shrink in the first washing. To remove the starch | stant attention. Every day it should be examined or "dressing" from new Irish linen, it should be put to soak in cold water over night, and be scalded next morning. Silk of almost any colour may be washed by putting it in soak for a night in cold soft water, (for black silk add some blue,) the next day wash it out, wring it as dry as you can, and wipe off the wet that remains with a soft cloth; then mangle or iron it.

In July, currant, raspberry, and gooseberry gelly and jam are made. When black currant gelly is made for medicinal purposes, moist sugar should be used; but very coarse moist sugar spoils the flavour of all fruits excepting apples.

to remove fly-blows, if any; it should be carefully wiped dry under flaps, and in all the little crevices, and skinny bits and kernels should be cut off, for they are the first to taint; under the flap of a leg of mutton is a skin which in hot weather soon assumes a yellow tinge; remove it, and with care a leg of mutton may be kept for several days in the hottest weather; also in a rump of beef, there is a long vein visible, at the root of which, and buried deep, is a kernel, which if not taken out, will in hot weather taint the whole joint; country butchers often omit to remove it. When meat is purchased for salting, do not allow the butcher to send it any distance in the heat of the day; you can never be certain of its taking the salt if it has been heated; if, however there is no alternative, throw it into a tub of cold water for a few hours, then wipe it dry, and examine it well before salting. It should be sprinkled with It is always a bad plan to buy sugar by the pound, salt to extract the blood the first day on the next for the paper is weighed in with every pound. To day be wiped with a clean cloth; and in warm break loaf sugar into small pieces ready for the nip-weather the first brine must be thrown away, but in pers, use an iron hammer and cleaver; a wooden mallet chips, and the particles of wood become so incorporated with the sugar-dust, that it is difficult to separate it.

Before the period for preserving, &c., arrives, all bottles and jars necessary for the purpose should be thoroughly cleaned and dried, and a stock of sugar should be laid in, remembering always that what is most pure is best for preserves of all descriptions.

Apricots and greengages should not be over ripe for preserving, they should be quite perfect; apricots require to be skinned, but not greengages.

Oranges are preserved, and orange-wine is made this month. A little honey added to raspberry-jam makes it taste richer.

Make also strawberry-jam, cherry-brandy, and cherry-cordial. If the season is fine plums will be ready for preserving at the end of the month; they are a useful preserve where there are children or a large family. The proper sort is the large, long, black mussel plum, of which to one gallon add three pounds of moist sugar, bake them till they begin to crack, and then put them in jars of a size that will serve for once using, (as the admission of air spoils them,) tie them close down, and keep them in a dry place.

Cherries, gooseberries, damsons, and even currants, may be done in the same way, adding rather more sugar to the last. In securing gellies and jams use white tissue paper without brandy, instead of writing-paper dipped in brandy, for the spirit evaporates, and the watery particles produce mouldiness.

cold it may be boiled, and all impurity be skimmed off; and then the meat may be regularly salted the second day. Canvass lids should be placed over saltingtubs, to admit air and exclude flies, which are more destructive to salting meat than to fresh.

Care must be taken to secure bacon and hams from the fly, which is very destructive to them; the best method of preserving hams is by putting them into coarse calico or canvass bags; paper is apt to break in damp weather.

Herbs for kitchen use, and camomile blossoms, should be cut and dried, but not in the sun.

This is also the best time for laying in a store of soap; if it is cut into good-sized pieces and laid on shelves, it will harden.

THE BURNING OF THE FORESTS. WITH What pleasure have I seated myself by the blazing fire of some lonely cabin, when, faint with fatigue, and chilled with the piercing blast, I had forced my way to it through the drifted snows that covered the face of the country as with a mantle The affectionate mother is hushing her dear babe to repose, while a group of sturdy children surround their father, who has just returned from the chase, and deposited on the rough flooring of his hut the varied game which he has procured. The great backlog, that with some difficulty has been rolled into the ample chimney, urged, as it were, by lighted pieces of pine, sends forth a blaze of light over the happy family. The dogs of the hunter are already licking away the trickling waters of the thawing icicles that sparkle over their shaggy coats, and the comfort-loving cat is busied in passing her furry paws over each ear, or with her rough tongue smoothing her glossy coat.

