"Bravo, bull!" and " Brave, cavalier!" resound from all parts of the amphitheatre.

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ward and platted into a flat queue, was surmounted by a black cocked-hat. In his left hand, he held a sword, hidden in the folds of a banner which was fastened to a short staff. The colour of this banner was red, deepened here and there into a deadlier die, where it had been used after former combats to wipe the sword of the matadore. It was to him at once a trophy and a buckler, as with the warriours of old, who carried their achievements emblazoned on their shield.

Romero did not enter with the air of one who knew his own force and despised his adversary; nor as though he had to hide a faint heart under a careless brow; but with a fearless, determined, yet quiet step. Having approached the box of the corregi

When the toreador is on foot, the chances seem more equal in this case the man is armed with a sword, and holds in his hand a staff to which a small red flag is attached: the bull on seeing the red flag, throws himself upon it and not on the man, and the toreador might easily finish the contest by plunging his steel into the throat of the animal, but to show that he has no fears in regard to continuing the contest, he again takes his position in front of the animal and provokes him with the flag, and the fight is not terminated, till after several successive attacks. Sometimes the toreador does not allow the bull to waste his strength with impunity on the banner, but catching his opportunity, places one foot up-dor, be took off his hat and made a low obeisance; on the neck of the animal, as he bends his head down previous to an attack, and jumps over him, a feat which is greatly applauded by the spectators. Most frequently the bull continues the game as long as is desired, but sometimes finding his efforts useless, refuses to engage in this case, neither the provocations and insults of the torcador, nor the bitter clamours of the speculators, can disturb the peaceable resolution of the animal. But his fate is only hastened for when all efforts to inspire the bull with courage fail, the irritated populace pronounce his decree; and cries of "Death! death!" are heard on all sides. The sentence is soon executed; the toreador, after bowing respectfully to the galleries, plunges his sword into the bull's throat, who stands for a moment, and then falls dead.

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then returned the salutations which greeted him from the whole circuit of the amphitheatre. This done, he threw his hat away, brushed back a few hairs which had escaped from the platting of his queue, stretched his limbs to ease the elastick tightness of his costume, and then taking his well-tried blade from beside the banner, he displayed a long straight Tolepano, such as was once worn by cavaliers and crusaders.

Meantime, the chulos were occupied in running before the bull, and waving their cloaks in his eyes, in order to excite the last fit of ferocity, which was to facilitate his own destruction. In this way, the bull was enticed towards the spot where the matadore awaited him. The latter, holding out the banner, allowed the animal to rush against it, seemingly asSometimes, the toreadors contend unarmed: in tonished at its little opposition. This was twice rethis case, about a dozen of them fall upon the animal peated; but the third time, the matadore held the on all sides, and taking hold of his horns, legs, and banner projecting across his body, while with his tail, pull him to the ground. This, however, is right hand extended over the top, he poised and didangerous sport, and the assailants rarely escape rected the sword. Here is the last and most interwithout severe injuries. There are several other esting moment of the whole contest; the multitude forms of contests: we shall only mention that where once more rise upon the benches. All eyes meet the battle is between a bull and a single toreador, upon the glittering point of the weapon. The bull who, however, is provided with a cask in which he now makes his final career; the banner again gives takes refuge on the approach of the bull, who strikes way before him; his horns pass closely beneath the it with his horn, raises it in the air and rolls it be-extended arm of the matadore, but the sword which fore him. One stab with a short sword in the heart he held a moment before is no longer seen; it has of the animal, terminates the contest, when the pub-entered full length beside the shoulder of the bull, lick are satisfied with this amusement.

Sometimes, balls of wood are attached to the horns of the bull, and the lances of the toreadors in this case have no points. For these harmless amusements, however, the populace have no taste. They are satisfied only with blood. At the annual bullfights, the sports are not complete till a dozen bulls have perished, and perhaps some heroes and toreadors. On these occasions, every place in the vast amphitheatres, which are built to accommodate several thousands, is occupied.

Lieutenant Slidell, in his "Year in Spain," thus describes the termination of a bullfight :

The man who now entered the lists at the sound of the trumpet was no other than the principal matadore of Spain, Manuel Romero by name. He was a short man, extremely well made, though inclining to corpulence, with small regular features, a keen, sure eye, and such an air of cold-blooded ferocity as became one whose business it was to incur danger and to deal death. The dress of Romero was that of a majo, covered, with more than the usual quantity of lace and embroidery; his hair, combed back

and the cross at the hilt is alone conspicuous.

