THE RECREATIONS OF MR. THEODORE TREMOR. 7 which Mr. O'Callaghan and seventy-five Frenchmen were lodged, and calculated, that if the fire were not reduced, that part of the hotel would be soon in flames, and feared that my pleasant friend might even then be in danger from the devouring ele our bottle of Rhine wine diminished. I heard a call for bottles of champagne ;"Bring me one," said I. Corks flew, and in a short time my companion and I had finished our supplementary bottle, and he, by way of illustrating the habits of his country-an Irishman is never to be out-ment. Jam proximus ardet O'Callaghan*— done in hospitality-insisted on my partaking with him of a bottle of Johannisberg, by way of appendix. After this potation, which was not concluded until every Frenchman had vanished, we became excellent friends, and, fortified by it, we sallied forth as brothers in affection, to the Karsaal gardens and its gambling salons. Excited by wine what will not a bottle or two effect in the case of a nervous man?-I staked ten-florin gold pieces at the rouge et noir table often enough to lose twenty florins, which, by the way, I entered in my diary, for Mrs. Tremor's inspection, as expended in fees to physicians, and for medicine during a period of illness which I have yet to record. I had sufficient sense to retire from the gaming-table, without further loss, under the guidance of my friend, who did not stay. We shook hands at my hotel and parted. I felt that something should be done: I therefore packed up all the articles of dress that were lying about my room in a very disorderly manner-quite different from that in which Mrs. Tremor would have laid them: I put shirts and shoes, trousers and brushes, and a wet sponge and my diary in close contact; yet after I had crammed, and locked, and strapped my trunk, I found that many odds and ends had been left out. These, though bulky, in extreme agitation I stuffed into the pockets of the three coats that I put on. I then rushed down stairs in search of a porter; and finding the front door open, and no person in the way, I crossed over to the scene of devastation, and was instantly seized by an officer among the firemen, who placed me in a long file of men, who were ranged to convey water in buckets for the engines. The law requires that every person who goes into the street on such occasions should assist in subduing the fire. I could not plead exemption, and, therefore, from two to five o'clock, A.M., I stood panting and perspiring under the weight of my three coats and their varied contents, passing bucket after bucket of water from the men below to those above me; nor was I permitted to return to my hotel until the fire was totally extinguished. I then sneaked up stairs to bed, to the astonishment of the servants, who could not conjecture for what purpose I had gone out with loaded pockets. Jaded by the occurrences of the day, I soon fell asleep, and, dreaming of the heaps of gold and silver I had seen that night, was in imagination stretching forth my hands to clutch the glittering coin, when a loud and frequent cry, which sounded like "Fire! fire!" and a heavy tramp of feet on the pavement, awoke me to the realities of my situation. The church-bell tolled, yet no stir was audible in the house, and I was in the most torturing perplexity, while the pulsation of my heart and the throbbing of my temples were almost insupportable. I started up, and perceived from the window soldiers and other men in white woollen jackets moving to and fro. I looked at the opposite side of the street, and perceived a dense volume of smoke, from which a stream of fire burst forth. At noon I arose, and thinking it would I contemplated this with anxious eyes be wise to pursue my course of baths, and trembling limbs, and thought I might after having undergone such fatigue and be suffocated where I stood. The people exhaustion, repaired in search of a brunnen. of the hotel seemed to be asleep. II found out a large establishment of the might not have time to pack up my kind, went in, made a signal to express my clothes and myself before the flames reached me. I looked to the blazing house, which formed part of the vast hotel in When sober citizens were leaving their beds and enjoying the freshness of the morning, I was going to mine, after the recreations of the night, harassed in mind and body. The English pronounce this name very like calegon. rosy wishes, and was immediately shut up in a small apartment containing a bath. I had hardly descended into it when I experienced the sensation of scalding. Through some unaccountable mistake I was allowed to take my bath at the natural temperature of the water, namely, one hundred and fiftyfour degrees Fahrenheit. My agony was intense; I felt, I suppose, as a lobster feels when put into hot water: with similar muscular effort I clawed, kicked, and splashed until I got out of the bath, "celestial red!" I shouted out "Sheet! sheet! sheet!" to the servant, who could not conceive it possible that my bathing had already terminated. She half-opened the door, and slipped in a sheet as I sat on the steps of the bath, quivering with pain and vexation. I was, in fact, very severely scalded, and I suffered such torture as to be almost unable to put on my clothes. I was afterwards laid up for many days in my bed, wrapped in oiled cotton. To increase