ing precedence to them, in all matters of comfort and
convenience, can be easily combined with the easy freedom which makes
the stranger feel at home; and this is the perfection of hospitable
entertainment.

CHAPTER XXIV.

ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES.

There is no point of domestic economy, which more seriously involves the
health and daily comfort of American women, than the proper construction
of houses. There are five particulars, to which attention should be
given, in building a house; namely, economy of labor, economy of money,
economy of health, economy of comfort, and good taste. Some particulars
will here be pointed out, under each of these heads.

The first, respects _economy of labor_. In deciding upon the size and
style of a house, the health and capacity of the housekeeper, and the
probabilities of securing proper domestics, ought to be the very first
consideration. If a man be uncertain as to his means for hiring service,
or if he have a feeble wife, and be where properly-qualified domestics
are scarce, it is very poor economy to build a large house, or to live
in a style which demands much labor. Every room in a house adds to the
expense involved in finishing and furnishing it, and to the amount of
labor spent in sweeping, dusting, cleaning floors, paint, and windows,
and taking care of, and repairing, its furniture. Double the size of a
house, and you double the labor of taking care of it, and so, _vice
versa_. There is, in this Country, a very great want of calculation and
economy, in this matter.

The arrangement of rooms, and the proper supply of conveniences, are
other points, in which, economy of labor and comfort is often
disregarded. For example, a kitchen will be in one story, a sitting-room
in another, and the nursery in a third. Nothing is more injurious, to a
feeble woman, than going up and down stairs; and yet, in order to gain
two large parlors, to show to a few friends, or to strangers, immense
sacrifices of health, comfort, and money, are made. If it be possible,
the nursery, sitting-parlor, and kitchen, ought always to be on the same
floor.

The position of wells and cisterns, and the modes of raising and
carrying water, are other particulars, in which, economy of labor and
comfort is sadly neglected. With half the expense usually devoted to a
sideboard or sofa, the water used from a well or cistern can be so
conducted, as that, by simply turning a cock, it will flow to th