THE HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12070, 13 September 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE HOME.

NAMING THE BABY.

Fancy names for girls are going out of date. There are fewer Carries, Emmas, Ellas, Mamies, and Sadies, and more Carolines, Emmeliues, Elizabeths, Marys, and Sarahs. This is pleasing, as it indicates that parents are growing in English names should be given to Englishspeaking people. Diminutives are proper enough "for babies, but where is the young lady Margaret who would sign her name Maggie, Madge, Maud, or Peggie on a, business document':'

Among boys the selection of foreign and outlandish names is far less common than formerly, good old English names being preferred. Among the Henrys, Georges, Charleses, Williams, Jameses," Edwards, and a few others, are names enough to fit out the largest family of boys. Then there are a few Bible names 'that are favourites, John, David, Peter, Stephen, and Andrew being the most popular. Greek names, like Aristarchns, Demosthenes, Anaxagoras, Themistocles, and Sophocles are too lengthy for use in this hurrying age. No mistakes will be made and nothing furnished to cause a laugh if parents will give their children good old English or Anglo-Saxon names. There are some very musical and sonorous names among the Spanish, Italians, and old Romans, but the child would not thank his parents in after years if they compelled him to carry one of them through life. The> naming of a child is one of the most important incidents of his life. The man who, having been handicapped by his own awkward name, afterwards bestows it on his son for the sake of "keeping it in the family" is deserving of the severest censure.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION. The aim of physical education is to bring the body to its fullest development and vigour. Such education is always good, but- its effect varies with different persons. Everyone receives by inheritance certain tendencies and peculiarities. Naturally a narrow-chested, undersized youth cannot be expected to become a perfectly developed athlete. Yet it is precisely those whose physical endowment is below the average who derive the greatest value from a careful physical raining. Under the guidance of an instructor conscientious effort may bring about a change for the better that would have seemed almost incredible.

As nearly as can be ascertained physical improvement includes an increase in height, if a course of training is pursued before the age when growth ceases. An apparent increase in stature after this period is to be attributed to a straightening of the spine and a more erect carriage. Physical culture, in order to be most effective, should be systematic, carefully graded, and in all respects adapted to the needs and capacities of the individual. Its results are apparent not only in increased ability for physical exertion but in freedom of muscular action and in gracefulness of movement. Properly trained muscle? perform their work wirli less expenditure of energy. While physical training may have been unduly emphasised in some quarters college athletes are rarely among the drones of their classes in mental work.

The stimulation of the circulation by systematic exercise improves the quality of the blood provided to both the muscles and the brain. Greater concentration and more continuous application in mental employments are probably because of physical training. The hours of study are not the only ones that teachers and parents should supervise. The child should have his hours of recreation properly filled, with no time for absolute idleness.

As has been said already, physical exercise should be so planned as to suit the needs of the individual constitution.

It has been the custom of one instructor to prescribe fencing, gymnastics with apparatus, and lessons in a riding-school for all those idle persons whose brain languishes for lack of work." But for a. child overworked at school, or for one going through the mental strain of examinations, acrobatic feats are not appropriate. Walks and rides offer the simplest and best forms of relaxation.

To the sedentary brain-worker the easily mastered exercise of rowing is a profitable pastime, while the old games of leap frog, prisoner's base, and the like, will always be of inestimable value among the exercises of childhood.

HOUSEHOLD HINTS. To Clean Spectacle Glasses* Methylated spirit cleans glasses, and makes them beautifully clear. Rub with a clean cloth dipped in the spirit, dry, and polish with a clean chamois leather. This is the method employed by opticians. To Make an Oilstove Burn Weill If you want an oilstove to burn without giving out an unpleasant odour clean and refill it every time after using. If you allow dirt and oil to accumulate on it it is sure to smell unpleasantly. Always turn the wick down low before putting it out. and leave it turned down till the stove is again needed. If the wick is tinned high it draws the oil up, and so it spreads over the outride. To Clean Piano-keys: Lift out the front and cover of the piano so that the keys are got-at-able. Then lift them one "at a time and nib with a piece of lemon, from which most of the juice has been squeezed, and salt, or finely-powdered bathbrick. Polish with dry whiting and a clean chamois leather, but be careful that 210 bits fall down between tire notes. Rain Spots on Silk: Often after being out in the rain silk looks simp))- ruined, but very often all that is required is to iron on the wrong side with a moderately hot iron, and the silk looks as good as new again. A piece of muslin laid over the silk when ironing prevents any probability ot shininess.

Neglected Sink Pipes: If you notice an unpleasant odour emanating ' from one of your pipes treat it in this way: Get plenty of boiling water ready, dissolve half a pound of soda in half a gallon. Now pour about a gallon of the remainder of the boiling water down the pipe. This is to heat it and soften the decomposing matter, whatever it may be, that causes the odour. Follow this at once, while the pipe is still hot. with the soda solution, and finally give it another flushing with boiling water. Then pour in a little disinfectant. All sinks should be well flushed with hot water after water containing grease has been poured into the pipes, as it is from the particles of grease that have been left clinging to the pipe that th. unhealthy gases generally conic. A Background for Pictures: A plain paper makes ;he best possible background tor pictures. Some of the greens Now on the market are charming; so are the browns. Another advantage of a plain paper is that it makes a room look larger than if a patterned paper is used. To Remove Grease Stains: 'The greenness caused by damp on brick tiles or steps can be easily removed by well scrubbing with water in which a small quantity of chloride of lime has been dissolved. To Chan Tan Suede Shoes: Rub the soiled parts of the shoes with a little bathbrick. Make ;: paste with a teaspoonftil of yellow ochre and a little water. Apply with -~ flannel, and, when dry, brush lightly with a clean, soft brush. ' When Void Boots are Off: Boots should never be shut up in a box or cupboard, but should be placed on shelves where thev can have plenty of air. They will need cleaning when stored almost as often as when in use if they are to be kept in good condition.

To Rernov Jet Trimmings: Jet trimming which has got rusty and limp may be made like new by this means: Mix equal parts ot vinegar and water, enough to cover the article: let them remain in this in a basin for twenty minutes, remove, and put them in a coof place till thoroughly dry.

To Clean the Cistern: Do not iorget to clean out the cistern periodically. To do this tie up. the ball valve to a stick placed across the top of the cistern to prevent the water running in ; then empty the cistern, scour it out thoroughly with Condy's Fluid and water, and wipe out nil impurities.