44 
RURAL HOURS. 
would not set about moving the same day in Holland. In that 
sensible, prudent land, not more, perhaps, than a dozen house- 
holders at a time, are expected to sacrifice comfort and furniture 
by such a step. On the Zuyder Zee, it probably takes a family 
at least a year to make up their minds to move, and a year more 
to choose a new dwellinsf. But see what this custom has become 
under the influence of go-aheadism ! May-day, for ages associated 
with rhymes, sweet blossoms, gayety, and kindly feeling, has be- 
come the most anti-poetical, dirty, dusty, unfragrant, worrying, 
scolding day in the year to the Manhattanese. So it is with this 
cleaning process. Most civilized people clean their dwellings : 
many nations are as neat as ourselves ; some much neater than 
we are ; but few, indeed, make such a fuss about these necessary 
labors ; they contrive to manage matters more quietly. Even 
among ourselves, some patriotic women, deserving well of their 
country, have made great efforts to effect a change in this respect, 
within their own sphere, at least ; but alas ! in each instance they 
have, Ave believe, succumbed at length to general custom, a ty- 
rant that few have the courage to face, even in a good cause. 
It must be confessed, however, that after the great turmoil is 
over — Avhen the Aveek, or fortnight, or three Aveeks of scimbbing, 
scouring, drenching are passed, there is a moment of delightful 
repose in a family ; there is a refreshing consciousness that all is 
SAveet and clean from garret to cellar ; there is a purity in the 
household atmosphere Avhich is A'cry agreeable. As you go about 
the neighborhood, the same order and cleanly freshness meet } Ou 
as you cross eA’cry threshold. This is A’ery pleasant, but it is a 
pity that it should be purchased at the cost of so much previous 
confusion — so many petty annoyances. 