At this season, fresh butter is usually soft and disagreeable to the eye, even when the flavour is good to prevent this, place the dish in which it is, to stand in cold spring water with a little saltpetre dissolved in it. Butter may be brought to the table in water, but it should never stand long in it, for the part which comes in contact with the water becomes white, and has an unpleasant appearance. If fresh butter cannot be procured every or every other day, it is well where much is consumed to sprinkle five or six pounds with a little salt, and press it close down in a basin or stone pan, which prevents its becoming rancid, and it is just as good for pastry, melting, and How delightful to me has it been, when, kindly toast, and also for bread and butter, if washed through received and hospitably treated under such a roof, two or three waters. This is also a good time for by persons whose means were as scanty as their buying last year's cheese; it is now in good condi- generosity was great, I have entered into conversation; new cheese is wasteful, and has not attained tion with them respecting subjects of interest to me, its full flavour. and received gratifying information. When the During the summer months, meat requires con-humble but plentiful repast was ended, the mother

would take from the shelf the BOOK of books, and mildly request the attention of her family while the father read aloud a chapter. Then to heaven would ascend their humble prayers, and a good-night would be bidden to all friends far and near. How comfortably have I laid my wearied frame on the buffalohide, and covered me with the furry skin of some huge bear! How pleasing have been my dreams of home and happiness, as I there lay secure from danger, and sheltered from the inclemency of the weather.

communication by the roads, the resinous nature of the firs being of course best fitted to ensure and keep up the burning of the deep beds of dry leaves or of the other trees."-Here I begged him to give me some idea of the form of the insects which had caused such havock.

"The insects," said he, "were, in their caterpillar form, about three quarters of an inch in length, and as green as the leaves of the trees they fed on, when they committed their ravages. I must tell you, also, that in most of the places over which the fire passed, I recollect that once, while in the state of Maine, a new growth of wood has already sprung up, of I passed such a night as I have described. Next what we lumberers call hard-wood, which consists morning, the face of nature was obscured by the of all other sorts but pine or fir; and I have always heavy rains that fell in torrents, and my generous remarked that wherever the first natural growth of a host begged me to remain in such pressing terms, forest is destroyed, either by the axe, the hurricane, that I was well content to accept his offer. Break- or the fire, there springs up spontaneously another fast over, the business of the day commenced: the of quite a different kind." I again stopped my host spinning-wheels went round, and the boys employed to inquire if he knew the method or nature of the themselves, one in searching for knowledge, another first kindling of the fires. in attempting to solve some ticklish arithmetical "Why, sir," said he, "there are different opinions problem. In a corner lay the dogs dreaming of about this. Many believe that the Indians did it, plunder, while close to the ashes stood grimalkin either to be the better able to kill the game, or to seriously purring in concert with the wheels. The punish their enemies the Pale-faces. My opinion, hunter and I seated ourselves each on a stool, while however, is different; and I derive it from my exthe matron looked after her domestick arrange-perience in the woods as a lumberer. I have always

ments.

thought that the fires began by the accidental fall of a dry trunk against another, when their rubbing together, especially as many of them are covered with resin, would produce fire. The dry leaves on the ground are at once kindled, next the twigs and branches, when nothing but the intervention of the Almighty could stop the progress of the fire.

"In some instances, owing to the wind, the destructive element approached the dwellings of the inhabitants of the woods so rapidly that it was difficult for them to escape. In some parts, indeed, hundreds of families were obliged to flee from their homes, leaving all they had behind them, and here and there some of the affrighted fugitives were burnt alive."

"Puss," quoth the dame, "get away; you told me last night of this day's rain, and I fear you may now give us worse news with trickish paws." Puss accordingly went off, leaped on a bed, and rolling herself in a ball, composed herself for a comfortable nap. I asked the husband what his wife meant by what she had just said. "The good woman," said he, "has some curious notions at times, and she believes, I think, in the ways of animals of all kinds. Now, her talk to the cat refers to the fires of the woods around us, and although they have happened long ago, she fears them quite as much as ever, and indeed she and I, and all of us, have good reason to dread them, as they have brought us many calamities." Having read of the great fires to which my host alluded, and frequently observed with sorrow the mournful state of the forests, I felt anxious to know something of the causes by which these direful effects had been produced. I therefore requested him to give me an account of the events resulting from those fires which he had witnessed. Willingly "Poor things," said the lumberer, "I dare say he at once went on, nearly as follows:

"About twenty-five years ago, the larch or hackmitack trees were nearly all killed by insects. This took place in what hereabouts is called the black soft-growth-land,' that is the spruce, pine, and all other firs. The destruction of the trees was effected by the insect cutting the leaves, and you must know, that although other trees are not killed by the loss of their leaves, the evergreens always are. Some few years after this destruction of the larch, the same insects attacked the spruces, pines, and other firs, in such a manner, that before half a dozen years were over, they began to fall, and, tumbling in all directions, they covered the whole country with matted masses. You may suppose that, when partially dried or seasoned, they would prove capital fuel, as well as supplies for the devouring flames which accidentally, or perhaps by intention, afterward raged over the country, and continued burning at intervals for years, in many places stopping all

At this moment, a rush of wind came down the chimney, blowing the blaze of the fire towards the room. The wife and daughter, imagining for a moment that the woods were again on fire, made for the door, but the husband, explaining the cause of their terrour, they resumed their work.

that what I have told you brings sad recollections to the minds of my wife and eldest daughter, who, with myself, had to fly from our home, at the time of the great fires." I felt so interested in his relation of the causes of the burnings, that I asked him to describe to me the particulars of his misfortunes at the time. "If Prudence and Polly," said he, looking towards his wife and daughter, "will promise to sit still, should another puff of smoke come down the chimney, I will do so." The goodnatured smile with which he accompanied this remark, elicited a return from the women, and he proceeded:

"It is a difficult thing, sir, to describe, but I will do my best to make your time pass pleasantly. We were sound asleep one night, in a cabin about a hundred miles from this, when about two hours before day, the snorting of the horses and lowing of the cattle which I had ranging in the woods suddenly wakened us. I took yon rifle, and went to

the door to see what beast had caused the hubbub, | smoke, rolling and sweeping away. Our bodies when I was struck by the glare of light reflected on were cool enough, but our heads were scorching, all the trees before me, as far as I could see through and the child, who now seemed to understand the the woods. My horses were leaping about, snorting matter, cried so as nearly to break our hearts. loudly, and the cattle ran among them with their tails raised straight over their backs. On going to the back of the house, I plainly heard the crackling made by the burning brushwoods, and saw the flames coming towards us in a far-extended line. I ran to the house, told my wife to dress herself and the child as quickly as possible, and take the little money we had, while I managed to catch and saddle the two best horses. All this was done in a very short time, for I guessed that every moment was precious

to us.

"We then mounted, and made off from the fire. My wife, who is an excellent rider, stuck close to me; my daughter, who was then a small child, I took in one arm. When making off as I said, I looked back and saw that the frightful blaze was close upon us, and had already laid hold of the house. By good luck, there was a horn attached to my hunting-clothes, and I blew it, to bring after us, if possible, the remainder of my live stock, as well as the dogs. The cattle followed for awhile; but, before an hour had elapsed, they all ran as if mad through the woods, and that, sir, was the last of them. My dogs, too, although at all other times extremely tractable, ran after the deer that in bodies sprung before us, as if fully aware of the death that was so rapidly approaching.

"We heard blasts from the horns of our neighbours, as we proceeded, and knew that they were in the same predicament. Intent on striving to the utmost to preserve our lives, I thought of a large lake, some miles off, which might possibly check the flames; and, urging my wife to whip up her horse, we set off at full speed, making the best way we could over the fallen trees and the brush heaps, which lay like so many articles placed on purpose to keep up the terrifick fires that advanced with a broad front upon us.

A

"The day passed on, and we became hungry. Many wild beasts came plunging into the water beside us, and others swam across to our side and stood still. Although faint and weary, I managed to shoot a porcupine, and we all tasted its flesh. The night passed I cannot tell you how. Smouldering fires covered the ground, and the trees stood like pillars of fire, or fell across each other. The stifling and sickening smoke still rushed over us, and the burnt cinders and ashes fell thick about us. How we got through that night I really cannot tell, or about some of it I remember nothing." Here the hunter paused, and took breath. The recital of his adventure seemed to have exhausted him. His wife proposed that we should have a bowl of milk, and the daughter having handed it to us, we each took a draught.

