country, but she did not advert to them. As all preachers should do who hope to produce an effect by a single discourse, she confined herself to one topic. "Yes, Anne," she said, "I soon began to find pleasure in my domestic concerns. I was often compelled to be an actual operator, for in a new country labour is too precious to be bought with money; but I was every day learning, and in no department is the acquisition of knowledge more certainly power than in this. Mountains were soon levelled down to molehills. Labours that, at first, exacted all my time, strength, and thoughts, became easy by repetition; and I had not resided six months at Hydedale before I was able to despatch my household business within the two hours prescribed by Madame Roland."
"Madame Roland!—the celebrated Madame Roland? for pity's sake, what had she to do with household business?"
"She administered family affairs with a very small income, and she was at the head of an immense establishment, and in both positions she says her domestic duties were comprised within two hours."[1]
"Dear! yes, with French servants; but, if I understand you, you had not even American servants."
"You forget. Mammy was always with me; and when I could get no one else, she insisted on
- ↑ Madame Roland says of herself, "The same child who read systematic works, who could explain the circles of the celestial sphere, who could handle the crayon and the graver, and who at eight years of age was the best dancer at youthful parties, was frequently called into the kitchen to make an omelette, pick herbs, and skim the pot!" We have known a few Yankee girls who might make a similar boast.
