + Of schoolrooms, 223. + Of sick-rooms, 237. + In construction of houses, 261, 264. + Where stoves are used, 281. + _See_ Air. + +Vermin, on destroying, 323. + +Vertebræ, 72. + +Virtue, _see_ Morals. + +Vulgar habits, 144. + + +W. + +Wadsworth's cottage, 273, 274. + +Wages, exorbitant, of domestics, 205. + Offering higher, 211. + +Waiting at table, 309. + +Walking for exercise, 131. + +Wardrobes, 312. + +Washing, of clothes done by pupils, 55. + Of the body, 92, 93, 119, 121. + Of children, 121, 122. + Water for, 284. + Articles to be provided for, 284. + Common mode of, 285. + Of calicoes, 287. + Soda-washing, 287. + Of various articles, 288. + Of carpets, 304. + Of dishes, 318. + _See_ Bathing. + +Wash-pans for children, 121. + +Waste matter, from the skin 92, 118. + +Water, protection against, in the skin, 93. + On drinking, 111. + Drinking too much, 112. + Plunging infants in cold, 113. + _See_ Drinks, _and_ Stimulating. + +Wealthy mothers, influence of their example, 49. + +Wells, remedy for air in, 242. + Remarks on, 259, 275. + +West, on female hardships in the, 46. + +Wheat, unbolted, 105. + +Whitening, of lace veils, 293. + Of other articles, 296. + +Whitewashing, 279. + +Wicks, 282. + +Winter, air and sleep in, 125. + +Women, European contempt for, 30. + American esteem for, 30. + Influence of, on individuals and nations, 37. + Exercise taken by English, 45. + Responsibleness of, 52. + Eating without being hungry, 98. + Responsibility of, as to intemperance, 106. + Precedence given to, in America, 141. + Importance and difficulty of their duties, 155. + General principles for, 158; + frequent inversion of them, 160. + Men engaged in their work, 164, 165. + On their keeping accounts of expenditures, 173, 174. + Imagining themselves domestics, 205. + _See_ American women. + +Wood, for fuel, 280. + +Wooden ware, 321. + +Woodhouses, 273, 276, 277. + +Woollens, on washing, 289. + +Workbaskets, 325. + + +Y. + +Yellows, the, 350. + +Young children, female influence on their character, 37. + Mismanagement of, 43. + Management of, 42, 220. + Animal food for, 220. + At the Albany Orphan Asylum, 222. + Intellectual and moral training of, 223. + Three habits for, 224. + On distancing, 226. + On appreciating their enjoyments and pursuits, 227. + Keeping them happy, 231. + On ridiculing, 231. + Modesty and propriety in, 233. + Impurity of thought in, 233. + +Young Ladies' Friend, cited, 134. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TREATISE ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY*** + + +******* This file should be named 21829-8.txt or 21829-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/2/21829 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: A Treatise on Domestic Economy</p> +<p> For the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School</p> +<p>Author: Catherine Esther Beecher</p> +<p>Release Date: June 14, 2007 [eBook #21829]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TREATISE ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Jason Isbell, Karen Dalrymple,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<div class="notetext"> +<b>Transcriber's Note:</b><br /> +<br /> +Page numbers 10 and 370 were skipped in the original text; they are not missing. +There were two pages 355 and 356 in the original; the two between page 354 and the first page 355 +have been renumbered 354a and 345b and references to them in the text changed accordingly.<br /> +<br /> +Printer errors were corrected silently and hyphenation was +made consistent, but variant spellings have been preserved. +</div> +<p> </p> +<hr class="pg" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1> +<small>A</small> +<br /><br /> +TREATISE +<br /><br /> +<small>ON</small> +<br /><br /> +<big>DOMESTIC ECONOMY,</big> +</h1> +<h2> +<small>FOR THE USE OF</small> +<br /><br /> +YOUNG LADIES AT HOME, +<br /><br /> +<small>AND</small> +<br /><br /> +AT SCHOOL. +</h2> + +<hr class="quarter" /> + +<center>BY MISS CATHERINE E. BEECHER.</center> + +<hr class="quarter" /> +<center> +<small> +REVISED EDITION,<br /> +WITH NUMEROUS ADDITIONS AND ILLUSTRATIVE ENGRAVINGS. +</small> +</center> + +<hr /> + +<center> +NEW-YORK: +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff Street.</span> +</center> +<hr class="tenth" /> +<center> +1845. +</center> +<br /> +<br /> +<center><small> +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1842, by<br /> +<span class="smcap">Thomas H. Webb, & Co.</span>,<br /> +in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. +</small></center> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<center>TO</center> +<center>AMERICAN MOTHERS,</center> + +<p>whose intelligence and virtues have inspired admiration and respect, +whose experience has furnished many valuable suggestions, in this work, +whose approbation will be highly valued, and whose influence, in +promoting the object aimed at, is respectfully solicited, this work is +dedicated, by their friend and countrywoman,</p> + +<div class="right">THE AUTHOR.</div> + + + + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE<br /> +<small>TO THE THIRD EDITION.</small> +</h3> +<hr class="quarter" /> + + +<p>The author of this work was led to attempt it, by discovering, in her +extensive travels, the deplorable sufferings of multitudes of young +wives and mothers, from the combined influence of <i>poor health</i>, <i>poor +domestics</i>, <i>and a defective domestic education</i>. The number of young +women whose health is crushed, ere the first few years of married life +are past, would seem incredible to one who has not investigated this +subject, and it would be vain to attempt to depict the sorrow, +discouragement, and distress experienced in most families where the wife +and mother is a perpetual invalid.</p> + +<p>The writer became early convinced that this evil results mainly from the +fact, that young girls, especially in the more wealthy classes, <i>are not +trained for their profession</i>. In early life, they go through a course +of school training which results in great debility of constitution, +while, at the same time, their physical and domestic education is almost +wholly neglected. Thus they enter on their most arduous and sacred +duties so inexperienced and uninformed, and with so little muscular and +nervous strength, that probably there is not <i>one chance in ten</i>, that +young women of the present day, will pass through the first years of +married life without such prostration of health and spirits as makes +life a burden to themselves, and, it is to be feared, such as seriously +interrupts the confidence and happiness of married life.</p> + +<p>The measure which, more than any other, would tend to remedy this evil, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>would be to place <i>domestic economy</i> on an equality with the other +sciences in female schools. This should be done because it <i>can</i> be +properly and systematically taught (not <i>practically</i>, but as a +<i>science</i>), as much so as <i>political economy</i> or <i>moral science</i>, or any +other branch of study; because it embraces knowledge, which will be +needed by young women at all times and in all places; because this +science can never be <i>properly</i> taught until it is made a branch of +<i>study</i>; and because this method will secure a dignity and importance in +the estimation of young girls, which can never be accorded while they +perceive their teachers and parents practically attaching more value to +every other department of science than this. When young ladies are +taught the construction of their own bodies, and all the causes in +domestic life which tend to weaken the constitution; when they are +taught rightly to appreciate and learn the most convenient and +economical modes of performing all family duties, and of employing time +and money; and when they perceive the true estimate accorded to these +things by teachers and friends, the grand cause of this evil will be +removed. Women will be trained to secure, as of first importance, a +strong and healthy constitution, and all those rules of thrift and +economy that will make domestic duty easy and pleasant.</p> + +<p>To promote this object, the writer prepared this volume as a <i>text-book</i> +for female schools. It has been examined by the Massachusetts Board of +Education, and been deemed worthy by them to be admitted as a part of +the Massachusetts School Library.</p> + +<p>It has also been adopted as a text-book in some of our largest and most +popular female schools, both at the East and West.</p> + +<p>The following, from the pen of Mr. George B. Emmerson, one of the most +popular and successful teachers in our country, who has introduced this +work as a text-book in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>his own school, will exhibit the opinion of one +who has formed his judgment from experience in the use of the work:</p> + +<p>"It may be objected that such things cannot be taught by books. Why not? +Why may not the structure of the human body, and the laws of health +deduced therefrom, be as well taught as the laws of natural philosophy? +Why are not the application of these laws to the management of infants +and young children as important to a woman as the application of the +rules of arithmetic to the extraction of the cube root? Why may not the +properties of the atmosphere be explained, in reference to the proper +ventilation of rooms, or exercise in the open air, as properly as to the +burning of steel or sodium? Why is not the human skeleton as curious and +interesting as the air-pump; and the action of the brain, as the action +of a steam-engine? Why may not the healthiness of different kinds of +food and drink, the proper modes of cooking, and the rules in reference +to the modes and times of taking them, be discussed as properly as rules +of grammar, or facts in history? Are not the principles that should +regulate clothing, the rules of cleanliness, the advantages of early +rising and domestic exercise, as readily communicated as the principles +of mineralogy, or rules of syntax? Are not the rules of Jesus Christ, +applied to refine <i>domestic manners</i> and preserve a <i>good temper</i>, as +important as the abstract principles of ethics, as taught by Paley, +Wayland, or Jouffroy? May not the advantages of neatness, system, and +order, be as well illustrated in showing how they contribute to the +happiness of a family, as by showing how they add beauty to a copy-book, +or a portfolio of drawings? Would not a teacher be as well employed in +teaching the rules of economy, in regard to time and expenses, or in +regard to dispensing charity, as in teaching double, or single entry in +bookkeeping? <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>Are not the principles that should guide in constructing a +house, and in warming and ventilating it properly, as important to young +girls as the principles of the Athenian Commonwealth, or the rules of +Roman tactics? Is it not as important that children should be taught the +dangers to the mental faculties, when over-excited on the one hand, or +left unoccupied on the other, as to teach them the conflicting theories +of political economy, or the speculations of metaphysicians? For +ourselves, we have always found children, especially girls, peculiarly +ready to listen to what they saw would prepare them for future duties. +The truth, that education should be <i>a preparation for actual, real +life</i>, has the greatest force with children. The constantly-recurring +inquiry, 'What will be <i>the use</i> of this study?' is always satisfied by +showing, that it will prepare for any duty, relation, or office which, +in the natural course of things, will be likely to come.</p> + +<p>"We think this book extremely well suited to be used as a text-book in +schools for young ladies, and many chapters are well adapted for a +reading book for children of both sexes."</p> + +<p>To this the writer would add the testimony of a lady who has used this +work with several classes of young girls and young ladies. She remarked +that she had never known a school-book that awakened more interest, and +that some young girls would learn a lesson in this when they would study +nothing else. She remarked, also, that when reciting the chapter on the +construction of houses, they became greatly interested in inventing +plans of their own, which gave an opportunity to the teacher to point +out difficulties and defects. Had this part of domestic economy been +taught in schools, our land would not be so defaced with awkward, +misshapen, inconvenient, and, at the same time, needlessly expensive +houses, as it now is.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p><p>Although the writer was trained to the care of children, and to perform +all branches of domestic duty, by some of the best of housekeepers, much +in these pages is offered, not as the result of her own experience, but +as what has obtained the approbation of some of the most judicious +mothers and housekeepers in the nation. The articles on Physiology and +Hygiene, and those on horticulture, were derived from standard works on +these subjects, and are sanctioned by the highest authorities.</p> + +<p><i>The American Housekeeper's Receipt Book</i> is another work prepared by +the author of the Domestic Economy, in connexion with several +experienced housekeepers, and is designed for a supplement to this work. +On pages <a href='#Page_354a'>354a</a> and <a href='#Page_354b'>354b</a> will be found the Preface and Analysis of +that work, the two books being designed for a complete course of +instructions on every department of Domestic Economy.</p> + +<p>The copyright interest in these two works is held by a board of +gentlemen appointed for the purpose, who, after paying a moderate +compensation to the author for the time and labour spent in preparing +these works, will employ all the remainder paid over by the publishers, +to aid in educating and locating such female teachers as wish to be +employed in those portions of our country, which are most destitute of +schools.</p> + +<p>The contract with the publisher provides that the publisher shall +guaranty the sales and thus secure against any losses for bad debts, for +which he shall receive five <i>per cent</i>. He shall charge twenty per cent. +for commissions paid to retailers, and also the expenses of printing, +paper, and binding, at the current market prices, and make no other +charges. The net profits thus determined are then to be divided equally, +the publishers taking one half, and paying the other half to the board +above mentioned.</p> + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h3> +<br /> +<hr class="tenth" /> +<br /> +<div class="toctext"> +<span class="smcap"><a href="#PREFACE">Preface</a></span>, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_7'>7</a></span> +</div> +<br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></center> +<center><small>PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">American Women should feel a peculiar Interest in Democratic +Institutions. The Maxim of our Civil Institutions. Its Identity +with the main Principle of Christianity. Relations involving +Subordination; why they are needful. Examples. How these Relations +are decided in a Democracy. What decides the Equity of any Law or +Institution. The Principle of Aristocracy. The Tendency of +Democracy in Respect to the Interests of Women. Illustrated in the +United States. Testimony of De Tocqueville. Miss Martineau's +Misrepresentations. In what Respects are Women subordinate? and +why? Wherein are they equal or superior in Influence? and how are +they placed by Courtesy? How can American Women rectify any real +Disadvantages involved in our Civil Institutions? Opinion of De +Tocqueville as to the Influence and Example of American Democracy. +Responsibilities involved in this View, especially those of +American Women, +<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></span> +</div> +<br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></center> +<center><small>DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR TO AMERICAN WOMEN.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">A Law of Moral Action to be noted. Its Application. Considerations +to be borne in Mind, in appreciating peculiar Trials. Application +to American Women. Difference between this and Aristocratic +Countries. How this affects the Interests of American Women. Effect +of Wealth, in this Country, on Domestic Service. Effects on the +Domestic Comfort of Women. Second peculiar Trial of American Women. +Extent of this Evil. The Writer's Observation on this Point. +Effects on the Anticipations of Mothers and Daughters. Infrequency +of Healthful Women in the Wealthy Classes. Causes which operate to +undermine the Female Constitution. Excitement of Mind. Course of +Intellectual Training. Taxation, in Domestic Life, of American <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +Mothers and Housekeepers. Exercise and Fresh Air needful to +balance Mental Excitement. Defect in American, compared with +English, Customs, in this Respect. Difference in the Health and +Youthfulness of Appearance between English and American Mothers. +Liabilities of American Women to the uncommon Exposures of a New +Country. Remarks of De Tocqueville and the Writer on this Point, +<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_38'>38</a></span> +</div> +<br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></center> +<center><small>REMEDIES FOR THE PRECEDING DIFFICULTIES.</small></center> +<div class="toctext"> +First Remedy suggested. Obligations of Wealthy Ladies on this +Point. How a Dearth of Domestics may prove a Blessing. Second +Remedy. Domestic Economy should be taught in Schools. Third Remedy. +Reasons for endowing Colleges and Professional Schools. Similar +Reasons exist for endowing Female Institutions. Present Evils in +conducting Female Education. A Sketch of a Model Female +Institution. Accommodations provided. Mode of securing Exercise to +Pupils. Objections to this answered. Calisthenics. Course of +Intellectual Discipline adopted. Mode of Division of Labor adopted. +Example of Illinois in Regard to Female Education. Economy of +Health and Time secured by such Institutions. Plan suggested for +the Early Education of Young Girls. Last Remedy suggested, +<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_48'>48</a></span> +</div> +<br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></center> +<center><small>ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A BRANCH OF STUDY.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext"> +Impediment to making Domestic Economy a Study at School. First +Reason why it should be so made. State of Domestic Service +precarious. Second Reason. Examples illustrating. Third Reason. +Questions asked. First Objection; how answered. Next Objection; how +answered. Next Objection; how answered. Last Reason, +<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_63'>63</a></span> +</div> +<br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CARE OF HEALTH.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Importance of a Knowledge of the Laws of Health, and of the Human +System, to Females. Construction of the Human Frame. <span class="smcap">Bones</span>; +their Structure, Design, and Use. Engraving and Description. Spinal +Column. Engravings of Vertebræ. Exercise of the Bones. <span class="smcap">Muscles</span>; +their Constitution, Use, and Connection with the Bones. Engraving and +Description. Operation of Muscles. <span class="smcap">Nerves</span>; their Use. Spinal +Column. Engravings and Descriptions. Distortions of the Spine. +Engravings and Descriptions. <span class="smcap">Blood-Vessels</span>; their Object. +Engravings and Descriptions. The Heart, and its Connection with the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>System. Engravings and Descriptions. <span class="smcap">Organs of Digestion and +Respiration.</span> Engraving and Description. Process of Digestion. +Circulation of the Blood. Process of Respiration. Necessity of Pure +Air. <span class="smcap">The Skin.</span> Process of Perspiration. Insensible Perspiration. +Heat of the Body. Absorbents. Importance of frequent Ablutions and +Change of Garments. Follicles of Oily Matter in the Skin. Nerves of +Feeling, +<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_68'>68</a></span> +</div> +<br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></center> +<center><small>ON HEALTHFUL FOOD.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Responsibility of a Housekeeper in Regard to Health and Food. The +most fruitful Cause of Disease. Gastric Juice; how proportioned. +Hunger the Natural Guide as to Quantity of Food. A Benevolent +Provision; how perverted, and its Effects. A Morbid Appetite, how +caused. Effects of too much Food in the Stomach. Duty of a +Housekeeper in Reference to this. Proper Time for taking Food. +Peristaltic Motion. Need of Rest to the Muscles of the Stomach. +Time necessary between each Meal. Exceptions of hard Laborers and +active Children. Exercise; its Effect on all parts of the Body. How +it produces Hunger. What is to be done by those who have lost the +Guidance of Hunger in regulating the Amount of Food. On Quality of +Food. Difference as to Risk from bad Food, between Healthy Persons +who exercise, and those of Delicate and Sedentary Habits. +Stimulating Food; its Effects. Condiments needed only for Medicine, +and to be avoided as Food. Difference between Animal and Vegetable +Food. Opinion of some Medical Men. Medical Men agree as to the +Excess of Animal Food in American Diet. Extracts from Medical +Writers on this Point. Articles most easily digested. The most +Unhealthful Articles result from bad cooking. Caution as to Mode of +Eating. Reason why Mental and Bodily Exertions are injurious after +a full Meal. Changes in Diet should be gradual; and why. Drink most +needed at Breakfast; and why. Dinner should be the heartiest Meal; +and why. Little Drink to be taken while eating; and why. Extremes +of Heat or Cold; why injurious in Food. Fluids immediately absorbed +from the Stomach. Why Soups are hard of Digestion. Case of Alexis +St. Martin. Why highly-concentrated Nourishment is not good for +Health. Beneficial Effects of using Unbolted Flour. Scarcity of +Wheat under William Pitt's Administration, and its Effects. Causes +of a Debilitated Constitution from the Misuse of Food, +<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_94'>94</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Responsibility of a Housekeeper in this Respect. Stimulating Drinks +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>not required for the Perfection of the Human System. Therefore +they are needless. First Evil in using them. Second Evil. Five +Kinds of Stimulating Articles in Use in this Country. First +Argument in Favor of Stimulants, and how answered. Second Argument; +how answered. The Writer's View of the Effects of Tea and Coffee on +American Females. Duty in Reference to Children. Black Tea the most +harmless Stimulant. Warm Drinks not needful. Hot Drinks injurious. +Effect of Hot Drinks on Teeth. Mexican Customs and their Effects +illustrating this. Opinion of Dr. Combe on this subject. Difference +between the Stimulus of Animal Food and the Stimulating Drinks +used. Common Habit of Drinking freely of Cold Water debilitating. +Persons taking but little Exercise require but little Drink, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_106'>106</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON CLOTHING.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Calculations made from Bills of Mortality; and Inference from them. +Causes of Infant Mortality. Of the Circulation in Infancy. Warm +Dress for Infants; and why. Investigations in France, and Results. +Dangers from the opposite Extreme. Effects of too much Clothing. +Rule of Safety. Featherbeds; why unhealthy in Warm Weather. Best +Nightgowns for Young Children. Clothing; how to be proportioned. +Irrational Dress of Women. Use of Flannel next the Skin. Evils of +Tight Dresses to Women. False Taste in our Prints of Fashions. +Modes in which Tight Dresses operate to weaken the Constitution. +Rule of Safety as to Looseness of Dress. Example of English Ladies +in Appropriateness of Dress, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_112'>112</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></center> +<center><small>ON CLEANLINESS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Importance of Cleanliness not realized, without a Knowledge of the +Nature of the Skin. Foundation of the Maxim respecting the +Healthfulness of Dirt. Office of the Skin. Other Organs which +perform similar Duties. Amount of Matter daily exhaled by the Skin. +Effect of a Chill upon the Skin, when perspiring. Illustration of +this. Effect of closing the Pores of the Skin, with Dirt or other +Matter. The Skin absorbs Matter into the Blood. Reasons for a Daily +Ablution of the whole Body. Effects of Fresh Air on Clothing worn +next the Skin. Americans compared with other Nations as to Care of +the Skin. Cautions in Regard to a Use of the Bath. How to decide +when Cold Bathing is useful. Warm Bath tends to prevent Colds; and +why. When a Bath should be taken. Advantages of General Ablutions +to Children. Care of the Teeth, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_118'>118</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></center> +<center><small>ON EARLY RISING.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Universal Impression in Respect to this Practice. Why it should be +regarded as American and Democratic. Practice in Aristocratic +Circles in England. Appeal to American Women. First Consideration +in Favor of Early Rising. Another Physiological Reason in its +Favor. Another Reason. Time necessary for Sleep. Proper Hours for +Rising and Retiring. Evils of protracted Sleep. Testimony of Sir +John Sinclair. Another Reason for Early Rising. Responsibility of +Parents for the Health and Industry of a Family. Effects of Early +Rising on General Society, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_122'>122</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></center> +<center><small>ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Causes which produce Delicacy and Decay of the Female Constitution. +Want of Exercise. Neglect of the Laws of Health. Want of Pure Air. +Objectionable Amusements. Sleeping by Day. Want of Exercise a +greater Cause of these Evils, than all the Others combined. +Importance of understanding the Influence of the Neglect or Abuse +of the Muscular System. Nerves of Sensation and of Motion. Both +need Exercise. Rules for Exercise. Importance of a Feeling of +Interest in taking Exercise. Walks merely for Exercise. Exercise +most proper for Young Girls. Exercise, more than any Thing else, +imparts fresh Strength and Vitality to all Parts of the Body. +Mistakes of Mothers and Teachers on this Subject. Effects of +neglecting to use the Muscles; Effects of excessive Use of them. +Effect of School Confinement and Seats. Extract from the Young +Lady's Friend. Lady Montagu. Daughter of a French Nobleman, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_128'>128</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON DOMESTIC MANNERS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">What are Good-manners. Defect in American Manners. Coldness and +Reserve of the Descendants of the Puritans accounted for. Cause of +the Want of Courtesy in American Manners. Want of Discrimination. +Difference of Principles regulating Aristocratic and Democratic +Manners. Rules for regulating the Courtesies founded on Precedence +of Age, Office, and Station, in a Democracy. Manners appropriate to +Superiors and Subordinates. Miss Martineau's Remarks on the +Universal Practice of Americans to give Precedence to Woman. +Peculiar Defect of Americans in this Respect. This to be remedied +in the Domestic Circle, alone. Rules of Precedence to be enforced +in the Family. Manners and Tones towards Superiors to be regulated +in the Family. Treatment of grown Brothers and Sisters by Young +Children. Acknowledgement of Favors by Children to be required. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>Children to ask leave or apologize in certain Cases. Rules for +avoiding Remarks that wound the Feelings of Others. Rules of +Hospitality. Conventional Rules. Rules for Table Manners. Caution +as to teaching these Rules to Children. Caution as to Allowances to +be made for those deficient in Good-manners. Comparison of English +and American Manners, by De Tocqueville. America may hope to excel +all Nations in Refinement, Taste, and Good-breeding; and why. +Effects of Wealth and Equalisation of Labor. Allusion to the +Manners of Courts in the past Century, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_136'>136</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE PRESERVATION OF A GOOD TEMPER IN A HOUSEKEEPER.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Influence of a Housekeeper on Domestic Happiness. Contrasts to +illustrate. Sympathy. Influence of Tones. Allowances to be made for +Housekeepers. Considerations to aid in regulating Temper and Tones. +First; Her Duties to be regarded as Dignified, Important, and +Difficult. Second; She should feel that she really has Great +Difficulties to meet and overcome. Third; She should deliberately +calculate upon having her Plans interfered with, and be prepared +for the Emergency. Fourth; All her Plans should be formed +consistently with the Means at Command. Fifth; System, Economy, and +Neatness, only valuable when they tend to promote the Comfort and +Well-being of the Family. Sixth; Government of Tones of Voice. Some +Persons think Angry Tones needful. They mistake. Illustration. +Scolding, Unlady-like, and in Bad Taste. A Forgiving Spirit +necessary. Seventh and Last Consideration offered; Right View of a +Superintending Providence. Fretfulness and Complaining sinful, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_148'>148</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></center> +<center><small>ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Question of the Equality of the Sexes, frivolous and useless. +Relative Importance and Difficulty of the Duties a Woman is called +to perform. Her Duties not trivial. More difficult than those of +the Queen of a great Nation. A Habit of System and Order necessary. +Right Apportionment of Time, General Principles. Christianity to be +the Foundation. Intellectual and Social Interests to be preferred +to Gratification of Taste or Appetite. The Latter to be last in our +Estimation. No Sacrifice of Health allowable. Neglect of Health a +Sin in the Sight of God. Regular Season of Rest appointed by the +Creator. Divisions of Time. Systematic Arrangement of House +Articles and other Conveniences. Regular Employment for each Member +of a Family. Children can be of great Service. Boys should be +taught Family Work. Advantage to them in Afterlife. Older Children +to take Care of Infants of a Family, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_155'>155</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></center> +<center><small>ON GIVING IN CHARITY.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">No Point of Duty more difficult to fix by Rule, than Charity. First +Consideration;—Object for which we are placed in this World. How to +be perfectly happy. Self-denying Benevolence. Important Distinction. +Second Consideration;—Natural Principles not to be exterminated, +but regulated and controlled. All Constitutional Propensities good, +and designed to be gratified. Their Abuses to be guarded against. +Third Consideration;—Superfluities sometimes proper, and sometimes +not. Fourth Consideration;—No Rule of Duty right for One and not +for All. The Opposite of this Principle tested. Some Use of +Superfluities necessary. Physical Gratifications should always be +subordinate to Social, Intellectual, and Moral Advantages. +Difficulties in the Way. Remarks upon them. Plan for Keeping an +Account of Necessaries and Superfluities. Untoward Results of our +Actions do not always prove that we deserve Blame. Examples of +Conformity to the Rules here laid down. General Principles to guide +in deciding upon Objects of Charity. Parable of Good Samaritan. Who +are our Neighbors. Those most in Need to be first relieved. +Intellectual and Moral Wants more necessary to be supplied than +Physical. Not much Need of Charity in supplying Physical Wants in +this Country. System of Associated Charities, in which many small +Sums are combined. Indiscriminate Charity—Very injurious to +Society, as a General Rule. Exceptions. Impropriety of judging of +the Charities of Others, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_167'>167</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></center> +<center><small>ON ECONOMY OF TIME AND EXPENSES.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext"><i>Economy of Time.</i> Value of Time. Right Apportionment of Time. Laws +appointed by God for the Jews. Proportions of Property and Time the +Jews were required to devote to Intellectual, Benevolent, and +Religious Purposes. The Levites. The weekly Sabbath. The Sabbatical +Year. Three sevenths of the Time of the Jews devoted to God's +Service. Christianity removes the Restrictions laid on the Jews, +but demands all our Time to be devoted to our own best Interests +and the Good of our Fellow-men. Some Practical Good to be the +Ultimate End of all our Pursuits. Enjoyment connected with the +Performance of every Duty. Great Mistake of Mankind. A Final +Account to be given of the Apportionment of our Time. Various Modes +of economizing Time. System and Order. Uniting several Objects in +one Employment. Employment of Odd Intervals of Time. We are bound +to aid Others in economizing Time. <i>Economy in Expenses.</i> Necessity +of Information on this Point. Contradictory Notions. General +Principles in which all agree. Knowledge of Income and Expenses. +Every One bound to do as much as she can to secure System and +Order. Examples. Evils of Want of System and Forethought. Young +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>Ladies should early learn to be systematic and economical. +Articles of Dress and Furniture should be in Keeping with each +other, and with the Circumstances of the Family. Mistaken Economy. +Education of Daughters away from Home injudicious. Nice Sewing +should be done at Home. Cheap Articles not always most economical. +Buying by wholesale economical only in special cases. Penurious +Savings made by getting the Poor to work cheap. Relative +Obligations of the Poor and the Rich in Regard to Economy. Economy +of Providence in the Unequal Distribution of Property. Carelessness +of Expense not a Mark of Gentility. Beating down Prices improper in +Wealthy People. Inconsistency in American would-be Fashionables, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_180'>180</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON HEALTH OF MIND.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Intimate Connection between the Body and Mind. Brain excited by +improper Stimulants taken into the Stomach. Mental Faculties then +affected. Example of a Person having lost a Portion of his Skull. +Causes of Mental Diseases. Want of Oxygenized Blood. Fresh Air +absolutely necessary. Excessive Exercise of the Intellect or +Feelings a Cause of Derangement. Such Attention to Religion, as +prevents the Performance of other Duties, wrong. Teachers and +Parents should look to this. Unusual Precocity in Children usually +the Result of a Diseased Brain. Parents generally add Fuel to this +Fever. Idiocy often the Result, or the Precocious Child sinks below +the Average of Mankind. This Evil yet prevalent in Colleges and +other Seminaries. A Medical Man necessary in every Seminary. Some +Pupils always needing Restraint in Regard to Study. A Third Cause +of Mental Disease, the Want of Appropriate Exercise of the Various +Faculties of the Mind. Extract from Dr. Combe. Examples of Wealthy +Ladies. Beneficial Results of active Intellectual Employments. +Indications of a Diseased Mind, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_195'>195</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">No Subject on which American Women need more Wisdom, Patience, +Principle, and Self-control. Its Difficulties. Necessary Evils. +Miseries of Aristocratic Lands. Wisdom of Conforming to Actual +Circumstances. How to judge correctly respecting Domestics. They +should be treated as we would expect to be under similar +Circumstances. When Labor is scarce, its Value is increased. +Instability of Domestics; how it may be remedied. Pride and +Insubordination; how remedied. Abhorrence of Servitude a National +Trait of Character. Domestics easily convinced of the Appropriateness +of different Degrees of Subordination. Example. Domestics may be +easily induced to be respectful in their Deportment, and appropriate +in their Dress. Deficiencies of Qualifications for the Performance +of their Duties; how remedied. Forewarning, better than Chiding. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>Preventing, better than finding Fault. Faults should be pointed +out in a Kind Manner. Some Employers think it their Office and Duty +to find Fault. Domestics should be regarded with Sympathy and +Forbearance, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_204'>204</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CARE OF INFANTS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Necessity of a Knowledge of this Subject, to every Young Lady. +Examples. Extracts from Doctors Combe, Bell, and Eberle. Half the +Deaths of Infants owing to Mismanagement, and Errors in Diet. +Errors of Parents and Nurses. Error of administering Medicines to +Children, unnecessarily. Need of Fresh Air, Attention to Food, +Cleanliness, Dress, and Bathing. Cholera Infantum not cured by +Nostrums. Formation of Good Habits in Children, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_213'>213</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Physical Education of Children. Remark of Dr. Clark, and Opinion of +other Medical Men. Many Popular Notions relating to Animal Food for +Children, erroneous. The Formation of the Human Teeth and Stomach +does not indicate that Man was designed to live on Flesh. Opinions +of Linnæus and Cuvier. Stimulus of Animal Food not necessary to +Full Developement of the Physical and Intellectual Powers. +Examples. Of Laplanders, Kamtschatkadales, Scotch Highlanders, +Siberian Exiles, Africans, Arabs. Popular Notion that Animal Food +is more Nourishing than Vegetable. Different Opinions on this +Subject. Experiments. Opinions of Dr. Combe and others. Examples of +Men who lived to a great Age. Dr. Franklin's Testimony. Sir Isaac +Newton and others. Albany Orphan Asylum. Deleterious Practice of +allowing Children to eat at short Intervals. Intellectual Training. +Schoolrooms. Moral Character. Submission, Self-denial, and +Benevolence, the three most important Habits to be formed in Early +Life. Extremes to be guarded against. Medium Course. Adults +sometimes forget the Value which Children set on Trifles. Example. +Impossible to govern Children, properly, without appreciating the +Value they attach to their Pursuits and Enjoyments. Those who +govern Children should join in their Sports. This the best way to +gain their Confidence and Affection. But Older Persons should never +lose the Attitude of Superiors. Unsteadiness in Government. +Illustrations. Punishment from unsteady Governors, does little +Good. Over-Government. Want of Patience and Self-control in Parents +and Governors. Example of Parents more effectual than their +Precepts. Formation of Habits of Self-denial in Early Life. Denying +Ourselves to promote the Happiness of Others. Habits of Honesty and +Veracity. Habits of Modesty. Delicacy studiously to be cherished. +Licentious and Impure Books to be banished. Bulwer a Licentious +Writer, and to be discountenanced, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_220'>220</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span><center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CARE OF THE SICK.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Women frequently called upon to direct in Cases of Indisposition. +Extremes to be avoided. Grand Cause of most Diseases, Excess in +Eating and Drinking. Fasting useful. Extracts from Doctors Burne +and Combe. Necessity of a Woman's Understanding the Nature and +Operation of Common Medicines. Simple Electuary. Discretion +required. Useful Directions in Regard to Nursing the Sick. Fresh +Air absolutely necessary. Frequent Ablutions important. Dressing a +Blister. Arrangements to be made beforehand, when practicable. +Importance of Cleanliness; Nothing more annoying to the Sick, than +a want of it. Necessity of a proper Preparation of Food, for the +Sick. Physicians' Directions to be well understood and implicitly +followed. Kindness, Patience, and Sympathy, towards the Sick, +important. Impositions of Apothecaries. Drugs to be locked up from +the Access of Children, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_234'>234</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<div class="toctext"><center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON ACCIDENTS AND ANTIDOTES.</small></center> + +Medical Aid should be promptly resorted to. Suffocation, from +Substances in the Throat. Common Cuts. Wounds of Arteries, and +other severe Cuts. Bruises. Sprains. Broken Limbs. Falls. Blows on +the Head. Burns. Drowning. Poisons:—Corrosive Sublimate; Arsenic, +or Cobalt; Opium; Acids; Alkalies. Stupefaction from Fumes of +Charcoal, or from entering a Well, Limekiln, or Coalmine. +Hemorrhage of the Lungs, Stomach, or Throat. Bleeding of the Nose. +Dangers from Lightning, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_240'>240</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON DOMESTIC AMUSEMENTS AND SOCIAL DUTIES.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Indefiniteness of Opinion on this Subject. Every Person needs some +Recreation. General Rules. How much Time to be given. What +Amusements proper. Those should always be avoided, which cause Pain, +or injure the Health, or endanger Life, or interfere with important +Duties, or are pernicious in their Tendency. Horse-racing, +Circus-riding, Theatres, and Gambling. Dancing, as now conducted, +does not conduce to Health of Body or Mind, but the contrary. +Dancing in the Open Air beneficial. Social Benefits of Dancing +considered. Ease and Grace of Manners better secured by a System of +Calisthenics. The Writer's Experience. Balls going out of Fashion, +among the more refined Circles. Novel-reading. Necessity for +Discrimination. Young Persons should be guarded from Novels. Proper +Amusements for Young Persons. Cultivation of Flowers and Fruits. +Benefits of the Practice. Music. Children enjoy it. Collections of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>Shells, Plants, Minerals, &c. Children's Games and Sports. Parents +should join in them. Mechanical Skill of Children to be encouraged. +Other Enjoyments. Social Enjoyments not always considered in the +List of Duties. Main Object of Life to form Character. Family +Friendship should be preserved. Plan adopted by Families of the +Writer's Acquaintance. Kindness to Strangers. Hospitality. Change of +Character of Communities in Relation to Hospitality. Hospitality +should be prompt. Strangers should be made to feel at their Ease, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_244'>244</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Importance to Family Comfort of well-constructed Houses. Rules for +constructing them. Economy of Labor. Large Houses. Arrangement of +Rooms. Wells and Cisterns. Economy of Money. Shape and Arrangement +of Houses. Porticoes, Piazzas, and other Ornaments. Simplicity to +be preferred. Fireplaces. Economy of Health. Outdoor Conveniences. +Doors and Windows. Ventilation. Economy of Comfort. Domestics. +Spare Chambers. Good Taste. Proportions. Color and Ornaments. +<i>Plans of Houses and Domestic Conveniences.</i> Receipts for +Whitewash, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_258'>258</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a></center> +<center><small>ON FIRES AND LIGHTS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Wood Fires. Construction of Fireplaces. Firesets. Building a Fire. +Wood. Cautions. Stoves and Grates. Cautions. Stovepipes. Anthracite +Coal. Bituminous Coal. Proper Grates. Coal Stoves. <i>On Lights.</i> +Lamps. Oil. Candles. Lard. Pearlash and Water for cleansing Lamps. +Care of Lamps. Difficulty. Articles needed in trimming Lamps. +Astral Lamps. Wicks. Dipping Wicks in Vinegar. Shades. Weak Eyes. +Entry Lamps. Night Lamps. Tapers. Wax Tapers for Use in Sealing +Letters. To make Candles. Moulds. Dipped Candles. Rush Lights, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_280'>280</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></center> +<center><small>ON WASHING.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">All needful Accommodations should be provided. Plenty of Water, +easily accessible, necessary. Articles to be provided for Washing. +Substitutes for Soft Water. Common Mode of Washing. Assorting +Clothes. To Wash Bedding. Feathers. Calicoes. Bran-water. +Potato-water. Soda Washing. Soda Soap. Mode of Soda Washing. +Cautions in Regard to Colored Clothes, and Flannels. To Wash Brown +Linen, Muslins, Nankeen, Woollen Table-Covers and Shawls, Woollen +Yarn, Worsted and Woollen Hose. To Cleanse Gentlemen's Broadcloths. +To make Ley, Soft Soap, Hard Soap, White Soap, Starch, and other +Articles used in Washing, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_284'>284</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">To prepare Starch. Glue and Gum Starch. Beef's or Ox-Gall. +Starching Muslins and Laces. To Cleanse or Whiten Silk Lace, or +Blond, and White Lace Veils. <i>On Ironing.</i> Articles to be provided +for Ironing. Sprinkling, Folding, and Ironing, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_292'>292</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">To Whiten Articles and Remove Stains from them. Mixtures to Remove +Stains and Grease. To Cleanse Silk Handkerchiefs and Ribands; Silk +Hose or Gloves; Down and Feathers; Straw and Leghorn Hats. <i>On +Coloring.</i> Pink, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Salmon, Buff, Dove, +Slate, Brown, Black, and Olive Colors, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_296'>296</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CARE OF PARLORS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Proper Arrangement of Rooms. Shades and Colors. Carpets, Curtains, +and other Furniture, should be selected with Reference to each +other. Laying down Carpets. Blocks to prevent Sofas and Tables from +rubbing against Walls, and to hold Doors open. Footstools. Sweeping +Carpets. Tealeaves. Wet Indian Meal. Taking up and cleansing +Carpets. Washing Carpets. Straw Matting. Pictures and Glasses. +Curtains and Sofas. Mahogany Furniture. Unvarnished Furniture; +Mixtures for. Hearths and Jambs. Sweeping and Dusting Parlors, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_302'>302</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CARE OF BREAKFAST AND DINING-ROOMS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Large Closet necessary. Dumb Waiter, or Sliding Closet. Furniture +for a Table. On Setting a Table. Rules for doing it properly;—for +Breakfast and Tea; for Dinner. On Waiting at Table. On Carving and +Helping at Table, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_306'>306</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CARE OF CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Importance of well-ventilated Sleeping-rooms. Debility and +Ill-health caused by a Want of Pure Air. Chamber Furniture. Cheap +Couch. Bedding. Feathers, Straw, or Hair, Mattresses. To Make a +Bed. Domestics should be provided with Single Beds, and Washing +Conveniences. On Packing and Storing Articles. To Fold a +Gentleman's Coat and Shirt, and a Frock. Packing Trunks. Carpet +Bags. Bonnet Covers. Packing Household Furniture for Moving, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_311'>311</a></span> +<br /> +</div> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CARE OF THE KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Importance of a Convenient Kitchen. Floor should be painted. Sink +and Drain. Washing Dishes. Conveniences needed. Rules. Kitchen +Furniture. Crockery. Iron Ware. Tin Ware. Wooden Ware. Basket Ware. +Other Articles. On the Care of the Cellar. Storeroom. Modes of +Destroying Insects and Vermin, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_317'>317</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.</a></center> +<center><small>ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Importance of Young Girls being taught various Kinds of Stitching. +Directions for doing various Kinds of Work. Work-Baskets, and their +Contents. On Cutting and Fitting Garments. Silks. Cotton and Linen. +Old Silk Dresses quilted for Skirts. Flannel; White should be +colored. Children's Flannels. Nightgowns. Wrappers. Bedding. +Mending, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_324'>324</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">On the Preparation of Soil. For Pot-Plants. On the Preparation of a +Hot-Bed. Planting Flower-Seeds. To plant Garden-Seeds. Transplanting. +To Re-pot House-Plants. On laying out Yards. Gardens. Flower-Beds. +Bulbs and Tuberous Roots. List of Various Kinds of Flowers, in +Reference to Color, and Height. Annuals. Climbing Plants. Perennials. +Herbaceous Roots. Shrubs; List of those most suitable for adorning +a Yard. Roses; Varieties of. Shade-Trees. Time for Transplanting. +Trees. Care of House Plants, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_331'>331</a></span> +<br /> +</div> +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Different Modes of Propagation;—By Offsets; Cuttings; Layers; +Budding, or Inoculating; Ingrafting;—Whip-Grafting; Split-Grafting; +Stock-Grafting. Pruning. Thinning, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_341'>341</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI.</a></center> +<center><small>ON THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Value of Attention to this Subject. Preparation of Soil. Planting +of Seeds. Budding, Grafting, and Transplanting. Training the Limbs. +Attention to the Soil. Manuring. Filberts. Figs. Currants. +Gooseberries. Raspberries. Strawberries. Grapes. To Preserve Fruit; +Modes of Preserving Fruit-Trees. Fire Blight. Worms, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_347'>347</a></span> +</div><br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII.</a></center> +<center><small>MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS.</small></center> + +<div class="toctext">Women should know how to take proper Care of Domestic Animals. Care +of a Horse. Care of a Cow. Poultry. Cautions for Winter. Smoky +Chimneys. House-Cleaning. Parties. Invitations. Comfort of Guests. +Flower-Baskets. Fire-Boards. Water-proof Shoes. Earthen Ware. +Cements, &c. &c. +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_351'>351</a></span> +</div> + +<div class="toctext"> +<span class="smcap"><a href="#NOTE">Note</a></span>.—Cooking, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_354'>354</a></span> +</div> +<div class="toctext"> +<span class="smcap"><a href="#A_GLOSSARY">Glossary</a></span>, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_355'>355</a></span> +</div> +<div class="toctext"> +<span class="smcap"><a href="#INDEX">Index</a></span>, +<span class="linenum"><a href='#Page_371'>371</a></span> +</div> + + +<hr class="quarter" /> +<h3>LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.</h3> + + +<div class="toctext"><a href='#FIG_1'>1</a>. The Human Skeleton, showing the Connection of the Bones +of the System, +<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_70'>70</a></span> +</div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_2'>2</a>, <a href='#FIG_3'>3</a>, <a href='#FIG_4'>4</a>. The Cervical, Dorsal, and Lumbar, Vertebræ, +<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_72'>72</a></span> +</div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_5'>5</a>. Muscles of the Arm,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_74'>74</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_6'>6</a>. Vertical Section of the Skull and Spinal Column, side view, +<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_77'>77</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_7'>7</a>. View of the same as seen from behind,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_77'>77</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_8'>8</a>. Ramifications of the Nerves,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_79'>79</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_9'>9</a>, <a href='#FIG_10'>10</a>, <a href='#FIG_11'>11</a>. Natural and Distorted Spines,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_81'>81</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_12'>12</a>. Vascular System, or Blood-Vessels,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_82'>82</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_13'>13</a>. The Two Sides of the Heart, separated,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_14'>14</a>. The Heart, with its two Sides united, as in Nature,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_86'>86</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_15'>15</a>. The Heart, with the great Blood-Vessels, on a larger scale,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_87'>87</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_16'>16</a>. Organs of Digestion and Respiration,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_88'>88</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_17'>17</a>. Elevation of a Cottage of Fine Proportions,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_262'>262</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_18'>18</a>. Ground-plan of the same,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_262'>262</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_19'>19</a>. Arrangement of one Side of a Room<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_263'>263</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_20'>20</a>. Fireplace and Mantelpiece,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_265'>265</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_21'>21</a>. Elevation of a Cottage on a different Plan from the former,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_265'>265</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_22'>22</a>. Ground-plan of the same,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_266'>266</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_23'>23</a>, <a href='#FIG_24'>24</a>. Ground-plan and Second Story of a two-story Cottage,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_267'>267</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_25'>25</a>. Front Elevation of the latter Cottage,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_268'>268</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_26'>26</a>. Front Elevation, on a different Plan,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_268'>268</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_27'>27</a>, <a href='#FIG_28'>28</a>. Plans of First and Second Stories of the latter Elevation,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_269'>269</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_29'>29</a>, <a href='#FIG_30'>30</a>. Plans of First and Second Stories of a larger House,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_270'>270</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_31'>31</a>. Front Elevation of a very convenient Cottage,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_271'>271</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_32'>32</a>. Ground-plan of the same,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_272'>272</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_33'>33</a>. Cottage of Daniel Wadsworth, Esq., near Hartford, Conn.,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_274'>274</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_34'>34</a>. Accommodations for securing Water with the least Labor,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_275'>275</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_35'>35</a>. Back-door Accommodations,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_276'>276</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_36'>36</a>. Latticed Portico,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_277'>277</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_37'>37</a>. Sliding Closet, or Dumb Waiter,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_278'>278</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_38'>38</a>. Cheap Couch, <span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_312'>312</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_39'>39</a>. Plan of a Flower-Bed,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_334'>334</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_40'>40</a>. Budding,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_343'>343</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_41'>41</a>. Grafting,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_344'>344</a></span> </div> +<div class="toctext"> +<a href='#FIG_42'>42</a>. Stock-Grafting,<span class="linenum"> <a href='#Page_345'>345</a></span> </div> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="DOMESTIC_ECONOMY" id="DOMESTIC_ECONOMY"></a>DOMESTIC ECONOMY.</h3> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.<br /> +<small>THE PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN.</small> +</h3> + + +<p>There are some reasons, why American women should feel an interest in +the support of the democratic institutions of their Country, which it is +important that they should consider. The great maxim, which is the basis +of all our civil and political institutions, is, that "all men are +created equal," and that they are equally entitled to "life, liberty, +and the pursuit of happiness."</p> + +<p>But it can readily be seen, that this is only another mode of expressing +the fundamental principle which the Great Ruler of the Universe has +established, as the law of His eternal government. "Thou shalt love thy +neighbor as thyself;" and "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to +you, do ye even so to them," are the Scripture forms, by which the +Supreme Lawgiver requires that each individual of our race shall regard +the happiness of others, as of the same value as his own; and which +forbid any institution, in private or civil life, which secures +advantages to one class, by sacrificing the interests of another.</p> + +<p>The principles of democracy, then, are identical with the principles of +Christianity.</p> + +<p>But, in order that each individual may pursue and secure the highest +degree of happiness within his reach, unimpeded by the selfish interests +of others, a system of laws must be established, which sustain certain +relations and dependencies in social and civil life. What these +relations and their attending obligations shall be, are to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>be +determined, not with reference to the wishes and interests of a few, but +solely with reference to the general good of all; so that each +individual shall have his own interest, as well as the public benefit, +secured by them.</p> + +<p>For this purpose, it is needful that certain relations be sustained, +which involve the duties of subordination. There must be the magistrate +and the subject, one of whom is the superior, and the other the +inferior. There must be the relations of husband and wife, parent and +child, teacher and pupil, employer and employed, each involving the +relative duties of subordination. The superior, in certain particulars, +is to direct, and the inferior is to yield obedience. Society could +never go forward, harmoniously, nor could any craft or profession be +successfully pursued, unless these superior and subordinate relations be +instituted and sustained.</p> + +<p>But who shall take the higher, and who the subordinate, stations in +social and civil life? This matter, in the case of parents and children, +is decided by the Creator. He has given children to the control of +parents, as their superiors, and to them they remain subordinate, to a +certain age, or so long as they are members of their household. And +parents can delegate such a portion of their authority to teachers and +employers, as the interests of their children require.</p> + +<p>In most other cases, in a truly democratic state, each individual is +allowed to choose for himself, who shall take the position of his +superior. No woman is forced to obey any husband but the one she chooses +for herself; nor is she obliged to take a husband, if she prefers to +remain single. So every domestic, and every artisan or laborer, after +passing from parental control, can choose the employer to whom he is to +accord obedience, or, if he prefers to relinquish certain advantages, he +can remain without taking a subordinate place to any employer.</p> + +<p>Each subject, also, has equal power with every other, to decide who +shall be his superior as a ruler. The weakest, the poorest, the most +illiterate, has the same <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>opportunity to determine this question, as the +richest, the most learned, and the most exalted.</p> + +<p>And the various privileges that wealth secures, are equally open to all +classes. Every man may aim at riches, unimpeded by any law or +institution which secures peculiar privileges to a favored class, at the +expense of another. Every law, and every institution, is tested by +examining whether it secures equal advantages to all; and, if the people +become convinced that any regulation sacrifices the good of the majority +to the interests of the smaller number, they have power to abolish it.</p> + +<p>The institutions of monarchical and aristocratic nations are based on +precisely opposite principles. They secure, to certain small and favored +classes, advantages, which can be maintained, only by sacrificing the +interests of the great mass of the people. Thus, the throne and +aristocracy of England are supported by laws and customs, which burden +the lower classes with taxes, so enormous, as to deprive them of all the +luxuries, and of most of the comforts, of life. Poor dwellings, scanty +food, unhealthy employments, excessive labor, and entire destitution of +the means and time for education, are appointed for the lower classes, +that a few may live in palaces, and riot in every indulgence.</p> + +<p>The tendencies of democratic institutions, in reference to the rights +and interests of the female sex, have been fully developed in the United +States; and it is in this aspect, that the subject is one of peculiar +interest to American women. In this Country, it is established, both by +opinion and by practice, that woman has an equal interest in all social +and civil concerns; and that no domestic, civil, or political, +institution, is right, which sacrifices her interest to promote that of +the other sex. But in order to secure her the more firmly in all these +privileges, it is decided, that, in the domestic relation, she take a +subordinate station, and that, in civil and political concerns, her +interests be intrusted to the other sex, without her taking any part in +voting, or in making and administering laws. The result of this order of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>things has been fairly tested, and is thus portrayed by M. De +Tocqueville, a writer, who, for intelligence, fidelity, and ability, +ranks second to none.</p> + +<p>"There are people in Europe, who, confounding together the different +characteristics of the sexes, would make of man and woman, beings not +only equal, but alike. They would give to both the same functions, +impose on both the same duties, and grant to both the same rights. They +would mix them in all things,—their business, their occupations, their +pleasures. It may readily be conceived, that, by <i>thus</i> attempting to +make one sex equal to the other, both are degraded; and, from so +preposterous a medley of the works of Nature, nothing could ever result, +but weak men and disorderly women.</p> + +<p>"It is not thus that the Americans understand the species of democratic +equality, which may be established between the sexes. They admit, that, +as Nature has appointed such wide differences between the physical and +moral constitutions of man and woman, her manifest design was, to give a +distinct employment to their various faculties; and they hold, that +improvement does not consist in making beings so dissimilar do pretty +nearly the same things, but in getting each of them to fulfil their +respective tasks, in the best possible manner. The Americans have +applied to the sexes the great principle of political economy, which +governs the manufactories of our age, by carefully dividing the duties +of man from those of woman, in order that the great work of society may +be the better carried on.</p> + +<p>"In no country has such constant care been taken, as in America, to +trace two clearly distinct lines of action for the two sexes, and to +make them keep pace one with the other, but in two pathways which are +always different. American women never manage the outward concerns of +the family, or conduct a business, or take a part in political life; nor +are they, on the other hand, ever compelled to perform the rough labor +of the fields, or to make any of those laborious exertions, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>which +demand the exertion of physical strength. No families are so poor, as to +form an exception to this rule.</p> + +<p>"If, on the one hand, an American woman cannot escape from the quiet +circle of domestic employments, on the other hand, she is never forced +to go beyond it. Hence it is, that the women of America, who often +exhibit a masculine strength of understanding, and a manly energy, +generally preserve great delicacy of personal appearance, and always +retain the manners of women, although they sometimes show that they have +the hearts and minds of men.</p> + +<p>"Nor have the Americans ever supposed, that one consequence of +democratic principles, is, the subversion of marital power, or the +confusion of the natural authorities in families. They hold, that every +association must have a head, in order to accomplish its object; and +that the natural head of the conjugal association is man. They do not, +therefore, deny him the right of directing his partner; and they +maintain, that, in the smaller association of husband and wife, as well +as in the great social community, the object of democracy is, to +regulate and legalize the powers which are necessary, not to subvert all +power.</p> + +<p>"This opinion is not peculiar to one sex, and contested by the other. I +never observed, that the women of America considered conjugal authority +as a fortunate usurpation of their rights, nor that they thought +themselves degraded by submitting to it. It appears to me, on the +contrary, that they attach a sort of pride to the voluntary surrender of +their own will, and make it their boast to bend themselves to the yoke, +not to shake it off. Such, at least, is the feeling expressed by the +most virtuous of their sex; the others are silent; and in the United +States it is not the practice for a guilty wife to clamor for the rights +of woman, while she is trampling on her holiest duties."</p> + +<p>"Although the travellers, who have visited North America, differ on a +great number of points, they agree in remarking, that morals are far +more strict, there, than <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>elsewhere.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> It is evident that, on this +point, the Americans are very superior to their progenitors, the +English." "In England, as in all other Countries of Europe, public +malice is constantly attacking the frailties of women. Philosophers and +statesmen are heard to deplore, that morals are not sufficiently strict; +and the literary productions of the Country constantly lead one to +suppose so. In America, all books, novels not excepted, suppose women to +be chaste; and no one thinks of relating affairs of gallantry."</p> + +<p>"It has often been remarked, that, in Europe, a certain degree of +contempt lurks, even in the flattery which men lavish upon women. +Although a European frequently affects to be the slave of woman, it may +be seen, that he never sincerely thinks her his equal. In the United +States, men seldom compliment women, but they daily show how much they +esteem them. They constantly display an entire confidence in the +understanding of a wife, and a profound respect for her freedom."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p><p>They have decided that her mind is just as fitted as that of a man to +discover the plain truth, and her heart as firm to embrace it, and they +have never sought to place her virtue, any more than his, under the +shelter of prejudice, ignorance, and fear.</p> + +<p>"It would seem, that in Europe, where man so easily submits to the +despotic sway of woman, they are nevertheless curtailed of some of the +greatest qualities of the human species, and considered as seductive, +but imperfect beings, and (what may well provoke astonishment) women +ultimately look upon themselves in the same light, and almost consider +it as a privilege that they are entitled to show themselves futile, +feeble, and timid. The women of America claim no such privileges."</p> + +<p>"It is true, that the Americans rarely lavish upon women those eager +attentions which are commonly paid <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>them in Europe. But their conduct to +women always implies, that they suppose them to be virtuous and refined; +and such is the respect entertained for the moral freedom of the sex, +that, in the presence of a woman, the most guarded language is used, +lest her ear should be offended by an expression. In America, a young +unmarried woman may, alone, and without fear, undertake a long journey."</p> + +<p>"Thus the Americans do not think that man and woman have either the +duty, or the right, to perform the same offices, but they show an equal +regard for both their respective parts; and, though their lot is +different, they consider both of them, as beings of equal value. They do +not give to the courage of woman the same form, or the same direction, +as to that of man; but they never doubt her courage: and if they hold +that man and his partner ought not always to exercise their intellect +and understanding in the same manner, they at least believe the +understanding of the one to be as sound as that of the other, and her +intellect to be as clear. Thus, then, while they have allowed the social +inferiority of woman to subsist, they have done all they could to raise +her, morally and intellectually, to the level of man; and, in this +respect, they appear to me to have excellently understood the true +principle of democratic improvement.</p> + +<p>"As for myself, I do not hesitate to avow, that, although the women of +the United States are confined within the narrow circle of domestic +life, and their situation is, in some respects, one of extreme +dependence, I have nowhere seen women occupying a loftier position; and +if I were asked, now I am drawing to the close of this work, in which I +have spoken of so many important things done by the Americans, to what +the singular prosperity and growing strength of that people ought mainly +to be attributed, I should reply,—<i>to the superiority of their women</i>."</p> + +<p>This testimony of a foreigner, who has had abundant opportunities of +making a comparison, is sanctioned by <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>the assent of all candid and +intelligent men, who have enjoyed similar opportunities.</p> + +<p>It appears, then, that it is in America, alone, that women are raised to +an equality with the other sex; and that, both in theory and practice, +their interests are regarded as of equal value. They are made +subordinate in station, only where a regard to their best interests +demands it, while, as if in compensation for this, by custom and +courtesy, they are always treated as superiors. Universally, in this +Country, through every class of society, precedence is given to woman, +in all the comforts, conveniences, and courtesies, of life.</p> + +<p>In civil and political affairs, American women take no interest or +concern, except so far as they sympathize with their family and personal +friends; but in all cases, in which they do feel a concern, their +opinions and feelings have a consideration, equal, or even superior, to +that of the other sex.</p> + +<p>In matters pertaining to the education of their children, in the +selection and support of a clergyman, in all benevolent enterprises, and +in all questions relating to morals or manners, they have a superior +influence. In such concerns, it would be impossible to carry a point, +contrary to their judgement and feelings; while an enterprise, sustained +by them, will seldom fail of success.</p> + +<p>If those who are bewailing themselves over the fancied wrongs and +injuries of women in this Nation, could only see things as they are, +they would know, that, whatever remnants of a barbarous or aristocratic +age may remain in our civil institutions, in reference to the interests +of women, it is only because they are ignorant of them, or do not use +their influence to have them rectified; for it is very certain that +there is nothing reasonable, which American women would unite in asking, +that would not readily be bestowed.</p> + +<p>The preceding remarks, then, illustrate the position, that the +democratic institutions of this Country are in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>reality no other than +the principles of Christianity carried into operation, and that they +tend to place woman in her true position in society, as having equal +rights with the other sex; and that, in fact, they have secured to +American women a lofty and fortunate position, which, as yet, has been +attained by the women of no other nation.</p> + +<p>There is another topic, presented in the work of the above author, which +demands the profound attention of American women.</p> + +<p>The following is taken from that part of the Introduction to the work, +illustrating the position, that, for ages, there has been a constant +progress, in all civilized nations, towards the democratic equality +attained in this Country.</p> + +<p>"The various occurrences of national existence have every where turned +to the advantage of democracy; all men have aided it by their exertions; +those who have intentionally labored in its cause, and those who have +served it unwittingly; those who have fought for it, and those who have +declared themselves its opponents, have all been driven along in the +same track, have all labored to one end;" "all have been blind +instruments in the hands of God."</p> + +<p>"The gradual developement of the equality of conditions, is, therefore, +a Providential fact; and it possesses all the characteristics of a +Divine decree: it is universal, it is durable, it constantly eludes all +human interference, and all events, as well as all men, contribute to +its progress."</p> + +<p>"The whole book, which is here offered to the public, has been written +under the impression of a kind of religious dread, produced in the +author's mind, by the contemplation of so irresistible a revolution, +which has advanced for centuries, in spite of such amazing obstacles, +and which is still proceeding in the midst of the ruins it has made.</p> + +<p>"It is not necessary that God Himself should speak, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>in order to +disclose to us the unquestionable signs of His will. We can discern them +in the habitual course of Nature, and in the invariable tendency of +events."</p> + +<p>"If the men of our time were led, by attentive observation, and by +sincere reflection, to acknowledge that the gradual and progressive +developement of social equality is at once the past and future of their +history, this solitary truth would confer the sacred character of a +Divine decree upon the change. To attempt to check democracy, would be, +in that case, to resist the will of God; and the nations would then be +constrained to make the best of the social lot awarded to them by +Providence."</p> + +<p>"It is not, then, merely to satisfy a legitimate curiosity, that I have +examined America; my wish has been to find instruction by which we may +ourselves profit." "I have not even affected to discuss whether the +social revolution, which I believe to be irresistible, is advantageous +or prejudicial to mankind. I have acknowledged this revolution, as a +fact already accomplished, or on the eve of its accomplishment; and I +have selected the nation, from among those which have undergone it, in +which its developement has been the most peaceful and the most complete, +in order to discern its natural consequences, and, if it be possible, to +distinguish the means by which it may be rendered profitable. I confess, +that in America I saw more than America; I sought the image of democracy +itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its +passions, in order to learn what we have to fear, or to hope, from its +progress."</p> + +<p>It thus appears, that the sublime and elevating anticipations which have +filled the mind and heart of the religious world, have become so far +developed, that philosophers and statesmen are perceiving the signs, and +are predicting the approach, of the same grand consummation. There is a +day advancing, "by seers predicted, and by poets sung," when the curse +of selfishness shall be removed; when "scenes surpassing fable, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>and yet +true," shall be realized; when all nations shall rejoice and be made +blessed, under those benevolent influences, which the Messiah came to +establish on earth.</p> + +<p>And this is the Country, which the Disposer of events designs shall go +forth as the cynosure of nations, to guide them to the light and +blessedness of that day. To us is committed the grand, the responsible +privilege, of exhibiting to the world, the beneficent influences of +Christianity, when carried into every social, civil, and political +institution; and, though we have, as yet, made such imperfect advances, +already the light is streaming into the dark prison-house of despotic +lands, while startled kings and sages, philosophers and statesmen, are +watching us with that interest, which a career so illustrious, and so +involving their own destiny, is calculated to excite. They are studying +our institutions, scrutinizing our experience, and watching for our +mistakes, that they may learn whether "a social revolution, so +irresistible, be advantageous or prejudicial to mankind."</p> + +<p>There are persons, who regard these interesting truths merely as food +for national vanity; but every reflecting and Christian mind, must +consider it as an occasion for solemn and anxious reflection. Are we, +then, a spectacle to the world? Has the Eternal Lawgiver appointed us to +work out a problem, involving the destiny of the whole earth? Are such +momentous interests to be advanced or retarded, just in proportion as we +are faithful to our high trust? "What manner of persons, then, ought we +to be," in attempting to sustain so solemn, so glorious a +responsibility?</p> + +<p>But the part to be enacted by American women, in this great moral +enterprise, is the point to which special attention should here be +directed.</p> + +<p>The success of democratic institutions, as is conceded by all, depends +upon the intellectual and moral character of the mass of the people. If +they are intelligent <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>and virtuous, democracy is a blessing; but if they +are ignorant and wicked, it is only a curse, and as much more dreadful +than any other form of civil government, as a thousand tyrants are more +to be dreaded than one. It is equally conceded, that the formation of +the moral and intellectual character of the young is committed mainly to +the female hand. The mother forms the character of the future man; the +sister bends the fibres that are hereafter to be the forest tree; the +wife sways the heart, whose energies may turn for good or for evil the +destinies of a nation. Let the women of a country be made virtuous and +intelligent, and the men will certainly be the same. The proper +education of a man decides the welfare of an individual; but educate a +woman, and the interests of a whole family are secured.</p> + +<p>If this be so, as none will deny, then to American women, more than to +any others on earth, is committed the exalted privilege of extending +over the world those blessed influences, which are to renovate degraded +man, and "clothe all climes with beauty."</p> + +<p>No American woman, then, has any occasion for feeling that hers is an +humble or insignificant lot. The value of what an individual +accomplishes, is to be estimated by the importance of the enterprise +achieved, and not by the particular position of the laborer. The drops +of heaven which freshen the earth, are each of equal value, whether they +fall in the lowland meadow, or the princely parterre. The builders of a +temple are of equal importance, whether they labor on the foundations, +or toil upon the dome.</p> + +<p>Thus, also, with those labors which are to be made effectual in the +regeneration of the Earth. And it is by forming a habit of regarding the +apparently insignificant efforts of each isolated laborer, in a +comprehensive manner, as indispensable portions of a grand result, that +the minds of all, however humble their sphere of service, can be +invigorated and cheered. The woman, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>who is rearing a family of +children; the woman, who labors in the schoolroom; the woman, who, in +her retired chamber, earns, with her needle, the mite, which contributes +to the intellectual and moral elevation of her Country; even the humble +domestic, whose example and influence may be moulding and forming young +minds, while her faithful services sustain a prosperous domestic +state;—each and all may be animated by the consciousness, that they are +agents in accomplishing the greatest work that ever was committed to +human responsibility. It is the building of a glorious temple, whose +base shall be coextensive with the bounds of the earth, whose summit +shall pierce the skies, whose splendor shall beam on all lands; and +those who hew the lowliest stone, as much as those who carve the highest +capital, will be equally honored, when its top-stone shall be laid, with +new rejoicings of the morning stars, and shoutings of the sons of God.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTE:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Miss Martineau is a singular exception to this remark. +After receiving unexampled hospitalities and kindnesses, she gives the +following picture of her entertainers. Having in other places spoken of +the American woman as having "her intellect confined," and "her morals +crushed," and as deficient in education, because she has "none of the +objects in life for which an enlarged education is considered +requisite," she says,—"It is assumed, in America, particularly in New +England, that the morals of society there are peculiarly pure. I am +grieved to doubt the fact; but I do doubt it." "The Auld-Robin-Gray +story is a frequently-enacted tragedy here; and one of the worst +symptoms that struck me, was, that there was usually a demand upon my +sympathy in such cases."—"The unavoidable consequence of such a mode of +marrying, is, that the sanctity of marriage is impaired, and that vice +succeeds. There are sad tales in country villages, here and there, that +attest this; and yet more in towns, in a rank of society where such +things are seldom or never heard of in England."—"I unavoidably knew of +more cases of lapse in highly respectable families in one State, than +ever came to my knowledge at home; and they were got over with a +disgrace far more temporary and superficial than they could have been +visited with in England."—"The vacuity of mind of many women, is, I +conclude, the cause of a vice, which it is painful to allude to, but +which cannot honestly be passed over.—It is no secret on the spot, that +the habit of intemperance is not infrequent among women of station and +education in the most enlightened parts of the Country. I witnessed some +instances, and heard of more. It does not seem to me to be regarded with +all the dismay which such a symptom ought to excite. To the stranger, a +novelty so horrible, a spectacle so fearful, suggests wide and deep +subjects of investigation." +</p><p> +It is not possible for language to give representations more false in +every item. In evidence of this, the writer would mention, that, within +the last few years, she has travelled almost the entire route taken by +Miss Martineau, except the lower tier of the Southern States; and, +though not meeting the same individuals, has mingled in the very same +circles. Moreover, she has <i>resided</i> from several months to several +years in <i>eight</i> of the different Northern and Western States, and spent +several weeks at a time in five other States. She has also had pupils +from every State in the Union, but two, and has visited extensively at +their houses. But in her whole life, and in all these different +positions, the writer has never, to her knowledge, seen even <i>one</i> +woman, of the classes with which she has associated, who had lapsed in +the manner indicated by Miss Martineau; nor does she believe that such a +woman could find admission in such circles any where in the Country. As +to intemperate women, <i>five</i> cases are all of whom the writer has ever +heard, in such circles, and two of these many believed to be +unwarrantably suspected. After following in Miss Martineau's track, and +discovering all the falsehood, twaddle, gossip, old saws, and almanac +stories, which have been strung together in her books, no charitable +mode of accounting for the medley remains, but to suppose her the +pitiable dupe of that love of hoaxing so often found in our Country. +</p><p> +Again, Miss Martineau says, "We passed an unshaded meadow, where the +grass had caught fire, <i>every day</i>, at <i>eleven o'clock</i>, the preceding +Summer. This demonstrates the necessity of shade"! A woman, with so +little common sense, as to swallow such an absurdity for truth, and then +tack to it such an astute deduction, must be a tempting subject for the +abovementioned mischievous propensity.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.<br /> +<small>DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR TO AMERICAN WOMEN.</small> +</h3> + + +<p>In the preceding chapter, were presented those views, which are +calculated to inspire American women with a sense of their high +responsibilities to their Country, and to the world; and of the +excellence and grandeur of the object to which their energies may be +consecrated.</p> + +<p>But it will be found to be the law of moral action, that whatever +involves great results and great benefits, is always attended with great +hazards and difficulties. And as it has been shown, that American women +have a loftier position, and a more elevated object of enterprise, than +the females of any other nation, so it will appear, that they have +greater trials and difficulties to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>overcome, than any other women are +called to encounter.</p> + +<p>Properly to appreciate the nature of these trials, it must be borne in +mind, that the estimate of evils and privations depends, not so much on +their positive nature, as on the character and habits of the person who +meets them. A woman, educated in the savage state, finds it no trial to +be destitute of many conveniences, which a woman, even of the lowest +condition, in this Country, would deem indispensable to existence. So a +woman, educated with the tastes and habits of the best New England or +Virginia housekeepers, would encounter many deprivations and trials, +which would never occur to one reared in the log cabin of a new +settlement. So, also, a woman, who has been accustomed to carry forward +her arrangements with well-trained domestics, would meet a thousand +trials to her feelings and temper, by the substitution of ignorant +foreigners, or shiftless slaves, which would be of little account to one +who had never enjoyed any better service.</p> + +<p>Now, the larger portion of American women are the descendants of English +progenitors, who, as a nation, are distinguished for systematic +housekeeping, and for a great love of order, cleanliness, and comfort. +And American women, to a greater or less extent, have inherited similar +tastes and habits. But the prosperity and democratic tendencies of this +Country produce results, materially affecting the comfort of +housekeepers, which the females of monarchical and aristocratic lands +are not called to meet. In such countries, all ranks and classes are +fixed in a given position, and each person is educated for a particular +sphere and style of living. And the dwellings, conveniences, and customs +of life, remain very nearly the same, from generation to generation. +This secures the preparation of all classes for their particular +station, and makes the lower orders more dependent, and more subservient +to employers.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p><p>But how different is the state of things in this Country. Every thing +is moving and changing. Persons in poverty, are rising to opulence, and +persons of wealth, are sinking to poverty. The children of common +laborers, by their talents and enterprise, are becoming nobles in +intellect, or wealth, or office; while the children of the wealthy, +enervated by indulgence, are sinking to humbler stations. The sons of +the wealthy are leaving the rich mansions of their fathers, to dwell in +the log cabins of the forest, where very soon they bear away the +daughters of ease and refinement, to share the privations of a new +settlement. Meantime, even in the more stationary portions of the +community, there is a mingling of all grades of wealth, intellect, and +education. There are no distinct classes, as in aristocratic lands, +whose bounds are protected by distinct and impassable lines, but all are +thrown into promiscuous masses. Thus, persons of humble means are +brought into contact with those of vast wealth, while all intervening +grades are placed side by side. Thus, too, there is a constant +comparison of conditions, among equals, and a constant temptation +presented to imitate the customs, and to strive for the enjoyments, of +those who possess larger means.</p> + +<p>In addition to this, the flow of wealth, among all classes, is +constantly increasing the number of those who live in a style demanding +much hired service, while the number of those, who are compelled to go +to service, is constantly diminishing. Our manufactories, also, are +making increased demands for female labor, and offering larger +compensation. In consequence of these things, there is such a +disproportion between those who wish to hire, and those who are willing +to go to domestic service, that, in the non-slaveholding States, were it +not for the supply of poverty-stricken foreigners, there would not be a +domestic for each family who demands one. And this resort to foreigners, +poor as it is, scarcely meets the demand; while the disproportion must +every year increase, especially if our prosperity <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>increases. For, just +in proportion as wealth rolls in upon us, the number of those, who will +give up their own independent homes to serve strangers, will be +diminished.</p> + +<p>The difficulties and sufferings, which have accrued to American women, +from this cause, are almost incalculable. There is nothing, which so +much demands system and regularity, as the affairs of a housekeeper, +made up, as they are, of ten thousand desultory and minute items; and +yet, this perpetually fluctuating state of society seems forever to bar +any such system and regularity. The anxieties, vexations, perplexities, +and even hard labor, which come upon American women, from this state of +domestic service, are endless; and many a woman has, in consequence, +been disheartened, discouraged, and ruined in health. The only wonder +is, that, amid so many real difficulties, American women are still able +to maintain such a character for energy, fortitude, and amiableness, as +is universally allowed to be their due.</p> + +<p>But the second, and still greater difficulty, peculiar to American +women, is, a delicacy of constitution, which renders them early victims +to disease and decay.</p> + +<p>The fact that the women of this Country are unusually subject to +disease, and that their beauty and youthfulness are of shorter +continuance than those of the women of other nations, is one which +always attracts the attention of foreigners; while medical men and +philanthropists are constantly giving fearful monitions as to the extent +and alarming increase of this evil. Investigations make it evident, that +a large proportion of young ladies, from the wealthier classes, have the +incipient stages of curvature of the spine, one of the most sure and +fruitful causes of future disease and decay. The writer has heard +medical men, who have made extensive inquiries, say, that a very large +proportion of the young women at boarding schools, are affected in this +way, while many other indications of disease and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>debility exist, in +cases where this particular evil cannot be detected.</p> + +<p>In consequence of this enfeebled state of their constitutions, induced +by a neglect of their physical education, as soon as they are called to +the responsibilities and trials of domestic life, their constitution +fails, and their whole existence is rendered a burden. For no woman can +enjoy existence, when disease throws a dark cloud over the mind, and +incapacitates her for the proper discharge of every duty.</p> + +<p>The writer, who for some ten years has had the charge of an institution, +consisting of young ladies from almost every State in the Union, since +relinquishing that charge, has travelled and visited extensively in most +of the non-slaveholding States. In these circuits, she has learned the +domestic history, not merely of her pupils, but of many other young +wives and mothers, whose sorrowful experience has come to her knowledge. +And the impression, produced by the dreadful extent of this evil, has at +times been almost overwhelming.</p> + +<p>It would seem as if the primeval curse, which has written the doom of +pain and sorrow on one period of a young mother's life, in this Country +had been extended over all; so that the hour seldom arrives, when "she +forgetteth her sorrow for joy that a man is born into the world." Many a +mother will testify, with shuddering, that the most exquisite sufferings +she ever endured, were not those appointed by Nature, but those, which, +for week after week, have worn down health and spirits, when nourishing +her child. And medical men teach us, that this, in most cases, results +from a debility of constitution, consequent on the mismanagement of +early life. And so frequent and so mournful are these, and the other +distresses that result from the delicacy of the female constitution, +that the writer has repeatedly heard mothers say, that they had wept +tears of bitterness over their infant daughters, at the thought of the +sufferings which they were destined to undergo; while they cherished +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>the decided wish, that these daughters should never marry. At the same +time, many a reflecting young woman is looking to her future prospects, +with very different feelings and hopes from those which Providence +designed.</p> + +<p>A perfectly healthy woman, especially a perfectly healthy mother, is so +unfrequent, in some of the wealthier classes, that those, who are so, +may be regarded as the exceptions, and not as the general rule. The +writer has heard some of her friends declare, that they would ride fifty +miles, to see a perfectly healthy and vigorous woman, out of the +laboring classes. This, although somewhat jocose, was not an entirely +unfair picture of the true state of female health in the wealthier +classes.</p> + +<p>There are many causes operating, which serve to perpetuate and increase +this evil. It is a well-known fact, that mental excitement tends to +weaken the physical system, unless it is counterbalanced by a +corresponding increase of exercise and fresh air. Now, the people of +this Country are under the influence of high commercial, political, and +religious stimulus, altogether greater than was ever known by any other +nation; and in all this, women are made the sympathizing companions of +the other sex. At the same time, young girls, in pursuing an education, +have ten times greater an amount of intellectual taxation demanded, than +was ever before exacted. Let any daughter, educated in our best schools +at this day, compare the course of her study with that pursued in her +mother's early life, and it will be seen that this estimate of the +increase of mental taxation probably falls below the truth. Though, in +some countries, there are small classes of females, in the higher +circles, who pursue literature and science to a far greater extent than +in any corresponding circles in this Country, yet, in no nation in the +world are the advantages of a good intellectual education enjoyed, by so +large a proportion of the females. And this education has consisted far +less of accomplishments, and far more of those solid studies which +demand the exercise of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>various powers of mind, than the education +of the women of other lands.</p> + +<p>And when American women are called to the responsibilities of domestic +life, the degree in which their minds and feelings are taxed, is +altogether greater than it is in any other nation.</p> + +<p>No women on earth have a higher sense of their moral and religious +responsibilities, or better understand, not only what is demanded of +them, as housekeepers, but all the claims that rest upon them as wives, +mothers, and members of a social community. An American woman, who is +the mistress of a family, feels her obligations, in reference to her +influence over her husband, and a still greater responsibility in +rearing and educating her children. She feels, too, the claims which the +moral interests of her domestics have on her watchful care. In social +life, she recognises the claims of hospitality, and the demands of +friendly visiting. Her responsibility, in reference to the institutions +of benevolence and religion, is deeply realized. The regular worship of +the Lord's day, and all the various religious meetings and benevolent +societies which place so much dependence on female influence and +example, she feels obligated to sustain. Add to these multiplied +responsibilities, the perplexities and evils which have been pointed +out, resulting from the fluctuating state of society, and the deficiency +of domestic service, and no one can deny that American women are exposed +to a far greater amount of intellectual and moral excitement, than those +of any other land. Of course, in order to escape the danger resulting +from this, a greater amount of exercise in the fresh air, and all those +methods which strengthen the constitution, are imperiously required.</p> + +<p>But, instead of this, it will be found, that, owing to the climate and +customs of this Nation, there are no women who secure so little of this +healthful and protecting regimen, as ours. Walking and riding and +gardening, in the open air, are practised by the women of other lands, +to a far greater extent, than by American females. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>Most English women, +in the wealthier classes, are able to walk six and eight miles, without +oppressive fatigue; and when they visit this Country, always express +their surprise at the inactive habits of American ladies. In England, +regular exercise, in the open air, is very commonly required by the +mother, as a part of daily duty, and is sought by young women, as an +enjoyment. In consequence of a different physical training, English +women, in those circles which enjoy competency, present an appearance +which always strikes American gentlemen as a contrast to what they see +at home. An English mother, at thirty, or thirty-five, is in the full +bloom of perfected womanhood; as fresh and healthful as her daughters. +But where are the American mothers, who can reach this period unfaded +and unworn? In America, young ladies of the wealthier classes are sent +to school from early childhood; and neither parents nor teachers make it +a definite object to secure a proper amount of fresh air and exercise, +to counterbalance this intellectual taxation. As soon as their school +days are over, dressing, visiting, evening parties, and stimulating +amusements, take the place of study, while the most unhealthful modes of +dress add to the physical exposures. To make morning calls, or do a +little shopping, is all that can be termed their exercise in the fresh +air; and this, compared to what is needed, is absolutely nothing, and on +some accounts is worse than nothing.<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> In consequence of these, and +other evils, which will be pointed out more at large in the following +pages, the young women of America grow up with such a delicacy of +constitution, that probably eight out of ten become subjects of disease, +either before or as soon as they are called to the responsibilities of +domestic life.</p> + +<p>But there is one peculiarity of situation, in regard to American women, +which makes this delicacy of constitution <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>still more disastrous. It is +the liability to the exposures and hardships of a newly-settled country.</p> + +<p>One more extract from De Tocqueville will give a view of this part of +the subject, which any one, familiar with Western life, will admire for +its verisimilitude.</p> + +<p>"The same strength of purpose which the young wives of America display +in bending themselves, at once, and without repining, to the austere +duties of their new condition, is no less manifest in all the great +trials of their lives. In no country in the world, are private fortunes +more precarious, than in the United States. It is not uncommon for the +same man, in the course of his life, to rise and sink again through all +the grades which lead from opulence to poverty. American women support +these vicissitudes with a calm and unquenchable energy. It would seem +that their desires contract, as easily as they expand, with their +fortunes. The greater part of the adventurers, who migrate, every year, +to people the Western wilds, belong" "to the old Anglo-American race of +the Northern States. Many of these men, who rush so boldly onward in +pursuit of wealth, were already in the enjoyment of a competency in +their own part of the Country. They take their wives along with them, +and make them share the countless perils and privations, which always +attend the commencement of these expeditions. I have often met, even on +the verge of the wilderness, with young women, who, after having been +brought up amid all the comforts of the large towns of New England, had +passed, almost without any intermediate stage, from the wealthy abode of +their parents, to a comfortless hovel in a forest. Fever, solitude, and +a tedious life, had not broken the springs of their courage. Their +features were impaired and faded, but their looks were firm: they +appeared to be, at once, sad and resolute."</p> + +<p>In another passage, he gives this picturesque sketch: "By the side of +the hearth, sits a woman, with a baby on her lap. She nods to us, +without disturbing herself. Like the pioneer, this woman is in the prime +of life; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>her appearance would seem superior to her condition: and her +apparel even betrays a lingering taste for dress. But her delicate limbs +appear shrunken; her features are drawn in; her eye is mild and +melancholy; her whole physiognomy bears marks of a degree of religious +resignation, a deep quiet of all passion, and some sort of natural and +tranquil firmness, ready to meet all the ills of life, without fearing +and without braving them. Her children cluster about her, full of +health, turbulence, and energy; they are true children of the +wilderness: their mother watches them, from time to time, with mingled +melancholy and joy. To look at their strength, and her languor, one +might imagine that the life she had given them had exhausted her own; +and still she regrets not what they have cost her. The house, inhabited +by these emigrants, has no internal partition or loft. In the one +chamber of which it consists, the whole family is gathered for the +night. The dwelling is itself a little world; an ark of civilization +amid an ocean of foliage. A hundred steps beyond it, the primeval forest +spreads its shades, and solitude resumes its sway."</p> + +<p>Such scenes, and such women, the writer has met, and few persons realize +how many refined and lovely women are scattered over the broad prairies +and deep forests of the West; and none, but the Father above, +appreciates the extent of those sacrifices and sufferings, and the value +of that firm faith and religious hope, which live, in perennial bloom, +amid those vast solitudes. If the American women of the East merit the +palm, for their skill and success as accomplished housekeepers, still +more is due to the heroines of the West, who, with such unyielding +fortitude and cheerful endurance, attempt similar duties, amid so many +disadvantages and deprivations.</p> + +<p>But, though American women have those elevated principles and feelings, +which enable them to meet such trials in so exemplary a manner, their +physical energies are not equal to the exertions demanded. Though the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>mind may be bright and firm, the casket is shivered; though the spirit +may be willing, the flesh is weak. A woman of firm health, with the hope +and elasticity of youth, may be envied rather than pitied, as she shares +with her young husband the hopes and enterprises of pioneer life. But, +when the body fails, then the eye of hope grows dim, the heart sickens, +the courage dies; and, in solitude, weariness, and suffering, the +wanderer pines for the dear voices and the tender sympathies of a far +distant home. Then it is, that the darkest shade is presented, which +marks the peculiar trials and liabilities of American women, and which +exhibits still more forcibly the disastrous results of that delicacy of +constitution which has been pointed out. For, though all American women, +or even the greater part of them, are not called to encounter such +trials, yet no mother, who rears a family of daughters, can say, that +such a lot will not fall to one of her flock; nor can she know which +will escape. The reverses of fortune, and the chances of matrimony, +expose every woman in the Nation to such liabilities, for which she +needs to be prepared.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTE:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> So little idea have most ladies, in the wealthier classes, +of what is a proper amount of exercise, that, if they should succeed in +walking a mile or so, at a moderate pace, three or four times a week, +they would call it taking a great deal of exercise.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.<br /> +<small>REMEDIES FOR THE PRECEDING DIFFICULTIES.</small> +</h3> + + +<p>Having pointed out the peculiar responsibilities of American women, and +the peculiar embarrassments which they are called to encounter, the +following suggestions are offered, as remedies for such difficulties.</p> + +<p>In the first place, the physical and domestic education of daughters +should occupy the principal attention of mothers, in childhood; and the +stimulation of the intellect should be very much reduced. As a general +rule, daughters should not be sent to school before they are six years +old; and, when they are sent, far more attention should be paid to their +physical developement, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>than is usually done. They should never be +confined, at any employment, more than an hour at a time; and this +confinement should be followed by sports in the open air. Such +accommodations should be secured, that, at all seasons, and in all +weathers, the teacher can every half hour send out a portion of her +school, for sports. And still more care should be given to preserve pure +air in the schoolroom. The close stoves, crowded condition, and +poisonous air, of most schoolrooms, act as constant drains on the health +and strength of young children.</p> + +<p>In addition to this, much less time should be given to school, and much +more to domestic employments, especially in the wealthier classes. A +little girl may begin, at five or six years of age, to assist her +mother; and, if properly trained, by the time she is ten, she can render +essential aid. From this time, until she is fourteen or fifteen, it +should be the principal object of her education to secure a strong and +healthy constitution, and a thorough practical knowledge of all kinds of +domestic employments. During this period, though some attention ought to +be paid to intellectual culture, it ought to be made altogether +secondary in importance; and such a measure of study and intellectual +excitement, as is now demanded in our best female seminaries, ought +never to be allowed, until a young lady has passed the most critical +period of her youth, and has a vigorous and healthful constitution fully +established. The plan might be adopted, of having schools for young +girls kept only in the afternoon; that their mornings might be occupied +in domestic exercise, without interfering with school employments. Where +a proper supply of domestic exercise cannot be afforded, the cultivation +of flowers and fruits might be resorted to, as a delightful and +unfailing promotive of pleasure and health.</p> + +<p>And it is to that class of mothers, who have the best means of securing +hired service, and who are the most tempted to allow their daughters to +grow up with inactive habits, that their Country and the world must +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>look for a reformation, in this respect. Whatever ladies in the +wealthier classes decide shall be fashionable, will be followed by all +the rest; but, while they persist in the aristocratic habits, now so +common, and bring up their daughters to feel as if labor was degrading +and unbecoming, the evils pointed out will never find a remedy. It is, +therefore, the peculiar duty of ladies, who have wealth, to set a proper +example, in this particular, and make it their first aim to secure a +strong and healthful constitution for their daughters, by active +domestic employments. All the sweeping, dusting, care of furniture and +beds, the clear starching, and the nice cooking, should be done by the +daughters of a family, and not by hired servants. It may cost the mother +more care, and she may find it needful to hire a person for the express +purpose of instructing and superintending her daughters, in these +employments; but it should be regarded as indispensable to be secured, +either by the mother's agency, or by a substitute.</p> + +<p>It is in this point of view, that the dearth of good domestics in this +Country may, in its results, prove a substantial blessing. If all +housekeepers, who have the means, could secure good servants, there +would be little hope that so important a revolution, in the domestic +customs of the wealthy classes, could be effected. And so great is the +natural indolence of mankind, that the amount of exercise, needful for +health, will never be secured by those who are led to it through no +necessity, but merely from rational considerations. Yet the pressure of +domestic troubles, from the want of good domestics, has already +determined many a mother, in the wealthy classes, to train her daughters +to aid her in domestic service; and thus necessity is compelling mothers +to do what abstract principles of expediency could never secure.</p> + +<p>A second method of promoting the same object, is, to raise the science +and practice of Domestic Economy to its appropriate place, as a regular +study in female seminaries. The succeeding chapter will present the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>reasons for this, more at large. But it is to the mothers of our +Country, that the community must look for this change. It cannot be +expected, that teachers, who have their attention chiefly absorbed by +the intellectual and moral interests of their pupils, should properly +realize the importance of this department of education. But if mothers +generally become convinced of this, their judgement and wishes will meet +the respectful consideration they deserve, and the object will be +accomplished.</p> + +<p>The third method of securing a remedy for the evils pointed out, is, the +endowment of female institutions, under the care of suitable trustees, +who shall secure a proper course of education. The importance of this +measure cannot be realized by those, who have not turned their attention +to this subject; and for such, the following considerations are +presented.</p> + +<p>The endowment of colleges, and of law, medical, and divinity, schools, +for the other sex, is designed to secure a thorough and proper +education, for those who have the most important duties of society to +perform. The men who are to expound the laws, the men who have the care +of the public health, and the men who are to communicate religious +instruction, should have well-disciplined and well-informed minds; and +it is mainly for this object that collegiate and professional +institutions are established. Liberal and wealthy individuals contribute +funds, and the legislatures of the States also lend assistance, so that +every State in this Nation has from one to twenty such endowed +institutions, supplied with buildings, apparatus, a library, and a +faculty of learned men to carry forward a superior course of +instruction. And the use of all these advantages is secured, in many +cases, at an expense, no greater than is required to send a boy to a +common school and pay his board there. No private school could offer +these advantages, without charging such a sum, as would forbid all but +the rich from securing its benefits. By furnishing such superior +advantages, on low terms, multitudes are properly educated, who would +otherwise <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>remain in ignorance; and thus the professions are supplied, +by men properly qualified for them.</p> + +<p>Were there no such institutions, and no regular and appropriate course +of study demanded for admission to the bar, the pulpit, and to medical +practice, the education of most professional men would be desultory, +imperfect, and deficient. Parents and children would regulate the course +of study according to their own crude notions; and, instead of having +institutions which agree in carrying on a similar course of study, each +school would have its own peculiar system, and compete and conflict with +every other. Meantime, the public would have no means of deciding which +was best, nor any opportunity for learning when a professional man was +properly qualified for his duties. But as it is, the diploma of a +college, and the license of an appointed body of judges, must both be +secured, before a young man feels that he has entered the most promising +path to success in his profession.</p> + +<p>Our Country, then, is most abundantly supplied with endowed +institutions, which secure a liberal education, on such low terms as +make them accessible to all classes, and in which the interests of +education are watched over, sustained, and made permanent, by an +appropriate board of trustees.</p> + +<p>But are not the most responsible of all duties committed to the charge +of woman? Is it not her profession to take care of mind, body, and soul? +and that, too, at the most critical of all periods of existence? And is +it not as much a matter of public concern, that she should be properly +qualified for her duties, as that ministers, lawyers, and physicians, +should be prepared for theirs? And is it not as important, to endow +institutions which shall make a superior education accessible to all +classes,—for females, as for the other sex? And is it not equally +important, that institutions for females be under the supervision of +intelligent and responsible trustees, whose duty it shall be to secure a +uniform and appropriate education for one sex <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>as much as for the other? +It would seem as if every mind must accord an affirmative reply, as soon +as the matter is fairly considered.</p> + +<p>As the education of females is now conducted, any man or woman who +pleases, can establish a female seminary, and secure recommendations +which will attract pupils. But whose business is it to see that these +young females are not huddled into crowded rooms? or that they do not +sleep in ill-ventilated chambers? or that they have healthful food? or +that they have the requisite amount of fresh air and exercise? or that +they pursue an appropriate and systematic course of study? or that their +manners, principles, and morals, are properly regulated? Parents either +have not the means, or else are not qualified to judge; or, if they are +furnished with means and capacity, they are often restricted to a choice +of the best school within reach, even when it is known to be exceedingly +objectionable.</p> + +<p>If the writer were to disclose all that can truly be told of +boarding-school life, and its influence on health, manners, disposition, +intellect, and morals, the disclosure would both astonish and shock +every rational mind. And yet she believes that such institutions are far +better managed in this Country, than in any other; and that the number +of those, which are subject to imputations in these respects, is much +less than could reasonably be expected. But it is most surely the case, +that much remains to be done, in order to supply such institutions as +are needed for the proper education of American women.</p> + +<p>In attempting a sketch of the kind of institutions which are demanded, +it is very fortunate that there is no necessity for presenting a theory, +which may, or may not, be approved by experience. It is the greatest +honor of one of our newest Western States, that it can boast of such an +Institution, endowed, too, wholly by the munificence of a single +individual. A slight sketch of this Institution, which the writer has +examined in all <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>its details, will give an idea of what can be done, by +showing what has actually been accomplished.</p> + +<p>This Institution<a name="FNanchor_C_3" id="FNanchor_C_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> is under the supervision of a Board of Trustees, who +hold the property in trust for the object to which it is devoted, and +who have the power to fill their own vacancies. It is furnished with a +noble and tasteful building, of stone, so liberal in dimensions and +arrangement, that it can accommodate ninety pupils and teachers, giving +one room to every two pupils, and all being so arranged, as to admit of +thorough ventilation. This building is surrounded by extensive grounds, +enclosed with handsome fences, where remains of the primeval forest +still offer refreshing shade for juvenile sports.</p> + +<p>To secure adequate exercise for the pupils, two methods are adopted. By +the first, each young lady is required to spend a certain portion of +time in domestic employments, either in sweeping, dusting, setting and +clearing tables, washing and ironing, or other household concerns.</p> + +<p>Let not the aristocratic mother and daughter express their dislike of +such an arrangement, till they can learn how well it succeeds. Let them +walk, as the writer has done, through the large airy halls, kept clean +and in order by their fair occupants, to the washing and ironing-rooms. +There they will see a long hall, conveniently fitted up with some thirty +neatly-painted tubs, with a clean floor, and water conducted so as to +save both labor and slopping. Let them see some thirty or forty merry +girls, superintended by a motherly lady, chatting and singing, washing +and starching, while every convenience is at hand, and every thing +around is clean and comfortable. Two hours, thus employed, enable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> each +young lady to wash the articles she used during the previous week, which +is all that is demanded, while thus they are all practically initiated +into the arts and mysteries of the wash-tub. The Superintendent remarked +to the writer, that, after a few weeks of probation, most of her young +washers succeeded quite as well as those whom she could hire, and who +made it their business. Adjacent to the washing-room, is the ironing +establishment; where another class are arranged, on the ironing-day, +around long, extended tables, with heating-furnaces, clothes-frames, and +all needful appliances.</p> + +<p>By a systematic arrangement of school and domestic duties, a moderate +portion of time, usually not exceeding two hours a day, from each of the +pupils, accomplished all the domestic labor of a family of ninety, +except the cooking, which was done by two hired domestics. This part of +domestic labor it was deemed inexpedient to incorporate as a portion of +the business of the pupils, inasmuch as it could not be accommodated to +the arrangements of the school, and was in other respects objectionable.</p> + +<p>Is it asked, how can young ladies paint, play the piano, and study, when +their hands and dresses must be unfitted by such drudgery? The woman who +asks this question, has yet to learn that a pure and delicate skin is +better secured by healthful exercise, than by any other method; and that +a young lady, who will spend two hours a day at the wash-tub, or with a +broom, is far more likely to have rosy cheeks, a finely-moulded form, +and a delicate skin, than one who lolls all day in her parlor or +chamber, or only leaves it, girt in tight dresses, to make fashionable +calls. It is true, that long-protracted daily labor hardens the hand, +and unfits it for delicate employments; but the amount of labor needful +for health produces no such effect. As to dress, and appearance, if neat +and convenient accommodations are furnished, there is no occasion for +the exposures which demand shabby dresses. A dark calico, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>genteelly +made, with an oiled-silk apron, and wide cuffs of the same material, +secures both good looks and good service. This plan of domestic +employments for the pupils in this Institution, not only secures regular +healthful exercise, but also aids to reduce the expenses of education, +so that, with the help of the endowments, it is brought within the reach +of many, who otherwise could never gain such advantages.</p> + +<p>In addition to this, a system of Calisthenic<a name="FNanchor_D_4" id="FNanchor_D_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_D_4" class="fnanchor">[D]</a> exercises is introduced, +which secures all the advantages which dancing is supposed to effect, +and which is free from the dangerous tendencies of that fascinating and +fashionable amusement. This system is so combined with music, and +constantly varying evolutions, as to serve as an amusement, and also as +a mode of curing distortions, particularly all tendencies to curvature +of the spine; while, at the same time, it tends to promote grace of +movement, and easy manners.</p> + +<p>Another advantage of this Institution, is, an elevated and invigorating +course of mental discipline. Many persons seem to suppose, that the +chief object of an intellectual education is the acquisition of +knowledge. But it will be found, that this is only a secondary object. +The formation of habits of investigation, of correct reasoning, of +persevering attention, of regular system, of accurate analysis, and of +vigorous mental action, is the primary object to be sought in preparing +American women for their arduous duties; duties which will demand not +only quickness of perception, but steadiness of purpose, regularity of +system, and perseverance in action.</p> + +<p>It is for such purposes, that the discipline of the Mathematics is so +important an element in female <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>education; and it is in this aspect, +that the mere acquisition of facts, and the attainment of +accomplishments, should be made of altogether secondary account.</p> + +<p>In the Institution here described, a systematic course of study is +adopted, as in our colleges; designed to occupy three years. The +following slight outline of the course, will exhibit the liberal plan +adopted in this respect.</p> + +<p>In Mathematics, the whole of Arithmetic contained in the larger works +used in schools, the whole of Euclid, and such portions from Day's +Mathematics as are requisite to enable the pupils to demonstrate the +various problems in Olmsted's larger work on Natural Philosophy. In +Language, besides English Grammar, a short course in Latin is required, +sufficient to secure an understanding of the philosophy of the language, +and that kind of mental discipline which the exercise of translating +affords. In Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy, Botany, Geology and +Mineralogy, Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, Political Economy, and +the Evidences of Christianity, the same textbooks are used as are +required at our best colleges. In Geography, the most thorough course is +adopted; and in History, a more complete knowledge is secured, by means +of charts and textbooks, than most of our colleges offer. To these +branches, are added Griscom's Physiology,<a name="FNanchor_E_5" id="FNanchor_E_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_E_5" class="fnanchor">[E]</a> Bigelow's Technology, and +Jahn's Archæology, together with a course of instruction in polite +literature, for which Chambers's English Literature is employed as the +text-book, each recitation being attended with selections and +criticisms, from teacher or pupils, on the various authors brought into +notice. Vocal Music, on the plan of the Boston Academy, is a part of the +daily instructions. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>Linear drawing, and pencilling, are designed also +to be a part of the course. Instrumental Music is taught, but not as a +part of the regular course of study.</p> + +<p>To secure the proper instruction in all these branches, the division of +labor, adopted in colleges, is pursued. Each teacher has distinct +branches as her department, for which she is responsible, and in which +she is independent. One teacher performs the duties of a <i>governess</i>, in +maintaining rules, and attending to the habits and manners of the +pupils. By this method, the teachers have sufficient time, both to +prepare themselves, and to impart instruction and illustration in the +class-room. In this Institution it is made a direct object of effort <i>to +cure defects</i> of <i>character and habits</i>. At the frequent meetings of the +Principal and teachers, the peculiarities of each pupil are made the +subjects of inquiry; and methods are devised for remedying defects +through the personal influence of the several teachers. This, when thus +made a direct object of combined effort, often secures results most +gratifying and encouraging.</p> + +<p>One peculiarity of this Institution demands consideration. By the method +adopted here, the exclusive business of educating their own sex is, as +it ever ought to be, confined to females. The Principal of the +Institution, indeed, is a gentleman; but, while he takes the position of +a father of the family, and responsible head of the whole concern, the +entire charge of instruction, and most of the responsibilities in regard +to health, morals, and manners, rest upon the female teachers, in their +several departments. The Principal is the chaplain and religious +teacher; and is a member of the board of instructors, so far as to have +a right to advise, and an equal vote, in every question pertaining to +the concerns of the School; and thus he acts as a sort of regulator and +mainspring in all the various departments. But no one person in the +Institution is loaded with the excessive responsibilities, which rest +upon one, where a large institution of this kind has a Principal, who +employs and directs all the subordinate <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>assistants. The writer has +never before seen the principle of the division of labor and +responsibility so perfectly carried out in any female institution; and +she believes that experience will prove that this is the true model for +combining, in appropriate proportions, the agency of both sexes in +carrying forward such an institution. There are cases where females are +well qualified, and feel willing to take the place occupied by the +Principal; but such cases are rare.</p> + +<p>One thing more should be noticed, to the credit of the rising State +where this Institution is located. A female association has been formed, +embracing a large portion of the ladies of standing and wealth, the +design of which, is, to educate, gratuitously, at this, and other +similar, institutions, such females as are anxious to obtain a good +education, and are destitute of the means. If this enterprise is +continued, with the same energy and perseverance as has been manifested +during the last few years, that State will take the lead of her sister +States in well-educated women; and if the views in the preceding pages +are correct, this will give her precedence in every intellectual and +moral advantage.</p> + +<p>Many, who are not aware of the great economy secured by a proper +division of labor, will not understand how so extensive a course can be +properly completed in three years. But in this Institution, none are +received under fourteen; and a certain amount of previous acquisition is +required, in order to admission, as is done in our colleges. This +secures a diminution of classes, so that but few studies are pursued at +one time; while the number of well-qualified teachers is so adequate, +that full time is afforded for all needful instruction and illustration. +Where teachers have so many classes, that they merely have time to find +out what the pupils learn from books, without any aid from their +teachers, the acquisitions of the pupils are vague and imperfect, and +soon pass away; so that an immense amount of expense, time, and labor, +is spent in acquiring or recalling what is lost about as fast as it is +gained.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p><p>Parents are little aware of the immense waste incurred by the present +mode of conducting female education. In the wealthy classes, young girls +are sent to school, as a matter of course, year after year, confined, +for six hours a day, to the schoolhouse, and required to add some time +out of school to learning their lessons. Thus, during the most critical +period of life, they are for a long time immured in a room, filled with +an atmosphere vitiated by many breaths, and are constantly kept under +some sort of responsibility in regard to mental effort. Their studies +are pursued at random, often changed with changing schools, while book +after book (heavily taxing the parent's purse) is conned awhile, and +then supplanted by others. Teachers have usually so many pupils, and +such a variety of branches to teach, that little time can be afforded to +each pupil; while scholars, at this thoughtless period of life, feeling +sure of going to school as long as they please, manifest little interest +in their pursuits.</p> + +<p>The writer believes that the actual amount of education, permanently +secured by most young ladies from the age of ten to fourteen, could all +be acquired in one year, at the Institution described, by a young lady +at the age of fifteen or sixteen.</p> + +<p>Instead of such a course as the common one, if mothers would keep their +daughters as their domestic assistants, until they are fourteen, +requiring them to study one lesson, and go out, once a day, to recite it +to a teacher, it would abundantly prepare them, after their +constitutions are firmly established, to enter such an institution, +where, in three years, they could secure more, than almost any young +lady in the Country now gains by giving the whole of her youth to school +pursuits.</p> + +<p>In the early years of female life, reading, writing, needlework, +drawing, and music, should alternate with domestic duties; and one hour +a day, devoted to some study, in addition to the above pursuits, would +be all that is needful to prepare them for a thorough education <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>after +growth is attained, and the constitution established. This is the time +when young women would feel the value of an education, and pursue their +studies with that maturity of mind, and vividness of interest, which +would double the perpetuity and value of all their acquisitions.</p> + +<p>The great difficulty, which opposes such a plan, is, the want of +institutions that would enable a young lady to complete, in three years, +the liberal course of study, here described. But if American mothers +become convinced of the importance of such advantages for their +daughters, and will use their influence appropriately and efficiently, +they will certainly be furnished. There are other men of liberality and +wealth, besides the individual referred to, who can be made to feel that +a fortune, expended in securing an appropriate education to American +women, is as wisely bestowed, as in founding colleges for the other sex, +who are already so abundantly supplied. We ought to have institutions, +similar to the one described, in every part of this Nation; and funds +should be provided, for educating young women destitute of means: and if +American women think and feel, that, by such a method, their own trials +will be lightened, and their daughters will secure a healthful +constitution and a thorough domestic and intellectual education, the +appropriate expression of their wishes will secure the necessary funds. +The tide of charity, which has been so long flowing from the female hand +to provide a liberal education for young men, will flow back with +abundant remuneration.</p> + +<p>The last method suggested for lessening the evils peculiar to American +women, is, a decided effort to oppose the aristocratic feeling, that +labor is degrading; and to bring about the impression, that it is +refined and lady-like to engage in domestic pursuits. In past ages, and +in aristocratic countries, leisure and indolence and frivolous pursuits +have been deemed lady-like and refined, because those classes, which +were most refined, countenanced such an opinion. But whenever ladies of +refinement, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>as a general custom, patronise domestic pursuits, then +these employments will be deemed lady-like. It may be urged, however, +that it is impossible for a woman who cooks, washes, and sweeps, to +appear in the dress, or acquire the habits and manners, of a lady; that +the drudgery of the kitchen is dirty work, and that no one can appear +delicate and refined, while engaged in it. Now all this depends on +circumstances. If a woman has a house, destitute of neat and convenient +facilities; if she has no habits of order and system; if she is remiss +and careless in person and dress;—then all this may be true. But, if a +woman will make some sacrifices of costly ornaments in her parlor, in +order to make her kitchen neat and tasteful; if she will sacrifice +expensive dishes, in order to secure such conveniences for labor as +protect from exposures; if she will take pains to have the dresses, in +which she works, made of suitable materials, and in good taste; if she +will rise early, and systematize and oversee the work of her family, so +as to have it done thoroughly, neatly, and in the early part of the day; +she will find no necessity for any such apprehensions. It is because +such work has generally been done by vulgar people, and in a vulgar way, +that we have such associations; and when ladies manage such things, as +ladies should, then such associations will be removed. There are +pursuits, deemed very refined and genteel, which involve quite as much +exposure as kitchen employments. For example, to draw a large landscape, +in colored crayons, would be deemed very lady-like; but the writer can +testify, from sad experience, that no cooking, washing, sweeping, or any +other domestic duty, ever left such deplorable traces on hands, face, +and dress, as this same lady-like pursuit. Such things depend entirely +on custom and associations; and every American woman, who values the +institutions of her Country, and wishes to lend her influence in +extending and perpetuating such blessings, may feel that she is doing +this, whenever, by her example and influence, she destroys the +aristocratic association, which would render domestic labor degrading.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTES:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C_3" id="Footnote_C_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_3"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> The writer omits the name of this Institution, lest an +inference should be drawn which would be unjust to other institutions. +There are others equally worthy of notice, and the writer selects this +only because her attention was especially directed to it as being in a +new State, and endowed wholly by an individual.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_D_4" id="Footnote_D_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_D_4"><span class="label">[D]</span></a> +From two Greek words,—<i>καλος</i>, <i>kalos</i>, beauty, and +<i>σθενος</i>, <i>sthenos</i>, strength, being the union of both. The +writer is now preparing for the press, an improved system, of her own +invention, which, in <i>some</i> of its parts, has been successfully +introduced into several female seminaries, with advantage. This plan +combines singing with a great variety of amusing and graceful +evolutions, designed to promote both health and easy manners.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_E_5" id="Footnote_E_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_E_5"><span class="label">[E]</span></a> This work, which has gone through numerous editions, and +been received by the public with great favour, forms No. lxxxv. of the +"Family Library," and No. lvii. of the "School District Library," issued +by the publishers of this volume. It is abundantly illustrated by +engravings, and has been extensively introduced as a school text-book.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br /> +<small>ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A BRANCH OF STUDY.</small> +</h3> + + +<p>The greatest impediment to making Domestic Economy a branch of study, +is, the fact, that neither parents nor teachers realize the importance, +or the practicability of constituting it a regular part of school +education.</p> + +<p>It is with reference to this, that the first aim of the writer will be, +to point out some of the reasons for introducing Domestic Economy as a +branch of female education, to be studied at school.</p> + +<p>The first reason, is, that there is no period, in a young lady's life, +when she will not find such knowledge useful to herself and to others. +The state of domestic service, in this Country, is so precarious, that +there is scarcely a family, in the free States, of whom it can be +affirmed, that neither sickness, discontent, nor love of change, will +deprive them of all their domestics, so that every female member of the +family will be required to lend some aid, in providing food and the +conveniences of living; and the better she is qualified to render it, +the happier she will be, and the more she will contribute to the +enjoyment of others.</p> + +<p>A second reason, is, that every young lady, at the close of her +schooldays, and even before they are closed, is liable to be placed in a +situation, in which she will need to do, herself, or to teach others to +do, all the various processes and duties detailed in this work. That +this may be more fully realized, the writer will detail some instances, +which have come under her own observation.</p> + +<p>The eldest daughter of a family returned from school, on a visit, at +sixteen years of age. Before her vacation had closed, her mother was +laid in the grave; and such were her father's circumstances, that she +was obliged to assume the cares and duties of her lost parent. The <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>care +of an infant, the management of young children, the superintendence of +domestics, the charge of family expenses, the responsibility of +entertaining company, and the many other cares of the family state, all +at once came upon this young and inexperienced schoolgirl.</p> + +<p>Again; a young lady went to reside with a married sister, in a distant +State. While on this visit, the elder sister died, and there was no one +but this young lady to fill the vacant place, and assume all the cares +of the nursery, parlor, and kitchen.</p> + +<p>Again; a pupil of the writer, at the end of her schooldays, married, and +removed to the West. She was an entire novice in all domestic matters; +an utter stranger in the place to which she removed. In a year, she +became a mother, and <i>her health failed</i>; while, for most of the time, +she had no domestics, at all, or only Irish or Germans, who scarcely +knew even the names, or the uses, of many cooking utensils. She was +treated with politeness by her neighbors, and wished to return their +civilities; but how could this young and delicate creature, who had +spent all her life at school, or in visiting and amusement, take care of +her infant, attend to her cooking, washing, ironing, and baking, the +concerns of her parlor, chambers, kitchen, and cellar, and yet visit and +receive company? If there is any thing that would make a kindly heart +ache, with sorrow and sympathy, it would be to see so young, so amiable, +so helpless a martyr to the mistaken system of female education now +prevalent. "I have the kindest of husbands," said the young wife, after +her narrative of sufferings, "and I never regretted my marriage; but, +since this babe was born, I have never had a single waking hour of +freedom from anxiety and care. O! how little young girls know what is +before them, when they enter married life!" Let the mother or teacher, +whose eye may rest on these lines, ask herself, if there is no cause for +fear that the young objects of her care may be thrown into similar +emergencies, where they may need a kind of preparation, which as yet has +been withheld.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p><p>Another reason for introducing such a subject, as a distinct branch of +school education, is, that, as a general fact, young ladies <i>will not</i> +be taught these things in any other way. In reply to the +thousand-times-repeated remark, that girls must be taught their domestic +duties by their mothers, at home, it may be inquired, in the first +place, What proportion of mothers are qualified to teach a <i>proper</i> and +<i>complete</i> system of Domestic Economy? When this is answered, it may be +asked, What proportion of those who are qualified, have that sense of +the importance of such instructions, and that energy and perseverance +which would enable them actually to teach their daughters, in all the +branches of Domestic Economy presented in this work?</p> + +<p>It may then be asked, How many mothers <i>actually do</i> give their +daughters instruction in the various branches of Domestic Economy? Is it +not the case, that, owing to ill health, deficiency of domestics, and +multiplied cares and perplexities, a large portion of the most +intelligent mothers, and those, too, who most realize the importance of +this instruction, actually cannot find the time, and have not the +energy, necessary to properly perform the duty? They are taxed to the +full amount of both their mental and physical energies, and cannot +attempt any thing more. Almost every woman knows, that it is easier to +do the work, herself, than it is to teach an awkward and careless +novice; and the great majority of women, in this Country, are obliged to +do almost every thing in the shortest and easiest way. This is one +reason why the daughters of very energetic and accomplished housekeepers +are often the most deficient in these respects; while the daughters of +ignorant or inefficient mothers, driven to the exercise of their own +energies, often become the most systematic and expert.</p> + +<p>It may be objected, that such things cannot be taught by books. This +position may fairly be questioned. Do not young ladies learn, from +books, how to make hydrogen and oxygen? Do they not have pictures of +furnaces, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>alembics, and the various utensils employed in <i>cooking</i> the +chemical agents? Do they not study the various processes of mechanics, +and learn to understand and to do many as difficult operations, as any +that belong to housekeeping? All these things are explained, studied, +and recited in classes, when every one knows that little practical use +can ever be made of this knowledge. Why, then, should not that science +and art, which a woman is to practise during her whole life, be studied +and recited?</p> + +<p>It may be urged, that, even if it is studied, it will soon be forgotten. +And so will much of every thing studied at school. But why should that +knowledge, most needful for daily comfort, most liable to be in demand, +be the only study omitted, because it may be forgotten?</p> + +<p>It may also be objected, that young ladies can get such books, and +attend to them out of school. And so they can get books on Chemistry and +Philosophy, and study them out of school; but <i>will</i> they do it? And why +ought we not to make sure of the most necessary knowledge, and let the +less needful be omitted? If young ladies study such a work as this, in +school, they will remember a great part of it; and, when they forget, in +any emergency, they will know where to resort for instruction. But if +such books are not put into schools, probably not one in twenty will see +or hear of them, especially in those retired places where they are most +needed. And is it at all probable, that a branch, which is so lightly +esteemed as to be deemed unworthy a place in the list of female studies, +will be sought for and learned by young girls, who so seldom look into +works of solid instruction after they leave school? So deeply is the +writer impressed with the importance of this, as a branch of female +education, at school, that she would deem it far safer and wiser to omit +any other, rather than this.</p> + +<p>Another reason, for introducing such a branch of study into female +schools, is, the influence it would exert, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>in leading young ladies more +correctly to estimate the importance and dignity of domestic knowledge. +It is now often the case, that young ladies rather pride themselves on +their ignorance of such subjects; and seem to imagine that it is vulgar +and ungenteel to know how to work. This is one of the relics of an +aristocratic state of society, which is fast passing away. Here, the +tendency of every thing is to the equalisation of labor, so that all +classes are feeling, more and more, that indolence is disreputable. And +there are many mothers, among the best educated and most wealthy +classes, who are bringing up their daughters, not only to know how to +do, but actually to do, all kinds of domestic work. The writer knows +young ladies, who are daughters of men of wealth and standing, and who +are among the most accomplished in their sphere, who have for months +been sent to work with a mantuamaker, to acquire a practical knowledge +of her occupation, and who have at home learned to perform all kinds of +domestic labor.</p> + +<p>And let the young women of this Nation find, that Domestic Economy is +placed, in schools, on equal or superior ground to Chemistry, +Philosophy, and Mathematics, and they will blush to be found ignorant of +its first principles, as much as they will to hesitate respecting the +laws of gravity, or the composition of the atmosphere. But, as matters +are now conducted, many young ladies know how to make oxygen and +hydrogen, and to discuss questions of Philosophy or Political Economy, +far better than they know how to make a bed and sweep a room properly; +and they can "construct a diagram" in Geometry, with far more skill than +they can make the simplest article of female dress.</p> + +<p>It may be urged, that the plan suggested by the writer, in the previous +pages, would make such a book as this needless; for young ladies would +learn all these things at home, before they go to school. But it must be +remembered, that the plan suggested cannot fully be carried into effect, +till such endowed institutions, as the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>one described, are universally +furnished. This probably will not be done, till at least one generation +of young women are educated. It is only on the supposition that a young +lady can, at fourteen or fifteen years of age, enter such an +institution, and continue there three years, that it would be easy to +induce her to remain, during all the previous period, at home, in the +practice of Domestic Economy, and the limited course of study pointed +out. In the present imperfect, desultory, varying, mode of female +education, where studies are begun, changed, partially learned, and +forgotten, it requires nearly all the years of a woman's youth, to +acquire the intellectual education now demanded. While this state of +things continues, the only remedy is, to introduce Domestic Economy as a +study at school.</p> + +<p>It is hoped that these considerations will have weight, not only with +parents and teachers, but with young ladies themselves, and that all +will unite their influence to introduce this, as a popular and universal +branch of education, into every female school.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.<br /> +<small>ON THE CARE OF HEALTH.</small> +</h3> + + +<p>There is no point, where a woman is more liable to suffer from a want of +knowledge and experience, than in reference to the health of a family +committed to her care. Many a young lady, who never had any charge of +the sick; who never took any care of an infant; who never obtained +information on these subjects from books, or from the experience of +others; in short, with little or no preparation; has found herself the +principal attendant in dangerous sickness, the chief nurse of a feeble +infant, and the responsible guardian of the health of a whole family.</p> + +<p>The care, the fear, the perplexity, of a woman, suddenly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>called to +these unwonted duties, none can realize, till they themselves feel it, +or till they see some young and anxious novice first attempting to meet +such responsibilities. To a woman of age and experience, these duties +often involve a measure of trial and difficulty, at times deemed almost +insupportable; how hard, then, must they press on the heart of the young +and inexperienced!</p> + +<p>There is no really efficacious mode of preparing a woman to take a +<i>rational</i> care of the health of a family, except by communicating that +knowledge, in regard to the construction of the body, and the laws of +health, which is the basis of the medical profession. Not that a woman +should undertake the minute and extensive investigation requisite for a +physician; but she should gain a general knowledge of first principles, +as a guide to her judgement in emergencies when she can rely on no other +aid. Therefore, before attempting to give any specific directions on the +subject of this chapter, a short sketch of the construction of the human +frame will be given, with a notice of some of the general principles, on +which specific rules in regard to health are based. This description +will be arranged under the general heads of <span class="smcap">Bones, Muscles, Nerves, +Blood-Vessels, Organs of Digestion and Respiration</span>, and <span class="smcap">the +Skin</span>.</p> + + +<h4>BONES.</h4> + +<p>The bones are the most solid parts of the body. They are designed to +protect and sustain it, and also to secure voluntary motion. They are +about two hundred and fifty in number, (there being sometimes a few more +or less,) and are fastened together by cartilage, or gristle, a +substance like the bones, but softer, and more elastic.</p> + +<p>In order to convey a more clear and correct idea of the form, relative +position, and connection, of the bones constituting the human framework, +the engraving on page <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_1'>1</a>,) is given.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 261px;"> + <a name="FIG_1" id="FIG_1"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 1.</span> + <a href="images/fig01full.jpg"><img src="images/fig01thumb.jpg" width="264" height="438" alt="Fig. 1." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>By the preceding engraving, it will be seen, that the <i>cranium</i>, or +<i>skull</i>, consists of several distinct pieces, which are united by +sutures, (or seams,) as represented by the zigzag lines; <i>a</i>, being the +<i>frontal bone</i>; <i>b</i>, the <i>parietal bone</i>; <i>c</i>, the <i>temporal bone</i>; and +<i>d</i>, the place of the <i>occipital bone</i>, which forms the back part of the +head, and therefore is not seen in the engraving. The <i>nasal bones</i>, or +bones of the nose, are shown at <i>e</i>; <i>f</i>, is the <i>cheek bone</i>; <i>g</i>, the +<i>upper</i>, and <i>h</i>, the <i>lower, jaw bones</i>; <i>i</i>, <i>i</i>, the <i>spinal column</i>, +or back bone, consisting of numerous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> small bones, called <i>vertebræ</i>; +<i>j</i>, <i>j</i>, the seven <i>true ribs</i>, which are fastened to the spine, +behind, and by the <i>cartilages</i>, <i>k</i>, <i>k</i>, to the <i>sternum</i>, or <i>breast +bone</i>, <i>l</i>, in front; <i>m</i>, <i>m</i>, are the first three <i>false ribs</i>, which +are so called, because they are not united directly to the breast bone, +but by cartilages to the seventh true rib; <i>n</i>, <i>n</i>, are the lower two +<i>false</i>, which are also called <i>floating, ribs</i>, because they are not +connected with the breast bone, nor the other ribs, in front; <i>o</i>, <i>o</i>, +<i>p</i>, <i>q</i>, are the bones of the <i>pelvis</i>, which is the foundation on +which the spine rests; <i>r</i>, <i>r</i>, are the <i>collar bones</i>; <i>s</i>, <i>s</i>, the +<i>shoulder blades</i>; <i>t</i>, <i>t</i>, the bones of the <i>upper arm</i>; <i>u</i>, <i>u</i>, the +<i>elbow joints</i>, where the bones of the upper arm and fore arm are united +in such a way that they can move like a hinge; <i>v</i> <i>w</i>, <i>v</i> <i>w</i>, are the +bones of the <i>fore arm</i>; <i>x</i>, <i>x</i>, those of the <i>wrists</i>; <i>y</i>, <i>y</i>, +those of the <i>fingers</i>; <i>z</i>, <i>z</i>, are the round heads of the thigh +bones, where they are inserted into the sockets of the bones of the +pelvis, giving motion in every direction, and forming the <i>hip joint</i>; a +b, a b, are the <i>thigh bones</i>; c, c, the <i>knee joints</i>; d e, d e, the +<i>leg bones</i>; f, f, the <i>ankle joints</i>; g, g, the <i>bones of the foot</i>.</p> + +<p>The bones are composed of two substances,—one animal, and the other +mineral. The animal part is a very fine network, called the <i>cellular +membrane</i>. In this, are deposited the harder mineral substances, which +are composed principally of carbonate and phosphate of lime. In very +early life, the bones consist chiefly of the animal part, and are then +soft and pliant. As the child advances in age, the bones grow harder, by +the gradual deposition of the phosphate of lime, which is supplied by +the food, and carried to the bones by the blood. In old age, the hardest +material preponderates; making the bones more brittle than in earlier +life.</p> + +<p>As we shall soon have occasion to refer, particularly, to the spinal, or +vertebral column, and the derangement to which it is liable, we give, on +page <a href='#Page_72'>72</a>, representations of the different classes of vertebræ; viz. the +<i>cervical</i>, (from the Latin, <i>cervix</i>, the neck,) the <i>dorsal</i>, (from +<i>dorsum</i>, the back,) and <i>lumbar</i>, (from <i>lumbus</i>, the loins.)<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> + <a name="FIG_2" id="FIG_2"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 2.</span> + <img src="images/fig02.jpg" width="350" height="291" alt="Fig. 2." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Fig. <a href='#FIG_2'>2</a>, represents one of the <i>cervical vertebræ</i>. Seven of these, +placed one above another, constitute that part of the spine which is in +the neck.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> + <a name="FIG_3" id="FIG_3"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 3.</span> + <img src="images/fig03.jpg" width="350" height="244" alt="Fig. 3." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Fig. <a href='#FIG_3'>3</a>, is one of the <i>dorsal vertebræ</i>, twelve of which, form the +central part of the spine.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> + <a name="FIG_4" id="FIG_4"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 4.</span> + <img src="images/fig04.jpg" width="350" height="279" alt="Fig. 4." title="" /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p><p>Fig. <a href='#FIG_4'>4</a>, represents one of the <i>lumbar vertebræ</i>, (five in number,) +which are immediately above the sacrum. These vertebræ are so fastened, +that the spine can bend, in any direction; and the muscles of the trunk +are used in holding it erect, or in varying its movements.</p> + +<p>By the drawings here presented, it will be seen, that the vertebræ of +the neck, back, and loins, differ somewhat in size and shape, although +they all possess the same constituent parts; thus, A, in each, +represents the body of the vertebræ; B, the articulating processes, by +which each is joined to its fellow, above and below it; C, the spinous +process, or that part of the vertebræ, which forms the ridge to be felt, +on pressure, the whole length of the centre of the back. The back bone +receives its name, <i>spine</i>, or <i>spinal column</i>, from these spinous +processes.</p> + +<p>It is the universal law of the human frame, that <i>exercise</i> is +indispensable to the health of the several parts. Thus, if a +blood-vessel be tied up, so as not to be used, it shrinks, and becomes a +useless string; if a muscle be condemned to inaction, it shrinks in +size, and diminishes in power; and thus it is also with the bones. +Inactivity produces softness, debility, and unfitness for the functions +they are designed to perform. This is one of the causes of the curvature +of the spine, that common and pernicious defect in the females of +America. From inactivity, the bones of the spine become soft and +yielding; and then, if the person is often placed, for a length of time, +in positions that throw the weight of the body unequally on certain +portions of the spine, they yield to this frequent compression, and a +distortion ensues. The positions taken by young persons, when learning +to write or draw, or to play on the guitar, harp, or piano, and the +position of the body when sleeping on one side, on high pillows, all +tend to produce this effect, by throwing the weight of the body +unequally, and for a length of time, on particular parts of the spine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 198px;"> + <a name="FIG_5" id="FIG_5"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 5.</span> + <a href="images/fig05full.jpg"><img src="images/fig05thumb.jpg" width="198" height="450" alt="Fig. 5." title="" /></a> +</div> + + +<h4>MUSCLES.</h4> + +<p>The muscles are the chief organs of motion, and consist of collections +of fine fibres or strings, united in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>casings of membrane or thin skin. +They possess an elastic power, like India rubber, which enables them to +extend and contract. The red meat in animals consists of muscles. Every +muscle has connected with it nerves, veins, and arteries; and those +designed to move the bones, are fastened to them by tendons at their +extremities. The muscles are laid over each other, and are separated by +means of membranes and layers of fat, which enable them to move easily, +without interfering with each other.</p> + +<p>The figure on page <a href='#Page_74'>74</a>, represents the muscles of the arm, as they appear +when the skin and fat are removed. The muscles <i>a</i> and <i>b</i> are attached, +at their upper ends, to the bone of the arm, and by their lower ends to +the upper part of the fore arm, near the elbow joint. When the fibres of +these muscles contract, the middle part of them grows larger, and the +arm is bent at the elbow. The muscle <i>c</i>, is, in like manner, fastened, +by its upper end, to the shoulder blade and the upper part of the arm, +and by its lower end to one of the bones of the fore arm, near the +elbow. When the arm is bent, and we wish to straighten it, it is done by +contracting this muscle. The muscles <i>d</i>, <i>d</i>, are fastened at one end +near the elbow joint, and at the other near the ends of the fingers; and +on the back of the hand are reduced in size, appearing like strong +cords. These cords are called <i>tendons</i>. They are employed in +straightening the fingers, when the hand is shut. These tendons are +confined by the ligament or band, <i>e</i>, which binds them down, around the +wrist, and thus enables them to act more efficiently, and secures beauty +of form to the limb. The muscles at <i>f</i>, are those which enable us to +turn the hand and arm outward. Every different motion of the arm has one +muscle to produce it, and another to restore the limb to its natural +position. Those muscles which bend the body are called <i>flexors</i>; those +which straighten it, <i>extensors</i>. When the arm is thrown up, one set of +muscles is used; to pull it down, another set: when it is thrown +forward, a still different set is used; when it <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>is thrown back, +another, different from the former; when the arm turns in its socket, +still another set is used; and thus every different motion of the body +is made by a different set of muscles. All these muscles are compactly +and skilfully arranged, so as to work with perfect ease. Among them, run +the arteries, veins, and nerves, which supply each muscle with blood and +nervous power, as will be hereafter described. The size and strength of +the muscles depend greatly on their frequent exercise. If left inactive, +they grow thin and weak, instead of giving the plumpness to the figure, +designed by Nature. The delicate and feeble appearance of many American +women, is chiefly owing to the little use they make of their muscles. +Many a pale, puny, shad-shaped girl, would have become a plump, rosy, +well-formed person, if half the exercise, afforded to her brothers in +the open air, had been secured to her, during childhood and youth.</p> + + +<h4>NERVES.</h4> + +<p>The nerves are the organs of sensation. They enable us to see, hear, +feel, taste, and smell; and also combine with the bones and muscles in +producing motion.</p> + +<p>The first engraving, on p. <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_6'>6</a>,) is a vertical section of the +skull, and of the spinal column, or back bone, which supports the head, +and through which runs the spinal cord, whence most of the nerves +originate. It is a side view, and represents the head and spine, as they +would appear, if they were cut through the middle, from front to back. +Fig. <a href='#FIG_7'>7</a>, exhibits them as they would appear, if viewed from <i>behind</i>. In +Fig. <a href='#FIG_6'>6</a>, <i>a</i>, represents the <i>cerebrum</i>, or great brain; <i>b</i>, the +<i>cerebellum</i>, or little brain, which is situated directly under the +great brain, at the back and lower part of the head; <i>c</i>, <i>d</i>, <i>e</i>, is +the spinal marrow, which is connected with the brain at <i>c</i>, and runs +through the whole length of the spinal column. This column consists, as +has already been stated, of a large number of small bones, <i>f</i>, <i>f</i>, +called <i>vertebræ</i>, laid one above another, and fastened together by +<i>cartilage</i>, or <i>gristle</i>, <i>g</i>, between them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 375px;"> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_6" id="FIG_6"></a> + <p>Fig. 6.</p> + <a href="images/fig06full.jpg"><img src="images/fig06thumb.jpg" width="157" height="550" alt="Fig. 6." title="" /></a> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_7" id="FIG_7"></a> + <p>Fig. 7.</p> + <a href="images/fig07full.jpg"><img src="images/fig07thumb.jpg" width="145" height="550" alt="Fig. 6." title="" /></a> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p><p>Between each two vertebræ, or spinal bones, there issues from the +spine, on each side, a pair of nerves. The lower broad part of the +spine, (see <i>p</i>, Fig. <a href='#FIG_1'>1</a>, p. <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, and Fig. <a href='#FIG_7'>7</a>, p. <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>,) is called the +<i>sacrum</i>; in this, are eight holes, through which the lower pairs of +nerves pass off.</p> + +<p>The nerves of the head and lungs run directly from the brain; those of +all other parts of the body proceed from the spine, passing out in the +manner already mentioned.</p> + +<p>The nerves which thus proceed from the spine, branch out, like the limbs +and twigs of a tree, till they extend over the whole body; and, so +minutely are they divided and arranged, that a point, destitute of a +nerve, cannot be found on the skin.</p> + +<p>Some idea of the ramifications of the nerves, may be obtained by +reference to the following engraving, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_8'>8</a>.) In this, A, A, +represents the <i>cerebrum</i>, or great brain; B, B, the <i>cerebellum</i>, or +little brain; (see also <i>a</i>, <i>b</i>, in Fig. <a href='#FIG_6'>6</a>;) C, C, represents the union +of the fibres of the cerebrum; D, D, the union of the two sides of the +cerebellum; E, E, E, the spinal marrow, which passes through the centre +of the spine, (as seen at <i>c</i>, <i>d</i>, <i>e</i>, in Fig. <a href='#FIG_6'>6</a>;) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, +branches of the nerves going to different parts of the body. As the +nerves are the organs of sensation, all <i>pain</i> is an affection of some +portion of the nerves. The health of the nerves depends very greatly on +the exercise of the muscles, with which they are so intimately +connected. This shows the reason why the <i>headache</i>, <i>tic douloureux</i>, +diseases of the <i>spine</i>, and other nervous affections, are so common +among American women. Their inactive habits, engender a debility of the +nervous system, and these diseases follow, as the consequence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 264px;"> + <a name="FIG_8" id="FIG_8"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 8.</span> + <a href="images/fig08full.jpg"><img src="images/fig08thumb.jpg" width="264" height="450" alt="Fig. 8." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +It can be seen, by a reference to the side view, represented on page +<a href='#Page_77'>77</a>, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_6'>6</a>,) that the spine is naturally curved back and forward. +When, from want of exercise, its bones are softened, and the muscles +weakened, the spine acquires an improper curve, and the person becomes +what is called <i>crooked</i>, having the neck projected forward, and, in +some cases, having the back convex, where it should be concave. Probably +one half of the American women have the head thus projecting forward, +instead of carrying it in the natural, erect position, which is both +graceful and dignified.</p> + +<p>The curvature of the spine, spoken of in this work as so common, and as +the cause of so many diseases among American women, is what is +denominated the <i>lateral curvature</i>, and is much more dangerous than the +other distortion. The indications of this evil, are, the projection of +one shoulder blade more than the other, and, in bad cases, one shoulder +being higher, and the hip on the opposite side more projecting, than the +other. In this case, the spine, when viewed from behind, instead of +running in a straight line, (as in Fig. <a href='#FIG_7'>7</a> and <a href='#FIG_9'>9</a>,) is curved somewhat, as +may be seen in Figures <a href='#FIG_10'>10</a> and <a href='#FIG_11'>11</a>.</p> + +<p>This effect is occasioned by the softness of the bones, induced by want +of exercise, together with tight dressing, which tends to weaken the +muscles that are thus thrown out of use. Improper and long continued +positions in drawing, writing, and sleeping, which throw the weight of +the body on one part of the spine, induce the same evil. This distortion +is usually accompanied with some consequent disease of the nervous +system, or some disarrangement of the internal organs.</p> + +<p>By comparing Figures <a href='#FIG_9'>9</a> and <a href='#FIG_11'>11</a>, the difference between a natural and +distorted spine will be readily perceived. In Fig. <a href='#FIG_10'>10</a>, the curved line +shows the course of the spine, occasioned by distortion; the +perpendicular line, in this and Fig. <a href='#FIG_11'>11</a>, indicates the true direction of +the spine; the horizontal lines show that one shoulder and hip are +forced from their proper level.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 685px;"> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_9" id="FIG_9"></a> + <p>Fig. 9.</p> + <a href="images/fig09full.jpg"><img src="images/fig09thumb.jpg" width="185" height="348" alt="Fig. 9." title="" /></a> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_10" id="FIG_10"></a> + <p>Fig. 10.</p> + <a href="images/fig10full.jpg"><img src="images/fig10thumb.jpg" width="198" height="348" alt="Fig. 10." title="" /></a> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_11" id="FIG_11"></a> + <p>Fig. 11.</p> + <a href="images/fig11full.jpg"><img src="images/fig11thumb.jpg" width="190" height="348" alt="Fig. 11." title="" /></a> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + + +<h4>BLOOD-VESSELS.</h4> + +<p>The blood is the fluid into which our food is changed, and which is +employed to minister nourishment to the whole body. For this purpose, it +is carried to every part of the body, by the arteries; and, after it has +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>given out its nourishment, returns to the heart, through the veins.</p> + +<p>The subjoined engraving, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_12'>12</a>,) which presents a rude outline of the +vascular system, will more clearly illustrate this operation, as we +shall presently show.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 198px;"> + <a name="FIG_12" id="FIG_12"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 12.</span> + <a href="images/fig12full.jpg"><img src="images/fig12thumb.jpg" width="198" height="450" alt="Fig. 12." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p><p>Before entering the heart, the blood receives a fresh supply of +nourishment, by a duct which leads from the stomach. The arteries have +their origin from the heart, in a great trunk, called the <i>aorta</i>, which +is the parent of all the arteries, as the spinal marrow is the parent of +the nerves which it sends out. When the arteries have branched out into +myriads of minute vessels, the blood which is in them passes into as +minute veins; and these run into each other, like the rills and branches +of a river, until they are all united in two great veins, which run into +the heart. One of these large receivers, called the <i>vena cava +superior</i>, or <i>upper vena cava</i>, brings back the blood from the arms and +head, the other, the <i>vena cava inferior</i>, or <i>lower vena cava</i>, brings +back the blood from the body and lower limbs.</p> + +<p>In the preceding figure, H, is the heart, which is divided into four +compartments; two, called <i>auricles</i>, used for receiving the blood, and +two, called <i>ventricles</i>, used for sending out the blood. A, is the +<i>aorta</i>, or great artery, which sends its branches to every part of the +body. In the upper part, at <i>a</i>, <i>a</i>, <i>a</i>, are the main branches of the +<i>aorta</i>, which go to the head and arms. Below, at <i>a</i>, <i>a</i>, are the +branches which go to the lower limbs. The branches which set off at X, +X, are those by which the intestines are supplied by vessels from the +<i>aorta</i>. Every muscle in the whole body, all the organs of the body, and +the skin, are supplied by branches sent off from this great <i>artery</i>. +When the blood is thus dispersed through any organ, in minute vessels, +it is received, at their terminations, by numerous minute veins, which +gradually unite, forming larger branches, till they all meet in either +the upper or lower <i>vena cava</i>, which returns the blood to the heart. V +I, is the <i>vena cava inferior</i>, which receives the blood from the veins +of the lower parts of the body, as seen at v, v. The blood, sent into +the lower limbs from the <i>aorta</i>, is received by minute veins, which +finally unite at v, v, and thus it is emptied through the lower <i>vena +cava</i> into the heart: <i>o</i>, <i>o</i>, represent the points of entrance of +those tributaries of the <i>vena cava</i>, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>which receive that blood from the +intestines, which is sent out by the <i>aorta</i> at X, X. In the upper part, +V S, is the <i>vena cava superior</i>, which receives the blood from the head +and arms; v, v, v, are the tributaries of the upper <i>vena cava</i>, which +bring the blood back from the head and arms; <i>d</i>, <i>d</i>, represents the +course of the <i>thoracic duct</i>, a delicate tube by which the chyle is +carried into the blood, as mentioned on page <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>; <i>t</i>, shows the place +where this duct empties into a branch of the <i>vena cava</i>.</p> + +<p>It thus appears, that wherever a branch of the <i>aorta</i> goes to carry +blood, there will be found a tributary of the upper or lower <i>vena +cava</i>, to bring it back.</p> + +<p>The succeeding engravings, will enable the reader to form a more +definite idea of this important function of the system,—the circulation +of the blood. The heart, in man, and in all warm-blooded animals, is +double, having two auricles and two ventricles. In animals with cold +blood, (as fishes,) the heart is single, having but one auricle and one +ventricle. Fig. <a href='#FIG_13'>13</a>, represents the double heart as it appears when the +two sides are separated, and also the great blood-vessels; those on the +left of the figure being on the right side of the body, and <i>vice +versa</i>. The direction of the blood is represented by the arrows. A, +represents the <i>lower vena cava</i>, returning the blood from the lower +parts of the body, and L, the <i>upper vena cava</i>, returning the blood +from the head and arms. B, is the <i>right sinus</i>, or <i>auricle</i>, into +which the returned blood is poured. From this cavity of the heart, the +blood is carried into the <i>right ventricle</i>, C; and from this ventricle, +the <i>pulmonary arteries</i>, D, convey into the lungs the blood which is +returned from the body. These five vessels, A, B, C, D, and L, belong to +the right side of the heart, and contain the venous or dark-colored +blood, which has been through the circulation, and is now unfit for the +uses of the system, till it has passed through the lungs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 277px;"> + <a name="FIG_13" id="FIG_13"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 13.</span> + <a href="images/fig13full.jpg"><img src="images/fig13thumb.jpg" width="277" height="350" alt="Fig. 13." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>When the blood reaches the lungs, and is exposed to the action of the +air which we breathe, it throws off its impurities, becomes bright in +color, and is then called arterial blood. It then returns to the left +side of the heart, (on the right of the engraving,) by the pulmonary +veins E, E, (also seen at <i>m</i>, <i>m</i>, Fig. <a href='#FIG_15'>15</a>,) into the left auricle F, +whence it is forced into the ventricle, G. From the left ventricle, +proceeds the <i>aorta</i>, H, H, which is the great artery of the body, and +conveys the blood to every part of the system. I, J, K, are branches of +the aorta, going to the head and arms.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 224px;"> + <a name="FIG_14" id="FIG_14"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 14.</span> + <a href="images/fig14full.jpg"><img src="images/fig14thumb.jpg" width="224" height="400" alt="Fig. 14." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>Fig. <a href='#FIG_14'>14</a>, represents the heart, with its two sides united as in nature; +and will be understood from the description of Fig. 13.</p> + +<p>On the opposite page, Fig. <a href='#FIG_15'>15</a>, represents the heart, with the great +blood-vessels, on a still larger scale; <i>a</i>, being the <i>left ventricle</i>; +<i>b</i>, the <i>right ventricle</i>; <i>c</i>, <i>e</i>, <i>f</i>, the <i>aorta</i>, or great artery, +rising out of the left ventricle; <i>g</i>, <i>h</i>, <i>i</i>, the branches of the +aorta, going to the head and arms; <i>k</i>, <i>l</i>, <i>l</i>, the <i>pulmonary +artery</i>, and its branches; <i>m</i>, <i>m</i>, <i>veins of the lungs</i>, which bring +the blood back from the lungs to the heart; <i>n</i>, <i>right auricle</i>; <i>o</i>, +<i>vena cava inferior</i>; <i>p</i>, veins returning blood from the liver and +bowels; <i>q</i>, the <i>vena cava superior</i>; <i>r</i>, the <i>left auricle</i>; <i>s</i>, the +left <i>coronary artery</i>, which distributes the blood exclusively to the +substance of the heart.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 333px;"> + <a name="FIG_15" id="FIG_15"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 15.</span> + <a href="images/fig15full.jpg"><img src="images/fig15thumb.jpg" width="333" height="350" alt="Fig. 15." title="" /></a> +</div> + + +<h4>ORGANS OF DIGESTION AND RESPIRATION.</h4> + +<p>Digestion and respiration are the processes, by which the food is +converted into blood for the nourishment of the body. The engraving on +the next page (Fig. <a href='#FIG_16'>16</a>) shows the organs by which these operations are +performed.</p> + +<p>In the lower part of the engraving, is the stomach, marked S, which +receives the food through the <i>gullet</i>, marked G. The latter, though in +the engraving it is cut off at G, in reality continues upwards to the +throat. The stomach is a bag composed of muscles, nerves, and +blood-vessels, united by a material similar to that which forms the +skin. As soon as food enters the stomach, its nerves are excited to +perform their proper function of stimulating the muscles. A muscular +(called the <i>peristaltic</i>) motion immediately commences, by which the +stomach propels its contents around the whole of its circumference, once +in every three minutes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 230px;"> + <a name="FIG_16" id="FIG_16"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 16.</span> + <a href="images/fig16full.jpg"><img src="images/fig16thumb.jpg" width="230" height="400" alt="Fig. 16." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>This movement of the muscles attracts the blood from other parts of the +system; for the blood always hastens to administer its supplies to any +organ which is called to work. The blood-vessels of the stomach are soon +distended with blood, from which the <i>gastric juice</i> is secreted by +minute vessels in the coat of the stomach. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>This mixes with the food, +and reduces it to a soft pulpy mass, called chyme. It then passes +through the lower end of the stomach, into the intestines, which are +folded up in the abdomen, and the upper portion, only, of which, is +shown in the engraving, at A, A. The organ marked L, L, is the liver, +which, as the blood passes through its many vessels, secretes a +substance called <i>bile</i>, which accumulates in the gall-bladder, marked +B. After the food passes out of the stomach, it receives from the liver +a portion of bile, and from the <i>pancreas</i> the <i>pancreatic juice</i>. The +pancreas does not appear in this drawing, being concealed behind the +stomach. These two liquids separate the substance which has passed from +the stomach, into two different portions. One is a light liquid, very +much like cream in appearance, and called <i>chyle</i>, of which the blood is +formed; the other is a more solid substance, which contains the refuse +and useless matter, with a smaller portion of nourishment; and this, +after being further separated from the nourishing matter which it +contains, is thrown out of the body. There are multitudes of small +vessels, called <i>lacteals</i>, which, as these two mixed substances pass +through the long and winding folds of the intestines in the abdomen, +absorb the chyle, and convey it to the <i>thoracic duct</i>, which runs up +close by the spine, and carries the chyle, thus received, into a branch +of the <i>vena cava superior</i>, at <i>t</i>, whence it is mingled with the blood +going into the heart. In this engraving, the <i>lacteals</i> and <i>thoracic +duct</i> are not shown; but their position is indicated by the dotted +lines, marked X, Y; X, being the lacteals, and Y, the thoracic duct.</p> + +<p>In the upper half of the engraving, H represents the heart; <i>a</i>, the +commencement of the <i>aorta</i>; <i>v c s</i>, the termination of the <i>vena cava +superior</i>. On each side of the heart, are the lungs; <i>l l</i>, being the +left lobe, and <i>r l</i>, the right lobe. They are composed of a network of +air-vessels, blood-vessels, and nerves. W, represents the <i>trachea</i>, or +<i>windpipe</i>, through which, the air we breathe is conducted to the lungs. +It branches out <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>into myriads of minute vessels, which are thus filled +with air every time we breathe. From the heart, run the <i>pulmonary +arteries</i>, marked <i>p a</i>. These enter the lungs and spread out along-side +of the branches of the air-vessels, so that every air-vessel has a small +artery running side by side with it. When the two <i>vena cavas</i> empty the +blood into the heart, the latter contracts, and sends this blood, +through these pulmonary arteries, into the lungs.</p> + +<p>As the air and blood meander, side by side, through the lungs, the +superabundant carbon and hydrogen of the blood combine with the oxygen +of the air, forming carbonic acid gas, and water, which are thrown out +of the lungs at every expiration. This is the process by which the chyle +is converted into arterial blood, and the venous blood purified of its +excess of carbon and hydrogen. When the blood is thus prepared, in the +lungs, for its duties, it is received by the small <i>pulmonary veins</i>, +which gradually unite, and bring the blood back to the heart, through +the large <i>pulmonary veins</i>, marked <i>p v</i>, <i>p v</i>.</p> + +<p>On receiving this purified blood from the lungs, the heart contracts, +and sends it out again, through the <i>aorta</i>, to all parts of the body. +It then makes another circuit through every part, ministering to the +wants of all, and is afterwards again brought back by the veins to +receive the fresh chyle from the stomach, and to be purified by the +lungs.</p> + +<p>The throbbing of the heart is caused by its alternate expansion and +contraction, as it receives and expels the blood. With one throb, the +blood is sent from the right ventricle into the lungs, and from the left +ventricle into the aorta.</p> + +<p>Every time we inspire air, the process of purifying the blood is going +on; and every time we expire the air, we throw out the redundant carbon +and hydrogen, taken from a portion of the blood. If the waist is +compressed by tight clothing, a portion of the lungs be compressed, so +that the air-vessels cannot be filled. This <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>prevents the perfect +purification and preparation of the blood, so that a part returns back +to the heart unfitted for its duties. This is a slow, but sure, method, +by which the constitution of many a young lady is so undermined that she +becomes an early victim to disease and to the decay of beauty and +strength. The want of <i>pure air</i> is another cause, of the debility of +the female constitution. When air has been rendered impure, by the +breath of several persons, or by close confinement, it does not purify +the blood properly. Sleeping in close chambers, and sitting in crowded +and unventilated schoolrooms, are frequent causes of debility in the +constitution of young persons.</p> + + +<h4>OF THE SKIN.</h4> + +<p>The skin is the covering of the body, and has very important functions +to perform. It is more abundantly supplied with nerves and blood-vessels +than any other part; and there is no spot of the skin where the point of +the finest needle would not pierce a nerve and blood-vessel. Indeed, it +may be considered as composed chiefly of an interlacing of minute nerves +and blood-vessels, so that it is supposed there is more nervous matter +in the skin, than in all the rest of the body united, and that the +greater portion of the blood flows through the skin.</p> + +<p>The whole animal system is in a state of continual change and +renovation. Food is constantly taken into the stomach, only a portion of +which is fitted for the supply of the blood. All the rest has to be +thrown out of the system, by various organs designed for this purpose. +These organs are,—the lungs, which throw off a portion of useless +matter when the blood is purified; the kidneys, which secrete liquids +that pass into the bladder, and are thrown out from the body by that +organ; and the intestines, which carry off the useless and more solid +parts of the food, after the lacteals have drawn off the chyle. In +addition to these organs, the skin has a similar duty to perform; and as +it has <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>so much larger a supply of blood, it is the chief organ in +relieving the body of the useless and noxious parts of the materials +which are taken for food.</p> + +<p>Various experiments show, that not less than a pound and four ounces of +waste matter is thrown off by the skin every twenty-four hours. This is +according to the lowest calculation. Most of those, who have made +experiments to ascertain the quantity, represent it as much greater; and +all agree, that the skin throws off more redundant matter from the body, +than the whole of the other organs together. In the ordinary state of +the skin, even when there is no apparent perspiration, it is constantly +exhaling waste matter, in a form which is called <i>insensible +perspiration</i>, because it cannot be perceived by the senses. A very cool +mirror, brought suddenly near to the skin, will be covered, in that +part, with a moisture, which is this effluvium thus made visible. When +heat or exercise excites the skin, this perspiration is increased, so as +to be apparent to the senses. This shows the reason why it is so +important frequently to wash the entire surface of the body. If this be +neglected, the pores of the skin are closed by the waste matter thrown +from the body, and by small particles of the thin scarfskin, so that it +cannot properly perform its duties. In this way, the other organs are +made to work harder, in order to perform the labor the skin would +otherwise accomplish, and thus the lungs and bowels are often +essentially weakened.</p> + +<p>Another office of the skin, is, to regulate the heat of the body. The +action of the internal organs is constantly generating heat; and the +faster the blood circulates, the greater is the heat evolved. The +perspiration of the skin serves to reduce and regulate this heat. For, +whenever any liquid changes to a vapor, it absorbs heat from whatever is +nearest to it. The faster the blood flows, the more perspiration is +evolved. This bedews the skin with a liquid, which the heat of the body +turns to a vapor; and in this change, that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>heat is absorbed. When a +fever takes place, this perspiration ceases, and the body is afflicted +with heat. Insensible perspiration is most abundant during sleep, after +eating, and when friction is applied to the skin. Perspiration is +performed by the terminations of minute arteries in every part of the +skin, which exude the perspiration from the blood.</p> + +<p>The skin also performs another function. It is provided with a set of +small vessels, called <i>absorbents</i>, which are exceedingly abundant and +minute. When particular substances are brought in contact with the skin, +these absorbents take up some portions and carry them into the blood. It +is owing to this, that opium, applied on the skin, acts in a manner +similar to its operation when taken into the stomach. The power of +absorption is increased by friction; and this is the reason that +liniments are employed, with much rubbing, to bruises and sprains. The +substance applied is thus introduced into the injured part, through the +absorbents. This shows another reason for frequent washing of the skin, +and for the frequent changes of the garment next the skin. Otherwise +portions of the noxious matter, thrown out by the skin, are reabsorbed +into the blood, and are slow but sure causes of a decay of the strength +of the system.</p> + +<p>The skin is also provided with small follicles, or bags, which are +filled with an oily substance. This, by gradually exuding over the skin, +prevents water from penetrating and injuring its texture.</p> + +<p>The skin is also the organ of touch. This office is performed through +the instrumentality of the nerves of feeling, which are spread over all +parts of the skin.</p> + +<p>This general outline of the construction of the human frame is given, +with reference to the practical application of this knowledge in the +various cases where a woman will be called upon to exercise her own +unaided judgement. The application will be further pointed out, in the +chapters on Food, Dress, Cleanliness, Care of the Sick, and Care of +Infants.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br /> +<small>ON HEALTHFUL FOOD.</small> +</h3> + + +<p>The person who decides what shall be the food and drink of a family, and +the modes of preparation, is the one who decides, to a greater or less +extent, what shall be the health of that family. It is the opinion of +most medical men, that intemperance in eating is the most fruitful of +all causes of disease and death. If this be so, the woman who wisely +adapts the food and cooking of her family to the laws of health, removes +the greatest risk which threatens the lives of those under her care.</p> + +<p>To exhibit this subject clearly, it will be needful to refer, more +minutely, to the organization and operation of the digestive organs.</p> + +<p>It is found, by experiment, that the supply of gastric juice, furnished +from the blood, by the arteries of the stomach, is proportioned, not to +the amount of food put into the stomach, but to the wants of the body; +so that it is possible to put much more into the stomach than can be +digested. To guide and regulate in this matter, the sensation called +<i>hunger</i> is provided. In a healthy state of the body, as soon as the +blood has lost its nutritive supplies, the craving of hunger is felt, +and then, if the food is suitable, and is taken in the proper manner, +this sensation ceases, as soon as the stomach has received enough to +supply the wants of the system. But our benevolent Creator, in this, as +in our other duties, has connected enjoyment with the operation needful +to sustain our bodies. In addition to the allaying of hunger, the +gratification of the palate is secured, by the immense variety of food, +some articles of which are far more agreeable than others.</p> + +<p>This arrangement of Providence, designed for our happiness, has become, +either through ignorance, or <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>want of self-control, the chief cause of +the various diseases and sufferings, which afflict those classes who +have the means of seeking a variety to gratify the palate. If mankind +had only one article of food, and only water to drink, though they would +have less enjoyment in eating, they would never be tempted to put any +more into the stomach, than the calls of hunger required. But the +customs of society, which present an incessant change, and a great +variety of food, with those various condiments which stimulate appetite, +lead almost every person very frequently to eat merely to gratify the +palate, after the stomach has been abundantly supplied, so that hunger +has ceased.</p> + +<p>When too great a supply of food is put into the stomach, the gastric +juice dissolves only that portion which the wants of the system demand. +The remainder is ejected, in an unprepared state; the absorbents take +portions of it into the system; and all the various functions of the +body, which depend on the ministries of the blood, are thus gradually +and imperceptibly injured. Very often, intemperance in eating produces +immediate results, such as colic, headaches, pains of indigestion, and +vertigo. But the more general result, is, a gradual undermining of all +parts of the human frame; thus imperceptibly shortening life, by so +weakening the constitution, that it is ready to yield, at every point, +to any uncommon risk or exposure. Thousands and thousands are passing +out of the world, from diseases occasioned by exposures, which a healthy +constitution could meet without any danger. It is owing to these +considerations, that it becomes the duty of every woman, who has the +responsibility of providing food for a family, to avoid a variety of +tempting dishes. It is a much safer rule, to have only one kind of +healthy food, for each meal, than the abundant variety which is usually +met at the tables of almost all classes in this Country. When there is +to be any variety of dishes, they ought not to be successive, but so +arranged, as to give the opportunity of selection. How <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>often is it the +case, that persons, by the appearance of a favorite article, are tempted +to eat, merely to gratify the palate, when the stomach is already +adequately supplied. All such intemperance wears on the constitution, +and shortens life. It not unfrequently happens, that excess in eating +produces a morbid appetite, which must constantly be denied.</p> + +<p>But the organization of the digestive organs demands, not only that food +be taken in proper quantities, but that it be taken at proper times.</p> + +<p>It has before been shown, that, as soon as the food enters the stomach, +the muscles are excited by the nerves, and the <i>peristaltic motion</i> +commences. This is a powerful and constant exercise of the muscles of +the stomach, which continues until the process of digestion is complete. +During this time, the blood is withdrawn from other parts of the system, +to supply the demands of the stomach, which is laboring hard with all +its muscles. When this motion ceases, and the digested food has +gradually passed out of the stomach, Nature requires that it should have +a period of repose. And if another meal be eaten, immediately after one +is digested, the stomach is set to work again, before it has had time to +rest, and before a sufficient supply of gastric juice is provided.</p> + +<p>The general rule, then, is, that three hours be given to the stomach for +labor, and two for rest; and in obedience to this, five hours, at least, +ought to elapse between every two regular meals. In cases where exercise +produces a flow of perspiration, more food is needed to supply the loss; +and strong laboring men may safely eat as often as they feel the want of +food. So, young and healthy children, who gambol and exercise much, and +whose bodies grow fast, may have a more frequent supply of food. But, as +a general rule, meals should be five hours apart, and eating between +meals avoided. There is nothing more unsafe, and wearing to the +constitution, than a habit of eating at any time, merely to gratify the +palate. When a tempting <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>article is presented, every person should +exercise sufficient self-denial, to wait till the proper time for eating +arrives. Children, as well as grown persons, are often injured, by +eating between their regular meals, thus weakening the stomach, by not +affording it any time for rest.</p> + +<p>In deciding as to <i>quantity</i> of food, there is one great difficulty to +be met by a large portion of the community. It has been shown, that the +exercise of every part of the body is indispensable to its health and +perfection. The bones, the muscles, the nerves, the organs of digestion +and respiration, and the skin, all demand exercise, in order properly to +perform their functions. When the muscles of the body are called into +action, all the blood-vessels entwined among them are frequently +compressed. As the arteries are so contrived, that the blood cannot run +back, this compression hastens it forward, through the veins, towards +that organ. The heart is immediately put in quicker motion, to send it +into the lungs; and they, also, are thus stimulated to more rapid +action, which is the cause of that panting which active exercise always +occasions. The blood thus courses with greater celerity through the +body, and sooner loses its nourishing properties. Then the stomach +issues its mandate of hunger, and a new supply of food must be +furnished. Thus it appears, as a general rule, that the quantity of +food, actually needed by the body, depends on the amount of muscular +exercise taken. A laboring man, in the open fields, probably throws off +from his skin ten times the amount of perspirable matter, which is +evolved from the skin of a person of sedentary pursuits. In consequence +of this, he demands a far greater amount of food and drink.</p> + +<p>Those persons, who keep their bodies in a state of health, by sufficient +exercise, can always be guided by the calls of hunger. They can eat when +they feel hungry, and stop when hunger ceases; and then they will +calculate exactly right. But the difficulty is, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>that a large part of +the community, especially women, are so inactive in their habits, that +they seldom feel the calls of hunger. They habitually eat, merely to +gratify the palate. This produces such a state of the system, that they +have lost the guide which Nature has provided. They are not called to +eat, by hunger, nor admonished, by its cessation, when to stop. In +consequence of this, such persons eat what pleases the palate, till they +feel no more inclination for the article. It is probable, that three +fourths of the women, in the wealthier circles, sit down to each meal +without any feeling of hunger, and eat merely on account of the +gratification thus afforded them. Such persons find their appetite to +depend almost solely upon the kind of food on the table. This is not the +case with those, who take the exercise which Nature demands. They +approach their meals in such a state that almost any kind of food is +acceptable.</p> + +<p>The question then arises, how are persons, who have lost the guide which +Nature has provided, to determine as to the proper amount of food they +shall take?</p> + +<p>The only rules they can adopt, are of a general nature; founded on the +principles already developed. They should endeavor to proportion their +food to the amount of the exercise they ordinarily take. If they take +but little exercise, they should eat but little food in comparison with +those who are much in the open air and take much exercise; and their +food should be chiefly vegetable, and not animal. But how often is it +seen, that a student, or a man who sits all day in an office, or a lady +who spends the day in her parlor and chamber, will sit down to a loaded +table, and, by continuing to partake of the tempting varieties, in the +end load the stomach with a supply, which a stout farmer could scarcely +digest.</p> + +<p>But the health of a family depends, not merely on the <i>quantity</i> of food +taken; but very much, also, on the <i>quality</i>. Some kinds of food are +very pernicious <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>in their nature, and some healthful articles are +rendered very injurious by the mode of cooking. Persons who have a +strong constitution, and take much exercise, may eat almost any thing, +with apparent impunity; but young children, who are forming their +constitutions, and persons who are delicate, and who take but little +exercise, are very dependent for health, on a proper selection of food.</p> + +<p>There are some general principles, which may aid in regulating the +judgement on this subject.</p> + +<p>It is found, that there are some kinds of food which afford nutriment to +the blood, and do not produce any other effect on the system. There are +other kinds, which are not only nourishing, but <i>stimulating</i>, so that +they quicken the functions of the organs on which they operate. The +condiments used in cookery, such as pepper, mustard, and spices, are of +this nature. There are certain states of the system, when these +stimulants are beneficial; but it is only in cases where there is some +debility. Such cases can only be pointed out by medical men. But persons +in perfect health, and especially young children, never receive any +benefit from such kind of food; and just in proportion as condiments +operate to quicken the labors of the internal organs, they tend to wear +down their powers. A person who thus keeps the body working under an +unnatural excitement, <i>lives faster</i> than Nature designed, and the +sooner the constitution is worn out. A woman, therefore, should provide +dishes for her family, which are free from these stimulating condiments, +and as much as possible prevent their use. It is also found, by +experience, that animal food is more stimulating than vegetable. This is +the reason why, in cases of fevers, or inflammations, medical men forbid +the use of meat and butter. Animal food supplies chyle much more +abundantly than vegetable food does; and this chyle is more stimulating +in its nature. Of course, a person who lives chiefly on animal food, is +under a higher degree of stimulus than if his food was chiefly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>composed +of vegetable substances. His blood will flow faster, and all the +functions of his body will be quickened.