"True, M.Agricola; how well it is all arranged."
"And if you saw what services the urchins in the kitchen render!
Directed by one or two women, they do the work of eight or ten servants."
"In fact," said Angela, smiling, "at their age, we like so much to play at cooking dinner.They must be delighted."
"And, in the same way, under pretext of playing at gardening, they weed the ground, gather the fruit and vegetables, water the flowers, roll the paths, and so on.In a word, this army of infant-workers, who generally remain till ten or twelve years of age without being of any service, are here very useful.Except three hours of school, which is quite sufficient for them, from the age of six or seven their recreations are turned to good account, and the dear little creatures, by the saving of full-grown arms which they effect, actually gain more than they cost; and then, mademoiselle, do you not think there is something in the presence of childhood thus mixed up with every labor--something mild, pure, almost sacred, which has its influence on our words and actions, and imposes a salutary reserve? The coarsest man will respect the presence of children."
"The more one reflects, the more one sees that everything here is really designed for the happiness of all!" said Angela, in admiration.
"It has not been done without trouble.It was necessary to conquer prejudices, and break through customs.But see, Mdlle.Angela! here we are at the kitchen," added the smith, smiling; "is it not as imposing as that of a barrack or a public school?"
Indeed, the culinary department of the Common Dwelling-house was immense.
All its utensils were bright and clean; and thanks to the marvellous and economical inventions of modern science (which are always beyond the reach of the poorer classes, to whom they are most necessary, because they can only be practised on a large scale), not only the fire on the hearth, and in the stoves, was fed with half the quantity of fuel that would have been consumed by each family individually, but the excess of the caloric sufficed, with the aid of well-constructed tubes, to spread a mild and equal warmth through all parts of the house.And here also children, under the direction of two women, rendered numerous services.