Unless the establishment is grand enough to afford a room of state reception for special and formal entertainments, an actual drawing-room, the parlor should be what its name indicates, and what it was in the mansions on the continent — the talking-room — where the household congregates for reunion and entertainment. In the ordinary middle-class American house there is no occasion for a room of state; friends cannot be more highly complimented than by being received into the home circle in the living-room. With careful management this apartment never need be too disorderly to be seen by strangers. What if the piano be open, the table littered with papers and books, and the sewing-machine covered with work? All these are evidences of use. And if the children's toys are scattered about, who would not rather see them than know that the house has no children to brighten and bless it?

Knowing that dark, rich furniture shows wear earliest, it is best to furnish the parlor with rather light neutral colors and the most durable of fabrics in carpeting and upholstery. The number of articles of furniture will depend upon the amount of money which can be spent upon them. A large table with drawers is necessary for the centre of the room, a lounge or sofa, made comfortable with cushions, two or three easy chairs, and a musical instrument of some sort, for music and books will often keep young people at home when lacking them they would wander in quest of less innocent amusement.

The question of floor covering is to be decided by taste and available funds, rugs and polished floors being preferable. Other articles of furniture can be added as they become necessary, and pictures and ornaments chosen as they appeal to the taste, not merely because they are esteemed ornamental. The curtains and coverings for furniture indicate the discrimination and ability of the housewife; embroidered scarfs are preferable to the old-style tidies as affording greater scope for adornment, remaining fresh longer, being less in the way, and not so entirely concealing the woodwork of the furniture upon which they are placed.

Housewives who desire healthful homes can secure the amount of light and air required and still possess their souls in patience if they heed the advice to choose neutral colors and thin fabrics for rooms intended for daily use. The pest of flies in summer, which this indulgence implies, can be modified by placing in the windows boxes of calceolarias and geraniums, and a castor-oil plant outside; the leaves of this plant in a room will drive out the flies; and there is also the reserve-force of insect powder made from Persian camomile. Dark, closed rooms are most unhealthy. The penalty of ill-health is too great a price to pay for the saving of furniture and carpets. Furnish suitably; then open the windows and let in health in the form of air and sunlight. The effect of ivory scrim, madras, or some kindred fabric, at the windows, of glossy light paint brightened up with a line of gold or some bright color, light wood-work and furniture, some pretty chintz or light wool fabric for upholstery - what could be found more cheerful? When such a room shows evidence of wear, it can be freshened at slight expense, even by the hands of the housewife who can adapt herself to everyday uses.

When there is a library its chief furniture is book-cases, one or two writing tables, a lounge and some comfortable chairs; in minor respects the furnishing is not unlike that of other rooms.