Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. 42, January, 1851 by Various

V >> Various >> Godey\'s Lady\'s Book, Vol. 42, January, 1851

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

THE VALLEY FARM; _or, the Autobiography of an Orphan_. Edited by Charles J.
Peterson, author of "Cruising in the Last War," &c. A work sound in morals
and abounding in natural incident.

RESEARCHES ON THE MOTION OF THE JUICES IN THE ANIMAL BODY, AND THE EFFECTS
OF EVAPORATIONS IN PLANTS; _together with an Account of the Origin of the
Potatoe Disease, with full and Ingenious Directions for the Protection and
Entire Prevention of the Potatoe Plant against all Diseases_. By Justus
Liebig, M.D., Professor of Chemistry in the University of Giessen; and
edited from the manuscript of the author, by William Gregory, M.D., of the
University of Edinburgh. A valuable treatise, as its title sufficiently
indicates.

* * * *

From PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & Co., Boston, through T.B. PETERSON,
Philadelphia:--

A PEEP AT THE PILGRIMS IN SIXTEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX. _A Tale of Olden
Times._ By Mrs. H.V. Cheney. Those who feel an interest in the records and
monuments of the past, and who desire to study the characteristics of the
Pilgrim Fathers, and Pilgrim Mothers and Daughters, will not fail to avail
themselves of the graphic delineations presented to them in this
entertaining volume.

SHAKSPEARE'S DRAMATIC WORKS. No. 25. Containing "Troilus and Cressida,"
with a very fine engraving.

* * * *

From JOHN S. TAYLOR, New York, through T.B. PETERSON, Philadelphia:--

LETTERS FROM THE BACKWOODS AND THE ADIRONDAC. By the Rev. J.T. Headley.
Also,

THE POWER OF BEAUTY. By the same author. Illustrated editions.

* * * *

From LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, Philadelphia:--

MOSAIQUE FRANCAISE: _ou Choix De Sujets Anecdotiques, Historiques,
Litteraires et Scientifiques, tires pour La Plupart D'Auteurs Modernes_.
Par F. Seron, Homme de lettres, l'un des redacteurs du Journal Francaise;
Les Monde des enfans, Revue Encyclopedique de la jeunesse de 1844 a 1848,
etc.; Professeur de Langue et de Litterature Francaise a Philadelphie.

This work appears to have been compiled with great care, from works by the
best French authors. Every subject has been carefully excluded that could
in any manner wound or bias the preconceived opinions of the American
reader in relation to religious or political freedom.

* * * *

From HARPER & BROTHERS, New York, through LINDSAY & BLAKISTON,
Philadelphia:--

MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D., LL.D. By his
son-in-law, the Rev. Wm. Hanna, LL.D. The appearance of the second volume
of these memoirs will be hailed with pleasure by the admirers of Dr.
Chalmers, whose reputation as a Christian minister, and as a writer of
extraordinary beauty and power, has long preceded these volumes.

GENEVIEVE; _or, the History of a Servant Girl_. Translated from the French
of Alphonse de Lamartine. By A.A. Seoble.

ADDITIONAL MEMOIRS OF MY LIFE. By A. De Lamartine.

THE PICTORIAL FIELD BOOK OF THE REVOLUTION. No. 8. This excellent and
patriotic work fully sustains the spirit and interest that marked its
commencement.

* * * *

From the PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, New York, through A.
HART, Philadelphia:--

THE OLD MAN'S HOME. By the Rev. William Adams, M.A., author of the "Shadow
of the Cross," &c. With engravings, from designs by Weir. Sixth American
edition. An affecting tale, written in a familiar style, and peculiarly
calculated to impress upon the youthful mind the importance of those moral
and religious truths which it is the aim of the author to inculcate.

* * * *

From GOULD, KENDALL & LINCOLN, Boston, through DANIELS & SMITH,
Philadelphia:--

THE PRE-ADAMITE EARTH: _Contributions to Theological Science_. By John
Harris, D.D., author of "The Great Teacher," &c. The present volume is the
"third thousand," which we presume to mean the "third edition," revised and
corrected, of this work, which may be considered a successful effort to
reconcile the dogmas of theology with the progress of philosophy and
science. The style of the author is argumentative and eloquent, evincing
great knowledge and zeal in the development of the interesting subjects
connected with his treatise.

RELIGIOUS PROGRESS: _Discourses on the Development of the Christian
Character_. By William R. Williams. Comprising five lectures originally
prepared for the pulpit, and delivered by their author to the people under
his charge. These lectures are chaste and graceful in style, and sound and
vigorous in argument.

* * * *

From TICKNOR, REED & FIELDS, Boston.

