Overview:
“A Treatise on Domestic Economy” was written in 1845 by Catharine Esther Beecher, a prominent educator and social reformer, to address the perceived shortcomings in women’s domestic education. Beecher argues that young women are not properly trained for their roles as wives, mothers, and household managers, leading to poor health, inefficient homes, and societal problems. She champions the idea of incorporating “Domestic Economy” as a systematic science in female schools, alongside traditional subjects like mathematics and philosophy. This approach, she believes, would empower women to take control of their health and domestic lives, becoming more efficient, happier, and better prepared for their responsibilities.
Beecher’s book covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Physiology and Hygiene: Understanding the human body, maintaining good health through proper diet, clothing, exercise, cleanliness, and sleep.
- Domestic Management: Efficient housekeeping, including systematic planning, time management, financial responsibility, the care of children and servants, and the construction of homes.
- Social Duties: Cultivating good manners, hospitality, and charitable practices.
Key Findings:
- Women, especially in the wealthier classes, suffer from poor health due to inadequate physical education and a lack of exercise.
- The social changes in the United States are creating a shortage of reliable domestic servants, leading to added burdens on women.
- A well-constructed and well-maintained home is essential to the health and comfort of the family.
- The importance of incorporating domestic economy into the formal education of girls to prepare them for their future roles.
Learning:
- The importance of a balanced lifestyle: Beecher emphasizes the importance of both physical and mental well-being, promoting a harmonious approach to life.
- The principles of good health: She provides detailed explanations of the human body and the principles of hygiene, including proper nutrition, clothing, and exercise.
- The value of systematic housekeeping: Readers learn the benefits of planning, organizing, and managing a home effectively, including time management, financial responsibility, and the efficient use of resources.
- The art of effective communication: She highlights the importance of cultivating good manners and communicating with others with courtesy and respect, both within the home and in society.
- The practice of charity: Beecher stresses the importance of charitable actions, encouraging readers to contribute to the well-being of others, especially the poor and the needy.
Historical Context:
Written in 1845, “A Treatise on Domestic Economy” reflects the social and economic changes of the era. The United States was experiencing rapid growth, urbanization, and industrialization, leading to changing household dynamics, new challenges for women, and a growing demand for domestic help. The book also reflects the broader social reform movement of the time, which advocated for women’s rights, education, and improved social conditions.
Facts:
- The great maxim of American civil and political institutions: “All men are created equal.” (p. 25)
- The principle of democracy: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (p. 25)
- The fundamental principle of democratic institutions: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” (p. 25)
- The principles of democracy are identical with the principles of Christianity. (p. 26)
- The main principle of democracy: The interests and feelings of all men are equal in value. (p. 138)
- American women are subordinate in domestic relations, but superior in influence in social and moral concerns. (p. 33)
- American women are given precedence in all comforts, conveniences, and courtesies. (p. 33)
- The number of bones in the human body: Approximately 250 (p. 69)
- The amount of waste matter exhaled by the skin each day: At least 20 ounces (p. 92)
- The amount of nutritious matter in beef: 35% (p. 221)
- The amount of nutritious matter in wheat bread and rice: 80-95% (p. 221)
- The average number of children at the Albany Orphan Asylum: 80 (p. 222)
- The death rate at the Albany Orphan Asylum before changing their diet and hygiene practices: 30-40 children in the first three years (p. 222)
- The death rate at the Albany Orphan Asylum after changing their diet and hygiene practices: Zero deaths for three years, except for three new inmates who had not been subjected to the new regimen (p. 222)
- The number of Jews required to be Levites: One twelfth of the population (p. 183)
- The proportion of time Jews devoted to God’s service: Three sevenths (p. 183)
- The length of the Loire River: Approximately 550 miles (p. 361)
- The number of volumes in the London Medical Society’s library: 40,000 (p. 361)
- The height of Mackinac Island: Approximately 300 feet (p. 362)
- The diameter of protection a lightning rod offers: Equal to the height of the rod above the highest chimney (p. 243)
Statistics:
- One quarter of the human race perishes in infancy. (p. 112)
- One third of the deaths of infants is caused by mismanagement. (p. 214)
- Three tons of anthracite coal are sufficient to keep a fire going in the Middle States during the winter. (p. 281)
- Four tons of anthracite coal are sufficient to keep a fire going in the Northern States during the winter. (p. 281)
- Two barrels of charcoal are needed to kindle a ton of anthracite coal. (p. 281)
- A house with a fireplace in an outer wall loses one third of the heat. (p. 260)
- A two-story house can be built for the same cost as a smaller cottage with a piazza. (p. 265)
- A thick hair mattress is best for a bed. (p. 329)
- A long piece of linen a yard wide will make eight shirts. (p. 328)
- Six yards of yard-wide cotton will make two chemises. (p. 329)
- Two hundred large apples can be grown on a tree 15 feet by 12 feet. (p. 347)
Terms:
- Democratic: A political system in which the people hold power and make decisions through elected representatives.
- Aristocracy: A system of government in which power is held by a small, privileged group of people, often based on wealth, birth, or social standing.
- Calisthenics: Exercises designed to develop grace, strength, and coordination.
- Physiology: The study of how the human body functions.
- Hygiene: Practices and principles that promote health and well-being.
- Economy: The wise and efficient use of resources, including time and money.
- Charity: Giving to the poor or needy, either through money, time, or other resources.
- Benevolence: Kindness, generosity, and concern for others’ welfare.
- Superfluities: Things that are not essential but considered desirable or luxurious.
- Subordination: A state of being lower in rank, authority, or importance.
- Ventilation: The process of supplying a space with fresh air.
Examples:
- Beecher describes a young woman who is forced to take on the responsibilities of a housekeeper after her mother dies. (p. 63)
- Beecher provides an account of the Albany Orphan Asylum, where a change in diet and hygiene practices significantly reduced the rates of illness and death. (p. 222)
- She cites the example of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, an aristocratic woman who found enjoyment and satisfaction in domestic duties. (p. 135)
- Beecher describes a family where the children were taught to be helpful and to take on household responsibilities. (p. 163)
- She shares the story of a wealthy woman who established a successful female seminary as a form of benevolent enterprise. (p. 201)
- Beecher mentions a lady who gave up her expensive lifestyle to pursue charitable work. (p. 176)
Conclusion:
“A Treatise on Domestic Economy” is a comprehensive guide to living a fulfilling and meaningful life within the context of 19th-century American society. Beecher’s work emphasizes the importance of a balanced lifestyle that prioritizes physical and mental well-being, household management, and the cultivation of good character and social responsibility. It is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their life, maintain a healthy home, and create a more just and equitable society.