A NEEDLE-BOOK AND PINCUSHION COMBINED. BY MRS. WARREN. A NEEDLE-BOOK AND PINCUSHION | COMBINED. Materials.-Two nails of violet-coloured silk some white chalk beads, some crystal, also some gold, a little larger than seed beads, a small piece of fine flannel for the needles and pins, and some penny ribbon for tying. First cut the exact shape in tissue paper, then cut four pieces the same in card-board, also four pieces of flannel somewhat less in size, and four pieces of silk, two larger and two a little smaller, for the lining. For the Pincushion.-Cut four thicknesses of flannel, cover two pieces of card-board, tack the flannel on to one piece of the former, and to the second piece sew on a small piece of the silk, about half-an-inch in width, but tapering towards the end represented as the heel, now sew this on the first covered piece, sew the two pieces of card-board up at the back of the heel, round the ancle and instep. For the Needle-book.-Cover two pieces of card-board and line them with some silk, then snip the edges of the flannel and sew them to the instep part of the pattern. Now sew the two portions of the design together at the part which represents the instep. Sew on the beads, as shewn in the engraving, only observe that underneath the flowers and leaves is a piece of white calico to throw up the white of the beads. A small pair of scissors may be inserted between the needle-book and cushion. A VEIL BORDER. Materials.-Messrs. Walter Evans & Co's Boar's Head Cotton, No. 36. No. 4 Penelope Hook. Sufficient rather coarse Brussels net for a veil. 1st Row.-11 ch unite in a circle; 3 De 3 ch u this circle till there are 8 chs of 3. End with 3 ch Dc u circle. 2nd Row.-7 ch De u 3 ch. Repeat all round. 13 ch De u 2nd of the 7 chs; 3 ch T (or turn on reverse side); 1L 1 ch in each loop for 12 times; 3 ch De u next 7 ch of flower; 11 ch De u next; 1 ch T 7 De u 11 ch. 11 L u same, 5 Dc u same; 9 ch De # 3rd 1 ch; 1 ch T 5 De u 9 ch; 5 ch 5 Dcu same, 5 ch 3 De u same; 9 ch De on the centre of the L stitches; 9 ch De on the end of the L stitches; 7 ch 1 L u the chs of flower already worked into; 9 ch T De next chs 7 ch De u same; 7 ch De u next, 7 ch 1 L between the two 5 chs; 7 ch 1 L in same loop, 9 ch 1 L on centre of next 5 Dc, 5 ch 1 Lu 3rd 1 ch; 2 ch 1 L 2 ch between each 1 ch for 5 times, 3 ch De u the 3 ch at the end of the L stitches, 5 ch Dc u 1st chs of flower, 5 L u same; De u same; 1 Dou next 5 L De u same. Repeat u all the 7 chs the same. 3 ch 13 De u next chs; 9 Dc u next; fasten off. Make a second piece, do not fasten off, but draw the cotton through, and with a fine needle sew on to the 1st piece as in engraving. When a sufficient length is completed tack it round the veil very evenly, and button-hole or overcast the edge on to the net, then with same cotton run a line just inside the pattern, and sew it slanting-ways over. COURT LIFE IN THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY. THE making of the royal bed was a court ceremony, entrusted only to the confidential personal attendants of the king, who were obliged to follow a certain formula, from the shaking of the bed to the placing of the uppermost counterpane. There were usually two beds in the king's chamber; a large and a small one; the latter placed generally at the foot of the other, and was usually for the accommodation of a confidential attendant. The same description will apply to the chamber of the queen, which also contained cushions, tables, and articles for the toilet of gold or silver plate. No person was admitted into the king or queen's bedchamber who was not a member of the household appointed to perform personal service, when either retired to rest or rose in the morning, except members of the royal family, or officers of state especially authorized to enter. At a stated hour in the morning the king was awakened and assisted to dress. When ready, an esquire on bended knee presented the basin or vessel in which his Majesty was to wash, while another poured the water from the ewer, and a third stood in readiness to present the towel. When the toilet was sufficiently advanced, the court barber dressed the king's hair and beard. As soon as the king was dressed, he proceeded to join the queen, princes, and princesses, whom, attended by the principal members of the household, he accompanied to the chapel attached to the royal Manor-house, which appears to have been fitted up with as much attempt at BY MRS. WARREN. display as any of the state apartments. The officiating chaplains wore their richest vestments. The chamber was adorned with carving and painting, and the altar was made sumptuous with the costliest fabrics and the most beautiful vessels that the craft of the goldsmith could produce. After the morning service, the king went to breakfast, generally joining the queen and the members