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^ \ 292 THE GENESEE FARMER (\^ 



TUE WANTS OF SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC LIFE. 



In tLe eagerness of our pursuit of the almighty dolLir, how proue we are to forget the 

 wants, and neglect the duties of domestic life. How often do we see that peace of mind 

 which money can not buy, and all that wealth is pemiitted to purchase, thonghtles^;ly 

 sacrificed to accumulate riches, never to be enjoyed by their nominal owner ! Such 

 folly deserves a word of rebuke at our bands, if the social and domestic wants of one or 

 two hundred thousand readers have any claim to our friendly regards. 



Of all useful arts and sciences, that Domestic Economy which teaches the wisdom of 

 extracting much happiness from small means, best deserves our study ; for it best 

 rewards the practice of the community. Wisdom of this kind makes slow progress, not 

 because a higher standard of social and domestic comfort is unattainable, but from the 

 force of habits, handed down to us from an age of semi-barbarism and extreme poverty. 

 So numerous and important have been the discoveries and inventions during the first 

 half of the present century, that tbe mass of mankind have yet to learn the proper use 

 of the new treasures placed within their reach. Nor is it an easy task for the head of a 

 family to decide how he can make the most of the property and knowledge that legiti- 

 mately belong to him. What shall he do ? and how shall it be done ? 



In cities, thousands die of pestilence and other maladies of their own creating, from 

 the neglect of cleanliness, and defective sanitary regulations. In the country, thousands 

 work hard, fare hard, and die poor, not from any necessity, but because the knowledge 

 and social culture which they most need are sadly overlooked and unappreciated. It is 

 the glory of our free institutions, that the poor are rich enough, under wise instruction, 

 with industry and economy, to have of their own, healthy and comfortable homes. Too 

 many, however, make no adequate eflbrt to rise in the scale of humanity ; and some 

 words of encouragement, some cordial to their feeble self respect, must be administered 

 before they will begin to labor for their own good. Their domestic Avants are in 

 embryo ; and the public authorities should see to it, that they are developed aright, 

 securing equal justice and advantages to the physical, moral, social, and intellectual 

 man. Although he, while in his lowest estate, may not know how to unfold the germs 

 of good that his Maker has planted in his constitution ; yet, wiser heads than his may 

 successfully cultivate the barren soil within him. The African race has long been 

 regarded as the most stupid of the descendents of Adam. Whether this be so or not, 

 no one now denies that this race is capable of civilization, and indefinite improvement. 

 When viewed in their proper light, the social habits and domestic wants of man are 

 seen to be elements of great power. In skillful hands, these elements will form the 

 basis of a sound public opinion, and prepare the way for the abatement of vHce, and 

 crime, and suffering to a degree now little dreamed of in our narrow philosophy. 



In society as in geology, there are many strata. We have briefly alluded to the 

 lowest, and proceed to invite attention to those above — to such as have dwellings of 

 their own, but with broken windows, leaky roofs, badly fitting doors, and a scanty 

 supply of fuel for warming them in the winter now close at hand. Shall these domes- 

 tic matters be attended to, or not ? That is the question. Is the reader a good econo- 

 mist ? then be assured that discomfort is often more expensive than the full measure of 

 enjoyment in the domestic circle. It is true that no inconsiderable folly is perpetrated 

 under the influence of fashion, and a mistaken notion of what constitutes true taste and 

 sound sense in rural architecture, household furnishing, landscape and farm improve- 

 ments. A word of caution may not bo amiss, to check extravagance, and prevent disas- 

 ters, in this direction. 



Great prosperity is always perilous. Society is already full to over-flowing of pride, 

 . conceit, hypocracy, and extravagance. These are the bane of quiet domestic happi- 



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