The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-12-13
-seneka Balsam sold eyerywhere-25 cents.
LETTER FROM PHILADELPHIA.
Chiefly about Christmas and the Selection
of Pretty Things for Presents.
PHILApELrHIA, Dec. 10, 1882.


fiftM PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 10, 1882.
Now for the season of selecting Christ
mas gifts. The next thing is to find GU
what friends and relations are expecting
for Christmas presents, and then 20 and
make choice of such things as will most
nearly please their real or supposed wish
es This is not always an easy task, es-
pecially among those who have a large
circle of friends to remember. Some peo-
PIE engage in it SO laboriously as TO take
away all its pleasure. Others make a
business of enjoy ing it putting up with
its inconveniences and making Of each
days search day of entertainment. 50
those who are fond OF seeing beautiful
things aud of being among them the
weeks before Christmas are a season of
especial delight. At this time the stores
in every department of attraction put on
their NEST enticing array, decking win
dows, shelves and show cases with be-
wildering variety of the useful and the
ornamental.
For the last five or six years the in-
crease in the Christmas attractions has
been so great that many people have each
year thought the display of that year was
as great as it was possible to make, and
yet the next Christmas season showed
larger display and richer attractions.
This was not only an evidence of pecuni-
airy prosperity, but 1t showed that refined
tast was on the increase. While the use
full is not neg lected, the artistic and the
beautiful are every year receiving more
and more consideration. The embellish-
ment of the homes of the people is going
on at gratifying rate, and the people are
the better for it. This establishment is
worth all it costs. The beauty of it is
that II may be graded to meet the ability
of everybody. So many forms does the
decorative assume that, whether, a pur-
chaser wants tasteful little adornment
for wall or mantel or a pair Of costly
Dresden or Royal Worcester porcelain
vases, there is no difficulty in procuring
the very object that Is desired. The in
genuity of the Vienna Artisans has done
much to tighten the labor and Increase
the delight of the seeker after Christmas
goods. These workers 10 fancy goods are
always getting up some new ideas, and
this year they have been particularly hap
Ply. In such tribes as carved wood ink
stands, paper weights, trays, pen racks,
hat racks and smoking sets, the variety Is
immense and tho novelty striking. In
plaques painted by hand on porcelain,
there is very little reproduction Of old
ideas, but creditable searching out In
the direction of the novel and original.
There are many curious ideas in decorated
dinner and dessert dishes, there being
many sets in which, though general uni
formity of style prevails, there are no
two pieces alike. So In fancy cut glass
ware for the table and for decorative pur-
poses. There are all manner of pretty
and curious things in jewelry, from the
hnmblest little fancy in plain gold to the
most costly and elaborate ornaments in
tastefully mounted diamonds. A watch
makes an acceptable present to lady OF
gentleman. Fans are highly esteemed by
the ladies' The new fances in feather
pearl and hand painted satin, compris,
many very commendable ideas. Ofcours
everybo must have a Christmas card
In this comparatively new creation, tn
artists have accomplished wonders. TIL
devices which are new this year are ia
more meritorious than last years novel
ties.
In walk along Chestnut street at an
hour of the day, one meets thousands @
shoppers and an army of people who
though not buying to-day, are taking OF
servations with view of buying.
course among all the beautiful thing
along the street 1t would be a pity t
neglect visit to Bailey, Banks e. Biddle'i
Here may be seen the display of the rict
est arc objects, and here also those VIII
are in guest of something for Christina
may crafty their choicest desires.
Ask for Germantown Zephyr Woo