The Ladies’ Magazine.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2425, 13 February 1909, Page 12 (Supplement)

The Ladies’ Magazine.

THE GIRL IN MODERN GERMANY

(liy Mrs. Alfred Sidgwick.) Twenty years ago the only public education open to • a.-German girl o* the middle or upper classes was given by a Hohere Tocliterschule, and though it was thorough, it was narrow. Elementary schools and girls schools were in the hands of the same set of officials, and to women wlu, were thirsty for knowledge they said, ‘•Thus far and no farther.” Even a rear ago Latin and mathematics were not taught at these schools, and if a girl wished to matriculate she had to attend gymnasialkurso, and learn m two years wiiat her brothers had beer, taught in nine. , • With the help of a lew enlightened men. women are emancipating rhemselves, but the average man looks on sourly at the process. The girls of Germany are passing thorugh a period of Sturm and Drang, with the usual dangers of exaggeration and mistake. The German girl is awake, and is seizing life with both hands. At an earlv age she looks forward and. u her parents arc poor, sees, that she may never marry. Probably she mis maiden aunts both by adoption ana blood, and their narrow, stunted byes fill her with foreboding and anxieoy. “To marry, a girl must have fortune, beauty or amiability,” I heard one German father say to his three daughters; and he implied, that ms girls lacking these things, must make their own way in the world. , '1 o marrv, a girl must knit and cook and be a household Kate,” whispered the .daughters to each other. “>\e want more ol hie. Wo will not marry, and we will not be old maids in the olu S So one went to Munich and worked in the art schools there. When her training was finished she found i\ ellpaid work as a designer in a fat go factors', and when she had been there a. few* years she means to set up a school of design herself. Another daughter trained as a teacher, ana has one of the higher posts m a g'i Is school, and the third, after working at art criticism in Munich, is travelling in England to sec what we are doing in this country. As you talk to her vou understand that she will see honestly, astutely, and below the surface. She is inclined to like us and all our works that are pot- political. She knows, as I know, that modern ait in Germany owes much of its iampliation to England, and she says that German artists admit this. The English names on lier lips are those of Blake. William Morris, Rossetti, Burne-Jones, Swinburne. She looks forward to a life of work and vaiied interests in Munich, that great aitcentre of Germany, and you perceive that her work gives her a grip on life that is a source of happiness. MEN AND MARRIAGE. The modern German girl who is in “the movement” does not wish to marrv. this one tells me dispassionately, because, in her, opinion, the, move riient has left men behind. Men stiff cherish dead ideas and seek a helpmate whose household drudgery fills her time and her mind. They want a housekeeper, not a comrade. “She has married.” says the modern girl ol a schoolfellow known to he empty and frivolous. ■"lt was her vocation.' It is impossible to talk witn intelligent German women now or to rent wiiat they write without coming acoross the genuine contempt for men and marriage. It is. a reaction that must wear itself out, because it is afa i nst the inmost nature of things; hut it will not do so till men adjust themselves to the new ideas. As long as they proclaim that kitchen, church and children should make a mental boundary for every woman they proclaim themselves behind the times, > - cause, unfortunately lor their them 3, -ocial and economic conditions make it imperative now for a great many women to supply their own lanlers and to do without their own kitchens and nurseries. ~ , Nor is it any longer necessaiy taut all wage-earning women should work tor their wages in other women s nuiseries and schoolrooms. New markets are open to them, offering better pay and frenter freedom. German girls find good posts in factories and m some public offices; they learn bookbinding; they are gardeners and agriculturists ; they are clever enough to find fresh ways for themselves, little bv-paths leading from the broad road of artistic creation there. One designed and embroidered small soft cushions, and h;,<: earned a small loitune bv them; another has a school 01 embroidery, from which she sends table-covers; another invented a distemper for nursery friezes, and executes her own designs from her own medium. Even girls who have money are caught by the new spirit and engage in some work, often philantliiopic

