Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-10

: IA
about the necessity OF art cul-
FAS ture, and the desirability of
Nv scientific knowledge. to enable
many people to pass success
fully through life, but few people look upon
It now as important to make home life a
success.
From the material side, little now is man
nfaCtured at home. for housewffely arts are
becoming things of the past. My daugh-
ters like games. and we buy what we want
from the shops a lady said to me a little
time ago. But in earlier days the duties of
household were not so easily or careless
y performed. In the XVIII and XVIIth
centuries each country house was a separate
and often a complete community, and the
Chat elaine at its head saw after many
things, among humble ones, to the storing
or the gathered fruits and roots. She also,
IN many cases. gave out the stores superin-
tended all culinary arrangements, made her
own wines and perfumes, and culled for
medicine the herbs In her physic garden.
Besides this all the linen of the house was
spun by herself and her maidens. In fact,
HE was indeed then a fine art in the homes
OF England John Evelyn. speaking of
MIS- Godolphfn. exclaims. in a rapture of
admiration: "She was the best wife, the
best mistress, the best friend that ever hus-
band had He tells us also that Ito the
poore and miserable she an irreparable
her affairs into exact order.
, Again, among women who ordered their
homes wen Evelyn speaks highly of his
mother. She was esteemed in all the coun-
Try side,' he writes, for her economy and
prudence
In those days ladies were proud of ad-
mlnisJering we'll their households The
Countess of Sutherland, in the reign of
james II, contemporary tells us. gov
erued her household without ostentation |
but that all at Althorp was substantially
great and noble under her rule. The mer-
est servant we are told, was lodged neat !
and cIeanly" In a word "the entire econ |
omy was perfectly becoming a wise and |
noble person"
Besides housewlfely arts, beautiful and |
delicate needlework considered a |
charming pastime for ladies. Various men, !
bers of the Verney family worked great |
wrought sheets" or Coverlets and most of |
the maidens and gentlemen sang prettily, |
and played on Lutte or harpsichOrd, and some |
OF them were probably accomplished as |
lovely Mary Evelyn. that sweet child, |
whose piety, virtue and beauty were said |
TO have been Incompatible" And last and |
not least of the reCreatiOns then in vogue !
there was high and noble conversation" |
a fl and delightful accomplishment for man |
and woman.
The great minister OF the Hague wrote |
that all good and great things In the world |
are brought to pass by care and order, and |
that the end of all wisdom is happiness"
How to be happy in daily life is a big |
thing, the biggest thing perhaps we can !
ponder over on this earth, and yet one that |
few people pause to consider in the hurry |
and press of life For the true end of |
riches (next to doing good Is ease and |
pleasure, whereas so often We find by the |
increase of modern wealth only a greater
amount of care and trouble"
To be rich wisely. living at times almost |
austerely, is the great secret we suspect |
FOR as has been justly said. the fool thinks |
az what he wants. the philosopher of what |
lie can do without and only very wise folk |
know how to reap the fullest harvest of
golden ears"
We all of us have different aspirations in |
home, and yet how to give freedom and |
fair play to all are grave considerations |
Taste, culture, high thinking blended by |
kindness. these are the evidences OF happy |
home life and even the youngest of US |
would do well sometimes to read a little of |
the best books, so that he may not go t
through life thinking Shakespeare, in the |
words of George II, nothing but a bombast
fellow
The greatest pleasure of life is love. the /
greatest measure Contentment, the greatest |
possession health, the greatest ease sleep |
and the grea test medicine, a true friend"
Friendship is said to be out Of date Few
people now have leisure for friendship It /
l. said-acquaintances do instead. We are |
perhaps In too great hurry for so sweet |
tie. 1t must always be remembered that |
real friendship, as DR. King wrote, is only |
possible between natures Of the greatest |
virtue generosity. truth and honor. Yet to |
noble natures a deep friendship has many I
virtues. 1T is healthy and sovereign for the |
understanding, and better still in the words |
OF the great chancellor. "A true friend |
lnaketh a fair day in the affections from !
storm and tempest" yet few people culti- |
vate the friendship of their nearest. MANI