THE NEWCASTLE COORANT, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, -188ft 2 ALL BIGHTS KESEKVED. All RIGHTS EKSSaVBD. fairly and naturally have claimed under tho circum- I stances), and I forthwith assumed that now, at AIL BIGHTS BESEUTED. up her arms and uttering a piercing screarc, she sprang. Ijsts Jjflastfccjgtrs.
By PHYLUSBKOWNE. PRUNES. Amongst the resources of civilisation which are not valued as they deserve to bo may be mentioned prunes. Prunes are specially suited to the te WM they are appreciated at any time it is in winter when fresU for, KtuucL a iui, ta uc uu yet uuuuu io duct of which the French plum sold in bottles aca pronueu wish a diintygilc label i3 tho superior article. Even -ja bottled French plums are not all alike, however there are degress of excellence even in them, and iho high class French plums, fleshy and full of i flavour, aro as different from the cheaper sorts, which though soft aro sticky to the touch, and which have a sort of burnt taste, S3 Newtown pippins are different from sour crabs, or wall fruits are different from bullaocs.
Indeed, as a matter of preference, housekeepers who have tried both would very much ratbeJ have good prioes sold loose by the pound, than they would have very cheap bottled fruit. In prunes softness is not the; only test of goodness by any means, although soundness with freshness may undoubtedly be looked upon as being full of promise. There is, however, one sign which distinguishes the bottled French plums, which it would kxs well for every housekeeper to boar in mind who is about tc invest in tho fruit. This is tlie mark on the bottle. Tba prunes of commerce are usually divided into three classes.
No. 1, tha smallest, is supposed to have from 00 to 02 pluma to the pound No. 0, the largest, has from 33 to 31 to th pound. Roughly classed, the finer sorts maybe known by the number of plums ou the label. Those which are markaj with oue plum are almeat sure to be good, cnd also bigK-priced those marked with plums are of moderate quality those marked with three plums should be and will probably deserve to be so.
Tho number of pluEns on the label, therefore, is a point always to be noted whe buying the bottled plums. English housekeepers probably think this the prune ia 8 very homely fruit, only to be tegarded as a makeshift. If, however, age gives respectability it deserveB to be held bi-h honour. It was grown ages ago in tbe East, and it ig safd that tho French obtained it from tho Crusaders. It grown extensively in French orchards, and after being dried is brought to this country in great quantities.
Ou the Continent it is very largely used. Two or three years ago I had the privilege of spending a night at tho Hospice oi St. Bernard. As every one knows, the "pious monks' win direi! there regard hospitality as a virtue, and thev receiva all whs go, give them a night's lodging and food, aud never make any charge for the same. During the yeas thousands of travellers going over the puss are thus enter, fained, and they are made most welcome.
The fareis plain but very good, and I believe there are two dishes which. from ono year's end to another are never absent. Tho one is rice, and the other is stewed prunes. These two are moss delicious, The ricn is creed to perfection evidently it i cooked long aud slowly aud the prunes are delicate and full of flavour. If we housekeepers could get our pruneg stewed as they are stewsd every day at St.
Bernard, per-hans we should not easily tire of them. It is scarcely possible to exaggerate the value of prunc from the medicinal point of view. Mothers who have little ones to whom they are constantly feeling it their duty ta administer nauseous doses, might use prunes as a substitute withgreatadvantagc. Tcereare few things more effective ia this direction than are two crthreeFrench plums from which the stones have been taken, and which have then been soaked for some hours iu a little pure olive oil. Fruit thus prepared, and taken first thing in the morning before the fare is broken, is better than aDy physic while, when olive oil is pare, it is not at all disagreeable, even to those who dislike oil, if taken in this form.
One plum covered with a dessertspoonful of oil would probably be sufficient for rt dose, tha quantity being increased, if necessary and it would be easy to put a plate containing the fruit by tto side of a child's bed, and let him take it as soon as ha wakes. It almost invariably happens that children liica prunes thU3 prepared very mucn, and they very rarely dislike the oil. Certainly a medicine of this description i3 much to be preferred to salts and senua and similar doies. French plums of first class quality are, of course, to be eaten raw, as a dessert fruit. To cook them in any was would great waste of effort and When fruif of best quality cannon be procured, tho skill cf tho cool: is called in, and if rightly directed a superior dainty dish ii mauufactared out of homely materials.
Here are a fewol the ways of which this fruit may be marie the most of i general use. Staccd Prtiiici (simple recipe), Take a round of Freud plums, cover them with water, bring this water to a boil, then draia the fruit, and throw it away. (Dried plums are likely to havo passed through so many hands that toi cleanliness sake it i3vell to throw away the first water thus. The commoner the plums, the more necessary this tne plums again into a stewpan with water to cover them, stew gently for about an hour. Add (3 oz.
of ioaf sueari the rind and juice of a lemon, and a glass of port, and simmer for another hour. Life the plums out, arracce them oa a glass dish, scain the syrup over them, and serve cold. The winu may, of course, be omitted, and many peoplo would like a "small piece of cinnamon or three or four allspice to be stewed with tho pruoes. Where wine is approved, however, a still larger quantity may be Luxurious housekeepers havo indeed been known to pense with the water altogether in stewing prunes, and ti use claret iu its stead. The result was pronounced very satisfactory.
Prune Brink (Considered by many botisckeepors very refreshing in case ofjillncss), Cut two ounces of prunes intrj halves, and boil for au hour iu a pint and a hall of water. Sweeten with a little sugir, strain thrrough musiin, and serve cold. Prune Gateau. (Excellent). Stew a pound ot plums in a pint and a quarter of water, and add riirc3 ounces of sugar, and the rind and juice of a lemon.
When tender take out, tho prunes, and remove the stum.3 wita 3 fork and spoon. Dissolve in the syrup an our.ee or gelatn.o which has been soaked in water to cover it, a sinai: of red currant jelly. Add the prunes and let all Luii up together. Fill a border mould with the prunes and i-v-rav, and when coid turn out on a glass dish anJ liil the cynw-i with whipped cream. If red curraut jelly is not avaiiat a glass of brands', or a glass cf claret may be taken instead, Afew drops of cochineal will probably then be required.
As most'housekeepers it is easy tomake for a border mould by putting a gallipot in the ralddle cf 3 round mould, and pouring the fruit and syrup round it. Border moulds do not form a part ot the properties in kitchen. Prime Custard. (This and the succeeding recipe a American. Prunes are more popular with the Americar.a' even than with in some district ihey gro tut plums and dry them instead of having them impart.
Stew gently tbe desired quantity fruit in a double pan. When cool, rub Through a colander, os if liked through a fiuor stiaiuer. Have sufficient juice make the pulp quite thin; retota to the range, cud til! almost boiling. For each pint of fruit stir in t.vo beaten eggs, remove immediately, and rvcur with lesu: or any tart extract desired. ilou'dand servo with tfuli cream, beaten light aud sweetened to tabte.
Prims Cream" I'ic. Prepare tha prunes as for custar using as little water as possible in the stewing. To eao'i cupful of fruit add one capful of thin cream and the of two egss, well beaten, with one-third of a cupful sugar. Whip the whites separately, and stir iu lightly with a flavouring of piueapple. Have the pie plate already i with dainty crust; pour in and base as quickly as 7ithout burning.
When done, spread over the top the v. l.i:.? of an egg, beaten gradually, with powdered sujar, and flavoured with pineapple. Prune Soak an ounce of gelatine ia water tn cover it. Stew a piut basin full of prunes with a pint oi water, three tablespoonf als of sugar, and the thin rind a fresh lemon. When quite soft, pass the fruit thr.u;;b a soieve.
Dissolve the gelatine, mix with it a tablespoonf of red currant jelly, the pulped fruit, cud a sqtuww oi lemon juice turn into a damp mould, aud serve wuen oV, in a glass dish, with cream poured round. A drink may be made by dissolving a spoonful ef ibis jelly iu a little ice cold water. (Liilrjxjiis and Jorcsts LAWN TREES. In selecting trees designed to decorate the lawn, especially positions clearly withiu view, care thou! taken to select those that retain their foliage sli late in auturan. Unfortunately, too, many plant tho early-maturing deciduous trees, wmch while shade is much wanted.
Let us remember that deciduous trees their leaves usually commence to fall tbe maturing of their fruit, and that exotic hardy such .13 the Acacia and the Catalpa, retain their lc.iv.: tectly fresh much longer than native English trees. I--1' POACHING DEVICES. Every poacher, says the Spectator, knows tLat the dr. culty lies not so much in obtaining the game as in transporting it safely home. Their dogs are always trainu; a ran on a couple of hundred yards in advance, eo as io givJ warning of any one's apptoacb.
If a police-constable cr keeper is met on the hignway, the dog the fence, and, under its cover, runs back to its Seeing this, the game-bag is dropped into a dry ditch, dog and man make off in different directions. Itoiuy cca-stables loiter about unfrequented ianes and bypaths nt break. The poachers know this, aud are rarely nier wuh gama upon them. Ditches, stacks, and ricKs ail hiding-places until women can be sent to fetca sp The3e failing, country carriers and early morning are useful to the poacher. In one sleepy vilbge bitown to us, both the postman and parish clerk were latter carried his game in the black bag which usc.uly the funeral pall.
