The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-23
Summering At Home

"How delightful 1t is to be granted the privilege of spending a summer at home, said a very charming woman in a group of "stay-at-homes," recently.
 T am strictly winter traveller, having come to this conclusion after years of summer resort life and being absolutely bored to a frazzle with it. Continuing, the speaker said:
 ..Beng penned up in hot, stuffy hotel rooms, always on dress parade, being agreeable to scores of people whom you never expect to see again, and are glad of it. these and thousand and one other reasons have made me make up my mind never to leave my own home in the sum- mer again unless it is a case of absolute necessity"
 The sentiment was voiced by half a dozen other women in the party, of whom 1t may be truthfully said, Tt is not case of sour grapes,' but really matter of preference.
 We recall our friend, Mrs. Burlington, who gave vent to her feelings on the sub ject in very much the same way, but couched in very different verbiage. When questioned about her trip to the seaside, the deleetable lady remarked:
 ''Yes, I've been to a seaside retort have had my summer extortion, and must confess my anticipations surpassed my eX- pectations. To people in indignant cir eumstances tl1e recommendations might be satisfaetory but it is beyond my repre- hension how people of effulgence-people who have lugubrious homes, surmounted by all that embezzles civilize life-can put up in such caverns. They must have inverted tastes"
 Just think of the many delightful things a woman can do who stays at home in the summerl The world of read ing fancy work, preserving, pickling, sewing, household work and scores Of other things!
 In the winter one has very little time for things of this kind. All of the clubs are in full blast, society consumes ones time with its numerous bridge parties, dinner parties, luncheons, cotillons, re- captions and teas, so that the really sub- stantial things often neglected
 In the line of reading, for instance, q isn't it lovely to have a comfortable ham, mock on prettily furnished porch, screened in and charmingly arranged with all sorts of attractive things to take ones ease in and read reread some Of the old favorites?
 Make acquaintance all over again with Dickens and his charming family; go through the ceremony of an introduction 10 Richardson and his Sir Charles Grandi- son, Clarissa Harlowe and Pamela. Meet Dinah and sweet Maggie Tulliver, and love George Elliot more dearly than ever; live in the days of Cardinal Rohan, the DuBarry Louis and Marie Antoinette, Gagliostro. and the interesting enyirons which Dumas knew so well how to depict. Take up "The Spectator and ''The Let ters of Junius,'' and make acquaintance double close with the situation of the times and policies of the people who made history during that epoch.
 Enjoy big brusque Dr. Johnson and ap- preciate the keen humor that prompted the doctors answer to William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, when he had made ms famous speech in answer to Walpole' ana which pr. Johnson reported in his own language.
 Said Pitt to Johnson:
 sir. I do not remember having used exactly that expression
 Said the burly doctor:
 ..Sir. it is barely possible that you did not use the language as l have written 1t, but you should
 What Pitt probably said was; It IS true I am young, yet I'll get over that; but the man who is fool will propaply remain one all his days
 Can any one fail to enjoy Dr. Jonnsoh transformation of these words?
 Near this group one will find Burke Mrs Thrale, Goldsmith, the blue stochins Montago, and the poet Gray.
 Says the latter to Horace Walpole:
 And who is yon little pompous, shai- low person?"
 That" says Walpole. lis called Bos- we'll, whose only redeemlnS vice IS hi9 hatred for Goldsmith
 g1imnse at Emerson will convince one of the truth of his statement that it Is easy in the world to live after the worlds opinion; it is easy in solitude 10 live after our own; but the great man IS he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the lndepenoehce of solitude."
 Not satisfied with this, let us take a modicum of philosophy from Marcus Au- relius and having done so pick up some thing in a lighter ven-Bulwer, TOT m stance. and realize that after all, amoi- ton is the best mistess to woo; TOT with her it is always the pursuit and never tne possession," quoting Randall, who made ..NIv Novel;, one of the most likable of books
 Oh, isn't it delicious to have the privi- leee of spending hours again with those old friends-many of them of our child hood-in the calm of summers morning when all is hushed and sweet!
 After little reading to Wh1ch couple of hours each day may be de- voted the clever woman busies herself with the loveliest hand work. Quanti- ties of embroidered lingerie, daintily fashioned shirt waits of the hnesT linens, and the prettiest Battenburs pieces for the table are easily accom- nlished in the leisure of summer at home. Of course tn csc duties are entirety self-imposed--if duties they are. Every one strives to have a happy, qu1el time in the summer-to do as little as possible and take life easy.
 Think of your mercies," is piece or advice that behooyes every woman to remember who summers at home
 The stay home is spared so many inconveniences, and really has every thing to make her happy. Her own tub every day, with quantities of hot and cold water, ice plentiful, great variety of food stuffs procurable, her own comfortable bed and luxurious big rocking chairs and cozy corners to rest in, and in many ways science and