OUR HOMES. 79 



inventive talent of the people — when that talent shall take this 

 direction — to work out the graces in our homes ; art joining with 

 nature in each case. 



It is well that, beauty is not to be measured by any standard — 

 that it is not seen in omnipresent and eternal features. Beauty in 

 its essence is not a physical fact. Lord Bacon says, " the best 

 part of beauty is that which no paiziting can express." Beauty 

 is the child of the soul's intercourse with given objects and phe- 

 nomena of the external world. It is not in the object alone, nor 

 can the soul of itself generate it. It is developed whenever the 

 soul conies in contact with what excites its most valued and agree- 

 able emotions. There are particular as well as general adaptations 

 between mankind and the external world. 



In early childhood there awakes the sense of beauty in some 

 particular department in nature. Nature is the expression of 

 truths and principles; and the more we foster in ourselves the love 

 of whatever is noble and good, the more beauty do we sec in 

 nature, and the more does she react upon us — making a broader 

 surfece for impression, and the multiplication of beauties. 



Nothing is more remote from selfishness than a generous ex- 

 penditure in building up a home, and enriching it with all that 

 makes it beautiful without and lovely within. He who builds a 

 good house does it for the whole neighborhood, 



Childi'en that are surrounded by books and cultivated natural 

 objects, become refined in thought by early familiarity with art. 

 Whatever expenditure refines the family and lifts it into a larger 

 sphere of living, is really spent upon the whole community as 

 well. Communities need examples to excite ambition. Fine 

 grounds not only confer pleasure directly on all who visit or pass 

 by, but the}' excite every man of any spirit to improve his own 

 grounds. 



Every element that adds to the pleasure and refinement of the 

 family puts honor and dignity upon it. Whoever makes home 

 seem to the young dearer and more happ3% is a public benefactor. 

 Not all young men who fall into bad habits were brought up in 

 meagre homes ; but it is certain that children whose homes are 

 not interesting to them by affection, or by attractive objects, are 

 more easil}'- tempted into dangerous places. 



But our question returns. The dogmatic assertion that "home 

 should be a thing of beauty and a source oijoy," does not dispose 

 of it. Neither do I intend to dispose of it at all. I mean to leave 



