New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-18
HOME AND SOCIETY.
CHAT OF THE SEASON.
THE STYLES OF ls3o-MLLE. MALoT'S WEDDING
SOME PRETTY EVENING DRESSES-FASH-
IoNARI.E SHoEs-A FEW FEMININE
PORTRAIT,

PORTRAITS
TIE city shops are already filed with abundance
O, English holly and misetoe, and other greens OF the
ChriStmastde. great deal OF the decorative greens
Of the market are brought from the South where such
eversreens grow In abundance. A certain variety Of
mstletoe also grows at the South which Is more lux
uriant than the genuine English plant. 1t lacks the
halo Of romance however. that hangs around the
Genuine misietoe which Is always brought from Eng
land Normandy. Holly grown on English soil NAV
also be found In markets The mStleOc is difficult
20 use and IS OF little practical service In making
wreaths and other pieces. The running cedar Is one
n the hoveiest OF our Christmas green's, and may be
found Wild In many parts of our woods 1t IS
especially suitable for ropework to wind around pict
ure frames and for wresthS and garlands.
For the Christmas table, a low basket fned with
holly and mistletoe the handle trimmed With sprays
Of the plant, has very pretty effect. The appear
ance OF such basket IS greatly enhanced II 1t gided.
even though very small portion OF the basket shows
II IT is properly filed and trimmed. Such basket
Looks very pretty also # 1t filed with fine ferns and
gorgeous red poinsettla leaves In the centre.
The period Immediately preceding Christmas Is pre-
eminenty the season for dinner-Gvlng Not only the
6,nn.rsble but the entire house Is put In the hands
~ the artist for decoration when large dinner
marty Is given Decorations OF holly and mStletoe
po longer confined 10 Christmas Day, but have been
used literally since the Advent Season. At large
lighted by electric lamps the chandeliers were msssed
M holly leaves with their bright berries, and Che bal
usrades OF the stairs were wound with holly Branches
NJ mcletos also hung the chandeliers. Where
vas Is used the heat Is so much greater that decorations
must be spsrngy used IN the vicinity Of the light.
AN decorations for the dinner are now kept as
low as possible. There Is always, OF course, q cen
trepece on the circular table which preferred where
The size Of the dinn groom VIII allow It's use and from
this centrepece the cloth is sprayed with ferns or Hns
flowers 1t is the object Of the hostess that her table
shall be decorated IL Individual as well as elegant
manner As possible Hence the ingenuity Of the ar
tsic florist Is taxed TO Its utmost to devise new,
startling and beautiful effects for my ladys" tabe.
Roses retain their popularity beyond oil other GOw
ers ibsuqh orchids farleyencis ferns "a lovely and
costly variety OF maiden hair, giant mignonette lilies
NJ the valley dark Parma violets. and even simple
Scottish heather are used by the florist. Yellow.
which in some shades turns white under she gssght,
Is not now thought be effective for table deco
ration as other colors. Hence 1t Las been In meas
ure superseded BY pink and red. Where the table Is
round there are many beautiful ways In which the
flowers may bs used.
Ata recent dnnerparty the centre OF the round
table was massed with maden-hsir fern and pale pink
roses and toence the decoration continued In curv-
,ug Spray graduated 10 a single blossom. In the
vacant place left at one side by this decoration
large bow OF pale satin ribbon in the color Of the roses
was placed trimmed with dark Parma violets.
Al another dinner witch followed by theatre
party tho iaver for ladies gsrlands Of pink roses
mixed with pinks and ferns. These we're tied with
narrow pink ribbons and arranged on the dinner cloth
10 overlap each other and form the links Of chain OF
flowers After the dinner party each lady wore her
garland on her arm beautiful tables this season
have been simply dressed With green orchids, lilies OF
the valley and giant mignonette. The oandesbra used
at all dlnnerparties this season have been OF the low
silver shape Nothing bsrmonizes so perfectly with
the floral surroundings silver. Candelabra OF Ores
den china and fine porcelain have proved practically
failures use. though ornamental enough for
bric brac.
one Of the newest Partisan favors fer luncheon is
uttle water pail, It's contents Stimulating water by
mirrored cover az side Of which There Is space
for fowers. This space is filed by large bunch OF
dark Parma viOets so much sought for this season.
so that the little pail appears to be filed with flowers,
though the miTrored cover really concess supply OF
choice bonbons.
At dinner recently given at Tuxedo the table
decorations and favors were all Of Scottish heather
one Of tho most costly Of all decorations was Of green
and white. The centre Of the table was massed with
fareyenss fern Of the rarest Of exotcs and the
Goth sprayed With branches Of the same delicate green
The Auricana are dainty little trees which will be
used on the centre Of the Christmas table and are
often used at dinner parties, with palms and other
growing plants for the decoration Of the room. They
are an exotic relative OF the pine tree fashionable
family dinner party which will be given Christmas day
vii have OF these miniature trees in the centre
OF the table. kept low as possible and massed around
With holly; and from this centrepece the table will
lie spayed with that variety Of red pOinscttia which
gpws In continuous sprays. Where the decorator has
an Oblong table 10 arrange he must exercise more In
genuity. The long table with floral centre, fanked by
candeabra either side, is not often as it
formerly. The decorator uses various means TO
break up this set effect. Often he dspenses with the
centre altogether and dresses the table dagonaly from
one corner to the other with band Of flowers and
ferns and uses four candelabra placed at Equal dis
tances apart. On such table the ornamental centre
piece Of embroidery somewhat break up the
length 1t IS usually OF some rare BIT Of embroidery
laid over COLOR and this color gives the keynote for
the color OF the floral decorations
Parma violets are very much used on dinner tablas
for fsvors in color scheme with pink roses, and in
other ways Their odor Is 50 delicate and refined
that It docs not mix wpleasanty with the odor Of
the vlands. Tie Introduction Of Roman hyacnths
and any other Blossom with strong odor should BY
all means be avoided
The greatest latitude IS allowed to individual
taste Just now in matters OF dress, and fair danes
mas be longwaistcd short-wasted, may wear
sheath skirts Of gathered skirts. affect inlnitesinal
"capotcs." the vcrltate poke bonnets Of their
great grandmothers, all their fancy dictates.
Everything IS really chaotic yet" said social
autocrat the other day. one may wear whatever
snts her best just now, but must all make up
minds 70 full skirts gathered III at the waist
eventually They will be so heavy and cumbrous
that will finally have 10 adopt crinolne 10 support
them; and what a pity it is TO be sure. Just as
have evolved the Hshtest and most graceful OF
skirts mist needs have the voumnous petit
coats and heavy gathered gowns forced upon us
again"
Although there Is no fixed law as yet a. TO what
Shall shall not be worn, II seems TO be the
tendency 70 relegAte the Empire style TO evening
gowns. This style is by 40 means an exact copy
It's would denote and 1t seems. moreover,
10 several styles for OF these picturesque