/ 
 
TO K[EP HOUSE. 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 THE GRANDEST COLLECTION 
 
 OP 
 
 Household Recipes 
 
 EVER PUBLISHED, AND ABOUNDING IN USEFUL 
 
 mrORMATION FOE EVERYBODY. 
 
 THIS LITTLE BOOK WILL TEACH YOU 
 
 How U) Keep House, Preserve Your Furniture, Make 
 Usefiil Articles, Mend Your Crockei7, Make 
 Candy, Wine, Beer, Cologne, Eradi- 
 cate Freckles and Pimples, 
 
 TEAOH YOU TO DO ALMOST EVERYTHING 
 
 
 New York: 
 FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 
 
 34 ANp 36 North Moope Street, 
 
\> 
 
 x^A 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by 
 
 FRANK TOUSEY, 
 
 in the OflQce of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 SYSTEM. 
 
 Every young housekeeper who sits down and seriously 
 studies out the subject will And herself a different being if she 
 manages her affairs with system, or if she lets them manage 
 her without it. It is true that before she is married, all her 
 study on the subject will be theoretical, and possibly somewhat 
 impractical, and something like the house one builds and is 
 enchanted with till coming to live in it. For there are things 
 that only experience can teach, and in matters where the expe- 
 rience of nobody else can be of any material service. If her 
 mother was a woman of system, the young housekeeper already 
 has much of what she wants bred in her bone, as one may say. 
 But, if her mother was an invalid, or was shiftless and thrift- 
 less, was overwhelmed with troubles and babies, then the 
 daughter has to strike out a path for herself. The sooner then 
 that she remembers that there are seven days in the week, and 
 that that period of time constitutes one revolution of the house- 
 hold, the sooner she will come into her kingdom and reign 
 undisturbed by her people. 
 
 It is very evident frDm the above remarks, that it will be abso- 
 lutely necessary to arrange a system of work that will be adapted 
 to every member of your household. We, therefore, give you a 
 plan for the week, which can be amended in any manner you 
 may think necessary. 
 
 A PLAN OF WORK FOR THE WEEK. 
 
 Monday. — This day has been considered the universal wash- 
 day in America, thereby making Monday the most dreaded day 
 of the week. Now, by changing washing from Monday to Tues- 
 day, you have Monday to make all of your preparations in, and 
 thus avoid both annoyance and anxiety. You can utilize Mon- 
 day by doing odd jobs, such as washing windows, brightening 
 the silver, cleaning stair-rods, etc., etc. A host of them will 
 come crowding into the housekeeper's mind, and she will find 
 that the day is not long enough to get them all done, and some 
 must take their turn on the next Monday. There is that closet 
 you have so long been anxious should be cleaned ; that jar of 
 preserves to be attended to, or they will spoil ; and various in- 
 cidental matters of this kind in addition to the "odd jobs." 
 Monday will be a busy and a much valued day. It is a good 
 time to select for all these extras, just after the rest of Sunday, 
 and before the regular rush of the "week',s housework begins. 
 
 But you must save time from this work that your servant 
 may, towards evening, help you to prepare the clothes for the 
 next day's wash. Direct her to divide them into three parcels, 
 the fine, the more common, but not much soiled, and the really 
 
4 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 dirty. While this is being done you can put down on your list 
 the number of articles of each kind. It is well to do this, even 
 with honest servants, for, if anything is missing, the owner is 
 sure to insist that it was lost in the wash, and the list will at 
 once show whether the charge is correct. Have ready threo 
 tubs of cold, soft water, and put in the clothes, having first 
 rubbed soap over the parts most soiled, and leave them to soak 
 all night. 
 
 Tuesday. — After breakfast, place your wash-boiler on the 
 stove, place in your washing fluid and several pieces of hard 
 soap cu* up in shavings, together with the required amount 
 of soft water. Put in the fine clothes, and boil them twenty 
 minutes. Take out with as little water as possible, and without 
 wringing, put into clear, cold water. If there are any soiled 
 SDots remaining on the clothes, they should be rubbed out be- 
 fore wringing from this water into the bluing water. The tub 
 of bluing water is set near the other, so that the articles shall 
 fall into it from the wringer. Put your second division of 
 clothes into the boiler, in the same water from which the fine 
 things were taken, and repeat the same process; but, if you 
 have a third boiler full, it will be better to prepare fresh water. 
 Take the clothes out of the blue water, and rinse in cold soft 
 water, wring out, and hang out to dry. With this plan of wash- 
 ing, and fair weather, the clothes will all be hung out by noon, 
 unless the wash is very large, and the servant will have the 
 afternoon for cleaning' up the Kitchen and wash-room, putting 
 away the tubs, boiler, etc., and making herself tidy. In the 
 evening, the fine clothes and most of the starched things are 
 to be sprinkled and folded, ready for ironing, and the bread is 
 to be " set," for the next day's baking. 
 
 Wednesday.— The baking this morning need not be as large 
 as that done on Saturday, and it should be done as early as the 
 morning work will allow, so that the servant may not be hur- 
 ried in beginning the ironing, and do her work badly. She 
 can easily do the ordinary fine ironing of a family and her other 
 work in this ;part of a day. But, if there is much ruffling on 
 ladies' dresses, and fine work oa children's clothes, it will 
 require a whole day's hard work to do it, and, in such a case, 
 the mistress should hire some one to assist, or do all the ordi- 
 nary housework herself. In the evening, the plainer and 
 coarser clothes are to be sprinkled, and folded for ironing. 
 
 Thursday.— In the morning the ironing is to be finished. 
 Where it is stipulated in the bargain that the servant should 
 have half a day every week, this is the best afternoon to give 
 her. It is the leisure interval between ironing and sweeping; 
 and, as it is the day usually given by housekeepers, it enables 
 the girl to meet her friends when she goes out. 
 
 Friday.— Besides the every day sweeping, dusting, and put- 
 ting to rights, it is necessary to devote one day in the week to 
 this special duty, and Friday suits best for the purpose. The 
 sitting-room, dining-room, halls, and stairways must be swept 
 often, but once a week will be found generally sufficient for the 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 6 
 
 rest of the house. To do this thoroughly and well will require 
 the whole of a day in addition to the ordinary work. In the 
 evening the bread must be set to rise for the next day's baking. 
 
 Saturday This is the busiest day of the week. There is 
 
 the regular morning work ; then the baking ; then the scrub- 
 bing and scouring. And the latter part of the day should be 
 occupied in preparing everything for the next day, so that Sun- 
 day shall be a day of rest for all as far as practicable. The 
 whole breakfast can be so arranged as to occupy but a very few 
 minutes in cooking, and, in winter, nearly everything for din- 
 ner can be prepared; and, in summer, most things will keep 
 well on ice, or in a cool cellar. The Sunday dessert can always 
 be made on Saturday. But do not let the Saturday's work run 
 into the evening. 
 
 Sunday.— Do not work at all on this day, except what is 
 actually neccbsary for comfort. If you see a dusty corner, or a 
 dim window pane, let it alone untif the next day. Some put- 
 ting of things to rights there must be, some making of beds and 
 cooking. But there is no need of getting up especially elabo- 
 rate dinners on this day, and, if Saturday afternoon has been 
 employed as it should have been, your cooking will not occupy 
 very much time. There are people who will stuff a turkey and 
 roast it, and cook three or four vegetables, and stew cranberry 
 sauce for dinner, and yet will not make up a pan of biscuit 
 for supper, because " it is wicked to work in flour Sundays!" 
 This is only one of a dozen senseless ideas of the same kind. 
 The idea is not that any particular kind of work is in itself sin- 
 ful on this day, but that it is the day set apart for Christian 
 worship, and you and your family desire to attend church ; and 
 to have the servant attend also, and, if there were no higher 
 principles involved, all creatures need a rest one day in seven. 
 
 How TO Sew Caepets.— Lay two breadths on the floor, and 
 match the figures accurately; then with a carpet-needle and 
 thread, tack the breadths together in several places, generally at 
 points and intersections of figures, by taking a stitch or two, 
 and then tying the ends of the thread into a knot. This must 
 be done securely, so there is no danger that the figures will 
 slip out of place when you turn the carpet over to sow it. If, in i 
 tacking this way, you find that one edge is fuller than the other, 
 so that it will necessarily " pucker " when sewed, do not be 
 alarmed, for it will all come right. Your first business is to 
 match the figures at all hazards. Having done this you can cut 
 the two breadths apart. Then lay down the third breadth, 
 match the figures, and tack in the same manner; and so on, 
 until all the breadths are tacked and cut. In laying down the 
 breadths you must allow a little at each end for turning in. 
 Now turn j^our carpet on the wrong side, and sew the breadths 
 together, with an over-seam, or by putting the needle through 
 one edge and bringing it back through the other. The stitches 
 should not be taken through the whole thickness, only the 
 
6 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 under half. In this way the stitches can lie closely, and the edges 
 be securely fastened together, without danger of drawing open 
 when laid down, and yet the seam will not be heavy, nor the 
 thread show on the right side. Wh«^n a carpet is tacked down, 
 it should be stretched rather tightly, or it will rub up in 
 folds and wrinkles, after being walked over for a few days. 
 The figures will be your best guide in this, for they must, oi 
 course, run in straight lines, and not be drawn out of shape. 
 After the carpet is tacked down, you will find, in most cases, 
 that the puckers in the seams have disappeared, but if they have 
 not, th«y generally will in a few days : if, however, they are very 
 obstinate, wet them with clean cold water, and, when the carpet 
 dries, you will find it is smooth. 
 
 How TO Do Up Curtains.— Before the curtains are put in the 
 wash, tack all around them narrow strips of white cotton cloth, 
 an inch or two wide. Dissolve a little soda in milk-warm water, 
 and put in the curtains. Let them remain for half an hour, stir- 
 ring and pressing them occasionally. Wring them very care- 
 fully—rather squeezing than wringing, whenever this process is 
 to be performed. Place them in cold water for an hour. Then 
 wash them with soap aud warm water (but not hot). Wash 
 again in clean water, rather hotter than the last. Binse them 
 in bluing water (only slightly blue, unless the curtains are very 
 yellow). Wring carefully in clean towels. They are now ready 
 for starching. Make the starch according to the usual process, 
 but be sure to have it clear, and good, and thin, for musJin, and 
 vei-y thin for lace. Thick starch is utterly destructive to the fine, 
 soft appearance of the lace. Stir a few times round in the 
 starch, while boiling, a wax or sperm candle, or put into it a 
 small piece of white wax. If the latter is used, it should be 
 melted and poured in. When the starch is ready, pour half of 
 it into one pan, and half into another. Dip the curtains in one ; 
 wring them out in towels ; then dip into the second, and wring 
 again. On the floor of an unoccupied room spi-ead a couple of 
 sheets, one under the other, for each curtain, or rather, half of 
 a curtain. A large sheet folded may be wide enough. Shake 
 the curtain, with assistance from some one, and lay it down 
 smoothly, the edges of the cotton cloth to the edges of the sheet. 
 Pin down the top and back. The other sides will then come 
 perfectly straight without pinning. Leave them to dry; and 
 then remove the strips of cloth, and hang the curtains to the 
 windows at once. They should not be folded. If you should 
 desire to put them away for a while, roll them lightly in a loose, 
 soft roll, and wrap in 'blue paper, or cotton, the former prefer- 
 able ; but, in both instances, assure yourself that the blue dye 
 does not rub off ; and lay them where no weight will press against 
 them. 
 
 Matting. — Matting should never be washed vvith anything but 
 salt and water — a pint of salt to half a pailful of soft water, 
 moderately warm. Dry quickly with a soft cloth. Twice dur- 
 ing the season will probably be sufficient washing for a bed- 
 room, but a room much tised will require it somewhat oft- 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 7 
 
 Oil-cloth is ruined by the application of lye soap, as the lye 
 eats the cloth, and, after being washed, it should be wiped 
 perfectly dry, or the dampness will soon rot it. If laid down 
 where the sun will shine on it much, it will be apt to stick fast 
 to the floor, unless paper is laid under it. 
 
 Oiled Fuknitube.— When oiled walnut begins to grow dingy, 
 it can be made to look as fresh as new by re-oiling. Linseed, or 
 even olive oil can be used, but pure, good kerosene oil is much 
 the best. Rub it well in with a soft woolen rag, and polish with 
 clean, dry flannel. 
 
 Silver.— Silver should never be allowed to grow dingy, and 
 need not, if properly washed after every meal. Wash in very 
 hot soft water, with hard soap. Wipe hard and quickly, on a 
 clean towel, and polish with dry flannel. If discolored with 
 egg, mustard, etc., rub out the stain with a small, stiff brush, 
 and silver soap, or whatever you use for cleaning silver ; then 
 wash off in hot water, wipe, and polish. Use soft towels. This 
 is for the articles in common use. Once a week have all the 
 silver cleaned. If you wish to place silver away for any length 
 of time, wrap each article in blue paper, and it will keep a good 
 color. 
 
 Gilt Feames.— Boil three or four onions in a pint of water, 
 then with a clean paint brush wash over your frames, and the 
 flies will not alight on them. No injury will result to the 
 frames. This renders unnecessary the unsightly drapings of 
 gauze. 
 
 Beds should be carefully examined very frequently, especially 
 during the summer months, by the housekeeper, as servants 
 neglect this duty altogether, or perform it carelessly. It is diffi- 
 cult to get rid of bed-bugs when they have once fairly estab- 
 lished themselves in a house. Even new houses are sometimes 
 infested by them, as there are certain kinds of wood in which 
 they make their home, and thus their nests are built into the 
 house. But they can be driven entirely off the field, if the war 
 is only carried on briskly enough, and persisted in for a long 
 time. When you think the last foe has yielded, and you have 
 rested for awhile on your laurels, you will be surprised some 
 day to find one skirmishing on the sheet, or perhaps on your 
 best shawl, and on investigation you will discover that he is 
 only the advanced guard of a whole regiment lying in ambush 
 in some secure retreat. Even if you do not see one for the 
 remainder of that summer, you have no security that they will 
 not appear the next spring in apparently undiminished force. 
 But do not give way to despair; keep fighting, and you will be 
 victorious at last. When one fails to make its appearance in a 
 house for the whole of a summer, you may congratulate your- 
 Lelf that the foe is completely routed. Here, again, there is no 
 absolute security. You have certainly destroyed all the native 
 inhabitants, but you do not know what day there may come a 
 foreign importation. So you must keep a good lookout. 
 Eternal vigilance is certainly the price of freedom from bed-bugs. 
 Hot steam is the best thing for driving these creatures from 
 
8 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 the walls of houses. A small steaming apparatus can be bought 
 for an inconsiderable sum, or with a little ingenuity one can be 
 fitted up at the cost of a dollar or so. Use it freely, and scald 
 out every corner and crevice, from garret to cellar, quite fre- 
 quently, until you feel sure that they are entirely dislodged; 
 and after that, once or twice a year will be sufacient. The 
 persistent use of scalding w.ater on bedsteads, pouring it 
 on the slats, and springs, and joinings (the bedstead must be 
 often taken apart for this purpose), will prove effectual in time, 
 if no other means are used. ]3ut there are various substances 
 employed to hasten the desired result. Corrosive sublimate— an 
 ounce of it to a half pint of alcohol — is an old remedy, and 
 effectual. So is quiclcsilver, beaten up with the whites of eggs. 
 But both of these are deadly poisons, and housekeepers are 
 afraid to use them. Persons very sensitive to poisons have 
 been made sick by sleeping on bedsteads where corrosive 
 sublimate had been recently applied. Some use hartshorn, but 
 this injures paint and varnish. Some use nothing but salt and 
 water, and others assert that kerosene oil is a sovereign remedy. 
 There are various powders sold that are effectual as bug 
 destroyers, but housekeepers usually find them very unreliable; 
 one package will be ail that it claims to be, and another of the 
 same kind of powder, bought at the same place, will he good for 
 nothing. Sometimes this is because the powder has been 
 adulterated, but generally because it has become stale. And 
 these are, also, often very poisonous. One of the most popular 
 of these, however, the Persian Insect Powder, is perfectly harm- 
 less to human beings, and is a deadly poison to all insects that 
 infest houses. It is imported into this country from the East, 
 and is prepared from a flower of the same genus as our Fever- 
 few. But a great deal of this that is sold is good for nothing, 
 also. If you can buy it in the original packages in which it was 
 imported, you may feel pretty sure that it is good. Mattress 
 covers should be washed every month or two, but so arrange it 
 that all will not be in the wash at the same time. Sheets must 
 be thoroughly aired before putting away, must be kept in a per- 
 fectly dry place, and should not be put upon the bed any length 
 of time before they are to be used. When .a guest has left, and 
 a bedroom is to be unoccupied for a time, fold up the bed-spread 
 and blankets, and lay them carefully away ; and, having sent 
 the sheets, bolster and pillow-cases to the wash, put on the 
 pillow-slips made of calico, and spi-ead over mattress and bolster 
 a covering made of the same. Thus everything will be kept 
 clean until wanted again. Mattresses should be exposed to the 
 air every day, and have a good airing once a week ; and some- 
 times should be put out lor a whole day in the sun and wind. 
 In the case of invalids, where this cannot well be done, hair 
 mattresses can be used without it longer than any other. But 
 here, if there are two beds, one can be spared sometimes for a 
 good airing. 
 
 How TO Clean Feathee Beds.— There ai-e several ways of 
 doing this, but the following is recommended, as it cleans both, 
 tick and feathers: Contrive, if possible, some sore of a plat- 
 form, that you can set up in the yard, on which to lay your beds 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 9 
 
 for cleaning or airing. Failing this, use a back porch. Wash 
 the platform clean, and lay on it the feather bed, and let it 
 remain there during the night in the dew. In the morning, 
 before the dew is off, take a pail of clean, cold, soft water, and, 
 •with a new whisk broom, wet and rub the upper side of the bed 
 for some time. Let it lie in the sun until it is dry, which will 
 not be for several hours. Turn it over and treat the other side 
 in the same way, and continue the process until the white 
 stripes in the ticking look as clean as new. This treatment of 
 the feathers makes them " lively." If there is any indication of 
 rain, the bed must be taken into the house. And if you are 
 afraid to leave the bed out at night, because of thieves, the dew 
 must be dispensed with in the treatment. 
 
 How TO Wash Featheb Pillows.— The best way to wash 
 these is to put them out in a good hard rain for several hours ; 
 and then wring them out, and dry quickly, that they may not 
 get musty. 
 
 Vases.— It may not be generally known that bright-colored 
 vases, and those ornamented with flowers, do not show off real 
 flowers to the best advantage. White or brown are best for this 
 purpose. 
 
 FiEES.— Fires should be kindled at least once a week in every 
 room through fall and winter, to prevent dampness. 
 "Disinfectants.— These should never be left more than a 
 week unchanged, as they throw out the poisons they gather. 
 
 The Stove Ukn.— Keep the stove urn nearly filled with 
 water as long as the fire is kept up in the stove. Put a little 
 charcoal also in the urn, and this ought to be changed every 
 week. 
 
 Wall Papers Old paper should be removed from the walls 
 
 before the new is put on. It can easily be done by wetting it 
 with warm water. After it is all off, have the plaster wiped 
 over with carbolic acid, to purify it. The disagreeable odor of 
 the acid will disappear almost immediately, and you can then 
 feel sure there is nothing infectious lurking in your walls. Use 
 corn-starch paste for putting on the new paper, as it does not 
 turn sour, or stain the paper. 
 
 CovEEiNG FOE A Stove. — Even the prettiest stove is not in 
 itself a very beautiful object. In the cold weather, when there 
 is a fire burning in it all the time, and it gives a pleasant sensa- 
 tion of warmth to the occupants of the room, they forgive its 
 ugliness, and regard it with very friendly feelings; but in sum- 
 mer it stands out in cold, cheerless deformity. And yet if there 
 are no open flre-places, the stove should be left standing in at 
 least one room all summer, to be in readiness for the cold 
 " north-oasters " when the whole house seems pervaded with 
 dampness, which a little fire will soon dissipate. In the fall, 
 too, the stove ought to be put up in the sitting-room very early, 
 and the fuel laid in it all ready for lighting whenever there is a 
 chUly evening. To conceal the stove, when not in use, you 
 can make a covering for it somewhat in the following style: 
 Have a light pine frame made, consisting of a square or oval 
 
lO HOW TO KEEt» HOUSE. 
 
 top, on which are fitted three or four legs a little higher than the 
 stove. Drape this frame with any pretty material that is suffi- 
 ciently thick to conceal the stove. The under drapery must be 
 tacked on quite full, and should fall to the floor ; the upper must 
 be still fuller to drape gracefully. Arrange the festoons in anv 
 style you fancy, only take care that some of them shall fall 
 nearly to the bottom of the under drapery, or else your stand 
 will look •' lanky." Trim with woolen or cotton cord, according 
 to material used, and hang tassels whereverthey will be effective. 
 Before the drapery is put on, the top of the stand should be 
 rubbed •perfectly smooth, and then stained with black walnut 
 stain. This frame can be reaioved easily whenever a fire is 
 needed. A vase of flowers or grasses can stand on the top. 
 
