144 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



March 







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A ECUSE TO LIVE IB. 



No one thing more distinctly marks the degree 

 of civilization to which a nation has arrived, than 

 the style and commodiousness of its public build- 

 ings, and the homes of the people themselves. A 

 •well arranged house, constructed in true architec- 

 tural proportions, one that is substantial and in 

 good taste, is an indication of refinement of feeling, 

 as well as of scientific acquirements. Such a house 

 must have a considerable influence upon its occu- 

 pant, and if he were brought up in habits of neglect 

 and indifference to his person and the house he lives 

 in, it would in time reclaim him, unless those habits 

 were of an incorrigible character. 



The houses of the mole and the squirrel are un- 

 varying in their construction, their architectural 

 skill admitting of no degrees, — but they are models 

 of neatness and order. We believe the house we 

 live in has some sort of a moulding influence upon 

 ourselves. That if its proportions are comely and 

 just, they will strike the mind on approaching it, 

 with cheerful and wholesome sentiments, and that 

 we shall enter it with emotions of pleasure. If it 

 be clean, and tidv, and well-ordered in all its de- 



partments when we have entered it, these sentiments 

 and emotions will be kindled into that domestic 

 love which should be the presiding genius of all 

 our households. 



So in the surroundings of the house. If one must 

 pass through a dilapidated Ance, with a gate creak- 

 ing dolefully on a broken hinge, then stumble over 

 broken pavements or drabble through mud and filth 

 to reach the door, he must be possessed of a large 

 share of that quality which distinguished Job abo^-e 

 all other men, if he can enter with that equanimity 

 which a good man should always carry into the 

 family with him. 



The beautiful mansion represented above is the 

 property of Mr. Blake, at the Highlands, in Rox- 

 bury, and is in the Italian style. We have no diagram 

 of its internal arrangements, — but present it as one 

 of those just and attractive homes, which we hope 

 to see indefinitely^multiplied, on the numerous beau- 

 tiful slopes with v/hich New England abounds. 



Beans for Sheep. — Bean straw is valuable for 

 sheep, and when properly cured they eat it with 



