20 UNASKED ADVICE. 



surably in a ball-room. The skirt must fall smooth and 

 even from the waist. This result is arrived at, as I am 

 credibly informed, by having the skirt " gored " all round 

 the waist a performance of which I only know this 

 much, that it has no sort of connection with a mad bull. 

 The habit-maker is no doubt better informed. 



The length of skirt varies a good deal ; for town it may 

 be rather longer than for country work ; for hunting, if it 

 covers the left foot well, with a few inches to spare, it 

 will be long enough. 



The material of which the habit is made admits of still 

 more variety. For the park it must be something light ; 

 and, obviously, the same habit will not do for both 

 summer and winter. Some people like remarkable 

 colours and extensive braid; and there is no sort 

 of reason why they should not please themselves 

 in any startling manner they like, from green velvet 

 upwards. 



Perhaps the most stupid and frightful addition that 

 can be made to a skirt is an edging or border of leather, 

 which renders being dragged a certainty, if the rider falls 

 and the skirt gets caught. A lady looking after a steed 

 who is rapidly retiring with her skirt caught on the 

 saddle, while she remains costumed in her body and con- 

 tinuations only, is no doubt in a somewhat false position, 

 whether the accident happens in the park (a thing I have 

 seen) or in the hunting field. But how preferable this is 

 to being dragged by unyielding leather at speed over 

 stones, &c., with no one able to help you ! 



I have known ladies who thought they were keeping 

 themselves warm, and perhaps also guarding against an 

 accident of the sort just alluded to, by wearing a petti- 

 coat, or more than one. This has the effect of utterly 



