The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-10-26
Our Changed Circumstances.

saving machines, AMI that economy which
our altered condition forces upon lis. This
reflection is not only applicable TO the vari-
Gus pursuits Of life in which we are engaged !;
but its practical application will have to be
adopted 10 our domestic arrangements. We
shall have 10 alter the style and arrange
ment3 Of our dwellings, and accommodate
them to onr changed circumstances and rend-
er them subsarvent TO the principle of econo-
IMITATION OF labor. Our Kitchens will have
to be Constructed aul posted so that they
may be more under tho immediate supervis-
ion Of tie housewife than they have hereto
fore been TIE agriculul,t. who has hereto
fore had tho benefit OF an abundance Of labor
which was 10 many instances, If not general
", to a great extent, squandered, will have to
consult lis interests n lis altered position,
and avail himself Of all those labor saving
machine which lie had been accustomed to
regard with Indifference as innovations which
he could very we'll dispense with. In the
planting ani saving Of his crops, he will
consult his interests by adopting all these
labor saving machines, by which work is SO
greatly economjsed Whatever will reduce
the necessity to use a horse, or save time, or
all him in clearing his land, constructing
his fences, and cultivating his fields, re-
ducing the outlay for feed, fuel and necessa-
~ buildings, should engage his attention and
commend itself TO his adoption. The use of
nm ienc a mann,
Of labor required for attendance The offices
heretofore performed by our slaves who were
untitled for other occupations, having been
brought up in the house as personal servants,
will have to be more or less performed by our
own children and members Of our own house
hold whom we shall have to teach the necessity
Of helping and waiting upon themselves, and
eaucute them more with view to the dis
charge of the practical duties of life which
have been too much neglected. if not despised
hitherto Our daughters must De taught
more of TIE practical household duties than
Observation-Disclosures which now demand more
Of their cooperation than they have hereto
fore bestowed, when necessity did not require
it Of them. We must have more of the USE
full, combined with the ornamental accom-
plishments. H
The sewing machine must have its place in
the house, not to supplant the more universal
piano, but to occupy an honorable position
beside it, and to minge duly. its music with
that Of the other refining and eIevating instru
mont which has hitherto absorbed perhaps.
all undue portion Of time and attention. As
al appropriate companion for these, we must
furnish our maidens with the knitting ma
chine, that wonderful little labor which
would make our grea -grand-mothers raise
their spectacles from their noses in wonder
and amazement. The washing machine must
also become universally adopted as another
great labor-saver, and Indispensable by all
families whose circumstances now render it
necessary that they should consult economy
az an essential element.
Cur youths must also be reared under a
teaching which will Impress them with the
Importance Of self-reliance, and they should
be prepared to enter upon the great battle of
life before them, with more elevated views Of
the necessity, pyopriety and dignity Of work
ing with their own hands, instead Of being
encopra ged to rely so implicitly upon exterior
halp--a b.under in our system Of education
which has been clog to the success, as well
as tho ruin OF many a youpg la4.4 WAC
MATT, otherwise have made his mark among
his fellows We should initiate the example
Of wiser and more considerate people, and
render cur son comparatively Independent
Of exterior aid, hy having him taught some
manual occupation upon which he could
rely with nlolc confidence, and certainty OF a
livelihood Ii .hcfc is the true metal within
him, he will DC sure to rise, and if there is
not, all The education we could give him will
peycr Use him above the level cf his low
capacity, In fact, we cannot put education
into the boy oy the man Education, indeed,
is not the putting in II is the drawing out
And the true system, after all, is he Socratic
method, In education we really perform the
ofice of an intellectual accouchepu The
sohoolmaster stands by and helps to deliver
ideas And if they do not exist within, eda-
cation cannot be performed.
Tue sum of the matter is, that, instead Of
rearing our boy to become a member of the
dlones aud i~iets and non producers, physi-
cav and Intellectually, of society we must
prepare MN to lake position among the great,
and the useful, and the productive class of
"workmen"
Now and Then.