In addition to this list of writers who have given us of their experience and knowledge, treasures of household literature of a practical, refined and elevating nature, we are constantly receiving papers from many pens, the productions of which are comparatively unknown on the scroll of fame, but are equally valuable as writers of experience and of practice in creating and establishing increased interest in the Higher Life of the Household.

Briefly, then, the literary larder of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING is full, pressed down and running over with "the best the market affords," and its "Table of Contents" will always be well provided for, of choice viands, well cooked, well served, morally appetizing and physically satisfying and health giving.

FAMILY SORAP BASKET.

INTERESTING BITS OF HOUSEHOLD FACT AND FANCY. Sweet potatoes require nearly twice the time that Irish potatoes do either to bake or boil.

White and pale shades of paint may be beautifully cleaned by using whiting in the water.

Cold sliced potatoes fry and taste better by sprinkling a teaspoonful of flour over them while frying.

Disease is often transmitted by the hands through the mouth. Always wash the hands on coming out of a sick-room.

Look not upon the restaurant pickle when it is an extraordinary green, because chemicals have had something to do with it.

Castor oil may be pleasantly administered to children by treating in this way: Pour the oil into a pan over a moderate fire and stir, adding a little jelly or sugar to flavor.

A drop or two of ammonia on the brush when cleaning the finger-nails is an excellent remedy for discolored nails. The ammonia should be diluted to the proper strength.

New dinner cards have above the place for the name some poetical quotation bearing upon gastronomy. In the upper left-hand corner are a few grains of rice, the oriental symbol of hospitality.

To prepare an egg for a sick person, beat the egg until very light; add seasoning to taste, and then steam until thoroughly warmed through. This will not take more than two minutes. The most delicate stomach will be able to digest it.

Housekeepers who are bothered by having white marble stoops, halls, or walks to keep clean can save time and labor by having them washed with a mop which has been dipped in boiling hot water and soda. A good deal of soda should be put in the water and allowed to dissolve. It is astonishingly effective.

The little white worms which sometimes make the earth in a plant jar look as if it was alive can be driven out by stopping the hole in the bottom of the jar and covering the earth with water in which you have dissolved a little lime. Let this stand for several hours, and it is not likely that you will be troubled with the worms any more.

In case of fire in the house, the first effort should be to close the doors and windows so as to prevent the ingress of air. By this means the fire can be confined to one room, while the inmates can be aroused and have better chance of escape. Catch the first large, loose piece at hand, as a bed cover, blanket, tablecloth or rugs, and throw over to smother or at least repress the fire, until other efforts can be taken to extinguish it.

Fashionable spring colors in Paris this year possess some curious names. Green being the favorite tint of the season, there are "morning green," "new born bud," and "early stalk"-three very pale shades-" verdigris" and "serpent," both shot greens. Next in favor is "Marseilles Blue," the hue being shot or streaked with white like the soap manufactured in that town, and intended to entirely replace the old " Navy Blue." "Cameo " and "Iron " are the chief shades in grey, while yellow flowers will appear upon nearly every bonnet, especially buttercups. Berries of all kinds, however, will be more fashionable than flowers on hats and bonnets.

How English girls learn housekeeping is told by the Epoch: “I do not hesitate to say there is one noteworthy and valuable respect in which I believe English girls are superior to American girls. That respect is their ability to conduct the affairs of their homes. This, of course, is not an inherited ability, but is the result of training and practice. I am not considering the daughters of the nobility, but those of mercantile and professional men. In England, the custom is to train the girls to relieve their mothers of many of the duties of housekeeping. Among families where there are several daughters, it a common practice to have each in turn take charge of the house for a week or a month. I do not assert that such a plan is is never followed here, but at the most it is done with comparative infrequency. The system of living in boarding-houses has in many instances made it impossible to instruct our city-bred girls in domestic duties; but, happily, the increased facilities for suburban travel have placed it within the power of many heads of families to secure homes of their own.

LIBRARY LEAFLETS.

The Lomb Prize Essays.

