The record-union., 1896-12-20

Winter coats capes and cloaks, If not
wholly Of fur, are extensively trimmed
with it, and point to preparation Tor
the predicted old-fashioned sort OF
weather Of exceptional severity. The
field for choice of these garments was
at no time more varied and extensive,
and We are at liberty to select the
wraps that best suit our tastes, tenn
peraments, figures, purses and our con-
yenience severally and collectively.
Saving a reduction in the outline OF the
sleeves, there has been hardly any mod
el worn during the last five years tnat
may not be fashionably worn to-day.
Affirming this, it will be almost need
less to enumerate the different styles
Of wraps of every shape. Jackets long
and short. tight fitting, loose fitting or
half loose, sack back, Empire pack'
French back, single or double breasteo'
open fronted, with narrow breast OF
ample Louis waistcoat, etc.; also'
shoulder-capes with collars that aspire
to reach the tops of the Mother Goose
hats. capes with moderate collars, turn
down collars, revers, Vandyke pointed
and with crenelated edges; capes long,
only moderately so; capes of fur, velvet,
cloth. brocade, repped fabrics-what
more could one have, for the range eA-
tends from the enveloping redingote to
the tiny shoulder-collet, and from sa-
ble seal and ermine to flimsy, friv-
olous French CONNECTION" of lace chl1-
fon, ribbon loops, and two or Ihree
telling paste buckles?
SeaIng-wax red Is a new color that is
being much used in staining wooos
made up into odd pices of furniture. Inc
new stain is applied with equal success
to wicker work in all it's varieties, ana Is
q rich addition to decorative effects.
Some very attractive settles are SHOWN
in this coloring, though the forest-greeh
finish, which has proved most popu-
lar effect, is by no means dethroned
from favor The genuine Enghsh
settles often offered in shops are
viewed with discretion by travellers VINO
have seen such belongings in old Eng
lish farmhouses. On their native heath
they are of solid oak, fully five feet hlgh
and running quite across the great
kitchens. They are black with time ana
are apt to be we'll seasoned with nam
fat The duty of the settle is fourfold.
1t is the family seat, and, as the bencn
part can be raised, in the drawers be-
meath are kept the family rags for
weaving Above the seat is the family
hat-rack The upright is double, and In
the recess thus formed the family bacon
is hung, doors opening from behind into
this cupboard. The dainty affairs we
know as English settles are toys COM
pared to the actual thing.
These are the days when thrifty moth
ers look over the playroom belongings
with a careful and critical eye. Hos
pitfalls, creches, and other institutions
are appealing for Christmas contribu-
tons, and there are few homes that can
rot spare something by way Of reply. 1t
is a caution that should not be, but one
which experience shows is, needed, that
toys intended for such purpose should
be unbroken. They may be worn and
defaced, but their parts should all be
present. A woman connected with the
management Of an orphan asylum in
neighboring city reports that frequent
ly dilapidated toys, fit only for kindling
wood, are sent to the institution, evil
IDENTIFY the debris of a house-cleaning.
She tells of two other useless gifts be-
slowed during her incumbency-one
much-worn coachman's livery of a
ight--drab color, and the other a large
parcel of soiled evening gloves. 1t was
possible to make an odd-looking suit of
clothes out of the livery, but the gloves
We're hopelessly useless. Halfgood
playthings may be easily restored to a
serviceable condition.
A recent very smart wedding in an
aristocratic New England city had
some original features 1t was yellow
wedding, and the display of splendid
chrysanthemums of that hue was pro-
fuse. AT the church the guests were
entertained for nearly an hour before
the wedding party arrived with a musi-
cal programme rendered by notable
performers. A harpist, a violinist and
distinguished soprano singer were
heard In solo performances of q high
order, and following them the boy choir
of the church marched out and up and
down the aisles singing a wedding
hymn The bridesmaids wore tailor
made gowns of yellow cloth trimmed
with sable, and beautiful picture hats
of brown velvet and feathers. A dis
tinctive feature of the ushers' dress
was their pure white CATERS buttoned
over their patent leather shoes. The
house was a bower of yellow chrysan-
themums, a superb ball of the golden
flowers hanging from the piazza roof
at the house portal After the break
fast a carriage, driven by a coachman
with wedding favors on his livery. drew
up at the door to convey away. as It
was supposed. the bride and groom
Two or three times the carriage was
hung with white ribbons. and an equal
number of times they We're patiently
removed by the coachnan. When
finally the bride appeared. attended by
the groom, it was seen that she wore
riding habit, and at the same moment
a pair of saddle horses We're at the
block for their use. In an instant both
were mounted and had galloped off, the
waiting coach being merely a ruse. Be
fore their departure, and just as the
bride stood on the piazza under the
chrysanthemum ball, 1t suddenly
opened. showering flowers upon her,
while from it's center, glad of release,
flew a white dove.
Something really new in sofa pillows
are those. covered with Bagdad stripes
The stripes are cut in squares IN sucn
a way that one whole stripe and TWO
half ones show, thus introducing va
riety of the colorings. A pair Oh these