AUTHOR OF "ENQUIRE WITHIN," "BEST OF EVERYTHING," ETC. No condition is hopeless when a lady possesses decision, firmness, and economy. She looketh well to the ways of her household."-Proverbs. LONDON: BEMROSE AND SONS, 10, PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS; 268. b. 156. PREFACE. AN "EVERY-DAY BOOK" may be properly defined as a repertory of knowledge on a variety of those subjects upon which we are continually wanting information. The definition we have now given has practically animated us throughout the compilation of this volume, with this difference only, that the subjects contained herein are restricted to those of feminine interest. This is the "LADY'S EVERY-DAY BOOK;' and we have spared no labour of research to make it a complete and useful book of reference upon two thousand topics, more or less connected with the utilities of a Lady's every-day life. The extent of the subjects embraced in our Volume numerically prohibit us from referring to them in detail. Everything interesting to Ladies that may be classified under Domestic Economy, Elegant Arts, Etiquette, In-door and Out-door Games and Exercises, Pet Animals, Legal Matters, Gardening and Botany, Laundry and Nursery, Accomplishments, Management of Children and Servants, Dress and Fashion, Home Decorations, Income and Expenditure, Health Resorts, Phenomena of the Months, Histories of Domestic Articles- -We must pause from further particularising, and say, in brief, that we have occupied our four hundred closely-printed pages with such subjects as cannot fail to be of interest and importance to everyone desirous of obtaining social distinction as an accomplished and well-informed woman. The enormous success of our ENQUIRE WITHIN" is at once a public admission of its practical value. One million copies of that work have found their way into circulation in Great Britain and in the United States. Some fifteen years ago the compilation thereof was a labour of love with the Editor, who received the assistance of a large number of acquaintances skilled in the various arts and duties that tend to render home happy, and to lessen the cares and pains of life. But, in such lapse of time, even in simple matters of the household, new discoveries are made, novel arts introduced, fresh amusements suggested, etiquette assumes new affectations, and even legislative wisdom steps in to modify the laws affecting husband and wife, landlord and tenant, and parent and child. Old Books, like old clothes, require repairing and renovatingbut, better than repairs and renovations is a new garment, if it be made of sound and tasteful material. These pages of the "LADY'S EVERY-DAY BOOK" are designed to supply the gleanings of fifteen years of later experience in matters of domestic utility. The hand that compiled "ENQUIRE WITHIN" writes this; and some old, and many new friends, have aided the work. The heart that conceived the usefulness of a domestic "friend in need" still beats with sincere regard for those simple altars of home life where olive branches wave around patriarchal trees, and a sweet voice whispers" A strong title to Heaven is the love of Home." THE LADY'S EVERY-DAY BOOK OF ELEGANT ARTS AND DOMESTIC ECONOMY. Hints for Hot Weather.-The numerous fatalities and sickness that attend hot weather, renders it important to guard ourselves against it as much as possible. The sun that ripens the corn for our daily bread, and allures us abroad by its brilliant beams, is, nevertheless, fraught with our destruction if we expose ourselves too much to his powerful rays. From 6 to 11 a.m. are the established hours of work in India, and those who can would find it conduce to their comfort and health to adopt the same hours for their labours during the prevalence of almost Indian weather that July and August are so constantly attended by. Above all, the children should be carefully looked after in hot weather; they should, as a rule, be allowed to sleep throughout the day, and take their exercise only in the morning and evening. This caution may be more particularly recommended while on the accustomed sea-side visit. True, there may sometimes spring from over the sea a cool refreshing breeze to those sporting on the sands, yet we admonish all that they would be safer within doors while the sun's power is scorching up everything that comes in its fiery way. Heat, too, stimulates thirst, and it is important to remember that all alcoholic drinks and high feeding are great aids in hot weather in producing sickness and even sunstroke. Light wines, plentifully diluted, and ærated waters, are the only safe and suitable beverages for summer temperature; sulphuric acid, lemonade, lime-juice, and similar preparations, are at once refreshing, and excellent antidotes for diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and other disturbances of the system caused by hot weather. Never open windows while the sun shines on them, and the blinds should be wetted, or, better still, a wet blanket be hung behind them. In this way any room may be kept comparatively cool, especially those exposed to the rays of the sun. A flat vessel filled with water, on which are floated branches of trees covered with green leaves, is a very efficacious and pleasant means of imparting coolness to an apartment, and is much employed in Germany. The suspension of Indian matting, previously damped, at the open window, tends much to diminish the heat. This matting may be imitated by any kind of plaited grass. But the most important thing to observe and watch is the temperature of the body--we mean that we should be very careful not to increase the heat of the blood by animal food, either fresh or seasoned, or by stimulating drinks. Nothing could be more dangerous, and many deaths arise from the too prevalent practice of indulging in animal food and alcoholic drinks, during the B |