Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1853-09-28
Is WORK DEGRADING?
BY MRS. MANNERS.


tiers and little sketches it is based on the golden rule
of Do you would be done by and it is for the
consideration of the girl in embroidered muslin, as
much as for her in calico dress and check apron
Is service degrading By service is meant any kind
of aid or assistance which be rendered TO those
around Is it vulgar 10 be usefully employedl Is
il mental to take of your room to aid in
keeping the house neat to go into the kitchen TO
cook if necessary, TO iron 10 cearstarch your
own muslns, when you get old enough for such things
think not call the pride which disdains such things
vulgar, and the Incidence which fears the effect con-
temptible.
do not think ii of much advantage to the intellect
to engage in such occupations, but is heahul rec
reaton after study it has its beneficial effect in
conquerng selfindulgence, and in exercising the fac
ulties of observation and judgment. 1t makes people
consderate, thoughtful, careful-which are womany
attributes; il encourages neatness and order, which
lady ke-It promotes good will and kindly feelings
and answers and strengthens loving impulses. 1t is
moral and physical influence for good.
/ have friend who has not the Of hiring
servant she does everything for the household that
contribute their health, comfort happiness.
Her house is neat her table well supplied, her chill
dren properly cared for and when evening and
she sits by her little workable repairing the ward
robes of the family, while her husband reads aloud TO
her we'll written book, | will dare say her appre
citation of it is equal that of the most refined and
elegant lady you Indeed, the healthy tone
of her mind its strong clear sense qucness and fresh
ness lend zest 10 the pleasure, which fear the Ian
guild lady never know.
When such service is not needed, it is sin not TO
give it, But the less you do for others YOURSELF the
less you inclined 10 do 1t much easier to ask
for glass of water, to get a book il is
much easier, aye, and more ady-lke you think, TO
ring bell for servant to bring your guest refresh
ments, to assist her in removing her things 1t is
servants place do such things; it ungracefu and
vulgar to do them yourself you say. think the most
graceful thing in the world is the yielding of such
vice to you love respect think the lady who
degrades herself by such service has very thin
ing of lady hood nnately vulgar nature. She
is afraid to stoop lest this vugarity be exposed If
she is too much of lady to take of her room,
if necessary, she is sufficiently vulgar TO be willing to
be surrounded by slovenliness.
"The windows might be so dirty that could not
through them, and would wash Them" said
young lady day.
"My DEAR" replied, "your dirty windows
vulgar, your friend who desires make them clean
and bright"
Which is the lady-she who sits by an untidy hearth
all VINO brushes wipes II clean before she
will sit by ?-she who carefully dusts her room or
she who puts a dress which has left carelessness
written upon the half wiped chair bedsead where it
hung? Which is the lady, she who calls up the maid
ofa-w work from the kitchen wait her, she who
goes into the kitchen and assists the tired girl at the
ironing tablet
| want to tell you of two circumstances which
! 10 my memory, to assist you in your decision.
/ knew two young ladies, cousins, in the South
Their family highly respectable, well connected
but mpoverished.-Ann visiting at her uncles
They could keep but two servants, who had all their
time occupied by necessary household labor. The
weather such belongs to July-Fanne went
down to the ironing day in every week, and
spent most of this day over Ann rufes white muslin
dress and innumerable skirts. They equally we'll
educated and in the evening they equally we'll
dressed and weookng; but Fannie, whose active,
energetic nature quckened by her heathful
cse-whose heart was glowing with true womanly life
and love-was the charm of the group in the drawing
room, Fresh, vivid, sparkling, her clear, just ideas of
life were charming her pquancy most captivating.
Was she less lady than the gentle, anguidy grace
full Annie.
Once had the happiness of spending evening in
a singularly interesting famy.-The mother was a
lady of noble foreign birth She had been brought up
at court educated with the kings nieoes, married
of equally noble family, her oldest child was born
heir to princey estate, and Graded in princey
luxury. But adversely came. The husband fell into
Disgrace the estate confscated, he fled 10 save
his nd ,i,~ l.I, Lv nru
When knew them, the husband was again in Eu-
rope, and MadameE - sustained herself and her now
three children in happy competency by teaching.
met at her house for she recognized in the highest
circles of the city lady-some of the most elegant
and cultivated persons have ever known. We had
most excellent music of the harp, piano and violin alt
the family excelled musicians
Madame - had collected choice library of five
hundred volumes in the various modern languages in
all of which she well skilled.
She conversed charmingly, and her daughters were
becoming her rivals in accomplishments and graces
There two servants employed about the house
hold, but appeared in the dawng-room that eve
ming, except once-When refreshments to be
served, they deposited two trays a side-able, and
Heinrich, Nina and Angeque supplied the company.
They brought smaller trays the dainty cups of choc
oate, the delicate cakes and bonbonas. Southern
lady to whom unsupported strange, remarked it to
another. Madame - heard this almost involuntary
remark.
st is a custom which l find to be peculiar TO my
country, but peases to retain it here. When
we wished to show honor TO guest in chat
eau, my father, my husband, myself for l was 40
only child served him with the wne-cup My children
allow the servants to do little for myself possible,
rney recprocate all kindly Offices amongst each
other"