FES. S 
i THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
common sense and then relate your success to the 
Rural sisters. 
There are no rarmera In Delaware that need re¬ 
forming. I presume you are of some Eastern town 
as your ideas are very poor Indeed m regard to 
farmers wives; they usually dress well and the ma¬ 
jority of them are always In good health and cheer¬ 
ful. Alllne Ray tellB the Rural slBters that Dr. 
A. E. s. will he faithful and kind until he gets 
married. Indeed Mrs. Ray I am not a farmer, 
neither the kind of man you speak of In your letter. 
fig. 53. 
As I am not In the farming business, I am not 
able to give you any Ideas for making tomato 
catsup. No. 2 and myself, neither of us have 
high tempers but I suspect that you have. You 
must not get snarly at “ Old Maid No. 2; It affords 
me satisfaction to know that you are pleased with 
Miss Irene’s letter on dragging husbands over the 
coals. 1 hope you and she will live to enjoy a 
a vigorous old age, l also hope to hear from you 
again on the “ coal dragging. ” Yours truly, 
Delaware. Dr. A. E. 8. 
•-» ♦ +- 
FASHIONS. 
Four- leaf clover Is one of the favorite designs 
for Jewelry. 
The latest handkerchief Is of deep hrown, with 
a gold-colored border. 
Opal-tinted plush Is used for many opera bonnets. 
Gloves for the deepest mourning are of undressed 
kid. 
Bouquets of tulips, or of holly, or else of pop¬ 
ples, are chosen to wear In the corsage of black 
dresses. 
Fans at weddlDgs are carried by bridesmaids, 
ornamented with silver monogram, the Initials of 
the bride and groom, and with each lady’s Chris- 
tian name painted on them. 
New pccket handkerchiefs of sheer linen lawn 
have the Initial In hemstitching, usua’ly In block 
patterns. The hems are either very narrow or 
else of medium width. 
FIG. 54. 
A new material tor evening and home wear Is a 
serged flannel, made only In white, ft Is trimmed 
with white satin ribbons. For young girls and 
young married ladles It Is exquisite. 
Kerchiefs or black hernanl, edged with fringe, 
are worn with mourning costumes. 
Crochet buttons are preferred for black silk cos¬ 
tumes. 
combs, If worn at all, are now placed on the left 
side of the head. 
There has not been a Winter for years In which 
warm-looking dresses are so fashionable. 
The French custom of ornamenting reception 
rooms with flowers la coming into use In New 
York. 
Black satin reticules are considered In better 
taste than any other. They are fastened to the 
belt by a fancy brooch. 
Pond lUl' S embroidered on blue or peacock blue 
velvet make the prettiest of sofa cushions. 
There are rumors In the air that the coiffure Is 
to he high again, Possibly powder may return 
with the revival of the antique In costumes. 
Stamped velvet Is a good deal employed for the 
princess cut of dress, but has a less dressy effect 
than the plain velvet when used In black. 
Tne prevailing style—and It la to be admired—Is 
for severe plainness In street dress. Materials can 
be of cloth, but the fir. must be perfect. 
A corsage bouquet Is always pretty, and among 
recent novelties gilt wheat ears are shown, mixed 
with lace and bows of line Indian mull, to oe worn 
at the Deck. Quantities of lace are twisted around 
tne neck, either white or black, and the dressing 
of the neck Is now entirely to one's own fancy and 
as one’s own good taste dictates. 
Small muffs are a marked mature of Winter cos¬ 
tumes. They should be made of the material of 
the dress and edged with frills of lace. Some 
shapes are like a hand bag soantlly drawn up with 
heavy cords and tassels. The opening at each 
side is trimmed with lace, as Is the top of the bag j 
Flowers may be used as ornaments. 
-- 
Many of the richest brocades of velvet on satin 
have the velvet flowers edged, veined, and ribbed 
with gold, Jet, or Iridescent heads. 
CORRESPONDENTS’ CORNER. 
