New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-03

MAYFAIR the ladies leave the men In an attitude
Of respectful melancholy, repair to the drawing
room and have a mysterious half hour 10 theh-
solves. while the men. throwing of their respect
frl melancholy when the door closes. remain in
tho Aininr-room and smoke. II may seem more
ceremonious or more courtly for the men TO
escort the ladies back into the drawing-r room.
Uut as they instantly DESERT them and rush off
to another room to smoke, perhaps the ladies' do
not gain very much: nor the men.
In table decorations Ncw-York is a law unto
itself Nowhere are flowers used SO lavishly
When they are so heaped up in the middle Of the
table that the guests on opposite sides are In
visible to each other, the avshness seems ex-
cessive It Is possible to arrange flowers other
wise than as a hedge to keep them low 50 az
NOT to ohstruct the view and prevent talk and
vet 10 have a great many. The appointments of
the table are extremely luxurious; silver. porcc-
lain and the rest The different services OF
plates with each course are novel and interest
ing Wines have been reduced In number. which
is a clear gain. and also dishes. The best din
nors are not those which consist Of the greatest
number Of pla,a The rapdity and accuracy of
the service are also greater; the servants more
numerous and better trained. II Is not easy 10
guess why the mcnu card has been abolishcd' !
asked once OF twice. Tho only answer was 'ha'
they were no longer the fashion. suppose
fashion IN independent ~ anything 80 prosh'' u"
mere reason or convenience. Women are sup
posed not 10 care what they cat nj dinner Men
do They arc of bascr nature. And they Ike To
know what is coming and to compoS" private
bin Of fare. each for himself. oui OF the "''c" w"
annie programme provided by the hospitality or
the host. So that a menu ~ convenient "o-
served with pleasure that In some houses shaded
no "A
80 pleasant and none so becoming To women
Once asked a dwellcr In foreign parts. TAMIL
lar with what is best there. his opinion OF New
York houses "Too dark" was his answer Ana
indeed there is or has been, taste Tor DARK
ness In some of the newer mansions there Is
abundance of light Ir many Of the older-i
mean those of the last twenty years. hght -
treated as an enemy In houses which are
deep and form part of a block. the third room Is
almost necessarily dark. liut the front r'o'"s
are often in wilful gloom-a gloom due partly 10
the use Of dark woods and dark stuffs and hang
inrs partlv TO the French custom copied Ike
other customs. a little unthinkingly. o! shrouding
the windows in lace curtains and Keeping inc
blinds half drawn. All up and down Fifth-ave.
and Nadison-aye. and elsewhere, you see the
blind obscurng the upper half of the WINDOW;
as If the occupants OF the mansions were nan
dead. Interiors. otherwise interesung ana oaten
delightful lose their value because they cannon
he seen Nothing can be seen clearly; the
French masterpiece might often be me mercst
daub; there is not light enough TO distinguish.
In the evening. there is food of electricity OF
gas; no small part of which. nevertheless the
black walnut and other decorative woods OF deep
hue shows itself capable Of absorbing
WHY was New-York gifted with glorious sun
light and pure air. If Only that the ingenuity or
the upholsterer should speed itself In initiating
the eject Of London SCOT and fog? Imitation IL
ALWAYS a mistake. and IL Is the blemshes ana
defects of the original which are more often
initiated than the merits. The New ork mouse
docs nevertheless leave an impression Of sur
passing luxury. often Of delicate and pure taste:
still more often OF splendor, and occasionally OF
rivalry as If each had striven to QUITO the other
and nobody could spend money enough on MS
dwelling But il would require long chapter
TO deal with a subject which ! leave on the
,hrasbnh g. W. :.