‘

 

THE “ "

 

. 13'

,_777DETROI'I' MARCH 28, 71887..

fHOUSEHOLD-"Supplement

 

\

“3:? ‘ 7'7 ' _~ HER Wrslsr.

 

 

77 '7 “I wish my fairy would come today. )
And brush the dust from these roOms away;

" 77 The Cobwebs, too, on the ceiling high,
, Empty traps with? never a fly— _ g ‘

not» horrid they look! upon my life,
7The torment of every tidy wife! '

    

l . 7 .
..., - .
. “an... . “Wm.-. .. ‘
. 4.»: law-w—‘W' ‘1‘ . ‘. . . , y , ,
‘ ' 7 : . ~ . -‘ a . . .1 - . _ .. ,
. »' ' . - , . _- ‘1' ‘ 3 . ~‘ ,.,
.._-I _ -.

~ I wish my fairy my place would take g .
/ ' In the kitchen and let me see her bake, “ "

.\-»

‘1. i

For i’m so weary, I really dread ,
The thought of kneading a batch of bread "

Her husband heard her wish that day, ..
7-But scarcely heading it, hurried away.‘

At night he looked his office door; '7‘ ,
And gladly entered his home once more.

As round the cozy room he glanced. '..7_
His eyes with pleasure fairly danced

7 1 7. 7 ‘ 7. The flre~dogs of polished brass '5
. ‘, .‘For burnished. gold almost would pass.

{this easy chair was in its plac7e— '1 7f , '.7
Beside it, beamed a smiling face,7~ " 1

No wonder that he turned to her, 3 . ‘ 7
mm husband and half worship‘er. ‘

'7Apd said, “7 Some fairy has had full sway, .
In every nook of our house to-day. ”7

7Fo7i7'gott7en were dust and cobwebs high,77 ,
And there was a light in somebody s eye ;: .

7 '3 ‘L. 7 For the heaviest tasks that burden a wife .
f ' Grow light when they brighten another‘ s ‘life.
‘ ' , —-Woman' 3 Magazine.

 

2'».‘-.‘ . .1.

i‘_ CARPETS AND“ CURTAINS.
- ' The spring sunshine hath .a trick of
, . ‘7 ' ’ 77searching out and bringing to light all the
havoc of a Winter’s wear and tear on the
,7,7 wardrobe and the house furnishings. Never

..
t7
.
I

 

dilapidated as when Dame Nature is laying
her own emerald floor, and hanging fresh
garlands on naked branches; and so, as the
. ., subtle alchemy which renews life in dor-
, , , ' 1., ~ 7‘ .ma'nt root and branch thrills the earth, the
' ' -7 -7 housekeeper begins to look about to see
what she must buy new to brighten up her
7 77 >7. . house into harmony with outdbor beauty.
‘ ‘17 .:. To aid our readers in this choice, I paid a
fi‘ 7, -_ ' visit the other day to the extanside carpet
~ .— - ‘- ' house of J. H. Black & 00.;154 and 156
. -, 3 , Woodward Avenue,- to see the new styles 1n
g . ,7’ carpets and draperies and» gather such in-
: f formation about them as might be valuable.
9 i w . 0n making know my errand to Mr. Black,
' .I was introduced to Mr. Baker, who has
. , - charge of the draperies department, who
- : 1,. showed. me the new and elegant line of on:
talus just received for the spring trade. '
’27-. beautiful Brussels curtain at $75. per pair.
‘ exquisite in design, reminded me of the
_,poet’s-. ‘jfi'ne, floating, filmy mist atween

, t

  
  

.~

  
  
  
   
 
  
  

saw-2'"? "'7

 
 
  
 
  

 

.. p. . does a carpet or a curtain look so dingy and:

_ exhibited in this city.

me and the sum” next was a Swiss tam-7

7' hour at $275, a heavy pattern instambour

work on a ground ofBrusseis net; then the
Swiss at 320. One of the novelties for the
season was a' curtain in two tones, white
and ecru, at $18; an Irish point, linen,
was very desirable indeed, and could be
had in all grades of fineness and beauty,
from $15 to $125, while French guipure at
812 would suit more moderate desires
Nottingham laces hold their own, and are
this season in very pretty designs, imitating
finer goods, and ranging from $12 per pair
down to $1. 50.

