Domestic Science

Science is the watchword of the ihour. "Tlie Prodnction and Distribution of Wealth," "Strikes," "The Railroad Problem," "History," " Religión," and even "Thought" itself, have been compelled to yield to scientific treatment. Why not the home also? It was once tacitly assumed that the home and its direction of course everybody knew all about,- was not every one at sorae period of life an .iiimate of one? Moreover, homes were brought into being, controlled and directed by individual wills; therefore there could be no general truths or laws applicable to all homes, which truths or laws classified might be of universal valué. It is finally sLowly dawning upon the world of thinking men and women that these tacit assumptions may not be well founded; that there may possibly be a field for scientific investigation even here, and a field which needs exploring. Profesor Lucy M. Salmón, of Vassar College, a former pupil and an A. M. of Michigan University, is one of the pioneers in this line of research. She set herself the task, a few years ago, of collecting statistics, at first hand, concerning one department of the field, namely, that of Domestic Service; and vvith these statistics as data she has attempted some generalizations looking toward the solution of some pressing problems of the American housekeeper. These deductions, i,p the form of a series of lectures, have had a wide and favorable hearing in eastern cities, and have given their author the position of an authofity in lier special field. The Aluriinae Association of Ann Arbor has invited Professor Salmón to give these lectures here, at an early date, and a favorable response has been received from her. The expense will be considerable, but itis believed that the sale of tickets will be such as to meet it, and more, since the lectures will be of a character to instruct and to interest both the ladies of the city and the young ladies of the University. The Alumnae Association in inviting Professor Salmón to Ann Arbor have had two objects in view; first, to enable as many of our ladies as possible to hear a very able woman upon a subject of great importance to all women; and second, to ad some money to the fund for the Woman's Gymnasium. Either object ought to meet with a hearty response; the two together it is believed will ensure a large attendance. The time and place of the lectures will be announced later.