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DOMESTIC HINTS AND RECEIPTS. taken up, be careful in removing the tin-tacks, so

A FIRST-RATE WELSH RABBIT. Cut your cheese into small slips, if soft; if hard, grate it down. Have ready a spirit-of-wine lamp and a deep block-tin dish; put in the cheese with a lump of butter, and set it over the lamp. Have ready the yolk of an egg whipped, with half a glass of Madeira and as much ale or beer; stir your cheese when melted, till it is thoroughly mixed with the butter, then add gradually the egg and wine. Keep stirring till it forms a smooth mass. Season with cayenne paper and grated nutmeg. To be eaten with hot toast.

If, in travelling, you want to get this up in a hurry, do thus:-Take two soup plates, separate them from each other by pieces of cork placed on the rim of the lower one. Put the cheese, etc., in the top one, whiskey or spirits of wine in the lower one, and set it on fire. It is first-rate. It may be made in a saucepan, if you cannot procure anything else.

To Cook A BEEFSTEAK.-Cut off the fat and place it upon the gridiron first, and when warmed set on the lean, which is to be removed before the fat. This makes the fat like marrow. Serve as usual.

GROUND RICE PUDDING.-Take a tablespoonful of ground rice and a little suet chopped fine, and add half a pint of milk, sweeten to taste, and having poured it into a saucepan let it remain over a clear fire until thickened. Beat up an egg, with four drops of essence of lemon, and two tablespoonfuls of white wine; add this mixture to the ingredients in the saucepan, give it a shake or two from right to left, then pour it into a greased dish, and bake in a moderately heated oven.

TO CLEAN SPONGES.-When sponges get greasy and dirty, put them into a jar and cover them with milk; let them stand for twelve hours, and then wash well in cold water.

TO CLEAN TIN, BRASS, AND BRITANNIA METAL. -Take of powdered rottenstone and soft soap, each half a pound, four drops of oil of vitriol (sulphuric acid), a teaspoonful of sweet oil, and a tablespoonful of turpentine. Mix in a basin until quite smooth (use a wooden spoon or a stick to mix it), and keep it in a jar. Put this on the things with a piece of flannel, and while damp rub it off with a piece of soft linen, then polish with a leather dipped in fine dry whiting.

CHOICE AND MANAGEMENT OF TOOTH-BRUSHES. -After the general care required by the teeth themselves, there is no article of personal comfort and cleanliness demanding greater nicety of choice and management than the tooth-brush employed in our daily toilet. In the choice, that brush should be selected which is the finest and softest, and has the bristles the most evenly and closely set; and in the management, all that will be required to preserve it in an admirable condition for the gums and teeth will be, after using, to immerse it in a tumbler of clear water twice, pressing the bristles against the side of the glass to wash out the powder, and then gently rubbing quite dry over a cloth stretched tightly over the fore-finger. This manipulation requires a moment or two in the execution, and if once adopted will not fail to be constantly employed.

THE CARE OF CARPETS.-When carpets are that the edges of the carpet are not torn, then roll up the carpets with the upper part inside, and carry them away to be beaten. As soon as the carpets are removed, throw a few old tealeaves, not too wet, over the floor, sweep the room out, and afterwards wash the boards with a wet flannel, but be careful not to throw too much water about, as it is liable to injure the ceilings of the rooms below. While the floor is drying, beat the carpets, by hanging them over a stout line and beating them, first on one side and then on the other, with a long, smooth stick. After the carpet is beaten, it may be dragged over a lawn or else brushed on both sides with a carpet broom. If faded or greasy in many parts, an ox-gall mixed with a pailful of cold water, or a little grated raw potato and cold water mixed together, and sponged over the places, and then wiped dry with soft cloths, will make them look clean and bright.

HOW TO COOK AN EGG.-What a wretched thing is a badly-cooked egg! whether it be liquid as a lady's tear or as solid as a Somersetshire dumpling. If you want an egg well cooked, first try the plan recommended by a correspondent of the Cottage Gardener, who remarks:-"An egg should not be boiled; it should only be scaldedvulg., coddled. Immerse your egg in, or, which is better, pour upon your egg boiling water. For time: proportion your time to the size and number of your eggs, and the collateral accidents. If you cook your eggs upon your breakfast-table more time will be required. But if you station your apparatus on a good wholesome hob, where there is a fire, and so the radiation of heat is less positive, less time will suffice. The latter way is mine, winter and summer, and the differences of the surrounding circumstances equalize, or nearly so, the time. I keep one egg under water 9 minutes; two, 9; three, 10; and four nearly 11 minutes. The yolk first owns the power of the caloric, and will be even firmly set, while the white will be milky, or at most tremulously gelatinous."

