_Rue Chabannais, No._ 6.--In one of the most insignificant streets of

splendid Paris, the narrow little Rue Chabannais, there stands a tall,

dark-looking house known as No. 6. Ugly, rambling, old-fashioned buildings

stand on each side, and have posted themselves opposite to it also,

like old duennas mounting guard, squinting down incessantly with their

dim eyes, their unwashed windows, upon the gray house with its broad

doorway. The inhabitants of the little street, on the contrary, regard it

with a certain pride mingled with a tender friendliness of feeling, and

rejoice like children over each brilliant equipage that stays its rapid

course before No. 6, as well as over every unpretending fiacre that there

deposits its light burden.

At all hours of the day, graceful female figures glide over the threshold

of the large dark house, and the _modiste_ of the Rue Chabannais, who

arranges her fluttering caps, ribbons, and veils so invitingly in the

corner window, might make valuable studies for costume from the many

and divers figures, great and small, who so heedlessly pass by her

well-displayed treasures. One may see rich heavy silks, and simple black

woollen robes, superb velvet mantillas and delicate light shawls, the

careless and yet striking costume, the carefully-chosen and usually

brilliant garb of slender German women, the elegant and coquettish French

bonnet, and the great roof-like straw hat which shelters the fair brow of

the English lady. One might be tempted to think some skilful gardener must

have his abode here, and all the flowers were flocking to him for advice

about their tender lives, from the glorious exotic of the greenhouse to

the humblest field flower that needs only its drop of dew.

But men too, young and old, whose figures and faces remind us neither of

flowers nor spring, enter mysterious No. 6 with rapid steps, and strangely

do their countenances differ in expression as they come out again.

Sometimes there is a bright smile and a beaming eye, but most of them have

a deep and earnest look, and a brow furrowed with anxious thought--traces

which vanish soon enough in the Place Louvois or the gay and brilliant Rue

Richelieu.

"Perhaps a second Lenormand has fixed her residence in the large house,

disclosing strange secrets to the curious, and uttering dark oracles!" Ah,

no! such magicians are sought only under cover of twilight and the dark

shadows of night--never in bright day.

Now, shall I solve the riddle of the gray house? Will you follow me up

the broad stone stairway? Forward, then! Many a light foot has lingered

anxiously on these steps, doubtful whether to go further; this iron

railing has been touched by many a trembling hand, and these white walls

have echoed many a sigh. At last we have mounted the third flight; let us

take breath! Many a young heart has beat audibly before this closed door,

believe me! for we are standing before the dwelling of

MANUEL GARCIA,

the greatest singing-master of our time.

One of the most charming of fairies (and I tell you for your comfort

there are still many of them who, to escape the roar and tumult of our

mad world, hide themselves far down in the flower-cups), at my earnest

request, has lent me her fragrant veil for an hour or two; we wrap it

around us and are invisible, and now we can boldly enter the rooms of the

artist. Passing through a small antechamber, we carefully open a folding

door on the right, and enter a simple apartment, partially darkened, and

tastefully and comfortably furnished. Two beautiful busts arrest our

attention; one bears the inscription "Eugenie Garcia," the other the

immortal name "Marie Malibran." Two familiar portraits adorn the walls:

the pleasant kindly face of the Swedish Nightingale, and the earnest

countenance of Pauline Viardot.

Silvery sounds, full and powerful, reach our ear from the adjoining room;

they attract us irresistibly; we follow them, gently open a side door

and find ourselves in the very sanctum of the master, in the atelier of

the artist. The long folds of the red silk curtains are partially drawn,

so that a rosy light falls upon every object; a fine piano stands in the

middle of the room; arm-chairs by the fireplace; a luxurious divan on one

side covered with scattered music; the elegant marble table loaded with

books, portfolios, music-books, papers of all kinds; music-stands in every

direction, on one of which, beside the singer, we see an open volume of

exercises. "L'école de Garcia, l'art du chant." A breath of poetry seems

to pervade the apartment. Garcia sits at the piano, his scholar stands at

some distance before him.

The maestro is very tall, unusually slender, and of a truly feverish

vivacity. His face is small and deadly pale; his dark, slightly curled

hair falls over a high forehead. His eyes are dark, restless, flashing,

and inspired. Now he listens with fixed attention to the full, swelling

notes that flow from the lips of the songstress; the next he throws back

his head impatiently; a word of warning or of blame is rapidly addressed

to the pupil; sometimes a kindly smile, a slight sarcasm, a pleasant jest,

all strangely intermingled with sudden starts, angry stamping of the feet,

and stern frowns of displeasure. How rarely a word of praise! But one

single warm word of commendation from such a master is a sunbeam that has

power to penetrate and unfold every fast closed bud of zeal and earnest

effort.

How cautiously Garcia handles the precious possession intrusted to his

care, the human voice! How tenderly he protects it! how carefully he

watches it! how anxiously he strives to preserve that pure, brilliant

freshness of youth which is the greatest charm a voice can possess.

It is really impossible to lose this flower-like bloom under Garcia's

guidance; whatever may be said or has already been said to the contrary,

such a reproach can never come home to a master whose whole method is so

entirely according to nature. And how strenuously does he insist upon

resting pauses in his hours of instruction! Hear what he says to that

listening pupil who looks up to him with such eager expectation:--

"Freshness and spontaneousness are the most precious qualities of the

voice, but they are also the most fragile. The voice which loses them

never regains them; its tone is gone, never to return."

"During the first days of practising, the pupils should not devote

themselves to their exercises more than five minutes consecutively; but

studies thus regulated may be resumed four or five times a day, provided

they be separated by long intervals. Afterwards, the time devoted to

practice, by increasing it five minutes at a time, may be extended to half

an hour, a limit which should never be exceeded. At the end of five or six

months, you may increase the number of half hours of exercise to four, but

be careful in going beyond it, remembering always that these periods be

separated by long rests."

The singer begins again. Her own figure stands before her in the large

mirror that hangs behind the master's back; no movement of her face can

escape her; every contraction of her eyebrows, every slight wrinkle in her

forehead, every ungraceful movement of her mouth is truly reflected there.

And no trick passes unreproved, for Garcia's piercing eye watches with

fixed attention every feature of the singer. But he does not arrange and

prescribe how the cheekbones are to move, or the lips to open; he does not

confuse the ideas of his pupils by incomprehensible, wordy descriptions of

the position of the mouth and the posture of the head; he simply repeats

the teaching of the famous old Italian singing-masters, Tosi and Mancini:

"Every singer should hold his mouth as he is in the habit of doing when

he smiles naturally, that is, so that the upper teeth may be moderately

and perpendicularly separated from the lower ones." Without directing

the posture of the body like a drill-sergeant, Garcia says briefly, but

decidedly: "Keep the body erect, tranquil, well-balanced on the two limbs,

and at a distance from any other point of support." The arms must be held

a little back, "so as not to interfere with the play of the chest." The

lesson is finished. The maestro kindly dismisses his pupil, again repeats,

with condensed brevity, the main point of to-day's instruction, appoints

the task for home practice, and encourages the timid departing scholar

with heart-cheering words of courage and hope.

But look! scarcely has the door closed when it is again opened. A pale

young man, accompanied by some sober-looking, elderly gentlemen, bows

in an awkward and yet assuming manner, and, with a smile of conscious

self-satisfaction, presents different letters of recommendation, among

which such names as Meyerbeer, Auber, Spontini, shine out. It is a

singer from one of the provinces; enchanted with the praises of his

table-companions, he is about to devote himself to the stage. His rich

father and richer uncle have come with him to Paris; Cousin Meyerbeer

sends him to Garcia, as he has already sent him from Pontius Auber to

Pilate Spontini. With what indifference Garcia throws aside these great

letters, but how carefully he begins to test the young man's abilities!

The aspiring devotee to art has brought with him his favorite air, his

show-piece; Verdi is his idol among composers! The recitation begins;

Garcia accompanies him. The voice is weak and yet sharp, already

half-cracked; the flow of it unnatural and cramped; the most terrible

effort is apparent at every note; false respiration too, and indistinct

pronunciation. The master grows more and more impatient; his feet begin

to jerk as if seized with sudden cramps; he plays faster and faster; with

feverish haste, his slender hands run over the keys, his face changing

with every sound; his eyes flash more and more restlessly; his teeth are

pressed against his lips; suddenly, he springs from his seat, with the

half-smothered exclamation, "Assez, Monsieur, assez, je vous prie!" He

sinks exhausted into a chair; an awful pause ensues. At last the master

quietly and decidedly explains to the singer the grounds upon which he

is obliged to refuse his request, in spite of all the recommendations

of Meyerbeer and Spontini. His candor and calmness towards the offended

amateur are worthy of admiration. He concludes by kindly advising the

astonished aspirant, if he has not implicit faith in his words, to seek

another teacher, and dismisses the deluded worshipper of Verdi with the

most refined courtesy.

How frequently does he reject lady pupils who, with great assumption and

half-ruined voices, come to him that his hand may scatter a few flowers

over their remains! How impatient he is of all musical narrowness, want

of talent, and laziness! His severity in such cases has given him a bad

reputation, his violence has forced tears from many eyes; but his justice

remains unimpeachable. He will not for a moment feign for a scholar an

interest he does not feel, or that has been forfeited by any of the

defects I have mentioned; he is unsparing in making them feel how little

he cares for such pupils. Holding a book in one hand, with the other he

carelessly strikes an accompaniment, and as he diligently reads on, only

the monotonous "encore" at the end of a solfeggia proves that the ear of

the master has been attending.

The more untrained and untutored the voice that is brought to him, the

more thankfully he receives it. How joyfully does he then devote himself

to his arduous task! how unwearied is his attention! how carefully and

conscientiously does he watch over the treasure intrusted to him! On

the other hand, he is most unwilling to under-take "repairs" and "final

embellishments," which, artist-like, he confesses without disguise; and

singers who, with this in view, seek the master's studio, will have but

little satisfaction in his lessons. * * * * * *

But hush! hush! My gracious protectress gives me a gentle warning, and

touches the magic veil we had wrapped about us. Let us obey her timely

hint, nor provoke one kind spirit to anger! Farewell, good master Garcia!

Heartily do we rejoice that we have listened to thee; believe me, we shall

often wing our way back to thee without fairy help, even in the spirit,

that we may look on thee with gratitude and admiration. And the golden

and silvery sounds which thy magic power draws from young rosy lips will

again flow forth and bear us on in their clear stream; the bright, pearly

drops of brilliant roulades will refresh and quicken us into new life; and

oh, joy! the poor troubled heart will hear no more the sharp, cutting,

irreconcilable discords of the everyday world.

* * * * *

AN AMERICAN ARTISTE ABROAD.--Miss Adelaide Phillips, of Boston, has

lately made a very successful _débût_ at Brescia (Italy), in the

character of _Arsace_ in Rossini's _Semiramide_. "The public were lavish

of well-merited applause," says the Italian critic. Miss Phillips first

sang, as a child, at the Boston Museum. She went, about two years since,

to Italy, to complete her musical education. Biscaccianti sang for her

benefit, and Jenny Lind, though she refused to sing for her, it is

understood, gave her $1,000, and letters of recommendation to her old

teacher, Garcia. Miss Phillips is the fifth American who has, within the

last few years, succeeded on the Italian stage.

* * * * *

TRUE HAPPINESS IN A PALACE.--Frederick William III., King of Prussia,

married, in 1793, Louisa, daughter of the Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

The union was one of elevated love and perfect confidence, the character

of the wife presenting a combination of excellencies that dignify her sex

and ennoble humanity. Among her graces, that of doing good to the poor was

always in exercise. The king allowed her a certain sum for her charities,

which she often exceeded, and when the treasurer informed the king of

this, he had a way of gradually replenishing the drawer in her desk.

She would say, "What angel has filled that drawer for me again?" To which

the king--that the angels were legion, although he knew only _one_; and

then repeated the beautiful verse--

"He gives his favors to his favorites while sleeping."

This high and tender appreciation of the queen's graces and virtues

appeared at all times. Himself grave, often morose, silent, and somewhat

sarcastic, he knew well how to make use of and shelter himself behind the

serene smiles and ever-genial, gracious demeanor of the queen, to whom

he used to say, when assailed by the plaudits of their subjects: "Now,

Louisa, you must salute them for me; you can do it better than I; but how

you can hold out so long, I cannot think."

