and
free them well from the grease that adheres to them.

2179. French polish, so universally applied to furniture, is
easily kept in condition by dusting and rubbing with a soft
cloth, or a rubber of old silk; but dining-tables can only be
kept in order by hard rubbing, or rather by quick rubbing, which
warms the wood and removes all spots.

2180. Brushing clothes is a very simple but very necessary
operation. Fine cloths require to be brushed lightly, and with
rather a soft brush, except where mud is to be removed, when a
hard one is necessary, being previously beaten lightly to
dislodge the dirt. Lay the garment on a table, and brush it in
the direction of the nap. Having brushed it properly, turn the
sleeves back to the collar, so that the folds may come at the
elbow-joints; next turn the lappels or sides back over the
folded sleeves; then lay the skirts over level with the collar,
so that the crease may fall about the centre, and double one
half over the other, so as the fold comes in the centre of the
back.

2181. Having got through his dirty work, the single footman has now to
clean himself and prepare the breakfast. He lays the cloth on the table;
over it the breakfast-cloth, and sets the breakfast things in order, and
then proceeds to wait upon his master, if he has any of the duties of a
valet to perform.

2182. Where a valet is not kept, a portion of his duties falls to the
footman's share,--brushing the clothes among others. When the hat is
silk, it requires brushing every day with a soft brush; after rain, it
requires wiping the way of the nap before drying, and, when nearly dry,
brushing with the soft brush and with the hat-stick in it. If the
footman is required to perform any part of a valet's duties, he will
have to see that the housemaid lights a fire in the dressing-room in due
time; that the room is dusted and cleaned; that the washhand-ewer is
filled with soft water; and that the bath, whether hot or cold, is ready
when required; that towels are at hand; that hair-brushes and combs are
properly cleansed, and in their places; that hot water is ready at the
hour ordered; the dressing-gown and slippers in their place, the clean
linen aired, and the clothes to be worn for the day in their proper
places. After the master has dressed, it will be the footman's duty to
restore everything to its place properly cleansed and dry, and