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-'------FACTS AND FANCIES.…
FACTS AND FANCIES. 1 THE RAILWAY STATION AT Galera. in Pern, 16,635ft. above sea-level, is believed to be the highest human habitation in the world. AN ordinary watch contains about 150 pieces, but complicated repeaters, chronographs. &C., as many a* BOO and in one case 975 pieces. OFFICIAL figures show that there are 17.000.000 children in Russia between the aires of six and sixteen who are not getting any education. The magnitude of the Escurial. the great Spanish palace, may be inferred from the fact that if would take four days to go through all the rooms and apartments, the length of the way being reckoned at about 120 miles. THE TERRORS OF OHII.DKP.MAS. Holy Innocents' Day. once bettor known Childermas." has loft such an uncanny reputa- tion that December 28th is still reckoned in country districts the most unlucky date of the year. Perhaps the preliminary flogging our forefathers underwent at the eommencement o the day—to remind them of Herod—proved fundamentally effective for preserving the popu- lar superstition. Yet Childermas was anciently *n London a joyous festival, given oyer to the revels of "the King of the Cockneys" and his minion. Jack 'Straw. Strangely, too. this inaus- picious anniversary has been selected for the de- dication of some famous churches, notably of our present Westminster Abbey, and of the fine ebbey church at St. Albans. w SNOW AT iD. A POUND. Snow is sold in the north of Sicily, where it fetches about a halfpenny a pound. It is a Gov- ernment monopoly, and the Prince of Palermo derives the greater part of his income from it. The snow, which is gathered on the mountains in felt-covered baskets, is widely bought in the cities for refrigerating purposes. 4. SUBTF. K RAVE AN" WOR 1.1 >3. The great South Dakota Cave is the largert averr. in the world. It is situated in the regior. of the, Black Ilills in America, and exceeds even the Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky. It is fifty-two miles long, and contains 1.500 rooms, many of which are over 200ft. high, and are massed with. stalactites and stalagmites of great size. There are streams, waterfalls, and thirty-seven lakes in this vat subterranean world. which is fc,000ft. above the sea level and 400ft. deep. Other Dacota, caves not so large are equally interesting, especially the Wind Cave, from the entrance to which a strong wind is always blow- ing. Once fairly in, however, all is calm, and 2,mongt its peculiarities are the so-called post- office. a room with pillars resembling the familiar street letter-box, and in another room a petrified turt!e measuring four feet across its back. -+- HATS AXD HEADS. The average size of head in Birmingham is, the Tailor and Cutter states, smaller than in any other town in the kingdom. In England as a ■whole the average size of hat required by men is a 7, or nearly 22in. in circumference: in Wales&g is the average the Irishman averages a_ 7 full: is the average the Irishman averages It 7 full: while the Scot's average is 7g. The King for many years wore a. size 7 hat, but his size at present is n. BREAD FRUIT. Five "Bread.fruit Trees were planted in K-ew Gardens in 1793. The wonderful tales of thia tree brought home by travellers from the Southern Pacific induced the Government tf try and acclimatise it here. Several expedition? were fitted our. to the islands where the fruit was known to grow in plenty, and a number of tho plants were distributed at St. Helena. Jamaica, and other British possessions. Tho great expectations of the promoters of the enter- prise were doomed, however, to disappointment, as it was found impossiblo to properly acclima- tise the tree in England, and now. as then. it ia confined exclusively to the South Sea. Islands. Egypt is the only country in the world where there are more men than women. The male sex in the dominion of the Khedive exceeds the female by 160.000. BLANKETS OF RABBIT SKIN. Rabbit-skin blankets are largely used in somo parts of the world. They make a delightful covering, are vcry light, and as warm as the heaviest woollen blankets. They are made by the Indians, who cut the skins into strips about iin. wide. They are then woven squarely. and apparently tied at each crossing. The fabric is very delicate, and you can poke a finger through the. interstices. One defect is that the ha-rz will come out. and so to use. these articles they must be covered with silk. or some fabric, on both sides. A LAWYER'S WILL. Perhaps the strangest of all legal wills, says a writer in C-ornhVl, was that of Sergeant May- nard. a prominent figure at the time of the English Rcyol u1 ion. famous alike for his longe- vity and his law. This was the 2\1avnard who told Jeffreys that h" had forgotten "more law than the Chief Justice ever knew, and who thankAi William III. for coming over. as he wa afraid he was going to outlive the law itself The last few months of his long life ho spent in deliberately drafting a will in ambiguous terms, such as would be sure to give rise to litigation, and bring about the settlement of various moot points that had troubled him in his lifetime. Such an entire devotion to the law met its duo reward. At his funeral the preacher described how the deceased Sergeant's soul is called up f the bar of Heaven by a writ de htibrndo corpus cum rausa. finds its judge its advocate, nonsuits tho devil, obtains a liberate from all its aflirmi- tics, and puts on for ever the long robe of glory. THE COSTLIEST CIGARS. The costliest cigars in the world." said" tobacconist, are made for the Barons Roths- child. They cost 5s. apiece, and are called 'Henry Clay Sobranos.' They are wrapped in pure gold leaf. and packed in cabinets of cedar inlaid with ivory. Although a black, rough- looking cigar, they smoke with the most delicate aroma you can imagine. King Edward's cigars only cost a little more than half what the Roths- childs' do." ANIMALS THAT ABE ALWAYS ENEMIES. fanv animals are born with an inherited antipathy for other animals. The excessive fear shewn by young rabbits which for the first time a ferret, and of young turkeys which hear the .shrill cry of a hawk they have never heard or seen before, are proved examples of the strength of these instinctive antipathies. But tho case of the weasel and the rat is. perhaps, more to be noticed because of the greater equality of the antagonists. The feud is so bitter that a meeting between them almost certainly means death to one or both. Friendships are not uncommon between the cat and the dog. and nave been known between a dog and a wolf, hut the mutual attitude of the weasel and rat is in- variably war—war that is waged to the death. THE ROCK OYSTER. The so-called "rock oyster" is a mollufo much esteemed in America. It is a species of pholas, a boring bivalve, and is found on the coast of Oregon. Digging rock oysters is a favourite pastime at the summer' resort of ) Yaguina Bay. in that State. It is preferred tt. all other bivalves. The "rock oyster" is found only at one place on the coast of Spain and at Yaguina. How ART GLASS IS MADE. The manufacture of art glass is very interest- ing. The design selected is. says E. F. Wol- frum in the Business Man's Maf/azinr, drawn on a sheet of paper the full size of the window this is called the working-drawing. This design is then transferred from the working-drawing to a heavier sheN of paper which is tenned the pattprn." This pattern is then cut apart by hand with a two-bladed knife, or shears, which cuts out spaces one-sixteenth of an inch each, these spaces are cut out t< allow the lead to be tormed around the glass. Each separate piece of pattern paper is numbered to correspond with the number on the working-drawing. After the patterns are all cut apart 'thev are placed on corresponding numbers of the working-drawing. After the gtass is properly selected and cut to pattern, it is painted over the entire surface with a black or blown mineral colour: it is then placed upon a large glass easel, which is placed in the window, preferably with a north expo- sure; all other lignt m the studio is darkened 130 as ,to have the hgnt only on the easfl;. the artist then brushes out. tiie high light with a stiff brush in order to obtain the proper shading. The glass is now taken in hand by the glazier; the lead being so shaped as to allow the glazier to bend it around the several pieces of glass. After the entire. window is leaded together, each joint, where two or more leads intersect, is sol- dered together, making one piece, so to speak, of one thousand or more separate pieces of glass; the window is then cemented by using a mix- ture of lead, whiting, and oil, which is spread oyer the entire surface so as to fill the places between the lead cud glass, thereby ill unng it grater-tizht. 1 nomas^ Henry Critchlev, employed m forgo at Crewe, was charging one of the furnaces when a. huge piece of red-hot steel flew from under the steel hammer and penetrated his left thigh, which wa.s shockingly burnt and lacerated. At Wycombe a labourer, Edwin John Avery, forty-five, was found lying in a field in a. snow- storm, suffering acutely. He was taken to the workhouse, where he expired, and pleuropneu- monia was given as the cause of death at the uuest.
