cost on a moderate computation, twenty pounds. Here is an outlay of a thousand pounds. The most complete and excellent apparatus, capable of cooking in a far superior manner, for the same number of individuals, might be had for a fraction of such a sum. In these ranges are fifty kitchen fires, burning away fuel in a way so wasteful, that it would be very difficult to calculate to how great a degree the heat thus produced might be economized. There are then fifty cooks, each performing her office very imperfectly, with imperfect knowledge and defective utensils, so that the waste in cooking is very great, while wages and cost in living cannot be computed at a lower sum than seventeen hundred and fifty pounds -they are probably nearly two thousand. An accomplished "artiste," with a full staff of under cooks, might be maintained for much less. A well instructed upper cook, with the proper number of assistants, would perform all the duties of the kitchen in a way which no private family of the middle classes can now command, at a wonderfully reduced rate. Lastly, there are fifty housekeepers, many of them inexperienced, some careless, a few expert, and nearly all careful and troubled about many things;' the expenditure of these homes is in general supplied by much bodily and mental exertion: it is hard, therefore, that it should not be economized and managed to the best advantage. But, with the best intentions, and even the best skill, this is impossible. The single item of fuel is a type of all the rest. Few, who have not tried it, are aware of the extraordinary difference in the price of all provisions bought wholesale and in small quantities. It is a fact within the experience of the writer, that the cost of bread for a family is diminished one-third by buying flour by the sack, and baking at home; and this difference would be increased, if the ovens and the other conveniences were well constructed. As to the loss by waste, ignorance, and imperfect apparatus in cooking, let any one only see a dinner prepared in a common kitchen, or the future kitchen of the Whittington Club, and no more need be said." It is obvious, then, that a great saving might be made by means of Associated Homes. The advantages of such combinations would be very great. What the Whittington club is now attempting to do for young men in the middle classes, these homes will do for them when married. Every family living in them would find their expenditure diminished by one-third, and their comforts correspondingly increased. The moral advantages, however, would be yet greater than the pecuniary ones. Much of care and anxiety would be at once removed; much of exhausting toil would be rendered unnecessary, A home, in the right sense of the word, would be placed within the reach of those who know not the name, and are strangers to the moral security it guarantees. Men, who are now growing into selfish bachelors, or something worse; women, who have lived through youth, tasting but half its enjoyments, and now ripening into venerable, and sometimes, we fear, cross, old maids: would be enabled to form suitable matrimonial connections, and thus add to the happiness of the world. Man would be placed in a position more in accordance with the laws of his being, and the will of God. These ends, surely, are worth obtaining. If the arrangements of society can be modified so as to render them practicable, it is high time that the effort were made. cr This scheme of Associated Homes has been long before the public. It was proposed and advocated nearly thirteen years ago in the Monthly Repository," in a paper entitled, "House-building and House-keeping." To Miss Gillies's article on the subject we have already referred. The writer in the "Monthly Repository" developed the details of a plan for accomodating sixty families, averaging five persons each, and belonging to that class whose incomes are from three to four hundred a year; but it might be modified so as to suit those who have less. This plan consisted of separate dwelling houses, all entering from the two sides of a covered gallery, like the Burlington or Lowther arcades. Each house would contain from four to six rooms, a number sufficient when it is recollected that neither kitchens nor servants' rooms would be needed. All the dwellings were to be warmed, ventilated, lighted with gas, supplied with warm and cold baths, and have the water conveyed into every bed-room. All were to be ready furnished, also. Besides these, public rooms were to be built, for dining, for a library, for music and dancing, and other purposes, as occasion might require. Much expense in furniture would be avoided, the separate maintenance of servants would be rendered unnecessary, more domestic comfort would be obtained, and the price of provisions would be reduced to about two thirds. This plan can be carried into effect in two ways; one is by means of subscription amongst the members, as the club-houses were originally founded: the next is, as a speculation of profit, a good investment to the moneyed capitalist. Our continental neighbours have more of the benefits of association than we, and are certainly not the worse for it. They do live in Associated Homes. In all their large towns the practice does, in fact, prevail. In Hamburg, persons of limited incomes can have sets of splendid chambers, in the