Ladies' Column.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 365, 8 February 1879, Page 3

Ladies' Column.

MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS.

Among mothers' cares none are more grave than those which arise in eounecfciou with their young daughters when passing out of childhood into girlhood, and when au unwise or inconsiderate course' may entail misery, bodily or mental, or both for a lifetime. They now begin to use their own minds and inquire into the reason of things. Deal with them a little less in the way of simple authority ; and a little more in the way of companionable talk. It will be good for you, and for them, if they learn perfectly to confide in you, and to count you their tenderesfc and wisest friend. They now begin to form their own habit.", and to assume that bearing towards other?, men and women, that will distinguish them through life. What they see their mothers do, and hear them say, they will reproduce, often with the exaggeration natural to young imitators. A mohur, for example, who in the last degree relaxes the bonds of womanly reserve in her intercourse v/ith the other sex, will be likely to see her daughter carry the lesson a little farther, and will lack the power to reprove her with effect. The judgment is not yet formed, the health is sometimes uncertain, and a passing whim, which rightly treated will lose its power, by injudicious treatment may be turned into lasting mischief. To mingle the firmness needed for the repression of wrong with the gentleness required for the care of the timid or the sick is one of the hardest and most delicate tasks of a mother—a task in which she can often get no help but what comes from the Allknowing Father above. The young girl now begins to think of her appearance among her equals in age, her dress, ornaments, and general standing. Let her talk to yoa on all these topics. Let her have a friend in you, and know how much you can afford, and whaS is prudent and proper for her. It is cruel to send a young girl, sensitive, peril aos not over strong, among others of her class, where she will be made conspicuously any awkward or absurd accompaniment. She will be tempted to undesirable feelings, or perhaps to little deceptions upon you, to escape her embarrassment. We shall not be understood as recommending extravagance or excessive expense. We only counsel due regard to the fitness of things, perfect mutual confidence between mother and child, and the avoidance of

