FARMERS' WIVES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1342, 18 August 1877, Page 19

FARMERS' WIVES.

Some" years ago. I was talking with Dr Gray, chief, physician in the New York Bfete Lunatic; Asylum at Utica, and he told- me ; that as a class more farmers' wives 'were,'; jmraght to that institution thai\ people .of any other occupation. He said : "The reason why this is so, is that their minds are constantly on one unchangeable routine of work, from dayJigfifc in the morning till late at night — no changes-no relaxation — no rest." Farmers should note this fact, and be fc^lfjffiagd,,More it is too late. It is ™H!sWv*M.* ™?> amount of labour tanners wives perform J Many of them

get up and have breakfast ready before their husbands get out of bed. Then it is work, work, work, till near midnight ; the mind all the time being on their duties — how they shall supply the meals — how the washing and , ironing are to be done — when can lie floors be scrubbed — how are the children to be clothed and kept tidy ;, and many other things, all combined^ are enough to break down the strongest woman in the land ! "In no case," said Dr Gray, "is it safe to be constantly thinking upon one thing or subject ;" and in cases where the brain has become weakened by too great a strain on it, as with students and literary men, the remedy is rest and outdoor recreation. Then when men are in trouble, a constant brooding over it is dangerous. The mind should be drawn away from it as much as possible. Farmers, your duties to your wives are plain. Don't allow them to overwork, to wear out prematurely. It is better to leave a few acres less to your heirs, and tees in bonds or mortgages, than to see your wives go down to premature graves with the epitaph, " Died of farm drudgery." — Rural New Yorker.