Would-be Florist(Horticulture).—To be trained in the Nurseries Department of the Horticultural College, Swanley, Kent, would occupy two years for the full course, and would cost not less than £70 a year for board, lodging and tuition. Girls who have done well during the course usually soon obtain posts. Some of these situations are as teachers of gardening at institutions, others as gardeners to private ladies or to lady gardeners. Teachers and gardener companions receive about 25s. a week with board and lodging. As ordinary gardeners they could not expect to receive more than the sum mentioned, with possibly an unfurnished cottage, but no board. Too few women have attempted to grow flowers as a means or livelihood for us to be able to say whether this kind of enterprise is to be recommended; but such success as may attend it will certainly only come to women who have some capital and a disposition to work indefatigably, denying themselves almost all social relaxation. Undoubtedly it is not a business for every girl.Ivy(Needlework).—Some of the large drapers employ ladies in the making of underlinen and children’s clothes. But we should think that in the district from which you write there must be numerous ladies who could employ a needlewoman in repairing and altering dresses. You had better advertise in the leading local paper.Danish Gipsy(Editorial Secretaryship).—Such positions are usually obtained by ladies who have a decided talent for journalism and are active, energetic, and well educated. You are certainly at least four years too young to hope for such an appointment now. But you had better be receiving such an education and training as would qualify you for a secretaryship of any kind when you are grown up. You should study French, German, English history and geography, composition, shorthand, type-writing and book-keeping. If you do all this, by the time you are nineteen or twenty you would have become one of those girls for whom employment societies have no difficulty in finding an engagement. There is no “writers’ union” so far as we are aware. It is possible that the Incorporated Society of Authors, the Institute of Journalists, or the Writers’ Club may be meant. You might find it helpful to join some amateur literary society.Mermaid(Stewardess).—You should call at the offices of the Peninsular and Oriental and the Orient Steamships Companies, and inquire whether there is likely to be any vacancy for a stewardess. The companies, however, generally know of a good many suitable women for such positions. The duties of a stewardess, about which you inquire, are to wait on the lady passengers. A certain amount of experience in hospital nursing is regarded as a strong recommendation.
Would-be Florist(Horticulture).—To be trained in the Nurseries Department of the Horticultural College, Swanley, Kent, would occupy two years for the full course, and would cost not less than £70 a year for board, lodging and tuition. Girls who have done well during the course usually soon obtain posts. Some of these situations are as teachers of gardening at institutions, others as gardeners to private ladies or to lady gardeners. Teachers and gardener companions receive about 25s. a week with board and lodging. As ordinary gardeners they could not expect to receive more than the sum mentioned, with possibly an unfurnished cottage, but no board. Too few women have attempted to grow flowers as a means or livelihood for us to be able to say whether this kind of enterprise is to be recommended; but such success as may attend it will certainly only come to women who have some capital and a disposition to work indefatigably, denying themselves almost all social relaxation. Undoubtedly it is not a business for every girl.
Ivy(Needlework).—Some of the large drapers employ ladies in the making of underlinen and children’s clothes. But we should think that in the district from which you write there must be numerous ladies who could employ a needlewoman in repairing and altering dresses. You had better advertise in the leading local paper.
Danish Gipsy(Editorial Secretaryship).—Such positions are usually obtained by ladies who have a decided talent for journalism and are active, energetic, and well educated. You are certainly at least four years too young to hope for such an appointment now. But you had better be receiving such an education and training as would qualify you for a secretaryship of any kind when you are grown up. You should study French, German, English history and geography, composition, shorthand, type-writing and book-keeping. If you do all this, by the time you are nineteen or twenty you would have become one of those girls for whom employment societies have no difficulty in finding an engagement. There is no “writers’ union” so far as we are aware. It is possible that the Incorporated Society of Authors, the Institute of Journalists, or the Writers’ Club may be meant. You might find it helpful to join some amateur literary society.
Mermaid(Stewardess).—You should call at the offices of the Peninsular and Oriental and the Orient Steamships Companies, and inquire whether there is likely to be any vacancy for a stewardess. The companies, however, generally know of a good many suitable women for such positions. The duties of a stewardess, about which you inquire, are to wait on the lady passengers. A certain amount of experience in hospital nursing is regarded as a strong recommendation.
