Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-16
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.
Anglomania Has Its Roots in the Cookie
of Some American Hearts.
Correspondence of the Dispatch.)

Correspondence of the Dispatch)
NEW YORK, December 15.-"All my
holly and mistletoe are imported from
England" announces one Of New Yorks
eminent florists. When asked why. he
said: 1t sells better and at higher
prices" The florist may not be an anglo
maniac, but he IS shrewd enough 10 find
that his customers are a more patriotic
florist denounces not only the scheme. but
the truth OF his rivals statement. Offering
to give him 500 for one spray OF genuine
English holly picked from his now ready
assortment. What the outcome OF the
contest Will be the public VIII probably
never know but the fact is palpable that
the foreign decorations are selling rapid
ly.
Mrs. Arson Phelps Stokes always i'm
| ports the holly for her Christmas dinner
table. and so does Mrs. Bradley Martin
when she takes her Christmas turkey IN
Amerca-which Is seldom. The Astors
and Mrs. Paran Stevens get big boxes Of
both of the English productions from their
relatives. who live there. and II is rumor-
ed that Mrs. George Gould left a similar
order at "a London florist this fall for the
holiday decoration Of her Lakewood home
SNOBBISH REASONS.
In regard to the holly, the desire 10
have II imported arises from purely snob-
bsh reasons, for the American berry
and leaf are as fine as nature can make
them. IL is different with the mistletoe.
The domestic product does not approach
the foreign growth in either quality ,or
coloring. In the Southland. where the
former abounds. the berries are small and
white.
II grows In meagre clusters. and the
fruit Is more scattered. Therefore, one can
forgive the "Englishsm" that reaches TO
mistetoe, though it comes very high. not
only in growth, but price. the New York
florist receiving $15 and so for one ball.
This would probably strike n southerner
as ridiculous, when IL Is remembered now
| the ceiling can fairly be festoonc1 with
| II, all for the hire, at IS cents doy, OF
| two little negroes. who remain tn tack"
| IL up, and afterwards partake Of the din
ner.
But this American mistletoe, no matter
| how un-Engl.sh it Is, viii form the fea-
| ture of decoration for some very re-
| cherche dinners in New York.
One fashionable woman is to have a
| canopy Of mistletoe over the table, in the
| shape of a star. heroic in size. Incan-
descent lamps scattered through II. and,
as the glistening berries are very re
| Elective, the star shines with a soft. d.f-
| fused light a mirror in the centre Of the
| table throws back the points OF light and
! the table decorations viii be bowls OF
white roses and holly. This is one OF the
happlest plans / have gathered
RUSHING THE SEASON.
| Easter lilies are TO be used by some.
| This IL somewhat rushing" the season,
| h.. Of 81 Ea e,f,.f,a
| but the flowers have been forced by the
florists. and many are being bought The
| churches are not inclined to this plan, as
| they feel the distinctive association OF the
| lilies with the ResurTection-Day. In point
| Of fact, church decoration in its expensive
| and elaborate sense Is going out. Not
| from n lack OF love or generosity, but a
| broader feeling OF charity. The poor oil
| New York are In too serious "A condition
| think Christian folk. 20 justify spending
| hundreds OF dollars upon flowers alone
| Therefore, the contribution goes as ?
| Christmas gift TO the organized societies
| one florist told me that where Grace
| churchs order for decoration had former
| ly been from 500 10 500. 1t was restricted
| this year 10 500.
Even those who would send handsome
| flowers are requested by the pastor TO put
the money into bread for the hungry ones
| of the East Side. The two most promi-
| nent florists here have given up all church
orders. arguing that the demand doesn't
pay for the time. Bu. the florists are bet.
ter able TO stand the loss than the poor.
The chancels will be twined In simple
| fashion with smilax; ferns will be place
for the day about the altar, and whit,
roses ornament the pulpit. All churches
no matter how fashionable or wealthy
say the decoration will end there.
III. HALLMARK.