say from three-quarters to one yard, according to the size of the mantel-piece, would be enough. Dark blue, outlined with gold, will be very handsome; the mantel border should be about six or eight inches, but it is impossible for us to say decidedly the best propor- tions for such things when we are ignorant of the dimensions of the room, or even of the fireplace. Mantel shelves now never have the valance put on separately from the top ; it is all one, and only the corners are shaped out by a seam around the mantel ends. Fringes are out of fashion in a great measure, and, as often as not, the border is only hemmed up underneath, or a cord laid along it. Chenille cord, or ordinary chenille like that put round glass ornament shades, often looks better than silk cords on velvet. A pretty pen-wiper is made of six pieces of flannel, two brown, two red and two green, in the shape of a beech leaf Nip the edge of each leaf into very tiny points and chain-stitch veins upon it in gold-colored floss. Attach these leaves together at their upper ends arranging under them three pointed leaves of black broadcloth or silk, to receive the ink, and finish the top with a bow of ribbon. A very pretty scrap-bag, for sitting-room or bed-room, is made in a simple manner by taking a good-sized Japanese parasol, or small umbrella: take a piece of fine wire and make in a ring, catch it to the partly-opened parasol with thread, tie a bright ribbon to the handle. Of course, this is serviceable only for bits of paper and light scraps. To wind a watch, turn the hole downward, and let the small end of the key point upward. This will allow any little particles of dirt, metal or dust to drop out, and the watch will not need cleaning so often. There are many new and pretty designs for perfume and glove aijd handkerchief sachets. One for gloves may have on the back the half of a long kid glove, applied to satin, all the seams being elab- orately worked in colored silks in small flowers, with two narrow floral bracelets above. Another sachet has two peacock feathers em- broidered with silk, on a ground of pale blue satin, with a deep red 26o THE hearthstone; or, life at home. ribbon attached, which is " appliqued on " with gold thread. " Bon jour " was worked on one end with gold letters. Just now one finds the legend " bon jour " painted or embroidered on all sorts of pretty fancy articles. Sprays of jessamine seem to be most in favor for painting or embroidery this season, and are pretty ornamentations for blotting-books of black, dark red or rich blue satin. Another blotter design has a simulated pen, worked slantwise, with the letters of a name apparently strung on; a small spray of flowers is found in the corners. Beautiful coverings for chairs, ottomans, sofa pillows and screens, and drapings for tables and doors, are secured by working over the designs on these materials in silks and crewels. The color of the design beneath is immaterial, but the colors used in the embroidery depend upon the general tone of the ground. This embroidery is, of course, not closely wrought. The form is usually outlined and indi- cated by long stitches of various colors, giving the effect of the innumerable dyes used in Persian and Indian goods, and, after a little practice and skill in choosing the colors, can be very quickly done.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

say from three-quarters to one yard, according to the size of the mantel-piece, would be enough. Dark blue, outlined with gold, will be very handsome; the mantel border should be about six or eight inches, but it is impossible for us to say decidedly the best proportions for such things when we are ignorant of the dimensions of the room, or even of the fireplace. Mantel shelves now never have the valance put on separately from the top ; it is all one, and only the corners are shaped out by a seam around the mantel ends. Fringes are out of fashion in a great measure, and, as often as not, the border is only hemmed up underneath, or a cord laid along it. Chenille cord, or ordinary chenille like that put round glass ornament shades, often looks better than silk cords on velvet. A pretty pen-wiper is made of six pieces of flannel, two brown, two red and two green, in the shape of a beech leaf Nip the edge of each leaf into very tiny points and chain-stitch veins upon it in gold-colored floss. Attach these leaves together at their upper ends arranging under them three pointed leaves of black broadcloth or silk, to receive the ink, and finish the top with a bow of ribbon. A very pretty scrap-bag, for sitting-room or bed-room, is made in a simple manner by taking a good-sized Japanese parasol, or small umbrella: take a piece of fine wire and make in a ring, catch it to the partly-opened parasol with thread, tie a bright ribbon to the handle. Of course, this is serviceable only for bits of paper and light scraps. To wind a watch, turn the hole downward, and let the small end of the key point upward. This will allow any little particles of dirt, metal or dust to drop out, and the watch will not need cleaning so often. There are many new and pretty designs for perfume and glove and handkerchief sachets. One for gloves may have on the back the half of a long kid glove, applied to satin, all the seams being elaborately worked in colored silks in small flowers, with two narrow floral bracelets above. Another sachet has two peacock feathers embroidered with silk, on a ground of pale blue satin, with a deep red 26o THE hearthstone; or, life at home. ribbon attached, which is " appliqued on " with gold thread. " Bon jour " was worked on one end with gold letters. Just now one finds the legend " bon jour " painted or embroidered on all sorts of pretty fancy articles. Sprays of jessamine seem to be most in favor for painting or embroidery this season, and are pretty ornamentations for blotting-books of black, dark red or rich blue satin. Another blotter design has a simulated pen, worked slantwise, with the letters of a name apparently strung on; a small spray of flowers is found in the corners. Beautiful coverings for chairs, ottomans, sofa pillows and screens, and drapings for tables and doors, are secured by working over the designs on these materials in silks and crewels. The color of the design beneath is immaterial, but the colors used in the embroidery depend upon the general tone of the ground. This embroidery is, of course, not closely wrought. The form is usually outlined and indicated by long stitches of various colors, giving the effect of the innumerable dyes used in Persian and Indian goods, and, after a little practice and skill in choosing the colors, can be very quickly done.

The hearthstone; or, Life at home