"Now," said he, "I will proceed. Towards morning, although the heat did not abate, the smoke became less, and blasts of fresh air sometimes made their way to us. When morning came, all was calm, but a dismal smoke still filled the air, and the smell seemed worse than ever. We were now cooled enough, and shivered as if in an ague-fit; so we removed from the water, and went up to a burning log, where we warmed ourselves. What was to become of us I did not know. My wife hugged the child to her breast, and wept bitterly; but God had preserved us through the worst of the danger, and the flames had gone past, so I thought it would be both ungrateful to him, and unmanly to despair now. Hunger once more pressed upon us, but this was easily remedied. Several deer were still standing in the water, up to the head, and I shot one of them. Some of its flesh was soon roasted, and, after eating it, we felt wonderfully strengthened.

66

By this time, the blaze of the fire was beyond our sight, although the ground was still burning in "By this time we could feel the heat; and we were many places, and it was dangerous to go among the afraid that our horses would drop every instant. burnt trees. After resting awhile, and trimming singular kind of breeze was passing over our heads, ourselves, we prepared to commence our march. and the glare of the atmosphere shone over the day- Taking up the child, I led the way over the hot light. I was sensible of a slight faintness, and my grounds and rocks; and, after two weary days and wife looked pale. The heat had produced such a nights, during which we shifted in the best manner flush in the child's face, that when she turned toward we could, we at last reached the hard woods,' either of us, our grief and perplexity were greatly which had been free of the fire. Soon after, we increased. Ten miles, you know, are soon gone came to a house, where we were kindly treated for over on swift horses; but, notwithstanding this, when awhile. Since then, sir, I have worked hard and we reached the borders of the lake, covered with constantly as a lumberer; but, thanks be to God, sweat and quite exhausted, our hearts failed us. The here we are, safe, sound, and happy!" heat of the smoke was insufferable, and sheets of blazing fire flew over us in a manner beyond belief. "We reached the shores, however, coasted the lake for awhile, and got round to the lee side. Mackerel.-There is not a fish that exceeds the There we gave up our horses, which we never saw mackerel in the brilliancy of its colours, or in the again. Down among the rushes we plunged by the elegance of its shape. The fine deep blue upon edge of the water, and laid ourselves flat, to wait the back is crossed by many black streaks, and the chance of escaping from being burnt or devoured. accompanied by a tinge of green, which varies as The water refreshed us, and we enjoyed the the fish changes its position. The bright silver

coolness.

Audubon.

colour of the abdomen, and the varying tinge of "On went the fire, rushing and crashing through gold green which runs along the sides, are emithe woods. Such a sight may we never see! The nently beautiful in the species; but are only to be heavens themselves, I thought, were frightened, for seen to perfection when it is first taken out of the all above us was a red glare, mixed with clouds of water, as death impairs the colours.

polish.

The difficulties in varnishing are these; if you have too great a quantity of varnish in your brush, it will lie in ridges where the strokes meet each other, and occasion considerable trouble in polishing; if too little, it will be troublesome to guide the brush. Be careful also to have nearly an equal quantity in the brush each time it is spread over the subject, that it may dry evenly; and draw the brush in one direction only while the varnish is wet, that it may not disturb the surface. Do not leave the varnish in the pipkin exposed to the air, for any length of time, as it will then get thick, and cause little bubbles in applying it. If you neglect to clean the brush at any time after using it, it must be softened in spirits of wine before it can be used again. The subject must not be put very near the fire nor in the sun, as either will be likely to cause blisters in the varnish. It must not be touched while in a wet state, nor should any thing rest upon it before it is hard.