Having received his death-blow, it is usual for the bull to fly bellowing to the extremity of the arena, and there fall and die. But the animal which had this day sustained the contest so nobly, was courageous to the last. He continued to rush again and again with blind fury at the matadore, who each time received the blow on his deceptive buckler, laughed scornfully at the impotent rage of his victim, and talked to him jestingly. The admiration of the audience was now complete, and cries, whistling, and the cloud of dust which rose from the trampled benches, mingled with the clang of trumpets to proclaim the triumph of the matadore.

A few more impotent attacks of the bull, and his strength began to pass away with the blood, which flowed fast from his wound, spread itself over his shoulder, and ran down his leg to sprinkle the dust of the arena. At length, he could no longer advance; the motion of his head became tremulous and unsteady; he bowed to his fate, paused a moment upon his knees, and then, with a low moan, settled upon the ground. At this moment, a vulgar murderer

came from behind the barrier, where he had hitherto remained in security. He caught the animal by the left horn, then aiming a certain blow with a short wide dagger, he drove it deep into the spine. A convulsive shudder for a moment thrilled over the whole frame of the victim, and his torments were at an end.

At this moment, the gates on the right were thrown open, and three mules rushed in, harnessed abreast, and covered with bells, flags, and feathers. Their driver hastened to fasten a strap round the horns of the dead bull, and dragged him to where lay the carcasses of the two horses. Having tied a rope about the three necks, he lashed his team into a gallop, and the impatient beasts stirred up a cloud of dust, and left a wide track to mark the course which had been passed over by the conqueror and the conquered.

HOUSEHOLD DUTIES AND OPERATIONS.

Put the clothes over night in tubs of cold water; the following day make a mixture as follows:One pint of limewater, eight gallons of soft water, one ounce of scraped soap, and one ounce of soda. Put these into a boiler with the clothes. After they begin to boil, let them continue to do so for half an hour; then take them out, and "peggy" them well in soft water; then wring them out, and rinse them very thoroughly. To make the limewater, put half a pound of quicklime to one gallon of water; break it up, and stir it thoroughly; then let it remain till quite clear. This solution does not answer for flannels. The suds from the boiler will do to wash prints, &c., &c.-The above makes the clothes as white as possible, and is a very economical plan. In order to wash and get up muslin particularly clear, a little isinglass should be used instead of starch; when dissolved it must be strained.

The best way of keeping sheets is to fold them flat in pairs, and lay them on shelves, one pair above WHATEVER arrangement the young housekeeper another, and the fine and coarse in separate piles. may make for keeping her accounts, we would urge A closet or cupboard, with shelves, should, in large most strongly the advantage of regularly, every families, be appropriated to the purpose of keeping week, paying her tradesmen's bills. On no account the linen, (being far better than the oldfashioned let her, if she would be a good economist, suffer them chest ;) for, when each division is ticketed with the to remain unpaid for a longer period. Every thing article and number it ought to contain, the whole will then be fresh in her memory, and she will be comes immediately under the eye, which facilitates able to keep constantly before her the amount of her the necessary operation of counting after each washexpenses, and thus save herself the misery of self-ing: in large establishments this requires particularity reproach. She will find it a good plan to have a and attention. When extra bedding comes from the book for each of her tradespeople, in which she may wash, the linings (if any) should be tacked in, and write her orders; and, the price being carried out, all the pieces be carefully pinned up together and the book should be returned with the articles. The ticketed, so that, when any particular bed is wanted, amount may be cast up every week, and settled. it may not be necessary to open half a dozen to find There is perhaps nothing which forms so decep- it. All pieces and remnants of furniture should be tive an item in the expenses of housekeeping as wine; kept together in an accessible place, ready for and if any one will just calculate the cost, in the repairs. During the summer months, ticking of course of a year, of four glasses a day, the amount feather-beds, bolsters, and mattresses, should be frewill appear almost startling. It is, most generally, quently beaten and dusted, especially where the a habit injurious to health, and destructive to the ticks are of cotton, otherwise they become very economy of time; and were the money, which is so full of dust, and when shaken in making, fill the often thus thoughtlessly expended, devoted to the en- room with dust also. joyments of a family, how much rational and useful A cook should always be supplied with a piece recreation might be procured. This applies only of floor-cloth to put at the end of her kitchenwhen the expense is no part of the objection, but table, in order to keep it clean, as the dirt and when the income is limited the habit becomes a sin. grease from saucepans is more easily removed Let us recommend the use of a cellar-book, in which from floor-cloth than from wood; little round mats, an account may be kept of the different wines receiv-about an inch thick, and the size of a common ed into the cellar from time to time, and of every plate, made of platted straw, with a straw ring by bottle taken from it, with a memorandum of the par-which they may be hung up, are very useful durticular purpose for which it was required. If care-ing the process of cooking, to place under the fully and strictly kept, it will soon teach its lesson. stewpans and saucepans, when it is necessary to The form of such a book may be varied in many put them on the table. ways, but should it be requested, we will give a form which is most familiar to us, in our next number.

