TO EXTINGUISH A FIRE in the chimney, besides any, water at hand, throw on it salt, or a handful of flour of sul phur, as soon as you can obtain it; keep all the doors and windows tightly shut, and hold before the fireplace a blanket, or some woollen article, to exclude the air.

IN ESCAPING FROM A FIRE, Creep or crawl along the room with your face close to the ground. Children should be early taught how to press out a spark when it happens to reach any part of their dress, and also that running into the air will cause it to blaze immediately.

READING IN BED at night should be avoided, as, besides the danger of an accident, it never fails to injure the eyes,

To Heat a Bed at a moment's notice, throw a little salt into the warmingpan, and suffer it to burn for a minute, previous to use,

FLOWERS and shrubs should be excluded from a bed-chamber,

SWIMMING. Every person should endeavor to acquire the power of swimming, The fact that the exercise is a healthful accompaniment of bathing, and that lives may be saved by it, even when least expected, is a sufficient argument for the recommendation. The art of swimming is, in reality, very easy. The first consideration is not to attempt to learn to swim too hastily; that is to say, you must not expect to succeed in your efforts to swim until you have become accustomed to the water, and have overcome your repugnance to the coldness and novelty of bathing. Every attempt will fail until you have acquired a certain confidence in the water, and then the difficulty will soon vanish.

Dr. Franklin's Advice to Swimmers.

The only obstacle to improvement in this neces= sary and life pre prving art is fear; and it is only by overcoming thi timidity that you can expect to become a mas jer of the following acquirements. It is very compon for novices in the art of swim ming to make use of conks or bladders to assist in keeping the body above water; some have utterly conderpued the use of them; however, they may be of service for supporting the body while ons is learning what is called the stroke, or that

manner of drawing in and striking out the hands and feet that is necessary to produce progressive motion. But you will be no swimmer till you can place confidence in the power of the water to supe port you, I would, therefore, advise the acquiring that confidence in the first place, esper intly no I have known several who, by a little practice, neces

sary for that purpose, have insensibly acquired the stroke, taught, as it were, by nature. The practice I mean is this: choosing a plure where the water deepens gradually, walk coolly into it till it is up to your breast; then turn round your face to the shore, and throw an egg into the water between

you and the shore. It will sink to the bottom, s be easily seen there if the water be clear. It inust he in the water so deep that you cannot reach in take it up but by diving for it To encourage yourself in order to do this, reflect that your progress will be from deep to shallow water, and that at any time you may, by bringing your legs under you, and standing on the bottom, raise your head far above the water; then plonge under it going under, as you cannot open the eyelids for the with your eyes open, which must be kept open on weight of water above yous throwing yourself to wards the egg, and endeavoring by the action of your hands and feet against the water to get for ward, till within reach of it. In this attempt you will find that the water buoys you up against your imagine, and that you cannot, but by active for e inclination; that it is not en eway to sink ne yout get down to the egg. Thus you feel the power of water to support you, and learn to counds in that power, while your endeavors to overcome it, and reach the egg, teach you the manner of acting on the water with your feet and hands, which action is afterwards used in swimming to support your head higher above the water, or to go forward through it.

I would the more earnestly press you to the trial of this misthod, because I think I shall satisfy you that your body is lighter than water, and that you might float in it a long time with your mouth Free for breathing, if you would put yourself into a proper posture, and would be still, and forteur struggling yet, till you have obtained this experie mental confidence in the water, I cannot depend upon your having the necessary presence of inind to recollect the posture, and the directions 1 gave you relating to it. The surprise may put all out of your mind,

THOUGH THE Legs, Asms, and Head of a human body, being solid parts, are specifiedly somewhat heavier than fresh water, as the trunk, particularly the upper part, from its hollowucas is so much lighter than water, so the whole of the body, taken aftogether, is too light to sinks wholly under water, but some part will remain above until the lungs become filled with water, which happens from drawing water to them instead of air, when a p«r» son, in the fright, attempts breathing while fiam mouth and nostrils are under water,

