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Original in GoOD HOUSEKEEPING.

COMFORTABLES.

WHICH ARE COMFORTABLE IN EVERY SENSE.

OMETHING which I read in a journal of health, combined with certain other facts, set me to thinking very earnestly, and I resolved to act upon a suggestion gained therefrom, though, indeed, I hardly knew how I could meet the expense which must be incurred in order to do so. That expense would seem trifling to "people of means," but John and I were not of that class, hence I must think deeply to enable me to bring my projected plans to an economical and, withal, satisfactory consummation. The matter which laid so heavily upon my mind was this: Upon awaking, every morning, I was conscious of a feeling as if I had not rested well during the night, and it seemed as if I were dragged down by a heavy weight. After I had risen and been about my work for a short time the sensation passed off to a degree, but only to return the following morning to render me unfitted for the manifold cares and labor of the day. Also, I began to observe the children more closely, and I felt certain that they were affected in the same manner that I was. They were fretful and seemed, for a while in the morning, to feel just as I did,-indisposed to exertion of any sort; but the sensation, as in my own case, was dissipated by participation in the labors of the household, or, in case of the younger ones, by the vigorous romps and plays which stirred their sluggish powers into healthy activity, until the succeeding night gave the mysterious cause of the trouble a chance to continue its vitiating labors.

It was only since the chilly nights came on that I had observed these alarming symptoms, and since I had read that article in the health journal, as I have said, I felt morally certain that I had discovered a clue to the mischievous agent which was working so to our detriment. When I went to housekeeping, it was with a great many erroneous ideas, one of them being that my beds, to be comfortable, must each be supplied with two or three thick, heavy comfortables for winter use. This idea had been carried out, and when the heavy, soggy things had grown shabby, they had been washed (which process rendered them still more soggy in course of time) and covered again and again, until it was scarcely possible for air to pass through to perform the cleansing process as it should be allowed to do daily, and also nightly. In short, I felt certain that my nice, heavy comfortables were excluding all pure air from and confining the impure air inside the bedclothing, which tended to prevent the healthy condition which I felt so anxious to promote; also they were far too heavy to be "comfortables" in reality, though that misnomer had been given them. No wonder (I thought, as I lifted them daily in making the beds) that I feel as if held down by a weight, and therefore worn and weary, when I rise, instead of rested and refreshed. This, then, must be the remedy, a new and different covering must be supplied to each bed, and what should it be? The beautiful, soft woolen blankets, costing from $5.00 to $15.00 and upward, per pair, which my wealthy neighbors might easily procure, were far beyond my reach. I was anxious to introduce an improvement which would be more conducive to comfort and health, and also economical. After careful consideration I came to a conclusion to do as follows:

I purchased one hundred yards of sea-foam suiting, or

"cheese cloth," as it is commonly called (paying for it four cents per yard), and thirty pounds of the best quality of cotton batting, and with this I commenced operations. I put the two ends of the whole piece together and used the machine to sew it into one strip fifty yards long, which I cut into ten pieces, each five yards long, and two yards wide (twice the width of the cloth), and out of each one of these I made a comfortable in the following manner: I laid the piece out upon the floor, smoothing one-half very carefully, laying a stick to mark the exact center, or sticking pins. Along even with this center mark I laid the ends of the batting, laying on about three pounds to each comfortable, and, when this was done, drawing the loose half of the cloth carefully and lightly. over that covered by the cotton, seeing that the edges meet evenly all around the three open sides. This forms a coverlid two and one-half yards long and two yards wide. As it lay upon the floor I rolled it up, first a little way at the closed end and then at one side, till it was brought into a convenient form and size for lifting to a table, which, with its leaves spread, served my purpose admirably. I then unrolled the comfortable till it covered the table, when I commenced and tied the corner thus extended, gradually unrolling and tying till all done. Some of them I tied with bright worsted and fastened the edge by a row of chain stitch of the same material. Those tied with white cotton, and with the edges simply run up with thread, are very nice, though not quite so pretty and bright.

One realizes, after sleeping under covering made in the above manner, that weight is not indispensable to secure warmth, and that one's health and comfort is promoted by its use. At least such has been my experience. They are light and open, which makes them easy to wash, and (what is a very important item with many) they do not cost, at most, above one dollar apiece.

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Collected for GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

-Mrs. C. H. Potter.

