Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-12-06
Domestic Education.

Mothers are frequently so over-nice
and particular that they refuse to share
their household duties with their young
daughters, for fear something will be
slighted or improperly done.
Now this is all wrong. Children, no
matter what their position or prospects
In life may be, should be taught while
young to make themselves useful, and
to assist those about them In every way
possible.
Girls especially should be early train
ed to thorough knowledge of house,
bold duties, and familiazized with the
routine of daily work, even If the trou.
Die they make far outbalances the small
amount Of assistance rendered. A
daughter DO trained is not the one that
grows up to laziness and helpleesDess; !;
that comes tardily to breakfas and sits
listiessly around. thin king and knowing
and caring as little about what Is going
on In the house a. stranger would. ex.
cept as 1t interferes with personal com.
fort and convenience. She is the moth.
er's confident, the fathers comforter,
and blessing to the household.
1fitts true, as has been sung, that it
70 love that makes the world 60 round,
1t ls equally certain that prudence, pa
tience, and kindred praisewor,hy Quali-
ties must oil the wheels of the domestic
world, If they are to revolve smoothly.
Flocks Of school girls are annually
finished off," and turned out into the
world as accomplished young women,
nearly every one of whom expects to
marry sometime and make q home of
her own, and yet among them all, how
may have the true idea Of the real issues
of life, or measure the depth of the sea
of perplexities into which they plunge
80 blissfully and blindly?
Trouble for the average young house,
wife begins In her ignorance Of domestic
economy and the proper preparation Of
Who shall count the difficulties and
dilemmas that lurk in refractory, stoves.
the disappOintments that lie hidden in
the flour barrel, or the ambushed trials
that rise unexpectedly from pot and pan
and kettle? Their name is legion.
1t would seem as though every moth
er who has herself wrestled with the
mysteries Of household labor, ought to
learn lesson from life's experience, and
take measures to turn her daughters
trials into triumph, by making her ~
th0rous hly familiar with the science Of
the cookery-book and the problem Of
domestic economy, as with the various
branches of school education, or the
more ornamental parlor accomplish
ments.
Yes, I know 1t is more trouble to
teach her how to cook than It IL to do
everything yourself Very likely there
will be more than one failure to record,
and she may be an uninterested pupil
duty 10 not always agreeable, but It ID
none the less duty. There is no time
hotfor than iuet nnW for tho nowlv
fiedged young lady to put on q big apron
and take some of the responsibilities of
the season on her own shoulders. Pick
ling, preserving, and jelly-making are
stimulating to the pride, and will create
desire for fresh conquests in new fields.
Pastry and cake making will follow a.
q matter Of course, and interest In the
work once aroused, good advice and
common sense will carry 1t to compile
ton.
If early household lessons have been
well learned, the later ones will not be
difi1cult; If they have been neglected 30
much the more reason that there should
be no further delay. Circumstances
may prevent the necessity of performing
much domestic work, but everyone
should at least know how to direct 9th.
ers understandingly.
Gfris are not apt TO give Que import.
ance to these matters; by experience
alone can one really appreciate the diff
ficulties arising from Ignorance. or esti-
gard to q subject 30 materially induenc.
ing domestic health and comfort.
For my own part. I think the law of
the l1nd should prohibit any girl from
standing at the altar until she has fitted
herself for the duties of her position, as
mistress of household