The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-02-11
Winter Evenings in the Country.

winter Evenings IN Inc 10untry.
! The farmers life is not a. dismal asmany
imagine. The country isnot overcast with
mantle of sack. cloth. as often represent
ed. 1t has some dark shadows. il has also'
luminous ones. If there are about il some
repulsvs features. there are others both
lovely and attractive. And II his lifs has
tolls and hardships. he has also seassns
Of res, and buoyancy, The former give
him competence and Independence; and
the latter give him opportunity for social
and intellectual pleasure. The mechanic
may well say, what an easy lite the farmer
has, when looking in upon him durngths
long evenings Of winter. If agriculturist,
were 10 improve all the advantages for
good living, and for social and mental
pre.eminence within their reach, it may
be affirmed with confidence that no other
sphere of life offers so many attractions.
Ii is not my purpose here to speak Of the
value Of agriculture. and those who pur-
sue il as branch OF productive labor COM
pared with other branches, but simply Of
such value appertaining to domestic en-.
ljoymsnts and intellectual prominence.
1t is indeed true tha, the country has no,
public amusements 10 occupy the time in
winter evenings like those in tho city or,
town. Here arc no theatres. no balls, no
assemblies, no museums, and rarely any,
large parties for pleasure, or public leo
lures. Hence families in the country must,
provide each for themselves their own.
smusements. 1t was formerly the case
that the female portion Of the family was
as much occupied in the evening as by
daylight. Then the whiz Of the spinning
wheel and the clatter Of the shuttle. as we'll }
As the perpetual swapping Of the knitting
needle, told how true it was that woman
was the help-mate of man. But those
days have sped, probably no more TO re-
turn. The recollection of them is like
dream. We almos, doubt whether il was,
reality or fiction. Now other devices are
TO be conjured up, other agencies arc 10 :,
be brought into requisition TO render the
country firesids cheerful The female
mind is wonderfully plastic. i female
snnui would be rare novelty. Inactivity
| is no more an attribute OF the female mind
or fingers than Of the female tongue. The
sewing needle is now the implement OF
women in the country for rendering win
ter evenings of value TO them, as well as
to keep at distance the stupid and slug.
gish demeanor Of those who have no EN-.
ployment.
| 1t is, however, for the male portion of
the family that We at present are laboring
TO provide. What are they to do for pleas.
ure or profit while the females are intent
on embroidery or plain sewing! With
few exceptions they have been accustom.
ed in the long evenings Of winter TO have
no regular occupations Of body or mind,
and tho consequence has been that they
generally acquired a demeanor denoting
nought of sprightliness Or intelligence,
How could Isbe olherwisel Tho mind
and the bod unoccupied manifest ton
dency to drowsiness and slsep, or to :,
state Of intellectual torpor that is absolute
" degrading TO q human being. An evil
so disreputable and ruinous should BE- ss.
chewed. sIt is unnecessary. Every one
may provide against it. To assist in do.
ing this is what we now have to say and We
sincsrsly hope all to whom we address
these few remarks will read them and profit
from them. If so. our labor will receive
an adequate reward.
The amount of leisure at the command
of the farmer for one half of the year is
an ample equivalent for the severity Of his
tolls the other hall Of it, and if appropri-
ated to mental improvement will rise him
to the first ranks Of intelligence, respecta-
bility, and honor, But few realize how
much may be accomplished in this way.
We would have il a standing regulation
in every farmers family. that Al an early,
hour each evening all the members OF il
shall be collected about the 6resids; tbs
females at their domestic labors, the males
reading to them and each other from books,
magazines, or newspapers II, however,
thers are Young ladies in the family, or
female children OF an ago 10 read with
propriety. they should take their turn in
doing it BY such habitual exercises al
will becoms good readers--ons Of the
most pleasing aud useful accomplishments
in life. and the want Of it not unirequent-.
| ly occasioning the greatest modification TO
those who csnno. read well. Being able
to perform wei! on the piano-iorte. or the
being skillsdin drawing or dancing, Is Of
incomparably less value than being abls
| to entertain for two or three hoursths fans,
lily circle by clear and distinct enunciA-
ton and impressive cadence, when read.
ing 10 them from some work OF merit ia.
either of the great departments Of litsrs-
ture, history, biography, belles-let,crs, poe
TRY religion, and philosophy. For young
ladies to de this isio occupya proninsncs