Have a wooden horse to put the clothes on, and a small cane or small
hand-whip to beat the dust out of them; also a board or table long
enough for them to be put their whole length when brushing them. Have
two brushes, one hard and the other soft: use the hardest for the
great coats, and the others when spotted with dirt. Fine cloth coats
should never be brushed with too hard a brush, as this will take off
the nap, and make them look bare in a little time. Be careful in the
choice of your cane; do not have it too large, and be particular not
to hit too hard; be careful also not to hit the buttons, for it will
scratch, if not break them.
If a coat be wet, and spotted with dirt, let it be quite dry before
you brush it; then rub out the spots with the hands, taking care not
to rumple it. If it want beating, do it as before directed; then lay
the coat at its full length on a board; let the collar be towards the
left hand, and the brush in the right; brush the back of the collar
first, between the two shoulders next, and then the sleeves, &c.
observing to brush the cloth the same way that the nap goes, which is
towards the bottom of the coat. When both sides are properly done,
fold them together; then brush the inside, and last of all the collar.