iEOLIAN HARP, To Make an. — Make a box of very thin deal
wood, five inches deep, six inches wide, and of a length exactly answering
to the window in which it is intended to be placed. Glue on to it at the
top extremities two pieces of wainscot, about half an inch high and a
quarter of an inch thick, to serve as bridges for the strings, and within-side
of each end glue two pieces of beech about an inch square and equalling
in length the width of the box, which is to hold the pegs. Into one of
these bridges fix as many pegs (such as are used for pianofortes will do)
as there are strings, and into the other fasten as many brass pins, to which
attach one end of the strings (first fiddle strings answer well) and twist the
other end round the opposite peg. The strings, which should not be drawn
tight, must be tuned in unison. To procure a proper passage for the wind,
a thin board, supported by four pegs, is placed over the strings, at about
three inches distant from the sounding-board. The instrument must be
exposed to the wind at a partially-opened window, and to increase the
force of the current of air, either the door of the room or an opposite
window should be opened. When the wind blows the strings begin to
sound in unison, but as the force of the current increases the sound changes
into a pleasing admixture of all the notes of the diatonic scale, ascending
and descending, and often uniting in the most delightful harmony.
AGAPANTHUS. — This plant bears a handsome head of lovely
blue flowers in July, and continues to bloom throughout the summer if
indulged with plenty of water, of which it is very greedy. It requires a
2
s
light, rich soil, and flourishes best in the open air, but is only half-hardy
in England. It is multiplied by division of the bulb, planting the off-sets
in peat mould as soon as they are removed from their parent. Seedlings
do not flower till their fourth or fifth year. During the dormant season
keep the bulbs well protected from damp.
AGATES, To Test. — The curious figures found in agates are some-
times produced artificially by a solution of silver in nitric acid and after-
wards exposing the part to the sun. This imposition may be discovered
by laying the stones for a few hours in aqua-fortis, when the artificial figures
will entirely disappear, leaving only the natural veins.
AGNAILS, To Prevent. — Loosen the semicircular skin of the nails
by means of any half-blunt instrument, but without touching the quicks,
then dip the tips of the fingers in tepid water, and push the skin back with
the towel. This method, practised daily, will prevent the formation of
agnails and greatly improve the general appearance of the hands.
AGUE AND LOW NERVOUS FEVER, Tonic for.— To
one quart of water add two ounces of bruised lance-leaved Peruvian bark.
Boil from ten to fifteen minutes and strain while hot. From one to three
ounces to be taken whenever the shivering is felt. Rub the back with equal
parts of rum and spirits of turpentine, and keep the bowels open with the
following mixture : — Dried sulphate of magnesia, an ounce and a half ;
sulphate of soda, six drams ; infusion of senna, fourteen ounces ; tincture
of jalap, one ounce, and compound tincture of cardamoms, one ounce.
Two tablespoonfuls to be taken every four hours until it operates.
Page 1
Presented as published in 1891. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
iEOLIAN HARP, To Make an. — Make a box of very thin deal wood, five inches deep, six inches wide, and of a length exactly answering to the window in which it is intended to be placed. Glue on to it at the top extremities two pieces of wainscot, about half an inch high and a quarter of an inch thick, to serve as bridges for the strings, and within-side of each end glue two pieces of beech about an inch square and equalling in length the width of the box, which is to hold the pegs. Into one of these bridges fix as many pegs (such as are used for pianofortes will do) as there are strings, and into the other fasten as many brass pins, to which attach one end of the strings (first fiddle strings answer well) and twist the other end round the opposite peg. The strings, which should not be drawn tight, must be tuned in unison. To procure a proper passage for the wind, a thin board, supported by four pegs, is placed over the strings, at about three inches distant from the sounding-board. The instrument must be exposed to the wind at a partially-opened window, and to increase the force of the current of air, either the door of the room or an opposite window should be opened. When the wind blows the strings begin to sound in unison, but as the force of the current increases the sound changes into a pleasing admixture of all the notes of the diatonic scale, ascending and descending, and often uniting in the most delightful harmony.
AGAPANTHUS. — This plant bears a handsome head of lovely blue flowers in July, and continues to bloom throughout the summer if indulged with plenty of water, of which it is very greedy. It requires a
s
light, rich soil, and flourishes best in the open air, but is only half-hardy in England. It is multiplied by division of the bulb, planting the off-sets in peat mould as soon as they are removed from their parent. Seedlings do not flower till their fourth or fifth year. During the dormant season keep the bulbs well protected from damp.
AGATES, To Test. — The curious figures found in agates are sometimes produced artificially by a solution of silver in nitric acid and afterwards exposing the part to the sun. This imposition may be discovered by laying the stones for a few hours in aqua-fortis, when the artificial figures will entirely disappear, leaving only the natural veins.
AGNAILS, To Prevent. — Loosen the semicircular skin of the nails by means of any half-blunt instrument, but without touching the quicks, then dip the tips of the fingers in tepid water, and push the skin back with the towel. This method, practised daily, will prevent the formation of agnails and greatly improve the general appearance of the hands.
AGUE AND LOW NERVOUS FEVER, Tonic for.— To one quart of water add two ounces of bruised lance-leaved Peruvian bark. Boil from ten to fifteen minutes and strain while hot. From one to three ounces to be taken whenever the shivering is felt. Rub the back with equal parts of rum and spirits of turpentine, and keep the bowels open with the following mixture : — Dried sulphate of magnesia, an ounce and a half ; sulphate of soda, six drams ; infusion of senna, fourteen ounces ; tincture of jalap, one ounce, and compound tincture of cardamoms, one ounce. Two tablespoonfuls to be taken every four hours until it operates.