The National tribune., 1883-02-15
W0MBN'S WORK.
Aunt HeIen'S Home Talks---Tabbie'S
Table---0r Letter-BOx, &c.
continue from last week our sketch of the

Wecontinue from last week our sketch Of the
home-life of the Athertons:
The November fire cracked merrily, and the
shaded lamps flooded the library with their
SOFT rosy light, as the family took their places
on the next Tuesday evening, in evident ex-
pectancy of talk from Aunt Helen Without
prelude the latter opened little scroll and
BEGAN to read: "'@ The angel and
apostle of the coming revelation must be a
woman indeed, but lofty, pure, and beautiful,
and wise ~ Thus wrote once Sir
Arthur Helps, and the gifted Frederick Robert
son, commenting upon this passage in its proper
relation, said 1 think it would shed kind
of setting light and glory upon the death-beds
of those whose aspirations have been high and
whose work in this world is done, it, as they
90 out of it, they could see some such hope for
the race coming in, as at the dawn of former
salvation, hearts old and worn with hopeless
expectation cried, Lord, now lettest thou thy
servant depart in peace" Meanwhile, the
hope of fash of illuminating light, coming
suddenly, yet by degrees, like the lightning
from the electricity which has gathered through
the summer months, slowly, and from wo-
mans heart, is a very precious thought, and
one which SO harmonizes with my own dim
anticipations, that 1 mean to let my mind
dwell on it much; for it is well to occupy ones
self with a noble hope These two thoughts
have always been to me full Of beauty and in
spiration, and it seems to me that if this
hope for the coming race, is to be anywhere
realized, it must be in that domain where wO-
man is only truly her5elf-that is in her home.
In the broad and self-annihilating interests of
a home, the shyness the self-consciousness, and
the little uncertainties which form a large part
of the makeup of every sensitively organized
woman, disappear, and in their place comes the
fine poise of a matured selfhood. Within her
own home woman finds the essential condi-
tons for her own development; here she finds
her centre, and here will she also find the
means through which she may come to be that
anticipated hope for the coming race Here,
then, where so much is found, should much be
given, and i'll forming home every woman
should aim to make it an outlet for all that is
highest in her own character; she should make
every object in it a confession of her own
spiritual nature-of her love, her faith, her
inviolable uprightness. There should be here,
first of all, a religious atmosphere-not an OBJ
trusive, dogmatic religion, that is always put
ting itself into words and protests, but a quiet,
purifying influence, as if God were a sweet
thought which were always wrapped about
one, stimulating one to all helpful endeavors.
Every home should be an unconscious educa-
ton in all that is honest, noble, and courteous
to each who may live within it. And scarcely
secondary to these moral and spiritual princi-
pies are the material aspects of home. Among
these, perhaps none will be of SO much import
ance as pure air. Nervous depression, i'll
nature, headaches, and, as physicians have
proved, scrofula and scrofulous consumption
are some OF the evils which follow in the train
Of imperfect ventilation. Both science and ex
perience have proved that the body is nour-
ished as much by air as by food, and a prudent
housekeeper will let the fresh outdoor air
sweep through her house at least once during
the day, whether the weather be warm or
damp and cold. The best time for this is in the
morning, after the breakfast-fumes have hidden
themselves in the crannies and corners and the
best part of the coffee has boiled itself away and
found Judgment in the top of the house Sitting
rooms and sleeping-rooms should be supplied
with means for the constant egreSs of bad air and
Dgress of fresh air. For this, open fireplace in
winter is best, but when this is impracticable,
q good method is to have an opening at top and
bottom made in fue, and similar opening
on the opposite side of the room. Into every
room the sunshine should come and go as it
viii; home ought to be a temple of light,
rather than a graveyard vault. The walls
should be hung with such pictures as will ap-
peal to the highest sentiments of the beholder,
and educate him in the noblest deeds and events
of the centuries. There should be plenty of
books, too, and engravings, and photographs,
chosen and distributed in such wise that all
who come may feel at once that the home which
they have entered is familiar and sincere.
There should be music n the home, for nothing
so refines the heart, soothes ill-nature, and
rounds down the corners of human character,
as melody. And flowers should not be lacking.
conservatory is like little congress of choice,
genial spirits. 1t would be well, if there could
be one in every home, and If the children
could be taught to cultivate flowers, and send
them out to brighten the rooms of the sick
and the poor. In every humane home there is
a nursery-a place somewhat isolated from the
habitable rooms-where children may find I'M
repressed outlet for the inevitable buOyant and
boisterous life of childhood. This room should
be sunshiny, and supplied with objects to amuse
and entertain its occupants, and its walls and
doors should be adorned with pretty pictures
Of nearly equal Importance with the nursery
are the servants rooms. These ought always
to be frightened up with pretty, tasteful and
convenient objects; provided with comfortable
BEDS rugs and carpets, and means for ventila-
ton. In all homes, modified family etiquette
should be observed; salutations should be ex-
tuduSCo dc tuS doSSLHDlO III tito
fast-room, and among the members of family
graceful little attentions should be extended,
and gratefully acknowledged the mistress of
the home should insist upon some change, how
ever slight, being made in the dress for dinner,
and always, when it is possible, there should
be liz the evening, if only for little while,
gathering of the family in some cheerful room.
By such means as these, are created an uncon-
scious chivalric spirit, consideration for 9TH
ers, and quiet self-respect which make dis
cord and coarseness at home almost impossible.
For general pastime, reading aloud must take
precedence for standing the test of repetition
and drawing the members of family circle
into sympathy with each other. For the
mother and daughters there should ever be in
readiness some light, pleasant hOme-occupa-
ton; something that will keep the mind from
WEAKNESS and the fingers from idleness. Lit
tie children and white-haired people are like
in home For both there should
always be room and alfectionate hearts. And
now, in word, let the Home be that place
where no secrets are withheld, where all splen
did qualities are made'tO shine, where all no.
BILE sentiments are quickened into life, and
where that hope for the coming race may
take root and ripen into perfect realization"
" You have given US substantial first course,
Holen," said Mr.. AthertOn, as Aunt Helen
ceased reading, and now let US have some
thing lighter in the shape of your Budget"
Aunt Helen now opened the package which,
at the last meeting, Mrs. Atherton had carried
away unopened. 1t was labeled "Our Nursery"
and contained @ box of dolls dressed to repre-