Much is said of her sly playfulness and ready repartee, one anecdote of

which we cannot resist giving. The king, who was extremely careful and

judicious in his expenditure, and whose maxim it was that the secret of

dollars lies in _groschen_--exactly similar to our saying about pennies

and pounds--on entering the queen's apartments one morning, espied a

pretty new headdress, of which he jestingly inquired the price.

The queen replied in the same tone: "It is not always right that men

should know the price of women's dress; they don't understand it, and

think everything too dear."

"Well, but do tell me the price for this cap, for I should like to know."

"Oh, certainly I will! I bought it a great bargain; I only gave four

dollars for it."

"Only! an enormous price for such a thing. What a large sum of money!" and

running on in the same vein, he saw from the window an old invalid veteran

of the guard, whom he beckoned to come in, saying to him as he entered:

"The lady who is sitting on that sofa has a great deal of money; now, what

ought she pay for that little cap on the table? You must not be dazzled by

the beautiful pink ribbons, but say what you think it is worth."

The old soldier shrugged his shoulders, and said, after a pause: "Why, I

suppose it would cost some _groschen_" (pence).

"There, now!" said the king; "do you hear that? _Groschen_, indeed! That

thing cost four dollars. Now go and ask that pretty lady for four dollars.

She can well afford to give you as much as she can afford to pay for

_that_."

The queen smilingly opened her purse, and presented the four dollars to

the old man. "And now," continued the queen, archly imitating the king's

tone, "you see that noble gentleman standing at the window; he has much

more money than I have. All I have is from him, and he gives very freely.

Now go and ask for double of what you have got from me: he can afford to

give you eight dollars."

The king saw at once that he was caught in his own trap, and laughingly

gave the old man the sum she had so charmingly forced from him.

Such domestic happiness is seldom found in a palace; when it is, we see

how it adds to the glory of royalty. Every married pair are royal in their

own home, and if every husband and wife would study to make each other

happy, like Frederick and Louisa of Prussia, there would be no question

about the "rights" of either. Both would find their best happiness in

their respective _duties_.

* * * * *

A MISTAKE.--The following paragraph we are sorry to see ascribed to the

lady editor of the "Book":--

"Mrs. Hale says there is more talent and general information displayed by

the press of the United States, taken collectively, than can be found in

Congress and all the Legislatures taken collectively."

Mrs. Hale never presumed thus to criticize or compare the merits of

editors and statesmen. The opinion belongs to Mr. Godey--he can answer for

himself.

* * * * *

TO CORRESPONDENTS.--The following articles are accepted: "Mrs. Clark's

Experience as a Servant," "The Schottisch Partner," "Stanzas," "Autumn

Dying," "The Thrice Wedded," "Memory's Retrospect," "The Mother's Lesson,"

"My blighted Rose-buds," "Come unto me," "To Miss Laura," "Lines," "Two

Mothers," "I Pray for the Loved at Home," "The Smiling Boy," "A loving

Heart," "Legend of Long Pond, or Lake of the Golden Cross," "Deacon

Downright."

The following articles are declined: "Valuable Copyrights," "The Grave;"

"The Sabbath of the Soul." (Poetical in idea, and evinces genius as well

as taste; but unequal, and the closing lines poor. The writer may feel

sure of success if energy does not fail.) "Turkish Battle Song," and the

translation of the "Forty-seventh Ode of Anacreon," are both declined.

Neither war nor wine is a fitting theme for our "Book," nor do we need

poetry of any kind. "To Belle Irene." The following, the first and best

stanza, is all we have room for. (There is power in the writer, and he

does not lack imagination, but he dashes off his lines in such hot haste,

that he often leaves metre and measure far behind. A little more care in

the versification would be a great improvement.)

"I may not love thee, yet within my heart,

When night and darkness set my spirit free,

And I am musing from the world apart,

Soft low requiems murmur words of thee;

And upward gushing from joy's smouldered fire,

Shadowlessly, in fresh and tameless glee,

A wind-wail sweeps through Hope's halcyon lyre,

Like zephyr's music o'er summer's golden sea."

"Lines about Tecumseh," "To Mary," "I Would;" "Tears." We give below an

extract, the poem being too extended for its one idea; the writer is

capable of better things:--

"Tears my bleeding heart hath known,

Tears of sorrow sadly shed,

Tears I've mingled with thine own,

Tears while weeping for the dead.

Tears so brightly let them flow

Tears from eyes too freely given,

Tears that none but angels know,

Tears from kind hearts wildly riven."

"Mrs. Penelope Pennington's Disappointments." (The article is well

written, the subject commonplace.) "A Leaf from the Life of an Old Maid"

was declined; the _acceptance_ noted in September was by mistake; the

"Book" is sent, nevertheless, as the author will undoubtedly succeed, and

we can wait. Many articles on hand are not yet examined.

Literary Notices.

* * * * *

BOOKS BY MAIL.--Now that the postage on printed matter is so low, we offer

our services to procure for our subscribers or others any of the books

that we notice. Information touching books will be cheerfully given by

inclosing a stamp to pay return postage.

* * * * *

From LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO, & CO. (successors to Grigg & Elliot), No. 14

North Fourth Street, Philadelphia:--

A NEW AND COMPLETE GAZETTEER OF THE UNITED STATES. Giving a full and

comprehensive review of the present condition, industry, and resources

of the American confederacy; embracing, also, important topographical,

statistical, and historical information, from recent and original sources;

together with the results of the census of 1850, and population and

statistics in many cases to 1853. By Thomas Baldwin and J. Thomas, M. D.

The enterprising publishers of this valuable and important work may very

justly feel gratified in being able to present it to the public, and with

equal truth do they claim it to be the most elaborate, comprehensive, and

perfect "Gazetteer" of the United States that has ever issued from the

press. Instead of 800 pages, to which the work was originally restricted,

it has swelled to 1,400 pages, embracing at least 10,000 names of places

not to be found in any other "Gazetteer," together with the appropriate

statistics and information. Neither the hope of profit, nor the pressure

of competition has induced the publishers to present their work before it

was complete, or before all the ample materials furnished by the census of

1850, and other statistics and important facts in the hands of editors,

were "fully digested and arranged." The expense incurred in the production

of this unequalled "Gazetteer," in which, besides the editors and their

assistants, several thousand correspondents in all parts of the United

States were engaged, has consequently been very great, amounting, as we

learn, to more than $30,000.

But, if the publishers have reason to feel gratified in the result of

their labors, we think the American public should be congratulated in

having within command and ready for use a volume which presents so

faithfully the present condition of the country, in all the ramifications

of population, trade, commerce, wealth, etc., and which foreshadows the

future as unerringly as it records the history of the past. The great

public, therefore, always alive to its own interests, will lose no time

in discovering the propriety, as well as the justice of rewarding the

spirited publishers of the "New and Complete Gazetteer," by purchasing the

volumes as fast as they can be got ready. And this, we think, will be the

result as soon as its merits are generally known. As a book of reference,

it will be indispensable to editors, authors, merchants, and men of

enterprise in all the departments of business. In families, it will also

be found to furnish the readiest means in impressing the young inquirers

with an amount of history in relation to the extent, climate, soil,

productions, and general statistics of their country, which they might

search in vain for in the various histories prepared for their exclusive

benefit.

* * * * *

From A. HART (late Carey & Hart), corner of Fourth and Chestnut Streets,

Philadelphia:--

HEROIC WOMEN OF THE WEST: _containing Thrilling Examples of Courage,

Fortitude, Devotedness, and Self-Sacrifice, among the Pioneer Mothers

of the Western Country_. By John Frost. LL.D., author of "Pictorial

History of the World," "History of the United States," etc. etc. This is

a handsome and interesting volume, in which are graphically narrated

the heroic deeds of forty of the pioneer women of the West. It has many

beautiful illustrations.

* * * * *

From TICKNOR, REED, & FIELDS, Boston, through C. G. Henderson,

Philadelphia:--

HAPS AND MISHAPS OF A TOUR IN EUROPE. By Grace Greenwood. This is a very

clever and readable book, its style fluent, flashy, and flowery. Every

sentence is highly wrought and carefully polished, and every sentiment,

good, bad, and indifferent, is expressed in the highest pitch the English

language will bear; and, when it would bear no more, the climax has

sometimes been given in words borrowed from softer, sweeter, or stronger

and more thrilling vocabularies than our coarse mongrel Saxon. We know

Grace Greenwood to be a graceful and polished writer; but in this volume

she has evidently labored too ardently to dignify and garnish poetically

common incidents and common sayings, which would have appeared to much

better advantage in commonplace prose. But all this, we presume, proceeds

from her determination to let her feelings have their full sweep; and

thus, as they have directed her, and as she has been differently impressed

by similar sights and images, we find her at one time subdued and almost

in tears before a painting of the Madonna, and at another hurling

impassioned imprecations upon the heads of those who foster a worse

than pagan superstition. We do not wonder, therefore, after reading her

book, that, near the close of her tour, the over-excited author felt an

inexpressible longing for rest "in a _comfortable_ home among her dear

English friends."

* * * * *

From R. T. YOUNG, New York, through J. L. GIHON, Philadelphia:--

HISTORY OF NEW AMSTERDAM; _or, New York as it was in the Days of the

Dutch Governors. Together with Papers on Events connected with the

American Revolution, and on Philadelphia in the Times of William Penn._ By

Professor A. Davis, Corresponding Member of the N. Y. Hist. Society, Hon.

Member of the N. Y. S. of Letters, and formerly Chaplain to the New York

Senate. Six fine illustrations. The younger classes of historical readers

will find this a very attractive and very instructive volume.

* * * * *

From TICKNOR, REED, & FIELDS, Boston, through W. P. HAZARD, Philadelphia:--

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN ACTRESS; _or, Eight Years on the Stage_. By Anna Cora

Mowatt. These simple and unaffected memoirs will greatly interest the

many warm and ardent friends of the authoress. They will, at the same

time, endear her to a numerous class of readers who have hitherto had no

opportunities to form just judgments of her character, her talents, and

her noble struggles through a professional life, such as is generally

supposed to be more dangerous to those who enter upon it than almost any

other they could make choice of. We see, however, in this instance, as in

many that have passed before, that where the virtues of the heart and the

energies of the mind are combined in motive and effort, the profession

itself is elevated, and the professor triumphs.

* * * * *

From PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, & CO., Boston, through R. H. SEE & CO.,

Philadelphia:--

OUTLINES OF THE GEOLOGY OF THE GLOBE, AND OF THE UNITED STATES IN

PARTICULAR: _with two Geological Maps, and Sketches of Characteristic

American Fossils_. By Edward Hitchcock, D.D., LL.D.: President of Amherst

College, and Professor of Natural Theology and Geology. This work has been

prepared as a sequel to "Elementary Geology," published by the author in

1847. It forms a most valuable addition to the original work, as will be

seen by a single glance at the maps.

* * * * *

From M. W. DODD, opposite the City Hall, New York, through C. G.

HENDERSON, Philadelphia:--

THE LECTURES COMPLETE OF FATHER GAVAZZI, _as Delivered in New York_.

Reported by an eminent Stenographer, and revised and corrected by Gavazzi

himself. Including translations of his Italian addresses with which the

greater part of the lectures were prefaced. To which are prefixed, under

his authority and revision, the life of Gavazzi, continued to the time

of his visit to America. By G. B. Nicolini, his friend and fellow-exile,

author of the "History of the late Roman Republic." The fulness of the

title, and the great celebrity acquired by the author in the delivery of

his lectures, release us from any obligation we might otherwise be under

of explaining the controversial character of this work.

ORIENTAL AND SACRED SCENES, _from Notes of Travel in Greece, Turkey, and

Palestine_. By Fisher Howe. This is a very beautiful volume, with maps and

colored illustrations. The incidents narrated, the descriptions of the

cities and monuments visited, and the just and appropriate reflections of

the author, are calculated not only to gratify the curiosity, but to leave

deep and salutary impressions upon the mind of the reader. The Christian

public will be the more interested in the sale of this handsome volume,

when informed that the profits are specifically devoted to the cause of

promoting the Gospel in the East under the American Board of Commissions

for Foreign Missions.

* * * * *

From J. S. REDFIELD, 110 and 112 Nassau Street, New York, through W. B.