RECEIPT FOR FACE-ACHE.-The following receipt for the face-ache a friend of mine has found very effectual:-Take 12 grains of sulphate of quinine (cost, 6d.), 1 ounce of white sugar (in lumps), and pound them well together in a mortar; then divide it into twelve portions, two of which should be taken each day in either wine or water.-FANNY.

RECEIPT FOR REMOVING THE STAIN OF NITRATE OF SILVER (OR CAUSTIC), FROM LINEN.-Drop a few drops of tincture of iodine on the stain, then soak for a minute in a little solution of hyposulphate of soda (made one drachm of hyposulphate of soda dissolved in two tablespoonfuls of water), gently rubbing it, then rinse in clean warm water. The two articles required can be got from any chemist.-J. E.

RECEIPT FOR WASHING MUSLIN OR PRINTED DRESSES.-Boil soap and make starch according to your number of dresses. With soft cold water make up a lather in two tubs. Wash one dress first in one, then in the other, and put into a tub of clean hard water, where it may be till your other dresses are washed. When well rinsed, put a good handful of salt with the starch in the last water, and haug to dry in the shade.-CATIE,

ORIGINAL POETRY.

HE IS COMING.

"HE is coming," said a maiden,
"From the midst of foreign war,
With the spoils of victory laden,

He is coming home once more."
Thus a maid with golden hair,
And with eye of azure blue,
Said, as on the breezy air

Waving her bright tresses flew.
Hope within her breast was high,

But, alas! hope oft brings sorrow; Yea! the young hopes often die,

Long before th' expected morrow.
So the hopes we fondly cherish,
At the rising of the morn,
Long before the evening perish,
And so leave us all forlorn.

But as weeks and months they fleeted
Still beside the rippling tide,
Those three words the maid repeated,
But in sadness oft she sighed.

Oft she saw his dark-brown eye;
Oft she felt his sweet embrace:

As in dreamings by the sea,
Oft she saw her lover's face.

But, alas! she little knew,

a

That that dark-brown eye was closed; That her lover brave and true,

In the sleep of death reposed.
When, at last, the tidings came,

That her warrior-lover brave,
Crowned with laurel leaves of fame,
Far away had found a grave.
Then no tear bedewed her cheek,
But her face grew deadly pale;
Not a word did she there speak,
Uttered not a single wail.
But for many a weary day,

Wandered sadly by the tide;
Gradually she pined away-
Heart-broken at last she died.

SONG.

I LOVE to see the flowers that grow All in the wild uncultured dell, Which Nature kindly doth bestow,

The primrose, violet, and blue-bell;

P. R. E.

The flowers that bloom with sweet perfume,
And seem to wear a lovely smile,
The pride of Spring, the joy of Summer,
The loveliest that bedeck the soil.

"Tis sweet to wander forth alone,

The fairest scenes of earth to view,

Where flow'rets round our path are strewn,
Of every shape and every hue;

But sweeter, love, with thee to rove,
Wiling away the pleasant hours;

I think thee fairer far than ever,

As we walk forth amid the flowers!

C. W. B.

FLOWERS OF THE SPRING. FAIR flowers of the early Spring, A grateful offering do ye bring; Ye tell us winter's on the wane, Soon shall we have bright days again. The humble violet shows its head, And all around its fragrance sheds; There's something in these early flowers, That calls to mind past happy hours. When by the brook, and in the glade, I wandered 'neath the Linden's shade, And listened to the murmuring rill, While all around beside was still.

The flowers, all wet with morning dew,
Around me in luxuriance grew-

I thought of fairer worlds on high,
Of brighter flowers which ne'er can die.
STEPHANIE.

THE SNOWDROP.

LOVELY harbinger of Spring,
Joyous tidings thou dost bring,

As on thy form we gaze;
Thy modest head just peeping through
Some snow drift 'neath the holly bough,
To court the Sun's warm rays.

Thou heedest not the driving storm,

But gracefully thy slender form

Is bent before its pow'r;

The rude wind shakes thee as he will;
Gentle and cheerful art thou still,

Waiting the sunny hour.
Sweet flow'ret! may we learn from thee
A lesson of humility,

And gentle, hopeful love;

That when 'mid storms of grief and care,
Our hearts may look in faith and pray'r,
To Him who reigns above.
LUCINDA B.

PRESS ON.

PRESS on! across life's battle-field,
There are many foes to quell;
How soon the struggle may be o'er,
Not one of us can tell.

While Hope unfurls the banner,

Ere the day of strife is done, Press on across life's battle-field,

There's victory to be won.

