Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-04-11
Evenings at Home.

No household is properly conducted
wherein there are no hours set apart Tor
recreation. and the evening hours are best
fitted for this duty Duty may seem an
inappropriate word applied to amuSements,
but lie who neglects it, fails to cultivate
that part of himself which very greatly
brightens his own life and that of his fel-
lows. The man who never condescends
to amusement is like dry timber compared
with living tree crowned with flowers
and fruit.
But the day has well nigh passed when
apologies are needed for enjoyment and
when recreations are considered at best rs
venial sins. Human nature has happily
been too strong for aScctic creeds; the
new wine would not remain confined in
the old bottles, and the question is not
may we, but, how shall we best amuse
ourselves?
Just n word here to the faithful, loving,
patient and conscientious parents who will
ingly extend their hours Of toll through
the day and into the night, and who can
not they say, find time for anything but
work. Better hundred times that there
be few dollars less for the children, less
of fine clothing or of dainties on the table,
than that the young people, wearied with
the eternal round of work, should pine
for freedom away from home, and lose no
opportunity for escaping to where there is
something to enjoy, should learn the sweets
of forbidden fruit, and away from the low
ing influences of home, should be led to
folly, dissipation and ruin. There is no
more important work to be done ut home
than to properly amuso your children and
yourself; take time for it, rs you do for
preparing the food or mending the cloth
ing. Joining the children in passing the
pleasant evening hours will frcshen your
own life, make you more companionable
and sympathetic with them, inspire and
strengthen their confidence, and make it
unnecessary for them to 60 abroad for
their enjoyment Children may and should
feel that there is indeed no place like
home.
Among the first of home attractions is
music. If the piano or organ cannot be
afforded, the flute or violin may, and ut
any rate there may be singing, which is
best of ALL Music books are cheap, and
any one who can learn to talk can learn TO
sing. Among the happiest recollections
of after years will be the memory of those
hours when all voices were blended in the
evening song, when discords of feeling
were soohed and banished,. care was for
gotten and for u little time Il higher life
was lived. The home reading circle
should be made attractive with bright pa
pers and magazines. Let each be per-
mittod to make selections. and all be en-
couraged to remark, criticise and COM
ment. 1t will greatly aid the art of con-
yersation, which in these days certainly
needs cultivation, and save immense waste
of breath over trash and scandal. Then
there are plenty of entertaining games
Those who fear the influence of cards, and
there are objections to their use-they are
TOO lascinating-can find plenty of unob-
jectionabIe games, especially adapted for
home use. The good old d-bys,"
checkers and chess, will have an honored
place. Such amusements, interspersed
occasionally with regular gale " of
romps, to give vent to youthful spirits, a
will do for the rooms of many household
now sombre and glum. what n woodbine
IL clinging rose does for the weather.
beaten porch, make it beautiful and at
ractiye, and teach the children to love
heir home.-Sqtmday ECening Post. 7