The evening times., 1898-06-23
GAN YOU "DO L p
YOUR OWN LACES?
Martha Washington Used Tc;
Likewise Other Danes.
Queen Victoria and Each of the
Royal Princesses Are Skill
full lrOneTs.


starching and fine ironing was regarded
as necessary part OF every lady's edu-
cation. ut did not SO much matter about
the lower classes" says a white-haired
old lady to a Philadelphia Times repre-
sentative: ''they were not supposed to
possess family laces and fne muslins but
We who did thought,it our duty to care
for them ourselves
Martha Washington was quite compe-
tent to do up" the dainty fchus in which
she is always portrayed. although. as her
own maid was an adept in the art. there
was no occasion that she should do so.
Among the many pretty stories told of
Princess Louise during her residence in
Canada. when the Marquis of Lorne was
vice regent of that province. is one of an
adventure. when. while on a walking trip
with her husband. she became separated
from their party. Fortunately a few min
utes' walk brought her to a little farm
house. Knocking at the door she was ad-
mitted by a pleasant-faced woman. who
invited her in. and asking her no ques-
tions, gave her 4 seat and offered her
glass of water. The princess declined the
water and requested that instead that she
might have a cup of tea
Tea! my dear madame." exclaimed the
woman of the house. Il have no time to
make you tea now: my irons are hot: this
shirt is sprinkled down and have to iron
IL for my husband to wear tomorrow.
The queens daughter and her husband
will be in town and he is going to see
them
Really" answered Princess Louise.
Suppose you let me iron the shirt while
you make me cup of tea.
Her hostess regarded her searchingly.
Can you iron?" she asked.
"Yes. indeed. all my mothers daughters
know how to iron. was the answer. and
rather reluctantly the, change of occupa-
ton was made. The princess performed
the task to the satisfaction of the far
mer's wife. who said graciously that she
herself could have done it no better. and
was contentedly drinking her tea when
the sound of approaching footsteps was
heard and the farmer appeared, accom-
panied by the Marquis of Lorne and his
attendants. Explanations followed. and
the woman of the house was oyerwhelm-
ed. AS TO the farmer, he was even more
The Princess Beatrice is not only a
skilled lacemaker, but has wonderful
knowledge of lace-cleaning. Some years
since she delivered a lecture az the South
Kensington Institute on laces. which con-
tanned some valuable hints as to their
care. When, once upon a time. in an old
chest at Windsor Castle she found some
priceless lace, believed to have belonged
to Queen Elizabeth. she would trust no
one with its restoration. and the work
of repairing and cleaning was done under
her own personal supervision; part of it
by her own hands.
The ability to do fine ironing is valu-
able accomplishment for the girl who
dresses on an allowance. and who. with a
small income. is anxious to dress we'll
There is nothing prettier for young
girl. especially in summer. than white.
Simple lawns and muslns and China
silks are not expensive, to begin with
il is the laundry work which costs. Not
one washerwoman In a dozen can really
do them up properly. and when the thir-
teenth woman is found. even If you can
secure her services, You must pay well
for them. Ityis not the washing IN these
days of good soaps which counts. but
the ironing. and the girl who can do this
is practically independent. and may dress
in white whenever she pleases, with no
fear of the cost - =
1t is not difficult to- do the fine ironing
although. like genius. IL Is the capacity
for taking infinite pains Exquisite neat
ness is a prime requisite. The irons. the
ironing sheet. and everything used must
De SpeGkieSSty ciean. ana you must nave
a clean cloth on which to try your iron
thus you will never scorch and never
smear the dainty garment which you are
ironing. 1t requires practice to do the
work Just right. You kin nuver irun
fustrate lessen you has Judgment and
puts your whole mind to it." was the die
tum of an old cOlored woman who ex-
celled in the art, and undoubtedly she
was right. But then nobody can do any
h rI,-, tbat- atf
Don't try to do too much at once. You
may iron for an hour with little or no
fatigue when a whole days work might
put you in bed Always wax your irons.
but be careful not to use too much wax.
and wipe II Off after using before you be-
gin to iron.
There Is nothing better than newspa-
pers on which to clean your irons If
you wish to acquire tSe art of ironing
begin with small things first-handker-
chiefs. ties. etc.-and remembering that
practice makes perfect persevere until
you can do anything you wish to in that
line. Laces should be pulled out on the
edges and laid with every point smooth
before pressing. Never starch them.
Ribbons must be ironed with thin paper
over them. so that the iron does mot
touch them. Pull out every ruffie care
fully before you begin to iron. In short.
do the work with Judgment. and the re-
suits will be well worth your pains.
A Horse ON Him.