With these beautiful laces are often hung
fine soft silk draperies; a sample showed us
was in pale blue 11111 a very soft shade of
gold, brocaded in a scroll pattern, the gold
being used as a dado: these, in all shades,
were$z 0 per pair. In colored draperies,a
fine canvas or etamine ground in a soft
ecru, was sprinkled with small rosette fig-
ures in maroongwith a. deep border of
stripes in shades of the dominant hues; this
is a charming novelty and quite an improve-
ment on the Madras curtains as usually seen.
These latter, however, have‘by no means
lost theirpopularity. ' One of the prettiest
novelties shown this season is the “lattice
curtain,” in chenille, woven in an open
lattice pattern with gilt threads. F01 port-

the silk Turcoman being as beautiful as any.
Something new was the chenille draperies,
in the ever popular colors of old gold and
maroon, and pale blue and ecru; these have
a very rich and elegant appearance and are
but $15 per pair. 1n the scarfs and drapes
~now so lavishly used on pictures, easels.
chairs, everywhere they can possibly be
placed, and sometimes where you would
never think possible, a large line is carried,
from 75 cents upward, in silk and Madras,
and mere colors than Jacob‘s famous coat
dare boast. Lambrequins are no longer
used on windows, but instead, a long scarf
of silk or plush is hung, with one long and
at the side, and the remainder gracefully
festooned over the pole. A very beautiful
table- cover consisted of a square of‘wine
colored plush bordered with guipure lace of
‘a deep ecru hue; it was ma1ked $5. 50.
Upstairs, by courtesy of Mr. Kerch, we
were shown the finest line of carpets ever
The newest patterns
in body Brussels, impmted goods, are prin-
cipally in gecmetric figures, which seem to
have superceded the floral designs once so
fashionable.~ The figures are small, and the
colors so blend and merge into one another
that a harmonious effect is produced, much
more grateful to the eye than the hugh fig-
ures and distinct colors once popular. In-

 

ieres all the leadinglines are held' 1n stock, -

deepening qt color.

 

dia red, old court blue, soft golden hues
shading into browns, tints of grey and ecru
a1e introduced into these new styles. Tak- ,
ing a carpet having a groundwork of India
red—a rich dark dull color, almost indes-
cribable—which has scattered on it small‘
irregular figures' mold gold, wood-brown and
blue, the furnisher builds upon some one of
these shades in the pattern, say old gold,
as from a central idea. in color, making
portieres, curtains, drapes, wall-paper, blend
by correspondence or contrast of hue into
one peifect Whole, “a symphony 111 colors"
as the English artist Whistler would name
it. “ The man who has studied this busi-
ness knows in’ a moment what materials
will harmonize, what tints set off each other,
and can furnish a house' 1n perfect accord,” 7
says Mr. Kerch. And indeed, modernhouse-
furnishing is an art in itself; it is painting
with draperies and carpets and curtains, to
produce as a picture an exquisite interior.

These imported carpets are higher priced
than our domestic manufactures, which are
hardly so beautiful 111 designs, though fol~
lowing closely after fereign models. All
grades and makes of carpets are carried in
stock here, from the finest Gobelin to 111-
grain and hemp. The Gobelin carpets are
”perfectly lovely. ” They have a deep,
elastic pile, so that to tread upon them is
like walking upon thick moss, and literally .
“ upon flowers,” for the patterns are princi-
pally leaves and blossoms, which are as'
beautifully shaded as if hand-painted; they
cost from $2. 50 to 33 Next are the M0-
quettes, thenthe Wiltons, the mos: desirable
next to body Brussels; these are in all the
new makes and patterns, and sell at from
$2. to $2. 50. Velvet tapestry bears the same
relation to Wilton that tapestry bears to

body Brussels; in the Wiltons. each color is

woven in and appears on the back of the
fabric, while“ 1n the velvet tapestry there is
the same deep pile, upon whmich the pattern
is printed, instead of being woven. These
make a rich looking floor-covering at a less ' 7
expense than Wilton, as they range in value ,
from $1. 25 to $1. 65 and above, and except
in wearing qualities and perfection of detail
in the design, are about equal to Wilton.