ZIEBER, Philadelphia:--

SKETCHES OF THE IRISH BAR. By the Rt. Hon. Richard Lalor Shiel, M. P.

With Memoir and Notes, by R. Shelton Mackenzie, D.C.L. In two volumes.

These volumes will greatly interest such readers as may desire to

investigate the Irish character, as displayed under the higher influences

of education, talents, and patriotism, and when aroused into action by

motives of rivalry or ambition for place and power. Independent of these

personal characteristics, the volume contains a great deal of information

connected with the actual history of Ireland not yet embodied in any other

work that has come under our notice.

THE PARTISAN. _A Romance of the Revolution._ By W. Gilmore Simms,

Esq., author of "The Yemassee," "Guy Rivers," "Martin Faber," etc.

etc. A new and revised edition. The first edition of this work was so

favorably received by the critics, and was so generally read, it would

seem unnecessary for us to call particular attention to its merits as a

history or a romance. We may say, however, with great justice, that in his

revision of the work the author has availed himself of all the new facts

brought to bear upon his subject by the critical observations of friends,

and that the volume now presents a complete history of all the leading

events in the war of the Revolution in South Carolina, dating from the

fall of the city of Charleston, in 1780.

* * * * *

From J. P. JEWETT & CO., Boston:--

DRESS AS A FINE ART. By Mrs. Merrifield. The publisher, in his preface,

says: "This work of Mrs. Merrifield's has been circulated among the forty

thousand subscribers of the 'London Art Journal.'" He might have added,

"and also among the hundred thousand subscribers of the 'Lady's Book;'"

for we have published nearly every word of it. Still, the book before

us is beautifully got up, and, the articles being gathered together and

placed before the reader upon beautiful type and paper, it must command a

great sale, as it is an admirable work. That may be taken for granted, or

it never would have appeared in "Godey." The book is a splendid specimen

of typography.

* * * * *

NOVELS, SERIALS, PAMPHLETS, &c.

From Garrett & Co., 18 Ann Street, New York, through T. B. Peterson, 102

Chestnut Street, Philadelphia: "Dashes of American Humor." By Howard Paul.

Illustrated by John Leech. This is a collection of amusing stories.

From Bunce & Brothers, New York, through T. B. Peterson, Philadelphia:

"Annie Vincent; a Domestic Story." By the author of the "Twin Sisters."

From D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway, New York, through C. G. Henderson

& Co., Philadelphia: "An Attic Philosopher in Paris; or, a Peep at the

World from a Garret." From the French of Emilie Souvestre. There are many

excellent thoughts and worthy examples within the unpretending paper cover

of this little volume.--"Linny Lockwood: a Novel." By Catharine Crowe,

author of "Susan Hopley," etc.

From T. B. Peterson, 102 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia: "The Young Duke;

or, the Younger Days of George the Fourth." By B. D'Israeli, M. P., P. C.,

author of "Henrietta Temple," etc. etc. With a beautiful portrait of the

author. Complete. Price 37 cents.--"Memoirs and Correspondence of Thomas

Moore." Edited by the Rt. Hon. Lord John Russell, M. P. Part 6. Price 25

cents.--"Contarini Fleming: an Autobiography." By B. D'Israeli, M. P., P.

C., author of "The Young Duke," etc. With a portrait of the author.

From J. S. Redfield, New York, through W. B. Zieber, Philadelphia: "The

Partisan: a Romance of the Revolution." By W. Gilmore Simms, Esq., author

of "The Yemassee," "Guy Rivers," etc. etc. This is a new and revised

edition of one of the author's most popular works.--"Poems, Descriptive,

Dramatic, Legendary, and Contemplative." By William Gilmore Simms, Esq.

In two volumes. The first of these volumes contains "Norman Maurice: a

Tragedy;" "Atlantis: a Tale of the Sea;" "Tales and Traditions of the

South;" "The City of the Silent." The second volume embraces "Southern

Passages and Pictures;" "Historical and Dramatic Sketches;" "Scripture

Legends;" "Francesca da Rimini." These, and the prose writings of Mr.

Simms, have established his fame as a chaste and brilliant writer. We hope

he will receive from the publication of his prose and poetical writings,

in their present complete and uniform editions, the pecuniary reward to

which his incessant literary labors so justly entitle him.

From Ticknor, Reed, & Fields, Boston, through W. P. Hazard, Philadelphia:

"Poems and Parodies." By Phœbe Carey. The name of this author and the

character of her poetry are familiar in every town and country in the

United States that can boast a newspaper. This is a handsome collection,

and will be sought after by her numerous friends.--"The Young Voyagers;

or, the Boy Hunters in the North." By Captain Mayne Reid, author of the

"Boy Hunters," "The Desert Home," etc. With twelve illustrations by W.

Harvey. Captain Reid has been a great traveller, and he describes men,

and birds, and beasts, and strange and startling incidents with wonderful

minuteness.

From Herman J. Meyer, New York: "The United States Illustrated; in Views

of City and Country." With descriptive and historical articles. Edited by

Charles A. Dana. We have received Parts 8, 9, and 10, East and West, of

the first volume of this beautiful and truly national work. All connected

with this work deserve great credit for the literary and artistic

excellence exhibited in every number.

Godey's Arm-Chair.

OUR APRIL NUMBER.--We do not perceive any falling off in the "Lady's

Book." As we commenced, so we go on. We have, at a very considerable

expense, procured the very latest style for bonnets, dresses, and

mantillas, for spring wear. These may be depended upon, as they are not

mere reprints taken from other publications, but designed and engraved

expressly for Godey. We will furnish patterns of the dresses for $1 50,

and of the mantillas for $1.

* * * * *

THE Dairy House and Piggery in this number are from the excellent work on

Rural Architecture published by C. M. Saxton, New York. We can furnish the

work complete, postage free, on receipt of $1 25.

* * * * *

"THE Trials of a Needlewoman" continues to increase in interest. Our

exchanges and private letters pronounce this Mr. Arthur's best story.

* * * * *

BY the way, for the last ten or fifteen years, we have considered Godey's

Fashions unrivalled. No other magazine equals him in this particular. So

says the "Illinois Union," and so says almost every one of our exchanges.

It is useless to enlarge upon this subject. It is conceded.

* * * * *

THE "Germantown Telegraph," whose editor was also caught with the imported

story--"Marrying through Prudential Motives"--comes out like an honorable

gentleman, as he is, and thus speaks he:--

"JUSTICE, THOUGH THE HEAVENS FALL!--Some two or three weeks ago, we

found in one of our respectable New York exchange papers an excellent

story, purporting to have been taken from 'La Belle Assemblée;' entitled

'Marrying through Prudential Motives,' which was no doubt much admired by

our readers; but the paternity of which belongs to 'Godey's Lady's Book,'

instead of the Parisian journal, which, it appears, had unhandsomely

appropriated the production without any acknowledgment of the original

ownership. Coming back to us with a French godfather, of course, it was

a thousand times better than the domestic article, and therefore it

'took' surprisingly. Our own apology is, not that we ever deny our friend

Godey any of the merit that belongs to his elegant and popular magazine,

but simply that the story in question was overlooked at the time of its

publication, in the multiplicity of good things always filling its pages,

and that when it was published in our own columns, it came under our eye

for the first time at the opportune moment. Our desire is at all times to

do 'justice though the heavens fall;' and to none would we yield it more

promptly than the gentlemanly proprietor of the 'Lady's Book.'"

* * * * *

BACK numbers from January can be supplied throughout the year, as the work

is stereotyped.

* * * * *

WHITE'S BONNET ESTABLISHMENT IN SECOND ABOVE CHESTNUT STREET.--Mr. White

has got into his new building, and we unhesitatingly pronounce it one of

the handsomest fronts in the city. It is of brown stone of the finest

quality, and is now the palace of the longest business street probably in

the world. Second Street is about five miles long, and if one side of the

street was placed at the end of the other, it would make a straight line

of ten miles of stores.

* * * * *

THE "Georgia Times" has caught us. We certainly must plead guilty to his

charge:--

"Godey is up to the highest notch, and seems determined that none shall

outstrip him. Our junior has just given us an idea. Oh, we've got you,

Uncle Louis--caught you in a mistake one time! You said there should be no

'difference between your January and February numbers:' and there is, for

the February number is the better! Now then, sir, ain't you caught?"

* * * * *

A PROPER ACKNOWLEDGMENT.--We find in the New York journals copies of

a correspondence between W. C. Bryant, Gulian C. Verplank, Jonathan

Sturges, F. W. Edmonds, A. B. Durand, and other eminent citizens, as a

committee, and Abraham M. Cozzens, Esq., President of the American Art

Union, on the occasion of presenting a service of plate to the latter, as

a testimony on the part of the donors of their "appreciation of his long

and faithful services to the cause of Art in the United States." We can

add our own assurance to that of the committee--for circumstances have

made us familiar with the fact--that, "for a series of years," Mr. Cozzens

has "devoted both time and labor, at a great sacrifice of his personal

interests, to the promotion of a taste for the Fine Arts among his

countrymen, and to the encouragement of native artists," and we cordially

agree with them that his "distinguished services render him worthy of this

tribute"--the tribute being a complete and costly dinner set of massive

silver. We may add, moreover, that besides his special merits as a patron

and promoter of Art, Mr. Cozzens is a fine, frank, generous, right-minded,

true-hearted gentleman, who wins his honors fairly, and knows how to wear

them gracefully.

* * * * *

BURTON has produced "Shakspeare's Midsummer's Night Dream" in most

splendid style at his theatre in New York, and Marshall has brought it

out at the Bowery. Opinions seem to differ among the New York press as to

which house has produced it in the best manner.

* * * * *

A HAPPY HIT.--"The Three Bells," gratefully dedicated to the noble Captain

Crighton. A very pretty piece of music, which everybody ought to purchase.

It will keep before them the memory of "the greatest captain of the age."

* * * * *

THE Sewing-Machine published in our February number is Messrs. Grover,

Baker, & Co.'s patent, whose advertisement will be found on our cover.

* * * * *

THAT "Republican" man of McArthur is hard to please. We have not a. little

"Godey" to spare. There are five of them, and we wish there were a dozen.

* * * * *

FRENCH FURNITURE.--The furniture which is now made in the ateliers of

Paris is unparalleled in magnificence and extravagance. Bedroom, as well

as drawing-room furniture, is laden with sculpturing and ornaments.

Gilt furniture is much in vogue for drawing-rooms; the rich brocatelles

and damasks produce a beautiful effect in the gilt frames. The superb

furniture of the state-rooms of the Tuileries is of gilt; when illuminated

by a thousand wax lights, the effect is gorgeous. This style of furniture

is only suitable for large reception-rooms.

* * * * *

THE following is dreadfully touching, and what is more, it is pointed. It

cannot possibly affect any of our subscribers, however, for there is not

one of them but would scorn the implication of being a delinquent to the

"Lady's Book." We need hardly say that it is an imitation of Hood's "Song

of the Shirt":--

"Toil, toil, toil!

As the constant drop on a stone,

So this ceaseless, endless work,

Wears away body and bone!

Though the Poet sputter and write,

Though the Orator bully and bawl,

If it were not for the Editor's pen,

What were the use of it all?

Toil, toil, toil,

Christians, Mormons, and Jews:

Is there a man on this weary earth

But grows richer by reading the news?

Richer, richer, richer,

As they read it by sunlight and taper?

And yet there isn't a soul of them all

But grudges to pay for his paper!"

* * * * *

THE INSTRUCTIVE CHARACTER OF THE LADY'S BOOK.--This is the point that we

wish to urge upon the public; that every number is full of instruction

as well as amusement. Several of our exchanges have commented upon this

matter. Our title would seem to mislead--and why it should, it is hard to

tell. We would not publish a book for a lady, and pay so poor a compliment

to her understanding as to fill it with mere trifling matter. We aim at

nobler purposes, and we challenge an investigation and a comparison with

any magazine, as to which contains the most instructive matter, either

to a lady or gentleman. Look at our descriptions of Factories of various

kinds; our Model Cottages; our receipts upon every subject; our essays;

our practical instructions to every lady how to cut and make her own

dresses; the various kinds of needlework for ladies; our accounts of the

several gold regions, Nineveh, Babylon, &c. The editor of the "Ithaca

Chronicle" says: "We have just received the January No., for 1854, and

can truly say it is more welcome to our table than any other magazine we

now receive. The present number contains one hundred pages of reading

matter--not flimsy trash--but of such as is instructive to any person who

will read it with a desire to gain knowledge."

