-X\-. 

 
 LIBRARY 
 
 OF THL 
 
 U N IVLRS ITY 
 
 or ILLI NOIS
 
 / 
 
 I 

 
 / 
 
 A FEW HINTS 
 
 FOR 
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT, 
 
 ADDRESSED CHIEFLY 
 
 TO VILLAGE GIRLS 
 
 ON THEIR LEAVING SCHOOL. 
 BY A LADY. 
 
 Cf)irti iStJitton, ISnlargeti. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 J. AND C. MOZLEr, 6, PATERNOSTER ROW; 
 MASTEUS AKD CO. 78, NEW BOND STREET. 
 
 1863.
 
 A FEW HINTS 
 
 FOR 
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Do every thing at its proper time. 
 Put every thing in its proper place. 
 Keep every thing to its proper use. 
 
 My desire in thus speaking to you, my 
 young friends, is to render you haj^py ; and 
 remember we cannot be completely happy 
 ourselves, unless we are desirous to render 
 those around us happy also. 
 
 Men's duties carry them forth into the 
 world, to toil either with their hands or their 
 heads for the support of those whom they 
 love. It is the happy privilege of women to 
 render Home a comfort and a blessing, a rest 
 and a refreshment, to those hearts worn and 
 wearied with the world's hard cares, and 
 to warm them with the sunshine of true 
 affection. 
 
 But " trifles make the sum of human 
 things," and it is about some of these trifles 
 I now wish to teach you. 
 
 " Do every thing at its proper time." 
 Now is the time to learn; eagerly, then,
 
 4 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 seize upon it, and store up knowledge for 
 future use " in that state of life unto which 
 it shall please God to call you." 
 
 Many w4se and useful books on cookery, 
 and needle-work, and domestic duties, have 
 been written, and to them I refer you for 
 receipts and excellent directions ; what I 
 have to say, is only what I have not seen in 
 these books, hints on things small apparently^ 
 but which I know from experience^ make or 
 mar the usefulness and charm of woman's 
 duties and woman's influence. 
 
 '^ Order is Heaven's first law ;" it is taught 
 us in the skies, and should be practised with 
 exactness^ if we wish for comfort. 
 
 It is easier, far easier, to " keep every 
 thing in its proper place," than to be obliged 
 to search for it when needed. As soon, 
 then, as any new thing, great or small, be- 
 comes your property, find the right place 
 for it, and keep it there; use it, of course, 
 whenever you need it, but put it back again 
 in its own home, and do not yield to the 
 temptation of idly setting it down any where. 
 If anything is out of repair, mend it at once ; 
 or if that be not possible, I would advise you 
 to keep one drawer, or one basket, in which 
 all things needing mending^ should be placed ; 
 and let it be one of your first actions in the 
 morning, before engaging in any new pursuit, 
 to repair them, and replace them in their own 
 homes again. Never place clothes in your 
 
 /^\ 
 
 ^ UIUC '
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 5 
 
 drawers that require mending ; " out of sight, 
 out of mind," you know ; and sore will be 
 our trouble to find ourselves, and our friends, 
 it may be, ashamed by sundry damages, 
 caused by lack of a button or a string; a 
 tiny hole may catch on a nail, and become a 
 rent ; " a stitch in time saves nine." 
 
 Let due order also be seen in the impor- 
 tance which you place upon performing duties 
 before simple pleasures ; never allow pleasure 
 to take the place of duty in your hea7% and 
 then in your daily life no difficulty will be 
 found in giving to duty due respect and at- 
 tention. In arranging your books, let your 
 Bible and Prayer-Book have the best and 
 more honourable place, and next to them, 
 any religious works you may have ; and 
 never suffer these books to lie about care- 
 lessly. Dread the slightest approach to 
 irreverence, it is the commencement of evil ; 
 let everything relating to religion have the 
 first place in your heart, your time, your 
 house — and let no one induce you to lower 
 it by word, deed, or manner. 
 
 Prepare for Sunday by setting aside all 
 ordinary matters of daily life — your work, 
 &c., put them out of sight : and having set 
 all in readiness for the sacred day, bring 
 forward any books, or pleasures, which you 
 have appropriate for a Christian enjoyment 
 of a day of holy rest. 
 
 There is an old saying, " If a thing is
 
 6 A FEW HIKTS FOR 
 
 worth doing at all, it is worth doing well." 
 Nothing is more true; let us apply it to 
 the act of dressing, and notice the difference 
 between a dress neatly arranged, and one 
 which looks as though it had been put on 
 without the slightest regard, or due careful- 
 ness, as to whether it looks well or not. 
 
 When a girl is seen at her ordinary ivork, 
 with her hair clean, bright, and neatly 
 arranged, and her shoes and stockings in 
 tidy repair, it is a great recommendation to 
 her; and we hope to find the same good 
 order and carefulness reigning ivithin, as ap- 
 pears without ; while heedlessness on these 
 two points generally shows a tJiougJitless, 
 careless girl in other matters; just as a 
 neatly-kept cottage garden makes us think 
 of a happy home within ; while the contrary 
 thought arises when an untidy garden is seen. 
 
 Expensive dress, or dress beyond our 
 station, is icrong, and shows bad taste and 
 false notions ; but let our dress be good ; no 
 foolish finery or gay decorations, but well- 
 chosen colours, which do not offend the eye, 
 but look cheerful and pleasing. Our dress 
 should Jit nicely, and set easily — should be 
 put on with care, that all may keep in its 
 place ; nothing looks worse than a creased, 
 soiled dress, or a collar or handkerchief 
 pinned crookedly on one side. Always make 
 a habit of folding up your clothes with care, 
 before you put them away m your drawers
 
 H03IE HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 7 
 
 or box, and they will last twice as long, and 
 moreover, look well until the end ; and im- 
 mediately brush off, or wipe off, any soils 
 which may have befallen them in wearing. 
 
