The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1882-03-18
NY THEORY OF HOUSEKEEPING.

You ask for my theory Of housekeep-
ing. 1t is very simple one and easily
stated. Some women appear to me to
keep house on the principal that they
will work all they possibly can, but my
plan is to get along with as little work
rs can; or, in more explicit terms,
my theory of housekeeping is to accom-
plish the end in view with as little ex-
penditure Of time and force rs is consist
ent with the comfort and health OF the
family. My aim is to secure some
hours each day for social duties or
intellectual pursuits. One should
keep the brain in good working order
no less than the hands. Ii is better to
have dust and cobwebs in the attic than
in the Uranium, hence do not deem it
incumbent upon me to sweep the unused
rooms OF the house every week, nor every
month. | don't go housing around
through the attic lumber rooms every
week or two TO see if can find some
industrious spiders to circumvent. No,
let them severely alone to As much
happiness as they are capable OF. |
never sweep unless driven TO il by stern
necessity, and this is a fourfold econo-
my; it saves carpet, broom, time and
temper. Idon't black the kitchen stove
every day. can make as good coffee
as ! am capabale of in cofee-pot tina,
is not bright enough for mirror by
which to arrange my toilet for a party.
can pile the unwashed supper dishes
on the dresser, devote the evening TO
my friends in the flesh or in their books,
and then press my pillow with an un-
troubled conscience and sleep the sleep
OF the just. Il is true do not desire
TO have the inhabited part Of the house
in such neglected and disorderly con-
dition that my friends, repealed by 4
first visit, would never wish 10 make
another. Far from il. consider il
the duly Of the mistress of the house 10
make both herself and her home SO at
tractive, that her family and friends will
love TO gladden. her Preside by their
presence. To do this il is no, necessary
to have every book on the table laid At
4 certain angle as though it were never
touched except TO be busted and then
restored 10 the same exact spot. pre-
fer TO see books ard papers little i;
random, as il they were in frequent use;
and, also, to find in the conversation OF
my hostess some indication that this j.
true, and that she is not the slave OF her
house. No woman should allow herself
To be the slave OF her house il is her
place and her duty TO be its mistress,
not its subject. Recently, circumstances
gave me the opportunity TO go with a
friend through house in apple-pic order
from top TO bottom, and as we came
away my friend remarked, "What a nice
housekeeper she is" Now should not
want any one to go on; of my house with
that remark uppermost in though; and
on the lip (happily, there is no danger
Of 10 for, TO earn such an encomium
should feel that had wasted precious
time that should have been devoted TO
some higher purpose than busting and
securing. No, have no ambition to
be known as 4 notable housekeeper. In
my theory Of housekeeping every day
should bring TO the mistress OF the house,
whether she keeps servant or not, some
time for herself, time in which to keep
bright the mind, time in which to be-
come acquainted with the world OF facts
and ideas in which she lives. and thus
to maintain her position as the intelli-
gent companion OF her husband, the wise
counsellor, ruler, instructor and syinpa-
thizing friend of her children, and at the
same time to be valued social force in
the community. So much for theory.
endeavor to conform my practice TO it,
with what success my friends must Judge.
HOt,SFKFrPrR