WISE WORDS ABOUT WOMEN. Without hearts there is no home.-Byron.

How much the wife is dearer than the bride!-Lyttleton. We can have many wives, but only one mother.-Abd-el-Rader. Be ever gentle with the children God has given you.-Elihu Burritt,

It destroys one's nerves to be amiable every day to the same human being.-Beaconsfield.

or no wife at all.—Euripides. A wise man in his house should find a wife gentle and courteous,

make none when they die.-Douglas Jerrold. Women must have their wills while they live, because they

Nothing flatters a man so much as the happiness of his wife; he

is always proud of himself as the source of it.-Johnson. teaching the virtue of patience and long-suffering.-Washington

A curtain lecture is worth all the sermons in the world for

Irving.

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In family government let this be always remembered, that no reproof or denunciation is so potent as the silent influence of a good example.-Hosea Ballou.

The early months of marriage often are times of critical tumult, whether that of a shrimp pool or of deeper waters, which afterwards subsides into cheerful peace.-George Eliot.

Husband and wife,-so much in common, how different in type! She all golden hues and softness, he all dark shades and energy; her step so light and child-like, his so manly and steady. Such a contrast, and yet such a harmony, strength and weakness blended together!-Ruffini.

Original in GoOD HOUSEKEEPING.

RECREATION FOR LEISURE HOURS.

FEATHER WORK.

HIS consists of covering buckram, or other stiff foundation, with birds' feathers, arranged in designs, and sewn entirely over the foundation. The work is very handsome, and is used for valances, brackets, fire screens, muffs, and for dress trimmings. Large articles are covered with Aylesbury duck, or white poultry feathers, dyed in various colors; and small, with peacock, pheasant, parrot, ostrich, marabout, pigeon, guinea fowl, used in their natural shades. The feathers are prepared as follows: If white, and obtained from domestic poultry, gently wash the bird in soapsuds and lukewarm water, to which a little whiskey has been added, and let it dry in a clean, warm place; after it has been killed pick off the feathers, enclose them in a strong bag, and bake them in a moderate oven. Shake each feather separately, and cut off the fluff and the little hard piece at the top of the quill, and keep them for use where they are crushed.

To dye. Pour into two quarts of boiling water a table or teaspoonful of diamond dye, any shade according to the depth of shade required, and steep the feathers in this for five minutes; take them out one by one with a pair of pincers so as not to touch them, then add more dye to the water and thoroughly stir the mixture; throw the feathers in, and stir all up together, and take out the feathers separately, without touching them, when they are sufficiently colored.

FEATHER SCREEN.

These are usually made with peacock's feathers. Cut out an oval or round shape, and sew on as the first round the largest eyed peacocks' feathers; for the second round, the smaller size; for the third round, the dark blue neck feathers; for the fourth, the breast feathers, and finish with the head feathers and crest. If a larger screen is desired, two rows of each may be sewed on.

INFANT'S KNITTED BOOTS.

Materials. One skein each of cream, white, lady gray, starlight wool, and one skein colored.

Four steel needles, No. 16.

With colored wool cast on twenty-eight stitches, and knit one plain row.

Second row. Two plain, pick up one, twenty-four plain, pick up one, two plain.

Third row. All plain knitting.

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Forty-eighth row.-Fifteen plain, cast on twenty-five more stitches.

Knit five plain rows.

Fifty-fourth row.-Two plain, narrow, thirty-six plain. Fifty-fifth, fifty-seventh, fifty-ninth, sixty-first rows.-All plain.

Fifty-sixth row.-Two plain, narrow, thirty-five plain. Fifty-eighth row.-Two plain, narrow, thirty-four plain. Sixtieth row. Two plain, narrow, thirty-three plain. Sixty-second row. Two plain, narrow, twenty-eight plain, narrow, two plain.

Sixty-third, sixty-fifth, sixty-seventh, sixty-ninth rows.Plain.

Sixty-fourth row.-Two plain, narrow, twenty-six plain, narrow, two plain.

Sixty-sixth row.-Two plain, narrow, twenty-four plain, narrow, two plain.

Sixty-eighth row.-Two plain, narrow, twenty-two plain, narrow, two plain. Bind off loosely.

Then with the same needle on which you still have twentyfive stitches, pick up thirteen stitches across the instep, and twenty-five stitches along the other side, knitting each stitch as you pick it up; knit one plain row, and bind off all.

