The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-16

press city omnibus, wagon OF Southern Express
Company, with four horses ana driver, foats,
steamboats,, ferry boats, locomotive and train OK
cars For children who have outgrown the de-
lights OF horn blowing and doll ownership, there
10 a never-ending source OF amusement in build
ing blocks, OF which there are many varieties,
very interesting ono being the Centennial Exhi-
bitiou Puzzle Blocks" set OF these blocks
pal buildings Of the Centennial Fair, viz: the
Art Gallery, Agricultural and horticultural
Halls, Main Building and the Machinery Hall.
A colored Telegraph OF each building accompanies
every set, aud the blocks are similarly litho-
graphed.
Owing to this arrangement, the process of put
ting them together ID relieved of tediousness
without losing interest.
think tho
DAINTY NOTIONS DESIGNED AS CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
were never more exquisitely fashioned. Japanese
wares are the great demand, and consist mainly
OF work boxes, writing decks, jewelry -caskets,
cabinets and screens; these are delicately fin
ished, and are 30 light, yet solid, that no more
appropriate token Of regard could be given
lady friend. The Rus sin leather goods. satia-
lined, are always beautiful A late novelty is an
album in easel style, made OF Russia leather, and
| handsomely ornamented; these varied in price,
| according to quality, from 90 to $40. Fans are
always gladly accepted as presents; one, very
beautiful fan, was Of white satin with roses
exqusitely painted upon 1t, the sticks being
| OF carved pearl. The most stylish fans
| are composed OF feathers, and one was shown,
| entirely OF the Marabout-quite handsome and
costly. Most attractive among the holiday fam
| ces are the little purses Of steel beads that,
clasped 10 chain OF like material, are to be worn
| at the belt. 1t would take pages to describe ali
the beautiful Christmas notions that are to be
| seen at the Palais Royal; the holiday catalogue
will be found of invaluable assistance to OPEN
hearted donors in the selection OK gifts, % by
consulting it's pages, they will not be likely
| to become bewldered in the presence of 40 much
| that ia tasteful and beautiful.
THE LOVERS OF RARE CHINA
will enjoy visit to the stores Of both Messrs.
! Navra and Offner, which are now on opposite
sides Of Canal street. The furore for pottery In
| at its height; already in New York and st. Louis
| schools OF design have been es' ablished for the
| production OF decorated ware, where amateurs
are to be initiated into all the mystery and sci
mas in the days OF tho Italian Renaissance, when
| to the famous potters Of that period life was
almost an inspiration.
''MAJoLIcA" is QUITE THE PRESENT RAGE:
at both the aforesaid establishments rare speei-
mems OF this odd looking ware are to be seen,
aside, purchased in honor Of the Xmastide.
The term majolca was taken from the island Of
| Maiorca, just as the universally employed term
Of fasence for nearly all painted porcelain was
deIiysafrom the city OF Faenza, in Italy. About
the work 81 those quaint old towns there Is .
| cDarm impossible TO- feel in a manufacture OF
the present time. They stald the story Of the
nation. Their impulses wsat~ faegl tn9o not 80
much as . fashion as to grashtysanr.U an III, !;
instinct. Customs, not fashions, gos nlen !
the people. think our Ameriaassa..s.
should pursue this subject with more earnest
ness, for in this "rage," as in all others, how
very few there are who possess more than the
barest kind OF technical knowledge. General
ideas of Dresden shepherdesses, majolica dogs
and Sevres vases exist; but there are not many,
among amateurs, who possess any great amount
of knowledge Of the art, and hand books on the
subjsct give only q sweeping review of it. For
further particulars, the elegant show windows of
Messrs. Navra or Offner are recommended.
FLORENCE. z