Woman's chronicle. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1888-1???, 1889-09-14
Essentials and Details.

DIS
of the most important factors of success.
True, he who considers essentials only, produces
that which is destitute OF loneliness and wanting
in the fine completeness OF finished work. But he
gives to details the preponde1ance of his consider
alton, sinks his undertaking into fOrmless result
wholly wanting the vital inspiration of motive.
A painter in portraying the human form, does
not picture forth skeleton; neither does he paint
a formless mass of perfectly tinted or textured
flesh, but giving each its proper placing, he pro-
duces such representation as touches the be-
holder with the very spirit of truth
Nowhere is it more difficult to recognize and
hold to the proper and fitting distinction between
an excess and deficit of detail, than in the house,
hold. So much of the comfort and cheer of
everybody living, depends on the careful doing of
such an infinite number of little things, that at
first casual consideration itwoud seem that house.
keeping is simply an aggregation of detail and
nothing more.
cit is the motive which determines the dignity
of the deed" said Emerson, and it is only by con-
stantly keeping in view the true end and aim of
home; the viewless but ever essential motive for
which it upbult, that the mistress of it can steer
clear of the Scyla of essentials on one hand, and
the Charybdis of details on the other, into the
safe waters of golden mean, which shall make
her house the most restful and charming spot in
the world to her family.
1t is not necessary for the center to look after
the circumference. If the center is correct the
circumference will adjust itself 1t is therefore of
first Importance that housekeeper should bear in
mind that she is the head air. directing spirit of
her little realm, and as such sustains a grave re-
sponsbity and also that t Re home over which
she presdes is for the highdlt and most harmo-
faious Development aUnttsrl ~ or !
her household.
"Dirt is only matter out of place" but matter
out Of place disturbs the divine law of order, which
preserves the universe from destruction. Yet de-
desirable as is cleanliness and order, when 'these
twin elements of comfort are made an end rather
than means to an end of housekeeping, the result
is often more destructive of home comfort than is
the slovenly disorder, which leaves possibly some
freedom, some motive less beittling than constant
mindfulness of The condition of household belong
ings
A home is not simply place in which to eat and
sleep and be sheltered and the housekeeper who
allows "much serving" to deprive her entirely of
time for the self culture, which will enable her
to not only understand the best methods in all
that pertains to the complicated requirements of
housekeeping, but also to be an intelligent COM
panion to her husband and children, is sacrificing
the most important essential to details.
Better that there should not be tidy in the
house, bit of trimming on Suse's clothes, nor
shams on the boys bed better even that the silver
should not be cleaned once month, and that there
should be no desert for many dinners, than that
the mistress of home should become little better
than an upper servant, treated with tolerant dis
respect by those whom it is her right and priv
iege to lead to higher ideals and to strong and
wholesome living
The endless diversity of the environments and
conditions of life make hard-and-fast rules quite
impossible. Each must be their own Judge, but
in determining the relative claims of essentials and
details it will assist the housekeeper in arriving at
a just and wise distinction, to bear in mind that
home should be the fountain of courage hope and