New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-21


What woman Of refinement does not like dainty &C
oessores about her writing table In these days OF
luxury when every article for desk may be found
mounted in silver or gold and even ewelled, it is
easy thing for persons of wealth to satisfy their
various whms in such matter. Probably the most
fascinating writing tables for women are those that
come from Venice, ornamented in marqueterie with
woods, furnished with pigeon holes haiffrsmed
in fretwork dainty drawers and the inevitable secret
recess 10 hide away especially precious parcels from
too pryng eyes. The most attractive of these desks
are made of light woods The fiat table in front is
covered with velvet of the royal purple OF the pasy.
in place of the familiar crimson or blue cover, and
there is pansies, that's for thoughts" The inkstaDd
on such desk may be all artistic bit OF bronze, a
model, if you please of that quaint round tower OF
Rome now known to be no battement of war but
only tomb. the grave of Caecia Metella, the
wife OF the wealthiest Of Romans. 1t may be little
nkstand Of mosaic any artistic trae in this form,
but full Of suggestion and poetry as an lnkstand may
well be- There is no excuse for numbering, clumsy,
or meann gess article of this kind The great preten-
tious brass and cut glass monstrosilies had better
be done away with.
There are convenient and attractive paper weights In
various styles, materials and shapesbits Of olive wood
from Palestine and costly artistic tribes which
are useful well beautiful. The attraction OF a
thoroughly well-fmnisl6d desk lies wholly in the taste
of the possessor Every article with which it is fur
nished may be essentially useu in itself and yet equally
beautiful and full of suggestions and pleasant asso
Citations Though 1t may be very costly desk, yet
each thing In il may be full Of historic pleasant
personal associations that il becomes an inspiration
itself 1t IS advisable, rule, not TO Use COM
plete set Of solid silver solid brass, but rather to
furnish the desk so that each article may have IN
dvidual value of ito own. There a few dainty
silver articles which 1t is desirable TO possess. lit
tie chanOis pen-wiper mounted in silver bOter pads
with silver corners and some small pieces will give
sufficient metal to make desk attractive without max
ing an oetcntatious display. There other small
articles i'm silver which subject TO tho dictates Of
taste It is almost impossible in the best regulated
families with renue Of servants TO keep very eabo-
rate fittings of desk in perfect order; and for this
reason it IS wiser that oXidzed silver be chosen for
the desk There are blotter pads and other small
articles in Russian papiermache, painted by native
artists with peasant scenes, which may form pleas
ant part Of the paTaphcrnalfa of the writing desk
One of the most delicious soups Of early summer
which we have is PURGE of green peas. For this
soup use a pint Of green peas; moisten them
with q quart OF veal broth. Add two tablespoon
fuls OF salt pork which has been cnt in dice, and
over which boiling water has been poured. Add
also a small onion and spring carrot. both minced
fine four sprays Of parsley a sprg Of thyme a bay
leaf and two cloves tied in bouquet Let the soup
cook slowly for one hour then strain 1t through u
ruree sieve, pressing the peas through. add half
cup of cream return the soup IT, the kettle and let
II cook five minutes longer, stirring it constantly
Then add a tablespoonful Of butter cut in bits and
half a cup full Of small croutons Of fried bread
Those who like to take their avorite books with them
10 their summer quarters in hotel boarding house,