66

Mr. Henry Lomb, of Rochester, N. Y., now well known to the American public as the originator of the "Lomb Prize Essays," offers, through the American Public Health Association, two prizes for the current year on the following subject: Practical Sanitary and Economic Cooking Adapted to Persons of Moderate and Small Means." The first prize is $500, and the second prize is $200. The judges are Prof. Charles A. Lindsley, of New Haven, Ct.; Prof. George H. Rohé, of Baltimore, Md.; Prof. Victor C. Vaughan, of Ann Arbor, Mich.; Mrs. B. H. Richards, of Boston, Mass.; Miss Emma C. G. Polson, of New Haven, Ct. The arrangement of the essay will be left to the discretion of the author. It is, however, expected to cover, in the broadest and most specific manner, methods of cooking as well as carefully prepared receipts for three classes: Those of moderate means; those of small means; those who may be called poor. For each of these classes receipts for three meals a day for several days in succession should be given, each meal to meet the requirements of the body, and to vary as much as possible from day to day. Formulas for at least twelve dinners, to be carried to the place of work and mostly eaten cold, to be given. Healthfulness, practical arrangement, low cost and palatableness should be combined considerations. The object of this work is for the information of the housewife, to whose requirements the average cook book is ill adapted, as well as to bring to her attention healthful and economic methods and receipts. All essays written for the above prizes must be in the hands of the secretary, Dr. Irving A. Watson, Concord, N. H., on or before September 15, 1888. Each essay must bear a motto, and have accompanying it a securely sealed envelope containing the author's name and address, with the same motto upon the outside of the envelope. After the prize essays have been determined upon, the envelopes bearing the mottoes corresponding to the prize essays will be opened, and the awards made to the persons whose names are found within them. The remaining envelopes, unless the corresponding essays are reclaimed by authors or their representatives within thirty days after publication of the awards, will be destroyed, unopened, by the secretary. None of the judges will be allowed to compete for a prize. The judges will announce the awards at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, 1888. It is intended that the above essays shall be essentially American in their character and application, and this will be considered by the judges as an especial merit. Competition is open to authors of any nationality, but all the papers must be in the English language. The subjects and authors of former prize essays are (1) "Healthful Homes and Foods for the Working Classes," sixty-two pages, by Prof. V. C. Vaughan, of the University of Michigan; (2) "The Sanitary Conditions and Necessities of School-houses and School Life," thirty-eight pages, by Dr. D. F. Lincoln, of Boston; (3) "Disinfection and Individual Prophylaxis against Infectious Diseases," forty pages, by Major G. M. Sternberg, surgeon United States army; and (4) "The Preventable Causes of Disease, Injury and Death in American Manufactories and Workshops, and the Best Means and Appliances for Preventing and Avoiding Them," nineteen pages, by Mr. George H. Ireland, of this city. These essays may be obtained from Dr. Irving A. Watson, Concord, N. H., at the following rates: Single copies, No. 1, ten cents; Nos. 2, 3 and 4, five cents each. The entire four essays, in pamphlet form, twenty-five cents, or in cloth binding at fifty cents or seventy-five cents, according to style of binding and paper.

Irish Wonders.

Ireland is rich in popular tales, stories of ghosts, giants, pookas, demons, banshees, fairies, witches, and exaggerated and embellished accounts of local events of the long ago past. The Celtic mind is highly imaginative and creates as well as feeds on fanciful tales. The story teller is omnipresent in Ireland and is ever ready to repeat his narrative, amplifying, explaining, embellishing, till from a single fact a connected history is evolved, giving motives, particulars, action and result, the whole surrounded by a rosy wealth of rustic imagery and told with dramatic force an actor might envy. A good deal of this heretofore unwritten Celtic

literature is now published in the volume at hand, the material having been collected during a lengthy visit by D. R. McAnally, Jr., in the course of which every county in the island was traversed from end to end, and constant association had with the peasant tenantry.

