[Farningham's statement about work appears in her Girlhood (London: James Clarke, 1869), p. 30]
Is work a blessing or a curse? Unless taken in very abundant doses indeed, it is unquestionably a blessing. If we want to see a person who is thoroughly miserable, who finds no joy in life, who is tired, and ailing, and discontented, and wretched, let us not look at the hard workers who rise early and sit up late, and earn the scanty meal before they can eat it, but at those idlers who have nothing to do, and no strength to do it.
It has been considered a sort of hardship for girls to be obliged to work. My dear young friends, do not believe that. Very probably it is the greatest good that could happen to you.
Last modified 10 September 2008