PERSEVERANCE writes— “I had the good fortune recently to come across a work called The Corset and the Crinoline, which contains abundant extracts from an interesting correspondence which had appeared in your columns on the merits and demerits of Tight-lacing. This discussion was new to me, and I confess I read with the greatest pleasure the testimony of so many votaries of the corset boldly speaking out the truth as to the advantages and comfort which are to be derived from its use, and proving that the health of the wearer does not suffer, even when the lacing has been most rigidly inflicted or unflinchingly self-imposed. I can corroborate them on all these points, as I am able to speak both from my own personal experience, and from the peculiar opportunities I have had of observing others who have been tight-lacers like myself. If your columns are still open to the subject, I should like to have my little say — making a few criticisms on what has been already written — telling some incidents of my own story — which shall include some practical hints how best to fashion the small round taper waist which is so great and enhancing a charm in woman, and exercises, I do not hesitate to say, a most potent attraction on the majority of men. First, then, I think that many neglected young ladies wishing to improve their figures will, on taking up their yard measure and finding their waist 23 or 24 inches or upwards round (sizes only too common), be discouraged by the high standard of perfection, 15 inches, to which many say they have reduced their figures, and who seem to write as if they were in the daily habit of wearing their corset thus closely confined. One lady alone I know who could perform that feat, and she never exhibited her waist when laced so small. I should be inclined to place the wearable limit at 17 inches, and should say that any girl may be proud of a waist 18 inches round, and that even 19 and 20 inches seem very neat and small on the English lady of average size and stature. When 15 inches and still smaller dimensions are mentioned, I cannot help thinking some mistake has been made — that the size been taken from the corset when first sent home by the maker, perhaps only from her assertion meant to flatter and impose, and that it has not been fairly taken with the tape from the waist itself, even when most waist itself, even when most laced in for discipline or display. It is astonishing what mistaken motions many ladies, who are not in the habit of using the test of the measures, entertain, and entertaining, assert in perfect good faith as to the dimensions of their figure. And it may be equally surprising to many to learn how to much even the strongest and best made corset will stretch, if daily worn strictly and tightly laced. For example, I have mine made by one of our best artistes, of silk or satin, stoutly lined, and when sent home they measure exactly 15 inches round, yet these will give an inch or more in a few days, after which they retain their size. Now I can, if deposed, lace into 16 inches, and always do so when fresh fitted, till the corset and I are one. But I confess I rarely ever ince less than 17 inches, though I am very strict with myself never to allow my waist to exceed 18 inches; and according I every morning, and whenever also opportunity serves, apply to measure — an article which I consider the indispensable handmaid of every tight-lacer who wishes to improve or keep her figure — and if I detect any excess I immediately it. And now, though, with my dress on, 19 inches is about my size, still, if the voices of my friends and my own eyes do not deceive me, I display as small a figure as any of my countrywomen; and why I am not deceived, and venture to speak so authoritatively, I shall explain in another letter, if you give insertion to this, which has great run to so great a length.“