In cleaning all boots and shoes it is best first to put them upon trees; if unprovided with these, to fill them - or the forepart of them - with soft paper so that they can be the better rubbed. For brown leather that is stained by dirt in wear, all that is necessary, as a rule, is to wash it with a very soft brush or sponge and a little soap and water. If very bad, wash in the same way with Clark's mahogany fluid diluted well with water. Propert's fluid is also very good, but wants a little more care in using. Whichever isused, follow with an application of the same maker's cream. To keep the boots light, use white cream, unless any of the surface is worn, when it will need brown cream to bring it to the colour of the remainder. Sometimes dust accumulates on cream and mixes with it because the cream has not been properly applied, or because too much has been used. If the boots are on trees, the cream can be rubbed off with a dry cloth, but it is very hard work; and water, as above, will not hurt the leather if used carefully. To use the cream, have a very small portion on a piece of clean white flanuel and rub it on the leather very lightly over a wide surface as quickly as possible. This is continued till all the boot or shoe has been gone over.

Then start afresh, and go over it again and again in the same way, always working the pad with a circular motion. After the first cleaning, the front will need the most treatment, as that portion of the shoe gets more wear, and the bending of the foot throws the cream out of the pores of the leather, these brown goods being grain side out. The shoes will not need washing every time they are cleaned; but before they are creamed - in fact, every time they are taken olf - they should be well dusted and polished with a soft cloth. After the cream has been put on one shoe, let it set while the other is creamed; then well polish with a soft cloth. This treatment preserves the surface of the leather.