* * * * *

YOUNG HYSON AND POTATOES.--The "Stroudsburg Jeffersonian" says: "Our

wife would rather go without her Young Hyson at any time (and she is

passionately fond of it too), than miss the smiles of Godey; or a new

dress, rather than to be without his patterns for making it." The

"Christian Advocate" of Missouri expresses his astonishment that we are

acquainted with the virtue of the potato:--

"Mr. Godey, at the back of his ARM-CHAIR, gives a list of excellent

receipts for cooking potatoes. From the nice and superb manner in which he

has always gotten out his book for the ladies, we had no certain evidence

that he had much acquaintance with that invaluable _esculent_, the potato.

It seems, however, we were mistaken. Success to him."

Not acquainted with potatoes! Why, my dear sir, it is the A B C of

cooking, and is the first thing to be learned; besides, as a caterer for

the ladies, we are bound to know a little of everything.

* * * * *

THE NEW MANTEAU DE LA COUR, required to be worn by the ladies at the

French court, is even more unpopular than was anticipated. Husbands

don't like it on account of the expense, and wives shrink from the

dancing-master's drill, without which, the wearers of the costume cannot

hope to avoid appearing ridiculous. The Empress alone has train-bearers;

but other ladies must concentrate all the powers of their mind upon their

trains to escape a catastrophe. At the last reception-night there were not

more than two hundred ladies present out of eight hundred invited. Under

these circumstances it is thought impossible to enforce the regulation

announced, that ladies not availing themselves of invitations on January

the first, would not be again asked to court during the year.

* * * * *

VERY neat and pretty compliment from the "North Carolina Whig and

Advocate":--

"Godey is always prompt, always welcome, and always interesting. If we

were asked to point out the best number of the 'Lady's Book,' we should

reply in the language of Dr. Johnson when asked which of Shakspeare's

plays he most admired? 'The last I read,' the Doctor answered."

* * * * *

THERE has been some pleasantry on the part of the press touching that

unfortunate milkmaid in our February number being on the wrong side of the

cow. Our answer is very plain, and gentlemen should make inquiry before

they criticize. The girl was _left-handed_, and the cow would not be

milked on the other side. She was--that is the cow--a queer creature.

* * * * *

DEDICATORY ADDRESS, delivered before the members of Hesperian Lodge,

upon the opening of their new hall, by Anson G. Chester, of the "Morning

Express." In as short a notice as our space will permit us to give, we

cannot do justice to the merits of this beautiful address. We could only

do so by publishing the whole of it. Mr. Chester is well known as one of

the best poets in this country. His prose is poetic, and worthy of its

distinguished author. We wish also to pay a compliment to the handsome

dress in which the pamphlet is presented to the public. Messrs. A. M.

Clapp & Co. may well be proud of it. The cover is the prettiest piece of

type-work we have seen in a long time.

* * * * *

FRANKLIN INSTITUTE REPORT of the twenty-third exhibition. The address, by

George Harding, Esq., that is given in this number, is an able production,

and worthy of its author. There is perhaps no similar case on record of

a young man, who has hardly been at the bar for two years, who has taken

so high a stand as Mr. Harding. He is engaged in almost every patent case

that is brought before our courts.

* * * * *

THE "Charleston Weekly News" says of Mrs. Hale's "New Book of Cookery,"

and the "New Household Receipt Book":--

"These two works will prove invaluable to housekeepers. Mrs. Hale has

absolutely exhausted her subject. There is nothing in the wide world, we

believe, appertaining to the '_cuisine_,' from the homeliest to the most

_recherché_ dishes, receipts for the preparation of which cannot be found

in these volumes. We think that all the ladies who have the direction of

'a home department,' should send a vote of thanks to the author of this

Encyclopædia of what should certainly be ranked among the fine arts."

We can furnish one or both.

* * * * *

WE enter our protest against those children's sayings that are now going

the rounds of the press. They are horribly blasphemous; and the whole wit

in them seems to be in making a familiar use of God's holy name.

* * * * *

THE "Boston Olive Branch" comes to us in a new dress, and looks very

handsome. It is an excellent paper, and well conducted. Its circulation

is very large. Mr. Norris, the publisher, has authority from us to club

his paper with the "Lady's Book." We wish also to say a word of another

excellent paper published in another part of our Union, the "Georgia

Citizen," L. F. W. Andrews, editor and publisher. There is no paper we

open with more satisfaction. It is sprightly and solid. Mr. Andrews, its

editor, is a man of sterling sense and honesty. We know him well, and

esteem him highly. Our merchants would do well to select it for their

advertising patronage. The price is $2 50 a year.

* * * * *

"DORSEY'S DISPATCH," at Wetumpka, Ala., is another of our excellent

exchanges. Mr. D. formerly edited the "State Guard," which is now the

"Dispatch." Dorsey is as well known in Alabama as we are in Pennsylvania,

and the reason is that he publishes an excellent paper.

* * * * *

RAPP'S PENS.--If those persons ordering these pens will please say whether

the order is their own writing, we shall be the better able to tell what

kind of a pen will best suit them.

* * * * *

MUCH obliged to "A. T. T.," and publish her acrostic:--

ACROSTIC.

God speed thee, beauteous book, in thy pathway to fame!

Oh, may thy life be long, and cherished be thy name!

Deem not my humble song one-half thy charms could tell,

E'en if I were a bard of some romantic dell;

Yet can I sing thy praise in my own humble way:

Sweet friend of lonely days, despise not thou my lay.

Long may thy coming be welcomed by young and old,

As, gathering round the hearth, they do thy leaves unfold!

Dressed in thy wintry garb, or in thy summer sheen,

Yet beautiful art thou, our literary queen.

Bright are the smiles thou bring'st unto the humble cot,

Our lonely hours to cheer, to ease our humble lot.

Oh, may'st thou ever be admired as thou art now,

Kind wishes thee attend, and laurel wreath thy brow!

THERESA.

* * * * *

BEDCHAMBER OF THE EMPRESS EUGENIE OF FRANCE.--The upholsterers have

furnished it a magnificent sky-blue silk _tenture_ along the walls, which

is fixed by gold frames, in the style of Louis XV. The arm-chairs, chairs,

sofas, and lounges are of the same style and like silk. As for the bed,

all made with gilt carved wood, it is covered with a _couvre pieds_ of

Maline lace, and the curtains, of blue silk and lace, are hung down all

around it, in the same manner as the old beds of our grandmothers. The

carpet is also of a blue color, and so thick that one would take it for

a bear skin. It was made at Aubusson, expressly for the place in which

it lays. The ceiling of the room was painted by Mr. Bresson, and it

represents a group of geniuses throwing flowers from rich baskets. The

painting is so well done that no one could believe that the figures are

not alive. In short, this magnificent bedroom is the _ne plus ultra_ of

riches and elegance.

Well, this is all well enough in its way; but who would not prefer being

plain Mrs. Smith or Mrs. Godey, or any other Mrs.--never being certain,

for a moment, when your husband goes out, that he is not to be shot at.

Even if you want to go and pay a friendly visit only one or two squares

off, you must wait until six horses are harnessed up, a body of cavalry

dressed and mounted, the streets cleared of the crowd, and a host of other

little etceteras. Dear me, we should soon be tired of royalty!

* * * * *

FEMALE SHOEMAKERS.--It is stated that in Washington some of the most

respectable women, married and single, engage in the shoemaking business

as an agreeable pastime, as well as from motives of economy. "The gaiters

which cost us three dollars at the stores," writes a female, "cost us one

day's labor and sixty cents for the best material bought at retail. One of

us has made five pair of ladies' gaiters in a week. Many of us make shoes

for ourselves and children, without neglecting other household duties. On

Capitol Hill, alone, there are thirty ladies thus employed, and about two

hundred in the city. We find it very easy to make two pair of children's

shoes in a day, and they cost here one dollar and twenty-five cents a

pair."

We understand that many ladies in this city stitch and prepare their own

gaiter boots, and have them made up by the shoemaker. Others again find

out the journeymen and employ them. We understand that at least one to one

and a half dollars are thus saved on one pair of boots.

* * * * *

PUNCH--than whom there is no greater satirist upon women--says:--

A LIVING SUPERIORITY.--Woman has this great advantage over man--she proves

her will in her lifetime, whilst man is obliged to wait till he is dead.

* * * * *

"NEW YORK SPIRIT OF THE TIMES."--This excellent paper, under the editorial

supervision of W. T. Porter, Esq., continues to flourish and take the lead

as a paper of genius, wit, and humor. It is one of the most successful and

popular publications of the day.

* * * * *

A COMPLIMENT TO TWO.--"I inclose you the amount necessary to pay for

'Godey's Lady's Book' and 'Arthur's Home Gazette,' which I have taken and

paid for since the first number was issued. The 'Lady's Book' I have taken

for fourteen years. I would not be without either of them for twice the

amount of the subscription.

S. A. M."

It is a pleasure to record such instances as the above. This is one of our

long-continued subscribers.

* * * * *

PRECOCITY.--A young lady, twelve years of age, has sent us a club of

subscribers to the "Lady's Book." She will make a good wife some day for

one of the unfortunate bachelor editors who loan their "Lady's Books."

* * * * *

TEARS AND LAUGHTER.--God made both tears and laughter, and both for kind

purposes; for as laughter enables mirth and surprise to breathe freely,

so tears enable sorrow to vent itself patiently. Tears hinder sorrow from

becoming despair and madness, and laughter is one of the very privileges

of reason, being confined to the human species.

* * * * *

AN old maid, who confesses to thirty-five, says "she doesn't believe--not

a bit of it--in the nonsense that men talk about breaking their hearts!"

It's her firm belief that there never was a man yet who broke his heart,

or, if there was, that he broke it as a lobster breaks one of his claws,

another one shooting up very gradually in its place.

* * * * *

LITTLE CHILDREN.--"No man can tell," wrote Jeremy Taylor, "but he who

loves his children, how many delicious accents make a man's heart dance in

the pretty conversation of those dear pledges. Their childishness, their

stammering, their little anger, their innocence, their imperfections,

their necessities, are so many little emanations of joy and comfort, to

him that delights in their persons and society."

* * * * *

WE are receiving repeated applications from our subscribers to publish

in some number this year the celebrated engraving of "CHRIST HEALING THE

SICK," from Benjamin West's great picture. If we thought it would be

agreeable to the mass of our subscribers, we would do so with pleasure,

but we don't like the idea of publishing one engraving twice, it looks as

if we were short of engravings. Shall we republish it for the benefit of

the new subscribers this year? What say you?

* * * * *

THE spring patterns in this number, from the establishment of Mrs. Suplee,

must command general attention. They are the style for the present season.

* * * * *

"RAILROAD POLKA" and the "Reading Polka," the first dedicated to R. L.

Stevens, President of the Camden and Amboy Railroad, and the other to the

Rev. W. A. Good, A. M. "The Grave of my Mother," and "Mary's Beauty," two

songs. These last have the prettiest colored vignettes we have ever seen

printed on music sheets. J. W. Gougler, of Reading, is the publisher of

the above, and our city music publishers must look to their laurels, for

such attractive music is seldom found. J. G. Gould, Swaim's Buildings, has

all the above for sale.

* * * * *

THE "Keeseville Gazette" is responsible for the following:--

"When is 'Godey's Lady's Book' as great a source of self-abnegation as a

certain observance in the Catholic Church? When it is _Lent_."

* * * * *

"HOW TO MAKE A DRESS."--By the time this number reaches our subscribers,

the second edition of this work will be ready. We have been obliged to

delay numerous orders: but we shall now be ready with a very large edition

to supply all who may order the work.

* * * * *

THE editor of "Moore's Western Lady's Book" says:--

"We have heard it said that Godey is a bachelor, but WE don't believe it,

for we cannot see how he can remain such in his present business. How is

it, Godey? Suppose you 'let the cat out.' The Western ladies are very

CURIOUS to know."

Yes, my dear madam, we are married. Sorry to disappoint the Western

ladies; but we have a son fast growing up to man's estate. He will be in

the market soon, and is almost as good-looking as his father. It was to

him that the following lines were addressed:--

"I believe you isn't married, Ned?