all that will make the girl feel that she is made to appear ridiculous, inferior, or out of place, among her equals. At such a time hasty and rash words may be spoken and inconsiderate steps may be taken by an inexperienced girl, which, talked of, magnified, recalled, cast in her face in moments of irritation, and discussed amongst the neighbors, may kill her self-respect and endanger her future. A wise mother, in such a critical time, will stand between her child and the outside world, see how much is accidental and temporary, and how much is a sign of a bad basis of character, and with a wise discrimination, and a patient elderly -sister gentleness, will hold up her daughter, and help her through till she is strong enough to stand alone. These are only lines of thought—a reflecting mother will fill them out for herself. Mothers, rich and poor, have on their hands much to do. But it is consolatory to them to know that, if they do their duty, they will have adequate reward in the love and gratitude of their children never more keenly realised than when they take up in turn a like burden of care.— Family Herald. SINGULAR CAREER OF A GERMAN LADY. At Boulogne, the other day, a suicide was committed by a young married lady, who only two years ago was one of the belles of Berlin society. She was the wife of a secretary of the Russian Embassy, a young diplomatist, who seemed to have a brilliant future in 'prospect. The baron had been engaged to the lady when still a child and pensionaire of the Sacre Coeur in Paris. When she came to Berlin after their marriage they launched into the greatest extravagance. They rented a magnificent hotel, furnished it most superbly, held open house, and formed for some time the chief talk of Berlin. The lady, said to be immensely wealthy, appeared at Court in costly toilet, and rivalled Majesty itself in brilliancy of display. The young couple, really possessed of a large income, soon exceeded their means. In order to make up the deficiency, the baron entered into heavy speculations on the Bourse, which so rapidly increased his liabilities that a catastrophe was inevitable. Notwithstanding the efforts made by his relatives, as well as the Russian Government, extremely annoyed at the public exposure of a leading member of its Embassy in Berlin, the baron went through the Court of Bankruptcy. His wife, regardless of all appearances, did not hesitate to elope with a scion of a princely house, who chief delight seemed to consist in causing notoriety. The Prince, whose zeal is apparently personification, of an English jockey, soon abandoned her, and she, void of means, went to Paris, where she gave herself to the questionable dissipation of the modern Babylon. In a moment of remorse at her terrible fate she sought a premature death by blowing out her brains. Her husband, who joined the Red Cross Society in the last war, had for some time charge of the hospital at Sistova, and is noiv at Bucharest engaged in attendence on. the sick and wounded. LADIES' CHARIOT RACE. The announcement of agi-eat Roman chariot race for 500 dol. at the Golden Gate Park recently failed to secure such a full attendance as this truly clas icalentertainmentdeserved. The contestants were Jennie Turner, of New York, and Madade Demorest, of Paris ; and it was announced that it was a test of skill and endurance between the representatives of the two republics. On arriving at the' track, or rather corso, the chariots were already on the "round, and, on the severe examination, they were found to be scarcely built in consonance with the models adopted by the most famous sculptors and painters who have delineated the ancient games and pastimes. The chariots in this instance consisted of a pair of boards strung upon the springs of a buggy, with some colored calico forming a semicircular splashboard, the whole being covered with the. same bright material. There was a republican simplicity about the trappings and equipments that spoke volumes. A murmur of admiration was heard when the fair American contestant made her appearance, clad in all the shortness of skirts and supreme majesty of the Goddess of Liberty of '76 ; but the severe classical taste of the spectators was somewhat abashed when the representative of La Belle France advanced to her chariot elad in the costume of a centui-y later. The two drivers, as to weight, seemed ; to be on a par. Madame Jennie was evidently an adept at driving, and putting her bay team at a goo ! gallop twice around the track, effectually pumped all chance of success out of them. The Parisian was less chary of display ; and, when the word was given, led off at a rattling gallop that threatened at every jolt to test the soundness of both chariots. Round thoy came at the home stretch, both drivers urging their teams to the utmost ; and when they passed the judge's stand, the French representative was in the lead, and then her steeds swerved, and darting for the . drawgate, made a sharp turn at an acute angle, and in an instant there was a scene of indescribable confusion, as the chariot lurched over, and, with its occupant, was jumbled upon the ground in almostinextricable confusion. Amid the horror of this scene it was perceived that America's repr; sentative was also in dire disti'ess, her horses continuing on their mad career. The driver, however, was equal to the emergencj', and from a regal standing position in her semi-pill-box, she sat. down on the boards, and this readjustment of the weights soon brought her team to a stand-still. Luckily, Madame Demorest escaped with a few contusions, evidently not being at all frightened. Up to this time, no one on the ground knew any J of the conditions of the race, and the secret was well kept up to the finish. Everything being ready, away they dashed again. The Parisian was in advance at the end of the half mile, but the representative of the stars and stripes was unwilling to succumb, and they both continued on their mad career. And when the wire had

