First Study
_ I
The fire on the hearth has almost gone out in New England； the hearth has gone out； the family has lost its center； age ceases to be respected； sex is only distinguished by a difference between millinery bills and tailors‘ bills； there is no more toast-and-cider； the young are not allowed to eat mince-pies at ten o‘clock at night； half a cheese is no longer set to toast before the fire； you scarcely ever see in front of the coals a row of roasting apples, which a bright little girl, with many a dive and start, shielding her sunny face from the fire with one hand, turns from time to time； scarce are the gray-haired sires who strop their razors on the family Bible, and doze in the chimney-corner. A good many things have gone out with the fire on the hearth.
I do not mean to say that public and private morality have vanished with the hearth. A good degree of purity and considerable happiness are possible with grates and blowers； it is a day of trial, when we are

......
全部内容，请购买此书。