Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-08-07
Outdoor ParlOrs.

When / see house in process of build
ing without liberal allowance of piaz-
zas, l resent it almost as personal injury,
although there may be no reasonable
possibility that 1 shall ever sit under tn at
mans vine or fig-tree The vine, especi-
ally, would be altogether fgurative with
out the material support of verandah.
AS good rule would be, in building,
first make your piazza, then attach a
house to it.
The indoor parlor is sure to be provided
for with the usual amount of sofas and
draperies, but the outdoor is too often
like rent-the accident of a day. 'Shall
we run out railing here and two or three
steps?" asked Paterfamilias, in dubious
SORT of way, and his wife usually assents,
for she does not dislike the idea; although
she would sooner part with this append
age than give up the valuable enclosure
at the back of the kitchen, which is so
particularly handy as sort of storehouse
and place for the doing of odd jobs.
The enthusiasm comes from the girls,
who know the value of front piazza
with thick green curtain of honey
suckle and wistaria, making shady re-.
treat through the long June days, and
the torrid August noons,-fragrant, like
carefully kept linen, with delicious coun-
try smells,-clover and fresh hay, in, the
place of lavender and rOse-leaves, strong
distilled sweetness of woodbine, faint
whiffs of clematis, and roses.
And when the moonlight comes and
traces a lattice work of leaves ON the pi-
azZa floor, and touches with lambent light
each spray and corner,
Making earth's commonest things appear
ALI romantic, poetic and tender
the outdoor parlor is in It's glory. 1t is
the most delightful, dreamy lounging-
place, where the odor of fragrant Ha-
vanas is apt to mingle with the honey
suckle, and the steps are frequently oc-
cupied Ey half-visitors who could scarce
ly nerve themselves up to formal CALL
How charming is its twilight darkness to
class of people who do most of their.
talking in stage whispers, and who are
seldom characterized as great takers
who look upon the brightness of the in
door parlor and its animated groups with
out any feelings of envy, assured that
whatever good times there are in the
world they are having them. What in
the world would lovers do if there were
no piaZZas?
Some piaZZas are simply an exaspera-
ton; so narrow that the steps rudely
crowd the front door, instead of keeping
their distance as they should do, and only
crossing the front of the house. This is
a great mistake; there should be at least
two sides to verandah, to allow of one
corner, and three if possible; while it
certainly should measure four yards In
width.
We recall mansion, with its magnifi-
cent piazza, on which many happy hours
have been spent; the delicate trellis-work
forming Moorish arches, each of which
frame an exquisite picture in living
green. When flooded with moonlight
the place took on an appearance of super
human beauty. There were many acces-
series, too, on that piazza things out of
the common way; and selected with an
artistic idea of colOring. Hanging has,
kets were suspended from every point of
the arches, and their tangled vines were
masses of verdure and blossoms; while
rustic stands filled with plants stood, not
in the way of promenaders, but well back
against the house. Scarlet cushions on
backs and seats made the bamboo chairs
luxurious, and pile of Moorish cushions
in one corner arrested the eye and fascin-
ated the sense. They must have been
stuffed with peoples to account for their
Sleep charming powers; while the ara
besque embroidery on scarlet ground
which adorned them, and the rug spread
out below, were most successful imita-
ton of Moorish splendor.
This curious couch, on which one half
sat and half reclined, was quite in de-
mand among the inmates and visitors on
those intolerable nights. which are not at
all like angels visits, between the Goth
of June and the Goth of August; and the
hostess would amiably wish that she had
six Moorish beds instead of one. But q
single duplicate would have spoiled the
effect, so far as appearances went.