All carpets are now made upwith bor— 7.7
ders, which are woven to match the‘ design;
in color, or in what are called contrasts, as.
a dark border for a lighter tone in carpets. .
The most artistic, however, seem to be -

- those woven to match, in which the ground— ~

work' 13 blended with the darker shades of,

the extreme edge of the border, by a gradual. 1‘
Hall carpets have their -. ,
appropriate borders, and also stair carpets.
All carpets are now made to completelg‘~ 7 7

s , I

 


  

    

2

THE HOUSEHOLD

 

 

cover the floor; the fashion of leaving a
anarg'in of floor unwvered around the sides
~01 the room, is “out. ”
The patterns of carpets and their general
’ items are now so "reproduced through all
. the grades of quality, that it is possible to
furnish a house so that the parlors may be
laid with a very expensive goods, and other
rooms be graded down in cost and quality,
yet with perfect correspondence in general
design, so that there will be no glaring in-
‘congruities, no abrupt transitions to vex the
sense of harmony; The designs of the
“higher priced carpets are too costly” to be
-:speedily discarded, but are used in 'a de-
' scending scale, reaching finally the com-
moner grades, if the pattern meets with
popular approval. The designs are patent~
ed, generally for three years, then the
patent is allowed to expire, unless the pat-
tern “takes. ”

I was surprised to find what pretty pat-
terns and good quality can be obtained in
cheap carpets. Mr. Black has tapestry
Brussel as low as fifty cents per yard, and
that for sixty-five cents was much better
than it would seem possible to expect for
the money. These are bought in large
quantities by people of small means who
must have Brussels carpets, but think they
cannot afford the difference between this

- and the body Brussels. On a room which
receives little use, the low-priced goods can
be used with fair satisfaction, but most peo-
,ple who know the difierence would prefer
to pay a little more for the body Brussels.
In ingrains the styles of more expensive

_ gcarpe’ts are modified into small patterns
and soft tones._ The . Criterion ingrains at
.131 per yard, are reversible, the pattern on

' one side being difierent, but quite as pretty .

and desirable as on what was designed on
the right side; and though this has been
fdone before to a certain extent, more colors
sire now introducedthan ever before, and the
snore colors, the more diiilcult it is to manage
not to “throw” them into a homely stripe
«on the wrong side, As many as nine colors
scan now be managed in two-ply ingrain, by
modem machinery. Ingraius range in
value from twenty-live 'cents up; “ You
pays your money and takes your choice.”

. BEATRIX.

KEROSENE vs. GASOLINE.

-' In answer, to- E. M. P.’s question, as to
which is the better, a kerosene or gasoline
stove, I. have seen nothing in favor of kero-
sene. Now, my .stove has given me too
much satisfaction not to have a word said
in its favor. I" used gasoline two yea1s and
oil two years, so I know whereof I speak.
1 have also used soft coal and know what
_ that is; have not' much to say in its favor,
except the pretty fire it makes in a grate. -

First, I should want to be sure and have
I. have two, one large, one
small, both from Adams & Westlake, of

a good stove.

Chicago, and never find more trouble in
using them than in burning a kerosene

lamp; if the'wicks are turned. up too high
«it will smoke like a lamp; but 1‘ have never
ground thatga‘housekeeper can set any stove,

going, then go into the parlor, and leave it'

> to care for itself.

I have often asked my friends on coming

' t1ve answer.

stove, and have invariably received a nega:
I always follow directions,
and leave the door in front of the wicks.
open after putting out the flame; it makes a’
great difference. _,

As to care, I had rather take care of two
kerosene stoves than one- gasoline, and I
have never been troubled with that greasy
smoke M. J. H. speaks of. There have
been only two in our family this winter, and
as I did not wish to beat my kitchen or have
it to care for, I took my little stove in our
dining room. It set back of the heating
stove, so was nearly out of- sight. I have
done all my work there, even to baking
pancakes for breakfast. When 1 was
through I opened opposite windows, Where
a draft' m a few minutes removed all odorst
Our dining room is finished in light grain-
ing, papered with pale blue and gilt, a
bright, pretty room: yet I do" not feel that
it is any the worse for the work my oil stove
has done there this winter.

As to cost of fuel, ‘1, do not think there is
much difierence; either has the advantage
of wood or coal in two things: the fire need
not be started till ready to be used, and can
be extinguished as soon as through with..
My large stove is made-with small stoves
of two burners each; these can be removed
atwill, carried to any part. of the house;
when we have a complete stove; 'put in a
chair by the ironing table, I'can have hot
irons without moving a step, and in case of
s1ckness1s one of those handy things that
seem indispensable.

The odor of gasoline is offensive to me,
and as yet I have never been into a house
where it is used without detecting it. M.‘

, JACKM x.
.——.——«.—_—_ -

A CHANGE OF BASE.

