 CHAPTER 41 PART 3 DUDES OF THE VALATE ATTENDANCE ON THE PERSON No man is a hero to his valet, saith the proverb, and the corollary may run, no lady is a hero into her maid. The infirmities of humanity are perhaps too numerous and too equally distributed to stand the severe microscopic tests which attendants on the person have opportunities of applying. The valet and wading maid are placed near the persons of the master and mistress, receiving orders only from them, dressing them, accompanying them in all their journeys, the confidants and agents of their most unguarded moments, of their most secret habits, and of course subject to their commands, even to their caprices, they themselves being subject to erring judgment, aggravated by an imperfect education. All it can be expected from such servants is polite manners, modest demeanor, and a respectful reserve, which are indispensable. To these good sense, good temper, some self-denial, and consideration for the feelings of others, whether above or below them in the social scale, will be useful qualifications. Their duty leads them to wait on those who are from sheer wealth, station, and education more polished, and consequently more susceptible of annoyance, and an vulgar familiarity of manners opposed to all their notions of self-respect. Some of the duties of the valet we have just hinted at in treating of the duties of the footmen in a small family. His day commences by seeing that his master's dressing room is in order, that the housemaid has swept and dusted it properly, that the fire is lighted and burns cheerfully, and some time before his master is expected, he will do well to throw up the sash to admit fresh air, closing it however in time to recover the temperature which he knows his master prefers. It is now his duty to place the body linen on the horse before the fire, to be aired properly, to lay the trousers intended to be worn carefully brushed and cleaned on the back of his master's chair, while the coat and waistcoat carefully brushed and folded, and the collar cleaned, are laid in their place ready to put on when required. All the articles of the toilet should be in their places, the razors properly set and strapped, and hot water ready for their use. Gentlemen generally prefer performing the operation of shaving themselves, but a valet should be prepared to do it if required, and he should besides be a good hairdresser. Shaving over he has to brush the hair, beard, and mustache where that appendage is encouraged, arranging the whole simply and gracefully, according to the age and style of countenance. Every fortnight or three weeks at the utmost, the hair should be cut, and the points of the whiskers trimmed as often as required. A good valet will now present the various articles of the toilet as they are wanted. Afterwards the body linen, necktie, which he will put on if required, and afterwards waistcoat, coat, and boots in suitable order, and carefully brushed and polished. Having thus seen his master dressed, if he is about to go out the valet will hand him his cane, gloves, and hat, the latter well brushed on the outside with a soft brush, and wiped inside with a clean handkerchief. Respectfully attend him to the door, and open it for him, and receive his last orders for the day. He now proceeds to put everything in order in the dressing room, cleans the combs and brushes, and brushes and folds up any clothes that may be left about the room, and puts them away in the drawers. Gentlemen are sometimes indifferent as to their clothes and appearance. It is the valet's duty in this case, where his master permits it, to select from the wardrobe such things as are suitable for the occasion, so that he may appear with scrupulous neatness and cleanliness. That his linen and necktie, where that is white or coloured, are unsoiled, and where he is not accustomed to change them every day, that the cravat is turned, or even ironed, to remove the crease of the previous fold. The coat collar, which where the hair is oily and worn long is apt to get greasy, should also be examined. A careful valet will correct this by removing the spots day by day as they appear, first by moistening the grease spots with a little rectified spirits of wine or spirits of heart shorn, which has a renovating effect, and the smell of which soon disappears. The grease is dissolved and removed by gentle scraping. The grease removed, add a little more of the spirit, and rub with a piece of clean cloth, finished by adding a few drops more. Rub it with the palm of the hand, in the direction of the grain of the cloth, and it will be clean and glossy as the rest of the garment. Polish for the boots is an important matter to the valet, and not always to be obtained good by purchase, never so good perhaps as he can make for himself after the following recipes. Tick of ivory black and treacle each four ounces, sulfuric acid one ounce, best olive oil two spoonfuls, best white wine vinegar three half pints. Mix the ivory black and treacle well in an earthen jar, then add the sulfuric acid continuing to stir the mixture, next pour in the oil, and lastly add the vinegar stirring it in by degrees until thoroughly incorporated. Another polish is made by mixing one ounce each of pounded gulls and logwood chips, and three pounds of red French ving ordinaire. Boil together till the liquid is reduced to half the quantity, and pour it off through a strainer. Now take half pound each of pounded gum arabic and lump sugar, one ounce of green coperas, and three pounds of brandy. Dissolve the gum arabic in the preceding decoction, and add the sugar and coperas. When all is dissolved and mixed together stir in the brandy mixing it smoothly. This mixture will yield five or six pounds of a very superior polishing paste for boots and shoes. It is perhaps unnecessary to add that having discharged all the commissions entrusted to him by his master, such as conveying notes or messages to friends or to the tradesmen, all of which he should punctually and promptly attend to, it is his duty to be in waiting when his master returns home to dress for dinner, or for any other occasion, and to have all things prepared for this second dressing. Previous to this he brings under his notice the cards of visitors who may have called, delivers the messages he may have received for him, and otherwise acquits himself of the morning's commissions, and receives his orders for the remainder of the day. The routine of his evening duty is to have the dressing room and study, where there is a separate one, arranged comfortably for his master. The fires lighted, candles prepared, dressing gown and slippers in their place, and aired, and everything in order that is required for his master's comforts. Female Domestics Duties of the Ladies Made The duties of a ladies made are more numerous, and perhaps more onerous than those of the valet. For while the latter is aided by the tailor, the hatter, the linen draper, and the perfumer, the ladies made has to originate many parts of the mistress's dress herself. She should indeed be a tolerably expert milliner and dressmaker, a good hairdresser, and possess some chemical knowledge of the cosmetics with which the toilet table is supplied, in order to use them with safety and effect. Her first duty in the morning, after having performed her own toilet, is to examine the clothes put off by her mistress the evening before, either to put them away, or to see that they are all in order to be put on again. During the winter and in wet weather, the dresses should be carefully examined, and the mud removed. Dresses of tweed and other woolen materials may be laid out on a table and brushed all over, but in general, even in woolen fabrics, the lightness of the tissues renders brushing unsuitable to dresses, and it is better to remove the dust from the folds by beating them lightly with a handkerchief or thin cloth. Silk dresses should never be brushed, but rubbed with a piece of merino or other soft material of a similar color, kept for the purpose. Dresses of barrage, muslin, mohair, or other light materials simply require shaking, but if the muslin be tumbled, it must be ironed afterwards. If the dresses require slight repair, it should be done at once. A stitch in time saves nine. The bonnet should be dusted with a light feather plume in order to remove every particle of dust, but this has probably been done, as it ought to have been, the night before. Velvet bonnets and other velvet articles of dress should be cleaned with a soft brush. If the flowers