Grandmother's scrap-book, or, The way to do good. Designed to encourage the highest religious attainments within the power of man .. online

in life, is industry, good sense, courage, and
the fear of God. It is better than all the friends
or cash that was ever raised.



198 grandmother's scrap-book ;

HOW TO MAKE HOME ATTRACTIVE.

If parents knew the power they have over
their children, while young, to make home at-
tractive, and the influence it would have over
them in after life for their good, they would
spare no pains in this direction. Always treat
them with a smile ; reprove them gently ; nar-
rate to them, from day to day, the interesting
facts of the Bible, and the manner in which they
follow its teachings will be an index to their
happiness here and hereafter. When properly
studied, it becomes the most interesting of all
books. Learn them habits of industry and
economy while young. This will draw their
attention away from places of amusement,
which have a tendency to pride, vanity, and sin.
Take an interest in the reading you select for
them ; sympathize with them in all their afflic-
tion, and they will soon learn that there is no
place like home.



OR, THE WAY TO DO GOOD. 199

DOMESTIC EDUCATION.

BY REV. H. WINSLOW.

What a charm pervades that dwelling, whose
matron has the grace of a thorough domestic
education ! An air of neatness, order, simplici-
ty, cheerfulness, pervades and blesses all. The
very atmosphere is sweet. You scarcely enter
the door before unequivocal signals betoken
the presiding angel within. The door-stone is
so clean, the door-handle so bright, the mat,
hat-stand, and other entry conveniences so tidy
and befitting, the air so pure, the servant, in
neat apparel, and with smiling face, opens the
door so generously, that the first impression
is, Here is home, sioeet home.

Nor does a further ingress and more close
observation disappoint you. If costly drapery
does not hang at the windows, nor princely car-
pets grace tlie floors, nor sparkling chandeliers
and dazzling ornaments display their owner s



200 grandmother's scrap-book;

wealth, — things not unfrequently serving only
as miserable apologies for the truer ornaments,

— every thing around you bears record that
the eye of taste and the hand of diligence have
been freshly upon it. How bright the steel and
brass ; how clean the hearth ; how luminous the
windows ; how free from dust the sofas, chairs,
and every thing around you ! The entire room
has an air of purity, comfort, and hospitality.
How easy and tasteful the arrangements. That
book-case, with its well-chosen volumes ; that
centre-table, with its choice specimens of
thought and skill ; the vase in yonder corner,
displaying the beauties of a well-cleansed and
watered green plant, unfolding its luxuriant
leaves and opening its bright-eyed blossoms, as
if to smile gratitude on its wortliy benefactress,

— all evince this the home of one who knows
how to live, and make home happy.

One fear is well-nigh apprehending you ;
you can hardly touch but to soil, and your
presence is thus tempted to question its wel-
come. But that fear is banished the moment



OR, THE WAY TO DO GOOD. 201

the lady enters. That cordial and generous
smile, that charming benevolence which only a
true heart can yield, and which all true hearts
can appreciate, puts you instantly at ease, and
makes you regardless of all but objects of mu-
tual and real interest. It is no longer the
house, the room, tlie furniture ; it is that,
only that, for which you are present, whether
it be a call of business, charity, or friendship.

But the parlor is, perhaps, not the best place
to furnish decisive tests of the highest order of
domestic education. There are, at least, four
places more unequivocal — the kitchen, tlie
cellar, the store-closet, and wardrobe. AVell,
let us take a look at these ; for though the good
lady has no vanity to gratify, she has the be-
nevolence to gratify our reasonable curiosity,
and she is entitled to an honest confidence that
she has nothing to fear from our eyes.

Tlie kitchen is, if possible, more attractive
than the parlor. It is only an hour since break-
fast, and yet every thing is cleaned and restored
to its place. The floor, the sink, the tables,



202 grandmother's scrap-book ;

and all the kitchen appurtenances, are so pure,
sweet, and wholesome, that health and comfort
seem there to have found their most favored
home. I would as soon take a lunch there as
in the king's dining-room. I half think it
would taste even better, especially if ministered
by the lady's own hands.

Shall we enter the cellar ? Here, too, the
same neatness, order, convenience, and economy
are every where seen. The barrels are arranged
in order against the wall ; the floor is cleanly
swept ; no cobwebs impend from the ceiling or
beams above, and the purity of the air proves
at once the cleanliness and careful ventilation
of this subterranean department. On that stand
are the brushes, and the conveniences for clean-
ing and polishing shoes; here is the well-
arranged vegetable and provisionary depart-
ment ; there, perhaps, the wash-tubs and
benches ; — in a word, nothing is in this cellar
which ought not to be here and every thing
which ought to be here is here, and in the
right condition. Such is a good housewife's



203

cellar. Even the impudent rats themselves,
and the more lawless mice, seem to have
learned that this is holy ground ; their impious
feet never defile it.

We may be indulged a look into the store-
closet. Here, again, we find the same order,
neatness, economy. The coffee, teas, sugars,
spices^