 

Being well settled in the city of Chicago,
one might suppose it a light task to write
scores of. letters, but I have had in mind
the ' wise method of a certain ancient
teacher", who enjoined silence for a length

admitted to his school. They were neither
permitted to ask: questions nor make re-
marks. Afteracquiring the art of holding
‘ their tongues they were gradually permitted

cate their own opinions.

than to silently contemplate the activity of
a great city. Every individual seems to
think the afiairs of the metropolis are
dependent upon his personal eiforts. Such
hurrying along the streets, such galloping
over crossings, such a clamor of tongues,
everybody in commotion, everybody jog-
ging his neighbor who is industriously
tearing along, frequently with nothing
special in view unless it be to “ get there ”
first. The cable cars‘clanging' their bells,

run down everything in their swift ap-
proach, but they are a blessed relief to the
poor brutes for whom my sympathies have
been poured out in vain these many years.

under one roof one may buy all that is
needed in furnishing a house from cellar
to gariet, not omitting the staple groceries

of time on his disciples when they \were -

to make inquiries, and finally to communi-'

There is nothing more truly impressive.

look like snorting giants threatening to :

Here are extensiveestablishments where '

for the pantry shelves, and ready-made '.

one born yesterday to grandpa in his arm

4,-

chair, even down to the appointments of a -
well ordered stable: Is it surprising that I-

should keep silence until the equilibrium of

mind were restored, for this is in strong
contrast to the slew-going, ease-loving 1
southern communityamong whom the last
year was passed. on, I like the northern
hurry. I like the western energy, and like
Chicago best of all. The wind comes up
sometimes in a way that threatens to loosen
our moorings, but nobody minds it much,
as it is in keeping with the general ten-
dencyto sweepthings, so we just take a
good 1101117111111 sail around the corners as
gracefully as we are able. It- seems to me
though, I had never‘ so little of that precious,
intangible, uncontrollable something 'we

or brain must’be out early and .get home
late; l-have'been, thinking brawn is the best
favored, for many mechanics in this city
work only eight hours per day; while we
who pour over. our books and letters in

twelve hours, counting (the time consumed
in going and coming on the cars, as it is

nessr But then, we have so many ad-
vantages and opportunities for pleasure
and profit. One may attend the nearest
revival meeting or visit the distant theater
sit under the holy exhortations of Mr.
Moody and Francis Murphy, or pay $10 for
a seat at a Patti concert. We can live'
plainly or luxuriously with equal independ-
ence, in a four room flat at $20 per month
or in an imposing private residence at ten
times that sum, and your neighbor is too
much engrossed in his own hurry to ask a
question or bestow a glance unless a rare
chance has made ybur acquaintances. Yes,
Chicagois a wonderful place, free and in-
dependent of the rest of the world, divorce
“ without publicity” and marriage by
proxy being only a hint of the spirit of
freedom granted her citizensx
Cn‘tcae‘o. " ' . ' ' DAFFODILLY.
W
I'A.’ monEL TEACHER.

 

school depends upon the care bestowed by
farmers, many of our farmers fail to exer—
cise proper care .in the‘ choice of a teacher.
That some of them have thus failed, may be
seen in the following true account of a
teacher who is__ hired, year after year, in
one of our counties. He asked the shape of
the earth, and when the answer was cor-
rectly given, said, "Yes, your book says

her this book is sort of a novel, and you
cannot believe it, but then, prbbably some
such a man may have lived sometime.”

He asked in what year America was dis-
covered, and when the class answered, “ In
1476, ” he said, “That is correct. ” -

He says there are five bones in the arm
above the elbow. '

He thinks a young lady should 'never
sign a pledge not to keep company with a
man who uses tobacco, or drinks, as it may
bathe cause of her being an old maid.

He had never heardof Northern Lights, so

 

 

in if they perceived u any odor from the oil

  

“Mm for the entire family. from the
a ." .,‘ ‘ ‘~.‘.,f\\‘-g,'.'.‘. ‘

during a brilliant display he rousedhis own

call time. '1; Those who get a living by brawn .

furnace-heated offices are out from home .

hardly practicable to live near one’s busi- .

Although T the success of the district

so, but it cannot be true, for if it were we j
could not always see the North Star. ” He
told a class in history, “ You must remem- ,

\

 

 

 

 

 

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Inn-Z

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T.I-IHE HOUShI—IOLD

      

 

‘3.

 

: family, and without waiting to~ dressed ran
to a neighbor’ s, and called the family up to
Iget ready. fer the end of the world. 7': .

' A FARMER.

-—-—-—-aeo——--
A CHANCE FOR INVENTIVE GENIUS.

