THE FAMILY WHEEL-HORSE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 743, 28 May 1886, Page 4

THE FAMILY WHEEL-HORSE.

There is a wheel-horse in every family ; some one who takes the load on all occasions. It may be the older daughter, possibly the father, but generally the mother. Extra company, sickness gives her a heavy increase of the burden she is always carrying. Even summer vacations bring less rest and recreation to her than to others of the family. The city house must be put in order to leave, the clothing for herself and the children which the summer demands seems never to be finished, and the excursions and picnics which delight the heart of the young people are not wholly a delight to the ‘provider.’ I once heard a husband say: ‘ My wife takes her sewing machine into the country and has a good time doing up the fall sewing.’ At the time I did not fully appreciate the enormity of the thing, but it has rankled in my memory and appears to me now an outrage. How would it be for the merchant to take his books to the country with him, to go over his accounts for a little amusement ? Suppose the minister writes a few extra sermons, and a teacher carries a Hebrew grammar and perfects himself in a new language, ready for the opening of school in the fall,— Christain Union. DIET ANiTdYSPEPSIA. Most authorities are of opinion that cheese is indigestable, yet even on this point doctors cannot agree. A distinguished French chemist has suggested that, to render cheese digestable, a quarter of an ounce of potass should be added to every pound of cheese ; while a German chemist has experimented upon several kinds of food—such as cheese, meal, milk and eggs—and he boldly declares that cheese is no more indigestible than meat and many other articles of diet. Suppers are usually condemned. Some doctors assert that suppers are not only unnecessary, but positively harmful ; that sound sleep cannot be obtained after them, and that three meals a day are sufficient. On the other hand, others are of opinion that a light supper is necessary to procure sound sleep. After a meal, they say, blood is drawn toward the stomach to supply the juices needed in digestion. Hence the brain receives less blood than during fasting, becomes palo, and the powers become dormant. Sleep, therefore, ensues. A doctor j says that recently he was called at 2 a.m. to a lady who assured him that she was dying. The body was warm, he says, the heart doing honest work. To her indignation he ordered buttered bread to be eaten at once. Obeying, the ‘ dying ’ woman was soon surprised by a return of life and a desire to sleep. . Milk is generally considered a peculiarly nutritive fluid—indeed, a perfect food —and therefore suitable for persons of all ages when it agrees with their stomachs ; yet no less an authority than Sir Henry Thomp son states that ‘ for us who have long ago achieved our full growth and can thrive on solid food it is altogether superfluous, and

mostly mischievous as a drink.’ He also says that the primary object of drinking is to satisfy thirst, and that water is more powerful to this end when employed free from admixture witK any Rolid material. Chocolate, thick cocoa, or even milk, are, therefore, not so efficacious in allaying thirst as water. *So plentiful is nutriment,’ he adds, ‘ that the very last place where we should seek that quality is the drink which accompanies the ordinary meal.’ In this respect, at any rate, Sir Henry Thompon is at one with the vegetarians.—All the Year Round. FASHIONS OF THE DAY. Beaded passementerie in white and pearls, fawn and gold, black with jet, and in all sorts of colors, is now made to match gowns of all kinds, and to tit accurately round low, square, V, or high bodices. They add greatly to the appearence, and, as they are made separate, they can be varied, or their place taken by fichus of gauze, muslin, or lace, as the occasion requires. Some of the passementerie trimmings are merely edgings, while others are more elaborate, and are wide at the top, and taper into the waist in a becoming shape. A good many in gold and * rosary ’ beads have been adapted to brown velvet, tulle, and silk gowns. The collars of square pieces of glass cut in clever imitation of large sapphires, rubies, emeralds, as well as jet, are frequently worn at balls and other entertainments. They are mounted on velvet, and can be had in single, double, or even (for a very long throat) in treble rows. Swords —perfect little copies of antique and foreign, as well as English sabres—mounted as the heads of long pins, are now much seen, piercing bonnets and hats at the back, or run through bonnet strings and lace cravats or fancy handkerchiefs. Bangles with half a dozen weighted simulated coins in gilt, silver, or in imitation of old, discolored ones, and now popular. The fancy tops of umbrellas are extremely varied. Some have balls composed of plaited gold or silver, or of cut crystal, mounted in a silver coronet; others have two, or even three, small Japanese figures in a group, in discolored ivory, placed at the top, or birds' heads ; while many are in embossed gold or silver, and have a whistle at one end. In real jewellery the newest designs for brooches are a pair of scissors in diamonds, or a chick, in diamonds, contemplating the broken egg (in the most delicate white enamel, edged with gold) from which it has just emerged ; a chicken charging a frog ; a running deer, or fox, and a fox’s head on a whip, or by itself; a Life Guardsman, mounted, all in diamonds, with eyes or other small details in rubies.

