So much has been said of the actual necessity of sun- shine and fresh air in the house that it seems idle to say a word more on the subject. It was my misfortune, however, last summer to pass a few hours in a house which until that day appeared not to have had. a ray of light within it that season. It was peculiarly damp ; a chill penetrated to one's very bones ; conversation gradually died away ; the inmates were apathetic and unhappy. When some one pro- posed a walk, we all rose languidly and went out into the light. In five minutes the party were in excellent spirits. The power of light upon the human body is not at all realized by a large class of women, if they have ever thought of it at all, or said a word about it. It has been as meaningless as a parrot's conversation. *^ Oh ! yes, we must have light, '^ they say, and then proceed to close the 110 nousEnoLD hints. blinds and pull down the curtains, lest with the sunlight a fly may come in. We need to think of light as a great force, accomplishing in nature as grand results as heat or electricity. We all know how much plants gain by having the full benefit of the sunniest window in the house. She needs it as well, and, above all, the house needs it to make it a fit dwelling-place. Dr. Richardson, in a recent article, makes this assertion: "I once found by experiment that certain organic poisons, analogous to the poisons which propagate contagious diseases, are rendered innocuous by exposure to light." Any woman who loves to live and move in a " dim religious light " is requested to think of this, and draw her own conclusions. Besides the necessity of light, we need wholesome, dry air. It is always wise to leave one stove up in the house, besides the kitchen range or stove, so that a fire may be built occasionally which will keep the house free from musti- ness when there have been a few rainy days. My own plan is to keep a stove in the dining-room both summer and winter ; wood or coal may be burned in it. The dining- room being a cheerful room makes a comfortable sitting- room early in the autumn and late in the spring ; and we escape the gloom which envelopes many shivering families when a cloudy day comes on, and are spared consequent colds or headaches. HOUSE CLEANING. A subject of engrossing interest once or twice a year is that of cleaning the house. A few practical remarks by one who herself engages in it from time to time may be of help to some one whose experience is limited. I overheard two elderly gentlemen talking last spring. " Don't you always dread house-cleaning time ? " said one. " I scarcely ever know when house cleaning is going on," was the astounding reply. It was a fact, too, so quietly TALKS UP OF VARIOUS SUBJECTS. m and with so little bustle is this stupendous thing got along with in that happy man's household. In the first place, it is the part of wisdom to clean one room at a time, and put it in perfect order before disturbing another room. Have the curtains washed and ironed, if they need it, before clean- ing the room. It will rest you to know that there is one room settled and the work there ended. Not to make home hideous and herself unattractive should be the cleaner's aim, and it will be a praiseworthy achievement if, in addition to putting the house in good order, she has also been able to live, and let the family live cheerfully and even comfort- ably, during this period of hard work.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

So much has been said of the actual necessity of sunshine and fresh air in the house that it seems idle to say a word more on the subject. It was my misfortune, however, last summer to pass a few hours in a house which until that day appeared not to have had. a ray of light within it that season. It was peculiarly damp ; a chill penetrated to one's very bones ; conversation gradually died away ; the inmates were apathetic and unhappy. When some one proposed a walk, we all rose languidly and went out into the light. In five minutes the party were in excellent spirits. The power of light upon the human body is not at all realized by a large class of women, if they have ever thought of it at all, or said a word about it. It has been as meaningless as a parrot's conversation. *^ Oh ! yes, we must have light, '^ they say, and then proceed to close the HOUSEHOLD HINTS. blinds and pull down the curtains, lest with the sunlight a fly may come in. We need to think of light as a great force, accomplishing in nature as grand results as heat or electricity. We all know how much plants gain by having the full benefit of the sunniest window in the house. She needs it as well, and, above all, the house needs it to make it a fit dwelling-place. Dr. Richardson, in a recent article, makes this assertion: "I once found by experiment that certain organic poisons, analogous to the poisons which propagate contagious diseases, are rendered innocuous by exposure to light." Any woman who loves to live and move in a " dim religious light " is requested to think of this, and draw her own conclusions. Besides the necessity of light, we need wholesome, dry air. It is always wise to leave one stove up in the house, besides the kitchen range or stove, so that a fire may be built occasionally which will keep the house free from mustiness when there have been a few rainy days. My own plan is to keep a stove in the dining-room both summer and winter ; wood or coal may be burned in it. The diningroom being a cheerful room makes a comfortable sittingroom early in the autumn and late in the spring ; and we escape the gloom which envelopes many shivering families when a cloudy day comes on, and are spared consequent colds or headaches. HOUSE CLEANING. A subject of engrossing interest once or twice a year is that of cleaning the house. A few practical remarks by one who herself engages in it from time to time may be of help to some one whose experience is limited. I overheard two elderly gentlemen talking last spring. " Don't you always dread house-cleaning time ? " said one. " I scarcely ever know when house cleaning is going on," was the astounding reply. It was a fact, too, so quietly and with so little bustle is this stupendous thing got along with in that happy man's household. In the first place, it is the part of wisdom to clean one room at a time, and put it in perfect order before disturbing another room. Have the curtains washed and ironed, if they need it, before cleaning the room. It will rest you to know that there is one room settled and the work there ended. Not to make home hideous and herself unattractive should be the cleaner's aim, and it will be a praiseworthy achievement if, in addition to putting the house in good order, she has also been able to live, and let the family live cheerfully and even comfortably, during this period of hard work.

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