It
requires method, accuracy, organization, industry, economy,
discipline, tact, knowledge, and capacity for adapting means to
ends. All this is of the essence of business; and hence business
habits are as necessary to be cultivated by women who would
succeed in the affairs of home--in other words, who would make
home happy--as by men in the affairs of trade, of commerce, or of
manufacture.
The idea has, however, heretofore prevailed, that women have no
concern with such matters, and that business habits and
qualifications relate to men only. Take, for instance, the
knowledge of figures. Mr. Bright has said of boys, "Teach a boy
arithmetic thoroughly, and he is a made man." And why?--Because
it teaches him method, accuracy, value, proportions, relations.
But how many girls are taught arithmetic well?--Very few indeed.
And what is the consequence?--When the girl becomes a wife, if
she knows nothing of figures, and is innocent of addition and
multiplication, she can keep no record of income and expenditure,
and there will probably be a succession of mistakes committed
which may be prolific in domestic contention. The woman, not
being up to her business--that is, the management of her domestic
affairs in conformity with the simple principles of arithmetic--
will, through sheer ignorance, be apt to commit extravagances,
though unintentional, which may be most injurious to her family
peace and comfort.
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