ything fine: there is then no danger of
scorching. For ironing fine things, such as collars, cuffs, muslins, and
laces, there is nothing so clean and nice to use as the box-iron; the
bottom being bright, and never placed near the fire, it is always
perfectly clean; it should, however, be kept in a dry place, for fear of
its rusting. Gauffering-tongs or irons must be placed in a clear fire
for a minute, then withdrawn, wiped with a coarse rubber, and the heat
of them tried on a piece of paper, as, unless great care is taken, these
will very soon scorch.

2395. The skirts of muslin dresses should be ironed on a skirt-board
covered with flannel, and the fronts of shirts on a smaller board, also
covered with flannel; this board being placed between the back and
front.

2396. After things are mangled, they should also be ironed in the folds
and gathers; dinner-napkins smoothed over, as also table-cloths,
pillow-cases, and sometimes sheets. The bands of flannel petticoats, and
shoulder-straps to flannel waistcoats, must also undergo the same
process.

UPPER AND UNDER NURSEMAIDS.

2397. The nursery is of great importance in every family, and in
families of distinction, where there are several young children, it is
an establishment kept apart from the rest of the family, under the
charge of an upper nurse, assisted by under nursery-maids proportioned
to the work to be done. The responsible duties of upper nursemaid
commence with the weaning of the child: it must now be separated from
the mother or wet-nurse, at least for a time, and the cares of the
nursemaid, which have hitherto been only occasionally put in
requisition, are now to be entirely devoted to the infant. She washes,
dresses, and feeds it; walks out with it, and regulates all its little
wants; and, even at this early age, many good qualities are required to
do so in a satisfactory manner. Patience and good temper are
indispensable qualities; truthfulness, purity of manners, minute
cleanliness, and docility and obedience, almost equally so. She ought
also to be acquainted with the art of ironing and trimming little caps,
and be handy with her needle.

2398. There is a considerable art in carrying an infant
comfortably for itself and for the nursemaid. If she carry it
always seated upright on her arm, and presses it too closely
against her chest, the stomach of the child is apt to get
compressed, and the back fatigued. For her own comfort,