A GIRL’S RECREATIONS. When you ask how such girls amuse themselves you are told that thev have no time for amusements. They play tennis for exercise, they skate in winter, they row and swim in summer, but the indoor .games and the interminable embroideries of the last generation they have cast away. When you ask how the German mother horn forty or fifty years ago Ji'ke these new ways, you hear that they bewilder and distress her. “Imagine what my 'iris want to do next?” she says to her friends. “They want to go to Munich themselves and study art there.” Luckily the friends are sensible, and say, “Well, why not? Other rriris wo/* So they comfort tlic han*assed mother, who, when she was young, considered skating unfeminine, and was not allowed to enter a Droschke or a train by herself, “You see I must smoke,” sanl another gill lo her horrified maiden aunt, who catches her lighting a cigarette. uncie Fritz is here to-day, and we have no Ilansherr, so Frida and I must smoke with him.” . ~ “Rut when I read, anything unsuitable I do not let my mother and my aunts see it,” says Frida It is best so. Why should I distress them: Mv mother would not sleep at. night it “she thought I read Ibsen and Gorky When Tanto Emmi was a girl she was not allowed to look f newspaper. She was left over £3O a year and has existed on it ever snuM—hist in a garret and then m a Stilt, it did not occur to anyone in those days that a- woman without money should

learn to support, herself. AVo live in different times. I®.At least some of us to.” That is the qualification every lion>st German must still make. r lbe modern spirit is a leaven that has not .vorked far afield yet. i. am told that learl.y all the girls moved by it come from' big cities, and especially from Berlin and-Munich. In the smaller jowiis most girls are leading the lives .heir mothers led. They.dross, dance, mibroider, coo'k, and flirt; iliey make losom friends and quarrel with them ; if they marry, they make good wives and mothers ’from the'sheer domestic mint of view. If they do not marry oheir whole horizon is gloomy and demoralised. They are failures and arc ■oured by a sense of failure, though obey .are victims and not sinners.

Their story has been told once ’ml for all by Ga bridle Reuter in her lovoi, "‘Aus G-uter Fainilie,” and vhen von read it you rejoice, for the sake of your sex, that the cheerful lachelor girl has come at last to Germany.

A SHATTERED ROMANCE

CLEOPATRA’S' LOVE STORY. The love story of Antony and Cleopatra, which has fascinated the ima gination of so many centuries and inspired so many poets and artists, has been rudely shattered by Signer Gnglielmo Fcrre.ro, tho Italian historian. In his hands the romance of the 'Roman .general and the Egyptian 'queen becomes merely an “anti-feminist* le. gelid, illustrating how dangerous Li is to leave to women the government of public affairs.” In the relations to these famous people he has discovered ‘‘small place, and that only in the latter part, for the passion of love,” while for the fabled beauty of the woman ho finds little foundation in fact. Archaeologists have unfortunately discovered portraits of Cleopatra, and they do not show “the countenance o! Venus, delicate, gracious, smiling, bid v face fleshy, or, as the French would ay, bouffie', with a powerful aquiline nose, the face of a* woman on in years, ambitious, .imperious.” Antony first met Cleopatra at Tarsus at the end of the year 41 me. lie passed- the <winter with her, and, leaving in the spring of 40, stayed away for three long years. “There is no proof,” said Signor Ferrero, “that he was sighing during this time for the Egyptian queen. Instead, he was attending with alacrity to preparations for the conquest of Persia, a great design, which had been conceived by Caesar, who saw that only a great success would give him and his party the authority anu money necessary to establish a solid government. Antony was exceedingly busy in these three years extracthag from all ports any money that might be in circulation. In the. midst of “this work, without any explanation, he departs for Anti’och to meet Cleopatra. Plutarch concluded that he had been ‘bourn by the fiery, untamed course of his own passion,’and, not finding any other explanation, historians, ancient and modern, have accepted this. one. But a century •;o-(j a Frenchman named Letronne. comparing ancient coins with passages from the historians hitherto obscure, was able to demonstrate that in 36 me. at Antioch Anthony married Cleopatra with all the dynastic ceremonies of Egypt, and thereupon became King of Egypt, but without daring to assume the title. “This marriage wars a political one. and there is no doubt that in contracting it Antony was putting into execution the ideas of Caesar. Hie object was to gain possession or the treasures of Egypt for the. Persian campaign, and Cleopatra, consented to (he alliance because she was threatened bv internal opposition, and wished to gather about her the Roman legions.” . ~ c This was the beginning or the famous romance. Afterward S'gnor Ferrero admitted it probably grew into something more. “AA hef tier beautiful or ugly, Cleopatra was a clever woman, corresponding in those limes to 0/ hkhlgth Parisionnc of cs»cganee and culture and charm, . and To her fascination was added that ot T<>vpt, in comparison with wincm Italy wae a. rude and barbarous country. , ~ “It is not necessary to suppose, jaid Signor Ferrero, “that Antony was foolishly enamoured of Cleopatra to understand the change that took place in him after his marriage with the Queen of Egypt. Born in the modest home of an ampoyerished noble, 'he found himself lord of the palace of the Ptolemies, with marvellous collctions of art to give him measure ,md trains of servants to gratify Ins every wish. The luxury gradually hold of his mind, and when Ueo"patra tried to /persuade him not to conquer Persia, to .accept openly the crown, of Egypt and join with her m making that power tho first m Amen and Asia, he was unable to oppose a resolute note, to her. “ITis final overthrow came, not 'because he was so mad w ith love that lie abandoned his command in battle, but because liis armies revolted when they .understood that ho meant to dismember the .Empire of Rome and to create a new empire ot Alexandria, “Augustus understood the situation "perfectly'Signor Ferrero concluded, “hut he and Ins patty ci rated the story which has so entertained posterityrtor the benefit of the Roman public, which 'believed it as postentj lias Believed it.”

