Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-16
BACK YARD POSSIBILITIES.
The Aaximum Of Pleasure From the Min
tmum Of Expenditure.

1hs Aaximum Of Pleasure From the Min
tmum Of Expenditure.
AMERICANS WOULD DO WELL TO FOLLOW THE *
AMPLE OF EURorEANs IN MAKING THEIR REAR
YARDS PREsxxrABLl-How n n DONE IN
B1ussxIS.
Written for The Evening Star.
A MERICANS ARE BEGINNING TO FIND
IA out that they have good deal left to learn
from the effete monarchiss Of the old world,
not only in matters Of art, but a. regards the
comforts and Injuries of life.
The most impressive lesson taught by long
residence in Europe is that Of economy-true
economy; not the going without comforts and
lu1uriss to save money, but the rigid avoid
sncs Of waste and needless expenditure Of small
sums in order to be able to spend handsomely
in other ways.
An American looks on in contemptuous
amusement at the frugal. and Is he considers
1t, mean and parsimonious habits of Europeans
OF wealth and rank in their own household, and
it 10 only after prolonged opportunities for
studying the subject that he is able to adjust
the seeming incongruity of such pettiness in
detah with such largeness in results. But the
time has come already when the Amer
lean must lay aside his lofty contempt for
small things and rearrange his habits Of life
In accordance with new conditions.
SPACE AROUND DWELLINGS.
In no particular has the American cherished
more extravagant ideas than in the matter of
space in and around his dwelling, even in
cities. But in these days when three houses
are built upon a ground plot that a few years
ago would have been occupied by one. or at the
most two, the desire to indulge in lawns and
flower gardens has been left to the millionaire
class, and the householder of moderate means
has swung into the opposite extreme and given
up all attempts at identifying the small rec
dwelling, and known, vulgarly, as the "back
yard" Without protest it is given over to
cats, clothes lines and kitchen refuse.
WHAT MEETS THE EYE
ninety-nine times out Of hundred on looking
from the back windows of an American city
house? A hideous extent Of rough board
fences and sheds, weather blackened or glow
ing with white wash and the loathsome accum-
ulatlons OF namable and unnamable refuse that
human beings are capable Of producing to a
seemingly unlimited extent. Seldom does the
eye find one green and fowery spot to rest
upon in all the vast appalling scene, yet under
that sordid loathsome surface is the warm,
fruitful bosom of nature and above arches the
kind and beautiful heaven, ready to respond to
mans will with all the beauty of the original
Eden. from which his own sins Of omission and
commission have banished him.
IN EUROPE.
Hany one believes such a,:result is impossible
let him live in almost any large or small
European city and make his observations there.
The writer draws her conclusions from per-
sonal experiences from living in different
European cities, and maintains that this trans
formation OF worse than savage wastes into
earthly paradises is not only possible but quite
practicable. In the search for apartments in
one city alone-the city Of Brussels-the
gfimpses from the windows of back rooms were
many indeed, and gave rise to the unanimous
opinion of the American party that the out
look thus obtained more than balanced any ad-
vantage belonging to the rooms looking upon
the street.
THE NvARrABLE RULE IN BRUSSELS.
The houses being invariably built on line
with the pavement, and, except upon the
boulevards, shade trees being unknown, all
that meets the eye from the front is q long
gray perspective. But from the rear windows.
what verdure, what color, what beauty! In
the first place q board fence clubhouse is
never seen; these like the houses, are built to
stay and with some view to looks as we'll as
permanence. Whether of brick or stone they
are massive and, in their way, handsome. II
there are outhouses their utilitarian purposes
are concealed by messy, vine-draped walls
and roofs made picturesque by brilliant
futed tiles. Often they are made to contain
cotes for fancy breeds Of doves and pigeons.
or perhaps an aviary filed with tropical birds.
No matter how diminutive the space inclosed
it is made to yield delight to the senses.
Against the massive walls are trained, in old
world fashion, grape vines, or pear, peach and
apricot trees, carefully pruned and loaded with
blossoms and fruit in their season. The shady
walls are tapestried with ivy. Flower beds
blaze with color and scent the air from early
spring until frost. In the center there will
be plot Of grass, no larger than a
blanket, perhaps, but as velvety and green
as the lawn Of a princess chateau. Perhaps
there will be in the middle Of this little foun-
tain of grotto work, or a tank OF gold and silver
fish, or q great globe mirror on pedestal, re-
fecting the flowers and the grass and trees, the
blue sky with its passing clouds, or the autter-
ing wings Of the fantail or pouter pigeons.
There is always q table and some chairs Of rus
tic fashion, and in the midst of all this color
and perfume and freshness the family take their
morning coffee or their evening repast, and
pater familias lounges over his paper and cigar,
enjoying his bit of nature quite as much, no
doubt, as any prince enjoys his lordly summer
residence.
POOR TASTE But WELL INTENDED.
Sometimes at the end Of the little garden the
space is filed in with the fantastic grotto work
Europeans seem to prize so much, and its ir-
regular surface, draped with vines and ferns
and dripping with moisture from sprays of
water kept constantly running, makes q de-
iciOusly refreshing background for the other
pleasant features Of the scene. Sometimes,
with questionable taste but admissible motive,
the wall at the end will be succeed and frescoed
with some view of lakes and mountains, giving,
or supposed to give, an effect Of space and
distance. We may smile at the little scenic
attempts, but must acknowledge its superiority
over q high board shed smeared over with
whitewash and dirt. Remember, these are not
the dwellings of the rich and aristocratic am
describing-they are the homes of the middle
class, the bourgeoisie.
HOW ABOUT THE LAUNDRY?
But, asks the American householder, where
do they dry the wash and put the ashes, gar
bage, &c.2
Well, to begin with, no family Of any prsten-
sions to decency has the wash done in the
house. point Of civilization we are fast
reaching, heaven be praised. Then, Is base
ment dining rooms are practically unknown,
the space usually occupied by them is given up
to the storage Of fuel and other supplies. Ali
refuse Of every description is taken to the
street nightly and removed early in the morn
ing without trouble or expense to the house
keeper.
Vagrant animals are gummarily disposed of
and no person would think Of allowing pet cats
or dogs to roam at large.
the respecting Of the personal rights Of others
49,