of his family in a substantial meal of meat and bread, washed down with ale or wine. If business of state did not call for his immediate attention, the king left the palace with a large and brilliant cavalcade, intent either upon witnessing or joining in some favourite military exercise, or of enjoying a few hours' diversion in hunting or hawking. On his return, his Majesty gave audience to his ministers, which usually filled up the time till dinner. He then proceeded with his family and his usual retinue to the hall where the banquet was provided. Here he remained, unless any occupation or amusement took him again abroad, till he retired to his own chamber for the night. In the hall, sitting in state on the dais, it was customary for the king to receive all visitors of distinction, and to entertain them with banquets, accompanied by music from the minstrels in the gallery. The meal was occasionally followed by dancing, in which the ladies and nobles of the court were expected to join, by singing songs and virilays to the lute or ribible, or by reading lays and fabliaux. In due course supper was served, which, in the substantial character of its bill of fare, was scarcely to be distinguished from the earlier meal. Again the tables were removed, and the customary amusements renewed, till time came for a lighter repast to be served, which became known as the "void," the entrance of which was a signal for the dispersion of the party. "YOU WILL NEVER BE WORTH A TRUE TALE FOR ANTRODE, BUT FOR THE WHEN I left school my handwriting was even worse than that of most schooiboys; and the first thing that was given me to copy was so badly written that no person could read it, and I was equally puzzled myself. My master, for I was just apprenticed, told me never to write anything more, until it was properly written; and added, by way of a consolation, that he did not think I should ever be worth my salt. Poor man! he is dead now; but the remembrance of his many good qualities will long be treasured up by others as well as myself. But to come to the point. He wrote what is called an excellent, legible hand, marked by certain peculiarities; but then, who is faultless? "You will never be worth your salt,' rang in my ears by day, and disturbed my dreams by night; and yet I could not write any better. How could it be expected, when no effort had been made? All my labours had been conducted in secret; and no one was aware that a thought about writing, or anything else, had entered my mind, until one day my master sent a message to me by the footman, desiring certain things to be executed. This is my time," said I; and therefore at once sat down, and wrote him an answer in my best style, imitating his own handwriting as closely as possible. When he returned home, Mr. Matthews for that was the name of my master) sent for me, and smiling blandly, said, “William, who wrote this answer from you?” "Myself, Sir," I replied with pride, and a great feeling of triumph. Umph! It is very well written, but the spelling is abominable.” Here was a plain fact that fell like a sledge-hammer upon my pride, and at once dashed it into a thousand atoms. What was to be done? I could never work again the same as at my writing; that was impossible; nay, more, I would not,—that I would not. studies You will never be worth your salt," rang in my ears again. My resolution was formed at once; and two hours afterwards, if any person had peeped into my room, I have said that my master wrote legibly they would have found me hard at work and well; and it occurred to me one day, learning to spell the first twenty words in that by copying his handwriting several "Maunder's Treasury of Knowledge." hours every day, my own would improve. I Day after day, week after week, and had tried all kinds of copybooks, but with-month after month, I laboured in secret and out success, and my forlorn hope was to with satisfaction to myself; for my master his style of writing. With this re- were progressing favourably, and I had solve, a stock of quill pens, the copy, and worked through Maunder three times. several sheets of paper, I sat down in my "Once more will do," said I, and comown room, after locking the door, to accom- menced the task for the fourth time. plish the task. For six hours my hand was solely employed in scribbling upon the paper, and dipping the pen in the ink; and at the end of that time my style had certainly improved, for the writing was legible. "You will never be worth your salt,' still rang in my ears; but now it was not so frequently repeated as before. Hope stimulated me; and in the evening, when all the family had retired to rest, I once more sat down to the task of improving my writing. Hour after hour passed away, and still my hand was busily employed in tracing the same words upon sheet after sheet of paper. The hour