Press on, and wield with all thy power,
Each weapon God has given,

And strive with all thy might and main
To fight thy way to heaven.
Fear not, for He shall nerve thy arm,
When fainting in the fight,
And place Himself upon thy brow
A crown of glory bright.

Press on across life's battle-field,
Though hard it may appear,
To bear the cold smiles of the world,
The scoffer's taunting jeer.
There's temptation to be conquered,
There are dangers to be pass'd,
Till we help to swell the song of praise
Around the Throne at last.

F. B. B.

FAMILY COUNCIL.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL.

It our sad duty to admonish the Council again for sending us letters of so little mark. The subject on which you were called to exercise your powers, it is true, was not of the most agreeable kind, yet it was one that any of us-such are our uncertain fortunes here below-might be called on some day to have to indite to a friend. The only exceptions to these remarks are those of Emma M. P., Captain J. R., W. Y. Somerville, Lily H., S. D., Viola, Emily A. C-th., Leila S., Marguerite; the hundred others were only fit for the waste-paper basket.

The DEFINITIONS continue to hold their place. This month they abound in more variety of thought than usual.

LETTER TO A FRIEND ASKING PECUNIARY
HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.

DEAR AUNT,Were I not fully assured from former experiences of your benevolence and kindness of heart, that this letter will meet with your sympathetic consideration, I should not venture to request your assistance in my present difficulty. It is pecuniary aid which I ask, and I know that, even between the dearest relations, this is a subject which needs to be dealt with cautiously and delicately; too often friends are friends while you can exchange with them the civilities of life, and while you appear prosperous in the eyes of the world; but when the billows of adversity roll over you, and you lose, perhaps, a goodly portion of that dross so prized by mankind, they forget their ties of friendship, and you are to them as a stranger. But, my dear aunt, I feel almost certain that no such repulse awaits me from you, and will proceed to state the cause of my present request.

My brother Herbert, who, as you aware, is engaged in a mercantile house in the city, has been for about a month seriously indisposed, and the last few days has been obliged to absent himself from the counting-house. He was advised to consult an eminent physician, who prescribed for him, but without effect. It appeared to me from the first that his illness seemed rather a mental than a physical one, and I made several ineffectual attempts to gain some clue to the cause of his present indisposition; but last night I was successful in inducing him to confide to me the secret which had pressed with such leaden weight upon

his mind.

A short time since he became acquainted with a gentleman of fascinating and apparently amiable manners, but whose fondness for company and pleasure led my brother rather to shun his company than seek it. However, he was sought out by him and introduced to other friends, not of the best character; and on one fatal night my brother, unable, as he had done on previous occasions, to withstand the shafts of ridicule aimed at him, was induced to enter a gaming-house. Fortune at first favoured, but afterwards deserted him, and when he left he had staked and lost £20 entrusted to his care by his employer. The violent remorse and reproaches of conscience

which followered were the cause of his present indisposition; but I can assure you that his extreme penitence for his fault equals, if not preponderates over his anxiety to refund the money. He is unwilling to grieve the feelings of our behe has been led. I have therefore undertaken on loved father by a recital of the errors into which his behalf to intreat you to assist him with the sum of £20, which was the amount belonging to his employer which he lost, in order that he may refund it immediately; and I have his solemn promise to repay you at the earliest opportunity. Trusting, my dear aunt, that I shall not prove member that, by complying with my request, you unsuccessful suppliant, but that you will rewill restore peace of mind to one, if not two individuals, I am, your affectionate niece,

an

MY DEAR FRIEND,

ROSA F.

We have oftentimes conversed together on the truth of the old adage, "A friend in need is a friend indeed," without either imagining we should be called upon to give practical proof of the assertion. Unfortunate it is that I am compelled to do so. You are aware of the vacant partnership existing in the firm of Bradburn and Co., extensive sugar merchants. Knowing the desirability of a connexion with so established a trade, and long having been waiting for such an opportunity, I rejoiced at the vacancy occasioned by the withdrawal of Mr. Francis, a junior partner. Accordingly I presented myself at the office, and held a long conference with the heads of the firm. My slight acquaintance with them, my well known respectability and experience in trade produced a favourable impression; but judge of my astonishment, when they de manded two hundred pounds more, as necessary to my admission, than I can at present spare from my other transactions. They affirm their inability to take less, because the reduction of capital has been great through the retirement of their partner. Mr. Francis, it appears, was young when he entered, and to atone for his lack of experience, advanced a large sum of ready money, then needed; consequently, in the addition they propose making, it is advisable to replace this money as much as possible. Not wishing to lose so rare a chance, I have decided on appealing to you for the loan of two hundred for a short period, purposing, if you comply, to repay you as soon as possible. I need hardly mention that the security is good. Perhaps you will oblige me by giving a speedy answer to my request; and if I may de pend on your assistance, it will be requisite for you to appoint a place of meeting. My family and myself will regard you with gratitude if you convey timely help for our emergency. With united esteem, believe me your sincere friend, NICHOLAS GORDON.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE LETTERWRITING COUNCIL.-A PARENT TO A MARRIED DAUGHTER ON THE INDIFFERENCE DISPLAYED BY HER IN THE EDUCATION OF HER CHILDREN.

