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DETROIT, APRIL 2'7, 1889.

 

THE HOUSEHOLD-"Supplement.

 

MUCH ADO.

 

When you think of it, friend, the worries
The troubles that wear you out,

Are often the veriest trifles,
That common sense would flout;

They write the forehead with wrinkles,
They bow the shoulder with care.

Yet a little patience would show you, friend,
Ju thow the weight to bear.

It’s somebody late to breakfast
And the coffee growing cold;
It’s a button that isn’t fastened,
Or a string too slight to hold;
And time and temper are wasted,
And fun is driven away,
And all for the want of gentleness,
The home is spoiled for a day.

And the children make a litter
0f toys upon the floor,

Ane Johnny forgets to wipe hisIfeet,
And Susie to shut the door;

And who that bears you scolding,
Which after awhile you’ll rue,

Would deem those heedless little ones
Just all the world to you?

"I‘is well that God and the angels
Know better far than we,

That our conscience and our conduct, friends,
So seldom quite agree.

’ i‘is well that the Lord is patient,
And sees, not what we are,

But what, at our best, we are faiu to be,
Unmoved by strife and jar.

Ah mel for the little trifles,
Of which our bitter brew
Of sorrow and trouble is often mixed,
As weakly, with much ado,
We meet the smaller worries,
That are quickly out of sight,
When the sweep of a dark winged angel
Obscures our lives with night.
—-.’llargaret E. Sangster.

H.—

COTTON DRESS GOODS.

 

I sometimes wish that the people in the
country could have the advantage of the
occasional “ drives ”—the really legitimate
sales—made by some of our city merchants
in special lines. For instance, a lot of kid
gloves were recently offered at 77 and 99
cents per pair—gloves that had sold at
$1.25 and $1.50 but which, having wide
stitching on the backs—which fashion has
decreed “ out ”-——were to be closed out at
greatly reduced rates. The quality of the
goods was all right, the stitching the only
objectionable feature, and for anything but
best wear, one need not mind it. Just be-

fore Easter, a line of “ Scotch” ginghams
at seven cents a yard filled one merchant’s
windows, and many women would confess
as did the friend of mine who said: “I
went down town with just money enough
to buy a hat for Dollie, but those ginghams
captured the cash, and she and Nan have

each two new dresses. They were so cheap
and pretty I could not help it." The goods
were not of course the real Scotch ging-
hams, but were “ Scotch in pattern, at
least, gingham width, very pretty, and as
good as any one could expect for the
money. How make one up? Well, I
should tuck the front breadth about half
its length, perpendicularly, leaving the re-
mainder loose; the remainder of the skirt
should consist of straight breadths, with an
eight inch bias band round the bottom and
extending up each side of the front breadth,
framing it, as it were. Waist, tucked back
and front, with full sleeves set in a deep
bias cuff. A sash might be added if de-

. sired. To make such a dress suitable for

more dressy wear, the front and sides might
be cut bias, the back breadths straight and
without drapery, the front with along,
square apron draped over the bias portion;
the waist, made over a thin lining, should
have basque back, jacket front and a bias
vest, closed with tiny buttons. But unless
one can make her own dresses it would
hardly pay to put so much work on a cot-
ton dress.

What are known as outing flannels are
very suitable for misses‘ wear. They come
in shaded and even stripes on a white or
light ground, cost a shilling a yard, are of
cotton mixed with a very little wool, wash
like iron (they say) and should be made up
in sailor and blouse suits. They make ex-
cellent “intermediate suits,” something be-
tween best and every day wear.

There seems to be a misunderstanding
about challis. There are two qualities;
one is a thin, figured, narrow, semi-coarse
cotton (1 should judge) weave, which sells
at various prices from fifteen to eight
cents, according to grade. The other is a
very fine all wool goods, lighter weight
than nuns’ veiling, more “ sheer,” twenty-
seven inches wide, at fifty cents; and may
this year be had in light and dark colors.
It is always figured. It makes lovely and
ineirpensive Empire dresses; straight skirts,
puffed sleeves, round waists with surplice
folds, and an Empire sash of the goods or
of surah.

