The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-12-15
THE t'LEErINU sHOW.
Some of It's Facts and raneIes.

| Tn more or less generous bestoWhI ol
 gifts. and they who are blessed with
 many relatives and friends find theiI
 cares greatly increased by the pressure
 of Christmas plans. Christmas shop
 ping, and Christmas entertainments
 But let all who can spare a little time
 and thought for some one person, al
 least, outside the charmed circle Of
 kinsfolk and friends-some one to
 whom Christmas may be a dreary day
 but for the thoughtfulness of those into
 whose hearts the true spirit of Christ
 love has entered and found an abiding
 place.
 And do not, dear people. forget the
 sufferers in the hospitals, most of
 whom at this season must find the
 pain and weariness of every day aug
 mented by homesickness and sorrowful
 memories.
 Especially take thought for the little
 ones in the children's ward, and do
 something-do all you can-to brighten
 the day for them. Bring light into the
 heavy eyes, smiles to the pallid lips,
 and joy to the sad little hearts. Let
 them for a little while forget their ach-
 ing backs and crippled limbs, and feel
 touch of Christmas happiness. A hospital manager very naturally
 objects to the children's ward being
 made a clearing house for broken and
 worn out toys One of them has said, Our babies do not like three wheeled
 carts, armless and legless dolls any
 more than do other babies. I am sur prised sometimes at the wrecks which are offered to us with a grand air of large bestowel. The simplest toy we are grateful for if 1t is whole or misses only some non-essential part" There fore, dear people, if you were intending to rid your nursery of such "wrecks," ," by bestowing them as Christmas pres
 ents upon little invalids who may find
 more of disappointment than pleasure
 in them-don't do it. If the toys are
 worth mending, see that they are
 mended. A little glue and some nails, or few stitches, may make g. wonder full difference in the value of your gift
 It is said that the supply of scrap
 picture books, once quite ample, and always acceptable, is falling off. Peo- pie are tired of making them, perhaps. But the children are not tired of look ing alt them, and 1t would hardly be possible to have too many. They are light to hold, and bright to look upon, and If properly made will bear great deal of handling. Cambric leaves, but tonhole stitched to prevent their fray ing, will make all sorts of pretty and amusing pictures pasted on them, and bound together with a. bright ribbon, are yeritable treasure books to feeble little child, and as two or three people can work upon them at once they need
 not spend very much time upon their construction.
 Very durable books are made by covering pieces of pasteboard, such as form the covers of writing pads; with gay cambric. The edges are overhand-
 ed or buttonhole stitched together over the pasteboard which preserves the shape and stiffness of the leaves.
 Four or even two of these, covered
 with pictures, with perhaps some It, tie poems and stories, form very de- uehtf,1l additions to the infant class
 library. Pictures may also be pasted directly upon both sides of pieces of cardboard and these panels are easily held by little hands that are hardly equal to the exertion of turning over the leaves of a book.
 Older patients will be glad of these panels for they may be made to convey very helpful and comforting messages | There are many consoling, interesting and amusing things to be found in papers and pamphlets, and these neat ly cut and pasted on piece or caro l board the size of a stationery box cover may help one to endure many lonely and sorrowful hour. The type should
 be large and clear since the eyes of in. valids are easily wearied, and the se' lections should be of bright and cheer. ing nature. The plan of sending cut tings in envelopes has been proposed but a cutting without a firm backing of cardboard is worn through and torr
 so soon that it is really of very little l value.
 Have not some of you young people still little time to spare to do sucf | work as this for the lonely and weary
 ones?
 sTiTCHERY. .- Tapestry stitch, which is neither more
 nor less than the cross stitch of oul grandmother's sampler, has come fairly
 into vogue again and promises to be very popular. Like many other things 1t seems to be subject to periodic re- vivals, and when so revived claims al
 the charm of novelty, since though the
 method is the same the effect is new. The work is applied to the richest ma
 terlals, the stitches being taken over
 canvas, the threads of which are af. rewards drawn, leaving the pattern ir
 relief upon the lustrous background. A
 beautiful sofa pillow, for example, was
 of moire with satin stripes. the colol being dull blue The embroidery was
 in many tints of brown with soft vel
 low; the design the conventional fieul de lis, worked upon the satin stripes and the effect waa both artistic anC