 To Presebve Various Kinds of Fruit Through the Winter. 
 —Apples can be kept till June by taking only those that are 
 hard and sound, wiping them dry, then packing them in tight 
 barrels, with a layer of bran to e'ach layer of apples. Envelop 
 the barrel in a linen cloth, to protect it from frost, and keep it 
 in a cool place, but not so cold as to freeze the apples. It is 
 said that mortar, laid over the top of a barrel of apples, is a good 
 thing to preserve them, as it draws the air from them, which ia 
 the principal cause of their decaying. Care should be taken 
 not to have it come in contact with the apples. To preserve 
 oranges and lemons several months, take those that are per? 
 fectly fresh and wrap each one in soft paper, put them in glass 
 jars or a very light box, with white sand that has been previously 
 dried in an oven a few hours after it has been baked in. The 
 sand should be strewed thick over each one of the oranges as 
 they are laid in the jar, and the whole covered with a thick layer 
 of it. Close the jar iip tight, and keep it in a cool, dry place, but 
 not so cool as to freeze the fruit. To preserve grapes, gather 
 them on a dry day, when they are not quite dead ripe, and pick 
 those that are not far off from the stems. Lay the bunches of 
 grapes in a glass jar and sprinkle around each of them a thick 
 layer of bran, so that they will not touch each other. Have a 
 thick layer of bran on the top, and cork and seal the jar very 
 tight, so that the air may be entirely excluded. Whenever they are 
 to be eaten, restore them to their freshness by cutting off a small 
 piece from the end of the stalks and immerse the stalks of each 
 bunch in sweet wine for a few minutes. The stalks will imbibe 
 the wine and make the grapes fresh and juicy. Various kinds 
 of fruit, taken when green, such 'as grapes, gooseberries, cur- 
 rants and plums, can be kept through the winter by being 
 treated in the following manner : Fill junk bottles with them 
 and set them in an oven six or seven hours, after having baked 
 in it. Let them remain till they begin to shrink, then take the 
 fruit from one bottle to All the others quite full. Cork and seal 
 up the bottles. Whenever you wish to make pies of them, put 
 the quantity you wish to use into a tin pan, turn on boiling 
 water sufficient to cover them, and stew them in it till soft, then 
 sweeten and make them into pies. Ripe blackberries and 
 whortleberries, to be kept long, should be dried perfectly in the 
 sun, then tied up in bags that are thick enough to exclude the 
 air. When used for pies, treat them in the same manner as the 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE.. H 
 
 f..„jf Rinponrrants dried oa the stalks, then picked off 
 fnd^nuUnbaS win keep nice ^ pies duringthe winter, They 
 and put in da^^, ^"^*^7.^p„so„s that have a fever, particularly 
 t°hri^^tvenrJ°alsr«urcelle.t thing to counteract the 
 
 "T^irplr^ AND W.XEB-PEOOF C.MKKT To half a pint 
 ^^ Tr'TAKE Wax out of CLOTH.-Hold a red-hot iron (a poker 
 
 remain. 
 
 leather becomes ^^^^e saturated that is to s^^^^^ 
 
 longer duration. . ., 
 
 With a very clear light. ^^^^m^^ f«QtA 
 
 How TO CABVE ON WooD.-All boys «^a°if^f ,tfr P dei aI 
 
 that it is born in them as much as niw^mg dolls ^ ™ |'Qj j^^ 
 to account tor the fact that ^° ■?»{'^y 7^^ ™|,°f^ nto ^^^ 'art 
 
 women as a rule, have more leisure than men, oJ^.P^^^^f^^ .V " 
 
12 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 mechanical, and only requires care and nicety in cutting and n 
 very moderate supply of patience. It is in desiSAhe 
 patterns and in putting the pieces of carved wood togethe? that 
 your genius and taste are called into use. If you do not possess 
 £end\vhn-.o^n '^'' P,^^"^^!'^^, thing-perhap^; y?u have somi 
 thl,S i '^ fl ^^J" ^''^■'l designs for you ; and, if not, you can buy 
 them in inflnite variety. Even in the matter of pu ting together 
 you can obtam directions so explicit that you will have tS take 
 grecit pains to go wrong ; but it is best to trust to your taste and 
 worK^^f'- ^/ "'^"^ 'K F^rthisis one useful purpose of all 
 work thjy; IS known as " fancy." First, in regard to the wood 
 This can be generally obtained fronl any cabinet-mlkl? or 
 STe'LJA' ^Tr' ''I'' P^"^^^^'>' ^'^^^ ?he greatest variety 
 ?o nhfpin ?hi%"''^'-'®^- ^" f'^'^'l^'y P^-'^^es you may not be able 
 rhA«?nn/ I H ^^^^1^^ ^'O'^'is, but you can get Walnut. Oak 
 Sm be w'^lf ."'t^fiS-^'f ' ^PPlet^ee- Cedar. Holly! and others It 
 will be well at first for you to consult with the man from whom 
 
 ^om.^bS'h" 'h''^^/^1° ^^" properties of the differenUvood? 
 some being hard, and others soft, some soiling very easily with 
 use and others bein^ difficult to polish, or varnish but vou 
 ?nn« o??h "'Y^ ^^?'" ^^^^'. y^^^'^^^f Wood varies in J)rice.K 
 fnl^nH^ifTIVf^'T.^^^ ^^he mDst beauti- 
 
 l^XZ^^ f^u costly-of the foreign woods are satinwood, rose- 
 
 ,T m«; Zi?^^^.' ^"^ ^^^ l^^^*^' ^«^"S ^^^y effective, a little of 
 t may be made to go a great way by using it for tiAy center- 
 pieces, narrow moldings, etc. With some pieces of wood, pretty 
 patterns and inexpensive tools you can cut very respeSle 
 Easels, Brackets, Picture-Frames, Letter-Holders, Book-Rackg 
 n?.nr.°?7^" -.^^^^^ ^^^^\ •''^•"^^^•^' ^^d ^^^^ ornaments for iS 
 Snd opnlr!!"?'^"'^- 5}^d-Papef for rubbing the wood smooth^ 
 and cement for mending breakages, will also be necessary 
 The small saws are about twenty cents a dozen. They cau- 
 thir^^ l^^^ without a frame in which to place them to steady 
 £ .ShcA *i you will have to practice some time before you will 
 be satisned with your work. But it can be done well with a 
 little patience. Those who wish to go extensively into this busi- 
 3f^' n^*^ club of persons who desire to work together, would 
 do well to purchase a jig-saw at twenty-five dollars. This not 
 only saws wood, but soft metals; is mounted on a table like a 
 WUh''LT''^'''r' ^""^ is. worked somewhat in the same way! 
 W.M rv!? ' w^od-carving is very easy and fascinating work, and 
 you may aspire to making really beautiful tilings, 
 cf J^^^^^T ^TAiN._We give this first because it is useful for 
 SicS ^if ^°'^''* any article of furniture, and many ornaments 
 sSh /. n^'^'^Sr^^^r''^'^^ ^t will impart to common wood,' 
 m,«r^r. P/"®' t^^e colpr and appearance of black walnut. On4 
 quarter of a pound of asphaltum, one half pound of common 
 hpS L; ^ -f T^ ^5^".r P^ turpentme. If found too thin add 
 mn« ?«Ll J^J'^*'^-'^ color add asphaltum, though that 
 SS^Ll^^-'^®*^'^^,^^^^^^^',^^ ^ very li<^tie "Will make a great 
 difference in the shade, as the wood should Hot be black, But a 
 SS^^^*^?.'^^°.\°.- ^^^ek is the color of the nut, and not the 
 wood. Varnishmg is not essential, as the wax gives a good 
 
HOW to KEEP HOUSE. 13 
 
 WnrtT. PnTT^TT -This is rather a tedious process, and the best 
 
 wards. 
 
 AsPHALTUM Varnish— One half a pound of asphaltuni and 
 
 nhaUum The proper proportions cak only be known by thus 
 
 IxJerim^nUng. ^Ip^ply one^r two coats, as may be necessary. 
 
 Leaves of LEAXHEB.-Soak a ^^^^f^fZ^.f'^^^oTlhl 
 
 S?e used for Sure-frames, and for ornamenting the edges of 
 booSelvesf the'^tops of booi.-cases, braclcets, and a variety of 
 
 things. 
 
 deepen with age. . ^ . 
 
 as they soon fall apart. 
 
 Ptne Cones -These are also much used for decoratmg,. and 
 areTry handsome when varnished, but if gl^^d on are liable 
 fnfnU off after some time. They can sometimes be tacked on. 
 Th?y shoS Wbf S'xed with other things and, for most pur- 
 posel the small ones are the prettiest. The scales ot^ea^^^ 
 cones are very pretty, each scale nailed on with small up- 
 
14 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 holsterer's tacks, first boring the holes, so as not to split the 
 wood. Besides the above, there are many small things used for 
 decorating, such as unroasted coffee beans, small black beans, 
 kernels of rice ; and these, if well glued on, are not as apt to 
 fall off as the heavier cones and acorns. These can be arranged 
 in geometrical figures, rosettes, balls, and almost any way that 
 fancy may suggest. Varnish with asphaltum, or black varnish, 
 if you prefer it, which can be procured at any paint-shop. 
 Cloves, allspice, and berries are strung on wires and twisted 
 into scallops, double scallops, diamonds, etc., for edging and 
 borderings. 
 
 Rustic Work. — This is chiefly used for ornamenting large 
 hanging baskets, aquariums, flower stands, and lawn tables, 
 settees, and chairs ; and sometimes for smaller articles, such as 
 boxes and picture-frames. The materials are sticks of various 
 woods, either flat or round, generally oiled and varnished, but 
 sometimes with the bark left on. Twigs of various woods are 
 freely employed ; these have the bark on, and may be straight 
 or bent, according to effect desired; birch, hazel, and silver 
 poplar are among the prettiest. Willow wands are easy to 
 work with, and grape vines are not difficult to manage. These 
 can be used with or without the bark. It is better to oil all 
 wood from which the bark is stripped, but this is not absolutely 
 necessary. Bits of rattan, strips of lath, pine cones, acorns, 
 walnut shells sawed in pieces, walnut hulls (split in two), are 
 all employed in rustic work ; and other materials will doubtless 
 suggest themselves to those who have any knowledge of wood- 
 craft. Asphaltum varnish will be found best on most rustic 
 work, but for variety, black varnish, or even paint may be used 
 when it is in wood colors, and not applied too thickly. 
 
 Plain Brackets.— These may be constructed in simple forms 
 of the plain wood, without any elaborate carving. They will 
 not, of course, be as handsome, but are quite as useful. A lit- 
 tle shelf, with semicircular front, and sides cut to fit into a cor- 
 ner, may simply be fastened on the chair- rail. This is a corner 
 shelf rather than a bracket, but is a convenient place for a vase 
 of flowers or little bust. A small shelf, with straight back, and 
 semicircular front fitted to a standard, is the plainest style of 
 the bracket proper. You will have to get a carpenter to cut the 
 shelves and standards. You can then convert the plain affair 
 into something fanciful by decorating shelf and standard with 
 any of the leather or wood ornaments previously described. 
 
 Letter Racks. — These may be cut out of leather or wood. 
 If of the former, you can do it yourself, having first cut a paper 
 pattern. Ornament the leather with small leaves, arranged in 
 various forms, and the wood with rosettes of small articles, and 
 pine cone scales, etc. They are sometimes made of embroid- 
 ered cloth or satin, but these only suit bedrooms and libraries. 
 
 Picture-Frames. — The prettiest home-made frames, after 
 those made from the carved wood, are of leather leaves. Rustic 
 work, if simple in construction, also looks well. Quite a grace- 
 ful-looking oval frame may be formed by twisting grape-vines 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 15 
 
 fantastically together, allowing the ends to project at the top 
 and bottom. 
 
 store-room shc^uld be very aryn^ suspended from them, 
 
 shelves, and nav^^ ™ '^ It should contain, also, earthenware 
 for hanguig lemons n. ^^/'^"^^^"Jj,' tea, coffee, and biscuits. 
 
 required for sw6etenmg. JMoist or urowu ^ .^q po^^ery or 
 
 them in separate nets, for f they tm^cntn^^^ ^ ^^.^_ 
 
 shallots and g^rhc should be hung m r i ^^^.^^ 
 
 ing in an out-house {not m ^^/^^^^,^^^^^""'l^^ be dried and 
 savory, knotted marjoram and thy'J^fiX.^'o^ly one descrip- 
 ^-^'^o^hiV l^lTiev's^'outd be^d?ie^ not in the 
 
 wmmmmmm 
 
16 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 vessels, and stale and fresh milk should never be mixed, or the 
 good will be spoiled. 
 
 How TO Make Flowek Stands. Fill the box about one- 
 third full of sand, and in this imbed the flower-pots contain- 
 ing your plants, arranging them with reference to size, and 
 also to color, if in blossom. Spread moss over the top of the 
 stand in such a way as to conceal the pots. This will have to 
 be renewed a few times during the winter. The sand should 
 be kept damp, but not wet, and the moss also a little damp ; 
 and the plants should be watered very little except in the 
 case of ^ those that require an unusual supply of moisture, and 
 these had better not be kept in the same stand Avith those that 
 require only the ordinary supply. For fanciful forms of flower- 
 stands, you should have the standards made by a neighboring 
 cabinet-maker in plain wood and of any device. You can then 
 ornament them with rustic work at your leisure. For the top 
 you can have a round, square, or octagon box, also em- 
 bellished with rustic work. Fill with soil. Or you 
 can have a flat circular piece of wood nailed to the 
 standard, forming a round table. Make rustic work around 
 the edge so that it shall be several inches high, and set on the 
 table a basket made like a hanging basket, only larger, or some 
 fancifully-made box, flUed with soil for the reception of plants. 
 All stands should be mounted on casters for convenience of 
 moving. Your own taste will suggest a variety of elegant de- 
 vices for flower-stands, either for plants or cut flowers. If you 
 can have the frames properly made according to your design, 
 you can yourself ornament them in many beautiful styles. And 
 there is nothing that so adorns a room as a flower stand, with 
 its variety of greens and brilliant colors. 
 
 How TO Make Hanging Baskets.— Take a cocoanut shell, 
 and saw oft' a small section from the upper part, put in it a 
 little piece of sponge, fill the shell with nothing but scouring 
 sand, and a little charcoal, put in it the common plant, known 
 generally as moneywort, and hang it where it can get the light 
 and a little sunshine, and you will soon have long swaying 
 festoons and pendants of soft green, entwined with golden 
 blossoms, through which will gleam the dark rich brown of 
 your cocoanut shell, thus easily transformed into "a thing of 
 beauty." This is the simplest form of the hanging basket. For 
 larger ones you can use wooden bowls, ornamented with rosettes 
 and flgures made of coffee, rice, and berries, as mentioned 
 previously. With these can be mingled scales of pine cones, 
 leather, leaves, etc. Or they can have edgings of rustic work, 
 the rest of the bowl being ornamented with rosettes and balls 
 made of the small materials. Three holes must be bored at 
 regular distances near the edge for the cords that are to support 
 the basket. Very pretty baskets are made of sticks of oak, 
 maple, or any of the handsomely-colored woods ; they should 
 be of equal lengths, eight or twelve inches long. Build up like 
 a loghouse. At each corner a heated wire is thrust through 
 the ends of the sticks to hold them together, and is bent into a 
 loop at the top which supports the cord. A wooden bottom 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 1*? 
 
 must be nailed on. Fill the interstices with naoss. And so we 
 SLht go on through all the gradations, which are almost in- 
 finite §p to the elaborate and intricate designs in carved wood 
 S-work, cork, etc. There is nothing easier to make than a 
 hanging basket, or more difficult if you choose to take trouble 
 Butfhe^idea that many persons have that tbey must be bought 
 is erroneous, for all the plainer styles that are sold by flomts 
 cln be imitated with perfect success ^^ithoutverv much trouble 
 A basket covered with rustic work carefully made, and pietty 
 in design, with a handle of twisted grape vines, at an ex- 
 penditure of fifty cents for materials, and a dollar for plants 
 Snd V nes, will be quite as handsome as one the Aorist would 
 sell vou for five dollars, and will have the advantage that the 
 plaiits are much more likely to blossom For it is a common 
 complaint that when the baskets lose the flowers that are on 
 fhem when bought they bloom no more-not that season at 
 least The reason is that the dry air of the room in which they 
 are hung is too great a change from the moist air of their native 
 home-^^ie green-house. Very few thmgs will grow ^ke money- 
 wort in common sand, but the soil in a hanging basket should 
 not be very rich, or you will have a profusion of leaves, and but 
 ?ew blossoms, 'a light sandy loam is best. In the bottom 
 pl^ce a piece of coafse sponge This ^ill ^^^^ th%moisture 
 and the roots will absorb it as they require it. Also put bits of 
 charcoal in the bottom, as this acts as a purifier to keep the 
 earth sweet. Then fill with soil, one part rich earth and two 
 parts sand. 
 
 How TO Make Wax FLOWEKS.-Wax flowers are the best 
 imitations of the real ones, but where the latter can be obtained 
 the former should be dispensed with. With the introduction of 
 hanging baskets and flower-stands, we have natural flowers in 
 profusion in winter, when it is not always easy to obtam he 
 cut flowers. So there would seem to be no necessity for the 
 wax imitations. If you make these, use them sparingly a 
 spray of white lilies perhaps in one room, and * tea-rose 
 in another. Do not mass them together m great bunches 
 Wax fruits, heaped up under glass covers, are not desirable 
 ornaments. We marvel for a few moments at their wonderful 
 resemblance to the original, but we soon tire of them. In a 
 large room, however, they or the flowers massed together, do 
 sometimes produce a fine effect from a distance, as a focus ot 
 brilliant colors. A wax cross, with a trailing vine of passion 
 flowers and green leaves, or rising in naked simplicity from a 
 bed of violets or pansies, is a beautiful ornament for a mantel- 
 piece or bracket. 
 
 Obn AMENTA L WINDOW PicTUEES.— Upon a square of white, or 
 delicately tinted bristol-board, trace lightly some pretty design, 
 such as a bouquet, a cluster of leaves and fruit, or a cross, or 
 an anchor, wreathed with leaves and flowers. The latter should 
 be simple in form ; passion flowers, lilies of the valley, apple 
 blossoms, and sweet peas are the most effective. Fern leaves 
 and fruit are also among the simpler designs. For more effect- 
 ive pictures, select parts of a landscape, or figure pictures that 
 
18 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 are not too elaborate. Having traced the design, lay the bristol- 
 board flat on a block of hard wood, and with a thin-bladed and 
 very sharp knife proceed to cut smoothly through as much of 
 each outline as possible, without entirely detaching any leaf or 
 other distinct portion from the whole. One fifth of a leaf left 
 without cutting through will be suflBcient. Sometimes judicious 
 prickings with a coarse needle add to the good effect. The 
 points of the leaves and the petals of the flowers should next be 
 pressed through toward the window to admit the light, nnd give 
 the softly shaded effect we desire. The transparency can then 
 be huijig close to a window pane by means of narrow white rib- 
 bon loops at the corners, secured to the wood-work. For lamp 
 screens, several of these pieces of bristol-board, each with a 
 separate picture, can be put together. The glass transparencies 
 are more easily made, and require no skill in drawing. Arrange 
 pressed ferns, grasses, or autumn leaves, according to some 
 pretty design, on a pane of window glass. Lay a pane of the 
 same size over it, and bind the edges together with ribbon. The 
 best way to put on the binding, is to gum it all around the edge 
 of the first pane you use, and let it dry before you arrange your 
 design on it. Then you can fold it neatly over the second pane, 
 and gum it on that. Use gum-tragacanth. It is well to put a 
 narrow piece of paper under the ribbon. To form the loop for 
 hanging, paste a binding of galloon along the upper edge before 
 the ribbon binding is put on, leaving a two-inch loop in the 
 center, to be pulled through a little slit in the final binding. For 
 a lamp screen, take four, six, or eight of these transparencies, 
 and tack them together with strong sewing silk. To soften the 
 light, the screen should be lined with oiled tissue paper, white 
 or rose color. Or you can give the glass the effect known as 
 " ground glass," by rubbing the inner surface of each pane on a 
 flat smooth stone, plentifully covered with white sand, before 
 you insert the leaves. 
 
 Maeeow Pomatum.— Lard, one pound ; suet, half a pound ; 
 otto of lemon and cloves, three drachms of each. 
 
 Ckystallized Hair-Oil. — Almond oil, one fluid pound; 
 spermaceti, quarter of a pound ; otto of lemon, one ounce. 
 
 Brandt Balls.— The same as bull's-eyes or barley-sugar, 
 small pieces being taken, when hot, and rolled up into round 
 balls, about the size of bullets. 
 
 Rose Water.— Take six pounds of the leaves of fresh 
 damask roses, and as much water as will prevent burning. 
 Distill off half a gallon. 
 
 Vanilla.— To make a fluid extract of vanilla, take eight Troy 
 ounces vanilla and an equal weight of crushed loaf sugar. Slit 
 the pods from end to end with a knife, then take them in small 
 bundles, held tightly between the fingers, and cut them trans- 
 versely into very small pieces. Of these, beat small portions at 
 a time in an iron mortar with a little of the sugar, until reduced 
 to a damp powder, which must be rubbed with the hand through 
 a No. 20 sieve. Any coarse particles which do not pass through 
 the sieve must be returned to the mortar, and with fresh por- 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 19 
 
 tions of vanilla and eugar again Xc'eVto'a' No. 20 powden 
 
 The jug is t^en pUjced ^^ ^^v^ter^.^f^^^ resting ^ J^temperaturo 
 S???oAotol%deg F^^^^^^ The upper part of the jug 
 
 by wrapping around 'Vl ili? from a sponge every fifteen or 
 
 !:^rrSSro? tlJrpllS^SaSoae pan Sater, until 
 
 '-•SlMi^ni^^l^^^KM 
 recipes : ^^^r red take fott^aroi ^^^ ^^^^ ^^d orange. 
 
 eggs not X'^7„^ji\^.ti,'/'S Prussi^^ b ue and a little ivory- 
 Colcothar IS indelible ^^^J;' ^^^^^^^^ Common indigo and 
 
 perch... ^w ~ - -. 
 melted when wanted 
 
 iMlTillON Goi,D.-Spani8h copper s.x and a halt penny_ 
 S'^!io"Tr ■io^eSrVhe'^allof ^fi ^'bf woU mtein 
 dollars the ounce. • ^. ^^ fraTYiA« 
 
 Flies (to prevent them settling on Pjf ^^f f PJff /^t ^^ve or 
 ^I^SSr^T^^r^^^^^SS^KIil^tr^i^Xete., 
 
 with it. 
 Moths The following is an excellent recipe for keeping 
 
 year. 
 
20 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 Salt Bheum.— To cure salt rheum wash the part affected 
 with castile soap and water, and dry with soft cloth. Then wet 
 with tincture of iodine, and let it dry, after which apply a lit- 
 tle citrine ointment, made by dissolving 1 1-2 oz. mercury in 
 1 1-2 oz. nitric acid. Stir till effervescence ceases. Heat 16 1-2 
 oz. lard to 200 deg. Fahrenheit, in an earthen vessel, and add 
 the solution, stirring until amalgamated. When the erup 
 tion is on an exposed part a wash composed of 1 drachm corro- 
 sive sublimate, 2 scruples white vitriol (sulphate of zinc), 3 
 drachms sal ammoniac, 2 drachms salt, and three ounces sugar 
 of lead, mixed with one pint soft water, may be used alternate- 
 ly witlf the tincture of iodine. 
 
