YOUNG WOMEN, YOUNG What young women do, and do not do. What their mothers and grandmothers used to do. What the mothers of the future are likely to do, and to be. These are fruitful topics of conversation and criticism, and form the groundwork of many an article in the journals of the day. We are all very apt to indulge somewhat freely in the worship of the past, and "auld lang syne" somehow touches tenderly a fine-strung chord in the human heart; but we who are living and acting now, have really very much more occasion to make the present beautiful and attractive, than to gaze backward and rehearse over the sayings and doings of other periods, and long after the past. WOMEN. 181 were also essential. Spinning flax on a little wheel was considered in those primitive days the finishing off of a young lady's domestic accomplishments,and it is really an industry requiring skill. I well remember my grandfather telling me, "Ladies spun on the little wheel" (with great emphasis on the word ladies). I knew well what he meant, although everything of the kind was done in factories then; I had often seen the funny little wheel in the garret, and been told it belonged to my great-grandmother, and I remember distinctly, when a little girl, of trying to convert it into a rocking horse, fancying the handful of flax which still clung to the spindle was the mane. If I had not decided to write about what women do, and don't do, and used to do, and are going to do, I could tell you a long story about other interesting curiosities in that same garret, where I The work of women in that age was a part of the time, and a natural result of their surroundings and the state of society in which they lived. And ours to day is perhaps a step in advance and what we are doing pertains to the played with the little wheel for a horse, present and will have its bearing upon on which my foremothers had spun the very linen with which the family closets were filled; but withal I will say, that there, that gave me a particular love for garrets, which clings to me still. Now has upon us; strange if our posterity there were many relics of former days should glance backward with the same idol-worship of the age in which we are living, and with the workings of which some of us seem to be so dissatisfied. But this is said to be an age of idleness for women, comparatively speaking, there are so many facilities for lightening labor; and even our babies now-a-days not only have cradles but carriages, whereas but a short time ago we had always to carry them in our arms. A long time ago in the days of our grandmothers every young lady was expected to know how to card and spin, if not to weave, in addition to her knowledge of all other household employments; and knitting was an indispensable requi a-days such things go to a second-hand store, a term I never really appreciated the practical meaning of until of late. But we will go back to the spinning and leave the garrets for another time. Our forefathers thought there could not be a more beautiful picture than a pretty woman, sitting carelessly at the little wheel spinning flax; drawing out the shining threads with taper fingers, while the dainty foot in openwork stocking and old-fashioned sandal, showing to the best advantage, rested on the treadle. I have heard it averred, that many a bashful, sunbrown ed sweetheart, has been induced to de site in any young girl's qualifications; it clare his love and urge his suit, at sight of his inamorata spinning flax at the little wheel. More proposals of marriage have likely been made beside the spinning wheel than at the piano. Perhaps it is owing to the industrial tone of the was the work that could always be relied upon in case all other work gave out. In fact it became proverbial, that no young woman should marry until she had a pillow-case full of stockings of her own knitting, and usually of her own spinning. occupation, for matrimony savors of Bed and table linen of one's own work labor. Men are not apt to look upon the piano as a desirable article of household furniture, or as any addition to domestic happiness; albeit many women earn their own living, hardly enough too, by teaching instrumental music; and there are men who barely tolerate a piano in the house, because wife or daughter has entreated them to buy it. I have heard men make bold to say, even in this age of culture, they preferred to see women play upon the washboard; this is the class of men I ween who would use the money earned by the industrious,devoted wife to purchase cigars or tobacco. But lest we wander away from the theme of spinning, and spin out a long dissertation upon men and women's opinions of each other, we will go back to the spinning wheel, and the every day pursuits of women; say what we will about the beauty and utility of the distaff and the spindle, this age of progress has left them far behind in the dim distance, and they only live in the recollection of our young ladies in connection with poetic legends and lovestories. Many other once essential household labors are supplanted by the mechanical work of machinery of modern invention, until one wonders comparing the past with the present, how it is there is so much still left for woman's busy fingers to do, and that there seems to be so little time in which to perform the work of the household. Well, as young women can't spin, because forsooth there is no spinning to do, and as knitting is out of date, and sewing done up in a hurry on a machine, instead of wearing away one's self at it till midnight and past, women ought to have plenty of time to read, and go to bed early. It used to be common for the mother to do all the family sewing, and darning, and mending after papa and the children were in bed; this does not date far back; but there is little need of it now, and women, mothers especially, may save the vitality which used to be expended in fine hemming and stitching, etc., and it will possibly be a