Now take the white wool, and pick up fifteen stitches across the instep (in all the picking up, take the back threads only). First row.-Seam.

Second row. Two plain, make one, four plain, slip one, narrow, pass slip stitch over, four plain, make one, two plain.

Third row. All seamed.

Repeat the second and third rows three times more.

Tenth row. Two plain, make one, four plain, slip one, narrow, pass slip stitch over, four plain, make one, two plain, pick up eighteen stitches along the side, that is, missing the first six stitches and picking up thence to the end.

Eleventh row.-Seam thirty-three, and then pick up eighteen stitches along the other side, seaming each stitch as you pick it up.

Twelfth row. Two plain, make one, narrow, two plain, make one, four plain, slip one, narrow, pass slip stitch over, four plain, make one, three plain, make one, four plain, slip one, narrow, pass slip stitch over, four plain, make one, three plain, make one, four plain, slip one, narrow, pass slip stitch over, four plain, make one, two plain, narrow, make one, two plain.

Thirteenth row.-All seamed.

Repeat the twelfth and thirteenth rows sixteen times, or until you have the leg as long as desired. Then knit seven

Fourth row. Two plain, pick up one, twenty-six plain, plain rows, bind off loosely.

pick up one, two plain.

Fifth row.-All plain.

Sixth row, Two plain, pick up one, twenty-eight plain,

pick up one, two plain.

Seventh row. All plain.

Run ribbon, shade of colored wool, round the ankle and tie with a bow in front.

-Eva M. Niles.

VITAL FORCE IN SUNLIGHT.

I have often been asked at what age infants can first be safely

Eighth row. Two plain, pick up one, thirty plain, pick up exposed to the influence of the open air. My answer is, on the first one, two plain.

Ninth row. All plain.

Tenth row. Two plain, pick up one, thirty-four plain. Eleventh row.--All plain.

Twelfth row.--Two plain, pick up one, thirty-five plain. Thirteenth row.—All plain.

Fourteenth row.-Two plain, pick up one, thirty-six plain. Fifteenth row.-All plain.

warm, dry day. There is no reason why a new-born child should not
sleep as soundly under the canopy of a garden tree on a pillow of
sun-warmed hay as in the atmosphere of an ill-ventilated nursery.
Thousands of sickly nurslings, pining away in the slums of our
manufacturing towns, might be saved by an occasional sun-bath.
Aside from its warmth and chemical influence on vegetal oxygen,
sunlight exercises upon certain organisms a vitalizing influence
which science has not yet quite explained, but whose effect is illus-
trated by the contrast between the weeds of a shady grove and

Sixteenth row. Two plain, pick up one, thirty-seven plain. those of the sunlit fields, between the rank grass of a deep valley
There will now be forty stitches on the needle.
Knit five plain rows

Twenty-second row.-Fifteen plain, then, keeping the other stitches still on the needle, knit these fifteen stitches backwards and forwards for twenty-five more rows.

and the aromatic herbage of a mountain meadow, as well as by the peculiar wholesome appearance of a "sunburned" person and a sun ripened fruit. Sunlight is too cheap to become a fashionable remedy, but its hygienic influence can hardly be overrated.-Dr. Felix L. Oswald.

Original in GoOD HOUSEKEEPING.

A MAN IN THE KITCHEN.
AND WHO HAS A RIGHT TO BE THERE.

Y mother was something of an anomaly among womankind, for she held to the belief that there were times when a man was a pretty good thing to have in the kitchen. My brothers and I were early taught that a little practical knowledge of housekeeping would do us no harm, "And it may be of use to you," mother would often say, "and you might just as well learn some of these kitchen mysteries as to be racing around the streets doing worse things."

Many a time, when I was a good-sized boy, have I had to tie a big gingham apron around my neck, and wash and wipe the dishes, and "tidy up" the kitchen under mother's direction-and that, too, when there were three girls in our family. I always had the care of my own room, I had to make my own bed, and make it after the most approved plan. There was no slovenly" work done in my mother's house; I was taught how to sweep and dust a room properly, how to sew on buttons and repair rents in my garments, and, when I was thirteen years old, I could make a nice biscuit, and, later on, I was initiated into the mysteries of bread and pie making. I could make good coffee and tea also.