In gloves, there are the ones, with long lace arms attached, which are much worn just at present at balls, by young girls. The glove itself is of kid, but the upper part, commencing at the wrist, and reaching almost to the shoulder, is of open work silk, matching in color. These are made in all shades to wear with ball and evening gowns. : Others, in fine woven silk and wool, for day wear, called cashmere gauntlet gloves, have the upper part puckered with colored dots, in the * smocked ’ fashion. Some delightful driving gloves for men are of knitted wool, very thick, with deep gauntlets, which draw up over the coat sleeves. The fingers have the usual leather protectors. Pocket handkerchiefs, with broad colored borders, powdered with little anchors in dark contrasting shades, are very popular just now. Horseshoes may also be had in the same style. Diced borders are also fashionable, in narrow width, in two colors, such as red and white, blue and white, &c. The owner’s name is frequently worked across one corner of a handkerchief, in imitation of her usual signature, and this pinned back on to the bodice of the dress, when the handkerchief is tucked into the front. Vests for fastening down the fronts of bodices are made of velvet or plush, with the centre cut in five or six points, and buttoned together with a gilt button down the middle, with satin, or a scrap of the dress material puffed through between each point. Cuffs are made to match. Tlii3 is a smart addition to any dark dress. Waistcoats to put on are to be seen in white, black, or red cloth, braided, military style, in gold braid, or in white and red cloth, with black braid. To a black dress, for half mourning, white ones with black braid, and cuffs to match is a great improvement, and looks smart. Slippers embroidered with garnet beads are the latest novelty, and very dainty they look. Very neat shoes of ruby, dark green, blue, hrown, or black velvet, with paste buckles, are much worn, with silk hose corresponding in color. They have velvet heels, and are cut very low on the instep, which is becoming. Evening shoes of two colors have recently been introduced. Some are iu palecolored satin with bronze leather toes, either with the satin drawn from the sides to the front over the leather (which forms the toe and high pompadour flap), fastening with a paste brooch, or joined by fine stitching to the sides, and ornamented by a minute bow on the toe. Some pretty bed-room slippers are in quilted satin, with two small flaps turned over the edge, like a ‘ turned-down ’ eollar. In ruby satin, with lining and flaps of pale blue, or in black, with yellow or red ; they are very ‘ chic.’ Bodices are made short, with a slight point in front, but rounded at the back, and i are worn with a waistband or edged with a narrow basque, or bordered with a row of loops ; bodices for slender figures are often edged with a double row of loops, a pretty and becoming style. Jackets are quite as mueh worn as bodices, and are adopted with the simplest as with the most dressy toilettes ; the choice between a plain corsage with a chemisette or plastron, aud an open jacket over a plain or full waistcoat, is, in fact, quite a matter of individual taste. The collars, both of dresses and of mantles, are still made high ; parements are generally plain and rather smaller, but the sleeves of dressy toilettes are sometimes finished off with a drapery of the dress material. A SPICY SET OF LETTERS. The Tilt ’twixt Lady Seymour and Lady Shuckboeough Referred to in THE BeACONSFIELD CORRESPONDENCE. In his letters to his sister, lately published by Mr Murray, Lord Beaconsfield makes reference to the ‘ Shuckborough Correspondence.’ These letters were printed in the

