98 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Domestic Department. 



For the New Englaiid Farmer. 



How TO LIA-E PRETTILY IX THE COUNTRY.* It is 



possible that the leading word at the head of this 

 chapter is not sufficiently comprehensive and em- 

 phatic to express all that is intended in what we here 

 say of the farmer's wife in relation to good living. 

 Admitting that to be the fact, it is not easy to decide 

 what is living prettily, if it be not the fruition of the 

 best fare at a very moderate expenditure. But, how- 

 ever excellent may be the smoking viands on the 

 farmer's table, when duly prepared, much would be 

 added to the zest with which they are received, if 

 more attention were paid generally to the table furni- 

 ture. It cannot be denied that a nice clean table- 

 cloth, a supply of comely dishes, spoons, castors, 

 knives and forks duly arranged, not only impart a 

 relish for what is in the dishes, but make an impres- 

 sion that the family live prettily. Cheap as such 

 articles are, it is surprising that they are not more 

 abundantly provided. On the other hand, if the 

 table furniture is in a ruinous condition — if it has 

 been cast upon the table in wild disorder — if the 

 whole indicate a sad estrangement from needful pu- 

 rifications, a relish for the repast is greatly impaired. 



For such negligence there is no excuse. The 

 excuse usually given, that none but the members of 

 the familj' are present to witness it, is about as satis- 

 factory as it would be for all the members of the 

 family going to the table with unwashcn hands 

 because none but themselves are present to witness 

 the indecency. It is a species of domestic economy 

 with which we have no fellowship, that a family live 

 like pigs when by themselves ; and that all their 

 efforts for good cookery, table furniture, and good 

 fare, are to be produced only once in three or four 

 months, when visitants arc present to witness the 

 display. "We think families should have respect for 

 themselves, for each other, as well as for those who 

 occasionally partake with them. Such as make all 

 their efforts in dress, or furniture, or in the culinary 

 department, to please the eye or to secure the ap- 

 plause of strangers and doubtful friends, become 

 miserably paid for their toils. They live for others, 

 and not for themselves. They toil for others, and 

 not for themselves. And this they do, not on the 

 principle of Christian charity, but for a breath of 

 popular favor, as empty as the wind. A very large 

 portion of family expenditures, particularly in what 

 is called fashionable life, is made wholly on this prin- 

 ciple, for others to gaze upon — perhaps to ridicule ; 

 and not for the comfort or benefit of those who make 

 them. 



Allusions have been made, in other parts of this 

 work, to the article of clothing appropriate in the 

 country ; but it may not be amiss to refer to it here, 

 as one of the main features in hving prettily. To 

 dress neatly at all times, and yet so as to occasion no 

 pecuniary outlay incompatible with the ordinary 

 means in rural life, requires good taste and good 

 management of a high grade, especially in the female 

 head of the family. The mother who can clothe her 

 children, as avcU as herself, in a style of comeliness — 

 always in a condition to be seen by strangers without 

 mortification, and without an expenditure to em- 

 barrass her husband — deserves of him, and of others, 

 high commendation. This is one of the most val- 

 uable accomplishments of the housewife ; and nothing 

 in a greater degree contributes to the end made the 



* From the manuscript of the Farmer's Every Day 

 Book, by the Rev. John L. Blake, D. D., to be published 

 early in the spring of 18-50. 



subject of the present chapter. Where we see a 

 family of children decently clad, clean, tidy, and of 

 good breeding, especially in the more humble walks 

 of life, we impromptu exclaim, They must have an 

 excellent mother ! The country district school, with 

 its forty or fifty little boys and girls, attired in the 

 manner described, furnishes one of the best speci- 

 mens of the hcaltliful simplicity, and the good do- 

 mestic economy, in rural locations. Here the farmer's 

 wife may gather laurels of unfading beauty and ver- 

 dure ; in comparison of which the jewels and the 

 costly attire of the fashionable lady in the ball-room 

 are contemptible and worthless. And, indeed, what 

 are the fashionable accomplishments of the lady of 

 rank — her music, her drawing, and her flippancy ia 

 French, to the abilitj' of the farmer's wife to rear up 

 sons that will be eminent statesmen and divines, and 

 daughters that will hold the highest position in 

 society ? 



W hile the farmer's wife is doing thus much towards 

 living prettily, we have a few things to add for the 

 farmer himself to do, in this good work. Who is to 

 see that the Sunday wagon, which is to take the 

 family to church, and now and then appears on a 

 holiday, is free from mud and dust, and has been 

 duly honored with a coat of varnish ? The farmer 

 himself, or his sons, if he have them of sufficient 

 age. Who is to see that the court-yard and garden 

 fence is in good repair, and made white with paint ? 

 Not the farmer's wife, but the farmer himself, or 

 some one under his direction. Who is to sec that 

 the family mansion and the various out-buildings 

 have been properly regai-ded ; the hinges and fasten- 

 ings upon the doors all sound; the paint kept bright ; 

 the windows free from broken glass ; and no loosened 

 weather-boards to become iEolian harps to the rats 

 and mice, while the family is asleep ? It need not 

 be said, that this is the duty of the male portion of 

 the household. Let not the male reader be dis- 

 pleased, if one question more be propounded on this 

 subject. Lastly, then, whose duty is it to see that 

 the walks about the mansion be made clean and hard, 

 and the grounds contiguous to it be relieved from 

 nuisances of every description ? Surely, this is not 

 the work of the farmer's wife, nor of his daughters. 

 He should himself see that it is done. Hence, let 

 it be said to the reader, male and female. Do respec- 

 tively what is here set forth, and M-hcn the minister, 

 or the doctor, or your relatives from the city, make 

 you a visit, they will say to you in sincerity and 

 truth, How prettily you do live ! 



JOHN L. BLAKE. 



Orange, N. J., Jan. 30, 1850. 



|loutl)*9 Department. 



Thoughts for Young Persons. — In a previous 

 communication I intimated a purpose to converse 

 with you, briefly, upon the importance of correct early 

 habits. 



First, then : Such habits will appear important, 

 when we consider their connection with ])hi/sical 

 advantage. Health is among our greatest blessings. 

 Whatever, therefore, can lawfully be done to pro- 

 mote it, must be acknowledged our duty ; and what- 

 ever impairs or destroys health, should be avoided as 

 an evil, and regarded as an enemy. 



Every sinful indulgence, every irregularity of 

 habit, at a period when our physical natures are so 

 susceptible of injury, must, in some degree, disadvan- 

 tageously affect the constitution, weaken our ener- 

 gies, and hasten premature decay. 



Young lads who smoke cigars, and chew the 

 poisonous weed of which they are made, reap an 



