upon it, than command for itself the notice of the spectator. It should vie with nothing, but rather give value to all objects coming in contact with it. Composed of sombre shades and tones, and treated essentially as a flat surface, it exerts a most valuable, though subordinate, influence upon all the other decorations of the day. Upon it the eye rests whilst surveying the more important furniture; and its presence, properly treated, supplies the necessary material for a satisfactory contrast with other portions of the decoration, which comparison in no wise detracts from its own peculiar degree of merit, but proves from this circumstance how valuable it is as contributing to the pleasing effect of the whole apartment.

PRINCIPLES IN TEA-MAKING.

Infusion made in metal is stronger than that which is produced in black earthenware. Polished surfaces retain heat better than dark rough surfaces; consequently, the caloric, being confined in the former case, must act more powerfully than in the latter. It is further remarked, that the silver, when filled a second time, produces worse tea than the earthenware; and that it is advisable to use the crockery ware, unless a metal vessel can be procured sufficiently large to contain at once all that may be required. These facts are readily explained, by considering that the action of heat, retained in the silver vessel, so far exhausts the herb, as to leave little flavour for a second dilution; whereas the reduced temperature of the water in the earthenware, by extracting only a small portion at first, leaves some for the action of subsequent dilutions. It is supposed that the infusion is stronger in a globular vessel than in one of a different form; and this must be the case, since it is demonstrated, that a sphere contains a given measure under less surface than any other solid; from which it follows, that where there are two vessels of equal capacity, one globular and the other square, oblong, elliptic, or cylindric, the spherical vessel, having less surface than the other, must throw off less heat; and that, consequently, the effect will be greater in the former case than in the latter.

The reason for pouring boiling water into the vessel before the infusion of the tea, is, that, being previously warm, it may abstract less heat from the mixture, and thus admit a more powerful action. It is with equal facility explained why the infusion is stronger, if only a small quantity of boiling water be first used, and more be added some time afterwards. If we consider that only the water immediately in contact with the herb can act upon it, and that it cools very rapidly, especially in black earthenware, it is clear that the effect will be greater where the heat is kept up by additions of boiling water, than where the vessel is filled up at once, and the fluid suffered gradually to cool. When the infusion has once been completed, it is found that any further addition of the herb only affords a small increase of strength, the water having cooled much below the boiling point, and consequently acting very slightly; therefore, it is better to make fresh tea in a second vessel, than to add it to the exhausted and cool leaves.

It is by the application of philosophic principles to the ordinary and even trivial occurrences of life, that science diffuses her benefits, and perfects her claim to the gratitude of mankind; therefore, if one principle of making tea is preferable to another, it should be attended to, however trifling it may be considered.

THE INKSTAND.

A safe inkstand and other requisites for writing in each room in which it is frequently required, will be more effectual for preventing inkstains, than any recipe will be for getting them out. It is not the natural quiet use of ink, but its unnatural locomotion, which is generally fatal to floors, dresses, furniture, and carpets. Writing belongs to the "stationery" department, and no one can run about with its appurtenances without constant risk and occasional damage. These appurtenances are likewise so cheap and commodious now-a-days, and their use so frequent, since the penny postage, that persons who profit by this great convenience, should not begrudge some attention to its requisition.

TREASURY OF FACTS.

The income-tax produces £16,000,000 a-year. Sir R. Peel only asked for 3,500,0001.

During the Earthquake at Candia, a red-coloured undulating light was observed. The compasses of vessels in the vincity were very much affected.

A curious phenomenon has recently been observed in Greece. The Lake of Copais has completely dried up. An immense tract of fertile land is thus rendered available for the purposes of agriculture.

Nero, according to the "Theatre Journal," of Munich, was the first to use an opera-glass at a theatre. He was in the habit, it declares, of looking at the performers through a large emerald mounted in gold.

The suicides of London were, during the year 1854, 1; in 1855, 17; and this year there have already been 19. There were 8 attempts at suicide in 1854, 32 in 1855, and in the present year there have been 45.

The most frequented of the universities in the Pontifical dominions are those of Rome and Bologna. Last year the first reckoned 876 students, and the other 487. The other universities are attended by 430 young men-in all, 1793 students for a population of 3,100,000 souls.

