th a light feather plume, in
order to remove every particle of dust; but this has probably
been done, as it ought to have been, the night before. Velvet
bonnets, and other velvet articles of dress, should be cleaned
with a soft brush. If the flowers with which the bonnet is
decorated have been crushed or displaced, or the leaves tumbled,
they should be raised and readjusted by means of flower-pliers.
If feathers have suffered from damp, they should be held near
the fire for a few minutes, and restored to their natural state
by the hand or a soft brush.

2245. _The Chausserie_, or foot-gear of a lady, is one of the
few things left to mark her station, and requires special care.
Satin boots or shoes should be dusted with a soft brush, or
wiped with a cloth. Kid or varnished leather should have the mud
wiped off with a sponge charged with milk, which preserves its
softness and polish. The following is also an excellent polish
for applying to ladies' boots, instead of blacking them:--Mix
equal proportions of sweet-oil, vinegar, and treacle, with 1 oz.
of lamp-black. When all the ingredients are thoroughly
incorporated, rub the mixture on the boots with the palm of the
hand, and put them in a cool place to dry. Ladies' blacking,
which may be purchased in 6d, and 1s. bottles, is also very much
used for patent leather and kid boots, particularly when they
are a little worn. This blacking is merely applied with a piece
of sponge, and the boots should not be put on until the blacking
is dry und hardened.

2246. These various preliminary offices performed, the lady's-maid
should prepare for dressing her mistress, arranging her dressing-room,
toilet-table, and linen, according to her mistress's wishes and habits.
The details of dressing we need not touch upon,--every lady has her own
mode of doing so; but the maid should move about quietly, perform any
offices about her mistress's person, as lacing stays, gently, and adjust
her linen smoothly.

2247. Having prepared the dressing-room by lighting the fire, sweeping
the hearth, and made everything ready for dressing her mistress, placed
her linen before the fire to air, and laid out the various articles of
dress she is to wear, which will probably have been arranged the
previous evening, the lady's-maid is prepared for the morning's duties.

2248. _Hairdressing_ is the most impor