WOUDS OF WISDOM.
WOUDS OF WISDOM. Every mar: is the arclllted of his own castles In the air. Every man is a volume if you know how to read him. A man loses Lis timo who comes early to a bad bargain. An idle reason lessens the weight of the good one you gave before. Each of us has his; or her place in the world, and no one else can fill it. Better no faith, no hope. no love, no Cod, than shams thereof.-—KINGS^EY. Truth is as impossible to be by any out- ward touch as the sunbeam.—MILTOX. W e have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another. There is no crecture >0 and abject that it representeth not the goodness of God. Gravity, generosity of soul, ,-incerity, earnest- ness and kindness, cousin ute perfect virtue. Some men, under the notions of weeding out prejudices, eradicate virtue, honesty, and re- ligion. The condition of all nrocress is experience. Wo go wrong a thousand times before we find the right path. Nothing more unqualifies H. man to act with prudence than a misfortune that is attended with shame and guilt. Clothes and manners don't make the man, but when he Ú ma.de they improve hi" appear- ance.—H. W. BEECHEP,. Let us be true: this is the highest maxim of art and of life. the secret of eloquence and ol virtue, and of all morai authority. Do not find fault needlessly, even with the weather. The habit of grumbling at either people or things is most disagreeable. A man should never be ashamed to own he is wrong. which is bur saying in otlwr words that he is wiser to-day than he was yesterday. The latter part, of a wise man's life is taken up in curing the follies, prejudices, and false opinions he had contracted in tho former. Do not monopolise conversation or attention, and do not talk too much of your own affairs. There is a limit to people's interest in youi concerns. Cultivate cheerfulness and amiability. A smiling face chases gloom. Always say pleasant and kindly things when you have the opportunity. No matter how Dl,1ny of 01,\ laden ships may come safely into port. that ons which was lost at sea will aways seem 1:0 us tu have carried the richest cargo. Contribute of your best to the pleasure of others. Study the character of each, avvj syrripa- thise with all in troubles or in joys, however small they may b('. Although 11 skilful flatterer is a most delightful companion if you keep him ail to yourself, his taste becomes very doubtful when he takes to I complimenting others. Do not run after happiness, but seek to do good. and you will find thai happiness will run after you. The world will seem a very good place, and the world to come a better place still. Although men are accused for not knowing their own weaknesses, yet perhaps few know their own strength. It is in men AS in soils, where sometimes there is a vein of gold which the owner knows not of. It is while you are patiently toilirg at the little tasks of life that tho meaning and shape of the great whole of life dawns upon you. It i a while you are resisting little temptations that you are growing stronger. Appreciate all (he growth that is going on In all the world about you, for you are part of a gigantic whole, and though only an atom in the great universal scheme, you have your part to play and should play it well. Only a few sweet, loving words—that i. all; but. coming from the heart and going to the heart, they would brighten many a life, and comfort many a soul, as the speaker of them little thinks. Let us not be so chary of them. Happy is he who, as his sun is going down behind the western, is himself ascending the eastern, hill, returning through old age to the better childhood. He who turns his back on the setting sun goes to meet the rising sun. HOW TO MEET EMERGENCIES. What we know and what we are has alreadv been determined before the particular opportu- nity in which wo are to act. How Vie shall be have in any emergency has been settled before- hand. The man who regularly wastes minutes in indecision and lack of concentration is not go- ing to save a grea.t cause when an instant deci- sion and a powerful blow for the right are called for. We shall do in an emergency not as we dreamt we should do at such a time, but as the sort of men our dreaming made us must in- evitably do at such a time. If dreaming made us indolent and procrastinating, we shall not be energetic and prompt. If it made us selfish and indulgent, we shall not be heroic and self-sacri- Being. The only way to do the strong thing is to be strong beforehand. HAPPINESS. The life of man is transient and unstable; ifc fairest passages are but a lighter shade of ovit, and yet those passages form but a dispropor- tionate part of the pichi We all seek happi- ness though with different degrees of avidity, while the fickle object of our pursuit con- tinually evades the grasp of those who are the most eager in the chase, and perhaps at last throws herself into the arms of those who had entirely lost all sight of her, and who when they aro most blessed with her enjoyment arv least conscious that they possess her.H.K. WRITE. SELF, RELIAE. Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the place the Divino Pro. vidence has found for you, the sftciety of vout contemporaries, the connection of events. Great men have always done so, and confided them. selves childlike to the genius of their age, be- traying their perception that the absolutely trustworthy was sealed in their heart, working through their hands, predominating in all their being. And we are now men, and must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny; and not minors and invalids in a pro- tected corner, not cowards fleeing before a revolution, but guides, redeemers, and bene- factors, obeying the Almighty effort, and ad rancing on Chaos and the Dark.—EMERSON^ WHOLESOME ENJOYMENT. All real and wholesome enjoyments possible to man have been just as possible to him since first he was made of the earth as they are now; and they are possible to him chiefly in peace. To watch the corn grow and the blossom set, to draw hard breath over ploughshare and spade; to read, to think, to love, to hope, to pray; these are the things to make man happy; they have always had the power of doing these—they Oever will have power to do more.—HUSKIN. SELF CONTROL. Self-control is the only sure means of control- ling others. Real self-control is never mistaken for weakness, though loss of control over self is sometimes mistaken for strength. A man who is quietly intense in the expressing and the carrying out of his purposes is far surer to accom. plish his end than the man whose intensity dissi pates itself in a violent outbreak of temper. Occasionally a man is found who brings things to pass even though frequently lacking in self-con- trol: let us remember that his power is exerted, not because of that defect, but in spite of it. "The hottest flame does not crackle." says Alex- ander McLaren. Violence is usually a confession of weakness. Intensity ceases to be intensity when self-control goes, for intensity is the result of great strength compressed, or controlled, into small compass. EVIL IN FNEXPECTBD PLACES. Evil is not limited to any locality or set of cir- cumstances. Men sometimes think that if they could get away from the din and jargon of the city, and the tricks and snares of the market, they could discover some quiet, sacred glen, or lovely peaceful retreat, where baseness and de. pravity could not enter. Never was there a greater