THE HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11686, 22 June 1901, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE HOME.

BEAUTY AND HEALTH.

We have left far behind us the days when it was the correct thing for a girl who had any pretensions to style to be pale and " interesting" looking. In days gone by, girls of the better class positively cultivated a fragile appearance, very often at the cost of their health and comfort ; but in these days a girl who attempted it would find the interest of her relations extend in the direction, of a doctor rather than anything else. As a matter of fact, I think it is pretty generally conceded now that good health lias a beauty of its own. The girl who has a. bright, animated face— one in illhealth cannot possibly have—and a welldeveloped figure,'must always be attractive. Some of us must, of course, go burdened by delicacy all our days, but these less fortunate members of our sex, as well as the average healthy girl, can do much for their own improvement. In the first and foremost rank of beautifiers, I think I must place exercise. Ido not mean, by this, the overtiring of one particular seT of muscles, by biking, golfing, or any other game, each excellent in itself, but. really harmful if carried to excess. The best and safest exercise for everyone is really good, oldfashioned walking. In proof of this. I will only .say that you will never find a trained nurse who does not insist on at least one hour and a-half in each day. no matter what the case she may be nursing, for genuine outdoor exercise— most cases, walking. Another important matter is sleep. The more nervous and highly-strung a person may be, the more sleep is required ; but, in any case, it is better to err on the side of taking too much than too little. Bedroom windows should be kept open two or three inches at the top, summer and winter —night and day—alike, and the bed chosen by the seeker after beauty should be hard, with only a low pillow, as this will relieve tired muscles as a. soft feather bed cannot possibly do. Also, in taking a rest during the daytime—an excellent plan, if it can be accomplished—it is far better to lie flat down on the floor for half an hour than to twist about on a sofa-couch. On the subject of diet, I am afraid there is so much to be said' that I dare not enter on it here and now, except to lay down the one hard-and-fast rule that no food can be too plain, provided it is also nourishing.—London paper. HINTS FOR MOTHERS. Feeding the New Bahy: A little baby may be either held in a semi-upright position while taking food or may lie on its right side. The, bottle must be supported by a folded towel to tilt it a bit. A baby should never be allowed to lie on its back while taking food.

Eczema : For this skin complaint do not wash much or use any soap, but instead of soap put a little bran, tied up in a muslin bag, into the water to soften it. If the eczema is dry, powder the place will) fuller's earth ; if not, use whatever the doctor orders.

Convalescence.- This is a most critical time after illness, and the greatest care is necessary in case of a relapse. Very often it is through the mistaken kindness of the nurse or parent that the patient suffers. With children these dangers especially arise when the craving for food can, in some cases, scarcely be satisfied; and when too much is given indigestion will mostly likely occur, and a. relapse be the consequence. Feed Naturally, if Possible: Children brought up by hand are far more liable to have convulsions and other teething troubles than those nursed as Nature intended them to be. Therefore, mothers should never allow any social affairs or self-interest to prevent the possibility of their nourishing their children" in the natural way for the first seven or eight months of their lives. 111-health or disease should be the only reason for artificial feeding.

Clothing : It is better to use no pins in baby's clothing, for fear of scratches. Binders, when used, should be light, and not at all tight. Knitted ones of very fine wool are very comfortable, being warm and elastic.

To Amuse Sick Children: It is difficult to amuse a convalescent child who is naturally active and restless, and who requires quiet and rest for rapid recovery. For the little ones who are too young lor the enjoyment of books, or who are not allowed to strain their eyes by looking at bright pictures, amusement may be furnished by the manufacture of animals. Make little turtles of large raisins, with 1 cloves stuck in for feet, hands, and tails. To make such a turtle, flatten a large raisin, stick a clove, with the blossom on, in one end for the head, remove the bud from four cloves and stick them at the four corners for feet, and cut the end off one clove to make the tail. A still more fascinating process of manufacture can be enjoyed from firm apples or white potatoes, as there is a chance for allowing the imagination full sway. A knife and some well-washed potatoes wnl afford amusement for many hours, when combined with a box of used matches pointed at the end. The potatoes may lie cut in slices, and from these slices all sorts of animals fashioned, using long and shorn lengths of matches for feet and tails ; and for the legs the matches may be partly broken, and bent into natural-looking shapes, and still remain firm enough to support the small potato animal. THE MANAGEMENT OF MEN. A correspondent of Home Notes writes : —May 1 say that I consider this important part of a. young lady's education to be sadly neglected in this the 20th century? A hideous heresy is on foot which teaches that man can he perfectly happy as long as his meals are well cooked and served, Therefore, the young lady who contemplates matrimony spends much time in attending cookery classes. I do not wish to protest against well-cooked food, nor even deny that it conduces to material well-being but what I wish to say is that man is not wholly a " digestive'' being— has something, which he, for a want of a, better name, calls a soul ; and the study of Ruskin's " Sesame and Lilies" would help the average girl to understand this side of him and prove a valuable adjunct to cookery lectures. ; MME. BERNHARDT'S SECRET. ! Mmb. Sara Bernhardt regularly indulges in a sponge bath, which, she says, affords exquisite refreshment to tired muscles and jaded spirits. She finds it an excellent auxiliary in preserving her apparently perennial charm. It consists of half a pint of alcohol, 2oz of spirits of camphor, 2oz of spirits of ammonia, soz of sea salt, and enough boiling water to make one quart. The whole should be agitated thoroughly, then rubbed into the skin with the "barehands. It is excellent to bathe the neck and shoulders before donning evening dress. HOUSEHOLD HINTS. To Boil Fish: Always see that the water is really boiling before putting the fish in; let it just boil up, and then at once move it back to a cooler part of the stove, and let it simmer very gently nil cooked. Ten minutes to the pound is the rule for most of the larger kinds of fish, such as cod, turbot, etc. A little vinegar added to the water in which white fish is boiled helps to keep it a good colour.

Spiced Mackerel : These are delicious, and the recipe can be used for fresh herrings with equally good results. First, bone six fish carefully, then mix together a tea•spoonful each of ground allspice, cinnamon, and cloves. Open the fish and spread over, then sprinkle with salt, fold, place m a pie dish, cover with vinegar and water mixed in equal parts, and bake in a moderate oven for an hour. Take up carefully when done, and serve cold with whipped cream.

Loose Knife-handles : Get some resin from the chemist to mend these. Take the steel blade of the knife out, and heat the end

that goes up into the handle. Meanwhile fill the hole in the handle with the dry resin, and when the end of the blade part is very hot push it into place. The heat will melt the resin, and when cold it will hold the handle firmly.

A Remedy for Constipation : A glass of hot water with a pinch of salt added to It, taken last thing at night and 'first thing in the morning, will often prove a cure for ordinary "constipation. It is also recommended to people who are troubled with rheumatism. The water .should be sipped slowly.