The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-08-30

Britain or the Continent OF Europe to
erect for themselves fine mansions or
dwelling. houses, because there is gene.
raj lack of learning and culture among
them. Ignorant communities have no
ambition for anything better than the huts
which keep out the storm and cold. Pow
erty, which usually attends ignorance,
cannot provide anything beyond the
rudest shelter; 80 that in those old c0un
tries beyond the sea where both ignorance
and poverty prevail, the houses of those
who live by cultivating the soil are very
rude, low, and altogether destitute of style
or taste. Education begets q perception
of beauty and grandeur in external OBJ
jects. From study of the works Of God,
we ourselves gain desire TO create, to
build. From the beautiful idea that angelic
beings dwell in temples not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens, the wish
springs into being to possess the next best
by skillful hands and fixed to the earth.
Our domestic architecture is always an
exponent of our civilization and our prog
ress in wealth getting. A man, learned
and cultured, may not have the means to
to give expression to his idea of what
home is, or should be; SO with commu-
mites; but there will appear, always,
about the humble threshold unmistakable
indications of o higher intellectual and
moral character.
While we regard the farmers home as
an exponent of the culture of mind and
hear, of himself and family, it is also a
continual educator, and its influence ex-
tends to the entire community. When
one therefore builds tasteful home he is
not only benefiting himself, but his neigh
bors also. Hence he is public benefac-
tor; he awakens in the minds of others
sense of beauty and fitness. and . stronger
love for home and its symbols of purity
and truth.
This is essentially an agricultural
country, and the farmers are the most nu
merOus class, the character of the farm
house, therefore, becomes matter of the
greatest importance. 1t should be truth
full; it should be substantial; it should be
stately; it should be tasteful. Ornament.
alton for the mere sake Of display is as
much out OF place on q farmhouse as
rutiles on the farmers shirt bosom We
are anxious to see the homes of farmers
built so as to represent that plain, sub
stantial character which the farmer him
self possesses. What is the true ideal OF
the character Of the farmer then? What
are the elements which make up the gen
uine farmer? They are frmness, truth.
fulness, frankne3s, sincerity, honesty,
straightforwardness, above ali meanness,
hospitality and independence. Can these
qualities be expressed in dwelling and
it's appurtenances? Yes, and farm
house should not be built without ex-
pressing them. I:should be broad enough
on the ground to express firmness and en-
durance; it should be two full stories
high, indicative OF stateliness and strength
and of a desire to rise above all low,
mean things; its foundation and timbers
should be Of the most substantial sort, ex-
pressive of honesty, truthfulness and
strength; substantial brackets and braces
should support the wide. projecting caves
and porches as we'll as window lintels and
caps, expressive also of honesty and frank
ness-I am what am all the parts should
be of equal height. expressive of straight
forwardness and uniformity of life and
character-the same yesterday, to-day and
tomorrow. Trees are essential aids in
| representing the grand and substantial
character of the farmer and his life, and
should be planted with no sparing hand,
as we have frequently urged in these col
ums. Avoid the frequent mistake, how
ever, of planting trees close to the house.
Let the house and all the rooms, if posi-.
BILE, have the sunshine. We have thus
indicated some of the features which
should lie given to the most important
class of homes in America. 1t is matter
of no trifling importance, we think. The
purest elements of social and business
life in the new world are found in the
country. To its constantly overflowing
fountains the cities and all the avenues OF
trade look for their refreshing supplies
1t is important that these fountains be
kept pure by every means that our young
men in the country should be reared un
der the influence OF the purest and mos
substantial virtues, and imbued with good
and lofty purposes. For these purposes
the condition of the family home in the
country should be exalted until it shall
teach the highest virtues and the noblest
aspiratlOns-DetrOit Tribune.