my irritation, I found there were baths in my own hotel, close to my bed-room, and that I could have engaged one there without trouble or mishap. Here my miseries terminated. During my convalescence Mr. O'Callaghan showed me the utmost kindness and attention. To complete my satisfaction, I encountered my old and valued friends, Mr. and Mrs. Ragoon, from whom I received such tokens of unaffected hospitality as rendered my subsequent stay at Wiesbaden quite delightful. How much the capacity of enjoyment depends upon our health! After I had been some time at Wiesbaden I became a new creature at least I got a new skin: and the improvement of my physical was not greater than that of my mental condition. I took baths, drank of the springs, and made excursions. From the vicissitudes I had experienced in my recreations, I, who had been before timid, shy, and retiring, was now almost confident and bold, and made my way fearlessly. After a few weeks' sojourn in this charming place, my health being established, the time of my departure arrived. I bade adieu to my friends, and embarked at Biberich on my homeward route, borne along under a cloudless sky, amidst the most lovely scenery. My upward voyage on the Rhine I had thought wearisome and tedious; my return was almost too rapid. In my bird-like flight I had not time to pause upon the successive beauties that burst upon my delighted eyes, now thoroughly open to every picturesque object. I could have alighted at every old castle, and soared to the top of every hill, as I skimmed along the majestic river, "Rich with the spoils of time." ment of the scene, and almost fancied gave myself entirely up to the enchantmyself in Fairy-land. I did not find in Cologne the seventy-two unsavoury smells which Coleridge does not enumerate, but which he asserts he inhaled. The summer heat had passed away, and the air had been purified by recent rain; to me the whole city was redolent of the delicious essence distilled there. I pursued my journey to Calais, and rested not until I reached my HOME. How much is conveyed by that touching word! Everything was unchanged but myself: I brought home affections as warm and strong as ever, but I did not bring home the spirit of a recluse, otherwise, gentle Reader, I should not have the courage to lay before you the Recreations of Theodore Tremor. MARRIAGE. THERE is nothing delights me more, (says Dr. Forbes Winslow), than to enter the neat little tenement of the young couple, who within perhaps two or three years, without any resources but their own knowledge or industry, have joined heart and hand, and engaged to share together the responsibilities, duties, interests, trials, and pleasures of life. The industrious wife is cheerfully employing her own hands in domestic duties, putting her house in order, or mending her husband's clothes, or preparing the dinner, whilst, perhaps, the little darling sits prattling on the floor, or lies sleeping in the cradle, and everything seems preparing to welcome the happiest of husbands, and the best of fathers, when he shall come from his toil to enjoy the sweets of his little paradise. This is the true domestic pleasure. Health, contentment, love, abundance, and bright prospects are all here. HOW TO MAKE HOME COMFORTABLE. HOW TO MAKE HOME THE HOUSE. How can our "Home Thoughts" be better employed than in endeavouring to make home comfortable ? Comfortable! How extensive and yet how concentrated is the signification of that good and thoroughly English word! What visions does it call up of snug rooms, warm carpets, and easy chairs, and parties carrées enlivened by the intercourse of friendship, and the still dearer ties of HOME! What recollections of the bright faces of childhood, the joyous ringing laugh, the merry voices, now calling to each other, now hushed as, with charmed ear and open wondering eye, they gather round grandmamma's armchair, listening with breathless attention to the story of "Jack the Giant-killer," "Robin Hood," or some of the thousand and one legends with which in days gone by the ears of youth were delighted, and their imaginations warmed and dazzled. But grandmamma's active life is over, while that of the children is just commenced; the quiet and tranquil close of the one, and the happy mental and physical development of the other depend not only on the watchful affection, but on the judicious management, the sterling commonsense and tact of those who, by their years and the relationship they bear to both parties, constitute the connecting link between them. Will it be thought out of place if we devote a few words to the consideration of how to make home comfortable? We presume upon the reader's acquiescence, and venture without further preface to make the following observations: To make home comfortable several conditions are requisite: a pleasant situation, a convenient house, good furniture, and happy faces within doors. The first three exercise much influence over the last; we proceed to show in what respect. The terms we have used are comprehensive, we must define them more accurately. To commence, then, in order with the selection of the site for a house. We will suppose that a young couple, of limited means, just about to commence housekeeping, "When love is young, and hope is bright, " are looking for a residence. We will suppose that they are not limited to a