3. What is the smallest waisted corset you have made (a) recently; (b) ever made? Please give bust and hip measurements, if possible.

Several makers have made, and now do make to order, as small as 13 inches, whilst 14 and 15 inches are far more usual than one would suppose.

Corsetière A: ''The smallest waisted corset I have made recently measured 40 inch bust, 14 inch waist and 38 inch hips. The bust was of course forced up, by the extreme lacing, out of all proportion. To my mind the lady (who was about twenty years of age) when laced into this corset, as she was in my presence, looked quite unnatural and ridiculous. The smallest I have made for a lady over thirty measured waist 16, bust 38, hips 37. Corsetière B: ''Smallest waist: 13, with 37 bust and 38 hips, made for a young lady of twenty two years of age, one of the most inveterate tight-lacers I ever had for a customer. She wore these corsets, but was almost incapable of any movement or exertion when laced up in them. Am now making a pair of corsets for a young lady of about eighteen years of age, 16 inches waist, 36 inches bust, 37 inches hips.