Daisy Green.—Your bridesmaids should wear white gloves, and so should you. The best man has nothing to do with the bride. He has to bring the bridegroom to the church, stand by him at the altar, and see that he does not run away; also, he has to attend to the accommodation of all the guests in their respective carriages, and to devote himself specially to the bridesmaids, for whom he has to return thanks, should their health be drunk. The bride drives to the church with her father, or whoever gives her away, and sits facing the horses. If you have but one carriage, send it back for your bridesmaids, as your parents must drive with you to the church. The men of your family can walk. If they can hire a cab, it would be the more economical plan in rainy weather.
Dotty.—1. Send the macramé lace to a cleaner. Their appliances are better than private home ones, and the price of cleaning is low. 2. In the name Helen, of course the “h” is aspirated, otherwise the name would be Ellen. It would be acting like a Cockney to drop it and confound the two names. Pronounce Mozart “Mo-zart.”
Louise.—We do not think there is any sale in England for cocoons; it costs so much to reel the silk off. If you have a large number you might perhaps do something with them in America, where the address of the Women’s Silk Culture Association is 1,328, Chesnut-street, Philadelphia. Women are largely interested there in sericulture.
Mary E. M.—1. Your fawn-coloured gown will look well for winter wear if dyed a rich dark red. Before ordering the dyeing, go to the dyer and ascertain from him whether your material will take the colour you desire satisfactorily, because some pale colours will not do so, and should be seen by an experienced workman. 2. With reference to the training of your voice, the first thing to be done is to effect the cure of your deafness; then take a few lessons from a good teacher—an Italian, if possible. Bad tricks are formed by untaught singers, such as singing through closed teeth, taking notes in a wrong voice, or commencing with the letter “n.” A gentleman we once knew used to distract us by saying, “‘N,’ as it fell upon a day,” etc.
An Eldest Daughter.—One of the best methods of making use of scraps of cloth is to cut them into pieces the size of a penny, taking a penny as a model, and sew them on, overlapping each other, on a piece of thick canvas for a foundation, for the hearthrug. If you mark out a pattern on this, such as a large diamond in the centre and a small diamond on either side, you can carry them out in colours, making the foundation black. Rub the ivory with whiting, slightly moistened.
Nina Kaselti may clean the zephyr woollen shawl with tinsel mixed in it in hot bran. She should rub very gently, just as if washing it in the bran. Flour would answer equally well.
A Young Mother.—Shilling knitting books are to be obtained at nearly every fancy shop. You can also get the little combinations in Germany ready made without trouble. We have seen them.
A Poor Country Lassie.—We should think you would be very wise to learn millinery, as it is a very nice, pleasant business, and you would not suffer from fatigue.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Unhappy Cis.—The subject of drunkenness seems a very hopeless one. Of course, people can cure themselves with God’s help and their own determination. We should advise your mother to seek legal advice and get protection for herself and her children. Such a step might bring him to reason. In America we hear that drunkards who wish to cure themselves are put on a vegetable diet. You have our warmest sympathy.