The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-03-21
EASTER FANCIES.
From the New York Graphic.

Easter is fast approaching and with it
will be the holidays and the season for
making holiday presents peculiar to East
ertide. Of late years Easter has become
as much of IA festival and holiday as
Christmas, and thousands of dollars are
spent in making presents. particularly
among the wealthieT class. Last wear
most of the designs were of nm esthctic
character, hut alas! poor Oscar Wilde is
no more; TINT is, in this country.
Easter eggs are made in various forms
and fashions, and in many instances are
of costly character. The novelties in
cards, stuffed birds and chickens this year
will at recommend themselves to the
intending purchaser, however fastidious
he may be. The stores are filled
with articles to be bought for
from a few cents to $3.50 to 5000. The
specialtiess of different manufacture are
as attractive as they are interesting : par
ticularly in the card and poetry class
Among some of these novelties may here
be mentioned the Easter Choral" which
consists of young owl perched on n
rustic pulpit with q book in his claws, and
for his congregation he has brood of
Young chickens. Their mouths are wide
open as if only too eager to take in every
musical note to be heard Satin satchels
with mounting of crosses, birds, roses
and other, flowers, are also made Especial
feature this year To. offset these there
are any quantity of fancy baskets lined
with satin of rich celers, their contents
being made Hp according to the will of
the purchasers.
A pretty souvenir is styled the Easter
Thought" A bunch of English
daisies interpersed with nodding grass;
a handful of moss roses arranged in a
low vase, or lily floating on the water,
are very pretty in design. Then there
are some fine designs of scroll work. the
center containing the floral design and
Easter wishes. The designs of many of
the large cards are very elaborate and
unique. In description of The novelties
for Eastertide the confectioner must not
be left out in the cold. for his presents
will interest the young folk much more
than the more costly onesto be found ST
the jewelers.. The designs are also nu-
Hmefous enough to suit all tastes. The
ever popular Easter egg can be found in
every size. color. and outside adurnment.
Quite number of the more valuable of
these are manufactured in Paris and in
London. The buyer is asked by the
obligfrg young man behind the counter
what kind he or she may reguire-wheth-
er it shall be of paper, candy. satin, plush.
wooden. tin, glass. china, gold or silver
Some of these eggs are very diminutive,
others are as big as q mans head.
One monster egg seen by the reporter
was composed of white satin, on which
was groundwork of embroidered roses,
which gave the egg the appearance of an
enchanted garden. The egg was trimmed
with an embroidery of forget-me nots.
with silk slaees attached. The tout en-
semble was in every way artistic, and
showed muchlingenuity on the part of the
artist
The business. of Masking EASTER eggs
and holiday presents is extending every
year, and, as stated at the outset. Ithous
auds of pounds and dollars are expended.
in "fancieso throughout the Christian
world.
In Germany and France the festival Is
observed, and in England the Easter holi
DAYS are counted on for weeks before the
event comes off. In most cities and
towns there is Il suspension of business
from Thursday night until Tuesday morn
ing, and the intervening time is spent in
visiting among friends.