benefit to the future race. Not that one should be idle, but not over-worked as women necessarily have been in former times. Common sense tells us that young women, or we will say mothers, cannot hold out to work so many more hours than the day laborer; and yet this has often been the case. What is the result-the mother breaks down, grows prematurely old, or succumbs altogether, leaving her family to grow up without her tender, loving care, and the world calls it "a dispensation of divine providence." Let us be thankful, that some of the burdens of woman's life have been relieved by the spirit of progress; I am sure we have great reason to be. Who of us for instance, and more especially our daughters would like to cook over a fireplace as we did in the early days in Utah? Methinks I see some of those girls looking back thirty, or even twenty-five years, and see their mothers piling coals on the bake-kettle with baby (perchance the identical young lady) in her arms. Why it actually makes me all in a heat to think of it. That day is past, and now what? well what! one taken up from another century and set down in this, would wonder how we occupied our time; and yet we hear women every day saying, "I have so much to do." Well one's needs or wants increase as civilization reaches a higher state, and all that implies work to keep up with the times; still where we used to have to scrub floors, we now have carpets, and if we wear more ruffles and flounces, we do not do half of the embroidering in lace, muslin and linen that our grandmothers did. We bake more cakes, and make more pastry, which is a very great drawback, for as a compensation, we get peevish and dyspeptic, and low-spirited in proportion. We ought to eat our fruit, without pastry to make us sick, and dispense with rich cakes altogether either for ourselves or company. That would be one step towards economy in health and expense, and we should have so much the more time to read, instruct our children or exchange friendly intercourse with our neighbors. In commencing this article I said, what young women do, and do not do; that was the first paragraph, and the last to be woven into the chapter. Well then it seems to me, that the young ladies of to day do not appreciate their blessings. | there is correspondingly strong counterNot that I think they mean to be at all acting influences, detracting and bearing ungrateful, but their surroundings are so downwards. Whatever forces of this pleasant, and their associations so happy, kind may exist they ought not to affect in contrast with the past, that it is scarce- in any great degree the Latter-day ly to be credited as real. The oppor- Saints, whose principles of faith, and tunities for gaining knowledge, the fa- knowledge of the truths of heaven, cilities for culture, the many comforts should lift them above the seducing aland embellishments for the home, that lurements that hinder the onward and beautify and give charm to domestic and upward progression of society in the social life, all these in detail add to their world. Then what conclusion shall we cup of blessings; and if they are wise and arrive at? Why, consequently that the lay up treasures of wisdom and under- condition of woman to-day is much better standing, now in the days of their youth, in every respect than in the days of our they may be much better qualified to fill grandmothers, and that the women of the the responsible positions of wife and future, will, judging from the outlook of mother, than those who have had so few the present, far surpass us who are now advantages, and so many hardships to enupon the stage of action. Woman is dure. Young ladies, believe me, you have work to do, which will require active exertion of brain and muscle; and though you will perhaps not have the opportunity of spinning on the little wheel, you will find needful work lying all around you. Mothers ought to devote a goodly portion of the time in teaching their children by the fireside, and in my soul I pity that woman, who thinks the work, which must be left undone when she is gone, of more consequence than the moral or spiritual lessons she is capable of imparting to her offspring. The young women of to-day are well informed in regard to the duties of life. If they act according to the light which has been given to them, there is scarcely anything in the power of woman to do, but they may succeed in accomplishing. learning to think, act and reason for herself, not to hang her conscience on another, or pin her faith to the sleeve of any one. Young girls are beginning to comprehend that employment, suited to the capacity of woman by which she may earn an independent living, is much more womanly, than depending upon some male relative for maintenance and support. Besides many women are suddenly left helpless and alone, by the death of husband or father, and how desolate under such circumstances will she be who has never been taught self-dependenece. This is one of the lessons thoughtful wo men are learning to-day, and it will be a legacy better than wealth, for it will not take wings and fly away. Then success to the young lady of the age, if she cannot spin flax at the little wheel, she can This is designated an age of refinement and culture; and a school education is attainable by all; certainly the superior advantages enjoyed must have a ful brow, caressing her first baby. tendency to lift up and elevate, unless make a far prettier picture, with her intelligent face, when she sits with the crown of motherhood upon her thought Amethyst. THOUGHTS. My thoughts! What are they? As varied and changeable as the sounds of the electric magnet, which convey to the soul a meaning of untold strength and power. Can I, in an intelligent and partially satisfactory manner, portray my thoughts for the purpose of placing them before the critical eyes of the experienced public? Even as I write, when all nature seems lulled into repose, many thoughts, suggestive of