The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-06
,,.s,. ,r.,h 1,,a nahIe spiri. Il personal Inde.

pendence. !.
Along with the utilizing Of every hand
with prudence and nropsfety there should
SO the general economy u every branch OF y
expenditure. Fashion should not be allo W. Y,
ed to intruQe into the sacred empire Of DO
nestle lie In any manner that is incoiisis.
tent with the proper occupations OF tine
members of the family. Any custom that IN y,
is in the way Of gentle industry In house-
hold arts should be excluded as II IL were q
vice. Fashions that involve expenditure
FOR things that are not required in decorous
attire and for comfort should have no place
In the farrner's house, no moro than they
should be permitted to bnrthen the pockets
OF any people in moderate circumstances
who mean to pay their honest debts.
Intending these hints more particularly
for the rural community, we need not
branch out into society generally. III he
farmer is less annoyed by ambition to emu
late the fashionable habits OF the day than
other people, and he can easily fall into
proper habits of economy on this point.
Indeed most farmers already have done SO.
In past DAYS, however, many eStravagances
crept into the simple and gentle rural life
that neither promoted its happiness nor its
thrift. One we may name here: the piano.
/. never was very important accomplish
ment for the sweet country girls. whose roses
and whose unaffected modesty were charms
worth more and more to be enyied than all
the music they might acquire. The mus''
cal acouirements indeed generally were
very poor. an d rural piano-thrumming never
frequently reached higher grade shan one
that was altogether uninterestlng TO per-
sons OF taste and often provoked unklnd
criticism. Yet the piano was everywhere,
and men who could i'll afford TO buy
the costly instrument had to adorn their
houses with it, although in many cases
the pride OF the house could achiefe notn-
ing greater than the Hunters chorus
the "Battle OF Prague" and /" Bona pate
Crossing the Rhine"
. We suppose that the piano, with its abor-
tive performances and awkward atfecta-
tons, has nearly swept by: yet we would
saw TO those who are still under the idea
that it is the great feature OF civilization,
that they are entirely mistaken. 1t is not
necessary to geutllity, or grace, OF beauty,
or accomplishment. To dcport ones sell
with modcsty; TO be discreet and ln'ei'i-
gent; to avoid false pride; to be Sehtie'
frank, and easy, are accomplishments which
may be acquired without the assistance OF
piano-thrummng. Ii we want music Tor
the home for its gacty and anniversary fes-
rivals, or other interesting events, it Is easy
or soon will be, to employ professors OF the
art. for the country is rapidly filling up with
them.
So save the musical education save the
piano. There is no necessity for either
none in the world. That {" household god"
of the better days OF the Republic, the
"Gddle," was far more pleasant and uScfu'.
Our friends can take this piano business
rs a point OF departure. and WORK more
proper and economical reforms than they
have any idea Of. -.
Continuing this discourse we add that IN
the matter OF domestic animals there should
be not one supernumerary. No more horses
no more cows, no more mules, no more
sheen, and no more dogs, than are needed;
and dogs brought to this sharp test will en-
tirely disappear from most farms, greatly to
the advantage OF the sheep.
We venture to say that if every farmer IN
Virginia were to introduce a system OF re-
form like that outlined i'll this brief chapter
there would be hundreds Of thousands OF
dollars saved each year to Virginia.
The benefits OF such reforms are incalcu-
liable. They would improve society and in-
crease the gains Of occupation.
Above all, felow-citizens Of Virginia, it
would increase your personal independ-'
ence and change the plans Of vast numbers,
who, from embarrassment and discomfort,
are contemplating the dire necessity OF
leaving Virginia for new home. where ali
is uncertain and where you will be stran-,
gers, and therefore amongst the least calcu-
lated to make Roadway.
Let us all meet the case, "turn over
new leaf" save where we may, increase
where we can, and stand by old Virginia
while we live.
II