Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-10-19

A close observer of American life said to us
the other day that great change had come
in the last ten years TO the home life of the
country. And in answer to our interrogation,
he proceeded to point out the character of
this change. One point which he made was
that a great many games of skill and chance
were being played in New England homes to-
day. which were not known, or if known,
were forbidden by parents ten years ago. Our
own observation comedies with his on this
point We know that chess within the last
ten years has captured for itself high place
in popular regard. 1t speaks well for peo-
pie when such an intellectual game can be-
come popular. For it takes brains to play
chess even moderately well, and none but
clever and thoughtful people would ever like
it. We notice also that cards are no longer
abjured us they once were in households.
Whist and euchre are domiciled to-day, i'll
homes where, decade ago, their names could
not have been spoken safely save in whis-
per. Checkers are not perhaps universal, but
they are more fashionable. They have fought
their way into high life and whereas they
once found their friends i'll the village tavern
and in the farmers kitchen, they are now adj
mtted into the parlors of the wealthy and the
refined. The games played with historical
cards are also numerous, and many of them
pleasantly exciting And you find them in al
most every household.
Now all this is very pleasant and hopeful
1t reveals to the thinker the fact that home
life is more vivacious and happy than it used
to be that the long, dull evenings are being
enlvened with sprightly and stimulating
amusements, and that the home circle is
charged with attractions which 1t once sadly
lacked. These games are helping to make
the homes of the country happier, helping
to make the children more contented with
their homes. and in doing this they are help
ing to make the country more intelligent and
more virtuous. BY wise parents these games
are looked upon as essential. They help solve
the problem of home amusements and recrea-
ton and this, as all parents know, is one of
the gravest problems they have to solve. Pa
rents, make your homes rs happy as You pos
sibly can for your children and their mates.
Fill them with fun and frolic and the cheer
fulness of spirited social life. Play these
games with your children yourselves and thus
share their joys with them; and feed your
happiness on the spectacle of theirs. A great
many homes are like the frame of harp that
stands without strings. In form and outline
they suggest music but no melody rises
from the empty spaces and thus it happens
that home is unattractive dreary and dull. Let
us hope that this introduction of pleasant
games-which try both the wit and patience
of the children, and of the other ones too fol
that matter-may become the fashion of the
times, until every home in the land shall be
perfectly furnished with these accessories OF
profit and pleasure. For the children's sake
let the reformation go on until every child
shall have, in his fathers house, be it humble
or costly, such appliances and helps for hi
entertainment that he shall find his JOY under
his fathers roof and in his mothers presence
Golden RUE