In many countries, especially those where the climate is hot, the Umbrella is almost exclusively used, as, indeed, its name denotes, to preserve its owner from the direct sunbeams, and is, in fact, the “parasol” of our European ladies. It also is a mark of dignity, the amount and quality of its decorations indicating rank, even though the man who sits under its shade is clothed in a modest cotton cloth wrapped round his waist.
For the purpose of shielding the bearer from the sun the Umbrella was first introduced, and the introducer incurred the obloquy usual in such cases. Now, however, the Umbrella has by common consent become a defence against rain and snow, the male sex leaving the parasol to the gentler half of creation, and submitting themselves to the chance of a sunstroke.
We all know the ingenious Umbrellas of Africa, China, Japan, Siam, &c.; but there are few persons who know that a common magnifying-glass will disclose thousands of beautifully perfect umbrellas on the leaf of the Rosemary.
Pinch the Rosemary-leaf between the fingers, and a strong and peculiar perfume is evolved, just as when the peel of the orange is squeezed. The reason is the same in both cases, namely, the presence of multitudes of spherical vessels which contain their essential oil, secreted by the plant.
In the orange they are sunk below the surface of the skin, and are protected by it; but in the Rosemary they stand on slight footstalks, as shown in the illustration.
Being very delicate, and liable to be broken at the least touch, they are protected by a series of curiously formed hairs, which extend over them exactly as would an umbrella, and defend them from the elements.
The surface of a Rosemary-leaf affords a singularly beautiful sight, even with a common magnifying-glass, the tiny perfume-globes gleaming like little pearls in the broken lights that shine through the umbrella-like hairs.
Now we come to another part of domestic life, namely, Servants.
There is a diversity of ideas on this subject, as we know by the various discussions respecting “lady-helps” and “gentlemen-helps,” which bid fair to initiate a revolution in domestic life. Servants are sometimes called the greatest plagues in life, but it is difficult to see what could be done without them.