52 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



meaning it, perhaps — a trifle unjust, not to say tyrannical, 

 blaming their tailors, and even speaking against them in 

 influential quarters, for faults in fitting, which are in reality 

 entirely attributable to their own obstinacy (combined, 

 perhaps, with a little bit of parsimony), in neglecting the 

 advice given them : namely, to purchase well-made corsets 

 from an artist in that particular branch of industry. To 

 lay a good foundation is at all times, howsoever applied, an 

 excellent rule, and the corset is the foundation on which the 

 habit-bodice must, as it were, be built. Your figure may be 

 ever so charming in all its outlines and details, but if that 

 which helps to mould it is in reality only calculated to 

 disfigure, the eflect cannot be otherwise than unsatisfactory 



and bad. 



Habit-sleeves ought not to be too long. To end within 

 two inches of the hand is the correct thing, the space to be 

 filled up by a spotless linen cuff. Ample room should be 

 given at the elbows, and at the setting-in of the sleeves, — 

 otherwise there will be discomfort, and a continual tendency 



to run up. 



The system of shotting habits at the hem has happily 

 entirely gone out. According to the present rule of skirt 

 cutting, it certainly is not required, but for fair equestrians 

 who are unduly nervous about exposing even the smallest 

 portion of understanding, a good plan is to have a band 

 of broad elastic affixed to the inside of the skirt, in such 

 a position as to enable the toe of the right foot to be 

 thrust through it, while a similar band does duty for the 

 left These appliances cannot be properly arranged by 



