The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-05-23
WOMEN's WORK.
FROM HARPER's BAZAAR.

In the Middle Ages the work of women wa
clearly defined and unmistakabe. If they were o
the lower class, they made the clothes, spun tn,
linen, kept the house. If of the higher, they re
ceived the guests, they embroidered, they presi-
ded at tournaments, and they were the family
doctors. They knew the virtues of those simple
herbs which they gathered in the garden and the
fields from these they connected pl asters anC
poultices for bruises and hurts, which must have
been common enough In these days Nicollstte
in the old French novel-handles Aucassin's
shoulder till she gets the joint into its proper
place again, when she applies poultice Of sooth
ing herbs, For medical poses-perhaps also
for a secret means OF warming their hearts when
they grew old-they brewed strong waters out Of
many flower apG fruit All the winter long
when there was little fighting, and therefore few
disorders save those due to too much too little
feeding-they sta1d in the castle and studied the
art of healing. With the spring came dances
hawking, garland making, sitting in the sun
shine and under the shade, while the minstrels
sang them ditties, and the knights made love- and
preparations were made for the next tOurna-
meut.
tribution of labor. Both man and woman had to
work. Why not2 Man fon hit, TILED, traded
Woman spun, kept house, and healed. Surgical
operations, if any were required, were conducted
In the handiest and simplest method possible
with the axe.
There came time when the art of healing
paSSeu lnCO men 3 naQQS linen women mad one
occupation the less. They made up for this at
first by becoming scholars. Every body knows
about the scholarship of Lady Jane Grey and
century read everything and kAew everything
Then, too, under the auspices of Madame De
Rambouillet, was born modern society. Learn
ing went out of fashion as social amusements de-
veloped. Then women substituted play for work
and made amusement their occupation. The art
of housewifery vanished with that of healing
The occupations of spinning and embroidery dis
rnA hot nf To- h.
century woman was either a fine lady or a house
hold servant II the former, she gambled, dress
ed, received and went out. If the latter she
cooked and washed and tended the children
OF course the women Of he last century accep-
ted, patiently enough, the role thrust upon them
by circumstances. They were submissive to
their lords, were thankful for their kindnesses
and forgave them their many sins and it was
not till early In the present century that the blue
stocking appeared to become subject of rid1cule
This Was unfortunate, because the blue stock.
ings, in desultory hesitating way only tried to
recover portion of wOm&n's lost ground For
long time women who studied were looked npon
with disfavor and suspicion. Why could they
not make SAMPLERS and puddings and play on the
Some of them-poor things !-were
Obliged to learn in order to become goyernesses.
But, really, what more ridiculous than that q
woman SHOULD learn the same things as a man
Above all, why seek to change things?
Social prejudices are almost as hard to eradicate
as those OF religion. 1t was not till quite lately
that the feeling against wOman's rights as re.
galds education was successfully cOmbated: and
even now there are hundreds of respectable par-
ents who would far rather send their daughters to
a fashionable boardng-school, where they are
sure to learn nothing, than to place where they
will be taught with the same accuracy and tho
men.
We 60 up and down. like see saw After two
hundred years our women are going to become
students again; and after three hundred years
they are going to become physicians again. Wo-
men can DecOmH at once nurses and doctors; their
gentleness. not greater than that of some men in
spite of what is said is more uniform they have
more patience; thev are ready to devote more
time. Only the conditions OF things are changed
Its no longer necessary to know merely the prop
critics OF slmples it is necessary also TO study
the anatomy end framework of the body to gain
experience in the symptoms of disease, to 90
through great deal that is repulsive and hard
1t is no light thing t. become physician. We
do not hink that there will ever be a large pro-
portion of women who will have the courage to
face the difficulties and brave the labor. Many
may, however, learn enou gh to make themselves
nWrses.
so will be restored the medieval condition
Women will occupy themselves in household
woGk, in study and Ii erature in looking after
and educating children, in social amusements, in
dances, music. and ove-making. Man-poor,
dear, patient animal goes on always the same:
working for those he loves, striving to keep the
nest warm, and caring little enough for aught
else.