St. Landry democrat., 1889-01-05
EDUCATING THE HANDS.

Why Girls Should Acquire q Thorough
- knowledge of Housekeeping.
In 1900 Esther Lloyd, the daughter
fiof wealthy landowner in the West
ern part of Virginia, was sent North
for year or two of ''finishing' at
fashionable school. When she re-
turned, 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 q large house.
hold of white and black servants, whom
she governed with Skill and tact.
The establishment was almost COM
plete within itself. Weaving, spin
ming, tailoring, the making up of
every kind Of garment, the cutting of
meat, dairy work, the preservation of
every kind of food We're carried on
Under her eye. She was an expert
nurse, and capable of prescrib-
ing for her children and slaves in sim
pie ailments. Without ''culture,n 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 math-
ematics, and in four languages. But
her household, when she married, was
left in the care of ill-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 a
. bandagc, 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
cleYerness and knowledge, she lacked
some ability. some skill, which gave to
the older woman a definite place and
power in her generation.
In how many families would these
true pictul es find a place?
In the days of our grandmothers ed
ucation for women was limited. They
found an outlet for their intelligence
and energy in household affairs. When
the chances of education were given to
the women Of the next generation,
they sighted the humble domestic arts
as meniat and unintellectual. Within
the last few years the most thoughtful
women are turning back to them again.
They insist that the training of their
daughters shall make them familiar
with the sick-room as we'll as the lab
oratory, and teach them to use kitchen
utensils at least as skillfully as the
brush and palette. In 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, scien-
tific, or artistic education; she may
some time find use for such knowledge.
But every woman sometime in life re-
quiers a 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 a wom-
an only outh's Companion.