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And what, you may ask, were my three sisters doing all this time? They learned all I learned, and many things mother thought I had no need to learn. In fact, they are all thorough cooks and housekeepers, and they can all do what few women can,-they can drive nails with the skill and accuracy of carpenters, they can put up shelves, they are "handy" with the saw, the hammer, and the hatchet,-you would hardly believe it if I were to tell you just how accomplished they are in this direction. Mother used to say, "I have found it so convenient to be able to drive my own nails, put up and even make my own shelves, and do my own little carpentering, that I am determined my girls shall possess like knowledge." The boys of our family are boys no longer, the girls have long been women, we all have homes and children of our

own.

None of we boys are "Miss Nancy's," and none of my sisters are "masculine" in their ideas or manners. I am poor, myself, and sometimes unable to keep a servant, which is not a great affliction in this era of inefficient help, and, when my wife is helpless with one of her sick headaches, or when she wants to go out to her mother's with the baby for a week, it is, she says, a "great comfort" to feel that the man in the kitchen is not dirtying up every dish in the house, and breaking half of them; that he is not boiling tea (he never boils it at all) in the silver tea urn; that he is not drinking hot, muddy coffee out of her precious cut glass goblets; that he is not frying eggs on a griddle or toasting his bread by putting it flat on top of the stove; that the dust and dirt is not being swept into corners, under beds, or under the stove; that his bed is made every day; that he gives some attention to dusting and airing the rooms, and that all his wants are attended to by-himself; and that no charge of Miss Nancyism or effeminacy can be laid at his doors.

I camped out in a log cabin for a year in the Rocky Mountains during the Leadville craze. For months I did not see a woman, and how often, as I sat down to my own cup of good coffee, with meat properly cooked and well-made biscuit or bread, did I recall my mother's words,-"The time may come when you will be glad that I taught you to do these things." It had come then, and there are times in the lives of most men when a knowledge of at least the primary principles of cooking are valuable to him, and will contribute much to his comfort.

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IN PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE UNDER DIFFICULTIES. ["Seekers after light," regarding the perplexities and intricacies of Household Life, will be at liberty to make their desires known in this new department of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. Able pens have been engaged to respond to such, in several of the prominent branches of the Household, and others will be secured as occasion may require. The Inquiry Meeting is now open.]

A CHAPTER OR TWO ON CARVING.
Inquiry I.

Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING:

Are not some of the good and wise contributors to GOOD HOUSEKEEPING going to give you a chapter or two on Carving? Not a full grown treatise on comparative anatomy, but something that the average head of the family,-paternal or maternal,--and especially the oldest son, upon whom the greatness of the "head of the table" is sometimes thrust, can understand and reduce to practice. In my own experience, a sharp knife and well cooked joints are the preliminary steps,--not to go back to the butcher,—but I don't propose to write the chapter myself, and I trust it may be written for print in the pages of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.

A FATHER OF AN OLDEST SON.

OATMEAL AS IT SHOULD BE COOKED.
Inquiry 2.

Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING:
Will you kindly allow me to ask somebody who knows all about
it, I mean who knows, not who may think they know only,-about
the cooking of oatmeal as it ought to be cooked, particularly with
the view of making it, as is often the case, the principal food for
our little ones-so that it may not be pasty, leathery and "unfit
for food?"
AN ANXIOUS MOTHER.

Pittsfield, MASS.

KNITTED SILK MITTENS. Inquiry 3.

Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING : Will Mrs. Eva M. Niles, in her "Recreations for Leisure Hours," be kind enough to give directions for knitting Silk Mittens with a fancy back, and state the name and size of silk required, and oblige DAVENPORT, IOWA.

A SUBSCRIBER TO GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

Mrs. Niles will give the desired information in full, in her next regular contribution to our pages.-Editor of GOOD HOUSE

KEEPING.

HASHED BROWNED POTATOES.
Inquiry 4.

Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING:

Will you please publish a recipe for Hashed Browned Potatoes, as served at the Gilsey House, and also, I presume, at other New York hotels, and oblige, E. S. T.

LOWELL, MASS.

Miss Parloa's next regular contribution to GooD HOUSEKEEPING will give the desired recipe.-Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

SAUCES FOR FISH.
Inquiry 5.

Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING:

Will GOOD HOUSEKEEPING kindly furnish those of us who do not like fish, with the receipts for some of those sauces by means of which fish is made palatable and even delicious to eat? I know there are such sauces, having eaten them in other houses than my own, but I do not know how to make them.