BIOGRAPHICAL ESSAYS. By Thomas De Quincey, author of "Confessions of an
English Opium Eater," etc. This is the second volume of Mr. De Quincey's
writings, now in course of publication. It contains biographical sketches
of Shakspeare, Pope, Charles Lamb, Goethe, and Schiller, accompanied by
numerous notes, which, with the author's acknowledged taste, will give a
new interest to these almost familiar subjects.

ASTRAEA. _The Balance of Illusions._ A poem delivered before the Phi Beta
Kappa Society of Yale College, August 14, 1850, by Oliver Wendell Holmes.
This poem contains many beautiful gems, interspersed with some satirical
descriptions of men and manners, which prove Mr. Holmes to be a caustic as
well as an amusing writer.

* * * *

NEW MUSIC.

We have received from Mr. Oliver Diston, No. 115 Washington Street, Boston,
a collection of beautiful music, got up in his usual taste.

_The Prima Donna Polka._ By Edward L. White.

_The German Schottisch._ By T.S. Lloyd. And

_The Starlight Polka._ Three excellent polkas, with music enough in them to
draw the proper steps from every heel and toe in the land.

_Oh, Come to the Ingleside!_ A sweet ballad by Eliza Cook, the music by
W.H. Aldridge.

_A Mother's Prayer._. By J.E. Gould.

_The Araby Maid._ By J.T. Surenne.

_Old Ironsides at Anchor lay._ One of Dodge's favorite songs, the words by
Morris, the music by B. Covert.

_A Little Word._ By Niciola Olivieri (!).

_The Parting Look._ Words by Henry Sinclair, music by Alex. Wilson.
Embellished by a fine lithograph.

_The Dying Boy._ Another of Dodge's favorite songs. The words are by Mrs.
Larned, and the music by Lyman Heath. This song has also a fine engraving.

Mr. Diston has also commenced the publication of Beethoven's Sonatas for
the piano forte, from the newly revised edition, published by subscription
in Germany.

* * * *

MESSRS. LEE & WALKER, No. 162 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, are now
publishing "_Lindiana_," a choice selection of Jenny Lind's songs, with
brilliant variations by the untiring Chas. Grobe. The first is the "Dream."
In the hands of Professor Grobe, we cannot doubt the entire success of the
enterprise. The series is dedicated to "our musical editor," who fully
appreciates the compliment and returns his sincere thanks.

* * * *

Our old friend Mr. James Conenhoven, associated with Mr. Duffy, has opened
a new music store at No. 120 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. From Mr. C.'s
known taste and knowledge of the business, we anticipate his entire
success, and cheerfully recommend our friends to make his early
acquaintance in his new career. They have sent us the _Silver Bell Waltz_,
by Mr. Conenhoven himself, and _Solitude_, a beautiful song by Kirk White,
the music by John Daniel. Both are very handsomely got up, and are valuable
accessions to a musical portfolio.

* * * *

OUR TITLE-PAGE.--Those who are fond of Fashions other than colored will be
gratified with our title-page, which contains at least fifty figures.

* * * *

PRINTING IN COLORS.--We give another specimen in this number, of printing
in colors from a STEEL plate. We believe that we have the only artisans in
this country that can do this kind of fancy work. The present specimen,
which we are willing to contrast with any other plate in any magazine for
this month, is entirely of American manufacture.

* * * *

We will send a copy of the November and December numbers of the Lady's
Book, containing the Lord's Prayer and the Creed, gratis, to any religious
publication with which we do not exchange, if it will signify a wish to
have them.

* * * *

NEW-YEAR'S DAY IN FRANCE.--All who have visited this gay country at the
season of the holidays, will be struck with the graphic power displayed by
our artist in the plate that graces the present number.

* * * *

ORIGINAL DESIGNS.--The four principal plates in this number, viz., The
Constant, The Four Eras of Life, The Four Seasons, and The Double Fashion
Plate, as well as several of the wood engravings, are from original
designs. This originality has never before been attempted in any magazine
of any country. We do not remember an instance of the kind in any of the
English annuals. It is our intention to be ever progressive. Our original
designs last year were numerous: among them the never-to-be-forgotten
Lord's Prayer and Creed. "The Coquette," the match plate to "The Constant,"
will appear in the March number. It will be seen by this number that we are
able to transcend anything we have yet presented. Our Book, this year,
shall be one continuous triumph. As we have only ourselves for a rival, our
effort will be to excel even the well-known versatility and beauty which
our Book has always exhibited.

* * * *

PROFESSOR BLUMENTHAL.--We omitted to include among our list of contributors
this gentleman's name. It was an oversight; but the professor shows, by his
article in this number, that he has not forgotten us.

