The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-04-29
Mistress Work and Maid work.

The servant girl of this age has too
large share of consideration and impor-
tance: 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
we'll 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 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 enslaved
long enough; it is privilege and a
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
not be occasional or spasmodic, but
can secure the supremacy which our
noble women ought to maintain in their
| households.
Home making is peculiarly woman s
| province; as soon as women realize the
nobility of that vocation and arouse
themselves from the lethargy of mac
ton, the first step in 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-
| formance. 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 theil
households.
Some will claim that the women o.
to-day are more fraiI and delicate thar
those of preceding generations, ant
untitled therefore physically for the
manual labor pertaining to housekeep
ing. This may be true, but the objec
of this investigation is not to consider
woman's physical defects, nor to bring
about the imposition of the servant:
work upon the mistress. 1t is rathe
desired to show that the duties of eacf
position are positive and distinct, ant
that it rests with the mistress, as tn,
chief executor, to determine accurately
and impartially with regard to tn
two provinces. This discrimination will
be of great value in securing efficien
and agreeable service from those physi
cally able to endure labor.
This physical ability in the servan
and the want of it in the mistress oftel
becomes plea for failure in the ad
ministration of home affairs. 1t is trul
a formidable ally, but should not Civ
the servants the supremacy in a home
nor need they be unnaturally exalted OIL
account of it. Were it the chief requisit
then brick mason, or hod carrier, wit
superior physical power would make a
admirable cook or waiting boy. Nc
physical strength must be subdued t
woman's purposes and that through tn
influence of mind and training. HOY
,, this influence is to be gained should b
woman's study; it is an art more desil
able for her purposes in organizing
happy home than the lovely arts {
music and painting. These have thei
!, uses, too, but peace and harmony mus
prevail in the home circle to insure an
! profit or enjoyment from them.-Mrs
f.. j. G17ley, IN Good Housekeeping.