</p> + +<p>This makes it important to secure a proper proportion of animal and +vegetable diet. Some medical men suppose, that an exclusively vegetable +diet is proved, by the experience of many individuals, to be fully +sufficient to nourish the body; and bring, as evidence, the fact, that +some of the strongest and most robust men in the world, are those, who +are trained, from infancy, exclusively on vegetable food. From this, +they infer, that life will be shortened, just in proportion as the diet +is changed to more stimulating articles; and that, all other things +being equal, children will have a better chance of health and long life, +if they are brought up solely on vegetable food.</p> + +<p>But, though this is not the common opinion of medical men, they all +agree, that, in America, far too large a portion of the diet consists of +animal food. As a nation, the Americans are proverbial for the gross and +luxurious diet with which they load their tables; and there can be no +doubt that the general health of the Nation would be increased, by a +change in our customs in this respect. To take meat but once a day, and +this in small quantities, compared with the common practice, is a rule, +the observance of which would probably greatly reduce the amount of +fevers, eruptions, headaches, bilious attacks, and the many other +ailments which are produced or aggravated by too gross a diet.</p> + +<p>The celebrated Roman physician, Baglivi, (who, from practising +extensively among Roman Catholics, had ample opportunities to observe,) +mentions, that, in Italy, an unusual number of people recover their +health in the forty days of Lent, in consequence of the lower diet which +is required as a religious duty. An American physician remarks, "For +every reeling drunkard that disgraces our Country, it contains one +hundred gluttons;—persons, I mean, who eat to excess, and suffer in +consequence." Another distinguished physician <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>says, "I believe that +every stomach, not actually impaired by organic disease, will perform +its functions, if it receives reasonable attention; and when we perceive +the manner in which diet is generally conducted, both in regard to +<i>quantity</i> and <i>variety</i> of articles of food and drink, which are mixed +up in one heterogeneous mass,—instead of being astonished at the +prevalence of indigestion, our wonder must rather be, that, in such +circumstances, any stomach is capable of digesting at all."</p> + +<p>In regard to articles which are the most easily digested, only general +rules can be given. Tender meats are digested more readily than those +which are tough, or than many kinds of vegetable food. The farinaceous +articles, such as rice, flour, corn, potatoes, and the like, are the +most nutritious, and most easily digested. The popular notion, that meat +is more nourishing than bread, is a great mistake. Good bread contains +one third more nourishment than butcher's meat. The meat is more +<i>stimulating</i>, and for this reason is more readily digested. A perfectly +healthy stomach can digest almost any healthful food; but when the +digestive powers are weak, every stomach has its peculiarities, and what +is good for one, is hurtful to another. In such cases, experiment, +alone, can decide, which are the most digestible articles of food. A +person, whose food troubles him, must deduct one article after another, +till he learns, by experience, which is the best for digestion. Much +evil has been done, by assuming that the powers of one stomach are to be +made the rule in regulating every other.</p> + +<p>The most unhealthful kinds of food, are those, which are made so by bad +cooking; such as sour and heavy bread, cakes, pie-crust, and other +dishes consisting of fat, mixed and cooked with flour; also rancid +butter, and high-seasoned food. The fewer mixtures there are in cooking, +the more healthful is the food likely to be.</p> + +<p>There is one caution, as to the <i>mode</i> of eating, which seems peculiarly +needful to Americans. It is indispensable to good digestion, that food +be well chewed and taken slowly. It needs to be thoroughly chewed, in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>order to prepare it for the action of the gastric juice, which, by the +<i>peristaltic motion</i>, will be thus brought into universal contact with +the minute portions. It has been found, that a solid lump of food +requires much more time and labor of the stomach, than divided +substances. It has also been found, that, as each bolus, or mouthful, +enters the stomach, the latter closes, until the portion received has +had some time to move around and combine with the gastric juice; and +that the orifice of the stomach resists the entrance of any more, till +this is accomplished. But, if the eater persists in swallowing fast, the +stomach yields; the food is then poured in more rapidly than the organ +can perform its duty of digestion; and evil results are sooner or later +developed. This exhibits the folly of those hasty meals, so common to +travellers, and to men of business, and shows why children should be +taught to eat slowly.</p> + +<p>After taking a full meal, it is very important to health, that no great +bodily or mental exertion be made, till the labor of the stomach is +over. Intense mental effort draws the blood to the head, and muscular +exertions draw it to the muscles; and in consequence of this, the +stomach loses the supply which it requires when performing its office. +When the blood is thus withdrawn, the adequate supply of gastric juice +is not afforded, and indigestion is the result. The heaviness which +follows a full meal, is the indication which Nature gives of the need of +quiet. When the meal is moderate, a sufficient quantity of gastric juice +is exuded in an hour, or an hour and a half; after which, labor of body +and mind may safely be resumed.</p> + +<p>When undigested food remains in the stomach, and is at last thrown out +into the bowels, it proves an irritating substance, producing an +inflamed state in the lining of the stomach and other organs. The same +effect is produced by alcoholic drinks.</p> + +<p>It is found, that the stomach has the power of gradually accommodating +its digestive powers to the food it habitually receives. Thus, animals, +which live on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>vegetables, can gradually become accustomed to animal +food; and the reverse is equally true. Thus, too, the human stomach can +eventually accomplish the digestion of some kinds of food, which, at +first, were indigestible.</p> + +<p>But any changes of this sort should be gradual; as those which are +<i>sudden</i>, are trying to the powers of the stomach, by furnishing matter +for which its gastric juice is not prepared.</p> + +<p>In regard to the nature of the meals prepared, the breakfast should +furnish a supply of liquids, because the body has been exhausted by the +exhalations of the night, and demands them more than at any other +period. It should not be the heartiest meal, because the organs of +digestion are weakened by long fasting, and the exhalations. Dinner +should be the heartiest meal, because then the powers of digestion are +strengthened, by the supplies of the morning meal. Light and amusing +employments should occupy mind and body for an hour or more after a full +meal.</p> + +<p>But little drink should be taken, while eating, as it dilutes the +gastric juice which is apportioned to each quantity of food as it enters +the stomach. It is better to take drink after the meal is past.</p> + +<p>Extremes of heat or cold are injurious to the process of digestion. +Taking hot food or drink, habitually, tends to debilitate all the organs +thus needlessly excited. In using cold substances, it is found that a +certain degree of warmth in the stomach is indispensable to their +digestion; so that, when the gastric juice is cooled below this +temperature, it ceases to act. Indulging in large quantities of cold +drinks, or eating ice-creams, after a meal, tends to reduce the +temperature of the stomach, and thus to stop digestion. This shows the +folly of those refreshments, in convivial meetings, where the guests are +tempted to load the stomach with a variety, such as would require the +stomach of a stout farmer to digest, and then to wind up with +ice-creams, thus destroying whatever ability might otherwise have +existed, to digest the heavy load. The fittest temperature <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>for drinks, +if taken when the food is in the digesting process, is blood heat. Cool +drinks, and even ice, can be safely taken at other times, if not in +excessive quantity. When the thirst is excessive, or the body weakened +by fatigue, or when in a state of perspiration, cold drinks are +injurious. When the body is perspiring freely, taking a large quantity +of cold drink has often produced instant death.</p> + +<p>Fluids taken into the stomach are not subject to the slow process of +digestion, but are immediately absorbed and carried into the blood. This +is the reason why drink, more speedily than food, restores from +exhaustion. The minute vessels of the stomach inhale or absorb its +fluids, which are carried into the blood, just as the minute extremities +of the arteries open upon the inner surface of the stomach, and there +exude the gastric juice from the blood.</p> + +<p>When food is chiefly liquid, (soup, for example,) the fluid part is +rapidly absorbed. The solid parts remain, to be acted on by the gastric +juice. In the case of St. Martin,<a name="FNanchor_F_6" id="FNanchor_F_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_F_6" class="fnanchor">[F]</a> in fifty minutes after taking soup, +the fluids were absorbed, and the remainder was even thicker than is +usual after eating solid food. This is the reason why soups are deemed +bad for weak stomachs; as this residuum is more difficult of digestion +than ordinary food. In recovering from sickness, beef-tea and broths are +good, because the system then demands fluids to supply its loss of +blood.</p> + +<p>Highly-concentrated food, having much nourishment in a small bulk, is +not favorable to digestion, because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> it cannot be properly acted on by +the muscular contractions of the stomach, and is not so minutely +divided, as to enable the gastric juice to act properly. This is the +reason, why a certain <i>bulk</i> of food is needful to good digestion; and +why those people, who live on whale oil, and other highly-nourishing +food, in cold climates, mix vegetables and even sawdust with it, to make +it more acceptable and digestible. So, in civilized lands, bread, +potatoes, and vegetables, are mixed with more highly-concentrated +nourishment. This explains why coarse bread, of unbolted wheat, so often +proves beneficial. Where, from inactive habits, or other causes, the +bowels become constipated and sluggish, this kind of food proves the +appropriate remedy. One fact on this subject is worthy of notice. Under +the administration of William Pitt, for two years or more, there was +such a scarcity of wheat, that, to make it hold out longer, Parliament +passed a law, that the army should have all their bread made of unbolted +flour. The result was, that the health of the soldiers improved so much, +as to be a subject of surprise to themselves, the officers, and the +physicians. These last came out publicly, and declared, that the +soldiers never before were so robust and healthy; and that disease had +nearly disappeared from the army. The civic physicians joined and +pronounced it the healthiest bread; and, for a time, schools, families, +and public institutions, used it almost exclusively. Even the nobility, +convinced by these facts, adopted it for their common diet; and the +fashion continued a long time after the scarcity ceased, until more +luxurious habits resumed their sway. For this reason, also, soups, +gellies, and arrow-root, should have bread or crackers mixed with them. +We thus see why children should not have cakes and candies allowed them +between meals. These are highly-concentrated nourishments, and should be +eaten with more bulky and less nourishing substances. The most +indigestible of all kinds of food, are fatty and oily substances; +especially if heated. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>It is on this account, that pie-crust, and +articles boiled and fried in fat or butter, are deemed not so healthful +as other food.</p> + +<p>The following, then, may be put down as the causes of a debilitated +constitution, from the misuse of food. Eating <i>too much</i>, eating <i>too +often</i>, eating <i>too fast</i>, eating food and condiments that are <i>too +stimulating</i>, eating food that is <i>too warm</i> or <i>too cold</i>, eating food +that is <i>highly-concentrated</i>, without a proper admixture of less +nourishing matter, and eating food that is <i>difficult of digestion</i>.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTE:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_F_6" id="Footnote_F_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_F_6"><span class="label">[F]</span></a> The individual here referred to,—Alexis St. Martin,—was a +young Canadian, of eighteen years of age, of a good constitution, and +robust health, who, in 1822, was accidentally wounded by the discharge +of a musket, which carried away a part of the ribs, lacerated one of the +lobes of the lungs, and perforated the stomach, making a large aperture, +which never closed; and which enabled Dr. Beaumont, (a surgeon of the +American army, stationed at Michilimackinac, under whose care the +patient was placed,) to witness all the processes of digestion and other +functions of the body, for several years. The published account of the +experiments made by Dr. B., is highly interesting and instructive.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br /> +<small>ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS.</small> +</h3> + + +<p>Although intemperance in eating is probably the most prolific cause of +the diseases of mankind, intemperance in drink has produced more guilt, +misery, and crime, than any other one cause. And the responsibilities of +a woman, in this particular, are very great; for the habits and +liabilities of those under her care, will very much depend on her +opinions and practice.</p> + +<p>It is a point fully established by experience, that the full +developement of the human body, and the vigorous exercise of all its +functions, can be secured without the use of stimulating drinks. It is, +therefore, perfectly safe, to bring up children never to use them; no +hazard being incurred, by such a course.</p> + +<p>It is also found, by experience, that there are two evils incurred, by +the use of stimulating drinks. The first, is, their positive effect on +the human system. Their peculiarity consists in so exciting the nervous +system, that all the functions of the body are accelerated, and the +fluids are caused to move quicker than at their natural speed. This +increased motion of the animal fluids, always produces an agreeable +effect on the mind. The intellect is invigorated, the imagination <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>is +excited, the spirits are enlivened; and these effects are so agreeable, +that all mankind, after having once experienced them, feel a great +desire for their repetition.</p> + +<p>But this temporary invigoration of the system, is always followed by a +diminution of the powers of the stimulated organs; so that, though in +all cases this reaction may not be perceptible, it is invariably the +result. It may be set down as the unchangeable rule of physiology, that +stimulating drinks (except in cases of disease) deduct from the powers +of the constitution, in exactly the proportion in which they operate to +produce temporary invigoration.</p> + +<p>The second evil, is, the temptation which always attends the use of +stimulants. Their effect on the system is so agreeable, and the evils +resulting are so imperceptible and distant, that there is a constant +tendency to increase such excitement, both in frequency and power. And +the more the system is thus reduced in strength, the more craving is the +desire for that which imparts a temporary invigoration. This process of +increasing debility and increasing craving for the stimulus that removes +it, often goes to such an extreme, that the passion is perfectly +uncontrollable, and mind and body perish under this baleful habit.</p> + +<p>In this Country, there are five forms in which the use of such +stimulants is common; namely, <i>alcoholic drinks</i>, <i>tea</i>, <i>coffee</i>, +<i>opium mixtures</i>, and <i>tobacco</i>. These are all alike, in the main +peculiarity of imparting that extra stimulus to the system, which tends +to exhaust its powers.</p> + +<p>Multitudes in this Nation are in the habitual use of some one of these +stimulants; and each person defends the indulgence by these arguments:</p> + +<p>First, that the desire for stimulants is a natural propensity, implanted +in man's nature, as is manifest from the universal tendency to such +indulgences, in every nation. From this, it is inferred, that it is an +innocent desire, which ought to be gratified, to some extent, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>that +the aim should be, to keep it within the limits of temperance, instead +of attempting to exterminate a natural propensity.</p> + +<p>This is an argument, which, if true, makes it equally proper to use +opium, brandy, tea, or tobacco, as stimulating principles, provided they +are used temperately. But, if it be granted that perfect health and +strength can be gained and secured without these stimulants, and that +their peculiar effect is to diminish the power of the system, in exactly +the same proportion as they stimulate it, then there is no such thing as +a temperate use, unless they are so diluted, as to destroy any +stimulating power; and in this form, they are seldom desired.</p> + +<p>The other argument for their use, is, that they are among the good +things provided by the Creator, for our gratification; that, like all +other blessings, they are exposed to abuse and excess; and that we +should rather seek to regulate their use, than to banish them entirely.</p> + +<p>This argument is based on the assumption, that they are, like healthful +foods and drinks, necessary to life and health, and injurious only by +excess. But this is not true; for, whenever they are used in any such +strength as to be a gratification, they operate, to a greater or less +extent, as stimulants; and, to just such extent, they wear out the +powers of the constitution; and it is abundantly proved, that they are +not, like food and drink, necessary to health. Such articles are +designed for medicine, and not for common use. There can be no argument +framed to defend the use of one of them, which will not equally defend +all. That men have a love for being stimulated, after they have once +felt the pleasurable excitement, and that Providence has provided the +means for securing it, are arguments as much in favor of alcohol, opium, +and tobacco, as of coffee and tea. All that can be said in favor of the +last-mentioned favorite beverages, is, that the danger in their use is +not so great. Let any one, who defends one kind of stimulating drink, +remember, then, that he uses an argument, which, if it be allowed that +stimulants are not needed, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>and are injurious, will equally defend all +kinds; and that all which can be said in defence of tea and coffee, is, +that they <i>may</i> be used, so weak, as to do no harm, and that they +actually have done less harm than some of the other stimulating +narcotics.</p> + +<p>The writer is of opinion, that tea and coffee are a most extensive cause +of much of the nervous debility and suffering endured by American women; +and that relinquishing such drinks would save an immense amount of such +suffering. But there is little probability that the present generation +will make so decided a change in their habits, as to give up these +beverages; and the subject is presented rather in reference to forming +the habits of children.</p> + +<p>It is a fact, that tea and coffee are, at first, seldom or never +agreeable to children. It is the mixture of milk, sugar, and water, that +reconciles them to a taste, which in this manner gradually becomes +agreeable. Now, suppose that those who provide for a family conclude +that it is not <i>their</i> duty to give up entirely the use of stimulating +drinks, may not the case appear different, in regard to teaching their +children to love such drinks? Let the matter be regarded thus:—The +experiments of physiologists all prove, that stimulants are not needful +to health, and that, as the general rule, they tend to debilitate the +constitution. Is it right, then, for a parent to tempt a child to drink +what is not needful, when there is a probability that it will prove, to +some extent, an undermining drain on the constitution? Some +constitutions can bear much less excitement than others; and, in every +family of children, there is usually one, or more, of delicate +organization, and consequently peculiarly exposed to dangers from this +source. It is this child who ordinarily becomes the victim to +stimulating drinks. The tea and coffee which the parents and the +healthier children can use without immediate injury, gradually sap the +energies of the feebler child, who proves either an early victim, or a +living martyr to all the sufferings that debilitated nerves inflict. Can +it be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>right, to lead children, where all allow that there is some +danger, and where, in many cases, disease and death are met, when +another path is known to be perfectly safe?</p> + +<p>Of the stimulating drinks in common use, <i>black tea</i> is least injurious, +because its flavor is so strong, in comparison with its narcotic +principle, that one who uses it, is much less liable to excess. Children +can be trained to love milk and water sweetened with sugar, so that it +will always be a pleasant beverage; or, if there are exceptions to the +rule, they will be few. Water is an unfailing resort. Every one loves +it, and it is perfectly healthful.</p> + +<p>The impression, common in this Country, that <i>warm drinks</i>, especially +in Winter, are more healthful than cold, is not warranted by any +experience, nor by the laws of the physical system. At dinner, cold +drinks are universal, and no one deems them injurious. It is only at the +other two meals that they are supposed to be hurtful.</p> + +<p>There is no doubt that <i>warm</i> drinks are healthful, and more agreeable +than cold, at certain times and seasons; but it is equally true, that +drinks above blood heat are not healthful. If any person should hold a +finger in hot water, for a considerable time, twice every day, it would +be found that the finger would gradually grow weaker. The frequent +application of the stimulus of heat, like all other stimulants, +eventually causes debility. If, therefore, a person is in the habit of +drinking hot drinks, twice a day, the teeth, throat, and stomach are +gradually debilitated. This, most probably, is one of the causes of an +early decay of the teeth, which is observed to be much more common among +American ladies, than among those in European countries.</p> + +<p>It has been stated to the writer, by an intelligent traveller, who had +visited Mexico, that it was rare to meet an individual with even a +tolerable set of teeth; and that almost every grown person, he met in +the street, had merely remnants of teeth. On inquiry into <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>the customs +of the Country, it was found, that it was the universal practice to take +their usual beverage at almost the boiling point; and this, doubtless, +was the chief cause of the almost entire want of teeth in that Country. +In the United States, it cannot be doubted that much evil is done, in +this way, by hot drinks. Most tea-drinkers consider tea as ruined, if it +stands until it reaches the healthful temperature for drink.</p> + +<p>The following extract from Dr. Andrew Combe, presents the opinion of +most intelligent medical men on this subject.<a name="FNanchor_G_7" id="FNanchor_G_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_G_7" class="fnanchor">[G]</a></p> + +<p>"<i>Water</i> is a safe drink for all constitutions, provided it be resorted +to in obedience to the dictates of natural thirst, only, and not of +habit. Unless the desire for it is felt, there is no occasion for its +use during a meal."</p> + +<p>"The primary effect of all distilled and fermented liquors, is, to +<i>stimulate the nervous system and quicken the circulation</i>. In infancy +and childhood, the circulation is rapid, and easily excited; and the +nervous system is strongly acted upon, even by the slightest external +impressions. Hence slight causes of irritation readily excite febrile +and convulsive disorders. In youth, the natural tendency of the +constitution is still to excitement; and consequently, as a general +rule, the stimulus of fermented liquors is injurious."</p> + +<p>These remarks show, that parents, who find that stimulating drinks are +not injurious to themselves, may mistake in inferring, from this, that +they will not be injurious to their children.</p> + +<p>Dr. Combe continues thus: "In mature age, when digestion is good and the +system in full vigor, if the mode of life be not too exhausting, the +nervous functions and general circulation are in their best condition, +and require no stimulus for their support. The bodily energy is then +easily sustained, by nutritious food and a regular regimen, and +consequently artificial excitement <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>only increases the wasting of the +natural strength. In old age, when the powers of life begin to fail, +moderate stimulus may be used with evident advantage."</p> + +<p>It may be asked, in this connection, why the stimulus of animal food is +not to be regarded in the same light, as that of stimulating drinks. In +reply, a very essential difference may be pointed out. Animal food +furnishes nutriment to the organs which it stimulates, but stimulating +drinks excite the organs to quickened action, without affording any +nourishment.</p> + +<p>It has been supposed, by some, that tea and coffee have, at least, a +degree of nourishing power. But it is proved, that it is the milk and +sugar, and not the main portion of the drink, which imparts the +nourishment. Tea has not one particle of nourishing properties; and what +little exists in the coffee-berry, is lost by roasting it in the usual +mode. All that these articles do, is simply <i>to stimulate, without +nourishing</i>.</p> + +<p>It is very common, especially in schools, for children to form a habit +of drinking freely of cold water. This is a debilitating habit, and +should be corrected. Very often, chewing a bit of cracker will stop a +craving for drink, better than taking water; and when teachers are +troubled with very thirsty scholars, they should direct them to this +remedy. A person who exercises but little, requires no drink, between +meals, for health; and the craving for it is unhealthful. Spices, wines, +fermented liquors, and all stimulating condiments, produce unhealthful +thirst.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTE:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_G_7" id="Footnote_G_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_G_7"><span class="label">[G]</span></a> The writer would here remark, in reference to extracts made +from various authors, that, for the sake of abridging, she has often +left out parts of a paragraph, but never so as to modify the meaning of +the author. Some ideas, not connected with the subject in hand, are +omitted, but none are altered.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> +<small>ON CLOTHING.</small> +</h3> + + +<p>It appears, by calculations made from bills of mortality, that one +quarter of the human race perishes in infancy. This is a fact not in +accordance with the analogy of Nature. No such mortality prevails <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>among +the young of animals; it does not appear to be the design of the +Creator; and it must be owing to causes which can be removed. Medical +men agree in the opinion, that a great portion of this mortality, is +owing to mismanagement, in reference to fresh air, food, and clothing.</p> + +<p>At birth, the circulation is chiefly in the vessels of the skin; for the +liver and stomach, being feeble in action, demand less blood, and it +resorts to the surface. If, therefore, an infant be exposed to cold, the +blood is driven inward, by the contracting of the blood-vessels in the +skin: and, the internal organs being thus over-stimulated, bowel +complaints, croup, convulsions, or some other evil, ensues. This shows +the sad mistake of parents, who plunge infants in cold water to +strengthen their constitution; and teaches, that infants should be +washed in warm water, and in a warm room. Some have constitutions strong +enough to bear mismanagement in these respects; but many fail in +consequence of it.</p> + +<p>Hence we see the importance of dressing infants warmly, and protecting +them from exposure to a cold temperature. It is for this purpose, that +mothers, now, very generally, cover the arms and necks of infants, +especially in Winter. Fathers and mothers, if they were obliged to go +with bare arms and necks, even in moderate weather, would often shiver +with cold; and yet they have a power of constitution which would subject +them to far less hazard and discomfort, than a delicate infant must +experience from a similar exposure. This mode of dressing infants, with +bare necks and arms, has arisen from the common impression, that they +have a power of resisting cold superior to older persons. This is a +mistake; for the experiments of medical men have established the fact, +that the power of producing heat is least in the period of infancy.</p> + +<p>Extensive investigations have been made in France, in reference to this +point. It is there required, in some districts, that every infant, at +birth, be carried to the office of the <i>maire</i>, [<i>mayor</i>,] to be +registered. It is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>found, in these districts, that the deaths of +newly-born infants, are much more numerous in the cold, than in the +warm, months; and that a much greater proportion of such deaths occurs +among those who reside at a distance from the office of the <i>maire</i>, +than among those in its vicinity. This proves, that exposure to cold has +much to do with the continuance of infant life.</p> + +<p>But it is as dangerous to go to the other extreme, and keep the body too +warm. The skin, when kept at too high a temperature, is relaxed and +weakened by too profuse perspiration, and becomes more sensitive, and +more readily affected by every change of temperature. This increases the +liabilities to sudden colds; and it frequently happens, that the +children, who are most carefully guarded from cold, are the ones most +liable to take sudden and dangerous chills. The reason is, that, by the +too great accumulation of clothing, the skin is too much excited, and +the blood is withdrawn from the internal organs, thus weakening them, +while the skin itself is debilitated by the same process.</p> + +<p>The rule of safety, is, so to cover the body, as to keep it entirely +warm, but not so as to induce perspiration in any part. The perspiration +induced by exercise is healthful, because it increases the appetite; but +the perspiration produced by excess of clothing is debilitating. This +shows the importance of adjusting beds and their covering to the season. +Featherbeds are unhealthful in warm weather, because they induce +perspiration; and in all cases, those, who have the care of children, +should proportion their covering by night to the season of the year. +Infants and children should never be so clothed, as either to feel +chilly, or to induce perspiration.</p> + +<p>The greatest trouble, in this respect, to those who have the care of +children, is owing to their throwing off their covering in the night. +The best guard, against such exposures, is a nightgown, of the warmest +and thickest flannel, made like pantaloons at the lower part, and the +legs long, so that they can be tied over the feet. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>This makes less +covering needful, and saves the child from excessive cold when it is +thrown off.</p> + +<p>The clothing ought always to be proportioned to the constitution and +habits. A person of strong constitution, who takes much exercise, needs +less clothing than one of delicate and sedentary habits. According to +this rule, women need much thicker and warmer clothing, when they go +out, than men. But how different are our customs, from what sound wisdom +dictates! Women go out with thin stockings, thin shoes, and open necks, +when men are protected by thick woollen hose and boots, and their whole +body encased in many folds of flannel and broadcloth.</p> + +<p>Flannel, worn next the skin, is useful, for several reasons. It is a bad +conductor of heat, so that it protects the body from <i>sudden</i> chills +when in a state of perspiration. It also produces a kind of friction on +the skin, which aids it in its functions, while its texture, being +loose, enables it to receive and retain much matter, thrown off from the +body, which would otherwise accumulate on its surface. This is the +reason, why medical men direct, that young children wear flannel next +the body, and woollen hose, the first two years of life. They are thus +protected from sudden exposures. For the same reason, laboring men +should thus wear flannels, which are also considered as preservatives +from infection, in unhealthy atmospheres. They give a healthy action to +the skin, and thus enable it to resist the operation of unhealthy +miasms. On this account, persons residing in a new country should wear +such clothing next the skin, to guard them from the noxious miasms +caused by extensive vegetable decompositions. It is stated, that the +fatal influence of the malaria, or noxious exhalations around Rome, has +been much diminished by this practice. But those who thus wear flannel, +through the day, ought to take it off, at night, when it is not needed. +It should be hung so that it can be well aired, during the night.</p> + +<p>But the practice, by which females probably suffer <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>most, is, the use of +<i>tight dresses</i>. Much has been said against the use of corsets by +ladies. But these may be worn with perfect safety, and be left off, and +still injury, such as they often produce, be equally felt. It is the +<i>constriction</i> of dress, that is to be feared, and not any particular +article that produces it. A frock, or a belt, may be so tight, as to be +even worse than a corset, which would more equally divide the +compression.</p> + +<p>So long as it is the fashion to admire, as models of elegance, the +wasp-like figures which are presented at the rooms of mantuamakers and +milliners, there will be hundreds of foolish women, who will risk their +lives and health to secure some resemblance to these deformities of the +human frame. But it is believed, that all sensible women, when they +fairly understand the evils which result from tight dressing, and learn +the <i>real</i> model of taste and beauty for a perfect female form, will +never risk their own health, or the health of their daughters, in +efforts to secure one which is as much at variance with good taste, as +it is with good health.</p> + +<p>Such female figures as our print-shops present, are made, not by the +hand of the Author of all grace and beauty, but by the murderous +contrivances of the corset-shop; and the more a woman learns the true +rules of grace and beauty for the female form, the more her taste will +revolt from such ridiculous distortions. The folly of the Chinese belle, +who totters on two useless deformities, is nothing, compared to that of +the American belle, who impedes all the internal organs in the discharge +of their functions, that she may have a slender waist.</p> + +<p>It was shown, in the article on the bones and muscles, that exercise was +indispensable to their growth and strength. If any muscles are left +unemployed, they diminish in size and strength. The girding of tight +dresses operates thus on the muscles of the body. If an article, like +corsets, is made to hold up the body, then those muscles, which are +designed for this purpose, are released from duty, and grow weak; so +that, after <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>this has been continued for some time, leaving off the +unnatural support produces a feeling of weakness. Thus a person will +complain of feeling so weak and unsupported, without corsets, as to be +uncomfortable. This is entirely owing to the disuse of those muscles, +which corsets throw out of employ.</p> + +<p>Another effect of tight dress, is, to stop or impede the office of the +lungs. Unless the chest can expand, fully, and with perfect ease, a +portion of the lungs is not filled with air, and thus the full +purification of the blood is prevented. This movement of the lungs, when +they are fully inflated, increases the peristaltic movement of the +stomach and bowels, and promotes digestion; any constriction of the +waist tends to impede this important operation, and indigestion, with +all its attendant evils, is often the result.</p> + +<p>The rule of safety, in regard to the tightness of dress, is this. Every +person should be dressed so loosely, that, <i>when sitting in the posture +used in sewing, reading, or study</i> <span class="smcap">THE LUNGS</span> <i>can be as fully +and as easily inflated, as they are without clothing</i>. Many a woman +thinks she dresses loosely, because, when she stands up, her clothing +does not confine her chest. This is not a fair test. It is in the +position most used when engaged in common employments, that we are to +judge of the constriction of dress. Let every woman, then, bear in mind, +that, just so long as her dress and position oppose any resistance to +the motion of her chest, in just such proportion her blood is +unpurified, and her vital organs are debilitated.</p> + +<p>The English ladies set our countrywomen a good example, in accommodating +their dress to times and seasons. The richest and noblest among them +wear warm cotton hose and thick shoes, when they walk for exercise; and +would deem it vulgar to appear, as many of our ladies do, with thin hose +and shoes, in damp or cold weather. Any mode of dress, not suited to the +employment, the age, the season, or the means of the wearer, is in bad +taste.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br /> +<small>ON CLEANLINESS.</small> +</h3> + + +<p>The importance of cleanliness, in person and dress, can never be fully +realized, by persons who are ignorant of the construction of the skin, +and of the influence which its treatment has on the health of the body. +Persons deficient in such knowledge, frequently sneer at what they deem +the foolish and fidgety particularity of others, whose frequent +ablutions and changes of clothing, exceed their own measure of +importance.</p> + +<p>The popular maxim, that "dirt is healthy," has probably arisen from the +fact, that playing in the open air is very beneficial to the health of +children, who thus get dirt on their persons and clothes. But it is the +fresh air and exercise, and not the dirt, which promotes the health.</p> + +<p>In a previous article, it was shown, that the lungs, bowels, kidneys, +and skin, were the organs employed in throwing off those waste and +noxious parts of the food not employed in nourishing the body. Of this, +the skin has the largest duty to perform; throwing off, at least, twenty +ounces every twenty-four hours, by means of insensible perspiration. +When exercise sets the blood in quicker motion, it ministers its +supplies faster, and there is consequently a greater residuum to be +thrown off by the skin; and then the perspiration becomes so abundant as +to be perceptible. In this state, if a sudden chill take place, the +blood-vessels of the skin contract, the blood is driven from the +surface, and the internal organs are taxed with a double duty. If the +constitution be a strong one, these organs march on and perform the +labor exacted. But if any of these organs be debilitated, the weakest +one generally gives way, and some disease ensues.</p> + +<p>One of the most frequent illustrations of this reciprocated <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>action, is +afforded by a convivial meeting in cold weather. The heat of the room, +the food, and the excitement, quicken the circulation, and perspiration +is evolved. When the company passes into the cold air, a sudden +revulsion takes place. The increased circulation continues, for some +time after; but the skin being cooled, the blood retreats, and the +internal organs are obliged to perform the duties of the skin as well as +their own. Then, in case the lungs are the weakest organ, the mucous +secretion becomes excessive; so that it would fill up the cells, and +stop the breathing, were it not for the spasmodic effort called +coughing, by which this substance is thrown out. In case the nerves are +the weakest part of the system, such an exposure would result in pains +in the head or teeth, or in some other nervous ailment. If the muscles +be the weakest part, rheumatic affections will ensue; and if the bowels +or kidneys be weakest, some disorder in their functions will result.</p> + +<p>But it is found, that the closing of the pores of the skin with other +substances, tends to a similar result on the internal organs. In this +situation, the skin is unable perfectly to perform its functions, and +either the blood remains to a certain extent unpurified, or else the +internal organs have an unnatural duty to perform. Either of these +results tends to produce disease, and the gradual decay of the vital +powers.</p> + +<p>Moreover, it has been shown, that the skin has the power of absorbing +into the blood particles retained on its surface. In consequence of +these peculiarities, the skin of the whole body needs to be washed, +every day. This process removes from the pores the matter exhaled from +the blood, and also that collected from the atmosphere and other bodies. +If this process be not often performed, the pores of the skin fill up +with the redundant matter expelled, and being pressed, by the clothing, +to the surface of the body, the skin is both interrupted in its exhaling +process, and its absorbents take back into the system portions of the +noxious matter. Thus the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>blood is not relieved to the extent designed, +while it receives back noxious particles, which are thus carried to the +lungs, liver, and every part of the system.</p> + +<p>This is the reason why the articles worn next to the skin should often +be changed; and why it is recommended that persons should not sleep in +the article they wear next the skin through the day. The alternate +change and airing of the articles worn next the body by day or night, is +a practice very favorable to the health of the skin. The fresh air has +the power of removing much of the noxious effluvia received from the +body by the clothing. It is with reference to this, that on leaving a +bed, its covering should be thrown open and exposed to the fresh air.</p> + +<p>The benefit arising from a proper care of the skin, is the reason why +bathing has been so extensively practised by civilized nations. The +Greeks and Romans considered bathing as indispensable to daily comfort, +as much so, as their meals; and public baths were provided for all +classes. In European countries, this practice is very prevalent, but +there is no civilized nation which pays so little regard to the rules of +health, on this subject, as our own. To wash the face, feet, hands, and +neck, is the extent of the ablutions practised by perhaps the majority +of our people.</p> + +<p>In regard to the use of the bath, there is need of some information, in +order to prevent danger from its misuse. Persons in good health, and +with strong constitutions, can use the cold bath, and the shower-bath, +with entire safety and benefit. But if the constitution be feeble, cold +bathing is injurious. If it is useful, it can be known by an invigorated +feeling, and a warm glow on the skin; but if, instead of this, there be +a feeling of debility, and the hands and feet become cold, it is a +certain sign, that this kind of bathing is injurious. A bath at +ninety-five degrees of Fahrenheit, is about the right temperature. A +bath, blood warm, or a little cooler than the skin, is safe for all +constitutions, if not protracted over half an hour. After bathing, the +body <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>should be rubbed with a brush or coarse towel, to remove the light +scales of scarfskin, which adhere to it, and also to promote a healthful +excitement.</p> + +<p>A bath should never be taken, till three hours after eating, as it +interrupts the process of digestion, by withdrawing the blood from the +stomach to the surface. Neither should it be taken, when the body is +weary with exercise, nor be immediately followed by severe exercise. +Many suppose that a warm bath exposes a person more readily to take +cold; and that it tends to debilitate the system. This is not the case, +unless it be protracted too long. If it be used so as to cleanse the +skin, and give it a gentle stimulus, it is better able to resist cold +than before the process. This is the reason why the Swedes and Russians +can rush, reeking, out of their steam baths, and throw themselves into +the snow, and not only escape injury, but feel invigorated. It is for a +similar reason, that we suffer less in going into the cold, from a warm +room, with our body entirely warm, than when we go out somewhat chilled. +When the skin is warm, the circulation is active on the surface, and the +cold does not so reduce its temperature, but that increased exercise +will keep up its warmth.</p> + +<p>When families have no bathing establishment, every member should wash +the whole person, on rising or going to bed, either in cold or warm +water, according to the constitution. It is especially important, that +children have the perspiration and other impurities, which their +exercise and sports have occasioned, removed from their skin before +going to bed. The hours of sleep are those when the body most freely +exhales the waste matter of the system, and all the pores should be +properly freed from impediments to this healthful operation. For this +purpose, a large tin wash-pan should be kept for children, just large +enough, at bottom, for them to stand in, and flaring outward, so as to +be very broad at top. A child can then be placed in it, standing, and +washed with a sponge, without wetting the floor. Being small at bottom, +it is better than a tub; it is not only smaller, but lighter, and +requires less water.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p><p>These remarks indicate the wisdom of those parents, who habitually wash +their children, all over, before they go to bed. The chance of life and +health, to such children, is greatly increased by this practice; and no +doubt much of the suffering of childhood, from cutaneous eruptions, weak +eyes, earache, colds, and fevers, is owing to a neglect of the skin.</p> + +<p>The care of the teeth should be made habitual to children, not merely as +promoting an agreeable appearance, but as a needful preservative. The +saliva contains tartar, an earthy substance, which is deposited on the +teeth, and destroys both their beauty and health. This can be prevented, +by the use of the brush, night and morning. But, if this be neglected, +the deposite becomes hard, and can be removed only by the dentist. If +suffered to remain, it tends to destroy the health of the gums; they +gradually decay, and thus the roots of the teeth become bare, and they +often drop out.</p> + +<p>When children are shedding their first set of teeth, care should be +taken, to remove them as soon as they become loose; otherwise the new +teeth will grow awry. When persons have defective teeth, they can often +be saved, by having them filled by a dentist. This also will frequently +prevent the toothache.</p> + +<p>Children should be taught to take proper care of their nails. Long and +dirty nails have a disagreeable appearance. When children wash, in the +morning, they should be supplied with an instrument to clean the nails, +and be required to use it.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.<br /> +<small>ON EARLY RISING.</small> +</h3> + + +<p>There is no practice, which has been more extensively eulogized, in all +ages, than early rising; and this universal impression, is an indication +that it is founded <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>on true philosophy. For, it is rarely the case, that +the common sense of mankind fastens on a practice, as really beneficial, +especially one that demands self-denial, without some substantial +reason.</p> + +<p>This practice, which may justly be called a domestic virtue, is one, +which has a peculiar claim to be styled American and democratic. The +distinctive mark of aristocratic nations, is, a disregard of the great +mass, and a disproportionate regard for the interests of certain +privileged orders. All the customs and habits of such a nation, are, to +a greater or less extent, regulated by this principle. Now the mass of +any nation must always consist of persons who labor at occupations which +demand the light of day. But in aristocratic countries, especially in +England, labor is regarded as the mark of the lower classes, and +indolence is considered as one mark of a gentleman. This impression has +gradually and imperceptibly, to a great extent, regulated their customs, +so that, even in their hours of meals and repose, the higher orders aim +at being different and distinct from those, who, by laborious pursuits, +are placed below them. From this circumstance, while the lower orders +labor by day, and sleep at night, the rich, the noble, and the honored, +sleep by day, and follow their pursuits and pleasures by night. It will +be found, that the aristocracy of London breakfast near mid-day, dine +after dark, visit and go to Parliament between ten and twelve at night, +and retire to sleep towards morning. In consequence of this, the +subordinate classes, who aim at gentility, gradually fall into the same +practice. The influence of this custom extends across the ocean, and +here, in this democratic land, we find many, who measure their grade of +gentility by the late hour at which they arrive at a party. And this +aristocratic tendency is growing upon us, so that, throughout the +Nation, the hours for visiting and retiring are constantly becoming +later, while the hours for rising correspond in lateness.</p> + +<p>The question, then, is one which appeals to American <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>women, as a matter +of patriotism; as having a bearing on those great principles of +democracy, which we conceive to be equally the principles of +Christianity. Shall we form our customs on the principle that labor is +degrading, and indolence genteel? Shall we assume, by our practice, that +the interests of the great mass are to be sacrificed for the pleasures +and honors of a privileged few? Shall we ape the customs of aristocratic +lands, in those very practices which result from principles and +institutions that we condemn? Shall we not rather take the place to +which we are entitled, as the leaders, rather than the followers, in the +customs of society, turn back the tide of aristocratic inroads, and +carry through the whole, not only of civil and political, but of social +and domestic, life, the true principles of democratic freedom and +equality? The following considerations may serve to strengthen an +affirmative decision.</p> + +<p>The first, relates to the health of a family. It is a universal law of +physiology, that all living things flourish best in the light. +Vegetables, in a dark cellar, grow pale and spindling,<a name="FNanchor_H_8" id="FNanchor_H_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_H_8" class="fnanchor">[H]</a> and children, +brought up in mines, are wan and stinted. This universal law, indicates +the folly of turning day into night, thus losing the genial influence, +which the light of day produces on all animated creation.</p> + +<p>There is another phenomenon in the physiology of Nature, which equally +condemns this practice. It has been shown, that the purification of the +blood, in the lungs, is secured, by the oxygen of the atmosphere +absorbing its carbon and hydrogen. This combination forms carbonic acid +and water, which are expired from our lungs into the atmosphere. Now all +the vegetable world undergoes a similar process. In the light of day, +all the leaves of vegetables absorb carbon and expire oxygen, thus +supplying the air with its vital principle, and withdrawing the more +deleterious element. But, when the light is withdrawn, this process is +reversed, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>and all vegetables exhale carbonic acid, and inspire the +oxygen of the air. Thus it appears, that the atmosphere of day is much +more healthful than that of the night, especially out of doors.</p> + +<p>Moreover, when the body is fatigued, it is much more liable to +deleterious influences, from noxious particles in the atmosphere, which +may be absorbed by the skin or the lungs. In consequence of this, the +last hours of daily labor are more likely to be those of risk, +especially to delicate constitutions. This is a proper reason for +retiring to the house and to slumber, at an early hour, that the body +may not be exposed to the most risk, when, after the exertions of the +day, it is least able to bear it.</p> + +<p>The observations of medical men, whose inquiries have been directed to +this point, have decided, that from six to eight hours, is the amount of +sleep demanded by persons in health. Some constitutions require as much +as eight, and others no more than six, hours of repose. But eight hours +is the maximum for all persons in ordinary health, with ordinary +occupations. In cases of extra physical exertions, or the debility of +disease, or a decayed constitution, more than this is required. Let +eight hours, then, be regarded as the ordinary period required for +sleep, by an industrious people, like the Americans. According to this, +the practice of rising between four and five, and retiring between nine +and ten, in Summer, would secure most of the sunlight, and expose us the +least to that period of the atmosphere, when it is most noxious. In +Winter, the night air is less deleterious, because the frost binds +noxious exhalations, and vegetation ceases its inspiring and expiring +process; and, moreover, as the constitution is more tried, in cold, than +in warm, weather, and as in cold weather the body exhales less during +the hours of sleep, it is not so injurious to protract our slumbers +beyond the proper period, as it is in the warm months. But in Winter, it +is best for grown persons, in health, to rise as soon as they can see to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>dress, and retire so as not to allow more than eight hours for sleep.</p> + +<p>It thus appears, that the laws of our political condition, the laws of +the natural world, and the constitution of our bodies, alike demand that +we rise with the light of day to prosecute our employments, and that we +retire within doors, when this light is withdrawn.</p> + +<p>In regard to the effects of protracting the time spent in repose, many +extensive and satisfactory investigations have been made. It has been +shown, that, during sleep, the body perspires most freely, while yet +neither food nor exercise are ministering to its wants. Of course, if we +continue our slumbers, beyond the time required to restore the body to +its usual vigor, there is an unperceived undermining of the +constitution, by this protracted and debilitating exhalation. This +process, in a course of years, renders the body delicate, and less able +to withstand disease; and in the result shortens life. Sir John +Sinclair, who has written a large work on the Causes of Longevity, +states, as one result of his extensive investigations, that he has never +yet heard or read of a single case of great longevity, where the +individual was not an early riser. He says, that he has found cases, in +which the individual has violated some one of all the other laws of +health, and yet lived to great age; but never a single instance, in +which any constitution has withstood that undermining, consequent on +protracting the hours of repose beyond the demands of the system.</p> + +<p>Another reason for early rising, is, that it is indispensable to a +systematic and well-regulated family. At whatever hour the parents +retire, children and domestics, wearied by play or labor, must retire +early. Children usually awake with the dawn of light, and commence their +play, while domestics usually prefer the freshness of morning for their +labors. If, then, the parents rise at a late hour, they either induce a +habit of protracting sleep in their children and domestics, or else the +family is up, and at their pursuits, while their <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>supervisors are in +bed. Any woman, who asserts that her children and domestics, in the +first hours of day, when their spirits are freshest, will be as well +regulated without her presence, as with it, confesses that, which surely +is little for her credit. It is believed, that any candid woman, +whatever may be her excuse for late rising, will concede, that, if she +could rise early, it would be for the advantage of her family. A late +breakfast puts back the work, through the whole day, for every member of +a family; and, if the parents thus occasion the loss of an hour or two, +to each individual, who, but for their delay in the morning, would be +usefully employed, they, alone, are responsible for all this waste of +time. Is it said, that those, who wish to rise early, can go to their +employments before breakfast? it may be replied, that, in most cases, it +is not safe to use the eyes or the muscles in the morning, till the +losses of the night have been repaired by food. In addition to this, it +may be urged, that, where the parents set an example of the violation of +the rules of health and industry, their influence tends in the wrong +direction; so that whatever waste of time is induced, by a practice +which they thus uphold, must be set down to their account.</p> + +<p>But the practice of early rising has a relation to the general interests +of the social community, as well as to that of each distinct family. All +that great portion of the community, who are employed in business and +labor, find it needful to rise early; and all their hours of meals, and +their appointments for business or pleasure, must be accommodated to +these arrangements. Now, if a small portion of the community establish +very different hours, it makes a kind of jostling, in all the concerns +and interests of society. The various appointments for the public, such +as meetings, schools, and business hours, must be accommodated to the +mass, and not to individuals. The few, then, who establish domestic +habits at variance with the majority, are either constantly interrupted +in their own arrangements, or <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>else are interfering with the rights and +interests of others. This is exemplified in the case of schools. In +families where late rising is practised, either hurry, irregularity, and +neglect, are engendered in the family, or else the interests of the +school, and thus of the community, are sacrificed. In this, and many +other concerns, it can be shown, that the wellbeing of the bulk of the +people, is, to a greater or less extent, impaired by this aristocratic +practice. Let any teacher select the unpunctual scholars,—a class who +most seriously interfere with the interests of the school;—and let men +of business select those who cause them most waste of time and vexation, +by unpunctuality; and it will be found, that they are among the late +risers, and rarely among those who rise early. Thus, it is manifest, +that late rising not only injures the person and family which practise +it, but interferes with the rights and convenience of the community.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTE:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_H_8" id="Footnote_H_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_H_8"><span class="label">[H]</span></a> Shooting into a long, small, stalk or root.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br /> +<small>ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE.</small> +</h3> + +<p>In the preceding chapters, we have noticed the various causes, which, +one or all, operate to produce that melancholy delicacy and decay of the +female constitution, which are the occasion of so much physical and +mental suffering throughout this Country.</p> + +<p>These, in a more condensed form, may be enumerated thus:</p> + +<p>A want of exercise, inducing softness in the bones, weakness in the +muscles, inactivity in the digestive organs, and general debility in the +nervous system: A neglect of the care of the skin, whereby the blood has +not been properly purified, and the internal organs have been weakened: +A violation of the laws of health, in regard to food, by eating too +much, too fast, and too <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>often; by using stimulating food and drinks; by +using them too warm or too cold; and by eating that which the power of +the stomach is not sufficient to digest: A neglect of the laws of +health, in regard to clothing, by dressing too tight, and by wearing too +little covering, in cold and damp weather, and especially by not +sufficiently protecting the feet: A neglect to gain a proper supply of +pure air, in sleeping apartments and schoolrooms, and too great a +confinement to the house: The pursuit of exciting amusements at +unseasonable hours, and the many exposures involved at such times: And +lastly, sleeping by day, instead of by night, and protracting the hours +of sleep, beyond the period of repose demanded for rest; thus +exhausting, instead of recruiting, the energies of the system.</p> + +<p>But all the other causes, combined, probably, do not produce one half +the evils, which result from a want of proper exercise. A person who +keeps all the functions of the system in full play, by the active and +frequent use of every muscle, especially if it be in the open air, gains +a power of constitution, which can resist many evils that would follow +from the other neglects and risks detailed. This being the case, there +can be no subject, more important for mothers and young ladies to +understand, than the influence on the health, both of body and mind, of +the neglect or abuse of the muscular system.</p> + +<p>It has been shown, in the previous pages, that all the muscles have +nerves and blood-vessels, running in larger trunks, or minute branches, +to every portion of the body. The experiments of Sir Charles Bell and +others, have developed the curious fact, that each apparently single +nerve, in reality consists of two distinct portions, running together in +the same covering. One portion, is the nerve of <i>sensation</i> or +<i>feeling</i>, the other, the nerve of <i>motion</i>. The nerves of sensation are +those which are affected by the emotions and volitions of the mind; and +the nerves of motion are those which impart moving power to the muscles. +Experiments show, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>that, where the nerves issue from the spine, the +nerve of sensation may be cut off without severing the nerve of motion, +and then the parts, to which this nerve extends, lose the power of +feeling, while the power of motion continues; and so, on the other hand, +the nerve of motion may be divided, and, the nerve of sensation +remaining uninjured, the power of feeling is retained, and the power of +motion is lost.</p> + +<p>In certain nervous diseases, sometimes a limb loses its power of +feeling, and yet retains the power of motion; in other cases, the power +of motion is lost, and the power of sensation is retained; and in other +cases, still, when a limb is <i>paralysed</i>, both the power of motion and +of sensation are lost.</p> + +<p>Now, the nerves, like all other parts of the body, gain and lose +strength, according as they are exercised. If they have too much, or too +little, exercise, they lose strength; if they are exercised to a proper +degree, they gain strength. When the mind is continuously excited, by +business, study, or the imagination, the nerves of feeling are kept in +constant action, while the nerves of motion are unemployed. If this is +continued, for a long time, the nerves of sensation lose their strength, +from over action, and the nerves of motion lose their power, from +inactivity. In consequence, there is a morbid excitability of the +nervous, and a debility of the muscular, system, which make all exertion +irksome and wearisome. The only mode of preserving the health of these +systems, is, to keep up in them an equilibrium of action. For this +purpose, occupations must be sought, which exercise the muscles, and +interest the mind; and thus the equal action of both kinds of nerves is +secured. This shows why exercise is so much more healthful and +invigorating, when the mind is interested, than when it is not. As an +illustration, let a person go a shopping, with a friend, and have +nothing to do, but look on; how soon do the continuous walking and +standing weary! But suppose one, thus wearied, hears of the arrival of a +very dear friend: she can instantly walk off a mile or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> two, to meet +her, without the least feeling of fatigue. By this is shown the +importance of furnishing, for young persons, exercise in which they will +take an interest. Long and formal walks, merely for exercise, though +they do some good, in securing fresh air and some exercise of the +muscles, would be of triple benefit, if changed to amusing sports, or to +the cultivation of fruits and flowers, in which it is impossible to +engage, without acquiring a great interest. It shows, also, why it is +far better to trust to useful domestic exercise, at home, than to send a +young person out to walk, for the mere purpose of exercise. Young girls +can seldom be made to realize the value of health, and the need of +exercise to secure it, so as to feel much interest in walking abroad, +when they have no other object. But, if they are brought up to minister +to the comfort and enjoyment of themselves and others, by performing +domestic duties, they will constantly be interested and cheered in their +exercise, by the feeling of usefulness, and the consciousness of having +performed their duty.</p> + +<p>There are few young persons, it is hoped, who are brought up with such +miserable habits of selfishness and indolence, that they cannot be made +to feel happier, by the consciousness of being usefully employed. And +those who have never been accustomed to think or care for any one but +themselves, and who seem to feel little pleasure in making themselves +useful, by wise and proper influences, can often be gradually awakened +to the new pleasure of benevolent exertion to promote the comfort and +enjoyment of others. And the more this sacred and elevating kind of +enjoyment is tasted, the greater is the relish induced. Other +enjoyments, often cloy; but the heavenly pleasure, secured by virtuous +industry and benevolence, while it satisfies, at the time, awakens fresh +desires for so ennobling a good.</p> + +<p>But, besides the favorable influence on the nervous and muscular system, +thus gained, it has been shown, that exercise imparts fresh strength and +vitality to all parts of the body. The exertion of the muscles quickens +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>the flow of the blood, which thus ministers its supplies faster to +every part of the body, and, of course, loses a portion of its +nourishing qualities. When this is the case, the stomach issues its +mandate of <i>hunger</i>, calling for new supplies. When these are furnished, +the action of the muscles again hastens a full supply to every organ, +and thus the nerves, the muscles, the bones, the skin, and all the +internal organs, are invigorated, and the whole body developes its +powers, in fair proportions, fresh strength and full beauty. All the +cosmetics of trade, all the labors of mantuamakers, milliners, makers of +corsets, shoemakers, and hairdressers, could never confer so clear and +pure a skin, so fresh a color, so finely moulded a form, and such +cheerful health and spirits, as would be secured by training a child to +obey the laws of the benevolent Creator, in the appropriate employment +of body and mind in useful domestic exercise. And the present habits of +the wealthy, and even of those without wealth, which condemn young girls +so exclusively to books or sedentary pursuits, are as destructive to +beauty and grace, as they are to health and happiness.</p> + +<p>Every allowance should be made for the mistakes of mothers and teachers, +to whom the knowledge which would have saved them from the evils of such +a course has never been furnished; but as information, on these matters, +is every year becoming more abundant, it is to be hoped, that the next +generation, at least, may be saved from the evils which afflict those +now on the stage. What a change would be made in the happiness of this +Country, if all the pale and delicate young girls should become +blooming, healthful, and active, and all the enfeebled and care-worn +mothers should be transformed into such fresh, active, healthful, and +energetic matrons, as are so frequently found in our mother land!</p> + +<p>It has been stated, that the excessive use of the muscles, as much as +their inactivity, tends to weaken them. Nothing is more painful, than +the keeping a muscle constantly on the stretch, without any relaxation +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>or change. This can be realized, by holding out an arm, perpendicularly +to the body, for ten or fifteen minutes, if any one can so long bear the +pain. Of course, confinement to one position, for a great length of +time, tends to weaken the muscles thus strained.</p> + +<p>This shows the evil of confining young children to their seats, in the +schoolroom, so much and so long as is often done. Having no backs to +their seats, as is generally the case, the muscles, which are employed +in holding up the body, are kept in a state of constant tension, till +they grow feeble from overworking. Then, the child begins to grow +crooked, and the parents, to remedy the evil, sometimes put on bracers +or corsets. These, instead of doing any good, serve to prevent the use +of those muscles, which, if properly exercised, would hold the body +straight; and thus they grow still weaker, from entire inactivity. If a +parent perceives that a child is growing crooked, the proper remedy is, +to withdraw it from all pursuits which tax one particular set of +muscles, and turn it out to exercise in sports, or in gardening, in the +fresh air, when all the muscles will be used, and the whole system +strengthened. Or, if this cannot be done, sweeping, dusting, running of +errands, and many household employments, which involve lifting, +stooping, bending, and walking, are quite as good, and, on some +accounts, better, provided the house is properly supplied with fresh +air.</p> + +<p>Where persons have formed habits of inactivity, some caution is +necessary, in attempting a change; this must be made gradually; and the +muscles must never be excessively fatigued at any time. If this change +be not thus gradually made, the weakness, at first caused by inactivity, +will be increased by excessive exertion. A distinguished medical +gentleman gives this rule, to direct us in regard to the amount of +fatigue, which is safe and useful. A person is never too much fatigued, +if one night of repose gives sufficient rest, and restores the usual +strength. But, if the sleep is disturbed, and the person wakes with a +feeling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> of weariness and languor, it is a sure indication that the +exercise has been excessive. No more fatigue, then, should be allowed, +than one night's rest will remedy.</p> + +<p>Some persons object to sweeping, on account of the dust inhaled. But +free ventilation, frequent sweeping, and the use of damp sand, or damp +Indian meal, or damp tea leaves, for carpets, will secure a more clear +atmosphere than is often found in the streets of cities. And the mother, +who will hire domestics, to take away this and other domestic +employments, which would secure to her daughters, health, grace, beauty, +and domestic virtues, and the young ladies, who consent to be deprived +of these advantages, will probably live to mourn over the languor, +discouragement, pain, and sorrow, which will come with ill health, as +the almost inevitable result.</p> + +<p>The following are extracts from 'The Young Ladies' Friend,' on this +subject:—</p> + +<p>"Whether rich or poor, young or old, married or single, a woman is +always liable to be called to the performance of every kind of domestic +duty, as well as to be placed at the head of a family; and nothing, +short of a <i>practical</i> knowledge of the details of housekeeping, can +ever make those duties easy, or render her competent to direct others in +the performance of them.</p> + +<p>"All moral writers on female character, treat of Domestic Economy as an +indispensable part of female education; and this, too, in the old +countries of Europe, where an abundant population, and the institutions +of society, render it easy to secure the services of faithful +domestics."</p> + +<p>"All female characters that are held up to admiration, whether in +fiction or biography, will be found to possess these domestic +accomplishments; and, if they are considered indispensable in the Old +World, how much more are they needed, in this land of independence, +where riches cannot exempt the mistress of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> a family from the difficulty +of procuring efficient aid, and where perpetual change of domestics, +renders perpetual instruction and superintendence necessary.</p> + +<p>"Since, then, the details of good housekeeping must be included in a +good female education, it is very desirable that they should be acquired +when young, and so practised as to become easy, and to be performed +dexterously and expeditiously."</p> + +<p>"The elegant and accomplished Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who figured in +the fashionable, as well as the literary, circles of her time, has said, +that 'the most minute details of household economy become elegant and +refined, when they are ennobled by sentiment;' and they are truly +ennobled, when we do them either from a sense of duty, or consideration +for a parent, or love to a husband. 'To furnish a room,' continues this +lady, 'is no longer a commonplace affair, shared with upholsterers and +cabinet-makers; it is decorating the place where I am to meet a friend +or lover. To order dinner is not merely arranging a meal with my cook; +it is preparing refreshment for him whom I love. These necessary +occupations, viewed in this light, by a person capable of strong +attachment, are so many pleasures, and afford her far more delight, than +the games and shows which constitute the amusements of the world.'</p> + +<p>"Such is the testimony of a titled lady of the last century, to the +sentiment that may be made to mingle in the most homely occupations. I +will now quote that of a modern female writer and traveller, who, in her +pleasant book, called 'Six Weeks on the Loire,' has thus described the +housewifery of the daughter of a French nobleman, residing in a superb +chateau on that river. The travellers had just arrived, and been +introduced, when the following scene took place.</p> + +<p>"'The bill of fare for dinner was discussed in my presence, and settled, +<i>sans façon</i>,<a name="FNanchor_I_9" id="FNanchor_I_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_I_9" class="fnanchor">[I]</a> with that delightful <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>frankness and gayety, which, in +the French character, gives a charm to the most trifling occurrence. +Mademoiselle Louise then begged me to excuse her for half an hour, as +she was going to make some creams, and some <i>pastilles</i>.<a name="FNanchor_J_10" id="FNanchor_J_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_J_10" class="fnanchor">[J]</a> I requested +that I might accompany her, and also render myself useful; we +accordingly went together to the dairy. I made tarts <i>à l'Anglaise</i>,<a name="FNanchor_K_11" id="FNanchor_K_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_K_11" class="fnanchor">[K]</a> +whilst she made confections and <i>bonbons</i>,<a name="FNanchor_L_12" id="FNanchor_L_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_L_12" class="fnanchor">[L]</a> and all manner of pretty +things, with as much ease as if she had never done any thing else, and +as much grace as she displayed in the saloon. I could not help thinking, +as I looked at her, with her servants about her, all cheerful, +respectful, and anxious to attend upon her, how much better it would be +for the young ladies in England, if they would occasionally return to +the habits of their grandmammas, and mingle the animated and endearing +occupations of domestic life, and the modest manners and social +amusements of home, with the perpetual practising on harps and pianos, +and the incessant efforts at display, and search after gayety, which, at +the present day, render them any thing but what an amiable man, of a +reflecting mind and delicate sentiments, would desire in the woman he +might wish to select as the companion of his life.'"</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTES:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_I_9" id="Footnote_I_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_I_9"><span class="label">[I]</span></a> Without formality, or useless ceremony.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_J_10" id="Footnote_J_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_J_10"><span class="label">[J]</span></a> Rolls of paste, or pastry, or sugarplums.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_K_11" id="Footnote_K_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_K_11"><span class="label">[K]</span></a> According to the English fashion.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_L_12" id="Footnote_L_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_L_12"><span class="label">[L]</span></a> Nice things or dainties, such as sweetmeats.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.<br /> +<small>ON DOMESTIC MANNERS.</small> +</h3> + +<p>Good-manners are the expressions of benevolence in personal intercourse, +by which we endeavor to promote the comfort and enjoyment of others, and +to avoid all that gives needless uneasiness. It is the exterior +exhibition of the Divine precept, which requires us to do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> to others, as +we would that they should do to us. It is saying, by our deportment, to +all around, that we consider their feelings, tastes, and convenience, as +equal in value to our own.</p> + +<p>Good-manners lead us to avoid all practices which offend the taste of +others; all violations of the conventional rules of propriety; all rude +and disrespectful language and deportment; and all remarks, which would +tend to wound the feelings of another.</p> + +<p>There is a serious defect, in the manners of the American people, +especially in the free States, which can never be efficiently remedied, +except in the domestic circle, and during early life. It is a deficiency +in the free expression of kindly feelings and sympathetic emotions, and +a want of courtesy in deportment. The causes, which have led to this +result, may easily be traced.</p> + +<p>The forefathers of this Nation, to a wide extent, were men who were +driven from their native land, by laws and customs which they believed +to be opposed both to civil and religious freedom. The sufferings they +were called to endure, the subduing of those gentler feelings which bind +us to country, kindred, and home, and the constant subordination of the +passions to stern principle, induced characters of great firmness and +self-control. They gave up the comforts and refinements of a civilized +country, and came, as pilgrims, to a hard soil, a cold clime, and a +heathen shore. They were continually forced to encounter danger, +privations, sickness, loneliness, and death; and all these, their +religion taught them to meet with calmness, fortitude, and submission. +And thus it became the custom and habit of the whole mass, to repress, +rather than to encourage, the expression of feeling.</p> + +<p>Persons who are called to constant and protracted suffering and +privation, are forced to subdue and conceal emotion; for the free +expression of it would double their own suffering, and increase the +sufferings of others. Those, only, who are free from care and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> anxiety, +and whose minds are mainly occupied by cheerful emotions, are at full +liberty to unveil their feelings.</p> + +<p>It was under such stern and rigorous discipline, that the first children +in New England were reared; and the manners and habits of parents are +usually, to a great extent, transmitted to children. Thus it comes to +pass, that the descendants of the Puritans, now scattered over every +part of the Nation, are predisposed to conceal the gentler emotions, +while their manners are calm, decided, and cold, rather than free and +impulsive. Of course, there are very many exceptions to these +predominating results.</p> + +<p>The causes, to which we may attribute a general want of courtesy in +manners, are certain incidental results of our democratic institutions. +Our ancestors, and their descendants, have constantly been combating the +aristocratic principle, which would exalt one class of men at the +expense of another. They have had to contend with this principle, not +only in civil, but in social, life. Almost every American, in his own +person, as well as in behalf of his class, has had to assume and defend +the main principle of democracy,—that every man's feelings and +interests are equal in value to those of every other man. But, in doing +this, there has been some want of clear discrimination. Because claims, +based on distinctions of mere birth, fortune, or position, were found to +be injurious, many have gone to the extreme of inferring that all +distinctions, involving subordination, are useless. Such, would regard +children as equals to parents, pupils to teachers, domestics to their +employers, and subjects to magistrates; and that, too, in all respects.</p> + +<p>The fact, that certain grades of superiority and subordination are +needful, both for individual and public benefit, has not been clearly +discerned; and there has been a gradual tendency to an extreme, which +has sensibly affected our manners. All the proprieties and courtesies, +which depend on the recognition of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> relative duties of superior and +subordinate, have been warred upon; and thus we see, to an increasing +extent, disrespectful treatment of parents, from children; of teachers, +from pupils; of employers, from domestics; and of the aged, from the +young. In all classes and circles, there is a gradual decay in courtesy +of address.</p> + +<p>In cases, too, where kindness is rendered, it is often accompanied with +a cold, unsympathizing manner, which greatly lessens its value, while +kindness or politeness is received in a similar style of coolness, as if +it were but the payment of a just due.</p> + +<p>It is owing to these causes, that the American people, especially the +inhabitants of New England, do not do themselves justice. For, while +those, who are near enough to learn their real character and feelings, +can discern the most generous impulses, and the most kindly sympathies, +they are so veiled, in a composed and indifferent demeanor, as to be +almost entirely concealed from strangers.</p> + +<p>These defects in our national manners, it especially falls to the care +of mothers, and all who have charge of the young, to rectify; and if +they seriously undertake the matter, and wisely adapt means to ends, +these defects will be remedied. With reference to this object, the +following ideas are suggested.</p> + +<p>The law of Christianity and of democracy, which teaches that all men are +born equal, and that their interests and feelings should be regarded as +of equal value, seems to be adopted in aristocratic circles, with +exclusive reference to the class in which the individual moves. The +courtly gentleman, addresses all of his own class with politeness and +respect; and, in all his actions, seems to allow that the feelings and +convenience of others are to be regarded, the same as his own. But his +demeanor to those of inferior station, is not based on the same rule.</p> + +<p>Among those, who make up aristocratic circles, such as are above them, +are deemed of superior, and such as are below, of inferior, value. Thus, +if a young,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> ignorant, and vicious coxcomb, happens to be born a lord, +the aged, the virtuous, the learned, and the wellbred, of another class, +must give his convenience the precedence, and must address him in terms +of respect. So, when a man of noble birth is thrown among the lower +classes, he demeans himself in a style, which, to persons of his own +class, would be deemed the height of assumption and rudeness.</p> + +<p>Now, the principles of democracy require, that the same courtesy, which +we accord to our own circle, shall be extended to every class and +condition; and that distinctions, of superiority and subordination, +shall depend, not on accidents of birth, fortune, or occupation, but +solely on those relations, which the good of all classes equally +require. The distinctions demanded, in a democratic state, are simply +those, which result from relations, that are common to every class, and +are for the benefit of all.</p> + +<p>It is for the benefit of every class, that children be subordinate to +parents, pupils to teachers, the employed to their employers, and +subjects to magistrates. In addition to this, it is for the general +wellbeing, that the comfort or convenience of the delicate and feeble, +should be preferred to that of the strong and healthy, who would suffer +less by any deprivation, and that precedence should be given to their +elders, by the young, and that reverence should be given to the hoary +head.</p> + +<p>The rules of good-breeding, in a democratic state, must be founded on +these principles. It is, indeed, assumed, that the value of the +happiness of each individual, is the same as that of every other; but, +as there must be occasions, where there are advantages which all cannot +enjoy, there must be general rules for regulating a selection. +Otherwise, there would be constant scrambling, among those of equal +claims, and brute force must be the final resort; in which case the +strongest would have the best of every thing. The democratic rule, then, +is, that superiors,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> in age, station, or office, have precedence of +subordinates; age and feebleness, of youth and strength; and the feebler +sex, of more vigorous man.<a name="FNanchor_M_13" id="FNanchor_M_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_M_13" class="fnanchor">[M]</a></p> + +<p>There is, also, a style of deportment and address, which is appropriate +to these different relations. It is suitable for a superior to secure +compliance with his wishes, from those subordinate to him, by commands; +but a subordinate must secure compliance with his wishes, from a +superior, by requests. It is suitable for a parent, teacher, or +employer, to admonish for neglect of duty; but not for an inferior to +adopt such a course towards a superior. It is suitable for a superior to +take precedence of a subordinate, without any remark; but not for an +inferior, without previously asking leave, or offering an apology. It is +proper for a superior to use language and manners of freedom and +familiarity, which would be improper from a subordinate to a superior.</p> + +<p>The want of due regard to these proprieties, occasions the chief defect +in American manners. It is very common to hear children talk to their +parents, in a style proper only between companions and equals; so, also, +the young address their elders, those employed, their employers, and +domestics, the members of the family and their visiters, in a style, +which is inappropriate to their relative positions. A respectful address +is required not merely towards superiors; every person desires to be +treated with courtesy and respect, and therefore, the law of benevolence +demands such demeanor, towards all whom we meet in the social +intercourse of life. "Be ye courteous," is the direction of the Apostle +in reference to our treatment of <i>all</i>.</p> + +<p>Good-manners can be successfully cultivated, only in early life, and in +the domestic circle. There is nothing which depends so much upon +<i>habit</i>, as the constantly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>recurring proprieties of good-breeding; and, +if a child grows up without forming such habits, it is very rarely the +case that they can be formed at a later period. The feeling, that it is +of little consequence how we behave at home, if we conduct properly +abroad, is a very fallacious one. Persons, who are careless and ill bred +at home, may imagine that they can assume good-manners abroad; but they +mistake. Fixed habits of tone, manner, language, and movements, cannot +be suddenly altered; and those who are illbred at home, even when they +try to hide their bad habits, are sure to violate many of the obvious +rules of propriety, and yet be unconscious of it.</p> + +<p>And there is nothing, which would so effectually remove prejudice +against our democratic institutions, as the general cultivation of +good-breeding in the domestic circle. Good-manners are the exterior of +benevolence, the minute and often recurring exhibitions of "peace and +good-will;" and the nation, as well as the individual, which most excels +in the external, as well as the internal, principle, will be most +respected and beloved.</p> + +<p>The following are the leading points, which claim attention from those +who have the care of the young.</p> + +<p>In the first place, in the family, there should be required, a strict +attention to the rules of precedence, and those modes of address +appropriate to the various relations to be sustained. Children should +always be required to offer their superiors, in age or station, the +precedence in all comforts and conveniences, and always address them in +a respectful tone and manner. The custom of adding "Sir," or "Ma'am," to +"Yes," or "No," is valuable, as a perpetual indication of a respectful +recognition of superiority. It is now going out of fashion, even among +the most wellbred people; probably from a want of consideration of its +importance. Every remnant of courtesy of address, in our customs, should +be carefully cherished, by all who feel a value for the proprieties of +good-breeding.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p><p>If parents allow their children to talk to them, and to the grown +persons in the family, in the same style in which they address each +other, it will be vain to hope for the courtesy of manner and tone, +which good-breeding demands in the general intercourse of society. In a +large family, where the elder children are grown up, and the younger are +small, it is important to require the latter to treat the elder as +superiors. There are none, so ready as young children to assume airs of +equality; and, if they are allowed to treat one class of superiors in +age and character disrespectfully, they will soon use the privilege +universally. This is the reason, why the youngest children of a family +are most apt to be pert, forward, and unmannerly.</p> + +<p>Another point to be aimed at, is, to require children always to +acknowledge every act of kindness and attention, either by words or +manner. If they are so trained as always to make grateful +acknowledgements, when receiving favors, one of the objectionable +features in American manners will be avoided.</p> + +<p>Again, children should be required to ask leave, whenever they wish to +gratify curiosity, or use an article which belongs to another. And if +cases occur, when they cannot comply with the rules of good-breeding, +as, for instance, when they must step between a person and the fire, or +take the chair of an older person, they should be required either to ask +leave, or to offer an apology.</p> + +<p>There is another point of good-breeding, which cannot, in all cases, be +understood and applied by children, in its widest extent. It is that, +which requires us to avoid all remarks which tend to embarrass, vex, +mortify, or in any way wound the feelings, of another. To notice +personal defects; to allude to others' faults, or the faults of their +friends; to speak disparagingly of the sect or party to which a person +belongs; to be inattentive, when addressed in conversation; to +contradict flatly; to speak in contemptuous tones of opinions expressed +by another;—all these, are violations of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> rules of good-breeding, +which children should be taught to regard. Under this head, comes the +practice of whispering, and staring about, when a teacher, or lecturer, +or clergyman, is addressing a class or audience. Such inattention, is +practically saying, that what the person is uttering is not worth +attending to; and persons of real good-breeding always avoid it. Loud +talking and laughing, in a large assembly, even when no exercises are +going on; yawning and gaping in company; and not looking in the face a +person who is addressing you, are deemed marks of ill-breeding.</p> + +<p>Another branch of good-manners, relates to the duties of hospitality. +Politeness requires us to welcome visiters with cordiality; to offer +them the best accommodations; to address conversation to them; and to +express, by tone and manner, kindness and respect. Offering the hand to +all visiters, at one's own house, is a courteous and hospitable custom; +and a cordial shake of the hand, when friends meet, would abate much of +the coldness of manner ascribed to Americans.</p> + +<p>The last point of good-breeding, to be noticed, refers to the +conventional rules of propriety and good taste. Of these, the first +class relates to the avoidance of all disgusting or offensive personal +habits, such as fingering the hair; cleaning the teeth or nails; picking +the nose; spitting on carpets; snuffing, instead of using a +handkerchief, or using the article in an offensive manner; lifting up +the boots or shoes, as some men do, to tend them on the knee, or to +finger them;—all these tricks, either at home or in society, children +should be taught to avoid.</p> + +<p>Another branch, under this head, may be called <i>table manners</i>. To +persons of good-breeding, nothing is more annoying, than violating the +conventional proprieties of the table. Reaching over another person's +plate; standing up, to reach distant articles, instead of asking to have +them passed; using one's own knife, and spoon, for butter, salt, or +sugar, when it is the custom of the family to provide separate utensils +for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> purpose; setting cups, with tea dripping from them, on the +tablecloth, instead of the mats or small plates furnished; using the +tablecloth, instead of the napkins; eating fast, and in a noisy manner; +putting large pieces in the mouth; looking and eating as if very hungry, +or as if anxious to get at certain dishes; sitting at too great a +distance from the table, and dropping food; laying the knife and fork on +the tablecloth, instead of on the bread, or the edge of the plate;—all +these particulars, children should be taught to avoid. It is always +desirable, too, to require children, when at table with grown persons, +to be silent, except when addressed by others; or else their chattering +will interrupt the conversation and comfort of their elders. They should +always be required, too, to wait, <i>in silence</i>, till all the older +persons are helped.</p> + +<p>All these things should be taught to children, gradually, and with great +patience and gentleness. Some parents, with whom good-manners is a great +object, are in danger of making their children perpetually +uncomfortable, by suddenly surrounding them with so many rules, that +they must inevitably violate some one or other, a great part of the +time. It is much better to begin with a few rules, and be steady and +persevering with these, till a habit is formed, and then take a few +more, thus making the process easy and gradual. Otherwise, the temper of +children will be injured; or, hopeless of fulfilling so many +requisitions, they will become reckless and indifferent to all.</p> + +<p>But, in reference to those who have enjoyed advantages for the +cultivation of good-manners, and who duly estimate its importance, one +caution is necessary. Those, who never have had such habits formed in +youth, are under disadvantages, which no benevolence of temper can +remedy. They may often violate the tastes and feelings of others, not +from a want of proper regard for them, but from ignorance of custom, or +want of habit, or abstraction of mind, or from other causes, which +demand forbearance and sympathy, rather than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> displeasure. An ability to +bear patiently with defects in manners, and to make candid and +considerate allowance for a want of advantages, or for peculiarities in +mental habits, is one mark of the benevolence of real good-breeding.</p> + +<p>The advocates of monarchical and aristocratic institutions, have always +had great plausibility given to their views, by the seeming tendencies +to insubordination and bad-manners, of our institutions. And it has been +too indiscriminately conceded, by the defenders of the latter, that such +are these tendencies, and that the offensive points, in American +manners, are the necessary result of democratic principles.</p> + +<p>But it is believed, that both facts and reasoning are in opposition to +this opinion. The following extract from the work of De Tocqueville, +exhibits the opinion of an impartial observer, when comparing American +manners with those of the English, who are confessedly the most +aristocratic of all people.</p> + +<p>He previously remarks on the tendency of aristocracy to make men more +sympathizing with persons of their own peculiar class, and less so +towards those of lower degree; and he then contrasts American manners +with the English, claiming that the Americans are much the most affable, +mild, and social. "In America, where the privileges of birth never +existed, and where riches confer no peculiar rights on their possessors, +men acquainted with each other are very ready to frequent the same +places, and find neither peril nor advantage in the free interchange of +their thoughts. If they meet, by accident, they neither seek nor avoid +intercourse; their manner is therefore natural, frank, and open." "If +their demeanor is often cold and serious, it is never haughty or +constrained." But an "aristocratic pride is still extremely great among +the English; and, as the limits of aristocracy are ill-defined, every +body lives in constant dread, lest advantage should be taken of his +familiarity. Unable to judge, at once, of the social position of those +he meets, an Englishman prudently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> avoids all contact with them. Men are +afraid, lest some slight service rendered should draw them into an +unsuitable acquaintance; they dread civilities, and they avoid the +obtrusive gratitude of a stranger, as much as his hatred."</p> + +<p>Thus, <i>facts</i> seem to show that when the most aristocratic nation in the +world is compared, as to manners, with the most democratic, the +judgement of strangers is in favor of the latter.</p> + +<p>And if good-manners are the outward exhibition of the democratic +principle of impartial benevolence and equal rights, surely the nation +which adopts this rule, both in social and civil life, is the most +likely to secure the desirable exterior. The aristocrat, by his +principles, extends the exterior of impartial benevolence to his own +class, only; the democratic principle, requires it to be extended <i>to +all</i>.</p> + +<p>There is reason, therefore, to hope and expect more refined and polished +manners in America, than in any other land; while all the developements +of taste and refinement, such as poetry, music, painting, sculpture, and +architecture, it may be expected, will come to a higher state of +perfection, here, than in any other nation.</p> + +<p>If this Country increases in virtue and intelligence, as it may, there +is no end to the wealth which will pour in as the result of our +resources of climate, soil, and navigation, and the skill, industry, +energy, and enterprise, of our countrymen. This wealth, if used as +intelligence and virtue dictate, will furnish the means for a superior +education to all classes, and every facility for the refinement of +taste, intellect, and feeling.</p> + +<p>Moreover, in this Country, labor is ceasing to be the badge of a lower +class; so that already it is disreputable for a man to be "a lazy +gentleman." And this feeling must increase, till there is such an +equalisation of labor, as will afford all the time needful for every +class to improve the many advantages offered to them. Already, in +Boston, through the munificence of some of her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> citizens, there are +literary and scientific advantages, offered to all classes, rarely +enjoyed elsewhere. In Cincinnati, too, the advantages of education, now +offered to the poorest classes, without charge, surpass what, some years +ago, most wealthy men could purchase, for any price. And it is believed, +that a time will come, when the poorest boy in America can secure +advantages, which will equal what the heir of the proudest peerage can +now command.</p> + +<p>The records of the courts of France and Germany, (as detailed by the +Duchess of Orleans,) in and succeeding the brilliant reign of Louis the +Fourteenth,—a period which was deemed the acme of elegance and +refinement,—exhibit a grossness, a vulgarity, and a coarseness, not to +be found among the lowest of our respectable poor. And the biography of +Beau Nash, who attempted to reform the manners of the gentry, in the +times of Queen Anne, exhibits violations of the rules of decency among +the aristocracy, which the commonest yeoman of this Land would feel +disgraced in perpetrating.</p> + +<p>This shows, that our lowest classes, at this period, are more refined, +than were the highest in aristocratic lands, a hundred years ago; and +another century may show the lowest classes, in wealth, in this Country, +attaining as high a polish, as adorns those who now are leaders of +good-manners in the courts of kings.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTE:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_M_13" id="Footnote_M_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_M_13"><span class="label">[M]</span></a> The universal practice of this Nation, in thus giving +precedence to woman, has been severely commented on by Miss Martineau +and some others, who would transfer all the business of the other sex to +women, and then have them treated like men. May this evidence of our +superior civilisation and Christianity increase, rather than diminish!</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> +<small>ON THE PRESERVATION OF A GOOD TEMPER IN A HOUSEKEEPER.</small> +</h3> + +<p>There is nothing, which has a more abiding influence on the happiness of +a family, than the preservation of equable and cheerful temper and tones +in the housekeeper. A woman, who is habitually gentle, sympathizing, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>forbearing, and cheerful, carries an atmosphere about her, which +imparts a soothing and sustaining influence, and renders it easier for +all to do right, under her administration, than in any other situation.</p> + +<p>The writer has known families, where the mother's presence seemed the +sunshine of the circle around her; imparting a cheering and vivifying +power, scarcely realized, till it was withdrawn. Every one, without +thinking of it, or knowing why it was so, experienced a peaceful and +invigorating influence, as soon as he entered the sphere illumined by +her smile, and sustained by her cheering kindness and sympathy. On the +contrary, many a good housekeeper, (good in every respect but this,) by +wearing a countenance of anxiety and dissatisfaction, and by indulging +in the frequent use of sharp and reprehensive tones, more than destroys +all the comfort which otherwise would result from her system, neatness, +and economy.</p> + +<p>There is a secret, social sympathy, which every mind, to a greater or +less degree, experiences with the feelings of those around, as they are +manifested by the countenance and voice. A sorrowful, a discontented, or +an angry, countenance, produces a silent, sympathetic influence, +imparting a sombre shade to the mind, while tones of anger or complaint +still more effectually jar the spirits.</p> + +<p>No person can maintain a quiet and cheerful frame of mind, while tones +of discontent and displeasure are sounding on the ear. We may gradually +accustom ourselves to the evil, till it is partially diminished; but it +always is an evil, which greatly interferes with the enjoyment of the +family state. There are sometimes cases, where the entrance of the +mistress of a family seems to awaken a slight apprehension, in every +mind around, as if each felt in danger of a reproof, for something +either perpetrated or neglected. A woman, who should go around her house +with a small stinging snapper, which she habitually applied to those +whom she met, would be encountered with feelings very much like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> to +those which are experienced by the inmates of a family, where the +mistress often uses her countenance and voice, to inflict similar +penalties for duties neglected.</p> + +<p>Yet, there are many allowances to be made for housekeepers, who +sometimes imperceptibly and unconsciously fall into such habits. A +woman, who attempts to carry out any plans of system, order, and +economy, and who has her feelings and habits conformed to certain rules, +is constantly liable to have her plans crossed, and her taste violated, +by the inexperience or inattention of those about her. And no +housekeeper, whatever may be her habits, can escape the frequent +recurrence of negligence or mistake, which interferes with her plans. It +is probable, that there is no class of persons, in the world, who have +such incessant trials of temper, and temptations to be fretful, as +American housekeepers. For a housekeeper's business is not, like that of +the other sex, limited to a particular department, for which previous +preparation is made. It consists of ten thousand little disconnected +items, which can never be so systematically arranged, that there is no +daily jostling, somewhere. And in the best-regulated families, it is not +unfrequently the case, that some act of forgetfulness or carelessness, +from some member, will disarrange the business of the whole day, so that +every hour will bring renewed occasion for annoyance. And the more +strongly a woman realizes the value of time, and the importance of +system and order, the more will she be tempted to irritability and +complaint.</p> + +<p>The following considerations, may aid in preparing a woman to meet such +daily crosses, with even a cheerful temper and tones.</p> + +<p>In the first place, a woman, who has charge of a large household, should +regard her duties as dignified, important, and difficult. The mind is so +made, as to be elevated and cheered by a sense of far-reaching influence +and usefulness. A woman, who feels that she is a cipher, and that it +makes little difference how she performs her duties, has far less to +sustain and invigorate <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>her, than one, who truly estimates the +importance of her station. A man, who feels that the destinies of a +nation are turning on the judgement and skill with which he plans and +executes, has a pressure of motive, and an elevation of feeling, which +are great safeguards from all that is low, trivial, and degrading.</p> + +<p>So, an American mother and housekeeper, who looks at her position in the +aspect presented in the previous pages, and who rightly estimates the +long train of influences which will pass down to thousands, whose +destinies, from generation to generation, will be modified by those +decisions of her will, which regulated the temper, principles, and +habits, of her family, must be elevated above petty temptations, which +would otherwise assail her.</p> + +<p>Again, a housekeeper should feel that she really has great difficulties +to meet and overcome. A person, who wrongly thinks there is little +danger, can never maintain so faithful a guard, as one who rightly +estimates the temptations which beset her. Nor can one, who thinks that +they are trifling difficulties which she has to encounter, and trivial +temptations, to which she must yield, so much enjoy the just reward of +conscious virtue and self-control, as one who takes an opposite view of +the subject.</p> + +<p>A third method, is, for a woman deliberately to calculate on having her +best-arranged plans interfered with, very often; and to be in such a +state of preparation, that the evil will not come unawares. So +complicated are the pursuits, and so diverse the habits of the various +members of a family, that it is almost impossible for every one to avoid +interfering with the plans and taste of a housekeeper, in some one point +or another. It is, therefore, most wise, for a woman to keep the loins +of her mind ever girt, to meet such collisions with a cheerful and quiet +spirit.</p> + +<p>Another important rule, is, to form all plans and arrangements in +consistency with the means at command, and the character of those +around. A woman, who has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> a heedless husband, and young children, and +incompetent domestics, ought not to make such plans, as one may properly +form, who will not, in so many directions, meet embarrassment. She must +aim at just so much as she can probably secure, and no more; and thus +she will usually escape much temptation, and much of the irritation of +disappointment.</p> + +<p>The fifth, and a very important, consideration, is, that <i>system</i>, +<i>economy</i>, and <i>neatness</i>, are valuable, only so far as they tend to +promote the comfort and wellbeing of those affected. Some women seem to +act under the impression, that these advantages <i>must</i> be secured, at +all events, even if the comfort of the family be the sacrifice. True, it +is very important that children grow up in habits of system, neatness, +and order; and it is very desirable that the mother give them every +incentive, both by precept and example: but it is still more important, +that they grow up with amiable tempers, that they learn to meet the +crosses of life with patience and cheerfulness; and nothing has a +greater influence to secure this, than a mother's example. Whenever, +therefore, a woman cannot accomplish her plans of neatness and order, +without injury to her own temper, or to the temper of others, she ought +to modify and reduce them, until she can.</p> + +<p>The sixth method, relates to the government of the tones of voice. In +many cases, when a woman's domestic arrangements are suddenly and +seriously crossed, it is impossible not to feel some irritation. But it +<i>is</i> always possible to refrain from angry tones. A woman can resolve, +that, whatever happens, she will not speak, till she can do it in a calm +and gentle manner. <i>Perfect silence</i> is a safe resort, when such control +cannot be attained, as enables a person to speak calmly; and this +determination, persevered in, will eventually be crowned with success.</p> + +<p>Many persons seem to imagine, that tones of anger are needful, in order +to secure prompt obedience. But observation has convinced the writer +that they are <i>never</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> necessary; that <i>in all cases</i>, reproof, +administered in calm tones, would be better. A case will be given in +illustration.</p> + +<p>A young girl had been repeatedly charged to avoid a certain arrangement +in cooking. On one day, when company was invited to dine, the direction +was forgotten, and the consequence was, an accident, which disarranged +every thing, seriously injured the principal dish, and delayed dinner +for an hour. The mistress of the family entered the kitchen, just as it +occurred, and, at a glance, saw the extent of the mischief. For a +moment, her eyes flashed, and her cheeks glowed; but she held her peace. +After a minute or so, she gave directions, in a calm voice, as to the +best mode of retrieving the evil, and then left, without a word said to +the offender.</p> + +<p>After the company left, she sent for the girl, alone, and in a calm and +kind manner pointed out the aggravations of the case, and described the +trouble which had been caused to her husband, her visiters, and herself. +She then portrayed the future evils which would result from such habits +of neglect and inattention, and the modes of attempting to overcome +them; and then offered a reward for the future, if, in a given time, she +succeeded in improving in this respect. Not a tone of anger was uttered; +and yet the severest scolding of a practised Xantippe could not have +secured such contrition, and determination to reform, as was gained by +this method.</p> + +<p>But similar negligence is often visited by a continuous stream of +complaint and reproof, which, in most cases, is met, either by sullen +silence, or impertinent retort, while anger prevents any contrition, or +any resolution of future amendment.</p> + +<p>It is very certain, that some ladies do carry forward a most efficient +government, both of children and domestics, without employing tones of +anger; and therefore they are not indispensable, nor on any account +desirable.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p><p>Though some ladies, of intelligence and refinement, do fall +unconsciously into such a practice, it is certainly very unlady-like, +and in very bad taste, to <i>scold</i>; and the further a woman departs from +all approach to it, the more perfectly she sustains her character as a +lady.</p> + +<p>Another method of securing equanimity, amid the trials of domestic life, +is, to cultivate a habit of making allowances for the difficulties, +ignorance, or temptations, of those who violate rule or neglect duty. It +is vain, and most unreasonable, to expect the consideration and care of +a mature mind, in childhood and youth; or that persons, of such limited +advantages as most domestics have enjoyed, should practise proper +self-control, and possess proper habits and principles.</p> + +<p>Every parent, and every employer, needs daily to cultivate the spirit +expressed in the Divine prayer, "forgive us our trespasses, as we +forgive those who trespass against us." The same allowances and +forbearance, which we supplicate from our Heavenly Father, and desire +from our fellow-men, in reference to our own deficiencies, we should +constantly aim to extend to all, who cross our feelings and interfere +with our plans.</p> + +<p>The last, and most important, mode of securing a placid and cheerful +temper and tones, is, by a right view of the doctrine of a +superintending Providence. All persons are too much in the habit of +regarding the more important events of life, as exclusively under the +control of Perfect Wisdom. But the fall of a sparrow, or the loss of a +hair, they do not feel to be equally the result of His directing agency. +In consequence of this, Christian persons, who aim at perfect and +cheerful submission to heavy afflictions, and who succeed, to the +edification of all about them, are sometimes sadly deficient under petty +crosses. If a beloved child be laid in the grave, even if its death +resulted from the carelessness of a domestic, or of a physician, the eye +is turned from the subordinate agent, to the Supreme Guardian of all, +and to Him they bow, without murmur or complaint. But if a pudding be +burnt, or a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> room badly swept, or an errand forgotten, then vexation and +complaint are allowed, just as if these events were not appointed by +Perfect Wisdom, as much as the sorer chastisement.</p> + +<p>A woman, therefore, needs to cultivate the <i>habitual</i> feeling, that all +the events of her nursery and kitchen, are brought about by the +permission of our Heavenly Father, and that fretfulness or complaint, in +regard to these, is, in fact, complaining and disputing at the +appointments of God, and is really as sinful, as unsubmissive murmurs +amid the sorer chastisements of His hand. And a woman, who cultivates +this habit of referring all the minor trials of life to the wise and +benevolent agency of a Heavenly Parent, and daily seeks His sympathy and +aid, to enable her to meet them with a quiet and cheerful spirit, will +soon find it the perennial spring of abiding peace and content.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> +<small>ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER.</small> +</h3> + +<p>The discussion of the question of the equality of the sexes, in +intellectual capacity, seems frivolous and useless, both because it can +never be decided, and because there would be no possible advantage in +the decision. But one topic, which is often drawn into this discussion, +is of far more consequence; and that is, the relative importance and +difficulty of the duties a woman is called to perform.</p> + +<p>It is generally assumed, and almost as generally conceded, that woman's +business and cares are contracted and trivial; and that the proper +discharge of her duties, demands far less expansion of mind and vigor of +intellect, than the pursuits of the other sex. This idea has prevailed, +because women, as a mass, have never been educated with reference to +their most important duties;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> while that portion of their employments, +which is of least value, has been regarded as the chief, if not the +sole, concern of a woman. The covering of the body, the conveniences of +residences, and the gratification of the appetite, have been too much +regarded as the sole objects, on which her intellectual powers are to be +exercised.</p> + +<p>But, as society gradually shakes off the remnants of barbarism, and the +intellectual and moral interests of man rise, in estimation, above the +merely sensual, a truer estimate is formed of woman's duties, and of the +measure of intellect requisite for the proper discharge of them. Let any +man, of sense and discernment, become the member of a large household, +in which, a well-educated and pious woman is endeavoring systematically +to discharge her multiform duties; let him fully comprehend all her +cares, difficulties, and perplexities; and it is probable he would +coincide in the opinion, that no statesman, at the head of a nation's +affairs, had more frequent calls for wisdom, firmness, tact, +discrimination, prudence, and versatility of talent, than such a woman.</p> + +<p>She has a husband, to whose peculiar tastes and habits she must +accommodate herself; she has children, whose health she must guard, +whose physical constitutions she must study and develope, whose temper +and habits she must regulate, whose principles she must form, whose +pursuits she must direct. She has constantly changing domestics, with +all varieties of temper and habits, whom she must govern, instruct, and +direct; she is required to regulate the finances of the domestic state, +and constantly to adapt expenditures to the means and to the relative +claims of each department. She has the direction of the kitchen, where +ignorance, forgetfulness, and awkwardness, are to be so regulated, that +the various operations shall each start at the right time, and all be in +completeness at the same given hour. She has the claims of society to +meet, calls to receive and return, and the duties of hospitality to +sustain. She has the poor to relieve; benevolent societies to aid;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> the +schools of her children to inquire and decide about; the care of the +sick; the nursing of infancy; and the endless miscellany of odd items, +constantly recurring in a large family.</p> + +<p>Surely, it is a pernicious and mistaken idea, that the duties, which tax +a woman's mind, are petty, trivial, or unworthy of the highest grade of +intellect and moral worth. Instead of allowing this feeling, every woman +should imbibe, from early youth, the impression, that she is training +for the discharge of the most important, the most difficult, and the +most sacred and interesting duties that can possibly employ the highest +intellect. She ought to feel, that her station and responsibilities, in +the great drama of life, are second to none, either as viewed by her +Maker, or in the estimation of all minds whose judgement is most worthy +of respect.</p> + +<p>She, who is the mother and housekeeper in a large family, is the +sovereign of an empire, demanding more varied cares, and involving more +difficult duties, than are really exacted of her, who, while she wears +the crown, and professedly regulates the interests of the greatest +nation on earth, finds abundant leisure for theatres, balls, horseraces, +and every gay pursuit.</p> + +<p>There is no one thing, more necessary to a housekeeper, in performing +her varied duties, than <i>a habit of system and order</i>; and yet, the +peculiarly desultory nature of women's pursuits, and the embarrassments +resulting from the state of domestic service in this Country, render it +very difficult to form such a habit. But it is sometimes the case, that +women, who could and would carry forward a systematic plan of domestic +economy, do not attempt it, simply from a want of knowledge of the +various modes of introducing it. It is with reference to such, that +various modes of securing system and order, which the writer has seen +adopted, will be pointed out.</p> + +<p>A wise economy is nowhere more conspicuous, than in the right +<i>apportionment of time</i> to different pursuits. There are duties of a +religious, intellectual, social, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> domestic, nature, each having +different relative claims on attention. Unless a person has some general +plan of apportioning these claims, some will intrench on others, and +some, it is probable, will be entirely excluded. Thus, some find +religious, social, and domestic, duties, so numerous, that no time is +given to intellectual improvement. Others, find either social, or +benevolent, or religious, interests, excluded by the extent and variety +of other engagements.</p> + +<p>It is wise, therefore, for all persons to devise a general plan, which +they will at least keep in view, and aim to accomplish, and by which, a +proper proportion of time shall be secured, for all the duties of life.</p> + +<p>In forming such a plan, every woman must accommodate herself to the +peculiarities of her situation. If she has a large family, and a small +income, she must devote far more time to the simple duty of providing +food and raiment, than would be right were she in affluence, and with a +small family. It is impossible, therefore, to draw out any general plan, +which all can adopt. But there are some <i>general principles</i>, which +ought to be the guiding rules, when a woman arranges her domestic +employments. These principles are to be based on Christianity, which +teaches us to "seek first the kingdom of God," and to deem food, +raiment, and the conveniences of life, as of secondary account. Every +woman, then, ought to start with the assumption, that religion is of +more consequence than any worldly concern, and that, whatever else may +be sacrificed, this, shall be the leading object, in all her +arrangements, in respect to time, money, and attention. It is also one +of the plainest requisitions of Christianity, that we devote some of our +time and efforts, to the comfort and improvement of others. There is no +duty, so constantly enforced, both in the Old and New Testament, as the +duty of charity, in dispensing to those, who are destitute of the +blessings we enjoy. In selecting objects of charity, the same rule +applies to others, as to ourselves; their moral and religious interests +are of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> highest moment, and for them, as well as for ourselves, we +are to "seek first the kingdom of God."</p> + +<p>Another general principle, is, that our intellectual and social +interests are to be preferred, to the mere gratification of taste or +appetite. A portion of time, therefore, must be devoted to the +cultivation of the intellect and the social affections.</p> + +<p>Another, is, that the mere gratification of appetite, is to be placed +<i>last</i> in our estimate; so that, when a question arises, as to which +shall be sacrificed, some intellectual, moral, or social, advantage, or +some gratification of sense, we should invariably sacrifice the last.</p> + +<p>Another, is, that, as health is indispensable to the discharge of every +duty, nothing, which sacrifices that blessing, is to be allowed, in +order to gain any other advantage or enjoyment. There are emergencies, +when it is right to risk health and life, to save ourselves and others +from greater evils; but these are exceptions, which do not militate +against the general rule. Many persons imagine, that, if they violate +the laws of health, in performing religious or domestic duties, they are +guiltless before God. But such greatly mistake. We as directly violate +the law, "thou shalt not kill," when we do what tends to risk or shorten +our own life, as if we should intentionally run a dagger into a +neighbor. True, we may escape any fatal or permanently injurious +effects, and so may a dagger or bullet miss the mark, or do only +transient injury. But this, in either case, makes the sin none the less. +The life and happiness of all His creatures are dear to our Creator; and +He is as much displeased, when we injure our own interests, as when we +injure those of others. The idea, therefore, that we are excusable, if +we harm no one but ourselves, is false and pernicious. These, then, are +the general principles, to guide a woman in systematizing her duties and +pursuits.</p> + +<p>The Creator of all things, is a Being of perfect system and order; and, +to aid us in our duty, in this respect, He has divided our time, by a +regularly returning <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>day of rest from worldly business. In following +this example, the intervening six days may be subdivided to secure +similar benefits. In doing this, a certain portion of time must be given +to procure the means of livelihood, and for preparing food, raiment, and +dwellings. To these objects, some must devote more, and others less, +attention. The remainder of time not necessarily thus employed, might be +divided somewhat in this manner: The leisure of two afternoons and +evenings, could be devoted to religious and benevolent objects, such as +religious meetings, charitable associations, school visiting, and +attention to the sick and poor. The leisure of two other days, might be +devoted to intellectual improvement, and the pursuits of taste. The +leisure of another day, might be devoted to social enjoyments, in making +or receiving visits; and that of another, to miscellaneous domestic +pursuits, not included in the other particulars.</p> + +<p>It is probable, that few persons could carry out such an arrangement, +very strictly; but every one can make a systematic apportionment of +time, and at least <i>aim</i> at accomplishing it; and they can also compare +the time which they actually devote to these different objects, with +such a general outline, for the purpose of modifying any mistaken +proportions.</p> + +<p>Without attempting any such systematic employment of time, and carrying +it out, so far as they can control circumstances, most women are rather +driven along, by the daily occurrences of life, so that, instead of +being the intelligent regulators of their own time, they are the mere +sport of circumstances. There is nothing, which so distinctly marks the +difference between weak and strong minds, as the fact, whether they +control circumstances, or circumstances control them.</p> + +<p>It is very much to be feared, that the apportionment of time, actually +made by most women, exactly inverts the order, required by reason and +Christianity. Thus, the furnishing a needless variety of food, the +conveniences of dwellings, and the adornments of dress,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> often take a +larger portion of time, than is given to any other object. Next after +this, comes intellectual improvement; and, last of all, benevolence and +religion.</p> + +<p>It may be urged, that it is indispensable for most persons to give more +time to earn a livelihood, and to prepare food, raiment, and dwellings, +than to any other object. But it may be asked, how much of the time, +devoted to these objects, is employed in preparing varieties of food, +not necessary, but rather injurious, and how much is spent for those +parts of dress and furniture not indispensable, and merely ornamental? +Let a woman subtract from her domestic employments, all the time, given +to pursuits which are of no use, except as they gratify a taste for +ornament, or minister increased varieties, to tempt the appetite, and +she will find, that much, which she calls "domestic duties," and which +prevent her attention to intellectual, benevolent, and religious, +objects, should be called by a very different name. No woman has a right +to give up attention to the higher interests of herself and others, for +the ornaments of taste, or the gratification of the palate. To a certain +extent, these lower objects are lawful and desirable; but, when they +intrude on nobler interests, they become selfish and degrading. Every +woman, then, when employing her hands, in ornamenting her person, her +children, or her house, ought to calculate, whether she has devoted <i>as +much</i> time, to the intellectual and moral wants of herself and others. +If she has not, she may know that she is doing wrong, and that her +system, for apportioning her time and pursuits, should be altered.</p> + +<p>Some persons, endeavor to systematize their pursuits, by apportioning +them to particular hours of each day. For example, a certain period +before breakfast, is given to devotional duties; after breakfast, +certain hours are devoted to exercise and domestic employments; other +hours, to sewing, or reading, or visiting; and others, to benevolent +duties. But, in most cases, it is more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> difficult to systematize the +hours of each day, than it is to secure some regular division of the +week.</p> + +<p>In regard to the minutiæ of domestic arrangements, the writer has known +the following methods to be adopted. <i>Monday</i>, with some of the best +housekeepers, is devoted to preparing for the labors of the week. Any +extra cooking, the purchasing of articles to be used during the week, +the assorting of clothes for the wash, and mending such as would be +injured without;—these, and similar items, belong to this day. +<i>Tuesday</i> is devoted to washing, and <i>Wednesday</i> to ironing. On +<i>Thursday</i>, the ironing is finished off, the clothes are folded and put +away, and all articles, which need mending, are put in the mending +basket, and attended to. <i>Friday</i> is devoted to sweeping and +housecleaning. On <i>Saturday</i>, and especially the last Saturday of every +month, every department is put in order; the castors and table furniture +are regulated, the pantry and cellar inspected, the trunks, drawers, and +closets arranged, and every thing about the house, put in order for +<i>Sunday</i>. All the cooking, needed for Sunday, is also prepared. By this +regular recurrence of a particular time, for inspecting every thing, +nothing is forgotten till ruined by neglect.</p> + +<p>Another mode of systematizing, relates to providing proper supplies of +conveniences, and proper places in which to keep them. Thus, some ladies +keep a large closet, in which are placed the tubs, pails, dippers, +soap-dishes, starch, bluing, clothes-line, clothes-pins, and every other +article used in washing; and in the same, or another, place, are kept +every convenience for ironing. In the sewing department, a trunk, with +suitable partitions, is provided, in which are placed, each in its +proper place, white thread of all sizes, colored thread, yarns for +mending, colored and black sewing-silks and twist, tapes and bobbins of +all sizes, white and colored welting-cords, silk braids and cords, +needles of all sizes, papers of pins, remnants of linen and colored +cambric, a supply of all kinds of buttons used<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> in the family, black and +white hooks and eyes, a yard measure, and all the patterns used in +cutting and fitting. These are done up in separate parcels, and +labelled. In another trunk, are kept all pieces used in mending, +arranged in order, so that any article can be found, without loss of +time. A trunk, like the first mentioned, will save many steps, and often +much time and perplexity; while by purchasing articles thus by the +quantity, they come much cheaper, than if bought in little portions as +they are wanted. Such a trunk should be kept locked, and a smaller +supply, for current use, retained in a workbasket.</p> + +<p>A full supply of all conveniences in the kitchen and cellar, and a place +appointed for each article, very much facilitates domestic labor. For +want of this, much vexation and loss of time is occasioned, while +seeking vessels in use, or in cleansing those employed by different +persons, for various purposes. It would be far better, for a lady to +give up some expensive article, in the parlor, and apply the money, thus +saved, for kitchen conveniences, than to have a stinted supply, where +the most labor is to be performed. If our Countrywomen would devote more +to comfort and convenience, and less to show, it would be a great +improvement. Expensive mirrors and pier-tables in the parlor, and an +unpainted, gloomy, ill-furnished kitchen, not unfrequently are found +under the same roof.</p> + +<p>Another important item, in systematic economy, is, the apportioning of +<i>regular</i> employment to the various members of a family. If a +housekeeper can secure the cooperation of <i>all</i> her family, she will +find, that "many hands make light work." There is no greater mistake, +than in bringing up children to feel that they must be taken care of, +and waited on, by others, without any corresponding obligations on their +part. The extent, to which young children can be made useful, in a +family, would seem surprising, to those who have never seen a +<i>systematic</i> and <i>regular</i> plan for securing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> their services. The writer +has been in a family, where a little girl, of eight or nine years of +age, washed and dressed herself and young brother, and made their small +beds, before breakfast, set and cleared all the tables, at meals, with a +little help from a grown person in moving tables and spreading cloths, +while all the dusting of parlors and chambers was also neatly performed +by her. A brother, of ten years old, brought in and piled all the wood, +used in the kitchen and parlor, brushed the boots and shoes, neatly, +went on errands, and took all the care of the poultry. They were +children, whose parents could afford to hire servants to do this, but +who chose to have their children grow up healthy and industrious, while +proper instruction, system, and encouragement, made these services +rather a pleasure, than otherwise, to the children.</p> + +<p>Some parents pay their children for such services; but this is +hazardous, as tending to make them feel that they are not bound to be +helpful without pay, and also as tending to produce a hoarding, +money-making spirit. But, where children have no hoarding propensities, +and need to acquire a sense of the value of property, it may be well to +let them earn money, for some extra services, rather as a favor. When +this is done, they should be taught to spend it for others, as well as +for themselves; and in this way, a generous and liberal spirit will be +cultivated.</p> + +<p>There are some mothers, who take pains to teach their boys most of the +domestic arts, which their sisters learn. The writer has seen boys, +mending their own garments, and aiding their mother or sisters in the +kitchen, with great skill and adroitness; and at an early age, they +usually very much relish joining in such occupations. The sons of such +mothers, in their college life, or in roaming about the world, or in +nursing a sick wife or infant, find occasion to bless the forethought +and kindness, which prepared them for such emergencies. Few things are +in worse taste, than for a man needlessly to busy himself in women's +work;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> and yet a man never appears in a more interesting attitude, than +when, by skill in such matters, he can save a mother or wife from care +and suffering. The more a boy is taught to use his hands, in every +variety of domestic employment, the more his faculties, both of mind and +body, are developed; for mechanical pursuits exercise the intellect, as +well as the hands. The early training of New-England boys, in which they +turn their hand to almost every thing, is one great reason of the quick +perceptions, versatility of mind, and mechanical skill, for which that +portion of our Countrymen is distinguished.</p> + +<p>The writer has known one mode of systematizing the aid of the older +children in a family, which, in some cases of very large families, it +may be well to imitate. In the case referred to, when the oldest +daughter was eight or nine years old, an infant sister was given to her, +as her special charge. She tended it, made and mended its clothes, +taught it to read, and was its nurse and guardian, through all its +childhood. Another infant was given to the next daughter, and thus the +children were all paired in this interesting relation. In addition to +the relief thus afforded to the mother, the elder children were in this +way qualified for their future domestic relations, and both older and +younger bound to each other by peculiar ties of tenderness and +gratitude.</p> + +<p>In offering these examples, of various modes of systematizing, one +suggestion may be worthy of attention. It is not unfrequently the case, +that ladies, who find themselves cumbered with oppressive cares, after +reading remarks on the benefits of system, immediately commence the task +of arranging their pursuits, with great vigor and hope. They divide the +day into regular periods, and give each hour its duty; they systematize +their work, and endeavor to bring every thing into a regular routine. +But, in a short time, they find themselves baffled, discouraged, and +disheartened, and finally relapse into their former desultory ways, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +a sort of resigned despair. The difficulty, in such cases, is, that they +attempt too much at a time. There is nothing, which so much depends upon +<i>habit</i>, as a systematic mode of performing duty; and, where no such +habit has been formed, it is impossible for a novice to start, at once, +into a universal mode of systematizing, which none but an adept could +carry through. The only way for such persons, is, to begin with a little +at a time. Let them select some three or four things, and resolutely +attempt to conquer at these points. In time, a habit will be formed, of +doing a few things at regular periods, and in a systematic way. Then it +will be easy to add a few more; and thus, by a gradual process, the +object can be secured, which it would be vain to attempt, by a more +summary course. Early rising is almost an indispensable condition to +success, in such an effort; but, where a woman lacks either the health +or the energy to secure a period for devotional duties before breakfast, +let her select that hour of the day, in which she will be least liable +to interruption, and let her then seek strength and wisdom from the only +true Source. At this time, let her take a pen, and make a list of all +the things which she considers as duties. Then, let a calculation be +made, whether there be time enough, in the day or the week, for all +these duties. If there be not, let the least important be stricken from +the list, as not being duties, and which must be omitted. In doing this, +let a woman remember, that, though "what we shall eat, and what we shall +drink, and wherewithal we shall be clothed," are matters requiring due +attention, they are very apt to obtain a wrong relative importance, +while social, intellectual, and moral, interests, receive too little +regard.</p> + +<p>In this Country, eating, dressing, and household furniture and +ornaments, take far too large a place in the estimate of relative +importance; and it is probable, that most women could modify their views +and practice, so as to come nearer to the Saviour's requirements. No +woman has a right to put a stitch of ornament <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>on any article of dress +or furniture, or to provide one superfluity in food, until she is sure +she can secure time for all her social, intellectual, benevolent, and +religious, duties. If a woman will take the trouble to make such a +calculation as this, she will usually find that she has time enough, to +perform all her duties easily and well.</p> + +<p>It is impossible, for a conscientious woman to secure that peaceful +mind, and cheerful enjoyment of life, which all should seek, who is +constantly finding her duties jarring with each other, and much +remaining undone, which she feels that she ought to do. In consequence +of this, there will be a secret uneasiness, which will throw a shade +over the whole current of life, never to be removed, till she so +efficiently defines and regulates her duties, that she can fulfil them +all.</p> + +<p>And here the writer would urge upon young ladies, the importance of +forming habits of system, while unembarrassed with those multiplied +cares, which will make the task so much more difficult and hopeless. +Every young lady can systematize her pursuits, to a certain extent. She +can have a particular day for mending her wardrobe, and for arranging +her trunks, closets, and drawers. She can keep her workbasket, her desk +at school, and all her other conveniences, in their proper places, and +in regular order. She can have regular periods for reading, walking, +visiting, study, and domestic pursuits. And, by following this method, +in youth, she will form a taste for regularity, and a habit of system, +which will prove a blessing to her, through life.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.<br /> +<small>ON GIVING IN CHARITY.</small> +</h3> + +<p>It is probable, that there is no point of duty, where conscientious +persons differ more in opinion, or where they find it more difficult to +form discriminating and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> decided views, than on the matter of charity. +That we are bound to give <i>some</i> of our time, money, and efforts, to +relieve the destitute, all allow. But, as to how much we are to give, +and on whom our charities shall be bestowed, many a reflecting mind has +been at a loss. Yet it seems very desirable, that, in reference to a +duty so constantly and so strenuously urged by the Supreme Ruler, we +should be able so to fix metes and bounds, as to keep a conscience void +of offence, and to free the mind from disquieting fears of deficiency.</p> + +<p>The writer has found no other topic of investigation so beset with +difficulty, and so absolutely without the range of definite rules, which +can apply to all, in all circumstances. But on this, as on a previous +topic, there seem to be <i>general principles</i>, by the aid of which, any +candid mind, sincerely desirous of obeying the commands of Christ, +however much self-denial may be involved, can arrive at definite +conclusions, as to its own individual obligations, so that, when these +are fulfilled, the mind may be at peace.</p> + +<p>But, for a mind that is worldly, living mainly to seek its own +pleasures, instead of living to please God, no principles can be so +fixed, as not to leave a ready escape from all obligation. Such minds, +either by indolence (and consequent ignorance) or by sophistry, will +convince themselves, that a life of engrossing self-indulgence, with +perhaps the gift of a few dollars, and a few hours of time, may suffice, +to fulfil the requisitions of the Eternal Judge.</p> + +<p>For such minds, no reasonings will avail, till the heart is so changed, +that, to learn the will and follow the example of Jesus Christ, become +the leading objects of interest and effort. It is to aid those, who +profess to possess this temper of mind, that the following suggestions +are offered.</p> + +<p>The first consideration, which gives definiteness to this subject, is, a +correct view of the object for which we are placed in this world. A +great many even of professed Christians, seem to be acting on the +supposition, that the object of life is to secure as much as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> possible +of all the various enjoyments placed within reach. Not so, teaches +reason or revelation. From these, we learn, that, though the happiness +of His creatures, is the end for which God created and sustains them, +yet, that this happiness depends, not on the various modes of +gratification put within our reach, but mainly on <i>character</i>. A man may +possess all the resources for enjoyment which this world can afford, and +yet feel that "all is vanity and vexation of spirit," and that he is +supremely wretched. Another, may be in want of all things, and yet +possess that living spring of benevolence, faith, and hope, which will +make an Eden of the darkest prison.</p> + +<p>In order to be perfectly happy, man must attain that character, which +Christ exhibited; and the nearer he approaches it, the more will +happiness reign in his breast.</p> + +<p>But what was the grand peculiarity of the character of Christ? It was +<i>self-denying benevolence</i>. He came not to "seek His own;" He "went +about doing good," and this was His "meat and drink;" that is, it was +this which sustained the health and life of His mind, as food and drink +sustain the health and life of the body. Now, the mind of man is so +made, that it can gradually be transformed into the same likeness. A +selfish being, who, for a whole life, has been nourishing habits of +indolent self-indulgence, can, by taking Christ as his example, by +communion with Him, and by daily striving to imitate His character and +conduct, form such a temper of mind, that "doing good" will become the +chief and highest source of enjoyment. And this heavenly principle will +grow stronger and stronger, until self-denial loses the more painful +part of its character, and then, <i>living to make happiness</i>, will be so +delightful and absorbing a pursuit, that all exertions, regarded as the +means to this end, will be like the joyous efforts of men, when they +strive for a prize or a crown, with the full hope of success.</p> + +<p>In this view of the subject, efforts and self-denial, for the good of +others, are to be regarded, not merely as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> duties enjoined for the +benefit of others, but as the moral training indispensable to the +formation of that character, on which depends our own happiness. This +view, exhibits the full meaning of the Saviour's declaration, "how +hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" He +had before taught, that the kingdom of Heaven consisted, not in such +enjoyments as the worldly seek, but, in the temper of self-denying +benevolence, like His own; and, as the rich have far greater temptations +to indolent self-indulgence, they are far less likely to acquire this +temper, than those, who, by limited means, are inured to some degree of +self-denial.</p> + +<p>But, on this point, one important distinction needs to be made; and that +is, between the self-denial, which has no other aim than mere +self-mortification, and that, which is exercised to secure greater good +to ourselves and others. The first is the foundation of monasticism, +penances, and all other forms of asceticism; the latter, only, is that +which Christianity requires.</p> + +<p>A second consideration, which may give definiteness to this subject, is, +that the formation of a perfect character, involves, not the +extermination of any principles of our nature, but rather the regulating +of them, according to the rules of reason and religion; so that the +lower propensities shall always be kept subordinate to nobler +principles. Thus, we are not to aim at destroying our appetites, or at +needlessly denying them, but rather so to regulate them, that they shall +best secure the objects for which they were implanted. We are not to +annihilate the love of praise and admiration; but so to control it, that +the favor of God shall be regarded more than the estimation of men. We +are not to extirpate the principle of curiosity, which leads us to +acquire knowledge; but so to direct it, that all our acquisitions shall +be useful and not frivolous or injurious. And thus, with all the +principles of the mind, God has implanted no desires in our +constitution, which are evil and pernicious. On the contrary, all our +constitutional<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> propensities, either of mind or body, He designed we +should gratify, whenever no evils would thence result, either to +ourselves or others. Such passions as envy, ambition, pride, revenge, +and hatred, are to be exterminated; for they are either excesses or +excrescences: not created by God, but rather the result of our own +neglect to form habits of benevolence and self-control.</p> + +<p>In deciding the rules of our conduct, therefore, we are ever to bear in +mind, that the developement of the nobler principles, and the +subjugation of inferior propensities to them, is to be the main object +of effort, both for ourselves and for others. And, in conformity with +this, in all our plans, we are to place religious and moral interests as +first in estimation, our social and intellectual interests, next, and +our physical gratifications, as subordinate to all.</p> + +<p>A third consideration, is, that, though the means for sustaining life +and health are to be regarded as necessaries, without which no other +duties can be performed, yet, that a very large portion of the time, +spent by most persons, in easy circumstances, for food, raiment, and +dwellings, are for mere <i>superfluities</i>, which <i>are right, when they do +not involve the sacrifice of higher interests</i>, and <i>wrong, when they +do</i>. Life and health can be sustained in the humblest dwellings, with +the plainest dress, and the simplest food; and, after taking from our +means, what is necessary for life and health, the remainder is to be so +divided, that the larger portion shall be given to supply the moral and +intellectual wants of ourselves and others, and the smaller share to +procure those additional gratifications, of taste and appetite, which +are desirable, but not indispensable. Mankind, thus far, have never made +this apportionment of their means; yet, just as fast as they have risen +from a savage state, mere physical wants have been made, to an +increasing extent, subordinate to higher objects.</p> + +<p>Another very important consideration, is, that, in urging the duty of +charity, and the prior claims of moral and religious objects, no rule of +duty should be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> maintained, which it would not be right and wise for +<i>all</i> to follow. And we are to test the wisdom of any general rule, by +inquiring what would be the result, if all mankind should practise +according to it. In view of this, we are enabled to judge of the +correctness of those, who maintain, that, to be consistent, men +believing in the eternal destruction of all those of our race who are +not brought under the influence of the Christian system, should give up, +not merely the elegances, but all the superfluities, of life, and devote +the whole of their means, not indispensable to life and health, for the +propagation of Christianity. But, if this is the duty of any, it is the +duty of all; and we are to inquire what would be the result, if all +conscientious persons gave up the use of all superfluities. Suppose, +that two millions of the people in the United States, were conscientious +persons, and relinquished the use of every thing not absolutely +necessary to life and health. It would instantly throw out of employment +one half of the whole community. The manufacturers, mechanics, +merchants, agriculturists, and all the agencies they employ, would be +beggared, and one half of those not reduced to poverty, would be obliged +to spend all their extra means, in simply supplying necessaries to the +other half. The use of superfluities, therefore, to a certain extent, is +as indispensable to promote industry, virtue, and religion, as any +direct giving of money or time; and it is owing entirely to a want of +reflection, and of comprehensive views, that any men ever make so great +a mistake, as is here exhibited.</p> + +<p>Instead, then, of urging a rule of duty which is at once irrational and +impracticable, there is another course, which commends itself to the +understandings of all. For whatever may be the <i>practice</i>, of +intelligent men, they universally concede the <i>principle</i>, that our +physical gratifications should always be made subordinate to social, +intellectual, and moral, advantages. And all that is required, for the +advancement of our whole race to the most perfect state of society, is, +simply, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> men should act in agreement with this principle. And, if +only a very small portion, of the most intelligent of our race, should +act according to this rule, under the control of Christian benevolence, +the immense supplies, furnished, for the general good, would be far +beyond what any would imagine, who had never made any calculations on +the subject. In this Nation, alone, suppose the one million and more, of +professed followers of Christ, should give a larger portion of their +means, for the social, intellectual, and moral, wants of mankind, than +for the superfluities that minister to taste, convenience, and appetite; +it would be enough to furnish all the schools, colleges, Bibles, +ministers, and missionaries, that the whole world could demand; or, at +least, it would be far more, than properly qualified agents to +administer it, could employ.</p> + +<p>But, it may be objected, that, though this view is one, which, in the +abstract, looks plausible and rational, not one in a thousand, can +practically adopt it. How few keep any account, at all, of their current +expenses! How impossible it is, to determine, exactly, what are +necessaries, and what are superfluities! And in regard to women, how few +have the control of an income, so as not to be bound by the wishes of a +parent or a husband!</p> + +<p>In reference to these difficulties, the first remark is, that we are +never under obligations to do, what is entirely out of our power, so +that those persons, who have no power to regulate their expenses or +their charities, are under no sort of obligation to attempt it. The +second remark is, that, when a rule of duty is discovered, we are bound +to <i>aim</i> at it, and to fulfil it, just so far as we can. We have no +right to throw it aside, because we shall find some difficult cases, +when we come to apply it. The third remark is, that no person can tell +how much can be done, till a faithful trial has been made. If a woman +has never kept any accounts, nor attempted to regulate her expenditures +by the right rule, nor used her influence with those that control her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +plans, to secure this object, she has no right to say how much she can, +or cannot, do, till after a fair trial has been made.</p> + +<p>In attempting such a trial, the following method can be taken. Let a +woman keep an account of all she spends, for herself and her family, for +a year, arranging the items under three general heads. Under the first, +put all articles for food, raiment, rent, wages, and all conveniences. +Under the second, place all sums paid in securing an education, and +books, and other intellectual advantages. Under the third head, place +all that is spent for benevolence and religion. At the end of the year, +the first and largest account will show the mixed items of necessaries +and superfluities, which can be arranged, so as to gain some sort of +idea how much has been spent for superfluities, and how much for +necessaries. Then, by comparing what is spent for superfluities, with +what is spent for intellectual and moral advantages, data will be +gained, for judging of the past, and regulating the future.</p> + +<p>Does a woman say she cannot do this? let her inquire, whether the offer +of a thousand dollars, as a reward for attempting it one year, would not +make her undertake to do it; and, if so, let her decide, in her own +mind, which is most valuable, a clear conscience, and the approbation of +God, in this effort to do His will, or one thousand dollars. And let her +do it, with this warning of the Saviour before her eyes,—"No man can +serve two masters." "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon."</p> + +<p>Is it objected, How can we decide between superfluities and necessaries, +in this list? it is replied, that we are not required to judge exactly, +in all cases. Our duty is, to use the means in our power to assist us in +forming a correct judgement; to seek the Divine aid in freeing our minds +from indolence and selfishness; and then to judge as well as we can, in +our endeavors rightly to apportion and regulate our expenses. Many +persons seem to feel that they are bound to do better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> than they know +how. But God is not so hard a Master; and, after we have used all proper +means to learn the right way, if we then follow it, according to our +ability, we do wrong to feel misgivings, or to blame ourselves, if +results come out differently from what seems desirable. The results of +our actions, alone, can never prove us deserving of blame. For men are +often so placed, that, owing to lack of intellect or means, it is +impossible for them to decide correctly. To use all the means of +knowledge within our reach, and then to judge, with a candid and +conscientious spirit, is all that God requires; and, when we have done +this, and the event seems to come out wrong, we should never wish that +we had decided otherwise. For it is the same as wishing that we had not +followed the dictates of judgement and conscience. As this is a world +designed for discipline and trial, untoward events are never to be +construed as indications of the obliquity of our past decisions.</p> + +<p>But it is probable, that a great portion of the women of this Nation, +cannot secure any such systematic mode of regulating their expenses. To +such, the writer would propose one inquiry; cannot you calculate how +much <i>time</i> and <i>money</i> you spend for what is merely ornamental, and not +necessary, for yourself, your children, and your house? Cannot you +compare this with the time and money you spend for intellectual and +benevolent purposes? and will not this show the need of some change? In +making this examination, is not this brief rule, deducible from the +principles before laid down, the one which should regulate you? Every +person does right, in spending <i>some</i> portion of time and means in +securing the conveniences and adornments of taste; but the amount should +never exceed what is spent in securing our own moral and intellectual +improvement, nor exceed what is spent in benevolent efforts to supply +the physical and moral wants of our fellow-men.</p> + +<p>In making an examination on this subject, it is sometimes the case, that +a woman will count among the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> <i>necessaries</i> of life, all the various +modes of adorning the person or house, practised in the circle in which +she moves; and, after enumerating the many <i>duties</i> which demand +attention, counting these as a part, she will come to the conclusion, +that she has no time, and but little money, to devote to personal +improvement, or to benevolent enterprises. This surely is not in +agreement with the requirements of the Saviour, who calls on us to seek +for others, as well as ourselves, <i>first of all</i>, "the kingdom of God, +and His righteousness."</p> + +<p>In order to act in accordance with the rule here presented, it is true, +that many would be obliged to give up the idea of conforming to the +notions and customs of those, with whom they associate, and compelled to +adopt the maxim, "be not conformed to this world." In many cases, it +would involve an entire change in the style of living. And the writer +has the happiness of knowing more cases than one, where persons, who +have come to similar views, on this subject, have given up large and +expensive establishments, disposed of their carriages, dismissed a +portion of their domestics, and modified all their expenditures, that +they might keep a pure conscience, and regulate their charities more +according to the requirements of Christianity. And there are persons, +well known in the religious world, who save themselves all labor of +minute calculation, by devoting so large a portion of their time and +means to benevolent objects, that they find no difficulty in knowing +that they give more for religious, benevolent, and intellectual, +purposes, than for superfluities.</p> + +<p>In deciding what particular objects shall receive our benefactions, +there are also general principles to guide us. The first, is that +presented by our Saviour, when, after urging the great law of +benevolence, He was asked, "and who is my neighbor?" His reply, in the +parable of 'the Good Samaritan,' teaches us, that any human being, whose +wants are brought to our knowledge, is our neighbor. The wounded man was +not only a stranger, but he belonged to a foreign nation,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> peculiarly +hated; and he had no claim, except that his wants were brought to the +knowledge of the wayfaring man. From this, we learn, that the destitute, +of all nations, become our neighbors, as soon as their wants are brought +to our knowledge.</p> + +<p>Another general principle, is this, that those who are most in need, +must be relieved, in preference to those who are less destitute. On this +principle, it is, that we think the followers of Christ should give more +to supply those who are suffering for want of the bread of eternal life, +than for those who are deprived of physical enjoyments. And another +reason for this preference, is, the fact, that many, who give in +charity, have made such imperfect advances in civilization and +Christianity, that the intellectual and moral wants of our race make but +a feeble impression on the mind. Relate a pitiful tale of a family, +reduced to live, for weeks, on potatoes, only, and many a mind would +awake to deep sympathy, and stretch forth the hand of charity. But +describe cases, where the immortal mind is pining in stupidity and +ignorance, or racked with the fever of baleful passions, and how small +the number, so elevated in sentiment, and so enlarged in their views, as +to appreciate and sympathize in these far greater misfortunes! The +intellectual and moral wants of our fellow-men, therefore, should claim +the first place in our attention, both because they are most important, +and because they are most neglected.</p> + +<p>Another consideration, to be borne in mind, is, that, in this Country, +there is much less real need of charity, in supplying physical +necessities, than is generally supposed, by those who have not learned +the more excellent way. This Land is so abundant in supplies, and labor +is in such demand, that every healthy person can earn a comfortable +support. And if all the poor were instantly made virtuous, it is +probable that there would be no physical wants, which could not readily +be supplied by the immediate friends of each sufferer. The sick, the +aged, and the orphan, would be the only objects <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>of charity. In this +view of the case, the primary effort, in relieving the poor, should be, +to furnish them the means of earning their own support, and to supply +them with those moral influences, which are most effectual in securing +virtue and industry.</p> + +<p>Another point to be attended to, is, the importance of maintaining a +system of <i>associated</i> charities. There is no point, in which the +economy of charity has more improved, than in the present mode of +combining many small contributions, for sustaining enlarged and +systematic plans of charity. If all the half-dollars, which are now +contributed to aid in organized systems of charity, were returned to the +donors, to be applied by the agency and discretion of each, thousands +and thousands of the treasures, now employed to promote the moral and +intellectual wants of mankind, would become entirely useless. In a +democracy, like ours, where few are very rich, and the majority are in +comfortable circumstances, this collecting and dispensing of drops and +rills, is the mode, by which, in imitation of Nature, the dews and +showers are to distil on parched and desert lands. And every person, +while earning a pittance to unite with many more, may be cheered with +the consciousness of sustaining a grand system of operations, which must +have the most decided influence, in raising all mankind to that perfect +state of society, which Christianity is designed to secure.</p> + +<p>Another consideration, relates to the indiscriminate bestowal of +charity. Persons, who have taken pains to inform themselves, and who +devote their whole time to dispensing charities, unite in declaring, +that this is one of the most fruitful sources of indolence, vice, and +poverty. From several of these, the writer has learned, that, by their +own personal investigations, they have ascertained, that there are large +establishments of idle and wicked persons, in most of our cities, who +associate together, to support themselves by every species of +imposition. They hire large houses, and live in constant rioting, on the +means thus obtained. Among them, are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> women who have, or who hire the +use of, infant children; others, who are blind, or maimed, or deformed, +or who can adroitly feign such infirmities, and, by these means of +exciting pity, and by artful tales of wo, they collect alms, both in +city and country, to spend in all manner of gross and guilty +indulgences. Meantime, many persons, finding themselves often duped by +impostors, refuse to give at all; and thus many benefactions are +withdrawn, which a wise economy in charity would have secured. For this, +and other reasons, it is wise and merciful, to adopt the general rule, +never to give alms, till we have had some opportunity of knowing how +they will be spent. There are exceptions to this, as to every general +rule, which a person of discretion can determine. But the practice, so +common among benevolent persons, of giving, at least a trifle, to all +who ask, lest, perchance, they may turn away some, who are really +sufferers, is one, which causes more sin and misery than it cures.</p> + +<p>The writer has never known any system for dispensing charity, so +successful, as the one which, in many places, has been adopted in +connection with the distribution of tracts. By this method, a town or +city is divided into districts; and each district is committed to the +care of two ladies, whose duty it is, to call on each family and leave a +tract, and make that the occasion for entering into conversation, and +learning the situation of all residents in the district. By this method, +the ignorant, the vicious, and the poor, are discovered, and their +physical, intellectual, and moral, wants, are investigated. In some +places, where the writer has resided or visited, each person retained +the same district, year after year, so that every poor family in the +place was under the watch and care of some intelligent and benevolent +lady, who used all her influence to secure a proper education for the +children, to furnish them with suitable reading, to encourage habits of +industry and economy, and to secure regular attendance on public +religious instruction. Thus, the rich and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> poor were brought in +contact, in a way advantageous to both parties; and, if such a system +could be universally adopted, more would be done for the prevention of +poverty and vice, than all the wealth of the Nation could avail for +their relief. But this plan cannot be successfully carried out, in this +manner, unless there is a large proportion of intelligent, benevolent, +and self-denying, persons; and the mere distribution of tracts, without +the other parts of the plan, is of very little avail.</p> + +<p>But there is one species of charity, which needs especial consideration. +It is that, which induces us to refrain from judging of the means and +the relative charities of other persons. There have been such indistinct +notions, and so many different standards of duty, on this subject, that +it is rare for two persons to think exactly alike, in regard to the rule +of duty. Each person is bound to inquire and judge for himself, as to +his own duty or deficiencies; but as both the resources, and the amount +of the actual charities, of other men are beyond our ken, it is as +indecorous, as it is uncharitable, to sit in judgement on their +decisions.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> +<small>ON ECONOMY OF TIME AND EXPENSES.</small> +</h3> +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Economy of Time.</i></div> + +<p>The value of time, and our obligation to spend every hour for some +useful end, are what few minds properly realize. And those, who have the +highest sense of their obligations in this respect, sometimes greatly +misjudge in their estimate of what are useful and proper modes of +employing time. This arises from limited views of the importance of some +pursuits, which they would deem frivolous and useless, but which are,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +in reality, necessary to preserve the health of body and mind, and those +social affections, which it is very important to cherish. Christianity +teaches, that, for all the time afforded us, we must give account to +God; and that we have no right to waste a single hour. But time, which +is spent in rest or amusement, is often as usefully employed, as if it +were devoted to labor or devotion. In employing our time, we are to make +suitable allowance for sleep, for preparing and taking food, for +securing the means of a livelihood, for intellectual improvement, for +exercise and amusement, for social enjoyments, and for benevolent and +religious duties. And it is the <i>right apportionment</i> of time, to these +various duties, which constitutes its true economy.</p> + +<p>In making this apportionment, we are bound by the same rules, as relate +to the use of property. We are to employ whatever portion is necessary +to sustain life and health, as the first duty; and the remainder we are +so to apportion, that our highest interests, shall receive the greatest +allotment, and our physical gratifications, the least.</p> + +<p>The laws of the Supreme Ruler, when He became the civil as well as the +religious Head of the Jewish theocracy, furnish an example, which it +would be well for all attentively to consider, when forming plans for +the apportionment of time and property. To properly estimate this +example, it must be borne in mind, that the main object of God, was, to +preserve His religion among the Jewish nation; and that they were not +required to take any means to propagate it among other nations, as +Christians are now required to extend Christianity. So low were they, in +the scale of civilization and mental developement, that a system, which +confined them to one spot, as an agricultural people, and prevented +their growing very rich, or having extensive commerce with other +nations, was indispensable to prevent their relapsing into the low +idolatries and vices of the nations around them.</p> + +<p>The proportion of time and property, which every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> Jew was required to +devote to intellectual, benevolent, and religious purposes, was as +follows:</p> + +<p>In regard to property, they were required to give one tenth of all their +yearly income, to support the Levites, the priests, and the religious +service. Next, they were required to give the first fruits of all their +corn, wine, oil, and fruits, and the first-born of all their cattle, for +the Lord's treasury, to be employed for the priests, the widow, the +fatherless, and the stranger. The first-born, also, of their children, +were the Lord's, and were to be redeemed by a specified sum, paid into +the sacred treasury. Besides this, they were required to bring a +freewill offering to God, every time they went up to the three great +yearly festivals. In addition to this, regular yearly sacrifices, of +cattle and fowls, were required of each family, and occasional +sacrifices for certain sins or ceremonial impurities. In reaping their +fields, they were required to leave unreaped, for the poor, the corners; +not to glean their fields, olive-yards, or vineyards; and, if a sheaf +was left, by mistake, they were not to return for it, but leave it for +the poor. When a man sent away a servant, he was thus charged: "Furnish +him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy +wine-press." When a poor man came to borrow money, they were forbidden +to deny him, or to take any interest; and if, at the sabbatical, or +seventh, year, he could not pay, the debt was to be cancelled. And to +this command, is added the significant caution, "Beware that there be +not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, the seventh year, the year of +release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and +thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be +sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him," "because that for this thing +the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou +puttest thine hand unto." Besides this, the Levites were distributed +through the land, with the intention that they should be instructors and +priests in every part of the nation. Thus, one twelfth of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> people +were set apart, having no landed property, to be priests and teachers; +and the other tribes were required to support them liberally.</p> + +<p>In regard to the time taken from secular pursuits, for the support of +religion, an equally liberal amount was demanded. In the first place, +one seventh part of their time was taken for the weekly sabbath, when no +kind of work was to be done. Then the whole nation were required to +meet, at the appointed place, three times a year, which, including their +journeys, and stay there, occupied eight weeks, or another seventh part +of their time. Then the sabbatical year, when no agricultural labor was +to be done, took another seventh of their time from their regular +pursuits, as they were an agricultural people. This was the amount of +time and property demanded by God, simply to sustain religion and +morality within the bounds of that nation. Christianity demands the +spread of its blessings to all mankind, and so the restrictions laid on +the Jews are withheld, and all our wealth and time, not needful for our +own best interest, is to be employed in improving the condition of our +fellow-men.</p> + +<p>In deciding respecting the rectitude of our pursuits, we are bound to +aim at some practical good, as the ultimate object. With every duty of +this life, our benevolent Creator has connected some species of +enjoyment, to draw us to perform it. Thus, the palate is gratified, by +performing the duty of nourishing our bodies; the principle of curiosity +is gratified, in pursuing useful knowledge; the desire of approbation is +gratified, when we perform benevolent and social duties; and every other +duty has an alluring enjoyment connected with it. But the great mistake +of mankind has consisted in seeking the pleasures, connected with these +duties, as the sole aim, without reference to the main end that should +be held in view, and to which the enjoyment should be made subservient. +Thus, men seek to gratify the palate, without reference to the question +whether the body is properly nourished;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> and follow after knowledge, +without inquiring whether it ministers to good or evil.</p> + +<p>But, in gratifying the implanted desires of our nature, we are bound so +to restrain ourselves, by reason and conscience, as always to seek the +main objects of existence—the highest good of ourselves and others; and +never to sacrifice this, for the mere gratification of our sensual +desires. We are to gratify appetite, just so far as is consistent with +health and usefulness; and the desire for knowledge, just so far as will +enable us to do most good by our influence and efforts; and no farther. +We are to seek social intercourse, to that extent, which will best +promote domestic enjoyment and kindly feelings among neighbors and +friends; and we are to pursue exercise and amusement, only so far as +will best sustain the vigor of body and mind. For the right +apportionment of time, to these and various other duties, we are to give +an account to our Creator and final Judge.</p> + +<p>Instead of attempting to give any very specific rules on this subject, +some modes of economizing time will be suggested. The most powerful of +all agencies, in this matter, is, that habit of system and order, in all +our pursuits, which has been already pointed out. It is probable, that a +regular and systematic employment of time, will enable a person to +accomplish thrice the amount of labor, that could otherwise be +performed.</p> + +<p>Another mode of economizing time, is, by uniting several objects in one +employment. Thus, exercise, or charitable efforts, can be united with +social enjoyments, as is done in associations for sewing, or visiting +the poor. Instruction and amusement can also be combined. Pursuits like +music, gardening, drawing, botany, and the like, unite intellectual +improvement with amusement, social enjoyment, and exercise.</p> + +<p>With housekeepers, and others whose employments are various and +desultory, much time can be saved by preparing employments for little +intervals of leisure. Thus, some ladies make ready, and keep in the +parlor,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> light work, to take up when detained there; some keep a book at +hand, in the nursery, to read while holding or sitting by a sleeping +infant. One of the most popular female poets of our Country very often +shows her friends, at their calls, that the thread of the knitting, +never need interfere with the thread of agreeable discourse.</p> + +<p>It would be astonishing, to one who had never tried the experiment, how +much can be accomplished, by a little planning and forethought, in thus +finding employment for odd intervals of time.</p> + +<p>But, besides economizing our own time, we are bound to use our influence +and example to promote the discharge of the same duty by others. A woman +is under obligations so to arrange the hours and pursuits of her family, +as to promote systematic and habitual industry; and if, by late +breakfasts, irregular hours for meals, and other hinderances of this +kind, she interferes with, or refrains from promoting regular industry +in, others, she is accountable to God for all the waste of time +consequent on her negligence. The mere example of system and industry, +in a housekeeper, has a wonderful influence in promoting the same +virtuous habit in others.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Economy in Expenses.</i></div> + +<p>It is impossible for a woman to practise a wise economy in expenditures, +unless she is taught how to do it, either by a course of experiments, or +by the instruction of those who have had experience. It is amusing to +notice the various, and oftentimes contradictory, notions of economy, +among judicious and experienced housekeepers; for there is probably no +economist, who would not be deemed lavish or wasteful, in some respects, +by another and equally experienced and judicious person, who, in some +different points, would herself be as much condemned by the other. These +diversities are occasioned by dissimilar early habits, and by the +different relative value assigned, by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> each, to the various modes of +enjoyment, for which money is expended.</p> + +<p>But, though there may be much disagreement in minor matters, there are +certain general principles, which all unite in sanctioning. The first, +is, that care be taken to know the amount of income and of current +expenses, so that the proper relative proportion be preserved, and the +expenditures never exceed the means. Few women can do this, thoroughly, +without keeping regular accounts. The habits of this Nation, especially +among business-men, are so desultory, and the current expenses of a +family, in many points, are so much more under the control of the man +than of the woman, that many women, who are disposed to be systematic in +this matter, cannot follow their wishes. But there are often cases, when +much is left undone in this particular, simply because no effort is +made. Yet every woman is bound to do as much as is in her power, to +accomplish a systematic mode of expenditure, and the regulation of it by +Christian principles.</p> + +<p>The following are examples of different methods which have been adopted, +for securing a proper adjustment of expenses to the means.</p> + +<p>The first, is that of a lady, who kept a large boarding-house, in one of +our cities. Every evening, before retiring, she took an account of the +expenses of the day; and this usually occupied her not more than fifteen +minutes, at a time. On each Saturday, she made an inventory of the +stores on hand, and of the daily expenses, and also of what was due to +her; and then made an exact estimate of her expenditures and profits. +This, after the first two or three weeks, never took more than an hour, +at the close of the week. Thus, by a very little time, regularly devoted +to this object, she knew, accurately, her income, expenditures, and +profits.</p> + +<p>Another friend of the writer, lives on a regular salary. The method +adopted, in this case, is to calculate to what the salary amounts, each +week. Then an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> account is kept, of what is paid out, each week, for +rent, fuel, wages, and food. This amount of each week is deducted from +the weekly income. The remainders of each week are added, at the close +of a month, as the stock from which is to be taken, the dress, +furniture, books, travelling expenses, charities, and all other +expenditures.</p> + +<p>Another lady, whose husband is a lawyer, divides the year into four +quarters, and the income into four equal parts. She then makes her +plans, so that the expenses of one quarter shall never infringe on the +income of another. So resolute is she, in carrying out this +determination, that if, by any mischance, she is in want of articles +before the close of a quarter, which she has not the means for +providing, she will subject herself to temporary inconvenience, by +waiting, rather than violate her rule.</p> + +<p>Another lady, whose husband is engaged in a business, which he thinks +makes it impossible for him to know what his yearly income will be, took +this method:—She kept an account of all her disbursements, for one +year. This she submitted to her husband, and obtained his consent, that +the same sum should be under her control, the coming year, for similar +purposes, with the understanding, that she might modify future +apportionments, in any way her judgement and conscience might approve.</p> + +<p>A great deal of uneasiness and discomfort is caused, to both husband and +wife, in many cases, by an entire want of system and forethought, in +arranging expenses. Both keep buying what they think they need, without +any calculation as to how matters are coming out, and with a sort of +dread of running in debt, all the time harassing them. Such never know +the comfort of independence. But, if a man or woman will only calculate +what their income is, and then plan so as to know that they are all the +time living within it, they secure one of the greatest comforts, which +wealth ever bestows, and what many of the rich, who live in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> loose and +careless way, never enjoy. It is not so much the amount of income, as +the regular and correct apportionment of expenses, that makes a family +truly comfortable. A man, with ten thousand a year, is often more +harassed, for want of money, than the systematic economist, who supports +a family on only six hundred a year. And the inspired command, "Owe no +man any thing," can never be conscientiously observed, without a +systematic adaptation of expenses to means.</p> + +<p>As it is very important that young ladies should learn systematic +economy, in expenses, it will be a great benefit, for every young girl +to begin, at twelve or thirteen years of age, to make her own purchases, +and keep her accounts, under the guidance of her mother, or some other +friend. And if parents would ascertain the actual expense of a +daughter's clothing, for a year, and give the sum to her, in quarterly +payments, requiring a regular account, it would be of great benefit in +preparing her for future duties. How else are young ladies to learn to +make purchases properly, and to be systematic and economical? The art of +system and economy can no more come by intuition, than the art of +watchmaking or bookkeeping; and how strange it appears, that so many +young ladies take charge of a husband's establishment, without having +had either instruction or experience in one of the most important duties +of their station!</p> + +<p>The second general principle of economy, is, that, in apportioning an +income, among various objects, the most important should receive the +largest supply, and that all retrenchments be made in matters of less +importance. In a previous chapter, some general principles have been +presented, to guide in this duty. Some additional hints will here be +added, on the same topic.</p> + +<p>In regard to dress and furniture, much want of judgement and good taste +is often seen, in purchasing some expensive article, which is not at all +in keeping with the other articles connected with it. Thus, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> large +sideboard, or elegant mirror, or sofa, which would be suitable only for +a large establishment, with other rich furniture, is crowded into too +small a room, with coarse and cheap articles around it. So, also, +sometimes a parlor, and company-chamber, will be furnished in a style +suitable only for the wealthy, while the table will be supplied with +shabby linen, and imperfect crockery, and every other part of the house +will look, in comparison with these fine rooms, mean and niggardly. It +is not at all uncommon, to find very showy and expensive articles in the +part of the house visible to strangers, when the children's rooms, +kitchen, and other back portions, are on an entirely different scale.</p> + +<p>So in regard to dress, a lady will sometimes purchase an elegant and +expensive article, which, instead of attracting admiration from the eye +of taste, will merely serve as a decoy to the painful contrast of all +other parts of the dress. A woman of real good taste and discretion, +will strive to maintain a relative consistency between all departments, +and not, in one quarter, live on a scale fitted only to the rich, and in +another, on one appropriate only to the poor.</p> + +<p>Another mistake in economy, is often made, by some of the best-educated +and most intelligent of mothers. Such will often be found spending day +after day at needlework, when, with a comparatively small sum, this +labor could be obtained of those who need the money, which such work +would procure for them. Meantime, the daughters of the family, whom the +mother is qualified to educate, or so nearly qualified, that she could +readily keep ahead of her children, are sent to expensive +boarding-schools, where their delicate frames, their pliant minds, and +their moral and religious interests, are relinquished to the hands of +strangers. And the expense, thus incurred, would serve to pay the hire +of every thing the mother can do in sewing, four or five times over. The +same want of economy is shown in communities, where, instead of +establishing a good female school in their vicinity, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> men of wealth +send their daughters abroad, at double the expense, to be either +educated or spoiled, as the case may be.</p> + +<p>Another species of poor economy, is manifested in neglecting to acquire +and apply mechanical skill, which, in consequence, has to be hired from +others. Thus, all the plain sewing will be done by the mother and +daughters, while all that requires skill will be hired. Instead of this, +others take pains to have their daughters instructed in mantuamaking, +and the simpler parts of millinery, so that the plain work is given to +the poor, who need it, and the more expensive and tasteful operations +are performed in the family. The writer knows ladies, who not only make +their own dresses, but also their caps, bonnets, and artificial flowers.</p> + +<p>Some persons make miscalculations in economy, by habitually looking up +cheap articles, while others go to the opposite extreme, and always buy +the best of every thing. Those ladies, who are considered the best +economists, do not adopt either method. In regard to cheap goods, the +fading colors, the damages discovered in use, the poorness of material, +and the extra sewing demanded to replace articles lost by such causes, +usually render them very dear, in the end. On the other hand, though +some articles, of the most expensive kind, wear longest and best, yet, +as a general rule, articles at medium prices do the best service. This +is true of table and bed linens, broadcloths, shirtings, and the like; +though, even in these cases, it is often found, that the coarsest and +cheapest last the longest.</p> + +<p>Buying by wholesale, and keeping a large supply on hand, are economical +only in large families, where the mistress is careful; but in other +cases, the hazards of accident, and the temptation to a lavish use, will +make the loss outrun the profits.</p> + +<p>There is one mode of economizing, which, it is hoped, will every year +grow more rare; and that is, making penurious savings, by getting the +poor to work as cheap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> as possible. Many amiable and benevolent women +have done this, on principle, without reflecting on the want of +Christian charity thus displayed. Let every woman, in making bargains +with the poor, conceive herself placed in the same circumstances, +toiling hour after hour, and day after day, for a small sum, and then +deal with others as she would be dealt by in such a situation. <i>Liberal +prices</i>, and <i>prompt payment</i>, should be an invariable maxim, in dealing +with the poor.</p> + +<p>The third general principle of economy, is, that all articles should be +so used, and taken care of, as to secure the longest service, with the +least waste. Under this head, come many particulars in regard to the use +and preservation of articles, which will be found more in detail in +succeeding chapters. It may be proper, however, here to refer to one +very common impression, as to the relative obligation of the poor and +the rich in regard to economy. Many seem to suppose, that those who are +wealthy, have a right to be lavish and negligent in the care of +expenses. But this surely is a great mistake. Property is a talent, +given by God, to spend for the welfare of mankind; and the needless +waste of it, is as wrong in the rich, as it is in the poor. The rich are +under obligations to apportion their income, to the various objects +demanding attention, by the same rule as all others; and if this will +allow them to spend more for superfluities than those of smaller means, +it never makes it right to misuse or waste any of the bounties of +Providence. Whatever is no longer wanted for their own enjoyment, should +be carefully saved, to add to the enjoyment of others.</p> + +<p>It is not always that men understand the economy of Providence, in that +unequal distribution of property, which, even under the most perfect +form of government, will always exist. Many, looking at the present +state of things, imagine that the rich, if they acted in strict +conformity to the law of benevolence, would share all their property +with their suffering fellow-men. But such do not take into account, the +inspired declaration,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> that "a man's life consisteth not in the +abundance of the things which he possesseth," or, in other words, life +is made valuable, not by great possessions, but by such a character as +prepares a man to enjoy what he holds. God perceives that human +character can be most improved, by that kind of discipline, which +exists, when there is something valuable to be gained by industrious +efforts. This stimulus to industry could never exist, in a community +where all are just alike, as it does in a state of society where every +man sees, possessed by others, enjoyments, which he desires, and may +secure by effort and industry. So, in a community where all are alike as +to property, there would be no chance to gain that noblest of all +attainments, a habit of self-denying benevolence, which toils for the +good of others, and takes from one's own store, to increase the +enjoyments of another.</p> + +<p>Instead, then, of the stagnation, both of industry and of benevolence, +which would follow the universal and equable distribution of property, +one class of men, by superior advantages of birth, or intellect, or +patronage, come into possession of a great amount of capital. With these +means, they are enabled, by study, reading, and travel, to secure +expansion of mind, and just views of the relative advantages of moral, +intellectual, and physical enjoyments. At the same time, Christianity +imposes obligations, corresponding with the increase of advantages and +means. The rich are not at liberty to spend their treasures for +themselves, alone. Their wealth is given, by God, to be employed for the +best good of mankind; and their intellectual advantages are designed, +primarily, to enable them to judge correctly, in employing their means +most wisely for the general good.</p> + +<p>Now, suppose a man of wealth inherits ten thousand acres of real estate: +it is not his duty to divide it among his poor neighbors and tenants. If +he took this course, it is probable, that most of them would spend all +in thriftless waste and indolence, or in mere<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> physical enjoyments. +Instead, then, of thus putting his capital out of his hands, he is bound +to retain, and so to employ, it, as to raise his neighbors and tenants +to such a state of virtue and intelligence, that they can secure far +more, by their own efforts and industry, than he, by dividing his +capital, could bestow upon them.</p> + +<p>In this view of the subject, it is manifest, that the unequal +distribution of property is no evil. The great difficulty is, that so +large a portion of those who hold much capital, instead of using their +various advantages for the greatest good of those around them, employ +the chief of them for mere selfish indulgences; thus inflicting as much +mischief on themselves, as results to others from their culpable +neglect. A great portion of the rich seem to be acting on the principle, +that the more God bestows on them, the less are they under obligation to +practise any self-denial, in fulfilling his benevolent plan of raising +our race to intelligence and holiness.</p> + +<p>There are not a few, who seem to imagine that it is a mark of gentility +to be careless of expenses. But this notion, is owing to a want of +knowledge of the world. As a general fact, it will be found, that +persons of rank and wealth, abroad, are much more likely to be +systematic and economical, than persons of inferior standing in these +respects. Even the most frivolous, among the rich and great, are often +found practising a rigid economy, in certain respects, in order to +secure gratifications in another direction. And it will be found so +common, among persons of vulgar minds, and little education, and less +sense, to make a display of profusion and indifference to expense, as a +mark of their claims to gentility, that the really genteel look upon it +rather as a mark of low breeding. So that the sort of feeling, which +some persons cherish, as if it were a degradation to be careful of small +sums, and to be attentive to relative prices, in making purchases, is +founded on mistaken notions of gentility and propriety.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p><p>But one caution is needful, in regard to another extreme. When a lady +of wealth, is seen roaming about in search of cheaper articles, or +trying to beat down a shopkeeper, or making a close bargain with those +she employs, the impropriety is glaring to all minds. A person of wealth +has no occasion to spend time in looking for extra cheap articles; her +time could be more profitably employed in distributing to the wants of +others. And the practice of beating down tradespeople, is vulgar and +degrading, in any one. A woman, after a little inquiry, can ascertain +what is the fair and common price of things; and if she is charged an +exorbitant sum, she can decline taking the article. If the price be a +fair one, it is not becoming in her to search for another article which +is below the regular charge. If a woman finds that she is in a store +where they charge high prices, expecting to be beat down, she can +mention, that she wishes to know the lowest price, as it is contrary to +her principles to beat down charges.</p> + +<p>There is one inconsistency, worthy of notice, which is found among that +class, who are ambitious of being ranked among the aristocracy of +society. It has been remarked, that, in the real aristocracy of other +lands, it is much more common, than with us, to practise systematic +economy. And such do not hesitate to say so, when they cannot afford +certain indulgences. This practice descends to subordinate grades; so +that foreign ladies, when they come to reside among us, seldom hesitate +in assigning the true reason, when they cannot afford any gratification. +But in this Country, it will be found, that many, who are most fond of +copying aristocratic examples, are, on this point, rather with the +vulgar. Not a few of those young persons, who begin life with parlors +and dresses in a style fitting only to established wealth, go into +expenses, which they can ill afford; and are ashamed even to allow, that +they are restrained from any expense, by motives of economy. Such a +confession is never extorted,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> except by some call of benevolence; and +then, they are very ready to declare that they cannot afford to bestow +even a pittance. In such cases, it would seem as if the direct opposite +of Christianity had gained possession of their tastes and opinions. They +are ashamed to appear to deny themselves; but are very far from having +any shame in denying the calls of benevolence.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> +<small>ON HEALTH OF MIND.</small> +</h3> + +<p>There is such an intimate connection between the body and mind, that the +health of one, cannot be preserved, without a proper care of the other. +And it is from a neglect of this principle, that some of the most +exemplary and conscientious persons in the world, suffer a thousand +mental agonies, from a diseased state of body, while others ruin the +health of the body, by neglecting the proper care of the mind. When the +brain is excited, by stimulating drinks taken into the stomach, it +produces a corresponding excitement of the mental faculties. The reason, +the imagination, and all the powers, are stimulated to preternatural +vigor and activity. In like manner, when the mind is excited by earnest +intellectual effort, or by strong passions, the brain is equally +excited, and the blood rushes to the head. Sir Astley Cooper records, +that, in examining the brain of a young man who had lost a portion of +his skull, whenever "he was agitated, by some opposition to his wishes," +"the blood was sent, with increased force, to his brain," and the +pulsations "became frequent and violent." The same effect was produced +by any intellectual effort; and the flushed countenance, which attends +earnest study or strong emotions of fear, shame, or anger, is an +external indication of the suffused state of the brain from such causes.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p><p>In exhibiting the causes, which injure the health of the mind, they +will be found to be partly physical, partly intellectual, and partly +moral.</p> + +<p>The first cause of mental disease and suffering, is not unfrequently +found in the want of a proper supply of duly oxygenized blood. It has +been shown, that the blood, in passing through the lungs, is purified, +by the oxygen of the air combining with the superabundant hydrogen and +carbon of the venous blood, thus forming carbonic acid and water, which +are expired into the atmosphere. Every pair of lungs is constantly +withdrawing from the surrounding atmosphere its healthful principle, and +returning one, which is injurious to human life.</p> + +<p>When, by confinement, and this process, the atmosphere is deprived of +its appropriate supply of oxygen, the purification of the blood is +interrupted, and it passes, without being properly prepared, into the +brain, producing languor, restlessness, and inability to exercise the +intellect and feelings. Whenever, therefore, persons sleep in a close +apartment, or remain, for a length of time, in a crowded or +ill-ventilated room, a most pernicious influence is exerted on the +brain, and, through this, on the mind. A person, who is often exposed to +such influences, can never enjoy that elasticity and vigor of mind, +which is one of the chief indications of its health. This is the reason, +why all rooms for religious meetings, and all schoolrooms, and sleeping +apartments, should be so contrived, as to secure a constant supply of +fresh air from without. The minister, who preaches in a crowded and +ill-ventilated apartment, loses much of his power to feel and to speak, +while the audience are equally reduced, in their capability of +attending. The teacher, who confines children in a close apartment, +diminishes their ability to study, or to attend to his instructions. And +the person, who habitually sleeps in a close room, impairs his mental +energies, in a similar degree. It is not unfrequently the case, that +depression of spirits, and stupor of intellect, are occasioned solely by +inattention to this subject.