* * * *

ARTHUR'S STORY.--With but one exception, Mr. Arthur writes for his own
paper alone. The story in this number will amply repay a careful perusal.
It will be completed in the March number.

* * * *

T. S. ARTHUR'S HOME GAZETTE.--In our acquaintance with newspaperdom, as
Willis would say, which extends over a period of twenty-two years, the
history of this paper is the most singular of any in our recollection.
Ample capital was provided to meet any exigency that might arise; but,
strange to say, not a penny of it has been used. But we were too hasty;
for, when we consider who is its editor, it must be confessed it is _not_
strange. The paper has paid for itself from the start. Perhaps another
instance of the kind lives not in the memory of that well-known person,
"the oldest inhabitant." Mr. Arthur now counts his subscribers by
thousands, nearly by tens of thousands. The rush for it has been
unexampled--so much so as to make it necessary to reprint early numbers,
and even to telegraph for extra supplies of paper, so rapidly has it been
exhausted. Mr. Arthur has struck a vein that will render a voyage to
California entirely useless to him. His advertisement will be found in this
number.

* * * *

We will mention one fact, and our subscribers will see the remon of it. We
give no preference as regards the first impressions from the plates. If a
plate wears in the printing, we have it retouched, so that all may have
impressions alike. With our immense edition, the greatest ever known, this
we find sometimes necessary.

* * * *

On reference to our advertisement in this number, it will be seen what is
in store for the subscribers to Godey. When we announce the fact that the
plates are engraved in the same style as those they have seen, "The Lord's
Prayer," "The Evening Star," "The Creed," "We Praise Thee, O God," and
those contained in the present number, they will conclude that a rich treat
is to be obtained for the trifling outlay of $3. Would it not be a
convenient method, where it is difficult to obtain a club of five
subscribers, to remit us $10 for a club of five years? Any person remitting
$10 in advance, will be entitled to the Lady's Book five years. We cannot
forbear inserting the following notices:--

"The Lady's Book is the best, most sociable, and decidedly the richest
magazine for truth, virtue, and literary worth now published in this
country."--_Indiana Gazette._

"In matter of sentiment, and light literature, and elegant embellishments
of useful and ornamental art, Godey's Lady's Book takes the lead of all
works of its class. We have seen nothing in it offensive to the most
fastidious taste."--_Church Quarterly Review and Ecclesiastical Reporter_.

"We find it difficult, without resorting to what would be thought downright
hyperbole, to express adequately the admiration excited by the appearance
of this last miracle of literary and artistic achievement."--_Maine Gospel
Banner_.

The above are unsolicited opinions from grave authorities.

* * * *

NEW MATTER FOR THE WORK TABLE.--The ladies will perceive that they have
been well cared for in this number. We again give, for their benefit, two
new styles of work, "The Chenille Work," and "Knitted Flowers".

THE HAIR WORK will be continued in our next number.

* * * * *

BLITZ HAS ARRIVED.--What joy this will carry into the minds of the young!
Blitz, the conjurer, the kind-hearted Blitz, who dispenses his sugar things
amongst his young friends with such a smile--and they are real sugar
things, too; they don't slip through your fingers, except in the direction
of your mouth, like many of the things he gives the young folks to hold--is
at his old quarters, the Lecture-room at the Museum.

* * * *

A.B. WARDEN, at his jewelry and silver ware establishment, S.E. corner of
Fifth and Chestnut streets, has an immense variety of beautiful and
valuable presents for the season. He is the sole agent for a new style of
watch lately introduced into this country, approved by the Chronometer
Board at the Admiralty, in London, which is warranted. Orders by mail,
including a description of the desired article, will be attended to.

* * * *

The Weber Minstrels is the title assumed by some gentlemen of this city,
who intend to give concerts here and elsewhere. We commend them to our
friends of the press in the various places they may visit. We can speak
confidently of their singing; and we arc sure that, wherever they go, their
manners as gentlemen and their talent as singers will commend them to
public favor.

* * * *

FROM OUR MUSICAL EDITOR.

BERKSHIRE HOTEL, _Pittsfield, Mass._, _Sept. 22, 1850._

MY DEAR GODEY.--You know I do not often _brag_ of _Hotels_, and it is
perhaps out of the line of the "Book." But, in this particular instance, I
know you will excuse me, when I write of a spot in which you would delight.
I wish, in the first place, to introduce you to MR. W.B. COOLEY, the
perfect pink of landlords, wearing a polka cravat and a buff vest,
externally; but he has a heart in his bosom as big as one of the Berkshire
cattle. If you ever come here--and by _you_, I mean the 100,000 subscribers
to the Lady's Book, don't go anywhere else, for _here_ you will find a
home--a regular New England _home_. His table is magnificent--his beds and
rooms all that any one could ask; and his friendly nature will make you
perfectly _at home_. Indeed, it is the only hotel I have been at, on my
protracted tour, where I have felt perfectly _at home_.

