Home Arts For Old And Young - free ebook by Caroline L. Smith

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Home Arts For Old And Young

Caroline L. Smith

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Home Arts FOR OLD AND YOUNG.

Home Arts FOR OLD AND YOUNG.

BY MRS. CAROLINE L. SMITH. ( AUNT CARRIE. ) ILLUSTRATED. BOSTON: LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS. NEW YORK: LEE, SHEPARD AND DILLINGHAM. 1873. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, By LEE AND SHEPARD, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. HOME ARTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG....

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1.—HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS TREE.

1.—HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS TREE.

The first thing to be considered is how to obtain a suitable tree. If you are not near any woods, and intend to purchase an evergreen from a nursery of trees, the “silver fir” is decidedly the best adapted for that purpose. In the large cities, trees of all kinds can be easily bought; they are carried through the streets for sale. If you go to the woods, the common spruce is the most suitable. The hemlock is the prettiest green, but its boughs are not sufficiently firm to bear any considerable w

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2.—THE CHRISTMAS BRAN PIE.

2.—THE CHRISTMAS BRAN PIE.

The bran pie is often used in England, in place of the Christmas tree, or as an addition to the “Twelfth Night” party. It is within the means of every family, as its contents can be inexpensive or expensive, according to the taste and means of the maker. First, a large wooden bowl should be obtained, or any large tin pan or dish. This can be covered with white cloth or not, as the maker pleases; a wreath of evergreens around the edge is an improvement. The contents of the pie may be sugar hearts

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3.—TWELFTH NIGHT.

3.—TWELFTH NIGHT.

In England their festivities continue twelve days. Twelfth Night is sometimes called “Old Christmas,” as it was the day celebrated as Christmas before the almanac was changed. The change was made by Pope Gregory XIII., during the year 1752. Therefore Twelfth Night has its own peculiar festivities. In some portions of England they have a large gathering of friends. During the evening two dishes of little frosted cakes are passed round, one for the gentlemen and one for the ladies. In each there i

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4.—THE CHRISTMAS BAG.

4.—THE CHRISTMAS BAG.

Make a large bag of thin white paper or silver paper, fill it with sugar plums, and tie a string around the top, to keep it fast. Then suspend it from the ceiling, or from a large door frame, and provide a long, light stick. Each little child is blindfolded in turn, and the stick put into his or her hand. She is then led within reach of the bag, and told to strike it. If she succeeds in her aim and tears a hole in it, the sugar plums are scattered on the floor, and the little ones scramble for t

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1.—SHAKESPEARE READING CLUBS.

1.—SHAKESPEARE READING CLUBS.

Some clubs read Shakespeare alone. It is most certainly a noble study, and one we can never weary of. Few can hope ever to excel in delineating Shakespeare. Therefore it is well, if we meet together for social enjoyment as well as improvement, to have a variety of plays, such as Sheridan Knowles’ plays. Also, it is an admirable way of learning to converse easily in German and French to read plays in the different languages. In reading these plays, the parts, in the beginning, should be given to

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2.—PRIVATE THEATRICALS.

2.—PRIVATE THEATRICALS.

Private theatricals amuse a large circle of friends , and any club willing to undertake the presentation of plays deserve the thanks of their audience. Even a simple farce requires much labor and frequent rehearsals to be well acted, and one soon wearies of the constant repetition of even witty sayings. The most trivial character must be carefully studied, for one bad actor often destroys the effect of the whole play. Then the footlights, stage, &amp;c., must be prepared. A few directions, w

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3.—CHARADES.

3.—CHARADES.

There is no game that can afford so much amusement to a circle of friends as that of acting charades. It affords a scope for the exercise of both wit and ingenuity. A word must be chosen, in which the syllables may be rendered into some kind of a lively performance, and the whole word must be capable of similar representation. Then the plan of action must be agreed upon. Old-fashioned garments, gay shawls, scarfs, old coats, hats, aprons, gowns, &amp;c., must be looked up for the occasion, a

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4.—CON-JU-GATE.

4.—CON-JU-GATE.

Con. Arrange a school, one of the actors dressing as a country schoolmaster; let the scholars all have books in their hands, conning their lessons in loud whispers. Ju. The same school can be retained. One of the actors, dressed as a German Jew pedler, can come to the school to sell pens, pencils, paper, chalk, &amp;c. He can talk in a broken Jewish manner. The Jew should be prominent in this scene. Gate. This syllable, instead of the common representation of a gate, made with a small clothe

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5.—DUMB-FOUND.

5.—DUMB-FOUND.

Dumb. Let a certain number of the actors be seated in a row, when the door opens, or the curtain is drawn aside; let them remain perfectly silent for two moments, then let them silently rise and walk out of the room. Or as they sit silent, some actor can come in and ask questions to each, receiving only a vacant stare in answer; he then can rush out of the room, calling them a stupid set; it would be too plain to call them dumb. Found. This can be made very amusing by arranging a court scene, ju

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6.—SO-RO-SIS.

6.—SO-RO-SIS.

So. One of the actors should be dressed as a schoolmistress; some children can be seated by her with patchwork in their hands. The mistress can teach them sewing, while in another part of the room an actor must hold some papers of seeds, and pretend to be sewing the seeds in a box or pot of earth. Ro. Place the actors all in a row; let them stand gazing at the audience a moment, then all at the same time make a low bow to the audience, and that scene is over. Sis. Have a school, and the master s

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7.—LAMENTABLE.

7.—LAMENTABLE.

FRENCH CHARADE. “L’amont” can be acted well in pantomime by representing an old deaf man, and his young wife; the old man with spectacles on nose, sitting in a large chair, reading the newspaper, his young wife standing behind the chair. A low tap is heard at the door. She starts and listens; the door opens slyly and discovers a young man. She starts with delight, but points to the old man, motioning the young man to go. He makes gestures of despair; then appears to have a sudden thought, bows,

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8.—PROVERBS.

8.—PROVERBS.

SAFE BIND, SAFE FIND. Safe. An actor takes the part of a distracted mother, rushes around the room exclaiming, “My child is lost!” “He must be drowned!” &amp;c. Soon one of the actors can rush in with a child, exclaiming, “Madam, your child is safe , but I found him in a little boat, floating out to sea;” other actors can rush in, all talking at once, some scolding the child, others rejoicing he is safe. Bind. The one acting the part of mother can be seated with her work in her hands, and in

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9.—TABLEAUX VIVANTS.

