Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/55

Rh of former times, whose chief pride consisted in their being thoroughly acquainted with every branch. of household economy. Nor were they less intelligent than those of the present day, who eschew these things as below them.

In order that she may be qualified to act well her part in life, a young lady should acquire a thorough knowledge of all domestic and culinary affairs, so that, even if she should never be required by circumstances to go into the kitchen to cook a dinner, she will yet be able to give directions how to do it, and know when it is properly done. No one knows what a day may bring forth. Life is a scene of perpetual changes. We have known ladies who have been raised in entire freedom from labor, suddenly reduced to poverty, and compelled, for a time, to do what might well be called household drudgery, or see their husbands and children subjected to the severest privations. And even where no such reverse, but only a change from one section of the country to another, has taken place, the necessity for a practical knowledge of every thing pertaining to housekeeping is frequently found to exist.

A very beautiful and delicately-raised girl was married, not long since, to a young man on the