tinguishable from the brown leaf-mould, in timid flight across 

 one's path ; a flash of a scarlet breast are infinitely more 

 beautiful than poor, dead warblers, though having the 

 semblance of life. 



We have mentioned some of the satellites of the Exhibition, 

 about which were myriads of lesser stars, — the ubiquitous 

 tidy, the eternal pin-cushion, the perennial lamp-mat, the much 

 multiplied card-basket, the duplicated knit jacket, the pillow- 

 shams, the whisk-holders, and other etcetera of a fair table, — 

 little nicknacks that garnish our country homes, and give 

 rustic simplicity of adornment often pleasing. 



The Domestic Department held her wonted prestige. How 

 can every one make such, handsome rugs ? Where is found the 

 patience to fabricate the patch quilt? How many hands ply 

 the knitting needles? 



There is always a sense of comfort pervading this depart- 

 ment that never becomes dulled by aesthetic flights of fancy 

 elsewhere. A pair of blue ribbed hose always has this elo- 

 quence about them : — busy wife ; a day of household duties ; 

 butter has been made, cheeses turned, brasses scoured, rows 

 of pies made, a patch sewed on boyish trousers, three hearty 

 meals served, and then, in the dusky twilight, true hands have 

 caught up the sock to knit a few rounds. 



The socks always grow in just such snatches of time, con- 

 sidering which, their number is abnormal. 



There were one hundred and fifty entries by ninety-two 

 persons. 



I am not, I am sure, open to the accusation of being too 

 much of an optimist, when I look upon our Fair as showing no 

 signs of decadence. 



FLOliENCE VIRGINIA R. BROWNE. 



