The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-06-07
THE GUEST CHAMBER.
How the Comfort of Visiting Friends
is to be Looked After.
Mrs. H. W. Beecher in Christian Union. ]


Mrs. H. w. Beecher in Christian Union.
In olden times it was customary to set
apart the best room in the house for the
"guest chamber" 1t was thought necessary
to furnish it more elaborately than any
other, and by so doing show respect and
affection for the guest who occasionally oecu-
pied it. We think this a mistake, and are
we'll pleased to see that housekepers are learn
ing that while they are careful to make the
room as pleasant, inviting and home-like as
their means will allow, the comfort and con-
venience of the home, of the family, should
not be eurtailed or encroached upon. A
guest should receive every kind attention,
and find the guest chamber sufficiently in
viting to give the impression that he is sur
rounded with kindness and thoughtful care.
All this can be done without selecting the
largest and most commodious apartment in
the house. Except a public mans house,
or one whose position gives him very little
of the home rest and privacy that all crave,
there is not the least necessity of making a
reyolution-an entire change in the regular
routine of home life-when guest is in the
house. Certainly not to so disirrange and
break up the usual family home life that
children will be in danger of looking upon
a guest as an affiiction rather than a pleas
ure. Children thus defrauded will not be
likely to be hospitable or courteous when
they arrive at mature age and have homes
of their own.
The chambers most used, and, next to the
family sitting-room, most necessary to the
comfort and happiness of the family to
whom the house is to be a home, and not a
mere transient stopping place for guests,
should be the best ventilated, the largest
and most convenient of any in the house.
The mothers chamber and the nursery-if
there must be two apartments, they should
only be separated by door, that the mother
shall always find quick and easy access to it
at all hours-ought to be chosen with ref
erence to the health and enjoyment of
those who for years will probably occupy
them.
The "spare room" or guest chamber is far
less important for, however honored and
beloved, our guests are but temporary oceu-
pants of our rooms. We shall of course,
while they are with US, give them every
attention and as much time as family cares
will permit, and by courteous and atfec-
tionate manner manifest our pleasure in
their presence and society. But to the per-
mar1ent inmates the house should be rest
ing place from hard labor-a refuge from
outside care to the older members of the
family. To make it such the mistress of
the house has daily routine of duties
which might be too burdensoue if not
frightened by cheerful, pleasant surround
ings. Thus, for reasons having bearing on
every member of the household, it certainly
is most desirable that more thought, care
and expense be given to secure 8 pleasant
outlook, thorough ventilation and attrac-
tive, as well as convenient furniture for
each of the family rooms than for the one
reserved for guests, who, sincerely as We
may love and enjoy their society, can Of
necessity remain but a short time.