Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-09-17
NO. 221.
THE POETRY OF WORK.

1he TACT that work has been generally
regarded the curse of the world is very
serious misfortune, and we especially de-
pore this view because much of the charm
o! really valuable, wholesome work is
diminished by its influence.
Inc popular idea that labor is vulgar,
tnat we must be above and beyond work
II we would be ladies and gentlemen, has
ied many youth and maiden to despise
truly honorable condition, and to accept
q lie OF shame and vice because to work
ior living is not quite CONNIE IL faut in the
light of worldly vision.
Ii we could be made to see work in some
OF Its poetical aspects, to feel that it has
something OF beauty in it, we should de-
spise it less, and hope to say little to
mt the curse from off its face, and to put
ideness, which is Satan's emissary, under
the ban which has borne SO long.
But how shall we lead people out of the
error? How can people with such a
prejudice be made to feel that there is any
beauty in work9
Give better opportunities for culture to
the average worker Let culture set an
example, make it fashion, and we shall
soon find that labor will become reputable,
and the good and the beauty of it will
soon be found out.
Jean Ingelow has written to this country.
asking American women to discover how
domestic work is to be combined with
high culture. She says:
$50 long as household work is thought
degrading (and nowhere is this so much
the case us in America) there never can
be any thing like universal education"
This Is too true; but | think the prime
reason OF the American woman's dislike
OF domestic work is that Irish servants
have so demoralized it.
Ii we had kept on in the ways of our
grand mothers, and had not given over
our kitchens to these vandals we should
be more worthy, and better to-day.
Bridget bending over the wash-tub with
sllp-shod heels, and greasy dress is not
sight to inspire thought as to the poetry
OF the occupation; but let some young
lady (who would bare her arms to the
shoulder to SHOW them at an evening par
ty-but would think it a disgrace to be
found with them barred at the wash -tub),
let her give over this feeling for once, and
If she do not find something attractive in
the ioaming white suds, and do not feel
! pleasure in contemplating the heaped bas-
ket of white linen refreshed and renewed
by her own industry. she had no sense of
the beauty of order, and it is time she
were taught more OF this and less of the
schools.
Bridget kneading the bread does not
kindle in us liking for the work; but
when we think how the delicate Charlotte
Bronte moulded the same, with AN open
book before her, reading as she worked,
we feel that it might still be invested with
some of the grace it shared with her.
Of the ability to make clear-starching
and ironing an agreeable employment (as
Miss lngelow says it was in the days of
our grandmothers), am very much doubt
unless other tools than the present are de-
vised by us.
We confess. if there is any instrument
of labor which we utterly detest and
abominatc, it is the thing we call flat
iron; a great hot, ugly, black creature
that lanes ones wrists, and burns ones
fingers, and is altogether suggestive of
torment Unless finer tools, and newer
processes are invented, am afraid the
most imaginative will fail to find any
poetry in the work.
a friend declares that, for a fit of the
blues, she knows no better remedy than
to sweep and dust the chambers of her
house. The moderate exercise, the cheer
full look that obtains, after things have
been so renovated, revive. and put
heart into her more than anything else
could do, This may seem MRS. Joe
Gargery' suggestion for tightening ones
spirit but we confess to n sympathy with
it; having found similar relief ourselves,
humming meanwhile some familiar air or
repeating some lines conned from the
poets. Miss Ingelow's perhaps, who sings
"And Wit may spin from Work
! golden robe to queen it in
That who can paint at will
private picture gallery should not cry
For shillings that will let him in to look
At some by others painted"
Let any young lady who is tired to
death, h,-with nothing to do, try this and
see whether it be not q recreation and a
pleasure.
"On the black treadle, both her rosy feet,
Moving a little as the tall green wheat
Moves in June when zephyrs blow on it
Thus, like q goddess, weaving did she Sit"
SO sings Mr.. Morris of the fair Danae
and when you see the feet OF some maiden
on the black treadle of our more modern
sewing machine, the beauty and grace OF
the fair Grecian is reproduced, and the
busy little needle, as it flies up and down
with delightful precision and swiftness.
not weaving lDe ldDTiC DuL converting IL
.. into apparel for the fair worker, it may be
is an occupation which must inspire liking
even in those who find no work pleasure
BILE.
| have spoken chiefly ofwork connected
with the household, because we hardly
vet expect that the dull routine of labor
in shops, factories. and stores can be in
vested with much of poetry, or give much
Iofioy to the worker. Yet even this, in
the Immediate present, might find some
relief if the manufacturer would give
lighter and more cheerful workshops and
would so moderate the hours of work that
their employees might find time for cul-
ture. In this event even those laborers
might find some place tor song.
But think the example of making work
reputable is first to be shown by those who
have received their need Of culture, PROV
ing that work and culture may harmonize.
SO, when culture seeks work, then will
work find culture, and the refnements OF
the one will tone down the seventies of the
other, and we shall have that perfect har