THE LEGS AND ARMS ARE SPECIFICALLY LIGHTES than salt water, and will be supported by it, so that a human body cannot sink in salt water, though the lungs were filled as above, but from the greater specific gravity of the head. Then fure a person throwing himself on his back in salt water, and extending his arms, may emaily lie nu as to keep his mouth and nostrils fice for breathing * and, by a slight motion of his hand, may prevent turning, if he should perceive any tendency to it

IN PRESH WATER, IF A MAN THROW HIMSELF ON HIS BACK near the surface, he cannot long continue In that situation but by proper action of his hands on the water; if he use no such action, the legs

and lower part of the body will gradually sink till he come into an upright position, in which he will continue suspended, the hollow of his breast keeping the head uppermost

BUT IF IN THIS ERECT POSITION the head be kept upright above the shoulders, as when we stand on the ground, the immersion will, by the weight of that part of the head that is out of the water, reach above the mouth and nostrils, perhaps a little above the eyes, so that a man cannot long remain suspended in water with his head in that position.

THE BODY CONTINUING SUSPENDED as before, and upright, if the head be leaned quite back, so that the face look upward, all the back part of the head being under water, and its weight conse quently, in a great measure, supported by it, the face will remain above water quite free for breathing, will rise an inch higher every inspiration, and sink as much every expiration, but never so low as that the water may come over the mouth.

IF, THEREFORE, A PERSON UNACQUAINTED WITH SWIMMING, and falling accidentally into the water, could have presence of mind sufficient to avoid struggling and plunging, and to let the body take this natural position, he might continue long safe from drowning, till, perhaps, help should come; for, as to the clothes, their additional weight when immersed is very inconsiderable, the water supporting it; though, when he comes out of the water, he will find them very heavy indeed.

BUT I WOULD NOT ADVISE ANY ONE TO DEPEND ON HAVING THIS PRESENCE OF MIND on such an occasion, but learn fairly to swim, as I wish all men were taught to do in their youth; they would, on many occasions, be the safer for having that skill: and, on many more, the happier, as free from painful apprehensions of danger, to say nothing of the enjoyment in so delightful and wholesome an exercise. Soldiers particularly should, methinks, all be taught to swim; it might be of frequent use, either in surprising an enemy or saving themselves; and if I had now boys to educate, I should prefer those schools (other things being equal) where an opportunity was afforded for acquiring so advantageous an art, which, once learned, is never forgotten.

I KNOW BY EXPERIENCE, that it is a great comfort to a swimmer who has a considerable distance to go, to turn himself sometimes on his back, and to vary, in other respects, the means of procuring a progressive motion.

WHEN HE IS SEIZED WITH THE CRAMP in the leg, the method of driving it away is to give the parts effected a sudden, vigorous, and violent shock; which he may do in the air as he swims on his back.

DURING THE GREAT HEATS IN SUMMER, there is no danger in bathing, however warm he may be, in rivers which have been thoroughly warmed by the sun. But to throw one's self into cold spring water, when the body has been heated by exercise in the sun, is an imprudence which may prove fatal. I once knew an instance of four young men who, having worked at harvest in the heat of the day, with a view of refreshing themselves, plunged into a spring of cold water; two died upon the spot, a third next morning, and the fourth recovered with great difficulty. A copious draught of cold water, in similar circumstances, is frequently attended with the same effect in North America.

THE EXERCISE OF SWIMMING IS ONE OF THE MOST HEALTHY and agreeable in the world. After having swum for an hour or two in the evening, one sleeps coolly the whole night, even during the most

ardent heat of summer. Perhaps the pores being cleansed, the insensible perspiration increases, and occasions this coolness. It is certain that much swimming is the means of stopping diarrhea, and even of producing a constipation. With respect to those who do not know how to swim, or who are affected with diarrhoea at a season which does not permit them to use that exercise, a warm bath, by cleansing and purifying the skin, is found very salutary, and often affects a radical cure. I speak from my own experience, frequently repeated, and that of others, to whom I have recommended this. WHEN I WAS A BOY, I amused myself one day with flying a paper kite; and approaching the banks of a lake, which was nearly a mile broad, I tied the string to a stake, and the kite ascended to a very considerable height above the pond, while I was swimming. In a little time, being desirous of amusing myself with my kite, and enjoying at the same time the pleasure of swimming, I returned, and loosening from the stake the string, with the little stick which was fastened to it, went again into the water, where I found that, lying on my back, and holding the stick in my hand, I was drawn along the surface of the water in a very agreeable manner. Having then engaged another boy to carry my clothes round the pond, to a place which I pointed out to him on the other side, I began to cross the pond with my kite, which carried me quite over without the least fatigue, and with the greatest pleasure imaginable. I was only obliged occasionally to halt a little in my ourse, and resist its progress, when it appeared that by following too quickly, I lowered the kite too much; by doing which occasionally I made it rise again. I have never since that time practised this singular mode of swimming, and I think it not impossible to cross, in this manner, from Dover to Calais.