Margeryinquires why four-wheeled cabs are called “Growlers.” It would be quite reasonable to attribute the name to the loud rumbling noise they make, their construction being of an inferior kind, and the windows ill-fitting. But it is also a fact that “to growl” is an early form of English to denote “to crawl,” and a “crawler” is a name applied to empty vehicles of either two or four wheels, the driver of which is seeking a “fare.” This term “growler” came into use about the year 1860.H. E. B.—In Welsh, a double “l” is pronounced as if preceded by “th,” as “Thlandudno”; but the usual pronunciation of that name in English is “Llandidno.”Water-nymph.—In England, “Rosebud” would have been quite right in entertaining her sister’s friend till her return home; but in a foreign country it may be otherwise, and etiquette might require a young girl to retire from the room after proposing that he should await her sister’s return, and informing him of when it would be, or asking him for any message he might wish to leave. As to the infamous practice of “throwing vitriol in a person’s face,” it is for the purpose of blinding them and burning the face! It may be well to observe that the only way to prevent the burning of the skin from any accidental contact with vitriol, is to wipe it off quickly with adrycloth, and dust the place over with flour or chalk, and carefully avoid the touch of any liquid. In the case of the eyes, we fear nothing could be done, as they are wet.Ethel.—A girl is never “introduced to a gentleman”—it is the reverse. The man should find some remark to make to her, and she has only to reply. You should not say “Good evening” when introduced to each other, and certainly neither should say “I hope you are quite well.” All you have to do when a presentation is made, is to bow and smile pleasantly, and reply to whatever remark he may make, and then say something in the same connection.T. N.—Wear gloves when going to dinner, or any evening reception or entertainment. When to a dinner, you remove them when you sit down to table. We can never promise the publication of an answer at any specified time, although it may be written at once, as the number to be answered is great, and all must await the finding of space.Anxious Inquirer.—In the case you name, our Lord quoted a proverb (St. Matt. xxiv. 28), in explanation of which we will make a quotation from theAnnotated Paragraph Bible, published at our office—“As quickly and surely as the vulture scents out the carcase, so quickly and surely will the ministers of vengeance find out a people ripe for destruction. Where then you see consummate wickedness, you may expect to see speedy and severe punishment.”Motherless.—Your mourning, on both accounts, may be left off now. Your writing is very good. We cannot promise the immediate publication of our answers to correspondents.Marguerite.—You write a nice hand, but you evidently write slowly. We thank you for your kindly expressed opinion of our paper.Piano.—If the keys of your piano have become (not “gone”) brown, rub them with fine “glass-paper,” and then with a chamois leather.Nancy.—A lotion of one-third of sal volatile to two-thirds of water is good for mosquito bites; so also, it is said, is rubbing with a raw onion.Curiosity.—It is by no means necessary that a clergyman, or pastor of any denomination, should ask a girl to work in his parish, or amongst the members of his congregation, previously to making her an offer of marriage!Inquirer.—From your description, we think the coin is a second issue of a gold seven-shilling-piece. It bears a laureated bust, facing to the right, and “Georgivs III. Dei gratia” on the obverse; and on the reverse, a crown with date below, from 1801 to 1813, encircled by the motto, “Britanniarum Rex, Fidei Defensor.” The value of these coins varies from 8s. 6d. to 12s. 6d.B. S. andWattle Blossom.—The mahogany sideboard is probably French-polished, and naturally this would show a white mark, were any heat applied to it. To French-polish again would remove the mark, but nothing else that we are aware of would do so. The hostess simply bows to her chief lady guest to indicate the time for rising from the dinner table.
Margeryinquires why four-wheeled cabs are called “Growlers.” It would be quite reasonable to attribute the name to the loud rumbling noise they make, their construction being of an inferior kind, and the windows ill-fitting. But it is also a fact that “to growl” is an early form of English to denote “to crawl,” and a “crawler” is a name applied to empty vehicles of either two or four wheels, the driver of which is seeking a “fare.” This term “growler” came into use about the year 1860.
H. E. B.—In Welsh, a double “l” is pronounced as if preceded by “th,” as “Thlandudno”; but the usual pronunciation of that name in English is “Llandidno.”
