Memphis Daily Appeal

Domestic Relations of Mistress and Servant.

We are pleased to see that the New York Sorosis is turning its attention to real practical matters at last, And now—instead of mounting barbed steeds,
To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,—

is thinking seriously of establishing a school for the purposes of training and educating household servants. Now this is more sensible than anything that has yet emanated from this society, and we sincerely trust that it may be but the forerunner of the many social and domestic improvements that the Sorosis has the opportunities (if properly directed,) to augment and modify. It is to be regretted, however, that our women consider themselves so much above their domestic duties as they do, at the present day. Unless they take some interest in housekeeping affairs, vain will it be for them to expect their servants to do so. It is rarely that this subject is discussed among our lady acquaintances without our hearing regrets and impatient remarks concerning the inefficiency of their helps. In the Sorosis there are doubtless many such. But are they entirely blameless themselves in their duties towards the girls they employ? They may perhaps ignore the fact that they owe any duties to their employees. They may think, (and the majority of them do think) that in return for a certain monthly compensation, that they are to receive not only the physical help of their servants, but also that knowledge in regulating household affairs that should be the duty of the lady of the house to possess, be it in her capacity of wife, mother or daughter.

Ladies of the Sorosis, your proposed work of establishing a school for the training and education of household servants will be a good one, and we wish you success therein. A greater work, however, is needed before that success can be insured, and that is, the establishment of a school for the training and education of mistresses in their household duties and in their relations with their employees. You, ladies of the Sorosis, should set the example by curtailing your discussions on politics and on other subjects that you do not understand, by attending to your household duties; by seeing that your husbands' dinners are properly cooked; by assuring yourselves that their money is not needlessly expended; by seeing that your children are not neglected by means of your literary proclivities; in fact by being what you should be—a help-mate, and not a blue-stocking. Perfect yourselves in these things; know your duties in your house—then, if you will, teach your servants theirs.