moisten the ground-work by little and little as you work it; then lay your feathers on the moistened parts, which must not be waterish, but only clammy to hold the feathers. You must have prepared a great many sugar-loaf-shaped leaden weights, which you may form by castting the lead into sand, in which shapes or moulds for it have been made by means of a pointed stick prodded all over the surface, leaving small holes to receive the melted lead. These weights will be necessary to set on the feathers when you have merely laid them on, in order to press them into the gum till they are fixed; but you must be cautious lest the gum comes through the feathers, for it would not only smear them, but would stick to the bottoms of the little weights; and in taking them off you would bring the feathers also, which would quite disarrange your work; be cautious, therefore, not to have your coat of gum too moist or wet. When you have wholly covered your bird with its feathers, you must, with a little thick gum, stick on a piece of paper, cut round, of the size of an eye, which you must color to resemble the eye of a bird if you cannot procure a glass one of the kind; and when the whole is dry, you must dress the feathers all round the outline (such as may have chanced to start), and rectify all defects in every other part; then lay on it a sheet of clean paper, and a heavy weight, such as a book, to press it; after which it may be preserved in a glass-frame, such as are used for pieces of shell-work, etc.
A WALL BASKET.
A very convenient wall pocket can be made from a good sized Japanese fan, cretonne and ribbon. Cover the fan with cretonne and put on a pocket of the same. Trim with pleated ribbon and a bow on the handle. Covered with quilted silk, or satin on which a floral design is worked or painted, makes a very handsome affair.
