HOUSEHOLD HINTS. 



T TNDER this head we propose to offer a few 

 vJ advices connected with Housekeeping in 

 general referring to the choice, furnishing, and 

 management of dwellings ; the cleaning of furni- 

 ture and apparel ; the destruction of vermin ; pre- 

 cautions as to fire and water ; the preparation 

 of small domestic manufactures ; and, lastly, to 

 the duties of the dressing-room and toilet. 



CHOICE AND FURNISHING. 



Choice of a House. There are certain import- 

 ant points on which it is essential to obtain satis- 

 factory information in making choice of a house. 

 I. Take care that it is not damp. Dampness may 

 arise from several causes ; but imperfect drainage, 

 and a too close contact of the floors with the 

 ground, are the principal. When a house is damp 

 in any part, no matter from what cause, it is 

 advisable by all means to avoid it, for it may pro- 

 duce the most pernicious effects on the health of 

 your family. 2. See that the house has a free 

 open exposure for fresh air, and, if all other cir- 

 cumstances suit, prefer that which has an exposure 

 to the south, and possesses the beneficial influ- 

 ence of the sun's rays. A house with a pleasant 

 southern exposure enjoys a climate several de- 

 grees warmer than a house which is not so favour- 

 ably situated. In general, too little attention is 

 paid to this circumstance, though it has been 

 proved in the clearest manner, that mere sunlight, 

 without reference to heat or air, exercises a most 

 beneficial influence on the health and energy of 

 the human frame. 3. Keep in mind that the com- 

 munication of cold from the ground or from the 

 outer atmosphere will greatly counteract all your 

 efforts to produce warmth in winter by fire-grates 

 or stoves. For example, a house with kitchens 

 below the sitting-rooms is always warmer than 

 one that has nothing but the ground or a small 

 vacuity beneath. That, as regards a good class 

 of houses, is a point to be attended to. Another 

 point consists in having the outer walls strapped 

 inside with lath and plaster. In very many cases 

 in England, the plastering inside is done on the 

 walls ; consequently, they are cold to the touch, 

 and hardly any amount of heat from fires keeps 

 them from being chilly. In Scotland, the inside 

 of the outer walls is usually strapped with lath 

 and plaster, leaving a small vacuity between, by 

 which means the escape of heat in the severest 

 winter is prevented. Neglect on this score 

 causes a needless expenditure for fuel. 4. Ascer- 

 tain if there be a plentiful supply of good water 

 in the premises, and if there be proper means at 

 hand for drying and bleaching clothes. 5. Learn 

 whether the chimneys go well, and do not smoke. 

 Inquiries as to freedom from vermin, exposure 

 to public nuisances, respectability of neighbour- 

 hood, and other particulars, should also be made. 

 For the chief points to be looked to in the vital 

 matters of drainage and water-supply, consult No. 

 32 in Vol. I., pp. 497512. 

 102 



Furnishing. In furnishing a house, take care 

 to set out on a right principle in the selection of 

 articles. It is essential, for the sake of neatness, 

 and for a pleasing effect to the eye, that there 

 should be a harmony of colours, and also a simi- 

 larity of style, in the main articles of furniture. 

 Therefore, if a little taste and judgment are not 

 exercised in theyfrj/ selections, a blunder may be 

 committed which will cost much subsequent annoy- 

 ance. For example, let the tints of the carpet, of 

 the paper or paint of the walls, and of the window- 

 curtains, be all in harmony in each room that is, 

 either possess a general resemblance of colour, or 

 various colours in pleasing contrast and harmony 

 with each other. If the colour of the curtains be 

 scarlet, and the colour of the walls or carpet 

 blue, a most inharmonious and unpleasing effect 

 will be produced ; but brown and green, or green 

 and gold, or white and gold, will be in harmony, 

 and may therefore be placed together. Carpets 

 being the most expensive articles, it is safest to 

 buy them first, and then to let their colour lead 

 the tone and style of curtains, paper-hangings, 

 chair-covers, hearth-rugs, and all other articles. 

 It is also a good economical plan to buy carpets 

 of the same pattern for several rooms, because, in 

 the event of removal to a house with different- 

 sized apartments, a piece of one carpet may be 

 taken to eke out another. It is also of prime 

 importance to have the patterns in keeping with 

 the size and style of the apartments. 



Respecting the material of carpeting, matting, 

 floor-cloths, and the like, the best your means 

 can afford will ultimately be found to be the 

 cheapest. There is always a great deal of showy 

 but trashy material in the market, which, from its 

 cheapness, is apt to allure the inexperienced ; a 

 few months' -wear, however, destroys not only its 

 appearance, but renders it next to useless. Cotton 

 mattings, carpetings, and the like, can never com- 

 pete with a genuine woollen fabric ; and the closer 

 and heavier a woollen fabric is, the more likely is 

 it to give satisfaction. In purchasing oil-cloth, see 

 that the colours are of a durable kind, and that 

 they are laid on stout, close canvas. It is of im- 

 portance to notice that an oil-cloth should never 

 be laid down until it is a year old. 



Tables, Chairs, Src. When bargaining, for 

 tables, chairs, and other wooden articles of a fine 

 quality, take care to specify that they must be 

 of a solid fabric, and not veneered. Veneering is 

 only tolerable in a few articles which are not to be 

 subjected to much tear and wear ; nevertheless, 

 a practice has begun of veneering articles in daily 

 use, such as chairs and tables, and, consequently, 

 they are soon destroyed. This practice, we are 

 sorry to say, prevails in cases where the highest 

 price is paid for solid articles, and intending pur- 

 chasers do well to be on their guard. In the case 

 of professedly veneered articles, as cabinets, chests 

 of drawers, wardrobes, sideboards, and the like, see 

 that the veneers be laid on a substantial, well- 

 seasoned ground ; if not, the veneering is sure to 



