WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ENGAGED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2603, 3 February 1904, Page 63

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ENGAGED.

In your home life you have probably depended on your mother's guiding hand ; but now you have promised to take the reins of a household in your own, and you must learn the ins and outs of the domestic machinery, lest after marriage experience teaches you bitterly at the cost of many mistakes.

. To begin with, start , finding out the cost of food, for this has proved a slumblingbiocx to many a young wife in ihe early days of her housekeeping. Learn the cuts of the joints, the difference between foreign and English meat ; also, when certain items of diet, such as game, fish, etc., are in season.

Then study cooking. Even though your lover's income may be sufficient to provide a reliable servant or servants, you should nevertheless know thoroughly how everything should be cooked, though there may never be any need for you to soil your fingers in culinary art. Then, in the matter of housework, master ail its details. Do not imagine that because you will not have to sweep rooms, clean silver, and burnish brass, you need know nothing of such worlr. On the contrary, you should be proficient in every housewifely trifle, or you are not fit to be an employer of domestic labour. As the mistress is, so are the servants ; thus, an ignorant, indolent mistress cannot expect to have reliable, industrious servants.

Next comes the question of sewing. What shall or shall not the engaged girl make for herself and her new home ? Well, if your time is all your own, make everything. Let your trousseau be your own handiwork as far as underwear is concerned ; and as for the house you can make a hundred-and-one dainty trifles in the way of doyleys, table sets and cushions. Your delight in working for that future and your appreciation of the things themselves ■will be far greater than were you merely to step into some emporium and order all you fancied straight away.

Thus it will be seen that the period of an engagement if wisely used is no mere holiday, such as many girls would fain believe. It is in reality one of the busiest times in a woman's life, and certainly one •weighted with tremendous responsibilities ; bo don't enter upon it lightly, and "bill and coo" away the precious hours of preparation.