Some housekeepers have found a new
use for the cheap challis. They buy them
for comforts and “ dozers,” and claim
they are superior to cheese cloth.

BEATRIX,

 

A SMALL GARDEN.

 

If one has but a small garden the beauty

 

of it as a whole may be greatly enhanced
by taste in arranging and sowing beds.

      

Tall growing and coarse plants place in the
background, and although clumps of canna,
gladiolus, bacconia, caladium and similar
plants are desirable in that style, they
should not obstruct the view of beds and
borders of low growing annuals. A mix-
ture of various kinds of pinks of the
Dianthus family, that bloom the first sea-
son after sowing and for years after, are
lovely as flowers, and when cutback be-
fore seed matures make a most desirable
border for garden walks. It is very little
trouble to form beds into tasteful shapes
and border them with some dainty bloom-
ing plant—not a vine as many think, and
then regret afterwards.

A bank of pansies may be bordered with
lobelia or sweet alyssum; a bed of verbenas
with Drummond phlox or petunia,with mig-
nonette, reseda odorata variety, pinched in
trim form—this, having so little color to
contrast with plants having so much sets
them off nicely. Portulacca is suitable as a
border on many accounts. Asters, cox-
comb, centranthus, catchfly, calendula,
cacalia, balsams, calliopsis, galliardia and
similar growing plants may be bordered
with convolvulus minor, a plant which
does not appear in gardens as it should, as
it has cup-like blossoms of the most lovely
shades of blue, lavender and varigated.

The geranium bed can be edged with
gypsophila, which has mosslike foliage and
miniature flowers of dainty pink;if trimmed
occasionally to prevent ripening seed will
continue fresh and blooming all the flower
season. Gypsopht‘lw clog/ms has white
flowers, small, and useful in combination
with larger ones; Gypsap/zz‘lu paniculata is
one of the hardicst of perennials; the misty
white flowers are lovely for corsage bou—
quets, as they do not fade. They also
make excellent dry flowers.

A few plants of Eup/mrbz‘a vizargz‘nam in
odd corners and among geraniums I think
desirable, as they make up well together;
few things contrast so well with scarlet
geraniums as this euphorbia. I sow pop-
pies everywhere. Those in dainty scarlet,
and an indefinite array of colors are shown
off by the ranunculus-flowered; scarlet
field poppies are favorites, although many
admire the large double varieties.

There are some perennial plants that I
must mention, as they are old, old friends
with me, and seem so little known or
grown here in Michigan. I hear from
them in floral magazines and papers
through others who admire them as Ido.
Sweet rocket, that will bloom freely in

 

April and May, as fragrant as ten weeks

 


   

    

2 THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

 

stock, I sow among the currant bushes or
any handy place, as it is a tall, rather
coarse plant. Perennial flax (Linum) is a
dainty darling and constant bloomer; white
lychnis, and scarlet sweet" william for
contrast, one creamy white, the other
darkest of red and very desirable. Chinese
larkspur is different from the other peren-
nial delphinums in habit of growth, as it
is more delicate, it has the most lovely blue
and white flowers, and if often gathered
will produce them all spring and summer.
I have omitted mentioning climbers, but
have made them the subject of many letters
in the past.

In reply to a question about fuchsias,
would say they require plenty of pot-room
and rich soil; that from the sheep pen is ex-
cellent if not fresh. There is a great dif-
ference in their habit of growth; some are
regular climbers, while others are shrubby
or tree-like in form. They are fine bed-
ding plants if shaded from the midday
sun, and if given moisture will bloom
freely. They are not as frail as they appear
but quite enduring instead. They require
rest, these summer bloomers, and the
cellar is, it dry, suitable for them.

an'rox. MR5. M. A. FULLER.

*—

N UMBER TWO.

