19'<J FARM HOMES, IX-DOORS AND OUT-DOORS. 



cleanliness ; and if to these can be added a bottle of some 

 pure, delicate perfume, like essence of English violet, or 

 white rose, your toilet table is quite plentifully supplied. 



The next question to consider is comfortable and be- 

 coming clothing, for notwithstanding the seeming im- 

 possibility of the task, they can be combined. There 

 is a happy medium between the grotesque "bloomer" of 

 thirty years ago and the peacock tails of the present day, 

 that brave women can and do adopt everywhere, and still 

 are within that very proper region that is bounded by 

 the pales of fashion. There is a woman living who years 

 ago very quietly made for herself some under garments 

 somewhat like close-fitting basqumes, so that with raws 

 of buttons around the waists and ruffles at the bottom, 

 they answered for four articles of dress, viz. , chemise, cor- 

 set, skirt-supporter, and underskirt. She has worn them 

 ever since with great comfort and satisfaction, and has 

 never thought of being strong-minded or blowing a "re- 

 form " trumpet over her self-emancipation. 



If you live anywhere within our so-called temperate 

 zone, you should wear under flannels throughout the year. 

 It is not necessary to proclaim their great comfort in 

 winter, for you are well aware of it ; but you may not 

 know that you will be cooler and more comfortable in 

 summer for wearing them, and greatly protected from 

 chilly morning and evening air, and from sudden changes 

 in the weather. Summer flannel can be of light quality, 

 and that made of half wool and half cotton is less liable 

 to shrink, and answers every purpose of protection. 

 Those for winter wear should be of all-wool flannel and 

 made high in the neck, and with sleeves coming below 

 the elbow. Whether for summer or winter wear, they 

 should be made long enough to cover the hips. A great 

 many ladies now wear winter flannels in vest and drawers 

 combined in one garment, with another "union suit" in 

 cotton worn over it ; then with a warm balmoral skirt 