Water-nymph.—In England, “Rosebud” would have been quite right in entertaining her sister’s friend till her return home; but in a foreign country it may be otherwise, and etiquette might require a young girl to retire from the room after proposing that he should await her sister’s return, and informing him of when it would be, or asking him for any message he might wish to leave. As to the infamous practice of “throwing vitriol in a person’s face,” it is for the purpose of blinding them and burning the face! It may be well to observe that the only way to prevent the burning of the skin from any accidental contact with vitriol, is to wipe it off quickly with adrycloth, and dust the place over with flour or chalk, and carefully avoid the touch of any liquid. In the case of the eyes, we fear nothing could be done, as they are wet.
Ethel.—A girl is never “introduced to a gentleman”—it is the reverse. The man should find some remark to make to her, and she has only to reply. You should not say “Good evening” when introduced to each other, and certainly neither should say “I hope you are quite well.” All you have to do when a presentation is made, is to bow and smile pleasantly, and reply to whatever remark he may make, and then say something in the same connection.
T. N.—Wear gloves when going to dinner, or any evening reception or entertainment. When to a dinner, you remove them when you sit down to table. We can never promise the publication of an answer at any specified time, although it may be written at once, as the number to be answered is great, and all must await the finding of space.
Anxious Inquirer.—In the case you name, our Lord quoted a proverb (St. Matt. xxiv. 28), in explanation of which we will make a quotation from theAnnotated Paragraph Bible, published at our office—“As quickly and surely as the vulture scents out the carcase, so quickly and surely will the ministers of vengeance find out a people ripe for destruction. Where then you see consummate wickedness, you may expect to see speedy and severe punishment.”
Motherless.—Your mourning, on both accounts, may be left off now. Your writing is very good. We cannot promise the immediate publication of our answers to correspondents.
Marguerite.—You write a nice hand, but you evidently write slowly. We thank you for your kindly expressed opinion of our paper.
Piano.—If the keys of your piano have become (not “gone”) brown, rub them with fine “glass-paper,” and then with a chamois leather.
Nancy.—A lotion of one-third of sal volatile to two-thirds of water is good for mosquito bites; so also, it is said, is rubbing with a raw onion.
Curiosity.—It is by no means necessary that a clergyman, or pastor of any denomination, should ask a girl to work in his parish, or amongst the members of his congregation, previously to making her an offer of marriage!
Inquirer.—From your description, we think the coin is a second issue of a gold seven-shilling-piece. It bears a laureated bust, facing to the right, and “Georgivs III. Dei gratia” on the obverse; and on the reverse, a crown with date below, from 1801 to 1813, encircled by the motto, “Britanniarum Rex, Fidei Defensor.” The value of these coins varies from 8s. 6d. to 12s. 6d.
B. S. andWattle Blossom.—The mahogany sideboard is probably French-polished, and naturally this would show a white mark, were any heat applied to it. To French-polish again would remove the mark, but nothing else that we are aware of would do so. The hostess simply bows to her chief lady guest to indicate the time for rising from the dinner table.
SAMBO PENWIPERS AND HOW TO MAKE THEM.Lastweek I was left for a whole afternoon to entertain a convalescent child. “No excitement, no tears, noennui.” Such were the difficult directions left me. When the little girl’s mother returned after two hours’ absence she found her rules had been successfully obeyed. Vera was blissfully happy and quietly content. On the table, across her sofa, reposed a whole Sambo family, in the creation of which the afternoon had passed quickly and quietly away.As the task of amusing children is one ever present with a true woman, I just tell our readers how the Sambos were made.I had in my work-basket a twopenny cut of Berlin wool, a skein of scarlet ditto costing one half-penny and a large darning needle.The black skein I divided into three parts (Fig. 1). The double ends were to make the larger figures. The centre piece divided into two small ones.Taking one looped end, I tied a twist of wool tightly round it, one inch lower down I tied another ligature. From either side, two arms were detached and wrists defined. Then, a two-inch body was developed by a belt. The remaining wool was left loose for Mrs. Sambo’s skirt. But, to represent the father of the family, the strands were once more divided and ankles outlined.FIG. 1.Hair was made by simply cutting the top twist and trimming it. Hands and feet were equally carefully snipped. The finishing touch must be given with our scarlet wool. Eyes, nose, mouth, wristlets, waist, neck-ribbon and buttons, are all of this vivid hue.Perhaps the baby Sambos are quaintest of all. Just half the size of their parents with little knots of woolly curls, and tiny frizzy hands.Not the least part of Vera’s delight in her family was the fact that they are all reallypenwipers. Months after the little girl was running about well and jolly. The Sambos did duty on every writing-table in the house, and the four of them only cost twopence