 

With regard to cupboards in the kitchen,
I quite agree. with M. E. 11., of Albion.
When Iflrst got mine I expected to enjoy
them so much, but alas for human hOpes‘l I
‘_ , ’would now willingly go back to my old pan-

try prdvided it were rat proof. 1 could

keep Several pantries clean with less work,
, ~ because the dust will find its way into eup-
-‘bOards, and the decrs of mine being glass,
‘ they attract the flies in summer; so that no
1 matter how careful I may be, if I invite com

pany I must wash every unused dish‘ the
;.day before; or’if they come uninvited, we
._ --must use our everyday service, because I
~ -' wOn’t spoil a visit by staying in the kitchen
yto wash. dishes. Will some one give use
"their experience With a dish washer, also a
1 » mop wrihger? They are not for sale here.

IIFi Wanted, a machine that will pick up
Hezekiah, cause him to assume a semi-cir-
.I-cular position face downward across the
lap, neatly apply two patches to the seat of
his pants, reverse him and apply two more
on the knees; then seize Azariah and repeat
the operation With variations; put new
3 sleeves in Kezlah’s dress or mend theelbows
,. .ofthe old; darn the knees of S‘ophia’ s hose,
, = , and many other jobs of a like nature. Any
.One wishing to dispose of an inventiOn of
this kind may rely upon a customer at the
I.home of the undersigned. .

HOWELL. . MRS. W. J. G.
. ._ . ' FANCY WORK. ‘

 

I give a pretty crochet design for pin
acushions,_ mats, etc. Take ecru linen
[thread No. 70, or white cotton thread No.
'50, and fine steel crochet hook ‘ ' .
Make a chain of three stitches; join into
a ring.
, _ ‘ lst round—3 eh. to take the place of 1
" " :treble, 2 trebles under the ring;'f* 3 ch. 3
‘ :trebles under the same ring; repeat from *
twice. 3 ch.; j‘bin to top of 1st treble, this
.makes ,four groups of trebles under the
. Erlns- . ,— ‘-
5... .1 - Bud—3'ch. (for treble); 2 trebles on 2nd

I f. ,I grtreble of the _1st group of trebles; *2ltrebles

       
       
   

 

,- ,on‘me next trebles of same group; * 7 ch..
‘ 1‘2 trebles on ist‘treble of 2nd. group; 1 treble
.on‘each of the next three trebles; 2 trebles on

 

[next treble. Repeat from * all around;
join to 1st treble. ~
3rd—8 ch.; 2 trebles of 1st treble; 1
.treble on each Of next 4 trebles; 2 trebles on
I last treble; * 9 ch.; 2 trebles on 1st treble of

l . j' 2nd group; 1 treble on each of 5 trebles;.2
trebles on last treble of same group. Re-
peat all around; join to 1st treble. Break

Off. .

This forms one octagon; nine octagons
.form a cushion. Join octagons with needleand

.thread and fill in spaces with lace stitches.‘

-This will be very. pretty if Imade up over
pink or blue satin or satteen. Finish the
. -cuShion with any pretty edge A netted
— . fringe would be very pretty , ‘

, ’_ Crochet Ilace is being revived in all its
1 gbeauty', and is much used for trimming Iun-
gdergarments, etc. ‘3

       
       

, braid and insertion.

would like directions for crocheting pine-
"apple lace and insertion, double-diamond

lace,,or fan—shell lace, I will be pleased to
send. ~,These are all wide laces and are
pretty for trimming white skirts, pillow
cases, etc. Have also directions for novelty
MILL MIMIE.
Foansr LODGE.

' - CHAT.

 

For the‘past three years I have been a
silent member of the HOUSEHOLD, but the
woman will assert itself and I must speak.
I have profited by many suggestions in
our paper, and tried successfully many of
‘the recipes.

I have used a. gasoline stove for three
years. and it does not seem as thoughI
could pass a summer without one; it is such
a comfort. _ .

I am about trying one of those combina-'
tion steam cookers. If any Of the ladies
have used. one, wish they would report. .

But I can almost hear myself rattle as I
go down into the depths of that awful bas-

ket. CYRENE.
. anron‘s.

[If Cyrene gets the proposed steam
cooker, will she net confer a favor upon us
all by reporting how she likes it? We want
to know about every possible way to lighten
the heavy load Of the honsekeeper.——ED.]

————oe.-———-—-

THE BATTLE OF ATLANTA.

 

SPRINGFIELD, 3., March 12,1887.
To the Editor of the Michigan Farmer.