of two struck by the clock of old Lambeth Church, and reminded me that it was time my caligraphic exercises had ceased. Day after day, and week after week, did I labour at the self-imposed task, until, at the end of three months, my handwriting was nearly equal to that of my master. One morning, soon after breakfast, Mr. Matthews sent for me to his study, and, after telling me to shut the door and be seated, said, "William, I have often thought about the improvement in your writing; who instructed you?" "Not any person, Sir." "Then how did you learn, if you had not any instructor?” By copying your handwriting, and practising thus (see engraving) upon sheets of paper; sometimes making the figure from right to left, and at other times from left to right.' What was your object in making such figures ?" "To make my letters rounder and more legible, give greater freedom to my writing, and facility in the use of the pen. I discovered this method one day while attempting to form an O quickly; and it then occurred to me, that by practising my hand in this manner, I should overcome the cramped style of writing so prevalent with schoolboys.* "What pens did you use?" "Always quill pens; for I believe that my bad writing was owing to the use of steel pens." Ah! I wish that every person would only follow your example, William; what a saving of time, money, and even life there would be! for bad writing is a disgrace to any properly educated person; bad spelling is even more pardonable than bad writing." "Indeed! Sir; I always thought that the latter was held in greater contempt than the former !" "It is, generally, I admit; bad spelling at once betrays that the person is not well educated, even if the writing is good; but I have generally observed that bad writing is frequently used to cover bad spelling." "Yes, Sir; but now I can spell properly, for I have laboured night and day very studiously. "Then you are a prodigy, a very model of perseverance," said Mr. Matthews, "and the fruit of your labour is your reward." "Yes, Sir, and I shall always thank you for making me persevere in the task." "Me?" "Yes, Sir; for I am certain that it would never have been undertaken if your remark had not always been ringing in my ears." "What remark was that, William ?" "YOU WILL NEVER BE WORTH YOUR SALT." Several persons have improved their handwriting by adopting this plan, and we are confident that any person who will persevere will be able to write a good legible style by pursuing it. It is worth trying. PITY THE POOR DRESSMAKERS. THAT the dressmakers in general are to be pitied there can be no doubt; but there is an old saying, that a little help is worth a world of pity; and, perfectly agreeing with this adage, we will offer a few remarks on one or two of the common errors which women have for years practised-not with an unkind intention, but simply from want of knowing better. It is an every-day practice with the majority of women, young or old, to ask questions of a dressmaker that it is impossible to answer. If a dressmaker is requested to make a gown, jacket, cloak, apron, or any other article that comes within women's ideas of what a dressmaker should or ought to know, the first question the lady asks is how much material is required to make this or that article, whatI do not think one lady in ever it may be. how difficult it is to answer this question. a thousand can by any possibility imagine All who ask it should be able to state how many inches wide the material is, if there is a right side and a wrong to the material, or an up and down to be studied in the Any gown-piece with large cutting out. There are several things to be considered figured patterns cuts to great disadvantage. before an honest answer can be given to that very common inquiry, “How much must I buy for a gown or cloak?" Some it is a merino or a silk, that the dressmaker persons think if they merely mention that But this is a great mistake; the dressmaker surely knows the width of merino or silk. does not know the width of either, unless she be told the price which the lady is going to pay; and even then she can only give a guess. The better the quality, and higher the price of the merino, cloth, or silk, the greater will be the width. A right and wrong side has a deal to do with the cutting out. How often the remark is made, "I do If a dressmaker asks for too little she spoils not think all my material is in my gown!" the dress; and the owner of a dress would feel quite offended should she in any way be required to give her opinion respecting width, &c. The answer very often would be, "I really, Miss Brown, do not understand measures; I thought you knew all about However strange it your business." may appear, it is certain that every woman who wishes to be well dressed and well fitted must help the dressmaker with regard to