9.—TABLEAUX VIVANTS.

Tableaux vivants , as commonly represented, are so well understood that no directions are necessary; but some of our readers may not have heard of the illustration of poems, &amp;c., by a series of living pictures. This is far more interesting than simply to personify some one picture. Still another way is to represent the different verses and scenes in a song in pantomime, while at the same time some one who is a good musician sings the verses of the song, as they are represented. For insta

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10.—TABLEAUX OF STATUARY.

10.—TABLEAUX OF STATUARY.

This is a new form of tableaux, and if well done, exceedingly beautiful. To prepare and arrange groups of statuary requires artistic skill, patience, and steady nerves; the two last qualities are necessary for those acting as statues. A lady who excels in preparing groups of statues, as we can testify, has kindly permitted us to give to the public her manner of preparing them. First, some effective groups of statuary must be selected, and carefully examined. Then those persons who are willing to

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11.—LIGHTS AND SHADES.

11.—LIGHTS AND SHADES.

If you wish to throw the background of a tableau into shadow, place screens between the lights at the sides of the stage and that part of the picture you wish to have dark; vice versa with the foreground. Particular points or characters may be more brilliantly lighted than others, by placing at the side of the stage a strong light within a large box, open at one side, and lined with bright tin reflectors. Lights of different colors can be thrown successively on a picture, and made to blend one w

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1.—WHAT IS VENTRILOQUISM.

1.—WHAT IS VENTRILOQUISM.

Ventriloquism may be divided into two sections, or general heads, the first of which may be appropriately designated as Polyphonism, consists of the simple imitation of the voices of human creatures, of animals, of musical instruments, and sounds and noises of every description, in which no illusion is intended, but where, on the contrary, the imitation is avowedly executed by the mimic, among which we may classify sawing, planing, door-creaking, sounds of musical instruments, and other similar

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2.—THE THEORY OF VENTRILOQUISM.

2.—THE THEORY OF VENTRILOQUISM.

Many physiologists aver that ventriloquism is produced by speaking during the inspiration of air. It is quite possible to articulate under these circumstances, and the plan may be occasionally adopted; but the practical experience of many performers prove that the general current of utterance is, as in ordinary speech, during expiration of the breath. Some think ventriloquism comprises a management of the echoes; but echo only repeats what has been already spoken. Baron Mingon, a famous ventrilo

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4.—POLYPHONIC IMITATIONS.

4.—POLYPHONIC IMITATIONS.

Mr. Love , the great polyphonist, delighted in his youth to imitate the buzzing of insects and the cries of animals. Such accomplishments are easily acquired, and we think if our young boy friends will follow our directions, they will acquire at least polyphonic powers to amuse their friends at home and abroad. To imitate a “tormenting bee,” a boy must use considerable pressure on his chest, as if he was about to groan suddenly, but instead of which the sound must be confined and prolonged in th

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5.—TO IMITATE AN ECHO.

5.—TO IMITATE AN ECHO.

It is impossible for a ventriloquist to produce an echo in a room of ordinary size, as the walls, being so near, would cause the sounds to be blended, and would only produce one impression on the ear; and yet a skilful ventriloquist can with ease imitate, in a room, a mountain echo. We will give the instructions, as it is very amusing. Turn your back to the listeners; whistle loud several short, quick notes, just as if you were whistling to a dog; then as quick as possible, after the last note,

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6.—CONCLUDING REMARKS.

6.—CONCLUDING REMARKS.

“ Any person acquainted with the voices before described, may imitate many others by contraction and expansion of the glottis, and by modifications of the cavity of the pharynx and mouth . The best way to practise is in a room alone, to talk aloud, and, while so doing, to make all sorts of contortions with the muscles of the mouth and jaws, first fixing the jaws in the manner already described, then drawing the lips inward, next putting them forward, at the same time placing the tongue in differ

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1.—THE MAGIC OF ACOUSTICS.

1.—THE MAGIC OF ACOUSTICS.

The science of acoustics furnished the ancient sorcerers with some of their most complete deceptions. The imitation of thunder in their subterranean temples did not fail to indicate the presence of a supernatural agent. The golden virgins, whose ravishing voices resounded through the temple of Delphos; the stone from the river Pactolus, where trumpet notes scared the robber from the treasure which it guarded; the speaking head, which uttered its oracular responses at Lesbos; and the vocal statue

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2.—TO SHOW HOW SOUND TRAVELS THROUGH A SOLID.

2.—TO SHOW HOW SOUND TRAVELS THROUGH A SOLID.

Take a long piece of wood, such as the handle of a broom, place a watch at one end, apply your ear to the other, and the ticking will be distinctly heard....

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3.—THEORY OF THE VOICE.

3.—THEORY OF THE VOICE.

Provide a species of whistle common as a child’s toy, or a sportsman’s call, in the form of a hollow cylinder, about three fourths of an inch in diameter, closed at both ends by flat circular plates with holes in their centres. Hold this toy between the teeth and the lips; blow through it, and you can produce sounds, varying in pitch with the force with which you blow. If the air be cautiously graduated, all the sounds within the compass of a double octave may be produced from it, and if great p

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4.—A SINGULAR EXAMPLE OF SUPERSTITION.

4.—A SINGULAR EXAMPLE OF SUPERSTITION.

The following true story was related to me by one who was personally acquainted with the facts. There was a certain bend in one of our western rivers which was avoided by every one, as it was supposed to be haunted by the devil. At a certain hour in the evening, for many years, terrible curses were distinctly heard. Suddenly they ceased. A gentleman skilled in the science of acoustics, hearing an account of the strange phenomena, determined to ascertain the cause, and carefully examined the rive

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1.—HOW TO PLANT SEEDS.

1.—HOW TO PLANT SEEDS.

We often think, because the seed we plant does not germinate, that we have purchased poor seed, when the fault is in the manner of planting. Nearly all kinds of flower seeds require transplanting, therefore it is best to plant in boxes, pots, or hot-beds. Old cigar boxes are convenient, and are easily handled, but first bore holes in the bottom of the boxes, and in your pots or boxes place either broken clam or oyster shells, or pieces of old flower pots, as a drainage; then take light, rich ear

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2.—THE QUEEN OF FLOWERS, THE ROSE.

2.—THE QUEEN OF FLOWERS, THE ROSE.

