manners are wont most to show themselves among children, and laxity in
etiquette among their parents. Just as the exclusive use of the room
for eating purposes saves labor in housework, so will its dignity in
decoration aid in enforcing the mother's teaching of good habits to
the children.

Here, if anywhere in the house, plain wall-paper should be used, since
the chief decorations are the china closet, cabinet and sideboard.

The dining-room ought not to have a fire-place or stove if other means
of heating it are available, since heat, like food, should be equally
distributed to those at table. Preference in seating should be a matter
of honor rather than of material advantage.

Comfort and cleanliness are the qualities which condition the equipment
and decoration of the bed-room. When one considers that a third of a
man's life is spent in bed, it will be seen how exceedingly important
is the selection of this article of furniture. The essential parts of
a good bed are spring and mattress, and no expense should be spared here
in securing the best. The frame, which though the ornamental part is the
least essential, is a matter of indifferent consideration. There is no
better kind of a bedstead than an iron or brass one, because of
cleanliness and strength and the ease with which it may be taken apart
and put together again. The pillows deserve almost equal consideration
with the mattress. Since the feathers used in stuffing pillows may be
cleaned, it is economical to see that these are of the best quality.
Bed clothing is often selected under the mistaken impression that weight
is synonymous with warmth, and heavy quilted comforts are chosen instead
of lighter, woolen blankets. The pure woolen blanket is the ideal
bed-covering and in various degrees of thickness may serve for all of