with which the bonnet is decorated have been crushed or displaced or the leaves tumbled, they should be raised and readjusted by means of flower pliers. If feathers have suffered from damp, they should be held near the fire for a few minutes and restored to their natural state by the hand or a soft brush. The chaucerie, or footgear of a lady, is one of the few things left to mark her station and requires special care. Satin boots or shoes should be dusted with a soft brush or wiped with a cloth. Kid or varnished leather should have the mud wiped off with a sponge charged with milk, which preserves its softness and polish. The following is also an excellent polish for applying to ladies' boots instead of blacking them. Mix equal proportions of sweet oil, vinegar, and treacle with one ounce of lamp black. When all the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated, rub the mixture on the boots with the palm of the hand and put them in a cool place to dry. Ladies' blacking, which may be purchased in sixpence and one shilling bottles, is also very much used for patent leather and kid boots, particularly when they are a little worn. This blacking is merely applied with a piece of sponge, and the boots should not be put on until the blacking is dry and hardened. These various preliminary offices performed, the ladies' maid should prepare for dressing her mistress, arranging her dressing room, toilet table, and linen, according to her mistress' wishes and habits. The details of dressing we need not touch upon. Every lady has her own mode of doing so. But the maid should move about quietly, perform any offices about her mistress' person, as lacing stays, gently, and adjust her linen smoothly. Having prepared the dressing room by lighting the fire, sweeping the hearth, and made everything ready for dressing her mistress, placed her linen before the fire to air, and laid out the various articles of dress she is to wear, which will probably have been arranged the previous evening, the ladies' maid is prepared for the morning duties. Hair dressing is the most important part of the ladies' maid's office. If ringlets are worn, remove the curl papers, and after thoroughly brushing the back hair both above and below, dress it according to the prevailing fashion. If bandeau are worn, the hair is thoroughly brushed and frizzed outside and inside, folding the hair back round the head, brushing it perfectly smooth, giving it a glossy appearance by the use of pomades or oil applied by the palm of the hand, smoothing it down with a small brush dipped in bandoline. Double bandeau are formed by bringing most of the hair forward, and rolling it over frizzettes made of hair the same color as that of the wearer. It is finished behind by plating the hair, and arranging it in such a manner as to look well with the headdress. Lessons in hair dressing may be obtained, and at not an unreasonable charge. If a ladies' maid can afford it, we would advise her to initiate herself in the mysteries of hair dressing before entering on her duties. If a mistress finds her maid handy and willing to learn, she will not mind the expense of a few lessons, which are almost necessary, as the fashion and mode of dressing the hair is so continually changing. Brushes and combs should be kept scrupulously clean by washing them about twice a week. To do this oftener spoils the brushes, as very frequent washing makes them so very soft. To wash brushes. Dissolve a piece of soda in some hot water, allowing a piece the size of a walnut to a quart of water. Put the water into a basin, and after combing out the hair from the brushes, dip them, bristles downwards into the water and out again, keeping the backs and handles as free from the water as possible. Repeat this until the bristles look clean. Then rinse the brushes in a little cold water. Shake them well, and wipe the handles and backs with a towel, but not the bristles, and set the brushes to dry in the sun or near the fire. But take care not to put them too close to it. Wiping the bristles of a brush makes them soft, as does also the use of soap. To clean combs. If it can be avoided, never wash combs, as the water often makes the teeth split, and the tortoise shell or horn of which they are made, rough. Small brushes manufactured purposefully for cleaning combs may be purchased at a trifling cost. With this, the comb should be well brushed, and afterwards wiped with a cloth or towel. A good wash for the hair. Ingredients. One penny worth of borax, half pint of olive oil, one pint of boiling water. Mode. Pour the boiling water over the borax and oil. Let it cool. Then put the mixture into a bottle. Shake it before using, and apply it with a flannel. Camphor and borax, dissolved in boiling water and left to cool, make a very good wash for the hair, as also does rosemary water mixed with a little borax. After using any of these washes, when the hair becomes thoroughly dry, a little pomade or more oil should be rubbed in to make it smooth and glossy. To make pomade for the hair. Ingredients. A quarter pound of lard, two penny worth of castor oil, scent. Mode. Let the lard be unsalted. Beat it up well, then add the castor oil, and mix thoroughly together with a knife, adding a few drops of any scent that may be preferred. Pour the pomade into pots, which keep well covered to prevent it turning rancid. Another recipe for pomade. Ingredients. Eight ounces of olive oil, one ounce of spermaceti, three penny worth of essential oil of almonds, three penny worth of essence of lemon. Mode. Mix these ingredients together, and store away in jars for use. To make bandoline. Ingredients. One ounce of gum tragusanth, quarter pint of cold water, three penny worth of essence of almonds, two teaspoonfuls of old rum. Mode. Put the gum tragusanth into a wide mouth bottle with the cold water. Let it stand till dissolved, then stir into it the essence of almonds. Let it remain for an hour or two when pour the rum on top. This should make the stock bottle. And when any is required for use, it is merely necessary to dilute it with a little cold water until the desired consistency is obtained, and to keep it in a small bottle, well-corked for use. This bandoline, instead of injuring the hair as many other kinds often do, improves it by increasing its growth and making it always smooth and glossy. An excellent pomadum. Ingredients. One and a half pounds of lard, half pint of olive oil, half pint of castor oil, four ounces of spermaceti, bergamot, or any other scent. Elderflower water. Mode. Wash the lard well in the elderflower water. Drain and beat it to a cream. Mix the two oils together and heat them sufficiently to dissolve the spermaceti, which should be beaten fine in a mortar. Mix all these ingredients together with the brandy and whatever kind of scent may be preferred. And whilst warm, pour into glass bottles for use, keeping them well-corked. The best way to liquefy the pomadum is to set the bottle in a saucepan of warm water. It will remain good for many months. To promote the growth of hair. Ingredients. Equal quantities of olive oil and spirit of rosemary. A few drops of oil of nutmeg. Mode. Mix the ingredients together. Rub the roots of the hair every night with a little of this liniment. And the growth of it will very soon sensibly increase. Our further remarks on dressing must be confined to some general advice. In putting on a band, see that it is laid quite flat and is drawn tightly round the waist before it is pinned in front. That the pin is a strong one and that it is secured to the stays so as not to slip up or down or crease in the folds. Arrange the folds of the dress over the crinoline petticoats. If the dress fastens behind, put a small pin in the slit to prevent it from opening. See that the sleeves fall well over the arms. If it is finished with a jacket or other upper dress, see that it fits smoothly under the arms. Pull out the flounces and spread out the petticoat at the bottom with the hands so that it falls in graceful folds. In arranging the petticoat itself, a careful lady's maid will see that this is firmly fastened around the waist. Where sashes are worn, pin the bows securely on the inside with a pin so as not to be visible. Then raise the bow with the fingers. The collar is arranged and carefully adjusted with brooch or bow in the center. Having dressed her mistress for breakfast and breakfasted herself, the further duties of the lady's maid will depend altogether upon the habits of the family, in which hardly two will probably agree. Where the