HOUSE-CLEANING. 
43 
ups,” from tlie bit of stick to which the line is attached, falling 
over when the fish bite. The largest pickerel caught here, are 
said to weigh about six pounds. 
Wednesday, \^th . — The great spring house-cleaning going on 
in the village just now, and a formidable time it is in most fami- 
lies, second only as regards discomfort, to the troubles of moving. 
Scarce an object about a house seems in its proper place — topsy- 
turvy is the order of the day ; curtains and carpets are seen hang- 
ing out of doors, windows are sashless, beds are found in passages, 
chairs are upside doum, the ceiling is in possession of the white- 
Avash brush, and the mop “ has the floor,” as reporters say of Kon. 
M. C’s. MeanAvhile, the cleaners, relentless as Furies, pursue the 
family from room to room, until tlie last stronghold is invaded, and 
the very cats and dogs look wretched. Singular as it may ap- 
pear, there are some active spirits in the country — women spirits, of 
course — Avho enjoy house-cleaning : who confess that they enjoy it. 
But then there are men who enjoy an election, and it Avas settled 
ages ago that there is no arguing upon tastes. Most sensible peo- 
ple Avould be disposed to look upon both house-cleaning and elec- 
tions, as among the necessary evils of life — far enough from its 
enjoyments. One Avould like to knoAV from Avhich ancestral na- 
tion the good people of this country inherit this periodical clean- 
ing propensity ; probably it came from the Dutch, for they are 
the most noted scourers in the old world, though it is difficult to 
belieA'e that such a sober, quiet race as the Hollanders, could haA'e 
carried on the work Avith the same restlessness as our OAvn house- 
Avives. We are said to have taken the custom of moving on May- 
day, from our Dutch forefathers, and I believe there is no doubt 
of that fact ; but then Ave may rest assured that a whole toAvn 
