The household (of the Detroit free press)

Pictures of statuary, photographs of busts, or celebrated portraits, are very handsome mounted on wine colored or black velvet. Cut the picture out from the background, closely, so that none of the margin is visible. If they are mounted on heavy card-board, they will be difficult to cut, and must first be soaked in warm water, then carefully dried between blotters, before being cut, and then put on the velvet. Paste them on the velvet with the white of an egg — this is better than gumarabic — and put no glass over them, as this spoils the effect. Ferns, phantom and autumn leaves can be arranged in the same way, and are very beautiful on red, green or black velvet. Pictures from newspapers, if good subjects, look as well as photographs. Mounted in this way, female heads or busts of celebrities are much improved with the velvet background, and as they require only simple frames, are not very expensive. VARNISHING CHROMOS OR LITHOGRAPHS. When chromos or lithographs are varnished they may be wiped off with a damp cloth without injuring the picture. Have the chromo or engraving nicely mounted, then with a clean, flat varnish brush lay on an even coat of size (made by dissolving white glue or isinglass in lukewarm water till it becomes of the consistency of cold starch), going over the picture lightly and evenly. When quite dry, go over it again in the same manner with Demar varnish, giving one or more coats, in a warm room ; lay away out of the dust for a day or two, and your picture is ready to handle. PLASTER CASTS. Marble statuary is not within the reach of all; but anyone can obtain a plaster cast at small expense. This can be beautified into quite an attractive parlor ornament. Take common white paint mixed in oil, and stir into it a little burnt umber till it is of a light cream color. 314 PRESSED A UTUMN LEA VES. Paint the cast with this two or three times, and be careful not to clog up the delicate markings about the eyes, mouth, etc. To remove the glossy appearance, paint with the same tint mixed with turpentine alone. Plaster casts prepared in this way can be washed with soap and water. The following is a recipe for cleaning plaster casts : Make a thin solution of starch, and with a brush entirely cover the surface of the plaster ; leave it to dry for about three days, and then peel it off carefully. PRESSED AUTUMN LEAVES. Many think that the frosts must come and touch the leaves before they are ready for collection ; that the tints are not perfected at that time ; but this is a mistake. As soon as a leaf is turned it may be gathered, but must be perfectly dry — that is, no atmospheric damp upon it, or the leaf will shrivel and wrinkle, losing its bright color. Do not press the leaves at all, but use them fresh from the tree and iron them with spermaceti, not wax, as the latter makes them dull-looking, and does not bring out the colors. If properly done, they will look as bright as if just gathered ; and it is surprising how long they will retain their beauty in spite of dust, light and heat. Procure from the druggist smooth pieces or cakes of fine spermaceti (don't take a candle as some do), as they go so much farther. Put a board on the ironing-table, as the grease spoils everything, and have as many thicknesses as for ordinary ironing.