duties are entirely confined to attendance on her mistress, it is probable that the bedroom and dressing room will be committed to her care, that the housemaid will rarely enter except for the weekly or other periodical cleaning. She will therefore have to make her mistress's bed and keep it in order. And as her duties are light and easy, there can be no allowance made for the slightest approach to uncleanliness or want of order. Every morning immediately after her mistress has left it, and while breakfast is on, she should throw the bed open by taking off the clothes, open the windows, except in rainy weather, and leave the room to air for half an hour. After breakfast, except her attendance on her mistress prevents it, if the rooms are carpeted, she should sweep them carefully, having previously strewed the room with moist tea leaves, dusting every table and chair, taking care to penetrate to every corner, and moving every article of furniture that is portable. This done satisfactorily, and having cleaned the dressing glass, polished up the furniture and the ornaments, and made the glass jug and basin clean and bright, emptied all slops, emptied the water jugs and filled them with fresh water, and arranged the rooms, the dressing room is ready for the mistress when she thinks proper to appear. The dressing room thoroughly in order, the same thing is to be done in the bedroom, in which she will probably be assisted by the housemaid to make the bed and empty the slops. In making the bed, she will study her lady's wishes, whether it is to be hard or soft, sloping or straight, and see that it is done accordingly. Having swept the bedroom with equal care, dusted the tables and chairs, chimney ornaments, and put away all articles of dress left from yesterday, and cleaned and put away any articles of jewelry, her next care is to see before her mistress goes out what requires replacing in her department, and furnish her with a list of them that she may use her discretion about ordering them. All this done, she may settle herself down to any work on which she is engaged. This will consist chiefly in mending, which is first to be seen to. Everything except stockings being mended before washing. Plain work will probably be one of the lady's maid's chief employments. A waiting maid who wishes to make herself useful will study the fashion books with attention, so as to be able to aid her mistress's judgment in dressing according to the prevailing fashion, with such modifications as her style of countenance requires. She will also, if she has her mistress's interest at heart, employ her spare time in repairing and making up dresses which have served one purpose, to serve another also, or turning many things unfitted for her mistress to use, for the younger branches of the family. The lady's maid may thus render herself invaluable to her mistress, and increase her own happiness in so doing. The exigencies of fashion and luxury are such that all ladies, except those of the very highest rank, will consider themselves fortunate in having about them a thoughtful person capable of diverting their finery to a useful purpose. Among other duties the lady's maid should understand the various processes for washing and cleaning and repairing laces, edging of collars, removing stains and grease spots from dresses, and similar processes, for which the following recipes will be found useful. In washing, blonde, fine toilet soap is used. The blonde is soaped over very slightly and washed in water in which a little fig blue is dissolved, rubbing it very gently. When cleaned, dry it. Dip it afterwards in very thin gum water. Dry it again in linen, spread it out as flat as it will lie, and iron it. Where the blonde is of better quality and wider, it may be stretched on a hoop to dry after washing in the blue water, applying the gum with a sponge, or it may be washed finally in water in which a lump of sugar has been dissolved, which gives it more the appearance of a new blonde. Lace collars soil very quickly when in contact with the neck. They are cleaned by beating the edge of the collar between the folds of a fine linen cloth, then washing the edges as directed above, and spreading it out on an ironing board, pinning it at each corner with fine pins, then going carefully over it with a sponge charged with water in which some gum dragon and fig blue have been dissolved, to give it a proper consistency. To give the collar the same tint throughout, the whole collar should be sponged with the same water, taking care not to touch the flowers. A multiplicity of accidents occur to soil and spot dresses, which should be removed at once. To remove grease spots from cotton or woolen materials of fast colors, absorbent pastes, purified bullock's blood, or even common soap are used, applied to the spot when dry. When the colors are not fast, use fuller's earth or pulverized potter's clay, laid in a layer over the spot, and press it with a very hot iron. For silk, smores, and plain or brocaded satins, begin by pouring over the spot two drops of rectified spirits of wine, cover it over with a linen cloth, and press it with a hot iron, changing the linen instantly. The spot will look tarnished, for a portion of the grease still remains. This will be removed entirely by a little sulfuric, either dropped on the spot, or a very little rubbing. If neatly done, no perceptible mark or circle will remain, nor will the luster of the richest silk be changed, the union of the two liquids operating with no injurious effects from rubbing. Fruit spots are removed from white and fast colored cottons by the use of chloride of soda. Commence by cold-soaping the article, then touch the spot with a hair pencil or feather dipped in the chloride, dipping it immediately into cold water, to prevent the texture of the article being injured. Ink spots are removed when fresh applied to the spot by a few drops of hot water being poured on immediately afterwards. By the same process, iron mold in linen or calico may be removed, dipping immediately in cold water to prevent injury to the fabric. Wax dropped on a shell, table cover, or cloth dress is easily discharged by applying spirits of wine. Syrups are preserved fruits by washing in lukewarm water with a dry cloth, and pressing the spot between two folds of clean linen. A sense of lemon will remove grease, but will make a spot itself in a few days. To clean silk or ribbons, ingredients, half pint of gin, half pound of honey, half pound of soft soap, half pint of water, mode. Mix the above ingredients together, then lay each breadth of silk upon a clean kitchen table or dresser, and scrub it well on the soiled side with the mixture. Have ready three vessels of cold water. Take each piece of silk at two corners, and dip it up and down in each vessel, but do not wring it, and take care that each breadth has one vessel of quite clean water for the last dip. Hang it up dripping for a minute or two, then dab it in a cloth, and iron it quickly with a very hot iron. To remove paint spots from silk cloth, if the fabric will bear it, sharp rubbing will frequently entirely discharge a newly made paint stain, but if this is not successful, apply spirit of turpentine with a quill till the stains disappear. To make old crepe look nearly equal to new. Place a little water in a tea kettle, and let it boil until there's plenty of steam from the spout. Then holding the crepe in both hands, pass it to and fro several times through the steam, and it will be clean and look nearly to new. Linen. Before sending linen to wash, the ladies-maid should see that everything under her charge is properly mended. For her own sake she should take care that it is sent out in an orderly manner, each class of garments by themselves, with a proper list of which she retains a copy. On its return it is still more necessary to examine every piece separately, so that all missing buttons be supplied, and only the articles properly washed and in perfect repair passed on to the wardrobe. Ladies who keep awaiting maid for their own persons are in the habit of paying visits to their friends, in which it is not unusual for the maid to accompany them. At all events it is her duty to pack the trunks, and this requires not only knowledge but some practice, although the improved trunks and portmanteaus now made, in which there is a place for nearly everything, render this more simple than formerly. Before packing let the trunks be thoroughly well cleaned, and if necessary lined with paper, and everything intended for packing laid