Page:Peterson's Magazine 1862.pdf/186

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178

HORTICULTURAL. - RECEIPTS .

The Physical History of the Creation of the Earth and its Inhabitants. By Eli Bowen. 1 vol., 12 mo. Philada: T. B. Peterson & Brothers.-This is a work not to be dismissed with a word or two only. Its purpose is to vindicate the cosmogony ofthe Bible from the assaults of modern science ; and such a treatise necessarily involves not only a careful, but an extended analysis also, on the part of the critic. At present we want both leisure to write and space to print such a criticism. We will say, however, that, from a rapid reading of the book, we derive a very favorable impression of the author's argumentative powers, as also of his scientific knowledge, and that we hope soon to be able to study the treatise carefully, in which event wo shall not hesitate to lay the result of our observations before the reader. The Sutherlands. By the author of " Rutledge." 1 vol., 12 mo. New York: Carleton, late Rudd & Carleton .- This new novel appears just as we are going to press. It is, in no respect, equal to " Rutledge." It would have attracted little attention, or none at all, if it had not been preceded by that very popular book. We were one of the few, who, while admitting the freshness of " Rutledge," denied its merits as a work of art, and questioned the ability of its writer to succeed in future efforts. Our opinion has been verified by " Sutherlands." We have several lady-contributors to " Peterson" who could write a far better fiction. In Memoriam. By Alfred Tennyson. 1 vol., 12 mo. Boston: Ticknor & Fields.-Rarely has so beautiful an edition of any work been published in America. The paper is of that creamy tint which all book-fanciers love; the type is elegant ; and the printing is equal to that of an early Bible. The admirers of Tennyson owe a debt of gratitude to Ticknor & Fields for this edition. The Stokesley Secret ; or, How the Pig Paid the Rent. By the author of The Heir of Redclyffe." 1 vol., 18 mo. New York: D. Appleton & Co.- This new work for juveniles, by Miss Younge, will be welcomed by a large circle of readers. It appears, too, at an appropriate season. The story is well written. Several illustrations embellish the volume.

A bay-window festooned with ivy, and adorned with a few camelias, azaleas, geraniums, or similar plants in full bloom, will add more to the appearance of the drawingroom than the costliest articles of vertu. It is, in effect, a miniature conservatory, and one which frequently affords more pleasure than the large and well-appointed one, for whose well-being the gardener alone is responsible. We need not suggest the addition of song-birds to the " winter bower," as adding immeasurably to the charm : or a few hanging-baskets and vases, filled with pendulous fuchsia and trailing verbenas in all their rich variety of colors, resting gracefully on their moss-like cushion of flexible lycopodium, (lycopodium flexuosa.)

RECEIPTS FOR THE TOILET , ETC. To Keep the Hands White and Soft.- In order to preserve the hands soft and white, they should always be washed in warm water, with fine soap, and carefully dried with a moderately coarse towel, being well rubbed every time to ensure a brisk circulation, than which nothing can be more effectual in promoting a transparent and soft surface. If engaged in any accidental pursuit which may hurt the color of the hands, or if they have been exposed to the sun, a little lemon-juice will restore their whiteness for the time. Almond paste is of essential service in preserving the delicacy of the hands. It is made thus :-Beat up four ounces of bitter almonds, add to them three ounces of lemon-juice, three ounces of almond oil, and a little weak spirits of wine and ether. The following is a serviceable pomade for rubbing the hands on retiring to rest :---Take two ounces of sweet almonds ; beat with three drachms of white wax, and three drachms of spermaceti : put up carefully in rose-water. Gloves should always be worn by ladies on exposure to the atmosphere. To Clean Gold Ornaments.-Dissolve a little sal ammoniac in spirits of wine, and wash the gold in it; or, try the following method : Mix some jeweler's rouge with a little salad oil, and with a tooth-brush rub the ornament till perfectly clean. Then wash it in warm soap and water with a clean brush, and dry it with wash leather. To Remove Stains from Mourning Dresses -Boil a good HORTICULTURAL . handful of fig-leaves in two quarts of water till reduced to MOSS INSTEAD OF SOIL FOR FLOWER-POTS.-Fill a flower-pot a pint. Bombazine, crape, cloth, etc., need only be rubbed with coarse moss of any kind, in the same manner as it with a sponge dipped in the liquor, and the effect will be would be filled with earth ; plant a cutting or plant in this instantly produced. moss. Most plants will grow better in moss than in garden mould, because the moss, pressed into the pot and subjected to frequent waterings, is soon brought into a state of dePARLOR AMUSEMENTS. composition, and becomes a pure vegetable mould ; and THE UNIVERSAL TRAVELER; OR, A NEW WAY OF PLAYING AT this, as is well known, is the best material for the growth of nearly all kinds of plants. Another advantage of the JACK OF ALL TRADES.-The traveler quits the room ; all the moss is, that it does not absorb more moisture than is rest fix respectively on the country they wish to represent, adapted to the absorbent powers of the root-a condition somewhat in this fashion :-A Turkish lady twists a handwhich can scarcely be obtained with any certainty by the kerchief for her turban, and with a stick appears to be use ofearth. For transporting plants to a distance, also, it smoking a pipe as she reclines on a cushion. A German is well to root them in moss on account of its lightness. student may be represented with mock knapsack, book, HYACINTHS thrive admirably in glasses filled with moss turned down collar, and singing a Rhine song; a German instead of water. For this purpose the darkest glasses lady should be knitting with feet on the stove. A Lapshould be selected. Care must be taken to supply water lander, warmly wrapped, should be shown by appearing to drive reindeer, which may be represented by chairs turned regularly to prevent the moss from becoming dry. IVY FOR BAY-WINDOWS.-A pot of English ivy on each side down, and a hearth-rug over his knees. A gipsy's tent may of a bay-window will soon give it the appearance of a sum- be easily contrived, and other countries similarly personmer bower. It is a hardy plant that will thrive in any ated ; and when all are ready, the Traveler comes into the part of the house, provided it be kept moist. To insure room, and endeavors to guess what nation each represents this condition, it is best to put the pot containing the ivy by their appearance, occupation, etc. THE NOSEGAY OF FLOWERS.-One of the tallest boys preinto a larger one, and fill the space between with moss, which must be kept constantly soaked. The German ivy sent holds at arm's length a piece of wood or stiff card, is of a thinner texture than the English, and, unlike the about six inches square, on which is placed a small bouquet latter, requires sun and light to keep it in a thrifty state. of real or artificial flowers ; and the board is suspended by four strings, one from each corner, to the end of a stick, In a sunny window it grows very rapidly.