A particularly noticeable and agreeable feature of the literary work is the Irish vernacular, which the writer has evidently taken pains to make true to the reality. The expressions, the wording of ideas, the idioms, and all that, are striking and add much to the pleasure of reading the book. The 218 pages contain fourteen exceedingly well reproduced stories, and the binding is handsome Boston; Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Price $2. For sale by James D. Gill, Springfield, Mass.

The Deemster.

A new field of fiction has been opened by Hall Caine in this story of life in the Isle of Man two hundred years ago, though whether it is a faithful portrayal of life so far back in history is not easily determined, and indeed it is not of great consequence. It is sufficient that the life described is in a broad sense true to human nature in a partially developed state, such as might even now be found among the islands of the Hebrides to-day.

There is a great deal of vigorous description in the story, the central figure of which-half hero, half malefactor-is a creation of which any novelist might be proud. It tells of his lonely life after being expelled from the society of his fellowmen with the curse of the church and the brand of Cain upon him. The old Deemster is a strongly drawn character and there is an activity to the story which carries the reader irresistibly along. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Price 50 cents.

The Doctor of Deane.

Such is the title of a story of village life most charmingly told. Doctor West, a rising young physician, is the hero. He is a man of strong character and high purpose and has found his happiness in his profession and home until he meets a beautiful, refined young girl. Between them a warm friendship springs up, though he recognizes that the limitations of her nature would never develop the best that is in him. She on her part learns to love him with all her heart. For him she rejects the Rector, who has long cherished a strong affection for her and sees with jealous eyes the hold that Doctor West has unwittingly obtained over the one person he believes specially intended for himself.

Later on Doctor West meets another young girl and in her he finds his true soul-mate. Complications arise and then follows the real denouément of the story. Boston: D. Lothrop Company. Price $1.25.

Don't.

"Don't" neglect to read and profit by the suggestions in this little work entitled "Don't; or Directions for Avoiding Improprieties in Conduct and Common Errors of Speech," by Censor. In commemoration of the beginning of the second hundredth thousand of this manual, the publishers have issued it in a new style, known as the Boudoir edition. It has been carefully revised and contains an additonal chapter designed for young people. No matter how well up one may be in social etiquette, in all probability he may learn something from a thoughtful perusal of all the "don'ts" it contains, and were he to follow all its suggestions he would outChesterfield Lord Chesterfield himself. The manual is a little gem, not only in outward form but in the concise, clearly defined rules for behavior in polite society. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

St. George and the Dragon.

Here are two capital boys' stories by that writer of charming juvenile stories, Margaret Sidney. The one with the above title has for its hero a bright, impulsive lad who has many dragons to fight before he gets a firm grip of the world. In the other, "Kensington Junior," the main interest centers upon a young man who has been detected in a burglary to which he has been driven by want, but who is trying to lead a better life. Through the help of persons who are interested in him, he starts a drawing school, which one of his pupils, who has become his enemy, tries to break up. These attempts and their failure constitute the strength of the story. Boston: D. Lothrop Company. Price $1.

"EDUCATED WOMEN."

When the words "educated women are used, they imply in

tellectual education, book-learning, and all that is taught in the usual curriculum of school-life; but unfortunately this is not the only education that is required by a woman who must earn her living by the labor of her own hands, or starve.

There are some people who seem to think that any person can become a cook, parlormaid, or nurse without previous training, to judge by the rash way "educated women" are allured to turn, when every other opening fails, to "domestic service." This erroneous opinion is one of the causes that has ruined our female working-class; we use the latter words in their old-fashioned meaning. There is no work, there is no business, that can be entered upon successfully without previous training. Dressmakers, carpenters, shoemakers, etc., all have to serve an apprenticeship, and learn the trade they mean to undertake and carry on. Some may learn more easily and quickly than others, but all alike have to be taught their A B C. Ladies cannot, and must not, expect to be an exception to this rule.

If a number of educated, but useless, gentlewomen are sent out to California or elsewhere, ignorant of the duties they are meant to undertake, the association will not be conferring a boon, but a burden, and, instead of serving the cause it has at heart, will do it harm, for people, as a whole, are not discriminating in their condemnation, especially those who are disappointed, and are apt to blame all when one has failed, even if the failure has been brought about by over-zeal in a good cause.

