The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1886-06-24
EDITOR CHiLDS' DINNER SET.
A Modest Fortune Invested in silver,
China, and Glass Ware.

q dozen courses mas Deen maue the SUP
iect of a full-page illustration in a New
England magazine devoted to the inter
ests of the higher life of the
household. The picture is beau
tifully executed, showing the table
standing in the palatial dining-room o.
Mr.. Childs' marble mansion. and ablaze
with the superb collections of glass,
china, and silver, and gilt candelabrs
that have made it renowned as one Of
the most magnificently furnished and
h%ospitable boards in the United States.
The entire table service owned by Mr..
| Childs is estimated to be worth between
$40, 900 and so, 900, and he has been
collecting it for upward of fifteen years.
Only a small portion of this great col
lection can, of course, be used ut one
time; but, as was the case when the
table was set to have its picture taken,
or when some distinguished guest is be-
ing entertained. the choicest gems are
selected and artistically arranged, and
the result, as seen beneath the soft
light of cores of waXen candles is al
most indescribable. The cloth on such
occasions is of a heavy material from
the ''Vale of Cashmere OF the richest
scarlet. and heavily embroidered and
fringed with gold bullion. In the CEN
ter is a mirror lake four feet long by
three feet wide, and above it stands a
centerpiece in richly chased silver-gilt,
vasiform, and finished at the top with
eight burners, which. however, Mrs.
Childs generally prefers to have filled
with rare and beautiful flowers instead
of tapers. 1t has Il gilt open-work bor-
der of a graceful floral design standing
three inches above the mirror. in which
it is reflected. At either end are en-
quisitely-designed candelabra in gilt and
silver, which stand nearly two feet in
height and hold a number of lights, be-
ing also draped with tlower-bespangled
vines
Standing by the candelabra at one
end of the table is a silver ne-cooler.
with four raised panels of cupids and
graces. The corresponding article at
the opposite extremity is a crystal
bowl, fifteen inches in diameter and
nearly as high, used for flowers. This
and It's companion in another city are
the finest pieces of glass yet made by
any American manufacturer, and for
beauty and perfection of cutting they
are uneXcellcd. The work was done by
Thomas Hawkes., the great-grandson of
that Mr.. Hawkes. who first introduced
cut-glass into England. The profusion
of crystal upon the table in the shape
of exquisite c%arafes, compete, fruit, and
bon-bon stands, low and high, and with
" without silver bases, are 4 revelation
of the stage to which glass-cutting is
carried in the United States.
But all nations are represented.
Claret-jugs and wine-glasses from Bo-
hernia. and a set of claret-tumblers
from Carlsbad, ornately enameled with
sprays, flowers and butterflies in gilt,
crimson, and blue, give dasheS of col
oring and variety of form to the pro-
fuse and varied service. Amid the col
lection of crystal is aset of Bohemian
champagne glasses, which are so unique
and beautiful as to challenge universal
They were presented by
Gen. Grant.
The silver objects on the table are so
that only a few can be ment-
toned, perhaps the most interesting be-
the coronet of that wise and witty
peer and statesman Lord
which has been made to do
as the ornamental base of a crystal
f%g-holder,
Another odd bit is 4 silver bottle,
like IN owl. copied from one III
he Blush museum especially for Mr..
and there are several novel
cases wrought in the same pre-
,ious metal.
But it is in the vast stores of valuable
porcelain that the collection is so. Won
rich, and the crown jewel of
he lot is Il marvelously large and
,plendid set of MintOn ware, made with
care and decorated with ex-
luisite daintiness and good taste. The
for the plates. which are in
with every object in the set.
s 4 gilt band about half IN inch wide
m an ivory ground. Topped with gar
ands of brilliantly hued flowers, tiny
n size but perfect in shape MI. !
monogram, wrought in the
delicate flower, occupies the cen ;
er Of the plate. !
Other sets of plates show nothing but /
ssh, others only birds or flowers, while !
here are several harlequin sets, in {
which each plate is entirely different |
rom any of its fellows, and each is a
irritable gem. In that storehouse of
the china closet, which is a S
ood-sized room of itself, are arranged !
cores of dozens of beautiful plates of [
very size and for every use. Many c
re of plain %colors, but the majority t
how some beautiful designs. Sharing t
same shelves are dozens of coffee b
tea cups that have been brought
ON every part of the world where the /
otter and the artist unite their skill. s
intrinsic value this great collection '
II exceeds the estimate placed upon it y
oove, for many of the pieces have as +
'ciations that give them additional E
,orth, while others could not be re- n
reduced save by the expenditure of a n I
times their original cost.-Phila- \
9lphia Record. t.