Leicester Chronicle or Commercial and Leicestershire Mercury from Leicester, Leicestershire, England • 9

THE LEICESTER CHRONICLE i LEICESTERSHIRE MERCURY. REGISTERED FOE. TBANSMISSIOK ABROAD LEICESTER, SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 189i POETRY. AND MISCELLANEOUS THE CARE OF Jw th MODES OF ENLISTMENT IN. SHE "GOOD OLD THE LATEST FASJfcUOJSS.

top. We need hardly mention the fanciful affairs through which our neck and waist ribbons are pulled. As skirts widen so does one's lingerie follow in the lead of their outer garments. Petticoat extend daily, and are made more and more billowy. In the fabrication of our summer jupoiis, white and faintly coloured fawns will predominate, nd much good lace isto be used in the making oi the generally unseen.

Of course we should all like to follow the advice of the lady journalist who informed her correspondent that "nothing now was used on dinner tables but pure silver, both for fruits and bonbons but as this desirable end may not beimrnediately within our reach, perhaps we may be permitted to turn our attention to somewhat less expensive receptacles, at any rate as far as the bonbons are concerned. I was very delighted with a dinner table the other day which really might have been decorated by Undine in the centre was a long piece of looking-glass bordered with those dried feathery sea-weeds of different shades of colour so welcome to us in these days of expensive flowers two large shells of pink china stood on this lake, one for grapes and the other mandoline oranges, then round this on the table at regular intervals were placed the bonbon-iereswhtch were made to represent a water-lily I blossom resting those domestic matters that can be entrusted with safety to experienced servants only. Where the establishment is small, and the servants are ill-trained nd slip-shod in their waye, as untrained girls so often are, a wise mistress wilt see to the' matter herself, even if she dislikes the penetrating and unpleasant odour of mineral oil. The terrible accidents from the incautious use of paraffin that are daily recorded in the newspapers should make us all careful of our lamps. The person who employs paraffin to light the fires deserves to be immediately arrested' and locked up as a danger, not only to herself, but to the public The criminal foolhardinesa of ignorant people, who do not Tealise the dangers they run, cannot be too strongly condemned.

Often they are lucky indeed, as the German proverb says, "they have more luck than sense." Nothing comes, for a time, of their reckless daring; when, emboldened by this immunity from evil, and heedless of they try experiments once too often. That they seldom live to tell how it happened is poor comfort to those whom they have, perhaps, deprived' at once of health and home, and those dear to them. The use of very cheap paraffin is to be deprecated, because it often gives off an explosive gas. Employing lamps of inferior construction, or lamps having glass or china receptacles for the oil, is another danger. Placing lamps within the reach of children, setting them on rickety tables, carrying them up or downstairs when lighted or even moving them from one room to another are the primary causes of most of the fatal disasters of which we read.

Everyone should know that water does not extinguish burning paraffin oil. It only floats it round the room, spreading flame on every side. Heavy mats, saturated with water, sand, flour, or, if nothing better be at hand', the earth contained in geranium pots should be used. Milk is said to be very efficacious in extinguishing this dangerous substance when alight. The Paris Mode." THE WIFE OF BILL NYE.

When Mr. and Mrs. Nye were married he was unknown and poor, writes Augusta Prescott in the March "Ladies' Home Journal." He marvelled that such a girl would take a reporter who owed for his wedding suit. But she gave him that confidence in himself which he lacked, and so she was the first of that audience, now grown to millions, which enjoys in print and on the platform his quaint and peculiar humour. She knew how to make a little go a long way, even in those far-away days, and even now, when she steals into the kitchen and takes the cuisine out of Aunt Lizzie's hands, the family see the difference at once and rejoice, though Aunt Lizzie "kin cook all around the other cooks of Yadkin County." Mrs.

Nye is essentially a good housekeeper, a good wife, and a good mother. She is one of Mrs. Rorer's pupils, and as her husband expresses it, likes to construct a new salad or experiment with a design in pie." In their new neighbourhood the well-known humorist is content to be known as "Mrs. Nye's husband." In the papers ha holds his old place with his readers firmly, but Buck Shoals he is regarded more as a summer boarder. Mrs.

Nye has bean to her husband a gentle critic, the only one he has ever feared or worked hard to please. He has not feared her criticism on account or fear of bodily injury or scathing, withering sarcasm likely to come with the adverse criticism. For these he had no apprehension, for she has always been a comrade, and the good fellowship and bonhomia existing between husband and wife have made him cautious about falling short from any cause in the estimation of his wife. AT CHATHAM DOCKYARD. Chatham town has altered but little since Mr.

Pickwick wrote of it in his famous journal and soldiers, sailors, Jews, chalk, shrimps, officers, and dockyard -men" are still its principal productions," though the yard has grown since those days, and is now the second largest in the empire. The road leading to the principal yard gateway has a very martial appearance, being lined with a succession of barracks and fortifications, the obsoleteness of the latter in no way detracting from, but rather adding to, their imposing effect. The gateway itself does not proclaim its office save to the initiative eye, being more like the entrance to a nobleman's mansion or modern workhouse than aught else indeed, I have known strangers to go there to ask where the dockyard is. Yet the experienced in such matters will easily recognise it by the large notice board bearing the inscription sacred to all dockyards "'being no "matches into this yard." At sight of this notice the law-abiding citizen is supposed to hand over the forbidden articles to the police at the gate, thereby helping so thev say to reduce the vote of lights under the head of "dockyard maintenance." The principal gate at Chatham is not to be passed lightly, for it is guarded by a posse of policemen, who at once pounce upon anyone entering, and demand his business, and generally finish by sending him round to the lower gate, that has a good half-mile further along the dusty road which follows the dockyard wall. This is certainly so if the stranger, desirous of roaming about the yard unattended, seeks to gain his end by stating his desire to visit some particular ship.

