OS DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES 41 



fear that they will nol be able to dispose of the surplus produc- 

 tions of the soil. 



There is one species of domestic industry which in the opin- 

 ion of the Committee demands a larger portion of attention, the 

 cultivation of mulberry trees and the rearing of silk worms. The ' 

 business requires no capital, and the labor and care are light and 

 pleasant. It interrupts none of the ordinary occupations of the 

 farmer, and affords employment for those members of his family 

 v/ho might otherwise be idle. It innocently occupies, at home, 

 the time of those whose health and virtue might be exposed 

 abroad. We hope that this subject v/iU soon excite that inter- 

 est which it deserves, and employ that labor and care which it 

 so bandsomely remunerates. 



The Committee consider themselves under obligations to givo 

 the preference to articles of substantial comfort and utility. Of 

 such, there was a good proportion at this exbibition. Carpets, 

 counterpanes, and other indispensable articles. 



And since fashion and taste have prescribed that " women 

 must adorn themselves with broidered hair, and gold, and pearls, 

 and costly array," we are glad that the fairer and gentler part of 

 our communities are not beholden to foreign manufactures for 

 many of those fanciful and elegant ornaments with which they 

 are accustomed to deck their persons. There was a very hand- 

 some display of delicately finished articles of female dress, which 

 was very flattering to the taste, ingenuity and industry of those 

 who wrought them. In many of them, there was much elegance 

 in the device and much skill in the execution. There must be 

 a peculiar satisfaction to the wearer of such beautiful decorations 

 when she can say, my own fancy designed, and ray own hands 

 perfected them. She is brilliant with her own light, while those 

 who procure such ornaments by other means than their own in- 

 dustry, too much resemble that dishonest bird in the fable, 

 which bedecked herself with borrowed plumes. 



It is always pleasant to reward the labors of children and youth, 

 as it excites them to new endeavors, and encourages them to 

 greater efforts. By well timed commendation and suitable re- 

 wards, children are stimulated to application, and so acquire 

 6 



