Evening star., 1894-01-13

is arrestable by public opinion and the
press can so assail drawing room drinking
as to make 1t notorious, uncomely, unfash-
ionable. and drive it out of federation, and
out OF date. AMELIA E. BARR.
THE LINEN CLOSET.
How the Dining Table should he
Equipped With Tablecloth and Nap-
kins.
From Good Housekeeping.
Most young housekeepers take a deep in
terest In the furnishing and equipment of
their tables-not alone with the food SUD-
plies which are there to be served. the
dishes which are to contain them, the ap-
pointments which are to make everything
neat and cozy; but as well and especially
win the cloth by which the table is to be
covered, the napkins which are to be placed
beside each plate, whether for the members
OF her own household or for the visitor
friendly or critical. as the case may be
VINO snail occupy seat at the board, or
whose casual glance may rest thereon.
fortunately, she may give pretty free rein
TO her fancy in this portion of her realm
whatever fashion may dictate in other d.
rections. If for any reason this tablecIoth
or that set of napkins commend themselves
to her favor, they may be purchased ana
used for all ordinary occasions Naturally.
II in command of ordinary means with
which to equip her dining room, she will
have a special cloth, with napkins TO
match, to be brought forward on the more
ceremonious occasions; but for ordinary
service this is not at all necessary, though.
on the other hand, there is no reason why
a preference in that direction should NOT he
Followed. The matter is entirely in her own
hands.
The Tablecloth.
The size of the tablecloth must, of course.
be determined in a general way by that of
the table. Where an extension is used. there
should be one cloth large enough for the
table when all Of the leaves are in place:
out such spread would be entirely out of
place when half of the surface had been
taken away, and smaller cloths should be
provided, of proper size for the ordinary
use. While any approved pattern may be
purchased, it is generally a mistake to select
fancy colored linens. The white is always
standard, always appropriate looks we'll
and will be in fashion: but as much cannot
be said for the colors, which may be popu-
| lar one season and entirely under the han
within year. Besides, when the cloth has
become so worn that it is not available for
further use on the table, its utility is very
much greater If white than If colored In
the former case 1t may be cut over and ac-
ceptably used In a multitude of ways.
Tablecloths may be bought either woven
and finished complete, or by the yard. For
Kitchen tables. and not infrequentIy for gem
eral use, the latter is an entirely satisfac-
tory way. while it is decidedly more eco
nomical The ends may be secured by a
simple hem or finished in any approved
manner, and some very plea asing effects may
be produced by the housekeeper skilled in
such work and having a little spare time
which may be thus employed.
The Napkin.
The napkin is now indispensable at all
well-regulated tables. though it was not SO
very long ago that it was looked upon as
fancy attachment, adapted only to stuck
up people and to children. 1t is historically
interesting to read that almost as far back
as books of etiquette are to be found. in
cluding such as have come down to us in
manuscript, from a time prior to the dis
covery of the art of printing children we're
directed to wipe their hands and mouths
with their napkins; but it does not APPEAR
that grown people were supposed to use
these convenient articles earlier than the
middle of the fifteenth century At that
time tablecloths, among the wealthy-,and
nobody else had them at all-were long
enough to come nearly or quite to the floor
and the ample margin which hung over the
edge or the table served the purpose for
which the handcloth is now employed.
When the napkin first came into use il
was handled quite differently from the pres
ent custom. For time 1T was considered
the thing to throw it over the shoulder; then
1t was placed upon the left arm, as IL is
now carried quite generally by walters.
being still later placed under the chin nv
one corner. while the lateral corners were
carried around the body and tied at the
back This was the custom during the days
of-elaborately frtlled shirt fronts and the
philosophy of the fashion is quite apparent.
More recently it dropped into the lap where
1t still reposes, though many individuals
have habits of their own to which tenacious
adherence is given, regardless of the usa yes
of society.
One of the accomplishments of an ..expert
waitress has long been the ability to fold a
napkin in all manner of curious forms This
fancy doubtless comes from the fashion at
one time prevalent, of folding the napkin
for each member of the household or ca Oh
guest in different manner. This was a
French custom, and at one time napkin
etiquette ran so high that they were ner
fumed with rose water and were Changed
with each course, at ceremonial dinners A
French work, published in 1850, which un-
dertook to teach how properly to wait on
tables and to fold napkins. gives the follow
ing forms in which the cloths might he
folded: square, twisted, folded in bands
ana In the 1ormS or double-and-twisted
shell, single shell, double melon cock hen
hen and chickens, two chickens. pigeon in
basket, partridge, pheasant, two capdns
In pie, hare, two rabbits, sucking pig. dog
with collar, pike, carp, turbot, miter tur-
key, tortoise, the holy cross and the I.or-
raine cross"
Breakfast napkins are considered of the
right size If half a yard square; but for din
ner they should be three-quarters of a ward
They are sometimes made an eighth larger
but those are too large for convenience and
there is no necessity for the extra size.
Overcoats and wraps-The falling snow
Truth,