ts, are relinquished to the hands of
strangers. And the expense, thus incurred, would serve to pay the hire
of every thing the mother can do in sewing, four or five times over. The
same want of economy is shown in communities, where, instead of
establishing a good female school in their vicinity, the men of wealth
send their daughters abroad, at double the expense, to be either
educated or spoiled, as the case may be.

Another species of poor economy, is manifested in neglecting to acquire
and apply mechanical skill, which, in consequence, has to be hired from
others. Thus, all the plain sewing will be done by the mother and
daughters, while all that requires skill will be hired. Instead of this,
others take pains to have their daughters instructed in mantuamaking,
and the simpler parts of millinery, so that the plain work is given to
the poor, who need it, and the more expensive and tasteful operations
are performed in the family. The writer knows ladies, who not only make
their own dresses, but also their caps, bonnets, and artificial flowers.

Some persons make miscalculations in economy, by habitually looking up
cheap articles, while others go to the opposite extreme, and always buy
the best of every thing. Those ladies, who are considered the best
economists, do not adopt either method. In regard to cheap goods, the
fading colors, the damages discovered in use, the poorness of material,
and the extra sewing demanded to replace articles lost by such causes,
usually render them very dear, in the end. On the other hand, though
some articles, of the most expensive kind, wear longest and best, yet,
as a general rule, articles at medium prices do the best service. This
is true of table and bed linens, broadcloths, shirtings, and the like;
though, even in these cases, it is often found, that the coarsest and
cheapest last the longest.

Buying by wholesale, and keeping a large supply on hand, are economical
only in large families, where the mistress is careful; but in other
cases, the hazards of accident, and the temptation to a lavish use, will
make the loss outrun the profits.

There is one mode of economizing, which, it is hoped, will every year
grow more rare; and that is, making penurious savings, by getting the
poor to work as cheap as possible. Many amiable and benevolent women
have done this, on principle, without reflecting on the want of
Christian charity thus displayed. Let every woman, in making bargains
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