Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-03-23

is something higher in life than being the
INDUCED net of the household, or an OBJ
iect of admiration because Of some beauty
of form or feature They should know
that they are none the less lovely in form
or character for being educated in such
manner that they win be able to maintain
themselves with credit and responsibility,
il untoward circumstances should ever
require it. There is nothing so bitter to
the soul as the feeling of utter helpless
ness experienced by those who have no
knowledge Of useful industry in their hour
Of need.
Much Of the cutlery and lament of the
inefiiciency of domestic servants would
cease did mothers feel the importance of
teaching their daughters to assist them in
their household duties, thus relieving them
from incessant toll, and giving their chill
dren LESSONS that will be serviceable in
after years. Mothers frequently attempt
to excuse their remissness by asserting
that it is too much trouble" Children
are more plague than profit in teaching"
etc, etc, forgetting that with these little
ones God gave responsibility that can
not be evaded, and sorrow will be the fol-
lower of such omission. When we see
mothers looking haggard and careworn
while their daughters are spending their
precious moments in idle frivolity, sad
ness inexpressible fills us, and knowl-
edge, too, that there will be sorrowful
reckoning in the future.
The sons and daughters of the farming
community are, as q class, more generally
taught habits Of industry than others.
Upon the farm there are more opportuni-
ties for the employment of little hands
and feet. Even there, in lnany instances,
and at some seasons of the year it is "all
| work and no play hurry all the time
at other times there is o corresponding
carelessness exhibited as to whether the
children work or not, not enough being
required to employ the brains or hands OF
those least disposed to industry. Indoors
there is more uniformity of labor, house
hold labor being unceasing, but even there,
there is much room for improvement.
There are many families where three or
four females manage to do the work that
would not be at all arduous for half the
number. The time wasted in idle talk,
gossiping about the fashion and the neigh
bors, leaving no time for intellectual inn
provement, is deplorable and much greater
than would at first be supposed
there are no daughters, but family of
boys, with but one pair of hands to do the
cooking, washing, making and mending
for all 1t is not at all injurious to boys to
learn certain branches OF domestic useful
ness, and with the present difficulty in OBJ
tanning assistance in the house, ii the
mother is disabled by illness or otherwise
from attending to her household duties,
the condition of things in that family is
not at all cheering. Ii the boys have the
knowledge, and are willing to come to the
relief of all, and in a measure fill the
vacuum the discomfort is material v de
creased. The experience of the past few
years shows that those who knew some
thing Of the general features of house
work, stood the wear and tear of soldier
and frontier life much better than those
whose domestic training had been less
perfect.
But while we advocate the teaching of
boys these branches, we believe that girls
should learn some branches of outdoor
industry-for example, gardening, and
horticulture and Horticulture can be prac-
tised with pleasure and profit, rendering
them both healthful and happy. The
bright sunshine and free air is made for
all, and the woman or girl that does not
claim, and have her share of BOTH loses
much enjoyment. Mothers should not
hesitate to instruct their children in all
branches of useful knowledge that is with
in her power, and endeavor to impress
habits of industry upon them to the fullest
extent of their capacity. Industry is so
intimately connected with our happiness,
that it may be said that no happiness ex-
lists without it. Idleness brings with it at
tendant evils, while industry has only good
to bestow.
If parents would reflect on this matter
as they should, much crime and misery
would be averted. How often does the la
ment and excuse for wrong doing go
forth, :" l was not taught to work-to be
industrious when a child-not taught to
do anything useful, and when temptation
came / fell" This is but the agonizing
cry of thousands who have received their
first lessons in any useful branch under the
supervision of the State Parents, teach
ers and guardians must awake TO the i'm.
portance of this: That where the brains
and hands are usefully and constantly en-
ployed, temptation cannot enter; remem-
bering that society, religion and justice to
their children all require that such habits
of industry be taught and well established,
as to render them useful members of
society and good citizens. There is a care
and responsibility attending the training of
children that cannot be evaded, and pa
rents should feel that there will be an &C
count required Of the "jewels" confided
to them, and should earnestly endeavor to
educate them Alright. Farmer.