 

Ever since I read the letter from Observ-
er in the HOUSEHOLD of March 30th on
“ The Second Wife,” I have wanted to say
a few words in reply, but as I had never
written for the I‘IOUSEHOLD I scarcely dared
venture upon so important a subject. But
it seems to me I must speak my little piece
even though it never reaches a place in the
paper, or if there, is read but not appreci-
ated. '

And first I would say to Observer, if she
happens to be one of the “ No. 2’s ” and is
so fortunate as to have the approval and
sympathy of her husband, and feels that
they are really co-workers for the welfare
of all immediately concerned, she should
take courage and thank God that she does
not have to live in daily association with a
self-elected jury, and has the love, confi-
dence and trust of one nearer and whose
opinion is of far more value to her. Some
are denied even this, especially where she
is step-mother as well as “ No. 2,” for oft-
times a father’s jealous love for his mother-
less children will see fault where only good
was intended. for what own mothers do not
have to exercise a great deal of patience
and are not tried every day, but how much
more is the trial increased if allowed no
power, of control? For example: Last
night my little two-year old daughter awoke
and called for a drink. I gave it to her,
but just as the cup touched her lips she
threw herself down saying, “ No, don’t
want drink,” but when the cup was put
away raised up again and began crying for
drink. I knew she would but repeat her
part as often as I offered it to her until ex-
hausted, or for several times at least, so I
let her cry and after nearly half an hour’s

crying she curled down by me, put her lit.
' tle arms around my neck and said in a very
mild tone, without crying, “ I want a
drink, mama.”_ “Well,” I said, “if you

 

will drink like a little lady mama will give
you one.” When I gave her the cup she
drank, and in a short time was fast asleep.
But in a short time she cried again for
drink, doing the same as before. I repeat-
ed my remedy and this time she cried only
a very few minutes, then took a drink, lay
down, put her arms once more around my
neck, kissed me and said, “ Go sleep with
you, mama; me love you, mama;” and was
soon fast asleep herself with no more trouble
that night. Don’t you think I gained one
victory? It was far from pleasant to hear
her cry for what could be given so easily,
yet I withheld it only for her good.

I think I hear some one say, “ What has
this to do with “ Number Two?” Simply
this: It occurred to me, what if I had been
this little one’s step-mother and I had done
the same, with the same motive in view, to
conquer her stubborn will. But instead of
having the privilege of doing it as my own
conscience told me was right and my duty
to do, suppose her father, whose love for
his motherless child blinded him as to the
motive which promped my actions, also to
the consequences following his interference,

, had demanded, “Give that child a drink!

Don’t you hear her? It’s a pity she can’t
have what water she wants; guess it’s free;
you wouldn’t treat a child of your own in
that way;” then What would you do? Sup-
pose nearly every day only added more
such experiences? Do you think even if a
man “built a mansion,” etc., as in
the first verse of the little poem in
the paper of April 6th, that there
would be many women with such whole-
souled, self-sacrificing hearts and pa-
tient, loving dispositions who would not in
time either grow cross and ill-natured or
sad and disheartened, or both, according to
their strength of will to govern themselves?
'Control of self is governed a great deal, I
think, by the amount of work we have to
battle with, and also health. Do you think,
I repeat, that many could be found who
have the happy faculty to build alone the
perfect kingdom Home under those cir-
cumstances? *

If I should write half that passed through
my mind in the four or five hours I lay
wide awake and could not drive the sub-
ject from my mind, our Editor would have
to issue a supplementlif any one else had
a chance at all.

