Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-03-24
pecoration OF Honses.

| Decoration of Houses.
The Scientific American, in a sensible, and
well-writtOn article on this subject, observes
that the eivilxing, softening influence of art is
acknowledged by all who have studied their
fellow-man's moral and mental development,
and the accumulation Of objects of interest
and beauty in house, tends to knit moro
closely the bonds of family affection, and
changes the four walls, from cold dwelling
place into a sacred and holy home. All the
feelings which spring up in every true mans
or woman's breast at tho uttcrance eff that
word, home, are feelings of association, and
not mere locality and hence wherever we go,
and at every stage Of our lives, if the associa-
tons are pleasant ones, we look back with
glowing emotion on the home Of our child
hood, and to the one VIC have ourselves crea-
ted. Dryden beautifully says:
"Home is the sacred refuge Of our life"
And it should be our endcavor to decorate
this place, Of all others, with lovely objects,
and natures beauties or simple works of art.
Unfortunately, there are many that cannot
afford to buy these decorations, who still have
ali they desire to possess them and the taste to
appreciate; therefore, we will tell our read
crs how some very beautiful and interesting
objects of art and nature may be made at lit
tie or no expense.
Green is q color that is ever suggestive Of
pleasure, and it is stimulating to the eye, and
Natures own tints may be obtained at any
season of the year, combined with graceful
vegetable forms, by either OF the following
ways Take carrot, and having cut of
the green, cut about the thickness of a cent
off the top, lot this float on a saucer of water
in warm room, and will quickly begin to
sprout, presenting an object of beauty not ex-
celled by anytartist, because it is the work Of
tho laws established by tho Grand Artifcer
of the universe. Another beautiful decora-
ton may be made from pine cone One
should be procured that is dried and opened
and the different circles should have grass
seed or mustard and cress springlcd in them,
and then placed in wine-g glass OF water in a
few days the warmth and moisture will give
the burr or cone life, and the circles will close
upon the seed, which, in its turn, shortly
gerninates, and, sprouting out all over the
burr, makes an harmonious contrast of color
between the lively green and sombre brown
that has truly pleasing and novel effect, nc
tually refreshing all who look upon it.
The growing acorn is a very pretty and in
teresting object to study, and an ornament
that teaches while it gives delight. 1t is thus
prepared: Cut q circular picco of card to fit
the top Of hyacinth-glass, SO rs TO rest upon
the ledge and exclude the air. Pierce hole
through tho centre of the card, and pass
through it q strong thread, having small
piece of wood tied to one end, which resting
transversely on the card, prevents its being
drawn through. To the other end of the
thread attach an acorn; and having half-filled
the glass with water suspend the acorn
short distance from the surface. The glass
must be kept in warm room and in few
days the vapor from the water will hang from |
the acorn in large drop. Shortly afterwards
the acorn will burst, the root will protrude,
and thrust itself into the water, and in few
days moro the steam will shoot out at the
other end, and, rising upwards, will press
against the card, in which an orifcc must be
made to allow it to pass through. From this
stem small leaves viii soon be observed to
arar and In fa,u aE. tha.n l. 4
handsome, though dwarf. oak plant.
The forms of crystals are very cducativo
in an artistic sense, their cold and distinct
outlines cultiyating an acquaintance with
geometrie forms, and they arc capable of
combinations that produce q broad and rug
ged effect. Alum is a good substance to crys-
talize. A piece of wire may be taken and
bent to form any object that fancy may die
tate. and then placed in hot saturated solu-
tion of alum, which as ID cools will deposit
crystals upon the wire, thus producing crys-
tai ornament of great beauty. These crys-
tails are translucent, but may DO colored to
suit thcfancy by the addition of coloring
matter, tumeric making them yellow; lit
mus, red /; logwood, purple; and common
writing ink, black. A piece of coke may be
made to assume the appearance of new
mineral by placing it in an alum solution, as
the crystals will avoid the smooth portions,
and deposit themselves only Cd tho rough
and broken parts. Sulphate of copper or
blue vitirol may be substituted for alum, but
this is positive blue, and the color cannot
be changed. We think we have for the pres
ent given sufficient number of hints how
each home may be made chearly into place
of ornament as well as necessity, and these
little things scattered about the rooms of
house decorate and soften the asperities of
papered walls and rigid furniture, adding
look of comfort and feeling Of repose that
is the very concentration of true homo life
As people, we neglect taste in the surroun-
dings OF our lives, which should be cultivated;
and such little things as We have been de-
scribing are important aids, and help the
man, the woman and the child to better APP
preciate the truth Of that line of Keats
"a thing Of beauty is joy forever"
PERIoDIcALs.-The April number of