Joseph Crossley, of Oswaldtwistle, was lately buried and was followed to the grave by a widow, twelve children, 60 at the Church Kirk, near Blackburn. He was 77 years of age, grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren, making a total of 92 | relations.

The force of the allies at the commencement of the bombardment of Sebastopol is estimated at 70,000:English, five divisions French, four ditto

Turks

Marines and sailors....

22,000

32,000

12,000

4,000

The Electric Telegraph Company was lately summoned for poor-rates at Salford, and refused to pay, because it occupied no land' or "earth." The Court of Exchequer decided against the company, quoting Lord Coke, who said, "The earth had in law a great extent upwards, not only of water, as had been said, but of ayre, and all other things, even up to heaven."

Queen Victoria is the first reigning sovereign of England who entered the gates of Paris in peace, and the reception given to the Royal guest by all classes of the French people proved that from henceforth France desires no other rivalry than that which will develop the arts of peace, and make permanent the alliance of the two nations.

The number of licensed dealers in the United Kingdom is as follows-viz.: brewers, 41,446; beer retailers, 131,468; tea, coffee, and pepper dealers, 142,747; tobacco dealers, 236,647; and tobacco manufacturers, 571. Every one of these is subject to examination by the officers of the Excise, who deserve credit for the detection of every adulteration. The total number of inspecting officers is about 4000.

The Company of Watermen on the river Thames was established by Act of Parliament, in the 2nd and 3rd of Philip and Mary, wherein it is expressed that there shall be yearly appointed and elected by the mayor and aldermen of the city of London for the time being, the number of eight persons, "of the most wise, discreet, and best sort of watermen, being householders, and occupied as watermen upon the said river between Gravesend and Windsor."

Monies coined at the Royal Mint, from 1st January to 30th September, 1856, were: Sovereigns, 4,047,646; half Florins, sovereigns, 1,085,191-value of gold, 4,590,2417. 108. 1,861,200; shillings, 2,486,880; sixpences, 2,447,280; groats, 95,040; threepences, 1,013,760. Maundy pieces-viz. fourpenny pieces, 4158; threepenny do., 4488; twopenny do. 4752; penny do., 7920-value of silver coinage, 386,1007. Pence, 1,182,720; halfpence, 1,612,800-value of coper coinage, 82887.

family of the name of Gray, belonging to Kirkoswald, Ayrshire, A correspondent informs us that there is now living a consisting of ten persons, four men and six women. There were no more than the ten children born of the marriage of their parents, and there has been no death among them, though their ages range at present from 56 to 77 years. Each of them has been lawfully married, and added to the population. From the ten have sprung 58 children, 78 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren-in all, 140 souls. The united ages of the "ten is now 670 years, and not one of them has ever been accused or convicted of any crime. They are all members of the Church of Scotland.

66

Mr. George Phillips, chief officer of the Chemical | Department of the Board of Inland Revenue, read to the committee a list of samples sent to him as suspected" by the various officers of the board. The list included all samples sent in from the 30th of October, 1843, to the present time--a period of 11 years. During that period 1139 samples of beer were received, 1116 of pepper, 12,483 of coffee, 187 of soap, 1616 of tobacco, 40 of hops, 105 of spirits, 47 of sweets (or British wines), 2 of foreign wines, 1 of vinegar, 142 of tea, and 390 various; making a total of 17,268 samples. Of these 51.6 per cent. of the pepper samples were found to be adulterated, 12.9 per cent. of the coffee, 54-2 per cent. of the tea, 641 of the tobacco; and 87.5 of the hops.

The population of the London district in 1851 was nearly two and a half millions, thus divided :

In 1666 the population of London was about 400,000; in 1801, 958,863; and in 1851, 2,362,236. In 1900 we may expect a population of nearly 5,000,000.

The Fremont Manifesto. - The New York Republican Convention has issued a manifesto of principles, addressed to the electors of that state. The manifesto reviews the aggressions of slavery in the Republic from the foundation of the Government. It declares that the past history of the country is unhappily the triumphant and successful progress of slavery, and it thus summarises the advances that constitute her mode:

"Instead of six states having about 600,000 slaves, we have now fifteen, with about 3,000,000. Instead of seven states who have abolished slavery, we have added to the Union nine states with 1,579,965 slaves; and instead of six small states, with a territory of 212,685 square miles, to which, by the promise of 1787, slavery ought now to be confined, we have added thereto by negotiation with Spain, by conquest from Mexico, by spoil and treaty with Texas, by secession from other states, and by purchase from the Indians, nine states, with a territory of 649,833 square miles. Such have been the aggressions of slavery among us in point of territory. But its hopes or its purposes end not here. Already is Central America, whose constitutions prohibit slavery, shrinking beneath the poisonous breath of pro-slavery immigration; already has Cuba been regarded with longing eyes by the slavery propagandists; and even now the territory of Kansas is resounding to the mailed tread of her pro-slavery

invaders."