Will you please explain through the “ Rural ” 
the “Eastlake,” styte of lambrequlnB. I never 
have seen any and would like to understand the 
style. Country Girl. 
Ans.— The “ Eastlake ” style Is perfectly strait. 
Lambrequins made after this pattern differ from 
others In the absence of scollops, points, etc. They 
may he ornamented with fringe or other trimming. 
WiLL'you kindly reply to the fo Rowing particu¬ 
lars: 
Which in your Judgment is the best family Ency¬ 
clopedia, also second best and expense of each. I 
would also like to know the expense ot a.flw j steel 
engraving of the “Madonna.’’ Is It “artist’s 
proof ” that are considered finest? Could you 
procure one for me if r desired ? 
will you mention some engravings or photo¬ 
graphs pretty for parlor decoration, and their cost. 
What books after a Dictionary and Encyclopedia 
would you recommend as a joundntlon for a fam¬ 
ily library ? I wlU be grateful for answers. 
Mo. e. a. w. 
Ans.—A s far as possible, allowing for Individual 
taste, etc., we comply with the above request. 
if not answered to the letter we hope to confer 
some benefit. 
The best Encyclopaedia is Appletons’ costing $96. 
It comprises ic volumes at. $6 each. 
Anot her Is published by the American Book Ex¬ 
change, costing $11 60 . Price of engraving of •* Ma¬ 
donna dl San sisto" by Raphael $7.80. “ Murillo’s 
Madonna” are Inferior copies casting $2 50. Ar¬ 
tist’s proof are always the first that come from the 
plate and of course are much the best. Onlv a few 
are printed—rarely exceeding two-hundred—and 
it. Is almost Impossible to get an artist's proof of 
some engravings at any price ; In any case they 
are more expensive. Night, and Morning, by Lan- 
sler, The Seasons and R. AhsdelPs engravings all 
costing about $3.00 are among the many that 
might lie mentioned for parlor decoration. 
Macaulay’s History of England, Guizot’s France, 
Green’s Short History of England, “ Analysis of 
Government” by Bancroft (very useful), Dickens’s 
novels such as “Bleak House,” “David Copper- 
field,” “ Pickwick Papers,” etc. Mrs. D. M. Cralk’s 
novels, "A Brave Lady," “Young Mrs. .lardtne,” 
“John nallfax,” etc., are a few of the many good 
productions worthy of place In a family library. 
The Bible of course should be remembered. 
We will accommodate by procuring the engrav¬ 
ing should It be desired, 
Will you, as soon as convenient, tell me through 
the Rural’s columns of a pretty way to makeup 
all wool dresses for a little girl eleven years of age ? 
1 have plaid stuff for trimming—woula like a late 
pattern. Do young girls wear the hooded cos¬ 
tumes. An Illustration makes It plainer to us than 
almost any amount of verbal description. 
Mrs. F. B. 
Ass.—In the current Issue we give an Illustra¬ 
tion which we think will meet your requirements. 
Young girls do wear the hooded costumes. In a 
future Issue will be given a cut of hood. 
Will you please tell me through “Correspon¬ 
dents’ Corner” of the “Rural New-Yorker,” 
where to address Wilkie Collins, the novelist, and 
oblige a friend ? j. j. 
Va. 
Ans.— Address Wilkie Collins, care of Chatto 
and Wlndus: Publishers, London, England. 
ABOUT WOMEN. 
Miss Marion Murdock, formerly a student of 
the Northwestern Female College, and a graduate 
ot the Boston School ot Oratory, has acquired an 
enviable reputation as an elocutionist In Iowa and 
Minnesota She has been engaged wuh Superin¬ 
tendent Parker In conducting a teachers’ Institute 
at independence, Iowa. 
fig. 56. 
