St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-02-02
THE DiNiNG-ROOM.
How the Humb1est Household May Al
ways Have an Attractive Table.

How the HumbleSt Household May Al.
ways Have an Attractive Table.
A pleasant dining-room is an attrac-
ton which every home should pos
sess. It is in it that the family should
assemble three or four times each day,
and it should be the brightest room in
the house. The table, furniture and
entire apartment should be scrupu-
lousy neat and orderly, while it should
be the desire of every housekeeper to
contribute to the comfort and health,
as well as the taste, of her family in
the arrangements and preparation of
every meal. The table cloth should
always be spotless and fine, and an un-
der cover of thick cloth should be
spread on the table, as it gives a
heavier, smoother appearance to the
table cloth. Napkins should be, fine
and thick, and should never be
starched. The dishes should be well
kept and free from cracks, the glass
and silver always brightly polished.
Fine glass and china do not crack as
readily as the common deli, if careful
ly handled, and is therefore more
economical than earthenware. Any
glass or china that has gliding on it
should be gently washed in warm
water, then rinsed in cold, but never
washed with soap or rubbed with a
towel.
At dinings or entertainments no or
ivy of aati N
the table as natural flowers. Beside
each plate should. be placed as many
knives, forks and spoons as will be
, needed, a glass for water, and,
where wine is used, wine-glasses are
set near each plate. The napkin,
plainly and neatly folded, is placed on
each plate, and between it square
piece of bread. All plates required for
the meal are set out ready, so as to
avoid confusion, which, either in fami-
ly or company dinners, is in very bad
taste.
At breakfast the tea and coffee are
usually set before the mistress, with
cream, sugar, cups and saucers. For
family use or small entertainments,
one caster is sufficient. Butter is put in
two small butter dishes, or individual
dishes, with Jumps of ice. Honey or
strip is served in saucers. Dining
room chairs should be of equal height,
and the table should be firm and solid.
If finger bowls are used, they are
passed after the pastry with a dolly
between the bowl and plate. r
To clear the table neatly after
meals, and properly wash the dishes,
is very important item of household
work, for, if carelessly done, great
annoyance and disorder will follow.
Unless the housekeeper has very
reliable servant, her assistance and
supervision will be necessary. AS soon
as meal is over the fragments should
all be gathered up and the plates care
fully scraped; the crumbs should be
lightly brushed aside until the dishes
are put away, then they can be taken
up in the sdust-pan. To wash the
dishes, have clean water in the dish
pan. First, the silver should be
washed without soap, and dried on an
old soft towel, after which soap may
be used in the dishwater. Then the
glasses, cups and saucers should be
washed, rinsed and wiped, leaving the
greasy articles until the last, when
more hot water should be used and
plenty of soap. Plenty of clean dish.
cloths and tea towels should be kept
those for the dining-room should never
be used in the kitchen, coarser,
stronger ones being needed in the lat.
ter department. A dish mop for wash.
ing small articles will be found con.
venient.
BY attention to these rules for the
management of the dining-room, and
the exercise of good judgment, the
humblestrhousehold may always have
pleasant dining-room and an ele
gnnt, attractive table, which will ex
ercise a renning influence oTor ths
family. Taste may be displayed in
the cottage of the poor, as well as the
mansion OF the rich, the great secret
Of good housekeeping being strict at
tention to every little thing that car
in the slightest degree contribute to
the comfort and pleasure of the family
The unselfish love of the wife ano
mother will always accomplish this
end, If properly guided. Louisville
Coarier-Journal.
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