SAYINGS OF MRS. SOLOMON

BEING THE CONFESSIONS OF THE SEVEN HUNDREDTH WIFE.

(Translated by Helen Rowland.)

Alarvel not, O my daughter, that a woman of times Fa lie lb in Jove with her coachman. For this, even as for breakfast foods, “there is a reason.”

For a- coachman is a daily companion, but a husband is a comparative stranger. And a groom in riding hoots and 'knee breeches maketh « man in a spike-tailed boat to look ridiculous. Yea, a man that manag•th a fractious horse is more fascinatng than he that smoketh a <4garotte md passeth thee a cup of tea. Moreover, a groom doctli tliy bidling eagerly and runneth thine errand with a pleasant air. He pieketh ip thy hairpins and holdeth tliy hand K-easionally while he helpotli 'thee to mount. Yea, in times of great danger he protected! tlioo and ordereth thee ibout. And a woman lovoth to he ordered about; she adoreth a “master”—even a riding master. Verily, when husbands shall become ike unto their coachman in matters of devotion and chivalry—even in manners—then elopments and divorces ball cease. Likewise when wives shall become like unto their husbands’ manicures scandals shall die out. For a manicure holdeth a man’s land tenderly and listeth pleasantly unto his conversation. She - consultoth his opinions and she never answereth back! She useth her eyes and her hair is never out of curl. She does the “feminine” and does the “domestic” and doetli not scorn a cute apron. She cooeth gently and sympatniseth with a man’s troubles—uni all the day of her life she avoideth an onion like a plague. Verily, verily, it is not the man, nor the maid, nor the wife, nor the husband, nor the groom, nor the manicure, but the situation which breedatli sentiment. And marriage is an awkward situation. Selah!

A GIRL’S BEDROOM

A girl’s character is revealed in her room. Of course, outsiders have few opportunities of judging of this, hut _she herself will benefit by the influence exerted by orderly surroundings. A girl can learn nothing more useful than the simple little trick of having her own room beautiful and attractive. There are girls and girls and rooms and rooms, yet somehow ur other some girls care little for their rooms, and some rooms have the frowning aspect of a prison. It is not always possible to have line furniture, but one can have a “homely-looking" room. One thing is absolutely necessary —a room must he dean. A few good pictures, a pretty bedspread, a few well-selected hooks and magazines on a table, a serapbasIcet to hold odds and ends which must he burned, a comfortable chair or two are all necessary. Select pictures as you would friends, carefully and for their real value. Do not decorate the walls with postcards, but keep them in an album. Above all things have vour wardrobe in order, so that you "need not he ashamed to have the door opened for anyone to see how you keep your clothes. Keep your shoes out of sight. Nothing gives a more untidy appearance to vT girl’s room than to see several pairs of shoes and slippers in evidence Have a place to put them and |,o careful to put them in their place. A dainty room always bespeaks a dainty girl, and where is the poison who is not prepossessed in their favor by their personal appearance •

