MISCELLANEOUS.
Mary L.—We quite agree with you. Our advice to you is not to miss reading Ruth Lamb's supplemental story—"Friend or Self"—for we feel sure, judging from your letter, that you will enjoy it quite as much as we have done.
Anxious.—The account of the very unnatural and unamiable state of mind of your "female friend" is a grievous one; but as she is only a little school-girl of fifteen, she may improve. We do not know of any book likely to effect a change. Such a girl would not care to read one giving advice. Talk to her of the love of our Divine Redeemer and of the obligation resting on us to "show piety at home," and to "requite our parents." It is His will that we should do so, and although we cannot purchase our salvation by our good works, we are bound to produce them in proof of our faith and our gratitude. "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." "Ye call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not the things that I say." "Every tree is known by its fruits," and our first duty is to our parents.
Melissa.—We recommend you to procure Home Handicrafts, published at this office. Chapter ix., p. 95, supplies the information you require on mirror painting. Instruction in fifteen different kinds of artistic and useful work are given in this book, and all equally suitable for both sexes.
Amy.—There is certainly a family similarity evidenced in the handwriting, which is very general. It sometimes skips a generation and crops up again, just as personal features and peculiarities, as well as intellectual gifts. This fact is noted by Darwin and Lord Brougham (whose peculiar hand resembled his grandfather's). George Seaton expressed the same opinion, and so do others. But we all have the power to improve upon the family style, or change it.
Lover of Art.—We believe that the oldest known English pictures are two portraits, one of Chaucer, and the other of Henry IV. The former is painted on a panel, the date about 1380; that of the king, 1405.
Carrie.—If a sufferer from anæmia, we think you could not do better than go for a month's treatment to Buxton, Derbyshire. Of course you should neither take the waters, nor use the baths, without medical advice, as your dietary should be prescribed as well as treatment by the waters. You will find much to interest you in the neighbourhood when able to walk, or drive, such as Haddon Hall, Chatsworth, and Old Hall; and a little diversion of the mind, and turning of the thoughts from personal ailments, will also tend to restoration. If you have a kodak, or have any taste for sketching, you will have plenty of subjects—objects for a walk. Should you prefer to go abroad, Royat near Clermont-Ferrand (France), which stands on an elevation of 1,400 feet above the sea, is a charming place; the waters of four springs—of mixed alkaline, gaseous, ferruginous, slightly arsenical and lithia waters—are to be had in the ancient Roman baths. Anæmia, lymphatic and other affections may find alleviation, if not a cure, in this beautiful mountainous locality. We have ourselves inspected these baths, and are likewise acquainted with Buxton and its neighbourhood.
Song-bird.—The instrument for regulating time in the performance of instrumental music, called the metronome, was invented by Johann Nepomuk Maelzel, a German machinist, in 1812, and patented in England in 1815. His younger brother was also an inventor, and produced two remarkable instruments, viz., one imitating an orchestra, called a panharmonicon and an automaton chess-player.
A. B. C. inquires what the "Ptolemaic system" was, and who Ptolemæus was? He lived in the reigns of Adrian and Antoninus, a native of Alexandria, and was celebrated in those times as both an astronomer and a geographer. His system was quite erroneous, and was confuted by Copernicus, for he supposed the earth to be the centre of the universe. Do not confound him with Ptolemæus (called Ptolemy), and surnamed Lagus—as also Soter, on account of the assistance he gave to the people of Rhodes against their enemies. He was king of Egypt, and died 284 years B.C. This Ptolemæus I., though not an astronomer, was a man of learning, and laid the foundation of a library which became the most celebrated in the world.
Marian.—The origin of the name Albion (by which the French elect by preference to call England) has its origin in mythology. For Albion was the reputed son of Neptune and Amphitrite, and was said to have come to Britain and established a kingdom, where he introduced the art of shipbuilding and the science of astrology.
D. L.—It is not generally known that any disease in dogs or cats, from which they lose their hair, is most contagious, and if touched by a human hand, would probably result in the same loss. We lately read of a gentleman whose retriever was thus diseased, and those who washed, or even played with the animal lost their own hair in quantities. The dog should at once be sent to a veterinary surgeon, and prompt measures be taken for the cure of those infected. More than once we have been consulted by correspondents about their cats and dogs, whose hair came off in patches, but quite in ignorance of the danger to themselves in touching them, or even in having them in the house.
Janie.—There are no free passages to any of the Colonies for female domestic servants, except to Western Australia. You can obtain all information, and penny circulars, at the Emigration Office, 31, Broadway, London, S.W., and letters to the Secretary need not be stamped. The voyage to Western Australia takes about thirty-five or forty days; to Canada, from nine to ten only. Free grants of land are made in both these Colonies, and in the first-named of the two there are numerous public works now under construction involving a good demand for carpenters, bricklayers, and mechanics, and labourers generally; and a considerable number of free homesteads to be had. A tailoress can always get work at Sydney, New S. Wales, and a few first-class lithographers would find employment at from £3 to £4 a week. In reference to Western Australia, and the demand for maid-servants, mechanics and labourers, the town of Coolgardie must be named as an exception.
Young Housekeeper.—There are several kinds of cheese-cakes. One, for example, is made with cocoanut. For this, take equal parts of the latter, grated, and of sifted sugar, say, one pound of each, the yolks of four, and whites of three eggs. Mix these thoroughly and boil for twenty minutes. Then pour the mixture into jars, closely covered, and keep till required in a cool place. When used, line patty-pans with puff-paste, and bake. Cheese pastry for the cheese course is easily made. Roll out some puff-pastry, sprinkle it well with grated cheese, and a little cayenne pepper, repeating three times, mix well and bake lightly. Serve hot. A very nice dish is one of stewed pigeons and mushrooms. Two pigeons divided into halves (each) should be placed in a stew-pan with one ounce of fresh butter, stew a little, then adding a pint of good gravy, of mushroom ketchup, a little salt and pepper. Stir till it boil, and then let it simmer for three-quarters of an hour. The mushrooms must now be added, say, a couple of dozen smallish ones. Stew for ten minutes longer, and add two tablespoonfuls of cream. The mushrooms should be placed round the pigeons, and the dish served hot.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] Lilium Auratum.