The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-04-28
TO DINE WITH PLEASURE.
1t is Easy Enough to Keep Pretty China in
Good Order.

1t is only in old fashioned places
in the country that the best things
are kept for company. AT one
time this was the fashion in all house
holds, and great were the prepar-
ations when company was expected.
Now, the best and daintiest OF table
furnishing is used for the comfort
and pleasure of our own family, says
the New York Morning -4dge1HSey.
II is pleasure to sit at table where
the best china and glass are used
as if they were not too good TOR use,
where such articles in many varieties
OF shape and color seem to be at
home, and not brought into sight
just for company, to make a show.
When arranged tastefully On the
table they rest the eye and bring
smiles to the il ps, while their kindred
show from the sideboard.
Few things SO clearly express
good taste true elegance and refine
ment as the exquisite glass and china
that one occasionally sees on enter
ing dining room. There is
genuine comfort in it, as well as an
excellent practical lesson in the true
princip pies of good taste Many
have the privilege of enjoying this
with friends who cannot themselves
afford to buy such ware. But if
they cannot furnish their tables with
the best they can aim to select the
prettiest shapes and avoid gaudy
colors. BY careful selection one can
have beautiful table, even when
lacking the trailtransparent elegancies
that are so attractive. Even when
it may be necessary to buy the
cheapest, remember that even those
can be pretty, if not of the most
delicate material.
No good housekeeper will trust
choice articles to the care of a girl,
unless she is blessed with one of
those wonders which we seldom see
"a perfect servant. Such elegant
articles cannot be used without care
full handling, but sensible woman
knows full we'll alter very short
time they can learn the best and
easiest way OF using, without abusing
whatever comes under their special
care. That once learned there is no
further ground for anxiety or
apprehension. Skillful handling
becomes second nature Fine
glass and china of the most delicate
texture, if properly handled-as all
dishes should be-will not break so
easily as those of more common
ware.
Common ware may be left TO the
servants, but in that case the mistress
must be prepared TO find daily break
ages among those things, and with
knowledge that half dozen articles
more or less, destroyed, is as nothing
compa ared with the destruction of
one of her lovely cups, plates or
goblets. So she comforts her heart
with that knowledge.
II one has a common allowance
OF skill nd prudence, there is moth
ing easier than the care of fine glass
or china, and wnh little or no risk
of loss The finest kinds are always
we'll ',annealed" or seasoned before
being put into the market for sale,
whereas all the interior kinds must
60 through process Of seasoning
after they are purchased, because
every housekeeper should know
that otherwise they could not endure
the sudden change OF temperature
from heat to cold that they will be
daily exposed to when put to their
ieuitimate use.
They should before being used at
all, be put into kettle of cold water
placed over the fire and the water
brought to a boiling point gradually.
Then set the kettle off the fire and
let them cool slowly in some safe
place, where they can cool all night.
If wood ashes can be obtained, it
will greatly strengthen the crockery
if double handful is thrown in the
kettle while the water is cold, then
put in the dishes and put over the
/ fire to boil.