The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-04-16
Mistress Work and Maid work.

The servant girl of this age has too
large share of consideration and impor-
lance: vastly more than in the past,
when women understood housekeeping
and ordered their households according
to their own ideas of government They
were not subservient to the will OF their
servants, because they understood prac-
tically, their own position and duties as
well as those of the servant, and in the
conscious dignity and power OF know
ledge the inferior class were controlled.
The influence of mind over mind is such
that its potency as n governing factor
should not be ignored. An inferior
class need not. enslave one of higher
intellect, if that intellect be eXerted in
opposition. The higher intellect of
American housewives has been enslayed
long enough; it is privilege and II
duty to regain the ascendancy and dis
enthrall themselves from the opposition
of domestics. This bondage is not the
result of weakness of intellect, or in
ability for executive duties, but most
often through inaction and evasion OF
responsibility. Aggressions must be met
bravely; resistance to be effectual, must
continued and earnest. Such resistance
can secure the supremacy which our
noble women ought to maintain in their
households.
Home making is peculiarly woman's
province; as soon rs women realize the
nobility of that vocation and arouse
themselves from the lethargy of mac
ton, the first step in a reformation OF
home government is taken. A further
advance is made. and the reformation
fairly inaugurated, when realizing the
necessity for action, they begin to en-
quire, ''What is Woman's Work" and
determine to fit themselves for its per-
Torrance. With the characteristic
earnestness of every true woman, they
will apply themselves to learning and
performing the duties of their station;
succeeding generations will then attest
the superiority of women over the in
ferior class that forms part of their
households.
Some will claim that the women OF
to-day are more frail and delicate than
those of preceding generations, and
untitled therefore physically for the
manual labor pertaining to housekeep-
ing. This may be true, but the object
of this investigation is not to consider
woman's physical defects, nor to bring
about the imposition of the servants
work upon the mistress. 1t is rather
desired to show that the duties of each
position are positive and distinct, and
that it rests with the mistress, rs the
chief executor, to determine accurately
and impartially with regard to the
two provinces. This discrimination will
be of great value in securing efficient
and agreeable service from those physi-
cally able to endure labor.
This physical ability in the servant
and the want of it in the mistress often
becomes plea for failure in the adj
ministration of home affairs. 1t is truly
n formidable ally, but should not give
the servants the supremacy in home,
nor need they be unnaturally exalted on
account of it. Were it the chief requisite
then brick mason, or bod carrier, with
superior physical power would make an
admirable cook or waiting boy. No!
physical strength must be subdued to
woman's purposes and that through the
influence of mind and training How
this influence is to be gained should be
woman's study; it is an art more desir-
able for her purposes in organizing q
happy home than the lovely arts OF
music and painting. These have their
uses, too. but peace and harmony must
prevail in the home circle to insure any
profit or enjoyment from them.-MrS.
b. d. GarleH, IN Good Housekeeping.