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p><p>Another cause of mental disease, is, the excessive exercise of the +intellect or feelings. If the eye is taxed, beyond its strength, by +protracted use, its blood-vessels become gorged, and the bloodshot +appearance warns of the excess and the need of rest. The brain is +affected, in a similar manner, by excessive use, though the suffering +and inflamed organ cannot make its appeal to the eye. But there are some +indications, which ought never to be misunderstood or disregarded. In +cases of pupils, at school or at college, a diseased state, from over +action, is often manifested by increased clearness of mind, and ease and +vigor of mental action. In one instance, known to the writer, a most +exemplary and industrious pupil, anxious to improve every hour, and +ignorant or unmindful of the laws of health, first manifested the +diseased state of her brain and mind, by demands for more studies, and a +sudden and earnest activity in planning modes of improvement for herself +and others. When warned of her danger, she protested that she never was +better, in her life; that she took regular exercise, in the open air, +went to bed in season, slept soundly, and felt perfectly well; that her +mind was never before so bright and clear, and study never so easy and +delightful. And at this time, she was on the verge of derangement, from +which she was saved only by an entire cessation of all her intellectual +efforts.</p> + +<p>A similar case occurred, under the eye of the writer, from over-excited +feelings. It was during a time of unusual religious interest in the +community, and the mental disease was first manifested, by the pupil +bringing her Hymn-book or Bible to the class-room, and making it her +constant resort, in every interval of school duty. It finally became +impossible to convince her, that it was her duty to attend to any thing +else; her conscience became morbidly sensitive, her perceptions +indistinct, her deductions unreasonable, and nothing, but entire change +of scene, exercise, and amusement, saved her. When the health of the +brain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> was restored, she found that she could attend to the "one thing +needful," not only without interruption of duty, or injury of health, +but rather so as to promote both. Clergymen and teachers need most +carefully to notice and guard against the danger here alluded to.</p> + +<p>Any such attention to religion, as prevents the performance of daily +duties and needful relaxation, is dangerous, as tending to produce such +a state of the brain, as makes it impossible to feel or judge correctly. +And when any morbid and unreasonable pertinacity appears, much exercise, +and engagement in other interesting pursuits, should be urged, as the +only mode of securing the religious benefits aimed at. And whenever any +mind is oppressed with care, anxiety, or sorrow, the amount of active +exercise in the fresh air should be greatly increased, that the action +of the muscles may withdraw the blood, which, in such seasons, is +constantly tending too much to the brain.</p> + +<p>There has been a most appalling amount of suffering, derangement, +disease, and death, occasioned by a want of attention to this subject, +in teachers and parents. Uncommon precocity in children is usually the +result of an unhealthy state of the brain; and, in such cases, medical +men would now direct, that the wonderful child should be deprived of all +books and study, and turned to play or work in the fresh air. Instead of +this, parents frequently add fuel to the fever of the brain, by +supplying constant mental stimulus, until the victim finds refuge in +idiocy or an early grave. Where such fatal results do not occur, the +brain, in many cases, is so weakened, that the prodigy of infancy sinks +below the medium of intellectual powers in afterlife. In our colleges, +too, many of the most promising minds sink to an early grave, or drag +out a miserable existence, from this same cause. And it is an evil, as +yet little alleviated by the increase of physiological knowledge. Every +college and professional school, and every seminary for young ladies, +needs a medical man, not only to lecture on physiology and the laws of +health, but empowered, in his official<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> capacity, to investigate the +case of every pupil, and, by authority, to restrain him to such a course +of study, exercise, and repose, as his physical system requires. The +writer has found, by experience, that, in a large institution, there is +one class of pupils who need to be restrained, by penalties, from late +hours and excessive study, as much as another class need stimulus to +industry.</p> + +<p>Under the head of excessive mental action, must be placed the indulgence +of the imagination in <i>novel reading</i> and <i>castle building</i>. This kind +of stimulus, unless counterbalanced by physical exercise, not only +wastes time and energies, but undermines the vigor of the nervous +system. The imagination was designed, by our kind Creator, as the charm +and stimulus to animate to benevolent activity; and its perverted +exercise seldom fails to bring the appropriate penalty.</p> + +<p>A third cause of mental disease, is, the want of the appropriate +exercise of the various faculties of the mind. On this point, Dr. Combe +remarks, "We have seen, that, by disuse, muscle becomes emaciated, bone +softens, blood-vessels are obliterated, and nerves lose their +characteristic structure. The brain is no exception to this general +rule. Of it, also, the tone is impaired by permanent inactivity, and it +becomes less fit to manifest the mental powers with readiness and +energy." It is "the withdrawal of the stimulus necessary for its healthy +exercise, which renders solitary confinement so severe a punishment, +even to the most daring minds. It is a lower degree of the same cause, +which renders continuous seclusion from society so injurious, to both +mental and bodily health."</p> + +<p>"<i>Inactivity of intellect and of feeling</i> is a very frequent +predisposing cause of every form of nervous disease. For demonstrative +evidence of this position, we have only to look at the numerous victims +to be found, among persons who have no call to exertion in gaining the +means of subsistence, and no objects of interest on which to exercise +their mental faculties<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> and who consequently sink into a state of mental +sloth and nervous weakness." "If we look abroad upon society, we shall +find innumerable examples of mental and nervous debility from this +cause. When a person of some mental capacity is confined, for a long +time, to an unvarying round of employment, which affords neither scope +nor stimulus for one half of his faculties, and, from want of education +or society, has no external resources; his mental powers, for want of +exercise, become blunted, and his perceptions slow and dull." "The +intellect and feelings, not being provided with interests external to +themselves, must either become inactive and weak, or work upon +themselves and become diseased."</p> + +<p>"The most frequent victims of this kind of predisposition, are females +of the middle and higher ranks, especially those of a nervous +constitution and <i>good natural abilities</i>; but who, from an ill-directed +education, possess nothing more solid than mere accomplishments, and +have no materials of thought," and no "occupation to excite interest or +<i>demand</i> attention." "The liability of such persons to melancholy, +hysteria, hypochondriasis, and other varieties of mental distress, +really depends on a state of irritability of brain, induced by imperfect +exercise."</p> + +<p>These remarks, of a medical man, illustrate the principles before +indicated;—namely, that the demand of Christianity, that we live to +promote the general happiness, and not merely for selfish indulgence, +has for its aim, not only the general good, but the highest happiness, +of the individual of whom it is required.</p> + +<p>A person possessed of wealth, who has nothing more noble to engage his +attention, than seeking his own personal enjoyment, subjects his mental +powers and moral feelings to a degree of inactivity, utterly at war with +health of mind. And the greater the capacities, the greater are the +sufferings which result from this cause. Any one, who has read the +misanthropic wailings of Lord Byron, has seen the necessary result of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +great and noble powers bereft of their appropriate exercise, and, in +consequence, becoming sources of the keenest suffering.</p> + +<p>It is this view of the subject, which has often awakened feelings of +sorrow and anxiety in the mind of the writer, while aiding in the +developement and education of superior female minds, in the wealthier +circles. Not because there are not noble objects for interest and +effort, abundant, and within reach of such minds; but because +long-established custom has made it seem so Quixotic, to the majority, +even of the professed followers of Christ, for a woman of wealth to +practise any great self-denial, that few have independence of mind and +Christian principle sufficient to overcome such an influence. The more a +mind has its powers developed, the more does it aspire and pine after +some object worthy of its energies and affections; and they are +commonplace and phlegmatic characters, who are most free from such +deep-seated wants. Many a young woman, of fine genius and elevated +sentiment, finds a charm in Lord Byron's writings, because they present +a glowing picture of what, to a certain extent, must be felt by every +well-developed mind, which has no nobler object in life, than the +pursuit of its own gratification.</p> + +<p>If young ladies of wealth could pursue their education, under the full +conviction that the increase of their powers and advantages increased +their obligations to use all for the good of society, and with some plan +of benevolent enterprise in view, what new motives of interest would be +added to their daily pursuits! And what blessed results would follow, to +our beloved Country, if all well-educated females carried out the +principles of Christianity, in the exercise of their developed powers!</p> + +<p>It is cheering to know, that there are women, among the most intelligent +and wealthy, who can be presented as examples of what may be done, when +there is a heart to do. A pupil of the writer is among this number, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>who, though a rich heiress, immediately, on the close of her +school-life, commenced a course of self-denying benevolence, in the +cause of education. She determined to secure a superior female +institution, in her native place, which should extend the benefits of +the best education to all in that vicinity, at a moderate charge. +Finding no teacher on the ground, prepared to take the lead, and though +herself a timid and retiring character, she began, with the aid of the +governess in her mother's family, a daily school, superintending all, +and teaching six hours a day. The liberal-minded and intelligent mother +cooperated, and the result is a flourishing female seminary, with a +large and beautiful and well-furnished building; the greater part of the +means being supplied by the mother, and almost all by the members of +that family connection. And both these ladies will testify, that no time +or money, spent for any other object, has ever secured to them more real +and abiding enjoyment, than witnessing the results of this successful +and benevolent enterprise, which, for years to come, will pour forth +blessings on society.</p> + +<p>Another lady could be pointed out, who, possessing some property, went +into a new western village, built and furnished her schoolhouse, and +established herself there, to aid in raising a community from ignorance +and gross worldliness, to intelligence and virtue. And in repeated +instances, among the friends and pupils of the writer, young ladies have +left wealthy homes, and affectionate friends, to find nobler enjoyments, +in benevolent and active exertions to extend intelligence and virtue, +where such disinterested laborers were needed. In other cases, where it +was not practicable to leave home, well-educated young ladies have +interested themselves in common schools in the vicinity, aiding the +teachers, by their sympathy, counsel, and personal assistance.</p> + +<p>Other ladies, of property and standing, having families to educate, and +being well qualified for such duties, have relinquished a large portion +of domestic labor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> and superintendence, which humbler minds could be +hired to perform, devoted themselves to the education of their children, +and received others, less fortunate, to share with their own these +superior advantages. But, so long as the feeling widely exists, that the +increase of God's bounties diminishes the obligations of self-denying +service for the good of mankind, so long will well-educated women, in +easy circumstances, shrink from such confinement and exertion.</p> + +<p>It is believed, however, that there are many benevolent and intelligent +women, in this Country, who would gladly engage in such enterprises, +were there any appropriate way within their reach. And it is a question, +well deserving consideration, among those who guide the public mind in +benevolent enterprises, whether some organization is not demanded, which +shall bring the whole community to act systematically, in voluntary +associations, to extend a proper education to every child in this +Nation, and to bring into activity all the female enterprise and +benevolence now lying dormant, for want of proper facilities to exercise +them. There are hundreds of villages, which need teachers, and that +would support them, if they were on the spot, but which never will send +for them. And there are hundreds of females, now unemployed, who would +teach, if a proper place, and home, and support, and escort, were +provided for them. And there needs to be some enlarged and systematic +plan, conducted by wise and efficient men, to secure these objects.</p> + +<p>Could such a plan, as the one suggested, be carried out, it is believed +that many female minds, now suffering, from diseases occasioned by want +of appropriate objects for their energies, would be relieved. The duties +of a teacher exercise every intellectual faculty, to its full extent; +while, in this benevolent service, all the social, moral, and +benevolent, emotions, are kept in full play. The happiest persons the +writer has ever known,—those who could say that they were as happy as +they wished to be, in this world, (and she has seen such,)—were persons +engaged in this employment.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p><p>The indications of a diseased mind, owing to a want of the proper +exercise of its powers, are, apathy, discontent, a restless longing for +excitement, a craving for unattainable good, a diseased and morbid +action of the imagination, dissatisfaction with the world, and +factitious interest in trifles which the mind feels to be unworthy of +its powers. Such minds sometimes seek alleviation in exciting +amusements; others resort to the grosser enjoyments of sense. Oppressed +with the extremes of languor, or over-excitement, or apathy, the body +fails under the wearing process, and adds new causes of suffering to the +mind. Such, the compassionate Saviour calls to his service, in these +appropriate terms: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, +and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me," "and +ye shall find rest unto your souls."</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> +<small>ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS.</small> +</h3> + +<p>There is no point, where the women of this Country need more wisdom, +patience, principle, and self-control, than in relation to those whom +they employ in domestic service. The subject is attended with many +difficulties, which powerfully influence the happiness of families; and +the following suggestions are offered, to aid in securing right opinions +and practice.</p> + +<p>One consideration, which it would be well to bear in mind, on this +subject, is, that a large portion of the peculiar trials, which American +women suffer from this source, are the necessary evils connected with +our most valuable civil blessings. Every blessing of this life involves +some attendant liability to evil, from the same source; and, in this +case, while we rejoice at a state of society, which so much raises the +condition and advantages of our sex, the evils involved should be +regarded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> as more than repaid, by the compensating benefits. If we +cannot secure the cringing, submissive, well-trained, servants of +aristocratic lands, let us be consoled that we thus escape from the +untold miseries and oppression, which always attend that state of +society.</p> + +<p>Instead, then, of complaining that we cannot have our own peculiar +advantages, and those of other nations, too, or imagining how much +better off we should be, if things were different from what they are, it +is much wiser and more Christianlike to strive cheerfully to conform to +actual circumstances; and, after remedying all that we can control, +patiently to submit to what is beyond our power. If domestics are found +to be incompetent, unstable, and unconformed to their station, it is +Perfect Wisdom which appoints these trials, to teach us patience, +fortitude, and self-control; and, if the discipline is met, in a proper +spirit, it will prove a blessing, rather than an evil.</p> + +<p>But, to judge correctly in regard to some of the evils involved in the +state of domestic service, in this Country, we should endeavor to +conceive ourselves placed in the situation of those, of whom complaint +is made, that we may not expect, from them, any more than it would seem +right should be exacted from us, in similar circumstances.</p> + +<p>It is sometimes urged, against domestics, that they exact exorbitant +wages. But what is the rule of rectitude, on this subject? Is it not the +universal law of labor and of trade, that an article is to be valued, +according to its scarcity and the demand? When wheat is scarce, the +farmer raises his price; and when a mechanic offers services, difficult +to be obtained, he makes a corresponding increase of price. And why is +it not right, for domestics to act according to a rule, allowed to be +correct in reference to all other trades and professions? It is a fact, +that really good domestic service must continue to increase in value, +just in proportion as this Country waxes rich and prosperous; thus +making the proportion of those, who wish to hire labor, relatively +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>greater, and the number of those, willing to go to service, less.</p> + +<p>Money enables the rich to gain many advantages, which those of more +limited circumstances cannot secure. One of these, is, securing good +domestics, by offering high wages; and this, as the scarcity of this +class increases, will serve constantly to raise the price of service. It +is right for domestics to charge the market value, and this value is +always decided by the scarcity of the article and the amount of demand. +Right views of this subject, will sometimes serve to diminish hard +feelings towards those, who would otherwise be wrongfully regarded as +unreasonable and exacting.</p> + +<p>Another complaint against domestics, is, that of instability and +discontent, leading to perpetual change. But in reference to this, let a +mother or daughter conceive of their own circumstances as so changed, +that the daughter must go out to service. Suppose a place is engaged, +and it is then found that she must sleep in a comfortless garret; and +that, when a new domestic comes, perhaps a coarse and dirty foreigner, +she must share her bed with her. Another place is offered, where she can +have a comfortable room, and an agreeable room-mate; in such a case, +would not both mother and daughter think it right to change?</p> + +<p>Or, suppose, on trial, it was found that the lady of the house was +fretful, or exacting, and hard to please; or, that her children were so +ungoverned, as to be perpetual vexations; or, that the work was so +heavy, that no time was allowed for relaxation and the care of a +wardrobe;—and another place offers, where these evils can be escaped: +would not mother and daughter here think it right to change? And is it +not right for domestics, as well as their employers, to seek places, +where they can be most comfortable?</p> + +<p>In some cases, this instability and love of change would be remedied, if +employers would take more pains to make a residence with them agreeable; +and to attach<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> domestics to the family, by feelings of gratitude and +affection. There are ladies, even where well-qualified domestics are +most rare, who seldom find any trouble in keeping good and steady ones. +And the reason is, that their domestics know they cannot better their +condition, by any change within reach. It is not merely by giving them +comfortable rooms, and good food, and presents, and privileges, that the +attachment of domestics is secured; it is by the manifestation of a +friendly and benevolent interest in their comfort and improvement. This +is exhibited, in bearing patiently with their faults; in kindly teaching +them how to improve; in showing them how to make and take proper care of +their clothes; in guarding their health; in teaching them to read, if +necessary, and supplying them with proper books; and, in short, by +endeavoring, so far as may be, to supply the place of parents. It is +seldom that such a course would fail to secure steady service, and such +affection and gratitude, that even higher wages would be ineffectual to +tempt them away. There would probably be some cases of ungrateful +returns; but there is no doubt that the course indicated, if generally +pursued, would very much lessen the evil in question.</p> + +<p>Another subject of complaint, in regard to domestics, is, their pride, +insubordination, and spirit not conformed to their condition. They are +not willing to be called <i>servants</i>; in some places, they claim a seat, +at meals, with the family; they imitate a style of dress unbecoming +their condition; and their manners and address are rude and +disrespectful. That these evils are very common, among this class of +persons, cannot be denied; the only question is, how can they best be +met and remedied.</p> + +<p>In regard to the common feeling among domestics, which is pained and +offended by being called "servants," there is need of some consideration +and allowance. It should be remembered, that, in this Country, children, +from their earliest years, are trained to abhor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> slavery, in reference +to themselves, as the greatest of all possible shame and degradation. +They are perpetually hearing orations, songs, and compositions of all +sorts, which set forth the honor and dignity of freemen, and heap scorn +and contempt on all who would be so mean as to be slaves. Now the term +servant, and the duties it involves, are, in the minds of many persons, +nearly the same as those of slave. And there are few minds, entirely +free from associations which make servitude a degradation. It is not +always pride, then, which makes this term so offensive. It is a +consequence of that noble and generous spirit of freedom, which every +American draws from his mother's breast, and which ought to be +respected, rather than despised. In order to be respected, by others, we +must respect ourselves; and sometimes the ruder classes of society make +claims, deemed forward and offensive, when, with their views, such a +position seems indispensable to preserve a proper self-respect.</p> + +<p>Where an excessive sensibility on this subject exists, and forward and +disrespectful manners result from it, the best remedy is, a kind attempt +to give correct views, such as better-educated minds are best able to +attain. It should be shown to them, that, in this Country, labor has +ceased to be degrading, in any class; that, in all classes, different +grades of subordination must exist; and that it is no more degrading, +for a domestic to regard the heads of a family as superiors in station, +and treat them with becoming respect, than it is for children to do the +same, or for men to treat their rulers with respect and deference. They +should be taught, that domestics use a different entrance to the house, +and sit at a distinct table, not because they are inferior beings, but +because this is the best method of securing neatness, order, and +convenience. They can be shown, if it is attempted in a proper spirit +and manner, that these very regulations really tend to their own ease +and comfort, as well as to that of the family.</p> + +<p>The writer has known a case, where the lady of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> family, for the sake +of convincing her domestic of the truth of these views, allowed her to +follow her own notions, for a short time, and join the family at meals. +It was merely required, as a condition, that she should always dress her +hair as the other ladies did, and appear in a clean dress, and abide by +all the rules of propriety at table, which the rest were required to +practise, and which were duly detailed. The experiment was tried, two or +three times; and, although the domestic was treated with studious +politeness and kindness, she soon felt that she should be much more +comfortable in the kitchen, where she could talk, eat, and dress, as she +pleased. A reasonable domestic can also be made to feel the propriety of +allowing opportunity for the family to talk freely of their private +affairs, when they meet at meals, as they never could do, if restrained +by the constant presence of a stranger. Such views, presented in a kind +and considerate manner, will often entirely change the views of a +domestic, who is sensitive on such subjects.</p> + +<p>When a domestic is forward and bold in manners, and disrespectful in +address, a similar course can be pursued. It can be shown, that those, +who are among the best-bred and genteel, have courteous and respectful +manners and language to all they meet, while many, who have wealth, are +regarded as vulgar, because they exhibit rude and disrespectful manners. +The very term, <i>gentle</i>man, indicates the refinement and delicacy of +address, which distinguishes the high-bred from the coarse and vulgar.</p> + +<p>In regard to appropriate dress, in most cases it is difficult for an +employer to interfere, <i>directly</i>, with comments or advice. The most +successful mode, is, to offer some service in mending or making a +wardrobe, and when a confidence in the kindness of feeling is thus +gained, remarks and suggestions will generally be properly received, and +new views of propriety and economy can be imparted. In some cases, it +may be well for an employer,—who, from appearances, anticipates +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>difficulty of this kind,—in making the agreement, to state that she +wishes to have the room, person, and dress of her domestics kept neat, +and in order, and that she expects to remind them of their duty, in this +particular, if it is neglected. Domestics are very apt to neglect the +care of their own chambers and clothing; and such habits have a most +pernicious influence on their wellbeing, and on that of their children +in future domestic life. An employer, then, is bound to exercise a +parental care over them, in these respects.</p> + +<p>In regard to the great deficiencies of domestics, in qualifications for +their duties, much patience and benevolence are required. Multitudes +have never been taught to do their work properly; and, in such cases, +how unreasonable it would be to expect it of them! Most persons, of this +class, depend, for their knowledge in domestic affairs, not on their +parents, who are usually unqualified to instruct them, but on their +employers; and if they live in a family where nothing is done neatly and +properly, they have no chance to learn how to perform their duties well. +When a lady finds that she must employ a domestic who is ignorant, +awkward, and careless, her first effort should be, to make all proper +allowance for past want of instruction, and the next, to remedy the +evil, by kind and patient teaching. In doing this, it should ever be +borne in mind, that nothing is more difficult, than to change old +habits, and to learn to be thoughtful and considerate. And a woman must +make up her mind to tell the same thing "over and over again," and yet +not lose her patience. It will often save much vexation, if, on the +arrival of a new domestic, the mistress of the family, or a daughter, +will, for two or three days, go round with the novice, and show the +exact manner in which it is expected the work will be done. And this, +also, it may be well to specify in the agreement, as some domestics +would otherwise resent such a supervision.</p> + +<p>But it is often remarked, that, after a woman has taken all this pains +to instruct a domestic, and make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> her a good one, some other person will +offer higher wages, and she will leave. This, doubtless, is a sore +trial; but, if such efforts were made in the true spirit of benevolence, +the lady will still have her reward, in the consciousness that she has +contributed to the welfare of society, by making one more good domestic, +and one more comfortable family where that domestic is employed; and if +the latter becomes the mother of a family, a whole circle of children +will share in the benefit.</p> + +<p>There is one great mistake, not unfrequently made, in the management +both of domestics and of children; and that is, in supposing that the +way to cure defects, is by finding fault as each failing occurs. But, +instead of this being true, in many cases the directly opposite course +is the best; while, in all instances, much good judgement is required, +in order to decide when to notice faults, and when to let them pass +unnoticed. There are some minds, very sensitive, easily discouraged, and +infirm of purpose. Such persons, when they have formed habits of +negligence, haste, and awkwardness, often need expressions of sympathy +and encouragement, rather than reproof. They have usually been found +fault with, so much, that they have become either hardened or +desponding; and it is often the case, that a few words of commendation +will awaken fresh efforts and renewed hope. In almost every case, words +of kindness, confidence, and encouragement, should be mingled with the +needful admonitions or reproof.</p> + +<p>It is a good rule, in reference to this point, to <i>forewarn</i>, instead of +finding fault. Thus, when a thing has been done wrong, let it pass +unnoticed, till it is to be done again; and then, a simple request, to +have it done in the right way, will secure quite as much, and probably +more, willing effort, than a reproof administered for neglect. Some +persons seem to take it for granted, that young and inexperienced minds +are bound to have all the forethought and discretion of mature persons; +and freely express wonder and disgust, when mishaps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> occur for want of +these traits. But it would be far better to save from mistake or +forgetfulness, by previous caution and care on the part of those who +have gained experience and forethought; and thus many occasions of +complaint and ill-humor will be avoided.</p> + +<p>Those, who fill the places of heads of families, are not very apt to +think how painful it is, to be chided for neglect of duty, or for faults +of character. If they would sometimes imagine themselves in the place of +those whom they control, with some person daily administering reproof to +them, in the same <i>tone and style</i> as they employ to those who are under +them, it might serve as a useful check to their chidings. It is often +the case, that persons, who are most strict and exacting, and least able +to make allowances and receive palliations, are themselves peculiarly +sensitive to any thing which implies that they are in fault. By such, +the spirit implied in the Divine petition, "forgive us our trespasses as +we forgive those who trespass against us," needs especially to be +cherished.</p> + +<p>One other consideration, is very important. There is no duty, more +binding on Christians, than that of patience and meekness under +provocations and disappointment. Now, the tendency of every sensitive +mind, when thwarted in its wishes, is, to complain and find fault, and +that often in tones of fretfulness or anger. But there are few +domestics, who have not heard enough of the Bible, to know that angry or +fretful fault-finding, from the mistress of a family, when her work is +not done to suit her, is not in agreement with the precepts of Christ. +They notice and feel the inconsistency; and every woman, when she gives +way to feelings of anger and impatience, at the faults of those around +her, lowers herself in their respect, while her own conscience, unless +very much blinded, cannot but suffer a wound.</p> + +<p>There are some women, who, in the main, are amiable, who seem impressed +with the idea, that it is their office and duty to find fault with their +domestics,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> whenever any thing is not exactly right, and follow their +fancied calling without the least appearance of tenderness or sympathy, +as if the objects of their discipline were stocks or stones. The writer +once heard a domestic, describing her situation in a family which she +had left, make this remark of her past employer: "She was a very good +housekeeper, allowed good wages, and gave us many privileges and +presents; but if we ever did any thing wrong, she always <i>talked to us +just as if she thought we had no feelings</i>, and I never was so unhappy +in my life, as while living with her." And this was said of a +kind-hearted and conscientious woman, by a very reasonable and amiable +domestic.</p> + +<p>Every woman, who has the care of domestics, should cultivate a habit of +regarding them with that sympathy and forbearance, which she would wish +for herself or her daughters, if deprived of parents, fortune, and home. +The fewer advantages they have enjoyed, and the greater difficulties of +temper or of habit they have to contend with, the more claims they have +on compassionate forbearance. They ought ever to be looked upon, not as +the mere ministers to our comfort and convenience, but as the humbler +and more neglected children of our Heavenly Father, whom He has sent to +claim our sympathy and aid.<a name="FNanchor_N_14" id="FNanchor_N_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_N_14" class="fnanchor">[N]</a></p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTE:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_N_14" id="Footnote_N_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_N_14"><span class="label">[N]</span></a> The excellent little work of Miss Sedgwick, entitled 'Live, +and Let Live,' contains many valuable and useful hints, conveyed in a +most pleasing narrative form, which every housekeeper would do well to +read. The writer also begs leave to mention a work of her own, entitled, +'Letters to Persons engaged in Domestic Service.'</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> +<small>ON THE CARE OF INFANTS.</small> +</h3> + +<p>Every young lady ought to learn how to take proper care of an infant; +for, even if she is never to become the responsible guardian of a +nursery, she will often <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>be in situations where she can render +benevolent aid to others, in this most fatiguing and anxious duty.</p> + +<p>The writer has known instances, in which young ladies, who, having been +trained, by their mothers, properly to perform this duty, were, in some +cases, the means of saving the lives of infants, and in others, of +relieving, by their benevolent aid, sick mothers, from intolerable care +and anguish.</p> + +<p>On this point, Dr. Combe remarks, "All women are not destined, in the +course of Nature, to become mothers; but how very small is the number of +those, who are unconnected, by family ties, friendship, or sympathy, +with the children of others! How very few are there, who, at some time +or other of their lives, would not find their usefulness and happiness +increased, by the possession of a kind of knowledge, intimately allied +to their best feelings and affections! And how important is it, to the +mother herself, that her efforts should be seconded by intelligent, +instead of ignorant, assistants!"</p> + +<p>In order to be prepared for such benevolent ministries, every young lady +should improve the opportunity, whenever it is afforded her, for +learning how to wash, dress, and tend, a young infant; and whenever she +meets with such a work as Dr. Combe's, on the management of infants, she +ought to read it, and <i>remember</i> its contents.</p> + +<p>It was the design of the author, to fill this chapter chiefly with +extracts from various medical writers, giving some of the most important +directions on this subject; but finding these extracts too prolix for a +work of this kind, she has condensed them into a shorter compass. Some +are quoted verbatim, and some are abridged, chiefly from the writings of +Doctors Combe, Bell, and Eberle, who are among the most approved writers +on this subject.</p> + +<p>"Nearly one half of the deaths, occurring during the first two years of +existence, are ascribable to mismanagement, and to errors in diet. At +birth, the stomach is feeble, and as yet unaccustomed to food; its +cravings<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> are consequently easily satisfied, and frequently renewed." +"At that early age, there ought to be no fixed time for giving +nourishment. The stomach cannot be thus satisfied." "The active call of +the infant, is a sign, which needs never be mistaken."</p> + +<p>But care must be taken to determine between the crying of pain or +uneasiness, and the call for food; and the practice of giving an infant +food, to stop its cries, is often the means of increasing its +sufferings. After a child has satisfied its hunger, from two to four +hours should intervene, before another supply is given.</p> + +<p>"At birth, the stomach and bowels, never having been used, contain a +quantity of mucous secretion, which requires to be removed. To effect +this, Nature has rendered the first portions of the mother's milk +purposely watery and laxative. Nurses, however, distrusting Nature, +often hasten to administer some active purgative; and the consequence +often is, irritation in the stomach and bowels, not easily subdued." It +is only where the child is deprived of its mother's milk, as the first +food, that some gentle laxative should be given.</p> + +<p>"It is a common mistake, to suppose, that, because a woman is nursing, +she ought to live very fully, and to add an allowance of wine, porter, +or other fermented liquor, to her usual diet. The only result of this +plan, is, to cause an unnatural fulness in the system, which places the +nurse on the brink of disease, and retards, rather than increases, the +food of the infant. More will be gained by the observance of the +ordinary laws of health, than by any foolish deviation, founded on +ignorance."</p> + +<p>There is no point, on which medical men so emphatically lift the voice +of warning, as in reference to administering medicines to infants. It is +so difficult to discover what is the matter with an infant, its frame is +so delicate and so susceptible, and slight causes have such a powerful +influence, that it requires the utmost skill and judgement to ascertain +what would be proper medicines, and the proper quantity to be given.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p><p>Says Dr. Combe, "That there are cases, in which active means must be +promptly used, to save the child, is perfectly true. But it is not less +certain, that these are cases, of which no mother or nurse ought to +attempt the treatment. As a general rule, where the child is well +managed, medicine, of any kind, is very rarely required; and if disease +were more generally regarded in its true light, not as something thrust +into the system, which requires to be expelled by force, but as an +aberration from a natural mode of action, produced by some external +cause, we should be in less haste to attack it by medicine, and more +watchful in its prevention. Accordingly, where a constant demand for +medicine exists in a nursery, the mother may rest assured, that there is +something essentially wrong in the treatment of her children.</p> + +<p>"Much havoc is made among infants, by the abuse of calomel and other +medicines, which procure momentary relief, but end by producing +incurable disease; and it has often excited my astonishment, to see how +recklessly remedies of this kind are had recourse to, on the most +trifling occasions, by mothers and nurses, who would be horrified, if +they knew the nature of the power they are wielding, and the extent of +injury they are inflicting."</p> + +<p>Instead, then, of depending on medicine, for the preservation of the +health and life of an infant, the following precautions and preventives +should be adopted.</p> + +<p>Take particular care of the <i>food</i> of an infant. If it is nourished by +the mother, her own diet should be simple, nourishing, and temperate. If +the child be brought up by hand, the milk of a new-milch cow, mixed with +one third water, and sweetened a little with <i>white</i> sugar, should be +the only food given, until the teeth come. This is more suitable, than +any preparations of flour or arrow-root, the nourishment of which is too +highly concentrated. Never give a child <i>bread</i>, <i>cake</i>, or <i>meat</i>, +before the teeth appear. If the food appear to distress the child, after +eating, first ascertain if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> the milk be really from a new-milch cow, as +it may otherwise be too old. Learn, also, whether the cow lives on +proper food. Cows that are fed on <i>still-slops</i>, as is often the case in +cities, furnish milk which is very unhealthful.</p> + +<p>Be sure and keep a good supply of pure and fresh air, in the nursery. On +this point, Dr. Bell remarks, respecting rooms constructed without +fireplaces, and without doors or windows to let in pure air, from +without, "The sufferings of children of feeble constitutions, are +increased, beyond measure, by such lodgings as these. <i>An action, +brought by the Commonwealth</i>, ought to lie against those persons, who +build houses for sale or rent, in which rooms are so constructed as not +to allow of free ventilation; and <i>a writ of lunacy</i> taken out against +those, who, with the common-sense experience which all have on this +head, should spend any portion of their time, still more, should sleep, +in rooms thus nearly air-tight."</p> + +<p>After it is a month or two old, take an infant out to walk, or ride, in +a little wagon, every fair and warm day; but be very careful that its +feet, and every part of its body, are kept warm: and be sure that its +eyes are well protected from the light. Weak eyes, and sometimes +blindness, are caused by neglecting this precaution. Keep the head of an +infant cool, never allowing too warm bonnets, nor permitting it to sink +into soft pillows, when asleep. Keeping an infant's head too warm, very +much increases nervous irritability; and this is the reason why medical +men forbid the use of caps for infants. But the head of an infant +should, especially while sleeping, be protected from draughts of air, +and from getting cold.</p> + +<p>Be very careful of the skin of an infant, as nothing tends so +effectually to prevent disease. For this end, it should be washed all +over, every morning, and then gentle friction should be applied, with +the hand, to the back, stomach, bowels, and limbs. The head should be +thoroughly washed, every day, and then brushed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> with a soft hair-brush, +or combed with a fine comb. If, by neglect, dirt accumulates under the +hair, apply, with the finger, the yolk of an egg, and then the fine comb +will remove it all, without any trouble.</p> + +<p>Dress the infant, so that it will be always warm, but not so as to cause +perspiration. Be sure and keep its feet <i>always</i> warm; and, for this +end, often warm them at a fire, and use long dresses. Keep the neck and +arms covered. For this purpose, wrappers, open in front, made high in +the neck, with long sleeves, to put on over the frock, are now very +fashionable.</p> + +<p>It is better for both mother and child, that it should not sleep on the +mother's arm, at night, unless the weather be extremely cold. This +practice keeps the child too warm, and leads it to seek food too +frequently. A child should ordinarily take nourishment but twice in the +night. A crib beside the mother, with a plenty of warm and light +covering, is best for the child; but the mother must be sure that it is +always kept warm. Never cover a child's head, so that it will inhale the +air of its own lungs. In very warm weather, especially in cities, great +pains should be taken, to find fresh and cool air, by rides and sailing. +Walks in a public square, in the cool of the morning, and frequent +excursions in ferry or steam-boats, would often save a long bill for +medical attendance. In hot nights, the windows should be kept open, and +the infant laid on a mattress, or on folded blankets. A bit of straw +matting, laid over a featherbed, and covered with the under sheet, makes +a very cool bed for an infant.</p> + +<p>Cool bathing, in hot weather, is very useful; but the water should be +very little cooler than the skin of the child. When the constitution is +delicate, the water should be slightly warmed. Simply sponging the body, +freely, in a tub, answers the same purpose as a regular bath. In very +warm weather, this should be done two or three times a day, always +waiting two or three hours after food has been given.</p> + +<p>"When the stomach is peculiarly irritable, (from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> teething,) it is of +paramount necessity to withhold all the nostrums which have been so +falsely lauded as 'sovereign cures for <i>cholera infantum</i>.' The true +restoratives, to a child threatened with disease, are, cool air, cool +bathing, and cool drinks of simple water, in addition to <i>proper</i> food, +at stated intervals." Do not take the advice of mothers, who tell of +this, that, and the other thing, which have proved excellent remedies in +their experience. Children have different constitutions, and there are +multitudes of different causes for their sickness; and what might cure +one child, might kill another, which <i>appeared</i> to have the same +complaint. A mother should go on the general rule, of giving an infant +very little medicine, and then only by the direction of a discreet and +experienced physician. And there are cases, when, according to the views +of the most distinguished and competent practitioners, physicians +themselves are much too free in using medicines, instead of adopting +<i>preventive</i> measures.</p> + +<p>Do not allow a child to form such habits, that it will not be quiet, +unless tended and amused. A healthy child should be accustomed to lie or +sit in its cradle, much of the time; but it should occasionally be taken +up, and tossed, or carried about, for exercise and amusement. An infant +should be encouraged to <i>creep</i>, as an exercise very strengthening and +useful. If the mother fears the soiling of its nice dresses, she can +keep a long slip or apron, which will entirely cover the dress, and can +be removed, when the child is taken in the arms. A child should not be +allowed, when quite young, to bear its weight on its feet, very long at +a time, as this tends to weaken and distort the limbs.</p> + +<p>Many mothers, with a little painstaking, succeed in putting their +infants, while awake, into their cradle, at regular hours, for sleep, +and induce regularity in other habits, which saves much trouble. In +doing this, a child may cry, at first, a great deal; but for a healthy +child, this use of the lungs does no harm, and tends rather to +strengthen, than to injure, them. A child who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> is trained to lie or sit, +and amuse itself, is happier than one who is carried and tended a great +deal, and thus rendered restless and uneasy when not so indulged.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.<br /> +<small>ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN.</small> +</h3> + +<p>In regard to the physical education of children, Dr. Clarke, Physician +in Ordinary to the Queen of England, expresses views, on one point, in +which most physicians would coincide. He says, "There is no greater +error in the management of children, than that of giving them animal +diet very early. By persevering in the use of an overstimulating diet, +the digestive organs become irritated, and the various secretions, +immediately connected with, and necessary to, digestion, are diminished, +especially the <i>biliary secretion</i>. Children, so fed, become very liable +to attacks of fever, and of inflammation, affecting, particularly, the +mucous membranes; and measles, and the other diseases incident to +childhood, are generally severe in their attack."</p> + +<p>There are some popular notions on the subject of the use of animal food, +which need to be corrected.</p> + +<p>One mistake, is, in supposing that the formation of the human teeth and +stomach indicate that man was designed to feed on flesh. Linnæus says, +that the organization of man, when compared with other animals, shows, +that "fruits and esculent vegetables constitute his most suitable food." +Baron Cuvier, the highest authority on comparative anatomy, says, "the +natural food of man, <i>judging from his structure</i>, appears to consist of +fruits, roots, and other succulent parts of vegetables."</p> + +<p>Another common mistake, is, that the stimulus of animal food is +necessary for the full developement of the physical and intellectual +powers. This notion is disproved by facts. The inhabitants of Lapland +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> Kamtschatka, who live altogether on animal food, are among the +smallest, weakest, and most timid, of races. But the Scotch Highlanders, +who, in a very cold climate, live almost exclusively on milk and +vegetable diet, are among the bravest, largest, and most athletic, of +men. The South-Sea Islanders, who live almost exclusively on fruits and +vegetables, are said to be altogether superior to English sailors, in +strength and agility. An intelligent gentleman, who spent many months in +Siberia, testifies, that no exiles endure the climate better than those, +who have all their lives been accustomed to a vegetable diet. The +stoutest and largest tribes in Africa, live solely on vegetable diet, +and the bright, intelligent, and active Arabs, live entirely on milk and +vegetables.</p> + +<p>The popular notion is, that animal food is more nourishing than +vegetable; but on this point, scientific men hold different opinions. +Experiments, repeatedly made by some chemists, seem to prove the +contrary. Tables have been prepared, showing the amount of nutriment in +each kind of food, by which it would appear, that, while beef contains +thirty-five per cent. of nutritious matter, wheat-bread and rice contain +from eighty to ninety-five per cent. The supposed mistake is attributed +to the fact, that, on account of the stimulating nature of animal food, +it digests easier and more quickly than vegetables. Many physicians, +however, among them, Dr. Combe,<a name="FNanchor_O_15" id="FNanchor_O_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_O_15" class="fnanchor">[O]</a> are of opinion, that animal food +"contains a greater quantity of nutriment in a given bulk, than either +herbaceous or farinaceous food." In some diseases, too, meat is better +for the stomach than vegetables.</p> + +<p>The largest proportion of those, who have been remarkable for having +lived to the greatest age, were persons, whose diet was almost +exclusively vegetables; and it is a well-known fact, that the pulse of a +hardy and robust man, who lives on simple vegetable diet, is from <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>ten +to twenty beats less in a minute, than that of men who live on a mixed +diet.</p> + +<p>In regard to the intellect, Dr. Franklin asserted, from experience, that +an exclusively vegetable diet "promotes clearness of ideas and quickness +of perception; and is to be preferred, by all who labor with the mind." +The mightiest efforts of Sir Isaac Newton, were performed, while +nourished only by bread and water. Many other men, distinguished by +intellectual vigor, give similar testimony. These facts show that animal +food is not needful, to secure the perfect developement of mind or +body.<a name="FNanchor_P_16" id="FNanchor_P_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_P_16" class="fnanchor">[P]</a></p> + +<p>The result of the treatment of the inmates of the Orphan Asylum, at +Albany, is one, upon which all, who have the care of young children, +should deeply ponder. During the first six years of the existence of +this Institution, its average number of children was eighty. For the +first three years, their diet was meat once a day, fine bread, rice, +Indian puddings, vegetables, fruit, and milk. Considerable attention was +given to clothing, fresh air, and exercise; and they were bathed once in +three weeks. During these three years, from four to six children, and +sometimes more, were continually on the sick-list; one or two assistant +nurses were necessary; a physician was called, two or three times a +week; and, in this time, there were between thirty and forty deaths. At +the end of this period, the management was changed, in these +respects:—daily ablutions of the whole body were practised; bread of +unbolted flour was substituted for that of fine wheat; and all animal +food was banished. More attention also was paid to clothing, bedding, +fresh air, and exercise. The result was, that the nursery was vacated; +the nurse and physician were no longer needed; and, for two years, not a +single case of sickness or death occurred. The <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>third year, also, there +were no deaths, except those of two idiots and one other child, all of +whom were new inmates, who had not been subjected to this treatment. The +teachers of the children also testified, that there was a manifest +increase of intellectual vigor and activity, while there was much less +irritability of temper.</p> + +<p>Let parents, nurses, and teachers, reflect on the above statement, and +bear in mind, that stupidity of intellect, and irritability of temper, +as well as ill health, are often caused by the mismanagement of the +nursery, in regard to the physical training of children. There is +probably no practice, more deleterious, than that of allowing children +to eat at short intervals, through the day. As the stomach is thus kept +constantly at work, with no time for repose, its functions are deranged, +and a weak or disordered stomach is the frequent result. Children should +be required to keep cakes, nuts, and other good things which they may +have to eat, till just before a meal, and then they will form a part of +their regular supply. This is better, than to wait till after their +hunger is satisfied by food, when they will eat their niceties merely to +gratify the palate, and thus overload the stomach.</p> + +<p>In regard to the intellectual training of young children, some +modification in the common practice is necessary, with reference to +their physical wellbeing. More care is needful, in providing +<i>well-ventilated</i> schoolrooms, and in securing more time for sports in +the open air, during school hours. It is very important, to most +mothers, that their young children should be removed from their care, +during the six school hours; and it is very useful, to quite young +children, to be subjected to the discipline of a school, and to +intercourse with other children of their own age. And, with a suitable +teacher, it is no matter how early children are sent to school, provided +their health is not endangered, by impure air, too much confinement, and +too great mental stimulus.</p> + +<p>In regard to the formation of the moral character, it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> has been too much +the case, that the discipline of the nursery has consisted of +disconnected efforts to make children either do, or refrain from doing, +certain particular acts. Do this, and be rewarded; do that, and be +punished; is the ordinary routine of family government.</p> + +<p>But children can be very early taught, that their happiness, both now +and hereafter, depends on the formation of <i>habits of submission, +self-denial</i>, and <i>benevolence</i>. And all the discipline of the nursery +can be conducted by the parents, not only with this general aim in their +own minds, but also with the same object daily set before the minds of +the children. Whenever their wishes are crossed, or their wills subdued, +they can be taught, that all this is done, not merely to please the +parent, or to secure some good to themselves or to others; but as a part +of that merciful training, which is designed to form such a character, +and such habits, that they can hereafter find their chief happiness in +giving up their will to God, and in living to do good to others, instead +of living merely to please themselves.</p> + +<p>It can be pointed out to them, that they must always submit their will +to the will of God, or else be continually miserable. It can be shown, +how in the nursery, and in the school, and through all future days, a +child must practise the giving up of his will and wishes, when they +interfere with the rights and comfort of others; and how important it +is, early to learn to do this, so that it will, by habit, become easy +and agreeable. It can be shown, how children, who are indulged in all +their wishes, and who are never accustomed to any self-denial, always +find it hard to refrain from what injures themselves and others. It can +be shown, also, how important it is, for every person, to form such +habits of benevolence, towards others, that self-denial, in doing good, +will become easy.</p> + +<p>Parents have learned, by experience, that children can be constrained, +by authority and penalties, to exercise self-denial, for <i>their own</i> +good, till a habit is formed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> which makes the duty comparatively easy. +For example, well-trained children can be accustomed to deny themselves +tempting articles of food, which are injurious, until the practice +ceases to be painful and difficult. Whereas, an indulged child would be +thrown into fits of anger or discontent, when its wishes were crossed, +by restraints of this kind.</p> + +<p>But it has not been so readily discerned, that the same method is +needful, in order to form a habit of self-denial, in doing good to +others. It has been supposed, that, while children must be forced, by +<i>authority</i>, to be self-denying and prudent, in regard to their own +happiness, it may properly be left to their own discretion, whether they +will practise any self-denial in doing good to others. But the more +difficult a duty is, the greater is the need of parental authority, in +forming a habit, which will make that duty easy.</p> + +<p>In order to secure this, some parents turn their earliest efforts to +this object. They require the young child always to offer to others a +part of every thing which it receives; always to comply with all +reasonable requests of others for service; and often to practise little +acts of self-denial, in order to secure some enjoyment for others. If +one child receives a present of some nicety, he is required to share it +with all his brothers and sisters. If one asks his brother to help him +in some sport, and is met with a denial, the parent requires the +unwilling child to act benevolently, and give up some of his time to +increase his brother's enjoyment. Of course, in such an effort as this, +discretion must be used, as to the frequency and extent of the exercise +of authority, to induce a habit of benevolence. But, where parents +deliberately aim at such an object, and wisely conduct their +instructions and discipline to secure it, very much will be +accomplished.</p> + +<p>Religious influence should be brought to bear directly upon this point. +In the very beginning of religious instruction, Jesus Christ should be +presented to the child, as that great and good Being, who came into +this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> world to teach children how to be happy, both here and hereafter. +He, who made it His meat and drink to do the will of His Heavenly +Father; who, in the humblest station, and most destitute condition, +denied Himself, daily, and went about doing good; should constantly be +presented as the object of their imitation. And as nothing so strongly +influences the minds of children, as the sympathy and example of a +<i>present</i> friend, all those, who believe Him to be an <i>ever-present +Saviour</i>, should avail themselves of this powerful aid. Under such +training, Jesus Christ should be constantly presented to them, as their +ever-watchful, tender, and sympathizing friend. If the abstract idea of +an unembodied Spirit with the majestic attributes of Deity, be difficult +for the mind of infancy to grasp, the simple, the gentle, the lovely, +character of Christ, is exactly adapted to the wants and comprehension +of a child. In this view, how touching is the language of the Saviour, +to His misjudging disciples, "Suffer <i>the little children</i> to come unto +me!"</p> + +<p>In regard to forming habits of obedience, there have been two extremes, +both of which need to be shunned. One is, a stern and unsympathizing +maintenance of parental authority, demanding perfect and constant +obedience, without any attempt to convince a child of the propriety and +benevolence of the requisitions, and without any manifestation of +sympathy and tenderness for the pain and difficulties which are to be +met. Under such discipline, children grow up to fear their parents, +rather than to love and trust them; while some of the most valuable +principles of character, are chilled, or forever blasted.</p> + +<p>In shunning this danger, other parents pass to the opposite extreme. +They put themselves too much on the footing of equals with their +children, as if little were due to superiority of relation, age, and +experience. Nothing is exacted, without the implied concession that the +child is to be a judge of the propriety of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> requisition; and reason +and persuasion are employed, where simple command and obedience would be +far better. This system produces a most pernicious influence. Children +soon perceive the position, thus allowed them, and take every advantage +of it. They soon learn to dispute parental requirements, acquire habits +of forwardness and conceit, assume disrespectful manners and address, +maintain their views with pertinacity, and yield to authority with +ill-humor and resentment, as if their rights were infringed.</p> + +<p>The medium course, is, for the parent to take the attitude of a +superior, in age, knowledge, and relation, who has a perfect right to +control every action of the child, and that, too, without giving any +reason for the requisitions. "Obey, <i>because your parent commands</i>," is +always a proper and sufficient reason.</p> + +<p>But care should be taken, to convince the child that the parent is +conducting a course of discipline, designed to make him happy; and in +forming habits of implicit obedience, self-denial, and benevolence, the +child should have the reasons for most requisitions kindly stated; +never, however, on the demand of it, from the child, as a right, but as +an act of kindness from the parent.</p> + +<p>It is impossible to govern children properly, especially those of strong +and sensitive feelings, without a constant effort to appreciate the +value which they attach to their enjoyments and pursuits. A lady, of +great strength of mind and sensibility, once told the writer, that one +of the most acute periods of suffering, in her whole life, was +occasioned by the burning up of some milkweed-silk, by her mother. The +child had found, for the first time, some of this shining and beautiful +substance; was filled with delight at her discovery; was arranging it in +parcels; planning its future uses, and her pleasure in showing it to her +companions,—when her mother, finding it strewed over the carpet, +hastily swept it into the fire, and that, too, with so indifferent an +air, that the child fled away, almost distracted <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>with grief and +disappointment. The mother little realized the pain she had inflicted, +but the child felt the unkindness, so severely, that for several days +her mother was an object almost of aversion.</p> + +<p>While, therefore, the parent needs to carry on a steady course, which +will oblige the child always to give up its will, whenever its own good, +or the greater claims of others, require it, this should be constantly +connected with the expression of a tender sympathy, for the trials and +disappointments thus inflicted. Those, who will join with children, and +help them along in their sports, will learn, by this mode, to understand +the feelings and interests of childhood; while, at the same time, they +secure a degree of confidence and affection, which cannot be gained so +easily, in any other way. And it is to be regretted, that parents so +often relinquish this most powerful mode of influence, to domestics and +playmates, who often use it in the most pernicious manner. In joining in +such sports, older persons should never relinquish the attitude of +superiors, or allow disrespectful manners or address. And respectful +deportment is never more cheerfully accorded, than in seasons, when +young hearts are pleased, and made grateful, by having their tastes and +enjoyments so efficiently promoted.</p> + +<p>Next to the want of all government, the two most fruitful sources of evil +to children, are, <i>unsteadiness</i> in government, and <i>over-government</i>. +Most of the cases, in which the children of sensible and conscientious +parents turn out badly, result from one or the other of these causes. In +cases of unsteady government, either one parent is very strict, severe, +and unbending, and the other excessively indulgent, or else the parents +are sometimes very strict and decided, and at other times allow +disobedience to go unpunished. In such cases, children, never knowing +exactly when they can escape with impunity, are constantly tempted to +make the trial.</p> + +<p>The bad effects of this, can be better appreciated, by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> reference to one +important principle of the mind. It is found to be universally true, +that, when any object of desire is put entirely beyond the reach of hope +or expectation, the mind very soon ceases to long for it, and turns to +other objects of pursuit. But, so long as the mind is hoping for some +good, and making efforts to obtain it, any opposition excites irritable +feelings. Let the object be put entirely beyond all hope, and this +irritation soon ceases. In consequence of this principle, those +children, who are under the care of persons of steady and decided +government, know, that whenever a thing is forbidden or denied, it is +out of the reach of hope; the desire, therefore, soon ceases, and they +turn to other objects. But the children of undecided, or of +over-indulgent parents, never enjoy this preserving aid. When a thing is +denied, they never know but either coaxing may win it, or disobedience +secure it without any penalty, and so they are kept in that state of +hope and anxiety, which produces irritation, and tempts to +insubordination. The children of very indulgent parents, and of those +who are undecided and unsteady in government, are very apt to become +fretful, irritable, and fractious.</p> + +<p>Another class of persons, in shunning this evil, go to the other +extreme, and are very strict and pertinacious, in regard to every +requisition. With them, fault-finding and penalties abound, until the +children are either hardened into indifference of feeling, and +obtuseness of conscience, or else become excessively irritable, or +misanthropic.</p> + +<p>It demands great wisdom, patience, and self-control, to escape these two +extremes. In aiming at this, there are parents, who have found the +following maxims of very great value. First, Avoid, as much as possible, +the multiplication of rules and absolute commands. Instead of this, take +the attitude of advisers. "My child, this is improper, I wish you would +remember not to do it." This mode of address answers for all the little +acts of heedlessness, awkwardness, or ill-manners,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> so frequently +occurring, with children. There are cases, when direct and distinct +commands are needful; and, in such cases, a penalty for disobedience +should be as steady and sure as the laws of Nature. Where such +steadiness, and certainty of penalty, attend disobedience, children no +more think of disobeying, than they do of putting their fingers in a +burning candle.</p> + +<p>The next maxim, is, Govern by rewards, more than by penalties. Such +faults as wilful disobedience, lying, dishonesty, and indecent or +profane language, should be punished with severe penalties, after a +child has been fully instructed in the evil of such practices. But all +the constantly-recurring faults of the nursery, such as ill-humor, +quarrelling, carelessness, and ill-manners, may, in a great many cases, +be regulated by gentle and kind remonstrances, and by the offer of some +reward for persevering efforts to form a good habit. It is very +injurious and degrading to any mind, to be kept under the constant fear +of penalties. <i>Love</i> and <i>hope</i> are the principles that should be mainly +relied on, in forming the habits of childhood.</p> + +<p>Another maxim, and perhaps the most difficult, is, Do not govern by the +aid of severe and angry tones. A single example will be given to +illustrate this maxim. A child is disposed to talk and amuse itself, at +table. The mother requests it to be silent, except when needing to ask +for food, or when spoken to by its older friends. It constantly forgets. +The mother, instead of rebuking, in an impatient tone, says, "My child, +you must remember not to talk. I will remind you of it four times more, +and after that, whenever you forget, you must leave the table, and wait +till we are done." If the mother is steady in her government, it is not +probable that she will have to apply this slight penalty more than once +or twice. This method is far more effectual, than the use of sharp and +severe tones, to secure attention and recollection, and often answers +the purpose, as well as offering some reward.</p> + +<p>The writer has been in some families, where the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> most efficient and +steady government has been sustained, without the use of a cross or +angry tone; and in others, where a far less efficient discipline was +kept up, by frequent severe rebukes and angry remonstrances. In the +first case, the children followed the example set them, and seldom used +severe tones to each other; in the latter, the method employed by the +parents, was imitated by the children; and cross words and angry tones +resounded from morning till night, in every portion of the household.</p> + +<p>Another important maxim, is, Try to keep children in a happy state of +mind. Every one knows, by experience, that it is easier to do right, and +submit to rule, when cheerful and happy, than when irritated. This is +peculiarly true of children; and a wise mother, when she finds her child +fretful and impatient, and thus constantly doing wrong, will often +remedy the whole difficulty, by telling some amusing story, or by +getting the child engaged in some amusing sport. This strongly shows the +importance of learning to govern children without the employment of +angry tones, which always produce irritation.</p> + +<p>Children of active, heedless temperament, or those who are odd, awkward, +or unsuitable, in their remarks and deportment, are often essentially +injured, by a want of patience and self-control in those who govern +them. Such children, often possess a morbid sensibility, which they +strive to conceal, or a desire of love and approbation, which preys like +a famine on the soul. And yet, they become objects of ridicule and +rebuke, to almost every member of the family, until their sensibilities +are tortured into obtuseness or misanthropy. Such children, above all +others, need tenderness and sympathy. A thousand instances of mistake or +forgetfulness should be passed over, in silence, while opportunities for +commendation and encouragement should be diligently sought.</p> + +<p>In regard to the formation of habits of self-denial, in childhood, it is +astonishing to see how parents, who are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> very sensible, often seem to +regard this matter. Instead of inuring their children to this duty, in +early life, so that by habit it may be made easy in after-days, they +seem to be studiously seeking to cut them off, from every chance to +secure such a preparation. Every wish of the child is studiously +gratified; and, where a necessity exists, of crossing its wishes, some +compensating pleasure is offered, in return. Such parents, often +maintain that nothing shall be put on their table, which their children +may not join them in eating. But where, so easily and surely as at the +daily meal, can that habit of self-denial be formed, which is so needful +in governing the appetites, and which children must acquire, or be +ruined? The food which is proper for grown persons, is often unsuitable +for children; and this is a sufficient reason for accustoming them to +see others partake of delicacies, which they must not share. Requiring +children to wait till others are helped, and to refrain from +conversation at table, except when addressed by their elders, is another +mode of forming habits of self-denial and self-control. Requiring them +to help others, first, and to offer the best to others, has a similar +influence.</p> + +<p>In forming the moral habits of children, it is wise to take into account +the peculiar temptations to which they are to be exposed. The people of +this Nation are eminently a trafficking people; and the present standard +of honesty, as to trade and debts, is very low, and every year seems +sinking still lower. It is, therefore, pre-eminently important, that +children should be trained to strict <i>honesty</i>, both in word and deed. +It is not merely teaching children to avoid absolute lying, which is +needed. <i>All kinds of deceit</i> should be guarded against; and all kinds +of little dishonest practices be strenuously opposed. A child should be +brought up with the determined principle, never to <i>run in debt</i>, but to +be content to live in an humbler way, in order to secure that true +independence, which should be the noblest distinction of an American +citizen.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p><p>There is no more important duty, devolving upon a mother, than the +cultivation of habits of modesty and propriety in young children. All +indecorous words or deportment, should be carefully restrained; and +delicacy and reserve studiously cherished. It is a common notion, that +it is important to secure these virtues to one sex, more than to the +other; and, by a strange inconsistency, the sex most exposed to danger, +is the one selected as least needing care. But a wise mother will be +especially careful, that her sons are trained to modesty and purity of +mind.</p> + +<p>But few mothers are sufficiently aware of the dreadful penalties which +often result from indulged impurity of thought. If children, in <i>future</i> +life, can be preserved from licentious associates, it is supposed that +their safety is secured. But the records of our insane retreats, and the +pages of medical writers, teach, that even in solitude, and without +being aware of the sin or the danger, children may inflict evils on +themselves, which not unfrequently terminate in disease, delirium, and +death. Every mother and every teacher, therefore, carefully avoiding all +explanation of the mystery, should teach the young, that the indulgence +of impure thoughts and actions, is visited by the most awful and +terrific penalties. Disclosing the details of vice, in order to awaken +dread of its penalties, is a most dangerous experiment, and often leads +to the very evils feared. The attempts made, in late years, to guard +children from future dangers, by circulating papers, and books of +warning and information, have led to such frightful results, that it is +hoped the experiment will never again be pursued. The safest course, is, +to cultivate habits of modesty and delicacy, and to teach, that all +impure thoughts, words, and actions, are forbidden by God, and are often +visited by the most dreadful punishment. At the same time, it is +important for mothers to protect the young mind from false notions of +delicacy. It should be shown, that whatever is necessary, to save from +suffering or danger, must be met, without shame or aversion; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> that +all, which God has instituted, is wise, and right, and pure.</p> + +<p>It is in reference to these dangers, that mothers and teachers should +carefully guard the young from those highly-wrought fictions, which lead +the imagination astray; and especially from that class of licentious +works, made interesting by genius and taste, which have flooded this +Country, and which are often found on the parlor table, even of moral +and Christian people. Of this class, the writings of Bulwer stand +conspicuous. The only difference, between some of his works and the +obscene prints, for vending which men suffer the penalties of the law, +is, that the last are so gross, as to revolt the taste and startle the +mind to resistance, while Bulwer presents the same ideas, so clothed in +the fascinations of taste and genius, as most insidiously to seduce the +unwary. It seems to be the chief aim of this licentious writer, to make +thieves, murderers, and adulterers, appear beautiful, refined, and +interesting. It is time that all virtuous persons in the community +should rise in indignation, not only against the writers, but the +venders of such poison.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTES:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_O_15" id="Footnote_O_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_O_15"><span class="label">[O]</span></a> See his 'Physiology of Digestion considered with relation +to the Principles of Dietetics,' issued by the Publishers of this work.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_P_16" id="Footnote_P_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_P_16"><span class="label">[P]</span></a> The writer is not an advocate for <i>total</i> abstinence from +animal food. She coincides with the best authorities, in thinking that +adults eat too much; that children, while growing, should eat very +little, and quite young children, none at all.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> +<small>ON THE CARE OF THE SICK.</small> +</h3> + +<p>Every woman who has the care of young children, or of a large family, is +frequently called upon, to advise what shall be done, for some one who +is indisposed; and often, in circumstances where she must trust solely +to her own judgement. In such cases, some err, by neglecting to do any +thing at all, till the patient is quite sick; but a still greater number +err, from excessive and injurious dosing.</p> + +<p>The two great causes of the ordinary slight attacks of illness, in a +family, are, sudden chills, which close<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> the pores of the skin, and thus +affect the throat, lungs, or bowels; and the excessive or improper use +of food. In most cases, of illness from the first cause, bathing the +feet, and some aperient drink to induce perspiration, are suitable +remedies. A slight cathartic, also, is often serviceable. In case of +illness from improper food, or excess in eating, <i>fasting</i>, for one or +two meals, to give the system time and chance to relieve itself, is the +safest remedy. Sometimes, a gentle cathartic may be needful; but it is +best first to try fasting.</p> + +<p>The following extract from a discourse of Dr. Burne, before the London +Medical Society, contains important information. "In civilized life, the +causes, which are most generally and continually operating in the +production of diseases, are, affections of the mind, improper diet, and +retention of the intestinal excretions. The undue retention of +excrementitious matter, allows of the absorption of its more liquid +parts, which is a cause of great impurity to the blood, and the +excretions, thus rendered hard and knotty, act more or less as +extraneous substances, and, by their irritation, produce a determination +of blood to the intestines and to the neighboring viscera, which +ultimately ends in inflammation. It also has a great effect on the whole +system; causes a determination of blood to the head, which oppresses the +brain and dejects the mind; deranges the functions of the stomach; +causes flatulency; and produces a general state of discomfort."</p> + +<p>Dr. Combe remarks, on this subject, "In the natural and healthy state, +under a proper system of diet, and with sufficient exercise, the bowels +are relieved regularly, once every day." <i>Habit</i> "is powerful in +modifying the result, and in sustaining healthy action when once fairly +established. Hence the obvious advantage of observing as much +regularity, in relieving the system, as in taking our meals." It is +often the case that soliciting Nature at a regular period, once a day, +will remedy constipation, without medicine, and induce a regular and +healthy state of the bowels. "When,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> however, as most frequently +happens, the constipation arises from the absence of all assistance from +the abdominal and respiratory muscles, the first step to be taken, is, +again to solicit their aid; first, by removing all impediments to free +respiration, such as stays, waistbands and belts; secondly, by resorting +to such active exercises, as shall call the muscles into full and +regular action; and, lastly, by proportioning the quantity of food to +the wants of the system, and the condition of the digestive organs. If +we employ these means, systematically and perseveringly, we shall rarely +fail in at last restoring the healthy action of the bowels, with little +aid from medicine. But if we neglect these modes, we may go on, for +years, adding pill to pill, and dose to dose, without ever attaining the +end at which we aim." There is no point, in which a woman needs more +knowledge and discretion, than in administering remedies for what seem +slight attacks, which are not supposed to require the attention of a +physician. It is little realized, that purgative drugs are unnatural +modes of stimulating the internal organs, tending to exhaust them of +their secretions, and to debilitate and disturb the animal economy. For +this reason, they should be used as little as possible; and fasting, and +perspiration, and the other methods pointed out, should always be first +resorted to. When medicine must be given, it should be borne in mind, +that there are various classes of purgatives, which produce very diverse +effects. Some, like salts, operate to thin the blood, and reduce the +system; others are stimulating; and others have a peculiar operation on +certain organs. Of course, great discrimination and knowledge is needed, +in order to select the kind, which is suitable to the particular +disease, or to the particular constitution of the invalid. This shows +the folly of using the many kinds of pills, and other quack medicines, +where no knowledge can be had of their composition. Pills which are good +for one kind of disease, might operate as poison in another state of the +system. It is wise to keep always on hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> some simple cathartic, for +family use, in slight attacks; and always to resort to medical advice, +whenever powerful remedies seem to be demanded.<a name="FNanchor_Q_17" id="FNanchor_Q_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_Q_17" class="fnanchor">[Q]</a> It is very common, in +cases of colds which affect the lungs or throat, to continue to try one +dose after another, for relief. It will be well to bear in mind, at such +times, that all which goes into the stomach, must be first absorbed into +the blood, before it can reach the diseased part; and that there is some +danger of injuring the stomach, or other parts of the system, by such a +variety of doses, many of which, it is probable, will be directly +contradictory in their nature, and thus neutralize any supposed benefit +they might separately impart.</p> + +<p>It is very unwise, to tempt the appetite of a person who is indisposed. +The cessation of appetite is the warning of Nature, that the system is +in such a state, that food cannot be digested.</p> + +<p>The following suggestions may be found useful, in regard to nursing the +sick. As nothing contributes more to the restoration of health, than +pure air, it should be a primary object, to keep a sick-room well +ventilated. At least twice in the twenty-four hours, the patient should +be well covered, and fresh air freely admitted from out of doors. After +this, if need be, the room should be restored to a proper temperature, +by the aid of a fire. Bedding and clothing should also be well aired, +and frequently changed; as the exhalations from the body, in sickness, +are peculiarly deleterious. Frequent ablutions, of the whole body, if +possible, are very useful; and for these, warm water may be employed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p><p>The following, are useful directions for dressing a blister. Spread +thinly, on a linen cloth, an ointment, composed of one third of beeswax +to two thirds of tallow; lay this upon a linen cloth, folded many times. +With a sharp pair of scissors, make an aperture in the lower part of the +bag of water, with a little hole, above, to give it vent. Break the +raised skin as little as possible. Lay on the cloth, spread as directed. +The blister, at first, should be dressed as often as three times in a +day, and the dressing renewed each time.</p> + +<p>A sick-room should always be kept very neat, and in perfect order; and +all haste, noise, and bustle, should be avoided. In order to secure +neatness, order, and quiet, in case of long illness, the following +arrangements should be made. Keep a large box for fuel, which will need +to be filled only twice in twenty-four hours. Provide, also, and keep in +the room, or an adjacent closet, a small teakettle, a saucepan, a pail +of water, for drinks and ablutions, a pitcher, a covered porringer, two +pint bowls, two tumblers, two cups and saucers, two wine glasses, two +large and two small spoons; also, a dish in which to wash these +articles; a good supply of towels, and a broom. Keep a slop-bucket, near +by, to receive the wash of the room. Procuring all these articles at +once, will save much noise and confusion.</p> + +<p>Whenever medicine or food is given, spread a clean towel over the person +or bedclothing, and get a clean handkerchief, as nothing is more +annoying to a weak stomach, than the stickiness and soiling produced by +medicine and food. Keep the fireplace neat, and always wash all +articles, and put them in order, as soon as they are out of use.</p> + +<p>A sick person has nothing to do, but look about the room; and when every +thing is neat and in order, a feeling of comfort is induced, while +disorder, filth, and neglect, are constant objects of annoyance, which, +if not complained of, are yet felt.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p><p>Always prepare food for the sick, in the neatest and most careful +manner. It is in sickness, that the senses of smell and taste are most +susceptible of annoyance; and often, little mistakes or negligences, in +preparing food, will take away all appetite.</p> + +<p>Food for the sick, should be cooked on coals, that no smoke may have +access to it; and great care must be taken, to prevent any adherence to +the bottom, as this always gives a disagreeable taste.</p> + +<p>Keeping clean handkerchiefs and towels at hand, cooling the pillows, +sponging the hands with water, swabbing the mouth with a clean linen +rag, on the end of a stick, are modes of increasing the comfort of the +sick. Always throw a shawl over a sick person, when raised up.</p> + +<p>Be careful to understand a physician's directions, and <i>to obey them +implicitly</i>. If it be supposed that any other person knows better about +the case, than the physician, dismiss the physician, and employ that +person in his stead.</p> + +<p>In nursing the sick, always speak gently and cheeringly; and, while you +express sympathy for their pain and trials, stimulate them to bear all +with fortitude, and with resignation to Him who has appointed the trial. +Offer to read the Bible, or other devotional books, whenever it is +suitable, and will not be deemed obtrusive.</p> + +<p>It is always best to consult the physician, as to where medicines shall +be purchased, and to show the articles to him before using them, as +great impositions are practised in selling old, useless, and adulterated +drugs. Always put labels on vials of medicine, and keep them out of the +reach of children.</p> + +<p>Be careful to label all powders, and particularly all <i>white powders</i>; +as many poisonous medicines, in this form, are easily mistaken for +others which are harmless.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTE:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_Q_17" id="Footnote_Q_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_Q_17"><span class="label">[Q]</span></a> The following electuary, by a distinguished physician, is +used by many friends of the writer, as a standing resort, in cases of +constipation, or where a gentle cathartic is needed. One recommendation +of it, is, that children always love it, and eat the pills as "good +plums." +</p><p> +Two ounces of powdered Senna; one ounce of Cream of Tartar; one ounce of +Sulphur; mixed with sufficient Confection of Senna, to form an +electuary. Make this into pills, of the size of peas, and give a young +child two or three, as the case may be. Taking three pills, every night, +will generally relieve constipation in an adult.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.<br /> +<small>ON ACCIDENTS AND ANTIDOTES.</small> +</h3> + +<p>When serious accidents occur, medical aid should be immediately +procured. Till that can be done, the following directions may be useful.</p> + +<p>When a child has any thing in its throat, first try, with the finger, to +get the article up. If this cannot be done, push it down into the +stomach, with a smooth elastic stick. If the article be a pin, sharp +bone, glass, or other cutting substance, give an emetic which will +immediately operate.</p> + +<p>In the case of a common cut, bind the lips of the wound together, with a +rag, and put nothing else on. If the cut be large, and so situated that +rags will not bind it together, use sticking plaster, cut in strips and +laid obliquely across the cut. Sometimes it is needful to take a stitch, +with a needle and thread, on each lip of the wound, and draw the two +sides together.</p> + +<p>If an artery be cut, it must be immediately tied up, or the person will +bleed to death. The blood from an artery is of a bright red color, and +spirts out, in regular jets, at each beat of the heart. Take up the +bleeding end of the artery, and hold it, or tie it up, till a surgeon +comes. When the artery cannot be found, and in all cases of bad cuts on +any of the limbs, apply compression; when it can be done, tie a very +tight bandage above the wound, if it be below the heart, and <i>below</i> if +the wound be above the heart. Put a stick into the band, and twist it as +tight as can be borne, till surgical aid be obtained.</p> + +<p>Bathe bad bruises in hot water, or hot spirits, or a decoction of bitter +herbs. <i>Entire rest</i>, is the remedy for sprains. Bathing in warm water, +or warm whiskey is very useful. A sprained leg should be kept in a +horizontal position, on a bed or sofa.</p> + +<p>When a leg is broken, tie it to the other leg, to keep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> it still; and, +if possible, get a surgeon, before the limb swells. Bind a broken arm to +a piece of shingle, and keep it still, till it is set.</p> + +<p>In case of a blow on the head, or a fall, causing insensibility, use a +mustard paste on the back of the neck and pit of the stomach, and rub +the body with spirits. After the circulation is restored, bleeding is +often necessary; but it is very dangerous to attempt it before.</p> + +<p>In cases of bad burns, where the skin is taken off, the great aim should +be, <i>to keep the injured part from the air</i>. For this purpose, sprinkle +on flour, or apply a liniment, made of linseed oil and lime-water, in +equal quantities. Sweet-oil, on cotton, is good, and with laudanum, +alleviates pain: but many skins cannot bear the application of raw +cotton, which is sometimes very good. When a dressing is put on, do not +remove it, as it will be sure to protract the cure, by admitting the +air.</p> + +<p>In case of drowning, lay the person in a warm bed, or on blankets, on +the right side, with the head raised, and a little inclined forward. +Clear the mouth with the fingers, and cautiously apply hartshorn to the +nose. Raise the heat of the body, by bottles of warm water, applied to +the pit of the stomach, armpits, groins, and soles of the feet. Apply +friction to the whole body, with warm hands and cloths dipped in warm +spirits of camphor. Endeavor to produce the natural action of the lungs, +by introducing the nose of a bellows into one nostril and closing the +other, at the same time pressing on the throat, to close the gullet. +When the lungs are thus inflated, press gently on the breast and belly, +and continue the process, for a long time. Cases have been known, where +efforts have been protracted eight or ten hours, without effect, and +then have proved successful. Rolling the body on a barrel, suspending it +by the heels, giving injections of tobacco, and many other practices, +which have been common, are highly injurious. After signs of life +appear, give small quantities of wine, or spirits and water.</p> + +<p>In cases of poisoning, from <i>corrosive sublimate</i>, beat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> up the whites +of twelve eggs, mix them in two quarts of water, and give a tumbler full +every three minutes, till vomiting is produced. This is the surest +remedy. When this is not at hand, fill the stomach, in like manner, with +any mucilaginous substance, such as gum and water, flaxseed, or +slippery-elm-bark tea. Flour and water, or sugar and water, in great +quantities, are next best; and if none of these be at hand, give copious +draughts of water alone.</p> + +<p>In case of poisoning from <i>arsenic</i>, <i>cobalt</i>, or any such mineral, +administer, as soon as possible, large quantities of lime-water and +sugared-water, of warm, or even of cold water, or of flaxseed tea, or +some other mucilaginous drink, to distend the stomach and produce +immediate vomiting, and thereby eject the poison.</p> + +<p>If opium, or any of its preparations, has been taken, in dangerous +quantities, induce vomiting, without a moment's unnecessary delay, by +giving, immediately, in <i>a small quantity</i> of water, ten grains of +ipecac, and ten grains of sulphate of zinc, (white vitriol, which is the +most prompt emetic known,) and repeat the dose every fifteen minutes, +till the stomach is entirely emptied. Where white vitriol is not at +hand, substitute three or four grains of blue vitriol, (sulphate of +copper.) When the stomach is emptied, but not before, give, every ten +minutes, alternately, a cup of acid drink, and a cup of very strong +coffee, made by pouring a pint of boiling water on a quarter of a pound +of ground burnt coffee, and letting it stand ten minutes, and then +straining it. Continue these drinks, till the danger is over. Dash cold +water on the head, apply friction to the body, and keep the person in +constant motion, to prevent sleep.</p> + +<p>If any kind of acid be taken, in poisonous quantities, give strong +pearlash-water. If ley, or pearlash, or any alkali be taken, give +sweet-oil; or, if this be wanting, lamp-oil; or, if neither be at hand, +give vinegar, freely.</p> + +<p>In case of stupefaction, from the fumes of charcoal, or from entering a +well, limekiln, or coal mine, expose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> the person to cold air, lying on +his back, dash cold water on the head and breast, and rub the body with +spirits of camphor, vinegar, or Cologne water. Apply mustard paste to +the pit of the stomach, and use friction on the hands, feet, and whole +length of the back bone. Give some acid drink, and, when the person +revives, place him in a warm bed, in fresh air. Be prompt and +persevering.</p> + +<p>In case of bleeding at the lungs, or stomach, or throat, give a +teaspoonful of dry salt, and repeat it often. For bleeding at the nose, +pour cold water on the back of the neck, keeping the head elevated.</p> + +<p>If a person be struck with lightning, throw pailfuls of cold water on +the head and body, and apply mustard poultices on the stomach, with +friction of the whole body, and inflation of the lungs. When no other +emetic can be found, pounded mustard seed, taken a teaspoonful at a +time, will answer. The ground mustard is not so effectual, but will do.</p> + +<p>In case of fire, wrap a woollen blanket about you, to protect from the +fire. If the staircases are on fire, tie the corners of the sheets +together, very firmly, fasten one end to the bedstead, draw it to the +window, and let yourself down. Never read in bed, lest you fall asleep, +and the bed be set on fire. If your clothes get on fire, never run, but +lie down, and roll about till you can reach a bed or carpet to wrap +yourself in, and thus put out the fire. Keep young children in woollen +dresses, to save them from the risk of fire.</p> + +<p>In thunderstorms, shut the doors and windows. The safest part of a room, +is its centre; and where there is a featherbed in the apartment, that +will be found the most secure resting-place.</p> + +<p>A lightning rod, if it be well pointed, and run deep into the earth, is +a certain protection to a circle around it, whose diameter equals the +height of the rod above the highest chimney. But it protects <i>no +further</i> than this extent.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> +<small>ON DOMESTIC AMUSEMENTS AND SOCIAL DUTIES.</small> +</h3> + +<p>Whenever the laws of body and mind are properly understood, it will be +allowed, that every person needs some kind of recreation; and that, by +seeking it, the body is strengthened, the mind is invigorated, and all +our duties are more cheerfully and successfully performed.</p> + +<p>Children, whose bodies are rapidly growing, and whose nervous system is +tender and excitable, need much more amusement, than persons of mature +age. Persons, also, who are oppressed with great responsibilities and +duties, or who are taxed by great intellectual or moral excitement, need +recreations which secure physical exercise, and draw off the mind from +absorbing interests. Unfortunately, such persons are those who least +resort to amusements, while the idle, gay, and thoughtless, seek those +which are needless, and for which useful occupation would be a most +beneficial substitute.</p> + +<p>As the only legitimate object of amusements, is, to prepare mind and +body for the proper discharge of duty, any protracting of such as +interfere with regular employments, or induce excessive fatigue, or +weary the mind, or invade the proper hours for repose, must be sinful.</p> + +<p>In deciding what should be selected, and what avoided, the following +rules are binding. In the first place, no amusements, which inflict +needless pain, should ever be allowed. All tricks which cause fright, or +vexation, and all sports, which involve suffering to animals, should be +utterly forbidden. Hunting and fishing, for mere sport, can never be +justified. If a man can convince his children, that he follows these +pursuits to gain food or health, and not for amusement, his example may +not be very injurious. But, when children see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> grown persons kill and +frighten animals, for sport, habits of cruelty, rather than feelings of +tenderness and benevolence, are induced.</p> + +<p>In the next place, we should seek no recreations, which endanger life, +or interfere with important duties. As the only legitimate object of +amusements, is to promote health, and prepare for more serious duties, +selecting those which have a directly opposite tendency, cannot be +justified. Of course, if a person feel that the previous day's +diversions have shortened the hours of needful repose, or induced a +lassitude of mind or body, instead of invigorating them, it is certain +that an evil has been done, which should never be repeated.</p> + +<p>A third rule, is, to avoid those amusements, which experience has shown +to be so exciting, and connected with so many temptations, as to be +pernicious in tendency, both to the individual and to the community. It +is on this ground, that horse-racing and circus-riding are excluded. Not +because there is any thing positively wrong, in having men and horses +run, and perform feats of agility, or in persons looking on for the +diversion; but because experience has shown so many evils connected with +these recreations, that they should be relinquished. So with theatres. +The enacting of characters, and the amusement thus afforded, in itself +may be harmless; and possibly, in certain cases, might be useful: but +experience has shown so many evils to result from this source, that it +is deemed wrong to patronize it. So, also, with those exciting games of +chance, which are employed in gambling.</p> + +<p>Under the same head, comes <i>dancing</i>, in the estimation of the great +majority of the religious world. Still, there are many intelligent, +excellent, and conscientious persons, who hold a contrary opinion. Such +maintain, that it is an innocent and healthful amusement, tending to +promote ease of manners, cheerfulness, social affection, and health of +mind and body; that evils are involved only in its excess; that, like +food, study, or religious excitement, it is only wrong, when not +properly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>regulated; and that, if serious and intelligent people would +strive to regulate, rather than banish, this amusement, much more good +would be secured.</p> + +<p>On the other side, it is objected, not that dancing is a sin, in itself +considered, for it was once a part of sacred worship; not that it would +be objectionable, if it were properly regulated; not that it does not +tend, when used in a proper manner, to health of body and mind, to grace +of manners, and to social enjoyment: all these things are conceded. But +it is objected to, on the same ground as horse-racing, card-playing, and +theatrical entertainments; that we are to look at amusements as they +<i>are</i>, and not as they <i>might</i> be. Horseraces might be so managed, as +not to involve cruelty, gambling, drunkenness, and every other vice. And +so might theatres and cards. And if serious and intelligent persons, +undertook to patronize these, in order to regulate them, perhaps they +would be somewhat raised from the depths, to which they are now sunk. +But such persons, know, that, with the weak sense of moral obligation +existing in the mass of society, and the imperfect ideas mankind have of +the proper use of amusements, and the little self-control, which men, or +women, or children, practise, these will not, in fact, be +thus-regulated. And they believe dancing to be liable to the same +objections.</p> + +<p>As this recreation is actually conducted, it does not tend to produce +health of body or mind, but directly the contrary. If young and old went +out to dance together, in the open air, as the French peasants do, it +would be a very different sort of amusement, from that which is +witnessed, in a room, furnished with many lights, and filled with +guests, both expending the healthful part of the atmosphere, where the +young collect, in their tightest dresses, to protract, for several +hours, a kind of physical exertion, which is not habitual to them. +During this process, the blood is made to circulate more swiftly than +ordinary, in circumstances where it is less perfectly oxygenized than +health <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>requires; the pores of the skin are excited by heat and +exercise; the stomach is loaded with indigestible articles, and the +quiet, needful to digestion, withheld; the diversion is protracted +beyond the usual hour for repose; and then, when the skin is made the +most highly susceptible to damps and miasms, the company pass from a +warm room to the cold night-air. It is probable, that no single +amusement can be pointed out, combining so many injurious particulars, +as this, which is so often defended as a healthful one. Even if parents, +who train their children to dance, can keep them from public balls, +(which is seldom the case,) dancing in private parlors is subject to +nearly all the same mischievous influences.</p> + +<p>As to the claim of social benefits,—when a dancing-party occupies the +parlors, and the music begins, most of the conversation ceases; while +the young prepare themselves for future sickness, and the old look +smilingly on.</p> + +<p>As to the claim for ease and grace of manners,—all that is gained, by +this practice, can be better secured, by Calisthenics, which, in all its +parts, embraces a much more perfect system, both of healthful exercise, +graceful movement, and pleasing carriage.</p> + +<p>The writer was once inclined to the common opinion, that dancing was +harmless, and might be properly regulated; and she allowed a fair trial +to be made, under her auspices, by its advocates. The result was, a full +conviction, that it secured no good effect, which could not be better +gained another way; that it involved the most pernicious evils to +health, character, and happiness; and that those parents were wise, who +brought up their children with the full understanding that they were +neither to learn nor to practise the art. In the fifteen years, during +which she has had the care of young ladies, she has never known any +case, where learning this art, and following the amusement, did not have +a bad effect, either on the habits, the intellect, the feelings, or the +health. Those young ladies, who are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> brought up with less exciting +recreations, are uniformly likely to be the most contented and most +useful, while those, who enter the path to which this diversion leads, +acquire a relish and desire for high excitement, which make the more +steady and quiet pursuits and enjoyments of home, comparatively +tasteless. This, the writer believes to be generally the case, though +not invariably so; for there are exceptions to all general rules.</p> + +<p>In reference to these exciting amusements, so liable to danger and +excess, parents are bound to regard the principle, which is involved in +the petition, "Lead us not into temptation." Would it not be +inconsistent, to teach this prayer, to the lisping tongue of childhood, +and then send it to the dancing-master, to acquire a love for a +diversion, which leads to constant temptations that so few find strength +to resist?</p> + +<p>It is encouraging, to those who take this view of the subject, to find +how fast the most serious and intelligent portion of the community is +coming to a similar result. Twenty-five years ago, dancing was +universally practised by the young, as a matter of course, in every part +of the Nation. Now, in those parts of the Country, where religion and +intelligence are most extensively diffused, it is almost impossible to +get up a ball, among the more refined classes of the community. The +amusement is fast leaving this rank in society, to remain as a resource +for those, whose grade of intelligence and refinement does not relish +more elevated recreations. Still, as there is great diversity of +opinion, among persons of equal worth and intelligence, a spirit of +candor and courtesy should be practised, on both sides. The sneer at +bigotry and narrowness of views, on one side, and the uncharitable +implication of want of piety, or sense, on the other, are equally +illbred and unchristian. Truth, on this subject, is best promoted, not +by ill-natured crimination and rebuke, but by calm reason, generous +candor, forbearance, and kindness.</p> + +<p>There is another species of amusement, which a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> large portion of the +religious world have been accustomed to put under the same condemnation +as the preceding. This is novel-reading. The confusion and difference of +opinion on this subject, have arisen from a want of clear and definite +distinctions. Now, as it is impossible to define what are novels and +what are not, so as to include one class of fictitious writings and +exclude every other, it is impossible to lay down any rule respecting +them. The discussion, in fact, turns on the use of those works of +imagination, which belong to the class of narratives. That this species +of reading, is not only lawful, but necessary and useful, is settled by +Divine examples, in the parables and allegories of Scripture. Of course, +the question must be, what kind of fabulous writings must be avoided, +and what allowed. In deciding this, no specific rules can be given; but +it must be a matter to be regulated by the nature and circumstances of +each case. No works of fiction, which tend to throw the allurements of +taste and genius around vice and crime, should ever be tolerated; and +all that tend to give false views of life and duty, should also be +banished. Of those, which are written for mere amusement, presenting +scenes and events that are interesting and exciting, and having no bad +moral influence, much must depend on character and circumstances. Some +minds are torpid and phlegmatic, and need to have the imagination +stimulated: such would be benefitted by this kind of reading. Others +have quick and active imaginations, and would be as much injured. Some +persons are often so engaged in absorbing interests, that any thing +innocent, which will for a short time draw off the mind, is of the +nature of a medicine; and, in such cases, this kind of reading is +useful.</p> + +<p>There is need, also, that some men should keep a supervision of the +current literature of the day, as guardians, to warn others of danger. +For this purpose, it is more suitable for <i>editors</i>, <i>clergymen</i>, and +<i>teachers</i>, to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>read indiscriminately, than for any other class of +persons; for they are the guardians of the public weal, in matters of +literature, and should be prepared to advise parents and young persons +of the evils in one direction and the good in another. In doing this, +however, they are bound to go on the same principles which regulate +physicians, when they visit infected districts,—using every precaution +to prevent injury to themselves; having as little to do with pernicious +exposures, as a benevolent regard to others will allow; and faithfully +employing all the knowledge and opportunities, thus gained, for warning +and preserving others. There is much danger, in taking this course, that +men will seek the excitement of the imagination, for the mere pleasure +it affords, under the plea of preparing to serve the public, when this +is neither the aim nor the result.</p> + +<p>In regard to the use of such works, by the young, as a general rule, +they ought not to be allowed to any, except those of a dull and +phlegmatic temperament, until the solid parts of education are secured, +and a taste for more elevated reading is acquired. If these stimulating +condiments in literature be freely used, in youth, all relish for more +solid reading, will, in a majority of cases, be destroyed. If parents +succeed in securing habits of cheerful and implicit obedience, it will +be very easy to regulate this matter, by prohibiting the reading of any +story-book, until the consent of the parent is obtained.</p> + +<p>It is not unfrequently the case, that advocates for dancing, and the +other more exciting amusements, speak as if those, who were more strict +in these matters, were aiming to deprive the young of all diversions; +just as if, when cards, theatres, and dancing, are cut off, nothing +remains but serious and severe duties. Perhaps there has been some just +ground of objection to the course often pursued by parents, in +neglecting to provide agreeable and suitable substitutes, for the +amusements denied; but, there is a great abundance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> of safe, healthful, +and delightful, recreations, which all parents may secure for their +children. Some of these will here be pointed out.</p> + +<p>One of the most useful and important, is, the cultivation of flowers and +fruits. This, especially for the daughters of a family, is greatly +promotive of health and amusement. It is with the hope, that many young +ladies, whose habits are now so formed, that they can never be induced +to a course of active domestic exercise, so long as their parents are +able to hire domestics, may yet be led to an employment, which will tend +to secure health and vigor of constitution, that so much space is given, +in this work, to directions for the cultivation of fruits and flowers. +It would be a most desirable improvement, if all female schools could be +furnished with suitable grounds, and instruments, for the cultivation of +fruits and flowers, and every inducement offered, to engage the young +ladies in this pursuit. No father, who wishes to have his daughters grow +up to be healthful women, can take a surer method to secure this end. +Let him set apart a portion of his yard and garden, for fruits and +flowers, and see that the soil is well prepared and dug over, and all +the rest may be committed to the care of the children. These would need +to be provided with a light hoe and rake, a dibble, or garden trowel, a +watering-pot, and means and opportunities for securing seeds, roots, +buds, and grafts, all which might be done at a trifling expense. Then, +with proper encouragement, and by the aid of such directions as are +contained in this work, every man, who has even half an acre, could +secure a small Eden around his premises.</p> + +<p>In pursuing this amusement, children can also be led to acquire many +useful habits. Early rising would, in many cases, be thus secured; and +if they were required to keep their walks and borders free from weeds +and rubbish, habits of order and neatness would be induced. Benevolent +and social feelings could also be cultivated, by influencing children to +share their fruits and flowers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> with friends and neighbors, as well as +to distribute roots and seeds to those, who have not the means of +procuring them. A woman or a child, by giving seeds, or slips, or roots, +to a washerwoman, or a farmer's boy, thus exciting them to love and +cultivate fruits and flowers, awakens a new and refining source of +enjoyment in minds, which have few resources more elevated than mere +physical enjoyments. Our Saviour directs, in making feasts, to call, not +the rich, who can recompense again, but the poor, who can make no +returns. So children should be taught to dispense their little +treasures, not alone to companions and friends, who will probably return +similar favors; but to those who have no means of making any return. If +the rich, who acquire a love for the enjoyments of taste, and have the +means to gratify it, would aim to extend, among the poor, the cheap and +simple enjoyment of fruits and flowers, our Country would soon literally +"blossom as the rose."</p> + +<p>If the ladies of a neighborhood would unite small contributions, and +send a list of flower-seeds and roots to some respectable and honest +florist, who would not be likely to turn them off with trash, they could +divide these among themselves, so as to secure an abundant variety, at a +very small expense. A bag of flower-seeds, which can be obtained, at +wholesale, for four cents, would abundantly supply a whole neighborhood; +and, by the gathering of seeds, in the Autumn, could be perpetuated.</p> + +<p>Another very elevating and delightful recreation, for the young, is +found in <i>music</i>. Here, the writer would protest against the common +practice, in many families, of having the daughters learn to play on the +piano, whether they have a taste and an ear for music, or not. A young +lady, who cannot sing, and has no great fondness for music, does nothing +but waste time, money, and patience, in learning to play on the piano. +But all children can be taught to sing, in early childhood, if the +scientific mode of teaching music, in schools, could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> be introduced, as +it is in Prussia, Germany, and Switzerland. Then, young children could +read and sing music, as easily as they can read language; and might take +any tune, dividing themselves into bands, and sing off, at sight, the +endless variety of music which is prepared. And if parents of wealth +would take pains to have teachers qualified for the purpose, as they may +be at the Boston Academy, and other similar institutions, who should +teach all the young children in the community, much would be done for +the happiness and elevation of the rising generation. This is an +amusement, which children relish, in the highest degree; and which they +can enjoy, at home, in the fields, and in visits abroad.</p> + +<p>Another domestic amusement, is, the collecting of shells, plants, and +specimens in geology and mineralogy, for the formation of cabinets. If +intelligent parents would procure the simpler works which have been +prepared for the young, and study them, with their children, a <i>taste</i> +for such recreations would soon be developed. The writer has seen young +boys, of eight and ten years of age, gathering and cleaning shells from +rivers, and collecting plants, and mineralogical specimens, with a +delight, bordering on ecstasy; and there are few, if any, who, by proper +influences, would not find this a source of ceaseless delight and +improvement.</p> + +<p>Another resource, for family diversion, is to be found in the various +games played by children, and in which the joining of older members of +the family is always a great advantage to both parties. All medical men +unite, in declaring that nothing is more beneficial to health, than +hearty laughter; and surely our benevolent Creator would not have +provided risibles, and made it a source of health and enjoyment to use +them, if it were a sin so to do. There has been a tendency to +asceticism, on this subject, which needs to be removed. Such commands, +as forbid <i>foolish</i> laughing and jesting, "<i>which are not convenient</i>;" +and which forbid all idle words, and vain conversation, cannot apply to +any thing, except what is foolish, vain, and useless. But jokes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +laughter, and sports, when used in such a degree as tends only to +promote health, social feelings, and happiness, are neither vain, +foolish, nor "not convenient." It is the excess of these things, and not +the moderate use of them, which Scripture forbids. The prevailing temper +of the mind, should be cheerful, yet serious; but there are times, when +relaxation and laughter are proper for all. There is nothing better for +this end, than that parents and older persons should join in the sports +of childhood. Mature minds can always make such diversions more +entertaining to children, and can exert a healthful moral influence over +their minds; and, at the same time, can gain exercise and amusement for +themselves. How lamentable, that so many fathers, who could be thus +useful and happy with their children, throw away such opportunities, and +wear out soul and body, in the pursuit of gain or fame!</p> + +<p>Another resource for children, is in the exercise of mechanical skill. +Fathers, by providing tools for their boys, and showing them how to make +wheelbarrows, carts, sleds, and various other articles, contribute both +to the physical, moral, and social, improvement of their children. And +in regard to little daughters, much more can be done, in this way, than +many would imagine. The writer, blessed with the example of a most +ingenious and industrious mother, had not only learned, before the age +of twelve, to make dolls, of various sorts and sizes, but to cut and fit +and sew every article, that belongs to a doll's wardrobe. This, which +was done for mere amusement, secured such a facility in mechanical +pursuits, that, ever afterward, the cutting and fitting of any article +of dress, for either sex, was accomplished with entire ease.</p> + +<p>When a little girl first begins to sew, her mother can promise her a +small bed and pillows, as soon as she has sewed a patch quilt for them; +and then a bedstead, as soon as she has sewed the sheets and cases for +pillows; and then a large doll to dress, as soon as she has made the +under garments; and thus go on, till the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> whole contents of the +baby-house are earned by the needle and skill of its little owner. Thus, +the task of learning to sew, will become a pleasure; and every new toy +will be earned by useful exertion. A little girl can be taught, by the +aid of patterns prepared for the purpose, to cut and fit all articles +necessary for her doll. She can also be provided with a little wash-tub, +and irons, to wash and iron, and thus keep in proper order a complete +miniature domestic establishment.</p> + +<p>Besides these recreations, there are the enjoyments secured in walking, +riding, visiting, and many others which need not be recounted. Children, +if trained to be healthful and industrious, will never fail to discover +resources of amusement; while their guardians should lend their aid to +guide and restrain them from excess.</p> + +<p>There is need of a very great change of opinion and practice, in this +Nation, in regard to the subject of social and domestic duties. Many +sensible and conscientious men, spend all their time, abroad, in +business, except, perhaps, an hour or so at night, when they are so +fatigued, as to be unfitted for any social or intellectual enjoyment. +And some of the most conscientious men in the Country, will add, to +their professional business, public or benevolent enterprises, which +demand time, effort, and money; and then excuse themselves for +neglecting all care of their children, and efforts for their own +intellectual improvement, or for the improvement of their families, by +the plea, that they have no time for it. All this, arises from the want +of correct notions of the binding obligation of our social and domestic +duties. The main object of life, is not to secure the various +gratifications of appetite or taste, but to <i>form such a character</i>, for +ourselves and others, as will secure the greatest amount of present and +future happiness. It is of far more consequence, then, that parents +should be intelligent, social, affectionate, and agreeable, at home, and +to their friends, than that they should earn money enough to live in a +large house, and have handsome furniture. It is far<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> more needful, for +children, that a father should attend to the formation of their +character and habits, and aid in developing their social, intellectual, +and moral nature, than it is, that he should earn money to furnish them +with handsome clothes, and a variety of tempting food.</p> + +<p>It will be wise for those parents, who find little time to attend to +their children, or to seek amusement and enjoyment in the domestic and +social circle, because their time is so much occupied with public cares +or benevolent objects, to inquire, whether their first duty is not to +train up their own families, to be useful members of society. A man, who +neglects the mind and morals of his children, to take care of the +public, is in great danger of coming under a similar condemnation, to +that of him, who, neglecting to provide for his own household, has +"denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."</p> + +<p>There are husbands and fathers, who conscientiously subtract time from +their business, to spend at home, in reading with their wives and +children, and in domestic amusements which at once refresh and improve. +The children of such parents will grow up with a love of home and +kindred, which will be the greatest safeguard against future +temptations, as well as the purest source of earthly enjoyment.</p> + +<p>There are families, also, who make it a definite object to keep up +family attachments, after the children are scattered abroad; and, in +some cases, secure the means for doing this, by saving money, which +would otherwise have been spent for superfluities of food or dress. Some +families have adopted, for this end, a practice, which if widely +imitated, would be productive of extensive benefit. The method is this. +On the first day of each month, some member of the family, at each +extreme point of dispersion, takes a folio sheet, and fills a part of a +page. This is sealed and mailed to the next family, who read it, add +another contribution, and then mail it to the next. Thus the family +circular,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> once a month, goes from each extreme, to all the members of a +widely-dispersed family, and each member becomes a sharer in the joys, +sorrows, plans, and pursuits, of all the rest. At the same time, +frequent family meetings are sought; and the expense, thus incurred, is +cheerfully met by retrenchments in other directions. The sacrifice of +some unnecessary physical indulgence, (such, for instance, as the use of +tea and coffee,) will often purchase many social and domestic +enjoyments, a thousand times more elevating and delightful, than the +retrenched luxury.</p> + +<p>There is no social duty, which the Supreme Lawgiver more strenuously +urges, than hospitality and kindness to strangers, who are classed with +the widow and the fatherless, as the special objects of Divine +tenderness. There are some reasons, why this duty peculiarly demands +attention from the American people.</p> + +<p>Reverses of fortune, in this land, are so frequent and unexpected, and +the habits of the people are so migratory, that there are very many in +every part of the Country, who, having seen all their temporal plans and +hopes crushed, are now pining among strangers, bereft of wonted +comforts, without friends, and without the sympathy and society, so +needful to wounded spirits. Such, too frequently, sojourn long and +lonely, with no comforter but Him who "knoweth the heart of a stranger."</p> + +<p>Whenever, therefore, new comers enter a community, inquiry should +immediately be made, whether they have friends and associates, to render +sympathy and kind attentions; and, when there is any need for it, the +ministries of kind neighborhood should immediately be offered. And it +should be remembered, that the first days of a stranger's sojourn, are +the most dreary, and that civility and kindness are doubled in value, by +being offered at an early period.</p> + +<p>In social gatherings, the claims of the stranger are too apt to be +forgotten; especially, in cases where there are no peculiar attractions +of personal appearance, or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> talents, or high standing. Such a one should +be treated with attention, <i>because he is a stranger</i>; and when +communities learn to act more from principle, and less from selfish +impulse, on this subject, the sacred claims of the stranger will be less +frequently forgotten.</p> + +<p>The most agreeable hospitality, to visiters, who become inmates of a +family, is, that which puts them entirely at ease. This can never be the +case, where the guest perceives that the order of family arrangements is +essentially altered, and that time, comfort, and convenience are +sacrificed, for his accommodation.</p> + +<p>Offering the best to visiters, showing a polite regard to every wish +expressed, and giving precedence to them, in all matters of comfort and +convenience, can be easily combined with the easy freedom which makes +the stranger feel at home; and this is the perfection of hospitable +entertainment.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> +<small>ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES.</small> +</h3> + +<p>There is no point of domestic economy, which more seriously involves the +health and daily comfort of American women, than the proper construction +of houses. There are five particulars, to which attention should be +given, in building a house; namely, economy of labor, economy of money, +economy of health, economy of comfort, and good taste. Some particulars +will here be pointed out, under each of these heads.</p> + +<p>The first, respects <i>economy of labor</i>. In deciding upon the size and +style of a house, the health and capacity of the housekeeper, and the +probabilities of securing proper domestics, ought to be the very first +consideration. If a man be uncertain as to his means for hiring service, +or if he have a feeble wife, and be where properly-qualified domestics +are scarce, it is very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> poor economy to build a large house, or to live +in a style which demands much labor. Every room in a house adds to the +expense involved in finishing and furnishing it, and to the amount of +labor spent in sweeping, dusting, cleaning floors, paint, and windows, +and taking care of, and repairing, its furniture. Double the size of a +house, and you double the labor of taking care of it, and so, <i>vice +versa</i>. There is, in this Country, a very great want of calculation and +economy, in this matter.</p> + +<p>The arrangement of rooms, and the proper supply of conveniences, are +other points, in which, economy of labor and comfort is often +disregarded. For example, a kitchen will be in one story, a sitting-room +in another, and the nursery in a third. Nothing is more injurious, to a +feeble woman, than going up and down stairs; and yet, in order to gain +two large parlors, to show to a few friends, or to strangers, immense +sacrifices of health, comfort, and money, are made. If it be possible, +the nursery, sitting-parlor, and kitchen, ought always to be on the same +floor.</p> + +<p>The position of wells and cisterns, and the modes of raising and +carrying water, are other particulars, in which, economy of labor and +comfort is sadly neglected. With half the expense usually devoted to a +sideboard or sofa, the water used from a well or cistern can be so +conducted, as that, by simply turning a cock, it will flow to the place +where it is to be used.</p> + +<p>A want of economy, in labor and in money, is often seen in the shape and +arrangement of houses, and in the style of ornaments and furniture. A +<i>perfect square</i>, encloses more rooms, at less expense, than any other +shape; while it has less surface exposed to external cold, and can be +most easily warmed and ventilated. And the farther a house is removed +from this shape, the more the expense is increased. Wings and kitchens +built out, beyond a house, very much increase expense, both in building +and warming them.</p> + +<p>Piazzas and porticoes are very expensive; and their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> cost would secure +far more comfort, if devoted to additional nursery or kitchen +conveniences. Many kinds of porticoes cost as much as one additional +room in the house. Houses can be so constructed, that one staircase will +answer for both kitchen and parlour use, as may be seen in the engraving +on page <a href='#Page_269'>269</a>, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_27'>27</a>.) This saves the expense and labor usually devoted +to a large hall and front staircase.</p> + +<p>Much money is often worse than wasted, by finical ornaments, which are +fast going out of fashion. One of the largest, most beautiful, and +agreeable, houses, the writer was ever in, was finished with doors, +windows, and fireplaces, in even a plainer style than any given in the +subsequent drawings.</p> + +<p>The position of fireplaces has much to do with economy of expense in +warming a house. Where the fireplace is in an outer wall, one third of +the heat passes out of doors, which would be retained in the house, if +the chimney were within the rooms. A house, contrived like the one +represented in the engraving on page <a href='#Page_272'>272</a>, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_32'>32</a>,) which can be heated +by a stove or chimney at X, may be warmed with less fuel than one of any +other construction.<a name="FNanchor_R_18" id="FNanchor_R_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_R_18" class="fnanchor">[R]</a></p> + +<p><i>Economy of health</i> is often disregarded, by placing wells, cisterns, +and privies, so that persons, in the perspiration of labor, or the +debility of disease, are obliged to go out of doors in all weathers. +Figure <a href='#FIG_35'>35</a>, on page <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>, shows the proper arrangement of such +conveniences. The placing of an outside door, for common use, in a +sitting-room, as is frequent at the West and South, is detrimental to +health. In such cases, children, in their sports, or persons who labor, +are thrown into perspiration, by exercise, the door is thrown open, a +chill ensues, and fever, bowel complaints, or bilious attacks,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> are the +result. A long window, extending down to the floor, which can be used as +a door, in Summer, and be tightly closed, at the bottom, in Winter, +secures all the benefits, without the evils, of an outside door.</p> + +<p>Constructing houses, without open fireplaces in chambers, or any other +mode of ventilation, is another sad violation of the economy of health. +Feeble constitutions in children, and ill health to domestics, are often +caused by this folly.</p> + +<p>The <i>economy of comfort</i> is often violated, by arrangements made for +domestics. Many a woman has been left to endure much hard labor and +perplexity, because she chose to have money spent on handsome parlors +and chambers, for company, which should have been devoted to providing a +comfortable kitchen and chambers for domestics. Cramping the +conveniences and comfort of a family, in order to secure elegant rooms, +to show to company, is a weakness and folly, which it is hoped will +every year become less common.</p> + +<p>The construction of houses with reference to <i>good taste</i>, is a +desirable, though less important, item. The beauty of a house depends +very much upon propriety of proportions, color, and ornament. And it is +always as cheap, and generally cheaper, to build a house in agreement +with the rules of good taste, than to build an awkward and +ill-proportioned one.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Plans of Houses and Domestic Conveniences.</i></div> + +<p>The following plans are designed chiefly for persons in moderate +circumstances, and have especial reference to young housekeepers.</p> + +<p>Every year, as the prosperity of this Nation increases, good domestics +will decrease, and young mothers are hereafter to be called to +superintend and perform all branches of domestic business, to nurse +children, direct ignorant domestics, attend the sick, entertain company, +and fulfil all other family duties; and this, too, in a majority of +cases, with delicate constitutions, or impaired health. Every man, +therefore, in forming plans for a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> future residence, and every woman who +has any influence in deciding such matters, ought to make these +probabilities the chief basis of their calculations.<a name="FNanchor_S_19" id="FNanchor_S_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_S_19" class="fnanchor">[S]</a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> + <a name="FIG_17" id="FIG_17"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 17.</span> + <img src="images/fig17.jpg" width="500" height="277" alt="Fig. 17." title="" /> +</div> +<br /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_18" id="FIG_18"></a> + <p> + Fig. 18.<br /> + Ground-plan. + </p> + <img src="images/fig18.jpg" width="413" height="401" alt="Fig. 18. Ground-plan." title="" /> + <p>Scale of Feet.</p> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <ul style="padding-top: 4em;"> + <li>a, Porch.</li> + <li>b, Parlor, 15 by 16 feet.</li> + <li>c, Dining-room, 15 by 16 feet.</li> + <li>d, d, Small Bedrooms.</li> + <li>e, Stairs.</li> + <li>f, f, f, Closets.</li> + <li>g, Pantry.</li> + <li>h, Store-closet.</li> + <li>i, i, i, Fireplaces.</li> + <li>j, Kitchen.</li> + <li>k, Bedpress.</li> + <li>z, Cellar door.</li> + </ul> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + +<p>The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> plan, exhibited in Figures +<a href='#FIG_17'>17</a>, and <a href='#FIG_18'>18</a>, is that of a cottage, whose +chief exterior beauty is its fine proportions. It should be painted +white.</p> + +<p>Fig. <a href='#FIG_17'>17</a>, is the <i>elevation</i>, or the front view of the exterior. Fig. <a href='#FIG_18'>18</a>, +is the ground-plan, in which, an entire break in the wall, represents a +door, and a break with a line across it, a window. When a cross x is put +by a door, it indicates into which room the door swings, and where the +hinges should be put, as the comfort of a fireside very much depends on +the way in which the doors are hung. A scale of measurement is given at +the bottom of the drawings, by which, the size of all parts can be +measured. The ten small divisions, are each one foot. The longest +divisions are ten feet each.</p> + +<p>In the ground-plan, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_18'>18</a>,) <i>a</i>, is the porch, which projects enough +to afford an entrance to the two adjacent rooms, and thus avoids the +evil of an outside door to a sitting-room. If a door be wanted in these +rooms, the front windows can be made to extend down to the floor, so as +to serve as doors in Summer, and be tightly closed in Winter. The +parlor, <i>b</i>, has the bedpress, <i>k</i>, and the closet, <i>f</i>, adjoining it. +Figure <a href='#FIG_19'>19</a> is intended to represent this side of the room.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> + <a name="FIG_19" id="FIG_19"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 19.</span> + <img src="images/fig19.jpg" width="500" height="365" alt="Fig. 19." title="" /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p><p>The two large doors, in the centre, open into the bedpress, and one of +the smaller ones into the closet, <i>f</i>. The other, can either be a false +door, in order to secure symmetry, or else a real one, opening into the +kitchen, <i>j</i>.</p> + +<p>A room, thus arranged, can be made to serve as a genteel parlor, for +company, during the day, when all these doors can be closed. At night, +the doors of the bedpress being opened, it is changed to an airy +bedroom, while the closets, <i>f, f</i>, serve to conceal all accommodations +pertaining to a bedroom. The bedpress is just large enough to receive a +bed; and under it, if need be, might be placed a trucklebed, for young +children. The eating-room, <i>c</i>, has the small bedroom, <i>d</i>, adjoining +it, which, by leaving the door open, at night, will be sufficiently airy +for a sleeping-room. The kitchen, <i>j</i>, has a smaller bedroom, <i>d</i>, +attached to it, which will hold a narrow single bed for a domestic; and, +if need be, a narrow trucklebed under it, for a child. The staircase to +the garret, can either be placed in the eating-room, or in the small +entry. A plan for back accommodations is shown in Fig. <a href='#FIG_35'>35</a>, (page <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.) +These should be placed in the rear of the kitchen, so as not to cover +the window.</p> + +<p>A house like this, will conveniently accommodate a family of six or +eight persons; but some economy and contrivance will be needed, in +storing away articles of dress and bedclothing. For this end, in the +bedpress, <i>k</i>, of the parlor, <i>b</i>, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_18'>18</a>,) a wide shelf may be +placed, two feet from the ceiling, where winter bedding, or folded +clothing, can be stowed, while a short curtain in front, hung from the +wall, will give a tidy look, and keep out dust. Under this shelf, if +need be, pegs can be placed, to hold other articles; and a curtain be +hung from the edge of the shelf, to conceal and protect them. Both the +closets, <i>f, f</i>, should have shelves and drawers. The garret can have a +window inserted in the roof, and thus be made serviceable for storage.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> + <a name="FIG_20" id="FIG_20"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 20.</span> + <img src="images/fig20.jpg" width="500" height="295" alt="Fig. 20." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Figure <a href='#FIG_20'>20</a> represents a fireplace and mantelpiece, in a style +corresponding with the doors.</p> + +<p>Such a cottage as this, could be built for from five hundred to nine +hundred dollars, according as the expense of labor in the place, and the +excellence of the materials and labor, may vary.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> + <a name="FIG_21" id="FIG_21"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 21.</span> + <img src="images/fig21.jpg" width="500" height="315" alt="Fig. 21." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Figures <a href='#FIG_21'>21</a> and <a href='#FIG_22'>22</a>, show the elevation and ground-plan of a cottage, in +which the rooms are rather more agreeably arranged, than in the former +plan. The elevation, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_21'>21</a>,) has a piazza, running across the whole +front. This would cost nearly two hundred dollars; and, for this sum, +another story might be added. An architect told the writer, that he +could build<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> the two-story house, +(Fig. <a href='#FIG_23'>23</a> and <a href='#FIG_24'>24</a>,) without a piazza, +for the same sum, as this cottage, <i>with</i> one. This shows the poor +economy of these appendages.</p> + +<p>The ground-plan, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_22'>22</a>,) will be understood, from the explanation +appended to it.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> + <a name="FIG_22" id="FIG_22"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 22.</span> + <img src="images/fig22.jpg" width="400" height="613" alt="Fig. 22." title="" /> + <span class="caption">Scale of Feet.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 425px;"> + <div class="wrapper"> + <ul> + <li>a, Porch.</li> + <li>b, Entry.</li> + <li>c, Stairs.</li> + <li>d, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet.</li> + <li>e, Dining-room, 16 by 16 feet.</li> + <li>f, Kitchen.</li> + </ul> + </div> + <div class="wrapper"> + <ul> + <li>g, g, g, Bedpresses.</li> + <li>h, h, h, h, Closets.</li> + <li>i, Store-closet.</li> + <li>j, Back entry and Sink.</li> + <li>p, Cellar stairs.</li> + <li>o, o, o, Fireplaces.</li> + </ul> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + + +<p>The parlor, <i>d</i>, is designed to have the doors (shown in Fig. <a href='#FIG_19'>19</a>) placed +at the end, where is the bedpress, <i>g</i>. This will make it a handsome +parlor, by day, and yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> allow it to be used as a bedroom, at night. The +bedpresses, in the other rooms, can have less expensive doors. A window +is put in each bedpress, to secure proper ventilation. These should be +opened, to air the bed, on leaving it. These can be fitted up with +shelves, pegs, and curtains, as before described. If the elevation of +the first cottage be preferred to this, as being less expensive, it can +be used, by altering it a little; thus, instead of the projection for +the entry, make a slight projection, of the width of one brick, to +preserve the same general outside appearance. Let the windows extend +down to the floor, and the beauty of symmetry will also be preserved.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 675px;"> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_23" id="FIG_23"></a> + <p>Fig. 23.<br /> + Ground-plan. + </p> + <img src="images/fig23.jpg" width="400" height="259" alt="Fig. 23. Ground-plan." title="" /> + <p>Scale of Feet.</p> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <ul style="padding-top: 4em;"> + <li>a, Entry.</li> + <li>b, Stairs.</li> + <li>c, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet.</li> + <li>d, Kitchen, 14 by 14 feet.</li> + <li>e, Store-closet.</li> + <li>f, Pantry.</li> + <li>g, Sinkroom.</li> + <li>h, Closet.</li> + <li>i, i, Fireplaces.</li> + <li>n, Cellar door.</li> + <li>o, Oven.</li> + <li>y, Furnace.</li> + <li>z, Sink.</li> + </ul> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 675px;"> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_24" id="FIG_24"></a> + <p>Fig. 24.<br /> + Second Story. + </p> + <img src="images/fig24.jpg" width="407" height="225" alt="Fig. 24. Second Story." title="" /> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <ul style="padding-top: 4em;"> + <li>a, Stairs.</li> + <li>b, Passage.</li> + <li>c, c, c, Bedrooms.</li> + <li>d, d, d, d, Closets.</li> + <li>e, e, Fireplaces.</li> + <li>f, Nursery.</li> + <li>g, Room for young children.</li> + </ul> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> +The plans, shown in Fig. <a href='#FIG_23'>23</a> and <a href='#FIG_24'>24</a>, are designed for families, where +most domestic labor is to be done without the aid of domestics. The +parlor, <i>c</i>, is for a sitting-room, and for company. The room, <i>d</i>, is +the eating-room; where, also, the ironing and other nicer family work +can be done. In the small room, <i>g</i>, either an oven and boiler, or a +cooking-stove, can be placed. The elevation, shown in Fig. <a href='#FIG_25'>25</a>, is +designed for the front of this house.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> + <a name="FIG_25" id="FIG_25"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 25.</span> + <img src="images/fig25.jpg" width="500" height="405" alt="Fig. 25." title="" /> +</div> +<br /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 506px;"> + <a name="FIG_26" id="FIG_26"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 26.</span> + <img src="images/fig26.jpg" width="506" height="412" alt="Fig. 26." title="" /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>Figures <a href='#FIG_27'>27</a> and <a href='#FIG_28'>28</a>, are plans of a two-story house, on a larger scale, +with a concealed staircase, for front and back use. The elevation, Fig. +<a href='#FIG_26'>26</a>, is designed for this plan.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_27" id="FIG_27"></a> + <p>Fig. 27.<br /> + Ground-plan. + </p> + <img src="images/fig27.jpg" width="422" height="556" alt="Fig. 27. Ground-plan." title="" /> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <ul style="padding-top: 12em;"> + <li>b, b, Entry.</li> + <li>c, Stairs.</li> + <li>d, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet.</li> + <li>e, Dining-room, 15 by 16 feet.</li> + <li>f, Kitchen, 15 by 16 feet.</li> + <li>g, g, g, Closets.</li> + <li>h, Store-closet.</li> + <li>i, Back entry.</li> + <li>j, Pantry.</li> + <li>k, k, k, Fireplaces.</li> + <li>x, Cellar stairs.</li> + </ul> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_28" id="FIG_28"></a> + <p>Fig. 28.<br /> + Second Story. + </p> + <img src="images/fig28.jpg" width="407" height="474" alt="Fig. 28. Second Story." title="" /> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <ul style="padding-top: 12em;"> + <li>a, a, a, a, Bedrooms.</li> + <li>b, Stairs.</li> + <li>c, c, c, Closets.</li> + <li>d, Passage.</li> + <li>e, e, e, Fireplaces.</li> + <li>y, Garret stairs.</li> + </ul> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_29" id="FIG_29"></a> + <p>Fig. 29.<br /> + Ground-floor. + </p> + <img src="images/fig29.jpg" width="400" height="388" alt="Fig. 29. Ground-floor." title="" /> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <ul style="padding-top: 4em;"> + <li>b, Entry.</li> + <li>c, Parlor, 17 by 17 feet.</li> + <li>d, Dining-room, 13 by 15 feet.</li> + <li>e, Parlor or Bedroom,<br />17 by 17 feet.</li> + <li>f, Kitchen, 19 by 17 feet.</li> + <li>g, Stairs.</li> + <li>h, Store-closet.</li> + <li>i, i, i, Closets.</li> + <li>n, n, n, n, Fireplaces.</li> + <li>o, Folding-doors.</li> + <li>p, Pegs for over-garments.</li> + <li>z, Cellar stairs.</li> + </ul> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_30" id="FIG_30"></a> + <p>Fig. 30.<br /> + Second Story. + </p> + <img src="images/fig30.jpg" width="400" height="384" alt="Fig. 30. Second Story." title="" /> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <ul style="padding-top: 4em;"> + <li>a, a, a, a, a, Bedrooms.</li> + <li>b, Stairs.</li> + <li>c, Passage.</li> + <li>d, d, d, d, Closets.</li> + <li>e, e, e, e, Fireplaces.</li> + </ul> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + +<p>Figures <a href='#FIG_29'>29</a> and <a href='#FIG_30'>30</a>, are plans for a larger house, which can have either +of the elevations, Fig. <a href='#FIG_25'>25</a> or <a href='#FIG_26'>26</a>,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> adapted to it. These also have a +concealed staircase, for front and back use. If a nursery, or bedroom, +is wished, on the ground-floor, the back parlor, <i>e</i>, can be taken; in +which case, the closets, <i>i</i>, <i>i</i>, are very useful. To prevent noise +from reaching the front parlor, two sets of folding-doors, each side of +the passage, <i>o</i>, could be placed. With this arrangement, these rooms +could be used, sometimes as two parlors, opening into each other, by +folding doors, and at other times, as a nursery and parlor. In this +plan, the storeroom, <i>h</i>, and china-closet, <i>i</i>, between the kitchen and +eating-room, are a great convenience.</p> + +<p>Figures <a href='#FIG_31'>31</a> and <a href='#FIG_32'>32</a>, present the plan of a Gothic cottage, which secures +the most economy of <i>labor</i> and <i>expense</i>, with the greatest amount of +<i>convenience and comfort</i>, which the writer has ever seen.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;"> + <a name="FIG_31" id="FIG_31"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 31.</span> + <img src="images/fig31.jpg" width="550" height="395" alt="Fig. 31." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>The elevation, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_31'>31</a>,) exhibits the front view. It has a recess in +the central part, under which, is the door, with a window on each side +of it. This forms a piazza; and into this, and a similar one at the back +of the house, the two centre parlors open.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> + <a name="FIG_32" id="FIG_32"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 32.</span> + <img src="images/fig32.jpg" width="500" height="458" alt="Fig. 32." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>In the centre of the house, (see Fig. <a href='#FIG_32'>32</a>,) are the two parlors, <i>b</i> and +<i>c</i>; the back one to be used as an eating-room. At X, can be placed, +either a chimney, with doors on each side of the fireplace, or, (which +is the most agreeable,) folding-doors, which can be thrown open in +Summer, thus making a large saloon, through the house, from one piazza +to the other. In this case, the parlors are warmed by a large stove, set +near the folding-doors, which would easily warm both parlors and one or +two adjacent rooms. In Winter, the outside doors, opening to the +piazzas, should be fastened and calked, and the side entry, at <i>d</i>, be +used. At <i>e</i>, is the nursery, with the bedpress, <i>g</i>, which, being +closed by day, makes a retired parlor for the mother. At <i>n</i>, is the +children's playroom and sleeping-room, adjoining the mother's room. At +<i>k</i>, is the kitchen, adjacent to the eating-room, with the storeroom, +<i>e</i>, and the closets, <i>m</i>, <i>m</i>, one for the eating-room, and one for the +kitchen utensils. At <i>i</i>, is a parlor, which can be used for a study or +library, by the master of the family; while the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> adjacent bedpress, <i>j</i>, +renders it a convenient lodging-room, for guests. Another lodging-room, +is at <i>h</i>; and in the attic, is space enough for several comfortable +lodging-rooms. A window in the roof, on the front and back, like the one +on Wadsworth's Cottage, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_33'>33</a>,) could be placed over the front door, +to light the chambers in the attic. A double roof in the attic, with a +current of air between, secures cool chambers. The closets are marked +<i>o</i>, and the fireplaces <i>p</i>. The stairs to the attic are at <i>q</i>. By this +arrangement, the housekeeper has her parlor, sleeping-room, nursery, and +kitchen, on the same floor, while the rooms with bedpresses, enable her +to increase either parlors or lodging-rooms, at pleasure, without +involving the care of a very large and expensive house.</p> + +<p>Figure <a href='#FIG_33'>33</a>, is the representation of a cottage, built by Daniel +Wadsworth, Esq., in the vicinity of Hartford, Connecticut; and is on a +plan, which, though much smaller, is very similar to the plan +represented in Fig. <a href='#FIG_32'>32</a>. It serves to show the manner in which the +<i>roofs</i> should be arranged, in Fig. <a href='#FIG_31'>31</a>, which, being seen exactly in +front, does not give any idea of the mode of this arrangement. The +elevation of Wadsworth's cottage, could be taken for the ground-plan +shown in Fig. <a href='#FIG_32'>32</a>, if it be preferred to the other.</p> + +<p>Both this cottage, and all the other plans, require a woodhouse, and the +conveniences connected with it, which are represented in Fig. <a href='#FIG_35'>35</a>, (page +<a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.) For these Gothic cottages, an appendage of this sort should be in +keeping with the rest, having windows, like those in the little +Summer-house in the drawing, and battlements, as on the top of the wings +of the barn. The ornaments on the front of the cottage, and the pillars +of the portico, made simply of the trunks of small trees, give a +beautiful rural finish, and their expense is trifling. In this picture, +the trees could not be placed as they are in reality, because they would +hide the buildings.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 550px;"> + <a name="FIG_33" id="FIG_33"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 33.</span> + <img src="images/fig33.jpg" width="550" height="308" alt="Fig. 33." title="" /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>In arranging yards and grounds, the house should be set back, as in the +drawing of Wadsworth's cottage; and, instead of planting shade-trees in +straight lines, or scattering them about, as single trees, they should +be arranged in clusters, with large openings for turf, flowers, and +shrubbery, which never flourish well under the shade and dropping of +trees. This also secures spots of dark and cool shade, even when trees +are young.</p> + +<p>In arranging shade-trees tastefully around such a place, a large cluster +might be placed on each side of the gate; another on the circular +grass-plot, at the side of the house; another at a front corner; and +another at a back corner. Shrubbery, along the walks, and on the +circular plot, in front, and flowers close to the house, would look +well. The barn, also, should have clusters of trees near it; and +occasional single trees, on the lawn, would give the graceful ease and +variety seen in nature.</p> + +<p>Figure <a href="#FIG_34">34</a>, represents the accommodations for securing water with the +least labor. It is designed for a well or cistern under ground. The +reservoir, R, may be a half hogshead, or something larger, which may be +filled once a day, from the pump, by a man, or boy.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> + <a name="FIG_34" id="FIG_34"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 34.</span> + <img src="images/fig34.jpg" width="500" height="217" alt="Fig. 34." title="" /> + +<p> +P, Pump. L, Steps to use when pumping. R, Reservoir. G, +Brickwork to raise the Reservoir. B, A large Boiler. F, Furnace, +beneath the Boiler. C, Conductor of cold water. H, Conductor of hot +water. K, Cock for letting cold water into the Boiler. S, Pipe to +conduct cold water to a cock over the kitchen sink. T, Bathing-tub, +which receives cold water from the Conductor, C, and hot water from +the Conductor, H. W, Partition separating the Bathing-room from the +Wash-room. Y, Cock to draw off hot water. Z, Plug to let off the +water from the Bathing-tub into a drain. +</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span>The conductor, C, should be a lead pipe, which, instead of going over +the boiler, should be bent along behind it. From S, a branch sets off, +which conducts the cold water to the sink in the kitchen, where it +discharges with a cock. H, is a conductor from the lower part of the +boiler, made of copper, or some metal not melted by great heat; and at +Y, a cock is placed, to draw off hot water. Then the conductor passes to +the bathing-tub, where is another cock. At Z, the water is let off from +the bathing-tub. By this arrangement, great quantities of hot and cold +water can be used, with no labor in carrying, and with very little labor +in raising it.</p> + +<p>In case a cistern is built above ground, it can be placed as the +reservoir is, and then all the labor of pumping is saved.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"> + <div class="floatleft"> + <a name="FIG_35" id="FIG_35"></a> + <p>Fig. 35.</p> + <img src="images/fig35.jpg" width="400" height="385" alt="Fig. 35." title="" /> + <p>Scale of Feet.</p> + </div> + <div class="floatleft"> + <ul style="padding-top: 4em;"> + <li>A, Boiler and furnace.</li> + <li>B, Bathing-room.</li> + <li>C, Reservoir.</li> + <li>D, Pump.</li> + <li>E, Wash-form.</li> + <li>F, Sink.</li> + <li>G, Kitchen.</li> + <li>H, Woodpile.</li> + <li>I, Large doors.</li> + <li>i,i, Bins for coal and ashes.</li> + <li>O, Window.</li> + <li>P, P, Privies.</li> + <li>T, Bathing-tub.</li> + <li>V, Door.</li> + </ul> + </div> + <div class="spacer"> </div> +</div> + +<p>Fig. <a href='#FIG_35'>35</a>, is the plan of a building for back-door accommodations. At <i>A</i>, +<i>C</i>, <i>D</i>, <i>E</i>, are accommodations shown in Fig. <a href='#FIG_34'>34</a>. The bathing-room is +adjacent to the boiler and reservoir, to receive the water. The privy, +<i>P</i>, <i>P</i>, should have two apartments, as indispensable <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>to healthful +habits in a family. A window should be placed at <i>O</i>, and a door, with +springs or a weight to keep it shut, should be at <i>V</i>. Keeping the +window open, and the door shut, will prevent any disagreeable effects in +the house. At <i>G</i>, is the kitchen, and at <i>F</i>, the sink, which should +have a conductor and cock from the reservoir. <i>H</i>, is the place for +wood, where it should in Summer be stored for Winter. A bin, for coal, +and also a brick receiver, for ashes, should be in this part. Every +woman should use her influence to secure all these conveniences; even if +it involves the sacrifice of the piazza, or "the best parlor."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> + <a name="FIG_36" id="FIG_36"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 36.</span> + <img src="images/fig36.jpg" width="500" height="451" alt="Fig. 36." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Fig. <a href='#FIG_36'>36</a>, is a latticed portico, which is cheap, and answers all the +purposes of a more expensive one. It should be solid, overhead, to turn +off the rain, and creepers should be trained over it. A simple latticed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> +arch, over a door, covered with creepers, is very cheap, and serves +instead of an expensive portico.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 378px;"> + <a name="FIG_37" id="FIG_37"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 37.</span> + <img src="images/fig37.jpg" width="378" height="550" alt="Fig. 37." title="" /> + <div> + <span style="text-align:left; margin-left: 35px;">C, Parlor ceiling. </span> + <span style="text-align:left; margin-left: 70px;">K, Kitchen ceiling.</span> + </div> +</div> + +<p>Fig. <a href='#FIG_37'>37</a>, represents a <i>sliding closet</i>, or <i>dumb waiter</i>, a convenience +which saves much labor, when the kitchen is in the basement. The two +closets should be made wide, and broad enough to receive a common +waiter. The chain, or rope, which passes over the wheels, should branch, +at <i>X</i>, so as to keep the closet from rubbing in its movements, when the +dishes are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> not set exactly in the middle, or are of unequal weights. By +this method, almost every thing needed to pass between the kitchen and +parlor can be sent up and down, without any steps. If the kitchen is not +directly under the eating-room, the sliding closet can be placed in the +vicinity of one or both. Where the place is not wide enough for two +closets like these, they can be made wider than they are long, say one +foot and six inches long, and three feet wide. A strip of wood, an inch +broad, should be fastened on the front and back of the shelves, to +prevent the dishes from being broken when they are set on carelessly.</p> + +<p>There is nothing, which so much improves the appearance of a house and +the premises, as painting or whitewashing the tenements and fences. The +following receipts for whitewashing, answer the same purpose for wood, +brick, and stone, as oil-paint, and are much cheaper. The first, is the +receipt used for the President's house, at Washington, improved by +further experiments. The second, is a cheaper one, which the writer has +known to succeed, in a variety of cases, lasting as long, and looking as +well, as white oil-paint.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Receipt.</i></div> + +<p>Take half a bushel of unslacked lime, and slack it with boiling water, +covering it, during the process. Strain it, and add a peck of salt, +dissolved in warm water; three pounds of ground rice, boiled to a thin +paste, put in boiling hot; half a pound of powdered Spanish whiting; and +a pound of clear glue, dissolved in warm water. Mix, and let it stand +several days. Heat it in a kettle, on a portable furnace, and apply it +as hot as possible, with a painter's or whitewash-brush.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Another.</i></div> + +<p>Make whitewash, in the usual way, except that the water used should be +hot, and nearly saturated with salt. Then stir in four handfuls of fine +sand, to make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> it thick like cream. Coloring matter can be added to +both, making a light stone-color, a cream-color, or a light buff, which +are most suitable for buildings.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTES:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_R_18" id="Footnote_R_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_R_18"><span class="label">[R]</span></a> Many houses are now heated, by a furnace in the cellar, +which receives pure air from out of doors, heats it, and sends it into +several rooms, while water is evaporated to prevent the air from +becoming dry. The most perfect one the writer has seen, is constructed +by Mr. Fowler, of Hartford. This method secures well-ventilated rooms, +and is very economical, where several rooms are to be warmed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_S_19" id="Footnote_S_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_S_19"><span class="label">[S]</span></a> Those, who are amateurs in architecture, in judging of +these designs, must take into consideration, that this is a work on +domestic <i>economy</i>, and that matters of taste, have necessarily been +made subordinate to points, involving economy of health, comfort, and +expense. Still, it is believed, that good taste has been essentially +preserved, in most of these designs.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.<br /> +<small>ON FIRES AND LIGHTS.</small> +</h3> + +<p>A shallow fireplace saves wood, and gives out more heat than a deeper +one. A false back, of brick, may be put up in a deep fireplace. Hooks, +for holding up the shovel and tongs, a hearth-brush and bellows, and +brass knobs to hang them on, should be furnished to every fireplace. An +iron bar, across the andirons, aids in keeping the fire safe, and in +good order. Steel furniture is more genteel, and more easily kept in +order, than that made of brass.</p> + +<p>Use green wood, for logs, and mix green and dry wood for the fire; and +then the woodpile will last much longer. Walnut, maple, hickory, and +oak, wood, are best, chestnut or hemlock is bad, because it snaps. Do +not buy a load, in which there are many crooked sticks. Learn how to +measure and calculate the solid contents of a load, so as not to be +cheated. Have all your wood split, and piled under cover, for Winter. +Have the green wood logs in one pile, dry wood in another, oven-wood in +another, kindlings and chips in another, and a supply of charcoal to use +for broiling and ironing, in another place. Have a brick bin, for ashes, +and never allow them to be put in wood. When quitting fires, at night, +never leave a burning stick across the andirons, nor on its end, without +quenching it. See that no fire adheres to the broom or brush; remove all +articles from the fire, and have two pails, filled with water, in the +kitchen, where they will not freeze.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Stoves and Grates.</i></div> + +<p>Rooms, heated by stoves, should always have some opening for the +admission of fresh air, or they will be injurious to health. The dryness +of the air, which they occasion, should be remedied, either by placing a +vessel, filled with water, on the stove, or by hooking a long and narrow +pan, filled with water, in front of the grate; otherwise, the lungs or +eyes may be injured. A large number of plants in a room, prevents this +dryness of the air. Openings for pipes, through floors, partitions, or +fireboards, should be surrounded by tin, to prevent their taking fire. +Lengthening a pipe, will increase its draught.</p> + +<p>For those, who use <i>anthracite coal</i>, that which is broken or screened, +is best for grates, and the nut-coal, for small stoves. Three tons are +sufficient, in the Middle States, and four tons in the Northern, to keep +one fire through the Winter. That which is bright, hard, and clean, is +best; and that which is soft, porous, and covered with damp dust, is +poor. It will be well to provide two barrels of charcoal, for kindling, +to every ton of anthracite coal. Grates, for <i>bituminous</i> coal, should +have a flue nearly as deep as the grate; and the bars should be round, +and not close together. The better draught there is, the less coal-dust +is made. Every grate should be furnished with a poker, shovel, tongs, +blower, coal-scuttle, and holder for the blower. The latter may be made +of woollen, covered with old silk, and hung near the fire.</p> + +<p>Coal-stoves should be carefully put up, as cracks, in the pipe, +especially in sleeping rooms, are dangerous.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Lights.</i></div> + +<p>Lamps are better than candles, as they give a steadier light, and do not +scatter grease, like tallow candles. The best oil, is clear, and nearly +colorless. Winter-strained oil should be used in cold weather. Lard is a +good substitute for oil, for astral and other large lamps.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> It is +cheaper, burns clearer, and has a less disagreeable smell. It will not +burn so well in small lamps, as in large ones. Melt it every morning, in +an old pitcher, kept for the purpose. Oil, long kept, grows thick, and +does not burn well. It is therefore best not to buy it in large +quantities. It should never be left standing in lamps, for several days, +as this spoils it, and often injures the lamps. Camphine is a kind of +oil manufactured in New York, which does not smell disagreeably, nor +make grease-spots, and gives a brighter light than the best oil. Cleanse +the insides of lamps and oil-cans, with pearlash-water. Be careful to +drain them well, and not to let any gilding, or bronze, be injured by +the pearlash-water coming in contact with it. Put one tablespoonful of +pearlash to one quart of water.</p> + +<p>The care of lamps requires so much attention and discretion, that many +ladies choose to do this work, themselves, rather than trust it with +domestics. To do it properly, provide the following things:—An old +waiter, to hold all the articles used; a lamp-filler, with a spout, +small at the end, and turned up to prevent oil from dripping; a ball of +wickyarn, and a basket to hold it; a lamp-trimmer, made for the purpose, +or a pair of <i>sharp</i> scissors; a small soap-cup and soap; some pearlash, +in a broad-mouthed bottle; and several soft cloths, to wash the +articles, and towels, to wipe them. If every thing, after being used, is +cleansed from oil, and then kept neatly, it will not be so unpleasant a +task, as it usually is, to take care of lamps.</p> + +<p>Wash the shade of an astral lamp, once a week, and the glass chimney +oftener. Take the lamp to pieces, and cleanse it, once a month. Keep dry +fingers, in trimming lamps. To raise the wick of an astral lamp, turn it +to the right; to lower it, turn it to the left. Trim it, after it has +been once used; and, in lighting it, raise it to the proper height, as +soon as may be, or it will either smoke, or form a crust. Renew the +wick, when only an inch and a half long. Close-woven wicks are better +than those which are loose. Dipping<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> wicks in vinegar, makes them burn +clearer than they otherwise would. Plain shades do not injure the eyes, +like cut ones; and prints and pictures appear better by them, than by +the others. Lamps should be lighted with a strip of folded or rolled +paper, kept on the mantelpiece. Weak eyes should always be shaded from +the lights. Small screens, made for the purpose, should be kept at hand. +A person with weak eyes, can use them, safely, much longer, when they +are shaded from the glare of the light, than if they are not so. Fill +the entry-lamp, every day, and cleanse and fill night-lanterns, twice a +week, if used often. Provide small, one-wicked lamps, to carry about; +and broad-bottomed lamps, for the kitchen, as these are not easily +upset.</p> + +<p>A good night-lamp is made, with a small one-wicked lamp and a roll of +tin to set over it. Have some holes made in the bottom of this cover, +and it can then be used to heat articles. Very cheap floating tapers, +can be bought, to burn in a teacup of oil through the night.</p> + +<p>Wickyarn, drawn repeatedly through melted wax, till stiff and smooth, +makes a good taper, for use in sealing letters. It can be twined in +fanciful forms, and kept on the writing-table.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>To make Candles.</i></div> + +<p>The nicest candles, are run in moulds. For this purpose, melt together +one quarter of a pound of white wax, one quarter of an ounce of camphor, +two ounces of alum, and ten ounces of suet or mutton tallow. Soak the +wicks, in lime-water and saltpetre, and, when dry, fix them in the +moulds, and pour in the melted tallow. Let them remain one night, to +cool, then warm them, a little, to loosen them, draw them out, and, when +hard, put them in a box, in a dry and cool place.</p> + +<p>To make dipped candles, cut the wicks of the right length, double them +over rods, and twist them. They should first be dipped in lime-water, or +vinegar, and dried. Melt the tallow in a large kettle, filling it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> to +the top with hot water, when the tallow is melted. Put in wax, and +powdered alum, to harden them. Keep the tallow hot, over a portable +furnace, and fill up the kettle, with hot water, as fast as the tallow +is used up. Lay two long strips of narrow board, on which to hang the +rods; and set flat pans under, on the floor, to catch the grease. Take +several rods at once, and wet the wicks in the tallow; and, when cool, +straighten and smooth them. Then dip them, as fast as they cool, until +they become of the proper size. Plunge them obliquely, and not +perpendicularly; and when the bottoms are too large, hold them in the +hot grease, till a part melts off. Let them remain one night, to cool; +then cut off the bottoms, and keep them in a dry, cool place. Cheap +lights are made, by dipping rushes in tallow.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> +<small>ON WASHING.</small> +</h3> + +<p>There is nothing, which tends more effectually to secure good washing, +than a full supply of all conveniences; and among these, none is more +important, than an abundance of warm and cold water: but, if this be +obtained, and heated, at a great expense of time and labor, it will be +used in stinted measure. The accommodations described on page <a href='#Page_275'>275</a>, (Fig. +<a href="#FIG_34">34</a>,) are very convenient in this respect.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Articles to be provided for Washing.</i></div> + +<p>A plenty of soft water is a very important item. When this cannot be +had, ley or soda can be put in hard water, to soften it; care being used +not to put in so much, as to injure the hands and clothes. Two +wash-forms are needed; one for the two tubs in which to put the suds, +and the other for blueing and starching-tubs. Four tubs, of different +sizes, are necessary; also,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> a large <i>wooden</i> dipper, (as metal is apt +to rust;) two or three pails; a grooved wash-board; a clothes-line, +(sea-grass, or horse-hair is best;) a wash-stick to move clothes, when +boiling, and a wooden fork to take them out. Soap-dishes, made to hook +on the tubs, save soap and time. Provide, also, a clothes-bag, in which +to boil clothes; an indigo-bag, of double flannel; a starch-strainer, of +coarse linen; a bottle of ox-gall for calicoes; a supply of starch, +neither sour nor musty; several dozens of clothes-pins, which are cleft +sticks, used to fasten clothes on the line; a bottle of dissolved gum +Arabic; two clothes-baskets; and a brass or copper kettle, for boiling +clothes, as iron is apt to rust. A closet, for keeping all these things, +is a great convenience. It may be made six feet high, three feet deep, +and four feet wide. The tubs and pails can be set on the bottom of this, +on their sides, one within another. Four feet from the bottom, have a +shelf placed, on which to put the basket of clothes-pins, the line, +soap-dishes, dipper, and clothes-fork. Above this, have another shelf, +for the bottles, boxes, &c. The shelves should reach out only half way +from the back, and nails should be put at the sides, for hanging the +wash-stick, clothes-bag, starch-bag, and indigo-bag. The +ironing-conveniences might be kept in the same closet, by having the +lower shelf raised a little, and putting a deep drawer under it, to hold +the ironing-sheets, holders, &c. A lock and key should be put on the +closet. If the mistress of the family requests the washerwoman to notify +her, when she is through, and then ascertains if all these articles are +put in their places, it will prove useful. Tubs, pails, and all hooped +wooden ware, should be kept out of the sun, and in a cool place, or they +will fall to pieces.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Common Mode of Washing.</i></div> + +<p>Assort the clothes, and put them in soak, the night before. Never pour +hot water on them, as it sets the dirt. In assorting clothes, put the +flannels in one lot,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> the colored clothes in another, the coarse white +ones in a third, and the fine clothes in a fourth lot. Wash the fine +clothes in one tub of suds; and throw them, when wrung, into another. +Then wash them, in the second suds, turning them wrong side out. Put +them in the boiling-bag, and boil them in strong suds, for half an hour, +and not much more. Move them, while boiling, with the clothes-stick. +Take them out of the boiling-bag, and put them into a tub of water, and +rub the dirtiest places, again, if need be. Throw them into the +rinsing-water, and then wring them out, and put them into the +blueing-water. Put the articles to be stiffened, into a clothes-basket, +by themselves, and, just before hanging out, dip them in starch, +clapping it in, so as to have them equally stiff, in all parts. Hang +white clothes in the sun, and colored ones, (wrong side out,) in the +shade. Fasten them with clothes-pins. Then wash the coarser white +articles, in the same manner. Then wash the colored clothes. These must +not be soaked, nor have ley or soda put in the water, and they ought not +to lie wet long before hanging out, as it injures their colors. +Beef's-gall, one spoonful to two pailfuls of suds, improves calicoes. +Lastly, wash the flannels, in suds as hot as the hand can bear. Never +rub on soap, as this shrinks them in spots. Wring them out of the first +suds, and throw them into another tub of hot suds, turning them wrong +side out. Then throw them into hot blueing-water. Do not put blueing +into suds, as it makes specks in the flannel. Never leave flannels long +in water, nor put them in cold or lukewarm water. Before hanging them +out, shake and stretch them. Some housekeepers have a close closet, made +with slats across the top. On these slats, they put their flannels, when +ready to hang out, and then burn brimstone under them, for ten minutes. +It is but little trouble, and keeps the flannels as white as new. Wash +the colored flannels, and hose, after the white, adding more hot water. +Some persons dry woollen hose on stocking-boards, shaped like a foot and +leg,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> with strings to tie them on the line. This keeps them from +shrinking, and makes them look better than if ironed. It is also less +work, than to iron them properly.</p> + +<p>Bedding should be washed in long days, and in hot weather. Pound +blankets in two different tubs or barrels of hot suds, first well mixing +the soap and water. Rinse in hot suds; and, after wringing, let two +persons shake them thoroughly, and then hang them out. If not dry, at +night, fold them, and hang them out the next morning. Bedquilts should +be pounded in warm suds; and, after rinsing, be wrung as dry as +possible. Bolsters and pillows can be pounded in hot suds, without +taking out the feathers, rinsing them in fair water. It is usually best, +however, for nice feathers, to take them out, wash them, and dry them on +a garret floor. Cotton comforters should have the cases taken off and +washed. Wash bedticks, after the feathers are removed, like other +things. Empty straw beds once a year.</p> + +<p>The following cautions, in regard to calicoes, are useful. Never wash +them in very warm water; and change the water, when it appears dingy, or +the light parts will look dirty. Never rub on soap; but remove grease +with French chalk, starch, magnesia, or Wilmington clay. Make starch for +them, with coffee-water, to prevent any whitish appearance. Glue is good +for stiffening calicoes. When laid aside, not to be used, all stiffening +should be washed out, or they will often be injured. Never let calicoes +freeze, in drying. Some persons use bran-water, (four quarts of +wheat-bran to two pails of water,) and no soap, for calicoes; washing +and rinsing in the bran-water. Potato-water is equally good. Take eight +peeled and grated potatoes to one gallon of water.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Soda-Washing.</i></div> + +<p>A very great saving in labor is secured, by <i>soda-washing</i>. There have +been mistakes made in receipts, and in modes of doing it, which have +caused a prejudice against it; but if the soap be rightly made, and +rightly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> used, <i>it certainly saves one half the labor and time of +ordinary washing</i>.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Receipt for Soda-Soap.</i></div> + +<p>Take eight pounds of bar-soap, eight pounds of coarse soda, (the +sub-carbonate,) ten gallons of soft water, boiled two hours, stirring it +often. This is to be cooled, and set away for use. In washing, take a +pound of this soap, to the largest pail of water, and heat till it +boils. Having previously soaked the white clothes, in <i>warm</i>, not <i>hot</i>, +water, put them in this boiling mixture, and let them boil <i>one hour and +no more</i>. Take them out, draining them well, and put them in a tub, half +full of soft water. Turn them wrong side out; rub the soiled places, +till they look clean; then put them into blue rinsing-water, and wring +them out. They are then ready to hang out. Some persons use another +rinsing-water. The colored clothes and flannels must not be washed in +this way. The fine clothes may be first boiled in this water; it may +then be used for coarser clothes; and afterward, the brown towels, and +other articles of that nature, may be boiled in the same water. After +this, the water which remains, is still useful, for washing floors; and +then, the suds is a good manure to put around plants.</p> + +<p>It is best to prepare, at once, the whole quantity of water to be used. +Take out about one third, and set it by; and every time a fresh supply +of clothes is put in, use a portion of this, to supply the waste of a +former boiling.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Modes of Washing Various Articles.</i></div> + +<p><i>Brown Linens</i>, or <i>Muslins</i>, of tea, drab, or olive, colors, look best, +washed in hay-water. Put in hay enough, to color the water like new +brown linen. Wash them first in lukewarm, fair water, without soap, +(removing grease with French chalk,) then wash and rinse them in the +hay-water.</p> + +<p><i>Nankeens</i> look best, washed in suds, with a teacup<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> of ley added for +each pailful. Iron on the wrong side. Soak new nankeens in ley, for one +night, and it sets the color perfectly.</p> + +<p><i>Woollen Table-Covers</i> and <i>Woollen Shawls</i>, may be washed thus: Remove +grease as before directed. If there be stains in the articles, take them +out with spirits of hartshorn. Wash the things in two portions of hot +suds, made of white soap. Do not wring them, but fold them and press the +water out, catching it in a tub, under a table. Shake, stretch, and dry, +neither by the sun nor a fire, and do not let them freeze, in drying. +Sprinkle them three hours before ironing, and fold and roll them tight. +Iron them heavily on the wrong side. <i>Woollen yarn</i>, should be washed in +very hot water, putting in a teacupful of ley, and no soap, to half a +pailful of water. Rinse till the water comes off clear.</p> + +<p><i>New Black Worsted and Woollen Hose</i>, should be soaked all night, and +washed in hot suds, with beef's-gall, a tablespoonful to half a pail of +water. Rinse till no color comes out. Iron on the wrong side.</p> + +<p><i>To Cleanse Gentlemen's Broadcloths.</i> The common mode, is, to shake, and +brush the articles, and rip out linings and pockets; then to wash them +in strong suds, adding a teacupful of ley, using white soap for light +cloth; rolling and then pressing, instead of wringing, them; when dry, +sprinkling them, and letting them lie all night; and ironing on the +wrong side, or with a thin dark cloth over the article, until +<i>perfectly</i> dry. But a far better way, which the writer has repeatedly +tried, with unfailing success, is the following: Take one beef's-gall, +half a pound of salæratus, and four gallons of warm water. Lay the +article on a table, and scour it thoroughly, in every part, with a +clothes-brush, dipped in this mixture. The collar of a coat, and the +grease-spots, (previously marked by stitches of white thread,) must be +repeatedly brushed. Then, take the article, and rinse it up and down in +the mixture. Then, rinse it up and down in a tub of soft cold water. +Then, without wringing or pressing, hang it to drain and dry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> Fasten a +coat up by the collar. When perfectly dry, it is sometimes the case, +with coats, that nothing more is needed. In other cases, it is necessary +to dampen the parts, which look wrinkled, with a sponge, and either pull +them smooth, with the fingers, or press them with an iron, having a +piece of bombazine, or thin woollen cloth, between the iron and the +article.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>To manufacture Ley, Soap, Starch, and other Articles used in Washing.</i></div> + +<p><i>To make Ley.</i> Provide a large tub, made of pine or ash, and set it on a +form, so high, that a tub can stand under it. Make a hole, an inch in +diameter, near the bottom, on one side. Lay bricks, inside, about this +hole, and straw over them. To every seven bushels of ashes, add two +gallons of unslacked lime, and throw in the ashes and lime in alternate +layers. While putting in the ashes and lime, pour on boiling water, +using three or four pailfuls. After this, add a pailful of cold soft +water, once an hour, till all the ashes appear to be well soaked. Catch +the drippings, in a tub, and try its strength with an egg. If the egg +rise so as to show a circle as large as a ten cent piece, the strength +is right; if it rise higher, the ley must be weakened by water; if not +so high, the ashes are not good, and the whole process must be repeated, +putting in fresh ashes, and running the weak ley through the new ashes, +with some additional water. <i>Quick-ley</i> is made by pouring one gallon of +boiling soft water on three quarts of ashes, and straining it. Oak ashes +are best.</p> + +<p><i>To make Soft-Soap.</i> Save all drippings and fat, melt them, and set them +away, in cakes. Some persons keep, for soap-grease, a half barrel, with +weak ley in it, and a cover over it. To make soft-soap, take the +proportion of one pailful of ley to three pounds of fat. Melt the fat, +and pour in the ley, by degrees. Boil it steadily, through the day, till +it is ropy. If not boiled enough, on cooling, it will turn to ley and +sediment. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>While boiling, there should always be a little oil on the +surface. If this does not appear, add more grease. If there is too much +grease, on cooling, it will rise, and can be skimmed off. Try it, by +cooling a small quantity. When it appears like gelly, on becoming cold, +it is done. It must then be put in a cool place and often stirred.</p> + +<p><i>To make cold Soft-Soap</i>, melt thirty pounds of grease, put it in a +barrel, add four pailfuls of strong ley, and stir it up thoroughly. Then +gradually add more ley, till the barrel is nearly full, and the soap +looks <i>about right</i>.</p> + +<p><i>To make Potash-Soap</i>, melt thirty-nine pounds of grease, and put it in +a barrel. Take twenty-nine pounds of light ash-colored potash, (the +<i>reddish</i>-colored will spoil the soap,) and pour hot water on it; then +pour it off into the grease, stirring it well. Continue thus, till all +the potash is melted. Add one pailful of cold water, stirring it a great +deal, every day, till the barrel be full, and then it is done. This is +the cheapest and best kind of soap. It is best to sell ashes and buy +potash. The soap is better, if it stand a year before it is used; +therefore make two barrels at once.</p> + +<p><i>To make Hard White Soap</i>, take fifteen pounds of lard, or suet; and, +when boiling, add, slowly, five gallons of ley, mixed with one gallon of +water. Cool a small portion; and, if no grease rise, it is done: if +grease do rise, add ley, and boil till no grease rises. Then add three +quarts of fine salt, and boil it; if this do not harden well, on +cooling, add more salt. Cool it, and if it is to be perfumed, melt it +next day, put in the perfume, and then run it in moulds, or cut it in +cakes. <i>Common Hard Soap</i>, is made in the same way, by using common fat.</p> + +<p><i>To manufacture Starch</i>, cleanse a peck of unground wheat, and soak it, +for several days, in soft water. When quite soft, remove the husks, with +the hand, and the soft parts will settle. Pour off the water, and +replace it, every day, with that which is fresh, stirring it well. When, +after stirring and settling, the water is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> clear, it is done. Then +strain off the water, and dry the starch, for several days, in the sun. +If the water be permitted to remain too long, it sours, and the starch +is poor. If the starch be not well dried, it grows musty.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> +<small>ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING.</small> +</h3> + +<p><i>To prepare Starch.</i> Take four tablespoonfuls of starch; put in as much +water; and rub it, till all lumps are removed. Then, add half a cup of +cold water. Pour this into a quart of boiling water, and boil it for +half an hour, adding a piece of spermaceti, or a lump of salt, or sugar, +as large as a hazelnut. Strain it, and put in a very little blueing. +Thin it with hot water.</p> + +<p><i>Glue and Gum-Starch.</i> Put a piece of glue, four inches square, into +three quarts of water, boil it, and keep it in a bottle, corked up. +Dissolve four ounces of gum Arabic, in a quart of hot water, and set it +away, in a bottle, corked. Use the glue for calicoes, and the gum for +silks and muslins, both to be mixed with water, at discretion.</p> + +<p><i>Beef's-Gall.</i> Send a junk-bottle to the butcher, and have several +gall-bladders emptied into it. Keep it salted, and in a cool place. Some +persons perfume it; but fresh air removes the unpleasant smell which it +gives, when used for clothes.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Directions for Starching Muslins and Laces.</i></div> + +<p>Many ladies clap muslins, then dry them, and afterwards sprinkle them. +This saves time. Others clap them, till nearly dry, then fold and cover, +and then iron them. Iron wrought muslins on soft flannel, and on the +wrong side.</p> + +<p><i>To do up Laces, nicely</i>, sew a clean piece of muslin around a long +bottle, and roll the lace on it; pulling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> out the edge, and rolling it +so that the edge will turn in, and be covered, as you roll. Fill the +bottle with water, and then boil it, for an hour, in a suds made with +white soap. Rinse it in fair water, a little blued; dry it in the sun; +and, if any stiffening is wished, use thin starch, or gum Arabic. When +dry, fold and press it, between white papers, in a large book. It +improves the lace, to wet it with sweet-oil, after it is rolled on the +bottle, and before boiling in the suds. <i>Blond laces</i> can be whitened, +by rolling them on a bottle, in this way, and then setting the bottle in +the sun, in a dish of cold suds made with white soap, wetting it +thoroughly, and changing the suds, every day. Do this, for a week or +more; then rinse, in fair water; dry it on the bottle, in the sun; and +stiffen it with white gum Arabic. Lay it away in loose folds. <i>Lace +veils</i> can be whitened, by laying them in flat dishes, in suds made with +white soap; then rinsing, and stiffening them with gum Arabic, +stretching them, and pinning them on a sheet, to dry.</p> + + +<h4>ON IRONING.</h4> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Articles to be provided for Ironing.</i></div> + +<p>A settee, or settle, made so that it can be used for an ironing-table, +is a great convenience. It may be made of pine, and of the following +dimensions: length, five feet and six inches; width of the seat, one +foot and nine inches; height of the seat, one foot and three inches; +height of the sides, (or arms of the seat,) two feet and four inches; +height of the back, five feet and three inches. The back should be made +with hinges, of the height of the sides or arms, so that it can be +turned down, and rest on them, and thus become an ironing-table. The +back is to be fastened up, behind, with long iron hooks and staples. The +seat should be made with two lids, opening into two boxes, or +partitions, in one of which, can be kept the ironing-sheets and holders, +and in the other, the other articles used in ironing. It can be stained +of a cherry-color; put on casters, so as to move easily;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> and be +provided with two cushions, stuffed with hay and covered with dark +woollen. It thus serves as a comfortable seat, for Winter, protecting +the back from cold.</p> + +<p>Where a settee, of this description, is not provided, a large +ironing-board, made so as not to warp, should be kept, and used only for +this purpose, to be laid, when used, on a table. Provide, also, the +following articles: A woollen ironing-blanket, and a linen or cotton +sheet, to spread over it; a large fire, of charcoal and hard wood, +(unless furnaces or stoves are used;) a hearth, free from cinders and +ashes, a piece of sheet-iron, in front of the fire, on which to set the +irons, while heating; (this last saves many black spots from careless +ironers;) three or four holders, made of woollen, and covered with old +silk, as these do not easily take fire; two iron rings, or iron-stands, +on which to set the irons, and small pieces of board to put under them, +to prevent scorching the sheet; linen or cotton wipers; and a piece of +beeswax, to rub on the irons when they are smoked. There should be, at +least, three irons for each person ironing, and a small and large +clothes-frame, on which to air the fine and coarse clothes.</p> + +<p>A bosom-board, on which to iron shirt-bosoms, should be made, one foot +and a half long, and nine inches wide, and covered with white flannel. A +skirt-board on which to iron frock-skirts, should be made, five feet +long, and two feet wide at one end, tapering to one foot and three +inches wide, at the other end. This should be covered with flannel; and +will save much trouble, in ironing nice dresses. The large end may be +put on the table, and the other, on the back of a chair. Both these +boards should have cotton covers, made to fit them; and these should be +changed and washed, when dirty. These boards are often useful, when +articles are to be ironed or pressed, in a chamber or parlor. Provide, +also, a press-board, for broadcloth, two feet long, and four inches wide +at one end, tapering to three inches wide, at the other.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p><p>A fluting-iron, called, also, a patent Italian iron, saves much labor, +in ironing ruffles neatly. A crimping-iron, will crimp ruffles +beautifully, with very little time or trouble. Care must be used, with +the latter, or it will cut the ruffles. A trial should be made, with old +muslins; and, when the iron is screwed in the right place, it must be so +kept, and not altered without leave from the housekeeper. If the lady of +the house will provide all these articles, see that the fires are +properly made, the ironing-sheets evenly put on and properly pinned, the +clothes-frames dusted, and all articles kept in their places, she will +do much towards securing good ironing.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Sprinkling, Folding, and Ironing.</i></div> + +<p>Wipe the dust from the ironing-board, and lay it down, to receive the +clothes, which should be sprinkled with clear water, and laid in +separate piles, one of colored, one of common, and one of fine articles, +and one of flannels. Fold the fine things, and roll them in a towel, and +then fold the rest, turning them all right side outward. The colored +clothes should be laid separate from the rest, and ought not to lie long +damp, as it injures the colors. The sheets and table linen should be +shaken, stretched, and folded, by two persons. Iron lace and needlework +on the wrong side, and carry them away, as soon as dry. Iron calicoes +with irons which are not very hot, and generally on the right side, as +they thus keep clean for a longer time. In ironing a frock, first do the +waist, then the sleeves, then the skirt. Keep the skirt rolled, while +ironing the other parts, and set a chair, to hold the sleeves, while +ironing the skirt, unless a skirt-board be used. In ironing a shirt, +first do the back, then the sleeves, then the collar and bosom, and then +the front. Iron silk on the wrong side, when quite damp, with an iron +which is not very hot. Light colors are apt to change and fade. Iron +velvet, by turning up the face of the iron, and after dampening the +wrong side of the velvet, draw it over the face of the iron, holding it +straight, and not biased.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br /> +<small>ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING.</small> +</h3> + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>To Whiten Articles, and Remove Stains from them.</i></div> + +<p>Wet white clothes in suds, and lay them on the grass, in the sun. Lay +muslins in suds made with white soap, in a flat dish; set this in the +sun, changing the suds, every day. Whiten tow-cloth, or brown linen, by +keeping it in ley, through the night, laying it out in the sun, and +wetting it with fair water, as fast as it dries.</p> + +<p>Scorched articles can often be whitened again, by laying them in the +sun, wet with suds. Where this does not answer, put a pound of white +soap in a gallon of milk, and boil the article in it. Another method, +is, to chop and extract the juice from two onions, and boil this with +half a pint of vinegar, an ounce of white soap, and two ounces of +fuller's earth. Spread this, when cool, on the scorched part, and, when +dry, wash it off, in fair water. <i>Mildew</i> may be removed, by dipping the +article in sour buttermilk, laying it in the sun, and, after it is +white, rinsing it in fair water. Soap and chalk are also good; also, +soap and starch, adding half as much salt as there is starch, together +with the juice of a lemon. Stains in linen can often be removed, by +rubbing on soft soap, then putting on a starch paste, and drying in the +sun, renewing it several times. Wash off all the soap and starch, in +cold, fair water.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Mixtures for Removing Stains and Grease.</i></div> + +<p><i>Stain-Mixture.</i> Half an ounce of oxalic acid, in a pint of soft water. +This can be kept in a corked bottle, and is infallible in removing +iron-rust, and ink-stains. It is very poisonous. The article must be +spread with this mixture over the steam of hot water, and wet several +times. This will also remove indelible ink.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> The article must be washed, +or the mixture will injure it.</p> + +<p><i>Another Stain-Mixture</i> is made, by mixing one ounce of sal ammoniac, +one ounce of salt of tartar, and one pint of soft water.</p> + +<p><i>To remove Grease.</i> Mix four ounces of fuller's earth, half an ounce of +pearlash, and lemon-juice enough to make a stiff paste, which can be +dried in balls, and kept for use. Wet the greased spot with cold water, +rub it with the ball, dry it, and then rinse it with fair cold water. +This is for <i>white</i> articles. For silks, and worsteds, use French chalk, +which can be procured of the apothecaries. That which is soft and white, +is best. Scrape it on the greased spot, and let it lie for a day and +night. Then renew it, till the spot disappears. Wilmington clay-balls, +are equally good. Ink-spots can often be removed from white clothes, by +rubbing on common tallow, leaving it for a day or two, and then washing, +as usual. Grease can be taken out of wall-paper, by making a paste of +potter's clay, water and ox-gall, and spreading it on the paper. When +dry, renew it, till the spot disappears.</p> + +<p>Stains on floors, from <i>soot</i>, or <i>stove-pipes</i>, can be removed, by +washing the spot in sulphuric acid and water. Stains, in colored silk +dresses, can often be removed, by pure water. Those made by acids, tea, +wine, and fruits, can often be removed, by spirits of hartshorn, diluted +with an equal quantity of water. Sometimes, it must be repeated, several +times.</p> + +<p><i>Tar</i>, <i>Pitch</i>, and <i>Turpentine</i>, can be removed, by putting the spot in +sweet-oil, or by spreading tallow on it, and letting it remain for +twenty-four hours. Then, if the article be linen or cotton, wash it, as +usual; if it be silk or worsted, rub it with ether, or spirits of wine.</p> + +<p><i>Lamp-Oil</i> can be removed, from floors, carpets, and other articles, by +spreading upon the stain a paste, made of fuller's earth or potter's +clay, and renewing it, when dry, till the stain is removed. If gall be +put into the paste, it will preserve the colors from injury. When<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> the +stain has been removed, carefully brush off the paste, with a soft +brush.</p> + +<p><i>Oil-Paint</i> can be removed, by rubbing it with <i>very pure</i> spirits of +turpentine. The impure spirit leaves a grease-spot. <i>Wax</i> can be +removed, by scraping it off, and then holding a red-hot poker near the +spot. <i>Spermaceti</i> may be removed by scraping it off, then putting a +paper over the spot, and applying a warm iron. If this does not answer, +rub on spirits of wine.</p> + +<p><i>Ink-Stains</i>, in carpets and woollen table-covers, can be removed, by +washing the spot in a liquid, composed of one teaspoonful of oxalic acid +dissolved in a teacupful of warm (not hot) water, and then rinsing in +cold water.</p> + +<p><i>Stains on Varnished Articles</i>, which are caused by cups of hot water, +can be removed, by rubbing them with lamp-oil, and then with alcohol. +Ink-stains can be taken out of mahogany, by one teaspoonful of oil of +vitriol mixed with one tablespoonful of water, or by oxalic acid and +water. These must be brushed over quickly, and then washed off with +milk.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Modes of Cleansing Various Articles.