IRRITATING NOISES

Much of the crossness and snappinesfi with which the world is afflicted is due to irritating small noises. Big ones we can control, or at least make the attempt, but the little ones seem not worth minding, yet do real harm. The nerves which never flinch with resounding blasts morning and night arc worn to the snapping point by tho irritating buzz of a ffy or continuous hum of the mosquito. Equally disagreeable is the human, hum. Parents should break up the humming habit early in their children. Not only is it annoying, but frequently it degenerates into rudeness. Laziness is often responsible for trying small noises. Never count it too much trouble to ferret out and correct an annoying sound. If you do not mind a squeek or a scratching, others may not be so impervious. Simple cubes will often conquer these simple frets. A squeaking shoo, •a tapping of the foot, or a drumming of fingers are all irritating and can be easily overcome. More annoying than these are the noises caused by personal mannerisms. Such habits are hard to correct in grown people, but they should ho broken up in children, and parents cannot begin, too soon to call attention to them. They are not only disagreeable to strangers, but arc evidence of bad manners.

in course of time legislation may do something towards relieving us of the big noises that make life harder to bear, but it cannot take cognizance of the small ones, and yet they work havoc upon tired and sensitive nerves. . ■■■■"" '7 A famous nerve specialist has!found that these little noisfes have caused more trouble than the larger ones which were more tangible, and that there should be an offort made to check them, inasmuch as they are equally harmful. V v Mothers can perhaps do move in controlling these small annoy, a nces than otligrs, and should make it -their business to see that their household arrangements move silently and that their children do not acquire irritating habits that ma'ko thorn objectionable to everybody who" comes within their reach. Children would he gainers -as well, for they would be more agreeable and consequently more welcome wherevqr they go.

THE GIRL WITH CHARM

Charm, let me toll you, is not easy ■:o define.- You can define a sum in iritlimetie, two and two make four, mt can you define a perfume? Can you define the haunting mystery of a nine that keeps coming and going in your head?

Charm is as difficult of definition as the fragrance of a violet, or tiho sound of the wind in the treetops. Nevertheless it is as real as the wind and the perfume of tho violet. A gill may have no special talents; she may not be clover,, she may oven he a little stupid, but if she have charm she will win her way everywhere.

You may be a graduate of tho finest high school in the country and yet have less magnetic charm than a little emigrant girl who has just timidly stepped from the deck of a ship that lias brought her across the sea t-o this strange land. Tho girl with cliarm diffuses about her an atmosphere of delight. She is welcomed alike to the old, tlie shy and the sorrowful, to little children and to friends of her own age. If her business is selling ribbons to customers wait until she is disengaged. If she is travelling and in the seat next to her is a mother with a fretful baby, whose crying irritates the rest ol tho passengers, this girl in some way—unobtrusive, of course—-manages to divert the infant and changes' its tearful cries into baby laughter. This girl’s card is always lull, and partners dispute for her hand at a party. I have seen her alter in an instant the whole atmosphere of a room, where previously everybody had been as cross as two sticks, and yet all she did was to come in bringing with her a suggestion of breeziness and good humor, without so much as speaking a word or even looking at an individual. Girls, what is tlie secret of this wonderful power ? How can you possess the charm? It is not bought in shops, says an exchange, it is not to lie borrowed nor loaned. A millionaire’s purse cannot purchase it. Yet tometimes a beggar has it under a ragged shawl. It lies in personality. Mrs. Browning put the whole of it in a single line when she wrote about a girl called “Mv Kale.” “ ’Twas her thinking of others made you think of her.' AVe may get it if we care, enough lor the magical secret to set ourselvcsrtrce from selfish thought and live so as to make our world happier.