 Mending Glass. — For mending valuable glass objects which 
 would be disfigured by common cement, chrome cement may 
 bo used. This is a mixture of five parts gelatine to one of a 
 solution of acid chromate of lime. The broken edges are cov- 
 ered with this, pressed together, and exposed to sunlight, the 
 effect of the latter being to render the compound insoluble even 
 in boiling water. 
 
 Weak Eyes.— To cure weak eyes take rose-leaves, the more 
 the better, and put them into a little water, then boil ; after this 
 strain into a bottle and cork it tight. You will find this liquid, 
 used as a bath, beneficial in removing redness and weakness. 
 
 Wax. — To prepare wax for polishing floors, take twelve and 
 one-half pounds of yellow wax, rasped, and stir into a hot so- 
 lution of six pounds good pearl-ash, in rain-water, keeping the 
 mixture well stirred while boiling. It is first quiet, but soon 
 commences to froth, and when the effervescence ceases heat is 
 stopped, and there are added to the mixture, while still stirring, 
 six pounds dry yellow ochre. It may be then poured into tin 
 cans or boxes, and hardens on cooling. When wanted for use, 
 a pound of it is diffused in five pints boiling hot water and the 
 mixture well stirred, and applied while hot to the floor by 
 means of a paint-brush. It dries in a few hours after which 
 the floor is to be polished with a large floor-brush, and after- 
 ward wiped witii a coarse woolen cloth. A coat of this paint 
 wiU last six months. 
 
 Ink-Blots.— When ink-blots have been formed over writing 
 which it is desired to decipher, brush the spot carefully with a 
 weak solution of oxalic acid by means of a camel's hair pencil. 
 In this way layer after layer of the superincumbent ink will be 
 removed, and flnally the writing in most cases will come to 
 view. This is especially possible when considerable time has 
 elapsed betweeij the two applications of ink. As soon as the 
 letters are visible, the brushing should be continued for a little 
 time with clear water, so as to arrest the tendency of the acid to 
 make further change in the ink. 
 
 Wasps To destroy wasps, make a strong solution of cyanide 
 
 of potassium ; soak a piece of lint, four or five inches square, 
 with the solution, and lay it close to the entrance of a wasps' 
 nest during the bright, hot part of the day. According as the 
 wasps return home, they will alight on the lint and very soon 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 21 
 
 die If the nest be in a tree, hold the soaked lint with a tongs 
 oi split stick close under it, late in the evening when the wasps 
 are at home for the night. Soon the wasps will fall out \n a 
 thower^Tad Avoid inhaling the vapor, and be careful in 
 touching this deadly poison. 
 
 Haik-Wash —Tea-leaves (used) and borax, boiled together 
 and used as hair- wash, will strengthen the roots o the hair to 
 amostsuTpriSng degree. The proportions should be as fol- 
 fows rTo the tea-^leavls left after using five teaspoonfuls o tea 
 to make ei'^ht cups of tea, add half an ounce of borax; boil for 
 ten mkiut^Tn a quart of water, strain, and apply the wash every 
 morn ng. We think you will not have to complain of your hair 
 felling off after you have tried this recipe for a fortnight. 
 
 To Prepare Skeleton LEAVES.-The easiest and most ef- 
 fectaal mode of making skeleton leaves is found to be to pie- 
 pare th?peoSnces of^^washing-soda i^ one quart of boding 
 water and half an ounce of sla ck lime, boiled ten minutes. 
 Then pour off the clear solution, bring it to a boil again and 
 nut in the leaves ; boil briskly for one hour ; add hot water as 
 Ft boUs down. Bub a leaf between the fingers, under water, 
 and if the skin and pulp come off easily, the leaves are done. 
 
 Bad BEEATH.-For bad breath try the following : Three hours 
 after bFeaSt take a teaspoonful of the fol^owiiig mixture : 
 Chlorate of potassa, two drachms; sweetened water, four 
 Sunces Wa^hthe mouth occasionally with the san^enaix^^^ 
 and the breath will be as sweet as an infant's of two months. 
 
 Etching.-To etch figures on German silver you should cover 
 the article vou desire to experiment on with a thin coating of 
 wax. mcrtSe del'red figures in the. wax through to the sur- 
 face of the silver; then pour nitric acid over the surface of the 
 wax thus operated upoii, and wash both wax and acid off. 
 
 PUTTY.-Glaziers' putty is made of whiting and oil; the 
 wWUng should be in the form of a very fine dry powder ; it 
 Siould be specially dried for the purpose, and passed through a 
 Ifeve of forty-flve\oles te the inch, and then mixed with as 
 much raw hnseed oil as will form it into a stiff paste ; this, after 
 Sg wen kneaded, should be left for tweve hours and worked 
 upiS small pieces till quite smooth. Ij '^Tf^l.tL ffpVmet 
 glazed pan, and covered with a wet cloth. If V^}^y ^fP^^f. 
 hard and dry, it can be restored by heating it and working it 
 up again while hot. For special purposes white-lead is some- 
 times mixed with the whiting, or the putty is made of white- 
 lead and litharge entirely. 
 
 Blacking.— To make fine liquid blacking, take ivory black 
 and molasses, of each one pound; sweet oil and oil of vitriol, 
 of each quarter pound. Mix the first three, then gradually add 
 the vitriol diluted with thrice its weight of water ; mix it well 
 and let stand for three hours, when it may be reduced to a 
 proper consistence with water or sour beer. 
 
 Pink Eye.— A good remedy for pink eye is a tonic composed of 
 pure sulphate of iron four ounces, nitrate of potash two ounces, 
 
22 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 linseed meal two ounces, fcsnugreek seed half an ounce ; powder 
 and mix. Give a tablespoonful twice a day in soft feed, and 
 give gentle exercise. Rub the throat (if swollen) with a lini- 
 ment composed of the following articles : aqua ammonia, lin- 
 seed oil, and turpentine, one ounce each; mix; rub a little in 
 once a day until mildly blistered. 
 
 MiBRORS.— The process of making a mirror by covering glass 
 with an amalgam of mercury and tin, known as quicksilver, 
 has been in use for three centuries. It consists in spreading out 
 upon a solid horizontal table a sheet of tin-foil, which is first 
 rubbed and afterward covered to a sensible depth with mercury, 
 so thikt the superior surface may remain liquid. The mercury 
 is prevented from flowing by means of slight ledges placed 
 around the sheet. The glass, after having been very carefully 
 cleansed on the lower or coating surface, is advanced horizon- 
 tally along the layer of mercury, its lower edge being depressed 
 below the surface, so as to exclude air and to remove impuri- 
 ties. When in proper position it is left resting on the mercury, 
 and by tilting the table the superfluous liquid is allowed to flow 
 off, being caught in a trough provided for the purpose at the 
 margin of the table. A uniform pressure is then applied to the 
 glass, and it is allowed to remain for some time in this condi- 
 tion, after which it is carefully lifted, the amalgam adhering to 
 it, and is placed with the amalgamated surface uppermost. 
 Some weeks' rest is required to allow the amalgam to harden, 
 though it occasionally happens that a mirror will not dry for 
 months. 
 
 Vermin in the Hair of Children.- The most effectual mode 
 of destroying vermin in the hair is to dissolve five grains of 
 bichloride of mercuiy (corrosive sublimate) in half a pint of 
 distilled water, and wet the hair well with the solution. This 
 lotion must be used with caution, as it is deadly poison if taken 
 into the stomach. 
 
 Rice Glue.— Mix together rice-flour and cold water to a thick 
 paste, pressing out all the lumps with a spoon, and making it 
 very smooth. Then dilute it with a little more water (alto- 
 gether you may allow a gill of water to a tablespoonful of rice- 
 flour j, and boil it slowly as long as you would boil starch, 
 stirrmg it frequently. When done, set it to cool. Use it for 
 pasting fine paper, and for any little ornamental articles made 
 of pasteboard. It is a very nice and durable cement. The 
 water in which rice has been boiled for the table will afford a 
 cement for slight purposes. 
 
 Wrinkles, Lines, Crow's-Feet, Etc To remove these when 
 
 presenting themselves prematurely, or when the results of 
 severe illness, as well as to ward them off at that lime of life 
 when they may be expected to show themselves, several essen- 
 tial points must be observed. The face should be well bathed 
 in cold water every morning, winter as well as summer, by 
 means of a sponge. Curd, honey, or common yellow soap 
 should be used in washing the face previous to the bathing. 
 The oftener cold water is applied to the face the better. If any 
 roughness of the skin ensues, a little cold cream, applied at 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 2^ 
 
 nicht will soon remove it. Then, again, as much exercise 
 s can be conveniently taken in the open air, every day, is to be 
 nr«7ticed The diet must be generous, but wholesome. Plenty 
 o substakial food should be taken with port wine, or stout or 
 norter Vinegar, pickles, and other acids must be avoided. 
 
 mmmmm 
 
 surface and covered with lead-foil. 
 
 T AnGHiNG Gas.— The following is a good recipe for making 
 laol^hin- eas Two ounces of nitrate of ammonia in a retort 
 havlnL a \lrse OX bladder fixed to collect the gas The process 
 ?sfl?st insert So the neck of the bladder a wooden pipe stop- 
 cock madlof elder with the pith pushed out. Next moisten 
 fhe blXer and squeeze it up to remove the air then fix it^to 
 the retort conSiiniSg the ammonia. Now heat the salt with a 
 SDirit amp ?t first liquefies, then boils and decomposes pro- 
 dacng water (Which Remains in the retort) and the gas (which 
 
 ^£i'\sb^ toTd fht ar TnMf is: 
 
 After which insert into the mouth the pipe attached to the bUd- 
 
 derandSrea^^^^^^ manner a«," i^j;,';^,,7Jf^^relvs: 
 
 Tn ono or two miuutcs, if the experiment be successful, an eiys 
 frsensltlon wilHollo'w. more exquisite than can be described, 
 and perfectly harmless. . « „i, 
 
 Silvering Glass Globes.— The following is a recipe for sil- 
 ver n™ass glSbes': To half an ounce of lead f^d half an ounce 
 of fine tin, and melt them together in an iron ^f die ; when in a 
 state of fusion, add halt an ounce of bismuth sk^im off the 
 dross remove the ladle from the fire, and before it solidines 
 add fi've'ounces of quicksilver, and stir the Y^ole ^f l^uS^ 
 being careful not to breathe over it, as the fumes ot the quick 
 silver are very iniurious. The operation should be peiformed 
 uS a hooTcorimunicating with a chimnev of good d^^^^^^^ 
 to carry off the vapors ; or, to four ounces of quicksilver put as 
 much tinfoil as will become barely fluid when mixed Have 
 the elobe clean, dry, and warm, and inject the metal oy means 
 of a cleSi Ssor ekrthen pipe at the aperture, turning it about 
 until it tsslJfered all over; let the remainder run out, and the 
 operation is finished. 
 
24 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 HoAESENESS OR TICKLING IN THE Throat.— Take a small 
 quantity of dry pulverized borax, place it on tlie tongue, and 
 lot it slowly dissolve, and run down the throat. It is also good 
 to keep the throat moist at night, and prevent coughing. 
 
 To Cure Fkeckles.— Mix together two ounces of lemon juice, 
 one drachm of pulverized borax, one half drachm of sugar: 
 allow them to stand in a bottle for a few days. Bub occasion- 
 ally over the face and hands. 
 
 To Remove Stains from the Hands.— A few drops of oil 
 vitrol (sulphuric acid) in water, will take the stains of fruit, 
 dark^yes, stove blacking, etc., from the hands without injuring 
 them. Care must, however, be taken not to drop it upon the 
 clothes. It will remove the color from woolen, and eat holes 
 in cotton fabrics. 
 
 To Prepare an Invigorating Bath A tablespoonful or 
 
 more of pulverized borax thrown into the bath-tub while bath- 
 ing, will communicate a velvety softness to the water, and at 
 the same time invigorate the bather. Persons troubled Avith 
 nervousness or wakeful nights will find this kind of bath very 
 beneficial— more so than sea-bathing. 
 
 To Clean Silver.— Table silver should be cleaned at least 
 once or twice a week, and can easily be kept in good order, and 
 polished brightly. Have your dish-pan half full of boiling 
 water; place the silver in so that it may become warm, then, 
 with a soft cloth dipped into the hot water, soaped and sprin- 
 kled with pulverized borax, scour well ; rinse in clear hot water ; 
 dry with a clean, dry cloth. 
 
 To Destroy Cockroaches, Ants and other Household 
 Vermin.— Hellebore, rubbed over with molasses and put round 
 the places that cockroaches frequent, is a very effectual poison 
 for them. Arsenic, spread on bread and butter and placed round 
 rat or mouse-holes, will soon put a stop to their ravages. 
 Quicksilver and the white of an egg, beat together and laid with 
 a feather round the crevices of the bedsteads and the sacking, is 
 very effectual in destroying bugs in them. To kill flies, when 
 so numerous as to be troublesome, keep cobalt wet with spirit 
 in a large shallow plate. The spirit will attract the flies and the 
 cobalt will kill them very soon. Black pepper is said to be good 
 to destroy them ; it should be mixed, so as to be very strong, 
 with a little cream and sugar. Great care is necessary in using 
 the above poisons where there are any children, as they are so 
 apt to eat anything that comes in their way, and these poisons 
 will prove as' fatal to them as to vermin (excepting the pepper). 
 The flour of sulphur is said to be good to drive ants away if 
 sprinkled around the places that they frequent. Sage is also 
 good. Weak brine will kill worms in gravel walks, if kept 
 moist with it a week in the spring and three or four days in the 
 fall. 
 
 Preservatives Against the Ravages of Moths.— Moths are 
 very apt to eat woolen and fur garments early in the summer. 
 To keep them from the garments, take them late in the spring, 
 when not worn^ and p,ut them in a chest with considerable 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 25 
 
 ^u^^ ^^^m rpdar ehim or tobacco leaves are also good for 
 
 fuKewa?m water sufficient to wet the goods. Dip the goods in ; 
 l^hlnSrlfed with it, turn the whole i^to^^i^^^^^l^^tt^'h^ 
 If the goods are cotton, set the vessel on the fiie ai^a ^^'^ J^^ 
 eoodllSil for ten or fifteen minutes, stirring them constantly to 
 n?Pvent their spotting. Silk and woolen goods should not be 
 Soiled in the dye-stufffbut it should be kept at a scalding heat 
 for twenty minutes. Drain the goods ,^'ithou wringing and 
 hang tKin a dry, shady place, where they ^^fj,^^^„^t^^X 
 whon ArM ciPit the color bv put them into scalding not waier 
 
 also good to set the color. 
 Green and Blue Dye fob Silks' and Woolens.- For green 
 
 of a nea^ Ts soon as the fermentation ceases, bottle it; the dye 
 will be fit for Sse the next day. ^ Chemical blue ^b niade^^ ^^e 
 
 ton goods, as the vitriol rots the threads. Wasntnearucieb 
 thXe to be dyed till perfectly clean and free from color I 
 you cannot extract the color by rubbing it m hot ^^f J ^^^'^3^^ 
 out rinse it in soft water till entirely free from soap, as tne soap 
 will ruTthe dye. To dye a pale color, put to each quart of soft 
 warm wafer thlt is to be used for the dye ten drj)f ^^^^^he^^^^^^^^^^ 
 composition; if you wish a deep color, more will be necessary. 
 Put in the articles without crowding, and let them remain in 
 S of a good color; the dye-stuff should be kept warm ; take 
 the articles out without wringing, drain ^s^ much of the dye out 
 of them as possible, then hang them up to dry m a shaay, airy 
 Place. They should be dyed when the weather is dry , if not 
 S quick they will not look nice. When Perfect y dry wash 
 ?hem in lukewarm suds, to keep the vitrio ^^op injuring the 
 texture of the cloth. If you wish for a lively bright green, mix 
 a little of the above composition with yellow dye. 
 
 Yellow Dyes._To dye buff color, boil cqjal parts of annatto 
 and conimon potash in soft, clear water. When dissolved take 
 it from the fire; when cool, put in the goods, which should 
 
26 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 previously be washed free from spots and color ; set them on a 
 moderate fire where they will keep hot till the goods are of the 
 shade you wish. To dye salmon and orange color, tie annatto 
 in a bag and soak it in warm soft soapsuds till it becomes soft, 
 so that you can squeeze enough of it through the bag to make 
 the suds a deep yellow; put in the articles, which should be 
 clean and free from color; boil them till of the shade you wish. 
 There should be enough of the dye to cover the goods ; stir 
 them while boiling, to keep them from spotting. This dye will 
 make a salmon or orange color, accordicg to the strength of it 
 and the time the goods remain in. Drain them out of the dye 
 and di^ them quick in the shade; when dry, wash them in soft 
 soap suds. Goods dyed in this manner should never be rinsed 
 in clear water. Peach leaves, fustic and saffron all make a 
 good straw or lemon color, according to the strength of the 
 dye. They should be steeped in fair soft water in an earthen or 
 tin vessel, and then strained and the dye set with alum and a 
 little gum arable dissolved in the dye, if you wish to stiffen the 
 article. VVhe^ the dye-stuff is strained, steep the articles in it. 
 Red Dye«-.— Madder makes a good durable red, but not a bril- 
 liant color. To make dye of it, allow for half a pound of it three 
 ounces of alum and one of cream of tartar and six gallons of 
 water. This proportion of ingredients will make sufifieient dye 
 for six or seven pounds of goods. Heat half of the water scald- 
 ing hot in a clean brass kettle, then put in the alum and cream 
 of tartar, and let it dissolve. When the water boils, stir the alum 
 and tartar up in it, put in the goods, and let them boil a couple 
 of hours, then rinse them in fair water; empty the kettle and 
 put in three gallons. of water and the madder; rub it fine in the 
 water, and then put in the goods, and set them where they will 
 keep scalding hot for an hour, without boiling; stir them con- 
 stantly. When they have been scalding an hour, increase the 
 fire till they boil. Let them boil five minutes; then drain them 
 out of the dye, and rinse them, without wringing, in fair water, 
 and hang them in the shade, where they will dry. To dye a fine 
 crimson, take for each pound of goods two and a half ounces of 
 alum, an ounce and a half of white tartar; put them in a brass 
 kettle, with sufficient fair water to cover your goods ; set it where 
 it will boil briskly for several minutes; then put in the goods, 
 which should be washed clean and rinsed in fair water. When 
 the goods have boiled half an hour, take them out, without 
 wringing, and hang where they will cool all over alike, without 
 drying; empty out the alum and tartar water, put fresh water 
 in the kettle, and for each pound of goods to be dyed put in an 
 ounce of cochineal, powdered fine. Set the kettle on the fire, 
 and let the water boil fifteen or twenty minutes ; then put in 
 sufficient cold water to make it lukewarm, put in the goods, and 
 boil them an hour and a quarter ; take them out without wring- 
 ing, and dry them in a shady place. The blossoms of the Balm 
 of Gilead, steeped with fair water in a vessel, then strained, will 
 give silk a pretty red color. The silk should be washed clean 
 and free from color, then rinsed in fair water and boiled in the 
 strained dye with a small piece of alum. To dye a fine delicate 
 pink, use a carmine saucer. The directions for dying come with 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 2t 
 
 hung where they will drain and dry. 
 
 do\h whiohVu wantto *a„ sh o^ild be washed la warm suds, 
 without using soap. 
 Tn Makf Soap -If you burn wood you can use your own lye 
 
 mwmMi 
 
 wmss4mm 
 mmsMMm 
 
 And add it to the ashes, and let it drain through. It is th^ Prac 
 tice of some people, in making soap, to put the lime near me 
 bottom of the ashes when they first set it up ; but the ^^^^^^ 
 comes like mortar, and the lye does not ^^ through so as to 
 get the strength of it. which is very important in makm| soap 
 Is it contracts the nitrous salts which collect in ^^nes ana 
 prevents the soap ,from coming i^s the IJ^y/Jfp^^J-d.^^fgfeasl 
 are very apt to be impregnated with it. -^^nree pounufc. ui s 
 should be put into a pailful of lye. The great difficulty mmak 
 ing soap "comer originates in want ^^^l^^^gment about tn^ 
 stfength of the lye. One rule may be ,f ff^^ ,f ^f^^™ 
 lv« will bear UD an egg, or a potato, so that you can bee 'i P^«Yf 
 oUhe surface as big afa shilling, it is just strong enough. If 
 
28 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 it sink below the top of the lye, it is too wealc, and will never 
 make soap; if it is buoyed up half way, the lye is too strong; 
 and that is just as bad, A bit of quick-lime, thrown in while 
 the lye and grease are boiling together, is of sei-viee. When the 
 soap becomes thick and ropy, carry it down cellar in pails and 
 empty it into a barrel. Cold soap is less trouble, because it does 
 not need to boil ; the sun does the work of fire. The lye must 
 be prepared and tried in the usual way. The grease must be 
 tried out, and strained from the scraps. Two pounds of grease 
 (instead of three) must be used to a pailful ; unless the weather 
 is very sultry, the lye should be hot when put to the grease. It 
 should stand in the sun, and be stirred every day. If it does 
 not begin to look like soap in the course of live or six days, add 
 a little hot lye to it; if this does not help it, try whether it be 
 grease that it wants. Perhaps you will think cold soap waste- 
 ful, because the grease must be strained ; but if the scraps are 
 boiled thoroughly in strong lye, the grease will all float upon the 
 surface, and nothing be lost. 
 
 Batbekry, or Myrtle Soap. -Dissolve two pounds and a 
 quarter of white potash in Ave quarts of water, then mix it with 
 ten pounds of myrtle wax, or bayberry tallow. Boil the whole 
 over a slow fire, till it turns to soap, then add a teacup of cold 
 water — let it boil ten minutes longer— at the end of that time 
 turn it Into tin molds, or pans, and let them remain a week or 
 ten days to dry, then turn them out of the molds. If you wish 
 to have the soap scented, stir into it any essential oil that has 
 an agreeable smell, just before you turn it into the molds. 
 This kind of soap is excellent for shaving, and chapped hands 
 «— itis also good for eruptions on the face. It will be fit for use 
 in the course of three or four weeks after it is made, but it is 
 ^better for being kept ten or twelve months. 
 
