Chapter XXIV: Part IX: Work in Doors and Out (1)

_Home Comforts--Household Receipts--Wise Economy--Fuel--Things to
Know--Cleanliness--Accidents--Agriculture--Gardening--Etc., Etc._

HOUSEHOLD MAXIMS.

1836. A short needle makes the most expedition in plain sewing.

1837. When you are particular in wishing to have precisely what you want from a butcher's, go and purchase it yourself.

1838. One flannel petticoat will wear nearly as long as two, if turned behind-part before, when the front begins to wear thin.

1839. People in general are not aware how very essential to the health of their inmates is the free admission of light into their houses.

1840. A leather strap, with a buckle to fasten, is much more commodious than a cord for a box in general use for short distances; cording and uncording is a disagreeable job.

1841. There is not any real economy in purchasing cheap cottons for gentlemen's night shirts. The cloth cuts in holes, and soon becomes bad colored in washing.

1842. Sitting to sew by candle-light by a table with a dark cloth on it is injurious to the eye-sight. When no other remedy presents itself, put a sheet of white paper before you.

1843. People very commonly complain of indigestion: how it be wondered at, when they seem by their habit of swallowing their food wholesale, to forget for what purpose they are provided with teeth.

1844. Eat slowly and you will not over-eat.

1845. Keeping the feet warm will prevent headaches.

1846. Late at breakfast--hurried for dinner--cross at tea.

1847. Between husband and wife little attentions beget much love.

1848. Always lay your table neatly, whether you have company or not.

1849. Put your balls or reels of cotton into little bags, leaving the ends out.

1850. Whatever you may choose to give away, always be sure to _keep your temper_.

1851. Feather beds should be opened every third year, the ticking well dusted, soaped and waxed, the feathers dressed and returned.

1852. _Bed-rooms_ heated are pernicious to health.

1853. _Beds_, instead of being made up as soon as people rise out of them, ought to be turned down, and exposed to the fresh air from the open windows through the day.

1854. _Feather beds_, especially in youth and in warm weather, enervate the system, destroying its vigor and health. Neither should beds be too hard. Sleeping with the head under the clothes is pernicious; so, also, confined air caused by curtains.

1855. _The floor_ is the unhealthiest part of a room, from the tendency of impure air to descend.

1856. _Charcoal_, when burning, should have an uncovered vessel of boiling water over it, the vapor of which will counteract the deleterious fumes.

1857. _Powdered charcoal_ will remove smells, impurities, &c., from old glass vessels, after the grosser parts have been scoured off with sand and potash.

1858. A _perfume_ for linen, &c., is made of rose leaves dried in the shade, mixed with powdered cloves, scraped mace, and put in little bags.

1859. Persons of defective sight, when threading a needle, should hold it over something white, by which the sight will be assisted.

1860. In mending sheets and shirts, put the pieces sufficiently large, or in the first washing the thin parts give way, and the work is all undone.

1861. Reading by candle-light, place the candle behind you, that the rays may pass over your shoulder on to the book. This will relieve the eyes.

1862. A wire fire-guard, for each fire-place in a house, costs little, and greatly diminishes the risk to life and property. Fix them before going to bed.

1863. In winter, get the work forward by daylight, to prevent running about at night with candles. Thus you escape grease spots and risks of fire.

1864. Matches, out of the reach of children, should be kept in every bedroom. They are cheap enough.

1865. Apple and suet dumplings are lighter when boiled in a net than a cloth. Scum the pot well.

1866. When chamber towels get thin in the middle, cut them in two, sew the selvages together, and hem the sides.

1867. When you dry salt for the table, do not place it in the salt-cells until it is cold, otherwise it will harden into a lump.

1868. Never put away plate, knives and forks, &c., uncleaned, or sad inconvenience will arise when the articles are wanted.

1869. After washing, overlook linen, and stitch on buttons, hooks and eyes, &c.; for this purpose, keep a "housewife's friend," full of miscellaneous threads, cottons, buttons, hooks, &c.

1870. For ventilation, open your windows both at top and bottom. The fresh air rushes in one way, while the foul makes its exit the other. This is letting in your friend and expelling your enemy.

1871. Never allow your servants to put wiped knives on your table; for, generally speaking, you may see that they have been wiped with a dirty cloth.

1872. There is not any thing gained in economy by having very young and inexperienced servants at low wages.

1873. Dirty windows speak to the passer-by of the negligence of the inmates.

1874. _Carpets._--If the corner of a carpet gets loose and prevents the door opening, or trips every one up that enters the room, nail it down at once. A dog's-eared carpet marks the sloven as well as the dog's-eared book.

1875. _Cravats_ or stocks should not be worn so tight as to compress the many large blood-vessels of the neck, which connect with the brain.

1876. _Impure air_ of theatres, ball-rooms, and other crowded and badly-ventilated buildings and sleeping-rooms, is poison to the lungs.

1877. _Eye-sight_ is best preserved by a moderate light--too little, strains--too much, dazzles and injures. Bathing in cold water is of service.

1878. _Consumption._--Remedies.--Vigorous, daily, but not violent, exercise, and free exposure to the air, are important. As the great difficulty in medicine is in reaching the seat of this disease, frequently inhaling certain fumes may be a means of healing the lungs. Sitting and sleeping in a room through which the fumes of resin, turpentine, or other similar gums are moderately diffused, may be of service.

1879. _Small Pox_ is prevented by vaccination, if well done. Never neglect vaccination.

