The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1879-12-24
Ru.l1ln,s Idear yyeman.

Ruskins notions about woman's dress we're
given in recent number Of the Home Journal.
His views Of the position women ought to occupy
in society and in his Utopia viii be read with no
less interest It will be remembered that he
treated the subject Of dress in no light spirit,
but considered il as an essential element in u
scheme of life where refinement and simplicity
are to be allied 10 the highest attainable degree
Dor raiment should be charming, made of the
best material and with the soundest work or
namented only with lovely and sklfu bits of
workmanship. Women ought TO be pleasant
creatures a room ought to he brighter for their
presence in IL Their highest power and charm
should be 10 a cultivated habit Of sympathy
Ruskin is utterly opposed to the temper that
would dress sisters of charity in gray and dull
coors. He is somewhat conservative and Asiaiic
regarding woman's role aud influence. He says:
The end of all right education for q woman is
to make her love her home better than any other
place; that she should seldom leave il as queen
her queendom nor ever feel entirely Mt rest but
but within its threshold" To attain this end of
education the process is neither cherries nor
severe one, Ruskin. it is true. exacts from
children of both sexes q habit Of unreasoninp
obedience and an essential understanding of the
nature of honor. But to obey and be truthful.
he believes are Instincts of nature that, to be-
developed, need only proper nourishment and
training. ln the Utopia of Saint Georges Com
pany the education Of the little ones will have no
lack OF brightness; singing and dancing are held
there to be more important factors 10 training
than learning how to read, write and keep &C
counts. The latter, indeed. in some cases THAT
OF The poorer clssses) may be entirely dispensed
with but the former can in no case be ever
spared D.ncing. decorously and rightly taught,
Is perhaps considered the most important of sec
niar arts Ruskln has no patience with languid
radlses OF sofas and rocking chairs. A girls
bodily education ought TO nuke sure that she
can stand and sit upright, the ankle vertical and
brm marble shaft. the waist elastic as a weed
and as uufatgueable."
| Next IN importance to the training Of bodily
exercise and music come the uses of gardening.
II 10 natural that stress should be laid upon gar
dening IN the educational scheme of O company
started for the work of Il g demplion of desert
land and which holds that the substantial wealth
OF man consists 10 the earth he cuitvates. with
its pleasant or serviceable animals and plants,
and in the rightly produced work of his own
hands" Ruskin would give TO every little maid.
as soon as may be. yard or two square of
ground, with tools suited TO her strength for the
| culture thereof, and seeds for the sowing Later
on, a beehive might be placed in suitable COR
ner, and "the GROWING achievement of her secu-
lar virtues would be 10 produce in its season
piece oil snowy and we'll filed comb For town.
folk this Growing achievement OF their dauph
ters virtue is u delightful picture that must.
however, partake of the fate of pictures seen in
dreamland. There is. nevertheless, much that ia
practical aud beneficial 10 Ruskin's hints on the
use of gardening. lie would turn the garden to
healthy economical as well as educational pur-
poses tie makes war against greenhouses. and
especially lighthouses. The object of gardening
is TO keep girls out laboring in The fresh air. He
will have none OF the clipping. potting. petting.
and standing dilettanteism in O damn and over.
scented ROOM" He would have vegetables
grown IN gardens needing the observance of sea-
sons. coming to perfection in their own proper
tlme and with the rare annual taste OF the thing
grown In its due days In gardening would come
Knowledge OF plants of best use 10 our country.
and the power would be given to teach others to
take pleasure in the green herb that grows for
meat, and the colored flowers grown for ioy.,
On the subject OF gardening and the refining and
delIghtgivlng influence of flowers, the Master of
81 George writes many suggestive and beautiful
pages. In the arrangement of her life he would
that every girl should give every day some spare
moments to gardening, or, if she had no garden,
TO the care OF flowers in potts. and their pretty
arrangement in her windows. Indoor work next
claims attention. Every girl should do daily a
bit OF housemads work doing it SO thoroughly
as to be pattern of perfection IN that kinda
stair or two or corner of room kept polished
like Dutch picture. knowledge of cookery be
holds to be an absolute necessity. woman
should kno" 'how to cook plain meats and
dishes economically and slvoriIy." Nor ia her
household only to profit by her proficiency. She
should acquaint herself with the poor. not as a