THE LADIES’ FLORAL CABINET. 
And up the trees for many feet 
They clamber at a fever heat, 
Each striving hard with might and main 
The choicest kinds of nuts to gain. 
Then miles around them, east and west, 
The barrows were in service pressed, 
Along the dusty road to reel, 
With creaking frame and groaning 
wheel, 
And when some old concern gave out, 
Still undismayed, with spirit stout, 
And mystic strength, like giants strong, 
They rolled their heavy loads along. 
By hook and crook, as best they could, 
In time they reached their native wood, 
When casks were found to serve their 
need, 
The oil was pressed from nuts with 
speed, 
And then within the forest shade 
A crackling fire was quickly made, 
That forking round the caldron rose 
To startle birds from deep repose, 
And smoke them out of leafy bowers, 
To fill with cries the midnight hours. 
Then none had need to idle stand, 
As work was there for every hand. 
While some their loads of fuel bring, 
Some watch the caldron in a ring, 
To guide against an over-boil, 
Or add a fresh supply of oil. 
While others still, with thoughtful mind, 
Their wisdom and their skill combined, 
Preparing molds wherein to run 
The snowy cakes when all was done. 
Said one, who kept the mold in sight 
Of how to manufacture right : 
“ Let no essential be forgot, 
But wash the soap with water hot, 
That no excess of ‘ uncombined,’ 
Or ‘ free ’ alkali we leave behind, 
Which quickly rots or burns its sign 
On human skin and garments fine.” 
143 
Thus all the secrets of the trade 
Were carried out, till nicely made 
The Ivory Soap upon the ground 
On every side was piled around, 
For scarce one batch aside they threw 
Before the pot was filled anew, 
Until the whole supply they brought 
In pure and perfect soap was wrought. 
Nor even then from work withdrew, 
By halves the Brownies nothing do, 
For round the country far and wide, 
The people were that night supplied ; 
They found it laid on window sills, 
In tubs, and sinks, and bureau tills ; 
Through broken pane, or splintered wall, 
The cakes were shoved by fingers small. 
And soon a change was noticed there 
In cleaner clothes and faces fair. 
No longer compounds were employed, 
For water hard no more annoyed ; 
No more were seen the scabby heads, 
Or finest garments all in shreds ; 
No more unsightly pimples rose 
To mar the grace of cheek or nose ; 
No more the chaps or scaly crust 
Made people wish themselves in dust. 
For, from the infant on the breast 
To those who neared their final rest — 
For rich and poor, the great and small, 
Found Ivory Soap had cleansed them 
all. 
And thus the Brownies of the wood 
Maintained their reputation good. 