The smith at the sas a regular receiver, and there were few in the viilane not poached at some time or otaer. The netted fish, and shut their garden gates oa hai- i --rabbits whan they came down to feed in whiter, i 1 occasion, a poacher, taking advantage of a country -l, hid himself and a large haul taken to the utart town, the hearse disgorging its questionable nearest game-shop. Another of the named "The Gentleman," was wont to broad-brimmed hat and black coat, similar to thtw a century ago by the people called Quakeis. In tne he carried his nets, and in the capicious pccke-M t-J latter the game he took. These outward gtwrriri'tes o.
faith, away from bis own parish, jwtciujkd bim frvm once being searched. Except for seldom keep their nets at corr.e. They are stci iK- 12 cburch-tower, barnj rick, or outhouse. NO MORE Deaf. Nicholson Patented ti cure Deafness and Noises in Kea I all ste-'.
Illustrated Book, with full description, fr-'t-, AiuVc iiichohion. 21, Bedford Square, Lancioa W.C, whir Tyhv are vour books eo invariably mourn ol and sad 1 Why should griefs be torn open that time had partially healed, and our hearts be lacerated by cruel memories Is there not enough tragedy, and sorrow, and misery in tho world, that when we go for consolation and peace and rost to a favourite author, we should find not these not these, but something far different Can the world ba so sombre as you depict it 1 nay, from the moral point of view, have you any right to describe so much unmerited suffering as existing 1 And then, again, surely literature should be a joyous thing. It ought to ba one of the pleasures of life, not something to be dreaded and feared. Have you never heard children laugh, sir? never seen thorn at play 1 Have you never looked at a field of buttercups 1 or at sunshine after rain However, I need say no more except this, that your writings havo re-awakened in me an anguish and pain that I had fancied were laid to rest and that now, along with 'the memory of my own real sorrows and trials, I must bear with me the memory of the fata of and of for which you alone are re- sponsible." The two letters do not seem to tally but an author soon gets accustomed to such things, and also to the occasional little pteans of laudation- which are perhaps more welcome, for human nature is frail. Then what a splendour of leisure belongs to the author as he appears to the imagination of the ingenuous reader The book before him has been a companion in hours of ease the writer seems to have been in no particular hurry why should he not be consulted? "Hear sir.
I purpose taking my family to Europe this fall, and I should be extremely obliged if you could inform me what the cost would bo of hiring a four-in-hand coach to be driven from London to Aberdeen, and 3lso if you would sketch out for me the most desirable route, giving the number of stoppages, time, "Dear sir, You seem to think the hammerless gun a great improvement may I ask you to state your reasons for thinking so Dear sir, am driven to appeal to you in a very grave and serious emergency. My niece's husband a young man of singular ability and promise has suddenly deserted her, leaving no explanation behind him except a note saying that he had been summoned away by a Secret Society which he had unfortunately joined, and that he had to bid her good-bye for ever. Hia heart-broken wife has thought of you as the only one likely to have any intimate knowledge of those dreadful societies and would you inform her how she should set about making inquiries 1 Could you give her letters of introduction (in strict confidence), or names, to guide her in her search Please, dear sir, give this your most earnest attention, for it is a matter of life and death and I will call on you on Thursday afternoon to hear what you have to say." Then (turning to another kind of corres-pondent) you may havo described in certain of your writings somo neighbourhood with which you have a long and intimate acquaintance and forthwith tho impenitent tourist generally an American takes your book as a guide-book, and rushes breathlessly through that particular district, expecting to have tho most rare and beautiful effects in nature turned on for his delectation at two and at seven, as if they ware luncheon and dinner and, of courso, these things, not having been ordered beforehand, do not appear, whereupon the outraged and indignant cheap-tripper sits down on his haunches and howls. But the moat persistent correspondent whom the writer of books has to face is tho autograph-hunting fiend, whoso ways are. dark and devious beyond description.
The dodges to which he will resort in order to accomplish his diabolical purpose aro as the sand on tin sea-shore for multitude and it is to be feared that many an honest lofcter is flung into the waste-paper basket on tho mere hasty and exasperated suspicion that it hails from an autograph-hunter. Tho most deadly fltratasem in this direction I evftr heard of waa the invention of a friend of mine, who now eontesses to it ae one of the sins of his youth. He wrote a letter to each of the persons whose autograph ho coveted-, describing himself as a shipowner, and asking permission to be allowed to name his nest vessef after the particular celebrity ho was addressing. It was a fatal trap. Nearly every one fell into it.
Even poor old Carlyle had no suspicion, and, in replying to tho bogus shipowner, expressed thehoDO thai the vessel to bo named after him might "sailHnto a happier haven than he had ever reached. I remember when I was in America receiving a very pretty and charming letter from two sisters living iu one of tho Southern States. They described their beautiful hom*o on the banks 0f the river; they wore, they informed me, living there quite alone, having neither friends nor relatives to occupy their time withal; and it had occurred to them that, as I was certain to form a perfectly false idea of American hospitality so long as I remained in the cold and callous North, would I not como down for a week or two to this sylvan retreat on the river, that they might show ma what a real Southern welcome was like It was a moat innocent and idyllic invitation (to which, unfortunately, I was unablo to respond), and I was describing it a long time afterwards to Mr Bret Harto, when he interrupted me. Wait, a hit," said he. Didn't the letter go on something like this?" Alas it was too true.
He knew the rost. The idyllic invitation had been but an autograph-hunting luro sent in similar terms to bim and to mo, ana douotiess to a nuuarea aiders, cu perishes tho romance of life Nevertheless of all correspondents the most to be dreaded is he who, recognising or thinking that he recognises, certain scenes or characters in a book, instantly jumps to tho conclusion that the author must relative of his, and forthwith proceeds to claim him as such. In my own small experience, I have thus been dowered with so many unexpected sisters, cousins, and aunts, that I can imagine what must happen in the case of an author far more prominently before the public. However, it cannot frequently occur that a writer should havo a wholo clan thrust upon him as his relations and this little story being interesting as showing how easily and widely a delusion may spread, I propose to narrate it now. Some considerable time ago I received a letter from a Mrs MacV informing me that certain peoplo and incidents in a particular novel of mine" were known only to herself and to a nephew of here, who was thought to hate been drowned at sea some years beforo and that as I must necessarily be that nephew, it was incumbent on me to come forward and resume my own name and recogniso my relatives, herself first of all.
I paid little heed but as year after year went by, I found from tho repeated letters she sent me some of them quite plaintive in their appeals that- this was no temporary hallucination, but a veritable belief and that the poor old lady was deeply distressed by my undutiful conduct. Then I set. to work to try to undeceive her. I pointed out that I should be glad to take the name of Mac if I had any right to it, seeing that that is a much more distinguished name than my own, which, in certain districts in tho South of Scotland and in the Western Highlands, is as common as Smith is in Englauu. I asked her what motive I could have for concealing my identity why I should refuse to recognise her a3 my aunt, if sho were my aunt.
I had meanwhile made sure that there was no eleemosynary purpose in the old dame's piteous cry on the contrary, she had promised that if I would only admit that I was Neil MacV sho would at once get for mo some jewellery and other things left for me by my mother, who, it seems, rcas a native of Skye. Well, argument was of no avail. Then I sent friends to assure her that she was mistaken no use. I asked her to write to a U.P. Minister who had known me all my life (I thought sho would have confidence in him, if in anybody short of an archangel), but sho darkly hinted that it was easy to got friends to connive when concealment was the object.
So time passed the reproachful remonstrances, the pious counsel, the hope that I would see the inhuman ingratitude of my wayB ere it was to late for mo to make atonement, were repeated in every letter and I could not but admire the composure of countenance on the part of the hall porter at the Club, for there was not a trace of consciousness on hia face as he handed me those missives, each of which had alias Neil MacV on the envelope. Then, as it was in a small fishing town in the West Highlands and word was brought mo that Mrs MacV and a niece of hers had come from some considerable distance in the hope that I would go and see them. I went at once for I thought this would prove decisive. I found at the Post Office, which was the place of rendezvous, a most respectable-looking. aeriou3, calm, and courteous old Highland woman, along with a very pretty and amart-looking young lady (for the moment I deeply regretted I was not Neil MacV there being certain small cousinly greetings that ono might FEMININE FASHIONS AND FANCIES.
Br a fashion's seceets. No longer ore we in doubt as to what will bo worn during the weeks ending autumn and through the enmiDg months of winter. Tha shops and the fashion journals make pro-fuss display of the materials and styles that havo received iho sanction of tho hidden duty who regulates these matters, necessarily dolDg this much in advance of the seasons for which the articles severally are designed, and yet preserving the secret intact. It has been sententiously said that a secret is cot one when shared. Others believe that two people, if mutually interested, can preserve a secret.
A third taken into confidence is countsd fatal to sileace. How, than, does the mysterious autocrat Fashion keep her secrets so well, seeing that designers, manutaoturerE, and modistes have all to be initiated months before the general public have even an inkling of the important business. It ia true that prophets often rise (they are frequently false prophets) and tell ua with confidence that this or that will be fashionable. But, aa a rule, something very different from what is expected appears, and convinces us that whomsoever and how many soever Dame Fashion takes into bcr counsels thej, at least, have learnt tbo difficult, almost impossible, art of keeping a. secret.