Mrs. Hayes possesses an arc for entertaining 
her guests which Is worthy of study. With a dozen 
guests on her hands and others constantly arriv¬ 
ing, she is always mistress ot the situation. Al¬ 
though full of animation, yet she Is cool and self- 
possessed. Her eyes do not wander while engaged 
In conversation with a single individual, yet she 
appears to know the movements ot every one In 
the room. She is very ready in conversation, 
always leading, and very frequently contributing 
more topics and comments than any one present. 
She entertains, and does not exact entertainment 
from her guests. 
ftterattt ^KisttKamj. 
ADVENTURES OF AN ANTEDILUVIAN 
In The Land of Promise. 
BY .IAMBS M'NKILL, 
CHAPTER I. 
A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND. 
When I was a youug man 1 gave much attention 
to sociology and all questions relating to the amel¬ 
ioration of man’s condition as a physical, moral 
and lnteUectual being. I had a young friend who 
was much given to disputation, and we often met 
for the purpose of exchanging our Ideas on the 
Important topics connected with man's relations 
to his fellows, and to the other beings and objects 
of the world In which he has been placed. 
On one occasion our discussion was unusually 
vigorous and prolonged. My friend had come to 
my room early in the evening, and the hour of 
midnight found us still In hot debate, with no 
more prospect of unanimity than when we first 
began. He left me at one o'clock, having risen to 
go at twelve, with the promise of continuing the 
discussion when we should meet again. 
With my brain tired and feverish from the pro¬ 
longed mental excitement, I threw myself in my 
easy-chalr to gain some degree of mental compos¬ 
ure before attempting sleep. But the stimulus to 
my Intellectual taculties belrg removed, the re¬ 
action seemed to throw them into a whirl of con¬ 
fusion. Tnere was a ringing In my ears, as though 
the echoes of our voices remained about the walls 
of my room. I felt a strange, benumbing Insensi¬ 
bility stealing over me, and In my efforts to over¬ 
come It everything In the room seemed to he whirl¬ 
ing about me, and my mental confusion was only 
Increased. The restful quiet of this benumbing 
feeling seemed so grateful that I soon ceased to 
struggle agulnst It; as I sank under Its Influence I 
seemed to awake suddenly to consciousness In the 
brilliantly lighted street or a most magnificent 
city. I looked around me, dazzled and bewildered. 
It seemed as though some dream of enchantment 
had suddenly become a reality, and that 1 eDjoyed 
the rare privilege of conscious existence and its 
captivating scenes. 
Having become accustomed to the light, and re¬ 
covered somewhat from my bewilderment, I began 
to look about me with an observing eye. 
The street was very wide, with a row of grand 
old elms running through Its center. Between 
them fountains were playing and beautifully- 
sculptured statuary were placed at frequent Inter¬ 
vals. The pavement was the most perfect that 1 
had ever seen, and fairly shone with cleanliness, 
having, as 1 afterward learned, been Just washed 
by tbe water of tbe fountains, which It was the 
custom to turn on every evening with sufficient 
force to carry away every Impurity. 
as I walked along l noticed that pleasant resi¬ 
dences with ample grounds were interspersed 
among the places of business, This surprised me 
somewhat, as In my travels (though I had never 
seen anything to compare with the magnificence 
of this street) I had round that any which ap¬ 
proached It were the thoroughfares ot wealth, 
fashion and dense population. I passed Into an¬ 
other street, and from that Into another, and still 
the same general features of the first were pre¬ 
sented to my view. Grand old trees, sparkling 
fountains, beautiful statues, elegant dwellings, 
andBtorea brilliant with their display of goods; 
while everything gleamed with that brilliant llgliV, 
which, though artificial, nearly rivaled the sun In 
brightness. 
There were few persons on the street, but the 
appearance of those whom I met struck me forci¬ 
bly. Finer men and women I had never seen. 
They seemed the very embodiment of physical 
perfection, while from their countenances shone 
an Intelligence, a purity and a benevolence of 
character which seemed to Indicate that their 
minds were as completely and harmoniously de¬ 
veloped as their bodies. 
