SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
47 
The scenes of our childhood, the hopes our youth, and j 
the aspirations of our manhood come crowding at the mere j 
mention of home. In infancy, consciousness first dawns 
upon the beauty of nature beneath the grateful shade of 
its trees, and their memory in after life acts as an incen- 
tive to noble action. 
There are but few whose eyes will not brighten, and 
whose Dulse will not quicken as the reminiscences of past 
happy days are brought to mind. 
“Ho w dear to this heart are the scenes ofmy childhood. 
As fond recollection presents them to view ; 
The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled wild wood 
And every loved spot which my infancy knew. 
“The wide spreading pond, the mill that stood by it, 
The bridge and the rock where the cataract fell, j 
Tbe cot of my father, the dairy house nigh it, j 
And e'en the rude bucket which hung in the well.” { 
Y7ith associations similar to these, and with sufficient 
wealth at their command, a large portion of the citizens of 
our prosperous State are content to dwell in houses but 
little if an)' better than those constructed by the first set- 
tlers of our soil ; and there to bring up and educate ilie 
children, who are to be the men and women of the next j 
generation. 
They think, no doubt, that it is for the benefit of those 
children that they condnue to economize and toil; but a 
few moments reflection would show thatthe foundation of 
all education is laid at the home of out childhood. With 
the perceptions of order, symmetry and beauty, awakens 
the desire for possession, and with them comes that-reflne- 
ment of manners which distinguish a civilized from a 
coarse and brutal people. And as the first perception of 
order and beauty is awakened in most minds by' external 
objects, a confortable and attractive home has an import 
tant bearing on education and refinement. 
Like a strong anchor, the mere sentiment of home has 
saved many a person from shipwreck. 
Then, how necessary does it become, for a thinking, 
moral people, to throw every attraction around their home 
that their means will allow. In this view, the adornments 
of the Homestead has social and moral influences far be- 
yond the mere gratification of the eye, or the considera- 
tion of dollars and cents. 
The desire to surround ourselves with the higher sourc- 
es of enjoyment, rather than be content with mere utility, 
is to acknowledge the existence of a sentiment, which, next 
to a religious one, is the purest and noblest part of our na- 
ture. 
A man’s dwelling, to a certain extent, may be regarded 
as a type of his character, and in the aggregate, the ap- 
pearance of the houses, as an index of the people. 
Ranlett, in his work on Architecture, observes that, 
“The house proper, deserves more care and calculation, 
in its structure, than a packing box. It is the case in 
which a man places the objects which are dearest to him ; 
in which he shuts himself from the world to enjoy that 
portion of it which he can call his own ; it is his sanctu- 
ary in the time of trouble, his retreat from oppression, the 
scene of his first struggle for life, and the last glimpse of 
the world.” 
Doubtless many persons are deterred from endeavoring 
t© I’ender their homes attractive by fear of its involving a 
large outlay of money. To a certain extent, this need not 
be the case — taste and judgment will point out many ad- 
ditions and ornaments, that can be had, which cost but a 
trifle or a few hours labor. 
The effects of vines, evergreens and shade trees, are 
not sufficiently appreciated. Three-fourths of the cottages 
that have endeared themselves to the hearts of true poets 
and lovers of nature, have owed their charms to the trees 
and shrubs and vines with which they were embowered. 
It is the rural character imparted by this drapery that wins 
the affections. 
Associations of refinement, grace and beauty, are con- 
nected with the female occupation of a cottage, where 
“Across the porch, thick jasmines twine. 
And in the garden, myrtles blossom.” 
In our wild woods we have many beautiful running 
vines, such as the jasmine and china, that would require 
but the labor of a few hours to transplant, and which 
would aid materially in giving significance and feeling to 
a cottage, however humble it migfit be. For variety, the 
rose, honeysuckle, grape or hop might he added. 
A row of evergreens judicously placed might hide an 
unsightly object from the view*. But nothing can com- 
pensate for the want of shade trees around a country 
house. 
In lieu of enclosing the door yard and adjoining field 
with the ordinary worm fence, how much better it would 
be to have a hedge — a plain paling — a rough board or 
even a post and rail fence. Such ac.ditions as these, cost- 
nothing but time, would entirely change the aspect and 
throw' a charm around many a place that now looks cold 
and desolate. Something of a love for the beautiful is 
ahvays suggested by a vine covered cottage, because mere 
utility wmuld never lead any one to so adorn their resi- 
dence, 
A house might be compared to a wmman. A great deal 
of money might be expended in rich dressing, which 
would add, if properly applied, to the attractions suited 
to the taste of some persons, but when neatly and tastily 
dressed with well fitting garments, there is a charm that 
all will acknowledge ; and to carry the simile a step furth- 
er, if slovenly dressed creates a dislike. 
There is a misapprehension of the requisites of beauty 
in a dw'elling ; most persons think to embellish a house 
would be very expensive— this need not be the case. An 
expression of beauty can be given to the simplest farm 
house. Even a common log house may be made attractive. 
Our country houses should embody such ideas of order, 
beauty and truth as shall elevate and purify the mind. A 
building may completely answer the useful requirements 
of man, and yet give not a ray of pleasure or satisfaction 
to his heart or understanding. 
If, in the erection of the more expensive class of houses 
the opinion of architects were consulted, it would save 
many hundreds of dollars and add t© the comfort and hap- 
piness of the occupants. Beauty and convenience are in- 
finitely cheaper than ugliness and inconvenience. It 
seems reasonable to conclude that a man who has made 
it an especial duiy to adapt certain means to certain ends, 
would be more competent to do so than one who probably 
had thought of it for the first time in his life. 
In regard to cheap residences, there are no buildings, 
however humble, to which an agreeable expression may 
not be given. A picturesque character is bestowed by 
bold projections, casting heavy shadows. Roofs preject- 
ing from 12 to 3G inches, not only have this effect, but 
serve to protect the walls and make it cooler in summer. 
Hoods or projections over doors and windows, with 
heavy (or thick) casing, contribute to the general appear- 
ance, and give a cheerfulness of external efiect. These 
are among the simplest, cheapest, and most effective 
modes of giving force and spirit to any building. De- 
prive any structure of its light and shade and it becomes 
tame, cheerless and unattractive. 
Feeling can be shown by bay-windows and rustic trel- 
lises covered with vines, 
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” 
Farmers generally urge that they have no money to 
expend in ornamental decorations, but if they would only 
think of the pleasure derived from a pretty home and the 