error. Look at those two magnificent rivers—the Orinoco and the Amazon. Behold the forests which cover the region that divides them—forests the growth of thousands of years, grand and noble, almost sublime. What have we in this noble panorama to mar the beauty and to chill our joy? Why, where the shallow parts of the river disclose a sandbank, the crocodile may be seen, with open jaws, and motionless as a rock. its uncouth body often covered with birds; while tho chequered boa constrictor, its tail lashed round the trunk of a tree, lies coiled in ambush near the bank, ready to dart with cer- tain aim on its prey. Rapidly uncoiling, it stretches forth its body to seize the young bull, or some feebler prey, as it fords the stream, a.nd laboriously forces it down its dilating throat. Let the lesson be learnt, that in this world thtre is no scene into which evil will not creep, no ¡¡,1aoe Where danerer does not lurk. On Saturday, in celebration of the anniver- sary of the birthday of the Duchess of Albany. who was born on February 17th, 1861, merry peals were rung on the bells of Esher parish church. Mr. Sandall Stevens, member of a well-known firm of Coventry silk manufacturers, was found unconscious in bed on Saturday, and died later from asphyxia, caused apparently by an inflow of gas from a stove. r WASHING INK-STAINED LINEN. Linen or lace cuffs, fronts. &e., which have be- lIomc spotted with ink should be placed in a basin of warm water anù rinsed in soapsuds, the stains being Tubbed with soap. Then place the articles in an old saucepan, pour over two gills of kerosene and sufficient cold water to cover them, and place on the side of the kitchen range to heat slowly. Let the ink-stained linen soak for a few hours, when, with a little rubbing bing, the spots will disappear. This treatment is also successful in the case of grass-stained linen or cotton •Uerials which do not vield to ordinary methods. It may have to be repeated more than once, especially if the spots or stains are of long standing. LACED BOOTS FOR CHILDREN. Laced boots are much more hygienic for babies young children than buttoned boots. The shanks of the buttons aro apt to make an im- print on a baby's delicate foot. while a further reason is supplied by the fact that a greater support is afforded the ankle in the case of lacing foot-gear, and it is besides an easier matter to draw in tho instep and sides so as to fit the child's foot exactly.
NICE DISHES.
NICE DISHES. CHOCOLATE CAKE.—Work 41b. of butter and the same quantity of castor sugar to a cream and drop in the yolks of seven eggs. Weigh out lib. of flour and 6oz. of finely-grated chocolate. Stir half the chocolate and a. little of the flour into the mixture, and the well-beaten whites of the eg-gs. then little by little the rest of the choco- late and the flour, stirring in last of all 4oz. of chopped almonds, ten drops of ratafia, and two teaspoonfuls of baking-powder. Pour into a. well- greased tin lined with greased paper, and bake in a slow oven for two hours. COCOANUT FINGERS.—Beat jib. each of castor sugar and butter to a cream. Mix the same quan- tity of desiccated cocoanut with 2oz. of flour and haif a teaspoonful of baking-powder. Break an egg into the creamed butter, add a handful of the dry ingredients, and, when thoroughly mixpd. add by degrees two more eggs and the rest of the flour and cocoanut. beating wel1. Grease a flat tin and line it with greased paper. Pour in the mixture, flatten the top with a knife, and bake in a moderately quick oven fifteen or twenty minutes. When done, turn out Oil to a sheet of paper sprinkled with white and pink sugar. Cut into fingers, sift the top with sugar, and place on a Rieve to cool. PATE DE LAPIN.—The day before a pie is to be made take a rabbit and bone it carefully: re- move the liver and mince it up with about a quarter of a pound of fresh pork. Take some more pork—about a pound—cut it into pieces, and put it into an earthenware or enamelled dish; add the minced liver, and two onions chop- ped with. parsley, some thyme, and a bay leaf; season with pepper and salt Cut up some strips of bacon as wide as a finger. a d add a glass of good red wine, mix all well together, and leave it to marinade till the following day. When ready to make the pie, take some rough puff paste and line a well-greased pic-dish, turn the mixture into it, including the wine, cover the dish with pastry, make a little hole at tho top for the steam to escape, and it is ready for bak- ing. This pie eats better cold than hot, and it keeps well. Streaky pork should be chosen for it, with equal quantities of lean and fat. SHAMPOOING THE HAIR. Plenty of soft water (rain water preferred;, a pood vegetable soap, and a supply of soft, waririK. Turkish towels, are necessary lor a satisfactory shampoo. Hard water should never be used, neither should borax, ammonia, soda, salts of tartar, or other alkalies. Ail of tllPse ehmnicals are irritants and destroy the life, natural colouring and vitality of the hair. After washing the scaJp with soap and warm water rinse thoroughly in several waters of different, degrees of coldness. Dry the scalp by rub- bing it with ho' dry towels. Drying the hair in the same manner will make it bright and lustrous. Once monthly an egg shampoo is beneficial. It is cleansing, nutritious, and helps to retain the lustre and natural colouring of the hair. Directions for egg shampoo: Separate the white and yolk, and beat each with a tablespoonful of water "until thoroughly mixed. First rub the yolk into the scalp and then the white of the egg. Rins( with tepid water and finish with cold. Xever u hot water after an egg shampoo. If the hair Ü brittle and harsh the yolk only may be used, Better results are obtained by the use of the white only when the hair is excessively oily. When the hair is dry and lifeless a slight oiling of the scalp after the Lath is permissible. Cheat care must be taken that the fatty matter is sweet and pure. For this reason vegetable oil is best. Cocoanut oil is the safest for general use. If the scalp is tense and dry a composition of one-third lauoline and two. thirds carboJated vaseline, wanned and beater,, together, may be applied with benefit. As before stated, it is the exception where any oily applica tion is necessary. With proper care, massage anc Manliness, the glands about the root of each hair tvilI do their part. DANGERS OF XIGHT STUDY FOR CHILDREN. Says a physician: I abominate night parties for .:hi?dren. I believe every physician does. It is not so much the exposure and the eating in the night, and the bad associations formed (of a high-class sort possibly), but the breaking into the sleep habit. Equally bad is it for children to ady in :he evening. It gorges their brains with blood, and if they sleep they dream. I had a little patient of twelve years, who was wasted and nervous, and whose dreams were filled with problems. It was a marvel and a pride to his parents that the youngster worked out hard problems in his sleep, such as he failed to master when awake. But he came near his final problem. I locked up his books at four o'clocK. He must not touch one after supper. He must play and romp, and then go to bed. He is now robust. You cannot emphasise too strongly the mischief of children's night study. b DAINTY DISHES FOR BREAKFAST. The average Englishman's breakfast consists, as a rule, of bacon and eggs. Very few people think of varying the morning mtnu, except by an occasional fish repast, and dainty made dishes out of the ordinary course are annost unheard of. Yet the morning meal should be as tasty and varied as possible. Many persons, especially bread- winners, make this meal and the late dinner the cliiei meals of the day. It is well known that the man who can eat a good breakfast is in a fair condition of health, therefore hcusewivcs should do all in their power to render the choice of viands on the breakfast table sufficiently enticing to create a good appetite. Appetising little dishes may be made from the remains of cold joints, tinned foods, &c., and the majority of them can be prepared overnight, the finishing process taking only a few minutes in tIw morning. Among these is HAM TOAST, WITH POACHED EGGS.