The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-03-02
Industry of English Ladies.

The following extract from a recent
letter Of an English traveller, who has had
the best opportunities for observation in
the best circles OF the United States, may
surprise some Of our fine ladies, if any
such there be among our readers:
II was well if a noble emulation could
be excited among our women TO initiate
what is worthy of imitation in the privi-
LEGGED classes abroad. They would then
flood their country with light and happi-
ness instead of degrading it with poor
copies from English and French novels,
and reproducing from psrvepu Paris
society foreign idleness and its concomi-
tants-gossip, filtration and extravaganza.
can assure you that having lived all
my life about in the different castles and
manor houses Of Great Britain, ard hsv-
ing been accustomed to The industrious
habits OF Duchesses and Countesses,I was
utterly astonished at the idleness OF
American fine ladies No English wo-
man Of rank with the exception OF few
parvenus) from the Queen downwards.
| would remain for one half hour unemploy-
ed, or sit in rocking chair unless seri-
ously i'll. They almost all, with hardly
an exception, copy the letters Of their
husbands, fathers or brothers attend
minutelv to the wants of the poor around
them, and even take part in thei. smuse-
meats. and sympathize with their sorrows;
visit and superintend the schools work
in their own gardens, see 10 their house.
hold concerns think about their visitors
look over the weekly accounts, not only OF
domestic expenses, but often the farm and
estate /; many form penny clubs in con-
junction with the working classes to help
them keep themselves; and with all these
occupations, by early hours, they keep
up their acquaintance with the literature
and politics Of the day, and cultivate the
accomplishments Of music and drawing,
and often acquire, besides, some knowl-
Of literary pursuits.
, The late Marchioness OF Lansdowne was
so well acqusinted with the cottagers in
the neighborhood tha, she used to visit
and look at the corpses Of the dead, be-
cause she found that her doing so soothed
and comforted the bereaved have
known her TO shut herself up with mad
woman in her poor dwelling, who used to
lock the door, and could not be induced to
admit any one else. Lady Lansdowne's
only daughter used one hundred guineas
(given her by her father-in-law. Lord
Suffolk, to buy bracelet, to build pig
styes, with his permission, at her husbands
little country residence. She educated
her own children without assistance.
teaching the boys Latin, and the girls all
the usual branches Of education.
The late Duchess of Bedford, I acci-
dentally discovered, when on visit TO
Woburn, had for thirty years OF married
life, risen at six o'clock, summer and win
ter, liz her own fire, made some tea for
.he Duke and herself, and then, as he
wrote his own letters OF business, she cop.
led them, and then came down to a large
party of guests at 10 O'Clock to dispense
breakfast, without saying one word OF their
matutInary avocations, so that you might
have been visitor in the house without
finding out that the Duke and Duchess had
transacted the necessary business of the
day-before you perhaps, had risen.
/ rather mention those who have gone
to their reward, than write OF women still
amongst US, but you may believe me.
when say that am constantly among
: those who live such lives Of energy and
seiulness-but they so apply themselves
{ without osten:ation, or an idea tina. they
are doing more than their simple duty.