WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER, 1866 WORBLY’S On August 20, President Andrew Johnson formally declared our country’s war over. Our prayer is that our country continues to heal. May God give us peace as our country reunites. May homes and families grow stronger in love. May we all look to God above to guide and direct our lives. TABLE OF CONTENTS A Father’s Gift to His Son…......2 Husbands……..............................8 Politness………………………...8 Nurse and Spy…….……….........8 Powers of Mothers…………….13 Vice……………………………14 Pithy and Pointed…....………...14 A Great Attainment……….......14 Cousin Lucy’s Conversations...15 Domestic Economy….....……...20 A Daughter’s Love………..…...27 Vermin………………………...27 Dogs and Rats………………...28 Being A Boy, part two………...29 The Little Vessel………………32 The Light On The Deck………32 Christie, Where The Tree Fell...32 Manners Matter……………….40 Curing Meat…………………...41 Woman………………………..46 Letters to the Editor…………...47 Advertisements……...……...…48
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WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER, 1866
WORBLY’S
On August 20,
President Andrew Johnson formally
declared our country’s war over.
Our prayer is that our country
continues to heal.
May God give us peace as our
country reunites.
May homes and families grow
stronger in love.
May we all look to God above to
guide and direct our lives.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Father’s Gift to His Son…......2
Husbands……..............................8
Politness………………………...8
Nurse and Spy…….……….........8
Powers of Mothers…………….13
Vice……………………………14
Pithy and Pointed…....………...14
A Great Attainment……….......14
Cousin Lucy’s Conversations...15
Domestic Economy….....……...20
A Daughter’s Love………..…...27
Vermin………………………...27
Dogs and Rats………………...28
Being A Boy, part two………...29
The Little Vessel………………32
The Light On The Deck………32
Christie, Where The Tree Fell...32
Manners Matter……………….40
Curing Meat…………………...41
Woman………………………..46
Letters to the Editor…………...47
Advertisements……...……...…48
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
2
In an effort to remember and honor the men
who helped establish our country, we
present a work of one our Founding Fathers.
A FATHER’S GIFT TO HIS SON ON HIS
BECOMING AN APPRENTICE
By Benjamin Franklin
Published by Samuel Wood & Sons, 1821
FRANKLIN'S
WAY TO WEALTH;
OR
POOR RICHARD IMPROVED
INTRODUCTION.
This little treatise is much and justly
admired, as well as its celebrated and
ingenious author; in short, it is to be
doubted, whether any other work of the kind
equal to it has ever appeared. It has been
repeatedly published, in different sizes; and
made its appearance on both sides of the
Atlantic. The London copy from which this
is printed, contains the following introduc-
tion:
"Dr. Franklin, wishing to collect into one
piece, all the sayings upon the following
subjects, which he had dropped in the course
of publishing the Almanac, called "Poor
Richard," introduces Father Abraham for
this purpose. Hence it is, that Poor Richard
is so often quoted, and that, in the present
title, he is said to be improved.—
Notwithstanding the stroke of humour in the
concluding paragraph of this address, Poor
Richard (Saunders) and Father Abraham
have proved, in America, that they are no
common preachers. And shall we, brother
Englishmen, refuse good sense and saving
knowledge, because it comes from the other
side of the water?"
The Way to Wealth.
COURTEOUS READER,
I have heard that nothing gives an author so
much pleasure, as to find his works
respectfully quoted by others. Judge, then,
how much I must have been gratified by an
incident I am going to relate to you. I
stopped my horse, lately, where a great
number of people were collected at an
auction of merchants' goods. The hour of the
sale not being come, they were conversing
on the badness of the times; and one of the
company called to a plain, clean, old man,
with white locks, "Pray, Father Abraham,
what think you of the times? Will not those
heavy taxes quite ruin the country? How
shall we ever be able to pay, them? What
would you advise us to?" Father Abraham
stood up, and replied, "If you would have
my advice, I will give it you in short, 'for a
word to the wise is enough,' as Poor Richard
says." They joined in desiring him to speak
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
3
his mind, and, gathering around him, he
proceeded as follows:
"Friends," says he, "the taxes are indeed
very heavy; and if those laid on by the
government were the only ones we had to
pay, we might more easily discharge them;
but we have many others, and much more
grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice
as much by our idleness, three times as
much by our pride, and four times as much
by our folly; and from these taxes the
commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by
allowing an abatement. However, let us
hearken to good advice, and something may
be done for us; 'God helps them that help
themselves ;' as poor Richard says.
"I. It would be thought a hard government
that should tax its people one-tenth part of
their time to be employed in its service: but
idleness taxes many of us much more; sloth
by bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens
life.
"Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labour
wears, while the used key is always bright,'
as Poor Richard says---"But, dost thou love
life?, then do not squander time, for that is
the stuff life is made of," as Poor Richard
says.—How much more than is necessary do
we spend in sleep! forgetting, that, the
sleeping fox catches no poultry, and that
there will be sleeping enough in the grave,"
as Poor Richard says.
"If time be of all things the most precious,
wasting time must be," as Poor Richard
says, 'the greatest prodigality!' since, as he
elsewhere tells us, 'Lost time is never found
again; and what we call time enough always
proves little enough.' Let us, then, up and be
doing, and doing to the purpose: so by
diligence shall we do more with less
perplexity. "Sloth makes all things difficult,
but industry all easy; and he that riseth late,
must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake
his business at night: while laziness travels
so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him.
Drive thy business, let not that drive thee;
and early to bed, and early to rise, makes a
man healthy, wealthy and wise," as Poor
Richard says.
"So what signify wishing and hoping for
better times? We may make these times
better, if we bestir ourselves. "Industry need
not wish: and he that lives upon hope will
die fasting. There are no gains without
pains; then help hands, for I have no lands;'
or, if I have, they are smartly taxed. 'He that
hath a trade, hath an estate; and he that hath
a calling, hath an office of profit and
honour,' as Poor Richard says; but then the
trade must be worked at, and the calling well
followed, or neither the estate nor the office
will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are
industrious, we shall never starve; for at the
working man's house, hunger looks in, but
dares not enter.' Nor will the bailiff or
constable enter; for, 'industry pays debts,
while despair increaseth them.' What,
though you have found no treasure, nor has
any rich relation left you a legacy,
'Diligence is the mother of good luck, and
God gives all things to industry. Then
plough deep, while sluggards sleep, and you
shall have corn to sell and to keep." Work
while it is called today, for you know not
how much you may be hindered to-morrow.
'One to-day is worth two to-morrows,' as
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
4
Poor Richard says; and farther, "Never leave
that till to-morrow, which you can do to-
day." If you were a servant, would you not
he ashamed that a good master should catch
you idle? Are you then your own master? Be
ashamed to catch yourself idle, when there is
so much to be done for your self, your,
family, your country, and your king. Handle
your tools without mittens: remember, that,
'The cat in gloves catches no mice,' as Poor
Richard says. It is true, there is much to be
done, and, perhaps, you are weak handed;
but stick to it steadily, and you will see great
effects: for, "constant dropping wears away
stone; and by diligence and patience the
mouse ate in two the cable; and little strokes
fell great oaks.'
