The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-01-28
GeIcft AlisfcIIonp.
Oid-fashioned Comforts.

Cur ancestors We're a frugal, selrdenying
people, Injured to hardship from the cradle
they were content to be without almost all
the luxuries of life, but they enjoyed some of
its comforts to which many of US are strang-
ers-old- ashioncd comforts, we NAV term
them-and, among these. the old replace,
as it used 10 be termed held no mean rank -
How wildly the picture of one Of those spaci-
Gus kitchens of the olden time comes to our
mind, with its plain furniture, and sanded
floor, innocent of paint, but as white MS the
neatest Of housewives could make it, In one
corner stood the old clock, its very face wear
ing an aspect Of good cheer, and seeming to
smile bengnantly upon miniature moon over
its head, which. tradition said. had, at a
remote period, followed the rising and setting
OF It's great prototype in the heavens, though
its days Of active service were long ago over
But the GROWING glory Of that kitchen was
not its white sandcd floor, nor the high desk
with its pigeon.holos and secret drawers. that
no venturous youngstcr ever dared invade,
nor yet the old clock ticking so unsteady in
one corner. but it was the old fashioned fire.
place, with its blazing embcrs. huge backlog
and iron ire-dogs, that shed glory over the
whole room, gilded the plain and homcly fur
nlture with its bright light, and rendered the
place fit type of true New England homes
in 'yc olden time"
Never were there such apples as those which
swnrg round and round upon Strings before
the bright lire OF winters evening-ncvcr
such baked potatoes as those buried deep in
the ashes upon the hearth never such corn
stalks as those which caught golden hue
from the blazing embers, or turkeys like those
turned slowly upon spit, filling the room
with sayory odors so suggestive of dainty
rcpast.
Ie'ore the fire was tie wooden settle, and
here the children were wont to sit in the long
evenings, telling stories, cracking nuts, con-
mig their lessons for the morrow, or listen.
ing in silence to the words OF wisdom that fell
from the lips of tLeir snperors-aud anon
gazing in silence into the bright fire, and con.
juring up all sorts of groteSuuc and Gancful
images from the burning Goals. No tabled
geni. with their magic lamps OF enchantmcnt,
could build such gorgeous palaces, or create
such gems as the child could discover amid
the blazing embers Of the ld-fashoned fire.
place.
And we must not neglect the chimney cor
ner, where sat our grandfather in his accus-
toned seat-his hair sllvercd with the SHOWS
OF many wintcrs-a venerable man, to whom
ola age mad come 'froStily, but kindly" and
whose last days were like those of en- Indian
Summer serene and beautiful, even till the
Stars appeared in heaven.
How pure was the air Of the room in those
days The huge Fireplace, with Its brisk
draught, carried of the impurities of the
atmosphere and left the air pure, lifc.g giving
and heallhlul Now we crouch around hot
cooking stoves, and think it strange that we
feel so stupid and drowsy OF an evening: or we
huddle about air-tight stoves, and wonder
that the air seems burnt aud impure or we
sit down in chilly rooms heated by furnace,
and marvel that, with all our costly furniture
soft carpets, bright mirrors. and damask cur.
tans, they are such cherries places, so little
like our ideas of a New England home.
Alas! that with all the so.cailed improve.
ments OF our advanced civilization, the fire
should be permitted to go out forever ir our
old-'ashioned Ie-places, thus burying in the
ashes oil the past so many means Of health,
hiome-co,niort, good cheer and happiness.
Exeter News Letter.