1880. _Water_ is purified by--1, filtration through gravel, sand, or soft porous stone and charcoal. Or, 2, it may be sweetened and improved by charcoal, coarsely pulverized and thrown into a vessel of water. 3, by boiling and distillation. Water is greatly improved in wells or pumps that are frequently used.

1881. _Distilled Water_, after being exposed to the air, is the most salubrious of all drinks, and its daily use is of the greatest importance in dyspepsia and similar diseases.

1882. _Wet Clothes_ should not be worn near a fire, or so as to occasion sudden heat. Keep in motion till dry can be had, then change at once, and give the feet a long heating.

1883. _Black Silks_ wash in warm small beer and milk.

HOUSEHOLD RECEIPTS FOR MANY THINGS.

1884. _To Extract Grease from Clothes._--Scrape off all the grease that you can with a knife; then lay over the spot a thick brown paper, and press it with a warm iron; if the grease comes through the paper, take another piece, and so on until it does not soil the paper.

1885. If not all out, wrap a bit of cloth or flannel round the finger, dip it in spirits of wine, and rub the grease spot; this will take it out. Be careful not to have the iron too hot. Try it on white paper; if it scorches this, it is too hot.

1886. _To Extract Paint from Woolen._--Rub the spot with a piece of flannel saturated with turpentine, or spirit of wine.

1887. _To Preserve Hats._--Brush them always with a soft brush. Keep them in a hat box if not in constant use, as air and dust soon turn them brown. Have a stick for each hat.

1888.--_Hats when wet_ should be handled lightly, wiped dry with a cloth or silk handkerchief, and brushed. If the fur sticks, dampen it with a sponge dipped in vinegar, and brush it dry.

1889. _When heated by exercise_ avoid drinking cold water. Rinse the mouth with cold water before drinking.

1890. _To Procure Sleep._--On going to bed take a warm or cold bath.

1891. _Another Way._--Rub the body well with rough towels or the flesh-brush for a quarter of an hour.

1892. _To Relieve Headache in Bed._--Wash the head in cold water, and lay aside the night-cap, but see that the feet are kept warm.

1893. _The air bath_ is very healthful. Children especially should resort to this method of enjoying the salubrious influence of the atmosphere.

1894. _Dr. Franklin's_ plan was to rise at day-break, and pass half an hour in his chamber undressed, reading or writing.

1895. _Close Closets_ that have become infested with moths should be well rubbed with a strong decoction of tobacco, and repeatedly sprinkled with spirits of camphor.

1896. _The Sting of a Nettle_ may be cured by rubbing the part with rosemary, mint, or sage leaves.

1897. _Charcoal Fumes._--The usual remedies for persons overcome with the fumes of charcoal in a close apartment are, to throw cold water on the head and to bleed immediately; also apply mustard or hartshorne to the soles of the feet.

1898. _An Ever-Dirty Hearth_, and a grate always choked with cinders and ashes, are infallible evidences of bad house-keeping.

1899. _Effects of Charcoal_, in stopping putrefaction, are now well ascertained; fish or meat may be restored by boiling charcoal with them.

1900. _Moths--to get rid of them._--Procure shavings of cedar-wood, and enclose in muslin bags, which should be distributed freely among the clothes.

1901. _Second._--Sprinkle pimento (allspice) berries among the clothes. Sprinkle the clothes with the seeds of the musk plant.

1902. _To Destroy the Eggs._--When deposited in woolen cloth, &c., use a solution of acetate of potash in spirits of rosemary, fifteen grains to the pint.

1903. _To Drive away Moths_ from clothes, wrap up some yellow or turpentine soap in paper; or place an open bottle containing spirits of turpentine in the wardrobe.

1904. _Cold Green Tea_, very strong, and sweetened with sugar, when set about in saucers, attracts flies and destroys them.

1905. _For Keeping a Door open_, place a large brick, covered neatly with a piece of carpeting, against the door.

1906. _A Stair-Carpet_ should never be swept down with a long broom, but always with a short-handled brush, and a dust pan held closely under each step of the stairs.

1907. _A Hat_ should be brushed every day with a hat-brush, and twice a-day in dusty weather.

1908. _Rings_ that have stones in them should always be taken off the finger when the hands are washed, else they become discolored.

1909. _Reading in Bed_ at night should be avoided, as besides the danger of an accident, it never fails to injure the eyes.

1910. _In Escaping from a Fire_, creep or crawl along the room with your face close to the ground. Children should be early taught how to press out a spark when it happens to reach any part of their dress, and also that running into the air will cause it to blaze immediately. (See page 204.)

1911. _Bronzed Chandeliers, Lamps, &c._, should be merely dusted with a feather brush, or with a soft cloth, as washing them will take off the bronzing.

1912. _Iron Wipers._--Old soft towels, or pieces of old sheets or tablecloths, make excellent iron wipers.

1913. _To Clean Looking-Glasses._--First wash the glass all over with lukewarm soap-suds and a sponge. When dry, rub it bright with a buckskin and a little prepared chalk, finely powdered.

1914. _Flowers and Shrubs_ should be excluded from a bed-chamber.

1915. _Water_ of every kind, except rain water, will speedily cover the inside of a tea-kettle with an unpleasant crust; this may easily be guarded against by placing a clean oyster-shell in the tea-kettle, which will always keep it in good order, by attracting the particles of earth or of stone.

1916. _Paper Fire-Screens_ should be coated with transparent varnish; otherwise they will soon become soiled and discolored.

1917. _The best Lamp-Oil_ is that which is clear and nearly colorless, like water.

1918. _Oil-Grease_ may be removed from a hearth by covering it immediately with thick hot ashes, or with burning coals.

