DOMESTIC HINTS AND RECEIPTS.

CARE OF LINEN.-One of the most important departments in the management of a household is that which embraces a care of linen. Accordingly, when this is well dried and put away in the wardrobe, the next part of our duty is to secure it from the effects of damp and the inroads of insects. These intruders are often destructive, but they may be prevented from doing injury by a judicious mixture of aromatic shrubs and flowers, cut up and sewn in silken bags, and the drawers and shelves interspersed by them. Rosemary, lavender, thyme, cedar shavings, roses, powdered sassafras, cassia, lignea, mixed with a few drops of otto of roses or other strong perfume, may be agreeably adopted for this purpose. In all cases, it will be found that the linen, as well as all other washable articles, will be economised by being examined and where necessary, carefully repaired previous to their admission to the laundry. The articles ought also to be numbered and arranged after washing, so as to have their regular turn in domestic use. Another saving will be found in purchasing soap in large quantities, cutting it in pieces of about a pound weight each, and keeping it in a place of moderate temperature. As linen is sometimes scorched in the getting up, without actually being burned through, the effect may be removed by the following means:

To remove Scorching from Linen.- Add to a quart of vinegar the juice of half a dozen large onions, about an ounce of soap rasped down, a quarter of a pound of fuller's earth, one ounce of lime, and one ounce of pearlash or any other strong alkali. Boil the whole until it is pretty thick, and lay some of it on the scorched part, suffering it to dry. It will be found that on repeating the process for one or two washings, the mark will be completely removed without any additional damage to the linen: provided its texture is not absolutely injured as well as discoloured.

CHINA AND GLASS WARB.-The best material for cleaning either porcelain or glass-ware is fuller's earth; but it must be beaten into a fine powder, and carefully cleared from all rough or hard particles, which might endanger the polish of the brilliant surface. In cleaning porcelain it must also be observed that some species require more care and attention than others, as every person must have observed that china-ware in common use frequently loses some of its colours. The red, especially of vermilion, is the first to go, because that colour, together with some others, is laid on by the Chinese after burning. The modern Chinese porcelain is not, indeed, so susceptible of this rubbing or wearing off, as vegetable reds are now used by them instead of the mineral colour. Much of the red now used in China is actually produced by the anotto extracted from the cuttings of scarlet cloth, which have long formed an article of exportation to Canton. It ought to be taken for granted that all china or glass-ware is well tempered; yet a little careful attention may not be misplaced, even on that point: for though ornamental china or glass-ware is not exposed to the action of hot water in common domestic use, yet it may be injudiciously immersed in it for

the purpose
of cleaning; and, as articles intended
solely for ornament may not be so highly an-
nealed as others, without any fraudulent negli-
gence on the part of the manufacturer, it will be
proper never to apply water to them beyond a
tepid temperature. An ingenious and simple
mode of annealing glass has been some time in
use by chemists. It consists in immersing the
vessel in cold water, gradually heated to the boil-
ing point, and suffered to remain till cold, when it
will be fit for use. Should the glass be exposed to
a higher temperature than that of boiling water,
it will be necessary to immerse it in oil. Having
thus guarded against fractures, we naturally come
to the best modes of repairing them when they
casually take place, for which purpose various
mixtures have been proposed; and it will here be
sufficient to select only those which excel in neat-
ness and facility. Perhaps the best cement, both
for strength and invisibility, is that made from
mastic. The process, indeed, may be thought
tedious; but a sufficient quantity may be made at
once to last a lifetime. To an ounce of mastic add
as much highly-rectified spirits of wine as will
dissolve it. Soak an ounce of isinglass in water
until quite soft, then dissolve it in pure rum or
brandy until it forms a strong glue, to which add
about a quarter of an ounce of gum ammoniac,

well rubbed and mixed. Put the two mixtures

together in an earthen vessel over a gentle heat; when well united, the mixture may be put into a phial and kept well stopped. When wanted for use, the bottle must be set in warm water, when the china or glass articles must also be warmed and the cement applied. It will be proper that the broken surfaces, when carefully fitted, shall be kept in elose contact for twelve hours at least, until the cement is fully set, after which the fracture will be found as secure as any part of the vessel, and scarcely perceptible. It may be applied successfully to marbles, and even to metals. When not provided with this cement, and in a hurry, the white of an egg well beaten with quicklime and a small quantity of very old cheese, forms

an excellent substitute either for broken china or old ornamental glass-ware. It is also a fact well ascertained, that the expressed juice of garlic is an everlasting cement, leaving no mark of fracture, if neatly done. These are fully sufficient for every useful purpose; but we may still further observe, in respect to the cement of quicklime, that it may be improved if, instead of cheese, we substitute the whey produced by boiling milk and vinegar, separating the curd carefully, and beating up with half a pint of it, the whites of six eggs, adding the sifted quicklime until it forms a thick paste, which resists both fire and water.