How I wish you, and your wife and daughters, and lots of our mutual
friends, were here with me. We would have glorious times--music, dancing,
singing, sight-seeing, conversation, &c. &c. I cannot write much; but I
wish you to understand that this is the _ne plus ultra_ of hotels. Don't
fail to patronize it. Lebanon Springs and the Shaker settlement are within
a short ride.

Yours ever,
J.C.

* * * *

VARIOUS USEFUL RECEIPTS, &c., OF OUR OWN GATHERING.

Rice for curry should never be immersed in water, except that which has
been used for cleaning the grain previous to use. It should be placed in a
sieve and heated by the steam arising from boiling water; the sieve so
placed in the saucepan as to be two or three inches above the fluid. In
stirring the rice a light hand should be used, or you are apt to amalgamate
the grains; the criterion of well-dressed rice being to have the grains
separate.

* * * *

ARROW-ROOT FOR INVALIDS.--The practice of boiling arrow-root in milk is at
once wasteful and unsatisfactory; the best mode of preparing enough for an
invalid's supper is as follows: Put a dessertspoonful of powder, two lumps
of sugar, into a chocolate cup, with a few drops of Malaga, or any other
sweet wine; mix these well together, and add, in small quantities, more
wine, until a smooth thick paste is formed. Pour boiling water, by slow
degrees, stirring all the while, close to the fire, until the mixture
becomes perfectly transparent.

* * * *

CUSTARD OR SPONGE-CAKE PUDDING, WITH FRUIT SAUCE.--Break separately and
clear in the usual way[1] four large or five small fresh eggs, whisk them
until they are light, then throw in a very small pinch of salt, and two
tablespoonfuls of pounded sugar; then whisk them anew until it is
dissolved: add to them a pint of new milk and a slight flavoring of lemon,
orange-flower water, or aught else that may be preferred. Pour the mixture
into a plain well buttered mould or basin, and tie securely over it a
buttered paper and a small square of cloth or muslin rather thickly
floured. Set it into a saucepan or stewpan containing about two inches in
depth of boiling water, and boil the pudding very gently for half an hour
and five minutes at the utmost. It must be taken out directly it is done,
but should remain several minutes before it is dished, and will retain its
heat sufficiently if not turned out for ten minutes or more. Great care
must always be taken to prevent either the writing paper or the cloth tied
over the pudding from touching the water when it is steamed in the manner
directed above, a method which is preferable to boiling, if the preceding
directions be attended to, particularly for puddings of this class. The
corners of the cloth or muslin should be gathered up and fastened over the
pudding; but neither a large nor a heavy cloth should be used for the
purpose at any time. Three or four sponge biscuits may be broken into the
basin before the custard is put in; it must then stand for twenty minutes
or half an hour, to soak them, previously to being placed in a saucepan.
The same ingredients will make an excellent pudding, _if very slowly baked_
for about three quarters of an hour. Four eggs will then be quite
sufficient for it.

[1] That is to say, remove the specks with the point of a fork from each
egg while it is in the cup; but if this cannot be adroitly done, so as to
clear them off perfectly, whisk up the eggs until they are as liquid as
they will become, and then pass them through a hair sieve: after this is
done, whisk them afresh, and add the sugar to them.

* * * *

By particular request we again publish the following receipt:--

NEW RECEIPT FOR A WASHING MIXTURE.

BY MISS LESLIE.

Take two pounds of the best brown soap; cut it up and put it in a clean
pot, adding one quart of clean soft water. Set it over the fire and melt it
thoroughly, occasionally stirring it up from the bottom. Then take it off
the fire, and stir in one tablespoonful of _real_ white wine vinegar; two
large tablespoonfuls of hartshorn spirits; and seven large tablespoonfuls
of spirits of turpentine. Having stirred the ingredients well together, put
up the mixture _immediately_ into a stone jar, and cover it immediately,
lest the hartshorn should evaporate. Keep it always carefully closely
covered. When going to wash, nearly fill a six or eight gallon tub with
soft water, as hot as you can bear your hand in it, and stir in two large
tablespoonfuls of the above mixture. Put in as many white clothes as the
water will cover. Let them soak about an hour, moving them about in the
water occasionally. It will only be necessary to rub with your hands such
parts as are very dirty; for instance, the inside of shirt collars and
wristbands, &c. The common dirt will soak out by means of the mixture.
Wring the clothes out of the suds, and rinse them well through _two_ cold
waters.

