her tastes and morals, and in many cases to blast her reputation and character forever. In general, she cannot have as much time as domestics can gain, to take care of her clothes, or to read, and thus improve her mind.
I have known cases, where young girls have left the place of a domestic in a good family, to go to shops or manufactories, who, after the trial, have returned with broken down health, to mourn over those influences, which had done even more evil to the mind, than had been inflicted on the body.
If I had a young sister, who must earn her own support by the labor of her hands, I would first look for a place for her as a domestic in a kind, well educated and Christian family, as the safest, the happiest, the most useful place I could find.
And I should consider the sedentary, homeless employment of a sempstress, or the still more dangerous and injurious employments, of the shop or manufactory, as every way inferior in advantages and respectability. And I trust a time will come, when all those most interested in the matter, will view this subject in the same light.
LETTER VIII.
The importance of raising the respectability of the station of a domestic, in public estimation, and the mode by which it can be done.
My Friends:
I have in previous letters shown, that the station of a domestic is honourable and respectable; and that it is a far more desirable situation than that of many deemed superior to it. I have also shown some of the reasons why it is not regarded as so honourable and respectable as it ought to he.