manity than any other of our American writers. In his noble efforts for the amelioration of society, he has not confined himself to any one class, but has carried his benevolent warnings and instructions from the lowest and humblest firesides up to the loftiest dwellings of aristocracy and splendid misery, gently reproving all, but inspiring all to pursue the better path, with language of hope and friendship.

This, as it always has been, continues to be the peculiar course of the "Home Gazette," a course which must ever sustain it as a most pleasing, as well as a most valuable and necessary monitor and guide to the family circle. As such a paper, we now, as on former occasions, take pleasure in commending it to the readers of the "Lady's Book."

Heretofore, the price of the "Home Gazette," in clubs, has been considerably higher than the literary weeklies of Philadelphia and New York. Even with this disadvantage, the paper, from the popularity of its editor, and the high character which he has given to it from the first, has at

tained a circulation greater, with a single exception, than any other weekly of its class in Philadelphia; and this within the singularly brief period of two years. We are glad to see that the publishers have determined to give it a wider sphere of usefulness, by such a reduction of price as will place it within the reach of every one.

THE YANKEE BLADE.-We observe, by the prospectus of the ensuing volume of this sterling weekly, that numerous improvements are contemplated by the editor, which will add very greatly to the merits of the paper, if that be pos sible. Like all the really good periodicals of the day, the "Blade" occupies a position of its own, perfectly independ ent, and, we might say, perfectly original in all its features and departments. If, however, the industrious editor can improve, we know he will, and therefore take his word for the fact. We hope for his success with the public, having no doubt of his own success in whatever he proposes to do for its benefit.

NEVER did a party of young girls pass a summer afternoon, or a winter evening together, that "love" was not at one time their theme. See it for yourselves, fair readers, if you think this is not so; and note, besides, how many under twenty years of age have the least perception of what the word implies. With some, its elements are flattering attentions, costly presents, a fine face, and good figure. Others have danced themselves into the belief that the best waltzer of the winter will make the best husband. A third is sure she must be in love, because she dotes on sentimental songs, and "somebody" pays soft and devoted attention when she sings them. Another has a heart so large that she can be engaged to two at once, or perhaps three, meanwhile weighing their respective merits. Most of the party have formed their notion of the emotion from the popular tales and novels of the day, where love at first sight is principally advocated. But few look at home, and see what preserves the altar-fire bright in the midst of the rude blasts of adversity, or the thousand trials that go to make up "the woes of this troublesome life." Differing from their thoughts or intents is the sentiment of the little poem we subjoin, which we commend not less for its gracefulness than its truth:

"Mid wintry scenes my passion grew,
And wintry cares have proved it true.
Dear are the hours of summer weather,
When all is bright,
And hearts are light,

And Love and Nature joy together:
But stars from night their lustre borrow,
And hearts are closer twined by sorrow.

SELECTION OF PAPER HANGINGS.

OUR housekeeping readers cannot fail to be interested in the following simple rules, on which the cheerfulness of home so much depends.

According to the taste or judgment with which the pattern is chosen, so will the appearance of the room, when papered, be agreeable or displeasing. Large patterns should, of course, be only used in large rooms. Darktinted papers are most suitable for light rooms, and light papers for dark rooms; many a dingy or gloomy apartment may be made to wear a cheerful aspect by attention to this particular. Stripes, whether on a lady's dress, or on the walls of a room, always give the effect of height; consequently a low room is improved by being hung with a striped paper. The effect is produced by a wavy stripe as well as a straight one, and, as curved lines are the most graceful, they should generally be preferred. Any pattern with lines crossed so as to form a square, is unsuitable for a low room; but, with the lines made sloping or diagonal, there is not the same objection. A diamond trellis pattern, with a small plant creeping over it, looks well in a small summer parlor. For a common sitting-room, a small geometrical pattern is very suitable; being well covered, it does not show accidental stains or bruises, and, in the constant repetition of the design, there is no one object to attract the eye more than another. These are sometimes called Elizabethan patterns; they are much used for staircases, halls, and passages, but they are not to be chosen at random. According to the height and dimensions of the passage or staircase, such should be the pattern. A large pattern on a narrow staircase, and in a passage not more than eight feet in height, has a very heavy and disagreeable effect. A light gray, or yellow marble, divided inte