Your correspondent “ Beatrix” is grossly
in error in her description of the picture
of “The Battle of Atlanta,” now on ex-
hibition in your city. The horses of the
DeGres battery were not destroyed by the
Union batteries, but by the rebel sharp-
shooters that were located' 1n a large brick
dwelling house, situated about 100 yards
from our lines.- Your humble servant, then
.only a boy, was on the spot at "the time,
on the skirmish 'line, and knows whereof
he speaks. 1f General Clark, the lecturer
on the picture, states differently, he is not
well posted. Any Of’ the boys of Capt.
Ward’s Co. 11., Adrian, Mich., will hear me
out in the above statement.

_ Yours very truly,
‘ WM. BAKHAUS,

, Co. 0., 47th Ohio, Inf.
2d Brig;, 2nd Div. 15th Corps.

 

Beatrix, armed with the above letter,
called upon the manager of the great paint-
ing, with a view to ascertaining whether
the point called in question by our cor-
respondent was an error in reporting the
statement of Gen. Clark, on her part, or
one of those differences on questions of
fact which are apt to occur in regard to the
details of any great event. The following
letter‘ is explanatory: .

-CYCLORAMA 00.,
Darnorr, March 17, 1387.

To the Editor of the Michigan Farmer.
“Beatrix” is right, and your corres-
pondent wrong. The sharpshooters in the
Hurt: house picked oflf the gunners and
one of batteries along Hascali’s (Union)
line killed De Gres’ horses in order to
prevent the rebels from taking the guns
away after they had captured them. Your
correspondent states he was on a “skir-
mish line at the time, etc.” The fact is
that there wasno skirmish line there at that
time, and the Ohio regiment he Speaks of

OFFICE or THE DETROIT }

 

If any of our members .

the racket that resulted in the recapture of

battery, and were the men' who were driven
out by the rebels, and the battery was
captured when they were zone. They
rallied however and were in at the close of.

their line and the guns. This is history
and a glance at the situation shows it was
sense, though I am of the opinion per-
sonally that the eagerness of the .sharp-
shooters may have prevented them from
staying their hands when they had finished
De Gres’ gunners. "
GIL R. OSMU‘N, Manager.

un—...———_.

FASHION.

 

[Paper read by Mrs. M. Van Valkenburg at the ~
Farmers Institute at Tecumseh, Feb. 11th.] _

That which we Call fashion in our country,
is almost wholly an imported article, our
own production being as .yet a very slim and
meagre afiair. Still there are a great many
to be found in all ranks of society who are
affected with the mania to be fashionable,
and who put forth every effort, however
absurd, to appear so. Americans originate
but few new fashions, and those are per-~
haps due to a false imitation of something
already existing in the old world.

The term fashion carries a sense of
paste and varnish with it on this side of
the Atlantic, which is far less prominent
on the other. In its higher and more
sovereign manifestation, it is rooted in
social caste. In those countries where ‘
caste is made a matter of religion, and can-
not therefore be encroached upon, the modes
Of dress and ceremonies of social life un-
dergo no change. - But in the western
countries of the old world, the only way to
keep disagreeable people at a distance, is
to lead off in a perpetual round Of change
in dress and social forms. Some neg style
is started in aquarter entitled to lead, this
is soon copied in other circles, not merely
from imitation alone, but rather' from
pride, thus the circleenlarges, until the
style becomes a common one, and has been
adopted by a second class, called by the.
nobility plebeian. There are people with us
who watch the modes of noble dandyism
and royalty across the oéean, hastening to
transplant them ’On our soil' as soon as
possible. But if we ask further what it. is
that leads the originators of afashion to
adopt this rather than some other, no cer-
tain answer can be given;-it may be a real
effort of taste, or the ‘mere caprice of
tailors, dressmakers, milliners. 0r per-
haps they were bribed by some great
manufacturer to start the style in question
and-give him a market for a particular kind
Of goods. Or the whole, we can do, no bet-
ter, as regards the origin of fashions, than
to say that they are chosen with veryJittle
regard to the harmony of form and color, -
and they sacrifice, if need be,’ all ease and
comfort.

But on the other hand we perceive that
there are_advantages to be derived from
fashion. It sometimes cultivates good
taste in ’those who without its teach- .
ings would always be absurdly dressed. If ‘
we should see a-lady of dark complexion,
having on a blue dress and yellow ribbims,
or a gentleman with aIgreen coat, red vest,.
and blue necktie, we would be apt to think
they knew but little about taste or fashion /
either, yet how often would we see such
absurdities _ of dress if there. were ;.- no

      
        
      
      
      
         
     
     
      
        
       
     
     
   
     
     
       
       
 
      
       
     
       
   
   
 
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
    
   
    
  
  
   

 

was along the works to the left—near the

fashions .to follow, and each ' were leftio


 

-.4:

 

his own' peculiar taste.
often advantageous in cultivating a good
taste in some persons, it is as often at fault
itself, iteven seems sometimes to dispense

- with tasteentirely. The originators seem
to keep up a constant study to devise some-
thing new, however monstrous. It is
scarcely possible to review the absurd
fashions of the past without being remind-
ed of the misshapen monsters that figure
among the heathen.

