exhibited (C. 30. No. 89) some wonderful specimens of the art of wood carving, which shows that Mr. Rogers must look to his laurels, or the Lincolnshire carver will outstrip him. The group symbolical of spring, carved in lime - tree - wood, was most elaborate, and highly effective, but too delicate for general ornamentation.

The groups of dead game by this artist were exquisite, the texture of the feathers being admirably represented, and, like all that he exhibited, evincing a perfect knowledge of the art. We are pleased to find that the Commissioners awarded Mr. Wallis a prize medal.

Mr. W. Perry, of Bridge-street, Taunton, exhibited (C. 30. No. 101) a vase of roses carved in box-wood, symbolical of the present state of the world. It is called the Taunton allegorical vase, and is intended

to illustrate the desired moral and social effects of the Great Exhibition. The vase, which is carved from a solid piece of boxwood, is ornamented with an ingenious design which our readers will no doubt be able to interpret for themselves. The groups of roses, with the exception of a few beads and leaves, are also carved from a solid block. The stand is encircled by a garland of flowers from all parts of the world, symbolical of the exhibition.

The engraving above represents the mechanical escrutoire for ladies, manufactured by M. L. Wettli, of Berne, Switzerland, and exhibited (No. 237) with the other productions of that country. It is made of white wood, and may be used for writing in a sitting or standing posture. The carved and ornamental part represents the rustic economy and Alpine life of the

inhabitants of Switzerland. This production was honourably mentioned by the Commissioners.

SO

WOMAN. As the vine which has long twisted its graceful foliage about the oak, and been lifted by it into sunshine, will. when the hardy plant is razed by the thunderbolt, cling round it with caressing tendrils, and bind up its shattered boughs; it is beautifully ordered by Providence, that woman, who is the dependent and ornament of man in his happier hours, should be his stay and solace when smitten with sudden calamity: winding herself into the rugged recesses of his nature, tenderly supporting the drooping head, and binding up the broken heart. Washington Irving.

ORIGINS AND INVENTIONS. SEDAN CHAIRS.-Sir S. Duncombe, predecessor to Duncombe, Lord Faversham, and gentleman pensioner to King James and Charles I., was the person who introduced Sedan chairs into this country, A.D. 1634, when he procured a patent, which vested in him and his heirs, the sole right of carrying persons up and down in them for a certain sum. Sir Saunders was a great traveller, and had seen these chairs at Sedan, where they were first invented. Beyley introduced the use of hackney-coaches about the same year; a tolerable long ride might then be had in either of these vehicles for fourpence. "But alas!" says the writer of the above article, "the introduction of these machines spoiled the constitutions of Our women, they became nervous and lazy, and were no longer fitted for exertion.

SILK STOCKINGS.-Henry II. of France, at the marriage of the Duchess of Savoy, wore the first silk stockings that were made in France. It is somewhat remarkable, that Elizabeth was the first person in England who wore silk stockings. In the third year of her reign, she received in a present from a Mrs. Montague a pair of black silk knit stockings; and henceforth, says Dr. Howell, she never wore cloth hose any more. The art of knitting silk stockings by wires or needles was first practised in Spain; and twentyeight years after it had been imported into England, Mr. Lee, of Cambridge, invented the engine or steel loom, called the stocking frame, by means of which England was enabled to export great quantities of silk stockings to Italy and other parts. Mr. Lee taught his art in England and France, and his servants did the same in Spain, Venice, and Ireland.

MARINER'S COMPASS.-There is some doubt as to the invention of the mariner's compass. Dr. Gilbert, our countryman, who wrote an elaborate Latin discourse on the properties of the loadstone, was of opinion that the knowledge of its use was brought from the Chinese. Osorius, in his Discourse of the Acts of King Emanuel, refers it to Gama and his countrymen the Portuuese, who, as he pretends, took it from certain barbarian pirates. Goropius Becanus thinks he has good reason to give the honour of the discovery to his countrymen, the Germans: the thirty-two points of the compass borrow their names from the Dutch in all languages. But Blondus, who is followed by Pancirollus (both italians), gave the praise of it to Italy; telling us, that about the year 1300 it was found out at Meephis, a city of Naples. The name of the inventor of the compass is by Dubartus confidently affirmed to be Flavius. From these authorities it seems a probable conclusion, that Flavius, the Melvitan, was the first inventor of the guiding of a ship by the needle turning to the north; but that some Dutchman afterwards added to the compass the thirty-two points of the wind, in his own language, from whence other nations have since borrowed it.

