WOMAN’S KINGDOM.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIX, Issue 3036, 18 November 1905, Page 3 (Supplement)

WOMAN’S KINGDOM.

HOW TO GKT BEAUTIFUL HANDS. If there is one tiling more than another that seems to worry the majority of people it is the condition of their hands, and certainly, considering how constantly they are brought under notice, it is only natural that everyone should sigh for a white hand tipped with rose-pink nails. As to the size and shape of the hands, these must remain, but by attention wo can render Ihe flesh soft and while, the nails can be kept well trimmed, and the cuticle of Hie skin around the half-moon kept well back. The hands, like everything else to he kept in good condition, must receive a certain amount of attention; they will not keep nice and refined otherwise, and the woman who is not prepared to devote a little time to this part of her toilet must not expect nice lingers. Again, the hands show as rapidly as any other part of the body, not only the care cxjieudcd on them, but the general health of the woman; for instance, bad circulation, indigestion, biliousness, and skin troubles will at once affect tlie hands, as also will the falling off of the fatty tissues, which will cause the skin to bo loose and baggy, falling into lines and creases, giving an old appearance. The hands should be plum]), as, indeed, must every other part of ns if we would he nice and attractive; then while hands arc desirable from a point of beauty, while the flesh must be soft to the touch, but ‘firm, and if dimpled so much the better. First, always wash the hands thoroughly before going in for any treatment, for unless the skin is freed from dust and dirt yon can do little good. With a moderately warm lather thoroughly wash the hands, using pumice-stone or a brush to remove any extra stain or grubbiness there may he on the thumb and forefinger, also to clean the nails.

If stained or extra dirty with housework, soak the lingers for three or four minutes, which will loosen the dirt. When clean, rinse in clear water, and dry thoroughly with a soft towel, after which polish the skin with a piece of chamois leather or an old silk handkerchief. The secret of keeping the hands soft and nice is largely due to thoroughly drying after they have touched water. The nails should be cleaned, the cuticle or quick pressed back to show the half-moon, then, with a little nail powder, previously, however, having rublicd down any roughness with a piece of prepared emery paper. After washing, some ladies mb a slice of lemon over the back of their hands which prevents chapping. It is a good plan to rub the back of one baud with the palm of the other, for this gives firmness of flesh, and a nice polish to the skin.

For whitening and softening the skin there are numerous applications which hear the testimony of widespread use. Soft water should always be used for cleansing the skin, and when this is not obtainable soften ordinary water with a few drops of ammonia, or, better still, with a pinch of horaxaline, or a more convenient way, perhaps, is to make a solution, of horaxaline and water, and keep it in a bottle on the dressing-table, so that it may he ready for use. Otherwise it can be placed in a fancy jar if you prefer to use it in its powdered form; but, use it as you will, it is a splendid preparation, and invaluable as a water softener and prnifier, and a safe autisep-

Even the coarse rod hand can he retim'd and made presentable by attention, and the wearing of gloves docs much for the hand.

If you have any manual work to perform, learn to do as nincli as possible in gloves, and you will soon find that your hands present a different appearance, and are much easier to clean and keep in order. You can dust, sweep, attend to the gardon, etc., in gloves; then if anyone pops in they can bo slipped off, and your hands arc clean and nice. Those who have to wash up dishes, etc., can use the mop in the right hand, and with the left hold the article with a gloved hand. If you are determined to wear gloves as much as possible, it will be surprising how few of your occupations cannot be managed with your gloved hands, while those who are obliged to clean, or wash, should always carefully wash their hands after their work. Dry well, and rub over a little can do Cologne or lemon-juice.