more nearly without fear of producing them. If a week to harden, when it will be in a fit state to
there be a tendency of the print to peel off in one or
two places, I should say you have neglected to clear
the white hard varnish out of the brush thoroughly,
before you used it for the transfer varnish. This
mixing with the transfer would render it decidedly
less adhesive than is required. These small holes
may be filled up by painting over them with Indian-
ink. Take a piece of window-glass, that has been
broken in a slightly curved form, and scrape off the
whole, then put on more varnish and another print.
The filling up the small breaks with Indian-ink, may
be better done after the first coats of varnish have
been put on. In order to varnish the top of the box
to clear it, pour the white hard varnish into the
pipkin, and let the brush stand in it three or four
minutes to soften it, before it is applied to the box.
A coat of this varnish is then to be spread over
the whole of the top as before, and in five minutes a
second, and in another five minutes a third. It is
necessary to apply them thus quickly to ensure a per-
fect transparency to the print. When mezzotint en-
gravings are transferred it will be desirable to add a
fourth coat, in order to clear them properly, and they
should remain on the water twice the length of time
required to soften lithographick prints. It will take
considerably longer also to rub off the paper when
you have placed them down, and they will look The materials for polishing are a few Dutch
much whiter when all the paper that can be remov-rushes and a packet of rotten stone, and a glass of
ed is rubbed off. From prints of this description water, some flannel, a small piece of lard, and some
being enclosed in a definite form, there is less fine flour. To ascertain whether the varnish is
trouble to make the outline of the paper disappear.
Vinegar is used to transfer coloured prints with. As
there is considerably more size in the paper when
prints are coloured, it requires some liquid stronger
than water, completely to dissolve it. You therefore
mix an equal quantity of vinegar and water for them,
instead of water alone; leaving them on at least half
an hour, to allow the size to be thoroughly dissolved,
and then proceed as with the plain engravings. Be
ery careful to select those coloured subjects for
transferring, which have had no gamboge used in
colouring them, as it will spread over the whole
surface, and entirely disfigure it.

One of the chief advantages of polishing is, that it not only improves the appearance of the varnish but makes its beauty considerably more durable. The box looks very well; but if left for a few weeks, it will have lost its gloss entirely, and ger look like a new article.

hardened enough for polishing, press your finger firmly on the box, and if it leaves no impression, it is quite dry. Take a piece of rush, and cutting off the black knots from the ends, press it between the fingers to make it flat instead of round, and then carefully place the bent side upon the varnish, so that the two ends may rise a little from the box to avoid scratching the surface; and resting your fingers upon it, rub to and fro until all the roughness is worn away.

The appearance of white dust, is because the varnish is made with gums dissolved in spirits of wine, and as the spirit dries out completely, nothing Gamboge may generally be detected by looking but the gums remain; the rush, which has a very at the painting sidewise toward the light, and if the rough surface, grinds away the gum, and reduces it yellows and greens shine at all, it is the effect either to a fine powder, causing the appearance of flour of gamboge or gum, both of which render it unfit for which you will notice. The size of the top of a the purpose of transferring; the former for the reason box about seven inches by five, will occupy about already assigned, and the latter because it prevents twenty minutes in rubbing with the rush: one piece the varnish taking hold of the colours sufficiently to of rush will last about ten minutes. When all the resist the influence of the water in rubbing off the irregular rough surface has been reduced in this paper. We have now finished the process of trans- manner, rub with your fingers alone for five minutes, ferring; and if three more coats of varnish be given to remove any small scratches that may have been to the box in a few days it will have a very good ef- made with the rush. Thus far the intention has fect, and be done enough for many purposes. But been to obtain a perfectly smooth surface, the next as you may sometimes wish to set off your work to step is to make it shine with a beautiful gloss. Now the best possible advantage, we shall go on to show put on an old glove to keep your fingers from the rotyou the process of polishing. The subject, in this ten stone; folding a piece of flannel three or four case, must have at least twenty coats of varnish, in times, dip it in the water to moisten it, and then on addition to those already given, they must be applied to the rotten stone to take up about as much as would in the following manner :-Not more than four coats cover a shilling, and rub it on the box to and fro, are to be put on in one day, two in the morning, one and in a circular direction for ten minutes, keeping a few minutes after the other; and two in the even-it moist but not very wet. This is to be cleaned off ing. This may be done for five days successively; with a damp sponge, and wiped dry with soft flannel but no inconvenience will arise if several days or an old silk handkerchief. When perfectly dry are suffered to elapse between the putting on the and free from rotten stone, a very little lard may be different coats of varnish. It must be left at least rubbed over it with a piece of silk velvet, or the