 Soap from Scraps.— Dissolve eighteen pounds of potash in 
 three pailfuls of water; then add to it twenty-flve pounds of 
 grease, and boil it over a slow fire for a couple of hours. Turn 
 it into a barrel, and fill it up with water. 
 
 OoLD Soap. — Heat twenty-six pounds of strained grease. 
 When melted, mix it with four pailfuls of lye, made of twenty 
 pounds of white potash. Let the whole stand in the sun, stir- 
 ring it frequently. In the course of a week, fill the barrel with 
 weak lye. This method of making soap is much easier than to 
 make a lye of your ashes, while it is as cheap, if you sell your 
 ashes to the soap-boiler. 
 
 Hard Soap.— Dissolve twenty weight of white potash in three 
 pailfuls of water. Heat twenty pounds of strained grease, then 
 mix it with the dissolved potash? and boil them together till the 
 whole becomes a thick jelly, which is ascertained by taking a 
 little of it out to get cold. Take it from the fire, stir in cold 
 water till it grows thin, then put to each pailful of soap a pint 
 of blown salt— stir it in well. The succeeding day, separate It 
 from the lye, and heat it over a slow fire. Let it boil a quarter 
 of an hour, then take it from the fire. If you wish to have it a 
 yellow color, put it in a little palm oil, and turn it out into wood- 
 
MOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 29 
 
 en vessels. When cold, separate it again f ;0m the lye and cut 
 it in bars-let them remain in the sun several days to dry. 
 
 WiNDSOB AND Castile Soap.-To ^^^ke the Celebrated Wind- 
 sor^soap, nothing more is necessary than to slice the best white 
 soan as thin as possible, and melt it over a slow Are. lai^e ^V 
 from the fire wh^en melted, and when it is just lukewarm add 
 enough of the oil of caraway to scent it. If any pther fragrant 
 o?Hs Uked better, it may be substituted Turn ^t into molds 
 and let it remain in a dry situation for five or .l'^^^%^'.^Ji 
 make Castile soap, boil common soft soap in lamp oil three 
 hours and a half. 
 
 Shaving Soap.-A very nice soap for shaving may be made 
 by mISug a quarter of a pound of Castile soap one cake of old 
 Windsor soan a gill of lavender water, the same of Cologne 
 wa?er!andaP^Jer/little alcohol. Boil all these together, until 
 thoroughly mixed. 
 
 • How TO Wash Flannels. -There are many conflicting theori^ 
 In rfte-ard to the proper way to wash flannels, but 1 am 
 convtfced. f?om ca?efu^l obsef ation, that the true w is to 
 wnc;h thftni in water in which you can comfortably bear your 
 hand. ' M^ki sudfbefore puttin|the flannels in, and do not rub 
 ^nfl n on the flannel. I make it a rule to have only one piece ot 
 Sel put in the tub at a time. Wash in two suds if much 
 soUed- tCn rinse thoroughly in clean, weak suds, wring and 
 Tang up ; but do not take flannels out of warm water and hang 
 SS?fn a freezing air, as that certainly tends t^ ^^rink thm. I 
 is better to drv them in the house, unless the sun snines. iii 
 wasKworS goods, such as men's pantaloons, pursue the 
 Tme ?fuTse ; on/do not wring them but ^a^g them up and let 
 them drain: while a little damp, bring them m and press 
 smTothly with as hot an iron as you can ^^^ without scorchm^^^ 
 the goods. The reason for not wringing them is to prevent 
 wrinkles. 
 
 How TO Make an Ottoman.-A neat and useful ottoman may 
 be m^de byteking a box in which fine-cut tobacco is packed 
 and cohering It #ith cretonne. The top may be taken off and 
 
 onwfthoui difficulty if, after ^o^^^^P^' ,\^';^[Xs ToS is^^ 
 over the edge is tacked on. An ottoman of this sort is con 
 ?enient in the bedroom, where it may ^^n-e as a receptacle for 
 stockings. If one does not care to buy cretonne, bits of carpet 
 may be used for the covering. Burlap also makes a pretty 
 cover, worked in some simple but showy pattern. 
 
 How TO Make Fuenituke Covers.- Pretty furniture that is 
 used every day must be protected in some way and there are 
 many coverings which are really ornamental. Foi ytanoe a 
 couch may be kept from fading by. taking a p ece o lurkish 
 toweling the required length-that is, ^^ l^ttl^, S down and 
 couch, fo that it will fall over the ends, and not slide down and 
 wrinRie; put scallops of.flanne on. the edge A bo^^^^^^^ 
 center-piece, or simply a vine worked in f.^^^^^g^^.S a^^^^^^ 
 the ends, makes a pretty addition to it. .Jldies that are very 
 serviceable may be made of brown linen with an applique stnpe 
 
30 ttOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 of cretonne flowers. The easiest and most satisfactory way to 
 prepare cretonne for transferring is to first work the figure which 
 Is to be cut out with the button-hole stitch, and then cut around 
 that. When it is placed upon broadcloth, or any material which 
 will not require washing, sew it with long stitches on the wrong 
 side ; but when transferring to the linen, sew it firmly, so that 
 it will keep its place when washed. The tidies may be finished 
 by putting fringe or yellow lace across the ends ; turn down and 
 hem on the sides, and feather-stitch with worsted or working 
 cotton or silk. 
 
 CANDIES. 
 
 Cocoa-nut Candy. — Grate very fine a sound cocoa-nut, 
 spread it on a dish, and let it dry naturally for three days, as it 
 will not bear the heat of an oven, and is too oily for use when 
 freshly broken. Four ounces wUl be sufficient for a pound of 
 sugar for most tastes, but more .can be used at pleasure. To 
 one pound of sugar take one half-pint of water, a very little 
 white of egg, and then pour over the sugar ; let it stand for a 
 short time, then place over a very clear fire, and let it boil for a 
 few minutes, then set it one side untU the scum is subsided, 
 clear it off, anS boil the sugar until very thick, then strew in 
 the nut, stir and mix it well, and do not quit for an instant until 
 it is finished. The pan should not be placed on the fire; but 
 over it, as the nut is liable to burn with too fierce a heat. 
 
 Almond Candy. — Proceed in the same way as for cocoa-nut 
 candy. Let the almonds be perfectly dry, and do not throw 
 them into the sugar until they approach the candying point. 
 
 To Candy Nuts. — Three cups of sugar, one cup of water; 
 boil until it hardens when dropped in water, then fiavor with 
 lemon. It must not boil after the lemon is put in. Put a nut 
 on the end of a fine knitting-needle, take out and turn on the 
 needle until it is cool. If the candy gets cold, set on the stove 
 for a few minutes. Malaga grapes and oranges, quartered, may 
 be candied in the same way. 
 
 Chocolate Cakamels.— Take of grated chocolate, milk, mo- 
 lasses, and sugar, each one cupful, and a jneceof butter the size 
 of an egg; boil until it will haiden when dropped into cold 
 walet ; add vanilla ; put in a buttered pan, and before it cools 
 mark off in square blocks. 
 
 Chocolate Caramels, No. 2.— One-half pound of grated 
 chocolate, two teacups of sugar, one-half cup of milk and water, 
 a lump of butter, a teaspoon of alum. 
 
 Sugar-Candy. — Six cups of white sugar, one cup of vinegar, 
 one cup of water, a tablespoonful of butter put In at the last, 
 with one teaspoonful of soda dissolved in hot water. Boil with- 
 out stirring one-half hour. Flavor to suit the taste. 
 
 Cream Candy.— Four cups of sugar, two cups of water, three- 
 fourths of a cup of vinegar, one cup of cream or rich milk, a 
 piece of butter the size of an egg, two teaspoonfuls of vanilla, a 
 pinch of soda. Let it boil until it cracks in water, then work 
 very white. 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 31 
 
 Maple CANDT.—Four cups of maple syrup, boil until it cracks 
 in water, and, just before taking from the fire put in a piece of 
 butter the size of an egg. If preferred waxy, do not let it cook 
 80 long. 
 
 BuTTEB Scotch.— One cup of molasses, one cup of sugar, one- 
 half cup of butter. Boil until done. 
 
 Peppebmint Dbops.— Pour half a cupful of boiling water on 
 two cupfuls of granulated sugar; boil for five minutes stir in a 
 tablespoonful of essence of peppermint, and stir over the fire ill 
 thick, and then drop from a spoon upon buttered paper and iei 
 them harden. 
 
 Molasses Candy.— Two quarts of West India molasses, one 
 Dound of brown sugar, the juice of two large lemons, or a tea- 
 spoonful of strong elsence of lemon. Mix together the molasses 
 and sugar, takini care to use West India molasses, which, for 
 this purpose, is much the best. Put the mixture into a preserv- 
 ing-kettle, and boil it for three hours over a moderate fire 
 When it is thoroughly done, it will of itself cease boiling. If 
 sufftciently boiled it will be crisp and brittle when cold. If not 
 boiled enough, it will never congeal, but will be tough and ropy, 
 and must be^ boiled over again. While boiling stir it frequently 
 and take care that it does not burn. After it has boiled about 
 two hours and a half, stir in the lemon juice or essence of 
 lemon. It will be improved by adding he yellow nnd of the 
 lemon, grated so fine as not to be visible when boiled. If the 
 lemon is put in too soon, all the taste will be boiled out When 
 it is quite done, butter a square pan and pour the mixture into 
 it to cool. If you prefer the candy with ground-nuts, roast a 
 quart of them, and then shell and blanch them. Stir the ground- 
 nuts into the mixture a few minutes before you take it from the 
 fire Stir them in gradually. In the same manner you may 
 make it with almonds. The almonds must be blanched, cut 
 in pieces, and stirred in raw, when the molasses and sugar 
 have just done boiling. If you wish to make it yellow, take 
 some from the pan while it is yet warm, and pull it out into a 
 thick string between the thumb and fore-finger of both hands 
 Extend your arms widely as you pull the candy backwards and 
 forwards. By repeating this for a long time it will gradually 
 become of a light yellow color and of a spongy consistence. 
 When it is quite yellow, roll it into sticks ; twist two sticks 
 together, and cut them off smoothly at both ends. Or you may 
 variegate it by twisting together a stick that is quite yellow and 
 one that, not having been so much pulled, still remains brown. 
 
 WINES, ETC. 
 
 Mulled Wine.— Boil a pint of wine with nutmeg, cloves, and 
 sugar, serve it with slices of toasted bread, or beat up the 
 yolks of four eggs with a little cold wine, and mix them care- 
 fuUv with the hot wine, pour it backward and forward till it 
 looks fine, heat it again over the fire till it is tolerably thick 
 pour it backward and forward, and serve with .toasted bread 
 as above ; or boil some spice in a little water till the flavor m 
 
32 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 extracted, then add a pint of port wine, with some sugar and 
 nutmeg. 
 
 OoMMON Beee.— Two gallons of water to a large handful of 
 hops is the rule. A little fresh-gathered spruce or sweet fern 
 makes the beer more agreeable, and you may allow a quart of 
 wheat bran to the mixture; then boil it two or three hours. 
 Strain it through a sieve, and stir in, while the liquor is hot, a 
 teacup of molasses to every gallon. Let it stand till lukewarm, 
 pour it into a clean barrel, and add good yeast, a pint, if the 
 barrel is nearly full ; shake it well together ; it will be fit for use 
 the «ext day. 
 
 Spruce Beer Allow an ounce of hops and a spoonful of 
 
 ginger to a gallon of water. When well boiled, strain it, and 
 put in a pint of molasses, and haif an ounce or less of the es- 
 sence of spruce ; when cool, add a teacup of yeast, and put 
 into a clean tight cask, and let it ferment for a day or two, then 
 bottle it for use. You can boil the sprigs of spruce fir in room of 
 the essence. 
 
 Ginger Beer Quickly Made.~A gallon of boiling water is 
 poured over three-quarters of a pound of loaf sugar, one ounce 
 of ginger, and the peel of one lemon ; when milk- warm, the 
 
 f'uice of the l«mon and a spoonful of yeast are added. It should 
 )e made in the evening, and bottled next morning, in stone 
 bottles, and the cork tied down with twine. Good brown sugar 
 will answer, and the lemon may be omitted, if cheapness is re- 
 quired. 
 
 Lemonade.— Three lemons to a pint of water makes strong 
 lemonade ; sweeten to your taste. This is the best beverage for 
 parties : cool, refreshing, pleasant and salubrious. 
 
 Oeangeade Roll and press the juice from the oranges in the 
 
 same way as from lemons. It requires less sugar than lemon- 
 ade. The water must be pure and cold, and then there can be 
 nothing more delicious than these two kinds of drink. 
 
 Currant Wine.- -Break and squeeze the currants, put three 
 pounds and a half of sugar to two quarts of juice and two quarts 
 of water. Put it in a keg or barrel. Do not close the bung 
 tight for three or four days, that the air may escape while It is 
 fermenting. After it is done fermenting, close it up tight. 
 Where raspberries are plenty, it is a great improvement to use 
 half raspberry juice and half currant juice. Brandy is un- 
 necessary when the above-mentioned proportions are ob- 
 served. It should not be used under a year or two. Age im- 
 proves it. 
 
 Ginger Beer.— Put into a kettle two ounces of powdered gin- 
 ger (or more if it is not very strong), half an ounce of cream of 
 tartar, two large lemons cut in slices, two pounds of broken 
 loaf-sugar, and one gallon of soft water. Simmer them over a 
 slow fire for half an hour. When the liquor is nearlv cold, stir 
 into it a laige tablespoonful of the best yeast. After it has fer- 
 mented bottle for use. 
 
 CiDB»,— To keep cider sweet allow it to work uatU it hai» 
 
 r. 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 33 
 
 reached the state most desirable to the taste, then add one and 
 a half tumblers grated horse-radish to each barrel, and shake up 
 well. This arrests further fermentation. After remaining a 
 few weeks rack off and bung up closely in clean casks. 
 
 Raspbeeey Vinegar.— It is best made by putting carefully- 
 gathered and very ripe raspberries into jars, and, when as full 
 as they will hold of the fruit, fill up the jars with good vinegar. 
 After eight or ten days the vinegar is poured off, and the fruit 
 allowed to drain for some hours. The mixture of vinegar and 
 juice thus obtained is added to another quantity of fruit and 
 "treated in the same way. This is sometimes repeated a third 
 time, and then the liquid is gently boiled for about five minutes 
 with its own weight of good sugar. Added to water it makes a 
 most refreshing summer drink, and is of much use as a cooling' 
 beverage in sickness. 
 
 Peppeemint Coediai..— Take thirteen gallons of rectified 
 spirit, one in five under hydrometer proof, twelve pounds 
 of loaf-sugai, one pint of spirit of wine that will fire gun- 
 powder, fifteen pennyweights of oil of peppermint, and as 
 much water as will fill up the cask, which should be set on end 
 after the whole has been well roused. Enough for twenty gal- 
 lons. 
 
 Geape "Wine.— Put tAventy pounds of ripe, well-selected, fresh- 
 picked grapes into a stone jar, and pour on them six quarts of 
 boiling water. When the water has become sufficiently cool, 
 squeeze the grapes well with the hand ; cover the jar with a 
 cloth, and let it stand for three days : then press out' the juice, 
 and add ten pounds of crushed sugar. After it has stood' for a 
 week, skim, strain, and bottle it, corking it loosely. When 
 the fermentation is complete, strain it again and bottle it, cork- 
 ing lightly. Lay the bottles on their sides in a cool place. 
 
 GiNQEE Wine. — Boil together for one hour nine gallons of 
 water, twenty-seven pounds of sugar, the rinds of nine 
 lemons, and twelve ounces of bruised ginger; remove the 
 scum as it rises, and when sufficiently boiled put it into 
 a large tub or pan, as it must not remain in the cop- 
 per. When nearly cold, add three tablespoonfuls of yeast; 
 the next day put all in a dry cask with the strained lemon-juico 
 and two pounds of chopped raisins ; stir the wine every day for 
 a fortnight, then add the brandy, and stop the cask down by 
 degrees, and in a few weeks it will be fit to bottle. 
 
 Speuce Beee, No. 2.— Take four ounces of hops, boil half an 
 hour in one gallon of water, strain it, add sixteen gallons ot 
 warm water, two gallons of molasses, eight ounces of essence 
 of spruce, dissolved in one -quart of water ; put it in a clean 
 cask, shake it well together, add a half pint of yeast, let it stand 
 and work one week; If warm weather, less time will do. 
 When drawn off, add one spoonful of molasses to each bottle. 
 
 Cottage Beee.— Take a peck of good wheat bran, and put it 
 into ten gallons of water, with three handfuls of good hops, and 
 boil the whole together until the bran and hops sink to the bot- 
 tom, Then strata it through a hair sieve, or a thia cloth, into 
 
34 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 a cooler, and when it is about lukewarm add two quarts of mo- 
 lasses. As soon as the molasses is melted, pour the whole into 
 a ten-gallon cask, with two tablespoonfuls of yeast. When the 
 fermentation has subsided, bung up the cask, and in four days 
 it will be ready to use. 
 
 Elderbekky Wine.— Take one quart of pure elderberry juice, 
 two quarts of water, three pounds sugar (the best sugar for 
 this purpose is what we call molasses sugar, viz., sugar that 
 settles from molasses into the bottom of hogsheads ;) mix all to- 
 gether, and let it ferment until it works itself clear; strain 
 and little; leave the bottles uncorked until it is done working, 
 then cork and put away in a cellar, and in a few months you 
 will have good wine, but age will improve it. 
 
 Eldebberry Wine No. 2.— Boil three gallons of elderberries in 
 two and one halt gallons of water for twenty minutes, then strain 
 through a fine sieve, not bruising the berries ; then measure 
 the liquid into a boiler, and to every quart add one pound of 
 moist sugar and the peel of four lemons; place on fire and 
 heat scalding hot; add the whites of four eggs, well beaten, stir- 
 ring into the liquid. . When the liquor is cool place it in a keg ; 
 place a piece of toasted bread, spread with compressed yeast 
 as you would butter, in the keg ; bung the keg air-tight ; a quar- 
 ter of a pound of bruised ginger placed in a keg gives the wine 
 a line flavor ; let it remain in the keg from six to eight weeks, 
 when it will be ready to bottle. 
 
 Household Beer.— Two gallons of water, two pounds of 
 treacle, one ounce of hops, one ounce of ginger bruised, one 
 ounce of linseed. Boil all together for two hours, then strain 
 and cover with a thick cloth. When lukewarm, add a quarter 
 of a pound of yeast; cover again for twenty-four hours, and 
 then bottle it in porter bottles. 
 
 Eau de Cologne.— Alcohol at eighty-five degrees, ten quarts ; 
 essence of neroli, two drachms; essence of rosemary, ten 
 drachms ; essence of lavender, five drachms ; essence of thyme, 
 one drachm ; essence cf lemon, three ounces; tincture of ben- 
 zoin, two drachms ; rose water, one pint ; essence of bergamot, 
 five ounces. 
 
 Ginger Beer.— Pour three gallons of boiling water on two 
 and a half pounds of preserving sugar, three ounces of bruised 
 ginger, and four lemons cut in very thin slices. Let it stand 
 till nearly cold, then add a dessertspoonful of brewers' yeast 
 spread on toast. Let it stand all night, then strain and bottle. 
 Another way is to take one pound of sugar, one ounce of ginger, 
 half an ounce of carbonate of soda, half an ounce of tartaric 
 acid, and a quarter of an ounce of cream of tartar. Well pound 
 the ginger, put all into an earthen vessel, add a gallon of water 
 not quite boiling; let it stand till cold, then put a tablespoonfiil 
 of barm on toast, and let it stand till the next day. Bottle it, 
 and lay it down for two days, when it will be ready for use. 
 
 Blackberry Cordial. — Warm and squeeze the berries ; add 
 to one pint -of juice one pound of white sugar, one-half ounce 
 of powdered cinnamon, one-fourth ounce of mace, two toa- 
 
HOW TO KmP HOUSE. 36 
 
 spoonfuls of cloves. Boil all together for one-fourth of an hour ; 
 strain the syrup, and to each pint add a glass of French brandy. 
 Two or three doses of a tablespoonful or less will check any 
 slight diarrhea. When the attaclc is violent, give a tablespoon- 
 ful after each discharge until the complaint is in subjection. It 
 will arrest dysentery if given in season, and is a pleasant and 
 safe remedy. 
 
 Blackbeeey Wine.— To one gallon of mashed berries add one 
 quart of boiling water, and let it stand twenty-four hours : then 
 strain them, and to every gallon of juice add three pounds of 
 brown sugar. Put in a jug or demijohn, and cover with a thin 
 piece of muslin until October; then bottle it off. 
 
 Wine Whey. — Sweeten one pint of milk to taste, and when 
 boiling throw in two wineglasses of sherry; when the curd 
 forms, strain the whey through a muslin bag into tumblers. 
 
 Blackbeeey Syeup.— One quart of blackberry juice, one 
 pound of sugar, one-half ounce of nutmeg, one-half ounce of 
 cinnamon, one-fourth of an ounce of cloves, one-fourth of an 
 ounce of allspice. 
 
 Roman Punch.— Two quarts of cold w^ater, one of Madeira 
 wine, half a pint of brandy, the juice of six lemons, and two 
 quarts of sugar. This is very hard to freeze. In winter use 
 snow instead of ice. 
 
 Sage Wine.— Boil twenty-six quarts of spring water a quar- 
 ter of an hour, and when it is blood-warm, put twenty-five 
 pounds of Malaga raisins, picked, rubbed and shred, into it, 
 with almost half a bushel of red sage shred, and half a pint of 
 ale yeast ; stir all well together, and let it stand in a tub, cov- 
 ered warm, six or seven days, stirring it once aday ; then strain 
 it off, and put it in a cask. Let it work three or four days, and 
 then stop it up. When it has stood six or seven days, put in a 
 quart or two of Malaga sack, and when it is fine, bottle it. 
 
