Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-05-15
Can allc Suinr

This question asked by King James lst
when young girl was presented to him, and tho
person who introduced her. boas,ed of her procien-
cy in the ancient languages. 81 can insure your
Majesty" said he, .';hat she can both speak and
write Latin, Greek and Hebrew" "These are
attainments for damscl,' said james, "but pray,
tell me, can she spin I"
Many of the young ladies Of the presen. day can
boast of their skill in tho fine and polite
compiishments, in music, painting. dancing, but
can they spin J.! or what is perhaps more appropri-
ate to the times and the modern improvements in
abor-saving machinery, it may be asked, can they
perform the domestic duties of a wife, Do they
understand the management, Of household affairs
Arc they capable of experimenting, in jujcious,
prudent and economical manner, the concerns of
flmilya
a young lady may be learned in the ancient and
modern languages, may have made extraordinary
proficiency in every branch oflteraturc this is ell
very we'll, and very crediabe, and, TO certain class
of The community, who are not obliged, as was ST.
Paul 'to labor with their own hands" il all that is
absolutely requisite, but to much larger portion
of the community, it is of far greater consequence
to know wether they spin
! 1t is of more importance to young mechanic, or
| merchant, one Of any other class Of people who
depend upon their own industry and excrlions, if
he rnaTTies wife, to have ono who knows how to
| spin or to perform other demestic duties, than
| whose knowledge does not extend beyond great
| proficiency in literature and fine arts.
baso oGop haan coil that tb, n,aa ora
altered; and certain it is tina, the people are. 1t
was once thought honoIble to be constantly employ
ed in some useful avocation; but n0w-a-dsys it is
thought more honorable to be idle People COM
plain of high prices Of a the necessaries Of life,
and with much truth. But if the amount Of idle
| ness could be calculated accurately throughout the
community, allowing the drones half price for tho
services which they nigh. perform, and which others
are paid for, might be safe calculation to estimate
it equal TO all that is expended for provisions and
marketing in the United States. So it is not lit
tie inconsistent 10 hear parents complain about tho
price ofprovsions, while they bring up their daush
ters to walk the streets and expend money!
Le; the Iair daughters Of our country initiate the
industrious Of the past. The companions Of those
who fought in the Revolution were Injured to hard~
ships, and accustomed to necessary toll, and thus
did they educate their daughters. Health, Content
mcnt, and plenty smiled abound the family alter.
The dsmsel who understood most Thoroughly and
economically the management of domestic affairs,
and nos afraid to put her hands into the wash
tub, OF 70 "sy hold of the disah for fear of des-
troying their elasticity, and dimmng their snosey
whiteness, was sought by the young men Of SO
days as fit companion for life, but in modam
times to learn the mysteries OF the household wou ID
make fair ones faint away and to labor coz .e.
not into the code Of modern gentlity.
Industry and fugslity will lead TO ehecriulna 3!
and con,entment, and contented wife tends great y
to soften the asper.iies and smooth the rough paS
in mans journey through life. It has been tn :!
said, pleasant cheerful wife is rainbow in { h
, sky, when the husbands mind is tossed with ston
and tempests; but dissatisfied and fretful III f
!, in the hour OF trouble, is Ike thuuder~c,oi !
charged with electric fluid.