A good way to start the new year: Wise words from Mrs Beeton


I just love the way that Mrs Isabelle Beeton starts her book "The book of  household management"


Chapter 1

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up , and call her blessed ; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Proverb 31:25-28


As with the commander of an army, or the leader of any enterprise, so is it with the mistress of a house.  Her spirit will be seen through the while establishment; and just in proportion as she performs her duties intelligently and thoroughly, so will her domestics follow in her path. Of all those acquirement, which more particularly belong to the feminine character, there are none which take a higher rank, in our estimation, than such as enter into a knowledge of household duties; for on these are perpetually dependent the happiness, comfort, and well-being of a family.

In this opinion we are borne out by the author of "The Vicar of Wakefild," who says "The modest virgin, the prudent wife, and the careful matron, are much more serviceable in life than petticoated philosophers, blustering heroines or virago queens. She who makes her husband and her children happy, who reclaims the one from vice and trains up the other to virtue, is a much greater character than ladies described in romances, who whole occupation is to murder mankind with shafts from their quiver or their eyes"

~oOo~

Isn't this perfect - I don't think these words have dated at all and are just right for 2012 (ok, if I was a feminist I would most certainly say they have). And I just love the way she started the chapter with Proverbs 31 and ends by telling the reader not to follow those silly ladies from the romance novels !

What wonderful advise to start 2012

~oOo~

Comments

  1. Yeah, I love this too. Such wise advice!! :)
    I don't care what the feminists think - we are far happier than they are anyway, I reckon.

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  2. Clara- when you think about it, Mrs Beeton was stop on with her advise. Written for women to clearly understand. Interestingly her husband did have a few vices such as women and drink so she knew what she was talking about .

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  3. This was surely a blessing to read on a new day in a new year. I think I would enjoy reading more of this book from Mrs. Beeton. :)

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