SILK A PROTECTION AGAINST INFECTION.-A silk covering of the texture of a common handkerchief is said to possess the peculiar property of resisting the noxious influence and of neutralizing the effects of malaria. It is well known that such is the nature of malaria poison, that it is easily decomposed by even feeble chemical agents. Now, it is probable that the heated air proceeding from the lungs may form an atmosphere within the veil of silk, of power sufficient to decompose the miasma in its passage to the mouth, although it may be equally true that the texture of the silk covering may act mechanically as a non-conductor."

MY DEAR MARION,

Apply these principles, dear Marion, to your mode of dealing with your husband, and you will find it the best means of combating against the difficulties of your situation; nay, it is the only way by which you may hope to bring about an amendment.

When you perceive the fire ready to break out do not assist its ignition, or add fuel to the flame by returning like for like; do not meet the hasty expression with one equally bitter; and by all means never struggle for the last word, but, if possible, as soon as you perceive the colour mount and the eye flash (a sure indication of what is to follow), retire from the scene, not with a bang of the door, but with coolness and self-possession. Solitude will work wonders in abating the tempest within, and in hastening the reaction from fierce passion to calm serenity of mind; he will then have opportunity for reflection, which will bring him to his better self; reason will be reinstated in her rightful place, and the moments of calm consideration which succeed will most likely be employed in beneficial regrets, which, though they may not produce a permanent reformation, will by no means hinder its progress.

I am as much surprised as pained by the contents of your letter, for a bad temper is certainly the last failing I should have imagined your William possessed. But we must live with persons to know their real character and disposition; a few weeks of daily and hourly intercourse will reveal both good and bad qualities, which an acquaintance of as many years, occurring occasionally or at stated intervals, would not discover. Thus, darling, those faults which were so effectu- speaking of the characteristics of a good wife, That quaint old writer, Fuller, remarks, when ally concealed by your lover, are soon most pain-She never crosseth her husband in the springfully manifested now he has become your husband. tide of his anger, but stays till it be ebbing But it is folly to expect perfection in any human water. Surely men, contrary to iron, are worse to character: even with the most amiable there is be wrought upon when they are hot." always some idiosyncrasy which tries our patience, and necessitates the practice of self-denial, control, and forbearance, and to test our affection, You know what the poet says:

self-endeavour by all means to keep your own temper; Thus, if retreat be impossible or inconvenient, always retain your presence of mind, and, by the exercise of self-control, keep a guard upon your tongue until the storm has subsided. Then choose a fitting occasion to point out to him the unreasonableness of his conduct, and even if your arguments are ineffectual in convincing him of of having done your best; and, by this command his error, you will at least have the satisfaction advantage and superiority, which you would of your own temper, you will gain an immense inevitably lose did you yield to the commotions of mind which a sense of injustice or feeling of selfpity would be apt to call up.

"The kindest and the happiest pair Will find occasion to forbear; And something, every day they live, To pity, and, perhaps, forgive." Although, my dear Mary, you are in a position which requires the exercise of these virtues in no ordinary degree, yet it is a case by no means so hopeless and incapable of amelioration as by the tenor of your letter you seem to imagine. Had you been allied to a spendthrift, a profligate, or a gambler, I could have given you little comfort; your future prospects would then be any thing but enviable or happy. Now, you say that William is none of these; but of steady, domestic habits, fond of his home and fireside, and of the society of his wife, yet exceedingly violent and passionate in temper upon the slightest contradiction being offered to his wishes. Now, I cannot say a word in vindication of ill-temper of any kind-neither the passionate nor the sulky will admit of the least excuse-yet of the two evils the former is preferable in a companion: being of shorter duration, it is less irritating in its effects. The continual "nagging" of a fretful person, like the continual dropping which wears away the hard and impenetrable rock, will, in time, diminish and undermine the strongest love; but rage which comes on in paroxysms soon exhausts itself by its own violence and fury. The mind of a passionate person is like a fire which, burning fiercely, soon dies out, if no fuel be added to replenish the flame; but so long as we continue to heap on combustible materials, the burning will go on. If a house were on fire none but a madman or an incendiary would throw inflammable matter into the blazing

mass.

But, Mary, I cannot write to you on this subject longer, as I shall address a letter to your husband; for of course, as the forbearance and self-denial should not be all on one side, neither should advice be given to one only.

that when again I hear from you, it will be news
For the present, my dear, I bid you adieu, hoping
of a change for the better in your domestic life
and prospects.

Your affectionate Mother,
EMMA BUTTERWORTH,

MY DEAR MARY,

It was with a feeling of sadness that I perused your letter, which reveals that you have thus early discovered flaws in the temper of the chosen of your heart. I am truly sorry, but yet I do not see any occasion for the deep despondency you manifest. Perhaps, my dear girl, you expected that your beloved was, in himself, the em bodiment of all perfection; if so, you are indeed disappointed; but you must acknowledge you had no right to expect any such thing, and you

might have learned from your favourite poet to
moderate your expectations, assured by him that-
"The wisest and the happiest pair
Will find occasion to forbear;
And something, every day they live,
To pity, and, perhaps, forgive."
But, after all, dear Mary, your disappointment is
but partial. With regard to the main elements of
character-high principles-true, earnest love
happily you are not deceived; it is only temper.
Still I am well aware that temper is a very im-
portant thing, and a bad temper will embitter the
cup of domestic happiness. But I have hope for
you, my dear Mary, because your request for
advice shows that you are alive to your duty and
influence as a wife, and desirous of acting the
part of a wise woman.

