The linen press or closet should be in a dry place. Each shelf should be covered with clean brown paper, and on it should lie a large muslin bag full of lavender, and a small one of camphor. A book should be kept in one corner, in which the entire contents of the closet should be entered, the number of the shelves stated, and what is on each.

Stick papers with number on the edge of each shelf.

This closet must contain all the household linen (lists of which are given a little further on); the extra blankets or bedding; the counterpanes and quilts; all pieces of bed furniture; curtains not in actual use; muslin curtains; pieces of paper-hangings, and general odds and ends.

The air should be frequently admitted to the press or closet, and nothing damp should be put away in it.

Linen is made from flax, the straw of a European plant which has a pretty blue flower. This straw is deprived of its juices by maceration and washing. It is afterwards bleached, spun, and converted by weaving into plain linen - more or less fine - damask, Holland, and lawn.

Cotton is a vegetable down contained in the seed of the cotton plant, which is cultivated in America, the East and West Indies, and Egypt. Cotton, after many processes, is woven into calico, muslin, chintz, dimity, etc.

Linen is much more expensive than cotton, but it wears a great deal longer. Cloth made of flax is clearer than that made of cotton, and very cold to the touch. Cotton is whiter, thicker and warmer to the touch.

Linen should be purchased at a trustworthy shop, as table-cloths and diapered articles are often adulterated with cotton.

House linen should be nicely marked with the united initials of husband and wife, and the number of purchase. By number we do not mean I, 2, 3, but on each article the number of which the set consists, as 12, 24, 36, as it may be. Example - A B C, 24,1872; or A B C, 36, 1872.

A good store of fine linen was once the pride of Englishwomen, as well as of the Scotch, and to the fact that a maiden must spin her own linen for her future home before she was deemed meet to be a wife, we owe the word spinster - equivalent to maiden. The pride in household linen, like many other good household feelings, has nearly passed away in some circles; but the true housemother who cares for the comfort and beauty of her home, will still feel a matronly pride in her linen closet.

Linen consists of sheets, pillow-cases, tablecloths, table-napkins, towels, quilts, etc.

By persons of very small income only a small quantity of linen can be bought at a time, as it is expensive. For two beds, four pairs of sheets will suffice; for three beds, five pairs, as the changing may be so managed that the two extra pairs will suffice; but when there is only a small stock of linen, it soon wears out, and has to be replaced; if, therefore, the outlay can be spared, a good stock will be found most economical. If however only a few articles of household linen can be afforded at a time, it is well to lay by a small sum constantly, with which an occasional purchase of a sheet or tablecloth may be made. The following are three lists of linen for different incomes: -