"Methinks I hear some of you say, 'Must a
man afford himself no leisure?" I will tell
thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says:
Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to
gain leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a
minute, throw not away an hour." Leisure is
time for doing something useful: this leisure
the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy
man never; for, "A life of leisure, and a life
of laziness are two things. Many without
labour, would live by their wits only, but
they break for want of stock;" whereas,
industry gives comfort, and plenty and
respect. 'Fly pleasures, and they will follow
you. The diligent spinner has a large shift;
and now I have a sheep and a cow, every
body bids me good morrow."
"II. But with our industry we must likewise
be steady, settled, and careful, and oversee
our own affairs with our own eyes, and not
trust too much to others: for, as Poor
Richard says,
"I never saw an oft-removed tree,
Nor yet an oft removed family,
That throve so well as those that settled be."
And again, "Three removes are as bad as a
fire:" and again, "Keep thy shop, and thy
shop will keep thee:" and again, "If you
would have your business done, go; if not,
send." And again,
"He that by the plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive."
And again, 'The eye of the master will do
more work than both his hands and again,',
'Want of care does us more damage than
want of knowledge:' and again, 'Not to over-
see workmen, is to leave them your purse
open.'
"Trusting too much to other's care is the ruin
of many; for, 'In the affairs of this world,
men are saved, not by faith, but by the want
of it:" but a man's own care is profitable; for
if you would have a faithful servant, and one
that you like—serve yourself. A little
neglect may breed great mischief; for want
of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a
shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a
horse the rider was lost;' being overtaken
and slain by the enemy; all for want of a
little care about a horse shoe nail.
"III. So much for industry, my friends, and
attention to one's own business: but to these
we must add frugality, if we would make
our industry more certainly successful. A
man may, if he know not how to save as he
gets, keep his nose all his life to the
grindstone, and die not worth a groat at last.
A fat kitchen makes a lean will;' and,
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
5
"Many estates are spent in getting,
Since women for tea forsook spinning and
knitting, And men for punch forsook hewing
and splitting."
'If you would be wealthy, think of saving as
well as of getting. The Indies have not made
Spain rich, because her outgoes are greater
than her incomes.'
"Away then with your expensive follies and
you will not then have so much cause to
complain of hard times, heavy taxes, and
chargeable families; for,
"Women and wine, game and deceit,
Make the wealth small, and the want great."
And farther; 'What maintains one vice,
would bring up two children.' You may
think, perhaps, that a little tea, or a little
punch now and then, diet a little more
costly, clothes a little finer, and a little
entertainment now and then, can be no great
matter; but remember, 'Many a little makes
a mickle.' Beware of little expenses; A small
leak will sink a great ship,' as Poor Richard
says: and again, 'Who dainties love, shall
beggars prove;' and moreover, 'Fools make
feasts, and wise men eat them.' Here you are
all got together to this sale of fineries and
knickknacks. You call them goods; but if
you do not take care, they will prove evils to
some of you. You expect they will be sold
cheap, and, perhaps, they may for less than
they cost: but if you have no occasion for
them, they may be dear to you. Remember
what Poor Richard says, 'Buy what thou hast
no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy
necessaries,' And again, 'At a great penny-
worth pause a while;' he means, that perhaps
the cheapness is apparent only, and not real;
or the bargain, by straitening thee in thy bu-
siness, may do thee more harm than good.
For in another place he says, 'Many have
been ruined by buying good penny-worths.'
Again, It is foolish to lay out money in a
purchase of repentance;' and yet this folly is
practised every day at auctions, for want of
minding the almanac. Many a one, for the
sake of finery on the back, has gone with a
hungry belly, and half starved their
families; 'Silks and satins, scarlet and
velvets, put out the kitchen fire,' as Poor
Richard says. These are not the necessaries
of life: they can scarcely be called the
conveniences: and yet, only because they
look pretty, how many want to have them!
By these, and other extravagancies, the
genteel are reduced to poverty, and forced to
borrow of those whom they formerly
despised, but who, through industry and
frugality have maintained their standing; in
which case it appears plainly, that, 'A
ploughman on his legs, is higher than a
gentleman on his knees,' as Poor Richard
says. Perhaps they have had a small estate
left them, which they knew not the getting
of; they think it is day and will never be
night:' that a little to be spent out of so much
is not worth minding; but, 'Always taking
out of the meal-tub, and never putting in,
soon comes to the bottom,' as Poor Richard
says: and then, 'When the well is dry, they
know the worth of water.' But this they
might have known before, if they had taken
his advice. 'If you would know the value of
money, go and try to borrow some; for he
that goes a borrowing, goes a sorrowing,' as
Poor Richard says; and, indeed, so does he
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
6
that lends to such people, when he goes to
get it in again. Poor Dick farther advises,
and says,
"Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse,
Ere fancy you consult, consult your purse."
And again, 'Pride is as loud a beggar as
Want, and a great deal more saucy.' When
you have bought one fine thing, you must
buy ten more, that your appearance may be
all of a piece; but Poor Dick says, 'It is ea-
sier to suppress the first desire, than to
satisfy all that follow it. And it is as truly
folly for the poor to ape the rich, as for the
frog to swell, in order to equal the ox.
"Vessels large may venture more,
But little boats should keep near shore."
It is however, a folly soon punished: for as
Poor Richard says, 'Pride that dines on
vanity, sups on contempt; Pride breakfasted
with Plenty, dined with Poverty, and supped
with Infamy.' And, after all, of what use is
this pride of appearance, for which so much
is risked, so much is suffered? It cannot
promote health, nor ease pain; it makes no
increase of merit in the person—it creates
envy, it hastens misfortune.
"But what madness it must be to run in debt
for these superfluities!
We are offered, by the terms of this sale, six
months credit; and that perhaps, has induced
some of us to attend it, because we cannot
spare the ready money, and hope now to be
fine without it. But, ah! think what you do
when you run in debt; you give to another
power over you liberty. If you cannot pay at
the time, you will be ashamed to see your
creditor; you will be in fear when you speak
to him; you will make poor, pitiful, sneaking
excuses, and, by degrees, come to lose your
veracity, and sink into base downright lying;
for, The second vice is lying, the first is
running in debt,' as Poor Richard says; and
again to the same purpose, Lying rides upon
Debt's back;' whereas, a free-born man
ought not to be ashamed nor afraid to see or
speak to any man living. But poverty often
deprives a man of all spirit and virtue. 'It is
hard for an empty bag to stand upright.'