A SUBSCRIBER TO GOOD HOUSEKEEPING,

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T has been so much the fashion for young people, when married, to board for a time, at least, that I was delighted to learn from your letter that you had determined to go to housekeeping; and, although you say your means will be limited and you will do your own work, you intend to make the home life easy and beautiful. You ask me for suggestions, which I will most gladly make. If I hint that you may meet with some unexpected obstacles, I know that, with your good common sense, you will not allow them to dampen your courage and enthusiasm, for you well know that one difficulty conquered will make it the easier to overcome the next. There are two important habits, the strict observance of which will make the duties of home life easy and pleasant: They are early rising and punctuality. A young woman who evinces so much energy in planning and execut ing, must practice these old-fashioned but vitally necessary duties.

All the modern improvements to make work easy are very nice and no doubt assist very much, but, in spite of labor saving machines of all kinds, there is a great deal of what may be called drudgery in housework. The only way to prevent the depressing effect of this inevitable accompaniment to doing one's own work is to have an inspiring motive-a satisfying end in view as results to be obtained. There is great pleasure in the fact that you are doing your work in the very best way you know,-that you are using brains in washing dishes, sweeping and dusting; that you can practice your knowledge of chemistry, of sanitary and many other laws in housekeeping that you, in theory, learned at school. Like Mrs. Whitney's sweet girl characters, you can, with the aid of your poetical imagination, invest all the minutiae of your every day tasks with spiritual significance.

You say, "I am to marry a young man with no income but from a moderate salary as bookkeeper, and I wish to be a helpmeet indeed, not a lay figure upon which to hang silk, laces and jewelry, for which a young man with such means would have to steal from his employers, or, as in newspaper phrase, 'become a defaulter;' now, in view of these facts, ought I to do my own washing and ironing?" I answer unhesitatingly, you had better not. Save in something else—a

new dress or bonnet-but let the stout arms of the trained washerwoman do your washing. No amount of sal soda, pearline, or patent machines can make washing anything but hard work, too hard for muscles undeveloped by long practice.

With your other work you will have enough to do, and should spare yourself the wear and waste of nerve and fatigue of body resulting from overwork. Your plain ironing you might be able to do; that, however, should depend on the effect on your health and, above all, your temper. I trust that, with your good sense, you have resolved not to be a "slave to the rolling-pin." Fruits in their season are the best and healthiest dessert, and, if you banish pies and fruit cake from your table, you will roll off many stones from the heavy load of housework. Taking it for granted that you are up with the times in your ideas of ventilation, acquainted with the germ theory of disease, the necessity of proper drainage, perfect cleanliness and purity in every household department to prevent an invasion of the deadly enemies of health, I will say no more at this time in regard to these topics.

Pardon me if I now urge upon you as your duty to yourself, your family and society, that, while you perform thoroughly and conscientiously all housekeeping duties, you do not suffer yourself to become a mere domestic and nothing more. If some special talent calls more loudly than others for cultivation, neglect no opportunity to improve it. If it be art, you will find many spare moments, in which you will be ably assisted by your organizing faculties, to use your brush and pencil to the delight of your friends and, if necessary, for pecuniary benefit. Change and variety for muscle and brain every one must have for healthy development. Heartily and sincerely wishing you the best of success in

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your new life.

PAPA AND MAMMA.

-Mrs. R. F. Baxter.

A recent English writer says: "The words 'papa' and 'mamma' occur in the Beggar's Opera' (1727), where Polly Peachum speaks of her 'papa.' The modern change from 'papa' and 'mamma' to father' and 'mother' among the higher classes, which began about thirty years ago, seems to have been a reaction against a custom which had gradually crept in among persons of a lower grade. As soon as common people's children began to say 'papa' and 'mother.' It was among my High Church friends that I first and 'mamma,' those of a higher class were taught to say 'father'

