themselves fortunate in having about them a thoughtful person,
capable of diverting their finery to a useful purpose.

2264. Among other duties, the lady's-maid should understand the various
processes for washing, and cleaning, and repairing laces; edging of
collars; removing stains and grease-spots from dresses, and similar
processes, for which the following recipes will be found very useful. In
washing--

2265. _Blonde_, fine toilet-soap is used; the blonde is soaped
over very slightly, and washed in water in which a little
fig-blue is dissolved, rubbing it very gently; when clean, dry
it. Dip it afterwards in very thin gum-water, dry it again in
linen, spread it out as flat as it will lie, and iron it. Where
the blonde is of better quality, and wider, it may be stretched
on a hoop to dry after washing in the blue-water, applying the
gum with a sponge; or it may be washed finally in water in which
a lump of sugar has been dissolved, which gives it more the
appearance of new blonde.

2266. Lace collars soil very quickly when in contact with the
neck; they are cleaned by beating the edge of the collar between
the folds of a fine linen cloth, then washing the edges as
directed above, and spreading it out on an ironing-board,
pinning it at each corner with fine pins; then going carefully
over it with a sponge charged with water in which some
gum-dragon and fig-blue have been dissolved, to give it a proper
consistence. To give the collar the same tint throughout, the
whole collar should be sponged with the same water, taking care
not to touch the flowers.

2267. A multiplicity of accidents occur to soil and spot dresses, which
should be removed at once. To remove--

2268. _Grease-spots_ from cotton or woollen materials of fast
colours, absorbent pastes, purified bullock's-blood, and even
common soap, are used, applied to the spot when dry. When the
colours are not fast, use fuller's-earth or pulverized
potter's-clay, laid in a layer over the spot, and press it with
a very hot iron.

2269. For Silks, Moires, and plain or brocaded Satins, begin by
pouring over the spot two drops of rectified spirits of wine;
cover it over with a linen cloth, and press it with a hot iron,
changing the linen instantly. The spot will look tarnished, for
a portion of the grease still remains: this will be re