 I have no doubt but that you would feel 
 shocked to be called esctravagant ; and would 
 be much pleased were you to be told that 
 you were a good manager, and economical. 
 Perhaps I shall astonish you when I tell you 
 the true meaning of these words. To be 
 extravagantj is to buy things only because 
 they are cheap, without first asking yourself 
 these questions — Do I really need them for 
 my comfort or my happiness ? Are they jit 
 and right for me to possess in my station of 
 life? Are they really good, or only showy 
 in appearance? If tlie only reply you can 
 give to these inquiries with sincerity be 
 '' No," then, believe me, however cheap the 
 things may appear to be, they are in truth 
 dear; and you will not only waste your 
 money in buying them, but they will cost 
 you what is of far more importance — the 
 loss of your own self-respect; for you will 
 show yourself to yourself as preferring folly 
 to sense, and self-indulgence to self-govern- 
 ment. 
 
 " What's rights what's trup^ th^tfit we justly call — 
 Let this be all my care, for this is all,''^ 
 
 Economy is best shown by purchasing only 
 what is good; and whatever costs much at
 
 8 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 first, is the cheapest in the end, as I will 
 prove to yon. 
 
 Calico is constantly wanted to make under- 
 clothing ; now suppose you buy some at 
 Sd. a yard, and think you have brought 
 home a barirain — I have seen some even at 
 2^(7. a yard ! considered so — you cut it out, 
 as you require for use, make it up, and think 
 to yourself, " how many new things I have 
 got for three shillings I"' supposing you had 
 bought twelve yards. So it seems ; but in a 
 short time, perhaps three months, these new 
 articles of clothino; be2;in to si'ow thin, and 
 800)1 after wear out altogether, and there is 
 an end of your bargain. Instead of this 
 purchase, suppose you had spent 5d. a yard 
 on your calico, it would then have cost you 
 five shillings. You would soon discover, 
 even in working upon it, how strong it was ; 
 and when you found that it wore ivell for 
 nine months or a year, you would see it 
 really was cheap. 
 
 Now compare a year's expenses for calico 
 at 3tf. a yard, and calico at 5d. a yard : — 
 Calico at 3c/., 12 yards, 3 shillings ; this must 
 be purchased again twice or three times in 
 the twelve months, and may cost you nine 
 shillings at the end. Calico at 5d. a yard, 
 12 yards, 5 shillings ; this will wear well 
 all the year. Whole expense, jive shillings ! 
 and the time occupied in making and re- 
 making is saved also. Now, perhaps you
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 9 
 
 will understand a remark I have heard made 
 by one who really knows what economy is — 
 *' I cannot afford to buy cheap things ; they 
 are too dear for me." 
 
 Always go to good respectable shops for 
 what you want, and avoid those showy cheap 
 ones, which now unfortunately are so often 
 seen in towns. They do their best to cheat 
 you, and set before you all kinds of silly 
 finery ; very seldom will you find what is 
 really worth spending your money upon 
 there. 
 
 The same rule will apply to all things. 
 Deal with honest respectable people, and 
 buy what is good, or do ivithout it if possible, 
 until you can affooxl to purchase what is 
 worth having. I need scarcely add, take care 
 of what you have when you have gained it, 
 and it will last all the longer, and you will 
 then have more money to add to your little 
 savings in the Post-office Savings' bank ; for 
 there 1 hope you will certainly 7L0t forget to 
 put all that you can spare, for sickness and 
 old age. 
 
 Now one word about money. Whatever 
 you may have, or whatever you may earn, 
 set apart something for alms-giving. Keep 
 one purse for this purpose ; and whenever 
 you receive any money, immediately put 
 something in this purse, never to be with- 
 drawn from it but for some charitable pur- 
 pose. I should advise you to fix upon some
 
 10 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 proportion of your money for this purpose. 
 You know a tenth used in old times to be 
 considered the offering to God ; and Chris- 
 tians surely cannot do less than the Jews 
 of old. The tenth of 2s. M. would be ?>d., 
 and I think no one would think this too 
 much as a thanh offering for all our bless- 
 inofs. 
 
 " He that giveth alms sacrificeth praise,"* 
 and in this light we should consider our 
 duty of alms-giving, and with thankfulness 
 increase our little sacred store, and joyfully 
 accept many an opportunity of giving, not 
 " grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loveth 
 a cheerful giver."t If you cannot afford to 
 set apart the tenth of what you have, still 
 put aside something out of everything which 
 you receive. 
 
 1 strongly urge you to this practice ; be- 
 lieve me, you will never regret making and 
 keeping such a resolve, if, as in everything 
 else, our deeds are done as " unto the Lord, 
 and not unto menJ'^ 
 
 " The deeper the stream, the more quietly 
 it flows ;" and the deeper religion lies in the 
 heart, the less it will make itself known by 
 actions which attract notice, or words which 
 call for notice. 
 
 Quietly and steadily let us pursue an 
 onward way in that " state of life in which 
 it has pleased God to call us," with cheerful 
 * Ecclus. XXXV. 2. t 2 Cor. ix. 7.
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 11 
 
 submission, trusting in His guidance, His 
 strength, and His comfort ; and He will bless 
 us and keep us unto the end. 
 
 " Serve God, and be cheerful ; 
 
 " Trust in God, and be hopeful." 
 
 " There is nothing on earth sweeter than 
 the heart of a pious woman." 
 