—Pass some lean ham through a mincing machine and place in a small saucepan with an ounce of butter and spoonful of gravy or stock. This can be done overnight and put. aside until the next morning, when it needs only to be warmed again. Then toast some squares of breasj, said spread a layer of the mixture on them. Lastly, poach an egg for each portion of toast. GAME FRITTERS.—Pound the remains of any kind of game—or poultry will answer very nicely—in a mortar. Then prepare some batter and make into fritters, filled with the pounded game. Sendto table garnished with fried parsley. TOMATO OMELET.—This is a delicious break- fast dish. Beat six eggs until light, add a tablespoonful of cream, wdth salt and pepper. Place a generous piece of butter in a delicately- clean pan, and when it begins to bubble pour in the eggs and half a cupful of peeled tomatoes, cut into tiny dice. When the omelet is cooked, with a spoon turn half of one side ovei th" other. SCRAMBLED EGGS.—Melt one tablespoonful 01 Gutter in a frying-pan. Have readv five beaten eggs> /nixed with five tablespoonfuls of" milk. Pour tVii- into the frying-pan and season with salt and pepper- Stir frequently until the eggs are thick and creamy. .,e.rve. on slices of buttered toast.—Farm, Field, ana Fireside. EGGS can be poached round by dropping them quickly into a miniature whirlpool of boiling water, formed by stirring the water rapidly. PRUNES should be stewed very slowly for som two and a-half hours. Then add a little sugar and allow them to cook for half-an-hour longer OLIVE oil is so valuable an item in the kitchen that it i? well to know a test for the different qualities. A deep brownish-yellow or green oil should be avoided The very best quality is a light green, while eil that is almost colourless, or that shading to a golden yllow. may be pur- chased with safety. NATURE'S CHIEF MEDICINE. One of tho greatest essentials to health is un- doubtedly an abundant and free use of pure water. Water is the only fluid capable of circu- lating in all the tissues of the body. and pene- trating its finer vessels without irritation or injury. No other liquid than water can dissolve the various articles of food taken into the stomach. It is water only which forma the fluid portions of the blood, and thus serves to convey its nutriment and replenishment. It is water, again, which takes up the decaying particles and conveys them by a most complicated and wonder- flil system of drainage from the body. WEIGHT LOST BY HEATING. Whether a body gains or loses weight ON heating, or neither, is a problem of possible im- portance. A comparison of the attraction of •■wo bodies at different temperatures can hardly be made, and Professor Poynting has tried the plan of weighing a body when cold and again when heated. With great care, it was shewn that & solid body lost an infinitesimal amount of weight on being heated from 15deg. to -QOdeg. C. NEW AIR PURIFIER. A new ozone generator" has been exhibited in Glasgow by its inventor, Mr. J. Richardson Craig. jun. It is intended for purifying the air in public institutions and houses and for the supplv of ozone for all purposes. The apparatus is enclosed in a metal cylinder, through which a current of atmospheric air is drawn and brought in contact with a high tension electric current. The electric effluvia diffused generates ozone, which is forced out of the opposite end of the cylinder. The apparatus is also designed to dis- tribute ozone for ozonising the atmosphere. It is self-contained and is operated either by means of direct or alternating current electricity. It re- quires no auxiliary machinery, and has only to be attached to any part of the ebctric light cir- cuit bv the use of a short lensrth of flexible cord. with "suitable connections. The generator does not involve any strllctllral alterations m build- ings to which it may be fitted, and there is no interference with any existing heating ap- pliances. TEMPERATURE OF THE SOIL. Tho temperature of the soil no less than its moisture and chemical constituents exercise an influence on its crop-growing capacity. Among the advantages derived from the use of farmyard manure is the warmth it imparts to the soil, as tvell as the increased retention of moisture. A series of useful experiments have been carried aut with the view of ascertaining the difference jf the temperature in cultivated and unculti- vated soils. The results indicate that plough- ing and fallowing promote a more rapid ex. change of temperature. But the rise and fall jf temperature were found to be considerably greater in the ploughed and mellowed soil than In the unploughed land, the difference between the mean temperatures of the two during the summer weather reaching two degrees and be- tween the extreme maximum temperatures five tad more degrees. On the other hand, minimum temperatures were lower on ploughed land than an unploughed by almost one degree. SOCIAL SPIDERS. Mr. N. S. Jambunathan describes the habits and life history of a species of social spider in a recent number of the Smithsonian Misc. Collec- tions. This spider lives in a sponga-like nest of branching canals. oxten attached to the branch of a tree or the leaf of a prickly pear. In their habits these social spiders differ widely from tho solitary and pugnacious species this country, which do not tolerate the preserfce of one of their own race. They live in communities of from forty to 100 individuals, males and females together. A number of them often co- operate in spcuring victims, and the fod la shared without quarrelling. Among the spiders of our gardens the females are much larger than I tho males, and not infrequently devour them. The males and females of the social spiders, on the other hand, are almost alike in size and colour, ana live happily together in the same nest. The devotion of the females to their off- spring is said almost to verge on self-sacrifice. A species of social spider has been recorded by Pickard from South Africa, and another from Venezuela by Simon CLEANING FURNITURE. j Grease-spots may be removed from alabastei with a little clean oil of turpentine. To keep rosewood furniture in good order, it should be rubbed gently every day with a clean, soft cloth. Dining-tables may be polished by rubbing them for some time with a soft cloth, and a little cold- drawn linseed oil. Furniture made in the winter and brought from a cold warehouse into a warm room, is very liable to crack. Ironstainp may be removed from marble by wet- ting the spots with oil of vitriol, or with lemor. juice, or with oxalic acid diluted in spirits of wine, and, after a quarter of an hour, rubbing them with a soft linen cloth.
