80 THE HOME.

 

 

employed in the various active occu-
pations of life—those of the me-
chanic, the merchant, lawyer, and
physician—but far more undisput-
edly to the lady who stands at the
head of the family. Who receives
the palm of hohor in any department
of knowledge, but those who have
made themSelves complete masters
ofit, by surmounting every difficulty
with strong determination? Let wo-
man strive for this, Until she attains
what it is most desirable she should
know and carry out with practice.

It should be borne in mind, that
our Creator, by the more delicate
structure of woman’s physical frame,
and the bestowment of a less share of
physical strength than has been given
to the other sex, has most plainly
pointed out the allotted duties to be
sustained by her in the great drama
of life. No woman placed at the
head of a family, should think any
employment eonducing to its comfort
or prosperity unimportant, but be
determined to bring energy and ac-
tivity to meet every demand upon
her services, while devising every
method in her power to convert such
demand into enjoyment for herself
and those composing the home circle.
Thus every day’s duty will become
every day’s pleasure; while habit
will make the most objectional de-
partment agreeable, if the right spirit
is enlisted in the performance.

The management of each depart-
ment, parlor, nursery, and kitchen,
must come daily under the inspection
of the female head of the family.
The kitchen department well-man-
aged, is an accessory of comfort and
thrift, and more important than the
suitable receiving and entertaining
by conversational powers, the visitor
in the parlor. The well ordering and
neat appearance of the dinner—table,
transcmds in point of indispensable
comfort the sweet sounds of the
skilful performer on the piano—not
that I would infer that the latter may
not conduce largely to the pleasure of
the social circle. We would not un-

 

 

dervalue any part of education that
tends to usefulness, or to the promo-
tion of happiness. The useful first,
then the ornamental is a very desira'
ble accession to home enjoyment-
While there should be a. thorough
acquaintance with the most importh
branches of knowledge, these should
not be wholly ignored; because,
when the talents for these are improved,
they add to the happiness of the p09
sessor, and make home more attracf‘r
ive. But what should he insisted on ‘9
this, that the latter should not take
the precedence, or receive an exclusiV'e
attention to the entire disregard .0
the former. Let it be the first 111'
quiry, how we shall best and 1130“
conscientiously perform those ebb-8"
tions imposed upon us from time 113'
memorial, as the female director 0
the family compact.

Perhaps we can in no way 193'“
so well how to appreciate the Value
of well-performing home duties, as
when we notice the results consequ"n
upon the failure. Such neglect 0
subjects the one who is, or should be:
looked up to as their dispensoruw
many mortifying circumstan088, “:hw
must bring poignant regrets ftfl‘ 1"“
tention and want of qualifications ’0
essential to the respect to Whlc
wife and mother should consider be"
self entitled. . n

I may give a more clear express";
to the sentiments I have been en ‘8‘“,
oring to express, that there is 80‘3"
and method in housekeeping, by
real experience of a dear frien ,
she related to me her first 9555‘)",a
housekeeping, when I was 1113'”
new beginner. us

As we were seated snugly “lobe
by the fire on a winter evening, 8
observed, “Perhaps you may PEI],
my young friend, by a Chapter 0
own ex erience.” .

As lpconsidered myself daily 
sponsihle in conducting my fumble
concerns aright,l urged her w a“
the lesson she pr0p089d, 9'9 ware
very desirous to improve, We“ a
of my deficiencies.