dinner, in the shape of the liquor the leg of mutton, or pork, or calve's head was boiled in, the stock of a delicious soup for to-day; this latter nutritious preparation, by the way, except at first-class tables, is rarely met with amongst us, though materials are constantly wasted, that, with the smallest knowledge of their value in its preparation, and the least possible outlay of expense or trouble, might be converted into the most nutritious and comfortable fare.

Not that one wonders at the indifference with which ignorant housewives regard this excellent article of food, if the cross-roads of life have ever brought him acquainted with it at humble tables, where we believe it is only introduced when some sudden fit of economy or enforced necessity obliges the head of the ménage to fall back upon it as a dernier ressort.

many excellent and even dainty dishes, at a small cost, that in every house where it is necessary to make the most of a limited income, and yet keep a nice and comfortable table, the Shilling Cookery" should find a place.

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The appearance of this useful little volume has reminded us of our own cogitations upon this essential branch of domestic economy and the important services which ladies might render in their immediate neighbourhoods, by makiug their own knowledge on these points subservient to the benefit of others. More than twelve months ago we were talking over this lack of knowledge, on the part of working men's wives, to make the daily meals of their families an enjoyment as well as a necessity; and our friend, a noble-hearted Scotch lady, full of benevolence of the most earnest and practical nature, put

The preparation of soup, under these circum-into our hands a few receipts, tested and apstances, is certainly not of a nature to render the proved by herself, by means of which she had dish popular: no attempt is made to enrich the introduced into the homes of some poor bodies quality by reduction of quantity, or by the ad- she was in the habit of visiting, such substandition of thickening, or savoury herbs, or any tial and cozy meals, that one cannot help thinkother means to the end of making the meal asing that, with the hard and trying winter we gustative as it is wholesome. Soup is the fare of have entered upon, they may be found useful, in meagre times only in the houses of the really the hands of other kind-hearted individuals, to poor, and nothing is done to make it other than other humble housewives. Our first shall be a a mortification. A handful of vegetables indis-receipt for a "beef-steak pie," which is so very criminately chosen, and without reference to proportion or predominance of flavour, or flavour at all, is the only addition to the liquor, unless it be intended to represent pea soup, when this pulse, which is most uncertain in its mode of action, either boils into a mess "thick and slab," or remains in a state of torpor, no matter what length of time, or bruising, or soaking it may receive; in this case every housewife knows the result, and must abominate it, although appliances may be at hand, or may be had for the cost of sixpence, that even under these circumstances would convert the watery prepation into substantial, appetible, full-flavoured

soup.

*

M. Soyer, whose practically active genius, joined to his experience, rendered him so useful to thousands in this country, and tens of thousands in Ireland, during the famine of 1847, when his services were availed of by Government to point out the best mode of economising while supplying food for a famished people, became struck, he tells us in the useful little work to which we are about to refer, by his own want of knowledge of the way in which the poor and humble lived, and feeling that all he had written on the subject of cookery had been for the two classes of society whose wealth gives them carte blanche in the matter of expense, he began to exercise his art in a series of experiments with cheap provisions; and the result is the clever manual referred to, and which is not only of the utmost utility to the poor man's wife, but contains receipts for so

similar to one of M. Soyer's, that, but for the fact of its being in our possession this eighteen months, while the "Shilling Cookery" is a recent publication, we might be accused of borrowing from the great artist, without acknowledgment, though we should think it unfair to borrow from him at all, seeing how cheaply the volume is to be purchased. It is as follows:

Receipt for Beef-steak Pie."-Take a small piece of gravy-beef (or mutton) cut it in little pieces; have ready a deep dish, the size you require, and some well-washed and pared potatoes; put a layer of these in slices at the bottomof your dish, and over them a layer of meat, with some salt and pepper, then another portion of potatoes, and so on, till the dish is full; pour in as much water as will make sufficient gravy, cover with a good paste, and bake till the potatoes are thoroughly done.-N.B. A little shreded onion, or savoury herbs in powder, may be mixed with it if liked; and if a spoonful of mushroom catsup is available, it will be found a great improvement. The dish is so excellent that it might make its appearance at any table, and, when known, be sure of being called for again. Nor is the following receipt for stewing potatoes to be passed by with indifference: such

a dish is worth all the miserable steaks and

chops, hung up to harden and dry before the fire in poor men's kitchens, in a little tin contrivance with three hooks in it:

Stoved, or stewed potatoes."-Have a clean iron pot, or stewpan, with a closely fitting cover; take as many potatoes as your family requires (they should be dry and floury); wash and pare them very carefully; put a layer of them at the bottom of the pot, with a good piece of beef dripping; then cut down a good many onions, and strew some on your potatoes, with pepper and salt;

add more potatoes and onions and seasoning | Cookery " in it than in any other volume on till all are in; you may either put in the dripping altogether, or divide it amongst the other ingredients. Put a good quantity of water, as the potatoes absorb a considerable quantity; and the dish, though not served up with any gravy, should be moist Some of the potatoes should remain pretty whole, but the greater part should be entirely boiled down. Any one partaking of this dish blind-folded, would imagine he was enjoying the remains of an Irish stew.

the subject that we know of. One great point is, that it battles with prejudices, and proves that many excellent portions of the animals used for food are now wasted, simply from imaginary antipathies; as well as that there exists in the vegetable kingdom many plants, important as articles of food, but which are neglected from similar causes. In the days of Queen Elizabeth, when Gerard wrote his Herbal," turnips were sold under the name of "mad nips : " they were supposed to be useful in medicine, but if eat in any quantity to produce phrensy. Nor is it very long since seakale and asparagus, those luxuries of the vegetable world, were redeemed from weed-dom, and promoted to the honours of cultivation, and a

66

We have some other receipts equally good, cheap, and easy of preparation, and which, if desired, we shall have great pleasure in making public; but with these two dishes, or either one of them, one's poorer neighbours might be greatly benefited, and no meal which they composed could be other than a comforta-place at the tables of epicures. According to ble and satisfying one. In the meanwhile, for a large range of such useful knowledge, by means of which our lady readers may prove very efficient benefactors to the poor and needy, we strongly recommend them to M. Soyer's Shilling Cookery," which really merits the name with which we have headed this little article. There is more of the "Common sense of

M. Soyer, the tender tops of nettles are as excellent as spinach, and we have heard it asserted that those of hops are absolutely superior to this vegetable. One species of the dock is edible; and though M. Soyer does not name it, there is little doubt but that the earth-nut might be cultivated with advantage. C. A. W.

PARIS, Nov. 19, 1854.

MY DEAR CThe cold weather has set in here, and the streets are ornamented with a larger than usual amount of mud, making poor pedestrians, like your humble servant, disposed to indulge in feelings of envy and hatred against the rich; those wicked, much and deservedly abused rich, who "ride in their coaches,' trample on the poor," and, in fact, commit many other such heinous offences against those who are "poor, but honest."

99 66

I do not suppose the season will be by any means a gay one. So many are deeply and nearly interested in the goings on at Sebastopol, that the greater number are but little inclined to give balls, or attend them. I hear that the Court will remain in retirement, or, at any rate, in comparative retirement, until after the taking of Sebastopol this subject completely absorbs both public and private interest, and I think this feeling has decidedly increased during the past week.

"Flaminio," Madame Sand's last production, has lately appeared at the Gymnase; I believe this piece is taken from one of her novels, known as "Teverino," with some slight alteration in the details. Here is a sketch of the plot :

Lady Sarah Melville, the widow of an English peer, is travelling in Savoy, accompanied by a certain Comte Gérard, whose attentions she discourages. Gérard is piqued, and, as a sort of vengeance, he determines to introduce to Lady Sarah, Flaminio, a sort of half bandithalf contribandier-of great" personal attraction," besides his physical beauty. Flaminio has a smattering of the sciences, les beaux arts, and is one of nature's gentlemen. Comte Gérard attires him in one of his own suits, and presents him to Lady Sarah Melville and her sister Barbara, a philosophress, and a sportswoman at the same time. The two ladies are charmed with Flaminio, the supposed friend of the Comte Gerard, when, lo! a certain Bitta, a young mountain maid, arrives most inopportunely, and with the utmost naïvete, unmasks the adventurer. What a position for a great lady! The vengeance of Gerard is complete; the ladies are, of course, shocked and indignant. This is the prologue.

