Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-03-13
THE AMERICAN HOME.
1t is a Wonderful Affair, Where Contrased
With Foreign Homes.

Nothing strikes an observing American
upon his first visit to Europe with greater
force than the lack of those comforts and
conveniences in the dwellings of even the
wealthiest classes which in his own country
are considered indispensable necessities.
We are quick to seize up the latest dis
CO veries In science and the arts which can
in any way render our homes more attract
i've, or the cares Of housekeeping less bur-
1ensome while the more conservative
Europeans are content to live as their
fathers did before them, and would consider
it a sacrlleglOus extravaganza to tear up
the floors or walls of their dwellings for
the purpose of introducing steam or water
pipes. The climate of England is damp
and cold, butsthe almost universal way of
warming is by open fre-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 railway carriages is by cans of
hot water placed upon the floor. Under
favorable circumstances, these will some
times prevents the souls of ones feet from
freezing but their iffuence rarely extends
any further, Only the very wealthest
persons allow themselves the luxury of
private bath room, and the idea of a set
bowl with hot and cold water faucets in
sleeping chamber is a refinment of effem-
macy and extravagace at which even
monarch would hesitate The houses of
London are provided with tank, into
which the water is allowed to flow for a
certain lenght of time every day, after
which it is turned off and there is no more
to be had until the visit of the water COM
pany's official the next day. The 'bed
room candle, to which such constant al
fusion is made In foreign novels, in no fig
ire of speech, but very disagreeable re-
allty. for gas is rarely or never introduced
ito sleeping rooms.
A modern American house, with all the
ecent improvements. Is most wonderful
affair, and an inspector while being con-
structed gives one a good idea of the ex-
teet to which the arts and science are APP
piled to minister to our comfort. The
space between the walls is crowded with
tubs and pipes ofevery description. Steam,
gas, hot and cold water are carried to all
parks of the building, speaking-tubes and
ventilating shafts are connected with every
room, while great cables of insulated wires
as large as ships hawser Illustrate the
manifold uses to which electricity may be
out. Call bells, automatic gas lighting
AiACSt11CtOoSC1Ab rtIC IL" VI
these applications, and the day is not far
distant when some simple form of electric
motor to run the sewing machine and fur
nish supply of power for many other
purposes will be found In every frst-class
dwelling. As regards sanitary and
drainage arrangements, their construction
has become a science in itself, Take it
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 immeasurably
ahead Of them, and in no respect is this
more true than In our domestic arrange
ments 1t may be safely to say that there
is not royal palace in all Great Britain or
Europe which is as luxurious, or even as
comfortable as the house Of the average
American of moderate means, and in no
country in the world is the greatest bless
ing of life-a happy and comfortable home
so readily within reach of all, as in our
own land.