DARING.

The charge of Balaklava.-AQUILA and S, D. The first human footstep on the summit of Mont Blanc.-M. W. M.

Alexander taming Bucephalus.-CATIE. Courage bordering on desperation.-L. W. The "Nothing venture, nothing have" system. -R. M. S.

Leonidas and his Spartans at the pass of Thermopylæ.-ELSIE.

John Bull at school.-DI VERNON.

The ruling passion in the breast of the bulldog.-R. B. B.

Van Amburgh in the lion's den.-STEPHANIE. The leader of the forlorn hope.-J. C. L. and ESTELLE.

Satan on the Mount of Temptation.-W. Y. S. The sublime of adventure.-J. C.

That power of the soul which conquers despair by facing it.-PINK.

The student Bacon rejecting the authority of Aristotle.-ALEXANDER.

The grand leveller of obstacles.-J. T. Luther's expressive determination to be present at the "Diet of Worms."-ELSPIE.

Courage overstepping the bounds of prudence.ROSA F.

Holding to the right in the face of scorn and danger.-LILY H,

The superlative of bravery.-ETHOL. Tempting danger for danger's sake.-NELLIE. The eagle to protect her young.-EMILY A. The beggar who ventures a second time past a large dog which once flew at him.-LEILA S. The man who walked over the Falls of Niagara on stilts.-EMMA S. P.

The attribute of a British soldier.-D. M. R.
A quality whose proof is in the doing.-H. A. J.
Leander's courtship.-COLE.

To ask an elderly unmarried lady her age.-ALINE.

Disregarding the fashion.-H. I. H.

A word that is not always synonymous to cou. rage.-FANNY.

To tell mamma that baby is not quite a beauty. -BERTHA.

Courage without prudence.-Agnese.

NONCHALANCE.

A combination of coolness, impudence, and assurance.-AMELIA.

"Oh! it's only a Valentine !"—W. C. The art of avoiding awkwardness in the most embarrassing circumstances.-M. W. M.

"I purpose dining with you to-morrow."ALPHA.

Baby's look of astonishment on seeing the sensation created by its upsetting the cream-jug at the tea table.-E. H.

Being told your pocket has been picked, and coolly to turn round and say "n'importe."-STE

PHANIE.

"You may think I am wrong, but it's quite immaterial."—J. C. L.

An iron sluice prohibiting the flow of the waters of sympathy.-W. Y. S.

The tyranny which artificial life exerts over the noblest impulses.-PINK.

Magnanimity shorn of all that makes it at once heroic and amiable.-ELSPIE.

"I care for naebody, naebody cares for me."LILY H. and H. I. H.

Polite impudence.--ETHOL.

"I'm sure I don't care."-WILHELM.

The mask of fashionable indifference.-ESTELLE,

A kind of coolness which often has the effect of heating the passions.-H. A. J.

NOVELTY.

A young lady without crinoline.-S. D., F. B. B., and STEPHANIE.

The march of fashion.-AMELIA.

The pet of the household's first day at school.M. W. M.

A young lady with sense enough to wear thick shoes.--CATIE.

A powerful but temporary stimulus to exertion. -L. W.

An original Valentine.-R. M. S.

The last sweet thing in hats.-ROSEMARY and H. I. H.

The first sight of snow to the little Indian.ELSIE.

An apple with the core outside.-BRUCE. Sailing to the moon in an air balloon would surely be a novelty.-IAGO.

The rifle corps and their costume.-J. C. L. A pearl from the flowery depths of the sea of wonder.-J. T.

The profligate discovering that pleasure has stings.-ELSPIE.

Life in the Bush to a Belgravian.-Rosa F.
That of which ladies are so fond.-R.

An invader of the pockets of the head of the family.-ROLANDO.

A young man unbitten by the rifle corps mania. G. L. S.

Old friends with new faces.-ETHOL.
Candour in critics.-NELLIE.

A charm that seldom fails to attract.-A. če YOUNGE.