TO SUIT EVEBYBODT. Every woman, who contemplates tho head-gear provided for us must needs be struck by their, so to speak, cosmopolitan character. Never in the annals oE fashion has such diversity appeared. And we havo good reason to be grateful, for we aro surprised at the unlimitid scope for choice. Formerly and, for example, I may instance the Princess bonnet a particular shape waa alone thought correct.
Tho owners of round faces, square faces, long faces, each aud all, found that they must perforce accommodate the Priuccs3 bonnet to taeir requirements. With what result it would cot he easy to imagine, had there not been a long demonstration period in which to become fully sensible of the disadvantages of such conservatism ia the direction ot millinery, ana, therefore, wero readily grateful for the advantage of a mode so much iess restrictive to choice. Hats are made in every known shape, and whatever best suits a face can be worn with tho agreeable knowledge that it is as strictly fashionable as that of another woman's, though tbo model bo a turban that fits- the head closely, aud is almost (devoid Jof trimming, and tbo other have a flaring brim and be covered with feathers. Never, as I said before, have women had such an opportunity for making the beat of their good looks, or of such looks as Naturs has bestowed upon them. Our sex has often to listen to satirical remarks in relation to our partiality for a pretty bonnet, over and above the liking wo aro supposed to feel for any other article of our apparel soever.
Allowing that weave not causelessly twitted with this preference there is reason for it. Every woman who studies her glass is aware that, uo matter how handsome and well-made her gown, an unbecoming bonnet or hat worn in conjunction is absolutely ruinous to her appearance. Either the head-gear crowns the whole charmingly, and puts final touch to the elaboration of the toilet, or otherwise mars it. as a false note destroys harmony In the finest musical composition. First look at the feet and then at tbo face" I have heard critical memb irs of the opposite sex say when criticising my own sex, but a majority, I am sure, reverse this order of things.
FACIAL KEQCIBEIIESTS MUST BE PABA5I0BST. A plain woman in a becoming bonnet looks almost pretty, and the prettiest face loses something from its attractive ness when the bonnet EUac cavers in is unoecounug. ia impossible for me to describe in detail tho shapes of hats and bonnets now worn. Their name is legion. I can only, therefore, advise my correspondents to get a good fashion journal and look over the numerous illustrations giveu.
Something to suit tbe taste, as also the face, is sure to bo found if these agree. Should, however, they be opposed to each other, tho requirements ot tiie lace muse De regaruen as paramount. For all this, wildly eccentric styles should bo avoided. It must be confessed that some bats and bonnets are startling ou account of their size, while others aro so microscopic chat ono has to look twice to make sure that the wearer has not omitted that part of her out-of-door toilet. Very large or extremely small there seems to be no medium known to tho fashionable milliner.
COATS AUD JACKETS, I observe that, though very long, tight-fitting coats are the newest and more fashionably-worn, smart fur-trimmed jackets are nearly as popular. Thero are also Btylish dolmans, chiefly produced in rich brocaded stuiis and faced with velvet, which serves as foundation for elaborate tinsel and other embroidery. The back of the fashionable dolman is quite short and nearly tight-fitting, the stole-shaped ends reach below the knees, and tbey fail quite straight. STILE is gowns. As regards the make of gowns, there is nothing new to be chronicled.
Evory style is worn unless it bo that represented by the elaborately draped skirts, sustaiaed by a huso dress improver. It is iu material rather than make that novelty linris outlet. Many of the newest textiles present a brocaded surface, with wide interwoven border, which border is utilised in various uncommon ways seldom or never now outlining the hem of the skirt. Ladies who liko "artistic" gowns can, under the auspices of the word I emphasise, indulge their taste by applying to certain London firms which deal in articles of dress made in what is described as "artistic fashion." A B.ELIC OE BYGONE DAYS. I havo just seen a lovely evening gown, which looks like a relic of some groat grandmother's trousseau, and is nut uulika those worn by tho Empress Josephine, wife of the First Naaoleoa.
I believe it is appoeitely called the "Empire Evening Gown." Tho material is antique brocade; the back ground of old rose, with tiny banquets of white rosebuds with unconventional rose-leaves they aro gold coloured, in fact, but tho arrangement of these colours ia entirely harmonious tha gathered chemisette and tho long under sleeve are of pale pink gauze, the puffed short sleeve is of brocade, the narrow belt pointed top and bottom in the centre is of plain pink silk, aud is embroidered with pearls variously coloured pale pink and gold the neck of the dress cut three-quarter high is square in shape, a straight puckered band crossing tne figure some inches tbe bust with corresponding band at the back, narrower bands, also straight, forming a connecting link above the very much puffed over sleeve of brocade. Into tbe upper cr neck band the very short waisled bodice is gathered the waist in fact is placed or.ly a few inches below the armpits. The front of tbe robe is quite plain and rather short in front, bat trained to a depth of a quarter of a yard at the back. The hair of tho wearer should be dressed high Their ara portraits of the late Princess Charlotte of Wales, daughter of George which represent her habited in gowns that are duplicates of the one I describe. IllSAL WALKING COSTCSISS.
Another lovely Empire dress of white striped moire is bordered with embroidery, executed in small peails; the bodice and train are ot pule pink silk, shot with white a combination effected eo as to produce a delicate poach -blossom tone. Many tasteful walking toilets are made with severe simplicity, falling straight to the feet in front and fitting plainly round the fore part of tho figure. Iu front the skirt is bordered with a band of otter fur, and there is a touch of far on the bodice to correspond. Dark green cloth, blue, and certain shades of brown cloth, trimmed with fur, make ideal walking dresses. BE OABEPOt Oi1 BCSH1SO TO EXTSEMES.
Large fur moils aro quite taking the place of what last year wero termed millinery muffs. Some of the newest muffs prepared for winter aro abnormally large, but I must warn my readers against tbe folly of ruahing to extremes. creep, then go," is a safe axiom. It is true that a good fur muff is a costly addition to the wardrobe, and that the choice once made is, for a majority of readers, a Coal cuoice. I do not think, however, that the very iong raufff, ouch as were carried a hundred years ago, will ever be general for young women, and I strongly advise the safe medium course.
I have been asked about the siik appliques which nre so very ornamental, and enable the inexperienced worker to produce results which the most skilled embroiderer might be proud of. It is truo ithat theso crewel appliques cost money, but their price is not extravagant, and it is not given to every aspirant to accomplish, unassisted, beautiful work such as can be executed by tbe clever fingers of thoss trained to the work. I have an illustrated catalogue of some patent silk ornaments, It includes a large variety of flowers, birds, butterflies, animals, ecclesiastical designs, floral bordering, These designs form attractive decorations in themselves, but many of the patterns are so arranged that they may be combined to form sprays and wreaths of almost any size and shape, giving- ample scope for the taste and ingenuity of tbe worker. The catalogue to which I refer gives clear illustrations of the designs severally, and a number is attached to each, so that the cost is easily ascertained, and a scale of inches is supplied also, so that the worker can make all her calculations with accuracy. Fifty years ago it was by no means possible to accomplish such results in coloured embroidery aa may be achieved now.
The coloured samplers of our great grandmothers, bow crude they are, though so laboriously worked! Out of respect to their memories, let us pass over the results io silence, though the execution must ever challenge our admiration. MR WILLAHD, THE ACTOR, AT HOME. The World sketches Mr E. S. Willard in Blenheim Eoad, St.
John's Wood. A screen of lopped limes, laurels, aud rhododendrons secures to its occupants all the luxuries of seclusion, and Mr Willard maintains that there are few more tranquil spots in the suburbs than the Blenheim Eoad, where the learned author of "Shakespeare's Diversions and Cues from all Quarters peacefully pursues his dramatic investigations, while Mr Alma Tadema, Mr Macbeth, and Mr McWhirter, who all live only a few paces off, revel In tbe possession of those atmospheric conditions so essential to the production of their pictures. Ascending the rustic staircase which leads up from the garden, Edward Willard takes you past his study window into the Iparlour, which is only separated from his diaing-room by heavy tapestry curtains. In an enormous armchair from Shropshire his wife, who Is at preEent ''resting," is busily engaged In composing a ghost-story. In the upper part of tho leaded windows, at each end of the rooms, Mr Willard has inserted a panel of rare old glass, through which the sun's rays fall indiscriminately on Welsh dower, chests, corner cupboards blackened with age, Persian rugs, and Li3'e posset-pots.
It is not to be wondered that Cyrus Blenkarn" regards tho particular affection his tea-service of rare Worcester, and the three-ceutury-old Dutch plate with the excellent motto, "He who does not work shall not eat," in the centre. Ia one corner he keeps a portrait of Mrs Slddons after Gainsborough, and an engraving of Mrs Jordan as the Country Girl. Mr Willard is an indefatigable walker, and with his knapsack on bis back and John Buuyau" (whose name waa regularly in tho botehbook3) as hie companion, he has at different times tramped over the Surrey hills, crossed the Weald cf Kent, and followed the coast-line from Portsmouth to Land's End. ALL EIGHTS 2E3KBVSD. AUTHGESaAND THEIR UNKNOWN COBBESPQNDENTS.
