The great convenience and greater economy of Mr. Atkinson's machine-so to speak-and methods, were fully demonstrated at a dinner, called a "lunch," by the way, recently to a score or so of invited guests, including representatives of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING and the Boston press. This "lunch" was, in reality, a fourcourse meal, cooked by one of Mr. Atkinson's office boys, and one who had never attempted cooking in any way, either as a useful occupation or as a fine art. It was, in short, a "Cooking School" boiled down and baked in an "Aladdin Oven." The cooking was all done over a single lamp, the exercises taking one hour to heat the oven and prepare the meal and three hours for the cooking. It was the unanimous expression of the guests present that the food was all well cooked, excellent in quality and flavor and gastronomically and economically speaking a pronounced success. The menu included soup, rock bass, roast chicken, macaroni, escalloped potato, baked tomato, bird's-nest pudding and bread of various kinds. A doubting Thomas-a direct descendant, mayhap, of the original one of sacred history record who probably had before him visions of the weary watchings necessary in his home kitchen, made this inquiry: "Does the oven require no watching after the food is in it?" and Mr. Atkinson's reply was: "You can sit down and read your paper without the slightest anxiety. This oven will take care of itself. Sunday, you can put your dinner in the oven, go to church, and leave all cooking out of thought until you return." What a boon to those who go to church, whether to hear and heed, or to stare at their neighbors, or to sleep during the sermon time, to say nothing of the relief to “the fourteen-hour wives of eight-hour men," as Mr. Atkinson puts it. And, again, Mr. Atkinson's claims were fully substantiated, when, in alluding, more particularly to the chicken, he said that one "gets more of the taste in the 'Aladdin Oven,' than by any other process of cooking, because

On

the oven preserves it all instead of allowing a part to go to waste." Dyspeptics may also see a "streak of blue sky' in the beclouded horizon of their miserable lives," as Mr. Atkinson believes dys

pepsia to be a cause of more physical disability, and mental, as well, than intemperance, and thinks the "Aladdin Oven" is intended to lessen this evil, and, at the same time, decrease the financial outlay of poor people, its principle being based on his science of cooking which he has so prominently voiced and preached both in person and in print. This principle is briefly summarized as follows:

"The heat should be derived from fuel which can be wholly consumed or wholly converted into the products of complete combustion without any chimney except that of the lamp or burner; the oven in which the food is to be subjected to this measurable and controllable source of heat must be so constructed that the heat imparted to it may be entrapped and accumulated up to a certain measure or degree, and then maintained at that temperature without substantial variation until the work is done, this being possible by jacketing the oven in a suitable way with ma

terial which is incombustible and also a non-conductor of heat. There should be no direct communication between the true oven or receptacle in which the food is placed and the source of heat, lest the products of incomplete combustion should sometimes taint the food and lest the food should be exposed to being in places burned or scorched. "

Again, as to the economy of Mr. Atkinson's system. To one of the guests at his "lunch," he said: “that loaf of bread which you praise so highly, cost, about three cents; the same quality and quantity at a bake-shop would cost from ten to fourteen cents. Your whole dinner, with the exception of the potato, was cooked in this oven under which you see that solitary lamp, and the oil used cost just two cents."

Economy, convenience and good health, in place of work and worry, and the woes of dyspepsia, in one breath. Is not this Looking Forward instead of "Looking Backward," for the longlooked-for, slow-in-coming, ignis fatuus, good-time-coming millennium in the Homes of the World, which so many wise men and weary women have been looking for, hoping for and praying for; which so many have fought for, more or less effectively, and died without the sight."?

Great is he who may throw off one of the burdens from the shoulders of those who, while making our homes what they are, struggle day in and day out, and through long watches of weary nights, to make them what they should be. Greater is he, who may enable the toilers in the work-day world of home, to throw off the incubus of debt and despair that weighs so heavily upon them. Were Mr. Atkinson's labors in this connection, given for the purpose of money-making, and his machine, a "Yankee Invention," prepared simply in the interests of worldly gain or personal fame, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING would be slow to give thus much of space and time to this subject, but his studies, ideas and experiments are proclaimed, as it were, from the house-tops, and preached in the most effective pulpits of the day-the press, that not only all who run may read, but that all who read may profit thereby; that the sensitive pulse of the home, the kitchen, may be benefited by these studies, inventions and exemplifications. All honor, then, to the student, the inventor and the exemplifier.