Where the washing is put out of the house, as happens in many families, in cases of slops of gravy, &c., on the table-linen, directions should be given for having them immediately washed out, even when not again to come to table, otherwise the marks will not be entirely got rid of for several washings, (without the help of bleaching-liquid, the use of which injures linen ;) and a stained table-cloth can never look clean.

The following will be found an excellent method of washing, for families particularly when they are large:

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VOL. IV.-37

In large establishments, each servant should be furnished with brushes, pails, and whatever is requisite in her department, for her use solely; this prevents grumbling among servants; and in case of misuse or disappearance, blame will fall on the proper individual. It is astonishing how much confusion and discomfort may be avoided by attention to these trifles.

A mistress should provide her housemaid with a pair of strong gloves and a large coarse apron to clean her grates, &c., &c., which enables her to keep herself fit to be seen if called away in a hurry.

It is a good plan to give out on Saturday or Monday morning to each servant the quantity of

soap allowed for the week's consumption, as also of tea and sugar. Of the two latter a reasonable quantity is three ounces of tea and three quarters of a pound of loat-sugar, or one pound of moist, and half a pound of butter. Calculating by this allowance, a pretty correct estimate of what should be the week's expenditure may be made, varying occasionally with circumstances. Regularity and punctuality are paramount qualifications in domestick management.

SURPRISING EFFECTS OF CAMPHOR ON
VEGETABLES.

THE stimulant effects of camphor upon the human and some other animal bodies, are well known; but those on vegetables are not only new, but astonishing in their nature. A piece of the woody stem of the tulip-tree, with one flower, and two leaves, taken out of a pot of water, containing several other flowers of the same plant, all to appearance in the same state, was placed in eight ounces of water, All orders should be given to servants in as which had been stirred up for some time with one few words as possible, with decision and gentle- scruple of good camphor. In a little while, an ness, never varying (unless in particular circum- unusually lively appearance became remarkable in stances) or breaking a promise, otherwise they will the flower in the camphor; while the others, though learn to disregard orders and become disrespectful. they had the benefit of a larger quantity of water, It is a good plan always to give the cook a bill of were sensibly drooping. The two leaves first confare when dinner is ordered, to prevent the possi- siderably elevated themselves upon their footstalks, bility of mistakes and omissions, and this may be the flower expanded, more than in a natural state; best done by keeping a small slate hanging in some the stamina orchives receded from the pistillum; appropriate place with a bit of sponge and a pencil and the three leaves of the calix, or flower-cup, were attached to it. When families reside in the country, remarkably reflected back, and grew extremely rigid and have an opportunity of sending to a town only and elastick. The internal surface of the petals of once or twice a week, it is quite necessary to keep the flower perspired considerably, though a similar a good-sized slate in an accessible place, in order perspiration could not be perceived in the flowers of that every member of the family may, when sensi- the same plant in the same room and temperature. ble of a want, make a memorandum of it at once, and The camphorated plant coutinued in a very invigthus avoid the discomfort of having forgotten some-orated state for two whole days, after which it began thing (perhaps of importance) a few minutes after the messenger is despatched.

A good housewife always keeps a memorandumbook and pencil in her pocket, in case she should meet with any information worth recording.

In the proper season, potherbs should be gathered in, and the successive crops of camomile flowers, taking care to do it always in dry weather; put them when dry into paper bags to preserve from dust and cobwebs.

When fruit is very plentiful, it may be preserved for winter use by boiling it with a small quantity of sugar for a long time; and it comes in very usefully and economically for puddings in farm-houses or large establishments of servants.

