200 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



but silk is not an extravagance in the long run — it wears 

 so well and feels so delicious next the skin. Silk under- 

 clothing of all kinds is a great luxury, and considering the 

 benefits that arise from the use of it, I question much 

 whether ladies of even very moderate incomes will, at the 

 end of twelve months, find themselves any the poorer for 

 investing in it. 



If silk stockings are thought too dear for wearing under 

 or over cotton ones — and certainly they are an expensive 

 item of dress — fine cotton ones will do very well ; but 

 there are few ladies who do not possess a supply of silk for 

 dinner and evening wear — and these, Avhen old, or deficient 

 in colour and freshness, will serve the purpose quite as well 

 as new ones. 



While on the subject of "colour" it will not be amiss to 

 give a hint or two about the proper method of washing 

 silk and woollen underclothing. Silk stockings, vests, 

 chemises, pocket-handkerchiefs, and so forth, ought to be 

 washed as follows :— Mix six tablespoonfuls of bran with 

 four quarts of water, put it to boil, and stir while boiling. 

 When ready, pour into a tub, place the articles in it, and 

 move them lightly about with a stick until the water is 

 cool enough to bear the hand ; then wash rapidly in the 

 usual way, but without using soap. Rinse in three or four 

 waters, hang out to drain in a bright, dry atmosphere, and 

 iron while damp, placing a piece of fine muslin between 

 the iron and the article on which it is used. This receipt 

 will be found to answer admirably also for white flannels 

 or woollens. For coloured ones the water must be in a 



