Year: 1879




ing gave 1t special interest, and though
the elegance of the design and the per-
fection of the work furnished sufficient
causes for admiration, there was still
another reason for approval-one which
alone en,itle the embroidery to distin-
guished consideration. It was the motto
In letters artistic yet legible, "Don't be
slip pshOd." On the table at breakfast and
tea-time, Especially at breakfAst) this
legend was q reminder that before sitting
down all the apparatus for ready service
and comfortable enjoyment should be
provided. There should be no demand
for the supply Of deficiencies no call
for forgotten articles, no jumping up
from the table TO change or replace no
summonses to the handmade and conse-
quent opening and shutting of DOORS
There Is an old proverb that q man Is
known by the company he keeps. 1t is
equally true that the housekeeper Is
known by the appearance of her table,
1t is q complete index of the manner in
which the housekeeping generally 10 con-
Quoted. The proof Of good hoilsskeep-
ing Is not in the elegance of the furnish
ing but in the order and neatness with
which even the most humble equipage
can be arranged. There are tables Of
families of moderate means which by the
appetizing manner in which they are set
out put to shame the confusion of some
expensive households. Profusion is even
greater temptation to slip-shod ways
than Strengthened expenses are.


But housewives have been enough
talked to aud written at on the subject
of domestic management. They know
their own business best, and If they be-
come slip-shOd it is not usually their
fault A chief cause of household con-
fusion Is always with the men. 1t Is
just As easy to be orderly and neat In
personal habits, as 1t is provoking to be
unpunctual, negligent and untidy. When
the breakfast table is carefully set out,
and everything upon it at the precise
point of perfection, the women folks are
justly entitled to be exasperated if the
Indifference of their families causes all
this trouble to be lost. And it is the
IN, st natural, if not the most necessary
thing in the world, all the household
being "sip-shod," that the madam should
become so herself.


Where is the use in her order and neat
ness, if husband and children especially
boys) are disorderly and careless? Life
with her is a constant struggle to bring
order out of confusion. The necessary
wear and tear of household furnishing
cannot be avoided. To meet this fair de-
mand on woman's time need not even
tire her patience. 1t is but a pleasant
employment. But, as has been said
upon graver subjects, there is a point
where patience ceases to be virtue
This point is reached when all the house
keepers care is foiled by the household!
carelessness. 1t is sententiously pro
nounced to be woman's duty to max,
home attractive. But in too many case
1t is duty as difficult Of performance a
the keeping of flower beds and lawn in
order, while obtrusive pigs and audaciou
fowls have the freedom OF the premi
ses.


People who allow themselves to b,
lunsystematic and careless in their per
sonal habits-indolent when they shoult
be emplo, ed, hurried when they ough
to have reserved time enough, and neg
ligent when little thought would SPAR
others from trouble and themselves iron
discomfort-carry into great transaction
the faults to which they are addicted IL
small. The business becomes a series O
surprises, and their operations are effort
against the consequences of their owl
neglect. They are never square witt
their appointments, and their ingenuity


is exhausted in expedients and temporar


measures. Their books are blind recor


hastily kept, and not even an expert ca


unravel them without assistance. Eve


then assistance is insufficient If the
Il y II 4. \.
lplan Of swell enough for now," which


only "slip-shod" written out with NOR
length of words.