By WILLIAM BLACK. Author of A PriiNCESS op Thclb," Macleod oh Dase, There is almost a pathetic touch in tha ingenuouB fashion in which the reader of a book, when he has finished tho last page, will forthwith draw his chair to the table and proceed to writs to the author, though the latter may bo quite tinknown to him. He seems to flunk that some one has been talking to him, and that in common courtesy he must answer. Sometimes it is merely a friendly "Thank you; good-bye hope we may meet again occasionally he feels called upon to enter into artless confidences and will prattle cheerfully, through several-sheets, about himself and his views of life not ua-f requently he will warn you, more in sorrow than ja anger, of the perils ha sees in store for you. It is, however, whan he thinks he has detected some small blunder that ho suddenly changes his tono and then he becomes scornful or sarcastic or in-dianant, according to the mood of the moment.
"How would you like," writes An Outraged American, "if one of our authors on this side were to mangle one of your best known Scotch songs, and speak of Wha'll bo King but Edward Now, sir, would you like that And yet in your last book you talk of Carry me back to Why, any child in au American nursery knows that the proper title is Carry me back to old Whereupon the author, if he be meek and humble, as authors ought to be, will write back "Dear sir, You surely ought to be aware that Ellie Rhee, or, Carry me back to is one of the most familiar banjo-songs of your native country;" while, on the other hand, if he is proud aiia haughty, aa some authors undoubtedly and unfortunately are, he will thrust the letter into tha waste-paper basket, and the Outraged American will bear him a grudge to his dyings day. Indeed, correspondents should pause and reflect before rashly assuming that they have caught an author tripping. Tho betting is all in favour of his being right and their being wrong. In like manner with a picture when a critic thinks he sees something amiss in a landscape, the- chances are that it is be who is mistaken and not the artist for tho simple reason that the artist is a trained observer, who has been all his life teaching himself to keep his eyes open. my own part, I nowadays find it saEer to accept, without question or demur, anything I meet with in a book.
Once upon a time, in a novel by my friend Mr Payn, I came upon a striking passage in which the heroine was described as being buffeted about by a terrible gale, insomuch that her raven-black hair streamed out to windward. With tho light heart of an amateur reviewer I wrote to Mr Payn and drew his attention to the fact that, as a general rule, anything blown by a gale would stream out not to windward, but to leeward. But the answor came sharp and prompt the description was perfectly correct the heroins (said the author of her being) had been taking a great deal of iron tonic, her hair had become electrically charged, and had floated out towards the north, irrespective of the wind-currents of tho storm. So i object no more. When I find at the conclusion of a trjsic tale that the hero fells the heroine senseless, carries her into a rowing-boat, shoves out to sea, and withdraws tho plug so thai presently there is not a trace of either the boat or its cargo on the wide and empty waste of waters, I liavo nothing to say.
Ordinarily one would expect such a boat to fill, capsize, and then float bottom upwards but boats in novels do strange things, and so (astronomers tell me) do moons. The communications addressed to an author by unknown correspondents are not always so disinterested as those I have mentioned they have not always his guidance or instruction aa their sole and eirnp'le aim. It is easy, for example, to discern why the following letter was written "Sir, I am so great an admirer or your works that I wish, out of gratitude, to present you with a character which would prove an excellent subject for your brilliant and caustic pen. I am sure you could make the whole country roar laughter over the airs and affectations of tho person I mean. Imagino a womaa of fifty a spinster just mad about young mon, and making herself so ridiculous vou never saw tho like, grinning and simpering in tho most disgusting way, and you wouldn't think butter would molt in her mouth unless you had the cruel misfortune to live in tho same house with her and see her temper when there were no young men about.
Just a cat she is sly, suspicious, vindictive, penurious to the last farthing, and break-ins into rages all for nothing, except to crush and wound the feelings of those iinhapmly dependent on her. Dear Sir, I should be delighted to send you all particulars for a book might bo written about her meanness and jealousy and I think a clever artist might be got to make a picture of her, with her falso plait not the same colour, and her two false tcitii. Oil, you should see her putting on her airs and graces when she can get a good-looking young man to sit and talk to her and then, the minute hs is gone, the dust she raises with her wicked tongue and nasty I am sure you would make tho whole country laugh and I should like to see tho look on her "face when the book came from tho library as I should talx care it did. If you will undertake it, 1 will turuisli you witn aa information and 1 am certain that, it will add to your rjrciif eime, which is tha sole reason why I write to 3'ou. I am.
Sir, your devoted admirer, P.S. Tho old cat would grudge you a cup of tea if you wore lying on your deathbed." When again tho unknown correspondent condescends to criticism it is to be observed that he invariably assumes that the author ho3 written but one kind of book, and that tho ono before him. In the days when I used to resd reviews, I noticed that this was a familiar trick of the professional critic and a very handy trick too, for it enables him to ticket off the characteristics of an author in a more sentence or two. Indeed, there was an article in a Loudon morning paper a few years ago in which tho writer laboriously and ponderously tried to prove that the great defect of contemporary fiction was tho limited and monotonous way in which each novolist doalt with only one small section of human life or iiuman interest and of course each author, no matter how diversified his work might have been, had to be labelled off with one characteristic, until tho writer in questioncame to Mrs Oliphant. Mrs Oliphant, with her brilliantly versatile genius and unceasing novelty of achievement, was altogether too much for him.
Tho leaden-headed dullard had been lumbering along for a time, but when ho came to Mrs Oliphant he had to doublo back, he'sit'ato, apologise, and finally shuffle off. However, the unknown correspondent rarely deals with groups of writers it is his own particular author whom ho haB to encourage, or with whom ho has gravely to remonstrate and, as I say, he invariably assumes that the book before him sums up all it? writer's provious work, and future possibilities of work. Accordingly, this 13 the letter that comes on a Monday (let us say): "Dear Sir, It has often occurred to mo that I should writo and tell you how muoh and how sincerely I enjoy your books, and yet how Etrangely disappointed they leave me in the end. Everything is there that can bo desired of literary charm and etyle the accessories aro perfect, the atmosphere delightful but where, one is forced to ask, are tho human beings, where the serious interests of life, where the elemental passions of mankind From tho window at which I sit I look abroad over a noble and stately river and up to the heights on which was decided the crucial battle of our war (it wa3 at that time I laid aside my own sword), and when I think of the tremendous issues then at stako. and when I think of the innumerable tragedies that were involved, and the suffering that was so heroically borne, in order that wa should secure freedom and unity for our native land, I wonder in coming to your book) that a writer who professes to depict modern existence should describe it as composed of banjo-playing and flirtation.
Is that what you see around yon in the world, sir nothing but and grouse shooting, and deer atalkinc, lovo making, dinners, balls, theatres, and the idle diversions of the leaders of fashion? The modern novolist seems to me to be little else than a court jester, a clown with cap and bells, content to fiddle and capar so long as society condescends to be amused And then on the Tuesday (let us say) comes another letter this time iu a woman's handwriting As contrasted with tho novelists of the last generation. Of course it was the same sort of poor creature who, in tbe last generation, told Thackeray he could neither understand nor rlraw a rrantleman. and bade Dickens take away his tawdry wares." least, they womasee was not tne reiawvu ukj11 lost. But I was mistaken. The old lady asked me to show her the forefinger of my right hand.
I did so. "Ah," said she, "the mark is not there now but marks like that often get worn off." Then I turned to the pretty young lady with confidence I was sura she could not share in this delusion. Why." I said, 11 if your cousin had not been drowned at sea if he were alive he would according to your own story, ba about eight-and-twenty years of age. Now don't you see that I am rather over eight-and-twenty? Don't yon see that my hair is turning grey Her answer appalled me. "Oh," said she, quite sharply, that's nothing I have known a young man of two-and-twenty whose hair was auito white." After that, what waa to be done 1 I began to foel something of the convicted impostor wondered whether I was not, after all, Neil MacV Hero wero two apparently quite sana persons who plainly intimated to me that I waa not myself and what was my solitary consciousness against their combined evidence I began to think I must have survived that shipwreck.
Perhaps my mother was really a native Skye, and had left her littla belongings there, in the fond hope that some day I might turn up and claim them When I left the Tarberfc Post-office I went straight to Colin Hunter and asked him what my name actually and certainly was but he was bu3y with his sea-painting, and flatly refused to go and have any argument with my forsaken aunt and cousin. That was not the end; for subsequently tho whole clan Mac appeared to have taken tho matter up, andjjfrom timoto time there came a letter filled with bitter reproaches, and also with dark threats of exposure. But that is not the tono in which the old lady herself now writes, when sho writes at all. Sho ha3 grown resigned apparently sho has given up all hopo that her ungrateful nephew will come to comfort hor declining years. lis no longer indignant; she is wistful and pathetic.
She hopes God will pardon, my impenitent soul And I hope so too. Next Week will THE CRIMINALITIES OF CHILDREN, 3t Mbs E. LYNN LINTON, Author of "Mr "Tbeough the Loss A BEONCHIAL REMEDY. Ia Americn it seems that, pillows and mattresses stuffsd with pine shavings have been found to be efficacious in alleviating lung and bronchial troubles. Cases in proof of this are cited by transatlantic journals, which have devoted consideration to the subject.
Too suggested remedy is simple one, and should be inexpensive. COAL TAR FOB SHEET ICON, Sheet iron chimney stacks may be prevented from rusting for an indefinite period by the simple device of coating eaoh section, as it comes from the shop, with common coal tar, then filling it with light shavings and setting them on fire. In proof of this, a chimney was erected in 1865, after being treated as described, and is to-day 93 bright as on tho day it waa raised, although it has never been painted. Hia theory is that tha coal tar is literally burned into tho iron, closing tho porea and rendering it rust-proof. THE LARGEST BMGIKE IS EMLY.