What would you think of that prince or of
that government, who should issue an edict
forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or
gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or
servitude? Would you not say you were free,
have a right to dress as you please, and that
such an edict would be a breach of your
privileges, and such a government
tyrannical? And yet, you are about to put
yourself under that tyranny, when you run in
debt for such dress! Your creditor has
authority, at his pleasure, to deprive you of
your liberty, by confining you in gaol for
life, or by selling you for a servant, if you
should not be able to pay him. When you
have got your bargain, you may, perhaps,
think little of payment; but as Poor Richard
says, 'Creditors have better memories than
debtors; creditors are a superstitious sect,
great observers of set days and times.' The
day comes round before you are aware, and
the demand is made before you are prepared
to satisfy it; or, if you bear your debt in
mind, the term, which at first seemed so
long, will, as it lessens, appear extremely
short: time will seem to have added wings to
his heels as well as his shoulders.—'Those
have a short Lent, who owe money to be
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
7
paid at Easter.' At present, perhaps, you may
think yourselves in thriving circumstances,
and that you can bear a little extravagance
without injury; but,
"For age and want save while you may, No
morning sun lasts a whole day."
"Gain may be temporary and uncertain; but
ever, while you live expense is constant and
certain; and It is easier to build two
chimneys, than to keep one in fuel,' as Poor
Richard says: so, 'Rather go to bed
supperless, than rise in debt.'
Get what you can and what you get hold,
'Tie the stone that will turn your lead into
gold.
And when you have got the philosopher's
stone, sure you will no longer complain of
bad times, or of the difficulty of paying
taxes?
"IV. This doctrine, my friends, is reason and
wisdom: but after all, do not depend too
much upon your own industry, and frugality,
and prudence, though excellent things; for
they may all be blasted without the blessing
of Heaven: and, therefore, ask that blessing
humbly, and be not uncharitable to those
that at present seem to want it, but comfort
and help them. Remember, Job, suffered,
and was afterwards prosperous.
"And now, to conclude, 'Experience keeps a
dear school, but fools will learn in no other,'
as Poor Richard says, and scarce in that; for
it is true, 'We may give advice, but we
cannot give conduct.' However, remember
this, 'They that will not be counselled cannot
be helped;' and farther, that, 'If you will not
hear Reason, she will surely rap your
knuckles,' as Poor Richard says."
Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue.
The people heard it, and approved the
doctrine, and immediately practised the
contrary, just as if it had been a common
sermon; for the auction opened, and they
began to buy extravagantly. I found the good
man had thoroughly studied my Almanac,
and digested all I had dropped on those
topics during the course of twenty-five
years. The frequent mention he made of me
must have tired any one else; but my vanity
was wonderfully delighted with it, though I
was conscious that not a tenth part of the
wisdom was my own, which he ascribed to
me; but rather the gleanings that I had made
of the sense of all ages and nations. How-
ever, I resolved to be the better for the echo
of it; and though I had at first determined to
buy stuff for a new coat, I went away,
resolved to wear my old one a little longer.
Reader, if thou wilt do the same, thy profit
will be as great as pine. I am, as ever, thine
to serve thee,
RICHARD SAUNDERS.
Benjamin Franklin
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
8
HUSBANDS
The etymology of this word may not be
generally known. The head of a family is
called husband from the fact that he is, or
ought to be, the band which unites the
house together—or the bond of union
among the family. It is to be regretted that
all husbands are not house bands in reality,
as well as in name.
(Courtesy of Illustrated Family Monthly
Almanac)
POLITENESS. - Great men and
distinguished women can afford to be
polite; but many pretenders to social
distinction, and young people aspiring to
notice, think it becomes them to show a
conscious superiority to those in a lower
grade of life. The following paragraph
from an exchange, is in point:
When the Duke of Wellington was sick,
the last thing he took was a little tea. On
his servant's handing it to him in a saucer,
and asking if he would have it, the Duke
replied, "Yes, if you please." These were
his last words. How much kindness and
courtesy is expressed by them. He who had
commanded the greatest armies in Europe,
and was long accustomed to the tone of
authority, did not despise or overlook the
small courtesies of life. Ah, how many
boys do! What a rude tone of command
they often use to their little brothers and
sisters, and sometimes to their mothers.
They order so. This is ill-bred and
unchristian, and shows a coarse nature and
hard heart. In all your home talk remember
"If you please." Among your playmates
don't forget, "If you please." To all who
wait upon or serve you, believe that "if you
please" will make you better served than
all the cross or ordering words in the whole
dictionary. Don't forget three little words
—"If you please."
(Courtesy of Student and Classmate)
NURSE AND SPY FOR THE
UNION ARMY
By S. EMMA. E. EDMONDS
(Published by W. S. Williams & Co., 1865)
CHAPTER XIV
RENEWAL OF THE BATTLE-VICTORY
FOR THE FEDERAL ARMS-ADDRESS
TO THE ARMY-MORE DISPATCHES-
MY BATTLE TROPHY-PONY REB’S
PERFORMANCES-THE HOSPITAL
TREE-TOUCHING SCENES-BISHOP
SIMPSON-THE CROSS AND THE FLAG-
AFTER THE BATTLE-DELAYS BY
STORMS, FLOODS AND MUD-MC
CUELLAN'S CALL FOR MORE MEN-IN
READINESS TO MARCH-PROMISED
REINFORCEMENTS.
NIGHT brought a cessation of hostilities to
the weary troops, but to neither side a
decided victory or defeat. Both armies
bivonaced on the bloody field, within a few
rods of each other. There they lay waiting
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
9
for the morning light to decide the contest.
The excitement and din of battle had ceased;
those brief hours of darkness proved a sweet
respite from the fierce struggle of the day,
and in the holy calm of that midnight hour,
when silence brooded over the blood-
washed plain, many brave soldiers lay down
on that gory field—
The weary to sleep, and the wounded to die.
Sunday, the first of June, dawned
beautifully, a day of hallowed rest and
promise to the millions who rose to their
devotions, ere the bell called them to the
house of prayer, but not of rest to the weary,
broken armies the drum-beat called from
their wet and muddy beds to renew the
contest. At a quarter-past seven o'clock the
battle again commenced, and raged fiercely
until about noon. Both armies fought with
determination and heroic bravery until the
rebels were compelled to yield, and victory
once more perched upon the banners of the
National troops.
I came on the field about ten o'clock, and re-
mained until the close of the battle, but
could do little more than look upon the
terrible scene. General McClellan was on
the field when I arrived. I saw him ride
along the entire battle-front, and if I had not
seen him, I could not have long remained in
ignorance of his presence—for the cheers
from all parts of the Federal lines told as
plainly as words could express that their
beloved commander was with them, amid
that desperate struggle for victory. It was a
terrible slaughter—more than fifteen
thousand lay upon the field. It was enough
to make angels weep, to look down upon
that field of carnage. The dead and wounded
of the enemy fell into the hands of the
Unionists, which added fearfully to the
labors of that exhausted, battle-worn army.
