We are told that all men, women, and children ought to be healthy, handsome, and happy.  I have strong convictions that every man should also have a home, healthful, happy, and beautiful; that it is a right, a duty, and therefore a possibility.  Small and humble it may be, cheap as to cost, but secure, refined, full of conveniences, and the dearest spot on earth, a home of his own.

In the hope of making the way to this joyful consummation easier and plainer for you, I propose to give you a variety of hints, information, and illustrations relating to your undertaking, and will try to make my practical suggestions so well worth your attention that you shall not overlook what I may say upon general principles.  There is a right and a wrong way of doing almost everything.  I am yours, for the right way.

LETTER II.

From John.

A grateful Client.

My dear architect:  How did you know my ship was coming in?  Queer, isn’t it, that when a man does get a few stamps, his friends all find it out, and can tell him just what he ought to do with them.  But you’re right.  I’ve lived in an air-castle long enough.  It’s altogether too airy for cold weather, and a house of my own I’m bound to have.  Your information and advice will be exactly in order; for it is a fact, that, until a man has built at least one house for himself, he is as ignorant as the babe unborn, not only of how to do it, but, what is ten times worse, ignorant of what he wants to do.  So go ahead by all means; make a missionary of yourself for my benefit.  Don’t get on your high heels too soon, and undertake to tell me what won’t be of the slightest use unless I have a fortune to expend.

[Illustration:  Mr. And Mrs. John.]

Give me something commonplace and practical, something that I can apply to a “villa” of two rooms if my ship happens to be empty.  I suppose it’s all true that an ugly-looking house is a sign of want of wit rather than want of money, but there are lots of people who haven’t either, precious few that have both.  At all events, the man who has only one thousand dollars to spend is just as anxious to spend it to the best advantage as he who has five thousand or fifty.

Mrs. John is delighted.  She is bent on the new house, but knows I shall get everything wrong end first from cellar to attic.  I always supposed a good kitchen was a desirable part of a family establishment, but the chief end of her plans is bay-windows and folding doors.  However, if you tell us to put the front door at the back side of the house, or do any other absurd thing, it will be all right.

As to your preachment on general principles, I’ll do the best I can with it; but don’t give me too much at once.

Yours,

John.

LETTER III.