The well-known firm of In Simpier-darana, have recently completed tbe colossal engines and boilers intended for tho Italia ironclad Siclia. Tho engine ii constructed to work up to 19,500 horse-power, and it is the most powerful eDgine constructed in Italy. It is constructed on the compound principle, with eight cylinders and four surface condensers. It drives four-armed screws, which have a diameter of six meters. Th weight of the boilers ia 500 tons, and the total weight of the engine and boilers is 1,740 tons.
A NEW SWEDISH EXPLOSIVE. In Sweden, which boasts being the B'atborland modern explosives, a considerable amount of time and attention ia constantly given to experiments in this direction, and an engineer, Mr J. W. Skogluud, has recently invented a new exploaive, which so far has given great satisfaction. St ia called grey powder (SwerKsh grakrut), ami haa durhir; the summer" been tested at Rosersberg gunnery school, in addition to which it will be farther tested ia the course of the present month by a special commission, and to a considerable extent for comparison with a Belgian powder called poudre de papier.
It has also been accepted tor trials at the fleet. DTNalllTE SHELLS PIKED ET.OSI CANNON. Last week, at the grounds ot Mr George Drogden, near Aberdare, extensive experiments have been made to test tho practicability of firing dynamite shelb from ordinary cannon. Great interest has been manifested, a dynamite slieil never having been fired previously in this country. Tho gun used wa3 a 6-inch isfle-barrelled breech-loading one, and the shells wero 92 pounds weight, the actual charge of dynamite being 10 pounds.
The target waa strougly constructed of steal ship armour plates, about five inches in thickness, with a vary substantial backing of stout oak. The shell completely demolished tbe structure, tearing away the plates in a most sensational manner. A SHUSH WATrSB CONDESSEIt. On Tuesday afternoon, before a select party of ofneiais and experts, a trial was made as Messrs Wailes aud engineering works in the Kuston Road, London, of the Pamphlett'-Ferguson fresh water condenser. The experiments ware eminently successful, the amount of pure fresh water obtained beiug largely in excess (of other condensers of equal size.
The simplicity of construction, and its freedom from priming, recommended ib especially to the escperts. Tho inventor, Mr Pamphlett, is a naval engineer officer of much experience. He had charge of tho arrangements for supplying Souakim with fresh water when tne rebels held the wells, aud it wa3 tha difficulties encountered with the old type of condenser, both, there and on board ship, that induced Hr Pamphlett to turn his attention to the production of a condenser which should do away with tho troubles of which naval officers and engineers were always complain- Ti WORLD A HOUND." So popular aud universal has the usnof Warner's "Safe" Cure become, that there is scarcely a civilised country in tho world ia which cannot be found some person who has received benefit from its use. The following gentlemen of titleand position, residing in various quarters of the globe, are a few ot the many thoupancls who have used and recommended Warner'3 "Safe Cure Lord da Springfield, Genera! von -Drigalski, aido- Crmviev, Sussex. de-camp to H.
I. HI. Hon. W. II.
Daliey, Ex-Premier, of Turkey, 104, Potsciamer- New Seuth Wales, Mauley strasse. Berlin. Beach. SiUnev. M- E.
Williams, M.D., 91, Hoi-Bishop Wilscn.Otta-wa.Canada. ton Street, London. Hon. U.K. Bruce, Elx-Registrar Dr A.
E. Lcrgakl, United Slates Treasury, Nelson, Mew Zealand. Washington, B.C. Lieutenant Colons! Hinclle, Captain G. E- Whitbank, JIarlras, India.
Wilson's Hotel, It. A. Gunn. Editor India. Medical Tribune.
New York, General W. F. Nr.thall, 2, U.S.A. Chapel Jtoarl, Wcnheiin Rev John Shepherd, Itipley, Crescent, Nottiag Hill Derbyshire. London.
Kev W. C. Van Meter, 20, Very Hev Dean Uahony, Piazza di Spange, Eome, Penrith, New South Wals. Italy. Dr Andrew H.
Wilson, Editor Col. Franfe Hanley. 100, War- Health, London. -nick Street, South Bslgravia, W. O.
Ballantina. M.D., Bom- London. bay, India. Kev Jtnuiauuel Egon, German Capt. XT.
H. Nickalls, Haniii- Station, Queensland, ton, Canada. Dr Iioescb. Berlin, Germany. Dr Gustav Weber, Dessau, Hev W.
A. Davis, Mill Hill Germany. Itoad, Acton, London. Hon. H.
ii. Shaw. Ex-Consul, Rev Lewis, High alea- U.S.A., Manchester. dow, Abercarn. Kcv Alexander Salmon, iTonn- liev Thomas Brassington, Clor- goo liurma.
moot, Queensland. Tennant, M.D., Auck- Eev A. W. Johnson, Editor laud, New Zealand. Congregational Magazine, Bishop Merritt, Georgia, Itoyston, Carabs.
Dr Edward Huerliman. Wip- Hori. S. b. Packard.
Ex-Cover- Kinger Germany. nor. Louisiana, U.S.A., Bev C. A. Harvey, D.D., Wash-Alexander Buildings, Liver- ington.
D.C., U.S.A. pool. Rev J. Floyd Joaes, Oakley DrBoettcher.Langelu, Saxony. Terrace, March.
F. D. Phinney, Rangoon, Dr C. Ebert, Braunschweig, Burmab. Germany.
Hon. George Thorn, Ex- Eev J. E. Kankm, D.D.. Ex.
Premier, yueonsland, Ips- chaplain, U.S. Senate, Wash- wich, Queensland. ingtou, D.C.. U.S.A. Bishop E.H.Wilmer, Alabama, Eev Bailey J.
Harker, Park S.A. Eoad, Bolton. George Hand-Smith, M.A., Rev C. G. Squirrell, The Par- M.D., Ii, College Street, sonage, Stretton-under-Foss, South Kensington, London.
Eugby. Dr N. Bever, Wuerzburg, Eev J. Williams Ashman, lilm Germanv. Cottage, Brook Green, Ham.
H. Lassirig, M.O., Editor mersmitb, W. Analyst, N.Y.. U.S.A. Kev E.
S. Gale, Gothic Villa, n. H. Hammond, Commis- East Malvern. Eev J.
Carey, High Street, Australia. Stosursey. Bridsewater. W. Glover Frirrgins, Durban, EevGearge Waterman, Berwyn Lodge, Eroodstone, Wim-borno.
THE WAY OF THE WORLD. Who borrows all your ready cash, with it cut a mighty dash. Even though tba lender go to smash Your friend Who finds out every secret fault. Misjudges every word and thought, And your good sense at naught Your friend 1 Who eats your dinners, drinks your wine, Smokes yonr cigars, Sne, Then goes with your worst foe to dine 2 Your friend Who makes deep love unto your wife, Knowing you prize her more than life, And breeds between you hate and strife Your friend Who, when your dead, makes a sour face, And bints at stories of disgrace, And how ho helped you ia life's race Your friend; Qtsx ntxquHnaa 61ub. EAtUY CASE OF NATIONALISATION.
Ev wdh dated April 122, 1515, Uartram Dawson, 'alderman of citie of York, Iff To Bswmeburgbo Kvrko in Northurnbrelande, a vestinente wt all tbynsres nrrcTDinS. tlit TcSt' Mor' V- 6l' testator, it seems, was a ur.tivo of A armdon, near boroaKb, as apnears from a curious certificate of rationality among the archives of the urk Corporation arc C'anester, Cray and others, that was cot a sc'o'tvahinau borne," but gotten and borne iu the towno nf Wvintdoo, in the of Bimburght, and Cristened s- in -b- paricbo chuich of the same-, havying to his god-tCl-rn Crancettor of Che town of Crancatcr, and JijUa; to his godmother, Marraret Iludde of Votot diiceasBid'ondbesccbina tharo tho Corporation fktbe said Eartrarn a aa Ynglesman. irroDK tbe Weardale dnieat which are only ccov at least, not very frequently undo una of tba Hare-scarfd." may bo included. A Ltn that is hare-lipped, or in other words has been on-f born with a insure, or aa apparent perpendicular at or a cleft, in the upper lip, bearing ioms rwrab unco to tint of a hare, is said to ba harc-scarr'u or "Tho fissure" (of the lip) bays tne "Peoples Common Sense Medical Adviser," "may be cither partial or Mplete, single or double," and tbe Cyciopadta of Domestic Medicine," speaking of the hare-lip. says that it Vreatly the face of those who are bora with it.
i' irU it is attended with c-eat inconvenience." Wright's Provincial Dxtionary has Ear-shorn, a bare-lip. Line," and in Jatnieaon bcot-hh Dictionary" we 2nd the followingi-" Hare-shard, a tare-lip, the same with Hareshaw, q.v. Hare-shaw, a. a hare-lip, anciently barchatt, liarcsiatv, lioull. From hare, and gsl-skc, a p.aiticlo done-ting separation seiiarto, a gap." M.
Vear-dale. otal wto Botes BlSTOKICAL, ASTIlit'AKIAN, GENEALOGICAL, BliSLlOU A.ND GEMKIUL. FREE 4SD OPEN ALL KL.lOllltS. When correspondents, in answering inquiries, make ex.net? Irr.m anvbook or other publication, they v.iil by quoting the authority, not onlj in justice to tho author, tin. 'to satisfy the inquirers.
