
Transcriber’ Note:
EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
PROLOGUE.
I. THE PERFECT HOUSE.
II. OLD ORIENTAL MASTERS.
III. SIGNS IN THE SKY.
IV. THE IDEAL HAVEN.
V. WHEN LEAVES GROW SERE.
VI. DECORATIVE DECORATIONS.
VII. MY STUDY WINDOWS.
In a quiet riverside homestead, the narrator invites listeners into a world where summer breezes carry the scent of honeysuckle and the rustle of aspens. The prose reads like a gentle walk through shaded slopes, a grass plot beside a flowing water that glistens under ever‑present wind. This opening paints a vivid tableau of sound—wood‑thrush songs, buzzing bees, distant river rapids—setting a calm, almost musical tone for the story.
Beyond the scenery, the narrator muses on what truly makes a house a home, suggesting that a gentle presence—symbolized by the “fine flower” of womanhood—infuses the rooms with order and peace. He reflects on his own modest dwelling, admitting it is far from perfect yet alive with memories, daily rhythms, and the hope of continual improvement. Listeners are drawn into this intimate meditation on space, nature, and the quiet aspirations that shape everyday life.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (350K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: D. Appleton and Company, 1890, pubdate 1891.
Credits
Charlene Taylor, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2023-02-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1848–1906
Best known for graceful books about gardens, home life, and the pleasures of the table, this Rochester writer brought a horticulturist’s eye and a literary touch to everyday subjects. His work feels warmly observant, celebrating beauty, comfort, and civilized living without losing sight of practical detail.
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