A Treatise on Domestic Economy; For the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at SchoolBeecher, Catharine Esther
General
A Treatise on Domestic Economy; For the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School
Beecher, Catharine Esther
Home economics
There is one mode of economizing, which, it is hoped, will every year
grow more rare; and that is, making penurious savings, by getting the
poor to work as cheap as possible. Many amiable and benevolent women
have done this, on principle, without reflecting on the want of
Christian charity thus displayed. Let every woman, in making bargains
with the poor, conceive herself placed in the same circumstances,
toiling hour after hour, and day after day, for a small sum, and then
deal with others as she would be dealt by in such a situation. _Liberal
prices_, and _prompt payment_, should be an invariable maxim, in dealing
with the poor.
The third general principle of economy, is, that all articles should be
so used, and taken care of, as to secure the longest service, with the
least waste. Under this head, come many particulars in regard to the use
and preservation of articles, which will be found more in detail in
succeeding chapters. It may be proper, however, here to refer to one
very common impression, as to the relative obligation of the poor and
the rich in regard to economy. Many seem to suppose, that those who are
wealthy, have a right to be lavish and negligent in the care of
expenses. But this surely is a great mistake. Property is a talent,
given by God, to spend for the welfare of mankind; and the needless
waste of it, is as wrong in the rich, as it is in the poor. The rich are
under obligations to apportion their income, to the various objects
demanding attention, by the same rule as all others; and if this will
allow them to spend more for superfluities than those of smaller means,
it never makes it right to misuse or waste any of the bounties of
Providence. Whatever is no longer wanted for their own enjoyment, should
be carefully saved, to add to the enjoyment of others.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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