815. Carefulness.—A proper quantity of household articles should always be allowed for daily use. Each should also be kept in its proper place, and applied to its proper use. Let all repairs be done as soon as wanted, remembering the old adage of "a stitch in time;" and never, if possible, defer any necessary household concern a moment beyond the time when it ought to be attended to.
In the purchase of glass and crockery-ware, either the most customary patterns should be chosen, in order to secure their being easily matched, when broken; or, if a scarce design be adopted, an extra quantity should be bought, to guard against the annoyance of the set being spoiled by breakage—which, in the course of time, must be expected to happen. There should likewise be plenty of common dishes, that the table-set may not be used for putting away cold meat, &c.
The cook should be encouraged to be careful of coals and cinders: for the latter there is a new contrivance for sifting, without dispersing the dust, by means of a covered tin bucket.
Small coal, wetted, makes the strongest fire for the back of the grate, but must remain untouched till it cakes. Cinders, lightly wetted, give a great degree of heat, and are better than coal, for furnaces, ironing-stoves, and ovens.
816. Attention to little things.—By attention to little things, the neat appearance of a house may be secured, and time and labor saved. For instance, when you are sewing, carefully deposit your bits of thread, &c., in a little basket or box, instead of throwing them on the floor. And again: set your chairs out a little from the wall, instead of putting them close to it, which would not only rub the paint from the chairs, but would soon deface the beauty of the wall-paper. These appear like trifling things—but nothing is too trifling to demand our attention, when we are endeavoring to fulfil the duties of our sphere.
817. Cheerfulness.—Does it seem singular that cheerfulness is placed among the requisites for good house-keeping? But it is of far more importance than you would, at first view, imagine. What matters it to a brother or husband, if the house be ever so neat, or the meals punctually and well prepared, if the mistress of it is fretful and fault-finding—ever discontented and complaining. The outside of such a house is ever the most attractive to him, and any and every excuse will be made for absenting himself; and the plea of business or engagements will be made to her who is doomed to pass her hours needlessly in solitude.