GERMAN AND ENGLISH VIEWS CONTRASTED.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9433, 3 June 1896, Page 4

GERMAN AND ENGLISH VIEWS CONTRASTED.

CONTRASTED Whilst here in Germauy (continues the same writer) the general opinion prevails that in England there are no housewives, in England one thiuks that the German wife is really only her husbaud's housekeeper. Both views are wrong; only iv England one has a diffetent idea of what the housewife's duties are. The graater prosperity which rules the whole national life of England, is also the reason that the English wife is more spoilt than the Gormau. The former sticks fast to the idea thsib it is not the thing for a wife to tako her share of the housework. Her position materially allows her in most cases io restrict her household activity solely to the superintendence of Hie house and the education of the children, as well as the maintenance of her position in society. And in this respect the English married woman, it is true, is worthy of admiration. He who has ever had the opportunity of getting to know English home and family life inusi acknowledge this to be true. The always tasteful fitting up of an English house offera comforts which are ouly too often wanting in Germauy. The means which are at the English housewife's disposal certainly allow her to keep us many servants as aro ueeesaary. For instance, in the families of the middle classes four or five servants are no uncommon thing. Just ac the views of housewifely duties are perfectly different in England from what they are here, so also are those about the bringing up of ohiidren. The English mother leaves the superintendence of her children more to tho nurses and governesses, and yet the whole method of bringing up is in Englaud iv many a respect a much more rational one than with us. The principal object of the childreu'es education in England is a strong development physically. In this rospect the German mother very often completely fails. The British inoMier lays the greatest stress on her children spending as much time as possible out of doors, and strengthening their bodies by gymnastics und games which require great activity. She is very striot about her children holding themselves htraight; and indeed one tiuds nowhere 6uoh beautiful slim female figures as in England.