CHARACTER

A TEST OF TIME AND TROLL LE. A clever definition of character is that “Character is what we are, while reputation is what people think we are.” One thing wo do know and that is that we are building our character in everything we do, whether physical, mental, moral, or spiritual, and that this building goes on from morning until night, year in and year out, from the beginning of life until the end, aptly remarks a well-known writer. Perhaps the most encouraging feature in tlie erection oi this structure* is that we are not limited in time so long as life lasts. There is really no short cut to -attaining a beautiful character that will stand the test of time and trouble. Reputation is worth nothing unless founded in sterling qualities. It would be hard to define just what those qualities are. hut every man,, woman, and child that conies in contact with such a character is conscious of its worth. , AVe all remember AAordsworths ideal of ~ . , “A perfect woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort and command.” To accomplish this you must also have . . . . “The reason firm, the tcmpeiato will, . ~ , Endurance, foresight, strength and skill.” . , „ . Life is ■« growth from the cradle to the grave mud to assist that growth, -o that the fruit will reach its greatest perfection is the work we are required to do. Whether the talents given us are many or few, tho re spousjbility to cultivate them cannot bo evaded. Strange as it may seem, the larger the amount of talents bestowed upon us, the greater the iesponsibility to make the very most of “it'fi not lock of opportunity that lias spoiled so many lives, but lack ot will power or inclination to do. work that the opportunity requneb.

“DONTS” FOR GENTLEMEN.

Mrs. Humphry (“Madge ) contmues her career as a nubhc ben ■ • She has just published a little book, “More Manners for Men, m uluck she explains the right way for a man to behave at the table, at hone, « dance, in a club, and even m the House of Commons. directTlie following aro some of her dnect 10 He (the young man) must> fatigablc in the use of the clotlK brush ; he must keen his hair 'lie must be spotless, specldess y clear jvith regard to eo.larsh.rt, J&o % enough to do to live u r * to them. . He must be careful never sp^ 1 * of sherry as “sherry wine, though it is permissible to call port P°> V ' Most of us are hungry at. time, and it cannot bo too sti. 1(, 7. impressed upon the inexperienced <d both sexes that it is a mistake to converse too freely and to too many questions until .at least the P and fish have been taken. Cherry stones are taken l roi n - mouth in the spoon, and convey' the plate in the least obstrusne m, be. "dvisablc for S young man to tell a- ad.v This applies to skating also. Kep»y. Pick her up and should she be hurt, carry her to some muct place and applv remedies. If necessary, send for When the ladies nsc irorn tho table. . . . it is Ins boundtn du y t u e collect from under the table the gloves, fan etc., things so easily bst fat the dinner-table. Should heMm addition, a nowder puff ora ?”PP nientary curl of hair he need not tri-ovo them publicly 1

OUR BABIES. (By Hygoia.) Published under tlie auspices of the Society for the Promotion of the Health of Women and Children.

WHAT TO DO IN SUMMER

No ordinary milk is fit for the baby six hours after it has boon received in the-home, unless it lias been rapidly cooled down at, once, and ;kept cool. Humanised milk will keep good somewhat longer, but even in this case certain precautions should be taken. As received ready-prepared from the factory, humanised milk has been freed from living microbes and cooled with ice. ' How is the householder to keep such milk safe for the next 24 hours? <

HOW TO KEEP,. COOLED MILK COOL.

