LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.
1. The Human Skeleton, showing the Connection of the Bones of the System, 70
2, 3, 4. The Cervical, Dorsal, and Lumbar, Vertebræ, 72
6. Vertical Section of the Skull and Spinal Column, side view, 77
7. View of the same as seen from behind, 77
8. Ramifications of the Nerves, 79
9, 10, 11. Natural and Distorted Spines, 81
12. Vascular System, or Blood-Vessels, 82
13. The Two Sides of the Heart, separated, 85
14. The Heart, with its two Sides united, as in Nature, 86
15. The Heart, with the great Blood-Vessels, on a larger scale, 87
16. Organs of Digestion and Respiration, 88
17. Elevation of a Cottage of Fine Proportions, 262
18. Ground-plan of the same, 262
19. Arrangement of one Side of a Room 263
20. Fireplace and Mantelpiece, 265
21. Elevation of a Cottage on a different Plan from the former, 265
22. Ground-plan of the same, 266
23, 24. Ground-plan and Second Story of a two-story Cottage, 267
25. Front Elevation of the latter Cottage, 268
26. Front Elevation, on a different Plan, 268
27, 28. Plans of First and Second Stories of the latter Elevation, 269
29, 30. Plans of First and Second Stories of a larger House, 270
31. Front Elevation of a very convenient Cottage, 271
32. Ground-plan of the same, 272
33. Cottage of Daniel Wadsworth, Esq., near Hartford, Conn., 274
34. Accommodations for securing Water with the least Labor, 275
35. Back-door Accommodations, 276
36. Latticed Portico, 277
37. Sliding Closet, or Dumb Waiter, 278
38. Cheap Couch, 312
39. Plan of a Flower-Bed, 334
40. Budding, 343
41. Grafting, 344
42. Stock-Grafting, 345
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
CHAPTER I.
THE PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN.
There are some reasons, why American women should feel an interest in the support of the democratic institutions of their Country, which it is important that they should consider. The great maxim, which is the basis of all our civil and political institutions, is, that "all men are created equal," and that they are equally entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
But it can readily be seen, that this is only another mode of expressing the fundamental principle which the Great Ruler of the Universe has established, as the law of His eternal government. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;" and "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," are the Scripture forms, by which the Supreme Lawgiver requires that each individual of our race shall regard the happiness of others, as of the same value as his own; and which forbid any institution, in private or civil life, which secures advantages to one class, by sacrificing the interests of another.
The principles of democracy, then, are identical with the principles of Christianity.
But, in order that each individual may pursue and secure the highest degree of happiness within his reach, unimpeded by the selfish interests of others, a system of laws must be established, which sustain certain relations and dependencies in social and civil life. What these relations and their attending obligations shall be, are to be determined, not with reference to the wishes and interests of a few, but solely with reference to the general good of all; so that each individual shall have his own interest, as well as the public benefit, secured by them.
For this purpose, it is needful that certain relations be sustained, which involve the duties of subordination. There must be the magistrate and the subject, one of whom is the superior, and the other the inferior. There must be the relations of husband and wife, parent and child, teacher and pupil, employer and employed, each involving the relative duties of subordination. The superior, in certain particulars, is to direct, and the inferior is to yield obedience. Society could never go forward, harmoniously, nor could any craft or profession be successfully pursued, unless these superior and subordinate relations be instituted and sustained.
But who shall take the higher, and who the subordinate, stations in social and civil life? This matter, in the case of parents and children, is decided by the Creator. He has given