On the evening of the third of June, General
McClellan issued the following address to
his troops, which was read on dress parade,
and was received with tremendous cheering:
"Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac! I
have fulfilled at least a part of my promise
to you. You are now face to face with the
rebels, who are held at bay in front of their
capital. The final and decisive battle is at
hand. Unless you belie your past history, the
result cannot be for a moment doubtful. If
the troops who labored so faithfully at
Yorktown, and fought so bravely, and won
the hard fights at Williamsburg, West Point,
Hanover Court-house and Fair Oaks, now
prove themselves worthy of their
antecedents, the victory is surely ours. The
events of every day prove your superiority;
wherever you have met the enemy, you have
beaten him; wherever you have used the
bayonet, he has given way in panic and
disorder.
"I ask of you, now, one last crowning effort.
The enemy has staked his all on the issue of
the coming battle. Let us meet him, crush
him here, in the very centre of the rebellion.
Soldiers! I will be with you in this battle,
and share its dangers with you. Our
confidence in each other is now founded
upon the past. Let us strike the blow which
is to restore peace and union to this
distracted land. Upon your valor, discipline
and mutual confidence, the result depends."
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
10
Every battle fought on the Peninsula
fearfully reduced the strength of the Army
of the Potomac, and proved to a
demonstration that the enemy far
outnumbered the Union forces. Still there
were no reinforcements, notwithstanding
McClellan's daily urgent despatches to the
President and Secretary of War, and the
great impending battle in front of the rebel
Capital so near at hand.
The next day McClellan sent another
despatch, as follows:
"Please inform me at once what
reinforements, if any, I can count upon
having at Fortress Monroe or White House,
within the next three days, and when each
regiment may be expected to arrive. It is of
the utmost importance that I should know
this immediately. The losses in the battle of
the thirty-first and first will amount to seven
thousand. Regard this as confidential for the
present. After the losses in our last battle, I
trust that I shall no longer be regarded as an
alarmist. I believe we have at least one more
desperate battle to fight."
The day after the battle of Fair Oaks, a
splendid sword was presented to me. It had
been struck from the hand of a rebel colonel,
while in the act of raising it to strike one of
our officers after he had fallen from his
horse. Oh, how proud I felt of that beautiful
silver-mounted trophy, from the bloody field
of Fair Oaks, which had so recently been
wielded by a powerful arm, but powerless
now, for he lay in the agonies of death,
while his splendid sword had passed into my
feeble hands. I presume if he had known
this, it would have added another pang to his
already agonized spirit. The sword was
presented by General K., to whom I gave my
rebel pony, with the comforting assurante
that he was only intended for ornament, and
not for use; for generals were too scarce on
the Peninsula to risk their precious lives by
coming in contact with him. The General
was delighted with him, and without paying
the slightest attention to my suggestion
deliberately walked up to the pony and
commenced patting him and handling his
limbs as if he were the most quiet creature in
the world, while "Reb" stood eyeing his new
master with apparent satisfaction, and
seemed to rejoice that he had passed from
my insignificant hands, and was henceforth
to be the honored bearer of shoulder-straps.
After thoroughly examining him he said:
"He is certainly a splendid horse, and worth
three hundred dollars of any man's money;
all he requires is kind treatment, and he will
be as gentle as any one could desire."
But " Reb " very soon gave him to
understand decidedly that he was overrating
his good qualities; for no sooner had the
General turned his back toward him than he
struck him between the shoulders with both
hind feet, sending him his full length upon
the ground; and as soon as he attempted to
rise he repeated the same performance until
he had knocked him down four or five times
in succession. By that time the General was
pretty thoroughly convinced that " Reb's"
social qualities were somewhat deficient, his
bump of combativeness largely developed,
and his gymnastics quite impressive.
On the evening of the same day in which the
victory was won I visited what was then,
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
11
and is still called, the "hospital tree," near
Fair Oaks. It was an immense tree under
whose shady, extended branches the
wounded were carried and laid down to
await the stimulant, the opiate, or the
amputating knife, as the case might require.
The ground around that tree for several acres
in extent was literally-drenched with human
blood, and the men were laid so close
together that there was no such thing as
passing between them; but each one was
removed in their turn as the surgeons could
attend to them. I witnessed there some of the
most heart-rending sights it is possible for
the human mind to conceive. Read what a
Massachusetts chaplain writes concerning it:
"There is a large tree near the battle-ground
of Fair Oaks, the top of which was used as
an observatory during the fight, which
stands as a memento of untold, and perhaps
never to be told, suffering and sorrow. Many
of the wounded and dying were laid beneath
its branches after the battle, in order to
receive surgical help, or to breathe their last
more quietly. What heart-rending scenes did
I witness in that place, so full of saddened
memories to me and to others. Brave,
uncomplaining men were brought thither out
of the woodland, the crimson tide of whose
life was ebbing away in the arms of those
who carried them. Almost all who died met
death like heroes, with scarcely a groan.
Those wounded, but not mortally—how
nobly they bore the necessary probings and
needed amputations! Two instances of this
heroic fortitude deserve to be specially
mentioned. One of them is that of William
C. Bentley, of the Second Rhode Island
regiment, both of whose legs were broken
by a bomb-shell, whose wrist and breast
were mangled, and who yet was as calm as
if he suffered no pain. He refused any
opiate-or stimulant that might dim his
consciousness. He asked only that we should
pray for him, that he. might be patient and
submissive, and dictated a letter to be sent to
his mother. Then, and not till then, opiates
were given him, and he fell gently asleep,
and for the last time.
"The other case was that of Francis
Sweetzer, of Company E, of the Sixteenth
Massachusetts Regiment, who witnessed in
death, as he had uniformly done in life, a
good confession of Christ. 'Thank God,' he
said, 'that I am permitted to die for my
country. Thank God more yet that I am pre-
pared to die;' and then after a moment's
thought he modestly added, at least I hope I
am.' When he died he was in the act of
prayer, and in that position his limbs grew
rigid, and so remained after the spirit bad
left his body."
Oh, who that has witnessed such triumphant
deaths on the battle-field will presume to
doubt that the spirit of that patriot who falls
amid the terrible clash of arms and the fierce
surge of battle, is prepared to go from that
scene of blood and strife, and to enter into
that rest that God has prepared for them that
love Him? Yes, the noble men who have
gone from under the sheltering wings of the
different evangelical churches throughout
the land, have gone in the strength of God,
and with the full assurance that if they
should fall fighting for the God-given rights
of humanity, there, amid the shock of battle,
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
12
the still, small voice of Jesus would be heard
speaking peace to the departing soul, and
that their triumphant spirits would go home
rejoicing to be forever with the Lord! When
I see a man first lay himself upon the altar of
God, and then upon the altar of his country,
I have no fear for that man's happiness in
time or in eternity.
