foundation from which every kind of nitrate is derived.

If we want to obtain sodium nitrate (like that found in Chile), we must mix a solution of nitric acid with a solution of natron (or caustic soda, Soude caustique, the kind used in the making of soap); the sodium in the caustic soda unites with the nitric acid to compose sodium nitrate. And since sodium nitrate is a compound that dissolves in water, the water must be evaporated so that this compound is deposited; after being deposited it is dried and becomes fit for use as a chemical fertilizer differing not at all from the chemical fertilizer that comes to us from Chile.

We cannot omit to mention here another side of the nitrate industry, namely its use for explosives. In the First World War the German scientist Fritz Haber succeeded in devising the method described above for the manufacture of nitric acid; but the Germans did not use this acid for agriculture. They used it instead to carry out chemical reactions between it and glycerin, to produce nitrate of glycerin; with cotton and wood, to produce nitrate of cellulose; and with toluene (Toluene), to produce the substance known as T.N.T. All of these are violently explosive materials, and they had the farthest-reaching effect in enabling Germany to keep the war going through its four years.

And it is a thing at once laughable and lamentable to see a chemical compound like nitric acid capable of being an agent in the growth and continuance of life, and capable also of being a cause of destruction and the taking of lives. This is nothing but a clear reflection of the possibilities of modern science. Modern science is a two-edged sword: it is an instrument of building as it is an instrument of destruction, and its use for the one end or the other depends, in the first place, upon the good will of man toward his fellow man.

Indulging freely in pleasures is one of the things that come back upon a person in harm. The nerve-racking times have no doubt told upon you, Madam, and made you somewhat nervous of temper and unyielding in many matters. It follows that you must be gentler with yourself than before, and lighten your mental burdens and the weight of your cares, easing the strain upon mind and body, so as to be lovelier and happier.

Do not go too far in taking other people's advice; strive rather to rid yourself of the contradictory opinions of others, which produce something like dizziness in you. The influence of your own sound, independent judgment in your private affairs yields good results in most cases.

Spend but little time on your appearance. Though the question of clothes and fashions is at once a difficult and a necessary one, outward appearance is a matter of importance only up to a certain point. Devote a part of the time you formerly spent on adornment and dressing up to improving the other social sides of yourself. What use are outward appearances if, as a human being, you are ignorant in every other respect?

Do not attend to the house as much as you used to attend to it. Do not let the sight of the shabby curtains trouble you, nor the dwindling of the household stores, nor the making of the daily meals and the other domestic concerns. Yes, these things are vital, but excess of attention to them does not better the situation; and if you turn all your attention their way, you will certainly neglect other things more important than they — such as, for instance, creating an atmosphere brimming with love to bind the members of the family together, which does not depend on purely material things.

Do not worry that you have grown older. The appearance of a number of white hairs among your beautiful locks is only a warning that time is moving on with us without mercy. The best — indeed the most effective — remedy is not to care what time does. If you take this attitude, it is quite possible that your gray hair will become a new cause of your beauty. So ignore this phenomenon entirely.

Lessen your interest in men. This may run counter to your personal opinion, but it is an established fact that man is a creature of whims — that is, he is swayed by his fancies — and he is never so strongly drawn to a woman as when she appears to take no notice of him.

Let your ambitions be fewer than they were before. Unless you are one of those with superhuman powers of devoting themselves to achieving everything they desire, you will achieve nothing of your ambitions and will pass your life sighing over everything. It is more fitting, therefore, that you bend your efforts toward achieving one important aim among your aims — and so be happy.

Lessen your concern with putting money by, and do what you can in the way of daily economy. You will doubtless find, after a while, that you have done well, for the amount saved to you in this way is of more use than saving at the bank.

(Adapted from the magazine Britannia and Eve)