On Tueſday laſt, thirteen young ladies aſſembled, with their ſpinning-wheels, at the houſe of Mr. Joſeph Whipple, in North-Providence, and, between the hours of eight in the morning and ſix in the afternoon, completed fifty ſkeins of excellent linen yarn.
July 1, 1788.
The ſpinning-wheel, a few years ago imprudently neglected, begins to be held in general reputation by the Fair; and the exploits of ſome on that uſeful machine, are deſervedly celebrated, as worthy of imitation. To thoſe good works of female induſtry may be added the ſingular attachment of two young ladies in Dighton, who ſpun, the 11th inſtant, between the riſing and ſetting of the ſun, thirteen ſkeins and eleven lees of good linen yarn; one ſix ſkeins and ſeven, and the other ſeven ſkeins and four lees. The ſpirit of induſtry is becoming more prevalent, eſpecially among the fair ſex. They begin to lay aſide their uſeleſs and idle viſits, or, at leaſt, make them leſs frequent. When perſons become more induſtrious and mind their own buſineſs, they talk leſs, and to better purpoſe; they become more contented, and the world around them is more peaceable and happy.
Providence Gazette, July 1, 1788.
Providence, May 24. On the 7th inſt. 71 ladies met at the houſe of the Rev. Mr. Ellis, in Rehoboth, and lodged 187 ſkeins of good linen yarn, which they had ſpun for Mrs. Ellis; and others have ſince added 31. Solomon, in deſcribing a virtuous woman, ſays, "She ſeeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.—She layeth her hands to the ſpindle, and her hands hold the diſtaff." Induſtry is certainly a virtue, which, while it adorns, enriches, ſociety; it baniſhes the languid hue from the countenances of the fair, and adds vigour and vivacity to the mind.—The ſpirited exertions that the daughters of Columbia are making, to manufacture our wool and flax, which are neceſſary for our conſumption, are praiſe-worthy, and demand the approbation and aſſiſtance of every true patriot. We flatter ourſelves with the pleaſing expectation of ſeeing the virtuous fair clothed and ornamented in the genuine productions of their own labour.
We hear from Glouceſter, that on Thurſday laſt nearly thirty young ladies, inſpired with the love of induſtry, aſſlembled at the houſe of Capt. Philemon Haſkell, for the praiſe-worthy purpoſe of a Federal Spinning Match, when, to their honour, their ſpirited exertion produced 99 ſkeins of excellent yarn—practically declaring, that they neither laboured in vain or ſpent their ſtrength for nought. The day thus induſtriouſly concluded, finiſhed not the harmony of their federaliſm; in the evening, to crown the pleaſure of the day, with additional company, they regaled with an agreeable dance, and, at a modeſt hour, parted in love and friendſhip, with hearts convivial as they met, leaving others to admire their female patriotiſm, and to go and do likewiſe.
In Scotland, the farmers knit as well as the women of their families; but they do this while they are watching their ſheep or cattle, or while they are ſitting by their evening fire in winter. Why cannot our American farmers and their ſons adopt this frugal practice? Time is the moſt precious thing in the world. Its very fragments ſhould be ſaved.