Good Bishop Simpson, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, soon after the outbreak of
the great rebellion, delivered a sermon on
the National crisis, at Chicago. It is
represented as one of the ablest efforts of
this clergyman, so distinguished for his
power in the pulpit. As it was one of the
anniversaries of the denomination,
thousands were present to hear the
discourse. Suddenly, at one point in the
sermon, and as the fitting close of a most
impassioned paragraph, he gave utterance to
the following noble sentiment: "We will
take our glorious flag, the flag of our
country, and nail it just below the cross!
That is high enough. There let it wave as it
waved of old. Around it let us gather: first
Christ's; then our country's." Oh, that the
sentiments of the following beautiful lines
were the sentiments of every heart in the
United States:
0 Lord of Hosts! Almighty King!
Behold the sacrifice we bring!
To every arm thy strength impart,
Tby spirit shed through every heart!
Wake in our breasts the living fires,
The holy faith that warmed our sires;
Thy hand lath made our nation free;
To die for her is serving Thee.
Be Thou a pillar’d flame to show
The midnight snare, the silent foe,
And when the battle thunders loud,
Still guide us in its moving cloud.
God of all nations I sovereign Lord!
In thy dread name we draw the sword,
We lift the starry flag on high
That fills with light our stormy sky.
No mere its flaming emblems wave
To bar from hope the trembling slave;
No more its radiant glories shine
To blast with woe one child of Thine!
From treason's rent, from murderer's stain,
Guard Thou its folds till peace shall reign,
Till fort and field, till shore and sea,
Join our loud anthem, Praise to Thee!
I cannot better describe the state of affairs
after the battle of Fair Oaks than by giving
the following despatch from McClellan,
dated June 7th:
"In reply to your despatch of 2 p. m. to-day,
I have the honor to state that the
Chickahominy river has risen so as to flood
the entire bottoms to the depth of three or
four feet; I am pushing forward the bridges
in spite of this, and the men are working
night and day, up to their waists in water, to
complete them. The whole face of the
country is a perfect bog, entirely impassable
for artillery, or even cavalry, except directly
in the narrow roads, which renders any
general movement, either of this or the rebel
army, entirely out of the question until we
have more favorable weather. I am glad to
learn that you are pressing forward rein-
forcements so vigorously. I shall be in
perfect readiness to move forward and take
Richmond the moment McCall reaches here
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
13
and the ground will admit the passage of
artillery. I have advanced my pickets about a
mile to-day, driving off the rebel pickets and
securing a very advantageous position. The
rebels have several batteries established,
commanding the debouches from two of our
bridges, and fire upon our working parties
continually; but as yet they have killed but
few of our men."
Again, June 10th, he says: "I am completely
checked by the weather. The roads and
fields are literally impassable for artillery—
almost so for infantry. The Chickahominy is
in a dreadful state. We have another rain
storm on our hands. I wish to be distinctly
understood that whenever the weather
permits I will attack with whatever force I
may have, although a larger force would
enable me to gain much more decisive
results. I would be glad to have McCall's
infantry sent forward by water at once,
without waiting for his artillery and
cavalry."
The next day the Secretary of War replied:
"Your despatch of 3.30 p. m. yesterday has
been received. I am fully impressed with the
difficulties mentioned, and which no art or
skill can avoid, but only endure. Be assured,
General, that there never has been a moment
when my desire has been otherwise than to
aid you with my whole heart, mind and
strength, since the hour we first met; and
whatever others may say for their own
purposes, you never have had, and never can
have, any one more truly your friend, or
more anxious to support you, or more joyful
than I shall be at the success which I have no
doubt will soon be achieved by your arms."
The above despatch has the appearance of
the genuine article—but I am inclined to
think it a clever counterfeit. While
McClellan's requests were cheerfully
complied with, as far as promises were
concerned, little was done to strengthen his
weakened forces in view of the coming
struggle with an overwhelming force in
front, and the flooded Chickahominy in the
rear. By unreliable promises he was filled
with delusive hopes, and lead on to more
certain destruction—to disaster and failure,
at least.
(This story will continue next month with
Chapter Fifteen.)
POWER OF MOTHERS.—On one
occasion, out of one hundred and twenty
candidates for the ministry, gathered
together under one roof, more than one
hundred had been borne by a mother's
prayers, and directed by a mother's counsels
to the Saviour. The pious watchfulness and
earnest prayers of parents may seem for a
time to be fruitless; but, in the education of
children, experience usually verifies that
"whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also
reap." The holy impressions made in
childhood are seldom erased in manhood.
(Courtesy of Illustrated Family Christian
Almanac)
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
14
VICE
He who yields himself to vice must inevita-
bly suffer. If the human law does not convict
and punish him, the moral law, which will
have obedience, will follow him to his
doom. Every crime is committed for a
purpose, with some idea of future personal
pleasure; and just so sure as God governs the
universe, so surely does a crime, although
concealed, destroy the happiness for the
future. No matter how deeply laid have been
the plans of the criminal, or how desperately
executed, detection pursues him like a
bloodhound, and tracks him to his fate.
( Courtesy of Ballou’s Monthly Magazine)
Pithy and Pointed.
....Difficulties develop mental capacity.
....Never employ yourself to discover the
faults of others - look to your own.
....Associate with the wise, and their
wisdom will cling to thee.
....A great many drop a tear at the door of
poverty, when they should rather drop a
sixpence.
....The higher you rise, the wider is your
horizon; so the more you know, the more
you: will see to be known.
....Mourn not that you are weak and
humble. The gentle breeze is better than
the hurricane, the cheerful fire of the
hearthstone than the conflagration.
....We should so live and labor that what
came to us as seed, may go to the next
generation as blossoms, and what came to
us as blossoms may go to them as fruit.
....He is happy whose circumstances suit
his temper; but he is more excellent who
can suit his temper to any circumstances.
....We double all the cares of life by
pondering over them. We increase our
troubles by grieving over them.
.... Good habits are maintained and bad
ones avoided only by constant effort.
....Never turn a blessing round to see if it
has a dark side to it.
.... Good manners should begin at home.
Politeness is not an article to be worn in
full dress only, to be put on when we pay
or receive a complimentary visit.
....The religion of many is only dis-
coverable from their lips.
..If you would become a conqueror begin
with victories over yourself.
....The vanity of human life is like a river,
constantly passing away, and yet
constantly coming on.
....The smallest children are nearest God as
the smallest stars are nearest the sun.
....He who sets up a carriage at the
suggestion of his vanity, generally sets it
down at the suggestion of his creditors.
(Courtesy of Student and Schoolmate)
A GREAT ATTAINMENT.
How difficult it is to be of a meek and for-
giving spirit when despitefully used! To love
an enemy, and forgive an evil speaker, is a
higher attainment than is commonly
believed. It is easy to talk of Christian
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
15
forbearance among neighbors, but to
practise it ourselves, proves us to be
Christians indeed. The surmises of a few
credulous persons need not trouble that man
who knows his cause is soon to be tried in
court, and he to be openly acquitted. So the
evil language of the times need not disturb
me, since "my judgment shall be brought
forth as the noonday."—MTheyae.
