The San Francisco call., 1896-02-02

excellent tailor gown. Nothing could be
simpler than this costume, and no one
can deny its charms. It is made in dark
purple tone of cloth. The large collar is
OF white kersemere hemmed with strap
ping of black satin. The coat is loose in
the front and fastens with double row of
smoked pearl buttons set in steel, and on
the skirt (and IL is an admirable one) the
strapplngs extend themselves to the
knees at the front seams. and these strap
pings l consider most dis6guring, and no
novelty of this kind will be taken up by
the wise. In all other respects this gown
Is worthy OF commendation and imitation,
as 1t Is suitable for all ordinary occasions.
The sacque- backed coat is now an indis-
pensable garment for fashionable women.
The sleeves are of moderate dimensions,
ana the back hangs in graceful pleats,
Whlch are pre-eminently becoming to most
figures.
Redfern gown of black cloth is in per-
feet taste. 1t is of black cloth-the finest
ladies' cloth made. 1t has a jaunty jacket
with an inner waistcoat of violet velvet
showing a small vest of white cloth.
nave seen model for early spring. 1t Is
rough, checked tweed dress with collar
and revers of plain drab cloth. Only a
good tailor can put these strapplngs on
correctly, as il is delicate and extremely
dlfhcult piece of work.
In fashionable drawing rooms tea tables
are never seen now, for at O'Clock the
butler or maid serves the tea from large
tray, usually of wood with carved edges,
covered with an exquisiteiy embroidered
lace edged cover. A wooden tray is most
used, as one writer wisely remarks that
1.-The tray may be of silver, but one large
enough for the entire service would be too
heavy" and it should be remembered that
demltasses and spoons should never be
used for tea.
An ingenious cream and milk pitcher
com bined has appeared In. solid silver; it
holds milk in one side and cream in the
other. This will be appreciated by tea
drinkers, as many maintain that cream
utterly spoils tea, while others will have
cream, but if tea is not taken la Russo
milk is most correct.
A cracker jar of crocodile stone and
silver, made in exact imitation OF the curl
ing stones used in the north, IS an attrac-
tive novelty for my lady's table.
It is hard to realize, but in just about
three weeks from to-day Lent begins, so
we are beginning already to hear great
deal about fancy work, which can be done
during the forty days. For instance,
many girls like to make pretty and expen-
sive Easter gifts. Let US recommend to
them to try for linen plcture-frames some
of the rocco designs, which long ago
superseded the lowered effects. When
gold thread is introduced in the conven-
tional figures the frame is finished off with
narrow gilt-beading in place of the heavy
watered paper. These frames are now
used for dainty bits OF landscape as well as
for photographs.
Many sofa cushions are usually made
during the penitential season, and for
them art linens are to be had in almost
every conceivable artistic shade. These
are much used for sofa cushions, as is also
new material in black and white-a cross
between linen and denim - which, en-
broidered in tie bright silks and linens, is
especially adapted for piano and table
covers. Sofa pillows of the cloth embroid
cred in heavy all-over scrolls in blues, yel
lows and reds are extremely effective and