 BiECH Beee.— Take four ounces of hops, boil half an hour in 
 one gallon of water, strain it, add sixteen gallons of warm water, 
 two gallons of molasses, eight ounces of essence of birch, dis- 
 solved in one quart of water; put in a clean cask, shake it 
 well together ; add a half pint of yeast, let it stand and work 
 one week ; if warm weather less time will do. When drawn off', 
 add one spoonful of molasses to each bottle. 
 
 SuGAE Beee. — Take one and a half pounds of hops, and boil 
 in thirty-six gallons of water for an hour; then add fourteen 
 pounds of dark brown sugar, and a little yeast to work it ; fer- 
 ment and bottle. 
 
 ANTIDOTES FOR POISONS. 
 
 The following list gives some of the more common poisons 
 and the remedies most likely to be on hand in case of need. 
 
 Acids These cause great heat and sensation of burning pain 
 
 from the mouth down to the stomach. Remedies : Magnesia, 
 soda, pearl ash, or soap dissolved in water ; then use stomach- 
 pump, or emetic. 
 
36 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 Alkali.— Best remedy is vinegar. 
 
 Ammonia.— Remedy, lemon juice, or vinegar. 
 
 Alcohol.— First cleanse out the stomach by an emetic, then 
 dash cold water on the head, and give ammonia (spirits of 
 hartshorn). 
 
 Arsenic— Remedies : In the first place, evacuate the stomach, 
 then give the white of eggs, lime water, or chalk and water, 
 charcoal, and the preparation of iron, particularly hydrate. 
 
 Laudanum.— Same as opium. 
 
 BaLLADONNA.— Give emetics, and then plenty of vinegar and 
 water, or lemonade. 
 
 MoEPHiNE.— Same as opium. 
 
 Charcoal. — In poisons by carbonic gas, remove the patient 
 to the open air, dash cold water on the head and body, and 
 stimulate the nostrils and lungs with hartshorn, at the same 
 time rubbing the chest briskly. 
 
 Corrosive Sublimate.— Give white of egg freshly mixed 
 with water, or give wheat flour and water, or soap and water 
 freely, or salt and water. 
 
 Creosote. — White of eggs and emetics. 
 
 Lead.— White lead and sugar of lead. Remedies: alum; 
 cathartics, such as castor-oil and epsom salts, especially. 
 
 Mushrooms When Poisonous.— Give emetics, and then 
 plenty of vinegar and water, with doses of ether, if handy. 
 
 Nitrate of Silver (Lunar Caustic).— Give a strong solu- 
 tion of common salt, and then emetics. 
 
 Opium.— First give a strong emetic of mustard and water, 
 then strong coflee and acid drinks; dash cold water on the 
 head. 
 
 Nux Vomica.— First emetics and then brandy. 
 
 Oxalic Acid.— (Frequently mistaken for epsom salts.) Rem- 
 edies : chalk, magnesia, or soap and water, and other soothing 
 drinks. 
 
 Prussic Acid. — When there is time administer chlorine in the 
 shape of soda and lime. Hot brandy and water, hartshorn, and 
 turpentine are also useful. 
 
 Snake Bite, Etc.— Apply immediately strong hartshorn, and 
 take it internally; also give sweet oil and stimulants freely; 
 apply a ligature tightly over the part bitten, and then apply a 
 cupping-glass. 
 
 Tartar Emetic— Take large doses of tea made of galls, Pe- 
 ruvian bark, or white-oak bark. 
 
 Verdigris.- Plenty of whites of eggs and water. 
 
 White Vitriol.— Give the patient plenty of milk and water. 
 
 A Cure for Whisky-Drinkers.— Sulphate of iron five grains, 
 magnesia ten grains, peppermint water eleven draohms, spirit 
 of nutmeg one drachm ; twice a day. 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 37 
 
 To Renew BiAcS: Cashmeee.— Take half a pint of ammonia 
 and enougli tepid water to dip the breadths and pieces in 
 thoroughly up and down, after which hang on the line to drip 
 and dry partially without wringing; then iron dry on wrong 
 side, when it will look like new. 
 
 To Wash Black Cashmeee.— Take hard soap-suds, wash 
 your goods thoroughly, and after you have rinsed them in warm 
 water, rinse them in warm coffee, with a teaspoonful of gum 
 arable water to every pound of goods ; take a piece of dark 
 flannel or place a layer of flannel and then one of the goods, 
 and so oi^ until you have finished, then roll up tight and leave 
 until morning, then iron on the wrong side. You can also wash 
 soiled velvet in this way. 
 
 To Polish Shiet Feonts and Weistbands.— Starch the 
 fronts and wristbands as stiff as you can. Starch twice— that is, 
 starch dry ; then starch again. Iron your shirt with a box^-iron, in 
 the usual way, making the linen nice and firm, but without any 
 attempt at a good finish ; don't lift the plaits ; your shirt is now 
 ready for polishing, but you ought to have a board same size as 
 a common shirt-board, made of hard vi'ood, and covered with 
 only one ply of plain cotton cloth. Put this board into the 
 breast of your shirt, damp the front very lightly with a wet 
 sponge, then take the polishing-iron, which is flat and beveled 
 at one end — polish gently with the beveled end, taking care not 
 to drive the linen up into wave-like blisters. Of course this 
 requires a little practice, but if you are careful and persevere, 
 in a short time you will be able to give the enamel-like finish 
 which is so much wanted. 
 
 To Clean Steaw- Matting. — Wash with a cloth dipped in 
 clean salt and water. Take care to wipe dry, as this prevents 
 its turning yellow. Tar may be removed from either Hands or 
 clothing by rubbing well with lard and then washing well with 
 soap and water. 
 
 A SuEE Way to Remove Tea Stains.— Mix thoroughly 
 soft soap and salt— say a tablespoonful to a teacup of soap ; rub 
 on the spots, and spread the cloth on the grass where the sun 
 will shine on it. Let it lay two or three days ; then wash. If 
 the stain is not all out, it will disappear in the second washing. 
 If the spots are wet occasionally while lying on the grass, it will 
 hasten the bleaching. \ 
 
 Home-made Camphor- Ice.— Melt half a teacupful of mutton 
 tallow with a piece of camphor gum, the size of a large 
 hickory-nut; pour into a little cup or mold. 
 
 Home-made Haed Soap.— Were the good qualities of this in- 
 expensive soap more generally known, no family would go 
 without it. It is valuable for washing clothes, making them 
 very clean and white, without in the least injuring them, and is 
 excellent for flannels and calicoes. It is good also for the 
 hands, making them soft and smooth. Take six pounds each of 
 sal- soda and lard, three pounds of stone lime, four gallons of 
 soft water ; dissolve the lime and soda in the water, stirring. 
 
38 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 settling, and pouring off, then return to the kettle, using brass 
 or copper ; add the lard and boil until it becomes soap, then 
 pour into a tub; when cold, cut in bars and dry. 
 
 A Beautiful Whitewash.— To Ave gallons of whitewash 
 made of well-burned white lime, add a quarter of a pound of 
 whiting, half a pound of loaf sugar, one quart and a half of rice 
 flour, made into a thin and well-cooked paste, and half a pound 
 of white glue dissolved in water ; apply warm ; previously 
 scrape off all old scaly whitewash ; this is like kalsomine, and 
 gives a brilliant and lasting effect. 
 
 CfenMAN Silver. — 1. Common German silver : Copper, eight ; 
 nickel, two; zinc, three and a half. This is the commonest 
 that can be made with any regard to the quality of the article 
 produced. It might do for common purposes. If the quantity 
 of nickel be reduced much below this, the alloy will be little 
 better than pale brass, and tarnish rapidly. 2. Good German 
 silver: Copper, eight; nickel, three; zinc, three and a half. 
 This is a very beautiful compound. It has the appearance of 
 silver a little below standard ; by some persons it is even pre- 
 ferred to the more expensive compound. We strongly recom- 
 mend manufacturers not to use a metal inferior to this. 3. 
 Electrum : Copper, eight; nickel, four; zinc, three and a half. 
 This is a compound which, for ease of working and beauty of 
 appearance, is to be preferred to all others by the manufacturer, 
 and is generally preferred by the public. 'It has a shade of 
 blue, like very highly polished silver ; it tarnishes less easily 
 than silver. Nickel: Copper, eight; nickel, six; zinc, three and 
 a half. This is the richest in nickel that can be made without 
 Injuring the mechanical properties of the metal. It is a very 
 beautiful compound, but requires a higher heat for fusion than 
 the preceding, and will be found rather more difficult to work. 
 Tutenag : Copper, eight ; nickel, three ; zinc, four and a half. 
 These properties were obtained by the analysis of a piece of 
 Chinese tutenag of the best ordinary quality; but some of the 
 specimens of Chinese tutenag are equal to the electrum. No. 3, 
 but these are very rare. This alloy is very fusible, but very 
 hard, and not easily rolled ; it is the best adapted for casting. 
 
 Shades.— Scarlet hoUand shades, trimmed across the ends 
 with antique lace, are very pretty and serviceable for a dining- 
 room, giving a soft and warm light to the room. 
 
 How TO Make Sceap-Bags,— It is a good plan to have pretty 
 scrap-bags in sitting-room, bedroom, and dining-room, and to 
 hang one near the sewing- machine. They may be ornamental, 
 and are certainly useful. Since trying this I have saved paper 
 rags enough to buy all the new tinware needed in the house, 
 aad have occasionally bought a broom also. Every bit of cloth, 
 every postal card and circular, that w^ould otherwise have been 
 put into the stove as not being worth the trouble of a walk to 
 the regular rag-bag, finds its way into the little scrap-bag. 
 Pretty bags are made of perforated paper, with a simple vine 
 worked around the top, the bottom of the bag being of silk or 
 merino, and the top finished with a crocheted scallop ; or they 
 may be made of Java canvas, with wire around the top to keep 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 39 
 
 it in shape ; a piece of old hoop-skirt may be used for this pur- 
 pose. 
 
 How TO Sew ON Buttons When sewing buttons on children's 
 
 clothes where there will be much strain on the button, the dan- 
 ger of tearing the cloth out will be greatly lessened by putting a 
 small button directly under the larger outside button. This ap- 
 plies, of course, only to buttons with holes through them. 
 
 How TO Make New Fringe Out or Old.— Cretonne table 
 covers and mantel lambrequins may be finished with fringe of 
 which almost eveiy one has a supply. The worsted dress fringe 
 so much worn a year or two ago can now be made use of. It is 
 also serviceable as a finish to mats made of burlap. If the fringe * 
 is dark-colored, it may be brightened by tying in lengths of gay 
 worsted. 
 
 How TO Clean Tin-wabe.— Do not set apart one day on which 
 to clean your silver or scour your tin- ware ; there is danger of 
 its not being done at all. Have your cleaning material ready, 
 and when you are " doing up " the dishes after each meal, clean 
 and polish the silver or tin you have been using. This is a good 
 habit to cultivate. 
 
 Weights and Measures.— Every family should be furnished 
 with scales and weights; and it is also advisable to have 
 wooden measures. Two gills make half a pint; two pints 
 make one quart; four quarts make one gallon; half gallon 
 makes a quarter of a peck ; one gallon makes hi>lf a peck ; two 
 gallons make one peck ; four gallons make half a bushel ; eight 
 gallons make one bushel. About sixty drops of any thin liquid 
 will fill a common-sized teaspoon ; four tablespoonf uls, or half a 
 gill, will fill a common-sized wine-glass; four -wine-glasses 
 will fill half a pint measure, a common tnmbler, or a large cof- 
 fee-cup. Ten eggs usually weigh one pound before they are 
 broken ; eight larg3 ones will weigh one pound ; a tablespoon- 
 ful of salt will weigh about one ounce ; one pint of water or 
 milk will weigh one pound ; one pint of molassos will weigh 
 one and one-quarter pounds ; three teaspoonfuls of baking-pow- 
 der should weigh one ounce ; one quart of flour weighs one 
 pound; one quart of Indian-meal weighs one and a quarter 
 pounds. 
 
 To Gild Picture-Frames.— The surface of the gilt must be 
 carefully covered with a strong size, made by boiling down 
 pieces of white leather or clippings of parchment, till they are 
 reduced to a strong jelly. This coating being dried, eight or 
 ten more must be applied, the size being mixed with a small 
 quantity of whiting. The last coat is composed of screened 
 massicot, or sometimes yellow ochre. Let it dry thoroughly, 
 and then damp the surface a little at the time with a damp 
 sponge, and apply the gold-leaf before this dries. It will imme- 
 diately adhere, and when dry, those parts which are to be bril- 
 liant are to be burnished with an agate or dog's-tooth burnisher. 
 
 To Raise the Nap on Cloth When woolens are worn 
 
 threadbare, as is often the case in elbows, sleeves, cuffs, etc, of 
 men's coats, the coats must be soa_ked in cold water for half an 
 
40 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 hour, then taken out of the water, and put on a board, and the 
 threadbare part of the cloth rubbed with a half- worn hatter'is 
 " card," filled with hocks, or with a prickly thistle, until a suf- 
 ficient nap is raised. When this is done, hang the coat up to 
 dry, and with a hard brush lay the nap the right way. This is 
 the method which is pursued by the dealers in old clothes. 
 
 SiLVEEED Looking- Glasses.— Take a sheet of tin-foil and 
 spread it upon the table ; then rub mercury upon it with a hare's 
 foot till the two metals incorporate. Lay|the plate of glass upon 
 it, and load it with weights, which will have the effect of press- 
 ing«out the excess of mercury that was applied to the tin-foil. 
 In a few hours the tin-foil will adhere to the glass and convert 
 it into a mirror. About two ounces of mercury are suflacient for 
 covering three square feet of glass. 
 
 To Clean Steel and Ikon.— One ounce of soft soap; two 
 ounces of emery, made into a paste ; then rub the article for 
 cleaning with wash-leather, and it will give a brilliant polish. 
 
 Sauce Piqu ante.— Brown lightly in an ounce and a half of 
 butter a tablespoonful of eschalots ; add a teaspoonful of flour 
 when they are partially done ; pour to them half a pint of gravy 
 or good broth, and when it boils add three chilies, a bay-leaf, 
 and a very small bunch of thyme. Let these simmer for twenty 
 minutes ; take out the thyme and bay-leaf, add a high season* 
 ing of black pepper and half a wine-glassful of the best vinegar. 
 
 To Clean Gold Powder some whiting, and make it into a 
 
 moist paste with some sal volatile. Cover over the gold orna- 
 ments and surface with a soft brush, let it dry, and then brush 
 it off with a moderately hard brush. 
 
 Iron Rust.— This may be removed by salt mixed with a little 
 lemon juice ; put in the sun ; if necessary, use two applications. 
 
 Mildew. — Dip the stained cloth in buttermilk, and lay In the 
 sun. 
 
 Cheap Refeigerators. — A flower-pot wrapped in a wet cloth 
 and placed over a butter plate will keep the contents of the 
 plate as hard and firm as if they were set on ice ; and milk will 
 not sour if the can containing it be wrapped in a wet cloth. 
 
 To Mend Broken Crockery.— We have used lime and the 
 white of an egg for mending earthenware, and find it most sat- 
 isfactory. It is a strong cement, easily applied, and generally 
 at hand. Mix only enough to mend one article at a time, as it 
 soon hardens, when it cannot be used. Powder a small quan- 
 tity of the lime, and mix to a paste with the white. Apply 
 quickly to the edges, and place firmly together. It will soon 
 become set and strong, seldom breaking in the same i^lace 
 again. 
 
 How to Clean a Tea or Coffee Pot.— If the inside of your 
 tea or coffee pot is black from long use, fill it with water, throw 
 in a piece of hard soap, set on the stove, and let it boil from 
 half an hour to an hour. It will clean as bright as a new dollar, 
 an(^ cost no work, 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 41 
 
 Tinned Waee Tinned ware which speedily loses its bright- 
 ness should be distrusted. It usually contains lead, which is 
 dissolved by very feeble acids, and is very poisonous. Iodide 
 of potassium is the antidote. 
 
 ^OLiAN Harp.— An ffiolian harp is composed of a rectangular 
 box, made of thin boards, about five inches deep and six inches 
 wide, and the proper length to fit across the window in which 
 it is to be placed. At the top of each end of the box is glued a 
 strip of wood about half an inch in height. These strips serve 
 as a bridge for the strings, which are stretched lengthwise 
 across the top of the box. The strings should be of cat-gut or 
 wire, tuned in unison by means of pegs constructed to control 
 their tension, as in the violin. The instrument is simply placed 
 in a window, partly open, so as to allow a current of air to pass 
 over the strings, thus producing a combination in tones con- 
 stantly varying in pitch and intensity with the force of the wind. 
 
 Red Ants. — To exterminate red ants, grease a plate with lard 
 and set it where the insects abound. They prefer lard to any- 
 thing else, and will forsake sugar for it. Place a few sticks 
 around the plate for the ants to climb up on. Occasionally 
 turn the plate bottom up over the fire, and the ants will fall in 
 with the melted lard. Reset the plate, and in a short time you 
 will catch them all. Powdered borax sprinkled around the in- 
 fested places will exterminate both red and black ants. 
 
 How TO Clean Maeble.— The following is an excellent way of 
 cleaning marble : First, brush the dust off the piece to be clean- 
 ed, then apply with a brush a good coat of gum arable ; expose 
 it to tne sun to dry. In a short time it will crack and peel off. 
 If all the gum shouldnot peel off, wash it with clean water and 
 a cloth. If the first application does not have the desired effect, 
 it should be applied again. 
 
 Face Wash.— The following forms a nice cooling wash for the 
 face during the summer months, and removes freckles : Sweet 
 almonds, five ounces; bitter almonds, one ounce; rose water, 
 two pints and a half; white curd soap, half an ounce; 
 spermaceti, half an ounce ; white wax, half an ounce ; English 
 oil of lavender, twenty drops; otto of roses, twenty drops; 
 rectified spirits, one pint. Blanch the almonds, and beat them 
 up with the soap and a little of the rose water ; melt together the 
 oil of almonds, spermaceti, and white wax, and mix with the 
 former into a cream, and strain it through thin muslin ; then 
 add gradually the remaining rose water, and, lastly, the spirit 
 with the essential oils mixed therein. 
 
 Feeckles. — For freckles no internal remedies will reach the 
 peat of the trouble. In excessive freckling and moth-patches 
 the color may be greatly lightened or removed by the frequent 
 or constant use of washes capable of producing an unusually 
 rapid casting off of the cells of the cuticle, but in no other way. 
 Preparations sold for this purpose often contain very dangerous 
 ingredients. A solution of borax in water (a drachm to the pint) 
 will be of service in slight cases, applied night and morning. 
 
 Corns.— To cure a corn soak the corn for one half hour in a 
 
42 HOW TO KEEP HOtJSt!. 
 
 solution of soda, and pare it as close as possible, then apply a 
 plaster of the following ingredients : Take of purified ammonia 
 and yellow wax each two ounces, and of acetate of copper six 
 drachms ; melt the first two ingredients together, and, after re- 
 moving them from the fire, add the acetate of copper just be- 
 fore they grow cold. Spread the ointment on a piece of soft 
 leather or linen, applying it to the corn, removing it in two 
 weeks. . 
 
 Ingrowing Toe-Nails — To cure ingrowing toe-nails, begin 
 the effort at cure by simple application to the tender part of a 
 small quantity of perchloride of iron. It is found in drugstores 
 in a fluid form, though sometimes in powder. There is imme- 
 diately a moderate sensation of pain, constriction, or burning. 
 In a few minutes the tender surface is felt to be dried up, 
 tanned, or mummified, and it ceases to be painful. By per- 
 mitting the hardened, wood-like fiesh to remain for two or 
 three weeks, it can be easily removed by soaking the foot in 
 water. A new and healthy structure is found firm and solid 
 below. If thereafter the nails be no more cut around the cor- 
 ner or sides, but always curved in across the front end, they 
 will in future grow only forwards. When cutting the nails, take 
 a piece of broken glass and scrape the top very thin ; it makes 
 the cornors fly up and grow flat, so that it is impossible they 
 should give you any pain. 
 
 For Bunions.— The following ointment is excellent for an in- 
 flamed bunion: Iodine, twelve grains; spermaceti ointment, 
 half an ounce. A portion about the size of a horse bean to be 
 rubbed on the affected part twice or thrice a day. If the bun- 
 ion is nou inflamed, the best remedy is to place on it first a 
 piece of diachlyon plaster, oxide of lead and oil, and upon it a 
 piece of thick leather, this having a hole the size of the bunion 
 cut in it. 
 
 Green Writing Ink.— Take 1 ounce of verdigris, and having 
 pounded it, put it to 1 quart of vinegar; after it has stood two 
 or three days strain off the liquid. Or, instead of this use of the 
 crystals of verdigris, dissolved in water; then dissolve in 1 pint 
 of either of these solutions, 5 drachms of gum arable and 2 
 drachms of white sugar. 
 
 To Cure Dandruff.— Dandruff is sometimes caused by neg- 
 lecting to give the head the full amount of attention which is 
 required to keep the hair in a healthy condition. In order to 
 promote its full vigor, every head of hair should be thoroughly 
 brushed once every day, and cleaned with a detersive applica- 
 tion, washed out with water, at least once each week. The fol- 
 lowing 18 a good hair-wash, which will assist in cleaning, if 
 simply applied to the skin of the head Where the suit of hair is 
 very thick and difficult to dry, after a thorough wetting. A gen- 
 tleman having short hair may easily pour the wash on his hair, 
 rub it thoroughly, then rinse his entire head in a bowl of water, 
 which is much the better plan. To prepare the wash, take one 
 ounce of borax and half an ounce of gum camphor, powder 
 and dissolve in one quart of boiling water. The solution is ready 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 43 
 
 for use as soon as cool. The hair should be dressed with a 
 pomade, or the following, which is termed " Brazilian amber 
 ^loss," and composed of castor-oil, 1 pint ; alcohol, 7 pints ; oil 
 of geranium, 1-2 ounce ; oil of cloves, l-l ounce ; oil of thyme, 
 1-4 ounce. * * 
 
 Gun Bakeels. — To blue c^r brown the barrel of a gun dissolve 
 two parts of crystallized chloride of iron, two pans of solid 
 chloride of antimony, and one part of gallic acid in four or five 
 parts of water ; apply with a small sponge, and let it dry in the 
 air ; repeat the application two or three times, then wash with 
 water, dry, and rub with boiled linseed-oil to deepen the shade; 
 repeat the application until you are satisfied with the result. 
 
