NEVER use any but the best soap for the face. If this is not obtainable or within reach of your purse, use only a little oatmeal in the water. Common soaps produce blotches and skin irritation, especially those that are highly coloured and scented. BOTH woollen and cotton stockings should be mended with silk rather than cotton or wool. It is more comfortable, resists wear and tear longer, and does not easily discolour. THERE is scarcely anything more injurious to health and spirits than a damp house. Leave it as soon as possible. FUR worn round the throat has a certain danger, not only that of making the throat delicate, but also that the fine hairs find their way into the stomach and lungs, and become injurious. IF a kettle or saucepan has to be put away and not used for some time, see that it is quite dry inside, for if put away wet, rust will accumulate and make a hole in the metal. SOCIAL INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF AN EAST END GIRL. BY LA PETITE. PART III. THE LAUNCH. I was sitting in the study one morning busily writing, when sounds of an altercation in the hall were followed by the door opening and the appearance of our parlour-maid, with indignation expressed in every line of her expressive and superior person. She had always been very superior, so much so that I frequently wondered why she continued to grace our quiet house, but now, as I glanced at her, I thought I perceived signs of her removing the light of her presence from us at no distant date. “What is it, Jane?” I inquired mildly. “If you please, miss,” she replied, with an evident effort, “there’s a young—pusson ’as come, what says she must see you at once, which I told her you never saw no one in the mornin’, an’ ast ’er ’er bizness, which she says as it’s ’ers an’ not mine!” Here her emotion choked her, and enabled me to get in a word edgeways. “What is she like?” I asked, rising hastily. “Tall an’ brazen-faced, with a fringe down to ’er eyes, an’——” But I heard no more, for I was already in the hall, where I discovered Belinda Ann standing on the mat in an aggressive attitude, bristling all over, and with her arms akimbo. At sight of her old enemy, the parlour-maid, who had followed me down, she gave an expressive snort, which was replied to by that functionary by a toss of her head and the uplifting of an already “tip-tilted” nose. Fearful of the renewal of the “few words” they had evidently already had, I hurriedly greeted Belinda Ann, and drew her after me to a room at the top of the house, which at this time of day was always secure from interruption. Here I set to work to soothe her ruffled temper and hurt dignity, which had evidently been seriously upset, as for a long time all I could get out of her was, “What call ’ad she to give ’erself airs? Set ’er rup indeed! _I_ don’t ’ave ter ’ire soldiers ter walk out with me o’ Sundys!” and suchlike unprofitable exclamations.