been passed a second time there was no stopping them. At the conclusion of the third circle, America was at last in the van at the judge's stand, but who won the race, or who knew anything about it is when Dundreary would call a thing that no one could understand. Both victor and vanquished received the customary applause, and the grand Roman chariot race was brought to a conclusion. — Alto, California. Jenny Lino's Childhood.—ln Norway and Sweden, the winter wraps the whole country in a garment of snow. It does not lie in patches here and there ; it does not visit the mountains and leave the valleys in their summer greenery, as it often does in England ; but the whole country is enveloped in the white mantle with one exception. On the coast of Finmavk, in Norway, and abbuting on. the Arctic Sea, is Hammerfest, where the water never freezes, a singularity which is caused, or supposed to be caused, by the impinging of the currents of the Gulf Stream the Gulf of Mexico. However, this is as it may be. During the whole Arctic winter, underneath the mantle of snow which protects the ground vegetations, the grass grows, the seeds sprout, and within a few days after the snow is melted, flowers of the richest colors and perfume spring into bloom with a celerity unknown elsewhere. Then it ies that by sunrise maidens gather their floral treasures, before the hot rays make the blossoms droop. On one ©f these glorious mornings, known in perfection only in those northern climes, when the • whole sky was radiant with ruddy gold, some Swedish maidens went to gather flowers. Among them went one to try her voice in the life-giving air —one who was destined to be known through all the civilised world, who was to be honored by king?, queens, and church dignitaries, and to be beloved for her goodhess and purity, and who was finally to make her happy home in far-away England. The story of the career of this gifted woman is well told by Frederika Bremer. " There was once a poor plain little girl, dwelling in a little roern in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. She was a poor little girl, indeed, then ; she was lonely and neglected, and would have been very unhappy, deprived of the kindness and care so necessary to a child, if it had not been for a peculiar gift. The little girl had a fine voice, and in her loneliness, in trouble or in sorrow, she consoled herself by singing. In fact, she sang to all she did ; at her work, at her play, running or resting, she always sang. The woman who had her in care went out to work during the day, and used to lock in the little girl, who had nothing to enliven her solitude but the company of a cat. The little girl played with her cat and sang. Once she sat by the open, window and stroked her cat and sang, when a lady passed by. She heard the voice, and looked up and saw the little singer. She asked the child several questions, went away, and came back several day's later, followed by an old music master whose name was Crelius. He tried the little girl's musical ear and voice, and was astonished. He took her to the director of the Royal Opera at Stockholm, then a Count Pahe, whose truly generous and kind heart was concealed by a rough speech and morbid temper. Crelius introduced his little pupil to the Count, and asked him to engage her as eleve for the Opera. 'You ask a foolish thing,' said the Count gruffly, looking disdainfully down on. the poor li'.tle girl. ' What shall we do with that thing ? She will never be presentable. No, we cannot take her. Away with her f The music master insisted almost indignantly. ' Wei!,' exclaimed he at last, 'if you will not take her, poor as I am, I will take her mj self, and have her educated for the scene then ; such another ear as she has for music is not to be found in the world.' The Count relented. The little girl was at last admitted into she school for 6leves at the Opera, and with some difficulty a simple gown of black borubasdne was procured for her."

RECIPES. WINE Whey.—One pint of milk. Make it boil, and pour it boiling hot on a wineglassful of wine. Take out the curds, which soon form, and sweeten to your taste. Fruit in Honey.—Fruit may be preserved with honey. Put the fruit first into the jar, and then pour honey over it and seal air-tight ; when the honey is poured from the fruit, it will have the flavor and appearance of jelly, making a delicious dessert. Rye Bread.—Set a sponge over night wiib. one pint of warm water, one teacupful of yeast. I and white Hour for a batter. In the morning, mix in one quart of warm scalded mi.lc, one tablespoonful of salt, one cupful of corn meal, and enough rye flour to mould, and proceed the same as in making wheat bread. It requires to be baked longer than wheat bread. Glove Cleaner.—Castille soap, white 3 troy oz. ; javelle water, 2 fluid oz. ; water, 2 oz. ; of ammonia. 1 drachm. Dissolve the soap by the aid of heat in the water, and when nearly cold add the j ivelle water and the water of ammonia. The preparation should form a paste to be rubbed on the soiled part of the gloves with a piece of flannel. To Wash Lawn or Thin Muslin.—Boil two quarts of wheat-bran in six quarts or more of water half an hour ; strain through A coarse towel, and mix in the water in which the muslin is to be washed. Use no soap if you can help it, and no starch ; rinse lightly in fair water. This preparation both cleanses and stiffens the lawn. If you can conveniently, take out the gathers. The skirt should always be separated from the waist. To Preserve Fruits. —Use two teaspoonfnls of neutral sulphite of lime to one gallon of fruit, with the usual quantity of sugar. Put in the lime while the fruit is heating, in order that any impurities in fruit or sugar may rise to the top and be removed. Fruit thus prepared and put into jars and stored in a cool place will keep for months. Our readers will recollect that the neutral sulphite of lime is the substance used to keep sweet cider from, becoming hard.

