New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-12-06
IWQA1EN'S PROBLEMS.
AMERICAN WOMEN MI / wrAxt1sos.


70 tkr Edtidr or Tks 3ftbu~e.
Sra: "G0d snvs me from tho tender mercies
Of my own ext" InvoIunta5y this cry escaped me- as
read tho communication Of "Anotier, In TIE TRIBUNE
Of Nov TO- Who, on reading 1t, would not know the
writer TO be what she says she is-a Yankec am one
myssf and have always dcplored the lack OF softncSs
tho hard mentality that stamps and distinguishes tho
Yankee woman. But II We cannot DO merciful let US at
least try to just enough things as they are Tho
lady who signs herself Another says she does not think
It any degradation to perform any service which the
comfort OF small family acquires. but unfortunately
while she does not lack tho willingness. she does lack the
baalth to do real hard work, &c. thus cOnfe,sng that
even in family of three persons there ia real hard
work" to 10 done: and she then gOe, to sc0ld be-
cause there Is no young girl, old maid, or
widow" to be found willing abls to perform
the hard duties and daily drndgery OF her household
And because none are fOund. she "solemny washes
her hand, Of all responsibility" If they fail to make
honest living ut something else. God help Va! Why
should she think any Yankee woman able to do more
than hcrsefl Many delicate woman Obliged 10 per-
form the daly drudgory Of her household to the serious
detrnent OF her health" she says. do mt doubt It.
In fact have proved the truth Of it score OF times In
INV own person only wonder why 1t should not DO to
tho SERIOUS detrnent" Of tho maids health also she
shoud be a Yankee" Let us be consistent She her
self lacks health for these duties Does she know
of any American woman or girl who does not 80 lacKf
Does she not know that there very great difference
iu tho natural vgor Of al Irish and On American woman
Docs che know that rule one has only nervous
energy while the other has strength, endurance-b't
to to use horsey tcrml And does she not kno" that
in order to change all that we must begin with our
grandmother p Does she really think, because our
Irish girls retain their checks and vigorous heat'
while our native girls who crowd the ranks OF the mill
ners and and work hard and more willingly
for small returns only to fill carly graves-d0es shc tnK
the 30 results of the difference in their occupation NOT
So The hcalthiest know are to be seen IN the
ranks OF the welltOdo women Of Sew-York CITY, women
who enjoy blessed immunity from "drudsery' OF any
Kind who spend good deal Of their time ont OF doors In
tho streets. and are healthy accordingly. NO. Inc
American woman Is not able TO drudge at anything:
cspecially IL she not able drudge at hosework Any
one what drudgery is knows this 10 nc true.
great many do drudge, however and support theh'
selves honestly mpor rather down-to the very Time
when they drop into their early graves" Heaven pity
them.
Imy,eR am at the head OF q large household ana
know what work hard daily; moreover, there Is
nothing in the housekeeping line that cannot do from
compromising Charlotte Russo to making barrel Oh
soft soap; but I could more go into cultivated
family of three persons, take upon myself and do all
their daily household drudgery, than could build CRY
in the air. Nor among all the American women who get
their living In shops by sewing do know OF one who
could II il too hard too heavy, the drain ON the VT
power is too great They might do IT for short time.
The human constitution accommodate Itself 10
almost anything. Even delicate woman can gradually
get accustomed to strain too great Tor her strengtn
but it wears and sooner later she breaks down. II
any says can't be good for ucn VINO cahnot
do this then thoy have practical dea OF Wnat
is TO ut in the morning. clean GU, tine kitcnen
range, the ashes light the fire, to freeze IN WINTER
while doing II, and faint in Summer over 1t while cooking
yOnr brca kfast. Then the washing. II any woman wants
TO know what really is to wash let her take SIX OF net
shirts and put them through the process WIN
hands from suds up to clear starchlng hane,hg
them frosty air while they stinen In her tender
fingers I'll guarantee she'll again say, us notn
ing do my small washing NO. let us thank Goa tnat
there are other ways open for American women where
the burden not heavy for the trembling back, ana
let us sometimes put ourselves III the place Ot tc poor
pityIng them il they tempted above WHAT tney are
able bear remembering that weakness or Will OIteh
very often goes hand IN hand with ply slcai weakness
and above all let never III any case wasn our Hdhd
of all responsibility while there Is suffering, sih, ana
misery In the world.
one ord more. Not all the ignorance, impudence,
and incapacity confined TO he Irish DO We not All
know that Is almost impossible to ind
with capaby enough to come into our family ana CUT
it, cOntrlve and make Over" plain everyday garments
children As for four out Of i've
Will be OF virtue and easy ways generally. while
tho hffh smart and capable. will demand to make
Of the family circle when her work Is dOne to sit at the
table with you, and to be generally considered
good anybody. I've tried, and Know and. for One
say. give the stout broad backs and chaste in
StinCts OF the Irish. Meantime life full inevitable
Ills y, that we could grow sweet, o. we'll strong,
while cOnqucrng or enduring them
Finally, also keeper-at-nOnc. and not believer
only masculine attribute for which have any banker
ing is logic. Where shall hud 1t When shall We at
tain unto IT, A>1kEA.
Aer- Ork, Dec s. 1871.