Only once has this portal been passed by an unescorted civilian, a well-known publisher, who, with deep cunning, announced his business as a luDch with an admiral whom he never managed to find when he got in. Cassell's Family Magazine." THE HOME LIFE OF JEAN FRANCOIS MILLET. Strangers from the New W-jrld, who came to Barbizon, attracted by the growing fame of the peasant painter, were struck by the patriarchal character of the household, and felt themselves Abraham's tent when they sat down to the hospitable board, where they were always welcome guests. There was the good wife and mother, always busily occupied in preparing the meal and supplying the needs of her visitors, always thoughtful of others, yet careful to hide the slender resources at her disposal. There were children of all sizes and ages, tall and handsome maidens, and curly-headed little ones who rode on their father's knee, "au pas, au trot, en au galop," or pressed round him with eager eyes to hear him tell the weird stories and legends of his Norman home.

There was the eldest eon, Jean Francois, now himself both a painter and a poet, who had been unfortunately crippled by an accident in his childhood, but had a refined, thoughtful face, and a strong likeness to his father, whom he loved with such passionate affection. And there was Millet himself, with his fine countenance, thick black hair and beard, dignified air, making bis guests welcome with an old-fashioned courtesy that in itself recalled the patriarchs of old. He was never so bright and happy as on those evenings when he gathered his family and friends together round his own hearth, or else on summer mgnts took i-nem to watch the sunset from his favourite haunts under the grand old trees of the forest. His love for children was unbounded he was never tired oi watching their little ways. He would open the door of the atelier where he was working that he might hear the sound of their merry voices at play.

This side of bis nature has found expression many of his finest pictures and drawings. Again and again he has shown us the young mother with the babe in her arms, "beautiful," in his own words, simply because of the look which she bends upon her child." Sometimes he has painted her rocking the cradle where the sleeping infant lies, with her foot, while she plies her needle; sometimes feeding the hungry children, seated in a row on the floor, with spoonsful of broth from the big bowl that she holds in her hands, like so many young birds with open beaks. And we feel as we look at these drawings how much of his best and most thoughtful work, as well as how large a share of the happiness of his life, he owed to the wife who made his home a safe and blessed place. Julia Cartwright, in "The Art Journal." WHICH WAY? Bv Charles Lemuel Thomnsoa fc' Where efcall I go?" said Jim, Jim from the country wide, iAs he stood in the narrow street, Where the crowd swept in a tide "Where shall I go?" 6aid Jim. To the church my mother 6aid, 'When you are Lonesome or blue To the church, may boy, and think Of t5ie old folks lonesome But where ehall I go?" eaid Jim.

Here is the church It is dark, The door piled high with enow, The windows are cold and stark, And dim in a ghastly row, Where shall I go?" said Jim. With a flash from a swinging door, A 6ong flowed out to him 'It is warm and bright, and more Like home than a church." said Jim; But where shall I go?" eaid Jim. "It will break her bean, I know, Up there in the country side;" But the church was banked with snow, And the door of sin- stood wide. "Where else ehall I go?" said Jim. What these spoiled hands are caused by Washing Day, lam evrprised.et.

Haiohuess Cleakbbk Soap at onoe-J EXTRACTS. THE MOON MOUNTAINS. The number of craters on the moon's surface is very large. large lunar map by Schmidt, published in 1878, lactates about 32,000 of these formations, some of which are very deep. They are surrounded by ramparts, or walls raised above the general level The mountains are proportionately high one named Newton, has an elevation of 24,000 feet.

J-here are also rtnff-mnmttaina mmiiKr (rm, in 50 miles in diameter. The narta number xf ray-centres, particularlv at the time of lull moon, when they may be 'seen to great advantage. These consist of a bright central ob- jcv-i, xwi luminous radiations stretching in different directions. Cassell's "New Ponular A. cator.

AN EASY METHOD OF COPYING DESIGNS. irst procure a piece of celluloid film in fact, spoiled negative film, after cleaning off the old photograph, answers admirably. After cleaning, it will be found almost as cWr o-Uco toMI, -advantage that it can be written upon easilv with pen and ink. Therefore, if we now rJaee onr film -ver any design, we shall be able to copy it bv io.iiig wiui a nne pen ana ink, or, better still, Indian ink. If now the film bearing the sketch or -design be placed in a lantern, and the image be projected on to a piece of white paper, fired by means of tacks or drawing pins, on to a board, or even wall of the room, the design can be regulated to any size almost by moving the lantern to or from -he paper.

Then, if the design be lightly traced over with a lead pencil while it is Tirniectftd on to he paper, all details can easily be marked in, and ne ongmanty oi the design preserved. Portions of design can very easily thus be enlarged to suit -any requirement, such "as for carving, fretwork, stencils, turning, etc. Large designs or delicate work are better photosTatmed. A transnarencv is rtaken from the negative, jnd if this is then pro- a 10 a sneet oi wnite paper, it is easily narked in bv tracing over the lines as above described. Work." HOW WOMEN SHOULD DRESS THED? HADJ.

The "Windsor Magazine" for March gives a number of useful hints from a well-known West-end hairdresser as to how women should dress their hair. Amongst other advice of interest and importance to women who study the latest and most becoming modes, he explains that "to wear the hair brushed right off the face demands a perfect forehead. If the forehead be verv broad, the hair should be drawn tightly at the sides. If the back of the head be unduly developed, the hair should be slightly raised behind and dressed flatly. If the cheek bones are too prominent, fluff out the hair.

For a large face dress the hair high and broad, never narrow on top, and a girl with a face of this description, and full, fat Cheeks, should never wear a pointed fringe, wiich throws out accentuates all her defects, increasing the heaviness of her natural appearance to the most unbecoming extent. For a very wide, well-shaped forehead the hair should be softly turned back in the centre, and fringed on each temple. If the forehead be less good, the centre piece may be waved and slightly puffed forward so as to improve its shape. A very hard and masculine face looks best perhaps with the hair oy; short and curled. A girl with a pretty neck should, at least for the evening, dress her hair low en catogan.

