Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-15
MODERN DINNER TABLES.
The Rage for Decoration Overwhelming
the Taste for Food.
fCornhill Magazine.


Is the diner-out OF to-day better or
worse treated rs regards the quality and
quantity of his fare, than his predecessor
Of twenty, thirty. or forty years ago!
Whether we get more or less or better or
worse 10 eat than formerly we certainly
have a great deal more to look at. The
hospitable board that once, in the Ian
guage Of the reporter of olden days,
groaned" under the weight of saddles
and sirloins, barons and chimes, now sim
pers under the imposition of satin and
plush, gilt Cupids and butterfly nets,
French toys and American fayors, orchids
of price and common field-towers. com
bned with enough greenery TO furnish
forth the material for respectable May
day festival.
The desire to crafty two senses at one
and the same time probably first inspired
men to eat their dinners at a flower decked
table, as il has led others mistakenly to
spoil their feasts with music, or their music
with feasting, whichever way one likes to
put it.
What appears most striking in the deco
rative methods now in vogue is certain
failure III the sense of proportion. which Is
becoming more pronounced each season.
and is hurrying people into extrayagances
that are bound sooner or later 70 bring
u IcdtLlOu idNDI VI IL
was one thing to adOrn a dinner-tabie
artistically with flowers and
fruit on the table is hardly now permissa-
ble--but it is another thing altogether
TO build up with infinite pains and ex-
pense a colossal decorative trophy. with
birds and butterflies, squirrels aloft and
rabbits below, burrowing under flower
covered feggots, around which space is
barely left here and there for the plate Of
an unfortunate diner, who struggles with
trails of ivy dabbling in his soup. and
sprays of maidenhair and mimosa bend
ing into his wine-glass, like weeping will
lows round q duck-pond, while he gets
through his dinner with as uncomfortable
O premonition of earwigs and creeping
things as if he were assisting at that most
discomposing of social entertainments, a
genuine picnic.
The evil does not seem likely 10 end here.
however. We are warned OF further de-
velopments in the immediate future. The
scheme of decoration is TO undergo expan-
sion and 10 rise above the table and 10 take
in its surroundings. The covering ceilings
with blooms fixed in wooden frames was
practiced with considerable effect at some
entertainments last season. Recently O
young lady arranged o dinner-tabIe above
which, as part OF the decoration. ioated
gauze clouds within whose folds birds and
butterflies were imprisoned.
Ii this fancy endure till next summer
We may expect many strange metamor-
phoses to take effect in London dining
rooms. and the liberty of the subject Is
likely TO be interfered with by arbitrary
restrictions being being imposed upon the
color and fashion Of the ladies' dresses.
Not long ago the introduction of q new
form Of menu card, in the share of a ship
in full sail. inspired adinner- partv 10 carry
out the idea in its integrity by laakinc the
centre ornament Of her table blue satin
ship with the rigging outlined with hui ton
roses. the lady. guests being reouestel to