It may be pride that makes some gentlewomen turn from the

thought of domestic service, but in most cases it is the knowledge

of their own incompetence that prevents them from making an attempt to gain work in this direction.

do so too, and the work will be either badly done or forgotten

altogether. There is a great deal of kindness in the world, as we

all find out in time of need. If the intending colonist were to place herself under an experienced house and parlormaid, and tell her honestly that she wanted to learn housework thoroughly before leaving England, the response in most cases would be ready and cheerful. Even if a girl be so sadly placed that she has no friend to help in this emergency, there are many charitable ladies

who would gladly come to her assistance.

It is the incompetant women who do so much harm to their sex, and to their sex's cause. There are very few who agree with the poet that "Honest labor bears a lovely face." The very word "labor" signifies something hard and difficult. But in time we may learn to look upon its face-even if homely and a trifle dull-as that of a kind friend who has helped us in our need, and whom we have learned to like and value for its many good qualities.

The Utopian vision of Mr. Besant of a world in which "women will not be forced to work" is not likely to be realised by any of these now born; perhaps it may be reserved for the generations to come. If so, it will only be by women working well and wisely in the present. This may sound a contradiction, but it is not so. To gain the hights, we must climb the hill. To reach perfection, that table-land of delight, we must labor to improve ourselves and master every obstacle in our path.

"No pains, no gains," is a good motto for all to adopt, men and women alike. A great deal has been said and written upon the influence of the weaker sex. It is still at work, not only upon those around us now, but upon those who will follow after and take

the places we must some day vacate our sons and daughters.

They will have learnt the lesson of their lives from the work we have finished. Therefore it behooves us all to lay aside all false

pride, and to be ready to learn and begin at the lowest rung of the heights above. Do not expect to have wings given you to fly up to the good things that stand so temptingly beyond your reach. Look up as much as you like, but at the same time be sure and

ladder-not stand still on the ground and raise longing eyes to the

66

her heart will whisper, and the words that have been trembling on her lips, “I am afraid you will not suit," change to "well, I will give you a trial," and the arrangement is concluded.

There very probably will be a husband in the case, who likes things "properly done;" and an income not large enough to supplement all deficiencies; so that charity of this kind cannot, and does not suffer long. It will be hard to blame the inistress if the arrangement does not suit, and she has to decide upon “a change."

"We do not ask or want charity," ladies say truly; "all we require is work." Therefore, such transactions as these should be put upon a business footing. If girls would only-unless they have any very special talent-give up a little of the time they spend in practicing the piano, painting on china, and embroidering impossible flowers on satin and plush, and turn their attention to plain, simple housework, learn to wash and dress a baby, wash socks and pinafores, make underclothes and plain puddings, they would be spending their time far more usefully and profitably. "Too late now," is the answer of many a sad, weary young voice. "We have no house to work in, no one to teach us, and we are so many who want work."

How much it means to some among us that little word "work" -food and clothing, warmth and shelter, even life itself!

There are few girls so utterly destitute that they have neither | friends nor relations, not able perhaps, even if willing, to keep them entirely, but who would readily hold forth a helping hand to | enable them to earn their own livelihood. A young gentlewoman knows naturally how " things should be done," whether badly or carelessly, or neatly and thoroughly, even if she may not be able to do them herself. This is the first step towards learning. The eye will help the hand, and the mental education she has received will also be a stepping-stone towards well-doing; it will have taught her, or, at any rate, ought to have taught her, perseverance and concentration of thought. For both these things are required, even in learning housework. If the mind wanders, the hand will

rung.

Many hands will be ready to help you then which would never have been outstretched if you had not taken the first step upward on your own account. It has been written, "Help thyself, and God will help thee." It might be added in these days, "First help thyself, and man will help thee."-The Lady.

SOCIETY.

LAMBIE DICTIONARY HOLDER.

Designed to hold an unabridged dictionary, but it can be adjusted to a book of any size, also to any height and holds a book at any angle.