Charming indeed it is, when everything is clean, fresh and bright, as you look around your rooms, to feel that it is your work, that it is the thought in your own mind made visible by the work of your hands, that you have created the beauty, purity and order which reigns in your home. To create is an instinctive longing in every true woman's nature. A good housekeeper will always, if possible, have her work finished in the forenoon, and devote the afternoon to rest, change and recreation. If a friend calls, she will not have the shortcomings of Bridget or her trials as a mistress to entertain her with, but gladly change the current of her thoughts by inter-noticed this adoption of 'father' and 'mother.' One does not see change of ideas on subjects of mutual likes and interest outside of the duties of housework. Necessary exercise in the open air must not be neglected, and every such outing will furnish you with material for bright tea-table conversation without recourse to idle gossip, for, in your walks, keeping in mind the wonderful life that surrounds you and cultivating your habit of observation, you become mentally as well as bodily invigorated, and ready to meet your husband on his return from business with a bright and pleasant welcome instead of annoying him with detailed accounts of the things that have gone wrong in the morning's work. The fresh, pure air, the objects of interest you have found in your walk have banished the memory of all these, and, as your husband, when he left his work, turned the key on his cares, thus have you done when you left your kitchen.

the connection, but such is the fact. When I was young, 'papa' and 'mamma' were universal among what may be called the middle and upper ranks of society, and to this day 'ladies of a certain age' still use the words. King George III., about the year 1762, addressed his mother as 'mamman,' so I find it stated in the 'Greville Memoirs.' But I do not think that Charles II., unless he were speaking French, addressed Henrietta Maria by that endearing name; and I feel tolerably sure that the Lady Elizabeth never called Henry VIII. 'papa.' On the other hand, I would observe father' and 'mother.' For ten or perhaps for twenty years past, that 'papa' and 'mamma' are fast being supplanted by the original children in the upper and upper-middle classes have, so far as my observation goes, been taught to say 'father' and 'mother;' and papa' and 'mamma," which are words of extremest tenderness to those of my generation, seem now to be sinking into contempt as a 'note' of social inferiority."

THE COZY CORNER.

[ In this corner we propose to have pleasant gossip with our readers and correspondents, in passing matters of household interest, and that it may be made an instructive and profitable Household Exchange, we invite correspondence of inquiry and information on all subjects of general interest and value to the Homes of the World.]-GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

"TEN DOLLARS ENOUGH."

A competent and appreciative correspondent of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, from Cambridge, Mass., in rehearsing some of its prominent features, says with emphasis that "Ten Dollars Enough' has already resulted in several radical reforms in our own kitchen; our bright young servant reads the instalments and puts in practice the new ideas with great enthusiasm. GooD HOUSEKEEPING surely ought to gain a big circulation. In this house, at least, it interests both mistress and maid, as well as all the rest of us."

PERFECTION IN WEDDING PRESENTS.

The genuine responses to our suggestion that GOOD HOUSEKEEPING would make a welcome and useful Christmas or New Year's Present, is already being handsomely supplemented by orders and remittances for a year's subscription for Wedding Presents, and in this connection the Lewiston (Me.) Gazette hits a very pretty nail very surely and effectively on the head, when it A year's subscription carries with it, remember, a valuable premium of interest or use in the household, and GOOD HOUSEKEEPING is always a welcome guest or gift, whichever it happens to be, everywhere, and is nowhere more appreciatively so than in the best of homes."

says that

A PLEA FOR BIRDS.

Editor of GooD HOUSEKEEPING:

It is time for the lovers of nature to unite in an energetic protest against the destruction of our song birds. Owing to the caprices of fashion, they are killed by the wholesale in order that their wings, heads and breasts may be mounted for the decoration of hats and bonnets. There are depositories for dead song-birds in many states, and they are brought into the leading villages and cities by the hundred thousand, every month. It is a sad sight to see long rows of boxes of mounted songsters in a dozen milliner's shops while walking down two or three city blocks, and to realize how fast these winged blossoms of the sky are disappearing. In some of the suburbs of this city but few birds, except sparrows, are left to chant the requiem of their fellows.

Destructiveness has its place in the economy of nature in the killing of noxious beasts and reptiles, or those which are needed to sustain life. But to attack these feathered choirs whose strains can never be emulated, is something so wanton and wicked as to admit of no defense.

A late writer has well said: "A garden without flowers, childhood without laughter, an orchard without blossoms, a sky without color, roses without perfume, are the analogues of a country without song birds. And the United States are going straight and swift into that desert condition." The same writer also wisely suggested the formation of societies with the end of putting a stop to this slaughter of the innocents. Fashion is cruel and thoughtless; greed, cruel and rapacious. Between them they will soon strip the country of its chief attractiveness, unless prevented.