 Now I will endeavour to give you a few 
 hints upon domestic matters, which may heliy 
 to make you useful, and therefore happy, 
 and they are all those which have been 
 proved by experience to be good. 
 
 First— 
 
 Hints on Sickness, 
 
 Should children be ill from over-eating, 
 and the stomach be over-loaded, when the 
 sickness is passed try if they will take cold 
 water ; ifso, you may ten minutes afterwards 
 give barley-water or milk and water cold, 
 just raising the head veri/ gently ; and by 
 degrees it may have more nourishing food ; 
 keep the feet warm, and wipe the face and 
 hands with a sponge dipped in w^arm water ; 
 this is most refreshing. 
 
 Should any person become sore from lying 
 long in bed, boil some linseed to a strong 
 jelly, and after straining the seeds from it, 
 apply it loarrn to the injured parts with a 
 sponge ; it is most comforting. 
 
 If a child has been friglitened during the 
 day, be careful to soothe the child and make
 
 12 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 it happy before bed-time approaches ; but 
 should convulsion come on, put it imme- 
 diately in a warm bath, and rub its limbs 
 briskly, then have a Jiot blanket ready, and 
 wrap it closely round ; handle it with great 
 tenderness. A dose of dill-water may be 
 given ; one ^^cf-spoonful, with a little sugar. 
 
 Great care should be taken to keep our 
 houses clean and airy ; fresh air should be 
 allowed to come into the rooms by opening 
 the windows top and bottom — the foul air 
 escapes at the top, and the fresh air comes 
 in below. 
 
 Be very careful in sickness to have all 
 glasses, spoons, &c., quite clean, and ready 
 for use ; and let everything given to the 
 sick person be very attractive from the Jciyid 
 manner of presenting it, and the nice, clean, 
 fresh look of all which is given. 
 
 Mustard Poultice, 
 
 Mix two spoonfuls of mustard to one of 
 oatmeal, and mix with hot water, and spread 
 it on thick muslin ; if the part to which it 
 is to be applied should be tender, place a 
 piece of tldn muslin over the poultice before 
 applying it. 
 
 Leeches. 
 
 To make them bite where is desired, take 
 a piece of blotting-paper and cut holes in it,
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 13 
 
 which put upon the part affected, and place 
 the leeches on it, they will soon be attracted 
 by the only parts of the skin visible. 
 
 If bleeding should continue with violence, 
 it can be stopped by applying a little of the 
 brown dust from the inside of the puff-bells 
 found in the fields. This is also useful for 
 stopping bleeding from cuts, &c., and should 
 be gathered when ripe, and kept for the 
 purpose. 
 
 Should the skin be grazed and become 
 sore, as it will do in old people, it is an 
 excellent plan to lay upon it Imen rag soaked 
 in cold water, and over this place a piece of 
 anything w^aterproof to exclude the air, a 
 small piece of painted cloth used for table- 
 covers will do ; when the rag becomes dry, 
 wet it again ; this plan persevered in, wall 
 effectually cure witliout pain or trouble. 
 This remedy is also excellent for frost-hitteji 
 feet, which should Qiever be put into icarm 
 water, or brought near to the fire ; also for 
 chilblains, which however can generally be 
 prevented by keeping the feet dry by wear- 
 ing warm stockings and thick boots. Broken 
 chilblains are very difficult to heal ; however, 
 I have heard of a simple remedy for them, 
 said to be very good. Take a soft rag of 
 linen — it must not be calico — and spread some 
 lard upon it ; cover this wdth the burnt ashes 
 of tobacco from a pipe ; lay this on the 
 
 broken chilblain, and repeat the same treat- 
 
 * *
 
 14 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 ment every mornings with a clean rag, until 
 it is healed. 
 
 When drops of medicine are ordered, it is 
 better to drop them into a spoon, as should 
 tliey by accident exceed the right number, 
 it can be poured back again. 
 
 Never wear creaking shoes or a rustling 
 dress in attending on the sick; gentleness 
 in voice and manner, and a kind heart, and 
 cheerful spirit, are necessary for a good 
 nurse. 
 
 To Cure Ringwoi'm. 
 
 Mix warm vinegar and oil, the larger 
 portion vinegar, and rub it on the part 
 affected, with flannel, once a day. Care 
 must be taken that a new piece of flannel be 
 used each time ; the old piece should be 
 burnt^ as this complaint is most contagious. 
 All brushes or combs used by the patient 
 should be avoided by others. 
 
 Strengthening Wine for those Recovering from 
 Sickness. 
 
 Rub down very gradually one drachm of 
 quinine in a table-spoonful of brandy ; pour 
 this into a bottle of ginger wine, and take 
 half a glass twice a day ; it has recovered 
 several. 
 
 A Simple Strengthening Medicine for Invalids. 
 
 Chamomile flowers, juniper berries, cara- 
 way seeds, one penny-worth of each ; to sim-
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 15 
 
 mer in a pint and a half of water till reduced 
 to a pint. A glassful to be taken three times 
 a day. 
 
 Also I can strongly recommend for a loeak 
 stomach, a little poivdered rhubarb, about as 
 much as will lie on a sixpence, to be taken 
 every morning before breakfast in a very little 
 water. This is especially good for all those 
 who are what is called bilious. 
 
 Burning or Scalding, 
 
 Plunge the part injured instantly into 
 cold water, then get some common dry flour 
 and sprinkle it on through a dredger (the 
 moment you take it from the water) until it 
 is an inch thick, and tie over it a piece of 
 cotton wool. 
 
 Eat nothing, and drink nothing but water, 
 until improvement commences, except some 
 dry bread soaked in weak tea. Cases of 
 frio^htful burninsr have been cured in this 
 way. 
 
