Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-03

IDF veneer, but at least let US try to have them
kept for the use for which nature or the carpen-
| ter first intended them.
But while we regard the combination table as
| lnexcusable, we admit that the utility" table
has claims to merit. 1t folds and .unfolds con-
tains drawers for various purposes, can be
raised to the invalids couch or to the relief of
| constant reader, has q slOping desk to accom-
modate the STOPPING writer, and does much in
| its way to make life easier. The occasional
table, too, has some sense in being even If 1t Is
liable to tip over with q touch. Still, it serves
its purpose as handy stand for the cup of tea,
or to hold the work-box or book or writing case.
Then, too, 1t serves as stand for bouquet or
pot OF flowers and can be made yet more de-
slraoie by the handsome embroidery which is not
misplaced upon its cover.
How many beautiful inaid and painted tables
there are What works of art have found their
| motive In table! In Lucerne there is still to
be seen the table upon which Holbein, then
poor struggling painter, not vet out Of his ap-
premiership, earned q few gulden by his comic
representation OF st. Nobody that ubiquitous
person who in Swiss and German households is
as answerable for mischief as the cat in England
ana America Upon the natural wood he has
table, decorated no doubt for some festival re-
| mains . priceless relic Of his earliest work!
The history OF table linen and table cloths
| would ill volume. We will be content with
RAPID glance at that which modern taste per-
mlts, and which leads rather to the covering up
OF tables than to their decoration by the brush,
although we meet with that, too. 1t is not so
| very many years since the mahogany table,
luoDed 20 the highest degree Of polish, reflected
the smiling countenances Of guests at the re-
moval OF the cloth at every great dinner when
the decanters In silver stands and the dessert
were imposing upon its polished surface To
Gay the whole style of dinner-giving is different.
The damask table-cloth holds its own to the very
end OF the meal, and in very luxurious houses is
now not only noticeable for the beauty Of its de-
sign, the silken shine OF its lustrous damask but
Is often trimmed with lace insertion and edging.
so are the napkins, suggesting the fear that
some fair guest, afflicted with love Of lace and
kleptomaniac proclivities may mistake it for
handkerchief. Such fashion is fortunately
nttie likely to become common, we may rather
dwell upon the Introduction of colored border
lngs and fancy designs for the table linen which
in our opinion is never the handsomer for them,
out loses something Of merit with every tone Of
color. Nothing will ever exceed in beauty the
pure white of well-bleached damask. Surely we
may be content to have it So in consideration Of
the limitless variety possible in the decoration
Of other tables
The table specially made for the kettledrum,
or afternoon tea, is quite modern continuance,
ana If likely to become increasingly popular. 1t
Is In some sort double table, having shelf for
the reception OF cups, saucers plates, etc. There
are very dainty cloths for such tables, either in
fine white damask, unreeved by color, or with
deep colored stripes as bordering; in the center
monogram handsomely embroidered in white
oIh Va III SOlOlS lOOhS IcfudThdUiy Wcu. ne
| Gently such marking has often been done in sill
yer thread, and, in the case Of q gift, has even
found expression by embroidery in hair A sim
pie cloth for such table could be suitably
worked with border design Of quaint plates
and cups in outline stitch In blue silk For COL
ored cloths the style now requires plush Dor
dering, and the fashion would be for very deli
cate colored silk in the center, the bordering
being Of deeper tone Of color.
But In the name Of common sense what is the
vi cYpnho al 9TH fcr foo% ahl %h,ko
drop OF tea or stain of butter viii mar it for
ever? Suitability should be studied first and
decoration next, so we give our vote decidedly
In favor OF cloths for the kettedrum which can
De washed or renovated constantly. For other
tables than those devoted to meals. individual
taste alone can set the limit to decoration.
Small drawing-rOOm tables have cloth tops.
Mahogany or ebonized square tables are covered
with rich pushes, having ball fringe below the
borders; others are in the quaint style of Queen
Anne's reign, with light pillars or balustraSe
ornaments, completed with gilt feet or carved
decoration. Polished mahogany, too, is in great
favor for such rooms, with the brass ornaments
which are supposed to mark the NapoleOnic era.
On the other hand, there is studied simplicity
about furniture intended for cottage residences,
and wicker chairs and lounges are supplemented
by tables OF the same material with Open-wOrked
edges, through which gay ribbons can be in
serted. Narrow plush-covered tables are set
against the parlOr wall to hold stand Of books,
or figure among the chairs and touches for the
reception of fancy work or a few flowers Some
such are beautifully painted by hand, others are
covered by plush of different shades, so cut
against the wool that on pressure the colors
take on deeper tones. Plush is holding court in
fashion to-day. yet plush has not vanquished
tapestry from the field, and a tapestry table
cover Is as handsome q decoration for dining
room as We could wish to have; handsomer
especially If interviewer with silver threads than
even deep-toned cloth with heavy borderings of
silk braid or plush.
In libraries the tables are coveress, piece of
deep colOred cloth or of leather morocco or
cheaper material being simply fitted on to the
top, as more suitable to the character of the
room, while in bedrooms the variety q lady may
select from and yet be in "the STYLE are too
numerous for mention. Perhaps the "Duchesse"
is the favOrite. with it's drapery of white muslin
tied up with ribbons or the more expensive
mirrored table, upon which three looking
glasses, placed at favorable angles, give the
most desirable glimpses of the figure.
Space fails us for consideration Of the POSSIBLE
tiles OF tables from q decorative standpoint
They are legion! From the little three-legged
deal-topped specimen to be bought for SO and
transformed by clever fingers into thing of
beauty by the cloth covering for the top and the
border Of Macrame lace or decorative embrOi-
derry, to the inlaid ebony table with mountings
OF silver or marvels Of mosaic workmanship, who
can enumerate the countless shapes and fashions
OF modern tables2 The task would leave us ex-
hausted enough to sigh for the simplicity of that
Grecian home whence we started on our subject
in which tables and table coverings were not.