This beautiful flower deserves especial attention, and is truly called the Poet’s flower. A rose is the type of beauty in women. A lovely maiden is called a rose-bud. A beautiful matron compared to a rose in full bloom. Its delicate and refreshing perfume is always welcome to an invalid. It adorns a bride, and is a tribute of love in decorating the lifeless remains of our loved ones. Volumes could be written upon the beauties of the rose. A child can cultivate this beautiful flower. If you do no

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3.—FLOWER BEDS.

3.—FLOWER BEDS.

There are a great variety of opinions as regards the most effective way of planting flower beds. Some prefer to mix plants of different colors and varieties; others prefer the ribbon style of planting, now so generally seen in Europe. If the promiscuous style is adopted, care should be taken to dispose the plants in the beds, so that the tallest plants will be at the back of the bed; if the leader is against a wall or background of shrubbery, the others graduating to the front, according to the

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4.—CARNATIONS.

4.—CARNATIONS.

The cultivation of the Carnation is very simple. It is rooted from cuttings at any time from October to April, and as the plant is almost hardy, it may be planted in early spring with safety in the open ground. It is safe to put them out as soon as cabbage plants are set out. Many from ignorance keep their Carnations in a pot or green-house until the last of May, thereby losing six weeks’ growth. The Carnation cannot flourish in a wet soil, and care should be taken to secure good drainage. As th

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5.—FUCHSIAS.

5.—FUCHSIAS.

These flowers are very easily cultivated from slips; any amateur florist can make these slips grow, either by planting in wet sand, or in a bottle of water. Their lovely and graceful flowers add to every bouquet. They require rich light soil, such as decayed leaves and peat, moist atmosphere, and shade. Like the Lemon Verbena, the plants will keep all winter in a cellar. There are but few varieties that bloom well in winter. Bianca Marginata, white, with crimson corolla. Speciosa, flesh-colored,

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6.—PANSIES.

6.—PANSIES.

Who does not love a pansy? They are easily raised by seed and layers. The seeds should be planted in March for summer culture, and in October for winter use. The pansy requires a rich soil. The finest bed of English pansies we ever saw were planted in the fall, in a bed of rich soil. Before the winter snows the plants were covered lightly with manure and straw through the winter. In the spring the manure was carefully raked off, and the plants dug around with a garden fork. They bloomed early in

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7.—HOW TO PLANT HARDY BULBS.

7.—HOW TO PLANT HARDY BULBS.

October , or the early part of November, is the time to plant bulbs for next year’s flowering. Bulbs can be raised in any sunny place, no matter how small the bed may be; they require less care, for the beauty of the flower, than any other class of plants. We will give some plain and simple directions, hoping our young readers may be induced to plant at least a few bulbs this fall. The soil for bulbs should be rich and well drained; it should also be dug deep. If water should lie on the surface

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8.—JAPAN LILIES.

8.—JAPAN LILIES.

Of all the valuable flowers that have been imported from Japan or China, during the past twenty years, nothing equals the exquisitely beautiful Japan Lily— Lilium Lancifolium . No description can do anything like justice to these flowers, or show the beautiful, frost-like white of the surface, glistening like dew-drops; or the rubies that stand out on the surface of one of the varieties, while the end of the leaf is shaded like the exquisite pink, or the inside of some sea-shells from India. The

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9.—CAPE BULBS.

9.—CAPE BULBS.

These are so called from coming from the Cape of Good Hope. The Gladiolus is the finest variety. These bulbs are easily cultivated in New England and the Middle States; they can be planted out as soon as all fear of frost is passed. They will bloom by the last of July, and by making successive plantings every two weeks to the middle of July, they can be had in perfection until the frost returns. Although they are not particular about soil, yet if choice can be had, a sandy loam, peat, or a soil

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10.—HOW TO GROW BULBS IN WINTER.

10.—HOW TO GROW BULBS IN WINTER.

Bulbs can be grown in vases, bowls, dishes, cornucopias, &amp;c., of whatsoever shape or form, from the small ornament that will hold a crocus, to the large family punch-bowl, capable of growing a dozen hyacinths. Wire or rustic work of any kind, lined or not with zinc, and filled with moss, will grow bulbs to perfection. A zinc frame can be made to fill the whole front of any window; and if filled with moss or sand, and planted with hyacinths, lily of the valley, crocuses, snow-drops, tulip

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11.—GARDEN INSECTS.

11.—GARDEN INSECTS.

In presenting this subject to our readers, it will be difficult to decide where to begin, or where to leave off. With the first warmth, aphides, or plant lice, in shoals and nations, show their unwelcome presence on our roses, geraniums, and almost all choice plants. Many of our choice fruit trees are infested with these pests of the garden. They are exceedingly prolific. Réaumur has proved that one of these insects, in five generations, may become the progenitor of nearly six thousand millions

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12.—SOME USEFUL HINTS.

12.—SOME USEFUL HINTS.

We have, in studying different books on horticulture, found many opposing sentiments. Some seemed like hearsay to all former experience, yet we ought to be ready to receive all advice based upon positive experience. We intend acting upon some new theories of Peter Henderson, a famous gardener near New York. We have always supposed it very injurious to take water directly from a cold spring to water plants, and that rain water or soft water must be used, at the same temperature as the air in whic

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13.—MOSS BASKETS.

13.—MOSS BASKETS.

Take a piece of the spring used in hoop-skirts, or a rattan, and make a small hoop about eight inches in diameter. Collect from the woods a quantity of the long, feathery moss, and wind a heavy wreath of this moss on a hoop, then cover a piece of the rattan or hoop-spring, sufficiently long for the handle, with moss, and fasten it to the hoop. Then take a solid bunch of this moss, the size of the centre of the hoop, and push inside of this moss-covered hoop; this forms a moss basket. Take a comm

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14.—HANGING BASKETS.

14.—HANGING BASKETS.

Hanging baskets are now in such universal use, that the taste for them has extended to every town or village in our land. All florists keep a supply of baskets, with flowers planted and growing, ready for sale. These baskets are quite expensive. We will give directions for some equally pretty, but inexpensive, which any ingenious boy or girl can make. Take a small wooden bowl, bore holes in the sides to fasten in a cord, or screw in rings. Cover this with cones, acorns, black beans, &amp;c.,

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15.—ARTIFICIAL ROCKERIES.