I had an opportunity of observing the people of 
this enchanted place more at their leisure, and 
under more favorable circumstances, as I now 
came to a spacious and delightful park. In which 
groups of men, women and children seemed to he 
enjoying themselves in social pastimes. I was 
sufficiently surprised and delighted with what I 
had already seen, but when this magnificent scene 
burst upon my view I felt as though 1 would like 
to sink into the earth from a sense of my own In¬ 
feriority and Insignificance. Stlllthere was a fas¬ 
cination about the scene which riveted tny atten¬ 
tion ; so, keeping myself as much as possible In 
the shadow ot the trees and shrubbery, 1 endeav¬ 
ored to contemplate tbe scene with the eye of a 
curious stranger. 
The place seemed to combine the best features 
of the conservatory and tbe pleasure ground. Rare 
plants and flowers. tastetuUy arranged In clusters 
and beds along dellghtfnl avenues, bloomed In 
tropical luxuriance. Here a fountain bubbled up 
from tbe center of a pile of rocks, and rlowt d over 
their moss-grown sides. There, a cascade leaped 
from a lofty cliff, and dashed along a foaming 
brooklet t ill Its waters became quiet In the bosom 
of a peaceful lake. There were caves, grottoes 
secluded nooks, vaUeys and hlUocks. fountains, 
statuary, and a thousand curious objects from na¬ 
ture’s laboratory, all arranged with such pictur¬ 
esque effect that they afforded the mind one con¬ 
tinual feast of wondering delight. 
I sat down upon a rustic bench to feast my eyes 
upon the heavenly scene. There were few people 
In this portion of the park, but those who passed 
me, gassed upon me with a curious, and I thought 
a pitying look. At last an old man of venerable 
apd benign appearance, but erect and vigorous in 
body, paused In front of me as he was passing and 
addressed me. 
fig. 59, 
“I beg your pardon, sir,” Bald he, “forIntruding 
upon your thoughts, but, you seem to be a stran¬ 
ger, and, judging from your appearance, I fear you 
are 111.” 
“ 1 feel myself, Indeed, a stranger here, 1 ’ I re¬ 
plied. “ As much so though l were au Inhabi¬ 
tant of the moon Just dropped to earth, or rather 
an inhabitant of tbe earth suddenly landed upon 
some delightful planet. As for being 111. my ap¬ 
pearance has deceived you, lor 1 never felt better 
In my life. May I ask, sir, In wbac place 1 am ?” 
“This, sir,” he replied, “ is one of the parks In 
the city of Goodwllltomen.” 
“ Goodwtlltomen!” I repeated. “1 do not re¬ 
member to have ever heard of a city by this name. 
Where Is It located?” 
“ In the land of Feaceonearth,” he replied. “But 
come sir, let me Introduce you to some ot our 
people. We never allow strangers to be so long 
In this country." 
“You are very kind,” I reiolued, “but while 
feeling truly grateful for your kindliness, I must 
beg to be allowed to continue a st ranger for a while 
yet. 
To tell the truth I felt oppressed with a sense of 
my great Inferiority in the presence of these supe¬ 
rior beings. I however acquiesced In the proposi¬ 
tion or the old gentleman to accompany him 
across the park to where the people were engaged 
In their evening recreat Ions. 
“ This is hut one or tbe many pleasure grounds.” 
said he, tn answer to my Inquiries, as we walked 
along, “which are laid out at regular Intervals 
throughout the city for the purpose or giving the 
people convenient places for social meeting and 
pleasant recreation. These parks are frequented 
at all hours, but especially In me evening it Is the 
custom of our people to meet together for a few 
hours of social intercourse.” 
We now drew near where the people were con¬ 
gregated. Embowered amid tne trees and a trop¬ 
ical luxuriance of lesser foliage, with silvery cas¬ 
cades and sparkling fountains glistening in the 
brilliant electric light, there were numerous pa¬ 
vilions and rustic arbors In which various social 
entertainments were In progress. 