COUSIN LUCY'S
CONVERSATIONS.
By Jacob Abbott
(Published 1850 by Derby and Miller)
CONVERSATION VII.
JOANNA.
The next morning, when Lucy waked up,
she found that it was very light. The curtains
of the room were up, and she could see the
sun shining brightly upon the trees and
buildings out of doors, so that she supposed
that it was pretty late. Besides, she saw that
Miss Anne was not in the room; and she
supposed that she had got up and gone out to
breakfast.
Lucy thought that she would get up too. But
then she recollected that she had been sick
the night before, and that, perhaps, her
mother would not be willing to have her get
up.
Her next idea was, that she would call out
for Miss Anna, or for her mother; but this,
on reflection, she thought would make a
great disturbance; for it was some distance
from the room which she was in to the
parlor, where she supposed they were taking
breakfast.
She concluded, on the whole, to wait
patiently until somebody should come; and
having nothing else to do, she began to sing
a little song, which Miss Anne had taught
her. She knew only one verse, but she sang
this verse two or three times over, louder
and louder each time, and her voice
resounded merrily through all that part of
the house.
Some children cry when they wake up and
find themselves alone; some call out aloud
for somebody to come; and others sing.
Thus there are three ways; and the singing is
the best of all the three; — except, indeed,
for very little children, who are not old
enough to sing or to call, and who, therefore,
cannot do anything but cry.
They heard Lucy's singing in the parlor, and
Miss Anne came immediately to see her.
She gave her a picture-book to amuse
herself with for a time, and went away
again; but in about a quarter of an hour she
came back, and helped her to get up and
dress herself.
Her mother told her that she must not go out
of doors that day, but that she might play
about in any of the rooms, just as she
pleased.
"But what shall I do for my breakfast?" said
Lucy.
"0, I will give you some breakfast," said
Miss Anne. "How should you like to have it
by yourself, upon your little table, in the
kitchen?"
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
16
"Well," said Lucy, "if you will let me have
my own cups and sauces."
"Your cups won't hold enough for you to
drink, – will they?"
"0, I can fill them up two or three times."
Miss Anne said she had no objection to this
plan; and she told Lucy to go and get her
table ready. So Lucy went and got her little
table. It was just high enough for her to sit
at. Her father had made it for her, by taking
a small table in the house, which had been
intended for a sort of a light-stand, and
sawing off the legs, so as to make it just
high enough for her.
Lucy brought this little table, and also her
chair; and then Miss Anne handed her a
napkin for a table-cloth, and told her that she
might set her table, — and that, when it was
all set, she would bring her something for
breakfast; and so she left Lucy, for a time, to
herself.
Lucy spread the napkin upon her table, and
then went and got some of her cups and sau-
cers, and put upon it. Joanna was ironing at
the great kitchen table, and Lucy went to ask
her how many cups and saucers she had bet-
ter set.
I should think it would take the whole set,"
said Joanna, "to hold one good cup of tea."
"But I am going to fill up my cup three
times, Joanna; and if that isn't enough, I
shall fill it up four times."
"0, then," said Joanna, "I would not have but
one cup, — or at most two. I think I would
have two, because you may possibly have
some company."
"I wish you would come and be my
company, Joanna."
"No, I must attend to my ironing."
"Well," said Lucy, as she went back to her
table, "I will have two cups, at any rate, for
may have some company."
She accordingly put on two cups and a tea-
pot; also a sugar-bowl and creamer. She
placed them in various ways upon the table;
first trying one plan of arrangement, and
then another; and when at last they were
placed in the best way, she went and called
Miss Anne, to tell her that she was ready for
her breakfast.
Miss Anne came out, according to her
promise, to give her what she was to have to
eat. First, she put a little sugar in her sugar-
bowl; then some milk in her cream-pitcher;
then some water, pretty hot, in her tea-pot.
"Could not you let me have a little real tea?"
said Lucy.
"0, this will taste just as well," said Miss
Anne.
"I know it will taste just as well; but it will
not look just right. Real tea is not white, like
Water."
"Water is not white," said Miss Anne; "milk
is white; water is very difference in
appearance from milk."
"What color is water, then?" said Lucy.
"It is not of any color," said Miss Anne. "It
is what we call colorless. Now, you want to
have something in your tea-pot which is
colored a little, like tea, — not perfectly
Colorless, like water."
Lucy said yes, that that was exactly what she
wanted. So Miss Anne took her tea-pet up,
and went into the closet with it, and
presently came out with it again, and put it
upon the table. The reason why she took all
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
17
this pains to please Lucy was, because she
was so gentle and pleasant; and, although
she often asked for things, she was not
vexed or ill-humored when they could not
be given to her.
Miss Anne then cut some thin slices of
bread, and divided them into square pieces,
so small that they could go on a small plate,
which she brought from the closet. She also
gave her a toasting-fork with a long handle,
and told her that she might toast her own
bread, and then spread it with butter. She
gave her a little butter upon another plate.
When all these things were arranged, Miss
Anne went away, telling Lucy that she had
better make her breakfast last as long as she
could, for she must remember that she could
not go out at all that day; and that she must
therefore economize her amusements
"Economize? What do you mean by that,
Miss Anne? "said Lucy.
"Why, use them, carefully, and make them
last as long as you can."
Lucy followed Miss Anne's advice in
making the amusement of sitting at her own
breakfast table last as long as possible. She
toasted her little slices of bread with the
toasting-fork, and poured out the tea from
her tea-pot. She found that it had a slight
tinge of the color of tea, which Miss Anne
had given it by sweetening it a little, with
brown sugar. Lucy enjoyed her breakfast
very much.
While she was eating it, Joanna, who was
much pleased with her for being so still, and
so careful not to make her any trouble, asked
her if she should not like a roasted apple.
"Yes," said Lucy, "very much indeed."
"I will give you one," said Joanna, ",and
show you how to roast it, if you will go and
ask your mother, if she thinks it, will not
hurt you."
Lucy accordingly went and asked her
mother. She said it would not hurt her at all,
and that she should be very glad to have
Joanna get her an apple.
Joanna accordingly brought a large, rosy
apple, with a stout, stem. She tied a long
string to the stem, and then held the apple up
before the fire a minute, by means of the
stem. Then she got a flat-iron, and tied the
other end of the string to the flat-iron. The
flat-iron she then placed upon the mantle
shelf, and the string was just long enough to
let the apple hang down exactly before the
fire.
When it was all arranged in this way, she
took up the apple, and twisted the string for
some time; and then, when , she let the apple
down again gently to its place, the weight of
it began to untwist the string, and this made
the apple itself turn round quite swiftly
before the fire.
Joanna also put a plate under the apple, to
catch any of the juice or pulp which might
fall down, and then left Lucy to watch it
while it was roasting.