15.—ARTIFICIAL ROCKERIES.

A well-formed and flourishing rockery is an ornament to every lawn. Petrified wood forms very beautiful rockeries, but as our purpose is to assist our young friends to make their own rockeries, we will leave the more elaborate to the gardener. Save all the clinkers from your furnace coal, dip them in a hot lime wash to color them pure white, their fantastic shapes are thus more conspicuous; arrange them in a mound according to your fancy; leave at suitable distances cavities of six or eight inch

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16.—FERNERIES.

16.—FERNERIES.

Is it not, friends, very pleasant to have a bit of the summer woods in our parlors in midwinter? Such a pleasure is within the reach of us all, with but little trouble and expense. Those who live in cities, and cannot go into the country, surely must have some friend who can supply them, or the materials can be obtained at any public green-house. First you require a glass dome, or what is still better, take five panes of glass, any size you please, four to form the sides, one for the top; fasten

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17.—IVIES.

17.—IVIES.

English Ivies are a great ornament to our rooms, and are hardy, and require very little care. After the first two years they grow quite rapidly, therefore it is well to procure two-year old plants; train them on your curtains, over your windows and pictures. Many make a mistake by changing the pots very often, thinking they require a very large pot, which is not so, for they do not require as much earth as many plants, only keep them moist, and have rich loam for the soil; it is well to water th

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18.—PRESSED FLOWERS.

18.—PRESSED FLOWERS.

To press flowers, to be arranged on paper like a painting, you must take some plain white wrapping paper (in Paris you can obtain paper prepared by a chemical process to preserve the colors), and place your flowers or leaves carefully between two sheets of the paper. Then press them by placing a heavy weight over them (letter presses are excellent), and leave them a day or two, then change the paper; thus the juices of the flowers are absorbed. It takes a week or two to press perfectly, and in s

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19.—STRAWBERRIES.

19.—STRAWBERRIES.

A few hints as regards the cultivation of strawberries may be useful to both boys and girls; for fine berries can be raised even on a small plot of ground, if the soil be rich. Plants for a new bed should be set out early in the spring; the roots will then grow strong, and the plants will be better able to bear the cold of winter. Some gardeners prefer to plant their strawberry roots in August, or even late in the autumn, and if the winter is mild, or deep snows cover the ground, the vines will

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20.—GRAPES.

20.—GRAPES.

The care of the grape vine is a pleasant occupation. To gather the rich, ripe bunches of its delicious fruit is a grand enjoyment. Almost every one can command a spot of ground sufficient for the liberal support of a grape vine. It may be planted in any unappropriated corner about the house—a sunny spot is to be preferred; but a vine may do well with but little direct sunshine, if it is well sheltered and properly cared for. It may be planted at the foot of a tree, the branches of which are not

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21.—HOW TO ARRANGE SEA-MOSSES.

21.—HOW TO ARRANGE SEA-MOSSES.

While our young friends are enjoying the pleasures of the sea-shore, there is no more delightful employment than gathering and preserving the beautiful flowers of the sea. September is the time to collect the finest varieties of sea-mosses. Before you commence to arrange them, procure two pieces of deal board, about twenty inches long and twelve inches wide; some light-brown paper, and blotting paper, and white drawing paper. You will need camel’s-hair pencils, long, slender darning-needles (or

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2.—HOW TO KNIT A STOCKING.

2.—HOW TO KNIT A STOCKING.

First select four smooth steel needles of a size suitable for the woollen or cotton yarn you intend to use. If you cannot tell yourself, the person of whom you purchase your yarn can select suitable needles. Your stitches should be cast on with double yarn. Knitting them on is preferable; first form a loop on one needle, then by knitting that loop with another needle, the required stitches can be formed. Some persons prefer a little elastic roll at the top; this is formed by knitting eight or te

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3.—BABY’S KNITTED JACKET.

3.—BABY’S KNITTED JACKET.

Cast on two hundred stitches on good sized steel needles, knit quarter stitch eleven purls, that is twenty-two times across; then, with colored split worsted, knit three purls, then narrow every time, putting the worsted twice over the needle each time to make holes; knit three purls, then commence with the white worsted; knit fourteen purls; divide the stitches into three parts, fifty on each side, one hundred in the middle. Commence with the middle, knit twenty-two purls, then narrow each side

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4.—BABY’S BLANKET.

4.—BABY’S BLANKET.

Commence with thirty stitches on a needle, and knit Brioche stitch. Knit till you can count twenty-four loops, then change the color (the stitch to be knit, is slip a stitch, put thread in front and narrow, all across, on both sides the same). You must always join the color on the same side, and have a colored square in each corner of your blanket. Knit seven squares in each strip, and seven strips form the inside of the blanket....

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5.—BORDER TO BLANKET.

5.—BORDER TO BLANKET.

Cast on ten stitches, knit two plain, put your worsted in front and narrow all the rest, but knit the last stitch plain; that is, put your thread in front and narrow two together, till there are two left; then put your thread in front and knit one stitch; then the last one plain; knit back plain; then knit three stitches, and the same as before, only add a stitch every other time across, till you have nineteen stitches; then knit twice plain, and knit eight, and narrow; then put your thread in f

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6.—KNITTED BED-QUILTS.

6.—KNITTED BED-QUILTS.

This requires a whole box of the red and white Saxony yarn. This should be knit with the finest ivory needles. Cast on forty stitches. Knit the stripes garter stitch; that is, knit backwards and forwards plain knitting, slipping always the first stitch on the needle. Knitting it thus, it makes every other time across look like purling. The stripes must be four hundred purls in length; it needs eleven stripes, red and white alternately. These stripes must be sewed together, and the ends finished

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7.—BABY’S BLANKET.

7.—BABY’S BLANKET.

A beautiful blanket can be knit with stripes, alternating pink and white. Knit plain garter stitch, each stripe a yard long; the white stripes should be the narrowest, eighteen stitches for the white and twenty-two for the pink. When finished, then work in the white stripes, a pink rose-bud and a green leaf, as small as possible, then sew all together, making the blanket a square yard. Cast on sixteen stitches. First row. Knit three, turn over twice, purl two together, knit two, turn over twice,

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8.—SOFA CUSHION.

8.—SOFA CUSHION.

