722 
OCT 21 
OLD SCOTTISH MEMORIES. 
A gentleman, who was a first rate per¬ 
former of Scotch music on the violin, was 
spending a Winter at Exeter, when he soon 
made the acquaintance of the leading musical 
residents. During one day, with a professor, 
the conversation turned on Scotch music, and 
its influence with the natives, and a strong 
argument ensued on its bearing competition 
with foreign music; the Scotchman, whom we 
may designate the fiddler, insisting that, when 
propprly played, the national music of his 
couotry could not be excelled. The professor 
as warmly insisted it was only fit for a 
barn-yard. 
“I’ll tell yon what,” says the fiddler, I’ll lay 
yon a bet of £b that if a parly of Scotchmen 
can be got together, I'll make them shed tears 
one minute, sing the next, and dance the third.” 
“Done,” says the professor, “and if your 
music 19 capable of that, I will not only pay 
the A!5 with pleasure, but be also convinced it 
is the most enlivening, pathetic, and best 
music in the world,” 
The difficulty arose as to getting an oppor¬ 
tunity for a trial, when fortunately a third 
party informed them that a party of young 
Scots dined annually at the Old London Hotel 
on the anniversary of Burns’s birthday. This 
was a capital opportunity for the fiddler. 
All being arranged, and the strictest secrecy 
agreed on, the eventful time arrived, and the 
fiddler and professor having gained an intro¬ 
duction to one of the party, were invited to 
the dinner. Twelve altogether sat down, and 
a right merry party they soon became, for 
the whisky toddy was not spared when the 
memory of any of the Scotia’s bards was pro¬ 
posed. 1 he fiddler was not long in perceiving 
that he had got among the right lot, but he 
waited patiently till they were in a thorough 
happy state—fit for anything. At length he 
gave a wink to the professor, who proposed 
that hie friend should favor them with a tune 
on the fiddle. 
“Capital, capital!” cried the whole party. 
The violin was brought, and all were in a con¬ 
dition of breathless anxiety. The fiddler 
chose for his first tune— 
Here’s a health to them that’s awa, 
and played in a most solemn and pathetic 
manner. 
“That’s a waefu’ tune,” said a tall, lank, 
bony youth to his neighbor. 
“It’s that, Sandy. There’s a muckle in that 
tune, min. It reminds me o’ ane that’s gane.” 
J imie at the same time giving a deep sigh, 
and drawing his long, gaunt face to bide 
the tears that were trickling down his cheeks. 
The fiddler perceived that before he was 
done with the second part be would have 
them all in the same mood, threw his whole 
soul into the instrument, played the tune 
as he had never played it before, and as 
the last four bars died away like the dis¬ 
tant echo, there was not a dry cheek among 
the company. Now is the time, thought the 
fiddler, and without stopping a moment, 
struck up in a bold, vigorous style 
Willie brewed a peck o’ maut. 
Out went the handkerchiefs, and away went 
the tears. 
“Chorus!” cried the fiddler, and in an in- 
etan". he struck up 
For we are na fou\ we’re nae that foil’, 
But just a drappie In oor e’e, 
The cock may craw, the day may daw, 
But aye we’ll taRte that barley bree. 
The song ended, up struck the fiddler in 
his best style the reel of 
Jenny dang the weaver 
“Hey ye deevils! ’ cried Sandy. 
“Scotland for ever!” cried Jamie, and 
chairs, tables and glasses w ere set aside, and 
the whole party were dancing and shouting. 
Out ran the frightened professor, for he did 
not know w hat would come next; up came the 
landlady with a terrified train of helpmeets. 
But none durst enter the room, the hurrahs 
and thumps on the floors were so boisterous; 
and it was only on the entrance of a Scotch 
traveler who had just arrived, and who cried 
to the fiddler, “For God’s sake stop that funl” 
that order was restored. 
It ib needless to say the professor paid his 
bet cheerfully, and was fully convinced of 
the effect of Scotch music wbeu properly 
played, and the landlady took care the tiddler 
n ?ver came to her house on Burns’s anniver¬ 
sary .—Sidney Times. 
A PLEA FOR OUR SERVANTS. 
We all know how glad they are to rush out 
on every po sible occasion: are dissatisfied if 
they do not get their Sundays out, even when 
wet—their evenings with their friends; and 
if not allowed to go out, too often take French 
leave and walk out as soon as their master 
and mistress's back is turned. Of course this is 
very wrong, and such conduct cannot be too 
strongly condemned; but lam inclined to 
think that we do not go the right way to work 
to prevent their acting in this sort of manner. 