Butter should also be potted down for winter use; this is the the season for laying in a stock of honey. Towards the end of the month, jam, gelly, &c., made in July, should be examined, and if there appears any tendency to fermentation, it must be reboiled and fresh prepared: there is much more trouble on this head during some seasons than others. Hams should be examined, to see if they are safe at the bone, which is done by sticking a clean knife into them in the direction of the bone, and the appearance and smell of the knife afford the means of judging of their condition; if it is not quite as it should be, have it separated at the bone immediately, as it is possible that the taint may not have affected the whole ham.

It is a good plan to prepare crockery and glass which will be used to hold hot water, by boiling it, which is effected by putting the articles into a kettle of cold water over the fire, letting them just boil, then taking the kettle off, and allowing them to remain in the water till cold. You should be very careful also, when about to pour hot water into vessels of glass and crockery, always to do this gradually, and if possible to warm them, before they are used for this purpose; much breakage may thus be prevented.

to droop; but the leaves drooped and decayed sooner than the flower. The other flowers and leaves of the tulip-tree left in simple water did not live more than half as long as that in the water impregnated with camphor. Notwithstanding these surprising effects, no odour of camphor could be traced in any part of the branch, except what was immersed in the fluid. This circumstance seems to render it probable that the camphor was not absorbed by the plant, but that it exerted its remarkable influence entirely through the solids to which it was immediately applied. The appearance, however was very striking, and might be compared with the beneficial effects of opium on the human constitution.

Several other experiments were made with camphor on plants, in all of which it was very evident that camphor operated as a powerful and wholesome stimulant. A stalk of yellow iris, with one expanded flower, was taken out of a vial of water, in which it had been placed more than a day. The flower had commenced drooping; but a very few minutes after being put in a vial of the same size, containing a few grains of camphire, it began to revive, and continued in a vigorous state for many hours. As camphor is but very sparingly soluble in water, it is natural to conclude that the stimulant effects were produced by a very small part of the quantity mingled with water.

This discovery might induce us to make experi ments with camphor as a manure, if the expense of trying them on a scale sufficiently large, were not excessive. But still, we may apply the camphor in the manner before mentioned; and can that be termed a useless purpose? A few grains of camphor, acting as a cordial, will revive a drooping plant, increase its beauty, and prolong its existence. In the eye of the florist these are objects not of mean importance. All those who are fond of flowers, and whose opportunities for procuring them are rare, will be pleased to have the power of prolonging their existence by this simple mode.

destroyed, in consequence of the good they do, by consuming the bodies of animals that might, but for THE bird represented above is one of the larges the assistance of the vultures, breed a pestilence of the feathered race, and one of the most remarka- in the hot climates where they most abound. A ble of the class to which it belongs. Vultures are traveller in Africa, having killed two buffaloes, and nearly allied to the eagles in point of size and some directed his party to cut them up piecemeal, and of their habits; they yet differ from them consider-hang the various joints on the branches round their ably in others generally speaking, they may be tents, that they might be dried up under the scorcheasily distinguished by the head and part of the necking beams of a burning sun, found himself suddenly being either quite naked, or covered with a short surrounded by a flight of these birds, who actually down. Instead of ranging over hill and valley in carried off the flesh, notwithstanding the efforts made pursuit of living game, they confine their search to to drive away or destroy them by shouting, throwdead and petrefying carcasses, which they prefer; ing, and even shooting at them. As fast as one and justly merit, by the voracity with which they dropped, others supplied his place. Another Endevour the most offensive carrion, the name of scav-glish traveller, who marched for some days with an engers, in some countries, where they are never army in Abyssinia. in a different part of Africa

times shaking his head, and pulling with his beak, or sometimes pushing with his leg.

speaks of their numbers as to be compared to the sand of the sea, extending over the troops like a black cloud; they were also more courageous than "As the man approached, one of them, which apsome other species, for he once saw one strike an peared to be gorged, rose up, and flew about fifty eagle to the ground, which had accidentally strag-yards off, when it alighted, and he rode up to it, and gled into a host of vultures, assembled to feed on the dead soon after a battle.

then jumped down, seized the bird by the neck. The contest was severe, and never probably was such a battle seen before. The man declared he never had had such a trial of strength in his life, that he put his knee upon the bird's breast, and tried with all his might to twist its neck, but that the con

They are, however, sometimes more dainty in their choice of food; as in Egypt, where, during the season when crocodiles and alligators lay their eggs in the sand, these cunning birds will sit, hid in the leaves of the trees, watching the females com-dor, objecting to this, struggled most violently, and ing on shore to lay their eggs, which, when laid, they cover carefully with sand, thinking, no doubt, that they are thus safe from all danger, and sure to he hatched in regular course of time, by the warmth of the soil, heated as it is by the sun; but no sooner does she retire, than the concealed birds glide down, and with claws, wings, and beak, tear away the sand, and quickly devour the hidden treasures.

