Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-11-07
SOCIAL FELICITIES.

Now that the early declining sun her
aids the approach of the long winter
Evenings, the question naturally arises
how shall we employ them to the best ad
vantage?
Some, no doubt, have visions of parties
entertainments and even out ofdool
sports, passing through their minds
However that may be, permit us to put
in a plea for home-life. Spring time
summer and autumn, with their balmy
winds, cool shades and flaming land
scapcs, invite us to come forth and enjoy
the outer world, but when the cold blasts
Of winter sweep the desolate and snow
encountered earth, our world is found in
doors.
The double windows have been put in
their places. the curtains drawn to shut
out the night, and we sit by the generous
coal burner us it dispcnscs its genial heat
Let us look about and reflect that we are
at home. which, Of all places on earth,
should be the most attractive and com
fort giving. After ALL is not the inclem
ency of the winter blessing in disguise
to bring us INTO better appreciation Of
the blessings Of home?
The evening meal by candlc-]ight is now
Il necessity. Let it be simple, yet boun
tiful, and seasoned by the flavor of a mu
tual and genial fellowship on the part OF
all the members of the family. 1t should
be not more Il supper than a 'Ffeast OF
reason and a flow of SOUL" This passed,
our thought should not be, where can we
| 90, but how can we find the best means
of spending the evening at home. II
there are the facilities for music, and
the requisite talent, there is nothing more
enlivening than instrumental and vocal
music. In the absence of this, or after
music, there may be games or literary ex-
| ercises. Games may do for children, but
youth and adults should seek to combine
instruction with entertainment. For this
purpose nothing is better than good liter
AZURE, an abundance of which can be pro
cured for small sum in the form OF
books, papers and magazines. 1t is al
]owablc for each member of the family
to read silently to himself such matter as
may possess the greatest interest, but
there is much better way in having
selections from standard authors read
aloud by some one, and freely comment
cd on by the circle. In this way a great
deal of useful historical or literary infor.
nation may be obtained in pleasing
way, and the intellectual and moral Level
| Of home sensibly elevated.
We need not be selfish about this mat
ter, for if we know of any young people
| who are so situated as to be deprived of
such facilities we can invite them to join
us in our social gatherings and do them
good.
If we would save our children from tho
temptations of the world let us make
home the place where not merely the
body, but the heart and mind, are fed and
satisfied. In this way we can lift oul
minds above the dull routine of daily toll,
and not only receive the mental and moral
stimulus we so much need, but lay up in
store the memory Of many pleasant hours
We will cherish long after many of those
whose presence we have enjoyed in the
home circle will have passed from oul
sight over the dark river. Save on spe
cial occasions, or in the discharge of pub
lie duties, the members of family should
be found at home of an evening. Nc
where should heavens smile fall as low
ingly as on the home circle.