NOTES. SECOND-HAND SARCOPHAGI. Out-Blde Salonics another cemetery has been found, oi Thcssaliao times, with many sarcophagi stnl tin-opened. In many of the sepulchral inscriptions is inserted the clause that whoever opens the sarcophagus, and places ihoreiu another corpse, shall pay a heavy Cue, from which It would appear that sarcophagi were sometimes so appro, fiiated. W.
AN OLD JUVENILE MAGAZINE. At the present day when the London press pours lorth such a shoal of ohildren's books and magazines, lt Is 1Q-ierefting to note that at tbe beginning of the Kessnc century there was only one monthly magazine publicum iu London for tbe use of juveniles. In an olu guide boo to London, dated April, lb'03, and which among other na.tcr contains a list of newspapers and maijaz-nca tnun published in the metropolis, the publication in question tnus reteneu So- "The Monthly Preceptor or Juvenile Encyclopedia, only monthly publication devoted to the sole use of the rising generation, l'rires to the value of lo guincaa per ULGHAM. The manor and villaso of XJisbam, which Mr Joiccy, vnetnber for Cheater-le-Street, has acquired by purchase, fcave an interestins history. Iu the tiiric of Henry i.
the manor was called Elcbamp, and the family bad tho jiljtit of free chase upon it. Hodgson states that -Karinlpti da Marley, when ho founded Newmuister Aooey, 11., gave to the abbot and convent of that house the portion o. it called Ulgbatn Grange; and it was probatny one oi ma family who conferred upon the Prior of the Hospital ot b. John of Jerusalem the lauds there, over winch tha. fraternity claimed various privileges at Newcastle Assizes in 3294 Tns Cottingwcod estate, winch will he conveyed to Mr Anderson, the present tenant, is likewi.seaplac: ol Listoiiciu-terest.
It is curious to find the name of tho new owner occurring as one of the earliest tenantsof tbe Auderaou, Chaplain of the Chantry ot Our Lady in Morpeth, flavins wirh tiyo others taken the "gtasKing" of CotHngwoou in 1-153. IKQUIUIEiS. HorcuTON Feast. This has lately been held. I should like to know its origin.
I. JJl'N-V- Sabbvth of Dikkkrkst want to know what day of tnr- week is kept as the by uiifcrent nations. M. Jackson. Iron and Steel Mani'Mctcm: in China.
Is trno that the Chinese wcrj acittaintt-d v.ith iron and stcsl in old times VL. F. LKGG, as A 1'OUT. Wi a was the earliest grant or cuarter giveu for the iniprov-inuut of bunderlana tiarbour? J. U.
FiitNCH, The origin or ctysaolosy oE this plaoo name leara throngn this column liowthe ancient festival of otiiuaated, and where it auivives at present. L. L. T.KPr-HANi!:i) Is theie any truth in mo common that kf t-handed men are stiouier than right-handed, or taose who are ambi-di xteroun W. Name Of Ministeu a receui speecn a Cabinet Minister, this illustration v.a; ''-d Is thy icrraDtade? that he should do this i shall ba obliged to anyone for the nair.e of the Minister, and where ud when the speech was delivered.
J. ANSWERS AND EXPL.KATip5S. TTaiumi. This villace is not far from the better known il.a"o of Bolam. In VM7 it became the prr-perty of Major governor of Berwick, hosts wife, the daughter of Sir Arthur Haselrigg, was the Mrs Langtry of that period.
So great were her personal attractior-s, tnat during her visit to Durham the people gathered iu crowds to Iook other. Tbenanow streets were thus blocked, and the magistrates had, it is said, to teuo an order to the effect that when Damo Catherine LUbiLgton entered a cook shop the might not eat pies in public, but a private room, that Bbe "not be stared at of the V. C. Lkgesds aboci the Uom.v.-A goo many superstitious 'ideas n'ra prevalent in different localities with, reference to the robin. In some parts of Scotland tho song of t.ns interesting little bird is held to augur no good tor the sick person who hears it.
and to those supeisiitious.y incuncd much ansiety is sometimes caused when its notes are heard near a hcuso where anyone happens to be id. is a legend connected with the robin which I have somewhere teen. It Is said that far, far away there is a land ot woe, darkness, spirits of evil, and Ere. Pay by diy does little bird bear in his bill a drop of water to queacb the flame So near the. burning stream uaes he fly that his feathers are scorched, aud hence lie is named Iburnt breast).
There is alsoa legend tish. attributes his ted breast to bis having tried to pinck a sp-ko from the crown of thorns -with which our Ura ue.id was encircled. The Inventor or Clocks. The inveutor of clocks is not kno-iro. The obscurity is owing to the fact that tha Latin word for clock may signify any measurer of time, no.
ceotiug even tho sundial. atebes sro generally stated to have been invented by Peter Hale of Nr.rcrr.ber?. in loOO, who first made a clock without weights. In thes r.ct accep-f t.prm all clocks must strike. hen the clock is not made to strike it is a timepiece; but the distinction no longer taoltis.
H. 31. Identical Chbistiak very comusirg custom of calling several children of the san-e taniily by tho same Christian came was common iu tee Mi.idlo Aes. Sir John HawkwooS, the lau.eus Coiuottiero of the fourteenth cintury, had an eluer brother John and his rand-dftighter, Lady Alice Tyrell ot Herons died in 1422. leaving four son-, oi whom two were.
William, and the other two Jehu Tnr, has long been discontinued, it survived tho sisseenth csntnrv. J. ClUiSTEH, N' iNSt li lNCE against danrcr of being sold Intooantirity by Mediterranean Mutes was so well appreciated at the end of the that there were insurance offices in London oU.er capitals, where su insuranco could be effected to piovid the ransom Vu "nsw'er Lee. let me sav that in the seventeenth and early in tho eighteenth centmy there were frequent "ffi in churches for the motion of Engdsbmen 0f I have no doub: is made of tnesri rMiec'ions in local churches in early wa of t'le JHCKca! They were sometimes tWu tin important enough to ord in tbe parish HoughtDU- A SCSDEMASD have srme fi'urv He was. about the year a clcrs oLe oF Messrs Anthony Moore.
wfrs, Bridso Street. lie wahtt brieht man. I think orif.iur.lly A. wt Ho nub'isbed two or three little ol his verse one. A Merry Thought," was the an.l most WsTHOST KADCUFFE, DVMFij.ia.-I, W.
J.F." Kill find out what ho wants by bor.lt Dorothy Fester." as it is all about the latailj question. fcWALmn. to I.civever. tnat JSo arc'used as au adulterant. A good authoiity says ctopcr to make bread p.ratoes.
The ptincipa Kason for using pot. i-eir r'oisture-ictainiug prc-peiues. is thrt tne stavca ot tje njtato sur-idiesthe best tooa lor the vewt feea upon, and it is for the purpose of pro ueing a and active yeast that potatoes arc used. TBnovT iukitaiion ani cut'fiu. Sorenes-j and oiyncss, ticklin-'omi irritation, indueing o-ugn ami aiUcting tha voice, these symotoias use Ir.
con.aer, iii bio work on and 'j'hraic s.ys: lbV a or mUiuUve Ihe Manual JujubeA oi een.iuei.ole beneiit in aiaiost aU forms ol tteoaJ disvasa POTATOES IN IlltHAD. regarding the use of potatoes -e is a great ilifforer.co in the tr.de. Mr.nv oi tho best claim tuut oEopmlo; tnt.or. t. won Lilt! oi right down upon htm.
lie caugnt cer oettly eaoagn, Dn I the impact dashed him to the ground, and he and his Dnr- uen roueu owx wgehuer. iuc Ki, au cow recovered her feet without assistance, but her intrepid pre-server wan utterly unable to rise, or to move hand or foot. She was saved, but poor Dick had broken his back. "He lingered a short time only, and showed great resignation. I'was at his death-bed scene.
Almost the last words he addressed me were as follow 'Green, I'm glad I saved that poor girl's As for her. I mutt add that she married soon afterwards a respectable young man, and thenceforward'beoame known tome 33 Mrs Dirties." (TO BB CONTINUED. THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH The following are a few extracts from a paper on English Half-crowns, by Mr Andrew T. Sibbald, in earliest half-crowns bear date 15DI, in the reign of King Edward VI. and, besides being better executed and more correct in drawing than any previous British coin, they had the advantage of being of fine, silver, and were the first pieces issued after tho standard of silver was again restored to anything like purity.
Of tha long series of half -crown, none are more scarce than those of Queen Mary indeed, only two specimens are known to be in existence, one of them being in the British Museum. It is, in fact, moro than doubtful whether th3s coinB were ever put into actual circulation, as in all probability they were merely patterns for an intended issue. It was not till tho latter portion of the reign of Queen Elizabeth that her half-crown made its appearance, although an earlier issue hod evidently been projected, as several patterns are in existence, struck many years before. This queen issued milled coins, besides the old-fashioned hammered money and although there was a large issue of the latter, tolerably fine speoimens ore vrorth about a guinea-anda-half at the present day. OE the former, or milled coins, only one or two specimens aro known to be extant.
