Scouriug' Soap. — Although of comparatively recent introduction into this country, scouring soap occupies a prominent place in domestic economy. No housewife, indeed, who aspires to deserve the name, or who longs to see her home look constantly bright and cheerful, should ever dream now of letting her kitchen go unrepresented by such an in- valuable cleansing agent. Used as directed as much can be effected in five minutes as in five hours with old-fashioned soap and water, scrub- bing-brush and elbow grease. ‘ Sapolio,’ as we can testify from ex- perience, does all that is claimed for it. For cleansing culinary utensils, greasy saucepans, kitchen tables, painted wood-work, floor cloths, marble mantel, etc. it is simply perfection. Care, however, should al- ways be observed to use it according to the directions on the wrapper. Soup-Plates. — The frequent contretemps at table when soup is being served has led to an attempt to alter the shape, the bowl being now surrounded by a wide and somewhat deeply -grooved rim inclining upwards. Stains. — Several articles adapted to the purpose of removing fruit- stains from tablecloths, etc., are competing for supremacy ; but about the best we have tried is the ‘Anti-stains Bleaching Liquid.’ It will also restore discoloured marble and ivory handles, piano-keys, and such- like. Table Decorations. — Neumann’s self-acting portable fountains, decorated with ferns and flowers, and kept in constant action by insert- ing at intervals a pair of ornamental reservoirs fixed beneath the stand, form the latest attraction in our dining and drawing-rooms. When in play the effect of these fountains is extremely pleasing. Palms and and other hardy-plants have also come much into fashion, especially since Mr. It. C. Gardner, of Stamford Hill, London, conceived the happy idea of forwarding a dozen useful-sized plants to any address in the United Kingdom, on receipt of 20s., or half the number for Us. African everlasting flowers, reeds, and grasses, come in handy during the winter season, as they form bright and beautiful colour combina- tions, and can be used with evergreens in arranging striking con- trasts. 142 ENGLISH AND FRENCH COOKERY. Teapots. — Within the last few years the homely teapot ha* seen some strange metamorphoses, the objects being in view, firstly, to pre- vent the lid from breaking off at the hinge or falling off with a splash into the cup ; and, secondly, to obviate the spout from clogging tip, as is the common fault with old-style pots. When ‘ Bowman’s Patent Purity Strainer’ is inserted, even ‘siftings’ may be brewed with im- punity, while the spout cannot fail to run freely. Carpenter's ‘ Slide Teapot ’ fulfils exactly the same purpose by another principle, and, if not quite so simple, has this advantage : the slide can be readily re- moved, cleaned, and replaced. Both these pots are a great improve- ment on old patterns. As regards metal articles, the Hingeless pot made by Mr. Ford, of King’s Lynn, is a decided boon. The lid slides at right angles to the spout and handle, and is caught by a catch, thus avoiding the use of a hinge with its constant readiness to break. As the lid fits closer, better tea can also be had. So many are the new improvements, that one may safely predict that within another decade an old-fashioned pot will be a rariety in any china or ironmonger’s shop.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Scouriug' Soap. — Although of comparatively recent introduction into this country, scouring soap occupies a prominent place in domestic economy. No housewife, indeed, who aspires to deserve the name, or who longs to see her home look constantly bright and cheerful, should ever dream now of letting her kitchen go unrepresented by such an invaluable cleansing agent. Used as directed as much can be effected in five minutes as in five hours with old-fashioned soap and water, scrubbing-brush and elbow grease. ‘ Sapolio,’ as we can testify from experience, does all that is claimed for it. For cleansing culinary utensils, greasy saucepans, kitchen tables, painted wood-work, floor cloths, marble mantel, etc. it is simply perfection. Care, however, should always be observed to use it according to the directions on the wrapper. Soup-Plates. — The frequent contretemps at table when soup is being served has led to an attempt to alter the shape, the bowl being now surrounded by a wide and somewhat deeply -grooved rim inclining upwards. Stains. — Several articles adapted to the purpose of removing fruitstains from tablecloths, etc., are competing for supremacy ; but about the best we have tried is the ‘Anti-stains Bleaching Liquid.’ It will also restore discoloured marble and ivory handles, piano-keys, and suchlike. Table Decorations. — Neumann’s self-acting portable fountains, decorated with ferns and flowers, and kept in constant action by inserting at intervals a pair of ornamental reservoirs fixed beneath the stand, form the latest attraction in our dining and drawing-rooms. When in play the effect of these fountains is extremely pleasing. Palms and and other hardy-plants have also come much into fashion, especially since Mr. It. C. Gardner, of Stamford Hill, London, conceived the happy idea of forwarding a dozen useful-sized plants to any address in the United Kingdom, on receipt of 20s., or half the number for Us. African everlasting flowers, reeds, and grasses, come in handy during the winter season, as they form bright and beautiful colour combinations, and can be used with evergreens in arranging striking contrasts. Teapots. — Within the last few years the homely teapot has seen some strange metamorphoses, the objects being in view, firstly, to prevent the lid from breaking off at the hinge or falling off with a splash into the cup ; and, secondly, to obviate the spout from clogging tip, as is the common fault with old-style pots. When ‘ Bowman’s Patent Purity Strainer’ is inserted, even ‘siftings’ may be brewed with impunity, while the spout cannot fail to run freely. Carpenter's ‘ Slide Teapot ’ fulfils exactly the same purpose by another principle, and, if not quite so simple, has this advantage : the slide can be readily removed, cleaned, and replaced. Both these pots are a great improvement on old patterns. As regards metal articles, the Hingeless pot made by Mr. Ford, of King’s Lynn, is a decided boon. The lid slides at right angles to the spout and handle, and is caught by a catch, thus avoiding the use of a hinge with its constant readiness to break. As the lid fits closer, better tea can also be had. So many are the new improvements, that one may safely predict that within another decade an old-fashioned pot will be a rarity in any china or ironmonger’s shop.

English and French cookery