THOSE WHO PREFER THE AID OF BELTS will find it very easy and safe to make belts upon the plan explained; and by gradually reducing the floating power of the belts from day to day, they will gain confidence, and speedily acquire the art of swimming.

STAINING.-GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. - When alabaster, marble, and other stones are colored, and the stain is required to be deep, it should be poured on boiling hot, and brushed equally over every part, if made with water; if with spirit, it should be applied cold, otherwise the evaporation being too rapid, would leave the coloring matter on the surface, without any, or very little, being able to penetrate. In grayish or brownish stones, the stain will be wanting in brightness, because the natural color combines with the stain; therefore, if the stone be a pure color, the result will be a combination of the color and stain. In staining bone or ivory, the colors will take better before than after polishing;

and if any dark spots appear, they should be rubbed with chalk, and the article dyed again, to produce uniformity of shade. On removal from the boiling-hot dye-bath, the bone should be immediately plunged into cold water, to prevent cracks from the heat. If paper or parchment is stained,

a broad varnish brush should be employed, to lay the coloring on evenly, When the stains for wood are required to be very strong, it is better to soak and not brush them; therefore, if for inlaying or fine work, the wood should be previously split or sawed into proper thicknesses; and when directed to be brushed several times over with the stains, it should be allowed to dry between each coating. When it is wished to render any of the stains more durable and beautiful, the work should be well rubbed with Dutch or common rushes after it is colored, and then varnished with seed-lac varnish, or if a better appearance is desired, with three coats of the same, or shellac varnish. Common work only requires frequent rubbing with linseed oil and woollen rags. The remainder, with the exception of glass, will be treated of in this paper.

ALABASTER, MARBLE, AND STONE, may be stained of a yellow, red, green, blue, purple, black, or any of the compound colors, by the stains used for wood.

Bone and Ivory,Black,-1. Lay the article for several hours in a strong solution of nitrate of silver, and expose to the light. 2. Boil the article for some time in a stained decoction of logwood, and then steep it in a solution of persulphate or acetate of iron. 3. Immerse frequently in ink, until of sufficient depth of color.

BONE AND IVORY. Blue, 1. Immerse for some time in a dilute solution of sulphate of indigo-partly saturated with potash-and it will be fully stained. 2. Steep in a strong solution of sulphate of copper.

BONE AND IVORY, Green,-1. Dip blue-stained articles for a short time in nitro-hydrochlorate of tin, and then in

a hot decoction of fustic. 2. Boil in a solution of verdigris in vinegar until the desired color is obtained.

BONE AND IVORY, Red.-1. Dip the articles first in the tin mordant used in dyeing, and then plunge into a hot decoction of Brazil wood -- half a pound to a gallon of water-or cochineal, 2. Steep in red ink until sufficiently stained.

BONE AND IVORY, Scarlet. Use lac dye instead of the preceding.

BONE AND IVORY, Violet. Dip in the tin mordant, and then immerse in a decoction of logwood,

BONE AND IVORY, Yellow,-1. Impregnate with nitro-hydrochlorate of tin, and then digest with heat in a strained decoction of fustic. 2. Steep for twenty-four hours in a strong solu tion of the neutral chromate of potash, and then plunge for some time in a boiling solution of acetate of lead. 8. Boil the articles in a solution of alām -a pound to half a gallon and then immerse for half an hour in the following mixture: Take half a pound of turmeric, and a quarter of a pound of pearlash; boil in a gallon of water. When taken from this, the bone must be again dipped in the alum solution,

Horn must be treated in the same manner as bone and ivory for the vari ous colors given under that heading,

IMITATION OF TORTOISE-SHELL, First steam and then press the horn into proper shapes, and afterward lay the following mixture on with a small brush, in imitation of the mottle of tortoise-shell:- Take equal parts of quicklime and litharge, and mix with strong soap-lees; let this remain until it is thoroughly dry, brush off, and repeat two or three times, if necessary. Such parts as are required to be of a reddish-brown should be covered with a mixture of whiting and the stain.