But a little more, brought to my mind by
El See’s question to that mother and her
answer and fidelity to her husband. I
wonder if it touched all of you as it did me?
I could not interest myself even in the re-
mainder of the HOUSEHOLD that night. I
thought, could that mother, placed in a
home as “No. 2,” tried and persecuted,
without the trust and confidence of her
husband, even though each might be to
blame for the existence of wrong feelings—
could she have said the same? Give up a
child of her own! Could I?I asked my-
self. I thought it all over, and my heart
answered yes, I could give up my own lit-
tle ones for my husband if such a sacrifice
could restore the love and confidence he
once felt for me. Time heals the wounds
of. dead grief, but it is living grief that
gnaws at the heart, eating away hope, hap

 

1
piness and all that makes life worth living;
causing the soul to burst out, not in song,
for song dies away in the silent notes of an
unspoken prayer of anguis , “Oh that I
had wings like a dove, I would fly away
and be at rest.” A. B. C.

______....————

DELICATE DESSERTS.

 

At this season of the year eggs and milk
are freely used in the preparation of our
daily food; perhaps some of my methods
of combining them may be useful to others.

A cream pie that we think excels the old
time custard pie is made by beating to-
gether the yolk of one egg, one-half cup of
sugar, one tablespoonful of cornstarch, one
tablespoonful of butter and a little cold
milk. Stir in one teacupful of boiling
milk, cook until smooth, flavor to taste,
pour into a previously baked crust, frost
with the white of an egg well beaten with a
little sugar, set in the oven to brown. A
nice thing about this pic is that you can
prepare several crusts or shells at a time,
then fill when wanted; they never soak
and are easily made.

A puff pudding is a cheap and quickly
prepared dessert. Take one pint of milk,
eight even tablespoonfuls of flour, a little
salt and four well beaten eggs; stir well to-
gether. Just before sitting down to din-
ner pour the mixture in a well greased
dripping-pan; bake in a hot oven. It only
takes a few minutes for it to bake if the
oven is just right. To be served hot with
cream and sugar, flavored to taste.

Floating island rs a delicious and attrac-
tive looking dish for tea. Beat the yolks
of three eggs until very light; stir into a
quart of boiling milk, sweeten and flavor
to taste; cook until it thickens, stirring all
the time to keep it from curdling. When
cool pour in a low glass dish. Whip the
whites of the eggs to a stiff froth, sweeten
and cook over boiling water; with a table-
spoon drop on top of the custard, taking
care that the little islands do not touch each
other.

We are very fond of fritters made with
three well beaten eggs, one cup of sweet
milk, a little salt, and flour enough to make
a stiff batter. Drop in hot lard and fry a
light brown; to be eaten warm with maple
syrup.

A nice way to cook salt pork is to cut it
in thin slices, trim off the rind; freshen, and
fry until crisp, then dip in a batter made
with one egg, one—half cup of milk, a little
salt, flour enough for a thin batter; put
back in the hot grease and fry brown. It
is a nice dish for breakfast. Another good
way is to fry as above, then drain off the
grease, pour over half a cup of svveet
cream, let boil up, then serve.

A very nice way to prepare codfish is to
soak a sufiicient amount over night in cold
water, then pick up in large flakes, remov-
ing all bone and skin, put in a spider with
a pint or more of milk, a generous lump of
butter, pepper and salt to taste; when boil-
ing hot thicken with a little flour wet with
cold milk, then stir in two or more eggs;
let boil up, then serve.

In regard to economy, one of the surest

 

. i :
.,.
‘2.

r

    
     


 

I
5.
.

      
  
  
     

    

THE HOUSEHOLD. 3

 

ways to save is to have every article of food
well cooked, so that nothing be thrown
away as unpalatable for the luck of proper
cooking or seasoning.

A friend who is also a reader of the
HOUSEHOLD says if any of its readers are
troubled with bed-bugs they can soon get
rid of the pests by scalding with very strong
alum water. It is a very simple remedy
and worth trying. LAUREL VANE.

WACOUSTA.

——_«._.-..

