The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-05-15
r. ITO 20.
OuseflOld
4 a No 90 OBJ
HOW THE NEGLECTED "BOY'S
ROOM" SHOULD BE CARED FOR.

Someway in setting tie house after the
spring cleaning the boys room is too fire.
quently the one which is kept bare of deco
ration and beauty. | think this is mis-
take. Boys appreciate fine distinctions,
and if the amenities of life are left out in
dealing with them they may grow to be
fine, manly, sturdy fellows, but gentle
manly boys-never. But boy who has q
room which has been specially prepared for
him, and whose tastes have been consulted
in the decorations and furnishings of it
learns to take pride in it. He feels that it is
his sanctum. Here he gathers together the
treasures most dear to his boyish heart,
free play. 1t is an interesting thing to visit
boys room, or perhaps | should say boys
rooms. For different members of the sex
vary greatly in their tastes and habits. II
it is ever your fortune to 90 through the
dormitorits of a large boys boarding
school, or yet those OF college, you will
readily understand this.
There is the room OF the neat boy, whose
effects are arranged with precision; there is
the one of the careless boy, whose room is
a yeritable liberty hall There is the room
of the young dude, whose arrangement OF
neckties around his looking glass alone
would proclaim his natural bcsit. Then
the occupant OF this one has fine artistic
tastes; the dweler in that one is very fond
OF dogs, while across the hall is the sane
tum Of the hoy who is very fond Of games.
There is no end to the variety OF the genius
boy. And it is wise mother who studies
her boy 5 tastes and fixes his room accord
ingly.
The idea that anything is good enough
for a boy, hose&eepers should eliminate
from their minds. Anything is not good
enough for boy. To he trained into
refined habits boys need refining influences,
And Il mother can do much toward molding
the bent of her young sons mind by suit
ably furnishing and decorating his room.
\ rack for books with his pet volume
upon it, few good pictures, and such
appliances for physical comfort and cleanl-
ness as the young human animals need to
keep them licked into shape ought to he in
the room of every boy. Boys belonging to
any but wealthy families must clean their
own boots, brush their own clothes and
look after their own appliances themselves.
Let all boys be provided with necessary
means for doing this. Let them have their
backing boxes in convenient receptacle.
And give them plenty OF whisk brooms.
\ set of shelves over the washstand, on
which is placed a small bottle of ammonia
eau dc cologne, pumce stone and bowl OF
yellow meal, will aid boy in keeping his
hands in a presentable condition. All the
little habits OF cleanliness have doubtless
been acquired in the nursery before boy
is old enough to aspire to the dignity OF Il
room. Yet some Of the neat ways will not
be kept up by many boys unless their
surroundings are favorable.
A boy usually takes much pride in a
nice room. He enjoys cleanliness and
order, and is not one whit behind his sister
in the appreciation of artistic surroundings.
Therefore, by all means let them have
Decentralization at Work.