THE HOME. 639 



The curule stool (camp or folding-chair) was handy for camp 

 life, was used between the Roman and modern sway, and 

 probably never went quite out of use. In the Dark Ages, the 

 home was doubtless adapted to the conditions of life in the 

 strong, rough houses, which were intended as safeguards against 

 attack. The family lived in one great hall. It was sleeping- 

 room, dining-room, living-room. If a guest came, his bed was 

 screened off for him. There was but one chair, a mere box, 

 with a six-inch railing around three sides. It belonged to the 

 master, and was a seat of honor. If a superior visited the cas- 

 tle, it was relinquished to him ; if an inferior, the master retained 

 his seat, and the guest seated himself upon a bench, which was 

 only a plank supported by side pieces. The table which suc- 

 ceeded the bench appears to have been a number of boards bound 

 together and laid upon folding trestles ; and this is perhaps the 

 reason why the word board is used as synonymous with table. 

 The horseshoe form of table had been preserved from the con- 

 quered southern race, and was spread upon occasions of great 

 ceremony. As times grew more quiet, the lord of an estate 

 could afford to increase the evidences of his wealth ; so the chest 

 grew into the cabinet, the bench into the chair, and was enriched 

 with carvings and expensive coverings and cushions, until, in the 

 fifteenth century, we find the beautiful and useful combined in 

 a pleasing and artistic manner. 



Woman's influence was powerful in effecting these changes. 

 The priests prevailed upon the men of the northern countries to 

 practise monogamy, and celebrated the marriage with the most 

 sacred ceremony. They honored woman, and made her honor- 

 able in the husband's estimation ; and through her obtained 

 an influence over her husband which they would not otherwise 

 have had. Under the feudal system the husband was compelled 

 to make his wife a partner ; because, while away from the castle, 

 subduing the enemy, he must necessarily leave all his interests 

 in her hands, and make her thoroughly acquainted with his 

 business. History gives many accounts of the bravery of woman 

 in defending her husband's possessions in those perilous times. 

 Her lord, realizing her ability to manage affairs, allowed her to 

 remain in command while she whispered in his ear the rumor of 

 some fortunate dame who possessed a square of carpet, which 