ONE WEEK.
(Continued)

Friday morning I felt a little old, but
was up by half-past five. Breakfast was
under way. I made the coffee, chopped
beef for ragout, moistened it with brown
gravy, added a lump of butter and pepper;
a griddleful of mush was fried; toast made
and eggs poached, potatoes mashed; dough-
nuts and crackers completed the bill of
fare. When the morning’s work was out
of the way I went at the baking, which
was confined to cake. One loaf of peach-
blow cake—white cake baked in five
layers, and the filling boiled frosting
colored with fruit coloring and flavored
with peach; a yellow cake into which I
grated two squares of chocolate, stirred it
so it was marbled, then frosted it thick
with chocolate frosting. In the meantime
two kettlefuls of tallow were cut up and
tried; this is the fourth time we have had
this job this winter. I usually send it, in
the rough, to town when the hides are sold,
but it is needed about the engine, so we are
forced to try it. The disagreeable work is
soon over and there are three tin pans’ full
set away to cool, the tongue and heart
boiled. A johnny cake made, two tinsful;
four coffee-cupfuls of buttermilk; yolks of
four eggs; small teacupful sugar; table-
spoonful butter slightly softened, teaspoon-
ful soda, one of baking powder, one tea-
cupful flour and sifted meal for 'a thin
batter, for the meal will swell a good deal.
Half an hour is sufficient to bake it.

For dinner, beefsteak; fried onions;
boiled potatoes; mashed turnips; corn-starch
pudding, cream puffs, coffee, bread,
pickles, etc.

In the afternoon the weekly mending is
gotten out of the way; there is not aery
much, asthe winter'was begun with new
flannels, stockings, socks, etc. So a few
stitches only are required. I finish ripping
my black silk and get it ready to press; a
sheet is torn into carpet rags and wound in a
skein ready to color. No, I haven’t got to
“hustle” to make a new rag carpet this
spring. I put down a new one in the
dining-room about four weeks ago. It
was cold wrather, but we took, down the
stove, cleaned the room and got it in order
before. night. I hardly think there is any-
thing that will take the place of a rag car-
pet for the dining-roomiu a farmhouse,
especially when one keeps lots of help, and
has little ones running about. I have about
twenty pounds of rags, cut and sewed,
some in balls, some in skeins. One says
color the cloth and then cut and sew it;
another says a disagreeable dust will rise
from it that is bad for the lungs. I think

it is much less trouble to make a rag car-
pet if the rags are made ready as we go
along. When a garment gives out, instead
of tucking it away cut it up, sew it and
keep the balls ina bag hung up so mice and
moths will not get at them. Many gar.
ments will make over for the smaller chil-
dren. I made cotton flannel waists for
Evis this winter out of some underskirts
that Fannie had outgrown. I took the
stoutest, strongest parts and made three, no
buttons or button holes in them, no button
holes in the skirt bands. I use safety pins,
and the drawers are buttoned on to the
elastic bands which are made with straps
over the shoulders, cross pieces before and
back, where they buckle; a band and side
elastics. My ticking skirt, fiounced, is
ripped up, washed and ironed, and this
will make three nice little skirts for sum-
mer, while I shall have a' new one.

I have such a nice pattern for little night-
dresses. The back is whole, cut princess;
the fronts contain all of the arm hole. It is
easily made and fits splendid.

Company to tea; two friends, mother and
daughter, whom I am truly glad to see.
We have a pleasant visit. Robert Elsmere
is discussed, we are mutually agreed that
it is about the best love story we ever read,
and as for the religious part of it, can not
see why the most devout Christian on earth
could not read it with propriety. The
Christmas books are looked over. . Romola,
Mill on the Floss, Don Quixote; John Hali-
fax has been read aloud, and Yolande, avery
excellent book by William Black. I have
been so busy this winter with so many
household cares, and my sewing is nearly
finished, that after a little I can read books,
flourish my pen and grow again. How
dull life would be without books, pen, ink
and paper, and I might as well add, ideas
too! I can live a good while away from
human beings if I can have these for com-
panions. I actually find myself tired of
people at times, and turn hermit.

