H.W., in commenting on the remarks of STAYLACE, observes – “STAYLACE says she admires a small and elegant waist and wishes to achieve one. Allow me to ask if she has tried one of the small waistbands that draw together with cords in front? They are quite sufficient for any woman with a slight figure to wear, especially in riding, where perfect freedom of the shoulders is requisite. The waistbands are a delightful invention for they are so small that they do not in the least interfere with the ribs or the play of the lungs; they can therefore be worn much tighter than one of the long corsets, which, if pulled in well at the waist, hurt a woman cruelly all the way up. The easiest and safest mode, however, of attaining smallness of girth is for a girl to wear, between the age of ten and seventeen, an elastic and accurately-fitting corset (those with the usual lacing at the back are the best). By this means, when the young lady has done growing, the inconvenient tight-lacing will be unnecessary, as her waist will be several inches smaller than its natural size. The elastic stays will not interfere with her health or the freedom of her limbs. I think with STAYLACE, that an elegant taper figure accords well with the present style of dress; but I hardly think the health should be sacrificed in attaining one. I am told that in the fashionable world of Paris, to any lady who aspires to be considered an élégante a mignon waist is almost a necessity. I presume, therefore, that those élégantes to whom Nature has denied the coveted slimness of figure are, perforce, obliged to reduce themselves by the system of compression STAYLACE adopts.”