A Treatise on Domestic Economy | Page 3

but as what has obtained the approbation of some of the most judicious
mothers and housekeepers in the nation. The articles on Physiology and
Hygiene, and those on horticulture, were derived from standard works
on these subjects, and are sanctioned by the highest authorities.
The American Housekeeper's Receipt Book is another work prepared by
the author of the Domestic Economy, in connexion with several
experienced housekeepers, and is designed for a supplement to this
work. On pages 354a and 354b will be found the Preface and Analysis
of that work, the two books being designed for a complete course of
instructions on every department of Domestic Economy.
The copyright interest in these two works is held by a board of
gentlemen appointed for the purpose, who, after paying a moderate
compensation to the author for the time and labour spent in preparing
these works, will employ all the remainder paid over by the publishers,
to aid in educating and locating such female teachers as wish to be

employed in those portions of our country, which are most destitute of
schools.
The contract with the publisher provides that the publisher shall
guaranty the sales and thus secure against any losses for bad debts, for
which he shall receive five per cent. He shall charge twenty per cent.
for commissions paid to retailers, and also the expenses of printing,
paper, and binding, at the current market prices, and make no other
charges. The net profits thus determined are then to be divided equally,
the publishers taking one half, and paying the other half to the board
above mentioned.

CONTENTS.
PREFACE, 7
CHAPTER I.
PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN.
American Women should feel a peculiar Interest in Democratic
Institutions. The Maxim of our Civil Institutions. Its Identity with the
main Principle of Christianity. Relations involving Subordination; why
they are needful. Examples. How these Relations are decided in a
Democracy. What decides the Equity of any Law or Institution. The
Principle of Aristocracy. The Tendency of Democracy in Respect to the
Interests of Women. Illustrated in the United States. Testimony of De
Tocqueville. Miss Martineau's Misrepresentations. In what Respects
are Women subordinate? and why? Wherein are they equal or superior
in Influence? and how are they placed by Courtesy? How can American
Women rectify any real Disadvantages involved in our Civil
Institutions? Opinion of De Tocqueville as to the Influence and
Example of American Democracy. Responsibilities involved in this
View, especially those of American Women, 25
CHAPTER II.

DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR TO AMERICAN WOMEN.
A Law of Moral Action to be noted. Its Application. Considerations to
be borne in Mind, in appreciating peculiar Trials. Application to
American Women. Difference between this and Aristocratic Countries.
How this affects the Interests of American Women. Effect of Wealth, in
this Country, on Domestic Service. Effects on the Domestic Comfort of
Women. Second peculiar Trial of American Women. Extent of this Evil.
The Writer's Observation on this Point. Effects on the Anticipations of
Mothers and Daughters. Infrequency of Healthful Women in the
Wealthy Classes. Causes which operate to undermine the Female
Constitution. Excitement of Mind. Course of Intellectual Training.
Taxation, in Domestic Life, of American Mothers and Housekeepers.
Exercise and Fresh Air needful to balance Mental Excitement. Defect
in American, compared with English, Customs, in this Respect.
Difference in the Health and Youthfulness of Appearance between
English and American Mothers. Liabilities of American Women to the
uncommon Exposures of a New Country. Remarks of De Tocqueville
and the Writer on this Point, 38
CHAPTER III.
REMEDIES FOR THE PRECEDING DIFFICULTIES.
First Remedy suggested. Obligations of Wealthy Ladies on this Point.
How a Dearth of Domestics may prove a Blessing. Second Remedy.
Domestic Economy should be taught in Schools. Third Remedy.
Reasons for endowing Colleges and Professional Schools. Similar
Reasons exist for endowing Female Institutions. Present Evils in
conducting Female Education. A Sketch of a Model Female Institution.
Accommodations provided. Mode of securing Exercise to Pupils.
Objections to this answered. Calisthenics. Course of Intellectual
Discipline adopted. Mode of Division of Labor adopted. Example of
Illinois in Regard to Female Education. Economy of Health and Time
secured by such Institutions. Plan suggested for the Early Education of
Young Girls. Last Remedy suggested, 48

CHAPTER IV.
ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A BRANCH OF STUDY.
Impediment to making Domestic Economy a Study at School. First
Reason why it should be so made. State of Domestic Service precarious.
Second Reason. Examples illustrating. Third Reason. Questions asked.
First Objection; how answered. Next Objection; how answered. Next
Objection; how answered. Last Reason, 63
CHAPTER V.
ON THE CARE OF HEALTH.
Importance of a Knowledge of the Laws of Health, and of the Human
System, to Females. Construction of the Human Frame. BONES; their
Structure, Design, and Use. Engraving and Description. Spinal Column.
Engravings of Vertebræ. Exercise of the