The National tribune., 1895-05-09


lectors can pick out tho most valuable stones in
collection without u moments besitation
many can even distinguish in a lot OF diamonds
from different mines, those from some special
locality. They know what is usual and valu-
able and what is cheap and invaluable or what
is curious in the colorings and luster of gems,
and can tell tho value of stones placed before
the mwith almost unerrng accuracy. Then,
there are two easy tests of the value of the
stone--to find tho hardness and weight. The
| hardness OF stone is very important and is
found by scratching it with another. If q sup
| posed ruby is found 10 DO only as hard as to-
paz it is put with the Spinel or lowest class OF
rubes. IF it can be scratched with rock
crystal it is fated forevermore to dwell with
tho garnets. But sometimes the exact value
of stone-to point of mathematical accuracy
lis needed 1t may be that big moneys are in
the balance. Then various scientific tests are
resorted to. There is polarising microscope
to test the refraction, or the double refraction
that goes on within the depths of the jewel
/ Through it one can sec within the stone dark
| rings and crosses and many queer antics that the
| light plays. When ray of light passes through
prism it is bent, and the test for the ability
of a jewel to bend the light after it has passed
drought the stone is little instrument known
TO science as the goniometer. The amount that
the light is colored as it passes through the
stone is another important factor, and this is
measured by the dichroscope. The spectroscope
gives complicated test by which the power
of the light of the jewel, when viewed through
| prisms and vapors and other things not easily
|
electrical tests for some stones, and by the time
modern science has finished with it the jewel
| has not a single secret safe in its soul from
| prying eyes, except why it grew tobe Jewel
when it might have staid common, dull stone
as easily. And spectroscopes, polarizing micro
scopes goniometers and microscopes all fail to
| tell that secret
| One girl has had very good time this
| Winter, notwithstanding scanty wardrobe.
Her ingenuity with one frock was well worth
copying She had a well-made skirt of black
Lansdownc. With it she had low necked,
short-slceved waist OF the Lansdowne, trimmed
| with wide bertha and sIeove-ruffles of black
chiffon; there was another waist of black
gauze over yellow satin-the satin being the
remains of an old-tme party dress; then she
also had, for this much-enduring skirt, waist
made of black silk striped with fine lines of
psle blue; and Furthermore, she doubled mp
on collars. having one of pale blue velvet and
another of black, to wear with this waist. So
she had a dancing dress, two three kinds
of afternoon and evening costumes, and
pretty morning frock, with this one skirt.
The plan sounds as though it ought to 90 with
folding beds, and pianos that can be turned
into refrigcrators, and all the other ridiculous
but space-saving Inventions but it is true and
practicable, nevertheless, and the girl did not
look particularly hard pressed for clothes at
at any time With the new black crepOns
similar outfits could easily be designed, that
would be even pretticr than the Lansdowne.
s7s
Green and white will be one of the most
popular of Summer combinations. 1t is both
dainty and cool, and not so common place as
blue and white another cool combination of
colors.
They now make ice cream Trilbys to serve
at stylish meals, Could fame and popularity
go farther?
within and without, when architects plan for
sunshiny windows and quaint hooks and stair
cases that are delights in themselves, house |
furnishing is correspondingy beautiful and |
sensible, and more easily managed. Drawing |
rooms or parlors are usually decorated in
white and gold with pale blue or pink or green
color prefOminating in the chair coverings,
curtains and rugs. There are graceful cabinets
for bits Of china, small bronze, and the flower
vase; dainty sofas-and nowadays some of the
quaintest possible sofas that will only hold two
or three with crowding-are taking the place of
the larger ones; then there are the long divans
with the cushions heaped high. Parlor chairs
may be rs handsome or as dainty as one chooses;
all are brought together-little gilded ones,
or big brocaded ones, or those of medium size.
White and gold, bird's-eye maple and the
lighter colored woods are used for bedrooms
One dainty chamber as described sounds ex-
travaganty luxurious, yet it may suggest plans
for making pleasant room, although not copy
ing the expensive materials. THE ceiling is of
gold effect, early morning and sunset, half
garland of roses in faintest coloring; the walls
arc of pale, soft green, which shows to advantage
the lovely water colors; the Wilton carpet of
pale pink ground, wreaths of roses strevn here
and there the windows curtained with deli
cate lace and hangings Of cream yelours. with
wide painted borders of large pink roses and
The softest, most shadowy of leaves the furni-
lure of mahogany, deliberately carved and re-
loved with brass; tho chair coverings of bro
,ade, some pink, others green; the portieres of
,rcam tapestry goods painted in figures; the
ornaments, selected with care, each piece pleas
mt to look upon. As one glances at tho doll
at o and gauzy lamp shades; at the large palms,
llways an affective addition to any rom; at the
beautiful silver toilet articles on the dressing
able; at the reflection i'll the eheval glass of
ozy corner, one feels that dainty surroundings
md proper blending of coors must be soothing
o the nerves, and must make women more con.
ented to stay within their homes"
Green or old blue is n favorite color for
libraries and dlnng-rooms. Yellow is always
elected for a north bedroom
strong argument against dress reformerJ
Who advise the complete emancipation from
orsets is, that most of the women athletic
performers in circuses, the horseback riders
rapezists, contortionists acrobats, dancers