Lucy watched its revolutions for some time
in silence. She observed that the apple
would whirl very swiftly for a time, and then
it walk' go slower', and slower, and slower,
until, at length, she said, " Jeanne, Joanna, it
is going to stop."
But, instead of this, it happened that, just in
the very instant when Lucy thought it was
going to stop, all at once it began to tun! the
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
18
other way; and, instead of going slower and
!bower, it went faster and faster, until, at
length, it was revolving as fast as it did
before: '
'0 not said she to Joanna; it has got a go-
again."
It was indeed revolving very swiftly; but
pretty soon it begat to slacken its speed
again; — and again Lucy thought that it was
certainly going to stop. But at this time she
witnessed the same phenomenon as before.
It had nearly lest all its motion, and was
turning around very slowly indeed, and just
upon the point of stopping; and in fact it did
'seem to stop for an instant; but immediately
it began to move in an opposite direction,
very slowly at first, but afterwards faster and
faster, until it was, at length, spinning
around before the hot coals, as fast as ever
before. Pretty soon, also, the apple began to
sing; and Lucy concluded that it would
never stop, — at least not before it would
have time to be well roasted.
"It goes like Royal's top," said Lucy.
"Has Royal got a top?" said Joanna.
"Yes," said Lucy, "a large humming-top.
There is a hole, in it. It spins very fast, only
it does not go first one way and then the
other, like this apple."
"I never saw a top," said Joanna.
"Never saw one!" exclaimed Lucy. "Did not
the boys have tops when you were little?"
"No boys that I ever knew," answered
Joanna. "Did you have a tea-set when you
were a little girl?" asked Lucy.
"No," said Joanna, "I never saw any such a
tea-set, until I saw yours."
"What kind of playthings did you have, then,
when you were a little girl?"
"No playthings at all," said Joanna; "I was a
farmer's daughter."
"And don't the farmers' daughters ever have
any playthings?"
"I never did, at any rate."
"What did you do, then, for play?"
"0, I had plenty of play. When I was about
as big as you, I used to build fires in the
stumps."
"What stumps?" said Lucy.
"Why, the stumps in the field, pretty near
my father's house. I used to pick up chips
and sticks, and build fires in the hollow
places in the stumps, and call them my
ovens. Then, when they were all heated, I
used to put a potato in and cover it up with
sand, and let it roast."
"I wish I had some stumps to build fires in,"
said Lucy. "I should like to go to your house
and see them."
"0, they are all gone now," said Joanna.
"They have gradually got burnt up, and
rotted out; and now it is all a smooth, green
field."
"0, what a pity!" said Lucy. "And an't there
any more stumps anywhere?"
"Yes, in the woods, and upon the new fields.
You see, when they cut down trees, they
leave the stumps in the ground; and pretty
soon they begin to rot; and they rot more
and more, until, at last, they tumble all to
pieces; and then they pile up the pieces in
heaps, and burn them. Then the ground is all
smooth and clear. So I used to build fires in
the stumps as long as they lasted. One day
my hen laid her eggs in a stump."
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
19
"Your hen?" said Lucy; "did you have a
hen?" Yes," replied Joanna; "when I was a
little older than you are, my father gave me a
little yellow chicken, that was peeping, with
the rest, about the yard. I used to feed her,
every day, with crumbs. After a time, she
grew up to be a large hen, and laid eggs. My
father said that I might have all the eggs too.
I used to sell them, and save the money."
"How much money did you get?" asked
Lucy.
"0, considerable. After a time, you see, I let
my hen sit, and hatch some chickens."
"Sit?" said Lucy.
"Yes; you see, after hens have laid a good
many eggs, they sit upon them, to keep them
warm, for two or three weeks; and, while
they keep them warm, a little chicken begins
to grow in every egg, and at length, after
they grow strong enough, they break
through the eggs and come out. So I got
eleven chickens from my hen, after a time."
"Eleven?" repeated Lucy; "were there just
eleven?"
"There were twelve, but one died," replied
Joanna. "And all these chickens were
hatched in a stump."
"How did that happen?" asked Lucy.
"Why, the hens generally used to lay their
eggs in the barn, and I used to go in, every
day, to get the eggs. I carried a little basket,
and I used to climb about upon the hay, and
feel in the cribs; and I generally knew where
all the nests were. But once I could not find
my hen's nest for several days; and at last I
thought I would watch her, and see where
she went. I did watch her, and I saw her go
into a hollow place in a great black stump, in
the corner of the yard. After she came out, I
went and looked there, and I found four
eggs."
"What did you do then?" said Lucy.
"Why, I concluded, on the whole, to let them
stay, and let my hen hatch her eggs there, if
she would. And I told my brother, that, if he
would make a coop for me, around that
stump, I would give him one of the
chickens."
"A coop? What is a coop?"
"0, a small house for hens to live in. My
brother made me a coop. He made it
immediately after the hen had hatched her
chickens. I will tell you how he made it. He
drove stakes down all around the stump, and
then put some short boards over the top, so
as to cover it over. My hen staid there until
her chickens got pretty well grown, and then
we let her run about the yard."
"That is pretty much the way that Royal
made his turtle-pen," said Lucy; "but I
should rather have a hen-coop, because of
the chickens."
"Yes, I had eleven. I gave my brother one,
and then I had ten. These all grew up, and
laid more eggs; and at last I got money
enough from
my eggs and poultry to buy me a new
gown."
''I wish I was a farmer's daughter," said
Lucy.
"Farmers' daughters have a very good time,"
said Joanna, "I think myself."
(We will continue next month with
Conversation VIII, BUILDING.)
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
20
Curious and Amusing.
.... 'Don't want you any longer,' said an
employer to a very tall clerk.
....It is to be supposed that a soldier will be
raw till he is exposed to fire.
....At Waterloo, the allied armies of
Wellington and Blucher lost 21,503 men,
killed, wounded, and missing, and about one
thousand officers. The French loss was
never exactly known, or with any approach
to exactness, but it is generally stated at one-
half their whole army, which would make it
about 36,000.
...."Don't cry, little boy. Did he hit you on
purpose?" "No sir, he hit me on the head."
....He who promises rashly, will break his
promise with the same ease as he made it.
....John Randolph was one of the most
sarcastic men that ever lived. One time, a
young man attempted to make his ac-
quaintance. He obtained an introduction, and
among other remarks said, "I passed by your
house, lately, Mr. Randolph." "Did you?
Well, I hope you always will," was the
unmistakable reply.
(Courtesy of Student and Schoolmate)
The following is from a most delightful
book about the economical running of a
household.
HOW TO LIVE:
SAVING AND WASTING,
OR.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY ILLUSTRATED
By Solon Robinson
(Published by Fowler and Wells, 1860)
CHAPTER XI.
ECONOMY IN FOOD—WHAT SHALL
WE EAT?
[Published in The Tribune, Nov 14, 1855.]