out on the bed or chairs, so that it may be seen what is to be stowed away. The nicer articles of dress neatly folded in clean calico wrappers. Having satisfied herself that everything wanted is laid out, and that it is in perfect order, the packing is commenced by disposing of the most bulky articles, the dressing case and work box, skirts, and other articles requiring room, leaving the smaller articles to fill up. Finally having satisfied herself that all is included, she should lock and cover up the trunk in its canvas case, and then pack her own box if she is to accompany her mistress. On reaching the house the ladies maid will be shown her ladies apartment, and the duties here are what they were at home. She will arrange her mistress's things and learn which is her bell in order to go to her when she rings. Her meals will be taken in the housekeeper's room, and here she must be discreet and guarded in her talk to anyone of her mistress or her concerns. Her only occupation here will be attending in her ladies room, keeping her things in order, and making her rooms comfortable for her. The evening duties of a ladies maid are pretty nearly a repetition of those of the morning. She is in attendance when her mistress retires, she assists her to undress if required, brushes her hair, and renders such other assistants as is demanded, removes all slops, takes care that the fire, if any, is safe before she retires to rest herself. Ironing is a part of the duties of a ladies maid, and she should be able to do it in the most perfect manner when it becomes necessary. Ironing is often badly done from inattention to a few very simple requirements. Cleanliness is the first essential. The ironing board, the fire, the iron, and the ironing blanket should all be perfectly clean. It will not be necessary here to enter into details on ironing, as full directions are given in the duties of the laundry maid. A ladies maid will have a great deal of ironing out to do, such as light evening dresses, muslin dresses, etc., which are not dirty enough to be washed, but merely require smoothing out to remove the creases. In summer, particularly, an iron will be constantly required, as also a skirt board, which should be covered with a nice clean piece of flannel. To keep muslin dresses in order, they almost require smoothing out every time they are worn, particularly if made with many flounces. The ladies maid may often have to perform little services for her mistress, which require care, such as restoring the color to scorched linen, etc., etc. The following recipe is, we believe, a very good one. To restore whiteness to scorched linen. Ingredients. Half pint of vinegar, two ounces of Fuller's Earth, one ounce of dried fowls dung, half ounce of soap, the juice of two large onions. Mode. Boil all these ingredients together to the consistency of paste. Spread the composition thickly over the damaged part, and if the threads be not actually consumed after it has been allowed to dry on, and the place has subsequently been washed once or twice, every trace of scorching will disappear. Furs, feathers, and woolens require the constant care of the waiting maid. Furs and feathers, not in constant use, should be wrapped up in linen washed in lye. From May to September they are subject to being made the depository of the moth eggs. They should be looked to and shaken and beaten from time to time, in case some of the eggs should have been lodged in them, in spite of every precaution. Laying them up again, or rather folding them up as before, wrapping them in brown paper, which is itself a preservative. Shaws and cloaks, which would be damaged by such close folds, must be looked to and aired and beaten, putting them away dry before the evening. Preservatives against the ravages of moths. Place pieces of campfire, cedar wood, Russia leather, tobacco leaves, bog myrtle, or anything else strongly aromatic, in the drawers or boxes where furs or other things to be preserved from moths are kept, and they will never take harm. Jewels are generally wrapped up in cotton, and kept in their cases, but they are subject to tarnish from exposure to the air, and require cleaning. This is done by preparing clean soap suds, using fine toilet soap. Dip any article of gold, silver, gilt, or precious stones into this lye, and dry them by brushing with a brush of soft badger's hair, or a fine sponge, afterwards with a piece of fine cloth, and lastly with a soft leather. Epollets of gold or silver, and in general all articles of jewelry, may be dressed by dipping them in spirits of wine warmed in a bain-marie, or shallow kettle, and placed over a slow fire or hot plate. The valet and ladies made from their supposed influence with their master and mistress, are exposed to some temptations to which other servants are less subjected. They are probably in communication with the tradespeople who supply articles for the toilet, such as hatters, tailors, dressmakers, and perfumers. The conduct of waiting made in valet to these people should be civil, but independent, making reasonable allowance for want of exact punctuality, if any such can be made. They should represent any inconvenience respectfully, and if an excuse seems unreasonable, put the matter fairly to master and mistress, leaving it to them to notice it further, if they think it necessary. No expectations of a personal character should influence them one where the other. It would be acting unreasonably to any domestic to make them refuse such presence as trades people choose to give them. The utmost that can be expected is that they should not influence their judgment in the article supplied, that they should represent them truly to master or mistress, without fear and without favour. Civility to all, servility to none, is a good maxim for everyone. Deference to a master and mistress, and to their friends and visitors, is one of the implied terms of their engagement, and this deference must apply even to what may be considered their whims. A servant is not to be seated, or wear a hat in the house, in his master's or mistress's presence, nor offer any opinion unless asked for it, nor even to say good night or good morning, except in reply to that salutation. To preserve cut flowers. A bouquet of freshly cut flowers may be preserved alive for a long time by placing them in a glass or vase with fresh water in which a little charcoal has been steeped, or a small piece of can for dissolved. The vase should be set upon a plate or dish, and covered with a bell glass around the edges of which, when it comes in contact with the plate, a little water should be poured to exclude the air. To revive cut flowers after packing. Plunge the stems into boiling water, and by the time the water is cold, the flowers will have revived. Then cut afresh the ends of the stems, and keep them in fresh cold water. End of section 95. Section 96 of the Book of Household Management. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Kara Schellenberg. The Book of Household Management by Isabella Beaton. Domestic Servants. Chapter 41. Part 4. Upper and Under Housemaids. 2291. Housemaids, in large establishments, have usually one or more assistants. In this case they are upper and under housemaids. Dividing the work between them, the upper housemaid will probably reserve for herself the task of dusting the ornaments and cleaning the furniture of the principal apartments, but it is her duty to see that every department is properly attended to. The number of assistants depends on the number in the family, as well as on the style in which the establishment is kept up. In wealthy families it is not unusual for every grown-up daughter to have her waiting maid, whose duty it is to keep her mistress's apartments in order, thus abridging the housemaids' duties. In others perhaps one waiting maid attends on two or three, when the housemaids' assistants will be more requisite. In fact every establishment has some customs peculiar to itself on which we need not dwell. The general duties are the same in all, perfect cleanliness and order being the object. Duties of the Housemaid 2292 Cleanliness is next to godliness, sayeth the proverb, and order is in the next degree. The housemaid then may be said to be the handmaiden to two of the most prominent virtues. Her duties are very numerous, and many of the comforts of the family depend on their performance, but they are simple and easy to a person naturally clean and orderly, and desirous of giving satisfaction. In all families, whatever the habits of the master and mistress, servants will find it advantageous to rise early. Their daily work will thus come easy to them. If they rise late there is a struggle to overtake it, which throws an air of haste and hurry over the whole establishment. Where the master's time is regulated by early business or professional engagements, this will of course regulate the hours of the servants, but even where that is not the case, servants will find great personal convenience in rising early and getting through their work in an orderly and methodical manner. The housemaid who studies her own ease will certainly be at her work by six o'clock in the summer and probably half past six or seven in the winter months, having spent a reasonable time in her own chamber in dressing. Earlier than this would probably be an unnecessary waste of coals and candle in winter. 