t to social rather than domestic life, it is natural and proper
to gather in them things which stand, primarily, for art and
beauty--which satisfy the needs of the mind as distinct from those of
bodily comfort. Things which belong in the category of "unrelated
beauty" may be appropriately gathered in such a room, because the use of
it is to please the eye and excite the interest of our social world;
therefore a table which is a marvel of art, but not of convenience, or
a casket which is beautiful to look at, but of no practical use, are in
accordance with the idea of the room. They help compose a picture, not
only for the eyes of friends and acquaintances, but for the education of
the family.

It follows that an artistic and luxurious drawing-room may be a true
family expression; it may speak of travel and interest in the artistic
development of mankind; but even where the experiences of the family
have been wide and liberal, if the house and circumstances are narrow, a
luxurious interior is by no means a happiness.

It may seem quite superfluous to give advice against luxury in
furnishing except where it is warranted by exceptional means, because
each family naturally adjusts its furnishing to its own needs and
circumstances; but the influence of mere beauty is very powerful, and
many a costly toy drifts into homes where it does not rightly belong and
where, instead of being an educational or elevating influence, it is a
source of mental deterioration, from its conflict with unsympathetic
circumstances. A long and useful chapter might be written upon "art out
of place," but nothing which could be said upon the subject would apply
to that incorporation of art and beauty with furniture and interior
surrounding, which is the effort and object of every true artist and
art-lover.

The fact to be emphasised is, that _objects d'art_--beautiful in
themselves and costly because of the superior knowledge, artistic
feeling, and patient labour which have produced them--demand care and
reserve for their preservation, which is not available in a household
where the first motive of everything must be ministry to comfort. Art
in the shape of pictures is fortunately exempt from this rule, and may
dignify and beautify every room in the house without being imperilled by
contact in the exigencies of use.

Following out this idea, a house where circumstances demand that there
shall be no drawing-room, and where the family sitting-room