Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-09-07

All, were we judged by what we might have
been
And not by what we are-too apt 10 fall!
My little son-he sleeps and smiles between
These thoughts and me. In heaven we shall
know all.
THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF woMAN's LIFE.
Women may be emotional and vivacious,
while men may be more self-possessed and
grave, yet in the matter of work woman
proves her worth as compeer. 1t is easy
to agree with one who recently wrote on
"Woman's Work." as pertaining to fancy
work. Some phases of fancy work have
been dropped into oblivion which may
have shown some ingenuity, but no art in
the truest sense. This matter of fancy
work, however, is but side issue as con-
nected with womans work There are
women, however, who do earn their daily
bread in this line. The most artistic part
of it is done for private wealthy patrons.
The choicest designs and combinations of
color and material are not exhibited in the
average parlor. In the particular accept
alton Of the term of fancy work it is
not necessary to regard it in the light of
high art. Home art may include fancy
work in its simplest pretensions but if
high art is sought one must go higher
than the average means will permit High
art may be seen, but not possessed by the
average beholder. A Vanderbilt may pay
$4,000 for two sheep and four cows on
canvas, and consider it but small pur-
chase in the realms of high art Another
person wishing for something akin to high
art, is blighted in the wish for the real, SO
buys plaster of paris figure containing
some pretense to symmetry of form, drapes
it with gossamer texture and places it in
shady corner on a dark pedestal This
is a compromise between high and home
art. The decorative art has, indeed, de-
luged some of our modern homes with a
wearisome amount Of "crewel-ty." Flosses,
whole and split, stemmed and knotted,
shaded and plain, nave found resting
places on everything from foot-rest to the
lamp-shade. Whatever crewels and flosses
have left undone paints have finished. Yet
we would not eschew the use of them.
There is scarcely home but that needs |
frightening, and if we cannot have gobein
tapestry and Turkish rugs, it may be well
to have the next best that we can.
There is judicious use of taste to be
exercised in the realm of fancy work, to
secure service and durability In color and
material The "woman of leisure" is not
the average woman. The greater number
of women do not experience the relaxation
that a piece of fancy work may offer, SO
urgent are their daily duties. A company
of ladies rusticating at country resort Is
not the facsimile ofthe world of women at
all. 1t is not probable that women of any
meritorious degree carry their better ener-
gies to any summer resort. What fancy
work may be to women there the narcotic
elements of the choice Havana may be 10
our gentlemen friends in moments of
leisure. One may be rs absorbed in
breathing wreaths into the air as the other
Is In weaving colors into canvas, and both
be oblivious Of a fine sunset. One may
rise early and tramp miles for trout, and
be singularly unmindful, ignorant, prob
ably, OF the attractive fauna and fora of
the surrounding locality. Women do
som times plan to wake early and from
the windows watch the dawn of day IL
lumine the sea and mountain, but do not
always mention the fact. A woman does
sometime, in fact often times, commune
with nature, and delight in the sunset
hues that dye the sea and sky. Her eye
for colors is not all for worsteds. The two
months that come in midsummer are an
important epoch in the life of the average
woman. The ten preceding months have
been filled with cares that follow the
changing seasons as surely as night follows
day.
THE IDEAL SLEEPING-RooM.
The ideal sleeping-room" will face the |
east. II will be not less than fifteen feet |
square, with windows on two sides for |
light and ventilation. For further yentila-
tiOn it will have an open fireplace. The |
walls will be hard-inished and tinted |
color that will be restful to the eyes. |
The wood. work will be finished in its |
natural colors, paint not being admitted. |
The floor viii be of hard, polished wood, |
with small rugs for comfort that are shake |
able weekly. Everything that will invite |
dust will be strictly excluded, therefore |
the furniture will have not extra cary
ings. The one hair mattress will be of |
the best quality, made in two parts for con-
nenience in turning and airing, with |
woyen.wire spring beneath. The bed |
clothing will be the lightest, at the same |
time the warmest, consisting Of blankets |
and white spread. All extra adornments |
of lambrequins and fancy things of no use |
will not find place here. The curtains |
will be of thin, washable material
The coming woman will plan to have |
her bed pet away from the wall for heslth's |
sake as well as for convenience. Modern |
"conyeniences' will be let alone as far as
stationary wash-bowl is concerned, the |
portable wash-bowl being used instead,
she preferring to do little extra work to |
being slowly and genteelly poisoned. |
Her bed will be well spread open the first
thing in the morning, the sunshine
and air being invited to do their part in
airing and cleansing the same, and the
making of the bed being the last of the
mornings duties.
THE COMING WOMAN"
VIII plan big closet in each sleeping
room, with a window for ventilation, if
this be possible. 1t will not be a receipt
acle for old boots and shoes, nor antiquated
bonnets hats and soiled clothes. There
will be plenty of hooks for her to reach
not the carpenter-not forgetting to put
those in the children's closet at suitable
hight for them. The children will be re-
membered in this house, and will have a
room, with hardwood foor where all
their belongings can be kept, and they can
play to their hearts content without being
told not to do this or that for fear of hurt |
ing the carpet or furniture; where every
thing shall be usable ana bangable, plenty |
of old chairs and boxes for steam-cars and |
L Al 4