storm of passion. How shall you meet it? By a
similar outburst-giving raging for raging, and a
torrent of angry words? Most certainly not, for
by such a course you would but aggravate the
evil you desire to cure; your character would sink
fathoms in the eyes of your husband; you would
become less than his equal in temper-for such
outbreaks are far worse in woman than in man-
and, as a natural consequence, your influence for
good would be destroyed. But, in contradiction
to all this, let it be your office to pour the oil of
gentleness on passion's tempestuous waves-to
hear the angry, unjust words in silence, or, if you
reply at all, with the soft answer that turns
away wrath, and the storm will abate much sooner
appreciate your forbearance, respect your com-
than you expect, and your husband will doubtless
mand of temper, and, if I judge him rightly, will
forgive and forget all his hard speeches.
anticipate your desire to remonstrate by a frank
confession of wrong, and a request that you will

That my dear Mary may be enabled to subdue,
by the power of the law of love, and bear all her
trials with a "meek and quiet spirit," is the
of her
prayer
Ever-loving Mother,

AGREEABLE.

An ice on a hot day.-ALPHA.

LILY H.

A moonlight walk with those we love.-J. C. L.
"Home" to the tired wanderer.-NELLIE.
The return of spring after a severe winter.-

G. A.

A pleasant picnic party on a summer's day.A. G.

fortune to its possessor, I think we ought to regard
Now, as a bad temper is undoubtedly a mis-
all such as labouring under an infirmity, and,
therefore, having peculiar claims to gentle and
considerate treatment. This being my view of the
case, you will not be surprised when I advise you
to cultivate a habit of self-watchfulness, as a
means to aid you in the endeavour to keep your
own temper under rigid control. This is abso-
lutely necessary if you would preserve your in-
fluence over your husband, and thus become the
guardian angel of his peace, as well as a real help-
mate in the difficult work of self-conquest. Your
feelings, perhaps, will often be inclined to over-
leap the imposed restraint, and you may have to
fight many an inward battle in order to preserve
outward meekness and forbearance; but, my dear
Mary, you know where to look for the requisite
strength; and, as to the motive, I think you can
need no other than your love supplies. Then I
would have you recollect that it is little things
that generally put people out of temper-little
acts of thoughtlessness, little neglects, little dis-
appointments; therefore, as far as possible, en-
deavour to remove these little stumbling-blocks
out of your companion's way. In all your house-tieth
hold arrangements be orderly and punctual, es-
pecially with regard to meal-times. My dear
mother used to say to me, "Be sure, Mary, never
to keep your husband waiting for dinner, for a
hungry man is an angry man." Now, as hunger
is an unpleasant sensation, it is a pity to add to
it the still more unpleasant feeling of anger, when
a little careful forethought might appease the one
and prevent the other.

Be ready, my dear Mary, cheerfully to yield your own will and your own preferences in subjection to your husband's. You may, perhaps, say it seems hard to be required always to give up one's own will to another. Now, I don't think it is so very hard, if that other is one you love. And, besides, I am very much mistaken if you will be always required to act the self-denying part; only set the example; let your companion see that you study him before yourself, and I will venture to predict that he will become ashamed of his selfishness, and, yielding to the gentle, but constantly operating influence of his wife, he will, in the majority of cases, refer back to her choice what she is so ready to give up to his.

But I will suppose that, notwithstanding all your endeavours to preserve the bond of domestic peace, you are surprised now and then by a violent

Giving your umbrella to a friend, and yourself walking in the rain.-LUCINDA B.

Being a member of the Letter-Writing Council,
and being praised by the editor.-EMMA S. P.
The charming effect of a genial temper.-
LILY H.

Finding yourself well remembered in your forcousin's will.-LITTLE GIGGIE AND ADA AND EVA.

The "lover upon trial."-FANNY.
Praise from those we love.-H. I. H.

To meet with one in whom good sense and good feeling are combined.-STEPHANIE.

A good fire after a walk in the snow.-HECK-
MONDWIKE.

The poetry of social intercourse.-W. Y. S.
The joy that cometh after pain.-PINK.
Making amends for a fault, and finding we have
not done so in vain.-ALEXANDER.

The communion o' the wise and good.-ELSPIE.
Seeing one's name in print for the first time.-
SELINA.

The sunshine after a storm.-MIGNONETTE. A lady's plea when she wishes to excuse herself from a disagreeable visit.-MIGNONETTE,

ACTION.

An index to character.-ALPHA.

The graceful prancing of a steed.-J. C. L.
Rowing against wind and tide.-NELLIE.
The antidote to ennui.-G. A.

The full determination of an energetic mind to do more and promise less.-A, G.

What a Frenchman is never deficient of.E. E. W.

What Paul Pry looks after for everybody with-in most city firms, and the last adjective we pre