newspapers at the time, and that * all the world should talk of them ’ is by no means to be wondered at. Here they are. The Lady Seymour of these letters, it may be said, was the Queen of Beauty at the famous Eglinton Tournament. LETTER NO. I. Lady Seymour presents her compliments to Lady Shuckborough, and would be obliged to her for the character of Mary Stedman, who states that she has lived twelve months, and still is, in Lady Shuckborough’s establishment. Can Mary Stedman cook plain dishes well, make bread, and is she honest and good-tempered, sober, willing and cleanly ? Lady Seymour would also like to know the reason why she leaves Lady Shuckborough’s service. Direct under cover to Lady Seymour, Maiden Bradley. LETTER NO. 11. Lady Shuckborough presents her compliments to Lady S. Her ladyship’s note, dated October 28th, only reached her yesterday, November 3rd._ Lady Shuckborough was unacquainted with the name of the kitchenmaid until mentioned by Lady Seymour, as it is her custom neither to apply for or give characters to any of the under-servants, this beiDg always done by the housekeeper, Mrs Couch, and this was .veil known to the young woman ; therefore Lady Shuckborough is surprised at her referring any lady to her for a character. Lady Shuckborough having a professed cook as well as a housekeeper in her establishment, it is not very likely she herself should know anything of abilities or merits of the under-servants ; therefore she is unable to answer Lady Seymour’s note. Lady Shuckborough cannot imagine Mary Stedman to be capable of cooking for any hut the servants’ hall. November 4th, Pavili? Hans-place. | LETTER NO. 111. Lady Seymour presents her compliments to Lady Shuckborough, and begs she will order her housekeeper, Mrs Pouch, to send the girl’s character; otherwise another young woman will be sought for elsewhere, as Lady Seymour’s children cannot remain without their dinners because Lady Shuckborough, ‘ keeping a professed cook and housekeeper,’ thinks a knowledge of the details of her establishment beneath her notice. Lady Seymour understood from Stedman that, in addition to her talents, she was actually capable of dressing food fit for the little Shuckboroughs to partake of when hungry. (To this note was appended a clever pen-and-ink vignette by the ‘ Queen of Beauty,’ representing the three little Shuckboroughs with large turnip-looking heads and cauliflower wig 3, seated at a round table, eating voraciously, scrambling for mutton chops dressed by Mary Stedman, who is seen looking on with supreme satisfaction, while Lady Shuckborough appears in the distance in evident dismay.) LETTER NO IV. Madam : Lady Shuckborough has directed me to acquaint you that she declines answering your note, the vulgarity of which is beneath contempt; and although it may be the characteristic of the Sheridans to be vulgar and witty, it is not that of a * lady,’ unless she happens to have been born in a garret and bred in the kitchen. Mary Stedman informs me that you only require a girl who can cook a mutton chop ; if so, I apprehend that Mary Stedman or any other scullion will be found fully equal to cook for, or manage the establishment of, the Queen of Beauty.—l am your Ladyship's, etc., Elizabeth Couch (not Pouch). WHIPPED CHILDREN. Some women cuff their children out of pure laziness. It is so much easier to box little Johnny’s ears than to tell him why he should nob do this or that. It is so much less troublesome to slap Hannah Ann for breaking something than it is to teach her how to use it so that it shall not be broken. Punishment of the flesh for the sins of the soul or the errors of the mind is a simple relic of barbarism, even if it is done because the person who punishes thinks it a duty to use stick or switch or whip or slipper on the tender skin of some little child. It never made a boy better yet, and it only crushes the spirit of a girl. You may repeat * Spare the rod and spoil the child ’ as often as you like ; blind beating of the little ones does not carry out the idea, which is, yon must not let them go to destruction for want of reproof or admonition. It is a moral rod that is meant, not one of birch or willow. Men love the fathers whose ‘ You must not ’ was law ; the mothers whose ‘ I’d rather you would not ’ was a barrier not to be over-leaped. But a cruel, unexpected ( beating has turned the heart of many a child from its parent forever. Walking through a village street, I saw an illustration of this one day. Some furious cattle were being driven up the road beyond. Two boys started out of their gates, anxious, as boys always are, to be in the midst of danger. One mild women called out gently : ‘ Don’t go, Tom. You might get hurt ; and at least you would make me anxious.’ Her boy came back and said : ‘ I shouldn’t get hurt, but I don’t want to worry you ma.’ After the other boy flew a furious little women, with a switch, crying out : ‘ I’ll beat; you to a jelly when I catch you, Jim 5’ but she did not catch him. As for little girls born in respectable families, where they see nothing very wrong, they will follow their mothers as lambsfollow the parent sheep. If she will only'* patiently teach them what to do, they will do it; and when they are tired, or have their feeling hurt, and seem to cry without reason—when they say : ‘ I don't want to, ma !’ —the way is to talk to them, find out what they are thinking, what powerful little reason or terror moves them, and explain it away. Any mother who remembers her own childhood will know that little girls keep a great many thoughts to themselves until kind, motherly questioning brings them out. Whipped children are miserable little creatures, who make the whole house unhappy. Remember that before you switch your boys or slap your girls. AN ENGLISH AUTHORESSHere is the latest description of Miss Braddon, the novelist, as given in a London letter : Miss Braddon and her husband, Mr Maxwell, are familiar figures at the Prin

cess’ and also the Lyceum Theatres, on first nights. The lady is in the prime of matu;rer womanhood. Her hair has taken on a ■partial frost. Her face is a ruddy one, suggesting the comfortable English matron, mother of a numerous family, rather than one of the most prolific writers of the day. She wears a pretty lace cap, and carries around with her a decidedly comfortable, good housewifely atmosphere. Her figure is buxom and of traditional English build. She is not a handsome woman, save when she talks, aud then her face is full_ of marvellous expressiveness, and she has bright speaking eyes aul a strangely sweet smile. GETTING THE RIGHT SIZEShoe dealer —What size, madam ? Mauame—I —er—thinks twos. Shoe dealer—(taking her measure)—Ah yes, twos. A pair of two twos, four altogether. (To boy)—James, a pair of ladies French kids, No. 4.