The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-01-03

/. Domestic Econosny.'

It is a good lime soE Us nil 10 eonsiter tht
question OF domestic economy, and TO stt
iii what particulars that cconosn may be
Improved. Since the war alfof us hayedis
covered that life Is not conduct Ted VI !
proper economy; that both time and money
mas be saved by changing 10 some l ~
specs customs and usages in the household
TIE it,s,ituiiono of slavery bad its usages
aus, the abolition Of slavery did not abolisf
entirely the customs that grew up under It
Therefore domestic economy now Is cum
besed with things that should have beer
discarded with slavery, and things that art
attended with expense mud Inconvenience
tiliags which ere impairing personal inde'
pendence and activity. d )
Hausekeepers, by holding OF, 70 usages
and regulations 81 the days OF slavery, spend
money which they should save for attend
ance and suDerinteDd cnce which could
easily be dispensed. With, The head of; ting
family should trust nothing to another
which can be as well done by himself 1bul
he shoald be always able to do it better ter.
With his hands to do and his eyes to see,
economy and fidelity will be secured. His
interests are thus always protected. Then
the housekeeper should always be sure that
no more areemployed in any service thanare
wanted to perform il. All the members OF
the household should be made useful. There
should be no idle hands. Everyone should
be educated to personal independence
never to eat the bread OF idleness. This
rule would clear the homestead OF super
numeraries, and bring about economy and
accountability in supplies OF all sorts.
Every man can observe in everyday life
the waste and loss that still appear in the
South, and especially in old Virginia, for
the want OF proper economy and proper
vigilance. Hospitality and liberality are
lovely; but it is, alas too true that the
conditions OF this day demand that families
and housekeepers shall reform their domes-
tic economy. It is demanded for their own
support, and 1t IS demanded for the young,
whose daily lives constitute their educa-
tion--:he education that is to tit them for
life and Undue their minds with the ideas
OF independence, ability to live honestly
and maintain good names, and to fulfil the
responsibilities Of life. The case and lavish
living OF the times that are past must be
succeeded by vrtuous economy. Waste
iulness is now indeed sin. Every head Of
family is faithless to his duty who fails to
teach those under bis guardianship honesty
through careful administration and proper
distribution OF the neccSSarics OF life.
Economy must prevail now, or the house
where it is not found will fall into embar-
easements and troubles.
1t is through carefulness and order that
the bes: practical lessons OF economy are
taught, and it IS by the employment Of the
household, so that there shall not be idle
hands to support, that the invaluable virtue
OF personal independence is firmly in
planted in the hearts OF young people.
1t is certainly a deplorable fact that we
here in the South have not gotten rid of
some wasteful and apathetic customs that
were peculiar to slavery. The sooner we
part with them the better. The people can
do themselves a great deal OF good by re-
viewing their own circumstances and
changing customs wherever it is possible,
Topping off expenditure and dispensing
with attendance wherever it is possible.
The rising generations must be educated to
economy and industry. We already see that
personal means cannot I've enjoyed with the
freedom and readiness that once existed.
The young cannot fall into the possession OF
the ability OF their fathers to lead lives OF
leisure and abundance, and it would be un
father!y and cruel to them to bring them up
to habits OF extravaganza and irregularity.
That great change has been made is
certainly true; but all observant persons
must admit that there is great wait OF
more thorough economy and order. And,
we repeat, the present time is favorable, for
reviewing the past and planning for the fu-
ture. Economy is more than ever virtue
more than ever necessary. And the great
virtue OF the Revolutionary perlod-thc
virtue of Personal INDEPENDENCE-is now
more than ever the true stay and glory OF
society. Every member of the household
should be imbued with fun sense OF his
personal obligation to be OF service, and
never to eat the bread Of idleness. A So
ciety thus educated is most virtuous, most
Independent, and most fit for true great
ness.
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