1382. To make an Illuminated or Phosphoric Bottle, which will preserve its Light for several months.-By putting a piece of phosphorus, the size of a pea, into a phial, and adding boil. ing oil until the bottle is a third full, a luminous bottle is formed; for, on taking out the cork, to admit atmospheric air, the empty space in the phial will become luminous.

Whenever the stopper is taken out in the night, sufficient light will be evolved to show the hour upon a watch; and if care be taken to keep it, in general, well closed, it will preserve its illuminative power for several months.

1383. To Marble Books or Paper.-Marbling of books or paper is performed thus :-Dissolve four ounces of gum arabic in two quarts of fair water; then provide several colors mixed with water in pots or shells, and with pencils peculiar to each color; sprinkle them by way of intermixture upon the gumwater, which must be put into a trough, or some broad vessel; then, with a stick, curl them, or draw them out in streaks to as much variety as may be done. Having done this, hold your book, or books, close together, and only dip the edges in, on the top of the water and colors, very lightly; which done, take them off, and the plain impression of the colors in mixture will be upon the leaves; doing as well the ends as the front of the book in like manner, and afterwards glazing the colors.

1384. To Write Secretly on a Pocket Handkerchief.-Dissolve alum in pure water, and write upon a fine white handkerchief, which, when dry, will not be seen at all; but when you would have the letters visible, dip the handkerchief in pure water, and it will be of a wet appearance all over, except where it was written on with the alum water.

You may also write with alum water upon writing paper, which will not be visible till dipped in water.

1385. To keep Insects out of Bird- Cages.-Tie up a little sulphur in a silk bag, and suspend it in the cage. For mocking birds this is essential to their health; and the sulphur will keep all the red ants and other insects from cages of all kinds of birds. Red ants will never be found in a closet or drawer if a small bag of sulphur is kept constantly in these places

1386. Of Books, Mental Cultivation, &c.-Our work would be incomplete, without some reference to mental as well as ma terial improvement. In truth, we have aimed, throughout this and a former book,* to make the connection between the cultivation of the mental faculties and true household economy apparent. To work properly we must think rightly. Science is as necessary in the kitchen as in the laboratory. The reason why men cooks are preferred above women cooks, and better paid, is, the former study their art as a science. Knowledge is power, in domestic life as well as in the political arena. Let the woman elevate her position by her learning; let her understand the nature and influence of her daily employments, cultivating her taste and refining her manners by the true standard of moral excellence; thus making her home-pursuits conduce to the harmony and happiness of the general plan of life in which she, the wife and mother, is the centre of attraction and volition, and how important for humanity her sphere

becomes.

1387. Choice of Reading.-Never keep house without books. Life is not life to any great purpose where books are not. The BIBLE is indispensable. Out of its treasures of Divine wisdom all best human wisdom is derived or directed. Then have other books, as your means permit. If these are rightly chosen, every volume will be a teacher, a friend—a fountain, from whence may be drawn sweet streams of pleasure and profit. Poetry, story, biography, history, essays, and religious worksI name these in the order a child chooses books-all are needed. American literature-that is, books on subjects connected with our own country, should be first in our reading. Bancroft's "History of the United States," Sparkes' " American Biographies," Lippincott's "Cabinet Histories of the States," Mrs. Ellet's "Women of the Revolution"-these should be accessible to every family in the Union. Read on every subject conneeted with your own pursuits and employments. Knowledge will aid you even in hand labor; and a good book is a safe refuge in idle hours.

1388. Of Periodicals and Newspapers.--Every family should take a newspaper; this, the lady of the house should insist

*See "Mrs. Hale's New Cook Book."

upon-kindly, to be sure; for a pleasant request is as powerful as "a soft answer" in "turning away wrath." Men, usually, are willing to subscribe for a paper, though some are indifferent to this great source of family instruction as well as pleasure; but they forget, when the year comes round, to renew their subscription in the right way. So the women of the family should be sure to remember the printer.

Another important source of family improvement is the periodicals or monthly magazines. These are now, thanks to the cheap postage system, accessible to the dwellers in the most remote places of our wide land. As a work for our own sex, Godey's Lady's Book is the best that can be taken in a family, because it furnishes information on every branch of home duties and pursuits; and moreover, upholds that pure standard of morals in its lightest fiction, which renders it a safe enjoyment for the young.

Many other periodicals might be named, all excellent of their kind, and where the expense can be afforded, each household should obtain one or more of these. A better way would be for a neighborhood to unite and take a half dozen different publications, securing the inestimable advantage of reading every month the best religious, medical, agricultural, scientific, literary, and illustrated magazines-thus keeping up with the progress of art, the march of mind, the material advancement, and the moral improvement of the world.

1389. How can we Pay for the Magazines ?-Is the question with many families. Very easily, if you have the will--one half of the money spent on tobacco would, if laid out in books, soon give every family a library. And, young ladies, if you cannot persuade your brothers to throw aside their cigars, and subscribe, why, look over this book, and see, if from its economical hints you cannot devise some plan of earning or saving, whereby you may be able to pay for the magazines. Do this one year; husband or brother will then be ready to aid. Woman has everything to gain from Christian civilization; she should lead the way.

PART VIII.

ELEGANT AND INGENIOUS ARTS, ETC. Water-Colors-Potichomanie-Grecian Painting-Diaphanic Feather Flowers· Sea-Weeds- Botanical Specimens— Leaves-Plants-Fungi-Transferring-Etching-Staining-Leather-work—Games, etc.

1390. Home Pursuits, etc.-See Part III., page 151.

1391. Accomplishments.-These are very desirable for the household, because the inmates are made happier by refined and ingenious arts and pursuits, and are fitted to improve the taste of others.

1392. Children and young persons, of both sexes, should learn as many of these arts as they possibly can without neglecting duties. Pleasant modes of employing leisure hours save people from many temptations, and add much to the happiness of life.

WATER-COLORS USED IN DRAWING.

1393. Indian Ink. The best is stamped with Chinese characters, breaks with a glossy fracture, and feels smooth when rubbed on the plate.

1394. Hair Pencils are made of camel's-hair; if they come to a point, when moistened, without splitting, they are good.

1395. Drawing Paper.-That made without any wire marks, and called wove paper, is the best; it is made of various sizes and thicknesses.

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1396. To make a good White.-Clarify white lead with white-wine vinegar. After the powder has settled, pour off the vinegar, put the powder into a glass of water, stir it, and pour the water off while it is white into another glass; when it is settled, pour off the water, and an excellent white will be obtained. To this add gum enough to give it a gloss.

DIRECTIONS FOR MIXED COLORS.

1397. Ash Color.-Ceruse white, Keating's black and white, shaded with cherry-stone black..

1398. Bay.-Lake and flake white, shaded with carmine; bistre and vermilion shaded with black.

1399. Changeable Silk.-Red lead and masticot water, shaded with sap-green and verdigris.

1400. Another.-Lake and yellow, shaded with lake and Prussian blue.

1401. Cloud Color.-Light masticot, or lake and white, shaded with blue verditer.

1402. Another.--Constant white and Indian ink, and a little vermilion.

1403. Another.-White, with a little lake and blue verditer, make a good cloud color for that part next the horizon.

1404. Crimson.-Lake and white, with a little vermilion, shaded with lake and carmine.

1405. Flame Color.-Vermilion and orpiment, heightened with white.

1406. Another.-Gamboge, shaded with minium and red lead.

1407. Flesh Color.-Ceruse, red lead, and lake, for a swarthy complexion, and yellow ochre.