The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1870-09-24
The Duties of Mothers to Their
Daughters.
BY LAURA G. HOLLOWAY.

Enough has been said in regard to the duties
of parents to demand an apology for further dis
cussion but there is Que point upon which the
thoughtful writer cannot dwell at too great
length it is the duty of mothers to their ddugh-
ters; not to their sons, for boys look out for
themselves and defy restraints, ifnot ,efore then
after, they are twenty-one. But It Is different
with girls-they are either to marry, or serve
mothers. Boys go out and become workers in
the great field ; girls stay at home to dust par
lors, entertain company and return calls.
There is no justice in this state of things, and
the sooner girls find it out the better. They are
self-abnegating, but surely there is no merit in
their martyrdom. Mothers teach their daughters
that all they have to do is to uphold the credit
OF their family by living in refinement and lux
ury at home and leaving the world and its work
ers to their destiny. Don't believe it, girls, even
if y9u have TO doubtyour mothsre, Rather use
ssvr1-aysss, md Us ..Iilsf fefIngs Cf
your. own consciences. Your mothers has no
right to lay her burdens upon your shoulders
1t is her place 10 be the matron Il she accepted
the lot before you were born, let her retain it
while health and strength lasts. In times of
sickness or misfortune you will not need to be
asked to lend helping hand; but under ordina-
Iy circumstances resent the foul imputaton that
you have nothing else TO do. Rise up and assert
your own individuality, and like sensible girl
say to her that you are unwilling to become
in do nd
have an education, use it; if you have talents
apply them. Work, work, but not without COM
pensatiou-just and ample compensation Tor both
soul and body. Resist all overturts 10 become
the mere assistant of the hired girl, and live
down the prejudice existing in the heart Of yUur
kind but thoughtless mother.
1t is not heresy to teach this doctrine to girls
nor are we traitors TO the mothers OF the land
But it is time some friendly hand was extended
to that vast army of sensible girls, who, after
leaving school, are expected to exc out the best
years Of their earth-lives waiting for a home OF
their own, and spending their best faculties in
preparing favorite dishes and embroidering slip
pers. at is nonsense" says the mother, ''for
her when we are gone, and wish her to belp
me-" Intense selfshness hidden away under
disinterested magnanimity. "But," we reply,
'has your daughter no individuality Of her own ?
Is she not of sufficient importance to be consult
ed in this al-important matter of the disposition
of the very best years of her liieT' ''She can
read and inform herself" you reply. But what
stimulant is there in such a course? She will
soon tell you that she knows as much as most of
the people with whom she is thrown, and the
keen appetite and strong relish Tor knowledge
she acquired at school gradually leaves her, and
she becomes as commonplace the most ordina-
ry of her set. You are directly responsible for
this, mothers and did you but know the strong
yearnings of that loved chd's heart could you
but see her grand impulses stihed and confined
to meet your insignifcance, you surely would
not look upon her with the sef-complacent air
which now adorns your face
She is doubtless good girl; but she might
have heen-she ought to be-a great woman do
ing service for herself and rendering tribute to
God. No justice underlies the excuse that you
She is strong and self-reliant; let her go forth
and stand side by side with the sinewy frames
that are battling for great principles. Pioneer
work will not be as hard for your girls, mothers
as the laborious stupid, senseless drudgery of
well-to-do fashionable home.