diuretic. Onions, garlic and shallots are all of a stimulating nature, by which they assist digestion, dissolve slimy humors, and expel flatulency. They are, however, most suitable to persons of a cold and phlegmatic constitution. Radishes of all kinds, particularly the horse radish, agree with the three preceding articles in powerfully dissolving slimy humors. They excite the discharge of air lodged in the intestines.

FRUIT.

Apples are a wholesome vegetable aliment and in many cases medicinal, particularly in diseases of the breast and complaints arising from phlegm. But, in general, they agree best with the stomach when eaten either roasted or boiled. The more aromatic kinds of apples are the fittest for eating raw. Pears resemble much in their effects the sweet kinds of apples, but have more of a laxative quality, and a greater tendency to flatulence. Cherries are in general a wholesome fruit, when they agree with the stomach, and they are beneficial in many diseases, especially those of the putrid kind. Plums are nourishing and have besides an attenuating as well as a laxative quality, but are apt to produce flatulence. If eaten fresh, and before they are ripe, especially in large quantities, they occasion colics, and other complaints of the bowels. Peaches are not of a very nourishing quality, but they abound in juice, and are serviceable in bilious complaints. Apricots are more pulpy than peaches, but are apt to ferment, and produce acidities in weak stomachs. Where they do not disagree they are cooling, and tend likewise to correct a disposition to putrescency. Gooseberries and currants, when ripe, are similar in their qualities to cherries, and when used in a green state, they are agreeably cooling. Strawberries are an agreeable, cooling aliment, and are accounted good in cases of gravel. Cucumbers are cooling and agreeable to the palate in hot weather; but to prevent them from proving hurtful to the stomach, the juice ought to be squeezed out after they are sliced, and vinegar, pepper, and salt afterward added.

TEA, COFFEE, ETC.

Tea by some is condemned in terms the most vehement and unqualified, while others have either asserted its innocence, or gone so far as to ascribe to it salubrious, and even extraordinary virtues. The truth seems to lie between those two extremes; there is, however, an essential difference in the effects of green tea and of black, or of bohea; the former of which is much more apt to affect the nerves of the stomach than the latter, more especially when drank without cream, and likewise without bread and butter. That, taken in a large quantity, or at a later hour than usual, tea often produces watchfulness, is a point that cannot be denied; but if used in moderation, and accompanied with the additions just now mentioned, it does not sensibly discover any hurtful effects, but greatly relieves an oppression of the stomach, and abates a pain of the head. It ought always to be made of a moderate degree of strength: for if too weak it certainly relaxes the stomach. As it has an astringent taste, which seems not very consistent with a relaxing power, there is ground for ascribing this effect not so much to the herb itself as to the hot water, which not being impregnated with a sufficient quantity of tea, to correct its own emollient tendency, produces a relaxation, unjustly imputed to some noxious quality of the plant. But tea, like every other commodity, is liable to damage, and when this happens, it may produce effects not necessarily connected with its original qualities. It is allowed that coffee promotes digestion, and exhilarates the animal spirits; besides which, various other qualities are ascribed to it, such as dispelling flatulency,

removing dizziness of the head, attenuating viscid humors, increasing the circulation of the blood, and consequently perspiration; but if drank too strong, it affects the nerves, occasions watchfulness, and tremor of the hands; though in some phlegmatic constitutions it is apt to produce sleep. Turkey coffee is greatly preferable in flavor to that of the West Indies. Drank, only in the quantity of one dish, after dinner, to promote digestion, it answers best without either sugar or milk; but if taken at other times, it should have both; or in place of the latter, rather cream, which not only improves the beverage, but tends to mitigate the effect of coffee upon the nerves. Chocolate is a nutritive and wholesome composition, if taken in a small quantity and not repeated too often; but is generally hurtful to the stomach of those with whom a vegetable diet disagrees. By the addition of vanilla and other ingredients, it is made too heating, and so much affects particular constitutions as to excite nervous systems, especially complaints of the head.

THE VITAL FLUID.

The plasma of the blood is replenished in its nutritive constituents by the food taken at frequent intervals. Water is necessary to render the blood sufficiently fluid, and to hold the other constituents in solution. The presence of certain chemical substances is also essential. Lime, iron, and certain other minerals, must also find a place. Besides these conditions, certain constituents manufactured in the body itself, as liver sugar and the corpuscles in normal quantity, are necessary to health. Water is more essential than food, and oxygen more than water. One deprived of food dies from impoverishment of the blood: if deprived of water death takes place much sooner, but if deprived of oxygen, death ensues within five to eight minutes. About a ton and a half in the shape of food and drink is added to the blood of an ordinary man during the year. As there is the same amount of waste, a ton and a half of material, therefore, must be carried out of the body through the blood during the same time. Some of the products of oxidation, as urea and carbonic acid gas, are very poisonous to the nervous system. Certain organs, as the kidneys, skin and lungs, are designed especially to remove these poisons from the current of the blood, and carry them out of the body. If, through disease of these organs, they fail to perform their functions, the blood becomes highly charged with the poison, and, unless speedily relieved, death is the result. If the lungs fail to eliminate the carbonic acid, death results within a few minutes. If the kidneys fail to remove the urea, death must follow in a short time. The same is true if the skin fails in its office.

From the above it may readily be seen that the disorders of the blood are many. There may be too much blood, when the condition is called plethora; or too little, when it is called anæmia; or it may contain too much water, or too little; or too many red corpuscles or too few; or the plasma may be deficient in tissue-building constituents; or the blood may be poisoned by the retention of carbonic acid and urea.