You doesn't know the sweets

Vat waits upon that happy state

Ven man and vomen meets.

The buzum's warm emotions, Ned,

The drops within the eyes;

The nice vashed things, the darned stockings,

And all them tender ties."

* * * * *

VERY brief, expressive, and complimentary:--

"P. S. When ----'s subscription runs out, don't stop her 'Book.' Next to

myself and her sister, loves she 'Godey's Lady's Book.'"

* * * * *

WORTHY OF BEING IMITATED.--A subscriber in Maryland, who was in arrears,

sent on his subscription at the full price, $4 a year, and added the

interest. Another, a lady, sent us $4 a year for three years, and paid her

subscription to 1855. Another, a gentleman, remitted his subscription in

full up to 1860. We fancy that there are few other publications can give

such instances as these.

* * * * *

SOMETHING ABOUT COOKS.--We heard an anecdote about "the new cook" that is

worth telling. "Betty," says the mistress, "I want those shells warmed

for dinner"--meaning the pastry shells. "Yis, ma'am." And, sure enough,

Betty brought up the shells after dinner--a large tray full of them.

"Why, what have you there, Betty?" "The shells, ma'am; and they are quite

hot." "Shells!" exclaimed the indignant mistress. "Why, those are oyster

shells!" "Sure they are, ma'am; and, as you had oysters last night, and I

didn't see any other shells, I thought it was these you wanted warmed."

* * * * *

WE extract the following from Mrs. Partington's "Carpet Bag of Fun":--

A STRING OF EPITAPHS.

"WEEP, stranger, for a father spilled

From a stage-coach, and thereby killed:

His name was John Sykes, a maker of sassengers,

Slain with three other outside passengers."

"Here lies the body of James Monk,

Suddenly drowned when he was drunk;

He paid his score, and cheated no man--

_De mortius nil nisi bonum_."

"_His jacet_, Tom and Titus Tressel,

Lost by the swamping of their vessel.

A leak she sprung and settled fast;

Payment of Nature's debt was asked,

And it was paid--the debtors failing

To give security by bailing.

Full many a storm they nobly braved,

And tho' they're lost, we hope they're saved."

* * * * *

MRS. PARTINGTON ON FUNNY-GRAPHY.--And Ike read, "Mr. Wightman submitted a

detailed report on the subject of introducing phonotopy, as a study, into

the primary schools." "Stop, Isaac," said Mrs. Partington, threateningly

holding up her finger, and slightly frowning, "don't make light of

anything serious that you are reading--it isn't pretty." "But it's so in

the paper, aunt," said Ike; and he again read the sentence, emphasizing

the word "_phonotopy_" prodigiously. Mrs. Partington adjusted her specs,

and looked at it, letter by letter, to be assured. "Well, if ever!" said

she, holding up her hands; "I declare I don't know what they're gwine to

do next. They're always organizing or piano-fortin the schools, and now

this funny topy comes along to make 'em laugh, I s'pose, when they ought

to be getting their lessons. Sich levity is offal. They do have sich queer

notions, nowadays! I can't make head nor tail of 'em, I'm shore."

* * * * *

CONCERT HALL, PHILADELPHIA.--We beg leave to recommend this splendid room

to all who wish to occupy it for exhibitions of any kind, concerts, balls,

lectures, &c. Mr. Andrews, the lessee, is very attentive, and he is ably

seconded by his right-hand man, Mr. Hood. In fact, politeness to visitors

by all concerned seems to be the ruling feature.

* * * * *

THE EYELASHES AND EYEBROWS.--In Circassia, Georgia, Persia, and India, one

of the mother's earliest cares is to promote the growth of her children's

eyelashes by tipping and removing the fine gossamer-like points with a

pair of scissors, when they are asleep. By repeating this every month or

six weeks, they become, in time, long, close, finely curved, and of a

silky gloss. The practice never fails to produce the desired effect, and

it is particularly useful when, owing to inflammation of the eyes, the

lashes have been thinned or stunted.

* * * * *

LA PIERRE HOUSE.--The Boston "Olive Branch" says of this magnificent

hotel:--

"'_La Pierre House._' Such is the name of a new hotel just opened in

Philadelphia, of the most magnificent character. As described in the

'Inquirer,' we should deem it to surpass, in finish and in splendor of

furnishment, the regal glory of a palace. Hear how it describes one of

the suite of rooms: 'It consists of a parlor and chamber, is extremely

beautiful, and furnished in the very richest possible manner, yet with

a quietness and repose of taste that are very pleasing and striking.

The rooms are separated by a rose-colored and white brocatelle curtain,

intertwined with a graceful drapery of lace, suspended from a golden arch.

The bedstead is of the richest carving in rosewood, exquisitely adorned

with rose and lace drapery, pendent from an ornamental canopy above.'"

* * * * *

A CIRCUMSTANCE of this kind could only happen in Paris, and we somewhat

doubt that it ever occurred there:--

On Thursday, a beautiful equipage was seen in the Champs Elysées,

containing an elderly gentleman and a lady; the latter, though her face

was covered with a thick veil, appeared to be young and handsome. The

gentleman, an Englishman, Sir Edward ----, is said to be one of the oddest

and most eccentric fellows ever produced by prolific Albion. A talented

pianist was lately summoned to his house. His services were required for

an evening party, and a generous recompense was promised. The musician

came early, and he was introduced into a spacious drawing-room, where many

persons were already assembled. This apartment, which was magnificently

furnished, was but dimly lighted by two lamps, and scarcely heated at

all--the splendid fireplace, adorned with costly bronzes, containing

only a wretched fire, which cast a sepulchral glare over the rich

furniture. The host went to meet the musician as soon as the footman had

announced him, and received him in a most flattering manner. A lady, most

sumptuously and elegantly dressed, was seated on a sofa. "Allow me to

introduce you to Lady ----, my wife!" said Sir Edward. The musician made a

profound obeisance, which the lady, nevertheless, took no notice of; she

sat straight and immovable, and fixed an unearthly gaze on the new-comer.

There was another lady in an arm-chair, leaning with her elbow on a round

table, and apparently reading a book with the greatest attention. "My

sister, Miss Emily," said Sir Edward. "Mademoiselle," said the pianist,

with a bow; but in vain did he repeat the word and the salutation to call

the attention of the young lady; she neither moved nor raised her eyes

from the book. "She has always loved reading very much," said Sir Edward.

"Rather more than politeness would warrant!" thought the _artiste_ to

himself. The remainder of the company consisted of five or six gentlemen.

The _artiste_ observed, with astonishment, that all these persons affected

a strange immobility, just like the lady and sister of Sir Edward. "Will

you take a seat at the piano?" said Sir Edward. "What do you wish me to

play?" asked the musician. "Shall I select the pieces, or will madam have

the kindness to point out some favorite _morceau_?" Miladi did not reply,

and Sir Edward, answering for her, said, "My wife and I have the same

taste in music, so play a piece of Mozart or Listz, and one of your own

compositions." "I will begin my own, therefore; for after those masters

mine would not be acceptable!" modestly replied the _artiste_. The sofa

on which Miladi was seated was very near the piano, and placed in such

a manner that the _artiste_ had the lady opposite him. He looked at her

while he was playing, in order to read in her countenance the impression

which the music might produce on her. The handkerchief which Miladi held

in her hand, having, after a while, fallen to the ground, the musician

rushed forward to pick it up: and, in doing so, could not refrain from

uttering an exclamation of surprise. "What is the matter with you?" said

Sir Edward. "Oh, sir, the lady--the pretended lady!" "Alas!" interrupted

Sir Edward, "I only possess the image of an adored wife!" And it was then

explained that the worthy baronet, being inconsolable for the loss of

certain friends, always travelled about with their image in wax! A party

of _living_ friends afterwards assembled, and the evening was spent very

agreeably.

* * * * *

HOUSEKEEPERS, look at this; and, before you engage a cook, inquire if she

has a husband. This is an illustration of that that said husband going to

the paternal abode, with something to feed the young ravens, after having

paid a visit to his wife. It is simply "the husband of your cook leaving

your house."

[Illustration]

* * * * *

SOUND REASONING--and, as such, will be recognized by those who have been

humbugged by the Brown and other lecturers who have honored us with visits

from abroad:--

_Lectures_ vs. _Books_.--Why a man should put on his overcoat and

comforter, and a woman wrap herself in furs, mufflers, cloaks, and shawls,

and the children bundle up, to face a strong nor'-wester, and go out to

hear a lecture of dubious excellence, or a concert that, after all, is

little better than a bore, while at home a goodly array of philosophers

and poets, story-tellers and grand advisers, stand waiting to offer their

services; yet not one of which looks sad if his neighbor is preferred

before him--this we would wonder at, if it were not everybody's habit.

If a man has weak eyes, or his thoughts find no anchorage, and if he

cannot afford the luxury of a private reader, let him visit the public

lecture-room, and he can get much good from it. Or if, for his sins, he

has lost his home, let him go to the concert and mortify himself. But we

who have homes cannot afford, first, the sacrifice of our home comforts,

second, the loss of precious winter evening hours, and third, the price

of tickets, unless we know of a surety that they will admit us to choice

performances.

* * * * *

SINGULAR INSCRIPTIONS ON TOMBSTONES.

On the Duke of Marlborough:--

Here lies John, Duke of Marlborough

Who run the French through and through;

He married Sarah Jennings, spinster,

Died at Windsor, and was buried at Westminster.

In St. Bennet's, Paul's Wharf, London:--

Here lies one _More_, and no more than he:

One _More_ and no _More!_ how can that be?

Why one _More_, and no more, may well lie here alone,

But here lies one _More_, and that is more than one!

From Broom Churchyard, England:--

God be praised!

Here is Mr. Dudley, senior,

And Jane, his wife, also,

Who, while living, was his superior;

But see what death can do.

Two of his sons also lie here,

One Walter, t'other Joe;

They all of them went in the year 1510 below.

In St. Michael's Churchyard, Aberystwith, is another, to the memory of

David Davies, blacksmith:--

My sledge and hammer lay reclined,

My bellows, too, have lost their wind,

My fire's extinct, my forge decayed,

And in the dust my vice is laid;

My coal is spent, my iron gone,

My nails are driven--my work is done.

The following epitaph is transcribed from one of the local histories of

Cornwall:--

Father and mother and I,

Lies buried here as under,

Father and mother lies buried here,

And I lies buried yonder.

From Cunwallow Churchyard, Cornwall. [It may be read either backwards or

forwards.]

Shall we all die?

We shall die all,

All die shall we--

Die all we shall.

In St. Germain's, in the Isle of Man, the following very singular epitaph

is yet to be seen, in Latin, over the tomb of Dr. Samuel Rutter, formerly

prebendary of Litchfield, and afterwards Bishop of Sodor and Man:--

In this house,

Which I have borrowed from

My brethren, the worms,

lie I,

SAMUEL, by Divine permission,

Bishop of this island.

Stop, reader;

Behold and smile at

THE PALACE OF A BISHOP!

who died May 30,

in the year

1653.

* * * * *

SOME FEW INSTRUCTIONS IN CROCHET-WORK, which may be of use to some of our

lady readers.

In the first instance, the crochet-hook should be very smooth, made of

fine steel, and fixed in handles. The stitches used are _chain_, _slip_,

_single_, _double_, _treble_, and _long treble crochet_.

_Chain Stitch_ (ch) is made by forming a loop on the thread, then

inserting the hook, and drawing the thread through the loop already made.

Continue this, forming a succession of stitches.

_Slip Stitch_ is made by drawing a thread _at once_ through any given

stitch and the loop on the needle.

_Single Crochet_ (sc). Having a loop on the needle, insert the hook in a

stitch and draw the thread through in a loop. You have then two on the

hook; draw the thread through both at once.

_Double Crochet_ (dc). Twist the thread round the hook before inserting

it in the stitch, through which you draw the thread in a loop. There will

then be three loops on the hook; draw the thread through two, and then

through the one just formed and the remaining one.

_Treble Crochet_ (tc), and _Long Treble_ (long tc), are worked in the same

way; in treble the thread is put _twice_, in long treble _three times_,

before inserting it into the stitch.

_Square Crochet_ is also sometimes used. The squares are either open or

close. An open square consists of one dc, two ch, missing two on the line

beneath before making the next stitch. A close square has three successive

dc. Thus any given number of close squares, followed by an open, will

have so many times three dc, and _one over_; therefore any foundation for

square crochet must have a number that can be divided by three, having one

over.

