Warmth At Homes

Tho capital Euglisli word confortable which so cñcn puzzles the French, and for which they have do exact equivalent ii the comprehensiva terra that all mistresses of tamil es desiro to fulfil in their housohold. arrangements. Mouses may be rich, elcgaut, fashiouable ; foód may be luxurioüs. and dress costly, and yet eotufort may be wanting, and in thatone want everything is wantcd. In wiuter-time, and dtiring-the keen and variable weathor of oarly spring, in our Northern States the first requisite for comfort is warinth. We need warm house, warm firesides, warm meals, warm plates, warm clothes, warm feet, warm beds, oud warm haarts, to feel for others as well as ourselves. Noaraount af costlines3 in furniture, food or dress will compénsate for the absence of warnoth. All who havo competent means and health can shut out winter aud conquer cold. The doors and window of every dwelling should be made fcee from draughts by the use of strips of vulcanized india-rubber put aloog thecrevioes, or, if that is not available, the oM fashioned method of putting lit, though the fermer is not expenaive, and is far more effeorive. Every room should be ventilated ; bat ventilation does not mean draughts. Twioe at least evorj day, doors and windows skould bo opened, so as to let a current of air through the room ; and. for this parpóse, if people are at nli delicate, they sfrould loare their sitting room a few minutes white it is so refreshed. The fire is both a yentilator and a purifier. It is worth while to attain skill in making up and maintaiuing a good, clear fire. To do this, the asbes under the grate must nevar be allowed to accumulate ; they are Dot only unsightly, but they impede tiw air which ought to riso up under the grate and help combustión. A bright polished, well-kept grate, fender, etc., By reflecting the light and beat, aud raiiating il, thus economizo fucl. There w no question that a iinall, clear fire, in a shiuing Ere-place, throwe out twice the heat that a largo one does where all is iingy and duskj', to say DOthing of the pleasantness of a perfectly neat fireside. It inakes even the poorest room look beerful. Then, baving made the house warm, winter is the time for nice warm dishes at dinner. In summer, cokl meat, with ■alada and otber vegetables, are all very agreeable and bealthful, but in winter there is neitïker comfort nor economy in ia oold dinners. The good housewife studies how to have soups, hashes and taincea to vary her dinners. There are now plenty oí' directious for a great va riety of these in popular cookery books. Erery partiële of cold aieat can be utilized, ano children are very fond of nico minee ana good gravy, served in a raisd dish of mashed pótateos or well-boiled rice, wfcich looks pretty for the table nd is very easily digested and wholeaomo. Tkese, and similar made dishes, neatly coked and Berved, m:ide a smalí joint, w'üich may be the principal dish in a plain dinner, go much further than alarge oce would where thero was no aice sido dieh to help from. No one ■eed be oshamed of economy. Nay, in all times as there will always be poor, waste is a bad thiug to be ashamed of. In oold weather, tea and coöee are aptto be chilled, and then they are spoiled. Eaeh of these beverages, and eocoa lso Bhould be served hot. If peoplo like them cool, tbeycan delay the drinking them. Tho uso of a "coaey," or ■wadded cap, to cover the teapot, is now Try general in England, as well as Scotland. And very pretty, with braid and wool-work, do ladies' hands make these cosies. Keeping the feet warm is not alvrays asy in winter. Children suffer muoh with chilblains. We kcow a lady whose children used to havo chilblaius thut defled all her care. She tried a great variety of remedies to no purpose ; with the winter came the chiblains. Finally, he has fotrnd out a simple preventivo and remedy ia the early stages. The ohild, wheu getting ready for bed, sits by the fireside, and tbc nursemaid dips her hands in cold water and rubs the little feet until they glow with heat. Then tbe little one goes to bed. This protets circuíales the blood. and hardens the kin. It is in reality the plan adoptd in Canada, and other cold countries iSrmild cases of frost-bite. Snow is put on the face or lirab, and the place is rubbed until feeling and warmth are 4uoed -