Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-14

Windows stare at one along all the
streets, but one seldom stops to think
about windows. they are so common
and so ever-present so innocuous in
themselves, with their age-old lines
their shining glass, their curtains and
their shades
Yet windows, rightly considered, are
seen to be more than holes in houses
They are the symbols of increasing
happiness In the life of mankind. Mans
civilization Is measured by his windows
All one has to do is to think of an
Indian tepee. without any windows al
all, to realize the immeasurable gain
marked by the modern dwelling. Office
or factory, with its large total OF wall
space given over to clear glass,
II the eye has been called the window
OF the soul, the window may be called
the soul of the house. since 1t expresses
the best there Is In the house The
astute observer may go along the streets
and judge OF the inhabitants thereof by
the state Of their window paneS, and If
he makes some mistakes, they will be
inevitable, but will not vitiate his
theory.
Dirty windows. streaked and soiled
with dust, show more than lack Of soap
and water. Clean windows, on the other
hand. tell of qualities of mind and soul
which may or may not be so. Really.
one must never be critical when max
ing such general observations. Only
certain surface conditions count. Given
them, certain deductions may be made,
but they must be made with malice
toward none and charity for all, as
Lincoln said in another connection.
X
One beauty of windows seldom real
lied, is that they shine whether dirty
or not. Even the most streaked pane
seems clean, from the vantage point OF
the sidewalk. There is something here
that reminds one of certain human be-
ingS, who, despite a grimy front, shine
with the light of decency. or CLEAN
with the irreproachable merit of kindly
hearts. Like fresh-WaShed panes that
yet hide multitude of sins, some ultra
dressed persons have been Cleansed to
the point Of blazing, yet leave the world
cold to their merits which. indeed. are
few. II you get behind the transpar-
ency.
Windows come in all sizes, from the
huge old-fashioned easements that went
nearly from ceiling TO flopr. to the mar
row. short affairs more in keeping with
the size of some modern dwellings with
their eight-toot ceilings and general ap-
pearance OF having been erected for a
race of dolls
There Is something generous. hospita-
BILE. about the old-time windows which
the sensitive often miss in the more
modern castings Such windows call for
more lordly lace curtains. more magniti-
cent Grapes. They seem to say, We
are ample for looking out we demand
more to clothe us; we give more in re-
turn"
The little windows Of today, with
their small panes, their many cross
pieces. their innumerabe corners with
every one of which the housewife is
personally acquainted, bespeak a new
hospitality that has its good points.
II the windows are smaller, there are
more of them. and certainly there is a
different look To them. as a whole Just
what 1t is may be difficult TO define. but
IL has something to do with the spirit
Of modernity. which ever moves forward
or it must become the past.
The now" is not the present unless
much is being done constantly to keep
1t so. One has but TO step into an old
old house. where things are as they
used TO be" to be cognizant Of all that
"modernity" means If it means any,
thing worth while. it calls into being the
very essence of progress The old must
be combined with the new, even to hold
its place