 I have also heard that common whiting, 
 mixed with cold water, and applied to the 
 burn instantly, is an excellent cure. It is to 
 be laid on like a thick paste, and kept moist 
 by laying over it a piece of oil-silk, or any- 
 thing which is waterproof. Until this can 
 be mixed, keep the part injured under cold 
 water to exclude the air. 
 
 If a person swallow poison, take a tea-spoon- 
 fid of common salt, and the same of ground
 
 16 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 mustard, stir it rapidly in a teacupful ot 
 warm water, and let it be swallowed imme- 
 diately. It will bring up the contents of the 
 stomach. Then give the white of a raw ^gg, 
 or a tea-cupful of strong coffee, as soon as the 
 sickness is passed. 
 
 The life of an infant has been saved, who 
 had swallowed laudanum, by giving it strong 
 coffee cleared with white of Qgg, a tea-spoon- 
 ful every five minutes until it ceased to be 
 drowsy. 
 
 Accidents from Fire, 
 
 There are two ways of putting out a fire — 
 either by water, or by preventing the air from 
 getting to it. 
 
 If any person's clothes catch fire, he should 
 instantly lie doicn^ and, if possible, roll him- 
 self in the rug, or anything woollen and thick; 
 let it be closelii wrapped round him, it will 
 smother the fire. Shut all windows and 
 doors. If bed-clothes or hangings catch fire, 
 tear them down, and place boxes or any heavy 
 thing upon them. 
 
 Fainting and Fits. 
 
 If a person in fainting looks red or flushed, 
 raise the head, and apply cold water and vin- 
 egar to it — one part vinegar, and three parts 
 water. 
 
 Bottles of hot water to the feet, and loosen 
 all the dress. Send for the doctor, and when 
 he comes, strictly obeij all his directions.
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 17 
 
 If the face be loale, lay the person ^a^ on 
 the floor ; sprinkle cold water on the face, 
 also on the palms of the hands and behind 
 the ears. Unfasten the dress. Open the 
 window and door, and do not allow people 
 to crowd ronnd. When recovering, give a 
 little cold water, with fifteen drops of sal 
 volatile in it ; but never force them to drink, 
 it mi2:ht cause suffocation. 
 
 Cuts. 
 
 Never use hot water to wash them with, it 
 promotes bleeding. Bring the edges closely 
 together, and tie a cloth round it w^hile you 
 prepare strips of adhesive plaster, which fix 
 on across and across, and do not remove 
 them until healed. 
 
 Should the wound seem inflamed or very 
 painful, it denotes something in the wound — 
 glass or sand, &c. — poultices must then be 
 applied. 
 
 Poultices should be mixed in a basin, and 
 boiling water poured on the bread or linseed 
 meal, stirring it all the time to make it quite 
 smooth. A little oil or soft lard mixed with 
 them, prevents them hardening and becoming 
 painful to the wound. 
 
 Fomentation of Poppy-heads, 
 This is used to allay pain. Boil a handful 
 of poppy-heads in a quart of water for an 
 hour, then dip flannel in it, and wring them 
 out ; apply them hot.
 
 18 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 To make Gruel. 
 
 Rub smooth a large spoonful of oatmeal, 
 with two of cold water. Pour over this one 
 phit of boiling water, in which has been mixed 
 three table-spoonfuls of milk ; boil well for ten 
 minutes. 
 
 Robinson's oatmeal is the best. 
 
 Sago Gruel. 
 
 Two spoonfuls of sago, set on the fire in a 
 quart of water, and boiled until dissolved. 
 Add sugar, &c. 
 
 Barley-water. 
 
 Wash four ounces of barley, and put it in 
 a pan with a quart of cold water, and let it 
 boil for five minutes ; pour the water away, 
 which will be discoloured, then add another 
 quart, and let it boil till the barley is softened ; 
 this is ready for use, and when used, the bar- 
 ley will bear another quart. 
 
 If the nose bleeds, bathe it in cold water ; 
 hold up the arms above the head, and put a 
 large key down the back, or a piece of white 
 paper steeped in vinegar placed on the tip of 
 the tongue. If these remedies do not suc- 
 ceed, send for the doctor. 
 
 For bruises, it is best first to bathe them 
 with warm water, until the pain subsides, 
 then rub well with the following embrocation, 
 which is useful for rheumatism, pain in the
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 19 
 
 face, chilblains, &c., and should always be 
 kept at hand. The cost is Is. dd. for a large 
 bottle. 
 
 Embrocation, 
 
 2 raw eggs, well beaten together. 
 
 1 pint of vinegar. 
 
 2 oz. of spirits of turpentine. 
 ■J- oz. of spirits of wine. 
 
 ■J oz. of camphor. 
 
 To be icell mixed together, and shaken for 
 ten minutes, corked tightly, and in half an 
 hour it is ready for use. It is excellent. 
 
 For a pain in the face ft-om cold, put a 
 piece of flannel into a saucer with some gin 
 in it ; let it soak well, and then sprinkle it 
 thickly with pepper; double it, and again 
 sprinkle the pepper on the side next to the 
 face ; tie it on with a handkerchief, and keep 
 it on all nifjht. It is as efficacious as a mus- 
 tard plaster, and leaves no mark on the skin. 
 
 To Relieve Asthma, 
 
 Dissolve some saltpetre in water; as much 
 saltpetre as the water will absorb. Soak in 
 it a sheet of blotting-paper, until thoj^oughli/ 
 wet. Then let it dry — but not by the fire. 
 When the difficulty of breathing is very great, 
 burn a small piece of this blotting-paper in a 
 saucer, and the sufferer will feel much re- 
 lieved.
 
