Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-03-30
oLp.FAsHIoNEp coMFoRrs.


Our ancestors were frugal, self-donying poo
pie Injured to hardship from the cradle they
were content to be without almost all the lux
urles Of life, but they enjoyed some Of its
comforts to which many Of us are strangers. -
old-iashioned comforts we may term them,
and among those the old fireplace. as it used
to be termed, held no mean rank. How viv-
IDLY tho picture of ono of those spacious kitch
ems of the olden time comes to our mind with
ts plain furniture, and saudod floor innocent
of paint, but as white as the ncatest Of house
wives could make it. In one corner stood the
old clock, its very face wearing look Of good
cheer, and seeming to smile bonignantly upon
miniature moon over its head, which, tradi-
ton said, had at remote period followed the
rising and setting Of its great prototype in the
heavens, though its days of active service were
long ago over.
But the crowning glory Of that kitchen was
not It's white, sanded floor, nor the high desk
with its pigeon holes, and secret drawers which
no vonturous youngster ever darcd invade nor
yet, the old clock ticking so musically in ono
corner. bnt it was the old fashioned fireplace
with its blazing cmbcrs, huge backlog and
| iron irc-dogs that shed glory over the whole
room, gildcd the plain and homely furniture
with its bright light, and rendered the place
ft type Of true New England homes in "ye
olden time
/ Never were there such apples as those which
swung round and round upon strings before
the bright fire Of winters evening, never
such baked potatoes 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 a spit, filling the
room with savory odors suggestive Of dain-
ty repast.
Before the fire was the wooden settle, and
here the children were wont to sit in the long
evenings telling stories. cracking nuts, CON
ming their lessons for the morrow, or listening
in silence to the words of wisdom that fell
from the lips Of their superors and amor
gazing in silence into the bright fire, and con
iuring up all sorts Of grotesque and faucifu
images from among the burning Goals. n,
fattled genii with their magic lamps of en-
b chantment could build such gorgeous palaces
or create such gems as the child could disceri
amid the blazing ombers of an old-mshionet
fireplace.
And we must not neglect the chimney cor
ner, where sat our grandfather in his accus
toned seat--his hair silvered with the snow
Of many wluters-a venerable man, to whom
old age had come "frostily but kindly" ant
whose last days were like an Indian summer
serene and beautiful, even till the stars ap
= pcarod in heaven.
How pure was the air of the room in thos,
days The huge Fireplace, with its brisl
draught, carried off the impurities Of the at
mosphcrc and left the air pure, life-gving an'
healthful. Now we crouch around hot cook
ing stoves, and think it strange that we fee
so stupid and drowsy Of an evening; or W,
huddlc about tight stoves, and wonder tina
the air seems burnt and impure or we ST
down in chilly rooms, heated By furnace
and marvel that with all our costly furniture
= soft carpets, bright mirrors and damask cur
, tains, they arc such cheerless places, so lttl
/, like our ideas of New England home
Alas that with all the so-called improve
ments of our advanced civilization, the fir
should be permitted to go out forever in ou
oldiashioned fire-places, thus burying in thr
ashes Of the past so many means Of health
home-comlort, good cheer and happiness
Erctcr Ne,os- letter.