New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-20
fair virglnian sends US these interesting details


fair Virginian sends these interesting details OF
woman's life and work in the south:
Some friends expected to Join us at our 6
O'Clock tea in tho country one afternoon last summer
so wanted to have the table specially pretty There
were plenty OF roses but wanted change, and was
delighted in walking the old garden TO find guam
titles of coral honeysuce gathered long vines OF it
with many clusters of pretty blossoms and proceeded
10 decorate the table which Old mahogany. There
was a centre-piece OF dainty linen, embroidered IN
honeysucke and tray cover and doyies for plates TO
match in design. and little doynes, too, for the almond
and candy dishes. put round mirror on the linen
centre, and on this rested the large cutgiass bowl
which held the honeysuchle-loOsely put In with sprays
trailing down on the mirror. The china was all white
with delicate gold tTacery and between the plates and
glasses the vines carehssly placed so that some
times the blossoms rested the dark mahogany, which
seemed to harmonic with the deep red OF the wide open
bloom and shade off pretuy into the yelows pink OF
the buds. The iced tea served by the Indies in
rather novel fashion-from pune hbowl with a silver
ledIe. II was In the centre of the taycloth, and
block OF Ice and sliced lemon hoated In the tea The
glasses, In the usual Southern fashion, were ranged
around the bowl, about which wand the honey
sucle and across OF the tray cloth placed
my most perfect branch of blossoms. On the mantle
and about the room twined the flowers When
complete the deooration most pleasing, and
fnDced the guests had better appetite the broed
chicken and hot, COLDER brown tumovers than they
would II they bad when the coral honeysucke
bloomed.'
"The CUSTOM In Virginia. Of leaving the table bare
for breakfast and tea is very general one and seems
IN have been handed dnwl from the English ancestors
OF .he old families. Many people have mahogany
Enthusiastically that belonged 10 their mothers
and gandmOthers-snd these thei take great pride In
keeping highly polished and value almost more than
any other piece Of furniture. Care aud hbor arc
reoured 10 keep them in good order After each meal
the crumbs are lightly brushed of, and damp cloth
is used IL anything has been spilled aDG sometimes
the usekeeper takes ordinary cork with which TO
rub All obstinate spot. Then the work OF polishing
begins and for this large soft cloth is besperfectIy
dry of course must be taken always TO rub with
the grain OF the wood, and beyond this there Is no
science save hard rubbing and continued action
am referring TO the unvarnished mahogany such as
the Old tables usually are: though have seen one
or two that we're Vanished. In one way the latter
were less troublesome, wlpng them OIL with damp
cloth all that necessary but hot dishes were
apt 10 draw the varnsh and this makes ugly spots
which can only be removed by fresh coat of varnsh
Certainly to those accustomed TO IT, nothing could be
more attractive than dark, highly polished table,
which makes sHch admirable background for PfotV
linen, china, glass and flowers.
"But there is a great deal In being accustomed TO
things of this Kind as was shown by some Northern
friends who came to Virginia to board one summer
Many Of the old families whose incomes have been much
reduced by the depression agriculture take boardeis
as a means OF support and II was 10 one OF these
charming 0d places that my friends were recommended
A few days after they arrived met them, and was
glad 70 learn that they pleased with their sur
roundings but before VIC parted they confded TO me
The eccentric way In which the table was SET DO
very economical. Won know. They only use t@pie-