Aladdin's Wonderful Lamp, of old, was marvelous and memorable, but madly mythical. The "Aladdin Oven," its namesake, perhaps, may prove equally marvelous, but with method in its madness, if it have any, and becomes practical rather than mythicalpractical to those who are forced to deal with some of the most disagreeable features of home life.

And there is where the two Aladdins differ.

Original in GOOD HOUSEKEENING.

HOME FURNISHING AND DECORATION.

VIII.

FANCY WORK.

HE busiest of all busy housekeepers can find time for the effective embroidery in large designs, which is now at the height of its popularity. While fine stitches are still bestowed on delicate work, the portieres, lambrequins and divan and sofa-pillows which add so materially to the elegance of sittingroom or library, are now treated to long, loose stitches, flamboyant patterns and heavy silk or floss. Pretty and even elegant portieres may be purchased at such low prices that it is no economy to embroider them. The knitted silk rag curtains or woven ones which have been so frequently described in household journals are not pleasing to a refined taste and usually require more time for making than would be necessary for a handsome piece of embroidery which would be far more effective and pleasing. Inexpensive portieres are made of blue jeans or overall cloth with large waving patterns outlined in light blue, old rose, or white, coarse linen floss. The pattern may entirely cover the ground, or may be in a heavy border, or, better still, in large sprays irregularly scattered over the surface. The blue jeans must first be subjected to careful boiling, otherwise the color is apt to rub off. It is more convenient to work the pattern before making the curtains. A light drapery for window curtains or portieres is prettily made of turkey-red of the heaviest quality, worked in designs similar to those just described in either black or white floss. Very large cushions filled with hair and arranged in groups of three, thrown one above the other on the floor, are very effective when covered with the turkey-red or blue jeans embroidered. A yellow pillow made of Indian bandana or plain yellow cotton embroidered in black is sometimes used for the middle cushion and the three together form a comfortable little divan in an odd corner of the room. Small table-covers, hammock pillows and willowchair backs may be made of the red or blue material.

No hangings are so rich and satisfactory for handsome rooms as the beautiful plushes which are now made in such fascinating colors. Ladies of elegant leisure embroider them in conventional designs of the heaviest rope silk and produce marvelously pretty effects.

Mantels are no longer draped with delicate scarfs. The richest plush, either alone or combined with felt, Turkish satine or satin serge is fittingly used for so prominent a piece of decoration. A handsomely dressed and decorated mantel gives tone and elegance to the whole room and the household decorator will do well to make it a study. A plain, long breadth of fine plush, with or without embroidery, in rope silk or gold cord is in excellent taste. The colors most used in plain or finely-finished moleskin plush are a brilliant mahogany, old rose, electric and gray-blue, rosepink, cameo-pink, gobelin-blue, gold color, pomegranate and reseda-greens. The cameo-pink is a deep purplish pink or pinkish purple, and the glowing pomegranate has the hue of the pomegranate pulp slightly deepened. A beautiful lambrequin of delicate gobelin-blue plush consisted of a straight breadth of plush one-half a yard in depth and this extended along the shelf for two-thirds of its length. Regular conventional designs in shaded, old-rose rope silk with horizontal dashes of gold cord nearly covered the plain ground. The rest of the mantel was covered by full pleats of the blue plush, lined with lighter silk; or old rose might be used, the pleats diminishing in depth toward the point meeting with the

straight breadth. The finish for this beautiful decoration was a succession of tassels formed by large brass rings crotcheted with heavy blue silk, into which a deep silk fringe was tied. Another lambrequin of light mahogany moleskin plush was without pleats and had a pretty finish in the shape of an allaround border, two inches in width, of darker plush covered with scroll embroidery in rope silk and gilt, the border being appliqued with handsome stitches.

