THE LIGHTS IN OUR HOMES.
By Sara H. Henton
I FEAR we do not think enough of the happiness and blessings that accrue from the meeting of the family around the evening lamp. The lights in our homes are very important factors. Our health and eyesight depend quite a good deal upon them, as the lamp is our main dependence to read or sew by. We home-keepers should see to it that they have skilful treatment and intelligent care. A good light is a constant pleasure in a home, but an unsteady, flickering, dim lamp soon affects the eyes and injures them, resulting in oculist's bills and headaches. The things necessary for cleaning lamps are a small brush, plenty of clean cloths (cheese-cloth is the best to use), a bottle of alcohol, and a hot suds of rain water. Add enough pearline to the water to make a good cleaning suds, and wash the tubes, founts, and all parts of the lamp in this suds. Fill the bowl of the lamp daily with high-grade oil, such as head-light oil, as cheap oils are dangerous. Tissue paper will polish the chimney beautifully. A good lamp well-kept is a benediction in a home.