A REGULAR READER, GEISHA, and Others.—We are always very sorry for people who get stains of any kind on coloured gowns, for they are so difficult to deal with, and the cures for stains are so disappointing in their effects. In the first place, the utmost delicacy is required in manipulating, or the stain will spread and be made worse; and we are always inclined to think that the people who manage to make them are not those who are likely to take them out well. They would probably be careless and “slap-dash.” Copying and marking inks are removed with a strong solution of bleaching powder (borax or soda), after which apply a cold solution of oxalic acid; then rinse in cold water; or instead of the bleaching powder, you might use lemon juice. But we fear “R. R.’s” red dress would not stand it, and you do not mention of what material it is. Geisha’s wine or jelly stain may perhaps be removed by holding the stained part over a basin, and rubbing some common salt into it; and then by pouring through it from the spout of a kettle some boiling water till the stain disappears. Fruit stains, if old, have become almost dyes, and if washed when quite fresh with pure water, would generally come out. In the days of sulphur matches, the vapour from two or three was enough to remove any fruit stain. Salts of lemon would, we fear, take the colour out entirely. Failing the matches, however, you may burn a little sulphur on a small tin cover, and then making a small paper funnel, hold the _large_ end over the sulphur and the small one under the spot. This treatment should take out fruit stains from any fabric. E. M. P.—Soap-jelly is made as follows:—Take 10 quarts of rain water, 3½ lb. of good yellow soap, 1 lb. of washing soda. Slice up the soap and put on to boil with the water, keep on stirring, and when the soap is dissolved add the soda. Stir carefully, as it easily boils over, and when all is dissolved, pour into a barrel to keep. It will form a jelly when cold, and keeps a long time. Of course, if you find these proportions too excessive, you can make half the quantity. E. M.—Although perhaps incorrect, it is usual in conversation to drop the “h” in names ending in “ham,” but with certain exceptions, such, for example, as “Etchingham” in Sussex. It is not a “cockneyism” to do so. A certain amount of abbreviation and clipping of words is permissible in colloquial and rapid speaking. We say “won’t,” but write at full length “will not,” and we say “don’t,” but write “do not.” Such clipping of words in writing is bad style. People also write “its” for “it is,” which is likewise objectionable; and if they wish to abbreviate, they should, in this case, write thus, “it’s.” We should simply say “both dogs”; the other words are superfluous.