MISCELLANEOUS.
Fruit Farmer.—No, strawberries are not indigenous to England, according to Haydn, in his Dictionary of Dates, where he says that they were brought to this country from Flanders in 1530. Against this date, we refer to Shakespeare’s Richard III., in which we find them spoken of as growing in the Bishop of Ely’s garden in Holborn, which shows it was cultivated as early as the latter part of the fifteenth century. A hundred years subsequently four kinds of this fruit were cultivated in the garden of a barber-surgeon, Gerard by name, also in Holborn.
Deaf.—Had you not better consult some missionary, or the friend whom you have out in China, so as to find out what the children in China may be likely to want? Have you seen the small scrap-books made of old post-cards, or of cards the same size, and tied together at the side, so as to form a small long book? Pictures are pasted on the back and front of each card. Perhaps you could make these; but we think you will do well to inquire about it.
W. M. B. D., Heather, Lauria, etc.—We have seen several copies of this snow-ball letter from New South Wales. The addresses in each are rather different, and we, like you, cannot imagine what the philanthropist wants with so many stamps, nor do we understand why the Government should give an endorsement. We should let it alone, and return the letters. The address seems insufficient, and we have failed to find any one of the places mentioned in the most recent Gazetteer. These philanthropic people who require a million of stamps are often difficult to find; and they might as well give the money at once.
C. Brown.—To fix prints upon wood, and remove the paper, care must be taken that the surface of the latter be perfectly smooth. Then moisten a piece of thick drawing-paper, and apply a layer of thin glue on its surface; leave it to dry; give it two or three more coats, leaving each to dry separately. Coat the paper then with several layers of spirit varnish, and prepare the wood in the same way; and then apply the print. We should have said that the wood must be previously prepared by a slight coat of glue, and when dry, rubbed with glass-paper, and a white alcoholic varnish applied. When dry, about five or six more coats of the same will be required. Cut the edge of the print closely round, lay it on a table face downwards, and moisten the back with a wet sponge, and then place between two leaves of blotting-paper. Apply another coat of varnish to the wood, and, before it is dry, lay the face of the print down upon it, wiping the back in such a way as to drive out the air so as to form no blisters. Lay a sheet of dry paper upon it, and pass a soft linen cloth over it to press it firmly down. Then leave it to dry, and when thoroughly so, moisten it with a sponge, and roll off the paper with your fingers. Great care must be taken in this process not to remove any part of the paper upon which the impression is taken. After this rubbing it must be left to dry. When dry, one more coat of varnish must be given over the delicate film of paper left, and it will be left perfectly transparent. When quite dry, polish with Dutch rushes, steeped for three or four days in olive oil, which latter must be removed with a fine linen cloth, and then sprinkle with starch or hair-powder. Rub this off with the hand, and apply three or four more coats of varnish, leaving each to dry as before, and in three or four days polish with a fine woollen cloth with whiting of the finest kind.
Mercy B.—The names of the hospitals for which you ask are as follows:—Newcastle Hospital, Hull Royal Infirmary, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Fever Hospital, and Lincoln County Hospital. For the last-named, over four hundred applications are refused yearly, and about fourteen are accepted. Address the matron in all cases. We could not give any idea of the time you would have to wait, of course.
Unhappy Maude.—We think you will be really unhappy if you do not take your father’s and brother’s advice, and give up a foolish attachment. Do you think that any man who drinks could love you dearly and devotedly? Would he not love drink far better? Gather all your strength together and go away for a change, and try to turn your thoughts to some other subject. If you managed to break off with your lover once, you can do so again, and at twenty-one you will soon forget.
THE LAUNDRY, BATTERSEA POLYTECHNIC.
THE COOKERY SCHOOL, POLYTECHNIC. STUDENTS AT WORK.
[Transcriber’s Note—the following changes have been made to this text.
Page 750: flower to flour—“dredge a little flour”.]