Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-05-01
A German DrawIng.Room.

having l0und your friends by the por-
celain plate, you will enter the drawing
room. AS a rule, this will not be car
peted, but the Aeor will be stained dark
color, aud there will be small pieces of
carpet, seldom of the same pattern,
spread in different corners of the room.
In some houses the floors are parqueted,
Ia fashion now becoming popular 10 Eng
land when expense is sec sndary con-
sideration,) } the inlaid wood forming dia-
monds or squares or some other simple
design la princely houses great luxury
is shown in this item; the parqueting be-
comes fine work of art, and exquisite
bouquets of flowers in colored woods.
for the center of medallions, connected
by trellis work, polished to high degree,
form splendid parade ground for the
capeting of dancers. But to return to
humber sphere of life. On the rugs or
squares Of carpets, of which mention has
been made, there will be table, and be-
bind the table invariably sofa. This is
the place of honor, and should no person
of higher rank than your own be present
you will be invited to take your place
thereon. have often been amused
watching the sofa comedy" when per-
haps lady Of higher rank than she who
is already seated upon it arrives on the
scene The second lady" at once rises
and prepares to "efface" herself; the
FIRST lad" smiles deprecatingly and
begs her to be seated, with bite, bite"
which is definitely condescending, but
the second lady is almost hurt that it
could be supposed such ignorance Of the
biensednces is hers, and her "Aber, Ex-
celleDzl' has something almost appeal
ing in its remonstrance, But / was
singing the sofa" and must apologize
for the episodical On the table there
will be a gay colored cloth, and perhaps
a damask napkin, placed diamondwise,
in anticipation Of the coming coffee; but
there will be no books or works upon it,
no photographs, or magazines, or news.
papers or sketch books about the room,
and as you glance furtively around, you
will be able TO draw no inferences or con.
cusions as to the characteristics OF its
fair occupants 1t will have no distinc.
tive physiognomy ofits own, showing you
that Corinna has the poetic mind, or
Angela the painters hand, while little
Dorcas benevolence is evidenced by her
work-basket overhowing with flannel and
calico. You will see no traces of present
occupation about the place. New the
window there will probably be a writing
table, surrounded by screen of trellis
work, or covered with an arch, over which
ivy has been traned-ivy so dark and so
dismal so loudly telling of want of sun
and air, that il will rather have de-
pressing than an enlivening effect on the
ensemble of the room; and there will be
an indis-rubber plant or two and few
bits of greenery in pots. but for gorgeous
geraniums, bright calceolarias, sweet
verbenas, brilliant petunias you must
not look. Gardening is an art but little
cultivated, and to waste money la what
will fade in a week, and have to be re.
newed all the summer through-if your
room is to look bright and its glories uG.
dimmed-is folly of which no well-regu-
lated German would be guilty. The
chairs will be miscellaneous as to pat
tern and stiff as to arrangement; there
will be good deal of bent wood .and
wicker-work. Much of the furniture will
be covered with woodwork, and about the
room you will see evidences of the indus
try of the ladies Of the house, in bead
mats, knitted and crocheted anti.macas-
sars, elaborate footstools and bright-co-
lored eldgereS. The pdrtieres which
probably drape the doors Of communica-
tion with the other apartments will per-
haps also be gorgeous with Berlin wool
work borders, but there will be little har-
mony and no happy results in these
patchy contributions Of affection. There
being no chimney-piece, the somewhat
monotonous adornment of the gilt clock
and caudelabra, which unfailngly orna
ment French salons, will be wanting but
there will be a "Shrank" or two a sort
of cabinet) with glass doors, through
which you may peer at the treasures
within. On its shelves you will see few
China cups and saucers, handsome
beer lagon, a kaleidoscope, letter weight,
a card-dish few old jugs ornaments of
birthday cakes; que Sais je ?-all those
useless and troubIefome trihes which a
family gathers as the years roll on. On
the wall there will almost invariably be
one spet which from a distance looks
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