The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-12-24
Domeatle LIfe.


I atn tna1aldthatour domestic life win
not bear looking into. l fear that our
houses will not DO found to have uni.
ty, and to express the best thought.
The household, the calling, the friend.
ships of the citizen are not homogene.
GUS. His house ought to show rs his
honest opinion ofwbat his well being
consists In when he rest among his
kindred, and forsets all atfectatlon, all
compliance. and even ali exertion Of
will. He brings home thhher what.
ever commodities and ornaments have
for years allured his pursuits, aud his
character must be seen In them. But
what idea predomlnates In our houses
Thrift first, then convenience and
pleasure. Take OF the roof from street
10 street, and we shall seldom find the
temple Of any higher god than Pru.
dence.
The progress OF domestic living has
been In cleanliness, In ventilation, In
health, In decorum, in countless means
and arts OF comfort, In the concentra.
ti0n ofall the utilities OF every cline In
each house. They are arranged for low
benefits. The houses OF the rich are
confectionery shops, where to get
sweetmeats and wine; the houses OF the
poor are limitations Of these 10 the OK.
tent Of their ability. With these ends
housekeeping is not beautiful; 1t cheers
and raises neither the husband, the
wife, nor the child; neither the host, nor
the guest; II oppresses women. Ahouse
kept 10 the end Of prudence Is lRboFi.
GUS without Joy; a house kept to the
end.o display is impossible 10 all but oil
few women, and their success is dearly
bought. .la- l.Il lI
five look ut this matter curlously,
1t becomesd dangerous. We need all the
force OF an idea to lift this load for the
very wealth and multiplication Of con.
yeniences embarrhsS US, especially In
Northern climates The shortest emu.
tneration of our wants In this rugged
climate appals US by the multitude Of
things not easy 10 be done. And II you
look at the multitude of particulars.
one would say lgood housekeeping IS
impossible. Order Ia too precious a
thing to dwell with men and women.
See how, In families where there is both
substance and taste, at what expense
any favorlte punctuality, Is maintained.
fthe children, for example, are CON.
sidered dressed, dIeted, attended, KEEP.
In proper company, schooled. and nj
home fostered by the parents
then does the hospitality of
the house suffer. Friends are
less carefully bestowed, the daily ta-
BILE less catered. II thehours OF meals
are punctual, the apartments are slo-
venly. II the linens and hangings are
clean and hne, and the furniture good
the yard, the garden, the fences are
neglected. II all are well attended,
then must the master and mistress be
studious Of particulars at the cost OF
their own accomplishments and
growth, or persoIs are treated as
things.
The difficulties to be overcome must
be freely admitted; they are many and
great. Nor are they TO be disposed OF
BY any criticism or amendment OF par.
iculars taken one at time, but only
by the arrangement of the household
10 higher end than those to
which our dwellings are usu-
ally built and furnished. And Is
there any calamity more grave, or that
more deserves the best good will to re-
move 1t than thisr-to go from chamber
to chamber and see no beauty; to find
In the houseniates no aim; 10 hear an
endless chatter and blast; 10 be com.
PEELED TO criticise; TO hear only to dis.
sent and to be dlsgusted; to find no in
vitation TO what Is good In US, and no
receptacle for what Is wise. This is a
great price TO pay for sweet bread and
warm lodging-being defrauded OF ai-
Unity. OF repose, Of heavenly culture,
and the inmost presence OF beauty.