Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1891-03-12
In, ,W0MAN'S BEHALF.
ABOUT DOMESTIC SERVICE.
The Responsibility Of Mistress and the
.sLf Ell Duties of Servants.

hNNRiiS aAb Va VIZ nliAAN NAAANh
guide it. This was not because ] had
aot had ample opportunities of learn
ing, but because my mind was strongly
attracted in other directions, and its
leading bent toward literary endeavor
was allowed full scope by those intrust-
ed with my bringing up. AT my start
in practical life | did not know enough
of its rules to be aware of my own de-
ficiencies, and soon found myself slow
and awkward learner where | ought to
have been proficient So much of per-
sonality appears to me essential to the
showing of what have learned regard
ing household work and those who per-
form it.
Perhaps l can not better commend
my lesson, such as it is, than by re-
marking upon the mistaken kindness
which, in a well-to-do family, often re-
lieves the young girls from all partici-
patton in domestic cares Even if they
do not, at later day, pass out of the
atmosphere of ease and affluence to
which they have become accustomed,
they sustain a positive loss in not know
ing how household should be mounted
and governed. In many cases the occa-
sion for this knowledge begins with the
very beginning of married life. 1t often
comes also through the vicissitudes Of
fortune which are common in most COM
munities At any rate whether in
-, n;,. 81
family can have its due share of com
fort and enjoyment without the care
and attention of some woman of heart
and intelligence. have learned to
consider the position of n loved and hon
ored guardian of household happier
and higher one than that of leader OF
fashion, or phenomenon of talent and
accomplishment. 1t is indeed true that
the domestic virtues may be combined
with charms and graces which most en-
bellish life but where the latter are eX-
clusively sought, and the former neg
lected, the result will be in no sense
admirable.
would have every young girl per-
form as much of household labor as is
necessary for the right understanding
of its various tasks How can she or
der any thing rightly done if she has
never done it? | would have her work
until she has learned to respect the
work of others, and not to speak with
ungentle contempt of any department
of domestic service. Would it not be
well if to this end semi or post collegi'
ate course should be instituted as an
adjunct to the higher education, and a
degree conferred upon its successful
graduates? | can suggest two of these
Those of the first year might be termed
Hopeful Neophytes-H. N; those of the
later, H. Household Experts.
Some thorough instruction in house
keeping might do much to mitigate the
fierce dislike of service which keeps
American girls out of our kitchens anC
nurseries, and gives them over to the
care of aliens. To be blindly ordered
by an ignorant mistress who does moi
know enough of what you have to do tC
explain what she commands in cast
you should not understand it-thil
would certainly be a relation of discom
fort to both parties TO be trained tC
skilled labor, on the other hand, by one
who herself understands and appreci
ates it, would involve no lowering o
self-respect, no superfuous discomfor
and fatigue. When | see, as | often do
our American girls deteriorating il
health, and not unseldom in character
through the experience of the shop anC
the factory, feel deep regret at thu
! thought of the refined and well-ordereC
homes in whose comforts and good in
fuences they might SO easily be sharers
their service being to the right-mindet
an occasion of respect and gratitude
not of supercilious patronage or fault
finding. l do not know whether w
can hope that this order of things ma.
change, but am sure that whether il
regard to foreigners or natives, bette
mistresses will make better servants
and a generous and just disposition OF
the one side will do much to insure
willing and able response on the other
think, then, that the defective train
ing received in the first place by tn
housewife is the originating cause o
much that is complained of in the con
duct of domestics. The results of thi
imperfect education are two-fold, viz.
the want of adequate understanding o
what is to be done and ordered, and tn
want of consideration for those who ar
to do it, growing out of ignorance con
corning the extent and value of thei
labors. On the other hand, it must b
confessed that the faults of domestic
are often very trying. From my ow,
experience should say that grave Of
lenses among them are much less CON
mon in these days than they wer
twenty years ago. mean by these, in
temperance, dishonesty, and disreputa
Bile connections | remember, in m
own early housekeeping, to have bee
much disturbed more than once at fine
ing my cook drunk and disorderly
This trouble, l think, is rarely eXper
enced to-day. The temperance reforr
has made progress among Catholics
well as among Professionals, and its Der
efits have become appreciate in tn
ranks of household help Instances c
glaring dishonesty are. think, rar
among Irish servants, and equally S
among Germans of respectable belong
ings. A want of concern for the intel
ests of their employers and want {
reasonable care of their property wi
still be found to be common trait
among those who serve in families
And this leads me to say that the pric
of peace and good order in the home q
well as in the State is eternal Wig
lance"
The constant need of oversight S
much complained of in domestics is les
the result of any evil intention on the
part than of want of mor'
energy and resolution. The spirit
zeal and of faithfulness in them shoul