Courtship and Marriage And the Gentle Art of Home-Making   By: Annie S. Swan (1859-1943)

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE

And the Gentle Art of Home Making.

by

ANNIE S. SWAN (Mrs. Burnett Smith),

Author of "A Bitter Debt," "Homespun," "Aldersyde," Etc., Etc.

" Love is the incense that doth sweeten earth. "

" Be it ever so humble, There's no place like home. "

London, 1894: Hutchinson & Co., 34, Paternoster Row.

New Books

By ANNIE S. SWAN.

A BITTER DEBT.

A TALE OF THE BLACK COUNTRY.

In large crown 8vo, handsome cloth gilt binding, with illustrations by D. Murray Smith. Price 5s.

Thirty second Thousand.

HOMESPUN:

A STUDY OF A SIMPLE FOLK.

In cloth, gilt, 1s. 6d., paper, 1s. With Illustrations.

"The language is perfect; the highest strings of humanity are touched." Athenæum.

"'Homespun' is excellent, a masterpiece. It is told with great skill, and quiet but genuine power. The story will long be a favourite in Scotland, and is sure to be widely read in England." British Weekly.

"Power and felicity are in evidence on every page." Glasgow Herald.

London: HUTCHINSON & Co., 34, Paternoster Row.

TO

The Loved Memory

OF

MY FATHER.

"An honest man the noblest work of God."

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CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE

I. THE LOVERS 7

II. THE IDEAL WIFE 19

III. THE IDEAL HUSBAND 30

IV. THE FIRST YEAR OF MARRIED LIFE 43

V. THE IDEAL HOME 56

VI. KEEPING THE HOUSE 64

VII. THE TRUEST ECONOMY 72

VIII. ON KEEPING UP APPEARANCES 80

IX. MOTHERHOOD 90

X. THE SON IN THE HOME 99

XI. THE DAUGHTER IN THE HOME 109

XII. THE EDUCATION OF OUR DAUGHTERS 117

XIII. THE SERVANT IN THE HOME 128

XIV. RELIGION IN THE HOME 136

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COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE.

I.

THE LOVERS.

Of this truly gentle art we do not hear a great deal. It has no academies connected with its name, no learned body of directors or councillors, no diplomas or graduation honours; yet curiously enough it offers more enduring consequences than any other art which makes more noise in the world. Its business is the most serious business of life, fraught with the mightiest issues here and hereafter viz., the moulding of human character and the guiding of human conduct. It is right and fitting, then, that it should demand from us some serious attention, and we may with profit consider how it can best be fostered and made competent to bless the greatest number, which, I take it, is the ultima Thule of all art. To trace this gentle art from its early stages we must first consider, I think, the relation to each other before marriage of the young pair who aim at the upbuilding of a home, wherein they shall not only be happy themselves, but which, in their best moments, when the heavenly and the ideal is before them, they hope to make a centre of influence from which shall go forth means of grace and blessing to others.