The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1880-12-08
.aluaiiall 6azftte,
vEpNEsDAY. pEcEMBER q. 1850.


The passing season has introduced few
novelties in the way Of arranging the flowers
on the dining table. and cnrsory glance ~
what has been done viii not be amiss. Qnie
an Innovation has been carried ont in two or
three houses lately of separating the guests by
lsying two round tables in the same rpcti, and
II certainly proves a very successful plan.
Round tables are proverbially more soclsble
than long one reaching from end TO end.
Tie host presides at one and the hostess az
the ether. Decorations. too. can be arranged
more effectively, and this was essentially the
case at large dinner given by Mr.. and Mr..
Brassy in the past month. The centre II
the BILE had been cut away and sunk several
inches below the height OF the surrounding
boards, aud was lined with looking-glass.
Round It's edge, and reaching to within few
inches Of the plates and glasses. was thick
bed Of ,yeopcdinm moss /: IN the centre OF the
glass n grntto Of pure white coral was built up,
in ard around Nhieh the lyeopodium and mai
den-hair twined its tender shoots, while at
intervals several specimens of perfect nautilus
shells stood flled with some lovely orchids,
fer which the eonseryatOries at Sormanhurst
are famed. AT anoiher dinner close wreath
Of white marguerites was arranged round the
base Of each candiestiek or vase stood on the
table. while large shallow bowl in the centre
was filled with white flowers and ferns. In
this instance the decorations were kept very
low, which Is u pleasing arrangement, and
less common than the usual plan OF high centre
pieces. Again, the table al the Ranelagh Club,
prepared for their Royal Highnesses the Prince
and Princess Of Wales, was most artistic and
effective and the introduction Of Il broad band
Of color down the centre is an effective addition
forming a rich background for flowers, sc.
We have seen some curious old Eastern scarves
with gold embroidery used in THE way. AT
Ranelagh souie blossoms of the small water
lily were introduced in the shallow bowls
which were placed down the table, as upon
TINS occasion no color was admitted save the
bright pink Of the satin. Pots of growing
fruit, sunk in wine coolers or large silvtr tubs,
have been used. Patterns laid fatty on the
table, with siugle blossoms and common ferns
or leaves, are pretty, though We think are
more suitable IN late autumn and winter than
in summer An excellent arrangement can
be carried out by hoops. made Of thick wire
and embedded in sand ard moss. Around the
hoops long sprays of beautiful creepers. with
their hanging blossoms, are carefully twined,
while roses nestle in the moss. The centre
arch ought to be higher than the two others,
and have only. stephano,is blossoms around 1t
ard at the foot. At another dinner the whole
was sloping bank o. moss from the base Of
the lamp, which was in tue centre, and this
Was filled with choice blossoms of pelargoninms
of varied shades, divided by Que band of gar
denias, and the effect was ribbon border,
the edge, resting upon the tablecloth, was
borGered by frpnds OF maidenhair fern.
The old-fashioned glass trays, with which
many patterns can be made, are getting out of
date: aud yet during the presese season no
prettier table was seen than one in which roses
Of every shade filed these trays, and circles
which surrounded the dessert dishes, the
lamps. SC We think much remains TO be done
in decorating the table linen itself, of which
more another day.-TAe QaesH.