</i></div> + +<p><i>Silk Handkerchiefs</i> and <i>Ribands</i> can be cleansed, by using French +chalk to take out the grease, and then sponging them, on both sides, +with lukewarm fair water. Stiffen them with gum Arabic, and press them +between white paper, with an iron not very hot. A tablespoonful of +spirits of wine to three quarts of water, improves it.</p> + +<p><i>Silk Hose</i>, or <i>Silk Gloves</i>, should be washed in warm suds made with +white soap, and rinsed in cold water; they should then be stretched and +rubbed, with a hard-rolled flannel, till they are quite dry. Ironing +them, very much injures their looks. <i>Washleather</i> articles should have +the grease removed from them, by French chalk, or magnesia; they should +then be washed in warm suds, and rinsed in cold water. <i>White Kid +Gloves</i> should have the grease removed from them, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> above directed. +They should then be brushed, with a soft brush, and a mixture of +fuller's earth and magnesia. In an hour after, rub them with flannel, +dipped in bran and powdered whiting. <i>Colored or Hoskin's gloves</i> can be +cleansed, very nicely, by <i>pure</i> spirits of turpentine, put on with a +woollen cloth, and rubbed from wrist to fingers. Hang them for several +days in the air, and all the unpleasant smell will be removed. +<i>Gentlemen's white gloves</i> should be washed with a sponge, in +white-soapsuds; then wiped, and dried on the hands. <i>Swan's-down +tippets, and capes</i>, should be washed in white-soapsuds, squeezing, and +not rubbing them; then rinse them in two waters, and shake and stretch +them while drying. <i>Ostrich feathers</i> can also be thus washed. Stiffen +them, with starch, wet in cold water and not boiled. Shake them in the +air, till nearly dry, then hold them before the fire, and curl them with +dull scissors, giving each fibre a twitch, turning it inward, and +holding it so for a moment.</p> + +<p><i>Straw and Leghorn Hats</i>, can be cleansed, by simply washing them in +white-soapsuds. Remove grease, by French chalk, and stains, by diluted +oxalic acid, or cream of tartar. The oxalic acid is best, but must be +instantly washed off. <i>To whiten them</i>, drive nails in a barrel, near +its bottom, so that cords can be stretched across. On these cords, tie +the bonnet, wet with suds, (having first removed the grease, stains, and +dirt.) Then invert the barrel, over a dish of coals, on which roll +brimstone is slowly burning. Put a chip under one side of the barrel, to +admit the air. Continue this, till the bonnet is white; then hang it in +the air, (when the weather is not damp,) till the smell is removed. Then +stiffen it with a solution of isinglass or gum Arabic, put on the +inside, with a sponge. Press the crown, on a block, and the rest on a +board, on the right side, putting muslin between the iron and straw, and +pressing hard. Be careful not to make it too stiff. First, stiffen a +small piece, for trial.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p><h4>ON COLORING.</h4> + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Precautions and Preparations.</i></div> + +<p>All the articles must be entirely free from grease or oil, and also, in +most cases, from soapsuds. Make light dyes in brass, and dark ones in +iron, vessels. Always wet the articles, in fair water, before dyeing. +Always carefully strain the dye. If the color be too light, dry and then +dip the article again. Stir the article well in the dye, lifting it up +often. Remove any previous color, by boiling in suds, or, what is +better, in the soda mixture used for washing.</p> + +<p><i>Pink Dye.</i> Buy a saucer of carmine, at an apothecary's. With it, you +will find directions for its use. This is cheap, easy to use, and +beautiful. <i>Balm blossoms</i> and <i>Bergamot blossoms</i>, with a little cream +of tartar in the water, make a pretty pink.</p> + +<p><i>Red Dye.</i> Take half a pound of wheat bran, three ounces of powdered +alum, and two gallons of soft water. Boil these in a brass vessel, and +add an ounce of cream of tartar, and an ounce of cochineal, tied up +together in a bag. Boil the mixture for fifteen minutes, then strain it, +and dip the articles. Brazil wood, set with alum, makes another red dye.</p> + +<p><i>Yellow Dye.</i> Fustic, turmeric powder, saffron, barberry-bush, +peach-leaves, or marigold flowers, make a yellow dye. Set the dye with +alum, putting a piece the size of a large hazelnut to each quart of +water.</p> + +<p><i>Light Blue Dye</i>, for silks and woollens, is made with the 'blue +composition,' to be procured of the hat-makers; fifteen drops to a quart +of water. Articles dipped in this, must be thoroughly rinsed. For a +<i>dark blue</i>, boil four ounces of copperas in two gallons of water. Dip +the articles in this, and then in a strong decoction of logwood, boiled +and strained. Then wash them thoroughly in soapsuds.</p> + +<p><i>Green Dye.</i> First color the article yellow; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> then, if it be silk or +woollen, dip it in 'blue composition.' Instead of ironing, rub it with +flannel, while drying.</p> + +<p><i>Salmon Color</i> is made by boiling arnotto or anotta in soapsuds.</p> + +<p><i>Buff Color</i> is made by putting one teacupful of potash, tied in a bag, +in two gallons of hot (not boiling) water, and adding an ounce of +arnotto, also in a bag, keeping it in for half an hour. First, wet the +article in strong potash-water. Dry and then rinse in soapsuds. Birch +bark and alum also make a buff. Black alder, set with ley, makes an +orange color.</p> + +<p><i>Dove and Slate Colors</i>, of all shades, are made by boiling, in an iron +vessel, a teacupful of black tea, with a teaspoonful of copperas. Dilute +this, till you get the shade wanted. Purple sugar-paper, boiled, and set +with alum, makes a similar color.</p> + +<p><i>Brown Dye.</i> Boil half a pound of camwood (in a bag) in two gallons of +water, for fifteen minutes. Wet the articles, and boil them for a few +minutes in the dye. White-walnut bark, the bark of sour sumach, or of +white maple, set with alum, make a brown color.</p> + +<p><i>Black Dye.</i> Let one pound of chopped logwood remain all night in one +gallon of vinegar. Then boil them, and put in a piece of copperas, as +large as a hen's egg. Wet the articles in warm water, and put them in +the dye, boiling and stirring them for fifteen minutes. Dry them, then +wet them in warm water, and dip them again. Repeat the process, till the +articles are black enough. Wash them in suds, and rinse them till the +water comes off clear. Iron nails, boiled in vinegar, make a black dye, +which is good for restoring rusty black silks.</p> + +<p><i>Olive Color.</i> Boil fustic and yellow-oak bark together. The more +fustic, the brighter the olive; the more oak bark, the darker the shade. +Set the light shade with a few drops of oil of vitriol, and the dark +shade with copperas.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.<br /> +<small>ON THE CARE OF PARLORS.</small> +</h3> + +<p>In selecting the furniture of parlors, some reference should be had to +correspondence of shades and colors. Curtains should be darker than the +walls; and, if the walls and carpets be light, the chairs should be +dark, and <i>vice versa</i>. Pictures always look best on light walls.</p> + +<p>In selecting carpets, for rooms much used, it is poor economy to buy +cheap ones. <i>Ingrain</i> carpets, of close texture, and the <i>three-ply</i> +carpets, are best for common use. <i>Brussels</i> carpets do not wear so long +as the three-ply ones, because they cannot be turned. <i>Wilton</i> carpets +wear badly, and <i>Venetians</i> are good only for halls and stairs.</p> + +<p>In selecting colors, avoid those in which there are any black threads; +as they are always rotten. The most tasteful carpets, are those, which +are made of various shades of the same color, or of all shades of only +two colors; such as brown and yellow, or blue and buff, or salmon and +green, or all shades of green, or of brown. All very dark shades should +be brown or green, but not black.</p> + +<p>In laying down carpets, it is a bad practice to put straw under them, as +this makes them wear out in spots. Straw matting, laid under carpets, +makes them last much longer, as it is smooth and even, and the dust +sifts through it. In buying carpets, always get a few yards over, to +allow for waste in matching figures.</p> + +<p>In cutting carpets, make them three or four inches shorter than the +room, to allow for stretching. Begin to cut <i>in the middle</i> of a figure, +and it will usually match better. Many carpets match in two different +ways, and care must be taken to get the right one. Sew a carpet on the +wrong side, with double waxed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> thread, and with the <i>ball-stitch</i>. This +is done by taking a stitch on the breadth next you, pointing the needle +towards you; and then taking a stitch on the other breadth, pointing the +needle from you. Draw the thread tightly, but not so as to pucker. In +fitting a breadth to the hearth, cut slits in the right place, and turn +the piece under. Bind <i>the whole</i> of the carpet, with carpet-binding, +nail it with tacks, having bits of leather under the heads. To stretch +the carpet, use a carpet-fork, which is a long stick, ending with +notched tin, like saw-teeth. This is put in the edge of the carpet, and +pushed by one person, while the nail is driven by another. Cover blocks, +or bricks, with carpeting, like that of the room, and put them behind +tables, doors, sofas, &c., to preserve the walls from injury, by +knocking, or by the dusting-cloth.</p> + +<p>Cheap footstools, made of a square plank, covered with tow-cloth, +stuffed, and then covered with carpeting, with worsted handles, look +very well. Sweep carpets as seldom as possible, as it wears them out. To +shake them often, is good economy. In cleaning carpets, use damp tea +leaves, or wet Indian meal, throwing it about, and rubbing it over with +the broom. The latter, is very good for cleansing carpets made dingy by +coal-dust. In brushing carpets in ordinary use, it will be found very +convenient to use a large flat dust-pan, with a perpendicular handle a +yard high, put on so that the pan will stand alone. This can be carried +about, and used without stooping, brushing dust into it with a common +broom. The pan must be very large, or it will be upset.</p> + +<p>When carpets are taken up, they should be hung on a line, or laid on +long grass, and whipped, first on one side, and then on the other, with +pliant whips. If laid aside, they should be sewed up tight, in linen, +having snuff or tobacco put along all the crevices where moths could +enter. Shaking pepper, from a pepper-box, round the edge of the floor, +under a carpet, prevents the access of moths.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p><p>Carpets can be best washed on the floor, thus: First shake them; and +then, after cleaning the floor, stretch and nail them upon it. Then +scrub them in cold soapsuds, having half a teacupful of ox-gall to a +bucket of water. Then wash off the suds, with a cloth, in fair water. +Set open the doors and windows, for two days or more. Imperial Brussels, +Venetian, ingrain, and three-ply, carpets, can be washed thus; but +Wilton, and other plush-carpets, cannot. Before washing them, take out +grease, with a paste, made of potter's clay, ox-gall, and water.</p> + +<p>Straw matting is best for chambers and Summer parlors. The checked, of +two colors, is not so good to wear. The best, is the cheapest in the +end. When washed, it should be done with salt water, wiping it dry; but +frequent washing injures it. Bind matting with cotton binding. Sew +breadths together like carpeting. In joining the ends of pieces, ravel +out a part, and tie the threads together, turning under a little of each +piece, and then, laying the ends close, nail them down, with nails +having kid under their heads.</p> + +<p>In hanging pictures, put them so that the lower part shall be opposite +the eye. Cleanse the glass of pictures with whiting, as water endangers +the pictures. Gilt frames can be much better preserved by putting on a +coat of copal varnish, which, with proper brushes, can be bought of +carriage or cabinet-makers. When dry, it can be washed with fair water. +Wash the brush in spirits of turpentine.</p> + +<p>Curtains, ottomans, and sofas covered with worsted, can be cleansed, by +wheat-bran, rubbed on with flannel. Dust Venetian blinds with feather +brushes. Buy light-colored ones, as the green are going out of fashion. +Strips of linen or cotton, on rollers and pulleys, are much in use, to +shut out the sun from curtains and carpets. Paper curtains, pasted on +old cotton, are good for chambers. Put them on rollers, having cords +nailed to them, so that when the curtain falls, the cord will be wound +up. Then, by pulling the cord, the curtain will be rolled up.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p><p>Mahogany furniture should be made in the Spring, and stand some months +before it is used, or it will shrink and warp. Varnished furniture +should be rubbed only with silk, except occasionally, when a little +sweet-oil should be rubbed over, and wiped off carefully. For +unvarnished furniture, use beeswax, a little softened with sweet-oil; +rub it in with a hard brush, and polish with woollen and silk rags. Some +persons rub in linseed-oil; others mix beeswax with a little spirits of +turpentine and rosin, making it so that it can be put on with a sponge, +and wiped off with a soft rag. Others, keep in a bottle the following +mixture; two ounces of spirits of turpentine, four tablespoonfuls of +sweet-oil, and one quart of milk. This is applied with a sponge, and +wiped off with a linen rag.</p> + +<p>Hearths and jambs, of brick, look best painted over with blacklead, +mixed with soft-soap. Wash the bricks which are nearest the fire with +redding and milk, using a painter's brush. A sheet of zinc, covering the +whole hearth, is cheap, saves work, and looks very well. A tinman can +fit it properly.</p> + +<p>Stone hearths should be rubbed with a paste of powdered stone, (to be +procured of the stonecutters,) and then brushed with a stiff brush. +Kitchen-hearths, of stone, are improved by rubbing in lamp-oil.</p> + +<p>Stains can be removed from marble, by oxalic acid and water, or oil of +vitriol and water, left on fifteen minutes, and then rubbed dry. Gray +marble is improved by linseed-oil. Grease can be taken from marble, by +ox-gall and potter's clay wet with soapsuds, (a gill of each.) It is +better to add, also, a gill of spirits of turpentine. It improves the +looks of marble, to cover it with this mixture, leaving it two days, and +then rubbing it off.</p> + +<p>Unless a parlor is in constant use, it is best to sweep it only once a +week, and at other times use a whisk-broom and dust-pan. When a parlor +with handsome furniture is to be swept, cover the sofas, centre table,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> +piano, books, and mantelpiece, with old cottons, kept for the purpose. +Remove the rugs, and shake them, and clean the jambs, hearth, and +fire-furniture. Then sweep the room, moving every article. Dust the +furniture, with a dust-brush and a piece of old silk. A painter's brush +should be kept, to remove dust from ledges and crevices. The dust-cloths +should be often shaken and washed, or else they will soil the walls and +furniture when they are used. Dust ornaments, and fine books, with +feather brushes, kept for the purpose.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.<br /> +<small>ON THE CARE OF BREAKFAST AND DINING-ROOMS.</small> +</h3> + +<p>An eating-room should have in it a large closet, with drawers and +shelves, in which should be kept all the articles used at meals. This, +if possible, should communicate with the kitchen, by a sliding window, +or by a door, and have in it a window, and also a small sink, made of +marble or lined with zinc, which will be a great convenience for washing +nice articles. If there be a dumb-waiter, it is best to have it +connected with such a closet. It may be so contrived, that, when it is +down, it shall form part of the closet floor.</p> + +<p>A table-rug, or crumb-cloth, is useful to save carpets from injury. +Bocking, or baize, is best. Always spread the same side up, or the +carpet will be soiled by the rug. Table-mats are needful, to prevent +injury to the table from the warm dishes. Teacup-mats, or small plates, +are useful to save the table-cloths from dripping tea or coffee. +Butter-knives, for the butter-plate, and salt-spoons, for salt-dishes, +are designed to prevent those disgusting marks which are made, when +persons use their own knives, to take salt or butter. A sugar-spoon +should be kept in or by the sugar-dish, for the same purpose. +Table-napkins, of diaper, are often laid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> by each person's plate, for +use during the meal, to save the tablecloth and pocket-handkerchief. To +preserve the same napkin for the same person, each member of the family +has a given number, and the napkins are numbered to correspond, or else +are slipped into ivory rings, which are numbered. A stranger has a clean +one, at each meal. Tablecloths should be well starched, and ironed on +the right side, and always, when taken off, folded in the ironed +creases. <i>Doilies</i> are colored napkins, which, when fruit is offered, +should always be furnished, to prevent a person from staining a nice +handkerchief, or permitting the fruit-juice to dry on the fingers.</p> + +<p>Casters and salt-stands should be put in order, every morning, when +washing the breakfast things. Always, if possible, provide <i>fine</i> and +<i>dry</i> table-salt, as many persons are much disgusted with that which is +dark, damp, and coarse. Be careful to keep salad-oil closely corked, or +it will grow rancid. Never leave the salt-spoons in the salt, nor the +mustard-spoon in the mustard, as they are thereby injured. Wipe them, +immediately after the meal.</p> + +<p>For table-furniture, French china is deemed the nicest, but it is liable +to the objection of having plates, so made, that salt, butter, and +similar articles, will not lodge on the edge, but slip into the centre. +Select knives and forks, which have weights in the handles, so that, +when laid down, they will not touch the table. Those with rivetted +handles last longer than any others. Horn handles (except buckhorn) are +very poor. The best are cheapest in the end. Knives should be sharpened +once a month, unless they are kept sharp by the mode of scouring.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Setting Tables.</i></div> + +<p>Neat housekeepers observe the manner in which a table is set more than +any thing else; and to a person of good taste, few things are more +annoying, than to see the table placed askew; the tablecloth soiled, +rumpled, and put on awry; the plates, knives, and dishes thrown<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> about, +without any order; the pitchers soiled on the outside, and sometimes +within; the tumblers dim; the caster out of order; the butter pitched on +the plate, without any symmetry; the salt coarse, damp, and dark; the +bread cut in a mixture of junks and slices; the dishes of food set on at +random, and without mats; the knives dark or rusty, and their handles +greasy; the tea-furniture all out of order, and every thing in similar +style. And yet, many of these negligences will be met with, at the +tables of persons who call themselves well bred, and who have wealth +enough to make much outside show. One reason for this, is, the great +difficulty of finding domestics, who will attend to these things in a +proper manner, and who, after they have been repeatedly instructed, will +not neglect nor forget what has been said to them. The writer has known +cases, where much has been gained by placing the following rules in +plain sight, in the place where the articles for setting tables are +kept.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Rules for setting a Table.</i></div> + +<p>1. Lay the rug square with the room, and also smooth and even; then set +the table also square with the room, and see that the <i>legs</i> are in the +right position to support the leaves.</p> + +<p>2. Lay the tablecloth square with the table, <i>right side up</i>, smooth, +and even.</p> + +<p>3. Put on the teatray (for breakfast or tea) square with the table; set +the cups and saucers at the front side of the teatray, and the sugar, +slop-bowls, and cream-cup, at the back side. Lay the sugar-spoon or +tongs on the sugar-bowl.</p> + +<p>4. Lay the plates around the table, at equal intervals, and the knives +and forks at regular distances, each in the same particular manner, with +a cup-mat, or cup-plate, to each, and a napkin at the right side of each +person.</p> + +<p>5. If meat be used, set the caster and salt-cellars in the centre of the +table; then lay mats for the dishes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> and place the carving-knife and +fork and steel by the master of the house. Set the butter on two plates, +one on either side, with a butter-knife by each.</p> + +<p>6. Set the tea or coffee-pot on a mat, at the right hand of the teatray, +(if there be not room upon it.) Then place the chairs around the table, +and call the family.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>For Dinner.</i></div> + +<p>1. Place the rug, table, tablecloth, plates, knives and forks, and +napkins, as before directed, with a tumbler by each plate. In cold +weather, set the plates where they will be warmed.</p> + +<p>2. Put the caster in the centre, and the salt-stands at two oblique +corners, of the table, the latter between two large spoons crossed. If +more spoons be needed, lay them on each side of the caster, crossed. Set +the pitcher on a mat, either at a side-table, or, when there is no +waiter, on the dining-table. Water looks best in glass decanters.</p> + +<p>3. Set the bread on the table, when there is no waiter. Some take a +fork, and lay a piece on the napkin or tumbler by each plate. Others +keep it in a tray, covered with a white napkin to keep off flies. Bread +for dinner is often cut in small junks, and not in slices.</p> + +<p>4. Set the principal dish before the master of the house, and the other +dishes in a regular manner. Put the carving-knife, fork, and steel, by +the principal dish, and also a knife-rest, if one be used.</p> + +<p>5. Put a small knife and fork by the pickles, and also by any other +dishes which need them. Then place the chairs.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Waiting at Table.</i></div> + +<p>A domestic, who waits on the table, should be required to keep the hair +and hands in neat order, and have on a clean apron. A small teatray +should be used to carry cups and plates. The waiter should announce the +meal (when ready) to the mistress of the family, then stand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> by the +eating-room door, till all are in, then close the door, and step to the +left side of the lady of the house. When all are seated, the waiter +should remove the covers, taking care first to invert them, so as not to +drop the steam on the tablecloth or guests. In presenting articles, go +to the left side of the person. In pouring water never entirely fill the +tumbler. The waiter should notice when bread or water is wanting, and +hand it without being called. When plates are changed, be careful not to +drop knives or forks. Brush off crumbs, with a crumb-brush, into a small +waiter.</p> + +<p>When there is no domestic waiter, a light table should be set at the +left side of the mistress of the house, on which the bread, water, and +other articles not in immediate use, can be placed.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Carving and Helping at Table.</i></div> + +<p>It is considered an accomplishment for a lady to know how to carve well, +at her own table. It is not proper to stand in carving. The +carving-knife should be sharp and thin. To carve fowls, (which should +always be laid with the breast uppermost,) place the fork in the breast, +and take off the wings and legs without turning the fowl; then cut out +the merry thought, cut slices from the breast, take out the collar bone, +cut off the side pieces, and then cut the carcass in two. Divide the +joints in the leg of a turkey.</p> + +<p>In helping the guests, when no choice is expressed, give a piece of both +the white and dark meat, with some of the stuffing. Inquire whether the +guest will be helped to each kind of vegetable, and put the gravy on the +plate, and not on any article of food.</p> + +<p>In carving a sirloin, cut thin slices from the side next to you, (it +must be put on the dish with the tenderloin underneath;) then turn it, +and cut from the tenderloin Help the guest to both kinds.</p> + +<p>In carving a leg of mutton, or a ham, begin by cutting across the +middle, to the bone. Cut a tongue across, and not lengthwise, and help +from the middle part.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span></p><p>Carve a forequarter of lamb, by separating the shoulder from the ribs, +and then dividing the ribs. To carve a loin of veal, begin at the +smaller end and separate the ribs. Help each one to a piece of the +kidney and its fat. Carve pork and mutton in the same way.</p> + +<p>To carve a fillet of veal, begin at the top, and help to the stuffing +with each slice. In a breast of veal, separate the breast and brisket, +and then cut them up, asking which part is preferred. In carving a pig, +it is customary to divide it, and take off the head, before it comes to +the table; as, to many persons, the head is very revolting. Cut off the +limbs, and divide the ribs. In carving venison, make a deep incision +down to the bone, to let out the juices; then turn the broad end of the +haunch towards you, cutting deep, in thin slices. For a saddle of +venison, cut from the tail towards the other end, on each side, in thin +slices. Warm plates are very necessary, with venison and mutton, and in +Winter, are desirable for all meats.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.<br /> +<small>ON THE CARE OF CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS.</small> +</h3> + +<p>Every mistress of a family should see, not only that all sleeping-rooms +in her house <i>can be</i> well ventilated at night, but that they actually +are so. Where there is no open fireplace to admit the pure air from the +exterior, a door should be left open into an entry, or room where fresh +air is admitted; or else a small opening should be made in a window, +taking care not to allow a draught of air to cross the bed. The debility +of childhood, the lassitude of domestics, and the ill-health of +families, are often caused by neglecting to provide a supply of pure +air. Straw matting is best for a chamber carpet, and strips of woollen +carpeting may be laid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> by the side of the bed. Where chambers have no +closets, a <i>wardrobe</i> is indispensable. This is a moveable closet, with +doors, divided, by a perpendicular partition, into two apartments. In +one division, rows of hooks are placed, on which to hang dresses. The +other division is fitted up with shelves, for other uses. Some are made +with drawers at the bottom for shoes, and such like articles. A low +square box, set on casters, with a cushion on the top, and a drawer on +one side to put shoes in, is a great convenience in dressing the feet. +An old champaigne basket, fitted up with a cushion on the lid, and a +valance fastened to it to cover the sides, can be used for the same +purpose.</p> + +<p>A comfortable couch, for chambers and sitting-rooms, can be made by a +common carpenter, at a small expense. Have a frame made (like the +annexed engraving, Fig. <a href='#FIG_38'>38</a>,) of common stuff, six feet long, +twenty-eight inches wide, and twelve inches high. It must be made thus +low, because the casters and cushions will raise it several inches. Have +the sloping side-piece, <i>a</i>, and head-piece, <i>b</i>, sawed out of a board; +nail brown linen on them, and stuff them with soft hay or hair. Let +these be screwed to the frame, and covered with furniture patch. Then +let slats be nailed across the bottom, as at <i>c</i>, <i>c</i>, four inches +apart. This will cost two or three dollars. Then make a thick cushion, +of hay or straw, with side strips, like a mattress, and lay this for the +under-cushion. To put over this, make a thinner cushion, of hair, cover +it with furniture-calico, and fasten to it a valance reaching to the +floor. Then make two square pillows, and cover them with calico, like +the rest. Both the cushions should be stitched through like mattresses.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 325px;"> + <a name="FIG_38" id="FIG_38"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 38.</span> + <img src="images/fig38.jpg" width="325" height="129" alt="Fig. 38." title="" /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span></p><p>The writer has seen a couch of this kind, in a common parlor, which +cost less than eight dollars, was much admired, and was a constant +comfort to the feeble mother, as well as many other members of the +family.</p> + +<p>Another convenience, for a room where sewing is done in Summer, is a +fancy-jar, set in one corner, to receive clippings, and any other +rubbish. It can be covered with prints, or paintings, and varnished; and +then looks very prettily.</p> + +<p>The trunks in a chamber can be improved in looks and comfort, by making +cushions of the same size and shape, stuffed with hay and covered with +chintz, with a frill reaching nearly to the floor.</p> + +<p>Every bedchamber should have a washstand, bowl, pitcher, and tumbler, +with a washbucket under the stand, to receive slops. A light screen, +made like a clothes-frame, and covered with paper or chintz, should be +furnished for bedrooms occupied by two persons, so that ablutions can be +performed in privacy. It can be ornamented, so as to look well anywhere. +A little frame, or towel-horse, by the washstand, on which to dry +towels, is a convenience. A washstand should be furnished with a sponge +or washcloth, and a small towel, for wiping the basin after using it. +This should be hung on the washstand or towel-horse, for constant use. A +soap-dish, and a dish for toothbrushes, are neat and convenient, and +each person should be furnished with two towels; one for the feet, and +one for other purposes.</p> + +<p>It is in good taste to have the curtains, bedquilt, valance, and +window-curtains, of similar materials. In making featherbeds, +side-pieces should be put in, like those of mattresses, and the bed +should be well filled, so that a person will not be buried in a hollow, +which is not healthful, save in extremely cold weather. Featherbeds +should never be used, except in cold weather. At other times, a thin +mattress of hair, cotton and moss, or straw, should be put over them. A +simple strip of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> broad straw matting, spread over a featherbed, answers +the same purpose. Nothing is more debilitating, than, in warm weather, +to sleep with a featherbed pressing round the greater part of the body. +Pillows stuffed with papers an inch square, are good for Summer, +especially for young children, whose heads should be kept cool. The +cheapest and best covering of a bed, for Winter, is a <i>cotton +comforter</i>, made to contain three or four pounds of cotton, laid in +batts or sheets, between covers tacked together at regular intervals. +They should be three yards square, and less cotton should be put at the +sides that are tucked in. It is better to have two thin comforters, to +each bed, than one thick one; as then the covering can be regulated +according to the weather.</p> + +<p>Few domestics will make a bed properly, without much attention from the +mistress of the family. The following directions should be given to +those who do this work.</p> + +<p>Open the windows, and lay off the bed-covering, on two chairs, at the +foot of the bed. After the bed is well aired, shake the feathers, from +each corner to the middle; then take up the middle, and shake it well, +and turn the bed over. Then push the feathers in place, making the head +higher than the foot, and the sides even, and as high as the middle +part. Then put on the bolster and the under sheet, so that the wrong +side of the sheet shall go next the bed, and the <i>marking</i> come at the +head, tucking in all around. Then put on the pillows, even, so that the +open ends shall come to the sides of the bed, and then spread on the +upper sheet, so that the wrong side shall be next the blankets, and the +marked end at the head. This arrangement of sheets is to prevent the +part where the feet lie from being reversed, so as to come to the face, +and also to prevent the parts soiled by the body from coming to the +bedtick and blankets. Then put on the other covering, except the outer +one, tucking in all around, and then turn over the upper sheet, at the +head, so as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> to show a part of the pillows. When the pillow-cases are +clean and smooth, they look best outside of the cover, but not +otherwise. Then draw the hand along the side of the pillows, to make an +even indentation, and then smooth and shape the whole outside. A nice +housekeeper always notices the manner in which a bed is made; and in +some parts of the Country, it is rare to see this work properly +performed.</p> + +<p>The writer would here urge every mistress of a family, who keeps more +than one domestic, to provide them with single beds, that they may not +be obliged to sleep with all the changing domestics, who come and go so +often. Where the room is too small for two beds, a narrow trucklebed +under another, will answer. Domestics should be furnished with washing +conveniences in their chambers, and be encouraged to keep their persons +and rooms neat and in order.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Packing and Storing Articles.</i></div> + +<p>Fold a gentleman's coat, thus:—Lay it on a table or bed, the inside +downward, and unroll the collar. Double each sleeve once, making the +crease at the elbow, and laying them so as to make the fewest wrinkles, +and parallel with the skirts. Turn the fronts over the back and sleeves, +and then turn up the skirts, making all as smooth as possible.</p> + +<p>Fold a shirt, thus:—One that has a bosom-piece inserted, lay on a bed, +bosom downward. Fold each sleeve twice, and lay it parallel with the +sides of the shirt. Turn the two sides, with the sleeves, over the +middle part, and then turn up the bottom, with two folds. This makes the +collar and bosom lie, unpressed, on the outside.</p> + +<p>Fold a frock thus:—Lay its front downward, so as to make the first +creases in folding come in the side breadths. To do this, find the +middle of the side breadths by first putting the middle of the front and +back breadths together. Next, fold over the side creases so as just to +meet the slit behind. Then fold the skirt again, so as to make the +backs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> lie together within and the fronts without. Then arrange the +waist and sleeves, and fold the skirt around them.</p> + +<p>In packing trunks, for travelling, put all heavy articles at the bottom, +covered with paper, which should not be printed, as the ink rubs off. +Put coats and pantaloons into linen cases, made for the purpose, and +furnished with strings. Fill all crevices with small articles; as, if a +trunk is not full, nor tightly packed, its contents will be shaken +about, and get injured. A thin box, the exact size of the trunk, with a +lid, and covered with brown linen, is a great convenience, to set +inside, on the top of the trunk, to contain light articles which would +be injured by tight packing. Have straps, with buckles, fastened to the +inside, near the bottom, long enough to come up and buckle over this +box. By this means, when a trunk is not quite full, this box can be +strapped over so tight, as to keep the articles from rubbing. +Under-clothing packs closer, by being rolled tightly, instead of being +folded.</p> + +<p>Bonnet-boxes, made of light wood, with a lock and key, are better than +the paper bandboxes so annoying to travellers. Carpet bags are very +useful, to carry the articles to be used on a journey. The best ones +have sides inserted, iron rims, and a lock and key. A large silk +travelling-bag, with a double linen lining, in which are stitched +receptacles for toothbrush, combs, and other small articles, is a very +convenient article for use when travelling.</p> + +<p>A bonnet-cover, made of some thin material, like a large hood with a +cape, is useful to draw over the bonnet and neck, to keep off dust, sun, +and sparks from a steam engine. Green veils are very apt to stain +bonnets, when damp.</p> + +<p>In packing household furniture, for moving, have each box numbered, and +then have a book, in which, as each box is packed, note down the number +of the box, and the order in which its contents are packed, as this will +save much labor and perplexity when unpacking. In packing china and +glass, wrap each article,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> separately, in paper, and put soft hay or +straw at bottom and all around each. Put the heaviest articles at the +bottom; and on the top of the box, write, "This side up."</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.<br /> +<small>ON THE CARE OF THE KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM.</small> +</h3> + +<p>If parents wish their daughters to grow up with good domestic habits, +they should have, as one means of securing this result, a neat and +cheerful kitchen. A kitchen should always, if possible, be entirely +above ground, and well lighted. It should have a large sink, with a +drain running under ground, so that all the premises may be kept sweet +and clean. If flowers and shrubs be cultivated, around the doors and +windows, and the yard near them be kept well turfed, it will add very +much to their agreeable appearance. The walls should often be cleaned +and whitewashed, to promote a neat look and pure air. The floor of a +kitchen should be painted, or, which is better, covered with an +oilcloth. To procure a kitchen oilcloth as cheaply as possible, buy +cheap tow cloth, and fit it to the size and shape of the kitchen. Then +have it stretched, and nailed to the south side of the barn, and, with a +brush, cover it with a coat of thin rye paste. When this is dry, put on +a coat of yellow paint, and let it dry for a fortnight. It is safest to +first try the paint, and see if it dries well, as some paint never will +dry. Then put on a second coat, and at the end of another fortnight, a +third coat. Then let it hang two months, and it will last, uninjured, +for many years. The longer the paint is left to dry, the better. If +varnished, it will last much longer.</p> + +<p>A sink should be scalded out every day, and occasionally with hot ley. +On nails, over the sink, should be hung three good dish-cloths, hemmed, +and furnished with loops; one for dishes not greasy, one for greasy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> +dishes, and one for washing pots and kettles. These should be put in the +wash every week. The lady who insists upon this, will not be annoyed by +having her dishes washed with dark, musty, and greasy, rags, as is too +frequently the case.</p> + +<p>Under the sink should be kept a slop-pail; and, on a shelf by it, a +soap-dish and two water-pails. A large boiler, of warm soft water, +should always be kept over the fire, well covered, and a hearth-broom +and bellows be hung near the fire. A clock is a very important article +in the kitchen, in order to secure regularity at meals.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Washing Dishes.</i></div> + +<p>No item of domestic labor is so frequently done in a negligent manner, +by domestics, as this. A full supply of conveniences, will do much +toward a remedy of this evil. A swab, made of strips of linen, tied to a +stick, is useful to wash nice dishes, especially small, deep articles. +Two or three towels, and three dish-cloths, should be used. Two large +tin tubs, painted on the outside, should be provided; one for washing, +and one for rinsing; also, a large old waiter, on which to drain the +dishes. A soap-dish, with hard soap, and a fork, with which to use it, a +slop-pail, and two pails for water, should also be furnished. Then, if +there be danger of neglect, the following rules for washing dishes, +legibly written, may be hung up by the sink, and it will aid in +promoting the desired care and neatness.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Rules for Washing Dishes.</i></div> + +<p>1. Scrape the dishes, putting away any food which may remain on them, +and which it may be proper to save for future use. Put grease into the +grease-pot, and whatever else may be on the plates, into the slop-pail. +Save tea-leaves, for sweeping. Set all the dishes, when scraped, in +regular piles; the smallest at the top.</p> + +<p>2. Put the nicest articles in the wash-dish, and wash them in hot suds, +with the swab or nicest dish-cloth. Wipe all metal articles, as soon as +they are washed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> Put all the rest into the rinsing-dish, which should +be filled with hot water. When they are taken out, lay them to drain on +the waiter. Then rinse the dish-cloth, and hang it up, wipe the articles +washed, and put them in their places.</p> + +<p>3. Pour in more hot water, wash the greasy dishes with the dish-cloth +made for them; rinse them, and set them to drain. Wipe them, and set +them away. Wash the knives and forks, <i>being careful that the handles +are never put in water</i>; wipe them, and then lay them in a knife-dish, +to be scoured.</p> + +<p>4. Take a fresh supply of clean suds, in which, wash the milk-pans, +buckets, and tins. Then rinse and hang up this dish-cloth, and take the +other; with which, wash the roaster, gridiron, pots, and kettles. Then +wash and rinse the dish-cloth, and hang it up. Empty the slop-bucket and +scald it. Dry metal teapots and tins before the fire. Then put the +fireplace in order, and sweep and dust the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Some persons keep a deep and narrow vessel, in which to wash knives with +a swab, so that a careless domestic <i>cannot</i> lay them in the water while +washing them. This article can be carried into the eating-room, to +receive the knives and forks, when they are taken from the table.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Kitchen Furniture.</i></div> + +<p><i>Crockery.</i> Brown earthen pans are said to be best, for milk and for +cooking. Tin pans are lighter, and more convenient, but are too cold for +many purposes. Tall earthen jars, with covers, are good to hold butter, +salt, lard, &c. Acids should never be put into the red earthen ware, as +there is a poisonous ingredient in the glazing, which the acid takes +off. Stone ware is better, and stronger, and safer, every way, than any +other kind.</p> + +<p><i>Iron Ware.</i> Many kitchens are very imperfectly supplied with the +requisite conveniences for cooking. When a person has sufficient means, +the following articles are all desirable. A nest of iron pots, of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>different sizes, (they should be slowly heated, when new;) a long iron +fork, to take out articles from boiling water; an iron hook, with a +handle, to lift pots from the crane; a large and small gridiron, with +grooved bars, and a trench to catch the grease; a Dutch oven, called, +also, a bakepan; two skillets, of different sizes, and a spider, or flat +skillet, for frying; a griddle, a waffle-iron, tin and iron bake and +bread-pans; two ladles, of different sizes; a skimmer; iron skewers; a +toasting-iron; two teakettles, one small and one large one; two brass +kettles, of different sizes, for soap-boiling, &c. Iron kettles, lined +with porcelain, are better for preserves. The German are the best. Too +hot a fire will crack them, but with care in this respect, they will +last for many years.</p> + +<p>Portable furnaces, of iron or clay, are very useful, in Summer, in +washing, ironing, and stewing, or making preserves. If used in the +house, a strong draught must be made, to prevent the deleterious effects +of the charcoal. A box and mill, for spice, pepper, and coffee, are +needful to those who use these articles. Strong knives and forks, a +sharp carving-knife, an iron cleaver and board, a fine saw, steelyards, +chopping-tray and knife, an apple-parer, steel for sharpening knives, +sugar-nippers, a dozen iron spoons, also a large iron one with a long +handle, six or eight flatirons, one of them very small, two iron-stands, +a ruffle-iron, a crimping-iron, are also desirable.</p> + +<p><i>Tin Ware.</i> Bread-pans, large and small pattypans, cake-pans, with a +centre tube to insure their baking well, pie-dishes, (of block-tin,) a +covered butter-kettle, covered kettles to hold berries, two sauce-pans, +a large oil-can, (with a cock,) a lamp-filler, a lantern, broad-bottomed +candlesticks for the kitchen, a candle-box, a funnel or tunnel, a +reflector, for baking warm cakes, an oven or tin-kitchen, an +apple-corer, an apple-roaster, an egg-boiler, two sugar-scoops, and +flour and meal-scoop, a set of mugs, three dippers, a pint, quart, and +gallon measure, a set of scales and weights, three or four pails, +painted on the outside, a slop-bucket, with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> tight cover, painted on +the outside, a milk-strainer, a gravy-strainer, a colander, a +dredging-box, a pepper-box, a large and small grater, a box, in which to +keep cheese, also a large one for cake, and a still larger one for +bread, with tight covers. Bread, cake, and cheese, shut up in this way, +will not grow dry as in the open air.</p> + +<p><i>Wooden Ware.</i> A nest of tubs, a set of pails and bowls, a large and +small sieve, a beetle for mashing potatoes, a spad or stick for stirring +butter and sugar, a bread-board, for moulding bread and making +pie-crust, a coffee-stick, a clothes-stick, a mush-stick, a meat-beetle +to pound tough meat, an egg-beater, a ladle for working butter, a +bread-trough, (for a large family,) flour-buckets, with lids to hold +sifted flour and Indian meal, salt-boxes, sugar-boxes, starch and +indigo-boxes, spice-boxes, a bosom-board, a skirt-board, a large +ironing-board, two or three clothes-frames, and six dozen clothes-pins.</p> + +<p><i>Basket Ware.</i> Baskets, of all sizes, for eggs, fruit, marketing, +clothes, &c.; also chip-baskets. When often used, they should be washed +in hot suds.</p> + +<p><i>Other Articles.</i> Every kitchen needs a box containing balls of brown +thread and twine, a large and small darning needle, rolls of waste-paper +and old linen and cotton, and a supply of common holders. There should +also be another box, containing a hammer, carpet-tacks, and nails of all +sizes, a carpet-claw, screws and a screw-driver, pincers, gimlets of +several sizes, a bed-screw, a small saw, two chisels, (one to use for +buttonholes in broadcloth,) two awls, and two files.</p> + +<p>In a drawer, or cupboard, should be placed, cotton table-cloths, for +kitchen use, nice crash towels, for tumblers, marked, T T; coarser +towels, for dishes, marked, T; six large roller-towels; a dozen +hand-towels, marked, H T; and a dozen hemmed dish-cloths, with loops. +Also, two thick linen pudding or dumpling-cloths, a gelly-bag, made of +white flannel, to strain gelly, a starch-strainer, and a bag for boiling +clothes.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p><p>In a closet, should be kept, arranged in order, the following articles: +the dust-pan, dust-brush, and dusting-cloths, old flannel and cotton for +scouring and rubbing, sponges for washing windows and looking-glasses, a +long brush for cobwebs, and another for washing the outside of windows, +whisk-brooms, common brooms, a coat-broom or brush, a whitewash-brush, a +stove-brush, shoebrushes and blacking, articles for cleaning tin and +silver, leather for cleaning metals, bottles containing stain-mixtures, +and other articles used in cleansing.</p> + + +<h4>ON THE CARE OF THE CELLAR.</h4> + +<p>A cellar should often be whitewashed, to keep it sweet. It should have a +drain, to keep it perfectly dry, as standing water, in a cellar, is a +sure cause of disease in a family. It is very dangerous to leave decayed +vegetables in a cellar. Many a fever has been caused, by the poisonous +miasm thus generated. The following articles are desirable in a cellar: +a safe, or moveable closet, with sides of wire or perforated tin, in +which cold meats, cream, and other articles should be kept; (if ants be +troublesome, set the legs in tin cups of water;) a refrigerator, or +large wooden box, on feet, with a lining of tin or zinc, and a space +between the tin and wood filled with powdered charcoal, having at the +bottom, a place for ice, a drain to carry off the water, and also +moveable shelves and partitions. In this, articles are kept cool. It +should be cleaned, once a week. Filtering jars, to purify water, should +also be kept in the cellar. Fish and cabbages, in a cellar, are apt to +scent a house, and give a bad taste to other articles.</p> + + +<h4>STOREROOM.</h4> + +<p>Every house needs a storeroom, in which to keep tea, coffee, sugar, +rice, candles, &c. It should be furnished with jars, having labels, a +large spoon, a fork, sugar and flour-scoops, a towel, and a dish-cloth.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p> + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Modes of destroying Insects and Vermin.</i></div> + +<p><i>Bed-bugs</i> should be kept away, by filling every chink in the bedstead +with putty, and, if it be old, painting it over. Of all the mixtures for +killing them, <i>corrosive sublimate and alcohol</i> is the surest. This is a +strong poison.</p> + +<p><i>Cockroaches</i> may be destroyed, by pouring boiling water into their +haunts, or setting a mixture of arsenic, mixed with Indian meal and +molasses, where they are found. Chloride of lime and sweetened water +will also poison them.</p> + +<p><i>Fleas.</i> If a dog be infested with these insects, put him in a tub of +warm soapsuds, and they will rise to the surface. Take them off, and +burn them. Strong perfumes, about the person, diminish their attacks. +When caught between the fingers, plunge them in water, or they will +escape.</p> + +<p><i>Crickets.</i> Scalding, and sprinkling Scotch snuff about the haunts of +these insects, are remedies for the annoyance caused by them.</p> + +<p><i>Flies</i> can be killed, in great quantities, by placing about the house +vessels, filled with sweetened water and <i>cobalt</i>. Six cents worth of +cobalt is enough for a pint of water. It is very poisonous.</p> + +<p><i>Musquitoes.</i> Close nets around a bed, are the only sure protection at +night, against these insects. Spirit of hartshorn is the best antidote +for their bite. Salt and water is good.</p> + +<p><i>Red</i> or <i>Black Ants</i> may be driven away, by scalding their haunts, and +putting Scotch snuff wherever they go for food. Set the legs of closets +and safes in pans of water, and they cannot get at them.</p> + +<p><i>Moths.</i> Airing clothes does not destroy moths, but laying them in a hot +sun does. If articles be tightly sewed up in linen, and fine tobacco be +put about them, it is a sure protection. This should be done in April.</p> + +<p><i>Rats and Mice.</i> A good cat is the best remedy for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> these annoyances. +Equal quantities of hemlock, (or <i>cicuta</i>,) and old cheese, will poison +them, but this renders the house liable to the inconvenience of a bad +smell. This evil, however, may be lessened, by placing a dish, +containing oil of vitriol poured on saltpetre, where the smell is most +annoying. Chloride of lime and water is also good.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.<br /> +<small>ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING.</small> +</h3> + +<p>Every young girl should be taught to do the following kinds of stitch, +with propriety. Over-stitch, hemming, running, felling, stitching, +back-stitch and run, buttonhole-stitch, chain-stitch, whipping, darning, +gathering, and cross-stitch.</p> + +<p>In doing over-stitch, the edges should always be first fitted, either +with pins or basting, to prevent puckering. In turning wide hems, a +paper measure should be used, to make them even. Tucks, also, should be +regulated by a paper measure. A fell should be turned, before the edges +are put together, and the seam should be over-sewed, before felling. All +biased or goring seams should be felled. For stitching, draw a thread, +and take up two or three threads at a stitch.</p> + +<p>In making buttonholes, it is best to have a pair of scissors, made for +the purpose, which cut very neatly. For broadcloth, a chisel and board +are better. The best stitch is made by putting in the needle, and then +turning the thread around it, near the eye. This is better than to draw +the needle through, and then take up a loop. A thread should first be +put across each side of the buttonhole, and also a stay-thread, or bar, +at each end, before working it. In working the buttonhole, keep the +stay-thread as far from the edge as possible. A small bar should be +worked at each end.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> Whipping is done better by sewing <i>over</i>, and not +under. The roll should be as fine as possible, the stitches short, the +thread strong, and in sewing, every gather should be taken up.</p> + +<p>The rule for <i>gathering</i>, in shirts, is, to draw a thread, and then take +up two threads and skip four. In <i>darning</i>, after the perpendicular +threads are run, the crossing threads should interlace, exactly, taking +one thread and leaving one, like woven threads.</p> + +<p>The neatest sewers always fit and baste their work, before sewing; and +they say they always save time in the end, by so doing, as they never +have to pick out work, on account of mistakes.</p> + +<p>It is wise to sew closely and tightly all new garments, which will never +be altered in shape; but some are more nice than wise, in sewing frocks, +and old garments, in the same style. However, this is the least common +extreme. It is much more frequently the case, that articles, which ought +to be strongly and neatly made, are sewed so that a nice sewer would +rather pick out the threads and sew over again, than to be annoyed with +the sight of grinning stitches, and vexed with constant rips.</p> + +<p><i>Workbaskets.</i> It is very important to neatness, comfort, and success in +sewing, that a lady's workbasket should be properly fitted up. The +following articles are needful to the mistress of a family: a large +basket, to hold work; having in it, fastened, a smaller basket, or box, +containing a needle-book, in which are needles of every size, both +blunts and sharps, with a larger number of those sizes most used; also, +small and large darning-needles, for woollen, cotton, and silk; two +tape-needles, large and small; nice scissors, for fine work; buttonhole +scissors; an emery-bag; two balls of white and yellow wax; and two +thimbles, in case one should be mislaid. When a person is troubled with +damp fingers, a lump of soft chalk, in a paper, is useful, to rub on the +ends of the fingers.</p> + +<p>Besides this box, keep in the basket, common scissors; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span>small shears; a +bag containing tapes, of all colors and sizes, done up in rolls; bags, +one, containing spools of white, and another of colored, cotton thread, +and another for silks, wound on spools or papers; a box or bag for nice +buttons, and another for more common ones; a bag containing silk braid, +welting cords, and galloon binding. Small rolls of pieces of white and +brown linen and cotton, are also often needed. A brick pincushion is a +great convenience, in sewing, and better than screw-cushions. It is made +by covering half a brick with cloth, putting a cushion on the top, and +covering it tastefully. It is very useful to hold pins and needles, +while sewing, and to fasten long seams when basting and sewing.</p> + +<p><i>To make a Frock.</i> The best way for a novice, is, to get a dress fitted +(not sewed) at the best mantuamaker's. Then take out a sleeve, rip it +to pieces, and cut out a pattern. Then take out half of the waist, (it +must have a seam in front,) and cut out a pattern of the back and +fore-body, both lining and outer part. In cutting the patterns, iron the +pieces, smooth, let the paper be stiff, and, with a pin, prick holes in +the paper, to show the gore in front, and the depth of the seams. With a +pen and ink, draw lines from each pinhole, to preserve this mark. Then +baste the parts together again, in doing which, the unbasted half will +serve as a pattern. When this is done, a lady of common ingenuity can +cut and fit a dress, by these patterns. If the waist of a dress be too +tight, the seam under the arm must be let out; and in cutting a dress, +an allowance should be made, for letting it out, if needful, at this +seam. The lining of the fore-body must be biased.</p> + +<p>The linings for the waists of dresses should be stiffened cotton or +linen. In cutting bias-pieces, for trimming, they will not set well, +unless they are exact. In cutting them, use a long rule, and a lead +pencil or piece of chalk. Welting-cords should be covered with +bias-pieces; and it saves time, in many cases, to baste<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> on the +welting-cord, at the same time that you cover it. The best way to put on +hooks and eyes, is to sew them on double broad tape, and then sew this +on the frock-lining. They can then be moved easily, and do not show +where they are sewed on.</p> + +<p>In cutting a sleeve, double it biased. The skirts of dresses look badly, +if not full; and in putting on lining, at the bottom, be careful to have +it a very little fuller than the dress, or it will shrink, and look +badly. All thin silks look much better with lining, and last much +longer, as do aprons, also. In putting a lining to a dress, baste it on +each separate breadth, and sew it in at the seams, and it looks much +better than to have it fastened only at the bottom. Make notches in +selvedge, to prevent it from drawing up the breadth. Dresses, which are +to be washed, should not be lined.</p> + +<p>Figured silks do not generally wear well, if the figure be large and +satin-like. Black and plain-colored silks can be tested, by procuring +samples, and making creases in them; fold the creases in a bunch, and +rub them against a rough surface, of moreen or carpeting. Those which +are poor, will soon wear off, at the creases. Plaids look becoming, for +tall women, as they shorten the appearance of the figure. Stripes look +becoming, on a large person, as they reduce the apparent size. Pale +persons should not wear blue or green, and brunettes should not wear +light delicate colors, except shades of buff, fawn, or straw color. +Pearl white is not good for any complexion. Dead white and black look +becoming on almost all persons. It is best to try colors, by +candle-light, for evening dresses; as some colors, which look very +handsome in the daylight, are very homely when seen by candle-light. +Never cut a dress low in the neck, as this shows that a woman is not +properly instructed in the rules of modesty and decorum, or that she has +not sense enough to regard them. Never be in haste to be first in a +fashion, and never go to the extremes.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></p><p>In buying linen, seek for that which has a round close thread, and is +perfectly white; for, if it be not white, at first, it will never +afterwards become so. Much that is called linen, at the shops, is half +cotton, and does not wear so well as cotton alone. Cheap linens are +usually of this kind. It is difficult to discover which are all linen; +but the best way, is, to find a lot, presumed to be good, take a sample, +wash it, and ravel it. If this be good, the rest of the same lot will +probably be so. If you cannot do this, draw a thread, each way, and if +both appear equally strong, it is probably all linen. Linen and cotton +must be put in clean water, and boiled, to get out the starch, and then +ironed. A long piece of linen, a yard wide, will, with care and +calculation, make eight shirts. In cutting it, take a shirt of the right +size, as a guide, in fitting and basting. Bosom-pieces, false collars, +&c. must be cut and fitted, by a pattern which suits the person for whom +the articles are designed. Gentlemen's night-shirts are made like other +shirts, except that they are longer. In cutting chemises, if the cotton +or linen is a yard wide, cut off small half gores, at the top of the +breadths, and set them on the bottom. Use a long rule and a pencil, in +cutting gores. In cutting cotton, which is quite wide, a seam can be +saved, by cutting out two at once, in this manner:—cut off three +breadths, and, with a long rule and a pencil, mark and cut off the +gores, thus: from one breadth, cut off two gores, the whole length, each +gore one fourth of the breadth, at the bottom, and tapering off to a +point, at the top. The other two breadths are to have a gore cut off +from each, which is one fourth wide at top, and two fourths at bottom. +Arrange these pieces right, and they will make two chemises, one having +four seams, and the other three. This is a much easier way of cutting, +than sewing the three breadths together, in bag-fashion, as is often +done. The biased, or goring seams, must always be felled. The sleeves +and neck can be cut according to the taste of the wearer, by another +chemise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> for a pattern. There should be a lining around the armholes, +and stays at all corners. Six yards, of yard width, will make two +chemises.</p> + +<p>Old silk dresses, quilted for skirts, are very serviceable. White +flannel is soiled so easily, and shrinks so much in washing, that it is +a good plan to color it a light dove-color, according to the receipt +given on page <a href='#Page_301'>301</a>. Cotton flannel, dyed thus, is also good for common +skirts. In making up flannel, back-stitch and run the seams, and then +cross-stitch them open. Nice flannel, for infants, can be ornamented, +with very little expense of time, by turning up the hem, on the right +side, and making a little vine at the edge, with saddler's silk. The +stitch of the vine is a modification of buttonhole-stitch.</p> + +<p>Long night gowns are best, cut a little goring. It requires five yards, +for a long nightgown, and two and a half for a short one. Linen +nightcaps wear longer than cotton ones, and do not, like them, turn +yellow. They should be ruffled with linen, as cotton borders will not +last so long as the cap. A double-quilted wrapper is a great comfort, in +case of sickness. It may be made of two old dresses. It should not be +cut full, but rather like a gentleman's study-gown, having no gathers or +plaits, but large enough to slip off and on with ease. A double gown, of +calico, is also very useful. Most articles of dress, for grown persons +or children, require patterns.</p> + +<p><i>Bedding.</i> The best beds, are thick hair mattresses, which, for persons +in health, are good for Winter as well as Summer use. Mattresses may +also be made of husks, dried and drawn into shreds; also, of alternate +layers of cotton and moss. The most profitable sheeting, is the Russian, +which will last three times as long as any other. It is never perfectly +white. Unbleached cotton is good for Winter. It is poor economy to make +narrow and short sheets, as children and domestics will always slip them +off, and soil the bedtick and bolster. They should be three yards long, +and two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> and a half wide, so that they can be tucked in all around. All +bed-linen should be marked and numbered, so that a bed can always be +made properly, and all missing articles be known.</p> + +<p><i>Mending.</i> Silk dresses will last much longer, by ripping out the +sleeves, when thin, and changing the arms, and also the breadths of the +skirt. Tumbled black silk, which is old and rusty, should be dipped in +water, then be drained for a few minutes, without squeezing or pressing, +and then ironed. Cold tea is better than water. Sheets, when worn thin +in the middle, should be ripped, and the other edges sewed together. +Window-curtains last much longer, if lined, as the sun fades and rots +them. Broadcloth should be cut with reference to the way the nap runs. +When pantaloons are thin, it is best to newly seat them, cutting the +piece inserted in a curve, as corners are difficult to fit. When the +knees are thin, it is a case of domestic surgery, which demands +<i>amputation</i>. This is performed, by cutting off both legs, some distance +above the knees, and then changing the legs. Take care to cut them off +exactly of the same length, or in the exchange they will not fit. This +method brings the worn spot under the knees, and the seam looks much +better than a patch and darn. Hose can be cut down, when the feet are +worn. Take an old stocking, and cut it up for a pattern. Make the heel +short. In sewing, turn each edge, and run it down, and then sew over the +edges. This is better than to stitch and then cross-stitch. Run thin +places in stockings, and it will save darning a hole. If shoes are worn +through on the sides, in the upper-leather, slip pieces of broadcloth +under, and sew them around the holes. If, in sewing, the thread kinks, +break it off and begin at the other end. In using spool-cotton, thread +the needle with the end which comes off first, and not the end where you +break it off. This often prevents kinks.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.<br /> +<small>ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS.</small> +</h3> + +<p>The authorities consulted in the preparation of this and kindred +chapters, are, Loudon's Encyclopædia of Gardening, Bridgeman's Young +Gardener, Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture, the writings of Judge +Buel,<a name="FNanchor_T_20" id="FNanchor_T_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_T_20" class="fnanchor">[T]</a> and Downing's Landscape Gardening.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On the Preparation of Soil.</i></div> + +<p>If the garden soil be clayey, and adhesive, put on a covering of sand, +three inches thick, and the same depth of well-rotted manure. Spade it +in, as deep as possible, and mix it well. If the soil be sandy and +loose, spade in clay and ashes. Ashes are good for all kinds of soil, as +they loosen those which are close, hold moisture in those which are +sandy, and destroy insects. The best kind of soil, is that, which will +hold water the longest, without becoming hard, when dry.</p> + +<p><i>To prepare Soil for Pot-plants</i>, take one fourth part of common soil, +one fourth part of well-decayed manure, and one half of vegetable mould, +from the woods, or from a chip-yard. Break up the manure, fine, and sift +it through a lime-screen, (or coarse wire sieve.) These materials must +be thoroughly mixed. When the common soil which is used, is adhesive, +and, indeed, in most other cases, it is necessary to add sand, the +proportion of which, must depend on the nature of the soil.</p> + +<p><i>On the Preparation of a Hot Bed.</i> Dig a pit, six feet long, five feet +wide, and thirty inches deep. Make a frame, of the same size, with the +back two feet high, the front fifteen inches, and the sides sloped from +the back to the front. Make two sashes, each three feet <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>by five, with +the panes of glass lapping like shingles, instead of having cross bars. +Set the frame over the pit, which should then be filled with fresh +horse-dung, which has not lain long, nor been sodden by water. Tread it +down, hard, then put into the frame, light, and very rich soil, ten or +twelve inches deep, and cover it with the sashes, for two or three days. +Then stir the soil, and sow the seeds in shallow drills, placing sticks +by them, to mark the different kinds. Keep the frame covered with the +glass, whenever it is cold enough to chill the plants; but at all other +times, admit fresh air, which is indispensable to their health. When the +sun is quite warm, raise the glasses, enough to admit air, and cover +them with matting or blankets, or else the sun may kill the young +plants. Water the bed at evening, with water which has stood all day, +or, if it be fresh drawn, add a little warm water. If there be too much +heat in the bed, so as to scorch or wither the plants, make deep holes, +with stakes, and fill them up when the heat is reduced. In very cold +nights, cover the box with straw.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Planting Flower Seeds.</i></div> + +<p>Break up the soil, till it is very soft, and free from lumps. Rub that +nearest the surface, between the hands, to make it fine. Make a circular +drill, a foot in diameter. For seeds as large as sweet peas, it should +be half an inch deep. The smallest seeds must be planted very near the +surface, and a very little fine earth be sifted over them. Seeds are to +be planted either deeper or nearer the surface, according to their size. +After covering them with soil, beat them down with a trowel, so as to +make the earth as compact as it is after a heavy shower. Set up a stick, +in the middle of the circle, with the name of the plant heavily written +upon it, with a dark lead pencil. This remains more permanent, if white +lead be first rubbed over the surface. Never plant, when the soil is +very wet. In very dry times, water the seeds at night. Never use<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> very +cold water. When the seeds are small, many should be planted together, +that they may assist each other in breaking the soil. When the plants +are an inch high, thin them out, leaving only one or two, if the plant +be a large one, like the Balsam; five or six, when it is of a medium +size; and eighteen or twenty of the smaller size. Transplanting, retards +the growth of a plant about a fortnight. It is best to plant at two +different times, lest the first planting should fail, owing to wet or +cold weather.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>To Plant Garden Seeds.</i></div> + +<p>Make the beds a yard wide; lay across them a board, a yard long and a +foot wide, and, with a stick, make a furrow, on each side of it, one +inch deep. Scatter the seeds in this furrow, and cover them. Then lay +the board over them and step on it, to press down the earth. When the +plants are an inch high, thin them out, leaving spaces proportioned to +their sizes. Seeds of a similar species, such as melons and squashes, +should not be planted very near to each other, as this causes them to +degenerate. The same kinds of vegetables should not be planted in the +same place, for two years in succession.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On Transplanting.</i></div> + +<p>Transplant at evening, or, which is better, just before a shower. Take a +round stick, sharpened at the point, and make openings to receive the +plants. Set them a very little deeper than they were before, and press +the soil firmly round them. Then water them, and cover them for three or +four days, taking care that sufficient air be admitted. If the plant can +be removed, without disturbing the soil around the root, it will not be +at all retarded, by transplanting. Never remove leaves and branches, +unless a part of the roots be lost.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>To Re-pot House-Plants.</i></div> + +<p>Renew the soil, every year, soon after the time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> of blossoming. Prepare +soil, as previously directed. Loosen the earth from the pot, by passing +a knife around the sides. Turn the plant upside down, and remove the +pot. Then remove all the matted fibres at the bottom, and all the earth, +except that which adheres to the roots. From woody plants, like roses, +shake off all the earth. Take the new pot, and put a piece of broken +earthen-ware over the hole at the bottom; and then, holding the plant in +the proper position, shake in the earth, around it. Then pour in water, +to settle the earth, and heap on fresh soil, till the pot is even full. +Small pots are considered better than large ones, as the roots are not +so likely to rot, from excess of moisture.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On the Laying out of Yards and Gardens.</i></div> + +<p>In planting trees, in a yard, they should be arranged in groups, and +never planted in straight lines, nor sprinkled about, as solitary trees. +The object of this arrangement, is, to imitate Nature, and secure some +spots of dense shade and some of cleared turf. In yards which are +covered with turf, beds can be cut out of it, and raised for flowers. A +trench should be made around, to prevent the grass from running on them. +These beds can be made in the shape of crescents, ovals, or other +fanciful forms, of which, the figure below is one specimen.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 325px;"> + <a name="FIG_39" id="FIG_39"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 39.</span> + <img src="images/fig39.jpg" width="325" height="157" alt="Fig. 39." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>In laying out beds, in gardens and yards, a very pretty bordering can be +made, by planting them with common flax seed, in a line about three +inches from the edge. This can be trimmed, with shears, when it grows +too high.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On the Cultivation of Bulbs, and Tuberous Roots.</i></div> + +<p>For planting the <i>Amaryllis</i>, take one third part of leaf mould, half as +much sand, and the remainder, earth from under fresh grass sods. Plant +them in May. The bulb should not be set more than half its depth in the +ground.</p> + +<p>The <i>Anemone</i> and <i>Ranunculus</i> are medium, or half-hardy, roots. They +should be planted in soil which is enriched with cowdung, and the beds +should be raised only an inch from the walk. They must be planted in +October, in drills, two inches deep, the claws of the roots downward, +and be shaded when they begin to bud.</p> + +<p>The <i>Crocus</i> must be planted in October, two inches deep, and four +inches apart. In measuring the depth, always calculate from the top of +the bulb.</p> + +<p><i>Crown Imperial.</i> This must be planted in September, three or four +inches deep; and need not be taken up but once in three years.</p> + +<p><i>Gladiolus.</i> Those who have greenhouses, or pits, plant the Gladiolus in +October, and preserve it in pots through the Winter. Those who have not +these conveniences, may plant these bulbs late in April. The earth must +be composed of one half common soil, one fourth leaf mould, and one +fourth sand. Plant them about an inch deep.</p> + +<p><i>Hyacinths</i> should be planted in October, eight inches apart, and three +or four inches deep, in a rich soil.</p> + +<p><i>Jonquilles</i> should be planted in October, two inches deep, in a rich +soil, and should not be taken up oftener than once in three years.</p> + +<p><i>Narcissus.</i> This should be planted in October, four inches deep; +covered, through the Winter, with straw and leaves, six inches thick; +and uncovered in the middle of March.</p> + +<p><i>Oxalis.</i> Plant this in September, in a soil, composed of two thirds +common earth, and one third leaf mould. The old bulb dies after +blossoming, and is succeeded by a new one.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p><p>Plant <i>Tulips</i>, in rich soil, in October, three inches deep.</p> + +<p>Plant <i>Tuberoses</i> late in April, in a rich, sandy soil. They are +delicate plants, and should be covered, in case of frosts.</p> + +<p><i>Daffodils</i> should be planted two inches deep.</p> + +<p>When bulbs have done flowering, and their leaves begin to decay, they +should be taken up and dried, and kept in a dry place, till October, +when they are to be replanted, taking off the offsets, and putting them +in a bed by themselves.</p> + +<p>Bulbs which blossom in water, or are in any other way forced to bloom +out of season, are so much exhausted by it, that it takes them two or +three years to recover their beauty.</p> + +<p><i>Dahlias.</i> Dig a hole, a foot and a half deep; fill it with very light, +loose, and rich, soil; and drive in a stake, a yard and a half high, to +which, to tie the future plants. Then set in the root, so that it shall +be an inch below the soil, where the sprout starts. When the plants are +two feet high, tie them to the stakes, and take off some of the lower +side-shoots. Continue to tie them, as their growth advances. If the +roots are planted in the open borders, without any previous growth, it +should be done as early as the first of May, and they should be covered +from the frosts. When they are brought forward, in pots or hot-beds, +they should be put out, in the middle of June. It is said, by gardeners, +that late planting, is better than early, for producing perfect flowers. +In the Autumn, after the frosts have destroyed the tops, let the roots +remain awhile in the ground, to ripen; then dig them up, and pack them +away, in some place where they will neither mould, from dampness, nor +freeze. In the Spring, these roots will throw out sprouts, and must then +be divided, so as to leave a good shoot, attached to a piece of the +tuber or old stem, and each shoot will make a new plant. It is stated, +that if the shoots themselves, without any root, be planted in light +soil, covered with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> bell-glass, or large tumbler, and carefully +watered, they will produce plants superior to those with roots.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Annuals</i></div> + +<p>These are flowers which last only one season. They should be so planted, +that the tallest may be in the middle of a bed, and the shortest at the +edges; and flowers of a similar color should not be planted adjacent to +each other.</p> + +<p>The following is a list of some of the handsomest Annuals, arranged with +reference to their color and height. Those with a star before them, do +best when sowed in the Autumn. Those with <i>tr.</i> after them, are trailing +plants.</p> + + +<br /><div class="center">SIX INCHES TO ONE FOOT HIGH.</div> + +<p><i>White.</i> Ice Plant, Sweet Alyssum, White Leptosiphon, Walker's +Schizopetalon, Blumenbachia insignis, *Candytuft.</p> + +<p><i>Yellow.</i> *Yellow Chryseis or Eschscholtzia, Sanvitalia procumbens, +<i>tr.</i>, Musk-flowered Mimulus.</p> + +<p><i>Rose.</i> Many-flowered Catchfly, Rose-colored Verbena, <i>tr.</i></p> + +<p><i>Red.</i> *Chinese Annual Pink, Virginian Stock, Calandrinia Speciosa.</p> + +<p><i>Blue.</i> Graceful Lobelia, Nemophila insignis, Clintonia pulchella, +Clintonia elegans, Nolana atriplicifolia, <i>tr.</i>, Anagallis indica, +Commelina cœlestis, Grove Love, Pimpernel (blue.)</p> + +<p><i>Varying Colors.</i> *Heart's Ease, or Pansy, Dwarf Love in a Mist, *Rose +Campion.</p> + + +<br /><div class="center">ONE FOOT TO EIGHTEEN INCHES HIGH.</div> + +<p><i>White.</i> Venus's Looking Glass, Priest's Schizanthus, Sweet-scented +Stevia, White Evening Primrose.</p> + +<p><i>Yellow.</i> Drummond's Coreopsis, *New Dark Coreopsis, Golden Hawkweed, +Dracopis amplexicaulis, Drummond's Primrose, Cladanthus arabicus, +Peroffsky's Erysimum.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span></p><p><i>Rose.</i> Drummond's Phlox, Rodanthe, Rose-colored Nonea, Clarkia rosea, +Silene Tenorei, Silene armeria.</p> + +<p><i>Red.</i> Crimson Coxcomb, Silene pendula, Crimson Dew Plant, <i>tr.</i></p> + +<p><i>Scarlet.</i> Cacalia coccinea, Flos Adonis, Scarlet Zinnia, Mexican +Cuphea.</p> + +<p><i>Lilac and Purple.</i> Clarkia elegans, Clarkia pulchella, *Purple +Candytuft, *Purple Petunia, <i>tr.</i>, *Crimson Candytuft, Double Purple +Jacobæa, Leptosiphon androsaceus, all the varieties of Schizanthus, +Veined Verbena, <i>tr.</i>, *Purple eternal Flower.</p> + +<p><i>Blue.</i> Ageratum Mexicanum, *Gilia capitata, Spanish Nigella, Blue +Eutoca, Dwarf Convolvulus, Didiscus cœruleus.</p> + +<p><i>Lilac, Purple</i>, or <i>Blue and White.</i> Collinsia bicolor, Gilia tricolor.</p> + +<p><i>Very Dark.</i> Lotus Jacobæus, Salpiglossis, Scabious.</p> + +<p><i>Colors varying.</i> German Aster, Balsam, Rocket Larkspur, Ten-week Stock, +Poppy.</p> + + +<br /><div class="center">EIGHTEEN INCHES TO TWO FEET.</div> + +<p><i>White.</i> *White Petunia, <i>tr.</i>, White Clarkia, Double White Jacobæa, +Love in a Mist.</p> + +<p><i>Red.</i> *Lavatera trimestris, Red Zinnia, Malva miniata.</p> + +<p><i>Lilac and Purple.</i> Globe Amaranthus, Purple Sweet Sultan, Sweet +Scabious, Purple Zinnia, Prince's Feather, Large Blue Lupine, *Catchfly.</p> + + +<br /><div class="center">TWO FEET AND UPWARDS.</div> + +<p><i>White.</i> Winged Ammobium, *White Lavatera, White Sweet Sultan, *New +White Eternal Flower, White Helicrysum, *White Larkspur.</p> + +<p><i>Yellow.</i> Golden Bartonia, *Golden Coreopsis, Yellow Sweet Sultan, +African Marigold, Yellow Argemone, French Marigold, Yellow Coxcomb, +Yellow Hibiscus.</p> + +<p>The Malope grandiflora and the Cleome are fine tall annuals.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p> + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Climbing Plants.</i></div> + +<p>The following are the most beautiful <i>annual climbers</i>: Crimson, and +White, Cypress Vine; White, and Buff, Thunbergia; Scarlet Flowering +Bean; Hyacinth Bean Loasa; Morning Glory; Crimson, and Spotted, +Nasturtium; Balloon Vine; Sweet Pea; Tangier Pea; Lord Anson's Pea; +Climbing Cobæa; Pink, and White, Maurandia.</p> + +<p>The following are the most valuable <i>perennial climbers</i>: Sweet-scented +Monthly Honeysuckle; Yellow, White, and Coral, Honeysuckles; Purple +Glycine; Clematis; Bitter Sweet; Trumpet Creeper.</p> + +<p>The Everlasting Pea is a beautiful perennial climber. The Climbing +Cobæa, and Passion Flower, are also beautiful perennials, but must be +protected in Winter.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Perennials.</i></div> + +<p>Those who cannot afford every year to devote the time necessary to the +raising of annuals, will do well to supply their borders with +perennials. The following is a list of some of those generally +preferred.</p> + +<p>Adonis, yellow; Columbine, all colors; Alyssum, yellow; Asclepias, +orange and purple; Bee Larkspur, blue; Perennial Larkspur, all colors; +Cardinal Flower, scarlet; Chinese Pink, various colors; Clove Pink; +Foxglove, purple and white; Gentian, purple and yellow; Hollyhock, +various colors; *Lily of the Valley; American Phlox, various colors; +Scarlet Lychnis; Monkshood, white and blue; *Spirea, white, and pink; +*Ragged Robin, pink; Rudbeckia, yellow, and purple; Sweet William, in +variety. Those marked with a star cannot be obtained from seed, but must +be propagated by roots, layers, &c.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Herbaceous Roots.</i></div> + +<p>These are such as die to the root, in the Fall, and come up again in the +Spring, such as Pæonies, crimson, white, sweet-scented, and +straw-colored; Artemisia,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> of many colors; White and Purple +Fleur-de-lis; White, Tiger, Fire, and other Lilies; Little Blue Iris; +Chrysanthemums, &c. These are propagated by dividing the roots.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Shrubs.</i></div> + +<p>The following are the finest <i>Shrubs for yards</i>: Lilacs, (which, by +budding, can have white and purple on the same tree,) Double Syringas, +Double Althæas, Corchorus Japonicus, Snow-berry, Double-flowering +Almond, Pyrus Japonica, Common Barberry, Burning Bush, Rose Acacia, +Yellow Laburnum. The following are the finest Roses: Moss Rose, White, +and Red; Double and Single Yellow Rose, (the last needs a gravelly soil +and northern exposure;) Yellow Multiflora; La Belle Africana; Small +Eglantine, for borders; Champney's Blush Rose; Noisette; Greville, (very +fine;) Damask; Blush, White, and Cabbage Roses. Moss Roses, when budded +on other rose bushes, last only three years.</p> + +<p><i>Shade Trees.</i> The following are among the finest: Mountain Ash; +Ailanthus, or Tree of Heaven, (grows very fast;) Tulip Tree; Linden; +Elm; Locust; Maple; Dog Wood; Horse Chestnut; Catalpa; Hemlock; Silver +Fir; and Cedar. These should be grouped, in such a manner that trees of +different shades of green, and of different heights, should stand in the +same group.</p> + +<p>The Autumn is the best time for transplanting trees. Take as much of the +root, as possible, especially the little fibres, which should never +become dry. If kept long, before they are set out, put wet moss around +them, and water them. Dig holes, larger than the extent of the roots; +let one person hold the tree in its former position, and another place +the roots, carefully, as they were before, cutting off any broken or +wounded root. <i>Be careful not to let the tree be more than an inch +deeper than it was before.</i> Let the soil be soft, and well manured; +shake the tree, as the soil is shaken<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> in, that it may mix well among +the small fibres. Do not tread the earth down, while filling the hole; +but, when it is full, raise a slight mound, of, say, four inches, and +then tread it down. Make a little basin, two inches deep, around the +stem, to hold water, and fill it. Never cut off leaves nor branches, +unless some of the roots are lost. Tie the trees to a stake, and they +will be more likely to live. Water them often.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>On the Care of House-Plants.</i></div> + +<p>The soil of house-plants should be renewed every year, as previously +directed. In Winter, they should be kept as dry as they can be without +wilting. Many house-plants are injured by giving them too much water, +when they have little light and fresh air. This makes them grow +spindling. The more fresh air, warmth, and light, they have, the more +water is needed. They ought not to be kept very warm in Winter, nor +exposed to great changes of atmosphere. Forty degrees is a proper +temperature for plants in Winter, when they have little sun and air. +When plants have become spindling, cut off their heads, entirely, and +cover the pot in the earth, where it has the morning sun, only. A new +and flourishing head will spring out. Few house-plants can bear the sun +at noon. When insects infest plants, set them in a closet, or under a +barrel, and burn tobacco. The smoke kills any insect enveloped in it. +When plants are frozen, cold water, and a gradual restoration of warmth, +are the best remedies. Never use very cold water for plants, at any +season.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"> +FOOTNOTE:<br /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_T_20" id="Footnote_T_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_T_20"><span class="label">[T]</span></a> His 'Farmers' Companion' was written expressly for the +larger series of '<span class="smcap">The School Library</span>,' issued by the publishers +of this volume.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.<br /> +<small>ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS.</small> +</h3> + +<p>Bulbous roots are propagated by offsets; some growing on the top, others +around the sides. Many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> plants are propagated by cutting off twigs, and +setting them in earth, so that two or three eyes are covered. To do +this, select a side shoot, ten inches long, two inches of it, being of +the preceding year's growth, and the rest, the growth of the season when +it is set out. Do this, when the sap is running, and put a piece of +crockery at the bottom of the shoot, when it is buried. One eye, at +least, must be under the soil. Water it, and shade it in hot weather. +Plants are also propagated by layers. To do this, take a shoot, which +comes up near the root, bend it down, so as to bring several eyes under +the soil, leaving the top above ground. If the shoot be cut half +through, in a slanting direction, at one of these eyes, before burying +it, the result is more certain. Roses, honeysuckles, and many other +shrubs, are readily propagated thus. They will generally take root, by +being simply buried; but cutting them, as here directed, is the best +method. Layers are more certain than cuttings. For all woody plants, +budding and grafting are favorite methods of propagation. In all such +plants, there is an outer and inner bark; the latter containing the sap +vessels, in which the nourishment of the tree ascends.</p> + +<p>The success of grafting, or inoculating, consists in so placing the bud +or graft, that the sap vessels of the inner bark shall exactly join +those of the plant into which they are grafted, so that the sap may pass +from one into the other.</p> + +<p>The following are directions for <i>budding</i>, which may be performed at +any time from July to September.</p> + +<p>Select a smooth place, on the stock into which you are to insert the +bud. Make a horizontal cut, across the rind, through to the firm wood; +and from the middle of this, make a slit downward, perpendicularly, an +inch or more long, through to the wood. Raise the bark of the stock, on +each side of the perpendicular cut, for the admission of the bud, as is +shown in the annexed engraving, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_40'>40</a>.) Then take a shoot of this +year's growth, and slice from it a bud, taking an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> inch below and an +inch above it, and some portion of the wood under it. Then carefully +slip off the woody part, under the bud. Examine whether the eye or gem +of the bud be perfect. If a little hole appears in that part, the bud +has lost its root, and another must be selected. Insert the bud, so that +<i>a</i>, of the bud, shall pass to a, of the stock; then <i>b</i>, of the bud, +must be cut off, to match the cut, b, in the stock, and fitted exactly +to it, as it is this alone which insures success. Bind the parts, with +fresh bass, or woollen yarn, beginning a little below the bottom of the +perpendicular slit, and winding it closely round every part, except just +over the eye of the bud, until you arrive above the horizontal cut. Do +not bind it too tightly, but just sufficient to exclude air, sun, and +wet. This is to be removed, after the bud is firmly fixed, and begins to +grow.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> + <a name="FIG_40" id="FIG_40"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 40.</span> + <img src="images/fig40.jpg" width="400" height="409" alt="Fig. 40." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>Seed-fruit can be budded into any other seed-fruit, and stone-fruit into +any other stone-fruit; but stone and seed-fruits, cannot be thus +mingled.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span></p><p>Rose bushes can have a variety of kinds budded into the same stock. +Hardy roots are the best stocks. The branch above the bud, must be cut +off, the next March or April after the bud is put in. Apples and pears, +are more easily propagated by ingrafting, than by budding.</p> + +<p>Ingrafting is a similar process to budding, with this advantage; that it +can be performed on large trees, whereas budding can be applied only on +small ones. The two common kinds of ingrafting, are whip-grafting, and +split-grafting. The first kind is for young trees, and the other for +large ones.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 145px;"> + <a name="FIG_41" id="FIG_41"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 41.</span> + <img src="images/fig41.jpg" width="145" height="500" alt="Fig. 41." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>The time for ingrafting, is from May to October. The cuttings must be +taken from horizontal shoots, between Christmas and March, and kept in a +damp cellar. In performing the operation, cut off, in a sloping +direction, (as seen in Fig. <a href='#FIG_41'>41</a>,) the tree or limb to be grafted. Then +cut off, in a corresponding slant, the slip to be grafted on. Then put +them together, so that the inner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> bark of each shall match, exactly, on +one side, and tie them firmly together, with woollen yarn. It is not +essential that both be of equal size; if the bark of each meet together +exactly on <i>one</i> side, it answers the purpose. But the two must not +differ much, in size. The slope should be an inch and a half, or more, +in length. After they are tied together, the place should be covered +with a salve or composition of beeswax and rosin. A mixture of clay and +cowdung will answer the same purpose. This last must be tied on with a +cloth. Grafting is more convenient than budding, as grafts can be sent +from a great distance; whereas buds must be taken in July or August, +from a shoot of the present year's growth, and cannot be sent to any +great distance.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 233px;"> + <a name="FIG_42" id="FIG_42"></a> + <span class="caption">Fig. 42.</span> + <img src="images/fig42.jpg" width="233" height="350" alt="Fig. 42." title="" /> +</div> + +<p>This engraving, (Fig. <a href='#FIG_42'>42</a>,) exhibits the mode called stock-grafting; <i>a</i>, +being the limb of a large tree which is sawed off and split, and is to +be held open by a small wedge, till the grafts are put in. A graft, +inserted in the limb, is shown at <i>b</i>, and at <i>c</i>, is one not inserted, +but designed to be put in at <i>d</i>, as two grafts can be put into a large +stock. In inserting the graft, be careful to make the edge of the inner +bark of the graft meet exactly the edge of the inner bark of the stock; +for on this, success depends. After the grafts are put in, the wedge +must be withdrawn, and the whole of the stock<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> be covered with the thick +salve or composition before mentioned, reaching from where the grafts +are inserted, to the bottom of the slit. Be careful not to knock or move +the grafts, after they are put in.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Pruning.</i></div> + +<p>The following rules for pruning, are from a distinguished +horticulturist. Prune off all dead wood, and all the little twigs on the +main limbs. Retrench branches, so as to give light and ventilation to +the interior of the tree. Select the straight and perpendicular shoots, +which give little or no fruit, while those which are most nearly +horizontal, and somewhat curving, give fruit abundantly, and of good +quality. Superfluous and ill-placed buds may be rubbed off, at any time; +and no buds, pushing out after Midsummer, should be spared. In choosing +between shoots to be retained, preserve the lowest placed; and, on +lateral shoots, those which are nearest the origin. When branches cross +each other, so as to rub, remove one or the other. Remove all suckers +from the roots of trees or shrubs. Prune after the sap is in full +circulation, (except in the case of grapes,) as the wounds then heal +best. Some think it best to prune before the sap begins to run. +Pruning-shears, and a pruning-pole, with a chisel at the end, can be +procured of those who deal in agricultural utensils.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Thinning.</i></div> + +<p>As it is the office of the leaves to absorb nourishment from the +atmosphere, they should never be removed, except to mature the wood or +fruit. In doing this, remove such leaves as shade the fruit, as soon as +it is ready to ripen. To do it earlier, impairs the growth. Do it +gradually, at two different times. Thinning the fruit is important, as +tending to increase its size and flavor, and also to promote the +longevity of the tree. If the fruit be thickly set, take off one half, +at the time of setting. Revise in June, and then in July, taking off all +that may be spared. One <i>very large</i> apple to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> every square foot, is a +rule that may be a sort of guide, in other cases. According to this, two +hundred large apples would be allowed to a tree, whose extent is fifteen +feet by twelve. If any person think this thinning excessive, let him try +two similar trees, and thin one as directed, and leave the other +unthinned. It will be found that the thinned tree will produce an equal +weight, and fruit of much finer flavor.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI.<br /> +<small>ON THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT.</small> +</h3> + +<p>By a little attention to this matter, a lady, with the help of her +children, can obtain a rich abundance of all kinds of fruit. The writer +has resided in families, where little boys, of eight, ten, and twelve +years old, amused themselves, under the direction of their mother, in +planting walnuts, chestnuts, and hazelnuts, for future time; as well as +in planting and inoculating young fruit-trees, of all descriptions. A +mother, who will take pains to inspire a love for such pursuits, in her +children, and who will aid and superintend them, will save them from +many temptations; and, at a trifling expense, secure to them and herself +a rich reward, in the choicest fruits. The information given in this +work, on this subject, may be relied on, as sanctioned by the most +experienced nursery-men.</p> + +<p>The soil, for a nursery, should be rich, well dug, dressed with +well-decayed manure, free from weeds, and protected from cold winds. +Fruit seeds should be planted in the Autumn, an inch and a half or two +inches deep, in ridges four or five feet apart, pressing the earth +firmly over the seeds. While growing, they should be thinned out, +leaving the best ones a foot and a half apart. The soil should be kept +loose, soft, and free from weeds. They should be inoculated or +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span>ingrafted, when of the size of a pipe stem; and in a year after this, +may be transplanted to their permanent stand. Peach trees sometimes bear +in two years from budding, and in four years from planting, if well +kept.</p> + +<p>In a year after transplanting, take pains to train the head aright. +Straight, upright branches, produce <i>gourmands</i>, or twigs bearing only +leaves. The side branches, which are angular or curved, yield the most +fruit. For this reason, the limbs should be trained in curves, and +perpendicular twigs should be cut off, if there be need of pruning. The +last of June is the time for this. Grass should never be allowed to grow +within four feet of a large tree, and the soil should be kept loose, to +admit air to the roots. Trees in orchards should be twenty-five feet +apart. The soil <i>under</i> the top soil, has much to do with the health of +trees. If it be what is called <i>hard-pan</i>, the trees will deteriorate. +Trees need to be manured, and to have the soil kept open and free from +weeds.</p> + +<p><i>Filberts</i> can be raised in any part of this Country. <i>Figs</i> can be +raised in the Middle States. For this purpose, in the Autumn, loosen the +roots, on one side, and bend the tree down to the earth, on the other; +then cover it with a mound of straw, earth, and boards; and early in the +Spring raise it up, and cover the roots. <i>Currants</i> grow well in any but +a wet soil. They are propagated by cuttings. The old wood should be +thinned in the Fall, and manure be put on. They can be trained into +small trees. <i>Gooseberries</i> are propagated by layers and cuttings. They +are best, when kept from suckers and trained like trees. One third of +the old wood should be removed every Autumn. <i>Raspberries</i> do best, when +shaded during a part of the day. They are propagated by layers, slips, +and suckers. There is one kind, which bears monthly. <i>Strawberries</i> +require a light soil and vegetable manure. They should be transplanted +in April or September, and be set eight inches apart, in rows nine +inches asunder, and in beds which are two feet wide, with narrow alleys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> +between them. A part of these plants are <i>non-bearers</i>. These have large +flowers, with showy stamens and high black anthers. The <i>bearers</i> have +short stamens, a great number of pistils, and the flowers are every way +less showy. In blossom-time, pull out all the non-bearers. Some think it +best to leave one non-bearer to every twelve bearers; but others pull +them all out. Many beds never produce any fruit, because all the plants +in them are non-bearers. Weeds should be kept from the vines. When the +vines are matted with young plants, the best way is to dig over the +beds, in cross lines, so as to leave some of the plants standing in +little squares, while the rest are turned under the soil. This should be +done over a second time in the same year.</p> + +<p><i>Grapes.</i> To raise this fruit, manure the soil, and keep it soft, and +free from weeds. A gravelly or sandy soil, and a south exposure, are +best. Transplant the vines in the early Spring, or, better, in the Fall. +Prune them, the first year, so as to have only two main branches, taking +off all other shoots, as fast as they come. In November, cut off all of +these two branches, except four eyes. The second year, in the Spring, +loosen the earth around the roots, and allow only two branches to grow, +and every month, take off all side shoots. When they are very strong, +preserve only a part, and cut off the rest in the Fall. In November, cut +off all the two main stems, except eight eyes. After the second year no +more pruning is needed, except to reduce the side shoots, for the +purpose of increasing the fruit. All the pruning of grapes, (except +nipping side shoots,) must be done when the sap is not running, or they +will bleed to death. Train them on poles, or lattices, to expose them to +the air and sun. Cover tender vines in the Autumn. Grapes are propagated +by cuttings, layers, and seeds. For cuttings, select, in the Autumn, +well-ripened wood, of the former year, and take five joints for each. +Bury them, till April; then soak them, for some hours, and set them out, +<i>aslant</i>, so that all the eyes but one shall be covered.</p> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span></p> +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>To Preserve Fruit.</i></div> + +<p>Raspberries and Strawberries can be preserved, in perfect flavor, in the +following manner. Take a pound of nice sifted sugar for each pound of +fruit. Put them in alternate layers, of fruit and sugar, till the jar is +entirely full, then cork it, and seal it air tight.</p> + +<p>Currants and Gooseberries may be perfectly preserved thus. Gather them, +when dry, selecting only the solid ones. Take off the stalks, and put +them in dry junk-bottles. Set them, <i>uncorked</i>, in a kettle of water, +and slowly raise it to boiling heat, in order to drive the air out of +the bottles. Then take out the bottles, cork them, and seal them air +tight. Keep them in a dry place, where they will not freeze. The success +of this method depends on excluding air and water.</p> + +<p>Apples, Grapes, and such like fruit can be preserved, by packing them, +when dry and solid, in dry sand or sawdust, putting alternate layers of +fruit and sawdust or sand. Some sawdust gives a bad flavor to the fruit.</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Modes of Preserving Fruit Trees.</i></div> + +<p>Heaps of ashes, or tanner's bark, around peach trees, prevent the attack +of the worm. The <i>yellows</i>, is a disease of peach trees, which is spread +by the pollen of the blossom. When a tree begins to turn yellow, take it +away, with all its roots, before it blossoms again, or it will infect +other trees. Planting tansy around the roots of fruit trees, is a sure +protection against worms, as it prevents the moth from depositing her +egg. Equal quantities of salt and saltpetre, put around the trunk of a +peach tree, half a pound to a tree, improves the size and flavor of the +fruit. Apply this about the first of April, and if any trees have worms +already in them, put on half the quantity, in addition, in June. To +young trees, just set out, apply one ounce, in April, and another in +June, close to the stem. Sandy soil is best for peaches.</p> + +<p>Apple trees are preserved from insects, by a wash of strong ley to the +body and limbs, which, if old, should<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> be first scraped. Caterpillars +should be removed, by cutting down their nests in a damp day. Boring a +hole, in a tree infested with worms, and filling it with sulphur, will +often drive them off immediately.</p> + +<p>The <i>fire-blight</i>, or <i>brûlure</i>, in pear trees, can be stopped, by +cutting off all the blighted branches. It is supposed, by some, to be +owing to an excess of sap, which is remedied by diminishing the roots.</p> + +<p>The <i>curculio</i>, which destroys plums, and other stone fruit, can be +checked only by gathering up all the fruit that falls, (which contains +their eggs,) and destroying it. The <i>canker-worm</i> can be checked, by +applying a bandage around the body of the tree, and every evening +smearing it with fresh tar.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII.<br /> +<small>MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS.</small> +</h3> + +<p>Every woman should know how to direct in regard to the proper care of +domestic animals, as they often suffer from the negligence of domestics.</p> + +<p>The following information, in reference to the care of a horse and cow, +may be useful. A stable should not be very light nor very dark; its +floor should be either plank or soil, as brick or stone pavements injure +the feet. It should be well cleaned, every morning. A horse, kept in a +stable, should be rubbed and brushed every day. A stable-horse needs as +much daily exercise as trotting three miles will give him. Food or drink +should never be given, when a horse is very warm with exercise, as it +causes disease. A horse should be fed, three times a day. Hay, +sheaf-oats, shorts, corn-meal, and bran, are the best food for horses. +When a horse is travelling, order six quarts of oats in the morning, +four at noon, and six at night, and direct that neither food nor water +be given till he is cool.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span></p><p>Keep a horse's legs free from mud, or disease will often result from +the neglect. A horse, much used, should be shod as often as once in two +months. Fish-oil and strong perfumes, on the skin, keep flies from +annoying a horse. Some horses are made fractious by having the +check-rein so tight as to weary the muscles.</p> + +<p>A cow should be watered three times a day, and fed with hay, potatoes, +carrots, and boiled corn. Turnips and cabbages give a bad taste to the +milk. Give a handful of salt to a cow, twice a week, and occasionally +give the same quantity to a horse. Let them drink <i>pure</i> water. A +well-fed cow gives double the milk that she will if not fed well. A cow +should go unmilked, for two months before calving, and her milk should +not be used till four days after. The calf must run with the cow for +four days, and then be shut from her, except thrice a day, when it +should take as much food as it wants, and then the cow should be milked +clean.</p> + +<p>Hens sit twenty days, and should be well fed and watered, during this +time. The first food for chickens should be coarse dry meal. Cold and +damp weather is bad for all young fowls, and they should be well +protected from it. Pepper-berries are good for fowls which have diseases +caused by damp and cold weather.</p> + +<p>In Winter, much fuel may be saved, and comfort secured, by stuffing +cotton into all cracks about the windows and the surbases of rooms, and +by listing the doors. Cover strips of wood with baize, and nail them +tight against a door, on the casing.</p> + +<p>The following are the causes of smoky chimneys. Short and broad flues, +running up straight, as a narrow flue, with a bend in it, draws best. +Large openings, at the top, draw the wind down, and should be remedied, +by having the summits made tapering. A house higher than a chimney near +it, sometimes makes the chimney smoke, and the evil should be remedied, +by raising the chimney. Too large a throat to the fireplace, sometimes +causes a chimney to smoke, and can be remedied, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span>by a false back, or by +lowering the front, with sheet iron. Shallow fireplaces give out more +heat, and draw as well, as deep ones.</p> + +<p><i>House-cleaning</i> should be done in dry warm weather. Several friends of +the writer maintain, that cleaning paint, and windows, and floors, in +<i>hard</i>, <i>cold</i> water, without any soap, using a flannel washcloth, is +much better than using warm suds. It is worth trying. In cleaning in the +common way, sponges are best for windows, and clean water only should be +used. They should be first wiped with linen, and then with old silk. The +outside of windows should be washed with a long brush, made for the +purpose; and they should be rinsed, by throwing upon them water, +containing a little saltpetre.</p> + +<p>When inviting company, mention, in the note, the day of the month and +week, and the hour for coming. Provide a place for ladies to dress their +hair, with a glass, pins, and combs. A pitcher of cold water, and a +tumbler, should be added. When the company is small, it is becoming a +common method for the table to be set at one end of the room, the lady +of the house to pour out tea, and the gentlemen of the party to wait on +the ladies and themselves. When tea is sent round, always send a teapot +of hot water to weaken it, and a slop-bowl, or else many persons will +drink their tea much stronger than they wish.</p> + +<p>Let it ever be remembered, that the burning of lights and the breath of +guests, are constantly exhausting the air of its healthful principle; +therefore avoid crowding many guests into one room. Do not tempt the +palate by a great variety of unhealthful dainties. Have a warm room for +departing guests, that they may not become chilled before they go out.</p> + +<p>A parlor should be furnished with candle and fire screens, for those who +have weak eyes; and if, at table, a person sits with the back near the +fire, a screen should be hung on the back of the chair, as it is very +injurious to the whole system to have the back heated.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span></p><p>Pretty baskets, for flowers or fruits, on centre tables, can be made +thus. Knit, with coarse needles, all the various shades of green and +brown, into a square piece. Press it with a hot iron, and then ravel it +out. Buy a pretty shaped wicker basket, or make one of stiff millinet, +or thin pasteboard, cut the worsted into bunches, and sew them on, to +resemble moss. Then line the basket, and set a cup or dish of water in +it, to hold flowers, or use it for a fruit-basket. Handsome fireboards +are made, by nailing black foundation-muslin to a frame the size of the +fireplace; and then cutting out flowers, from wall-paper, and pasting +them on the muslin, according to the fancy.</p> + +<p>India rubber, melted in lamp-oil, and brushed over common shoes, keeps +water out, perfectly. Keep small whisk brooms, wherever gentlemen hang +their clothes, both up stairs and down, and get them to use them if you +can.</p> + +<p>Boil new earthen in bran-water, putting the articles in, when cold. Do +the same with porcelain kettles. Never leave wooden vessels out of +doors, as they fall to pieces. In Winter, lift the handle of a pump, and +cover it with blankets, to keep it from freezing.</p> + +<p>Broken earthen and china, can often be mended, by tying it up, and +boiling it in milk. <i>Diamond cement</i>, when genuine, is very effectual +for the same purpose. Old putty can be softened by muriatic acid. Nail +slats across nursery windows. Scatter ashes on slippery ice, at the +door; or rather, remove it. Clarify impure water with powdered alum, a +teaspoonful to a barrel.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354a" id="Page_354a">[Pg 354a]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="NOTE" id="NOTE"></a>NOTE.</h3> + + +<p>A volume, entitled the <i>American Housekeeper's Receipt Book</i>, prepared +by the author of this work, under the supervision of several experienced +housekeepers, is designed as a Supplement to this treatise on Domestic +Economy. The following Preface and Analysis of the Contents will +indicate its design more fully:</p> + + +<br /> +<div class="center"><i>Preface (for the American Housekeeper's Receipt Book.)</i></div> + +<p>The following objects are aimed at in this work:</p> + +<p><i>First</i>, to furnish an <i>original</i> collection of receipts, which shall +embrace a great variety of simple and well-cooked dishes, designed for +every-day comfort and enjoyment.</p> + +<p><i>Second</i>, to include in the collection only such receipts as have been +tested by superior housekeepers, and warranted to be <i>the best</i>. It is +not a book made up in <i>any</i> department by copying from other books, but +entirely from the experience of the best practical housekeepers.</p> + +<p><i>Third</i>, to express every receipt in language which is short, simple, +and perspicuous, and yet to give all directions so minutely as that the +book can be kept in the kitchen, and be used by any domestic who can +read, as a guide in <i>every one</i> of her employments in the kitchen.</p> + +<p><i>Fourth</i>, to furnish such directions in regard to small dinner-parties +and evening company as will enable any young housekeeper to perform her +part, on such occasions, with ease, comfort, and success.</p> + +<p><i>Fifth</i>, to present a good supply of the rich and elegant dishes +demanded at such entertainments, and yet to set forth so large and +tempting a variety of what is safe, healthful, and good, in connexion +with such warnings and suggestions as it is hoped may avail to promote a +more healthful fashion in regard both to entertainments and to daily +table supplies. No book of this kind will sell without an adequate +supply of the rich articles which custom requires, and in furnishing +them, the writer has aimed to follow the example of Providence, which +scatters profusely both good and ill, and combines therewith the caution +alike of experience, revelation, and conscience, "choose ye that which +is good, that ye and your seed may live."</p> + +<p><i>Sixth</i>, in the work on Domestic Economy, together with this, to which +it is a Supplement, the writer has attempted to secure, in a cheap and +popular form, for American housekeepers, a work similar to an English +work which she has examined, entitled the <i>Encyclopædia of Domestic +Economy, by Thomas Webster and Mrs. Parkes</i>, containing over twelve +hundred octavo pages of closely-printed matter, treating on every +department of Domestic Economy; a work which will be found much more +useful to English women, who have a plenty of money and well-trained +servants, than to American housekeepers. It is believed that most in +that work which would be of any practical use to American housekeepers, +will be found in this work and the Domestic Economy.</p> + +<p><i>Lastly</i>, the writer has aimed to avoid the defects complained of by +most housekeepers in regard to works of this description issued in this +country, or sent from England, such as that, in some cases, the receipts +are so rich as to be both expensive and unhealthful; in others, that +they are so vaguely expressed as to be very imperfect guides; in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354b" id="Page_354b">[Pg 354b]</a></span>others, that the processes are so elaborate and <i>fussing</i> as to make +double the work that is needful; and in others, that the topics are so +limited that some departments are entirely omitted, and all are +incomplete.</p> + +<p>In accomplishing these objects, the writer has received contributions of +the pen, and verbal communications from some of the most judicious and +practical housekeepers, in almost every section of this country, so that +the work is fairly entitled to the name it bears of the <i>American</i> +Housekeeper's Receipt Book.</p> + +<p>The following embraces most of the topics contained in this work.</p> + +<p>Suggestions to young housekeepers in regard to style, furniture, and +domestic arrangements.</p> + +<p>Suggestions in regard to different modes to be pursued both with foreign +and American domestics.</p> + +<p>On providing a proper supply of family stores, on the economical care +and use of them, and on the furniture and arrangement of a store-closet.</p> + +<p>On providing a proper supply of utensils to be used in cooking, with +drawings to illustrate.</p> + +<p>On the proper construction of ovens, and directions for heating and +managing them.</p> + +<p>Directions for securing good yeast and good bread.</p> + +<p>Advice in regard to marketing, the purchase of wood, &c.</p> + +<p>Receipts for breakfast dishes, biscuits, warm cakes, tea cakes, &c.</p> + +<p>Receipts for puddings, cakes, pies, preserves, pickles, sauces, catsups, +and also for cooking all the various kinds of meats, soups, and +vegetables.</p> + +<p>The above receipts are arranged so that the more healthful and simple +ones are put in one portion, and the richer ones in another.</p> + +<p>Healthful and favourite articles of food for young children.</p> + +<p>Receipts for a variety of temperance drinks.</p> + +<p>Directions for making tea, coffee, chocolate, and other warm drinks.</p> + +<p>Directions for cutting up meats, and for salting down, corning, curing, +and smoking.</p> + +<p>Directions for making butter and cheese, as furnished by a practical and +scientific manufacturer of the same, of Goshen, Conn., that land of rich +butter and cheese.</p> + +<p>A guide to a selection of a regular course of family dishes, which will +embrace <i>a successive variety</i>, and unite convenience with good taste +and comfortable living.</p> + +<p>Receipts for articles for the sick, and drawings of conveniences for +their comfort and relief.</p> + +<p>Receipts for articles for evening parties and dinner parties, with +drawings to show the proper manner of setting tables, and of supplying +and arranging dishes, both on these, and on ordinary occasions.</p> + +<p>An outline of arrangements for a family in moderate circumstances, +embracing the systematic details of work for each domestic, and the +proper mode of doing it, as furnished by an accomplished housekeeper.</p> + +<p>Remarks on the different nature of food and drinks, and their relation +to the laws of health.</p> + +<p>Suggestions to the domestics of a family, designed to promote a proper +appreciation of the dignity and importance of their station, and a +cheerful and faithful performance of their duties.</p> + +<p>Miscellaneous suggestions and receipts.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="A_GLOSSARY" id="A_GLOSSARY"></a>A GLOSSARY<br /> +<small>OF SUCH WORDS AND PHRASES AS MAY NOT EASILY BE UNDERSTOOD BY THE YOUNG +READER.</small> +</h3> + +<p>[Many words, not contained in this <span class="smcap">Glossary</span>, will be found +explained in the body of the Work, in the places where they first occur. +For these, see <span class="smcap">Index</span>.]</p> + +<p><i>Academy, the Boston</i>, an association in Boston, established for the +purpose of promoting the study and culture of the art of music.</p> + +<p><i>Action brought by the Commonwealth</i>, a prosecution conducted in the +name of the public, or by the authority of the State.</p> + +<p><i>Alcoholic</i>, made of, or containing, alcohol, an inflammable liquid, +which is the basis of ardent spirits.</p> + +<p><i>Alkali</i>, (plural <i>alkalies</i>,) a chemical substance, which has the +property of combining with, and neutralizing the properties of, acids, +producing salts by the combination. Alkalies change most of the +vegetable blues and purples to green, red to purple, and yellow to +brown. <i>Caustic alkali</i>, an alkali deprived of all impurities, being +thereby rendered more caustic and violent in its operation. This term is +usually applied to pure potash. <i>Fixed alkali</i>, an alkali that emits no +characteristic smell, and cannot be volatilized or evaporated without +great difficulty. Potash and soda are called the fixed alkalies. Soda is +also called a <i>fossil</i>, or <i>mineral</i>, <i>alkali</i>, and potash, the +<i>vegetable alkali</i>. <i>Volatile alkali</i>, an elastic, transparent, +colorless, and consequently invisible gas, known by the name of ammonia, +or ammoniacal gas. The odor of spirits of hartshorn is caused by this +gas.</p> + +<p><i>Anglo-American</i>, English-American, relating to Americans descended from +English ancestors.</p> + +<p><i>Anne, Queen</i>, a Queen of England, who reigned from A. D. 1702, to 1714. +She was the daughter of James II., and succeeded to the throne on the +death of William III. She died, August 1, 1714, in the fiftieth year of +her age. She was not a woman of very great intellect; but was deservedly +popular, throughout her reign, being a model of conjugal and maternal +duty, and always intending to do good. She was honored with the title of +'Good Queen Anne', which showed the opinion entertained of her virtues +by the people.</p> + +<p><i>Anotta</i>, <i>Annotto</i>, <i>Arnotta</i>, or <i>Rocou</i>, a soft, brownish-red +substance, prepared from the reddish pulp surrounding the seeds of a +tree, which grows in the West Indies, Guiana, and other parts of South +America, called the <i>Bixa orellana</i>. It is used as a dye.</p> + +<p><i>Anther</i>, that part of the stamen of a flower which contains the pollen +or farina, a sort of mealy powder or dust, which is necessary to the +production of the flower.</p> + +<p><i>Anthracite</i>, one of the most valuable kinds of mineral coal, containing +no bitumen. It is very abundant in the United States.</p> + +<p><i>Aperient</i>, opening.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span></p><p><i>Apple-corer</i>, an instrument lately invented for the purpose of +divesting apples of their cores.</p> + +<p><i>Arabic, gum</i>, see <i>Gum Arabic</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Archæology</i>, a discourse or treatise on antiquities.</p> + +<p><i>Arnotto</i>, see <i>Anotta</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Arrow-root</i>, a white powder, obtained from the fecula or starch of +several species of tuberous plants in the East and West Indies, Bermuda, +and other places. That from Bermuda is most highly esteemed. It is used +as an article for the table, in the form of puddings; and also as a +highly-nutritive, easily-digested, and agreeable, food, for invalids. It +derives its name from having been originally used by the Indians, as a +remedy for the poison of their arrows, by mashing and applying it to the +wound.</p> + +<p><i>Articulating process</i>, the protuberance, or projecting part of a bone, +by which it is so joined to another bone, as to enable the two to move +upon each other.</p> + +<p><i>Asceticism</i>, the state of an ascetic, or hermit, who flies from society +and lives in retirement, or who practises a greater degree of +mortification and austerity than others do, or who inflicts +extraordinary severities upon himself.</p> + +<p><i>Astral lamp</i>, a lamp, the principle of which was invented by Benjamin +Thompson, (a native of Massachusetts, and afterwards Count Rumford,) in +which the oil is contained in a large horizontal ring, having, at the +centre, a burner, which communicates with the ring by tubes. The ring is +placed a little below the level of the flame, and, from its large +surface, affords a supply of oil for many hours.</p> + +<p><i>Astute</i>, shrewd.</p> + +<p><i>Auld Robin Gray</i>, a celebrated Scotch song, in which a young woman +laments her having married an old rich man, whom she did not love, for +the sake of providing for her poor parents.</p> + +<p><i>Auricles</i>, (from a Latin word, signifying the ear,) the name given to +two appendages of the heart, from their fancied resemblance to the ear.</p> + +<p><i>Baglivi</i>, (George,) an eminent physician, who was born at Ragusa, in +1668, and was educated at Naples and Paris. Pope Clement XIV., on the +ground of his great merit, appointed him, while a very young man, +Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in the College of Sapienza, at Rome. He +wrote several works, and did much to promote the cause of medical +science. He died, A. D. 1706.</p> + +<p><i>Bass</i>, or bass wood, a large forest tree of America, sometimes called +the lime-tree. The wood is white and soft, and the bark is sometimes +used for bandages, as mentioned in page <a href='#Page_343'>343</a>.</p> + +<p><i>Beau Nash</i>, see <i>Nash</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Bell, Sir Charles</i>, a celebrated surgeon, who was born in Edinburgh, in +the year 1778. He commenced his career in London, in 1806, as a lecturer +on Anatomy and Surgery. In 1830, he received the honors of knighthood, +and in 1836 was appointed Professor of Surgery in the College of +Edinburgh. He died near Worcester, in England, April 29, 1842. His +writings are very numerous, and have been much celebrated. Among the +most important of these, to general readers, are, his Illustrations of +Paley's Natural Theology, (which work forms the second and third volumes +of the larger series of '<span class="smcap">The School Library</span>,' issued by the +Publishers of this volume,) and his treatise on 'The Hand, its +Mechanism, and Vital Endowments, as evincing Design.'</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span></p><p><i>Bergamot</i>, a fruit, which was originally produced by ingrafting a +branch of a citron or lemon tree, upon the stock of a peculiar kind of +pear, called the bergamot pear.</p> + +<p><i>Biased</i>, cut diagonally from one corner to another of a square or +rectangular piece of cloth. <i>Bias pieces</i>, triangular pieces cut as +above mentioned.</p> + +<p><i>Bituminous</i>, containing <i>bitumen</i>, which is an inflammable mineral +substance, resembling tar or pitch in its properties and uses. Among +different bituminous substances, the names <i>naphtha</i> and <i>petroleum</i> +have been given to those which are fluid; <i>maltha</i>, to that which has +the consistence of pitch; and <i>asphaltum</i>, to that which is solid.</p> + +<p><i>Blight</i>, a disease in plants, by which they are blasted, or prevented +from producing fruit.</p> + +<p><i>Blond lace</i>, lace made of silk.</p> + +<p><i>Blood heat</i>, the temperature which the blood is always found to +maintain, or ninety-eight degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer.</p> + +<p><i>Blue vitriol</i>, sulphate of copper. See <i>Sulphate</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Blunts</i>, needles of a short and thick shape, distinguished from +<i>Sharps</i>, which are long and slender.</p> + +<p><i>Bocking</i>, a kind of thin carpeting, or coarse baize.</p> + +<p><i>Boston Academy</i>, see <i>Academy</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Botany</i>, (from a Greek word, signifying an herb,) a knowledge of +plants; the science which treats of plants.</p> + +<p><i>Brazil wood</i>, the central part, or heart, of a large tree which grows +in Brazil, called the <i>Cæsalpinia echinata</i>. It produces very lively and +beautiful red tints, but they are not permanent.</p> + +<p><i>Bronze</i>, a metallic composition, consisting of copper and tin.</p> + +<p><i>Brûlure</i>, a French term, denoting a burning or scalding; a blasting of +plants.</p> + +<p><i>Brussels</i>, (carpet,) a kind of carpeting, so called from the city of +Brussels, in Europe. Its basis is composed of a warp and woof of strong +linen threads, with the warp of which are intermixed about five times +the quantity of woollen threads, of different colors.</p> + +<p><i>Bulb</i>, a root with a round body, like the onion, turnip, or hyacinth. +<i>Bulbous</i>, having a bulb.</p> + +<p><i>Byron</i>, (George Gordon,) <i>Lord</i>, a celebrated Poet, who was born in +London, January 22, 1788, and died in Missolonghi, in Greece, April 18, +1824.</p> + +<p><i>Calisthenics</i>, see page <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>, note.</p> + +<p><i>Camwood</i>, a dyewood, procured from a leguminous (or pod-bearing) tree, +growing on the Western Coast of Africa, and called <i>Baphia nitida</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Cankerworm</i>, a worm which is very destructive to trees and plants. It +springs from an egg deposited by a miller that issues from the ground, +and in some years destroys the leaves and fruit of apple and other +trees.</p> + +<p><i>Carbon</i>, a simple inflammable body, forming the principal part of wood +and coal, and the whole of the diamond.</p> + +<p><i>Carbonic acid</i>, a compound gas, consisting of carbon and oxygen. It has +lately been obtained in a solid form.</p> + +<p><i>Carmine</i>, a crimson color, the most beautiful of all the reds. It is +prepared from a decoction of the powdered cochineal insect, to which +alum and other substances are added.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span></p><p><i>Caster</i>, a small phial or vessel for the table, in which to put +vinegar, mustard, pepper, &c.</p> + +<p><i>Chancellor of the Exchequer</i>, the highest judge of the law; the +principal financial minister of a government, and the one who manages +its revenue.</p> + +<p><i>Chateau</i>, a castle, a mansion.</p> + +<p><i>Chemistry</i>, the science which treats of the elementary constituents of +bodies.</p> + +<p><i>Chinese belle</i>, deformities of. In China, it is the fashion to compress +the feet of female infants, to prevent their growth; in consequence of +which, the feet of all the females of China are distorted, and so small, +that the individuals cannot walk with ease.</p> + +<p><i>Chloride</i>, a compound of chlorine and some other substance. <i>Chlorine</i> +is a simple substance, formerly called oxymuriatic acid. In its pure +state, it is a gas, of green color, (hence its name, from a Greek word, +signifying green.) Like oxygen, it supports the combustion of some +inflammable substances. <i>Chloride of lime</i> is a compound of chlorine and +lime.</p> + +<p><i>Cholera infantum</i>, a bowel complaint, to which infants are subject.</p> + +<p><i>Chyle</i>, a white juice, formed from the chyme, and consisting of the +finer and more nutritious parts of the food. It is afterwards converted +into blood.</p> + +<p><i>Chyme</i>, the result of the first process which food undergoes in the +stomach, previously to its being converted into chyle.</p> + +<p><i>Cicuta</i>, the common American Hemlock, an annual plant of four or five +feet in height, and found commonly along walls and fences, and about old +ruins and buildings. It is a virulent poison, as well as one of the most +important and valuable medicinal vegetables. It is a very different +plant from the Hemlock tree, or <i>Pinus Canadensis</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Clarke</i>, (Sir Charles Mansfield,) <i>Dr.</i>, a distinguished English +physician and surgeon, who was born in London, May 28, 1782. He was +appointed Physician to Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV., in +1830, and in 1831, he was created a baronet. He is the author of several +valuable medical works.</p> + +<p><i>Cobalt</i>, a brittle metal, of a reddish-gray color and weak metallic +lustre, used in coloring glass. It is not easily melted nor oxidized in +the air.</p> + +<p><i>Cochineal</i>, a color procured from the cochineal insect, (or <i>Coccus +cacti</i>,) which feeds upon the leaves of several species of the plant +called cactus, and which is supposed to derive its coloring matter from +its food. Its natural color is crimson; but by the addition of a +preparation of potash, it yields a rich scarlet dye.</p> + +<p><i>Cologne water</i>, a fragrant perfume, which derives its name from having +been originally made in the city of Cologne, which is situated on the +River Rhine, in Germany. The best kind is still procured from that city.</p> + +<p><i>Comparative anatomy</i>, the science which has for its object a comparison +of the anatomy, structure, and functions, of the various organs of +animals, plants, &c., with those of the human body.</p> + +<p><i>Confection</i>, a sweetmeat; a preparation of fruit with sugar; also a +preparation of medicine with honey, sirup, or similar saccharine +substance, for the purpose of disguising the unpleasant taste of the +medicine.</p> + +<p><i>Cooper, Sir Astley Paston</i>, a celebrated English surgeon, who was born +at Brooke, in Norfolk county, England, August 23, 1768, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span>commenced +the practice of Surgery in London, in 1792. He was appointed Surgeon to +King George IV., in 1827, was created a baronet in 1821, and died +February 12, 1841. He was the author of many valuable works.</p> + +<p><i>Copal</i>, a hard, shining, transparent resin, of a light citron color, +brought, originally, from Spanish America, and now almost wholly from +the East Indies. It is principally employed in the preparation of <i>copal +varnish</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Copper, sulphate of</i>, see <i>Sulphate of copper</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Copperas</i>, (sulphate of iron, or green vitriol,) a bright green mineral +substance, formed by the decomposition of a peculiar ore of iron, called +pyrites, which is a sulphuret of iron. It is first in the form of a +greenish-white powder, or crust, which is dissolved in water, and +beautiful green crystals of copperas are obtained by evaporation. It is +principally used in dyeing, and in making black ink. Its solution, mixed +with a decoction of oak bark, produces a black color.</p> + +<p><i>Coronary</i>, relating to a crown or garland. In anatomy, it is applied to +arteries which encompass the heart, in the manner, as it is fancied, of +a garland.</p> + +<p><i>Corrosive sublimate</i>, a poisonous substance, composed of chlorine and +quicksilver.</p> + +<p><i>Cosmetics</i>, preparations which some people foolishly think will +preserve and beautify the skin.</p> + +<p><i>Cream of tartar</i>, see <i>Tartar</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Crimping-iron</i>, an instrument for crimping or curling ruffles, &c.</p> + +<p><i>Curculio</i>, a weevil or worm, which affects the fruit of the plum tree, +and sometimes that of the apple tree, causing the unripe fruit to fall +to the ground.</p> + +<p><i>Curvature of the spine</i>, see pages 80, 81.</p> + +<p><i>Cuvier, Baron</i>, the most eminent naturalist of the present age, was +born, A. D. 1769, and died, A. D. 1832. He was Professor of Natural +History in the College of France, and held various important posts under +the French Government, at different times. His works on Natural History +are of the greatest value.</p> + +<p><i>Cynosure</i>, the star near the North Pole, by which sailors steer. It is +used, in a figurative sense, as synonymous with <i>pole-star</i>, or <i>guide</i>.</p> + +<p><i>De Tocqueville</i>, see <i>Tocqueville</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Diamond cement</i>, a cement sold in the shops, and used for mending +broken glass, and similar articles.</p> + +<p><i>Drab</i>, a thick woollen cloth, of a light brown or dun color. The name +is sometimes used for the color itself.</p> + +<p><i>Dredging-box</i>, a box with holes in the top, used to sift or scatter +flour on meat, when roasting.</p> + +<p><i>Drill</i>, (in husbandry,) to sow grain in rows, drills, or channels; the +row of grain so sowed.</p> + +<p><i>Duchess of Orleans</i>, see <i>Orleans</i>.</p> + +<p>The <i>East</i>, and the <i>Eastern States</i>, those of the United States +situated in the north-east part of the Country, including Maine, New +Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont.</p> + +<p><i>Electuary</i>, a mixture, consisting of medicinal substances, especially +dry powders, combined with honey or sirup, in order to render them less +unpleasant to the taste, and more convenient for internal use.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span></p><p><i>Elevation</i>, (of a house,) a plan, representing the upright view of a +house, as a ground-plan shows its appearance on the ground.</p> + +<p><i>Euclid</i>, a celebrated mathematician, who was born in Alexandria, in +Egypt, about two hundred and eighty years before Christ. He +distinguished himself by his writings on music and geometry. The most +celebrated of his works, is his 'Elements of Geometry,' which is in use +at the present day. He established a school at Alexandria, which became +so famous, that, from his time to the conquest of Alexandria by the +Saracens, (A. D. 646,) no mathematician was found, who had not studied +at Alexandria. Ptolemy, King of Egypt, was one of his pupils; and it was +to a question of this King, whether there were not a shorter way of +coming at Geometry, than by the study of his Elements, that Euclid made +the celebrated answer, "There is no royal way, or path, to Geometry."</p> + +<p><i>Equator</i>, or <i>equinoctial line</i>, an imaginary line passing round the +earth, from east to west, and directly under the sun, which always +shines nearly perpendicularly down upon all countries situated near the +equator.</p> + +<p><i>Evolve</i>, to throw off, to discharge.</p> + +<p><i>Exchequer</i>, a court in England, in which the Chancellor presides, and +where the revenues of, and debts due to, the King are recovered. This +court was originally established by King William, (called 'the +Conqueror,') who died A. D. 1087; and its name is derived from a +checkered cloth, (French <i>echiquier</i>, a chess-board, checker-work,) on +the table.</p> + +<p><i>Excretion</i>, something discharged from the body, a separation of animal +matters.</p> + +<p><i>Excrementitious</i>, consisting of matter excreted from the body; +containing excrements.</p> + +<p><i>Fahrenheit</i>, (Gabriel Daniel,) a celebrated natural philosopher, who +was born at Dantzic, A. D. 1686. He made great improvements in the +thermometer; and his name is sometimes used for that instrument.</p> + +<p><i>Farinaceous</i>, mealy, tasting like meal.</p> + +<p>To <i>Fell</i>, to turn down, on the wrong side, the raw edges of a seam, +after it has been stitched, run, or sewed, and then to hem or sew it to +the cloth.</p> + +<p><i>Festivals</i>, of the Jews, the three great annual. These were, the Feast +of the Passover, that of Pentecost, and that of Tabernacles; on occasion +of which, all the males of the Nation were required to visit the Temple +at Jerusalem, in whatever part of the Country they might reside. See +Exodus xxiii. 14, 17, xxxiv. 23, Leviticus xxiii. 4, Deuteronomy xvi. +16. The Passover was kept in commemoration of the deliverance of the +Israelites from Egypt, and was so named, because, the night before their +departure, the destroying angel, who slew all the first-born of the +Egyptians, <i>passed over</i> the houses of the Israelites, without entering +them. See Exodus xii. The Feast of Pentecost was so called, from a word +meaning <i>the fiftieth</i>, because it was celebrated on the fiftieth day +after the Passover, and was instituted in commemoration of the giving of +the Law from Mount Sinai, on the fiftieth day from the departure out of +Egypt. It is also called the Feast of Weeks, because it was kept seven +weeks after the Passover. See Exodus xxxiv. 22, Leviticus xxiii. 15-21, +Deuteronomy xvi. 9, 10. The Feast of Tabernacles, or Feast of Tents, was +so called, because it was celebrated under tents or tabernacles of green +boughs; and was designed to commemorate <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span>their dwelling in tents, during +their passage through the wilderness. At this Feast, they also returned +thanks to God, for the fruits of the earth, after they had been +gathered. See Exodus xxiii. 16, Leviticus xxiii. 34-44, Deuteronomy xvi. +13, and also St. John vii. 2.</p> + +<p><i>Fire blight</i>, a disease in the pear, and some other fruit trees, in +which they appear burnt, as if by fire. It is supposed, by some, to be +caused by an insect, others suppose it to be caused by an overabundance +of sap.</p> + +<p><i>Fluting-iron</i>, an instrument for making flutes, channels, furrows, or +hollows, in ruffles, &c.</p> + +<p><i>Foundation muslin</i>, a nice kind of buckram, stiff and white, used for +the foundation or basis of bonnets, &c.</p> + +<p><i>Free States</i>, those States in which slavery is not allowed, as +distinguished from Slave States, in which slavery does exist.</p> + +<p><i>French chalk</i>, a variety of the mineral called talc, unctuous to the +touch, of a greenish color, glossy, soft, and easily scratched, and +leaving a silvery line, when drawn on paper. It is used for marking on +cloth, and extracting grease-spots.</p> + +<p><i>Fuller's earth</i>, a species of clay, remarkable for its property of +absorbing oil; for which reason it is valuable for extracting grease +from cloth, &c. It is used by fullers, in scouring and cleansing cloth, +whence its name.</p> + +<p><i>Fustic</i>, the wood of a tree which grows in the West Indies, called +<i>Morus tinctoria</i>. It affords a durable, but not very brilliant, yellow +dye, and is also used in producing some greens and drab colors.</p> + +<p><i>Gastric</i>, (from the Greek <i>γαστἱρ</i>, <i>gaster</i>, the belly,) +belonging or relating to the belly, or stomach. <i>Gastric juice</i>, the +fluid which dissolves the food in the stomach. It is limpid, like water, +of a saltish taste, and without odor.</p> + +<p><i>Geology</i>, the science which treats of the earth, as composed of rocks +and stones.</p> + +<p><i>Gore</i>, a triangular piece of cloth. <i>Goring</i>, cut in a triangular +shape.</p> + +<p><i>Gothic</i>, a peculiar and strongly-marked style of architecture, +sometimes called the ecclesiastical style, because it is most frequently +used in cathedrals, churches, abbeys, and other religious edifices. Its +principle seems to have originated in the imitation of groves and +bowers, under which the ancients performed their sacred rites; its +clustered pillars and pointed arches very well representing the trunks +of trees and their interlocking branches.</p> + +<p><i>Gourmand</i>, or <i>Gormand</i>, a glutton, a greedy eater. In agriculture, it +is applied to twigs which take up the sap, but bear only leaves.</p> + +<p><i>Green vitriol</i>, see <i>Copperas</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Griddle</i>, an iron pan, of a peculiarly broad and shallow construction, +used for baking cakes.</p> + +<p><i>Ground-plan</i>, the map or plan of the lower floor of any building, in +which the various apartments, windows, doors, fireplaces, and other +things, are represented, like the rivers, towns, mountains, roads, &c., +on a map.</p> + +<p><i>Gum Arabic</i>, a vegetable juice which exudes through the bark of the +<i>Acacia</i>, <i>Mimosa nilotica</i>, and some other similar trees, growing in +Arabia, Egypt, Senegal, and Central Africa. It is the purest of all +gums.</p> + +<p><i>Hardpan</i>, the hard, unbroken layer of earth, below the mould or +cultivated soil.</p> + +<p><i>Hartshorn</i>, (spirits of,) a volatile alkali, originally prepared from +the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span>horns of the stag or hart, but now procured from various other +substances. It is known by the name of ammonia, or spirits of ammonia.</p> + +<p><i>Hemlock</i>, see <i>Cicuta</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Horticulturist</i>, one skilled in horticulture, or the art of cultivating +gardens; horticulture being to the garden, what agriculture is to the +farm, the application of labor and science to a limited spot, for +convenience, for profit, or for ornament,—though implying a higher +state of cultivation, than is common in agriculture. It includes the +cultivation of culinary vegetables and of fruits, and forcing or exotic +gardening, as far as respects useful products.</p> + +<p><i>Hoskin's gloves</i>, gloves made by a person named Hoskin, whose +manufacture was formerly much celebrated.</p> + +<p><i>Hydrogen</i>, a very light, inflammable gas, of which water is, in part, +composed. It is used to inflate balloons.</p> + +<p><i>Hypochondriasis</i>, melancholy, dejection, a disorder of the imagination, +in which the person supposes he is afflicted with various diseases.</p> + +<p><i>Hysteria</i>, or <i>hysterics</i>, a spasmodic, convulsive affection of the +nerves, to which women are subject. It is somewhat similar to +hypochondriasis in men.</p> + +<p><i>Ingrain</i>, a kind of carpeting, in which the threads are dyed in the +grain, or raw material, before manufacture.</p> + +<p><i>Ipecac</i>, (an abbreviation of <i>ipecacuanha</i>,) an Indian medicinal plant, +acting as an emetic.</p> + +<p><i>Isinglass</i>, a fine kind of gelatin, or glue, prepared from the +swimming-bladders of fishes, used as a cement, and also as an ingredient +in food and medicine. The name is sometimes applied to a transparent +mineral substance called mica.</p> + +<p><i>Kamtschadales</i>, inhabitants of <i>Kamtschatka</i>, a large peninsula +situated on the northeastern coast of Asia, having the North Pacific +Ocean on the east. It is remarkable for its extreme cold, which is +heightened by a range of very lofty mountains, extending the whole +length of the peninsula, several of which are volcanic. It is very +deficient in vegetable productions, but produces a great variety of +animals, from which the richest and most valuable furs are procured. The +inhabitants are in general below the common height, but have broad +shoulders and large heads. It is under the dominion of Russia.</p> + +<p><i>Kink</i>, a knotty twist in a thread or rope.</p> + +<p><i>Lapland</i>, a country at the extreme north part of Europe, where it is +very cold. It contains lofty mountains, some of which are covered with +perpetual snow and ice.</p> + +<p><i>Latin</i>, the language of the Latins, or inhabitants of Latium, the +principal country of ancient Italy. After the building of Rome, that +city became the capital of the whole country.</p> + +<p><i>Leguminous</i>, pod-bearing.</p> + +<p><i>Lent</i>, a fast of the Christian Church, (lasting forty days, from Ash +Wednesday to Easter,) in commemoration of our Saviour's miraculous fast +of forty days and forty nights, in the wilderness. The word Lent means +spring; this fast always occurring at that season of the year.</p> + +<p><i>Levite</i>, one of the tribe of Levi, the son of Jacob, which tribe was +set apart from the others, to minister in the services of the +Tabernacle, and the Temple at Jerusalem. The Priests were taken from +this tribe. See Numbers i. 47-53.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p><p><i>Ley</i>, water which has percolated through ashes, earth, or other +substances, dissolving and imbibing a part of their contents. It is +generally spelled <i>lie</i>, or <i>lye</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Linnæus</i>, (Charles,) a native of Sweden, and the most celebrated +naturalist of his age. He was born May 13, 1707, and died January 11, +1778. His life was devoted to the study of natural history. The science +of botany, in particular, is greatly indebted to his labors. His +'<i>Amœnitates Academicæ</i>' (Academical Recreations) is a collection of +the dissertations of his pupils, edited by himself; a work rich in +matters relating to the history and habits of plants. He was the first +who arranged Natural History into a regular system, which has been +generally called by his name. His proper name was Linné.</p> + +<p><i>Lobe</i>, a division, a distinct part; generally applied to the two +divisions of the lungs.</p> + +<p><i>Log Cabin</i>, a cabin or house built of logs, as is generally the case in +newly-settled countries.</p> + +<p><i>Loire</i>, the largest river of France, being about five hundred and fifty +miles in length. It rises in the mountains of Cevennes, and empties into +the Atlantic Ocean, about forty miles below the city of Nantes. It +divides France into two almost equal parts.</p> + +<p><i>London Medical Society</i>, a distinguished association, formed in 1773. +It has published some valuable volumes of its Transactions. It has a +library, of about 40,000 volumes, which is kept in a house presented to +the Society, in 1788, by the celebrated Dr. Lettsom, who was one of its +first members.</p> + +<p><i>Louis XIV.</i>, a celebrated King of France and Navarre, who was born +Sept. 5, 1638, and died Sept. 1, 1715. His mother having before had no +children, though she had been married twenty-two years, his birth was +considered as a particular favor from heaven, and he was called the +'Gift of God.' He is sometimes styled 'Louis the Great,' and his reign +is celebrated as an era of magnificence and learning, and is notorious +as a period of licentiousness. He left behind him monuments of +unprecedented splendor and expense, consisting of palaces, gardens, and +other like works.</p> + +<p><i>Lumbar</i>, (from the Latin <i>lumbus</i>, the loin,) relating or pertaining to +the loins.</p> + +<p><i>Lunacy, writ of</i>, a judicial proceeding, to ascertain whether a person +be a lunatic.</p> + +<p><i>Mademoiselle</i>, the French word for Miss, a young girl.</p> + +<p><i>Magnesia</i>, a light and white alkaline earth, which enters into the +composition of many rocks, communicating to them a greasy or soapy +feeling, and a striped texture, with sometimes a greenish color.</p> + +<p><i>Malaria</i>, (Italian, <i>mal'aria, bad air</i>,) a noxious vapor or +exhalation; a state of the atmosphere or soil, or both, which, in +certain regions, and in warm weather, produces fever, sometimes of great +violence.</p> + +<p><i>Mammon</i>, riches, the Syrian god of riches. See St. Luke, xvi. 11, 13, +St. Matthew, vi. 24.</p> + +<p><i>Martineau</i>, (Harriet,) a woman who has become somewhat celebrated by +her book of travels in the United States, and by other works.</p> + +<p><i>Mexico</i>, a country situated southwest of the United States, and +extending to the Pacific Ocean.</p> + +<p><i>Miasms</i>, such particles or atoms, as are supposed to arise from +distempered, putrefying, or poisonous bodies.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span></p><p><i>Michilimackinac</i>, or <i>Mackinac</i>, (now frequently corrupted into +<i>Mackinaw</i>, which is the usual pronunciation of the name,) a military +post in the State of Michigan, situated upon an island about nine miles +in circuit, in the strait which connects Lakes Michigan and Huron. It is +much resorted to by Indians and fur traders. The highest summit of the +island is about three hundred feet above the lakes, and commands an +extensive view of them.</p> + +<p><i>Midsummer</i>, with us, the time when the sun arrives at his greatest +distance from the equator, or about the twenty-first of June, called, +also, the summer solstice, (from the Latin <i>sol</i>, <i>the sun</i>, and <i>sto</i>, +<i>to stop</i> or <i>stand still</i>,) because, when the sun reaches this point, +he seems to stand still for some time, and then appears to retrace his +steps. The days are then longer than at any other time.</p> + +<p><i>Migrate</i>, to remove from one place to another; to change residence.</p> + +<p><i>Mildew</i>, a disease of plants; a mould, spot, or stain, in paper, +cloths, &c., caused by moisture.</p> + +<p><i>Militate</i>, to oppose, to operate against.</p> + +<p><i>Millinet</i>, a coarse kind of stiff muslin, formerly used for the +foundation or basis of bonnets, &c.</p> + +<p><i>Mineralogy</i>, a science which treats of the inorganic natural substances +found upon or in the earth, such as earths, salts, metals, &c., and +which are called by the general name of minerals.</p> + +<p><i>Minutiæ</i>, the smallest particulars.</p> + +<p><i>Monasticism</i>, monastic life; religiously recluse life, in a monastery, +or house of religious retirement.</p> + +<p><i>Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley</i>, one of the most celebrated among the +female literary characters of England. She was daughter of Evelyn, Duke +of Kingston, and was born about 1690, at Thoresby, in England. She +displayed uncommon abilities, at a very early age, and was educated by +the best masters in the English, Latin, Greek, and French, languages. +She accompanied her husband (Edward Wortley Montagu) on an embassy to +Constantinople, and her correspondence with her friends was published +and much admired. She introduced the practice of inoculation for the +smallpox into England, which proved of great benefit to millions. She +died at the age of seventy-two, A. D. 1762.</p> + +<p><i>Moral Philosophy</i>, the science which treats of the motives and rules of +human actions, and of the ends to which they ought to be directed.</p> + +<p><i>Moreen</i>, a kind of woollen stuff used for curtains, covers of cushions, +bed hangings, &c.</p> + +<p><i>Mucous</i>, having the nature of <i>mucus</i>, a glutinous, sticky, thready, +transparent fluid, of a salt savor, produced by different membranes of +the body, and serving to protect the membranes and other internal parts +against the action of the air, food, &c. The fluid of the mouth and nose +is mucus.</p> + +<p><i>Mucous membrane</i>, that membrane which lines the mouth, nose, +intestines, and other open cavities of the body.</p> + +<p><i>Muriatic acid</i>, an acid, composed of chlorine and hydrogen, called, +also, hydrochloric acid, and spirit of salt.</p> + +<p><i>Mush-stick</i>, a stick to use in stirring <i>mush</i>, which is corn meal +boiled in water.</p> + +<p><i>Nankeen</i>, or <i>Nankin</i>, a light cotton cloth, originally brought from +Nankin, in China, whence its name.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span></p><p><i>Nash</i>, (Richard,) commonly called <i>Beau Nash</i>, or King of Bath, a +celebrated leader of the fashions in England. He was born at Swansea, in +South Wales, October 8, 1674, and died in the city of Bath, (England,) +February 3, 1761.</p> + +<p><i>Natural History</i>, the history of animals, plants, and minerals.</p> + +<p><i>Natural Philosophy</i>, the science which treats of the powers of Nature, +the properties of natural bodies, and their action one upon another. It +is sometimes called <i>physics</i>.</p> + +<p><i>New-milch cow</i>, a cow which has recently calved.</p> + +<p><i>Newton</i>, (Sir Isaac,) an eminent English philosopher and mathematician, +who was born on Christmas day, 1642, and died March 20, 1727. He was +much distinguished for his very important discoveries in Optics and +other branches of Natural Philosophy. See the first volume of 'Pursuit +of Knowledge under Difficulties,' forming the fourteenth volume of +'<span class="smcap">The School Library</span>,' Larger Series.</p> + +<p><i>Non-bearers</i>, plants which bear no flowers nor fruit.</p> + +<p><i>Northern States</i>, those of the United States situated in the Northern +and Eastern part of the Country.</p> + +<p><i>Ordinary</i>, see <i>Physician in Ordinary</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Oil of Vitriol</i>, (sulphuric acid, or vitriolic acid,) an acid composed +of oxygen and sulphur.</p> + +<p><i>Orleans</i>, (Elizabeth Charlotte de Bavière,) <i>Duchess of</i>, second wife +of Philippe, the brother of Louis XIV., was born at Heidelberg, May 26, +1652, and died at the palace of St. Cloud, in Paris, December 8, 1722. +She was author of several works; among which were, Memoirs, and +Anecdotes, of the Court of Louis XIV.</p> + +<p><i>Ottoman</i>, a kind of hassock, or thick mat, for kneeling upon; so +called, from being used by the Ottomans or Turks.</p> + +<p><i>Oxalic acid</i>, a vegetable acid, which exists in sorrel.</p> + +<p><i>Oxide</i>, a compound (which is not acid) of a substance with oxygen; for +example, oxide of iron, or rust of metals.</p> + +<p><i>Oxidize</i>, to combine oxygen with a body without producing acidity.</p> + +<p><i>Oxygen</i>, vital air, a simple and very important substance, which exists +in the atmosphere, and supports the breathing of animals and the burning +of combustibles. It was called oxygen, from two Greek words, signifying +to produce acid, from its power of giving acidity to many compounds in +which it predominates.</p> + +<p><i>Oxygenized</i>, combined with oxygen.</p> + +<p><i>Pancreas</i>, a gland within the abdomen, just below and behind the +stomach, and providing a fluid to assist digestion. In animals, it is +called the sweet-bread. <i>Pancreatic</i>, belonging to the pancreas.</p> + +<p><i>Parterre</i>, a level division of ground, a flower garden.</p> + +<p><i>Pearlash</i>, the common name for impure carbonate of potash, which, in a +purer form, is called <i>Sal æratus</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Peristaltic</i>, worm-like.</p> + +<p><i>Philosophy</i>, see <i>Intellectual</i>, <i>Moral</i>, and <i>Natural</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Physician in Ordinary to the Queen</i>, the Physician who attends the +Queen in ordinary cases of illness.</p> + +<p><i>Pistil</i>, that part of a flower, generally in the centre, composed of +the germ, style, and stigma, which receives the pollen or fertilizing +dust of the stamens.</p> + +<p><i>Pitt, William</i>, a celebrated English statesman, son of the Earl of +Chatham. He was born, May 28, 1759, and at the age of twenty-three, was +made Chancellor of the Exchequer, and soon afterward, Prime Minister. He +died, January 23, 1806.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span></p><p><i>Political Economy</i>, the science which treats of the general causes +affecting the production, distribution, and consumption, of articles of +exchangeable value, in reference to their effects upon national wealth +and welfare.</p> + +<p><i>Pollen</i>, the fertilizing dust of flowers, produced by the stamens, and +falling upon the pistils, in order to render a flower capable of +producing fruit or seed.</p> + +<p><i>Potter's clay</i>, the clay used in making articles of pottery.</p> + +<p><i>Prairie</i>, a French word, signifying <i>meadow</i>. In the United States, it +is applied to the remarkable natural meadows, or plains, which are found +in the Western States. In some of these vast and nearly level plains, +the traveller may wander for days, without meeting with wood or water, +and see no object rising above the plane of the horizon. They are very +fertile.</p> + +<p><i>Prime Minister</i>, the person appointed by the ruler of a nation to have +the chief direction and management of the public affairs.</p> + +<p><i>Process</i>, a protuberance, or projecting part of a bone.</p> + +<p><i>Pulmonary</i>, belonging to, or affecting, the lungs. <i>Pulmonary artery</i>, +an artery which passes through the lungs, being divided into several +branches, which form a beautiful network over the air-vessels, and +finally empty themselves into the left auricle of the heart.</p> + +<p><i>Puritans</i>, a sect, which professed to follow the pure word of God, in +opposition to traditions, human constitutions, and other authorities. In +the reign of Queen Elizabeth, part of the Protestants were desirous of +introducing a simpler, and, as they considered it, a <i>purer</i>, form of +church government and worship, than that established by law; from which +circumstance, they were called <i>Puritans</i>. In process of time, this +party increased in numbers, and openly broke off from the Church, laying +aside the English liturgy, and adopting a service-book published at +Geneva, by the disciples of Calvin. They were treated with great rigor +by the Government, and many of them left the kingdom and settled in +Holland. Finding themselves not so eligibly situated in that Country, as +they had expected to be, a portion of them embarked for America, and +were the first settlers of New England.</p> + +<p><i>Quixotic</i>, absurd, romantic, ridiculous; from <i>Don Quixote</i>, the hero +of a celebrated fictitious work, written by Cervantes, a distinguished +Spanish writer, and intended to reform the tastes and opinions of his +countrymen.</p> + +<p><i>Reeking</i>, smoking, emitting vapor.</p> + +<p><i>Residuum</i>, the remainder, or part which remains.</p> + +<p><i>Routine</i>, a round, or course of engagements, business, pleasure, &c.</p> + +<p>To <i>Run</i> a seam, to lay the two edges of a seam together, and pass the +threaded needle out and in, with small stitches, a few threads below the +edge, and on a line with it.</p> + +<p>To <i>Run</i> a stocking, to pass a thread of yarn, with a needle, straight +along each row of the stocking, as far as is desired, taking up one loop +and missing two or three, until the row is completed, so as to double +the thickness at the part which is run.</p> + +<p><i>Sabbatical year</i>, every seventh year, among the Jews, which was a year +of rest for the land, when it was to be left without culture. In this +year, all debts were to be remitted, and slaves set at liberty. See +Exodus xxi. 2, xxiii. 10, Leviticus xxv. 2, 3, &c., Deuteronomy xv. 12, +and other similar passages.</p> + +<p><i>Sal æratus</i>, see <i>Pearlash</i>.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span></p><p><i>Sal ammoniac</i>, a salt, called also muriate of ammonia, which derives +its name from a district in Libya, Egypt, where there was a temple of +Jupiter Ammon, and where this salt was found.</p> + +<p><i>Scotch Highlanders</i>, inhabitants of the Highlands of Scotland.</p> + +<p><i>Selvedge</i>, the edge of cloth, a border. Improperly written <i>selvage</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Service-book</i>, a book prescribing the order of public services in a +church or congregation.</p> + +<p><i>Sharps</i>, see <i>Blunts</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Shorts</i>, the coarser part of wheat bran.</p> + +<p><i>Shrubbery</i>, a plantation of shrubs.</p> + +<p><i>Siberia</i>, a large country in the extreme northern part of Asia, having +the Frozen Ocean on the north, and the Pacific Ocean on the east, and +forming a part of the Russian empire. The northern part is extremely +cold, almost uncultivated, and contains but few inhabitants. It +furnishes fine skins, and some of the most valuable furs in the world. +It also contains rich mines of iron and copper, and several kinds of +precious stones.</p> + +<p><i>Sinclair, Sir John</i>, of whom it was said, "There is no greater name in +the annals of agriculture, than his," was born in Caithness, Scotland, +May 10, 1754, and became a member of the British Parliament in 1780. He +was strongly opposed to the measures of the British Government towards +America, which produced the American Revolution. He was author of many +valuable publications, on various subjects. He died December 21, 1835.</p> + +<p><i>Sirloin</i>, the loin of beef. The appellation 'Sir' is the title of a +knight, or baronet; and has been added to the word 'loin,' when applied +to beef, because a King of England, in a freak of good humor, once +conferred the honor of knighthood upon a loin of beef.</p> + +<p><i>Slack</i>, to loosen, to relax, to deprive of cohesion.</p> + +<p><i>Soda</i>, an alkali, usually obtained from the ashes of marine plants.</p> + +<p>To <i>Spade</i>, to throw out earth with a spade.</p> + +<p><i>Spermaceti</i>, an oily substance, found in the head of a species of +whale, called the spermaceti whale.</p> + +<p><i>Spindling</i>, see page <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.</p> + +<p><i>Spinous process</i>, a process or bony protuberance, resembling a spine or +thorn, whence it derives its name.</p> + +<p><i>Spool</i>, a piece of cane or reed, or a hollow cylinder of wood, with a +ridge at each end, used to wind yarn and thread upon.</p> + +<p><i>Stamen</i>, (plural <i>stamens</i> and <i>stamina</i>,) in <i>weaving</i>, the warp, the +thread, any thing made of threads. In <i>botany</i>, that part of a flower, +on which the artificial classification is founded, consisting of the +filament or stalk, and the anther, which contains the pollen, or +fructifying powder.</p> + +<p><i>Stigma</i>, (plural <i>stigmas</i> and <i>stigmata</i>,) the summit or top of the +pistil of a flower.</p> + +<p><i>Style</i>, or <i>Stile</i>, the part of the pistil between the germ and the +stigma.</p> + +<p><i>Sub-carbonate</i>, an imperfect carbonate.</p> + +<p><i>Sulphates</i>, <i>Sulphats</i>, <i>Sulphites</i>, salts formed by the combination of +some base with sulphuric acid, as <i>Sulphate of copper</i>, (blue vitriol, +or blue stone,) a combination of sulphuric acid with copper. <i>Sulphate +of iron</i>, copperas, or green vitriol. <i>Sulphate of lime</i>, gypsum, or +plaster of Paris. <i>Sulphate of magnesia</i>, Epsom salts. <i>Sulphate of +potash</i>, a chemical salt, composed of sulphuric acid and potash. +<i>Sulphate of soda</i>, Glauber's salts. <i>Sulphate of zinc</i>, white vitriol.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span></p><p><i>Sulphuret</i>, a combination of an alkaline earth or metal with sulphur +as, <i>Sulphuret of iron</i>, a combination of iron and sulphur.</p> + +<p><i>Sulphuric acid</i>, oil of vitriol, vitriolic acid.</p> + +<p><i>Suture</i>, a sewing; the uniting of parts by stitching; the seam or joint +which unites the flat bones of the skull, which are notched like the +teeth of a saw, and the notches, being united together, present the +appearance of a seam.</p> + +<p><i>Tartar</i>, a substance, deposited on the inside of wine casks, consisting +chiefly of tartaric acid and potash. <i>Cream of tartar</i>, the crude tartar +separated from all its impurities, by being dissolved in water and then +crystallized, when it becomes a perfectly white powder.</p> + +<p><i>Tartaric acid</i>, a vegetable acid which exists in the grape.</p> + +<p><i>Technology</i>, a description of the arts, considered generally, in their +theory and practice, as connected with moral, political, and physical +science.</p> + +<p><i>Three great Jewish yearly festivals</i>, see <i>Festivals</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Three-ply</i>, or triple ingrain, a kind of carpeting, in which the +threads are woven in such a manner as to make three thicknesses of the +cloth.</p> + +<p><i>Tic douloureux</i>, a painful affection of the nerves, mostly those of the +face.</p> + +<p><i>Tocqueville</i>, (Alexis de,) a celebrated living statesman and writer of +France, and author of volumes on the Political Condition, and the +Penitentiaries, of the United States, and other works.</p> + +<p><i>Trachea</i>, the windpipe, so named (from a Greek word signifying <i>rough</i>) +from the roughness, or inequalities, of the cartilages of which it is +formed.</p> + +<p><i>Truckle-bed</i>, or <i>trundle-bed</i>, a bed that runs on wheels.</p> + +<p><i>Tuber</i>, a solid, fleshy, roundish root, like the potato. <i>Tuberous</i>, +thick and fleshy; composed of, or having, tubers.</p> + +<p><i>Tucks</i>, (improperly tacks,) folds in garments.</p> + +<p><i>Turmeric</i>, the root of a plant called <i>Curcuma longa</i>, a native of the +East Indies, used as a yellow dye.</p> + +<p><i>Twaddle</i>, idle, foolish talk, or conversation.</p> + +<p><i>Unbolted</i>, unsifted.</p> + +<p><i>Unslacked</i>, not loosened, or deprived of cohesion. Lime, when it has +been slacked, crumbles to powder, from being deprived of cohesion.</p> + +<p><i>Valance</i>, the drapery or fringe hanging round the cover of a bed, +couch, or other similar article.</p> + +<p><i>Vascular</i>, relating to, or full of, vessels.</p> + +<p><i>Venetian</i>, a kind of carpeting, composed of a striped woollen warp on a +thick woof of linen thread.</p> + +<p><i>Verisimilitude</i>, probability, resemblance to truth.</p> + +<p><i>Verbatim</i>, word for word.</p> + +<p><i>Vice versa</i>, the side being changed, or the question reversed, or the +terms being exchanged.</p> + +<p><i>Viscera</i>, (plural of <i>viscus</i>,) organs contained in the abdomen and in +the chest.</p> + +<p><i>Vitriol</i>, a compound mineral salt, of a very caustic taste. <i>Blue +vitriol</i>, sulphate of copper. <i>Green vitriol</i>, see <i>Copperas</i>. <i>Oil of +vitriol</i>, sulphuric acid. <i>White vitriol</i>, sulphate of zinc.</p> + +<p><i>Waffle-iron</i>, an iron utensil for the purpose of baking waffles, which +are thin and soft cakes indented by the iron in which they are baked.</p> + +<p><i>Washleather</i>, a soft, pliable leather, dressed with oil, and in such a +way, that it may be washed, without shrinking. It is used for various +articles of dress, as under-shirts, drawers, &c., and also for rubbing +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span>silver, and other articles having a high polish. The article known, in +commerce, as chamois, or shammy, leather, is also called wash-leather.</p> + +<p><i>Welting cord</i>, a cord sewed into the welt or border of a garment.</p> + +<p>The <i>West</i>, or <i>Western World</i>. When used in Europe, or in distinction +from the Eastern World, it means America. When used in this Country, the +West refers to the Western States of the Union. <i>Western Wilds</i>, the +wild, thinly-settled lands of the Western States.</p> + +<p><i>White vitriol</i>, see <i>Zinc</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Wilton carpet</i>, a kind of carpets, made in England, and so called from +the place which is the chief seat of their manufacture. They are woollen +velvets, with variegated colors.</p> + +<p><i>Writ of lunacy</i>, see <i>Lunacy</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Xantippe</i>, the wife of Socrates, noted for her violent temper and +scolding propensities. The name is frequently applied to a shrew, or +peevish, turbulent, scolding woman.</p> + +<p><i>Zinc</i>, a blueish-white metal, which is used as a constituent of brass, +and some other alloys. <i>Sulphate of zinc</i>, or <i>White vitriol</i>, a +combination of zinc with sulphuric acid.</p> + + + +<hr class="chapter" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a>INDEX.</h3> + + +<p> +A.<br /> +<br /> +Absorbents of the skin, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>.<br /> + +Accidents and antidotes, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>.<br /> + +Accounts, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">By girls, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a>.</span><br /> + +Acids, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.<br /> + +Africans, diet of, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>.<br /> + +Air, evils of the want of pure, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Exercise in the, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">For infants, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of sick-rooms, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Dancing in the, <a href='#Page_246'>246</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Ventilation.</span><br /> + +Albany Orphan Asylum, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>.<br /> + +Alcoholic drinks, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Stimulating.</span><br /> + +Alton, account of the Monticello Female Seminary at, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>.<br /> + +Amaryllis, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +America, anticipations as to, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Conspicuous station of, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Changeableness in the conditions in, <a href='#Page_40'>40</a>, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_257'>257</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Labor in, <a href='#Page_147'>147</a>.</span><br /> + +American women, peculiar responsibilities of, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Rights and privileges of, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Their distinct line of duty, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a>, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Influence of, on America, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Their equality, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Fancied wrongs of, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Part to be acted by, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Influence of, in the world, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a>, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Difficulties peculiar to, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">as housekeepers, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">from delicacy of constitution, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a>, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Few perfectly healthy, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Causes of unhealthy, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">mental excitement, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">their sense of their responsibilities, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">too little outdoor exercise, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Bad early training of, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Exposures of, in newly-settled countries, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">De Tocqueville describes, in the West, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In the East and in the West, compared, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Should oppose the feeling that labor is degrading, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Precedence given to, by the other sex, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Housekeeping by, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Time and money spent by, for the ornamental, <a href='#Page_175'>175</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Daughters, Females, Mothers, <i>and</i> Women.</span><br /> + +Amusements, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>, <a href='#Page_250'>250</a>.<br /> + +Anemone, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +Anger, on silence in, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Temper, <i>and</i> Tones.</span><br /> + +Animal food, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">For young children, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Nourishment of, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Food.</span><br /> + +Animals, cruelty to, in sport, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>, <a href='#Page_246'>246</a>.<br /> + +Annual flowers, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a>.<br /> + +Anthracite coal, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> + +Ants, red and black, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Anxiety, a countenance of, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>.<br /> + +Appetites, gratification of the, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_172'>172</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Rule as to, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>.</span><br /> + +Apple trees, preserving from insects, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>.<br /> + +Apportionment of time, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">By regular division of work, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Jewish, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a>.</span><br /> + +Aristocracy, English, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">The prejudice of, as to labor, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Distinguishing mark of, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On aping the, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Courtesy of, limited, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Manners of democracy and, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On economy among the, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Domestics of, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>.</span><br /> + +Arm, muscles of the, <a href='#Page_74'>74</a>, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>.<br /> + +Arsenic, poisoning from, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>.<br /> + +Arteries, tying up, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>.<br /> + +Associated charities, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>.<br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> +Association, in Illinois, for educating poor females, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">For education at large, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a>.</span><br /> + +Astral lamps, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +B.<br /> +<br /> +Back-door accommodations, <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.<br /> + +Baglivi, on health during Lent, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>.<br /> + +Balls, <a href='#Page_247'>247</a>, <a href='#Page_248'>248</a>.<br /> + +Bargains, on making, <a href='#Page_190'>190</a>, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>.<br /> + +Baskets, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">For centre tables, <a href='#Page_354'>354</a>.</span><br /> + +Bath, on using the, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>.<br /> + +Bathing infants, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Washing.</span><br /> + +Bathing-rooms, <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.<br /> + +Beating down prices, <a href='#Page_190'>190</a>, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>.<br /> + +Beaumont, Dr., experiments by, on the digestibility of food, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <i>note</i>.<br /> + +Beauty, effect of exercise on, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>.<br /> + +Bed-bugs, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Bedrooms, care of, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>.<br /> + +Beds and bedding, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>, <a href='#Page_329'>329</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Washing, <a href='#Page_287'>287</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On making, <a href='#Page_314'>314</a>.</span><br /> + +Beef's-gall, uses of, <a href='#Page_286'>286</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">To prepare, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>.</span><br /> + +Bell, Sir Charles, on nerves, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>.<br /> + +Benevolence, happiness of, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Charity.</span><br /> + +Bile, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>.<br /> + +Bituminous coal, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> + +Black ants, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Black tea, <a href='#Page_110'>110</a>.<br /> + +Bleeding at the lungs, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>.<br /> + +Blindness, guarding against, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>.<br /> + +Blisters, on dressing, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>.<br /> + +Blood, details as to the circulation of the, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Effect of daylight on the, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">of exercise, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Crowded to the brain, when one is excited, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">When a cause of mental disease, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Stopping, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">When dancing, <a href='#Page_246'>246</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Circulation.</span><br /> + +Blood-vessels, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>.<br /> + +Blows on the head, <a href='#Page_241'>241</a>.<br /> + +Boarding-houses, plan as to expenses of, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>.<br /> + +Boarding schools, curvature of the spine common at, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Female seminaries.</span><br /> + +Boards for ironing, <a href='#Page_294'>294</a>.<br /> + +Body, change and renovation of the, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Connection of mind and, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Mind.</span><br /> + +Boldness in domestics, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>.<br /> + +Bones, described, <a href='#Page_69'>69</a>.<br /> + +Books, on teaching domestic economy from, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a>.<br /> + +Bosom-boards, <a href='#Page_294'>294</a>.<br /> + +Boston, scientific and literary advantages in, <a href='#Page_147'>147</a>.<br /> + +Bowels, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>, <i>note</i>.<br /> + +Boys, small, made useful, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Domestic arts taught to, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Children.</span><br /> + +Brain, excitement of the, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Over-action of the, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>.</span><br /> + +Breakfast, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On late, <a href='#Page_127'>127</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On the care of, and of dining-rooms, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.</span><br /> + +Broadcloths, cleansing, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>.<br /> + +Broken limbs, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>.<br /> + +Brown linens, washing, <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>.<br /> + +Bruises, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>.<br /> + +Budding, hints on, <a href='#Page_342'>342</a>.<br /> + +Bulbs, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +Bulwer's novels, <a href='#Page_234'>234</a>.<br /> + +Burne, Dr., cited, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>.<br /> + +Burns, treatment of, <a href='#Page_241'>241</a>.<br /> + +Buttonholes, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a>.<br /> + +Byron, Lord, <a href='#Page_200'>200</a>, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +C.<br /> +<br /> +Cakes, keeping till meal time, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>.<br /> + +Calicoes, washing, <a href='#Page_286'>286</a>, <a href='#Page_287'>287</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Ironing, <a href='#Page_295'>295</a>.</span><br /> + +Calisthenics, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>, <a href='#Page_247'>247</a>.<br /> + +Candles, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">To make, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>.</span><br /> + +Caps for infants, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>.<br /> + +Carpets, hints as to, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>.<br /> + +Carving, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>.<br /> + +Castle building, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a>.<br /> + +Cathartics, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>.<br /> + +Catholics, health of, during Lent, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>.<br /> + +Cellars, vegetables in dark, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On the care of, <a href='#Page_322'>322</a>.</span><br /> + +Chambers, care of, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Couches for, <a href='#Page_312'>312</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Furniture for, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>.</span><br /> + +Character, attention to, at school, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Dependence of happiness on, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Self-denying benevolence of Christ's, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>.</span><br /> + +Charcoal, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> + +Charity, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On giving in, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a>.</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> +<span class="indextext">Difficulty respecting, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">General principles respecting, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Objects for receiving, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">For souls of men, <a href='#Page_177'>177</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">By furnishing the poor with means of earning support, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Associations for, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Indiscriminate bestowal of, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Benefit of tracts in distributing, <a href='#Page_179'>179</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On judging of other people's, <a href='#Page_180'>180</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Union of, with social enjoyments, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>.</span><br /> + +Cheap articles, hints on, <a href='#Page_190'>190</a>, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>.<br /> + +Children, washing, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Living in the dark, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Early retiring and rising of, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Cultivation of good manners in, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Too great familiarity with, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a>, <a href='#Page_226'>226</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Should acknowledge acts of kindness, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">ask leave to use others' articles, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">avoid wounding others' feelings, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">To be taught to keep silence, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Do not surround with too many rules, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On making allowances for, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Waiting on, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On making useful, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On paying, for services, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On giving younger, to older, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Precocity in, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Eating too often, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">To be guarded as to honesty, deceit, and running in debt, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Sharing fruits and flowers, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Boys, Female, Girls, <i>and</i> Young children.</span><br /> + +Chimneys, smoky, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a>.<br /> + +Christ's character, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>.<br /> + +Christianity, principles of, identical with democratic, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>.<br /> + +Churches, ill-ventilated, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>.<br /> + +Chyle, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Converted into arterial blood, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">From animal and other food, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>.</span><br /> + +Cincinnati, education in, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>.<br /> + +Circulation, in the skin of infants, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Effect of cold on, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Blood.</span><br /> + +Clark, Dr., on animal diet for very young children, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a>.<br /> + +Cleaning carpets, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>.<br /> + +Cleanliness, on realizing the importance of, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Of the sick, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>.</span><br /> + +Cleansing articles, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>.<br /> + +Climbing plants, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a>.<br /> + +Closets, of conveniences, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Sliding, <a href='#Page_278'>278</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">For washing utensils, <a href='#Page_285'>285</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In eating-rooms, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In kitchens, <a href='#Page_322'>322</a>.</span><br /> + +Clothing and clothes, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Deficiency of, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Excess of, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Rule as to, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Flannel, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of men and women, compared, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Example of English women as to, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On changing, next to the body, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Girls buying their own, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On inconsistent, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On washing, <a href='#Page_285'>285</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Ironing, <a href='#Page_295'>295</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Whitening, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Cleansing, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Coloring, <a href='#Page_300'>300</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Dress, <i>and</i> Tight dressing.</span><br /> + +Coal, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> + +Coats, on folding, <a href='#Page_315'>315</a>.<br /> + +Cobalt, poisoning from, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>.<br /> + +Cockroaches, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Coffee, <i>see</i> Tea.<br /> + +Cold, on exposure to, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Effect of, on infants, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>.</span><br /> + +Cold and hot, food, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Drinks, <a href='#Page_110'>110</a>.</span><br /> + +Collecting of specimens, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>.<br /> + +Colleges, on the endowment of, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On physicians in, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a>.</span><br /> + +Colors, coloring and, <a href='#Page_300'>300</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">For different complexions, <a href='#Page_327'>327</a>.</span><br /> + +Combe, Andrew, on drinks, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On exercising the brain, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On infants, <a href='#Page_214'>214</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On animal food, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>.</span><br /> + +Complexions, colors for the different, <a href='#Page_327'>327</a>.<br /> + +Condiments in food, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>.<br /> + +Constipation, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>, <i>note</i>.<br /> + +Constitution, delicacy of, in American females, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a>, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>;<br /> +<span class="indextext2">causes of it, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On early attention to the, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Duties of wealthy mothers, respecting their children's, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Effect of stimulating drinks on the, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>.</span><br /> + +Conveniences, on providing, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">For cooking, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Closets.</span><br /> + +Convivial meetings, on exposures after, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>, <a href='#Page_247'>247</a>.<br /> + +Cooking, food made unhealthy by, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Conveniences wanted for, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</span><br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> +Cooper, Sir Astley, cited, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>.<br /> + +Corrosive sublimate, poisoning from, <a href='#Page_241'>241</a>.<br /> + +Corsets, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a>.<br /> + +Couches, cheap, <a href='#Page_312'>312</a>.<br /> + +Courtesy, want of, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>;<br /> +<span class="indextext">causes of it, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Democracy.</span><br /> + +Cows, to take care of, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a>.<br /> + +Creeping of infants, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>.<br /> + +Cribs for infants, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>.<br /> + +Crickets, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Crockery, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.<br /> + +Crocus, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +Crown Imperial, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +Cruelty in amusements, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>, <a href='#Page_246'>246</a>.<br /> + +Crying of infants, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>.<br /> + +Curculios, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>.<br /> + +Currants, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a>, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>.<br /> + +Curtains, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>.<br /> + +Curvature, <i>see</i> Spine.<br /> + +Cuts, remedies for, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>.<br /> + +Cutting and sewing, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a>, <a href='#Page_328'>328</a>.<br /> + +Cuvier, cited, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +D.<br /> +<br /> +Daffodils, <a href='#Page_336'>336</a>.<br /> + +Dahlias, <a href='#Page_336'>336</a>.<br /> + +Dancing, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a>, <a href='#Page_246'>246</a>.<br /> + +Daughters, on schooling, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On keeping, as domestic assistants, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Educated to domestic work, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Female, <i>and</i> Girls.</span><br /> + +Day, on converting into night, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Influence of, on vegetables and blood, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.</span><br /> + +Debt, on running into, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>.<br /> + +Democracy, principles of, identical with Christian, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Tendencies of, as to the female sex, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On progress towards, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On what the success of, depends, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of early rising, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Courtesy of manners and, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>.</span><br /> + +Derangement, from over-excitement, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>.<br /> + +Diet, <i>see</i> Food.<br /> + +Difficulties, peculiar to American women, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On estimating them justly, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Remedies for, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>.</span><br /> + +Digestion, organs of respiration and, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Details respecting, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Articles easiest for, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Experiments respecting, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>Bulk</i> of food necessary to, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Impeded by bathing, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>.</span><br /> + +Dining-rooms, care of, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.<br /> + +Dinner, setting table for, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a>.<br /> + +Dirt not healthy, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>.<br /> + +Dish-cloths, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>.<br /> + +Dishes, on washing, <a href='#Page_318'>318</a>.<br /> + +Dolls, benefits from, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>.<br /> + +Domestic amusements, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>.<br /> + +Domestic exercise, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>.<br /> + +Domestic Economy, on raising, as a science, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a>, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Reasons for introducing, into school, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On teaching, from books, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Indispensable part of education, <a href='#Page_134'>134</a>.</span><br /> + +Domestic education, importance of, in childhood, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On early training in, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On giving mornings to, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In the Monticello Female Seminary, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Should alternate with studies, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Sufferings for want of, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Many mothers unqualified to teach, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Dignity of, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>.</span><br /> + +Domestics, peculiar difficulties as to, in America, <a href='#Page_40'>40</a>, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Duties to be done by daughters, and not by, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Blessing of a dearth of, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Without, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On making allowances for, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>, <a href='#Page_210'>210</a>, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Care of, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of aristocratic lands, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Placing ourselves in their situation, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Exorbitant wages of, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Instability and discontent of, and the remedy, <a href='#Page_206'>206</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Pride and insubordination of, and the remedy, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a>, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On calling them <i>servants</i>, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Admitted to the table, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Bold and forward, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Dress and rooms of, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>, <a href='#Page_210'>210</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Deficiencies of, and the remedies, <a href='#Page_210'>210</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Getting away, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Finding fault with, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Patience with, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Regard to, in construction of houses, <a href='#Page_261'>261</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Beds for, <a href='#Page_315'>315</a>.</span><br /> + +Doors, outside, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>, <a href='#Page_263'>263</a>.<br /> + +Dress, too much attention to, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Inconsistency in, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of domestics, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Clothing.</span><br /> + +Dresses, for the domestic duties of school girls, <a href='#Page_55'>55</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Colors for, <a href='#Page_327'>327</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Clothing.</span><br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> +Drink, during meal-time, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>.<br /> + +Drinks, on healthful, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>.<br /> + +Drowning, <a href='#Page_241'>241</a>.<br /> + +Dumb-waiters, <a href='#Page_278'>278</a>, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.<br /> + +Dusting, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.<br /> + +Duties, enjoyments connected with, <a href='#Page_183'>183</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +E.<br /> +<br /> +Early rising, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Democratic, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Reasons for, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Time for, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Longevity and, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Effects of, on a family, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">on the community, <a href='#Page_127'>127</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">on systematic duty, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>.</span><br /> + +Earthen ware, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.<br /> + +Eating, intemperance in, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">At any time, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Too fast, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Should not be followed by exercise, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">nor bathing, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Food.</span><br /> + +Eating-rooms, care of, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.<br /> + +Economy, on domestic, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Extravagance changed for, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Contradictory ideas as to, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">General principles as to, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Relative obligations of rich and poor as to, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Neglect as to, <a href='#Page_193'>193</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of the aristocracy, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>.</span><br /> + +Education in America, <a href='#Page_147'>147</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Associations for, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Female, <i>and</i> Monticello.</span><br /> + +Employment, for the different divisions of a week, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On regular, for all the family, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>.</span><br /> + +Enjoyments, <i>see</i> Amusements, <i>and</i> Happiness.<br /> + +Equality, on democratic, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Democracy, Sexes, <i>and</i> Women.</span><br /> + +Establishments, expensive, given up, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>.<br /> + +Exercise, comparative, of American women and others, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Neglect of, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a>, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Method for securing, at the Monticello Female Seminary, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Indispensable to the health of the several parts of the human frame, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a>, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of the muscles, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Effect of want of, on the spine, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Food to be graduated by, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">After eating, bad, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Evils of want of, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On furnishing interesting, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Walking for, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In useful employments, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Excessive, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Rule as to, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On excessive, of the mind and feelings, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of the brain, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a>.