 How TO Dye Ivoet.— With regard to dyeing ivory, horn, 
 bone, etc., it may be observed that the colors penetrate better 
 before the surface is polished than afterward. Should any dark 
 spots appear they may be cleared up by rubbing them with 
 chalk; after which, the substance should be dyed once more to 
 produce a perfect uniformity of shade. On taking it out of a 
 boiling-hot dye-bath, it should be plunged immediately into 
 cold water to prevent the chance of fissure being caused by the 
 heat. Ivory may be dyed by any of the ordinary methods em- 
 ployed for woolens after first being freed from dirt and grease. 
 To obtain a very deep shade of black, boil the substance for 
 some time in a strained decoction of logwood, and then steep it in 
 a solution of red sulphate or red acetate of iron. 
 
 Foe Bestoeing the Haie.— When the hair, after being natu- 
 rally luxuriant, becomes thin, use the following recipe: Take of 
 extract of yellow Peruvian bark, fifteen grains ; extract of rha- 
 tany root, eight grains ; extract of burdock root and oil of nut- 
 megs (fixed) of each, two drachms; camphor, dissolved with 
 spirits of wine, fifteen grains ; beef marrow, two ounces ; best 
 olive oil, one ounce ; citron juice, half a drachm ; aromatic es- 
 sential oil, as much as sufficient to render it fragrant. Mix, and 
 shake it into an ointment — two drachms of bergamot and a few 
 drops of attar of roses would suffice. This is to be used every 
 morning. 
 
 Toothache. — Toothache or neuralgic affection arising from 
 the teeth in any state of decay may be cured by saturating a 
 small bit of clean cotton or wool with a strong solution of am- 
 monia, and applying it immediately to the affected tooth. The 
 pleasing contrast instantaneously produced sometimes causes a 
 fit of laughter, although a moment previous extreme pain and 
 anguish prevailed. 
 
 To Fix Coloeed Peints on Windows.— Color the right side 
 of the print in moist water colors, and in strong even washes. 
 Prepare a solution, not too thick, of Canada balsam in rectified 
 oil of turpentine. Coat the face of the coloring evenly with this, 
 and fix the picture upon the window with a solution of gum- 
 arabic. With a little care and attention you will be able to do 
 this very nicely. 
 
 To Bemove Flesh- Woems.— The simplest method to be rid 
 of these blackheads is by placing a watch-key over the worm 
 
44 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 and pressing gently, when it will come out into the barrel of the 
 key ; or by a gentle pressure beneath the nails of the opposite 
 fingers, followed by the use of warm water and soap. Either 
 of the^ methods is to be followed by the daily application of a 
 lotion composed of thirty-six grains of subcarbouate of soda, 
 dissolved in eight ounces of distilled water, that has been per- 
 fumed with six drachms of essence of roses. 
 
 Rose Wateb.— Dissolve attiir of roses, six drachms avoirdu- 
 pois, in strongest rectified spirit (hot), one imperial pint- 
 Throw the solution into a twelve-gallon car-feoy, and add tem 
 gailonB pure distilled water at 180 deg. Fahrenheit. At once 
 cork the car-boy (at first loosely) and agitate the whole briskly 
 (at first cautiously) until quite cold. 
 
 How TO Make a Water Filteb — Powdered charcoal and 
 sand, equal parts, or about equal, afl^ords efficient water filtra- 
 tion, providmg the filtration is not constant. The filter will 
 constantly purify itself by letting it rest every few hours, giving 
 the air an opportunity to act upon the charcoal. If kept con- 
 stantly at work the charcoal becomes inert, and the water is 
 merely strained and only partially purified. We recommend 
 filtered rain-water for general use— there is none more whole- 
 some or better. 
 
 Tan. — Barley water, made thick, two fluid ounces; distilled 
 water of bean flowers, two fluid ounces ; spirits of wine, two 
 fluid ounces. The skin is to be washed often with this solution, 
 which will also drive away freckles and sunburn. 
 
 Soda Water.— Dissolve one ounce of carbonate of soda in one 
 gallon of water; put it into bottles, in the quantity of a tumbler- 
 ful or half a pint to each ; having the cork ready, drop into each 
 bottle half a drachm of tartaric, or citric acid, or crystals ; cork 
 and wire it immediately, and it will be ready to use at any 
 time. 
 
 Green Sealing- Wax.— Take of shellac, four parts; Venice 
 turpentine, one part ; melt them together, and add the proper 
 color ; the best greens are powdered verdigris, or else Scheele's 
 green. The others are apt to turn blacK. with the heat ; so will 
 even the last if too much heated. In this respect green bice is 
 preferable, and, indeed, is next in quality to verdigris. 
 
 Green Oil. — 1. Eider loaves, fresh, one pound ; olive oil, two 
 pints. Boil the leaves in the oil till crisp, press out the oil, and 
 put it on the fire again till it acquires a fine green color. 2. 
 Take three ounces each cf the leaves of laurel, rue, camomile, 
 wormwood, and marjortim, all fresh; olive oil, two pounds. 
 Boil till crisp, piess out the oil, and let them settle. 
 
 Glue Varnish. — This is much used by firework makers to 
 stop up the ends of certain articles of their manufacture; also 
 various military ammunition. It is also the usual ornamental 
 varnish employed to decorate articles of these descriptions. It 
 does not hang fire as a resin varnish would do, and it is itself 
 incombustible ; it consists of nothing more than common glue 
 with red lead, or for common purposes Venetian red, mixed 
 with it, till of proper color; jt is laid on with a brush while hot, 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 46 
 
 Gold Powdee.— 1. Put into an earthen mortar some gold leaf 
 with a little honey or thick gum water, and grind the mixture 
 till the gold is reduced to extremely minute particles ; when this 
 is done, a little warm water will wash out the honey or gum, 
 leaving the gold behind in a pulverulent state. . 2. Add to the 
 nitro-chloric solution of gold a little of the solution of sulphate 
 of iron ; metallic gold will be deposited in the state of a fine 
 powder. It must be well washed before using. This powder 
 has no metallic luster until rubbed. 
 
 Soap or Turpentine.— Take of carbonate of potass, one hun- 
 dred parts; oil of turpentine, one hundred parts; Venice tur- 
 pentine, one hundred parts. Triturate the carbonate of potass 
 in a marble mortar, first with the oil and then with the Venice 
 turpentine; when they are well mixed, grind by small portions 
 at a time until it has acquired the consistence of hard honey, and 
 has become homogeneous. 
 
 Brass-Coating. — Brass plates and rods may be covered with 
 a superficial coating of biass, by exposing them in a heated 
 state to the fumes of melted zmc, at a high tempei-ature. The 
 celebrated spurious gold wire of Lyons is thus made. Vessels 
 of copper may be coated with brass, internally, by filling them 
 with water strongly acidulated with muriatic acid, adding some 
 amalgam of zinc and cream of tartar, and then boiling for a 
 short time. 
 
 Paint.— To get rid of the smell of oil paint, plunge a handful 
 of hay into a pailful of water, and let it stand in the room newly 
 painted. 
 
 Soda Powder.— In blue paper put thirty grains of carbonate 
 of soda ; in white paper, twenty- five grains of tartaric acid, and 
 one-eighth grain tartarized antimony. 
 
 Painting in Enamel. — Enamel painting is performed on 
 plates of gold and silver, and most commonly of copper enam- 
 eled with enamel ; whereon they paint with colors Avhich are 
 melted in the fire, whore they take a brightness and luster like 
 that of glass. This painting is prized chiefly for its peculiar 
 brightness and vivacity, which is very permanent; the force of 
 its colors not being affected or sullied with time, as in other 
 painting, and continuing always as fresh as when it came out 
 of the workman's hand. It is usually in miniature, it being the 
 more difficult the larger it is, by reason of certain accidents it 
 is liable to in the operation. Enameling should only be prac- 
 ticed on plates of gold, the other metals being less pure. Cop- 
 per, for instance, scales with the application, and yields fumes, 
 and silver turns the yellow white. Nor must the place be made 
 flat, for, in such case, the enamel cracks; to avoid which, they 
 iisually forge them a little round or oval, and not too thick. 
 The plate being well and evenly forged, they usually begin the 
 operation by laying on a couch of white enamel on both sides, 
 which prevents the metal from swelling and blistering; and the 
 first layer serves for the ground of all the other colors. The 
 plate being thus prepared, they begin at first by drawing out 
 exactly the subject to be painted with red vitriol, mixed with oil 
 of spike, working all parts of that design very lightly with a 
 
46 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 small pencil; after this, the colors which are to be before 
 ground with mortar of agate extremely fine, and mixed with oil 
 of spike somewhat thick, are to bo laid on, observing the mix- 
 tures and colors that agree to the different parts of the subject, 
 for which it is necessary to understand painting in miniature; 
 but here the workman must be very cautious of the good or 
 bad qualities of the oil of spike he employs to mix his colors 
 with, for it is very subject to adulterations. Great care must 
 be taken likewise that the least duot imaginable comes not to 
 your colors, when you are either painting or grinding, for the 
 least speck, when it is worked up witb it, and when the ^^ork 
 come»to be put into the reverberatory to be made red-hot, will 
 leave a hole, and so deface thp work. AVhen the colors are all 
 laid, the painting must be gently dried over a slow fire to evap- 
 orate the oil, and the colors afterwards melted to incorporate 
 them with the enamel, making the plate red-hot in a Are, like 
 that which the enameler uses. Afterwards that part of the 
 painting must be passed over again which the fire has anything 
 effaced, strengthening the shade and color, and committing it 
 again to the fire, observing the same method as before, which is 
 to be repeated till the work be finished. 
 
 How TO Line Stair-Cakpets. — It is a common practice to use 
 bits of old carpets as a lining for stair-carpets, but a much bet- 
 ter way is to tsxke strips of an old bed-quilt, have them not quite 
 the width of the staircase, wash and dry first, then put 
 smoothly over the stairs, tacking in a few places. ' It is softer 
 than old carpet, and will not wear the outer one nearly so much. 
 Of courspi, this is a hint for those who cannot afford the nice 
 linings that are made on purpose. 
 
 How TO Cover Closet Floors. — Do not put carpets in your 
 closets ; oil-cloth or matting is much better, and can be easily kept 
 free from dust. Matting, after being swept, should be wiped 
 with a damp cloth. Hot water and salt will thoroughly cleanse 
 it, and will not discolor it. If one could afford to doit, it would 
 be a healthful plan to lay aside the carpets of sleeping-rooms 
 during the summer, and substitute the cool, fresh mattings. A 
 great many people laugh in a somewhat scornful way at any 
 new suggestion relating to matters of health ; they think the 
 old and tried ways of doing things are the best, without much 
 regard to their results. In nothing are ignorance and narrow-- 
 mindedness more plainly shown than in this. " People didn't 
 use to be so afraid ot their drinking-water, and of glucose and 
 such things, till these chemists and scientific men said so much 
 about them," one man remarked to another. " I never pay any 
 attention to 'em," wns the reply, in a tone which settled the 
 question, and precluded all possibility of discussion. 
 
 Varnish for Violins. — Take half a gallon of rectified spirits 
 of wine, to which put six ounces of gum mastic and half a pint 
 of turpentine varnish ; put the above in a tin case, keep it in a 
 very warm place, frequently shaking it until it is dissolved. 
 Strain it and keep it for use. Should you find it harder than 
 you desire, you may add a little more turpentine varnish. 
 
 To Bemove Paint Lettering from Wire Gauze Window- 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 41 
 
 Blinds.— Hold each portion of the letter at about an inch dis- 
 tant over the chimney of an argand gas-flame. In this manner 
 treat every letter, or every part of the paint ornament, until the 
 oil with which the color has been mixed becomes decomposed 
 and charred. Allow the gauze to cool, and then wash it well 
 with strong acetic (pyroligneous) acid, rubbing it occasionally 
 until the paint is removed. Next wash and dry the blind, rub 
 off adherent rust by means of a wire or hair-brush, and polish 
 with black lead. 
 
 Black Iron- Wokk.— Put forty-eight pounds of foreign as- 
 phaltum into an iron pot, and boil for four hours ; during the 
 first two hours introduce seven pounds of litharge, three 
 pounds of dried copperas, and ten gallons of boiled oil ; add 
 one-eighth of a pound of dark gum lac, with two gallons of hot 
 oil. After pouring the oil and gum, continue the boiling for 
 two hours, or until it will roll into hard pills like japan. When 
 cool, thin it off with thirty gallons of turpentine, or until it is of 
 a proper consistence. This varnish is intended for blacking the 
 iron-work of coaches and other carriages, etc. 
 
 Gilding of Iron. — 1. The iron bar, instrument, or vessel, is 
 first made perfectly bright, then soaked in an acidulated liquor, 
 and afterwards rubbed dry with whiting. Now prepare a so- 
 lution of the sulphate of copper, and immerse the iron in it; in 
 a few seconds the whole will become covered with a very beauti- 
 ful but thin coat of copper, so as to appear entirely composed 
 of that metal. The amalgam of gold is now to be apphed, as in 
 gilding copper, and put into the furnace for the separation of 
 the mercury. 2. Pour some of the etheral solution of gold into 
 a wine-glass, and dip therein the blade of a new pen-knife, 
 lancet, or razor; withdraw the instrument, and allow the ether 
 to evaporate. The blade will be found to be covered with a. 
 very beautiful coat of gold. A clean rag, or small piece of 
 sponge, may be dipped^ in the ether, and used to moisten the 
 blade, with the same result. This coating of gold will remain 
 upon the steel for a length of time, and will preserve it from 
 rusting. 
 
 How TO Keep Gloves from Crocking.— Black cotton gloves 
 will not crock the hands if scalded in salt and water before 
 wearing. The salt prevents fading. When almost dry, one 
 should put them on, in order to stretch them and keep them in 
 good shape. 
 
 How TO Wash a Linen Duster in such a way that it 
 will not Look Faded.- All old colored linen should be 
 washed in lukewarm water. If there are any grease-spoLs, use 
 a little hard soap, or, better still, remove them with benzine. 
 Rinse thoroughly in water in Avhich a third of a cup of salt has 
 been dissolved ; the last water must be very blue, and a small 
 handful of starch put in. Hang in a shady place ; and, as soon 
 as the duster is dry, take it down, so that the wind will not blow 
 the starch out. If dampened with warm water, it will soon be 
 ready to iron. 
 
 Parchment Glue Take one pound of parchment, and boil 
 
48 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 it in six quarts of water till the quantity be 'reduced to one 
 quart ; then pour off the fluid from the dregs, and boil it again, 
 till it be of the consistence of glue. 
 
 Essence or Peppermint.— 1. Spirits of wine, one pint; put 
 into it one ounce of prepared kali previously heated ; decant and 
 add half an ounce of oil of peppermint. 2. Oil of peppermint, 
 one pound ; strong spirits of wine, two gallons ; color with 
 dried peppermint leaves, eight ounces. 3. Oil of peppermint, 
 three ounces ; spirits of wine, colored with spinach, two pints. 
 
 SiLVEEiNG Glass Globes.— 1. Melt together one ounce of 
 clean tead and one ounce of fine tin in a clean iron ladle; then 
 immediately add one ounce of bismuth. Skim off the dross, re- 
 move the ladle from the fire, and before it sets add ton ounces 
 of quicksilver. Now stir the whole carefully together, taking 
 care not to breathe over it, as the fumes of the mercury are 
 very pernicious. Pour this through an earthen pipe into the 
 glass globe, which turn repeatedly round. 2. To two ounces of 
 quicksilver add as much tin-foil as will become barely fluid 
 when mixed. Let the globe be clean and warm, and inject the 
 quicksilver by means of a pipe at the aperture, turning it about 
 till it is silvered all over. Let the remainder run out and hang 
 the globe up. 
 
 Gilding Liqctid.— Take of fine gold five ounces (troy) ; nitro- 
 muriatic acid, flfty-two ounces ; dissolve by heat, and continue 
 the heat until red or yellow vapors are evolved; decant the 
 liquid into a proper vessel ; add of distilled water four gallons ; 
 pure bicarbonate of potash, twenty pounds ; boil for two hours. 
 
 Queen's Cordial For three gallons, take two gallons of rec- 
 tified spirit, one drachm of the oil of peppermint, two drachms 
 of the oil of carraway seeds, one ounce of coriander seeds, one 
 ounce of cassia, quarter of an ounce of mace, one pint of spir- 
 its of wine, and two pints of syrup; fill it up with water, and 
 clarify with alum. 
 
 Queen's Metal.— Take four and a half pounds of tin, half a 
 pound of bismuth, half a pound of antimony, and half a pound 
 of lead. Or, one hundred pounds of tin, eight pounds of anti- 
 mony, one pound of bismuth, and four pounds of copper. This 
 alloy is used for making teapots and other vessels which 
 imitate silver. 
 
 The Use of Vaenish.— No one knows until she has tried it 
 how much she may change the aspect of things about the house 
 by using a little varnish. On a sunshiny day take the old chairs 
 and tables out on the porch or by an open door, and after 
 thoroughly dusting and wiping off with a damp cloth, apply a 
 thin coat of varnish, and so cover up scratches and marred 
 spots of all kinds. It will dry in a short time, and you will be 
 surprised to see how much good you have done. A flannel 
 cloth, with a very little linseed oil, is good to rub furniture 
 with ; but the greatest care must be exercised to prevent any oil 
 being left on the wood to attract dust. It must be rubbed until 
 vou would not know, except by the improved appearance, that 
 any oil had been used. Coach varnish, which is heavier than 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 49 
 
 the ordinary kind used on furniture, will make oil-olcths look 
 as good as new. Wash and wipe before applying the varnish. 
 Be careful not to step on them until they are dry If this is 
 done every spring, the oil-cloths will last twice as long as they 
 will without it. 
 
 Inflamed Eyes.— Bathe the eyes with a lotion formed of 
 twelve grains of sulphate of zinc, one dracem of wine of opium, 
 and six ounces of rose water. 
 
 EosE Oil.— Put any quantity of dried rose leaves into an earth- 
 enware pipkin, cover them with olive-oil, and keep hot for some 
 hours. The oil will extract both odor ana color. This oil has 
 great effect in preserving the hair, preventing it from turning 
 prematurely gray, and improving it in every respect. 
 
 To Clean Gold Lace.— Gold lace is easily cleaned and re- 
 stored to its original brightnessby rubbing it with a soft brush 
 dipped in roche-alum burnt, sifted to a very fine powder. 
 
 Kazoe Paste. — 1. Finely washed oxide of tin (putty powder), 
 one ounce; powdered oxalic acid, quarter of an ounce; pow- 
 dered gum, twenty grains. Make into a stiff paste with water. 
 2. Emery reduced to a very fine powder, two parts ; spermaceti 
 ointment, one part. 3. Jeweler's rouge, or crocus, and suet, 
 equal parts. 4. The last, with the addition of an equal part of 
 black lead. 5. Diamond dust, one part ; powdered chalk, or red 
 ochre, one part. 6. The snuff of a tallow candle made into a 
 paste with grease of any kind. 
 
 How TO Peeserve Bird Skins.— 1. Thoroughly cover them 
 with a mixture of salt and alum— two parts of the former and 
 one of the latter — this mixture having a tendency to tan the 
 skins as well as keep them sweet. Fill all the cavities— the 
 mouth, eye-sockets, brain-pan, skins of the legs and wings— 
 with the same mixture, and then carefully fold and lay it in a 
 dry, warm place. If you intend to keep the skin a long time 
 before mounting, give it a good sprinkling with red pepper, and 
 seal it up in a common manilla-paper bag, to protect it from 
 moths. In this way it may be kept in good preservation for a 
 long time. 2. In " setting up " the specimen— a technical term 
 for "mounting" — it would be well to adhere to the following 
 rules laid down by one who has had much experience : Make a 
 cross by twisting together two small wires — one long enough to 
 reach from the head to the root of the tail, and the other to ex- 
 tend as far as the outspread wings may reach. Put this inside 
 the skin, which must have been soaked in water till it is as soft 
 as Avhen taken from the bird. Stuff in around it tow or cotton, 
 or any soft substance, thoroughly saturated with camphor or 
 red pepper. Procure glass eyes, made to exactly imitate the 
 bird's eyes, at any bird store, or from a dealer in taxidermist's 
 materials. Put other wires inside the skin of the legs, and let 
 the ends protrude far enough to serve for fastening the feet to a 
 little block of wood. If you desire to have the bird look 
 life-like, carefully sew up the breast, and then give the 
 bird any desired position by bending the wires. Lastly, bind it 
 about in every direction with twine, and allow it to remain un- 
 
50 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 disturbed for ten days, in order that it may become dry. Grreat 
 care siiould be exercised in placing all feathers which may 
 have become misplaced or rumpled in their appropriate posi- 
 tion. You can procure, through a newsdealer or bookseller in 
 your town, a book bearing upon the subject of taxidermy, from 
 which you will obtain fuller information on the subject than can 
 be given in this limited sptice. 
 
 How TO Make Sealing-Wax.— To make a fine red sealing- 
 wax melt cautiously four ounces of very pale shellac, in a 
 bright copper pan, over a clear charcoal fire, at the lowest de- 
 gree of heat necessary to melt it. When melted, stir in one and 
 a quarter ounces of Venice turpentine (previously warmed), 
 followed by three ounces of vermillion. The heat must not be 
 too much nor too little, but just sufficient to allow of a most 
 thorough mixing of the ingredients. When this is accomplished, 
 the fluid mass should be poured into suitable metallic molds 
 and left to cool. The addition of a little alcohol to the shellac 
 will cause it to melt more easily. These sticks of sealing-wax 
 have no polish, and to produce this they iiave to be heated 
 again on the surface. In order to do this they should be put 
 into other molds, made of polished steel, which are engraved 
 with the desired ornamentations. These molds are to be 
 heated only just sufficient to melt the sealing-wax on the sur- 
 face, by which operation the sticks attain a beautiful, glossy 
 appearance. The heating of the mold to stamp the mark of 
 the manufacturer may be performed with a spirit-lamp. The 
 addition of a little balsam of Peru, liquid storax, musk, or am- 
 bergris, or any of the fragrant essential oils, to the ingredients, 
 when considerably cooled, will give a very pleasant odor to the 
 sealing-wax. 
 
