Washington telegraph., 1853-03-16
Extravaganza and Folly.
February, 1858.

Extravaganza and Folly.
The New York Journal of Commerce
says, men who were here in 1886 and saw
the abounding "wealth," splendid equipages,
brilliant furniture, magnificent parties, &c,
&c, of that day-and who. a year or two af
terwaEds, saw large part of those foolish
speudthrifts bankrupt and ruincd-cannot
avoid such "reminiscences when they see the
far greater extravaganza of the present day
They cannot help asking themselves if tie
end will not be the same A New York
correspondent of the Boston Transcript
notes few items of this extrav agance. in
the words following:
Allusion was made in former letter to
the lavish prodigality with which money
was expended in this city upon hotels and
stores Upon further investigation, l find
that IN respect TO extravaganza in other
matters, the New Workers are now in ad-
vance Of all former times The rage for
snowy and costly articles for private dwell
lings, far exceeds the emulation which ex-
lists between the rival hotels up town. As
matter Of curiosity to the readers of the
Transcript, few of the fashionable styles
Of parlor ornament will be stated. One of
the latest patterns of parlor tables or light
stands is made of the richest decorated
French porcelain, set in gilt frame and stand
These are very beautiful the price ranges
from $500 to $500 each according to the
value of the painting.
French porcelain gas fixtures for the
mantel, are imported and sold for $50
pair.
A pair of bronzed candelabra. with a
clock for centre piece, are for sale at $500
set. An importer stated he had sold four
sets for one house-S3 900.
A novel and unique mantle clock, valued
at 500, would be rich mantle ornament
This clock has no hands The hour and
minutes are denoted by figures which rerolve
Ike Il modern whist counter
One firm, here have small mantel clock
for which they ask $1,000. Two birds come
out and sing from The clock each hour.
Bronzed vases with bas reiefs are plenty
at $500 each. Porcelain tea sets of thirty
six pieces are held at $50 set. And so
one could go through the list of household
articles OF elegance and utility, and name
prices which would not do except 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 bril-
liant ascent of the rocket the no less Ger.
tain descent Of the valueless stick may not
be so agreeable, particularly if it should
bit US, or one near to US.
There is one point which seems to be over
looked in the fitting up of public and pri-
vate houses at the present time. This is
the consideration of the effect of use and
time upon the expensive ornaments and ex-
travagant fittings now in vogue. There is
nothing more repulsive to the eye than ding
ed and faded fnery Shabby gentility dcs-
pissed. "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. like the garment,
has seen better days, Twenty-four gas
burners in a bedroom twelve feet square,
decorated porcelain spittoons and seven hum
dred dollar bed coverings, may excite Won
der, and attract for time, but such matters
are OF short duration from the very nature
OF things.