New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-20
HOME AND SOCIETY.
CHAT OF THE SEASON.

.a-v with greenery at Christmas time has come down
A. rs nom the DrIds OF late years the mistletoe.
r,h,ch WAS comparatively unknown In America fifteen
~ twenty years ago. has become necessity In house
hold decoration, and Is now sold In the markets dur
ing Christmas week in great quantities. It's rather
caacss stalks and pale berries not very decora-
live however. and II is purely through association
,Aat Il IS held in such high estimation. This is not
the genuine sacred mstletoe OF the ancients, which
crew on oaks, for every knows the mlstletoe
1. A parasite and subslsts trees. The oak mistle
zoe is very even In England In this country
the species which we see In the Northern markets il
,und in large quantities from Maryland to Florida
and westward far the Mississippi, and grows
he branches of the elm and hickory. A single
niece OF this curious plant is generally deemed si-
sent in decking houss for every lad and lassie
tnows II is not safe to sit under it's branches. one
N the preeSt decorations for Christmas I'm this part
a, the country is the American Wild laurel which
rrowS in such quantities IN the woods and which with
rs mxurisnt leaves and spreading branches is very
effective Like most other things, nowadays. Christ
mas greens have become very commercial. The
msrketmsn sends in many yards Of greenery where
With to deck the house just he sends the cram
borries for the Christmas turkey. The collecting
Of evergeens by the children, and the adjoining of
houses by loving fingers is in most houses thing Of
the past. Smith the butcher. sends in the greens
81 30 much per yard and James, the footman, puts
them up.
81 have lived so much in London that feel with all
due modesty that. as general thing, really know
whs, Is what" said pretty and clever woman Of socl
e.y the other day "And like other people 10 think
So too she went on with engaging candor so you
can fancy feelings last week Mrs C.'s tea when
A. de H., who such a success in London last sea-
son, said TO her hostess and several Of who were
standing together, you know IL Is quite bougeGse
TO leave your card at invited reception Good
gracious thought 10 myself, and have left whole
stack Of cards down stairs my reputation ruined for
hs. c. thinks l am such an authority, and always
consults about any doubtful point. My prestige Is
gone however, unless abstract those cards. and
however can / do IL with that wretched footman
watching mel he will think that / want 10 take
something, read Mrs C's notes or something else
Nat is awful
"You may laugh she went on shut it was no
h1ghng matter to me. I determined TO get those
bits Of pasteboard oonte Qui conte after few
minutes slipped out. and went down stairs and delber-
stely fbbed. i find have no cards left in my card
case. john said sweetly 10 the servant think
will take these from the table, Now, by great good
iuck found my pile lying all together where had left
them. missed my cup Of tea and Mrs. c. reproachcd
me the next day for staying such short time but she
viii never know but that did Just the correct and
latest thing
We are told TO beware Of the chel amang us taking
notes. said lively lady to a friend, but who
warns against lawyers and they are Just as bad.
ycn know, she continued, that although am no Cos
SIP rather HE 10 tell what hear, and my friends
that nothing loses its point through my powers
as a nconteuse. which esteem quite a compliment.
Well I dining with Mrs. L. a fortnight ago and
the talk turned pretty Mrs. b.. who is trying get
divorce nom her husband ON the ground Of non-sup-
poit. i don't think she will have much trouble
said In my impulsve fashion, III what Mrs ", her
best friend, told yesterday, Is true what is it,
pray said gentleman next 10 me- 10 whom had
been introduced that evening for the first time Rather
pleased 20 have interested listener, told quite
dramatic little tale embellishlng it, Just little. per-
haps, but on the whole giving 1t pretty much as had
heard Il from Mrs. Y. Men do love gossip, after ALL
thought, rather amused at his eager attention.
1.-The dinner went on, and he made himself most
agreeable and when the were about to leave the
loom be said with really charming SMILE VIII you
allow me TO call upon you sOonP Il am always home
four replied, quite fattered and the very next
day he came. And what do You think it was for1
Nothing but to try to press me down 20 details about
my story and find out who heard it FROM for 1t seems
he the lawyer the other side who ferTeting
all the accusations that could be brought against
Ids client.
To be at once smart and simple" is the aim this
of fashionable beauty in her ball dress. This
cached" or air of distinction about severely simple
toilette Is not very easy to get. may well be mag
ned and II is for that that clever dressmakers
hold the power they do their customers purses
II is entirely IN the cut that a dress is made or
ma7ed. The gsuzy matffas much In vogue last
winter are now rarely worn, and ottoman silks or
heavy aille are the order Of the day. Nothing can
he more beautiful and distinguished In the way OF
dress than perfect form in Of these wellcut,
sheath-hke garments evolved IN pure white OF in
Of the exquisite shades q color which preva.
lent
IN outdoor costumes the various adaptations OF
fur are perfectly bewitchng, for there is nothing
hacoua IN nan cDff ~
boas or high collars. Tight fitting jackets Of various
kinds of skins greatly in vogue and passing
vslknOwn belle and her little sister Fhthave. the
other day the writer reminded OF the millennium
when the lion and the lamb shall lie In harmony to
esher. The elders slender and supple figure was
enossed in perfectly fitting garment Of tigers skin
which accorded wonderfully we'll with the girls dark
nch coIoring; while her younger sister jacket
Of the soft and curly fleece Of Persian hmb-both
the tiger and be lamb apparently getting along capt.
tally together.
In Lighting a room. the chandelier hanging from
the ceiling IN the centre Is a mistake. Ii gives a very
unbeoOming light. Imagine the effect In theatre II
an the lighting from above: what heavy shadows
would be cast. what dark lines abour the mouth and
chin would be accentusted Side brackets the wall
give much preter effect especially II they shaded
With becoming color. pretty arrangement for
brackets In a ballroom Is 20 have them made 20 sim
uate candies keeping the Jets turned down 10 the size
u the fame of candle; these lighted In groups give
ven becoming Hight.
one Of the most effective ways Of lighting large
apartment has been devised for English drawing
room. consists Of slabaster pillar through which
greams a soft radiance The gas Jets are enclosed
N the hollow receptacle and the ventilation y through
the ceiling OF there Is hing In the world
pretty candies but these not only very
expensive hut difhcult 10 manage account OF
the drppngs After all abundance OF side brackets
10 he tho best solution OF this vexed question.
and low shaded lamps In ponry In the dining room
very bow Hght with deep shade may be hung over
the centre of the table while shaded candles supply