The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-09-07
THE GUEST CHAMBER.
BY MRS. II. w. BEECHER.
From the Christian Union.

It is the prevalent opinion among
housekeepers that the guest chamber, or
"spare room" must, in every respect, be
the best and most desirable room in the
house We think this is a mistaken
idea. Of course the room should be
pleasant and inviting, furnished tasteful
", and with as many conveniences, as can
be afforded, without curtailing the COM
fort and pleasures 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 kind
ness and thoughtful care. All this can
be accomplished without appropriating
the largest and most commodious room
for that purpose.
The chambers most used, and, next to
the sitting-room, most necessary to the
comfort and happiness or the family, to-
whom the house is home, and not mere
stopping place, should be the best venti-
lated, the largest and most convenient.
The mothers chamber and the nursery Off
there must be two apartments, they
should be separated only by door, that
the mothers care may be near at hand)
ought to be chosen with reference to the
health and enjoyment sof those who are
expected to occupy them for years.
The "spare room" should be q seconda-
~ consideration for our guests are but
tempo rary 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 a resting place from hard labor,
a refuge from outside care, for some OF
the family and to make 1t such to hus-
band and children, the housekeeper has
a daily routine Of duties which can be
made wonderfully lightened by pleasant
surroundings and thus, for reasons hav-
ING bearing on every member Of the
household, it seems to us very desirable
that more care, thought and expense be
given to procure pleasant outlook, a
thorough ventilation, and attractive and
convenient furniture for the family rooms,
than for the one set apart for those who,
however honored and beloved can Ofne-
Cessity remain but few days,
It is painful to glance into rooms in
daily use, and see no Indication that a
moments thought has ever been bestow-
ed upon their adornment, or to fill them
with objects that, to the children's eyes,
will unite grace and beauty with useful
ness for the family's every day use. "Oh,
this will answer It's good enough Just
for our 070n ta1aiIy" But look into the
guests chamber for which enough has
been expended to compel pinching in all
that belongs to home and family comforts,
and all for the ostentatious display OF
hospitality! When you see such incron
gruities and contrasts between the fur
nishing Of the family apartments and the
"spare room," you will find the same rule
runs through everything connected with
the family.
For everyday use the commonest kinds
Of delf, with odd bits of broken or defac
ed china, mis-mated cups and saucers of
every variety of color, and the food, care
lessly prepared, and of the poorest and
cheapest quality, showing the same I'M
wise disregard for family comfort. But
let visitor appear and the table is
dazzling with silver and cut,glass, and
loaded with dainties over which the ut
most skill has been expended. This is
all wrong. Home should be first; COM
pany, of secondary Importance. Let
your family have the best you can reason
ably afford; then cordially welcome your
friends to share the good and pleasant
things with you.
lC Is not easy 70 CeacE cnlIuren TO love
home, and to prefer its society to all 9th
ers, if they see that all the good and
pleasant and beautiful things you possess
are only to be used when you have visitors.
You have no right to hope that your
children will have good manners or be
refined if they see only the coarsest of
everything when alone with you, and are
called upon, with company, to put on
company manners. Love of home, refine
ment, and good manners are blessings
that will rust out and be destroyed, ifnot
frightened by constant daily use.
T1E TNrpORTANcE on TEApNINo