 To Pkepaee Sugae for Candies.— The confectioner requires 
 different degrees of boiling in order to bring the sugar to the 
 proper state for the various articles he prepares. Well clarified 
 and perfectly transparent syrup is boiled until a skimmer 
 dipped into it, and a portion touched between the forefinger and 
 thumb, on opening them, is drawn into a small thread, which 
 crystallizes and breaks. This is called a " weak candy height." 
 If boiled again, it will draw into a larger string, and if bladders 
 may be blown with the mouth through the drippings from the 
 ladle, it has acquired the second degree, and is known as 
 " bloom sugar." After still further boiling, it arrives at the 
 state called "feathered sugar." To determine this the confec- 
 tioner dips the skimmer and shakes it over the pan, then gives 
 it a sudden flirt or jerk, and the sugar will fly off like feathers. 
 The next degree is that of " crackled sugar," in which state the 
 sugar that hangs to a stick dipped into it and put directly into 
 cold water is not dissolved off, but turns hard and snaps. The 
 last stage of boiling reduces it to " caramel sugar," and is proved 
 by dipping a stick into the sugar and then into cold water, 
 when, on the moment it touches the water, it will snap like 
 glass. It has now arrived at " full candy height." In boiling 
 sugar the heat must not be too fierce, as the syrup will become 
 discolored. The best safeguard against this appears to be the 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 51 
 
 use of steam heat. Color may be given to the candy by adding 
 the coloring matter to the syrup before boiling it. Flavormg 
 essences are added when the process is nearly completed. 
 
 To Dky Fbuits.— In order to dry apples, pears, quinces and 
 other fruits, have a frame made in the following manner: Two 
 strips of board seven feet long, two or two and a half mches 
 wide, and two strips three feet long and one and a half mches 
 wide the whole three-quarters of an inch thiclc. Nail the long 
 strips across the ends of the short ones, and thus make si frame 
 seven by three feet, a convenient size for all purposes. On one 
 of the long strips nails are to be driven three inehes apart, ex- 
 tending from one end to the other. After the apples are pared, 
 ciuarter and core them, and with a needle and twme,, or stout 
 thread, string them into lengths sufficient to reach twice across 
 the frame. Then tie the ends of the twine, and hang the strings 
 of fruit on the nails spoken of above. The apples or pears, or 
 whatever fruit that can be strung in the manner described, will 
 soon dry, and may be removed from the strings, and more 
 placed on them. In pleasant weather the frames can be set out 
 of doors against the side of a building or any other support and 
 at night, or on cloudy or stormy days, they can be brought into 
 the house and set near the stove or flre-place. 
 
 To Peevent Planks from Cracking.— By applying a solution 
 of muriatic acid and lime to the ends of logs or planks, in the 
 same manner as whitewash, the difficulty will be obviated, as 
 the chloride of calcium which is formed attracts moisture from 
 the air and prevents splitting. Tobacconists' signs and other 
 wooden images generally have a hole bored through their center 
 from top to bottom, this in a great measuring preventing the 
 outer surface from cracking, by allowmg the wood to dry and 
 shrink uniformly. 
 
 Polishing Paste for Tins, Brasses, and Copper.— This is 
 composed of rotten stone, soft soap, and oil of turpentine ; the 
 stone must be powdered and sifted through a muslin or hair 
 sieve • mix with it as much soft soap as will bring it to the stitt- 
 ness of putty ; to half a pound of this, add two ounces of oil of 
 turpentine ; it may be made into balls ; it will soon become 
 hard, and will keep any length of time. Method of using : The 
 articles to be polished should be perfectly free from grease and 
 dirt; moisten a little of the paste with water, smear it over the 
 metal, rub briskly with a dry rag or leather, and it will soon 
 bear a beautiful polish. A good stove polish may be made of 
 black lead mixed with the white of an egg. Put on with a 
 brush, and polish with a dry hard brush. To make an excel- 
 lent furniture polish: take turpentine, linseed oil, and vinegar. 
 In equal proportions ; apply and rub with flannel. A little soap 
 put on the hmges or latch of a door will stop its creaking, bait 
 will curdle milk, hence in preparing gravies, porridge, etc., tne 
 salt should not be added till the dish is prepared. If your flat- 
 irons are rough, or soiled, lay some salt on a flat surface and 
 rub the face of the iron well over it. Bub your griddle with fine 
 salt before you grease it, and your cakes will not stick. When 
 
62 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 clothes have acquired an unpleasant odor by being from the air, 
 charcoal laid in the folds will soon remove it. 
 
 BuBLAP Mats.— A handsome and inexpensive mat for the 
 floor may be made of burlap worked in cross-stitch with differ- 
 ent-colored worsteds. Use for it the odds and ends left from 
 other fancy work. Work a few stitches of one color and then 
 of another, just as the colors happen to come, and the effect is 
 like that of a Persian pattern. If one cares to spend so much 
 time on it, a center-piece and'a border add much to the beauty 
 of it. The mat maybe lined with a piece of carpet, or with mat- 
 ting oivnew ticking, and the edge finished with worsted fringe 
 or with flannel cut in scallops. 
 
 To Keep Boys and Girls at Home,— An excellent and well- 
 tried recipe for keeping boys and girls out of mischief in the 
 long winter evenings is to give them something suitable and 
 interesting to do. Set them to making scrap-books. If there 
 are two or three children, let each one take a subject, and see 
 what and how much he can collect upon that for his book. For 
 example, we have what we call an " Animal Scrap-Bo®k," in 
 which is pasted every fact, incident, and anecdote we can find 
 relating to animals. We have a dog department, a horse 
 department, etc. It is a valuable book for purposes of illustra- 
 tion or reference. 
 
 Varnishes to Polish.— The process is effected with pumice- 
 stone and tripoli earth. The pumice-stone must be x-educed to 
 an impalpable powder and put upon a piece of serge moistened 
 with water ; with this rub lightly and equally the varnished sur- 
 face. The tripoli must also be reduced to a very fine powder and 
 put upon a clean woolen cloth moistened with olive oil, with 
 which the polishing is to bo performed. The varnish is then to 
 be wiped off with soft linen, and when quite dry cleaned with 
 starch or Spanish white, and rubbed with the palm of the 
 hand. Colors for varnishes— Black: Lampblack, carefully 
 washed and afterwards dried ; or black obtained from burnt 
 vine-twigs or peach-stones. Yellow : Yellow ochre and yellow 
 pink, Naples and Montpelier yellows. In mixing up the last 
 two, a horn or ivory spatula, with a glass pestle and mortar, 
 must be used, because these yellows are hurt if touched with 
 steel or iron. Blue : Indigo, Persian blue, blue verditer and ul- 
 tramarine. All these must be finely powdered. Green : Verdi- 
 gris, distilled or crystallized verdigris and green compounded of 
 yellow and blue. The verdigris will require a mixture of white, 
 varying from one-fourth to two -thirds, according: to the tint re- 
 quired. Either white lead, Spanish white or ceruse may be 
 used for this purpose. Red : Vermillion, red lead, red ochre. 
 
 Washing Towels.- Towels with handsome, bright borders 
 should never be boiled or allowed to lie in very hot water ; they 
 should not be used till they are so much soiled that they need vig- 
 orous rubbing to make them clean. It is better economy to use 
 more towels than to wear out a few in a short time. A gentle 
 rubbing in two suds, and then conscientious rinsing in warm 
 water and then in cold, ought to be all that is required. 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 53 
 
 How TO Polish a Stove Easily.— If a little vinegar or some 
 cider is mixed with stove- polish, it will not take much rubbing 
 to make the stove bright, and the blacking is not likely to fly off 
 in fine dust. 
 
 Gilding In gilding on metals let the articles be well cleaned 
 
 and polished ; then apply the following powder by friction with 
 a piece of cork, moistened with salt and water, after which 
 burnish with a blood-stone burnisher. The powder is thus 
 made: Take pure gold five drachms, pure copper one drachm, 
 aqua regia ten ounces. Dissolve the metals in the acid, soak 
 clean linen rags in the solution, dry and burn them, and care- 
 fully collect the ashes, which contain the gold in a state of mi- 
 nute division. Another process for gilding is as follows : The 
 article to be gilt being either copper, brass, or silver, is first 
 made quite bright, then it is rubbed over with amalgam of gold. 
 This will adhere to the surface. The next part of the process is 
 to put the article gilt into an oven, that the quicksilver of the 
 amalgam may be evaporated. The gold is now left as a black 
 poM'der, which requires only rubbing over strongly Avith a stiff, 
 long-haired brush, and afterwards be washed with vinegar and 
 water, and lastly with water only. 
 
 Pkettt and Simple Gen aments. —A pretty decoration for the 
 corner of a room is a bunch of ripe wheat tied with a bright rib- 
 bon ; or divide the wheat across the stems, tie, and hang over a 
 picture. The beauty of common things is fully established ; 
 cat's-tails, sunflowers, and dandelions are at length appreciated. 
 Acorns may also be used to good advantage for trimming fancy 
 baskets for waste paper; take a piece of wire and fasten around 
 the stems, and you can arrange them in any way to suit your- 
 self. They are pretty bronzed, or may be used in the state of 
 nature, as they were picked up in the woods. To bronze them, 
 get a little bronze powder at a drug-store, mix it with varnish, 
 and apply with a soft cloth. TLe powder must be used very 
 quickly after mixing with the varnish, or that will harden so 
 that it will be impossible to use it. 
 
 Moths.— Professor Riley says, in a scientific journal, that the 
 early days of May should herald vigorous and exterminating 
 warfare upon those subtle pests, clothes moths; closets, ward- 
 robes, etc., should be emptied and the clothing laid open and 
 thoroughly exposed to light and air, and well brushed before 
 being replaced. Spirits of turpentine should be brushed in 
 cracks, wainscots, and shelves, and camphor or tobacco placed 
 among the garments, furs, plumes, etc., when laid aside for the 
 summer. To seciire the cloth linings of carriages from moths, 
 sponge them on both sides with a solution of corrosive subli- 
 mate or mercury in alcohol, made just strong enough not to 
 leave a white mark on a black feather. 
 
 Salt and Moths.— It is said, and by good authority, that after 
 wiping up the floor, if salt is sprinkled over it while damp, 
 moths will not try that harbor again. When making a carpet 
 it is recommended that enough be allowed to fold under an inch 
 or two, so that when it is put down, salt can be spread between 
 the folds, and also sprinkle salt all around the sides and corners 
 
54 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 of the room before nailing the carpet. We have never tried 
 this, but have several good authorities who endorse it, and prom- 
 ise that moths will not injure carpets if this advice is followed. 
 
 Hair Eeceivers. — The little Japanese parasols, which can be 
 bought for four or five cents, make very pretty hair-receivers. 
 Open them about half their extent ; if necessary to make them 
 stay half open, catch them wiih a few stitches. Put a loop of 
 ribbon around the handle and hang them up. 
 
 Shaving Cases.— The prettiest shaving cases I have ever seen 
 are made by using for a foundation little Japanese fans. Cover 
 the fan with silk or Silesia, or combine; cut a piece of paste- 
 board tne size of the fan, and, as this is to be the outside of the 
 case, cover it with silk or satin, trim the edge with narrow lace 
 or with plaited ribbon, ornament it with a bow, or paint a spray 
 of flowers on it, or put on neatly a pretty transfer picture, or an 
 initial, according to the means and taste of the maker. Fasten 
 the paper leaves which may be pinked to the fan part, and then 
 put on the cover, catching it with silk to the upper part of the 
 fan near the handle. Put a loop of ribbon or chenille at the end 
 of the handle to hang it up by. This is an acceptable gift for a 
 gentleman. 
 
 To Clean Maeble.— Take two parts of common soda, one 
 part of pumice-stone, and one part of flnely-powdered chalk ; 
 sift it through a fine sieve, and mix it with water; then rub it 
 well all over the marble, and the stains will be removed: rub 
 the marble over with salt and water. 
 
 To Clean Tinware,— The best thing for cleaning tinware is 
 common soda; dampen a cloth, dip it in soda, rub the ware 
 briskly, after which, wipe dry. 
 
 To Clean Cut-glass.— Having washed cut-glass articles, let 
 them di-y, and afterwards rub them with prepared chalk and a 
 soft brush, carefully going into all the cavities. 
 
 Weak Eyes,— For weak eyes, take half an ounce of rock salt 
 and one ounce dry sulphate of zinc; simmer in a perfectly clean 
 covered porcelain vessel with three pints of water, until all are 
 dissolved; strain through thick muslin, add one ounce of rose 
 water; bottle and cork it tight. To use it, mix one teaspoonful 
 of rain water with one of eye water, and bathe the eyes, if weak, 
 frequently. If it smarts too much, add more water; if not 
 enough, make it a little stronger by adding more eye water. 
 This is an admirable wash for weak eyes. It cannot be excelled. 
 
 To Clean Woolen and Silk Shawls.— Pare and grate raw 
 mealy potatoes, and put to each pint of the potato pulp a couple 
 of quarts of cold water. Let it stand five hours, then strain the 
 water through a sieve, and rub as much of the potato pulp 
 through as possible ; let the strained water stand to settle 
 again ; when very clear, turn the water off from the dregs care- 
 fully. Put a clean white cotton sheet on a perfectly clean table, 
 lay on the shawl which you wish to clean, and pin it down 
 tight. Dip a sponge, that has never been used, into the potato 
 water, and rub the shawl with it till clean ; then rinse the shawl 
 in clear water, with a tea-cup of salt to^ pailful of water. 
 
_HOW TO KEEP MOUSE. 55 
 
 Spread It on a clean, level place, where it will dry quick— if hung 
 up to dry, the colors are apt to run, and make the shawl 
 streaked. Fold it up while damp, and let it remain half an 
 hour, then put it in a mangier— if you have not one, wrap it m 
 a clean white cloth, and put it under a weight, and let it remain 
 till dry. If there are any grease spots on the shawl, they should 
 be extracted before the shawl is washed. 
 
 Home-made Work-Baskets.— Pretty little work-baskets may 
 be made of— what do you think? the paper pails used to carry 
 oysters home from the market in ! I saw one a few days ago ; 
 it was lined with pale pink silk, the soft silk used for linings. 
 The silk was turned over the outer edge and shirred around it. 
 The wire handle was taken off, and a narrow strip of canvas 
 used in place of it. This was covered with silk and orna- 
 mented with a tiny bow. On each side of the pail was pasted a 
 pretty picture. One would not guess of what the basket was 
 made. 
 
 Putting Away Woolen Clothes.— Great care must be exer- 
 cised in putting away winter clothes. Clean paper sacks, or old 
 cotton or linen pillow-cases, will do to hold them, providmg 
 there are no holes in them. Take the garments that are to be 
 laid away out-doors on a summer day, let them hang on a line 
 for several hours, brush and beat all the dust out, then put into 
 the bags ; tie them up so that no moth can get in, then lay them 
 on clean, dry shelves, or hang them up. 
 
 To Clean Engravings, Prints, or Uncolored Litho- 
 graphs.— Free the paper from traces of dust, and float it, face 
 downward, for half an hour or more on the surface of a clear 
 solution of six ounces of fresh chloride of lime— calcium hypo- 
 chlorite— in a pint of soft cold water contained in a shallow 
 porcelain dish. Float on th* surface of water containing about 
 three drachms of sulphuric acid to the pint. If not then white 
 enough, repeat the operations, and finally rinse thoroughly in 
 a spray of clear cold water, and dry between clean blotting- 
 pads under pressure. Colored lithographs cannot be safely 
 cleansed by this or other chemical treatment. 
 
 Indelible Ink.— An excellent ink of this kind may be pre- 
 pared by rubbing up one drachm of analine black with a mix- 
 ture of sixty drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid, and one 
 and one-half ounce of alcohol. The resulting deep blue liquid 
 is then to be diluted with a hot solution of one and one-half 
 drachms of gum arable in six ounces of water. This ink does 
 not corrode a steel pen, and is affected neither by concentrated 
 mineral acids nor by strong lye. If the analine black solution 
 be diluted v/ith one and one- half ounces of shellac, dissolved in 
 six ounces of alcohol, instead of with gum water, an analine 
 black is obtained, which, after being applied to wood stained 
 black, brass or leather, is remarkable for its extraordinary deep 
 black color. 
 
 An Economical Crumb-cloth.— A red table-cloth that is too 
 much faded to be used on the table makes a good crumb-cloth. 
 Starch it as stiff as you can easily, iron perfectly smooth, taking 
 
66 HOW TO KEEP ttOUSE. 
 
 care to pull the edges straight and even ; pin it to the carpet in* 
 stead of tacking it, as then it will not be so much trouble to take 
 it up, and you will wash it just as soon as it needs it. It will 
 keep clean a long time, and, even if you can afford a handsome 
 cloth, it is convenient to use this when the other is up to be 
 cleaned. 
 
 How TO Make a Sand-B4.g.— Get some clean, fine sand, dry it 
 thoroughly in a kettle on the stove. Make a bag about eight 
 inches square of flannel, fill it with the dry sand, sew the open- 
 ing carefully together, and cover the bag with cotton or linen 
 cloth. TUis will prevent the sand from sifting out, and will also 
 enable you to heat the bag quickly by placing it in the oven, or 
 even on the top of the stove. After once using this no one will 
 ever attempt to warm the feet and hands of a sick person with 
 a bottle of hot water or a brick. The sand holds the heat a long 
 time, and the bag can be tucked up to the back without hurting 
 one. It is a good plan to make two or three of these bags, and 
 keep them ready for use. Children with toothache can be put 
 to sleep many a time with one. 
 
 To Clean Paint.— Tea leaves may be saved from the table for 
 a few days, and when sufficient are collected, steep, not boil, , 
 them for half an hour in a tin pan. Strain the water off through 
 a sieve, and use this tea to wash all varnished paint. It re- 
 moves spots, and gives a fresher, newer appearance than when 
 soap and water is used. For white paint, take up a small quan- 
 tity of whiting on a damp piece of old white flannel, and rub 
 over the surface lightly, and it will leave the paint remarkably 
 bright and new. 
 
 To Raise the Pile of Velvet,— Cover a hot smoothing-iron 
 with a wet cloth, hold the velvet firmly over it; the vapor ris- 
 ing will raise the pile of the velvet with the assistance of a light 
 whisk. 
 
 To Take Mildew from Linen.— Rub the spots with soap ; 
 scrape chalk over it and rub it well ; lay it on the grass, in the 
 sun ; as it dries, wet it a Uttle ; it will come out with two appli- 
 cations. 
 
 Foe Silvering Brass.— Cut into small pieces a twenty- five cent 
 piece, and put it in an earthen vessel with half an ounce of 
 nitric acid. Put the vessel into warm water, uncovered, until it 
 dissolves. Add half gill of water, and one teaspoonful of fine 
 salt, and let it settle. Drain off, and repeat, adding water to the 
 sediment until the acid taste is all out of the water. Add finally 
 about one pint of water into the sediment, and four scruples 
 cyanide of potassium. Put into the solution a piece of zinc 
 about two inches long, one wide, and one-eighth in thickness. 
 After cleaning, immerse the article to be plated in the solution 
 about half a minute, letting it rest on the zinc. Wipe off with a 
 dry cloth, and repeat once. Polish with buckskin. 
 
 Ink.— Inks of various colors may be made in the modes fol- 
 lowing—they are very beautiful and frequently of considerable 
 utility: For red ink, boil an ounce ot fine chips of Brazil-wood 
 in half a pint of water for a quarter of an hour; add to the 
 
t 
 
 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 57 
 
 decoction three drachms of gum-arabic, and as much alum as it 
 will dissolve. For blue, diffuse Prussian blue oi indigo through 
 strong gum-water. Inks of other colors may be made from a 
 decoction of the materials used in dyeing, mixed with a little 
 alum and gum-arabic. 
 
 Stammering. — Stammering is an impediment in the speech, 
 characterized by an inability or difficulty in properly enunciat- 
 ing some of the elementary sounds, particularly the letter s in 
 some of its complex combinations. The convulsive efforts of 
 its victim to surmount the obstacles — thus compelling him to 
 stammer over the difficult term— make him peculiarly sensitive 
 to the ridicule of listeners, and his sensitiveness should secure 
 him courteous treatment. This affliction is often met with in 
 bright but diffident children, and if proper care be taken by the 
 parent to see that the child forms the habit of distinctly articu- 
 lating every sound, the practice will be ultimately outgrown. 
 Such a stuttering may arise from a variety of causes, such as 
 cleft palate or enlarged tonsils. In nlost cases, however, the 
 cause is a purely nervous, though mysterious one, not connected 
 with any organic condition whatever, though it may result from 
 nervous exhaustion. Each case in maturer life should be treated 
 by itself, by some competent teacher of elocution, who will 
 thoroughly train the pupil to control his speech by appropriate 
 discipline. If the patient will put forth his powers of self-con- 
 trol, this affliction may be cured speedily. 
 
 Opthalmic Ointment.— Ked precii>itate of mercury and 
 lapis calaminaris, of each, one and a half drachms ; litharge, 
 one drachm ; white oxide of zinc, half a drachm ; cinnabar, one 
 scruple ; hog's lard, two ounces ; Peruvian balsam, fifteen drops. 
 Useful for removing specks from the eyes, arising from small 
 ulcers which have healed up. 
 
