Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-06-22
FINISHING TOUCHES,

Celestina has lately set I'D an art-corner in
our cottage parlOr, which may be regarded
either as a capital joke in the way OF bur.
leSQue-aS every one is high art" NOWADAYS
or as a triumph of genius in accomplishing a
marvellous stroke of taste with very humble
inateflaS. III depends altogether upon the
This simple display is set forth upon thin.
Spldery table, that opens in halves, and dates
back a century or so, which the enterprising
young person unearthed from the garnet re-
cesses, and forthwith apprOp lated as suit
able basis for her operations, which she COM
menced by setting up one half against the wall
Tor background, and then disposed her few
efects in china on the remaining half. A very
modest array, certainly: but We are in the
habit OF contemplating il daily with great sat
1SfactiOn, and declaring that il gives quite an
air" to the whole room.
The collection comprises two India preserve
Jars darkly, deeply, beautifully blue: a three
story vase ditto, which is iberally filled with
,cat-talls," that are supposed 10 give deci-
dedly japanese ftayOrlng: one little, fat vase
with cover, that is neither fdieRce nor
SeYres, nor WedgwOOd, but which. probably
began NE as ca, GasRet Tor Potted meat; and
one exquisite little Parian pitcher, that should
always be filed with yiOletS Standing up
against the background are several gorgeous
Japanese fans, on which quaint devices fairly
run llOt-a rooster rampant, for instance. in
chronic blush of vivid pink that extends even
40 his faIL-fedtherS, and things as upside down
generally as affairs in the Lilliput levee: so
that Oh e may heartily say for lively highly
cOlOred pic IireS of everyday life there Is
nothing NOR satisfactory than Your Japanese
ana centre ornament of black StOrkS on
Wnlte ground, and an India platter covered
Nlth beetles scorpions, and other amiable in
SectS, complete the list.
Mrs. Montgomery Stiff, who has etegeres COW
cred with crimson velvet for the accommOda-
tiOn OF her choice ceramic treasures, and who
always d1fuNeS about her OiOr of diamonds
ara SleenbdckS, eyes our art-cOTner some
what aSkaRce-very much as She might regard
our staid Tabbv should she suddenly flaunt an
embroidered collar of blue velvet in imitation
OF ner beautiful, snowy AngOTa. cut the doc
tors little wife in the next cottage who darts
IN ina ana OUT half dozen times d day, is quite
LOST III admiration Of CeIeStina'S Ingenuity.
ard declares that the funny little museum Is
quite as much high art as Miss Stills elaborate
collection.
She is right in one way, perhaps. for the en-
preston of these finishing touches is every
thing, alter al and the taste that dares to be
different from ones neighbOrS' will often
bridge f. rmidable obstacles TO charming eff
fects. A room filled wi h worthless baubies is
never III good taste; but a suggestive hint of
, beauty IerF and there relieves a Sahara of
PLAIN fuILltI Re, and prOclaimS that the owners
would II they could. Things with little his o.
TleS, wandeiingS from some far land, perhaps
are parilCul; rly deSiraOle-they make talk
that i not eG sip: and, in the hands of a cui-
tIred or tray' led visitor prove as effective
Wands as tine conversational twig of Madame
de Stael.
For who can take up an ornament of old.
Ereen-cruSten bronze, dug from the earth that
has cove ed ltfOr TWO thou and years without
WOndern TO what purpose lived and died
people so perfect In the arts, and losing ones
self in the problems of creation and the ecOno.
mics OF the universe? Who can see broken
drinking cup Of glass. whose long decay and
dlSlntegralIOn have coated ii with richer DIVES
than the Opdl'S. VII bout won tering what
bearded lips of mighty heroes last it kissed?
Who can see a Worn and Olackened ring of
Egyptian god without thinking of the TO-
nance of two lovers that it bound in its magic
circle, whose very dust no longer blows ab0ut
The earth? And in the more modern articles
where no such story clingS VINO can take up
tie bronze bid. poised lightly on MS bending
Wheat-eaT- or The china cup with its wreathS
OF blossoms, without bringing sunshine aud
hOuSe?"
Much m lney can be al so bed by these "loOp
holes of The soul for they are Just as worthy
OF the name as pictures-more, indeed than
goes 10 purchase OF necessary furniture; but
all beauty l. not expensive, and there are imi
tatlOnS OF bronze and marble which, If not the
rose ltSeii, have at least been near il.
A lady lately went to plain looking house
IN country town to inquire for board, and
noticed that the parlOr lamp was of an urn
ke shape, and had shade OF very prettily
c 1T trahspar. ncies. On the mantel were two
vIseS of antique form, but the cheapest mate
rlal-be'ng nothing but earthenware painted
black, and spaIingly adorned with gliding; a
small black stand, also slightly gilded, held a
large India preserve jar, Ornamented with
gorgeous butterflies and roses (nuthing but
strap book pictureS), and filed, yes, actually
filed. wiih-dd7edeLiOTlS! And they were
beautiful, too; and harmOuiZad admirabIV
with their setting.
This lady, being an appreci.tive person,
viii vi IOI 80 ulGCl Ol poverty Itself as
o. the absence of those beautiful nOthings
which poverty is so APP to sea ter to The WiadS
1mmed lately decided that she had drifted to
The Il-ht Laven; and her Instincts did not
deeelYo her. DIR. Blimbers young gentleman
In dis race, with his dinner of nt.f a slice of
dry bread gantly served wi h heavy silver
iork and ddmd>k napkin, would probably
nave been better OF. in his own estimation
with g nerouS hung of the staff of life
wrapped III newspaper: but h. had no
|;eStheilc cravings To gra ify and knew moth
ing OF hi nger that could not be appraSed with
praclca fo'd ii IppetOnS' jan MAJ