Three varieties of tho half-crown wero issued by James tho First; those of the earliest issue are extremely rare, but the other3 are comparatively oomrnon. No greater variety of half-crowns is to bB found in any reign than in that of Charles the First, and his early coins are, as a rule, well executed but afterwards, owing to the trouble of the times, his coinage gradually fell away in beauty, and many rude and ill-executed pieces were hastily Btruck in various parts of England. Towards the close of Charles's reign be issued large numbers of siege pieces, which were thin plates of silver with a crown or a castle and the value simply punched upon them. Theso coins were issued in almost every shape, from round to sqnaro they were made from tho most valuable and costly plats, supplied to tbe king by his partisans, to meet the pressing demands made upon him. The half-crowns of tha Coram on wealth, as well as those of Oliver Cromwell, eb Protector, are not considered rare; but tho latter pieceB are remarkable for their general beauty aud the improvement shown in the arc of coining, which is attributable to the justly celebrated artist, Simon, who is reputed to have engraved all the coins the Protector.
ThOBe issued by Charles the Second ate not so good in any respect but this monarch appears to have ignored Simon, the greatest engraver of the day, and to have employed Dutch artists, owing, it is said, to his having previously promised them employment, should he ever succeed to the throne of his fathers. The half-crowaB of James the Second muoh resemblo his brother Charles's, and the only coticeaaie feature iu those of William and Mary is the peculiarity of the busts of both being exhibited together in profile ou the face of tho coin. The subsequent coinage of William III. during the few years he reigned alone, show no advancement in art, and call for no special notice. Some ot the hilf-srowns of Qaesn Anne, before the union of Scotland and England, ara extremely rare, while all those issued subsequently are common, some extremely so indeed, a fair specimen of her half-crown, if thepurchassr is not particular as to date and mint marks, can bs purchased at from three to four shillings.
During the reign of George the silver eurroncy was allowed to get scanty in quantity, smooth and light in weight, and altogether bad in every resnect aud, although this monarch commenced his reign ialiGO, no real effort was made to remedy iho evil uutil tho year 1816, fifty-six ycats after his accession and even then the credit must be given to a privato firm, and not to the Government of tho day. Tlie first half-crown of Gsorge the Third was issued in 1S1G, and is the first pieoe oE that denomination with milling, instead of lettering, round the edge. Exception was, however, taken to the ferocious expression of tho king's countenance, and tho breadth of shoulder being also deemed objectionable, the following year another piece was issued, giving a softened expression to the features. An immense number of tho new coin was sent into circulation, as is evidenced by the abuu-daut quantity that still maintains a place in our currency. It is inmost impossible to bestow too much praise on tho three varieties" issued by George the Fourth they aro ail in derail, and otherwise exquisite coins, Tbe latter remarks may be applied to the half-crown of William tho I Fourth, as tuat or tier iuaiesty yaeen victoria, prior wo Jubilee issue.
Tho Scotch do not appear to have taken kindlv to tho half-crown, and after Charles the First, who caused a small number to bo struck, uo succseding monarch issued any piecs of that denomination save Queen Anne, orhnn 1 r. coins iffer onlv from the English by having tho letter IS under tho bead, which indicates Edinburgh as the viae: of mintage. From this peiiod the two kingdoms being united, no farther coins, coins of any sort, weio struck in i Scotland. WALKING STICKS. The earliest walking-sticks of which there is any record, literary or pictorial, was simply used as a support for old age, writes a correspondent apropos of a recent paper in the Commit on walking-sticks.
Jacob leaning on bis staff is a familiar fisure, while it must have been known in the heroic period, sinco it was referred to in the enigma propounded by the Sphinx, and solved by CEdipus. "There i3 a said the questioner, which has four feet, and it also has three feet, but its feet vary, aud where it has tho most it is the weakest 1" "That is man," was tils hero's answer, who wlion lio is an infant, crawl3 upon bis bands and knees: when ho is grown bo walks uprightly; and whon be is old -ho totters with a stick." In tlio days of Pliny the stem of the giant fennel was used for a walking-stick, tho tough lightness of the wood rendering it ospeoioliy fitted as a snpnort to aged persons. Tho imposing length ot the staff 'gave aa air of importunes and authority to those who carried it, the wand of office, and even tho scepter, all having their origin in the old-fashioned staff. In Oriental countries, where the giant fennel could not bo obtained, they found a substitute for It in some kind of native reed. Ono is to bo on the wonderful pages of Egyptian sculpture.
Tho bamboo, of course, was used, and in all probability this was tho first kind uf cane introduced iuto Europe. Walking-sticks or walking whether as the condition cf the pilgrim's btudeo or the Oriental symbol of authority, was certainly common inltheiaudi of the gallants of the fifteenth century. Fortunately we are able to see what kinds canes were carried then, and strangely enough the elaborately garnished affair of to-day is found to have, been the "correct thing, douoher know," more tuan-loDyearsago! Tho Harieiau manuscript (1412) contains au inventory of the contents of the Palace oE Greenwich, where, among other b2lonsing3 is tho following: "A cune garnished with golde, haviuge a perfume in the toppe under that a with a pair or trvitcbers and a pair of compasses of goide, and a footrule of golde, a knife and a file, the baft of goido, with nwbeistouo tipped with golde." There is also "a cane garnished with sylver and ylte, with astonomie upon it six walkyng staves, one covered with silko and golde." In the portraits of mauy of tbe eminent personages of English history, pami-ea in we niuci-uiiu to he perceived numerous iustanccs of the richness of tho walkiug-sticks carried at that time, all appearing to "have been rail, stcmr, and mounted or adorned with gold. From the middle of the seventeenth century walking-sticks appear to have increased in luxury, both iu respect to tho mountings and material, tho improvements being principally derived from Franco. In tbe early portion of tbe following century the most fashionable kinds wore msdo ot fine marbles and agates, exhibiting either a fine variety of colour or a rich scmi-opnquo tint, which wis most expressively described by fio word clouded.
Theso sticks were of slendor proportions, but often richly mounted with gold, silver, amber, or precious stones. Such wero the "clouded canes" of the time of Pope, which were so greatly valued as often to bo preserved in cases of shagreen or sheaths of leather. The "nice conduct of a clouded in fact, was tbe tost of tho beau in the days ot Anue and George I. There is an interesting account of the walking-sticks of that period iu the Tailtr of December 6, 1709, wherein Isaac Bickerstaff presents himself as issuing licenses for the beaus of tho time. The license for carrying sticks was made out as follows: "You are Hereby required to permit the bearer of this cane to pass and repass through the streets and suburbs of London without let or molestation, provided that he does not walk with it under bis arm, brandish it in the air or hang it on a button, in which case it shall be forfeited." In the following reign au ugly and grotesque walking-stick justly excited tbe censure and ridicule of the public press.
The Universal Spectator in 1730 observes: The wearing of swords at the court end of tho town is by many polite young gentleman laid aside, and instead thereof they carry largo oak stloks with great ncads and ugly faces carved thereon." In the London Evening Post of December, 173S, a writer under the name of Miss Towoloy expresses her surprise and disgust at the dress of the men in the boxes of the Haymarket Theatre, Borne ef whom wore scanty frocks, little shabby hats put on one side aud clubs in their hands. Tho peculiarity of these clubs or sticks consisted in an ingenious adaptation of the excresences of tho wood into cmioua and humorous heads and faces. During tho secoud half of the last century there was one particular kind of walking-sticks which waB generally used by old women. They wero between five and six feet in length, of a taper and slender make, shaped at tbe upper end in the manner of a shepherd's crook, and twisted throughout tho entire length of the wand. The materials wore either ivory, wood, or walebone, and mounted with silver or gold.
Tbe mon carried long sticks also, their length calling forth the following satire from the Loudon Chronicle in 17G2 "Do not come of us stmt about with walking-sticks as long as hickory poles, or else with a yard or two of varnished cane, scraped taper, tipped with an ivory head!" In tho early half of the present century the old "repository" cane loomed into fashion again. In the London Exhibition of 1S51- there was shown0 a medical walking-stick which contained an assortment of instruments and medicines; and the same piinciple has been applied for the portable conveyance of telescopes, instantaneous light apparatus and many other important articles. A Card. A Clergyman will sena, free oi charge, a proscription for the cure of allwho suffer from nervous debility, physical exhaustion, and early decay. This great remedy was discovered by a missionary inOld Mexico.
Sena a self-addressed stamped envelope to Rev Joseph Holslss, Bloomsbnry JrSau. sions, ElooBjsbucs Bciuare London, W.C. Mention this panec INSIDE TEE CIRCLE. By THOMAS DEANB, LilE GOVEKNOIt OP THE MAIS L'EIDEWELL, LlVBBPOOl. DriLL and Deillmastees Dice, the Blaoesjiits A FiiiE.
