So soon as February is
dead and gone, a feeling of unrest seizes the housewife's mind.
This increases day by day, and becomes dominant towards the middle
of the month, about which period sundry hints are thrown out
as to whether you are likely to be absent for a day or two.
Beware! the fever called "Spring Clean" is on, and unless you
stand firm, you will rue it. Go away, if the Fates so will,
but take the key of your own domain with you.
Do not misunderstand. Not for a moment would I advocate dust and dirt;
they are enemies, and should be routed; but let the necessary routing
be done under your own eye. Explain where caution must be used,
and in what cases tenderness is a virtue; and if one Eve in the family
can be indoctrinated with book-reverence you are a happy man;
her price is above that of rubies; she will prolong your life.
Books MUST now and then be taken clean out of their shelves,
but they should be tended lovingly and with judgment.
If the dusting can be done just outside the room so much the better.
The books removed, the shelf should be lifted quite out of its bearings,
cleansed and wiped, and then each volume should be taken separately,
and gently rubbed on back and sides with a soft cloth. In returning
the volumes to their places, notice should be taken of the binding,
and especially when the books are in whole calf or morocco care
should be taken not to let them rub together.
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