2293. The first duty of the housemaid in winter is to open the shutters of all the lower rooms in the house and take up the hearthrugs of those rooms which she is going to do before breakfast. In some families where there is only a cook and housemaid kept and where the drawing rooms are large, the cook has the care of the dining room and the housemaid that of the breakfast room, library, and drawing rooms. After the shutters are all opened she sweeps the breakfast room, sweeping the dust towards the fireplace, of course previously removing the fender. She should then lay a cloth, generally made of coarse-wrappering, over the carpet in front of the stove, and on this should place her housemaid's box containing black-led brushes, leathers, emery paper, cloth, black-led, and all utensils necessary for cleaning a grate with the cinder-pale on the other side. 2294 She now sweeps up the ashes and deposits them in her cinder-pale, which is a Japan tin-pale with a wire sifter inside and a closely fitting top. In this pail the cinders are sifted and reserved for use in the kitchen or under the copper the ashes only being thrown away. The cinders disposed of she proceeds to black-led the grate, producing the black-led, the soft brush for laying it on, her blacking and polishing brushes from the box which contains her tools. This housemaid's box should be kept well stocked. Having blackened, brushed, and polished every part, and made all clean and bright, she now proceeds to lay the fire. Sometimes it is very difficult to get a proper polish to black grates particularly if they have been neglected and allowed to rust at all. Brunswick black, which is an excellent varnish for grates, may be prepared in the following manner. 2295 Ingredients one pound of common asphaltum, half pint of linseed oil, one quart of oil of turpentine, mowed, melt the asphaltum and add gradually to it the other two ingredients. Apply this with a small painter's brush and leave it to become perfectly dry. The grate will need no other cleaning but will merely require dusting every day and occasionally brushing with a dry black-led brush. This is, of course, when no fires are used. When they are required, the bars, cheeks, and back of the grate will need black-ledding in the usual manner. 2296 Fire lighting, however simple, is an operation requiring some skill. A fire is readily made by laying a few cinders at the bottom in open order. Over this a few pieces of paper, and over that again eight or ten pieces of dry wood. Over the wood a course of moderate-sized pieces of coal, taking care to leave hollow spaces between for air at the center, and taking care to lay the hole well back in the grate so that the smoke may go up the chimney and not into the room. This done, fire the paper with a match from below, and if properly laid it will soon burn up. The stream of flame from the wood and paper soon communicating to the coals and cinders provided there is plenty of air at the center. 2297 A new method of lighting a fire is sometimes practiced with advantage, the fire lighting from the top and burning down in place of being lighted and burning up from below. This is arranged by laying the coals at the bottom mixed with a few good-sized cinders and the wood at the top with another layer of coals and some paper over it. The paper is lighted in the usual way and soon burns down to a good fire with some economy of fuel, as is said. 2298 Bright grates require unceasing attention to keep them in perfect order. A day should never pass without the housemaid rubbing with a dry leather the polished parts of a grate as also the fender and fire-irons. A careful and attentive housemaid should have no occasion ever to use emery paper for any part but the bars, which, of course, become blackened by the fire. Some mistresses to save labor have a double set of bars, one set bright for the summer, and another black set to use when fires are in requisition. When bright grates are once neglected small rust spots begin to show themselves, which a plain leather will not remove, the following method of cleaning them must then be resorted to. First thoroughly clean with emery paper, then take a large, smooth pebble from the road sufficiently large to hold comfortably in the hand, with which rub the steel backwards and forwards one way until the desired polish is obtained. It may appear at first to scratch, but continue rubbing, and the result will be success. The following is also an excellent polish for bright stoves and steel articles. 2299. Ingredients one tablespoon full of turpentine, one ditto of sweet oil, emery powder. Mode. Mix the turpentine and sweet oil together, stirring in sufficient emery powder to make the mixture of the thickness of cream. Put it on the article with a piece of soft flannel, rub off quickly with another piece, then polish with a little dry emery powder and clean leather. 2300. The several fires lighted, the housemaid proceeds with her dusting and polishing the several pieces of furniture in the breakfast parlor, leaving no corner unvisited. Before sweeping the carpet, it is a good practice to sprinkle it all over with tea leaves, which not only lay all dust, but give a slightly fragrant smell to the room. It is now in order for the reception of the family, and where there is neither footman nor parlor maid, she now proceeds to the dressing room and lights her mistress's fire if she is in the habit of having one to dress by. Her mistress is called, hot water placed in the dressing room for her use, her clothes, as far as they are under the housemaid's charge, put before the fire to air, hanging a fire guard on the bars where there is one, while she proceeds to prepare the breakfast. 2300. In summer the housemaid's work is considerably abridged. She throws open the windows of the several rooms, not occupied as bedrooms, that they may receive the fresh morning air before they are occupied. She prepares the breakfast room by sweeping the carpet, rubbing tables and chairs, dusting mantel shelf and picture frames with a light brush, dusting the furniture and beating and sweeping the rug. She cleans the grate when necessary and replaces the white paper or arranges the shavings with which it is filled, leaving everything clean and tidy for breakfast. It is not enough, however, in cleaning furniture, just to pass lightly over the surface. The rims and legs of tables and the backs and legs of chairs and sofas should be rubbed vigorously daily. If there is a bookcase, every corner of every pain and ledge requires to be carefully wiped so that not a speck of dust can be found in the room. 2300. After the breakfast room is finished the housemaid should proceed to sweep down the stairs, commencing at the top, whilst the cook has the charge of the hall, doorstep, and passages. After this she should go into the drawing room, cover up every article of furniture that is likely to spoil with large dusting sheets and put the chairs together by turning them seat to seat and, in fact, make as much room as possible by placing all the loose furniture in the middle of the room whilst she sweeps the corners and sides. When this is accomplished the furniture can then be put back in its place and the middle of the room swept, sweeping the dirt, as before said, towards the fireplace. The same rules should be observed in cleaning the drawing room grates as we have just stated, putting down the cloth before commencing to prevent the carpet from getting soiled. In the country a room would not require sweeping thoroughly like this more than twice a week but the housemaid should go over it every morning with a dustpan and broom picking up every crumb and piece she may see. After the sweeping she should leave the room, shut the door, and proceed to lay the breakfast. Where there is neither footmen nor parlor maid kept, the duty of laying the breakfast cloth rests on the housemaid. 