Arkansas ladies' journal., August 09, 1884, Image 4

About Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886

Image provided by: Arkansas State Archives

                
Young People’s Department.
We give below an article taken from the
Nation, descriptive of the country where
Shakespeare lived. It is so refreshing to
read of the winding banks of the Avon in
this warm weather.
We think ot the Judith Shakespeare, whom
Mr. William Black draws with so masterly a
hand, as walking beneath the white blos
somed pears, and stooping in the marshy
places to pull a bunch of the golden caltha
(which is really our own yellow buttercup,
under another name) to tuck in her belt, just
as we girls do now-a-days.
Perhaps the superstition of the country
folk in regard to the rosemary not growing
well unless the “ mistress is master of the
house,” is the reason why young lassies are
so fond of giving a sprig of rosemary to
their true loves, as an emblem of fidelity or
constancy:
Every one will tell you of the luxuriant
ivy on the castle walls at Warwick, but what
may one not say of the orchards and quaint
old farm-houses of Warwickshire surrounded
by white-blossomed pears, or of the golden
caltha in its ditches, of its woods and fine
trees. By the winding banks of Avon there is
much rural beauty, and that Wycliffe’s ashes
were borne down its silvery tide gives to its
waters increased interest. Pretty little cot
tages nestle here and there surrounded by
gardens full of quaint old flowers; many of
them we know were there in Shakespeare’s
time, because he wrote of them. The Rose
mary of his “Winter’s Tale” is here, and
the country folk ever say that it never grows
well in the garden unless the mistress is mas
ter of the house. Here, too, yet lingers the
old custom of planting a tree —a Mulberry
often—on the birth of an heir, and the
vigorous life or the death of the tree was
taken as an augury for good or ill. The
banks of the Avon are truly beautiful.
The party which went up the river on Mon
day evening was a most enjoyable one.
The gentlemen of the Athletic association
were the prime movers and did everything up
in their usual handsome style.
They took tea at Big Rock, then danced
like so many jolly sandpipers on the sand-bar,
coming home in the moonlight.
In hearing that Mrs. Langtry’s latest craze
is a Chinaman, who continually dances attend
ance upon her, I am reminded of a letter re
ceived from a friend in Connecticut describ
ing her appearance with a Chinese escort.
And this is what she says:
“I have just made the most unique ac
quaintance, with Mr. L. Wing, a Chinese gen
tleman, who is here for his summer vacation.
“ He is one of the few young men of rank
who passed the competitive examination in
China, and were sent to America to be edu
cated at Yale college.
“ Last evening he took me for a drive an
account of which I am sure you will enjoy.
“About sunset he drove a long, thin black
horse up to the door, attached to a high,
narrow buggy without a top. The quaint
appearance of the horse, however, did not
detract from his speed, as 1 soon found out.
Mr. Wing, attired in the latest style, climbed
down from his vehicle and came up to the
portico where we were sitting. Every tooth
in his head shone, and his eyes were perpen
dicular with pleasure. Attired in my very best
I rose to meet him, and with a few words to
my aunt we started. A small boy, by name
Ben, was given me as a ‘chaperone,’ my aunt
explaining that it was a southern fashion.
As we walked down to the gate Ben
shambled along after us, abusing everything
in general, because he had to ‘poke alon£.’
“After much exertion on both my own
and Mr. Wing’s part, I was finally seated
aloft with Ben tucked away in the back of
the buggy, into so small a space that his feet
had to hang out. Mr. Wing next took his
place by my side and with a beaming coun
tenance informed me that ‘ This second time
I drivee horse in Amelica.’
“ Horrors, I thought, looking at the horse,
whose viciousness began to show itself at the
long delay as he tossed his old head and
stamped. Without more words my friend
moved himself onto the front edge of the
seat, mashed his hat firmly down on his head
and took out the whip, holding the reins as
if they were entirely superfluous articles; his
eyes, however, twinkled, and he looked as if
