National Republican., 1877-04-26


It has been clearly proven that nine-tenths
OF the family grievances which disturb the
peace OF so many American homes spring
from lack of proper and efficient domestic
help. We so often hear ladies of high culture
remark that uhis "great want is the one sorrow
of their lives, and that the vexing cares occa-
stoned thereby is the great trial which threat.
ems finally to destroy both health and happl-
ness" When husbands furnish abundant
means for the needs of a we'll ordered house
hold, 1t is always an enigma TO them why
things don't run smoothly In the inner home
life. And as It Is so well understood by most
wives of ordinary intelligence that complaints
are detsstable to all mankind, the head Of the
family is generally in ignorance of the true
cause OF headaches, nervous depression, irrita-
bilitv. and all the thousand Ills which finally
end in cold words and separation.
No woman can receive her husband at the
close of day with cheerful counte nance and
on easy grace II she has spent the past twelve
hours In the vain attempt to teach refractory
servants their duty, or, In fact, to have any
thing as It should be in her domestic arrange
ments. American women, SO noted for their
housekeeping, half the time are their own
French cooks. No one knows when seated At
table laden with every delicacy, and set with
exquisite taste and neatness, how much of all
this perfection is the work of the hostess, and
under what adverse circumstances the meal
was prepared. Any woman, young or old,
who has ever been initiated into the mysteries
OF cooking knows that some servants can
never learn that art unless they are possessed
OF either great deal OF natural
judgment or acquired knowledge and
how many of the latter class do we find In our
kitchensa The precious few are seized by
doting mistresses, although IL Is a sad fact
that such are not always as kindly demon
strative MS they should be. az have a gem of
a girl, but don't let her know 1t for fear she
VIII leave me" is common saying among
our fair women. But this state OF things is
all wrong and may 10 remedisd. With their
many fine traits Of character and generous
impulses, American women arc apt to treat
those In their employ too much as menIals, and
forget often that even their sewing girls
have either sensibllities or feelings In common
with their own. These high notions have en-.
gcndered the same ideas In their hired help,
and in small towns or villages the mistress
must kneel to the maid or she cannot com
mand her service. Those bright women are
quick to take in new ideas, and hit upon
happy expedients when they wish to bring
abouta desired result, and IL their thoughts
could resolve themselves into some plan OF
winning the confidence of the many good
and Intelligent young girls who arc thrown
upon the world frlendless aud penm
less, the wished for change In their
domestic affairs might be brought about.
Surely home, cheerful room, good food,
with sufiicicnt compensation for work done,
is all that any girl can buy with money
earned. Even by teaching, to say nothing OF
the other ways Of sking out an existence by
the many women who toll from weary morn
till weary night, year after year, with no
prospect OF rest or change, and how much