Next put into a wash kettle sufficient water to boil the clothes (it must
be cold at first), and add to it two more tablespoonfuls of the mixture.
Put in the clothes after the mixture is well stirred into the water, and
boil them _half an hour_ at the utmost, not more. Then take them out and
throw them into a tub of cold water. Rinse them well through this; and
lastly, put them into a second tub of rinsing water, slightly blued with
the indigo bag.

Be very careful to rinse them in _two_ cold waters out of the first suds,
and after the boiling; then wring them and hang them out.

This way of washing with the soap mixture saves much labor in rubbing;
expedites the business, and renders the clothes very white, without
injuring them in the least. Try it.

* * * *

DESCRIPTION OF STEEL FASHION PLATE.

We challenge comparison in the design and execution, to say nothing of the
accuracy, of our fashion plate. The first is as pretty a home scene as one
could wish, and the costumes are brought in naturally. For instance, the
promenade dress of the visitor, _Fig. 1st_. A plain stone-colored merino,
with green turc satin, a coat or martle made to fit close to the figure,
with sleeves demi-width. The trimming is not a simple quilting, like that
worn the past season, as it would at first appear, but an entirely new
style of silk braid put on in basket-work. Drawn bonnet of apple-green
satin, lined with pink, and, with a small muff, the dress is complete.

_Fig. 2d_ is a morning-dress, that would be very pretty to copy for a
bridal wardrobe. In the engraving, it is represented of pink silk, with an
open corsage, and sleeves demi-long. The chemisette is of lace, to match
that upon the skirt, and is fastened at the throat by a simple knot of pink
ribbon. The trimming of the dress is quilled ribbon, and the cap has a band
and knot of the same color.

_Fig. 3d_ is a mourning costume of silk, with four rows of heavily-knotted
fringe upon the skirt, and the sleeves trimmed to correspond. The figures
of the children are simple and easily understood. The pelisse of the little
girl has an edge to correspond with the muff.

In the second and out-door scene, the artist has very happily given us a
glimpse of sleigh-riding in the city. The pedestrians are tastefully
dressed, the first figure having one of the most graceful cloaks of the
season; it is of stone-colored Thibet cloth, and is trimmed with a fold of
the same corded with satin. The sleeves are peculiar, and deserve
particular attention. The bonnet is of uncut velvet, with satin bands.

The dress of the second figure will be found very comfortable. It is of
thick Mantua silk; trimmed heavily down the entire front breadth. The
sacque, of the same, is lined with quilted white satin, as are the loose
open sleeves. The sleeves of the dress open in a point at the wrist, to
display the undersleeves. The bonnet is a pink casing, with bouquet of
roses.

* * * *

CHIT-CHAT UPON PHILADELPHIA FASHIONS FOR JANUARY.

EVENING DRESS.--Of all the uncomfortable sensations one can experience in
society, that of being over or _under_-dressed is the most uncomfortable.
It fetters your movements, it distracts your thoughts, and makes
conversation next to impossible, unless you have an extraordinary degree of
moral courage. We can speak from experience, and so can any of our lady
readers, we venture to say.

"Come early; there won't be more than half a dozen people," says your
friend, as she flies out of your room at the hotel, after having given you
notice that a few of her intimates are to meet you that evening at her
house. Take her at her word, of course. Go at half past seven, and ten to
one the gas will not be turned on, and your hostess is still at her toilet.
Presently, in she sails, making a thousand apologies at having been
detained, and is so glad that you have kept your promise and come early.
You look at her elaborate toilet, and think your old friend has become
extravagantly fond of dress if this is her reception of half a dozen
people. An hour, almost an hour by the marble time-piece, drags on. Not a
visitor appears. At length, you are refreshed by a faint tinkle of the door
bell. A lady shortly enters, saying, "Don't think me a Goth for coming so
early." After she is introduced to you, a stolen glance at the clock.
Early! It is half-past eight. What time do they intend to come? But now
they arrive faster and faster, and each more elaborately dressed than the
last, it seems to your startled eyes. A triple lace skirt glides in. You
look at your dark green cashmere in dismay. Low neck and short sleeves!
Yours is up to the throat. But you mentally thank your mantua-maker for
inserting undersleeves; they are quite consoling. Dozens of white kid
gloves! You have not even mitts, and your hand is fairly red with the same
blush that suffuses your face. In fine, it is an actual party, dancing,
supper, and all, given to you; and yet there you sit, among entire
strangers dumb from annoyance, and awkward for the first time in many
years, perhaps.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14