There is one kind of extravagance rapidly increasing in this country, which, in effects on our purses and our habits, is one of the worst kinds of extravagance; I mean the rage for travelling [sic], and for public amusements. The good old home habits of our ancestors are breaking up -- it will be well if our virtue and our freedom do not follow them! It is easy to laugh at such prognostics, -- and we are well aware that the virtue we preach is considered almost obsolete, -- but let any reflecting mind inquire how decay has begun in all republics, and then let them calmly ask themselves whether we are in no danger, in departing thus rapidly from the simplicity and industry of our forefathers.
... People of moderate fortune have just as good a right to travel as the wealthy; but is it not unwise? Do they not injure themselves and their families? You say travelling is cheap. So is staying at home. Besides, do you count all the costs?
The money you pay for stages and steamboats is the smallest of the items. There are clothes bought which would not otherwise be bought; ... you form an acquaintence with a multitude of people, who will be sure to take your house in their way, when they travel next year; and finally, you become so accustomed to excitement, that home appears insipid, and it requires no small effort to return to the quiet routine of your duties. And what do you get in return for all this? Some pleasant scenes which will soon seem to you like a dream; some pleasant faces, which you will never see again; and much of crowd, and toil, and dust, and bustle.
... People who have little to spend, should partake sparingly of useless amusements; those who are in debt should deny themselves entirely. Let me not be supposed to inculcate exclusive doctrines. I would have every species of enjoyment as open to the poor as to the rich; but I would have people consider well how they are likely to obtain the greatest portion of happiness, taking the whole of their lives into view; I would not have them sacrifice permanent respectability and comfort to present gentility and love of excitement; above all, I caution them to beware that this love of excitement does not grow into a habit, till the fireside becomes a dull place, and the gambling table and the bar-room finish what the theatre began.
... We make a great deal of talk about being republicans [as in, citizens of a republic, however, I am not entirely sure how she is using this word. --PK]; if we are so in reality, we shall stay home, to mind our own business, and educate our children, so long as one or the other need our attention, or can suffer by our neglect.
Excerpted from The American Frugal Housewife. Dedicated to Those Who Are not Ashamed of Economy., written by Mrs. Child and first published in 1828. Bold text added by me.
We traveled a week or so ago, and "Home," indeed, "appears insipid": truly, "it requires no small effort to return to the quiet routine of [my] duties." Hanchetts, if you happen to be reading, we had a lovely time at your abode and would visit again in a heartbeat. It is a shame that ours is such a transient society.
Weekly Menu plan to follow.
