The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-01-24
Do1nestic CONTRASTS.

/ L suppose most OF u eau calI 70 lhlHu
some kind, good, reliable woman, whose
house is always clean and neat, her bill:
paid, her children in order, body and
mind, her husband aud maid, canary
and cat, we'll fed, well dressed, comely,
and content. If you ask her for hospi-
tslity, what she gives you is good and
well prepared if she executes commits
sion for you she gets yon good materi-
ais and correct change; if she conveys
her daughters or young friends on a
journey they neither miss the train nor
lose their luggage. She is every way
efficient. You may find her little
brilliant in her best dress, little pro-
nounced in her tastes, perhaps little
bigOted in her opinions; but on the
whole you will find that her occups-
ton, whether in needlework or house
keeping, managing shop or admins
tering farm, is diligently, methodi-
cslly, and skilfully carried on. Her
arrangements for mind, body and es-
tate, tell you that she knows her duty
and does it; her rights, and takes them
without talking about them; her style,
and keeps TO it. Everybody feels that
she is a respectable woman, and she
would not thank you to prefix gentle.
Look now into another house. Like the
last it is clean and well ordered; but
though perhaps even less expensive,
the arrangements betray more thought.
Its mistress meets you perhaps unex-
pectedly, but she is composed-able and
willing to understand what you have
come about. Her topics may be old
fashioned; her dress not quite of the
''mode," her occupation homely or la
bOriOus; but she is perfectly self-pos-
possessed in spite of surprise, anxiety,
or annoyance. Her language and in
tonatiOn indicate the reading and hear
ing Of the best English, and the best
books on such subjects as she talks
about; her furniture may be worn and
scanty, but disorder, incongruity, and
disorganizatiOn she does not tolerate
You feel that there is difference be
tween her and her equally respectable
neighbOr. You say to yourself that she
Is a gsntle,r0m1R. But now seek a little
farther, and you will meet with one
whose frank, courteous, but decided
manner tell that she has never known
fear, and seldom opposition. In her
personal, domestic, and social arrange
ments every detail is complete, elegant
and modern; her dress and establish
ment handsome, and, like her pursuits
or amusements, chosen according to the
taste of the day, or her own, without
any restriction on account Of the money
or service which they require. This
woman may or may not be noble; she
may or may not be dignified or refined,
or even what we have described as thor
Oughly respectable, that is, efficient in
all relations Of life; but lady she is,
and whether for evil or for good, a
leader she certainly will be. To be
thoroughly respectable, then, woman
must be efficient. She may be mistress
Of barge, a shop, manor, or a king
dom, but whatever or wherever she is,
she must correctly estimate and perse-
veringly satisfy the claims of her busi-
ness, her place, and her style. And let
me remark that there is no sharp line Of
distinction here between mistress and
servant, employer and employed. All
alike require good sense, technical
ability, and integrity of purpose. These
three objects, therefore, must be stead
ily'before our eyes, whatever our birth
or prospects. Given good sense, tech
nical ability, and integrity Of purpose,
what more is wanted to make a gentle
womani Dignity, refinement, and that
kind of information commonly called a
"liberal education. The Firesids.
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