Treatment.-A considerable quantity and wide variety of food should be taken regularly. A sufficient amount of water and fluids should also be taken. Frequent baths and a reasonable amount of exercise are advised. The sleeping-room should be well ventilated, and plenty of fresh air supplied. Where the blood disease is due to disease of some particular organ, the latter requires primary attention.

HEARTH AND HOME.

Far reaching as the earth's remotest span,
Widespread as ocean foam,

One thought is sacred in the breast of man,
It is the thought of home;

That little word his human fate shall bind
With destines above,

For there the home of his immortal soul

Is in God's wider love.

-ANONYMOUS.

CRYSTALS THAT FORM GENTLEMEN.

Never betray a confidence.

Do not give a present in hopes of a return.

Do not fail to return a friend's call in due time.

A compliment that is palpably insincere is no compliment at all. Avoid awkwardness of attitude as well as awkwardness of speech. Never question a child or a servant about the private affairs of others. Gentlemen precede a lady in going up stairs, but follow her in going

down.

The man or woman who engrosses the conversation is unpardonably selfish. All irritability and gloom must be thrown off when we enter society.

Never fail to extend every kindly courtesy to an elderly person or an invalid.

When offered a seat in the street car, accept the same with audible thanks.

Never look at the superscription on a letter that you may be requested to mail.

Do not be quick to answer questions, in general company, that are put to others.

In walking with a lady through a crowd, precede her, in order to clear the way.

Never indicate an object by pointing at it. the whole hand.

Move the head or wave

In walking on a public promenade, if you meet the same friends and acquaintances a number of times, it is only necessary to salute them once in passing.

When entrusted with a commission, do not fail to perform it. It is rude to "forget."

Avoid all exhibition of excitement, anger or impatience when an accident happens.

On entering a room filled with people, do not fail to bow slightly to the general company.

It is rude to examine the cards in a card-basket unless you have an invitation to that effect.

Do not borrow money and neglect to pay. If you do, you will soon find that your credit is bad.

Avoid any familiarity with a new acquaintance. You never know when you may give offence.

If you accept favors and hospitalities, do not fail to return the same when the opportunity offers.

In conversation the face must be pleasant, wearing something that almost approaches to a smile.

Never allude to a present which you have given; do not even appear to see it if you are where it is.

Never fail to answer an invitation, either personally or by letter, within a week after its receipt.

No man or woman is well bred who is continually lolling, gesticulating or fidgeting in company.

When writing to ask a favor or to obtain information, do not fail to enclose postage stamp for reply.

If you cannot avoid passing between two persons who are talking, never fail to apologize for doing so.

You should not lend an article that you have borrowed without first obtaining permission from the owner.

Never play practical jokes. The results are frequently so serious as to entail life-long regret on the joker.

Never ridicule the lame, the halt or the blind. You never know when misfortune may be your own lot.

Do not appear to notice any defect, scar or peculiarity of any one. It is the height of rudeness to speak of them.

Remember, when you are prone to give in charity to the sick or the needy, that "he who gives quickly gives double."

Never speak of absent persons by their Christian names or their surnames; always refer to them as Mr. or Mrs. -.

Always tell the truth. Veracity is the very foundation of character. Without it a man is a useless and unstable structure.

Gentlemen, when with ladies, are expected to defray all such expenses as car fares, entrance fee to theater, refreshments, etc.

It is very awkward for one lady to rise and give another lady a seat in a street car, unless the lady standing be very old, or evidently ill and weak.

When an apology is offered, accept it, and do so with a good grace, not in a manner that implies you do not intend changing your opinion of the offence.

In conversing with a person, do not repeat the name frequently, as it implies one of two extremes, that of familiarity or haughtiness.

A good bit of advice is the saying, “Think twice before you speak once," as thus only can you learn to always speak to the point.

Never enter a room noisily. Never enter the private bed-room of a friend without knocking. Never fail to close the door after you, and do not slam it.

Never seal a letter that is to be given to a friend for delivery. It looks as though you doubted his or her honor in refraining from examining the contents.

Never correct any slight inaccuracy in statement or fact. It is better to let it pass than to subject another to the mortification of being corrected in company.

Always adopt a pleasant mode of address. Whether you are speaking to inferiors or to your equals, it will alike give them a kindly and happy impression of you.

Do not quickly follow up a present by a return. It looks too much like payment. Never, however, fail to make an immediate acknowledgment of the receipt of a gift.

Never presume to attract the attention of an acquaintance by a touch, unless you are extremely intimate. Recognition by a simple nod or spoken word is all that can be allowed.

The most contemptible meanness in the world is that of opening a private letter addressed to another. No one with the slightest self-respect would be guilty of such an act.

Be

Long hair and a scrawling signature do not constitute a genius. careful, then, how you draw upon yourself the ridicule of being a shallow pretender by adopting either or both.

Sneezing, coughing and clearing the throat must be done quietly when it cannot possibly be avoided; but sniffing and expectorating must never be indulged in in decent society.

Do not make promises that you have no intention of fulfilling. A person who is ever ready with promises, which he fails to execute, is soon known as a very unreliable party.

It is extremely rude to look over the shoulder of one who is reading or writing. It is also rude to persist in reading aloud passages from your own book or paper to one who is also reading.

If you are talking to a person of title, do not keep repeating the title. You can express all the deference you desire in voice and manner; it is unnecessary and snobbish to put it in words.

Temper has much more to do with good breeding than is generally supposed. The French are allowed to be the most polite people in the world, when they are really only the most amiable.

People must remember that they must give as well as take in this life, and that they must not hesitate to go to a little trouble in those small observances which it is so pleasant to accept.

Neither a gentleman nor a lady will boast of the conquests he or she has made. Such a course would have the effect of exciting the most profound contempt for the boasters in the breasts of all who heard them.