Wo will assume tliat the mother procures two bottles of humanised milk a day. On receiving them from the cart she should remove the cardboard caps, and thus let in air, but she should on no account allow any dust or falling particles to gain access. To prevent this, cover with any cleansed cap or lid, slightly tilted so as to admit air; or a piece of perfectly clean paper may be twisted loosely over the top of the bottle. If. air is excluded by corking or by a tight-fitting cap tlio milk is liable to go bad in quite a different way from natural sounng, and may then be highly poisonousjust as tinned meat is liable to go bad and cause fatal poisoning. Having covered the bottles, place one of them outsido the house in a cool, shady safe or airy box, for use during the next eight or nine hours. Put the other bottle in an ordinary wooden candle box. Place a clean, round coffoo or cocoa tin upside down over the bottle. Fill the box with clean chaff or sawdust. Now remove the tin and see that the level of the chaff or sawdust is about an inch below the top of the bottle. Keep the box in an outside safe or other cool, airy place. . , By this perfectly simple means the humanised milk delivered cool at the house can be kept cool and safe for a whole day in the hottest weather, .provided the box is not kept in a warm room, but is outside in the shade, lo render assurance doubly sure, when the weather is unusually sultry the mother cau scald tlio last one or two feedings that she gives from tins second bottle by placing the bottle m warm water in a saucepan and bringing the water in the saucepan to the botl and keeping it at that tor hve or ten minutes. Then cool as rapidly as possible. People often make the great mistake of placing the bottles of humanised milk receivd cool from the iact'orv in ordinary tap water without pausing to think that this may be actually warmer, instead of cooler, then the milk. In this way they soon warm up what has been cooled and kept cool by ice water, whereas if they used chaff or sawdust as directed' milk received cool would keep practically as well in warm weather as it does in winter, and the greatest risk of summer diarrhoea would be obviated. . MILK PREPARED AT HOME. In the country the mother may be a bio to stand the milk bottles m a cool stream or spring under trees, or thero may be cool artesian or pump water; or on the other hand she may have nothing but tank water to depend on. In the latter case, when tho weather is warm, the best plan is to keep a pailful of water in tho open night air shaded from the rising sun. In this she can cool the milk which has to bo set for cream. The warmer the milk is when set in the cool water the quicker the fat will rise. On the very warmest days, standing for cream should not be continued for more than six hours, except where there is specially cool spring water at hand for keeping down the temperature. Remember that cream rises much quicker and better in a bottle or tall, narrow jar than it would in a shallow pan or bowl. On no account, set more than tho exact quantity of milk recommended, because nothing is more liable to give a babv diarrhoea than receiving too much fat. The thin cream or top milk should look like good milk rather than ordinary cream. . If there is anv doubt about tlio baby’s milk being cool enough on very warm davs, the safest plan is to heat whatever is left over before going to bed to loodeg for 10 minutes. If there is no thermometer at hand beat to just, short of the boiling point and keep at that for live minutes, then cool rapidly in tho coolest water available and put in tlio best place that can bo found. On verv hot, dry days it there is no artesian or other cool water to bo had, the best way to keep milk comparatively cool, bother setting for cream or not, is to pour some water into a soup plate and stand the milk jug or bottle in this. Over the bottle place two thicknesses of clean open muslin or cheesecloth, which must dip into the water all round. This plan is of no use on moist, warm,—muggy days, because the cooling effect depends on evaporation, which ceases when the air is saturated with moisture. On this account it is most applicable in dry inland places, or when the wind is blowing from inland. However, it is an excellent standby in summer, even on the coast, since the air is larely quite saturated with moisture m summer, and there will nearly always be some cooling*effected. what Strength to give Above all tilings mothers should beware of giving the baby lull-strength humanised milk at the stait, is bethel the infant is aged three weeks or tliroo months, or even, older. Always commence as advised m the societjs pamphlet on the “Feeding and Caro of the Baby,” and work up gradualh. In Dunedin tho mother is saved all trouble in tins direction by Je<nin fe the o-rading to the nurses at tlie iactory T after telling them the age of the bab '’ Ct SAVE THE BABIES. - To save tho baby from the curse of diarrhoea during the- sunvmei months the mother should keep heiself in good health and breast-iced if possible; failing tins, give humanised milk according to the Society s pamphlet, which wll he forwarded by the honorary secretary (Airs Carew. • Heriot 'row, Dunedin) on receipt ol 3d in stamps. * It is worth nothing that sonic U. hies thrive better up to three or tout months of age if given one part of now milk wlicy to every three or Uni parts of humanised milk than tnoy do if given humanised milk pure. T ns applies specially to summer time. Un the other hand, some babies advance