particular locality, or rather to a particular district. The first consideration then would be a dry soil, either chalky or gravelly. From the porous nature of these soils, the rain water, instead of accumulating as it does in clayey soils, filters through them, and leaves the surface dry; whereas in clay soils the contrary effect takes place : the clay being impervious to water prevents its escape by percolation, and the water stands on it until it is dried up by evaporation. It is almost unnecessary to remark that the constant moisture caused by this evaporation is not favourable to health. If a clay soil be unavoidable, it should be ascertained that it is well drained. Having selected the soil, the next consideration is the situation of the house. In this, as in the former case, damp is to be avoided. The summit or side of a hill is preferable to the base, and this for more reasons than one. The vicinity of rivers, though agreeable to the eye, is not the most healthy situation. The low ground around them is not only damp from the draining of the higher grounds, but it is also more subject to fogs and malaria. The neighbourhood of ponds and stagnant water is of course still more objectionable. Cholera and fevers are known to have followed in many cases the courses of rivers, and to have avoided those places which were situated on higher ground, and which were well drained. The Report of the Commissioners of Enquiry into the Quarantine Laws relates some interesting facts connected with the progress of the cholera, which is emphatically said by Dr. Sutherland to be "no respecter of classes, but a great respecter of localities." It appears that, other things being equal, its ravages were more fatal on the low grounds at the mouths of rivers; where the ground rose ten, fifteen, or twenty feet the attacks were less severe; and with every rise of the ground both the virulence of the disease and the number of victims diminished; while places situated at a certain height, namely, fifty feet-if our memory serves 10 HOW TO MAKE HOME COMFORTABLE. air to pass through it occasionally; it is highly desirable, therefore, that a piece of garden ground, or, at least, a yard, however small, should be attached to the back of the house. us aright-escaped the attack altogether. as more airy by suffering a current of These facts, we consider, prove sufficiently the importance of selecting a high and dry situation for a residence. If the vicinity of rivers is in general to be avoided, open ditches are still more to be shunned; these, it is well known, are the constant resort of fevers. The same reasons will caution us to avoid fixing our abode in the immediate neighbourhood of a burial-dition; that a plentiful supply of water has ground. Light is almost as essential as air to the human race, as well as to the vegetable creation. Plants excluded from light grow up colourless. Celery, endive, and seakale, in the state they are brought to table, are familiar instances-they are bleached by the exclusion of light. The pale and sickly faces of those who live in dark houses and dark close streets, show that the same effect is produced upon them by the exclusion of the light of heaven, and the genial influence of the sun. A room with a northern aspect is pleasant only in extremely warm weather. A house will be more healthy in which every room is in its turn warmed and lighted by the sun. It is not only warmer and drier, out the rays of the sun have also a chemical influence on the frame, by which the general health is promoted. They have, moreover, a moral influence, which is no less conducive to health; from "The motes that dance in the sunbeam," to beings of the highest organization, all feel and acknowledge their cheering effects; old men and invalids love to sit in the genial sunshine, children love to play in it, while dogs and cats luxuriate in its warmth. It will be understood, then, that a house should face east and west rather than north and south. A south-east aspect is, however, generally considered the best, for this has more sun, and is less exposed to the cold winds than a situation which faces due east. As we presume our "Home Thoughts" will be read in the country as well as in town, we suggest that a plentiful supply of good water should always be within reach of the house. The site being thus carefully selected, there will, with ordinary care, be little to fear from damp. We may, however, observe that a house is rendered drier as well We will now suppose that the young couple have engaged their house; that the drains are ascertained to be in good con been laid on; and that there are no smoky chimneys-this may generally be known by examining the state of the mantelpieces and the ceiling, if the house has not been recently painted. The next step will be the selection of convenient stovegrates; and the decoration, that is to say, the papering and painting, of the house. We are aware that it is seldom in the power of a tenant to exercise his own choice in these particulars, we shall, however, hazard a few observations on these points. The subject of kitchen-grates may be dismissed in a few words. The great improvements that are almost daily being made with regard to them will render nearly useless the experience of old housekeepers. One thing, however, we would remark in reference to kitchen-ranges fitted