Iron. Black, for ships' guns, shots,

ete. To one gallon of vinegar add a quarter of a pound of iron rust, let it stand for a week; then add a pound of dry lampblack, and three-quarters of a pound of copperas: stir it up for a couple of days. Lay five or six coats

when dry, go over the whole with pearlash solution, two drams to the quart, 2. Put two ounces of dragon's-blood, bruised, into a quart of oil of turpentine; let the bottle stand in a warm place, shake frequently, and, when dissolved, steep the work in the mixture, Wood. Light Red Brown, -1, Boil half a pound of madder and a quarter of a pound of fustic in a gallon of water; brush over the work when boiling hot, until properly stained. 2. The surface of the work being quite smooth, brush over with a weak solution of aquafortis, half an ounce to the pint, and then finish with the following: Put four ounces and a half of dragon'sblood and an ounce of soda, both well bruised, to three pints of spirits of wine; let it stand in a warin place, shake frequently, strain, and lay on with a soft brush, repeating until of a proper color; polish with linseed oil or varnish, WOOD, Purple, Brush the work several times with the logwood decoction used for No. 6 black, and when dry give a coat of pearlash solution one dram to a quart-taking care to lay it on evenly.

WOOD, Red.-1. Boil a pound of Brazil wood and an ounce of pearlash in a gallon of water, and while hot | brush over the work until of a proper color. Dissolve two ounces of alum in a quart of water, and brush the solution over the work before it dries, 2. Take a gallon of the above stain, add two more ounces of pearlash; use hot, and brush often with the alum solution. 8. Use a cold infusion of archil, and brush over with the pearlash solution,

IMITATION OF ROSEWOOD, —1. Boil half a pound of logwood in three pints of water till it is of a very dark red, add half an ounce of salt of tartar; stain the work with the liquor while boiling hot, giving three coats; then, with a painter's graining brush, form streaks with black stain, let dry, and varnish, 2. Brush over with the logwood decoction black, three or four times; put half a pound of iron filings into two quarts of vinegar; then

with a graining brush, or cane bruised at the end, apply the iron filing solution in the form required, and polish with beeswax and turpentine when dry, or varnish.

WOOD, Yellow, 1. Brush over with the tincture of turmeric, 2. Warm the work and brush over with weak aquafortis, then hold to the fire. Varnish or oil as usual,

To Ascertain the Age of Cows.— A safe rule is afforded by the teeth, At birth, the two centre teeth (front) protrude through the gum; at the end of the second week the second pair appear; at the end of the third week the third pair, and at the end of the fourth week, the fourth and last pair, The wearing of these teeth now constitutes the only guide for the next three months, at the expiration of which time all these (which are called the "milk teeth") begin to diminish in size and shrink away from each other, which process continues until the animal is two years old, when the new teeth begin to push out slender remnants of the old and shrunken ones. At the end of second year, the first two permanent teeth appear in front; at three years, the second pair are well up; at four, the third pair; and at five years, the fourth and last pair have appeared, and the central pair are beginning to be worn down; at six years, the last pair are fullsize; at seven years, the dark line with bony boundary appears in all the teeth, and a broad 'circular mark appears within the central pair; at eight years, this mark appears in all the teeth; at nine years, a process of shrinkage and absorption, similar to that which reduced the front teeth, begins to take place in the central pair; at ten, it begins with the second pair; at eleven, with the third pair; at twelve, with the fourth pair. The age of the animal, after this period is attained, is determined by the degree of shrinkage and wearing away of all the teeth in the order of their appearance, until the fifteenth year, when scarcely any teeth remain.