University of Virginia Library

PREFACE.

The writer of the following pages begs her readers
will have the kindness to remember that her business
has been to illustrate the failures of one party
in the contract between employers and employed,
and that, therefore, she may appear to be insensible,
but certainly is not, to the manifold trials and discouragements
of the mistress of a family in her relation
to her domestics. These trials are rendered
very general by the facilities for changing service,
and the almost necessary dependance on foreign and
uninstructed people. These very trials and circumstances
peculiar to our domestic life make it imperative
upon American mothers to qualify their daughters
to superintend their domestics, and to prepare
the future housewife for the exigences that await
her; as emergencies constantly occur where the lady
must perform the primitive offices of women, or her
family must be comfortless. Our young ladies are
taught French, Italian, drawing, music, &c.; and let
them be; these are the ornaments and luxuries of
education; but let not the necessaries be omitted—
the staff of domestic life sacrificed.

I cannot hope that this little volume will do much

for its momentous subject. But I shall be satisfied
if it rouses more active minds than mine to reflection
upon the duties and capabilities of mistresses of
families; if it quicken some sleeping consciences; if
it make any feel their duties and obligations to their
“inferiors in position;” if, in short, it incite even a
few of my young countrywomen to a zealous devotion
to “home missions.”