So it is with a woman. A neat woman who does business thoroughly, keeps things in order, with about half the labour that a slut employs who keeps things for ever out of order. If a pail or kettle be used, it is directly made clean, fit for other uses, and put in its place. When it is wanted, it is ready. But a slut uses an article and leaves it any where, dirty, unfit for use another time: by and by it is wanted, and cannot be found—"Moll, where did you leave the kettle?" "I han't had the kettle, Nab had it last"—"Nab, did you have the kettle?" "Yes, but it is dirty." So the kettle is found, but it is a half hour's work to fit it for the purpose required; in the mean time, the necessary business must lie by. Yet this woman says, when she does any thing, it will do for the present.
I have only to add, that I went to church, on a late cold Sunday, when a neighbouring clergyman officiated. He had spoken to his fifteenthly, when the clock struck one. Every man was shivering with the cold, and shuffling his feet—the parson took the hint, and broke off with "this will do for the present."
STAPLES OF MISSOURI.
1. Lead.—Missouri is famed throughout Europe and America, for the extent and value of her lead mines. She would be able to furnish all the U. States, the West Indies, Mexico, and South America, with that article. In the meantime, the U. States are purchasing lead from England! About $500,000 per annum is usually paid by Americans to Englishmen for lead; last year, however, it was about $300,000. The difference of the policy pursued by the two nations, is the cause of this state of things. In England, foreign lead pays a duty of 26l. 13s. 4d. sterling on every quantity of 100l. worth imported; and the lead mines are private property. In America, foreign lead pays but little duty, and the mines are monopolized by the government.
2. Iron.—Missouri has a great interest in the production of domestic iron. She possesses immense beds of ore, exceedingly rich, and well situated to be worked, and conveniently transported to all parts of the valley of the Mississippi. The waters of the Merrimac, and of the Gasconade are the chief seats of this ore, although it is found in many other parts of the territory, and in such amazing quantities, that it may be considered to be for ever inexhaustible. Missouri could furnish not only herself and immediate neighbours, but the whole valley of the Mississippi with iron and its manufactures, yet she is purchasing these articles from England, Sweden and Russia!
3. Salt.—-The state of Missouri abounds with salt springs. In many places they are almost as common as fresh water springs. They are found in every section of the country, but especially in the Boon's-lick district, and on the waters of Salt River, a branch of the Mississippi. Missouri would be able to furnish an empire with salt, but heretofore she has purchased that article from the Illinois and Kenawha, from Liverpool, St. Ubes, and Turk's Island!—The government monopoly was one cause of this. Since the purchase of Louisiana the government had reserved the salt springs; but in the bill for admitting Missouri into the Union, 12 springs, to be chosen by the Legislature, with four sections of land around each, are to be given to the state; and the remainder will probably be sold out, and become private property. These springs will be a source of wealth to the people, and of revenue to the state. With a judicious system of management, the whole expenses of the state government may possibly be defrayed from the rents and profits accruing from 12 selected springs.
4. Hemp.—The soil and the climate of Missouri, announce it to be the true country for the production of hemp. Experience establishes the fact. Many farmers have raised it, as well under the Spanish as under the American government. The quantity obtained from an acre is prodigious, and by experiments made at New Orleans, under the auspices of the Governor General, the Baron de Carondelet, it was proved to be equal (the account says superior) in strength and fineness of fibre, to the boasted hemp of Russia. Persons who have looked to the resources of Missouri have always considered hemp as one of its staples, and the encouragement of its growth one of the first objects of our farmers and statesmen.