1919. _Candles_ improve by keeping a few months.

1920. _Glass Vessels_, and other utensils, may be purified and cleaned by rinsing them out with powdered charcoal.

1921. _Family Clocks_ ought only to be oiled with the very purest oil, purified by a quart of lime-water to a gallon of oil, in which it has been well shaken, and suffered to stand for three or four days, when it may be drawn off.

1922. _To Heat a Bed_ at a moment's notice, throw a little salt into the warming-pan, and suffer it to burn for a minute previous to use. (See page 17.)

1923. _To Destroy Flies_ in a room, take half a teaspoonful of black pepper in powder, one teaspoonful of brown sugar, and one tablespoonful of cream, mix them well together, and place them in the room on a plate, where the flies are troublesome.

1924. _Feet, to Keep Warm in a Carriage or Cold Room._--Use a stone or glass bottle filled with boiling water and wrapped in flannel.

1925. _To Prevent Cold Feet at Night._--Rub the ankles and feet with the hand as hard as can be borne for five or ten minutes before retiring. This will be found an effectual remedy.

1926. _Another Way._--Frequent washing, and rubbing them thoroughly dry, with a linen cloth, or flannel, is useful.

1927. _To Warm Beds._--Take all the black or blazing coals out of the pan, and scatter a little salt over the remainder. This will prevent the smell of sulphur.

1928. _To Explore Unventilated Places._--Light sheets of brown paper and throw into the well or cavern. Or, fix a long pipe to a pair of bellows, and blow into the place for some time.

1929. _To Destroy Crickets._--Put Scotch snuff upon the holes where they come out.

1930. _To Brush Clothes._--Have a wooden horse to put the clothes on, and a small cane to beat the dust out of them; also a board or table long enough for them to be put their whole length while brushing them.

1931. Have two brushes, one hard and the other soft. Use the hard brush for the great coats; the soft for the fine cloth garments. These should never be brushed with too hard a brush, as this will take off the nap.

1932. _The Cane for the Clothes_ should not be too large. A small hand-whip is the best to beat with. Be careful not to strike the buttons.

1933. If the coat be wet and spotted with mud, let it be quite dry before brushing it. Then rub off the mud with the hands; put the coat at its full length on the board, and brush the cloth the same way the nap goes, which is toward the skirt of the coat.

1934. _Chimneys, Smoky, to Cure._--A northern aspect often produces a smoky chimney.

1935. _Stacks of Chimneys_ are less apt to smoke than single ones.

1936. _Straight Funnels_ seldom draw well.

1937. _Large Fire-Places_ are apt to smoke. When they do so, the lower aperture should be diminished.

1938. If the _chimney_ smokes only when the fire is first lighted, lay any inflammable substance, as shavings, on the top of the grate; the rapid combustion of which will warm the air of the chimney, and give it a tendency upward before any smoke is produced.

1939. A _chimney so incorrigible_ as to require the constant admission of fresh air, should have a pipe introduced, one of whose apertures is under the grate, and the other in the open air. Or openings may be made for ventilation near the top of the apartment.

1940. _To prevent unpleasant odor in Clothes laid up for a time_, place recently-made charcoal between the folds of the garments. Even when the odor has taken place, the charcoal will absorb it.

1941. _To Purify Stagnant Water._--One part of chalk and two of alum will speedily purify stagnant water, and four parts of animal carbon and one of alum are sufficient to purify a thousand parts of muddy river water.

1942. _To Prevent the Smoking of a Lamp._--Soak the wick in strong vinegar, and well dry it before you use it.

1943. _To Clean Cane Chairs._--Sponge them, until soaked, with soap and hot water.

1944. _Clean White Vails._--Put the vail in a solution of white soap, and let it simmer a quarter of an hour; squeeze it in some warm water and soap till quite clean. Rinse it from soap, and then in clean cold water, in which is a drop of liquid blue; then pour boiling water on a teaspoonful of starch, run the vail through this, and clear it well by clapping it. Afterward pin it out, keeping the edges straight and even.

1945. _Restoring Color to Silk._--When the color has been taken from silk by acids, it may be restored by applying to the spot a little hartshorne, or sal-volatile.

1946. _Clean White Ostrich Feathers._--Four ounces of white soap, cut small, dissolved in four pints of water, rather hot, in a large basin; make the solution into a lather, by beating it with birch-rods, or wires.

1947. Introduce the feathers, and rub well with the hands for five or six minutes. After this soaping, wash in clean water, as hot as the hand can bear. Shake until dry.

1948. _Cure for a Burn._--Wheat flour and cold water mixed to the consistency of soft paste, is an almost instantaneous cure for a burn, whether large or small. Renew before the first gets so dry as to stick.

1949. _Slippery Elm_ bark powdered makes an excellent healing poultice for burns, sores, &c., boiled with milk and about one-third bread.

1950. _Cod-Liver Oil._--This is a nauseating medicine, but the following receipt is said to remedy the bad taste.

1951. To a pint of cod-liver oil add an ounce of fine salt; shake them well together, till they amalgamate.

1952. _To Dress Squirrel and other Skins._--Take a handful of common salt, and half the quantity of alum; boil it in half a gallon of water till dissolved. When cold, the skins may be put in to steep, and allowed to remain for a fortnight, occasionally turning them; they may then be taken out, stretched on a board (skin side outward) till dry; they will then be found perfectly soft and pliable.

1953. _Another Method._--Stretch the fresh skin on a board, and dress it with water in which salt and alum have been dissolved--applying the solution with a brush. This does not injure the glossiness of the fur, which is apt to be affected when the skin is immersed.

