The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-08-31
Ladies' Department.
The lighting of Rooms.

"A lew years aSO uOCnihS was
more simple matter than the lighting
of our houses. The large central
chandelier was considered the most
satisfactory and elegant means Of
light, supplemented in very big
rooms by side burners of the same
pattern, whose family likeness was
so strong to the chandelier in the
centre that they looked like children
of the same parent. Some Of
these old chandeliers were very
beautiful, those ofVenetian glass and
fine cut crystal, with prism pendants
being most effective and brilliant
when lighted. There was certain
stateliness, too, about the carved gilt
and brass structures, with their tiers
of globes and burners, that was very
imposing, but it was like warming
ones self by star" to read by these
far.away, glittering objects, and SO
the drop-light came into vogue, with
its long, snake like cell of rubber
tubing. The lamp was considered an
unsightly thing, relegated to the
kitchen and the servants quarters,
and it is only within few years that
we have learned how beautiful and
useful lamp may be.
There is no question that gas,
until superseded by electricity, will
remain the cleanest, most convenient,
and safest Of all house lights, as the
housekeeper is fain to admit who
has 20 superintcnd the cleaning of
numerous lamps, and to face the dan.
ger of explosion and fire by the care
less use of kerosene in its many
forms, to say nothing of the unpleas.
ant odo1 emitted therefrom. But in
many places gas cannot be had, and
everywhere the aesthetic tendencies
of the age have frowned on its all
pervading light, and revived the fash.
ion of lamps and candles.
While kerosene was always bIes-
sing to the labor:ng people, it has
only lately taken rank among the
luxuries of the rich. First came the
student lamp, with it's soft, mellow
light, which was and still is the best
light to read by eyer invented; and
then the foodeates were opened, and
a perfect tidal wave of lamps swept
over the land. This has to some ex-
tent receded, and bride is no longer
IN danger of receiving more than ten
or twelve for wedding gifts; but
while the rage has abated, the pop
ularity and utility of lamps are firmly
established.
Now the modern drawing-room of
an evening is "meeting of gentle
lights without name" There are
the tall brass or wrought iron lamps
with large umbrella like shades,
which illumine some dark corner or
throw the light upon some easy.chair,
there are the pretty sconces, with
their bright rejecting mirrors; there
are the little colored dots of light
called fairy lamps" which are pretty
on brackets or swinging by slender
brass chains. Then there is the lamp
for the table, upon which art has ex-
hausted itself. These lamps are
made of everything-beautiful vases,
rare old bowls, quaint china, jars,
bronze and metal urns, and even
ostrich eggs; and the shades for
these lamps have stolen their colors
everywhere, from the folded petals
ola damask.rose to the iridescence
of motherof-pearl.
There has been vast field for
feminine handiwork in the overshades
of lace, paper, silk, or crocheted net,
until one man complained that there
wasn't III his whole house ga lamp
without a pettieoat." This overshad.
ing of lamps has perhaps been car
ried too far. Somewhere in the
house, for the sake of the old and
young eyes that will read by it, there
should be one good clear light with
out a petticoat." but in the drawing.
room, cor an hours talk withal, u
the soft, gentle, rosy illumination is
prettiest
Everything is used for overshades
Oriental scaifs loosely kaotted