half-penny.A MORE ELABORATE SAMBO.Thesefascinating little mannikins have the advantage of being novel, cheap to make, and very attractive at bazaars, where they sell easily for one shilling each, the cost of making being on an average threepence a-piece.The materials required are single Berlin wool, black, scarlet and white, some yellow “topaz jewels,” and a little glittering tinsel or strings of bright beads. A quarter of a pound (one packet) of black Berlin wool makes four men, while the same quantity of scarlet and white equips a whole army, as less of these is used. I utilised the “jewels” and trimmings from two old evening dresses of mine, and in these days of sequin and jewelled passementerie most girls would have some by them without needing to buy.Now as to the making. You take a twopenny or ounce skein of the black Berlin and divide it in half. You next take one half and double it, cutting one end through so that it consists of loose ends of wool, which will presently stand for feet and toes. This is the length of the mannikin. Tie a piece of scarlet wool several times firmly round the middle so as to form a waist. Now take up the other half of the black skein and double it till it is the right length for the arms of the warrior. You cut through both ends of these so as to suggest multitudinous fingers.Having got so far, wind some scarlet wool round your hand twelve or fourteen times. Now take up the black wool that is tied round the middle; divide the uncut end with your fingers (so as to get an equal quantity of black loops on each side), and insert the scarlet loops bodily in the opening thus made, so that they project at the top while they touch the “waist” inside at the bottom.Next thread the black “arms” through the scarlet loops and the body at the waist line so that the arms stick out on each side just above the waist. Tie scarlet wool several times firmly round the whole thing midway between the top-knot and the waist to form a neck just above the “arms.” Close up the opening you made in the black wool at the top, and with a needle threaded with scarlet wool, work a few bold stitches right round the bottom of the scarlet tuft, thus securing the latter and forming a sort of coronet at the same time. This also serves to give some shape to the “head,” which should be as neat and rounded as possible. Cut the scarlet loops through so as to form a top-knot of ends.Next take scarlet wool and tie it firmly round one of the arms at a sufficient distance from the ends to suggest a “wrist,” and wind the scarlet wool smoothly round and round towards the body (so that no black is seen beneath) until you have covered about half the arm, then finish off with a wool-needle so that the wool does not come unwound. Treat the other arm in the same way. The legs also are similarly made, the mass of wool below the “waist” being divided in equal halves and each leg done separately. The ends may have to be gently pulled down and trimmed a little so as to give more shapeliness to the limbs and body, but this must be done according to the artist’s taste and judgment.Now comes the really fascinating part of the work. Thread a wool needle with scarlet Berlin and with this work on the “head” with a few bold stitches eye-brows, nose and open mouth. I generally found three stitches enough for one eye-brow, and the same number for the nose; but here again individual discretion comes into play.Thread another needle with white Berlin and supply the aforesaid open mouth with pearly teeth which need not by any means be regular; indeed you can give “Fuzzy-Wuzzy” an endless variety of expressions according to the direction of your stitches.Take two “topaz jewels” and stitch them firmly with black cotton under the eye-brows, and lastly stitch round his waist sufficient tinsel trimming to form a glittering belt.You wipe your pen on him by the simple process of stabbing the implement into any part you happen to catch hold of first.For bazaars you will find they look best stitched in some sort of order on a large sheet of white cardboard (an old dress-box or its lid does very well) with some inscription and the price printed in large letters over them, and a handle of red tape at the top to hang the cardboard up by.
Lastweek I was left for a whole afternoon to entertain a convalescent child. “No excitement, no tears, noennui.” Such were the difficult directions left me. When the little girl’s mother returned after two hours’ absence she found her rules had been successfully obeyed. Vera was blissfully happy and quietly content. On the table, across her sofa, reposed a whole Sambo family, in the creation of which the afternoon had passed quickly and quietly away.
As the task of amusing children is one ever present with a true woman, I just tell our readers how the Sambos were made.
I had in my work-basket a twopenny cut of Berlin wool, a skein of scarlet ditto costing one half-penny and a large darning needle.
The black skein I divided into three parts (Fig. 1). The double ends were to make the larger figures. The centre piece divided into two small ones.
Taking one looped end, I tied a twist of wool tightly round it, one inch lower down I tied another ligature. From either side, two arms were detached and wrists defined. Then, a two-inch body was developed by a belt. The remaining wool was left loose for Mrs. Sambo’s skirt. But, to represent the father of the family, the strands were once more divided and ankles outlined.
FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Hair was made by simply cutting the top twist and trimming it. Hands and feet were equally carefully snipped. The finishing touch must be given with our scarlet wool. Eyes, nose, mouth, wristlets, waist, neck-ribbon and buttons, are all of this vivid hue.
Perhaps the baby Sambos are quaintest of all. Just half the size of their parents with little knots of woolly curls, and tiny frizzy hands.
Not the least part of Vera’s delight in her family was the fact that they are all reallypenwipers. Months after the little girl was running about well and jolly. The Sambos did duty on every writing-table in the house, and the four of them only cost twopence half-penny.
Thesefascinating little mannikins have the advantage of being novel, cheap to make, and very attractive at bazaars, where they sell easily for one shilling each, the cost of making being on an average threepence a-piece.
The materials required are single Berlin wool, black, scarlet and white, some yellow “topaz jewels,” and a little glittering tinsel or strings of bright beads. A quarter of a pound (one packet) of black Berlin wool makes four men, while the same quantity of scarlet and white equips a whole army, as less of these is used. I utilised the “jewels” and trimmings from two old evening dresses of mine, and in these days of sequin and jewelled passementerie most girls would have some by them without needing to buy.
Now as to the making. You take a twopenny or ounce skein of the black Berlin and divide it in half. You next take one half and double it, cutting one end through so that it consists of loose ends of wool, which will presently stand for feet and toes. This is the length of the mannikin. Tie a piece of scarlet wool several times firmly round the middle so as to form a waist. Now take up the other half of the black skein and double it till it is the right length for the arms of the warrior. You cut through both ends of these so as to suggest multitudinous fingers.
Having got so far, wind some scarlet wool round your hand twelve or fourteen times. Now take up the black wool that is tied round the middle; divide the uncut end with your fingers (so as to get an equal quantity of black loops on each side), and insert the scarlet loops bodily in the opening thus made, so that they project at the top while they touch the “waist” inside at the bottom.
Next thread the black “arms” through the scarlet loops and the body at the waist line so that the arms stick out on each side just above the waist. Tie scarlet wool several times firmly round the whole thing midway between the top-knot and the waist to form a neck just above the “arms.” Close up the opening you made in the black wool at the top, and with a needle threaded with scarlet wool, work a few bold stitches right round the bottom of the scarlet tuft, thus securing the latter and forming a sort of coronet at the same time. This also serves to give some shape to the “head,” which should be as neat and rounded as possible. Cut the scarlet loops through so as to form a top-knot of ends.
Next take scarlet wool and tie it firmly round one of the arms at a sufficient distance from the ends to suggest a “wrist,” and wind the scarlet wool smoothly round and round towards the body (so that no black is seen beneath) until you have covered about half the arm, then finish off with a wool-needle so that the wool does not come unwound. Treat the other arm in the same way. The legs also are similarly made, the mass of wool below the “waist” being divided in equal halves and each leg done separately. The ends may have to be gently pulled down and trimmed a little so as to give more shapeliness to the limbs and body, but this must be done according to the artist’s taste and judgment.
Now comes the really fascinating part of the work. Thread a wool needle with scarlet Berlin and with this work on the “head” with a few bold stitches eye-brows, nose and open mouth. I generally found three stitches enough for one eye-brow, and the same number for the nose; but here again individual discretion comes into play.
Thread another needle with white Berlin and supply the aforesaid open mouth with pearly teeth which need not by any means be regular; indeed you can give “Fuzzy-Wuzzy” an endless variety of expressions according to the direction of your stitches.
Take two “topaz jewels” and stitch them firmly with black cotton under the eye-brows, and lastly stitch round his waist sufficient tinsel trimming to form a glittering belt.
You wipe your pen on him by the simple process of stabbing the implement into any part you happen to catch hold of first.
For bazaars you will find they look best stitched in some sort of order on a large sheet of white cardboard (an old dress-box or its lid does very well) with some inscription and the price printed in large letters over them, and a handle of red tape at the top to hang the cardboard up by.
FOOTNOTES:[1]The great minister of King Henri Quatre.
FOOTNOTES:
[1]The great minister of King Henri Quatre.
[1]The great minister of King Henri Quatre.
[Transcriber’s Note—The following changes have been made to this text:Page 326: bicyling to bicycling—“hour’s bicycling”.]