A pomegranate moleskin plush mantel decoration was decorated with a border of a darker shade embroidered with reseda-green rope silk in a handsome design of hops and leaves. The ends were finished with long, straight panels reaching nearly to the floor.

Painted or enameled rattan chairs may be made very elegant articles of furniture if embroidered plush cushions with a thin layer of hair for stuffing be added. A white rattan chair has a flat cushion of light old-rose plush embroidered in the heaviest quality of rope silk of the same or lighter shade. A few touches of gold cord may be added, but the effect of the color alone is sufficiently elegant, and the large designs are easily wrought. White chairs are also tastefully decorated in mahogany, reseda-green, gobelin-blue, or pomegranate. If any ribbon bows are used they should be very large and the ribbon of the sash width.

A handsome chair painted in mahogany color has a handsome back and seat of plain mahogany plush. Down the center is a strip of the plain, old-fashioned canvas loosely covered with medieval designs in large stitches, three times the size of those once used for working on canvas. Chenille was used for this very effective piece of decoration, and tapestry figures copied from floor tapestry are equally effective with the medieval designs. Gold-colored chairs finished in old blue or reseda-green plush are very pretty.

Sofa or divan pillows are of plush in oblong rather than square shapes, embroidered in one or two large, conventional designs with rope silk and fine, smooth gold cord. Sometimes silk serge is used, and large, lozenge-shaped balls of a darker plush or conventional flowers with large plush centers and rope-silk petals, are applied.

Large and small table-covers are treated in the same heroic fashion with embroideries of large flowers done in coarse silks and large but very effective stitches. The stitches used include the plain outline and the etching stitch, in which the silk is kept to one side of the work, forming a small cord; the Kensington, which fills in a leaf or flower design at its outer edge, just as if the entire pattern were to be solidly worked; the very fine briar-stitch with the extra stitch omitted on one side; a very valuable cross-stitch which, when closely worked, fills in large petals, leaf designs and scroll forms, and many others, some like loose darning, others quite indescribable. Fine daisy ribbons are sometimes cross-stitched on plush very effectively and a border of baby ribbons applied perpendicularly in varying lengths completes a table-cover or anti-macassar.

Of embroidery materials there is great variety. The coarse rope silk comes in three sizes, the second being the best choice for most uses. Chenille, though less durable for articles that must be in constant use, is very rich in effect and also comes in three sizes. Arrasene is seldom seen as it has not proved durable. Wash filoselle or filo floss is a good and inexpensive article, though less rich in effect than the rope silks. For most outlines two of the threads are quite sufficient. Coarse and fine linen floss comes in all the new shades and is handsome when worked.

Brass rings, into which knitting-silk is crotcheted with single stitch, are used for pincushion and needle-case covers, sofapillows, necktie-cases, and nearly every article of fancy-work, as well as for dress and coat trimmings.

-Harriet M. Neale.

Original in GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

ORNAMENTAL, PRACTICAL AND SERVICEABLE.

N old-time Virginia grandmother, in giving advice to a young bride, said, "No matter about the size of the house, my dear, where you begin your housekeeping; take that as it comes; but if it's no bigger than a bandbox, be sure that you keep good beds, a well-swept hearth, and a neat table. That is the woman's part; and it is a shame and a reproach to her if she fails to look after it." Doilies are an important accessory to the fashionable table furnishings at present, and one's stock can hardly be too large for the various demands upon it, so for a Christmas remembrance to the busy young mother, or for the young friend who is just starting out as a model housekeeper, we suggest, that for the small cost involved nothing could be more acceptable than doilies, made after the following designs. They are exceedingly dainty and pretty, as well as durable, looking quite as well after laundrying as before. They are intended for use under finger-bowls, or may be used with pretty effect at each plate, on which the glass of water should stand.