he had just heard the word ‘ Rats! ’ ’
“‘Get-tep,’ he said, giving our old gun
powder a lash, -and for the next few minutes
everything whizzed. The horse gave one
long leap and I saw the trees fly by, rocks
dancing in the air, and heard groans from
under the seat, as we literally dashed down
the hill upon which the house is situated.
My parasol was gone, my hat gone, and my
only idea was self-preservation as I clung
wildly to the iron rod encircling the seat.
After the recovery of the hat, parasol and
some breath, our horse was stretching out
into a long, swinging trot that jerked thebuggy
along in a most spasmodic fashion, I mildly
said to Mr. Wing that I feared our horse
was a little unmanagable, and did he think
he could drive? ‘Of course,’ he said, giving
another lash byway of emphasis that not
only jerked my head back, but must have
given a final wrench to the small boy, for he
seized Mr. Wing’s foot and called out in a
sepulchral voice: ‘Here, give us a rest;
that’s more’n a feller can stand.’
“Thus remonstrated with, our speed was
somewhat slackened, and for the rest of the
way, which was over a lovely green hill, under
the trees, our ride was more civilized, and
but one thing happened to mar the serenity.
“Mr. Wing stopped under a low hanging
branch, and stood upon the seat to look into
a bird’s nest. Here was the revenge for
Ben. He quietly raised his head above the
seat, and a hand with a green apple in it
was seen. The horse had the benefit of the
fruit in a most astonishing manner, .which
upset the peaceful picture and sent our
friend sprawling in the dust, taking all of
my presence of mind to stop the horse.
“The sequel to this ride is enmity between
Ben and his former friend, Mr. Wing an( j
collapsed condition to both Ben and my s 2
for some days.
As to Mr. Wing, his name mayh ave
something to do with where he has g One
and although he has a superfluity ofe’ s -; a
his conversation, his driving is anything
easy.”
OUR COOKING SCHOOL.
Cheese Biscuit. —One pound of flour, half
a pound of butter, half a pound of grated
cheese ; make up as puff paste, very quick
and with but little handling; salt to taste.—
Annie C.
Waterproof Cement.—To a tumbler of
sweet milk, put as much good vinegar, scald
it until it curdles ; strain the whey from the
curde and mix the whey with the whites of
five eggs, beat them well together; add quick
lime sifted through a sieve until the mixture
is of the consistence of thick paste. With
this, breaks or cracks in glass, China or any
vessel can be mended. It resists fire and
water. —Mrs. I.
Delicious Cold Slaugh.—Do not mash
the cabbage, or the dressing will be poor and
thin. Cut fine, and season with salt and
pepper, put in a crockery bowl or dish. Rub
well together a teaspoonful of flour, and but
ter the size of a walnut; pour on it two
tablespoonfuls of boiling water, and stir
smoothly on the stove; push back so it will
keep hot, but not boil, and add two teaspoon
fuls of vinegar. Beat light the yolks of two
eggs, a teaspoonful of sugar, half a teaspoon
ful of mustard, and two tablespoonfuls of
cream, sour or sweet; pour the hot mixture
on this, beat well, and replacing on the stove,
let it come to a boil, and pour hot on the
cabbage.
Tongue with Caper Sauce.—For lunch
eons, when tired of heavy meats, this will be
found a pleasant change. Soak a fresh
tongue in cold water twelve hours. Boil in
clear hot water about ten minutes, or until
the white outside skin can be scraped off;
prepare four carrots, the same number of
small onions, and a little parsley finely
chopped together, some red pepper, salt, and
three cloves. Put the tongue back in the
vessel with these ingredients, cover with
fresh water, and boil six hours. If it is to be
very nice, have less water, and add some
white wine or very nice bouillon. When
done, put into a saucepan some of the liquor
from the tongue, add a tablespoonful each of
butter and flour creamed together, and cook
a few minutes. I prefer putting the butter
and flour in the saucepan, when melted sttf
ring in enough of the liquor to form a rich
sauce. When' ready, add the yolk of an effff
and a tablespoonful of capers well beaten
together, pour over the tongue, and serve.
The best authority in England on insects
injurious to crops, is Miss E. A. Ornaero -
the consulting entomologist of the R°y
Agricultural society.