the all-wise and over-ruling power of God, the many in tricate and wonderful workings of His influential power, fill my soul with an insatiable thirst for a more extensive knowledge of Him. He is our Creator, and to Him we are indebted for the embodiment of mental and physical strength, for every natural trait, talent and faculty with which we are endowed; but to us is entrusted the cultivation and exercise of them. If we find by investigating the strange composition of our natures, that marked attention to a certain characteristic is our chief dependence, in forming a sound basis to an honorable and judicious course in life, we want to control and bring it under strict subjection to our will. We want to act upon some substantial foundation that will aid us in doing good, and prepare us for the realities and responsibilities of life. We are placed upon this earth for some purpose —some useful purpose-and to perform our mission we feel the necessity of placing our dependence on something more powerful than ourselves. We look to Him, our mighty God, for comfort and aid in hours of trial, and how sweet the influence of His power is to those who feel that to Him is confided the secrets of life. When we contemplate the little acts and expressions which assist the progress of life, we must not ignore our duties towards each other, and feel that we are independent creatures, who can live successfully and happily without the respect and confidence of our fellow beings. We should support and strengthen each other in all progressive labors, cultivate the higher faculties of the mind, that we may be instruments in promoting the cause of improvement, which is a matter of important consideration to all. We have been organized into societies for the purpose of bringing into exercise all the noble attributes of the soul, to build each other up in intelligence and morality, and prepare ourselves for future usefulness. If we do not possess every advantage of scholastic learning, let us at least endeavor to appreciate the blessings and opportunities afforded us in connection with our Mutual Improvement Association. Janie. GIVING ADVICE. IT is a little singular that in spite of our well-known relish for proffering advice, we should be adverse to receiving it; however avaricious we may be, advice is the one thing we are happy to part with, in season and out of season, perhaps because we are certain that the supply is inexhaustible, and we are sure of payment sooner or later. In giving it we feel a sense of superiority, an inflation of personal importance; in accepting it we acknowledge the wisdom of another. In the meanwhile the most of us, without soliciting advice, have it thrust upon us, and in such allopathic doses that were we to use it all we should have no leisure for anything else. We are advised not only how to control our servants, as if they were in the habit of controlling us; but how to keep our temper, as if we were in the habit of losing it; while giving advice is the most subtile form of self-flattery, taking it is an example of the most permanent humility; but perhaps there is nothing more exasperating in a small way, than being advised to follow the course which we had already predetermined upon, while the mentor or tormentor, carries, the credit of the happy result to his own account. The majority of us swallow this tidbit as we would some nauseous drug, with a wry face, and a longing for something to take the taste out of our mouth, and those who lavish it upon us receive little gratitude, since it is reckoned a doubtful generosity to give that which is useful to ourselves, which requires no sacrifice of us, which we are, in fact, glad to dispose of as so much rubbish; and though many bestow advice under protest, as a matter of conscience, yet if every donation of this nature were accompanied with a neuralgic twinge, an attack of gout or malaria, and did not, instead, leave the donor with a pleasurable sense of duty fulfilled, benefit conferred, and superiority acknowledged, we should not so often be called upon to accept that which we never intended to use. The young mother or housekeeper is unfortunate in being more bountifully provided with this article, perhaps, than any AN EPISODE OF HISTORY. 185 other of her sex: nobody is too ignorant | children, or, having known that responsi or inexperienced to add to the burden; she who has never had a house to keep, or, having had one, has never kept it; she who has never known the care of bility, has adroitly shirked it, is as opulent in advice as if she had herself received a legacy from her friends, and was anxious to share it with all mankind.-Selected. AN EPISODE OF HISTORY. "So truth be in the field, let her and falsehood grapple!"-Milton. 'Tis years ago-how long, the legend saith, Beneath the tropic's calm and quiet skies, E'en here-the demon bared his hideous head But rattling shot, rebounding, falling, sinking 'Neath the heedless sea! With tropic suddenness the morning beamed, No passing ship of timber, cordage, canvass, Driven by the wind, or dancing o'er the waves The gazers eyes salute, but stern and stately, Based on the world's foundations, (nature's freak) Uplifting high above the crested wave Its lordly head, behold; "A Massive Rock!" Of man's device, or e'en disturbed, though With deep chagrin for blasted hopes, And power mis-spent, the sails are spread, perchance Again to find, when nearest success seemed- And such, (thought I) is Truth; From heaven's clear swelling dome, repeated Breaking waves) the generations of the past, o'er Their beauty in the deep! God's silence wide Till in the gray of dawn, and scarcely seen- Then hurried trampling o'er The crowded decks, and muffled sounds the "Ready" bears; for action cleared, with demon Those now in being, thousands yet to come, But all in vain!- Time shall exhale all mists and fog While "Truth," divine, enduring, bears her faithful Votaries back to happiness and God, H. W. Naisbitt. |