Year: 1877

A close observer of American life said
to me the other day that great change
had come in the last ten years to the
home life of the country. And in an
swer to our interrogation, he proceeded
to point out the character of this change.
One point which he made was that
great many games of skill and chance
we're being played in New England
homes, to-day, which were not known,
or if known, were forbidden by parents
ten years ago. Our own observation
coincldes with his on this point. We
know that chess within the last ten
years has captured for itself high
place in popular regard. Itspeaks we'll
for people when such an intellectual
game can become popular. For it takes
brains to play chess even moderately
we'll, and none but clever and thought
full people would ever like it. We no.
tice also that cards are no longer alb
jured as they once were in households.
Whist and euchre are domiciled, to-day,
in homes where, decade ago, their
names could not have been spoken safely
in whisper. Checkers are not perhaps
universal, but they are more fashionable.
They have fought their way into high
life !; and whereas they once found their
friends in village tavern and in the
farmers kitchen, they are now IN the
parlors of the wealthy and refined. The
games played with historical cards are
also numerous. and many of them pleas
antly exciting. And you find them IN
every household.


Now all this is very pleasant and
hopeful. 1t reveals to the thinker the
fact that home life is more vivacious
and happy than it used to be; that the
long dull evenings are being enlivened
with sprightly and stimulating amuse-
ments, and that the home circle is
charged with attractions which it once
sadly lacked. These games are helping
to make the homes of the country hap
pier, helping to make the children more
contented with their homes, and IN
doing this they are helping to make the
country more intelligent and more vlrtu-
Gus. By wise parents these games are
looked upon as essential. They help
solve the problem of home amusements
and recreation; and this, as all parents
know, is one of the grayest problems
they have to solve. Parents, make your
home as happy as you possibly can for
vour children and their mates. Fill
them with fun and frolic and the cheer
fulness of spirited social life. Play these
games with your children yourselves,
and thus share their joys with them
and feed your happiness on the speeta-
Gle of theirs A great many homes are
like the frame of harp that stands
without strings. In form and outline
they suggest music; but no melody
rises from the empty spaces; and thus
1t happens that home is unattractlve,
dreary and dull. Let US hope that this
introduction of pleasant games-whlch
try both the wit and patience OF the
children, and of the older ones too for
that matter,-may become the fashion
of the times, until every home in the
land shall be perfectly furnished with
these accessories Of profit and pleasure.
For the children's sake, let the reforma-
tions go on until every child shall nave
in his fathers house, be it humble or
costly, such appliances and helps for
his entertainment that he shall find his
ioy under his fathers roof and in his
mothers presence.-GOtden Ras1e.