</span><br /> + +Exhalations from the skin, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>.<br /> + +Expenses, on keeping account of, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Economy in, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>, <a href='#Page_193'>193</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On graduating, by the income, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On gentility in being careless of, <a href='#Page_193'>193</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On extravagance in, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Economy.</span><br /> + +Eyes, screening, from light, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +F.<br /> +<br /> +Family, on early rising in the, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Fathers neglecting the, <a href='#Page_255'>255</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On attachments of, <a href='#Page_256'>256</a>.</span><br /> + +Fasting in sickness, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>.<br /> + +Fathers neglecting home, <a href='#Page_255'>255</a>.<br /> + +Fault-finding, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a>.<br /> + +Featherbeds, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>.<br /> + +Feelings, inactivity of the, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a>.<br /> + +Feet, on protecting the, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Keeping those of infants, warm, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Bathing, for a cold, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>.</span><br /> + +Female association for educating poor females, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>.<br /> + +Female education, advantages for, in America, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Objects to be attended to, in, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Importance of mathematics in, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Should be conducted by females, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Present waste in conducting, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> School.</span><br /> + +Female seminaries, on the endowment of, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Importance of, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Defects of, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Suitable, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Monticello Female Seminary, described, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Division of labor and responsibility in, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Requirement for admission to the Monticello, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On providing, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Reasons for introducing the study of domestic economy into, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Establishment of, by a wealthy female, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Should have gardens, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>.</span><br /> + +Females, influence of, on the character of the young, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Building schoolhouses, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> American women, Girls, <i>and</i> Women.</span><br /> + +Filberts, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a>.<br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> +Finding fault, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a>.<br /> + +Finger nails, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>.<br /> + +Fire, escaping from, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>.<br /> + +Fireplaces and fires, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>, <a href='#Page_265'>265</a>, <a href='#Page_280'>280</a>, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>.<br /> + +Fishing, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>.<br /> + +Flannel, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Utility of, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On washing, <a href='#Page_285'>285</a>, <a href='#Page_286'>286</a>.</span><br /> + +Fleas, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Flies, on destroying, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Flower baskets, <a href='#Page_354'>354</a>.<br /> + +Flower seeds, on planting, <a href='#Page_332'>332</a>.<br /> + +Flowers, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Arranging, <a href='#Page_337'>337</a>.</span><br /> + +Fluids, on taking, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>.<br /> + +Folding articles, <a href='#Page_315'>315</a>.<br /> + +Follicles of the skin, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>.<br /> + +Food, on the conversion of, into nourishment, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Responsibility as to, in a family, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On taking too much, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On one kind of, for each meal, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Should be taken at proper times, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Strong laboring men need most, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Quantity of, to be graduated by exercise, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On the quality of, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Stimulating, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Animal and vegetable, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a>, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Kinds of, most easily digested, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Injurious, from bad cooking, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On eating, too fast, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On exercise after taking, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On hot and cold, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Highly concentrated, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Certain <i>bulk</i> of, necessary to digestion, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">For infants, <a href='#Page_214'>214</a>, <a href='#Page_216'>216</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">For nurses, <a href='#Page_215'>215</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Sickness from improper, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Preparing, for the sick, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>.</span><br /> + +Footstools, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>.<br /> + +Foreigners, employed as domestics, <a href='#Page_40'>40</a>.<br /> + +Forewarning domestics, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a>.<br /> + +Forwardness of domestics, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>.<br /> + +Franklin, Benjamin, diet of, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>.<br /> + +Frocks, to make, <a href='#Page_326'>326</a>.<br /> + +Fruit, on the cultivation of, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">To preserve, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>.</span><br /> + +Fuel, hints as to, <a href='#Page_280'>280</a>.<br /> + +Furnaces, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>, <i>note</i>.<br /> + +Furniture, on costly, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On inconsistent, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On selecting, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Packing of, for moving, <a href='#Page_316'>316</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Kitchen, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</span><br /> + +<br /> +G.<br /> +<br /> +Games of children, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>.<br /> + +Garden seeds, to plant, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>.<br /> + +Gardening, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>.<br /> + +Gardens, at female institutions, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On laying out, <a href='#Page_334'>334</a>.</span><br /> + +Gas, antidote for, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>.<br /> + +Gastric juice, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>.<br /> + +Gathering, in shirts, <a href='#Page_325'>325</a>.<br /> + +Girls, on sending, to school, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Should assist their mothers early, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Education of, at the Monticello Female Seminary, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Confinement of, in school, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Small, made useful, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Forming habits of system, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">of making purchases and keeping accounts, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Effects of excitement on, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Taking care of infants by, <a href='#Page_214'>214</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Daughters, <i>and</i> Females.</span><br /> + +Gladiolus, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +Gloves, cleansing, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>.<br /> + +Godfrey, Benjamin, Female Seminary endowed by, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>.<br /> + +Gooseberries, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a>, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>.<br /> + +Gothic cottage, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>.<br /> + +Government of children, <a href='#Page_226'>226</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Unsteadiness in, and over-government, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Maxims on, <a href='#Page_229'>229</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Children, Subordination, <i>and</i> Young children.</span><br /> + +Grafting, <a href='#Page_344'>344</a>.<br /> + +Grapes, <a href='#Page_349'>349</a>, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>.<br /> + +Grates, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> + +Gratifications, on physical, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_172'>172</a>.<br /> + +Grease-spots, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">In carpets, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>.</span><br /> + +Greeks and Romans, bathing by, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +H.<br /> +<br /> +Habit, in a system of duty, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>.<br /> + +Handkerchiefs, cleansing, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>.<br /> + +Happiness, dependence of, on character, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On living to make, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>, <a href='#Page_200'>200</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Connected with duties, <a href='#Page_183'>183</a>.</span><br /> + +Hard-soap, to make, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>.<br /> + +Head, blows on the, <a href='#Page_241'>241</a>.<br /> + +Headache, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a>.<br /> + +Health, delicacy and infrequency of, in American women, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a>, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Effect of mental excitement on <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>;</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> +<span class="indextext2">of a high sense of responsibility, &c., <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">of want of outdoor exercise, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">of bad early training, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">of exposures in newly-settled countries, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On preparation for a <i>rational</i> care of, in a family, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>, <a href='#Page_69'>69</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Connection of exercise and, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">of the quantity of food and, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a>, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">of the quality, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of Catholics during Lent, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Not from dirt, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Effect of early rising on, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On the duty of sacrificing, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Causes which injure the mind's, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Amusements and, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Laughter and, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Regard to, in constructing houses, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Ventilation and, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Connection of, with cellars, <a href='#Page_322'>322</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Air, Exercise, <i>and</i> Sickness.</span><br /> + +Hearths, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a>.<br /> + +Hearts, different, <a href='#Page_84'>84</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Cause of their throbbing, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>.</span><br /> + +Heat of the body, regulated by the skin, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>.<br /> + +Heating houses, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>.<br /> + +Help, <i>see</i> Domestics.<br /> + +Helping at table, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>.<br /> + +Herbaceous roots, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a>.<br /> + +Horse-racing, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a>, <a href='#Page_246'>246</a>.<br /> + +Horses, care of, <a href='#Page_351'>351</a>.<br /> + +Hose, on washing, <a href='#Page_286'>286</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>.<br /> + +Hospitality, on manifesting, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">To strangers, <a href='#Page_257'>257</a>.</span><br /> + +Hot and cold food and drinks, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page_110'>110</a>.<br /> + +Hot-beds, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>.<br /> + +House-cleaning, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>.<br /> + +Housekeepers, difficulties peculiar to American women as, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Preservation of good temper in, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Allowances to be made for, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Necessity of a habit of system and order in, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">General principles for, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Plans by, for saving time, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> American women.</span><br /> + +Housekeeping, on a knowledge of, <a href='#Page_134'>134</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Dignity and difficulty of, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Labor.</span><br /> + +House-plants, to repot, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Care of, <a href='#Page_341'>341</a>.</span><br /> + +Houses, on the construction of, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Regard to economy of labor in, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">to water, <a href='#Page_259'>259</a>, <a href='#Page_275'>275</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">to heating, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">to economy of health, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">to domestics, <a href='#Page_261'>261</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext2">to good taste, <a href='#Page_261'>261</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Plans of, and of domestic conveniences, <a href='#Page_261'>261</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Shade-trees around, <a href='#Page_275'>275</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Back-door accommodations to, <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.</span><br /> + +Hunger, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">As a guide for taking food, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>.</span><br /> + +Hunting, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>.<br /> + +Hyacinths, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +I.<br /> +<br /> +Illinois, female association in, for educating poor females, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Alton.</span><br /> + +Imagination, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Works of, <a href='#Page_249'>249</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Novel reading.</span><br /> + +Impostors, soliciting charity, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>.<br /> + +Impurity of thought, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>.<br /> + +Income, <i>see</i> Expenses.<br /> + +Indigestion, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Health.</span><br /> + +Infants, mortality among, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a>, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page_214'>214</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Too cold, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Plunging, in cold water, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Registrations of, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On giving, to the older children, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Use of, to elicit charity, <a href='#Page_179'>179</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Importance of knowing how to take care of, <a href='#Page_213'>213</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Combe, Bell, and Eberle on, cited, <a href='#Page_214'>214</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Food for, <a href='#Page_214'>214</a>, <a href='#Page_216'>216</a>, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Medicines for, <a href='#Page_215'>215</a>, <a href='#Page_216'>216</a>, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Pure air for, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Keeping warm, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Keeping their heads cool, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Bathing, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Nostrums for, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Unquiet, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">To creep, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Standing, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Crying, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Children, <i>and</i> Mortality.</span><br /> + +Ingrafting, <a href='#Page_344'>344</a>.<br /> + +Ink-stains, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>.<br /> + +Insects, on destroying, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Preserving apple trees from, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>.</span><br /> + +Institutions, <i>see</i> Female seminaries, <i>and</i> School.<br /> + +Intelligence, dependence of democracy on, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>.<br /> + +Intemperance, H. Martineau on, criticized, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a>, <i>note</i>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">In eating, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In drinking, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Female responsibility as to, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>.</span><br /> + +Invitations, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>.<br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> +Ironing, articles to be provided for, <a href='#Page_293'>293</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Settee for, <a href='#Page_293'>293</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Boards for, <a href='#Page_294'>294</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Hints on, <a href='#Page_295'>295</a>.</span><br /> + +Iron-ware, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +J.<br /> +<br /> +Jewish use of time, <a href='#Page_182'>182</a>.<br /> + +Jokes, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>.<br /> + +Jonquilles, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +K.<br /> +<br /> +Kitchens, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page_259'>259</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On taking care of, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Floors of, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Oilcloths for, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Furniture for, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</span><br /> + +Knitting, to employ time, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>.<br /> + +Knives and forks, <a href='#Page_307'>307</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +L.<br /> +<br /> +Labelling powders, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>.<br /> + +Labor, nobility of, <a href='#Page_55'>55</a>, <a href='#Page_147'>147</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On opposing the idea of the degradation of, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Not inconsistent with delicacy, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On economy of, in houses, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a>.</span><br /> + +Laces, doing up of, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>.<br /> + +Lamps, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Care of, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>.</span><br /> + +Laplanders and their food, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a>.<br /> + +Lard, used for oil, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> + +Latticed portico, <a href='#Page_277'>277</a>.<br /> + +Laughter, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>.<br /> + +Laws, necessity of a system of, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>.<br /> + +Leghorn hats, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a>.<br /> + +Lent, health during, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>.<br /> + +Ley, to make, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>.<br /> + +Life, object of, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>.<br /> + +Light, effects of, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Screening eyes from, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>.</span><br /> + +Lightning, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>.<br /> + +Lightning rods, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>.<br /> + +Lights, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> + +Limbs of trees, on training, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a>.<br /> + +Linens, <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>, <a href='#Page_328'>328</a>.<br /> + +Linnæus, cited, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a>.<br /> + +Liquids, on taking, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>.<br /> + +Literature, guarding, <a href='#Page_249'>249</a>.<br /> + +Longevity, Sinclair on, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">From vegetable diet, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>.</span><br /> + +Louis XIV., manners of his age, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>.<br /> + +Lungs, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Effects of tight-dressing on the, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Bleeding at the, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>.</span><br /> + +Luxuries, <i>see</i> Superfluities.<br /> + +<br /> +M.<br /> +<br /> +Mahogany furniture, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a>.<br /> + +Manners, good, <a href='#Page_136'>136</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">American defect in, and cause of it, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of the Puritans and their posterity, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Principles respecting, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Proprieties in, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On cultivation of, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">At home, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Leading points as to, claiming attention, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Children to be taught, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On conventional, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">At table, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Charity for bad, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of the age of Louis XIV., <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Children.</span><br /> + +Marble, stains on, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a>.<br /> + +Martineau, Harriet, criticized, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a>, <i>note</i>, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>, <i>note</i>.<br /> + +Mathematics, importance of, in a female education, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>.<br /> + +Mattresses, <a href='#Page_312'>312</a>, <a href='#Page_329'>329</a>.<br /> + +Meals, should be five hours apart, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On the nature of the, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Time of English, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>.</span><br /> + +Meat, on eating, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Animal food, <i>and</i> Food.</span><br /> + +Mechanical amusements, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>.<br /> + +Medical men needed in literary institutions, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a>.<br /> + +Medicines, on giving, to infants, <a href='#Page_215'>215</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On administering, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Different effects of different, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On purchasing, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Labelling, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>.</span><br /> + +Men, engaged in women's work, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>.<br /> + +Mending, <a href='#Page_330'>330</a>.<br /> + +Mental excitement, effect of, on health, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On reducing youthful, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On invigorating, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Effect of, on the mind, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Mind.</span><br /> + +Mexicans, teeth of, <a href='#Page_110'>110</a>.<br /> + +Mice, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Mildew, removing, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>.<br /> + +Milk, for infants, <a href='#Page_216'>216</a>, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>.<br /> + +Milkweed-silk, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>.<br /> + +Mind, connection of body and, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Causes which injure the health of the, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On inactivity of, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Indications of diseased, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Health, <i>and</i> Mental excitement.</span><br /> + +Mineralogical collections, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>.<br /> + +Modesty in children, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>.<br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> +Money, children's earning, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>.<br /> + +Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley, cited, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>.<br /> + +Monticello Female Seminary, account of, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">System of studies there, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Effort made there to cure defects of character and habits, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>.</span><br /> + +Morals, American, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Dependence of democracy on, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Attention to, in the Monticello Female Seminary, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In children, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Children, <i>and</i> Young children.</span><br /> + +Mortality, among infants, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a>, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Causes of it, <a href='#Page_214'>214</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">At the Albany Orphan Asylum, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Infants.</span><br /> + +Mothers, sufferings of American, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">The great objects for, in educating their daughters, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Influence of wealthy, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Should raise the science of domestic economy, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Few, qualified to teach domestic economy, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Influence of, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Teaching boys domestic arts, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> American women, <i>and</i> Women.</span><br /> + +Moths, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Muscles, <a href='#Page_74'>74</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Exercise of the, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Excessive exercise of, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>.</span><br /> + +Music, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a>.<br /> + +Muslins, on washing, <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Starching, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>.</span><br /> + +Musquitoes, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +N.<br /> +<br /> +Nails, cleaning, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>.<br /> + +Nankeens, on washing, <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>.<br /> + +Napkins, table, <a href='#Page_307'>307</a>.<br /> + +Narcissus, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +Nash, Beau, biography of, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>.<br /> + +Neatness, in housekeeping, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Of sick-rooms, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Cleanliness.</span><br /> + +Needle-work, bad economy in, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>.<br /> + +Nerves, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Ramifications of the, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Health of, dependent on muscular exercise, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_130'>130</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Function of, in the stomach, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Excited by stimulating drinks, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Two kinds of, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On cutting off, <a href='#Page_130'>130</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Exercise and inactivity of, <a href='#Page_130'>130</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Debility of, <a href='#Page_130'>130</a>, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a>.</span><br /> + +New Englanders, one cause of their tact, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>.<br /> + +Newton, Sir Isaac, diet of, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>.<br /> + +Night, converting, into day, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>.<br /> + +Nightgowns, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page_329'>329</a>.<br /> + +Night-lamps, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>.<br /> + +Novel reading, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a>, <a href='#Page_234'>234</a>, <a href='#Page_249'>249</a>.<br /> + +Nursery, discipline of the, <a href='#Page_224'>224</a>, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>.<br /> + +Nursery, soil for a, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>.<br /> + +Nursing, on food while, <a href='#Page_215'>215</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Of the sick, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>.</span><br /> + +<br /> +O.<br /> +<br /> +Obedience of children, <a href='#Page_226'>226</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Children, <i>and</i> Government.</span><br /> + +Objects of charity, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>.<br /> + +Oil, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Taking out, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>.</span><br /> + +Oilcloths, for kitchens, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>.<br /> + +Opium, absorbed by the skin, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Antidote for, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>.</span><br /> + +Order, on a habit of, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>.<br /> + +Ornaments, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Time and money spent for, <a href='#Page_175'>175</a>, <a href='#Page_259'>259</a>.</span><br /> + +Orphan Asylum at Albany, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>.<br /> + +Ostrich feathers, washing, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a>.<br /> + +Outhouses, <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.<br /> + +Over-government, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a>, <a href='#Page_229'>229</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Children, <i>and</i> Government.</span><br /> + +<br /> +P.<br /> +<br /> +Packing, of trunks, <a href='#Page_316'>316</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Of furniture for moving, <a href='#Page_316'>316</a>.</span><br /> + +Pain, amusements causing, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>.<br /> + +Paint-spots, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>.<br /> + +Pantaloons, on mending, <a href='#Page_330'>330</a>.<br /> + +Parents, exercising of authority by, <a href='#Page_226'>226</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Should provide amusements, <a href='#Page_250'>250</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Joining in children's sports, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>.</span><br /> + +Parlors, kitchens and, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page_259'>259</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Light work in, to save time, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Inconsistently furnished, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On the care of, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On selecting furniture for, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Sweeping, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Screens in, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>.</span><br /> + +Parties, invitations to, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>.<br /> + +Passions, the, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Temper.</span><br /> + +Peach trees, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>.<br /> + +Perennial plants, <a href='#Page_339'>339</a>.<br /> + +Peristaltic motion, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>.<br /> + +Perspiration, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Demands supply of food, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>.</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> +<span class="indextext">From exercise, healthful, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">During sleep, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On inducing, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>.</span><br /> + +Physical education, <i>see</i> Exercise, <i>and</i> Health.<br /> + +Physicians, obeying, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>.<br /> + +Piano, playing on the, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a>.<br /> + +Pictures, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>.<br /> + +Pills, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>, <i>note</i>.<br /> + +Pitch, on removing, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>.<br /> + +Plans, for apportioning time, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">For duties, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">For saving time, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">For expenses, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of houses, <a href='#Page_261'>261</a>.</span><br /> + +Planting flower seeds, <a href='#Page_332'>332</a>.<br /> + +Plants, collecting, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">In rooms with stoves, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Soil for, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Propagation of, <a href='#Page_341'>341</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Flowers, <i>and</i> Seeds.</span><br /> + +Poisoning, <a href='#Page_241'>241</a>.<br /> + +Politeness, <i>see</i> Courtesy, <i>and</i> Manners.<br /> + +Poor, Mosaic laws as to the, <a href='#Page_182'>182</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On work for the, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>, <a href='#Page_190'>190</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Liberal prices and prompt payment to the, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Charity.</span><br /> + +Pores, closing the, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Skin.</span><br /> + +Portico, latticed, <a href='#Page_277'>277</a>.<br /> + +Positions, effects of, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a>, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a>.<br /> + +Potash-soap, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>.<br /> + +Pot-plants, soil for, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>.<br /> + +Pots, transplanting from, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>.<br /> + +Powders, labelling, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>.<br /> + +Precocity in children, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a>.<br /> + +Privies, <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.<br /> + +Propagation of plants, <a href='#Page_341'>341</a>.<br /> + +Propensities, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>.<br /> + +Property, Jews' use of, <a href='#Page_182'>182</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Unequal distribution of, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On sharing, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On using, properly, <a href='#Page_193'>193</a>.</span><br /> + +Pruning, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>.<br /> + +Pumps, <a href='#Page_275'>275</a>.<br /> + +Punctuality, and want of it, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">In paying the poor, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>.</span><br /> + +Purchases, on making, <a href='#Page_193'>193</a>, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>.<br /> + +Puritans, manners of the, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +Q.<br /> +<br /> +Quality of food, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>.<br /> + +Quantity of food, <i>see</i> Food.<br /> + +<br /> +R.<br /> +<br /> +Ranunculus, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +Rats, 323<br /> +<br /> +Red ants, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Registrations of births, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>.<br /> + +Religion, perversion of, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a>.<br /> + +Religious excitement, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>.<br /> + +Respect, American want of, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Should be required at home, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Courtesy.</span><br /> + +Respiration, organs of, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>.<br /> + +Rewards, governing by, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>.<br /> + +Roman Catholics, health of, during Lent, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>.<br /> + +Romans, <i>see</i> Greeks.<br /> + +Rooms, arrangement of, <a href='#Page_259'>259</a>.<br /> + +Running into debt, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +S.<br /> +<br /> +St. Martin, Alexis, experiments on, respecting food, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>.<br /> + +Salary, plan as to using, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>.<br /> + +Salt, for bleeding, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>.<br /> + +Salts, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>.<br /> + +School, hints on, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Too much required in, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On keeping, only in the afternoon, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On sending young children to, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>.</span><br /> + +Schoolrooms and schoolhouses, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Not ventilated, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Built by a lady in the West, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Female.</span><br /> + +Scolds, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>.<br /> + +Scotch Highlanders, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>.<br /> + +Screens, in parlors, <a href='#Page_353'>353</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Eyes.</span><br /> + +Secret vice, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>.<br /> + +Sedgwick, Miss, her Live and Let Live, <a href='#Page_213'>213</a>, <i>note</i>.<br /> + +Seeds, on planting, <a href='#Page_332'>332</a>, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Of fruit, on planting, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>.</span><br /> + +Self-denial, happiness of, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Distinction as to, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of wealthy women, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In children, <a href='#Page_224'>224</a>, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>.</span><br /> + +Servants, on calling domestics, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Domestics.</span><br /> + +Services, paying children for, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>.<br /> + +Settees for ironing, <a href='#Page_293'>293</a>.<br /> + +Setting tables, <a href='#Page_307'>307</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Rules for, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>.</span><br /> + +Sewing, by girls, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Hints on. <a href='#Page_324'>324</a>.</span><br /> + +Sewing-trunks, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>.<br /> + +Sexes, M. De Tocqueville on the, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Distinct lines of action for the, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a>, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">American equality of, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>.</span><br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> +Shade-trees, <a href='#Page_275'>275</a>, <a href='#Page_340'>340</a>.<br /> + +Shells, collecting, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>.<br /> + +Shirts, folding, <a href='#Page_315'>315</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Making, <a href='#Page_328'>328</a>.</span><br /> + +Shrubs, for yards, <a href='#Page_340'>340</a>.<br /> + +Sickness, on ignorance and inexperience in time of, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On nursing in, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">From chills and food, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Remedies for slight, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Health.</span><br /> + +Sick-rooms, hints on, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Furniture for, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>.</span><br /> + +Silence, children to keep, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">When in anger, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>.</span><br /> + +Silks, on cleansing, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>.<br /> + +Sinclair, Sir John, on longevity and early rising, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>.<br /> + +Sinks, <a href='#Page_277'>277</a>, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>.<br /> + +Six Weeks on the Loire, cited, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>.<br /> + +Skeleton, cut of the, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>.<br /> + +Skin, described, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Function of the, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Waste matter from the, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Regulates the heat of the body, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Absorbent vessels of the, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Follicles of the, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">The organ of touch, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Circulation in the, in infants, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Effect of cold on the circulation in the, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Bathing infants', <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>.</span><br /> + +Sleep, amount of, required, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On protracting, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In close apartments, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Ventilation.</span><br /> + +Sliding closets, <a href='#Page_278'>278</a>.<br /> + +Smoky chimneys, <a href='#Page_352'>352</a>.<br /> + +Snow, bathing in, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>.<br /> + +Soap, soda, <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Soft, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Potash, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Hard, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>.</span><br /> + +Social intercourse, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>.<br /> + +Soda-soap, <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>.<br /> + +Soda-washing, <a href='#Page_287'>287</a>.<br /> + +Soil, on the preparation of, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">For a nursery, <a href='#Page_347'>347</a>.</span><br /> + +Soups, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>.<br /> + +South-Sea Islanders, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>.<br /> + +Specimens, collecting, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>.<br /> + +Spine, frequency of the disease of the, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a>;<br /> +<span class="indextext2">causes, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a>, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Cut of the, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Curvature of the, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Difference between a natural and distorted, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a>.</span><br /> + +Spitting on carpets, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>.<br /> + +Spots, removing, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>.<br /> + +Sprains, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>.<br /> + +Stain-mixture, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>.<br /> + +Stains, removing, from clothes, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>;<br /> +<span class="indextext2">from marble, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a>.</span><br /> + +Starch, to make, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">To prepare, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>.</span><br /> + +Starching, hints on, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>.<br /> + +Stimulating drinks, no need of, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a>, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Excite the nervous system, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a>, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Debilitate the constitution, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Temptation from using, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Five forms of using, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Reasons for using, considered, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Dr. Combe on, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">If good for parents, may not be for children, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Compared with animal food, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a>.</span><br /> + +Stimulating food, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Animal food, <i>and</i> Food.</span><br /> + +Stock-grafting, <a href='#Page_345'>345</a>.<br /> + +Stockings, on washing, <a href='#Page_286'>286</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>.<br /> + +Stomach, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Peristaltic motion of the, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Effects on, of too much food, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Rule for the labor and repose of the, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Power of accommodation in the, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Wants rest, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>.</span><br /> + +Storerooms, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page_322'>322</a>.<br /> + +Stoves, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.<br /> + +Strangers, hospitality to, <a href='#Page_257'>257</a>.<br /> + +Strawberries, <a href='#Page_348'>348</a>.<br /> + +Straw hats, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a>.<br /> + +Straw matting, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>.<br /> + +Studies, at the Monticello Female Seminary, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Pursued at random, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>.</span><br /> + +Subordination, social, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Female, in America, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a>, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of children and others, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>, <a href='#Page_224'>224</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Government.</span><br /> + +Superfluities, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Duty as to, 171-<a href='#Page_173'>173</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On determining respecting, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a>.</span><br /> + +Sweeping, <a href='#Page_134'>134</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Of carpets, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of parlors, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a>.</span><br /> + +Sympathy, on silent social, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>.<br /> + +System, continual change and renovation of the human, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">In housekeeping, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On habits of, <a href='#Page_155'>155</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">By dividing the week, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In proper conveniences, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On attempting too much, at once, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>.</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> +<span class="indextext">On commencing, while young, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In time, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>.</span><br /> + +<br /> +T.<br /> +<br /> +Table, furniture for a, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On setting, <a href='#Page_307'>307</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">rules for, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Carving and helping at, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>.</span><br /> + +Table manners, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>.<br /> + +Table-mats, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.<br /> + +Tapers, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>.<br /> + +Tar, on removing, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>.<br /> + +Tea, coffee and, on the use of, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>, <a href='#Page_108'>108</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Cause nervous debility, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Love of, not natural, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">If good for adults, may not be for children, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Black, least injurious, <a href='#Page_110'>110</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">No nourishment in, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Stimulating.</span><br /> + +Teachers, <a href='#Page_202'>202</a>, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a>.<br /> + +Teeth, effects of hot drink on, <a href='#Page_110'>110</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Care of, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>.</span><br /> + +Teething of infants, <a href='#Page_219'>219</a>.<br /> + +Temper, on the preservation of good, in a housekeeper, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>;<br /> +<span class="indextext2">hints for it, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Making allowances for, in others, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Passions.</span><br /> + +Temptations, amusements with, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a>, <a href='#Page_248'>248</a>.<br /> + +Tendons, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>.<br /> + +Theatres, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a>.<br /> + +Thinning plants, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>.<br /> + +Thoughts, on pure, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>.<br /> + +Throat, things in the, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>.<br /> + +Thunderstorms, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>.<br /> + +Tic douloureux, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>.<br /> + +Tight dressing, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Evils of, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Rule as to, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>.</span><br /> + +Time, on apportioning, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>, <a href='#Page_181'>181</a>, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On saving, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_184'>184</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Errors as to employing, <a href='#Page_180'>180</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Devoted by Jews to religion, <a href='#Page_183'>183</a>.</span><br /> + +Tin ware, <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>.<br /> + +Tocqueville, M. De, on the sexes in America, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On progress in nations towards democracy, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On female hardships in the West, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On aristocratic and democratic manners, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>.</span><br /> + +Tones of voice, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On governing the, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Governing by angry, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Effects of angry, on children, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>.</span><br /> + +Towels, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a>.<br /> + +Tracts and charity, <a href='#Page_179'>179</a>.<br /> + +Transplanting, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>, <a href='#Page_340'>340</a>.<br /> + +Travelling-bags, <a href='#Page_316'>316</a>.<br /> + +Trees, about houses, <a href='#Page_275'>275</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On planting, <a href='#Page_334'>334</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Shade, <a href='#Page_340'>340</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On transplanting, <a href='#Page_340'>340</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Pruning and thinning, <a href='#Page_346'>346</a>.</span><br /> + +Trials, <i>see</i> Difficulties.<br /> + +Trunks, sewing, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">In chambers, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Packing of, <a href='#Page_316'>316</a>.</span><br /> + +Tuberous roots, <a href='#Page_335'>335</a>.<br /> + +Tulips, <a href='#Page_336'>336</a>.<br /> + +Turpentine, on removing, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +U.<br /> +<br /> +Unbolted flour, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +V.<br /> +<br /> +Vegetable food, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a>, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Animal food, <i>and</i> Food.</span><br /> + +Vegetables, effect of light and darkness on, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.<br /> + +Veils, whitening, <a href='#Page_293'>293</a>.<br /> + +Ventilation, importance of, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Of sleeping-rooms, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of schoolrooms, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of sick-rooms, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">In construction of houses, <a href='#Page_261'>261</a>, <a href='#Page_264'>264</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Where stoves are used, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Air.</span><br /> + +Vermin, on destroying, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.<br /> + +Vertebræ, <a href='#Page_72'>72</a>.<br /> + +Virtue, <i>see</i> Morals.<br /> + +Vulgar habits, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +W.<br /> +<br /> +Wadsworth's cottage, <a href='#Page_273'>273</a>, <a href='#Page_274'>274</a>.<br /> + +Wages, exorbitant, of domestics, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Offering higher, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a>.</span><br /> + +Waiting at table, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a>.<br /> + +Walking for exercise, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>.<br /> + +Wardrobes, <a href='#Page_312'>312</a>.<br /> + +Washing, of clothes done by pupils, <a href='#Page_55'>55</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Of the body, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of children, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Water for, <a href='#Page_284'>284</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Articles to be provided for, <a href='#Page_284'>284</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Common mode of, <a href='#Page_285'>285</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of calicoes, <a href='#Page_287'>287</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Soda-washing, <a href='#Page_287'>287</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of various articles, <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of carpets, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Of dishes, <a href='#Page_318'>318</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Bathing.</span><br /> + +Wash-pans for children, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>.<br /> + +Waste matter, from the skin <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>.<br /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span> +Water, protection against, in the skin, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">On drinking, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Drinking too much, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Plunging infants in cold, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> Drinks, <i>and</i> Stimulating.</span><br /> + +Wealthy mothers, influence of their example, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>.<br /> + +Wells, remedy for air in, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Remarks on, <a href='#Page_259'>259</a>, <a href='#Page_275'>275</a>.</span><br /> + +West, on female hardships in the, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>.<br /> + +Wheat, unbolted, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>.<br /> + +Whitening, of lace veils, <a href='#Page_293'>293</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Of other articles, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>.</span><br /> + +Whitewashing, <a href='#Page_279'>279</a>.<br /> + +Wicks, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>.<br /> + +Winter, air and sleep in, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>.<br /> + +Women, European contempt for, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">American esteem for, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Influence of, on individuals and nations, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Exercise taken by English, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Responsibleness of, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Eating without being hungry, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Responsibility of, as to intemperance, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Precedence given to, in America, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Importance and difficulty of their duties, <a href='#Page_155'>155</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">General principles for, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a>;</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">frequent inversion of them, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Men engaged in their work, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On their keeping accounts of expenditures, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Imagining themselves domestics, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext"><i>See</i> American women.</span><br /> + +Wood, for fuel, <a href='#Page_280'>280</a>.<br /> + +Wooden ware, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a>.<br /> + +Woodhouses, <a href='#Page_273'>273</a>, <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>, <a href='#Page_277'>277</a>.<br /> + +Woollens, on washing, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>.<br /> + +Workbaskets, <a href='#Page_325'>325</a>.<br /> + +<br /> +Y.<br /> +<br /> +Yellows, the, <a href='#Page_350'>350</a>.<br /> + +Young children, female influence on their character, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a>.<br /> +<span class="indextext">Mismanagement of, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Management of, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a>, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Animal food for, <a href='#Page_220'>220</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">At the Albany Orphan Asylum, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Intellectual and moral training of, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Three habits for, <a href='#Page_224'>224</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On distancing, <a href='#Page_226'>226</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On appreciating their enjoyments and pursuits, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Keeping them happy, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">On ridiculing, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Modesty and propriety in, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>.</span><br /> +<span class="indextext">Impurity of thought in, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>.</span><br /> + +Young Ladies' Friend, cited, <a href='#Page_134'>134</a>.<br /> +</p> + + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="pg" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TREATISE ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 21829-h.txt or 21829-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/2/21829">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/8/2/21829</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: A Treatise on Domestic Economy + For the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School + + +Author: Catherine Esther Beecher + + + +Release Date: June 14, 2007 [eBook #21829] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TREATISE ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY*** + + +E-text prepared by Jason Isbell, Karen Dalrymple, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 21829-h.htm or 21829-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/2/21829/21829-h/21829-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/2/21829/21829-h.zip) + + +Transcriber's note: + + Page numbers 10 and 370 were skipped in the original text; + they are not missing. There were two pages 355 and 356 in + the original; the two between page 354 and the first page + 355 have been renumbered 354a and 345b and references to + them in the text changed accordingly. + + Printer errors were corrected silently and hyphenation was + made consistent, but variant spellings have been preserved. + + + + + +A TREATISE ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY, + +For the Use of Young Ladies at Home, and at School. + +by + +MISS CATHERINE E. BEECHER. + +Revised Edition, +With Numerous Additions and Illustrative Engravings. + + + + + + + +New-York: +Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff Street. +1845. + +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1842, by +Thomas H. Webb, & Co., +in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. + + + + +TO + +AMERICAN MOTHERS, + +whose intelligence and virtues have inspired admiration and respect, +whose experience has furnished many valuable suggestions, in this work, +whose approbation will be highly valued, and whose influence, in +promoting the object aimed at, is respectfully solicited, this work is +dedicated, by their friend and countrywoman, + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + + + +PREFACE + +TO THE THIRD EDITION. + + +The author of this work was led to attempt it, by discovering, in her +extensive travels, the deplorable sufferings of multitudes of young +wives and mothers, from the combined influence of _poor health_, _poor +domestics_, _and a defective domestic education_. The number of young +women whose health is crushed, ere the first few years of married life +are past, would seem incredible to one who has not investigated this +subject, and it would be vain to attempt to depict the sorrow, +discouragement, and distress experienced in most families where the wife +and mother is a perpetual invalid. + +The writer became early convinced that this evil results mainly from the +fact, that young girls, especially in the more wealthy classes, _are not +trained for their profession_. In early life, they go through a course +of school training which results in great debility of constitution, +while, at the same time, their physical and domestic education is almost +wholly neglected. Thus they enter on their most arduous and sacred +duties so inexperienced and uninformed, and with so little muscular and +nervous strength, that probably there is not _one chance in ten_, that +young women of the present day, will pass through the first years of +married life without such prostration of health and spirits as makes +life a burden to themselves, and, it is to be feared, such as seriously +interrupts the confidence and happiness of married life. + +The measure which, more than any other, would tend to remedy this evil, +would be to place _domestic economy_ on an equality with the other +sciences in female schools. This should be done because it _can_ be +properly and systematically taught (not _practically_, but as a +_science_), as much so as _political economy_ or _moral science_, or any +other branch of study; because it embraces knowledge, which will be +needed by young women at all times and in all places; because this +science can never be _properly_ taught until it is made a branch of +_study_; and because this method will secure a dignity and importance in +the estimation of young girls, which can never be accorded while they +perceive their teachers and parents practically attaching more value to +every other department of science than this. When young ladies are +taught the construction of their own bodies, and all the causes in +domestic life which tend to weaken the constitution; when they are +taught rightly to appreciate and learn the most convenient and +economical modes of performing all family duties, and of employing time +and money; and when they perceive the true estimate accorded to these +things by teachers and friends, the grand cause of this evil will be +removed. Women will be trained to secure, as of first importance, a +strong and healthy constitution, and all those rules of thrift and +economy that will make domestic duty easy and pleasant. + +To promote this object, the writer prepared this volume as a _text-book_ +for female schools. It has been examined by the Massachusetts Board of +Education, and been deemed worthy by them to be admitted as a part of +the Massachusetts School Library. + +It has also been adopted as a text-book in some of our largest and most +popular female schools, both at the East and West. + +The following, from the pen of Mr. George B. Emmerson, one of the most +popular and successful teachers in our country, who has introduced this +work as a text-book in his own school, will exhibit the opinion of one +who has formed his judgment from experience in the use of the work: + +"It may be objected that such things cannot be taught by books. Why not? +Why may not the structure of the human body, and the laws of health +deduced therefrom, be as well taught as the laws of natural philosophy? +Why are not the application of these laws to the management of infants +and young children as important to a woman as the application of the +rules of arithmetic to the extraction of the cube root? Why may not the +properties of the atmosphere be explained, in reference to the proper +ventilation of rooms, or exercise in the open air, as properly as to the +burning of steel or sodium? Why is not the human skeleton as curious and +interesting as the air-pump; and the action of the brain, as the action +of a steam-engine? Why may not the healthiness of different kinds of +food and drink, the proper modes of cooking, and the rules in reference +to the modes and times of taking them, be discussed as properly as rules +of grammar, or facts in history? Are not the principles that should +regulate clothing, the rules of cleanliness, the advantages of early +rising and domestic exercise, as readily communicated as the principles +of mineralogy, or rules of syntax? Are not the rules of Jesus Christ, +applied to refine _domestic manners_ and preserve a _good temper_, as +important as the abstract principles of ethics, as taught by Paley, +Wayland, or Jouffroy? May not the advantages of neatness, system, and +order, be as well illustrated in showing how they contribute to the +happiness of a family, as by showing how they add beauty to a copy-book, +or a portfolio of drawings? Would not a teacher be as well employed in +teaching the rules of economy, in regard to time and expenses, or in +regard to dispensing charity, as in teaching double, or single entry in +bookkeeping? Are not the principles that should guide in constructing a +house, and in warming and ventilating it properly, as important to young +girls as the principles of the Athenian Commonwealth, or the rules of +Roman tactics? Is it not as important that children should be taught the +dangers to the mental faculties, when over-excited on the one hand, or +left unoccupied on the other, as to teach them the conflicting theories +of political economy, or the speculations of metaphysicians? For +ourselves, we have always found children, especially girls, peculiarly +ready to listen to what they saw would prepare them for future duties. +The truth, that education should be _a preparation for actual, real +life_, has the greatest force with children. The constantly-recurring +inquiry, 'What will be _the use_ of this study?' is always satisfied by +showing, that it will prepare for any duty, relation, or office which, +in the natural course of things, will be likely to come. + +"We think this book extremely well suited to be used as a text-book in +schools for young ladies, and many chapters are well adapted for a +reading book for children of both sexes." + +To this the writer would add the testimony of a lady who has used this +work with several classes of young girls and young ladies. She remarked +that she had never known a school-book that awakened more interest, and +that some young girls would learn a lesson in this when they would study +nothing else. She remarked, also, that when reciting the chapter on the +construction of houses, they became greatly interested in inventing +plans of their own, which gave an opportunity to the teacher to point +out difficulties and defects. Had this part of domestic economy been +taught in schools, our land would not be so defaced with awkward, +misshapen, inconvenient, and, at the same time, needlessly expensive +houses, as it now is. + +Although the writer was trained to the care of children, and to perform +all branches of domestic duty, by some of the best of housekeepers, much +in these pages is offered, not as the result of her own experience, but +as what has obtained the approbation of some of the most judicious +mothers and housekeepers in the nation. The articles on Physiology and +Hygiene, and those on horticulture, were derived from standard works on +these subjects, and are sanctioned by the highest authorities. + +_The American Housekeeper's Receipt Book_ is another work prepared by +the author of the Domestic Economy, in connexion with several +experienced housekeepers, and is designed for a supplement to this work. +On pages 354a and 354b will be found the Preface and Analysis of +that work, the two books being designed for a complete course of +instructions on every department of Domestic Economy. + +The copyright interest in these two works is held by a board of +gentlemen appointed for the purpose, who, after paying a moderate +compensation to the author for the time and labour spent in preparing +these works, will employ all the remainder paid over by the publishers, +to aid in educating and locating such female teachers as wish to be +employed in those portions of our country, which are most destitute of +schools. + +The contract with the publisher provides that the publisher shall +guaranty the sales and thus secure against any losses for bad debts, for +which he shall receive five _per cent_. He shall charge twenty per cent. +for commissions paid to retailers, and also the expenses of printing, +paper, and binding, at the current market prices, and make no other +charges. The net profits thus determined are then to be divided equally, +the publishers taking one half, and paying the other half to the board +above mentioned. + + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +PREFACE, 7 + + +CHAPTER I. + +PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN. + +American Women should feel a peculiar Interest in Democratic +Institutions. The Maxim of our Civil Institutions. Its Identity +with the main Principle of Christianity. Relations involving +Subordination; why they are needful. Examples. How these Relations +are decided in a Democracy. What decides the Equity of any Law or +Institution. The Principle of Aristocracy. The Tendency of +Democracy in Respect to the Interests of Women. Illustrated in the +United States. Testimony of De Tocqueville. Miss Martineau's +Misrepresentations. In what Respects are Women subordinate? and +why? Wherein are they equal or superior in Influence? and how are +they placed by Courtesy? How can American Women rectify any real +Disadvantages involved in our Civil Institutions? Opinion of De +Tocqueville as to the Influence and Example of American Democracy. +Responsibilities involved in this View, especially those of +American Women, 25 + + +CHAPTER II. + +DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR TO AMERICAN WOMEN. + +A Law of Moral Action to be noted. Its Application. Considerations +to be borne in Mind, in appreciating peculiar Trials. Application +to American Women. Difference between this and Aristocratic +Countries. How this affects the Interests of American Women. Effect +of Wealth, in this Country, on Domestic Service. Effects on the +Domestic Comfort of Women. Second peculiar Trial of American Women. +Extent of this Evil. The Writer's Observation on this Point. +Effects on the Anticipations of Mothers and Daughters. Infrequency +of Healthful Women in the Wealthy Classes. Causes which operate to +undermine the Female Constitution. Excitement of Mind. Course of +Intellectual Training. Taxation, in Domestic Life, of American +Mothers and Housekeepers. Exercise and Fresh Air needful to +balance Mental Excitement. Defect in American, compared with +English, Customs, in this Respect. Difference in the Health and +Youthfulness of Appearance between English and American Mothers. +Liabilities of American Women to the uncommon Exposures of a New +Country. Remarks of De Tocqueville and the Writer on this Point, 38 + + +CHAPTER III. + +REMEDIES FOR THE PRECEDING DIFFICULTIES. + +First Remedy suggested. Obligations of Wealthy Ladies on this +Point. How a Dearth of Domestics may prove a Blessing. Second +Remedy. Domestic Economy should be taught in Schools. Third Remedy. +Reasons for endowing Colleges and Professional Schools. Similar +Reasons exist for endowing Female Institutions. Present Evils in +conducting Female Education. A Sketch of a Model Female +Institution. Accommodations provided. Mode of securing Exercise to +Pupils. Objections to this answered. Calisthenics. Course of +Intellectual Discipline adopted. Mode of Division of Labor adopted. +Example of Illinois in Regard to Female Education. Economy of +Health and Time secured by such Institutions. Plan suggested for +the Early Education of Young Girls. Last Remedy suggested, 48 + + +CHAPTER IV. + +ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A BRANCH OF STUDY. + +Impediment to making Domestic Economy a Study at School. First +Reason why it should be so made. State of Domestic Service +precarious. Second Reason. Examples illustrating. Third Reason. +Questions asked. First Objection; how answered. Next Objection; how +answered. Next Objection; how answered. Last Reason, 63 + + +CHAPTER V. + +ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. + +Importance of a Knowledge of the Laws of Health, and of the Human +System, to Females. Construction of the Human Frame. BONES; +their Structure, Design, and Use. Engraving and Description. Spinal +Column. Engravings of Vertebrae. Exercise of the Bones. MUSCLES; +their Constitution, Use, and Connection with the Bones. Engraving and +Description. Operation of Muscles. NERVES; their Use. Spinal +Column. Engravings and Descriptions. Distortions of the Spine. +Engravings and Descriptions. BLOOD-VESSELS; their Object. +Engravings and Descriptions. The Heart, and its Connection with the +System. Engravings and Descriptions. ORGANS OF DIGESTION AND +RESPIRATION. Engraving and Description. Process of Digestion. +Circulation of the Blood. Process of Respiration. Necessity of Pure +Air. THE SKIN. Process of Perspiration. Insensible Perspiration. +Heat of the Body. Absorbents. Importance of frequent Ablutions and +Change of Garments. Follicles of Oily Matter in the Skin. Nerves of +Feeling, 68 + + +CHAPTER VI. + +ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. + +Responsibility of a Housekeeper in Regard to Health and Food. The +most fruitful Cause of Disease. Gastric Juice; how proportioned. +Hunger the Natural Guide as to Quantity of Food. A Benevolent +Provision; how perverted, and its Effects. A Morbid Appetite, how +caused. Effects of too much Food in the Stomach. Duty of a +Housekeeper in Reference to this. Proper Time for taking Food. +Peristaltic Motion. Need of Rest to the Muscles of the Stomach. +Time necessary between each Meal. Exceptions of hard Laborers and +active Children. Exercise; its Effect on all parts of the Body. How +it produces Hunger. What is to be done by those who have lost the +Guidance of Hunger in regulating the Amount of Food. On Quality of +Food. Difference as to Risk from bad Food, between Healthy Persons +who exercise, and those of Delicate and Sedentary Habits. +Stimulating Food; its Effects. Condiments needed only for Medicine, +and to be avoided as Food. Difference between Animal and Vegetable +Food. Opinion of some Medical Men. Medical Men agree as to the +Excess of Animal Food in American Diet. Extracts from Medical +Writers on this Point. Articles most easily digested. The most +Unhealthful Articles result from bad cooking. Caution as to Mode of +Eating. Reason why Mental and Bodily Exertions are injurious after +a full Meal. Changes in Diet should be gradual; and why. Drink most +needed at Breakfast; and why. Dinner should be the heartiest Meal; +and why. Little Drink to be taken while eating; and why. Extremes +of Heat or Cold; why injurious in Food. Fluids immediately absorbed +from the Stomach. Why Soups are hard of Digestion. Case of Alexis +St. Martin. Why highly-concentrated Nourishment is not good for +Health. Beneficial Effects of using Unbolted Flour. Scarcity of +Wheat under William Pitt's Administration, and its Effects. Causes +of a Debilitated Constitution from the Misuse of Food, 94 + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. + +Responsibility of a Housekeeper in this Respect. Stimulating Drinks +not required for the Perfection of the Human System. Therefore +they are needless. First Evil in using them. Second Evil. Five +Kinds of Stimulating Articles in Use in this Country. First +Argument in Favor of Stimulants, and how answered. Second Argument; +how answered. The Writer's View of the Effects of Tea and Coffee on +American Females. Duty in Reference to Children. Black Tea the most +harmless Stimulant. Warm Drinks not needful. Hot Drinks injurious. +Effect of Hot Drinks on Teeth. Mexican Customs and their Effects +illustrating this. Opinion of Dr. Combe on this subject. Difference +between the Stimulus of Animal Food and the Stimulating Drinks +used. Common Habit of Drinking freely of Cold Water debilitating. +Persons taking but little Exercise require but little Drink, 106 + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +ON CLOTHING. + +Calculations made from Bills of Mortality; and Inference from them. +Causes of Infant Mortality. Of the Circulation in Infancy. Warm +Dress for Infants; and why. Investigations in France, and Results. +Dangers from the opposite Extreme. Effects of too much Clothing. +Rule of Safety. Featherbeds; why unhealthy in Warm Weather. Best +Nightgowns for Young Children. Clothing; how to be proportioned. +Irrational Dress of Women. Use of Flannel next the Skin. Evils of +Tight Dresses to Women. False Taste in our Prints of Fashions. +Modes in which Tight Dresses operate to weaken the Constitution. +Rule of Safety as to Looseness of Dress. Example of English Ladies +in Appropriateness of Dress, 112 + + +CHAPTER IX. + +ON CLEANLINESS. + +Importance of Cleanliness not realized, without a Knowledge of the +Nature of the Skin. Foundation of the Maxim respecting the +Healthfulness of Dirt. Office of the Skin. Other Organs which +perform similar Duties. Amount of Matter daily exhaled by the Skin. +Effect of a Chill upon the Skin, when perspiring. Illustration of +this. Effect of closing the Pores of the Skin, with Dirt or other +Matter. The Skin absorbs Matter into the Blood. Reasons for a Daily +Ablution of the whole Body. Effects of Fresh Air on Clothing worn +next the Skin. Americans compared with other Nations as to Care of +the Skin. Cautions in Regard to a Use of the Bath. How to decide +when Cold Bathing is useful. Warm Bath tends to prevent Colds; and +why. When a Bath should be taken. Advantages of General Ablutions +to Children. Care of the Teeth, 118 + + +CHAPTER X. + +ON EARLY RISING. + +Universal Impression in Respect to this Practice. Why it should be +regarded as American and Democratic. Practice in Aristocratic +Circles in England. Appeal to American Women. First Consideration +in Favor of Early Rising. Another Physiological Reason in its +Favor. Another Reason. Time necessary for Sleep. Proper Hours for +Rising and Retiring. Evils of protracted Sleep. Testimony of Sir +John Sinclair. Another Reason for Early Rising. Responsibility of +Parents for the Health and Industry of a Family. Effects of Early +Rising on General Society, 122 + + +CHAPTER XI. + +ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. + +Causes which produce Delicacy and Decay of the Female Constitution. +Want of Exercise. Neglect of the Laws of Health. Want of Pure Air. +Objectionable Amusements. Sleeping by Day. Want of Exercise a +greater Cause of these Evils, than all the Others combined. +Importance of understanding the Influence of the Neglect or Abuse +of the Muscular System. Nerves of Sensation and of Motion. Both +need Exercise. Rules for Exercise. Importance of a Feeling of +Interest in taking Exercise. Walks merely for Exercise. Exercise +most proper for Young Girls. Exercise, more than any Thing else, +imparts fresh Strength and Vitality to all Parts of the Body. +Mistakes of Mothers and Teachers on this Subject. Effects of +neglecting to use the Muscles; Effects of excessive Use of them. +Effect of School Confinement and Seats. Extract from the Young +Lady's Friend. Lady Montagu. Daughter of a French Nobleman, 128 + + +CHAPTER XII. + +ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. + +What are Good-manners. Defect in American Manners. Coldness and +Reserve of the Descendants of the Puritans accounted for. Cause of +the Want of Courtesy in American Manners. Want of Discrimination. +Difference of Principles regulating Aristocratic and Democratic +Manners. Rules for regulating the Courtesies founded on Precedence +of Age, Office, and Station, in a Democracy. Manners appropriate to +Superiors and Subordinates. Miss Martineau's Remarks on the +Universal Practice of Americans to give Precedence to Woman. +Peculiar Defect of Americans in this Respect. This to be remedied +in the Domestic Circle, alone. Rules of Precedence to be enforced +in the Family. Manners and Tones towards Superiors to be regulated +in the Family. Treatment of grown Brothers and Sisters by Young +Children. Acknowledgement of Favors by Children to be required. +Children to ask leave or apologize in certain Cases. Rules for +avoiding Remarks that wound the Feelings of Others. Rules of +Hospitality. Conventional Rules. Rules for Table Manners. Caution +as to teaching these Rules to Children. Caution as to Allowances to +be made for those deficient in Good-manners. Comparison of English +and American Manners, by De Tocqueville. America may hope to excel +all Nations in Refinement, Taste, and Good-breeding; and why. +Effects of Wealth and Equalisation of Labor. Allusion to the +Manners of Courts in the past Century, 136 + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +ON THE PRESERVATION OF A GOOD TEMPER IN A HOUSEKEEPER. + +Influence of a Housekeeper on Domestic Happiness. Contrasts to +illustrate. Sympathy. Influence of Tones. Allowances to be made for +Housekeepers. Considerations to aid in regulating Temper and Tones. +First; Her Duties to be regarded as Dignified, Important, and +Difficult. Second; She should feel that she really has Great +Difficulties to meet and overcome. Third; She should deliberately +calculate upon having her Plans interfered with, and be prepared +for the Emergency. Fourth; All her Plans should be formed +consistently with the Means at Command. Fifth; System, Economy, and +Neatness, only valuable when they tend to promote the Comfort and +Well-being of the Family. Sixth; Government of Tones of Voice. Some +Persons think Angry Tones needful. They mistake. Illustration. +Scolding, Unlady-like, and in Bad Taste. A Forgiving Spirit +necessary. Seventh and Last Consideration offered; Right View of a +Superintending Providence. Fretfulness and Complaining sinful, 148 + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. + +Question of the Equality of the Sexes, frivolous and useless. +Relative Importance and Difficulty of the Duties a Woman is called +to perform. Her Duties not trivial. More difficult than those of +the Queen of a great Nation. A Habit of System and Order necessary. +Right Apportionment of Time, General Principles. Christianity to be +the Foundation. Intellectual and Social Interests to be preferred +to Gratification of Taste or Appetite. The Latter to be last in our +Estimation. No Sacrifice of Health allowable. Neglect of Health a +Sin in the Sight of God. Regular Season of Rest appointed by the +Creator. Divisions of Time. Systematic Arrangement of House +Articles and other Conveniences. Regular Employment for each Member +of a Family. Children can be of great Service. Boys should be +taught Family Work. Advantage to them in Afterlife. Older Children +to take Care of Infants of a Family, 155 + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ON GIVING IN CHARITY. + +No Point of Duty more difficult to fix by Rule, than Charity. First +Consideration;--Object for which we are placed in this World. How to +be perfectly happy. Self-denying Benevolence. Important Distinction. +Second Consideration;--Natural Principles not to be exterminated, +but regulated and controlled. All Constitutional Propensities good, +and designed to be gratified. Their Abuses to be guarded against. +Third Consideration;--Superfluities sometimes proper, and sometimes +not. Fourth Consideration;--No Rule of Duty right for One and not +for All. The Opposite of this Principle tested. Some Use of +Superfluities necessary. Physical Gratifications should always be +subordinate to Social, Intellectual, and Moral Advantages. +Difficulties in the Way. Remarks upon them. Plan for Keeping an +Account of Necessaries and Superfluities. Untoward Results of our +Actions do not always prove that we deserve Blame. Examples of +Conformity to the Rules here laid down. General Principles to guide +in deciding upon Objects of Charity. Parable of Good Samaritan. Who +are our Neighbors. Those most in Need to be first relieved. +Intellectual and Moral Wants more necessary to be supplied than +Physical. Not much Need of Charity in supplying Physical Wants in +this Country. System of Associated Charities, in which many small +Sums are combined. Indiscriminate Charity--Very injurious to +Society, as a General Rule. Exceptions. Impropriety of judging of +the Charities of Others, 167 + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +ON ECONOMY OF TIME AND EXPENSES. + +_Economy of Time._ Value of Time. Right Apportionment of Time. Laws +appointed by God for the Jews. Proportions of Property and Time the +Jews were required to devote to Intellectual, Benevolent, and +Religious Purposes. The Levites. The weekly Sabbath. The Sabbatical +Year. Three sevenths of the Time of the Jews devoted to God's +Service. Christianity removes the Restrictions laid on the Jews, +but demands all our Time to be devoted to our own best Interests +and the Good of our Fellow-men. Some Practical Good to be the +Ultimate End of all our Pursuits. Enjoyment connected with the +Performance of every Duty. Great Mistake of Mankind. A Final +Account to be given of the Apportionment of our Time. Various Modes +of economizing Time. System and Order. Uniting several Objects in +one Employment. Employment of Odd Intervals of Time. We are bound +to aid Others in economizing Time. _Economy in Expenses._ Necessity +of Information on this Point. Contradictory Notions. General +Principles in which all agree. Knowledge of Income and Expenses. +Every One bound to do as much as she can to secure System and +Order. Examples. Evils of Want of System and Forethought. Young +Ladies should early learn to be systematic and economical. +Articles of Dress and Furniture should be in Keeping with each +other, and with the Circumstances of the Family. Mistaken Economy. +Education of Daughters away from Home injudicious. Nice Sewing +should be done at Home. Cheap Articles not always most economical. +Buying by wholesale economical only in special cases. Penurious +Savings made by getting the Poor to work cheap. Relative +Obligations of the Poor and the Rich in Regard to Economy. Economy +of Providence in the Unequal Distribution of Property. Carelessness +of Expense not a Mark of Gentility. Beating down Prices improper in +Wealthy People. Inconsistency in American would-be Fashionables, 180 + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +ON HEALTH OF MIND. + +Intimate Connection between the Body and Mind. Brain excited by +improper Stimulants taken into the Stomach. Mental Faculties then +affected. Example of a Person having lost a Portion of his Skull. +Causes of Mental Diseases. Want of Oxygenized Blood. Fresh Air +absolutely necessary. Excessive Exercise of the Intellect or +Feelings a Cause of Derangement. Such Attention to Religion, as +prevents the Performance of other Duties, wrong. Teachers and +Parents should look to this. Unusual Precocity in Children usually +the Result of a Diseased Brain. Parents generally add Fuel to this +Fever. Idiocy often the Result, or the Precocious Child sinks below +the Average of Mankind. This Evil yet prevalent in Colleges and +other Seminaries. A Medical Man necessary in every Seminary. Some +Pupils always needing Restraint in Regard to Study. A Third Cause +of Mental Disease, the Want of Appropriate Exercise of the Various +Faculties of the Mind. Extract from Dr. Combe. Examples of Wealthy +Ladies. Beneficial Results of active Intellectual Employments. +Indications of a Diseased Mind, 195 + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS. + +No Subject on which American Women need more Wisdom, Patience, +Principle, and Self-control. Its Difficulties. Necessary Evils. +Miseries of Aristocratic Lands. Wisdom of Conforming to Actual +Circumstances. How to judge correctly respecting Domestics. They +should be treated as we would expect to be under similar +Circumstances. When Labor is scarce, its Value is increased. +Instability of Domestics; how it may be remedied. Pride and +Insubordination; how remedied. Abhorrence of Servitude a National +Trait of Character. Domestics easily convinced of the Appropriateness +of different Degrees of Subordination. Example. Domestics may be +easily induced to be respectful in their Deportment, and appropriate +in their Dress. Deficiencies of Qualifications for the Performance +of their Duties; how remedied. Forewarning, better than Chiding. +Preventing, better than finding Fault. Faults should be pointed +out in a Kind Manner. Some Employers think it their Office and Duty +to find Fault. Domestics should be regarded with Sympathy and +Forbearance, 204 + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +ON THE CARE OF INFANTS. + +Necessity of a Knowledge of this Subject, to every Young Lady. +Examples. Extracts from Doctors Combe, Bell, and Eberle. Half the +Deaths of Infants owing to Mismanagement, and Errors in Diet. +Errors of Parents and Nurses. Error of administering Medicines to +Children, unnecessarily. Need of Fresh Air, Attention to Food, +Cleanliness, Dress, and Bathing. Cholera Infantum not cured by +Nostrums. Formation of Good Habits in Children, 213 + + +CHAPTER XX. + +ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. + +Physical Education of Children. Remark of Dr. Clark, and Opinion of +other Medical Men. Many Popular Notions relating to Animal Food for +Children, erroneous. The Formation of the Human Teeth and Stomach +does not indicate that Man was designed to live on Flesh. Opinions +of Linnaeus and Cuvier. Stimulus of Animal Food not necessary to +Full Developement of the Physical and Intellectual Powers. +Examples. Of Laplanders, Kamtschatkadales, Scotch Highlanders, +Siberian Exiles, Africans, Arabs. Popular Notion that Animal Food +is more Nourishing than Vegetable. Different Opinions on this +Subject. Experiments. Opinions of Dr. Combe and others. Examples of +Men who lived to a great Age. Dr. Franklin's Testimony. Sir Isaac +Newton and others. Albany Orphan Asylum. Deleterious Practice of +allowing Children to eat at short Intervals. Intellectual Training. +Schoolrooms. Moral Character. Submission, Self-denial, and +Benevolence, the three most important Habits to be formed in Early +Life. Extremes to be guarded against. Medium Course. Adults +sometimes forget the Value which Children set on Trifles. Example. +Impossible to govern Children, properly, without appreciating the +Value they attach to their Pursuits and Enjoyments. Those who +govern Children should join in their Sports. This the best way to +gain their Confidence and Affection. But Older Persons should never +lose the Attitude of Superiors. Unsteadiness in Government. +Illustrations. Punishment from unsteady Governors, does little +Good. Over-Government. Want of Patience and Self-control in Parents +and Governors. Example of Parents more effectual than their +Precepts. Formation of Habits of Self-denial in Early Life. Denying +Ourselves to promote the Happiness of Others. Habits of Honesty and +Veracity. Habits of Modesty. Delicacy studiously to be cherished. +Licentious and Impure Books to be banished. Bulwer a Licentious +Writer, and to be discountenanced, 220 + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +ON THE CARE OF THE SICK. + +Women frequently called upon to direct in Cases of Indisposition. +Extremes to be avoided. Grand Cause of most Diseases, Excess in +Eating and Drinking. Fasting useful. Extracts from Doctors Burne +and Combe. Necessity of a Woman's Understanding the Nature and +Operation of Common Medicines. Simple Electuary. Discretion +required. Useful Directions in Regard to Nursing the Sick. Fresh +Air absolutely necessary. Frequent Ablutions important. Dressing a +Blister. Arrangements to be made beforehand, when practicable. +Importance of Cleanliness; Nothing more annoying to the Sick, than +a want of it. Necessity of a proper Preparation of Food, for the +Sick. Physicians' Directions to be well understood and implicitly +followed. Kindness, Patience, and Sympathy, towards the Sick, +important. Impositions of Apothecaries. Drugs to be locked up from +the Access of Children, 234 + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +ON ACCIDENTS AND ANTIDOTES. + +Medical Aid should be promptly resorted to. Suffocation, from +Substances in the Throat. Common Cuts. Wounds of Arteries, and +other severe Cuts. Bruises. Sprains. Broken Limbs. Falls. Blows on +the Head. Burns. Drowning. Poisons:--Corrosive Sublimate; Arsenic, +or Cobalt; Opium; Acids; Alkalies. Stupefaction from Fumes of +Charcoal, or from entering a Well, Limekiln, or Coalmine. +Hemorrhage of the Lungs, Stomach, or Throat. Bleeding of the Nose. +Dangers from Lightning, 240 + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +ON DOMESTIC AMUSEMENTS AND SOCIAL DUTIES. + +Indefiniteness of Opinion on this Subject. Every Person needs some +Recreation. General Rules. How much Time to be given. What +Amusements proper. Those should always be avoided, which cause Pain, +or injure the Health, or endanger Life, or interfere with important +Duties, or are pernicious in their Tendency. Horse-racing, +Circus-riding, Theatres, and Gambling. Dancing, as now conducted, +does not conduce to Health of Body or Mind, but the contrary. +Dancing in the Open Air beneficial. Social Benefits of Dancing +considered. Ease and Grace of Manners better secured by a System of +Calisthenics. The Writer's Experience. Balls going out of Fashion, +among the more refined Circles. Novel-reading. Necessity for +Discrimination. Young Persons should be guarded from Novels. Proper +Amusements for Young Persons. Cultivation of Flowers and Fruits. +Benefits of the Practice. Music. Children enjoy it. Collections of +Shells, Plants, Minerals, &c. Children's Games and Sports. Parents +should join in them. Mechanical Skill of Children to be encouraged. +Other Enjoyments. Social Enjoyments not always considered in the +List of Duties. Main Object of Life to form Character. Family +Friendship should be preserved. Plan adopted by Families of the +Writer's Acquaintance. Kindness to Strangers. Hospitality. Change of +Character of Communities in Relation to Hospitality. Hospitality +should be prompt. Strangers should be made to feel at their Ease, 244 + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. + +Importance to Family Comfort of well-constructed Houses. Rules for +constructing them. Economy of Labor. Large Houses. Arrangement of +Rooms. Wells and Cisterns. Economy of Money. Shape and Arrangement +of Houses. Porticoes, Piazzas, and other Ornaments. Simplicity to +be preferred. Fireplaces. Economy of Health. Outdoor Conveniences. +Doors and Windows. Ventilation. Economy of Comfort. Domestics. +Spare Chambers. Good Taste. Proportions. Color and Ornaments. +_Plans of Houses and Domestic Conveniences._ Receipts for +Whitewash, 258 + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +ON FIRES AND LIGHTS. + +Wood Fires. Construction of Fireplaces. Firesets. Building a Fire. +Wood. Cautions. Stoves and Grates. Cautions. Stovepipes. Anthracite +Coal. Bituminous Coal. Proper Grates. Coal Stoves. _On Lights._ +Lamps. Oil. Candles. Lard. Pearlash and Water for cleansing Lamps. +Care of Lamps. Difficulty. Articles needed in trimming Lamps. +Astral Lamps. Wicks. Dipping Wicks in Vinegar. Shades. Weak Eyes. +Entry Lamps. Night Lamps. Tapers. Wax Tapers for Use in Sealing +Letters. To make Candles. Moulds. Dipped Candles. Rush Lights, 280 + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +ON WASHING. + +All needful Accommodations should be provided. Plenty of Water, +easily accessible, necessary. Articles to be provided for Washing. +Substitutes for Soft Water. Common Mode of Washing. Assorting +Clothes. To Wash Bedding. Feathers. Calicoes. Bran-water. +Potato-water. Soda Washing. Soda Soap. Mode of Soda Washing. +Cautions in Regard to Colored Clothes, and Flannels. To Wash Brown +Linen, Muslins, Nankeen, Woollen Table-Covers and Shawls, Woollen +Yarn, Worsted and Woollen Hose. To Cleanse Gentlemen's Broadcloths. +To make Ley, Soft Soap, Hard Soap, White Soap, Starch, and other +Articles used in Washing, 284 + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING. + +To prepare Starch. Glue and Gum Starch. Beef's or Ox-Gall. +Starching Muslins and Laces. To Cleanse or Whiten Silk Lace, or +Blond, and White Lace Veils. _On Ironing._ Articles to be provided +for Ironing. Sprinkling, Folding, and Ironing, 292 + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING. + +To Whiten Articles and Remove Stains from them. Mixtures to Remove +Stains and Grease. To Cleanse Silk Handkerchiefs and Ribands; Silk +Hose or Gloves; Down and Feathers; Straw and Leghorn Hats. _On +Coloring._ Pink, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Salmon, Buff, Dove, +Slate, Brown, Black, and Olive Colors, 296 + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +ON THE CARE OF PARLORS. + +Proper Arrangement of Rooms. Shades and Colors. Carpets, Curtains, +and other Furniture, should be selected with Reference to each +other. Laying down Carpets. Blocks to prevent Sofas and Tables from +rubbing against Walls, and to hold Doors open. Footstools. Sweeping +Carpets. Tealeaves. Wet Indian Meal. Taking up and cleansing +Carpets. Washing Carpets. Straw Matting. Pictures and Glasses. +Curtains and Sofas. Mahogany Furniture. Unvarnished Furniture; +Mixtures for. Hearths and Jambs. Sweeping and Dusting Parlors, 302 + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +ON THE CARE OF BREAKFAST AND DINING-ROOMS. + +Large Closet necessary. Dumb Waiter, or Sliding Closet. Furniture +for a Table. On Setting a Table. Rules for doing it properly;--for +Breakfast and Tea; for Dinner. On Waiting at Table. On Carving and +Helping at Table, 306 + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +ON THE CARE OF CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS. + +Importance of well-ventilated Sleeping-rooms. Debility and +Ill-health caused by a Want of Pure Air. Chamber Furniture. Cheap +Couch. Bedding. Feathers, Straw, or Hair, Mattresses. To Make a +Bed. Domestics should be provided with Single Beds, and Washing +Conveniences. On Packing and Storing Articles. To Fold a +Gentleman's Coat and Shirt, and a Frock. Packing Trunks. Carpet +Bags. Bonnet Covers. Packing Household Furniture for Moving, 311 + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +ON THE CARE OF THE KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM. + +Importance of a Convenient Kitchen. Floor should be painted. Sink +and Drain. Washing Dishes. Conveniences needed. Rules. Kitchen +Furniture. Crockery. Iron Ware. Tin Ware. Wooden Ware. Basket Ware. +Other Articles. On the Care of the Cellar. Storeroom. Modes of +Destroying Insects and Vermin, 317 + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING. + +Importance of Young Girls being taught various Kinds of Stitching. +Directions for doing various Kinds of Work. Work-Baskets, and their +Contents. On Cutting and Fitting Garments. Silks. Cotton and Linen. +Old Silk Dresses quilted for Skirts. Flannel; White should be +colored. Children's Flannels. Nightgowns. Wrappers. Bedding. +Mending, 324 + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. + +On the Preparation of Soil. For Pot-Plants. On the Preparation of a +Hot-Bed. Planting Flower-Seeds. To plant Garden-Seeds. Transplanting. +To Re-pot House-Plants. On laying out Yards. Gardens. Flower-Beds. +Bulbs and Tuberous Roots. List of Various Kinds of Flowers, in +Reference to Color, and Height. Annuals. Climbing Plants. Perennials. +Herbaceous Roots. Shrubs; List of those most suitable for adorning +a Yard. Roses; Varieties of. Shade-Trees. Time for Transplanting. +Trees. Care of House Plants, 331 + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. + +Different Modes of Propagation;--By Offsets; Cuttings; Layers; +Budding, or Inoculating; Ingrafting;--Whip-Grafting; Split-Grafting; +Stock-Grafting. Pruning. Thinning, 341 + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +ON THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT. + +Value of Attention to this Subject. Preparation of Soil. Planting +of Seeds. Budding, Grafting, and Transplanting. Training the Limbs. +Attention to the Soil. Manuring. Filberts. Figs. Currants. +Gooseberries. Raspberries. Strawberries. Grapes. To Preserve Fruit; +Modes of Preserving Fruit-Trees. Fire Blight. Worms, 347 + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS. + +Women should know how to take proper Care of Domestic Animals. Care +of a Horse. Care of a Cow. Poultry. Cautions for Winter. Smoky +Chimneys. House-Cleaning. Parties. Invitations. Comfort of Guests. +Flower-Baskets. Fire-Boards. Water-proof Shoes. Earthen Ware. +Cements, &c. &c. 351 + + +NOTE.--Cooking, 354 + + +GLOSSARY, 355 + + +INDEX, 371 + + + + +LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. + + +1. The Human Skeleton, showing the Connection of the Bones +of the System, 70 + +2, 3, 4. The Cervical, Dorsal, and Lumbar, Vertebrae, 72 + +5. Muscles of the Arm, 74 + +6. Vertical Section of the Skull and Spinal Column, side view, 77 + +7. View of the same as seen from behind, 77 + +8. Ramifications of the Nerves, 79 + +9, 10, 11. Natural and Distorted Spines, 81 + +12. Vascular System, or Blood-Vessels, 82 + +13. The Two Sides of the Heart, separated, 85 + +14. The Heart, with its two Sides united, as in Nature, 86 + +15. The Heart, with the great Blood-Vessels, on a larger scale, 87 + +16. Organs of Digestion and Respiration, 88 + +17. Elevation of a Cottage of Fine Proportions, 262 + +18. Ground-plan of the same, 262 + +19. Arrangement of one Side of a Room 263 + +20. Fireplace and Mantelpiece, 265 + +21. Elevation of a Cottage on a different Plan from the former, 265 + +22. Ground-plan of the same, 266 + +23, 24. Ground-plan and Second Story of a two-story Cottage, 267 + +25. Front Elevation of the latter Cottage, 268 + +26. Front Elevation, on a different Plan, 268 + +27, 28. Plans of First and Second Stories of the latter Elevation, 269 + +29, 30. Plans of First and Second Stories of a larger House, 270 + +31. Front Elevation of a very convenient Cottage, 271 + +32. Ground-plan of the same, 272 + +33. Cottage of Daniel Wadsworth, Esq., near Hartford, Conn., 274 + +34. Accommodations for securing Water with the least Labor, 275 + +35. Back-door Accommodations, 276 + +36. Latticed Portico, 277 + +37. Sliding Closet, or Dumb Waiter, 278 + +38. Cheap Couch, 312 + +39. Plan of a Flower-Bed, 334 + +40. Budding, 343 + +41. Grafting, 344 + +42. Stock-Grafting, 345 + + + + +DOMESTIC ECONOMY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN. + + +There are some reasons, why American women should feel an interest in +the support of the democratic institutions of their Country, which it is +important that they should consider. The great maxim, which is the basis +of all our civil and political institutions, is, that "all men are +created equal," and that they are equally entitled to "life, liberty, +and the pursuit of happiness." + +But it can readily be seen, that this is only another mode of expressing +the fundamental principle which the Great Ruler of the Universe has +established, as the law of His eternal government. "Thou shalt love thy +neighbor as thyself;" and "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to +you, do ye even so to them," are the Scripture forms, by which the +Supreme Lawgiver requires that each individual of our race shall regard +the happiness of others, as of the same value as his own; and which +forbid any institution, in private or civil life, which secures +advantages to one class, by sacrificing the interests of another. + +The principles of democracy, then, are identical with the principles of +Christianity. + +But, in order that each individual may pursue and secure the highest +degree of happiness within his reach, unimpeded by the selfish interests +of others, a system of laws must be established, which sustain certain +relations and dependencies in social and civil life. What these +relations and their attending obligations shall be, are to be +determined, not with reference to the wishes and interests of a few, but +solely with reference to the general good of all; so that each +individual shall have his own interest, as well as the public benefit, +secured by them. + +For this purpose, it is needful that certain relations be sustained, +which involve the duties of subordination. There must be the magistrate +and the subject, one of whom is the superior, and the other the +inferior. There must be the relations of husband and wife, parent and +child, teacher and pupil, employer and employed, each involving the +relative duties of subordination. The superior, in certain particulars, +is to direct, and the inferior is to yield obedience. Society could +never go forward, harmoniously, nor could any craft or profession be +successfully pursued, unless these superior and subordinate relations be +instituted and sustained. + +But who shall take the higher, and who the subordinate, stations in +social and civil life? This matter, in the case of parents and children, +is decided by the Creator. He has given children to the control of +parents, as their superiors, and to them they remain subordinate, to a +certain age, or so long as they are members of their household. And +parents can delegate such a portion of their authority to teachers and +employers, as the interests of their children require. + +In most other cases, in a truly democratic state, each individual is +allowed to choose for himself, who shall take the position of his +superior. No woman is forced to obey any husband but the one she chooses +for herself; nor is she obliged to take a husband, if she prefers to +remain single. So every domestic, and every artisan or laborer, after +passing from parental control, can choose the employer to whom he is to +accord obedience, or, if he prefers to relinquish certain advantages, he +can remain without taking a subordinate place to any employer. + +Each subject, also, has equal power with every other, to decide who +shall be his superior as a ruler. The weakest, the poorest, the most +illiterate, has the same opportunity to determine this question, as the +richest, the most learned, and the most exalted. + +And the various privileges that wealth secures, are equally open to all +classes. Every man may aim at riches, unimpeded by any law or +institution which secures peculiar privileges to a favored class, at the +expense of another. Every law, and every institution, is tested by +examining whether it secures equal advantages to all; and, if the people +become convinced that any regulation sacrifices the good of the majority +to the interests of the smaller number, they have power to abolish it. + +The institutions of monarchical and aristocratic nations are based on +precisely opposite principles. They secure, to certain small and favored +classes, advantages, which can be maintained, only by sacrificing the +interests of the great mass of the people. Thus, the throne and +aristocracy of England are supported by laws and customs, which burden +the lower classes with taxes, so enormous, as to deprive them of all the +luxuries, and of most of the comforts, of life. Poor dwellings, scanty +food, unhealthy employments, excessive labor, and entire destitution of +the means and time for education, are appointed for the lower classes, +that a few may live in palaces, and riot in every indulgence. + +The tendencies of democratic institutions, in reference to the rights +and interests of the female sex, have been fully developed in the United +States; and it is in this aspect, that the subject is one of peculiar +interest to American women. In this Country, it is established, both by +opinion and by practice, that woman has an equal interest in all social +and civil concerns; and that no domestic, civil, or political, +institution, is right, which sacrifices her interest to promote that of +the other sex. But in order to secure her the more firmly in all these +privileges, it is decided, that, in the domestic relation, she take a +subordinate station, and that, in civil and political concerns, her +interests be intrusted to the other sex, without her taking any part in +voting, or in making and administering laws. The result of this order of +things has been fairly tested, and is thus portrayed by M. De +Tocqueville, a writer, who, for intelligence, fidelity, and ability, +ranks second to none. + +"There are people in Europe, who, confounding together the different +characteristics of the sexes, would make of man and woman, beings not +only equal, but alike. They would give to both the same functions, +impose on both the same duties, and grant to both the same rights. They +would mix them in all things,--their business, their occupations, their +pleasures. It may readily be conceived, that, by _thus_ attempting to +make one sex equal to the other, both are degraded; and, from so +preposterous a medley of the works of Nature, nothing could ever result, +but weak men and disorderly women. + +"It is not thus that the Americans understand the species of democratic +equality, which may be established between the sexes. They admit, that, +as Nature has appointed such wide differences between the physical and +moral constitutions of man and woman, her manifest design was, to give a +distinct employment to their various faculties; and they hold, that +improvement does not consist in making beings so dissimilar do pretty +nearly the same things, but in getting each of them to fulfil their +respective tasks, in the best possible manner. The Americans have +applied to the sexes the great principle of political economy, which +governs the manufactories of our age, by carefully dividing the duties +of man from those of woman, in order that the great work of society may +be the better carried on. + +"In no country has such constant care been taken, as in America, to +trace two clearly distinct lines of action for the two sexes, and to +make them keep pace one with the other, but in two pathways which are +always different. American women never manage the outward concerns of +the family, or conduct a business, or take a part in political life; nor +are they, on the other hand, ever compelled to perform the rough labor +of the fields, or to make any of those laborious exertions, which +demand the exertion of physical strength. No families are so poor, as to +form an exception to this rule. + +"If, on the one hand, an American woman cannot escape from the quiet +circle of domestic employments, on the other hand, she is never forced +to go beyond it. Hence it is, that the women of America, who often +exhibit a masculine strength of understanding, and a manly energy, +generally preserve great delicacy of personal appearance, and always +retain the manners of women, although they sometimes show that they have +the hearts and minds of men. + +"Nor have the Americans ever supposed, that one consequence of +democratic principles, is, the subversion of marital power, or the +confusion of the natural authorities in families. They hold, that every +association must have a head, in order to accomplish its object; and +that the natural head of the conjugal association is man. They do not, +therefore, deny him the right of directing his partner; and they +maintain, that, in the smaller association of husband and wife, as well +as in the great social community, the object of democracy is, to +regulate and legalize the powers which are necessary, not to subvert all +power. + +"This opinion is not peculiar to one sex, and contested by the other. I +never observed, that the women of America considered conjugal authority +as a fortunate usurpation of their rights, nor that they thought +themselves degraded by submitting to it. It appears to me, on the +contrary, that they attach a sort of pride to the voluntary surrender of +their own will, and make it their boast to bend themselves to the yoke, +not to shake it off. Such, at least, is the feeling expressed by the +most virtuous of their sex; the others are silent; and in the United +States it is not the practice for a guilty wife to clamor for the rights +of woman, while she is trampling on her holiest duties." + +"Although the travellers, who have visited North America, differ on a +great number of points, they agree in remarking, that morals are far +more strict, there, than elsewhere.[A] It is evident that, on this +point, the Americans are very superior to their progenitors, the +English." "In England, as in all other Countries of Europe, public +malice is constantly attacking the frailties of women. Philosophers and +statesmen are heard to deplore, that morals are not sufficiently strict; +and the literary productions of the Country constantly lead one to +suppose so. In America, all books, novels not excepted, suppose women to +be chaste; and no one thinks of relating affairs of gallantry." + +"It has often been remarked, that, in Europe, a certain degree of +contempt lurks, even in the flattery which men lavish upon women. +Although a European frequently affects to be the slave of woman, it may +be seen, that he never sincerely thinks her his equal. In the United +States, men seldom compliment women, but they daily show how much they +esteem them. They constantly display an entire confidence in the +understanding of a wife, and a profound respect for her freedom." + +They have decided that her mind is just as fitted as that of a man to +discover the plain truth, and her heart as firm to embrace it, and they +have never sought to place her virtue, any more than his, under the +shelter of prejudice, ignorance, and fear. + +"It would seem, that in Europe, where man so easily submits to the +despotic sway of woman, they are nevertheless curtailed of some of the +greatest qualities of the human species, and considered as seductive, +but imperfect beings, and (what may well provoke astonishment) women +ultimately look upon themselves in the same light, and almost consider +it as a privilege that they are entitled to show themselves futile, +feeble, and timid. The women of America claim no such privileges." + +"It is true, that the Americans rarely lavish upon women those eager +attentions which are commonly paid them in Europe. But their conduct to +women always implies, that they suppose them to be virtuous and refined; +and such is the respect entertained for the moral freedom of the sex, +that, in the presence of a woman, the most guarded language is used, +lest her ear should be offended by an expression. In America, a young +unmarried woman may, alone, and without fear, undertake a long journey." + +"Thus the Americans do not think that man and woman have either the +duty, or the right, to perform the same offices, but they show an equal +regard for both their respective parts; and, though their lot is +different, they consider both of them, as beings of equal value. They do +not give to the courage of woman the same form, or the same direction, +as to that of man; but they never doubt her courage: and if they hold +that man and his partner ought not always to exercise their intellect +and understanding in the same manner, they at least believe the +understanding of the one to be as sound as that of the other, and her +intellect to be as clear. Thus, then, while they have allowed the social +inferiority of woman to subsist, they have done all they could to raise +her, morally and intellectually, to the level of man; and, in this +respect, they appear to me to have excellently understood the true +principle of democratic improvement. + +"As for myself, I do not hesitate to avow, that, although the women of +the United States are confined within the narrow circle of domestic +life, and their situation is, in some respects, one of extreme +dependence, I have nowhere seen women occupying a loftier position; and +if I were asked, now I am drawing to the close of this work, in which I +have spoken of so many important things done by the Americans, to what +the singular prosperity and growing strength of that people ought mainly +to be attributed, I should reply,--_to the superiority of their women_." + +This testimony of a foreigner, who has had abundant opportunities of +making a comparison, is sanctioned by the assent of all candid and +intelligent men, who have enjoyed similar opportunities. + +It appears, then, that it is in America, alone, that women are raised to +an equality with the other sex; and that, both in theory and practice, +their interests are regarded as of equal value. They are made +subordinate in station, only where a regard to their best interests +demands it, while, as if in compensation for this, by custom and +courtesy, they are always treated as superiors. Universally, in this +Country, through every class of society, precedence is given to woman, +in all the comforts, conveniences, and courtesies, of life. + +In civil and political affairs, American women take no interest or +concern, except so far as they sympathize with their family and personal +friends; but in all cases, in which they do feel a concern, their +opinions and feelings have a consideration, equal, or even superior, to +that of the other sex. + +In matters pertaining to the education of their children, in the +selection and support of a clergyman, in all benevolent enterprises, and +in all questions relating to morals or manners, they have a superior +influence. In such concerns, it would be impossible to carry a point, +contrary to their judgement and feelings; while an enterprise, sustained +by them, will seldom fail of success. + +If those who are bewailing themselves over the fancied wrongs and +injuries of women in this Nation, could only see things as they are, +they would know, that, whatever remnants of a barbarous or aristocratic +age may remain in our civil institutions, in reference to the interests +of women, it is only because they are ignorant of them, or do not use +their influence to have them rectified; for it is very certain that +there is nothing reasonable, which American women would unite in asking, +that would not readily be bestowed. + +The preceding remarks, then, illustrate the position, that the +democratic institutions of this Country are in reality no other than +the principles of Christianity carried into operation, and that they +tend to place woman in her true position in society, as having equal +rights with the other sex; and that, in fact, they have secured to +American women a lofty and fortunate position, which, as yet, has been +attained by the women of no other nation. + +There is another topic, presented in the work of the above author, which +demands the profound attention of American women. + +The following is taken from that part of the Introduction to the work, +illustrating the position, that, for ages, there has been a constant +progress, in all civilized nations, towards the democratic equality +attained in this Country. + +"The various occurrences of national existence have every where turned +to the advantage of democracy; all men have aided it by their exertions; +those who have intentionally labored in its cause, and those who have +served it unwittingly; those who have fought for it, and those who have +declared themselves its opponents, have all been driven along in the +same track, have all labored to one end;" "all have been blind +instruments in the hands of God." + +"The gradual developement of the equality of conditions, is, therefore, +a Providential fact; and it possesses all the characteristics of a +Divine decree: it is universal, it is durable, it constantly eludes all +human interference, and all events, as well as all men, contribute to +its progress." + +"The whole book, which is here offered to the public, has been written +under the impression of a kind of religious dread, produced in the +author's mind, by the contemplation of so irresistible a revolution, +which has advanced for centuries, in spite of such amazing obstacles, +and which is still proceeding in the midst of the ruins it has made. + +"It is not necessary that God Himself should speak, in order to +disclose to us the unquestionable signs of His will. We can discern them +in the habitual course of Nature, and in the invariable tendency of +events." + +"If the men of our time were led, by attentive observation, and by +sincere reflection, to acknowledge that the gradual and progressive +developement of social equality is at once the past and future of their +history, this solitary truth would confer the sacred character of a +Divine decree upon the change. To attempt to check democracy, would be, +in that case, to resist the will of God; and the nations would then be +constrained to make the best of the social lot awarded to them by +Providence." + +"It is not, then, merely to satisfy a legitimate curiosity, that I have +examined America; my wish has been to find instruction by which we may +ourselves profit." "I have not even affected to discuss whether the +social revolution, which I believe to be irresistible, is advantageous +or prejudicial to mankind. I have acknowledged this revolution, as a +fact already accomplished, or on the eve of its accomplishment; and I +have selected the nation, from among those which have undergone it, in +which its developement has been the most peaceful and the most complete, +in order to discern its natural consequences, and, if it be possible, to +distinguish the means by which it may be rendered profitable. I confess, +that in America I saw more than America; I sought the image of democracy +itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its +passions, in order to learn what we have to fear, or to hope, from its +progress." + +It thus appears, that the sublime and elevating anticipations which have +filled the mind and heart of the religious world, have become so far +developed, that philosophers and statesmen are perceiving the signs, and +are predicting the approach, of the same grand consummation. There is a +day advancing, "by seers predicted, and by poets sung," when the curse +of selfishness shall be removed; when "scenes surpassing fable, and yet +true," shall be realized; when all nations shall rejoice and be made +blessed, under those benevolent influences, which the Messiah came to +establish on earth. + +And this is the Country, which the Disposer of events designs shall go +forth as the cynosure of nations, to guide them to the light and +blessedness of that day. To us is committed the grand, the responsible +privilege, of exhibiting to the world, the beneficent influences of +Christianity, when carried into every social, civil, and political +institution; and, though we have, as yet, made such imperfect advances, +already the light is streaming into the dark prison-house of despotic +lands, while startled kings and sages, philosophers and statesmen, are +watching us with that interest, which a career so illustrious, and so +involving their own destiny, is calculated to excite. They are studying +our institutions, scrutinizing our experience, and watching for our +mistakes, that they may learn whether "a social revolution, so +irresistible, be advantageous or prejudicial to mankind." + +There are persons, who regard these interesting truths merely as food +for national vanity; but every reflecting and Christian mind, must +consider it as an occasion for solemn and anxious reflection. Are we, +then, a spectacle to the world? Has the Eternal Lawgiver appointed us to +work out a problem, involving the destiny of the whole earth? Are such +momentous interests to be advanced or retarded, just in proportion as we +are faithful to our high trust? "What manner of persons, then, ought we +to be," in attempting to sustain so solemn, so glorious a +responsibility? + +But the part to be enacted by American women, in this great moral +enterprise, is the point to which special attention should here be +directed. + +The success of democratic institutions, as is conceded by all, depends +upon the intellectual and moral character of the mass of the people. If +they are intelligent and virtuous, democracy is a blessing; but if they +are ignorant and wicked, it is only a curse, and as much more dreadful +than any other form of civil government, as a thousand tyrants are more +to be dreaded than one. It is equally conceded, that the formation of +the moral and intellectual character of the young is committed mainly to +the female hand. The mother forms the character of the future man; the +sister bends the fibres that are hereafter to be the forest tree; the +wife sways the heart, whose energies may turn for good or for evil the +destinies of a nation. Let the women of a country be made virtuous and +intelligent, and the men will certainly be the same. The proper +education of a man decides the welfare of an individual; but educate a +woman, and the interests of a whole family are secured. + +If this be so, as none will deny, then to American women, more than to +any others on earth, is committed the exalted privilege of extending +over the world those blessed influences, which are to renovate degraded +man, and "clothe all climes with beauty." + +No American woman, then, has any occasion for feeling that hers is an +humble or insignificant lot. The value of what an individual +accomplishes, is to be estimated by the importance of the enterprise +achieved, and not by the particular position of the laborer. The drops +of heaven which freshen the earth, are each of equal value, whether they +fall in the lowland meadow, or the princely parterre. The builders of a +temple are of equal importance, whether they labor on the foundations, +or toil upon the dome. + +Thus, also, with those labors which are to be made effectual in the +regeneration of the Earth. And it is by forming a habit of regarding the +apparently insignificant efforts of each isolated laborer, in a +comprehensive manner, as indispensable portions of a grand result, that +the minds of all, however humble their sphere of service, can be +invigorated and cheered. The woman, who is rearing a family of +children; the woman, who labors in the schoolroom; the woman, who, in +her retired chamber, earns, with her needle, the mite, which contributes +to the intellectual and moral elevation of her Country; even the humble +domestic, whose example and influence may be moulding and forming young +minds, while her faithful services sustain a prosperous domestic +state;--each and all may be animated by the consciousness, that they are +agents in accomplishing the greatest work that ever was committed to +human responsibility. It is the building of a glorious temple, whose +base shall be coextensive with the bounds of the earth, whose summit +shall pierce the skies, whose splendor shall beam on all lands; and +those who hew the lowliest stone, as much as those who carve the highest +capital, will be equally honored, when its top-stone shall be laid, with +new rejoicings of the morning stars, and shoutings of the sons of God. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[A] Miss Martineau is a singular exception to this remark. After +receiving unexampled hospitalities and kindnesses, she gives the +following picture of her entertainers. Having in other places spoken of +the American woman as having "her intellect confined," and "her morals +crushed," and as deficient in education, because she has "none of the +objects in life for which an enlarged education is considered +requisite," she says,--"It is assumed, in America, particularly in New +England, that the morals of society there are peculiarly pure. I am +grieved to doubt the fact; but I do doubt it." "The Auld-Robin-Gray +story is a frequently-enacted tragedy here; and one of the worst +symptoms that struck me, was, that there was usually a demand upon my +sympathy in such cases."--"The unavoidable consequence of such a mode of +marrying, is, that the sanctity of marriage is impaired, and that vice +succeeds. There are sad tales in country villages, here and there, that +attest this; and yet more in towns, in a rank of society where such +things are seldom or never heard of in England."--"I unavoidably knew of +more cases of lapse in highly respectable families in one State, than +ever came to my knowledge at home; and they were got over with a +disgrace far more temporary and superficial than they could have been +visited with in England."--"The vacuity of mind of many women, is, I +conclude, the cause of a vice, which it is painful to allude to, but +which cannot honestly be passed over.--It is no secret on the spot, that +the habit of intemperance is not infrequent among women of station and +education in the most enlightened parts of the Country. I witnessed some +instances, and heard of more. It does not seem to me to be regarded with +all the dismay which such a symptom ought to excite. To the stranger, a +novelty so horrible, a spectacle so fearful, suggests wide and deep +subjects of investigation." + +It is not possible for language to give representations more false in +every item. In evidence of this, the writer would mention, that, within +the last few years, she has travelled almost the entire route taken by +Miss Martineau, except the lower tier of the Southern States; and, +though not meeting the same individuals, has mingled in the very same +circles. Moreover, she has _resided_ from several months to several +years in _eight_ of the different Northern and Western States, and spent +several weeks at a time in five other States. She has also had pupils +from every State in the Union, but two, and has visited extensively at +their houses. But in her whole life, and in all these different +positions, the writer has never, to her knowledge, seen even _one_ +woman, of the classes with which she has associated, who had lapsed in +the manner indicated by Miss Martineau; nor does she believe that such a +woman could find admission in such circles any where in the Country. As +to intemperate women, _five_ cases are all of whom the writer has ever +heard, in such circles, and two of these many believed to be +unwarrantably suspected. After following in Miss Martineau's track, and +discovering all the falsehood, twaddle, gossip, old saws, and almanac +stories, which have been strung together in her books, no charitable +mode of accounting for the medley remains, but to suppose her the +pitiable dupe of that love of hoaxing so often found in our Country. + +Again, Miss Martineau says, "We passed an unshaded meadow, where the +grass had caught fire, _every day_, at _eleven o'clock_, the preceding +Summer. This demonstrates the necessity of shade"! A woman, with so +little common sense, as to swallow such an absurdity for truth, and then +tack to it such an astute deduction, must be a tempting subject for the +abovementioned mischievous propensity. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR TO AMERICAN WOMEN. + + +In the preceding chapter, were presented those views, which are +calculated to inspire American women with a sense of their high +responsibilities to their Country, and to the world; and of the +excellence and grandeur of the object to which their energies may be +consecrated. + +But it will be found to be the law of moral action, that whatever +involves great results and great benefits, is always attended with great +hazards and difficulties. And as it has been shown, that American women +have a loftier position, and a more elevated object of enterprise, than +the females of any other nation, so it will appear, that they have +greater trials and difficulties to overcome, than any other women are +called to encounter. + +Properly to appreciate the nature of these trials, it must be borne in +mind, that the estimate of evils and privations depends, not so much on +their positive nature, as on the character and habits of the person who +meets them. A woman, educated in the savage state, finds it no trial to +be destitute of many conveniences, which a woman, even of the lowest +condition, in this Country, would deem indispensable to existence. So a +woman, educated with the tastes and habits of the best New England or +Virginia housekeepers, would encounter many deprivations and trials, +which would never occur to one reared in the log cabin of a new +settlement. So, also, a woman, who has been accustomed to carry forward +her arrangements with well-trained domestics, would meet a thousand +trials to her feelings and temper, by the substitution of ignorant +foreigners, or shiftless slaves, which would be of little account to one +who had never enjoyed any better service. + +Now, the larger portion of American women are the descendants of English +progenitors, who, as a nation, are distinguished for systematic +housekeeping, and for a great love of order, cleanliness, and comfort. +And American women, to a greater or less extent, have inherited similar +tastes and habits. But the prosperity and democratic tendencies of this +Country produce results, materially affecting the comfort of +housekeepers, which the females of monarchical and aristocratic lands +are not called to meet. In such countries, all ranks and classes are +fixed in a given position, and each person is educated for a particular +sphere and style of living. And the dwellings, conveniences, and customs +of life, remain very nearly the same, from generation to generation. +This secures the preparation of all classes for their particular +station, and makes the lower orders more dependent, and more subservient +to employers. + +But how different is the state of things in this Country. Every thing +is moving and changing. Persons in poverty, are rising to opulence, and +persons of wealth, are sinking to poverty. The children of common +laborers, by their talents and enterprise, are becoming nobles in +intellect, or wealth, or office; while the children of the wealthy, +enervated by indulgence, are sinking to humbler stations. The sons of +the wealthy are leaving the rich mansions of their fathers, to dwell in +the log cabins of the forest, where very soon they bear away the +daughters of ease and refinement, to share the privations of a new +settlement. Meantime, even in the more stationary portions of the +community, there is a mingling of all grades of wealth, intellect, and +education. There are no distinct classes, as in aristocratic lands, +whose bounds are protected by distinct and impassable lines, but all are +thrown into promiscuous masses. Thus, persons of humble means are +brought into contact with those of vast wealth, while all intervening +grades are placed side by side. Thus, too, there is a constant +comparison of conditions, among equals, and a constant temptation +presented to imitate the customs, and to strive for the enjoyments, of +those who possess larger means. + +In addition to this, the flow of wealth, among all classes, is +constantly increasing the number of those who live in a style demanding +much hired service, while the number of those, who are compelled to go +to service, is constantly diminishing. Our manufactories, also, are +making increased demands for female labor, and offering larger +compensation. In consequence of these things, there is such a +disproportion between those who wish to hire, and those who are willing +to go to domestic service, that, in the non-slaveholding States, were it +not for the supply of poverty-stricken foreigners, there would not be a +domestic for each family who demands one. And this resort to foreigners, +poor as it is, scarcely meets the demand; while the disproportion must +every year increase, especially if our prosperity increases. For, just +in proportion as wealth rolls in upon us, the number of those, who will +give up their own independent homes to serve strangers, will be +diminished. + +The difficulties and sufferings, which have accrued to American women, +from this cause, are almost incalculable. There is nothing, which so +much demands system and regularity, as the affairs of a housekeeper, +made up, as they are, of ten thousand desultory and minute items; and +yet, this perpetually fluctuating state of society seems forever to bar +any such system and regularity. The anxieties, vexations, perplexities, +and even hard labor, which come upon American women, from this state of +domestic service, are endless; and many a woman has, in consequence, +been disheartened, discouraged, and ruined in health. The only wonder +is, that, amid so many real difficulties, American women are still able +to maintain such a character for energy, fortitude, and amiableness, as +is universally allowed to be their due. + +But the second, and still greater difficulty, peculiar to American +women, is, a delicacy of constitution, which renders them early victims +to disease and decay. + +The fact that the women of this Country are unusually subject to +disease, and that their beauty and youthfulness are of shorter +continuance than those of the women of other nations, is one which +always attracts the attention of foreigners; while medical men and +philanthropists are constantly giving fearful monitions as to the extent +and alarming increase of this evil. Investigations make it evident, that +a large proportion of young ladies, from the wealthier classes, have the +incipient stages of curvature of the spine, one of the most sure and +fruitful causes of future disease and decay. The writer has heard +medical men, who have made extensive inquiries, say, that a very large +proportion of the young women at boarding schools, are affected in this +way, while many other indications of disease and debility exist, in +cases where this particular evil cannot be detected. + +In consequence of this enfeebled state of their constitutions, induced +by a neglect of their physical education, as soon as they are called to +the responsibilities and trials of domestic life, their constitution +fails, and their whole existence is rendered a burden. For no woman can +enjoy existence, when disease throws a dark cloud over the mind, and +incapacitates her for the proper discharge of every duty. + +The writer, who for some ten years has had the charge of an institution, +consisting of young ladies from almost every State in the Union, since +relinquishing that charge, has travelled and visited extensively in most +of the non-slaveholding States. In these circuits, she has learned the +domestic history, not merely of her pupils, but of many other young +wives and mothers, whose sorrowful experience has come to her knowledge. +And the impression, produced by the dreadful extent of this evil, has at +times been almost overwhelming. + +It would seem as if the primeval curse, which has written the doom of +pain and sorrow on one period of a young mother's life, in this Country +had been extended over all; so that the hour seldom arrives, when "she +forgetteth her sorrow for joy that a man is born into the world." Many a +mother will testify, with shuddering, that the most exquisite sufferings +she ever endured, were not those appointed by Nature, but those, which, +for week after week, have worn down health and spirits, when nourishing +her child. And medical men teach us, that this, in most cases, results +from a debility of constitution, consequent on the mismanagement of +early life. And so frequent and so mournful are these, and the other +distresses that result from the delicacy of the female constitution, +that the writer has repeatedly heard mothers say, that they had wept +tears of bitterness over their infant daughters, at the thought of the +sufferings which they were destined to undergo; while they cherished +the decided wish, that these daughters should never marry. At the same +time, many a reflecting young woman is looking to her future prospects, +with very different feelings and hopes from those which Providence +designed. + +A perfectly healthy woman, especially a perfectly healthy mother, is so +unfrequent, in some of the wealthier classes, that those, who are so, +may be regarded as the exceptions, and not as the general rule. The +writer has heard some of her friends declare, that they would ride fifty +miles, to see a perfectly healthy and vigorous woman, out of the +laboring classes. This, although somewhat jocose, was not an entirely +unfair picture of the true state of female health in the wealthier +classes. + +There are many causes operating, which serve to perpetuate and increase +this evil. It is a well-known fact, that mental excitement tends to +weaken the physical system, unless it is counterbalanced by a +corresponding increase of exercise and fresh air. Now, the people of +this Country are under the influence of high commercial, political, and +religious stimulus, altogether greater than was ever known by any other +nation; and in all this, women are made the sympathizing companions of +the other sex. At the same time, young girls, in pursuing an education, +have ten times greater an amount of intellectual taxation demanded, than +was ever before exacted. Let any daughter, educated in our best schools +at this day, compare the course of her study with that pursued in her +mother's early life, and it will be seen that this estimate of the +increase of mental taxation probably falls below the truth. Though, in +some countries, there are small classes of females, in the higher +circles, who pursue literature and science to a far greater extent than +in any corresponding circles in this Country, yet, in no nation in the +world are the advantages of a good intellectual education enjoyed, by so +large a proportion of the females. And this education has consisted far +less of accomplishments, and far more of those solid studies which +demand the exercise of the various powers of mind, than the education +of the women of other lands. + +And when American women are called to the responsibilities of domestic +life, the degree in which their minds and feelings are taxed, is +altogether greater than it is in any other nation. + +No women on earth have a higher sense of their moral and religious +responsibilities, or better understand, not only what is demanded of +them, as housekeepers, but all the claims that rest upon them as wives, +mothers, and members of a social community. An American woman, who is +the mistress of a family, feels her obligations, in reference to her +influence over her husband, and a still greater responsibility in +rearing and educating her children. She feels, too, the claims which the +moral interests of her domestics have on her watchful care. In social +life, she recognises the claims of hospitality, and the demands of +friendly visiting. Her responsibility, in reference to the institutions +of benevolence and religion, is deeply realized. The regular worship of +the Lord's day, and all the various religious meetings and benevolent +societies which place so much dependence on female influence and +example, she feels obligated to sustain. Add to these multiplied +responsibilities, the perplexities and evils which have been pointed +out, resulting from the fluctuating state of society, and the deficiency +of domestic service, and no one can deny that American women are exposed +to a far greater amount of intellectual and moral excitement, than those +of any other land. Of course, in order to escape the danger resulting +from this, a greater amount of exercise in the fresh air, and all those +methods which strengthen the constitution, are imperiously required. + +But, instead of this, it will be found, that, owing to the climate and +customs of this Nation, there are no women who secure so little of this +healthful and protecting regimen, as ours. Walking and riding and +gardening, in the open air, are practised by the women of other lands, +to a far greater extent, than by American females. Most English women, +in the wealthier classes, are able to walk six and eight miles, without +oppressive fatigue; and when they visit this Country, always express +their surprise at the inactive habits of American ladies. In England, +regular exercise, in the open air, is very commonly required by the +mother, as a part of daily duty, and is sought by young women, as an +enjoyment. In consequence of a different physical training, English +women, in those circles which enjoy competency, present an appearance +which always strikes American gentlemen as a contrast to what they see +at home. An English mother, at thirty, or thirty-five, is in the full +bloom of perfected womanhood; as fresh and healthful as her daughters. +But where are the American mothers, who can reach this period unfaded +and unworn? In America, young ladies of the wealthier classes are sent +to school from early childhood; and neither parents nor teachers make it +a definite object to secure a proper amount of fresh air and exercise, +to counterbalance this intellectual taxation. As soon as their school +days are over, dressing, visiting, evening parties, and stimulating +amusements, take the place of study, while the most unhealthful modes of +dress add to the physical exposures. To make morning calls, or do a +little shopping, is all that can be termed their exercise in the fresh +air; and this, compared to what is needed, is absolutely nothing, and on +some accounts is worse than nothing.[B] In consequence of these, and +other evils, which will be pointed out more at large in the following +pages, the young women of America grow up with such a delicacy of +constitution, that probably eight out of ten become subjects of disease, +either before or as soon as they are called to the responsibilities of +domestic life. + +But there is one peculiarity of situation, in regard to American women, +which makes this delicacy of constitution still more disastrous. It is +the liability to the exposures and hardships of a newly-settled country. + +One more extract from De Tocqueville will give a view of this part of +the subject, which any one, familiar with Western life, will admire for +its verisimilitude. + +"The same strength of purpose which the young wives of America display +in bending themselves, at once, and without repining, to the austere +duties of their new condition, is no less manifest in all the great +trials of their lives. In no country in the world, are private fortunes +more precarious, than in the United States. It is not uncommon for the +same man, in the course of his life, to rise and sink again through all +the grades which lead from opulence to poverty. American women support +these vicissitudes with a calm and unquenchable energy. It would seem +that their desires contract, as easily as they expand, with their +fortunes. The greater part of the adventurers, who migrate, every year, +to people the Western wilds, belong" "to the old Anglo-American race of +the Northern States. Many of these men, who rush so boldly onward in +pursuit of wealth, were already in the enjoyment of a competency in +their own part of the Country. They take their wives along with them, +and make them share the countless perils and privations, which always +attend the commencement of these expeditions. I have often met, even on +the verge of the wilderness, with young women, who, after having been +brought up amid all the comforts of the large towns of New England, had +passed, almost without any intermediate stage, from the wealthy abode of +their parents, to a comfortless hovel in a forest. Fever, solitude, and +a tedious life, had not broken the springs of their courage. Their +features were impaired and faded, but their looks were firm: they +appeared to be, at once, sad and resolute." + +In another passage, he gives this picturesque sketch: "By the side of +the hearth, sits a woman, with a baby on her lap. She nods to us, +without disturbing herself. Like the pioneer, this woman is in the prime +of life; her appearance would seem superior to her condition: and her +apparel even betrays a lingering taste for dress. But her delicate limbs +appear shrunken; her features are drawn in; her eye is mild and +melancholy; her whole physiognomy bears marks of a degree of religious +resignation, a deep quiet of all passion, and some sort of natural and +tranquil firmness, ready to meet all the ills of life, without fearing +and without braving them. Her children cluster about her, full of +health, turbulence, and energy; they are true children of the +wilderness: their mother watches them, from time to time, with mingled +melancholy and joy. To look at their strength, and her languor, one +might imagine that the life she had given them had exhausted her own; +and still she regrets not what they have cost her. The house, inhabited +by these emigrants, has no internal partition or loft. In the one +chamber of which it consists, the whole family is gathered for the +night. The dwelling is itself a little world; an ark of civilization +amid an ocean of foliage. A hundred steps beyond it, the primeval forest +spreads its shades, and solitude resumes its sway." + +Such scenes, and such women, the writer has met, and few persons realize +how many refined and lovely women are scattered over the broad prairies +and deep forests of the West; and none, but the Father above, +appreciates the extent of those sacrifices and sufferings, and the value +of that firm faith and religious hope, which live, in perennial bloom, +amid those vast solitudes. If the American women of the East merit the +palm, for their skill and success as accomplished housekeepers, still +more is due to the heroines of the West, who, with such unyielding +fortitude and cheerful endurance, attempt similar duties, amid so many +disadvantages and deprivations. + +But, though American women have those elevated principles and feelings, +which enable them to meet such trials in so exemplary a manner, their +physical energies are not equal to the exertions demanded. Though the +mind may be bright and firm, the casket is shivered; though the spirit +may be willing, the flesh is weak. A woman of firm health, with the hope +and elasticity of youth, may be envied rather than pitied, as she shares +with her young husband the hopes and enterprises of pioneer life. But, +when the body fails, then the eye of hope grows dim, the heart sickens, +the courage dies; and, in solitude, weariness, and suffering, the +wanderer pines for the dear voices and the tender sympathies of a far +distant home. Then it is, that the darkest shade is presented, which +marks the peculiar trials and liabilities of American women, and which +exhibits still more forcibly the disastrous results of that delicacy of +constitution which has been pointed out. For, though all American women, +or even the greater part of them, are not called to encounter such +trials, yet no mother, who rears a family of daughters, can say, that +such a lot will not fall to one of her flock; nor can she know which +will escape. The reverses of fortune, and the chances of matrimony, +expose every woman in the Nation to such liabilities, for which she +needs to be prepared. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[B] So little idea have most ladies, in the wealthier classes, of what +is a proper amount of exercise, that, if they should succeed in walking +a mile or so, at a moderate pace, three or four times a week, they would +call it taking a great deal of exercise. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +REMEDIES FOR THE PRECEDING DIFFICULTIES. + + +Having pointed out the peculiar responsibilities of American women, and +the peculiar embarrassments which they are called to encounter, the +following suggestions are offered, as remedies for such difficulties. + +In the first place, the physical and domestic education of daughters +should occupy the principal attention of mothers, in childhood; and the +stimulation of the intellect should be very much reduced. As a general +rule, daughters should not be sent to school before they are six years +old; and, when they are sent, far more attention should be paid to their +physical developement, than is usually done. They should never be +confined, at any employment, more than an hour at a time; and this +confinement should be followed by sports in the open air. Such +accommodations should be secured, that, at all seasons, and in all +weathers, the teacher can every half hour send out a portion of her +school, for sports. And still more care should be given to preserve pure +air in the schoolroom. The close stoves, crowded condition, and +poisonous air, of most schoolrooms, act as constant drains on the health +and strength of young children. + +In addition to this, much less time should be given to school, and much +more to domestic employments, especially in the wealthier classes. A +little girl may begin, at five or six years of age, to assist her +mother; and, if properly trained, by the time she is ten, she can render +essential aid. From this time, until she is fourteen or fifteen, it +should be the principal object of her education to secure a strong and +healthy constitution, and a thorough practical knowledge of all kinds of +domestic employments. During this period, though some attention ought to +be paid to intellectual culture, it ought to be made altogether +secondary in importance; and such a measure of study and intellectual +excitement, as is now demanded in our best female seminaries, ought +never to be allowed, until a young lady has passed the most critical +period of her youth, and has a vigorous and healthful constitution fully +established. The plan might be adopted, of having schools for young +girls kept only in the afternoon; that their mornings might be occupied +in domestic exercise, without interfering with school employments. Where +a proper supply of domestic exercise cannot be afforded, the cultivation +of flowers and fruits might be resorted to, as a delightful and +unfailing promotive of pleasure and health. + +And it is to that class of mothers, who have the best means of securing +hired service, and who are the most tempted to allow their daughters to +grow up with inactive habits, that their Country and the world must +look for a reformation, in this respect. Whatever ladies in the +wealthier classes decide shall be fashionable, will be followed by all +the rest; but, while they persist in the aristocratic habits, now so +common, and bring up their daughters to feel as if labor was degrading +and unbecoming, the evils pointed out will never find a remedy. It is, +therefore, the peculiar duty of ladies, who have wealth, to set a proper +example, in this particular, and make it their first aim to secure a +strong and healthful constitution for their daughters, by active +domestic employments. All the sweeping, dusting, care of furniture and +beds, the clear starching, and the nice cooking, should be done by the +daughters of a family, and not by hired servants. It may cost the mother +more care, and she may find it needful to hire a person for the express +purpose of instructing and superintending her daughters, in these +employments; but it should be regarded as indispensable to be secured, +either by the mother's agency, or by a substitute. + +It is in this point of view, that the dearth of good domestics in this +Country may, in its results, prove a substantial blessing. If all +housekeepers, who have the means, could secure good servants, there +would be little hope that so important a revolution, in the domestic +customs of the wealthy classes, could be effected. And so great is the +natural indolence of mankind, that the amount of exercise, needful for +health, will never be secured by those who are led to it through no +necessity, but merely from rational considerations. Yet the pressure of +domestic troubles, from the want of good domestics, has already +determined many a mother, in the wealthy classes, to train her daughters +to aid her in domestic service; and thus necessity is compelling mothers +to do what abstract principles of expediency could never secure. + +A second method of promoting the same object, is, to raise the science +and practice of Domestic Economy to its appropriate place, as a regular +study in female seminaries. The succeeding chapter will present the +reasons for this, more at large. But it is to the mothers of our +Country, that the community must look for this change. It cannot be +expected, that teachers, who have their attention chiefly absorbed by +the intellectual and moral interests of their pupils, should properly +realize the importance of this department of education. But if mothers +generally become convinced of this, their judgement and wishes will meet +the respectful consideration they deserve, and the object will be +accomplished. + +The third method of securing a remedy for the evils pointed out, is, the +endowment of female institutions, under the care of suitable trustees, +who shall secure a proper course of education. The importance of this +measure cannot be realized by those, who have not turned their attention +to this subject; and for such, the following considerations are +presented. + +The endowment of colleges, and of law, medical, and divinity, schools, +for the other sex, is designed to secure a thorough and proper +education, for those who have the most important duties of society to +perform. The men who are to expound the laws, the men who have the care +of the public health, and the men who are to communicate religious +instruction, should have well-disciplined and well-informed minds; and +it is mainly for this object that collegiate and professional +institutions are established. Liberal and wealthy individuals contribute +funds, and the legislatures of the States also lend assistance, so that +every State in this Nation has from one to twenty such endowed +institutions, supplied with buildings, apparatus, a library, and a +faculty of learned men to carry forward a superior course of +instruction. And the use of all these advantages is secured, in many +cases, at an expense, no greater than is required to send a boy to a +common school and pay his board there. No private school could offer +these advantages, without charging such a sum, as would forbid all but +the rich from securing its benefits. By furnishing such superior +advantages, on low terms, multitudes are properly educated, who would +otherwise remain in ignorance; and thus the professions are supplied, +by men properly qualified for them. + +Were there no such institutions, and no regular and appropriate course +of study demanded for admission to the bar, the pulpit, and to medical +practice, the education of most professional men would be desultory, +imperfect, and deficient. Parents and children would regulate the course +of study according to their own crude notions; and, instead of having +institutions which agree in carrying on a similar course of study, each +school would have its own peculiar system, and compete and conflict with +every other. Meantime, the public would have no means of deciding which +was best, nor any opportunity for learning when a professional man was +properly qualified for his duties. But as it is, the diploma of a +college, and the license of an appointed body of judges, must both be +secured, before a young man feels that he has entered the most promising +path to success in his profession. + +Our Country, then, is most abundantly supplied with endowed +institutions, which secure a liberal education, on such low terms as +make them accessible to all classes, and in which the interests of +education are watched over, sustained, and made permanent, by an +appropriate board of trustees. + +But are not the most responsible of all duties committed to the charge +of woman? Is it not her profession to take care of mind, body, and soul? +and that, too, at the most critical of all periods of existence? And is +it not as much a matter of public concern, that she should be properly +qualified for her duties, as that ministers, lawyers, and physicians, +should be prepared for theirs? And is it not as important, to endow +institutions which shall make a superior education accessible to all +classes,--for females, as for the other sex? And is it not equally +important, that institutions for females be under the supervision of +intelligent and responsible trustees, whose duty it shall be to secure a +uniform and appropriate education for one sex as much as for the other? +It would seem as if every mind must accord an affirmative reply, as soon +as the matter is fairly considered. + +As the education of females is now conducted, any man or woman who +pleases, can establish a female seminary, and secure recommendations +which will attract pupils. But whose business is it to see that these +young females are not huddled into crowded rooms? or that they do not +sleep in ill-ventilated chambers? or that they have healthful food? or +that they have the requisite amount of fresh air and exercise? or that +they pursue an appropriate and systematic course of study? or that their +manners, principles, and morals, are properly regulated? Parents either +have not the means, or else are not qualified to judge; or, if they are +furnished with means and capacity, they are often restricted to a choice +of the best school within reach, even when it is known to be exceedingly +objectionable. + +If the writer were to disclose all that can truly be told of +boarding-school life, and its influence on health, manners, disposition, +intellect, and morals, the disclosure would both astonish and shock +every rational mind. And yet she believes that such institutions are far +better managed in this Country, than in any other; and that the number +of those, which are subject to imputations in these respects, is much +less than could reasonably be expected. But it is most surely the case, +that much remains to be done, in order to supply such institutions as +are needed for the proper education of American women. + +In attempting a sketch of the kind of institutions which are demanded, +it is very fortunate that there is no necessity for presenting a theory, +which may, or may not, be approved by experience. It is the greatest +honor of one of our newest Western States, that it can boast of such an +Institution, endowed, too, wholly by the munificence of a single +individual. A slight sketch of this Institution, which the writer has +examined in all its details, will give an idea of what can be done, by +showing what has actually been accomplished. + +This Institution[C] is under the supervision of a Board of Trustees, who +hold the property in trust for the object to which it is devoted, and +who have the power to fill their own vacancies. It is furnished with a +noble and tasteful building, of stone, so liberal in dimensions and +arrangement, that it can accommodate ninety pupils and teachers, giving +one room to every two pupils, and all being so arranged, as to admit of +thorough ventilation. This building is surrounded by extensive grounds, +enclosed with handsome fences, where remains of the primeval forest +still offer refreshing shade for juvenile sports. + +To secure adequate exercise for the pupils, two methods are adopted. By +the first, each young lady is required to spend a certain portion of +time in domestic employments, either in sweeping, dusting, setting and +clearing tables, washing and ironing, or other household concerns. + +Let not the aristocratic mother and daughter express their dislike of +such an arrangement, till they can learn how well it succeeds. Let them +walk, as the writer has done, through the large airy halls, kept clean +and in order by their fair occupants, to the washing and ironing-rooms. +There they will see a long hall, conveniently fitted up with some thirty +neatly-painted tubs, with a clean floor, and water conducted so as to +save both labor and slopping. Let them see some thirty or forty merry +girls, superintended by a motherly lady, chatting and singing, washing +and starching, while every convenience is at hand, and every thing +around is clean and comfortable. Two hours, thus employed, enable each +young lady to wash the articles she used during the previous week, which +is all that is demanded, while thus they are all practically initiated +into the arts and mysteries of the wash-tub. The Superintendent remarked +to the writer, that, after a few weeks of probation, most of her young +washers succeeded quite as well as those whom she could hire, and who +made it their business. Adjacent to the washing-room, is the ironing +establishment; where another class are arranged, on the ironing-day, +around long, extended tables, with heating-furnaces, clothes-frames, and +all needful appliances. + +By a systematic arrangement of school and domestic duties, a moderate +portion of time, usually not exceeding two hours a day, from each of the +pupils, accomplished all the domestic labor of a family of ninety, +except the cooking, which was done by two hired domestics. This part of +domestic labor it was deemed inexpedient to incorporate as a portion of +the business of the pupils, inasmuch as it could not be accommodated to +the arrangements of the school, and was in other respects objectionable. + +Is it asked, how can young ladies paint, play the piano, and study, when +their hands and dresses must be unfitted by such drudgery? The woman who +asks this question, has yet to learn that a pure and delicate skin is +better secured by healthful exercise, than by any other method; and that +a young lady, who will spend two hours a day at the wash-tub, or with a +broom, is far more likely to have rosy cheeks, a finely-moulded form, +and a delicate skin, than one who lolls all day in her parlor or +chamber, or only leaves it, girt in tight dresses, to make fashionable +calls. It is true, that long-protracted daily labor hardens the hand, +and unfits it for delicate employments; but the amount of labor needful +for health produces no such effect. As to dress, and appearance, if neat +and convenient accommodations are furnished, there is no occasion for +the exposures which demand shabby dresses. A dark calico, genteelly +made, with an oiled-silk apron, and wide cuffs of the same material, +secures both good looks and good service. This plan of domestic +employments for the pupils in this Institution, not only secures regular +healthful exercise, but also aids to reduce the expenses of education, +so that, with the help of the endowments, it is brought within the reach +of many, who otherwise could never gain such advantages. + +In addition to this, a system of Calisthenic[D] exercises is introduced, +which secures all the advantages which dancing is supposed to effect, +and which is free from the dangerous tendencies of that fascinating and +fashionable amusement. This system is so combined with music, and +constantly varying evolutions, as to serve as an amusement, and also as +a mode of curing distortions, particularly all tendencies to curvature +of the spine; while, at the same time, it tends to promote grace of +movement, and easy manners. + +Another advantage of this Institution, is, an elevated and invigorating +course of mental discipline. Many persons seem to suppose, that the +chief object of an intellectual education is the acquisition of +knowledge. But it will be found, that this is only a secondary object. +The formation of habits of investigation, of correct reasoning, of +persevering attention, of regular system, of accurate analysis, and of +vigorous mental action, is the primary object to be sought in preparing +American women for their arduous duties; duties which will demand not +only quickness of perception, but steadiness of purpose, regularity of +system, and perseverance in action. + +It is for such purposes, that the discipline of the Mathematics is so +important an element in female education; and it is in this aspect, +that the mere acquisition of facts, and the attainment of +accomplishments, should be made of altogether secondary account. + +In the Institution here described, a systematic course of study is +adopted, as in our colleges; designed to occupy three years. The +following slight outline of the course, will exhibit the liberal plan +adopted in this respect. + +In Mathematics, the whole of Arithmetic contained in the larger works +used in schools, the whole of Euclid, and such portions from Day's +Mathematics as are requisite to enable the pupils to demonstrate the +various problems in Olmsted's larger work on Natural Philosophy. In +Language, besides English Grammar, a short course in Latin is required, +sufficient to secure an understanding of the philosophy of the language, +and that kind of mental discipline which the exercise of translating +affords. In Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy, Botany, Geology and +Mineralogy, Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, Political Economy, and +the Evidences of Christianity, the same textbooks are used as are +required at our best colleges. In Geography, the most thorough course is +adopted; and in History, a more complete knowledge is secured, by means +of charts and textbooks, than most of our colleges offer. To these +branches, are added Griscom's Physiology,[E] Bigelow's Technology, and +Jahn's Archaeology, together with a course of instruction in polite +literature, for which Chambers's English Literature is employed as the +text-book, each recitation being attended with selections and +criticisms, from teacher or pupils, on the various authors brought into +notice. Vocal Music, on the plan of the Boston Academy, is a part of the +daily instructions. Linear drawing, and pencilling, are designed also +to be a part of the course. Instrumental Music is taught, but not as a +part of the regular course of study. + +To secure the proper instruction in all these branches, the division of +labor, adopted in colleges, is pursued. Each teacher has distinct +branches as her department, for which she is responsible, and in which +she is independent. One teacher performs the duties of a _governess_, in +maintaining rules, and attending to the habits and manners of the +pupils. By this method, the teachers have sufficient time, both to +prepare themselves, and to impart instruction and illustration in the +class-room. In this Institution it is made a direct object of effort _to +cure defects_ of _character and habits_. At the frequent meetings of the +Principal and teachers, the peculiarities of each pupil are made the +subjects of inquiry; and methods are devised for remedying defects +through the personal influence of the several teachers. This, when thus +made a direct object of combined effort, often secures results most +gratifying and encouraging. + +One peculiarity of this Institution demands consideration. By the method +adopted here, the exclusive business of educating their own sex is, as +it ever ought to be, confined to females. The Principal of the +Institution, indeed, is a gentleman; but, while he takes the position of +a father of the family, and responsible head of the whole concern, the +entire charge of instruction, and most of the responsibilities in regard +to health, morals, and manners, rest upon the female teachers, in their +several departments. The Principal is the chaplain and religious +teacher; and is a member of the board of instructors, so far as to have +a right to advise, and an equal vote, in every question pertaining to +the concerns of the School; and thus he acts as a sort of regulator and +mainspring in all the various departments. But no one person in the +Institution is loaded with the excessive responsibilities, which rest +upon one, where a large institution of this kind has a Principal, who +employs and directs all the subordinate assistants. The writer has +never before seen the principle of the division of labor and +responsibility so perfectly carried out in any female institution; and +she believes that experience will prove that this is the true model for +combining, in appropriate proportions, the agency of both sexes in +carrying forward such an institution. There are cases where females are +well qualified, and feel willing to take the place occupied by the +Principal; but such cases are rare. + +One thing more should be noticed, to the credit of the rising State +where this Institution is located. A female association has been formed, +embracing a large portion of the ladies of standing and wealth, the +design of which, is, to educate, gratuitously, at this, and other +similar, institutions, such females as are anxious to obtain a good +education, and are destitute of the means. If this enterprise is +continued, with the same energy and perseverance as has been manifested +during the last few years, that State will take the lead of her sister +States in well-educated women; and if the views in the preceding pages +are correct, this will give her precedence in every intellectual and +moral advantage. + +Many, who are not aware of the great economy secured by a proper +division of labor, will not understand how so extensive a course can be +properly completed in three years. But in this Institution, none are +received under fourteen; and a certain amount of previous acquisition is +required, in order to admission, as is done in our colleges. This +secures a diminution of classes, so that but few studies are pursued at +one time; while the number of well-qualified teachers is so adequate, +that full time is afforded for all needful instruction and illustration. +Where teachers have so many classes, that they merely have time to find +out what the pupils learn from books, without any aid from their +teachers, the acquisitions of the pupils are vague and imperfect, and +soon pass away; so that an immense amount of expense, time, and labor, +is spent in acquiring or recalling what is lost about as fast as it is +gained. + +Parents are little aware of the immense waste incurred by the present +mode of conducting female education. In the wealthy classes, young girls +are sent to school, as a matter of course, year after year, confined, +for six hours a day, to the schoolhouse, and required to add some time +out of school to learning their lessons. Thus, during the most critical +period of life, they are for a long time immured in a room, filled with +an atmosphere vitiated by many breaths, and are constantly kept under +some sort of responsibility in regard to mental effort. Their studies +are pursued at random, often changed with changing schools, while book +after book (heavily taxing the parent's purse) is conned awhile, and +then supplanted by others. Teachers have usually so many pupils, and +such a variety of branches to teach, that little time can be afforded to +each pupil; while scholars, at this thoughtless period of life, feeling +sure of going to school as long as they please, manifest little interest +in their pursuits. + +The writer believes that the actual amount of education, permanently +secured by most young ladies from the age of ten to fourteen, could all +be acquired in one year, at the Institution described, by a young lady +at the age of fifteen or sixteen. + +Instead of such a course as the common one, if mothers would keep their +daughters as their domestic assistants, until they are fourteen, +requiring them to study one lesson, and go out, once a day, to recite it +to a teacher, it would abundantly prepare them, after their +constitutions are firmly established, to enter such an institution, +where, in three years, they could secure more, than almost any young +lady in the Country now gains by giving the whole of her youth to school +pursuits. + +In the early years of female life, reading, writing, needlework, +drawing, and music, should alternate with domestic duties; and one hour +a day, devoted to some study, in addition to the above pursuits, would +be all that is needful to prepare them for a thorough education after +growth is attained, and the constitution established. This is the time +when young women would feel the value of an education, and pursue their +studies with that maturity of mind, and vividness of interest, which +would double the perpetuity and value of all their acquisitions. + +The great difficulty, which opposes such a plan, is, the want of +institutions that would enable a young lady to complete, in three years, +the liberal course of study, here described. But if American mothers +become convinced of the importance of such advantages for their +daughters, and will use their influence appropriately and efficiently, +they will certainly be furnished. There are other men of liberality and +wealth, besides the individual referred to, who can be made to feel that +a fortune, expended in securing an appropriate education to American +women, is as wisely bestowed, as in founding colleges for the other sex, +who are already so abundantly supplied. We ought to have institutions, +similar to the one described, in every part of this Nation; and funds +should be provided, for educating young women destitute of means: and if +American women think and feel, that, by such a method, their own trials +will be lightened, and their daughters will secure a healthful +constitution and a thorough domestic and intellectual education, the +appropriate expression of their wishes will secure the necessary funds. +The tide of charity, which has been so long flowing from the female hand +to provide a liberal education for young men, will flow back with +abundant remuneration. + +The last method suggested for lessening the evils peculiar to American +women, is, a decided effort to oppose the aristocratic feeling, that +labor is degrading; and to bring about the impression, that it is +refined and lady-like to engage in domestic pursuits. In past ages, and +in aristocratic countries, leisure and indolence and frivolous pursuits +have been deemed lady-like and refined, because those classes, which +were most refined, countenanced such an opinion. But whenever ladies of +refinement, as a general custom, patronise domestic pursuits, then +these employments will be deemed lady-like. It may be urged, however, +that it is impossible for a woman who cooks, washes, and sweeps, to +appear in the dress, or acquire the habits and manners, of a lady; that +the drudgery of the kitchen is dirty work, and that no one can appear +delicate and refined, while engaged in it. Now all this depends on +circumstances. If a woman has a house, destitute of neat and convenient +facilities; if she has no habits of order and system; if she is remiss +and careless in person and dress;--then all this may be true. But, if a +woman will make some sacrifices of costly ornaments in her parlor, in +order to make her kitchen neat and tasteful; if she will sacrifice +expensive dishes, in order to secure such conveniences for labor as +protect from exposures; if she will take pains to have the dresses, in +which she works, made of suitable materials, and in good taste; if she +will rise early, and systematize and oversee the work of her family, so +as to have it done thoroughly, neatly, and in the early part of the day; +she will find no necessity for any such apprehensions. It is because +such work has generally been done by vulgar people, and in a vulgar way, +that we have such associations; and when ladies manage such things, as +ladies should, then such associations will be removed. There are +pursuits, deemed very refined and genteel, which involve quite as much +exposure as kitchen employments. For example, to draw a large landscape, +in colored crayons, would be deemed very lady-like; but the writer can +testify, from sad experience, that no cooking, washing, sweeping, or any +other domestic duty, ever left such deplorable traces on hands, face, +and dress, as this same lady-like pursuit. Such things depend entirely +on custom and associations; and every American woman, who values the +institutions of her Country, and wishes to lend her influence in +extending and perpetuating such blessings, may feel that she is doing +this, whenever, by her example and influence, she destroys the +aristocratic association, which would render domestic labor degrading. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[C] The writer omits the name of this Institution, lest an inference +should be drawn which would be unjust to other institutions. There are +others equally worthy of notice, and the writer selects this only +because her attention was especially directed to it as being in a new +State, and endowed wholly by an individual. + +[D] From two Greek words,--[Greek: kalos], _kalos_, beauty, and [Greek: +sthenos], _sthenos_, strength, being the union of both. The writer is +now preparing for the press, an improved system, of her own invention, +which, in _some_ of its parts, has been successfully introduced into +several female seminaries, with advantage. This plan combines singing +with a great variety of amusing and graceful evolutions, designed to +promote both health and easy manners. + +[E] This work, which has gone through numerous editions, and been +received by the public with great favour, forms No. lxxxv. of the +"Family Library," and No. lvii. of the "School District Library," issued +by the publishers of this volume. It is abundantly illustrated by +engravings, and has been extensively introduced as a school text-book. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A BRANCH OF STUDY. + + +The greatest impediment to making Domestic Economy a branch of study, +is, the fact, that neither parents nor teachers realize the importance, +or the practicability of constituting it a regular part of school +education. + +It is with reference to this, that the first aim of the writer will be, +to point out some of the reasons for introducing Domestic Economy as a +branch of female education, to be studied at school. + +The first reason, is, that there is no period, in a young lady's life, +when she will not find such knowledge useful to herself and to others. +The state of domestic service, in this Country, is so precarious, that +there is scarcely a family, in the free States, of whom it can be +affirmed, that neither sickness, discontent, nor love of change, will +deprive them of all their domestics, so that every female member of the +family will be required to lend some aid, in providing food and the +conveniences of living; and the better she is qualified to render it, +the happier she will be, and the more she will contribute to the +enjoyment of others. + +A second reason, is, that every young lady, at the close of her +schooldays, and even before they are closed, is liable to be placed in a +situation, in which she will need to do, herself, or to teach others to +do, all the various processes and duties detailed in this work. That +this may be more fully realized, the writer will detail some instances, +which have come under her own observation. + +The eldest daughter of a family returned from school, on a visit, at +sixteen years of age. Before her vacation had closed, her mother was +laid in the grave; and such were her father's circumstances, that she +was obliged to assume the cares and duties of her lost parent. The care +of an infant, the management of young children, the superintendence of +domestics, the charge of family expenses, the responsibility of +entertaining company, and the many other cares of the family state, all +at once came upon this young and inexperienced schoolgirl. + +Again; a young lady went to reside with a married sister, in a distant +State. While on this visit, the elder sister died, and there was no one +but this young lady to fill the vacant place, and assume all the cares +of the nursery, parlor, and kitchen. + +Again; a pupil of the writer, at the end of her schooldays, married, and +removed to the West. She was an entire novice in all domestic matters; +an utter stranger in the place to which she removed. In a year, she +became a mother, and _her health failed_; while, for most of the time, +she had no domestics, at all, or only Irish or Germans, who scarcely +knew even the names, or the uses, of many cooking utensils. She was +treated with politeness by her neighbors, and wished to return their +civilities; but how could this young and delicate creature, who had +spent all her life at school, or in visiting and amusement, take care of +her infant, attend to her cooking, washing, ironing, and baking, the +concerns of her parlor, chambers, kitchen, and cellar, and yet visit and +receive company? If there is any thing that would make a kindly heart +ache, with sorrow and sympathy, it would be to see so young, so amiable, +so helpless a martyr to the mistaken system of female education now +prevalent. "I have the kindest of husbands," said the young wife, after +her narrative of sufferings, "and I never regretted my marriage; but, +since this babe was born, I have never had a single waking hour of +freedom from anxiety and care. O! how little young girls know what is +before them, when they enter married life!" Let the mother or teacher, +whose eye may rest on these lines, ask herself, if there is no cause for +fear that the young objects of her care may be thrown into similar +emergencies, where they may need a kind of preparation, which as yet has +been withheld. + +Another reason for introducing such a subject, as a distinct branch of +school education, is, that, as a general fact, young ladies _will not_ +be taught these things in any other way. In reply to the +thousand-times-repeated remark, that girls must be taught their domestic +duties by their mothers, at home, it may be inquired, in the first +place, What proportion of mothers are qualified to teach a _proper_ and +_complete_ system of Domestic Economy? When this is answered, it may be +asked, What proportion of those who are qualified, have that sense of +the importance of such instructions, and that energy and perseverance +which would enable them actually to teach their daughters, in all the +branches of Domestic Economy presented in this work? + +It may then be asked, How many mothers _actually do_ give their +daughters instruction in the various branches of Domestic Economy? Is it +not the case, that, owing to ill health, deficiency of domestics, and +multiplied cares and perplexities, a large portion of the most +intelligent mothers, and those, too, who most realize the importance of +this instruction, actually cannot find the time, and have not the +energy, necessary to properly perform the duty? They are taxed to the +full amount of both their mental and physical energies, and cannot +attempt any thing more. Almost every woman knows, that it is easier to +do the work, herself, than it is to teach an awkward and careless +novice; and the great majority of women, in this Country, are obliged to +do almost every thing in the shortest and easiest way. This is one +reason why the daughters of very energetic and accomplished housekeepers +are often the most deficient in these respects; while the daughters of +ignorant or inefficient mothers, driven to the exercise of their own +energies, often become the most systematic and expert. + +It may be objected, that such things cannot be taught by books. This +position may fairly be questioned. Do not young ladies learn, from +books, how to make hydrogen and oxygen? Do they not have pictures of +furnaces, alembics, and the various utensils employed in _cooking_ the +chemical agents? Do they not study the various processes of mechanics, +and learn to understand and to do many as difficult operations, as any +that belong to housekeeping? All these things are explained, studied, +and recited in classes, when every one knows that little practical use +can ever be made of this knowledge. Why, then, should not that science +and art, which a woman is to practise during her whole life, be studied +and recited? + +It may be urged, that, even if it is studied, it will soon be forgotten. +And so will much of every thing studied at school. But why should that +knowledge, most needful for daily comfort, most liable to be in demand, +be the only study omitted, because it may be forgotten? + +It may also be objected, that young ladies can get such books, and +attend to them out of school. And so they can get books on Chemistry and +Philosophy, and study them out of school; but _will_ they do it? And why +ought we not to make sure of the most necessary knowledge, and let the +less needful be omitted? If young ladies study such a work as this, in +school, they will remember a great part of it; and, when they forget, in +any emergency, they will know where to resort for instruction. But if +such books are not put into schools, probably not one in twenty will see +or hear of them, especially in those retired places where they are most +needed. And is it at all probable, that a branch, which is so lightly +esteemed as to be deemed unworthy a place in the list of female studies, +will be sought for and learned by young girls, who so seldom look into +works of solid instruction after they leave school? So deeply is the +writer impressed with the importance of this, as a branch of female +education, at school, that she would deem it far safer and wiser to omit +any other, rather than this. + +Another reason, for introducing such a branch of study into female +schools, is, the influence it would exert, in leading young ladies more +correctly to estimate the importance and dignity of domestic knowledge. +It is now often the case, that young ladies rather pride themselves on +their ignorance of such subjects; and seem to imagine that it is vulgar +and ungenteel to know how to work. This is one of the relics of an +aristocratic state of society, which is fast passing away. Here, the +tendency of every thing is to the equalisation of labor, so that all +classes are feeling, more and more, that indolence is disreputable. And +there are many mothers, among the best educated and most wealthy +classes, who are bringing up their daughters, not only to know how to +do, but actually to do, all kinds of domestic work. The writer knows +young ladies, who are daughters of men of wealth and standing, and who +are among the most accomplished in their sphere, who have for months +been sent to work with a mantuamaker, to acquire a practical knowledge +of her occupation, and who have at home learned to perform all kinds of +domestic labor. + +And let the young women of this Nation find, that Domestic Economy is +placed, in schools, on equal or superior ground to Chemistry, +Philosophy, and Mathematics, and they will blush to be found ignorant of +its first principles, as much as they will to hesitate respecting the +laws of gravity, or the composition of the atmosphere. But, as matters +are now conducted, many young ladies know how to make oxygen and +hydrogen, and to discuss questions of Philosophy or Political Economy, +far better than they know how to make a bed and sweep a room properly; +and they can "construct a diagram" in Geometry, with far more skill than +they can make the simplest article of female dress. + +It may be urged, that the plan suggested by the writer, in the previous +pages, would make such a book as this needless; for young ladies would +learn all these things at home, before they go to school. But it must be +remembered, that the plan suggested cannot fully be carried into effect, +till such endowed institutions, as the one described, are universally +furnished. This probably will not be done, till at least one generation +of young women are educated. It is only on the supposition that a young +lady can, at fourteen or fifteen years of age, enter such an +institution, and continue there three years, that it would be easy to +induce her to remain, during all the previous period, at home, in the +practice of Domestic Economy, and the limited course of study pointed +out. In the present imperfect, desultory, varying, mode of female +education, where studies are begun, changed, partially learned, and +forgotten, it requires nearly all the years of a woman's youth, to +acquire the intellectual education now demanded. While this state of +things continues, the only remedy is, to introduce Domestic Economy as a +study at school. + +It is hoped that these considerations will have weight, not only with +parents and teachers, but with young ladies themselves, and that all +will unite their influence to introduce this, as a popular and universal +branch of education, into every female school. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. + + +There is no point, where a woman is more liable to suffer from a want of +knowledge and experience, than in reference to the health of a family +committed to her care. Many a young lady, who never had any charge of +the sick; who never took any care of an infant; who never obtained +information on these subjects from books, or from the experience of +others; in short, with little or no preparation; has found herself the +principal attendant in dangerous sickness, the chief nurse of a feeble +infant, and the responsible guardian of the health of a whole family. + +The care, the fear, the perplexity, of a woman, suddenly called to +these unwonted duties, none can realize, till they themselves feel it, +or till they see some young and anxious novice first attempting to meet +such responsibilities. To a woman of age and experience, these duties +often involve a measure of trial and difficulty, at times deemed almost +insupportable; how hard, then, must they press on the heart of the young +and inexperienced! + +There is no really efficacious mode of preparing a woman to take a +_rational_ care of the health of a family, except by communicating that +knowledge, in regard to the construction of the body, and the laws of +health, which is the basis of the medical profession. Not that a woman +should undertake the minute and extensive investigation requisite for a +physician; but she should gain a general knowledge of first principles, +as a guide to her judgement in emergencies when she can rely on no other +aid. Therefore, before attempting to give any specific directions on the +subject of this chapter, a short sketch of the construction of the human +frame will be given, with a notice of some of the general principles, on +which specific rules in regard to health are based. This description +will be arranged under the general heads of BONES, MUSCLES, NERVES, +BLOOD-VESSELS, ORGANS OF DIGESTION AND RESPIRATION, and THE SKIN. + + +BONES. + +The bones are the most solid parts of the body. They are designed to +protect and sustain it, and also to secure voluntary motion. They are +about two hundred and fifty in number, (there being sometimes a few more +or less,) and are fastened together by cartilage, or gristle, a +substance like the bones, but softer, and more elastic. + +In order to convey a more clear and correct idea of the form, relative +position, and connection, of the bones constituting the human framework, +the engraving on page 70, (Fig. 1,) is given. + +[Illustration: Fig. 1.] + +By the preceding engraving, it will be seen, that the _cranium_, or +_skull_, consists of several distinct pieces, which are united by +sutures, (or seams,) as represented by the zigzag lines; _a_, being the +_frontal bone_; _b_, the _parietal bone_; _c_, the _temporal bone_; and +_d_, the place of the _occipital bone_, which forms the back part of the +head, and therefore is not seen in the engraving. The _nasal bones_, or +bones of the nose, are shown at _e_; _f_, is the _cheek bone_; _g_, the +_upper_, and _h_, the _lower, jaw bones_; _i_, _i_, the _spinal column_, +or back bone, consisting of numerous small bones, called _vertebrae_; +_j_, _j_, the seven _true ribs_, which are fastened to the spine, +behind, and by the _cartilages_, _k_, _k_, to the _sternum_, or _breast +bone_, _l_, in front; _m_, _m_, are the first three _false ribs_, which +are so called, because they are not united directly to the breast bone, +but by cartilages to the seventh true rib; _n_, _n_, are the lower two +_false_, which are also called _floating, ribs_, because they are not +connected with the breast bone, nor the other ribs, in front; _o_, _o_, +_p_, _q_, are the bones of the _pelvis_, which is the foundation on +which the spine rests; _r_, _r_, are the _collar bones_; _s_, _s_, the +_shoulder blades_; _t_, _t_, the bones of the _upper arm_; _u_, _u_, the +_elbow joints_, where the bones of the upper arm and fore arm are united +in such a way that they can move like a hinge; _v_ _w_, _v_ _w_, are the +bones of the _fore arm_; _x_, _x_, those of the _wrists_; _y_, _y_, +those of the _fingers_; _z_, _z_, are the round heads of the thigh +bones, where they are inserted into the sockets of the bones of the +pelvis, giving motion in every direction, and forming the _hip joint_; a +b, a b, are the _thigh bones_; c, c, the _knee joints_; d e, d e, the +_leg bones_; f, f, the _ankle joints_; g, g, the _bones of the foot_. + +The bones are composed of two substances,--one animal, and the other +mineral. The animal part is a very fine network, called the _cellular +membrane_. In this, are deposited the harder mineral substances, which +are composed principally of carbonate and phosphate of lime. In very +early life, the bones consist chiefly of the animal part, and are then +soft and pliant. As the child advances in age, the bones grow harder, by +the gradual deposition of the phosphate of lime, which is supplied by +the food, and carried to the bones by the blood. In old age, the hardest +material preponderates; making the bones more brittle than in earlier +life. + +As we shall soon have occasion to refer, particularly, to the spinal, or +vertebral column, and the derangement to which it is liable, we give, on +page 72, representations of the different classes of vertebrae; viz. the +_cervical_, (from the Latin, _cervix_, the neck,) the _dorsal_, (from +_dorsum_, the back,) and _lumbar_, (from _lumbus_, the loins.) + +[Illustration: Fig. 2.] + +Fig. 2, represents one of the _cervical vertebrae_. Seven of these, +placed one above another, constitute that part of the spine which is in +the neck. + +[Illustration: Fig. 3.] + +Fig. 3, is one of the _dorsal vertebrae_, twelve of which, form the +central part of the spine. + +[Illustration: Fig. 4.] + +Fig. 4, represents one of the _lumbar vertebrae_, (five in number,) +which are immediately above the sacrum. These vertebrae are so fastened, +that the spine can bend, in any direction; and the muscles of the trunk +are used in holding it erect, or in varying its movements. + +By the drawings here presented, it will be seen, that the vertebrae of +the neck, back, and loins, differ somewhat in size and shape, although +they all possess the same constituent parts; thus, A, in each, +represents the body of the vertebrae; B, the articulating processes, by +which each is joined to its fellow, above and below it; C, the spinous +process, or that part of the vertebrae, which forms the ridge to be felt, +on pressure, the whole length of the centre of the back. The back bone +receives its name, _spine_, or _spinal column_, from these spinous +processes. + +It is the universal law of the human frame, that _exercise_ is +indispensable to the health of the several parts. Thus, if a +blood-vessel be tied up, so as not to be used, it shrinks, and becomes a +useless string; if a muscle be condemned to inaction, it shrinks in +size, and diminishes in power; and thus it is also with the bones. +Inactivity produces softness, debility, and unfitness for the functions +they are designed to perform. This is one of the causes of the curvature +of the spine, that common and pernicious defect in the females of +America. From inactivity, the bones of the spine become soft and +yielding; and then, if the person is often placed, for a length of time, +in positions that throw the weight of the body unequally on certain +portions of the spine, they yield to this frequent compression, and a +distortion ensues. The positions taken by young persons, when learning +to write or draw, or to play on the guitar, harp, or piano, and the +position of the body when sleeping on one side, on high pillows, all +tend to produce this effect, by throwing the weight of the body +unequally, and for a length of time, on particular parts of the spine. + +[Illustration: Fig. 5.] + + +MUSCLES. + +The muscles are the chief organs of motion, and consist of collections +of fine fibres or strings, united in casings of membrane or thin skin. +They possess an elastic power, like India rubber, which enables them to +extend and contract. The red meat in animals consists of muscles. Every +muscle has connected with it nerves, veins, and arteries; and those +designed to move the bones, are fastened to them by tendons at their +extremities. The muscles are laid over each other, and are separated by +means of membranes and layers of fat, which enable them to move easily, +without interfering with each other. + +The figure on page 74, represents the muscles of the arm, as they appear +when the skin and fat are removed. The muscles _a_ and _b_ are attached, +at their upper ends, to the bone of the arm, and by their lower ends to +the upper part of the fore arm, near the elbow joint. When the fibres of +these muscles contract, the middle part of them grows larger, and the +arm is bent at the elbow. The muscle _c_, is, in like manner, fastened, +by its upper end, to the shoulder blade and the upper part of the arm, +and by its lower end to one of the bones of the fore arm, near the +elbow. When the arm is bent, and we wish to straighten it, it is done by +contracting this muscle. The muscles _d_, _d_, are fastened at one end +near the elbow joint, and at the other near the ends of the fingers; and +on the back of the hand are reduced in size, appearing like strong +cords. These cords are called _tendons_. They are employed in +straightening the fingers, when the hand is shut. These tendons are +confined by the ligament or band, _e_, which binds them down, around the +wrist, and thus enables them to act more efficiently, and secures beauty +of form to the limb. The muscles at _f_, are those which enable us to +turn the hand and arm outward. Every different motion of the arm has one +muscle to produce it, and another to restore the limb to its natural +position. Those muscles which bend the body are called _flexors_; those +which straighten it, _extensors_. When the arm is thrown up, one set of +muscles is used; to pull it down, another set: when it is thrown +forward, a still different set is used; when it is thrown back, +another, different from the former; when the arm turns in its socket, +still another set is used; and thus every different motion of the body +is made by a different set of muscles. All these muscles are compactly +and skilfully arranged, so as to work with perfect ease. Among them, run +the arteries, veins, and nerves, which supply each muscle with blood and +nervous power, as will be hereafter described. The size and strength of +the muscles depend greatly on their frequent exercise. If left inactive, +they grow thin and weak, instead of giving the plumpness to the figure, +designed by Nature. The delicate and feeble appearance of many American +women, is chiefly owing to the little use they make of their muscles. +Many a pale, puny, shad-shaped girl, would have become a plump, rosy, +well-formed person, if half the exercise, afforded to her brothers in +the open air, had been secured to her, during childhood and youth. + + +NERVES. + +The nerves are the organs of sensation. They enable us to see, hear, +feel, taste, and smell; and also combine with the bones and muscles in +producing motion. + +The first engraving, on p. 77, (Fig. 6,) is a vertical section of the +skull, and of the spinal column, or back bone, which supports the head, +and through which runs the spinal cord, whence most of the nerves +originate. It is a side view, and represents the head and spine, as they +would appear, if they were cut through the middle, from front to back. +Fig. 7, exhibits them as they would appear, if viewed from _behind_. In +Fig. 6, _a_, represents the _cerebrum_, or great brain; _b_, the +_cerebellum_, or little brain, which is situated directly under the +great brain, at the back and lower part of the head; _c_, _d_, _e_, is +the spinal marrow, which is connected with the brain at _c_, and runs +through the whole length of the spinal column. This column consists, as +has already been stated, of a large number of small bones, _f_, _f_, +called _vertebrae_, laid one above another, and fastened together by +_cartilage_, or _gristle_, _g_, between them. + +[Illustration: Fig. 6.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 7.] + +Between each two vertebrae, or spinal bones, there issues from the +spine, on each side, a pair of nerves. The lower broad part of the +spine, (see _p_, Fig. 1, p. 70, and Fig. 7, p. 77,) is called the +_sacrum_; in this, are eight holes, through which the lower pairs of +nerves pass off. + +The nerves of the head and lungs run directly from the brain; those of +all other parts of the body proceed from the spine, passing out in the +manner already mentioned. + +The nerves which thus proceed from the spine, branch out, like the limbs +and twigs of a tree, till they extend over the whole body; and, so +minutely are they divided and arranged, that a point, destitute of a +nerve, cannot be found on the skin. + +Some idea of the ramifications of the nerves, may be obtained by +reference to the following engraving, (Fig. 8.) In this, A, A, +represents the _cerebrum_, or great brain; B, B, the _cerebellum_, or +little brain; (see also _a_, _b_, in Fig. 6;) C, C, represents the union +of the fibres of the cerebrum; D, D, the union of the two sides of the +cerebellum; E, E, E, the spinal marrow, which passes through the centre +of the spine, (as seen at _c_, _d_, _e_, in Fig. 6;) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, +branches of the nerves going to different parts of the body. As the +nerves are the organs of sensation, all _pain_ is an affection of some +portion of the nerves. The health of the nerves depends very greatly on +the exercise of the muscles, with which they are so intimately +connected. This shows the reason why the _headache_, _tic douloureux_, +diseases of the _spine_, and other nervous affections, are so common +among American women. Their inactive habits, engender a debility of the +nervous system, and these diseases follow, as the consequence. + +[Illustration: Fig. 8.] + +It can be seen, by a reference to the side view, represented on page +77, (Fig. 6,) that the spine is naturally curved back and forward. +When, from want of exercise, its bones are softened, and the muscles +weakened, the spine acquires an improper curve, and the person becomes +what is called _crooked_, having the neck projected forward, and, in +some cases, having the back convex, where it should be concave. Probably +one half of the American women have the head thus projecting forward, +instead of carrying it in the natural, erect position, which is both +graceful and dignified. + +The curvature of the spine, spoken of in this work as so common, and as +the cause of so many diseases among American women, is what is +denominated the _lateral curvature_, and is much more dangerous than the +other distortion. The indications of this evil, are, the projection of +one shoulder blade more than the other, and, in bad cases, one shoulder +being higher, and the hip on the opposite side more projecting, than the +other. In this case, the spine, when viewed from behind, instead of +running in a straight line, (as in Fig. 7 and 9,) is curved somewhat, as +may be seen in Figures 10 and 11. + +This effect is occasioned by the softness of the bones, induced by want +of exercise, together with tight dressing, which tends to weaken the +muscles that are thus thrown out of use. Improper and long continued +positions in drawing, writing, and sleeping, which throw the weight of +the body on one part of the spine, induce the same evil. This distortion +is usually accompanied with some consequent disease of the nervous +system, or some disarrangement of the internal organs. + +By comparing Figures 9 and 11, the difference between a natural and +distorted spine will be readily perceived. In Fig. 10, the curved line +shows the course of the spine, occasioned by distortion; the +perpendicular line, in this and Fig. 11, indicates the true direction of +the spine; the horizontal lines show that one shoulder and hip are +forced from their proper level. + +[Illustration: Fig. 9.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 10.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 11.] + + +BLOOD-VESSELS. + +The blood is the fluid into which our food is changed, and which is +employed to minister nourishment to the whole body. For this purpose, it +is carried to every part of the body, by the arteries; and, after it has +given out its nourishment, returns to the heart, through the veins. + +The subjoined engraving, (Fig. 12,) which presents a rude outline of the +vascular system, will more clearly illustrate this operation, as we +shall presently show. + +[Illustration: Fig. 12.] + +Before entering the heart, the blood receives a fresh supply of +nourishment, by a duct which leads from the stomach. The arteries have +their origin from the heart, in a great trunk, called the _aorta_, which +is the parent of all the arteries, as the spinal marrow is the parent of +the nerves which it sends out. When the arteries have branched out into +myriads of minute vessels, the blood which is in them passes into as +minute veins; and these run into each other, like the rills and branches +of a river, until they are all united in two great veins, which run into +the heart. One of these large receivers, called the _vena cava +superior_, or _upper vena cava_, brings back the blood from the arms and +head, the other, the _vena cava inferior_, or _lower vena cava_, brings +back the blood from the body and lower limbs. + +In the preceding figure, H, is the heart, which is divided into four +compartments; two, called _auricles_, used for receiving the blood, and +two, called _ventricles_, used for sending out the blood. A, is the +_aorta_, or great artery, which sends its branches to every part of the +body. In the upper part, at _a_, _a_, _a_, are the main branches of the +_aorta_, which go to the head and arms. Below, at _a_, _a_, are the +branches which go to the lower limbs. The branches which set off at X, +X, are those by which the intestines are supplied by vessels from the +_aorta_. Every muscle in the whole body, all the organs of the body, and +the skin, are supplied by branches sent off from this great _artery_. +When the blood is thus dispersed through any organ, in minute vessels, +it is received, at their terminations, by numerous minute veins, which +gradually unite, forming larger branches, till they all meet in either +the upper or lower _vena cava_, which returns the blood to the heart. V +I, is the _vena cava inferior_, which receives the blood from the veins +of the lower parts of the body, as seen at v, v. The blood, sent into +the lower limbs from the _aorta_, is received by minute veins, which +finally unite at v, v, and thus it is emptied through the lower _vena +cava_ into the heart: _o_, _o_, represent the points of entrance of +those tributaries of the _vena cava_, which receive that blood from the +intestines, which is sent out by the _aorta_ at X, X. In the upper part, +V S, is the _vena cava superior_, which receives the blood from the head +and arms; v, v, v, are the tributaries of the upper _vena cava_, which +bring the blood back from the head and arms; _d_, _d_, represents the +course of the _thoracic duct_, a delicate tube by which the chyle is +carried into the blood, as mentioned on page 89; _t_, shows the place +where this duct empties into a branch of the _vena cava_. + +It thus appears, that wherever a branch of the _aorta_ goes to carry +blood, there will be found a tributary of the upper or lower _vena +cava_, to bring it back. + +The succeeding engravings, will enable the reader to form a more +definite idea of this important function of the system,--the circulation +of the blood. The heart, in man, and in all warm-blooded animals, is +double, having two auricles and two ventricles. In animals with cold +blood, (as fishes,) the heart is single, having but one auricle and one +ventricle. Fig. 13, represents the double heart as it appears when the +two sides are separated, and also the great blood-vessels; those on the +left of the figure being on the right side of the body, and _vice +versa_. The direction of the blood is represented by the arrows. A, +represents the _lower vena cava_, returning the blood from the lower +parts of the body, and L, the _upper vena cava_, returning the blood +from the head and arms. B, is the _right sinus_, or _auricle_, into +which the returned blood is poured. From this cavity of the heart, the +blood is carried into the _right ventricle_, C; and from this ventricle, +the _pulmonary arteries_, D, convey into the lungs the blood which is +returned from the body. These five vessels, A, B, C, D, and L, belong to +the right side of the heart, and contain the venous or dark-colored +blood, which has been through the circulation, and is now unfit for the +uses of the system, till it has passed through the lungs. + +[Illustration: Fig. 13.] + +When the blood reaches the lungs, and is exposed to the action of the +air which we breathe, it throws off its impurities, becomes bright in +color, and is then called arterial blood. It then returns to the left +side of the heart, (on the right of the engraving,) by the pulmonary +veins E, E, (also seen at _m_, _m_, Fig. 15,) into the left auricle F, +whence it is forced into the ventricle, G. From the left ventricle, +proceeds the _aorta_, H, H, which is the great artery of the body, and +conveys the blood to every part of the system. I, J, K, are branches of +the aorta, going to the head and arms. + +[Illustration: Fig. 14.] + +Fig. 14, represents the heart, with its two sides united as in nature; +and will be understood from the description of Fig. 13. + +On the opposite page, Fig. 15, represents the heart, with the great +blood-vessels, on a still larger scale; _a_, being the _left ventricle_; +_b_, the _right ventricle_; _c_, _e_, _f_, the _aorta_, or great artery, +rising out of the left ventricle; _g_, _h_, _i_, the branches of the +aorta, going to the head and arms; _k_, _l_, _l_, the _pulmonary +artery_, and its branches; _m_, _m_, _veins of the lungs_, which bring +the blood back from the lungs to the heart; _n_, _right auricle_; _o_, +_vena cava inferior_; _p_, veins returning blood from the liver and +bowels; _q_, the _vena cava superior_; _r_, the _left auricle_; _s_, the +left _coronary artery_, which distributes the blood exclusively to the +substance of the heart. + +[Illustration: Fig. 15.] + + +ORGANS OF DIGESTION AND RESPIRATION. + +Digestion and respiration are the processes, by which the food is +converted into blood for the nourishment of the body. The engraving on +the next page (Fig. 16) shows the organs by which these operations are +performed. + +In the lower part of the engraving, is the stomach, marked S, which +receives the food through the _gullet_, marked G. The latter, though in +the engraving it is cut off at G, in reality continues upwards to the +throat. The stomach is a bag composed of muscles, nerves, and +blood-vessels, united by a material similar to that which forms the +skin. As soon as food enters the stomach, its nerves are excited to +perform their proper function of stimulating the muscles. A muscular +(called the _peristaltic_) motion immediately commences, by which the +stomach propels its contents around the whole of its circumference, once +in every three minutes. + +[Illustration: Fig. 16.] + +This movement of the muscles attracts the blood from other parts of the +system; for the blood always hastens to administer its supplies to any +organ which is called to work. The blood-vessels of the stomach are soon +distended with blood, from which the _gastric juice_ is secreted by +minute vessels in the coat of the stomach. This mixes with the food, +and reduces it to a soft pulpy mass, called chyme. It then passes +through the lower end of the stomach, into the intestines, which are +folded up in the abdomen, and the upper portion, only, of which, is +shown in the engraving, at A, A. The organ marked L, L, is the liver, +which, as the blood passes through its many vessels, secretes a +substance called _bile_, which accumulates in the gall-bladder, marked +B. After the food passes out of the stomach, it receives from the liver +a portion of bile, and from the _pancreas_ the _pancreatic juice_. The +pancreas does not appear in this drawing, being concealed behind the +stomach. These two liquids separate the substance which has passed from +the stomach, into two different portions. One is a light liquid, very +much like cream in appearance, and called _chyle_, of which the blood is +formed; the other is a more solid substance, which contains the refuse +and useless matter, with a smaller portion of nourishment; and this, +after being further separated from the nourishing matter which it +contains, is thrown out of the body. There are multitudes of small +vessels, called _lacteals_, which, as these two mixed substances pass +through the long and winding folds of the intestines in the abdomen, +absorb the chyle, and convey it to the _thoracic duct_, which runs up +close by the spine, and carries the chyle, thus received, into a branch +of the _vena cava superior_, at _t_, whence it is mingled with the blood +going into the heart. In this engraving, the _lacteals_ and _thoracic +duct_ are not shown; but their position is indicated by the dotted +lines, marked X, Y; X, being the lacteals, and Y, the thoracic duct. + +In the upper half of the engraving, H represents the heart; _a_, the +commencement of the _aorta_; _v c s_, the termination of the _vena cava +superior_. On each side of the heart, are the lungs; _l l_, being the +left lobe, and _r l_, the right lobe. They are composed of a network of +air-vessels, blood-vessels, and nerves. W, represents the _trachea_, or +_windpipe_, through which, the air we breathe is conducted to the lungs. +It branches out into myriads of minute vessels, which are thus filled +with air every time we breathe. From the heart, run the _pulmonary +arteries_, marked _p a_. These enter the lungs and spread out along-side +of the branches of the air-vessels, so that every air-vessel has a small +artery running side by side with it. When the two _vena cavas_ empty the +blood into the heart, the latter contracts, and sends this blood, +through these pulmonary arteries, into the lungs. + +As the air and blood meander, side by side, through the lungs, the +superabundant carbon and hydrogen of the blood combine with the oxygen +of the air, forming carbonic acid gas, and water, which are thrown out +of the lungs at every expiration. This is the process by which the chyle +is converted into arterial blood, and the venous blood purified of its +excess of carbon and hydrogen. When the blood is thus prepared, in the +lungs, for its duties, it is received by the small _pulmonary veins_, +which gradually unite, and bring the blood back to the heart, through +the large _pulmonary veins_, marked _p v_, _p v_. + +On receiving this purified blood from the lungs, the heart contracts, +and sends it out again, through the _aorta_, to all parts of the body. +It then makes another circuit through every part, ministering to the +wants of all, and is afterwards again brought back by the veins to +receive the fresh chyle from the stomach, and to be purified by the +lungs. + +The throbbing of the heart is caused by its alternate expansion and +contraction, as it receives and expels the blood. With one throb, the +blood is sent from the right ventricle into the lungs, and from the left +ventricle into the aorta. + +Every time we inspire air, the process of purifying the blood is going +on; and every time we expire the air, we throw out the redundant carbon +and hydrogen, taken from a portion of the blood. If the waist is +compressed by tight clothing, a portion of the lungs be compressed, so +that the air-vessels cannot be filled. This prevents the perfect +purification and preparation of the blood, so that a part returns back +to the heart unfitted for its duties. This is a slow, but sure, method, +by which the constitution of many a young lady is so undermined that she +becomes an early victim to disease and to the decay of beauty and +strength. The want of _pure air_ is another cause, of the debility of +the female constitution. When air has been rendered impure, by the +breath of several persons, or by close confinement, it does not purify +the blood properly. Sleeping in close chambers, and sitting in crowded +and unventilated schoolrooms, are frequent causes of debility in the +constitution of young persons. + + +OF THE SKIN. + +The skin is the covering of the body, and has very important functions +to perform. It is more abundantly supplied with nerves and blood-vessels +than any other part; and there is no spot of the skin where the point of +the finest needle would not pierce a nerve and blood-vessel. Indeed, it +may be considered as composed chiefly of an interlacing of minute nerves +and blood-vessels, so that it is supposed there is more nervous matter +in the skin, than in all the rest of the body united, and that the +greater portion of the blood flows through the skin. + +The whole animal system is in a state of continual change and +renovation. Food is constantly taken into the stomach, only a portion of +which is fitted for the supply of the blood. All the rest has to be +thrown out of the system, by various organs designed for this purpose. +These organs are,--the lungs, which throw off a portion of useless +matter when the blood is purified; the kidneys, which secrete liquids +that pass into the bladder, and are thrown out from the body by that +organ; and the intestines, which carry off the useless and more solid +parts of the food, after the lacteals have drawn off the chyle. In +addition to these organs, the skin has a similar duty to perform; and as +it has so much larger a supply of blood, it is the chief organ in +relieving the body of the useless and noxious parts of the materials +which are taken for food. + +Various experiments show, that not less than a pound and four ounces of +waste matter is thrown off by the skin every twenty-four hours. This is +according to the lowest calculation. Most of those, who have made +experiments to ascertain the quantity, represent it as much greater; and +all agree, that the skin throws off more redundant matter from the body, +than the whole of the other organs together. In the ordinary state of +the skin, even when there is no apparent perspiration, it is constantly +exhaling waste matter, in a form which is called _insensible +perspiration_, because it cannot be perceived by the senses. A very cool +mirror, brought suddenly near to the skin, will be covered, in that +part, with a moisture, which is this effluvium thus made visible. When +heat or exercise excites the skin, this perspiration is increased, so as +to be apparent to the senses. This shows the reason why it is so +important frequently to wash the entire surface of the body. If this be +neglected, the pores of the skin are closed by the waste matter thrown +from the body, and by small particles of the thin scarfskin, so that it +cannot properly perform its duties. In this way, the other organs are +made to work harder, in order to perform the labor the skin would +otherwise accomplish, and thus the lungs and bowels are often +essentially weakened. + +Another office of the skin, is, to regulate the heat of the body. The +action of the internal organs is constantly generating heat; and the +faster the blood circulates, the greater is the heat evolved. The +perspiration of the skin serves to reduce and regulate this heat. For, +whenever any liquid changes to a vapor, it absorbs heat from whatever is +nearest to it. The faster the blood flows, the more perspiration is +evolved. This bedews the skin with a liquid, which the heat of the body +turns to a vapor; and in this change, that heat is absorbed. When a +fever takes place, this perspiration ceases, and the body is afflicted +with heat. Insensible perspiration is most abundant during sleep, after +eating, and when friction is applied to the skin. Perspiration is +performed by the terminations of minute arteries in every part of the +skin, which exude the perspiration from the blood. + +The skin also performs another function. It is provided with a set of +small vessels, called _absorbents_, which are exceedingly abundant and +minute. When particular substances are brought in contact with the skin, +these absorbents take up some portions and carry them into the blood. It +is owing to this, that opium, applied on the skin, acts in a manner +similar to its operation when taken into the stomach. The power of +absorption is increased by friction; and this is the reason that +liniments are employed, with much rubbing, to bruises and sprains. The +substance applied is thus introduced into the injured part, through the +absorbents. This shows another reason for frequent washing of the skin, +and for the frequent changes of the garment next the skin. Otherwise +portions of the noxious matter, thrown out by the skin, are reabsorbed +into the blood, and are slow but sure causes of a decay of the strength +of the system. + +The skin is also provided with small follicles, or bags, which are +filled with an oily substance. This, by gradually exuding over the skin, +prevents water from penetrating and injuring its texture. + +The skin is also the organ of touch. This office is performed through +the instrumentality of the nerves of feeling, which are spread over all +parts of the skin. + +This general outline of the construction of the human frame is given, +with reference to the practical application of this knowledge in the +various cases where a woman will be called upon to exercise her own +unaided judgement. The application will be further pointed out, in the +chapters on Food, Dress, Cleanliness, Care of the Sick, and Care of +Infants. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. + + +The person who decides what shall be the food and drink of a family, and +the modes of preparation, is the one who decides, to a greater or less +extent, what shall be the health of that family. It is the opinion of +most medical men, that intemperance in eating is the most fruitful of +all causes of disease and death. If this be so, the woman who wisely +adapts the food and cooking of her family to the laws of health, removes +the greatest risk which threatens the lives of those under her care. + +To exhibit this subject clearly, it will be needful to refer, more +minutely, to the organization and operation of the digestive organs. + +It is found, by experiment, that the supply of gastric juice, furnished +from the blood, by the arteries of the stomach, is proportioned, not to +the amount of food put into the stomach, but to the wants of the body; +so that it is possible to put much more into the stomach than can be +digested. To guide and regulate in this matter, the sensation called +_hunger_ is provided. In a healthy state of the body, as soon as the +blood has lost its nutritive supplies, the craving of hunger is felt, +and then, if the food is suitable, and is taken in the proper manner, +this sensation ceases, as soon as the stomach has received enough to +supply the wants of the system. But our benevolent Creator, in this, as +in our other duties, has connected enjoyment with the operation needful +to sustain our bodies. In addition to the allaying of hunger, the +gratification of the palate is secured, by the immense variety of food, +some articles of which are far more agreeable than others. + +This arrangement of Providence, designed for our happiness, has become, +either through ignorance, or want of self-control, the chief cause of +the various diseases and sufferings, which afflict those classes who +have the means of seeking a variety to gratify the palate. If mankind +had only one article of food, and only water to drink, though they would +have less enjoyment in eating, they would never be tempted to put any +more into the stomach, than the calls of hunger required. But the +customs of society, which present an incessant change, and a great +variety of food, with those various condiments which stimulate appetite, +lead almost every person very frequently to eat merely to gratify the +palate, after the stomach has been abundantly supplied, so that hunger +has ceased. + +When too great a supply of food is put into the stomach, the gastric +juice dissolves only that portion which the wants of the system demand. +The remainder is ejected, in an unprepared state; the absorbents take +portions of it into the system; and all the various functions of the +body, which depend on the ministries of the blood, are thus gradually +and imperceptibly injured. Very often, intemperance in eating produces +immediate results, such as colic, headaches, pains of indigestion, and +vertigo. But the more general result, is, a gradual undermining of all +parts of the human frame; thus imperceptibly shortening life, by so +weakening the constitution, that it is ready to yield, at every point, +to any uncommon risk or exposure. Thousands and thousands are passing +out of the world, from diseases occasioned by exposures, which a healthy +constitution could meet without any danger. It is owing to these +considerations, that it becomes the duty of every woman, who has the +responsibility of providing food for a family, to avoid a variety of +tempting dishes. It is a much safer rule, to have only one kind of +healthy food, for each meal, than the abundant variety which is usually +met at the tables of almost all classes in this Country. When there is +to be any variety of dishes, they ought not to be successive, but so +arranged, as to give the opportunity of selection. How often is it the +case, that persons, by the appearance of a favorite article, are tempted +to eat, merely to gratify the palate, when the stomach is already +adequately supplied. All such intemperance wears on the constitution, +and shortens life. It not unfrequently happens, that excess in eating +produces a morbid appetite, which must constantly be denied. + +But the organization of the digestive organs demands, not only that food +be taken in proper quantities, but that it be taken at proper times. + +It has before been shown, that, as soon as the food enters the stomach, +the muscles are excited by the nerves, and the _peristaltic motion_ +commences. This is a powerful and constant exercise of the muscles of +the stomach, which continues until the process of digestion is complete. +During this time, the blood is withdrawn from other parts of the system, +to supply the demands of the stomach, which is laboring hard with all +its muscles. When this motion ceases, and the digested food has +gradually passed out of the stomach, Nature requires that it should have +a period of repose. And if another meal be eaten, immediately after one +is digested, the stomach is set to work again, before it has had time to +rest, and before a sufficient supply of gastric juice is provided. + +The general rule, then, is, that three hours be given to the stomach for +labor, and two for rest; and in obedience to this, five hours, at least, +ought to elapse between every two regular meals. In cases where exercise +produces a flow of perspiration, more food is needed to supply the loss; +and strong laboring men may safely eat as often as they feel the want of +food. So, young and healthy children, who gambol and exercise much, and +whose bodies grow fast, may have a more frequent supply of food. But, as +a general rule, meals should be five hours apart, and eating between +meals avoided. There is nothing more unsafe, and wearing to the +constitution, than a habit of eating at any time, merely to gratify the +palate. When a tempting article is presented, every person should +exercise sufficient self-denial, to wait till the proper time for eating +arrives. Children, as well as grown persons, are often injured, by +eating between their regular meals, thus weakening the stomach, by not +affording it any time for rest. + +In deciding as to _quantity_ of food, there is one great difficulty to +be met by a large portion of the community. It has been shown, that the +exercise of every part of the body is indispensable to its health and +perfection. The bones, the muscles, the nerves, the organs of digestion +and respiration, and the skin, all demand exercise, in order properly to +perform their functions. When the muscles of the body are called into +action, all the blood-vessels entwined among them are frequently +compressed. As the arteries are so contrived, that the blood cannot run +back, this compression hastens it forward, through the veins, towards +that organ. The heart is immediately put in quicker motion, to send it +into the lungs; and they, also, are thus stimulated to more rapid +action, which is the cause of that panting which active exercise always +occasions. The blood thus courses with greater celerity through the +body, and sooner loses its nourishing properties. Then the stomach +issues its mandate of hunger, and a new supply of food must be +furnished. Thus it appears, as a general rule, that the quantity of +food, actually needed by the body, depends on the amount of muscular +exercise taken. A laboring man, in the open fields, probably throws off +from his skin ten times the amount of perspirable matter, which is +evolved from the skin of a person of sedentary pursuits. In consequence +of this, he demands a far greater amount of food and drink. + +Those persons, who keep their bodies in a state of health, by sufficient +exercise, can always be guided by the calls of hunger. They can eat when +they feel hungry, and stop when hunger ceases; and then they will +calculate exactly right. But the difficulty is, that a large part of +the community, especially women, are so inactive in their habits, that +they seldom feel the calls of hunger. They habitually eat, merely to +gratify the palate. This produces such a state of the system, that they +have lost the guide which Nature has provided. They are not called to +eat, by hunger, nor admonished, by its cessation, when to stop. In +consequence of this, such persons eat what pleases the palate, till they +feel no more inclination for the article. It is probable, that three +fourths of the women, in the wealthier circles, sit down to each meal +without any feeling of hunger, and eat merely on account of the +gratification thus afforded them. Such persons find their appetite to +depend almost solely upon the kind of food on the table. This is not the +case with those, who take the exercise which Nature demands. They +approach their meals in such a state that almost any kind of food is +acceptable. + +The question then arises, how are persons, who have lost the guide which +Nature has provided, to determine as to the proper amount of food they +shall take? + +The only rules they can adopt, are of a general nature; founded on the +principles already developed. They should endeavor to proportion their +food to the amount of the exercise they ordinarily take. If they take +but little exercise, they should eat but little food in comparison with +those who are much in the open air and take much exercise; and their +food should be chiefly vegetable, and not animal. But how often is it +seen, that a student, or a man who sits all day in an office, or a lady +who spends the day in her parlor and chamber, will sit down to a loaded +table, and, by continuing to partake of the tempting varieties, in the +end load the stomach with a supply, which a stout farmer could scarcely +digest. + +But the health of a family depends, not merely on the _quantity_ of food +taken; but very much, also, on the _quality_. Some kinds of food are +very pernicious in their nature, and some healthful articles are +rendered very injurious by the mode of cooking. Persons who have a +strong constitution, and take much exercise, may eat almost any thing, +with apparent impunity; but young children, who are forming their +constitutions, and persons who are delicate, and who take but little +exercise, are very dependent for health, on a proper selection of food. + +There are some general principles, which may aid in regulating the +judgement on this subject. + +It is found, that there are some kinds of food which afford nutriment to +the blood, and do not produce any other effect on the system. There are +other kinds, which are not only nourishing, but _stimulating_, so that +they quicken the functions of the organs on which they operate. The +condiments used in cookery, such as pepper, mustard, and spices, are of +this nature. There are certain states of the system, when these +stimulants are beneficial; but it is only in cases where there is some +debility. Such cases can only be pointed out by medical men. But persons +in perfect health, and especially young children, never receive any +benefit from such kind of food; and just in proportion as condiments +operate to quicken the labors of the internal organs, they tend to wear +down their powers. A person who thus keeps the body working under an +unnatural excitement, _lives faster_ than Nature designed, and the +sooner the constitution is worn out. A woman, therefore, should provide +dishes for her family, which are free from these stimulating condiments, +and as much as possible prevent their use. It is also found, by +experience, that animal food is more stimulating than vegetable. This is +the reason why, in cases of fevers, or inflammations, medical men forbid +the use of meat and butter. Animal food supplies chyle much more +abundantly than vegetable food does; and this chyle is more stimulating +in its nature. Of course, a person who lives chiefly on animal food, is +under a higher degree of stimulus than if his food was chiefly composed +of vegetable substances. His blood will flow faster, and all the +functions of his body will be quickened. + +This makes it important to secure a proper proportion of animal and +vegetable diet. Some medical men suppose, that an exclusively vegetable +diet is proved, by the experience of many individuals, to be fully +sufficient to nourish the body; and bring, as evidence, the fact, that +some of the strongest and most robust men in the world, are those, who +are trained, from infancy, exclusively on vegetable food. From this, +they infer, that life will be shortened, just in proportion as the diet +is changed to more stimulating articles; and that, all other things +being equal, children will have a better chance of health and long life, +if they are brought up solely on vegetable food. + +But, though this is not the common opinion of medical men, they all +agree, that, in America, far too large a portion of the diet consists of +animal food. As a nation, the Americans are proverbial for the gross and +luxurious diet with which they load their tables; and there can be no +doubt that the general health of the Nation would be increased, by a +change in our customs in this respect. To take meat but once a day, and +this in small quantities, compared with the common practice, is a rule, +the observance of which would probably greatly reduce the amount of +fevers, eruptions, headaches, bilious attacks, and the many other +ailments which are produced or aggravated by too gross a diet. + +The celebrated Roman physician, Baglivi, (who, from practising +extensively among Roman Catholics, had ample opportunities to observe,) +mentions, that, in Italy, an unusual number of people recover their +health in the forty days of Lent, in consequence of the lower diet which +is required as a religious duty. An American physician remarks, "For +every reeling drunkard that disgraces our Country, it contains one +hundred gluttons;--persons, I mean, who eat to excess, and suffer in +consequence." Another distinguished physician says, "I believe that +every stomach, not actually impaired by organic disease, will perform +its functions, if it receives reasonable attention; and when we perceive +the manner in which diet is generally conducted, both in regard to +_quantity_ and _variety_ of articles of food and drink, which are mixed +up in one heterogeneous mass,--instead of being astonished at the +prevalence of indigestion, our wonder must rather be, that, in such +circumstances, any stomach is capable of digesting at all." + +In regard to articles which are the most easily digested, only general +rules can be given. Tender meats are digested more readily than those +which are tough, or than many kinds of vegetable food. The farinaceous +articles, such as rice, flour, corn, potatoes, and the like, are the +most nutritious, and most easily digested. The popular notion, that meat +is more nourishing than bread, is a great mistake. Good bread contains +one third more nourishment than butcher's meat. The meat is more +_stimulating_, and for this reason is more readily digested. A perfectly +healthy stomach can digest almost any healthful food; but when the +digestive powers are weak, every stomach has its peculiarities, and what +is good for one, is hurtful to another. In such cases, experiment, +alone, can decide, which are the most digestible articles of food. A +person, whose food troubles him, must deduct one article after another, +till he learns, by experience, which is the best for digestion. Much +evil has been done, by assuming that the powers of one stomach are to be +made the rule in regulating every other. + +The most unhealthful kinds of food, are those, which are made so by bad +cooking; such as sour and heavy bread, cakes, pie-crust, and other +dishes consisting of fat, mixed and cooked with flour; also rancid +butter, and high-seasoned food. The fewer mixtures there are in cooking, +the more healthful is the food likely to be. + +There is one caution, as to the _mode_ of eating, which seems peculiarly +needful to Americans. It is indispensable to good digestion, that food +be well chewed and taken slowly. It needs to be thoroughly chewed, in +order to prepare it for the action of the gastric juice, which, by the +_peristaltic motion_, will be thus brought into universal contact with +the minute portions. It has been found, that a solid lump of food +requires much more time and labor of the stomach, than divided +substances. It has also been found, that, as each bolus, or mouthful, +enters the stomach, the latter closes, until the portion received has +had some time to move around and combine with the gastric juice; and +that the orifice of the stomach resists the entrance of any more, till +this is accomplished. But, if the eater persists in swallowing fast, the +stomach yields; the food is then poured in more rapidly than the organ +can perform its duty of digestion; and evil results are sooner or later +developed. This exhibits the folly of those hasty meals, so common to +travellers, and to men of business, and shows why children should be +taught to eat slowly. + +After taking a full meal, it is very important to health, that no great +bodily or mental exertion be made, till the labor of the stomach is +over. Intense mental effort draws the blood to the head, and muscular +exertions draw it to the muscles; and in consequence of this, the +stomach loses the supply which it requires when performing its office. +When the blood is thus withdrawn, the adequate supply of gastric juice +is not afforded, and indigestion is the result. The heaviness which +follows a full meal, is the indication which Nature gives of the need of +quiet. When the meal is moderate, a sufficient quantity of gastric juice +is exuded in an hour, or an hour and a half; after which, labor of body +and mind may safely be resumed. + +When undigested food remains in the stomach, and is at last thrown out +into the bowels, it proves an irritating substance, producing an +inflamed state in the lining of the stomach and other organs. The same +effect is produced by alcoholic drinks. + +It is found, that the stomach has the power of gradually accommodating +its digestive powers to the food it habitually receives. Thus, animals, +which live on vegetables, can gradually become accustomed to animal +food; and the reverse is equally true. Thus, too, the human stomach can +eventually accomplish the digestion of some kinds of food, which, at +first, were indigestible. + +But any changes of this sort should be gradual; as those which are +_sudden_, are trying to the powers of the stomach, by furnishing matter +for which its gastric juice is not prepared. + +In regard to the nature of the meals prepared, the breakfast should +furnish a supply of liquids, because the body has been exhausted by the +exhalations of the night, and demands them more than at any other +period. It should not be the heartiest meal, because the organs of +digestion are weakened by long fasting, and the exhalations. Dinner +should be the heartiest meal, because then the powers of digestion are +strengthened, by the supplies of the morning meal. Light and amusing +employments should occupy mind and body for an hour or more after a full +meal. + +But little drink should be taken, while eating, as it dilutes the +gastric juice which is apportioned to each quantity of food as it enters +the stomach. It is better to take drink after the meal is past. + +Extremes of heat or cold are injurious to the process of digestion. +Taking hot food or drink, habitually, tends to debilitate all the organs +thus needlessly excited. In using cold substances, it is found that a +certain degree of warmth in the stomach is indispensable to their +digestion; so that, when the gastric juice is cooled below this +temperature, it ceases to act. Indulging in large quantities of cold +drinks, or eating ice-creams, after a meal, tends to reduce the +temperature of the stomach, and thus to stop digestion. This shows the +folly of those refreshments, in convivial meetings, where the guests are +tempted to load the stomach with a variety, such as would require the +stomach of a stout farmer to digest, and then to wind up with +ice-creams, thus destroying whatever ability might otherwise have +existed, to digest the heavy load. The fittest temperature for drinks, +if taken when the food is in the digesting process, is blood heat. Cool +drinks, and even ice, can be safely taken at other times, if not in +excessive quantity. When the thirst is excessive, or the body weakened +by fatigue, or when in a state of perspiration, cold drinks are +injurious. When the body is perspiring freely, taking a large quantity +of cold drink has often produced instant death. + +Fluids taken into the stomach are not subject to the slow process of +digestion, but are immediately absorbed and carried into the blood. This +is the reason why drink, more speedily than food, restores from +exhaustion. The minute vessels of the stomach inhale or absorb its +fluids, which are carried into the blood, just as the minute extremities +of the arteries open upon the inner surface of the stomach, and there +exude the gastric juice from the blood. + +When food is chiefly liquid, (soup, for example,) the fluid part is +rapidly absorbed. The solid parts remain, to be acted on by the gastric +juice. In the case of St. Martin,[F] in fifty minutes after taking soup, +the fluids were absorbed, and the remainder was even thicker than is +usual after eating solid food. This is the reason why soups are deemed +bad for weak stomachs; as this residuum is more difficult of digestion +than ordinary food. In recovering from sickness, beef-tea and broths are +good, because the system then demands fluids to supply its loss of +blood. + +Highly-concentrated food, having much nourishment in a small bulk, is +not favorable to digestion, because it cannot be properly acted on by +the muscular contractions of the stomach, and is not so minutely +divided, as to enable the gastric juice to act properly. This is the +reason, why a certain _bulk_ of food is needful to good digestion; and +why those people, who live on whale oil, and other highly-nourishing +food, in cold climates, mix vegetables and even sawdust with it, to make +it more acceptable and digestible. So, in civilized lands, bread, +potatoes, and vegetables, are mixed with more highly-concentrated +nourishment. This explains why coarse bread, of unbolted wheat, so often +proves beneficial. Where, from inactive habits, or other causes, the +bowels become constipated and sluggish, this kind of food proves the +appropriate remedy. One fact on this subject is worthy of notice. Under +the administration of William Pitt, for two years or more, there was +such a scarcity of wheat, that, to make it hold out longer, Parliament +passed a law, that the army should have all their bread made of unbolted +flour. The result was, that the health of the soldiers improved so much, +as to be a subject of surprise to themselves, the officers, and the +physicians. These last came out publicly, and declared, that the +soldiers never before were so robust and healthy; and that disease had +nearly disappeared from the army. The civic physicians joined and +pronounced it the healthiest bread; and, for a time, schools, families, +and public institutions, used it almost exclusively. Even the nobility, +convinced by these facts, adopted it for their common diet; and the +fashion continued a long time after the scarcity ceased, until more +luxurious habits resumed their sway. For this reason, also, soups, +gellies, and arrow-root, should have bread or crackers mixed with them. +We thus see why children should not have cakes and candies allowed them +between meals. These are highly-concentrated nourishments, and should be +eaten with more bulky and less nourishing substances. The most +indigestible of all kinds of food, are fatty and oily substances; +especially if heated. It is on this account, that pie-crust, and +articles boiled and fried in fat or butter, are deemed not so healthful +as other food. + +The following, then, may be put down as the causes of a debilitated +constitution, from the misuse of food. Eating _too much_, eating _too +often_, eating _too fast_, eating food and condiments that are _too +stimulating_, eating food that is _too warm_ or _too cold_, eating food +that is _highly-concentrated_, without a proper admixture of less +nourishing matter, and eating food that is _difficult of digestion_. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[F] The individual here referred to,--Alexis St. Martin,--was a young +Canadian, of eighteen years of age, of a good constitution, and robust +health, who, in 1822, was accidentally wounded by the discharge of a +musket, which carried away a part of the ribs, lacerated one of the +lobes of the lungs, and perforated the stomach, making a large aperture, +which never closed; and which enabled Dr. Beaumont, (a surgeon of the +American army, stationed at Michilimackinac, under whose care the +patient was placed,) to witness all the processes of digestion and other +functions of the body, for several years. The published account of the +experiments made by Dr. B., is highly interesting and instructive. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. + + +Although intemperance in eating is probably the most prolific cause of +the diseases of mankind, intemperance in drink has produced more guilt, +misery, and crime, than any other one cause. And the responsibilities of +a woman, in this particular, are very great; for the habits and +liabilities of those under her care, will very much depend on her +opinions and practice. + +It is a point fully established by experience, that the full +developement of the human body, and the vigorous exercise of all its +functions, can be secured without the use of stimulating drinks. It is, +therefore, perfectly safe, to bring up children never to use them; no +hazard being incurred, by such a course. + +It is also found, by experience, that there are two evils incurred, by +the use of stimulating drinks. The first, is, their positive effect on +the human system. Their peculiarity consists in so exciting the nervous +system, that all the functions of the body are accelerated, and the +fluids are caused to move quicker than at their natural speed. This +increased motion of the animal fluids, always produces an agreeable +effect on the mind. The intellect is invigorated, the imagination is +excited, the spirits are enlivened; and these effects are so agreeable, +that all mankind, after having once experienced them, feel a great +desire for their repetition. + +But this temporary invigoration of the system, is always followed by a +diminution of the powers of the stimulated organs; so that, though in +all cases this reaction may not be perceptible, it is invariably the +result. It may be set down as the unchangeable rule of physiology, that +stimulating drinks (except in cases of disease) deduct from the powers +of the constitution, in exactly the proportion in which they operate to +produce temporary invigoration. + +The second evil, is, the temptation which always attends the use of +stimulants. Their effect on the system is so agreeable, and the evils +resulting are so imperceptible and distant, that there is a constant +tendency to increase such excitement, both in frequency and power. And +the more the system is thus reduced in strength, the more craving is the +desire for that which imparts a temporary invigoration. This process of +increasing debility and increasing craving for the stimulus that removes +it, often goes to such an extreme, that the passion is perfectly +uncontrollable, and mind and body perish under this baleful habit. + +In this Country, there are five forms in which the use of such +stimulants is common; namely, _alcoholic drinks_, _tea_, _coffee_, +_opium mixtures_, and _tobacco_. These are all alike, in the main +peculiarity of imparting that extra stimulus to the system, which tends +to exhaust its powers. + +Multitudes in this Nation are in the habitual use of some one of these +stimulants; and each person defends the indulgence by these arguments: + +First, that the desire for stimulants is a natural propensity, implanted +in man's nature, as is manifest from the universal tendency to such +indulgences, in every nation. From this, it is inferred, that it is an +innocent desire, which ought to be gratified, to some extent, and that +the aim should be, to keep it within the limits of temperance, instead +of attempting to exterminate a natural propensity. + +This is an argument, which, if true, makes it equally proper to use +opium, brandy, tea, or tobacco, as stimulating principles, provided they +are used temperately. But, if it be granted that perfect health and +strength can be gained and secured without these stimulants, and that +their peculiar effect is to diminish the power of the system, in exactly +the same proportion as they stimulate it, then there is no such thing as +a temperate use, unless they are so diluted, as to destroy any +stimulating power; and in this form, they are seldom desired. + +The other argument for their use, is, that they are among the good +things provided by the Creator, for our gratification; that, like all +other blessings, they are exposed to abuse and excess; and that we +should rather seek to regulate their use, than to banish them entirely. + +This argument is based on the assumption, that they are, like healthful +foods and drinks, necessary to life and health, and injurious only by +excess. But this is not true; for, whenever they are used in any such +strength as to be a gratification, they operate, to a greater or less +extent, as stimulants; and, to just such extent, they wear out the +powers of the constitution; and it is abundantly proved, that they are +not, like food and drink, necessary to health. Such articles are +designed for medicine, and not for common use. There can be no argument +framed to defend the use of one of them, which will not equally defend +all. That men have a love for being stimulated, after they have once +felt the pleasurable excitement, and that Providence has provided the +means for securing it, are arguments as much in favor of alcohol, opium, +and tobacco, as of coffee and tea. All that can be said in favor of the +last-mentioned favorite beverages, is, that the danger in their use is +not so great. Let any one, who defends one kind of stimulating drink, +remember, then, that he uses an argument, which, if it be allowed that +stimulants are not needed, and are injurious, will equally defend all +kinds; and that all which can be said in defence of tea and coffee, is, +that they _may_ be used, so weak, as to do no harm, and that they +actually have done less harm than some of the other stimulating +narcotics. + +The writer is of opinion, that tea and coffee are a most extensive cause +of much of the nervous debility and suffering endured by American women; +and that relinquishing such drinks would save an immense amount of such +suffering. But there is little probability that the present generation +will make so decided a change in their habits, as to give up these +beverages; and the subject is presented rather in reference to forming +the habits of children. + +It is a fact, that tea and coffee are, at first, seldom or never +agreeable to children. It is the mixture of milk, sugar, and water, that +reconciles them to a taste, which in this manner gradually becomes +agreeable. Now, suppose that those who provide for a family conclude +that it is not _their_ duty to give up entirely the use of stimulating +drinks, may not the case appear different, in regard to teaching their +children to love such drinks? Let the matter be regarded thus:--The +experiments of physiologists all prove, that stimulants are not needful +to health, and that, as the general rule, they tend to debilitate the +constitution. Is it right, then, for a parent to tempt a child to drink +what is not needful, when there is a probability that it will prove, to +some extent, an undermining drain on the constitution? Some +constitutions can bear much less excitement than others; and, in every +family of children, there is usually one, or more, of delicate +organization, and consequently peculiarly exposed to dangers from this +source. It is this child who ordinarily becomes the victim to +stimulating drinks. The tea and coffee which the parents and the +healthier children can use without immediate injury, gradually sap the +energies of the feebler child, who proves either an early victim, or a +living martyr to all the sufferings that debilitated nerves inflict. Can +it be right, to lead children, where all allow that there is some +danger, and where, in many cases, disease and death are met, when +another path is known to be perfectly safe? + +Of the stimulating drinks in common use, _black tea_ is least injurious, +because its flavor is so strong, in comparison with its narcotic +principle, that one who uses it, is much less liable to excess. Children +can be trained to love milk and water sweetened with sugar, so that it +will always be a pleasant beverage; or, if there are exceptions to the +rule, they will be few. Water is an unfailing resort. Every one loves +it, and it is perfectly healthful. + +The impression, common in this Country, that _warm drinks_, especially +in Winter, are more healthful than cold, is not warranted by any +experience, nor by the laws of the physical system. At dinner, cold +drinks are universal, and no one deems them injurious. It is only at the +other two meals that they are supposed to be hurtful. + +There is no doubt that _warm_ drinks are healthful, and more agreeable +than cold, at certain times and seasons; but it is equally true, that +drinks above blood heat are not healthful. If any person should hold a +finger in hot water, for a considerable time, twice every day, it would +be found that the finger would gradually grow weaker. The frequent +application of the stimulus of heat, like all other stimulants, +eventually causes debility. If, therefore, a person is in the habit of +drinking hot drinks, twice a day, the teeth, throat, and stomach are +gradually debilitated. This, most probably, is one of the causes of an +early decay of the teeth, which is observed to be much more common among +American ladies, than among those in European countries. + +It has been stated to the writer, by an intelligent traveller, who had +visited Mexico, that it was rare to meet an individual with even a +tolerable set of teeth; and that almost every grown person, he met in +the street, had merely remnants of teeth. On inquiry into the customs +of the Country, it was found, that it was the universal practice to take +their usual beverage at almost the boiling point; and this, doubtless, +was the chief cause of the almost entire want of teeth in that Country. +In the United States, it cannot be doubted that much evil is done, in +this way, by hot drinks. Most tea-drinkers consider tea as ruined, if it +stands until it reaches the healthful temperature for drink. + +The following extract from Dr. Andrew Combe, presents the opinion of +most intelligent medical men on this subject.[G] + +"_Water_ is a safe drink for all constitutions, provided it be resorted +to in obedience to the dictates of natural thirst, only, and not of +habit. Unless the desire for it is felt, there is no occasion for its +use during a meal." + +"The primary effect of all distilled and fermented liquors, is, to +_stimulate the nervous system and quicken the circulation_. In infancy +and childhood, the circulation is rapid, and easily excited; and the +nervous system is strongly acted upon, even by the slightest external +impressions. Hence slight causes of irritation readily excite febrile +and convulsive disorders. In youth, the natural tendency of the +constitution is still to excitement; and consequently, as a general +rule, the stimulus of fermented liquors is injurious." + +These remarks show, that parents, who find that stimulating drinks are +not injurious to themselves, may mistake in inferring, from this, that +they will not be injurious to their children. + +Dr. Combe continues thus: "In mature age, when digestion is good and the +system in full vigor, if the mode of life be not too exhausting, the +nervous functions and general circulation are in their best condition, +and require no stimulus for their support. The bodily energy is then +easily sustained, by nutritious food and a regular regimen, and +consequently artificial excitement only increases the wasting of the +natural strength. In old age, when the powers of life begin to fail, +moderate stimulus may be used with evident advantage." + +It may be asked, in this connection, why the stimulus of animal food is +not to be regarded in the same light, as that of stimulating drinks. In +reply, a very essential difference may be pointed out. Animal food +furnishes nutriment to the organs which it stimulates, but stimulating +drinks excite the organs to quickened action, without affording any +nourishment. + +It has been supposed, by some, that tea and coffee have, at least, a +degree of nourishing power. But it is proved, that it is the milk and +sugar, and not the main portion of the drink, which imparts the +nourishment. Tea has not one particle of nourishing properties; and what +little exists in the coffee-berry, is lost by roasting it in the usual +mode. All that these articles do, is simply _to stimulate, without +nourishing_. + +It is very common, especially in schools, for children to form a habit +of drinking freely of cold water. This is a debilitating habit, and +should be corrected. Very often, chewing a bit of cracker will stop a +craving for drink, better than taking water; and when teachers are +troubled with very thirsty scholars, they should direct them to this +remedy. A person who exercises but little, requires no drink, between +meals, for health; and the craving for it is unhealthful. Spices, wines, +fermented liquors, and all stimulating condiments, produce unhealthful +thirst. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[G] The writer would here remark, in reference to extracts made from +various authors, that, for the sake of abridging, she has often left out +parts of a paragraph, but never so as to modify the meaning of the +author. Some ideas, not connected with the subject in hand, are omitted, +but none are altered. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +ON CLOTHING. + + +It appears, by calculations made from bills of mortality, that one +quarter of the human race perishes in infancy. This is a fact not in +accordance with the analogy of Nature. No such mortality prevails among +the young of animals; it does not appear to be the design of the +Creator; and it must be owing to causes which can be removed. Medical +men agree in the opinion, that a great portion of this mortality, is +owing to mismanagement, in reference to fresh air, food, and clothing. + +At birth, the circulation is chiefly in the vessels of the skin; for the +liver and stomach, being feeble in action, demand less blood, and it +resorts to the surface. If, therefore, an infant be exposed to cold, the +blood is driven inward, by the contracting of the blood-vessels in the +skin: and, the internal organs being thus over-stimulated, bowel +complaints, croup, convulsions, or some other evil, ensues. This shows +the sad mistake of parents, who plunge infants in cold water to +strengthen their constitution; and teaches, that infants should be +washed in warm water, and in a warm room. Some have constitutions strong +enough to bear mismanagement in these respects; but many fail in +consequence of it. + +Hence we see the importance of dressing infants warmly, and protecting +them from exposure to a cold temperature. It is for this purpose, that +mothers, now, very generally, cover the arms and necks of infants, +especially in Winter. Fathers and mothers, if they were obliged to go +with bare arms and necks, even in moderate weather, would often shiver +with cold; and yet they have a power of constitution which would subject +them to far less hazard and discomfort, than a delicate infant must +experience from a similar exposure. This mode of dressing infants, with +bare necks and arms, has arisen from the common impression, that they +have a power of resisting cold superior to older persons. This is a +mistake; for the experiments of medical men have established the fact, +that the power of producing heat is least in the period of infancy. + +Extensive investigations have been made in France, in reference to this +point. It is there required, in some districts, that every infant, at +birth, be carried to the office of the _maire_, [_mayor_,] to be +registered. It is found, in these districts, that the deaths of +newly-born infants, are much more numerous in the cold, than in the +warm, months; and that a much greater proportion of such deaths occurs +among those who reside at a distance from the office of the _maire_, +than among those in its vicinity. This proves, that exposure to cold has +much to do with the continuance of infant life. + +But it is as dangerous to go to the other extreme, and keep the body too +warm. The skin, when kept at too high a temperature, is relaxed and +weakened by too profuse perspiration, and becomes more sensitive, and +more readily affected by every change of temperature. This increases the +liabilities to sudden colds; and it frequently happens, that the +children, who are most carefully guarded from cold, are the ones most +liable to take sudden and dangerous chills. The reason is, that, by the +too great accumulation of clothing, the skin is too much excited, and +the blood is withdrawn from the internal organs, thus weakening them, +while the skin itself is debilitated by the same process. + +The rule of safety, is, so to cover the body, as to keep it entirely +warm, but not so as to induce perspiration in any part. The perspiration +induced by exercise is healthful, because it increases the appetite; but +the perspiration produced by excess of clothing is debilitating. This +shows the importance of adjusting beds and their covering to the season. +Featherbeds are unhealthful in warm weather, because they induce +perspiration; and in all cases, those, who have the care of children, +should proportion their covering by night to the season of the year. +Infants and children should never be so clothed, as either to feel +chilly, or to induce perspiration. + +The greatest trouble, in this respect, to those who have the care of +children, is owing to their throwing off their covering in the night. +The best guard, against such exposures, is a nightgown, of the warmest +and thickest flannel, made like pantaloons at the lower part, and the +legs long, so that they can be tied over the feet. This makes less +covering needful, and saves the child from excessive cold when it is +thrown off. + +The clothing ought always to be proportioned to the constitution and +habits. A person of strong constitution, who takes much exercise, needs +less clothing than one of delicate and sedentary habits. According to +this rule, women need much thicker and warmer clothing, when they go +out, than men. But how different are our customs, from what sound wisdom +dictates! Women go out with thin stockings, thin shoes, and open necks, +when men are protected by thick woollen hose and boots, and their whole +body encased in many folds of flannel and broadcloth. + +Flannel, worn next the skin, is useful, for several reasons. It is a bad +conductor of heat, so that it protects the body from _sudden_ chills +when in a state of perspiration. It also produces a kind of friction on +the skin, which aids it in its functions, while its texture, being +loose, enables it to receive and retain much matter, thrown off from the +body, which would otherwise accumulate on its surface. This is the +reason, why medical men direct, that young children wear flannel next +the body, and woollen hose, the first two years of life. They are thus +protected from sudden exposures. For the same reason, laboring men +should thus wear flannels, which are also considered as preservatives +from infection, in unhealthy atmospheres. They give a healthy action to +the skin, and thus enable it to resist the operation of unhealthy +miasms. On this account, persons residing in a new country should wear +such clothing next the skin, to guard them from the noxious miasms +caused by extensive vegetable decompositions. It is stated, that the +fatal influence of the malaria, or noxious exhalations around Rome, has +been much diminished by this practice. But those who thus wear flannel, +through the day, ought to take it off, at night, when it is not needed. +It should be hung so that it can be well aired, during the night. + +But the practice, by which females probably suffer most, is, the use of +_tight dresses_. Much has been said against the use of corsets by +ladies. But these may be worn with perfect safety, and be left off, and +still injury, such as they often produce, be equally felt. It is the +_constriction_ of dress, that is to be feared, and not any particular +article that produces it. A frock, or a belt, may be so tight, as to be +even worse than a corset, which would more equally divide the +compression. + +So long as it is the fashion to admire, as models of elegance, the +wasp-like figures which are presented at the rooms of mantuamakers and +milliners, there will be hundreds of foolish women, who will risk their +lives and health to secure some resemblance to these deformities of the +human frame. But it is believed, that all sensible women, when they +fairly understand the evils which result from tight dressing, and learn +the _real_ model of taste and beauty for a perfect female form, will +never risk their own health, or the health of their daughters, in +efforts to secure one which is as much at variance with good taste, as +it is with good health. + +Such female figures as our print-shops present, are made, not by the +hand of the Author of all grace and beauty, but by the murderous +contrivances of the corset-shop; and the more a woman learns the true +rules of grace and beauty for the female form, the more her taste will +revolt from such ridiculous distortions. The folly of the Chinese belle, +who totters on two useless deformities, is nothing, compared to that of +the American belle, who impedes all the internal organs in the discharge +of their functions, that she may have a slender waist. + +It was shown, in the article on the bones and muscles, that exercise was +indispensable to their growth and strength. If any muscles are left +unemployed, they diminish in size and strength. The girding of tight +dresses operates thus on the muscles of the body. If an article, like +corsets, is made to hold up the body, then those muscles, which are +designed for this purpose, are released from duty, and grow weak; so +that, after this has been continued for some time, leaving off the +unnatural support produces a feeling of weakness. Thus a person will +complain of feeling so weak and unsupported, without corsets, as to be +uncomfortable. This is entirely owing to the disuse of those muscles, +which corsets throw out of employ. + +Another effect of tight dress, is, to stop or impede the office of the +lungs. Unless the chest can expand, fully, and with perfect ease, a +portion of the lungs is not filled with air, and thus the full +purification of the blood is prevented. This movement of the lungs, when +they are fully inflated, increases the peristaltic movement of the +stomach and bowels, and promotes digestion; any constriction of the +waist tends to impede this important operation, and indigestion, with +all its attendant evils, is often the result. + +The rule of safety, in regard to the tightness of dress, is this. Every +person should be dressed so loosely, that, _when sitting in the posture +used in sewing, reading, or study_ THE LUNGS _can be as fully +and as easily inflated, as they are without clothing_. Many a woman +thinks she dresses loosely, because, when she stands up, her clothing +does not confine her chest. This is not a fair test. It is in the +position most used when engaged in common employments, that we are to +judge of the constriction of dress. Let every woman, then, bear in mind, +that, just so long as her dress and position oppose any resistance to +the motion of her chest, in just such proportion her blood is +unpurified, and her vital organs are debilitated. + +The English ladies set our countrywomen a good example, in accommodating +their dress to times and seasons. The richest and noblest among them +wear warm cotton hose and thick shoes, when they walk for exercise; and +would deem it vulgar to appear, as many of our ladies do, with thin hose +and shoes, in damp or cold weather. Any mode of dress, not suited to the +employment, the age, the season, or the means of the wearer, is in bad +taste. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +ON CLEANLINESS. + + +The importance of cleanliness, in person and dress, can never be fully +realized, by persons who are ignorant of the construction of the skin, +and of the influence which its treatment has on the health of the body. +Persons deficient in such knowledge, frequently sneer at what they deem +the foolish and fidgety particularity of others, whose frequent +ablutions and changes of clothing, exceed their own measure of +importance. + +The popular maxim, that "dirt is healthy," has probably arisen from the +fact, that playing in the open air is very beneficial to the health of +children, who thus get dirt on their persons and clothes. But it is the +fresh air and exercise, and not the dirt, which promotes the health. + +In a previous article, it was shown, that the lungs, bowels, kidneys, +and skin, were the organs employed in throwing off those waste and +noxious parts of the food not employed in nourishing the body. Of this, +the skin has the largest duty to perform; throwing off, at least, twenty +ounces every twenty-four hours, by means of insensible perspiration. +When exercise sets the blood in quicker motion, it ministers its +supplies faster, and there is consequently a greater residuum to be +thrown off by the skin; and then the perspiration becomes so abundant as +to be perceptible. In this state, if a sudden chill take place, the +blood-vessels of the skin contract, the blood is driven from the +surface, and the internal organs are taxed with a double duty. If the +constitution be a strong one, these organs march on and perform the +labor exacted. But if any of these organs be debilitated, the weakest +one generally gives way, and some disease ensues. + +One of the most frequent illustrations of this reciprocated action, is +afforded by a convivial meeting in cold weather. The heat of the room, +the food, and the excitement, quicken the circulation, and perspiration +is evolved. When the company passes into the cold air, a sudden +revulsion takes place. The increased circulation continues, for some +time after; but the skin being cooled, the blood retreats, and the +internal organs are obliged to perform the duties of the skin as well as +their own. Then, in case the lungs are the weakest organ, the mucous +secretion becomes excessive; so that it would fill up the cells, and +stop the breathing, were it not for the spasmodic effort called +coughing, by which this substance is thrown out. In case the nerves are +the weakest part of the system, such an exposure would result in pains +in the head or teeth, or in some other nervous ailment. If the muscles +be the weakest part, rheumatic affections will ensue; and if the bowels +or kidneys be weakest, some disorder in their functions will result. + +But it is found, that the closing of the pores of the skin with other +substances, tends to a similar result on the internal organs. In this +situation, the skin is unable perfectly to perform its functions, and +either the blood remains to a certain extent unpurified, or else the +internal organs have an unnatural duty to perform. Either of these +results tends to produce disease, and the gradual decay of the vital +powers. + +Moreover, it has been shown, that the skin has the power of absorbing +into the blood particles retained on its surface. In consequence of +these peculiarities, the skin of the whole body needs to be washed, +every day. This process removes from the pores the matter exhaled from +the blood, and also that collected from the atmosphere and other bodies. +If this process be not often performed, the pores of the skin fill up +with the redundant matter expelled, and being pressed, by the clothing, +to the surface of the body, the skin is both interrupted in its exhaling +process, and its absorbents take back into the system portions of the +noxious matter. Thus the blood is not relieved to the extent designed, +while it receives back noxious particles, which are thus carried to the +lungs, liver, and every part of the system. + +This is the reason why the articles worn next to the skin should often +be changed; and why it is recommended that persons should not sleep in +the article they wear next the skin through the day. The alternate +change and airing of the articles worn next the body by day or night, is +a practice very favorable to the health of the skin. The fresh air has +the power of removing much of the noxious effluvia received from the +body by the clothing. It is with reference to this, that on leaving a +bed, its covering should be thrown open and exposed to the fresh air. + +The benefit arising from a proper care of the skin, is the reason why +bathing has been so extensively practised by civilized nations. The +Greeks and Romans considered bathing as indispensable to daily comfort, +as much so, as their meals; and public baths were provided for all +classes. In European countries, this practice is very prevalent, but +there is no civilized nation which pays so little regard to the rules of +health, on this subject, as our own. To wash the face, feet, hands, and +neck, is the extent of the ablutions practised by perhaps the majority +of our people. + +In regard to the use of the bath, there is need of some information, in +order to prevent danger from its misuse. Persons in good health, and +with strong constitutions, can use the cold bath, and the shower-bath, +with entire safety and benefit. But if the constitution be feeble, cold +bathing is injurious. If it is useful, it can be known by an invigorated +feeling, and a warm glow on the skin; but if, instead of this, there be +a feeling of debility, and the hands and feet become cold, it is a +certain sign, that this kind of bathing is injurious. A bath at +ninety-five degrees of Fahrenheit, is about the right temperature. A +bath, blood warm, or a little cooler than the skin, is safe for all +constitutions, if not protracted over half an hour. After bathing, the +body should be rubbed with a brush or coarse towel, to remove the light +scales of scarfskin, which adhere to it, and also to promote a healthful +excitement. + +A bath should never be taken, till three hours after eating, as it +interrupts the process of digestion, by withdrawing the blood from the +stomach to the surface. Neither should it be taken, when the body is +weary with exercise, nor be immediately followed by severe exercise. +Many suppose that a warm bath exposes a person more readily to take +cold; and that it tends to debilitate the system. This is not the case, +unless it be protracted too long. If it be used so as to cleanse the +skin, and give it a gentle stimulus, it is better able to resist cold +than before the process. This is the reason why the Swedes and Russians +can rush, reeking, out of their steam baths, and throw themselves into +the snow, and not only escape injury, but feel invigorated. It is for a +similar reason, that we suffer less in going into the cold, from a warm +room, with our body entirely warm, than when we go out somewhat chilled. +When the skin is warm, the circulation is active on the surface, and the +cold does not so reduce its temperature, but that increased exercise +will keep up its warmth. + +When families have no bathing establishment, every member should wash +the whole person, on rising or going to bed, either in cold or warm +water, according to the constitution. It is especially important, that +children have the perspiration and other impurities, which their +exercise and sports have occasioned, removed from their skin before +going to bed. The hours of sleep are those when the body most freely +exhales the waste matter of the system, and all the pores should be +properly freed from impediments to this healthful operation. For this +purpose, a large tin wash-pan should be kept for children, just large +enough, at bottom, for them to stand in, and flaring outward, so as to +be very broad at top. A child can then be placed in it, standing, and +washed with a sponge, without wetting the floor. Being small at bottom, +it is better than a tub; it is not only smaller, but lighter, and +requires less water. + +These remarks indicate the wisdom of those parents, who habitually wash +their children, all over, before they go to bed. The chance of life and +health, to such children, is greatly increased by this practice; and no +doubt much of the suffering of childhood, from cutaneous eruptions, weak +eyes, earache, colds, and fevers, is owing to a neglect of the skin. + +The care of the teeth should be made habitual to children, not merely as +promoting an agreeable appearance, but as a needful preservative. The +saliva contains tartar, an earthy substance, which is deposited on the +teeth, and destroys both their beauty and health. This can be prevented, +by the use of the brush, night and morning. But, if this be neglected, +the deposite becomes hard, and can be removed only by the dentist. If +suffered to remain, it tends to destroy the health of the gums; they +gradually decay, and thus the roots of the teeth become bare, and they +often drop out. + +When children are shedding their first set of teeth, care should be +taken, to remove them as soon as they become loose; otherwise the new +teeth will grow awry. When persons have defective teeth, they can often +be saved, by having them filled by a dentist. This also will frequently +prevent the toothache. + +Children should be taught to take proper care of their nails. Long and +dirty nails have a disagreeable appearance. When children wash, in the +morning, they should be supplied with an instrument to clean the nails, +and be required to use it. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +ON EARLY RISING. + + +There is no practice, which has been more extensively eulogized, in all +ages, than early rising; and this universal impression, is an indication +that it is founded on true philosophy. For, it is rarely the case, that +the common sense of mankind fastens on a practice, as really beneficial, +especially one that demands self-denial, without some substantial +reason. + +This practice, which may justly be called a domestic virtue, is one, +which has a peculiar claim to be styled American and democratic. The +distinctive mark of aristocratic nations, is, a disregard of the great +mass, and a disproportionate regard for the interests of certain +privileged orders. All the customs and habits of such a nation, are, to +a greater or less extent, regulated by this principle. Now the mass of +any nation must always consist of persons who labor at occupations which +demand the light of day. But in aristocratic countries, especially in +England, labor is regarded as the mark of the lower classes, and +indolence is considered as one mark of a gentleman. This impression has +gradually and imperceptibly, to a great extent, regulated their customs, +so that, even in their hours of meals and repose, the higher orders aim +at being different and distinct from those, who, by laborious pursuits, +are placed below them. From this circumstance, while the lower orders +labor by day, and sleep at night, the rich, the noble, and the honored, +sleep by day, and follow their pursuits and pleasures by night. It will +be found, that the aristocracy of London breakfast near mid-day, dine +after dark, visit and go to Parliament between ten and twelve at night, +and retire to sleep towards morning. In consequence of this, the +subordinate classes, who aim at gentility, gradually fall into the same +practice. The influence of this custom extends across the ocean, and +here, in this democratic land, we find many, who measure their grade of +gentility by the late hour at which they arrive at a party. And this +aristocratic tendency is growing upon us, so that, throughout the +Nation, the hours for visiting and retiring are constantly becoming +later, while the hours for rising correspond in lateness. + +The question, then, is one which appeals to American women, as a matter +of patriotism; as having a bearing on those great principles of +democracy, which we conceive to be equally the principles of +Christianity. Shall we form our customs on the principle that labor is +degrading, and indolence genteel? Shall we assume, by our practice, that +the interests of the great mass are to be sacrificed for the pleasures +and honors of a privileged few? Shall we ape the customs of aristocratic +lands, in those very practices which result from principles and +institutions that we condemn? Shall we not rather take the place to +which we are entitled, as the leaders, rather than the followers, in the +customs of society, turn back the tide of aristocratic inroads, and +carry through the whole, not only of civil and political, but of social +and domestic, life, the true principles of democratic freedom and +equality? The following considerations may serve to strengthen an +affirmative decision. + +The first, relates to the health of a family. It is a universal law of +physiology, that all living things flourish best in the light. +Vegetables, in a dark cellar, grow pale and spindling,[H] and children, +brought up in mines, are wan and stinted. This universal law, indicates +the folly of turning day into night, thus losing the genial influence, +which the light of day produces on all animated creation. + +There is another phenomenon in the physiology of Nature, which equally +condemns this practice. It has been shown, that the purification of the +blood, in the lungs, is secured, by the oxygen of the atmosphere +absorbing its carbon and hydrogen. This combination forms carbonic acid +and water, which are expired from our lungs into the atmosphere. Now all +the vegetable world undergoes a similar process. In the light of day, +all the leaves of vegetables absorb carbon and expire oxygen, thus +supplying the air with its vital principle, and withdrawing the more +deleterious element. But, when the light is withdrawn, this process is +reversed, and all vegetables exhale carbonic acid, and inspire the +oxygen of the air. Thus it appears, that the atmosphere of day is much +more healthful than that of the night, especially out of doors. + +Moreover, when the body is fatigued, it is much more liable to +deleterious influences, from noxious particles in the atmosphere, which +may be absorbed by the skin or the lungs. In consequence of this, the +last hours of daily labor are more likely to be those of risk, +especially to delicate constitutions. This is a proper reason for +retiring to the house and to slumber, at an early hour, that the body +may not be exposed to the most risk, when, after the exertions of the +day, it is least able to bear it. + +The observations of medical men, whose inquiries have been directed to +this point, have decided, that from six to eight hours, is the amount of +sleep demanded by persons in health. Some constitutions require as much +as eight, and others no more than six, hours of repose. But eight hours +is the maximum for all persons in ordinary health, with ordinary +occupations. In cases of extra physical exertions, or the debility of +disease, or a decayed constitution, more than this is required. Let +eight hours, then, be regarded as the ordinary period required for +sleep, by an industrious people, like the Americans. According to this, +the practice of rising between four and five, and retiring between nine +and ten, in Summer, would secure most of the sunlight, and expose us the +least to that period of the atmosphere, when it is most noxious. In +Winter, the night air is less deleterious, because the frost binds +noxious exhalations, and vegetation ceases its inspiring and expiring +process; and, moreover, as the constitution is more tried, in cold, than +in warm, weather, and as in cold weather the body exhales less during +the hours of sleep, it is not so injurious to protract our slumbers +beyond the proper period, as it is in the warm months. But in Winter, it +is best for grown persons, in health, to rise as soon as they can see to +dress, and retire so as not to allow more than eight hours for sleep. + +It thus appears, that the laws of our political condition, the laws of +the natural world, and the constitution of our bodies, alike demand that +we rise with the light of day to prosecute our employments, and that we +retire within doors, when this light is withdrawn. + +In regard to the effects of protracting the time spent in repose, many +extensive and satisfactory investigations have been made. It has been +shown, that, during sleep, the body perspires most freely, while yet +neither food nor exercise are ministering to its wants. Of course, if we +continue our slumbers, beyond the time required to restore the body to +its usual vigor, there is an unperceived undermining of the +constitution, by this protracted and debilitating exhalation. This +process, in a course of years, renders the body delicate, and less able +to withstand disease; and in the result shortens life. Sir John +Sinclair, who has written a large work on the Causes of Longevity, +states, as one result of his extensive investigations, that he has never +yet heard or read of a single case of great longevity, where the +individual was not an early riser. He says, that he has found cases, in +which the individual has violated some one of all the other laws of +health, and yet lived to great age; but never a single instance, in +which any constitution has withstood that undermining, consequent on +protracting the hours of repose beyond the demands of the system. + +Another reason for early rising, is, that it is indispensable to a +systematic and well-regulated family. At whatever hour the parents +retire, children and domestics, wearied by play or labor, must retire +early. Children usually awake with the dawn of light, and commence their +play, while domestics usually prefer the freshness of morning for their +labors. If, then, the parents rise at a late hour, they either induce a +habit of protracting sleep in their children and domestics, or else the +family is up, and at their pursuits, while their supervisors are in +bed. Any woman, who asserts that her children and domestics, in the +first hours of day, when their spirits are freshest, will be as well +regulated without her presence, as with it, confesses that, which surely +is little for her credit. It is believed, that any candid woman, +whatever may be her excuse for late rising, will concede, that, if she +could rise early, it would be for the advantage of her family. A late +breakfast puts back the work, through the whole day, for every member of +a family; and, if the parents thus occasion the loss of an hour or two, +to each individual, who, but for their delay in the morning, would be +usefully employed, they, alone, are responsible for all this waste of +time. Is it said, that those, who wish to rise early, can go to their +employments before breakfast? it may be replied, that, in most cases, it +is not safe to use the eyes or the muscles in the morning, till the +losses of the night have been repaired by food. In addition to this, it +may be urged, that, where the parents set an example of the violation of +the rules of health and industry, their influence tends in the wrong +direction; so that whatever waste of time is induced, by a practice +which they thus uphold, must be set down to their account. + +But the practice of early rising has a relation to the general interests +of the social community, as well as to that of each distinct family. All +that great portion of the community, who are employed in business and +labor, find it needful to rise early; and all their hours of meals, and +their appointments for business or pleasure, must be accommodated to +these arrangements. Now, if a small portion of the community establish +very different hours, it makes a kind of jostling, in all the concerns +and interests of society. The various appointments for the public, such +as meetings, schools, and business hours, must be accommodated to the +mass, and not to individuals. The few, then, who establish domestic +habits at variance with the majority, are either constantly interrupted +in their own arrangements, or else are interfering with the rights and +interests of others. This is exemplified in the case of schools. In +families where late rising is practised, either hurry, irregularity, and +neglect, are engendered in the family, or else the interests of the +school, and thus of the community, are sacrificed. In this, and many +other concerns, it can be shown, that the wellbeing of the bulk of the +people, is, to a greater or less extent, impaired by this aristocratic +practice. Let any teacher select the unpunctual scholars,--a class who +most seriously interfere with the interests of the school;--and let men +of business select those who cause them most waste of time and vexation, +by unpunctuality; and it will be found, that they are among the late +risers, and rarely among those who rise early. Thus, it is manifest, +that late rising not only injures the person and family which practise +it, but interferes with the rights and convenience of the community. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[H] Shooting into a long, small, stalk or root. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. + + +In the preceding chapters, we have noticed the various causes, which, +one or all, operate to produce that melancholy delicacy and decay of the +female constitution, which are the occasion of so much physical and +mental suffering throughout this Country. + +These, in a more condensed form, may be enumerated thus: + +A want of exercise, inducing softness in the bones, weakness in the +muscles, inactivity in the digestive organs, and general debility in the +nervous system: A neglect of the care of the skin, whereby the blood has +not been properly purified, and the internal organs have been weakened: +A violation of the laws of health, in regard to food, by eating too +much, too fast, and too often; by using stimulating food and drinks; by +using them too warm or too cold; and by eating that which the power of +the stomach is not sufficient to digest: A neglect of the laws of +health, in regard to clothing, by dressing too tight, and by wearing too +little covering, in cold and damp weather, and especially by not +sufficiently protecting the feet: A neglect to gain a proper supply of +pure air, in sleeping apartments and schoolrooms, and too great a +confinement to the house: The pursuit of exciting amusements at +unseasonable hours, and the many exposures involved at such times: And +lastly, sleeping by day, instead of by night, and protracting the hours +of sleep, beyond the period of repose demanded for rest; thus +exhausting, instead of recruiting, the energies of the system. + +But all the other causes, combined, probably, do not produce one half +the evils, which result from a want of proper exercise. A person who +keeps all the functions of the system in full play, by the active and +frequent use of every muscle, especially if it be in the open air, gains +a power of constitution, which can resist many evils that would follow +from the other neglects and risks detailed. This being the case, there +can be no subject, more important for mothers and young ladies to +understand, than the influence on the health, both of body and mind, of +the neglect or abuse of the muscular system. + +It has been shown, in the previous pages, that all the muscles have +nerves and blood-vessels, running in larger trunks, or minute branches, +to every portion of the body. The experiments of Sir Charles Bell and +others, have developed the curious fact, that each apparently single +nerve, in reality consists of two distinct portions, running together in +the same covering. One portion, is the nerve of _sensation_ or +_feeling_, the other, the nerve of _motion_. The nerves of sensation are +those which are affected by the emotions and volitions of the mind; and +the nerves of motion are those which impart moving power to the muscles. +Experiments show, that, where the nerves issue from the spine, the +nerve of sensation may be cut off without severing the nerve of motion, +and then the parts, to which this nerve extends, lose the power of +feeling, while the power of motion continues; and so, on the other hand, +the nerve of motion may be divided, and, the nerve of sensation +remaining uninjured, the power of feeling is retained, and the power of +motion is lost. + +In certain nervous diseases, sometimes a limb loses its power of +feeling, and yet retains the power of motion; in other cases, the power +of motion is lost, and the power of sensation is retained; and in other +cases, still, when a limb is _paralysed_, both the power of motion and +of sensation are lost. + +Now, the nerves, like all other parts of the body, gain and lose +strength, according as they are exercised. If they have too much, or too +little, exercise, they lose strength; if they are exercised to a proper +degree, they gain strength. When the mind is continuously excited, by +business, study, or the imagination, the nerves of feeling are kept in +constant action, while the nerves of motion are unemployed. If this is +continued, for a long time, the nerves of sensation lose their strength, +from over action, and the nerves of motion lose their power, from +inactivity. In consequence, there is a morbid excitability of the +nervous, and a debility of the muscular, system, which make all exertion +irksome and wearisome. The only mode of preserving the health of these +systems, is, to keep up in them an equilibrium of action. For this +purpose, occupations must be sought, which exercise the muscles, and +interest the mind; and thus the equal action of both kinds of nerves is +secured. This shows why exercise is so much more healthful and +invigorating, when the mind is interested, than when it is not. As an +illustration, let a person go a shopping, with a friend, and have +nothing to do, but look on; how soon do the continuous walking and +standing weary! But suppose one, thus wearied, hears of the arrival of a +very dear friend: she can instantly walk off a mile or two, to meet +her, without the least feeling of fatigue. By this is shown the +importance of furnishing, for young persons, exercise in which they will +take an interest. Long and formal walks, merely for exercise, though +they do some good, in securing fresh air and some exercise of the +muscles, would be of triple benefit, if changed to amusing sports, or to +the cultivation of fruits and flowers, in which it is impossible to +engage, without acquiring a great interest. It shows, also, why it is +far better to trust to useful domestic exercise, at home, than to send a +young person out to walk, for the mere purpose of exercise. Young girls +can seldom be made to realize the value of health, and the need of +exercise to secure it, so as to feel much interest in walking abroad, +when they have no other object. But, if they are brought up to minister +to the comfort and enjoyment of themselves and others, by performing +domestic duties, they will constantly be interested and cheered in their +exercise, by the feeling of usefulness, and the consciousness of having +performed their duty. + +There are few young persons, it is hoped, who are brought up with such +miserable habits of selfishness and indolence, that they cannot be made +to feel happier, by the consciousness of being usefully employed. And +those who have never been accustomed to think or care for any one but +themselves, and who seem to feel little pleasure in making themselves +useful, by wise and proper influences, can often be gradually awakened +to the new pleasure of benevolent exertion to promote the comfort and +enjoyment of others. And the more this sacred and elevating kind of +enjoyment is tasted, the greater is the relish induced. Other +enjoyments, often cloy; but the heavenly pleasure, secured by virtuous +industry and benevolence, while it satisfies, at the time, awakens fresh +desires for so ennobling a good. + +But, besides the favorable influence on the nervous and muscular system, +thus gained, it has been shown, that exercise imparts fresh strength and +vitality to all parts of the body. The exertion of the muscles quickens +the flow of the blood, which thus ministers its supplies faster to +every part of the body, and, of course, loses a portion of its +nourishing qualities. When this is the case, the stomach issues its +mandate of _hunger_, calling for new supplies. When these are furnished, +the action of the muscles again hastens a full supply to every organ, +and thus the nerves, the muscles, the bones, the skin, and all the +internal organs, are invigorated, and the whole body developes its +powers, in fair proportions, fresh strength and full beauty. All the +cosmetics of trade, all the labors of mantuamakers, milliners, makers of +corsets, shoemakers, and hairdressers, could never confer so clear and +pure a skin, so fresh a color, so finely moulded a form, and such +cheerful health and spirits, as would be secured by training a child to +obey the laws of the benevolent Creator, in the appropriate employment +of body and mind in useful domestic exercise. And the present habits of +the wealthy, and even of those without wealth, which condemn young girls +so exclusively to books or sedentary pursuits, are as destructive to +beauty and grace, as they are to health and happiness. + +Every allowance should be made for the mistakes of mothers and teachers, +to whom the knowledge which would have saved them from the evils of such +a course has never been furnished; but as information, on these matters, +is every year becoming more abundant, it is to be hoped, that the next +generation, at least, may be saved from the evils which afflict those +now on the stage. What a change would be made in the happiness of this +Country, if all the pale and delicate young girls should become +blooming, healthful, and active, and all the enfeebled and care-worn +mothers should be transformed into such fresh, active, healthful, and +energetic matrons, as are so frequently found in our mother land! + +It has been stated, that the excessive use of the muscles, as much as +their inactivity, tends to weaken them. Nothing is more painful, than +the keeping a muscle constantly on the stretch, without any relaxation +or change. This can be realized, by holding out an arm, perpendicularly +to the body, for ten or fifteen minutes, if any one can so long bear the +pain. Of course, confinement to one position, for a great length of +time, tends to weaken the muscles thus strained. + +This shows the evil of confining young children to their seats, in the +schoolroom, so much and so long as is often done. Having no backs to +their seats, as is generally the case, the muscles, which are employed +in holding up the body, are kept in a state of constant tension, till +they grow feeble from overworking. Then, the child begins to grow +crooked, and the parents, to remedy the evil, sometimes put on bracers +or corsets. These, instead of doing any good, serve to prevent the use +of those muscles, which, if properly exercised, would hold the body +straight; and thus they grow still weaker, from entire inactivity. If a +parent perceives that a child is growing crooked, the proper remedy is, +to withdraw it from all pursuits which tax one particular set of +muscles, and turn it out to exercise in sports, or in gardening, in the +fresh air, when all the muscles will be used, and the whole system +strengthened. Or, if this cannot be done, sweeping, dusting, running of +errands, and many household employments, which involve lifting, +stooping, bending, and walking, are quite as good, and, on some +accounts, better, provided the house is properly supplied with fresh +air. + +Where persons have formed habits of inactivity, some caution is +necessary, in attempting a change; this must be made gradually; and the +muscles must never be excessively fatigued at any time. If this change +be not thus gradually made, the weakness, at first caused by inactivity, +will be increased by excessive exertion. A distinguished medical +gentleman gives this rule, to direct us in regard to the amount of +fatigue, which is safe and useful. A person is never too much fatigued, +if one night of repose gives sufficient rest, and restores the usual +strength. But, if the sleep is disturbed, and the person wakes with a +feeling of weariness and languor, it is a sure indication that the +exercise has been excessive. No more fatigue, then, should be allowed, +than one night's rest will remedy. + +Some persons object to sweeping, on account of the dust inhaled. But +free ventilation, frequent sweeping, and the use of damp sand, or damp +Indian meal, or damp tea leaves, for carpets, will secure a more clear +atmosphere than is often found in the streets of cities. And the mother, +who will hire domestics, to take away this and other domestic +employments, which would secure to her daughters, health, grace, beauty, +and domestic virtues, and the young ladies, who consent to be deprived +of these advantages, will probably live to mourn over the languor, +discouragement, pain, and sorrow, which will come with ill health, as +the almost inevitable result. + +The following are extracts from 'The Young Ladies' Friend,' on this +subject:-- + +"Whether rich or poor, young or old, married or single, a woman is +always liable to be called to the performance of every kind of domestic +duty, as well as to be placed at the head of a family; and nothing, +short of a _practical_ knowledge of the details of housekeeping, can +ever make those duties easy, or render her competent to direct others in +the performance of them. + +"All moral writers on female character, treat of Domestic Economy as an +indispensable part of female education; and this, too, in the old +countries of Europe, where an abundant population, and the institutions +of society, render it easy to secure the services of faithful +domestics." + +"All female characters that are held up to admiration, whether in +fiction or biography, will be found to possess these domestic +accomplishments; and, if they are considered indispensable in the Old +World, how much more are they needed, in this land of independence, +where riches cannot exempt the mistress of a family from the difficulty +of procuring efficient aid, and where perpetual change of domestics, +renders perpetual instruction and superintendence necessary. + +"Since, then, the details of good housekeeping must be included in a +good female education, it is very desirable that they should be acquired +when young, and so practised as to become easy, and to be performed +dexterously and expeditiously." + +"The elegant and accomplished Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who figured in +the fashionable, as well as the literary, circles of her time, has said, +that 'the most minute details of household economy become elegant and +refined, when they are ennobled by sentiment;' and they are truly +ennobled, when we do them either from a sense of duty, or consideration +for a parent, or love to a husband. 'To furnish a room,' continues this +lady, 'is no longer a commonplace affair, shared with upholsterers and +cabinet-makers; it is decorating the place where I am to meet a friend +or lover. To order dinner is not merely arranging a meal with my cook; +it is preparing refreshment for him whom I love. These necessary +occupations, viewed in this light, by a person capable of strong +attachment, are so many pleasures, and afford her far more delight, than +the games and shows which constitute the amusements of the world.' + +"Such is the testimony of a titled lady of the last century, to the +sentiment that may be made to mingle in the most homely occupations. I +will now quote that of a modern female writer and traveller, who, in her +pleasant book, called 'Six Weeks on the Loire,' has thus described the +housewifery of the daughter of a French nobleman, residing in a superb +chateau on that river. The travellers had just arrived, and been +introduced, when the following scene took place. + +"'The bill of fare for dinner was discussed in my presence, and settled, +_sans facon_,[I] with that delightful frankness and gayety, which, in +the French character, gives a charm to the most trifling occurrence. +Mademoiselle Louise then begged me to excuse her for half an hour, as +she was going to make some creams, and some _pastilles_.[J] I requested +that I might accompany her, and also render myself useful; we +accordingly went together to the dairy. I made tarts _a l'Anglaise_,[K] +whilst she made confections and _bonbons_,[L] and all manner of pretty +things, with as much ease as if she had never done any thing else, and +as much grace as she displayed in the saloon. I could not help thinking, +as I looked at her, with her servants about her, all cheerful, +respectful, and anxious to attend upon her, how much better it would be +for the young ladies in England, if they would occasionally return to +the habits of their grandmammas, and mingle the animated and endearing +occupations of domestic life, and the modest manners and social +amusements of home, with the perpetual practising on harps and pianos, +and the incessant efforts at display, and search after gayety, which, at +the present day, render them any thing but what an amiable man, of a +reflecting mind and delicate sentiments, would desire in the woman he +might wish to select as the companion of his life.'" + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[I] Without formality, or useless ceremony. + +[J] Rolls of paste, or pastry, or sugarplums. + +[K] According to the English fashion. + +[L] Nice things or dainties, such as sweetmeats. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. + + +Good-manners are the expressions of benevolence in personal intercourse, +by which we endeavor to promote the comfort and enjoyment of others, and +to avoid all that gives needless uneasiness. It is the exterior +exhibition of the Divine precept, which requires us to do to others, as +we would that they should do to us. It is saying, by our deportment, to +all around, that we consider their feelings, tastes, and convenience, as +equal in value to our own. + +Good-manners lead us to avoid all practices which offend the taste of +others; all violations of the conventional rules of propriety; all rude +and disrespectful language and deportment; and all remarks, which would +tend to wound the feelings of another. + +There is a serious defect, in the manners of the American people, +especially in the free States, which can never be efficiently remedied, +except in the domestic circle, and during early life. It is a deficiency +in the free expression of kindly feelings and sympathetic emotions, and +a want of courtesy in deportment. The causes, which have led to this +result, may easily be traced. + +The forefathers of this Nation, to a wide extent, were men who were +driven from their native land, by laws and customs which they believed +to be opposed both to civil and religious freedom. The sufferings they +were called to endure, the subduing of those gentler feelings which bind +us to country, kindred, and home, and the constant subordination of the +passions to stern principle, induced characters of great firmness and +self-control. They gave up the comforts and refinements of a civilized +country, and came, as pilgrims, to a hard soil, a cold clime, and a +heathen shore. They were continually forced to encounter danger, +privations, sickness, loneliness, and death; and all these, their +religion taught them to meet with calmness, fortitude, and submission. +And thus it became the custom and habit of the whole mass, to repress, +rather than to encourage, the expression of feeling. + +Persons who are called to constant and protracted suffering and +privation, are forced to subdue and conceal emotion; for the free +expression of it would double their own suffering, and increase the +sufferings of others. Those, only, who are free from care and anxiety, +and whose minds are mainly occupied by cheerful emotions, are at full +liberty to unveil their feelings. + +It was under such stern and rigorous discipline, that the first children +in New England were reared; and the manners and habits of parents are +usually, to a great extent, transmitted to children. Thus it comes to +pass, that the descendants of the Puritans, now scattered over every +part of the Nation, are predisposed to conceal the gentler emotions, +while their manners are calm, decided, and cold, rather than free and +impulsive. Of course, there are very many exceptions to these +predominating results. + +The causes, to which we may attribute a general want of courtesy in +manners, are certain incidental results of our democratic institutions. +Our ancestors, and their descendants, have constantly been combating the +aristocratic principle, which would exalt one class of men at the +expense of another. They have had to contend with this principle, not +only in civil, but in social, life. Almost every American, in his own +person, as well as in behalf of his class, has had to assume and defend +the main principle of democracy,--that every man's feelings and +interests are equal in value to those of every other man. But, in doing +this, there has been some want of clear discrimination. Because claims, +based on distinctions of mere birth, fortune, or position, were found to +be injurious, many have gone to the extreme of inferring that all +distinctions, involving subordination, are useless. Such, would regard +children as equals to parents, pupils to teachers, domestics to their +employers, and subjects to magistrates; and that, too, in all respects. + +The fact, that certain grades of superiority and subordination are +needful, both for individual and public benefit, has not been clearly +discerned; and there has been a gradual tendency to an extreme, which +has sensibly affected our manners. All the proprieties and courtesies, +which depend on the recognition of the relative duties of superior and +subordinate, have been warred upon; and thus we see, to an increasing +extent, disrespectful treatment of parents, from children; of teachers, +from pupils; of employers, from domestics; and of the aged, from the +young. In all classes and circles, there is a gradual decay in courtesy +of address. + +In cases, too, where kindness is rendered, it is often accompanied with +a cold, unsympathizing manner, which greatly lessens its value, while +kindness or politeness is received in a similar style of coolness, as if +it were but the payment of a just due. + +It is owing to these causes, that the American people, especially the +inhabitants of New England, do not do themselves justice. For, while +those, who are near enough to learn their real character and feelings, +can discern the most generous impulses, and the most kindly sympathies, +they are so veiled, in a composed and indifferent demeanor, as to be +almost entirely concealed from strangers. + +These defects in our national manners, it especially falls to the care +of mothers, and all who have charge of the young, to rectify; and if +they seriously undertake the matter, and wisely adapt means to ends, +these defects will be remedied. With reference to this object, the +following ideas are suggested. + +The law of Christianity and of democracy, which teaches that all men are +born equal, and that their interests and feelings should be regarded as +of equal value, seems to be adopted in aristocratic circles, with +exclusive reference to the class in which the individual moves. The +courtly gentleman, addresses all of his own class with politeness and +respect; and, in all his actions, seems to allow that the feelings and +convenience of others are to be regarded, the same as his own. But his +demeanor to those of inferior station, is not based on the same rule. + +Among those, who make up aristocratic circles, such as are above them, +are deemed of superior, and such as are below, of inferior, value. Thus, +if a young, ignorant, and vicious coxcomb, happens to be born a lord, +the aged, the virtuous, the learned, and the wellbred, of another class, +must give his convenience the precedence, and must address him in terms +of respect. So, when a man of noble birth is thrown among the lower +classes, he demeans himself in a style, which, to persons of his own +class, would be deemed the height of assumption and rudeness. + +Now, the principles of democracy require, that the same courtesy, which +we accord to our own circle, shall be extended to every class and +condition; and that distinctions, of superiority and subordination, +shall depend, not on accidents of birth, fortune, or occupation, but +solely on those relations, which the good of all classes equally +require. The distinctions demanded, in a democratic state, are simply +those, which result from relations, that are common to every class, and +are for the benefit of all. + +It is for the benefit of every class, that children be subordinate to +parents, pupils to teachers, the employed to their employers, and +subjects to magistrates. In addition to this, it is for the general +wellbeing, that the comfort or convenience of the delicate and feeble, +should be preferred to that of the strong and healthy, who would suffer +less by any deprivation, and that precedence should be given to their +elders, by the young, and that reverence should be given to the hoary +head. + +The rules of good-breeding, in a democratic state, must be founded on +these principles. It is, indeed, assumed, that the value of the +happiness of each individual, is the same as that of every other; but, +as there must be occasions, where there are advantages which all cannot +enjoy, there must be general rules for regulating a selection. +Otherwise, there would be constant scrambling, among those of equal +claims, and brute force must be the final resort; in which case the +strongest would have the best of every thing. The democratic rule, then, +is, that superiors, in age, station, or office, have precedence of +subordinates; age and feebleness, of youth and strength; and the feebler +sex, of more vigorous man.[M] + +There is, also, a style of deportment and address, which is appropriate +to these different relations. It is suitable for a superior to secure +compliance with his wishes, from those subordinate to him, by commands; +but a subordinate must secure compliance with his wishes, from a +superior, by requests. It is suitable for a parent, teacher, or +employer, to admonish for neglect of duty; but not for an inferior to +adopt such a course towards a superior. It is suitable for a superior to +take precedence of a subordinate, without any remark; but not for an +inferior, without previously asking leave, or offering an apology. It is +proper for a superior to use language and manners of freedom and +familiarity, which would be improper from a subordinate to a superior. + +The want of due regard to these proprieties, occasions the chief defect +in American manners. It is very common to hear children talk to their +parents, in a style proper only between companions and equals; so, also, +the young address their elders, those employed, their employers, and +domestics, the members of the family and their visiters, in a style, +which is inappropriate to their relative positions. A respectful address +is required not merely towards superiors; every person desires to be +treated with courtesy and respect, and therefore, the law of benevolence +demands such demeanor, towards all whom we meet in the social +intercourse of life. "Be ye courteous," is the direction of the Apostle +in reference to our treatment of _all_. + +Good-manners can be successfully cultivated, only in early life, and in +the domestic circle. There is nothing which depends so much upon +_habit_, as the constantly recurring proprieties of good-breeding; and, +if a child grows up without forming such habits, it is very rarely the +case that they can be formed at a later period. The feeling, that it is +of little consequence how we behave at home, if we conduct properly +abroad, is a very fallacious one. Persons, who are careless and ill bred +at home, may imagine that they can assume good-manners abroad; but they +mistake. Fixed habits of tone, manner, language, and movements, cannot +be suddenly altered; and those who are illbred at home, even when they +try to hide their bad habits, are sure to violate many of the obvious +rules of propriety, and yet be unconscious of it. + +And there is nothing, which would so effectually remove prejudice +against our democratic institutions, as the general cultivation of +good-breeding in the domestic circle. Good-manners are the exterior of +benevolence, the minute and often recurring exhibitions of "peace and +good-will;" and the nation, as well as the individual, which most excels +in the external, as well as the internal, principle, will be most +respected and beloved. + +The following are the leading points, which claim attention from those +who have the care of the young. + +In the first place, in the family, there should be required, a strict +attention to the rules of precedence, and those modes of address +appropriate to the various relations to be sustained. Children should +always be required to offer their superiors, in age or station, the +precedence in all comforts and conveniences, and always address them in +a respectful tone and manner. The custom of adding "Sir," or "Ma'am," to +"Yes," or "No," is valuable, as a perpetual indication of a respectful +recognition of superiority. It is now going out of fashion, even among +the most wellbred people; probably from a want of consideration of its +importance. Every remnant of courtesy of address, in our customs, should +be carefully cherished, by all who feel a value for the proprieties of +good-breeding. + +If parents allow their children to talk to them, and to the grown +persons in the family, in the same style in which they address each +other, it will be vain to hope for the courtesy of manner and tone, +which good-breeding demands in the general intercourse of society. In a +large family, where the elder children are grown up, and the younger are +small, it is important to require the latter to treat the elder as +superiors. There are none, so ready as young children to assume airs of +equality; and, if they are allowed to treat one class of superiors in +age and character disrespectfully, they will soon use the privilege +universally. This is the reason, why the youngest children of a family +are most apt to be pert, forward, and unmannerly. + +Another point to be aimed at, is, to require children always to +acknowledge every act of kindness and attention, either by words or +manner. If they are so trained as always to make grateful +acknowledgements, when receiving favors, one of the objectionable +features in American manners will be avoided. + +Again, children should be required to ask leave, whenever they wish to +gratify curiosity, or use an article which belongs to another. And if +cases occur, when they cannot comply with the rules of good-breeding, +as, for instance, when they must step between a person and the fire, or +take the chair of an older person, they should be required either to ask +leave, or to offer an apology. + +There is another point of good-breeding, which cannot, in all cases, be +understood and applied by children, in its widest extent. It is that, +which requires us to avoid all remarks which tend to embarrass, vex, +mortify, or in any way wound the feelings, of another. To notice +personal defects; to allude to others' faults, or the faults of their +friends; to speak disparagingly of the sect or party to which a person +belongs; to be inattentive, when addressed in conversation; to +contradict flatly; to speak in contemptuous tones of opinions expressed +by another;--all these, are violations of the rules of good-breeding, +which children should be taught to regard. Under this head, comes the +practice of whispering, and staring about, when a teacher, or lecturer, +or clergyman, is addressing a class or audience. Such inattention, is +practically saying, that what the person is uttering is not worth +attending to; and persons of real good-breeding always avoid it. Loud +talking and laughing, in a large assembly, even when no exercises are +going on; yawning and gaping in company; and not looking in the face a +person who is addressing you, are deemed marks of ill-breeding. + +Another branch of good-manners, relates to the duties of hospitality. +Politeness requires us to welcome visiters with cordiality; to offer +them the best accommodations; to address conversation to them; and to +express, by tone and manner, kindness and respect. Offering the hand to +all visiters, at one's own house, is a courteous and hospitable custom; +and a cordial shake of the hand, when friends meet, would abate much of +the coldness of manner ascribed to Americans. + +The last point of good-breeding, to be noticed, refers to the +conventional rules of propriety and good taste. Of these, the first +class relates to the avoidance of all disgusting or offensive personal +habits, such as fingering the hair; cleaning the teeth or nails; picking +the nose; spitting on carpets; snuffing, instead of using a +handkerchief, or using the article in an offensive manner; lifting up +the boots or shoes, as some men do, to tend them on the knee, or to +finger them;--all these tricks, either at home or in society, children +should be taught to avoid. + +Another branch, under this head, may be called _table manners_. To +persons of good-breeding, nothing is more annoying, than violating the +conventional proprieties of the table. Reaching over another person's +plate; standing up, to reach distant articles, instead of asking to have +them passed; using one's own knife, and spoon, for butter, salt, or +sugar, when it is the custom of the family to provide separate utensils +for the purpose; setting cups, with tea dripping from them, on the +tablecloth, instead of the mats or small plates furnished; using the +tablecloth, instead of the napkins; eating fast, and in a noisy manner; +putting large pieces in the mouth; looking and eating as if very hungry, +or as if anxious to get at certain dishes; sitting at too great a +distance from the table, and dropping food; laying the knife and fork on +the tablecloth, instead of on the bread, or the edge of the plate;--all +these particulars, children should be taught to avoid. It is always +desirable, too, to require children, when at table with grown persons, +to be silent, except when addressed by others; or else their chattering +will interrupt the conversation and comfort of their elders. They should +always be required, too, to wait, _in silence_, till all the older +persons are helped. + +All these things should be taught to children, gradually, and with great +patience and gentleness. Some parents, with whom good-manners is a great +object, are in danger of making their children perpetually +uncomfortable, by suddenly surrounding them with so many rules, that +they must inevitably violate some one or other, a great part of the +time. It is much better to begin with a few rules, and be steady and +persevering with these, till a habit is formed, and then take a few +more, thus making the process easy and gradual. Otherwise, the temper of +children will be injured; or, hopeless of fulfilling so many +requisitions, they will become reckless and indifferent to all. + +But, in reference to those who have enjoyed advantages for the +cultivation of good-manners, and who duly estimate its importance, one +caution is necessary. Those, who never have had such habits formed in +youth, are under disadvantages, which no benevolence of temper can +remedy. They may often violate the tastes and feelings of others, not +from a want of proper regard for them, but from ignorance of custom, or +want of habit, or abstraction of mind, or from other causes, which +demand forbearance and sympathy, rather than displeasure. An ability to +bear patiently with defects in manners, and to make candid and +considerate allowance for a want of advantages, or for peculiarities in +mental habits, is one mark of the benevolence of real good-breeding. + +The advocates of monarchical and aristocratic institutions, have always +had great plausibility given to their views, by the seeming tendencies +to insubordination and bad-manners, of our institutions. And it has been +too indiscriminately conceded, by the defenders of the latter, that such +are these tendencies, and that the offensive points, in American +manners, are the necessary result of democratic principles. + +But it is believed, that both facts and reasoning are in opposition to +this opinion. The following extract from the work of De Tocqueville, +exhibits the opinion of an impartial observer, when comparing American +manners with those of the English, who are confessedly the most +aristocratic of all people. + +He previously remarks on the tendency of aristocracy to make men more +sympathizing with persons of their own peculiar class, and less so +towards those of lower degree; and he then contrasts American manners +with the English, claiming that the Americans are much the most affable, +mild, and social. "In America, where the privileges of birth never +existed, and where riches confer no peculiar rights on their possessors, +men acquainted with each other are very ready to frequent the same +places, and find neither peril nor advantage in the free interchange of +their thoughts. If they meet, by accident, they neither seek nor avoid +intercourse; their manner is therefore natural, frank, and open." "If +their demeanor is often cold and serious, it is never haughty or +constrained." But an "aristocratic pride is still extremely great among +the English; and, as the limits of aristocracy are ill-defined, every +body lives in constant dread, lest advantage should be taken of his +familiarity. Unable to judge, at once, of the social position of those +he meets, an Englishman prudently avoids all contact with them. Men are +afraid, lest some slight service rendered should draw them into an +unsuitable acquaintance; they dread civilities, and they avoid the +obtrusive gratitude of a stranger, as much as his hatred." + +Thus, _facts_ seem to show that when the most aristocratic nation in the +world is compared, as to manners, with the most democratic, the +judgement of strangers is in favor of the latter. + +And if good-manners are the outward exhibition of the democratic +principle of impartial benevolence and equal rights, surely the nation +which adopts this rule, both in social and civil life, is the most +likely to secure the desirable exterior. The aristocrat, by his +principles, extends the exterior of impartial benevolence to his own +class, only; the democratic principle, requires it to be extended _to +all_. + +There is reason, therefore, to hope and expect more refined and polished +manners in America, than in any other land; while all the developements +of taste and refinement, such as poetry, music, painting, sculpture, and +architecture, it may be expected, will come to a higher state of +perfection, here, than in any other nation. + +If this Country increases in virtue and intelligence, as it may, there +is no end to the wealth which will pour in as the result of our +resources of climate, soil, and navigation, and the skill, industry, +energy, and enterprise, of our countrymen. This wealth, if used as +intelligence and virtue dictate, will furnish the means for a superior +education to all classes, and every facility for the refinement of +taste, intellect, and feeling. + +Moreover, in this Country, labor is ceasing to be the badge of a lower +class; so that already it is disreputable for a man to be "a lazy +gentleman." And this feeling must increase, till there is such an +equalisation of labor, as will afford all the time needful for every +class to improve the many advantages offered to them. Already, in +Boston, through the munificence of some of her citizens, there are +literary and scientific advantages, offered to all classes, rarely +enjoyed elsewhere. In Cincinnati, too, the advantages of education, now +offered to the poorest classes, without charge, surpass what, some years +ago, most wealthy men could purchase, for any price. And it is believed, +that a time will come, when the poorest boy in America can secure +advantages, which will equal what the heir of the proudest peerage can +now command. + +The records of the courts of France and Germany, (as detailed by the +Duchess of Orleans,) in and succeeding the brilliant reign of Louis the +Fourteenth,--a period which was deemed the acme of elegance and +refinement,--exhibit a grossness, a vulgarity, and a coarseness, not to +be found among the lowest of our respectable poor. And the biography of +Beau Nash, who attempted to reform the manners of the gentry, in the +times of Queen Anne, exhibits violations of the rules of decency among +the aristocracy, which the commonest yeoman of this Land would feel +disgraced in perpetrating. + +This shows, that our lowest classes, at this period, are more refined, +than were the highest in aristocratic lands, a hundred years ago; and +another century may show the lowest classes, in wealth, in this Country, +attaining as high a polish, as adorns those who now are leaders of +good-manners in the courts of kings. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[M] The universal practice of this Nation, in thus giving precedence to +woman, has been severely commented on by Miss Martineau and some others, +who would transfer all the business of the other sex to women, and then +have them treated like men. May this evidence of our superior +civilisation and Christianity increase, rather than diminish! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +ON THE PRESERVATION OF A GOOD TEMPER IN A HOUSEKEEPER. + + +There is nothing, which has a more abiding influence on the happiness of +a family, than the preservation of equable and cheerful temper and tones +in the housekeeper. A woman, who is habitually gentle, sympathizing, +forbearing, and cheerful, carries an atmosphere about her, which +imparts a soothing and sustaining influence, and renders it easier for +all to do right, under her administration, than in any other situation. + +The writer has known families, where the mother's presence seemed the +sunshine of the circle around her; imparting a cheering and vivifying +power, scarcely realized, till it was withdrawn. Every one, without +thinking of it, or knowing why it was so, experienced a peaceful and +invigorating influence, as soon as he entered the sphere illumined by +her smile, and sustained by her cheering kindness and sympathy. On the +contrary, many a good housekeeper, (good in every respect but this,) by +wearing a countenance of anxiety and dissatisfaction, and by indulging +in the frequent use of sharp and reprehensive tones, more than destroys +all the comfort which otherwise would result from her system, neatness, +and economy. + +There is a secret, social sympathy, which every mind, to a greater or +less degree, experiences with the feelings of those around, as they are +manifested by the countenance and voice. A sorrowful, a discontented, or +an angry, countenance, produces a silent, sympathetic influence, +imparting a sombre shade to the mind, while tones of anger or complaint +still more effectually jar the spirits. + +No person can maintain a quiet and cheerful frame of mind, while tones +of discontent and displeasure are sounding on the ear. We may gradually +accustom ourselves to the evil, till it is partially diminished; but it +always is an evil, which greatly interferes with the enjoyment of the +family state. There are sometimes cases, where the entrance of the +mistress of a family seems to awaken a slight apprehension, in every +mind around, as if each felt in danger of a reproof, for something +either perpetrated or neglected. A woman, who should go around her house +with a small stinging snapper, which she habitually applied to those +whom she met, would be encountered with feelings very much like to +those which are experienced by the inmates of a family, where the +mistress often uses her countenance and voice, to inflict similar +penalties for duties neglected. + +Yet, there are many allowances to be made for housekeepers, who +sometimes imperceptibly and unconsciously fall into such habits. A +woman, who attempts to carry out any plans of system, order, and +economy, and who has her feelings and habits conformed to certain rules, +is constantly liable to have her plans crossed, and her taste violated, +by the inexperience or inattention of those about her. And no +housekeeper, whatever may be her habits, can escape the frequent +recurrence of negligence or mistake, which interferes with her plans. It +is probable, that there is no class of persons, in the world, who have +such incessant trials of temper, and temptations to be fretful, as +American housekeepers. For a housekeeper's business is not, like that of +the other sex, limited to a particular department, for which previous +preparation is made. It consists of ten thousand little disconnected +items, which can never be so systematically arranged, that there is no +daily jostling, somewhere. And in the best-regulated families, it is not +unfrequently the case, that some act of forgetfulness or carelessness, +from some member, will disarrange the business of the whole day, so that +every hour will bring renewed occasion for annoyance. And the more +strongly a woman realizes the value of time, and the importance of +system and order, the more will she be tempted to irritability and +complaint. + +The following considerations, may aid in preparing a woman to meet such +daily crosses, with even a cheerful temper and tones. + +In the first place, a woman, who has charge of a large household, should +regard her duties as dignified, important, and difficult. The mind is so +made, as to be elevated and cheered by a sense of far-reaching influence +and usefulness. A woman, who feels that she is a cipher, and that it +makes little difference how she performs her duties, has far less to +sustain and invigorate her, than one, who truly estimates the +importance of her station. A man, who feels that the destinies of a +nation are turning on the judgement and skill with which he plans and +executes, has a pressure of motive, and an elevation of feeling, which +are great safeguards from all that is low, trivial, and degrading. + +So, an American mother and housekeeper, who looks at her position in the +aspect presented in the previous pages, and who rightly estimates the +long train of influences which will pass down to thousands, whose +destinies, from generation to generation, will be modified by those +decisions of her will, which regulated the temper, principles, and +habits, of her family, must be elevated above petty temptations, which +would otherwise assail her. + +Again, a housekeeper should feel that she really has great difficulties +to meet and overcome. A person, who wrongly thinks there is little +danger, can never maintain so faithful a guard, as one who rightly +estimates the temptations which beset her. Nor can one, who thinks that +they are trifling difficulties which she has to encounter, and trivial +temptations, to which she must yield, so much enjoy the just reward of +conscious virtue and self-control, as one who takes an opposite view of +the subject. + +A third method, is, for a woman deliberately to calculate on having her +best-arranged plans interfered with, very often; and to be in such a +state of preparation, that the evil will not come unawares. So +complicated are the pursuits, and so diverse the habits of the various +members of a family, that it is almost impossible for every one to avoid +interfering with the plans and taste of a housekeeper, in some one point +or another. It is, therefore, most wise, for a woman to keep the loins +of her mind ever girt, to meet such collisions with a cheerful and quiet +spirit. + +Another important rule, is, to form all plans and arrangements in +consistency with the means at command, and the character of those +around. A woman, who has a heedless husband, and young children, and +incompetent domestics, ought not to make such plans, as one may properly +form, who will not, in so many directions, meet embarrassment. She must +aim at just so much as she can probably secure, and no more; and thus +she will usually escape much temptation, and much of the irritation of +disappointment. + +The fifth, and a very important, consideration, is, that _system_, +_economy_, and _neatness_, are valuable, only so far as they tend to +promote the comfort and wellbeing of those affected. Some women seem to +act under the impression, that these advantages _must_ be secured, at +all events, even if the comfort of the family be the sacrifice. True, it +is very important that children grow up in habits of system, neatness, +and order; and it is very desirable that the mother give them every +incentive, both by precept and example: but it is still more important, +that they grow up with amiable tempers, that they learn to meet the +crosses of life with patience and cheerfulness; and nothing has a +greater influence to secure this, than a mother's example. Whenever, +therefore, a woman cannot accomplish her plans of neatness and order, +without injury to her own temper, or to the temper of others, she ought +to modify and reduce them, until she can. + +The sixth method, relates to the government of the tones of voice. In +many cases, when a woman's domestic arrangements are suddenly and +seriously crossed, it is impossible not to feel some irritation. But it +_is_ always possible to refrain from angry tones. A woman can resolve, +that, whatever happens, she will not speak, till she can do it in a calm +and gentle manner. _Perfect silence_ is a safe resort, when such control +cannot be attained, as enables a person to speak calmly; and this +determination, persevered in, will eventually be crowned with success. + +Many persons seem to imagine, that tones of anger are needful, in order +to secure prompt obedience. But observation has convinced the writer +that they are _never_ necessary; that _in all cases_, reproof, +administered in calm tones, would be better. A case will be given in +illustration. + +A young girl had been repeatedly charged to avoid a certain arrangement +in cooking. On one day, when company was invited to dine, the direction +was forgotten, and the consequence was, an accident, which disarranged +every thing, seriously injured the principal dish, and delayed dinner +for an hour. The mistress of the family entered the kitchen, just as it +occurred, and, at a glance, saw the extent of the mischief. For a +moment, her eyes flashed, and her cheeks glowed; but she held her peace. +After a minute or so, she gave directions, in a calm voice, as to the +best mode of retrieving the evil, and then left, without a word said to +the offender. + +After the company left, she sent for the girl, alone, and in a calm and +kind manner pointed out the aggravations of the case, and described the +trouble which had been caused to her husband, her visiters, and herself. +She then portrayed the future evils which would result from such habits +of neglect and inattention, and the modes of attempting to overcome +them; and then offered a reward for the future, if, in a given time, she +succeeded in improving in this respect. Not a tone of anger was uttered; +and yet the severest scolding of a practised Xantippe could not have +secured such contrition, and determination to reform, as was gained by +this method. + +But similar negligence is often visited by a continuous stream of +complaint and reproof, which, in most cases, is met, either by sullen +silence, or impertinent retort, while anger prevents any contrition, or +any resolution of future amendment. + +It is very certain, that some ladies do carry forward a most efficient +government, both of children and domestics, without employing tones of +anger; and therefore they are not indispensable, nor on any account +desirable. + +Though some ladies, of intelligence and refinement, do fall +unconsciously into such a practice, it is certainly very unlady-like, +and in very bad taste, to _scold_; and the further a woman departs from +all approach to it, the more perfectly she sustains her character as a +lady. + +Another method of securing equanimity, amid the trials of domestic life, +is, to cultivate a habit of making allowances for the difficulties, +ignorance, or temptations, of those who violate rule or neglect duty. It +is vain, and most unreasonable, to expect the consideration and care of +a mature mind, in childhood and youth; or that persons, of such limited +advantages as most domestics have enjoyed, should practise proper +self-control, and possess proper habits and principles. + +Every parent, and every employer, needs daily to cultivate the spirit +expressed in the Divine prayer, "forgive us our trespasses, as we +forgive those who trespass against us." The same allowances and +forbearance, which we supplicate from our Heavenly Father, and desire +from our fellow-men, in reference to our own deficiencies, we should +constantly aim to extend to all, who cross our feelings and interfere +with our plans. + +The last, and most important, mode of securing a placid and cheerful +temper and tones, is, by a right view of the doctrine of a +superintending Providence. All persons are too much in the habit of +regarding the more important events of life, as exclusively under the +control of Perfect Wisdom. But the fall of a sparrow, or the loss of a +hair, they do not feel to be equally the result of His directing agency. +In consequence of this, Christian persons, who aim at perfect and +cheerful submission to heavy afflictions, and who succeed, to the +edification of all about them, are sometimes sadly deficient under petty +crosses. If a beloved child be laid in the grave, even if its death +resulted from the carelessness of a domestic, or of a physician, the eye +is turned from the subordinate agent, to the Supreme Guardian of all, +and to Him they bow, without murmur or complaint. But if a pudding be +burnt, or a room badly swept, or an errand forgotten, then vexation and +complaint are allowed, just as if these events were not appointed by +Perfect Wisdom, as much as the sorer chastisement. + +A woman, therefore, needs to cultivate the _habitual_ feeling, that all +the events of her nursery and kitchen, are brought about by the +permission of our Heavenly Father, and that fretfulness or complaint, in +regard to these, is, in fact, complaining and disputing at the +appointments of God, and is really as sinful, as unsubmissive murmurs +amid the sorer chastisements of His hand. And a woman, who cultivates +this habit of referring all the minor trials of life to the wise and +benevolent agency of a Heavenly Parent, and daily seeks His sympathy and +aid, to enable her to meet them with a quiet and cheerful spirit, will +soon find it the perennial spring of abiding peace and content. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. + + +The discussion of the question of the equality of the sexes, in +intellectual capacity, seems frivolous and useless, both because it can +never be decided, and because there would be no possible advantage in +the decision. But one topic, which is often drawn into this discussion, +is of far more consequence; and that is, the relative importance and +difficulty of the duties a woman is called to perform. + +It is generally assumed, and almost as generally conceded, that woman's +business and cares are contracted and trivial; and that the proper +discharge of her duties, demands far less expansion of mind and vigor of +intellect, than the pursuits of the other sex. This idea has prevailed, +because women, as a mass, have never been educated with reference to +their most important duties; while that portion of their employments, +which is of least value, has been regarded as the chief, if not the +sole, concern of a woman. The covering of the body, the conveniences of +residences, and the gratification of the appetite, have been too much +regarded as the sole objects, on which her intellectual powers are to be +exercised. + +But, as society gradually shakes off the remnants of barbarism, and the +intellectual and moral interests of man rise, in estimation, above the +merely sensual, a truer estimate is formed of woman's duties, and of the +measure of intellect requisite for the proper discharge of them. Let any +man, of sense and discernment, become the member of a large household, +in which, a well-educated and pious woman is endeavoring systematically +to discharge her multiform duties; let him fully comprehend all her +cares, difficulties, and perplexities; and it is probable he would +coincide in the opinion, that no statesman, at the head of a nation's +affairs, had more frequent calls for wisdom, firmness, tact, +discrimination, prudence, and versatility of talent, than such a woman. + +She has a husband, to whose peculiar tastes and habits she must +accommodate herself; she has children, whose health she must guard, +whose physical constitutions she must study and develope, whose temper +and habits she must regulate, whose principles she must form, whose +pursuits she must direct. She has constantly changing domestics, with +all varieties of temper and habits, whom she must govern, instruct, and +direct; she is required to regulate the finances of the domestic state, +and constantly to adapt expenditures to the means and to the relative +claims of each department. She has the direction of the kitchen, where +ignorance, forgetfulness, and awkwardness, are to be so regulated, that +the various operations shall each start at the right time, and all be in +completeness at the same given hour. She has the claims of society to +meet, calls to receive and return, and the duties of hospitality to +sustain. She has the poor to relieve; benevolent societies to aid; the +schools of her children to inquire and decide about; the care of the +sick; the nursing of infancy; and the endless miscellany of odd items, +constantly recurring in a large family. + +Surely, it is a pernicious and mistaken idea, that the duties, which tax +a woman's mind, are petty, trivial, or unworthy of the highest grade of +intellect and moral worth. Instead of allowing this feeling, every woman +should imbibe, from early youth, the impression, that she is training +for the discharge of the most important, the most difficult, and the +most sacred and interesting duties that can possibly employ the highest +intellect. She ought to feel, that her station and responsibilities, in +the great drama of life, are second to none, either as viewed by her +Maker, or in the estimation of all minds whose judgement is most worthy +of respect. + +She, who is the mother and housekeeper in a large family, is the +sovereign of an empire, demanding more varied cares, and involving more +difficult duties, than are really exacted of her, who, while she wears +the crown, and professedly regulates the interests of the greatest +nation on earth, finds abundant leisure for theatres, balls, horseraces, +and every gay pursuit. + +There is no one thing, more necessary to a housekeeper, in performing +her varied duties, than _a habit of system and order_; and yet, the +peculiarly desultory nature of women's pursuits, and the embarrassments +resulting from the state of domestic service in this Country, render it +very difficult to form such a habit. But it is sometimes the case, that +women, who could and would carry forward a systematic plan of domestic +economy, do not attempt it, simply from a want of knowledge of the +various modes of introducing it. It is with reference to such, that +various modes of securing system and order, which the writer has seen +adopted, will be pointed out. + +A wise economy is nowhere more conspicuous, than in the right +_apportionment of time_ to different pursuits. There are duties of a +religious, intellectual, social, and domestic, nature, each having +different relative claims on attention. Unless a person has some general +plan of apportioning these claims, some will intrench on others, and +some, it is probable, will be entirely excluded. Thus, some find +religious, social, and domestic, duties, so numerous, that no time is +given to intellectual improvement. Others, find either social, or +benevolent, or religious, interests, excluded by the extent and variety +of other engagements. + +It is wise, therefore, for all persons to devise a general plan, which +they will at least keep in view, and aim to accomplish, and by which, a +proper proportion of time shall be secured, for all the duties of life. + +In forming such a plan, every woman must accommodate herself to the +peculiarities of her situation. If she has a large family, and a small +income, she must devote far more time to the simple duty of providing +food and raiment, than would be right were she in affluence, and with a +small family. It is impossible, therefore, to draw out any general plan, +which all can adopt. But there are some _general principles_, which +ought to be the guiding rules, when a woman arranges her domestic +employments. These principles are to be based on Christianity, which +teaches us to "seek first the kingdom of God," and to deem food, +raiment, and the conveniences of life, as of secondary account. Every +woman, then, ought to start with the assumption, that religion is of +more consequence than any worldly concern, and that, whatever else may +be sacrificed, this, shall be the leading object, in all her +arrangements, in respect to time, money, and attention. It is also one +of the plainest requisitions of Christianity, that we devote some of our +time and efforts, to the comfort and improvement of others. There is no +duty, so constantly enforced, both in the Old and New Testament, as the +duty of charity, in dispensing to those, who are destitute of the +blessings we enjoy. In selecting objects of charity, the same rule +applies to others, as to ourselves; their moral and religious interests +are of the highest moment, and for them, as well as for ourselves, we +are to "seek first the kingdom of God." + +Another general principle, is, that our intellectual and social +interests are to be preferred, to the mere gratification of taste or +appetite. A portion of time, therefore, must be devoted to the +cultivation of the intellect and the social affections. + +Another, is, that the mere gratification of appetite, is to be placed +_last_ in our estimate; so that, when a question arises, as to which +shall be sacrificed, some intellectual, moral, or social, advantage, or +some gratification of sense, we should invariably sacrifice the last. + +Another, is, that, as health is indispensable to the discharge of every +duty, nothing, which sacrifices that blessing, is to be allowed, in +order to gain any other advantage or enjoyment. There are emergencies, +when it is right to risk health and life, to save ourselves and others +from greater evils; but these are exceptions, which do not militate +against the general rule. Many persons imagine, that, if they violate +the laws of health, in performing religious or domestic duties, they are +guiltless before God. But such greatly mistake. We as directly violate +the law, "thou shalt not kill," when we do what tends to risk or shorten +our own life, as if we should intentionally run a dagger into a +neighbor. True, we may escape any fatal or permanently injurious +effects, and so may a dagger or bullet miss the mark, or do only +transient injury. But this, in either case, makes the sin none the less. +The life and happiness of all His creatures are dear to our Creator; and +He is as much displeased, when we injure our own interests, as when we +injure those of others. The idea, therefore, that we are excusable, if +we harm no one but ourselves, is false and pernicious. These, then, are +the general principles, to guide a woman in systematizing her duties and +pursuits. + +The Creator of all things, is a Being of perfect system and order; and, +to aid us in our duty, in this respect, He has divided our time, by a +regularly returning day of rest from worldly business. In following +this example, the intervening six days may be subdivided to secure +similar benefits. In doing this, a certain portion of time must be given +to procure the means of livelihood, and for preparing food, raiment, and +dwellings. To these objects, some must devote more, and others less, +attention. The remainder of time not necessarily thus employed, might be +divided somewhat in this manner: The leisure of two afternoons and +evenings, could be devoted to religious and benevolent objects, such as +religious meetings, charitable associations, school visiting, and +attention to the sick and poor. The leisure of two other days, might be +devoted to intellectual improvement, and the pursuits of taste. The +leisure of another day, might be devoted to social enjoyments, in making +or receiving visits; and that of another, to miscellaneous domestic +pursuits, not included in the other particulars. + +It is probable, that few persons could carry out such an arrangement, +very strictly; but every one can make a systematic apportionment of +time, and at least _aim_ at accomplishing it; and they can also compare +the time which they actually devote to these different objects, with +such a general outline, for the purpose of modifying any mistaken +proportions. + +Without attempting any such systematic employment of time, and carrying +it out, so far as they can control circumstances, most women are rather +driven along, by the daily occurrences of life, so that, instead of +being the intelligent regulators of their own time, they are the mere +sport of circumstances. There is nothing, which so distinctly marks the +difference between weak and strong minds, as the fact, whether they +control circumstances, or circumstances control them. + +It is very much to be feared, that the apportionment of time, actually +made by most women, exactly inverts the order, required by reason and +Christianity. Thus, the furnishing a needless variety of food, the +conveniences of dwellings, and the adornments of dress, often take a +larger portion of time, than is given to any other object. Next after +this, comes intellectual improvement; and, last of all, benevolence and +religion. + +It may be urged, that it is indispensable for most persons to give more +time to earn a livelihood, and to prepare food, raiment, and dwellings, +than to any other object. But it may be asked, how much of the time, +devoted to these objects, is employed in preparing varieties of food, +not necessary, but rather injurious, and how much is spent for those +parts of dress and furniture not indispensable, and merely ornamental? +Let a woman subtract from her domestic employments, all the time, given +to pursuits which are of no use, except as they gratify a taste for +ornament, or minister increased varieties, to tempt the appetite, and +she will find, that much, which she calls "domestic duties," and which +prevent her attention to intellectual, benevolent, and religious, +objects, should be called by a very different name. No woman has a right +to give up attention to the higher interests of herself and others, for +the ornaments of taste, or the gratification of the palate. To a certain +extent, these lower objects are lawful and desirable; but, when they +intrude on nobler interests, they become selfish and degrading. Every +woman, then, when employing her hands, in ornamenting her person, her +children, or her house, ought to calculate, whether she has devoted _as +much_ time, to the intellectual and moral wants of herself and others. +If she has not, she may know that she is doing wrong, and that her +system, for apportioning her time and pursuits, should be altered. + +Some persons, endeavor to systematize their pursuits, by apportioning +them to particular hours of each day. For example, a certain period +before breakfast, is given to devotional duties; after breakfast, +certain hours are devoted to exercise and domestic employments; other +hours, to sewing, or reading, or visiting; and others, to benevolent +duties. But, in most cases, it is more difficult to systematize the +hours of each day, than it is to secure some regular division of the +week. + +In regard to the minutiae of domestic arrangements, the writer has known +the following methods to be adopted. _Monday_, with some of the best +housekeepers, is devoted to preparing for the labors of the week. Any +extra cooking, the purchasing of articles to be used during the week, +the assorting of clothes for the wash, and mending such as would be +injured without;--these, and similar items, belong to this day. +_Tuesday_ is devoted to washing, and _Wednesday_ to ironing. On +_Thursday_, the ironing is finished off, the clothes are folded and put +away, and all articles, which need mending, are put in the mending +basket, and attended to. _Friday_ is devoted to sweeping and +housecleaning. On _Saturday_, and especially the last Saturday of every +month, every department is put in order; the castors and table furniture +are regulated, the pantry and cellar inspected, the trunks, drawers, and +closets arranged, and every thing about the house, put in order for +_Sunday_. All the cooking, needed for Sunday, is also prepared. By this +regular recurrence of a particular time, for inspecting every thing, +nothing is forgotten till ruined by neglect. + +Another mode of systematizing, relates to providing proper supplies of +conveniences, and proper places in which to keep them. Thus, some ladies +keep a large closet, in which are placed the tubs, pails, dippers, +soap-dishes, starch, bluing, clothes-line, clothes-pins, and every other +article used in washing; and in the same, or another, place, are kept +every convenience for ironing. In the sewing department, a trunk, with +suitable partitions, is provided, in which are placed, each in its +proper place, white thread of all sizes, colored thread, yarns for +mending, colored and black sewing-silks and twist, tapes and bobbins of +all sizes, white and colored welting-cords, silk braids and cords, +needles of all sizes, papers of pins, remnants of linen and colored +cambric, a supply of all kinds of buttons used in the family, black and +white hooks and eyes, a yard measure, and all the patterns used in +cutting and fitting. These are done up in separate parcels, and +labelled. In another trunk, are kept all pieces used in mending, +arranged in order, so that any article can be found, without loss of +time. A trunk, like the first mentioned, will save many steps, and often +much time and perplexity; while by purchasing articles thus by the +quantity, they come much cheaper, than if bought in little portions as +they are wanted. Such a trunk should be kept locked, and a smaller +supply, for current use, retained in a workbasket. + +A full supply of all conveniences in the kitchen and cellar, and a place +appointed for each article, very much facilitates domestic labor. For +want of this, much vexation and loss of time is occasioned, while +seeking vessels in use, or in cleansing those employed by different +persons, for various purposes. It would be far better, for a lady to +give up some expensive article, in the parlor, and apply the money, thus +saved, for kitchen conveniences, than to have a stinted supply, where +the most labor is to be performed. If our Countrywomen would devote more +to comfort and convenience, and less to show, it would be a great +improvement. Expensive mirrors and pier-tables in the parlor, and an +unpainted, gloomy, ill-furnished kitchen, not unfrequently are found +under the same roof. + +Another important item, in systematic economy, is, the apportioning of +_regular_ employment to the various members of a family. If a +housekeeper can secure the cooperation of _all_ her family, she will +find, that "many hands make light work." There is no greater mistake, +than in bringing up children to feel that they must be taken care of, +and waited on, by others, without any corresponding obligations on their +part. The extent, to which young children can be made useful, in a +family, would seem surprising, to those who have never seen a +_systematic_ and _regular_ plan for securing their services. The writer +has been in a family, where a little girl, of eight or nine years of +age, washed and dressed herself and young brother, and made their small +beds, before breakfast, set and cleared all the tables, at meals, with a +little help from a grown person in moving tables and spreading cloths, +while all the dusting of parlors and chambers was also neatly performed +by her. A brother, of ten years old, brought in and piled all the wood, +used in the kitchen and parlor, brushed the boots and shoes, neatly, +went on errands, and took all the care of the poultry. They were +children, whose parents could afford to hire servants to do this, but +who chose to have their children grow up healthy and industrious, while +proper instruction, system, and encouragement, made these services +rather a pleasure, than otherwise, to the children. + +Some parents pay their children for such services; but this is +hazardous, as tending to make them feel that they are not bound to be +helpful without pay, and also as tending to produce a hoarding, +money-making spirit. But, where children have no hoarding propensities, +and need to acquire a sense of the value of property, it may be well to +let them earn money, for some extra services, rather as a favor. When +this is done, they should be taught to spend it for others, as well as +for themselves; and in this way, a generous and liberal spirit will be +cultivated. + +There are some mothers, who take pains to teach their boys most of the +domestic arts, which their sisters learn. The writer has seen boys, +mending their own garments, and aiding their mother or sisters in the +kitchen, with great skill and adroitness; and at an early age, they +usually very much relish joining in such occupations. The sons of such +mothers, in their college life, or in roaming about the world, or in +nursing a sick wife or infant, find occasion to bless the forethought +and kindness, which prepared them for such emergencies. Few things are +in worse taste, than for a man needlessly to busy himself in women's +work; and yet a man never appears in a more interesting attitude, than +when, by skill in such matters, he can save a mother or wife from care +and suffering. The more a boy is taught to use his hands, in every +variety of domestic employment, the more his faculties, both of mind and +body, are developed; for mechanical pursuits exercise the intellect, as +well as the hands. The early training of New-England boys, in which they +turn their hand to almost every thing, is one great reason of the quick +perceptions, versatility of mind, and mechanical skill, for which that +portion of our Countrymen is distinguished. + +The writer has known one mode of systematizing the aid of the older +children in a family, which, in some cases of very large families, it +may be well to imitate. In the case referred to, when the oldest +daughter was eight or nine years old, an infant sister was given to her, +as her special charge. She tended it, made and mended its clothes, +taught it to read, and was its nurse and guardian, through all its +childhood. Another infant was given to the next daughter, and thus the +children were all paired in this interesting relation. In addition to +the relief thus afforded to the mother, the elder children were in this +way qualified for their future domestic relations, and both older and +younger bound to each other by peculiar ties of tenderness and +gratitude. + +In offering these examples, of various modes of systematizing, one +suggestion may be worthy of attention. It is not unfrequently the case, +that ladies, who find themselves cumbered with oppressive cares, after +reading remarks on the benefits of system, immediately commence the task +of arranging their pursuits, with great vigor and hope. They divide the +day into regular periods, and give each hour its duty; they systematize +their work, and endeavor to bring every thing into a regular routine. +But, in a short time, they find themselves baffled, discouraged, and +disheartened, and finally relapse into their former desultory ways, in +a sort of resigned despair. The difficulty, in such cases, is, that they +attempt too much at a time. There is nothing, which so much depends upon +_habit_, as a systematic mode of performing duty; and, where no such +habit has been formed, it is impossible for a novice to start, at once, +into a universal mode of systematizing, which none but an adept could +carry through. The only way for such persons, is, to begin with a little +at a time. Let them select some three or four things, and resolutely +attempt to conquer at these points. In time, a habit will be formed, of +doing a few things at regular periods, and in a systematic way. Then it +will be easy to add a few more; and thus, by a gradual process, the +object can be secured, which it would be vain to attempt, by a more +summary course. Early rising is almost an indispensable condition to +success, in such an effort; but, where a woman lacks either the health +or the energy to secure a period for devotional duties before breakfast, +let her select that hour of the day, in which she will be least liable +to interruption, and let her then seek strength and wisdom from the only +true Source. At this time, let her take a pen, and make a list of all +the things which she considers as duties. Then, let a calculation be +made, whether there be time enough, in the day or the week, for all +these duties. If there be not, let the least important be stricken from +the list, as not being duties, and which must be omitted. In doing this, +let a woman remember, that, though "what we shall eat, and what we shall +drink, and wherewithal we shall be clothed," are matters requiring due +attention, they are very apt to obtain a wrong relative importance, +while social, intellectual, and moral, interests, receive too little +regard. + +In this Country, eating, dressing, and household furniture and +ornaments, take far too large a place in the estimate of relative +importance; and it is probable, that most women could modify their views +and practice, so as to come nearer to the Saviour's requirements. No +woman has a right to put a stitch of ornament on any article of dress +or furniture, or to provide one superfluity in food, until she is sure +she can secure time for all her social, intellectual, benevolent, and +religious, duties. If a woman will take the trouble to make such a +calculation as this, she will usually find that she has time enough, to +perform all her duties easily and well. + +It is impossible, for a conscientious woman to secure that peaceful +mind, and cheerful enjoyment of life, which all should seek, who is +constantly finding her duties jarring with each other, and much +remaining undone, which she feels that she ought to do. In consequence +of this, there will be a secret uneasiness, which will throw a shade +over the whole current of life, never to be removed, till she so +efficiently defines and regulates her duties, that she can fulfil them +all. + +And here the writer would urge upon young ladies, the importance of +forming habits of system, while unembarrassed with those multiplied +cares, which will make the task so much more difficult and hopeless. +Every young lady can systematize her pursuits, to a certain extent. She +can have a particular day for mending her wardrobe, and for arranging +her trunks, closets, and drawers. She can keep her workbasket, her desk +at school, and all her other conveniences, in their proper places, and +in regular order. She can have regular periods for reading, walking, +visiting, study, and domestic pursuits. And, by following this method, +in youth, she will form a taste for regularity, and a habit of system, +which will prove a blessing to her, through life. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ON GIVING IN CHARITY. + + +It is probable, that there is no point of duty, where conscientious +persons differ more in opinion, or where they find it more difficult to +form discriminating and decided views, than on the matter of charity. +That we are bound to give _some_ of our time, money, and efforts, to +relieve the destitute, all allow. But, as to how much we are to give, +and on whom our charities shall be bestowed, many a reflecting mind has +been at a loss. Yet it seems very desirable, that, in reference to a +duty so constantly and so strenuously urged by the Supreme Ruler, we +should be able so to fix metes and bounds, as to keep a conscience void +of offence, and to free the mind from disquieting fears of deficiency. + +The writer has found no other topic of investigation so beset with +difficulty, and so absolutely without the range of definite rules, which +can apply to all, in all circumstances. But on this, as on a previous +topic, there seem to be _general principles_, by the aid of which, any +candid mind, sincerely desirous of obeying the commands of Christ, +however much self-denial may be involved, can arrive at definite +conclusions, as to its own individual obligations, so that, when these +are fulfilled, the mind may be at peace. + +But, for a mind that is worldly, living mainly to seek its own +pleasures, instead of living to please God, no principles can be so +fixed, as not to leave a ready escape from all obligation. Such minds, +either by indolence (and consequent ignorance) or by sophistry, will +convince themselves, that a life of engrossing self-indulgence, with +perhaps the gift of a few dollars, and a few hours of time, may suffice, +to fulfil the requisitions of the Eternal Judge. + +For such minds, no reasonings will avail, till the heart is so changed, +that, to learn the will and follow the example of Jesus Christ, become +the leading objects of interest and effort. It is to aid those, who +profess to possess this temper of mind, that the following suggestions +are offered. + +The first consideration, which gives definiteness to this subject, is, a +correct view of the object for which we are placed in this world. A +great many even of professed Christians, seem to be acting on the +supposition, that the object of life is to secure as much as possible +of all the various enjoyments placed within reach. Not so, teaches +reason or revelation. From these, we learn, that, though the happiness +of His creatures, is the end for which God created and sustains them, +yet, that this happiness depends, not on the various modes of +gratification put within our reach, but mainly on _character_. A man may +possess all the resources for enjoyment which this world can afford, and +yet feel that "all is vanity and vexation of spirit," and that he is +supremely wretched. Another, may be in want of all things, and yet +possess that living spring of benevolence, faith, and hope, which will +make an Eden of the darkest prison. + +In order to be perfectly happy, man must attain that character, which +Christ exhibited; and the nearer he approaches it, the more will +happiness reign in his breast. + +But what was the grand peculiarity of the character of Christ? It was +_self-denying benevolence_. He came not to "seek His own;" He "went +about doing good," and this was His "meat and drink;" that is, it was +this which sustained the health and life of His mind, as food and drink +sustain the health and life of the body. Now, the mind of man is so +made, that it can gradually be transformed into the same likeness. A +selfish being, who, for a whole life, has been nourishing habits of +indolent self-indulgence, can, by taking Christ as his example, by +communion with Him, and by daily striving to imitate His character and +conduct, form such a temper of mind, that "doing good" will become the +chief and highest source of enjoyment. And this heavenly principle will +grow stronger and stronger, until self-denial loses the more painful +part of its character, and then, _living to make happiness_, will be so +delightful and absorbing a pursuit, that all exertions, regarded as the +means to this end, will be like the joyous efforts of men, when they +strive for a prize or a crown, with the full hope of success. + +In this view of the subject, efforts and self-denial, for the good of +others, are to be regarded, not merely as duties enjoined for the +benefit of others, but as the moral training indispensable to the +formation of that character, on which depends our own happiness. This +view, exhibits the full meaning of the Saviour's declaration, "how +hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" He +had before taught, that the kingdom of Heaven consisted, not in such +enjoyments as the worldly seek, but, in the temper of self-denying +benevolence, like His own; and, as the rich have far greater temptations +to indolent self-indulgence, they are far less likely to acquire this +temper, than those, who, by limited means, are inured to some degree of +self-denial. + +But, on this point, one important distinction needs to be made; and that +is, between the self-denial, which has no other aim than mere +self-mortification, and that, which is exercised to secure greater good +to ourselves and others. The first is the foundation of monasticism, +penances, and all other forms of asceticism; the latter, only, is that +which Christianity requires. + +A second consideration, which may give definiteness to this subject, is, +that the formation of a perfect character, involves, not the +extermination of any principles of our nature, but rather the regulating +of them, according to the rules of reason and religion; so that the +lower propensities shall always be kept subordinate to nobler +principles. Thus, we are not to aim at destroying our appetites, or at +needlessly denying them, but rather so to regulate them, that they shall +best secure the objects for which they were implanted. We are not to +annihilate the love of praise and admiration; but so to control it, that +the favor of God shall be regarded more than the estimation of men. We +are not to extirpate the principle of curiosity, which leads us to +acquire knowledge; but so to direct it, that all our acquisitions shall +be useful and not frivolous or injurious. And thus, with all the +principles of the mind, God has implanted no desires in our +constitution, which are evil and pernicious. On the contrary, all our +constitutional propensities, either of mind or body, He designed we +should gratify, whenever no evils would thence result, either to +ourselves or others. Such passions as envy, ambition, pride, revenge, +and hatred, are to be exterminated; for they are either excesses or +excrescences: not created by God, but rather the result of our own +neglect to form habits of benevolence and self-control. + +In deciding the rules of our conduct, therefore, we are ever to bear in +mind, that the developement of the nobler principles, and the +subjugation of inferior propensities to them, is to be the main object +of effort, both for ourselves and for others. And, in conformity with +this, in all our plans, we are to place religious and moral interests as +first in estimation, our social and intellectual interests, next, and +our physical gratifications, as subordinate to all. + +A third consideration, is, that, though the means for sustaining life +and health are to be regarded as necessaries, without which no other +duties can be performed, yet, that a very large portion of the time, +spent by most persons, in easy circumstances, for food, raiment, and +dwellings, are for mere _superfluities_, which _are right, when they do +not involve the sacrifice of higher interests_, and _wrong, when they +do_. Life and health can be sustained in the humblest dwellings, with +the plainest dress, and the simplest food; and, after taking from our +means, what is necessary for life and health, the remainder is to be so +divided, that the larger portion shall be given to supply the moral and +intellectual wants of ourselves and others, and the smaller share to +procure those additional gratifications, of taste and appetite, which +are desirable, but not indispensable. Mankind, thus far, have never made +this apportionment of their means; yet, just as fast as they have risen +from a savage state, mere physical wants have been made, to an +increasing extent, subordinate to higher objects. + +Another very important consideration, is, that, in urging the duty of +charity, and the prior claims of moral and religious objects, no rule of +duty should be maintained, which it would not be right and wise for +_all_ to follow. And we are to test the wisdom of any general rule, by +inquiring what would be the result, if all mankind should practise +according to it. In view of this, we are enabled to judge of the +correctness of those, who maintain, that, to be consistent, men +believing in the eternal destruction of all those of our race who are +not brought under the influence of the Christian system, should give up, +not merely the elegances, but all the superfluities, of life, and devote +the whole of their means, not indispensable to life and health, for the +propagation of Christianity. But, if this is the duty of any, it is the +duty of all; and we are to inquire what would be the result, if all +conscientious persons gave up the use of all superfluities. Suppose, +that two millions of the people in the United States, were conscientious +persons, and relinquished the use of every thing not absolutely +necessary to life and health. It would instantly throw out of employment +one half of the whole community. The manufacturers, mechanics, +merchants, agriculturists, and all the agencies they employ, would be +beggared, and one half of those not reduced to poverty, would be obliged +to spend all their extra means, in simply supplying necessaries to the +other half. The use of superfluities, therefore, to a certain extent, is +as indispensable to promote industry, virtue, and religion, as any +direct giving of money or time; and it is owing entirely to a want of +reflection, and of comprehensive views, that any men ever make so great +a mistake, as is here exhibited. + +Instead, then, of urging a rule of duty which is at once irrational and +impracticable, there is another course, which commends itself to the +understandings of all. For whatever may be the _practice_, of +intelligent men, they universally concede the _principle_, that our +physical gratifications should always be made subordinate to social, +intellectual, and moral, advantages. And all that is required, for the +advancement of our whole race to the most perfect state of society, is, +simply, that men should act in agreement with this principle. And, if +only a very small portion, of the most intelligent of our race, should +act according to this rule, under the control of Christian benevolence, +the immense supplies, furnished, for the general good, would be far +beyond what any would imagine, who had never made any calculations on +the subject. In this Nation, alone, suppose the one million and more, of +professed followers of Christ, should give a larger portion of their +means, for the social, intellectual, and moral, wants of mankind, than +for the superfluities that minister to taste, convenience, and appetite; +it would be enough to furnish all the schools, colleges, Bibles, +ministers, and missionaries, that the whole world could demand; or, at +least, it would be far more, than properly qualified agents to +administer it, could employ. + +But, it may be objected, that, though this view is one, which, in the +abstract, looks plausible and rational, not one in a thousand, can +practically adopt it. How few keep any account, at all, of their current +expenses! How impossible it is, to determine, exactly, what are +necessaries, and what are superfluities! And in regard to women, how few +have the control of an income, so as not to be bound by the wishes of a +parent or a husband! + +In reference to these difficulties, the first remark is, that we are +never under obligations to do, what is entirely out of our power, so +that those persons, who have no power to regulate their expenses or +their charities, are under no sort of obligation to attempt it. The +second remark is, that, when a rule of duty is discovered, we are bound +to _aim_ at it, and to fulfil it, just so far as we can. We have no +right to throw it aside, because we shall find some difficult cases, +when we come to apply it. The third remark is, that no person can tell +how much can be done, till a faithful trial has been made. If a woman +has never kept any accounts, nor attempted to regulate her expenditures +by the right rule, nor used her influence with those that control her +plans, to secure this object, she has no right to say how much she can, +or cannot, do, till after a fair trial has been made. + +In attempting such a trial, the following method can be taken. Let a +woman keep an account of all she spends, for herself and her family, for +a year, arranging the items under three general heads. Under the first, +put all articles for food, raiment, rent, wages, and all conveniences. +Under the second, place all sums paid in securing an education, and +books, and other intellectual advantages. Under the third head, place +all that is spent for benevolence and religion. At the end of the year, +the first and largest account will show the mixed items of necessaries +and superfluities, which can be arranged, so as to gain some sort of +idea how much has been spent for superfluities, and how much for +necessaries. Then, by comparing what is spent for superfluities, with +what is spent for intellectual and moral advantages, data will be +gained, for judging of the past, and regulating the future. + +Does a woman say she cannot do this? let her inquire, whether the offer +of a thousand dollars, as a reward for attempting it one year, would not +make her undertake to do it; and, if so, let her decide, in her own +mind, which is most valuable, a clear conscience, and the approbation of +God, in this effort to do His will, or one thousand dollars. And let her +do it, with this warning of the Saviour before her eyes,--"No man can +serve two masters." "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." + +Is it objected, How can we decide between superfluities and necessaries, +in this list? it is replied, that we are not required to judge exactly, +in all cases. Our duty is, to use the means in our power to assist us in +forming a correct judgement; to seek the Divine aid in freeing our minds +from indolence and selfishness; and then to judge as well as we can, in +our endeavors rightly to apportion and regulate our expenses. Many +persons seem to feel that they are bound to do better than they know +how. But God is not so hard a Master; and, after we have used all proper +means to learn the right way, if we then follow it, according to our +ability, we do wrong to feel misgivings, or to blame ourselves, if +results come out differently from what seems desirable. The results of +our actions, alone, can never prove us deserving of blame. For men are +often so placed, that, owing to lack of intellect or means, it is +impossible for them to decide correctly. To use all the means of +knowledge within our reach, and then to judge, with a candid and +conscientious spirit, is all that God requires; and, when we have done +this, and the event seems to come out wrong, we should never wish that +we had decided otherwise. For it is the same as wishing that we had not +followed the dictates of judgement and conscience. As this is a world +designed for discipline and trial, untoward events are never to be +construed as indications of the obliquity of our past decisions. + +But it is probable, that a great portion of the women of this Nation, +cannot secure any such systematic mode of regulating their expenses. To +such, the writer would propose one inquiry; cannot you calculate how +much _time_ and _money_ you spend for what is merely ornamental, and not +necessary, for yourself, your children, and your house? Cannot you +compare this with the time and money you spend for intellectual and +benevolent purposes? and will not this show the need of some change? In +making this examination, is not this brief rule, deducible from the +principles before laid down, the one which should regulate you? Every +person does right, in spending _some_ portion of time and means in +securing the conveniences and adornments of taste; but the amount should +never exceed what is spent in securing our own moral and intellectual +improvement, nor exceed what is spent in benevolent efforts to supply +the physical and moral wants of our fellow-men. + +In making an examination on this subject, it is sometimes the case, that +a woman will count among the _necessaries_ of life, all the various +modes of adorning the person or house, practised in the circle in which +she moves; and, after enumerating the many _duties_ which demand +attention, counting these as a part, she will come to the conclusion, +that she has no time, and but little money, to devote to personal +improvement, or to benevolent enterprises. This surely is not in +agreement with the requirements of the Saviour, who calls on us to seek +for others, as well as ourselves, _first of all_, "the kingdom of God, +and His righteousness." + +In order to act in accordance with the rule here presented, it is true, +that many would be obliged to give up the idea of conforming to the +notions and customs of those, with whom they associate, and compelled to +adopt the maxim, "be not conformed to this world." In many cases, it +would involve an entire change in the style of living. And the writer +has the happiness of knowing more cases than one, where persons, who +have come to similar views, on this subject, have given up large and +expensive establishments, disposed of their carriages, dismissed a +portion of their domestics, and modified all their expenditures, that +they might keep a pure conscience, and regulate their charities more +according to the requirements of Christianity. And there are persons, +well known in the religious world, who save themselves all labor of +minute calculation, by devoting so large a portion of their time and +means to benevolent objects, that they find no difficulty in knowing +that they give more for religious, benevolent, and intellectual, +purposes, than for superfluities. + +In deciding what particular objects shall receive our benefactions, +there are also general principles to guide us. The first, is that +presented by our Saviour, when, after urging the great law of +benevolence, He was asked, "and who is my neighbor?" His reply, in the +parable of 'the Good Samaritan,' teaches us, that any human being, whose +wants are brought to our knowledge, is our neighbor. The wounded man was +not only a stranger, but he belonged to a foreign nation, peculiarly +hated; and he had no claim, except that his wants were brought to the +knowledge of the wayfaring man. From this, we learn, that the destitute, +of all nations, become our neighbors, as soon as their wants are brought +to our knowledge. + +Another general principle, is this, that those who are most in need, +must be relieved, in preference to those who are less destitute. On this +principle, it is, that we think the followers of Christ should give more +to supply those who are suffering for want of the bread of eternal life, +than for those who are deprived of physical enjoyments. And another +reason for this preference, is, the fact, that many, who give in +charity, have made such imperfect advances in civilization and +Christianity, that the intellectual and moral wants of our race make but +a feeble impression on the mind. Relate a pitiful tale of a family, +reduced to live, for weeks, on potatoes, only, and many a mind would +awake to deep sympathy, and stretch forth the hand of charity. But +describe cases, where the immortal mind is pining in stupidity and +ignorance, or racked with the fever of baleful passions, and how small +the number, so elevated in sentiment, and so enlarged in their views, as +to appreciate and sympathize in these far greater misfortunes! The +intellectual and moral wants of our fellow-men, therefore, should claim +the first place in our attention, both because they are most important, +and because they are most neglected. + +Another consideration, to be borne in mind, is, that, in this Country, +there is much less real need of charity, in supplying physical +necessities, than is generally supposed, by those who have not learned +the more excellent way. This Land is so abundant in supplies, and labor +is in such demand, that every healthy person can earn a comfortable +support. And if all the poor were instantly made virtuous, it is +probable that there would be no physical wants, which could not readily +be supplied by the immediate friends of each sufferer. The sick, the +aged, and the orphan, would be the only objects of charity. In this +view of the case, the primary effort, in relieving the poor, should be, +to furnish them the means of earning their own support, and to supply +them with those moral influences, which are most effectual in securing +virtue and industry. + +Another point to be attended to, is, the importance of maintaining a +system of _associated_ charities. There is no point, in which the +economy of charity has more improved, than in the present mode of +combining many small contributions, for sustaining enlarged and +systematic plans of charity. If all the half-dollars, which are now +contributed to aid in organized systems of charity, were returned to the +donors, to be applied by the agency and discretion of each, thousands +and thousands of the treasures, now employed to promote the moral and +intellectual wants of mankind, would become entirely useless. In a +democracy, like ours, where few are very rich, and the majority are in +comfortable circumstances, this collecting and dispensing of drops and +rills, is the mode, by which, in imitation of Nature, the dews and +showers are to distil on parched and desert lands. And every person, +while earning a pittance to unite with many more, may be cheered with +the consciousness of sustaining a grand system of operations, which must +have the most decided influence, in raising all mankind to that perfect +state of society, which Christianity is designed to secure. + +Another consideration, relates to the indiscriminate bestowal of +charity. Persons, who have taken pains to inform themselves, and who +devote their whole time to dispensing charities, unite in declaring, +that this is one of the most fruitful sources of indolence, vice, and +poverty. From several of these, the writer has learned, that, by their +own personal investigations, they have ascertained, that there are large +establishments of idle and wicked persons, in most of our cities, who +associate together, to support themselves by every species of +imposition. They hire large houses, and live in constant rioting, on the +means thus obtained. Among them, are women who have, or who hire the +use of, infant children; others, who are blind, or maimed, or deformed, +or who can adroitly feign such infirmities, and, by these means of +exciting pity, and by artful tales of wo, they collect alms, both in +city and country, to spend in all manner of gross and guilty +indulgences. Meantime, many persons, finding themselves often duped by +impostors, refuse to give at all; and thus many benefactions are +withdrawn, which a wise economy in charity would have secured. For this, +and other reasons, it is wise and merciful, to adopt the general rule, +never to give alms, till we have had some opportunity of knowing how +they will be spent. There are exceptions to this, as to every general +rule, which a person of discretion can determine. But the practice, so +common among benevolent persons, of giving, at least a trifle, to all +who ask, lest, perchance, they may turn away some, who are really +sufferers, is one, which causes more sin and misery than it cures. + +The writer has never known any system for dispensing charity, so +successful, as the one which, in many places, has been adopted in +connection with the distribution of tracts. By this method, a town or +city is divided into districts; and each district is committed to the +care of two ladies, whose duty it is, to call on each family and leave a +tract, and make that the occasion for entering into conversation, and +learning the situation of all residents in the district. By this method, +the ignorant, the vicious, and the poor, are discovered, and their +physical, intellectual, and moral, wants, are investigated. In some +places, where the writer has resided or visited, each person retained +the same district, year after year, so that every poor family in the +place was under the watch and care of some intelligent and benevolent +lady, who used all her influence to secure a proper education for the +children, to furnish them with suitable reading, to encourage habits of +industry and economy, and to secure regular attendance on public +religious instruction. Thus, the rich and the poor were brought in +contact, in a way advantageous to both parties; and, if such a system +could be universally adopted, more would be done for the prevention of +poverty and vice, than all the wealth of the Nation could avail for +their relief. But this plan cannot be successfully carried out, in this +manner, unless there is a large proportion of intelligent, benevolent, +and self-denying, persons; and the mere distribution of tracts, without +the other parts of the plan, is of very little avail. + +But there is one species of charity, which needs especial consideration. +It is that, which induces us to refrain from judging of the means and +the relative charities of other persons. There have been such indistinct +notions, and so many different standards of duty, on this subject, that +it is rare for two persons to think exactly alike, in regard to the rule +of duty. Each person is bound to inquire and judge for himself, as to +his own duty or deficiencies; but as both the resources, and the amount +of the actual charities, of other men are beyond our ken, it is as +indecorous, as it is uncharitable, to sit in judgement on their +decisions. