Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1881-01-01
No. 7
Written for the Herald.
HOUSEHOLD DECORATION.


1t is clear that to the list of arts that are
recognized as such the world over, and have
been for centuries, there must be added an
other and though the time of it's birth can
not be precisely tiXed its age does not exceed
five years. But it is q sturdy bantling not
withstanding it's youth, and does not permit
us to doubt that it has 'cOme to stay" Let
; us bid it welcome
The words at the head of this article have
anticipated what refer to. Decorative Art,
as it is commonly called, is term of rather
wide meaning. 1t covers all those little de-
vices with which the women of America by
sudden and seemingly spontaneous move
ment, are seeking to adorn their homes.
Some of these products of brain and hand
possess beauty, some grace, some only oddity;
but all have charm, and in a greater or less
degree attain the purpose of their creation.
There is an innate impulse in every
wOman's breast that moves her to make her
home beautiful. Enter any cabin that nes-
ties among the mountains of this far-off Ter
ritory. The inmates are poor; the stern
duties of life press hard upon them The
necessity OF shoes for multiplying little feet,
the tyranny-which DR.. Tanner didn't quite
succeed III overthrowing-th tyranny which
exacts three meals a day, seem to be hope
less clogs upon aesthetic indulgence Never
theless we shall see some efforts in that direc-
ton. They may be only few wood-cuts
clipped from an illustrated paper and sur
rounded by d strip of calico to represent a
frame; but they are there-t there to lend a
glimpse OF light and grace to the lonely cot,
and there to prove that woman strives after
the beautiful as the plant rends mighty
rock to reach the sunlight
In the past the forms in which this instinct
has found expression have been found rather
meagre and unsatisfactory even in more pre-
tentlous homes. Some family portraits
which it usually requires good deal of lib
erality to class as decorations-af few engrav-
ngs or chromos, and perhaps bronze or two
these are about as great variety as one was
apt to encounter. But now, even in modest
mansions, wherever the eye may turn, it is
greeted with some tasty object, the product
of fertile feminine wits and deft hands, and
the effect upon the room as a whole is most
pleasing.
1t is one of the happy features of decorative
art that it is quite elastic as to expense. One
may be extravagant in this as in all other
things; but many fine effects can be pro-
duced at inconsiderable cost. So it adapts
itself to the palace of the millionaire and the
cabin of the remote ranchman.
With this rage-or BOOM" if the politi-
clans haven't a patent ON the wOrd-for house
hold decoration, there has been a revival of
painting in oil and water colors as an ac-
complishment and diversion. Many hus-
band has come home to find the staid mat
ron of his house and heart, whom he sup
posed to be removed by her years from such
irivolities, busily plying q brush and tracing
graceful forms and attractive tints upon tile
or PLAGUE or panel. This too is well. AS
recreation it is altogether delightful; and
who shall say that it may not develope some
later Raphaels and Van Dykes, who might
otherwise have been born to blush unseen?
There is another aspect of the prevailing
taste for household decoration that is graft
flying in even greater degree; it has opened
q new occupation for women. Heaven knows
the list is short enough, and every addition
should be joyfully greeted. In many of the
larger cities Of the East there have been es-
tablished decorative art stOress, Ometimes
by individual enterprise, but oftenest under
the management of societies of philanthropic
ladies' At these stores articles esigned for
the decoration of rooms may be exhibited
and sold, a moderate commission being charg
ed to defray the expenses. Many ladies whose
require that they should pro-
vide in whole or in part for their own sup
port, labor at their own homes in manufac-
turing such articles, and find q profitable
market for them through these establish
nents. The decorative art store ut Chicago
most alluring display, and the man
who allows his wife to visit it, is more to be
praised for his courage than his prudence
The era of decorative art, then, should be
daddy welcomed. It's influences are wholly
N the side of the good, the beautiful and the
rue. 1t will surround the youth Of America
With objects that delight the eye and educate
he taste Above all, it will make American
ONES attractive-the sanctuaries of much
hat is civilizing and refining. L.
THOUGH it is cOntended that poultry rails
lg has never been successful anywhere, it
an certainly be made remunerative here,
ven if undertaken ON limited scale or in
onnection with some other employment
pring chickens sell readily at from 81 to
l.5O per pair, and eggs in the most plentiful
ason rarely fall below thirty-fve cents, and
the autumn and winter bring 81. Tur-
eys sell at from $3.50 to S. alive and at %
nts per pound dressed. So few ducks and
,ese are raised they seldom appear in mar
ct. To anyone who can intelligently en-
lge in this business there is certainly