Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-17
HOMES IN GERMANY.
A Pen Picture of Frugality, Com
fort, and Domestic Contentment
In the Fatheriand.

Most people are inclined 10 value a mouse,
either with reference TO the impression that
its exterior will probably make upon an OBJ
servant ser-by, or with reference TO its
fitness 10 the needs and 10 the development
OF its occupants.
To those who regard only external aspect,
a German house will generally appear 10 be
a cold and repellaut object, and very grim
and formidable does the average German
residence stand, nearly devoid of architect
ural adornment, gloomy court in front,
huge front doorway, and long rows OF mar
row. meaningless windows yawning along
its bare, unsympathetic looking sides.
Within these sOmber buildi ngs story rises
| above story, each one occup ed by distinct
family, while the lower hall is generally
used "a n carriage house or wine store or
is applied TO some other economical purpose.
| But once having gotten above the damp and
gloomy ground hall, and having crossed the
vorplatz. or inner vestibule, which guards
the entrance into the private rooms Of each
story, the visitor finds himself in such
nest of comfort, Of simple home made
beauty, that he can scarcely express an eX
clamation of delight II he enter the
parlor there is the pretty floor of mosaic or
of plain wood highly waxed and polished,
honor in German house the generous
sized table, around which family ard guests
are wont 10 gather in the evenings with
knitting sewing, or embroidery, while music
or read n from some appointed member of
the circle or pleasant talk among all rob
the hours OF even the semblance of toll.
OF music there Is always sure 10 be IA good
share in these German homes-music from
ha oil 70 p Vhtr Inn IN
suit every mood sparkling ance-music,
and grand old church hymns. Books aud
engravings are there as If to establish kin
ship between the family and the new
conner, and all about the room are quaint
and beautiful objects, wrought by the deft
hngers OF some friend or SOM member OF the
family. If the visitor pass INTO the Sit ny
room or into the dining groom, there family
pctures, often with beautiful faces always
W tn quaint costumes, look down upon him:
dainty articles OF home creation, and the
same simple homely arrangement Of
things gree him here a. IN the par
lJr and should he pass into the
kitchen, he would behold shining floor,
spo'less dresser, rows Of glistening pans,
and oddly shaped crOcheryware prlmly
ranged on shelves and cupboard Where.
ever space admits the German house has,
| opening from the dining-rOom, a little bal
Cony where the family drink coffee and
spend the leisure hours of the day: and
.
. court screened from the street, gay with
plants and blooming flowers and furnished
with seats and tables ana here in pleasant
weather the family have their coifee-drink-
inCs and often, also, here the. take their
meals. Indeed in many Instances where
the balcony or the court is impract clbie the
German house holder has fashioned the
roof of his high house into pOrtico. Here
the coffee IS served, and as the twilight APP
proaches lighted lamps are brought up and
rrf ~ ms n a SIR
walk spend the long summer evenings in
conversation, In singing or in reading. The
whole aim of the Germans seems TO be 10
beautifY and TO simplify existence. They
give TO the COmmoncst things "A kind of
poetry. Conversation constitutes their
chief home pleasure. In all gatherings and
at all table repasts this is the thing 10 be
made sure We have known German wo-
men, simple and transformations in manner,
thoroughly skilled in all housewifely virtues,
yet so convesant with the poetry, with the
history, and with the philosophy Of their
own land that conversation with them has
been as refreshing as with spiritual sa-
want
A feature of the German home and one
which is distinCtively feminine, is the kranz
or circle, 10 which the mothers and the
daughters OF the family belong. The mem
bershp is not circumscribed and may con
sst of only two members. II is seldom that
mother ,snd daughters belong TO the same
circle; the elderly ladies usually belong TO
one kranl. while the younger ladies belong
10 another. On fixed day of each week
the circle meets at the house of one Of the
members. In south Germany the hour is .
usually $ ocoCk in the afternoon. When
the members are assembled the hostess leads
the way into the dining room, where stands
"A daintilv- spread table. Cofee-such as
only Germans can make-s brought in and
served with coffee cakes; sometimes, but
rarely, fruit or whipped cream, In imitation
Of ice cream, is added as "A second course.
The refreshments are always OF the very
simplest character, II being obV iOuSly the
intent on OF each hostess 10 win prestige
through the per 'onality Of herself and other
guests rather than through the tr.umphs Of
a caterer.
At these weekly coffee drinltings there is
nolaggug in the conversation between those
gathered around the table. The elderly
ladies discuss in turn the crops, the govern
meut OF children, the servants, the little pc
culiarities of their own and Of their neigh
bors' husbands, the last book, the latest
opera, the tests in the last number of
kladderaleutsch, the emperor Bismarck,
the sayings and dongs at court. And all
this often with wit. but always with vivac-
ity that comes with personal sympathy.
When the refreshments are removed the
members remain seated at the table. Some
times one Of the ladies will read aloud,
sometimes one will go into the drawing
room and entertain with vocal or with
instrumental music the others, who are
/ busilY engaged in knitting, or in embroidery,
or all will remain seated at the table until
/ the hour for adieuX has come
The lIranz of the younger ladies will meet
nj the same hour Of some other day OF per
manent appointment One can inn CINE the
merry repartees, the chattcring The gossip
ng-harmless we hope-whiCh distinguish
these feminine gatherings, Generally
refreshments all the members of this
younger kranz will leave the table, enter
the drawing room. and spend the remainder
of the evening in music, in charades, or in
games
The Germans as q nation are poor but
/ their means are ade Iutie because their Joys
are simple and because they have mastered
the secret Of making very little money 20
great way in producing comfort and beauty
They mako money slowly and spend it
deliberately. They economic openly and
without embarrassment. A German retires
on a fortune of 5000 and 10 him $4,000
seems very large sum. The wives and
daughters are willing conservators of the
means which their protectors have gained
by inherit ance or by the work of brain or Of
hands. They dress simply for the prom
enade, for concerts: and even for the opera