Witness some of the fashions that have
prevailed, - and are still in ‘vogue. A
number of years ago a lady’s headdress
consisted of a cone or steeple, half a yard
in height, from the top of which along so 1rf
fell quiteto the ground behind, or streamed
on the windxas on a flag staff. At another
time the ladies turned their hair back over a
cushion, so large that their faces were seen
peeping out from under a huge, dropsical
looking mass, still , called however a
“ head.”

.At one time ' the gentlemen traveled
through the winter snow clothed in knee
pants and long stockings, similar to those
worn by the small boy of the present day.
Again they appear with tall hats that tower
above their heads like sentinels on the
lookout for danger. And not many years
ago the ladies were a bonnet that some-
what resembled a travelers’ wagon, and
completely hid the occupant from view,
until you were exactly in front of her. But
the leading fashion of the past year has
been to comb a lock of hair down over the
forehead and bang it oif just above the
eyes, or by the aid of crimping pin, a hot

iron, or perhaps a few pieces of paper, it is

‘ formed into a mass of 'frizzes, while on the
back of the head rests a dainty little bon-_'
net about the size of a tea-saucer, which is
of no particular use, except to proclaim the
fact we are in fashion. But, of course, in
its continual round of change fashion must
adopt some things that areneither useful nor
ornamental. Of what conceivable use were
the long skirts worn by the ladies a few
years ago unless it were to sweep the streets
of their accumulated dust and dirt; they
were certainly very inconvenient not only
to the Wearers themselves, but to surround-
ing friends. Or the large pants formerly
worn by the gentlemen; they were certainly
not very ornamental, but perhaps of great
use to the merchant asthe style enabled him
to sell a greater amount of cloth than would

be otherwise required. Such is fashion, and.

if we attempted to follow all its vagaries
~ we should be '

“ Like the flags that show us the weather,

Scarcer the same two days together "

And not only our dress, but our work
and recreations are ‘governed by the same
power; it may be embroidery, crochet work,
rick-rack, or crazy patchwork, whatever it
is every lady is expected to devote all her
leisure time to its“ construction. It may he
a croquet ground, a skating rink, atobog-
gan slide. or even a farmers’ club; which-
ever it is, we are expected to devote our
time, strength and talents to that particular
object, until something new. arises, when
these will vanish like snow before the sun-
shine, and we recall them only as memories
of the past.

‘ But it is such apparent. trifles as these,

But while it is‘

which, followed through the lapse of time,
tell the story of the progress of a nation or
the lack of it, in‘ much plainer characters
than the battles lost and won.I

e

DRESSMAKING AT HOME.

A correspondent at New Haven asks:

“ Can you tell us through the HouanOLn
of any model or system of dress-cutting by
which a woman of ordinary intelligence
could learn to cut ladies’ and children’s gar-
ments by measure. Where could such a
model be procured, and what would be the
cost. I think such knowledge would prove
very valuable to many who read the House:-
1101.11.” I-There are many systems of dress-
cutting by measure, which are taught by
those who have themselves been instructed,
and directions are furnished which are sued
to do away with the necessity of a teacher.
~Buta dressmaker of this city, who was in-

extremely difficult for the novice to master
such a system unaided. We cannot recom-
mend any particular system, because we
know little or nothing of any; in price the
models range from $3 to $5 and as high as
$20. Probably the best way for anyone to
do who desired such instruction IwOuld be to
order a model through a dressmaker and,
pay her for teaching its use, and if awoman
has time to do her own sewing, such an ex-
penditure would be repaid, many times
over, by the saving effected. We believe it
would be to the advantage of at least one
member of every family in which there are
daughters, to learn dressmaking with a view
to doing the family sewing.

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

1n frying chickens use the oil that rises
on top of the water- in which it is boiled,
instead of butter. It is quite—an item' in
economy, as well as being very much nicer.

In baking cakes, instead of putting but-
tered paper on the bottom of the pan, first
butter .the pan, then dust in flour, rap the
bottom so all loose flour will fall out, then
put in the cake dough. It will turn out
nicely.