To subduo redness of hands and soften and refine tho skin lliore is nothing like a little grease at night, which well rub in and sleep in gloves, cutting, however, a hole over tho nails, for while wo want our skin soft and white, wo require our nails firm and pink, so it is well not to cover them up. By wearing gloves constantly, night and day, tor two or three weeks, applying a little emollient to soften the skin, the hands will becomo really beautiful. THE LANGUAGE OF JEWELS. Jewels have a language as well as the flowers. Among other curious old superstitions about them is that which connects one with each month in the year, and with all who are born in that month. Thus, to January belong the garnet and the jacinth, which are supposed to preserve the wearer from pestilence and from lightning. To February belongs the amethyst, signifying tempo ranee. It protects the wearer from evil thoughts, and cures or prevents inebriety. The stone of March is tlio jasper. Those born in April should wear the sapphire, significant of purity. To May belongs the agate, which protects from poison and appeases pain. If single in colour, it renders the wearer invincible. June has the emerald, significant el hope, teaching the knowledge of secrets, bestowing eloquence and wealth, enjoying thus a proud position. To July belongs I lie onyx, which excites melancholy and vain ferror lo (lie wearer: but, fortunately, the month also poscsscs Hie earnelian,

wliicli euros these evils, ami also sec a res success, particularly in law suits. To August belongs the sardonyx, which brings riches (o (he wearer, while September lias (lie crysoiite. To October belongs tile beryl, or aqua marina, which renders the wearer successful in navigation, and insures safe voyages. The opal also belongs to this month—a stone which unites the colours ami qualities of all others, and has been beautifully called by a poet and artist, “a pearl, with a soul in it.” Its meaning is childlike, fairness, and loveliness. November has the topaz, which signifies courage and cheerfulness. It was supposed to show the presence of poison by loss of colour; giving light in the dark and dispelling enchantment it worn on the left arm or around the neck. It was also supposed to strengthen intellect and brighten wit. Those whoso birthday is in December have choice between the ruby, torquoise, or malachite, or can wear all throe.

THE QUIET HOUR FOTt MOTHERS. The very people who most need to rest are the ones who say, “I have no time,” and yet it is quite possible for them to get the rest they so sorely need if they nil! only learn how. The body is just like any other machine;- use it rightly, oil it carefully; food its fires, and turn oil' the power sometimes, to lot the machine cool, or there will be an explosion—nervous prostration, paralysis, and often Insanity. A temporary rest may restore the bodily machine for a time, but if we do not know how to keep it in order, the trouble will return in worse- form. The mind is the true master of this human machine, and the will is its lieutenant. When you lie down to rest, be it at night or for a few minutes in the day, relax every muscle and nerve; feel yourself getting limp from the brain to the tips of your fingers and toes; use no effort, but again and again turn the wandering thoughts back to this purpose; say to yourself over and over slowly, “I am relaxing,” “I am resting,” and at the same time take sloop, slow breaths right from the abdomen, with closed month, inhaling and exhaling through the nose. Keep this up, and the persistent little imps of worry will take flight, and natural sleep will come back to the tired brain, and rest and renewal to the relaxed body. Deep, slow, regular breathing is the first great step to the natural restoration of the functions, bodily and mental; and it practised, not only at night, but at every possible opportunity, during work, while walking and while riding, the benefit to body and mind will bo marvellous; while it can he done without a moment’s loss of time.

The tired mother takes the babe to sleep in her arms and finds the effect as soothing to herself as it is to the child; but does she know why? It is the even movement, and consequent slow, even breathing that quiets the nerves. Look how utterly relaxed the little one lies; note ils deep, slow, even respiration, and learn from this one of Nature’s Rost lessons.

Every mother should insist on giving herself a period of rest during the day, if only for a few minutes; and then, even if she docs not fall asleep, she will return to her duties with renewed strength —provided she x’ests in the right way. And if even this is not possible, we can, by the power of the will, rightly directed, relax the tension of nerves and muscles while at work, and turn the current of the life forces that surge all around ns into their right channels, giving us renewed energy and strength for the strife. MISCELLANEOUS HINTS.