SOME RHUBARB DISHES.
SOME RHUBARB DISHES. RHUBARB A-r APPLE JELLY.—Peel and cut tip one good-sized bundle of rhubarb; peel, core, quarter 31b. of apples, the thin rind and the jujce of half-a-dozen lemons; put all together into the preserving kettle with one and a-half pint of soft water. Boil until reduced to a pulp; strain the juice through jelly strainer, weigh, and allow lib. of loaf ?,r,.far to every pound of juice. Boil up the juice add the sugar, boil, skim well, and when it jellk-s on the skimmer pour into jars, and when cold tie or seal down. The pulp, stewed with "hit" sugar, can be used for jam puddings, or is very nice put into a glass dish, covered thickly with sugar, then ,a layer of thinly-sliced sponge cake, and a nice custard poured over all. RHUBARB WITH FIGS.—Take 61b. of rhubarb (weighed after being cut and peeled), lib. of figs, and -41b. of candied lemon peel; cut the figs and lemon peel small, place ;:h"111 over the rhubarb, cover all with 51b. of moist sugar, and let stand until next day; then boil slowly one hour. RHUBARB AND BREAD AND lUTTER PUDDING.— Prepare the rhubarb as for a pie; cover the bottom of a pudding dish with slices of bread and butter; over this put a layer of rhubarb cut in short pieces sprinkle thickly with sugar; put on another layer of bread and butter, and so on until the dish i3 full. Cover, and steam for half-an-hour; then remove the lid and bake until nicely browned. RHUBARB BEVERAGE.—Peel six or eight fine stalks of rhubarb and boil them for ten minutes in one quart of water; strain the liqror through a sieve, add tJie juice and grated rind a lemon and three ounces of white sugar; stir it well until the sugar is dissolved; let it stand six hours, then strain tirough muslin. ik -< m estate ig'snfc announces that he has jharming cottage for sate, containing ten room. And eight acres Of land." Hoax: "Do you take any interaf. in stuffed birds?" Joax: "Only turkey and chickens and ducks, and things like that." The hero (as the plot thickens): "New is the jinie to act! Voice from the gallery 'ear We've waited long enough for it!" The bore: "Do you know. Tennysor.'s pocn." car Av: completely away Miss Pert: Vra sorry we haven't a volume in the house." Tohnscri: "Do you mean to insinuate that I can't tell the truth?"" Parkinson: "By no means. It is \11possible Stxy what a man can do until he tries." Biggs: I v." nQ€T what makes a dog turn routic times Vx;fore lying down ? Digg, I suppose anything n.xke.v him. He prolu.bk does it of his ows free will." ^iusb:.nd: "I see that they're advertising bargains iit 'atent medicines at Kutt and Price's drug store." Wife: "Isn't that too aggravatingp There isn't, a thing the matter with any of us. Gromweil (in cheap restaurant): "Pierr, waiter, are these mutton or pork chops ?" W'a^r"Can't you tell by the taste?" "No." "Then ivt-er- erme does "it make which they are?" !g)& B. "What wonderful control :111. BlratPr has Mr. B. How do you know ?; B. "I was willi her an hour yesterday, and sho tever mentio" -r children her servant?.17 Up: "The that five feet four inches is the divine a woman." is darling (crossly) 1 a.m five feet viglit." H" (quickly) more than divine, dear." She: "I tar.d why cigarettes ..œ 8C popular." I' why is it?" She: "00. men who s think they look hoyish, boys who si m think they look 1 ikev men." Victim: !ackmailing note lpft on tbfl premises by tic ;i n there are seven words spelt wrong." Detective: Then the villain is either a typist or a sign-painter. Ering me the directory." Fresh young man (at first-class restaurant) t 'What have you here?" Waiter: "Everything, ,ir." Voting man (sneeringly) "Everything? Have t served a.t once." Waiter (yelling): "Hash for me." Proud dame do not see how you could think A marrying into such a commonplace family as ihat." Romantic daughter: "Oh, I'm not going to jiarry into his family; he's going to marry into our family." "Would you take our darling daughter from us ?" learfully asked the mother. Why—er—yes," replied the startled youth. "That's my idea. 1—I really hadn't contemplated taking the whole family, you know." Mr. Ooolittle (nervously) "1-1 think I can see your little brother under the sofa, Miss Midwood Miss Midwood (at eleven o'clock, checking a yawn) "Well. if he is, he must be sound asleep by this time ? Tramp: "Will the gentleman give a trifle to < poor man ? "How do I know you are a poor man ? "How do I know you are a gentleman? It's only by the outside that either of us can judge the other!" "Does your wife do much fancy work ? "Fancy work? She won't even let a porous plaister come into the house without crocheting a red border round it, and running a yellow ribbon through the holes." Doctor: "You need more exercise." Indisposed "Why, I'm steadily engaged in painting houses, now." Doctor: "forking by the day, I expect?" Indisposed: "Yes." Docto:" Well, you had better Vork by the piece for a while." Family pride.—Miles "My grandfather celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of his birth one day last week." Giles: "That s nothing. If my great- grandfather were alive to-day he would be one hundred and fifty-two vears old." An ^rpfosion of some geiatme used for blast- ing stone blew John Robson, sixty-three, against the ceiling of a drying-shed at Pelaw, near New castle, and killed him instantly, & leg and arm being blown off. In consequence of the gradual destruction of houses through the subsidence of the land at the mining village^ of Upleatham, near Saltburn, North Yorkshire, the population, numbering originally some 800, DO" only comprises som. •eveatj persons* DISCONCERTS G. "Ncnr, boy a" w.it! the schoolmaster, 4«xrhij| \8 exarrÚnatlüll in geography, "what is 614J axia af tho «arth ? Johnny raised his hand promptly. "Well, Johnny, bow would you describe it?n "Tho axis oi the earth," said Johnny, proudly. is an iin>ginr,ry line which passes from pule to the other, and on which the earth re- volves." "Very good," exclaimed the teacher. "Now lould you bang clothes on that line, Johnny*" "Yes, sik. was the reply. "Indeed?" said the examiner, disappointed; "and wliaA sort of clothes?" "Imaginary clothes, sir."