How I managed my house on two hundred pounds a year / by Mrs. Warren.

  • Eliza Warren
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: How I managed my house on two hundred pounds a year / by Mrs. Warren. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    respecting their lovers; guide them, appeal to the feelings, con- stantly and practically place before them the purport of the Divine maxim, 4 Do as you would be done by.’ If they waste, say, 4 Would you have done this if you had to purchase these things?’ If they tell untruths, endeavour to reason with them, to show the utter impolicy, the uselessness of their fraud—that confidence cannot be given where such a tendency exists; and though there is no chance that even this care and interest will make them one whit better, still your duty must be performed, whatever they leave undone. 44 In giving orders care must be taken that they are practicable ; otherwise a girl will be mentally defiant, and soon show it openly. To overwork a girl is cruel, whether it arises from thoughtlessness or design. Housekeeping really becomes a science when every nerve and thought are exerted in adapting the means to the end. There are many ways in which a mistress may quietly assist her domestic, without the latter really observing it. It is a bad plan to commence with calling a girl’s attention to the fact that you are helping her; she will then neglect her work and depend upon you, at a time, perhaps, when it may be inconvenient. Every day should have its portion of work performed, so that at the end of the week the whole house will have been cleaned through. I know you have the habit of rising early, without which I should be hopeless of giving you help. It is altogether a bad plan to call a servant; she will then depend upon you, and you will become her slave. The habit of early rising will grow, and she will soon fall into it. 44 As you dress your children yourself, and do not trouble Bridget in this matter, I have nothing to say about it, excepting that if you did not you would be compelled to keep another girl, as Bridget’s plan is mine also, of cleaning the knives, boots, two sitting-rooms, and passages before eight o’clock. ’Tis true your little feather brush and silken duster are requisite in both rooms ; but this work, I am sure, does not redden your hands or require you to put on an especial ugly wrap for the occasion. I have ad- mired you for this, and thought the children on the rug, crowing with delight to see mamma flitting here and there, and chirping, and chatting, and crowing with them, as perfect a picture as one would desire. In such moments I have envied you—envied you the bliss of your little ones. This is a subject I resolutely set my face against dwelling upon; so to continue. I wish that in the few moments you are often waiting for Fred you would decide upon the dinner arrangements for the day, and write them down
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