blocks by thin lines, and varnished, will be found suitable for most passages, if care be taken to adapt the size of the blocks to the place where they are to appear. A size that would look well in a hall twenty feet wide, would be altogether too large in one of only four or six feet. Many persons must have noticed, in their visits of business or pleasure, that some houses present a cheerful aspect as soon as the door is opened, while others look so dull that they make one low-spirited upon entering them. The difference is caused by the good or bad taste with which they have been papered and painted.

A safe rule with regard to paper-hangings, is to choose nothing that looks extravagant or unnatural. Regard should be had to the uses of an apartment; a drawingroom should be light and cheerful, a parlor should look warm and comfortable without being gloomy; bedroom papers should be cool and quiet, and generally of a small pattern, and of such colors as harmonize with bed-furniture and other fittings. It is worth while to consider the sort of pictures to be hung on a wall; gilt frames show best on a dark ground, and dark frames on a light ground; taking care, however, to avoid violent contrasts. Heavy borders are seldom used now; they make a room low, without being ornamental.

GOOD THINGS FROM NEW BOOKS.

THE "Blithedale Romance" abounds, as may be supposed, in many a beautiful sentiment and lifelike landscape; but, to our eyes, there is not a more natural touch than the following:

"At the window of the next story, two children, prettily dressed, were looking out. By and by, a middle-aged gentleman came softly behind them, kissed the little girl, and playfully pulled the little boy's ear. It was a papa, no doubt, just come in from his counting-room or office; and anon appeared mamma, stealing as softly behind papa as he had stolen behind the children, and laying her hand on his shoulder to surprise him. Then followed a kiss between papa and mamma, but a noiseless one, for the children did not turn their heads.

"I bless God for these good folks,' thought I to myself. 'I have not seen a prettier bit of nature in all my summer in the country, than they have shown me here in a rather stylish boarding-house.""

The kisses of all papas and mammas in public are not noiseless, as we lately had occasion to notice on the deck of a steamboat, when the parting salute of an affectionate couple reverberated, we had almost said, above the hiss of steam. But here is an admirable description of the coming on of fever, which most of our readers can acknowledge from painful experience :

"The night proved a feverish one. Through the greater part of it, I was in that vilest of states when a fixed idea remains in the mind, like the nail in Sisera's brain, while innumerable other ideas go and come, and flutter to and fro, combining instant transition with intolerable sameness."

In the admirably sketched book of Mrs. Moodie, which displays so much of woman's best virtues, endurance and perseverance, we find the following homely, but valuable receipt for making coffee from the roots of the common dandelion:

"I cut my roots into small pieces, the size of a kidneybean, and roasted them on an iron baking-pan in the stoveoven, until they were as brown and crisp as coffee. I then ground and transferred a small cupful of the powder to the coffee-pot, pouring upon it scalding water, and boiling it

for a few minutes briskly over the fire. The result was beyond my expectations. The coffee proved excellent-fur superior to the common coffee we procured at the stores. "The time of gathering in the potato crop is the best suited for collecting and drying the roots of the dandelion; and, as they always abound in the same hills, both may be accomplished at the same time. Those who want to keep a quantity for winter use may wash and cut up the roots, and dry them on boards in the sun. They will keep for years, and can be roasted when required.

"Few of our colonists are acquainted with the many uses to which this neglected, but most valuable plant may be applied. I will point out a few which have come under my own observation, convinced as I am that the time will come when this hardy weed, with its golden flowers and curious seed-vessels, which form a constant plaything to the little children rolling about and luxuriating among the grass in the sunny month of May, will be transplanted into our gardens, and tended with due care. The dandelion, planted in trenches, and blanched to a beautiful cream-color with straw, makes an excellent salad, quite equal to endive, and is more hardy, and requires less care.