1954. _To Clean Furs._--Strip the fur articles of their stuffing and binding, and lay them as much as possible in a flat position.

1955. They must then be subjected to a very brisk brushing, with a stiff clothes-brush; after this, any moth-eaten parts must be cut out, and be neatly replaced by new bits of fur to match.

1956. _Sable, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Fitch_, &c., should be treated as follows: Warm a quantity of new bran in a pan, taking care that it does not burn, to prevent which it must be actively stirred.

1957. When well warmed, rub it thoroughly into the fur with the hand. Repeat this two or three times; then shake the fur, and give it another sharp brushing until free from dust.

1958. _White Furs, Ermine, &c._, may be cleaned as follows: Lay the fur on the table, and rub it well with bran made moist with warm water; rub until quite dry, and afterward with dry bran. The wet bran should be put on with flannel, and the dry with a piece of book-muslin.

1959. _The Light Furs_, in addition to the above, should be well rubbed with magnesia, or a piece of book-muslin, after the bran process.

1960. _Stretching Furs._--Furs are usually much improved by stretching, which may be managed as follows: To a pint of soft water add three ounces of salt, dissolve; with this solution sponge the inside of the skin (taking care not to wet the fur), until it becomes thoroughly saturated; then lay it carefully on a board with the fur side downward, in its natural disposition; then stretch, as much as it will bear, to the required shape, and fasten with small tacks. The drying may be quickened by placing the skin a little distance from the fire or stove.

1961. _To Preserve Furs from Moths._--Warm water, one pint; corrosive sublimate, twelve grains. If washed with this, and afterward dried, furs are safe from moth. Care should be taken to label the liquid "poison."

1962. _To Keep away Flies._--No fly will enter a room in which a wreath of walnut leaves has been hung up. The experiment is worth trying.

1963. _Washing._--The most important department of domestic economy naturally includes the washhouse, into which philosophy has found its way for the application of many useful principles, and much useful practice. (See p. 262.)

1964. _To Clean Morocco Shoes._--Dissolve gum arabic in water, and mix with it a little white sugar. If it is to be kept any time, put in a little spirits of wine. Brush the shoes with it.

1965. _Cheap Door-Mats._--Cut old broadcloth or any woolen articles into long strips from one to two inches broad. Braid three of these together, and sew the braid round in gradually increasing circles till large enough.

WISE ECONOMY.

1966. If you have a strip of land, do not throw away soap-suds. Both ashes and soap-suds are good manure for bushes and young plants.

1967. _Woolen Clothes_ should be washed in very hot suds, and not rinsed. Lukewarm water shrinks them.

1968. Do not let coffee and tea stand in tin.

1969. Scald your wooden-ware often, and keep your tin-ware dry.

1970. Preserve the backs of old letters to write upon.

1971. If you have children who are learning to write, buy coarse white paper by the quantity, and keep it locked up, ready to be made into writing-books. It does not cost half so much as it does to buy them at the stationer's.

1972. See that nothing is thrown away which might have served to nourish your own family or a poorer one.

1973. As far as possible, have bits of bread eaten up before they become hard; spread those that are not eaten, and let them dry, to be pounded for puddings, or soaked for brewis.

1974. _Brewis_ is made of crusts and dry pieces of bread, soaked a good while in hot milk, mashed up, and eaten with salt.

1975. Above all, do not let crusts accumulate in such quantities that they cannot be used. With proper care, there is no need of losing a particle of bread.

1976. All the mending in the house should be done once a week, if possible.

1977. Never put out sewing. If it be not possible to do it in your own family, hire some one into the house, and work with them.

1978. Do not let knives be dropped into hot dish-water. It is a good plan to have a large tin pot to wash them in, just high enough to wash the blades _without wetting_ the handles.

1979. It is better to accomplish perfectly a very small amount of work, than to half do ten times as much.

1980. _Charcoal Powder_ will be found a very good thing to give knives a first-rate polish.

1981. _A Bonnet_ and trimmings may be worn a much longer time, if the dust be brushed well off after walking.

1982. Much knowledge may be obtained by the good housewife observing how things are managed in well-regulated families.

1983. _Apples_ intended for dumplings should not have the core taken out of them, as the pips impart a delicious flavor to the dumpling.

1984. _A Rice Pudding_ is most excellent without either eggs or sugar, if baked gently; it keeps better without eggs.

1985. "Wilful waste makes woful want." Do not cook a fresh joint whilst any of the last remains uneaten--hash it up, and with gravy and a little management eke out another day's dinner.

1986. A warming-pan full of coals, or a shovel of coals, held over varnished furniture, will take out white spots. Care should be taken not to hold the coals near enough to scorch; and the place should be rubbed with a flannel while warm.

1987. _Sal-volatile_ or hartshorne will restore colors taken out by acid. It may be dropped upon any garment without doing harm.

1988. _New Iron_ should be very gradually heated at first. After it has become inured to the heat, it is not so likely to crack.

1989. The shanks of mutton make a good stock for nearly any kind of gravy--and they are very cheap--a dozen may be had for a penny, enough to make a quart of delicious soup.

1990. Thick curtains, closely drawn around the bed, are very injurious, because they not only confine the effluvia thrown off from our bodies whilst in bed, but interrupt the current of pure air.

1991. Regularity in the payment of accounts is essential to housekeeping. All tradesmen's bills should be paid weekly, for then any errors can be detected whilst the transactions are fresh in the memory.

1992. _Linen Rags_ should be carefully saved, for they are extremely useful in sickness. If they have become dirty and worn by cleaning silver, &c., wash them and scrape them into lint.

