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PLAN FOR CLOTHING CHILDREN.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

SIR,

DURING my residence in one of the western counties, I was much pleased, on visiting some of the Sunday schools, to observe the neat appearance of the children in general, even of those of the very poorest classes. It surprised me, because in many other places. I had remarked how ill they were provided with clothing. On enquiring, I found the following to be the reason:In the parishes to which I allude they have the advantage of being admitted members of a little institution, called "the Children's Penny Club." This institution is supported by the principal inhabitants and farmers in the parish, who subscribe a penny a week for as many children as they wish to place on the list, and each child who is a member contributes the same sum also. At the end of every half year, a day is appointed, when the mothers of the children attend to give an account to the treasurer of the clothes of which the subscribing children stand most in need; and these are provided for them to the amount of their own and their benefactor's subscription, at the the cheapest rate possible.

The girls make their own clothes, the tradesmen of the parish are employed for the boys, and the dress of each has some distinguishing mark on the collar or the cuff, or on both. I have been allowed to transcribe the rules which generally regulate these little institutions, and I take the liberty of sending a copy of them for insertion in your highly useful Miscellany; for the plan seems to diffuse much comfort and satisfaction at a very trifling expense, to say nothing of the early habit of frugality which it engenders in the children themselves

Z.

To make Bread.

Rules of the Children's Penny Club.

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THIS fund is intended to create in children habits of economy and industry.

It is to be increased by as many subscribers as can be obtained, all of whom are to pay one penny a week for every child admitted by them.

Every child who is admitted a member is to bring one penny on every Monday morning by nine o'clock to the Treasurer, in default of which he or she must bring an additional penny as a forfeit on the following Monday.

The subscribers are at liberty to pay in one sum, (2s. 2d.) their weekly contribution for each child for half a year.

At the expiration of every six months, the sum collected is to be expended by the Treasurer in such clothing as the subscribers shall deem most necessary for their respective children.

A mark of distinction shall, if possible, be affixed to the clothing thus purchased by the benevolence of the subscribers, and the joint economy of the children.

No child will be admitted under five years of age, or permitted to remain in the club when above fif

teen.

TO MAKE BREAD.

A CORRESPONDENT in the Bath paper thinks we ought to have bread cheaper than we have it at present. He strongly recommends families to bake their own bread, as a great saving of expense. He says that twenty pounds of flour will make twentyfive pounds of bread in the usual way, but considerably more if potatos are added to it, as is often done by bakers, and which does not injure

the quality. Boil five pounds of potatos well, then dry them over the fire or in the oven until they fall to pieces and become flour, which they will do, if properly managed; then make of it a batter, of the consistency of thick gruel : strain this through a coarse sieve or cullender, then mix this, instead of water, with twenty pounds of flour. If your yeast be good, the bread thus made will be as light and agreeable as that made of all flour. Bread immediately on being drawn should be placed bottom uppermost,

Rules recommended to Servants in general; the due observance of which may prove of the utmost advantage to them.

I. A GOOD character is valuable to every one, but especially to servants, for it is their bread ; and without it they cannot be admitted into any creditable family: seek then to deserve a good cha

racter.

II. Engage yourselves cautiously, but stay long in your places, for long service shews worth; as quitting a good place through passion is a folly, which is always repented of too late.

III. Never undertake any place you are not qualified for; for pretending to do what you do not understand exposes yourself, and, what is still worse, deceives those whom you serve.

IV. Preserve your fidelity; for a faithful servant is a jewel, to whom no encouragement can be too great.

V. Adhere to the truth; for falsehood is detestable, and he that tells one lie must tell more to conceal it.

Rules for Servants in general.

85

VI. Be strictly honest; for it is wicked to be unworthy of trust, and disgraceful to be thought so.

VII. Be modest in your behaviour; it becomes every situation, and is particularly pleasing in yours. VIII. Avoid pert answers; for civil language is cheap, and impertinence provoking, as well as very wrong in itself.

IX. Be clean in your business; for slovens and sluts are disrespectful servants.

X. Never tell the affairs of the family you belong to; for that is a sort of treachery, and often makes mischief.

XI. Live on friendly terms with your fellowservants; for the contrary destroys the peace of the house, and is unchristian like besides.

XII. Above all things avoid drunkenness; for it is an inlet to vice, the ruin of your character, and the destruction first of your constitution, and next of your soul.

XIII. Prefer a peaceable life with moderate gains, to great advantages with irregularity.

XIV. Save your money, for that will be a friend you in old age. Be not expensive in dress, nor marry too soon.

to

XV. Be careful of your master's property; for wastefulness is a sin.

XVI. Never swear; for that is a sin without excuse; it is a dreadful crime against God, without any pleasure to yourself.

XVII. Be always ready to assist a fellow-servant; for good nature gains the love of every one; and the practice of kindness to others is one of the right preparations of a Christian heart.

XVIII. Never stay, when sent on a message; waiting long is painful to the master; and quick return shews diligence.

XIX. Rise early, it is difficult to recover lost time.

ance; for visiting leads you out of your business, robs your master of your time, and puts you to an expense you cannot afford; and, take particular care with whom you are acquainted; for persons are generally the better or the worse for the company they keep.

XXI. When out of place, be cautious where you lodge; for living in a disreputable house puts you upon a footing with those that keep it, however innocent you are yourself.

X.

FAMILY PHYSIC.

We have now and then given some little medical receipts for burns, scalds, chilblains, &c.; but we have more frequently omitted the prescriptions which our correspondents have sent us, knowing that a medicine-chest, in unskilful hands, is a dangerous piece of furniture. It is not enough to have a good medicine, but it is necessary to have a good judgment too, or the medicine will be given at improper times, and in improper quantities. And yet, for persons who live at a distance from medical advice, it is very often useful to have a little help within reach; and, for want of this, an illness often becomes very serious, when a little timely attention might have prevented it, There are a few simple medicines, which even the poorest persons would do well to be provided with, if their cottages happen to be so situated, that these things cannot be procured at a short notice.

A little senna might be kept in the house, and a little rhubarb, magnesia, and Epsom salts; these will often be useful, and cannot well do any harm.

In the beginning of an illness, a dose of physic is generally wanted, and it often sets every thing right very speedily. A little senna and Epsom salts

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