handsomest houses that have lately been built in that town, and can have well-cooked dinners supplied them from the neighbouring restaurateur, for a sum that would here barely supply a family with the necessaries of life. In Paris it is the same. An English barrister, a gentleman well known, not merely in St. Stephens, of which he was a member, but throughout the land, for liberal opinions and superior intellect, ere he had worked his way to his present station, married, and lived in chambers in the way which we advocate; but respectable society, the men who kept "gigs," saw in the proceeding something not to applaud but to be suspicious about, if not to condemn. The malicious shrug was to be seen, and the whispered insinuation was to be heard. The man, however, had a soul above the "world's dread laugh," and lived on till he won fame and power. Let tradesmen and men of limited incomes do the same, and society will be much the better. It does not require any great ingenuity to perceive that the less the father of a family is required to spend in house-keeping, the more he will have to spare for necessary recreation for himself; for the charities by which the less fortunate of our race are raised from degradation and death; and the more he will have to spare for the education and advancement of his children in the world. We are not advocating a visionary unheard of scheme; there is a likelihood of the plan we propose being carried at once into effect. A United Family Club, is talked of. The parties who compose it, will live under the same roof, but have separate suites of apartments. There will be, however, a dining room, coffee room, and drawing room, for the use of all. The rent will include all charges for conducting and managing the institution. Breakfast will be ready at half past seven, and remain till ten. Two tables d'hote will be provided daily, one at half past one, and the other at half past five. Coffee and tea will be provided in the coffee rooms. All provisions will be charged at prices not exceeding the actual cost. The servants of the club will clean all the common bed rooms, the staircases, and the outer doors, of the sets of chambers; if the tenants prefer it, however, they can have their own rooms kept clean, and beds made, etc., for an extra rent. is intended to form a company for the erection of suitable clubhouses. In order to give every facility for persons of moderate means to become shareholders in the company, as well as members of the club, the amount of the shares will be payable by means of monthly instalments of ls. per month. A large ultimate capital will be fixed on, but only £100,000 will be raised at first, in shares of £100 each. As soon as one hundred shares are taken, operations may be commenced. The club trustees will be tenants to the company, at a rate amounting to five per cent. on the capital. employed, clear of all charges. It All candidates for membership will be ballotted for. With this plan we have but one fault to find, but it is one that can easily be modified,—that is, living in public,—a mode of life utterly opposed to English tastes. Those who wish, should have the option of having their meals in their own apartment, supplied them from the public larder. To do this but little more trouble would be required. Of course there would be some who would prefer their meals in public,-let such have their tastes gratified, but let those live privately who wish it. The desires of both parties could very conveniently be met. By means then of Associated Homes, a beneficial change can be effected, life may be rendered less toilsome and more full of cheering influences; for these reasons, then, do we advocate them. That society might be better organised, that a healthier spirit might be infused into it, that the circumstances in which many of its worst vices originate, might be improved if not destroyed, no man can deny. No good God has sent down upon the world the blight by which it is now withered up. Man has sown the seed from which curses and misery have sprung. As regards many men, life is a failure. In the hard struggle with the world's woes and wrongs, they falter and fall. It is easy to speak of them in the language of censure; but society has much to answer for, inasmuch as it has not organised itself, so as most effectually to uphold the stumbling, to enlighten the ignorant, to confirm the weak. Associated Homes will help to do this; they will help to free man from the drudgery of life; they will give him a chance of remembering what few do, that man has a higher end, than to strut a millionaire on 'Change; they will surround him with blessed hopes and inspirations; they will help him to perform aright all manly deeds. LAYS OF FAMINE. BY MRS. CHARLES TINSLEY. VI. She has done with want and weeping, Lay her where her dead lie sleeping, She, the latest of her race, Gather up the rich, dark tresses, What fond pride, the pride that blesses, She that should have been a bride, Bear her to her lover's side. 'Tis not long since we, in gladness, They shall meet upon the shore She has done with want and weeping, Lay her where her dead lie sleeping, She, the latest of her race, Leaves on earth no vacant place. With meek hearts, and eyes all tearless, Yield her to the sod, As a gem for earth too peerless; See the face of God! As we yield the light and flowers, |