Supper at six. Bread; cold beef; cheese;
pickled peaches; crabapple jelly; canned
pears; tea; cream puffs; peachblow cake
and scrambled eggs. We all enjoy it, for
talking so busily has made us hungry.
Our guests leave immediately and clean
plates are set on for the men; cold baked
beans are added and fresh tea made. I
have seen places where every vestige of
company supper was carefully put out of
sight before the men were called in to eat.
Mother never allowed this, so I have never
practiced it. With X. Y. Z., I always
think if my one boy were working away
from home, I should like him to see nice
things and know how to use them; they
will be as careful of the pretty glass and
silver as we are ourselves. My elegant
tea set is not in daily use, but it adorns the
table often enough so that the children do
not ask when I bought it; neither do I use
my heavy damask cloth and napkins, but
my every day tablecloths are the even
check, for which I have paid as high as a
dollar a yard. These that I use now cost
me fifty-five cents per yard, and I have
used them six years; they are three and one-

 

half yards long, and this spring will have
to be replaced, they are five in number; the

napkins are white plaided with a thread of
blue; bought by the yard—fifteen cents
per yard, and cut off square; they make a
good every day napkin.

I don’t think that the best and daintiest
of the table “ fixins ” are kept in the best
closet as much as they were. Nearly
every table I see is set out nicely. But in
one kitchen I passed through lately, I saw
something that went “against my grain.”
The dinner dishes were being washed, the
woman performing the work was con-
sidered very capable help and received the
highest wages; into the large dishpan was
put first the meat platter, then the large
plates, pie plates, saucers, in one pile, it
rose and tapered like a monument, around
in a circle were the glasses, mustache cups,
spoons, forks and knives. This is a poor
way to wash dishes, you know, and I know.
Perhaps I am hurting your feelings, it may
be your method, but I hardly think it.
Cups lose their handles in this way, nicks
come in the plates and saucers, and the
glasses will smell like the meat platter;
and if there has been fish for dinner that
smell will pervade every article that comes
in contact with the plates. The little girl
who sees mother wash her dishes so will
follow in her footsteps every time.

Bread sponge stirred up again tonight,
and as I wield the big iron spoon I find my-
self singing: “Oh that I had wings, had
wings like a dove; how swiftly I would
fly ”—and leave this crowd breadless. Then
1 think what would Philander do with his
awful dyspepsia if he had to eat some of
that vile stuff—black, sour and soggy,
called bread. So for his sake I will con-
tinue faithful until some one invents a
machine that will make bread with one or
two revolutions.

(To be continued.)

———-...—___

A. NEW CONTRIBUTOR.

 

I have been a silent member of the
HOUSEHOLD, but wonder if there is a
vacant chair for me?

Observer, I think if one woman needs
sympathy more than another, it is the second
wife and step-mother. Ye wives, whose
husbands are always telling of “ mother’s
cooking,” would the burden seem lighter
if it were “ My first wife,” etc., or that lit-
tle pronoun “ She?”

I save my HOUSEHOLDS, each month sew
together, at the end of the year sew the
twelve books together; then there is a book
of which any woman might feel proud.

A good substitute for cabbage is to chop
a turnip or rutabaga real fine, cook and
season with salt, pepper, butter and
vinegar.

Old calico can be used to line dresses by
first starching it slightly and ironing
smooth.

Will Evangeline tell us how to make
tomato butter? _

A good way to fix bread for breakfast is

to slice it ready for the table, then steam it.
The' recipes I send are nearly all tested
every week. (See fourth page—ED.
If I have written anything that will be of
use to others I am thankful, for I receive
many good things from the little HOUSE-
HOLD. J. SNIP.

 

Oxr'onn.

  

    
    
     
 
  
   
  
  
    
   
  
  
    
  
    
   
   
   
  
    
    
   
   
   
  
  
    
   
  
    
   
  
    
  
   
  

i

, ,......_.—.


 

  

 

4: THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

WASHINGTON.