moro quickly, especially in winter, u o-jven from two to Jour ounces of ooj cd now milk with the day’s a!low - anco of humanised milk. A gradual addition to this direction can lie tried in any case where tho baby’s uoigb'fai'ls to go up at the average irate, and this allowance can be continued at k appears to suit. . Remember that boat, fermentation, and improper food are the main causes of. infantile diarrhoea. Therefore securo -the right food at once, and keep it.clean and cool in a shaded, openair safe.. Beware of condensed milk, patent foods, and simple diluted coy u milk with or without cane sugar or barley water. Mothers go on using such foods so long as the baby seems to be doing well, forgetful of the fact that sooner or later the baby usually breaks down, and in any case will not thrive so well as on food properly adapted to tlie needs of infancy. 1 - the baby becomes ill, call in a doctor without delay. Remember that thoug.i diarrhoea is a common ailment it is the one avenue leading to debility and death in infancy. Most of the children who die later of other ailments liavo been maimed and weakened first of all by infantile diarrhoea. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. MATERNAL IMPRESSIONS AND BIRTHMARKS. “A Mother,” Tapanui, writes: — “Could you kindly Jjat me know through your column now birthmarks .are caused, and if there is any truth in tlie idea that if you get a fright or if your mind is "thinking of any particular thing, and if you touch yourself, will the mark of the object he there on that certain spot on the child? I have been told that it Happens in the early months of pregnancy.” REPLY. There is no reason to suppose that there is any connection between the mother’s thoughts or such so-called “maternal impressions” as you instance and birthmarks. Birthmarks arise from some slight local deviation from the normal in tho course, of growth and development while Uv haby is still in the womb, just as similar departures may take place after birth. Nature drops, a few stitches, as it were, or puts in a few extra, and the effect of this may be to mar the pattern over a considerable area, especially if it occurs very early in pregnancy. According to the extent or position of the defect tlie result may be a mere birthmark or a distinct malformation. A mistake at the start may spoil the whole stocking, but an error in the last row can only affect the finish. The mother’s thoughts, feelings, or impressions have no power of directly exercising any influence over the structure of her unborn babe; but a severe shock or fright may even cause abortion, by setting up irregular contractions of the womb, etc. In an indirect way the mother’s mental or emotional state can and does influence the whole body and mind of her offspring, though the beneficial effect exercised by happiness and contentment, for instance. as contrasted with worry and discontent, oil the mother’s appetite, digestion, nutrition, blood, secretion, excretion, and bodily processes and health generally. Before birth the baby is built cell by cell out of the 'mother’s blood, and Nature cannot make good stockings out of poor yarn, or good bricks without straw; after birth tlie baby should be. built out of the mother’s milk, and hero, again the health, happiness, and contentment of the mother make all the world of difference to the offspring.

HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Never put soda in the water in which you wash china that has any gilding on it. Soda injures the gild ing. Instead, use soap, which answers just as well and has no ill effects.

Paint marks may be removed from silk by saturating the silk in equal parts of turpentine and ammonia, then wash it in soapsuds and leave it to dry between sheets of blotting paper with a weight on the tep.

In order to revive celery that has become limp get a pail of boiling water and douche the celery into if for asecond or two. Then put it into a bowl of cold water under a tap. and lot the water run on it for some time : it will then be quite fresh and crisp. Boots and shoos can be made watertight hv melting a little beeswax and adding an equal quantity of sweet oil. Warm tlie soles and rub the beeswax in till the leather ceases to absorb it. Don’t let it touch the other parts or you will have difficulty in making them shine. An easy way to make a soft and cheap cushion: Save all cast-off stockings, cut them from top to ankle in pieces about two or three inches wide, then unravel them and fill tho cushion.

Brass-lacquered bedsteads should on no account-be polished with metal polish, as tlio acid it contains is liableto destroy the lacquer. Wash your bedsteads with., plain soap and hot water, and then rub well with a drchamois leather. Bedsteads treated in this way retain their brightness for many years. When making porridge of coarse oatmeal over-night for early breakfast a skin forms bn top, which when stirred up is hard to mix smoothly. To prevent this, fully cook the porridge, leaUfc. the lid off till a skin lias formed, then pour over a tiny drop of water, hot or cold, and leave till morning, when there will be no skin. When made hot it will be like frcshlynmdo porridge. _ To remove stains from knives, cut a potato and dip in powdered brickdust; rub briskly over the stains, which immediately disappear. No knifeboard or cleaner required. A cracked egg, or one which is slightly broken, is often put aside for baking, when it could bo conveniently boiled for sending to tabic. Wrap a. piece of greased paper round the egg and then boil in tho ordinary manner; tho paper will keep the egg together. ... To a pair of shoes that have become stiff and uncomfortable by constant wear in the rain, or from lying by unworn, apply a coat of vaseline, rubbing, it in well with a- cloth, and m a short time the leather will become soft- and pliable. Economical Starch. —After using a bowl of starch do not throw away the mixture. Place, on one side, and when the starch, lias settled pour away the water; then put the'basin in the oven for a few minutes. Tlio starch will be in a hard cake, and can be put away ready for use again, when it will bo found to be as good as now starch.