Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-09-21
From Mrs. Hale's Magazine.
ON DOMESTIC INDUSTRY

From Mrs. Hale's Magazine.
ON DOMESTIC INDUSTRY.
ADDaEssED TO YOUNG LADIES
Will you permit me dear YOU'VE
friends, to speak to you freely, as to
daughters? You, doubtless, aeed no
argument to convince you Of the excel.
lence of industry. We will therefore
devote few thoughts only to those
branches Of it, which belong peculiar
iy to our own sex. 1t is one Of our
privileges, that we have such variety
ofinteresting employment. Time need
never hang heavy on our hands, who
have it continually in our power to
combine amusement with utility. II
we leave any vacancy for ennui to
creep in, it surely must be our own
fault.
Needle work, in all its countless
forms Of use, elegance and ornament,
has ever been the appropriate occupa-
riOn Of woman. From the shades Of
Eden, where its simple process was
but to unite the fig ieaf,-to the days
when the most exquisite tissues Of EN-
brOidery rivalled Natures pencil, it
has been their duty ard their resource.
The more delicate efforts of the needle,
claim high rank among femenine a.
complishments. But its necessary de-
partments should be thoroughly under
stood. The numerous notifications
Of mending are not beneath the notice
Of the most refined young lady. To
keep her own wardrobe perfectly Id
order, she considers her duty. A just
regard 10 economy wish to add to
the comfort Of those around,-and a
desire to AID in the relief Of the poor,
will induce her to become expert in
those inventions, by which various ar
ticlcs Of apparel are repaired. altered
or renovated. A very sensible and ra-
tional selEcomplacence arises from the
1syer Of making Saudi claiths look
amaist as well as new"
regret that the quiet employment
Of knitting has become so Yearly obso-
!ete. IL many parts Of Europe IL COZ
tiGues a favorite branch Of female Oc-
cupation. 1t is SO among the classic
&hldes Of Greece; and Russell, in his
Tour in Germany, speaking Of the
Saxon ladies, says ''they are models of
industry, whether at home or abroad,
knitting and needle work know no
interruption. A lady going to a rout,
would think little offorgetting her fan,
but could not spend half an hour, with
out her implements Of female industry.
At Dresden, even the theatre is no
pSoteo ton against knitting-kncedles.
/ have seen a lady eravely lay down
her work, wipe away the tears, which
the sorro VS. of Thekla. or Wallenstein'sI
death had brought into her eyes, and
quietly resume her knitting. Knitting
is adapted to those little intervals of
time when it would be scarcely con-
venient to collect the more complica-l
ted apparatus Of needlework. 1t Isl
the friend Of twilight.-that sweet sea-
son ofre Election, so happily described
by Scotch writer as that brief period
Swhen the shuttle stands still, before
the lamp is lighted" Neither are the |
productions of the knitting needle so
vaiuelcss, as those who take no part in
them are disposed TO pronounce
Yet. il there are any who consider so
humble branch of economy unworthy
Of their regard. they may still be ,ndu-
ced to Patrenize it, for the sake of the
comfort it administers to the poor
Fhcig labOrious occupation and limited
leisure often preclude their attention
to this emplo, ment, and pair af thick
stockings in winter, will be usually
found most acceptable gift to their
shuddering little ones. Knitting seems
to have native affinity with social
feeling: 1t leaves the thoughts at lib
erty for conversation, and yet irnparts
just enough Of the serene and selfsat-
istied sensation of industry, to promote
good humor and prepare for the pleas
ant interchange Of sympathy. lrecol-
iect in my early days, sometimes seeing
a number Of most respectable elderly
ladies, collected for an afternoons visit,
all knitting, all discussing the various
topics Of neighborly concern, with
friendly interest and delight. saw
benevolent smiles beaming from their
faces. and forthwith my childish mind
formed u fancied union between knit
ting and contentment. which. per.