—Harpers Weekly, UNFORTUNATES. Mrs. Greene: I should think you'd feed yout hoarders a little better. You can't expect them to say a good word for you when they leave." Mrs. Skinnsr: "Oh, but they do. Almost every one of them has a grudge against some friend of his, and he invariably recommends my fcouse to him, I get lots of new boarders tl.at way.Bcston Transcript. SUPPOSING A CASE. -MTwo v three weeks ao," said a Brooklyn real estate nan, "I found I couJd make use of g toj about fifteen years old. a;2ti on the recom- mendation of a friend I hired one. Everything went like clockwork for a week, and then I came down one morning to find my safe opel. "'How does ti.iis come?' I Miked the boy. "'I opened it, sir,' he proudly replied. 'I hadn't worked at it half-an-li-rait when I found the right combination.' Eut that's a viooe of impudence on your ►art, and I don't want you io repeat it.' v"Wr. Blank,' he said, looking at me with the eght of inzBcence shining in his eyes, I did it IcT your gocd. Suppose you were to go down tc Coney Island some day for a spree, and you got full and lost your money, and a copper run you in? As soon as you got sobered up a bit you'd want bail, and you'd think of me. You'd telephone me to take a hundred bones out of the- tol, safe and hustie down there to bail you. Suppose I didn't know the combination and .-ouldn'* getf at the cash? The papers would get hold of yout case, your wife woufct raise a great row, and "But at that point," said the man, "I tootj him by the ear and led him to the door, and tolji him he was too smart for the real estate business I'm looking for another boy, and the bigse fool he is the quicker lwilJ gru him the job. Brooklyn Cttizen.
-SO-A THOUGHT OX DITTY.
-SO- A THOUGHT OX DITTY. C Duty is far more than love. It is the uphold- ing law through which the weakest becomes strong, without which all strength is unstable as water. No character, however harmoniously framed and gloriously gifted. can be complete without this abiding principle: it is the cement which binds the whole moral edifice together, without which all power, goodness, intellect, truth. happiness, love itself can have no perma- nence: but all the fabric of existence crumbles away from under us and leaves us at last sitting in the midst of ruin, astonished at our owu deso- lation. THOUGHTS ?B01I THE CHINESE. The gem cannot be polished without frictio^ nor man perfected without trials. A wise man adapts himself to circumstances, as water shapes itself to ths vessel that contain* it The best thing is to be respected, the next is to he loved it is bud to be hated, but still worse to be despised. I Do not consider any vice as trivial, and there- fore practise it; do not consider any virtue as unimportant, and therefore neglect it. Worldly fame and pleasure are destructive o I the virtue of the mind; anxious thoughts I apprehensions are injurious to the health of ti4 the body. DOES THIS, FIT YOTT? In a recent lecture. Professor Frank J. Mrf»ei a distinguished member of the staff of the Gill versity of Chicago, delivered himself of a JijkW catechism which is worthy of perusal: Has education given you sympathy for aB good causes ? Has it made you public-spirited, so that VOLA look beyond your own door-yard and take int* rest in a clean city ? Has it made you a brother to the weak? Have you learnt the proper value of money and time? Have you learnt how to make friends and keep them? Do you know how to bo a friend yourself Can you look an honest man or pure woman straight in the eye? Do you see anything to love in a little thild? Will a lonely dog follow you in the stree ? Can you be high-minded and happy io the drudgeries of life? Can you be happy alone? Are you good for anything to yourself? Can you look out on the world and see an* thing but money? Can you look up to the sky at night and &eI beyond the stars? SELECTIONS FROM CONFUCIUS. The Chinese philosopher Confucius lived at about the time of the Jewish prophets, long be- fore the birth of Christ. He was P, of the great moral teachers. He travelled trying to elevate the morals of the people. At times he was rejected .lcl maltreated. While not thoroughly appreciated previous to his death, which occurred at the age of seventy years, he was no sooner buried than the people began to worship his memory, and to greatly prize his teachings. Here are a few words from Confucius: The Master said: When the solid qualities are in excess of accomplishments, we have rusticity: when the accomplishments are in ex- cess of the solid qualities, w»> ,iave the manners of a clerk. When the accompli^tt;ent^ *nd solid qualities are equally blended, & then have the man of complete virtue." Ke-loo continued: "I venture to ask about death." He was thus answered: "While you do not know life, how can yo:t know about death "What do you say of a man who is loved by all the people in the village?" The Master re- plied: "We may not for that accord our ap- proval of him." And what do you say of him who is hated by all the people of his village? The Master renlied: NV, e may not for that con- clude that he is had. It is better than either of these two cases that the good in the village lor' him. and tho bad hate him." Tsze-kung asked: "Is there not one worfl which may serve as a rule of justice for all one's life?" The Master said: "Is not Reciprocity buch a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." For one word a man is often deemed to be wise; and for one word he is often deemed to be foolish. We ought to be carefui indeed what we say. DON'T TALK OF YOUR HEALTH. If you are not well, don't talk about it. To do so only exaggerates your consciousness of physical discomfort. Also, it casts a shadow of gloom over other people. They grow hesitant about asking you how you. feel: it gives them cold chills to be continually to!d that you are "not very well," or "not so well," or "about the same." Do you know that a good deal cf this is imagination? If you braced up and told people cheerily that you felt tip-top, nine chances in ten you would feel tip-top pretty soon. You'd forget the ailing habit. Don't let yourself become a slave to such a miserable little absorber of health and happiness aa the perpeturl habit of "not feeling well."