 

Washington, the capital city 'of this
great Yankee nation, is located at the con-
fluence of the Potomac and Anacostia
rivers, both of which at this point are about
one and a half miles Wide. The location
of the seat of government was decided on
in 1790; and it was established here in 1800.
There being no impediments to clear away,
the plan of a- great city was laid before
building was commenced. The streets
cross each other at right angles, the capitol
being taken as a center. Thus, there is
North Capitol street, South Capitol street,
East and West, ditto. The streets running
north and south are numbered First,
Second,etc., those running east and west
are lettered A., 13., etc., The avenues
radiate from the capitol, and intersect at
angles in distant portions. These are
named for different States. Thus, Penn-
sylvania Avenue runs from the Capitol to
the White House. The streets are very
wide, the avenues wider; varying from 90
to 120 feet, with sidewalks from 10 to 20
feet inwidth. The streets are principally
paved with asphalt, laid over pounded
stone and sand, all crowning and smooth,
so that they are dry in an incredibly short
time even after heavy storms. Sidewalks
are of flagstones, of an artificial stone of
great beauty made in brick-like molds, or
of common brick; the last predominating.
Streets not paved are in wet seasons nearly
impassible, the soil being a red clay, very
sticky and tenacious.

The government buildings are scattered
in various parts of the city, although the
more important are grouped near the
White House. An enormous building
near this place contains the War, State and
Navy departments, while the Treasury
building is placed on the other side of the
White House. The White House is built
of sandstone, and is 1'70 feet long by. 86
feet deep. The “East Room,” 80 by 40
feet and 22 feet high, is used for public
receptions. The house is two stories high,
with a basement.

The Capitol stands on a hill, is built of
white marble, and with the extensions is
750 feet long. From the ground to the
summit of the dome is 390 feet, from the
top floor 148. The dome is of iron, the
roof of copper. A lantern 50 feet high,
lighted by electricity, stands above it, and
surmounting this is a statue of Freedom,
18 feet high. The cost of' the capitol was
about $15,000,000. The top of the dome is
reached by a flight of 376 steps, and from
there the view of city, river and surround-
ing country is grand.

It will be remembered that that part of
the District of Columbia as at first con-

stituted, ceded from Virginia, was retro-
oeded to that State, so that the District
now lies north of the Potomac. The city
of Washington has grown along the river
until it reached Georgetown, which is in-
corporated with it, and is now known as
West Washington. An idea of the growth
of the city is found in the statistics of
population. In 1860, there were 65,000 in—
habitants; in 1880, 150,000; there are now

around the government buildings and the
botanical gardens, with the wide streets
and avenues, make Washington delightfully
open and airy. It is estimated that 54 per
cent of the ground occupied by the city is
given up to streets.

Of course we were too early in the season
to find the gardens of interest, and had no
time to take in the government green-
houses. We had exasperating glimpses of
their wealth in our hurried passage by.
The grass was just starting, and the Vir-
ginia creeper, which is hardy in that
latitude, covered walls and buildings with
its waxen greenness, showing a frosted leaf
here and there. Many plants of green-
house habit here are left out with entire
safety there.

I had always pictured the Potomac as a
clear, bright stream, rolling in blue waters
to the ocean, but alas, for fancy! I found
it roily and turbid, only its broad majestic
flow to mitigate disappointment,but it was,
as in historic time, “all quiet.”

Inennsmn. A. L. L.

W

BINDING PAMPHLETS AT HOME.

Some one in the HOUSEHOLD asks how to
bind books at home cheaply. I will give my
way; it may not be as nice as some others,
but it has the advantage of being strong and
durable. Materials required, a room with
a square corner in it; a board with the
ends sawed off square, rather larger than
the pamphlets to be bound; a table; a car-
penter's scratchall; four sheets of coarse
paper the size of the pamphlets—wall
paper will do very well—two pieces of
pasteboard the same width as the pamphlets,
but one inch longer; one piece of denim
four inches wide and one inch and a half
longer than the book when bound; two
pieces of calico two inches larger on all
sides than the pasteboard, and a dish of
rather thick melted glue, also a tape needle,
three or four pieces of tape one-half to
three—quarters of an inch wide and two
inches longer than the thickness of the
book.