_To contract an Edge._ This may be done in dc, tc, or long tc. Twist the

thread round the hook as often as required, insert it in the work, and

half do a stitch. Instead of finishing it, twist the thread round again,

until the same number of loops are on, and work a stitch entirely; so

that, for two stitches, there is only one head.

_To join on a Thread._ In joining, finish the stitch by drawing the new

thread through, leaving two inches for both ends, which must be held in.

_To use several Colors._ This is done in single crochet. Hold the threads

not in use on the edge of the work, and work them in. Change the color

by beginning the stitch in the old color and finishing it with the new,

continuing the work with the latter holding in the old. If only one stitch

is wanted in the new color, finish one stitch and begin the next with it;

then change.

_To "Purl" in Netting._ Bring your thread forward, and take up the inner

side of the stitch, putting your needle downwards in the stitch instead of

upwards, as you do in plain knitting.

* * * * *

PHILADELPHIA AGENCY.

"W. J. M."--Cannot send the "Lady's Book" previous to January, 1851. Wish

we had the eight years to send you.

"Clara S."--Will find explanations of the abbreviations of crochet terms

in this number; also March number, page 279; and in our May number we will

give further directions.

"L. M. H."--Sent you patterns by mail on 18th.

"Miss A. R."--Sent your hair bracelet on the 18th.

"Miss P. S."--Sent your ring and thimble on the 19th.

"O. V. H."--Sent your gold pen on 19th.

"B. A. C."--Sent the cap patterns by mail on 19th.

"M. P. R." commits the common error of not dating letter nor giving place

of residence. The postmark, like every other postmark, is illegible.

One-half the letters we receive have the same omissions, giving us a great

deal of trouble. We can supply the numbers; but how can we tell what the

postage will be when we don't know their destination? The price of the

numbers will be 25 cents. The communication was received too late for

March number.

"Miss E. P."--Sent your patterns on 20th.

"Graduate" is informed that he had better advertise in the papers here for

the situation he wants. There is no other way of procuring it. We have

used the masculine in answering this, as "Graduate" omits letting us know

whether we are addressed by a male or female. If a female, why not write

the first name in full, or prefix Mrs. or Miss?

"T. G. B."--Sent Rigolet by Adams's Express on 28th.

"C. C. D."--Sent Odd Fellows' Regalia by Adams & Co.

"Miss E. C. G."--Sent cotton on the 30th.

"J. W. K."--Sent jet cross on 30th.

"Miss C. R. L."--Sent apron pattern on the 2d.

"M. R. E. P."--Sent jacquette pattern 4th.

One of our subscribers wrote us upon the subject of cutting dresses by our

patterns. We have mislaid the letter. Will she please write again?

"Miss T."--Sent cotton by mail. The postage will be expensive; but cheaper

than express.

"A. S. C."--Sent dress on the 7th by mail.

"Miss D. H."--Sent patterns by mail on 7th.

"Helen."--Boots to button at the side for winter wear are very fashionable

here. Bronze or blue gaiter boots $3, French kid slippers $1 50. Never

heard of such a mono-mania; make him wear girl's clothing until he reforms.

"S. S. S."--Sent goods by mail (the cheapest way) on the 7th.

"T. S. H."--Sent Rapp's pen by mail on the 14th.

"Miss M. F."--Sent breastpin by mail on 14th.

"Mrs. J. A. C."--Wrote and sent you circular of prices of Boardman &

Gray's pianos.

"M. S. L."--Sent jewelry by mail on 18th.

"Bed Quilts."--Marseilles are almost invariably used now. Of course, they

are fashionable.

"J. S. B."--Too late for March number. Cannot furnish "Lady's Book" from

the commencement. We have only as far back as 1851.

"Mrs. A. V. Du B."--Sent patterns by mail on 18th.

No orders attended to unless the cash accompanies them.

All persons requiring answers by mail must send a post-office stamp.

The Borrower's Department.

"_The wicked borroweth and payeth not again._"

THE "Pennsylvania Trojan" says: "The present is decidedly the best number,

in point of illustrations, reading matter, paper, and typography, ever

issued, and every way worthy of the wide-spread reputation of L. A.

Godey. We cannot lend this number, to show it to our friends, for Mrs.

M. has taken charge of it, _and is copying some very pretty patterns of

embroidery from it_. However, she will take pleasure in displaying its

beauties to you."

Sent you a duplicate of that prospectus sheet, friend "Trojan."

* * * * *

GOOD.--A letter from a Ky. editor: "I have about one dozen BORROWING

subscribers, who all like your 'Book' remarkably well, I presume, from

their eagerness to get hold of it. I have lost one or two of these,

however, as they have sent on and subscribed for themselves."

Don't lend, and we shall have the remainder of them soon.

* * * * *

A letter from a lady in New York State:--

"SIR: I have endeavored to be as punctual as possible in making up my

club for 1854. The 'Lady's Book,' with its many charms, has become very

necessary to our happiness. I am gratified that there are a few ladies

among us who are sufficiently endowed with a sense of the beautiful and

interesting to appreciate its worth. One of its admirable traits is that

it bears acquaintance well. That race of beings who borrow everything

they read is not extinct in this vicinity. But that habit, like that of

drinking ardent spirits, is growing less, as _decent_ people are ashamed

to practise it."

* * * * *

"No loss but what falls on my head." The "Advocate," Stamford, says: "By

the way, if the individual who so unceremoniously _borrowed_ the August

number will be kind enough to return it, we shall be saved the necessity

of troubling Mr. Godey for a duplicate."

Of course, we had to send it.

* * * * *

ONE of our lady subscribers takes two copies of the "Lady's Book," so that

she can have one to lend. Hard case; but it is the only way, she says,

that she can secure a copy for her own perusal. We would suggest to her to

slip in the copy proposals for a club of six. The price to each one would

only be $1 67 for a year's subscription.

Enigmas.

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO ENIGMAS IN MARCH NUMBER.

9. Mist.

10. The letter G.

11. A windmill.

12. Faith, Hope, Charity.

* * * * *

ENIGMAS.

13.

THE treasure that I render you

Surpasses any mine of gold;

'Tis clear my sterling value, too,

Is far too precious to be sold.

My current stock your wants supplies,

Your draughts on me I liquidate,

Relieving your necessities,

And keeping solvent your estate.

In my transactions, though I'm deep,

Still truth is e'er ascribed to me;

And well continually I keep

With folks who use me prudently.

In banks, I never do intend

My "floating capital" to trust;

On firmer footing I depend,

And what I am would you be--just.

14.

I'M able, by the aid of tea,

A banquet to support;

And when I'm following the sea,

Retain my ship in port:

But when effaced, then must I be

Fictitious in report.

15.

I'M good for nothing, save when kept,

As many a soul can tell;

And should exist conceal'd, except

'Gainst honor I rebel.

The happiness of many a heart

Will oft depend on me;

Its ease, alas! will oft depart,

Whene'er I cease to be.

Receipts, &c.

* * * * *

CHEAP CONTRIVANCE FOR FILTERING.--A very cheap and good contrivance for

filtering is to take a large garden flower-pot, and lay in the bottom a

piece of sponge, so as to cover the hole. Upon this put a few smooth,

clean pebbles, to keep the sponge in its place, and fill up the pot, to

within two or three inches of the brim, with a mixture of one part of

powdered charcoal to two parts of fine sharp sand. Then cover the top

of the pot with a piece of clean white flannel, tied tightly round the

rim with a twine, but so as to sink or sway down in the centre. Set the

flower-pot in a pan or tub, and pour the water into the flannel, letting

it filter through the charcoal, &c.; and, by the time it has passed

through the sponge, and come out at the bottom, it will be clear.

* * * * *

TO CLEANSE A TEAKETTLE FROM FUR.--Heat the kettle rapidly over a fire of

shavings, having previously made it quite dry. The expansion will separate

the fur from the metal, and it may then be easily removed.

* * * * *

TO REMOVE STAINS OF ACIDS, &C.--Stains caused by acids may be removed

by tying some pearlash up in the stained part; scrape some soap in soft

cold water, and boil the linen till the stain is gone. Many stains may be

removed by dipping the linen in some sour buttermilk, and drying it in a

hot sun, washing it afterwards in cold water. It may be found necessary to

repeat this once or twice.

* * * * *

TO TAKE OUT IRONMOULD.--Wet the ironmould with water, and then lay the

linen on a hot water-plate and put on the part a little essential salt of

lemons. When it becomes dry, wet it again, and renew the process, being

particular that the plate is boiling hot. Dip the linen into a good deal

of water, and wash it as soon as the stain is removed, to prevent any

damage from the acid.

* * * * *

TO PRESERVE STEEL PENS.--Metallic pens may be preserved from rusting by

throwing into the bottle containing the ink a few nails, or broken pieces

of steel pens, if not varnished. The corrosive action of the acid which

the ink contains is expended on the iron so introduced, and will not

therefore affect the pen.

* * * * *

FRENCH POLISH.--To one pint of spirits of wine add a quarter of an ounce

of gum copal, a quarter of an ounce of gum arabic, and one ounce of

shellac. Let your gums be well bruised, and sifted through a piece of

muslin. Put the spirits and the gums together in a vessel that can be

safely corked; place them near a warm stove, and frequently shake them.

In two or three days they will be dissolved; strain it through a piece of

muslin, and keep it tightly corked for use.

* * * * *

DOMESTIC RECEIPTS.

CUSTARDS, CREAMS, JELLIES, AND BLANC MANGE.

[_Fourth article._]

* * * * *

CHARLOTTE RUSSE.--Line the bottom of a plain round mould with Savoy

biscuits, placing them close together in a star or some device; line the

sides, placing the biscuits edgewise, to make them form a compact wall;

put the mould upon ice; have ready a _Crême au Marasquin_, adding a glass

of brandy. Fill the mould as it stands on the ice, and leave it till the

time of serving, when turn it over upon the dish and take off the mould.

* * * * *

CHARLOTTE RUSSE. _An easy way._--Mix with the yolks of four eggs a quarter

of a pound of sugar pounded fine, and add to this half a pint of new

milk. Put it over the fire till it begins to thicken like custard, but do

not let it boil; then add half a pint of very stiff calves-foot jelly.

Strain it through a napkin; put in a pan placed on ice, a pint of very

rich cream, flavored or not, as you like, and whip it until it looks like

float; pour the cream into another dish, and put the custard in the pan

on the ice; stir it on the ice with a paddle until it becomes thick like

jelly; then add the cream very lightly. The mixture should look like light

sponge-cake before it is baked. A round tin pan must be prepared with

sponge-cake, called ladies' fingers, placed around and at the bottom very

evenly and closely; pour the charlotte in it, and place it on the ice till

wanted. When wanted, put a round dish or plate on it, and turn it out. The

bottom will then be at the top--and no cake at the bottom.

* * * * *

CREAM HASTY.--Take a gallon of milk from the cow, set it on the fire, and

when it begins to rise take it off the fire, skim off all the cream and

put it on a plate, then set the skillet on the fire again and repeat the

skimming till your plate is full of cream; put to it some orange flower

and sugar, and serve it.

* * * * *

CREAM "AU NATUREL."--Take some thin cream, mind and let it be fresh, and

put it in a bowl on ice to cool; add to it powdered sugar, and serve it.

* * * * *

CREAM, TO KEEP.--Cream already skimmed may be kept twenty-four hours, if

scalded without sugar; and, by adding to it as much powdered lump sugar as

will make it sweet, it will keep good two days in a cool place.

* * * * *

CURDS AND CREAM.--With about half a tablespoonful of rennet, turn two

quarts of milk just from the cow; drain off the whey, and fill a mould

with the curd; when it has stood an hour or two, turn it out. Strew

colored comfits over it, sweeten some cream, mix grated nutmeg with it,

and pour it round the curd.

* * * * *

CURDS AND CREAM, AS IN SCOTLAND.--Put two quarts of new milk into the dish

in which it is to be served, and turn it with a teaspoonful of rennet;

when the curd has come, serve it with the cream in a separate dish.

