The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1913-03-05
ART Of MARRIAGE
IS TAUGHT HERE
Matrimonial College in
Texas Which
PREPARES GIRLS TO Be WIVES
Much Stress Laid On the Care
of Children and Health
of Family.
ADVISE GOOD HOUSEKEEPERS

In this city there is school
which is destined to become fa-
nous. Its pupils are young women
exclusively. numbering about 400,
and recently il has come TO be
known as Matrimonial College, for
the reason that it makes a special
~ of teaching what might be called
the art of marriage.
One department of the college is
devoted to the preparation of girls
for wifehood. They enter at b to
IS pears old. and are instructed in
housekeeping, in physiology and in
the business of picking husband
The girls are taught that a pros
pective husband is to be regarded
not merely as a mate but as an an
cestor of generations yet to be. 1t
follows that no man who is not fit
to be an ancestor is fit to be hus-
band A man should be able to
show a physicians certificate guar
anteeing him to be sound physi-
cally.
~ This department has existed for
only a few rears. Up to last octo-
Der 2g children had been born to
graduates of it, According to gen.
eral mortality averages, four of
these would now be dead. As a
matter of fact. all of them are liv-
ing. The reason seems to be that
the mothers were taught how to
take care of themselves, their
homes and their babies.
Women's most important work is
the care of children. 1t is necessary
that babies shall be sound and
healthy, if they are to grow up into
happy and useful citizens. Most
girls, unfortunately, are married
without any knowledge whatever Of
the business OF motherhood. What
the Matrimonial College tries to do
is to teach this.
A strong man is likely as not to
marry a weak woman. Her very
weakness appeals TO his strength.
But it is otherwise with women. Ev-
cry woman wants a sturdy man for
a husband, and the sort of instruc-
ton given at this school impresses
upon the girls minds the import
ance of picking out a husband who
represents high physical efficiency.
Here is a practical solution of the
much-discussed problem OF ECU
genics."
The college does not teach dis
eases; it teaches health. Its hos
pital is not called hospital, but is
known as Hygeia Hall. There are
no sick rooms" At the beginning
of the year every girl is on the
health roll of honor. She is ex-
pected to take care of herself, in
order that she may continue to be
well. If girl catches cold or has
a headache, she goes to the direc-
tress and tells what indiscretion she
thinks accountable for the trouble,
She is taken off the roll of honor
and is not restored to it until she
is well again.
Another object of the instruction
is TO make better housekeepers. The
average American woman is a poor
housekeeper compared with the wo-
man of Germany, France or Eng
land She does not pay enough at
tention TO her kitchen, to the Sc
lection of food supplies or TO the
preparation OF food. Commonly
she does her busting with a feather
duster. thus distributing the dust;
the German housekeeper wipes IL
up with a cloth. Where children
are concerned. good housekeeping
has an obvious bearing upon health
-[Denton tTexas) Cor. New Or
leans Times-Democrat