A woman whose neck is short should give it length by having her locks combed or twisted straight up at the back, and arranged as high on her head as possible." REPORTING HUMOUR. There is a well-authenticated story current in the transmission of the report of a Parliamentary speech by Mr. Forster to a daily paper in Bradford. The subject of the speech vras education; the word "children" was frequently used, and, for the sake of brevity, the clerk substituted "kids," trusting that the alteration ivould be corrected by the operator at the other end of the wire. The message, however, was not only written, but printed just as it was transmitted.

Imagine the faces of the right lion, gentleman's constituents when they read next morning: You know of Wordsworth's profound saying, The kid is father to the I need not dwell on the vital to the community of imparting a sound moral and secular education to kids in their impressionable years. It is for- the kids that this Bill is introduced, and asking the House to remember that the kids of this generation will be the fathers and mothers of the next, I confidently appeal to it to support our proposals." Here is another good blunder Lord-Chancellor Eldon once indignantly denied in the House of Lords that he annually received 5,000 in perquisites accruing from cases of bankruptcy, and declared that never during any one year had his income from that source exceeded three-fourtlis of the amount. The reporter in his haste used the contraction for "three-fourths," and the printer thus interpreted him The learned lord solemnly declared that during no one year of his office had. his income from that source exceeded three shillings and four pence." Macmillan's Magazine." ECZEMA, Eczema, or "Tatter," as it is sometimes called, is the commonest, of all skin diseases. It is an inflammation of the skin, attended with a watery discharge, which on drying stiffens the linen with which it comes in contact.

It is always moist at some period of its course, and may be regarded as a catarrh of the skin a kind of bronchitis of the skin, in fast. It is generally constitutional, but may arise from purely local causes, and may even depend on the presence of some parasite, such as itch, li not infrequentlv complicates or is associated with other skin diseases. It occurs on all parts of the body, but its commonest seats are behind the ears, at the corners of the mouth, and on the head. It is common at all ages, infants and young children being especially liable to it. It is said to be most prevalent in the spring and autumn but it is a chronic affection, and one meets with it all the year round.

It may be brought on by anything that irritates the skin, especially when the constitution is debilitated. It generally begins in the form of slightly reddened patches, on which speedily appear minute watery heads or vesicles, which burst, leaving a small thin crust of a bright yellow colour. In bad cases the patches are not only vividly red, but are swollen, and feel hot and tense. Sometimes the discharge is thick, and cakes almost as soon as it is poured out, forming nasty, unsightly scabs. After a time the patches may cease discharging, and this makes the complaint rather less easy of recognition but on inquiry, it will be found that they used "to When eczema attacks the head, the viscid secretion mats the hairs together, and keeps them wet, sticky, and entangled.

All forms of eczema are apt to become chronic, and it is often an intractable and distressing affection. It is prone to recur after complete recovery, and at each return it becomes less amenable to treatment. "The Family Physician." A CHAT WITH MISS FANNY DAYTES. Miss Fanny Davies has long since fulfilled the mystical aspirations of her early youth, and has learnt all that is admirable in technique and delivery henc we find in this unsophisticated young artist a result so wonderfully praiseworthy, that it awakens the respect of all who hear her. On the day of our chat, she sat facing me in the big armchair, her little slender hands clasped nervouslv, almost afraid, indeed, to speak about herself, lest there should enter into her narrative the least suspicion of self-praise.

At every available oppor- tumty she would deftly turn the conversation to the praise of her fellow-artists, and it was with difficulty that I brought her back reluctantly, I must admit to the subject of my visit. "I was born on the Island of Guernsey," she said, "but Jived for many years of my youth at Birmingham with my dear aunt, Miss Woodhill, who is one of the kindest and best friends I ever had. At the age of five I took lessons from a local teacner in that town, and learnt to play several little duets which I picked up by ear. I was about seven when I was taken to a bazaar held at the Birmingham Town Hall, where, to please a friend of my mother, I played, so to speak, for the first time in public. How I already loved music then, to be sure I am told that when scarcely able to toddle I tried to pick out Haydn's "Surprise" on the piano.

I was in terrible despair on that occasion while deciphering it in C. I got safely through the first notes until I came to look for sharp. My ear told me that natural caused a horrible discord, and I was so put out by the mistake I repeatedly made, that I actually commenced screaming. My aunt rushed in to see what was the matter, and seeing my distress, caused by the wrong harmony, she placed my finger on the sharp, whereupon I was once more wreathed in smiles." "Cassell's Family Magazine." Little Miss Brickrow. "With all your airs, I don't b'lieve your folks has any family heirlooms." Little Miss D'Avnoo: "We haven't, eh? My toht at the Paris Exposition, and smuggled in nerseu.

CAPITAL AND LABOUR. i 1 4. 1 rfiillr insorroea to me memueis ui -wbtmiwim Men of Leicester are ye tending "Rack wards bario- days? rZL the cause of Right need battling Id fuch wild- un-English ways? jn-jve the ceaturies of knowledge, Education, and of wealth, Bought no better signs of culture, For our moral, social health? Eas not Capital its province Ic the worlds material plan, To- she progress of the nations, Wc the benefit of man? Mfn of England face the question a rigleous attitude; fte suicidal struggle? Vi'hv this baneful, bitter mood? Can 'ie commerce of the country Hove its destined course Oiile. in conflict with each other Ye appeal alone to force? Xrbour has its place and duties In --lie ily task of life should wisely pause and ponder, 'Ere ye feel the sting of strife. Jfen of Britain desperate measures vhii nor end the sad dispute Beaton calls for wiser dealing.