MINT OF HUMOUR.

"Come here, sonny, and tell me what the four seasons are." Young prodigy: "Pepper, salt, mustard, and vinegar?”’

the unfortunate craft heeled to larboard, and the captain and another cask of whisky rolled overboard."

"You flatter me," said a thin exquisite, the other day, to a young lady who was praising the beauties of his moustache. "O, ma'am! interposed an old skipper, "don't make that

monkey any flatter' than he is.' Solomon Grundy says, the women ought to make a pledge not to kiss a man who uses tobacco, and it would soon break up the practice. A friend of ours says they ought to kiss every man that don't use it--and we go for that too.

An old revolutionist says, that of all the solemn hours he ever saw, that occupied in going home one dark night from the Widow Bem's, after being told by her daughter Sally that he "needn't come again," was the most solemn.

Two travellers having been robbed in a wood, and tied to trees at some distance from each other, one of them in despair exclaimed, "Oh, I'm undone!"-" Are you?" said the other, "then I wish you'd come and undo me.'

A gipsy woman promised to show to two young ladies their husbands' faces in a pail of water. They looked, and exclaimed, "Why, we only see our own faces." 'Well," said the gipsy, "those faces will be your husbands' when you are married."

The strongest and toughest fellow that ever lived could not stand up against the united efforts of low diet, and low spirits. To act generously you must live generously, take plenty of exercise, breathe fresh air, and know what it is to be downright weary when you go to bed.

Spriggins says he always travels with a "sulky "that is, he always goes with his wife, who contrives to be obstinate and out of humour from the time they leave till they get where they are going to. The only time she ever smiled, he says, was when he broke his ankle.

That was a very natural but a very ludicrous remark of a venerable lady, now in her one hundredth year, on the death of her daughter, who had attained the good old age of eighty. The mother's grief was great, and to a friend, who came to condole with her, she could only say,-“Oh, dear! oh, dear! I knew I never should be able to rear that child!"

A gentleman at a musical party, where the lady was very particular not to have the concord of sweet sounds interrupted, was freezing under the performance of a long concerted piece, and seeing that the fire was going out, asked a friend in a whisper, "how he should stir the fire without interrupting the music? "Between the bars," replied the friend.

ments?

Cowles, in his history of plants, notices the virtue of hemp thus laconically:"By this cordage ships are guided, bells are rung, and rogues are kept in awe.'

I remember to have been once not a little amused on hearing a certain young lady exclaim-" I really enjoy rambling in a park; it looks so like trespassing."

The Albany Express has the following advertisement: -"Wanted, an able-bodied man to hold my wife's tongue-she and I being unable to keep it quiet. Constant employment given."

An Illinois editor, speaking of a rogue who lives in that vicinity, says: "The rascal has broken every bank, and jail, and Sabbath we have had in this country for the last five years."

A Schenectady editor, describing the effects of a squall upon a canal-boat, says:-"When the gale was at its highest

The puzzled Precentor.-A painter, who was a bit of church, and working at the precentor's desk, discovered a pair of a wag in his way, while lately painting the interior of a country spectacles. A happy thought, as he imagined, but actually a wicked one, occurring to him, he took a fine pencil, and painted a very natural representation of a fly on one of the glasses, replacing them again exactly as he found them. The precentor, who kept one pair of specks for the church and another for home, ately on the minister giving out the psalm. Discovering the fly, on the Sabbath following, of course, mounted the pair immediwhich fairly covered the great O with which the psalm comstill there. He then shook the book; still the winged one would not budge; he partly shut it; no, the intruder would still stick to the O. occupations, that the parson had read the number of verses inSo much was the precentor taken up with these tended to be sung, and sat down. The congregation could not understand what could be the matter with John; some thought he was "the waur o' a dram," others that he "had gaen gyte.' By this time the minister observed that something was wrong, and, looking over the pulpit, saw John fluttering and flourishing the psalm-book in all directions. At last he asked at John what was the matter. "Ou," says John, "I canna see for a flee, sir." "A fly, where is it?" "See at it," said John, "on the muckle O, and sometimes it crawls alang the line." Try my specks, John, your eyes are getting too old for your own, I fear." John did so, and of course got through the singing as usual. parson who, like the painter, was a wag, remarked when he met John in the vestry after sermon, having discovered the cause of his embarrassment, "I often thought, John, that you had a bee in your bonnet, but I find that it was only a fly in your eye!”