2303. Before laying the cloth for breakfast, the heater of the tea urn is to be placed in the hottest part of the kitchen fire or where the kettle is used, boiled on the kitchen fire and then removed to the parlor where it is kept hot. Having washed herself free from the dust arising from the morning's work the housemaid collects the breakfast things on her tray, takes the breakfast cloth from the napkin press and carries them all on the tray into the parlor, arranges them on the table, placing a sufficiency of knives, forks, and salt sellers for the family, and takes the tray back to the pantry, gets a supply of milk, cream, and bread, fills the butter dish, taking care that the salt is plentiful and soft and dry, and that hot plates and egg cups are ready where warm meat or eggs are served, and that butter knife and bread knife are in their places. And now she should give the signal for breakfast, holding herself ready to fill the urn with hot water or hand the kettle and take in the rolls, toast, and other eatables with which the cook supplies her when the breakfast room bell rings, bearing in mind that she is never to enter the parlor with dirty hands or with a dirty apron, and that everything is to be handed on a tray, that she is to hand everything she may be required to supply on the left hand of the person she is serving, and that all is done quietly and without bustle or hurry. In some families where there is a large number to attend on, the cook waits at breakfast whilst the housemaid is busy upstairs in the bedrooms or sweeping, dusting, and putting the drawing room in order. 2,304. Breakfast served, the housemaid proceeds to the bed chambers, throws up the sashes, if not already done, pulls up the blinds, throwing back curtains at the same time, and opens the beds by removing the clothes, placing them over a horse or failing that over the backs of chairs. She now proceeds to empty the slops. In doing this, everything is emptied into the slop pail, leaving a little scalding hot water for a minute in such vessels as required, adding a drop of turpentine to the water when that is not sufficient to cleanse them. The basin is emptied, well rinsed with clean water and carefully wiped. The ewers emptied and washed. Finally, the water jugs themselves emptied out and rinsed and wiped dry. As soon as this is done, she should remove and empty the pails, taking care that they also are well washed, scalded, and wiped as soon as they are empty. 2,305. Next follows bed making, at which the cook or kitchen maid, where one is kept, usually assists, but, before beginning, velvet chairs or other things injured by dust should be removed to another room. In bed making, the fancy of its occupant should be consulted, some like beds sloping from the top towards the feet, swelling slightly in the middle, others perfectly flat. A good house maid will accommodate each bed to the taste of the sleeper, taking care to shake, beat, and turn it well in the process. Some persons prefer sleeping on the mattress, in which case a feather bed is usually beneath, resting on a second mattress, and a straw pious at the bottom. In this case the mattresses should change places daily. The feather bed placed on the mattress, shaken, beaten, taken up, and opened several times, so as thoroughly to separate the feathers. If too large to be thus handled, the maid should shake and beat one end first, and then the other, smoothing it afterwards equally all over into the required shape, and place the mattress gently over it. Any feathers which escape in this process, a tidy servant will put back through the seam of the tick. She will also be careful to sew up any stitch that gives way the moment it is discovered. The bed clothes are laid on, beginning with an under blanket and sheet, which are tucked under the mattress at the bottom. The bolster is then beaten and shaken, and put on, the top of the sheet rolled round it, and the sheet tucked in all round. The pillows and other bed clothes follow, and the counterpane over all, which should fall in graceful folds and at equal distance from the ground all round. The curtains are drawn to the head and folded neatly across the bed, and the hole finished in a smooth and graceful manner. Where spring mattresses are used, care should be taken that the top one is turned every day. The housemaid should now take up in a dustpan any pieces that may be on the carpet. She should dust the room, shut the door, and proceed to another room. When all the bedrooms are finished, she should dust the stairs and polish the handrail of the banisters, and see that all ledges, windowsills, et cetera, are quite free from dust. It will be necessary for the housemaid to divide her work, so that she may not have too much to do on certain days and not sufficient to fill up her time on other days. In the country, bedrooms should be swept and thoroughly cleaned once a week, and to be methodical and regular in her work the housemaid should have certain days for doing certain rooms thoroughly. For instance, the drawing room on Monday, two bedrooms on Tuesday, two on Wednesday, and so on, reserving a day for thoroughly cleaning the plate, bedroom candlesticks, et cetera, et cetera, which she will have to do where there is no parlor made or footmen kept. By this means the work will be divided, and there will be no unnecessary bustling and hurrying, as is the case where the work is done any time without rule or regulation. 2,306. Once a week, when a bedroom is to be thoroughly cleaned, the housemaid should commence by brushing the mattresses of the bed before it is made. She should then make it, shake the curtains, lay them smoothly on the bed, and pin or tuck up the bottom valance so that she may be able to sweep under the bed. She should then unloop the window curtains, shake them, and pin them high up out of the way. After clearing the dressing table and the room altogether of little articles of china, et cetera, et cetera, she should shake the toilet covers, fold them up, and lay them on the bed, over which a large dusting sheet should be thrown. She should then sweep the room, first of all, sprinkling the carpet with well-squeezed tea leaves, or little freshly pulled grass when this is obtainable. After the carpet is swept and the grate cleaned, she should wash with soap and water with a little soda in it, the washing table apparatus, removing all marks or fur around the jugs caused by the water. The water bottles and tumblers must also have her attention, as well as the top of the washing stand, which should be cleaned with soap and flannel if it be marble. If of polished mahogany, no soap must be used. When these are all clean and arranged in their places, the housemaid should scrub the floor, where it is not covered with carpet, under the beds and round the wainscot. She should use as little soap and soda as possible, as too free a use of these articles is liable to give the boards a black appearance. In the country, cold, soft water, a clean scrubbing brush and a willing arm are all that are required to make bedroom floors look white. In winter it is not advisable to scrub rooms too often, as it is difficult to dry them thoroughly at that season of the year, and nothing is more dangerous than to allow persons to sleep in a damp room. The housemaid should now dust the furniture, blinds, ornaments, etc., polish the looking glass, arrange the toilet cover and muslin, remove the cover from the bed and straighten and arrange the curtains and counterpane. A bedroom should be cleaned like this every week. There are times, however, when it is necessary to have the carpet up. This should be done once a year in the country and twice a year in large cities. The best time for these arrangements is spring and autumn, when the bed furniture requires changing to suit the seasons of the year. After arranging the furniture, it should all be well rubbed and polished. And for this purpose the housemaid should provide herself with an old silk pocket handkerchief to finish the polishing. 20307. As modern furniture is now nearly always French polished, it should often be rubbed with an old silk rubber or a fine cloth or duster to keep it free from smears. Three or four times a year any of the following polishes may be applied with very great success as any of them make French polished furniture look very well. One precaution must be taken not to put too much of the polish on at one time and to rub, not smear, rub it over the articles. Furniture polish. 