Houses and Housekeeping. By Lady Barker. (William Hunt.)—A very sensible
and interesting little book, by an author who has had plenty of experience, and knows how to avail herself of it. They must be very good managers, indeed, who will not get some hints from it as to keeping a comfortable house and a well-appointed table. Sometimes we feel disposed to differ from the writer. We do not see the wisdom of keeping windows open "all day," even with the salvo, "unless in very exceptional weather." There are many days, especially when the east wind prevails, when it is well to do with as little external air as may be. It is a very true saying that fresh air, if it is cold, does more harm than air moderately impure, if it is warm. Surely, too, it is a bold assertion that "there ought not to be any loose soot, if the chimney is thoroughly swept twice a year." Some chimneys have an unhappy habit of keeping a draught downwards when the fire is not burning. Here a register (to which Lady Barker objects) is absolutely neces- sary, unless you want to have everything covered with "blacks." No sweeping will keep a chimney clean enough to prevent this nuisance. The smoke of one day is blown down the next. We object to the phrase, "one's dismal, hideous ancestors," and would ten times sooner have their portraits than the photographs and prints which Lady Barker would put in their place. Nor can we accept the thesis that "dirt is the chief cause of the swarming fertility" of blaekbeetles. The real cause is in the soil. Gravel favours, clay discourages them. Build year house on a good foundation of concrete, and you will probably never see one.
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