In making doughnuts'or cookies, when
eggs are scarce, use one tablespoonful of
cornstarch in'place of an egg, or, if this is
not convenient use one tablespoonful sweet
milk. ‘ .

Iron rust spots can be taken out of gar-
ments by squeezing a few how of lemon
juice on them, and laying in the sun.

In starching collars or shirt bosoms, dis-
solve the starch in hot water—not boiling;
squeeze dry and roll tightly, iron in fifteen
or twenty minutes, it is a soft "stiifness that
is so' desirable in the high linen collars.

When the ironing is done for the week,
put the irons away where they belong, and-
not leave them on the back of the range or
under the hearth to get greased or rusty.

Pick up the clothes-pins when taking
down the clothes upon the line, and put in
the bag or basket designed for them, in-

stead of leaving them out in the rain or
snow. It will keep them clean and dry. ' ..
In washing silk handkerchiefs use alit—
tle ammonia in the water, instead of soap.
Ribbons can be washed in the same way

 

and will be as nice as new.
Burns Cnnnx: -. :EYANGALINE

terviewed on the subject, said that it was:

' fire. then add two quarts of water.

 

{IAN- acquaintance answers an inguiry. rela.
tive to the best manner of preventiiig~
the teakettle from becOniing coated with
‘ lime, By. advising- keeping an oyster shell
in it. She says she has done so for years,
" and is never troubled by deposits of this ‘

nature. 4 ,

‘ —;-——_‘.p———___

.-. ‘z

SEVERAL cases of ice-cream poisoning
have been traced, it is alleged, to the vanilla
used for flavoring. A chemical change
caused by exposme to the air took place,
through oxidation, producing a poisonous
substance sufficiently virulent to affect the
whole bulk of the ice-cream. Hence see
that your bottle of vanilla extract is tightly
corked. . _ . _ y
-_——-090-——-—- '
MILL M11113. wishes some one who
knows all about fancy work, would give a
description of “Bullion stitch” in em- ‘
-")_roidery. She also wants a recipe for Rus-

1

.sin cake". In reference to the embroidery,

bullion Work—the style of decoration seen
on military decorations, uniforms, railway
conductors’ caps, -etc.-'—-is a branch that
pays experts good wages, and is taught as
an art by itself.- The bullion is cut in
lengths, like beads, and worked on in some—
whatthe same fashion. Materials are ex-
pensive. g - , ' ' _
Tnosa of our readers who intend to have ,

.the Housnsonn bound, should see that

their files are kept perfect from montlito
month, and its number is missed or lost,
write for it at once. At the close of the
year it is often impossible for us to sup— '
p.ly missing cepies, eepecially of early dates.
All who have paid $1 50 for the FABMER
are entitled to the HOUSEHOLD, and should

notify us at once if it is not received, stating

whether the subscription was sent direct- -or
through an agent. Back numbers for the .
current year can still be supplied. I ‘

‘ Contributed Recipes. '

I

gonads. Cause—Th1: e-quarters cup butt e 1 ; . '

e 1e cup white sugar; one and a half cups of
fliur; four eggs, yolks and whites beaten
s aparately; a tablespoonful. sweet milk; one 1
and a half teaspoonfuis baking powder; one

.teaspoonful extract lemonz. a little salt; mix

flour and baking powder together, and sift. ._
tvo or three times to get thoroughly mixed.
Cnnmsme $0.11». —Two ounces of ammonia;
two of white Castile soap; one of alcohol; ‘one
of ether, and one of glycerine. Cut soap
fine, dissolve in one pint soft water over the
Cork it'
up tightly. To wash a dress, put a teaspoon-
ful to a pailful of lukewarm water; shake
around well in this and then rinse in plenty
of Warm water. Iron on the wrong side. For

coat collars, put some of the fluid in soup, 1 .

apply with a rag. wash off with another. One.

half this quantity is enough to last a small ,

family along time. _ - MILL Mums.- _
Fonnsr‘Lonen. - '

 

 

FLQWER SEEDS FOR 1887;

l'will send one pacltlegtel of chOice pansy seed, -.
mixed sorts, for %c,o collection with carna-- ‘
tion, verbena, pinks, dahlia, geranium. stocks
white or mixed colors forget-me-not, cobsa sea
dens, and can -bird flower for 500. See s
from over 100 choice varieties of perennials,
everlastings annuals or herbs, six packets for
$60 f0 r560 955804 for 81.81;}? stam for list