Beginning after breakfast, let the table be cleared, the food all put away, and the dishes placed in an orderly way on the kitchen table. The tank should be filled with water, and the fire all right to keep the water hot, while she goes to the front part of the house and does the neces- sary work there, not neglecting anything which in the event of a visitor will cause her annoyance. Get all the work as soon as possible narrowed down to the kitchen. This plan should be pursued regularly ; the day on which it is departed from will be one of defeat and humiliation. She is certain to have one or more neighbors who have plenty of help, and who enjoy running in to chat with her in the morning. If it can not be avoided, she can wash the breakfast dishes and attend to the lamps while cooking the dinner. It must not be understood that by pushing all the work back into the kitchen this room is to be neglected. Above 12 HOUSEHOLD HINTS. all things^ keep the kitchen clean ; in a great measure the health of the family depends upon this. A pleasant kitch- en, convenient and inviting, is an inspiration to thorough work ; better meals will be prepared there, and all that it costs to make this workshop what it should be will be amply paid for by the increased happiness of the faithful housewife, and, through her, to each member of the family. One of the best things about housekeeping is that it requires the exercise of the highest faculties of the human mind ; we see women every day who are statesmen in the wise management of their affairs, calm, independent, and tfclf-possessed in emergencies. Some of the best traits of character are constantly cultivated. If any class of women can be said to have virtues thrust upon them, it is the housekeeper of our day. If every woman would set it before her as an aim wor- thy of all that is strongest and best in her to conduct a well-ordered home, a great deal of happiness and real beauty would be gained. How many faces once lovely are trans- formed by the addition of those wicked little lines "about the eyes and mouth which come from having fretted over necessary work ! work, too, which, if properly engaged in, would not injure the doer. There are times, probably, when the happiest wife and mother thinks with longing of Thoreau's housekeeping at Walden Pond, and admires his resolution in throwing the fragments of limestone, with which he had ornamented his desk, out of the window when he found they must be dusted every day ; but there is absolutely no use in fretting over petty annoyances, and, since the danger of falling into the habit is great, every sensible woman will endeavor to look on the bright side of all her troubles. Suppose that baked potatoes should be eaten the moment they are done, and an important mem- ber of the family, knowing the dinner hour, is late ; do not worry over the matter ; every such little worry indulged in INTRODUCTORY. 13 is like a chisel deepening the lines, perhaps, already formed by some real trouble. One of the most difficult and also one of the most neces- sary lessons for a housekeeper to learn is, that, in order to be successful, she must assert her individuality ; it is useless to try to please everybody. It is surprising to notice how many things in our homes are done directly with " an eye single " to our neighbors. In housekeeping, as in religion, endeavor to have a rea- son for the faith that is in you, and then go ahead. Study • your work and your own strength, do the best you can, and be content with that; learn to be willing to be condemned for your ways of doing, providing that they are right. To be independent is a great virtue, not only in matters of taste, in decoration, and the choice of furniture, but in all that pertains to the welfare of the household, in the hours for meals, ii\ the hours for sleeping and waking.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Beginning after breakfast, let the table be cleared, the food all put away, and the dishes placed in an orderly way on the kitchen table. The tank should be filled with water, and the fire all right to keep the water hot, while she goes to the front part of the house and does the necessary work there, not neglecting anything which in the event of a visitor will cause her annoyance. Get all the work as soon as possible narrowed down to the kitchen. This plan should be pursued regularly ; the day on which it is departed from will be one of defeat and humiliation. She is certain to have one or more neighbors who have plenty of help, and who enjoy running in to chat with her in the morning. If it can not be avoided, she can wash the breakfast dishes and attend to the lamps while cooking the dinner. It must not be understood that by pushing all the work back into the kitchen this room is to be neglected. Above all things^ keep the kitchen clean ; in a great measure the health of the family depends upon this. A pleasant kitchen, convenient and inviting, is an inspiration to thorough work ; better meals will be prepared there, and all that it costs to make this workshop what it should be will be amply paid for by the increased happiness of the faithful housewife, and, through her, to each member of the family. One of the best things about housekeeping is that it requires the exercise of the highest faculties of the human mind ; we see women every day who are statesmen in the wise management of their affairs, calm, independent, and tfclf-possessed in emergencies. Some of the best traits of character are constantly cultivated. If any class of women can be said to have virtues thrust upon them, it is the housekeeper of our day. If every woman would set it before her as an aim worthy of all that is strongest and best in her to conduct a well-ordered home, a great deal of happiness and real beauty would be gained. How many faces once lovely are transformed by the addition of those wicked little lines "about the eyes and mouth which come from having fretted over necessary work ! work, too, which, if properly engaged in, would not injure the doer. There are times, probably, when the happiest wife and mother thinks with longing of Thoreau's housekeeping at Walden Pond, and admires his resolution in throwing the fragments of limestone, with which he had ornamented his desk, out of the window when he found they must be dusted every day ; but there is absolutely no use in fretting over petty annoyances, and, since the danger of falling into the habit is great, every sensible woman will endeavor to look on the bright side of all her troubles. Suppose that baked potatoes should be eaten the moment they are done, and an important member of the family, knowing the dinner hour, is late ; do not worry over the matter ; every such little worry indulged in INTRODUCTORY. 13 is like a chisel deepening the lines, perhaps, already formed by some real trouble. One of the most difficult and also one of the most necessary lessons for a housekeeper to learn is, that, in order to be successful, she must assert her individuality ; it is useless to try to please everybody. It is surprising to notice how many things in our homes are done directly with " an eye single " to our neighbors. In housekeeping, as in religion, endeavor to have a reason for the faith that is in you, and then go ahead. Study • your work and your own strength, do the best you can, and be content with that; learn to be willing to be condemned for your ways of doing, providing that they are right. To be independent is a great virtue, not only in matters of taste, in decoration, and the choice of furniture, but in all that pertains to the welfare of the household, in the hours for meals, ii\ the hours for sleeping and waking.

Household hints