The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-12-07
THE AMERICAN HOME.

American upon his nrst Vlslt 10
Europe with greater force than the
lack of those comforts and conven-
fences in the dwellings of even the
wealthiest classes which in his own
country are considered indispensi-
bic necessities. We are quick to
seize upon the latest discoveries in
science and the arts which can in
any way render our homes mere at
tractive, or the cares Of housekeep-
ing less burdensome, while the more
conservative Europeans are content
to live as their fathers did before
them, and would consider it a sac
rilegious extravaganza to tear up
the floors or walls of their dwellings
for the purpose ofintroducing steam
or waterpipes. The climate of Eng
land is damp and cold, but the al
most universal way of warming is
by open fire-places of soft coal,
which usually develop much more
smoke than heat. Hot-air or steam
furnaces are practically unknown,
and the only means of heating rail
way carriages is by cans of hot
water placed upon the floor. I'm
der favorable circumstances, these
will sometimes prevent the soles of
ones feet from freezing, but their
influence rarely extends any fur
ther. Only the very wealthiest per-
sons abroad allow themselves the
luxury Of a private bathroom, and
the idea of set bowl, with hot and
cold faucets, in a sleeping
chamber, is a refinement Of effemi-
macy and extravaganza at which
even a monarch would hesitate.
The houses of London are provided
with tank, into which the water
is allowed to flow for certain length
of time every day, after which it is
turned off, and there is no more to
be had until the visit Of the water
company's official the next day.
The bedroom CANDLE" to which
such constant allusion is made in
foreign novels, is no figure of speech,
but very disagreeable reality, for
gas is rarely or never introduced
into sleeping-rooms. A modern
American house, with all the re-
cent improvements, is most Won
derful affair, and an inspection
while being constructed gives one
good idea of the extent to which the
arts and sciences are applied to
minister to our comfort. The space
between the walls is crowded with
tubes and pipes of every descrip-
ton. Steam, gas, hot and cold
water are carried to all parts of the
building, speaking tubes and ven-
tilating shafts are connected with
every room, while great cables of
insulated wire as large as ships
hawser illustrate the manifold uses
to which electricity may be put.
Call-bells, automatic gas-lighting
and incandescent lamps are only a
few Of these applications, and the
day is not far distant when some
simple form of electric motor to
run the sewing machine and furnish
q supply Of power for many other
purposes will be foundin every first
class dwelling. AS regards sanitary
and drainage arrangements, their
construction has become a science
in itself. Take it all together, the
American householder has no cause
to regret his lot. A recent writer
has said that in some things we are
measurably behind the Europeans,
but in many things we are immeas-
urably ahead Of them, and in no
respect is this more true than in
our domestic arrangements. 1t may
be safely said that there is not
royal palace in all Great Britain or
Europe which is as luxurious, or
even comfortable, as the house of
the average American of moderate
means, and in no country in the
world is the greatest blessing of
life-a happy and comfortable