In the first act, Flaminio presents himself boldly in the salon of Lady Sarah; the lady at first receives him haughtily, but ere his visit is concluded he rises in her estimation. It appears that Flaminio has been attacked by a most dangerous illness in Savoy; whilst this illness lasted he received the kindest and most devoted care and attention from Barbara, the

sister of Lady Sarah, who, not content with | devotion, throws herself in his arms, and the constituting herself his garde malade, left him, curtain falls. on taking her departure, the sum of a thousand guineas. But Flaminio is poor and proud, and brings the money to Lady Sarah, in order that she may restore it to its rightful owner. Of course this conduct raises Flaminio in the eyes of Lady Sarah, and the enthusiastic Barbara desires to adopt Flaminio and leave him her fortune; but Flaminio's delicacy and pride will not allow of his accepting money: he determines to make a position, and earn a fortune honourably. These sentiments excite admiration, and perhaps a more tender feeling in the bosom of Lady Sarah. At this interesting juncture the Princesse Palmerassi arrives -a princesse who engages artists for theatres, and who wishes to engage Flaminio. Lady Sarah's jealousy is roused, and, unable to conceal her feelings, her manner with the Princesse Palmerassi reveals to Flaminio her affection for him. Of course Flaminio throws himself at her feet, and kisses her hand.

In the second act, Flaminio is represented making des fantoccini for little children, and, in very fine language, he asserts that it is better to work for the amusement of children than to pursue glory-that brilliant illusion. He then opens a book of philosophy, and follows a very interesting, but rather long monologue; happily for the audience arrive Comte Gerard and Bitta; the latter, full of childish naïveté, comes to claim Flaminio's promise. It appears that many years ago, Flaminio had said that when she grew up she should be his wife, and Bitta has considered this an engagement; besides, she says she loves him, and consequently he must love her, which we, who have not the naïveté and innocence of Bitta, know does not always follow.

The noise of carriage wheels is heard, and Lady Melville makes her appearance, accompanied by Barbara. Flaminio has only just time to push Bitta into the adjoining room. During the visit, Flaminio and Lady Sarah, seated side by side, whilst Barbara plays propriety, sing together a sentimental duet; in the midst of which Bitta, unable any longer to command herself, makes her appearance, and what is usually known by the name of a "scene," ensues. This time Lady Sarah and Barbara are offended beyond recall, and take their departure. Poor Flaminio, who certainly is the victim of appearances and the love of Bitta, goes off in despair, with the latter, to Savoy, intending to marry her to some one, in order to free himself from her claims.

At last, in the third act, Bitta is safely married, no matter to whom, but not to Flaminio, who is now a rich engineer and décoré. A certain M. de Bollogrigo, a millionaire, persecutes Lady Sarah with his attentions, in a manner rather animated than respectful. Flaminio, though he no longer loves Lady Sarah, will not stand by and see her insulted. He challenges M. de Bologrigo and they are going to fight; when Lady Sarah, vanquished by this last proof of

A critic, in speaking of this piece, says " It is like a stocking without a garter; on being called on to define his meaning somewhat more clearly, he says-"A stocking without the garter, when it is first put on, is stretched smoothly over the leg; but when the owner has walked a little, it falls by degrees on the heel, producing an effect by no means favourable. So, with Flaminio: in the prologue, everything announces itself well, and the situations are clearly defined; but, act by act, as the piece unfolds itself, the interest falls, till, at the last, Flaminio is in the position of the stocking at its last appearance. The comparison is certainly a familiar one; but there is some truth in it. Madame Rose Chéri is the Lady Sarah of the piece; the character is hardly a natural one, and even Rose Chéri cannot succeed in makin git very interesting.

I hear that M. Scribe has written a piece for the Théâtre Française, entitled "Catherine de Russia." Mademoiselle Rachel is to represent the Russian Empress. Cruvelli has returned to the opera. She has not been to America, nor to Frankfort, nor to Inspruck (though some asplaces), nor to Russia. A witty writer in the Independance Belge says that she never quitted the Batignolles, where she devotes herself, not to the study of her art, but to the process of cleaning her soiled gloves with India-rubber; which is, it appears, a favourite occupation of this lady's. The history of her marriage with the young Baron, with whom she was supposed to have fled, falls to the ground, and Mademoiselle her re-appearance in the

sert that she was seen at the two last-mentioned

Cruvelli makes

If you have any friends or acquaintances about to visit Paris, I would recommend them to provide themselves, on their arrival, with a work which has lately appeared, entitled "Notice sur l'Hotel de Ville de Paris." It is exThe artistic description cessively interesting. tention of visitors, and the historical part is very reveals beauties which too often escape the atwell treated, relating the principal events of which the Hotel de Ville has been the theatre.

