Page:The museum, (Jackson, Marget Talbot, 1917).djvu/163

Rh fabric comes in different weights, that called mousseline de soie (not silk muslin) being the best adapted for the purpose. When mounted, the banners should always be hung horizontally so as to avoid folds; hung obliquely they are much more picturesque but they give out sooner.

The care of laces is very simple. Dirt is here again to be avoided, for the small brown spots that so often come on old lace are due to dirt which has gradually rotted the fabric. Many kinds of lace lose much of their character if they have been washed, and yet the museum which allows dirty lace to come into its collection is laying seeds of trouble. There is an infection from dirt as from other diseases, and rotting of some of the finest pieces may result. Lace may be washed with little danger if carefully done. Only the purest of white soap should be used, and this should be grated and dissolved in water. The lace to be washed should be put into a clean white porcelain bowl and covered with cold water. A small amount of the soap solution should be added and the bowl set in a moderate oven until the water is thoroughly hot, not boiling. The gradual warming of the water dissolves the dirt without rubbing or injuring the delicate threads of the lace itself. When it is just too hot to handle take it out and allow to cool slightly, then