To begin, place the table in the corner
of the room so that when standing by it
you face one wall; your left hand will be
toward the other wall; then put your board
on the table close in the corner; put thereon
two sheets of the coarse paper, take the
oldest pamphlet, the top in your left hand,
the bottom in your right, and lay it on the
board with the back against the wall,
crowding it snug and close into the corner
so that they may be smooth and even on
the sheets of coarse paper. The next oldest
in the same way, until you have piled all
you wish to bind in the book, then put on
the top the two other sheets of coarse
paper. Now take the scratchall and put
the point two or three inches from the end,
and one-half inch from the back of the
pamphlet, holding it perpendicular, make
a hole through the pile. With the tape
needle, draw the tape through the hole
made by the scratchall; do the same thing
in the middle, and at the other end of the

top of it. This is as much as you can
do the first day.

When the glue is dry, turn the book
over, pull the tapes tight with your fingers
and glue in the same way; When dry again,

cover the back of the book with glue, also
the piece of denim, which should be thick
and good; put the denim on theback of

the book, pressing it tight; now open the
pasteboard covers and fold the ends of the

denim back over the pasteboard, pressing

it down hard and close; let dry for the third

time. When dry cover one side of the calico
with glue, folding one-half inch to form a
hem, cover the pasteboard with glue spread
on the calico with the hem on the denim,
smooth it down close, open the cover, put
glue on the other side, also on bend, the
coarse paper, turn the edges of the calico
around the pasteboard smoothly, shut it
down, lay a weight on it, let it dry. After
it is dry fix the other cover in the same
way, and I think you will have a book that
you will like to see.
OLIVET. JUDITH A. S. HART.

.——-‘..—_—

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

IN darning woolen socks, make the first
layer out of stout thread, and the cross
threads of woolen yarn. It makes a firm,
smooth darn, which wears well.

 

AN old English recipe-book says oileloth
may be restored by melting half an ounce-
of beeswax in a saucer of turpentine, and
rubbing the oileloth with the mixture, then
rub with a dry cloth.

It is often a great help on a busy day to
have raisins picked over and stoned, rice
ready for cooking, currants washed and
dried, beans picked over all ready to put
in the pot; and it is a good plan to employ
some idle moments thus. Children can do
much of this work, though the economical
mother will be loth to trust the raisin box
to their tender mercies.

‘ —-—-<-o>——-—--

Contributed Recipes.

Boss GINGERBREAD —-One cup molasses: one
tablespoonful sugar; ditto butter: two tea-
spoonfuls 806i; two-thirds cup boiling water;
one-fourth teaspoonful salt: spice to taste.
Put the sugar and molasses into a bowl, add
one teaspoonful soda, then the butter, mixing
well. Stir in flour until it is very stiff. as stiff
as it can be stirred. Dissolve the other tea-
spoonful of soda in the boiling water, stir
this into the ingreiienis: it will be like rich-
cream. Bake immediately. This will make
two tins full. The above recipe was furnished
by Mrs. C. W. J.. of this city. published in the
Housnnonn of October 19th. 1886, and is re-
published at the request of Mrs. M. E.-T., of
Wakeman, 0., who vouches for its excellence.

 

Monassns CAKE —One cup sour cream; one
cup moia sses: one egg: one teaspoonful soda;
half teaspoonful ginger; two and a halt cups
flour.

DRIED APPLE CAKE—TWO cups dried ap-
ples. chopped, cooked in one cup molasses;
when done add one cup sugar; one cup but-
ter; two cups buttermilk; four cups flour;
two teaspoont’nis soda, and two teaspoonfuls

 

pamphlets, then lay your pasteboard

 

200,000. The public parks, the grounds

 

against the tapes and glue them down On

spice. Bake slowly. J. Sm.
OXFORD.