How few mistresses take the slightest interest 
in their servants’ welfare, their joys or pleas¬ 
ures! If only they do their work properly, 
that is all they care about. But ought they to 
feel in this way with regard to the inmates of 
their houses? I think not; but, on the contra¬ 
ry, as far as possible, mistresses should endea¬ 
vor to procure innocent and rational recrea¬ 
tions for all their dependents, whether children, 
governesses, or servants. The old proverb 
about “ all work and no play making Jack a 
dull boy” holds good with young and old. 
Men who slave in their counting houses or 
their offices from morning until night without 
a due proportion of rest, become in time not 
only dull, but ill. Children who have not a 
reasonable amount of healthy exercise and 
merry games are sure to mope, and probably 
will get into mischief; and it is the same with 
servants. If they have not a sufficient amount 
of recreation, either their health flags, or they 
too get into mischief—and mischief of a much 
more serious kind. It will be seen, therefore, 
that, even from a selfish point of view, it 
would be well to take some little interest in 
those around us; and if we only consider the 
unhealthy kitchens and underground prem¬ 
ises in which servants for the most part live, 
and the dreary attics in which they sleep, it 
will be seen how very necessary it must be to 
give them opportunities of obtaining fresh air 
and exercise, if their bodies and minds are to 
be kept in a proper state of health. 
In the skating season bow much they would 
enjoy being spared for an hour or two to go 
and see the sliding and skating, or for a brisk 
walk in the parks; and in the Summer pleasant 
walk* and expeditions ought occasionally to 
be organized for them, and this could gener¬ 
ally be done in most estub’ishments with a 
little forethought on the mistress’s part with¬ 
out deianging the family comfort—for in¬ 
stance, on days when the master and mistress 
are dining out, or when, from some cause or 
another, there is not so much work as usual 
to be done in the house. And all this need uot 
entail much expense ; there are exhibitions 
costing a trifle to see; and a visit now and 
then to a picture gallery, a museum, or even 
to a concert, would make a pleasant change 
from the daily routine of cooking, sweeping, 
and cleaning—or, in the case of nurses, of 
washing, dressing, and minding children—and 
might help to elevate and educate a class of 
people which sadly needs encouragement in 
every way to prevent their falling into bad 
and disreputable ways 
Small social tea parties could be arranged 
without much trouble or expense, and to these 
brothers and sisters of the servants might be 
invited, and the evenings made cheerful with 
games, picture books, illustrated papers, and 
the like. How much better would this be than 
altogether ignoring that servants have friends 
and relations, and so driving them to courses 
of deceit and to underhanded proceedings, such 
as making signs to attract their friends as 
soon as their masters and mistresses are out; 
sending letters to their friends as soon as the 
mistress has given her orders for the day, on 
finding no late dinner is required; slipping 
off when there seems no chance of their 
absence being observed; and other practices 
which gradually lead giddy girls from bad to 
worse, and from one little deceit to some 
great fraud. 
Almost all servants in the present day 
can read and write, and bright whole¬ 
some stories, light books of travel and 
adventures, and biographical sketches 
would be much appreciated by them and 
would tend to while away a Bunday at home, 
and induce a servant to stay at home, even 
when it is her day out, should it be wet or un¬ 
suitable for her to go out. Such books also 
might prevent the entrance into private 
houses of newspapers and publications which 
would be far better burnt than read by any 
one, and which no modest, well principled 
girls should ever be allowed to set eyes upon. 
We must expect many a disappointment, 
yecon tbe whole they will be found grateful 
for the kindly thought shown them; and such 
considerations for their happiness will often 
bring their own reward, by inducing servants 
to give their services less grudgingly and 
with a more cheerful countenance. 
An old bachelor recently gave the following 
toast:—“Woman—the morning star of in¬ 
fancy, the day star of manhood, the evening 
star of age. Bless our Btars, and may they 
always be kept at a telescopic distance. 
-*-*-•-- 
BOOKS AND MAGAZINES. 
The Peerless; for singing classes, insti- 
stutes, academies and schools. By W. O. 
Perkins. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co., 
Boston. Price 75 cts. It does not require 
much searching to d iscover that ‘ ‘The Peerless” 
is one of the most convenient books for classes 
ever put together. Do not, however, depend 
upon hearsay entirely, but send seventy-five 
cents for a specimen copy, and let your own 
judgment dictate the answer. 
