496 THE HOUSEHOLD. 



especially the case where hard coal is used in the house or neighborhood, as 

 the sulphur in the coal, liberated by heat, is sure to stain all the silverware 

 within reach. This annoying tarnishing can be entirely prevented by paint- 

 ing the silverware with a soft brush dipped in alcohol in which some collo- 

 dion has been dissolved. The liquid dries immediately.and lorms a thin, 

 transparent and absolutely invisible coating upon the silver, which com- 

 pletely protects it from all eifects of the atmosphere, etc. It can be removed 

 at any time by dipping the article in hot water. This recipe has been in use 

 for some time in the large establishments at London, where most of the 

 goods in the show cases are protected in this manner, 



A Handy and Clieap Barometer — One that answers the purpose of 

 indicating the approach of fair or foul Aveather, can be made as follows: 

 Take an eight-ounce bottle, the glass being clear and white, and put into it 

 six ounces of the highest colored whiskey to be obtained, and put into it all 

 the gum-camphor it will dissolve, and a little more. Set in some con- 

 venient place. On the approach of rain or bad weather the camphor will 

 settle toward the bottom of the bottle; the heavier the rain, or the more 

 sultry the weather, the closer the camphor will settle to the bottom. Fair 

 weather is indicated by the feather-like a^jpearance of the camphor, which 

 rises and floats in the liquid. If alcohol is used, it must be diluted so that 

 it will not be stronger than the whiskey, for if it is, so much of the camphor 

 will bo held in solution that the atmosphere will have no perceptible effect 

 upon it. 



Frencli Poli$iIi. — Many will be glad to know how the fine origina. polish 

 of furniture may be restored, especially in the case of such articles as . 

 pianos, fancy taljles, cabinets, lacquered ware, etc., which have become 

 tarnished by tisc. Make a polish by putting half an ounce of shellac, the 

 same quantity of gumlac and a qiiartcr of an ounce of gum sandarac into a 

 pint of spirits of wme. Put them all together in a stone bottle near the fire, 

 shaking it very often. As soon as the gums are dissolved it is ready tor use. 

 Now make a roller of woolen rags— soft old broadcloth will do nicely — put a 

 little of the polish on it, and also a few drops of linseed oil. Eub the surface 

 to be polished with this, going round and round, over a small space at a 

 time, until it begins to be quite smooth. Then finish by a second rubbing 

 with spirits c f wine and more of the polish, and your furniture will have a 

 brilliant lixster, equal to new. 



How to Make a Ilaininock. — A comfortable, inexpensive hammock is 

 thus made: Bring your old flour barrel from the cellar or atore-room, knock 

 it to pieces, clean, and paint the staves. Procure a rope four times the 

 length, each place where it; is to be suspended, and in size a little larger 

 tnan a clothes-line. Now halve the rope, double each piece in the middle, 

 and commencing two yards or so from the end, weave it over and under 

 each stave about tliree inches from the end of each one, which will bring the 

 rope crossed between each; do both sides the same and your hammock is 

 complete. 



Fruit Stains. — In tho season of fruits, the napkins iised at the tabic, 

 and often the handkerchiefs and other articles, will become etained. Those 

 who have access to a good drug store can procure a bottle of Javelle water. 

 If tho stains are wet with this before tho articles are put into the wash, they 

 will bo completely removed. Those who cannot get Javelle water can make 