The Holder is supplied with numerous revolving attachments for holding books. These attachments are made entirely separate and can be attached to any holder. The revolving shelves are 16x16 inches, and will hold a set of encyclopedia or frem twenty to thirty ordinary volumes, making it useful to all who use books.

ONE HUNDRED BEAUTIFUL EVER BLOOMING ROSES VALUED AT TWENTY DOLLARS.

COUNTESS DE MURIANS (PURE WHITE MOSS ROSE.)

This magnificent collection of ever blooming roses, is from the eveus rose growers, The Dingee & Conard Company, West

Grove, Pa. The collection will be made up of one hundred different varieties including the choicest novelties from Europe.

These will constitute the leading prizes of the different anagrams, and will be accompanied by other prizes for each anagram. The readers of GOOD HOUSEKEEPING and those who have found the Quiet Hour department so interesting and valuable will find this feature of it, having increased interest and popularity as the different anagrams appear.

THE CARPET MOTH.

The "Philadelphia Carpet Trade" has the following interesting particulars in regard to success and failure in treating the Carpet Moth, gathered from some of the most prominent carpet dealers of the country.

"Now, if at no other time of the year, inquiry is general and acute regarding the efficacy of the numerous anti-moth preparations. As yet there has been nothing made which has really won a distinctive reputation. In short, it is difficult to find two men in the trade whose views are in unison. The Messrs. Dobson recommend black pepper. John Orne suggests naphthaline. Mr. Schwatz cannot too heartily endorse tarline, while Boyd, White & Co. recommend corrugated lining. Helmbold, the Philadelphia druggist, sells hundreds of dollars' worth annually of camphorated cedar, which some of the best families of Philadelphia find indispensable during the summer months; while Blair, whose reputation is second to none among our city pharmacists, has a secret preparation, which combines no ingredients in common with those above. Joseph Wild & Co., are liberal in their use of camphor wrapped closely in paper and distributed without stint.

"The depredatory carpet bug is seldom at work until after April 15, and the application of the various exterminators is confined among the knowing ones to dark spots or in localities liable to become dampened. The insects seldom attack sunny places. "The use of benzine, turpentine and naphtha are not only dangerous, but objectionable, for their liability to injure the fabric to which they are applied; and their application should always be made carefully and through the intermediary of some adjoining paper or cloth.

"Rugs or other movable fabrics, like portieres or draperies, may be considered safe from devastation by wrapping about the package just one-half as much paper as would be needed to envelop it entirely, the paper having been previously treated to four or five drops of turpentine. Mr. Coxe, of John & James Dobson's, finds this an infallible preventive for woolens of any kind.

"Almy, Bigelow & Washburn, after an experience covering many years of close and careful study on the subject, which as prominent retailers they have had broad range for observation, have concluded that the preparation which they term "Fir Balsam" is the most efficacious and reliable. Their customers depend upon it, and their sales have always been productive of satisfaction.

"Arnold, Constable & Co. use camphor, and find it satisfactory.

"Marshall Field & Co. say: 'We do not consider cedar, camphor, black pepper or tar paper valuable in destroying the grub. We have had no experience with naphtha, benzine or turpentine.' "John H. Pray, Sons & Co. write: All of our oriental goods, without exception, are subjected to a thorough naphtha bath before they are placed in our stock; besides which, our men in charge of our rug stock are every day sweeping a certain number of carpets, so that the goods are gone over three or four times in the course of a year. In all of our larger pieces we enclose bags of camphor as well. All of our pile goods, Axminsters, Wiltons, etc., are swept at least three times a year, and it has been our experience and is our opinion that this, as much as anything, saves us from being infested by moths. As it is, we have practically no trouble from them.""

THE necktie is the only part of a man's dress which he wears solely for others and not for himself. Even his jewelled studs serve to keep his shirt together; his hat, coat, trousers, etc., protect him from the cold and from the wet. But his necktie, and that alone, he wears in order to mitigate his appearance in the eyes of others. Hence its omission is a species of affront to all the world.-Boston Post.