If your streng'h ye would rearuit; M'Jid- and intellect, and money, Vill to higher claims adhere; Leier gifts and lowlier talents Mus: toil i-n their proper sphere; Be not rash or overbearing. But pursue a nobler plan, Ceae ihe strife, so nriugfat with danger, the brotherhood of man. 31cn and masters close the conflict Raging in your ranks to-day Ler the best and truest counsels Have a Godlike, peaceful sway; fnes- disastrous, strange dissensions Widen more the open breach, Placing calm conciliation Farther from each other's reach; Stem the flow of cruel feeling. Wrongs and injuries forgive. That acn other, In true harmony may live.

Leicester George Burden. VARIETIES. Marriage, says one "done for," consists of five minutes at the head of the procession and a lifetime in the ranks. Somebody says: "True happiness is found in pursuing something, not in catching it." The man who pursues the last at night Knows better. An amateur punster informs us that some houses iave wings, and he has often seen a house-fly.

We thought no part of house save a chimney fiue. An American-Indian family was -won to civilisa-tioE. The squaw died. The Indian sadly spoke ef the cause of her death as being "too much ionse." Really, now, aren't you a married man? Be: So, YVuy? She: On, you have such a settled look Be Yes I've been refused by thirteen girls! "Squibbs is perfectly foolish about his baby, isn't hei" hy do you think so?" "Well, every time the nurse takes the baby out for an airing there's a policeman with her." Wife: Nothing for me? Then you have forgotten that this is my birthday Husband Not at all! Only I didn't wish-to-remind you that you have grown older. "Well.

Tommy, what are you going to be when jcu grow up?" "Tse going to be a soldier." "But you may get killed." "Who bv?" "Oh, tii- enemy Then I'll be the "Is it not terrible to think that liquor costs the British nation more than one hundred millions per mum?" Humorous Irishman Indade, it is. sorr. Gch, can uothing be done tu reduce the price av the drink? A certain Scotch tobacconist was summoned re-tenth- for overworking a girl assistant. As a defence, he pleaded that he was obliged to keep open kte because he had' a meeting the Early Ciosing kjocieiy" 'in the. -back shop.

Magistrate And- why did you roam about in the streets during the night? Defendant I was ftfraid to go home. Magistrate Are you married? Defendant (joyfully) Oil. your worship, I suppose yon knuw what it is, too "Yes, madam, I have all kinds of dogs. Is there particular breed you would like? Old lady reads the papers) Oh, anything that's fashionable. Have you an ocean greyhound? little Bobbie, the enfant terrible Yes cats on see in the dark, and so can Bessie, 'cause, when Mr.

Johnston walked into the parlour where she as sittin' all alone in the dark. I heard her say to him, Oh, Jack, you haven't shaved to-dav Laura While Jack was calling the other events made the statement that ne would kiss me die in the attempt. Belle: Yes. (After a pause. Weii, did he kiss you? Laura: You haven't read anv account of Jack's death in the Japws.

have you? Mrs. Fangle Why didn't you ring the dinner-all. Bridget? Bridget Oi couldn't find anv, team. irs Fangle: But here it is on the hall table. Bridget An' yer pardin', ma'am, its yerself as tould me this marning as that was the breakfast bell.

Clerk the Court Remember, mv rood urnnwu you are on your oath, and you must speak the mn whole truth, and nothing but the truth. varwry; Well, thin, out av politeness I'd kept it to meself, but if I must spake the noie truth sure, thin, ye're the ugliest man Ave ivver sot eyes on A visitor to an art exhibition reports that he a working man standing before the bust of a nan a collection of statuary. The woman as, represented in the act of coiling her hair, and 0, sir, that ain't true to Nature; the 4 got her mouth full of hairpins." jfc was littic May's first Sundav at church, and liersdf a veiT important little per-t tle serTice the bags were awea round as usual for the collection, and Wl k3lter tlie cSregation left the church. ttTl ot out a'J" surprised her mother by Iaimna what did you get out of that S'- I got sixpence!" lector: What! drinking beer again, amtrarv ebV rdere? Di't I tell you that every wettoy nai1 yonr coffin'- 1 can.t give it up, hat does it matter when vou are dead gone if your coffin looks like a nedgebog?" uH-3, arp on aBd voar husband getting- on?" Mrs. Dderiv 0f Mrs.

'W hA ff He said somethiTi.r MA-n't. er Ef $Jg mt 1 tad i said h6 Jl J2?" W. kd he 3tf I his motner-in-iaw was an old maid'. shalU dear'" said Mr- DarlSJ to wife, we Plied fC eCMiomise." Very well, love," ream fr cheerfully. Suppose you re-oUrX? ve smoking, and shave And ts a Pretty programme, I must sav.

do as vour of our nomy. "I i Tn tue well-known humorous clergv- th I I was. one day ta-Haag to a brother Who in foolniit that im- i. 1 Bee alter all has been said, replied ctuld two of vours." "Man," 4tu te; with a TkJ sne, "I never ueiore that your heid was sae eempty." ess beforlTl ounoay, grew pretty cent 5eiun was over. He linaiiv MfflaS If? -er 4aDd Wspewd Mamma, ratiiM- i JJO yu asKed his mother, uj wnere or how do vou rePhed youngster, "I feel Tit Mr- Inlis tos "Humour of is xri Auchterarder were one day disputing of the ITmembered the most windy day.

One tk, f11 "he mtoded its bein sic a kn took, the ooems three 'oors to flee aniii; fITm and such a field," Tbe other said: "Bech, man, name." tlie craws A -a a TIMES. Recruiting was at this time a very lucrative calling, for soldiers were urgently needed, first of all to fill the ranks of the army Holland; secondly, because of a custom in votrue wherehv vouncr men of fashion contracted with the crimping-house keepers to supply them with a stipulated number of recruits, by raising which they could obtain a commission in the army; and, thirdly, for the East India Com pany's service, which, although under restrictions as to its authorised places of recruiting, had its con tractors in London, wno worked under the Jiang license, and joined in- the bidding for men. This keen competition, fostered by heavy bounties and head money paid for both soldiers and sailors, induced great numbers of abandoned men and women to take up the trade in human flesh. But the sup ply was limited, the harshness and severity practised in the armv and the unoonularifcv of the war then being waged making military service dreaded ano oisiiKed, and it was needrui to resort to the most arbitrary and unlawful measures to fill the ranks. This was well known, and no questions ever asked as to how the contractor came by his recruits, who were many of them kidnapped.