The

The amount to be paid in advance, and can be forwarded, in postage stamps, to the office, 9 Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, London.

A. C.-We can only offer you Pean's advice. He said to one about to seek a wife. Do thou be wise: prefer a person before money-virtue before beauty-the mind before the body: then thou hast a friend, a companion, a second selfone that bears an equal share with thee in thy toils and troubles.

THOMAS AYRES.-Habit cats so deeply into man's humanity, that instead of constituting no more than his second nature, it expels the first, usurping the sovereignty. Our minds may turn their eyes so long in the same direction, that never again can we look quite straight. We think, however, it is in the power of every man to reform his habits.

ROBERT YOUNG.-Your opinion does not coincide with that of other authorities. Philosophers teach us that" every growth of nature has but one moment of perfect beauty:" the business of the artist is to discover and fix this, and thus produce that which is more elevated than the actual-the ideal, the highest aim of art.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE Family Mirror.-Sir, I have just returned from a visit to Paris, and the grand effect of the street architecture there, arising from the immense height of the houses, is very striking to a Londoner, who rarely sees three stories exceeded. The new buildings in the extension of the Rue de Rivoli are quite palatial, and, unlike our new streets, are constructed of stone, and not brickbats cemented over. The balconies (of which there are two, one above the entre-sol, and a second formed by a bold projecting cornice to the fourth story) are gilt, which mode is probably as durable as paint in the pure air of Paris, and adds much to the gaiety of the general effect of the new street. Some of your readers, I dare say, have been. struck as I have been, with the same effect of superiority over our capital. Your Mirror improves. A. RICHARDS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE Family Mirror.-Sir, It may interest some of your readers to know that a recent improvement has taken place in wigs; this consists in attaching the hair to a groundwork of gutta percha, either in the form of a scalp or framework, or in plaits or strips of any desired form, for toupees, plaits, curls, &c. A crease is made in the gutta percha with a hot iron; the ends of the hair are laid in the crease, and the iron again used to turn a furrow of the hot percha over on to the hair, and thus cement it down. The advantage of this groundwork over the network commonly employed in wigs, &c., consists in the facility with which the hair can be attached, and the consequent reduction of the expense of labour; it may be put in singly or in locks. It also allows the hair to be combed and dressed with as much ease and perfection as if it were of natural growth. It is said that wigs made on this plan can be washed and cleansed thoroughly without injuring the beauty of their appearance or affecting their durability. Wishing success to the Mirror, I am A. B. C.

J. MARTIN.-We believe that the average age of French Generals is under forty-five yearsthat of English Generals over sixty-five years.

G. R.-The spleen has its uses as well as other things; for example, it makes ill-nature pass for ill-health, dulness for gravity, and ignorance for reservedness.

A WIFE.-The cost of a message by electric telegraph, between the Crimea and London is 1201.

My first is seen on the rolling sea,
When the winds and tempests roar;
I lash into foam, or sparkle in glee,
Or sink to a murmuring melody,
When chafing the pebbly shore.

My second is found when hearts unite,
In the bonds of affection sincere ;
Though oft may be seen where men will fight:
My whole, if when found, you retain as right,
You'll lose it again, I much fear.

EDWIN.

17. Born half above, and half beneath the earth, We sisters owe to art a second birth; The smith's and carpenter's adopted daughters, Made us to travel lightly o'er the watersWe serve the poor for use, and the rich for whim, When it thaws we sink, and when it freezes, swim.

18.

19.

20.