Advertising
cJ¡oose HOW TO'KEEP IN HEALTH. One of the foremost rules to observe is to take an abundance of liquid nourishment and to drink chiefly between and after meals, and not so much during meal times. As a health promoting beverage Cadbury's Cocoa" is universally admitted to be in the front rank, both the medical faculty and the public being unanimous in appreciation of the physical benefits to be derived from thii absolutely pure cocoa. Cadbury's Cocoa should be taken regulqrly, especially during the winter season, and on cold and wet nays, whena hot cupwardsoffmanyachill. Everybody likes Cadbury's Cocoa because it is the nicest Cocoa. It is the standard of highest purity in cocoa, and is the cheapest and best beverage for family use. min N HO The IVlan in the Moon came down too soon, But said he had come I to crave a boon. "A supply of 'Van HoutenV §(@3$ I bea- quoth he b' There s nothing- so good when hungry you be. S Cold porridge is not || at all to my taste, But good cocoa builds up without any waste. So here's to Van Houten'— finished, alack r "But now—a new man— < '—— to the Moon I'll go back." ^o. q •
FACTS AND FANCIES.
FACTS AND FANCIES. THE largest tw ia the world lies broken and petrified at the end cf a defile in North-Western Nevada. It is said to be 666ft. long. OMLY twenty-four white elephants have been captured since the beginning of the Christian era. This is the declaration of a noted elephant- catcher of India. I? a Chinaman dies while being tried for mur- der in his own country, he is considered guilty. Then someone has to suffer for his crime, and his son, if he has one, is sent to gaol for a year. If he has no son. his father or brother is flogged. SALT is used all over the world much in the same way as water, animals and human beings alike craving for it. In some parts of Africa I children will eat it in preference to sugar, and on I the Gold Coast a handful of salt will purchase two s!avea. &g SPIDER'S WEB. I If we compare the dimensions of the spider with those of its web, we are forced to admit that the little creature is a true engineer, able to construct a cable network of relatively enor- mous size. Thread after thread is put into posi- tion in the desired and necessary order, and sometimes prolonged observation on the part of the investigator is required in order to under- stand the reasons which direct the spider in its complicated operations, and which make it al- ways follow the same order and the same laws. Some of these reasons are explained by geo- metry. other-, by the strength of materials, and he who succeeds in discovering the "why" of all the interesting details of the method em- ployed is compslled to admit to himself that he could not have achieved so good a result with the same materials.
. SOMETHING ABOUT SURNAMES.
SOMETHING ABOUT SURNAMES. Surnames were so-called originally from the <>arly practice of writing them over the Chris- tian names. Instances of this custom can still be seen in court-rolls and other ancient docu- ments. They were first used in France, par- ticularly in Normandy, and were introduced into thiii country by the Normans after the Conquest. A ver7 common source of their derivation is the good old Anglo-Saxon son." combined very often with tho "s" of the possessive case. Thus we can derive from Harry: Harrison. Harris. Herris. Andrew: Anderson. Andrews. Henderson. Walter: Wat.on,- Watts, Watkins. David: Davidson, Davies, Dawson. Daws. Hodge: Hodgson. Hodges, Hutchins. William: Williamson, Wilson, Wills. Michael: Mixon (Mike's son). aud many more of similar sort.
40 - THE WORLD'S HIGHEST MONUMENT.
40 THE WORLD'S HIGHEST MONUMENT. The corner stone of the American monument to Washington was laid, on a fine site which overlooks Washington, Ceorgetown, Arling- ton, and Mount Vernon, by President Polk. July 4th, 1848. Its marble shaft rises, in all the dignity of unadorned simplicity, to the height of 555ft. The base of the shaft is 55ft. square, and it gradually tapers, until at the 500ft. point it has diminished to less than 35ft. The monu- ment is said to contain 18,000 blocks of marble, each 2ft. thick. These were lifted on in elevator run by steam, suspended in an inner framework of iron, which was built up at in- tervals, 30ft. or 40ft. at a time, in advance of the surrounding masonry. The aluminium cap- stone, 9in. high, was set in position December 6tii. 1884, thirty-six years and a-half after the corner stone was laid.
BIRTHDAY FLOWERS.
BIRTHDAY FLOWERS. We are all interested to know the appropriate flowers for our birthday months, and what their meanings are: January Snowdrop r Consolation February Primrose Flush of Youtb March Violet I Modesty April Daisy Innocence May Hawthorn Hope June Wild Roso Simplicity July Lily Purity August Poppy Sleep September Convolvulus Contentment October Hops Jov November Chrysanthemum Cheerfulness December Holly Foresight
How " THE OTHER HALF " LIVES.
How THE OTHER HALF LIVES. A correspondent who has been invetigating the rate of wages in various countries gives the following instances of how labour is remuner- ated Belgian glassblowers possess a powerful trade union and earn from B14 to J624 a month, work. ing on an average ten hours a day. Berlin tovmakers-in the instance cited, a man, three women, and one clilld-can. by work. ing very arduously, earn about 10s. a week be. tween them. In the same city two women en. gaged in making feathers for milliners, if ex- tremely industrious, make about 9s. a week jointly. j German hod-carriers have a strong union, | and earn from 8s. to 10s. for their ten hours' ) work. Spanish motor-men receive about half-a-crown a day for ten hours' work. No Spanish work man earns more than 5s. a day. whilst the majority of labourers receive only 6d. a day 0" le&a- Learn tu give, not to take; to drown vont own hungry wants in the happiness of lending yourself to fulfil the interests of those nearest or dearest to you. Small service is true service while if lasts; Of friends however humble scorn not one. The daisy by the shadow that it casts Protects the lingering dew-drops from the sun. -WORDSWORTH. When people get so spiritualised that they lose capacity for practical life, they gv w away* from rel'gious good health. Piety and common sense should never be separated. It is only the thinking man who savs things worthy of utterance. Some talk the livelong day. yet say nothing. Hang this motto on th«j wall of memory: Spean little; say much. The roses of pleasure seldom last long enough j to adorn the brow of him who plucks them, and 1 they are the only roses which do not retai> their sweetness after they have lost their beauty, I —BLAIR. j Take lifo- earnestly. Take it as an earnest. vital, essential matter. Take it as though you were personally born to the task of performing a noble work in it, as though the world had waited for your coming. Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. All is a riddle, and the ky to a riddle is another riddle. There are u many pillows of illusion as flakes in a snow- storm. We wake from one dream into another dream. -E m EitsoN. We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; In feelings, not in figures on a dial: We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. —BAILEY. Urocers, 42; drapers, 28; bunders, ro-, learner and coach tradesmen. 