20308. Ingredients ¼ pint of linseed oil, ¼ pint of vinegar, 1 ounce of spirits of salts, ½ ounce of myriatic antimony. Mode mix all well together and shake before using. Furniture polish. 20309. Ingredients Equal proportions of linseed oil, turpentine, vinegar, and spirits of wine. Mode when used, shake the mixture well and rub on the furniture with a piece of linen rag and polish with a clean duster. Vinegar and oil rubbed in with flannel and the furniture rubbed with a clean duster produce a very good polish. Furniture paste. 2310. Ingredients Equal proportions of common beeswax, 1 ounce of white wax, 1 ounce of curd soap, 1 pint of turpentine, 1 pint of boiled water. Mode mix the ingredients together, adding the water when cold, shake the mixture frequently in the bottle, and do not use it for 48 hours after it is made. It should be applied with a piece of flannel, the furniture polished with a duster, and then with an old silk rubber. The chambers are finished. The chamber candlesticks brought down and cleaned. The parlor lamps trimmed, and here the housemaid's utmost care is required. In cleaning candlesticks, as in every other cleaning, she should have cloths and brushes kept for that purpose alone. The knife used to scrape them should be applied to no other purpose. The tallow grease should be thrown into a box kept for the purpose, the same with everything connected with the lamp trimming. The best mode of doing which she will do well to learn from the tradesman who supplies the oil, always bearing in mind, however, that without perfect cleanliness, which involves occasional scalding, no lamp can be kept in order. 2312 The drawing and dining-room, in as much as everything there is more costly and valuable, require even more care. When the carpets are as kind known as velvet pile, they require to be swept firmly by a hard, whisk brush made of coconut fibre. 2313 The furniture must be carefully gone over in every corner with a soft brush that it may be left perfectly free from dust, or where that is beyond reach with a brush made of long feathers or a goose's wing. The sofas are swept in the same manner, slightly beaten, the cushions shaken and smooth, the picture frames swept, and everything arranged in its proper place. This of course applies to dining as well as drawing-room and morning-room. And now the housemaid may dress herself for the day and prepare for the family dinner, at which she must attend. 2314 We need not repeat the long instructions already given for laying the dinner-table. At the family dinner, even where no footman waits, the routine will be the same. In most families the cloth is laid and slips on each side, with napkins, knives, fork, spoons, and wine and finger-glasses, on all occasions. 2315 She should ascertain that her plate is in order, glasses free from smears, water-bottles and decanters the same, and everything ready on her tray that she may be able to lay her cloth properly. Few things add more to the neat and comfortable appearance of a dinner-table than well-polished plate. Indeed, the state of the plate is a certain indication of a well-managed or ill-managed household. Nothing is easier than to keep plate in good order, and yet many servants from stupidity and ignorance make it the greatest trouble of all things under their care. It should be remembered that it is utterly impossible to make greasy silver take a polish, and that as spoons and forks in daily use are continually in contact with grease, they must require good washing in soap and water to remove it. Silver should be washed with a soapy flannel in one water, rinsed in another, and then wiped dry with a dry cloth. The plate so washed may be polished with the plate rags, as in the following directions. Once a week, all the plate should receive a thorough cleaning with the hearts-horn powder, as directed in the first recipe for cleaning plate, and at the same time rubbed every day with the plate rags. 2316 Hearts-horn, we may observe, is one of the best possible ingredients for plate powder in daily use. It leaves on the silver a deep, dark polish, and at the same time does less injury than anything else. It has also the advantage of being very cheap, almost all the ordinary powders sold in boxes containing more or less of quick silver, and this, in process of time, is sure to make the plate brittle. If anyone wishes to be convinced of the effect of quick silver on plate, he has only to rub a little of it on one place for some time, on the handle of a silver teaspoon, for instance, and he will find it break in that spot with very little pressure. To clean plate a very excellent method. 2317 Wash the plate and move all grease in a strong lather of common yellow soap and boiling water and wipe it quite dry. Then mix as much heartshorn powder as will be required into a thick paste with cold water or spirits of wine. Smear this lightly over the plate with a piece of soft rag, and leave it for some little time to dry. When perfectly dry brush it off quite clean with a soft plate brush and polish the plate with a dry leather. When finished, spirits of wine will be found to answer better than the water for mixing the paste. Plate rags for daily use. 2318 Boil soft rags. Nothing is better for the purpose than the tops of old cotton stockings. In a mixture of new milk and heartshorn powder in the proportion of one ounce of powder to a pint of milk boil them for five minutes ring them as soon as they are taken out and dry them before the fire. With these rags rub the plate briskly as soon as it has been well washed and dried after daily use. A most beautiful deep polish will be produced and the plate will require nothing more than merely to be dusted with a leather or a dry soft cloth before it is again put on the table. 2319 For waiting at table the house maid should be neatly and cleanly dressed and if possible the large open ones dipping and falling into everything on the table and being very much in the way. She should not wear creaking boots and should move about the room as noiselessly as possible anticipating people's wants by handing them things without being asked for them and altogether be as quiet as possible. It will be needless here to repeat what we have already said respecting the good for the parlor maid or house maid. 2320 The house maid having announced that dinner is on the table will hand the soup, fish, meat or side dishes to the different members of the family but in families who do not spend much of the day together they will probably prefer being alone at dinner and breakfast. The house maid will be required after all are helped if her master does not wish her to stay and answer the bell when rung. In this case she will place a pile of plates on the table or a dumbwaiter within reach of her master and mistress and leave the room. 2321 Dinner over the house maid removes the plates and dishes on the tray places the dirty knives and forks in the basket prepared for them folds up the napkins in the ring which indicates by which member of the family kept for the purpose folds up the table cloth in the folds already made and places it in the linen press to be smoothed out. After every meal the table should be rubbed all marks from hot plates removed and the table cover thrown over and the room restored to its usual order. If the family retire to the drawing room or any other room it is a good practice to throw up the sash to admit fresh air and ventilate the room. 2322 the house maid's evening service consists in washing up the dinner things the plate plated articles and glasses restoring everything to its place cleaning up her pantry and putting away everything for use when next required lastly preparing for tea as the time approaches by setting the things out on the tray getting the urn or kettle ready with cream and other things usually partaken of at that meal 2323 in summertime the windows of all the bedrooms which have been closed during the heat of the day should be thrown open for an hour or so after sunset in order to air them before dark they should be closed the bed clothes turned down and the night clothes laid in order for use when required during winter where fires are required in the dressing rooms they should be lighted an hour before the usual time of retiring placing a fire guard before each fire at the same time the night things on the horse should be placed before it to be aired with a tin can of hot water if