Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-06-18

THE FOLLY OF TRYING TO % EVERYTHING
At THE ENFENsF or REAL COMFORT.


American women can do anything, so
they try 10 do everything. Nature erie,
out against this coyetousness. No one per
son is allowed to have or to do everything.
Only a certain amount of vitality is manu-
featured within given time; and ii the eN-
penditure exceeds the income, the result,
according 10 Micawber'- calculation. is
misery That is the state of women
misery from overwork.
When there is too much house. there is
always too little home. Good hou,ekeep-
ing is hy no means as rare as good home
Keeping Il is of far less Importance. An
amount of drudgery must be gone through
with daily in any calling; about three -tourths
of life is drudgery. One fourth can be res
cued from the toll and mol of the world by
management and thought. The most diff
cult and most necessary lesson for a house
keeper to learn is. that she must assert
her individuality. 1t is useless to try to
please everybody. Man, things in our homes
are done directly with ian eve single" to cur
neghbors. Work must be pruned down
and Topped off, until it matches strength,
for the latter refuses to be enlarged by any
amount of thought. 1t is nice point 10
adjust this balance properly. 1t requires
much giving up and letting 90. What shall
We give up? All, there's the rub. Every
thing seems so important. Things must
be kept clean, there is no doubt about that !;
but the number of things to be kept clean
can be greatly diminished.
Wisdom would suggest the minimum con
sistent with comfort and refinement. In
many homes there is an embarrassment of
riches in the shape of conyeniences and pret
ty treasures that must be kept in order
stealing time that might be bestowed with
profit and satisfaction upon the higher things
of life-people, books, art, nature and all
the subtle excellences that make life worth
living.
Each must solve for herself the question
of simplifying living in order TO ennoble
domestic life. Every woman knows her
own complexity. The same things do not
press with equal weight on all. On general
principles, however, it is safe to say that
There's too much worry goes to a bonnet,
There's too much ironing goes to IA shirt.
There are too many preserves too many
ruffies and tucks and elaboration in the max
ing and trimming Of garments, that add
labor and do not add to their beauty.
WOmens letters are largely sel-hlaue
Carvings, upholstery. brasses, bronzes, that
cause frowns, backaches, irritability and
heartaches. are poor investment of money
and time Things more than people, bring
women to the verge of despair The end
less round of imagined duties causes chronic
oyerwork among w~an and produces the
saddest results to and those dependent
upon them for re md comfort ''There
is nothing in the world / dread" said the
Household Philosopher, "like thoroughly
exhausted woman. No amount of personal
comfort ever compensates for such state
of affairs" Ofcourse not. What constant
ly-tired woman is capable Of generous sym
pathy and ready help. or companionship
Can she divide care and double joy? The
better part Of life cries out for warmth and
tenderness but the women who should give
it are blindly wasting themselves on mater
ial things, polishing the outside Of the cup
without thought Of the wine within. To
conquer prejudice, surmount education and
overcome habits of mind and body implies
force Of will and power Of effort. This same
conquering is necessary to the true eman-
cipation of women.