Naturalists are a good deal divided as to the faculty by which these birds are enabled to discover, in a most. surprising manner, a dead or dying animal at the distance of even many miles.

In travelling over the immensely wide deserts of Africa, where there is not a blade of grass to tempt a living bird or animal, and no inducement, therefore, for birds of prey to scour those vast wildernesses in search of game, should a camel or other beast of burden drop under its load, in the train of a caravan, in less than half an hour there will be seen, high in the air, a number of the smallest specks, moving slowly round in circles, and gradually growing larger and larger as they descend in spiral windings toward the earth; these are the vultures, but whence they come, or by what sign, or call, they are collected at a height beyond the reach of the human eye, is still a mystery; though we are much inclined to suspect that they derive their information from an inconceivable keenness of sight, rather than as some suppose, from an extraordinary sense of smelling, which has been attributed to them. When within a few yards, the spiral motion is changed for a direct line, they then alight on the body, and tearing it in pieces, feed upon it with greediness.

Some idea, indeed, may be formed of their voracity, when we are assured that, at one meal, a vulture contrived to devour the whole body, bones and all, of an albatross.

he fully expected that several others, which were flying over his head, would take part against him, and assist their companion. At length however, he succeeded, as he supposed, and carrying off the pinion-quills in triumph, left the bird for dead; but so tenacious are they of life, and so difficult to kill, that another horseman who passed the spot sometime after, found it still living and struggling."

THE BEAVER.

THESE indefatigable creatures generally prefer the margin of lakes and rivers, though occasionally residing on the coast, or rather on such gulfs as receive a large body of fresh water, and are consequently less saline than the open sea. Those who traverse the banks of the Canadian rivers, or the northern parts of Asia, may observe the beavers beginning to assemble in great numbers, during the months of June or July, for the purpose of establishing a commonwealth. The place of rendezvous is commonly the station fixed for this purpose. If verging on a lake, of which the waters rise above their ordinary level, the skilful engineers do not erect a dam; if beside a brook or river, where the waters alternately fall or rise, they throw up a bank, and thus construct a reservoir, which uniformly remains at the same height. This bank, which resembles a sluice, and is frequently from eighty to one hundred feet in length, by ten or twelve wide at the base, is even more astonishing with regard to its solidity than its magnitude. For the purpose of constructing it, they select a shallow part of the brook or river; and if they find on the margin a large tree, so situated as readily to fall into the water, they begin to cut it down. But how, it may be asked, is this effected? Their fore-teeth answer the purpose of a woodcutter's hatchet, and they begin the work of felling at a foot and a half above the ground: while thus employed, the labourers assume a sitting posture. Independent of the convenience of this position, they enjoy the pleasure of gnawing the bark and wood, which is grateful to their taste, and which they prefer to any other diet.

The natives of South America avail themselves of the gluttonous greediness of this bird to catch it. A dead carcass of a cow or horse is laid out for a bait, on which they gorge themselves to such a degree that they become quite drowsy and stupid. When in this plight, they are approached by the Indians, who easily throw a noose over them; on finding themselves prisoners they are usually, for a time, While some of the most able are employed in felsullen and shy; but this is not always the case, asling large timber, others traverse the banks, and cut the following story will prove, related by Captain down the smaller trees, then dress, and shorten Head, and told to him by one of his attendants :- them to a convenient length, drag them to the mar"The man, when riding along the plains, saw several condors, or largest-sized vultures, and guessing that they were attracted by some dead animal, rode up, and found a numerous flock round the carcass of a horse. One of the largest was standing with one foot on the ground, and the other in the horse's body, exhibiting a singular force of muscular power, as he lifted the flesh, and tore off great pieces, some

gin of the river, and convey them by water to the place where the building is carrying on. And here it is worthy of observation, that these trees are uniformly of a light and tender kind. You will never see a beaver attack the solid and more heavy timber Their great object is to select such as may be easily barked, cut down, and transported; and hence they prefer the alder, willow, or poplar, which grow be