The crimping-hruse keepers stationed decoy women in the avenues leading to the town to entrap inebriated or imprudent-passengers to their dens, the windows of which were often decked out with fashionable curtains or fLve flowers, to give them an air of respectability, or least of pleasure. No fish came amiss in their nets, and they often enlisted such objects, down to cripples, as could scarce be described. In the dusk of the evening, or at night, they even dared to seize on decent tradesmen and persons of consideration, whom they gagged and carried to confinement, and then starved and tortured until the miserable victims submitted out of fear for their lives. They were then taken before an examining surgeon, generally in the pay of the crimps, or if an outcry was apprehendea, or the man too bad to be put forward, a substitute was paraded, who was passed sound under the name of the actual recruit. After that, came attestation by a "wooden justice," as they called a.

confederate dressed up in a gown and large wig, or before some unprincipled magistrate, to whom the customary fee was all the interest he had in the job. In, this way many hundreds of (men were torn from their friends by force or fraud, and sold into the slavery of a soldier's life, with sixpence a day pay, and the cat-o' -nine-tails to cure complaining. The Mntiny Act required, however, that the actual process of enlistment should be performed by a sergeant or corporal, and it was the custom of the crimping-house keepers to engage one or the other to legalise their nefarious work. A Free Lance in a Far Land. Beiug an Account of the Singular Fortunes of Seiwyn Fyveways, of Fyve-ways Hall, in the county of Gloucester, Esquire." By Herbert Campbell.

MART and pretty, well as by far the most hygienic way of arranging a bed, is to turn the upper bed-clothes down and leave the big, square pillows exposed to view, only, of course, pillowcases when they have been once used do not present that smooth, unruffled surface that is so desirable. Many "people have an entirely fresh pillowcase which they slip on during day-time, but this necessitates a good deal of work. I have found in their place a crocheted fpillow-sham of great use; these are mounted so that they have a three-cornered piece of linen in each corner, into which the pillow is slipped and is thus kept in place. It is made of fine crochet cotton, and is composed of wheels and edged to match. Each wheel is made as follows Make 7 chain and catch to form a ring; 3 chain, 1 double crochet in the ring, 1 chain, 9 more dc-Jwle crochet with 1 chain between, and catch in the second stitch of 3 chain; 4 chain, 1 double crochet in the first space, 1 double crochet in each of the remaining 10 spaces, with 2 chain between, 2 crochet, and catch in second stitch of 4 chain, 17 chain, turn, 1 double crochet, in the sixth stitch from hook, 2 chain, Bkip 1, 1 double crochet in the next stitch, 2 chain, skip 1, 1 double crochet in the next one, 15 double crochet, over the remainder of the chain 1 single crochet in the first space, 8 chain, 1 double crochet in the tenth double crochet, 2 chain, skip 1 double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next one, and repeat twice more from -f-J turn, 5 chain, 1 double crochet in the double crochet underneath, 1 double crochet in each of the nest 2 double crochet with 2 chain between 15 double crochet over the 8 chain, 1 single crochet in the next space, and repeat these details until there are twelve epoke6.

Work a slip stitch in the back part of each of the last 10 double crochet made, 5 chain, skip 1 double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next doublo crochet, 2 chain, skip 1 double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next, 2 chain, skip one, 1 double crochet in the next one. Now turn the wheel over and catch the two last spokes together at the adjoining edges of the spaces, by slip stitches. This completes one wheel. When enough wheels have been made, arrango them as seen in the picture and sew points together. PILLOW-SHAMS.

Then make and sew on the edging, which is crocheted as follows Make a chain of 12 stitches, turn, and in the fourth stitch, make a shell of 6 double crochet with 1 chain, between the third and fourth. Make 3 chain, skip 3, 1 single crochet in the next stitch, 3 chain, skip 2, another shell in the next one turn, make a shell in the middle of last shell, 1 single crochet in the end of last chain, 3 chain, 1 shell in the middle of next shell, 1 single crochet in the space of end of shell turn, 3 chain, 1 shell in the middle of last shell, 1 single crochet in the end of last chain, 3 chain. 1 shell in the middle of last shell; turn, and repeat two more rows of make 16 chain, and catch it in the 7th chain, from the hook to form a ring, 10 chain, and catch in the top of fust shell turn, make 16 double crochet over the chain, and a catch with a single crochet in the small ring; turn, make 10 chain, 1 double crochet in the top of the 10th double crochet underneath, 2 chain, skip 1 double crochet and make 1 double in the next one, and repeat twice more from last -f. Turn make 5 chain, 1 double crochet in each of the double crochet underneath, with 2 chain, between 15 doublo crochet along the chain, and catch with a single crochet inthe ring; repeat twice more from first. Make 8 double, crochet over the short centre chain, make a shell in the middle of shell underneath, and catch with a single crochet to the end of chain, 2 chain, and 1 shell in the middle of next one and catch with a single crochet in the space, turn, 3ichain, 1 shell in the middle of last shell and catch with a single crochet in the end of chain, 3 chain and 1 shell in the middle of next shell, 1 single crochet in the 13th double crochet underneath make 2 more rows of heading, skip 3 of the double crochet along the spokes of the wheel and make 1 single crochet in the next one, make one more row of heading and repeat these details for all the scollops of the work.