10. These statistics are included in the 197 English and Welsh failures during the week. The Metropolitan Asylums Board has decided to provide additional means of escape at Leaves- Jen Asylum by connecting the various blocks by iron bridges. COURTESY TOWAUDS CHILDREN. hre:¡,: injury is done not enly to the p?esens 403.ppilless of children but to their future character ind conduct by lack of politeness in our intercourse with them. Their possessions are their own. How often do we forget that! They are ridiculous trifles, ,l1ey are worthless and in our way, yet we have no JigMt to throw them out and burn them without warning or consultation. A sister's or an aunt's gentle persuasion will do much to gain pleasant cogent to yielding up the treasures which encumber too much space or are laid down in improper places. A bcx or basket provided to hold these priceless sticks and stones, and once or twice a little pleasant dd in gathering them. and the collector will be gained over to what he sees will surely preserve his property and at the same time klie, little fellow wit! have learnt respect for other people's property and the proper way to ask leave co touch and handle. While mothers are busy with their often overwhelming duties, it t""ten happens %hat to an elder sister much care r t children ~ho arc able to amuse temselves is and here £ ht -sill have a delghtl'ul chance .tip them to "cquiothe attractive manner b such a help °,. futuro life. HEALTHS "OD)ES MAKE h,gy RTITTVS. A pi, )iiiitieilt physician, in a lectus-* sa r»T*ical {f iucnt.ion it, girls' schools, said that the-.fviutioa >t the race had imposed extra brain service upon woman, as well as a new physical strain, and that the I)o(lv sl!oti!,i be e(Iii(-ate(i to iiie(,t tliis. He said fit one of the best exercises for Kiris was to make six deep breathings and expirations each morning before dressing, and there should also be half an hour's athletic exen ist- daily. This would expand the chest and increase the area of breathing space, as well as improve the figure. Well-poised slioulders and an erect carriage go far towards making a girl look pretty. Many it comparativply plain girl creates a much more pleasing impression by these means than do some others who are better endowed as to face. Very often a bad carriage comes of pure laziness. It is "too much trouble" to sit up straight, and it is "such a rest" to stand on one leg with the other bent and curved into all sorts of unnatural positions. tiirls who indulge in these positions, all of which are bad for the health, as well as antago- nistic to beauty, should learn swimming, fencing and dancing. All are valuable, fencing more than other two. Housework is also recommended as efficacious, and the least expensive of all remedies. Vigorous exercise with a di.ster an3 a broom is excellent in its way, and a little digging in the garden is better still. < NICE DISHES. SPICED SHOULDER OF llrTTo is equally good "old or hot, and should be procured quite eight !ays before it is to be cooked. First bone the jo; and rub it with 40ï.. of the coarsest sugar inix,- with a dessertspoonful of powdered cloves, half that quantity of pepper and mace, and a quarter that amount of ginger. The following day add four 4oz. of salt. Keep the mutton turned and rubbed daily with the pickle for eight to ten davs, according to your needs and the time of year. Then roll it up tightly and bind it, with wide tape. Wrap in a cloth and boil slowly till thoroughly cooked. To serve cold, brush over with glaze, and garnish. KOYAL APPLE TAi-t,r.-Litic a pie-dish with good pulf paste, and bake it, to a delicate brown. Mean- while, make a boiled custard of three yolks of eggs, half a pint of milk, and sugar to taste. Have ready about half a pint of good thick apple sauce. When. the pastry is baked, put a layer of apple sauce into it, then a thin layer of red currant jelly. Over these slowly pour the cold custard. Whip the whites of eges to a stiff froth with loz. of castor sugar, heap this on the tart, and just brown lightly in the oven. Serve cold. If only one egg be used for the custard, little cornflour should be used as thickening. GIXGEH CAKE.-Lii-,e your cake-tin with greased paper. Cream together hatf a pound of butter and six ounces of castor sugar; then put in, one by one, four eggs, heating them well in. Cut up into neat dice a quarter of a pound of preserved ginger. Sieve together ten ounces of flour, one teasponful Df baking-powder, and a quarter of a teaspoonful 2f salt; stir these in lightly to the butter and eggs. vastly, add the preserved ginger and half a gill of syrup. Put the mixture into the tin, and bake ia a moderate oven about one hour. This cake looks nice made in a long, flat tin. CHICKEN MAYONNAISE.—Cut up the nice white parts of a cold cooked chicken into neat dice. Wash and pull into convenient pieces some nice crisp lettuce and cress; slice some cucumber, beetroot, and tomato. Put all these and the chicken into a salad bowl, mixing them well together. Cut some cold cooked beetroot into any pretty shapes with a fancy cutter- Have the chicken, &c., well pilod up in the disf., and arrange the beetroot in a border round the base. Serve Wit,h a good mav<»n«tt«e eauce. WOOD ASHES FOR THE GARDEN. Waste sticks, prunings, trimmings, and weeds, rhich collect in every garden, may be put to a Jeeful purpose by reducing them to ashes. Potash it the chief fertilising property contained in this material, and previous to application the ashes should be kspt dry, because if exposed to heavy rains the ato™3 constituent is washed out, and the chief value of the material is lost. Fruits and vegetables appreciate wood ashes, and the material is also valuable for mixing with soil for pot plants. The potash is of great benefit to strawberries. In the kitchen garden they may be applied to onions, carrots, beet, and potatoes with advantage. Light surface dressings of wood ashes improve the appear- ance of thin and patchy lawns. SOME RULES FOR HOME. Home would be greatly sweetened and blessed if %e following rules were better observed We may be quite sure that our will is likely to W srossed during the day; so let us prepare for it. If from sickness, pain or infirmity we feel irri- table, let us keep a very strict watch over ourselves. -Observe when others are suffering, and drop a orz,rd of kindness. Watch for little opportunities of pleasing, and pat little annoyances out of the way. Take a cheerful view of everything, and encourage fcope. Sjrjak kindly to dependents and servants, and firaise them when you can. HOUSEKEEPING AND HOME-MAKING. Thtf* is a wide difference, that too many people ippo-ntly do not appreciate, between housekeeping and home-making. It does not follow because the house is in perfect order and all its arrangements 3re adjusted like clock-work that the house is Jwme. On the contrary, we ha^e known women vho were very deficient as housekeepers, from the p-Jint of view laid down in books, wC.1) were most tdmirable as home-makers. They diffused an atmosphere of comfort, affection, and genial good- will that was more charming than the most sumptuous furniture or the most orderly arrange- ments. A very good test of one's success in home-making is whether the members of the family find real delight in the common association and life. Arjj they happy in their homes ? The woman who finds that her husband and sons are apt in excuses for spending their leisure elsewhere than in the household circle cannot afford to lose much time in mastering the gentle art of home-making. She is probably a housekeeper and not a home-maker. Take one pound of white Castile or brown Wind- sor soap, and stir it on the tire with a little water. When melted to a smooth paste add lavender water or any other kind of essence. Care must be taken not to melt the mixture too much. Now stir in one half-cupful of almond meal or common oatmeal. Let cool, and keep in jars for use.