TAKING REINS IN HAND 



tion and a sunny exposure. Of course, a situ- 

 ation convenient to the fields under tillage, and 

 to other farm buildings, is to be sought; but 

 beyond this, no law of propriety, of good taste, 

 or of comfort, is more imperative than shelter 

 from bleak winds, and a frontage to the south. 

 No neighbor can bring such cheer to a man's 

 doorstep as the sun. 



There are absurd ideas afloat in regard to 

 the front, and back side of a house, which in- 

 fect village morals and manners in a most base 

 and unmeaning way. In half the country 

 towns, and by half the farmers, it is consid- 

 ered necessary to retain a pretending front-side 

 upon some dusty street or highway, with tightly 

 closed blinds and bolted door; with parlors 

 only ventured upon in an uneasy way from 

 month to month, to consult some gilt-bound 

 dictionary, or Museum, that lies there in state, 

 like a king's coffin. The occupant, meantime, 

 will be living in some back corner, — slipping 

 in and out at back doors, never at ease save in 

 his most uninviting room, and as much a stran- 

 ger to the blinded parlor, which very likely en- 

 grosses the best half of his house, as his visitor, 

 the country parson. All this is as arrant a sham, 

 and affectation, as the worst ones of the cities. 



It is true that every man will wish to set 



lOI 



