_On Lights._

Lamps are better than candles, as they give a steadier light, and do not
scatter grease, like tallow candles. The best oil, is clear, and nearly
colorless. Winter-strained oil should be used in cold weather. Lard is a
good substitute for oil, for astral and other large lamps. It is
cheaper, burns clearer, and has a less disagreeable smell. It will not
burn so well in small lamps, as in large ones. Melt it every morning, in
an old pitcher, kept for the purpose. Oil, long kept, grows thick, and
does not burn well. It is therefore best not to buy it in large
quantities. It should never be left standing in lamps, for several days,
as this spoils it, and often injures the lamps. Camphine is a kind of
oil manufactured in New York, which does not smell disagreeably, nor
make grease-spots, and gives a brighter light than the best oil. Cleanse
the insides of lamps and oil-cans, with pearlash-water. Be careful to
drain them well, and not to let any gilding, or bronze, be injured by
the pearlash-water coming in contact with it. Put one tablespoonful of
pearlash to one quart of water.

The care of lamps requires so much attention and discretion, that many
ladies choose to do this work, themselves, rather than trust it with
domestics. To do it properly, provide the following things:--An old
waiter, to hold all the articles used; a lamp-filler, with a spout,
small at the end, and turned up to prevent oil from dripping; a ball of
wickyarn, and a basket to hold it; a lamp-trimmer, made for the purpose,
or a pair of _sharp_ scissors; a small soap-cup and soap; some pearlash,
in a broad-mouthed bottle; and several soft cloths, to wash the
articles, and towels, to wipe them. If every thing, after being used, is
cleansed from oil, and then kept neatly, it will not be so unpleasant a
task, as it usually is, to take care of lamps.

Wash the shade of an astral lamp, once a week, and the glass chimney
oftener. Take the lamp to pieces, and cleanse it, once a month. Keep dry
fingers, in trimming lamps. To raise the wick of an astral lamp, turn it
to the right; to lower it, turn it to the left. Trim it, after it has
been once used; and, in lighting it, raise it to the proper height, as
soon as may be, or it will either smoke, or form a crust. Renew the
wick, when only an inch and a half long. Close-woven wicks are better
than those which are loose. Dipping wicks in vinegar, makes them burn
clearer than they otherwise would. Plain