Pending legislativè enactment against the extermination of songbirds, cannot that class for whom they are sacrificed, decree that that sacrifice must cease? Women have a responsibility in this matter not to be evaded. The entire floral kingdom,—and much of the vegetable,-have been placed at the service of the milliner; the ostrich yields his plumes and the Brazilian beetle submits his marvellous iridescence; cannot our rapacity be satiated by all these tributes? The robin, thrush, linnet, oriole, lark, black-bird, fly-catcher, song-sparrow, (not its pugnacious English cousin,) ought to be under our especial protection.

Is it not feasible to establish societies which shall adopt a pledge something like this:

"We hereby agree neither to buy nor use for any purposes whatever the plumage of birds which have been killed solely for decoration. And we promise to exercise all our influence to further the object of this pledge, which is the preservation of song-birds."

If the readers of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING take this matter in hand,

something will be done to further an important reform. In schools, literary societies and associations of various kinds, as well as in the household, the influence of women on this topic ought to be imperative. When exercises are conducted in which there are readings or recitations, the teacher might select such as inculcate kindness, or describe birds and rural sights and sounds. If public attention is once aroused in this direction, the work of preservation is certain. HESTER M. POOLE.

NEW YORK, DECEMBER 1885.

OUGHT SHE OR OUGHT SHE NOT, TO HIRE A GIRL. Editor of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING:

serial, not only for its valuable suggestions in the culinary art, but for its possible solving of the servant girl question.

Like all others who read it, I am much interested in Miss Owen's

Molly seems to be exceptionally fortunate thus far, in her experiments with an ignorant German girl, Marta having done nothing worse than bang the oven door and forget the fire. Can it be possible that she will learn even with much teaching, to carry on alone the details of the nice housekeeping that Molly has undertaken? And will she, after taking Molly's time in teaching her, gratefully remain and serve her; will she want her wages raised, or will she get married? If she prove a permanent success then it will seem rare enough for comparison with the one who answered the advertisement for a housemaid, against five hundred or so who desired a copyist's place.

That editorial in the issue of December 12, has many excellent thoughts and new ones too, for both housekeeper and maid. It is plain that there are two ways of viewing a housemaid's situation, one in its favor, and the other against it, and it is also as plain that there are two ways of viewing the advisability of keeping a servant. In this matter, I am one of the "seekers after light."

During nearly twelve years of married life, I have sent out my washing and ironing, and hired some of my cleaning done, but always when my health allowed, I have preferred to do my own work. But there have been many times when I was obliged to keep help, and I have had diverse experience with them, from the utterly untaught Irish girl who could not wash dishes, to the frail “ American lady" who was not strong enough for the task of washing a churn.

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Like" Mrs Lennox," I have four children, but my husband is neither as "poor as a church mouse," nor "pernickety about his eating,” and I do not "detest cooking." I like and enjoy all the duties of mother and housekeeper, but am obliged to study continually how to plan my work, that nothing needful be left undone. We keep a hired boy to take care of three cows, one horse, and to do all the lifting and carrying I require done. Thus my family numbers seven, the youngest of whom is a baby, and how to make the seven comfortable and happy, mentally and physically, is my chief ambition.

A common servant seems to rob home of its chief attraction and impose a restraint which need not otherwise exist, especially as we live in the country and our family arrangements are not suited to the isolation of a servant.

My chief objection to keeping a girl lies in the fact that I consider myself bound to treat her well, remembering the golden rule, and that in doing so, it interferes with the perfect freedom of the family circle, and adds a foreign element not desirable.

There are also motives of economy to be considered, for we have other objects in view besides living up to our income. But which is the truest economy in the end? To make the most of my time now, to pass rapidly from one duty to another, with absolutely no time for social pleasures, content to leave many things undone, with consciousness of inability to keep up my former standard of housekeeping, if only we are well-fed, well-clothed and happy. Or would it not be wiser to bear with a servants' faults, saving thereby strength and time for something higher than housework, and in quieter nerves finding patience for the instruction and companionship of my children, and would I not as far as economy is concerned be able to save a part of a girls' wages, in the opportunity afforded of doing more home sewing? In short, ought I or ought I not, to hire a girl?

Hoping that some one with more profound judgment will cast a ray of light upon this subject, I remain an earnest seeker after knowledge. MRS. IDA A. ALDEN.

CHICOPEE, MASS.

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