The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1873-06-04
Making Presents.

1t certainly seems a little odd that so
general a custom as that of making
presents should often be as p~erplexing
as it is pleasant. It would seem MS if,
money and taste being taken for granted,
the task.of selection, especially in our
cities, where every taste and almost
every person cal be suited, would be
quite an easwone. The common objects
in the purchase of presents are very
few; we want in the first place, to ex-
press regard, then to please our friends,
and finally to avoid duplicating anything
they already possess or are likely to re-
ceive. Bat the trouble is that pur-
chaser9 too rarely put these objects
definitely to themselves. The n fact
before them is that they are to select
and buy a certain number Of gifts, and
from this vagueness arises half the
trouble. The most evident ground of
choice would seem to be found in the
friends personal taste. There is no ex-
cuse for us if we send bronzes to the
young lady who cannot tell them from
Berlin iron, but who knows genuine
coral at a glance nor for wasting books
on people who have no time to read, or
rare old china on those who think moth
ing better than a granite ~coffeo-cup. A
very little reflection will teach us to
send Il various presents where they
will at least find appreciation. But the
real principle in this matter has not vet
been here expressed. 1t is not enough
to give suitable gifts, nor to avoid send
ing our Goals to Newcastle. What we
really want to express is personal as
ISOLATION. If the article is of value in
itself alone, friend might as well
buy it for himself, and we make a pauper
of him in giving it. But if it has direct
reference to him. and If it expresses us
MS well as u regard, it has a value that
neither money 0 taste can otherwise
give it. We get at this principle in the
purchase Of gifts by making them ex-
press the point af harmony between MS.
We are all many-sidod, and choose our
friends not for their likeness to each
nor because they all suit one
phase Of Il character. We love two
alike, although they are SO dissimilar
that they cannot agree, but each of
them suits Il in different ways. We
know why we care for each. and so it is
difficult to give it expression. There
fore, although you and your friend may
care for both book. and pictures, if You
talk OF 20 books to one picture. let your
gift be for his library shelves, not for its
walls. If you go to concerts together,
send her music or something upon the
subject if he receives you in his 1abora-
send your remembrance there or.
II he is always eager to show you a now
fossil or curious shell, remember. that
geology and eoncholoqy each has its
literature, its rare specimens. In this
way Il gifts are a benefit not only to
those who receive them, but also to our
selves.-Scrjbacr's Monthly.
ACHEAP WASH FOR BuuDINas.-Take
. clean water-tight cask and put into il
4 half-bushel Of unslaked lime. Cover
i with boiliug-hot water six inches
leep, stir briskly, aud wait for the lime
slake. To the lime and water add
.wo pounds Of a cheap salt called sui
'hate of zinc white vltroD and one
Of common salt These ingredi-
.nts cause the whitewash to harden,
not crack and fell of. To form q
BEAUTIFUL cream color, add three pounds
i yellow ochre. Alump OF ivory black
give a pearl or lead color. lamp
lack may be nsed TO produce a darker
olor if desired. Applied to paling,
lank fences, and all out-buildings.
nay Inst much longer and Jo4a- botfer