Year: 1873

For the VERMONT FARMER.


WOMAN AND MANUAL LABOR.


The perusal Of an article in your columns
of late issue on manual labor" awakened
in the mind Of your subscriber a variety Of
thought on the circumstances and various
conditions of people, especially many women
in New England. No cne born aud bred
with sound and sensible view of life and
our physical laws and relations, could fail to
rebel in view of any popular writer whose
aim il is to influence slight estimate Of the
absolute necessity of physical labor In
series of articles in support of the absurd
notion that woman, especially, should be re-
lieved from physical labor, as " degrading to
the SEX" by an author te whose personal cir
cumsauees compelled the necessity of writ
ing " Struggle for Shelter" we are more
than astonished to see the sentiment put
forth in any journal. 1t should be the object
OF every thinking mind to take the right
view Of the subject, one of vital Importance to
the health and homes of all civilized domestic
life. There are many reasons why our sex
should be stimulated to daily and habitual
physical exertion. 1t not only greatly inn
proves the general health, by bringing into
action the muscular system, a much better
remedy for the victim of dyspepsia the by.
dra.headed monster and enemy to peace and
happiness. Then Work, absolute laJor, brings
about the proper secretion of torpid liyers,
relieving one from the endless misery which
otherwise is often looked for in vain at the
expense of various quack nostrums and med
ica1 institutions. The bright day has dawn
ed on our sex, aud the doors are no longer
closed to women who are bound to make an
exertion, both mentally and physically. Ne
ccssity often from the stormiest conditions in
life requires the greater part of woman-kind
to make an effort for respectable self support,
and as we do not all propose to write books,
or plead law, who, in sane view of the
proper influences that should exist in every
society, will dare to raise a voice against
such labor as is necessary for every perfectly
well kept household? Moncy, or weekly
wages, cannot fad in the mere element of
hired help, HOroughReSS ofteu and every
where necessary to raise things to the right
standard to render our homes attractive and
unobjectionable. Not only taste and culiva.
ton, but an absolute heroic physical effort
is necessary, and who is to be the less esti-
mated for the honorable effort? 1t is Ger.
tainly a questionable consideration of ones
views, who holds that shadow Of disgrace
can possibly follow in the wake of thousands
whose tastes, tact, and aim combine with
labor and various experiments open almost
daily to successful enterprises. In every
town and hamlet is seen the fruit of labor
opening wide channels for greater improve.
ments, where study and work are required
unromittingly, by women whose business it is
to excel.


Consider the very important articles Of
cheese and butter made in our factories. and
IN our farm houses scattered over the country.
II requires no little effort in the exercise of
Saiilng, working, and packing butter, and are
we to feel om selves humblcd either in the
employment or attainment? The product
becomes no small part and object of our
household care, requiring various, and almost
endless labor before it is ready for market.
The phase Of every cultivated home bears
the impress of labor, which alone can bring
about high standards, ard the pcrfecting of
new agencies in all practica! life. And in
no department is advance and perfection
more required than in tho regimen Of our
modern living, chemical affinities, acids, and
alkaIles are no longer strangers to us IN our
mixtures and "make ups in the culinary
line, the nicely, perfection and proportions
Of which demand for the fastidious taste no
small amount of toll and labor, as well as
experience And are we to trust our daily
bill of fare, onr health, aud life, to the bun
ders Of inexperienced oye.servants who give
us all sorts Of over doses in their admixtures
called food, from the silly, mistaken views of
one who in this day and generation would
have US become obivious TO the only saving
anchor of health, wealth, and prosperity?


Ii. Il. C.


Charlotte, w., Jan. /, 1873.