ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 376, 23 July 1903, Page 7

ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE.

It is extraordinary the quantity of artificial flswcra which are being used at the present tiree. That fact must, lam sure, have struck ail my readers. I have been to a large number of houses lately, and, varied as are their characteristics, they unite in using artificial flowers instead of real ones, both in vases and in bowls, for table and mantelshelf decoration, though especially ia bowls. The carnations of various colours are perhaps, the most extraordinary imitations of Nature, aid, as they are scented, one might easily be excused for not knowing that they are not real, especially when they are relieved with real maiden-hair fern, which can be bought dry so reasonably. No doubt the peoplo who object to shams in general would decry the usa of artificial flowers, but the advantage oh the score of economy in the long run, and the saving of Lime in the journey to the florist's.and the subsequent arrangement of tho blooms ia so great, that I thimk houEB wives miy be forgiven, when tWe are so many ca!ls on their time and purses, if they resort to a custom which is so economical in both respects, BROIL BACON IN THE OVEN. Try broiling bacon ia the oven some time and sigh that y; u have not done it sooner The oven must be very hot and the bacon shut in a folding broiler and ovor a roasting pan. Turn, to brown lightly on each side, as you would in turning over coals, and It will coma out perfectly cooked, without grease, and just the proper degree of crispness. IRSH. The Irish language is spoken ia the Bahamas among the mixed descendants of the Hibernian patriots banished long ago by Cromwell to the West Indies. One can occasionally hear negro sailors in' the east end of London, who cannot speak a word of English, talking Irish to the old Irish apple wornon who gather around the docks. KNEW ALL THE OTHERS. A detective went down to Alderahot to search the ranks of a Mditia regiment for a criminal who was' wanted.* Up and down went the investigator, till at last he Btopp sd opposite the lefthand man of the rear rank, and looked hard at him. ' Come,' said the colonel, bis dignity not a little offended, ' this can't be the man you want, surely ? He's the beat. man I've got in the regiment. Ton don't moan to say you know him P' ' No,' replied the detective, after a pause, ' I don't. He's the only man in your regiment I don't know, and I was wondering where he came from !' A Scotsman was' asked by a friend whom he met in a tobacco shop if he would have a cigar. « 'Yes,' said the Scotsman, and the other asked for two threepenny cigars, paid for them, and left the shop. Then the Scots* man inquired: • You sell these at five a shilling, don't you P' ' Yes,' replied the shopman. •Well,' said the Scotsman, producing sixpence,' give me the other three.' The Ideal Woman.—'La Pcesae.'v.a popular French newspaper, has : taken a plebiscite on the question,' What are the six most essential virtues in'a woman ?' The readers of • La Presse * voted for the following virtues in the order given. The numbers are the votes accorded to each quality:—Economy, 1,420; fidelity, 1,86? modesty, 1,357 j kindliness, I.lßa 5 maternal love, 639. Cleanliness and patience are last on the list. , Youth and debt aro jfche world's greatest stimulants, -