South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-09-22
The Guest Chamber.
BY MRS. H. W. BEECHER.1

BY MRS. H. v. BEECHER-s
1t is the prevalent opinion among
housekeepers that the guest chamber OF
spare room" must, in every respect be
the best and most desirable room in the
house. We think this a mistaken idea.
Of course the room shold be pleasant and
inviting, furnished as tastefully, and with
as many conveniences as can be afforded,
without curtailing the pleasures and com
fort of the family, and with such regard
to comfort that a guest, On entering, may
feel at once, not only at home, but as if
surrounded with kindness and thoughtful
care. All this can be accomplished with
out appropriating the largest and most
commodious room for that purpose.
The chambers most used. and, next to
to the sitting-room, most necessary to the
comfort and happiness of the family, to
whom the house is home, and not a mere
stopping place, should be the best ven
tilated, the largest and most convenient.
The mothers chamber and the nursery (f
there must be two apartments, they should
be separated only by a door, that the
mothers care may be near at hand) ought
to be chosen with reference to the health
and enjoyment of those who are expected
to occupy them for years.
The spare room" should be secondary
consideration; for u guests are but tenn
porary residents of our rooms, to whom,
to be sure, must be given all the time and
attention that family cares will allow;
but to the permanent inmates the house is
aresting place from hard labor, a refuge
from outside care for some of the family ;
and to make it such to husband and chill
dren, the housekeeper has a daily routine
of duties which can be wonderfully light
ened by pleasant surroundings; and thus,
for reasons having a bearing on every
member of the household, it seems to us
very desirable that more thought, care
and expense be given to secure a pleasant
outlook, a thorough ventilation, and at
tractive and convenient furniture for the
family rooms, than for the one set apart
for those who, however honored and be-
loved, csn Of necessity remaio but q few
DAYS.
1t is painful to glsnce into rooms in daily
use, and see no indication that moments
thought has eve been bestowed upon their
adornment, or TO fill them with objects
that, to the children's eyes, will unite
grace and beauty with usefulness for the
family's everyday use. "Oh, this william
swerl Its good enough Just for 0on
JdH1ly." But look INFO the guests cham
DCA, III WHICH SuOuSu HIS Dttn eApeuUeQ
to compel pinching in all that belongs to
home and family comforts, and all for the
ostentatious display of hospitality! When
you see such incoDgruities and contrasts
between the furnishing of the family
apartments and the "spare ROOM" you
will find the same rule runs through eve
rything connected with the family.
For everyday use the commonest kinds
of deli, with odd bits of broken or de-
faced china, mismated cups and saucers, of
every. variety and color, and the food,
carelessly prepared and of The poorest and
cheapest quality, showing the same I'M
wise disregard for family comfort. Bullet
a visitor appear, and the table is dazzling
with silver and cut-glass, and loaded with
dainties over which the utmost skill has
been expended. This is all wrong. Home
should be first; company, of secondary
importance. Let your family have the
best you can afford; then cordially well
come your friends to share the good and
pleasant things with you.
1t is not easy TO teach children to love
home, and prefer its society to ell others,