Economy in Food—Remedy for Hunger—
Abuses of our Market System—Economy in
Buying—Fashionable Beef —Nutrition in
Food—What shall we Buy?—Cheap Food
—Incontrovertible Facts—How to Cook
Hominy—Hominy Recipes—A Corn Meal
Loaf—What shall we Eat? Etc.
WITH the present prices of rent, fuel, meat
bread, flour, meal, sugar, potatoes, and other
staple articles of supply for a family in New
York, it only requires but a slight insight
into the condition of all the laboring class to
see that the cry frequently raised for an
increase of wages is only the disguised cry
of the hungry for food. Daily wages are
daily consumed; and often the only means of
support for a week is the weekly credit of
the butcher, baker; and grocer. This is never
given except at an increased profit, and a
little too often at a profit obtained by palpa-
ble swindling in light weights and measures,
of which the victims dare not complain, for
fear of losing the "accommodation," as the
credit is called. While work lasts the laborer
can live; when it fails, he has nothing in
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
21
store to fall back upon, Whoever, then, will
make known to this class how to economize
in their food, so as to increase the supply
without an increase of expenditure, will he
doing them a greater benefit than he would
in a life-long harangue on politics, either
Hard Shell, Soft Shell, or no shell.
We need not repeat here how hard it is for
those dependent upon daily employment to
furnish their families with suitable food; at a
time when, from sickness or other cause,
they are not in receipt of wages.
Too often, at such times, there is deep suf-
fering; and sometimes actual starvation.
Will it be any better next winter, now so
rapidly approaching, that it sends a shudder
through many a family circle who remember
what scenes they have passed through in
January, February, and March?
There has been, there is now, there will be
much suffering for food in this city, notwith-
standing our receipts of tens of thousands,
weekly, of butchers' animals, and our mil-
lions of bushels of corn, and wheat, and rye,
and oats, and barley, and buckwheat, and
beans, and peas, and rice, for breadstuffs,
and daily ship-loads of potatoes of both
kinds, and untold piles of other edible roots
and vegetables, and great storehouses full of
flour, butter, cheese, fish, fruit, eggs,
poultry, and salted meats, and a thousand
unnamed articles of food; yet the mass are
not full fed, and why? Because they do not
know how to eat. Not that they lack the
animal function of consuming; but in
providing, both in the purchase of kind and
quality, and in the preparation, there is a
lamentable want of judgment, and utter want
of economy. The want of food among the
poor is a great evil. It breeds discontent,
dissipation, crime, and ruin to any civilized
society.
There is a remedy.
It would be greater charity to teach that
remedy than to establish soup-houses.
The first step would be to change our
fashion of food; to abandon such articles as
are excessively dear in the raw state, for
others equally good and more nutritious, and
to adopt a different and more rational plan of
cooking. This would not only promote
economy, but health; both of which would
add vastly to our stock of enjoyment.
Without exception, both rich and poor in
America eat extravagantly of animal food,
cooked in the most extravagant and wasteful
manner; by frying, baking, roasting, or
boiling, and throwing away half of the
nutritious matter in burned gravy, or gelatine
dissolved in the pot liquor.
Again, we consume vast quantities of the
meanest and most innutritions vegetables,
costly at first, and cooked in the most fool-
ishly wasteful manner. The fashion of ex-
travagance in living is set by the rich, and
they are aped in their folly by the poor. The
consequence is, that there are want and
suffering whenever work and wages fail.
There is a remedy. The only question is,
how it shall be applied? Better than charity
would be organizations, not to provide food
for the poor, but to teach them what to buy,
and how to use it; how to economize their
money.
The very first step toward this blessed state
of things should be taken by our city
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
22
government, if indeed we have such a thing
left to us, by removing all restrictions upon
the producer, by which he is kept away from
the consumer. We pay now an average of
thirty-three per cent. advance upon every
thing that is eaten in New York, over and
above what we should pay if these restric-
tions were removed.
Let every one who has bought a head of
cabbage this fall, think what he paid. Six,
ten, or twelve cents each, while the producer
has not received an average of two cents
each. The turnip-eaters are paying every day
at the rate of one to two dollars a bushel.
The producer is receiving an average of less
than twenty cents. We pay for many things
in the same proportion, owing to our absurd
and wicked market regulations.
The producer is kept away from the
consumer. He is not permitted to come into
the city and enjoy the advantages of "free
trade" in his own produce. Why? The city
fathers say we have no room—nowhere for
him to stand his wagon, where the poor man
or the poor woman may come with her
market basket upon her arm, and get it filled
at first prices.
Under the present market regulations, all the
country wagons are huddled into the
cramped space around Washington Market,
where none but stout men, or a class of mar-
ket bullies can get to them; for, in addition
to the crowding, the wagons are driven out
at seven o'clock in the morning. The city
fathers say they can not amend this error,
because they have nowhere else to put the
wagons. Give producers a chance to sell to
consumers, and it will cheapen family mar-
keting in this city to a very large class of
consumers, full twenty-five per cent. Make a
market-place for country wagons, and there
let them stand and sell their stuff from sun-
rise till ten o'clock, at retail, with no privi-
lege, until after that hour, of selling at
wholesale, or leaving the stand, unless their
load is all sold out.
This is a measure of relief to the poor, easily
brought about; one that would produce real
economy in food.
Our city makes paupers, first by thwarting
the laborer in his facilities to get cheap food,
and then by the soup-house system of
feeding those who are unable, through mis-
fortune, to obtain a supply.
But this is foreign to our main subject—
economy in kind and quality of food for the
industrious poor.
They do not study economy in their pur-
chases. All kinds of fresh meat cost from ten
to twenty cents a pound, and very few
Americans are willing to take low price
meats; and generally those who can least
afford it, call for a rib roast, or a loin steak
of beef, or a leg of lamb or mutton, or a loin
of veal or pork; and rarely for the most eco-
nomical pieces. A rib roast of six pounds for
a dollar, in a poor man's family, is slightly
extravagant; the cooking more so. The Jews'
religion in eating meat is founded on true
economy. They eat only the fore quarters,
and sell the more expensive, and less
valuable hind quarters, to the Gentiles. The
fore quarter will not cut steaks and roasts
equal to the hind quarter, but it is more
economical for soups, stews, pot-pies, or
cooking in any form with vegetables and
WORBLY’S FAMILY MONTHLY MAGAZINE September, 1866
23
gravy. The following exhibit will show
those who will have nothing but choice cuts
of beef why they have to pay so high for
them—it is because nobody will buy any
thing but choice cuts. It is the universal
complaint of all the first-class butchers that
they can not sell their coarse meat, and
"plates and navels" are a drug upon the
packer's hands at six cents a pound. Now a
good bullock, whose quarters will weigh
800 pounds, will cut up and sell at about the
following figures:
. Weight Price per
lb.
Amoun
t. Ribs 130 13c. 816 90 Hips and loins 130 13 16 90