Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/31

domestic duties. One has already been stated. Another reason is to be found in the fact, that, sooner or later, she will, in all probability, be at the head of a family, when the health, comfort, and happiness of those best beloved by her will depend upon her knowledge of household and domestic economy. This knowledge can only be gained by practical experience. A man, when he marries, is expected to be master of some business, trade, or profession, by which he can earn sufficient money to maintain his wife and family in comfort; and a woman, when she marries, is expected to be able to take charge of her husband’s household, and do her part with as much skill and industry as he does his. That this latter is not always the case, is much to be regretted. But few, very few young ladies, at the time of their marriage, know any thing about domestic economy. Not one in ten can bake a loaf of good bread, or cook a dinner. In fact, their ignorance on these subjects is a matter, ordinarily, more of pride than shame. We have over and over again heard young ladies boast of their deficiencies on these points, in a way to make it plainly apparent that such deficiency was considered by them as meritorious, instead of censurable. If to be useful—if to be able to make our best and dearest friends comfortable