To Clean Black Walnut Furniture.— First rub it all over with a piece of flannel dipped in paraffin. Then rub with another piece of flannel or a soft rag, rub it dry, and apply a polish made of equal parts of turpentine, linseed oil, and vinegar. These ingredients must he thoroughly shaken together before the compound is used. Rub the mixture well into the article to be cleaned, then leave it for a short lime, and Anally polish it with a dry cloth. Before wearing now stockings it is always advisable to have them washed; this causes the threads to shrink, and will ensure better wear. There is also another reason; it is just possible that something injurious may have been used ill the process of dying the stockings, and the washing prevents any possible injury to the wearer resulting from this. Poached Eggs for Invalids.—When poaching eggs for a sick person use milk instead of water, as the milk gives them a more delicate flavour. If you beat an egg to a froth with the addition of a little milk and then scrambol it in a very hot pan it will be very delicate and digest iblo. Scrambled eggs should never stand before being served as they toughen and become indigestible. To prepare fruit tapioca, cook throefourths of a cup of pearl tapioca in four cups of water until smooth and transparent. Stir into it lightly a pint of fresh raspberries or currants, adding sugar as required. Serve cold with cream, or a pudding sauce prepared by heating a pint of Uic berry juice to scalding and stirring into it a tablespoonful of cornflour previously rubbed to a cream with a little cold water. Cook until it thickens, then add sugar according to the acidity of the fruit. Strain and cool before using.

Novor cover the pan in which tho fish is being cooked. To do so will make tho fish soft and spoil the firm quality so desirable.

Celery leaves may bo dried ml kept for use when tho bleached celery is not procurable. These are useful for brown soups and sauces, but not for white, as they would probably spoil the colour. To prevent a "lass or china disli from cracking when pouring hot water in it, put a metal spoon or fork in first, tor the metal will conduct the heat away, land the disli will then not crack so readilv.

Eiderdown quilts' are apt to lose their whiteness after being used a great deal. To restore them, heat them well with a cane-beater, and then hang (hem on a line for a few hours, and the wind will do the rest.

One of the best and handies! remedies for scalds from boiling water is baking soda, moistened till it is soft, and then freely applied. After this the scalded part must ho bound np to keep the air from it.

One way of renovating black cloth is to wash some potato peelings, boil them and strain them, and when cool dip a brush into the liquid, and brush the cloth until it is clean. It should (hen look like new.

A Hint in Storing Silver.—lf silver must be stored away for some time it will keep perfectly bright if kept in tins or boxes full of powdered starch. Old biscuit tins do very well for spoons, etc. The silver will bo found as bright as possible, even after months of disuse. To Make a Clue 'Which is Always Ready.—Dissolve Hie glue in whisky instead of water, and then it will always remain liquid. Put the glue and whisky into an airtight bottle, and leave for four days, when it is lit for use. Glue thus made will keep for years, and will never need healing. Skirt Bags.—Skirt bags are a luxury—even a necessity for handsome garments. They are quite square sacks of white cotton, longer than the, skirts, and into which the skirt can be slipped without crushing. A sachet suspended in the centre imparts to the skirt a fragrance which makes it as sweet and fresh as a flower.

Chills are often the result of people talking freely while out of doors just after leaving a room full of hot air. and theatregoers who discuss and laugh over the ploy on their way homo arc inviting illness. When making iron-holders two thicknesses of brown paper should bo put between the material used for the holder, and then the heat will not come through to the hands. Coarse linen is better to use for the covering than a woollen material.

Ladies who do much sowing frequently suffer a groat deal from soreness of the month, and are at a loss to ascertain the cause of the trouble. Half the time it is simply the result of biting off the thread instead of using a pair of scissors for cutting. In the case of silver thread the danger is quite marked, because it is usual to soak the thread in acetate of lead, partly to harden it, and also, perhaps, to increase its weight somewhat. If this practice of biting thread is followed regularly, and much silk thread is used, the result may he serious, and oven load to Icad-poisouiug.