Edge for the wheel: Single crotchets 10 in the wide spaces and 5 in the points. Join the edging neatly, and sew it on so that the, Jain will come at one corner. There is always a certain dreariness about uent, although one may not necessarily fast nor wear sackcloth and ashes. In our dingy winter furs and tweeds we feel absolutely hora de combat, and on a day when the garish March sunlight shows up unmercifully all the shabbiness of onr attire, we purchase, out of mere desperation, a bunch of violets to enliven our very Lenten-like raiment. Till after Easter one hardly likes to invest in any important new spring clothes for fear of making a blunder and becoming burdened with a load of white elephants in the way of toilettes.

Nevertheless the prophecies concerning fashion, some of which are already being carried out, are pretty safe, especially as many of the first-rate modistes nave made a point of paying an initial February visit to the gay capital. Millinery invariably takes the lead as regards the wearing of fresh spring novelties. An April hat is frequently worn with a wintry gown. And what are our chapeaux -de prinfemps to ho like this year? Rough fancy straws in deep cream and corn-colour, so suggestive of the baskets de faiUaisie made to hold nature's own blossoms, are to have rather high, round crowns and medium-3ized drooping brims, after the manner of a shape worn A NEW SPRING HAT. many years ago.

Chine ribbons, with a finely pencilled black check running over the flowery background sometimes stand out alone as large windmill bows, and frequently mixed with blossoms and foliage. But perhaps the daintiest and most useful style of hat is the round black chip-shape narrowly piped with light blue metallic cable-cording and softened by four black ostrich feathers, that, in their turn, are separated by a bow of watered silk, to be compared in colouring only to the melting tints in the mothcr-o'-pearL We give an illustration of this kind of chapcau, that is further ornamented with a fine fight blue osprey. Spring, which is nearly with ub to gladden the heart of everybody and make all the world and his wife forget that there ever were such plagues as influenza and plumbers, is essentially the time for the natty tailor-made gown to burst forth in its full glory. Our artist was evidently inspired by these same sentiments when sketching the following dress. It is constructed in a ribbed serge of the shade which some compare to the metal called nickel.

This term just hits the colour off for the tint is neither steel nor silver grey. The corsage escaping the hips fits closely into the figure and hooks down on one side under the arm. In front half-a-dozen smoked mother-o'-pearl buttons form a SOMETHING SWEETLY GIBLISH IN TAILOR MACS GOWNS. smart ornamentation, while urthor elaboration is afforded by very narrow strappings of silver braid laid over the gores. The same trimming is repeated on the sleeves, and the prettily-cut revers enclosing a frilled and slightly tucked white batiste plastron.

This style of waistcoat has superseded the masculine shirt-front and tie, the frill in some cases being replaced by a series of baby-tucks separated by bands of Swiss insertion, a black velvet ribbon revealing itself where the starched neck-band does not meet. Yes, we seem to have at last realized that a smart tailor-made frock need not necessarily be uncompromisingly hard. The French have always, moreover, understood the art of blending the neat with the purely womanly. Next to taffetas of all sorts and conditions of patterns, silk crepon is to hold, the day for smart afternoon raiment, black over a light lining being one of this season's specialities most in favour. A particular tone of delicate green, so suggestive of Nature's early freshness, and that can only be likened to the leaves of the lily-of-the valley, is found in many of the new silks.

Over a glacd foundation of this colour, there is in one model intended for a patrician beauty to wear at some April races a veiling of black cripc A PRETTY ARRANGEMENT 07 BLACK SILK CREPON. d'Chine, the box-pleats on the bodice oetng divided by straps of black satin ribbon. The sleeves, inserted with bold gathers, are partly of the green silk alone, and partly of the two materials blended. Round the waist and the throat are strong notes of colouring in the shape of folded cerise velvet bands, and under each ear there is a rosette of the crepon. This is altogether a most charming lifctlt gown and has a aweet simplicity of oat.

Buckles here, there and everywhere are the order of the hour. On some gowns with generous pleats spreading out fan-like at the back are fonnd diamond buckles holdag in the fullness at the WHAT WAR IS LIKE. I wish my pen were sufficiently capable to give eMne notion of the awful confusion of such a contact. A chaos of stabbing, clubbing, hacking, clutching, shouting, cursing, screaming men; knots of two or three on the ground, still fighting, and clinging to each other in their death agonies above the surging mass of heads the butt end1 of rifles rising nd falling like the cranks ci numberless overheated engines the mounted men, with swords, working at lightning speed the colours bravely leading the way; horses charging into solid bodies of men, rolling over, burying beings already mutilated beneath them, frantic face streaming with bloodi; the air reeking with the breath of thousands: of panting creatures, like the hot winds df the desert all the madhouses of the world discharging their contents into this seething cauldron of human passion and iniquity Dante's Inferno let loose, a legion of demons from Hades run not As to my personal experience, I remember nothing. The actual contact, the psychological moment of such a charge, lasts but a minute or so and such a lifetime of experience is crowded' into it that memory is hopelessly at fault.

All I know is that I discharged the six chambers of my revolver, but at whom I have no notion that my sabre was stained with blood', but with whose I cannot tell and that suddenly we looked at one another in blank surprise for the Russian? bad gone, save those on the ground, and we were among friends, all frantic, breathless, perspinng many bleeding, the lines broken, the tactical bits dissolved1; most of us jabbering, shouting, laughing, cursing, dancing about like maniacs. Imagine the interior of a low, long, roughly-builc shed (I do not know whether it had been erected by our troops, or had originally served as a storehouse: or barn). Imagine a thick, hot. reeking atmosphere, hlled with indescribable odours, enough ro sicken you by the very recollection. Imagine some hundreds of men yourself among them, with a raging thirst devouring you, a burning pain the race, every particle of strength and vitality gone lying on the bare boards, with bundles of rags or filthy straw for pillows, many insensible, many dead or dying, many convulsions, some horribly mut: lated, all bleeding, most of them groaning, others screaming, or pitifully whining for a drop of water in half a dozen languages.