 20 A FEW HINTS FOK 
 
 Cure for Rh eunia tis m . 
 
 Rub dry flour of mustard on the part af- 
 fected, holding it at the same time before the 
 fire ; give it a good quick rubbing, sufficient 
 to bring out a rash on the skin, and it will re- 
 lieve the pain, and after one rubbing effect a 
 cure. 
 
 Rheumatism is much relieved, and has been 
 cured, by fomenting the parts with potato- 
 water, that is, water in which potatoes have 
 been boiled. 
 
 If the eyes should be weak, it is a good 
 plan to bathe the back of the neck every 
 morning with cold water, as w^ell as the eyes 
 themselves ; if weakened by exertion, bathing 
 them with warm water at night is most re- 
 freshing. To strengthen them, dip the face 
 into cold w^ater, and open and shut the eyes 
 several times in the water. Never read by 
 fire-light, or a dim light, it strains the eye- 
 sight much. 
 
 There are numerous cures for coughs, but 
 I never found one more certain than the 
 following, which a chemist will make up for 
 sixpence. 
 
 Cough Pills. 
 20 grs. of compound powder of ipecacuanha. 
 20 grs. of fresh squills. 
 20 ofrs. of 2:um arable. 
 
 To be made into twenty pills, and two or 
 three taken each dav, until the couo'h is cured.
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 21 
 
 This is also very good, especially for an 
 aged person : — 
 
 Equal parts of sweet spirits of nitre and 
 oxyrael of squills. One tea-spoonful to be 
 taken in barley-water, three or four times a 
 day.^ 
 
 When the weather is very warm, and fruit 
 plentiful, attacks of English cholera are fre- 
 quent. The following is a useful remedy : — 
 One table-spoonful of castor oil, and a dessert 
 spoonful of tincture of rhubarb ; drink cold 
 water, and keep quiet. A little arrow-root 
 stirred in a glass of cold water is also good. 
 
 Few people are sufficiently aware of the in- 
 jurious effects of sitting in icet boots. Girls 
 are especially heedless in this matter ; and 
 often by so doing, brii^g on illness which may 
 cost them their lives. They wear thin boots 
 because perhaps they are cheap — another in- 
 stance o^ false economy ; or perhaps because 
 they fancy thin boots or shoes look well — 
 another great mistake, when their duties lead 
 them out of doors, as well as in the house. If 
 you can manage to do so, it is always better 
 to buy boots about a month before you want 
 them ; they wear so much longer when they 
 have been kept for a time before being brought 
 into use. There are two articles of clothing 
 you should never be without — strong boots or 
 shoes, and a warm flannel petticoat. Provide 
 these first ; and see that the boots are kept 
 well mended. Should, however, your feet
 
 22 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 become wet from exposure to the weather, 
 change both shoes and stockmgs immediately ; 
 and if you should feel chilleJ, put your feet 
 into a pail of hot water, keep them there 
 about te7i minutes, and go to bed, wrapping 
 your feet up in flannel, and drinking a cup of 
 hot tea, or basin of gruel. Should you feel 
 pain in your chest, put on a piece of plaster — 
 known by the name of Puer Man's Plaster ; 
 it can be bought at any chemist's for 2d. a 
 sheet ; hold the back of it to the fire, and put 
 it on instantly ; it will keep close, and draw 
 away the pain. 
 
 Always be careful to hang linen, whether 
 for bed clothes or for present use, before the 
 fire before putting them on ; it is most likely 
 that some dampness will remain in them from 
 the washing — which damp will be drawn out 
 by the heat in your body, if you put them on 
 in that state ; and this very probably will 
 cause illness, which bad consequence may be 
 avoided, by seeing that they are thoroughly 
 dried by the fire first. Clothes, however, 
 should never be put into the chest of drawers 
 when they are damp ; though we cannot pre- 
 vent them becoming so, if they remain there 
 for some time. 
 
 Never sit on damp grass ; children in their 
 play will often do this, and very serious con- 
 sequences follow. A gentleman with whom 
 I am acquainted is quite laiyie, which was 
 caused by his nurse, in his infancy, allowing
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT.']^ 23 
 
 him one day to sit on the damp grass to play 
 with flowers. Such serious consequences 
 often follow from not attending to trifles^ as 
 they are called. 
 
 It is always dangerous to drink cold water 
 when you are heated by exertion, or to bathe 
 your face in cold water as a means of cooling 
 yourself when very hot after working hard ; 
 a violent rash, which is frequently difficult to 
 cure, often follows such imprudence. 
 
 I will give you a simple receipt for making 
 ginger beer, which you will find refreshing, 
 and perfectly safe to take w^hen thirsty in 
 hot weather : — 
 
 1 pound of coarse sugar, 1 ounce of com- 
 mon ginger, about a tea-cupful of' hops. 
 Pour a gallon of hot water over these, and 
 when cold, work it with a little yeast, and 
 bottle it. 
 
 Never bathe your face immediately if very 
 hot ; wait until you are cooler, and then use 
 warm water ; it will refresh and cool you far 
 better than using cold. This may seem 
 strange advice to you, but it is nevertheless 
 true ; as is the following. If hands and face 
 be cold from exposure to snow or wind, bathe 
 them vigorously in cold water, and they will 
 become quite warm again. 
 
 7o render Boots and Shoes Waterproof, 
 
 1 pint of drying oil. 
 
 2 oz. of yellow wax.
 
 24 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 2 oz. of spirits of turpentine. 
 1 oz. of Burgundy pitch. 
 
 Mix well together over the fire, (mind it 
 does not go over,) and when it has cooled a 
 little, apply it to the leather both above and 
 below, and especially about the seams. 
 
