The book of the ancient Greeks: An introduction to the history and civilization of Greece from the coming of the Greeks to the conquest of Corinth by Rome in 146 B.C. — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The book of the ancient Greeks: An introduction to the history and civilization of Greece from the coming of the Greeks to the conquest of Corinth by Rome in 146 B.C.
John Stuart Mill · en
You will need to stay indoors, despatching to their toils
without, such of your domestics whose work lies there. Over
those whose appointed tasks are indoors it will be your duty to
preside, yours to receive the stuffs brought in, yours to
apportion part for daily use, and to make provision for the rest,
to guard and garner it so that the outgoings destined for a year
may not be expended in a month. It will be your duty when the
wools are brought in to see that clothing is made for those who
have need. Your duty also to see that the dried corn is made fit
and serviceable for food. Then, too, if any of the household
fall sick, it will be your care to tend them to the recovery of
their health.
But there are other cares and occupations which are yours by
right. This, for instance, to take some maiden who knows nothing
of carding wool, and to make her skilful in the art, doubling her
usefulness; or to receive another quite ignorant of housekeeping
or of service, {215} and to render her skilful, loyal,
serviceable, till she is worth her weight in gold. But the
greatest joy of all will be to prove yourself my better; to make
me your faithful follower; knowing no dread lest as the years
advance you should decline in honour in your household, but
rather trusting that though your hair turn gray, yet in
proportion as you come to be a better helpmate to myself and to
the children, a better guardian of our home, so will your honour
increase throughout the household as mistress, wife and mother,
daily more dearly prized.[2]
Some further good advice was then given, and the husband concluded by
recommending exercise as the best means of preserving both health and
beauty. He said:
I counsel you to oversee the baking woman as she makes the bread,
to stand beside the housekeeper as she measures out her stores;
to go on tours of inspection to see if all things are in order as
they should be. For, as it seems to me, this will be at once
walking exercise and supervision. And as an excellent gymnastic,
I urge you to knead the dough, and roll the paste; to shake the
coverlets and make the beds; and if you train yourself in
exercise of this sort you will enjoy your food, grow vigorous in
health, and your complexion will in very truth be lovelier.[3]