* * * * *

NAPLES CURD.--Put into a quart of new milk a stick of cinnamon, boil it

a few minutes, take out the cinnamon, and stir in eight well-beaten eggs

and a tablespoonful of white wine; when it boils again, strain it through

a sieve; beat the curd in a basin, together with about half an ounce of

butter, two tablespoonfuls of orange-flower water, and pounded sugar

sufficient to sweeten it. Put it into a mould for two hours before it is

sent to table. White wine, sugar, and cream may be mixed together and

poured round the curd, or it may be served in a sauce tureen.

* * * * *

THE SICK ROOM AND NURSERY.

CURE FOR SQUINTING.--Squinting frequently arises from the unequal strength

of the eyes, the weaker eye being turned away from the object, to avoid

the fatigue of exertion. Cases of squinting of long standing have often

been cured by covering the stronger eye, and thereby compelling the weaker

one to exertion.

* * * * *

SCRATCHES.--Trifling as scratches often seem, they ought never to be

neglected, but should be covered and protected, and kept clean and dry

until they have completely healed. If there is the least appearance of

inflammation, no time should be lost in applying a large bread and water

poultice, or hot flannels repeatedly applied, or even leeches in good

numbers may be put on at some distance from each other.

CENTRE-TABLE GOSSIP.

THE HOUSEHOLD.

IT is a long time ago since we rejoiced in the possession of a new

spelling-book, with a bright blue board cover (so liable to get the

corners chipped off), and learned from its fascinating pages that

ever-to-be-remembered lesson for the household--

"Whatever brawls disturb the street,

There should be peace at home."

What else of profit we gleaned from its double-columned pages, our

readers, or perhaps our printers, are the best judges; but the poetic bit

of family government, though faded with years, comes out now and then

feebly in remembrance, as sympathetic inks brighten by firelight. It is

at present recalled by a subject suggestive for this month's chat, "the

duties of an elder daughter at home," or, as we would have it read, of

"daughters at home." The mother of a large family has had demands on her

time, health, and spirits in their infancy, which they cannot understand

until they come to be situated in like manner, but certain it is, and as

the daughters grew up around her, she naturally looks to them to aid her

in the cares and responsibilities of the home.

Of course, to all well-ordered governments there must be one head, the

centre of all action; but inferior officers can ofttimes take the whole

burden of petty detail. The silver, the mending, the wash, must be seen

to, and here it might be a daughter's pleasant duty to see her mother's

instructions faithfully obeyed. How much better this, than adding to the

general discomfort and disorderly careless habits, and inconsideration or

rudeness to the servants.

Then as regards her brothers--the daughter of the household has much to

think of: to be considerate for their comfort, to respect their feelings,

to care for their amusement, to enter into their plans and pursuits. How

many a brother is driven to seek idle, expensive, and too often vicious

company from the lack of such sympathy at home! And yet one so often

hears--"brothers are so troublesome"--or, "we can't practice just to play

for a brother"--or, "the boys have their company, and I have mine." The

taste may not always be congenial, but good feeling and gentle manners

will accomplish far more than a sarcastic repulse.

Thus, in course of time, the stepping-stones safely passed, the girl

becomes the young wife--housekeeper--mother--fitted for the duties of her

station, and therefore contented with it, finding nothing harsh or irksome

in domestic routine, and satisfied with the pleasures and enjoyments of

home. Far more likely to do so than she who leads a careless, idle life as

a girl--to become a fretful, discontented wife, or neglectful mother.

Our Daily Paths! with thorns or flow'rs

We can at will bestrew them;

What bliss would gild the passing hours,

If we but rightly knew them!

The way of life is rough at best,

But briers yield the roses,

So that which leads to joy and rest

The hardest path discloses.

The weeds that oft we cast away,

Their simple beauty scorning,

Would form a wreath of purest ray

And prove the best adorning.

So in our daily paths, 'twere well

To call each gift a treasure,

However slight, where love can dwell

With life-renewing pleasure!

* * * * *

LACES AND EMBROIDERIES.

WE promised, in speaking of new caps, a paragraph in our fashion chat on

laces; but, as that has its own material, in discussing the merits of

shapes and styles, we lay our laces upon the centre-table instead.

We have now in preparation some very new and tasteful designs for

chemisettes, to be worn in mourning, every one understanding that

embroideries are laid aside with a black dress. For the strictest styles,

plain linen, cambric, and Swiss muslin are worn; but when silks or fringed

dresses are put on, fluted ruffles, edged with plain narrow lace, on

collars and open sleeves, are not out of taste, or edges of needle-work in

scallops and points.

Laces, or very thin muslin embroidery, will be worn this summer; cambric,

whether plain or embroidered, being seen only in morning-dress. We speak

to those who "dress for dinner." There is a new style of lace, the

Maltese, which is very heavy and apparently durable, somewhat resembling

Honiton, at about half its cost. It is very pretty for caps, as seen in

our design for the month. Heavy laces are still in vogue; Valenciennes and

the still more delicate and lady-like Mechlin have given place to them.

There is an Irish point occasionally to be met with, the most durable

of all, being of the purest linen thread. Collars, or chemisettes, and

undersleeves are worn to match. Nothing is more untidy--save soiled

muslins--than to see cambric sleeves and a rich lace collar, or muslin

sleeves and English flouncing for a chemisette. Better to have both of

plain cambric or linen.

* * * * *

WASHING MADE EASY.

THE truthfulness of the "Washing-Day" song, with its disagreeable effects

on the spirits and temper, has never been questioned or doubted. For

ourselves, our spirits fall with the first rising of steam from the

kitchen, and only reach a natural temperature when the clothes are

neatly folded in the ironing-basket. If any of our club sympathize with

us, they will rejoice that a better day is at hand, and consider the

invention described below as full of the deepest interest to our sex as

housekeepers. The one thus commented on is in use in the St. Nicholas

Hotel, New York:--

"A strong wooden cylinder, four feet diameter, and four and a half feet

long, is mounted on a frame, so as to be driven by a band on one end of

the shaft. This shaft is hollow, with pipes so connected with it that hot

or cold water, or steam, can be introduced at the option of the person

in charge. The cylinder being half full of water, a door at one end is

opened, and 300 to 500 pieces of clothing are thrown in, with a suitable

quantity of soap, and an alkaline fluid which assists in dissolving the

dirt and bleaching the fabric, so that clothes, after being washed in this

manner, increase in whiteness without having the texture injured.

"When the cylinder is changed, it is put in motion by a small

steam-engine, and made to revolve slowly, first one way a few revolutions,

and then the other, by which the clothes are thrown from side to side, in

and out, and through the water. During this operation the steam is let in

through a double-mouthed pipe--somewhat of this shape, X--which has one

mouth in and one mouth out of water; the steam entering the water through

the immersed end, and escaping through the other, by which means it is

made to pass through the clothes, completely cleansing them in fifteen

or twenty minutes. The steam is now cut off, and the hot water drawn

through the waste pipe, and then cold water introduced, which rinses the

articles in a few more turns of the cylinder. They are now suffered to

drain until the operator is ready to take them out, when they are put

into the drying-machine, which runs like a millstone, and its operation

may be understood by supposing that millstone to be a shallow tub, with

wire network sides, against which the clothes being placed, it is put in

rapid motion; the air, passing in a strong current into the top and bottom

of the tub, and out of the sides, carries all the moisture with it into

the outside case, from whence it runs away. The length of time requisite

to dry the clothes depends upon the rapidity of the revolving tub. If it

should run 3,000 revolutions a minute, five to seven minutes would be

quite sufficient. When there is not sufficient steam to run the dryer

with that speed, it requires double that. In washing and drying, there is

nothing to injure the fabric. Ladies' caps and laces are put up in netting

bags, and are not rubbed by hand or machine to chafe or tear them in the

least, but are cleansed most perfectly.

"It can readily be imagined what a long line of wash-tubs would be

required to wash 5,000 pieces a day, and what a big clothes-yard to dry

them in; while here the work is done by four persons, who only occupy

part of a basement-room, the other part being occupied by the mangle, and

ironing and folding-tables. Adjoining are the airing-frames, which are

hung with clothes, and then shoved into a room steam-pipe heated, when

they are completely dried in a few minutes.

"_Small Family Machines._--Almost the first thought, after witnessing

the operation of this machine, was, can washing be done upon the same

principle in small families? To our inquiries upon this point, we have

received the following satisfactory information:--

"For common family use, hand-machines are made to cost from $40 to $50,

with which a woman can wash fifty pieces at a time, and complete 500 in a

day without laboring severely. For the purpose of washing, without driving

the machinery by steam, a very small boiler will be sufficient. It is not

necessary to have a head of water, as that can be found in the cylinder,

which can be turned by horse or any other convenient power. The plan of

cleansing clothes by steam is not a new one; but it is contended by the

inventor that his process is an improvement upon all heretofore applied to

that purpose."

* * * * *

APPLETONS'.

APPLETONS' is the very conspicuous gilt-lettered name of a large

brown-stone building just opened on Broadway, New York, for the business

purposes of this well-known firm. It was built originally for a public

library, but was bought last spring by the present owners, and the lower

story has since been fitted up for them. Henceforth, "Appletons'" will be

one of the lions of Broadway.

It may not be a very flattering comparison, but one at least easily

understood--what "Stewart's" is to the woman of fashion, or "Taylor's" to

the _gourmand_, "Appletons'" is now to the student or the book fancier.

The design and decorations are in perfect keeping with the business, the

very windows, deep set as they are, suggesting the alcoves, with which

it is lined, as in a public library. The ceiling walls are ornamented

in fresco, of quiet, yet cheerful tints; fourteen Corinthian columns

are the central support, and these have the effect of Sienna marble.

The book-cases and shelving are of plain oak. The proportions and whole

interior effect are admirable; and here are to be found everything that is

_bindable_ or readable, from superb London editions of the classics to the

last new school-book, in its plain cloth cover.

A good hour's lounge would scarcely give a just idea of the united

elegance and utility of the new establishment; for the curious visitor

should not neglect to glance at the wholesale ware-room, occupying the

warm, well-lighted basement, which has its own "exits and entrances," its

own salesmen, attendants, and purchasers, and gives perhaps a more just

estimate of the immense business of the firm. There is certainly nothing

approaching to it in this country or in England.

* * * * *

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

WE must enforce upon our correspondents the necessity of being _explicit_

in forwarding their addresses; for we agree with them in thinking it

rather awkward for a young lady to be addressed as M. S. Jones, _Esq._,

or a married lady to find herself suddenly divorced, and written to as

_Miss_. But how are we to help it? How is the editor, especially in the

haste and confusion of a correspondence the uninitiated cannot imagine

or comprehend, to discover from internal evidence whether the said M. S.

Jones is a noun masculine or feminine, or, being feminine, to decide upon

her state and condition regarding the holy bonds of matrimony? Let the

letter read thus, and all doubt and misdirection are at an end:--

"DEAR SIR: Inclosed is $10 for the following subscription to the

Lady's Book.

MISS M. S. JONES,

_Dalton, Ohio_"--

or Mrs., as the prefix may be. That agreeable young lady will not, in this

case, have her feelings hurt by being addressed as Esq., and so supposed

to belong to the Woman's Right party, at least; nor we be obliged to

waste, to us, very valuable time, in reading letters of explanation or

writing notes of apology. _Not to mention_ the two postage stamps saved--a

consideration; since, by Poor Richard's rule of compound interest--

"A penny saved is two pence got."

"MRS. BARNARD."--Let your children wear aprons, by all means. They are not

out of fashion; but, on the contrary, new patterns are constantly being

designed. See our fashion article for the present month.

"A NEW MAMMA" will find several editions of "Mother Goose" in the market.

One is contained in "Harry's Ladder to Learning," published by Evans &

Brittan, one of the best juveniles we know, as there are many excellent

things inclosed in its covers. It can also be had separate, postage and

all, for less than a quarter of a dollar. A more elaborate edition, as

full of clever designs as the Christmas-pie of little Jack Horner was

supposed to be of plums, is published by John Rund Smith, London, under

the title of the "Nursery Rhymes of England." Also imported by Evans &

Brittan.

"MISS A. B. L." can safely have her white and muslin dresses for the

ensuing season made with infants' waists. If her figure is small and

light, they cannot fail to be becoming; and, for quite young ladies, the

style never is out of date.