1993. If you are troubled to get soft water for washing, fill a tub or barrel half full of wood ashes, and fill it up with water, so that you may have ley whenever you may want it. A gallon of strong ley put into a great kettle of hard water, will make it as soft as rain water.

1994. "_Morning's Milk_," says an eminent German philosopher, "commonly yields some hundredths more cream than the evening's at the same temperature. That milked at noon furnishes the least; it would therefore be of advantage, in making butter and cheese, to employ the morning's milk, and to keep the evening's for domestic use."

1995. _Scouring Drops for Removing Grease._--There are several preparations of this name; one of the best is made as follows: Camphene, or spirits of turpentine, three ounces; essence of lemon, one ounce; mix.

1996. _Sweeping Carpets._--Persons who are accustomed to use tea-leaves for sweeping their carpets, and find that they leave stains, will do well to employ fresh cut grass instead. It is better than tea-leaves for preventing dust, and gives the carpets a very bright, fresh look.

1997. _Economy of Fuel._--There is no part of domestic economy which everybody professes to understand better than the management of a fire, and yet there is no branch in the household arrangements where there is a greater proportional and unnecessary waste, than arises from ignorance and mismanagement in this article.

1998. It is an old adage that we must stir no man's fire until we have known him seven years; but we might find it equally prudent if we were careful as to the stirring of our own.

1999. Anybody, indeed, can take up a poker and toss the coals about; but that is not stirring a fire!

2000. If the consumer, instead of ordering a large supply of coal at once, will at first content himself with a sample, he may, with very little trouble, ascertain who will deal fairly with him; and, if he wisely pays ready money, he will be independent of his coal merchant; a situation which few families, even in genteel life, can boast of.

2001. Indeed, we cannot too often repeat the truth, that to deal for ready money only, in all the departments of domestic arrangement, is the truest economy.

2002. Ready money will always command the best and cheapest of every article of consumption, if expended with judgment; and the dealer, who intends to act fairly, will always prefer it.

2003. Trust not him who seems more anxious to give credit than to receive cash.

2004. The former hopes to secure custom by having a hold upon you in his books; and continues always to make up for his advance, either by an advance price, or an inferior article; whilst the latter knows that your custom can only be secured by fair dealing.

2005. There is, likewise, another consideration, as far as economy is concerned, which is, not only to buy with ready money, but to buy at proper seasons; for there is with every article a cheap season and a dear one.

2006. The master of a family who fills his coal cellar in the middle of the summer, rather than the beginning of the winter, will save one-fourth which it would otherwise cost him; and will be enabled to see December's snows falling without feeling his enjoyment of his fireside lessened by the consideration that the cheerful blaze is supplied at twice the rate that it need have done, if he had exercised more foresight.

2007. We must now call to the recollection of our readers that chimneys often smoke, and that coal is often wasted by throwing too much fuel at once upon a fire.

2008. To prove this observation, it is only necessary to remove the superfluous coal from the top of the grate, when the smoking instantly ceases.

2009. As to the waste, that evidently proceeds from the frequent, intemperate and injudicious use of the poker, which not only throws a great portion of the small coals among the cinders, but often extinguishes the fire it was intended to foster.

2010. _Economy in Carpets._--In buying a carpet, as in every thing else, those of the best quality are cheapest in the end. As it is extremely desirable that they should look as clean as possible, avoid buying carpet that has any white in it. Even a very small portion of white interspersed through the pattern will in a short time give a dirty appearance to the whole; and certainly no carpet can be worse for use than one with a white ground.

2011. A carpet in which all the colors are light, never has a clean, bright effect, from the want of dark tints to contrast and set off the light ones.

2012. For a similar reason, carpets whose colors are all of what artists call middle tint (neither dark nor light), cannot fail to look dull and dingy, even when quite new.

2013. The caprices of fashion at times bring these ill-colored carpets into vogue; but in apartments where elegance is desirable, they always have a bad effect.

2014. For a carpet to be really beautiful and in good taste, there should be, as in a picture, a judicious disposal of light and shadow, with a gradation of very bright and of very dark tints; some almost white, and others almost or quite black.

2015. _Red Carpets._--The most truly chaste, rich and elegant carpets, are those where the pattern is formed by one color only, but arranged in every variety of shade. For instance, we have seen a Brussels carpet entirely red; the pattern formed by shades or tints, varying from the deepest crimson (almost a black), to the palest pink (almost a white).

2016. _Green Carpets._--Also one of green only, shaded from the darkest bottle-green, in some parts of the figure, to the lightest pea-green in others.

2017. _Brown Carpets._--Another, in which there was no color but brown, in all its various gradation, some of the shades being nearly black, others of a light buff. All these carpets had much the look of rich cut velvet.

2018. _The Curtains, Sofas, &c._, of course, were of corresponding colors, and the effect of the whole was noble and elegant.

2019. Carpets of many gaudy colors are much less in demand than formerly. Two colors only, with the dark and light shade of each, will make a very handsome carpet.

2020. A very light blue ground, with the figure of shaded crimson or purple, looks extremely well; so does a salmon-color or buff ground, with a deep green figure; or a light yellow ground, with a shaded blue figure.

2021. _Rugs._--If you cannot obtain a hearth-rug that exactly corresponds with the carpet, get one entirely different; for a decided contrast looks better than a bad match.

2022. We have seen very handsome hearth-rugs with a rich, black, velvet-looking ground, and the figure of shaded blue, or of various tints of yellow and orange.

