Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-02-08
CHAPTER x.

lures of the provinces, little way
i from some baths frequented by
the emperor, there was mayor. very
worthy man and intelligent, too. whose
head was suddenly turned by the
thought that his sovereign might one
day descend upon his home. Up to this
time he had lived in the house of his
fathers, a son respectful of the slight
est family traditions. But when once
the all absorbing idea of receiving the
emperor had taken possession of his
brain he became another man. In this
new light what had before seemed suf-
dcient for his needs, even enjoyable,
oil this simplicity that his ancestors
had loved, appeared poor. ugly, ridicu-
lous. Out Of the question to ask ON en-
peror to climb this wooden staircase,
sit In these old armchairs, walk over
such superannuated carpets. So tine
mayor called architect and masons;
pickaxes attacked walls and demolish-
ed partitions, and a drawing room was
made out of all proportion to the rest
Of the house in size and splendor. He
and his family retired into close quar-
tiers, where people and furniture In
commoded each other generally. Then,
having emptied his purse and upset his
household by this stroke of genius, he
awaited the royal guest Alas. he soon
saw the end Of the empire arrive, but
the emperor never.
The folly Of this poor man is not so
rare. As mad rs he are all those who
sacrifice their home life 20 the de-
mands of the world. And the danger
In such a sacrifice Is most menacing in
times Of unrest. Our contemporaries
are constantly exposed to 1t and con-
stantly succumbing. How many fami-
ly treasures have they literally thrown
away to satisfy worldly ambitions and
conventions, but the happiness upon
which they thought to come through
these impious immolations always
eludes them.
To give up the ancestral hearth, to
let the family traditions fall into des-
uetude, to abandon the simple domes-
tic customs, for whatever return is to
make FOOLS bargain, and such is the
place in society of family life that IL
this be impoverished the trouble Is felt
throughout the whole social organism.
To enjoy normal development this
organism has need of well tried indl-
viduals. each having his own value, his
own hall mark Otherwise society be-
comes flock, and sometimes a flock
without shepherd. But whence does
the Individual draw his originality,
this unique something which, joined to
the distinctive qualities of others, con-
stitutes the wealth and strength of
community? He can draw 1t only
rom his own family. Destroy the as
emblage of memories and practices
hence emanates for each home an
tmosphere In miniature. and you dry
the sources of character, sap the
tength of public spirit
concerns the country that each
h1e be world, profound. respected.
Gmunicating to Its members an In
eeeable moral imprint. But before
p,uing the subject further let us rid
oelves Of a misunderstanding Fam
ilseling, like all beautiful things, has
itsricature, which is family egoism.
Sc families are like barred and bolt
euadels. their members organized
Zoe exploitation of the whole world.
ENthlng that does not directly con-
cehem Is Indifferent to them. They
hSke colonists-I had almost said
iners-in the society around them.
Ihparticularism is pushed to such
aness that they make enemies of
tntple human race. In their small
waey resemble those powerful so
ce'formed from time to time
hr' the ages which possess them
SEW universal rule and for which
no outside their own community
cou This is the spirit that has
SONS made the family seem re-
treaiegoism which 1t was neces-
saryfstroy for the public safety.
But triotism and jingoism are as
Tar hs the east from the west so
are 4 feeling and clannishness.
He are talking of right family
1eeIlt nothing else in the world
can y place, for In 1t lie in germ
all uheNand simple virtues which
assu1 strength and duration of
sociatutons. And the very base
OF iafe,ling is respect for the
past, PIE best possessions of
faHiilts common memories. An
lntananivisible and inalienable
capltase souvenirs constitute 4
sacred bat each member Of
1amllSitto consider more pre-
clous nthing else he possesses.
Ihey ? ,dual form, in idea and
In facS how themselves in Ian
guage..s I thought, sentiments,
even ", I'D one sees them ma
teriair7orfaits, furniture, build
ings, Com. To profane eyes
they aHngto the eyes of those
who ky appreciate the things
OF they ley are relics with
which pldpt part at any price.
But Nnenly happens In our
dayf hessTars upon the SEN
timent aly, md I know of no
strife mpasioned. By great