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +ON ECONOMY OF TIME AND EXPENSES. + + +_On Economy of Time._ + +The value of time, and our obligation to spend every hour for some +useful end, are what few minds properly realize. And those, who have the +highest sense of their obligations in this respect, sometimes greatly +misjudge in their estimate of what are useful and proper modes of +employing time. This arises from limited views of the importance of some +pursuits, which they would deem frivolous and useless, but which are, +in reality, necessary to preserve the health of body and mind, and those +social affections, which it is very important to cherish. Christianity +teaches, that, for all the time afforded us, we must give account to +God; and that we have no right to waste a single hour. But time, which +is spent in rest or amusement, is often as usefully employed, as if it +were devoted to labor or devotion. In employing our time, we are to make +suitable allowance for sleep, for preparing and taking food, for +securing the means of a livelihood, for intellectual improvement, for +exercise and amusement, for social enjoyments, and for benevolent and +religious duties. And it is the _right apportionment_ of time, to these +various duties, which constitutes its true economy. + +In making this apportionment, we are bound by the same rules, as relate +to the use of property. We are to employ whatever portion is necessary +to sustain life and health, as the first duty; and the remainder we are +so to apportion, that our highest interests, shall receive the greatest +allotment, and our physical gratifications, the least. + +The laws of the Supreme Ruler, when He became the civil as well as the +religious Head of the Jewish theocracy, furnish an example, which it +would be well for all attentively to consider, when forming plans for +the apportionment of time and property. To properly estimate this +example, it must be borne in mind, that the main object of God, was, to +preserve His religion among the Jewish nation; and that they were not +required to take any means to propagate it among other nations, as +Christians are now required to extend Christianity. So low were they, in +the scale of civilization and mental developement, that a system, which +confined them to one spot, as an agricultural people, and prevented +their growing very rich, or having extensive commerce with other +nations, was indispensable to prevent their relapsing into the low +idolatries and vices of the nations around them. + +The proportion of time and property, which every Jew was required to +devote to intellectual, benevolent, and religious purposes, was as +follows: + +In regard to property, they were required to give one tenth of all their +yearly income, to support the Levites, the priests, and the religious +service. Next, they were required to give the first fruits of all their +corn, wine, oil, and fruits, and the first-born of all their cattle, for +the Lord's treasury, to be employed for the priests, the widow, the +fatherless, and the stranger. The first-born, also, of their children, +were the Lord's, and were to be redeemed by a specified sum, paid into +the sacred treasury. Besides this, they were required to bring a +freewill offering to God, every time they went up to the three great +yearly festivals. In addition to this, regular yearly sacrifices, of +cattle and fowls, were required of each family, and occasional +sacrifices for certain sins or ceremonial impurities. In reaping their +fields, they were required to leave unreaped, for the poor, the corners; +not to glean their fields, olive-yards, or vineyards; and, if a sheaf +was left, by mistake, they were not to return for it, but leave it for +the poor. When a man sent away a servant, he was thus charged: "Furnish +him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy +wine-press." When a poor man came to borrow money, they were forbidden +to deny him, or to take any interest; and if, at the sabbatical, or +seventh, year, he could not pay, the debt was to be cancelled. And to +this command, is added the significant caution, "Beware that there be +not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, the seventh year, the year of +release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and +thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be +sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him," "because that for this thing +the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou +puttest thine hand unto." Besides this, the Levites were distributed +through the land, with the intention that they should be instructors and +priests in every part of the nation. Thus, one twelfth of the people +were set apart, having no landed property, to be priests and teachers; +and the other tribes were required to support them liberally. + +In regard to the time taken from secular pursuits, for the support of +religion, an equally liberal amount was demanded. In the first place, +one seventh part of their time was taken for the weekly sabbath, when no +kind of work was to be done. Then the whole nation were required to +meet, at the appointed place, three times a year, which, including their +journeys, and stay there, occupied eight weeks, or another seventh part +of their time. Then the sabbatical year, when no agricultural labor was +to be done, took another seventh of their time from their regular +pursuits, as they were an agricultural people. This was the amount of +time and property demanded by God, simply to sustain religion and +morality within the bounds of that nation. Christianity demands the +spread of its blessings to all mankind, and so the restrictions laid on +the Jews are withheld, and all our wealth and time, not needful for our +own best interest, is to be employed in improving the condition of our +fellow-men. + +In deciding respecting the rectitude of our pursuits, we are bound to +aim at some practical good, as the ultimate object. With every duty of +this life, our benevolent Creator has connected some species of +enjoyment, to draw us to perform it. Thus, the palate is gratified, by +performing the duty of nourishing our bodies; the principle of curiosity +is gratified, in pursuing useful knowledge; the desire of approbation is +gratified, when we perform benevolent and social duties; and every other +duty has an alluring enjoyment connected with it. But the great mistake +of mankind has consisted in seeking the pleasures, connected with these +duties, as the sole aim, without reference to the main end that should +be held in view, and to which the enjoyment should be made subservient. +Thus, men seek to gratify the palate, without reference to the question +whether the body is properly nourished; and follow after knowledge, +without inquiring whether it ministers to good or evil. + +But, in gratifying the implanted desires of our nature, we are bound so +to restrain ourselves, by reason and conscience, as always to seek the +main objects of existence--the highest good of ourselves and others; and +never to sacrifice this, for the mere gratification of our sensual +desires. We are to gratify appetite, just so far as is consistent with +health and usefulness; and the desire for knowledge, just so far as will +enable us to do most good by our influence and efforts; and no farther. +We are to seek social intercourse, to that extent, which will best +promote domestic enjoyment and kindly feelings among neighbors and +friends; and we are to pursue exercise and amusement, only so far as +will best sustain the vigor of body and mind. For the right +apportionment of time, to these and various other duties, we are to give +an account to our Creator and final Judge. + +Instead of attempting to give any very specific rules on this subject, +some modes of economizing time will be suggested. The most powerful of +all agencies, in this matter, is, that habit of system and order, in all +our pursuits, which has been already pointed out. It is probable, that a +regular and systematic employment of time, will enable a person to +accomplish thrice the amount of labor, that could otherwise be +performed. + +Another mode of economizing time, is, by uniting several objects in one +employment. Thus, exercise, or charitable efforts, can be united with +social enjoyments, as is done in associations for sewing, or visiting +the poor. Instruction and amusement can also be combined. Pursuits like +music, gardening, drawing, botany, and the like, unite intellectual +improvement with amusement, social enjoyment, and exercise. + +With housekeepers, and others whose employments are various and +desultory, much time can be saved by preparing employments for little +intervals of leisure. Thus, some ladies make ready, and keep in the +parlor, light work, to take up when detained there; some keep a book at +hand, in the nursery, to read while holding or sitting by a sleeping +infant. One of the most popular female poets of our Country very often +shows her friends, at their calls, that the thread of the knitting, +never need interfere with the thread of agreeable discourse. + +It would be astonishing, to one who had never tried the experiment, how +much can be accomplished, by a little planning and forethought, in thus +finding employment for odd intervals of time. + +But, besides economizing our own time, we are bound to use our influence +and example to promote the discharge of the same duty by others. A woman +is under obligations so to arrange the hours and pursuits of her family, +as to promote systematic and habitual industry; and if, by late +breakfasts, irregular hours for meals, and other hinderances of this +kind, she interferes with, or refrains from promoting regular industry +in, others, she is accountable to God for all the waste of time +consequent on her negligence. The mere example of system and industry, +in a housekeeper, has a wonderful influence in promoting the same +virtuous habit in others. + + +_On Economy in Expenses._ + +It is impossible for a woman to practise a wise economy in expenditures, +unless she is taught how to do it, either by a course of experiments, or +by the instruction of those who have had experience. It is amusing to +notice the various, and oftentimes contradictory, notions of economy, +among judicious and experienced housekeepers; for there is probably no +economist, who would not be deemed lavish or wasteful, in some respects, +by another and equally experienced and judicious person, who, in some +different points, would herself be as much condemned by the other. These +diversities are occasioned by dissimilar early habits, and by the +different relative value assigned, by each, to the various modes of +enjoyment, for which money is expended. + +But, though there may be much disagreement in minor matters, there are +certain general principles, which all unite in sanctioning. The first, +is, that care be taken to know the amount of income and of current +expenses, so that the proper relative proportion be preserved, and the +expenditures never exceed the means. Few women can do this, thoroughly, +without keeping regular accounts. The habits of this Nation, especially +among business-men, are so desultory, and the current expenses of a +family, in many points, are so much more under the control of the man +than of the woman, that many women, who are disposed to be systematic in +this matter, cannot follow their wishes. But there are often cases, when +much is left undone in this particular, simply because no effort is +made. Yet every woman is bound to do as much as is in her power, to +accomplish a systematic mode of expenditure, and the regulation of it by +Christian principles. + +The following are examples of different methods which have been adopted, +for securing a proper adjustment of expenses to the means. + +The first, is that of a lady, who kept a large boarding-house, in one of +our cities. Every evening, before retiring, she took an account of the +expenses of the day; and this usually occupied her not more than fifteen +minutes, at a time. On each Saturday, she made an inventory of the +stores on hand, and of the daily expenses, and also of what was due to +her; and then made an exact estimate of her expenditures and profits. +This, after the first two or three weeks, never took more than an hour, +at the close of the week. Thus, by a very little time, regularly devoted +to this object, she knew, accurately, her income, expenditures, and +profits. + +Another friend of the writer, lives on a regular salary. The method +adopted, in this case, is to calculate to what the salary amounts, each +week. Then an account is kept, of what is paid out, each week, for +rent, fuel, wages, and food. This amount of each week is deducted from +the weekly income. The remainders of each week are added, at the close +of a month, as the stock from which is to be taken, the dress, +furniture, books, travelling expenses, charities, and all other +expenditures. + +Another lady, whose husband is a lawyer, divides the year into four +quarters, and the income into four equal parts. She then makes her +plans, so that the expenses of one quarter shall never infringe on the +income of another. So resolute is she, in carrying out this +determination, that if, by any mischance, she is in want of articles +before the close of a quarter, which she has not the means for +providing, she will subject herself to temporary inconvenience, by +waiting, rather than violate her rule. + +Another lady, whose husband is engaged in a business, which he thinks +makes it impossible for him to know what his yearly income will be, took +this method:--She kept an account of all her disbursements, for one +year. This she submitted to her husband, and obtained his consent, that +the same sum should be under her control, the coming year, for similar +purposes, with the understanding, that she might modify future +apportionments, in any way her judgement and conscience might approve. + +A great deal of uneasiness and discomfort is caused, to both husband and +wife, in many cases, by an entire want of system and forethought, in +arranging expenses. Both keep buying what they think they need, without +any calculation as to how matters are coming out, and with a sort of +dread of running in debt, all the time harassing them. Such never know +the comfort of independence. But, if a man or woman will only calculate +what their income is, and then plan so as to know that they are all the +time living within it, they secure one of the greatest comforts, which +wealth ever bestows, and what many of the rich, who live in a loose and +careless way, never enjoy. It is not so much the amount of income, as +the regular and correct apportionment of expenses, that makes a family +truly comfortable. A man, with ten thousand a year, is often more +harassed, for want of money, than the systematic economist, who supports +a family on only six hundred a year. And the inspired command, "Owe no +man any thing," can never be conscientiously observed, without a +systematic adaptation of expenses to means. + +As it is very important that young ladies should learn systematic +economy, in expenses, it will be a great benefit, for every young girl +to begin, at twelve or thirteen years of age, to make her own purchases, +and keep her accounts, under the guidance of her mother, or some other +friend. And if parents would ascertain the actual expense of a +daughter's clothing, for a year, and give the sum to her, in quarterly +payments, requiring a regular account, it would be of great benefit in +preparing her for future duties. How else are young ladies to learn to +make purchases properly, and to be systematic and economical? The art of +system and economy can no more come by intuition, than the art of +watchmaking or bookkeeping; and how strange it appears, that so many +young ladies take charge of a husband's establishment, without having +had either instruction or experience in one of the most important duties +of their station! + +The second general principle of economy, is, that, in apportioning an +income, among various objects, the most important should receive the +largest supply, and that all retrenchments be made in matters of less +importance. In a previous chapter, some general principles have been +presented, to guide in this duty. Some additional hints will here be +added, on the same topic. + +In regard to dress and furniture, much want of judgement and good taste +is often seen, in purchasing some expensive article, which is not at all +in keeping with the other articles connected with it. Thus, a large +sideboard, or elegant mirror, or sofa, which would be suitable only for +a large establishment, with other rich furniture, is crowded into too +small a room, with coarse and cheap articles around it. So, also, +sometimes a parlor, and company-chamber, will be furnished in a style +suitable only for the wealthy, while the table will be supplied with +shabby linen, and imperfect crockery, and every other part of the house +will look, in comparison with these fine rooms, mean and niggardly. It +is not at all uncommon, to find very showy and expensive articles in the +part of the house visible to strangers, when the children's rooms, +kitchen, and other back portions, are on an entirely different scale. + +So in regard to dress, a lady will sometimes purchase an elegant and +expensive article, which, instead of attracting admiration from the eye +of taste, will merely serve as a decoy to the painful contrast of all +other parts of the dress. A woman of real good taste and discretion, +will strive to maintain a relative consistency between all departments, +and not, in one quarter, live on a scale fitted only to the rich, and in +another, on one appropriate only to the poor. + +Another mistake in economy, is often made, by some of the best-educated +and most intelligent of mothers. Such will often be found spending day +after day at needlework, when, with a comparatively small sum, this +labor could be obtained of those who need the money, which such work +would procure for them. Meantime, the daughters of the family, whom the +mother is qualified to educate, or so nearly qualified, that she could +readily keep ahead of her children, are sent to expensive +boarding-schools, where their delicate frames, their pliant minds, and +their moral and religious interests, are relinquished to the hands of +strangers. And the expense, thus incurred, would serve to pay the hire +of every thing the mother can do in sewing, four or five times over. The +same want of economy is shown in communities, where, instead of +establishing a good female school in their vicinity, the men of wealth +send their daughters abroad, at double the expense, to be either +educated or spoiled, as the case may be. + +Another species of poor economy, is manifested in neglecting to acquire +and apply mechanical skill, which, in consequence, has to be hired from +others. Thus, all the plain sewing will be done by the mother and +daughters, while all that requires skill will be hired. Instead of this, +others take pains to have their daughters instructed in mantuamaking, +and the simpler parts of millinery, so that the plain work is given to +the poor, who need it, and the more expensive and tasteful operations +are performed in the family. The writer knows ladies, who not only make +their own dresses, but also their caps, bonnets, and artificial flowers. + +Some persons make miscalculations in economy, by habitually looking up +cheap articles, while others go to the opposite extreme, and always buy +the best of every thing. Those ladies, who are considered the best +economists, do not adopt either method. In regard to cheap goods, the +fading colors, the damages discovered in use, the poorness of material, +and the extra sewing demanded to replace articles lost by such causes, +usually render them very dear, in the end. On the other hand, though +some articles, of the most expensive kind, wear longest and best, yet, +as a general rule, articles at medium prices do the best service. This +is true of table and bed linens, broadcloths, shirtings, and the like; +though, even in these cases, it is often found, that the coarsest and +cheapest last the longest. + +Buying by wholesale, and keeping a large supply on hand, are economical +only in large families, where the mistress is careful; but in other +cases, the hazards of accident, and the temptation to a lavish use, will +make the loss outrun the profits. + +There is one mode of economizing, which, it is hoped, will every year +grow more rare; and that is, making penurious savings, by getting the +poor to work as cheap as possible. Many amiable and benevolent women +have done this, on principle, without reflecting on the want of +Christian charity thus displayed. Let every woman, in making bargains +with the poor, conceive herself placed in the same circumstances, +toiling hour after hour, and day after day, for a small sum, and then +deal with others as she would be dealt by in such a situation. _Liberal +prices_, and _prompt payment_, should be an invariable maxim, in dealing +with the poor. + +The third general principle of economy, is, that all articles should be +so used, and taken care of, as to secure the longest service, with the +least waste. Under this head, come many particulars in regard to the use +and preservation of articles, which will be found more in detail in +succeeding chapters. It may be proper, however, here to refer to one +very common impression, as to the relative obligation of the poor and +the rich in regard to economy. Many seem to suppose, that those who are +wealthy, have a right to be lavish and negligent in the care of +expenses. But this surely is a great mistake. Property is a talent, +given by God, to spend for the welfare of mankind; and the needless +waste of it, is as wrong in the rich, as it is in the poor. The rich are +under obligations to apportion their income, to the various objects +demanding attention, by the same rule as all others; and if this will +allow them to spend more for superfluities than those of smaller means, +it never makes it right to misuse or waste any of the bounties of +Providence. Whatever is no longer wanted for their own enjoyment, should +be carefully saved, to add to the enjoyment of others. + +It is not always that men understand the economy of Providence, in that +unequal distribution of property, which, even under the most perfect +form of government, will always exist. Many, looking at the present +state of things, imagine that the rich, if they acted in strict +conformity to the law of benevolence, would share all their property +with their suffering fellow-men. But such do not take into account, the +inspired declaration, that "a man's life consisteth not in the +abundance of the things which he possesseth," or, in other words, life +is made valuable, not by great possessions, but by such a character as +prepares a man to enjoy what he holds. God perceives that human +character can be most improved, by that kind of discipline, which +exists, when there is something valuable to be gained by industrious +efforts. This stimulus to industry could never exist, in a community +where all are just alike, as it does in a state of society where every +man sees, possessed by others, enjoyments, which he desires, and may +secure by effort and industry. So, in a community where all are alike as +to property, there would be no chance to gain that noblest of all +attainments, a habit of self-denying benevolence, which toils for the +good of others, and takes from one's own store, to increase the +enjoyments of another. + +Instead, then, of the stagnation, both of industry and of benevolence, +which would follow the universal and equable distribution of property, +one class of men, by superior advantages of birth, or intellect, or +patronage, come into possession of a great amount of capital. With these +means, they are enabled, by study, reading, and travel, to secure +expansion of mind, and just views of the relative advantages of moral, +intellectual, and physical enjoyments. At the same time, Christianity +imposes obligations, corresponding with the increase of advantages and +means. The rich are not at liberty to spend their treasures for +themselves, alone. Their wealth is given, by God, to be employed for the +best good of mankind; and their intellectual advantages are designed, +primarily, to enable them to judge correctly, in employing their means +most wisely for the general good. + +Now, suppose a man of wealth inherits ten thousand acres of real estate: +it is not his duty to divide it among his poor neighbors and tenants. If +he took this course, it is probable, that most of them would spend all +in thriftless waste and indolence, or in mere physical enjoyments. +Instead, then, of thus putting his capital out of his hands, he is bound +to retain, and so to employ, it, as to raise his neighbors and tenants +to such a state of virtue and intelligence, that they can secure far +more, by their own efforts and industry, than he, by dividing his +capital, could bestow upon them. + +In this view of the subject, it is manifest, that the unequal +distribution of property is no evil. The great difficulty is, that so +large a portion of those who hold much capital, instead of using their +various advantages for the greatest good of those around them, employ +the chief of them for mere selfish indulgences; thus inflicting as much +mischief on themselves, as results to others from their culpable +neglect. A great portion of the rich seem to be acting on the principle, +that the more God bestows on them, the less are they under obligation to +practise any self-denial, in fulfilling his benevolent plan of raising +our race to intelligence and holiness. + +There are not a few, who seem to imagine that it is a mark of gentility +to be careless of expenses. But this notion, is owing to a want of +knowledge of the world. As a general fact, it will be found, that +persons of rank and wealth, abroad, are much more likely to be +systematic and economical, than persons of inferior standing in these +respects. Even the most frivolous, among the rich and great, are often +found practising a rigid economy, in certain respects, in order to +secure gratifications in another direction. And it will be found so +common, among persons of vulgar minds, and little education, and less +sense, to make a display of profusion and indifference to expense, as a +mark of their claims to gentility, that the really genteel look upon it +rather as a mark of low breeding. So that the sort of feeling, which +some persons cherish, as if it were a degradation to be careful of small +sums, and to be attentive to relative prices, in making purchases, is +founded on mistaken notions of gentility and propriety. + +But one caution is needful, in regard to another extreme. When a lady +of wealth, is seen roaming about in search of cheaper articles, or +trying to beat down a shopkeeper, or making a close bargain with those +she employs, the impropriety is glaring to all minds. A person of wealth +has no occasion to spend time in looking for extra cheap articles; her +time could be more profitably employed in distributing to the wants of +others. And the practice of beating down tradespeople, is vulgar and +degrading, in any one. A woman, after a little inquiry, can ascertain +what is the fair and common price of things; and if she is charged an +exorbitant sum, she can decline taking the article. If the price be a +fair one, it is not becoming in her to search for another article which +is below the regular charge. If a woman finds that she is in a store +where they charge high prices, expecting to be beat down, she can +mention, that she wishes to know the lowest price, as it is contrary to +her principles to beat down charges. + +There is one inconsistency, worthy of notice, which is found among that +class, who are ambitious of being ranked among the aristocracy of +society. It has been remarked, that, in the real aristocracy of other +lands, it is much more common, than with us, to practise systematic +economy. And such do not hesitate to say so, when they cannot afford +certain indulgences. This practice descends to subordinate grades; so +that foreign ladies, when they come to reside among us, seldom hesitate +in assigning the true reason, when they cannot afford any gratification. +But in this Country, it will be found, that many, who are most fond of +copying aristocratic examples, are, on this point, rather with the +vulgar. Not a few of those young persons, who begin life with parlors +and dresses in a style fitting only to established wealth, go into +expenses, which they can ill afford; and are ashamed even to allow, that +they are restrained from any expense, by motives of economy. Such a +confession is never extorted, except by some call of benevolence; and +then, they are very ready to declare that they cannot afford to bestow +even a pittance. In such cases, it would seem as if the direct opposite +of Christianity had gained possession of their tastes and opinions. They +are ashamed to appear to deny themselves; but are very far from having +any shame in denying the calls of benevolence. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +ON HEALTH OF MIND. + + +There is such an intimate connection between the body and mind, that the +health of one, cannot be preserved, without a proper care of the other. +And it is from a neglect of this principle, that some of the most +exemplary and conscientious persons in the world, suffer a thousand +mental agonies, from a diseased state of body, while others ruin the +health of the body, by neglecting the proper care of the mind. When the +brain is excited, by stimulating drinks taken into the stomach, it +produces a corresponding excitement of the mental faculties. The reason, +the imagination, and all the powers, are stimulated to preternatural +vigor and activity. In like manner, when the mind is excited by earnest +intellectual effort, or by strong passions, the brain is equally +excited, and the blood rushes to the head. Sir Astley Cooper records, +that, in examining the brain of a young man who had lost a portion of +his skull, whenever "he was agitated, by some opposition to his wishes," +"the blood was sent, with increased force, to his brain," and the +pulsations "became frequent and violent." The same effect was produced +by any intellectual effort; and the flushed countenance, which attends +earnest study or strong emotions of fear, shame, or anger, is an +external indication of the suffused state of the brain from such causes. + +In exhibiting the causes, which injure the health of the mind, they +will be found to be partly physical, partly intellectual, and partly +moral. + +The first cause of mental disease and suffering, is not unfrequently +found in the want of a proper supply of duly oxygenized blood. It has +been shown, that the blood, in passing through the lungs, is purified, +by the oxygen of the air combining with the superabundant hydrogen and +carbon of the venous blood, thus forming carbonic acid and water, which +are expired into the atmosphere. Every pair of lungs is constantly +withdrawing from the surrounding atmosphere its healthful principle, and +returning one, which is injurious to human life. + +When, by confinement, and this process, the atmosphere is deprived of +its appropriate supply of oxygen, the purification of the blood is +interrupted, and it passes, without being properly prepared, into the +brain, producing languor, restlessness, and inability to exercise the +intellect and feelings. Whenever, therefore, persons sleep in a close +apartment, or remain, for a length of time, in a crowded or +ill-ventilated room, a most pernicious influence is exerted on the +brain, and, through this, on the mind. A person, who is often exposed to +such influences, can never enjoy that elasticity and vigor of mind, +which is one of the chief indications of its health. This is the reason, +why all rooms for religious meetings, and all schoolrooms, and sleeping +apartments, should be so contrived, as to secure a constant supply of +fresh air from without. The minister, who preaches in a crowded and +ill-ventilated apartment, loses much of his power to feel and to speak, +while the audience are equally reduced, in their capability of +attending. The teacher, who confines children in a close apartment, +diminishes their ability to study, or to attend to his instructions. And +the person, who habitually sleeps in a close room, impairs his mental +energies, in a similar degree. It is not unfrequently the case, that +depression of spirits, and stupor of intellect, are occasioned solely by +inattention to this subject. + +Another cause of mental disease, is, the excessive exercise of the +intellect or feelings. If the eye is taxed, beyond its strength, by +protracted use, its blood-vessels become gorged, and the bloodshot +appearance warns of the excess and the need of rest. The brain is +affected, in a similar manner, by excessive use, though the suffering +and inflamed organ cannot make its appeal to the eye. But there are some +indications, which ought never to be misunderstood or disregarded. In +cases of pupils, at school or at college, a diseased state, from over +action, is often manifested by increased clearness of mind, and ease and +vigor of mental action. In one instance, known to the writer, a most +exemplary and industrious pupil, anxious to improve every hour, and +ignorant or unmindful of the laws of health, first manifested the +diseased state of her brain and mind, by demands for more studies, and a +sudden and earnest activity in planning modes of improvement for herself +and others. When warned of her danger, she protested that she never was +better, in her life; that she took regular exercise, in the open air, +went to bed in season, slept soundly, and felt perfectly well; that her +mind was never before so bright and clear, and study never so easy and +delightful. And at this time, she was on the verge of derangement, from +which she was saved only by an entire cessation of all her intellectual +efforts. + +A similar case occurred, under the eye of the writer, from over-excited +feelings. It was during a time of unusual religious interest in the +community, and the mental disease was first manifested, by the pupil +bringing her Hymn-book or Bible to the class-room, and making it her +constant resort, in every interval of school duty. It finally became +impossible to convince her, that it was her duty to attend to any thing +else; her conscience became morbidly sensitive, her perceptions +indistinct, her deductions unreasonable, and nothing, but entire change +of scene, exercise, and amusement, saved her. When the health of the +brain was restored, she found that she could attend to the "one thing +needful," not only without interruption of duty, or injury of health, +but rather so as to promote both. Clergymen and teachers need most +carefully to notice and guard against the danger here alluded to. + +Any such attention to religion, as prevents the performance of daily +duties and needful relaxation, is dangerous, as tending to produce such +a state of the brain, as makes it impossible to feel or judge correctly. +And when any morbid and unreasonable pertinacity appears, much exercise, +and engagement in other interesting pursuits, should be urged, as the +only mode of securing the religious benefits aimed at. And whenever any +mind is oppressed with care, anxiety, or sorrow, the amount of active +exercise in the fresh air should be greatly increased, that the action +of the muscles may withdraw the blood, which, in such seasons, is +constantly tending too much to the brain. + +There has been a most appalling amount of suffering, derangement, +disease, and death, occasioned by a want of attention to this subject, +in teachers and parents. Uncommon precocity in children is usually the +result of an unhealthy state of the brain; and, in such cases, medical +men would now direct, that the wonderful child should be deprived of all +books and study, and turned to play or work in the fresh air. Instead of +this, parents frequently add fuel to the fever of the brain, by +supplying constant mental stimulus, until the victim finds refuge in +idiocy or an early grave. Where such fatal results do not occur, the +brain, in many cases, is so weakened, that the prodigy of infancy sinks +below the medium of intellectual powers in afterlife. In our colleges, +too, many of the most promising minds sink to an early grave, or drag +out a miserable existence, from this same cause. And it is an evil, as +yet little alleviated by the increase of physiological knowledge. Every +college and professional school, and every seminary for young ladies, +needs a medical man, not only to lecture on physiology and the laws of +health, but empowered, in his official capacity, to investigate the +case of every pupil, and, by authority, to restrain him to such a course +of study, exercise, and repose, as his physical system requires. The +writer has found, by experience, that, in a large institution, there is +one class of pupils who need to be restrained, by penalties, from late +hours and excessive study, as much as another class need stimulus to +industry. + +Under the head of excessive mental action, must be placed the indulgence +of the imagination in _novel reading_ and _castle building_. This kind +of stimulus, unless counterbalanced by physical exercise, not only +wastes time and energies, but undermines the vigor of the nervous +system. The imagination was designed, by our kind Creator, as the charm +and stimulus to animate to benevolent activity; and its perverted +exercise seldom fails to bring the appropriate penalty. + +A third cause of mental disease, is, the want of the appropriate +exercise of the various faculties of the mind. On this point, Dr. Combe +remarks, "We have seen, that, by disuse, muscle becomes emaciated, bone +softens, blood-vessels are obliterated, and nerves lose their +characteristic structure. The brain is no exception to this general +rule. Of it, also, the tone is impaired by permanent inactivity, and it +becomes less fit to manifest the mental powers with readiness and +energy." It is "the withdrawal of the stimulus necessary for its healthy +exercise, which renders solitary confinement so severe a punishment, +even to the most daring minds. It is a lower degree of the same cause, +which renders continuous seclusion from society so injurious, to both +mental and bodily health." + +"_Inactivity of intellect and of feeling_ is a very frequent +predisposing cause of every form of nervous disease. For demonstrative +evidence of this position, we have only to look at the numerous victims +to be found, among persons who have no call to exertion in gaining the +means of subsistence, and no objects of interest on which to exercise +their mental faculties and who consequently sink into a state of mental +sloth and nervous weakness." "If we look abroad upon society, we shall +find innumerable examples of mental and nervous debility from this +cause. When a person of some mental capacity is confined, for a long +time, to an unvarying round of employment, which affords neither scope +nor stimulus for one half of his faculties, and, from want of education +or society, has no external resources; his mental powers, for want of +exercise, become blunted, and his perceptions slow and dull." "The +intellect and feelings, not being provided with interests external to +themselves, must either become inactive and weak, or work upon +themselves and become diseased." + +"The most frequent victims of this kind of predisposition, are females +of the middle and higher ranks, especially those of a nervous +constitution and _good natural abilities_; but who, from an ill-directed +education, possess nothing more solid than mere accomplishments, and +have no materials of thought," and no "occupation to excite interest or +_demand_ attention." "The liability of such persons to melancholy, +hysteria, hypochondriasis, and other varieties of mental distress, +really depends on a state of irritability of brain, induced by imperfect +exercise." + +These remarks, of a medical man, illustrate the principles before +indicated;--namely, that the demand of Christianity, that we live to +promote the general happiness, and not merely for selfish indulgence, +has for its aim, not only the general good, but the highest happiness, +of the individual of whom it is required. + +A person possessed of wealth, who has nothing more noble to engage his +attention, than seeking his own personal enjoyment, subjects his mental +powers and moral feelings to a degree of inactivity, utterly at war with +health of mind. And the greater the capacities, the greater are the +sufferings which result from this cause. Any one, who has read the +misanthropic wailings of Lord Byron, has seen the necessary result of +great and noble powers bereft of their appropriate exercise, and, in +consequence, becoming sources of the keenest suffering. + +It is this view of the subject, which has often awakened feelings of +sorrow and anxiety in the mind of the writer, while aiding in the +developement and education of superior female minds, in the wealthier +circles. Not because there are not noble objects for interest and +effort, abundant, and within reach of such minds; but because +long-established custom has made it seem so Quixotic, to the majority, +even of the professed followers of Christ, for a woman of wealth to +practise any great self-denial, that few have independence of mind and +Christian principle sufficient to overcome such an influence. The more a +mind has its powers developed, the more does it aspire and pine after +some object worthy of its energies and affections; and they are +commonplace and phlegmatic characters, who are most free from such +deep-seated wants. Many a young woman, of fine genius and elevated +sentiment, finds a charm in Lord Byron's writings, because they present +a glowing picture of what, to a certain extent, must be felt by every +well-developed mind, which has no nobler object in life, than the +pursuit of its own gratification. + +If young ladies of wealth could pursue their education, under the full +conviction that the increase of their powers and advantages increased +their obligations to use all for the good of society, and with some plan +of benevolent enterprise in view, what new motives of interest would be +added to their daily pursuits! And what blessed results would follow, to +our beloved Country, if all well-educated females carried out the +principles of Christianity, in the exercise of their developed powers! + +It is cheering to know, that there are women, among the most intelligent +and wealthy, who can be presented as examples of what may be done, when +there is a heart to do. A pupil of the writer is among this number, +who, though a rich heiress, immediately, on the close of her +school-life, commenced a course of self-denying benevolence, in the +cause of education. She determined to secure a superior female +institution, in her native place, which should extend the benefits of +the best education to all in that vicinity, at a moderate charge. +Finding no teacher on the ground, prepared to take the lead, and though +herself a timid and retiring character, she began, with the aid of the +governess in her mother's family, a daily school, superintending all, +and teaching six hours a day. The liberal-minded and intelligent mother +cooperated, and the result is a flourishing female seminary, with a +large and beautiful and well-furnished building; the greater part of the +means being supplied by the mother, and almost all by the members of +that family connection. And both these ladies will testify, that no time +or money, spent for any other object, has ever secured to them more real +and abiding enjoyment, than witnessing the results of this successful +and benevolent enterprise, which, for years to come, will pour forth +blessings on society. + +Another lady could be pointed out, who, possessing some property, went +into a new western village, built and furnished her schoolhouse, and +established herself there, to aid in raising a community from ignorance +and gross worldliness, to intelligence and virtue. And in repeated +instances, among the friends and pupils of the writer, young ladies have +left wealthy homes, and affectionate friends, to find nobler enjoyments, +in benevolent and active exertions to extend intelligence and virtue, +where such disinterested laborers were needed. In other cases, where it +was not practicable to leave home, well-educated young ladies have +interested themselves in common schools in the vicinity, aiding the +teachers, by their sympathy, counsel, and personal assistance. + +Other ladies, of property and standing, having families to educate, and +being well qualified for such duties, have relinquished a large portion +of domestic labor and superintendence, which humbler minds could be +hired to perform, devoted themselves to the education of their children, +and received others, less fortunate, to share with their own these +superior advantages. But, so long as the feeling widely exists, that the +increase of God's bounties diminishes the obligations of self-denying +service for the good of mankind, so long will well-educated women, in +easy circumstances, shrink from such confinement and exertion. + +It is believed, however, that there are many benevolent and intelligent +women, in this Country, who would gladly engage in such enterprises, +were there any appropriate way within their reach. And it is a question, +well deserving consideration, among those who guide the public mind in +benevolent enterprises, whether some organization is not demanded, which +shall bring the whole community to act systematically, in voluntary +associations, to extend a proper education to every child in this +Nation, and to bring into activity all the female enterprise and +benevolence now lying dormant, for want of proper facilities to exercise +them. There are hundreds of villages, which need teachers, and that +would support them, if they were on the spot, but which never will send +for them. And there are hundreds of females, now unemployed, who would +teach, if a proper place, and home, and support, and escort, were +provided for them. And there needs to be some enlarged and systematic +plan, conducted by wise and efficient men, to secure these objects. + +Could such a plan, as the one suggested, be carried out, it is believed +that many female minds, now suffering, from diseases occasioned by want +of appropriate objects for their energies, would be relieved. The duties +of a teacher exercise every intellectual faculty, to its full extent; +while, in this benevolent service, all the social, moral, and +benevolent, emotions, are kept in full play. The happiest persons the +writer has ever known,--those who could say that they were as happy as +they wished to be, in this world, (and she has seen such,)--were persons +engaged in this employment. + +The indications of a diseased mind, owing to a want of the proper +exercise of its powers, are, apathy, discontent, a restless longing for +excitement, a craving for unattainable good, a diseased and morbid +action of the imagination, dissatisfaction with the world, and +factitious interest in trifles which the mind feels to be unworthy of +its powers. Such minds sometimes seek alleviation in exciting +amusements; others resort to the grosser enjoyments of sense. Oppressed +with the extremes of languor, or over-excitement, or apathy, the body +fails under the wearing process, and adds new causes of suffering to the +mind. Such, the compassionate Saviour calls to his service, in these +appropriate terms: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, +and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me," "and +ye shall find rest unto your souls." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS. + + +There is no point, where the women of this Country need more wisdom, +patience, principle, and self-control, than in relation to those whom +they employ in domestic service. The subject is attended with many +difficulties, which powerfully influence the happiness of families; and +the following suggestions are offered, to aid in securing right opinions +and practice. + +One consideration, which it would be well to bear in mind, on this +subject, is, that a large portion of the peculiar trials, which American +women suffer from this source, are the necessary evils connected with +our most valuable civil blessings. Every blessing of this life involves +some attendant liability to evil, from the same source; and, in this +case, while we rejoice at a state of society, which so much raises the +condition and advantages of our sex, the evils involved should be +regarded as more than repaid, by the compensating benefits. If we +cannot secure the cringing, submissive, well-trained, servants of +aristocratic lands, let us be consoled that we thus escape from the +untold miseries and oppression, which always attend that state of +society. + +Instead, then, of complaining that we cannot have our own peculiar +advantages, and those of other nations, too, or imagining how much +better off we should be, if things were different from what they are, it +is much wiser and more Christianlike to strive cheerfully to conform to +actual circumstances; and, after remedying all that we can control, +patiently to submit to what is beyond our power. If domestics are found +to be incompetent, unstable, and unconformed to their station, it is +Perfect Wisdom which appoints these trials, to teach us patience, +fortitude, and self-control; and, if the discipline is met, in a proper +spirit, it will prove a blessing, rather than an evil. + +But, to judge correctly in regard to some of the evils involved in the +state of domestic service, in this Country, we should endeavor to +conceive ourselves placed in the situation of those, of whom complaint +is made, that we may not expect, from them, any more than it would seem +right should be exacted from us, in similar circumstances. + +It is sometimes urged, against domestics, that they exact exorbitant +wages. But what is the rule of rectitude, on this subject? Is it not the +universal law of labor and of trade, that an article is to be valued, +according to its scarcity and the demand? When wheat is scarce, the +farmer raises his price; and when a mechanic offers services, difficult +to be obtained, he makes a corresponding increase of price. And why is +it not right, for domestics to act according to a rule, allowed to be +correct in reference to all other trades and professions? It is a fact, +that really good domestic service must continue to increase in value, +just in proportion as this Country waxes rich and prosperous; thus +making the proportion of those, who wish to hire labor, relatively +greater, and the number of those, willing to go to service, less. + +Money enables the rich to gain many advantages, which those of more +limited circumstances cannot secure. One of these, is, securing good +domestics, by offering high wages; and this, as the scarcity of this +class increases, will serve constantly to raise the price of service. It +is right for domestics to charge the market value, and this value is +always decided by the scarcity of the article and the amount of demand. +Right views of this subject, will sometimes serve to diminish hard +feelings towards those, who would otherwise be wrongfully regarded as +unreasonable and exacting. + +Another complaint against domestics, is, that of instability and +discontent, leading to perpetual change. But in reference to this, let a +mother or daughter conceive of their own circumstances as so changed, +that the daughter must go out to service. Suppose a place is engaged, +and it is then found that she must sleep in a comfortless garret; and +that, when a new domestic comes, perhaps a coarse and dirty foreigner, +she must share her bed with her. Another place is offered, where she can +have a comfortable room, and an agreeable room-mate; in such a case, +would not both mother and daughter think it right to change? + +Or, suppose, on trial, it was found that the lady of the house was +fretful, or exacting, and hard to please; or, that her children were so +ungoverned, as to be perpetual vexations; or, that the work was so +heavy, that no time was allowed for relaxation and the care of a +wardrobe;--and another place offers, where these evils can be escaped: +would not mother and daughter here think it right to change? And is it +not right for domestics, as well as their employers, to seek places, +where they can be most comfortable? + +In some cases, this instability and love of change would be remedied, if +employers would take more pains to make a residence with them agreeable; +and to attach domestics to the family, by feelings of gratitude and +affection. There are ladies, even where well-qualified domestics are +most rare, who seldom find any trouble in keeping good and steady ones. +And the reason is, that their domestics know they cannot better their +condition, by any change within reach. It is not merely by giving them +comfortable rooms, and good food, and presents, and privileges, that the +attachment of domestics is secured; it is by the manifestation of a +friendly and benevolent interest in their comfort and improvement. This +is exhibited, in bearing patiently with their faults; in kindly teaching +them how to improve; in showing them how to make and take proper care of +their clothes; in guarding their health; in teaching them to read, if +necessary, and supplying them with proper books; and, in short, by +endeavoring, so far as may be, to supply the place of parents. It is +seldom that such a course would fail to secure steady service, and such +affection and gratitude, that even higher wages would be ineffectual to +tempt them away. There would probably be some cases of ungrateful +returns; but there is no doubt that the course indicated, if generally +pursued, would very much lessen the evil in question. + +Another subject of complaint, in regard to domestics, is, their pride, +insubordination, and spirit not conformed to their condition. They are +not willing to be called _servants_; in some places, they claim a seat, +at meals, with the family; they imitate a style of dress unbecoming +their condition; and their manners and address are rude and +disrespectful. That these evils are very common, among this class of +persons, cannot be denied; the only question is, how can they best be +met and remedied. + +In regard to the common feeling among domestics, which is pained and +offended by being called "servants," there is need of some consideration +and allowance. It should be remembered, that, in this Country, children, +from their earliest years, are trained to abhor slavery, in reference +to themselves, as the greatest of all possible shame and degradation. +They are perpetually hearing orations, songs, and compositions of all +sorts, which set forth the honor and dignity of freemen, and heap scorn +and contempt on all who would be so mean as to be slaves. Now the term +servant, and the duties it involves, are, in the minds of many persons, +nearly the same as those of slave. And there are few minds, entirely +free from associations which make servitude a degradation. It is not +always pride, then, which makes this term so offensive. It is a +consequence of that noble and generous spirit of freedom, which every +American draws from his mother's breast, and which ought to be +respected, rather than despised. In order to be respected, by others, we +must respect ourselves; and sometimes the ruder classes of society make +claims, deemed forward and offensive, when, with their views, such a +position seems indispensable to preserve a proper self-respect. + +Where an excessive sensibility on this subject exists, and forward and +disrespectful manners result from it, the best remedy is, a kind attempt +to give correct views, such as better-educated minds are best able to +attain. It should be shown to them, that, in this Country, labor has +ceased to be degrading, in any class; that, in all classes, different +grades of subordination must exist; and that it is no more degrading, +for a domestic to regard the heads of a family as superiors in station, +and treat them with becoming respect, than it is for children to do the +same, or for men to treat their rulers with respect and deference. They +should be taught, that domestics use a different entrance to the house, +and sit at a distinct table, not because they are inferior beings, but +because this is the best method of securing neatness, order, and +convenience. They can be shown, if it is attempted in a proper spirit +and manner, that these very regulations really tend to their own ease +and comfort, as well as to that of the family. + +The writer has known a case, where the lady of the family, for the sake +of convincing her domestic of the truth of these views, allowed her to +follow her own notions, for a short time, and join the family at meals. +It was merely required, as a condition, that she should always dress her +hair as the other ladies did, and appear in a clean dress, and abide by +all the rules of propriety at table, which the rest were required to +practise, and which were duly detailed. The experiment was tried, two or +three times; and, although the domestic was treated with studious +politeness and kindness, she soon felt that she should be much more +comfortable in the kitchen, where she could talk, eat, and dress, as she +pleased. A reasonable domestic can also be made to feel the propriety of +allowing opportunity for the family to talk freely of their private +affairs, when they meet at meals, as they never could do, if restrained +by the constant presence of a stranger. Such views, presented in a kind +and considerate manner, will often entirely change the views of a +domestic, who is sensitive on such subjects. + +When a domestic is forward and bold in manners, and disrespectful in +address, a similar course can be pursued. It can be shown, that those, +who are among the best-bred and genteel, have courteous and respectful +manners and language to all they meet, while many, who have wealth, are +regarded as vulgar, because they exhibit rude and disrespectful manners. +The very term, _gentle_man, indicates the refinement and delicacy of +address, which distinguishes the high-bred from the coarse and vulgar. + +In regard to appropriate dress, in most cases it is difficult for an +employer to interfere, _directly_, with comments or advice. The most +successful mode, is, to offer some service in mending or making a +wardrobe, and when a confidence in the kindness of feeling is thus +gained, remarks and suggestions will generally be properly received, and +new views of propriety and economy can be imparted. In some cases, it +may be well for an employer,--who, from appearances, anticipates +difficulty of this kind,--in making the agreement, to state that she +wishes to have the room, person, and dress of her domestics kept neat, +and in order, and that she expects to remind them of their duty, in this +particular, if it is neglected. Domestics are very apt to neglect the +care of their own chambers and clothing; and such habits have a most +pernicious influence on their wellbeing, and on that of their children +in future domestic life. An employer, then, is bound to exercise a +parental care over them, in these respects. + +In regard to the great deficiencies of domestics, in qualifications for +their duties, much patience and benevolence are required. Multitudes +have never been taught to do their work properly; and, in such cases, +how unreasonable it would be to expect it of them! Most persons, of this +class, depend, for their knowledge in domestic affairs, not on their +parents, who are usually unqualified to instruct them, but on their +employers; and if they live in a family where nothing is done neatly and +properly, they have no chance to learn how to perform their duties well. +When a lady finds that she must employ a domestic who is ignorant, +awkward, and careless, her first effort should be, to make all proper +allowance for past want of instruction, and the next, to remedy the +evil, by kind and patient teaching. In doing this, it should ever be +borne in mind, that nothing is more difficult, than to change old +habits, and to learn to be thoughtful and considerate. And a woman must +make up her mind to tell the same thing "over and over again," and yet +not lose her patience. It will often save much vexation, if, on the +arrival of a new domestic, the mistress of the family, or a daughter, +will, for two or three days, go round with the novice, and show the +exact manner in which it is expected the work will be done. And this, +also, it may be well to specify in the agreement, as some domestics +would otherwise resent such a supervision. + +But it is often remarked, that, after a woman has taken all this pains +to instruct a domestic, and make her a good one, some other person will +offer higher wages, and she will leave. This, doubtless, is a sore +trial; but, if such efforts were made in the true spirit of benevolence, +the lady will still have her reward, in the consciousness that she has +contributed to the welfare of society, by making one more good domestic, +and one more comfortable family where that domestic is employed; and if +the latter becomes the mother of a family, a whole circle of children +will share in the benefit. + +There is one great mistake, not unfrequently made, in the management +both of domestics and of children; and that is, in supposing that the +way to cure defects, is by finding fault as each failing occurs. But, +instead of this being true, in many cases the directly opposite course +is the best; while, in all instances, much good judgement is required, +in order to decide when to notice faults, and when to let them pass +unnoticed. There are some minds, very sensitive, easily discouraged, and +infirm of purpose. Such persons, when they have formed habits of +negligence, haste, and awkwardness, often need expressions of sympathy +and encouragement, rather than reproof. They have usually been found +fault with, so much, that they have become either hardened or +desponding; and it is often the case, that a few words of commendation +will awaken fresh efforts and renewed hope. In almost every case, words +of kindness, confidence, and encouragement, should be mingled with the +needful admonitions or reproof. + +It is a good rule, in reference to this point, to _forewarn_, instead of +finding fault. Thus, when a thing has been done wrong, let it pass +unnoticed, till it is to be done again; and then, a simple request, to +have it done in the right way, will secure quite as much, and probably +more, willing effort, than a reproof administered for neglect. Some +persons seem to take it for granted, that young and inexperienced minds +are bound to have all the forethought and discretion of mature persons; +and freely express wonder and disgust, when mishaps occur for want of +these traits. But it would be far better to save from mistake or +forgetfulness, by previous caution and care on the part of those who +have gained experience and forethought; and thus many occasions of +complaint and ill-humor will be avoided. + +Those, who fill the places of heads of families, are not very apt to +think how painful it is, to be chided for neglect of duty, or for faults +of character. If they would sometimes imagine themselves in the place of +those whom they control, with some person daily administering reproof to +them, in the same _tone and style_ as they employ to those who are under +them, it might serve as a useful check to their chidings. It is often +the case, that persons, who are most strict and exacting, and least able +to make allowances and receive palliations, are themselves peculiarly +sensitive to any thing which implies that they are in fault. By such, +the spirit implied in the Divine petition, "forgive us our trespasses as +we forgive those who trespass against us," needs especially to be +cherished. + +One other consideration, is very important. There is no duty, more +binding on Christians, than that of patience and meekness under +provocations and disappointment. Now, the tendency of every sensitive +mind, when thwarted in its wishes, is, to complain and find fault, and +that often in tones of fretfulness or anger. But there are few +domestics, who have not heard enough of the Bible, to know that angry or +fretful fault-finding, from the mistress of a family, when her work is +not done to suit her, is not in agreement with the precepts of Christ. +They notice and feel the inconsistency; and every woman, when she gives +way to feelings of anger and impatience, at the faults of those around +her, lowers herself in their respect, while her own conscience, unless +very much blinded, cannot but suffer a wound. + +There are some women, who, in the main, are amiable, who seem impressed +with the idea, that it is their office and duty to find fault with their +domestics, whenever any thing is not exactly right, and follow their +fancied calling without the least appearance of tenderness or sympathy, +as if the objects of their discipline were stocks or stones. The writer +once heard a domestic, describing her situation in a family which she +had left, make this remark of her past employer: "She was a very good +housekeeper, allowed good wages, and gave us many privileges and +presents; but if we ever did any thing wrong, she always _talked to us +just as if she thought we had no feelings_, and I never was so unhappy +in my life, as while living with her." And this was said of a +kind-hearted and conscientious woman, by a very reasonable and amiable +domestic. + +Every woman, who has the care of domestics, should cultivate a habit of +regarding them with that sympathy and forbearance, which she would wish +for herself or her daughters, if deprived of parents, fortune, and home. +The fewer advantages they have enjoyed, and the greater difficulties of +temper or of habit they have to contend with, the more claims they have +on compassionate forbearance. They ought ever to be looked upon, not as +the mere ministers to our comfort and convenience, but as the humbler +and more neglected children of our Heavenly Father, whom He has sent to +claim our sympathy and aid.[N] + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[N] The excellent little work of Miss Sedgwick, entitled 'Live, and Let +Live,' contains many valuable and useful hints, conveyed in a most +pleasing narrative form, which every housekeeper would do well to read. +The writer also begs leave to mention a work of her own, entitled, +'Letters to Persons engaged in Domestic Service.' + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +ON THE CARE OF INFANTS. + + +Every young lady ought to learn how to take proper care of an infant; +for, even if she is never to become the responsible guardian of a +nursery, she will often be in situations where she can render +benevolent aid to others, in this most fatiguing and anxious duty. + +The writer has known instances, in which young ladies, who, having been +trained, by their mothers, properly to perform this duty, were, in some +cases, the means of saving the lives of infants, and in others, of +relieving, by their benevolent aid, sick mothers, from intolerable care +and anguish. + +On this point, Dr. Combe remarks, "All women are not destined, in the +course of Nature, to become mothers; but how very small is the number of +those, who are unconnected, by family ties, friendship, or sympathy, +with the children of others! How very few are there, who, at some time +or other of their lives, would not find their usefulness and happiness +increased, by the possession of a kind of knowledge, intimately allied +to their best feelings and affections! And how important is it, to the +mother herself, that her efforts should be seconded by intelligent, +instead of ignorant, assistants!" + +In order to be prepared for such benevolent ministries, every young lady +should improve the opportunity, whenever it is afforded her, for +learning how to wash, dress, and tend, a young infant; and whenever she +meets with such a work as Dr. Combe's, on the management of infants, she +ought to read it, and _remember_ its contents. + +It was the design of the author, to fill this chapter chiefly with +extracts from various medical writers, giving some of the most important +directions on this subject; but finding these extracts too prolix for a +work of this kind, she has condensed them into a shorter compass. Some +are quoted verbatim, and some are abridged, chiefly from the writings of +Doctors Combe, Bell, and Eberle, who are among the most approved writers +on this subject. + +"Nearly one half of the deaths, occurring during the first two years of +existence, are ascribable to mismanagement, and to errors in diet. At +birth, the stomach is feeble, and as yet unaccustomed to food; its +cravings are consequently easily satisfied, and frequently renewed." +"At that early age, there ought to be no fixed time for giving +nourishment. The stomach cannot be thus satisfied." "The active call of +the infant, is a sign, which needs never be mistaken." + +But care must be taken to determine between the crying of pain or +uneasiness, and the call for food; and the practice of giving an infant +food, to stop its cries, is often the means of increasing its +sufferings. After a child has satisfied its hunger, from two to four +hours should intervene, before another supply is given. + +"At birth, the stomach and bowels, never having been used, contain a +quantity of mucous secretion, which requires to be removed. To effect +this, Nature has rendered the first portions of the mother's milk +purposely watery and laxative. Nurses, however, distrusting Nature, +often hasten to administer some active purgative; and the consequence +often is, irritation in the stomach and bowels, not easily subdued." It +is only where the child is deprived of its mother's milk, as the first +food, that some gentle laxative should be given. + +"It is a common mistake, to suppose, that, because a woman is nursing, +she ought to live very fully, and to add an allowance of wine, porter, +or other fermented liquor, to her usual diet. The only result of this +plan, is, to cause an unnatural fulness in the system, which places the +nurse on the brink of disease, and retards, rather than increases, the +food of the infant. More will be gained by the observance of the +ordinary laws of health, than by any foolish deviation, founded on +ignorance." + +There is no point, on which medical men so emphatically lift the voice +of warning, as in reference to administering medicines to infants. It is +so difficult to discover what is the matter with an infant, its frame is +so delicate and so susceptible, and slight causes have such a powerful +influence, that it requires the utmost skill and judgement to ascertain +what would be proper medicines, and the proper quantity to be given. + +Says Dr. Combe, "That there are cases, in which active means must be +promptly used, to save the child, is perfectly true. But it is not less +certain, that these are cases, of which no mother or nurse ought to +attempt the treatment. As a general rule, where the child is well +managed, medicine, of any kind, is very rarely required; and if disease +were more generally regarded in its true light, not as something thrust +into the system, which requires to be expelled by force, but as an +aberration from a natural mode of action, produced by some external +cause, we should be in less haste to attack it by medicine, and more +watchful in its prevention. Accordingly, where a constant demand for +medicine exists in a nursery, the mother may rest assured, that there is +something essentially wrong in the treatment of her children. + +"Much havoc is made among infants, by the abuse of calomel and other +medicines, which procure momentary relief, but end by producing +incurable disease; and it has often excited my astonishment, to see how +recklessly remedies of this kind are had recourse to, on the most +trifling occasions, by mothers and nurses, who would be horrified, if +they knew the nature of the power they are wielding, and the extent of +injury they are inflicting." + +Instead, then, of depending on medicine, for the preservation of the +health and life of an infant, the following precautions and preventives +should be adopted. + +Take particular care of the _food_ of an infant. If it is nourished by +the mother, her own diet should be simple, nourishing, and temperate. If +the child be brought up by hand, the milk of a new-milch cow, mixed with +one third water, and sweetened a little with _white_ sugar, should be +the only food given, until the teeth come. This is more suitable, than +any preparations of flour or arrow-root, the nourishment of which is too +highly concentrated. Never give a child _bread_, _cake_, or _meat_, +before the teeth appear. If the food appear to distress the child, after +eating, first ascertain if the milk be really from a new-milch cow, as +it may otherwise be too old. Learn, also, whether the cow lives on +proper food. Cows that are fed on _still-slops_, as is often the case in +cities, furnish milk which is very unhealthful. + +Be sure and keep a good supply of pure and fresh air, in the nursery. On +this point, Dr. Bell remarks, respecting rooms constructed without +fireplaces, and without doors or windows to let in pure air, from +without, "The sufferings of children of feeble constitutions, are +increased, beyond measure, by such lodgings as these. _An action, +brought by the Commonwealth_, ought to lie against those persons, who +build houses for sale or rent, in which rooms are so constructed as not +to allow of free ventilation; and _a writ of lunacy_ taken out against +those, who, with the common-sense experience which all have on this +head, should spend any portion of their time, still more, should sleep, +in rooms thus nearly air-tight." + +After it is a month or two old, take an infant out to walk, or ride, in +a little wagon, every fair and warm day; but be very careful that its +feet, and every part of its body, are kept warm: and be sure that its +eyes are well protected from the light. Weak eyes, and sometimes +blindness, are caused by neglecting this precaution. Keep the head of an +infant cool, never allowing too warm bonnets, nor permitting it to sink +into soft pillows, when asleep. Keeping an infant's head too warm, very +much increases nervous irritability; and this is the reason why medical +men forbid the use of caps for infants. But the head of an infant +should, especially while sleeping, be protected from draughts of air, +and from getting cold. + +Be very careful of the skin of an infant, as nothing tends so +effectually to prevent disease. For this end, it should be washed all +over, every morning, and then gentle friction should be applied, with +the hand, to the back, stomach, bowels, and limbs. The head should be +thoroughly washed, every day, and then brushed with a soft hair-brush, +or combed with a fine comb. If, by neglect, dirt accumulates under the +hair, apply, with the finger, the yolk of an egg, and then the fine comb +will remove it all, without any trouble. + +Dress the infant, so that it will be always warm, but not so as to cause +perspiration. Be sure and keep its feet _always_ warm; and, for this +end, often warm them at a fire, and use long dresses. Keep the neck and +arms covered. For this purpose, wrappers, open in front, made high in +the neck, with long sleeves, to put on over the frock, are now very +fashionable. + +It is better for both mother and child, that it should not sleep on the +mother's arm, at night, unless the weather be extremely cold. This +practice keeps the child too warm, and leads it to seek food too +frequently. A child should ordinarily take nourishment but twice in the +night. A crib beside the mother, with a plenty of warm and light +covering, is best for the child; but the mother must be sure that it is +always kept warm. Never cover a child's head, so that it will inhale the +air of its own lungs. In very warm weather, especially in cities, great +pains should be taken, to find fresh and cool air, by rides and sailing. +Walks in a public square, in the cool of the morning, and frequent +excursions in ferry or steam-boats, would often save a long bill for +medical attendance. In hot nights, the windows should be kept open, and +the infant laid on a mattress, or on folded blankets. A bit of straw +matting, laid over a featherbed, and covered with the under sheet, makes +a very cool bed for an infant. + +Cool bathing, in hot weather, is very useful; but the water should be +very little cooler than the skin of the child. When the constitution is +delicate, the water should be slightly warmed. Simply sponging the body, +freely, in a tub, answers the same purpose as a regular bath. In very +warm weather, this should be done two or three times a day, always +waiting two or three hours after food has been given. + +"When the stomach is peculiarly irritable, (from teething,) it is of +paramount necessity to withhold all the nostrums which have been so +falsely lauded as 'sovereign cures for _cholera infantum_.' The true +restoratives, to a child threatened with disease, are, cool air, cool +bathing, and cool drinks of simple water, in addition to _proper_ food, +at stated intervals." Do not take the advice of mothers, who tell of +this, that, and the other thing, which have proved excellent remedies in +their experience. Children have different constitutions, and there are +multitudes of different causes for their sickness; and what might cure +one child, might kill another, which _appeared_ to have the same +complaint. A mother should go on the general rule, of giving an infant +very little medicine, and then only by the direction of a discreet and +experienced physician. And there are cases, when, according to the views +of the most distinguished and competent practitioners, physicians +themselves are much too free in using medicines, instead of adopting +_preventive_ measures. + +Do not allow a child to form such habits, that it will not be quiet, +unless tended and amused. A healthy child should be accustomed to lie or +sit in its cradle, much of the time; but it should occasionally be taken +up, and tossed, or carried about, for exercise and amusement. An infant +should be encouraged to _creep_, as an exercise very strengthening and +useful. If the mother fears the soiling of its nice dresses, she can +keep a long slip or apron, which will entirely cover the dress, and can +be removed, when the child is taken in the arms. A child should not be +allowed, when quite young, to bear its weight on its feet, very long at +a time, as this tends to weaken and distort the limbs. + +Many mothers, with a little painstaking, succeed in putting their +infants, while awake, into their cradle, at regular hours, for sleep, +and induce regularity in other habits, which saves much trouble. In +doing this, a child may cry, at first, a great deal; but for a healthy +child, this use of the lungs does no harm, and tends rather to +strengthen, than to injure, them. A child who is trained to lie or sit, +and amuse itself, is happier than one who is carried and tended a great +deal, and thus rendered restless and uneasy when not so indulged. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. + + +In regard to the physical education of children, Dr. Clarke, Physician +in Ordinary to the Queen of England, expresses views, on one point, in +which most physicians would coincide. He says, "There is no greater +error in the management of children, than that of giving them animal +diet very early. By persevering in the use of an overstimulating diet, +the digestive organs become irritated, and the various secretions, +immediately connected with, and necessary to, digestion, are diminished, +especially the _biliary secretion_. Children, so fed, become very liable +to attacks of fever, and of inflammation, affecting, particularly, the +mucous membranes; and measles, and the other diseases incident to +childhood, are generally severe in their attack." + +There are some popular notions on the subject of the use of animal food, +which need to be corrected. + +One mistake, is, in supposing that the formation of the human teeth and +stomach indicate that man was designed to feed on flesh. Linnaeus says, +that the organization of man, when compared with other animals, shows, +that "fruits and esculent vegetables constitute his most suitable food." +Baron Cuvier, the highest authority on comparative anatomy, says, "the +natural food of man, _judging from his structure_, appears to consist of +fruits, roots, and other succulent parts of vegetables." + +Another common mistake, is, that the stimulus of animal food is +necessary for the full developement of the physical and intellectual +powers. This notion is disproved by facts. The inhabitants of Lapland +and Kamtschatka, who live altogether on animal food, are among the +smallest, weakest, and most timid, of races. But the Scotch Highlanders, +who, in a very cold climate, live almost exclusively on milk and +vegetable diet, are among the bravest, largest, and most athletic, of +men. The South-Sea Islanders, who live almost exclusively on fruits and +vegetables, are said to be altogether superior to English sailors, in +strength and agility. An intelligent gentleman, who spent many months in +Siberia, testifies, that no exiles endure the climate better than those, +who have all their lives been accustomed to a vegetable diet. The +stoutest and largest tribes in Africa, live solely on vegetable diet, +and the bright, intelligent, and active Arabs, live entirely on milk and +vegetables. + +The popular notion is, that animal food is more nourishing than +vegetable; but on this point, scientific men hold different opinions. +Experiments, repeatedly made by some chemists, seem to prove the +contrary. Tables have been prepared, showing the amount of nutriment in +each kind of food, by which it would appear, that, while beef contains +thirty-five per cent. of nutritious matter, wheat-bread and rice contain +from eighty to ninety-five per cent. The supposed mistake is attributed +to the fact, that, on account of the stimulating nature of animal food, +it digests easier and more quickly than vegetables. Many physicians, +however, among them, Dr. Combe,[O] are of opinion, that animal food +"contains a greater quantity of nutriment in a given bulk, than either +herbaceous or farinaceous food." In some diseases, too, meat is better +for the stomach than vegetables. + +The largest proportion of those, who have been remarkable for having +lived to the greatest age, were persons, whose diet was almost +exclusively vegetables; and it is a well-known fact, that the pulse of a +hardy and robust man, who lives on simple vegetable diet, is from ten +to twenty beats less in a minute, than that of men who live on a mixed +diet. + +In regard to the intellect, Dr. Franklin asserted, from experience, that +an exclusively vegetable diet "promotes clearness of ideas and quickness +of perception; and is to be preferred, by all who labor with the mind." +The mightiest efforts of Sir Isaac Newton, were performed, while +nourished only by bread and water. Many other men, distinguished by +intellectual vigor, give similar testimony. These facts show that animal +food is not needful, to secure the perfect developement of mind or +body.[P] + +The result of the treatment of the inmates of the Orphan Asylum, at +Albany, is one, upon which all, who have the care of young children, +should deeply ponder. During the first six years of the existence of +this Institution, its average number of children was eighty. For the +first three years, their diet was meat once a day, fine bread, rice, +Indian puddings, vegetables, fruit, and milk. Considerable attention was +given to clothing, fresh air, and exercise; and they were bathed once in +three weeks. During these three years, from four to six children, and +sometimes more, were continually on the sick-list; one or two assistant +nurses were necessary; a physician was called, two or three times a +week; and, in this time, there were between thirty and forty deaths. At +the end of this period, the management was changed, in these +respects:--daily ablutions of the whole body were practised; bread of +unbolted flour was substituted for that of fine wheat; and all animal +food was banished. More attention also was paid to clothing, bedding, +fresh air, and exercise. The result was, that the nursery was vacated; +the nurse and physician were no longer needed; and, for two years, not a +single case of sickness or death occurred. The third year, also, there +were no deaths, except those of two idiots and one other child, all of +whom were new inmates, who had not been subjected to this treatment. The +teachers of the children also testified, that there was a manifest +increase of intellectual vigor and activity, while there was much less +irritability of temper. + +Let parents, nurses, and teachers, reflect on the above statement, and +bear in mind, that stupidity of intellect, and irritability of temper, +as well as ill health, are often caused by the mismanagement of the +nursery, in regard to the physical training of children. There is +probably no practice, more deleterious, than that of allowing children +to eat at short intervals, through the day. As the stomach is thus kept +constantly at work, with no time for repose, its functions are deranged, +and a weak or disordered stomach is the frequent result. Children should +be required to keep cakes, nuts, and other good things which they may +have to eat, till just before a meal, and then they will form a part of +their regular supply. This is better, than to wait till after their +hunger is satisfied by food, when they will eat their niceties merely to +gratify the palate, and thus overload the stomach. + +In regard to the intellectual training of young children, some +modification in the common practice is necessary, with reference to +their physical wellbeing. More care is needful, in providing +_well-ventilated_ schoolrooms, and in securing more time for sports in +the open air, during school hours. It is very important, to most +mothers, that their young children should be removed from their care, +during the six school hours; and it is very useful, to quite young +children, to be subjected to the discipline of a school, and to +intercourse with other children of their own age. And, with a suitable +teacher, it is no matter how early children are sent to school, provided +their health is not endangered, by impure air, too much confinement, and +too great mental stimulus. + +In regard to the formation of the moral character, it has been too much +the case, that the discipline of the nursery has consisted of +disconnected efforts to make children either do, or refrain from doing, +certain particular acts. Do this, and be rewarded; do that, and be +punished; is the ordinary routine of family government. + +But children can be very early taught, that their happiness, both now +and hereafter, depends on the formation of _habits of submission, +self-denial_, and _benevolence_. And all the discipline of the nursery +can be conducted by the parents, not only with this general aim in their +own minds, but also with the same object daily set before the minds of +the children. Whenever their wishes are crossed, or their wills subdued, +they can be taught, that all this is done, not merely to please the +parent, or to secure some good to themselves or to others; but as a part +of that merciful training, which is designed to form such a character, +and such habits, that they can hereafter find their chief happiness in +giving up their will to God, and in living to do good to others, instead +of living merely to please themselves. + +It can be pointed out to them, that they must always submit their will +to the will of God, or else be continually miserable. It can be shown, +how in the nursery, and in the school, and through all future days, a +child must practise the giving up of his will and wishes, when they +interfere with the rights and comfort of others; and how important it +is, early to learn to do this, so that it will, by habit, become easy +and agreeable. It can be shown, how children, who are indulged in all +their wishes, and who are never accustomed to any self-denial, always +find it hard to refrain from what injures themselves and others. It can +be shown, also, how important it is, for every person, to form such +habits of benevolence, towards others, that self-denial, in doing good, +will become easy. + +Parents have learned, by experience, that children can be constrained, +by authority and penalties, to exercise self-denial, for _their own_ +good, till a habit is formed, which makes the duty comparatively easy. +For example, well-trained children can be accustomed to deny themselves +tempting articles of food, which are injurious, until the practice +ceases to be painful and difficult. Whereas, an indulged child would be +thrown into fits of anger or discontent, when its wishes were crossed, +by restraints of this kind. + +But it has not been so readily discerned, that the same method is +needful, in order to form a habit of self-denial, in doing good to +others. It has been supposed, that, while children must be forced, by +_authority_, to be self-denying and prudent, in regard to their own +happiness, it may properly be left to their own discretion, whether they +will practise any self-denial in doing good to others. But the more +difficult a duty is, the greater is the need of parental authority, in +forming a habit, which will make that duty easy. + +In order to secure this, some parents turn their earliest efforts to +this object. They require the young child always to offer to others a +part of every thing which it receives; always to comply with all +reasonable requests of others for service; and often to practise little +acts of self-denial, in order to secure some enjoyment for others. If +one child receives a present of some nicety, he is required to share it +with all his brothers and sisters. If one asks his brother to help him +in some sport, and is met with a denial, the parent requires the +unwilling child to act benevolently, and give up some of his time to +increase his brother's enjoyment. Of course, in such an effort as this, +discretion must be used, as to the frequency and extent of the exercise +of authority, to induce a habit of benevolence. But, where parents +deliberately aim at such an object, and wisely conduct their +instructions and discipline to secure it, very much will be +accomplished. + +Religious influence should be brought to bear directly upon this point. +In the very beginning of religious instruction, Jesus Christ should be +presented to the child, as that great and good Being, who came into +this world to teach children how to be happy, both here and hereafter. +He, who made it His meat and drink to do the will of His Heavenly +Father; who, in the humblest station, and most destitute condition, +denied Himself, daily, and went about doing good; should constantly be +presented as the object of their imitation. And as nothing so strongly +influences the minds of children, as the sympathy and example of a +_present_ friend, all those, who believe Him to be an _ever-present +Saviour_, should avail themselves of this powerful aid. Under such +training, Jesus Christ should be constantly presented to them, as their +ever-watchful, tender, and sympathizing friend. If the abstract idea of +an unembodied Spirit with the majestic attributes of Deity, be difficult +for the mind of infancy to grasp, the simple, the gentle, the lovely, +character of Christ, is exactly adapted to the wants and comprehension +of a child. In this view, how touching is the language of the Saviour, +to His misjudging disciples, "Suffer _the little children_ to come unto +me!" + +In regard to forming habits of obedience, there have been two extremes, +both of which need to be shunned. One is, a stern and unsympathizing +maintenance of parental authority, demanding perfect and constant +obedience, without any attempt to convince a child of the propriety and +benevolence of the requisitions, and without any manifestation of +sympathy and tenderness for the pain and difficulties which are to be +met. Under such discipline, children grow up to fear their parents, +rather than to love and trust them; while some of the most valuable +principles of character, are chilled, or forever blasted. + +In shunning this danger, other parents pass to the opposite extreme. +They put themselves too much on the footing of equals with their +children, as if little were due to superiority of relation, age, and +experience. Nothing is exacted, without the implied concession that the +child is to be a judge of the propriety of the requisition; and reason +and persuasion are employed, where simple command and obedience would be +far better. This system produces a most pernicious influence. Children +soon perceive the position, thus allowed them, and take every advantage +of it. They soon learn to dispute parental requirements, acquire habits +of forwardness and conceit, assume disrespectful manners and address, +maintain their views with pertinacity, and yield to authority with +ill-humor and resentment, as if their rights were infringed. + +The medium course, is, for the parent to take the attitude of a +superior, in age, knowledge, and relation, who has a perfect right to +control every action of the child, and that, too, without giving any +reason for the requisitions. "Obey, _because your parent commands_," is +always a proper and sufficient reason. + +But care should be taken, to convince the child that the parent is +conducting a course of discipline, designed to make him happy; and in +forming habits of implicit obedience, self-denial, and benevolence, the +child should have the reasons for most requisitions kindly stated; +never, however, on the demand of it, from the child, as a right, but as +an act of kindness from the parent. + +It is impossible to govern children properly, especially those of strong +and sensitive feelings, without a constant effort to appreciate the +value which they attach to their enjoyments and pursuits. A lady, of +great strength of mind and sensibility, once told the writer, that one +of the most acute periods of suffering, in her whole life, was +occasioned by the burning up of some milkweed-silk, by her mother. The +child had found, for the first time, some of this shining and beautiful +substance; was filled with delight at her discovery; was arranging it in +parcels; planning its future uses, and her pleasure in showing it to her +companions,--when her mother, finding it strewed over the carpet, +hastily swept it into the fire, and that, too, with so indifferent an +air, that the child fled away, almost distracted with grief and +disappointment. The mother little realized the pain she had inflicted, +but the child felt the unkindness, so severely, that for several days +her mother was an object almost of aversion. + +While, therefore, the parent needs to carry on a steady course, which +will oblige the child always to give up its will, whenever its own good, +or the greater claims of others, require it, this should be constantly +connected with the expression of a tender sympathy, for the trials and +disappointments thus inflicted. Those, who will join with children, and +help them along in their sports, will learn, by this mode, to understand +the feelings and interests of childhood; while, at the same time, they +secure a degree of confidence and affection, which cannot be gained so +easily, in any other way. And it is to be regretted, that parents so +often relinquish this most powerful mode of influence, to domestics and +playmates, who often use it in the most pernicious manner. In joining in +such sports, older persons should never relinquish the attitude of +superiors, or allow disrespectful manners or address. And respectful +deportment is never more cheerfully accorded, than in seasons, when +young hearts are pleased, and made grateful, by having their tastes and +enjoyments so efficiently promoted. + +Next to the want of all government, the two most fruitful sources of evil +to children, are, _unsteadiness_ in government, and _over-government_. +Most of the cases, in which the children of sensible and conscientious +parents turn out badly, result from one or the other of these causes. In +cases of unsteady government, either one parent is very strict, severe, +and unbending, and the other excessively indulgent, or else the parents +are sometimes very strict and decided, and at other times allow +disobedience to go unpunished. In such cases, children, never knowing +exactly when they can escape with impunity, are constantly tempted to +make the trial. + +The bad effects of this, can be better appreciated, by reference to one +important principle of the mind. It is found to be universally true, +that, when any object of desire is put entirely beyond the reach of hope +or expectation, the mind very soon ceases to long for it, and turns to +other objects of pursuit. But, so long as the mind is hoping for some +good, and making efforts to obtain it, any opposition excites irritable +feelings. Let the object be put entirely beyond all hope, and this +irritation soon ceases. In consequence of this principle, those +children, who are under the care of persons of steady and decided +government, know, that whenever a thing is forbidden or denied, it is +out of the reach of hope; the desire, therefore, soon ceases, and they +turn to other objects. But the children of undecided, or of +over-indulgent parents, never enjoy this preserving aid. When a thing is +denied, they never know but either coaxing may win it, or disobedience +secure it without any penalty, and so they are kept in that state of +hope and anxiety, which produces irritation, and tempts to +insubordination. The children of very indulgent parents, and of those +who are undecided and unsteady in government, are very apt to become +fretful, irritable, and fractious. + +Another class of persons, in shunning this evil, go to the other +extreme, and are very strict and pertinacious, in regard to every +requisition. With them, fault-finding and penalties abound, until the +children are either hardened into indifference of feeling, and +obtuseness of conscience, or else become excessively irritable, or +misanthropic. + +It demands great wisdom, patience, and self-control, to escape these two +extremes. In aiming at this, there are parents, who have found the +following maxims of very great value. First, Avoid, as much as possible, +the multiplication of rules and absolute commands. Instead of this, take +the attitude of advisers. "My child, this is improper, I wish you would +remember not to do it." This mode of address answers for all the little +acts of heedlessness, awkwardness, or ill-manners, so frequently +occurring, with children. There are cases, when direct and distinct +commands are needful; and, in such cases, a penalty for disobedience +should be as steady and sure as the laws of Nature. Where such +steadiness, and certainty of penalty, attend disobedience, children no +more think of disobeying, than they do of putting their fingers in a +burning candle. + +The next maxim, is, Govern by rewards, more than by penalties. Such +faults as wilful disobedience, lying, dishonesty, and indecent or +profane language, should be punished with severe penalties, after a +child has been fully instructed in the evil of such practices. But all +the constantly-recurring faults of the nursery, such as ill-humor, +quarrelling, carelessness, and ill-manners, may, in a great many cases, +be regulated by gentle and kind remonstrances, and by the offer of some +reward for persevering efforts to form a good habit. It is very +injurious and degrading to any mind, to be kept under the constant fear +of penalties. _Love_ and _hope_ are the principles that should be mainly +relied on, in forming the habits of childhood. + +Another maxim, and perhaps the most difficult, is, Do not govern by the +aid of severe and angry tones. A single example will be given to +illustrate this maxim. A child is disposed to talk and amuse itself, at +table. The mother requests it to be silent, except when needing to ask +for food, or when spoken to by its older friends. It constantly forgets. +The mother, instead of rebuking, in an impatient tone, says, "My child, +you must remember not to talk. I will remind you of it four times more, +and after that, whenever you forget, you must leave the table, and wait +till we are done." If the mother is steady in her government, it is not +probable that she will have to apply this slight penalty more than once +or twice. This method is far more effectual, than the use of sharp and +severe tones, to secure attention and recollection, and often answers +the purpose, as well as offering some reward. + +The writer has been in some families, where the most efficient and +steady government has been sustained, without the use of a cross or +angry tone; and in others, where a far less efficient discipline was +kept up, by frequent severe rebukes and angry remonstrances. In the +first case, the children followed the example set them, and seldom used +severe tones to each other; in the latter, the method employed by the +parents, was imitated by the children; and cross words and angry tones +resounded from morning till night, in every portion of the household. + +Another important maxim, is, Try to keep children in a happy state of +mind. Every one knows, by experience, that it is easier to do right, and +submit to rule, when cheerful and happy, than when irritated. This is +peculiarly true of children; and a wise mother, when she finds her child +fretful and impatient, and thus constantly doing wrong, will often +remedy the whole difficulty, by telling some amusing story, or by +getting the child engaged in some amusing sport. This strongly shows the +importance of learning to govern children without the employment of +angry tones, which always produce irritation. + +Children of active, heedless temperament, or those who are odd, awkward, +or unsuitable, in their remarks and deportment, are often essentially +injured, by a want of patience and self-control in those who govern +them. Such children, often possess a morbid sensibility, which they +strive to conceal, or a desire of love and approbation, which preys like +a famine on the soul. And yet, they become objects of ridicule and +rebuke, to almost every member of the family, until their sensibilities +are tortured into obtuseness or misanthropy. Such children, above all +others, need tenderness and sympathy. A thousand instances of mistake or +forgetfulness should be passed over, in silence, while opportunities for +commendation and encouragement should be diligently sought. + +In regard to the formation of habits of self-denial, in childhood, it is +astonishing to see how parents, who are very sensible, often seem to +regard this matter. Instead of inuring their children to this duty, in +early life, so that by habit it may be made easy in after-days, they +seem to be studiously seeking to cut them off, from every chance to +secure such a preparation. Every wish of the child is studiously +gratified; and, where a necessity exists, of crossing its wishes, some +compensating pleasure is offered, in return. Such parents, often +maintain that nothing shall be put on their table, which their children +may not join them in eating. But where, so easily and surely as at the +daily meal, can that habit of self-denial be formed, which is so needful +in governing the appetites, and which children must acquire, or be +ruined? The food which is proper for grown persons, is often unsuitable +for children; and this is a sufficient reason for accustoming them to +see others partake of delicacies, which they must not share. Requiring +children to wait till others are helped, and to refrain from +conversation at table, except when addressed by their elders, is another +mode of forming habits of self-denial and self-control. Requiring them +to help others, first, and to offer the best to others, has a similar +influence. + +In forming the moral habits of children, it is wise to take into account +the peculiar temptations to which they are to be exposed. The people of +this Nation are eminently a trafficking people; and the present standard +of honesty, as to trade and debts, is very low, and every year seems +sinking still lower. It is, therefore, pre-eminently important, that +children should be trained to strict _honesty_, both in word and deed. +It is not merely teaching children to avoid absolute lying, which is +needed. _All kinds of deceit_ should be guarded against; and all kinds +of little dishonest practices be strenuously opposed. A child should be +brought up with the determined principle, never to _run in debt_, but to +be content to live in an humbler way, in order to secure that true +independence, which should be the noblest distinction of an American +citizen. + +There is no more important duty, devolving upon a mother, than the +cultivation of habits of modesty and propriety in young children. All +indecorous words or deportment, should be carefully restrained; and +delicacy and reserve studiously cherished. It is a common notion, that +it is important to secure these virtues to one sex, more than to the +other; and, by a strange inconsistency, the sex most exposed to danger, +is the one selected as least needing care. But a wise mother will be +especially careful, that her sons are trained to modesty and purity of +mind. + +But few mothers are sufficiently aware of the dreadful penalties which +often result from indulged impurity of thought. If children, in _future_ +life, can be preserved from licentious associates, it is supposed that +their safety is secured. But the records of our insane retreats, and the +pages of medical writers, teach, that even in solitude, and without +being aware of the sin or the danger, children may inflict evils on +themselves, which not unfrequently terminate in disease, delirium, and +death. Every mother and every teacher, therefore, carefully avoiding all +explanation of the mystery, should teach the young, that the indulgence +of impure thoughts and actions, is visited by the most awful and +terrific penalties. Disclosing the details of vice, in order to awaken +dread of its penalties, is a most dangerous experiment, and often leads +to the very evils feared. The attempts made, in late years, to guard +children from future dangers, by circulating papers, and books of +warning and information, have led to such frightful results, that it is +hoped the experiment will never again be pursued. The safest course, is, +to cultivate habits of modesty and delicacy, and to teach, that all +impure thoughts, words, and actions, are forbidden by God, and are often +visited by the most dreadful punishment. At the same time, it is +important for mothers to protect the young mind from false notions of +delicacy. It should be shown, that whatever is necessary, to save from +suffering or danger, must be met, without shame or aversion; and that +all, which God has instituted, is wise, and right, and pure. + +It is in reference to these dangers, that mothers and teachers should +carefully guard the young from those highly-wrought fictions, which lead +the imagination astray; and especially from that class of licentious +works, made interesting by genius and taste, which have flooded this +Country, and which are often found on the parlor table, even of moral +and Christian people. Of this class, the writings of Bulwer stand +conspicuous. The only difference, between some of his works and the +obscene prints, for vending which men suffer the penalties of the law, +is, that the last are so gross, as to revolt the taste and startle the +mind to resistance, while Bulwer presents the same ideas, so clothed in +the fascinations of taste and genius, as most insidiously to seduce the +unwary. It seems to be the chief aim of this licentious writer, to make +thieves, murderers, and adulterers, appear beautiful, refined, and +interesting. It is time that all virtuous persons in the community +should rise in indignation, not only against the writers, but the +venders of such poison. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[O] See his 'Physiology of Digestion considered with relation to the +Principles of Dietetics,' issued by the Publishers of this work. + +[P] The writer is not an advocate for _total_ abstinence from animal +food. She coincides with the best authorities, in thinking that adults +eat too much; that children, while growing, should eat very little, and +quite young children, none at all. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +ON THE CARE OF THE SICK. + + +Every woman who has the care of young children, or of a large family, is +frequently called upon, to advise what shall be done, for some one who +is indisposed; and often, in circumstances where she must trust solely +to her own judgement. In such cases, some err, by neglecting to do any +thing at all, till the patient is quite sick; but a still greater number +err, from excessive and injurious dosing. + +The two great causes of the ordinary slight attacks of illness, in a +family, are, sudden chills, which close the pores of the skin, and thus +affect the throat, lungs, or bowels; and the excessive or improper use +of food. In most cases, of illness from the first cause, bathing the +feet, and some aperient drink to induce perspiration, are suitable +remedies. A slight cathartic, also, is often serviceable. In case of +illness from improper food, or excess in eating, _fasting_, for one or +two meals, to give the system time and chance to relieve itself, is the +safest remedy. Sometimes, a gentle cathartic may be needful; but it is +best first to try fasting. + +The following extract from a discourse of Dr. Burne, before the London +Medical Society, contains important information. "In civilized life, the +causes, which are most generally and continually operating in the +production of diseases, are, affections of the mind, improper diet, and +retention of the intestinal excretions. The undue retention of +excrementitious matter, allows of the absorption of its more liquid +parts, which is a cause of great impurity to the blood, and the +excretions, thus rendered hard and knotty, act more or less as +extraneous substances, and, by their irritation, produce a determination +of blood to the intestines and to the neighboring viscera, which +ultimately ends in inflammation. It also has a great effect on the whole +system; causes a determination of blood to the head, which oppresses the +brain and dejects the mind; deranges the functions of the stomach; +causes flatulency; and produces a general state of discomfort." + +Dr. Combe remarks, on this subject, "In the natural and healthy state, +under a proper system of diet, and with sufficient exercise, the bowels +are relieved regularly, once every day." _Habit_ "is powerful in +modifying the result, and in sustaining healthy action when once fairly +established. Hence the obvious advantage of observing as much +regularity, in relieving the system, as in taking our meals." It is +often the case that soliciting Nature at a regular period, once a day, +will remedy constipation, without medicine, and induce a regular and +healthy state of the bowels. "When, however, as most frequently +happens, the constipation arises from the absence of all assistance from +the abdominal and respiratory muscles, the first step to be taken, is, +again to solicit their aid; first, by removing all impediments to free +respiration, such as stays, waistbands and belts; secondly, by resorting +to such active exercises, as shall call the muscles into full and +regular action; and, lastly, by proportioning the quantity of food to +the wants of the system, and the condition of the digestive organs. If +we employ these means, systematically and perseveringly, we shall rarely +fail in at last restoring the healthy action of the bowels, with little +aid from medicine. But if we neglect these modes, we may go on, for +years, adding pill to pill, and dose to dose, without ever attaining the +end at which we aim." There is no point, in which a woman needs more +knowledge and discretion, than in administering remedies for what seem +slight attacks, which are not supposed to require the attention of a +physician. It is little realized, that purgative drugs are unnatural +modes of stimulating the internal organs, tending to exhaust them of +their secretions, and to debilitate and disturb the animal economy. For +this reason, they should be used as little as possible; and fasting, and +perspiration, and the other methods pointed out, should always be first +resorted to. When medicine must be given, it should be borne in mind, +that there are various classes of purgatives, which produce very diverse +effects. Some, like salts, operate to thin the blood, and reduce the +system; others are stimulating; and others have a peculiar operation on +certain organs. Of course, great discrimination and knowledge is needed, +in order to select the kind, which is suitable to the particular +disease, or to the particular constitution of the invalid. This shows +the folly of using the many kinds of pills, and other quack medicines, +where no knowledge can be had of their composition. Pills which are good +for one kind of disease, might operate as poison in another state of the +system. It is wise to keep always on hand some simple cathartic, for +family use, in slight attacks; and always to resort to medical advice, +whenever powerful remedies seem to be demanded.[Q] It is very common, in +cases of colds which affect the lungs or throat, to continue to try one +dose after another, for relief. It will be well to bear in mind, at such +times, that all which goes into the stomach, must be first absorbed into +the blood, before it can reach the diseased part; and that there is some +danger of injuring the stomach, or other parts of the system, by such a +variety of doses, many of which, it is probable, will be directly +contradictory in their nature, and thus neutralize any supposed benefit +they might separately impart. + +It is very unwise, to tempt the appetite of a person who is indisposed. +The cessation of appetite is the warning of Nature, that the system is +in such a state, that food cannot be digested. + +The following suggestions may be found useful, in regard to nursing the +sick. As nothing contributes more to the restoration of health, than +pure air, it should be a primary object, to keep a sick-room well +ventilated. At least twice in the twenty-four hours, the patient should +be well covered, and fresh air freely admitted from out of doors. After +this, if need be, the room should be restored to a proper temperature, +by the aid of a fire. Bedding and clothing should also be well aired, +and frequently changed; as the exhalations from the body, in sickness, +are peculiarly deleterious. Frequent ablutions, of the whole body, if +possible, are very useful; and for these, warm water may be employed. + +The following, are useful directions for dressing a blister. Spread +thinly, on a linen cloth, an ointment, composed of one third of beeswax +to two thirds of tallow; lay this upon a linen cloth, folded many times. +With a sharp pair of scissors, make an aperture in the lower part of the +bag of water, with a little hole, above, to give it vent. Break the +raised skin as little as possible. Lay on the cloth, spread as directed. +The blister, at first, should be dressed as often as three times in a +day, and the dressing renewed each time. + +A sick-room should always be kept very neat, and in perfect order; and +all haste, noise, and bustle, should be avoided. In order to secure +neatness, order, and quiet, in case of long illness, the following +arrangements should be made. Keep a large box for fuel, which will need +to be filled only twice in twenty-four hours. Provide, also, and keep in +the room, or an adjacent closet, a small teakettle, a saucepan, a pail +of water, for drinks and ablutions, a pitcher, a covered porringer, two +pint bowls, two tumblers, two cups and saucers, two wine glasses, two +large and two small spoons; also, a dish in which to wash these +articles; a good supply of towels, and a broom. Keep a slop-bucket, near +by, to receive the wash of the room. Procuring all these articles at +once, will save much noise and confusion. + +Whenever medicine or food is given, spread a clean towel over the person +or bedclothing, and get a clean handkerchief, as nothing is more +annoying to a weak stomach, than the stickiness and soiling produced by +medicine and food. Keep the fireplace neat, and always wash all +articles, and put them in order, as soon as they are out of use. + +A sick person has nothing to do, but look about the room; and when every +thing is neat and in order, a feeling of comfort is induced, while +disorder, filth, and neglect, are constant objects of annoyance, which, +if not complained of, are yet felt. + +Always prepare food for the sick, in the neatest and most careful +manner. It is in sickness, that the senses of smell and taste are most +susceptible of annoyance; and often, little mistakes or negligences, in +preparing food, will take away all appetite. + +Food for the sick, should be cooked on coals, that no smoke may have +access to it; and great care must be taken, to prevent any adherence to +the bottom, as this always gives a disagreeable taste. + +Keeping clean handkerchiefs and towels at hand, cooling the pillows, +sponging the hands with water, swabbing the mouth with a clean linen +rag, on the end of a stick, are modes of increasing the comfort of the +sick. Always throw a shawl over a sick person, when raised up. + +Be careful to understand a physician's directions, and _to obey them +implicitly_. If it be supposed that any other person knows better about +the case, than the physician, dismiss the physician, and employ that +person in his stead. + +In nursing the sick, always speak gently and cheeringly; and, while you +express sympathy for their pain and trials, stimulate them to bear all +with fortitude, and with resignation to Him who has appointed the trial. +Offer to read the Bible, or other devotional books, whenever it is +suitable, and will not be deemed obtrusive. + +It is always best to consult the physician, as to where medicines shall +be purchased, and to show the articles to him before using them, as +great impositions are practised in selling old, useless, and adulterated +drugs. Always put labels on vials of medicine, and keep them out of the +reach of children. + +Be careful to label all powders, and particularly all _white powders_; +as many poisonous medicines, in this form, are easily mistaken for +others which are harmless. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[Q] The following electuary, by a distinguished physician, is used by +many friends of the writer, as a standing resort, in cases of +constipation, or where a gentle cathartic is needed. One recommendation +of it, is, that children always love it, and eat the pills as "good +plums." + +Two ounces of powdered Senna; one ounce of Cream of Tartar; one ounce of +Sulphur; mixed with sufficient Confection of Senna, to form an +electuary. Make this into pills, of the size of peas, and give a young +child two or three, as the case may be. Taking three pills, every night, +will generally relieve constipation in an adult. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +ON ACCIDENTS AND ANTIDOTES. + + +When serious accidents occur, medical aid should be immediately +procured. Till that can be done, the following directions may be useful. + +When a child has any thing in its throat, first try, with the finger, to +get the article up. If this cannot be done, push it down into the +stomach, with a smooth elastic stick. If the article be a pin, sharp +bone, glass, or other cutting substance, give an emetic which will +immediately operate. + +In the case of a common cut, bind the lips of the wound together, with a +rag, and put nothing else on. If the cut be large, and so situated that +rags will not bind it together, use sticking plaster, cut in strips and +laid obliquely across the cut. Sometimes it is needful to take a stitch, +with a needle and thread, on each lip of the wound, and draw the two +sides together. + +If an artery be cut, it must be immediately tied up, or the person will +bleed to death. The blood from an artery is of a bright red color, and +spirts out, in regular jets, at each beat of the heart. Take up the +bleeding end of the artery, and hold it, or tie it up, till a surgeon +comes. When the artery cannot be found, and in all cases of bad cuts on +any of the limbs, apply compression; when it can be done, tie a very +tight bandage above the wound, if it be below the heart, and _below_ if +the wound be above the heart. Put a stick into the band, and twist it as +tight as can be borne, till surgical aid be obtained. + +Bathe bad bruises in hot water, or hot spirits, or a decoction of bitter +herbs. _Entire rest_, is the remedy for sprains. Bathing in warm water, +or warm whiskey is very useful. A sprained leg should be kept in a +horizontal position, on a bed or sofa. + +When a leg is broken, tie it to the other leg, to keep it still; and, +if possible, get a surgeon, before the limb swells. Bind a broken arm to +a piece of shingle, and keep it still, till it is set. + +In case of a blow on the head, or a fall, causing insensibility, use a +mustard paste on the back of the neck and pit of the stomach, and rub +the body with spirits. After the circulation is restored, bleeding is +often necessary; but it is very dangerous to attempt it before. + +In cases of bad burns, where the skin is taken off, the great aim should +be, _to keep the injured part from the air_. For this purpose, sprinkle +on flour, or apply a liniment, made of linseed oil and lime-water, in +equal quantities. Sweet-oil, on cotton, is good, and with laudanum, +alleviates pain: but many skins cannot bear the application of raw +cotton, which is sometimes very good. When a dressing is put on, do not +remove it, as it will be sure to protract the cure, by admitting the +air. + +In case of drowning, lay the person in a warm bed, or on blankets, on +the right side, with the head raised, and a little inclined forward. +Clear the mouth with the fingers, and cautiously apply hartshorn to the +nose. Raise the heat of the body, by bottles of warm water, applied to +the pit of the stomach, armpits, groins, and soles of the feet. Apply +friction to the whole body, with warm hands and cloths dipped in warm +spirits of camphor. Endeavor to produce the natural action of the lungs, +by introducing the nose of a bellows into one nostril and closing the +other, at the same time pressing on the throat, to close the gullet. +When the lungs are thus inflated, press gently on the breast and belly, +and continue the process, for a long time. Cases have been known, where +efforts have been protracted eight or ten hours, without effect, and +then have proved successful. Rolling the body on a barrel, suspending it +by the heels, giving injections of tobacco, and many other practices, +which have been common, are highly injurious. After signs of life +appear, give small quantities of wine, or spirits and water. + +In cases of poisoning, from _corrosive sublimate_, beat up the whites +of twelve eggs, mix them in two quarts of water, and give a tumbler full +every three minutes, till vomiting is produced. This is the surest +remedy. When this is not at hand, fill the stomach, in like manner, with +any mucilaginous substance, such as gum and water, flaxseed, or +slippery-elm-bark tea. Flour and water, or sugar and water, in great +quantities, are next best; and if none of these be at hand, give copious +draughts of water alone. + +In case of poisoning from _arsenic_, _cobalt_, or any such mineral, +administer, as soon as possible, large quantities of lime-water and +sugared-water, of warm, or even of cold water, or of flaxseed tea, or +some other mucilaginous drink, to distend the stomach and produce +immediate vomiting, and thereby eject the poison. + +If opium, or any of its preparations, has been taken, in dangerous +quantities, induce vomiting, without a moment's unnecessary delay, by +giving, immediately, in _a small quantity_ of water, ten grains of +ipecac, and ten grains of sulphate of zinc, (white vitriol, which is the +most prompt emetic known,) and repeat the dose every fifteen minutes, +till the stomach is entirely emptied. Where white vitriol is not at +hand, substitute three or four grains of blue vitriol, (sulphate of +copper.) When the stomach is emptied, but not before, give, every ten +minutes, alternately, a cup of acid drink, and a cup of very strong +coffee, made by pouring a pint of boiling water on a quarter of a pound +of ground burnt coffee, and letting it stand ten minutes, and then +straining it. Continue these drinks, till the danger is over. Dash cold +water on the head, apply friction to the body, and keep the person in +constant motion, to prevent sleep. + +If any kind of acid be taken, in poisonous quantities, give strong +pearlash-water. If ley, or pearlash, or any alkali be taken, give +sweet-oil; or, if this be wanting, lamp-oil; or, if neither be at hand, +give vinegar, freely. + +In case of stupefaction, from the fumes of charcoal, or from entering a +well, limekiln, or coal mine, expose the person to cold air, lying on +his back, dash cold water on the head and breast, and rub the body with +spirits of camphor, vinegar, or Cologne water. Apply mustard paste to +the pit of the stomach, and use friction on the hands, feet, and whole +length of the back bone. Give some acid drink, and, when the person +revives, place him in a warm bed, in fresh air. Be prompt and +persevering. + +In case of bleeding at the lungs, or stomach, or throat, give a +teaspoonful of dry salt, and repeat it often. For bleeding at the nose, +pour cold water on the back of the neck, keeping the head elevated. + +If a person be struck with lightning, throw pailfuls of cold water on +the head and body, and apply mustard poultices on the stomach, with +friction of the whole body, and inflation of the lungs. When no other +emetic can be found, pounded mustard seed, taken a teaspoonful at a +time, will answer. The ground mustard is not so effectual, but will do. + +In case of fire, wrap a woollen blanket about you, to protect from the +fire. If the staircases are on fire, tie the corners of the sheets +together, very firmly, fasten one end to the bedstead, draw it to the +window, and let yourself down. Never read in bed, lest you fall asleep, +and the bed be set on fire. If your clothes get on fire, never run, but +lie down, and roll about till you can reach a bed or carpet to wrap +yourself in, and thus put out the fire. Keep young children in woollen +dresses, to save them from the risk of fire. + +In thunderstorms, shut the doors and windows. The safest part of a room, +is its centre; and where there is a featherbed in the apartment, that +will be found the most secure resting-place. + +A lightning rod, if it be well pointed, and run deep into the earth, is +a certain protection to a circle around it, whose diameter equals the +height of the rod above the highest chimney. But it protects _no +further_ than this extent. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +ON DOMESTIC AMUSEMENTS AND SOCIAL DUTIES. + + +Whenever the laws of body and mind are properly understood, it will be +allowed, that every person needs some kind of recreation; and that, by +seeking it, the body is strengthened, the mind is invigorated, and all +our duties are more cheerfully and successfully performed. + +Children, whose bodies are rapidly growing, and whose nervous system is +tender and excitable, need much more amusement, than persons of mature +age. Persons, also, who are oppressed with great responsibilities and +duties, or who are taxed by great intellectual or moral excitement, need +recreations which secure physical exercise, and draw off the mind from +absorbing interests. Unfortunately, such persons are those who least +resort to amusements, while the idle, gay, and thoughtless, seek those +which are needless, and for which useful occupation would be a most +beneficial substitute. + +As the only legitimate object of amusements, is, to prepare mind and +body for the proper discharge of duty, any protracting of such as +interfere with regular employments, or induce excessive fatigue, or +weary the mind, or invade the proper hours for repose, must be sinful. + +In deciding what should be selected, and what avoided, the following +rules are binding. In the first place, no amusements, which inflict +needless pain, should ever be allowed. All tricks which cause fright, or +vexation, and all sports, which involve suffering to animals, should be +utterly forbidden. Hunting and fishing, for mere sport, can never be +justified. If a man can convince his children, that he follows these +pursuits to gain food or health, and not for amusement, his example may +not be very injurious. But, when children see grown persons kill and +frighten animals, for sport, habits of cruelty, rather than feelings of +tenderness and benevolence, are induced. + +In the next place, we should seek no recreations, which endanger life, +or interfere with important duties. As the only legitimate object of +amusements, is to promote health, and prepare for more serious duties, +selecting those which have a directly opposite tendency, cannot be +justified. Of course, if a person feel that the previous day's +diversions have shortened the hours of needful repose, or induced a +lassitude of mind or body, instead of invigorating them, it is certain +that an evil has been done, which should never be repeated. + +A third rule, is, to avoid those amusements, which experience has shown +to be so exciting, and connected with so many temptations, as to be +pernicious in tendency, both to the individual and to the community. It +is on this ground, that horse-racing and circus-riding are excluded. Not +because there is any thing positively wrong, in having men and horses +run, and perform feats of agility, or in persons looking on for the +diversion; but because experience has shown so many evils connected with +these recreations, that they should be relinquished. So with theatres. +The enacting of characters, and the amusement thus afforded, in itself +may be harmless; and possibly, in certain cases, might be useful: but +experience has shown so many evils to result from this source, that it +is deemed wrong to patronize it. So, also, with those exciting games of +chance, which are employed in gambling. + +Under the same head, comes _dancing_, in the estimation of the great +majority of the religious world. Still, there are many intelligent, +excellent, and conscientious persons, who hold a contrary opinion. Such +maintain, that it is an innocent and healthful amusement, tending to +promote ease of manners, cheerfulness, social affection, and health of +mind and body; that evils are involved only in its excess; that, like +food, study, or religious excitement, it is only wrong, when not +properly regulated; and that, if serious and intelligent people would +strive to regulate, rather than banish, this amusement, much more good +would be secured. + +On the other side, it is objected, not that dancing is a sin, in itself +considered, for it was once a part of sacred worship; not that it would +be objectionable, if it were properly regulated; not that it does not +tend, when used in a proper manner, to health of body and mind, to grace +of manners, and to social enjoyment: all these things are conceded. But +it is objected to, on the same ground as horse-racing, card-playing, and +theatrical entertainments; that we are to look at amusements as they +_are_, and not as they _might_ be. Horseraces might be so managed, as +not to involve cruelty, gambling, drunkenness, and every other vice. And +so might theatres and cards. And if serious and intelligent persons, +undertook to patronize these, in order to regulate them, perhaps they +would be somewhat raised from the depths, to which they are now sunk. +But such persons, know, that, with the weak sense of moral obligation +existing in the mass of society, and the imperfect ideas mankind have of +the proper use of amusements, and the little self-control, which men, or +women, or children, practise, these will not, in fact, be +thus-regulated. And they believe dancing to be liable to the same +objections. + +As this recreation is actually conducted, it does not tend to produce +health of body or mind, but directly the contrary. If young and old went +out to dance together, in the open air, as the French peasants do, it +would be a very different sort of amusement, from that which is +witnessed, in a room, furnished with many lights, and filled with +guests, both expending the healthful part of the atmosphere, where the +young collect, in their tightest dresses, to protract, for several +hours, a kind of physical exertion, which is not habitual to them. +During this process, the blood is made to circulate more swiftly than +ordinary, in circumstances where it is less perfectly oxygenized than +health requires; the pores of the skin are excited by heat and +exercise; the stomach is loaded with indigestible articles, and the +quiet, needful to digestion, withheld; the diversion is protracted +beyond the usual hour for repose; and then, when the skin is made the +most highly susceptible to damps and miasms, the company pass from a +warm room to the cold night-air. It is probable, that no single +amusement can be pointed out, combining so many injurious particulars, +as this, which is so often defended as a healthful one. Even if parents, +who train their children to dance, can keep them from public balls, +(which is seldom the case,) dancing in private parlors is subject to +nearly all the same mischievous influences. + +As to the claim of social benefits,--when a dancing-party occupies the +parlors, and the music begins, most of the conversation ceases; while +the young prepare themselves for future sickness, and the old look +smilingly on. + +As to the claim for ease and grace of manners,--all that is gained, by +this practice, can be better secured, by Calisthenics, which, in all its +parts, embraces a much more perfect system, both of healthful exercise, +graceful movement, and pleasing carriage. + +The writer was once inclined to the common opinion, that dancing was +harmless, and might be properly regulated; and she allowed a fair trial +to be made, under her auspices, by its advocates. The result was, a full +conviction, that it secured no good effect, which could not be better +gained another way; that it involved the most pernicious evils to +health, character, and happiness; and that those parents were wise, who +brought up their children with the full understanding that they were +neither to learn nor to practise the art. In the fifteen years, during +which she has had the care of young ladies, she has never known any +case, where learning this art, and following the amusement, did not have +a bad effect, either on the habits, the intellect, the feelings, or the +health. Those young ladies, who are brought up with less exciting +recreations, are uniformly likely to be the most contented and most +useful, while those, who enter the path to which this diversion leads, +acquire a relish and desire for high excitement, which make the more +steady and quiet pursuits and enjoyments of home, comparatively +tasteless. This, the writer believes to be generally the case, though +not invariably so; for there are exceptions to all general rules. + +In reference to these exciting amusements, so liable to danger and +excess, parents are bound to regard the principle, which is involved in +the petition, "Lead us not into temptation." Would it not be +inconsistent, to teach this prayer, to the lisping tongue of childhood, +and then send it to the dancing-master, to acquire a love for a +diversion, which leads to constant temptations that so few find strength +to resist? + +It is encouraging, to those who take this view of the subject, to find +how fast the most serious and intelligent portion of the community is +coming to a similar result. Twenty-five years ago, dancing was +universally practised by the young, as a matter of course, in every part +of the Nation. Now, in those parts of the Country, where religion and +intelligence are most extensively diffused, it is almost impossible to +get up a ball, among the more refined classes of the community. The +amusement is fast leaving this rank in society, to remain as a resource +for those, whose grade of intelligence and refinement does not relish +more elevated recreations. Still, as there is great diversity of +opinion, among persons of equal worth and intelligence, a spirit of +candor and courtesy should be practised, on both sides. The sneer at +bigotry and narrowness of views, on one side, and the uncharitable +implication of want of piety, or sense, on the other, are equally +illbred and unchristian. Truth, on this subject, is best promoted, not +by ill-natured crimination and rebuke, but by calm reason, generous +candor, forbearance, and kindness. + +There is another species of amusement, which a large portion of the +religious world have been accustomed to put under the same condemnation +as the preceding. This is novel-reading. The confusion and difference of +opinion on this subject, have arisen from a want of clear and definite +distinctions. Now, as it is impossible to define what are novels and +what are not, so as to include one class of fictitious writings and +exclude every other, it is impossible to lay down any rule respecting +them. The discussion, in fact, turns on the use of those works of +imagination, which belong to the class of narratives. That this species +of reading, is not only lawful, but necessary and useful, is settled by +Divine examples, in the parables and allegories of Scripture. Of course, +the question must be, what kind of fabulous writings must be avoided, +and what allowed. In deciding this, no specific rules can be given; but +it must be a matter to be regulated by the nature and circumstances of +each case. No works of fiction, which tend to throw the allurements of +taste and genius around vice and crime, should ever be tolerated; and +all that tend to give false views of life and duty, should also be +banished. Of those, which are written for mere amusement, presenting +scenes and events that are interesting and exciting, and having no bad +moral influence, much must depend on character and circumstances. Some +minds are torpid and phlegmatic, and need to have the imagination +stimulated: such would be benefitted by this kind of reading. Others +have quick and active imaginations, and would be as much injured. Some +persons are often so engaged in absorbing interests, that any thing +innocent, which will for a short time draw off the mind, is of the +nature of a medicine; and, in such cases, this kind of reading is +useful. + +There is need, also, that some men should keep a supervision of the +current literature of the day, as guardians, to warn others of danger. +For this purpose, it is more suitable for _editors_, _clergymen_, and +_teachers_, to read indiscriminately, than for any other class of +persons; for they are the guardians of the public weal, in matters of +literature, and should be prepared to advise parents and young persons +of the evils in one direction and the good in another. In doing this, +however, they are bound to go on the same principles which regulate +physicians, when they visit infected districts,--using every precaution +to prevent injury to themselves; having as little to do with pernicious +exposures, as a benevolent regard to others will allow; and faithfully +employing all the knowledge and opportunities, thus gained, for warning +and preserving others. There is much danger, in taking this course, that +men will seek the excitement of the imagination, for the mere pleasure +it affords, under the plea of preparing to serve the public, when this +is neither the aim nor the result. + +In regard to the use of such works, by the young, as a general rule, +they ought not to be allowed to any, except those of a dull and +phlegmatic temperament, until the solid parts of education are secured, +and a taste for more elevated reading is acquired. If these stimulating +condiments in literature be freely used, in youth, all relish for more +solid reading, will, in a majority of cases, be destroyed. If parents +succeed in securing habits of cheerful and implicit obedience, it will +be very easy to regulate this matter, by prohibiting the reading of any +story-book, until the consent of the parent is obtained. + +It is not unfrequently the case, that advocates for dancing, and the +other more exciting amusements, speak as if those, who were more strict +in these matters, were aiming to deprive the young of all diversions; +just as if, when cards, theatres, and dancing, are cut off, nothing +remains but serious and severe duties. Perhaps there has been some just +ground of objection to the course often pursued by parents, in +neglecting to provide agreeable and suitable substitutes, for the +amusements denied; but, there is a great abundance of safe, healthful, +and delightful, recreations, which all parents may secure for their +children. Some of these will here be pointed out. + +One of the most useful and important, is, the cultivation of flowers and +fruits. This, especially for the daughters of a family, is greatly +promotive of health and amusement. It is with the hope, that many young +ladies, whose habits are now so formed, that they can never be induced +to a course of active domestic exercise, so long as their parents are +able to hire domestics, may yet be led to an employment, which will tend +to secure health and vigor of constitution, that so much space is given, +in this work, to directions for the cultivation of fruits and flowers. +It would be a most desirable improvement, if all female schools could be +furnished with suitable grounds, and instruments, for the cultivation of +fruits and flowers, and every inducement offered, to engage the young +ladies in this pursuit. No father, who wishes to have his daughters grow +up to be healthful women, can take a surer method to secure this end. +Let him set apart a portion of his yard and garden, for fruits and +flowers, and see that the soil is well prepared and dug over, and all +the rest may be committed to the care of the children. These would need +to be provided with a light hoe and rake, a dibble, or garden trowel, a +watering-pot, and means and opportunities for securing seeds, roots, +buds, and grafts, all which might be done at a trifling expense. Then, +with proper encouragement, and by the aid of such directions as are +contained in this work, every man, who has even half an acre, could +secure a small Eden around his premises. + +In pursuing this amusement, children can also be led to acquire many +useful habits. Early rising would, in many cases, be thus secured; and +if they were required to keep their walks and borders free from weeds +and rubbish, habits of order and neatness would be induced. Benevolent +and social feelings could also be cultivated, by influencing children to +share their fruits and flowers with friends and neighbors, as well as +to distribute roots and seeds to those, who have not the means of +procuring them. A woman or a child, by giving seeds, or slips, or roots, +to a washerwoman, or a farmer's boy, thus exciting them to love and +cultivate fruits and flowers, awakens a new and refining source of +enjoyment in minds, which have few resources more elevated than mere +physical enjoyments. Our Saviour directs, in making feasts, to call, not +the rich, who can recompense again, but the poor, who can make no +returns. So children should be taught to dispense their little +treasures, not alone to companions and friends, who will probably return +similar favors; but to those who have no means of making any return. If +the rich, who acquire a love for the enjoyments of taste, and have the +means to gratify it, would aim to extend, among the poor, the cheap and +simple enjoyment of fruits and flowers, our Country would soon literally +"blossom as the rose." + +If the ladies of a neighborhood would unite small contributions, and +send a list of flower-seeds and roots to some respectable and honest +florist, who would not be likely to turn them off with trash, they could +divide these among themselves, so as to secure an abundant variety, at a +very small expense. A bag of flower-seeds, which can be obtained, at +wholesale, for four cents, would abundantly supply a whole neighborhood; +and, by the gathering of seeds, in the Autumn, could be perpetuated. + +Another very elevating and delightful recreation, for the young, is +found in _music_. Here, the writer would protest against the common +practice, in many families, of having the daughters learn to play on the +piano, whether they have a taste and an ear for music, or not. A young +lady, who cannot sing, and has no great fondness for music, does nothing +but waste time, money, and patience, in learning to play on the piano. +But all children can be taught to sing, in early childhood, if the +scientific mode of teaching music, in schools, could be introduced, as +it is in Prussia, Germany, and Switzerland. Then, young children could +read and sing music, as easily as they can read language; and might take +any tune, dividing themselves into bands, and sing off, at sight, the +endless variety of music which is prepared. And if parents of wealth +would take pains to have teachers qualified for the purpose, as they may +be at the Boston Academy, and other similar institutions, who should +teach all the young children in the community, much would be done for +the happiness and elevation of the rising generation. This is an +amusement, which children relish, in the highest degree; and which they +can enjoy, at home, in the fields, and in visits abroad. + +Another domestic amusement, is, the collecting of shells, plants, and +specimens in geology and mineralogy, for the formation of cabinets. If +intelligent parents would procure the simpler works which have been +prepared for the young, and study them, with their children, a _taste_ +for such recreations would soon be developed. The writer has seen young +boys, of eight and ten years of age, gathering and cleaning shells from +rivers, and collecting plants, and mineralogical specimens, with a +delight, bordering on ecstasy; and there are few, if any, who, by proper +influences, would not find this a source of ceaseless delight and +improvement. + +Another resource, for family diversion, is to be found in the various +games played by children, and in which the joining of older members of +the family is always a great advantage to both parties. All medical men +unite, in declaring that nothing is more beneficial to health, than +hearty laughter; and surely our benevolent Creator would not have +provided risibles, and made it a source of health and enjoyment to use +them, if it were a sin so to do. There has been a tendency to +asceticism, on this subject, which needs to be removed. Such commands, +as forbid _foolish_ laughing and jesting, "_which are not convenient_;" +and which forbid all idle words, and vain conversation, cannot apply to +any thing, except what is foolish, vain, and useless. But jokes, +laughter, and sports, when used in such a degree as tends only to +promote health, social feelings, and happiness, are neither vain, +foolish, nor "not convenient." It is the excess of these things, and not +the moderate use of them, which Scripture forbids. The prevailing temper +of the mind, should be cheerful, yet serious; but there are times, when +relaxation and laughter are proper for all. There is nothing better for +this end, than that parents and older persons should join in the sports +of childhood. Mature minds can always make such diversions more +entertaining to children, and can exert a healthful moral influence over +their minds; and, at the same time, can gain exercise and amusement for +themselves. How lamentable, that so many fathers, who could be thus +useful and happy with their children, throw away such opportunities, and +wear out soul and body, in the pursuit of gain or fame! + +Another resource for children, is in the exercise of mechanical skill. +Fathers, by providing tools for their boys, and showing them how to make +wheelbarrows, carts, sleds, and various other articles, contribute both +to the physical, moral, and social, improvement of their children. And +in regard to little daughters, much more can be done, in this way, than +many would imagine. The writer, blessed with the example of a most +ingenious and industrious mother, had not only learned, before the age +of twelve, to make dolls, of various sorts and sizes, but to cut and fit +and sew every article, that belongs to a doll's wardrobe. This, which +was done for mere amusement, secured such a facility in mechanical +pursuits, that, ever afterward, the cutting and fitting of any article +of dress, for either sex, was accomplished with entire ease. + +When a little girl first begins to sew, her mother can promise her a +small bed and pillows, as soon as she has sewed a patch quilt for them; +and then a bedstead, as soon as she has sewed the sheets and cases for +pillows; and then a large doll to dress, as soon as she has made the +under garments; and thus go on, till the whole contents of the +baby-house are earned by the needle and skill of its little owner. Thus, +the task of learning to sew, will become a pleasure; and every new toy +will be earned by useful exertion. A little girl can be taught, by the +aid of patterns prepared for the purpose, to cut and fit all articles +necessary for her doll. She can also be provided with a little wash-tub, +and irons, to wash and iron, and thus keep in proper order a complete +miniature domestic establishment. + +Besides these recreations, there are the enjoyments secured in walking, +riding, visiting, and many others which need not be recounted. Children, +if trained to be healthful and industrious, will never fail to discover +resources of amusement; while their guardians should lend their aid to +guide and restrain them from excess. + +There is need of a very great change of opinion and practice, in this +Nation, in regard to the subject of social and domestic duties. Many +sensible and conscientious men, spend all their time, abroad, in +business, except, perhaps, an hour or so at night, when they are so +fatigued, as to be unfitted for any social or intellectual enjoyment. +And some of the most conscientious men in the Country, will add, to +their professional business, public or benevolent enterprises, which +demand time, effort, and money; and then excuse themselves for +neglecting all care of their children, and efforts for their own +intellectual improvement, or for the improvement of their families, by +the plea, that they have no time for it. All this, arises from the want +of correct notions of the binding obligation of our social and domestic +duties. The main object of life, is not to secure the various +gratifications of appetite or taste, but to _form such a character_, for +ourselves and others, as will secure the greatest amount of present and +future happiness. It is of far more consequence, then, that parents +should be intelligent, social, affectionate, and agreeable, at home, and +to their friends, than that they should earn money enough to live in a +large house, and have handsome furniture. It is far more needful, for +children, that a father should attend to the formation of their +character and habits, and aid in developing their social, intellectual, +and moral nature, than it is, that he should earn money to furnish them +with handsome clothes, and a variety of tempting food. + +It will be wise for those parents, who find little time to attend to +their children, or to seek amusement and enjoyment in the domestic and +social circle, because their time is so much occupied with public cares +or benevolent objects, to inquire, whether their first duty is not to +train up their own families, to be useful members of society. A man, who +neglects the mind and morals of his children, to take care of the +public, is in great danger of coming under a similar condemnation, to +that of him, who, neglecting to provide for his own household, has +"denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." + +There are husbands and fathers, who conscientiously subtract time from +their business, to spend at home, in reading with their wives and +children, and in domestic amusements which at once refresh and improve. +The children of such parents will grow up with a love of home and +kindred, which will be the greatest safeguard against future +temptations, as well as the purest source of earthly enjoyment. + +There are families, also, who make it a definite object to keep up +family attachments, after the children are scattered abroad; and, in +some cases, secure the means for doing this, by saving money, which +would otherwise have been spent for superfluities of food or dress. Some +families have adopted, for this end, a practice, which if widely +imitated, would be productive of extensive benefit. The method is this. +On the first day of each month, some member of the family, at each +extreme point of dispersion, takes a folio sheet, and fills a part of a +page. This is sealed and mailed to the next family, who read it, add +another contribution, and then mail it to the next. Thus the family +circular, once a month, goes from each extreme, to all the members of a +widely-dispersed family, and each member becomes a sharer in the joys, +sorrows, plans, and pursuits, of all the rest. At the same time, +frequent family meetings are sought; and the expense, thus incurred, is +cheerfully met by retrenchments in other directions. The sacrifice of +some unnecessary physical indulgence, (such, for instance, as the use of +tea and coffee,) will often purchase many social and domestic +enjoyments, a thousand times more elevating and delightful, than the +retrenched luxury. + +There is no social duty, which the Supreme Lawgiver more strenuously +urges, than hospitality and kindness to strangers, who are classed with +the widow and the fatherless, as the special objects of Divine +tenderness. There are some reasons, why this duty peculiarly demands +attention from the American people. + +Reverses of fortune, in this land, are so frequent and unexpected, and +the habits of the people are so migratory, that there are very many in +every part of the Country, who, having seen all their temporal plans and +hopes crushed, are now pining among strangers, bereft of wonted +comforts, without friends, and without the sympathy and society, so +needful to wounded spirits. Such, too frequently, sojourn long and +lonely, with no comforter but Him who "knoweth the heart of a stranger." + +Whenever, therefore, new comers enter a community, inquiry should +immediately be made, whether they have friends and associates, to render +sympathy and kind attentions; and, when there is any need for it, the +ministries of kind neighborhood should immediately be offered. And it +should be remembered, that the first days of a stranger's sojourn, are +the most dreary, and that civility and kindness are doubled in value, by +being offered at an early period. + +In social gatherings, the claims of the stranger are too apt to be +forgotten; especially, in cases where there are no peculiar attractions +of personal appearance, or talents, or high standing. Such a one should +be treated with attention, _because he is a stranger_; and when +communities learn to act more from principle, and less from selfish +impulse, on this subject, the sacred claims of the stranger will be less +frequently forgotten. + +The most agreeable hospitality, to visiters, who become inmates of a +family, is, that which puts them entirely at ease. This can never be the +case, where the guest perceives that the order of family arrangements is +essentially altered, and that time, comfort, and convenience are +sacrificed, for his accommodation. + +Offering the best to visiters, showing a polite regard to every wish +expressed, and giving precedence to them, in all matters of comfort and +convenience, can be easily combined with the easy freedom which makes +the stranger feel at home; and this is the perfection of hospitable +entertainment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. + + +There is no point of domestic economy, which more seriously involves the +health and daily comfort of American women, than the proper construction +of houses. There are five particulars, to which attention should be +given, in building a house; namely, economy of labor, economy of money, +economy of health, economy of comfort, and good taste. Some particulars +will here be pointed out, under each of these heads. + +The first, respects _economy of labor_. In deciding upon the size and +style of a house, the health and capacity of the housekeeper, and the +probabilities of securing proper domestics, ought to be the very first +consideration. If a man be uncertain as to his means for hiring service, +or if he have a feeble wife, and be where properly-qualified domestics +are scarce, it is very poor economy to build a large house, or to live +in a style which demands much labor. Every room in a house adds to the +expense involved in finishing and furnishing it, and to the amount of +labor spent in sweeping, dusting, cleaning floors, paint, and windows, +and taking care of, and repairing, its furniture. Double the size of a +house, and you double the labor of taking care of it, and so, _vice +versa_. There is, in this Country, a very great want of calculation and +economy, in this matter. + +The arrangement of rooms, and the proper supply of conveniences, are +other points, in which, economy of labor and comfort is often +disregarded. For example, a kitchen will be in one story, a sitting-room +in another, and the nursery in a third. Nothing is more injurious, to a +feeble woman, than going up and down stairs; and yet, in order to gain +two large parlors, to show to a few friends, or to strangers, immense +sacrifices of health, comfort, and money, are made. If it be possible, +the nursery, sitting-parlor, and kitchen, ought always to be on the same +floor. + +The position of wells and cisterns, and the modes of raising and +carrying water, are other particulars, in which, economy of labor and +comfort is sadly neglected. With half the expense usually devoted to a +sideboard or sofa, the water used from a well or cistern can be so +conducted, as that, by simply turning a cock, it will flow to the place +where it is to be used. + +A want of economy, in labor and in money, is often seen in the shape and +arrangement of houses, and in the style of ornaments and furniture. A +_perfect square_, encloses more rooms, at less expense, than any other +shape; while it has less surface exposed to external cold, and can be +most easily warmed and ventilated. And the farther a house is removed +from this shape, the more the expense is increased. Wings and kitchens +built out, beyond a house, very much increase expense, both in building +and warming them. + +Piazzas and porticoes are very expensive; and their cost would secure +far more comfort, if devoted to additional nursery or kitchen +conveniences. Many kinds of porticoes cost as much as one additional +room in the house. Houses can be so constructed, that one staircase will +answer for both kitchen and parlour use, as may be seen in the engraving +on page 269, (Fig. 27.) This saves the expense and labor usually devoted +to a large hall and front staircase. + +Much money is often worse than wasted, by finical ornaments, which are +fast going out of fashion. One of the largest, most beautiful, and +agreeable, houses, the writer was ever in, was finished with doors, +windows, and fireplaces, in even a plainer style than any given in the +subsequent drawings. + +The position of fireplaces has much to do with economy of expense in +warming a house. Where the fireplace is in an outer wall, one third of +the heat passes out of doors, which would be retained in the house, if +the chimney were within the rooms. A house, contrived like the one +represented in the engraving on page 272, (Fig. 32,) which can be heated +by a stove or chimney at X, may be warmed with less fuel than one of any +other construction.[R] + +_Economy of health_ is often disregarded, by placing wells, cisterns, +and privies, so that persons, in the perspiration of labor, or the +debility of disease, are obliged to go out of doors in all weathers. +Figure 35, on page 276, shows the proper arrangement of such +conveniences. The placing of an outside door, for common use, in a +sitting-room, as is frequent at the West and South, is detrimental to +health. In such cases, children, in their sports, or persons who labor, +are thrown into perspiration, by exercise, the door is thrown open, a +chill ensues, and fever, bowel complaints, or bilious attacks, are the +result. A long window, extending down to the floor, which can be used as +a door, in Summer, and be tightly closed, at the bottom, in Winter, +secures all the benefits, without the evils, of an outside door. + +Constructing houses, without open fireplaces in chambers, or any other +mode of ventilation, is another sad violation of the economy of health. +Feeble constitutions in children, and ill health to domestics, are often +caused by this folly. + +The _economy of comfort_ is often violated, by arrangements made for +domestics. Many a woman has been left to endure much hard labor and +perplexity, because she chose to have money spent on handsome parlors +and chambers, for company, which should have been devoted to providing a +comfortable kitchen and chambers for domestics. Cramping the +conveniences and comfort of a family, in order to secure elegant rooms, +to show to company, is a weakness and folly, which it is hoped will +every year become less common. + +The construction of houses with reference to _good taste_, is a +desirable, though less important, item. The beauty of a house depends +very much upon propriety of proportions, color, and ornament. And it is +always as cheap, and generally cheaper, to build a house in agreement +with the rules of good taste, than to build an awkward and +ill-proportioned one. + + +_Plans of Houses and Domestic Conveniences._ + +The following plans are designed chiefly for persons in moderate +circumstances, and have especial reference to young housekeepers. + +Every year, as the prosperity of this Nation increases, good domestics +will decrease, and young mothers are hereafter to be called to +superintend and perform all branches of domestic business, to nurse +children, direct ignorant domestics, attend the sick, entertain company, +and fulfil all other family duties; and this, too, in a majority of +cases, with delicate constitutions, or impaired health. Every man, +therefore, in forming plans for a future residence, and every woman who +has any influence in deciding such matters, ought to make these +probabilities the chief basis of their calculations.[S] + +[Illustration: Fig. 17.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 18. + +Ground-plan. + +_a_, Porch. +_b_, Parlor, 15 by 16 feet. +_c_, Dining-room, 15 by 16 feet. +_d, d_, Small Bedrooms. +_e_, Stairs. +_f, f, f_, Closets. +_g_, Pantry. +_h_, Store-closet. +_i, i, i_, Fireplaces. +_j_, Kitchen. +_k_, Bedpress. +_z_, Cellar door. + +Scale of Feet.] + +The plan, exhibited in Figures 17, and 18, is that of a cottage, whose +chief exterior beauty is its fine proportions. It should be painted +white. + +Fig. 17, is the _elevation_, or the front view of the exterior. Fig. 18, +is the ground-plan, in which, an entire break in the wall, represents a +door, and a break with a line across it, a window. When a cross x is put +by a door, it indicates into which room the door swings, and where the +hinges should be put, as the comfort of a fireside very much depends on +the way in which the doors are hung. A scale of measurement is given at +the bottom of the drawings, by which, the size of all parts can be +measured. The ten small divisions, are each one foot. The longest +divisions are ten feet each. + +In the ground-plan, (Fig. 18,) _a_, is the porch, which projects enough +to afford an entrance to the two adjacent rooms, and thus avoids the +evil of an outside door to a sitting-room. If a door be wanted in these +rooms, the front windows can be made to extend down to the floor, so as +to serve as doors in Summer, and be tightly closed in Winter. The +parlor, _b_, has the bedpress, _k_, and the closet, _f_, adjoining it. +Figure 19 is intended to represent this side of the room. + +[Illustration: Fig. 19. + +Scale of Feet for the Doors.] + +The two large doors, in the centre, open into the bedpress, and one of +the smaller ones into the closet, _f_. The other, can either be a false +door, in order to secure symmetry, or else a real one, opening into the +kitchen, _j_. + +A room, thus arranged, can be made to serve as a genteel parlor, for +company, during the day, when all these doors can be closed. At night, +the doors of the bedpress being opened, it is changed to an airy +bedroom, while the closets, _f, f_, serve to conceal all accommodations +pertaining to a bedroom. The bedpress is just large enough to receive a +bed; and under it, if need be, might be placed a trucklebed, for young +children. The eating-room, _c_, has the small bedroom, _d_, adjoining +it, which, by leaving the door open, at night, will be sufficiently airy +for a sleeping-room. The kitchen, _j_, has a smaller bedroom, _d_, +attached to it, which will hold a narrow single bed for a domestic; and, +if need be, a narrow trucklebed under it, for a child. The staircase to +the garret, can either be placed in the eating-room, or in the small +entry. A plan for back accommodations is shown in Fig. 35, (page 276.) +These should be placed in the rear of the kitchen, so as not to cover +the window. + +A house like this, will conveniently accommodate a family of six or +eight persons; but some economy and contrivance will be needed, in +storing away articles of dress and bedclothing. For this end, in the +bedpress, _k_, of the parlor, _b_, (Fig. 18,) a wide shelf may be +placed, two feet from the ceiling, where winter bedding, or folded +clothing, can be stowed, while a short curtain in front, hung from the +wall, will give a tidy look, and keep out dust. Under this shelf, if +need be, pegs can be placed, to hold other articles; and a curtain be +hung from the edge of the shelf, to conceal and protect them. Both the +closets, _f, f_, should have shelves and drawers. The garret can have a +window inserted in the roof, and thus be made serviceable for storage. + +[Illustration: Fig. 20.] + +Figure 20 represents a fireplace and mantelpiece, in a style +corresponding with the doors. + +Such a cottage as this, could be built for from five hundred to nine +hundred dollars, according as the expense of labor in the place, and the +excellence of the materials and labor, may vary. + +[Illustration: Fig. 21.] + +Figures 21 and 22, show the elevation and ground-plan of a cottage, in +which the rooms are rather more agreeably arranged, than in the former +plan. The elevation, (Fig. 21,) has a piazza, running across the whole +front. This would cost nearly two hundred dollars; and, for this sum, +another story might be added. An architect told the writer, that he +could build the two-story house, (Fig. 23 and 24,) without a piazza, +for the same sum, as this cottage, _with_ one. This shows the poor +economy of these appendages. + +The ground-plan, (Fig. 22,) will be understood, from the explanation +appended to it. + +[Illustration: Fig. 22. + +Scale of Feet. + +_a_, Porch. +_b_, Entry. +_c_, Stairs. +_d_, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet. +_e_, Dining-room, 16 by 16 feet. +_f_, Kitchen. +_g, g, g_, Bedpresses. +_h, h, h, h_, Closets. +_i_, Store-closet. +_j_, Back entry and Sink. +_p_, Cellar stairs. +_o, o, o_, Fireplaces.] + +The parlor, _d_, is designed to have the doors (shown in Fig. 19) placed +at the end, where is the bedpress, _g_. This will make it a handsome +parlor, by day, and yet allow it to be used as a bedroom, at night. The +bedpresses, in the other rooms, can have less expensive doors. A window +is put in each bedpress, to secure proper ventilation. These should be +opened, to air the bed, on leaving it. These can be fitted up with +shelves, pegs, and curtains, as before described. If the elevation of +the first cottage be preferred to this, as being less expensive, it can +be used, by altering it a little; thus, instead of the projection for +the entry, make a slight projection, of the width of one brick, to +preserve the same general outside appearance. Let the windows extend +down to the floor, and the beauty of symmetry will also be preserved. + +[Illustration: Fig. 23. + +Ground-plan. + +_a_, Entry. +_b_, Stairs. +_c_, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet. +_d_, Kitchen, 14 by 14 feet. +_e_, Store-closet. +_f_, Pantry. +_g_, Sinkroom. +_h_, Closet. +_i, i_, Fireplaces. +_n_, Cellar door. +_o_, Oven. +_y_, Furnace. +_z_, Sink. + +Scale of Feet.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 24. + +Second Story. + +_a_, Stairs. +_b_, Passage. +_c, c, c_, Bedrooms. +_d, d, d, d_, Closets. +_e, e_, Fireplaces. +_f_, Nursery. +_g_, Room for young children.] + +The plans, shown in Fig. 23 and 24, are designed for families, where +most domestic labor is to be done without the aid of domestics. The +parlor, _c_, is for a sitting-room, and for company. The room, _d_, is +the eating-room; where, also, the ironing and other nicer family work +can be done. In the small room, _g_, either an oven and boiler, or a +cooking-stove, can be placed. The elevation, shown in Fig. 25, is +designed for the front of this house. + +[Illustration: Fig. 25.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 26.] + +Figures 27 and 28, are plans of a two-story house, on a larger scale, +with a concealed staircase, for front and back use. The elevation, Fig. +26, is designed for this plan. + +[Illustration: Fig. 27. + +Ground-plan. + +_b, b_, Entry. +_c_, Stairs. +_d_, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet. +_e_, Dining-room, 15 by 16 feet. +_f_, Kitchen, 15 by 16 feet. +_g, g, g_, Closets. +_h_, Store-closet. +_i_, Back entry. +_j_, Pantry. +_k, k, k_, Fireplaces. +_x_, Cellar stairs.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 28. + +Second Story. + +_a, a, a, a_, Bedrooms. +_b_, Stairs. +_c, c, c_, Closets. +_d_, Passage. +_e, e, e_, Fireplaces. +_y_, Garret stairs.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 29. + +Ground-floor. + +_b_, Entry. +_c_, Parlor, 17 by 17 feet. +_d_, Dining-room, 13 by 15 feet. +_e_, Parlor or Bedroom, 17 by 17 feet. +_f_, Kitchen, 19 by 17 feet. +_g_, Stairs. +_h_, Store-closet. +_i, i, i_, Closets. +_n, n, n, n_, Fireplaces. +_o_, Folding-doors. +_p_, Pegs for over-garments. +_z_, Cellar stairs.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 30. + +Second Story. + +_a, a, a, a, a_, Bedrooms. +_b_, Stairs. +_c_, Passage. +_d, d, d, d_, Closets. +_e, e, e, e_, Fireplaces.] + +Figures 29 and 30, are plans for a larger house, which can have either +of the elevations, Fig. 25 or 26, adapted to it. These also have a +concealed staircase, for front and back use. If a nursery, or bedroom, +is wished, on the ground-floor, the back parlor, _e_, can be taken; in +which case, the closets, _i_, _i_, are very useful. To prevent noise +from reaching the front parlor, two sets of folding-doors, each side of +the passage, _o_, could be placed. With this arrangement, these rooms +could be used, sometimes as two parlors, opening into each other, by +folding doors, and at other times, as a nursery and parlor. In this +plan, the storeroom, _h_, and china-closet, _i_, between the kitchen and +eating-room, are a great convenience. + +Figures 31 and 32, present the plan of a Gothic cottage, which secures +the most economy of _labor_ and _expense_, with the greatest amount of +_convenience and comfort_, which the writer has ever seen. + +[Illustration: Fig. 31.] + +The elevation, (Fig. 31,) exhibits the front view. It has a recess in +the central part, under which, is the door, with a window on each side +of it. This forms a piazza; and into this, and a similar one at the back +of the house, the two centre parlors open. + +[Illustration: Fig. 32.] + +In the centre of the house, (see Fig. 32,) are the two parlors, _b_ and +_c_; the back one to be used as an eating-room. At X, can be placed, +either a chimney, with doors on each side of the fireplace, or, (which +is the most agreeable,) folding-doors, which can be thrown open in +Summer, thus making a large saloon, through the house, from one piazza +to the other. In this case, the parlors are warmed by a large stove, set +near the folding-doors, which would easily warm both parlors and one or +two adjacent rooms. In Winter, the outside doors, opening to the +piazzas, should be fastened and calked, and the side entry, at _d_, be +used. At _e_, is the nursery, with the bedpress, _g_, which, being +closed by day, makes a retired parlor for the mother. At _n_, is the +children's playroom and sleeping-room, adjoining the mother's room. At +_k_, is the kitchen, adjacent to the eating-room, with the storeroom, +_e_, and the closets, _m_, _m_, one for the eating-room, and one for the +kitchen utensils. At _i_, is a parlor, which can be used for a study or +library, by the master of the family; while the adjacent bedpress, _j_, +renders it a convenient lodging-room, for guests. Another lodging-room, +is at _h_; and in the attic, is space enough for several comfortable +lodging-rooms. A window in the roof, on the front and back, like the one +on Wadsworth's Cottage, (Fig. 33,) could be placed over the front door, +to light the chambers in the attic. A double roof in the attic, with a +current of air between, secures cool chambers. The closets are marked +_o_, and the fireplaces _p_. The stairs to the attic are at _q_. By this +arrangement, the housekeeper has her parlor, sleeping-room, nursery, and +kitchen, on the same floor, while the rooms with bedpresses, enable her +to increase either parlors or lodging-rooms, at pleasure, without +involving the care of a very large and expensive house. + +Figure 33, is the representation of a cottage, built by Daniel +Wadsworth, Esq., in the vicinity of Hartford, Connecticut; and is on a +plan, which, though much smaller, is very similar to the plan +represented in Fig. 32. It serves to show the manner in which the +_roofs_ should be arranged, in Fig. 31, which, being seen exactly in +front, does not give any idea of the mode of this arrangement. The +elevation of Wadsworth's cottage, could be taken for the ground-plan +shown in Fig. 32, if it be preferred to the other. + +Both this cottage, and all the other plans, require a woodhouse, and the +conveniences connected with it, which are represented in Fig. 35, (page +276.) For these Gothic cottages, an appendage of this sort should be in +keeping with the rest, having windows, like those in the little +Summer-house in the drawing, and battlements, as on the top of the wings +of the barn. The ornaments on the front of the cottage, and the pillars +of the portico, made simply of the trunks of small trees, give a +beautiful rural finish, and their expense is trifling. In this picture, +the trees could not be placed as they are in reality, because they would +hide the buildings. + +[Illustration: Fig. 33.] + +In arranging yards and grounds, the house should be set back, as in the +drawing of Wadsworth's cottage; and, instead of planting shade-trees in +straight lines, or scattering them about, as single trees, they should +be arranged in clusters, with large openings for turf, flowers, and +shrubbery, which never flourish well under the shade and dropping of +trees. This also secures spots of dark and cool shade, even when trees +are young. + +In arranging shade-trees tastefully around such a place, a large cluster +might be placed on each side of the gate; another on the circular +grass-plot, at the side of the house; another at a front corner; and +another at a back corner. Shrubbery, along the walks, and on the +circular plot, in front, and flowers close to the house, would look +well. The barn, also, should have clusters of trees near it; and +occasional single trees, on the lawn, would give the graceful ease and +variety seen in nature. + +Figure 34, represents the accommodations for securing water with the +least labor. It is designed for a well or cistern under ground. The +reservoir, R, may be a half hogshead, or something larger, which may be +filled once a day, from the pump, by a man, or boy. + +[Illustration: Fig. 34. + +_P_, Pump. _L_, Steps to use when pumping. _R_, Reservoir. _G_, +Brickwork to raise the Reservoir. _B_, A large Boiler. _F_, Furnace, +beneath the Boiler. _C_, Conductor of cold water. _H_, Conductor of hot +water. _K_, Cock for letting cold water into the Boiler. _S_, Pipe to +conduct cold water to a cock over the kitchen sink. _T_, Bathing-tub, +which receives cold water from the Conductor, _C_, and hot water from +the Conductor, _H_. _W_, Partition separating the Bathing-room from the +Wash-room. _Y_, Cock to draw off hot water. _Z_, Plug to let off the +water from the Bathing-tub into a drain.] + +The conductor, C, should be a lead pipe, which, instead of going over +the boiler, should be bent along behind it. From S, a branch sets off, +which conducts the cold water to the sink in the kitchen, where it +discharges with a cock. H, is a conductor from the lower part of the +boiler, made of copper, or some metal not melted by great heat; and at +Y, a cock is placed, to draw off hot water. Then the conductor passes to +the bathing-tub, where is another cock. At Z, the water is let off from +the bathing-tub. By this arrangement, great quantities of hot and cold +water can be used, with no labor in carrying, and with very little labor +in raising it. + +In case a cistern is built above ground, it can be placed as the +reservoir is, and then all the labor of pumping is saved. + +[Illustration: Fig. 35. + +_A_, Boiler and furnace. +_B_, Bathing-room. +_C_, Reservoir. +_D_, Pump. +_E_, Wash-form. +_F_, Sink. +_G_, Kitchen. +_H_, Woodpile. +_I_, Large doors. +_i_,_i_, Bins for coal and ashes. +_O_, Window. +_P_, _P_, Privies. +_T_, Bathing-tub. +_V_, Door.] + +Fig. 35, is the plan of a building for back-door accommodations. At _A_, +_C_, _D_, _E_, are accommodations shown in Fig. 34. The bathing-room is +adjacent to the boiler and reservoir, to receive the water. The privy, +_P_, _P_, should have two apartments, as indispensable to healthful +habits in a family. A window should be placed at _O_, and a door, with +springs or a weight to keep it shut, should be at _V_. Keeping the +window open, and the door shut, will prevent any disagreeable effects in +the house. At _G_, is the kitchen, and at _F_, the sink, which should +have a conductor and cock from the reservoir. _H_, is the place for +wood, where it should in Summer be stored for Winter. A bin, for coal, +and also a brick receiver, for ashes, should be in this part. Every +woman should use her influence to secure all these conveniences; even if +it involves the sacrifice of the piazza, or "the best parlor." + +[Illustration: Fig. 36. + +Front View. + +Side View.] + +Fig. 36, is a latticed portico, which is cheap, and answers all the +purposes of a more expensive one. It should be solid, overhead, to turn +off the rain, and creepers should be trained over it. A simple latticed +arch, over a door, covered with creepers, is very cheap, and serves +instead of an expensive portico. + +[Illustration: Fig. 37. + +_C_, Parlor ceiling. +_K_, Kitchen ceiling.] + +Fig. 37, represents a _sliding closet_, or _dumb waiter_, a convenience +which saves much labor, when the kitchen is in the basement. The two +closets should be made wide, and broad enough to receive a common +waiter. The chain, or rope, which passes over the wheels, should branch, +at _X_, so as to keep the closet from rubbing in its movements, when the +dishes are not set exactly in the middle, or are of unequal weights. By +this method, almost every thing needed to pass between the kitchen and +parlor can be sent up and down, without any steps. If the kitchen is not +directly under the eating-room, the sliding closet can be placed in the +vicinity of one or both. Where the place is not wide enough for two +closets like these, they can be made wider than they are long, say one +foot and six inches long, and three feet wide. A strip of wood, an inch +broad, should be fastened on the front and back of the shelves, to +prevent the dishes from being broken when they are set on carelessly. + +There is nothing, which so much improves the appearance of a house and +the premises, as painting or whitewashing the tenements and fences. The +following receipts for whitewashing, answer the same purpose for wood, +brick, and stone, as oil-paint, and are much cheaper. The first, is the +receipt used for the President's house, at Washington, improved by +further experiments. The second, is a cheaper one, which the writer has +known to succeed, in a variety of cases, lasting as long, and looking as +well, as white oil-paint. + + +_Receipt._ + +Take half a bushel of unslacked lime, and slack it with boiling water, +covering it, during the process. Strain it, and add a peck of salt, +dissolved in warm water; three pounds of ground rice, boiled to a thin +paste, put in boiling hot; half a pound of powdered Spanish whiting; and +a pound of clear glue, dissolved in warm water. Mix, and let it stand +several days. Heat it in a kettle, on a portable furnace, and apply it +as hot as possible, with a painter's or whitewash-brush. + + +_Another._ + +Make whitewash, in the usual way, except that the water used should be +hot, and nearly saturated with salt. Then stir in four handfuls of fine +sand, to make it thick like cream. Coloring matter can be added to +both, making a light stone-color, a cream-color, or a light buff, which +are most suitable for buildings. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[R] Many houses are now heated, by a furnace in the cellar, which +receives pure air from out of doors, heats it, and sends it into several +rooms, while water is evaporated to prevent the air from becoming dry. +The most perfect one the writer has seen, is constructed by Mr. Fowler, +of Hartford. This method secures well-ventilated rooms, and is very +economical, where several rooms are to be warmed. + +[S] Those, who are amateurs in architecture, in judging of these +designs, must take into consideration, that this is a work on domestic +_economy_, and that matters of taste, have necessarily been made +subordinate to points, involving economy of health, comfort, and +expense. Still, it is believed, that good taste has been essentially +preserved, in most of these designs. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +ON FIRES AND LIGHTS. + + +A shallow fireplace saves wood, and gives out more heat than a deeper +one. A false back, of brick, may be put up in a deep fireplace. Hooks, +for holding up the shovel and tongs, a hearth-brush and bellows, and +brass knobs to hang them on, should be furnished to every fireplace. An +iron bar, across the andirons, aids in keeping the fire safe, and in +good order. Steel furniture is more genteel, and more easily kept in +order, than that made of brass. + +Use green wood, for logs, and mix green and dry wood for the fire; and +then the woodpile will last much longer. Walnut, maple, hickory, and +oak, wood, are best, chestnut or hemlock is bad, because it snaps. Do +not buy a load, in which there are many crooked sticks. Learn how to +measure and calculate the solid contents of a load, so as not to be +cheated. Have all your wood split, and piled under cover, for Winter. +Have the green wood logs in one pile, dry wood in another, oven-wood in +another, kindlings and chips in another, and a supply of charcoal to use +for broiling and ironing, in another place. Have a brick bin, for ashes, +and never allow them to be put in wood. When quitting fires, at night, +never leave a burning stick across the andirons, nor on its end, without +quenching it. See that no fire adheres to the broom or brush; remove all +articles from the fire, and have two pails, filled with water, in the +kitchen, where they will not freeze. + + + +_Stoves and Grates._ + +Rooms, heated by stoves, should always have some opening for the +admission of fresh air, or they will be injurious to health. The dryness +of the air, which they occasion, should be remedied, either by placing a +vessel, filled with water, on the stove, or by hooking a long and narrow +pan, filled with water, in front of the grate; otherwise, the lungs or +eyes may be injured. A large number of plants in a room, prevents this +dryness of the air. Openings for pipes, through floors, partitions, or +fireboards, should be surrounded by tin, to prevent their taking fire. +Lengthening a pipe, will increase its draught. + +For those, who use _anthracite coal_, that which is broken or screened, +is best for grates, and the nut-coal, for small stoves. Three tons are +sufficient, in the Middle States, and four tons in the Northern, to keep +one fire through the Winter. That which is bright, hard, and clean, is +best; and that which is soft, porous, and covered with damp dust, is +poor. It will be well to provide two barrels of charcoal, for kindling, +to every ton of anthracite coal. Grates, for _bituminous_ coal, should +have a flue nearly as deep as the grate; and the bars should be round, +and not close together. The better draught there is, the less coal-dust +is made. Every grate should be furnished with a poker, shovel, tongs, +blower, coal-scuttle, and holder for the blower. The latter may be made +of woollen, covered with old silk, and hung near the fire. + +Coal-stoves should be carefully put up, as cracks, in the pipe, +especially in sleeping rooms, are dangerous. + + +_On Lights._ + +Lamps are better than candles, as they give a steadier light, and do not +scatter grease, like tallow candles. The best oil, is clear, and nearly +colorless. Winter-strained oil should be used in cold weather. Lard is a +good substitute for oil, for astral and other large lamps. It is +cheaper, burns clearer, and has a less disagreeable smell. It will not +burn so well in small lamps, as in large ones. Melt it every morning, in +an old pitcher, kept for the purpose. Oil, long kept, grows thick, and +does not burn well. It is therefore best not to buy it in large +quantities. It should never be left standing in lamps, for several days, +as this spoils it, and often injures the lamps. Camphine is a kind of +oil manufactured in New York, which does not smell disagreeably, nor +make grease-spots, and gives a brighter light than the best oil. Cleanse +the insides of lamps and oil-cans, with pearlash-water. Be careful to +drain them well, and not to let any gilding, or bronze, be injured by +the pearlash-water coming in contact with it. Put one tablespoonful of +pearlash to one quart of water. + +The care of lamps requires so much attention and discretion, that many +ladies choose to do this work, themselves, rather than trust it with +domestics. To do it properly, provide the following things:--An old +waiter, to hold all the articles used; a lamp-filler, with a spout, +small at the end, and turned up to prevent oil from dripping; a ball of +wickyarn, and a basket to hold it; a lamp-trimmer, made for the purpose, +or a pair of _sharp_ scissors; a small soap-cup and soap; some pearlash, +in a broad-mouthed bottle; and several soft cloths, to wash the +articles, and towels, to wipe them. If every thing, after being used, is +cleansed from oil, and then kept neatly, it will not be so unpleasant a +task, as it usually is, to take care of lamps. + +Wash the shade of an astral lamp, once a week, and the glass chimney +oftener. Take the lamp to pieces, and cleanse it, once a month. Keep dry +fingers, in trimming lamps. To raise the wick of an astral lamp, turn it +to the right; to lower it, turn it to the left. Trim it, after it has +been once used; and, in lighting it, raise it to the proper height, as +soon as may be, or it will either smoke, or form a crust. Renew the +wick, when only an inch and a half long. Close-woven wicks are better +than those which are loose. Dipping wicks in vinegar, makes them burn +clearer than they otherwise would. Plain shades do not injure the eyes, +like cut ones; and prints and pictures appear better by them, than by +the others. Lamps should be lighted with a strip of folded or rolled +paper, kept on the mantelpiece. Weak eyes should always be shaded from +the lights. Small screens, made for the purpose, should be kept at hand. +A person with weak eyes, can use them, safely, much longer, when they +are shaded from the glare of the light, than if they are not so. Fill +the entry-lamp, every day, and cleanse and fill night-lanterns, twice a +week, if used often. Provide small, one-wicked lamps, to carry about; +and broad-bottomed lamps, for the kitchen, as these are not easily +upset. + +A good night-lamp is made, with a small one-wicked lamp and a roll of +tin to set over it. Have some holes made in the bottom of this cover, +and it can then be used to heat articles. Very cheap floating tapers, +can be bought, to burn in a teacup of oil through the night. + +Wickyarn, drawn repeatedly through melted wax, till stiff and smooth, +makes a good taper, for use in sealing letters. It can be twined in +fanciful forms, and kept on the writing-table. + + +_To make Candles._ + +The nicest candles, are run in moulds. For this purpose, melt together +one quarter of a pound of white wax, one quarter of an ounce of camphor, +two ounces of alum, and ten ounces of suet or mutton tallow. Soak the +wicks, in lime-water and saltpetre, and, when dry, fix them in the +moulds, and pour in the melted tallow. Let them remain one night, to +cool, then warm them, a little, to loosen them, draw them out, and, when +hard, put them in a box, in a dry and cool place. + +To make dipped candles, cut the wicks of the right length, double them +over rods, and twist them. They should first be dipped in lime-water, or +vinegar, and dried. Melt the tallow in a large kettle, filling it to +the top with hot water, when the tallow is melted. Put in wax, and +powdered alum, to harden them. Keep the tallow hot, over a portable +furnace, and fill up the kettle, with hot water, as fast as the tallow +is used up. Lay two long strips of narrow board, on which to hang the +rods; and set flat pans under, on the floor, to catch the grease. Take +several rods at once, and wet the wicks in the tallow; and, when cool, +straighten and smooth them. Then dip them, as fast as they cool, until +they become of the proper size. Plunge them obliquely, and not +perpendicularly; and when the bottoms are too large, hold them in the +hot grease, till a part melts off. Let them remain one night, to cool; +then cut off the bottoms, and keep them in a dry, cool place. Cheap +lights are made, by dipping rushes in tallow. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +ON WASHING. + + +There is nothing, which tends more effectually to secure good washing, +than a full supply of all conveniences; and among these, none is more +important, than an abundance of warm and cold water: but, if this be +obtained, and heated, at a great expense of time and labor, it will be +used in stinted measure. The accommodations described on page 275, (Fig. +34,) are very convenient in this respect. + + +_Articles to be provided for Washing._ + +A plenty of soft water is a very important item. When this cannot be +had, ley or soda can be put in hard water, to soften it; care being used +not to put in so much, as to injure the hands and clothes. Two +wash-forms are needed; one for the two tubs in which to put the suds, +and the other for blueing and starching-tubs. Four tubs, of different +sizes, are necessary; also, a large _wooden_ dipper, (as metal is apt +to rust;) two or three pails; a grooved wash-board; a clothes-line, +(sea-grass, or horse-hair is best;) a wash-stick to move clothes, when +boiling, and a wooden fork to take them out. Soap-dishes, made to hook +on the tubs, save soap and time. Provide, also, a clothes-bag, in which +to boil clothes; an indigo-bag, of double flannel; a starch-strainer, of +coarse linen; a bottle of ox-gall for calicoes; a supply of starch, +neither sour nor musty; several dozens of clothes-pins, which are cleft +sticks, used to fasten clothes on the line; a bottle of dissolved gum +Arabic; two clothes-baskets; and a brass or copper kettle, for boiling +clothes, as iron is apt to rust. A closet, for keeping all these things, +is a great convenience. It may be made six feet high, three feet deep, +and four feet wide. The tubs and pails can be set on the bottom of this, +on their sides, one within another. Four feet from the bottom, have a +shelf placed, on which to put the basket of clothes-pins, the line, +soap-dishes, dipper, and clothes-fork. Above this, have another shelf, +for the bottles, boxes, &c. The shelves should reach out only half way +from the back, and nails should be put at the sides, for hanging the +wash-stick, clothes-bag, starch-bag, and indigo-bag. The +ironing-conveniences might be kept in the same closet, by having the +lower shelf raised a little, and putting a deep drawer under it, to hold +the ironing-sheets, holders, &c. A lock and key should be put on the +closet. If the mistress of the family requests the washerwoman to notify +her, when she is through, and then ascertains if all these articles are +put in their places, it will prove useful. Tubs, pails, and all hooped +wooden ware, should be kept out of the sun, and in a cool place, or they +will fall to pieces. + + +_Common Mode of Washing._ + +Assort the clothes, and put them in soak, the night before. Never pour +hot water on them, as it sets the dirt. In assorting clothes, put the +flannels in one lot, the colored clothes in another, the coarse white +ones in a third, and the fine clothes in a fourth lot. Wash the fine +clothes in one tub of suds; and throw them, when wrung, into another. +Then wash them, in the second suds, turning them wrong side out. Put +them in the boiling-bag, and boil them in strong suds, for half an hour, +and not much more. Move them, while boiling, with the clothes-stick. +Take them out of the boiling-bag, and put them into a tub of water, and +rub the dirtiest places, again, if need be. Throw them into the +rinsing-water, and then wring them out, and put them into the +blueing-water. Put the articles to be stiffened, into a clothes-basket, +by themselves, and, just before hanging out, dip them in starch, +clapping it in, so as to have them equally stiff, in all parts. Hang +white clothes in the sun, and colored ones, (wrong side out,) in the +shade. Fasten them with clothes-pins. Then wash the coarser white +articles, in the same manner. Then wash the colored clothes. These must +not be soaked, nor have ley or soda put in the water, and they ought not +to lie wet long before hanging out, as it injures their colors. +Beef's-gall, one spoonful to two pailfuls of suds, improves calicoes. +Lastly, wash the flannels, in suds as hot as the hand can bear. Never +rub on soap, as this shrinks them in spots. Wring them out of the first +suds, and throw them into another tub of hot suds, turning them wrong +side out. Then throw them into hot blueing-water. Do not put blueing +into suds, as it makes specks in the flannel. Never leave flannels long +in water, nor put them in cold or lukewarm water. Before hanging them +out, shake and stretch them. Some housekeepers have a close closet, made +with slats across the top. On these slats, they put their flannels, when +ready to hang out, and then burn brimstone under them, for ten minutes. +It is but little trouble, and keeps the flannels as white as new. Wash +the colored flannels, and hose, after the white, adding more hot water. +Some persons dry woollen hose on stocking-boards, shaped like a foot and +leg, with strings to tie them on the line. This keeps them from +shrinking, and makes them look better than if ironed. It is also less +work, than to iron them properly. + +Bedding should be washed in long days, and in hot weather. Pound +blankets in two different tubs or barrels of hot suds, first well mixing +the soap and water. Rinse in hot suds; and, after wringing, let two +persons shake them thoroughly, and then hang them out. If not dry, at +night, fold them, and hang them out the next morning. Bedquilts should +be pounded in warm suds; and, after rinsing, be wrung as dry as +possible. Bolsters and pillows can be pounded in hot suds, without +taking out the feathers, rinsing them in fair water. It is usually best, +however, for nice feathers, to take them out, wash them, and dry them on +a garret floor. Cotton comforters should have the cases taken off and +washed. Wash bedticks, after the feathers are removed, like other +things. Empty straw beds once a year. + +The following cautions, in regard to calicoes, are useful. Never wash +them in very warm water; and change the water, when it appears dingy, or +the light parts will look dirty. Never rub on soap; but remove grease +with French chalk, starch, magnesia, or Wilmington clay. Make starch for +them, with coffee-water, to prevent any whitish appearance. Glue is good +for stiffening calicoes. When laid aside, not to be used, all stiffening +should be washed out, or they will often be injured. Never let calicoes +freeze, in drying. Some persons use bran-water, (four quarts of +wheat-bran to two pails of water,) and no soap, for calicoes; washing +and rinsing in the bran-water. Potato-water is equally good. Take eight +peeled and grated potatoes to one gallon of water. + + +_Soda-Washing._ + +A very great saving in labor is secured, by _soda-washing_. There have +been mistakes made in receipts, and in modes of doing it, which have +caused a prejudice against it; but if the soap be rightly made, and +rightly used, _it certainly saves one half the labor and time of +ordinary washing_. + + +_Receipt for Soda-Soap._ + +Take eight pounds of bar-soap, eight pounds of coarse soda, (the +sub-carbonate,) ten gallons of soft water, boiled two hours, stirring it +often. This is to be cooled, and set away for use. In washing, take a +pound of this soap, to the largest pail of water, and heat till it +boils. Having previously soaked the white clothes, in _warm_, not _hot_, +water, put them in this boiling mixture, and let them boil _one hour and +no more_. Take them out, draining them well, and put them in a tub, half +full of soft water. Turn them wrong side out; rub the soiled places, +till they look clean; then put them into blue rinsing-water, and wring +them out. They are then ready to hang out. Some persons use another +rinsing-water. The colored clothes and flannels must not be washed in +this way. The fine clothes may be first boiled in this water; it may +then be used for coarser clothes; and afterward, the brown towels, and +other articles of that nature, may be boiled in the same water. After +this, the water which remains, is still useful, for washing floors; and +then, the suds is a good manure to put around plants. + +It is best to prepare, at once, the whole quantity of water to be used. +Take out about one third, and set it by; and every time a fresh supply +of clothes is put in, use a portion of this, to supply the waste of a +former boiling. + + +_Modes of Washing Various Articles._ + +_Brown Linens_, or _Muslins_, of tea, drab, or olive, colors, look best, +washed in hay-water. Put in hay enough, to color the water like new +brown linen. Wash them first in lukewarm, fair water, without soap, +(removing grease with French chalk,) then wash and rinse them in the +hay-water. + +_Nankeens_ look best, washed in suds, with a teacup of ley added for +each pailful. Iron on the wrong side. Soak new nankeens in ley, for one +night, and it sets the color perfectly. + +_Woollen Table-Covers_ and _Woollen Shawls_, may be washed thus: Remove +grease as before directed. If there be stains in the articles, take them +out with spirits of hartshorn. Wash the things in two portions of hot +suds, made of white soap. Do not wring them, but fold them and press the +water out, catching it in a tub, under a table. Shake, stretch, and dry, +neither by the sun nor a fire, and do not let them freeze, in drying. +Sprinkle them three hours before ironing, and fold and roll them tight. +Iron them heavily on the wrong side. _Woollen yarn_, should be washed in +very hot water, putting in a teacupful of ley, and no soap, to half a +pailful of water. Rinse till the water comes off clear. + +_New Black Worsted and Woollen Hose_, should be soaked all night, and +washed in hot suds, with beef's-gall, a tablespoonful to half a pail of +water. Rinse till no color comes out. Iron on the wrong side. + +_To Cleanse Gentlemen's Broadcloths._ The common mode, is, to shake, and +brush the articles, and rip out linings and pockets; then to wash them +in strong suds, adding a teacupful of ley, using white soap for light +cloth; rolling and then pressing, instead of wringing, them; when dry, +sprinkling them, and letting them lie all night; and ironing on the +wrong side, or with a thin dark cloth over the article, until +_perfectly_ dry. But a far better way, which the writer has repeatedly +tried, with unfailing success, is the following: Take one beef's-gall, +half a pound of salaeratus, and four gallons of warm water. Lay the +article on a table, and scour it thoroughly, in every part, with a +clothes-brush, dipped in this mixture. The collar of a coat, and the +grease-spots, (previously marked by stitches of white thread,) must be +repeatedly brushed. Then, take the article, and rinse it up and down in +the mixture. Then, rinse it up and down in a tub of soft cold water. +Then, without wringing or pressing, hang it to drain and dry. Fasten a +coat up by the collar. When perfectly dry, it is sometimes the case, +with coats, that nothing more is needed. In other cases, it is necessary +to dampen the parts, which look wrinkled, with a sponge, and either pull +them smooth, with the fingers, or press them with an iron, having a +piece of bombazine, or thin woollen cloth, between the iron and the +article. + + +_To manufacture Ley, Soap, Starch, and other Articles used in Washing._ + +_To make Ley._ Provide a large tub, made of pine or ash, and set it on a +form, so high, that a tub can stand under it. Make a hole, an inch in +diameter, near the bottom, on one side. Lay bricks, inside, about this +hole, and straw over them. To every seven bushels of ashes, add two +gallons of unslacked lime, and throw in the ashes and lime in alternate +layers. While putting in the ashes and lime, pour on boiling water, +using three or four pailfuls. After this, add a pailful of cold soft +water, once an hour, till all the ashes appear to be well soaked. Catch +the drippings, in a tub, and try its strength with an egg. If the egg +rise so as to show a circle as large as a ten cent piece, the strength +is right; if it rise higher, the ley must be weakened by water; if not +so high, the ashes are not good, and the whole process must be repeated, +putting in fresh ashes, and running the weak ley through the new ashes, +with some additional water. _Quick-ley_ is made by pouring one gallon of +boiling soft water on three quarts of ashes, and straining it. Oak ashes +are best. + +_To make Soft-Soap._ Save all drippings and fat, melt them, and set them +away, in cakes. Some persons keep, for soap-grease, a half barrel, with +weak ley in it, and a cover over it. To make soft-soap, take the +proportion of one pailful of ley to three pounds of fat. Melt the fat, +and pour in the ley, by degrees. Boil it steadily, through the day, till +it is ropy. If not boiled enough, on cooling, it will turn to ley and +sediment. While boiling, there should always be a little oil on the +surface. If this does not appear, add more grease. If there is too much +grease, on cooling, it will rise, and can be skimmed off. Try it, by +cooling a small quantity. When it appears like gelly, on becoming cold, +it is done. It must then be put in a cool place and often stirred. + +_To make cold Soft-Soap_, melt thirty pounds of grease, put it in a +barrel, add four pailfuls of strong ley, and stir it up thoroughly. Then +gradually add more ley, till the barrel is nearly full, and the soap +looks _about right_. + +_To make Potash-Soap_, melt thirty-nine pounds of grease, and put it in +a barrel. Take twenty-nine pounds of light ash-colored potash, (the +_reddish_-colored will spoil the soap,) and pour hot water on it; then +pour it off into the grease, stirring it well. Continue thus, till all +the potash is melted. Add one pailful of cold water, stirring it a great +deal, every day, till the barrel be full, and then it is done. This is +the cheapest and best kind of soap. It is best to sell ashes and buy +potash. The soap is better, if it stand a year before it is used; +therefore make two barrels at once. + +_To make Hard White Soap_, take fifteen pounds of lard, or suet; and, +when boiling, add, slowly, five gallons of ley, mixed with one gallon of +water. Cool a small portion; and, if no grease rise, it is done: if +grease do rise, add ley, and boil till no grease rises. Then add three +quarts of fine salt, and boil it; if this do not harden well, on +cooling, add more salt. Cool it, and if it is to be perfumed, melt it +next day, put in the perfume, and then run it in moulds, or cut it in +cakes. _Common Hard Soap_, is made in the same way, by using common fat. + +_To manufacture Starch_, cleanse a peck of unground wheat, and soak it, +for several days, in soft water. When quite soft, remove the husks, with +the hand, and the soft parts will settle. Pour off the water, and +replace it, every day, with that which is fresh, stirring it well. When, +after stirring and settling, the water is clear, it is done. Then +strain off the water, and dry the starch, for several days, in the sun. +If the water be permitted to remain too long, it sours, and the starch +is poor. If the starch be not well dried, it grows musty. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING. + + +_To prepare Starch._ Take four tablespoonfuls of starch; put in as much +water; and rub it, till all lumps are removed. Then, add half a cup of +cold water. Pour this into a quart of boiling water, and boil it for +half an hour, adding a piece of spermaceti, or a lump of salt, or sugar, +as large as a hazelnut. Strain it, and put in a very little blueing. +Thin it with hot water. + +_Glue and Gum-Starch._ Put a piece of glue, four inches square, into +three quarts of water, boil it, and keep it in a bottle, corked up. +Dissolve four ounces of gum Arabic, in a quart of hot water, and set it +away, in a bottle, corked. Use the glue for calicoes, and the gum for +silks and muslins, both to be mixed with water, at discretion. + +_Beef's-Gall._ Send a junk-bottle to the butcher, and have several +gall-bladders emptied into it. Keep it salted, and in a cool place. Some +persons perfume it; but fresh air removes the unpleasant smell which it +gives, when used for clothes. + + +_Directions for Starching Muslins and Laces._ + +Many ladies clap muslins, then dry them, and afterwards sprinkle them. +This saves time. Others clap them, till nearly dry, then fold and cover, +and then iron them. Iron wrought muslins on soft flannel, and on the +wrong side. + +_To do up Laces, nicely_, sew a clean piece of muslin around a long +bottle, and roll the lace on it; pulling out the edge, and rolling it +so that the edge will turn in, and be covered, as you roll. Fill the +bottle with water, and then boil it, for an hour, in a suds made with +white soap. Rinse it in fair water, a little blued; dry it in the sun; +and, if any stiffening is wished, use thin starch, or gum Arabic. When +dry, fold and press it, between white papers, in a large book. It +improves the lace, to wet it with sweet-oil, after it is rolled on the +bottle, and before boiling in the suds. _Blond laces_ can be whitened, +by rolling them on a bottle, in this way, and then setting the bottle in +the sun, in a dish of cold suds made with white soap, wetting it +thoroughly, and changing the suds, every day. Do this, for a week or +more; then rinse, in fair water; dry it on the bottle, in the sun; and +stiffen it with white gum Arabic. Lay it away in loose folds. _Lace +veils_ can be whitened, by laying them in flat dishes, in suds made with +white soap; then rinsing, and stiffening them with gum Arabic, +stretching them, and pinning them on a sheet, to dry. + + +ON IRONING. + + +_Articles to be provided for Ironing._ + +A settee, or settle, made so that it can be used for an ironing-table, +is a great convenience. It may be made of pine, and of the following +dimensions: length, five feet and six inches; width of the seat, one +foot and nine inches; height of the seat, one foot and three inches; +height of the sides, (or arms of the seat,) two feet and four inches; +height of the back, five feet and three inches. The back should be made +with hinges, of the height of the sides or arms, so that it can be +turned down, and rest on them, and thus become an ironing-table. The +back is to be fastened up, behind, with long iron hooks and staples. The +seat should be made with two lids, opening into two boxes, or +partitions, in one of which, can be kept the ironing-sheets and holders, +and in the other, the other articles used in ironing. It can be stained +of a cherry-color; put on casters, so as to move easily; and be +provided with two cushions, stuffed with hay and covered with dark +woollen. It thus serves as a comfortable seat, for Winter, protecting +the back from cold. + +Where a settee, of this description, is not provided, a large +ironing-board, made so as not to warp, should be kept, and used only for +this purpose, to be laid, when used, on a table. Provide, also, the +following articles: A woollen ironing-blanket, and a linen or cotton +sheet, to spread over it; a large fire, of charcoal and hard wood, +(unless furnaces or stoves are used;) a hearth, free from cinders and +ashes, a piece of sheet-iron, in front of the fire, on which to set the +irons, while heating; (this last saves many black spots from careless +ironers;) three or four holders, made of woollen, and covered with old +silk, as these do not easily take fire; two iron rings, or iron-stands, +on which to set the irons, and small pieces of board to put under them, +to prevent scorching the sheet; linen or cotton wipers; and a piece of +beeswax, to rub on the irons when they are smoked. There should be, at +least, three irons for each person ironing, and a small and large +clothes-frame, on which to air the fine and coarse clothes. + +A bosom-board, on which to iron shirt-bosoms, should be made, one foot +and a half long, and nine inches wide, and covered with white flannel. A +skirt-board on which to iron frock-skirts, should be made, five feet +long, and two feet wide at one end, tapering to one foot and three +inches wide, at the other end. This should be covered with flannel; and +will save much trouble, in ironing nice dresses. The large end may be +put on the table, and the other, on the back of a chair. Both these +boards should have cotton covers, made to fit them; and these should be +changed and washed, when dirty. These boards are often useful, when +articles are to be ironed or pressed, in a chamber or parlor. Provide, +also, a press-board, for broadcloth, two feet long, and four inches wide +at one end, tapering to three inches wide, at the other. + +A fluting-iron, called, also, a patent Italian iron, saves much labor, +in ironing ruffles neatly. A crimping-iron, will crimp ruffles +beautifully, with very little time or trouble. Care must be used, with +the latter, or it will cut the ruffles. A trial should be made, with old +muslins; and, when the iron is screwed in the right place, it must be so +kept, and not altered without leave from the housekeeper. If the lady of +the house will provide all these articles, see that the fires are +properly made, the ironing-sheets evenly put on and properly pinned, the +clothes-frames dusted, and all articles kept in their places, she will +do much towards securing good ironing. + + +_On Sprinkling, Folding, and Ironing._ + +Wipe the dust from the ironing-board, and lay it down, to receive the +clothes, which should be sprinkled with clear water, and laid in +separate piles, one of colored, one of common, and one of fine articles, +and one of flannels. Fold the fine things, and roll them in a towel, and +then fold the rest, turning them all right side outward. The colored +clothes should be laid separate from the rest, and ought not to lie long +damp, as it injures the colors. The sheets and table linen should be +shaken, stretched, and folded, by two persons. Iron lace and needlework +on the wrong side, and carry them away, as soon as dry. Iron calicoes +with irons which are not very hot, and generally on the right side, as +they thus keep clean for a longer time. In ironing a frock, first do the +waist, then the sleeves, then the skirt. Keep the skirt rolled, while +ironing the other parts, and set a chair, to hold the sleeves, while +ironing the skirt, unless a skirt-board be used. In ironing a shirt, +first do the back, then the sleeves, then the collar and bosom, and then +the front. Iron silk on the wrong side, when quite damp, with an iron +which is not very hot. Light colors are apt to change and fade. Iron +velvet, by turning up the face of the iron, and after dampening the +wrong side of the velvet, draw it over the face of the iron, holding it +straight, and not biased. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING. + + +_To Whiten Articles, and Remove Stains from them._ + +Wet white clothes in suds, and lay them on the grass, in the sun. Lay +muslins in suds made with white soap, in a flat dish; set this in the +sun, changing the suds, every day. Whiten tow-cloth, or brown linen, by +keeping it in ley, through the night, laying it out in the sun, and +wetting it with fair water, as fast as it dries. + +Scorched articles can often be whitened again, by laying them in the +sun, wet with suds. Where this does not answer, put a pound of white +soap in a gallon of milk, and boil the article in it. Another method, +is, to chop and extract the juice from two onions, and boil this with +half a pint of vinegar, an ounce of white soap, and two ounces of +fuller's earth. Spread this, when cool, on the scorched part, and, when +dry, wash it off, in fair water. _Mildew_ may be removed, by dipping the +article in sour buttermilk, laying it in the sun, and, after it is +white, rinsing it in fair water. Soap and chalk are also good; also, +soap and starch, adding half as much salt as there is starch, together +with the juice of a lemon. Stains in linen can often be removed, by +rubbing on soft soap, then putting on a starch paste, and drying in the +sun, renewing it several times. Wash off all the soap and starch, in +cold, fair water. + + +_Mixtures for Removing Stains and Grease._ + +_Stain-Mixture._ Half an ounce of oxalic acid, in a pint of soft water. +This can be kept in a corked bottle, and is infallible in removing +iron-rust, and ink-stains. It is very poisonous. The article must be +spread with this mixture over the steam of hot water, and wet several +times. This will also remove indelible ink. The article must be washed, +or the mixture will injure it. + +_Another Stain-Mixture_ is made, by mixing one ounce of sal ammoniac, +one ounce of salt of tartar, and one pint of soft water. + +_To remove Grease._ Mix four ounces of fuller's earth, half an ounce of +pearlash, and lemon-juice enough to make a stiff paste, which can be +dried in balls, and kept for use. Wet the greased spot with cold water, +rub it with the ball, dry it, and then rinse it with fair cold water. +This is for _white_ articles. For silks, and worsteds, use French chalk, +which can be procured of the apothecaries. That which is soft and white, +is best. Scrape it on the greased spot, and let it lie for a day and +night. Then renew it, till the spot disappears. Wilmington clay-balls, +are equally good. Ink-spots can often be removed from white clothes, by +rubbing on common tallow, leaving it for a day or two, and then washing, +as usual. Grease can be taken out of wall-paper, by making a paste of +potter's clay, water and ox-gall, and spreading it on the paper. When +dry, renew it, till the spot disappears. + +Stains on floors, from _soot_, or _stove-pipes_, can be removed, by +washing the spot in sulphuric acid and water. Stains, in colored silk +dresses, can often be removed, by pure water. Those made by acids, tea, +wine, and fruits, can often be removed, by spirits of hartshorn, diluted +with an equal quantity of water. Sometimes, it must be repeated, several +times. + +_Tar_, _Pitch_, and _Turpentine_, can be removed, by putting the spot in +sweet-oil, or by spreading tallow on it, and letting it remain for +twenty-four hours. Then, if the article be linen or cotton, wash it, as +usual; if it be silk or worsted, rub it with ether, or spirits of wine. + +_Lamp-Oil_ can be removed, from floors, carpets, and other articles, by +spreading upon the stain a paste, made of fuller's earth or potter's +clay, and renewing it, when dry, till the stain is removed. If gall be +put into the paste, it will preserve the colors from injury. When the +stain has been removed, carefully brush off the paste, with a soft +brush. + +_Oil-Paint_ can be removed, by rubbing it with _very pure_ spirits of +turpentine. The impure spirit leaves a grease-spot. _Wax_ can be +removed, by scraping it off, and then holding a red-hot poker near the +spot. _Spermaceti_ may be removed by scraping it off, then putting a +paper over the spot, and applying a warm iron. If this does not answer, +rub on spirits of wine. + +_Ink-Stains_, in carpets and woollen table-covers, can be removed, by +washing the spot in a liquid, composed of one teaspoonful of oxalic acid +dissolved in a teacupful of warm (not hot) water, and then rinsing in +cold water. + +_Stains on Varnished Articles_, which are caused by cups of hot water, +can be removed, by rubbing them with lamp-oil, and then with alcohol. +Ink-stains can be taken out of mahogany, by one teaspoonful of oil of +vitriol mixed with one tablespoonful of water, or by oxalic acid and +water. These must be brushed over quickly, and then washed off with +milk. + + +_Modes of Cleansing Various Articles._ + +_Silk Handkerchiefs_ and _Ribands_ can be cleansed, by using French +chalk to take out the grease, and then sponging them, on both sides, +with lukewarm fair water. Stiffen them with gum Arabic, and press them +between white paper, with an iron not very hot. A tablespoonful of +spirits of wine to three quarts of water, improves it. + +_Silk Hose_, or _Silk Gloves_, should be washed in warm suds made with +white soap, and rinsed in cold water; they should then be stretched and +rubbed, with a hard-rolled flannel, till they are quite dry. Ironing +them, very much injures their looks. _Washleather_ articles should have +the grease removed from them, by French chalk, or magnesia; they should +then be washed in warm suds, and rinsed in cold water. _White Kid +Gloves_ should have the grease removed from them, as above directed. +They should then be brushed, with a soft brush, and a mixture of +fuller's earth and magnesia. In an hour after, rub them with flannel, +dipped in bran and powdered whiting. _Colored or Hoskin's gloves_ can be +cleansed, very nicely, by _pure_ spirits of turpentine, put on with a +woollen cloth, and rubbed from wrist to fingers. Hang them for several +days in the air, and all the unpleasant smell will be removed. +_Gentlemen's white gloves_ should be washed with a sponge, in +white-soapsuds; then wiped, and dried on the hands. _Swan's-down +tippets, and capes_, should be washed in white-soapsuds, squeezing, and +not rubbing them; then rinse them in two waters, and shake and stretch +them while drying. _Ostrich feathers_ can also be thus washed. Stiffen +them, with starch, wet in cold water and not boiled. Shake them in the +air, till nearly dry, then hold them before the fire, and curl them with +dull scissors, giving each fibre a twitch, turning it inward, and +holding it so for a moment. + +_Straw and Leghorn Hats_, can be cleansed, by simply washing them in +white-soapsuds. Remove grease, by French chalk, and stains, by diluted +oxalic acid, or cream of tartar. The oxalic acid is best, but must be +instantly washed off. _To whiten them_, drive nails in a barrel, near +its bottom, so that cords can be stretched across. On these cords, tie +the bonnet, wet with suds, (having first removed the grease, stains, and +dirt.) Then invert the barrel, over a dish of coals, on which roll +brimstone is slowly burning. Put a chip under one side of the barrel, to +admit the air. Continue this, till the bonnet is white; then hang it in +the air, (when the weather is not damp,) till the smell is removed. Then +stiffen it with a solution of isinglass or gum Arabic, put on the +inside, with a sponge. Press the crown, on a block, and the rest on a +board, on the right side, putting muslin between the iron and straw, and +pressing hard. Be careful not to make it too stiff. First, stiffen a +small piece, for trial. + + +ON COLORING. + +_Precautions and Preparations._ + +All the articles must be entirely free from grease or oil, and also, in +most cases, from soapsuds. Make light dyes in brass, and dark ones in +iron, vessels. Always wet the articles, in fair water, before dyeing. +Always carefully strain the dye. If the color be too light, dry and then +dip the article again. Stir the article well in the dye, lifting it up +often. Remove any previous color, by boiling in suds, or, what is +better, in the soda mixture used for washing. + +_Pink Dye._ Buy a saucer of carmine, at an apothecary's. With it, you +will find directions for its use. This is cheap, easy to use, and +beautiful. _Balm blossoms_ and _Bergamot blossoms_, with a little cream +of tartar in the water, make a pretty pink. + +_Red Dye._ Take half a pound of wheat bran, three ounces of powdered +alum, and two gallons of soft water. Boil these in a brass vessel, and +add an ounce of cream of tartar, and an ounce of cochineal, tied up +together in a bag. Boil the mixture for fifteen minutes, then strain it, +and dip the articles. Brazil wood, set with alum, makes another red dye. + +_Yellow Dye._ Fustic, turmeric powder, saffron, barberry-bush, +peach-leaves, or marigold flowers, make a yellow dye. Set the dye with +alum, putting a piece the size of a large hazelnut to each quart of +water. + +_Light Blue Dye_, for silks and woollens, is made with the 'blue +composition,' to be procured of the hat-makers; fifteen drops to a quart +of water. Articles dipped in this, must be thoroughly rinsed. For a +_dark blue_, boil four ounces of copperas in two gallons of water. Dip +the articles in this, and then in a strong decoction of logwood, boiled +and strained. Then wash them thoroughly in soapsuds. + +_Green Dye._ First color the article yellow; and then, if it be silk or +woollen, dip it in 'blue composition.' Instead of ironing, rub it with +flannel, while drying. + +_Salmon Color_ is made by boiling arnotto or anotta in soapsuds. + +_Buff Color_ is made by putting one teacupful of potash, tied in a bag, +in two gallons of hot (not boiling) water, and adding an ounce of +arnotto, also in a bag, keeping it in for half an hour. First, wet the +article in strong potash-water. Dry and then rinse in soapsuds. Birch +bark and alum also make a buff. Black alder, set with ley, makes an +orange color. + +_Dove and Slate Colors_, of all shades, are made by boiling, in an iron +vessel, a teacupful of black tea, with a teaspoonful of copperas. Dilute +this, till you get the shade wanted. Purple sugar-paper, boiled, and set +with alum, makes a similar color. + +_Brown Dye._ Boil half a pound of camwood (in a bag) in two gallons of +water, for fifteen minutes. Wet the articles, and boil them for a few +minutes in the dye. White-walnut bark, the bark of sour sumach, or of +white maple, set with alum, make a brown color. + +_Black Dye._ Let one pound of chopped logwood remain all night in one +gallon of vinegar. Then boil them, and put in a piece of copperas, as +large as a hen's egg. Wet the articles in warm water, and put them in +the dye, boiling and stirring them for fifteen minutes. Dry them, then +wet them in warm water, and dip them again. Repeat the process, till the +articles are black enough. Wash them in suds, and rinse them till the +water comes off clear. Iron nails, boiled in vinegar, make a black dye, +which is good for restoring rusty black silks. + +_Olive Color._ Boil fustic and yellow-oak bark together. The more +fustic, the brighter the olive; the more oak bark, the darker the shade. +Set the light shade with a few drops of oil of vitriol, and the dark +shade with copperas. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +ON THE CARE OF PARLORS. + + +In selecting the furniture of parlors, some reference should be had to +correspondence of shades and colors. Curtains should be darker than the +walls; and, if the walls and carpets be light, the chairs should be +dark, and _vice versa_. Pictures always look best on light walls. + +In selecting carpets, for rooms much used, it is poor economy to buy +cheap ones. _Ingrain_ carpets, of close texture, and the _three-ply_ +carpets, are best for common use. _Brussels_ carpets do not wear so long +as the three-ply ones, because they cannot be turned. _Wilton_ carpets +wear badly, and _Venetians_ are good only for halls and stairs. + +In selecting colors, avoid those in which there are any black threads; +as they are always rotten. The most tasteful carpets, are those, which +are made of various shades of the same color, or of all shades of only +two colors; such as brown and yellow, or blue and buff, or salmon and +green, or all shades of green, or of brown. All very dark shades should +be brown or green, but not black. + +In laying down carpets, it is a bad practice to put straw under them, as +this makes them wear out in spots. Straw matting, laid under carpets, +makes them last much longer, as it is smooth and even, and the dust +sifts through it. In buying carpets, always get a few yards over, to +allow for waste in matching figures. + +In cutting carpets, make them three or four inches shorter than the +room, to allow for stretching. Begin to cut _in the middle_ of a figure, +and it will usually match better. Many carpets match in two different +ways, and care must be taken to get the right one. Sew a carpet on the +wrong side, with double waxed thread, and with the _ball-stitch_. This +is done by taking a stitch on the breadth next you, pointing the needle +towards you; and then taking a stitch on the other breadth, pointing the +needle from you. Draw the thread tightly, but not so as to pucker. In +fitting a breadth to the hearth, cut slits in the right place, and turn +the piece under. Bind _the whole_ of the carpet, with carpet-binding, +nail it with tacks, having bits of leather under the heads. To stretch +the carpet, use a carpet-fork, which is a long stick, ending with +notched tin, like saw-teeth. This is put in the edge of the carpet, and +pushed by one person, while the nail is driven by another. Cover blocks, +or bricks, with carpeting, like that of the room, and put them behind +tables, doors, sofas, &c., to preserve the walls from injury, by +knocking, or by the dusting-cloth. + +Cheap footstools, made of a square plank, covered with tow-cloth, +stuffed, and then covered with carpeting, with worsted handles, look +very well. Sweep carpets as seldom as possible, as it wears them out. To +shake them often, is good economy. In cleaning carpets, use damp tea +leaves, or wet Indian meal, throwing it about, and rubbing it over with +the broom. The latter, is very good for cleansing carpets made dingy by +coal-dust. In brushing carpets in ordinary use, it will be found very +convenient to use a large flat dust-pan, with a perpendicular handle a +yard high, put on so that the pan will stand alone. This can be carried +about, and used without stooping, brushing dust into it with a common +broom. The pan must be very large, or it will be upset. + +When carpets are taken up, they should be hung on a line, or laid on +long grass, and whipped, first on one side, and then on the other, with +pliant whips. If laid aside, they should be sewed up tight, in linen, +having snuff or tobacco put along all the crevices where moths could +enter. Shaking pepper, from a pepper-box, round the edge of the floor, +under a carpet, prevents the access of moths. + +Carpets can be best washed on the floor, thus: First shake them; and +then, after cleaning the floor, stretch and nail them upon it. Then +scrub them in cold soapsuds, having half a teacupful of ox-gall to a +bucket of water. Then wash off the suds, with a cloth, in fair water. +Set open the doors and windows, for two days or more. Imperial Brussels, +Venetian, ingrain, and three-ply, carpets, can be washed thus; but +Wilton, and other plush-carpets, cannot. Before washing them, take out +grease, with a paste, made of potter's clay, ox-gall, and water. + +Straw matting is best for chambers and Summer parlors. The checked, of +two colors, is not so good to wear. The best, is the cheapest in the +end. When washed, it should be done with salt water, wiping it dry; but +frequent washing injures it. Bind matting with cotton binding. Sew +breadths together like carpeting. In joining the ends of pieces, ravel +out a part, and tie the threads together, turning under a little of each +piece, and then, laying the ends close, nail them down, with nails +having kid under their heads. + +In hanging pictures, put them so that the lower part shall be opposite +the eye. Cleanse the glass of pictures with whiting, as water endangers +the pictures. Gilt frames can be much better preserved by putting on a +coat of copal varnish, which, with proper brushes, can be bought of +carriage or cabinet-makers. When dry, it can be washed with fair water. +Wash the brush in spirits of turpentine. + +Curtains, ottomans, and sofas covered with worsted, can be cleansed, by +wheat-bran, rubbed on with flannel. Dust Venetian blinds with feather +brushes. Buy light-colored ones, as the green are going out of fashion. +Strips of linen or cotton, on rollers and pulleys, are much in use, to +shut out the sun from curtains and carpets. Paper curtains, pasted on +old cotton, are good for chambers. Put them on rollers, having cords +nailed to them, so that when the curtain falls, the cord will be wound +up. Then, by pulling the cord, the curtain will be rolled up. + +Mahogany furniture should be made in the Spring, and stand some months +before it is used, or it will shrink and warp. Varnished furniture +should be rubbed only with silk, except occasionally, when a little +sweet-oil should be rubbed over, and wiped off carefully. For +unvarnished furniture, use beeswax, a little softened with sweet-oil; +rub it in with a hard brush, and polish with woollen and silk rags. Some +persons rub in linseed-oil; others mix beeswax with a little spirits of +turpentine and rosin, making it so that it can be put on with a sponge, +and wiped off with a soft rag. Others, keep in a bottle the following +mixture; two ounces of spirits of turpentine, four tablespoonfuls of +sweet-oil, and one quart of milk. This is applied with a sponge, and +wiped off with a linen rag. + +Hearths and jambs, of brick, look best painted over with blacklead, +mixed with soft-soap. Wash the bricks which are nearest the fire with +redding and milk, using a painter's brush. A sheet of zinc, covering the +whole hearth, is cheap, saves work, and looks very well. A tinman can +fit it properly. + +Stone hearths should be rubbed with a paste of powdered stone, (to be +procured of the stonecutters,) and then brushed with a stiff brush. +Kitchen-hearths, of stone, are improved by rubbing in lamp-oil. + +Stains can be removed from marble, by oxalic acid and water, or oil of +vitriol and water, left on fifteen minutes, and then rubbed dry. Gray +marble is improved by linseed-oil. Grease can be taken from marble, by +ox-gall and potter's clay wet with soapsuds, (a gill of each.) It is +better to add, also, a gill of spirits of turpentine. It improves the +looks of marble, to cover it with this mixture, leaving it two days, and +then rubbing it off. + +Unless a parlor is in constant use, it is best to sweep it only once a +week, and at other times use a whisk-broom and dust-pan. When a parlor +with handsome furniture is to be swept, cover the sofas, centre table, +piano, books, and mantelpiece, with old cottons, kept for the purpose. +Remove the rugs, and shake them, and clean the jambs, hearth, and +fire-furniture. Then sweep the room, moving every article. Dust the +furniture, with a dust-brush and a piece of old silk. A painter's brush +should be kept, to remove dust from ledges and crevices. The dust-cloths +should be often shaken and washed, or else they will soil the walls and +furniture when they are used. Dust ornaments, and fine books, with +feather brushes, kept for the purpose. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +ON THE CARE OF BREAKFAST AND DINING-ROOMS. + + +An eating-room should have in it a large closet, with drawers and +shelves, in which should be kept all the articles used at meals. This, +if possible, should communicate with the kitchen, by a sliding window, +or by a door, and have in it a window, and also a small sink, made of +marble or lined with zinc, which will be a great convenience for washing +nice articles. If there be a dumb-waiter, it is best to have it +connected with such a closet. It may be so contrived, that, when it is +down, it shall form part of the closet floor. + +A table-rug, or crumb-cloth, is useful to save carpets from injury. +Bocking, or baize, is best. Always spread the same side up, or the +carpet will be soiled by the rug. Table-mats are needful, to prevent +injury to the table from the warm dishes. Teacup-mats, or small plates, +are useful to save the table-cloths from dripping tea or coffee. +Butter-knives, for the butter-plate, and salt-spoons, for salt-dishes, +are designed to prevent those disgusting marks which are made, when +persons use their own knives, to take salt or butter. A sugar-spoon +should be kept in or by the sugar-dish, for the same purpose. +Table-napkins, of diaper, are often laid by each person's plate, for +use during the meal, to save the tablecloth and pocket-handkerchief. To +preserve the same napkin for the same person, each member of the family +has a given number, and the napkins are numbered to correspond, or else +are slipped into ivory rings, which are numbered. A stranger has a clean +one, at each meal. Tablecloths should be well starched, and ironed on +the right side, and always, when taken off, folded in the ironed +creases. _Doilies_ are colored napkins, which, when fruit is offered, +should always be furnished, to prevent a person from staining a nice +handkerchief, or permitting the fruit-juice to dry on the fingers. + +Casters and salt-stands should be put in order, every morning, when +washing the breakfast things. Always, if possible, provide _fine_ and +_dry_ table-salt, as many persons are much disgusted with that which is +dark, damp, and coarse. Be careful to keep salad-oil closely corked, or +it will grow rancid. Never leave the salt-spoons in the salt, nor the +mustard-spoon in the mustard, as they are thereby injured. Wipe them, +immediately after the meal. + +For table-furniture, French china is deemed the nicest, but it is liable +to the objection of having plates, so made, that salt, butter, and +similar articles, will not lodge on the edge, but slip into the centre. +Select knives and forks, which have weights in the handles, so that, +when laid down, they will not touch the table. Those with rivetted +handles last longer than any others. Horn handles (except buckhorn) are +very poor. The best are cheapest in the end. Knives should be sharpened +once a month, unless they are kept sharp by the mode of scouring. + + +_On Setting Tables._ + +Neat housekeepers observe the manner in which a table is set more than +any thing else; and to a person of good taste, few things are more +annoying, than to see the table placed askew; the tablecloth soiled, +rumpled, and put on awry; the plates, knives, and dishes thrown about, +without any order; the pitchers soiled on the outside, and sometimes +within; the tumblers dim; the caster out of order; the butter pitched on +the plate, without any symmetry; the salt coarse, damp, and dark; the +bread cut in a mixture of junks and slices; the dishes of food set on at +random, and without mats; the knives dark or rusty, and their handles +greasy; the tea-furniture all out of order, and every thing in similar +style. And yet, many of these negligences will be met with, at the +tables of persons who call themselves well bred, and who have wealth +enough to make much outside show. One reason for this, is, the great +difficulty of finding domestics, who will attend to these things in a +proper manner, and who, after they have been repeatedly instructed, will +not neglect nor forget what has been said to them. The writer has known +cases, where much has been gained by placing the following rules in +plain sight, in the place where the articles for setting tables are +kept. + + +_Rules for setting a Table._ + +1. Lay the rug square with the room, and also smooth and even; then set +the table also square with the room, and see that the _legs_ are in the +right position to support the leaves. + +2. Lay the tablecloth square with the table, _right side up_, smooth, +and even. + +3. Put on the teatray (for breakfast or tea) square with the table; set +the cups and saucers at the front side of the teatray, and the sugar, +slop-bowls, and cream-cup, at the back side. Lay the sugar-spoon or +tongs on the sugar-bowl. + +4. Lay the plates around the table, at equal intervals, and the knives +and forks at regular distances, each in the same particular manner, with +a cup-mat, or cup-plate, to each, and a napkin at the right side of each +person. + +5. If meat be used, set the caster and salt-cellars in the centre of the +table; then lay mats for the dishes, and place the carving-knife and +fork and steel by the master of the house. Set the butter on two plates, +one on either side, with a butter-knife by each. + +6. Set the tea or coffee-pot on a mat, at the right hand of the teatray, +(if there be not room upon it.) Then place the chairs around the table, +and call the family. + + +_For Dinner._ + +1. Place the rug, table, tablecloth, plates, knives and forks, and +napkins, as before directed, with a tumbler by each plate. In cold +weather, set the plates where they will be warmed. + +2. Put the caster in the centre, and the salt-stands at two oblique +corners, of the table, the latter between two large spoons crossed. If +more spoons be needed, lay them on each side of the caster, crossed. Set +the pitcher on a mat, either at a side-table, or, when there is no +waiter, on the dining-table. Water looks best in glass decanters. + +3. Set the bread on the table, when there is no waiter. Some take a +fork, and lay a piece on the napkin or tumbler by each plate. Others +keep it in a tray, covered with a white napkin to keep off flies. Bread +for dinner is often cut in small junks, and not in slices. + +4. Set the principal dish before the master of the house, and the other +dishes in a regular manner. Put the carving-knife, fork, and steel, by +the principal dish, and also a knife-rest, if one be used. + +5. Put a small knife and fork by the pickles, and also by any other +dishes which need them. Then place the chairs. + + +_On Waiting at Table._ + +A domestic, who waits on the table, should be required to keep the hair +and hands in neat order, and have on a clean apron. A small teatray +should be used to carry cups and plates. The waiter should announce the +meal (when ready) to the mistress of the family, then stand by the +eating-room door, till all are in, then close the door, and step to the +left side of the lady of the house. When all are seated, the waiter +should remove the covers, taking care first to invert them, so as not to +drop the steam on the tablecloth or guests. In presenting articles, go +to the left side of the person. In pouring water never entirely fill the +tumbler. The waiter should notice when bread or water is wanting, and +hand it without being called. When plates are changed, be careful not to +drop knives or forks. Brush off crumbs, with a crumb-brush, into a small +waiter. + +When there is no domestic waiter, a light table should be set at the +left side of the mistress of the house, on which the bread, water, and +other articles not in immediate use, can be placed. + + +_On Carving and Helping at Table._ + +It is considered an accomplishment for a lady to know how to carve well, +at her own table. It is not proper to stand in carving. The +carving-knife should be sharp and thin. To carve fowls, (which should +always be laid with the breast uppermost,) place the fork in the breast, +and take off the wings and legs without turning the fowl; then cut out +the merry thought, cut slices from the breast, take out the collar bone, +cut off the side pieces, and then cut the carcass in two. Divide the +joints in the leg of a turkey. + +In helping the guests, when no choice is expressed, give a piece of both +the white and dark meat, with some of the stuffing. Inquire whether the +guest will be helped to each kind of vegetable, and put the gravy on the +plate, and not on any article of food. + +In carving a sirloin, cut thin slices from the side next to you, (it +must be put on the dish with the tenderloin underneath;) then turn it, +and cut from the tenderloin Help the guest to both kinds. + +In carving a leg of mutton, or a ham, begin by cutting across the +middle, to the bone. Cut a tongue across, and not lengthwise, and help +from the middle part. + +Carve a forequarter of lamb, by separating the shoulder from the ribs, +and then dividing the ribs. To carve a loin of veal, begin at the +smaller end and separate the ribs. Help each one to a piece of the +kidney and its fat. Carve pork and mutton in the same way. + +To carve a fillet of veal, begin at the top, and help to the stuffing +with each slice. In a breast of veal, separate the breast and brisket, +and then cut them up, asking which part is preferred. In carving a pig, +it is customary to divide it, and take off the head, before it comes to +the table; as, to many persons, the head is very revolting. Cut off the +limbs, and divide the ribs. In carving venison, make a deep incision +down to the bone, to let out the juices; then turn the broad end of the +haunch towards you, cutting deep, in thin slices. For a saddle of +venison, cut from the tail towards the other end, on each side, in thin +slices. Warm plates are very necessary, with venison and mutton, and in +Winter, are desirable for all meats. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +ON THE CARE OF CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS. + + +Every mistress of a family should see, not only that all sleeping-rooms +in her house _can be_ well ventilated at night, but that they actually +are so. Where there is no open fireplace to admit the pure air from the +exterior, a door should be left open into an entry, or room where fresh +air is admitted; or else a small opening should be made in a window, +taking care not to allow a draught of air to cross the bed. The debility +of childhood, the lassitude of domestics, and the ill-health of +families, are often caused by neglecting to provide a supply of pure +air. Straw matting is best for a chamber carpet, and strips of woollen +carpeting may be laid by the side of the bed. Where chambers have no +closets, a _wardrobe_ is indispensable. This is a moveable closet, with +doors, divided, by a perpendicular partition, into two apartments. In +one division, rows of hooks are placed, on which to hang dresses. The +other division is fitted up with shelves, for other uses. Some are made +with drawers at the bottom for shoes, and such like articles. A low +square box, set on casters, with a cushion on the top, and a drawer on +one side to put shoes in, is a great convenience in dressing the feet. +An old champaigne basket, fitted up with a cushion on the lid, and a +valance fastened to it to cover the sides, can be used for the same +purpose. + +A comfortable couch, for chambers and sitting-rooms, can be made by a +common carpenter, at a small expense. Have a frame made (like the +annexed engraving, Fig. 38,) of common stuff, six feet long, +twenty-eight inches wide, and twelve inches high. It must be made thus +low, because the casters and cushions will raise it several inches. Have +the sloping side-piece, _a_, and head-piece, _b_, sawed out of a board; +nail brown linen on them, and stuff them with soft hay or hair. Let +these be screwed to the frame, and covered with furniture patch. Then +let slats be nailed across the bottom, as at _c_, _c_, four inches +apart. This will cost two or three dollars. Then make a thick cushion, +of hay or straw, with side strips, like a mattress, and lay this for the +under-cushion. To put over this, make a thinner cushion, of hair, cover +it with furniture-calico, and fasten to it a valance reaching to the +floor. Then make two square pillows, and cover them with calico, like +the rest. Both the cushions should be stitched through like mattresses. + +[Illustration: Fig. 38.] + +The writer has seen a couch of this kind, in a common parlor, which +cost less than eight dollars, was much admired, and was a constant +comfort to the feeble mother, as well as many other members of the +family. + +Another convenience, for a room where sewing is done in Summer, is a +fancy-jar, set in one corner, to receive clippings, and any other +rubbish. It can be covered with prints, or paintings, and varnished; and +then looks very prettily. + +The trunks in a chamber can be improved in looks and comfort, by making +cushions of the same size and shape, stuffed with hay and covered with +chintz, with a frill reaching nearly to the floor. + +Every bedchamber should have a washstand, bowl, pitcher, and tumbler, +with a washbucket under the stand, to receive slops. A light screen, +made like a clothes-frame, and covered with paper or chintz, should be +furnished for bedrooms occupied by two persons, so that ablutions can be +performed in privacy. It can be ornamented, so as to look well anywhere. +A little frame, or towel-horse, by the washstand, on which to dry +towels, is a convenience. A washstand should be furnished with a sponge +or washcloth, and a small towel, for wiping the basin after using it. +This should be hung on the washstand or towel-horse, for constant use. A +soap-dish, and a dish for toothbrushes, are neat and convenient, and +each person should be furnished with two towels; one for the feet, and +one for other purposes. + +It is in good taste to have the curtains, bedquilt, valance, and +window-curtains, of similar materials. In making featherbeds, +side-pieces should be put in, like those of mattresses, and the bed +should be well filled, so that a person will not be buried in a hollow, +which is not healthful, save in extremely cold weather. Featherbeds +should never be used, except in cold weather. At other times, a thin +mattress of hair, cotton and moss, or straw, should be put over them. A +simple strip of broad straw matting, spread over a featherbed, answers +the same purpose. Nothing is more debilitating, than, in warm weather, +to sleep with a featherbed pressing round the greater part of the body. +Pillows stuffed with papers an inch square, are good for Summer, +especially for young children, whose heads should be kept cool. The +cheapest and best covering of a bed, for Winter, is a _cotton +comforter_, made to contain three or four pounds of cotton, laid in +batts or sheets, between covers tacked together at regular intervals. +They should be three yards square, and less cotton should be put at the +sides that are tucked in. It is better to have two thin comforters, to +each bed, than one thick one; as then the covering can be regulated +according to the weather. + +Few domestics will make a bed properly, without much attention from the +mistress of the family. The following directions should be given to +those who do this work. + +Open the windows, and lay off the bed-covering, on two chairs, at the +foot of the bed. After the bed is well aired, shake the feathers, from +each corner to the middle; then take up the middle, and shake it well, +and turn the bed over. Then push the feathers in place, making the head +higher than the foot, and the sides even, and as high as the middle +part. Then put on the bolster and the under sheet, so that the wrong +side of the sheet shall go next the bed, and the _marking_ come at the +head, tucking in all around. Then put on the pillows, even, so that the +open ends shall come to the sides of the bed, and then spread on the +upper sheet, so that the wrong side shall be next the blankets, and the +marked end at the head. This arrangement of sheets is to prevent the +part where the feet lie from being reversed, so as to come to the face, +and also to prevent the parts soiled by the body from coming to the +bedtick and blankets. Then put on the other covering, except the outer +one, tucking in all around, and then turn over the upper sheet, at the +head, so as to show a part of the pillows. When the pillow-cases are +clean and smooth, they look best outside of the cover, but not +otherwise. Then draw the hand along the side of the pillows, to make an +even indentation, and then smooth and shape the whole outside. A nice +housekeeper always notices the manner in which a bed is made; and in +some parts of the Country, it is rare to see this work properly +performed. + +The writer would here urge every mistress of a family, who keeps more +than one domestic, to provide them with single beds, that they may not +be obliged to sleep with all the changing domestics, who come and go so +often. Where the room is too small for two beds, a narrow trucklebed +under another, will answer. Domestics should be furnished with washing +conveniences in their chambers, and be encouraged to keep their persons +and rooms neat and in order. + + +_On Packing and Storing Articles._ + +Fold a gentleman's coat, thus:--Lay it on a table or bed, the inside +downward, and unroll the collar. Double each sleeve once, making the +crease at the elbow, and laying them so as to make the fewest wrinkles, +and parallel with the skirts. Turn the fronts over the back and sleeves, +and then turn up the skirts, making all as smooth as possible. + +Fold a shirt, thus:--One that has a bosom-piece inserted, lay on a bed, +bosom downward. Fold each sleeve twice, and lay it parallel with the +sides of the shirt. Turn the two sides, with the sleeves, over the +middle part, and then turn up the bottom, with two folds. This makes the +collar and bosom lie, unpressed, on the outside. + +Fold a frock thus:--Lay its front downward, so as to make the first +creases in folding come in the side breadths. To do this, find the +middle of the side breadths by first putting the middle of the front and +back breadths together. Next, fold over the side creases so as just to +meet the slit behind. Then fold the skirt again, so as to make the +backs lie together within and the fronts without. Then arrange the +waist and sleeves, and fold the skirt around them. + +In packing trunks, for travelling, put all heavy articles at the bottom, +covered with paper, which should not be printed, as the ink rubs off. +Put coats and pantaloons into linen cases, made for the purpose, and +furnished with strings. Fill all crevices with small articles; as, if a +trunk is not full, nor tightly packed, its contents will be shaken +about, and get injured. A thin box, the exact size of the trunk, with a +lid, and covered with brown linen, is a great convenience, to set +inside, on the top of the trunk, to contain light articles which would +be injured by tight packing. Have straps, with buckles, fastened to the +inside, near the bottom, long enough to come up and buckle over this +box. By this means, when a trunk is not quite full, this box can be +strapped over so tight, as to keep the articles from rubbing. +Under-clothing packs closer, by being rolled tightly, instead of being +folded. + +Bonnet-boxes, made of light wood, with a lock and key, are better than +the paper bandboxes so annoying to travellers. Carpet bags are very +useful, to carry the articles to be used on a journey. The best ones +have sides inserted, iron rims, and a lock and key. A large silk +travelling-bag, with a double linen lining, in which are stitched +receptacles for toothbrush, combs, and other small articles, is a very +convenient article for use when travelling. + +A bonnet-cover, made of some thin material, like a large hood with a +cape, is useful to draw over the bonnet and neck, to keep off dust, sun, +and sparks from a steam engine. Green veils are very apt to stain +bonnets, when damp. + +In packing household furniture, for moving, have each box numbered, and +then have a book, in which, as each box is packed, note down the number +of the box, and the order in which its contents are packed, as this will +save much labor and perplexity when unpacking. In packing china and +glass, wrap each article, separately, in paper, and put soft hay or +straw at bottom and all around each. Put the heaviest articles at the +bottom; and on the top of the box, write, "This side up." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +ON THE CARE OF THE KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM. + + +If parents wish their daughters to grow up with good domestic habits, +they should have, as one means of securing this result, a neat and +cheerful kitchen. A kitchen should always, if possible, be entirely +above ground, and well lighted. It should have a large sink, with a +drain running under ground, so that all the premises may be kept sweet +and clean. If flowers and shrubs be cultivated, around the doors and +windows, and the yard near them be kept well turfed, it will add very +much to their agreeable appearance. The walls should often be cleaned +and whitewashed, to promote a neat look and pure air. The floor of a +kitchen should be painted, or, which is better, covered with an +oilcloth. To procure a kitchen oilcloth as cheaply as possible, buy +cheap tow cloth, and fit it to the size and shape of the kitchen. Then +have it stretched, and nailed to the south side of the barn, and, with a +brush, cover it with a coat of thin rye paste. When this is dry, put on +a coat of yellow paint, and let it dry for a fortnight. It is safest to +first try the paint, and see if it dries well, as some paint never will +dry. Then put on a second coat, and at the end of another fortnight, a +third coat. Then let it hang two months, and it will last, uninjured, +for many years. The longer the paint is left to dry, the better. If +varnished, it will last much longer. + +A sink should be scalded out every day, and occasionally with hot ley. +On nails, over the sink, should be hung three good dish-cloths, hemmed, +and furnished with loops; one for dishes not greasy, one for greasy +dishes, and one for washing pots and kettles. These should be put in the +wash every week. The lady who insists upon this, will not be annoyed by +having her dishes washed with dark, musty, and greasy, rags, as is too +frequently the case. + +Under the sink should be kept a slop-pail; and, on a shelf by it, a +soap-dish and two water-pails. A large boiler, of warm soft water, +should always be kept over the fire, well covered, and a hearth-broom +and bellows be hung near the fire. A clock is a very important article +in the kitchen, in order to secure regularity at meals. + + +_On Washing Dishes._ + +No item of domestic labor is so frequently done in a negligent manner, +by domestics, as this. A full supply of conveniences, will do much +toward a remedy of this evil. A swab, made of strips of linen, tied to a +stick, is useful to wash nice dishes, especially small, deep articles. +Two or three towels, and three dish-cloths, should be used. Two large +tin tubs, painted on the outside, should be provided; one for washing, +and one for rinsing; also, a large old waiter, on which to drain the +dishes. A soap-dish, with hard soap, and a fork, with which to use it, a +slop-pail, and two pails for water, should also be furnished. Then, if +there be danger of neglect, the following rules for washing dishes, +legibly written, may be hung up by the sink, and it will aid in +promoting the desired care and neatness. + + +_Rules for Washing Dishes._ + +1. Scrape the dishes, putting away any food which may remain on them, +and which it may be proper to save for future use. Put grease into the +grease-pot, and whatever else may be on the plates, into the slop-pail. +Save tea-leaves, for sweeping. Set all the dishes, when scraped, in +regular piles; the smallest at the top. + +2. Put the nicest articles in the wash-dish, and wash them in hot suds, +with the swab or nicest dish-cloth. Wipe all metal articles, as soon as +they are washed. Put all the rest into the rinsing-dish, which should +be filled with hot water. When they are taken out, lay them to drain on +the waiter. Then rinse the dish-cloth, and hang it up, wipe the articles +washed, and put them in their places. + +3. Pour in more hot water, wash the greasy dishes with the dish-cloth +made for them; rinse them, and set them to drain. Wipe them, and set +them away. Wash the knives and forks, _being careful that the handles +are never put in water_; wipe them, and then lay them in a knife-dish, +to be scoured. + +4. Take a fresh supply of clean suds, in which, wash the milk-pans, +buckets, and tins. Then rinse and hang up this dish-cloth, and take the +other; with which, wash the roaster, gridiron, pots, and kettles. Then +wash and rinse the dish-cloth, and hang it up. Empty the slop-bucket and +scald it. Dry metal teapots and tins before the fire. Then put the +fireplace in order, and sweep and dust the kitchen. + +Some persons keep a deep and narrow vessel, in which to wash knives with +a swab, so that a careless domestic _cannot_ lay them in the water while +washing them. This article can be carried into the eating-room, to +receive the knives and forks, when they are taken from the table. + + +_Kitchen Furniture._ + +_Crockery._ Brown earthen pans are said to be best, for milk and for +cooking. Tin pans are lighter, and more convenient, but are too cold for +many purposes. Tall earthen jars, with covers, are good to hold butter, +salt, lard, &c. Acids should never be put into the red earthen ware, as +there is a poisonous ingredient in the glazing, which the acid takes +off. Stone ware is better, and stronger, and safer, every way, than any +other kind. + +_Iron Ware._ Many kitchens are very imperfectly supplied with the +requisite conveniences for cooking. When a person has sufficient means, +the following articles are all desirable. A nest of iron pots, of +different sizes, (they should be slowly heated, when new;) a long iron +fork, to take out articles from boiling water; an iron hook, with a +handle, to lift pots from the crane; a large and small gridiron, with +grooved bars, and a trench to catch the grease; a Dutch oven, called, +also, a bakepan; two skillets, of different sizes, and a spider, or flat +skillet, for frying; a griddle, a waffle-iron, tin and iron bake and +bread-pans; two ladles, of different sizes; a skimmer; iron skewers; a +toasting-iron; two teakettles, one small and one large one; two brass +kettles, of different sizes, for soap-boiling, &c. Iron kettles, lined +with porcelain, are better for preserves. The German are the best. Too +hot a fire will crack them, but with care in this respect, they will +last for many years. + +Portable furnaces, of iron or clay, are very useful, in Summer, in +washing, ironing, and stewing, or making preserves. If used in the +house, a strong draught must be made, to prevent the deleterious effects +of the charcoal. A box and mill, for spice, pepper, and coffee, are +needful to those who use these articles. Strong knives and forks, a +sharp carving-knife, an iron cleaver and board, a fine saw, steelyards, +chopping-tray and knife, an apple-parer, steel for sharpening knives, +sugar-nippers, a dozen iron spoons, also a large iron one with a long +handle, six or eight flatirons, one of them very small, two iron-stands, +a ruffle-iron, a crimping-iron, are also desirable. + +_Tin Ware._ Bread-pans, large and small pattypans, cake-pans, with a +centre tube to insure their baking well, pie-dishes, (of block-tin,) a +covered butter-kettle, covered kettles to hold berries, two sauce-pans, +a large oil-can, (with a cock,) a lamp-filler, a lantern, broad-bottomed +candlesticks for the kitchen, a candle-box, a funnel or tunnel, a +reflector, for baking warm cakes, an oven or tin-kitchen, an +apple-corer, an apple-roaster, an egg-boiler, two sugar-scoops, and +flour and meal-scoop, a set of mugs, three dippers, a pint, quart, and +gallon measure, a set of scales and weights, three or four pails, +painted on the outside, a slop-bucket, with a tight cover, painted on +the outside, a milk-strainer, a gravy-strainer, a colander, a +dredging-box, a pepper-box, a large and small grater, a box, in which to +keep cheese, also a large one for cake, and a still larger one for +bread, with tight covers. Bread, cake, and cheese, shut up in this way, +will not grow dry as in the open air. + +_Wooden Ware._ A nest of tubs, a set of pails and bowls, a large and +small sieve, a beetle for mashing potatoes, a spad or stick for stirring +butter and sugar, a bread-board, for moulding bread and making +pie-crust, a coffee-stick, a clothes-stick, a mush-stick, a meat-beetle +to pound tough meat, an egg-beater, a ladle for working butter, a +bread-trough, (for a large family,) flour-buckets, with lids to hold +sifted flour and Indian meal, salt-boxes, sugar-boxes, starch and +indigo-boxes, spice-boxes, a bosom-board, a skirt-board, a large +ironing-board, two or three clothes-frames, and six dozen clothes-pins. + +_Basket Ware._ Baskets, of all sizes, for eggs, fruit, marketing, +clothes, &c.; also chip-baskets. When often used, they should be washed +in hot suds. + +_Other Articles._ Every kitchen needs a box containing balls of brown +thread and twine, a large and small darning needle, rolls of waste-paper +and old linen and cotton, and a supply of common holders. There should +also be another box, containing a hammer, carpet-tacks, and nails of all +sizes, a carpet-claw, screws and a screw-driver, pincers, gimlets of +several sizes, a bed-screw, a small saw, two chisels, (one to use for +buttonholes in broadcloth,) two awls, and two files. + +In a drawer, or cupboard, should be placed, cotton table-cloths, for +kitchen use, nice crash towels, for tumblers, marked, T T; coarser +towels, for dishes, marked, T; six large roller-towels; a dozen +hand-towels, marked, H T; and a dozen hemmed dish-cloths, with loops. +Also, two thick linen pudding or dumpling-cloths, a gelly-bag, made of +white flannel, to strain gelly, a starch-strainer, and a bag for boiling +clothes. + +In a closet, should be kept, arranged in order, the following articles: +the dust-pan, dust-brush, and dusting-cloths, old flannel and cotton for +scouring and rubbing, sponges for washing windows and looking-glasses, a +long brush for cobwebs, and another for washing the outside of windows, +whisk-brooms, common brooms, a coat-broom or brush, a whitewash-brush, a +stove-brush, shoebrushes and blacking, articles for cleaning tin and +silver, leather for cleaning metals, bottles containing stain-mixtures, +and other articles used in cleansing. + + +ON THE CARE OF THE CELLAR. + +A cellar should often be whitewashed, to keep it sweet. It should have a +drain, to keep it perfectly dry, as standing water, in a cellar, is a +sure cause of disease in a family. It is very dangerous to leave decayed +vegetables in a cellar. Many a fever has been caused, by the poisonous +miasm thus generated. The following articles are desirable in a cellar: +a safe, or moveable closet, with sides of wire or perforated tin, in +which cold meats, cream, and other articles should be kept; (if ants be +troublesome, set the legs in tin cups of water;) a refrigerator, or +large wooden box, on feet, with a lining of tin or zinc, and a space +between the tin and wood filled with powdered charcoal, having at the +bottom, a place for ice, a drain to carry off the water, and also +moveable shelves and partitions. In this, articles are kept cool. It +should be cleaned, once a week. Filtering jars, to purify water, should +also be kept in the cellar. Fish and cabbages, in a cellar, are apt to +scent a house, and give a bad taste to other articles. + + +STOREROOM. + +Every house needs a storeroom, in which to keep tea, coffee, sugar, +rice, candles, &c. It should be furnished with jars, having labels, a +large spoon, a fork, sugar and flour-scoops, a towel, and a dish-cloth. + + +_Modes of destroying Insects and Vermin._ + +_Bed-bugs_ should be kept away, by filling every chink in the bedstead +with putty, and, if it be old, painting it over. Of all the mixtures for +killing them, _corrosive sublimate and alcohol_ is the surest. This is a +strong poison. + +_Cockroaches_ may be destroyed, by pouring boiling water into their +haunts, or setting a mixture of arsenic, mixed with Indian meal and +molasses, where they are found. Chloride of lime and sweetened water +will also poison them. + +_Fleas._ If a dog be infested with these insects, put him in a tub of +warm soapsuds, and they will rise to the surface. Take them off, and +burn them. Strong perfumes, about the person, diminish their attacks. +When caught between the fingers, plunge them in water, or they will +escape. + +_Crickets._ Scalding, and sprinkling Scotch snuff about the haunts of +these insects, are remedies for the annoyance caused by them. + +_Flies_ can be killed, in great quantities, by placing about the house +vessels, filled with sweetened water and _cobalt_. Six cents worth of +cobalt is enough for a pint of water. It is very poisonous. + +_Musquitoes._ Close nets around a bed, are the only sure protection at +night, against these insects. Spirit of hartshorn is the best antidote +for their bite. Salt and water is good. + +_Red_ or _Black Ants_ may be driven away, by scalding their haunts, and +putting Scotch snuff wherever they go for food. Set the legs of closets +and safes in pans of water, and they cannot get at them. + +_Moths._ Airing clothes does not destroy moths, but laying them in a hot +sun does. If articles be tightly sewed up in linen, and fine tobacco be +put about them, it is a sure protection. This should be done in April. + +_Rats and Mice._ A good cat is the best remedy for these annoyances. +Equal quantities of hemlock, (or _cicuta_,) and old cheese, will poison +them, but this renders the house liable to the inconvenience of a bad +smell. This evil, however, may be lessened, by placing a dish, +containing oil of vitriol poured on saltpetre, where the smell is most +annoying. Chloride of lime and water is also good. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING. + + +Every young girl should be taught to do the following kinds of stitch, +with propriety. Over-stitch, hemming, running, felling, stitching, +back-stitch and run, buttonhole-stitch, chain-stitch, whipping, darning, +gathering, and cross-stitch. + +In doing over-stitch, the edges should always be first fitted, either +with pins or basting, to prevent puckering. In turning wide hems, a +paper measure should be used, to make them even. Tucks, also, should be +regulated by a paper measure. A fell should be turned, before the edges +are put together, and the seam should be over-sewed, before felling. All +biased or goring seams should be felled. For stitching, draw a thread, +and take up two or three threads at a stitch. + +In making buttonholes, it is best to have a pair of scissors, made for +the purpose, which cut very neatly. For broadcloth, a chisel and board +are better. The best stitch is made by putting in the needle, and then +turning the thread around it, near the eye. This is better than to draw +the needle through, and then take up a loop. A thread should first be +put across each side of the buttonhole, and also a stay-thread, or bar, +at each end, before working it. In working the buttonhole, keep the +stay-thread as far from the edge as possible. A small bar should be +worked at each end. Whipping is done better by sewing _over_, and not +under. The roll should be as fine as possible, the stitches short, the +thread strong, and in sewing, every gather should be taken up. + +The rule for _gathering_, in shirts, is, to draw a thread, and then take +up two threads and skip four. In _darning_, after the perpendicular +threads are run, the crossing threads should interlace, exactly, taking +one thread and leaving one, like woven threads. + +The neatest sewers always fit and baste their work, before sewing; and +they say they always save time in the end, by so doing, as they never +have to pick out work, on account of mistakes. + +It is wise to sew closely and tightly all new garments, which will never +be altered in shape; but some are more nice than wise, in sewing frocks, +and old garments, in the same style. However, this is the least common +extreme. It is much more frequently the case, that articles, which ought +to be strongly and neatly made, are sewed so that a nice sewer would +rather pick out the threads and sew over again, than to be annoyed with +the sight of grinning stitches, and vexed with constant rips. + +_Workbaskets._ It is very important to neatness, comfort, and success in +sewing, that a lady's workbasket should be properly fitted up. The +following articles are needful to the mistress of a family: a large +basket, to hold work; having in it, fastened, a smaller basket, or box, +containing a needle-book, in which are needles of every size, both +blunts and sharps, with a larger number of those sizes most used; also, +small and large darning-needles, for woollen, cotton, and silk; two +tape-needles, large and small; nice scissors, for fine work; buttonhole +scissors; an emery-bag; two balls of white and yellow wax; and two +thimbles, in case one should be mislaid. When a person is troubled with +damp fingers, a lump of soft chalk, in a paper, is useful, to rub on the +ends of the fingers. + +Besides this box, keep in the basket, common scissors; small shears; a +bag containing tapes, of all colors and sizes, done up in rolls; bags, +one, containing spools of white, and another of colored, cotton thread, +and another for silks, wound on spools or papers; a box or bag for nice +buttons, and another for more common ones; a bag containing silk braid, +welting cords, and galloon binding. Small rolls of pieces of white and +brown linen and cotton, are also often needed. A brick pincushion is a +great convenience, in sewing, and better than screw-cushions. It is made +by covering half a brick with cloth, putting a cushion on the top, and +covering it tastefully. It is very useful to hold pins and needles, +while sewing, and to fasten long seams when basting and sewing. + +_To make a Frock._ The best way for a novice, is, to get a dress fitted +(not sewed) at the best mantuamaker's. Then take out a sleeve, rip it +to pieces, and cut out a pattern. Then take out half of the waist, (it +must have a seam in front,) and cut out a pattern of the back and +fore-body, both lining and outer part. In cutting the patterns, iron the +pieces, smooth, let the paper be stiff, and, with a pin, prick holes in +the paper, to show the gore in front, and the depth of the seams. With a +pen and ink, draw lines from each pinhole, to preserve this mark. Then +baste the parts together again, in doing which, the unbasted half will +serve as a pattern. When this is done, a lady of common ingenuity can +cut and fit a dress, by these patterns. If the waist of a dress be too +tight, the seam under the arm must be let out; and in cutting a dress, +an allowance should be made, for letting it out, if needful, at this +seam. The lining of the fore-body must be biased. + +The linings for the waists of dresses should be stiffened cotton or +linen. In cutting bias-pieces, for trimming, they will not set well, +unless they are exact. In cutting them, use a long rule, and a lead +pencil or piece of chalk. Welting-cords should be covered with +bias-pieces; and it saves time, in many cases, to baste on the +welting-cord, at the same time that you cover it. The best way to put on +hooks and eyes, is to sew them on double broad tape, and then sew this +on the frock-lining. They can then be moved easily, and do not show +where they are sewed on. + +In cutting a sleeve, double it biased. The skirts of dresses look badly, +if not full; and in putting on lining, at the bottom, be careful to have +it a very little fuller than the dress, or it will shrink, and look +badly. All thin silks look much better with lining, and last much +longer, as do aprons, also. In putting a lining to a dress, baste it on +each separate breadth, and sew it in at the seams, and it looks much +better than to have it fastened only at the bottom. Make notches in +selvedge, to prevent it from drawing up the breadth. Dresses, which are +to be washed, should not be lined. + +Figured silks do not generally wear well, if the figure be large and +satin-like. Black and plain-colored silks can be tested, by procuring +samples, and making creases in them; fold the creases in a bunch, and +rub them against a rough surface, of moreen or carpeting. Those which +are poor, will soon wear off, at the creases. Plaids look becoming, for +tall women, as they shorten the appearance of the figure. Stripes look +becoming, on a large person, as they reduce the apparent size. Pale +persons should not wear blue or green, and brunettes should not wear +light delicate colors, except shades of buff, fawn, or straw color. +Pearl white is not good for any complexion. Dead white and black look +becoming on almost all persons. It is best to try colors, by +candle-light, for evening dresses; as some colors, which look very +handsome in the daylight, are very homely when seen by candle-light. +Never cut a dress low in the neck, as this shows that a woman is not +properly instructed in the rules of modesty and decorum, or that she has +not sense enough to regard them. Never be in haste to be first in a +fashion, and never go to the extremes. + +In buying linen, seek for that which has a round close thread, and is +perfectly white; for, if it be not white, at first, it will never +afterwards become so. Much that is called linen, at the shops, is half +cotton, and does not wear so well as cotton alone. Cheap linens are +usually of this kind. It is difficult to discover which are all linen; +but the best way, is, to find a lot, presumed to be good, take a sample, +wash it, and ravel it. If this be good, the rest of the same lot will +probably be so. If you cannot do this, draw a thread, each way, and if +both appear equally strong, it is probably all linen. Linen and cotton +must be put in clean water, and boiled, to get out the starch, and then +ironed. A long piece of linen, a yard wide, will, with care and +calculation, make eight shirts. In cutting it, take a shirt of the right +size, as a guide, in fitting and basting. Bosom-pieces, false collars, +&c. must be cut and fitted, by a pattern which suits the person for whom +the articles are designed. Gentlemen's night-shirts are made like other +shirts, except that they are longer. In cutting chemises, if the cotton +or linen is a yard wide, cut off small half gores, at the top of the +breadths, and set them on the bottom. Use a long rule and a pencil, in +cutting gores. In cutting cotton, which is quite wide, a seam can be +saved, by cutting out two at once, in this manner:--cut off three +breadths, and, with a long rule and a pencil, mark and cut off the +gores, thus: from one breadth, cut off two gores, the whole length, each +gore one fourth of the breadth, at the bottom, and tapering off to a +point, at the top. The other two breadths are to have a gore cut off +from each, which is one fourth wide at top, and two fourths at bottom. +Arrange these pieces right, and they will make two chemises, one having +four seams, and the other three. This is a much easier way of cutting, +than sewing the three breadths together, in bag-fashion, as is often +done. The biased, or goring seams, must always be felled. The sleeves +and neck can be cut according to the taste of the wearer, by another +chemise for a pattern. There should be a lining around the armholes, +and stays at all corners. Six yards, of yard width, will make two +chemises. + +Old silk dresses, quilted for skirts, are very serviceable. White +flannel is soiled so easily, and shrinks so much in washing, that it is +a good plan to color it a light dove-color, according to the receipt +given on page 301. Cotton flannel, dyed thus, is also good for common +skirts. In making up flannel, back-stitch and run the seams, and then +cross-stitch them open. Nice flannel, for infants, can be ornamented, +with very little expense of time, by turning up the hem, on the right +side, and making a little vine at the edge, with saddler's silk. The +stitch of the vine is a modification of buttonhole-stitch. + +Long night gowns are best, cut a little goring. It requires five yards, +for a long nightgown, and two and a half for a short one. Linen +nightcaps wear longer than cotton ones, and do not, like them, turn +yellow. They should be ruffled with linen, as cotton borders will not +last so long as the cap. A double-quilted wrapper is a great comfort, in +case of sickness. It may be made of two old dresses. It should not be +cut full, but rather like a gentleman's study-gown, having no gathers or +plaits, but large enough to slip off and on with ease. A double gown, of +calico, is also very useful. Most articles of dress, for grown persons +or children, require patterns. + +_Bedding._ The best beds, are thick hair mattresses, which, for persons +in health, are good for Winter as well as Summer use. Mattresses may +also be made of husks, dried and drawn into shreds; also, of alternate +layers of cotton and moss. The most profitable sheeting, is the Russian, +which will last three times as long as any other. It is never perfectly +white. Unbleached cotton is good for Winter. It is poor economy to make +narrow and short sheets, as children and domestics will always slip them +off, and soil the bedtick and bolster. They should be three yards long, +and two and a half wide, so that they can be tucked in all around. All +bed-linen should be marked and numbered, so that a bed can always be +made properly, and all missing articles be known. + +_Mending._ Silk dresses will last much longer, by ripping out the +sleeves, when thin, and changing the arms, and also the breadths of the +skirt. Tumbled black silk, which is old and rusty, should be dipped in +water, then be drained for a few minutes, without squeezing or pressing, +and then ironed. Cold tea is better than water. Sheets, when worn thin +in the middle, should be ripped, and the other edges sewed together. +Window-curtains last much longer, if lined, as the sun fades and rots +them. Broadcloth should be cut with reference to the way the nap runs. +When pantaloons are thin, it is best to newly seat them, cutting the +piece inserted in a curve, as corners are difficult to fit. When the +knees are thin, it is a case of domestic surgery, which demands +_amputation_. This is performed, by cutting off both legs, some distance +above the knees, and then changing the legs. Take care to cut them off +exactly of the same length, or in the exchange they will not fit. This +method brings the worn spot under the knees, and the seam looks much +better than a patch and darn. Hose can be cut down, when the feet are +worn. Take an old stocking, and cut it up for a pattern. Make the heel +short. In sewing, turn each edge, and run it down, and then sew over the +edges. This is better than to stitch and then cross-stitch. Run thin +places in stockings, and it will save darning a hole. If shoes are worn +through on the sides, in the upper-leather, slip pieces of broadcloth +under, and sew them around the holes. If, in sewing, the thread kinks, +break it off and begin at the other end. In using spool-cotton, thread +the needle with the end which comes off first, and not the end where you +break it off. This often prevents kinks. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. + + +The authorities consulted in the preparation of this and kindred +chapters, are, Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Gardening, Bridgeman's Young +Gardener, Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture, the writings of Judge +Buel,[T] and Downing's Landscape Gardening. + + +_On the Preparation of Soil._ + +If the garden soil be clayey, and adhesive, put on a covering of sand, +three inches thick, and the same depth of well-rotted manure. Spade it +in, as deep as possible, and mix it well. If the soil be sandy and +loose, spade in clay and ashes. Ashes are good for all kinds of soil, as +they loosen those which are close, hold moisture in those which are +sandy, and destroy insects. The best kind of soil, is that, which will +hold water the longest, without becoming hard, when dry. + +_To prepare Soil for Pot-plants_, take one fourth part of common soil, +one fourth part of well-decayed manure, and one half of vegetable mould, +from the woods, or from a chip-yard. Break up the manure, fine, and sift +it through a lime-screen, (or coarse wire sieve.) These materials must +be thoroughly mixed. When the common soil which is used, is adhesive, +and, indeed, in most other cases, it is necessary to add sand, the +proportion of which, must depend on the nature of the soil. + +_On the Preparation of a Hot Bed._ Dig a pit, six feet long, five feet +wide, and thirty inches deep. Make a frame, of the same size, with the +back two feet high, the front fifteen inches, and the sides sloped from +the back to the front. Make two sashes, each three feet by five, with +the panes of glass lapping like shingles, instead of having cross bars. +Set the frame over the pit, which should then be filled with fresh +horse-dung, which has not lain long, nor been sodden by water. Tread it +down, hard, then put into the frame, light, and very rich soil, ten or +twelve inches deep, and cover it with the sashes, for two or three days. +Then stir the soil, and sow the seeds in shallow drills, placing sticks +by them, to mark the different kinds. Keep the frame covered with the +glass, whenever it is cold enough to chill the plants; but at all other +times, admit fresh air, which is indispensable to their health. When the +sun is quite warm, raise the glasses, enough to admit air, and cover +them with matting or blankets, or else the sun may kill the young +plants. Water the bed at evening, with water which has stood all day, +or, if it be fresh drawn, add a little warm water. If there be too much +heat in the bed, so as to scorch or wither the plants, make deep holes, +with stakes, and fill them up when the heat is reduced. In very cold +nights, cover the box with straw. + + +_On Planting Flower Seeds._ + +Break up the soil, till it is very soft, and free from lumps. Rub that +nearest the surface, between the hands, to make it fine. Make a circular +drill, a foot in diameter. For seeds as large as sweet peas, it should +be half an inch deep. The smallest seeds must be planted very near the +surface, and a very little fine earth be sifted over them. Seeds are to +be planted either deeper or nearer the surface, according to their size. +After covering them with soil, beat them down with a trowel, so as to +make the earth as compact as it is after a heavy shower. Set up a stick, +in the middle of the circle, with the name of the plant heavily written +upon it, with a dark lead pencil. This remains more permanent, if white +lead be first rubbed over the surface. Never plant, when the soil is +very wet. In very dry times, water the seeds at night. Never use very +cold water. When the seeds are small, many should be planted together, +that they may assist each other in breaking the soil. When the plants +are an inch high, thin them out, leaving only one or two, if the plant +be a large one, like the Balsam; five or six, when it is of a medium +size; and eighteen or twenty of the smaller size. Transplanting, retards +the growth of a plant about a fortnight. It is best to plant at two +different times, lest the first planting should fail, owing to wet or +cold weather. + + +_To Plant Garden Seeds._ + +Make the beds a yard wide; lay across them a board, a yard long and a +foot wide, and, with a stick, make a furrow, on each side of it, one +inch deep. Scatter the seeds in this furrow, and cover them. Then lay +the board over them and step on it, to press down the earth. When the +plants are an inch high, thin them out, leaving spaces proportioned to +their sizes. Seeds of a similar species, such as melons and squashes, +should not be planted very near to each other, as this causes them to +degenerate. The same kinds of vegetables should not be planted in the +same place, for two years in succession. + + +_On Transplanting._ + +Transplant at evening, or, which is better, just before a shower. Take a +round stick, sharpened at the point, and make openings to receive the +plants. Set them a very little deeper than they were before, and press +the soil firmly round them. Then water them, and cover them for three or +four days, taking care that sufficient air be admitted. If the plant can +be removed, without disturbing the soil around the root, it will not be +at all retarded, by transplanting. Never remove leaves and branches, +unless a part of the roots be lost. + + +_To Re-pot House-Plants._ + +Renew the soil, every year, soon after the time of blossoming. Prepare +soil, as previously directed. Loosen the earth from the pot, by passing +a knife around the sides. Turn the plant upside down, and remove the +pot. Then remove all the matted fibres at the bottom, and all the earth, +except that which adheres to the roots. From woody plants, like roses, +shake off all the earth. Take the new pot, and put a piece of broken +earthen-ware over the hole at the bottom; and then, holding the plant in +the proper position, shake in the earth, around it. Then pour in water, +to settle the earth, and heap on fresh soil, till the pot is even full. +Small pots are considered better than large ones, as the roots are not +so likely to rot, from excess of moisture. + + +_On the Laying out of Yards and Gardens._ + +In planting trees, in a yard, they should be arranged in groups, and +never planted in straight lines, nor sprinkled about, as solitary trees. +The object of this arrangement, is, to imitate Nature, and secure some +spots of dense shade and some of cleared turf. In yards which are +covered with turf, beds can be cut out of it, and raised for flowers. A +trench should be made around, to prevent the grass from running on them. +These beds can be made in the shape of crescents, ovals, or other +fanciful forms, of which, the figure below is one specimen. + +[Illustration: Fig. 39.] + +In laying out beds, in gardens and yards, a very pretty bordering can be +made, by planting them with common flax seed, in a line about three +inches from the edge. This can be trimmed, with shears, when it grows +too high. + + +_On the Cultivation of Bulbs, and Tuberous Roots._ + +For planting the _Amaryllis_, take one third part of leaf mould, half as +much sand, and the remainder, earth from under fresh grass sods. Plant +them in May. The bulb should not be set more than half its depth in the +ground. + +The _Anemone_ and _Ranunculus_ are medium, or half-hardy, roots. They +should be planted in soil which is enriched with cowdung, and the beds +should be raised only an inch from the walk. They must be planted in +October, in drills, two inches deep, the claws of the roots downward, +and be shaded when they begin to bud. + +The _Crocus_ must be planted in October, two inches deep, and four +inches apart. In measuring the depth, always calculate from the top of +the bulb. + +_Crown Imperial._ This must be planted in September, three or four +inches deep; and need not be taken up but once in three years. + +_Gladiolus._ Those who have greenhouses, or pits, plant the Gladiolus in +October, and preserve it in pots through the Winter. Those who have not +these conveniences, may plant these bulbs late in April. The earth must +be composed of one half common soil, one fourth leaf mould, and one +fourth sand. Plant them about an inch deep. + +_Hyacinths_ should be planted in October, eight inches apart, and three +or four inches deep, in a rich soil. + +_Jonquilles_ should be planted in October, two inches deep, in a rich +soil, and should not be taken up oftener than once in three years. + +_Narcissus._ This should be planted in October, four inches deep; +covered, through the Winter, with straw and leaves, six inches thick; +and uncovered in the middle of March. + +_Oxalis._ Plant this in September, in a soil, composed of two thirds +common earth, and one third leaf mould. The old bulb dies after +blossoming, and is succeeded by a new one. + +Plant _Tulips_, in rich soil, in October, three inches deep. + +Plant _Tuberoses_ late in April, in a rich, sandy soil. They are +delicate plants, and should be covered, in case of frosts. + +_Daffodils_ should be planted two inches deep. + +When bulbs have done flowering, and their leaves begin to decay, they +should be taken up and dried, and kept in a dry place, till October, +when they are to be replanted, taking off the offsets, and putting them +in a bed by themselves. + +Bulbs which blossom in water, or are in any other way forced to bloom +out of season, are so much exhausted by it, that it takes them two or +three years to recover their beauty. + +_Dahlias._ Dig a hole, a foot and a half deep; fill it with very light, +loose, and rich, soil; and drive in a stake, a yard and a half high, to +which, to tie the future plants. Then set in the root, so that it shall +be an inch below the soil, where the sprout starts. When the plants are +two feet high, tie them to the stakes, and take off some of the lower +side-shoots. Continue to tie them, as their growth advances. If the +roots are planted in the open borders, without any previous growth, it +should be done as early as the first of May, and they should be covered +from the frosts. When they are brought forward, in pots or hot-beds, +they should be put out, in the middle of June. It is said, by gardeners, +that late planting, is better than early, for producing perfect flowers. +In the Autumn, after the frosts have destroyed the tops, let the roots +remain awhile in the ground, to ripen; then dig them up, and pack them +away, in some place where they will neither mould, from dampness, nor +freeze. In the Spring, these roots will throw out sprouts, and must then +be divided, so as to leave a good shoot, attached to a piece of the +tuber or old stem, and each shoot will make a new plant. It is stated, +that if the shoots themselves, without any root, be planted in light +soil, covered with a bell-glass, or large tumbler, and carefully +watered, they will produce plants superior to those with roots. + + +_Annuals_ + +These are flowers which last only one season. They should be so planted, +that the tallest may be in the middle of a bed, and the shortest at the +edges; and flowers of a similar color should not be planted adjacent to +each other. + +The following is a list of some of the handsomest Annuals, arranged with +reference to their color and height. Those with a star before them, do +best when sowed in the Autumn. Those with _tr._ after them, are trailing +plants. + + +SIX INCHES TO ONE FOOT HIGH. + +_White._ Ice Plant, Sweet Alyssum, White Leptosiphon, Walker's +Schizopetalon, Blumenbachia insignis, *Candytuft. + +_Yellow._ *Yellow Chryseis or Eschscholtzia, Sanvitalia procumbens, +_tr._, Musk-flowered Mimulus. + +_Rose._ Many-flowered Catchfly, Rose-colored Verbena, _tr._ + +_Red._ *Chinese Annual Pink, Virginian Stock, Calandrinia Speciosa. + +_Blue._ Graceful Lobelia, Nemophila insignis, Clintonia pulchella, +Clintonia elegans, Nolana atriplicifolia, _tr._, Anagallis indica, +Commelina coelestis, Grove Love, Pimpernel (blue.) + +_Varying Colors._ *Heart's Ease, or Pansy, Dwarf Love in a Mist, *Rose +Campion. + + +ONE FOOT TO EIGHTEEN INCHES HIGH. + +_White._ Venus's Looking Glass, Priest's Schizanthus, Sweet-scented +Stevia, White Evening Primrose. + +_Yellow._ Drummond's Coreopsis, *New Dark Coreopsis, Golden Hawkweed, +Dracopis amplexicaulis, Drummond's Primrose, Cladanthus arabicus, +Peroffsky's Erysimum. + +_Rose._ Drummond's Phlox, Rodanthe, Rose-colored Nonea, Clarkia rosea, +Silene Tenorei, Silene armeria. + +_Red._ Crimson Coxcomb, Silene pendula, Crimson Dew Plant, _tr._ + +_Scarlet._ Cacalia coccinea, Flos Adonis, Scarlet Zinnia, Mexican +Cuphea. + +_Lilac and Purple._ Clarkia elegans, Clarkia pulchella, *Purple +Candytuft, *Purple Petunia, _tr._, *Crimson Candytuft, Double Purple +Jacobaea, Leptosiphon androsaceus, all the varieties of Schizanthus, +Veined Verbena, _tr._, *Purple eternal Flower. + +_Blue._ Ageratum Mexicanum, *Gilia capitata, Spanish Nigella, Blue +Eutoca, Dwarf Convolvulus, Didiscus coeruleus. + +_Lilac, Purple_, or _Blue and White._ Collinsia bicolor, Gilia tricolor. + +_Very Dark._ Lotus Jacobaeus, Salpiglossis, Scabious. + +_Colors varying._ German Aster, Balsam, Rocket Larkspur, Ten-week Stock, +Poppy. + + +EIGHTEEN INCHES TO TWO FEET. + +_White._ *White Petunia, _tr._, White Clarkia, Double White Jacobaea, +Love in a Mist. + +_Red._ *Lavatera trimestris, Red Zinnia, Malva miniata. + +_Lilac and Purple._ Globe Amaranthus, Purple Sweet Sultan, Sweet +Scabious, Purple Zinnia, Prince's Feather, Large Blue Lupine, *Catchfly. + + +TWO FEET AND UPWARDS. + +_White._ Winged Ammobium, *White Lavatera, White Sweet Sultan, *New +White Eternal Flower, White Helicrysum, *White Larkspur. + +_Yellow._ Golden Bartonia, *Golden Coreopsis, Yellow Sweet Sultan, +African Marigold, Yellow Argemone, French Marigold, Yellow Coxcomb, +Yellow Hibiscus. + +The Malope grandiflora and the Cleome are fine tall annuals. + + +_Climbing Plants._ + +The following are the most beautiful _annual climbers_: Crimson, and +White, Cypress Vine; White, and Buff, Thunbergia; Scarlet Flowering +Bean; Hyacinth Bean Loasa; Morning Glory; Crimson, and Spotted, +Nasturtium; Balloon Vine; Sweet Pea; Tangier Pea; Lord Anson's Pea; +Climbing Cobaea; Pink, and White, Maurandia. + +The following are the most valuable _perennial climbers_: Sweet-scented +Monthly Honeysuckle; Yellow, White, and Coral, Honeysuckles; Purple +Glycine; Clematis; Bitter Sweet; Trumpet Creeper. + +The Everlasting Pea is a beautiful perennial climber. The Climbing +Cobaea, and Passion Flower, are also beautiful perennials, but must be +protected in Winter. + + +_Perennials._ + +Those who cannot afford every year to devote the time necessary to the +raising of annuals, will do well to supply their borders with +perennials. The following is a list of some of those generally +preferred. + +Adonis, yellow; Columbine, all colors; Alyssum, yellow; Asclepias, +orange and purple; Bee Larkspur, blue; Perennial Larkspur, all colors; +Cardinal Flower, scarlet; Chinese Pink, various colors; Clove Pink; +Foxglove, purple and white; Gentian, purple and yellow; Hollyhock, +various colors; *Lily of the Valley; American Phlox, various colors; +Scarlet Lychnis; Monkshood, white and blue; *Spirea, white, and pink; +*Ragged Robin, pink; Rudbeckia, yellow, and purple; Sweet William, in +variety. Those marked with a star cannot be obtained from seed, but must +be propagated by roots, layers, &c. + + +_Herbaceous Roots._ + +These are such as die to the root, in the Fall, and come up again in the +Spring, such as Paeonies, crimson, white, sweet-scented, and +straw-colored; Artemisia, of many colors; White and Purple +Fleur-de-lis; White, Tiger, Fire, and other Lilies; Little Blue Iris; +Chrysanthemums, &c. These are propagated by dividing the roots. + + +_Shrubs._ + +The following are the finest _Shrubs for yards_: Lilacs, (which, by +budding, can have white and purple on the same tree,) Double Syringas, +Double Althaeas, Corchorus Japonicus, Snow-berry, Double-flowering +Almond, Pyrus Japonica, Common Barberry, Burning Bush, Rose Acacia, +Yellow Laburnum. The following are the finest Roses: Moss Rose, White, +and Red; Double and Single Yellow Rose, (the last needs a gravelly soil +and northern exposure;) Yellow Multiflora; La Belle Africana; Small +Eglantine, for borders; Champney's Blush Rose; Noisette; Greville, (very +fine;) Damask; Blush, White, and Cabbage Roses. Moss Roses, when budded +on other rose bushes, last only three years. + +_Shade Trees._ The following are among the finest: Mountain Ash; +Ailanthus, or Tree of Heaven, (grows very fast;) Tulip Tree; Linden; +Elm; Locust; Maple; Dog Wood; Horse Chestnut; Catalpa; Hemlock; Silver +Fir; and Cedar. These should be grouped, in such a manner that trees of +different shades of green, and of different heights, should stand in the +same group. + +The Autumn is the best time for transplanting trees. Take as much of the +root, as possible, especially the little fibres, which should never +become dry. If kept long, before they are set out, put wet moss around +them, and water them. Dig holes, larger than the extent of the roots; +let one person hold the tree in its former position, and another place +the roots, carefully, as they were before, cutting off any broken or +wounded root. _Be careful not to let the tree be more than an inch +deeper than it was before._ Let the soil be soft, and well manured; +shake the tree, as the soil is shaken in, that it may mix well among +the small fibres. Do not tread the earth down, while filling the hole; +but, when it is full, raise a slight mound, of, say, four inches, and +then tread it down. Make a little basin, two inches deep, around the +stem, to hold water, and fill it. Never cut off leaves nor branches, +unless some of the roots are lost. Tie the trees to a stake, and they +will be more likely to live. Water them often. + + +_On the Care of House-Plants._ + +The soil of house-plants should be renewed every year, as previously +directed. In Winter, they should be kept as dry as they can be without +wilting. Many house-plants are injured by giving them too much water, +when they have little light and fresh air. This makes them grow +spindling. The more fresh air, warmth, and light, they have, the more +water is needed. They ought not to be kept very warm in Winter, nor +exposed to great changes of atmosphere. Forty degrees is a proper +temperature for plants in Winter, when they have little sun and air. +When plants have become spindling, cut off their heads, entirely, and +cover the pot in the earth, where it has the morning sun, only. A new +and flourishing head will spring out. Few house-plants can bear the sun +at noon. When insects infest plants, set them in a closet, or under a +barrel, and burn tobacco. The smoke kills any insect enveloped in it. +When plants are frozen, cold water, and a gradual restoration of warmth, +are the best remedies. Never use very cold water for plants, at any +season. + + +FOOTNOTE: + +[T] His 'Farmers' Companion' was written expressly for the larger series +of 'THE SCHOOL LIBRARY,' issued by the publishers of this volume. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. + + +Bulbous roots are propagated by offsets; some growing on the top, others +around the sides. Many plants are propagated by cutting off twigs, and +setting them in earth, so that two or three eyes are covered. To do +this, select a side shoot, ten inches long, two inches of it, being of +the preceding year's growth, and the rest, the growth of the season when +it is set out. Do this, when the sap is running, and put a piece of +crockery at the bottom of the shoot, when it is buried. One eye, at +least, must be under the soil. Water it, and shade it in hot weather. +Plants are also propagated by layers. To do this, take a shoot, which +comes up near the root, bend it down, so as to bring several eyes under +the soil, leaving the top above ground. If the shoot be cut half +through, in a slanting direction, at one of these eyes, before burying +it, the result is more certain. Roses, honeysuckles, and many other +shrubs, are readily propagated thus. They will generally take root, by +being simply buried; but cutting them, as here directed, is the best +method. Layers are more certain than cuttings. For all woody plants, +budding and grafting are favorite methods of propagation. In all such +plants, there is an outer and inner bark; the latter containing the sap +vessels, in which the nourishment of the tree ascends. + +The success of grafting, or inoculating, consists in so placing the bud +or graft, that the sap vessels of the inner bark shall exactly join +those of the plant into which they are grafted, so that the sap may pass +from one into the other. + +The following are directions for _budding_, which may be performed at +any time from July to September. + +Select a smooth place, on the stock into which you are to insert the +bud. Make a horizontal cut, across the rind, through to the firm wood; +and from the middle of this, make a slit downward, perpendicularly, an +inch or more long, through to the wood. Raise the bark of the stock, on +each side of the perpendicular cut, for the admission of the bud, as is +shown in the annexed engraving, (Fig. 40.) Then take a shoot of this +year's growth, and slice from it a bud, taking an inch below and an +inch above it, and some portion of the wood under it. Then carefully +slip off the woody part, under the bud. Examine whether the eye or gem +of the bud be perfect. If a little hole appears in that part, the bud +has lost its root, and another must be selected. Insert the bud, so that +_a_, of the bud, shall pass to a, of the stock; then _b_, of the bud, +must be cut off, to match the cut, b, in the stock, and fitted exactly +to it, as it is this alone which insures success. Bind the parts, with +fresh bass, or woollen yarn, beginning a little below the bottom of the +perpendicular slit, and winding it closely round every part, except just +over the eye of the bud, until you arrive above the horizontal cut. Do +not bind it too tightly, but just sufficient to exclude air, sun, and +wet. This is to be removed, after the bud is firmly fixed, and begins to +grow. + +[Illustration: Fig. 40.] + +Seed-fruit can be budded into any other seed-fruit, and stone-fruit into +any other stone-fruit; but stone and seed-fruits, cannot be thus +mingled. + +Rose bushes can have a variety of kinds budded into the same stock. +Hardy roots are the best stocks. The branch above the bud, must be cut +off, the next March or April after the bud is put in. Apples and pears, +are more easily propagated by ingrafting, than by budding. + +Ingrafting is a similar process to budding, with this advantage; that it +can be performed on large trees, whereas budding can be applied only on +small ones. The two common kinds of ingrafting, are whip-grafting, and +split-grafting. The first kind is for young trees, and the other for +large ones. + +[Illustration: Fig. 41.] + +The time for ingrafting, is from May to October. The cuttings must be +taken from horizontal shoots, between Christmas and March, and kept in a +damp cellar. In performing the operation, cut off, in a sloping +direction, (as seen in Fig. 41,) the tree or limb to be grafted. Then +cut off, in a corresponding slant, the slip to be grafted on. Then put +them together, so that the inner bark of each shall match, exactly, on +one side, and tie them firmly together, with woollen yarn. It is not +essential that both be of equal size; if the bark of each meet together +exactly on _one_ side, it answers the purpose. But the two must not +differ much, in size. The slope should be an inch and a half, or more, +in length. After they are tied together, the place should be covered +with a salve or composition of beeswax and rosin. A mixture of clay and +cowdung will answer the same purpose. This last must be tied on with a +cloth. Grafting is more convenient than budding, as grafts can be sent +from a great distance; whereas buds must be taken in July or August, +from a shoot of the present year's growth, and cannot be sent to any +great distance. + +[Illustration: Fig. 42.] + +This engraving, (Fig. 42,) exhibits the mode called stock-grafting; _a_, +being the limb of a large tree which is sawed off and split, and is to +be held open by a small wedge, till the grafts are put in. A graft, +inserted in the limb, is shown at _b_, and at _c_, is one not inserted, +but designed to be put in at _d_, as two grafts can be put into a large +stock. In inserting the graft, be careful to make the edge of the inner +bark of the graft meet exactly the edge of the inner bark of the stock; +for on this, success depends. After the grafts are put in, the wedge +must be withdrawn, and the whole of the stock be covered with the thick +salve or composition before mentioned, reaching from where the grafts +are inserted, to the bottom of the slit. Be careful not to knock or move +the grafts, after they are put in. + + +_Pruning._ + +The following rules for pruning, are from a distinguished +horticulturist. Prune off all dead wood, and all the little twigs on the +main limbs. Retrench branches, so as to give light and ventilation to +the interior of the tree. Select the straight and perpendicular shoots, +which give little or no fruit, while those which are most nearly +horizontal, and somewhat curving, give fruit abundantly, and of good +quality. Superfluous and ill-placed buds may be rubbed off, at any time; +and no buds, pushing out after Midsummer, should be spared. In choosing +between shoots to be retained, preserve the lowest placed; and, on +lateral shoots, those which are nearest the origin. When branches cross +each other, so as to rub, remove one or the other. Remove all suckers +from the roots of trees or shrubs. Prune after the sap is in full +circulation, (except in the case of grapes,) as the wounds then heal +best. Some think it best to prune before the sap begins to run. +Pruning-shears, and a pruning-pole, with a chisel at the end, can be +procured of those who deal in agricultural utensils. + + +_Thinning._ + +As it is the office of the leaves to absorb nourishment from the +atmosphere, they should never be removed, except to mature the wood or +fruit. In doing this, remove such leaves as shade the fruit, as soon as +it is ready to ripen. To do it earlier, impairs the growth. Do it +gradually, at two different times. Thinning the fruit is important, as +tending to increase its size and flavor, and also to promote the +longevity of the tree. If the fruit be thickly set, take off one half, +at the time of setting. Revise in June, and then in July, taking off all +that may be spared. One _very large_ apple to every square foot, is a +rule that may be a sort of guide, in other cases. According to this, two +hundred large apples would be allowed to a tree, whose extent is fifteen +feet by twelve. If any person think this thinning excessive, let him try +two similar trees, and thin one as directed, and leave the other +unthinned. It will be found that the thinned tree will produce an equal +weight, and fruit of much finer flavor. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +ON THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT. + + +By a little attention to this matter, a lady, with the help of her +children, can obtain a rich abundance of all kinds of fruit. The writer +has resided in families, where little boys, of eight, ten, and twelve +years old, amused themselves, under the direction of their mother, in +planting walnuts, chestnuts, and hazelnuts, for future time; as well as +in planting and inoculating young fruit-trees, of all descriptions. A +mother, who will take pains to inspire a love for such pursuits, in her +children, and who will aid and superintend them, will save them from +many temptations; and, at a trifling expense, secure to them and herself +a rich reward, in the choicest fruits. The information given in this +work, on this subject, may be relied on, as sanctioned by the most +experienced nursery-men. + +The soil, for a nursery, should be rich, well dug, dressed with +well-decayed manure, free from weeds, and protected from cold winds. +Fruit seeds should be planted in the Autumn, an inch and a half or two +inches deep, in ridges four or five feet apart, pressing the earth +firmly over the seeds. While growing, they should be thinned out, +leaving the best ones a foot and a half apart. The soil should be kept +loose, soft, and free from weeds. They should be inoculated or +ingrafted, when of the size of a pipe stem; and in a year after this, +may be transplanted to their permanent stand. Peach trees sometimes bear +in two years from budding, and in four years from planting, if well +kept. + +In a year after transplanting, take pains to train the head aright. +Straight, upright branches, produce _gourmands_, or twigs bearing only +leaves. The side branches, which are angular or curved, yield the most +fruit. For this reason, the limbs should be trained in curves, and +perpendicular twigs should be cut off, if there be need of pruning. The +last of June is the time for this. Grass should never be allowed to grow +within four feet of a large tree, and the soil should be kept loose, to +admit air to the roots. Trees in orchards should be twenty-five feet +apart. The soil _under_ the top soil, has much to do with the health of +trees. If it be what is called _hard-pan_, the trees will deteriorate. +Trees need to be manured, and to have the soil kept open and free from +weeds. + +_Filberts_ can be raised in any part of this Country. _Figs_ can be +raised in the Middle States. For this purpose, in the Autumn, loosen the +roots, on one side, and bend the tree down to the earth, on the other; +then cover it with a mound of straw, earth, and boards; and early in the +Spring raise it up, and cover the roots. _Currants_ grow well in any but +a wet soil. They are propagated by cuttings. The old wood should be +thinned in the Fall, and manure be put on. They can be trained into +small trees. _Gooseberries_ are propagated by layers and cuttings. They +are best, when kept from suckers and trained like trees. One third of +the old wood should be removed every Autumn. _Raspberries_ do best, when +shaded during a part of the day. They are propagated by layers, slips, +and suckers. There is one kind, which bears monthly. _Strawberries_ +require a light soil and vegetable manure. They should be transplanted +in April or September, and be set eight inches apart, in rows nine +inches asunder, and in beds which are two feet wide, with narrow alleys +between them. A part of these plants are _non-bearers_. These have large +flowers, with showy stamens and high black anthers. The _bearers_ have +short stamens, a great number of pistils, and the flowers are every way +less showy. In blossom-time, pull out all the non-bearers. Some think it +best to leave one non-bearer to every twelve bearers; but others pull +them all out. Many beds never produce any fruit, because all the plants +in them are non-bearers. Weeds should be kept from the vines. When the +vines are matted with young plants, the best way is to dig over the +beds, in cross lines, so as to leave some of the plants standing in +little squares, while the rest are turned under the soil. This should be +done over a second time in the same year. + +_Grapes._ To raise this fruit, manure the soil, and keep it soft, and +free from weeds. A gravelly or sandy soil, and a south exposure, are +best. Transplant the vines in the early Spring, or, better, in the Fall. +Prune them, the first year, so as to have only two main branches, taking +off all other shoots, as fast as they come. In November, cut off all of +these two branches, except four eyes. The second year, in the Spring, +loosen the earth around the roots, and allow only two branches to grow, +and every month, take off all side shoots. When they are very strong, +preserve only a part, and cut off the rest in the Fall. In November, cut +off all the two main stems, except eight eyes. After the second year no +more pruning is needed, except to reduce the side shoots, for the +purpose of increasing the fruit. All the pruning of grapes, (except +nipping side shoots,) must be done when the sap is not running, or they +will bleed to death. Train them on poles, or lattices, to expose them to +the air and sun. Cover tender vines in the Autumn. Grapes are propagated +by cuttings, layers, and seeds. For cuttings, select, in the Autumn, +well-ripened wood, of the former year, and take five joints for each. +Bury them, till April; then soak them, for some hours, and set them out, +_aslant_, so that all the eyes but one shall be covered. + + +_To Preserve Fruit._ + +Raspberries and Strawberries can be preserved, in perfect flavor, in the +following manner. Take a pound of nice sifted sugar for each pound of +fruit. Put them in alternate layers, of fruit and sugar, till the jar is +entirely full, then cork it, and seal it air tight. + +Currants and Gooseberries may be perfectly preserved thus. Gather them, +when dry, selecting only the solid ones. Take off the stalks, and put +them in dry junk-bottles. Set them, _uncorked_, in a kettle of water, +and slowly raise it to boiling heat, in order to drive the air out of +the bottles. Then take out the bottles, cork them, and seal them air +tight. Keep them in a dry place, where they will not freeze. The success +of this method depends on excluding air and water. + +Apples, Grapes, and such like fruit can be preserved, by packing them, +when dry and solid, in dry sand or sawdust, putting alternate layers of +fruit and sawdust or sand. Some sawdust gives a bad flavor to the fruit. + + +_Modes of Preserving Fruit Trees._ + +Heaps of ashes, or tanner's bark, around peach trees, prevent the attack +of the worm. The _yellows_, is a disease of peach trees, which is spread +by the pollen of the blossom. When a tree begins to turn yellow, take it +away, with all its roots, before it blossoms again, or it will infect +other trees. Planting tansy around the roots of fruit trees, is a sure +protection against worms, as it prevents the moth from depositing her +egg. Equal quantities of salt and saltpetre, put around the trunk of a +peach tree, half a pound to a tree, improves the size and flavor of the +fruit. Apply this about the first of April, and if any trees have worms +already in them, put on half the quantity, in addition, in June. To +young trees, just set out, apply one ounce, in April, and another in +June, close to the stem. Sandy soil is best for peaches. + +Apple trees are preserved from insects, by a wash of strong ley to the +body and limbs, which, if old, should be first scraped. Caterpillars +should be removed, by cutting down their nests in a damp day. Boring a +hole, in a tree infested with worms, and filling it with sulphur, will +often drive them off immediately. + +The _fire-blight_, or _brulure_, in pear trees, can be stopped, by +cutting off all the blighted branches. It is supposed, by some, to be +owing to an excess of sap, which is remedied by diminishing the roots. + +The _curculio_, which destroys plums, and other stone fruit, can be +checked only by gathering up all the fruit that falls, (which contains +their eggs,) and destroying it. The _canker-worm_ can be checked, by +applying a bandage around the body of the tree, and every evening +smearing it with fresh tar. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS. + + +Every woman should know how to direct in regard to the proper care of +domestic animals, as they often suffer from the negligence of domestics. + +The following information, in reference to the care of a horse and cow, +may be useful. A stable should not be very light nor very dark; its +floor should be either plank or soil, as brick or stone pavements injure +the feet. It should be well cleaned, every morning. A horse, kept in a +stable, should be rubbed and brushed every day. A stable-horse needs as +much daily exercise as trotting three miles will give him. Food or drink +should never be given, when a horse is very warm with exercise, as it +causes disease. A horse should be fed, three times a day. Hay, +sheaf-oats, shorts, corn-meal, and bran, are the best food for horses. +When a horse is travelling, order six quarts of oats in the morning, +four at noon, and six at night, and direct that neither food nor water +be given till he is cool. + +Keep a horse's legs free from mud, or disease will often result from +the neglect. A horse, much used, should be shod as often as once in two +months. Fish-oil and strong perfumes, on the skin, keep flies from +annoying a horse. Some horses are made fractious by having the +check-rein so tight as to weary the muscles. + +A cow should be watered three times a day, and fed with hay, potatoes, +carrots, and boiled corn. Turnips and cabbages give a bad taste to the +milk. Give a handful of salt to a cow, twice a week, and occasionally +give the same quantity to a horse. Let them drink _pure_ water. A +well-fed cow gives double the milk that she will if not fed well. A cow +should go unmilked, for two months before calving, and her milk should +not be used till four days after. The calf must run with the cow for +four days, and then be shut from her, except thrice a day, when it +should take as much food as it wants, and then the cow should be milked +clean. + +Hens sit twenty days, and should be well fed and watered, during this +time. The first food for chickens should be coarse dry meal. Cold and +damp weather is bad for all young fowls, and they should be well +protected from it. Pepper-berries are good for fowls which have diseases +caused by damp and cold weather. + +In Winter, much fuel may be saved, and comfort secured, by stuffing +cotton into all cracks about the windows and the surbases of rooms, and +by listing the doors. Cover strips of wood with baize, and nail them +tight against a door, on the casing. + +The following are the causes of smoky chimneys. Short and broad flues, +running up straight, as a narrow flue, with a bend in it, draws best. +Large openings, at the top, draw the wind down, and should be remedied, +by having the summits made tapering. A house higher than a chimney near +it, sometimes makes the chimney smoke, and the evil should be remedied, +by raising the chimney. Too large a throat to the fireplace, sometimes +causes a chimney to smoke, and can be remedied, by a false back, or by +lowering the front, with sheet iron. Shallow fireplaces give out more +heat, and draw as well, as deep ones. + +_House-cleaning_ should be done in dry warm weather. Several friends of +the writer maintain, that cleaning paint, and windows, and floors, in +_hard_, _cold_ water, without any soap, using a flannel washcloth, is +much better than using warm suds. It is worth trying. In cleaning in the +common way, sponges are best for windows, and clean water only should be +used. They should be first wiped with linen, and then with old silk. The +outside of windows should be washed with a long brush, made for the +purpose; and they should be rinsed, by throwing upon them water, +containing a little saltpetre. + +When inviting company, mention, in the note, the day of the month and +week, and the hour for coming. Provide a place for ladies to dress their +hair, with a glass, pins, and combs. A pitcher of cold water, and a +tumbler, should be added. When the company is small, it is becoming a +common method for the table to be set at one end of the room, the lady +of the house to pour out tea, and the gentlemen of the party to wait on +the ladies and themselves. When tea is sent round, always send a teapot +of hot water to weaken it, and a slop-bowl, or else many persons will +drink their tea much stronger than they wish. + +Let it ever be remembered, that the burning of lights and the breath of +guests, are constantly exhausting the air of its healthful principle; +therefore avoid crowding many guests into one room. Do not tempt the +palate by a great variety of unhealthful dainties. Have a warm room for +departing guests, that they may not become chilled before they go out. + +A parlor should be furnished with candle and fire screens, for those who +have weak eyes; and if, at table, a person sits with the back near the +fire, a screen should be hung on the back of the chair, as it is very +injurious to the whole system to have the back heated. + +Pretty baskets, for flowers or fruits, on centre tables, can be made +thus. Knit, with coarse needles, all the various shades of green and +brown, into a square piece. Press it with a hot iron, and then ravel it +out. Buy a pretty shaped wicker basket, or make one of stiff millinet, +or thin pasteboard, cut the worsted into bunches, and sew them on, to +resemble moss. Then line the basket, and set a cup or dish of water in +it, to hold flowers, or use it for a fruit-basket. Handsome fireboards +are made, by nailing black foundation-muslin to a frame the size of the +fireplace; and then cutting out flowers, from wall-paper, and pasting +them on the muslin, according to the fancy. + +India rubber, melted in lamp-oil, and brushed over common shoes, keeps +water out, perfectly. Keep small whisk brooms, wherever gentlemen hang +their clothes, both up stairs and down, and get them to use them if you +can. + +Boil new earthen in bran-water, putting the articles in, when cold. Do +the same with porcelain kettles. Never leave wooden vessels out of +doors, as they fall to pieces. In Winter, lift the handle of a pump, and +cover it with blankets, to keep it from freezing. + +Broken earthen and china, can often be mended, by tying it up, and +boiling it in milk. _Diamond cement_, when genuine, is very effectual +for the same purpose. Old putty can be softened by muriatic acid. Nail +slats across nursery windows. Scatter ashes on slippery ice, at the +door; or rather, remove it. Clarify impure water with powdered alum, a +teaspoonful to a barrel. + + + + +NOTE. + + +A volume, entitled the _American Housekeeper's Receipt Book_, prepared +by the author of this work, under the supervision of several experienced +housekeepers, is designed as a Supplement to this treatise on Domestic +Economy. The following Preface and Analysis of the Contents will +indicate its design more fully: + + +_Preface (for the American Housekeeper's Receipt Book.)_ + +The following objects are aimed at in this work: + +_First_, to furnish an _original_ collection of receipts, which shall +embrace a great variety of simple and well-cooked dishes, designed for +every-day comfort and enjoyment. + +_Second_, to include in the collection only such receipts as have been +tested by superior housekeepers, and warranted to be _the best_. It is +not a book made up in _any_ department by copying from other books, but +entirely from the experience of the best practical housekeepers. + +_Third_, to express every receipt in language which is short, simple, +and perspicuous, and yet to give all directions so minutely as that the +book can be kept in the kitchen, and be used by any domestic who can +read, as a guide in _every one_ of her employments in the kitchen. + +_Fourth_, to furnish such directions in regard to small dinner-parties +and evening company as will enable any young housekeeper to perform her +part, on such occasions, with ease, comfort, and success. + +_Fifth_, to present a good supply of the rich and elegant dishes +demanded at such entertainments, and yet to set forth so large and +tempting a variety of what is safe, healthful, and good, in connexion +with such warnings and suggestions as it is hoped may avail to promote a +more healthful fashion in regard both to entertainments and to daily +table supplies. No book of this kind will sell without an adequate +supply of the rich articles which custom requires, and in furnishing +them, the writer has aimed to follow the example of Providence, which +scatters profusely both good and ill, and combines therewith the caution +alike of experience, revelation, and conscience, "choose ye that which +is good, that ye and your seed may live." + +_Sixth_, in the work on Domestic Economy, together with this, to which +it is a Supplement, the writer has attempted to secure, in a cheap and +popular form, for American housekeepers, a work similar to an English +work which she has examined, entitled the _Encyclopaedia of Domestic +Economy, by Thomas Webster and Mrs. Parkes_, containing over twelve +hundred octavo pages of closely-printed matter, treating on every +department of Domestic Economy; a work which will be found much more +useful to English women, who have a plenty of money and well-trained +servants, than to American housekeepers. It is believed that most in +that work which would be of any practical use to American housekeepers, +will be found in this work and the Domestic Economy. + +_Lastly_, the writer has aimed to avoid the defects complained of by +most housekeepers in regard to works of this description issued in this +country, or sent from England, such as that, in some cases, the receipts +are so rich as to be both expensive and unhealthful; in others, that +they are so vaguely expressed as to be very imperfect guides; in +others, that the processes are so elaborate and _fussing_ as to make +double the work that is needful; and in others, that the topics are so +limited that some departments are entirely omitted, and all are +incomplete. + +In accomplishing these objects, the writer has received contributions of +the pen, and verbal communications from some of the most judicious and +practical housekeepers, in almost every section of this country, so that +the work is fairly entitled to the name it bears of the _American_ +Housekeeper's Receipt Book. + +The following embraces most of the topics contained in this work. + +Suggestions to young housekeepers in regard to style, furniture, and +domestic arrangements. + +Suggestions in regard to different modes to be pursued both with foreign +and American domestics. + +On providing a proper supply of family stores, on the economical care +and use of them, and on the furniture and arrangement of a store-closet. + +On providing a proper supply of utensils to be used in cooking, with +drawings to illustrate. + +On the proper construction of ovens, and directions for heating and +managing them. + +Directions for securing good yeast and good bread. + +Advice in regard to marketing, the purchase of wood, &c. + +Receipts for breakfast dishes, biscuits, warm cakes, tea cakes, &c. + +Receipts for puddings, cakes, pies, preserves, pickles, sauces, catsups, +and also for cooking all the various kinds of meats, soups, and +vegetables. + +The above receipts are arranged so that the more healthful and simple +ones are put in one portion, and the richer ones in another. + +Healthful and favourite articles of food for young children. + +Receipts for a variety of temperance drinks. + +Directions for making tea, coffee, chocolate, and other warm drinks. + +Directions for cutting up meats, and for salting down, corning, curing, +and smoking. + +Directions for making butter and cheese, as furnished by a practical and +scientific manufacturer of the same, of Goshen, Conn., that land of rich +butter and cheese. + +A guide to a selection of a regular course of family dishes, which will +embrace _a successive variety_, and unite convenience with good taste +and comfortable living. + +Receipts for articles for the sick, and drawings of conveniences for +their comfort and relief. + +Receipts for articles for evening parties and dinner parties, with +drawings to show the proper manner of setting tables, and of supplying +and arranging dishes, both on these, and on ordinary occasions. + +An outline of arrangements for a family in moderate circumstances, +embracing the systematic details of work for each domestic, and the +proper mode of doing it, as furnished by an accomplished housekeeper. + +Remarks on the different nature of food and drinks, and their relation +to the laws of health. + +Suggestions to the domestics of a family, designed to promote a proper +appreciation of the dignity and importance of their station, and a +cheerful and faithful performance of their duties. + +Miscellaneous suggestions and receipts. + + + + +A GLOSSARY + +OF SUCH WORDS AND PHRASES AS MAY NOT EASILY BE UNDERSTOOD BY THE YOUNG +READER. + + +[Many words, not contained in this GLOSSARY, will be found +explained in the body of the Work, in the places where they first occur. +For these, see INDEX.] + +_Academy, the Boston_, an association in Boston, established for the +purpose of promoting the study and culture of the art of music. + +_Action brought by the Commonwealth_, a prosecution conducted in the +name of the public, or by the authority of the State. + +_Alcoholic_, made of, or containing, alcohol, an inflammable liquid, +which is the basis of ardent spirits. + +_Alkali_, (plural _alkalies_,) a chemical substance, which has the +property of combining with, and neutralizing the properties of, acids, +producing salts by the combination. Alkalies change most of the +vegetable blues and purples to green, red to purple, and yellow to +brown. _Caustic alkali_, an alkali deprived of all impurities, being +thereby rendered more caustic and violent in its operation. This term is +usually applied to pure potash. _Fixed alkali_, an alkali that emits no +characteristic smell, and cannot be volatilized or evaporated without +great difficulty. Potash and soda are called the fixed alkalies. Soda is +also called a _fossil_, or _mineral_, _alkali_, and potash, the +_vegetable alkali_. _Volatile alkali_, an elastic, transparent, +colorless, and consequently invisible gas, known by the name of ammonia, +or ammoniacal gas. The odor of spirits of hartshorn is caused by this +gas. + +_Anglo-American_, English-American, relating to Americans descended from +English ancestors. + +_Anne, Queen_, a Queen of England, who reigned from A. D. 1702, to 1714. +She was the daughter of James II., and succeeded to the throne on the +death of William III. She died, August 1, 1714, in the fiftieth year of +her age. She was not a woman of very great intellect; but was deservedly +popular, throughout her reign, being a model of conjugal and maternal +duty, and always intending to do good. She was honored with the title of +'Good Queen Anne', which showed the opinion entertained of her virtues +by the people. + +_Anotta_, _Annotto_, _Arnotta_, or _Rocou_, a soft, brownish-red +substance, prepared from the reddish pulp surrounding the seeds of a +tree, which grows in the West Indies, Guiana, and other parts of South +America, called the _Bixa orellana_. It is used as a dye. + +_Anther_, that part of the stamen of a flower which contains the pollen +or farina, a sort of mealy powder or dust, which is necessary to the +production of the flower. + +_Anthracite_, one of the most valuable kinds of mineral coal, containing +no bitumen. It is very abundant in the United States. + +_Aperient_, opening. + +_Apple-corer_, an instrument lately invented for the purpose of +divesting apples of their cores. + +_Arabic, gum_, see _Gum Arabic_. + +_Archaeology_, a discourse or treatise on antiquities. + +_Arnotto_, see _Anotta_. + +_Arrow-root_, a white powder, obtained from the fecula or starch of +several species of tuberous plants in the East and West Indies, Bermuda, +and other places. That from Bermuda is most highly esteemed. It is used +as an article for the table, in the form of puddings; and also as a +highly-nutritive, easily-digested, and agreeable, food, for invalids. It +derives its name from having been originally used by the Indians, as a +remedy for the poison of their arrows, by mashing and applying it to the +wound. + +_Articulating process_, the protuberance, or projecting part of a bone, +by which it is so joined to another bone, as to enable the two to move +upon each other. + +_Asceticism_, the state of an ascetic, or hermit, who flies from society +and lives in retirement, or who practises a greater degree of +mortification and austerity than others do, or who inflicts +extraordinary severities upon himself. + +_Astral lamp_, a lamp, the principle of which was invented by Benjamin +Thompson, (a native of Massachusetts, and afterwards Count Rumford,) in +which the oil is contained in a large horizontal ring, having, at the +centre, a burner, which communicates with the ring by tubes. The ring is +placed a little below the level of the flame, and, from its large +surface, affords a supply of oil for many hours. + +_Astute_, shrewd. + +_Auld Robin Gray_, a celebrated Scotch song, in which a young woman +laments her having married an old rich man, whom she did not love, for +the sake of providing for her poor parents. + +_Auricles_, (from a Latin word, signifying the ear,) the name given to +two appendages of the heart, from their fancied resemblance to the ear. + +_Baglivi_, (George,) an eminent physician, who was born at Ragusa, in +1668, and was educated at Naples and Paris. Pope Clement XIV., on the +ground of his great merit, appointed him, while a very young man, +Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in the College of Sapienza, at Rome. He +wrote several works, and did much to promote the cause of medical +science. He died, A. D. 1706. + +_Bass_, or bass wood, a large forest tree of America, sometimes called +the lime-tree. The wood is white and soft, and the bark is sometimes +used for bandages, as mentioned in page 343. + +_Beau Nash_, see _Nash_. + +_Bell, Sir Charles_, a celebrated surgeon, who was born in Edinburgh, in +the year 1778. He commenced his career in London, in 1806, as a lecturer +on Anatomy and Surgery. In 1830, he received the honors of knighthood, +and in 1836 was appointed Professor of Surgery in the College of +Edinburgh. He died near Worcester, in England, April 29, 1842. His +writings are very numerous, and have been much celebrated. Among the +most important of these, to general readers, are, his Illustrations of +Paley's Natural Theology, (which work forms the second and third volumes +of the larger series of 'THE SCHOOL LIBRARY,' issued by the +Publishers of this volume,) and his treatise on 'The Hand, its +Mechanism, and Vital Endowments, as evincing Design.' + +_Bergamot_, a fruit, which was originally produced by ingrafting a +branch of a citron or lemon tree, upon the stock of a peculiar kind of +pear, called the bergamot pear. + +_Biased_, cut diagonally from one corner to another of a square or +rectangular piece of cloth. _Bias pieces_, triangular pieces cut as +above mentioned. + +_Bituminous_, containing _bitumen_, which is an inflammable mineral +substance, resembling tar or pitch in its properties and uses. Among +different bituminous substances, the names _naphtha_ and _petroleum_ +have been given to those which are fluid; _maltha_, to that which has +the consistence of pitch; and _asphaltum_, to that which is solid. + +_Blight_, a disease in plants, by which they are blasted, or prevented +from producing fruit. + +_Blond lace_, lace made of silk. + +_Blood heat_, the temperature which the blood is always found to +maintain, or ninety-eight degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer. + +_Blue vitriol_, sulphate of copper. See _Sulphate_. + +_Blunts_, needles of a short and thick shape, distinguished from +_Sharps_, which are long and slender. + +_Bocking_, a kind of thin carpeting, or coarse baize. + +_Boston Academy_, see _Academy_. + +_Botany_, (from a Greek word, signifying an herb,) a knowledge of +plants; the science which treats of plants. + +_Brazil wood_, the central part, or heart, of a large tree which grows +in Brazil, called the _Caesalpinia echinata_. It produces very lively and +beautiful red tints, but they are not permanent. + +_Bronze_, a metallic composition, consisting of copper and tin. + +_Brulure_, a French term, denoting a burning or scalding; a blasting of +plants. + +_Brussels_, (carpet,) a kind of carpeting, so called from the city of +Brussels, in Europe. Its basis is composed of a warp and woof of strong +linen threads, with the warp of which are intermixed about five times +the quantity of woollen threads, of different colors. + +_Bulb_, a root with a round body, like the onion, turnip, or hyacinth. +_Bulbous_, having a bulb. + +_Byron_, (George Gordon,) _Lord_, a celebrated Poet, who was born in +London, January 22, 1788, and died in Missolonghi, in Greece, April 18, +1824. + +_Calisthenics_, see page 56, note. + +_Camwood_, a dyewood, procured from a leguminous (or pod-bearing) tree, +growing on the Western Coast of Africa, and called _Baphia nitida_. + +_Cankerworm_, a worm which is very destructive to trees and plants. It +springs from an egg deposited by a miller that issues from the ground, +and in some years destroys the leaves and fruit of apple and other +trees. + +_Carbon_, a simple inflammable body, forming the principal part of wood +and coal, and the whole of the diamond. + +_Carbonic acid_, a compound gas, consisting of carbon and oxygen. It has +lately been obtained in a solid form. + +_Carmine_, a crimson color, the most beautiful of all the reds. It is +prepared from a decoction of the powdered cochineal insect, to which +alum and other substances are added. + +_Caster_, a small phial or vessel for the table, in which to put +vinegar, mustard, pepper, &c. + +_Chancellor of the Exchequer_, the highest judge of the law; the +principal financial minister of a government, and the one who manages +its revenue. + +_Chateau_, a castle, a mansion. + +_Chemistry_, the science which treats of the elementary constituents of +bodies. + +_Chinese belle_, deformities of. In China, it is the fashion to compress +the feet of female infants, to prevent their growth; in consequence of +which, the feet of all the females of China are distorted, and so small, +that the individuals cannot walk with ease. + +_Chloride_, a compound of chlorine and some other substance. _Chlorine_ +is a simple substance, formerly called oxymuriatic acid. In its pure +state, it is a gas, of green color, (hence its name, from a Greek word, +signifying green.) Like oxygen, it supports the combustion of some +inflammable substances. _Chloride of lime_ is a compound of chlorine and +lime. + +_Cholera infantum_, a bowel complaint, to which infants are subject. + +_Chyle_, a white juice, formed from the chyme, and consisting of the +finer and more nutritious parts of the food. It is afterwards converted +into blood. + +_Chyme_, the result of the first process which food undergoes in the +stomach, previously to its being converted into chyle. + +_Cicuta_, the common American Hemlock, an annual plant of four or five +feet in height, and found commonly along walls and fences, and about old +ruins and buildings. It is a virulent poison, as well as one of the most +important and valuable medicinal vegetables. It is a very different +plant from the Hemlock tree, or _Pinus Canadensis_. + +_Clarke_, (Sir Charles Mansfield,) _Dr._, a distinguished English +physician and surgeon, who was born in London, May 28, 1782. He was +appointed Physician to Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV., in +1830, and in 1831, he was created a baronet. He is the author of several +valuable medical works. + +_Cobalt_, a brittle metal, of a reddish-gray color and weak metallic +lustre, used in coloring glass. It is not easily melted nor oxidized in +the air. + +_Cochineal_, a color procured from the cochineal insect, (or _Coccus +cacti_,) which feeds upon the leaves of several species of the plant +called cactus, and which is supposed to derive its coloring matter from +its food. Its natural color is crimson; but by the addition of a +preparation of potash, it yields a rich scarlet dye. + +_Cologne water_, a fragrant perfume, which derives its name from having +been originally made in the city of Cologne, which is situated on the +River Rhine, in Germany. The best kind is still procured from that city. + +_Comparative anatomy_, the science which has for its object a comparison +of the anatomy, structure, and functions, of the various organs of +animals, plants, &c., with those of the human body. + +_Confection_, a sweetmeat; a preparation of fruit with sugar; also a +preparation of medicine with honey, sirup, or similar saccharine +substance, for the purpose of disguising the unpleasant taste of the +medicine. + +_Cooper, Sir Astley Paston_, a celebrated English surgeon, who was born +at Brooke, in Norfolk county, England, August 23, 1768, and commenced +the practice of Surgery in London, in 1792. He was appointed Surgeon to +King George IV., in 1827, was created a baronet in 1821, and died +February 12, 1841. He was the author of many valuable works. + +_Copal_, a hard, shining, transparent resin, of a light citron color, +brought, originally, from Spanish America, and now almost wholly from +the East Indies. It is principally employed in the preparation of _copal +varnish_. + +_Copper, sulphate of_, see _Sulphate of copper_. + +_Copperas_, (sulphate of iron, or green vitriol,) a bright green mineral +substance, formed by the decomposition of a peculiar ore of iron, called +pyrites, which is a sulphuret of iron. It is first in the form of a +greenish-white powder, or crust, which is dissolved in water, and +beautiful green crystals of copperas are obtained by evaporation. It is +principally used in dyeing, and in making black ink. Its solution, mixed +with a decoction of oak bark, produces a black color. + +_Coronary_, relating to a crown or garland. In anatomy, it is applied to +arteries which encompass the heart, in the manner, as it is fancied, of +a garland. + +_Corrosive sublimate_, a poisonous substance, composed of chlorine and +quicksilver. + +_Cosmetics_, preparations which some people foolishly think will +preserve and beautify the skin. + +_Cream of tartar_, see _Tartar_. + +_Crimping-iron_, an instrument for crimping or curling ruffles, &c. + +_Curculio_, a weevil or worm, which affects the fruit of the plum tree, +and sometimes that of the apple tree, causing the unripe fruit to fall +to the ground. + +_Curvature of the spine_, see pages 80, 81. + +_Cuvier, Baron_, the most eminent naturalist of the present age, was +born, A. D. 1769, and died, A. D. 1832. He was Professor of Natural +History in the College of France, and held various important posts under +the French Government, at different times. His works on Natural History +are of the greatest value. + +_Cynosure_, the star near the North Pole, by which sailors steer. It is +used, in a figurative sense, as synonymous with _pole-star_, or _guide_. + +_De Tocqueville_, see _Tocqueville_. + +_Diamond cement_, a cement sold in the shops, and used for mending +broken glass, and similar articles. + +_Drab_, a thick woollen cloth, of a light brown or dun color. The name +is sometimes used for the color itself. + +_Dredging-box_, a box with holes in the top, used to sift or scatter +flour on meat, when roasting. + +_Drill_, (in husbandry,) to sow grain in rows, drills, or channels; the +row of grain so sowed. + +_Duchess of Orleans_, see _Orleans_. + +The _East_, and the _Eastern States_, those of the United States +situated in the north-east part of the Country, including Maine, New +Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont. + +_Electuary_, a mixture, consisting of medicinal substances, especially +dry powders, combined with honey or sirup, in order to render them less +unpleasant to the taste, and more convenient for internal use. + +_Elevation_, (of a house,) a plan, representing the upright view of a +house, as a ground-plan shows its appearance on the ground. + +_Euclid_, a celebrated mathematician, who was born in Alexandria, in +Egypt, about two hundred and eighty years before Christ. He +distinguished himself by his writings on music and geometry. The most +celebrated of his works, is his 'Elements of Geometry,' which is in use +at the present day. He established a school at Alexandria, which became +so famous, that, from his time to the conquest of Alexandria by the +Saracens, (A. D. 646,) no mathematician was found, who had not studied +at Alexandria. Ptolemy, King of Egypt, was one of his pupils; and it was +to a question of this King, whether there were not a shorter way of +coming at Geometry, than by the study of his Elements, that Euclid made +the celebrated answer, "There is no royal way, or path, to Geometry." + +_Equator_, or _equinoctial line_, an imaginary line passing round the +earth, from east to west, and directly under the sun, which always +shines nearly perpendicularly down upon all countries situated near the +equator. + +_Evolve_, to throw off, to discharge. + +_Exchequer_, a court in England, in which the Chancellor presides, and +where the revenues of, and debts due to, the King are recovered. This +court was originally established by King William, (called 'the +Conqueror,') who died A. D. 1087; and its name is derived from a +checkered cloth, (French _echiquier_, a chess-board, checker-work,) on +the table. + +_Excretion_, something discharged from the body, a separation of animal +matters. + +_Excrementitious_, consisting of matter excreted from the body; +containing excrements. + +_Fahrenheit_, (Gabriel Daniel,) a celebrated natural philosopher, who +was born at Dantzic, A. D. 1686. He made great improvements in the +thermometer; and his name is sometimes used for that instrument. + +_Farinaceous_, mealy, tasting like meal. + +To _Fell_, to turn down, on the wrong side, the raw edges of a seam, +after it has been stitched, run, or sewed, and then to hem or sew it to +the cloth. + +_Festivals_, of the Jews, the three great annual. These were, the Feast +of the Passover, that of Pentecost, and that of Tabernacles; on occasion +of which, all the males of the Nation were required to visit the Temple +at Jerusalem, in whatever part of the Country they might reside. See +Exodus xxiii. 14, 17, xxxiv. 23, Leviticus xxiii. 4, Deuteronomy xvi. +16. The Passover was kept in commemoration of the deliverance of the +Israelites from Egypt, and was so named, because, the night before their +departure, the destroying angel, who slew all the first-born of the +Egyptians, _passed over_ the houses of the Israelites, without entering +them. See Exodus xii. The Feast of Pentecost was so called, from a word +meaning _the fiftieth_, because it was celebrated on the fiftieth day +after the Passover, and was instituted in commemoration of the giving of +the Law from Mount Sinai, on the fiftieth day from the departure out of +Egypt. It is also called the Feast of Weeks, because it was kept seven +weeks after the Passover. See Exodus xxxiv. 22, Leviticus xxiii. 15-21, +Deuteronomy xvi. 9, 10. The Feast of Tabernacles, or Feast of Tents, was +so called, because it was celebrated under tents or tabernacles of green +boughs; and was designed to commemorate their dwelling in tents, during +their passage through the wilderness. At this Feast, they also returned +thanks to God, for the fruits of the earth, after they had been +gathered. See Exodus xxiii. 16, Leviticus xxiii. 34-44, Deuteronomy xvi. +13, and also St. John vii. 2. + +_Fire blight_, a disease in the pear, and some other fruit trees, in +which they appear burnt, as if by fire. It is supposed, by some, to be +caused by an insect, others suppose it to be caused by an overabundance +of sap. + +_Fluting-iron_, an instrument for making flutes, channels, furrows, or +hollows, in ruffles, &c. + +_Foundation muslin_, a nice kind of buckram, stiff and white, used for +the foundation or basis of bonnets, &c. + +_Free States_, those States in which slavery is not allowed, as +distinguished from Slave States, in which slavery does exist. + +_French chalk_, a variety of the mineral called talc, unctuous to the +touch, of a greenish color, glossy, soft, and easily scratched, and +leaving a silvery line, when drawn on paper. It is used for marking on +cloth, and extracting grease-spots. + +_Fuller's earth_, a species of clay, remarkable for its property of +absorbing oil; for which reason it is valuable for extracting grease +from cloth, &c. It is used by fullers, in scouring and cleansing cloth, +whence its name. + +_Fustic_, the wood of a tree which grows in the West Indies, called +_Morus tinctoria_. It affords a durable, but not very brilliant, yellow +dye, and is also used in producing some greens and drab colors. + +_Gastric_, (from the Greek [Greek: gastir], _gaster_, the belly,) +belonging or relating to the belly, or stomach. _Gastric juice_, the +fluid which dissolves the food in the stomach. It is limpid, like water, +of a saltish taste, and without odor. + +_Geology_, the science which treats of the earth, as composed of rocks +and stones. + +_Gore_, a triangular piece of cloth. _Goring_, cut in a triangular +shape. + +_Gothic_, a peculiar and strongly-marked style of architecture, +sometimes called the ecclesiastical style, because it is most frequently +used in cathedrals, churches, abbeys, and other religious edifices. Its +principle seems to have originated in the imitation of groves and +bowers, under which the ancients performed their sacred rites; its +clustered pillars and pointed arches very well representing the trunks +of trees and their interlocking branches. + +_Gourmand_, or _Gormand_, a glutton, a greedy eater. In agriculture, it +is applied to twigs which take up the sap, but bear only leaves. + +_Green vitriol_, see _Copperas_. + +_Griddle_, an iron pan, of a peculiarly broad and shallow construction, +used for baking cakes. + +_Ground-plan_, the map or plan of the lower floor of any building, in +which the various apartments, windows, doors, fireplaces, and other +things, are represented, like the rivers, towns, mountains, roads, &c., +on a map. + +_Gum Arabic_, a vegetable juice which exudes through the bark of the +_Acacia_, _Mimosa nilotica_, and some other similar trees, growing in +Arabia, Egypt, Senegal, and Central Africa. It is the purest of all +gums. + +_Hardpan_, the hard, unbroken layer of earth, below the mould or +cultivated soil. + +_Hartshorn_, (spirits of,) a volatile alkali, originally prepared from +the horns of the stag or hart, but now procured from various other +substances. It is known by the name of ammonia, or spirits of ammonia. + +_Hemlock_, see _Cicuta_. + +_Horticulturist_, one skilled in horticulture, or the art of cultivating +gardens; horticulture being to the garden, what agriculture is to the +farm, the application of labor and science to a limited spot, for +convenience, for profit, or for ornament,--though implying a higher +state of cultivation, than is common in agriculture. It includes the +cultivation of culinary vegetables and of fruits, and forcing or exotic +gardening, as far as respects useful products. + +_Hoskin's gloves_, gloves made by a person named Hoskin, whose +manufacture was formerly much celebrated. + +_Hydrogen_, a very light, inflammable gas, of which water is, in part, +composed. It is used to inflate balloons. + +_Hypochondriasis_, melancholy, dejection, a disorder of the imagination, +in which the person supposes he is afflicted with various diseases. + +_Hysteria_, or _hysterics_, a spasmodic, convulsive affection of the +nerves, to which women are subject. It is somewhat similar to +hypochondriasis in men. + +_Ingrain_, a kind of carpeting, in which the threads are dyed in the +grain, or raw material, before manufacture. + +_Ipecac_, (an abbreviation of _ipecacuanha_,) an Indian medicinal plant, +acting as an emetic. + +_Isinglass_, a fine kind of gelatin, or glue, prepared from the +swimming-bladders of fishes, used as a cement, and also as an ingredient +in food and medicine. The name is sometimes applied to a transparent +mineral substance called mica. + +_Kamtschadales_, inhabitants of _Kamtschatka_, a large peninsula +situated on the northeastern coast of Asia, having the North Pacific +Ocean on the east. It is remarkable for its extreme cold, which is +heightened by a range of very lofty mountains, extending the whole +length of the peninsula, several of which are volcanic. It is very +deficient in vegetable productions, but produces a great variety of +animals, from which the richest and most valuable furs are procured. The +inhabitants are in general below the common height, but have broad +shoulders and large heads. It is under the dominion of Russia. + +_Kink_, a knotty twist in a thread or rope. + +_Lapland_, a country at the extreme north part of Europe, where it is +very cold. It contains lofty mountains, some of which are covered with +perpetual snow and ice. + +_Latin_, the language of the Latins, or inhabitants of Latium, the +principal country of ancient Italy. After the building of Rome, that +city became the capital of the whole country. + +_Leguminous_, pod-bearing. + +_Lent_, a fast of the Christian Church, (lasting forty days, from Ash +Wednesday to Easter,) in commemoration of our Saviour's miraculous fast +of forty days and forty nights, in the wilderness. The word Lent means +spring; this fast always occurring at that season of the year. + +_Levite_, one of the tribe of Levi, the son of Jacob, which tribe was +set apart from the others, to minister in the services of the +Tabernacle, and the Temple at Jerusalem. The Priests were taken from +this tribe. See Numbers i. 47-53. + +_Ley_, water which has percolated through ashes, earth, or other +substances, dissolving and imbibing a part of their contents. It is +generally spelled _lie_, or _lye_. + +_Linnaeus_, (Charles,) a native of Sweden, and the most celebrated +naturalist of his age. He was born May 13, 1707, and died January 11, +1778. His life was devoted to the study of natural history. The science +of botany, in particular, is greatly indebted to his labors. His +'_Amoenitates Academicae_' (Academical Recreations) is a collection of +the dissertations of his pupils, edited by himself; a work rich in +matters relating to the history and habits of plants. He was the first +who arranged Natural History into a regular system, which has been +generally called by his name. His proper name was Linne. + +_Lobe_, a division, a distinct part; generally applied to the two +divisions of the lungs. + +_Log Cabin_, a cabin or house built of logs, as is generally the case in +newly-settled countries. + +_Loire_, the largest river of France, being about five hundred and fifty +miles in length. It rises in the mountains of Cevennes, and empties into +the Atlantic Ocean, about forty miles below the city of Nantes. It +divides France into two almost equal parts. + +_London Medical Society_, a distinguished association, formed in 1773. +It has published some valuable volumes of its Transactions. It has a +library, of about 40,000 volumes, which is kept in a house presented to +the Society, in 1788, by the celebrated Dr. Lettsom, who was one of its +first members. + +_Louis XIV._, a celebrated King of France and Navarre, who was born +Sept. 5, 1638, and died Sept. 1, 1715. His mother having before had no +children, though she had been married twenty-two years, his birth was +considered as a particular favor from heaven, and he was called the +'Gift of God.' He is sometimes styled 'Louis the Great,' and his reign +is celebrated as an era of magnificence and learning, and is notorious +as a period of licentiousness. He left behind him monuments of +unprecedented splendor and expense, consisting of palaces, gardens, and +other like works. + +_Lumbar_, (from the Latin _lumbus_, the loin,) relating or pertaining to +the loins. + +_Lunacy, writ of_, a judicial proceeding, to ascertain whether a person +be a lunatic. + +_Mademoiselle_, the French word for Miss, a young girl. + +_Magnesia_, a light and white alkaline earth, which enters into the +composition of many rocks, communicating to them a greasy or soapy +feeling, and a striped texture, with sometimes a greenish color. + +_Malaria_, (Italian, _mal'aria, bad air_,) a noxious vapor or +exhalation; a state of the atmosphere or soil, or both, which, in +certain regions, and in warm weather, produces fever, sometimes of great +violence. + +_Mammon_, riches, the Syrian god of riches. See St. Luke, xvi. 11, 13, +St. Matthew, vi. 24. + +_Martineau_, (Harriet,) a woman who has become somewhat celebrated by +her book of travels in the United States, and by other works. + +_Mexico_, a country situated southwest of the United States, and +extending to the Pacific Ocean. + +_Miasms_, such particles or atoms, as are supposed to arise from +distempered, putrefying, or poisonous bodies. + +_Michilimackinac_, or _Mackinac_, (now frequently corrupted into +_Mackinaw_, which is the usual pronunciation of the name,) a military +post in the State of Michigan, situated upon an island about nine miles +in circuit, in the strait which connects Lakes Michigan and Huron. It is +much resorted to by Indians and fur traders. The highest summit of the +island is about three hundred feet above the lakes, and commands an +extensive view of them. + +_Midsummer_, with us, the time when the sun arrives at his greatest +distance from the equator, or about the twenty-first of June, called, +also, the summer solstice, (from the Latin _sol_, _the sun_, and _sto_, +_to stop_ or _stand still_,) because, when the sun reaches this point, +he seems to stand still for some time, and then appears to retrace his +steps. The days are then longer than at any other time. + +_Migrate_, to remove from one place to another; to change residence. + +_Mildew_, a disease of plants; a mould, spot, or stain, in paper, +cloths, &c., caused by moisture. + +_Militate_, to oppose, to operate against. + +_Millinet_, a coarse kind of stiff muslin, formerly used for the +foundation or basis of bonnets, &c. + +_Mineralogy_, a science which treats of the inorganic natural substances +found upon or in the earth, such as earths, salts, metals, &c., and +which are called by the general name of minerals. + +_Minutiae_, the smallest particulars. + +_Monasticism_, monastic life; religiously recluse life, in a monastery, +or house of religious retirement. + +_Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley_, one of the most celebrated among the +female literary characters of England. She was daughter of Evelyn, Duke +of Kingston, and was born about 1690, at Thoresby, in England. She +displayed uncommon abilities, at a very early age, and was educated by +the best masters in the English, Latin, Greek, and French, languages. +She accompanied her husband (Edward Wortley Montagu) on an embassy to +Constantinople, and her correspondence with her friends was published +and much admired. She introduced the practice of inoculation for the +smallpox into England, which proved of great benefit to millions. She +died at the age of seventy-two, A. D. 1762. + +_Moral Philosophy_, the science which treats of the motives and rules of +human actions, and of the ends to which they ought to be directed. + +_Moreen_, a kind of woollen stuff used for curtains, covers of cushions, +bed hangings, &c. + +_Mucous_, having the nature of _mucus_, a glutinous, sticky, thready, +transparent fluid, of a salt savor, produced by different membranes of +the body, and serving to protect the membranes and other internal parts +against the action of the air, food, &c. The fluid of the mouth and nose +is mucus. + +_Mucous membrane_, that membrane which lines the mouth, nose, +intestines, and other open cavities of the body. + +_Muriatic acid_, an acid, composed of chlorine and hydrogen, called, +also, hydrochloric acid, and spirit of salt. + +_Mush-stick_, a stick to use in stirring _mush_, which is corn meal +boiled in water. + +_Nankeen_, or _Nankin_, a light cotton cloth, originally brought from +Nankin, in China, whence its name. + +_Nash_, (Richard,) commonly called _Beau Nash_, or King of Bath, a +celebrated leader of the fashions in England. He was born at Swansea, in +South Wales, October 8, 1674, and died in the city of Bath, (England,) +February 3, 1761. + +_Natural History_, the history of animals, plants, and minerals. + +_Natural Philosophy_, the science which treats of the powers of Nature, +the properties of natural bodies, and their action one upon another. It +is sometimes called _physics_. + +_New-milch cow_, a cow which has recently calved. + +_Newton_, (Sir Isaac,) an eminent English philosopher and mathematician, +who was born on Christmas day, 1642, and died March 20, 1727. He was +much distinguished for his very important discoveries in Optics and +other branches of Natural Philosophy. See the first volume of 'Pursuit +of Knowledge under Difficulties,' forming the fourteenth volume of +'THE SCHOOL LIBRARY,' Larger Series. + +_Non-bearers_, plants which bear no flowers nor fruit. + +_Northern States_, those of the United States situated in the Northern +and Eastern part of the Country. + +_Ordinary_, see _Physician in Ordinary_. + +_Oil of Vitriol_, (sulphuric acid, or vitriolic acid,) an acid composed +of oxygen and sulphur. + +_Orleans_, (Elizabeth Charlotte de Baviere,) _Duchess of_, second wife +of Philippe, the brother of Louis XIV., was born at Heidelberg, May 26, +1652, and died at the palace of St. Cloud, in Paris, December 8, 1722. +She was author of several works; among which were, Memoirs, and +Anecdotes, of the Court of Louis XIV. + +_Ottoman_, a kind of hassock, or thick mat, for kneeling upon; so +called, from being used by the Ottomans or Turks. + +_Oxalic acid_, a vegetable acid, which exists in sorrel. + +_Oxide_, a compound (which is not acid) of a substance with oxygen; for +example, oxide of iron, or rust of metals. + +_Oxidize_, to combine oxygen with a body without producing acidity. + +_Oxygen_, vital air, a simple and very important substance, which exists +in the atmosphere, and supports the breathing of animals and the burning +of combustibles. It was called oxygen, from two Greek words, signifying +to produce acid, from its power of giving acidity to many compounds in +which it predominates. + +_Oxygenized_, combined with oxygen. + +_Pancreas_, a gland within the abdomen, just below and behind the +stomach, and providing a fluid to assist digestion. In animals, it is +called the sweet-bread. _Pancreatic_, belonging to the pancreas. + +_Parterre_, a level division of ground, a flower garden. + +_Pearlash_, the common name for impure carbonate of potash, which, in a +purer form, is called _Sal aeratus_. + +_Peristaltic_, worm-like. + +_Philosophy_, see _Intellectual_, _Moral_, and _Natural_. + +_Physician in Ordinary to the Queen_, the Physician who attends the +Queen in ordinary cases of illness. + +_Pistil_, that part of a flower, generally in the centre, composed of +the germ, style, and stigma, which receives the pollen or fertilizing +dust of the stamens. + +_Pitt, William_, a celebrated English statesman, son of the Earl of +Chatham. He was born, May 28, 1759, and at the age of twenty-three, was +made Chancellor of the Exchequer, and soon afterward, Prime Minister. He +died, January 23, 1806. + +_Political Economy_, the science which treats of the general causes +affecting the production, distribution, and consumption, of articles of +exchangeable value, in reference to their effects upon national wealth +and welfare. + +_Pollen_, the fertilizing dust of flowers, produced by the stamens, and +falling upon the pistils, in order to render a flower capable of +producing fruit or seed. + +_Potter's clay_, the clay used in making articles of pottery. + +_Prairie_, a French word, signifying _meadow_. In the United States, it +is applied to the remarkable natural meadows, or plains, which are found +in the Western States. In some of these vast and nearly level plains, +the traveller may wander for days, without meeting with wood or water, +and see no object rising above the plane of the horizon. They are very +fertile. + +_Prime Minister_, the person appointed by the ruler of a nation to have +the chief direction and management of the public affairs. + +_Process_, a protuberance, or projecting part of a bone. + +_Pulmonary_, belonging to, or affecting, the lungs. _Pulmonary artery_, +an artery which passes through the lungs, being divided into several +branches, which form a beautiful network over the air-vessels, and +finally empty themselves into the left auricle of the heart. + +_Puritans_, a sect, which professed to follow the pure word of God, in +opposition to traditions, human constitutions, and other authorities. In +the reign of Queen Elizabeth, part of the Protestants were desirous of +introducing a simpler, and, as they considered it, a _purer_, form of +church government and worship, than that established by law; from which +circumstance, they were called _Puritans_. In process of time, this +party increased in numbers, and openly broke off from the Church, laying +aside the English liturgy, and adopting a service-book published at +Geneva, by the disciples of Calvin. They were treated with great rigor +by the Government, and many of them left the kingdom and settled in +Holland. Finding themselves not so eligibly situated in that Country, as +they had expected to be, a portion of them embarked for America, and +were the first settlers of New England. + +_Quixotic_, absurd, romantic, ridiculous; from _Don Quixote_, the hero +of a celebrated fictitious work, written by Cervantes, a distinguished +Spanish writer, and intended to reform the tastes and opinions of his +countrymen. + +_Reeking_, smoking, emitting vapor. + +_Residuum_, the remainder, or part which remains. + +_Routine_, a round, or course of engagements, business, pleasure, &c. + +To _Run_ a seam, to lay the two edges of a seam together, and pass the +threaded needle out and in, with small stitches, a few threads below the +edge, and on a line with it. + +To _Run_ a stocking, to pass a thread of yarn, with a needle, straight +along each row of the stocking, as far as is desired, taking up one loop +and missing two or three, until the row is completed, so as to double +the thickness at the part which is run. + +_Sabbatical year_, every seventh year, among the Jews, which was a year +of rest for the land, when it was to be left without culture. In this +year, all debts were to be remitted, and slaves set at liberty. See +Exodus xxi. 2, xxiii. 10, Leviticus xxv. 2, 3, &c., Deuteronomy xv. 12, +and other similar passages. + +_Sal aeratus_, see _Pearlash_. + +_Sal ammoniac_, a salt, called also muriate of ammonia, which derives +its name from a district in Libya, Egypt, where there was a temple of +Jupiter Ammon, and where this salt was found. + +_Scotch Highlanders_, inhabitants of the Highlands of Scotland. + +_Selvedge_, the edge of cloth, a border. Improperly written _selvage_. + +_Service-book_, a book prescribing the order of public services in a +church or congregation. + +_Sharps_, see _Blunts_. + +_Shorts_, the coarser part of wheat bran. + +_Shrubbery_, a plantation of shrubs. + +_Siberia_, a large country in the extreme northern part of Asia, having +the Frozen Ocean on the north, and the Pacific Ocean on the east, and +forming a part of the Russian empire. The northern part is extremely +cold, almost uncultivated, and contains but few inhabitants. It +furnishes fine skins, and some of the most valuable furs in the world. +It also contains rich mines of iron and copper, and several kinds of +precious stones. + +_Sinclair, Sir John_, of whom it was said, "There is no greater name in +the annals of agriculture, than his," was born in Caithness, Scotland, +May 10, 1754, and became a member of the British Parliament in 1780. He +was strongly opposed to the measures of the British Government towards +America, which produced the American Revolution. He was author of many +valuable publications, on various subjects. He died December 21, 1835. + +_Sirloin_, the loin of beef. The appellation 'Sir' is the title of a +knight, or baronet; and has been added to the word 'loin,' when applied +to beef, because a King of England, in a freak of good humor, once +conferred the honor of knighthood upon a loin of beef. + +_Slack_, to loosen, to relax, to deprive of cohesion. + +_Soda_, an alkali, usually obtained from the ashes of marine plants. + +To _Spade_, to throw out earth with a spade. + +_Spermaceti_, an oily substance, found in the head of a species of +whale, called the spermaceti whale. + +_Spindling_, see page 124. + +_Spinous process_, a process or bony protuberance, resembling a spine or +thorn, whence it derives its name. + +_Spool_, a piece of cane or reed, or a hollow cylinder of wood, with a +ridge at each end, used to wind yarn and thread upon. + +_Stamen_, (plural _stamens_ and _stamina_,) in _weaving_, the warp, the +thread, any thing made of threads. In _botany_, that part of a flower, +on which the artificial classification is founded, consisting of the +filament or stalk, and the anther, which contains the pollen, or +fructifying powder. + +_Stigma_, (plural _stigmas_ and _stigmata_,) the summit or top of the +pistil of a flower. + +_Style_, or _Stile_, the part of the pistil between the germ and the +stigma. + +_Sub-carbonate_, an imperfect carbonate. + +_Sulphates_, _Sulphats_, _Sulphites_, salts formed by the combination of +some base with sulphuric acid, as _Sulphate of copper_, (blue vitriol, +or blue stone,) a combination of sulphuric acid with copper. _Sulphate +of iron_, copperas, or green vitriol. _Sulphate of lime_, gypsum, or +plaster of Paris. _Sulphate of magnesia_, Epsom salts. _Sulphate of +potash_, a chemical salt, composed of sulphuric acid and potash. +_Sulphate of soda_, Glauber's salts. _Sulphate of zinc_, white vitriol. + +_Sulphuret_, a combination of an alkaline earth or metal with sulphur +as, _Sulphuret of iron_, a combination of iron and sulphur. + +_Sulphuric acid_, oil of vitriol, vitriolic acid. + +_Suture_, a sewing; the uniting of parts by stitching; the seam or joint +which unites the flat bones of the skull, which are notched like the +teeth of a saw, and the notches, being united together, present the +appearance of a seam. + +_Tartar_, a substance, deposited on the inside of wine casks, consisting +chiefly of tartaric acid and potash. _Cream of tartar_, the crude tartar +separated from all its impurities, by being dissolved in water and then +crystallized, when it becomes a perfectly white powder. + +_Tartaric acid_, a vegetable acid which exists in the grape. + +_Technology_, a description of the arts, considered generally, in their +theory and practice, as connected with moral, political, and physical +science. + +_Three great Jewish yearly festivals_, see _Festivals_. + +_Three-ply_, or triple ingrain, a kind of carpeting, in which the +threads are woven in such a manner as to make three thicknesses of the +cloth. + +_Tic douloureux_, a painful affection of the nerves, mostly those of the +face. + +_Tocqueville_, (Alexis de,) a celebrated living statesman and writer of +France, and author of volumes on the Political Condition, and the +Penitentiaries, of the United States, and other works. + +_Trachea_, the windpipe, so named (from a Greek word signifying _rough_) +from the roughness, or inequalities, of the cartilages of which it is +formed. + +_Truckle-bed_, or _trundle-bed_, a bed that runs on wheels. + +_Tuber_, a solid, fleshy, roundish root, like the potato. _Tuberous_, +thick and fleshy; composed of, or having, tubers. + +_Tucks_, (improperly tacks,) folds in garments. + +_Turmeric_, the root of a plant called _Curcuma longa_, a native of the +East Indies, used as a yellow dye. + +_Twaddle_, idle, foolish talk, or conversation. + +_Unbolted_, unsifted. + +_Unslacked_, not loosened, or deprived of cohesion. Lime, when it has +been slacked, crumbles to powder, from being deprived of cohesion. + +_Valance_, the drapery or fringe hanging round the cover of a bed, +couch, or other similar article. + +_Vascular_, relating to, or full of, vessels. + +_Venetian_, a kind of carpeting, composed of a striped woollen warp on a +thick woof of linen thread. + +_Verisimilitude_, probability, resemblance to truth. + +_Verbatim_, word for word. + +_Vice versa_, the side being changed, or the question reversed, or the +terms being exchanged. + +_Viscera_, (plural of _viscus_,) organs contained in the abdomen and in +the chest. + +_Vitriol_, a compound mineral salt, of a very caustic taste. _Blue +vitriol_, sulphate of copper. _Green vitriol_, see _Copperas_. _Oil of +vitriol_, sulphuric acid. _White vitriol_, sulphate of zinc. + +_Waffle-iron_, an iron utensil for the purpose of baking waffles, which +are thin and soft cakes indented by the iron in which they are baked. + +_Washleather_, a soft, pliable leather, dressed with oil, and in such a +way, that it may be washed, without shrinking. It is used for various +articles of dress, as under-shirts, drawers, &c., and also for rubbing +silver, and other articles having a high polish. The article known, in +commerce, as chamois, or shammy, leather, is also called wash-leather. + +_Welting cord_, a cord sewed into the welt or border of a garment. + +The _West_, or _Western World_. When used in Europe, or in distinction +from the Eastern World, it means America. When used in this Country, the +West refers to the Western States of the Union. _Western Wilds_, the +wild, thinly-settled lands of the Western States. + +_White vitriol_, see _Zinc_. + +_Wilton carpet_, a kind of carpets, made in England, and so called from +the place which is the chief seat of their manufacture. They are woollen +velvets, with variegated colors. + +_Writ of lunacy_, see _Lunacy_. + +_Xantippe_, the wife of Socrates, noted for her violent temper and +scolding propensities. The name is frequently applied to a shrew, or +peevish, turbulent, scolding woman. + +_Zinc_, a blueish-white metal, which is used as a constituent of brass, +and some other alloys. _Sulphate of zinc_, or _White vitriol_, a +combination of zinc with sulphuric acid. + + + + +INDEX. + + +A. + +Absorbents of the skin, 93, 119. + +Accidents and antidotes, 240. + +Accounts, 174, 186. + By girls, 188. + +Acids, 319. + +Africans, diet of, 221. + +Air, evils of the want of pure, 91, 129, 196, 311. + Exercise in the, 129, 133. + For infants, 217, 218. + Of sick-rooms, 237. + Dancing in the, 246. + _See_ Ventilation. + +Albany Orphan Asylum, 222. + +Alcoholic drinks, 107. + _See_ Stimulating. + +Alton, account of the Monticello Female Seminary at, 54. + +Amaryllis, 335. + +America, anticipations as to, 36. + Conspicuous station of, 36. + Changeableness in the conditions in, 40, 46, 48, 257. + Labor in, 147. + +American women, peculiar responsibilities of, 25. + Rights and privileges of, 27. + Their distinct line of duty, 28, 32, 33. + Influence of, on America, 32, 33. + Their equality, 33. + Fancied wrongs of, 33. + Part to be acted by, 36. + Influence of, in the world, 37, 38. + Difficulties peculiar to, 38; + as housekeepers, 39, 151, 204; + from delicacy of constitution, 41, 45, 47, 128. + Few perfectly healthy, 43. + Causes of unhealthy, 43, 128; + mental excitement, 43; + their sense of their responsibilities, 44; + too little outdoor exercise, 44. + Bad early training of, 45. + Exposures of, in newly-settled countries, 46. + De Tocqueville describes, in the West, 46. + In the East and in the West, compared, 47. + Should oppose the feeling that labor is degrading, 61. + Precedence given to, by the other sex, 141. + Housekeeping by, 151. + Time and money spent by, for the ornamental, 175. + _See_ Daughters, Females, Mothers, _and_ Women. + +Amusements, 244, 250. + +Anemone, 335. + +Anger, on silence in, 152. + _See_ Temper, _and_ Tones. + +Animal food, 99, 100. + For young children, 220. + Nourishment of, 221. + _See_ Food. + +Animals, cruelty to, in sport, 244, 246. + +Annual flowers, 337. + +Anthracite coal, 281. + +Ants, red and black, 323. + +Anxiety, a countenance of, 149. + +Appetites, gratification of the, 159, 171, 172. + Rule as to, 184. + +Apple trees, preserving from insects, 350. + +Apportionment of time, 157, 160, 181. + By regular division of work, 162. + Jewish, 181. + +Aristocracy, English, 27, 123. + The prejudice of, as to labor, 61, 123. + Distinguishing mark of, 123. + On aping the, 124. + Courtesy of, limited, 139. + Manners of democracy and, 146. + On economy among the, 194. + Domestics of, 205. + +Arm, muscles of the, 74, 75. + +Arsenic, poisoning from, 242. + +Arteries, tying up, 240. + +Associated charities, 178. + +Association, in Illinois, for educating poor females, 59. + For education at large, 203. + +Astral lamps, 282. + + +B. + +Back-door accommodations, 276. + +Baglivi, on health during Lent, 100. + +Balls, 247, 248. + +Bargains, on making, 190, 194. + +Baskets, 321. + For centre tables, 354. + +Bath, on using the, 120. + +Bathing infants, 217. + _See_ Washing. + +Bathing-rooms, 276. + +Beating down prices, 190, 194. + +Beaumont, Dr., experiments by, on the digestibility of food, 104, _note_. + +Beauty, effect of exercise on, 132. + +Bed-bugs, 323. + +Bedrooms, care of, 311. + +Beds and bedding, 114, 313, 329. + Washing, 287. + On making, 314. + +Beef's-gall, uses of, 286, 289. + To prepare, 292. + +Bell, Sir Charles, on nerves, 129. + +Benevolence, happiness of, 131. + _See_ Charity. + +Bile, 89. + +Bituminous coal, 281. + +Black ants, 323. + +Black tea, 110. + +Bleeding at the lungs, 243. + +Blindness, guarding against, 217, 283. + +Blisters, on dressing, 238. + +Blood, details as to the circulation of the, 83. + Effect of daylight on the, 124; + of exercise, 132. + Crowded to the brain, when one is excited, 195. + When a cause of mental disease, 196. + Stopping, 240, 243. + When dancing, 246. + _See_ Circulation. + +Blood-vessels, 81. + +Blows on the head, 241. + +Boarding-houses, plan as to expenses of, 186. + +Boarding schools, curvature of the spine common at, 41. + _See_ Female seminaries. + +Boards for ironing, 294. + +Body, change and renovation of the, 91. + Connection of mind and, 195. + _See_ Mind. + +Boldness in domestics, 209. + +Bones, described, 69. + +Books, on teaching domestic economy from, 65. + +Bosom-boards, 294. + +Boston, scientific and literary advantages in, 147. + +Bowels, 235, 237, _note_. + +Boys, small, made useful, 164. + Domestic arts taught to, 164. + _See_ Children. + +Brain, excitement of the, 195. + Over-action of the, 197. + +Breakfast, 103. + On late, 127. + On the care of, and of dining-rooms, 306. + +Broadcloths, cleansing, 289. + +Broken limbs, 240. + +Brown linens, washing, 288. + +Bruises, 240. + +Budding, hints on, 342. + +Bulbs, 335. + +Bulwer's novels, 234. + +Burne, Dr., cited, 235. + +Burns, treatment of, 241. + +Buttonholes, 324. + +Byron, Lord, 200, 201. + + +C. + +Cakes, keeping till meal time, 223. + +Calicoes, washing, 286, 287. + Ironing, 295. + +Calisthenics, 56, 247. + +Candles, 281. + To make, 283. + +Caps for infants, 217. + +Carpets, hints as to, 302. + +Carving, 310. + +Castle building, 199. + +Cathartics, 235, 237. + +Catholics, health of, during Lent, 100. + +Cellars, vegetables in dark, 124. + On the care of, 322. + +Chambers, care of, 311. + Couches for, 312. + Furniture for, 313. + +Character, attention to, at school, 58. + Dependence of happiness on, 169. + Self-denying benevolence of Christ's, 169. + +Charcoal, 242, 281. + +Charity, 131. + On giving in, 158. + Difficulty respecting, 167. + General principles respecting, 168. + Objects for receiving, 176. + For souls of men, 177. + By furnishing the poor with means of earning support, 178. + Associations for, 178. + Indiscriminate bestowal of, 178. + Benefit of tracts in distributing, 179. + On judging of other people's, 180. + Union of, with social enjoyments, 184. + +Cheap articles, hints on, 190, 194. + +Children, washing, 121, 122. + Living in the dark, 124. + Early retiring and rising of, 126. + Cultivation of good manners in, 141, 142. + Too great familiarity with, 143, 226. + Should acknowledge acts of kindness, 143; + ask leave to use others' articles, 143; + avoid wounding others' feelings, 143. + To be taught to keep silence, 145, 230. + Do not surround with too many rules, 145. + On making allowances for, 154. + Waiting on, 163. + On making useful, 163, 252. + On paying, for services, 164, 230. + On giving younger, to older, 165. + Precocity in, 198. + Eating too often, 223. + To be guarded as to honesty, deceit, and running in debt, 232. + Sharing fruits and flowers, 251. + _See_ Boys, Female, Girls, _and_ Young children. + +Chimneys, smoky, 352. + +Christ's character, 169. + +Christianity, principles of, identical with democratic, 25, 34. + +Churches, ill-ventilated, 196. + +Chyle, 89. + Converted into arterial blood, 90. + From animal and other food, 99. + +Cincinnati, education in, 148. + +Circulation, in the skin of infants, 113. + Effect of cold on, 113, 118, 119. + _See_ Blood. + +Clark, Dr., on animal diet for very young children, 220. + +Cleaning carpets, 303. + +Cleanliness, on realizing the importance of, 118. + Of the sick, 238. + +Cleansing articles, 298. + +Climbing plants, 339. + +Closets, of conveniences, 162. + Sliding, 278. + For washing utensils, 285. + In eating-rooms, 306. + In kitchens, 322. + +Clothing and clothes, 112. + Deficiency of, 113, 129. + Excess of, 114. + Rule as to, 114. + Flannel, 114, 115. + Of men and women, compared, 115. + Example of English women as to, 117. + On changing, next to the body, 120. + Girls buying their own, 188. + On inconsistent, 189. + On washing, 285. + Ironing, 295. + Whitening, 296. + Cleansing, 298. + Coloring, 300. + _See_ Dress, _and_ Tight dressing. + +Coal, 281. + +Coats, on folding, 315. + +Cobalt, poisoning from, 242. + +Cockroaches, 323. + +Coffee, _see_ Tea. + +Cold, on exposure to, 113, 118. + Effect of, on infants, 114. + +Cold and hot, food, 103. + Drinks, 110. + +Collecting of specimens, 253. + +Colleges, on the endowment of, 51. + On physicians in, 198. + +Colors, coloring and, 300. + For different complexions, 327. + +Combe, Andrew, on drinks, 111. + On exercising the brain, 199. + On infants, 214. + On animal food, 221. + +Complexions, colors for the different, 327. + +Condiments in food, 99. + +Constipation, 235, 237, _note_. + +Constitution, delicacy of, in American females, 41, 45, 47; + causes of it, 45, 128. + On early attention to the, 49. + Duties of wealthy mothers, respecting their children's, 50. + Effect of stimulating drinks on the, 107. + +Conveniences, on providing, 162. + For cooking, 319. + _See_ Closets. + +Convivial meetings, on exposures after, 119, 247. + +Cooking, food made unhealthy by, 99, 101. + Conveniences wanted for, 319. + +Cooper, Sir Astley, cited, 195. + +Corrosive sublimate, poisoning from, 241. + +Corsets, 116. + +Couches, cheap, 312. + +Courtesy, want of, 137, 141; + causes of it, 138, 148. + _See_ Democracy. + +Cows, to take care of, 352. + +Creeping of infants, 219. + +Cribs for infants, 218. + +Crickets, 323. + +Crockery, 319. + +Crocus, 335. + +Crown Imperial, 335. + +Cruelty in amusements, 244, 246. + +Crying of infants, 219. + +Curculios, 351. + +Currants, 348, 350. + +Curtains, 302, 304. + +Curvature, _see_ Spine. + +Cuts, remedies for, 240. + +Cutting and sewing, 324, 328. + +Cuvier, cited, 220. + + +D. + +Daffodils, 336. + +Dahlias, 336. + +Dancing, 245, 246. + +Daughters, on schooling, 48. + On keeping, as domestic assistants, 60. + Educated to domestic work, 67. + _See_ Female, _and_ Girls. + +Day, on converting into night, 123. + Influence of, on vegetables and blood, 124. + +Debt, on running into, 232. + +Democracy, principles of, identical with Christian, 25, 34. + Tendencies of, as to the female sex, 27. + On progress towards, 34. + On what the success of, depends, 36. + Of early rising, 123. + Courtesy of manners and, 138, 140, 146. + +Derangement, from over-excitement, 197. + +Diet, _see_ Food. + +Difficulties, peculiar to American women, 38. + On estimating them justly, 39, 151. + Remedies for, 48, 151. + +Digestion, organs of respiration and, 87. + Details respecting, 94. + Articles easiest for, 101, 104. + Experiments respecting, 104. + _Bulk_ of food necessary to, 105. + Impeded by bathing, 121. + +Dining-rooms, care of, 306. + +Dinner, setting table for, 309. + +Dirt not healthy, 118. + +Dish-cloths, 317. + +Dishes, on washing, 318. + +Dolls, benefits from, 254. + +Domestic amusements, 244. + +Domestic exercise, 128. + +Domestic Economy, on raising, as a science, 50, 67. + Reasons for introducing, into school, 63. + On teaching, from books, 65. + Indispensable part of education, 134. + +Domestic education, importance of, in childhood, 48. + On early training in, 49, 60, 67. + On giving mornings to, 49. + In the Monticello Female Seminary, 54. + Should alternate with studies, 60. + Sufferings for want of, 63. + Many mothers unqualified to teach, 65. + Dignity of, 67, 135. + +Domestics, peculiar difficulties as to, in America, 40, 204. + Duties to be done by daughters, and not by, 50. + Blessing of a dearth of, 50. + Without, 64. + On making allowances for, 154, 210, 212. + Care of, 204. + Of aristocratic lands, 205. + Placing ourselves in their situation, 205, 206. + Exorbitant wages of, 205. + Instability and discontent of, and the remedy, 206. + Pride and insubordination of, and the remedy, 207, 208. + On calling them _servants_, 207. + Admitted to the table, 209. + Bold and forward, 209. + Dress and rooms of, 209, 210. + Deficiencies of, and the remedies, 210. + Getting away, 211. + Finding fault with, 211. + Patience with, 212. + Regard to, in construction of houses, 261. + Beds for, 315. + +Doors, outside, 260, 263. + +Dress, too much attention to, 166. + Inconsistency in, 189. + Of domestics, 209. + _See_ Clothing. + +Dresses, for the domestic duties of school girls, 55. + Colors for, 327. + _See_ Clothing. + +Drink, during meal-time, 103. + +Drinks, on healthful, 106. + +Drowning, 241. + +Dumb-waiters, 278, 306. + +Dusting, 304, 306. + +Duties, enjoyments connected with, 183. + + +E. + +Early rising, 122. + Democratic, 123. + Reasons for, 124. + Time for, 126. + Longevity and, 126. + Effects of, on a family, 126; + on the community, 127; + on systematic duty, 166. + +Earthen ware, 319. + +Eating, intemperance in, 94, 95. + At any time, 96. + Too fast, 101. + Should not be followed by exercise, 102; + nor bathing, 121. + _See_ Food. + +Eating-rooms, care of, 306. + +Economy, on domestic, 152. + Extravagance changed for, 176. + Contradictory ideas as to, 185. + General principles as to, 186. + Relative obligations of rich and poor as to, 191. + Neglect as to, 193. + Of the aristocracy, 194. + +Education in America, 147. + Associations for, 203. + _See_ Female, _and_ Monticello. + +Employment, for the different divisions of a week, 162. + On regular, for all the family, 163. + +Enjoyments, _see_ Amusements, _and_ Happiness. + +Equality, on democratic, 25. + _See_ Democracy, Sexes, _and_ Women. + +Establishments, expensive, given up, 176. + +Exercise, comparative, of American women and others, 44. + Neglect of, 50, 244. + Method for securing, at the Monticello Female Seminary, 54. + Indispensable to the health of the several parts of the + human frame, 73, 97. + Of the muscles, 76, 78, 97, 116, 128, 129. + Effect of want of, on the spine, 78, 80. + Food to be graduated by, 97. + After eating, bad, 102. + Evils of want of, 129. + On furnishing interesting, 131. + Walking for, 131. + In useful employments, 131. + Excessive, 132. + Rule as to, 133. + On excessive, of the mind and feelings, 197. + Of the brain, 199. + +Exhalations from the skin, 92. + +Expenses, on keeping account of, 173, 174. + Economy in, 185, 193. + On graduating, by the income, 186. + On gentility in being careless of, 193. + On extravagance in, 194. + _See_ Economy. + +Eyes, screening, from light, 217, 283. + + +F. + +Family, on early rising in the, 126. + Fathers neglecting the, 255. + On attachments of, 256. + +Fasting in sickness, 235. + +Fathers neglecting home, 255. + +Fault-finding, 211. + +Featherbeds, 114, 313. + +Feelings, inactivity of the, 199. + +Feet, on protecting the, 115, 117, 129. + Keeping those of infants, warm, 217. + Bathing, for a cold, 235. + +Female association for educating poor females, 59. + +Female education, advantages for, in America, 43. + Objects to be attended to, in, 48, 49. + Importance of mathematics in, 56. + Should be conducted by females, 58. + Present waste in conducting, 60. + _See_ School. + +Female seminaries, on the endowment of, 51. + Importance of, 52. + Defects of, 53. + Suitable, 53. + Monticello Female Seminary, described, 54. + Division of labor and responsibility in, 58. + Requirement for admission to the Monticello, 59. + On providing, 61, 68. + Reasons for introducing the study of domestic economy into, 63. + Establishment of, by a wealthy female, 202. + Should have gardens, 251. + +Females, influence of, on the character of the young, 37. + Building schoolhouses, 202. + _See_ American women, Girls, _and_ Women. + +Filberts, 348. + +Finding fault, 211. + +Finger nails, 122, 144. + +Fire, escaping from, 243. + +Fireplaces and fires, 260, 265, 280, 311. + +Fishing, 244. + +Flannel, 114. + Utility of, 115. + On washing, 285, 286. + +Fleas, 323. + +Flies, on destroying, 323. + +Flower baskets, 354. + +Flower seeds, on planting, 332. + +Flowers, 251, 335. + Arranging, 337. + +Fluids, on taking, 103, 104. + +Folding articles, 315. + +Follicles of the skin, 93. + +Food, on the conversion of, into nourishment, 87. + Responsibility as to, in a family, 94. + On taking too much, 94, 95, 128. + On one kind of, for each meal, 95. + Should be taken at proper times, 96. + Strong laboring men need most, 96. + Quantity of, to be graduated by exercise, 97. + On the quality of, 98. + Stimulating, 99. + Animal and vegetable, 99, 100, 220, 221. + Kinds of, most easily digested, 101, 104, 105. + Injurious, from bad cooking, 101. + On eating, too fast, 101, 128. + On exercise after taking, 102. + On hot and cold, 103. + Highly concentrated, 104. + Certain _bulk_ of, necessary to digestion, 105. + For infants, 214, 216. + For nurses, 215. + Sickness from improper, 235. + Preparing, for the sick, 239. + +Footstools, 303. + +Foreigners, employed as domestics, 40. + +Forewarning domestics, 211. + +Forwardness of domestics, 209. + +Franklin, Benjamin, diet of, 222. + +Frocks, to make, 326. + +Fruit, on the cultivation of, 251, 347. + To preserve, 350. + +Fuel, hints as to, 280. + +Furnaces, 260, _note_. + +Furniture, on costly, 163, 167. + On inconsistent, 188. + On selecting, 302. + Packing of, for moving, 316. + Kitchen, 319. + + +G. + +Games of children, 253. + +Garden seeds, to plant, 333. + +Gardening, 331. + +Gardens, at female institutions, 251. + On laying out, 334. + +Gas, antidote for, 242. + +Gastric juice, 88, 94. + +Gathering, in shirts, 325. + +Girls, on sending, to school, 48, 60. + Should assist their mothers early, 49. + Education of, at the Monticello Female Seminary, 54. + Confinement of, in school, 133. + Small, made useful, 164. + Forming habits of system, 167; + of making purchases and keeping accounts, 188. + Effects of excitement on, 197. + Taking care of infants by, 214. + _See_ Daughters, _and_ Females. + +Gladiolus, 335. + +Gloves, cleansing, 298. + +Godfrey, Benjamin, Female Seminary endowed by, 54. + +Gooseberries, 348, 350. + +Gothic cottage, 271. + +Government of children, 226. + Unsteadiness in, and over-government, 228. + Maxims on, 229. + _See_ Children, Subordination, _and_ Young children. + +Grafting, 344. + +Grapes, 349, 350. + +Grates, 281. + +Gratifications, on physical, 159, 171, 172. + +Grease-spots, 289, 297, 298. + In carpets, 304. + +Greeks and Romans, bathing by, 120. + + +H. + +Habit, in a system of duty, 166. + +Handkerchiefs, cleansing, 298. + +Happiness, dependence of, on character, 169. + On living to make, 169, 200. + Connected with duties, 183. + +Hard-soap, to make, 291. + +Head, blows on the, 241. + +Headache, 78, 95. + +Health, delicacy and infrequency of, in American women, 41, 45. + Effect of mental excitement on 43; + of a high sense of responsibility, &c., 44; + of want of outdoor exercise, 44; + of bad early training, 45; + of exposures in newly-settled countries, 46. + On preparation for a _rational_ care of, in a family, 68, 69. + Connection of exercise and, 73, 76, 78, 97, 133; + of the quantity of food and, 94, 95, 100; + of the quality, 98. + Of Catholics during Lent, 100. + Not from dirt, 118. + Effect of early rising on, 125. + On the duty of sacrificing, 159. + Causes which injure the mind's, 196. + Amusements and, 245. + Laughter and, 253. + Regard to, in constructing houses, 260. + Ventilation and, 311. + Connection of, with cellars, 322. + _See_ Air, Exercise, _and_ Sickness. + +Hearths, 305. + +Hearts, different, 84. + Cause of their throbbing, 90. + +Heat of the body, regulated by the skin, 92. + +Heating houses, 260. + +Help, _see_ Domestics. + +Helping at table, 310. + +Herbaceous roots, 339. + +Horse-racing, 245, 246. + +Horses, care of, 351. + +Hose, on washing, 286, 289. + +Hospitality, on manifesting, 144. + To strangers, 257. + +Hot and cold food and drinks, 103, 110. + +Hot-beds, 331. + +House-cleaning, 353. + +Housekeepers, difficulties peculiar to American women as, 30. + Preservation of good temper in, 148, 150. + Allowances to be made for, 150. + Necessity of a habit of system and order in, 157. + General principles for, 158. + Plans by, for saving time, 184. + _See_ American women. + +Housekeeping, on a knowledge of, 134. + Dignity and difficulty of, 150, 157. + _See_ Labor. + +House-plants, to repot, 333. + Care of, 341. + +Houses, on the construction of, 258. + Regard to economy of labor in, 258; + to water, 259, 275; + to heating, 260; + to economy of health, 260; + to domestics, 261; + to good taste, 261. + Plans of, and of domestic conveniences, 261. + Shade-trees around, 275. + Back-door accommodations to, 276. + +Hunger, 94, 132. + As a guide for taking food, 97. + +Hunting, 244. + +Hyacinths, 335. + + +I. + +Illinois, female association in, for educating poor females, 59. + _See_ Alton. + +Imagination, 199. + Works of, 249. + _See_ Novel reading. + +Impostors, soliciting charity, 178. + +Impurity of thought, 233. + +Income, _see_ Expenses. + +Indigestion, 101. + _See_ Health. + +Infants, mortality among, 112, 114, 214. + Too cold, 113. + Plunging, in cold water, 113. + Registrations of, 113. + On giving, to the older children, 165. + Use of, to elicit charity, 179. + Importance of knowing how to take care of, 213. + Combe, Bell, and Eberle on, cited, 214. + Food for, 214, 216, 218. + Medicines for, 215, 216, 218, 219. + Pure air for, 217, 218. + Keeping warm, 217, 218. + Keeping their heads cool, 217. + Bathing, 217, 218. + Nostrums for, 219. + Unquiet, 219. + To creep, 219. + Standing, 219. + Crying, 219. + _See_ Children, _and_ Mortality. + +Ingrafting, 344. + +Ink-stains, 298. + +Insects, on destroying, 323. + Preserving apple trees from, 350. + +Institutions, _see_ Female seminaries, _and_ School. + +Intelligence, dependence of democracy on, 36. + +Intemperance, H. Martineau on, criticized, 30, _note_. + In eating, 94, 95. + In drinking, 106. + Female responsibility as to, 106. + +Invitations, 353. + +Ironing, articles to be provided for, 293. + Settee for, 293. + Boards for, 294. + Hints on, 295. + +Iron-ware, 319. + + +J. + +Jewish use of time, 182. + +Jokes, 253. + +Jonquilles, 335. + + +K. + +Kitchens, 163, 259. + On taking care of, 317. + Floors of, 317. + Oilcloths for, 317. + Furniture for, 319. + +Knitting, to employ time, 185. + +Knives and forks, 307. + + +L. + +Labelling powders, 239. + +Labor, nobility of, 55, 147. + On opposing the idea of the degradation of, 61, 123, 124. + Not inconsistent with delicacy, 62. + On economy of, in houses, 258. + +Laces, doing up of, 292. + +Lamps, 281. + Care of, 282. + +Laplanders and their food, 220. + +Lard, used for oil, 281. + +Latticed portico, 277. + +Laughter, 253. + +Laws, necessity of a system of, 25. + +Leghorn hats, 299. + +Lent, health during, 100. + +Ley, to make, 290. + +Life, object of, 168. + +Light, effects of, 124. + Screening eyes from, 217, 283. + +Lightning, 243. + +Lightning rods, 243. + +Lights, 281. + +Limbs of trees, on training, 348. + +Linens, 288, 328. + +Linnaeus, cited, 220. + +Liquids, on taking, 103, 104. + +Literature, guarding, 249. + +Longevity, Sinclair on, 126. + From vegetable diet, 221. + +Louis XIV., manners of his age, 148. + +Lungs, 89. + Effects of tight-dressing on the, 90, 117. + Bleeding at the, 243. + +Luxuries, _see_ Superfluities. + + +M. + +Mahogany furniture, 305. + +Manners, good, 136. + American defect in, and cause of it, 137. + Of the Puritans and their posterity, 137. + Principles respecting, 140. + Proprieties in, 141. + On cultivation of, 141. + At home, 142. + Leading points as to, claiming attention, 142. + Children to be taught, 143. + On conventional, 144. + At table, 144. + Charity for bad, 145. + Of the age of Louis XIV., 148. + _See_ Children. + +Marble, stains on, 305. + +Martineau, Harriet, criticized, 30, _note_, 141, _note_. + +Mathematics, importance of, in a female education, 56. + +Mattresses, 312, 329. + +Meals, should be five hours apart, 96. + On the nature of the, 103. + Time of English, 123. + +Meat, on eating, 99, 100. + _See_ Animal food, _and_ Food. + +Mechanical amusements, 254. + +Medical men needed in literary institutions, 198. + +Medicines, on giving, to infants, 215. + On administering, 236, 238. + Different effects of different, 236. + On purchasing, 239. + Labelling, 239. + +Men, engaged in women's work, 164, 165. + +Mending, 330. + +Mental excitement, effect of, on health, 43. + On reducing youthful, 48, 49. + On invigorating, 56. + Effect of, on the mind, 197. + _See_ Mind. + +Mexicans, teeth of, 110. + +Mice, 323. + +Mildew, removing, 296. + +Milk, for infants, 216, 217. + +Milkweed-silk, 227. + +Mind, connection of body and, 195. + Causes which injure the health of the, 196. + On inactivity of, 199. + Indications of diseased, 204. + _See_ Health, _and_ Mental excitement. + +Mineralogical collections, 253. + +Modesty in children, 233. + +Money, children's earning, 164. + +Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley, cited, 135. + +Monticello Female Seminary, account of, 54. + System of studies there, 57. + Effort made there to cure defects of character and habits, 58. + +Morals, American, 29. + Dependence of democracy on, 36. + Attention to, in the Monticello Female Seminary, 58. + In children, 233. + _See_ Children, _and_ Young children. + +Mortality, among infants, 112, 114. + Causes of it, 214. + At the Albany Orphan Asylum, 222. + _See_ Infants. + +Mothers, sufferings of American, 42. + The great objects for, in educating their daughters, 48. + Influence of wealthy, 50. + Should raise the science of domestic economy, 51. + Few, qualified to teach domestic economy, 65. + Influence of, 149, 151. + Teaching boys domestic arts, 164. + _See_ American women, _and_ Women. + +Moths, 323. + +Muscles, 74. + Exercise of the, 76, 78, 97, 116, 129. + Excessive exercise of, 132. + +Music, 58, 252. + +Muslins, on washing, 288. + Starching, 292. + +Musquitoes, 323. + + +N. + +Nails, cleaning, 122, 144. + +Nankeens, on washing, 288. + +Napkins, table, 307. + +Narcissus, 335. + +Nash, Beau, biography of, 148. + +Neatness, in housekeeping, 152. + Of sick-rooms, 238. + _See_ Cleanliness. + +Needle-work, bad economy in, 189. + +Nerves, 76. + Ramifications of the, 78. + Health of, dependent on muscular exercise, 78, 130. + Function of, in the stomach, 87. + Excited by stimulating drinks, 106, 111. + Two kinds of, 129. + On cutting off, 130. + Exercise and inactivity of, 130. + Debility of, 130, 199. + +New Englanders, one cause of their tact, 165. + +Newton, Sir Isaac, diet of, 222. + +Night, converting, into day, 123. + +Nightgowns, 114, 329. + +Night-lamps, 283. + +Novel reading, 199, 234, 249. + +Nursery, discipline of the, 224, 230. + +Nursery, soil for a, 347. + +Nursing, on food while, 215. + Of the sick, 237. + + +O. + +Obedience of children, 226. + _See_ Children, _and_ Government. + +Objects of charity, 176. + +Oil, 281. + Taking out, 297. + +Oilcloths, for kitchens, 317. + +Opium, absorbed by the skin, 93. + Antidote for, 242. + +Order, on a habit of, 157. + +Ornaments, 166. + Time and money spent for, 175, 259. + +Orphan Asylum at Albany, 222. + +Ostrich feathers, washing, 299. + +Outhouses, 276. + +Over-government, 228, 229. + _See_ Children, _and_ Government. + + +P. + +Packing, of trunks, 316. + Of furniture for moving, 316. + +Pain, amusements causing, 244. + +Paint-spots, 298. + +Pantaloons, on mending, 330. + +Parents, exercising of authority by, 226. + Should provide amusements, 250. + Joining in children's sports, 254. + +Parlors, kitchens and, 163, 259. + Light work in, to save time, 184. + Inconsistently furnished, 189. + On the care of, 302. + On selecting furniture for, 302. + Sweeping, 305. + Screens in, 353. + +Parties, invitations to, 353. + +Passions, the, 170. + _See_ Temper. + +Peach trees, 350. + +Perennial plants, 339. + +Peristaltic motion, 87, 96, 102. + +Perspiration, 92, 93. + Demands supply of food, 96. + From exercise, healthful, 114. + During sleep, 126. + On inducing, 235, 236. + +Physical education, _see_ Exercise, _and_ Health. + +Physicians, obeying, 239. + +Piano, playing on the, 252. + +Pictures, 302, 304. + +Pills, 236, 237, _note_. + +Pitch, on removing, 297. + +Plans, for apportioning time, 158, 160. + For duties, 162, 166, 167. + For saving time, 184. + For expenses, 186. + Of houses, 261. + +Planting flower seeds, 332. + +Plants, collecting, 253. + In rooms with stoves, 281. + Soil for, 331. + Propagation of, 341. + _See_ Flowers, _and_ Seeds. + +Poisoning, 241. + +Politeness, _see_ Courtesy, _and_ Manners. + +Poor, Mosaic laws as to the, 182. + On work for the, 189, 190. + Liberal prices and prompt payment to the, 191. + _See_ Charity. + +Pores, closing the, 119. + _See_ Skin. + +Portico, latticed, 277. + +Positions, effects of, 73, 80. + +Potash-soap, 291. + +Pot-plants, soil for, 331. + +Pots, transplanting from, 333. + +Powders, labelling, 239. + +Precocity in children, 198. + +Privies, 276. + +Propagation of plants, 341. + +Propensities, 170. + +Property, Jews' use of, 182. + Unequal distribution of, 191. + On sharing, 191. + On using, properly, 193. + +Pruning, 346. + +Pumps, 275. + +Punctuality, and want of it, 128. + In paying the poor, 191. + +Purchases, on making, 193, 194. + +Puritans, manners of the, 137. + + +Q. + +Quality of food, 98. + +Quantity of food, _see_ Food. + + +R. + +Ranunculus, 335. + +Rats, 323 + +Red ants, 323. + +Registrations of births, 113. + +Religion, perversion of, 198. + +Religious excitement, 197. + +Respect, American want of, 139, 141. + Should be required at home, 142. + _See_ Courtesy. + +Respiration, organs of, 87. + +Rewards, governing by, 230. + +Roman Catholics, health of, during Lent, 100. + +Romans, _see_ Greeks. + +Rooms, arrangement of, 259. + +Running into debt, 232. + + +S. + +St. Martin, Alexis, experiments on, respecting food, 104. + +Salary, plan as to using, 186. + +Salt, for bleeding, 243. + +Salts, 236. + +School, hints on, 48, 223. + Too much required in, 49. + On keeping, only in the afternoon, 49. + On sending young children to, 223. + +Schoolrooms and schoolhouses, 133. + Not ventilated, 196, 223. + Built by a lady in the West, 202. + _See_ Female. + +Scolds, 149, 154. + +Scotch Highlanders, 221. + +Screens, in parlors, 353. + _See_ Eyes. + +Secret vice, 233. + +Sedgwick, Miss, her Live and Let Live, 213, _note_. + +Seeds, on planting, 332, 333. + Of fruit, on planting, 347. + +Self-denial, happiness of, 169. + Distinction as to, 170. + Of wealthy women, 201, 202. + In children, 224, 232. + +Servants, on calling domestics, 207. + _See_ Domestics. + +Services, paying children for, 164. + +Settees for ironing, 293. + +Setting tables, 307. + Rules for, 308. + +Sewing, by girls, 254. + Hints on. 324. + +Sewing-trunks, 162. + +Sexes, M. De Tocqueville on the, 28. + Distinct lines of action for the, 28, 32, 33. + American equality of, 33. + +Shade-trees, 275, 340. + +Shells, collecting, 253. + +Shirts, folding, 315. + Making, 328. + +Shrubs, for yards, 340. + +Sickness, on ignorance and inexperience in time of, 68. + On nursing in, 237. + From chills and food, 239. + Remedies for slight, 240. + _See_ Health. + +Sick-rooms, hints on, 237. + Furniture for, 238. + +Silence, children to keep, 145, 230. + When in anger, 152. + +Silks, on cleansing, 298. + +Sinclair, Sir John, on longevity and early rising, 126. + +Sinks, 277, 317. + +Six Weeks on the Loire, cited, 135. + +Skeleton, cut of the, 70. + +Skin, described, 91. + Function of the, 91. + Waste matter from the, 92, 118. + Regulates the heat of the body, 92. + Absorbent vessels of the, 93, 119. + Follicles of the, 93. + The organ of touch, 93. + Circulation in the, in infants, 113. + Effect of cold on the circulation in the, 113, 118, 119. + Bathing infants', 217. + +Sleep, amount of, required, 125. + On protracting, 126. + In close apartments, 196, 217, 311. + _See_ Ventilation. + +Sliding closets, 278. + +Smoky chimneys, 352. + +Snow, bathing in, 121. + +Soap, soda, 288. + Soft, 290. + Potash, 291. + Hard, 291. + +Social intercourse, 184. + +Soda-soap, 288. + +Soda-washing, 287. + +Soil, on the preparation of, 331. + For a nursery, 347. + +Soups, 104, 105. + +South-Sea Islanders, 221. + +Specimens, collecting, 253. + +Spine, frequency of the disease of the, 41; + causes, 73, 133. + Cut of the, 77. + Curvature of the, 80. + Difference between a natural and distorted, 80. + +Spitting on carpets, 144. + +Spots, removing, 289, 297, 298. + +Sprains, 240. + +Stain-mixture, 296. + +Stains, removing, from clothes, 296; + from marble, 305. + +Starch, to make, 291. + To prepare, 292. + +Starching, hints on, 292. + +Stimulating drinks, no need of, 106, 109, 111. + Excite the nervous system, 106, 109, 111. + Debilitate the constitution, 107. + Temptation from using, 107. + Five forms of using, 107. + Reasons for using, considered, 107. + Dr. Combe on, 111. + If good for parents, may not be for children, 111. + Compared with animal food, 112. + +Stimulating food, 99. + _See_ Animal food, _and_ Food. + +Stock-grafting, 345. + +Stockings, on washing, 286, 289. + +Stomach, 87. + Peristaltic motion of the, 87, 96, 102. + Effects on, of too much food, 94, 95. + Rule for the labor and repose of the, 96. + Power of accommodation in the, 102. + Wants rest, 223. + +Storerooms, 271, 322. + +Stoves, 281. + +Strangers, hospitality to, 257. + +Strawberries, 348. + +Straw hats, 299. + +Straw matting, 304, 311. + +Studies, at the Monticello Female Seminary, 57. + Pursued at random, 60, 68. + +Subordination, social, 26. + Female, in America, 27, 29, 32. + Of children and others, 140, 224. + _See_ Government. + +Superfluities, 163. + Duty as to, 171-173. + On determining respecting, 173. + +Sweeping, 134. + Of carpets, 303. + Of parlors, 305. + +Sympathy, on silent social, 149. + +System, continual change and renovation of the human, 91. + In housekeeping, 152. + On habits of, 155. + By dividing the week, 162. + In proper conveniences, 162. + On attempting too much, at once, 166. + On commencing, while young, 167. + In time, 184. + + +T. + +Table, furniture for a, 306. + On setting, 307; + rules for, 308. + Carving and helping at, 310. + +Table manners, 144. + +Table-mats, 306. + +Tapers, 283. + +Tar, on removing, 297. + +Tea, coffee and, on the use of, 107, 108. + Cause nervous debility, 109. + Love of, not natural, 109. + If good for adults, may not be for children, 109. + Black, least injurious, 110. + No nourishment in, 112. + _See_ Stimulating. + +Teachers, 202, 203. + +Teeth, effects of hot drink on, 110. + Care of, 122, 144. + +Teething of infants, 219. + +Temper, on the preservation of good, in a housekeeper, 148; + hints for it, 150. + Making allowances for, in others, 154. + _See_ Passions. + +Temptations, amusements with, 245, 248. + +Tendons, 75. + +Theatres, 245. + +Thinning plants, 346. + +Thoughts, on pure, 233. + +Throat, things in the, 240. + +Thunderstorms, 243. + +Tic douloureux, 78. + +Tight dressing, 80, 90, 129. + Evils of, 116. + Rule as to, 117. + +Time, on apportioning, 157, 160, 181, 184. + On saving, 161, 184. + Errors as to employing, 180. + Devoted by Jews to religion, 183. + +Tin ware, 320. + +Tocqueville, M. De, on the sexes in America, 28. + On progress in nations towards democracy, 34. + On female hardships in the West, 46. + On aristocratic and democratic manners, 146. + +Tones of voice, 148. + On governing the, 152. + Governing by angry, 230. + Effects of angry, on children, 231. + +Towels, 321. + +Tracts and charity, 179. + +Transplanting, 333, 340. + +Travelling-bags, 316. + +Trees, about houses, 275. + On planting, 334. + Shade, 340. + On transplanting, 340. + Pruning and thinning, 346. + +Trials, _see_ Difficulties. + +Trunks, sewing, 162. + In chambers, 313. + Packing of, 316. + +Tuberous roots, 335. + +Tulips, 336. + +Turpentine, on removing, 297. + + +U. + +Unbolted flour, 105. + + +V. + +Vegetable food, 99, 100, 220, 221. + _See_ Animal food, _and_ Food. + +Vegetables, effect of light and darkness on, 124. + +Veils, whitening, 293. + +Ventilation, importance of, 49, 196, 217, 311. + Of sleeping-rooms, 129, 196, 311. + Of schoolrooms, 223. + Of sick-rooms, 237. + In construction of houses, 261, 264. + Where stoves are used, 281. + _See_ Air. + +Vermin, on destroying, 323. + +Vertebrae, 72. + +Virtue, _see_ Morals. + +Vulgar habits, 144. + + +W. + +Wadsworth's cottage, 273, 274. + +Wages, exorbitant, of domestics, 205. + Offering higher, 211. + +Waiting at table, 309. + +Walking for exercise, 131. + +Wardrobes, 312. + +Washing, of clothes done by pupils, 55. + Of the body, 92, 93, 119, 121. + Of children, 121, 122. + Water for, 284. + Articles to be provided for, 284. + Common mode of, 285. + Of calicoes, 287. + Soda-washing, 287. + Of various articles, 288. + Of carpets, 304. + Of dishes, 318. + _See_ Bathing. + +Wash-pans for children, 121. + +Waste matter, from the skin 92, 118. + +Water, protection against, in the skin, 93. + On drinking, 111. + Drinking too much, 112. + Plunging infants in cold, 113. + _See_ Drinks, _and_ Stimulating. + +Wealthy mothers, influence of their example, 49. + +Wells, remedy for air in, 242. + Remarks on, 259, 275. + +West, on female hardships in the, 46. + +Wheat, unbolted, 105. + +Whitening, of lace veils, 293. + Of other articles, 296. + +Whitewashing, 279. + +Wicks, 282. + +Winter, air and sleep in, 125. + +Women, European contempt for, 30. + American esteem for, 30. + Influence of, on individuals and nations, 37. + Exercise taken by English, 45. + Responsibleness of, 52. + Eating without being hungry, 98. + Responsibility of, as to intemperance, 106. + Precedence given to, in America, 141. + Importance and difficulty of their duties, 155. + General principles for, 158; + frequent inversion of them, 160. + Men engaged in their work, 164, 165. + On their keeping accounts of expenditures, 173, 174. + Imagining themselves domestics, 205. + _See_ American women. + +Wood, for fuel, 280. + +Wooden ware, 321. + +Woodhouses, 273, 276, 277. + +Woollens, on washing, 289. + +Workbaskets, 325. + + +Y. + +Yellows, the, 350. + +Young children, female influence on their character, 37. + Mismanagement of, 43. + Management of, 42, 220. + Animal food for, 220. + At the Albany Orphan Asylum, 222. + Intellectual and moral training of, 223. + Three habits for, 224. + On distancing, 226. + On appreciating their enjoyments and pursuits, 227. + Keeping them happy, 231. + On ridiculing, 231. + Modesty and propriety in, 233. + Impurity of thought in, 233. + +Young Ladies' Friend, cited, 134. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TREATISE ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY*** + + +******* This file should be named 21829.txt or 21829.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/2/21829 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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