The

I had a view of the inside of the Palais d'Industrie a short time ago. Not having seen the Crystal Palace of London, I cannot institute a comparison; but an impartial judge who accompanied me, and who had visited the English one, said that the Palais d'Industrie, though smaller, would be capable of containing more. length is the same. On first entering and looking round the building, it does not give you at all the idea of being as spacious as it really is; but when you see the workmen at the other end looking like tiny dolls, you can then judge of its immense size. Another reason for its producing this effect is, the proportions are so extremely good; and we all know what a difference this makes. I have often heard persons who had visited St. Peter's at Rome, relate the extraordinary effect produced by the magnificent pro

Emperor, his cousin, lately conferred on him a military medal in recognition of his bravery, The Princesse Mathilde, sister of Prince Napoleon, would have been placed in rather a singular position had she not been separated some years ago from her husband, from incompati bility of temper. She is the first cousin of Napoleon III., and her husband (M, Demidoff) is one of the richest of the Emperor Nicholas's subjects.

portions of that building, which tend greatly to | don, one of the residences of his father. The diminish the idea of its size. But to return to the Palais d'Industrie; I imagine that during the summer months the heat will be insupportable, notwithstanding the measures adopted for its ventilation. As there are always alarmists to be found ready to circulate terrifying rumours on any subject, or on all subjects, some of these wise ones declare that so certain are they of the roof falling in, before the exhibition is over, that nothing shall ever tempt them to enter the Palais d'Industrie. Why the roof should thus endanger the lives of some thousands of individuals I cannot pretend to tell you. I do not despair of some one being yet found who will discover a deeplaid scheme of the Emperor's to thus rid himself of certain obnoxious individuals by this means; more, or as, unlikely things have occasionally (not come to pass) but been prophesied, and have even found believers.

Madame Sand's "Histoire de ma Vie" has, by the letters of her father to his mother, which up to the present, been almost entirely taken up them full of interest, and giving a most agreea many people complain of; for my part I find ble idea of M. Maurice Dupin. A subject of great delicacy and difficulty, that of her mother's birth, parentage, and education, and which most women would have tried to get over as slightly as possible, Mdme. Sand has treated with a frankness and courage which I should think must disarm those whom a less straightforward line of defence might have incited to make ill-natured comments. And now, my dear C., I will take my leave of you for the present. Au revoir, then; Je vous serre la main,

And am always faithfully yours,

P

OUR LIBRARY TABLE.

THE FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS OF GREAT BRITAIN. By Anne Pratt. (London: Printed for the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.)-Miss Pratt is so well known by her numerous works on floral, and other subjects connected with the natural history of Great Britain, that her name is a sufficient guarantee for the accuracy of information, and the distinctness, simplicity, and correctness of the present volume, the first of a series on the ever-charming subject of our native Flora. The chief object of the book, we are informed, is " to aid those who have not hitherto studied Botany." And to this end all unnecessary Latin terms have been avoided, so as to render the work available to the humblest student. The fact of Latin being the language of Botany, has hitherto been the great impediment to the spread and culture of this delightful science; the unlearned amateur was met upon the very threshold with the difficulties of the Linnæan classification, and drew back, repelled by a pedantic index to genera and species, which led to little more than a knowledge of names. Miss Pratt has followed the natural system, adapted from Jussieu and De

Candolle, and to the perfecting of which Dr. Lindley has still farther assisted. By this plan, observes our author

The whole vegetable kingdom is divided into three great Classes. These are divided into Subclasses, which are again divided into Orders, and these Orders into Genera, containing Species and Varieties. The last named distinction is not always so obvious as the others, and is one on which botanists often differ, some regarding only as a variety that which others have determined to be a species. A species is a collection of individual plants which resemble each other in all important points, these characters being found constantly in the plants under all circumstances of soil or situation. A variety is a difference which is not permanent nor essential. Thus the colour of a flower, an unusual number of petals, the thorny or smooth condition of its stem, is sufficient only to constitute a variety, because under other conditions of its growth the plant would be likely to lose these peculiarities.

With similar perspicuity and clearness, Miss Pratt goes on to explain the botanical terms used throughout the work, and these are farther simplified by engraved illustrations. Much gossip

with the ancient herbalists is apparent through Generally acceptable, however, as are the punthe volume; Gerard, and Parkinson, and ingent leaves of the watercress, they could excite the later times Miller, have been consulted, and the most painful sensations in the mind of the learned result is a sprinkling of quaint traditions, cu-Scaliger, who used to turn pale at the very sight of rious lore, and pleasant information; an earnest them. They are said by Müller to contain iodine; and the late M. Planché, and other chemists, have sense of the beauty of the subject with which she deals; of the microscopic wonders hidden in their exquisite economies; and a reflection, as it were, of the healthy, upspringing love and gratitude which nature, nearly studied, cannot fail to awaken in the soul of its admirer towards that beneficent Power who everywhere adorns utility with ornament (feasting the eye by that which shall hereafter feed the lips-hanging blue flowers on the useful flax-and crowning bitter medicaments with fairest blossoms) is everywhere apparent. Here is a paragraph ap: pertaining to the Tróllius, or "Globe Flower," called by our gardeners the "Globe Ranunculus," and under this name probably familiar to our readers, many of whom are not likely to have seen it in the mountain districts of which it is native.