CHIMNEYS.-In 1200, chimneys were scarcely known in England, one only was allowed in a religious house, one in a manor ditto, one in the great hail of a castle, or lord's house; but in other houses they had nothing but what was called Rere Desse, where their food was dressed, where they dined, and the smoke found its way out as it could. In King Henry the Eighth's

time the university at Oxford had no fire allowed, for it is mentioned, that after the stewards had supped, which took place at eight o'clock, they went again to their studies till nine, and then in the winter, they having no fire, they were obliged to take a good run for half an hour, to get heat in their feet before they went to bed. Hollinshed, contemporary with Elizabeth, describes the rudeness of the preceding generation in the arts of life:"There were," says he, "very few chimneys even in capital towns, the fire was laid to the wall, and the smoke issued out at the roof, or door, or window. The houses were wattled and plastered over with clay; and all the furniture and utensils were of wood. The people slept on straw pallets, with a log of wood for a pillow."

CLOCKS AND WATCHES.-The genius of the Germans appeared in the invention and improvement of many mechanical arts, especially clockwork. They have exceeded all the world in the contrivance of variety of motions, to show, not only the course of the hours and minutes, but even of the sun, moon, and stars; wherefore the clocks at Strasburgh, Prague, and many other places all over Germany, are sufficient instances. Clock-makers were first introduced into England in 1368, when Edward III. granted a license for three artists to come over from Delft, in Holland, and practise their occupation in this country. It was in the year 1577, that pocket-watches were first brought from Germany. The Emperor, Charles V., had a watch set as the jewel of his ring; and in the Elector of Saxony's stables is to be seen a clock in the pommel of his saddle. Charles I. had a ring-dial, made by Delamaine, a mathematician, which that monarch valued so much, that on the morning before he was beheaded, he ordered it to be given to the Duke of York, with a book showing its use.

COACHES.-The use of coaches was introduced in England by Fitz-Allan, Earl of Arundel, A.D. 1580; before which time queen Elizabeth on public occasions rode behind her chamberlain, and she in her old age, according to Wilson, used reluctantly such an effeminate conveyance. They were at first drawn only by two horses, "but,' says the same author, "the rest crept in by degrees, as men at first ventured to sea." It was Buckingham, the favourite, who (about 1619) began to have them drawn by six horses, which, as another historian says, "was wondered at as a novelty, and imputed to him as a mastering pride." Before that time, ladies chiefly rode on horseback, either single, on their palfreys, or double, behind some person, on a pillion. In the year 1672, at which period throughout the kingdom there were only six stage coaches constantly running, a pamphlet was written and published by Mr. John Cresset, of the Charter-house, urging their suppression, and amongst the grave reasons given against their continuance, the author says, "These stage coaches make gentlemen come to London on every small occasion, which otherwise they would not do, but upon urgent necessity; nay, the convenience of the passage makes their wives often come up, who rather than come such long journeys on horse. back, would stay at home. Then, when they come to town, they must presently be in the mode, get fine clothes, go to plays and treats, and by these means get such a habit of idleness and love of pleasure, as makes them uneasy ever after."

USEFUL RECEIPTS.

To clean Knives and Forks.-To keep knives and forks in good order, when not in continual use, and to restore them when found rusty, have them well cleaned, and then rub the steel part with a flannel dipped in sweet oil, or in melted mutton suet. Let them rest several hours; then

dust them all over with finely powdered quicklime, tied up in a thin muslin bag. In two or three days, wipe off the oil and lime; rub them with a buckskin leather; wrap them first in green baize, and then an outside covering of coarse brown paper, and put them away. They should always be kept in a dry place.

A COUNTRY HOUSEWIFE.

To Fold a Shirt.-Having spread the shirt on a table or on a bed, fold over the two sides lengthways, so as to lie one over the other upon the bosom. Turn the sleeves back halfway from the shoulders (doubling over the sleeve-gussets in half), so as to lie straight down on the folded body. Then take the whole and give it a crossfold upward, so that the lower half of the shirt that is turned over, covers the upper part of the sleeves and the bosom. False collars are folded in half only. False bosom pieces, first in half from the back, and then another fold is given, so as to leave the full part upwards. We advise all gentlemen that wear false collars to wear false wristbands also.-EDWARD MILES.

