Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-17


guest with large, uncut diamond.
A South African millionaire is respon-
sible, 1t is said, for starting this fashion
in London. Having conceived the idea
of celebrating his return to friends by
inviting them all to an elaborate BAN
quet, his generous millionaire soul over
flowed naturally In the direction of dla-
mond dinner favors.
At dessert, therefore large, uncut gems,
the very choicest products of the South
African mines. were promptly presented
TO the guests. Wealthy Londoners have
been trying ever since to eclipse this dis
play, but 1t doubtless remains for some
American to bring the diamond rage to a
really appropriate climax.
The Lenten mania for Sewing things
has not entirely died out Indeed, the
up for many of those Industrious and
Seharitably. inclined maidens were too Sc
ductive and tempting to be lightly laid
aside, and are still used for needle click
Ing" when the spring girls meet at tea
table and quaff china egg shells filled
OF lemon juice. The fad for jeweled Thin
bles which developed so vigorously dur
ing the progress of the Lenten sewing
class bids fair to maintain its popularity.
Thimbles set with diamonds, rubies and
sapphires are still favorite present for
fashionable spring brides.
A $2500 thimble recently ordered as a
wedding gift for a belle is of solid gold,
the head or cap large solitaire; a circle
of diamonds edges the rim and the mono
gram of the fortunate maiden appears in
sparks.
The object of such thimble seems to
be strictly ornamental, as sewing with
1t Is out of the question; but then the
owner of a $2500 thimble Is not called
upon to take the Stitch In time SO nee
essary in the case of her humber sisters.
-
Cosy corners don't seem to be going
out one bit, do they? And heard of one
the other day which was, oddly enough,
In the middle of the ROOM Frequently
one finds in an old city house long, mar
raw parlor, whose proportions can be
modified by the employment Of fiat arch
es, supported by narrow pilasters, or by
other devices calculated to break up the
long lines of the side and ceiling. Some
times one will find the chimney upon
the long side of the room, but not in
the middle. Indeed this awkward ar
rangement is not infrequent, even in the
new houses. Such cases can be success
fully treated by placing beside the CHM
ney richly decorated cosy corner
seat of such length that the seat and
chimney breast combined shall be in the
middle When this arrangement Is used
the cosy corner and mantel should be
treated together as one feature, and can
be marked off by fiat arches and pilasters
as before suggested, though If the pro-
portions of the room are otherwise good
this will not be necessary.
1t is sad sight to the old-fashioned
woman to see a man brushing a hearth,
because he does 1t so deft1y and so well.
Bachelor apartments have quite de-
sfrbyed the old-time theory that man
was wild animal and needed woman
to guide his vagrant impulses and care
Tor him In his domesticated state. When
one attends a studio tea one appreciates
the absurdity of this idea The man Ia
the most; he sometimes.makes and pours
the tea, while woman 10 merely an-aeoss-s
sorry. She waits on his guests and DRESS
es up to look pretty, but she Is only
supeTa usssornament.- But studio re-
cepfions continue to fourisha and there
y nothing more popular among society
girls than this kind of entertainment.
The girls usually attempt the aesthetic
In their costumes and One sees picture
hats and clinging draperies at the studio
effects has gone by. A year or two ago
It was not an uncommon thing to see
fashionable American girls arrayed In
the garb. of the almohd-eyed beauties of
the east.
:, Now however, everything is Persian,
~ 81, pSsThs appeaI y VI KINGS or
gown Draperies and rugs 6f Persian
weave and coloring win be the correct
thing for summer cottages this year.
50
The designers for silversmiths seem to
be ever fresh and armed with new IDEAS
For the work table there are thread
waxers made in perfect imitation of q
miniature ear of corn or ha1f-opened
pod full OF green peas. The silver en-
broidery scissors now have a silver
Shield to protect their points, handle and
shield both beautifully engraved In relief.
A silk winder Is an almost indispensable
article to the woman who does dainty
embroidery and whose equipments are to
be above reproach.
A college man could not fail to be inter-
ested in the pencil tips which are shown,
engraved and enameled with his college
celors and initial. nor Will the girl friends
of the colleges object to SO attractive re-
minder of its attendants.
-
Do you think the fashions were ever
prettier than they are this spring?
don't. Even in coiffures, boots and gloves
the modes of '96 are becoming, youthful
and graceful. The prettiest, most grace
ful and newest coiffure worn by youthful
women with evening toilets shows the
hair arranged In soft deep waves on the
crown of the head and around the FORE
the back and coiled or braided around a
bunch of short curls.
Marrow ribbon ruches are used quite
extensively to trim dresses, parasols,
capes, tea gowns, millinery, etc. Ribbon
be used In like manner. These narrow
decorations appear severally at the ex-
trenie edge of many gowns. and some Of
the new skirts have vertical or other