ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XXI, 13 November 1897, Page 643

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Notice to Contributors.—Any letters or MSS. received by the Editor of the "New Zealand Graphic" will be immediately acknowledged in this column.

‘Daystar.’—Many thanks. 1 regret very much I cannot avail myself of your offer, but it would not be suitable for this column. ‘Paerau’s Aunt.’ —I wonder if you will take this non-de-plume to yourself? 1 could think of no other which would catch your eye. Have just received your nice long letter, and am saving myself time by letting you know in this way that 1 have received it. Many thanks for your kind remarks about this column. It was those remarks which suggested this rather mean way of replying. The two pictures of the cousins have now appeared, and if another member of the family is ready to join. Cousin Kate begs me to say she woidd be very glad of his photograph also. •Blue-bell.’—Why not put a flower aigrette in place of the feather? It is newer and more suitable for your age. The feather is better for an older person. ‘Mother.’ —It is no trouble at all, I assure you. Do let me beg you to see about your drains before summer. If you complain of a smell now, what will there not be to worry about when the hot weather sets in? Boil all your drinking water before you put it in the filter and sterilize every drop of milk. With your family of young children you cannot be too careful. I saw the following formula for preventing typhoid, which may be of use to you. It was sent by a lady to the Sydney ‘Morning Herald.’ I have not proved its eflicacy; it sounds simple enough to be worth trying. She says ‘it is an almost certain preventive for typhoid, which seems, unfortunately, to be somewhat on the increase. Let all mothers of families give their children rectified spirits of turpentine in the following quantities every night on going to bed: — three to 12 years, four to eight drops in half teaspoon of sugar; above 12 years, 8 to 10 drops. It destroys the typhoid germ, and much suffering may be prevented by this simple and cheap remedy. If a child is seized with typhoid, repeat the dose 5 or 6 times a day, and let no solids or meat in any form be given. I speak from certain knowledge, and hope this little information may prove of use to some one.’ ‘Miss Lucky.’—You are unfortunate. I hope you will be able to keep to your pseudonym. With regard to your dresses. Get a good pair of nice walking shoes; a pair of evening shoes —you had better have black ones, unless you buy one pair of black for ordinary evening wear, and one to match your ball dress. Then you require tennis shoes, and if you have a pair of fairly good walking shoes, take them in case you have any rather rough picnics, for these expeditions cut up one’s foot-wear terribly. You must have two pairs of silk stockings, and four of black cashmere; three changes of underlinen; a silk petticoat and two good white ones, also a pretty one for morning wear. Get a very good white evening dress, with different coloured flowers and ribbons to transform it for tw’O balls at least. Two or three low blouses will make it a dinner dress, and the good black silk skirt will also make, with these, more evening frocks. 1 should advise one tailor-made serviceable summer costume, with one plain waistcoat, and two or three full pouch ones, A good skirt with several cotton blouses takes up less room than whole cotton costumes, though no doubt you would find a pretty muslin dress very acceptable. You will also want a very fetching tea jacket. Take some lace scarfs and neck ruffles, as these smarten up a dress wonderfully, also a good supply of gloves, sunshade, umbrella, and a light waterproof. You must have a separate box for your millinery, though in

with it you can judiciously pack a silk blouse, lace, handkerchiefs, gloves, etc. Travel in a fresh straw hat; a fly-away chiffon and floral thing is apt to look very second hand after a long journey. Pack up also all the good temper, brightness, and unselfishness that you can lay your hands on, ami I need hardly wish you a very pleasant Christmas holiday. ‘Mrs B.’—Smocking is still very much used for children's frocks. Advertise that you are able to do this. ‘Madeline.’—Pray accept my sincerest sympathy. The longest period is nine months—black for six months, half mourning for three months; the shorter period is six months blaek, no half mourning. In such a hot climate as this, there can be no objection to plain white ami blaek blouses, with black ribbon. ‘Housekeeper.’—The food supply for a large family in hot weather is certainly a serious question. Are you not giving the children too many potatoes? If a man were to live entirely on potatoes, he would require to eat 13 pounds every day to get the necessary amount of nitrogen to keep him in health. You will find a mixed diet very much better and less fattening. Beer, wine, and spirits are no use as foods. Give more fruit, a little meat, and other vegetables besides those potatoes. See they have some bread and treacle or butter for tea, and oatmeal for breakfast; then occasionally fry a few left-over potatoes. ‘Penelope.’—As you are an artist, why not paint your own d iningroom? You could mix your own colours, and you will not find even the mantel piece hard to do. In the panels of the door, paint some pretty trailing flowers. With taste and care and some experience in paints and brushes, you can make a lovely room, the cost of doing which would not exceed two shillings. ‘Dolly.’—Wash the scalp carefully in warm water and ordinary brown soap, applying the lather which the soap has made to the skin with a soft brush; afterward wash the head thoroughly with clear warm water and fan it dry. If it is given this treatment once every two weeks, and brushed thoroughly every day, there is no reason why it should not be entirely free from dandruff. ‘Maggie.’—l liked you letter very much indeed. You are quite right; reading is a great temptation. I will quote a line or two from your letter, as the reply may help others similarly circumstanced: ‘You see we have a great many visitors during the summer; when they eome they bring with them the books they have bought on the train, and when they go away they are apt to leave them behind. Of course, we are not near book shops, and most of us are greedy for good books; sometimes those left are delightful; sometimes they make me wonder, and I am left undecided as to whether they are quite the books I ought to read. Of coure, I know the difference between a good and a trashy novel, but there are other books the worth of which is unknown to me. How shall I decide.?' I can only tell you of one way. After you have read a book, or when you begin to read it, unless you would like to tell every word of it to your father and your brothers I advise you to drop it. Then there is another way: If it is a book that in any way shakes your belief, drop it; do not wait to see how it ends; do not wait for anything, but regarding it as a weapon of evil, put it in the fire. Between you and me. the so-called religious novel has done more to make people unhappy than anything I can think of and I do not advise your reading it. Even a belief that seems sure may be shaken, and it is wisest not to tamper with it. 1 do advise your reading good, sweet, honest stories—stories of devotion either to duty or to love; in fact. I do not think there is anything quite as good for a girl as an honest love story which ends happily, and where the right people get married, and try their very best to be happy ever after. ‘Bolus.’—lt is courteous when a man friend is saying good-bye to ask him to come again, for in this way you show the appreciation of his visit. I do not advise the giving of presents to your men friends, unless it is to one to whom you are engaged to be married. Unless a bride wears n travelling dress, she should choose

white, and as it may be gotten in inexpensive materials, the expense cannot be a reason for objecting to it. In speaking to a bride and groom, you congratulate the bridegroom and wish much happiness to the bride. When a new acquaintance expresses pleasure at. meeting you, simply acknowledge by a pleasant word or two. ‘Mr Paul.’—lf some misunderstanding has eome between you and the girl whom you are so fond of, go to her and ask what it is you have done. There is no loss of dignity in doing this, and friends, my dear sir, are much easier to lose than to gain.