NETTA (_Book-keeping_).—At twenty-eight you are by no means too old to learn book-keeping. You might attend classes at the Birkbeck Institute, or at almost any polytechnic, and then present yourself for one of the Society of Arts’ examinations. Your handwriting is decidedly good, and would serve as a recommendation for secretarial work. AN IRISH GIRL (_Gardening_).—Lady gardeners are decidedly in request, and you would not do at all unwisely to study at the Horticultural College, Swanley, Kent. It is probably Kew Gardens in which your friends have told you that ladies were employed. To be trained at Swanley would cost about £70 a year for board, lodging, and tuition. MISCELLANEOUS. BRITANNIA.—The stains you describe are probably of the nature of a dye, in which case you can do nothing for them. You might show them to a cleaner, or have the garment dyed a darker colour. A. D.—The training classes held by the Home Arts and Industries Association for voluntary teachers and others, at the Albert Hall, have now opened for the Autumn Session. Bookbinding, carpentry and wood-carving, inlaying and marquetry, metal _repoussé_ and basket-making are taught. Particulars can be obtained from the Secretary at the Royal Albert Hall, S.W. LILY OF THE VALLEY.—To turn your light straw hat black there are several things; but the best is, we think, Berlin black, to be obtained from any oil shop. ANNETTE.—We regret that it is not in our power to help you to dispose of clothes, either old or new ones. MISS A. A. L.—Nearly all large drapers sell waterproof garments, and the fashions in cloaks and mantles change every season. CHAPEAU.—The velvet must be taken off the hat and steamed over boiling water in order to take out the spots. Hold the wrong side of the velvet over the steam, and afterwards go over the velvet with either a velvet brush or a piece of black crape to raise the pile again. The velvet must not be wetted in the operation, only steamed enough to raise the pile. FANNY G.—It is not unusual for a girl to pay a visit to the family of the man to whom she is betrothed; nor is there anything wrong in it, as she should know something of them before marriage. M. E. W.—Unless in use, you had better try to dispose of the water-bed. It will answer no purpose to put it away, and it is useless save in sickness. They will allow you for it, where you procured it, as second-hand.