130 
LADIES DEPARTMENT. 
Catties' department. 
ORIGIN OF SOAP. 
Some water and oil 
One day had a broil, 
As down in a glass they were dropping, 
And would not unite, 
But continued to fight. 
Without any prospect of stopping. 
Some pearlash o'erheard, 
And quick as a word, 
Jumped in the midst of the clashing ; 
When all three agreed, 
And united with speed, 
And soap was created for washing. 
FEMALE EDUCATION— AMUSEMENTS. 
The amount of time foolishly wasted by females 
is really deplorable — at an age, too, in which their 
exertions are so much needed. With due respect 
to your correspondent "Eva," I think single-hand- 
ed manufacturing in families, though once an indis- 
pensable duty, would be poor economy of time 
and labor in our day, when superior fabrics 
may be produced by machinery, at much less cost, 
though, under some circumstances, an occasional 
buzz of the spinning wheel may be expedient. 
Our duties, however, are not diminished, but, on 
the contrary, increased by the improvements of the 
age in which we live. Woman's sphere is enlarg- 
ed beyond the limits of the broad rim of the 
spinning wheel, and is still enlarging. While 
our duties and responsibilities increase, we are 
held accountable for much that our grandmothers 
never dreamed of. 
l; New occasions teach new duties, 
Time makes olden good uncouth, 
They must upward still and onward, 
Who would keep abreast of truth." 
The time is coming when domestic duties are ex- 
pected to be performed upon scientific principles ; 
and we are bound to employ every means in our 
power, to make ourselves acquainted with the 
sciences pertaining to our domestic affairs. A 
knowledge of chemistry and dietetics, in a cook, 
is invaluable to a family. Information regarding 
the laws of health and life, and mental philo- 
sophy, is absolutely necessary to the proper rear- 
ing of children. The suffering I have seen and 
experienced for want of knowledge, and the al- 
most incredible advantage gained by the applica- 
tion of a few practical ideas, makes me very de- 
sirous for others as well as myself, that we should 
have " more light." 
I think, however, it is not proper that we should 
always be in performance of the sober duties of 
life. Nature does not bestow all her care on the 
sturdy oak and mountain pine, but adorns the 
landscape with an endless variety of fanciful colors 
and forms, enlivens the whole with music, and the 
frolicsome play of animated beings. Nor did she 
fail to implant in the human mind, faculties har- 
monizing with the beauty, melody, and gayety of 
external nature, which find a legitimate sphere of 
action in ornamental horticulture, vocal and instru- 
mental music, &c. An evening dance of an hour 
in a family, in which old and young, parents and 
children may join, is at once conducive to the im- 
provement of social feelings, and furnishes, at the 
same time, a wholesome relaxation from care, and 
greatly promotes longevity and health. 
Amanda. 
KEEPING LEMONS FRESH. 
I have been a housekeeper for some years, ana 
never, till lately, have I been able to keep lemons 
fresh and juicy for any length of time. But with 
all my care — now in this closet — now in that — how 
wrapped in paper — now packed in bran — now in a 
coo! place, and now in a dry one, they would dry 
up and become hard as wood. Of late, however, 
I have preserved them perfectly fresh, three 
months in summer, by placing them in a ciosely- 
covered jar, or pot, kept in the ice house. 
Each lemon is wrapped up in paper, (perhaps 
they would do as well without,) but opened and 
wiped once in ten or twelve days, then covered 
again with dry paper, and put back into the jar, or 
earthen vessel, on the ice. Mother Hubbard. 
Otsego Co., N. F., Feb. Ztek, 1849. 
Antidote to Poison. — A correspondent of the 
London Literary Gazette, alluding to the numerous 
cases of deaths from accidental poisoning, and par- 
ticularly the melancholy fate of the late Mr. Owen, 
adds : — I may venture to affirm, there is scarce even 
a cottage in this country that does not contain an 
invaluable, certain, and immediate remedy for such 
events ; nothing more than a dessert spoonful of 
made mustard mixed in a tumbler glass of warm 
water, and drank immediately. It acts as an instan- 
taneous emetic, is always ready, and may be used 
with safety in any case where one is required. By 
making this simple antidote known, you may be the 
means of saving many a fellow-creature from an 
untimely end. 
m 
Turnip Salad. — The tender tops of turnips, 
that have sprouted in the cellaT or vegetable heap, 
make a delicate and wholesome salad, particularly 
at a season when the variety of tine lettuce has 
not come. They may be dressed like any other 
salad, or eaten dipped in salt, as celery. They 
are excellent in any way; and your only regret 
will be, that there is not likely to be as many 
messes as you would wish for. 
Mustard Plasters. — When a mustard plaster 
is to be applied, there should always be a piece of 
clean muslin or gauze placed between it and the 
skin, unless the contrary is expressly ordered by a 
physician. The mustard acts quite as powerfully, 
and the whole can be removed more quickly, and 
without the disagreeable effects of dropping it 
about. 
How to Remove Dust or Lint from Vel- 
vet or Woollen Clothes. — Dust or lint may 
readily be removed from velvet or woollen cloth by 
wiping it, while dry, with a piece of crape, without 
reference to color. 
How to Remove Paint from Woollen Gar- 
ments. — If you accidentally besmear your clothes 
with undried paint, it may easily be removed by 
rubbing with a piece of woollen cloth, or another 
part of the garment soiled, without harm. 
