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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