2023. A carpet decidedly light-colored throughout, has a good effect on the floor, or continues long to look clean.

THINGS TO KNOW.

2024. Why do candles and lamps "spirt," when rain is at hand?

2025. Because the air is filled with vapor, and the humidity penetrates the wick, where (being formed into steam) it expands suddenly, and produces a little explosion.

2026. Why does a drop of water sometimes roll along a piece of hot iron without leaving the least trace?

2027. Because (when the iron is very hot indeed) the bottom of the drop is turned into vapor, which buoys the drop up, without allowing it to touch the iron.

2028. Why does a laundress put a little saliva on a flat-iron, to know if it be hot enough?

2029. Because, when the saliva sticks to the box, and is evaporated, she knows it is _not_ sufficiently hot: but when it runs along the iron, it is.

2030. Why is the flat-iron hotter, if the saliva runs along it, than if it adheres till it is evaporated?

2031. Because, when the saliva runs along the iron, the heat is sufficient to convert the bottom of the drop into vapor; but if the saliva will not roll, the iron is not sufficiently hot to convert the bottom of the drop into vapor.

2032. Why do wet feet or clothes give us "cold"?

2033. Because the evaporation absorbs the heat so abundantly from the surface of our body, that its temperature is lowered below its natural standard; in consequence of which health is injured. [This also explains why it is dangerous to sleep in a damp bed.]

2034. Why is the health injured when the temperature of the body is reduced below its natural standard?

2035. Because the balance of the circulation is destroyed, blood is driven away from the external surface by the chill, and thrown upon the internal organs, which are oppressed by this increased load of blood.

2036. Why do not sailors get cold, who are frequently wet all day with sea-water?

2037. Because the salt of the sea retards evaporation; and (as the heat of their bodies is drawn off gradually) the sensation of cold is prevented. Also, the salt of the sea acts as a stimulant, and keeps the blood circulating in the skin.

2038. What is the cause of snow?

2039. When the air is nearly saturated with vapor, and condensed by a current of air below freezing-point, some of the vapor is condensed, and frozen into snow. A few years ago, some fishermen (who wintered at Nova Zembla), after they had been shut up in a hut for several days, opened the window; and the cold external air rushing in, instantly condensed the air of the hut, and its vapor fell on the floor in a shower of snow.

2040. What is the cause of sleet?

2041. When flakes of snow (in their descent) pass through a bed of air above freezing point, they partially melt, and fall to the earth as half-melted snow.

2042. What is hail?

2043. Rain which has passed in its descent through some cold bed of air, and has been frozen into drops of ice.

2044. What is rain?

2045. The vapor of the clouds or air condensed, and precipitated to the earth.

2046. Why are rain-drops sometimes much larger than at other times?

2047. When the rain-cloud is floating near the earth, the drops are larger, because such a cloud is much more dense than one more elevated. The size of the rain-drop is also increased according to the rapidity with which the vapors are condensed.

2048. Why does the Bible say that God "giveth snow like wool"?

2049. Because snow (being a very bad conductor of heat) protects vegetables and seeds from the frost and cold.

2050. How does the non-conducting power of snow protect vegetables from the frost and cold?

2051. It prevents the heat of the earth from being drawn off by the cold air which rests upon it.

2052. Why are woolens and furs used for clothing in cold weather?

2053. Because they are very bad conductors of heat, and therefore prevent the warmth of the body from being drawn off by the cold air.

2054. Do not woolens and furs actually impart heat to the body?

2055. No; they merely prevent the heat of the body from escaping.

2056. Where would the heat escape to, if the body were not wrapped in wool or fur?

2057. The heat of the body would fly off into the air: for the cold air, coming in contact with our body, would gradually draw away its heat, till it was as cold as the air itself.

2058. What then is the principal use of clothing in winter time?

2059. To prevent the animal heat from escaping too freely; and to protect the body from the external air (or wind), which would carry away its heat too rapidly.

2060. Why are March winds dry?

2061. Because they generally blow from the east or north-east, and therefore sweep over the continent of America.

2062. What is the use of March winds?

2063. They dry the soil (which is saturated by the floods of February), break up the heavy clods, and fit the land for the seeds which are committed to it.

2064. Why is it said that "March comes in like a lion?"

2065. Because it comes in with blustering east winds, so essential to dry the soil, which would otherwise rot the seed committed to it.

2066. Why does "March go out like a lamb?"

2067. Because the water, evaporated by the high winds, falls again in showers to fertilize the earth, and breaks the violence of the winds.

2068. Why is it said that "March flowers make no summer bowers?"

2069. Because, if the spring be very mild, vegetation gets too forward, and is pinched by the nightly frosts, so as to produce neither fruits nor flowers.

2070. Why is it said that "April showers bring May flowers?"

2071. Because April showers supply the principal nourishment on which the seeds depend for their development.

2072. Why does a polished metal teapot make better tea than a black earthen one?

2073. As polished metal is a very bad radiator of heat, it keeps the water hot much longer; and the hotter the water is, the better it draws the tea.

2074. Why will not a dull black teapot make good tea?

2075. Because the heat of the water flies off so quickly, through the dull black surface of the teapot, that the water is very rapidly cooled, and cannot "draw" the tea.

2076. Do not pensioners, and aged cottagers, generally prefer the black earthen teapot to the bright metal one?

2077. Yes, because they set it on the hob to "draw;" in which case, the little black teapot will make the best tea.

2078. Why will a black teapot make a better tea than a bright metal one, if it is set on the hob to draw?

2079. Because the black teapot will absorb heat plentifully from the fire, and keep the water hot; whereas a bright metal teapot (set upon the hob) would throw off the heat by reflection.

