THE COUNTRY HOME. 193 



CHAPTER XL. 



THE COUNTRY HOME. 



A FINE COUNTRY HOME. In the older countries of Europe 

 most families of even moderate wealth endeavor to have two 

 homes or residences, a city or town house and a country 

 house. The greater pleasure, the more lasting recollections, 

 are usually associated with the latter. When we clearly under- 

 stand the nature and the surroundings of the rural homes, the 

 country seats, of England, Scotland and Ireland, we do not 

 wonder at the preference. With increased wealth, in the future 

 a similar condition of affairs may, perhaps, result in this 

 country, but the building up of pleasant, attractive country 

 homes in this land need not be put off until the day of 

 increased wealth shall make such possible to a few. Far better 

 will it be for this country if every farmer's home can be made 

 attractive and comfortable. Many men of the towns and 

 cities, wearied and perplexed with the driving cares and the- 

 never-ending anxieties of their busy life, look forward longingly 

 to a time when they can return to the country, for a part of the 

 year at least, to enjoy the quiet, the comfort, and the health- 

 fulness of a country home, even though it may be a very 

 humble home. The young people of to-day will ere long be 

 making homes for themselves ; in fact, even now they can do 

 something towards making their homes more attractive, hence 

 it is not out of place to make a brief study of what the ideal 

 country home should be. Home life in the country, as in the 

 town, is the most important factor in building up character. A 

 nation's life is largely the combined home life of all the families 

 that make up the nation. 