taste, and the style that is most becoming. Every new style of fashion will not suit every figure, any more than every colour will suit every face. A great many persons within my own experience wish to be well dressed, and to have everything put on to suit them; and yet they trust the making of their gowns to the first inexperienced young woman who will undertake to make them at a small charge. It requires a clever woman of some experience to make a lady's dress with taste and judgment. him. The Ameer himself had a most be tiful eye and pleasant countenance, both he and all the other chiefs had a galy in their mouths, and were smoking. O other side were the Moollahs sitting, an the midst of them was a dervish of highr pute, whose name was Hadjee Muham Jawad. Wolff was at this time in Persian dress, and carried a Bible under One more hint before we conclude. When arm, as was his universal custom in tra you are having your body fitted on, do not ling. The Ameer first opened his mout talk to the dressmaker about the sleeves or and asked Wolff, "Where do you skirt, but let her mind be fully employed from?"-Wolff said, "I come from Engla on what she is doing; by endeavouring to and am going to Bokhara." What do attend to what you are saying, it causes her intend to do in Bokhara ?" asked the Ame too frequently to make mistakes in the-Wolff replied, "I, having been a J fitting. Wait till she has done fitting you, and then talk to her about the other part of your dress, for it is impossible to well understand two things at the same moment. Let us now hope, that as women themselves will be greatly benefited by attending to the suggestions here given, they will in other respects assist the poor dressmaker, whose mind and body are too frequently oppressed by late hours and close confinement, to say nothing of the long walks, in all weathers, which many persons oblige them to take for a trifling alteration. DR. WOLFF'S ADVENTURES. THE "Travels and Adventures of Dr. Wolff" states that the Doctor, when on the road from Burchund to Herat, walked the whole distance being forty miles; and just as night had set in two horsemen came up behind him. They were of that mighty and brave race, the Pooluj, the bravest people of Central Asia, who were afterwards entirely defeated and subdued by General Sir Charles Napier. When these two Pooluj came behind Wolff, they said, "We are sent by Ameer Assaad-Oollah-Beyk to bring you back, because you are a spy from Abbas Mirza." Wolff had no resource, but was forced to walk back to Burchund, a journey which he accomplished in three days, and then he was brought to the old castle, which was the residence of the Ameer. Those castles are called, in the Persian, ark, from which our English and German word "ark" is derived, and it means 66 a fortress." Here Wolff was dragged into a large dark room by the Ameer's soldiers, in a rude disrespectful way. Each of the soldiers had a matchlock gun in his hand, with a burning, smoking torch upon it, which spread a sulphurous odour through the room. On one side of the room sat the Ameer, with the chiefs of the desert around visit that nation all over the world, wish to go to Bokhara, in order to whether the Jews there are of the ten trie of Israel, and to speak to them about Jesus All in the room exclaimed, "This must be devil-possessed!" and After this and various other interroge tions, he was enabled to start once mor but only to fall among thieves, to be strip from head to foot, fastened to a horse's a and driven in front of his captors, whor cessantly whipped him as he went. Chainea in a dungeon to a gang of fifty prisone he was not released until the Khan bi interfered. After which, visiting that hig potentate, he saw hundreds of men ar women with their eyes cut out and ther noses and ears amputated. Upon the thre stood a great prince in that land, who b killed with his own fist his father, mother brother, sister, and son-in-law, awful was his bodily strength, that b would sometimes take hold of a prison and tear his skull in two." He said to r Wolff, "For my part, I have no religion I have already passed this world, and other world. I have got, however, good quality, and that is, I am a man e justice: I love strict justice; and, therefore tell me the truth, and you shall see justice. How much money have thes rascals taken from you?"-Wolff said ". They have taken from me eighty to mauns."-He repeated, "Eighty tomauns! -Wolff replied, "Yes." He then said, "Now thou shalt see my justice." Sobe instantly ordered Hassan Khan Coord, and all his followers, to be dreadfully flogged. He extorted from them every farthing and, after he had got back Wolff's money he counted it, and said, "Now thou shalt see my justice;" and, putting the money into his own pocket, without giving Wolf single penny, he added, "Now you may go in peace." one |