2080. Then sometimes a black earthen teapot is the best, and sometimes a bright metal one?

2081. Yes; when the teapot is set on the hob to "draw," the black earth is the best, because it absorbs heat; but when the teapot is not set on the hob the bright metal is the best, because it radiates heat very slowly, and therefore keeps the water hot.

2082. Why does a saucepan which has been used boil in a shorter time than a new one?

2083. Because the bottom and back are covered with soot, and the black soot rapidly absorbs the heat of the glowing coals.

2084. Why should the front and lid of a saucepan be clean and bright?

2085. As they do not come in contact with the fire, they cannot absorb heat, and (being bright) they will not suffer the heat to escape by radiation.

2086. Why should not the bottom and back of a kettle be cleaned and polished?

2087. Because they come in contact with the fire, and (while they are covered with black soot) absorb heat freely from the burning coals.

2088. Why are dinner-covers made of bright tin or silver?

2089. Because light-colored and highly-polished metal is a very bad radiator of heat; and, therefore, bright tin or silver will not allow the heat of the cooked food to escape through the cover by radiation.

2090. Why should a meat-cover be very brightly polished?

2091. If the cover be dull or scratched, it will absorb heat from the food; and instead of keeping it hot, it will make it cold.

2092. Why should a silver meat-cover be plain, and not chased?

2093. Because, if the cover be chased, it will absorb heat from the food; and instead of making it hot, will make it cold.

2094. What is the smoke of a candle?

2095. Solid particles of carbon, separated from the wick and tallow, but not consumed.

2096. Why are some particles consumed and not others?

2097. The combustion of the carbon depends upon its combining with the oxygen of the air. Now, as the outer surface of the flame prevents the access of air to the interior parts, much of the carbon of those parts passes off in smoke.

2098. Why do lamps smoke?

2099. Either because the wick is cut unevenly, or else because it is turned up too high.

2100. Why does a lamp smoke, when the wick is cut unevenly?

2101. Because the points of the jagged edge (being very easily separated from the wick) load the flame with more carbon than it can consume; and as the heat of the flame is greatly diminished by these little bits of wicks, it is unable to consume even the usual quantity of smoke. The same applies when the wick is turned up too high.

2102. Why does a lamp-glass diminish the smoke of a wick?

2103. Because it increases the supply of oxygen to the flame, by producing a draught; and it concentrates and reflects the heat of the flame; in consequence of which the combustion of the carbon is more perfect, and very little escapes unconsumed.

2104. _Hints about Making Butter_ (See page 287).--Milk should never be set for butter in a dark, damp cellar--as in the case with butter-makers in this section--as the cream is thereby moulded before it has had time to rise, which gives the butter a mouldy taste.

2105. The milk is allowed to stand too long before being skimmed, which gives it a cheesy taste.

2106. The cream is kept too long before it is churned, after it is skimmed, which gives it the taste of the other two; and also a sour taste.

2107. The butter should never be washed in water, because it takes away that beautiful aroma so essential in good butter.

2108. It should never be taken in a person's warm hands, as the heat melts a certain portion of the globules, which gives it an oily taste, and makes it become rancid very soon.

2109. The milk should be set in good clean tin or earthen pans, in a dry, open, airy and shady place, above ground, if possible, although a cellar may be so built, and ventilated, as to answer the purpose.

2110. It should never be set over twenty-four hours in warm weather; and for a dairy of three cows or over, the cream should be churned every morning, and never be kept over forty-eight hours, in warm weather; in cold weather it may be kept longer.

CLEANLINESS.

2111. The want of cleanliness is a fault which admits of no excuse. Where water can be had for nothing, it is surely in the power of every person to be clean.

2112. The discharge from our bodies, by perspiration, renders frequent changes of apparel necessary.

2113. Change of apparel greatly promotes the secretion from the skin, so necessary to health.

2114. When that matter which ought to be carried off by perspiration is either retained in the body, or reabsorbed by dirty clothes, it is apt to occasion fevers and other diseases.

2115. Most diseases of the skin proceed from want of cleanliness. These indeed may be caught by infection, but they will seldom continue long where cleanliness prevails.

2116. To the same cause must we impute the various kinds of vermin that infest the human body, houses, &c. These may generally be banished by cleanliness alone.

2117. Perhaps the intention of Nature, in permitting such vermin to annoy mankind, is to induce them to the practice of this virtue.

2118. One common cause of putrid and malignant fevers is the want of cleanliness.

2119. These fevers commonly begin among the inhabitants of close, dirty houses, who breathe bad air, take little exercise, use unwholesome food, and wear dirty clothes. There the infection is generally hatched, which spreads far and wide to the destruction of many. Hence cleanliness may be considered as an object of the public attention.

2120. It is not sufficient that I be clean myself, while the want of it in my neighbor affects my health as well as his own.

2121. If dirty people cannot be removed as a common nuisance, they ought at least to be avoided as infectious. All who regard their health, should keep at a distance, even from their habitations.

2122. In places where great numbers of people are collected, cleanliness becomes of the utmost importance.

2123. It is well known, that infectious diseases are caused by tainted air. Every thing, therefore, which tends to pollute the air, or spread the infection, ought with the utmost care to be avoided.

2124. For this reason, in great towns, no filth of any kind should be permitted to lie upon the streets. We are sorry to say, that the importance of general cleanliness does by no means seem to be sufficiently understood.

2125. It were well if the lower classes of the inhabitants of the United States would imitate the Dutch, in the cleanliness of their streets, houses, &c.