INQUIRER. It may be ascribed to many causes, but bad cookery and drink go handin-hand. The man disappointed of wholesome food turns to liquor to console him, or to furnish the stimulus which he has not from a nourishing meal. Indigestible food, too, is the excuse for the dram. In lands possessed of cooks it will be observed that the people are sober. The Frenchman drinks a little light wine and water with his savoury food. The Englishman bolts some lumps of sodden meat, and lights a fire in his stomach with alcohol in some shape or other, to dispose of its burden. Cookery ought to be a branch of the education of girls destined to work, and skill in it ought to be stimulated by rewards and certificates, which might pass them into place. Nay more, it would be well to instruct boys also; for the experience of the Crimea shows how great an advantage to soldiers would be the art of making the best of poor materials, as the French do, while our people generally make the worst of good materials.

LIZZIE (Hackney).-We have such piles of poetry past us that we really do not know what to do with it. We are obliged, however, by your effusion, which we think you might greatly improve, as the thoughts are good.

GEORGE REYNOLDS.-There is now no restriction as to the weight of articles carried by the post at the following inland rates:--

Not exceeding half an ounce.... 1d. Stamp.
Exceeding half an ounce, but not

exceeding 1 ounce...

2d. do.

..4d. do.

Exceeding 1 ounce, not exceeding 2 ounces

Exceeding 2 ounces, not exceeding 3 ounces

.6d. do.

And so on; an additional two for every additional ounce. If not so stamped when posted, double the above rates are charged on all inland letters.

A HUSBAND.-Counsel her kindly, and make your affection the apology for your forbearance. It is often the case that from the sweetest sources come the blight of happiness and the destroyer of human affections.

P. O.-Tastes differ, and, no doubt, your men find it to their advantage. Warburton in his account of his voyage up the Nile, gives a similar instance of the singular opinion of sailors. He says," On arriving at Kench we gave the crew a feast, consisting of an old ram, preferred by them to younger mutton, because it stood more chewing."

A CORRESPONDENT sends the following. Coventry Patmore, whose domestic "Angel" should be every where a household god, gives the following dialogue on a supposed theft:"I saw him kiss your check?" ""Tis true." "O modesty! ,, "Twas strictly kept.

He thought me asleep. At least I knew
He thought I thought he thought I slept."
A wide-awake damsel!-who thought it a good
thought not to be thought kissing-conscious.

TYRO. The conditions necessary to a good thermometer are, that the bore of the tube be of equal size throughout,the zero and 32 degrees or freezing point, accurately determined, and the graduations performed with exactitude. For the purposes of meteorological observation, it is necessary that they be compared with a standard thermometer, that their index errors may be ascertained and applied at the time of reading. The thermometer in use in England is that of Fahrenheit, the scale of which is determined by dividing the space between 329 (freezing point of water, and 2129 boiling point of water) into 180 parts, called degrees. By continuing these divisions, both above and below these points, the scale may be continued at pleasure for the requirements of extreme temperatures.

We cannot engage to return rejected manuscripts. All our literary arrangements are complete.

Published at the Office of the "FAMILY MIRROR,* No. 9, Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, where all communications for the Editor addressed. Jan. 9th, 1857. are to be

CHAPTER XV.-ROCK FARM, THE SMUGGLER'S HOME.

THE chief of the party who had disturbed the midnight slumbers of our hero was known in the neighbourhood as Captain Austin; who had, for many years, pursued the contraband trade, but who had recently, in a measure ostensibly retired from it; although, when a favourable opportunity offered, he did not allow it to slip. He had been bred a fisherman on the coast, but possessing a natural intelligence far beyond his humble compeers, united to a boldness of spirit and a love of enterprise which no defeat could daunt or repress, he gradually abandoned the precarious occupation of the fish trade, and, casting his fortunes in with a band of smugglers, his skill and courage soon raised

him into an eminent position amongst them. He was now, comparatively speaking, a wealthy man; but had lately met with several losses, which had the effect of stimulating him more and more in the dangerous game which he followed, notwithstanding he had given out, "that he had retired from the sea, and had cast his anchor in the 'Rock,' where

he intended to end his days."

The Rock was a small farm which went by that name, situated about a couple of miles from the Witches' Cauldron, and showing upon it a house sufficiently old to have been built of substantial rock, and large enough to give accommodation to a more numerous family than it was possessed of. This dwelling was conveniently situated for one whose interest it was to be near the shore. It stood at a distance of not more than a hundred yards from the edge of the cliff, and enjoyed a wide prospect of the sea, from which it could easily be descried by vessels passing almost within hailing distance.