For material, buy a quarter of a yard of India lawn; divide by drawing the thread into perfect seven or eight-inch squares. A quarter of a yard will make five doilies. Draw the threads far enough from the edges for a quarter of an inch hem. Hemstitch with No. 110 thread. Place the design under the doily and trace with pencil. Outline the pattern with two tints of the same color. Design No. 1 is made by outlining a square in two shades of green, leaving a halfinch space between the square and the hem. Outline leaves in the same manner. Etch the outline directly on the marking with one shade of the silk and follow closely with the other shade. Make a ground

DESIGN NO. 1.

work of French darning be

tween the leaves and square

I

outline. In design No. 2 the outline is etched with one shade of blue only, and the leaves are filled in with a lighter tint with French darning. Use wash silk for the etching and darning. To decorate a useful article with material that will not bear washing, seems a folly and waste. A linen scarf or square center-piece, outlined with some conventional pattern, in wash silks, and filled in with French darning is also a fashionable decoration at present for the dining table, and would make a pretty present to any housekeeper. Linen sheeting, or a fine quality of butcher's linen is generally used for this purpose. The edges may be hemstitched or fringed. Forty-two inch material, by dividing in half, will make two. Make it a perfect square, or proportion it to the length of your table, leaving an equal space all

DESIGN NO. 2.

around. The center is much prettier if left plain, embroidering only a border or corner pieces. The leaves of the design on this is more effective if outlined with rope silk, and then filled in with French darning in wash silks. To laundry anything embroidered with silks, first wash and rinse with proper care, and wring as dry as possible with the wringer; then fold the pieces in

SAMPLE OF DARNING.

side of a dry white cloth and wring again in this. This will absorb the moisture so that further drying will be unnecessary, and they may be ironed at once. Dried in this manner there will be no danger of the colors running into the cloth. Iron with a thin cloth over doilies.

For a young lady friend or sister a shopping bag cannot fail to please. The one in the following design is made of bright red silk ribbon and rings, and may be classed among the new novelties. It will need seven-eighths of a yard of three-inch ribbon, eleven dozen of small brass rings, and one spool of knitting silk. Tie one end of the silk to a ring, then crochet over the ring; it will look, when done, like a heavy button-hole edge. All the rings must be covered in this way: Make a strip of the rings by sewing the edges where they join firmly together, four rings wide and twenty-eight rings deep; on one edge of this sew the broad ribbon, then double the length half way, and sew together the outside edges (this makes a bag half ribbon and half rings); put an extra row around the top, letting it run across the ribbon; face the ribbons about two inches from the top for a shirr, run a ribbon through this and the rings, for drawing up the bag, or you can use a cord and tassel.

FANCY BAG.

with his favorite perfume. Get china silk the length of the drawer, or if something cheaper is wanted, get cotton curtain material that imitates it very closely. One width will fold over and make both the upper and under side of the pad. Put two layers of white cotton sheet wadding between the folds; sprinkle them liberally with sachet powder. Baste the edges together, and feather-stitch all around the outer edge; tie at intervals over the pad with baby ribbon to match the silk. Lay the pad in the bottom of the drawer where the shirts, collars and cuffs are kept. It cannot fail to please. -Annie Wade.

Original in GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

JOHN G. WHITTIER.

BIRTHDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1889.

"The wood-thrush of Essex,

Whose heart-throbs of verse through our memories thrill Like a breath from the wood, like a breeze from the hill" -Oliver Wendell Holmes. Soft haze like Indian Summer light drapes the brown resting earth, The light that shines with welcome rays upon thy day of birth. A loving friend her wildwood notes sings on this hallowed dayA grateful song for precious life brightening our earthly way. Rich boon to many longing hearts have been thy life's full years, And brighter still the golden light, its harvest time appears.

For m. ny lives are happier made for what thy hand hath done, And many hearts are filled with song for kindnes thou hast shown. Rich in the Lord's sweet gifts to thee of love, of fame and friends, Will thy immortal song impart the riches that He sends.

Poet beloved, whose songs have blessed my life with treasures sweet, I lift my heart to day in prayer and thy dear name repeat.

We thank Thee Father, for the gift of such a life to earth,
A life of loving ministry that shows thy glory forth.

