Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-31
Dining-ROOm Hints.

Aunt Addie writes the Country Cen
Nenan long essay on dining-rOoms,
from which we shall take the following
hints for the consideration of our house.
wives:
If possible, the diniug.room should
be the most attractive room in the house
perhaps not quite the sunniest spot
to be found, although the sunshine must
by no means be banished; but it is said
that subdued light is all that is neces.
sary or really wanted, to complete the
perfection Of the dining.room. 1t must
be decidedly noted for its bright cheer
fulness and its look of perfect cosiness.
1t may not be the finest room ke house
affords, and the furniture may be of the
simplest character. but little individ-
ual taste may be exercised in its adorn-
ment.
The dining. table linen may not be of
the finest and richest that foreign looms
send out to US, but there is nothing that
can hinder the spotless purity of the
Wilderness of tablecloth and napkins.
The tablecloth should be folded in the
most accurate manner, and prefer the
simple squares to the more elaborate
and snowy diamond. shaped formations;
but this is mere matter of taste and
choice for each lady to determine for
herself. Let the tablecloth have small
Quantity OF starch in it, sufficient to
have it come from under the iron with
highly-fnished glossy surface. The
napkins should never have any stiffnes IS
in them. Under the cloth place piece
Of canton flannel the width and length
of your table. This is now deemed q
necessity. 1t imparts q heavier, richer
look to your tablecloth, besides absorb
ing any spots Of gravy that may be
spilled, which would also injure the ap-
pearanco of the table; besides, it saves
the noise of the dishes in being removed.
The handsomest table mats are those
made of coarse white cotton, and of
these there should be distributed as
many as there are dishes to be dis
posed Of.
At the right hand Of the plate place
spoon with the bowl turned down
ward, at the left hand have the fork
with the tines reversed, and at the head
of the plate will be found the knife,
with the napkin on the right of the
spoon. The goblet, or tumbler, must
he on line with the knife at the right,
while the saltcellar, if individual ones
are used, will be at the left. Should
large salts be used, as they sometimes
are at dinner, let them be placed on the
corners of the table, diagonally, oppo-
site each other, with salt.spoon laid
on each.
The tea-tray should have dolly upon
it, and be placed before the mistress OF
the house. The sugar-bowl, milk-ewer,
etc., should be arranged across the heaG
of it, while the cups and saucers are II
little piles of two or three on the LEFT
side. Many persons do not have thu
tray upon the table, but have the spoon
glass, etc., on the table at their lef
hand, and when the tea or coffee i
served, the table is clear before them.
Have the prettiest dishes you Cal
afford. If plain porcelain, let them b.
of the thinnest texture procurable. I
china is used let the ornamentation bt
of the most delicate character, with tn
very smallest hair-line of gilt on tn
edges of cups, plates, etc. Your glass
ware may be of ordinary pressed glass
but have it perfectly plain and thin, re
markable only for its clearness and it
sparkle. Have your silver washed il
, pure hot water, innocent of soap,
: you would have it retain its new look
Polish it with soft towel.