640 HOME AND HOUSEHOLD. 



had come all the way from Persia, or of the flowered leather and 

 carved chair ; and she gently intimated that his own wife was 

 as deserving and noble a helpmate. Lovely woman and patient 

 perseverance were as successful in past ages as in the present 

 generation ; and as early as the thirteenth century, we begin to 

 find a change in the home life. Gentle pleasures, wealth, and 

 elegance are often met with, and woman makes herself and her 

 home lovely, with lovely surroundings. 



The word parlor is obtained from the Norman word parloir. 

 In primitive times the Normans entertained their friends in 

 bed-rooms ; but, as time and civilization advanced, the reception- 

 room or parloir, which means talking-room, was added to the 

 house, and it now seems a necessity to every housewife's happi- 

 ness. Here it is that we find the choicest treasures, the dainty 

 bric-a-brac, the pretty tidies, scarfs, etc. ; and if one has time 

 for embroidery, or is even in a small way an artist, many 

 pretty devices will be continually suggested to the mind. Many 

 persons entertain the mistaken idea that beauty can only be 

 obtained by a profuse outlay of money. On the contrary, beauty 

 is largely independent of expense. When one is possessed of 

 a moderate amount of what is called taste or aptitude, very 

 satisfactory results can be obtained with a small outlay of 

 money. Select furniture best designed and best made that can 

 be afforded, all of it being intended for use. These wants being 

 provided for, then admit the ornaments of life. A piano or 

 organ adds greatly to the attractiveness of a parlor, and much 

 to the enjoyment of the household. A few pictures, engravings, 

 and books are a necessity. They need not be many or expen- 

 sive; but use the greatest care in making a selection, and 

 choose only those that contain true worth. 



There is some danger of depending too much upon furniture 

 and bric-a-brac for ornament, and not enough upon things 

 permanent and interesting. Seek individual expression of one's 

 own way of living, thinking, acting, more than doing as other 

 people are doing, and having what other people are having. 

 Harmony should prevail in colors ; also in the entire furnishing. 

 The decorations of the walls, or papering, the furniture, the 

 entire room, should blend together in a way that is pleasing, and 



