The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-05
As SOUVENIRS.
Dainty Porcelains From the Partisan
Cafes, Each One With It's
Story.
Delightful Experiences In Some
Quaint and Historic Din
Ing Rooms.
Tabies at Which Hugo. Balzac. Thiera
and q Host Of Other Immertals
4& a- Have Esasted.

and a Host Of Other Immertals
s& Have Esasted.
Written for TIE HELENA INDEPENDENT
mTA MEMORABLE LITTLE DIN
sk-t ner party at the Cafe do Paris, OF
~ the Avenue dc IOpera, not long ago
: the address OF each guest was taken
and ono Of the really beautifully decorated
plates used in the game course wal sent &c
his apartment or hotel.
1t was a pretty souvenir Of the occasion,
as we'll as a costly present for the host. But
the idea was not new.
That fad existed as long ago ~ 1887, a. ]
can bear witness. for, while living in Paris,
in that year. / collected enough plates to
decorate my dining room in modest imita-
tion OF the we'll known apartment in the
Chateau Royal, Fontainbleau. Attic same
time l peopled the room with happy mamo-
ries that are refreshened every time I cit
down to carve my own steak or to disssct a
bird. And when the cares of daily toll
overburden my mind memory keeps
nothing 80 precious as tho hours of
youthful folly, when the blood was
warm as Burgundy should be, and the cruel
steel Of worry and care Ind not pierced the
heart. 10 recall those days in which every
young face was pretty and cyery smile was
answered by one in return. when an invita-
ton to dinner meant a frolic, when dyspsp-
STA had not seized upon your vitals-ah!
surely there are delights!
Whatever means be employed for keeping
those golden days before US I welcome.
With every plate, a story! Into what a
pretty volume they might be thrown could
W. write them as wo enjoyed theml As for
title-'Lifs at Twenty-fve," which
Robert Louis Stevenson ones said he nearly
thought of using for a volume OF his early
memoirs, would do. if that clever dreamer
had no objection. He rejected the title, if
/ remember, because, he said, 'one cannot
be twenty-five forever"
That's the. very issue l want to make.
How and whore did l secure this array of
porcelain?
It's a very simple story. We all have to
dine. but what a great difference in dinners.
Opinions vary as TO the number at table
necessary to form a jolly party. Sons poo
pie affect only large dinners at Delmonico's,
or Sherry's, or Bignon's. or the Cafe Anglais.
10 them the number thirteen is the only
point at which the lins is drawn. Frank
ness ia one Of my traits OF character. and
l say without a blush that if there must be
more than two OF us at table, I'd ia lief
have thirteen rs three. Plenty Of sentiment,
yes, but no superstition. or course, l speak
of the ideal, indelible and iris -hued feast.
On such an occasion you study the soul of
your companion an naturel. In . good
and whether truth evolve vanity OF sub
jectlve humility, the student of human
comedy will be entertained.
After such a delightful communion, send
for the maitre d'hotel, and, without senti-
mont buy two of the finest plates that have
and your companion. Pay his price, which
/ never have found excessive; and give him
the two addresses, with an extra franc. The
following morning each of you will have a
souvenir, and the memory Of tbs occasion
will dwell in merry harmony with the yisi-
bio evidence thereof. Did you not possess
the virtuous proof Of the actual event, it
might be recalled only as one of the de-
lightful dreams that cross the opaque lines
of our lives known as sleep. But. nc; the
recollection Is real, must be 10, fer hero is
the visible presence. The plato has cost
from one franc to twenty, and n q very
little money buys a great many dishes.
In my case the collection grew steadily
during seven months. As all collectors
find, the taste improves. Experience
teaches. Specimens that had been very
precious when secured are ultimately cast
aside az inferior.
This ia u tickle world. 9.." .@"" 8"
When / came to transplant my porcelain
trophies from Paris to New York several
were broken, but What remained are suf-
ficisnt to warm the cocklss of my heart on
q Respondent day.
A series of these recollections l wrote,
and some of them / published in the cav
n~tAA ,,l1 khkA 4 - I-I-- -. ~.
laln, but ! fear they would not find favor
in his climate. Our writers are very
harsh, and the marrow of some cold
blooded fish or lizard ancestor is yet in our
bones. The Tnbasco sauce of genial femi-
ninity is rarely served at American din
ners.
Alas, how fow really excellent restaurants
We have in New York! You can count them
all on tho fingers OF one hand, and not need
the thumb. A dime must be absolutely
correct in service and cooking. An error in
handling the wine will spoil everything, At
an otherwise perfect dinner I recently saw
burgundy at exactly the proper tempsra-
turs. served in colorsd sauterne glasses. II
was done with an apology and explanation
that an accident had happened to the glass
ware of the house early in the evening. but
In the opinion of any high liver that wine
might Just al we'll have been handed round
in tin clippers. The host was made thor
VukuAy vi GG CU6O, tlOHGD uCL q visible sign |
Of annoyance appeared at the board.
Where the proper glasses are not at hand
in which to serve a wine, better far omit it.
Notice the quaint plate to your right. 1t
is from the old watersids inn at Joinyille-
lo-Pont, or the Marine, near Paris, a NOM
place for a Sunday evening dinner.
La Tate Noire has been famous for 200
From the upper balcony it's guests
the battle of Champney. But
that's not why this plate is precious to me.
With 1t is associated the story of Nanine.
in whose company painting was studied at
IlEcole des Beaux Arts. She was a model.
the prettiest model that appeared during
TINT year. And she told me that mine was
the only invitation to dinner tina she had
from n student who hadn't
IAN honorable MENTION, 10
now, as l recall my vanity, the sweetest
thing about tho dinner and the incident
that ! believed her.
I'd give my right hand il I could believe
such words to-day! ~
You will notice that purple, pale blue or
green and gold are the prevailing decora-
colors.
The Saint German plate, in azure tints.
comes from the pavilion of Louis NV
from the very room in which TINT luxur,
ious gentleman saw the light. Its centre il
smbellished with u wicker cradle Of antjunn
but costly pattern. all done in li,ht ~.