the mistress is in the habit of washing before going to bed we may add that there is no greater preservative of beauty than washing the face every night in hot water the housemaid will probably be required to assist her mistress to undress and put her dress in order as the housemaid is made 2324 and now the fire is made up for the night the fire guard replaced and everything in the room in order for the night the housemaid taking care to leave the candle and matches together in a convenient place should they be required it is usual in summer to remove all highly fragrant flowers at 225 on leisure days the housemaid should be able to do some needlework for her mistress such as turning and mending sheets and darning the house linen or assist her in anything she may think fit to give her to do for this reason it is almost essential that a housemaid in a small family should be an expert needlewoman as if she be a good manager and an active girl she will have time on her hands 2326. Periodical cleanings. Besides the daily routine, which we have described, there are portions of every house which can only be thoroughly cleaned occasionally, at which time the whole house usually undergoes a more thorough cleaning than is permitted in the general way. On these occasions it is usual to begin at the top of the house and clean downwards, moving everything out of the room, washing the wainscutting or paint with soft soap and water, pulling down the beds and thoroughly cleansing all the joints, scrubbing the floor, beating feather beds, mattresses, and payas, and thoroughly purifying every article of furniture before it is put back in its place. 2327. This general cleaning usually takes place in the spring or early summer when the warm curtains of winter are replaced by the light and cheerful muslin curtains. Carpets are at the same time taken up and beaten except where the mistress of the house has been worried into an experiment by the often reiterated question, why beat your carpets? In this case she will probably have made up her mind to try the cleaning process and arranged with the company to send for them on the morning when cleaning commenced. It is hardly necessary to repeat that on this occasion every article is to be gone over the French polished furniture well rubbed and polished. The same thorough system of cleaning should be done throughout the house. The walls cleaned were painted and swept down with a soft broom or feather brush where papered. The window and bed curtains, which have been replaced with muslin ones carefully brushed or if they require it cleaned, lamps not likely to be required washed out with hot water dried and cleaned. The several grates are now to be furnished with their summer ornaments and we know none prettier than the following which the housemaid may provide at a small expense to her mistress. Purchase two yards and a half of crinoline muslin and tear it into small strips, the salvage way of the material, about an inch wide. Strip this thread by thread on each side leaving the four center threads. This gives about six and thirty pieces fringed on each side which are tied together at one end and fastened to the trap of the register. While the threads, unraveled, are spread gracefully about the grate, the lower part of which is filled with paper shavings. This makes a very elegant and very cheap ornament which is much stronger besides than those usually purchased. 2328. As winter approaches this house cleaning will have to be repeated and the warm bed and window curtains replaced. The process of scouring and cleaning is again necessary and must be gone through beginning at the top and going through the house down to the kitchens. 2329. Independently of these daily and periodical cleanings other occupations will present themselves from time to time which the housemaid will have to perform. When spots show on polished furniture they can generally be restored by soap and water and a sponge, the polish being brought out by using a little polish and then well rubbing it. Again drawers which draw out stiffly may be made to move more easily if the spot where they press is rubbed over with a little soap. 2330. Chips broken off any of the furniture should be collected and replaced by means of a little glue applied to it. Liquid glue which is sold prepared in bottles is very useful to have in the house as it requires no melting and anything broken can be so quickly repaired. 2331. Breaking glass and china is about the most disagreeable thing that can happen in a family and it is probably a greater annoyance to a right-minded servant than to the mistress. A neat-handed housemaid may sometimes repair these breakages where they are not broken in very conspicuous places by joining the pieces very neatly together with a cement made as follows. Dissolve an ounce of gum mastic in a quantity of highly rectified spirits of wine. Then soften an ounce of eisenglass in warm water and finally dissolve it in rum or brandy till it forms a thick jelly. Mix the eisenglass and gum mastic together, adding a quarter of an ounce of finely powdered gum ammonia. Put the whole into an earthen pipkin and in a warm place till they are thoroughly incorporated together. Pour it into a small file and cork it down for use. 2332. In using it dissolve a small piece of the cement in a silver teaspoon over a lighted candle. The broken pieces of glass or china being warmed and touched with the now liquid cement join the parts neatly together and hold in their places till the cement has set. Then wipe away the cement adhering to the edge of the joint and leave it for twelve hours without touching it. The joint will be as strong as the china itself and if neatly done it will show no joining. It is essential that neither of the pieces be wetted either with hot or cold water. Useful recipes for house maids. To clean marble. 2333. Mix with a quarter pint of soap leaves, a half gill of turpentine, sufficient pipe clay and bullocks gall to make the whole into rather a thick paste. Apply it to the marble with a soft brush and after a day or two when quite dry rub it off with a soft rag. Apply this a second or third time till the marble is quite clean. Another method 2334. Take two parts of soda, one of pumice stone and one of finely powdered chalk. Sift these through a fine sieve and mix them into a paste with water. Rub this well all over the marble and the stains will be removed. Then wash it with soap and water and a beautiful bright polish will be produced. To clean floor cloth 2335. After having washed the floor cloth in the usual manner with a damp flannel wet it all over with milk and rub it well with a dry cloth when a most beautiful polish will be brought out. Some persons use for rubbing a well waxed flannel but this in general produces an unpleasant slipperiness which is not the case with the milk. To clean decanters 2336. Roll up in small pieces some soft brown or blotting paper. Wet them and soap them well. Put them into the decanters about one quarter full of warm water. Shake them well for a few minutes then rinse with clear cold water. Wipe the outsides with a nice dry cloth. Put the decanters to drain and when dry they will be almost as bright as new ones. To brighten guilt frames 2337. Take sufficient flour of sulfur to give a golden tinge to about one and a half pints of water and in this boil four or five bruised onions or garlic which will answer the same purpose. Strain off the liquid and with it when cold wash with a soft brush any gilding which requires restoring and when dry it will come out as bright as new work. To preserve bright grates or fire irons from rust 2338. Make a strong paste of fresh lime and water and with a fine brush smear it as thickly as possible over all the polished surface requiring preservation. By this simple means all the grates and fire irons in an empty house may be kept for months free from harm without further care or attention. German Furniture Gloss 2339. Ingredients. Half a pound yellow wax, one ounce black rosin, two ounces of oil of turpentine. Mode. Cut the wax into small pieces and melt it in a pipkin with the rosin pounded very fine. Stir in gradually while these two ingredients are quite warm the oil of turpentine. Keep this composition well covered for use in a tin or earthen pot. A little of this gloss should be spread on a piece of coarse woolen cloth and the furniture well rubbed with it. Afterwards it should be polished with a fine cloth. End of section 96 read by Kara Schellenberg on September 28th 2007 in Oceanside California.