Where the water-supply is brought into the house from
a common reservoir, much the same rules hold good.
We can not of course control the character of the general
suppl}^, but we can see to it that our own water and waste
pipes are in the most perfect condition ; that traps and all
the best methods of preventing the escape of sewer-gas
into our houses are provided; that stationary or " set"
basins have the plug always in them ; and that every
water-closet is provided with a ventilating pipe suflaciently
high and long to insure the full escape of all gases from the
house. Simple disinfectants used from time to time —
chloride of hme and carbohc acid — will be found useful,
and the most absolute cleanliness is at all times the first
essential.
With air and water at their best, the home has a reason-
able chance of escaping many of the sorrows brought by
disease or uncertain health ; and, the power to work to the
best advantage being secured, we may now pass to the
forms that work must take.
THE DAY'S WORK. 35
CHAPTER IV.
THE DAY'S WORK.
IT is safe to say that no class of women in the civilized
world is subjected to such incessant trials of temper,
and such temptation to be fretful, as the American house-
keeper. The reasons for this state of things are legion ;
and, if in the beginning we take ground from which the
whole field may be clearly surveyed, we may be able to
secure a better understanding of what housekeeping
means, and to guard against some of the dangers accom-
panying it.
The first difficulty lies in taking for granted that suc-
cessful housekeeping is as much an instinct as that which
leads the young bird to nest-building, and that no specific
training is required. The man who undertakes a business,
passes always through some form of apprenticeship, and
must know ever}' detail involved in the management ; but
to the large proportion of women, housekeeping is a com-
bination of accidental forces from whose working it is
hoped breakfasts and dinners and suppers will be evolved
at regular periods, other necessities finding place where
they can. The new home, prettily furnished, seems a
lovel}^ to}^, and is surrounded by a halo, which, as facts
assert themselves, quickly fades away. Moth and rust
and dust invade the most secret recesses. Breakaoje and
S6 TEE DAY'S WOBK.
general disaster attend the progress of Bridget or Chloe.
The kitchen seems the headquarters of extraordinar}^
smells, and the stove an abyss in its consumption of coal
or wood. Food is wasted by bad cooking, or ignorance
as to needed amounts, or methods of using left-over por-
tions ; and, as bills pile up, a hopeless discouragement
often settles upon both wife and husband, and reproaches
and bitterness and alienation are guests in the home, to
which they need never have come had a httle knowledge
barred them out.
Page 16
Presented as published in 1881. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Where the water-supply is brought into the house from a common reservoir, much the same rules hold good. We can not of course control the character of the general supply, but we can see to it that our own water and waste pipes are in the most perfect condition ; that traps and all the best methods of preventing the escape of sewer-gas into our houses are provided; that stationary or " set" basins have the plug always in them ; and that every water-closet is provided with a ventilating pipe sufficiently high and long to insure the full escape of all gases from the house. Simple disinfectants used from time to time — chloride of hme and carbohc acid — will be found useful, and the most absolute cleanliness is at all times the first essential.
With air and water at their best, the home has a reasonable chance of escaping many of the sorrows brought by disease or uncertain health ; and, the power to work to the best advantage being secured, we may now pass to the forms that work must take.
THE DAY'S WORK. 35
CHAPTER IV.
THE DAY'S WORK.
IT is safe to say that no class of women in the civilized world is subjected to such incessant trials of temper, and such temptation to be fretful, as the American housekeeper. The reasons for this state of things are legion ; and, if in the beginning we take ground from which the whole field may be clearly surveyed, we may be able to secure a better understanding of what housekeeping means, and to guard against some of the dangers accompanying it.
The first difficulty lies in taking for granted that successful housekeeping is as much an instinct as that which leads the young bird to nest-building, and that no specific training is required. The man who undertakes a business, passes always through some form of apprenticeship, and must know ever}' detail involved in the management ; but to the large proportion of women, housekeeping is a combination of accidental forces from whose working it is hoped breakfasts and dinners and suppers will be evolved at regular periods, other necessities finding place where they can. The new home, prettily furnished, seems a lovel}^ to}^, and is surrounded by a halo, which, as facts assert themselves, quickly fades away. Moth and rust and dust invade the most secret recesses. Breakage and
S6 TEE DAY'S WOBK.
general disaster attend the progress of Bridget or Chloe. The kitchen seems the headquarters of extraordinar}^ smells, and the stove an abyss in its consumption of coal or wood. Food is wasted by bad cooking, or ignorance as to needed amounts, or methods of using left-over portions ; and, as bills pile up, a hopeless discouragement often settles upon both wife and husband, and reproaches and bitterness and alienation are guests in the home, to which they need never have come had a httle knowledge barred them out.