[A Portraiture of Quakerism, Volume I (of 3) by Thomas Clarkson]@TWC D-Link book
A Portraiture of Quakerism, Volume I (of 3)

INTRODUCTION
299/423

Some, and indeed many of them, use as plain and frugal furniture, as those in moderate circumstances.
Others again step beyond the practice of the middle classes, and buy what is more costly, not with a view of shew, so much as to accommodate their furniture to the size and goodness of their houses.

In the houses of others again, who have more than ordinary intercourse with the world, we now and then see what is elegant, but seldom what would be considered to be extravagant furniture.

We see no chairs with satin bottoms and gilded frames, no magnificent pier-glasses, no superb chandeliers, no curtains with extravagant trimmings.

At least, in all my intercourse with the Quakers, I have never observed such things.

If there are persons in the society, who use them, they must be few in number, and these must be conscious that, by the introduction of such finery[36] into their houses, they are going against the advices annually given them in their meetings on this subject, and that they are therefore violating the written law, as well as departing from the spirit of Quakerism.
[Footnote 36: Turkey carpets are in use, though generally gaudy, on account of their wearing better than others.] But if these or similar principles are adopted by the society on this subject, it must be obvious, that in walking through the rooms of the Quakers, we shall look in vain for some articles that are classed among the furniture of other people.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books