The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-30

tOntiiitiu Vi Tie lHcNt III
teresting facts were communicated TO us by a
very intelligent American gentleman whom We
had the pleasure of meeting in the same place
which was the scene Ssthe poets early disap7
pointment and sorrows.
IL ...,5.,gD -TNGkN. = StGS.'NCTt -
Nothing can be more true to nature than the
following sketch of New England kitchen in
the country, says the New York Tribune.
With the exception of the cider which has
waterism, the following picture has the homey
fidelity of a Dutch painting.
FARMERS KITCHEN IN NEW ENGLAND.
A picture of one of these scenes of comfort
has lately fallen under my observation. What
can be more cheerful and pleasant than the
view of farmers kitchen, taken during the
evening meal of n cool autumn day? 1t is q
picture of the calm happiness of rural life.
The kitchen of the old farm house of New
England is not the scullery, or mere cooking
place of some modern houses-a dirty hole or
comtOrtless Out-room, or sort of human bake
oven, where the cook is almost as much cooked
do w. IL 10 a Gooln perhaps ~ lteJ
long and Is wide, well lighted, warm, neat, and
every way comfortable. Upon one side there is
a fireplace large enough to roast q whole OK, in
which a great fire of logs sends up cheerful
blaze, lighting up the whole room, SO that it's
brightness might be seen through the great I'M
curtained windows like beacon light to the trav-
eller as he comes down the slope of yonder hill
two miles away, and makes him involuntarily
thank God in anticipation, for the good things
spread out upon the great table standing be-
tween the window and the fire
Let us take note of this old-fashioned meal
At the head of the table sits matron of some
60 sumIncrs-though in appearance there Ii
nothing OF thsNxnter OF old agaahonthe her
dress is gown Of hOmespl ell for
titled with f6nneis from thS 6Q1 M 3ttory,
that bid defiance to the alit6lGi Us o. rig
Orous climate She wears a ~ on tn Head,
and shoes and stockings upon the feet, that were
made in pursuance of the best medical recipe
ever written" Keep the head cool and the feet
dry and warm for the stockings are the pro-
duct OF busy fingers mt idle moments with many
housewives, and the shoes of stout leather were
made for service, and the cap is mere ona-
ment--a snow-wreath among raven locks-aDd
her face is the indication of health and happi-
ness.
Upon her right hand sits the farmer, dressed
in butternut-colored coat, blue pants buff
vest, white linen shirt-cvery article home
made--stout boots and black silk crayat--ior
he has been to town, and this is his holiday
suit. Below him sits Jededah Marvin, Abram,
and Solomon, all economical names, for they can
be shortened in common use to Jed, Mary Alb
and Sol Two of these wear the check woollen
winter frock of New England farmers-the
others are in round jackcts-they are school
boys. Upon the left sits Mary Adelne, and
MehetabeI, pictures of rural beauty and health.
The eldest is "drest up J" she has been to town
with father; she has a gown of "b0ughten
stuff, ~ around her meek is boa of eolored
lambs wool, knit by her own hands, fastened
in the throat with grandmother's silver brooch.
The other two are in check-woollen, spun, wove,
colored, and made up under the same roof.
Further down the table are three athletic
young men, day-labOrers upon the farm-sons
of neighbOrng farmers--0ne OF whom is eyelng
the charms of the sweet face of Mary with an
expression easily read by a good physiognomist.
fhe group is completed by the schoolmaster,
young man with a glowing eye, which speaks
of an intellect that will tell upon the world
some day with rs much force rs though he had
not been obliged to obtain his education by
summer labor and winter teaching. He is one
of New England's rising sons The meal is
for men who toll At one end of the table
stands pot of ample dimensions smoking from
the great oven thanking the fireplace, of that
most excellent of New England cookeries,
"A dish of baked beans
crowned with great square piece of salt, fat
pork, crisped and rich Lower down, a broad
pewter platter holds the remains of the "boiled
victualso that formed the dinner--beef pork.
potatoes, cabbage beets, and turnips-a pile
that might rival a'smali hay-cock in size and
shape-a plate of rye-and-Indan bread cold.
and another made of rye flour, are untouched
for great loaf just drawn from the oven, nice
ly Drowned and hot is offered in great broken
pieces to tempt the appetite to one of the richest
repasts ever given to an epicure. By the side
| of the old lady stands black, earthcn tea
pot the contents of which are freely offered
but only accepted by two of them, as the rich
new milk, or hearty old cider, is preferred a
beverage morning, noon and night, by those old.
fashioned hearty laborers. We must not forget
the never-failng accompaniment of the evening
meal at this season of the year in New England
for tbs New England's proudest dish, the golden
pumpkin sweetest pie.
God being thanked for his great bounties
'iter tic close oi tnls happy meal, all draw INTO
n circle around the great fireplace Father is
finishing off an axe-helve, Jed is mending a pair
| OF boots, and one Of the hired men upon the
other side Of the same bench is repairing a
wagon harness-both use the same tools The
other two are employed, one Smelling corn and
the other helping Mary peel pumpkins, which
are cut in slices and hung upon poles overhead
This is Mary's accepted lover Happy hearts
and blessed industry Mary Alb, and Sol, are
engaged with the schoolmaster around the big
table lighted by homemade candle they are
studying geography, writing, and arithmetic
fitting themselves for future statesmen Mother
is making new coat for one of the boys, Ada
Is ironing at a side table and Kitty is washing
the supper dishes at another. There are two
other members of this happy family group--the
cat occupies the top Of the blue-dye tub which
stands in one corner of the fireplace, and Old
Bose sleeps quietly under the table. Directly,
and before any sound is audible TO human ear,
he gets up walks out into the long entry, and
gives loud sharp bark at the outside door, and
stands waiting the approaching step.
Soon satisfied that the new conner is Trend,