, 1890-12-04
THE LADY NURSE.
An Occupation That Is But Littl
Followed.

An Occupation That Is But Little
Followed.
London Queen.J
In former times any lady who was
compelled to earn her own living
seems to have had little alternative
save to go out as agoverness or COM
panion. Things are very different
In these days. The number of ladies'
who work has largely in creased, but
the demand for female labor has in
creased, too, and many paths are
open to them of which one used
never to hear. They work as mil
liners and dressmakers, as type
writers and telegraph clerks, above
and beyond their old employment
of governessing. Yet, In spite of
art schools, high schools, and col
leges of music, there are many girls
who, although fairly we'll educated
themselves, are untitled for educat-
ing Others. There are many
educated in pleasant, homelike
sch ools, moderately well read, and
moderately accomplished. Ifone of
these girls finds herself left to gain
her own living, to what Is she to
turn?
There Is q way open, and 1 have
often wondered why 1t has not been
more adopted by ladies in unfort-
unate circumstances. Why should
they not make their homes in the
nursery? Much has been said about
lady nurses in hospitals. Why
should not ladies be the nurses of
children? Not lady-helps, merely,
but regular nurses, washing and
dressing the children, taking them
out, mending their clothas, having
complete charge of them, In fact, as
an ordinary nurse has. 1t Is q work
which many of these moderately
educated ladies might undertake TO
advantage. Besides being q means
of finding work for those who need
It, there is another reason why
ladies should adopt this form of
occupation. There Is no doubt that
the majority of the household SER
wants of the present day come from
q much lower class than they did
formerly. The old and valued
servants of our mothers day, who
have left service and married, do
not send their daughters to service,
but look higher for them.
Now, 1t does not so much matter
what the manners of the cook may
be; her place Is below stairs, and as
long as she cooks the food properly,
and is clean and honest, one wifi not
wish to quarrel with her, but 1t Is
before all things imperative that the
nurse should be a superior person.
Her duties are not very severe, but
care and Judgment are required for
their fulhllment.
Ii Is beyond doubt that the incest
children are those who have been
left as little Us possible to the care of
servants, and who have not con.
tracted vulgarities of manner or
speech. The little ones are so quick
in copying the tricks Of those with
whom they are thrown that II Is
surely OF Importance that from their
earliest youth they should have the
continual companionshlp of nicely
mannered persons.
Most children spend the greater
part of their time in their nurses
company. "Going down 10 mann
ma" is a treat reserved for specified
hours in the day only. or course
other qualifications arc necessary
besides good manners and n fair ed
ucation. First and foremost fond
ness for children Is necessary, with
firm resolve to be patient with
their faults, and never to let mo-
mentary irritation get the better of
ones sense oi justice. IL is no use
to care for the manners of the chill
dren, or to be particular as to the
correctness of their English, If their
characters are spoiled in the proc
ess.
The nurse has always the day