Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-31

reyorDo 81 Tie Eng1l1n fn41en. Otd Eng
Of style, and only done to order. 10 tury
down one corner Of Q card denotes . co1
in person, and is the only mutilation Of
TIE card nov psactcsd By People q fashion
side OF the card, TO be turned down IN view, and
explain the nature Of the visit, does not prevail
here as, oes,ousiy me rseeiyss OF the visit
words, however, to satisfy correspondents. On
the upper left-hand corner Tisft. Is written and
turned down, to signify that an ordinary call is
tioR appears on the opposite upper corner; Congo
in the lower left corner denotes parting call;
and Coadoicance, in the remaining corner, ex-
plains itself. OF all these, the word congo alone
White heavy English paper is the most fash
ionable stationery, though some tinted paper is
always used. Repped paper, corded Like faille,
is the choicest design, and next this is the
royal Irish linen paper, made of cuttings of
linen from the Irish factories. The letter sheet
fancy that makes it mt the large square enve-
lope. The price is 20 cents a quire, with enve-
lopes. Instead OF heavy Illuminated mono
grams there are more light line monographs and
ciphers. On tinted paper letters are OF darker
shade.
A novelty for dinners is the Japanese plate
chromos representing amusing Japanese scenes
and funny little Japs grinniDg with delight at
the mtRu.
PLorAL DECORATIONS.
The fiersl decorations are a charming feature
of evening entertainments this winter, and are
withal expensive, " 600 being sometimes the
florists bill for the elaborate decoration OF
a single reception. Different devices are
arranged for each room, and for almost every
part Of each room. Corners are decorated
with potted plants, and with cut plants heaped
in pyramids: smilax Topped with rose-b buds
festoons the cornices; draparies of roses and
smilax are arranged between windows; NAL
tells are divided in three beds of flowers, with
volets in the center, daphnes and roses on each
end, and a groundwork of lycopodium aud
feIns. In the wide doors between drawing
rooms in canopy OF flowers shaped like
Parasol and supporting nine balls made OF
different kinds Of iowers-violets, roses, etc.
The walls of main parlers are transformed into
beds of flowers, where wire frames support
great fields of heiotrope, roses, camelias, tube
roses and carnations, edged with ferns, smilax,
and the scarlet leaves of the poinsettii On
other walls are flower cornucopias three feet in
diameter, filled with the leveliest cut flowers.
To make the hall look different from the rooms,
ivy is draped above the doors and staircases
and the landings have baskets of ferns and
hanging vines: Great banks Of flowers are
frames are studded with daphnes, violets and
roses, and draped with smilax, while choice cut
the marriase.beii OF flowers formerly seen at at
wedding receptions, the bride and groom now
stand under an arbor or bower of roses arranged
before long mirror.
High epergnes Of cut flowers are used on re-
freshm ant tables wheh the guests stand; at din
Ders, here the company are seated, there are
lower epergnee tnat 10 not ODStruCt the view,
troughs of glass in figures, letters and mono
grams, and straw baskets representing sheaves
OF oats or wheat, also hold the flowers. At
small dinners each gentleman guest finds q
boutonniere at his plate, and each lady larger
nOsegay, called by the florists belt bouquet, or
else napkin bouquet; the latter cost from 81
to 50 each, and the former so cents. At large
entertainments these bouquets are found in a
basket in the center of the table, and are dis
tributed for the german. The large, handsome
bouquets of two or three kinds of flowers now
carried in the hand cost from IS upward, and
little wonder, when each spray Of the lily-of.
the-valley costs 20 cents, and ropes of smilax
are from IS cents to 81 yard. The long
stemmed flowers that are now loosely put to-
gether for hand bouquets are first
pierced through the calyx by fine
wire, which is then twisted around its
stem, to support it, tue florists say.
flower, and you are assured that experiment
proves that the pierced rose will not fade sooner
than its lovely companion that is left free be-
side it. The bouquet is chosen with reference
TO the flowers that trim the dress. Among the
prettiest ball bouquets is one with lilies the
valley in the center, yiolets around it, and an
edge of smilax Another was halt circle of
tea roses, and the other half Of dark crimson
buds. Large nearly blown buds are used in
preference to full-blown roses The pale lemon
colored Isabella roses are now preferred to the
salmon tea-roses. The safrane yellow roses are
combined with the pretty pink Ponce de Leon
buds. The dark red AprippiDa and Louis
Philippe roses are abundant now, and will
soon be followed by the crimson Jacquiemots
of red and yellow are the choice treasures of the
florist. Leaves of the rose geranium should not
be associated with violets, as they destroy the
violet odOr entirely.-Hdrper'S Bdzdr.