OUR HOMES. 87 



little soil on them) with the finest shade and fruit trees, and veg- 

 etables now grow there as well as on your best soil. 



A meraber of Parliament said, spme time ago, in a discussion, 

 that the condition of a nation might be fairly judged by the 

 amount of sulphuric acid that they used. I think he was right. 

 There is scarcely a thing done in the arts in which sulphuric acid 

 is not used ; they could not get along without its use. Now, if 

 that man comes to this country, and goes among our artisans and 

 chemists, and sees that they are using large quantities of sulphuric 

 acid, he will write home to the London Times that we are a go- 

 ahead people and are getting on in the world, because we use 

 so much sulphuric acid. That applies precisely to the position of 

 the lecturer to-day. Let an observing man come to this country 

 from abroad, and you may tie a handkerchief over his mouth and 

 not let him speak a word to anybody, and he will write home that 

 we are setting an example to the world of genius, industry and 

 goaheadativeness, such as has never been presented by any other 

 people. Let him look at our homes and sge the comfortable 

 things that we have in our houses, almost everywhere, (I mean, 

 everywhere except among farmers.) He will see lounges and 

 easy chairs, and pianos, and the various decorations thaf make 

 home so attractive, and he will write home that we are really a 

 wonderful people ; and he will tell the truth. 



We are, as a people, just what our homes are. That will hold 

 good everywhere. You may depend upon it, that the man who 

 owns a house and lives in it, is pretty much such a man as his 

 home appears to be. Now, if you don't want your neighbors to 

 judge harshly of you, make your home comfortable and attractive. 

 Build a wood shed, if you have not got one ; have soft and hard 

 water for your good wife ; have all the modern conveniences ; the 

 best wringer, the best clothes dryer, the best churn, the best water 

 pail, and everything you can possibly find to lighten the labor of 

 the houses, and what a reputation you will have for being a good 

 man from all your neighbors, as they pas.s by your door ! 



On the other hand, go with me some cold day through Broad 

 street; in Boston, and I will show you some things there that you 

 will never want to see again as long as you live. You find these 

 people wherever you go in our cities, and their personal appear- 

 ance and language indicate just what their homes are. You do 

 not need to go to their homes. If you will talk with them, yOu 

 will easily find out what their homes are ; or, if you go to their 



