Year: 1878

There are few ideas more destructive Of
social and domestic happiness than that
which makes tastes and beauty in the
household dependent upon wealth. To
have an attractive and beautiful home was
once considered the especial prerogative Of
the rich; as for others, they were exhorted
to practice the virtues of cleanliness, order
and thrift, but for them to aim at the
beautiful was thought almost an assump-
tion, and, at any rate, vain and futile
attempt, which could only end in disap-
pointment. Happily, however, the time
when taste was luxury only to be enjoyed
by the rich has passed away. The true
elements of household beauty are better
understood than formerly, and they are
found to reside not alone in massive and
gorgeous furniture, rich and heavy uphol-
stery, expensive draperies and costly dec
orations, but equally at least, and some
times to much greater degree, in those
simpler, lighter aud less expensive arrange
ments in which very slender means can be
so employed by tasteful ingenuity and keen
perceptions, as to produce most pleasing
effect. So well has this fact come-to be
appreciated, that even many among the
fashionable classes have discarded what
was heavy, sombre and cumbersome in
favor of what was lighter and more truly
tasteful, though far less expensive.


With this advancement in taste, and its
recognized independence of wealth, there
has also followed deeper sense of its i'm
portance IN the home and its elevating in
fiuence upon the inmates. We have long
since discovered how largely we are in
debted to the beauty of nature for our
happiness and value; how her sublimity
inspires us, how her brightness animates
US, how her tranquility soothes us, how her
loveliness purifes us. We are, however,
only beginning to appreciate how strongly
the brightness and beauty of the home also
develops the better qualities and awakens
the finer emotions of those who abide uu-
der its shelter. The family whose eyes
continually rest upon graceful forms and
tasteful eolOrs; who assemble in the cheer
ful sitting-room, where everything breathes
of welcome, and retire to apartments beau
titled by simple, chaste, yet attractive
adornments, will be more refined in their
feeling, more animated in their inter-
course, more gentle aud tender in their
relations with each other, and far happier
in their domestic life than those who live
in homes where, though every necessity be
fully supplied and thrift and order reign
supreme, yet beauty and taste are stran-
gers.


The means which are requisite to pro-
duee this salutary effect are so small in
proportion to the good accomplished that
few, if any, can plead inability. Ofcourse
there is no limit to the amount that may
be spent upon the decorations of house,
but very little money used judiciously
will satisfy simple tastes, and produce a
most gratifying result. Flowers are one
of the best ornaments that can be intro
duced into the dwelling Whether grow
ing in the windows, twining round sashes
and door-frames, or cut and arranged on
table or mantel, they are ever brilliant,
fragrant, graceful and pleasing. A little
ingenuity and skill may make these simple
decorations more available in identifying
q room than the most expensive ornaments,
and children may be easily trained to find
pleasure in caring for and arranging them.
Pictures of the best kinds are now repro
duced by so many different processes, and
are sold so cheaply that almost every house
holder can beautify his home by the in
PRODUCTION of at least few. Pictures
have been aptly termed "loopholes of the
SOUL" through them is imagination set
free, thought quickened, memory awaken.
ed, idealism aroused. The same may be
said, in some degree, of the small statuary,
now so abundant and so cheap. No one
can study the models of Apollo and We
nus, of Clyte and Diana, of Dante and
Goethe, of Washington and Lincoln, and
enjoy a daily familiarity with these repre-
sentations of real and ideal excellence,
without, in some degree, being lifted up to
higher standard of thought and life.
Then, too, there are pretty knick-knacks,
the work of busy and loving fingers, which
are ever welcome to brighten and decorate
the dwelling. They need not be either
costly or elaborate; the glowing colors, the
tasteful designs, the delicate tracery, are
sufficient to render them valuable contri-
buttons to the beauty of the home. With
little pains children, both boys and girls,
may be accustomed to devote part of their
leisure time to such work, and thus reap
double benefit, in comforting as well as re-
ceiving pleasure.


Many persons think these little things
too trivial to occupy their attention, but
they make great mistake. Life is made
up of little things, and if we could balance
their influence, we should probably find
that, in creating happiness OF discomfort,
they were as potent as the greater and ex-
ceptional events. Nothing that serves to
make home more attractive, and to bind
the family more closely together, is beneath
the notice of any one; it should rather be
the constant effort of each to contribute
his or her share to so valuable an end.
As city, we are justly proud Of our we'll
built, convenient and pleasant dwelling
houses, so thoroughly adapted to families
of all sizes and varying incomes. Let each
one, however small aud humble, be cen
tre of joy and beauty, not only sheltering
and providing for the needs of its inmates,
but also refining their tastes, purifying
their pleasures, elevating their thoughts,
and centreing their affections upon home
as the dearest spot on earth.-Philadei-
Phid Ledger.


Educate the Indians.