Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-12
THE EVOLUTION OF THE BED.
The FOur-POsters of the Past and the
Creations of the Prevent.

The FOur-POsters of the Past and the
Creations of the Present.
The evolution of the bed would be an in
teresting theme for some investigator to
study. for its changes have gone along CO.
incidentally with the improvements that
have added to the comfort and conve-
nineces of living. It was not many
years ago when well-to-do families cher
ished big four-poster affairs, with a can
opy above and curtains hanging from it,
which opened to let the tired-out owners
scramble into almost depthless feather
beds. and seek sleep that was really semi
suffocation. Such beds were necessary,
perhaps, in cold weather, for open fire.
places had not given way to steam radia-
tors, and sheet-fron stoves that were cru
cibles all day and refrigerators at night still
held sway before latrobes and furnaces.
AS these eradicators of nocturnal frigidty
came in the beds met the necessities. The
canopy and curtains became useless, and
there was no further need for pests. Than
aestheticism took hand in the fashioning
of BEDS and today those articles of furni-
ture and their accompanying pieces ere
marvels of artistic beauty, as we'll as per-
feet promoters of comfort
A Washngtonian, who desired to become
educated in the matter Of modern beds, and,
irGeed, in modern furniture generally can
find valuable lessons at the big store of
Craig & Harding. No. 1926 F street, corner
Of 18th. Mr.. Harding escorted Star re-
porter through the vast establishment this
morning and bewildered him with the va
riety of strikingly rich and effective things
in the furniture line.
The luxurious favor mahogany" said he,
pointing to magnificent piano polished
headboard, carved in delicate taste. Here
is another of the renaissance style" This
contained dresser, with long oval mirror
and brass handles, with medallion bases,
ard was strigingly rich and effective. There
Nannlaan har on nd fhaa
anne a Louis XVI. its serpentine shapes
frightening the effect of the cleaning ma
hogany.
Antique oak and curly birch still hold
their place in the affections of the people,"
continued Mr.. Harding. and he led the way
to remarkable collection of splendid ex-
ampleS in both woods. I'VE have unique
creations, too. Now, here is a set in YER
million wood. 1t is really California ma
hogany that is redder and Of coarser grain
than the Mexican variety, but capable. as
you see, Of extremely high polish This is
whSe quai tered oak Holland finished
board of the bed, the carved drawer fronts
and the glass frame. That is art, pure and
simple
Mr.. Harding showed another antique in
dark Relgian finish, and some beautiful ex-
amples of bird's-eye maple sets, while
many brass and prettily enameled iron
beds were also examined.
Dining room furniture is confined almost
exclusively to mahogany and oak" said
Mr.. Harding, when that department was
reached, land sideboards and china closets,
serving tables. and so forth, come in many
striking styles, as you will observe
There was a remarkable variety of extern
sion tables, combination sideboards and
china closets, in rich mahogany and gleam-
ing oak, and the visitor expressed his sur
prise at such a collection.
Yes. our stock is very complete, and yet
we have all the standard regular lines of
furniture as well as the finer grades" he re-
piled. washington is a cosmopolitan city,
and there is a great diversity of tastes to
cater to-