 For a sore throat, rub it with hartshorn 
 and oil, and put a piece of new flannel round 
 it. 
 
 Put a small handful of sai^e leaves into a 
 jug, pour a pint of boiling water over them ; 
 cover the jug, and let it stand for one quarter 
 of an hour ; then strain it, and sweeten with 
 coarse sugar, treacle, or honey; use as a gargle. 
 
 A glass of fresh cold water taken the last 
 thing at night and the first thing in the 
 morning, is an excellent means of loreserving 
 good health. 
 
 Blisters on the ^qqX, from long walking, 
 may be prevented, by rubbing the soles of 
 your stockings next your feet with yellow soap. 
 
 Sometimes the hands become chapped, 
 when much washing is done in hard water, 
 or when exposed to cold winds after washing. 
 This can generally be prevented, if care be 
 taken to di^y the hands thoroughly with a 
 towel — not by the fire. It is the damp re- 
 maining in the pores of the skin which causes 
 the mischief. A little oatmeal, or jiour, 
 rubbed over the hands after using the towel, 
 secures their being perfectly dried ; and I 
 have found this a better plan than using
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 25 
 
 either honey or cakes of bees' wax and oil, as 
 they are apt to leave the hands in a stichy 
 state, and unfit for use. 
 
 Many are the days of pleasure which can 
 now be taken by means of excursion trips ; 
 and these frequently take town and country 
 people to the sea-side. AVhen there, to enjoy 
 a dip in the sea is considered a most delight- 
 ful treat ; it may prove so, if done with proper 
 precaution^ but if lieedlessly ventured upon, 
 much injury follows. I will therefore give 
 you a few rules on sea-bathino-^ which let me 
 warn you to bear in mind. 
 
 Never bathe in the sea when you are tired^ 
 either with a journey, or by having taken too 
 much exercise. 
 
 Never when you are heated ; wait until you 
 are comfortably cool, but not cold. 
 
 Never bathe when you are cold. 
 
 Never bathe soon after eating a meal. 
 
 Never walk into the sea — it will send all 
 your blood upwards into your head, and make 
 you feel most uncomfortable ; but, if possible, 
 stand upon the steps of the bathing-machine, 
 with your bach to the waves, and taking the 
 hand of some person who is bathing with you, 
 and is standing at the bottom of the steps, 
 throw yourself hack, and so let your head 
 touch the v^ai^Y first ; this will do you good, 
 because the shock will send your blood down- 
 wards ; take two or three of these dips — no 
 more ; and then dress quickly, and take a
 
 26 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 short brisk walk afterwards. If the bathino: 
 has done you good, you will feel a pleasant 
 glow of warmth through you, and will be the 
 stronger and better for this exercise ; but if 
 you feel chilly and wearied, do not be per- 
 suaded to try sea-bathing again, as you may 
 be sure that your health will be injured by it, 
 and perhaps seriously so. 
 
 In a storm of thunder and liMitnino;, how 
 many people run under a tree for protection ! 
 This must surely be done from ignorance that 
 the trees draw the li2:htnino; towards them : 
 therefore to place yourself there is to go into 
 danojer. It is far better to run the risk of 
 getting thoroughly wet, by exposure to the 
 rain, than decidedly endanger your life by 
 sroinof where the lishtnins; is certain to be in 
 the "greatest force. It is also most dano-erous 
 to put up an umbrella in a storm ; its point 
 attracts the liochtninoj in the same manner as 
 the tree does, and the same consequences 
 may follow. 
 
 It is most useful to know how to wash fine 
 muslins and lace nicely — many ladies are 
 willing to send theirs to be done by a careful 
 young woman. I will therefore add direc- 
 tions for maldno: and usino; starch. 
 
 The patent starch must be used for this 
 purpose — the best which you can obtain. 
 Mix two table-spoonfuls of starch in a little 
 warm water, and when tliorouglily moistened, 
 add to it three pints of boiling water, stirring
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFOKT. 27 
 
 it well all one way until it is clear. Then 
 strain it through a sieve. A piece of loaf- 
 suofar will assist in makins; the starch clear. 
 
 French people prefer starching the things 
 when they are damp; they do not fray or 
 become yellow. 
 
 When starched, all should be folded closely 
 together in a cloth, and allowed to remain a 
 short time before ironing. All muslins and 
 work must be ironed on the wi'ong side, and 
 should the work be thick and heavy, the flan- 
 nel on which the ironing is done should be 
 folded several times double, to form a soft sur- 
 face, which prevents the work being pr^ssecZ. 
 
 The following is an excellent plan of wash- 
 ing all ivoollen articles, especially coloured 
 ones : — 
 
 Grate four or five raw potatoes, good 
 sized ones, into cold water ; let it stand for 
 twenty-four hours. Then stir the water into 
 a lather, and warm it by putting it on the 
 fire ; it is not to boil, only to be made warm ; 
 then wash the articles in it — no soap will be 
 required — rinse them well in cold water, and 
 dry in the air. 
 
 Also, this plan is a good one : — 
 
 Make some soap suds, and hoil them ; let 
 them then stand until almost cold, before 
 usino; them for washins^. 
 
 In needle-work, should the matenal be 
 stiff and harsh, so as to j)revent the needle 
 passing easily through it, keep a small piece
 
 28 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 of soap by your side, and every now and then 
 put your needle into it ; you will find this a 
 great help. 
 
 If you keep poultry, and wish to fatten 
 them quickly for table, put them in a per- 
 fectly dark place, with one ray of light only 
 admitted, and the food should be placed so 
 that this light falls directly upon it. The 
 food should be common rice thoroughly 
 soaked in milk, and kept all night in a warm 
 place ; let them have as much of this as 
 they can eat ; in a week they will be ready 
 to kill. 
 
