THE MISTRESS OF A HOUSEHOLD.
By Mrs. M. H. Tuxford
If the mistress of the house has a clear idea of the work she wishes to be done, she can easily arrange the details with the different workers, and the time for each thing to be accomplished. Household work should always be done in a woman's head before the hands meddle with it. Valuable, however, as a plan may be, it must be borne in mind that it is only a means to an end—that end being the happiness, well-being, and comfort of all the members of the household. If, therefore, circumstances should arise which make adherence to this plan a hindrance rather than a help, it should be temporarily abandoned. Persons are more than things; yet some mistresses are so wedded to their methods and plans that they make them a perfect burden to those about them. It is the duty of the mistress to see that every part of the house is kept clean. Dirt is degrading, besides leading to disease. Every part of the house must receive her attention; and she should not limit her inspection to the show-rooms of the house. In fact, a model housewife will have no show-room. Not only should she inspect the bedrooms and living rooms, but she should acquaint herself with the condition of the kitchen, the servant's bedroom, the pantry, scullery, etc., and lastly, but by no means the least, the scrap-tin and dust bin. The eye of the mistress is worth two pairs of hands, and she who understands what ought to be will be able to discover waste from the beginning, and to put an end to it before it becomes serious. Everything must be investigated, and she should make sure that her rules are obeyed. It is her duty to spend wisely, as well as to save; buying what is best suited to the needs and tastes of the household, and ordering nothing beyond her means. At night she must see that the house is securely shut in, both front and back; all low windows and doors of unused rooms must be locked up, and fires made safe for the night. Nor is the work of the mistress finished when the plan is arranged, and cleanliness and order have been secured; the little finishing touches, the tasteful arrangements, the provisions for comfort and pleasure must all come from the mistress herself, or be absent altogether. She must endeavor to make the rooms comfortable, and as attractive as possible to her children. All the cosiness, the home-feeling, and the soothing influences would be gone, if these little things were not attended to, and only bare utility remained. There is the greatest difference between a room that is merely clean and kept in order by a servant, and one in which the lady of the home takes a special interest. Provision Must Be Made for the Meals.
It is the duty of the mistress to order meals with a11careful forethought for the tastes of others, and for the necessities of their health, and to see that every one has what he desires, making him feel that his tastes have been remembered. It is her duty also to do all that in her lies, by example, by influence, by encouragement, and by sympathy, to make those around her virtuous and happy; to permit no injustice, wrong, or unkindness to be done even to the lowliest. Let the tone of the house be as happy as possible; good spirits are among the most blessed of possessions. To maintain a correct spirit in the home is not only to add to its happiness, but to make all duties comparatively light and easy. Cheerfulness is a distinct duty, and however naturally depressed a mistress may be, she ought to struggle against it in order not to crush the spirits of those around her. These are some of the little things which make the difference between a home and a lodging, and for a woman to fail to make a home comfortable and happy is a failure indeed.—Mrs. M. H. Tuxford.