The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-01


arrangement where the scant sash, curtains
and blinds hardly conceal one from being
overlooked evil of thiclly-populated
neighborhoods against which the English so
protest.
SCARCITY OF ESSENTIALS.
There is a decided lack of liberalty in the
furnishing Of linens. towels and ped linen.
an abundant supply of which Americans
consider not luxury but a necessity. The
regular allowance in lodgings. and even in
the smaller hotels is two hand towels and
one bath towel per week. and if this allow
anee is increased, as Americans usually in
sist il must be, ehe additional supply will be
charged in the weekly bill. and at a rate
that seems anything but reasonable The
beds are frequently supplied with the most
luxurious eiderdown quilts. but the sheets
and pillow cases viii be neglected on every
possible pretext, unless one insists upon the
proper changes being made English houses
are seldom ever well swept. Servants. as a
rule are left to themselves, and seldom
have much supervision. Few English women
would think Of remedying the neglect of the
hOusemaid as an energetic and order-loving
American hOusekeeper would do in an emer-
gency, If cleanliness and tidiness could not
otherwise be secured. To begir with the
English broom. which is like that used with
as to sweep down walls. is heavy and awk-
ward, and absOrbs more dust than it re-
moves 1t is not possible to sweep with it
in the corners and along the edges of car
pets which are generally in many houses
gray with lint. An immense amount of time
and energy are consumed in polishing the
brass doorknob and knocker, and in bath
stoniHg tsse door steps, but sweeping as a
fine art is unknown in any but the very best
English houses
To the American eye English drawing
rooms are much too crowded with furniture
and bric-a-brac chairs divans and tables
that stand all about the latter loaded with
china and other fragile articles that are
easily brushed off or broken. There is INSULT
eient space. so that the best effect is lost,
and one moves about cautiously as in an
overgrown and briary wilderness This is
true even in modern houses from which the
primary colors and overloaded etageres have
now been banished
The kitchen lacks much that an American
housekeeper demands as essential; in Lon
don it is apt to be too small and badly
lighted; nevertheless, as one looks down the
area there is always to be seen, with GER
tain cheerful attractiveness, rows of bur-
nished plates on the dresser shelves. WELL
secured tables, sometimes covered with the
raw material for the family dinner or neatly
laid for servants breakfast, with the cooks
sleek cat curled up on the window SILL The
range, however. CLOVIS with inextinguish-
able fires, and this explains why there must
be so much economy practiced in the bed
chambers and drawing rooms. Ranges heat
ed with fuel gas, however. are slowly COM
ing into vogue. and they are both economi-
cal and convenient. In the smaller flats
those of four or five rooms-there is a very
odd contrivance to limit consumption of
fuel; this is an invention resembling the slot
machine that one sees everywhere in Lon
don. The pennies are piled upon the back
of the little stove and are fed into the slot.
one at time. the gas burning until just one
penny's worth has been consumed. when the
machine must be replenished with another
coin.
1t might appear almost, that an English
house had no attractions at ALL but there
are few that do not possess a cheerfulness
and comfort that are peculiarly their own
Even in lodgings one will find good engrav-
ings, writing materials, pens that can be
used and ink that will flow, blotting pads
and an up-to-date calendar. There are few
good English hotels, even in the provincial
towns, that have not good libraries, the
books being at the service of the guests, and
without charge. There are always flowers
in abundance. fragrant, fresh and exquisitely
arranged in bowls and vases or on mantels.
tables and window stills. This universal
taste, of itself, is like charity in that it COW
ers a multitude of domestic sins
MARY II. KROUT.