The herald., 1898-09-18

ried folk possess and put in practice OF
the art of home-making-for it is an
art, and may be classed as fine art at
that. The basic facts in heavy per-
centage of divorce cases, afford prepon-
derating evidence that ignorance of the
art of home-making nourishes the roots
of an action for divorce. AS rule a
well-ordered house-directed by head and
| hands skilled in the use of modern kitch-
en- appliances, how to make fire and
| how to mix and cook the ingredients OF
wholesome food-are conditions rarely If
ever preceding proceedings for divorce.
If this be true, such knowledge is of
more importance to the average woman
and man, too-than are any of the
whole list of accomplishments and cul-
ture embraced in school or college cur
riculum. enforced by fashion or demand
ed as a sine qua non by society" Add
to this precious possession the know
ledge, to quote Professor Smith, "of effect
of exercise, regular hours, wholesome
food and clothing adaptd to the climate"
and the physical, mental and moral
health of the household becomes all but
assured
Mrs. Smith gives many wise and use
full hints to women, married and single,
touching the true philosophy of domes-
tic life, particularly as to how to store
up for themselves resources for hours
of difficulty, loneliness or sorrow, and
how to live and economize nerve energy
etc.
But, bless your soul, women-or so it
would seem from sociologic point of
view-must all learn in the school Of ex-
perience the art of home-making and to
come safely out of the ordeal. the very
best possession woman can have for
the probation is fund of common sense,
softened and purified by a gentle tenn
per. Once a woman knows that hag-
gardness and wrinkles wait upon bad
temper, upon peevishness, and above all.
upon bad faith, she will be all that mel
cherish in the beautiful seX-or will try to
be-which is more than half winning the
battle.
Yes. elementary physiology and hy-
giene" every woman should have
knowledge Of. Good sense. observation
and very little reading will give her that
But why did not Professor Smith sug-
gest the only real. practical road to wo-
mans attainment of a proper knowledge
of the profession of domestic life, the
true training school of home-making
and how to avoid the divorce court?
There is just one way, to-wit: Enact
ment of state law providing for the
organization of a board of marriage COM
missioners, before whom candidates for
matrimony must undergo a rigid exam
ination to ascertain their fitness to enter
the most important of all human rela-
tiors; the state of husband and wife, and
to become the trainers of future off
spring? In addition to age. qualification,
license and other legal requirements,
now conditions precedent to the solemn
ization of the marriage ceremony, why
not require legal proof of good charac-
ter, OF SANITY, mental ana pnyslcal OF tne
candidates matrimonial: Of present or
established future ability, in either, or
both bride and groom, to support the
couple and the family in prospectiveo .
Until this or something like unto this is
required by legislative enactment. and
enforced by fine or imprisonment. "or
by both at the discretion of the Judge"
depend upon it. the average young wo-
man will take the average young man,
"for better or worse"-as a general thing
"for worse"-and learn wisdom and
housekeeping in her school of experience,
taking chances of graduating or failing
in the art of home-making.