are applicable to a greater number of purposes than we are generally
in the habit of supposing. That many of them are ground up to make
cork-stuffing for cushions, padding, &c. is well known; but there are
other uses for them as corks or half corks, besides making floating
buoys and life-preservers. A taverner in a Lancashire town covered the
floor of his lobby and bar with very open rope-matting, and filled up
the openings with old corks cut down to the level of the surface of
the mats. This combination is found to be almost indestructible under
the feet; while it gives a good grip or foothold. As the making of
rope-mats is one of the trades carried on in reformatories and some
other large establishments, it is suggested that the managers should
take into consideration the feasibility of adding old corks to their
store of manufacturing materials.
As this _Journal_ finds its way into every corner of the busy hives
of industry, it may possibly be that some of our readers are already
acquainted with such applications of waste refuse to useful purposes as
those which our esteemed correspondent suggests. But this is a point
of minor importance. The primary question is, not whether an idea is
absolutely new, but whether it is practicably susceptible of useful
application. The history of manufactures teaches us that apparently
humble trifles like these have proved to be worth millions sterling to
the country.
LET BYGONES BE BYGONES.
Let bygones be bygones; if bygones were clouded
By aught that occasioned a pang of regret,
Oh, let them in darkest oblivion be shrouded;
'Tis wise and 'tis kind to forgive and forget.
Let bygones be bygones, and good be extracted
From ill over which it is folly to fret;
The wisest of mortals have foolishly acted--
The kindest are those who forgive and forget.
Let bygones be bygones; oh, cherish no longer
The thought that the sun of Affection has set;
Eclipsed for a moment, its rays will be stronger,
If you, like a Christian, forgive and forget.
Let bygones be bygones; your heart will be lighter,
When kindness of yours with reception has met;
The flame of your love will be purer and brighter
If, Godlike, you strive to forgive and forget.
Let bygones be bygones; oh, purge out the leaven
Of malice, and try an example to set
To others, who craving the mercy of heaven,
Are sadly too slow to forgive and forget.
Let bygones be bygones; remember how deeply
To heaven's forbearance we all are in debt;
They value God's infinite goodness too cheaply
Who heed not the precept, 'Forgive and forget.'
* * * * *
Printed and Published by W. & R. CHAMBERS, 47 Paternoster Row, LONDON,
and 339 High Street, EDINBURGH.
* * * * *
_All rights reserved._