A properly-dressed potato.-OUR COOK.

A really comfortable bonnet.-PAULINE and ESTELLE.

A glow-worm that lures on the children of this world to a continual pursuit.-MARGUERITE. Jonah's position when he was in the whale.EMMA S. P.

Seeing London for the first time.-ELIZABETH M. The new baby to his little brother.-H. A. J. What the bride feels on being first addressed as Mrs..

ESTELLE.

Contemplating the earth from a balloon.ESTELLE.

Henry the Fifth with French princess.-CAPT. J. R.

An only child who is not spoilt.-H. I. H.
The idol of the multitude.-FANNY.
A friend in adversity.-NINA.
The freezing of the Thames.-J. C. D.

WORDS FOR DEFINITION. COHESION I EXPRESSION INDUBITABLE.

GERMAN GAMES.

THE Germans of all ages join in little jeux d'esprit in winter evenings. They are, therefore, more intellectual and less boisterous than when confined to the very young, who are generally merry without being wise. One of these games may be called "False Reports," or "Petty Scandal." The party are to be seated in a circle round the fire. Some one at the head of them whispers (once only) to his next neighbour a piece of extraordinary news; he then whispers to his neighbour

the same thing, and so on all round. None are allowed to ask questions. If they have heard imperfectly, they are still to repeat what they have heard as correctly as they can. When all have

heard the news, the first person who spread the report is to repeat aloud what he said to his neighbour, then the last person in the circle is to relate it exactly as it reached him; and considerable amusement is afforded by the alteration or misrepresentation of the original information: as for example-Suppose the first person whispered to his neighbour that "The Pope had sent a Cardinal to England, with a large cape, a large hat, and red stockings, which displeased the Queen and Lord John Russell; and on the Fifth of November, a great many more Guy Fawkes's were burnt than usual, and a great deal of bigotry and gunpowder were employed." After various repetitions and alterations, it reacheth the last of the circle thus: "The Pope had sent a Cardinal cape, a large red hat, and stockings to the Queen, for Lord John Russell, and the Queen did not like to put them on; and on the Fifth of November a great many Popes were blown up with bigotry and gunpowder." After several rounds of this game, the next fixed upon may be

CROSS EXAMINATIONS.

A judge and counsellor are appointed, and then they are requested to leave the room. During their absence some remarkable thing is fixed upon for them to discover by the cross-questioning of the counsel. Something historical or something popular is the best kind of puzzle. The judge and counsel are then called in, and the latter begins his questions, going round the circle. The only answers to be given are, Yes or No. He may commence thus:

"Is the thing to be discovered animate ?" Answer-"No."

"Is it a simple thing ?" "No."

"Is it an animal substance ?" "Yes." "Is it partly a vegetable substance ?" "Yes." "Perhaps it is also in part a mineral substance ?" "Yes."

Counsel to the judge: "Please to remark that this wonderful thing is composed of an animal, vegetable, and mineral substance.'

Cross-examination continued:"Is it English ?" "Yes."

"Is it mentioned in history ?" "Yes." "Is it a weapon ?" "Yes."

The judge here remarks that as a sword, or a gun, or a spear, has no animal substance about it, it must be an arrow; and he should say it was an arrow. Now, what particular arrow it was, the counsel must elicit.

Counsel: "Is it mentioned in the history of England ?" "Yes."

Before the Conquest ?" "No." "Not long after the Conquest." "Yes." "About the year 1100?" "Yes."

The judge then decided that it was the arrow that shot William Rufus. He was right.

A fresh judge and counsel being appointed, they went out of the room until a fresh subject was fixed upon. The examination then com

menced:

"Is it an animal ?" "No."

"Is it a vegetable ?" "No."

"Is it an animal substance ?" "Yes."

"Is it a manufacture?" "Yes."

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"Large compared with the table?" "Small compared with a rug? "Made of silk ?" "No." "Made of leather ?" "No." "Made of wool ?" "Yes." "Coloured ?" "Yes." "Variegated ?" "No." "Black ?" "No." "Green ?" "No." "Red ?" "YES."

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"Something to wear ?" "Yes."
"Is it long ?" Yes."
"Narrow ?" "Yes."

Here the judge suggested that it must be a woollen comforter.

"No, no," exclaimed the party, "it is not single thing."

Counsel: "Is it a pair of something ?" "Ye "Are they English?" "No." "Are they French ?" "No." "Are they Italian." "YES.." "Now in England ?" "YES."

Here the judge pronounces the verdict, the d covery is made. "They were made of wo manufactured-red-and though Italian, now England." Our readers will guess what the extraordinary things are.

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