proved that they, as well as some other cruciferous plants, contain sulphur. M. Vogel, sen., remarking this fact, thought that as soils distant from volcanoes have not any perceptible traces of sulphur, it is not impossible that plants which are much disposed to assimilate it, may have the property of deriving sulphur from the decomposition of the sulphuric acid of sulphates. M. Vogel, however, found afterwards that seeds, placed in the soil perfectly free from sulphur of sulphates, yielded plants which contained a notable quantity of sulphur; watercresses were of this description; and this chemist states, that 100 grains of watercress seeds contained 0.129 grains of sulphur. He adds that this is a perfect enigma to him, as the growth of the young watercresses took place in a soil devoid of sulphur or sulphates, and in a room which contained no sulphureous vapour. Since the year 1803, the water-cress has been largely cultivated by market-gardeners near London, Paris, Edinburgh, and other large cities; and Loudon mentions a pure stream which runs over chalk, near Rickmansworth, in Hertfordshire, in which one cultivator grows four acres, and sends thence a daily supply to the London market.

One pretty globe-flower is paler in colour than the other species of ranunculus, and its petals are not glossy like theirs, while the numerous stamens often spread around the centre so as almost to hide the petals. Miller tells us that the globe-flowers are gathered in Westmoreland with great festivity by youth of both sexes in the beginning of June; The passage above quoted exhibits how limited and that it is usual to see them return from the a view of the true nature of botany those indiwoods of an evening laden with these blossoms, with viduals possess, who presume the ultimatum of which they make wreaths and garlands to adorn the science to consist in the art of naming and their houses. If this custom is still in existence, it will probably soon be extinct; for the old floral classifying plants, which is in fact the very usages of our country, the flower-strewings, and the humblest branch of it. The true knowledge well-dressings; and the decking of houses and consists in an intimacy with their nature, strucchurches with wreaths, are almost all over now; ture, and qualities, and which yields to no other and even the garlands of Mayday become fewer in interest and utility. We are indebted to the every year. The practice of dressing the "shrine growing knowledge of the laws of vegetable phywhere we kneel in prayer" with funeral or wedding siology, for the vast improvement effected of chaplets, though one of high antiquity, was early late years in horticulture and agriculture, by preached against by the fathers of the church as a which exhausted races of plants are replaced, custom of heathen people; yet in country places it and the crops of our fields and orchards trebled. was long continued; and even a century ago these The more deeply we enter into it, the more of wreaths of flowers were very general. A writer in beauty and wonder it reveals to us; and the the "Gentleman's Magazine," of May, 1747, treatphilosopher, wrapt in his survey of the celestial ing of flower chaplets placed in churches, says :"About forty years ago these garlands grew much phenomena, can hardly be elevated by a more out of repute, and were thought by many to be a profound perception of the majesty and power of very unbecoming decoration for so sacred a place as the Creator; than is revealed to the earnest stuthe church; and at the repairing and beautifying dent of this charmed art. With such feelings of several churches where I have been concerned, I Miss Pratt observeswas obliged, by order of the minister and churchwardens, to take the garlands down; and the inhabitants were strictly forbidden to hang up any more for the future." He adds, however, that wreaths of flowers were long after carried at funerals, and placed on the face of the departed friend. That garlands were general on festive occasions our old poets abundantly testify; but after their discontinuance in churches. their use in every way gradually lessened, till hardly a trace of it remains.

The medicinal and edible qualities of plants, occasionally affords the fair author an opportunity of introducing much interesting information regarding them; thus a reference to the common watercress produces the following pleasant gossip

The time was, when men believed that every plant had its known or unknown virtues, and thought that they honoured the Great Creator by thus believing. But it is proof enough for us of God's goodness, that the flower can charm the eye and elevate the thought; that it can soothe the sorrow or awaken memory; that it can whisper to us a tale of His love and care for the flowers of the field, and a blessed assurance that we and our least concerns are under His watchful eye, and share in His everpresent goodness. And so our walks over hills and meadows, by sea, cliff, or rural stream, shall teach us more of Him by means of his sweetest gifts,

The illustrations (by the hand, we believe, of the writer) are beautifully coloured, and scat