up with oven and boiler, the latter of which is, by means of a cistern and ball-cock, kept constantly full. This arrangement, though extremely convenient, is not economical, inasmuch as when the warm water is drawn off, its place is supplied with cold, which so lowers the general temperature of the water in the boiler, that in order to have a regular supply of warm water a larger fire is necessary than would be requisite under other circumstances. Grates in sitting-rooms should be placed low, in order to warm the lower strata of air, and should not be set far back. The taste for ornament, which appears to be one of the most striking characteristics of the times, has extended itself to this branch of hardware manufacture. The new grates exhibited in the Crystal Palace were remarkable for the variety and extent of their decoration. Now we appeal to the good sense of our readers to determine whether, considering the purposes to which they were to be applied, and the smoke and dust which are the inseparable accompaniments, it is possible that ornament · AUSTRALIA. could have been more misapplied. As regards the ménage of our young couple, these highly ornamented stoves would be particularly inappropriate, for, on account of the intricacy and relief of the ornamentation, not only would more time be con'sumed in cleaning, but more skill would be required in the servant. As a general rule, the plainer most articles of furniture are, the more easily are they kept clean and bright. AUSTRALIA. 11 THE various reports that reach us from time to time respecting our antipodal brethren-those distant denizens of the Australian gold-fields-seem to mingle with everything that belongs to us and ours, of whatever character. To trade in precious metals holds out a glittering perspective to the adventurer, and no class is If the house is situated in a town, and exempt from the allurement; and now, it especially in a street where it is frequently would be almost impossible to give an overshadowed by other houses, it becomes adequate idea of the flight of ardent spirits important to preserve as much light as that are now winging their way to the possible. In the country, where the light far-off regions of abundance; while the is less interrupted, this is of minor im- hazard, toil, and privations of such an unportance. Light surfaces reflect light, dertaking are scarcely brought into condark ones absorb it; it is evident, there- sideration. "Talk of danger and toil," fore, that rooms will be lighter in which says the hardy labourer to his fellows, the walls are of a light colour, as these "listen to the Government Report, that, reflect the rays of light from all points. the first year of the Australian gold minDark papers, on the contrary, are not only ing, ending in May, 1852, found us with darker and more gloomy by day, but more £3,600,000 exported to England! Who candles are required to light them up at so foolish as to remain here with cramped night. On this account light papers, be- means, when, by going out to the goldsides being more cheerful, are more econo- fields, he could speedily earn a sufficient mical. It is a mistaken notion to suppose competence?" And in this way one santhat dark papers are to be preferred to guine aspiration creates another; the result light ones, because they show the dirt is apparent to every one, but the history less. It is true that they actually show the of the adventurers will be food for chrodirt less, but they are not less dirty in niclers yet unborn. The early settlers in reality. The dirt is there, although, from distant colonies have ever furnished a theme the obscurity of the paper and the room, for the descriptive crayon of the historian it is not visible. We do not hesitate to and novelist; but the emigration gold fever, say, that a light paper will look as well at that has drawn away vast numbers from the end of seven years as a dark one. It every nation under the sun-all eager to is settled, then, that the walls of our rooms clutch the "shining mischief," is unpaand staircase are to be covered with light ralleled in the romantic history of real papers; the paint also is to be light. The life, and abounding with instructive naractual colour and the style of this decora- rative, where matter-of-fact brings its own tion should be the next consideration. lights and shadows. M. R. M. SEEK for your daughters an interest and an occupation which shall raise them above the flirt, the manœuvrer, or the mischiefmaking tale-bearer. If you keep your girls' minds narrow and fettered, they wil! be a plague and a care, sometimes a disgrace to you; but cultivate them, give them scope and work, they will be your gayest companions in health, your tenderest nurses in sickness, your most faithful props in age. Shirley. The consideration that claims paramount attention when men transplant themselves to such a distant region is, that the very order of things which to them have become almost part of their existence, are not only different in the minor particulars of a social and domestic nature, but, the leading features of natural and artificial life are so metamorphosed, that the emigrant seems to have entirely passed into another existence. We are particularly interested in taking this view of the subject, by a perusal of Lieut.-Col. Mundy's account of the Antipodal Christmas; or, what |