 PpBSPiKATiON.— Offensive perspiration of the feet is a com- 
 plaint from which many people suffen It is often the cause of 
 the greatest mental anxiety. "We will give a few directions for 
 its treatment. In the first place the condition of the general 
 health should be investigated. Should any fault be detected, it 
 must be set right For anaemia, or poorness of blood, iron is 
 the remedy ; for loss of appetite, quinine ; for general debility, 
 cod-liver oil ; for mental anxiety or overwork, the hypophos- 
 phites. The bowels should be kept regular. Out-door exercise 
 should be taken daily. Stimulants are allowable only in the 
 strictest moderation. Scrupulous care should be paid to clean- 
 liness. A cold bath should be taken every morning. The feet 
 should be washed in tepid water night and morning, and oftener 
 if possible. The addition of sea salt to the water may do good, 
 but when the perspiration has a sour, acrid odor, a little vine- 
 gar is better. The socks should be changed as soon as soiled, 
 and they should be thoroughly washed each time, and not mere- 
 ly dried. The boots should have broad soles and square toes, 
 so as not to cramp the feet ; patent leather is to be avoided, and 
 the same pair should not be worn every day. A dusting powder 
 composed of equal parts of oxide of zinc and starch often prove 
 useful ; it should be sprinkled freely inside the socks. Belladonna 
 
68 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 liniment rubbed into the feet three or four times a day often 
 effects a cure. Sometimes it fails, but on the whole it is a very 
 reliable mode of treatment. Liquid extract of ergot in fifteen- 
 drop doses three or four times a day, sometimes does good. 
 Some doctors employ an ointment composed of equal parts of 
 lead plaster and linseed oil, spread on linen and wrapped round 
 the feet, the application being renewed every third day for nine 
 days. 
 
 Nose-Bleeding.— The best remedy for bleeding at the nose, 
 as given by Dr. Glasson in one of his lectures, is a vigorous 
 motion of the jaws, as if in the act of mastication. In the case 
 of a child, a wad of paper should be placed in its mouth, and 
 the child instructed to chew it hard. It is the motion of the 
 jaws that stops the flow of blood. This remedy is so very sim- 
 ple that many will feel inclined to laugh at it; but it has never 
 been known to fail— not even in very severe cases. 
 
 BiRD-LiME is made from either linseed or the inner bark of 
 the holly tree. In either case the process is the same— viz., by 
 boiling until the required consistency is attained. Of the two 
 the holly-bark makes the most tenacious bird-lime, but that 
 from linseed is more easily procured. 
 
 Wool Dyeing.— To dye wool and woolen cloth of a blue color. 
 Dissolve one part of indigo in four parts of concentrated sul- 
 phuric acid ; to the solution add one part of dry carbonate of 
 potash, and then dilute it with eight times its weight of water. 
 The cloth must be boiled for an hour in a solution containing 
 Ave parts of alum and three of tartar for every thirty-two parts 
 of cloth. It is then to be thrown into a water-bath, previously 
 preoared, containing a greater or smaller proportion of diluted 
 sulphate of indigo, according to the shade which the cloth is in- 
 tended to receive. In this bath it must be boiled till it Jias 
 acquired the wished-for color. 
 
 Bookbinders' Varnish.— Three ounces of coarsely-pounded 
 glass, separated from the dust by shaking it through a sieve ; 
 six ounces mastic in drops ; thirty-two ounces spirits of wine of 
 forty degrees. Put the ingredients in a sand-bath, and place 
 over a fire; stir well all the time till they boil. When well 
 mixed, add three ounces spirits of turpentine ; boil for half an 
 hour, remove from the fire, let it cool, and strain through cotton 
 cloth. Another recipe is : Three pints of spirits of wine of forty 
 degrees, eight ounces sandarach, two ounces mastic in drops, 
 eight ounces shellac, and two ounces Venice turpentine. Pre- 
 pare as above, and apply on the book with a piece of cotton 
 wool, a small sponge, or a brush. 
 
 To Remove Flower or Fruit Stains.— Thorough rubbing 
 with soap and soft water, repeated dipping in sour buttermilk 
 and drying in the sun, rubbing in a thick mixture of starch and 
 cold water and exposing long to sun and air, are among the ex- 
 
 Eedients resorted to. Sulphurous acid is often employed to 
 leach out colors. It may be generated at the moment of using 
 by burning a small piece of sulphur in the air under the wide 
 
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 69 
 
 end of a small paper funnel whose upper orifice is applied to 
 the cloth. 
 
 To cure a felon, try the following: As soon as discovered, 
 take some spirits of turpentine in a cup, dip the finger in it, and 
 then hold the hand near a hot flre till dry ; then dip it in again, 
 and repeat for fifteen minutes, or until pain ceases. The next 
 day, with a sharp knife, pare off the thick skin, and you will 
 find something like a honeycomb filled with water; open the 
 cells and the felon is gone. If the felon is too far advanced for 
 the turpentine, oil of origanum treated in the same way will 
 cure. If too far advanced for either to cure, the felon will still 
 be benefited, for it will be less painful. Never draw it. 
 
 A GOOD ointment for chapped hands or broken chilblains : 
 Venice turpentine, three ounces; sweet-oil, one pint; hog's lard, 
 half a pound ; beeswax, three ounces. Put all these ingredi- 
 ents into a pipkin over a slow flre, and stir them with a wooden 
 SDOon till the beeswax is melted, and the mixture simmers. 
 The longer it is kept the better it becomes. It must be spread 
 very thin on a soft rag, or (for chaps or cracks) rubbed on the 
 hands when you go to bed. You can prevent chaps by rubbing 
 the hands with the following mixture: Melt three drachms of 
 spermaceti and four drachms of white wax with one ounce of 
 almond oil, and stir in three drachms of camphor (previously 
 powdered by moistening it with a little spirits of wine) ; pour 
 this into small gallipots, so as to form little cakes. If flower of 
 sulphur mixed with a small quantity of milk, and after standing 
 for an hour or two, the milk (without stirring up the sulphur), 
 be rubbed into the skin, it will keep it soft and make the com- 
 plexion clear. 
 
 Pop-coBN Balls are made by the following method, the pro- 
 portions being given for a half bushel of corn, which will 
 make about a hundred balls. The corn is to be put into a pan 
 and kept covered tightly until it has stopped popping, when it 
 may be removed to a table. Then put a little wacer into a suit- 
 able kettle, with one pound of sugar, and boil as if candy until 
 it becomes quite waxy. Remove from the flre, and dip into it 
 six or seven tablespooufuls of thick gum solution, made by boil- 
 ing water upon gum arabic over night, or some time before. 
 Now dip the mixture on different parts of the corn, lifting up 
 and mixing until the corn is all saturated with the candy mix- 
 ture. Then with the hands press the corn into balls, as the boys 
 do snow-balls, being quick lest it may set ere you get through. 
 White or brown sugar may be used. For variety, take white 
 sugar for a part, and molasses or brown sugar for another 
 batch. 
 
 Ice Cream.— In making ice creams the following articles are 
 required :— Pewter ice-pot, with tightly fitting lids, furnished 
 with handles ; wooden ice-pails, stoutly made, about the same 
 depth as the ice- pots, and nine or ten inches more in diameier, 
 each having a hole in the side, fitted with a good cork, for draw- 
 ing off the water from the melted ice. Also a broad spatula, 
 about four inches long, rounded at the end, and furnished with 
 a big wooden handle is necessary, to scrape the frozen cream 
 
60 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 
 
 from the sides of the ice-pot, aud for mixing the wliole smoothly 
 together. To make strawberry ice-cream, take one pint of 
 fresh strawberries (if not in season, strawberry-jam), one pint 
 of cream, half a pound of powdered white sugar, and the juice 
 of a lemon. Mash the fruit through a fine sieve, and take out 
 the seeds ; mix with the other articles ; add a little new milk, 
 and put the mixture in the ice-pot; cover it with the lid, and 
 put the pot in the ice-pail, after which proceed to fill up with 
 coarsely-pounded ice and salt in the proportion of about one 
 part of salt to three of ice : let the whole remain a few minutes, 
 then wUirl the pot briskly by the handle for a few minutes; take 
 off the lid, and with the spatula scrape the iced cream from 
 the sides, mixing the whole smoothly ; put on the lid and whirl 
 again, repeating all the operations every few minutes, until the 
 whole of the cream is well frozen. 
 
 HoEEHOUND.— The horehound has long been a popular rem- 
 edy for coughs ; and whenever the belief in any herb is found 
 general, there are good grounds for presuming it possesses vir- 
 tue. It is employed in the subjoined form, in cases of trouble- 
 some chronic cough, particularly in that species which is found 
 so frequently after attacks of influenza and other severe forms 
 of cold, and has invariably been found to restore the tone of the 
 system and subdue irritation, after more valued remedies have 
 been employed in vain. Take Ave and a half ounces of the de- 
 coction of horehound {marruhium vulgare) ; three grains of lupu- 
 line ; one drachm of hydrocyanic acid, and three drachms of 
 syrup of poppies. Mix them together, and take one or two 
 spoonfuls three times a day. The decoction is prepared by boil- 
 ing four ounces of the recent plant in a pint and a half of spring 
 water till reduced to half the quantity. If the lupuline is diffi- 
 cult to procure, the pollen of hop, or the extract of hop, may 
 be substituted. 
 
 Ink-stains [on mahogany or black walnut furniture may be 
 removed by touching the stains with a feather wet in a solution 
 of nitre and water— eight drops to a spoonful of water. As soon 
 as the spot disappears, rub the place at once with a cloth wet 
 with cold water. If the ink-stains then remain, repeat, making 
 the solution stronger. Silver that is not in use may be kept from 
 tarnishing by burying it in a box or barrel of oatmeal. The 
 most effectual means of taking ink-stains out of paper is to 
 soak it in water with which chlorine has been combined. Val- 
 uable prints may thus be renovated without damage, as chlorine 
 has no effect upon printing ink. 
 
 To Start a Fiee —If vou have no kindling, and feel that oil 
 must be used to start the fire, try this method : Take a small 
 paper bag, pour a little oil into it, and run with it to the stove; 
 in this way you can start a Are quickly without dropping oil on 
 the floor, or endangering your life. It would be better not to 
 use oil at all for this purpose. 
 
 How TO Use the Oil Stove.— A few suggestions in regard to 
 the use of oil stove may be of value to some one who does not 
 succeed well in using it. Complaints are frequently made that 
 a meal cannot be put hot upon the table if cooked on the single 
 
MOW TO KEEP HOUSE. 61 
 
 oil stove. My plan is this : If I am to get breakfast by it, the 
 first thing is to boil the water for coffee, have.the coffee in the pot, 
 with some soft paper stuffed in the nose. When the water 
 boils, pour a little on the coffee, cover closely, and set it one 
 side. Then warm the potatoes ; when thoroughly cooked, cover 
 them and set one side. If beefsteak is preferred to cold meat, 
 cook that ; the stove being very hot, it will cook quickly. Then, 
 as you take the steak off with one hand, with the other set the 
 potatoes back on the stove. While you are preparing the steak 
 for the table, the potatoes will be getting hot ; while taking them 
 off, set the coffee-pot back on the stove. Of course, one must be 
 very quick in her motions. Dinner may in the same way be put 
 smoking on the table, and the housewife herself, cool and fresh, 
 will enjoy the meal as well as any member of the family. Any 
 one who keeps plants in a room where there is no Are at night, 
 or in a bay window, may prevent their freezing by lighting the 
 oil stove and placing it near them. Canned fruit and vegetables 
 may, also, in this way be kept from freezing. One who has 
 never tried it will be surprised to notice how much heat is 
 given out. 
 
 How TO Clean Gloves.— Get one quart of deodorized ben- 
 zine, one drachm of sulphuric ether, one drachm of chloroform, 
 and two drachms of alcohol. Cologne oil can be added if de- 
 sired. Pour a little of this into a clean bowl, and wash the 
 gloves in it as you would wash anything. After the dirt is 
 nearly out, rinse in more of the clean fluid. Usually one rins- 
 ing is enough, but if the gloves are very much soiled, rinse the 
 second time. If the gloves are of cheap kid, it is best to dry 
 them on the hand ; but a nice glove, after having been rubbed 
 with a soft cloth to smooth out wrinkles, may be hung on a line 
 to dry. This preparation is an excellent thing to keep in the 
 house, not only for cleaning gloves, but for taking out grease- 
 spots from carpets and clothing, and for sponging coat-collars 
 and felt hats. 
 
 [THE END.] 
 
 HOW TO COOK.— One of the most instructive books on cooking 
 ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats, fish, 
 game, and oysters ; also pies, puddings, cakes, and all kinds 
 of pastry ; and a grand 'collection of recipes by one of our 
 most popular cooks. Only 10 cents per copy. For sale by 
 all newsdealers, or it will be sent to your address, post-paid, 
 on receipt of price, 10 cents. Address Frank Tousey, 34 and 
 36 North Moore street. New York City. Box 2730. 
 
 HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGE PETS.— Giving complete in- 
 formation as to the manner and method of raising, keeping, 
 taming, breeding and managing all kinds of pets. Also giv- 
 ing full instructions for making cages, nests, etc. Fully ex- 
 plained by 28 handsome illustrations, making it the most 
 complete book of the kind ever published. Price 10 cents. 
 Address Frank Tousey, publisher, 34 and 36 North Moore 
 street New York. Box 2730. 
 
THE BOYS OF NEW YORK 
 
 POCKET LIBRARY. 
 
 Boys, this is just tlie Book you have needed for a long time 
 
 We intend to make the stories contained in this Library the best ever 
 published from the pens of our most popular and interesting authors. 
 Tbese Libraries contain thirty-two pages, and each number is com- 
 plete ii^itsell and handsomely illustrated. 
 
 The following is a list of the latest numbers published of the Boys of 
 New York Pocket Library: 
 
 75 AMONG THE THUGS ; OK, Two YANKEE BoTS IN India 
 
 By Hal Standish 
 
 76 LIFE AND DEATH OF JESSE JAMES By D. W. Stevens 
 
 77 THE BLACK BRAVOS By Gaston Game 
 
 78 EBONY EPH, THE COLORED DETECTl VE. By Harry Rockwood 
 
 79 THE BOSS OF THE SCHOOL; OR, Around The World For Fun 
 
 By Captain Will Dayton 
 
 80 THE MAGIC RIFLE By C. Little 
 
 81 FRANK JAMES, THE AVENGER By D. W. Stevens 
 
 82 THE RENEGADE'S DOOM By John Sherman 
 
 83 THE SECRETS OF THE DIAMOND ISLAND 
 
 By Horace Appleton 
 
 84 THE LEAGUE OF FATE By "Noname" 
 
 85 SIMPLE SILAS AMONG THE MOONSHINERS 
 
 By Harry FocKwood 
 
 86 THE THUGS OF NEW ORLEANS By Paul Braddon 
 
 87 LIVES OF THE FORD BOYS By D. W Stevens 
 
 88 DANGER SIGNAL DAVE By Albert J. Booth 
 
 89 THE FIENDS OF PARIS By PauM3raddon 
 
 90 THE ISLAND CAPTIVE By John Sherman 
 
 91 THE BLACK BAND OF NEW YORK By Pan/ Braddon 
 
 92 LOST UNDER GROUND By Horace Appleton 
 
 93 THE CRIMSON COWL By C. Little 
 
 94 FOXY AND BROTHER By Police Captain Howard 
 
 95 TRACKED BY A FIEND J. R. Scott 
 
 96 No. 202; OR, IN LEAGUE WITH THE SECRET SERVICE 
 
 By Lieut. E. H. Kellogg 
 
 97 ICEBERG JACK. THE HERO OF THE ARCTIC. . .By R. T, Emmet 
 
 98 DETECTIVE SLEUTH'S SON By Police Captain Howard 
 
 99 THE SECRET DEN By Don Jenardo 
 
 100 DICK DARNLEY. THE SWITCH BOY By Robert Lennox 
 
 101 THE CAVERN OFDEATH By Gaston Game 
 
 102 JEPPO THE HUNCHBACK By C. Little 
 
 103 IN THECLOUDS WITH A MANIAC By John Sherman 
 
 104 A COUNTRY BOY DETECTIVE By Lieut. E. H. Kellcgg 
 
 ONLY FIVE CENTS. 
 
 Do not fiiil to purchase one from your newsdealer, as they all have 
 them on hand, or send five cents to 
 
 FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 
 
 Box 2730. 34 and 36 North Moore St., N. Y. 
 
THE DENVER DAN AND JAMES BOYS' 
 
 SERIES OF ADVENTURES 
 
 CONTAINED IN 
 
 THE WIDE AWAKE LIBRARY. 
 
 PBICE 5 CENTS EACH. PRICE 5 CENTS EACH. 
 
 Every book complete in itself, and full of startling and exciting 
 scenes. Read the following lists of the names and numbers of the 
 books already published: 
 
 DENVER DAN SERIES. 
 
 No. 
 
 433 DENVER DAN AND HIS MYSTIC BAND By Noname. 
 
 436 DENVER DAN AND THE ROAD AGENTS By Noname. 
 
 439 DENVER DAN AND THE COUNTERFEITERS By Noname. 
 
 442 DENVER DAN OUTWITTED By Noname. 
 
 446 DENVER DAN THE SHERIFF By Noname. 
 
 450 DENVER DAN'S PERIL By Noname. 
 
 455 DENVER DAN TO THE RESCUE By Noname. 
 
 464 DENVER DAN AND HIS CHUMS By Noname. 
 
 483 DENVER DAN IN NEW YORK By Noname. 
 
 JAMES BOYS' SERIES. 
 
 No. 
 
 440 THE TRAIN ROBBERS, A STORY OF THE 
 
 JAMES BOYS By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 457 THE JAMES BOYS AS GUERRILLAS By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 462 THE JAMES BOYS AND THE VIGILANTES. .By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 466 THE JAMBS BOYS AND THE KU KLUX By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 469 THE JAMES BOYS IN CALIFORNIA By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 474 THE JAMES BOYS AS TRAIN WRECKERS.. By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 479 THE" JAMES BOYS IN MINNESOTA By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 -482 THE JAMES BOYS AS HIGHWAYMEN By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 488 THE JAMES BOYS' LONGEST CHASE By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 490 THE .TAMES BOYS IN MEXICO By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 492 THE JAMES BOYS AT CRACKER NECK By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 514 THE JAMES BOYS AND TIMBERLAKE By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 521 THE JAMES BOYS IN COURT By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 527 THE JAMES BOYS' CAVE By D. W. Stevens. 
 
 Any of the above books are for sale by all newsdealers In the Urrited 
 Stateie and Canada, or they will be sent to your address, postage paid, 
 on receipt of five cents. Address 
 
 FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 
 
 Box 8730. 34 and 36 North Moore St., N. Y, 
 
OUR COMIC BOOKS. 
 
 FUN, LAUGHTER AND AM^ SE^' x v^R EVERYBODY 
 
 "these books are superior to any tliat have ever been published. 
 
 CONSULT THE FOLLOWING LIST: 
 
 GOIN<f TO THE COUNTRY by "Bricktop".. Price 10c. 
 
 RFD HOT ^y "Bricktop".. Price 10c. 
 
 A QUIET FOUKTH OF JULY. .by "Bricktop ". .Price 10c. 
 GOOD TEMPLARS EXPOSED... by "Bricktop" .Price 10c. 
 
 OX A JLRV by " Bricktop ". .Price 10c. 
 
 MY WIFE'S MOTHER by "Bricktop '. .Price 10c. 
 
 THE BALD-HEADED CLUB.... by '• Bricktop". .Price 10c. 
 
 OUR SERVANT GIRLS by "Bricktop ..Price 10c. 
 
 WHERE ARE YOU GOING?., .by '♦ Bricktop ". .Price 10c. 
 
 DODGING A CREDITOR by "Ed" Price 10c. 
 
 SHORTS (original humor) "ice luc. 
 
 ^^{^'^goiSS^SSkTAiNLECTUREs::::::::::^^^ 
 
 POUNDS OF FUN |rj«| lg«; 
 
 THE TIC KLER i:'rice luc. 
 
 Every book is hamlsomely illustrated by the best comic artists; 
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 each. Address 
 
 FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 
 
 Box 2730. 34 and 36 North Moore St., N. Y. 
 
 Frank Touse/s 
 
 BY-THE-WAY SERIES, 
 
 sixty four pages of reatilng matter. Every book is a complete num. 
 ber. Read the following titles: 
 
 ^2 1: r?il'l SS?^«'?*Sv i;iti^:;.v.:;.v.v.i;:;::|icj \Z. 
 h I: ^^^ii^t^^ci:-^-::--±^^ : 
 
 No. 5 LADY INxVOCENCE ^»c« I"*' 
 
 Por c^ale bv every newsdealer in the United States and Canada or we 
 wUl send them t7you postage free, on receipt of the price. Ad*es8 
 
 FRANK TOUSEY, PubUsher, 
 
 Box 2730, 34 etnd 36 North Moor© St., N. Y. 
 
i 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 OUR10CE 
 
 USEFUL, INSTRU 
 
 014 184 256 
 
 Containing valuable information on almost every subject, such as 
 Writing-, Speaking, Dancing-, Flirting-, Cooking ; also, Rules of 
 Etiquette, The Art of Ventriloquism, Uynmastic Exercise, ami 
 The Science and Art of Self-l)efense. ' 
 
 BEAD THE FOLLOWING LIST 
 HowtoBoTt .... 
 How to» Do Tricks 
 How to Write Letters . 
 How to Cook .... 
 How to Entertain an Evening- Party 
 How^ to Become Heautiful . 
 How to Flirt .... 
 HoAv to Become a Ventriloquist 
 How to Become Rich . 
 How to Box .... 
 How to Dance .... 
 How to Become an Athlete . 
 How to Become a Speaker 
 How to Play Cards 
 How to Hunt and Fish 
 How to Become a Scientist . 
 How to Become an Inventor 
 The Boys of New York Minstrel Guide 
 
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 and Joke Book . PHce 
 
 The Shortys' Snaps .... Price 
 The Shortys' Jokes . . . Price 
 
 Muldoon's Jokes . . Price 
 
 The Lite of Police Captain Howard . Price 
 The Life of Peter Pad . Price 
 
 The Life of Tom Teaser . . . Piice 
 
 The Life of "Ed." . Price 
 
 The Life of Corporal Morgan Rattler Price 
 G^em Cook Book No. 1 . . Pi-jce 
 
 Gem Cook Book No. 2 . . Price 
 
 Frank Tousey's United States Distance 
 Tables, Pocket Companion and 
 Guide ..... Price 
 Ireland's Struggles for Liberty and Land Price 
 
 All the above books are for sale by newsdealers throughout 
 States and Canada; or they will be sent, postage paid, to vour 
 receipt of 10 cents each. 
 
 FRANK TOUSET, Publisher, 
 
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 the United] 
 address. 
 
 Bpx 2730. 
 
 34 and 36 North Moore St., M*. 
 
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 
 
 HWI 
 
 014 184 256 0^