Wilford’s Microcosm; a religio-scientific 
monthly. Hall & Co., publishers 23 Park 
Row, N. Y., $1.00 per year. A magazine 
devoted to the discoveries, theories, and in¬ 
vestigations of modern science in their bear¬ 
ing upon the religious thought of the age. 
The Squire; a magazine for country Gen¬ 
tlemen. Conducted by Morgan Evans, Lon¬ 
don. 92 and 93 Fleet Street, E. C. Monthly, 
one shilling a year. 
Text Book of Phonography. By D. L. 
Scott-Browne, 23 Clinton Place N. Y. Price 
$2.00. This is a complete guide to the mastery 
of the art of short-hand writing. 
-- 
Baby Artist. Jolly Goblin. 
for Women. 
CONDUCTED BY MISS RAY CLARK. . 
“GO AWAY!” 
With a bumpy swish and a curdled roar. 
Sweet Mary’s churn goes drumming; 
Young Reuben leans on the low half-door, 
And hopes that the butter’s coming; 
Then sighs and sighs, and drops his eyes— 
What words can blsftellngs utter? ■ 
’’0, drop me down In the churn,” he cries, 
“ And make me Into butter!’’ 
She rests her hands, and gazing stands 
At sound of his words’ vagary ; 
Then piles the staff with a lightsome laugh, 
’’ O, go away I" says Mary. 
If a maiden's word means aught, they say. 
The opposite sense is In It; 
So Reuben finds to her “ Go away !” 
A “Just come In a minute." 
*’ I hope,*’ says he, “I may make so free,” 
With a grin and a nervous stutter; 
“ My answer should be to your ears,” says she, 
“ If I could but leave the batter.” 
His arm on tbe shelf thatholds the delf. 
He looks across the dairy ; 
"Shall I go to her side? shall I dare her pride ?” 
“ O go away !” says Mary. 
He takes the hint, and be takes a kiss, 
With fears and inward cjuaklug; 
She does not take what he takes amiss, 
Nor seem In an awful taking. 
Sweet kisses he takes so loud and fast 
That bo taxes her breath completely ; 
He takes her tight In his arms at last, 
And still she takes it sweetly! 
The heart of the boy is wild with joy; 
He has won her—his bird, Ills f?.try; 
“I’ll go outright for the ring to night!” 
“ O, go away !" saj-s Mary. 
- - 
THE NEW RURAL POSTER AND PREM¬ 
IUM LIST. 
These are now ready and will be sent with 
the Rural’s best compliments and wishes to 
all who may care to join in the laudable—not 
to say engaging pastime—of securing new 
subscribers for the leading agricultural and 
horticultural journal of the land. Early 
endeavors in this field are said to be more ef¬ 
fective than later when a stirring competition 
divides the harvest.— Eds. 
MRS. LEE’S JOURNAL. 
MARGUERITE. 
Great Aunt left us this morning for her 
home in Michigan, and in a few weeks goes on 
to California. I watched her dear face 
through the car window, as long as I could 
see it, feeling that it was the last time; and 
when I came home to breakfast I said to Bessie 
that I never expected to see aunt again, nor 
her equal. 
“Going on seventy-seven,” said Bessie. 
Yes, and think of itl She has the perfect 
use of her mind and faculties, and seems to 
me she knows everything. You cannot 
mention a subject but that she is acquainted 
with it, or do any work but that she knows 
the best way of doing it. I read a postal she 
had written for the mail two or three days 
ago, a nd was impressed by the straightness 
of the lines, and tbe perfect letters; while the 
sentences accurately conveyed the sense in¬ 
tended. It put me a little bit to shame, think¬ 
ing how often I did not do as well. Seventy- 
seven almost! I have repeated to myself over 
and over again, in the last few months; while 
she was delightful company for the little ones, 
and so patient with them, that my heart’s love 
was hers as loyally as the children’s and 
John’s. Then when sickness came, and death, 
how strong a prop aunt Thirza was, and how 
many offices she performed! Ah! how often 
has she ministeied like this in years agone. 
She has lived to see father and mother and 
eleven brother and sisters pass away; also 
many Deices and nephews. And now she has 
been a blessing to her great great niece and 
nephews. Her father was a soldier in the 
war of 1776, along with his brother Ebenezer, 
who through another Ebenezer met the latter’s 
sister and she eventually became aunt’s 
mother. She often told her children how 
tbeir family did without tea and of the great 
excitement and determination of the Colonists 
to struggle for freedom. Now if her father 
was living he would be a century and a 
quarter old. As I jot down these thoughts I 
stop and ask myself, what makes aunt so 
beautiful and her life so loveable? 
