New-York tribune., 1877-03-10
GENTLEMEN AND THE P1RLOR.

THE FREQUENT CRITICISM UNJusT-MAKE WAR on
ANYTHING ELSE, BUT LEAVE THIS ALoSH-AB-
sOLUTE NECESSITY FOR 1T IN HOUSEHOLD
ECONOMY.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: 1t is fashionable to abuse the parlor.
Gentlemen who are in the habit OF spending perhaps
three OF their fifteen waking hours at home gravey tell
| their weary wives that they don't see why
the family cannot be permitted to use the par
lor occasionally, adding with intense sarcasm that
they would not such piece OF property Phiioso-
piers looking serenely down from the airy nights OK
contemplation, wisely tell that this desire to have
best room finely furnished and held in reserve for state
occasions originates in the American ladys love ot
foolish display.
When how to supply the parlors place, am an
swered Give us great CHEEKY, beautiful sittngroom
Hang its walls with lovely pictures, fill its ample pook
case with the works Of the standard authors SET
bossomng plants in its windows adoln Its 1nantei ana
brackets with the dainty nohings which lend such
charm to home. Having made the shrine for your
choicest things the c0zes prettiest room In the house.
inform the members OF the family that, with the excep-
ton of their eating and sleeping hours expect them
to live there.
Oh most grave and reverend doctors, ministers and
editors and YOU fair ladies' with all deference to your
wisdom with deep gratitude for kindness We can
not help suspectng that you endeayong to decide
question of which know practically as little as the
Greeks did Of tho Centennial Exposition OF 1875 VIII
take your stingroom and locate it In the southeast
corner II, great bay windows shall be draped WIN
lace strong enough 10 resist the friction VI Bridgets
fingers when they come in contact with the washboard.
and vet so dainty throw soft nameless grace over
every object In the win roll over the s"-- :.
Garnet Of ingram the rich subdued colors OF which snail
bid defiance to the kisses of the sunbeams as they
wander amid its leaves and blossoms That shall
be the sanctuary of heart aection every ornament IN
Il shall have tender story every article wnich
contains its associations with happy home llfe
Nevertheless you shall not take my paror from me-
shall keep FOR the same good reason that we eat our
bread and buter-bccause we cannot do wlthOutH DO
you assertiOnf Then glance over the suaton
let Mrs A represent the hundreds OF thousands ol
wives in the comfortable middle ranks of society cong
their work with aid OF single servant she u the
proud po:sessor OF five OF Dame CQnelias Jewels rang
Ing tine W ase' +" S, e tee waT %s Of her her
energetic efforts combined with those OF the tlref.ss
due regard the eyeryaryng, arbitrary demands OK
fashion Shrewd and practical her business tact olleh
cai and gratefully that TO his silent
partner he owes his greatest succesa. , .-o,.,.u
RESPONSIBILITIES occupy every moment OF her waking
hors the small apaTtmSnt WARMED harmed
but necessity Her children though loving ana one
dent like all children out OF story books, are nos
inmacuatey neat aud orderly. They leave their work.
their books and toys where best suits Their c9vehehce
not because they unknd, but SIMPLY thoughtess
Now it would be well If casual guests. when shown INTO
disordered room, would exercise the virtue OF lorDesr
snce and kindly overlook deficiency, hut they rarely do
The needle does quickly to the pole tssn
the nractjea eve detects caelsssy arranged roo and
almost inyaraiy the callers respect for the owner
of that room is sensibly diminished How often,
then has the parlor proved her haven OF refuge HOW
many weary steps IL has saved her! What camnessit
rave To her thIObbng ncryes How many moruncatlons
it mas spared sensitive spirit! Yes how many years
NJ rcstful peacc it has added TO her busy life
II il not an extravaganza, for her careful manageinens
has paid for long ago. but II s Just as essential 10 ner
comfort as Johns private Office is TO his comfot Neither
have you any right to critcse woman for putting her
hest in the paror. God who made woman lovely,
WHO sent the rose blush upon her cheek, who taught
her eve TO reye all delicate and exquisite combinations
OF form and color who gave her the finest Instincts ~
aesthetics will frown upon her for desiring tapestry
carpet or dainty window drapery OF satin ana lace, II
shn has obtain them honestly without n-
friuVnr upou the rights of others.
The parlor can never be abolished while so many
sacred memories cluster around IT, There In The long
ago when the evening lamps were lighted, throwing
their rosy radiance and statue, and picture,
we held sweet communion with friends now separated
from us by the rivers and mountains OF half continent
There too the magical Christmas tree t with Its hun
drrd tiny twnkng stars, from the fairy gloom,
while the happy children danced geefulIy around IT,
There the favorite daughter, blushing, trembling
bride received her name and gave her life into the
Keeping of another There lay the darling OF the house
hold i'm her long sleep with hles casped In her
waxen hands All that room is holy it'll haunted oy
angel FORMS and in tho twilight We have almost felt the
1utter OF their wings . ~, - - -,
No gentlemen make II you will upon our shoes,
our dresses, our hats but let our parlors alone.
Oua,cI IA Feb. l. 1877. LYDIA SrRAwx.