it, is not so much the question, as whether they are truly industrious.

An aged woman, who at ninety was often found at her spinning wheel, and
always at active employment--though by no means indigent--was
accustomed to say, that every person ought to strain every nerve to get
property as long as life lasts, as a matter of duty. I would not say
quite so much as this; but I do say that every person, no matter what
may be her rank or circumstances, ought to be industrious, from early
life to the last moment. Such a person, male or female, will seldom
want means of support, and even of distributing "to him that needeth;"
but should such a thing happen, it is of no very great importance. She
will at least die with the consciousness of having spent her life in
active industry, and of having benefited somebody, though she may have
spent less on herself.

As to the kind of labor or exercise in which females ought to engage, I
have perhaps said enough already. I will only add, that I consider a
person as industrious, and as truly worthy of reward--I mean pecuniary
reward--in performing valuable mental or moral labor a part of her
time, as she who is engaged the whole time with her hands; and I know
of no propriety in the custom which has led to the valuation of things
by a different standard. I know of no reason, for example, why a young
woman who, as a sister, or as a daughter, or as a friend merely,
contributes, by wise management, to keep an aged parent or an infant
child, or any other person, happy--though it were only by cheerful
conversation, or by relating stories fore an hour or so, occasionally--
I know not, I say, why she is not as truly entitled to the rewards of
industry, as though she were employed in furnishing bread or clothing
to the same persons. Are the affections, and passions, and knowledge,
and excellence, of less value than the rewards of manual labor, in