Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-04-02
Adapting Ones Self to Circumstances.

In America perhaps as many people
suffer from trying to live in style be-
yond their means as anywhere else, or
more, in proportion to the number OF the
whole. But in this fertile land this
should not be. And in select
ing and building ones house
too careful an estimate as to actual or
probable income and the cost of main
tanning it can not be made. Most OF
the large cities are overcrowded. Farms
are waiting to be titled, and waste
places to be filled up with people. The
emptying of these places of abode would
possibly soonest solve the tenement
house problem. Wise legislation Will
help the matter on, with good architec-
tural arrangements and philanthropy to
assist. But It is matter needing urgent
attention, unless our fair cities are to be-
come blot upon civilization. Human
UcIiigs can not preserve the decencieS of
life in some tenement houses as they now
exist, and religion and nature demand
reform. In most other styles of build
ing, Improvements can be made, and in
some are greatly needed but given con-
scientiousness and intelligence in those
who inhabit them, they will improve
them, and in fifty years from now we
predict great changes for the better in
the dwellings of the American people.
Then in foods. The Puritans had COM
paratively coarse fare. Neither manu-
facture nor commerce could convert the
raw material into wholesome and
palatable viands, or bring those
from other climes. Even their
favorite cup of tea must be dispensed
with at the imperative call of duty. But
they ate their homely fare, as the Spar
tans of old their black broth, with hero
ism; and if there were occasional muir
murings and longings for the "fesh-pots
of Egypt" they endured so far as to
leave this fertile land an inheritance to
their children, and children's children,
to untold generations; shall we say for
everp If so, it will be held by each gen.
Grafton enduring the trial of the hour
without finching. Mr.. Carlyle said to
Lord Macaulay, on seeing his face in re-
pose: al noticed the homely Morse
features that you find everywhere in the
Western Isles, and | thought to myself,
We'll! any one can see that you are an
honest, good sort of fellow, made out of
oatmeal :" This same simple diet of oat-
meal has produced many other remark
able personages. And the simple fare
of the early settlers undoubtedly in
creased their hardihood. The rivers
and sea gave them fish in abundance,
and the forests game. They raised some
vegetables. Corn was generally sure
crop, and hasty-pudding as famous a
dish as ever oatmeal in Scotland. Now,
at the South the principal foods among
the poorer classes are corn-meal and
pork, with occasionally little molasses
and coffee. As whole, the American
people eat better than any other-that
is, have food in greater variety
and of better quality than any
other nation of the earth. Simplicity OF
life is practiced only by the very poor
so far as regards eating. In prepara-
ton of foods by cooking we are,
economically, far behind the French,
however. But nature gives such an
abundance that to go hungry here seems
the grossest miSmanagement. There
are places where fresh meats are hard
to obtain. But the vast canning estab-
lishments make up somewhat for this
Not by giving nice, juicy beefsteak, by
any means, but fresh salmon, or oysters,
or bouillon soup; something that will
take the place of beef for time al
least. When far from market, and
wishing something delicate and nour
ishing for an invalid, have found 8
snipe stewed, a quail broiled, RED
squirrel made into broth, some nicely
prepared trout, answer the purpose ad
mirably. Almost every locality viii
furnish something wholesome, appetiz
ing and cheap. In large cities every
thing must be bought; but then most O
our cities are too full of people in pro
portion to the country places anywhere
and nature holds out an inviting han(
to their half-starved denizens. One ma,
greatly prefer a dinner of roast beef
: with the accompanying vegetables, t.
one of wild-fowl or fish; and were | Ions
compelled to live on bacon and hoe
cake, l should confess being stiff. necket
and rebellious, even were the motive
for my doing so exceeding strong. Cor
[ Christian al Work.