"MRS. P. L.," of Darien, Geo., can have her books by package or mail. We

add to our list for reading aloud, "An Attic Philosopher in Paris: being

the Journal of a Happy Man," published by the Appletons. Its tone is most

genial and pure, entirely free from the French sentimentality that borders

on frivolity, and, at the same time, full of pathetic truths. For the

children, we would particularly commend "Our Little Comfort" and "Love's

Lessons," both of which are admirable.

"MRS. H."--An infant's skirt should not be over a yard in length. Of

course, the petticoats should be a hem shorter, the flannel shortest of

all.

"MISS LIZZIE N."--See fashion article.

"ELLEN" had better send an order for patterns, now that they are so

cheap--much cheaper than _words_.

Of the work that "MRS. R." has asked our opinion as a book for the family,

we must be allowed to say that we do not consider its morality to be pure,

nor the sympathies it arouses womanly. Dwelling on such scenes cannot do

the general good that some critics seem to expect from it. We agree with

them that "ignorance is not virtue;" at the same time, there is much to be

dreaded in _familiarizing_ the innocent mind with the details of sin and

wickedness. "To the pure, all things are pure," again urges the specious

moralist; but, alas for our nature that it should be so! the seeds of

impurity are to be found in every earth-born mind, only too ready to be

developed. Poison the mind, the imagination, and you open the flood-gates

of innumerable temptations. Only too true is the lesson of a sterner

moralist--

"Vice is a monster of such frightful mien,

As, to be hated, needs but to be seen;

But seen too oft, familiar with its face,

We first endure, _then pity_--then embrace."

We may seem to speak warmly on the subject, and thus overstep our limits;

but books that wrong, under a pretence of virtue, are worst of all to be

dreaded. Our sex are more exposed to their influence than to any open

temptation. Books are to us companions. They lie under our pillows, and on

the empty seat beside us; they hide in our work-baskets, or under the sofa

cushion, to come forth at a moment's notice; while, with men, they have

but the passing notice of an idle hour.

* * * * *

Fashions.

* * * * *

NOTICE TO LADY SUBSCRIBERS.

Having had frequent applications for the purchase of jewelry, millinery,

etc., by ladies living at a distance, _the Editress of the Fashion

Department_ will hereafter execute commissions for any who may desire it,

with the charge of a small percentage for the time and research required.

Bridal wardrobes, spring and autumn bonnets, dresses, jewelry, bridal

cards, cake-boxes, envelopes, etc. etc., will be chosen with a view to

economy, as well as taste; and boxes or packages forwarded by express to

any part of the country. For the last, distinct directions must be given.

_Orders, accompanied by checks for the proposed expenditure, to be

addressed to the care of L. A. Godey, Esq., who will be responsible for

the amount, and the early execution of commissions._

_No order will be attended to unless the money is first received._

Instructions to be as minute as is possible, accompanied by a note

of the height, complexion, and general style of the person, on which

_much depends_ in choice. Dress goods from Levy's or Stewart's; cloaks,

mantillas, or talmas, from Brodie's, 51 Canal Street, New York; bonnets

from Miss Wharton's; jewelry from Bailey's or Warden's, Philadelphia, or

Tiffany's, New York, if requested.

* * * * *

DESCRIPTION OF STEEL FASHION PLATE FOR APRIL.

_Fig. 1st._--Dinner-dress of rose-colored cashmere, the flounces trimmed

with velvet points of a rich dark brown; the opening in the front of the

basque is made by laying the corsage back from the shoulder to the line

of the waist, sloping the width gradually. Short wide sleeves trimmed to

correspond. Bonnet of rose-colored taffeta ribbon, with a border and bands

of pale green, tied with strings of the same. The inside has a very full

_ruche_ of blonde, with a single damask rose placed high up on the right

side.

_Fig. 2d._--Plain walking-dress of mode-colored silk, the skirt entirely

plain. The corsage is close and high, with a short basque, trimming of

black guipure lace and velvet ribbon; the sleeves are opened on the back

and forearm, trimmed to correspond. Knots of velvet ribbon close the

corsage. White drawn bonnet, the brim very shallow, full trimmed, the lace

having blue crape convolvulus bells, intermixed at irregular distances.

_Child's dress_ of plain white cashmere, flounced; blue cloak of full

Talma pattern. White drawn bonnet, with double wreath of daisies inside

the brim.

* * * * *

CHITCHAT UPON NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA FASHIONS FOR APRIL.

The month of April with us is principally devoted to shopping; the changes

of dress do not begin to be general before May, although the preparations

are, of course, made at this time. The principal consideration of the

month would seem to be mantillas, scarfs, etc., bonnets, and the making up

of dresses.

For a large variety of styles, in the mantilla department, we are indebted

to Brodie, of New York, who ranks at the head of this manufacture. In

our next number, we shall give a more detailed account of his large

establishment, entirely devoted to cloaks, mantillas, and scarfs. And

here we are bewildered with the variety, in attempting to select for our

readers.

Although velvet is not in season, strictly speaking, we must notice a

scarf mantilla of royal purple, the rich and costly fabric being decorated

by embroidery, the design a heavy wreath of grape leaves, purple clusters,

and twining tendrils. They are shaded with exquisite art, the leaves and

tendrils in different stitches, the clusters in rich raised work, the

effect of which it is impossible to describe.

A bridal scarf of rich embroidery on a white ground, as pure as the bridal

dress itself, is one of the next most costly importations. No other house

uses so much embroidery as Brodie, and we are assured by him that the

French needle-work, exquisite as it is, can be excelled in this country.

His establishment alone affords employment to hundreds in this branch of

female industry, through the busy seasons of the year.

The woven embroidery now so much the style, where bouquets, wreaths, etc.,

are brocaded on a plain ground, is brought into service the present

season. The Oriental scarf we notice, as combining richness of material

and effect, with plainness of form and decoration. It has a deep border

of palm leaves in bright shades, gold predominating, on a plain ground of

royal purple; the heavy fringe is of the same hue. The form is the simple

close-fitting mantilla scarf.

Another style, destined to become a favorite from its richness of effect,

is composed of several flounces of black guipure lace on a plain silk,

deep blue, green, violet, brown, etc. The lower one, much deeper than

those on the body of the mantle, falls over the dress, and that next to

the row which forms the upper finish follows the curve of the shoulder.

There is a space between each the width of the lace, and the several rows

are headed by a box-plaited _ruche_ of narrow black satin ribbon. Another

style has bands of velvet ribbon an inch and a half in width, placed

lengthwise on the scarf, the ends falling over the flounce of lace below.

They are at a little distance apart, and each is encircled or edged by

a narrow row of lace placed on flat, giving an effect at once elegant

and novel, which it would be impossible to describe by words. These

are a few of the leading spring styles; and others less costly, and in

lighter fabrics, will be described in our extended notice of Mr. Brodie's

establishment.

For those who do not order their mantillas and scarfs from the city

direct, or who depend upon home manufacture, we would advise them to send

to Demorest, 67 Canal Street, a few doors from Brodie's, for a set of

patterns, and make them up according to the very accurate idea given by

his styles. Here, again, we have several new varieties, the establishment

also importing direct from Paris. One of very graceful shape has plaits at

the back, as in the cloaks of the past season, with a tablier, or scarf

front passing around and forming a deep collar on the shoulder. All the

mantillas of the season, be it remarked, are very low and open, to display

the collar, chemisette, etc. Another, of plainer scarf form, has a collar

pointed in front, and a shoulder-piece coming below it has the effect of a

double collar, ending in a bow of ribbon upon the shoulder. Still another,

especially suited for a matron, has a slight fulness in the back, which is

cut in the same piece as the front, coming into a very low pointed yoke

on the shoulder; the collar corresponds in form and style. All Madame

Demorest's patterns are made in tissue paper, fitting to the figure with

the same grace as the real garment, and the trimmings are imitated with

wonderful exactness.

For several new sleeves, we are also indebted to the same establishment,

although the season is too early to admit of a judgment as to what will be

the prevailing styles.

The bonnets are all very small, with open shallow brims and long low

crowns. The stiff round crown has entirely gone out, and the ingenuity of

the milliner is almost exhausted in draping this very necessary part of

the bonnet in the most graceful way. Dress, or drawn bonnets are made of

silk and crape, with a profusion of ribbon and lace; the bonnet itself

seems of little consequence, so that the crown has a good shape, and the

inside of the brim is gracefully decorated. Our fashionable ladies have

a remarkable air of _one-sidedness_ in this respect. For instance, a

large bow of pink ribbon, set high up on the right, and a drooping spray

of flowers on the left, connected by blonde or narrow laces of any kind.

In wreaths running around the face, one side is made heavier than the

other, and continued so to the forehead, or crosses it perhaps, instead

of the old-fashioned well-balanced bouquets on each side, connected by

narrow wreaths at the top. White is the prevailing color so far, with

crape flowers in purple, with bright green leaves, as lilacs, heartsease,

convolvulus, clusters of glycena, etc. etc. Delicate shades of pink,

green, violet, and blue are also seen; lace, either blonde or less costly

styles, is used in all.

Of ribbons for straw bonnets we have endless varieties of colors and

patterns, brocaded, plaided, and plain. For ourselves, we are no fanciers

of a ribbon that at a little distance looks like a strip of gay-colored

chintz; a rich, thick satin, or Mantua, of one shade, is always more

lady-like, and sufficient variety can be found in the different stripes,

pearlings, etc. Gold brocaded ribbons--by brocaded, we mean a raised

figure upon a plain ground--are more suitable for headdresses, or

evening-dress, than the street. They will be _entirely out_ of place on

a straw bonnet; as much so as a rich gimp or velvet trimming on a chintz

dress.

Silks, mousselines, and light spring cashmeres, indeed, any fabric of like

thickness, will be made, as in the past winter, with basques, closed all

around, over the hips, and without the rolling-collar at the bust, which

was so long the style. The sleeves will be worn decidedly larger at the

top, even when they are not intended for puffs or plaits. These open on

the inside of the arm, and require to have the seam set very far forward,

so as to have the opening fall away from the wrist. It is now the style to

face a silk sleeve far up with white Florence, and box-plait a white satin

ribbon about an inch in width around the inside edge, no matter as to what

the dress itself is trimmed with: it gives a very stylish finish. Ribbons,

galloons, and frills of the same are the favorite trimmings, which, in

all cases save black, should match the shade of the dress exactly. Black

silks are much worn this spring, with ribbon trimmings of deep purple,

blue, green, and even crimson; the flounces are bound in this style, and

the barque and sleeve trimmings correspond. Bows of ribbon, medium width,

either flat or with flowing ends, close the basque and sleeve openings on

most of the new silks, etc. Guipure lace is the richest and most costly

of all, and comes of every shade and width, ranging from 75 cents to $5

per yard. The galloons are rich, light, and fanciful; satin and velvet,

watered, pearled, etc.

Our May number, besides a more elaborate notice of Mr. Brodie's

establishment, will contain many items of great interest in this

department, as the openings are announced for an early day.

FASHION.

* * * * *

The Toilet.

* * * * *

TO EXTRACT ESSENCES FROM FLOWERS.--Procure a quantity of the petals of any

flowers which have an agreeable fragrance, card thin layers of cotton,

which dip into the finest Florence or Lucca oil, sprinkle a small quantity

of fine salt on the flowers, and lay a layer of cotton and one of flowers

alternately, until an earthen vessel or wide-mouthed glass bottle is full.

Tie the top close with a bladder, then lay the vessel in a south aspect to

the heat of the sun, and in fifteen days, when uncovered, a fragrant oil

may be squeezed away from the whole mass, quite equal to the highly-valued

otto of roses.

* * * * *

TO IMPROVE THE VOICE.--Beeswax, two drachms; copaiba balsam, three

drachms; powder of liquorice-root, four drachms. Melt the copaiba balsam

with the wax in a new earthen pipkin; when melted, remove them from the

fire, and while in a melted state mix in the powder. Make pills of three

grains each. Two of these pills to be taken occasionally.

* * * * *

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| |

| Transcriber notes: |

| |

| P. 298. 'or crum of bread', changed 'crum' to 'crumb'. |

| P. 302. 'ever appoach', changed 'appoach' to 'approach'. |

| P. 368. ... the subject commonplace.) Closed brackets. |

| P. 374. 'a silkly gloss.' Changed 'silkly' to 'silky'. |

| P. 378 'line the slides', changed 'slides' to 'sides'. |

| Fixed various punctuation. |

| |

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