Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-05

variety of FORM either separately or collectively.
in triple stand. For those who prefer such
condiments in silver casters the latest fashion
provides salt-celars In the shape of a puss in
boots, pepper-pots in the guise of dogs mon
Keys or cats, and quaint little pitchers for vim
egar and oil.
There is, of course no limit to the possibiii-
ties of a luxurious breakfast table Where
money Is no object, and the qualification of
taste is the sole consideration, there are endless
varieties OF breakfast appurtenances i'm silver or
Iii plated ware. Double forks, for serving fish
are provided for each Individual; dishes kept
heated by the spirit lamp have superseded the
old-fashiOned hot water plate. muffin mates ara
furnished with perforated covers; cream lars
and covered pitchers for hot milk stand side by
side with the milk jug proper AS for coffee
pots. their maine Is legion. Assuredly if the
coffee produced is not up to the mark the berry
tSeii is responsible. or the blame attaches to
non-ooiling water or want of sympathetic
suaSlon on the part of the maker. Of the many
now eXhiDited, two especially commend them
selves TO US. One is made upon the principle of
the french cdtet,ere, in which the water placed
IN the lower compartment is heated over spirit
lamp. and as it boils forces its way through the
coffee, which is inclOsed in the perforated
cover. and bubbles through it into a glass
receptacle above. to descend again ny slow filtra-
tion to tine lower portion as the extinction of
the spirit lowers the temperature. Coffee made
upon this principle is always success, and pots
OF various materials are constructed upon the
French plan. although they have not exactly
French look about them. Another variety which
is yet newer. is the reversible cOifee-pOt in
which both halves are exactly alike while the
ground coffee is packed into perforated recep-
tace between the two. Sufficient water, in any
number Of cups required, is placed in the lower
compartment, and the pot fits into stand over
spirit-llmp. AS soon as the water boils, as
shown by the steam issuing from the spout, the
pot is rapidly turned upside down, and the
water now in the upper portion filters slowly
through the sieve, retaining as it flows the full
aroma of the coffee.
But no novelty in coffee making, no rarity in
teapots. can compensate for the absence of the
urn from the breakfast table. Ii we were in
ciined TO indulge in sentiment, we might say
that the kissing urn, with its curling steam, was
as Indispensable as the rosy cheeks of the little
ones. and whether we allow ourselves the in
diligence or not, We are reminded. by the mere
reflection. of the distinctive features of the Eng
lish nursery breakfast table. That is an essen
italy British institution, and one which has
has had a large influence in the development
OF the national character. Then, the income
must be narrow indeed which does not allow
OF separate table for the nursery. Now and
again some mother will assert herself and
declare that she likes to see the children
at her own table, but in the majority of
families the nursery department stands by
itself, and there is no prettier sight than
that OF the rosy. well-Oruered little ones
seated round the table with its simple equip
ments enjoying it's plain fare. and taking in"
bread and milk, with perhaps the unwOnted
addition of bit of nurses bacon or
fresh boiled egg. Later on these same lit
tie ones Will be spectators of the grOwn-up
breakfast table down in the dining room. coax
ing around father and mother. and enjoying
emancipation from nursery rule, until they have
seen papa off to his business. 1t must be ad-
united that in this department Of home life the
English stand alone and whether for good or
e ha oh of al pf
and OF very simple notions of anything beyond
the nursery realm. Cocoa is more usually found
upon the English than upon the American
breakfast table, where chocolate holds sway
which recalls to our mind the latest improve
ment in the chocolate pot. Plated pots for
serving chocolate are furnished with what is
called muddler-in reality sort of egg heater
with long Handkerchief passes through the
lid OF the pot. AS each cup is poured out this
muddler is stirred rapidly round and in this
way the tendency OF chocolate to settle is OBJ
waited.
There is no exaggeratiOn in saying that the
atmosphere of breakfast table gives the key to
the atmosphere of the home. 1t Is only in
America and in England that the lady of the
house is as dainty at the morning meal as at
every other; they alone hold papilloHes and
crimping-pins in honor at the breakfast table.
In France, Germany and Switzerland early
breakfast is in reality, no meal at all. 1t lacks
every element Of comfort. and In the majority
coffee and pretzel or rOllin her own ROOM paus-
ing for the purpose in her hOusewifely cares,
and clad in the semi-deShabille in which those
tasks are performed by the notable women of
foreign countries. In Italy, again. breakfast
means hot rolls and coffee, and in Holland the
addition of strOng-f1avOred cheese or smoked
herring is scarcely redeemng feature. Dainty
breakfast sets are almost unknown, except in
the few families who, in travelling, have learned
the beauty of such unfamiliar things and whose
g = 49, ia:
The reception Of guests at breakfast table Is
necessarily informal Breakfast parties are not
very common. and when they take place their
charm lies in the freedom and familiarity which
should be their accomplishments. In certain cir
Giles of society the breakfast has somewhat
usurped the place of luncheOns, notably among
literary people and members of the theatrical
profession. In the latter reunions extravagant
displays of plate anu flowers, choice dishes, and
most recherche wines take place. while among
the literati the charm depends rather upon the
flow OF wit and huinOr which presumably accom-
panes all literary gatherings. Upon the appoint
ments of the wedding breakfast it is not neces-
sary to dwell, excepting to indulge the fervent
hope that they will fall into entire disuse, of
which there appears a growing probability.
Among many requirements of the breakfast table
butter dishes play an important part. Inthe5e the
latest style are iii oval form on three feet and
having lid which when placed in position, gives
them somewhat the form of large egg. Dishes
OF every Kind are provided for fruit; among
them none are prettier than the cap-shaped dish
in deep green color, against which the fruit
stands out in charming relief Small napkins
are the proper Accomplishments of the breakfast
table, and finger glasses are an improvement in
this sultry weather. 1t does not require much
imagination To cOnjure upa breakfast table with
appointments and accompaniment which should
make it fit for the gods, but when, In addition
to its material attractions, are added those of
genial and kindly cOmpaniOnship, when the free,
familiar chat of home life is the accompaniment
to the play Of knives and forks. we shall. per-
haps, after all, fail to observe whether the cups
are of stOneware or delicate china, or whether
the coffee fiOws from metal or silver pot. Bet
ter is the breakfast table where love reigns than
all the china in the world and spteful gossip
Herewith but, all things else being even, pre-
ference for dainty china and delicately frosted
silverware may be forgiven US.
We6deA