Cast by knitting sixteen stitches, knit plain four rows like a garter, knit eight stitches, turn and purl four, knitting heel stitch (that is, plain in front, and purl on the back side), ten times on the four stitches. Then slip the four stitches from the needle while you take up the next four, then return them again and knit the remaining four, turn and knit twelve stitches, then take up the last loop on the roll, and narrow it off with the first stitch of the last four, then knit the last thre

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9.—TABLE MATS.

9.—TABLE MATS.

Table mats, made of coarse white tidy yarn—with the plain crochet stitch and a scallop border—are easily worked, and do not strain the eyes....

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10.—CARRIAGE OR BED-ROOM MAT.

10.—CARRIAGE OR BED-ROOM MAT.

A very pretty carriage or bed-room mat may be made in knitting. Collect as much flannel list, or flannel and woollen cloth as you can; cut it into short lengths, and knit a few rows, for a foundation, in twine. Then take a piece of list, put it across the string, and knit it in tightly; knit the pieces of list in this way all across; then knit a row plain; then knit in a row with the list. If you knit an edge of scarlet flannel, say six rows first, and six stitches at the beginning and end of ea

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11.—KNITTED MOSS.

11.—KNITTED MOSS.

Cast on about fifty stitches of light green Berlin wool; slip a stitch on your needle without knitting, and knit the next row. Continue the same until you have finished two skeins of wool, taking care never to knit the first stitch of each line. Then knit on it, in the same manner, two skeins of the next shade darker of color, and continue in the same manner until you have knitted up five shades of green; join on a rich brown, and a faded moss-colored wool, and then cast off. Wet your knitting t

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12.—PLAIN NEEDLE-WORK, AND USEFUL HINTS FOR YOUNG LADIES.

12.—PLAIN NEEDLE-WORK, AND USEFUL HINTS FOR YOUNG LADIES.

Our young ladies formerly were educated thoroughly in needle-work. Plain sewing was taught in the primary schools; but, alas! these times seem past; it is rare to find a little girl of even ten years old who can hem a pocket-handkerchief well. The children of our mechanics grow up with but little knowledge of useful work. Their mothers, with mistaken love, mend, dress, and make their wearing apparel. Often they marry wholly ignorant of the accomplishments necessary for a true wife and helpmeet—t

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13.—EMBROIDERY IN SPANGLES AND CANNETILLE.

13.—EMBROIDERY IN SPANGLES AND CANNETILLE.

Bullion , which is a large gold wire, of which officers’ epaulets are made, frisure , a smaller bullion, clanquant , which is a flat gold ribbon, are all classed under the denomination of cannetille. Leaf-shaped spangles are called laine. Stretch the velvet, cloth, or silk which you intend to embroider in a frame, and tack over it your pattern, which must be nicely drawn on silver paper. Suppose your pattern is a wreath of grape-vine leaves and grapes; you must put bullion on for the centre stem

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14.—EMBROIDERY IN LAMÉ OF VELVET AND GOLD.

14.—EMBROIDERY IN LAMÉ OF VELVET AND GOLD.

Fix your material in a frame. Tack over it your pattern drawn on silver paper, or sketch it lightly on the surface of the cloth or silk. Work your stems and tendrils in frisure, your berries or little flowers in spangles. You can purchase stamped velvet leaves, which you must fasten with strong gum to your velvet or silk, and then keep them firm by veining them with gold thread. Petals of flowers may be cut out of colored velvet, and arranged on the cloth or velvet, if the young needlewoman has

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15.—EMBROIDERY IN FEATHERS.

15.—EMBROIDERY IN FEATHERS.

Stretch your material for the ground on a frame. Cover the back or under side of your feathers with thin gum, to keep the tiny plumage together, and let them dry. Take a sharp pair of scissors, and cut the feathers into the shape of the petals you require; lay them separately on your pattern, and tack them firmly on the silk or cloth with sewing silk of the same color. Work stems, tendrils, and centres with silk of the color required. Of course you must arrange your petals or leaves according to

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16.—CORK WORK.

16.—CORK WORK.

Very beautiful articles can be made by ingenious boys and girls, from cork bark. Those of our readers who have only seen cork work in the shape of common bottle corks, will not be attracted by the title of this chapter. But all who have seen, either at home or abroad, the exquisite models of castles, old ruins, churches, and many other picturesque objects, made entirely from this material, will welcome a few simple directions for this work. We will first speak of the cork bark, as it may not be

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17.—BLACK LANDSCAPE.

17.—BLACK LANDSCAPE.

Pass a card, or a piece of card-board, through the smoke of a candle till it is quite black. Then take a penknife and scratch upon it any landscape or design you please. Moonlight scenery is very effective in this way. In case of lack of pencils, &amp;c., this is not a bad way of sketching a scene one desires to remember....

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18.—VEGETABLE FLOWERS.

18.—VEGETABLE FLOWERS.

Boys and girls who live in the country will find it a pleasant winter evening pastime to make a bouquet of vegetable flowers. First gather from the woods laurel leaves and other evergreens. Then by the exercise of taste, ingenuity, and a skilful use of the penknife, really beautiful bouquets can be compiled of these flowers, with the addition of sprigs of evergreen. White turnips, yellow turnips, beets, carrots, pumpkins, and portions of cabbages, can be used for the flowers. Take a white turnip

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19.—ORNAMENTAL SEED WORK.

19.—ORNAMENTAL SEED WORK.

We have seen exhibited at agricultural fairs some really beautiful frames and boxes ornamented with common garden seeds. If our boys and girls will begin early in the summer, and collect every variety of seed possible, such as all kinds of beans, corn, melons, &amp;c., they will have abundant material for this kind of ornamental work in the winter. Every seed of size sufficient for handling should be saved; even small polished black or yellow seeds, like poppy seed, can be preserved to scatt

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20.—HOW TO IMPRESS LEAVES ON VELVET.

20.—HOW TO IMPRESS LEAVES ON VELVET.

This work is very easy and very pretty, requiring only great nicety and care, and some taste. Take a piece of white cotton velvet (such as undertakers use as a lining to burial caskets), white jean, or white linen, or fine, thin muslin; cut it out in the form of a tidy, mat, or whatever you wish to make. Then pin upon it carefully, with very minute pins, Ferns, Maiden’s Hair, or any graceful leaf, in the form of a wreath or bouquet. Mix plenty of India ink the depth of color you require; take a

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21.—PAPER PILLOW.

21.—PAPER PILLOW.