 A little saltpetre put into the milking-pail 
 before the cow is milked, will effectually pre- 
 vent the flavour of turnips in the milk and 
 butter ; or what is still better, a quarter of 
 a pint of the butter-milk saved from the last 
 churning, put into the vessel in which the 
 milk stands, and stirred well, will quite pre- 
 vent any unpleasant flavour remaining.* 
 
 Should any steel articles, such as scythes, 
 &c., be set aside, wipe them quite dry, and 
 then rub them over with common bees' wax ; 
 this quite prevents rust, and when needed for 
 use, hold them to the fire, and it all melts 
 off. 
 
 Should you fall into the water, and fear 
 
 * " Miss Smith's Butter Powder," sold in packets, 
 Is. each, is very useful in removing all unpleasant 
 taste in the milk. It can be procured at any Drug- 
 gist's, and is to be added, as directed, to the churning.
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFOKT. 29 
 
 Drowning, throw your head back, and keep 
 your hands under the water ; you cannot then 
 sink. 
 
 You may, perhaps, happen to be near 
 when a person is found drowned. If you 
 cannot be of use to them, you had better run 
 for the Doctor, or for someone who can 
 assist ; but it is well for you to know w'hat 
 should be done before a Doctor can arrive. 
 In carrying such a person home, or to the 
 nearest house, the Head and shoulders should 
 be so placed that they may be higher than 
 the rest of the Body ; and one person should 
 hold the Head steadily, and not allow^ it to 
 roll about. When laid on a warm bed 
 between hot Blankets, place the person on 
 his Face, with the Hands crossed under the 
 Forehead, then move them over slowly 
 towards the Left side and back again, six- 
 teen times in a minute ; rub both legs and 
 arms ujncards, to send the Blood to the 
 heart ; keep hot Flannels to the body, and 
 hot bottles to the Feet, or woollen Stock- 
 ings filled wdth hot sand, or salt, or bran ; or 
 a hot brick covered with Flannel will do as 
 well. You may do these things safely until 
 the Doctor arrives. Allow no one to be in 
 the room but those who are really of use. 
 When the Drowned person breathes again, 
 he will want the Air to be as fresh and pure 
 as possible. 
 
 Coals are expensive, and should not be
 
 30 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 toasted^ as I have sometimes seen done, by 
 the fire being constantly stirred and fresh 
 coals being put on, while the ashes below the 
 grate are left to be thrown away as useless. 
 Good coals will throw out heat from even 
 the smallest portion if managed properly; 
 and the following is the best plan to adopt : — 
 When the fire grows low, bring all that is 
 in the grate forward with the shovel, leaving 
 a hollow behind, which hollow fill up with 
 the cinders and ashes from helow the grate, 
 which have fallen down in burning or stirring; 
 then add new coals on the top of the fire, and 
 you will have a bright warm one, and but 
 little smoke ; and what is of importance also, 
 your stock of coals will last much longer. 
 
 To make good Paste for papering rooms, 
 &c., it is only necessary to mix some good 
 Flour with cold water, rubbing it until quite 
 smooth and free from lumps ; then add boil- 
 ing water, and stir it well. 
 
 A strong Cement for Glass or China may 
 be made thus : — 
 
 To a large spoonful of new Milk put as 
 much good Vinegar, pour oflP the whey, and 
 add to it the white of an ^gg ; beat all well 
 together, and add as much white quick-lime 
 as will make it a thick paste. Keep it well 
 corked up, if you do not intend to use it 
 immediately. 
 
 The old English custom of enjoying a 
 Plum-pudding on Christmas Day, is some-
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 31 
 
 times obliged to be put aside, because of the 
 expense of buying the necessary good things 
 of which it must be made. But I think that 
 I can tell you of one vvhich is very good, and 
 yet not expensive, as it will not cost more 
 than perhaps Is. Qd., unless Flour and Cur- 
 rants should happen to be very dear. 
 
 A cJieap Christmas Pudding. 
 
 1 lb. of Currants. 
 
 1 lb. of Flour. 
 
 1 lb. of Suet. 
 
 1 lb. of Treacle. 
 
 1 lb. of Carrots. 
 
 1 lb. of Potatoes. 
 
 ■J lb. of Kaisins. 
 
 j lb. of Bread crumbs. 
 
 A little mixed spice and candied orange peel, 
 if desired. The Carrots and Potatoes must 
 be first boiled and well mashed. Then mix 
 all well together, and boil in a basin for eight 
 hours. 
 
 This will be large enough for a party ot 
 eight or ten persons. 
 
 Numberless other receipts and directions 
 are to be found in excellent books. I have 
 merely set down for you a few, which I have 
 known to be simple and good, and w^hat I 
 have not seen elsewhere. I would strongly 
 urge you to make good use of your eyes and 
 ears ; observe and listen, not onlij see and hear ; 
 reflect on w4iat is set before you, and store
 
 32 A FEW HINTS FOE 
 
 up In your memory for future use whatever 
 good advice you may receive from those wiser 
 than yourself; remember, we have given to 
 us two eyes and two ears, and but one 
 mouth ! Always be ready and thankful to 
 receive instruction ; conceit and self-satisfac- 
 tion are only hindrances to true knowledge, 
 while humility is the gold-ground in which 
 all good seed is sown. It is like the deep 
 foundation which is always made when a 
 large and important building is to be raised ; 
 and Humility is the only sure foundation on 
 which the Christian graces can flourish in 
 our hearts. 
 
 Think on these lines — • 
 
 " Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, 
 Have ofttimes no connection. 
 Knowledge is proud that he has learnt so much ; 
 Wisdom is humble that she knows no more." 
 
