Morning journal and courier., 1893-02-01
How TO Solve the Housekeeping Pros
blem.
From the Forum. .

From the Forum
The only way 10 make cooking, cleaning
and the other forms OF homework respect
able is to have this labor performed by re-
spectacle people. Education or training
Is the frat step in raising a workman in
esteem. We ought to profit by the histo-
~ of the trained nurses. A friend of
mine visiting in Ottawa a few years sgo
was rather surprised 10 meet at various so.
cisl assemblies trained nurse who, as the
guest of Lady l.. was the heroine of the
hour. Knowing that the English are not
wont to treat governesses or other cultiva-
ted people In their employ with special
consideration, the American girl could not
understand the enthusiasm with which
the profession of nursing was regarded.
The conservative EnglIsh adopt some new
ideas more quickly than We, but few Amer
leans need TO h. told that nursing is now
looked forward to as profession By hun
dreds OF American girls of good families
and re6ntd sntecedents. The work Is oft
en- hard and sometimes of the most menisl
order; the nurses have TO wear uniforms
when on duty, and they must become
members Of others households, but their
knowledge gives them recognized authori-
ty, and their service in saving life confers
on them badge of merit.
Another kind of service has lately risen
in dignity bscsuse Ii has been taken up by
cultivated people A. the summer resorts
in many parts of the country, notably at
the White mountains, the diniug-ro at
tendance bss passed into the hands of col
lege students and local school mistresses.
A quick eye, steady hand, a sure foot
and long memory are the essentials for a
skilful hotel waiter, and these require
ments are admirably INST by our keen-wit-
ted youth who are struggling for an edu-
cation. Their position Ia recognized by
those guests whore wealth is not recently
acquired. lately happened TO be seated
at table under the shadow of Chocorus
with a gentleman who was g cosmopolitan
of Colonel Hiyginson's description-At
home even in his Own country. Being IA
milisr with the society Df European capi-
tale, this gentleman appreciated the social
conditions Of different peoples. When
the pretty waitress. evidently the village
school-mistress, and probably s descend
ant Of some revolutionary soldier, came
for orders, the gentleman at once addressed
her az "Mlss
/ The great reason why Homework is re-
pugnant to self respecting Americans Is
not 20 much on account of the work itself,
for other kinis Of labor are hard and mo-
notonous, be; on scoouat Of the condi-
tions under which IL II performed. The
single dCn,--'ic lscks soc3rtE; che is isols-
ted from the family life snd she can never
call any time her own. Girls will work
all day amid ths steam OF q laundry, the
fumes of "a factory, the bad sir of n sew
ipg-room. because there they have com
psn;onsaIp. their hour- are defined, and
they are their own miEtresses when the
days work Is done. 1t IS impossible to
have these conditions In domestic service
except in very wealthy families, and there
the workers must b. branded Sc servants.
AS there Il every probability that house.
wages will 20 higher rather than lower,
and as the girls will not come to the
houses, the hou.es must go to the girls.