Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-03-02
Extravaganza and Folly.

The New York Journal Of Commerc,
saws Men who were here in 1886 ant
saw the abounding wealth" splendid e
auipages, brilliant fuEniture, magnlflcen
parties, &C., &C., of that day-and who,
wear or two afterwards, saw large part o
those foolish spendthrias bankrupt and ru
ned,-cahhot avoid such "reminiscences
when they see the far greater extravaganza
of the present day. They cannot help ask
ing themselves If the end will not be the
same. A New York correspondent of the
Boston Transcript notes a few items of this
extravagance, in the words following =
Allusion was made in Q former letter to
the lavish prodigality with which money,
was expended in this city upon hotels and
stores. Upon further investigation, | find
that in respect to extravagances in other
matters, the New Workers are now in adj
vance of all former tunes. The rage for
snowy and costly articles for private dwell
Hngs, far exceeds the emulation which ex-
lists between the rival hotels up town. AS
a matter of curiosity to the readers of the
Transcript, few of the fashionable styles
Of parlcrF ornament will be stated. One of
the latest patterns Of parlcr tables or Hight
stands is made of the richest decorated
French porcelain set in a guilt frame and
stand. These are rery beautiful the price
ranges from $500 to $500 each, according
TO the value of the painting.
French porcelain ornamental gasfixtures
for the mantle, are imported and sold Tor
$50 pair.
." A pair of bronzed mantle candelabra,
with clock for a centre piece, are tor sale
at $500 set. Aa importer stated that he
had sold four sets for one house, $4,000.
A novel and unique mantle clock, vaf'ated
at $500, would be a rich mantle ornament;
This clock has no hands. The hour and
minutes are denoted by figures which re-
volve, like modern whist counter:
One firm here have small MATTE clock
for which they ask $500. Two birds
come out and sing from the clock each hour.
Bronzed vases with bas reliefs are plen-
ty at $500 each. Porcelain tea sets OF
thirty-six pieces are held at $3.50 set
And so one could 90 through the list OF
household srsicies of elegance and utility,
and name prices which would not do ex-
cept in an 'age of gold"
One cannot fail to call to mind the COM
mon illustration suggested by the uPpish
tendency of all property in this city, and
to state that we are now witnessing the
brilliant ascent of the rocket; the no less
certain descent of the walueless stick may
not be so agreeable, particularly if 1t should
hit u.s. or one near 10 us.
There is one point which seems to be o.
yellooked'ia the fitting up of public and
private houses at the present time. This
is the consideration of the effect of use and
time upon the expensive ornaments and
extravagant fittings now'in vogue. There
is nothing more repulslve to the eye than
aiheeh and faded fnery. Shabby gentihty
is generally despiscd. "a patch on both
knees and gloves on" is suggestive of a fall
from competence to indigence. A dirty
white vest is sure indication that the
wearer, IKE the garment, has seen better
days. Twenty-four gas burners in bed
rooom twelyef feet square, decorated .porce-
lain spittoons and seven hundred dollar
bed.coyerings, may excite wonder and at
tract for a time, but such matters are OF
short duration from the very nature OF
things.