The light has clearer, sweeter grown over the lengthening day
Life's sunset gold in radiance pure shines o'er thy heavenly way,
Arched with the rainbow of God's Love all trustingly thou'lt go
Still on through peaceful, waiting days, when streams of goodness flow.

Let blessings rest upon the year enriched by such a birth,

An echo from the Angel Song, good will and peace to earth.
The aureole of silver light, the years in passing shed,

This day transmutes to crown of gold upon thy honored head.
Golden, because thy life is blest, a ministry divine,

Golden, because its pure white light in God's sweet home shall shine,

And so, dear friends who love thee well come with the clasping hand, With prayers and blessings share thy joy within the household band. 'Tis meet to come with joy to-day to count the years with flowers, For one who pours such wealth of song into this world of ours, Oh Wood-thrush sweet, whose liquid strain caught its pure tone from heaven,

Sing on until a sweeter song by the dear Lord is given.

Original in GoOD HOUSEKEEPING.

-Phebe A. Holder.

THE DEADLY COLD BED.

If trustworthy statistics could be had of the number of persons who die every year or become permanently diseased from sleeping in damp or cold beds, they would probably be astonishing and appalling. It is a peril that constantly besets traveling men, and if they are wise they will invariably insist on having their beds aired and dried, even at the risk of causing much trouble to their landlords. But the peril resides in the home and the cold "spare-room" has slain its thousands of hapless guests and will go on with its slaughter till people learn wisdom. Not only the guest but the family often suffer the penalty of sleeping in cold rooms and chilling their bodies at a time when they need all their bodily heat, by getting between cold sheets. Even in warm summer weather a cold damp bed will get in its deadly work. It is a needless peril, and the neglect to provide dry rooms and beds has in it the elements of murder and suicide.

Original in GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.
AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS.-VI.
A GRAND HISTORICAL PAGEANT.

T was a happy coincidence that a very little later than the date of the presentation of the Historical Pageant given in Boston, last May, when the early scenes of colonial history in Massachusetts were faithfully represen

ted in the details of costume, scenery, furniture, etc., that a similar entertainment of larger scope was given with great success in the Mississippi valley. Both of these exhibitions had been projected months, and even years, before they were given to the public-an endless amount of time, and careful study and research, had been devoted to their preparation, and the interest elicited by them and the benefits received from their faithful representation were of great value.

The Historical Pageant of Boston, having been repeated in several other cities and widely noticed and commented upon by the press of the country, need not be further alluded to here. Its interest was more particularly of a local character and its representations of early New England history were eminently successful. The other Historical Pageant extended over a long period of history, illustrating certain important epochs, and is worthy of detailed description as a model for similar entertainments, being the most important and pretentious of any projected in this series of "Amateur Entertainments."

There are certain conditions to be observed in the outset, in such an entertainment-it should be well planned, and a careful selection of historical epochs, or of countries to be represented by the historical tableaux, decided upon in advance.

The characters to be represented in these great, living pictures must be equally well chosen, and the greatest care given to the suitable costuming and setting of the various tableaux. Such an entertainment can hardly be given to advantage other than in an opera house or theatre where there is a regular stage with all its appointments, and where the audience can be comfortably seated, as considerable time must necessarily elapse between the different tableaux, which can be acceptably filled up by a suitable musical program, or by literary selections, or a brief sketch of the country, or historical picture represented.

A competent stage manager is also a necessity, as it is very important in handling a large number of people, particularly amateur performers, who are not accustomed to stage requirements, that there should be some one with authority as well as experience, to push the program through to completion, and so avoid the inevitable delays attendant upon all amateur entertainments, where every untrained actor is usually a law unto himself.

When the curtain has fallen on any scene, there should be some one able, and willing, to clear the stage of those good natured but incomprehensibly dull persons who are alike oblivious to the flight of time and the very pressing claims of the scene shifters.

Beside the stage manager another most important person upon whom very much of the success of the whole affair depends, is the person in charge of the costumes, who must possess experience, if possible, certainly tact and decision.

The costumes, like those mentioned in the previous paper, upon The Carnival of Authors, will have to be procured largely from a regular city costumer, especially those for