Gum Arabic Starch.-Get two ounces of fine white gum arabic, and pound it to powder. Next put it into a pitcher, and pour on it a pint or more of boiling water (according to the degree of strength you desire), and then, having covered it, let it set all night. In the morning, pour it carefully from the dregs into a clean bottle, cork it, and keep it for use. A tablespoonful of gum water stirred into a pint of starch that has been made in the usual manner, will give to lawns (either white or printed) a look of newness to which nothing else can restore them after washing. It is also good (much diluted) for thin white muslin and bobbinet. "I can safely recommend the above." ELLEN NEWMAN.

To clean White Kid Gloves.-Stretch the gloves on a clean board, and rub all the soiled or greasespots with cream of tartar or magnesia. Let them rest an hour. Then have ready a mixture of alum and Fuller's earth (both powdered), and rub it all over the gloves with a brush (a clean tooth-brush or something similar), and let them rest for an hour or two. Then sweep it all off, and go over them with a flannel dipped in a mixture of bran and finely powdered whiting. Let them rest another hour; then brush off the powder, and you will find them clean. On no consideration clean gloves with turpentine, as you will be unable to wear them on account of the smell.-J. R. H. Bath.

Economy of Carpets.-To preserve expensive earpets, it is well to completely cover the floor beneath them with drugget, or with coarse matting, which is a much better plan than to spread a layer of straw between the floor and the carpet; the straw (besides the difficulty of spreading it perfectly smooth and even) accumulating much dust, that works up through the carpet.

In

buying a carpet (having first measured the room, and calculated the exact quantity with the utmost accuracy), it is well to get an additional yard or two to lay aside, that you may have it ready in case of transferring the carpet to a larger apartment, or for the purpose of repairing any part that may be worn out or accidentally burnt.-A COUNTRY HOUSEWIFE.

suppose that a chimney is dirty, keep the fire Chimneys on Fire.-When you have reason to low, as a large blaze will be very likely to ignite the soot. Should, it nevertheless, take fire, you roaring noise, and the falling down of flakes of will be immediately apprized of it by the loud burning soot. If there is no water in the room, have a bucket-full brought immediately, so as to put out all the fire in the hearth; and while waiting for water, throw on all the salt that may be at hand; or, what will be still better, a handful of flour of sulphur, as soon as you can obtain it. The sulphur will frequently extinguish even the fire in the chimney, if it has not yet become large. As long as it is burning, take care to keep all the doors and windows tightly shut, and hold up closely before the fire-place a blanket or some other woollen article, for instance, a table-cover or hearth-rug, so as to exclude the air.

wish

Cement for Alabaster, Marble, &c.-Take a pound of bees-wax, and half a pound of rosin, and melt them together. Have ready three-quarters of a pound of finely powdered alabaster, or powdered marble (according to the article you' to cement), and add it gradually to the melted mixture, stirring the whole very well. Then knead the whole mass in water, that the ingredients may be thoroughly incorporated. You may add more of the powder, to bring it nearer to the colour of the article to be cemented. Before applying this cement it must be heated, and so must the parts of the subject you are going to unite; they must also be thoroughly dry, and quite free from grease. The powder may be obtained from an alabaster or marble shop. For cementing plaster of Paris, make the mixture with pulverised plaster.-J. Ŕ. H.

Infant's Food. "Noticing in the Family Friend, page 269, vol. 1. New Series, a request that some one would recommend a good food for infants, I hasten to do so from experience. I have been unfortunately compelled to rear two children by hand, the elder was fed with a papboat on tops and bottoms, and for two years was a great sufferer from mesenteric disease. The food which with great confidence I recommend, having used it for the other child, is Dodson's unfermented biscuit powder, during the whole time that he was fed upon it from three to fifteen months, he was remarkably healthy and a nice plump little fellow. I have frequently remarked what an excellent food it was, never turning acid on the stomach, and the child never appearing to tire of it. It is highly spoken of by the faculty; indeed, my own physician, Dr. Jever, of Guy's Hospital, advised the use of it when ordered to wean my baby. It is sold in tin canisters at Dodson's, baker to the Queen, 98, Blackman-street, Southwark. Trusting if a trial is made, it will succeed with your correspondent's infant. I remain Sir, yours truly,

ONE OF YOUR OLDEST SUBSCRIBERS.