San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-01-11
Educating the Hands.

In 1900 Esther Lloyd, the daughter of
wealthy land owrer in the western part OF
Virginia, was sent north for a year or two OF
Finishing" at fashionable school. When
she returned, she could play on the guitar
and sing ballads very sweetly; could parse in
Paradise Lost" bound the chief countries of
Europe and name the planets, and she was an
expert in wax and filagree work.
She married after three years, and her
knowledge of domestic affairs was such that
she at once took charge Of a large household
of white and black servants, whom she gov
erned with skill and tact.
The establishment was almost complete
within itself. Weaving, spinning, tailoring,
the making up of every kind of garment, the
curing of meat, dairy work, the preservation
of every kind of food were carried on under
her eye
She was an expert nurse, and capable of
prescribing for her children and slaves in
simple ailments. Without culture" as it is
known now, her manners were fine, stately,
yet gracious. They were those natural to
woman of kindly feeling who has long had
the habit of authority.
Her granddaughter, another Esther, born
fifty years later, came home from college
familiar with countless facts and lines of
thought Of which the, first Esther never
heard. The younger woman was skilled in
the higher mathematics and in four Ian
guageS.
But her household when she married, was
left in the care Of i'll trained, paid servants.
She did not know how the food which they
spoiled should be cooked When her child
was i'll, she could not spread a plaster or
fasten bandage, but was forced to leave
him wholly to the care of a nurse
Her clothing was bought ready made; moth
ing in her home bore evidence OF her skill,
taste or care. With all her cleverness and
knowledge, she lacked some ability, some
skill, which gave to the older woman a def
mite place and power in her generation.
In how many families would these true
pictures find placel
In the days of our grandmothers educa-
ton for women was limited. They found an
outlet for their intelligence and energy in
household affairs When the chances of edu-
cation were given to the women of the next
generation, they shghted the humble domestic
arts as mental and unintellectuaL
Within the last few years the most thought
full women are turning back to them again.
They insist that the training of their daugh-
tiers shall make them familiar with the sick
room as well as the laboratory, and teach
them to use kitchen utensils at least as skill
fully as the brush and palette.
In the public schools of some of our largest
cities sewing and cooking are taught to the
girls, and in several Of the higher class of
private schools courses in nursing are given.
The Companion would not deter any young
girl from taking the highest course open to
her in classical, scientific or artistic educa-
ton; she may some time find use for such
knowledge
But every woman some time In her life re-
quires knowledge of housekeeping and the
care of the sick. While she seeks the kind Of
education open to both her and her brother,
let her not deSpise that necessary to her as
woman only.-Youth's Companion