Household Hints.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1139, 22 January 1903, Page 4

Household Hints.

The Breakfast Table Barometer.

I*6 following simple method of foreeasting the weather has ibeen found by long experience to be quite reliable, In, many instances being of (more service 'flhto .the daily newspaper forecasts, r (Drop carefully Into a cup of toot coffte, I to '.-which imSlk * has been added, a" lump or lumps of sugar, and watch the • airj bubfales which rise , to she surface as'the sugar dissolves. S If Ithese collect togeHhen in the middle of the oup and > remain undisturbed until «hey evaporate aiway, fine "weather may be safely predicted, -f T£ lihey gradually move to a the aides of *he oup and break up, 'bhe <wea#her uriH be dull and unsettled, it While, If the bubbles rush straight to the sides as 'they rise, umbrellas and watenproois are sure to be xsqujgsu'.—" i-eeds Menoury."y

Aromatic Tinctoe^

fe U&3 as a stimulant and restorative in cases of debility, falntoess, and flatuilency. * It is composed of cardamomseeds, white ginger, cinnamon, and pepper, ibruised, > and ■ 'then, infused in spirits, being kept in a warm, dry plaice a fortnight before using.

aromatic Vinegar.*

For the making of this 'there' are Various recipes ; .the one subjoined is exceedingly simple, and may safely be recommended : —Oil, of cloves, 16gr.; oil of cinnamon, 10gr.; oil of English lavender, sgr.; camphor, loz.; glacial acetic acid, % pint. Aromatic vinegar is a nasal stimulant useful for reviving and refreshing those who suffer from faintness, languo<|, or .nervous headaches. • . ; . .. To Correct ioidity." The common remedies for correcting acidity are the alkalies, such as bicarbonate of soda or bicarbonate of potash. Ten grains of either of these articles in water may be taken occasionally. Their .action will be greatly assisted by light diet, avoiding much beer, the stronger wines, too much sugar, pastry, &c. Acidity of the stomach is an expression used to denote the feeling o{ something tasting sour to the patient, and rising from the stomach into the mouth. The same fatilt is sometimes indicated by a feeling of heartburn.

For a Dinner Party Without a Servant,

'An ingenious woman (says a contemporary) has solved the difficult problem of entertaining In comfort when no servant is kept. She has had made, 1 learn, what might answer for a sidetable, but which has more utility than such articles usually have. It is a cupboard-shaped device, placed on a revolving stand, and this, in turn, upon very large strong castors. The whole thing is about 3ft. across, and is provided with shelves and angles somewhat after the fashion of a revolving bookcase. On the top is an alcoholic Jamp under a little grate, which is covered with an asbestos pad. On this the roast, or whatever needs to be kept warm, is placed. On another,corner of the grate is the tea or coffee urn. Below are shelves for the dinner plates, v/ith little trays for extra knives, forks, and spoons. On a lower shelf are spaces for the plates to be removed, in this way siix or eight people can be entertained without the hostess leaving her chair, provided iher guests are good-natured enough and willing to pass the plates, &c, when they have finished with them. The conversation is not broken in upon, there is no confusion, and the guests need not feel they are giving much trouble.