When I joined tho foroe," said a superintendent of the naruo of Crecn, "I found some curious fellows in my ocction. I was a 'green young bobby," in the widest sense yon can apply it, and was most anxious nervously so, indeed to uiscbargo my dtnie9 in the most efficient mannei possible. Tcey are nil that way at first, yon know, and pay such excessive attention to ihelittlo details of routine duty as to answer everybody else for tho time being, and to make them langb at it themselves when they've grown older. The way these novices try tho doors and shutters, and explore imoenctrablv dUrk entries, aud dirty ones, too, in the night time, uistmbing the slurabeis of timid householder who imagine there aro burglars about or backyard-thieves, is, as the older hands olegaiitly express it, a caution. But it is a complaint they coon got cured of as they get to 'know the Tlie drill was a thing that none of the men liked that It is not so bad DOW.
but it was a tiling iu days gone by that was a positive hardship. First of all it was almost invariably madeU30of as a puniBbment for anv sliiht dereliction of duty, where a fine would be at least an'nnusuaUiiflictioii. And it wa3 nearly always accompanied by ioss of real, or associated with an interruption of tho little leisure which, in those hard duty days, they could now and then call their own, since it very rarely ran concurrently with a tour of duty, but most frequently happened on. their long-day The recruits got repeated and strong doses of it as a thing necessary to set them to give them a eon of martial appearance. On joining they were handed bodily over to the drilim istor, and with him it was certainly no enviable occupation, for he had to contend with a deal of inaptitudo and pervorseness before his labours wero in anywlso prodoc tive of err die to himself.
There was, perhaps, nothing more exasperating to him than the almost impossibility of getting, the squad to 1 murk time' correctly, simple a performance aB it may seem. Apparently one of the easiest things in life, there were who could never learn the lesson perfectly, though it was hammered into them day after day. Son: were sa heavy on their feet that they appeared to be pulverising saa.l or, as tho instructor termed it, ktllmc Others wens at it iu the stylo of it high-stepping charger, which was no less objectionable. And they were continually getting out ot step, notwithstanding the repeated 'Loft, rigot; left, that was addressed to tbem, Then came tho Howit (halt) in a yell, ana it had to bo gono over again. Things ro better now, but in my early aays the dnll-mastcr was ever an old army and 'a Tacy were all possessed of on irascible temper.
They were not happy men either; nerhaps it appertained to the vexatious nature of illiug or, tho snort day's drill being over, their loo much ieisue became irksome to them, aud produced irritability of temper. Except when aotually encaged on parade, they led a life of comparative isolation anil consequent unsociability. They were nearly all given to drink, too. I mention these things in a passing attempt to explain how it was that the-y wero always so soar, so irritable, so explosive. I never knew one of them that could smile or laugh in tho uatural manner or any other man.
They were likewise men who m'de usa of bad language habitually. A man named Grew put me and about a dozen moie 'gieen voting hebbias' through our facings, and ho made is a lively time for us. lie was a terror. Vhmi he was 'ou full as uid military man called it, wo bail to keep our eves and eirs wide open. At the word 'mark we all s-arted oft with a will, as if we meant to make a geological reovd ou the flags beneath our feet.
Lutin about ten seconds we, had all got mixed, and great was bis wrath. G2. Bow-wow you. Don't you know your right loot from your left? You'd better go home, and" get your mother to give you some Ho started us again, aud off we went like panting, fiery BteeuB, whilst lie walked back-wards, tho better to survey us, practice ptculiar to drillinasters ail the world over at least I am told so, Howi-t aud we hilted, each man shouldering neater to his comrade, as a mutuai proteocioa o-ainstrheconting temped, lie said, in a voice of condensed rage 'is it no use talking to you, 173 Eow-woir you! I'll report you. You're like a cat dancing on hot bricks, bow-wow you The constable fearlessly answered him, telling him.
that ho had no right to make use of such language to him. Tho rest of U3 trembled in our boots, Mr Crew's colour came slid went, from brilliant re.i to a ghastly white, as lie advanced to 171i, and what might have happened there is no savimr, only jut then the chief entered trio station. 'This man, mid the drilimuster, salutini', haBbeon talking in the 'Yu shouldn't do that, my sai the chief. Uo ought to speak to me in a proper manner, sir. Just now he swore st me.
anil sid I was like a cat daucin- on hot The chief paused a few seconds, and looked at Mr bat seeing there was no denial coming from his lins. ha said, 'I am sorry the expression shoula have been" used very and he at ones with- r'7t afterwards transpired that the chief had latterly grown very much dissatisfied with the driilmaster general conduct, otherwise 171! would not have escaped quite so easily as be did. He was-, however, a smart, clean, respectable young man; and the utuai thieg followed with him he resigned. "The nromiucnt r.ieu in tho section I was first permanently attached to had nicknames. This is tho casn iu all associations oi men, civil, military, and semi-military.
One of them was named Dick the Ho hail rcaliy been a blacksmith before iainiiig, and could strike a blow with ir forco that I never aiw equalled bv any other man. There was, however, no viee in bim, as people say ot horses but a happy, dauntless nature that won him respect from his own sex, and, if all was true that I beam about him, the flattering regards of the other. The only drawback to so many excellences was that he stammered. Dttt he was, notwithstanding, 'co*ck of tho walk' in the section, and tho mean spirits among them had learned than it was a dangerous thing to provoke a quarrel with Disk. He and I took to each other at ouco, and became fast friends.
"lie was the leading Cle of our socuaaas we marched out on duty oue litia autumn afternoon, and I was just behind bim. Wo walking on the very edge of the kerb-stoue to avoid ineunveniei.cing the passing public, when a low fellow planted himself in Dick'u seemed to e.pecc that lie would turn aside to pass him. F-y himself this would have been sufficiently. provokiuj; to Dicks temper, but as the front man of a section, it was too much. He did raise his hand to him, but by a sore of 'sleight of ioot'the blackguard wan tumbled bodily into the middle oi t'no road without our being brought to a halt.
Tneu ho opened unon Dick with the foulest abuse lie could out his evil tongue to, rubbing his leg all tin! 'inn lie was particular to remind Dick that 'if it wasnt for the likes of us the likes of you wouldn't have those clothes on your back." Teis, by the way, is a taunt that is always made to us by dissipated, idle, arid impoverished people, who contribute nothing towards the maintenance of either the police or anyouo else. Dick hod only one answer tor him1 Wait, m-ray f-fine fellow wait t-tiil it's afrer "On night duty Dick was on the nest beat to me, higher up tho There is always something very silent, solemn, nnd depressing, I think, to the lonely watchman, iu the hour that caincs between one and two o'clock in the morning but in my case it was not infrequently enlivened by a bellicose encounter between Dick and some night marauder. Tiir ro was a load and angry altercation, then the distinct report of oue of Irs slenge-hammer mows, ana sue lau oi a heavy body in the roadway. He wan lucky who, when he voi'ained bis feat, had the sense to run for bis life, which v-'i 'he ca-e with many. This was oue of Dick's 'after d-d-Jaiu' exploit Dui, in fair play to him, I must say that this invariably occurred with half-drunken, provoking rvlEaus, aud there were plenty of them knocking about the streets then, for times were very good.
On oil other occasions, and with alt other people, he was the last rnau to be uilty of auytbius' even borderiug on violence. Aa a fact, T. lallautrv than brought him toan untimely i cud': and I will tell you bow it happened, i mi.lnhht.and Dick and I were having a feasant gossip at the meeting point of our two beats, befoto c-a'ti'u ro go our rounds again, when we heard a hoarso aud weird crv, and saw a man coming towards tis at the top of bis -need. We couldn't understand what he said, and as he "as inakiur: i.is way past us I caught a firm hold of him, and forcibly held him in spite of his struggles, lie was most breathless, aud eo agitated that ho was anable. for nainful seconds, to answer our question, What the matter r' He managed to gasp out tho word 'Fire! connived to tell us where it was only a short distance ctf an .1 a H-olling-house too.
Dick and I made oS to it with the- strength ot our young limbs, and had a necknndneck 'ort of a race our scared informant, glad to bo at lib'Tty, hastened away in tbe opposite direction to gain the nearest tire station, give the alarm, and claim a shilling for 0" 'wiii wo had got to the street lie had oamed and made our wav t'urouih the smoke, W6 found is was indeed a Tie house was a twostoryod one, and the portion was in flames and burning fiercely enough. Tlir- front lioor was wide oneri and impossible to anyone for or egress, arid tho parlour wiudow, in which every naiio of glass was shattered by the heat, showed a luii i tire within that was awful to contemplate. A lot of the neighbours, iu a condition akin to nudity, were running excitedly hither and thither, keeping up a bedlam of i-oiscs, but practically doing nothing at all towards r.ie rescue of the family which, they said, was con-lined in the upper portion oi the dwelling. There were two iuLs oe.l room wia.losvs, both wide open, from which, to lienor, and before ai.ytbin; could be done to prevent ir, a man threw himself bodily and recklessly out, almost instantly by a woman with a baby in her arms. As tiicy Ml into the street there was a ria.ultaireons and agonised cry from the spectators.
Diok'a presence miml enabled him to call to the neighbours to bring out their bedding and bed clothes, or anftlkig rise, to prevent any further calamity of the same kind; and thev kurtied away to obey him. Juat then a fiuu young f.irl, a seventeen, but big for her age, appeared on one of the window silis. The stair-case, it seemed, was burned down behind her, aud tho scorching ilames were at her very neelc. one naa a enawi neu uguuy rtnvoei tlie waisr or tier ingu.uieiB, me terrible danger r.Ue was in agitated everybody to a pitch of absolute iusatdtv. 1 said everybody, hut I should have txc-nted n.
dear friend and comrade, Dick. He stepped forward with that air of his, which brought my bcavt iuto my throat with intense emotion; and getting as r.Lr.r to her us the lire would permit without consuming him, spread abroad his strong arms and cried Jump, girl Juicy into my arms Jump, and I will that terrible moment it crossed my mind that his voice "was clear and bold and that ho spoke without stammer..
