"The essentials then of good house building are, first, a dry soil, a good foundation, exposure to the sun, and, next, good plumbing by reputable men at whatever cost necessary for first-class work, warming and ventilating by open grates rather than by steam heaters and stoves, clean floors and clean walls; and now, if there be no decomposition of animal or vegetable matter allowed in the immediate vicinity of the house, we shall have done the best that the present state of science will permit toward making our houses healthful." The Hotel Del Monte is the only perfectly clean hotel in America. It is located at Monterey, Cal., not over a quarter of a mile from the ocean. The prevailing winds are from the sea and would naturally blow over the sands towards the house. Now the cause of dirt has virtually been killed by the planting of trees, brush, and by the laying of asphaltum walks and sod-ground drives on this windward side. The only dirt is that which is brought there by travelers--this is easily kept down. The moral is here: If possible prevent dust and dirt by stopping the cause. CHAPTER IX. "Let this great maxim be my virtue's guide." As we are hastily reading books and papers we continually come across maxims, epigrams, and short, pithy sayings that attract us. We wish we could not only remember them, but also often put them in practice, but they slip our mind and actions almost immediately. From time to time the author has collected fruit from the vast field of health of its kindred subjects, and placed the best of them in this book for the reader's careful consideration. Among the multitude of "Don'ts" for politeness are the following for health alone:-- "Don't endeavor to rest the mind by absolute inactivity; let it seek its rest in work in other channels, and thus rest the tired part of the brain. "Don't delude yourself into the belief that you are an exception as far as sleep is concerned; the normal average of sleep is eight hours. "Don't allow your servants to put meat and vegetables in the same compartments of the refrigerator. "Don't keep the parlor dark unless you value your carpet more than your and your children's health. "Don't forget that moral defects are as often the cause as they are the effects of physical faults. "Don't direct special mental or physical energies to more than eight hours' work in each day. "Don't neglect to have your dentist examine your teeth at least every three months. "Don't read, write, or do any delicate work unless receiving the light from the left side. "Don't pamper the appetite with such variety of food that may lead to excess. "Don't read in street-cars or other jolting vehicles. "Don't eat or drink hot and cold things immediately in succession. "Don't pick the teeth with pins or any other hard substance. "Don't sleep in a room provided with stationary washstands. "Don't neglect any opportunity to insure a variety of food."