The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-01-06
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE.
FRENCH COUNTESS, WHO KNOWS 1T
ALL. IN .THUCTs HER szsT ERS
IN THE ART.
irEgfstiOns for the Furnishing OF a
Drnwing-rOOn-HOw to Manage
n Conversation.

a Conversation.
! [paris Correspondence of the N. Y. World
The Comtesse de Bassanville recently
Brought out another OF her eminently
sadable books, "L'Art de Bien Tenir
line Maison," wherein she lays down
he whole duty Of woman In house
Keeping from the French point of view
The countess Ia already favorably known
II several other works Of the same de-
cription; In her "Salons d'Autrefois,
br instance, she has given us a series
pictures OF the historic drawing
boins of France, and of the femi-
Inc leaders of society who held
heir court in them. She has
Exceptional qualifications for her
Nask: she had always mixed In good So
Iety. vet she had seen both extremes
u fortune. She was wealthy in her
Younger days and kept house In grand
lyle; then a heavy monetary loss
bliged her to learn how to economic
titfout altogether forfeiting D certain
Position In the world. Her book may
aerefore be said to be the fruit of the
aried experiences Of q lifetime, and
hose who do not need its counsel may
nd an interest In the many glimpses 1t
Effords of the social life of France. 1t
i written with q serious purpose, yet
God humor and tact, and 1t Is not TO be
5r one moment confounded with the
aany absurd manuals Of Etiquette !"
Ind Hints on Department" which, as
rule, seem to be the literary recreations
IL kitchen maids to whom some person
as whispered, MOLLY, have taste"
In her preface the countess tells us
That she writes in some sort for the re-
pneration OF France. Woman's con-
&eNmpt for her domestic mission was one
bf the causes for that social decay that
Droduced the late disasters. The
A.ood housekeeper is the patriot. Then
Homes d compliment for the Americans,
Eve are forever talking OF this people,
Pf their government, and Of the invig-
&rlating studies of their women; well
eat US not forget that these women, with
III their knowledge of Greek, Latin and
HE sciences, do not disdain the man
{gement OF the house."
THE SALON
After paying due attention to the
Wants OF persons of moderate means,
The countess goes on to treat OF the
wise employment Of u fortune in the
5plendors Of housekeeping. She has
led US through the nursery, the bed
Ooms, the store-room we are now at
Ehe door OF the salon, the French.
Foman's true home. She is rather
alarming at the outset. ''The organ
zation OF the drawing groom ought
DO be divided into two dis.
inet parts-moral and physical .
yAnd first for the choice of the furniture.
Hhere must be complete harmony be-
Tween your style in this and your style
ln other things; fine furniture requires
Mne domestics; 80 do not waste your
noney In tapestries and gliding only tc
j how that you cannot afford lacquey
10 keep them in order. Ii you can az
Ford 1t, furnish with tapestry by all
neans, cover the walls with it, and have
1t in curtains before the windows arfc
floors. Ifyour means are limited, adop
compromise-dam for your hang
hgs, and mere panels Of tapestry fol
HWaIls. But take care to have everything
I'm keeping; don't mix up the style, say
of Louis XIV and Louis XVI in the
same room. Covered mantelpieces are
IAN abomination to the countess; tn,
marble which they hide Ii
1generaliy far more slightly. Never ust
Ramps, even the finest, as part Of the
Permanent ornamentation Of a salon
They should be brought in only wher
Ement they are done with.
BEWARE OF GREEN AND RED
In drawing room they make the place
hook like cafe-and Of yellow, which il
worse 1t is the favorite color Of ces mes
flames. Vary the patterns of your sofas
and chairs as much as possible, both in
Form and color, and never hang engrav.
[ings, even the best, in this room. Grove
Eshe place with knick- knacks; you car
Hardly have too many OF them il yol
|select with taste. And never have YOU
Furniture in rectangular order-the
fchairs in line, ETC.. it is odious. "B.
the material arrangement Of salon tn,
spirituelle Nine. Emile de Girardil
Delphine Gay understood the artisti
lisGTTdngenaelst Of ali the seats. al