The Care of the Hands.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3102, 26 September 1899, Page 6

The Care of the Hands.

While a true gentlewoman has something better than a pair of pretty hands on which to base her claims to " gentility," it is her right to keep her hands as fair and smooth as the faithful doing of her duties will admit. " Who sweeps a room and sweeps It clean" makes the action no less fine by the wearing of a pair of old kid gloves during the process ; and the same is true of dusting, blacking a stove, putting down carpets, cleaning kerosene lamps, and many of the other household duties that fall to the mothers and daughters in homes where no servant is kept. It is quite possible, with proper care, to do the majority of these tasks without serious Injury to the hands, and it is also a false pride that prevents one from using the necessary precautions. Many busy housewives affect supreme indifference to the hands, and do not hesitate to express their contempt for those who try in any way to protect them. " Mother thinks it so silly," said a young girl blushing with shame on being found sweeping in gloves. But why not as well wear gloves to protect the bands as a sweeping-cap to protect the hair ? The faithful doing of one's duty is always commendable, and the marks of toil are no disgrace ; but there ls no virtue in the abusing of the hands that perform the labour, and for one's own comfort due care should be taken to keep them from becoming callous and rough.