2126. Water, indeed, is easily obtained in Holland; but the situation of most towns in the United States is more favorable to cleanliness.

2127. Nothing can be more agreeable to the senses, more to the honor of the inhabitants, or conducive to their health, than a clean town; nor does any thing impress a stranger sooner with a disrespectful idea of any people than its opposite.

2128. It is remarkable, that, in most eastern countries, cleanliness makes a great part of their religion. The Mahometan, as well as the Jewish religion, enjoins various bathings, washings, and purifications.

2129. No doubt these were designed to represent inward purity; but they are at the same time calculated for the preservation of health.

2130. However whimsical these washings may appear to some, few things would appear more to prevent diseases than a proper attention to many of them.

2131. Were every person, for example, after handling a dead body, visiting the sick, &c., to wash and to change his clothes before he went into company, or sat down to meat, he would run less hazard either of catching the infection himself, or communicating it to others.

2132. Frequent washing not only removes the filth which adheres to the skin, but likewise promotes the perspiration, braces the body, and enlivens the spirits.

2133. Even washing the feet tends greatly to preserve health. The sweat and dirt with which these parts are frequently covered, cannot fail to obstruct their perspiration. This piece of cleanliness would often prevent colds and fevers.

2134. Were people to bathe their feet and hands in warm water at night, after being exposed to cold or wet through the day, they would seldom experience any of the fatal effects which often proceed from these causes.

2135. In places where great numbers of sick people are kept, cleanliness ought most religiously to be observed. The very smell in such places is often sufficient to make one sick. It is easy to imagine what effect that is likely to have upon the disease.

2136. A person in health has a greater chance to become sick, than a sick person has to get well, in an hospital or infirmary where cleanliness is neglected.

2137. The brutes themselves set us an example of cleanliness. Most of them seem uneasy, and thrive ill, if they be not kept clean.

2138. A horse that is kept thoroughly clean, will thrive better on a smaller quantity of food, than with a greater, where cleanliness is neglected.

2139. Even our own feelings are sufficient proof of the necessity of cleanliness. How refreshed, how cheerful and agreeable does one feel on being shaved, washed and dressed; especially when these have been long neglected.

2140. Most people esteem cleanliness; and even those who do not practice it themselves, often admire it in others.

2141. Superior cleanliness sooner attracts our regard than even finery itself, and often gains esteem where the other fails.

2142. A clean, fresh, and well-ordered house exercises over its inmates a moral no less than a physical influence, and has a direct tendency to make the members of a family sober, peaceable, and considerate of the feelings and happiness of each other; nor is it difficult to trace a connection between habitual feeling of this sort and the formation of habits of respect for property, for the laws in general, and even for those higher duties and obligations the observance of which no laws can enforce.

PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS.

2143. The following regulations should be engraved on the memories of all:--

2144. As most sudden deaths come by water, particular caution is therefore necessary in its vicinity.

2145. Stand not near a tree, or any leaden spout, iron gate, or palisade, in time of lightning.

2146. Lay loaded guns in safe places, and never imitate firing a gun in jest.

2147. Never sleep near charcoal; if drowsy at any work where charcoal fires are used, take the fresh air.

2148. Carefully rope trees before they are cut down, that when they fall they may do no injury.

2149. When benumbed with cold, beware of sleeping out of doors; rub yourself, if you have it in your power, with snow, and do not hastily approach the fire.

2150. Beware of damps.

2151. Air vaults, by letting them remain open some time before you enter, or scattering powdered lime in them.

2152. Where a lighted candle will not burn, animal life can not exist; it will be an excellent caution, therefore, before entering damp and confined places, to try this simple experiment.

2153. Never leave saddle or draught horses, while in use, by themselves, nor go immediately behind a led horse as he is apt to kick.

2154. Ride not on foot-ways.

2155. Be wary of children, whether they are up or in bed; and particularly when they are near the fire, an element with which they are very apt to amuse themselves.

2156. Leave nothing poisonous open or accessible; and never omit to write the word "Poison" in large letters upon it, wherever it may be placed.

2157. In walking the streets, keep out of the line of the cellars; and never look one way and walk another.

2158. Never throw pieces of orange-peel, or broken glass bottles, into the streets.

2159. Never meddle with gunpowder by candle-light.

2160. In trimming a lamp with naphtha, never fill it. Leave space for the spirit to expand with warmth.

2161. Never quit a room, leaving the poker in the fire.

2162. When the brass rod of the stair-carpet becomes loose, fasten it immediately.

2163. In opening effervescing drinks, such as soda-water, hold the cork in your hand.

2164. Quit your house with care on a frosty morning.

2165. Have your horses' shoes roughed directly there are indications of frost.

2166. Keep lucifer matches in their cases, and never let them be strewed about.

ADDITIONAL DOMESTIC HINTS.

2167. _Easy method of Breaking Glass to any required Figure._--Make a small notch by means of a file on the edge of a piece of glass, then make the end of a tobacco-pipe, or of a rod of iron of the same size, red hot in the fire, apply the hot iron to the notch, and draw it slowly along the surface of the glass in any direction you please: a crack will follow the direction of the iron.

2168. _Cleansing of Furniture._--The cleaning of furniture forms an important part of domestic economy, not only in regard to neatness, but also in point of expense.

2169. The readiest mode indeed consists in good manual rubbing, or the "essence of elbows," as it is whimsically termed; but our finest cabinet-work requires something more, where brilliancy of polish is of importance.

2170. _China and Glass Ware._--For the best way of cleaning, see page 31.