Save all your scraps of writing paper, old notes of no use, old envelopes, old backs of notes, &amp;c. Take a bag or some box to throw them in, instead of the fire or rag-bag, where they are usually placed. When a number has been collected, cut them into strips about half an inch wide or narrower, and two inches long; curl them wet by drawing them over the blade of an old penknife. Make a pillow case of any material you have; fill it with your curled paper; mix with it a few shreds of old fl

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22.—IMITATION CARVED IVORY.

22.—IMITATION CARVED IVORY.

Take half an ounce of isinglass, boiled gently in half a pint of water, till dissolved; then strain it, and add flake white, finely powdered, till it is as white as cream. Take any article you desire to look like ivory, such as a wooden box, stand, or card-case. Give the article three or four coats of this solution, letting each dry before the other is laid on; then smooth it carefully with a bit of damp rag. When the composition is perfectly dry, you can put on the imitation carved ivory figure

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23.—DIAPHANIE, OR STAINED GLASS.

23.—DIAPHANIE, OR STAINED GLASS.

This simple, but really beautiful invention, can easily be acquired by carefully reading the following directions, and by practice, the effect of gorgeous stained glass can be given to common window glass, with moderate expense. The materials required are plates of clear glass, free from specks or bubbles, designs, groundings, and borderings which are printed expressly for the purpose, and in transparent colors; a roller which is employed to press the paper closely on the glass, so as to remove

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24.—PAINTING ON GLASS.

24.—PAINTING ON GLASS.

Some of the works which profess to teach the art of painting on glass, contain directions for staining large windows in churches and halls; others merely give the process of producing the more common paintings, such as are carried about the streets for sale. These seem to have been much in vogue about a century since, as all the “Young Artists’ Assistants” of that day contain the mode of painting them. They direct us to fix a mezzotinto print upon the back of a sheet of glass, and to remove the

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25.—PAINTING ON VELVET.

25.—PAINTING ON VELVET.

Painting on velvet as well as on glass is an old art revived. No art that is really beautiful in itself will pass away entirely. As these paintings are very pleasing to the eye, and easy of execution, it is well to know how to paint them. The following directions are taken from a reliable English work. The colors for this style of painting are sold at the drawing material warehouses in a liquid state, and prepared for use. In addition to these, a brilliant rose-color is obtained from the pink sa

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26.—CASTING IN PLASTER, SULPHUR, &c.

26.—CASTING IN PLASTER, SULPHUR, &c.

Taking the impression of coins, metals, &amp;c., is, independently of its utility, a most interesting amusement. This art is of considerable importance to collectors of antique coins, &amp;c. It is often difficult and always expensive to purchase superior specimens, of which, however, exact models may be obtained by casting, without the slightest injury to the originals. The mould is made in the following manner:— Take a strip of paper, a quarter or third of an inch wide; roll it twice t

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27.—ENGRAVED BOXES.

27.—ENGRAVED BOXES.

The box should be white or light straw-color, in order to show the faint impression to advantage. It should be varnished five or six times in succession, and suffered to dry thoroughly each time. While the last coat of varnish is yet so fresh that your finger will adhere to it, the engraving must be put on, the picture side next to the varnish. The engraving must be prepared in the following manner:— All the white paper must be cut off close to the edges of the engraving, which must be laid on a

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1.—THE LEGITIMIST.

1.—THE LEGITIMIST.

TWO PACKS. This name is of French origin, but it seems to have no special adaptation to the game. It may have been applied to it from some old royalist, who solaced his years of exile with the company of mimic kings and queens. It requires close attention, but is not otherwise difficult. Take a king and place it at the left. Then, having shuffled your cards well together, begin to lay them off. You place in succession, in a horizontal row, next the king, the queen, the knave, ten, nine, eight, s

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2.—THE SULTAN.

2.—THE SULTAN.

This is, perhaps, the most curious and interesting of all the games of Solitaire, and, if successful, it forms a pretty picture of the sultan or king of hearts, surrounded by his eight queens. As it is rather difficult to understand the arrangement, we have prepared a little diagram to illustrate it. Take out the ace of hearts and all the kings. Place one king of hearts in the centre. Just above him place the ace of hearts, and below him the other king of hearts. On each side of the ace place th

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3.—FRENCH SOLITAIRE.

3.—FRENCH SOLITAIRE.

ONE PACK. This game is very simple, and well adapted to invalids who cannot make much effort. Shuffle the cards well. Lay the four aces as they come in a row. Place the other cards as they appear from the pack, on the aces in order, without following suit; as, ace, deuce, three, four, &amp;c.; this is called putting the cards in families. Place the cards which do not fit on these, in due order in four piles below, and whenever the top card will go on the upper line, in regular sequence, you

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4.—THE ARMY SOLITAIRE.

4.—THE ARMY SOLITAIRE.

The army game is a decided favorite with all who like solitaire games; we have never seen any printed directions, yet there may be in some book we have not had access to. We prefer it to any other game of solitaire, and we hope these directions will be sufficiently plain to interest our readers to try it. Shuffle the cards thoroughly. Then deal off the first card, whatever it may be, and place it on the upper corner of the left hand side of an imaginary square. This is called the foundation card

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1.—THE BATH.

1.—THE BATH.

In olden times, in this country, baths were but little used. It was considered a luxury but few could possess. Now there is scarcely a decent house built without a bathroom. In England and France, “there was a time when many ladies had a most hydrophobiacal dread of water; they thought it injured the delicacy of the complexion. Their ablutions often consisted in wiping the cheeks with a cambric handkerchief, dipped in elder flower or rose water.” A daily bath is now the rule rather than the exce

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2.—COMPLEXION.

2.—COMPLEXION.

We will only give a few words of advice, as an assistance in the preservation of the complexion. Rise early, and go to bed early. Take a plenty of exercise. Keep the pores of the skin open by perfect cleanliness. Be moderate in eating and drinking. Do not often frequent crowded assemblies, and shun cosmetics, and washes for the skin . We will give a few harmless recipes. But most of the powders and washes used dry up the skin, and in the end make it rough. Be careful always in washing to wipe yo

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3.—RECIPE TO CURE FRECKLES.

3.—RECIPE TO CURE FRECKLES.

Into half a pint of milk squeeze the juice of a lemon, with a spoonful of brandy, and boil, skimming well; add a dram of rock alum....

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4.—A CURE FOR FRECKLES.

