Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-02-06
Correspondence.
For the Standard.
Occupation of Winter Evenings.

Under the editorial head of last weeks
notice an article with the above
caption. 1t would seem that one and
possibly your main object was to urge the
formation of Historical Libraries or other
associations. as the means of furnishing
proper occupation of winter evenings.
I agree with you so far as your opin-
ions tend to induce the formation of any
association calculated to foster mental and
moral improvement as a substitute for
the nightly gatherings of the young at
bar-rooms and groceries, to form habits of
and a disrelish for study or
business.
But it seems to me that the reasons and
arguments put forth in support of your
proposition, are singularly at variance
with the principles protested. After
speaking of the long winter evenings, you
say majority of the people Of New
England have nothing to do Of their win
ter evenings, and which too many occupy
in lolling listly before the bright blaze OF
the huge log fire, listening to the roar Of
the Storm" &c. This, you say in too
many instances is the case. " Old and
young are after the hard days work is
done, too apt to retreat beneath the shell
tering root, and pass the time in nervous
idleness, or in some silly amusement which
brings no good to them or imparts it to
others this YOU say is the case not
only among the farming population, but
is so in our cities and vilIags."
Strange reasoning this; that too many
old and young in our villages spend their
evenings at home. It is to these same
habits of which you speak so disparaging-
ly of, that we owe much if not all that is
so valuable in New England character
the love of the domestic freside is the
best pledge Of the right direction of the
future man.
The mingling of the old and young
under the sheltering roof of home, is the
very element in which the noblest traits
of New England character have been
found-the very spot on which the best
talents OF our country have been nurtur-
cd and fostered into active life.
The domestic hearth and the affections
that cluster around it, is the altar from
which has arisen the finest sentiments, the
purest morality, and the noblest benevo-
lence ofthe land.
Instead of disparaging the love ofhome
let US rather add to its attractions; books,
periodicals, pictures, music, amusements
and even silly ones, too, if needs be; any
thing if it so be that it is harmless to ac-
complish the object, and draw still
stronger the chords that shall bind the
old and the young together under the
sheltering tree Of home.
Its the absence Of the strong love of
home that causes our youth to habitually
congregate in bar-rooms and groceries to
spend their time in idle gossip, and idle
chit chat, forming habits of Incidence,
stimulating each other to a disregard for
parental authority and the respect due to
age, forming a community ofloafers, seek
ing unnatural excitements on forbidden
ground to ripen into more marked forms
OF vice, and in the end to scatter the seed
OF crime broadcast over the land. to defy
every means of moral culture to eradicate
the better root.
Again 1 repeat that it is the ereniings al
home that has hitherto proved a strong
barrier against the inroads of vice and
crime, and given solidity and beauty to
some of the ffrmest pillars on which rest
the best institutions of the world.
Strengthen the love Of home, make the
domestic fre-side the central point at
which to pass the long winter evenings.
at suitable times and on suitable occasions
gather the old and the young of both
sexes from other households. TO minole
around the glowing log fire of our homes.
introduce such amusements as NAV NOT
be inconsistent with the true dignity Of
home and Hy t0Ord for it we should soon
be relieved Of much of the complaint Of
the elderly people tina. the rising genera
ton are too much given to frivolous
amu5ements, and too little inclined to par
take Of the solid realities of life.
Build US genuine love of home, and
we may start the proposition to form His
tOrieal' Societies, Lyceums and other
kindred societies with good hope OF sue
cess.
AS to dancing and dancing schools.
bowling alleys, l have at this time no dis
position to follow you further than to saw
that those who in the purity of their own