The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-02
WOMAN AND HER WORK.
FBEB TRAINING SCHOOL OF THE WOMEN's
EDUCATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.

FBEB TRAINING SCHOOL OF THE WOMEN's
EDUCATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.
No. ~ East Tenth street }
To THR Enron OF THE HERALD
Permit me to ask space in your columns for
some consideration of most interesting subject,
namely:-Ihe present condition OF working women
ana the empioyments open 10 them. IL has been
estimated that they number in this city ana i'm
mediate vicinity over $4,000 l believe that the
sum would be considerably augmented were 1t
possible TO reckon those who try by stealth TO exc
out their scant resources, and who would feel Bit
tery disgraced were 1T KNOWN that they we're 80
engaged. The labor of women outside OF the house
hold Is cheap, because the supply exceeds the de.
mand, aud because competition and poor work have
reduced sewing prices TO a starvation point No
manufacturer can be blamed for this trade prices
must sympathize with mpeutlon and the in
trlnsic value Of services rendered. The misfortune
lies the fact that there are too MANY naIf COM
petent women, without Independent homes and
means, and too lew calllDgs open to them. The
Cooper Union has opened 10 women many profit
able occupations and professions; but there Is a
numerous class unable to reach the advantages
there Afforded, because OF lack OF early education
or paucity OF present resources Help for this
may be found to some extent In the Compulsory
Education bill recently passed In this State. The
better fruit OF this wise law VIII be borne
in another generation; but Just now we
must deal with those souls already grown
and demanding TO live their own lives, al.
though ettered by the disabilities OF ignorance
and It's attendant curses. These disabilities must
be met and remedied II we would counterfeit their
evil results, and We are convinced that an impor-
tant agency lies In domestic pursuits. II respect:
ful ana faithful service can meet the reward OF
considerate and Interested Kindness we shall per-
ceive great alteration IN the conoiton OF domestic
service. When the kitchen forms as important II
part OF social economy the drawing room It will
not be dificut TO fill intengenty the place digni-
fed by the Importance Of It's uses. Most important
they are Tor upon the ability and disposition OF the
cook depend m the greatest degree the health
and ansu, Of S the ann no, Once n
Ing women Of sense and capablity to enter
upon an occupation which is the most responsible,
and second only in importance to that OF the mis-.
tress OF the house. Marriage and the foundation
Die a and v 10 ana e a
OF the wife; upon her devoves the choice and dis
position Of food, and the care that waste or
misuse shall diss1pate the family substance. Halt
the iii health in the world could be avoided by
regular PHYSICAL habits and the judcious use OF
FOOD meets the Grst needs Of our .' bodies Dies
and is to them what education IS to tine
mind. whoever iais to exercise discrimination
In It's selection and preparation, Is but little above
the savage, VINO satisfies his hunger With I'M
cooked roots and hall raw animal nesh. We cam
not. therefore, too highly estimate the Importance
OF understanding this subject IN Its various bear
ings so thoroughly as TO insure its intelligent
treatment.
We are now organizing at our trani NC schools
series OF lectures In class and practical denea-
tions OF the science OF domestic econ omy, begin
OF the different articles Of food. and following
combinatian, as Wen as their, preparation
IN the most wholesome and appetizng
manner. me system Of instruction will 6e direct
and pain, and will necessitate the use OF
everything. the waste OF nothing and the indis-
pensabity OF cleanliness and punctuality suitable
utensils for cooking VIII be used, and their various
purposes demonstrated; the selection and assmi-
lation OIL foods Will be considered IN direct appll-
cation to the formation OF varied daily diet, at
once paatable and nourshlng Tue elements OF
1000 will be studied IN their relation to the
nance or the BRAIN the growth OF the muscles, the
amount OF animal heat requisite to healthy
physical condition and to the necessary counter
action Of the waste and wear OF lie. In fine, our
endeavor Will be to teach the application OF pniio-
sophical common sense to the management OF
lance as well as the safety OF domestic
lie Tor women we cannot ignore the fact that
comfort ana recompense. Apart from 1t tine aver
age female worker cannot earn what would be an
insufcient living for man; but II the quality OF
womans labor can be improved its marketable
value VIII be increased, ana with better work and
wages Will come relief and strength to many u
woman VINO now wavers upon the verge OF misery
and degradation TDe social structure IS lnfrm
which IS not founded in the purity of its women,
to whom are given the divine positions of mothers
and teachers OF men, ana yet ia the midst OF TN
Christian community women every day yield up ths
crown and treasure OF wOmanhOod to save them
among Us wnIcn permits no misfortune To become
known without rendering immediate assistance.
Ii these poor girls were lOrciDy brought here from
iar-oH land and cast between the two alternd-
tves of sin and starvation, men and women would
instantly rouse themselves to strong and sympa.
thetlc acton ana meet that emergency promptly.
Are we individually free from all the responsibility
entailed by the present aspect OF this question or
social economy And can we look upon the per-
petration those sins against humanity which
daily blot the character OF this Christian cOmmu-
nifty without becoming IN some measure partic-
| y hepVa hat
those denOmlnated 'iallen wOmenn n1ne- tenthS
OF the number have entered upon their wre tched
lives from severest compuislon. Alas for
tine utter sadness and nOpeessness Of
the prob emil Lille needs some solution even to
unspecuiatlve minds, and the explaining OF this
dreary tangie 10 the poor seems to lie the pro-
vince OF tnat work which Christ commented to
His followers" The prosperity OF a race or coun-
try endures only so long as Its virtues are retained
aud the very sacred high altar OF all the virtues Is
bullded IN our homes. II the faint OF ignorance
and corruption testers there 1t Will eat outward
through tue family. through society, through the
state. until oil are utterly rotten and unstable
Let US. then. seek to purity the source, that the
Outnowings may be full OF moral health and
strength and that the influence upon the time
may be ennobing and eievating In practical and
doll nsa I