4.—A CURE FOR FRECKLES.

Scrape horse-radish into a cup of cold sour milk; let it stand twelve hours, strain, and apply two or three times a day....

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5.—A CURE FOR FRECKLES.

5.—A CURE FOR FRECKLES.

Mix lemon juice, one ounce; powdered borax one quarter dram; sugar, half a dram; keep a few days in a glass bottle, then apply occasionally....

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6.—A CURE FOR PIMPLES.

6.—A CURE FOR PIMPLES.

Many of our young people are much troubled with an eruption upon the face. It often proves a great annoyance to them; but there is a simple remedy, which, if it does not effect a complete cure, will obviate the trouble in a great degree, without the least injury to the health or skin. To one grain of corrosive sublimate add one ounce of rose water; filter, and apply twice a day....

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7.—HAIR.

7.—HAIR.

It is impossible for a lady to possess anything that so adds to her charms as a good head of hair. “It is a crown of beauty.” This accounts for the enormous amount of advertisements of infallible hair tonics and restorers. Beware of such advertisements. We will give you some few simple and most essential rules to preserve the hair. Also some recipes (easily and cheaply made) of the most excellent pomatums. The skin of the head is delicate, therefore especial care should be taken in brushing the

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8.—CARROT POMADE.

8.—CARROT POMADE.

This is another excellent recipe. Two thirds beef’s marrow, one third leaf lard unsalted, one carrot grated fine, simmered together for two or three hours. These pomades should be applied with the hand or a soft brush, and rubbed into the hair thoroughly. Be careful and not oil the hair often, for an over oiled head is offensive. It is well to rub the hair at night with a piece of flannel, so that the oil used in the day may be removed. Every month the hair should be shampooed. A few drops of am

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9.—BANDOLINE.

9.—BANDOLINE.

A French recipe, is excellent—because it is harmless—to use in dressing hair to keep back any refractory locks. Recipe. Simmer one ounce of quince seed in a quart of water, forty minutes; strain cool, add a few drops of scent, and bottle, corking tightly. Another way of making “Bandoline” is with Iceland moss. Take a quarter of an ounce, boiled in a quart of water, and a little rectified spirits added, so that it may keep. A weak solution of isinglass is the only curling fluid that is harmless..

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10.—COLD CREAM.

10.—COLD CREAM.

Is excellent for a lip salve. The recipe is a pint of sweet oil, half an ounce of spermaceti, and two ounces of white wax, melted together over the fire and scented; or take a pint of oil of sweet almonds, one ounce of white wax, half an ounce of spermaceti, and half a pint of rose water, beat to a paste....

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11.—RECIPE FOR CAMPHOR ICE.

11.—RECIPE FOR CAMPHOR ICE.

Half a cake of white wax, a good inch of a pure spermaceti candle, a piece of camphor as large as an English walnut, a tablespoonful of sweet oil, mix and simmer all together; if too soft, add more wax, if too hard, add more oil. This is excellent to use in cold weather for lips and hands. This being prepared for a home book, we give a few recipes for the use of the toilet, which we know are good. We will give one more most excellent recipe for a cooling and healing salve....

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12.—CUCUMBER SALVE.

12.—CUCUMBER SALVE.

Half a pound of pure lard unsalted, a heaping quart cup of cucumbers sliced as for eating; let them simmer an hour, so as not to boil, then strain into cups....

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13.—TO LOOSEN STOPPERS OF TOILET BOTTLES.

13.—TO LOOSEN STOPPERS OF TOILET BOTTLES.

Let a drop of pure oil flow round the stopper, and stand the bottle near the fire. After a time tap the stopper with the handle of a hair brush; if this is not effectual, use a fresh drop of oil, and repeat the process....

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14.—TO REMOVE A TIGHT RING.

14.—TO REMOVE A TIGHT RING.

When a ring happens to get tightly fixed on a finger, take a piece of common twine, soap it thoroughly, and then wind it round the finger as tightly as possible. The twine should commence at the point of the finger, and be continued till the ring is reached; the end of the twine must then be forced through the ring. If the string is then unwound, the ring is almost sure to come off the finger with it....

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15.—HAIR WASH.

15.—HAIR WASH.

As much borax as a pint of hot water will absorb, three tablespoonfuls of best olive oil, twenty drops of almond essential oil. This recipe we recommend most heartily. It must be well shaken before using....

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16.—A CURE FOR POISON.

16.—A CURE FOR POISON.

Sweet oil is a cure for the poisonous bite of serpents, spiders, &amp;c.; also for being poisoned by ivy and dogwood. Bathe the part bitten or affected, and take a teaspoonful internally. If a horse is affected, it will require eight times as much to affect him. All persons sensitive to poison whenever they visit the woods, on their return should wash hands and face in vinegar and salt, and take camphor inwardly. The subject of reading cannot be omitted in a work devoted to the interests of

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Home Reading.

Home Reading.

Do not confine yourself to one kind of reading. If you are fond of novels, that is no reason why you should read them exclusively. Perhaps acquaintance with a different class of books may develop a taste for them; at anyrate you cannot afford to read entirely for amusement. It is neither our province nor our wish to condemn novel-reading; the excessive practice of it will, we believe, be best checked by acquaintance with books of greater value. There are histories as varied in incident as any no

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1.—COOKING FOR THE SICK.

1.—COOKING FOR THE SICK.

Beef tea. Take one pound of beef, without any fat, cut it in very small pieces, and put it in a bottle; cork it and put it into a kettle of water, and boil it until the juice is exhausted; this will do for very sick people who can only take a teaspoonful of nourishment at one time. Take a pound of lean beef, cut it up fine in a quart of cold water, let it boil an hour, then salt it, and put in a pinch of cayenne pepper, strain it, and it is ready for use. This given to a person troubled with sle

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2.—PORT WINE JELLY.

2.—PORT WINE JELLY.

Take a half pint of port wine, one ounce of isinglass, one ounce of gum arabic, one ounce of loaf sugar; let it simmer for a quarter of an hour, stirring it till the gum and isinglass are dissolved, then pour it into a mould. When cold it will be quite stiff....

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3.—TOAST WATER.

3.—TOAST WATER.

Brown thoroughly, but not burn to a cinder, a small slice of bread; put it into a pitcher, and pour over it a quart of water which has been boiled and cooled; after two hours pour off the water; a small piece of orange or lemon peel put into the pitcher with the bread improves it....