Oh, that cry for Surf how often have I heard it After the lapse of seventeen years it follows me into my wildest dreams. Imagine surgeons, with tucked-up shirtsleeves and bloody hands, giving the first aid lor this is a temporary ambulance, in rear of the lines-Imagine callous men dealing out homoeopathic dose of water, or laudanum, or brandy. Imagine every thing that is most horrible, disgusting, sickening, hideous, heartrending, within the range of your conception, andi you will have a faint notion of this hell of man's creation. The Defence of Piavnaj, by William V. Herbert.

HOW A VICTORIA CROSS WAS WON. Nevertheless, the resistance of Hunzu- agai was not yet over. Farther up the valley the ranp.n had constructed a strong sanga or stone redoubi while two forts called TnoJ ind Maiun crowned aie heights on either side, and smaller sangas had been erected at every salient angle. The roads had been broken avay, while by turning the watercoursea over the less rugged parts of the cliffs, the natives had converted them into ramparts of ice. 3 hoS was the fire from these defences that the toad-making hid to bb discontinued, and for eighteen days Captain Bradshaw.

who bad taken command, found his wav completely blocked. The situation was indeed serious, because the neighbouring tribesmen might easily become emboldened and cut com municationc, while the snow-covered passes pro hibited the arrival of reinforcements until iJie fol lowing summer Nevertheless, it speedily dis covered that assaults by day were too dangerous be risked while the forewarned by spits, were always ready for night attacks, therefore, uWinoued tato a iiid rjtiltir cut, with singularly few casualties on either sid-. while, experienced chief of whom f.a Lieutenant Manners Smith, were trying, but appar ently in vain, to discover some way up the ci'tta wherebv the position might be turned. That honour was reserved for a soldier of the Cashmere Bfidy-guard Regiment, Nagdu by name, who, Jtr several failures, succeeded in climc-ing cose to tns fort of the Kanjut angas. By this time, in ine absence of Captain Bradshaw, the command had devolved upon Captain Colin Re oidered Lieutenant Manners Smith and Lieutenant Tavlor with 100 men or the Cashmere bodyguard' Regiment to scale the heights, while their advance was covered by sharpshooters on the opposite ridge.

The latter party began firing at daybreak ol the 20th December (1891), in order to distract the enemy's attention; while Manners Smith, ho had been concealed all night tho bed of the valley. proceeded to scramble up the cliff. 1,200 teet heisrht. The first effort failed, as the lace became quite impracticable after about 800 yards had been ascendJed1, and nearly two hours were tnus wasieu. However, he tried' lower down, and this time with more success, though the enemy, at last on the im vive, saluted the stonneis by a.

shower of boulders Four sancas were taken in rapid succession, and the garrison of Maiun and Thol, finding themselve. out hanked', rushed tor their lives up to nunxa. iuu Nagar. Lieutenant Manners Smith, who had led the attack eventually received the Victoria Cross, the tlurd won during the campaign. "Cassell's Illustrated History of Lngland.

THE HOBBIES OF A DUCHESS. Louis Wain is responsible for a splendidly-illustrated account of the ''Duchess of Bedford's Pets" in the March number of the "Windsor Magazine," which should be read by all who are generally fond of cats, and dogs, and horses, and other less domesticated pets. It contains reproductions of a number of photo graphs specially taken for the purposes of the article by her lirace. Air. wain avers tnav mo first impression a stranger receives on viewing the great home of the Russells is a feeling of absolute the fine unpretentious front, severe in classical! massing, backed oy eims ana tne lamuus ui beeche9 of immense growth and immemorial tho delightful park-land lying around, the graceful deer wandering undisturbed among the quiet "-lades, all speak an atmosphere of eternal peace.

Passing through the gateway, emoeoued in nrs any. lauiwm, a short walk brines one close to Woburn Great House but before one even enters the massive eld hall, ono encounters some ox the many pets to which the charming mistress of Woburn is so devoted. Freedom, her Grace finds, subjects the most savage of animals to the fear of man, whilst confinement in cramped spaces will fire their vicious instincts to untamable savagery. In the endeavour to acclimatise many rare specimens of foreign deer and birds, this view of wild life has governed ihe method pursued at Woburn, where whole hillsides and large covers are enclosed, and the animals rove undisturbed. In due course we arrive at the Great Saloon, on the stately walls of which hang priceless paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Murillo, and Sir Joshua Reynolds.

The Vandyke room follows, then the wonderful collection of Canalettos set decoratively in the walls of a fine room beyond this is the suite of library rooms and a picture SUery, and here is the veritable stick with which, rd William Russell walked to the scaffold. Woburn also possesses and treasures an ebony stick elaborately inlaid throughout its whole length witi ivory, and left the house by Charles TL Yet another interesting memory is the Museum Room, with its series of rare casts, typical of good and Ud bred stock, and representatives of many type? and breeds its bronze of the Duchess of Bedford' Arab horse; its relics, collected by many hands, even a box full of cigars given by the great Vo Moltke finding a prominent place in the collection. A famous reddish-yellow llong-haared tauby mere big, overgrown baby of a cat sits near the fire, spooning and purring for notice, as is the way with those unconscionable cats who crave for notoriety. Very celebrated 19 "Bill," whose donor was Lord William Beresford, and hence to all hie friends and familiars he is universally known as "Bill Beresford." At Liverpool Assizes, on Friday, Thomas Wilkja son. late secretary of the Gladwick Building Society, was sentenced to eighteen months" har labour for uttering a cheque for 428, knowing A to be a forgery.

It was stated that prisoner's defalcations amounted to 240, and extended frcfe 1887 down to the present year. BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER. BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER. BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER. BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER.

