28 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



fluities which men and women living naturally could well do 

 without. In London, in the eighteenth century, the use of um- 

 brellas was looked upon as effeminate. In the planning of the 

 household, a dining room distinct from the kitchen, a parlor dis- 

 tinct from the dining room, a sitting room distinct from the bed- 

 room, a bath room and water-closet, were considered useless, and 

 are still by some people. Thus, fortunately, the bounds of luxury 

 keep on retreating. The luxury of other days becomes, if not a 

 necessity, an enjoyment of the present, useful or inoffensive, 

 within the reach of a large number of men. Whether its roots lie 

 in sensuality and vanity, as its critics affirm, or in aesthetic taste, 

 luxury, if it is not in violation of Nature, is propagated through 

 the instrumentality of man's imitatve instinct ; of his desire to 

 conform to the ways of those in the highest ranks, and to the 

 feelings and manners prevalent in the community. Thus lux- 

 uries are gradually transformed into decencies. Old men seldom 

 fail to call every new fashion, and everything of the uses of which 

 they were ignorant in childhood or mature age, a luxury. 



The character of a thing in use should be judged, not accord- 

 ing to certain ideas we form of human nature in general, but 

 according to circumstances of time, place, climate, profession, and 

 surroundings. 



The evolution of luxury has been divided into three periods : 

 the luxury of primitive periods, which was exemplified in patri- 

 archal times, and in the beginning of the middle ages ; luxury 

 of flourishing and prosperous peoples, as in the modern age ; 

 and the luxury of peoples in decay, like the ancient Romans and 

 the Orientals. 



Primitive luxury is very simple. It consists chiefly in the 

 grouping around the rich man, who is also usually of high birth, 

 of a large number of servants supported by him, and in the 

 practice of an extensive hospitality. The furnishings of this 

 luxury are very limited : fine wardrobes, elegant arms, spirited 

 horses, and rich caparisons. Though pleasant in appearance, and 

 having a family air, this patriarchal luxury has its inconven- 

 iences, which are much less apparent in modern luxury. It cre- 

 ates and maintains legions of parasites and idlers. Its world 

 of servants and clients do little work, but are supported by the 

 labor of others. It brings no refinement in living, it is burden- 

 some, nurses conceit, diminishes production, and deprives num- 

 bers of people of their independence, exposing them to the vices 

 of indolence. Another phase of this primitive luxury was ex- 

 hibited in the great feasts, which were characterized by quantity 

 rather than quality, with coarse revels lasting many days. This 

 luxury was occasional rather than permanent, and did not pene- 

 trate, as the later living did, into the whole tissue of life. The 