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4.—TO PREPARE RENNET WHEY.

4.—TO PREPARE RENNET WHEY.

Get a rennet, such as is used for cheeses. Then take a piece two inches square, or a little larger, rinse it first in cold water, then pour on to it two table-spoonfuls of hot water, and let it stand a half hour in a warm place. Take three pints of milk, and heat it blood warm. Then pour in both the rennet and water, and stir it in well. Cover and let it stand in a warm place, to keep the milk of an even temperature; it must not be moved until it turns to a curd; then cut up the curd with a spoo

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5.—FLAX-SEED SIRUP.

5.—FLAX-SEED SIRUP.

This we know to be an excellent remedy for a cough. Boil one ounce of flax-seed in a quart of water for half an hour; strain, and add to the liquid the juice of two lemons and half a pound of rock candy. If there is a soreness and general weakness from the cough, add half an ounce of powdered gum arabic....

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6.—MUCILAGE OF SAGO.

6.—MUCILAGE OF SAGO.

Take an ounce or a table-spoonful of sago, steep in a pint of water, in a pan placed on the back of the stove for two hours, then boil for fifteen minutes, stirring it all the time. This mucilage can be sweetened with sugar and flavored with lemon juice, or milk can be added....

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7.—APPLICATIONS FOR THE SICK.—REFRESHING LOTION.

7.—APPLICATIONS FOR THE SICK.—REFRESHING LOTION.

Mix one table-spoonful of vinegar, one of eau de cologne, and one of water. Dip a linen rag or a handkerchief into this preparation and lay upon the head. It refreshes a patient....

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8.—RECEIPT FOR CROUP.

8.—RECEIPT FOR CROUP.

One tea-spoonful of powdered alum mixed with molasses or lard, and sometimes water; make a child with croup swallow it; it is a quick emetic....

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9.—REMEDY FOR SORE THROAT.

9.—REMEDY FOR SORE THROAT.

Take a tea-spoonful of chlorate of potassium and dissolve in a tumbler of hot water, and gargle the throat every two hours....

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10.—BURNS.

10.—BURNS.

Dissolve alum in water, and bottle ready for use; or common lime-water; either remedy applied at once will relieve a burn and draw out the fire. Pour the solution into a bowl, and hold the burnt place, if possible, into it, or wet cloths with it. Sweet oil and laudanum can be added to the lime-water. We simply give a few remarks for ordinary troubles, which may be useful; but we cannot leave this article without giving some useful rules for making good bread , which few make, and every young gir

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1.—WAFFLES.

1.—WAFFLES.

Take one quart of milk; melt in the milk a large spoonful of butter; beat up four eggs, and add to this mixture a little salt; add to the slightly warm milk a small gill of yeast, flour sufficient to make a batter just right for a waffle iron, or a little thinner to bake on a griddle iron. The batter for waffles is also nice baked in tins as muffins. Some elder person can direct, the first time you make this recipe, the proper thickness of the batter....

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2.—A CREAM TOMATO SOUP.

2.—A CREAM TOMATO SOUP.

Twelve tomatoes, skinned and cut up, cook thirty minutes (or a quart of canned tomatoes, ten minutes will cook it). When cooked, stir in quarter of a teaspoonful of soda; when done foaming put in two large crackers, rolled fine; one quart of milk, salt and pepper to taste; stir in a piece of butter nearly the size of an egg; let it all boil up once, then serve for dinner....

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3.—BREAKFAST CAKE.

3.—BREAKFAST CAKE.

Three table-spoonsful of sugar, two of butter, two eggs, one teaspoon of soda dissolved in a cup of milk, two teaspoons of cream of tartar mixed into a pint of wheat flour, beat well and bake quickly....

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4.—MOLASSES GINGERBREAD.

4.—MOLASSES GINGERBREAD.

Three cups of flour, two of molasses, one of boiling water; dissolve in this, butter the size of an egg, half a teaspoonful of soda, dissolved in a little hot water, one large spoonful of ginger, and one of cinnamon. Bake in bread tins until done, which can be ascertained by pricking it with a broom corn; if none of the gingerbread adheres to the stick, it is done. This is the way to ascertain if any kind of cake is done....

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5.—PLAIN COOKIES.

5.—PLAIN COOKIES.

One cup of molasses, one half a cup of milk (sour if possible), dissolve a teaspoonful of soda in the milk. One table-spoonful of butter, flour sufficient to make it stiff to roll out and cut in any shape desired....

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6.—MOONSHINE CRACKERS.

6.—MOONSHINE CRACKERS.

One quart of flour, one table-spoonful of butter, a teaspoonful of salt, rub these into the flour and turn it on to the moulding board; turn into it a small tumbler of ice-water; knead the water in little by little. Then pound it with the rolling pin fifteen minutes, roll as thin as possible, and cut out as you do cookies; round cutters are the best for crackers; mark with a jagging iron, and bake ten minutes....

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7.—NEW YEAR’S COOKIES.

7.—NEW YEAR’S COOKIES.

Rub three quarters of a pound of butter into a pound of flour. Take a half pint of boiling water and pour over a pound and a half of light brown sugar in a bowl; dissolve a small teaspoonful of soda in two large spoons of hot water. Add flour only sufficient to roll out very thin; cut it out in oblong shapes with a jagging iron; bake quickly in a hot oven . In New York they mark these cakes with mottos,—Christmas and New Year’s....

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8.—SPONGE CAKE.

8.—SPONGE CAKE.

Two cups of fine-powdered sugar, two cups of flour, six eggs, one large lemon, or one and a half of small size; beat the yolks of the eggs and the sugar and grated peel of the lemon together; beat the whites separately, and stir into the sugar, &amp;c., with the flour; this makes one good-sized loaf, or two small ones; be careful and not have too hot an oven....

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9.—LOAF CAKE.

9.—LOAF CAKE.

Two cups of light wheat dough, one of sugar, half a cup of butter, two eggs, half a teaspoonful of soda, one grated nutmeg, two teaspoonfuls of ground cloves, two of cinnamon; stoned raisins can be added, half a cupful; mix all together. This makes one loaf. Neatness is essential in cooking. Wash your hands often. Baking badly spoils the best of cake and bread. Learn of an experienced person the proper degree of heat. We will give a few simple rules, which we hope all will read and remember. 1.

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