The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-29
SOME NEW BOOKS.
VILLAGE. and YiIIare Liz.

tonate gathering OF population in our large
towns and cities or course. economical causes
are in part chargcable with this result. but per-
haps the most efficient agency in the depletion
Of the country has been the defective social
conditions Of our village communities. AS
rule. existence in the country is narrow. aud It
is duh, and for those drawbacks the author has
undertaken TO suggest a remedy.
What is needed in order to lit rural life out OF
the strait mechanical and monotonous grooves
in which II commonly runs? Mr., Egles,on
points out that the problem is twoiold. namely.
TO bring those dwelling in villages into closer
and more frequent contact with one another.
thus developing the social element. and sec
ondy. to bring the community into more init
mate and enjoyable contact with nature. thus
importing higher tone and inspiration to the
life OF each and all. As it is. our rural villages
furnish few opportunities for social inter-
course, there are few sources OF rational amuse-
mcnt, life drags on with AN almost unvGrying
round OF drudgery in Held or house. On the
other hand, those who abide amid the most
delightful scenery are often the least sensible to
its charms. the most beautiful landscape. or the
odorous and vocal woods being in their
eyes only common earth and timber. To
make the country attractive. and dis
close its potent and lasting charm. we must
evoke in It's donzens the ability to discern what
world Of life AMI beauty they are living in
and we must also take means TO crafty tho So
cial instinct OF human nature by multiplying
the occasions Of coming together and uniting
in common pleasures. Regarded ~ contribu-
tons to tho social element OF village life. we
should do wisely to encourage such homey
helps to fellowship as fairs festivals farmers
clubs, glee clubs. and even debating and lecture
associations. When these means OF friendly
intercourse have come into Use to some extent
there will very probably grow up such an in
terest In the village home As may lead
TO the Introduction OF something like
method and system in the work OF i'm
provement. As the social feelings arc
quickened. n desire will naturally arise to
SEQ n better outward look in the village ITSELF
lis streets and houses. II is curious indeed. to
note how much stimulus may bc impaired 10
community by a single individual through the
establishment OF his own dwrll!na. place. But
Of course. such influence works slowly and the
desired result will obviously be hastcncd by
combining the facilities and resources Of those
who have like feeling and taste Hence. among
the most hopeful agencies for the amrlio-
ration Of village life. are tho various organi-
zqtions and dissertations which have been
springlnS M within the last few years.
Ne
provemcnt societies. Perhaps the most in
tercsting chapter IN this book Is devoted
10 tho most successful Of these already some
what. widely known IA the Laurel Hin Associu-
ton OF StocSbridge. Mass. II any one would
measure. We are told. what steady and lulicious
work can do though neither large numbers nor
large capital be ENGAGED in il. let him yisitthp
Berkshire Hills. and after looking down upon
their most beautiful village. and threading its
clean and shaded streets. let him ask some Of
is danizeus a. describe the place as Il was n
score II years ago.
The Laurel Hin Association had n modest be-
ginning enough. and IL experience attosts that
such societies need not be launched with any
great formally, or any ulan OF immediate
great Effects The Stockhridce organization
started. u seems with tho endoavor ON the rart
81 "A few sens ..ir 4 .r-ors 20 preserve a wcu-
wooded hlI iyius nearly in the centre # the
village. and which. stripped of its foliage. would
have become AN uus gAiiy object Tho rocky
and tree-erownei emincnce was purchased
and subsequently given in trust TO n
small company formed for the pur-
pose and. as the hill abounded in
tho h1iHYa or laurel. this naturally cayo q
name to tho asscriation. Now IN. buyin. u
this land. purely AS d matter Of taste. and not
because 1t wa, good for SO much coriwood.
seems g. have acted ~ a tonic upon the aesthetic
sense ol the rroprictors. and presently put
them upon doing something moro in tho sumo
direction. They began by taxing IN hand the
cemetery. which. ike most o. the village
turyirg grounds in the Ur.tri Suites. hal
been neglected. The accumulated rubbish WAS
now removed; old walks we're cleaned ana new
ones laid out: the fallen headstones We're ma lie
t. stand erect again. Byaud by. through tho in
luencc Of the association. the town wls In
duced to make an appropriation sufficient 10
girdlc the cemetery with neat iron fence.
within which was planted a belt OF evergrecns.
Thus the work went on. until the shabby and
overeroWn Gods Acre had become "A place, If
beauty. which although It lies IN the heart o! the
village, has long ceused TO be deemed an obIec-
tlonabie presence. From this point the trans q
ton was easy for the association to undertaae
the improvement Of the streets AMI
walks Beginning at the centre. whore the Post
Onicc. churches. and stores were clustered. the
inequalities and incolycnencies of the prn-
cipln street were corrected By proper grading
and drainage. while ample gravel walks on
either side displaced the narrow. deviou, trails
which had hitherto served tho Stockhri lec way
farer. Next followed the planting of trees near