WINDBREAKS, SHELTERS, ETC. IC>3 



is made waterproof. Opening upon it is a double 

 door from the wife's chamber. It is called in house- 

 hold terms, "My sewing balcony." I cannot posi- 

 tively say that she does much sewing there ; but I do 

 know that it is a most delightful spot of a summer 

 afternoon, where one might sew if so inclined, and 

 with great comfort. A hammock swings across one 

 corner, admirably fixed for an afternoon siesta. I 

 will not say that the hammock and the book do not 

 frequently displace the needle. The outlook is over 

 lawns of flowers and trees, over hedges and groves, 

 down the most beautiful of valleys, and overlooking 

 hills that hold villages in their bosoms. Woman has 

 a right to such retreats, sheltered from the sun, and 

 peculiarly her own. She does the hardest task the 

 fretting, nerve-wearing work. 



(2) Woman should have a living arbor for a 

 little tea party of half a dozen neighbors. Let me 

 also describe one of these. A circle of arbor-vitse, 

 fifteen or twenty feet in diameter, and grown together 

 overhead. Inside, the branches are cut out, up to a 

 hight of fifteen feet. The only entrance is where 

 you pull aside the branches. Inside you find a little 

 table, a small solid, plain writing-desk, and half a 

 dozen hardwood chairs that will endure the rain. A 

 hammock swings on one side, which can be stretched 

 across when it is desired. This shelter is adjacent to 

 a fine croquet ground, and, if you please, you may 

 invite your friends to a game, alternated with rest. 

 Here a wife may fix a charming enclosure for a baby, 

 giving him plenty of freedom as well as protection 

 from the sun, or she may have her friends for a tea 

 party. I have known a club of ladies meeting in 



