COMMENCEMENT, JUNE, 1898. 653 



borne in one of our large cities, say to her friends: "I would give all I 

 know about Shakespeare to be able to tell what ails the bread when it 

 isn't good." 



Good housekeeping requires a knowledge of art and science; and to be 

 a good housekeeper one must have a knowledge of cooking, chemistry, 

 bacteriology, hygiene, handling of the needle, and countless other things; 

 and as many of these courses as possible should take an important part in 

 every girl's education. 



The food consumed is very powerful in determining the character of the 

 individual. If our people had better, more wholesome food, much of the 

 unhappiness of this world would be lifted. Fewer men would depend 

 upon their tobacco anu liquor for the day's strength. With good bodily 

 nourishment, health is always present, and with health — happiness. The 

 opinion is too common that medicine alone is what is needed in disease, 

 but science is now teaching that nutrition both as a cure and preventive 

 is more important. The wise housekeeper will provide the kind of food 

 that is needed by each member of the family to do his work in the best 

 way, and make the body strong and able to endure. She will know that 

 Heaven's gifts of air and sunshine are intended for use, and will not 

 close windows and doors — shutting out purity and keeping in the germs 

 of disease. She will also know the need of pure water. Then with good 

 food, pure water, and plenty of air and sunshine, she has in her control 

 preventives and cures more powerful and lasting than all medicines. On 

 the other hand, she must Lave at least the elementary knowledge of the 

 Trained nurse, and in case of sickness or accident must know what to do 

 and when to do it, for it may be that a life's thread will be snapped 

 through her ignorance. 



Economy and s.ystem are fundamental principles which must underlie 

 the management of any successful household. Every girl should under- 

 stand the value of money, and know how to utilize the family income in 

 the most perfect way to make the home beautiful and the lives of its in- 

 mates ones of pleasure and comfort. Great expense is not needed for an 

 attractive home, but where there is an appreciation of beauty, the home 

 may be made attractive and its furnishings in harmony. Whether or 

 not the surroundings are harmonious has more influence on character 

 than is usually considered. Beautiful environments cannot help but tend 

 to make beautiful characters. The woman of culture will bring beauty 

 and art into her home. Appreciation for the highest in painting, music, 

 and literature will be fostered there, for she will realize their uplifting 

 and ennobling influence upon the lives they touch. 



Then realizing the influence of home — too deep and lastmg for com- 

 prehension — is it not time that more earnest thought were given to 

 making the home as faultless as it is in human control to do so? And 

 as it has been given to woman to be the home-maker, it is her duty to 

 be fully prepared in all lines which relate to it. When the importance 

 of the home in the progress and development of the race is fully renl ; zed, 

 then the science of house-keeping will be given an exalted place in every 

 girl's education. When it is rerognized as the best work to which 

 woman aspires, because it is in the realm in which God intended her 

 influence to be most potent, then will come to every home-maker thp pride 

 in work well done, and the knowledge that her profession is the profession 

 without which there could be no other. 