"In many parts of the United States, particularly in new districts where vegetables are scarce, it is used early in the spring, and boiled with pork as a substitute for cabbage. During our residence in the bush, we found it, in the early part of May, a great addition to the dinner-table. In the township of Dummer, the settlers boil the tops, and add hops to the liquor, which they ferment, and from which they obtain excellent beer. I have never tasted this simple beverage; but I have been told, by those who use it, that it is equal to the table-beer used at home."

OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

So many are the queries which we, as a "Lady's Book," are expected to solve, that we have concluded to establish this well-known corner, to be devoted to any chance questions that our friends may wish responded to. We are certainly always most happy to give them any advice or information in our power.

ANNA-can procure the materials for making paper flowers at several of the stationery stores in the principal Atlantic cities. The stamens, leaves, etc., to finish the bouquet, are sold by the manufacturers of artificial flowers, readily to be found by any one who undertakes the commission. It is a fashion now somewhat out of vogue, from the bad taste exhibited by many who practised it, looking everywhere else but to nature for models; though we have seen bouquets and baskets very naturally and tastefully disposed. The most beautiful spray we ever recollect was shown us not long since, and composed of parched corn, with a few green leaves. Though this seems almost impossible at first, if our readers will notice the fantastic, and sometimes exquisite shapes into which the kernels expand, they will see that some are almost perfect roses, violets, etc., the petals being formed by the pure white. To form the stamens, bits of sewing-silk are dipped into wax, or ground rice, and then colored. The blossoms are naturally arranged upon stems, grouped, and fastened upon a sheet of white paper, or card-board, and are not only deceptive, but really beautiful.

E. M.-Broiderie Anglaise is a term applied to the heavy, open-worked cambric edging now so fashionable for undersleeves and under-clothing: it is simply "English embroidery." The pattern is formed entirely of a succession of holes, variously arranged and worked around. If desired, we will give directions in our next.

Fashions.

CHITCHAT FOR SEPTEMBER.

The continued warm weather forbidding a return to town, or any activity in the display of new fashions, we cannot interest our readers more than to quote for their benefit some invaluable hints on dress, taken from the "London Quarterly." We wish we had space for the whole article; as it is, we know of very few ladies in city or country but may be benefited by the taste and common sense -a rare combination--which these extracts display.

The true object and importance of taste in dress few women understand. "Even if woman had been made as ugly as we," says the author, "she would still, no doubt, have been the object of our highest intellectual devotion; but woman was made 'exceedingly fair,' a creature not only fitted for all the deference and homage our minds could bestow, but obviously intended for the most elegant wardrobes and brilliant trousseaus our pockets could furnish. But, however we may fall short of our duty to the sex in this latter respect, let no woman therefore suppose that any man can be really indifferent to her appearance. The instinct may be deadened in his mind by a slatternly, negligent mother, or by plain maiden sisters; but she may be sure it is there, and, with a little adroitness, capable of revival. Of course, the immediate effect of a well-chosen feminine toilet operates differently in different minds. In some, it causes a sense of actual pleasure; in others, a consciousness of passive enjoyment. In some, it is intensely felt while it is present; in others, only missed when it is gone.

"Such being the case, the responsibility of a wife in this department is a very serious one. In point of fact, she dresses for two, and, in neglecting herself, virtually annoys her husband. Nature has expressly assigned her as the only safe investment for his vanities; and she who wantonly throws them back from their natural course, deserves to see them break out on his own person.

"But, independent of the plain law of instinct, there is one for the promotion of dress among ladies, which may be plainer still to some-and this is the law of self-interest. Will Honeycomb says he can tell the humor a woman is in by the color of her hood. We go farther, and maintain that, to a proficient in the science, every woman walks about with a placard, on which her leading qualities are advertised.