She is Christ like. She has ministered to 
her friends during her whole life. She has 
kept her mind well stored with the intellectual. 
She does whatever she does in tbe best man¬ 
ner. She does not give advice only when it 
is asked for, and then in all kindness. Her 
words are always kind and her manner is that 
of a lady, and so is her dress. But oue might 
say, “I have had to work all my life and had 
no time to cultivate many of these qualities." 
No one could work more diligently than 
she with hands and heart, aDdin consequence, 
her life has been one of perfect symmetry, 
rounded up into actions consistent with the 
dictates of her loving heart. What more 
beautiful than such a life! There are so many 
warped, one sided, and disfigured lives that 
we turn to such as is this I speak of, with 
earnest desire to live such an one. The true 
corner stone, is Christ,; let it be built up on 
that and the result in this world grand—and 
in the other, the reward “she hath done what 
she could,” is sufficient for all eternity. 
WASHING CALICOES. 
I noticed some weeks ago a request from 
one of the correspondents of the Rural that 
I would write more explicitly concerning wash¬ 
ing calicoes, and I then proposed to do so imme¬ 
diately, but what with housework, company, 
pickling and preserving, knitting and mend¬ 
ing, 1 really have had no time to sit down to 
use my pen; for tbe weight of years begins to 
tell on me ; but still I fully intended to do it 
when the fitting opportunity presented itself. 
One important item in washing prints, 
ginghams or worsted goods of any kind, is to 
wash, rinse and dry them as quickly as possi¬ 
ble; never let them lay and soak in the tub of 
water, either suds or rinsing water. It makes 
all the difference in the world in the looks of 
the garment; therefore, one dress or apron at 
a time in tbe tub is the best way. It is just 
as easy, and ever so much better, and, after a 
little, one likes it. Wash the light col¬ 
ored garments first, and rinse directly, f hen 
starch, and, if a bright, sunshiny day, hang 
wrongside out in the sun to dry ; always 
turn the garments in the rinsi ng water. About 
the starch: two large tablespoonfuls of flour 
for a dress for a grown-up person i3 the right 
proportion; and you can add to the quantity 
according to the number of garments, A tea¬ 
spoonful of fine salt to two tablespoonfuls of 
flour and a cup of cold water; stir well till 
every lump is well mixed in, then pour in a 
quart of boiling hot water, stir well and set 
on the stove where it will scald. Stir so there 
can be no lumps and tbe starch is perfectly 
smooth. Make tbe starch before you com¬ 
mence washing, so that there will be no delay 
in the work. If you have quite a number of 
garments to Btarch, take the light-colored ones 
first and use starch enough to stiffen them; 
then add more, so that it will be equalized for 
each garment. There are two advantages in 
using salt in the starch; one is, that it pre¬ 
vents the colorsof the goods from fading; the 
other, that the flat-irons will not stick when 
ironing. For black prints or those with dark 
ground-work, a tablespoouful of ox gall turned 
into three gallons of boiling soap suds will set 
the color; wash out tbe garment as quickly as 
possible, rinse and starch and dry. For wash¬ 
ing worsted dresses, ox gall is used to set the 
colors, and a bit of glue the size of a dollar 
dissolved in a quart of water, is the nicest 
thing to stiffen with. For red prints or flan¬ 
nel dresses a half teacupful of vinegar, mixed 
in the rinsing water, will keep the colors 
bright and make the garment look like new. 
It is the nicest way to iron the garments on 
the wrong side, as they look nicer and do not 
have the shiny look that ironing on the right 
side gives to them. 
A good way to wash black prints or cam¬ 
brics (if one can get the article), is to take for 
one full sized dress two quarts of wheat bran, 
and pour two gallons of boiling water on it, 
stir it up two or three times and let it settle. 
Pour it off when clear and wash the garment, 
not using any soap, wring out and dry. jTou 
would never dream it bad been in the wash- 
tub. If the bran water does not settle per¬ 
fectly clear, just strain it through a thin cloth 
before using. This is a nice way to wash de¬ 
laines and Lyonaise goods, as it leaves them 
bright and just as stiff as when new. But I 
was only talking about calicoes this time. If 
there are any breaks or rents in a garment it 
