Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-03

The Simple and inexpensive Articles That
Were In Daily Cse

The simple and inexpensive Articles That
Were In Daily Use.
Prom the Eousefurnishing Review
The simple articles OF household furniture
that our forefathers considered sufficient and
almost luxurious woald now be looked upon as
old junk and converted into kindling wood or
placed in some dusty cockloft. These furnish
ings OF the early days descended from father to
son, and were carefully Watched over as the
most expensive bric-a-brsc in these times
Instead Of silver or plated-wxre walters. as
now, they had mahogany teaboards and round
tea tables. which, being turned on an axle un-
derneath the center, stood when unused upright
like an expanded fan or palm leaf in the corner
In another corner Of the room was a closet with
a glass door. in which all the family china
and the family plate were displayed
10 be used only state occasions. A
conspicuous article always an enormous
china punch bowl, in which was brewed re-
freshing. and, at times, a headache producing
beverage. The teacups and saucers were rather
diminuuve In size, and only the best families
were able TO boast the possession Of china tea
pots and coffee pots, with silver nozzles. Delft
ware took the place of our earthen-ware and
numerous pewter platters and porringers. pol
lshed IKE mirror, were ranged along the old
fashioned dresser"
With the poorest class Of people il was an
ordinary thing to eat from wooden trenchers.
In the parlor few small pictures. painted on
glass. with black holdings for frames, and
scanty bits Of goldleaf in the corners. were
hung on the whitewashed walls. The looking
glasses were placed in glass frames figured with
flowers or in scalloped mahogany or Dutch
wood painted white or black, with here and
there some touches Of gold. The ample chest
OF drawers. always placed either in the parlor
70 no
ceiling, Is too familiar to require description.
The floors were devoid OF carpets, silver
sand, drawn into a variety Of fanciful figures
with the sweeping brush, forming their onlv
covering. Much skill and even pride were dis
played In the devices and arrangement Of the
sand. Gas and lamps were unknown Injuries
dipped candles in brass or copper candle
sticks were usually good enough for common
use. and those who occasionally used mold
candles made them at home in little tin frames,
casting four to six candles in each. A glass
lantern, with square sides, furnished light in
the houses of the wealthy.
The homely settle was a common sitting room
appendage and was proof Of more attention TO
comfort than display II had. as well as the
settee, very high back of plain boards, and
the whole was of white pine, usually implanted.
and kept as white snow by untiring scrub
bling. Generally this article was reserved for
the use Of the head of the family, although oc-
casionally, when he or others of the old folks
were not enjoying their ease in its capacious
depths, the tired youngsters would be glad to
embrace the opportunity Of stretching their
limbs upon it. Both the settee and the settle
were placed before the ample freplaces in
winter, and the father or old uncle, being in
stalled in either, with his back thus guarded
from wind and cold, was wont to deliver wise
utterances or recount wonderful stories Of the
field and forest.
The cooking utensils were of the best material
to be had. but to our eyes their shapes appear
decidedly uncouth. Stoves were not then used
to any great extent. The pots and kettles filed
with savory messes were hung on iron cranes
and swung inward over the glowing Goals in the
fireplace. Though these household appliances
now appear homely and primitive, one cannot
forget the comfort derived from their use by
our sturdy forefathers.