The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-24

late suffered many lateral developments, and the
day is now welcomed by the worldly as affording
an opportunity for the exchange of friendly re-
membranes in the shape of various aesthetic
and too-too designs. The society young man is
now conducting negotiations for the exchange of
his ulster for Easter cards TO send to his
lady admirers, and the latter are preparing
elaborate designs on cards and eggs to return
the compliment. SO generally is this custom be-
ing observed, that the burden laid upon the hens
is really greater than they can bear. In fact,
this has been one of the hardest aud busiest
winters on hens that they have ever known. A
city paper with an awful appendix known as a
society Column" chronicles the Important
fact that one young lady has already prepared
over 200 eggs for Easter presents, which is a
tribute alike TO her artistic skill and popularity
and the writer of this account has, during the
past week, spen several months salary on cards.
The designs on them, however, were neither
new nor original, and their relevancy to Easter
is 80 far fetched that only the specuator can
figure it out. They were cards just the same,
however.
THE DESIGNS IN EGGS.
Perhaps as eggs, mock and real. occupy the
most important position, they deserve to be
mentioned first; and, as it is impossible to speak
OF all the many varieties, only those particu-
larly pretty or quaint can be hurriedly glanced
over and their beauties and oddities partly dis
cussed. Painted eggs in all sizes from that of an
ostrich to that of a humming bird. are every
where displayed, many of them showing partic-
ularly pretty designs, some of which are appro-
PIRATE for the season, while other exceedingly
lovely ones are ornamented with designs bear
ing no relation to Easter emblems, aside from
the primary fact that they are eggs. Other
nno inf cd oh ~
from broken shells with particularly jagged
and Misunderstanding edges This rregularity
in design for Easter eggs is one of the novelties
of the season, and all designs where the idea can
be carried out with reasonably good effect the
egg is naturally broken, leaving the irregularly-
notched edges, and in many of the dainty trifles
the effect is very charming. These unfledged
chicks, apparently very recently freed from
their fraN prison-houses, are seen saucily
perohed on boxes of all descriptions, with the
broken egg-shell beside them, attached in some
invisible manner to the lid of the box. On some
of these shells short Easter greetings pick ed
out in black or in colors. while others are left
plain, the maker of the box apparently relying
on the oddity OF the situation for the desired
erect. particularly dainty little trIfie of this
kind is a glOve-box of deep red plush, lined with
she most delicate quilting of cream satin On
one side of the box are the words easter Greet
ing in raised silver letters, while on the center
OF the lid, the edge OF which is pulled satin,
stands the fullest OF nuy little chickens, with
PINK Ieeb ana De8QY black eyes, staring 1nteDtly
at a broken shell beside him on which is picked
out in black ink q second tiny chicken with
portion of the broken shell clinging lovingly TO
his arched back, seemingly to his great disgust.
Among the eggs ornamented with landscapes in
c0lors on one side and verses notices on the
other, the largest eggs which can be procured
are desirable, as they allow broader scope for
the ingenuity of the artist, and when carefully
bio wn, with tiny silk cord run through them
by which they may be suspended, they are pretty
and suitable Easter offerings, especially when
made by the hands o. the giver. Among the
verses and notices employed there are few
that have not been used before, and, al
though scarcely appropriate for the season,
many of them express beautiful sentiments in
beautiful language, and despite their somewhat
unsuitable character they deserve and hold q
place among the old ones, and are not to be con-
demned. Other painted eggs made in the
form of baskets, with round hole made in the
small end or in the side of the egg. BY the ar
rangement of a narrow pasteboard rim attached
to the bottom of the egg they are made to stand
without other support, and with small handle
of pasCeboard or cardboard fastened to the top
they are exceedingly dainty and pretty. The
inside Ia generally tinted some delicate shade
and. with the addition of a design Ornamenting
either side in colors in almost any pattern, they
particularly effective and rank among the
novelties OF the season.
OTHER PRETTY FANcIEs.
Among the other pretty fancies is one which
society lady here has recently made. which is
ornate and original. 1t is a large round plaque
of ordinary earthenware. The upper half of this
oil, while the lower half is covered with large
plaque by glue. The punches attached first are
quite long, and some of the longest ends extend
half way up the expanse of sky. Over these long
punches shorter ones are fastened, until the low
er half of the plaque is mass of waving grass
heads of deep brown and in all varieties. The
whole has the effect of field of dried grass,
the intense blue aud white of the autumn sky
overhead. In the very center of the grass plot
is tiny nest woven Of Iwigs and rags, in which
mr. mol nj xuifh rn1f.
bluebird restinglightly on the edge OF the dainty
little nest
The articles made of artificial eggs are quite
as various and some of them quite as lovely as
those of genine eggs. One of the very prettiest
of the articles of this description is made of
heavy glass. The foundation OF back is made of
an oblong mirror, about eight inches in length
and three across. This is made to stand up in
the same manner that an easel is, by means of
silver wire twisted into n small frame. On the
center of the front of this glass rests part of
large glass egg which is made hollow and is cut
In exact halves lengthwise, with the small end cut
off, having small hollow vessel in the form of a
broken egg intended for holding small clusters
of flowers. The design is both quaint and pretty,
and the mirror rejecting the delicate blossoms
adds much 60 the effect already charming. An
other dainty receptacle for flowers Is made of
delicately- tinted Limoges ware with most lovely
raised designs. The pattern is almost indescrib
able, but gives the Impression of three eggs of
ordinary size with the ends unevenly broken off
resting with the broken ends upward in a bed of
small pink and white flowers, with delicately-
tinted green leaves and tendrils twining them
selves about the eggs. The egg in the center Is
raised above the other two, partly resting
against them. A small cluster of natural lilies
rests in each of the egg-shaped cups interspersed
with few large dark-eye1 violets. The effect
of the artificial flowers underneath seemingly
endeavoring in vain to reach the real ones
above, is better magined than described, and
may be taken as emblematic of other things
than flowers.
THE EASTER CARDS.
The demand for Easter cards is very great,
and many of the designs displayed in the shop
windows and private boudoIrs are elaborate and
beautiful. The hand-panted ones, or course,
rank among the loveliest, those painted on satin
being particularly noticeable White satin is
generally used, as being emblamatc of purity,
and the coloriDg is subdued rather than gorgeous,
while some of the prettiesr and Quaintest are
made entirely of black and white. The sizes
vary quito as much as the desirns and while