 Wise people in " olden times " were very 
 clever in expressing their good thoughts in 
 short sentences called ^' Proverbsy^^ such as 
 could be easily remembered, and were often 
 a great help to those who have but little 
 time for reading. The excellent advice they 
 contain cannot be easily forgotten, when once 
 fixed in the memory, however busily we may 
 be occupied. I will tell you a few likely to 
 be useful. 
 
 Early Rising. 
 
 " The morning hour has Gold in its 
 mouth."
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 33 
 
 " It is the early bird which catches the 
 
 worm." 
 
 Industry. 
 
 "Industry must make a Purse, and Fru- 
 gality find strings for it." 
 
 " What we Do by learning^ we Learn by 
 doing. ^^ 
 
 " Hope and strive is the way to thrive." 
 " If pains be a pleasure to you, profit will 
 follow." 
 
 " Nothing is difficult to the brave and 
 faithful." 
 
 " Good onset bodes Good end." 
 " Gentle in manner, but vigorous in deed." 
 " Never do a thing by halves. If it be 
 Right, do it boldly ; if it be Wrong, leave it 
 undoneV 
 
 Idleness. 
 
 " He has hard worh who has nothing to do." 
 " He who looks not before, find himself 
 
 behind." 
 
 " Work in jest — Want in earnest^^ 
 
 " Take heed, will surely sp^^tZ." 
 
 " Too sicift arrives as tardy as too sloiu.^^ 
 
 " Say well, is good ; but do well, is better." 
 
 "Hope for the Best, get ready for the 
 
 Worst, and then take cheerfully which God 
 
 sends." 
 
 Kindness. 
 
 " The Harsh voice says, ^ Go ;' but the 
 voice that is Sweet says, * Come.' "
 
 34 A FEW HINTS FOR 
 
 " Be always at leisure to do good." 
 
 " The cup must be bitter that a smile will 
 
 not sweeten." 
 
 " The Comforter's head never aches." 
 
 " One thread of kindness draws more than 
 
 one hundred oxen." 
 
 " One ounce of help w^eighs more than a 
 
 pound o^ pity." 
 
 " Better suffer ill, than do ill." 
 
 Home. 
 
 " East, %vest — Home is best." 
 " A bright fire, clean hearth, and a cheer- 
 ful countenancej are the happy welcome." 
 
 Dress. 
 
 "Nothing is fine but what is fit." 
 
 Evil Speaking. 
 
 " Where no wood is, the fire goeth out ; 
 so where there is no tale hearer, the strife 
 ceascth." 
 
 " He who returns the first blow, begins the 
 quarrel." 
 
 In every sorrow which befalls us, there is 
 some hidden blessing. This is beautifully 
 expressed in this proverb : — " Every Cloud 
 has a Silver linino;. 
 
 The next will show you the value of a 
 friend who will kindly tell you of your faults 
 and fixilings, rather than a neighbour who 
 only laughs at them. 
 
 " The best miiTor is an old Friend."
 
 HOME HAPPINESS AND COMFORT. 35 
 
 " One JJind-fault is better than ten Find- 
 faults." 
 
 Remember these : — 
 
 "Truth may be blamed, but cannot be 
 shamed ! " 
 
 " Knowledge \^ folly, except grace guide it." 
 
 " Prayer hinders no work, but is its best 
 half." 
 
 " Prayer should be the hey of the day, and 
 the loch of the night." 
 
 The last precept I w^ill give you is from 
 Holy Scripture, and I do so because I am 
 often sJwched to see young people treat the 
 old with disrespect, which thing " ought never 
 to be done.'^ 
 
 " Thou shalt rise up before the Hoary 
 Head, and Honour the face of the old man ; 
 and Fear thy God. I am the Lord." — Lev, 
 xix. 32. 
 
 Remember, then, at all times, in all places, 
 how it behoves a Christian to think, to speak, 
 and to act ; and be assured that your Heavenly 
 Father's blessing will rest upon you, guiding, 
 strengthening, comforting you : with that, 
 you can do and suffer all things ; icithout 
 that, all is dark and dreary, helpless and 
 despairing. Would you make others really 
 happy, first learn to have imvard peace of 
 mind yourselves. The true sunshine of our 
 souls is God's Grace ; and let our joy here be 
 in the delight of shedding happiness around 
 us, amongst those whom God has given us to
 
 36 A FEW HINTS, &C. 
 
 love and to clierish. This can be done by 
 all ; by the poor as well as b}^ the rich ; in 
 adversity as well as in prosperity ; it is not 
 affected by outward circumstances, for it 
 flows from our hearts. 
 
 Do all the Good you can — 
 
 At all the Times you can ; 
 
 In all the Ways you can ; 
 
 To all the People you can ; 
 and 
 
 For as Long as you can. 
 
 If, my dear young friends, you desire to 
 know what a virtuous wife or woman should 
 be, read the last chapter of the Book of 
 Proverbs, and from those holy words of wis- 
 dom, learn and practise. 
 
 One word more. " Be content w^ith what 
 it pleases God to give you of this world's 
 goods. Covet not more. Nothing is more 
 true, than that " the love of money is the 
 root of all evil." 
 
 " Hearts good and true 
 
 Have wishes few, 
 In narrow circles bounded ; 
 
 And hope that lives 
 
 On what God gives, 
 Is Christian hope well founded. 
 
 Small things are best — 
 
 Grief and unrest 
 To rank and wealth are given ; 
 
 But little things, 
 
 On little wings, 
 Bear little souls to Heaven." — Faher.
 
 ••M?^^''^- 
 :'-^.^^'%:^..i