BORWICK'S BAKING POWOfiB, Best Baking Powdef in the World. Wholesome, Pure, and Free trots Alum- on its leaf. The leaf was made of cardboard, just about the size that an ordinary water-lily leaf would be, and was covered with green velvet on which a few A BOJfEONNIEKE. dashes of paint indicated the slightly darkened veining that is usually to be seen. Then the whole of the blossom, petals and all, were cut out of one flat piece of stiff canvas, and after being wired down the centre of each petal so as to carve slightly inwards, and wadded a little to produce the necessary thickness, they are carefully covered with white satin.

ine sweets placed inside were of various kinds, but alike in colour, that being of a soft yellow shade just what we find in the interior of a water-lily. Most people know the difficulty of keeping their piano notes in the state of absolute cleanliness that they ought to possess. Nothing is more humiliating than after a guest has been playing for one's benefit to discover that she has been obliged to wipe the tips of her fingers, bo all of us ought to be exceedingly grateful for the little piano-brush that has made its appearance, and of which I give an illustration the long part of the brush is of white hair, and is meant, of course, to go between the black notes, the other part of the brush being black. Of course the handle and covering may be made as oma- a uncsn foe the mental as you please, espe- piano keys. cially if it is to occupy a prominent position near he piano.

Ethel. MAY DAY IN JAPAN. The following morning, April 29, on looking out I was surprised to see a display of colour in a novel form in every direction over the whole city Un the roofs and corners of houses all around were huge paper balloons in the sandiest colours suspended from bamboos from twenty to fifty feet high. The balloons, or hollow paper bags, are cut in the shape of a fish, sometimes twelve feet long, with a large open mouth formed by a wire ring into which the wind blowing inflates the fish, which waves about after the manner of a weathercock, and is painted very cleverly in brilliant colours. It was the Japanese May Day, and on this day it is the custom that a Eaper fish should float over every house in which a oy had been bom during the past year, and it remains hoisted for a month, giving every town and village the appearance of being en fete.

The girls. I am ashamed to say, have no such honour paid to them. The explanation of tins extraordinary custom is that it symbolises that as the fish swims, up stream, eo may the boy successfully face all the struggles of life. Some boys are honoured by a row of a dozen fishes on one pole, and certainly, to judge by the thousands of these fish-flags, there is no fear of a lack of men in- the coming generation to defend their country. Canon Tristram in the "Leisure Hour." TURPLN'S RIDE TO YORK.

Mr. Appleton, clerk of the peace in Beverley (where Turpin was removed for safe custody after his arrest for that senseless shot at his neighbour's game cock at Brough), who worked up much of the case against him, has left us a precise account published in 1739, at the shop of Ward and Chandler, without Temple Bar of these years of the highwayman's life but in it, though there is enough of horses and to spare, there is not a word of "Black Bess" or the ride. The London papers for, and previous to, 1739 contain full particulars of his exploits, trial, and execution, not to speak of the exhumation of his body by the doctors, its recapture by the mob, its progress, naked on a shutter, through the streets of York, and its second burial in black lime in the desecrated churchyard of St. George, but they have never an allusion to the ride. Une of them, indeed The London Magazine goes so as to apologise for troubling the publick vith any account of so mean and stupid a wretch." The best and most reliable biography we possess of ium that prefixed to Professor Kyll's report of bis trial, never even hints at it.

Most striking of all, the confession he made to the topsman, which was printed immediately after the execution, makes no claim whatever to the achievement. In short, the eighteenth century seems never to have heard of it. In 1819, Caulfield published his Portraits of Remarkable and in it, with an engraving of the robber seated in his cave with a gun between his knees, is a long reprint of Turpin's career, again without a mention of the ride. The next version, in the Museum, is that published Glasgow in 1836, and in it the silence is still maintained. We are now within four years of the centenary of his execution, and the reticence of the biographers is fast becoming ominous; but in the May of the previous year a strange thing had happened" Ainsworth had published Rookwood," and the ride was rapidly becoming history.

The effect was as sure as it was sudden. La 1836 Pickwick appeared, and in it Mr. Weller's song commencing Bold Turpm vunce, on Hounslow Heath, His bold mare Bess bestrode-er." From that moment there was no hesitation. Grub-street had discovered it must look to its pockets for how should the gutter patronise history which was less seductive than fiction. It solved the riddle by going one better.

Version followed version, conceived alike in the 'Ercles vein," in which the bold rider galloped through common sense to the substantiation of an alibi that would have staggered even that obese Jehu, Mr. Tony Weller. Such appears to be all that is discoverable concerning that great achievement, the noise whereof spread over Merry England in the days when Old Rowley" was King by the grace of God, and is stilt very far from hushed. On the whole, one may hazard the opinion that forcing the grim spectre of John Nevison to stand and deliver his laurels, Ainsworth performed a more wonderful feat than was ever accomplished by his own hero. Truly the is greater than the sword.

"The Ride to ork," in "Cornhill Magazine." COMPANIONED. By Lilian Whiting. Hath God new realms of lovely life for thee. In some white star, the soul of eve, or mom?" Through days and dreams, I seem to walk worth one Whose feet must 6hun Henceforth the paths of earth for whom the sun, Rises in unknown realms I cannot trace; And still there is to me no vacant place. Before me comes upon the air her face: In tihe deep, luminous, and wondering eyes I read the rapture of a glad surprise; A tender hand is clasped within my own, And on the air there vibrates etiil her tone.

friend on whom the vision shines to-day, What mystio sway Hath wrought its spell o'er thee? What fair desire, As o'er that sea of glass with mingled fixe Thy way hatlh' sped what fair desire Is bom within thy What strange, sweet dreams Transfigure thy new life, wondrous gleams Of roee, and gold, and pearl, through starry space? Not vainly do I ask. Thy tender grace Answers my love, and brings the new life near; And all our baffled meanings grow more clear, TUnf I il 1- jli.ou hud iuu ui viubuea, eu peneebjy ciean, Matchless Cleanser's been used, that is easily seen..