"For instance, you meet one, no matter whether pale or rosy, fat or thin, who is always noticeable for something singular and outré in her dress; a hat with all the colors of the rainbow, or of a new color never imagined before; a gown so trimmed that she cannot lean back upon it; a cloak so cut that she cannot walk upright in it; a new kind of quilling which scratches her, and catches everybody else; a new pattern which blinds the eyes to look at; a berthe strung of beads from Nova Zembla; a boa woven of feathers from New Zealand; and if, further, she wears them with a piteous and dejected look, as if she were a martyr to the service, you may be sure this is a shy, timid, weak soul, who, while she is attracting all eyes to her costume, has no other thought than how she may best escape observation. This is a prize to milliners, whose insight into human nature through the garb it wears is all for our argument, and who, seeing immediately that she has nei ther taste nor judgment of her own, can always persuade her to lead some forlorn hope, called 'the very last fashion,'

but a fashion in which no one else would have the courage to be first.

"Again, if, after the first unfortunate has passed on her way, you meet another equally extravagant in her style, only with this difference, that she has opinions of her own, and these of the most prononcé kind; if she wear the largest pattern and the gaudiest colors upon the most ordinary material, or the highest flounces upon the richest : if, being poor, she has a quantity of show lace, mock fur, or false jewelry, showing that her object is not economy, but display; or if, being rich, she mixes up the best together, pearls on head, cameos on neck, diamonds on stomacher; if she disposes her hair in inordinate long curls or extraordinarily curious braids; and if, beneath a skirt which covers an incredible circumference of ground, or beneath a body which hardly covers any space at all, you catch glimpses of substances neither neat, clean, nor fine-you may guess this is a vain, vulgar, and perhaps bold woman. "Far different from those we have hitherto reviewed, are the dress doctrines of her who next follows, though not so well exemplified in details as in generals. Her first study seems to be the becoming, her second the good, her third the fashionable, which, if it be both good and becoming, it always is, or may be. You see this lady turning a cold eye to the assurances of shopmen and the recommendations of milliners. She cares not how original a pattern may be, if it be ugly, or how recent a shape, if it be awkward. Whatever, therefore, fashion dictates, she follows laws of her own, and is never behind it. She wears very beautiful things, which people generally suppose to be fetched from Paris, or at least made by a French milliner; but which, as often as not, are bought at the nearest town, and made up by her own maid. Not that her costume is always either rich or new; on the contrary, she wears many a cheap dress, but it is always pretty; and many an old one, but it is always good. Not a scrap of tinsel or trumpery appears upon her. She puts no faith in velvet bands, or gilt buttons, or twisted cordings. She is quite aware, however, that the garnish is as important as the dress; all her inner borders and beadings are delicate and fresh, and, should anything peep out which is not intended to be seen, the same scrupulous care is observable. After all, there is no great art either in her fashions or her materials. The secret simply consists in her knowing the three grand unities of dress-her own station, her own age, and her own points. And no woman can dress well who does not. After this, we need not say that whoever is attracted by the costume will not be disappointed in the wearer. She may not be handsome, nor accomplished, but we will answer for her being even-tempered, well informed, thorough ly sensible, and a complete lady.

"Upon the whole, a prudent and sensible man, desirous of looking before he leaps,' may safely predicate of the inner lining from the outer garment, and be thankful that he has this, at least, to go by. That there are such things as female pirates, who hang out false lights to entrap unwary travellers, we do not deny. It is only to be hoped that, sooner or later, they may catch a Tartar on their coasts. For, of all the various denominations of swindlers who practise on the goodness or the weakness of mankind, that woman is the basest who is a dandy during courtship, and a dowdy after marriage.

"As regards an affectation not unfrequent in the sex, that of apathy towards the affairs of the toilet, we can only assure them, for their own sakes, that there is not a worse kind of affectation going. A woman, to be indifferent to her own appearance, must either be hardened to all feminine tastes and perceptions, or an immense heiress, or a first-rate beauty, or think herself one."