THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FAEM. 277 



mud for them. Instead of which I should have simply 

 strewn gravel on sharp sand. The leaves run up too 

 luxuriantly and lose their brown hue. The whole crop 

 should, I am told, be lifted every spiing and have their 

 root points trimmed. But I shall be glad myself to 

 obtain further information as to the proper cultivation 

 of this wholesome and delicious salad. Our pool lying in 

 a hollow, the water gets too hot by attraction of the 

 sun rays, and makes them too soon a giant cress. I 

 believe from what I have seen tried, that a bunch of 

 water-cress does act effectually as an antidote against 

 the depressing effects of nicotine. Either the juice of 

 the herb or the exercise of picking it out of the fresh 

 water quickly removed my friend's headache. Another 

 simple effect let me record. We all know that dry 

 earth, as well as charcoal, has the power of deodorizing. 

 I was, notwithstanding, I must confess, surprised at the 

 immediate and thorough success which attended cook's 

 throwing some bowlfuls of wood ashes from the oven, 

 after baking, down the scullery sink, which, do what we 

 would, could never before be kept from emitting, 

 especially in damp weather, an unpleasant odour which 

 pervaded the whole house. They were careful never 

 before to throw cabbage-water down. Still, do what 

 they might, the bad smells continued. Since I desired 

 her to throw down some ashes it has been altogether 

 removed. 



I have had much entertainment during the past week 

 in directing a woodman to cut peeps and glimpses 

 through the woods, which gives some exquisite little 

 pictures of the distant landscape framed within the 

 surrounding boughs, and which will be infinitely more 

 effective when the foliage covers the trees again. A 