Potato Yeast.—Two good sized potatoes, crated raw ; pour on half a pint of boiling water, half a cup of white sugar, a teaspoonful of salt ; when cool, put in half a cup of good yeast ; let it rise ; when light, put it in a bottle and cork tight. Half a cupful makes two loaves of bread ; reserve half a cupful every time for raising. To Sweetex Rancid Butter. —An American paper gives the following directions to restore the sweetness of butter : —To three pounds of butter add two and a half drachms of carbonate of soda. Eor making fresh butter, the soda is to be added after all the milk is washed out and it is ready for making up. The xrapleasant smell is produced by an acid, which the soda destroys and disperses at the same time with the disagreeble flavor. Carbonate of soda produces the same results when added to dripping lard, &c. Salad. —Take four or five heads of cabbage lettuce, remove all outside leaves, and cut off the stalks close ; then cut each head apart into four or five " quarters"—that is, cut through the stalk and then tear the rest. Put four tablespoonfuls of olive oil into the salad bowl, with one or one and half tablespoonfuls of vinegar, pepper and salt according to taste, and beat the mixture with a fork for some minutes, then put in the lettuce, and keep turning it over swiftly for five minutes, adding .» small pinch of mint, chopped very fine. To Make Worcester Sauce. Mince two cloves of shallot, put the mince into a dry bottle, and pour over it a pint of Bordeaux vinegar. Add three tablespoonfuls of essence of anchovy, three tablespoonfuls of walnut ketchup, two tablespoonfuls of soy, and as much oayenne as is approved ; the quantity cannot he given, as cayenne varies so much in quality. Cork the bottle, keep it in a cool place, and shake it well twice a day for a fortnight. Strain the sauce, put it in small bottles, cork closely, and store for use. The Widow of Napoleon lll.—The most striking paper that has appeared in any of the American magazines for some time past is contributed to the August number o£ Lippincott's by Mrs. Hooper. It has for its subject the life-story of the Empress Eugenie. The writer laments that the supreme tact which once was the distinguishing quality of Eugenie has deserted her in the days of her decadence. The most graceful of women, she has not learned the art of growing old gracefully. She clutches vainly after the fleeting shadow of her vanished charms. "A head loaded with false yellow hair, a face covered with paint and powder, a mincing gait, and the airs and graces of an antiquated coquette—such to-day ~m ahe who was once the world's wonder for her loveliness and grace." Ox-Tail Soup.—Cut two ox-tails deeply at the joints, and chop a slice of salt pork fine. Put the latter in the bottom of a soup kettle, and when partly cooked add a chopped onion ; let this brown a little, then put in the ox-tail and fry them for ten or fifteen minutes, turning often, that they may be evenly browned. Set the kettle one side until a little cool, then pour four quarts of cold water over the contents, and boil slowly for three or four hours. At the end of this time add a sliced carrot, a root of celery, a few spr'gs of parsley, four cloves and saltto taste. Boil for one hour longer, then strain and set away to cool, first putting in several nicely trimmed joints of ox-tails. The next day remove the fat from the soup, heat thoroughly and serve, with one or two joints in each bowl.

Hovr to Sweep.—First, cover with cloths and papers all aitides, such as books, fancy work, upholstery, and even some of the pictures. Open doors and windows; use a full soft broom, moving tables, stands, and sewing machine ; in many places use a whisk broom, kept for the purpose, where a larger one could not be used with effect. Have the dustpan at hand, and every little way take up the dirt. This saves the carpet, and you raise less dust. Remove the cloths carefully, and do the dusting, and you will be suprised how light a job it is. Now, when everthing is in order, keep it so. That is the key. Let every member of the family observe it. " A place for everything and everything in its place," if lived up to by each, will make housework a pleasure instead of an irksome task. For days it will but be necessary to brubh up a little here and there—a mere nothing.